January 2013

In the week of Jan. 28, Seattle Public Utilities will begin assessing the combined sewer overflow area at the end of 24th Ave NW.

The overflow, NPDES 150, is one of the big problem spots in Ballard which gushes out sewage during a storm event. (We covered this more in detail in a cover story a couple of weeks ago.)

Turns out, the pipe is old. It's a 30-inch diameter wooden pipe which can't handle the combined volume of stormwater and sewage, allowing raw sewage to gush into Salmon Bay during storm events. the outfall pipe originally extended about 62 feet from sure, SPU said, but it's deteriorated so severely that now it only extends about ten feet.

In November, along with NPDES 151 (which shares the same overflow point), the pipe was responsible for spilling 3,350,000 gallons of sewer overflow into Salmon Bay.

Update Jan. 29
Seattle songwriter and theater manager, Dinah Brein along with her collaborator Jon Michaels has won NBC’s “Quest for the Best Today Show Jingle”. Michaels performed the song this morning on the Today show and beat out the two other finalists. Renowned record producer David Foster who judged the segment, commented after listening to the songs that if he were chosen to produce a killer 30-second spot - it would be the Brein/Michaels's entry and awarded the song the top honor.

"Jon called me this morning and told me the good news", said Brein. "He also said, don't be mad, I didn't mention you until the end of the segment because my daughter would have killed me if I hadn’t led off with her.”

You can see the segment on the Today Show website here:

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50626328

Original post Jan. 16
Dinah Brein, well known in West Seattle through her association with the Admiral Theater, along with her collaborator Jon Michaels has been named one of 3 finalists for NBC’s “Quest for the Best Today Show Jingle”.

She shared the story of the jingle composition and details in a release today:

“He’s a straight shooter and a darn good precinct commander.”

That was the description given to returning Southwest Precinct Commander Joseph Kessler by his second-in-command, Lt. Pierre Davis, at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting on Jan. 15 in a broad spectrum meeting covering everything from the leadership change to pot, panhandlers and nuisance properties.

Kessler returned to the Southwest Precinct in 2013 after a two-year stint as the West Precinct commander. Capt. Steve Paulsen was transferred to the South Precinct.

Davis said Kessler was instrumental in creating strong block watches in West Seattle communities when he was here last, and that he hopes to continue that work. Kessler will meet with West Seattle block watch captains during their monthly meeting on Jan. 22.

Davis also announced a new Community Police Team officer for the Southwest Precinct, Officer John Flores. Flores will be taking over Officer Ken Mazzuca’s position helping out William sector residents.

Over the next five months, eight Aviation High School juniors will participate in the Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) program, which is designed to prepare students for careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The students, Ted Anthony Ayson, Rocco Buty, Brian Huynh, Mike Huynh, Abigail Jarve, Miguel Laigo, Mahekdeep Singh, and Lillian Stewart, will complete online academic coursework in order to qualify for one of 160 Summer Residency session slots.

To qualify, students must satisfactorily complete ten online lessons, consisting of research essays, space-related math problems, and detailed graphics that illustrate their ideas.

Students who qualify for the Summer Residency will be hosted in June or July for six-days at The Museum of Flight. During the residency they will be guided by professional engineers, scientists, university students, and educators as they collaborate with other students to design a human mission to Mars. They will also take tours of engineering facilities and laboratories, complete team engineering challenges, and meet leaders in STEM fields.

Update for Feb. 13
Sustainable West Seattle Green Project $1000 Grant Deadline February 19th

WEST SEATTLE – Do you have an idea for a green project but need some seed money to get started? Sustainable West Seattle is sponsoring a $1000 Green Project grant to bring your idea to life and make West Seattle a little greener. The grant deadline is February 19th.

Your green idea can be either just be the start of something ambitious or a small endeavor. It can be long running or short term. We're also open to add-ons or new features to current projects, as long as your idea is a new innovation or addition to that program.

Applying is easy – just fill out a short two-page form on the SWS website to share your idea and make an informal five-minute presentation at our next Sustainable West Seattle meeting on February 19 at 7-9pm. After the presentations, you’ll have an opportunity to interact with the audience to describe your idea and the impact your project will have on the community. All details are available on the SWS website.

Seattle Parks press release:

Camp Long, Washington State University Extension offer ropes course facilitator trainings

Camp Long, in partnership with the Washington State University Extension, offers trainings in the park’s ropes course, using the process of experimental learning to educate and train through portable elements and low ropes and high ropes courses.

The upcoming trainings are:
Three-day Low Ropes Course Facilitator Training
Wednesday, January 30 – Friday, February 2
$250
This training is for experienced low/high ropes course facilitators, to enable them to use the Camp Long Challenge Course.

Four-day High Ropes Course Facilitator Training
Monday, March 25– Thursday, March 28
$300
This training is for Camp Long Low Ropes Facilitators, to enable them to use hub and spoke, ziplines, and power pole/vertical playpen.

The Chief Sealth International High School annual Prospective Student Open House prospective for students and families is set for Thursday, Feb. 7 from 6 to 8 pm this year.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from administration, teachers, parents and students.

To be included:
• A variety of information sessions from department leaders and students
• Building tours and student entertainment
• Displays of available after-school opportunities and college prep programs
• Desserts and beverages provided by the PTSA and YMCA
In addition, interested families will have the opportunity to participate in a series of school-day tours.
• Tuesday, February 12 - Madison & Pathfinder students, 10:00-11:30am
• Tuesday, February 19 - Denny Middle School Tours, various times
(arranged through Denny literacy blocks)
• Tuesday, February 26 - Private schools, all others, 10:00-11:30am

CSIHS is located at 2600 SW Thistle Street.

Italian male super model Fabio Lanzoni is coming to West Seattle on Jan. 17 to make an appearance at Metropolitan Market in the Admiral District. He's promoting "Healthy Planet Nutrition" a group of products that include Whey Protein, Colostrum, and Glutamine.

He will be in store from 4pm to 7pm.

This isn't his only Seattle stop. He will be in town through Jan. 20 making appearances around Seattle and doing a television interview (not specified as yet).

If you miss his West Seattle appearance you can still see him at the following locations and dates:

Sand Point: Jan. 18 12-3pm
Uptown: Jan 18 4-7pm
Proctor: Jan 19 12-3pm
Kirkland: Jan 19 4-7pm
Magnolia: Jan 20 3-6pm

Press release:

The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in cold, harsh winter weather. It’s not too late to have your vehicle checked, saving you from the cost and hassle of unexpected emergency repairs when severe weather strikes.

Battery - Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Batteries don't always give warning signs before they fail completely so it’s wise to replace batteries that are more than three years old.

Antifreeze - Antifreeze (coolant) should be flushed and refilled at least every two years in most vehicles. As a reminder, do not add 100 percent antifreeze as full-strength antifreeze actually has a lower freeze point than when mixed with water.

Brakes - Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item and is key while driving on icy or snow-covered roads.

Tires - Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly as tires will lose pressure when temperatures drop.

Burien artist Shelli Park, who has her own display at Burien Town Square, has let us know about another Burien artist whose work will be displayed at the Square retail space:

“Don Liljar was an artist who lived in Burien for at least 40 years, creating his art most recently in a modest home on SW 158th at 14th Ave SW. Some may remember seeing a large wheeled contraption in his front window. I often wondered what it was as I drove by. I know that I’m not the only one.

“I was invited over a year ago to help move what turned out to be a large sculpture of a steam-powered tricycle from his home to the home of Bob Frey. It is a wonderful and imaginative piece of art. This was my introduction to the world of Don Liljar.

“A huge selection of his work has been entrusted to Normandy Park Arts Commissioner Bob Frey by Don’s widow. With Bob’s blessing this work will be exhibited for the month of January, and part of February, in the NE retail space at Burien Town Square. It is best seen at night.

“Thank you Burien Town Square for letting your empty retail space shine with Burien’s artists!”