July 2013

Information from King County

As hot and dry weather conditions continue, the outdoor fire danger has increased. In response King County is issuing a fire safety burn ban in unincorporated areas of the County effective July 29, 2013.

This is a Phase 1 burn ban and applies to all outdoor burning except for small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved camp grounds or private property with the owner’s permission. Recreational fires must:

· Be built in a metal or concrete fire pit, such as those typically found in designated campgrounds; and not be used as debris disposal;
· Grow no larger than three feet in diameter;
· Be located in a clear spot free from any vegetation for at least 10 feet in a horizontal direction, including at least 25 feet away from any structure and allow 20-foot vertical clearance from overhanging branches; and
· Be attended at all times by an alert individual and equipment capable of extinguishing the fire.

For properties located within cities, please contact your local jurisdiction for requirements. This ban remains in effect until further notice.

By Marjorie Young

Since my previous column dealt with the (thankfully rare) ‘darker’ side of my work, I’ve received requests to describe more ‘uplifting’ episodes. My only challenge; having so many amazing incidents to choose from.

Friday, July 26

Populuxe Brewing Family Happy Hour

What: Join Populuxe Brewing for an evening of family fun! Fully stocked bubble bar for the kiddos, a toddler obstacle course, the Tumblebus and more – all complimentary! Burgers & fries (and beer) will be available for purchase. Wine available across the street at Domanico Cellars. Come check out the Umpqua Bank Ice Cream Truck, they’ll be handing out FREE Ice Cream for as long as supplies last.

When: 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: Populuxe Brewing (826B NW 49th St)

More info: www.populuxebrewing.com

Emerald Contra Dance

What: All dances taught. No partner necessary. Please, no cologne, perfume or other scented products. $8 General Admission; $7 Seniors, PNA
members, SFS members; $5 Students.

Where: Phinney Neighborhood Association Community Hall-lower brick building (6532 Phinney Ave N)

When: Beginner’s workshop 7 p.m., dance 7:30-10 p.m.

More info: 206-440-9839 or emeraldcitycontra@pobox.com

Comedy Sportz

Even the most smile-resistant curmudgeons might break down and flash those pearly whites if they accidentally stumble onto this particular King County Metro driver’s bus.

You can see him coming from at least a half-block away, with a bright yellow smiley face sign beaming through the front window of his Route 50 bus, traveling from Othello Station to Alki Point and back again.

You’re guaranteed a big grin and a welcome from the driver as you step on, and if his supply is sufficient on that day, he’ll hand you a pin that simply says “Smile.” Depending on the day of the week, you’ll get some sort of inspirational quote to go along with it. Riding his 50 bus on Thursday meant it was “Thirstday,” because “We are all thirsty for Friday!”

That driver’s name is Reggie Wilson, people call him Smiley, and he’s been brightening Metro riders’ days ever so slightly for 28 years.

Once you sit down, Reggie’s not done. He’ll take every chance he gets to interact with his riders, working the crowd like a comedian with his self-branded “corny” jokes and songs (“It has to be generic, above board and it cannot offend anybody,” he explained).

Man's road bicycle stolen from storage

July 19, 3:21 a.m., 1500 Block of NW Market St -- A man's road bicycle was stolen -- along with lesser value items -- from the secure storage room of the building he lives in. Police also noticed several other storage units had also been entered by prying the metal bars/walls from the frame.

No surfaces were available that would hold finger prints. SPD provided the victim with a card and followup report so he could forward the serial/model numbers of the bicycle.

Victims lose change, jewelry in late night burglary

July 20, 11:28 p.m., 6500 Block of 2nd Ave NW -- Residents of a house became victims of a burglary when they left their house at 7:30 p.m. and returned at 11:20 p.m.

When they came back, they discovered the back door had been forced in and was standing open. Police checked and cleared the house and no one was inside. All other exterior doors were locked.

The burglar had gone through drawers and cabinets throughout the main floor. Victims said about $100 worth of change was missing as well as some jewelry. They said they were unsure if anything else was missing.

Night out, the national crime prevention event, set for Aug. 6 will see block parties across Seattle and the nation coming together to help neighbors get to know each other to fight crime and celebrate their community.

Last year, according to the Seattle Police Department, 1366 block parties were conducted in Seattle and in West Seattle proper, many of them are major neighborhood events.

This year the theme is "Celebrating Crime Free Neighborhoods."

You can register your block to stage a party at http://www.seattle.gov/police/nightout/
To get Night Out materials like printable signage or invitations go here: http://www.seattle.gov/police/nightout/materials.htm

Once you have registered your event, you will get email verification. You can go back in and edit and/or cancel your event later if you need to.

The Night Out invitations available on the SPD website are in pdf and are editable and printable from there.

You can choose to add your event to a map as well. View the map here:
http://www.seattle.gov/police/nightout/nightoutevents.htm

Update for 9:50 a.m., July 26
Seattle police provided updated information on the 3 a.m. crash of July 26 that took the life of a motorcyclist in West Seattle.

According to Det. Renee Witt, "A 62-year-old motorcyclist killed this morning in West Seattle. Just shortly after 3:00 a.m.,a patrol officer was stopped facing southbound on California Av Sw at Sw Alaska St. The officer noticed a red Jeep Liberty turn left from SW Alaska onto northbound California Av Sw. Moments later, the officer heard a loud crash behind him; he made a u-turn and came upon that same Jeep Liberty involved in a collision with a motorcycle at the intersection of California Av SW and SW Oregon St. It appears the Harley Davidson motorcycle was travelling west on Sw Oregon St and was struck in the intersection by the northbound Jeep Liberty."

Witt said lifesaving efforts from the patrol officer first on scene and Seattle Fire paramedics were unsuccessful, and the crash victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

A DUI expert did not find any signs of impairment with the driver of the Jeep.

It's unclear at this time if either party ran a red light, and SPD continues to investigate.

Seattle Olympian Queen Underwood, who overcame numerous obstacles in her personal life to achieve her dream of competing in the Olympics, paid a visit to Bird on a Wire Espresso on Thursday, July 25 in a fundraising effort to help her meet expenses. Underwood was the first woman in history to represent the USA in an Olympic boxing match.

Organized by West Seattleite Regina Brennan the funds raised will help Underwood pay for her training, and nutrition needs. Since she's an amateur and plans on competing in the 2016 Olympics it's a long road ahead for her.

Brennan said, "I was inspired by her story and I started my first boxing lesson last night."

While Underwood did not win the gold, she said her experience was priceless.

"Leading up to London it was very nerve wracking due to all the challenges I faced outside the ring. There was a lot of attention drawn to it being a favorite going into London. I had this tremendous weight on my shoulders and when I got there the feeling was just overwhelming. It really was history in the making. I gave it my best and got there. The opening ceremony walking out with everybody from all over the world was just an amazing feeling."

By Holly Brown

My guiding principle for food and wine pairing is that a great pairing is when the wine makes you want to eat more of the food, and the food makes you want to drink more of the wine. You know it when you taste it. But how do you know which wine to serve to achieve a palette pleasing pairing?

For optimal pairing results, a wine should mirror the profile of the food. Matching things like weight, mouth feel, sweetness, or acidity are keys to success. Interestingly, when pairing foods in a menu or recipe, sometimes opposites attract. A great recipe is often the explosion of different flavors and textures coming together in the mouth. The simplest example of this is sweet and sour sauce, or a creamy texture combined with a crunchy finish. A good wine pairing, however, matches the dominant flavors of a dish with the dominant notes of the wine.

Information from SDOT

Beginning Monday, July 29, traffic on SW Orchard Street east of Delridge Way Southwest will share an alternating single lane for one week during the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. This lane reduction is due to storm drain installation and roadway restoration being conducted as part of the Delridge Way Southwest Paving Project.

Also beginning July 29, northbound and southbound traffic on Delridge Way Southwest between Southwest Orchard Street and Southwest Myrtle Street will be shifted to the west side of Delridge Way Southwest for two weeks, around the clock.

Current lane restrictions on Delridge Way Southwest between Southwest Holden and Southwest Orchard streets will remain in place until early September. Northbound and southbound traffic will be maintained.
Upon completion of this phase of work, construction activity will move south to Delridge Way Southwest between Southwest Roxbury and Southwest Henderson streets. This will be the fifth and final phase of the paving project.