October 2015

information from Seattle Public Schools

Seattle Public Schools will add certified staff to five schools next week, and reassign only seven certified staff to other schools, out of nearly 1,100 general education staff (elementary, middle, K-8).

As the district shared earlier this month, 52,399 students are enrolled in the district this year, according to the 10-day headcount (9/30). This is an increase of 411 students over last year. However, while we have more students this year, the number is lower than projected by 675. This translates into $4.23 million less in revenue from the state, not including the enrollment decline impact on Special Education, Transportation or Nutrition Services.

Some schools have increased enrollment, some have decreased enrollment. This made it necessary to add more3 staff at those schools with higher enrollment and to reduce staff at those with lower enrollment, with a couple of unique exceptions based on classroom configuration. SPS district staff have worked closely with school leaders to address the timeline during the reassignment process. This has resulted in a net reduction of 21.5 full-time positions.

This Saturday in the neighborhood near West Seattle Brewing, and Jones BBQ around Fauntleroy Way SW, 36th SW and SW Genesee those businesses are teaming up with Forterra working in conjunction with the City of Seattle's Tree Ambassadors program to clean up the neighborhood. West Seattle Brewing is hosting the registration (providing espresso of course!) which will start around 8AM. The event itself will go from 9AM-Noon, Jones BBQ is providing lunch & West Seattle Brewing is supplying pints of beer, wine & cider for those who wish after the work is done.

Volunteers are urged to arrive by 8:30 AM & register. All tools, materials & of course food/drink will be provided.

DOT came through this past week, removing a couple trees and trimming the rest, so the work will be light-duty; trimming brambles, weeding, edging, etc.

information from WSJunction.org

The annual West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival is happening Sunday Oct. 25 from 10am to 2pm, and this year the Farmers Market will be in place on the street but plenty of other activities are planned. The Chili Competition, Costume Parade, and lots of activities for kids are all part of the fun.

FARMERS MARKET (10a-2p) – They will be located in their new location on California Ave between Alaska and Oregon St. They are also organizing a scavenger hunt and you can get started at the Market’s info booth.

CHILI COMPETITION (11a-1p) – As a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank, local restaurants are vying for glory and YOU can help decide the winner. In front if Key Bank, buy a flight of chili for $10 and vote for your favorite. All money goes to Food Bank. Thank you to chili competitors: Easy Street Café, Elliott Bay Brewing Company, Freshy’s, Husky Deli, Shadowland, The Westy, West 5, West Seattle Brewing Company.

Mayor Ed Murray paid a visit to Holy Rosary S.T.E.M. (Plus) School! earlier this week. The mayor attended Holy Rosary as a third grader in 1963 before moving to Lacey. While visiting, he was being filmed by a crew from Ireland who is making a documentary about the Irish in Seattle.

Mayor Murray was able to walk the halls and watch many students engaged in exciting activities. He met with a group of junior high students, and was impressed by their maturity and thoughtful questions. (Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s Office)

Holy Rosary S.T.E.M. (Plus) School is now accepting applications for the 2016-17 school year. Please contact Kimberly Tish, ktish@holyrosaryws.org for more information or call today to schedule a tour! (206) 937-7255 Open House - Sunday, January 31st at 11:30am

Information provided by Seattle Police Department

A Magnolia couple barricaded themselves inside their bedroom early Saturday and called police after awaking to the sounds of someone creeping through their apartment.

Officers responded to the apartment in the 3000 block of 21st Avenue West around 1 AM and immediately spotted a man with a flashlight wandering around inside the couple’s living room.

As officers called out to the man, he rushed further into the apartment.

Out of concern for the victims’ safety, Officers Mark James and Vasilios Sideris kicked in the front door of the apartment and took the suspect into custody.

Officers searched the 38-year-old man and found the victims’ car and house keys, cash, and a knife, all stolen from inside the apartment. It appears the suspect broke a window to gain access the the couples’ home.

Police transported the man to the King County Jail and then Harborview Medical Center for treatment of an unrelated issue.

Seattle police are searching for a man who groped two females in Ballard the morning of Tuesday Oct. 20.

According to police, Ballard High School security personnel called 911 after a female student told them that a Hispanic man in his 30s wearing paint splattered pants grabbed her buttocks while she was walking to school. The man drove away in a red pickup truck at about 11:30 a.m.

Later, there was another report made by a woman who said a man with the same description came up behind her and grabbed her buttocks then ran toward the 6000 block of 15 Avenue NW.

Officers scoured the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

Police urge citizens to call 911 or (206) 625-5011 if they have more information about these cases.

A Streamlined Design Review Application has been filed with the Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD to allow a 4-story structure at 4122 36TH AVE SW containing 20 small efficiency dwelling units. There is no parking proposed. the existing structure would be demolished.

OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT

The Director will accept written comments to assist in the preparation of the early design guidance through November 4, 2015. You are invited to offer comments regarding important site planning and design issues, which you believe, should be addressed in the design for this project. Please note that this is the only opportunity to comment on this proposal.

Comments should be submitted to PRC@seattle.gov or

City of Seattle, DPD, PRC
700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000
PO Box 34019
Seattle, WA 98124-4019

PROCESS

As a way to engage the public and gather public opinion the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) has set up a Terminal 5 Improvements online open house.

The Open House will be open for public interaction from Oct. 22. to Nov. 23.

The information from the project will also be available at a public scoping meeting on Thursday, November 12 from 5:30 - 8:30 PM at the Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 SW California Ave, Seattle, WA 98136).

Terminal 5 has been closed since July of 2014 since it's cranes and other equipment are no longer current.

Last year the Port Commission authorized $4.7 million to be spent on planning, designing and reviewing the Terminal 5 modernization project, which includes crane rails, fender system, structural rehabilitation, power supply and berth deepening. Actual construction will likely start in about two years.

Yet another suspicious fire was set after a series of fires in recent days that were declared arson. A fire in a dumpster that drew the attention of two young men who alerted a homeowner in the 6500 block of 40th Ave SW. Fire crews arrived quickly and put it out.

In the last 10 days arson fires were set in the same area with a previous dumpster fire, then two cars were deliberately set on fire in the Sylvan Heights neighborhood last Sunday, followed by a fire set on the South East corner of the High Point Management Center.

Southwest Seattle Precinct Commander Captain Pierre Davis said following the previous fires that enforcement and vigilance was going to be stepped up and that these fires appeared to be set by the same individual or individuals.

A $10,000 award is being offered for any information leading to an arrest.

By Chef Jeremy McLachlan

Does squash make you think of overcooked mushy grossness? It shouldn’t! Here’s how to make it the best vegetable in your kitchen from fall through winter. Squash are the amazing nutritious vegetables that are built to be stored through winter. As Salty's co-owner and food-blogger Kathy Kingen says, squash nutrition is unquestionably excellent.

My favorite squash bar none is butternut, with spaghetti squash following as a close second. Here are two of my simplest squash recipes that highlight its sweet and delicate flavors.

Roasted Spaghetti Squash