May 2013

Easy Street Records in West Seattle’s Junction was the 2012 Executive’s Small Business Award winner, and King County Executive Dow Constantine surrounded himself with audiophiles, vinyl and Lou Reed Rueben Sandwiches at the record shop on April 30 to open up the nomination period for an eventual 2013 winner.

During the celebration, Easy Street President Matt Vaughan said (via a King County press release), “One of the great honors Easy Street Records ever received was being recognized as the King County Small Business of the Year. It is a privilege to host and honor the candidates for the Small Business Awards 2013. We recognize the dedication and perseverance it takes to run a small business.

“If you look around your neighborhood and local community, it is small business that reflects King County's character and personality,” he added. “The impact small business makes on our economy is crucial. Please join us in saluting this year’s candidates."

“I am excited to celebrate our local small businesses for the third year in a row, and I encourage anyone who meets the criteria to apply,” Constantine said in a statement.

By Dusty Henry

As the crowd settled in at The Tractor and waited for The Proclaimers on April 23, a fellow attendee turned to me and asked what I assumed is a litmus test at all Proclaimers shows.

“Are you actually a fan or do you just know ‘500 Miles’?” she asked.

“I’ve actually listened to them for a while, mostly the Sunshine on Leith album,” I replied.

“Yeah that’s really the only one I know too.”

The April 23 show was completely sold out, yet it was still assumed that most were there just for the band's biggest hit: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” The song gained popularity from its inclusion in the movie Benny & Joon and went on to hit number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It’d be easy to dismiss them as a gimmick act –- especially when you tack on the fact that they are twin brothers from Scotland.

On Saturday, April 27, more than 215 local Comcast employees and their families and friends volunteered to give the Labetayah Youth Home in Crown Hill a makeover as part of Comcast’s 12th Comcast Cares Day, which is the nation's largest single-day corporate volunteer effort.

Volunteers assembled furniture, built planter boxes, trimmed bushes, planted flowers and painted hallways, rooms, doors and floors. Comcast also installed 10 computer stations at the Youth Home as part of a new, Comcast-sponsored tech lounge.

In addition to all of that, Charisse Lillie, president of the Comcast Foundation in Philadelphia, presented the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation with a check for $25,000 to support their work.

If you don't know, The United Indians Labetayah Youth Home is a transitional living program for youth between the ages of 18-23 and provides housing and living skills development for homeless youth. For the Native American youth, which comprises about 30 percent of the residents, the Home incorporates Native American culvural components in their program.

Reader Frank Rutledge reported this morning that a woman riding a bike was involved in an accident near the Boren k-5 STEM school on Delridge Way SW.

Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore confirmed the report and provided details.

"We got the call at 9:23 a.m. Engine 11 responded to a 32-year-old-female bicyclist who hit a car. She was wearing a helmet. The force of the crash threw the bicyclist from her bike. She suffered minor scrapes and bruises. She declined transport to the hospital. Firefighters transported her back to her home with her damaged bike."

Seal Sitters' educational outreach project Year of the Seal, made possible by a Seattle Department of Neighborhoods grant, is now taking shape in the studio of prominent Northwest artist Georgia Gerber. Following a public Call to Artists and Selection Panel review, Gerber was chosen to create a full-scale sculpture of a harbor seal mom and pup.

The sculpture will be installed near the Alki Bathhouse when completed. The site has already been prepped and signage alerting the public has been established.

Ballard baseball is heading to the playoffs. With 17 seniors on the roster, they hope to go all the way and make their first ever state tournament berth at the 4A level.

The Beavers finished the regular season with an 11-4 conference record --best ever since joining 4A in 2003 -- and 15-5 overall record, to earn the No. 2 seed in the upcoming KingCo 4A playoffs. Notable wins include Blanchet, West Seattle, 2-game sweep of both Roosevelt and Garfield, and a win at Safeco Field over then undefeated and #1 ranked Kentwood.

In the first round of the KingCo 4A playoff bracket, Ballard will face Bothell, at 1pm, this Saturday, hosted at Woodinville HS.

With 17 seniors on the roster, Ballard hopes to make their first ever state tournament berth at the 4A level.

"It's been a long time coming for this program. This group broke onto the scene last year, and now we plan to reach new heights. Making state has been our goal since day one," said head coach Doug Montgomery. "We're finally getting everyone healthy, we've learned from our mistakes this year, and now it's time to put it all together. We're playing to win, and we're playing for Ballard Pride."

Information from Barbara Dobkin, president of North Highline Unincorporated Area Council:

Mark your calendars.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council invites you to a Public Safety Forum:

Thursday, May 2, 7pm at the North Highline Fire Station (1243 112th Street, SW).

We are pleased to be hosting King County Sheriff John Urquhart and North Highline Fire Chief, Mike Marrs.

Sheriff Urquhart will be here to take our questions, and listen to community concerns about public safety and the sheriff’s department staffing levels for the North Highline area.

Once again our White Center Store Front Deputy position is in jeopardy, as the special funding allocated in 2011 expires at the end of 2013. Will the 2014 budget include funding for this essential position?

The North Highline Fire District, which is funded solely by property tax money from North Highline is facing critical financial challenges. Chief Marrs will discuss the history of our North Highline Fire District, operational status and future challenges and options.

Also on hand will be our White Center Store Front Deputy, BJ Myers.

Information from King County

Considering a rain garden or cistern to better manage private property stormwater runoff? Join King County at the Gathering of Neighbors on Saturday, May 4, to meet local contractors who can answer questions about the RainWise Rebate Program.

The contractor forum takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria, 2600 S.W. Thistle Street, Seattle.

King County Wastewater Treatment Division recently joined Seattle Public Utility’s RainWise Program, which offers rebates to cover up to 100 percent of the cost to install cisterns and rain gardens on eligible properties in South Park, Highland Park and the Barton/Fauntleroy areas of West Seattle.

By encouraging people in these areas to better control stormwater through the RainWise Program, King County can meet its goal to reduce combined sewer overflows, or CSOs, that occur near the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal during heavy rains.

There's a good chance you will see some elements of the classic story Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory since that's the theme for the YES! Foundation of White Center's 12th Annual Dessert Auction this Saturday, May 4th at Mt.View Presbyterian Church.

Doors open at 6pm. There will be a silent auction followed by a live auction.

The proceeds of this event are used to fund our summer programs which are: Christmas in June, the Jack Thompson Sports Camps, our River Rafting and Hiking Trips, Act Up Theatre Camp, Upper Room Recording Studio Summer Session and Our Future Matters.

For more information check with the YES! Foundation website www.yfwc.org .

Lincoln Park Sunset Hike - Owls and Other Organisms
8011 Fauntleroy Wy. S.W.
(north parking lot across from Rose St.)
Saturday, May 4, 7-9 p.m. Naturalist Stewart Wechsler will demonstrate his best hoots, examine owl pellet contents, and share his knowledge about the exceptional wealth of nature at Lincoln Park from owls and orchids to finches and fungi. Binoculars optional: Stewart will share his three. Adults/$15, Kids/$10. All ages, knowledge levels welcome. Register with Stewart at 206-932-7225 or ecostewart@gmail.com.

Camp Long Banana Slug Hunt and Round-up
5200 35th Ave. S.W.
Meet at Camp Long entrance in front of Lodge
Sunday, May 5, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Naturalist Stewart Wechsler will be looking for increasingly rare native Banana Slugs for a re-introduction effort. We’ll visit fellow community member: salamander to spider, beetles to butterflies, trilliums to nettles. Adults/$15, Kids/$10. All ages, knowledge levels welcome. Register with Stewart at 206-932-7225 or ecostewart@gmail.com. Great fun for the whole family. Kids bring a parent, grandparent or family friend.

Fauntleroy Fall Festival Fund-Raiser