February 2016

The Annual Westside Awards Breakfast is May 4th and the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for a variety of awards.

Each year the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce requests businesses and residents of the West Seattle community to nominate:

• Westside Business of the Year
• Westside Emerging Business of the Year
• Westside Not-for-Profit of the Year
• Westsider of the Year

Nominations and comments are submitted to the selection committee.

Chamber CEO Lynn Dennis said, "We thank everyone for taking the time to tell us why a business or individual should be considered for this award. Yes, you can nominate yourself or your business and the number of votes is not the criteria for winning. It is the nominee that best qualifies."

Deadline for Nominations: March 8, 2016

You can nominate your selection for the categories above here.

West Seattle Nursery, in the midst of an expansion to a greenhouse/sales/office area next door on Calfornia Ave SW has won a Sliver Medal at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle. The display also won the People's Choice Award at the NW Flower & Garden Show announced at the close of the show.

Their custom themed garden called Southwest Serenity has a desert/stone/ low water use feel and incorporates lots of cactus and other succulent plants, mixed into a stone structured design.

Jenn Dowell, Seed Buyer and Class Coordinator for the nursery said, "Our garden this year was collaborative effort. We were inspired by our new greenhouse and the possibilities therein. We will be able to carry more houseplants and more unusual varieties than we have in the past. This way we were able to display our intention and our new vision for the future of the nursery."

The Central Ballard Residents Association hosted Seattle Police Chief, Kathleen O’Toole, last night at Swedish Hospital in Ballard.

CBRA held the meeting to discuss crime issues in Ballard and the growing demand for police presence on the North end.

About 50 North Seattle residents came out to meet Chief O’Toole. They filled the conference room at Swedish and eagerly awaited the 7 p.m. arrival of the chief. The meeting was the fourth public meeting Chief O’Toole has attended in Ballard in the last month.

“This is a very important time to be here because I know many of you have concerns about a lot of the challenges you’ve been facing lately, and this is a wonderful neighborhood; every time I’ve been here there is a real sense of community that’s a great thing,” said O’Toole. “But I know you’ve faced some significant challenges recently.”

West Seattle High School staff members, parents, community members came together early Feb. 18 outside the the school to hold a "school walk-in" in support of public schools.

These events took place across the country in more than 20 cities.

This public display of support was rewarded with coffee and donuts, and good conversation about positive hopes and dreams for schools.

Those participating were invited inside to share on “vision” boards what they see as the best goals and ways schools can be part of the communes they serve. Those ideas will be shared with other school communities and with community leaders.

King County Sheriff reports that deputies responded to a burglary alarm at Cascade Middle School in the 11200 block of 10 Ave SW in White Center.

When deputies arrived they found at least 2 Windows had been broken out and it appeared the suspect(s) were still inside the school.

The suspect(s) ran as deputies entered the school.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

While searching the school deputies found 2 small fires that had been set. FD responded to extinguish the fires.

King County detectives are investigating the burglary and arsons and said the school had been broken into once before within the last couple of weeks.

A fire had been started at that break in also.

information from WCCDA

The White Center Community Development Association (CDA) is partnering with the YES Foundation of White Center and the White Center Food Bank to host the fourth annual White Center 5K Walk & Run. The 5K will take place on Saturday, March 26, 2016 from 9:00am to 11:00am at White Center Heights Park. This will be a Superhero Run and all participants are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superheroes.

The 5K has an official start time of 9:00am with registration beginning at 8:00am. Following the completion of the race there will be an award ceremony to recognize the fastest runners in each age group. The registration cost is based on the age of the participant. It will be free for kids 6 years old or younger, $25 for 7-18 years old, $35 for participants aged 19 through 59, and $25 for those aged 55 and up. All proceeds from the event will benefit the White Center CDA, YES Foundation of White Center, and White Center Food Bank.

Seattle Police are asking for the public’s help to locate a man named Richard Arneson who sent a friend a "cryptic text" before disappearing earlier this month.

Richard Arneson’s friends and family became concerned about his well-being after he failed to show up for work on February 5th. A friend went to check on the 62-year-old at his West Seattle apartment and found the back door open. Officers checked inside Arneson’s home and didn’t find any sign of him, or any indications of foul play.

If you have information or know of Arneson's whereabouts you are urged to call 911.

The rise of whisky culture, a movement toward the exploration of all things whisky related began in the U.S. roughly ten years ago. But Colin and Donna Pickering say they were just lucky to be in the right place at the right time when they opened The Whisky Bar at 2122 2nd Ave in the Belltown neighborhood in Seattle a few years ago. It has become a neighborhood favorite.

Long time West Seattle residents, the Pickerings had wanted to build on the success of the downtown location and open second location but nothing really gelled until the former Feedback Lounge spot at 6154 California Ave SW became available. It will be managed by Tressa Points.

So, coming this June, The Whisky West will open offering a stunning array of almost 500 whiskies from around the world, ranging from a reasonable $4 to the rather unbelievable $430 per ounce and a half for the rare Port Ellen Whisky.

By Peggy Sturdivant

I crossed the line last Friday. Not only the line between columnist and activist but an actual yellow line stretched across the site of the former Loyal Heights substation. Five minutes from bed I was on 28th NW, ducking under caution tape, throwing my arm around a cherry tree, announcing, “I know the police are on their way. I’m willing to be arrested.”

It had not been a quiet week in Ballard.

And yes, I snapped. I have a better understanding of what that expression means relative to adrenalin. Now that the event is over, without arrests but with only stumps remaining, I can better see what led to a moment that now strikes me as unbelievable. I was determined to hold off a tree-cutting crew, Seattle City Light staff and a security guard until other members of the Seattle Green Spaces Coalition arrived. I felt like I’d been shot from a rocket.

Information provided by BHS

The Ballard Chamber Orchestra are headed to a national convention in March and will be representing Ballard on a national stage.

The Ballard High Chamber Orchestra is among 21 orchestras to be invited to perform at the National Orchestra Festival, March 3 – 4, presented by the American String Teacher’s Association in Tampa Bay, Florida. This will be the first time that the Ballard Chamber Orchestra will be represented at the National Festival.

This group of string players auditions for their spots in the Chamber group. They are hard at work preparing nearly an hour of music for their performance in Tampa. This opportunity is indicative of the level of excellence this program is reaching. Director Brittany Newell is building the strings program with her musicianship, her enthusiasm, and her ability to connect with the students. In addition to Chamber Orchestra, she directs Symphonic Orchestra and Fiddle Ensemble.