January 2017

By Pat Cashman

In the fifth grade, our school’s head basketball coach brought in a motivational speaker. I don’t remember hearing the term ‘motivational speaker’ in those days---but that’s what he was. His job was to inspire my teammates and me to be winners.

He pulled out the very best quotes:
“The ones who say ‘you can’t’ and ‘you won’t’ are probably the ones scared that ‘you will.’
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
“Dream it. Believe it. Achieve it.”
By the time he was finished inspiring us, we were either ready to win a basketball game---or be Amway representatives.

By Amanda Knox
 
I grew up within walking distance of almost my entire extended family. Oma and Opa, aunts and uncles, Mom and Dad—all were within reach, settled between SW 106th St and the Alaska Junction. This arrangement left a lasting impression on me: my notion of family is not limited to the nuclear unit; interaction is abundant and interdependence is instinctual. I suppose this is equivalent to small town mentality: it may not be much, but here are my people, here is my place.
 
As such, I’d always imagined I’d stay in West Seattle. I’d travel for sure, live in other cities, other countries even, but I was sure I’d eventually settle close to home, and raise my own kids within walking distance of my mom, sisters, and cousins. Why would I deny my children the great gift I received from my parents and adult relatives: shared time and resources, a formidable network of support to fall back on, unconditional love from so many directions in close proximity? Of course, it never occurred to me that when the time came, I might not be able to afford to do this.
 

Possible break-in on 30th Avenue S.W.

At 7 p.m. on Tues., Jan. 3, police were dispatched to a possible burglary at a residence located on the 7700 block of 30th Avenue S.W. The victim said she came to check on her deceased father’s home. When she opened the door, she heard the security alarm sounding. She went to the back of the house and saw the door had been forced open and a ladder was propped by the awning. Officers searched the property but could not find any individuals on site or find any other damage. They could not locate any fingerprints or other evidence. There were not items confirmed missing from the home.

Assault on employees on 42nd Avenue S.W.

The process of getting a building built, especially in an environmentally sensitive area can take a long time and the site of the former Alki Tavern, at 1307 Harbor Ave SW is no exception. Now, after nearly two years a decision (with conditions) has been issued by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development for Project #3015628.
See our previous coverage here, and here.

The project is unique in several ways, containing a breezeway and a mix of retail, restaurant, and a design center for Youngone Corp., a manufacturer of Korean sports gear and outdoor apparel.

Along the way the building changed from seven stories to six and made other changes.

From the decision:

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL

In a move that was not expected, Rick Jump long time Director of the White Center Food Bank has retired. Citing health issued Jump shared the news via a letter to the media and the public. Here is the letter:

To the clients, donors, volunteers, and staff of the White Center Food Bank and to the greater White Center Community:

I have lived in White Center for 35 years; raised my children here, forged lifelong friendships, built partnerships, and helped to grow the White Center Food Bank for the past twelve years. It has been both my professional and personal passion to help support the most vulnerable in our community. It is a unique place – one built on community, diversity, and resiliency despite the many challenges we have faced.
I am proud to call White Center my home.

This is why my decision to retire as the Executive Director of the White Center Food Bank is made with a heavy heart. I arrived at this decision after both I and my wife, Judy, have struggled with health issues in recent months. As much as I love this community, after 12 years of dedicating my life to helping others, it is time that Judy and I take care of ourselves.

The Admiral Neighborhood Association (ANA) meeting on Jan. 10 will feature Deb Barker who will help educate and lead a discussion about HALA (Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda) as it affects the Admiral Residential Urban Village. This meeting will come as a preview of sorts for the Feb. 11 meeting at West Seattle High School from 9:30 to 12:30pm on The Urban Village Community Design Workshop for the neighborhood.

The ANA meeting will take place at 7pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral 2656 42nd Ave. SW.

Also on the agenda is an opportunity to meet the new owners of Arthur's, a new restaurant coming to the space once occupied by Angelina's.

information from Swedish Ballard

Swedish Ballard said in a press release that it has received a prestigious international recognition as a Baby-Friendly Designated birth facility.

"There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Swedish Ballard is one of the 403 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States. The Baby-Friendly designation is given after a rigorous onsite survey is completed.

Baby-Friendly USA, Inc is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (“BFHI”), a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies."

By Gwen Davis

On Thursday evening, the Southwest Design Review Board held two meetings — one about the structure at 3039 SW Avalon Way, the other about a development at 4220 SW 100th. See our previous coverage here.

Here is what you need to know about 3039 SW Avalon Way:

This was the second and final time this project went before the board. The architects, Steve Fischer and Karen Kiest from Nicholson Kovalchich Architects gave a 20-minute presentation to the board about their improved plans.

“It’s a six-story building, with 71 units on 18,000 square feet,” Fischer began. “We have shown that we are in the urban village [and have tweaked the plan.”

information from the City of Seattle

Mayor Ed Murray and Council President Bruce Harrell issued the following statement on the deployment of body-worn video equipment on West Precinct bike officers this past weekend. The deployment marks a milestone in the City’s ongoing effort to equip police officers with body cameras and to bring the Seattle Police Department (SPD) closer to compliance with the 2012 Consent Decree.

“We know that body cameras lead to increased civility on both sides of the camera,” said Mayor Murray. “With the deployment of body cameras on West Precinct bike officers this past weekend, these cameras are now in action and SPD is moving toward increased transparency and accountability that has been years in the making. I appreciate Council President Harrell’s work in securing Council support for this program and I look forward to working with the community to refine this program and policy as we continue to increase the use of body cameras city-wide.”

Sponsored by Sarah Cecil

If you are a “millennial” – a member of the age cohort born anywhere from the early 1980s to the late 1990s – then you’re still in the early chapters of your career, so it may be a stretch for you to envision the end of it. But since you do have so many years until you retire, you’ve got the luxury of putting time on your side as you save and plan for retirement.

Here are some suggestions for making the best use of that time:

Invest early – and often. Even if you are at the very beginning of your career, make investing a priority. At first, you might only be able to contribute a small amount each month, but something is far better than nothing – and after a year or so, you might be surprised at how much you’ve actually put away.

Take advantage of your employer’s retirement plan. If your employer offers a 401(k) or similar plan, contribute as much as you can afford. At the least, put in enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered. Your contributions can lower your taxable income, and your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis.