May 2016

I was in a ferry line earlier this week---and saw the road sign you may well be familiar with: “Report ferry line cutters”---followed by the phone number you’re supposed to call: “1-877-764-HERO.”

Really? Hero?

I naively always thought of heroes as people who changed the world, did something truly
great, achieved courageous things and inspired others. You know, George Washington, Gandhi, Oskar Schindler, Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman---guys like that.

But squealing on someone else? A hero?

It all takes me back to the 7th grade at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School---a day I was very worried. After all, teachers did not normally tell a kid to stay after class unless there was trouble. I braced for the worst.

“Pat,” My nun teacher, Sister Mildred Marie, began, “I have some news for you.” I swallowed hard, as she continued. “Have you ever heard of The Leaders Club?” she asked.

“No,” I said, waiting to be hit over the head with such a club.

“It’s an honorary organization that only the very most special students are chosen to be a part of,” Sister said. “And you, Pat, have been selected.”

By Amanda Knox

Towards the end of high school, something rare and unexpected happened. A guy—a handsome, popular, football-playing math-genius who was way out of my league—asked me out on a date. It was a fluke. Had he gone to my high school, he would have known how boy-awkward and nerdy and weird I was. But he didn’t, so here we were, sitting across from each other at a Mexican restaurant in the Alaska Junction. It was going alright, I thought. We were talking! Although, after a bit, I did notice that I was doing pretty much all of the talking. Crap, was I babbling? He looked distracted, turned inward even. “ Everything alright?” I asked, and then immediately thought, “ Stupid question! You shouldn’t have to ask that question!” He didn’t say anything. He vomited his whole enchilada back onto his plate.

information from SDOT

Today the Seattle Department of Transportation released its draft Freight Master Plan (FMP) for public review. The draft FMP was developed by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to address the unique characteristics, needs, and impacts of freight mobility in Seattle. It identifies why goods movement is so important to the City and the region, examines the challenges of moving goods, and provides solutions to address these challenges.

Just about every product purchased by someone reaches its final destination by some combination of truck, plane, train and ship. It is important for the City to identify a freight network that supports goods movement and delivery throughout Seattle.

The FMP is one of our City’s four modal master plans: pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and freight. With the Move Seattle plan providing Mayor Ed Murray’s 10-year strategic vision for all transportation modes, the City is seeking opportunities to integrate these plans and create a comprehensive multimodal system that safely moves people and goods.

By Sarah Cecil

You invest so that you can achieve a variety of goals, such as a secure retirement. It’s inevitable, though, that you will incur some costs when investing, ranging from payments to a financial professional to costs of educational materials. So it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these expenses. 

If you work with a financial professional – and you should, because the investment world is complex – you will need to compensate this individual for his or her expertise and guidance. Financial advisors get paid in different ways, including the following methods: 

By Patrick Robinson

The third early design guidance review meeting on the six story, 54 unit apartment building aimed at 4532 42nd Ave SW is set for 8pm, on April 21 at the West Seattle Senior Center.
The plan calls for 5,036 feet of commercial space at ground level and 50 parking spaces.
The project, called Braseth 42nd, is being designed by NK Architects.

At the second meeting on the project, held in July public comments were recorded.

PUBLIC COMMENT
• Concerned that the living areas of the adjacent house are facing the blank wall of the existing medical building to the north and would like to see greater visual interest on the north elevation of the proposed building. Also expressed concern with the loss of access to southern exposure, light and air.

• Supported the proposed setbacks that were included as part of the previously approved design on the subject site and would like to see the greater setbacks included on the north side to lessen adverse impacts on sunlight access and privacy.

By Patrick Robinson

If your mouth has been watering since you first heard Pecos Pit Bar-B-Que was coming to West Seattle, you've no doubt seen the work in progress at the corner of 35th SW and Fauntleroy Way. They've transformed the once humble building into a drive-through destination, set to open June 21.

It will feature a drive through, and parking in a lot just adjacent for up to 16 cars, with seating inside for 37 and outside for 24 more.

The decor is distinctly American with signature Pecos touches, white tile with red trim tiles, marble, theater style lights, brushed copper trim on food service units, and lots of wood. The seating inside is on stools, outside at picnic tables. The design work was done by Sue Genty working with owner Gerry Kingen.

Kingen bought the rights to the name and of course the "only sauce" from Ron and Debra Wise who founded the brand and have operated under the name since 1980, building a cult following in their location at 2260 1st Avenue South.

information from KEXP

After winning KEXP’s annual Hood-to-Hood Challenge in 2015, West Seattle will host KEXP’s Hood-to-Hood Day on Sunday, June 5th. KEXP welcomes music lovers from all neighborhoods to join us at Youngstown from noon to 6:00 PM for a live broadcast of DJ Quilty and DJ Stevie Zoom, featuring live performances by Greys, Acapulco Lips, and Porter Ray, plus a free street festival with bands, food trucks, and a beer garden in collaboration with Redhook.

This event is FREE, all ages, and open to the public!

After the live broadcast, Skylark Cafe will host a West Seattle Music Showcase and the music continues at Shadowland’s Hood to Hood After Party with DJ Troy Nelson.

KEXP Hood to Hood Live Broadcast
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center hosted by DJ Quilty and DJ Stevie Zoom
Noon to 6:00 PM
12:30 PM: Live set by Greys
3:30 PM: Live set by Acapulco Lips
5:00 PM: Live set by Porter Ray

KEXP Hood to Hood Live Music Showcase
Skylark Cafe Hosted by Troy Nelson
3803 Delridge Way SW
Seattle, WA 98106
6:30pm- 9:00pm
21+, $5 door
Featuring:
Detective Agency
Dre’zy & Too Smoove
special guests

If you would like to obtain some well considered financial advice, contact Sarah Cecil 206-938-6017.

Brought to you by Sarah Cecil Financial Advisor with Edwards Jones Investments.

Sponsored post.

Dear Editor

The ordinance proposal “to remove barriers to the creation of backyard cottages…” (Municipal codes Sections 23.04.041, 23.44.041, and 23.84A.032) deserves a thorough media exposure.

It entails the destruction of single family zoning. It will allow BOTH attached dwelling units AND detached dwelling units plus the existing single family home on the same single lot. It eliminates any requirement for off street parking.

It, in fact, turns every single family zoned lot into a lot zoned for a triplex with no off street parking, even in non-transit areas. It also reduces the owner occupancy requirement to only the first year after the units are added and no longer requires a 50% ownership. This would allow developers to make one tenant a .00001 % owner for a year, immediately converting it to defacto all rental housing, and permanently rental with no owner occupant after that. This is exactly what the Mayor said was off the table.

 
                  The Master Builders Association, Potter Construction and volunteers built a free ramp that will give five-year-old Alexis Olvera more mobility at his home in the Seatac area.
 
Families struggling with disabilities have difficulties getting in and out of their homes. The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties and its members want to make the lives of these families a little easier. 
 
Alexis Olvera has epilepsy and additional developmental delays. He is unable to stand and requires a wheelchair along with tubes for oxygen and feeding.
 
The new ramp was built  Saturday, May 21, 2016.
 
Members of the Master Builders Association, through heartfelt dedication, hard work and the donation of their time and talent, aspire to improve the lives of individuals and families in this community. 
 
A total of 37 families throughout King and Snohomish counties will receive the gift of greater mobility through the addition of new ramps during this year’s event. 2016 represents the largest Rampathon – 37 ramps – in the 23-year history of the event. Since 1993, more than 370 ramps have been built and $1.7 million of in-kind donations provided.