May 2013

By Cassandra Baker

9:48 p.m., May 10. 84th block of Seaview Pl NW

Police responded to reports of a violent robbery at Golden Gardens on the night of May 10. The 911 caller reported that the two suspects, both male, had fled the scene. The responding officer found the victim sitting in the parking lot. He had a cut and a bump above his left eye, and his clothes and hair were stained with blood. The victim said that he had only met the suspects a few minutes before the assault. He asked if they would give him a cigarette, and they told him to follow them from the parking lot to the beach.

Harold J. Scott, 92, a retired Seattle firefighter and long-time West Seattle resident, passed away Friday, May 10. He had pneumonia.

Many in our area have met Mr. Scott at the West Seattle Junction Car Show, and would stop and chat with him about his bright red 1921 Buick Roadster, built the year he was born, and his 1963 Buick Wildcat. He is pictured in our 2012 slideshow of the event here.

The West Seattle Herald also ran a story about Harold's wife, Jaqueline Ann Standley Scott, when she passed away in 2010. She was the granddaughter of Joseph Edward “Daddy” Standley, who, in 1899, opened what would become Ye Olde Curiosity Shop on the downtown waterfront. He also created Totem Place, his curiosity-crammed residence high on a bluff by Hamilton Viewpoint Park.

Friday, May 17, is Bike to Work Day in King County and beyond. The Seattle Department of Transportation has a blog post to explain the event (essentially encouraging commuters to try riding to work for the first time) along with tips on how to pull it off (showers, work clothes and other considerations), be safe, and how to pick a route.

Their post is found here.

If you hit the road on a bike May 17, please be safe!

Highline Schools Foundation raised over $13,000 during the Wednesday, May 15, GiveBIG annual fundraiser. All money raised will support Highline Public School students in academic achievement, classroom enrichment, the arts in schools, athletics, college & career readiness, and more, according to their website.

The Seattle Foundation‘s GiveBIG is a one-day, online charitable event benefitting nonprofit organizations. In 2011, $4.1 million was raised through the first GiveBIG to support over 900 nonprofits. Last year, on May 2, 2012, $7.4 million was raised in 24 hours. The Seattle Foundation reports that his year, $11.1 million has been raised.

In addition to the Seattle Foundation, presenting partners included Microsoft, the Bezos Family Foundation, Seattle International Foundation, Seattle Sounders, and Wyncote Foundation NW. There were also media partners, lead sponsors, and supporters.

A red tide was spotted earlier today by Ballard News-Tribune reader Catherine.

Don't worry, though, it's not the toxic kind, according to the Seattle Times, which reported on its appearance first near Edmonds. This red tide is the result of an algae bloom, specifically noctiluca, which is often seen in the Puget Sound as the sun warms the water, creating large reddish-brown streaks in the water.

The Times' has more:

"Noctiluca is a harmless single-celled micro-organism that bioluminesces and occurs normally at this time of year. This kind of plankton does not photosynthesize, but gets its red color from the phytoplankton it eats."

They add, "If you see red, brown or orange water in Puget Sound, it is likely this bloom. However, Ecology staff urge caution: It could be a toxic algae bloom that is poisonous to humans and animals."

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The residents of Nickelsville are awaiting word from the city on what will happen with their encampment, located in the Highland Park neighborhood of West Seattle.

The homeless camp moved onto city-owned public land in 2011 and their presence has not been well-received by some living near the 7116 W. Marginal Way S.W location. To that end, the Highland Park Action Committee (HPAC, a community group) asked Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn to move the camp out by June of this year.

In a letter to Seattle City Council President Sally Clark, McGinn wrote of the situation: “Signs of fatique are obvious and growing. Highland Park residents have identified an increasing number of concerns. A neighboring landowner is preparing a lawsuit, citing decreased land value. Questions have been raised recently about Nickelsville’s ability to govern itself and protect the health and safety of its residents. The current encampment situation is not sustainable.”

Press release:

Commissioner Bill Tracy, currently president of the Southwest Suburban Sewer District Board of Commissioners, has announced he will seek re-election to his board position this year.

Commissioner Tracy has worked diligently over the years to achieve reduced rates for those on fixed and/or low income, to bring timely rehabilitation to both the aging conveyance system and treatment plants, and to the maintenance of a quality system and responsive customer service all the while keeping the rates among the lowest in our area.

Much of this has happened through his selection and appointment of a cohesive team of commissioners and the hiring of highly qualified management. Both of the current commissioners have since been elected to office.

Commissioner Tracy has also been recognized regionally where he has repeatedly been selected by industry peers to serve on the King County Regional Water Quality Committee. The State Association of Sewer and Water Districts has also formally recognized his years of leadership.

Erich Hoyt, author of Orca: The Whale Called Killer will make a very special appearance at the Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Ave. SW on Saturday, June 8 sponsored by The Whale Trail.

There will be refreshments including a no-host beer and wine bar; NOAA is bringing a life-size inflatable orca, and Erich's books will be on sale and available to be signed.

Hoyt’s first killer whale expedition to Johnstone Strait sailed from Victoria, BC in June 1973, 40 years ago this June. He then spent parts of the next 10 summers with orcas.

Hoyt went on to study and work on conservation projects related to other whales, dolphins, sharks, deep sea creatures, ants and social insects, working in Costa Rica, Japan, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Argentina, Chile and other countries.

The following information is from the Seattle Fire Department:

Fire and your Pet
For many of us, our pets are members of our family and the loss of a pet in a fire can be devastating. It is important to remember that you may have less than a minute or two after the smoke alarm sounds to get out of the house. Because many pets will hide out of fear, taking time to search the house for them can mean the difference between life or death. Leaving pet rescue to firefighters can help keep your family safe from fire’s harm.

A Firefighter’s Duty

— 10 am to 4 pm / FREE Admission

The Seattle Chinese Garden is presenting a double festival May 18 and 19 focused on two prized plants in Chinese horticulture.

They will celebrate the first blossoms on more than 200 tree peonies recently donated by China’s “peony capital” — the City of Luoyang, where the treasured plants have been cultivated for 1,500 years. The garden has nineteen varieties of Luoyang peonies, ranking it as one of the most diverse collections in any public garden on the West Coast.

The double festival features plant displays, a raffle for Luoyang peony plants, bamboo sales, horticultural talks and tips for planting and caring for bamboo and peonies, educational and cultural displays, artist demonstrations, and more. On display and, possibly for sale, will be blossoms of 1,000 cut peony stems shipped from Luoyang.

A complete schedule of all talks and demonstrations will be available by May 16 at www.seattlechinesgarden.org

You can download the current schedule at the link above.

Cosponsors:
American Bamboo Society, Northwest Chapter