July 2013

Alaska Airlines and the Washington Restaurant Association have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the SeaTac City Council from sending the airport workers minimum-wage Initiative to voters later this fall.

The lawsuit from Alaska Airlines and the Washington Restaurant Association asks the King County Superior Court to prohibit “the City of SeaTac and the City Clerk from taking any further steps to place the proposed Ordinance before the City Council for action or any other steps to forward the proposed Ordinance to King County for placement on a ballot for any election.”

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Alaska’s lawsuits specifically ask the court to order the City of SeaTac to pay for the “Plaintiffs’ costs and attorneys’ fees” for filing the lawsuit.

Alaska Airlines and the Washington Restaurant Association, represented by corporate law firm Davis, Wright, Tremaine, filed their demands for an immediate injunction on July 8th. They are joined by Filo Foods and BF Foods, two Sea-Tac Airport concessionaires.

With Michael DeBell stepping down and not seeking reelection, there are now three newcomers vying for the School Board Director Position No. 4 in Seattle School District No. 1, representing Ballard Queen Anne and Magnolia. Primary Election ballots are being mailed on July 17 and need to be postmarked by Aug. 6 to count.

The contenders are education advocate and journalist Sue Peters, economic development and governmental relations consultant Suzanne Etsey and former Federal Way mayor and councilmember Dean McColgan. Learn more about them below.

Sue Peters

Sue Peters has been involved in the Seattle Public School District as a parent, volunteer, public education advocate and as co-founding editor of Seattle Education Blog. Among her endorsements are Seattle School Board Directors Betty Patu, Sharon Peaslee, Kay Smith-Blum and UW Professor/KPLU meteorologist Cliff Mass.

Intentional hit-and-run of a bicyclist
On the morning of July 8 a bicyclist was traveling northbound on 26th Ave. S.W. when a dark sedan came blistering up behind him at an estimated 45 miles per hour. The cyclist said he pointed to a “20 m.p.h.” sign at which point the sedan driver slowed down and started tailgating the bike within a few inches while laying on the horn. Fearing he would be hit, the cyclist sped up but the suspect kept close. The victim turned off 26th onto S.W. Andover St. and the suspect followed, pulling up alongside and then suddenly swerving into the cyclist, knocking him down. The suspect took off, but several witnesses watched the ordeal unfold and were able to cobble together the license plate number. The vehicle was registered to male living on S.W. Holden St.. At the time of this report, police had visited the home but were unable to make contact with their suspect.

Robbed just after the 4th

Last week, the Ballard District Council had an exotic visitor: an urban planner from Australia who goes by the name of Andy Marlow.

Marlow was in town to glean ideas that might improve his own home city, Sydney. Marlow said the city is going through some big changes in how they do and plan things and they are hoping to look at successful models for community planning.

“It seems like Ballard has taken a lot of growth and it seems to have worked quite well,” he said. He added, jokingly, “Which is something I’m trying to get used to.”

Of course, successful growth is up to interpretation. Some expressed concern of the large apartment complexes sprouting up from the ground and the preservation of Ballard’s history and industry.

Still, it gave a chance for a circle of Ballardites to share their testimonial on what they think is working in Ballard. Marlow is looking for more testimonials of what works in Ballard as well as pictures. You can send your two cents to him at Andy.Marlow@cox.com.au

Here are a few things residents at the Ballard District Council had to say:

By Georgie Bright Kunkel

Who would ever believe that a couple of oldies would ever consider climbing up one-hundred-sixty-four-steps. Well, believe it. When the sun is shining brightly in the northwest anything is possible, right? It all started when my niece invited family and friends to the annual picnic on her six acre property at Long Beach. After many years of development it now looks like a county park with slide, teeter-totter, huge sand pile and covered picnic area fitted with TV and all manner of kitchen conveniences. This year was special, marking the last hurrah of yearly picnics.

By Keven Ruf

An extra-inning drama ended with a West Seattle victory Saturday evening in Vancouver, WA as the All Stars came from behind to defeat a local team 5-4. This they followed with a sold shellacking of their opponent on Sunday to win 13-1.

Last week's hero was once again this week's savior as Dylan Diggdon punched home the winning run to walk off victorious in Saturday’s game.

The game started--and closed--as a closely fought affair, both sides pitching well and with near-flawless defense. The hitters were on their heels but managed a couple runs for each team through the first three innings. That score held through the rest of the regulation game with solid pitching and a frustrating inability to advance base runners.

After six regulation innings, game tied, 2-2.

The game never looked like a lock for either side, as time after time, runners from both squads reached base but were left stranded. The anxiety in the stands was palpable as spectators edged forward on the bleachers, tuned to every pitch.

West Seattle Grand Parade July 20 11:00 am
The West Seattle Grand Parade has been hosted by the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 since 1935 and is one of the oldest and most beloved community events in the Seattle area. The West Seattle Grand Parade includes participants from the Hi-Yu royalty and celebrates the diverse community and participants of the greater Seattle area. It is a proud member of the Seafair family of events and includes all of the pirates, clowns, marching bands, drill teams, floats, pagentry and excitement that leads up to the Seafair Torchlight Parade the following weekend.

Float Dodger 5K run July 20
The run takes place before the West Seattle Grand Parade.
For information about how to enter, please check out: http://www.floatdodger5k.com/

Alki Art Fair - On the Alki Beach Promenade July 20-21

It’s free, it’s fun and the weather’s gonna be fine.
July 20, Saturday – 10 am to 6 pm (artist booths), Music 10 am to 9 pm
July 21, Sunday – 10 am to 6 pm (artist booths), Music 10 am to 8 pm
Featuring

By Tim Clinton
Sports Editor

West Seattle was red hot in its second day of state Major Little League baseball action Sunday, scorching Gig Harbor National by a 13-1 score.

The win advanced the age 11-12 team into the winner's bracket semifinals for Tuesday, when they play Federal Way in a 4:30 p.m. game at the Luke Jensen complex in Vancouver.

Federal Way was a 14-4 winner over Ridgefield in its second game Sunday.

West Seattle had opened the tournament with a 5-4 victory over Camas on Saturday.

9-10 baseball

West Seattle waited until the second day of the age 9-10 baseball tournament in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island with a bye past the first round, but took a 14-4 loss to Northwest when it did take the field Sunday.

Now they must advance through the loser-out loser's bracket to win state, starting with a
3 p.m. game against Riverview at Windjammer Park on Monday.

Riverview opened loser's bracket action Sunday with a 5-2 win over Ridgefield.

9-10 softball