February 2016

South Seattle College announced today that its wine program, the Northwest Wine Academy, will celebrate a mid-winter release with two new wines: a dry riesling and a rosé, complete with complimentary tastings.

The celebration begins on Thursday, Feb. 11 and runs through Feb. 13 from 12-6 P.M. each day and will be held at the Northwest Wine Academy (NWWA) on South’s West Seattle campus.

All grapes for the NWWA student-produced wine were donated and locally grown in Washington State.
The mid-winter release will also feature some Valentine’s Day specials including two bottles of rosé for $14, to signify the date of the occasion (2/14), and the new Riesling will be marked down to just $12.

South Seattle College’s Northwest Wine Academy is the first and only program of its kind in the Puget Sound region. NWWA’s classes are designed for students who are just getting a start in the wine industry and professionals who need information on current trends and to enhance their skills.

information from SDOT

On Saturday, February 6, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will lower the speed limit on Fauntleroy Way SW as part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to enhance transportation safety and save lives. Reducing the posted speed limit improves safety for everyone; especially people walking and biking.

The speed limit will be changed to 30 mph for a 1.25 mile stretch of Fauntleroy Way SW between SW Alaska Street and California Avenue SW. The speed limit currently increases to 35 mph in this segment despite the presence of parks and schools adjacent to the corridor. This change will create a consistent 30 mph speed limit for the entire Fauntleroy corridor.

Data show that the vast majority of drivers currently drive slower than existing 35 mph speed limit on this section of Fauntleroy so this should not be a significant change for people that drive this roadway often. However, the speed limit change will help reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions. This is especially true for vulnerable users like pedestrians since lower speeds significantly reduce the survivability of crashes.

The annual "Peek-a-Boo" fundraiser for the Ruby Room, helping provide prom dresses for Seattle area girls in need is set for March 5 from 7 to 10 pm at The Ola Salon at 2942 Avalon Way SW.

Fashions will be provided by Carmilia’s and accessories from Twilight Gallery. The event will be on March 5, 2016 from 7-10pm at Ola Salon and Spa.

The PeekaBoo event will offer guests a “peek” at hair, makeup, and fashion defining trends for Spring/Summer 2016. Tickets are on pre-sale $25 and $35 at the door. All proceeds will go to The Ruby Room. Guests will enjoy live music from Lawn Life, cocktails and the first 50 guests will take home swag bags of local goodness and professional hair and beauty products.

The plan for the 44th Ave. SW Studios 6 story, 58 unit apartment building to be built at 4528 44th Ave SW west of the Junction and north of the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot has been approved by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development.

Owned by Blueprint LLC (2701 Calfornia Ave. SW) the design was done by Alloy Design Group LLC.

The building will have no onsite parking.

From the decision:
The project is proposing to provide no on-site parking spaces. Per SMC Table B for Section 23.54.015, no residential off street parking is required because of the project’s location in a commercial zone and urban village with frequent transit service.

From the design packet:

Ballard High School held their biggest NCAA National Signing Day in 10 years yesterday morning.

This year they have 11 student-athletes who are signing contracts to participate in athletics after high school. In addition, there are several other student-athletes that will participate in athletics next year, however they are still in the process of deciding which school to attend. Spring Sport student-athletes typically don’t commit until Spring.

The student-athletes, their school and sport are listed below.

Congratulations!

Signers:

Rayhmondo Trevino
Idaho State (Bengals)
Football

Davine Tullis
University of Hawaii (Rainbow Warriors)
Football

Elijah Davis
Central Washington University (Wildcats)
Football

Jack Dinneen
Oregon – Ducks (walk on)
Football

Jesse Elion
Scottsdale CC (Fighting Artichokes)
Football

Antione Patton
Scottsdale CC
Football

Darrion Peterson
Scottsdale CC
Football

William Jones (BBQ)
Scottsdale CC
Football

Fua Ta’ase
Scottsdale CC
Football

Isle Raftery
Babson, Wellesley Mass (Biz. E Beaver)
Soccer

Handwalla Bwana
UW (Huskies)
Soccer

Cole Weaver
PLU (Lutes)
Soccer

CBRA is excited to let you know that Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole has agreed to come and speak to our members (and friends) on February 17, 2016, at 7 p.m. at Swedish Hospital, Ballard.

It will be held in Conference Rooms A, B and C (combined).

The meeting on 11th is postponed to the 17th. We expect a large turnout so be sure to come early to get your seats.

The format will be a familiar one with the Chief having the opportunity to talk and then take questions from the
audience.

Bring your questions!

The local H&R Block office in Ballard Square is pleased to announce a $1,000 winner in the national 1000 win $1,000 Daily Sweepstakes.

The contest, spanning over 32 days, is sponsored by H&R Block Headquarters, with various commercials on television for 1,000 winners every day to be receiving a $1,000 check. Entrants can either have the tax professionals at their local office prepare their taxes for entry, or submit a card to the contest headquarters to be entered.

On Thursday, January 28th, an email announcement first went to Carol Schenk, a Ballard resident, that she was a winner of the $1,000. Carol then promptly called the Ballard office, where she had her taxes prepared and made an appointment on Wednesday, February 3 at 7 pm to pick a check for $1,000 with her name on it.

Following a series of meetings underway for the past two years of the Southwest Design Review Board Seattle's Department of Planning and Development has given the green light to the 7-story structure at 4505 42nd SW that will contain 45 residential units, have 5,989 sq. ft. of lodging space and 4,449 sq. ft. of ground floor retail use. Parking for 14 vehicles to be provided below grade. The apartment building will be named after its owner Leon Capelouto, "Capelouto 42nd".

Building amenities suggested include community space, roof deck with west-facing views and a plantable garden area, secure bike parking, and "connected living" with high speed internet.

The complete decision can be found here and the full design review packet can be found here.

information from the YMCA

On Wednesday night, over 100 YMCA volunteers and staff kicked-off the Together We Can Build a Better Us campaign at The Hall at Fauntleroy! 2016 is an exciting year at the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA and the goal is to raise $400,000 by March 16.

$350,000 will be designated to the Youth and Family Programs Fund. This enables the Y to offer West Seattle kids the chance to develop their full potential through academic support and enrichment, camps, youth sports, swimming, after school programs, early learning and more. Many of the Y’s school based academic support programs are free thanks to community donations. For Y programs with a fee, this fund supports families who cannot afford the full cost.

$50,000 will be designated toward the Building Fund, supporting the upcoming West Seattle YMCA facility expansion and renovation. The Y has already raised nearly $3.64 million locally toward an overall goal of $4 million. Construction on the expansion and renovation will start when the Y receives building permits this spring. Learn more at OurNewY.org.

information from King County

On Feb. 3, the main breaker in the 63rd Ave Pump Station failed.

This issue is unrelated to the work being done to upgrade the pump station. As a precaution, King County brought in a generator truck to power the pump station in the event of a storm. This generator truck is a temporary solution while the County works to restore power to the pump station. We anticipate that we can restore power to the pump station in the next two weeks but this is an estimate and the work may take longer.

What to expect:
A generator truck will be parked in front of the pump station.

The generator truck will run in the event of a storm when the pump station is in operation.
A small generator will run during normal work hours to provide power for work being done inside the pump station.
The generator truck will be moved once power has been restored to the pump station – approximately two weeks.
If you have any questions, please contact David Freed: david.freed@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-9453.