April 2009

On April 15 at about 8:35 p.m., a motorcycle was traveling east bound with two other motorcycles on the Duwamish Avenue South access road. The two lead motorcycles turned south bound on Duwamish Avenue South, when the driver/victim lost control of his motorcycle for unknown reasons. The driver skidded and landed against a Jersey Barrier along the roadway.

The driver/victim was unconscious at the scene and the other motorcyclist started CPR until Seattle Fire arrived. The driver/victim was transported to Highline Medical Center by Seattle Fire Medics where he was listed in critical condition with a serious head injury.

Seattle Police Traffic Collision Investigators responded and assisted the Port of Seattle Police with the investigation of this collision.
The investigation continues.

It's been a rough season so far for the Ballard High School girls tennis team, who have yet to win a match. Most recently they were beaten 9-0 by Inglemoor in a makeup match, Ballard's third shutout in a row.

A few players had some success against Inglemoor for Ballard (0-5). Jimena Diaz won a set in singles play and Zoe Kasperzyk and Isabelle Nissen won a set in doubles.

Coach Charles Brenner said Ballard doesn't have a team that will be competing for much this year, but they are working on things to change the team's mentality.

"I just want them to go out and play their hardest so win or lose, they know they've done their best," Brenner said.

Ballard takes the courts against Woodinville at 3:45 p.m., April 16 at the Lower Woodland Tennis Courts.

Jessica Murphy, a project manager for Seattle Department of Transportation, announced at the Morgan Junction Association meeting last night, April 15, that construction will begin mid-May for the repavement and restriping of Fauntleroy Way Southwest between Southwest Holly Street and Southwest Alaska Street.

The expected completion date is October 2009.

Murphy said that the failing asphalt and concrete panels will be completely dug out and that some drainage improvements will take place to better filter rainwater. Curb ramps are also being built now and should be completed before repaving begins.

But the greatest change that residents and drivers will notice is the restriping, or rechannelization of Fauntleroy Way. The roadway will be converted from two travel lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction, a center two-way left turn lane, a bicycle lane northbound and shared lane pavement markings, for motor vehicles and bicycles, traveling southbound. This is often called a "road diet."

At the Morgan Community Association meeting on April 15 public information officer Cindi Barker announced that both the Morgan Junction Festival, and the dedication for the community's new park, will take place on June 13.

Beginning at 10 a.m. the new park will be dedicated. While the Morgan Community Association was able to collect more than 130 signatures on a petition to name the park after former West Seattle Herald reporter Tim St. Clair, the Seattle Park's Department has not yet announced a name for the Morgan Junction Park. St. Clair died just more than a year ago from cancer.

Meanwhile, a fence around the Morgan Junction Park has been removed and the park is open for community use.

After the park dedication Barker said a "bubble man" will begin entertaining attendees along with live music and at least 18 neighborhood booths. Local restaurants and bars, including Zeeks, the Feedback Lounge and the Beveridge Place are also expected to participate.

Barker added that after last years festival some "seed money" carried over to fund this year's festival and she expects they will be able to do the same this year.

Todd McAllister, co-owner of Nervous Nellie’s, was picking up supplies from Cash n’ Carry at noon on today, April 15, when his Vintage 1964 122 Volvo Wagon was stolen from just outside the store entrance.

As anyone who chooses to own a vintage Volvo will attest, this is not any car. Not only is the car beloved by its owner, it is the workhorse of the coffee shop located at the northeast corner of 57th Northwest and Northwest 17th, transporting coffee, paper goods and most importantly, dozens of loaves of Great Harvest bread for Nervous Nellie’s trademark toast.

The car is a faded grayish-blue with a red front grill and a light colored back hatch. Luckily, Todd had not loaded his purchases before the theft. Police gave him a ride from Cash n’Carry back to the cafe.

It was definitely a crime of opportunity. Todd readily admits to leaving the keys in the ignition because they had a tendency to get stuck in the ignition, “and who would ever steal this car?”

Todd had always wanted to own a 122 wagon. His wife Jeannette Meade purchased it for him several years ago after Matt Pollitz, owner of X-Ray Auto called to say, “I think I’ve found your car.”

Brickyard BBQ will soon open in the Admiral District at 2310 California Ave. S.W., just south of the Admiral Pub. Don and Dan Kriley say they plan to open by June 1.

The restaurant will feature a large open patio and roll-up garage doors, ideal for summer days. It will also offer both dine-in and take-out service.

A mixed-use condominium complex was previously proposed for the site between 2006 and 2007.

Second graders in the Lafayette Elementary classes of Dano Beal and Kathleen Diaz spent months working on a special display to commemorate the sinking of the Titanic.

In addition to a large scale model of the ship, the kids made separate displays using the personal information and likeness of many of the passengers. They also recreated newspapers of the day, which reported on the sinking.

The Admiral Theater is introducing a new special for seniors called "Silver Cinemas Tuesday," offering all seniors 60 years of age and older a better deal on admission and refreshments.

For an unspecified limited time, admission will be $4 and popcorn and soda for $2 each.

Visit the Web site for more information on this and other events. Or visit the theater's My Space page.

Saturday, April 18 will be a celebration of dancing as one of early Ballard’s favorite social activities. Wear your dancing shoes to the Sunset Hill Community Club for an evening with the Canote Brothers.
 
The event is at the Sunset Hill Community Clubhouse, 3003 N.W. 66th St. Doors open at 8 p.m. Dancing is until 10 p.m.

Music will be provided by the Canote Brothers with dance caller.
 
No RSVP necessary. Admission is $7 at the door. Cash only.
 
This is a 21 and over event. Enjoy the no-host beer and wine bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
 
Proceeds will benefit the Ballard Historical Society and Sunset Hill Community Club.

E-mail ottersrcool1@yahoo.com for more information. Check out the historical society's Web site to learn more about Ballard’s history and architecture.

Spring has sprung and it’s that time again to trim the lawn after a long and blusterous winter. But in a time where Seattle-ites are looking to be more green, Scott McCredie a Ballard resident chose to forget about the gas mower and instead started to think about the alternatives to becoming more earth friendly.

Eco Mow, a environmentally aware lawn mowing business McCredie started two years ago, came about when McCredie noticed a vast amount of lawn services cruising around Ballard in their pick-up trucks with a load full of gas powered mowers, trimmers and blowers.

“I came to realize those small gas engines are really polluting,” McCredie said. “On a typical summer day in Seattle, gas lawnmowers and other lawn equipment contribute up to 10 percent of Seattle’s air pollution.”

McCredie decided to promote push and electric mowers and trimmers, forgetting about the gas powered blowers.

“I started two years ago and I got a lot of response,” he said. “I use a cart to load my mower in and I attach it to my bicycle and I bicycle around. It really cuts on emissions and it gives me a workout at the same time.”