March 2015

Blissful Knead officially opened last week with a ribbon cutting and introductory discount on their massage services.

Monty Penny and Praju Tuladhar are excited to offer a variety waxing services as well. Inside you will notice the very latest Earthlite massage tables where any of five therapists can help you heal. “Luxury in the heart of Burien,” is their motto.

Try the hot stone massage while listening to your favorite music. Even the extra cusion in the carpet will be good to your feet. Blissful Knead is located at 15513 Ambaum Boulevard S.W. in Burien.

Stop in to welcome them to the community or call for an appointment. 206-939-6007 from 10-8 weekdays and 9-6 weekends.

As a REALTOR®, I am asking that you oppose the tax package including significant new and increased taxes on real estate proposed today by the House of Representatives.

The proposed 20% increase in the state B&O tax for service businesses only furthers the regressive nature of how our state taxes REALTORS®. While the proposal includes an increase in the small business tax credit, the structure of the state's small business B&O tax credit does not currently apply to REALTORS®. A REALTOR® earning $50,000 per year in commissions would pay the full 1.8% B&O rate the highest regular rate in the state's tax code.

While the Capital Gains proposal has been described as a tax only on the "1%," it would apply to far more than those families. A state capital gains tax would apply to average families during the one year in their lives when they sell a family cabin, rental, or investment property. As a REALTOR, I know that properties like these are sold to pay for life's basic needs - to pay for college, fund retirement, or deal with unexpected events like divorce or extraordinary health care costs. The people who would pay this new 5% are average families, not the "1%"

By Tim Clifford

On Fri. Mar. 27 S.A.F.E. (Standing Against Foreclosure and Eviction) and other advocates marched through the streets of Burien to protest Ordinance 621, the city’s trespass ordinance.

Along with picketing in front of Burien’s City Hall and Library demonstrations were also held in front of select businesses in Burien. These included Mayor Lucy Krakowiak’s Moss Chiropractic at 612 S.W. 152nd St. and Skinperfect at 905 S.W. 152nd St.

Demonstrators chose Skinperfect after owner Darla Green recently began a proposal for panhandling permits to be required in the city. Permits such as these are used in cites in Texas and Florida and require the applicant to pass a background check as well as produce two forms of ID.

By Tim Clifford

On Friday three homes on the 25000 block of 8 Ave. S. in Des Moines, near the entrance to Saltwater State Park, were evacuated after a landslide cut across their backyards. The slide cut nearly 200 feet across the three yards and created a sheer ledge nearly 200 feet to the beach below.

None of the homeowners or their pets were injured during the slide.

The worst of the damage struck the home of Gary and Suzy Williams where a portion of their back deck toppled over 40 feet down the cliff during the slide.

“They ended up spending the night with us last night; we live right down in Redondo. He is of course very upset, very depressed, him and his wife Suzy,” said Rick Williams, Gary’s brother, outside of their home on Saturday afternoon.

“They have spent almost all night… I wouldn’t say necessarily crying, but just very emotional,” he explained of the couple.

On Sat. Mar. 28 police in Taft, California received information from the King County Sheriff’s Office that SeaTac murder suspect Robert Studer may be at an address in their city. After a short bit of surveillance and a five hour stand-off Studer was caught and arrested by Taft Police.
The information from KCSO led Taft Police to a business on the 400 block of Center Street in Taft; where police spotted Studer’s white 2015 Chevy van with Arizona plates that read “NFLHAWK”. A surveillance team was posted and quickly made a positive I.D. of Studer entering a business on that block.
When officers moved in to arrest him Studer ignored them and quickly ran into the business, locking the doors and barricading himself inside. A SWAT team and negotiators were deployed to the business with Studer refusing to respond. The stand-off lasted five hours with a bomb squad robot being deployed at one point.
Officers finally breached the building and found Studer lying on a bed. He was taken into custody without incident.
Investigators are scheduled to arrive in Taft to assist in the investigation in the next day or two.

On Friday three homes on the 25000 block of 8 Ave. S. in Des Moines, near the entrance to Saltwater State Park, were evacuated after a landslide cut across their backyards. The slide cut nearly 200 feet across the three yards and created a sheer ledge just under 200 feet to the beach below.

None of the homeowners or their pets were injured during the slide.

The worst of the damage struck the home of Gary and Suzy Williams where a portion of their back deck toppled over 40 feet down the cliff during the slide.

“They ended up spending the night with us last night; we live right down in Redondo. He is of course very upset, very depressed, him and his wife Suzy,” said Rick Williams, Gary’s brother, outside of their home on Saturday afternoon.

“They have spent almost all night… I wouldn’t say necessarily crying, but just very emotional,” he explained of the couple.

Mayor Ed Murray made a walking tour of the West Seattle Junction and Triangle areas on March 28 to see first hand the transportation issues facing the area. Accompanied by staff, the media, and community activists he began at the Elliott Bay Brew Pub speaking to Doug Hindman and Michael Goldsmith, then over to Husky Deli, where he spoke to owner Jack Miller, up to Easy Street Records where he spent a few minutes with owner Matt Vaughan then down Alaska Street past all the new construction taking place and then to the West Seattle YMCA slated a major makeover and finally to the Chaco Canyon Cafe where he had a cup of coffee and listened to concerns about the area.

Rene Common, Chair of the Junction Neighborhood Organization, Vlad Oustimovitch, Former chair of the Southwest District Council, and West Seattle Land Use Committee, Susan Melrose, Executive Director of the West Seattle Junction Association, and Josh Sutton, Executive Director of West Seattle YMCA all joined the Mayor on his tour.

The top Male & Female runners in the White Center 5k held March 28 were Steven Colmus - 22:42 and Alisha Winger - 24.56.

The fundraising event in support of the White Center Food Bank, saw more than 400 people show up, many dressed in the SuperHero theme for the day.

Tony Vo, organizer of the 5k and Club Center Coordinatior for South Seattle College created the idea two years ago to spruce up White Center's image in the greater Seattle area. He said, "The runners and walkers get to go all over White Center to view different locations. They get to support local businesses by being here and participating in our Passport to White Center event. It builds community unity by bringing our three main nonprofits together and its supporting a good cause.

The complete race results can be found here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/?raceId=19294#resultSetId-7024

The event raised money for these three organizations:

White Center Community Development Association
http://www.wccda.org/

Mayor Ed Murray today announced his decision to prohibit the use of City funds for travel by all City employees on City business to the State of Indiana after the passage of S.B. 101. The new law, which was signed by Governor Pence on Thursday, March 26, has the potential to legalize discrimination against LGBT people and others based on religious beliefs.

“Seattleites know that discrimination has no place in our City – that’s just equality ‘101’,” said Mayor Ed Murray.

“Indiana’s S.B. 101 doesn’t reflect the values of our City. Seattle has been a leader in the fight to protect civil rights and ensure equality for all people – no matter who you are, or who you love,” said Mayor Murray. “This is why I am ordering that none of our taxpayer dollars should go toward supporting this discriminatory law. To those in Indiana today who are working hard in the fight for equality – know that Seattle stands with you as you continue your efforts to end discrimination and protect civil rights for everyone.”

West Seattle baseball team sent a signal to the league Friday after a 15-5 mercy-rule win over Cleveland Friday afternoon. They’re in the hunt.

It was the Wildcats’ (3-1-1) second mercy-rule win this season following last week’s 12-0 drubbing of Rainier Beach. But West Seattle head coach Velko Vitalich isn’t ready to judge his team’s real strength.

“Rainier Beach and Cleveland are inexperienced teams, and they’re trying to establish programs,” Vitalich said.

West Seattle starter Jamie Maples struck out five in two innings of work. With a secure lead, Vitalich sent relievers Jordan Paskett and Daniel Kemp to finish the last four innings. Vitalich said he was conserving his pitching rotation for a crowded upcoming schedule.

“We have a game Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. All hard games. So we’ve got to space out the pitching and see how that goes. Trying to save some arm,” Vitalich said.

Cleveland pitcher Jack House had control problems all afternoon, and the Eagles had trouble fielding any sharply hit ball.