February 2013

By David Rosen and Patrick Robinson

*Update Sat Feb 16 5:20 pm

The salvage crew just finished taking down the mast of the trimaran making it safer to the residents who live at Harbor West Condominiums. The crew was hired by the Home Owners Association of the condos to complete the job. The Department of Resources is now in charge of dealing with the rest of the debris and boats that remain but they won't be available until Tuesday of next week.

*Update Sat Feb 16 12:50 pm

The Department of Ecology is on scene and is draining the boat of its oil and fuel to prevent any liquid from spilling into the water. The tide is on its way out but the waves earlier made the trimaran's right side hull break off and is now suspended in the water by the boats cables. The Department of Resources are closed on the weekend and won't be able to respond to the site until sometime Tuesday. A local salvage company from Seattle is headed down to clean up the debris.

*Update Sat Feb 16 10:00 am

As the Washington State Liquor Control Board navigates around the state getting feedback on I-502, the legalization of recreational marijuana, and how they should set up manufacturing, distribution and retail sales of the drug, Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development has created a map illustrating the few, far and in-between spots retail shops may be able to open in the city.

The map was first shared publically by Dominic Holden with The Stranger late last month, and gives a glimpse into potential locations in West Seattle and along the White Center border.

Shops won’t actually open until December of this year, and strict limitations lead to only small swaths of land where the green stuff can flow freely. Based on the language of I-502, recreational storefronts cannot be located within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, community centers and transit centers. On top of that, Seattle’s City Council is considering legislation to exclude shops from single-family and multi-family zoned areas.

After working 39 years in law enforcement, lifelong Seahurst/Burien resident James G. Graddon, SeaTac Chief of Police, has chosen to retire this April. He began his career in law enforcement just three months after graduating Kennedy High School, in 1973, as a police dispatcher, which he said has come in handy over the years. He is popular in the community, and may be best known for his key role in the investigation and arrest of Gary Ridgway, the so-called Green River Killer.

A mere 57, Graddon explains why he feels his timing is just right in an interview with the Highline Times.

"We're at a very stable spot at the department, with programs in place, and a team of officers who serve here for the right reasons, because they want to be here, and they want to help protect the community. And with (Police Captain) Annette Louie here we will have continuity.

The surveillance cameras installed on the West Seattle waterfront are not currently operating and won't be turned on until the public has weighed in. In an interview with the West Seattle Herald's news partner Q13 Fox News the Mayor spoke one on one with news anchor Marni Hughes.

He said, "We’re not turning those cameras on … we’re not operating anything until the public has a thorough chance to weigh in and we can make a decision.”

The City of Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services presents the works of artist Richard Jahn at the Burien Community Center lobby through the end of March.

In his statement he writes, "My earliest love of art came from looking at psychedelic posters and album covers back in the 60′s. I also love the early Dutch artists and their depictions of everyday life. I hope that you see at least a little bit of these influences in my paintings."

Jahn, 60, a Kent resident and Renton firefighter for 21 years, paints oils and generally begins with a photo of a local scene. He sells the originals, prints, and tiles. While his main show is Renton River Days, he has also shown at the 909 Coffee & Wine during the Burien Art Walk.

"I paint with the intention that the final product will be a print," he told the Highline Times. "I think a lot of artists paint a picture and the reproductions are kind of an afterthought. Mine is the opposite. I am creating a print and the original is one of the steps along the way. The prints are not necessarily the same as the original. They are scanned and I can add things.

A van was driven through the front entrance of the Family Fun Center, just northeast of Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, at about 4:00 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13. The collision twisted metal, scraped walls and broke glass as the driver continued to the cash machine by the elevator door. Not only was glass shattered. So were the driver's dreams of stealing the money as the machine was bolted down and wouldn't let go, nor give up its contents.

The cash machine was badly damaged during the attempt.

According to Tukwila police, the would-be burglars fled, but left the van behind.

press release
Representative Eileen Cody received the American Medical Association’s Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Public Service by a State Legislator last night in Washington, D.C.

The Davis Award is the AMA’s highest honor for government service in health care. It is named after the AMA’s founder and recognizes the work of elected and career officials in federal, state and municipal service whose contributions have promoted medicine and the betterment of public health.

“Rep. Cody has led efforts toward improving health care access for low income individuals and transforming mental health services in Washington state,” said AMA Board Chair Steven J. Stack, M.D. “Her dedication to public health has also earned the state national recognition for its long term health care services and support system.”

Rep. Cody was nominated by former Governor Gregoire for the award. Rep. Cody has been twice previously recognized by the Washington State Medical Association as Legislator of the Year. The WSMA noted Rep. Cody’s previous efforts to advance public health in our state.

Metro press release
On Presidents Day – Monday, Feb. 18 – King County Metro Transit will operate a regular weekday schedule with some trips canceled because the University of Washington is not in session. Peak fares will not be charged. The King County Water Taxi service will not operate either the Vashon or West Seattle routes on Feb. 18.

These routes have designated trips canceled when the UW is not in session (as identified in timetables): 31, 32, 65, 67, 68, 75, 167, 197, 205, 271, 277, 372, 373.

As reported by the Daily Journal of Commerce (a preview of their story can be seen here), it appears another sizeable mixed-use apartment/retail project is on the horizon in West Seattle, and this one will be right next door to the peninsula’s largest project in history near the Fauntleroy Triangle.

Seattle Department of Planning and Development documents show Alliance Realty Partners Inc., based out of Phoenix, AZ, have submitted preliminary plans to build a six to seven story complex with 140 to 160 residential units, retail space at ground level and underground parking at 4745 40th Ave. S.W.

The existing building and parking lot will be demolished to make room.

There will likely be a design review process open to the public due to the size of the project, and we will keep an eye out for those details.

A heart has two functions in the human experience. There is the physical side (the engine that pumps blood throughout our bodies) and the less-scientifically bound belief that our hearts guide us in love.
In this rare case, the heart’s two functions have merged.

It’s the story of a young West Seattle man named Kellen Roberts who left his family too soon, passing away at the age of 22 in 2005.

Halfway across the country, a 17-year-old boy named Connor Rabinowitz was going through high school in Minnesota, well on his way to receiving a full ride baseball scholarship to college when he went to the doctor for a medical exam, and everything changed.

Connor was told he was in dire need of a heart transplant due to a genetic disease that enlarged and weakened his most crucial of organs. He needed a new heart, the doctors said, or he would not survive.
A top-rated high school catcher, Connor’s dream of playing professional baseball was finished.