March 2013

By Kyra-lin Hom

Already inspired to write on the questionable effectiveness of online classes by a recent Seattle Times article, I suddenly found myself with a much more personal connection to the issue this week. By now I should be done with my first ever online class. I should be riding that week of post-finals high before the drudgery that is every new quarter's 'Week 1.' But I'm not. Instead, I made a mistake I have never, ever done before. I missed a Final Exam. I mean completely missed it. I mistook the date by an entire seven days. So rather than being pleasantly relaxed, I am now cresting on a wave of self-directed anger and panic, anxiously awaiting the gavel that will either be my professor's mercy or not.

Update, Thursday, March 28, 1:15 p.m.

Bryan Stevens from the Department of Planning and Development sent in the following in regards to city permitting and any possible fines against BNSF Railway:

"We have been advised that Federal law preempts the City from requiring approval for this tree-clearing activity. We understand that safety is paramount for the operation of the railroad, but we encourage them to establish dialogue with the City prior to future tree removal activity."

Update, Tuesday, March 26, 5:30 p.m.

We got a hold of BNSF. Gus Melonas, spokesperson for BNSF, told us that the clear-cutting of the trees by the Salmon Bay Natural Area began last Wednesday and that it is now complete. Debris will be cleaned up on Thursday.

"The purpose of this work process is to comply with federal requirements of vegetation control," he said. "We had specialists come in and identify the most threatening trees."

Melonas said trees were threatening the visibility of crews on the bridge and that leaning trees could have an effect on movement of equipment. Communication and telecommunication operations could also be affected, he said.

By Christopher Duclos

There were high notes and spirits Friday night, March 22 as Ballard took center stage at the Paramount on their feature in the Hot Java Cool Jazz showcase. With a sellout crowd watching, the students played their tunes to the best of their ability.

Seattle jazz fans enjoyed a concert that featured Seattle’s (as well as the nation’s) top high school jazz programs. Over $50,000 in proceeds from the night’s performances went directly to the participating jazz programs. Since 1995, the profits of Hot Java Cool Jazz have raised more than $300,000 for local school music programs.

“It is the best experience possible for a young musician to play at Hot Java Cool Jazz,” said senior baritone saxophonist Joseph Palasz. “To play some of the most fun music ever written in front of thousands of people is an experience that could make anyone want to play music for the rest of their life.”

By Patrick Robinson

If happiness is all a matter of a shift of perspective and a deeper understanding of what genuine unconditional love means, then a new book, partially written in Ballard will likely sell very well. The Ballard News-Tribune did an exclusive interview with the author.

The Five Levels of Attachment by don Miguel Ruiz Jr. from Hierophant Publishing explores the idea of "attachments" that we form about people, beliefs and the world that can lead to suffering. If the author's name seems familiar it's because his father don Miguel Ruiz is the best selling author of The Four Agreements that was first published in 1997.

UPDATE March 26 4am
The acquital of Amanda Knox was overturned in an Italian court and she and her boyfriend at the time, Raffaele Sollecito, must stand trial again for the murder of Meredith Kercher in 2007. The Italian news agency ANSA reported that Giovanni Galati, the prosecutor in the case said, "We are still convinced that they are the co-authors of Meredith's homicide."

The new trial, which will take place in Florence, would likely begin in July since it will take time to present the reasoning of the decision and both prosecution and defense would then have up to 45 days to present their case. The Italian courts could order Knox to return and if she refuses, Italy does maintain an extradition treaty with the United States.

The possibility of extradition was downplayed however since United States law holds that once justice has been carried out, a defendant cannot be re-tried for the same offense, a concept called "double jeopardy."

Made famous as one of the earliest creators of grunge, the famous Seattle band Mudhoney is coming to Easy Street Records in the West Seattle Junction on April, 1.

Mudhoney is comprised of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mark Arm, lead guitarist Steve Turner, bassist Guy Maddison, and drummer Dan Peters.

It's part of the 25 year birthday celebration for the store, who is also celebrating 25 years of Seattle based record label Sub Pop.

The show starts at 8pm and the band's new album Vanishing Point will be on sale, and a commemorative litho will be given away free with purchase of the new album (while supplies last).

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (revised) opened on Broadway in 1999 and is a fresh approach to the 1967 classic musical inspired by the Charles Schulz long running cartoon strip. SallyBrown joins our favorite Peanuts characters- Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder and Snoopy – as we follow them through Valentine’s Day heartbreak, the buzz of baseball season, and many little moments that make up a rich, yet ordinary childhood.

“Schulz embedded adult ideas in a world of small children to remind the reader that character flaws and childhood wounds are with us always. It was the central truth of his own life, that as the adults we’ve become, and as the children we will always be, we can free ourselves, of only we can see the humor in the predicaments of funny looking kids,” said director Joel Kurzynski.

The play will be presented at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, April 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30pm and April 14 and 21 at 3pm.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.

You can purchase tickets online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/328626 at or at the door up to an hour before show-time.

Mayor Mike McGinn took a walking tour of the Admiral Neighborhood on Saturday, March 23 to hear neighborhood concerns and see the issues and area in person. As Sol Villarreal, Community Engagement Coordinator put it, "It's the difference between somebody sending you a letter and showing you what it looks like." The Mayor has done, "about 20 of these," he said and plans to do more.

The tour began with a quick review of the Admiral Safeway as a successful finished project that was done with a lot of community engagement and input.

If all goes according to plan, a year from now the Delridge neighborhood will have it's own community owned grocery store.

The membership drive got underway on Saturday with a lunch to not only get more attention and members but to initiate a new name. Up to this past week the Delridge Produce Co-Op had been in the process of developing the extensive and comprehensive business plan for the new store. As part of that plan they chose to take a new name. Now called Delridge Grocery the group will be community owned and operated. It will open on the first floor of the DESC project now under construction at 5444 Delridge Way SW. That project with housing for 66 is on schedule for completion in December of 2013 and the grocery will move in after tenant improvements are made and the full scope of the store is determined.

By Maggie Nicholson

EDITORS NOTE: This is a first in a weekly series of stories that feature members of the West Seattle community who have passed away, and who, in their lives, cast great shadows and touched many local hearts.

Todd McClelland was a gardener. In spring, he watched the birth of bulbs from the earth. He and his wife Janet embraced and gazed at the dahlias in autumn. And in winter, there was the promise of growth to come.

Todd grew vegetables with his grandparents, Nadia and Elmer, between rickety wooden garden fences at the white home they owned on Dakota Street. Elmer was a deliveryman of business supplies, and Nadia stayed at home to raise her son, Tom.

Tom worked at a furniture store on California Avenue. Tom and Todd often went bird watching together. Todd especially loved to find hawks.

Tom, Elmer and Todd all lived and worked in West Seattle. They felt West Seattle had all they could want and need. It was close to a big city, but had the feel of a small town.