February 2009

Many times customers call and ask to schedule a “tune-up”. The problem is that the term “tune-up” can mean different things to different people.

Sometimes what the caller really wants is an oil change and a check of their fluids. Other times they are requesting the 30, 60 or 90,000 mile service recommended for their vehicle. Often people will call because their car is not running or starting correctly and they will request a “tune-up” without mentioning that there is a specific problem the car is having.

On occasion the caller is asking for what we would call a “tune-up," which would be servicing and replacing the secondary ignition components and the related filters. So, you can see how calling to schedule a “tune-up” can leave both us and you confused as to what needs to be done.

So, what is a “tune-up"?

On Feb. 2 at 11:41 p.m., the victim was walking across the street in the 4700 block of California Avenue Southwest, when the two suspects both opened fire, striking the victim twice.

The suspects fled and reportedly got into a white sedan that traveled south from the scene. The victim was able to make it inside a restaurant where he collapsed. Seattle Fire responded to the scene and treated the victim for his injuries. He was subsequently transported to Harborview Medical Center. Despite their efforts, doctors were unable to save the victim and he was pronounced dead just shortly after 1 a.m. Homicide and CSI detectives responded to the scene to interview witnesses and process the crime scene. The investigation continues.

On Friday, Feb. 13 at approximately 10:33 p.m. officers responded to a 911 call of a dead body found in an apartment in the 5200 block of Fauntleroy Way Southwest.

The victim, a 71-year-old female, was found in the hallway of her apartment by a family member, who subsequently called 911. Patrol officers arrived, secured the scene, and began investigating. Based on the fact that the death appeared to be suspicious, Homicide and CSI Detectives responded to process the scene. Homicide Detectives are actively investigating.

On Saturday, Feb. 14 at approximately 12:00 Noon, Seattle Police Homicide Detectives identified and arrested a 21-year-old male suspect for the murder of a 71-year-old woman that occurred on Friday, Feb. 13 in an apartment in the 5200 block of Fauntleroy Way Southwest in West Seattle.

The suspect is a Seattle resident and is related to the victim. Homicide Detectives interviewed the suspect and subsequently booked him into the King County Jail for Investigation of Murder. Homicide Detectives continue to actively investigate the case.

Construction on repairing Ballard Avenue sidewalks which began Feb. 9, continues, finishing up ongoing work for the past three years on the historic street.

The work, which was requested by the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, is meant to make the sidewalks safer and smoother for walkers and will last about five weeks, according to the city. Tree pits will also be elongated throughout the corridor where appropriate.

It's funded through the Neighborhood Street Fund (NSF), a community-based program that is administered by the Seattle Department of Transportation and funded by the “Bridging the Gap” transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in November 2006.

Improvements include: replacing existing sidewalk pavers with exposed aggregate sidewalk as required by the Ballard Avenue Landmark District; elongating existing tree pits to improve tree health; and installing new curb ramps where appropriate.

What to Expect During Construction:
Pedestrian detours
Parking restrictions
Moderate to high construction noise and dust for a short period of time
Typical work hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday
Business access at all times

Mayor Greg Nickels delivered his eighth State of the City speech Feb. 17, in which job creation and volunteerism were emphasized

Nickels said his “Seattle Jobs Forward” package will move up the schedule for public works projects, putting 1,500 people to work in the
next two years.  The package includes $315 million in projects from local levies and the city’s capital improvement program that will
be prioritized, including transportation, infrastructure and community spaces projects.

In difficult economic times, he said city government and community must come together to help the growing number of people who
are struggling.  

“Despite their worries, people - especially young people - want to help," said Nickels. "They want to be asked. They want to know what they can do for
their city, their country, their planet. It is up to us to capture this spirit. Neighbor by neighbor, business by business, we must lend each other a helping hand. That is how we will emerge stronger.”

The city is planning to partner with the United Way of King County to offer volunteer opportunities.

David Folweiler, co-chair of Friends of Ballard Corners Park, announced that Ballard's newest community park is likely just a few months from opening to the public.

The park, in the last phases of construction, is located at 17th Avenue Northwest and Northwest 62nd Street and haas been on ongoing community effort since 2006. It's been paid for by city, county and state grant funds.

A planting party to finalize plantings in the rain gardens and parking strips around the park is schedule at the park for 9 a.m. March 8. Volunteers are being sought.

Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves, boots, shovels, wheel barrows, trowels, pruners, knee pads/kneeling pads, hoe-type rakes, brooms, buckets or yard waste containers for collecting green waste and rain gear. 

Donor tiles are also available for purchase. For $100, a tile with the name of your choice can be installed in the park. For an extra $50. a tile would be put in the park and the donor would get a personal copy for home.

Editor's note: This letter was sent to the developers of the planned Market Street Landing, Rhapsody Partners with a copy to this newspaper.

Dear Mr. Vranizan,
 
I was given your name as the Benaroya contact regarding the Market Street Landing site at 15 Avenue Northwest and Northwest Market Street in Seattle.  If this is incorrect, please forward this email to the correct person.
 
I read with dismay the headlines of the Jan. 28, 2009 issue of the Ballard News-Tribune that the Market Street Landing project is on hold, and may be on hold for good.  It was traumatic enough to lose Denny's restaurant, Ballard's longtime community icon.  But now our community must deal with an eyesore, a scar to our neighborhood.  Now the site attracts people who loiter at its north fence and throw trash onto the lot.
 
What I do not understand is why Denny's was torn down, jobs eliminated, and a community gathering place destroyed before EVERYTHING was in place (all permits, building design reviews and financing).  Since this was not done, Benaroya and Rhapsody Partners have left Ballard with a mess. 

I have a suggestion for the land use.
 

On Feb. 2, at 8:18 p.m. in the 3900 block of Stone Way North, the victim was approached by the suspect in the Stone Way 7-11 store parking lot.

The suspect asked the victim for money and during the ensuing conversation, the suspect produced a knife and lunged at the victim, cutting him. The suspect then walked off toward Aurora Avenue, but was located and arrested by officers a short time later, without incident.

The victim sustained a slash/cut to the back of his hand. No other injuries were sustained.

The suspect was booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Assault and for a DOC detainer.

On Feb. 4 at approximately 8:56 a.m. a 39-year-old male bicyclist was travelling southbound on 24th Avenue Northwest approaching Northwest 65th Street. 

At the same time a white Ford van driven by a 44-year-old female was facing southbound in the inside lane on 24th Avenue Northwest and was the first vehicle stopped for the red light at Northwest 65th Street with other vehicles behind it.   As the traffic signal turned green for southbound and northbound traffic, the van and the bicyclist proceeded forward into the 6400 block of 24th Avenue Northwest.  

At some point in this block, the bicyclist and the van collided.  The exact circumstances that led to the collision are still under investigation.   The bicyclist was transported to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.  Officers evaluated the driver of the van who showed no signs of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. 

The van driver was interviewed and released pending further investigation.  Traffic Collision Investigation Squad Detectives responded to the scene and continue to actively investigate.