July 2012

UPDATE for Aug. 1
Waste Management reports they have come to a tentative agreement with Teamsters Local 117, representing the drivers who went on strike just over a week ago.

Waste Management drivers are expected to go back to work tomorrow morning (Aug. 2).

Here is the statement from Waste Management:

Following a confidential meeting between the parties’ lead negotiators, Waste Management and Teamsters Local 117 announced that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new 6-year contract.

Teamster leadership and the bargaining committee will fully recommend that members approve the new contract at the ratification vote scheduled for 9:00am on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at the Union Hall in Tukwila.

Note: Garbage drivers will return to work in the morning and begin servicing their regular Thursday collection routes. However, due to the timing of the ratification vote, recycling and yard waste collection will be limited. Please see www.wmnorthwest.com for more information.

On August 11th, OutWest Bar at 5401 California Ave SW, will celebrate a milestone: Their first anniversary in business. Owners Bob Lunke and Chad Gabelein said they've been successful thus far due to, "the marvelous work of the tireless team of Joe, Josh, Holly, Nich, Rich, and Shannon, and most entirely to our unfailing patrons who believe in the OutWest Bar as the “LGBTQA community center with adult beverages in West Seattle."

Gabelein said he was excited about the wider awareness that Outwest has achieved too.

"When we marched in the Pride parade this year (our second year, as we also marched last year two months before opening) we were thrilled with the cheering reception of supporters from all over the city and region and knew we’d done a good thing."

Several Seafaiir-sanctioned events have taken place this weekend, and West Seattle resident and King County Executive Dow Constantine appeared today at the Filipino Seafair party at the Seward Park Amphitheater. This 23rd annual event is called "Pista sa Nayon" or "Festival in the Village". Traditional dancing and singing is performed on stage through 8:00 p.m.

Because of the heat, many stirred and sipped the traditional Filipino dessert, halo halo, a "mixture" of sweet preserved beans(red beans, chick peas), coconut meat (macapuno), jackfruit (langka), pounded dried rice (pinipig), sweet yam (ube), cream flan (leche flan), shreds of sweetened plantain (saba), filled with crushed ice, milk (or coconut milk) and topped with ice cream.

More than 100 attended a moving award ceremony in Logan Hall, Wesley Gardens in Des Moines Saturday afternoon, July 28, as WWII pilot, Theodore J. Johnston, or "T.J", 89, also a Boeing employee prior to, and after the war, was officially honored with a medal, the prestigious "Chevalie Légion d’Honneur". Jack A. Cowan, Seattle-based Consul Honoraire de France for the State of Washington, and a Tukwila resident, pinned Johnston with the badge.

Johnston's friend, Paul Beeman hosted. Both live at Wesley Gardens. Beeman honored Des Moines resident Janette Swecker, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution who reenacts Betsy Ross in Highline grade schools, for bringing Johnston to Cowan's attention.

In Feb. 1944, Johnston was awarded pilot wings and left for the European theater to free France. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force, and then to the 398th Heavy Bomb Group as a pilot in B17's. He flew 30 missions over Germany.

Seahurst Park is hosting a family overnight campout this weekend, sponsored by Burien Parks and Recreation, and REI. Thirty families with over 120 people registered. The majority are Burien residents. It is a first, but organizers hope next year to offer two such events.

Casey Stanley, Burien Parks and Recreation Supervisor is working with Lisa Farance, REI Outdoor School Instructor. Michael Lafreniere, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Director, had the idea of the campout.

"It occurred to me about a year ago that we just hadn't had any programs with bringing people in the park, camping overnight, so I ran it up the flagpole with the Parks Board and they thought it was a good idea," said Lafreniere, who was on hand by the check-in table. "We don't normally have overnight camping in this park."

The outing included arts, crafts, hiking, with outdoor experts on hand. Some campers brought their own tents while others rented tents from REI.

More than 100 attended a moving award ceremony in Logan Hall, Wesley Gardens in Des Moines Saturday afternoon, July 28, as WWII pilot, Theodore J. Johnston, or "T.J", 89, also a Boeing employee prior to, and after the war, was officially honored with a medal, the prestigious "Chevalie Légion d’Honneur". Jack A. Cowan, Seattle-based Consul Honoraire de France for the State of Washington, and a Tukwila resident, pinned Johnston with the badge.

Johnston's friend, Paul Beeman hosted. Beeman honored Des Moines resident Janette Swecker, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution who reenacts Betsy Ross in Highline grade schools, for bringing Johnston to Cowan's attention.

In Feb. 1944, Johnston was awarded pilot wings and left for the European theater to free France. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force, and then to the 398th Heavy Bomb Group as a pilot in B17's. He flew 30 missions over Germany.

Comedy is king tonight with the showing of the Mel Brooks classic 1974 Young Frankenstein starring Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman. The film's story concerns Dr. Frankenstein's grandson who, after years of living down the family reputation, inherits granddad's castle and repeats the experiments with hilarious results.

Pre-Show entertainment will be provided by Jump Roping by Rene.

The film is presented by Law offices of Melissa A. Huelsman, and Seattle Lutheran High School.

You are urged to bring blankets, chairs family and friends to 4410 California Ave. s.w. (between Hotwire Coffee and Dr. Wolff.

All movies are FREE (except the first one on July 20).

West Seattle Outdoor Movies are presented by the West Seattle Junction. You can learn more by visiting www.wsmovies.org or on their Facebook page.

King County Sheriff Public Information Officer Cindi West released this information about an attempted kidnapping in Burien:

A 43 year old Seattle man was arrested this evening after attempting to kidnap an Albertson’s employee by dragging her into his van.

The incident occurred tonight just before 5:00 PM at the Albertson’s located at S128th St. and 1 AVE S.

Deputies said a 21 year old female employee was in the parking lot of the store gathering shopping carts. The suspect, who was not known to the victim, approached her and tried to convince her to get into his van.

When the victim would not get into the van the suspect grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her into the van. A nearby witness called 911 and ran to assist the victim. The victim was able to get away from the suspect and ran into the store to hide.

Witnesses said the suspect then went into the store and appeared to be looking for the woman. King County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived quickly and took the suspect into custody as he was leaving the store.

Press release:

A 43 year old Seattle man was arrested this evening after attempting to kidnap an Albertson’s employee by dragging her into his van.

The incident occurred tonight just before 5:00 PM at the Albertson’s located at S128th St. and 1 AVE S.

Deputies said a 21 year old female employee was in the parking lot of the store gathering shopping carts. The suspect, who was not known to the victim, approached her and tried to convince her to get into his van.

When the victim would not get into the van the suspect grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her into the van. A nearby witness called 911 and ran to assist the victim. The victim was able to get away from the suspect and ran into the store to hide.

Witnesses said the suspect then went into the store and appeared to be looking for the woman. King County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived quickly and took the suspect into custody as he was leaving the store.

After a scathing Department of Justice review of the Seattle Police Department was released in December and a long process of discussion between the city and feds ever since, an agreement was finally reached and announced on July 27, four days before the July 31 deadline imposed by the Justice Dept. There were concerns the federal government might sue the city if that deadline came and went without an agreement.

The settlement includes implementation of a federal monitor of SPD reforms and the creation of a Community Police Commission. Full compliance to the reforms is expected within five years.

Here are the details from Mayor Mike McGinn's office in a press release:

Mayor, Department of Justice announce agreements to implement police department reforms

Settlement Agreement to be overseen by federal monitor, Memorandum of Understanding to create Community Police Commission to help guide reforms moving forward