November 2009

Driving through Des Moines, one sees many small businesses trying to survive the economic downturn.

Both Aunty Irene's Ice Cream Shoppe and Suthanya Thai recently changed ownership.

Mike and Debbie Rovech, owners of The Reuben New York Eatery & Espresso located on Marine View Drive and 219th in downtown Des Moines, have decided that it is time to put their restaurant on the market.

"It's those with some history that are able to survive at the moment," said Mike Rovech.

The Reuben has just been voted the 1st Runner-up for Restaurants $10 and Under by the Highline Times Best of 2009.

"That's quite an accomplishment," said Rovech, "to have achieved that result after only eighteen months in business. It's remarkable, and it makes it all the more frustrating."

An array of food choices greet the customer upon entering The Reuben, and according to Rovech, their famous New York Reuben sandwich tops the menu.

The Seattle City Council unanimously passed legislation Nov. 2 that will allow detached accessory dwelling units, known as backyard cottages, throughout the city.

"I think this legislation strengthens our neighborhoods instead of damaging them," councilmember Tim Burgess said.

There had been some public resistance to backyard cottages at meetings and public hearings held since August, but councilmembers said they heard more positives than negatives.

Backyard cottages have been allowed in southeast Seattle since 2006, during which time 20 have been built.

A survey of residents near backyard cottages in southeast Seattle showed they largely felt no impact from the cottages, councilmember Sally Clark said.

She said 75 percent of speakers at a September public hearing were in favor of the legislation.

A number of nearby cities, such as Redmond, Shoreline and Kirkland, allow backyard cottages.

"The experience has been good in other cities; it's been good in southeast Seattle," Clark said.

Even the senior tenants at the Vintage on 140th St S were getting into the spirit last week...or was the spirit lurking outside on their patios?

Board members for the Seahurst Environmental Learning Center (SELC) appeared before the Burien city council Oct. 26 to request a guarantee for a two-year bridge loan of $175,000.

The city of Burien has a long history with the SELC, and at least one council member - Rose Clark -has served on its board in the past.

Since 2002, Burien has relinquished use of the caretaker's cottage at Seahurst Park, which has helped the learning center to educate more than 10,000 students and adults in South King County about the Puget Sound ecosystem.

However, for the past several years the cottage has been unfit for use.

The projected cost of remodeling the cottage is $1.3 million and over the last several years the SELC has raised close to $1 million. Once completed, the cottage will be ready for classrooms, office space and environmental displays.

Phase one of the project involves completing the building's exterior, which is expected to be done by December 1. The project is currently within budget - a fact project manager Cheri Hendricks attributes to having a "collaborative" contractor whose approach has helped minimize construction costs.

Friendship, family, and quality customer service were seemingly the most important aspects of Burien barber Jerry Talmage's life.

Talmage had many loyal customers over his 50-year career as a barber in Burien.

His son, Jay Talmage, said his father created a "friendly atmosphere, [and was] social and not afraid to tell his stories about his family and friends.

"But he wasn't just all talk and no work, he cut hair in a timely manner and didn't ask for much from his customers."

Jerry Talmage passed away on Oct. 10, peacefully, according to his son, in his home attached to his barber shop.

Gerald DeWitt Talmage was born on Jan. 31, 1930.

He is the youngest of three boys. His older brothers, Edward and Darwin, were in World War II and were stationed at Pearl Harbor the day it was attacked.

Jerry grew up in West Seattle and went to West Seattle High School, where he played baseball. He then joined the Naval Reserves and worked for Boeing.

His true love, however, according to Jay, was his barber shop.

At his shop, he would share stories about his family and his favorite activities with his customers.

On Nov. 7 the Sixth Annual Crown Hill Arts Festival will offer Ballardites a chance to see a wide array of performances, from flamenco to African drumming, and alert neighbors as to what is going on artistically in the community.

"It builds awareness of not only what is going on in the building, but what is going on in the community," said Crown Hill Center Project Manager Catharine Weatbrook. "It's a lot of fun to see what your neighbors are doing."

The performances put on during the festival will be conducted by organizations, many of them run by area locals, housed within the Crown Hill Center.

The festival will also include an art show and beer cellar raffle.

The Gilbert and Sullivan Society, one of the buildings newest tenants, will perform selections from a number of its musicals.

Weatbrook could not say what she is looking forward to most at this year's festival.

"I can't pick one," she said. "It's all a lot of fun. There are always great surprises."

Though the Crown Hill Arts Festival is in its sixth year in the same building, this year technically marks its Crown Hill Center debut.

To the editor:

Regarding backyard cottages article:
1. Agree they MAY give us more affordable housing.
2. They may allow some folks to remain in their homes longer as income from cottage can help with ever growing real estate taxes.
3. Cottages will raise lots more revenue from property taxes if they are taxed seperate or add to existing assessed value.
HOWEVER, Are they out of their collect minds when NO ADDITIONAL PARKING is required if the cottages are located within urban villages or urban centers??????????

Harriet Benjamin

West Seattle Filmmaker Jamie Chamberlin’s second ZZ Top-related documentary was released Oct. 20. The 2-DVD set, “Double Down Live,” features the legendary band performing live, peppered with behind-the-scenes footage. The film will be screened at the Feedback Lounge Thursday night, Nov. 12, 7pm and again at 10pm, in conjunction with the West Seattle Art Walk. Admission is free.

To clarify, Disc 1 was not filmed by Chamberlin, but was recorded live in 1980 at the Grugahalle, a large performance hall in Essen, Germany. Chamberlin filmed the hour-long Disc 2 last year while he toured with ZZ Top across the United States and Europe. They perform 11 songs on Disc 2, including “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide,” “La Grange,” “Hey Joe,” and “Tush.”

“I shot close to 70 shows over the course of 2008, 95-percent shot on one camera,” said Chamberlin, who attended Vancouver Film School and met Billy Gibbons while producing rock segments for Fox-TV. Chamberlin also filmed “Billy F Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead,” based on four days with the ZZ Top band leader.

Day Camp
Alki UCC 6115 S.W Hinds St. 206-938-0145 Wednesday, Nov. 11, 9-6 p.m. Alki Kid's place is hosting a day camp for children ages 4-14. Join us for games, crafts, stories, snacks, movies and much more. Lunch is included. $50 per child. Please call to register.

Seal Sitters Estate Jewelry Sale Fundraiser
Merrill Gardens/Admiral Heights Retirement Home
2326 California Avenue SW, across from the Admiral Theatre
www.blubberblog.org

Saturday Nov. 14, 10am - 2pm. The Seal Sitters fundraiser will help to assure that Seal Sitters have the resources they need to continue to protect seal pups.

Kenyon Hall
7904 35th Ave. S.W.
206-937-3613
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. Mostly Magor. Pianist Louis Magor hosts a musical melange featuring the Belle of the Hall, Connie Corrick, soprano Madeline Bersamina in her Kenyon Hall debut, and Gospel Luminary Pat Wright in a rare solo appearance. Songs and stories, with a kittenish nod to the holiday.

"Measure For Pleasure"
ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery
4711 California Ave. S.W.
206-938-0339
Oct. 21 - Nov. 14. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 25, Nov. 1, and 8, 3 p.m. A deliciously naughty Restoration-romp-meets-modern-sex-farce, Measure for Pleasure chases rakes, romantics, and transvestite tarts through mistaken identities, duels, and double-dealings galore on their way to learning that, whatever else it may be, love is rarely pure and never simple. Tickets $32 (under 25, $10).

Children’s puppet theater
Alki Bathhouse
2701 Alki Ave. S.W.
Tickets on sale at Alki Community Center, 5817 S.W. Stevens St, or call 684 -7430. For children ages 1 and up. $5 per person.