August 2012

In late July Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and Councilmember Nick Licata announced plans to cap involuntary towing fees and storage rates starting in 2013, and the idea has not been well received by West Seattle towing companies or their state lobbying body, the Towing and Recovery Association of Washington (TRAW).

The issue broke into the limelight last year when a Seattle man was charged just under $800 by Citywide Towing to retrieve his truck after it was hauled away from a Capitol Hill apartment. Since then, Seattle and state politicians have stated their intent to do something about “predatory” fees when it comes to involuntary tows from private property in Washington. Currently, there is no state law limiting how much a company can charge.

The plan would cap impound fees at $156.75 and storage rates would top out at $15.50 for the first 12 hours. With tax, the total ding would ring in at $188.61 as long as the vehicle is retrieved in that 12 hour window.

Some years back I was in New York traveling with former partner Al Sneed.

We were looking for printing equipment but we had some time for sightseeing and noticed Jack Dempsey's restaurant.

For youngsters reading this, Dempsey was once the world champion heavyweight boxer so we decided to have breakfast there.

A young lady greeted us with a smile and showed us to a table.

A waiter about our age came over with menus and in a heavy German accent greeted us. He said, “My name is Max and I am your vaiter. I am from South America and I vas a soldier for Adolph Hitler during the var and someday I vill go back to Chermany because Chermany will rise again.”

Al and I were both a little stunned but ordered our breakfast and while in the kitchen the lady who had greeted us came to our table and asked if everything was okay.

Friday the 13th has always had a legend of bad luck, but this July was a very lucky day for Richard and Virginia Johnson. Or was it luck? We’ll get to that later.

In 1948, long before Normandy Park became its own city, Richard (90) and Virginia (89) purchased a beautiful plot of land – the place that they would one day settle and have six kids. However, prior to that Richard was growing up in the wilds of Minnesota and Virginia in Queen Anne, WA.

With sparkling blue eyes and a head of bouncy, silver curls, Virginia describes her summers. “I loved prowling around the Suquamish woods with the local Indian children. I had read all sorts of books about Indians and thought they’d know all about the woods and different plants. I don’t think they knew anymore than I did!”

Dr. Jon Cullom
MARINE VIEW VETERINARY HOSPITAL

In the last three months, three cats have been presented to our veterinary hospital by their owners, dead on arrival.

These were not outdoor cats exposed to potentially fatal circumstances on a daily basis nor were they of an advanced age--indeed they were 4, 5, and 6 years old. There was no record of chronic disease and all were perceived by their owners to be in perfect health.

An autopsy conducted on one of the three revealed advanced heart disease and, though unconfirmed, we suspect that the other two cats were afflicted with a similar disorder. Three months, three dead cats, and three devastated owners with one common connection-- none had seen a veterinarian for an exam in the past three years.

Oh how we love our feline companions! They entertain us with back flips and other acrobatics as they chase the laser light or the feather on a stick. They amaze us as they leap onto the mantle and land amongst the family pictures and fragile heirlooms, never disturbing a one.

Established in 2005, the Twilight Artist Collective at 4306 S.W. Alaska St. is for sale at a price of $30,000, according to the owners.

The Junction art collective was created by local artists Mary Enslow, Cheryl Robinson and Erin Staffeld with the goal of “providing the venue for artists to share inspiration, expose people to original ideas through art, and build a sustainable artist community.”

Here are the details from the Twilight website:

"The time has come for Mary Enslow, Cheryl Robinson, and Erin Staffeld to pass the TwAC torch! Life has opened some new doors for us all and we’re personally headed in some wonderful new directions – babies, different art ventures, and the great unknown!

We are EXCITED (and a little sad too), to announce that Twilight Artist Collective is ready for some fresh blood.

Twilight Artist Collective is on the market for $30,000, and this will include the following:
- Ownership of an existing and viable business with eight years of retail history.

The November election vote on annexation of North Highline and White Center to Burien will happen.

Despite pleas heard during more than an hour of public comment to delay the annexation vote because of the poor economy, the Burien City Council decided on a tie vote Monday night to leave the measure on the ballot.

Only residents in the area to be annexed will vote on it. Burien residents do not get a vote.

The Burien council rejected a motion by Councilmember Jack Block Jr. to take the annexation measure off the November ballot. Voting for the motion were Block, Lucy Krakowiak and Bob Edgar. Opposed were Mayor Brian Bennett as well as council members Joan McGilton and Gerald Robison. Because the motion did not receive a majority, it failed. Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, an annexation proponent, did not attend the meeting.

A majority of the public commenters opposed annexation. The speakers said it would be fiscally irresponsible to take on North Highline during a poor economy.

The November election vote on annexation of North Highline and White Center to Burien will happen.

Despite pleas heard during more than an hour of public comment to delay the annexation vote because of the poor economy, the Burien City Council decided on a tie vote Monday night to leave the measure on the ballot.

Only residents in the area to be annexed will vote on it. Burien residents do not get a vote.

The Burien council rejected a motion by Councilmember Jack Block Jr. to take the annexation measure off the November ballot. Voting for the motion were Block, Lucy Krakowiak and Bob Edgar. Opposed were Mayor Brian Bennett as well as council members Joan McGilton and Gerald Robison. Because the motion did not receive a majority, it failed. Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, an annexation proponent, did not attend the meeting.

A majority of the public commenters opposed annexation. The speakers said it would be fiscally irresponsible to take on North Highline during a poor economy.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is launching its annual Fill-the-Boot fundraiser in Seattle and on August 7th and 8th, from 2 p.m.to 6 p.m. Seattle Firefighters will stand on 30 street corners throughout the city raising money for adults and children affected by the neuromuscular disease.

In West Seattle you will find them at four locations:

• Delridge Way SW/ SW Orchard St
• California Av SW / SW Admiral Way
• California Av SW / Fauntleroy Way SW
• California Av SW / SW Alaska St

Last year, Seattle Firefighters raised $120,000. For the 8th year in a row, Seattle was the top department in the state for MDA fundraising.

Fill-the-Boot began in 1953 when two Boston Firefighters wanted to help “Jerry’s Kids” so they grabbed their boots and went into the community to raise donations.

88% of every dollar raised in King County goes directly to patient services and stays here locally.

A free mini music festival put on by three White Center businesses featuring 7 bands is coming to that community Aug. 18. The set times for the bands will be staggered, allowing people to take in range of music the organizers say includes rock/jazz/pop/psychedelic/and punk.

They are seeking to promote neighboring businesses like Zippy's Giant Burgers, Proletariat Pizza, Uncle Mike's BBQ, and Big Al Brewery. A Rat City Roller Girls bout at Southgate Roller Rink, though not affiliated with the event is happening the same night.

A suggested donation of $5 will get you a wrist band that is good for happy hour drink prices at each venue all night.

Exclusive, limited edition t-shirts, created by graphic design legend and local rock luminary, Nat Damm (Akimbo, Sandrider), are available for pre-order at:

www.brownpapertickets.com/event/264989

T-shirts will be available at the show in limited quantities and sizes. Pre-ordering your shirt will guarantee you a shirt in your size and will include a free Rat City Recon wristband (a $5 value).

Here are the venues:

Company Bar - 9608 16th Ave. SW Seattle, WA 98106

It's finally here, the first Tuesday of August, which means Night Out.

Night Out is the perfect excuse for neighbors to get together outside, legally block off a road and have fun. There will be block parties all over Seattle (some of which can be found here, though not all are listed), so make sure to find one near you. Many events are starting between 4-6 p.m., just in time for those getting off work, and promise to go late(ish) into the night.

But more than just fun, Night Out is meant to encourage neighborhood safety and crime prevention. By creating a more aware and closer-knit community, a neighborhood can become that much safer.

Don't forget this weekend that SPD will be hosting "Picnic at the Precinct," Aug. 11, 1-4 p.m., to talk about public safety issues and to take comments from the community.