October 2012

Lesson learned, the Mayor loves fish.

Or, at least, fish from the Fresh Fish Co. He couldn't stop talking about it all day.

On a walking tour Tuesday, Oct. 22, Mayor Mike McGinn visited several businesses in Loyal Heights, including the Fresh Fish Co., Larsen's Bakery, Mailbox Ballard, Agape Childcare Center, the Loyal Heights Manor (senior citizen living facility), Saleh's Delicatessen and the Philadelphia Church.

McGinn asked questions at each of the businesses and let them tell him a little bit about themselves, as well as express their concerns.

Ballard Mailbox was concerned about taxing on small businesses. Folks at the Agape Childcare Center said that they wanted better signage at the crosswalk in front of their store. The owner pointed to a signal sign which had been run over -- an incident that has happened multiple times without quick reaction, she said.

Steve Saleh of Saleh's Delicatessen said that his store has been subject to countless acts of vandalism and, at times, theft. McGinn had Saleh talk to Lauren Street, a police officer who had joined in on the walk.

Ballard-based Reuben's Brews, which just opened up this last August, just bagged three medals at the 2012 World Beer Championships -- something like a beer version of the Olympics.

A gold medal for their American Brown ale, a silver medal for their Robbenbier and a bronze medal for their American Rye.

So, if you ever wanted to try out an award-winning beer, now's your chance to do it right in your own neighborhood. Reuben's Brews is located at 1406 Northwest 53rd Street #1a. Hours: Thursday, 3-8pm; Friday, 3-8pm; Saturday, noon-8pm; Sunday noon-5pm

See below for details of the medals from the World Beer Championships:

Reuben's Brews American Brown

Murky brown color. Aromas of salty roasted nuts and pretzels, cocoa, and clay with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smoky and piney, herbal hop accented finish. Pleasant and very food friendly.

WORLD BEER CHAMPIONSHIPS AWARD: Gold Medal
RATING: 90 points (Exceptional)
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 5.9%
CATEGORY: American Style Brown Ale, Ale

Reuben's Brews Roggenbier

Burien is set to get a jump on neighboring cities by approving its 2013-2014 biennial budget on Monday, Nov. 4.

Cities have until the end of the year to approve their budgets for the coming year. But to accommodate colleagues’ medical and travel plans, Burien lawmakers agreed to try to wrap up budget adoption by early November.

The proposed budget totals $72 million in all funds with $44 million for the general operating fund. To balance the budget, Burien will take about $1 million out of its fund balance.

City Manager Mike Martin disputed a statement by resident Chestine Edgar during the Oct. 22 budget public hearing that “the city is going broke.”

“The city is not going broke,” Martin declared. “We are using reserves per council direction, instead of raising taxes.”

Martin added that under the most conservative estimates, Burien would not run out of reserves until 2016.

Nearing the end of a long election season, and perhaps the result of the two candidates being tired and ragged from what has become increasingly negative campaigning, the debate for the 36th District, Position 2 devolved into a bickerfest over endorsements and money interests.

The debate, which took place Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the Sunset Hill Community Club, started out well enough, with the candidates describing their credentials and intelligently discussing big, complex issues.

Port Commission President Gael Tarleton stressed that she had years of experience working with budgets and finding solutions to crises.

Progressive Majority Director Noel Frame said she had solid progressive credentials and that people liked her because she was true to her word.

They discussed how to fully fund education. Both are committed to it, but disagreed on the method to fund it.

Tarleton started off by saying, effectively, Frame was not experienced enough to handle the budget.

"The big difference between me and my opponent on this issue is experience and finding a solution to the problem, instead of just knowing it’s a problem," she said.

NHUAC press release:

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council invites you to the monthly meeting, Thursday, November 1, 7pm at the North Highline Fire Station (1243 112th Street, SW).

We are pleased to be hosting Brenda Bauer and Jay Osborne from the King County Department of Transportation, who will present an overview of current service delivery and "What to expect this winter and impacts from the diminishing budget."

As noted at previous meetings by the County DOT, and King County Council Member, Joe McDermott at NHUAC's Oct 4 Annexation Forum, the county has moved to a "tiered" level of service for unincorporated area roads. Under this plan, Tier 5 roads, 36 miles of which make up the residential streets in North Highline, will receive "virtually no storm and snow response. Maintenance will be limited and based on factors such as life safety and risk, resulting is a growing number of deteriorating roads. Users can expect to see some closures...these
roads may also be downgraded to a gravel surface.."

King County Parks press release:
The Annual King County Parks Family Halloween Carnival is coming up on Saturday, October 27th from 2-5pm at the White Center Community Center, in Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd 98146.) Doors open at 2pm and admission is free. Local teens have planned nearly thirty different woodland themed crafts and games for local children ages 10 and under. Tickets for each activity are sold for .25 each or 5/$1.00. In addition to the games, the carnival also features a free performance by Juggler Matt Baker at 3:30pm.

The Fauntleroy Community Association is bringing back "Sweet Sweet Music: Songs from Stage and Screen II" on November 2, at 7:30pm

Back by popular demand, local performers will sing and play songs from favorite movies and Broadway shows. Featuring Katie Ackers, Sarah Ackers, Betsy Boyer, Greg Dirks, Bronwyn Edwards, Kevin Finney, Laura Grit, Gordy Mandt, Jenny Mandt, Megan Miller, Shellie Moomey, Irene Stewart, Conrad Wesselhoeft, and David Yanacek.

Still only $5, including dessert. The event is being held at the Fellowship Hall, 9140 California Ave SW

The debate between Reuven Carlyle (D-36) and Hope and Change Party candidate Leslie Klein at the Sunset Hill Community Club last night was mild-mannered, courteous and, at times, revealed itself as a kind of joke.

Albeit a joke that permitted a chance for "civic discussion," as Carlyle called it, and which highlighted several key issues.

Klein, who has run time and time again for the fiercely Democratic 36th District, and without fail always failed by a wide margin, understood the joke all too well.

"There is one thing that Reuven and I agree on," Klein said. "And that is with the absentee ballots counted so far, he already has more votes than I’m going to get between now and when the ballots are counted in a month from now. So Reuven, let me congratulate you”

The debate served more as a chance for Carlyle to repeat his firm stances on several issues while Klein served the typical opposing view to push back against.

Carlyle expressed his opposition to coal trains and Tim Eyman's two-thirds majority initiative, his concern for the charter schools initiative, and discussed the question of a state bank.

On coal, Carlyle was adamant.

Whether you like them or not, pot dispensaries are here to stay.

At least, that is the reasoning Councilmembers Sally Clark and Nick Licata are using as they continue work on legislation which would implement land use zoning regulations on cannabis facilities. They presented their idea at the Ballard District Council's October meeting.

“We have a population with real needs. We have people who want to start a legitimate business,” Clark said. “We have been having excessive conversation with people who are trying to start these businesses … they want to serve the public, they want to help people, but they also, basically, want to be businesspeople.”

The new zoning regulations come into response to a bill that the Washington State Legislature passed in 2011, ESSSB 5073, which altered State regulations to allow the growing and dispensing of medical marijuana, either by medical marijuana dispensaries or for permit-qualified patients. Medical marijuana is still considered an “illegal substance” under Federal law.

The principal wonders if the “Ellen” show has called yet. The teacher marvels at the power of what has been created. The freshman students are demanding the opportunity to do what juniors and seniors did last year. Hundreds lined up for the book launch. And the tulip on the cover survived being dropped during a photo shoot.

If the seeds for this story hadn’t been dropped like acorns on a street in Ballard, I wouldn’t attempt another account. After all, the story of the high school project that has become the book, “We Are Absolutely Not Okay,” has already been aired by KING-5, featured on IndieReader and gotten a recommendation from Reader’s Digest. But as the book continues to gain attention, its grassroots effort to empower other teenagers may become a really big oak, with branches reaching across the country.

What started as an author visit by Ballard writer Ingrid Ricks to Scriber Lake High School in Edmonds last winter has become an e-book, a paperback, a website and a new mission: Teens helping teens: through personal storytelling.