October 2020

By Jean Godden

Maintenance isn't a sexy word in Seattle. When it comes to maintenance on streets, bridges, sidewalks and other structures, there is never much appetite for doing the upkeep necessary to keep the city running. 

Starting a restaurant is often a bumpy road, with lots of twists and turns. That's certainly true for the owner of KaPow Thai on Wheel Suwat Piyathanawiwat. 

Originally from Bangkok Thailand he attended high school in New Zealand, St. Gabriel's College, Bethlehem College in Tauranga, studied Management at Auckland Institute of study and the Crown Institutes of Studies, then moved back to Thailand in 1998.  

Armed with all his knowledge he had big dreams, and came to America, settling in Boston, Massachusetts in 2000.

"I started my first job as dishwasher at a Thai restaurant in Foxboro MA," he explains, "Then I moved to Wakefield, MA to work as a line cook. The owner taught me everything from the beginning"

Suwat got married in 2006.

That decade of cooking experience brought him to open his own restaurant in Allston MA In 2011.

The Seattle Department of Transportation has offered their weekly update on progress being made on the West Seattle Bridge initial repairs as we await their decision to execute either more complete repairs or plan for demolition.

High-Rise Bridge Stabilization

Kraemer North America, our contractor for the stabilization work, is working every week, Monday through Saturday from 6 AM to 4:30 PM, to stabilize the bridge. This Sunday, October 4, they will be working during these same hours, from 6 AM to 4:30 PM.

Stabilizing the High-Rise Bridge is necessary to preserve public safety and the integrity of the bridge so all options remain on the table for a repair or replace decision. Stabilization puts us on the right path if repair is determined to be the best option. If we move forward with replacement, stabilization ensures no further damage is done and that the public is kept safe during design and construction of the replacement. 

information from Burien Film Festival

It turns out that some good things have come from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Burien Film Festival (BFF) is partnering with Film Festival Flix to bring our festival to your living room, office, bedroom, or wherever you may want to enjoy the best in local and international short films.

BFF presents an All-Access festival pass for $20. The All-Access pass makes available to you six curated blocks of short films. There are a total of 26 short films from all over the world. Your pass grants you unlimited anytime access to these films for ten days, from October 16 at 6 PM, until October 26 at Noon PST.

information from the City of Seattle

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today announced her proposal to move hundreds of people living unsheltered into safer spaces as part of her 2021 budget. By using COVID-related, one-time funds, Mayor Durkan is proposing to open 425 short-term shelter beds then surge investment in housing support programs like diversion and rapid-rehousing. Next year, the City also expects an additional 600 units of permanent supportive housing to come online next year. The Mayor’s 2021 Proposed Budget also continues supporting approximately 2,300 spaces, investments in hygiene, support for permanent supportive housing, and resources for diversion and rapid rehousing.  

The City of Normandy Park will be hosting a new Pop-Up Donor Center, providing donors a convenient, local location to donate blood during statewide stay-at-home orders. Local, state, and national leaders are unanimous – donating blood remains a critical and safe activity for community health.

information from City of Seattle

 Following the transmittal of her 2021 Proposed Budget which proposes reductions to the Seattle Police Department and a $100 million investment in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan signed a new Executive Order to create an accountable and transparent timeline to evaluate Seattle Police Department (SPD) functions and identify areas of SPD response that can be transitioned to civilian and community-based responses.