December 2016

Seattle Public Schools said today in a press release that they may face a $74 million deficit since the Washington State Legislature restricted the amount the district can collect from levies, even those already approved, and by not fully funding the district.

"The Washington State Legislature’s failure to adequately address public education funding may result in a significant budget shortfall next school year. In 2017-18, the district’s ability to serve students in the way they deserve will be challenged. Unless the Legislature takes appropriate action to address school funding, the district has a projected deficit of approximately $74 million for the 2017-18 school year. This is the largest budget deficit we have faced since the late 1970s and has the potential to erode many of the programs, supports and services students are currently receiving," the district said in the release.

By Ann Selberg

After dress rehearsal last night, it is clear that RENT IN CONCERT is an experience like no other! It is a bold, colorful, gritty, full-on expression of life in the East Village in the 1980's. The book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson take us to a place where the young creative class was living in poverty while pursuing their art in what was perceived to be the center of it all, New York City. While working out relationships, finances, and health issues in the AIDS epidemic, the characters provide us a look into the lives of a group of friends as they make their way.

This Tony and Pulitzer-winning play had instant success upon opening. Jonathan Larson worked seven years to bring it to the stage and didn't live to see that success. Perhaps his characters spring to life because because this was his life. The music shows broad range, from hard-driving rock of "Rent", to the most lyrical harmonies, to the comical "Tango Maureen". Clever lyrics and a perceptive analysis of life pervade throughout.

Tis the season for the West Seattle Junction's annual holiday tree lighting in Junction Plaza Park. Saturday, December 3rd starting around 4:30pm. This year they will close the block between JPP and Junction 47 for a Night Market.

Programming for the tree lighting includes:

• Emcee Dolly Madison
• Christmas music performed by the West Seattle High School Band
• Christmas Carols performed by the Endolyne Children’s Choir
• Music from Sundae+Mr Goessl
• ArtsWest excerpt from Peter and the Starcatcher
• Tree lighting by Jack Menashe
• Main speaker: Nancy Woodland

Programming for the night market includes:

• Santa 4pm – 6pm
• Sundae+ Mr Goessl 5:45pm 6:30pm
• Vendors:
• Holy Rosary wreath and tree sales
• Bakery Nouveau
• West Seattle Cyclery
• Seattle Logo Pro
• Alki Beach Glass
• Turned Wood
• Dandy Stitch https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandyStitch
• Uphill Designs http://uphilldesigns.com
• J Mccormick Designs https://jmd-designs.myshopify.com

Burien police, King County Sheriff deputies and Normandy Park Police responded to a report of a man, armed with a knife on the roof of the Highline Hospital on Thursday morning just after 11:40am.

The man, suspected of being delusional according to radio calls between police officers, was reportedly sitting on the edge of the roof, talking to officers, just before Noon.

Scanner traffic indicated that police were responding tactically, taking positions in the building. A negotiator was talking with the man according to police chatter.

A crowd formed watching the man and were asked to step away by police.

The man requested cigarettes and police acted to honor that request. A couple and one other person in the window of the hospital were shooting video of the subject and police moved to ask them to stop.

The man could be heard shouting obscenities in the background over police radio. He was sitting on the ledge of the building prompting police to give him a little space.

Police planned to subdue the subject with a variety of means if he did not voluntarily surrender. They discussed using a "nine banger" or flash grenade

By Kathryn Kingen

Whatever it is that we have always done, doing it again makes the holidays seem right. Traditions! It wouldn't be OUR holidays without them. At Salty's, the Magical March of the Nutcrackers and our festively decorated restaurants has inspired an annual December ritual for so many of our guests. The holidays are all about the celebration of family, friends and especially FOOD! What do you serve for holiday dinner? is always an interesting question to ask, and for me the answer is incredibly delicious LAMB. My Grandma Ruth passed down the roasted lamb with savory mint sauce tradition, and somehow that yummy goodness just has to go on.

By Kathryn Kingen

Whatever it is that we have always done, doing it again makes the holidays seem right. Traditions! It wouldn't be OUR holidays without them. At Salty's, the Magical March of the Nutcrackers and our festively decorated restaurants has inspired an annual December ritual for so many of our guests. The holidays are all about the celebration of family, friends and especially FOOD! What do you serve for holiday dinner? is always an interesting question to ask, and for me the answer is incredibly delicious LAMB. My Grandma Ruth passed down the roasted lamb with savory mint sauce tradition, and somehow that yummy goodness just has to go on.

By Chef Jeremy McLachlan

This month we are featuring lamb at all Salty's restaurants. Lamb is like our last presidential race, you either love it or you hate it. Throughout my culinary adventures I always wanted my mom to try lamb and she never would. Whenever she thought of lamb she remembered overcooked gamey flavored mutton. So one day I gave her a "beef shank" and she loved it. Afterwards I told her she had just eaten lamb and we haven't spoken since. Ha! I did not know she would disown her son over eating lamb. Now I'm known as a Baaad Boy! It is funny to me how a poorly cooked dish in your childhood changes your eating habits as an adult. I have heard these same comments about brussels sprout, scallops and turnips.

By Chef Jeremy McLachlan

This month we are featuring lamb at all Salty's restaurants. Lamb is like our last presidential race, you either love it or you hate it. Throughout my culinary adventures I always wanted my mom to try lamb and she never would. Whenever she thought of lamb she remembered overcooked gamey flavored mutton. So one day I gave her a "beef shank" and she loved it. Afterwards I told her she had just eaten lamb and we haven't spoken since. Ha! I did not know she would disown her son over eating lamb. Now I'm known as a Baaad Boy! It is funny to me how a poorly cooked dish in your childhood changes your eating habits as an adult. I have heard these same comments about brussels sprout, scallops and turnips.

On December 10 & 11, two of the ensembles of Northwest Associated Arts will present their annual Christmas programs at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien.
 
Saturday, December 10 at 2pm, KidSounds and YouthSounds join forces for a fun-filled concert, Christmas Treats. Artistic Directors Colleen Thomas-Reitsma and Kerstin Shaffer have programmed a concert guaranteed to deliver a healthy serving of cheer that includes all the familiar and favorite musical songs of the season.
 
Sunday, December 11 at 2pm, ChoralSounds will present WinterLight. Artistic Director Ryan Ellis has prepared a program that celebrates the energy and beauty of the holiday season. Keith Hampton’s joyous gospel arrangement True Light is paired with favorites like Keep Your Lamps and Eric Whitacre’s stunning commission Glow, written for Disney’s World of Color: Winter Dreams. There will also be a dash of fun with a medley from Elf: The Musical and a spirited Twelve Days After Christmas, a moving performance of the Bing Crosby/David Bowie duet Little Drummer Boy and Peace on Earth, and many other choral gems.
 

On Sunday, Dec. 11, enjoy the sounds of the season as Burien Actors Theatre presents a Holiday Concert with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra (NWSO) Brass Quintet—featuring internationally renowned soloist Natalie Dungey. This concert presents traditional holiday music played by the brass quintet in chamber-music style.
The NWSO Brass Quintet is drawn from the nationally acclaimed Northwest Symphony Orchestra, which has been featured on National Public Radio and NBC’s Today Show. Artists as diverse as Alice in Chains and Natalie Cole have performed with the NWSO.