March 2014

Information from South Seattle College

South Seattle College announced today that the school’s art gallery and library will collaborate for a spring exhibition, “Journey through Muslim Lands,” from Monday, April 7 through Friday, May 2.

The art gallery will display Islamic calligraphy along with a collection of Muslim cultural artifacts. In conjunction with the art show, the library will have a book display on the subject of Islam and Muslim culture. The books are available for checkout by library patrons and come to South as part of a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities/American Library Association.

In addition to the ongoing displays, three special events are planned:
Monday, April 14, 12-2 p.m. at the Art Gallery: Reception for “Journeys through Muslim Lands” art show. Halal food will be served during the reception and local Islamic calligraphy artist Ali Rouhfar will demonstrate his craft.
Thursday, April 24, 12-2 p.m. at South’s Little Theater (RAH 125): Film screening and discussion, “Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World”
Thursday, May 1, 12-1 p.m. at the Art Gallery: “Wearing the hijab” demonstration by Sulsabeel Junejo

Information from King County

Construction of the roadside rain gardens for the Barton CSO Control project is underway across the neighborhood. Eight blocks will have roadside rain gardens built this year, with seven blocks to follow next year. The seven blocks scheduled for 2015 construction will see some activity this construction season, specifically installation of the deep wells at the southern end of the blocks.

To keep the neighborhood up to date on street by street activity and construction impacts, the project website will be updated weekly (http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/Construction/Seattle/BartonCS….)

The goal will be to update the website every Monday afternoon, but there may be some Tuesday updates depending on what’s happening with the construction crews.

See the link above for an expanded view of the plan.

The West Seattle Herald got several inquires about some new palm trees, two of some height, that were just planted on Alki Ave. S.W. near 54th Pl S.W. They join seven others that have been there for some time now. We inquired with Seattle Parks and Joelle Hammerstad, provided us with these answers.

Q: Why are there palm trees at Alki?

A: The palm trees planted last week are part of a larger project to improve and beautify the landscape along Alki Beach. For the past several years, Parks landscape architects and plant horticulturists have been working to add interest to the landscape along Alki. Among the many projects undertaken include planting sea grass, arranging interesting and attractive and driftwood along the beach and adding an element of beach-y whimsy with the addition of palm trees in this location.

Q: How many trees are there?

A: There are 9 palm trees located in this landscaping area. The two most recent trees planted were by far the most mature. There are seven smaller palm trees grouped with the two larger ones. The addition of these last two trees completes the landscaping plan for this area of the beach.

After a backhoe was delivered to the site 6536 24th Ave S.W. that has been the site of a controversial land use application. Neighbors who fear problems that development on the site might bring, put a sign on it. That sign warned anyone using the equipment that authorities would be called if any work was done without a permit.

On March 24, property owner Nick Antonie and a contractor from Earth Solutions NW were on the site and began digging. This got the attention of the neighbors who quickly called DPD. They came to the site and
determined there was no violation as follows:
http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=49560

Service Request # 49560

Address6536 24th Ave SW
Ordinance VIOLATION OF BUILDING OR OTHER DEVELOPMENT CODE
Case StatusNO VIOLATION
Inspector MOORE, ROGER
NotesPer 3/24/14 DPD inspection, Geotechnical engineer is onsite digging test holes for engineering report.

By Shin Yu Pai

On the second floor of the historic Odd Fellows Lodge in downtown Ballard, an intimate Buddhist service takes place on the third Sunday of every month. Led by Reverend Kanjin Cederman, an ordained Buddhist priest in the Nichiren Shu tradition, the monthly rite attracts a small group of regulars drawn from the membership of the Odd Fellows Lodge, as well as a handful of local Ballardites.

The service focuses around a small altar that displays a painted scroll inscribed with a mandala of the Nichiren Shu lineage. Founded by Nichiren Shonin, a 13th-century Buddhist monk, the Nichiren Shu tradition focuses on the Lotus Sutra, one of the most sacred scriptures of Buddhism.

by Adiba Khan

In the tiniest kitchen he has ever worked in, Frank Travino cuts up inch-thick bread from a local bakery and tops it off with house-made date jam and goat cheese.

It's no surprise that date toast is one of Toast Ballard's (5615 24th Ave N.W.) most popular toasts: the sweet date jam and tangy goat cheese come together in sassy harmony, and taste like they were made to be eaten with a cup of peach blossom tea.

Travino and Ashley Bucenec always wanted to start a business together, but never planned on being in the business of artisan toast. Bucenec bought the cafe formerly known as Aster Coffee Lounge, and after several months, they decided it was time to spruce things up.

The idea was simple: toast is small, people like toast, and they like quality ingredients.

"We actually had no idea that artisan toast was a thing, like down in San Francisco, when we were making these changes," said Travino, referring to the menu changes and name change in Sept. 2013.

In recent years, frozen yogurt and cupcakes have been a trendy food item. Artisan toast may be the next culinary treat to captivate Americans.

Livable Ballard is gaining support from community members in their fight for “clean up” amendments in the zoning code.

They have formed a petition that has residents up in arms against development.

“We have close to 700 signatures and counting, the vast majority from within our immediate neighborhood. These signatures have been collected in a matter of weeks, with limited canvassing by the original group,” wrote Livable Ballard.

The petition asks for changes in the code, include requiring reasonable side setbacks for rowhouses, revising front setbacks so they are the average of neighboring properties, reducing building heights in LR1 zoned areas, closing the loophole that allows developers to put more units on a lot than intended, adjusting the density limit in the former LDT zone of Ballard, requiring design review for all townhouse developments of three or more units, including rowhouses and inviting meaningful public comment before projects are underway.

Organizers of the group asked to not be named and to let the petition speak for itself.

Burien, WA– Today Digital Promise, a national, independent, nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to accelerate innovation in education, announced Highline Public Schools as one of nine new members accepted into the League of Innovative Schools. Highline is the only school district on the west coast inducted into Digital Promise for spring 2014.

The League of Innovative Schools is a national coalition of school districts and educational agencies that is both a professional learning network and an incubator for innovative educational practices. The League brings together educators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to demonstrate, evaluate, and replicate promising ideas, with the goal of improving student achievement.

“Membership in the League of Innovative Schools supports our goal to ensure that today’s kindergartners graduate tech-savvy and tech-literate,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “It also speaks to our commitment to innovation, to learning from the successes in other school districts, and to sharing our experience in using technology to push student learning.”

Sports Roundup

Monday, March 17
Baseball
Sammamish 11, Foster 1
The Bulldogs were blasted by Sammamish in a non-league game played Monday.
Boys soccer
Shorecrest 3, Kennedy 0
Shorecrest shut out Kennedy Catholic in non-league action this past Monday.

Tuesday, March 18
Boys lacrosse
Everett 13, Kennedy 12
EVERETT--Nathan Hanold wasted little time overtime as the Everett attackman took a clearing pass down the field and beat Kennedy Catholic goaltender Nick Galando for the game winner to kick off the boys high school lacrosse season for Everett.
The second score of the night for the Jackson High School junior gave Everett a 13 – 12 boys high school lacrosse win over Kennedy Catholic to start the 2014 season at Kasch Park in Everett.
Down two goals with 2:30 remaining in the game Everett sophomore Justin Baretta delivered scores at 1:10 to bring the squad within in a score and put the Lancers on their heals. On the following draw Baretta again found himself with the ball and delivered the equalizer with just :05 remaining in regularation.

GET YOUR NON-PROFIT EVENT LISTED HERE FOR FREE BY SENDING IT TO CALENDAR@ROBINSONNEWS.COM

Alki Community Center Events

Bunny Bonanza
Start Spring off right and hop on down to the Alki Bathhouse and join us with 15-20 of our bunny friends. Fun for the entire family!
Alki Bathhouse
2707 SW Alki
Seattle, WA 98116
(206)684-7430
$5 per person at the door
Friday, April 11, 2014
6:30-7:30pm

Spring Egg Hunt
The Hunt is on! Alki Community Center will host their annual Egg Hunt for ages 0-11years old. Doors will open at 9:15am and the hunt will start at 10am sharp.
Alki Community Center
5817 SW Stevens Street
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 684-7430
FREE
Ages: 0-11yrs
Saturday, April 19, 2014
10am SHARP

T-ball
Alki Community Center is now registering for T-ball. Learn the fundamentals of baseball in a non-pressured environment. Volunteer Coaches are also needed. Please contact Paula Pablo for more information at paula.pablo@seattle.gov.
Alki Community Center
5817 SW Stevens Street
Seattle, WA 98116
(206)684-7430
Monday/Wednesday 4-5pm