January 2014

Today, the Seattle Department of Transportation reported that they will be installing seven new bike counters in order to count ridership and find out how to better serve those riders.

The effort is part of broader action to make streets and trails safer and also includes constructing neighborhood greenways, protected bike lanes and multi-use trails; installing signs to guide people to their destinations; and putting in bike detectors at traffic signals.

“By creating comfortable places to ride bikes and connections to parks, schools and business districts, we hope more people will discover the practicality and joy of bicycling,” stated SDOT in the announcement.

The counters are different than the ones on the Fremont bridge in that they do not have electronic display totems, but SDOT says they are still “valuable” and will serve their purpose of counting riders and pedestrians.

"The counters consist of two small tube sensors stretching across the street, which are attached to a small metal counting box made by Eco-Counter. The tubes only count people riding bikes. They are very accurate and designed to be used on greenways"

Seahawks are advised to watch out for traffic delays during this Saturday's game against the redemption seeking, yet doomed, New Orleans Saints. Don't punt your day away in traffic when you could be part of the audible earthquake ringing in the Saint's ears.

Don't worry about the Seahawk's victory -- it's certain (Betting Top Pot Donuts with Mayor Murray), instead celebrate their pig skin prowess by taking the safest and most efficient routes coming and going from the game.

The City of Seattle's announcement below should help remedy the congestion and provide the safest route to the End Zone. Go Hawks!

This information was provided by the City of Seattle

The Ballard District Council meeting took place at the Ballard Library last night with guest speakers Patrice Carroll, Eric Friedli, Dona Harper, Scott Shapiro, and Cathrine Weatbrook.

The meeting was held to discuss Seattle's Comprehensive Plan, discuss the Metropolitan Parks District, Bartell Drug's Site development and the City Council Districts/District Council boundary alignment options.

Patrice Carroll, Senior Planner with the Department of Planning and Development gave a progress update for the Comprehensive Plan.

The Department of Planning and Development lists this description of the Comprehensive Plan:

“Our comprehensive plan, Toward a Sustainable Seattle, is a 20-year vision and roadmap for Seattle’s future. Our plan guides City decisions on where to build new jobs and houses, how to improve our transportation system, and whether to invest in utilities, sidewalks, and libraries. Our comprehensive plan is the framework for most of Seattle’s big-picture decisions on how to grow while preserving and improving our neighborhoods.”

Seniors from Mt. Rainier High School will be participate along with more than 130 students from 6 high schools to test their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights during the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution State competition beginning at 8:30am on January 11, 2014 at the Capitol Campus (Cherberg, O’Brien and Senate Chambers) in Olympia, Washington. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the Constitution before a simulated congressional hearing committee consisting of constitutional scholars, lawyers, government leaders, and civic educators who will judge the classes’ performances.

Each class is divided into six groups, corresponding with the units in the We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution text. Each group makes a four-minute presentation, followed by six minutes of questioning by judges probing students on their depth of understanding. Some of the topics they tackle are: what are the philosophical and historical foundations of the American political system; what rights does the Bill of Rights protect; what challenges might face American constitutional democracy in the 21st century.

The Seattle Department of Planning reported two new Northwest Land Use applications for approval.

One is unique to Ballard, at 1743 N.W. 60th St. The Land Use application is for a subdivision of the site into two unit lots for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the properties. The site is zoned as Lowrise-1 (townhouse and cottage housing) and Airport Height District.

The second property is in Northgate area for the a property located at 2150 N 107th St. There is currently a five story building on the property and the application provides it would be would be remodeled.

In addition, the application is to allow a six-story structure with a volume of 90 thousand square feet devoted to medical office space.

They application also indicates an eight-story structure that would provide below and adove parking for 566 vehicles.

School officials at Salmon Bay School in Ballard reported that an intoxicated and possibly homeless man was discovered in a boy's bathroom.

The school sent a letter to parents Tuesday, in which the assistant principal said:

"At approximately 9:30 a.m., a transient man entered our building and attempted to take shelter in a boy's bathroom. We immediately called 911 and the district security officers, and teachers were notified to keep all students and guests in their classrooms. Upon the arrival of police and paramedics, the man - who was very intoxicated but non-confrontational - left the building."

Security procedures at the school are now under review at the school but they must balance the need to maintain access for students with disabilities while making sure the building is secure.

Today the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Lynn Dennis as its full-time Chief Executive Officer.

The Chamber of Commerce is the leading advocate for the business community in West Seattle, connecting business owners, providing networking and educational resource opportunities and supporting the vibrancy of the diverse local business community. “The CEO is the first person many new employers, business owners, developers, citizens and legislators contact when investigating the many economic strengths of our region. Lynn has exactly the right skill set to represent the Chamber as we continue to move forward to provide even more value to our members and the West Seattle community,” states Nancy Woodland, 2014 Chamber Board Chair.

information from SSCC

South Seattle Community College announced today that the Gifts from the Earth event set for Jan. 25 is sold-out. With a sold-out event, the school will host a capacity crowd of over 300 guests.

The annual fundraiser, which will be held on Jan. 25, has become a signature event for South highlighting the school's Culinary, Hospitality and Wine Programs. In addition to a silent auction, an all-star line-up of Seattle Chefs will prepare a multi-course dinner with the help of South's Culinary students. Guests will also be served South's award-winning NorthWest Wine Academy student-produced wine, along with 16 Washington Wineries.

All of the proceeds from the event benefit the South Seattle Community College's Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to support South students and programs with scholarships, internships, emergency funding, tutoring and the latest program equipment.

By Gwen Davis

“What does it say about us, the Democratic Party, when we elect a socialist? What does it say when a union gives up a hard-fought fight to a corporation, even when we have Democrat elected officials? What does it say about us?”

The 34th District Democrats meeting on Wednesday was impactful, turning out around 80 participants, hosted in The Hall at Fauntleroy. While the meeting was mostly upbeat, chair Marcee Stone-Vekich’s early remarks about the Democrat’s recent underachievements, including the Boeing vs. union issue, set a tone.
“I am going to challenge you to get your [self] going,” she said. “We need to put effort into this.”

However, the meeting displayed many moments of smiles. Early on in the evening, participants were warned that there were three committees that needed another volunteer each. Time had run out, and these positions had not been filled.

“Is there anyone right now that can volunteer for these positions?” the facilitator asked.

After a tense few seconds, Doreen Bomar shot up her hand to be on the rules committee. The room burst into applause.

SDOT will conduct a microsurfacing preventative maintenance project on selected blocks in Arbor Heights and Fauntleroy this summer. In preparation for this project, SDOT will start to make minor repairs to selected blocks as early as this month. That will mean potholes and other pavement defects will be repaired prior to the other work.

The 2014 project is bounded roughly by:

• Puget Sound to the south and west
• SW Brace Point Dr and SW Barton St to the north
• 30th Ave SW and Seola Beach Dr SW to the east

For a map of the 2014 project area see the link above.

Project Schedule

January – Summer of 2014: Preparation

To prepare the streets for microsurfacing, SDOT crews will make minor repairs such as filling potholes, depressions and cracks. Locations identified as candidates for such repairs may be marked with white paint.
Trees and vegetation will be trimmed as necessary to allow the microsurfacing crews to complete their work.