November 2014

The Ballard NDS 2015 Project would design and construct infiltrating raingardens (bioretention cells) along up to 22 city blocks. Those raingardens would be located primarily in existing planting strip areas within City street rights-of-way. Existing planting strips would be converted from landscaped, lawn, or impervious areas to vegetated bioretention cells and upland planting areas.

The raingardens would be designed to receive stormwater that currently flows in roadway gutters to combined sewer inlets. The raingardens would include bioretention soil to provide water quality treatment. Inlet curb cuts would be installed to route stormwater flow from the roadway gutter to the raingardens. Outlet curb cuts would be installed on the downstream end of the raingardens to allow conveyance of excess flows (during high flow events) via roadway gutter to the nearest down-gradient existing combined sewer inlet.

On Friday, December 5, 2014, from 3-6pm CenturyLink is teaming up with Cupcake Royale to celebrate Ballard becoming the first CenturyLink Fiber Lit Community and we want to thank Ballard residents in the sweetest way possible: by giving away 1,000 cupcakes!

CenturyLink’s 1 Gig service is one of the most advanced Internet technologies today and Ballard residents now have access to a service 100-times faster than most broadband currently available. Ballard residents now have enough speed to surf, stream video, play games, and watch HD movies all at the same time—without slowing down.

Visit the Ballard Cupcake Royale (2052 NW Market St.) between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm on Friday, December 5, 2014 to claim your free cupcake and talk to a CenturyLink representative. For updates on the event, follow @CenturyLinkSea or use the hashtag #1GigSeattle.

By Tim Clifford

Wednesday night Seattle city council member Kshama Sawant was arrested during a demonstration organized by 15 Now that marched along International Blvd. near SeaTac.
Sawant was arrested with three other protesters, workers for Alaska Airlines, on charges of disorderly conduct and taken to the SCORE jail in Des Moines. All were released just before 10:30 p.m. after posting a bail of $500 each.

Standing before waiting cameras from local news outlets such as KING5 and KOMO Sawant issued a brief statement regarding her arrest:
"It was the courage of SeaTac workers and their victory at the ballot that made $15/hour possible in Seattle. I'm proud to stand with them today against Alaska Airlines' attempted robbery. First Alaska Airlines said the City of SeaTac doesn't have the right to enforce $15/hour for airport workers, only the Port does. Now Alaska Airlines is leading the charge on a federal lawsuit claiming the Port has no authority to raise wages. Which is it? What's clear is they'd rather spend millions trying to overturn democracy than pay low-wage workers what they've earned."

Students from Sealth High Schoo have won the Gold Jury Prize in the Social Justice Film Festival. The third annual festival held last month took place over two weeks andl screened 52 films from around the world.

Riffing on the Dream—winner of the Gold Jury Prize for Youth Visions—is a documentary by students from the Black Student Union in which students answered unscripted questions from classmates to prompt racial dialogue within their school.

“The Black Student Union at Chief Sealth made a courageous film to give some answers on what racism really is, especially as it relates to traps of language like ‘ghetto,’ ‘nigga,’ and ‘ratchet.’ We are brought face-to-face with young people who honestly tell their experiences with harmful stereotypes and labels. The film exemplifies the goal of our Youth Visions competition: to reveal the often-overlooked youth experience,” says Paxton.

On Nov. 18 over 150 North Seattle residents flooded a small room at the Loyal Height Community Center to ask about the latest rise in crime in North Seattle.

The meeting was called by Whittier Heights Involved Neighbors (WHIN) to address concerns for Seattle Police Department short staffing, chronic property crime and long wait times.

Seven representatives from the SPD North Precinct attending the meeting along with representatives from City Council, including our Council President, Tim Burgess. City Attorney Liaison Brendan Brophy was also there to answer questions.

Members of the SPD included Community Police Team members Mike Cruzan and Sgt. Dianne Newsom, Crime Prevention Coordinator Elizabeth Scott, 911 Communications Section Operations officer Lt. George Bray and Sgt. James Arata.

The tone of the meeting was urgent, and space was scare priming many attendees to ask their questions.

On Nov. 18 over 150 North Seattle residents flooded a small room at the Loyal Height Community Center to ask about the latest rise in crime in North Seattle.

The meeting was called by Whittier Heights Involved Neighbors (WHIN) to address concerns for Seattle Police Department short staffing, chronic property crime and long wait times.

Seven representatives from the SPD North Precinct attending the meeting along with representatives from City Council, including our Council President, Tim Burgess. City Attorney Liaison Brendan Brophy was also there to answer questions.

Members of the SPD included Community Police Team members Mike Cruzan and Sgt. Dianne Newsom, Crime Prevention Coordinator Elizabeth Scott, 911 Communications Section Operations officer Lt. George Bray and Sgt. James Arata.

The tone of the meeting was urgent, and space was scare priming many attendees to ask their questions.

information from the White Center Food Bank

Here are some ways that you can get involved to be part of the solution to help feed hungry families at the holidays:
1) First and foremost, we rely upon your financial donations. Please consider giving to us (you can use the “Donate” button on our website http://www.whitecenterfoodbank.org , or send in a check, or come by to visit us in person!) to feed hungry families this season.

2) Please donate food! While usually we can purchase food below discount prices (stretching your donation even farther to feed more hungry people), did you know that at the holidays stores offer turkeys below wholesale prices?

Please consider donating a turkey or ingredients for a holiday dinner! Our building is open from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday, and we would gladly accept your donation here. Ask for a tour, and Kristina would be happy to show you around!

Woodland Park Zoo has decided to eliminate its elephant exhibit over the course of next year and will move their two elephants, Bamboo and Chai, to a new Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution.

Last year the Elephant Task Force conducted a review of the zoo’s elephant program. Jensen said the zoo worked for several months with them to conclude that adding to the herd was not realistic moving forward.

“We remain committed to putting the welfare of our elephants first. After several months of working to implement the recommendations of the Elephant Task Force, we have found that adding to the herd of our two aging elephants is not realistic in the foreseeable future. It is in the best interest of Bamboo and Chai to live in a social, multi-animal herd in a healthy environment,” said Woodland Park Zoo’s President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen.

UPDATE Nov. 20

Seattle Police detectives have contacted and interviewed the person of interest in this case. According to SPD, the man was very forthcoming with information about the incident. Investigators are currently checking out details he provided to rule out any criminal activity on his part.

Original Post Nov. 19
Seattle Police are investigating what they think is a possible attempt to lure a 12 year old boy into a vehicle.

The incident took place on Monday, Nov. 17 in the 1600 block of 23rd Ave. SW.
The boy was walking to school in the 9am hour when police say a black Ford pickup truck pulled up and the driver spoke to the boy, who did not stop. The truck took off.

Lucklily, the boys' father happened to be nearby, driving just ahead of him, to monitor his walk. He saw the encounter.

He stopped and picked up his son to ask what happened. He said the boy reported the man has asked him to help with an errand.

Yulefest is the annual Nordic Christmas celebration at the Nordic Heritage Museum. Vendors sell hand-crafted wares, and traditional Scandinavian Christmas food and drinks are sold. There is music and dancing, plus a visit from Santa, a raffle with fantastic prizes and a Silent Auction. Yulefest is a 37-year strong tradition in Ballard, and this year’s will be bigger and better than ever!

When:

Saturday & Sunday, November 22 & 23, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Is this an event for kids?

Yes! Yulefest is family-friendly event. Although there is a 21+ section where we’ll be serving alcohol, most of Yulefest is perfect for kids. There will be kid’s crafts, visits with Santa, and the whole Nordic Heritage Museum to explore! There will be very limited parking at the Museum, with suggested donation of $2.00 to park. There is also plenty of street parking around the Museum.

How much does it cost?

Adult admission is $5.00 per person. Kids twelve and under are admitted for free.
Admission is complimentary for Nordic Heritage Museum Members