September 2012

The new lanes that have been under construction on SR 99 that were not expected to be opened until 5am Monday morning have opened in time for Seahawks fans to head downtown for the game on Sunday, Sept. 16.

The Washington State Department of Transportation announced the early completion:

"From Starbucks to Safeco Field, drivers are traveling on a new State Route 99 – an entire year earlier than expected.

At 5:07 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, crews opened newly completed northbound SR 99 lanes through SODO. This followed a weekend closure to connect existing SR 99 lanes to the second of two side-by-side bridges. Southbound traffic remains on the west bridge, which opened in October 2011, while the new east bridge now carries northbound traffic.

Crews completed this new section of SR 99 a year ahead of schedule and within the contract budget.

Over 200 cyclists took part in the inaugural “Ride Around the Sound” bike ride Saturday, Sept. 15. A benefit for the American Lung Association in Washington, the ride featured five distance options around Puget Sound, ranging from 100 miles, staring at South Seattle Community College, to a family-friendly ride of under 15 miles in West Seattle around Alki. Marvista Elementary in Des Moines served as the 75-mile starting location. .

The event offered full support including breakfast at all starts, lunch on the course, five rest stops, detailed ride guides, and more. A delicious feast, beer and music awaited riders at the finish line party at South Seattle Community College.

The organization helps keep kids from picking up that first cigarette, helps families dealing with lung cancer & asthma, and advocates for clean air. This is ride's the 30th year, but the first with this route. It was in the San Juan Islands in the past.

The City of Burien’s annual free Community Wellness Fair was held Saturday, Sept. 15 at Burien Town Square. Major sponsors of the Wellness Fair are the City of Burien, Burien Group Health, Highline Medical Center, Navos Mental Health Solutions 7 Schick Shadel.

SLIDESHOW: CLICK ON PHOTO FOR MORE

In 1962 Shilshole Bay Marina was formally dedicated during Seattle’s World Fair – Century 21, and offered moorage for 1500 boats. The marina's 50th birthday was celebrated Friday evening, Sept. 14, in front of the marina, with the idyllic backdrop of boat masts clustered together with the sun poking through. Salmon was served to the public, and Tracy McKendry, General Manger of Recreational Boating for the Port led the crowd, singing "Happy Birthday", before two birthday cakes were sliced.

"It's great to celebrate 50 years of boating here at Shilshole since 1962, and clearly a tremendous asset for the Ballard community and the Seattle Community, and as I hear from Shilshole, the best of the Northwest for the marinas," said Kurt Beckett, Chief of Staff, Port of Seattle. "I think the reason that's the case is it's the people, whether it's our community of liveaboards that helps make this place safe 24/7, our community up on the hill and surrounding neighborhoods, many of them customers here, so thanks for your business, and the larger community that makes this possible."

Monday, Sept. 10

Volleyball
West Seattle 3, Rainier Beach 0
Eastyn Baleto scored 13 kills, 10 aces and 12 digs as the Wildcats won by a three-game sweep last Monday.

Boys tennis
Evergreen 3, Renton 3
Evergreen and Renton were both shorthanded last Monday and played to a 3-3 tie.

Tuesday, Sept. 11
Volleyball
Evergreen 3, Renton 0
The Wolverines swept Renton aside in Tuesday action.

Girls soccer
West Seattle 8, Cleveland 0
The Wildcats clobbered Cleveland last Tuesday.
Chief Sealth 7, Rainier Beach 0
The Seahawks were also decsisive winners on Tuesday.
Mt. Vernon Christian 7, Seattle Luth. 3
The Saints fell to Mount Vernon Christian last Tuesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 12
Boys tennis
Kennedy 7, Evergreen 0
The Lancers swept the Wolverines this past Wednesday.

Boys golf
Seattle Prep 141, Cleveland-CS-Franklin 52
The combined Cleveland, Chief Sealth and Franklin team fell to Seattle Prep on Wednesday.

Girls golf
Seattle Prep 85, Cleveland-CS-Franklin 28

It all started with an onside kick recovered by Blue that turned into a quick score. That scenario continued throughout the first half. The Quakers couldn’t get anything going and they fell farther behind with the half time score 40-0.

West Seattle’s first possession in the second half resulted in a touchdown and a 46-0 score- the extra point was unsuccessful.

Franklin continued to be stymied by the West sider’s defense and could never get on track. At the end of three quarters with the score 46-0 the mercy rule was used to call the game at that point.

Coach Yarrington had these words after the game. “We’re 1-0 after the first game and the objective is to go out and win the league and you have to win the first game to go all the way”.

This was a payback game for the west sider’s losing to Franklin last year at the SWAC.

West Seattle plays Cleveland at the SWAC on September 21st.

More photos will be added.

UPDATE Sept 18:

King County Republican Party Endorses Strachan For King County Sheriff

KC GOP Press release:

Steve Strachan's brief tenure as Interim Sheriff has come during complicated times for the King County Sheriff’s Department. His service as the Police Chief of Kent has provided good experience for the challenges the now faced in King County. Strachan's respectful personal demeanor, calm leadership style, proven willingness to listen to community voices, and intellectual openness to the perspectives of others were important factors in our decision. We also take note of his wide support from the law enforcement community, including King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, former Sheriff Sue Rahr, and a host of police chiefs, law enforcements leaders, etc.

The King County Republican Party believes Steve Strachan should to be retained as King County Sheriff.

UPDATE Sept 16:

King County Republican Party Endorsement Strachan for Sheriff

KC GOP Press release:

Steve Strachan's brief tenure as Interim Sheriff has come during complicated times for the King County Sheriff’s Department. His service as the Police Chief of Kent has provided good experience for the challenges the now faced in King County. Strachan's respectful personal demeanor, calm leadership style, proven willingness to listen to community voices, and intellectual openness to the perspectives of others were important factors in our decision. We also take note of his wide support from the law enforcement community, including King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, former Sheriff Sue Rahr, and a host of police chiefs, law enforcements leaders, etc.

The King County Republican Party believes Steve Strachan should to be retained as King County Sheriff.

UPDATE 5:40 pm
Power has been restored

Original post
157 City Light customers in West Seattle's Genesee Hill area are without power this afternoon after what City Light said was a "balloon" apparently caused some equipment to fail. The projected restoration time is 7pm

The outage is just behind and adjacent to Me-Kwa-Mooks Park and extends from s.w. Andover Street on the north to approximately Oregon Street on the south. The eastern boundary of the outage is 52nd Pl. s.w.

You can monitor the outage on City Light's System Staus Page here http://www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat/

UPDATE Oct. 23
The move to White Center and the former Papa's Pub is complete and Meanders is set to open in a sneak preview this Friday, October 26. Owner Miranda Krone posted on their Facebook wall that, "not only will be be opening this Friday, Saturday & Sunday for a sneak preview in our new White Center location, but also that the planets have lined up in such a way as to bring us the great fortune of Matthew Wolfson joining our team as the new front of house manager! How awesome is that?!?! "

She also shared that,"The folks at Graffix are getting a banner sign together for us, so we'll have that by Friday...whoo hoo!"

Posted Sept. 16