West Seattle, Washington
29 Tuesday
The Seattle City Council Budget Committee (essentially the entire council) is about to launch into another round of votes on changes to the mayor’s budget proposal, leading up to a final vote that’s a little more than a week away. Among them, the issues that many West Seattleites have watched closely (mentioned again last night in our coverage of what Councilmember Sally Clark told the 34th District Democrats) – including canceling the closure of the Neighborhood Service Center in The Junction (budget doc here) and adding 15 more weekly drop-in hours back to Alki Community Center, explained here (for Alki and others) in an excerpt from that budget doc:
The increased Community Center drop in hours shall be in addition to the 15 – 20 hours of drop-in time included in the Mayor’s proposed 2011 and 2012 budget. Council intends that this additional funding will be supplemented by drop- in fees and class surcharges, in order to maximize the additional drop-in hours at these five Limited-Use Community Centers. These additional hours will permit these five Community Centers to be open for public use that includes access to gyms, classrooms, and other appropriate spaces at these centers.
Staffing effects of the Neighborhoods and Parks changes are not yet clear. You can follow along live in the video stream above (click “play”); the full agenda, with document links, is online here. We’ll add notes here as the morning goes on.
10:34 AM UPDATE: The community-center item has just passed – 8-1 with West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen opposed, stopping the otherwise-fast-moving proceedings to express concern that the Parks Department did not work closely enough with communities and staffers before these changes were proposed – he expressed particular concern about a since-amended plan to move office workers into some non-WS facilities.
10:39 AM UPDATE: They have just voted to cancel the proposed closure of the Junction NSC, to only cut 3 Neighborhood District Coordinators instead of 7, and to restore $300,000 to the Neighborhood Matching Fund. Those were the last of the items we were closely watching, but the votes continue – then the council plans to meet the media at 1 this afternoon, with the mayor doing the same at 3.
10:56 AM UPDATE: West Seattle isn’t directly affected by this, but of note – the council has also just voted to cancel the mayor’s proposal for paid parking on Sundays (where it’s pay-station or meter-controlled).
(Leaves along Harbor Avenue SW; photo by David Hutchinson)
It’s an unpaid-furlough day for many Seattle Parks workers, and that means most community-center programs aren’t in operation today, nor are swimming pools including Southwest Pool or environmental-learning centers including Camp Long … Interested in “green jobs”? There’s a forum today at Greenbridge presented by the Got Green? project, as a possible prelude to job training – noon-2 pm … Tonight’s the big event for West Seattle Democratic Women‘s weeklong celebration of the centennial of Washington women’s right to vote, 6 pm at West Seattle Golf Course (history-evoking costumes welcome!), tickets $25, contact WSDW at 206-935-3216 or wsdwomen@yahoo.com … Also tonight: Second-to-last performance of the West Seattle High School student presentation “12 Angry People,” 7:30 pm, same time as the first of two performances for Seattle Lutheran High School‘s fall drama “The Odd Couple” … Two holiday events, the Bella Nouveau European Day & Medical Spa open house 4-7 pm, 4204 SW Oregon, and a holiday bazaar at Providence Mount St. Vincent, 10 am-4 pm – details in this WSB Forums post … And tonight at 9, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) hosts the CD listening party for Post-Modern Heroes, kickoff to an event-filled weekend (more here) …
West Seattle-based food writer Kim O’Donnel not only autographed her new “Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook” at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) during the November West Seattle Art Walk last night – she made snacks, too, and shows/explains them all in our video clip. Among them: Kale chips. From Click!’s new Junction location, we headed over to see the guest artists featured by two more WSB sponsors, who are both along 42nd SW just north of SW Edmunds:
Filmmaker Leah Warshawski guested at Mural; the photo’s from her work in Rwanda, subject of a documentary-in-progress; steps away at Wallflower Custom Framing and The Shooting Gallery, you’ll find the photos of Sara Tro (at right, with Wallflower proprietor Courtney Sievertson):
From there, it was across the peninsula to Westwood’s Barton Street Lofts. This is artist and author David Bloomfield (aka Starheadboy) posing with his art:
(This photo, and those that follow unless otherwise credited, by Ellen Cedergreen)
Bloomfield told WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen that his work is a mixture of realism and characters; he’s working on a children’s book in that style (available soon at Blurb.com) to help young children with their self-esteem. Speaking of kids, they came out to the Barton Street Lofts show too: Artist and illustrator Brandon Baker poses with young patron Zoe, who shows off her newest purchase (one of Brandon’s).
Hopping back to The Junction, Twilight opened Northwest Anvil 2, Survey of Contemporary NW Ironwork.: Its curators are Lisa Geertsen and Andy Blakney. The Caveman pictured between the two belongs to Andy:
The West Seattle-based wife and husband team teach, too, and their work is hanging alongside their students’ through 12/4 at Twilight – here’s “Peacock” by student Kayla Blincow:
The forged pieces drew attention from all ages:
Some of the artists explained to Ellen that the metal-smithing community readily shares craft and techniques, creating a strong sense of camaraderie.
One more Junction note – we found West Seattle Hi-Yu‘s Carol Winston with Hi-Yu fundraising ornaments on sale during the West Seattle Family Zone-sponsored show upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle:
Next West Seattle Art Walk, December 9th – keep an eye on wsartwalk.com for previews.
5 notes tonight – no relation except that they’re all West Seattle, of course:
BRIGHT HORIZONS TO LINK: When we took you on a sneak peek tour of Link (38th/Alaska/Fauntleroy) earlier this fall, we noted that 12,500 square feet of the building’s commercial space is slated for a day-care center, though its operator had not yet been publicly identified. Now, as Diane posted in the WSB Forums, the national/international Bright Horizons is acknowledging that they’re the tenant. Emi McKittrick of Harbor Properties (developer of Link) confirms it and says the official media announcement is yet to come – we’ll publish more details when they’re available. The building is expected to be ready to occupy early next spring. Meantime, a few miles south:
35TH AND GRAHAM: Several people have e-mailed to ask about “the construction” at this High Point corner. It’s not construction. As first reported here back in June, it’s a “petroleum contamination” cleanup – there’s still a development proposal for the site, but nothing’s advanced with it lately.
JUNEAU STREET MARKET: So much for the people who told us they were “remodeling” —
Thanks to multiple WSB’ers who sent word of spotting the “For Lease” signs in the past two days. This store was closed for 8 months after a fire in the apartment above it – then reopened this past spring, but apparently couldn’t make a go of it. Now, to the water …
FISHING IN WEST SEATTLE WATERS: For the third consecutive autumn, someone has sent a photo after spotting the Quandary seine-fishing off our shores. This one’s from Bob Bollen, shared this morning. Bikehugger‘s DL Byron posted a photo on Flickr showing two boats in action, including the Quandary on the right. (The 2009 photo is here; 2008 is here.)
Last but by no means least:
SOUTH SEATTLE CC PRESIDENT @ WEST SEATTLE CHAMBER LUNCH: Took the photo at lunchtime Wednesday, as South Seattle Community College president Gary Oertli (left, with Chamber board president and fellow Chief Sealth graduate Jerome Cohen) talked to the WS Chamber’s monthly lunch meeting at Salty’s on Alki. We also covered his appearance at last week’s Southwest District Council meeting, and he shared many of the same SSCC datapoints with the Chamber membership. But what’s important to note here is the Chamber’s growing collaboration with SSCC – what it sees as one of West Seattle’s key resources. P.S. Big event coming up next Monday at the college’s main campus on Puget Ridge – the fall wine release – 5-7 pm, you can taste, you can buy, you can see where SSCC’s famous wines are made. Then next Wednesday, Oertli speaks to the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s weekly meeting (7 am November 17th, Be’s Restaurant).
Tonight, we’re at a CityClub event downtown where Councilmember Sally Clark is speaking. More on that event later, but last night, she was in West Seattle, talking with the 34th District Democrats about the city budget – including the latest developments regarding two matters of intense interest in West Seattle: Proposed cuts in the Department of Neighborhoods budget, and big changes at Alki Community Center. We recorded the entire 34th DDs meeting on video – Councilmember Clark speaks for about 16 minutes at the start of the 2nd clip below (if you want to see any clip fullscreen, just click on the lower-third of the video image):
Councilmember Clark briefed the group on the newest developments in both major West Seattle-related budget issues, discussed at the City Council Budget Committee hearing hours earlier: While the council already had discussed dropping the mayor’s proposal to close the city Neighborhood Service Center in The Junction, they are expected to make further changes in the fate of the Neighborhood District Coordinators: The mayor planned to cut six positions (including the one held by Stan Lock, who works out of the Junction NSC); the council now is expected to cut three, keeping 10 to serve 13 districts citywide (West Seattle is split into 2 districts by the city for this purpose – eastern WS is considered the Delridge Neighborhoods District), and has not yet sorted out how that will be allotted. Regarding Alki Community Center, which was to be cut to 15 drop-in hours a week, the council now has signaled its intent to add back 15 hours, for a total of 30 hours a week; whether that means more hope for fewer program cuts (the Alki Art Fair is considered to be in jeopardy, for example) remains to be seen.
Another major part of the 34th District Democrats’ program; in the first segment of our video above, the group heard from State Sen. and County Councilmember-elect Joe McDermott; about 10 minutes into the third segment of video, you’ll hear from State Rep. Eileen Cody – just re-elected last week – and State Rep.-elect Joe Fitzgibbon. Rep. Cody said it’s going to be a tough year; she also noted she is now the most-senior member of the House, which, she added, lost 4 Democratic seats. Rep.-elect Fitzgibbon talked about the initiatives’ effect, saying he’s pleased about most of the results except for the income-tax measure’s failure and I-1053 (requiring a higher level of approval for tax increases); programs have to be moved closer to paying for themselves. The legislators also answered audience questions, with transportation one of the hottest topics.
For more of the meeting, check out the videos; the 34th District Democrats usually meet the second Wednesday of the month, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Jagada:
We would like to request the following info regarding a hit and run accident that occurred 11/10/10 at approximately 3:30-4pm, be posted on the blog.
Location: SB Fauntleroy Way SW in front of Midas Service Center
Description of car/person that fled the scene:
Older model dark blue or black Chev Tahoe or Suburban type vehicle with a damaged grille guard on entire front end.
White male, reddish-gray scruffy beard with long unkept hair. He also had a dog in the car with him.
If you know who that might be – please contact police. (The non-emergency number is 206-625-5011.)
Near the line between West Seattle and White Center in the Delridge Triangle, that plaque marks a tribute to veterans. This Veterans Day 2010 afternoon, a new flag flies over it:
It only happened with the help of a Seattle Fire Department crew, from Ladder 13.
“Mac” McElroy from nearby Mac’s Triangle Pub, who shared the photos, says someone who used to tend the flag isn’t able to do it any more, so he sought help in replacing it with a new one for Veterans Day – and SFD responded. Mac is a veteran too, by the way. And he’s trying to find out who can help get the flagpole area re-lit: “The city has been unable to help, as has the VFW. But it should be lit at night or taken down each evening.”
COOLMOM’S TOY SWAP AND SALE – DEADLINE FOR DONATIONS: Just got word from CoolMom‘s Terri Glaberson that she’s making the rounds of the donation bins one last time by 5 pm today for this Saturday’s Toy Swap and Sale – if you have been meaning to donate items (just put your name in the bag and you get $5 off your purchases on Saturday), hurry! The PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) and smallclothes bins will be the last picked up. Full details, including the dropoff locations and the info on Saturday’s event, are here.
TWILIGHT STARTING TOY DRIVE FOR FOSTER KIDS: Just got word from Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction that tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk also marks the start of their donation drive for Treehouse, which provides new toys and warm clothes for foster kids all around the area. If you don’t get to bring something tonight, no worries, they’ll be collecting all the way up till 5 pm December 19th, and each time you make a donation, your name will go into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate and goodie bag. Twilight is next to Easy Street along SW Alaska west of California SW. Here’s this year’s “wish list” from Treehouse.
Second-to-last West Seattle Art Walk before Christmas – tonight, 6-9 pm, all around the peninsula. More than 40 venues are participating again this month – they’re all listed on the official Art Walk map, and many of the artists/events are highlighted on the official Art Walk website. Among them: Tonight’s the night that West Seattle-based, nationally renowned food writer Kim O’Donnel signs her new book The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction (here’s our September story about Kim’s book) … Also in The Junction, it’s opening night for Northwest Anvil 2, an ironwork exhibit at Twilight Artist Collective … Wallflower Custom Framing and Shooting Gallery (WSB sponsor – with a coupon on the WSB Coupons page) is presenting Sara Tro‘s exhibit, “strange, beautiful things” … Hotwire Online Coffeehouse presents “outsider”-style art by Kim McCarthy … Not only can you buy many participating artists’ work if you plan to do “early” holiday shopping, there are at least two special shopping events – Bird on a Wire Espresso in Westwood has a “Bazarre” and the Senior Center of West Seattle is the site of a shopping bazaar sponsored by West Seattle Family Zone … On the north side of the route, Alki Arts is participating (with live jazz tonight!) as is ActivSpace (more info here) … Leonardo Lanzolla is this month’s artist at new WSB sponsor C & P Coffee … Again, here’s the map – 6-9 pm’s the time. (P.S. We also have word from the new Tuscan Tea Room that they’ll be open late for Art Walk-ers – their menus are now online, too.)
ADDED 3:19 PM: Mural Apartments (WSB sponsor) shares news of 2 unique displays they’ll have tonight: Photojournalist Tony Blazejack is showing “Skies Over Mural,” a series of photographs he took from the roof of Mural last month, and Leah Warshawski, executive producer of a documentary-in-the-works on Rwanda, will show photos and footage from 3 years of production there, as well as selling prints that will raise money to complete her work.
(WSB photo from December 2009 by Christopher Boffoli)
Remember that scene from last December? As we and others reported, community generosity saved the day – and the holidays – for local kids in need, when Bishop Deborah Dinkins of Restoration Worship Center – which meets at High Point Community Center – reached out for help. She is hoping you can help again this year:
Greeting from Restoration Worship Center Bishop Dinkins
We are having our annual Toy Drive starting the first Sunday in November and continuing every Sunday in November. We have more than 1,000 names already of children needing toys. We have not gotten any donations yet. We are in desperate need of Toys, Gift Cards, Clothes and Monetary Donations. Donations can be dropped off at the High Point Community Center, 6920 34th Ave SW, West Seattle every Sunday in November between the hours of 12 noon to 2:00 pm outside to collect all donations.
The toys will be given away on Sunday in December 5th from 12 to 2:00 pm @ the High Point Housing Office in West Seattle.
For more information please contact Bishop Deborah Dinkins at 360-440-4428 or Tina Taylor at 206-261-4225
Thank you!
Local animal advocates, pet lovers, and other friends and relatives are grieving the sudden loss of a friend, and wanted to share word of her memorial service this Saturday:
We are saddened by the loss of Darlene Morrison, who passed away unexpectedly on November 2nd, 2010. A memorial will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. this Saturday, November 13th to remember our dear friend and fellow dog lover. Please join us in celebrating Darlene’s life.
Saturday, November 13th, 3 pm to 6 pm
Life Church
3420 SW Cloverdale St. (Corner of 35th and Cloverdale)In lieu of flowers, donations in Darlene’s memory can be made to R.E.D. Rescue Every Dog and at the church.
(P.S. If you want to share word of someone’s passing/memorial service, WSB does *not* charge for those announcements – you’re welcome to send the info/photo to us, or to post in the WSB Forums.)
Just announced by the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council:
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL Community Safety Meeting,
TUESDAY, November 16, 2010 @ Southwest Police Precinct, 2300 SW Webster, 7 – 8:30pm
Our program on Abuse of Elders will be presented by Seattle Police Detective Suzanne MooreThe new SW Operations Officer is Lt. Pierre Davis.
He and the CPT officers will update us regarding crime hot spots.
Come discuss crime & nuisance spots with neighbors and police officers working in your area.THE MEETING IS OPEN TO EVERYONE. For more information contact WSCPC at westseattleCPC@gmail.com
(WSB photo from November 2009)
Eastridge Christian Assembly, in The Triangle, has sent word it’s doubling its turkey giveaway this year – instead of giving free turkeys to 500 people at each of its two campuses, including West Seattle, this year each campus will give out 1,000. Here’s the news release, just out of the WSB inbox:
Eastridge Church will be providing 2,000 free Thanksgiving turkeys and bags of groceries to families in need on Saturday, November 20, beginning at 9 a.m. (while supplies last) at their two locations: Issaquah and Seattle. This is double the 1,000 turkeys and groceries provided in past years.
“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our lives and the good things that we’re experiencing, but it can also be an especially challenging time for families with limited resources,” said Eastridge Lead Pastor, Steve Jamison. “We want to show that Eastridge cares by providing a blessing this Thanksgiving to those who may be struggling to make ends meet. This is our eighth year providing a turkey and bag of groceries to families and in response to the increased need in our community, we are doubling the amount we provided last year.”
When: Saturday, November 20, starting at 9 a.m., while supplies last
Where: The Issaquah campus of Eastridge Church
24205 Issaquah-Fall City Road, IssaquahThe West Seattle Campus of Eastridge Church
4500 39th Avenue SW, SeattleThe 2,000 dinner packages will be given out first-come, first-served, with no demonstration of need required to receive the assistance.
Two more West Seattle Veterans Day notes: No breeze to lift Old Glory yet, but the flags are up in the heart of The Junction. Meantime, we just received word of one special event to which you are invited:
Today at 1:30 pm, Providence Mount St. Vincent will be honoring Veterans Day with a special ceremony in the dining room. The program will feature:
Welcome
Flag parade – residents and staff
Pledge of Allegiance
Singing of National Anthem
Prayer
Slide show featuring our residents who are veterans (We’re showing photos of them then and now.)
Recognizing and thanks to our Vets
Singing of “God Bless America”
RefreshmentsWe have a number of vets who have served in World War II; Korean War; and were career military service men and women. One of our female residents was a WAVE for 35 years. She retired in 1979. WAVES stands for “Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service.”
The public is welcome to attend.
The Mount is at 4831 35th SW (map).
Story and photos by Jonathan Stumpf
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
“It is a week for the Puget Sound orcas,” said The Whale Trail‘s founder, Donna Sandstrom, to a crowd of roughly 40 at last night’s orca-research presentation her organization sponsored at the Duwamish Longhouse.
She was referring not only to the first-ever OrcaFest that The Whale Trail and Killer Whale Tales presented on Alki last Sunday (WSB coverage here), but also to the Beach Drive announcement hours earlier about the Maury Island deal that would preserve King County’s longest remaining stretch of undeveloped Puget Sound shoreline (WSB coverage here).
But the main event for this presentation: Brad Hanson of NOAA Fisheries, taking the audience through the known diet of the Southern Resident orcas in a colorful discussion titled “In Search of Spew, Poo and Goo: Learning about Orcas from What They Leave in Their Wake,” essentially a preliminary look into his years of innovative research.
A big ceremony and celebration marked the groundbreaking a year and a half ago for White Center Square, a shopping center at 14th/15th/100th (map) anchored by the Vong family’s new Hung Long Asian Supermarket. Now, quietly, that store has opened, reports Deanie Schwarz for our partner site White Center Now, where you’ll see more of her photos from its first day. (P.S. You can always find the newest story links from WCN by clicking the WHITE CENTER tab atop all WSB pages.)
The official observance of Veterans Day today means school’s out for most if not all students, including the entire Seattle Public Schools system. Transit changes include no King County Water Taxi boats or shuttles and “reduced weekday” service for Metro (as detailed here). No US Postal Service delivery. Many government offices are closed, as are city-run community centers and all branches of the Seattle Public Library. One city service is unchanged, though – trash/recycling/yard waste pickup, if Thursday’s your day. P.S. If you are going downtown or anywhere else with pay stations/parking meters, today’s a city “parking holiday” so it’s free.
Three news items from Chief Sealth International High School:
BENEFIT AUCTION NEXT WEEK: The second annual Seahawk Spirit Dinner and Auction is one week from tomorrow night – Thursday, November 18th. The 5:30 pm event will be preceded by guided tours of the school at 4:30 pm. It’ll be highlighted by presentation of the Community Partner Award to: Friends of Sealth (Chief Sealth’s alumni organization) & Sealth’s Latino Community Partners: El Centro de la Raza, Campana Quetzal, Consejo, Sea Mar and South Park Community Center. The dinner/auction is sponsored by Chief Sealth PTSA, Chief Sealth Performing Arts, and Friends of Sealth. Tickets are on sale and auction donations are still being accepted. Information for both is online here, or you can contact Dick Lee at rjlee@seattleschools.org.
GOLF TOURNAMENT: A new fundraiser for Chief Sealth athletics has just been announced – a first-ever golf tournament and dinner, set for Friday, June 3, 2011, at Rainier Golf & Country Club. Information regarding how to participate should become available soon.
FALL SPORTS WRAPUP: As celebrated at the CSIHS sports banquet last night, here are the highlights of the sports season just concluded, courtesy of athletic director Sam Reed:
The Seahawks’ 2010 Fall sports season was a very successful one, in that it saw solid team improvement, outstanding individual achievements and tremendous overall achievement both in the field of play and in the classroom. Overall 175 student-athletes donned helmets, knee pads, shin guards, running shoes or spikes and represented Chief Sealth International in Metro League competition.
Read on to see what they achieved:Read More
In August 2008, the King County Council paid tribute to Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus, and we published this photo with a short item, even noting the only West Seattle link was the fact that then-County Councilmember Dow Constantine is a WS resident. Glad to have the photo so that we too can offer our tribute to the longtime Seattle Mariners announcer, who died today at age 75; here’s a report from our partners at the Seattle Times. On the day the above photo was taken, Mr. Niehaus was quoted as saying, “”Those magic moments of 1995 will return to Safeco Field. I promise you, they will return.” Maybe they will – sadly he won’t be here to see it.
ADDED 7:35 PM: A statement from Mayor McGinn:
‘My oh My’ – Seattle Lost a Friend Today: Seattle has lost a friend. We invited him into our homes and he was with us when we were joyful about the Mariners and when we were sad. Dave Niehaus will be sorely missed. From now on, there will be just two eras of Mariner baseball: the Dave Niehaus era and everything else. We send our condolences to his family and hope they are comforted by the happiness he brought to our lives.
Governor Gregoire also has issued a statement; we’re told 34th District Democrats chair Tim Nuse shared one of his memories at the start of his group’s meeting tonight in Fauntleroy; and there’s word that people are gathering for an informal vigil outside Safeco Field tonight.
ADDED 9:55 PM: From County Executive Constantine:
King County Executive Dow Constantine tonight joins Mariners nation in mourning the loss of Hall of Fame broadcaster and Mariners icon Dave Niehaus:
“I loved listening to Dave Niehaus from the Mariners’ very first season. His evocative descriptions and obvious love of the game will forever be intertwined with my experience of baseball.
“The timbre and cadence of his calls had a musical quality that will echo in our collective memory for many seasons to come.
“I join all fans in mourning his loss and extending our sympathies to his family.”
Since it’ll be too late for a reminder by the time we publish tomorrow morning’s daily preview, a reminder tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Veterans are welcome to enjoy a free Pancake Breakfast at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle tomorrow morning, 8:30 to 10 am, with a brief program at 9:30 am. 4611 35th SW (map) – please RSVP ASAP to (206) 932-5480.
As you’ll hear in our video, State Rep. and Sen.-elect Sharon Nelson says this is a day she has awaited for 13 years – a day bringing real hope that a section of industrial-company-owned shoreline on her home island, Maury, will be preserved forever.
She, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and dozens of other state and King County leaders, environmental advocates, and Maury/Vashon residents gathered on the Beach Drive shore across from Me-Kwa-Mooks, with the islands visible to the southwest, to formally announce a deal to purchase that mile of shoreline, and 250 adjacent acres of madrone forest. What’s currently been compiled includes $15 million in state money and $19 million in county money – with about $2 million that will have to be raised from other sources to close the deal by year’s end. The land has been the subject of controversy in recent years, with environmental advocates and nearby residents trying to stop it from being mined. The site holds importance for the ecology of all of Puget Sound, say supporters – West Seattleite Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail was at the announcement and told us, “It’s a great day for the whales” – the orcas about whom her group seeks to educate. And for Puget Sound salmon, as underscored by the giant prop brought by the Vashon-based Backbone Campaign:
(You might remember Backbone for the “flash mob” video protest inside West Seattle’s Target store.) According to the county’s announcement, the site is adjacent to the 320-acre Maury Island Marine Park already owned by the county. Opening the news conference, Constantine made a point of saying that the $19 million the county would advance for the $36 million purchase is from the King County Conservation Futures Fund, and that state law says that money can only be used for open-space or resource-land purchases.
The private fundraising work begins now, with various groups involved, and donations being taken at www.cascadeland.org. (Thursday PS: Here’s the official county news release with yet more details.)
Several West Seattle community groups have been lobbying city councilmembers to keep the Neighborhood Service Center in The Junction and its coordinator Stan Lock, instead of the cuts proposed in Mayor McGinn‘s original budget, and it looks (pending a final council vote) like that will happen. But as noted during last night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, ANA leaders went an extra mile and arranged in-person meetings with five councilmembers. ANA president Katy Walum said they explained that the council’s original “keep almost all coordinators citywide but cut them to 80% time” was not acceptable, given what coordinators are counted on to do. Walum noted that research also enabled them to help councilmembers clarify the lease status for the NSC in The Junction. She said they asked about management restructuring to save money (though as observed during this morning’s council budget meeting, it looks like that’s not being mandated). Also on the agenda last night – the newest developments in the Viaduct/Tunnel, the big Metro changes this winter, and more – lots of quick-read info in the toplines after the jump:Read More
That’s Liame, who Service Dog Academy proprietor Mary McNeight says has been trained in a unique area of service-dog work: Diabetic alerts. Mary says a trained diabetic-alert dog might cost up to $25,000; a dog with this training can tell its owner they are going low “20 minutes before a meter can even register it – dogs’ noses are amazing feats of nature that can be easily harnessed to help their human companions take control of their diabetes.” She’s offering a 16-week, $650 class for regular dogs and their owners that “will teach the dogs to alert when blood sugar levels drop below 80, go retrieve sugary drinks to quickly raise blood sugar levels, go get a meter and if the need arises go get the help of a human companion or call 911.” According to Mary, this is the only training of its kind available in the Northwest right now. She trains not only service dogs but regular dogs/puppies at her recently opened training studio north of Morgan Junction; there’s more info on her website about the upcoming diabetic-alert training and who’s eligible.
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