West Seattle’s Sen. Joe McDermott to receive Jewish Federation award

June 25, 2009 1:08 pm

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 |   Announcements

Announced today by the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle:

Sen. McDermott, Rep. Pedersen to Receive the Tikkun Olam Legislative Tribute from
the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle

SEATTLE – On June 25, Senator Joe McDermott and Representative Jamie Pedersen will
be receiving the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle’s 2009 Tikkun Olam Legislative
Tribute at our annual meeting.

This award recognizes legislators who embody the concept of tikkun olam, “repairing
the world.” This year, we are recognizing these two legislators for their work to
expand civil rights in Washington State by shaping and passing two pieces of
legislation: comprehensive hate crimes legislation and expansion of legal
protections for gay and lesbian couples.

“The Jewish community is proud to have Senator McDermott and Representative Pedersen
as partners in the important work of promoting equal rights for all,” commented Ron
Leibsohn, Chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle.

Senator Joe McDermott entered the Washington House of Representatives in 2001.
Along with then Rep. Ed Murray, he has worked year after year to pass legislation
protecting gay and lesbian people from discrimination. The legislation passed both
chambers and was signed by Governor Gregoire in 2006. During his time in the House
and now as a Senator, McDermott has worked to expand voting rights, protect
Holocaust education and expand Washington’s malicious harassment, or hate crimes,
statute.

Representative Jamie Pedersen came to the Washington State House of Representatives
in 2007 after winning a competitive 43rd district primary. In the legislature,
Pedersen has pushed for the rights of same sex couples and the civil rights of
everyone regardless of their skin color, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual
orientation.

In 2007, because of Pedersen’s leadership, Washington passed a domestic partnership
statute which was expanded each session after that, and as of this session includes
hundreds of rights for same sex couples. Pedersen also helped pass legislation that
will allow a Jewish hospice to open in Washington State. This session, Pedersen also
helped guide a critical piece of legislation out of the Judiciary Committee
prohibiting people who have been involuntarily committed from buying a gun. Because
of the Jewish Federation’s experience with gun violence, we are very grateful for
his work on this issue.

Past recipients of this award include Reps. Eric Pettigrew, Sharon Tomiko Santos and
Sherry Appleton, Secretary of State Sam Reed and Sen. Jeanne Kohl Welles.

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Swing dance in Puget Ridge on July 11th!

June 25, 2009 12:45 pm

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 |   Announcements

Here’s the official announcement of what promises to be a fun time:

Come out and dance in West Seattle on Saturday, July 11th from 7:30 – 11:00 PM at Puget Ridge Cohousing, 7020 18th Ave, SW (Bus #125). Pre-dance lesson in Swing from 7:30- 8:15 with The Carey’s, Highland Park’s teaching team, and with mini-dance lessons throughout the evening in Waltz, Blues, and Foxtrot.

Please bring snacks and beverages to share (alcohol okay with responsible drinking).

There’s an official flyer, too; see it here.

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Dex phone books just arrived – still trying to opt out

June 25, 2009 12:39 pm

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 |   Environment | West Seattle news

Apologies if you find great value in phone books. We don’t; we use the Internet so much, we haven’t used a phone book in at least five years. (Adored them PRE-Web.) We don’t even have a Qwest phone line – and yet a big stack of their newest phone books just landed on the porch at WSB HQ. We have discussed this in past years and could SWEAR we already opted out. But here they are (1:12 pm, added photo at left – THREE of them in one bag!). So we are currently researching to find the true, proven way to opt out. If you’ve done it, and it worked, please share; meantime, we’ll share whatever we come up with (Qwest/Dex has a “Select Your Dex” online option that purportedly enables you to choose “zero” books for the future, but we’re not trusting it till we talk to someone who confirms that’s the way to go; the guy who answered the previously offered #, 800-422-8793, couldn’t tell us that for sure).

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Dinner invitation for tonight: Be a High Point Community Leader

June 25, 2009 12:12 pm

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 |   High Point | How to help | West Seattle news

Jennifer Cobb from the High Point Neighborhood Association wanted to share this letter – anyone who lives in the High Point area is eligible:

Many new families and individuals have moved into the neighborhood during the past few years. However, many neighbors haven’t had the opportunity to get to know and support one another. The High Point Neighborhood Association, the Neighborhood House Family Center and the Seattle Housing Authority recognize this and are working together to support the creation of a community leader program at High Point.

The community leader program is aimed at increasing opportunities for neighbors to get to know one another, strengthen communication and to learn about the cultural diversity in the neighborhood. Community leaders throughout High Point would take the lead in hosting small gatherings so that neighbors can get to know one another. Community Leaders will receive support and assistance to host local gatherings in the neighborhood and will be invited to regular gatherings to receive resources and training on an ongoing basis.

… In order for the program to be successful and representative of the entire community we need your participation. We invite you to join us for dinner at the High Point Community Center on Thursday, June 25 at 6 pm, to get to know your neighbors and begin planning activities. If you have any questions before then please feel free to contact Genevieve Aguilar, High Point Community Builder, at gaguilar@seattlehousing.org or 206.696.3148

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West Seattle-based General Biodiesel completes refinery purchase

June 25, 2009 11:33 am

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 |   Announcements

Announced by West Seattle-based General Biodiesel:

SEATTLE, WA (June 24, 2009) –General Biodiesel Seattle, LLC announces today that it has completed the acquisition of the former Seattle Biodiesel facility, a Seattle-based commercial
biodiesel refinery, from Imperium Renewables, Inc. General Biodiesel is converting the facility
to produce biodiesel from waste oils such as recycled cooking oil and animal fat, which the
Company collects from restaurants and grocery stores around the region.

Yale Wong, CEO and founder of General Biodiesel, commented that “the mission of General
Biodiesel is to produce high-quality biodiesel fuel from locally generated waste at a competitive
price. The acquisition of this plant enables General Biodiesel to deliver a locally produced
renewable fuel source that will measurably reduce total carbon emissions in the State of
Washington, reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and build a stronger regional economy by
creating green jobs in the community.”

John Plaza, who founded Seattle Biodiesel (now Imperium Renewables) and built the plant, said
“It’s great to see our site being put to continued good use as a biodiesel production facility. We
are happy to have General Biodiesel as the new owners of our original facility. They are a great
example of innovation and leadership in renewable and clean energy in our state.”

Simultaneously with the plant acquisition, General Biodiesel closed on an equity financing
arranged by Swiftsure Securities, LLC, a Seattle-based merchant bank. “Swiftsure has looked at
the biofuels sector for several years now and General Biodiesel represents one of strongest
business models we’ve seen. General Biodiesel’s vertically integrated model of collecting local
waste, producing biodiesel locally and selling to local fleets is the future of the biofuels
industry. The fundamentals of the business are sound, and General Biodiesel is well-positioned
to be a leader in the category,” added Gordon Gardiner of Swiftsure, who will join General
Biodiesel Seattle’s Board of Directors.

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West Seattle land-use notes: 2 mixed-use projects; 3 closed schools

June 25, 2009 11:03 am

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 |   Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure

LAND USE PERMIT FOR “LINK”: In the Triangle, the mixed-use building Harbor Properties plans to build at 38th/Alaska (on the site that’s been home to West Seattle Montessori School [WSB sponsor] and a former Huling auto shop) has received its land-use permit; we’ll be checking with Harbor to find out its newest plans for a construction timeline (those permits are still in the pipeline). ***Added 1:42 pm: Harbor’s Emi Baldowin tells WSB that Link construction is expected to start in early fall; they’re still securing financing but “it looks good.”**** (back to original report) Westward into The Junction:

DESIGN REVIEW MEETING SET FOR 4532 42ND SW: Three years after its first design-review meeting, and 7 months after the big old house on the site was demolished, this mixed-use project in The Junction still has at least one more Southwest Design Review Board meeting to go, and the date for that is now tentatively set for July 23 (time TBA) at the nearby Senior Center of West Seattle.

THREE CLOSED SCHOOLS: From this morning’s city Land Use Information Bulletin – a long list of “notices of interpretation” regarding closed Seattle Public Schools buildings around the city, including three in West Seattle – Fairmount Park, E.C. Hughes and the newly re-closed Genesee Hill. The text of each notice goes like this:

The issue raised, subject to Land Use Code Interpretation, was whether the (school building in question) may be converted to certain other uses permitted in the Single Family 5000 zone, without convening a School Use Advisory Committee. The Department has concluded that the school building may be converted to any of the following institutional uses, regardless of conformity with institutional development standards, without going through the SUAC process: Child care centers, public or private schools, educational and vocational training for the disabled, adult evening education classes, nonprofit libraries, community centers, community programs for the elderly or similar uses. The building also may be converted to any other use permitted outright in the SF 5000 zone, as listed at Seattle Municipal Code Section 23.44.006, without going through the SUAC process.

Anyone who disagrees with that interpretation has till July 9th to file an appeal. The notice for Fairmount Park is here; the notice for E.C. Hughes is here; the notice for Genesee Hill is here. We have a question out to Seattle Public Schools to find out if there’s any particular reason these “interpretations” were pursued for these and five other properties citywide. 3:19 PM UPDATE: From school district spokesperson David Tucker: “Nothing has changed regarding the buildings’ status.” He says this is a move made to enable “expanded usage in the future,” possibly so that community organizations could rent the buildings for usages beyond church, school or day care: “It’s to the district’s benefit to have community organizations in these buildings — they help maintain the buildings” and step up security. He stresses that any change in the buildings’ status would have to be approved by the School Board, and he doesn’t expect anything to be proposed until the rest of the Student Assignment Plan is finalized.

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Followup: Jill St. Onge autopsy report out; family “still waiting”

June 25, 2009 9:59 am

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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

An e-mail inquiry early this morning led to the realization four weeks have passed since our last report on the status of the mysterious death of Jill St. Onge, the 27-year-old West Seattleite who died suddenly in Thailand in early May while on an extended visit there with her fiance’. Ms. St. Onge’s family hasn’t posted an update on the “About Jill” website since late May, but we found a Thailand news story from mid-June that doesn’t appear to have received U.S. coverage so far: The Phuket Gazette reported June 13 that an autopsy report had been released regarding her death and that of another foreign tourist who’d been staying at the same guest house. Its findings were described as “inconclusive,” while ruling out food poisoning, which had briefly been suspected early on. After reading that, we found an e-mail address for a member of Ms. St. Onge’s family, sent a note, and just received this response:

Yes, we have received the autopsy report. However, we are still waiting for the official police report as well as the environmental report being performed by the Thai health department. We are hoping to tie the environmental investigation to the findings of the autopsy.

Thank you,
Marlin St. Onge (Jill’s Father)

Ms. St. Onge, who’d worked at Shadow Land in The Junction, died just a week before she and fiance’ Ryan Kells were scheduled to return to the U.S.

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Happening tonight: City Council in West Seattle (and more)

June 25, 2009 6:30 am

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 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle politics

CITY COUNCIL IN WEST SEATTLE: City councilmember sightings in West Seattle are far from rare, but an appearance by the entire City Council is, and that’s exactly what’s happening tonight, 6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. It’s the second of two town-hall-format meetings with which the council’s kicking off summer, and this one has something the other one didn’t – a keynote address by a violence-prevention expert from Chicago, Gary Slutkin, who’s spotlighted in this video clip we found:

Also at tonight’s meeting, time is promised for you to voice your ideas on the night’s three big topics – youth violence, public schools, and tree protection. Full agenda here.

SOUTH DELRIDGE/WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY SAFETY COALITION: Tonight’s the monthly meeting of this crime-prevention and safety-evangelizing group, 6 pm, St. James Place (9421 18th SW; map).

PARKS BOARD: As previewed on Wednesday, tonight’s meeting is scheduled to include the board’s final decision (recommendation to the Superintendent) on two issues with West Seattle ramifications: Possible changes in parks’ operating hours, and synthetic turf. 7 pm, parks HQ downtown (map).

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Update: Police/helicopter search ends with Highland Park arrest

June 25, 2009 2:39 am

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 |   Crime | Helicopter | Highland Park | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 2:39 AM REPORT: The law-enforcement helicopter Guardian One is involved in a search in Highland Park right now, as are at least two K-9 units and other police — we know they’re looking for one suspect, but don’t know yet what it is that he’s being sought for — we’re monitoring via scanner, where it appears they’ve been discussing the Riverview Playfield area (map) as well. 2:49 AM UPDATE: “One in custody” is the report on the scanner, so the search is over. (The chopper led the ground crews right to the suspect with one of its specialized nighttime tracking capabilities.) 3:45 AM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith confirms this was related to the 1:32 am “motor vehicle accident” call on the 911 log at Highland Park Way/West Marginal Way (map) – he explains that before officers arrived, there was a report “a driver from an involved vehicle fled from the scene.” The “adult male” suspect who was subsequently arrested was booked, he says, for hit-and-run.

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Next appearance set for West Seattle’s Rosie the Riveter group

June 25, 2009 2:07 am

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 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(February 2009 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Back in February, WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli reported on an unforgettable group of West Seattle women, the Rosie the Riveter group, after they presented a program at The Mount. If you missed these trailblazing women then – here’s your next chance to see them. The news comes from organizer Georgie Bright Kunkel:

The West Seattle Rosie the Riveter group will present a program at Bridge Park Retirement Residence on 35th Avenue SW [in High Point; map] on July 16th at 3:00 p.m. The public is invited.

We will sing along to tunes popular during WWII, hear from the Rosies that worked during WWII and view a display of original Saturday Evening Post covers, advertisements and illustrations from WWII years. The original Rosie the Riveter cover is in this display.

Georgie Bright Kunkel, organizer of the Rosie the Riveter Group, invites any woman who worked during WWII to call 206-935-8663 in order to join with other Rosie the Riveters. You don’t have to have been an actual riveter to be a Rosie. We want to hear your story about it all.

Georgie also reminds us that she’ll be featured on KING5 TV’s Evening Magazine in the not-too-distant future (we don’t have the date yet) for one of her other claims to fame: Being the oldest open-mike standup comic in Seattle.

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