July 2012

While Burien City Council members are seriously split on North Highline annexation and other issues, they had refrained from personal verbal attacks in public—until their July 2 council meeting.

The issue that spurred the verbal joust was the possible consolidation of the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries into one new building. King County Library System trustees have considered the recommendation from their staff but have held off action pending the November vote on annexation.

But on July 2, Councilman Jack Block Jr. accused the council majority of Mayor Brian Bennett. Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, Councilwoman Joan McGilton and Councilman Gerald Robison of secretly going along with City Manager Mike Martin’s plans to close the libraries. Block said Martin is working through an ad hoc committee to go along with consolidating the libraries. He added Martin wants to use the current White Center Library building as a police precinct station.

SDOT has announced that the westbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct (the raised roadway that connects I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge) will open ahead of schedule, at approximately 4:30 p.m. today.

The crews plan to first open the ramp from northbound I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge, and then the southbound I-5 ramp. Then they will reopen the Columbian Way South ramp to the West Seattle Bridge.

The westbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct have been closed since 10 p.m. Friday night as part of work being done for the viaduct widening project. The lanes had been scheduled to remain closed until 5 a.m. Monday, but can be opened this afternoon because the work has been completed early.

The Highline Times reported on the Angle Lake 4th of July fireworks show, and got a lot of comments regarding its cost, about $10,000, and the length of this year's show, about 12 minutes. You can read that article by clicking here.

Below, the Angle Lake Shore Club has issued this statement:

For what it's worth, the (Angle Lake) Shore Club has released a public statement regarding the 4th of July Fireworks show produced over Angle Lake.
http://anglelakesc.blogspot.com/2012/07/message-from-alsc-president.html

Our intent is to state the facts: The show was certainly not of the quality we had prepared for, that we are working together with the city representatives to obtain answers for what occurred, and we're allowing an opportunity for our long time contracted partner to provide a detailed explanation of root cause and proposal to mitigate the situation.

According to the Seattle Police Dept. a 37 year old asian male suspect in a late model blue Cadillac Escalade SUV was involved in a series of rammings and a chase leading from Alki Ave, to Harbor Ave, to Delridge Way where he was finally stopped.

People Behaving Badly
Written by Detective Renee Witt on July 7, 2012-From the Seattle Police Blotter

A large melee on Alki escalated into shots being fired. On 7/6/12, just shortly after 9:00 p.m., officers responded to 5851 SW Lander St to a report of a melee and gunfire.

A large group of people were enjoying the rare hot and sunny weather in Whale Tail Park. Two women got into an argument, which escalated into a large brawl. Someone pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots. One round went through a window of a home across the street (2600 block of Marine SW).

Ballardites, you know the time of year. It's the 38th annual SeafoodFest. Prepare your feet, your stomach (for lutefisk) and any other muscles you use to have fun.

One thing of note: In honor of longtime SeafoodFest opener Stan Borenson's retirement, every band on the Ballard Ave Main Stage will feature an accordion. "It's all accordions, all the time."

Saturday, July 14

Ballard Ave Main Stage

Noon – Pickled Herring
1:30 p.m. – The Legendary Oaks
3:00 p.m. – Matt the Hoopla
4:45 p.m. – Two Scoops Combo
6:00 p.m. – Renee de la Prade
7:45 p.m. – DJ Riz

Ballard Commons Family Stage

Noon – Johnny Moses Native Storyteller
1:00 p.m. – Clay Martin’s Punch & Judy
2:00 p.m. – Mario the Funny Man
3:00 p.m. – Clayton Green’s Roving Reptiles
4:00 p.m. – Caspar Babypants
5:00 p.m. – Mario the Funny Man

Bergen Place Park

1:00 p.m. – Lutefisk Eating Contest

Sunday, July 15

Ballard Ave Main Stage

Noon – Orville Johnson Goes Gospel
1:15 p.m. – Pearl D’Jango
2:45 p.m. – Miles & Karina
4:15 p.m. – Juan Barco
5:30 p.m. – Wylie & The Wild West Show

by Mark Solomon
Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention Coordinator

The 2012 National Night Out Against Crime will be Tuesday, August 7th.  Night Out is a national crime prevention event designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities.  It is a great chance to reconnect with neighbors and share information with each other while learning more about crime prevention.

To register your 2012 Night Out Against Crime event, please go to: http://www.seattle.gov/police/nightout/default.htm

Why Being Involved is Important

Ola Salon, at 2942 Avalon Way s.w. in the Luna Park neighborhood of West Seattle, is hosting the second annual Luna Park Block Party July 19.

The party starts at 6pm and will conclude shortly after 9pm.

A number of local businesses are participating in the event including, Ola Salon,Transitional Resources, Pet Care Center at Luna Park, Java Bean Espresso, Luna Park Café, Avalon Glassworks, Kitty Harbor, ActivSpace, and Tarot Card Readings by Kelly.

The block party will start at Ola Salon, located at 2942 SW Avalon Way, and will include the businesses in ActivSpace, 3400 Harbor Ave. s.w. and you are urged to visit both areas.

There will be raffle prizes; all proceeds from ticket sales will benefit pet rescue agency Kitty Harbor.

Tickets are one for $3 or two for $5.

Festivities include:
*Refreshments along with live music by Sid Law at Ola Salon
*Complimentary brow/lip waxing by the spa at Ola Salon
*Happy hour from 3-10 pm at Luna Park Café
*Specials on coffee from Java Bean Espresso at Ola Salon

Dear Editor

A zipline would probaby be of interest to lots of people in west seattle and throughout the city but PLEASE NOT AT LINCOLN PARK where all the wild life will probably leave.

How about Riverview Park or Westcrest Park?

Why not get some citizen feedback before trying to make it a done deal?

There is less parking at Lincoln Park than the others.

Harriet Benjamin

South Highline National won the District 7 age 10-11 Little League baseball tournament in thrilling fashion Wednesday, scoring in the bottom of the sixth and final inning to beat a fiesty PacWest team by a 9-8 score.

Jace Pigg knocked in the winning run for the Nationals in what was the second if-necessary championship game.

PacWest had won the provisional championship game, 11-3, the day before coming out of the loser's bracket to force the second game.

Larry Siler of PacWest launched a three-run home run over the fence in right center in the top of the third for the big hit in that game, after Dylan Shaw and Josh Encisco both doubled in a six-run second inning. PacWest scored its other two runs in the first on singles by Enciso, Siler and Adrian Brown.

As the District 7 champion, South Highline National will advance to the state tournament starting Saturday, July 14 at Freedom Field in Mill Creek.

The Nationals had opened with a 7-2 win over Seattle Central before edging PacWest, 6-5, in the winner's bracket final to get a quick ticket to the championship game against PacWest.