June 2010

The Seattle City Council will be briefed on current demand and usage of utility rate assistance programs at a special joint committee meeting on public and nonprofit utility assistance programs in Seattle Thursday, June 17, 2010, 5 to 8 p.m at Chief Sealth High School, 5959 Delridge Way SW.

Council President Richard Conlin, Councilmembers Harrell and O’Brien, Representatives from Central Area Motivation Project (CAMP) and St. Vincent de Paul will be there for the briefing.

City staff and community groups will discuss the utility rate assistance programs and other services provided by Seattle and non-profit organizations during the current economic crisis to raise public awareness about the programs, and identify system or operational gaps that can be addressed to improve access to existing programs.

"I encourage people to come out and see what kind of assistance is available to them. People are often eligible for different forms of assistance and they may not be aware of it," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, Chair of the Energy, Technology and Civil Rights Committee.

The Seattle City Council will be briefed on a new eco-industrial district concept for industrial lands and the Duwamish River corridor at their next meeting Monday, June 14, 2010, 9:30 a.m/

The briefing will come from the Office of Economic Development, Environmental Coalition of South Seattle and Andreas Koenig, EcoIndustry.

The Seattle industrial district along the Duwamish River valley and surrounding neighborhoods is one of the largest contiguous industrial areas in the U.S. With approximately 4,000 companies and 70,000 employees and its proximity to multimodal transportation options, this area continues to be a vital economic driver for our region.

The eco-industrial district concept helps industrial sectors and the neighborhoods in which they reside truly coexist, by preparing for future challenges, establishing sustainable development practices, allowing for efficiencies between companies and optimizing business performance and collaboration.

In addition to the full council briefing, Koenig will be part of a more detailed briefing before the Regional Development and Sustainability Committee on June 15, at 2:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

LTC William Holloman III passed away on Friday, June 11th. He was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces. He was 86, and a Kent resident originally from St. Louis.

LTC Holloman participated in the hosting of the B-17 flights Memorial Day weekend at Boeing Field with members of the Museum of Flight there, and spoke to the West Seattle Herald in its article documenting the B-17 Aluminum Outcast's visit to Seattle here

A memorial celebrating his life in the skies is currently being planned for later this summer to take place at the Museum of Flight and we will update our readers.

The Sundown Saloon, a longtime hangout of Greenwood residents that had fallen on hard times in recent years, has been remodeled and reborn under new management and a new name – Sweet Lou’s.

The refurbished venue and its new beer garden will be unveiled in a grand opening at 3 p.m. on June 26 with an outdoor pig roast and entertainment provided by several alternative country and rockabilly bands. Admission is free.

Formerly known as the Sundown Saloon, the former laundromat-turned-bar had been a Greenwood fixture for more than 60 years, at one time or another occupying three of the four corners of the intersection of Northwest 85th Street and Dibble Avenue Northwest.

Jokingly referred to as “God’s Waiting Room” by its elderly regulars, the tavern had become somewhat rundown over the years, until its change in management a little more than two years ago, according to a Sweet Lou's press release.

Since then, the management team of Lou Brauer and Carl Rogers has worked steadily to transform the venue into the kind of neighborhood bar for which they shared a love – safe, comfortable, welcoming, and above all else, fun, according to the press release.

Starting point guard Sue Bird and coach Brian Agler took time away from the WNBA-leading Seattle Storm to host a free youth basketball clinic June 10 at the Ballard Boys and Girls Club.

During the clinic, which was a part of the Junior Storm Basketball Program, Bird and Agler answered questions from club members and led them through a series of basketball drills.

The clinic was open to all King County Boys and Girls Club members, and nearly 50 young basketball players filled the gym to get tips and advice from the professionals.

The Storm are currently in first place in the WNBA with a 9-1 record, and Bird leads the league with 6.7 assists per game.

Ballard Big Picture is a column of scenes from around the neighborhood. If you would like to submit a photo for use on this site and in the Ballard News-Tribune, please send it to Michael Harthorne at michaelh@robinsonnews.com. Be sure to include your name and information about your photo.

My Father’s Chair

Our dinner table seated four
And with a leaf had room for more
But since our count was only three
It suited Sister, Mom and me

There was a time, till I was five
When our whole table was alive
Because in that now empty chair
A father was still sitting there

He’d teach me how to tie my shoes
Make popcorn, not cry when I lose
And always greet me with a smile
But never walk me down the aisle

Death would assign to other souls
His future father-daughter roles
And only cats would warm the seat
Where once with us he sat to eat

And so as Father’s Day draws near
If you’ve a father, hold him dear
For seldom does life give again
The chance to know what might have been

The 5th Annual Morgan Junction Festival is happening today offering live music, crafts, vendors and lots of food since Bite of Morgan is back and featuring local restaurants. The event will run from 11am to 7pm at 6415 California Avenue S.W.

The weather is going to be sunny and warm, likely prompting many people to attend.

People will crowd into Morgan Park & the parking lots of Beveridge Place Pub, Zeeks Pizza and Feedback Lounge for the event.

There is limited parking for the festival. If you plan to go it is recommended that you take a bike or bus. The location is served by Metro routes 22, 54, 128 and Sound Transit Express 560.

The Bubbleman will make an appearance from 5:15 to 5:45 and music will be provided by the following bands:
Kenny Mandell Jazzworks
Hal Merrill
Moe Prevencher Project
Sweet Secrets
Bill Wolford's Head
Slags
Burley Mountain Band

Event schedule:

10:30 am Kenny Mandell Jazzworks, Middle School Student Band , Jazz

11:20 am Kenny Mandell Jazzworks, Adult Student Band, Jazz

12:00 Noon Hal Merrill, Jazz on Pedal Steel Guitar

12:30 pm Moe Provencher Project, Americana/roots

1:15 pm Najma, Belly Dancer

After months of anticipation, The West Seattle Tool Library will officially open its doors to the public during its Grand Opening on Saturday, June 12th, from 9am-2pm. Membership to the Tool Library is on a pay-what-you-can basis, as are the weekly rental rates on all of its tools.

Those interested in borrowing tools simply need to show two forms of ID to confirm their address and sign up for membership. As an added feature to the day, SeaChar will be providing short demonstrations on how to construct and use enviromentally friendly, biochar stoves.

The event is open to the public. The official opening ceremony will take place at 12:30pm. The West Seattle Tool Library was made possible by a Neighborhood Matching Funds Grant from the Department of Neighborhoods."

The West Seattle Tool Library: http://www.sustainablewestseattle.org/tool-library/

SeaChar: http://seachar.org/

Lafarge Cement on Mariginal Way held it's annual Safety Day on June 11 with booths and exhibits from around West Seattle and other activities all intended to highlight the importance of safety. The company itself says that safety is the number one priority, above even profit and productivity. The Seattle Fire Department was on hand to show some off their gear and take part in the activities.

While they take safety seriously, the 'Forklift Rodeo" was held to let workers and visitors show off their driving and transport skills, piloting a forklift around cones in the parking lot all in a timed competition. They also set up a basketball hoop for the event, using the forklift to lift and make a basket.

Lafarge as a company has worked safety awareness and training into the fabric of the the entire operation. While no specifics were offered, their safety record is a good one with very few accidents or injuries according to company officials because they constantly check and monitor each other's plans and documentation.

Italian-American families that express their love by yelling at each other practically comprise a film genre all their own. “Moonstruck,” “Big Night,” the whole “Sopranos” saga, the earthy chemistry of bickering and pasta has fueled some truly great entertainment.

The latest addition to this cinematic tradition is “City Island,” the story of the Rizzo family and the secrets that they keep.