January 2011

Early Saturday morning, a woman was assaulted as she went for a late-night jog around 1:50 a.m.

North Precinct officers responded to a 911 call from a woman at N. 43rd Street and Linden Avenue N.

The victim stated that she was out for a run when she was approached by an unknown male walking toward her. The victim stated that she changed direction to avoid the suspect, but that he grabbed her from behind and knocked her down. He assaulted her while she was on the ground.

The victim was able to fight the man, and he ran off toward Aurora Avenue N.

The woman called 911 and police arrived immediately. An extensive area search was conducted, including K9, but officers were unable to locate the suspect.

Seattle Fire Department responded to the location and treated the victim for minor injuries.

The suspect is described as a male with olive complexion, approximately 5′-09″, with a muscular build and clean shaven. He is believed to be around 30 years old. He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

Paint Past Coal, focuses on the need for a Coal Free Wa. Sierra Club, CoolMom http://coolmom.org and other like minded organizations are planning a family friendly event that includes speakers, food, music and a mural to be painted/created by the community.

When: Saturday, February 19th 11 am--2 pm

Where: Alki Beach Park, South of the Bathhouse

What: Fun-filled community event where we will paint a mural highlighting
the need for a Coal-Free Future for Washington. All ages are welcome!
There will be music, speakers and free food.

Press Release:

Today the Washington State Auditor’s office (SAO) briefed members of the School Board on its construction management performance audit of Seattle Public Schools’ Building Excellence Program (BEX). The audit, which covers BEX activities from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008, states that the District has adopted a well-designed set of policies and procedures for construction management. The report lists as noteworthy several examples of District good practices including: hired experienced construction managers, developed standard practices and contract provisions and established the BEX Oversight Committee, comprised of subject experts from the community.

The audit also points out that, based on the period reviewed, there are additional improvements that could be made to strengthen policies and procedures, and acknowledges that the District has already put additional policies and procedures in place to strengthen contracting and ensure compliance. The audit also identifies instances where District policies and procedures were not followed, and where cost savings could have been realized.

Press Release:
Today Mayor Mike McGinn and Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell announced the launch of My.Seattle.Gov, a new public engagement and customer service website that allows Seattle’s residents to create and customize their own unique Seattle.gov homepage from a selection of widgets.

My.Seattle.Gov will make it easier to receive information from the City and do business with the City. Users can add a widget to receive important crime stats for their neighborhood, have quick access to multiple news feeds, see what events are occurring in their community, and view Seattle Channel videos.

“Last Saturday we held an open house at City Hall to express our commitment to open effective government and to better connect the public with their government. Today we launch My.Seattle.Gov as the latest step in the process of making government more accessible through technology,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “This tool gives users the power to customize their experience of the services and information available through the City’s website.”

Christopher Williams, Seattle Parks Department Director of Operations said today that the plans for the Driving Range at the West Seattle golf course have been cancelled.

"We've come to the decision that we're not going to move forward with the West Seattle Driving Range," said Williams."The reason we're not moving forward with the driving range is that based on feedback we heard in the community discussions (...) moving forward would have meant a radical alteration of the existing golf course design. That course is viewed as an historic golf course, in terms of its design and changes made to the 9th hole we felt would have been significant after we heard from the community. There's also that the scope of the driving range project exceeds the available budget."

Williams pointed out that the original concept, as presented in the Golf Master Plan was on the plateau up near 35th Ave. s.w.

The City of SeaTac has announced the selection of Cindy Baker to become the first director of the newly formed Department of Community and Economic Development.
Baker has been serving as the city’s interim planning director.
The position was created to direct the new department, which has the objective of streamlining the city's permitting process and helping to facilitate and expedite new building and economic development projects. The new department includes five divisions: economic development, planning, engineering development review, building services; and permit center.
Baker has both private and public sector experience and has worked in the cities of Auburn and Woodinville as well as King and Kitsap counties.

After years of my son having dark circles under his eyes and being congested for six months out of the year, I decided to have him tested for allergies. The first appointment I made was through the Northwest asthma and allergy clinic. After hearing the appointment would take at least three hours and I was expected to be present the entire time, I groaned in agony for the inconvenience. But when I heard my son would be receiving “skin tests” for that entire time, I said “no way, I’m not subjecting him to that” and canceled the appointment. I put a humidifier in his room and tried to entice him with the magic of neti pots (he was not enthralled and screamed “it burns” during his first and last netti pot experience), but for the most part, nothing changed.

Meet Dayne Hansen. He is 84 with a smile as bright as a new penny.

He owns Dayne Hansen & Associates at 2215 S.W. 152nd St. in Burien, the former Kirk's Pharmacy. I have often wondered what was in there as I drove by.

Dayne is an entrepreneur who lost his loving wife Alice about three years ago. He has three kids, all very successful. Nine grandkids and one great-grandchild.

He sells electrical controls for measuring the flow and use of water. He does this all over the nation by phone since he let his staff go a few years ago.

The office is nearly the same as it was when a large staff was there. Various papers are still on the desks.

His mother's furniture is stored in the building as favor to her. She's 103 and lives in Boise. She does not need the furniture any longer. I would like to talk to her. He says she is sharp as a needle.

Dayne also owns the former service station on the corner of 21st and 152nd where he often enjoys a mocha with friends at the coffee stand.

Jason is the proprietor who leases space from Dayne.

Art
No Boundaries Metamorphosis Open House-- The City of Normandy Park Arts Commission invites the public to an open house celebration on Feb. 10, 7 p.m. at City Hall. Please RSVP your attendance to artscomm@ci.normandypark.wa.us or call 206-248-8248.
The No Boundaries exhibit was created to showcase the artwork of established and emerging artists with disabilities. The title of this year's theme "Metamorphosis" represents a stage of heightened development discovered through experience, experimentation, and ultimately, expression.
The exhibit will be on display for the month of February 2011 at City Hall, 801 SW 174th St, Normandy Park.

Auditions
ChoralSoundsNorthwest/SilverSoundsNorthwest-- Rediscover the fun of singing traditional choral music as well as new arrangements with a decidedly theatrical style in ChoralSounds Northwest (a 60+-member mixed adult chorus) or the new SilverSounds Northwest (primarily retired individuals.) To schedule a CSN audition email info@nwassociatedarts.org or call 206-246-6040. To schedule a SilverSounds audition email prhawkeye@yahoo.com or call 206-719-1179.

Music

It may be tempting to jump on the "all taxes are bad taxes" bandwagon and not vote "yes" to support the Highline Schools. However, we have already seen the devastation to education in our state that this way of thinking as created.

Please consider these two sentences taken from the "Highline Highlights," Jan. 2011:

"State funding does not fully cover the costs of educating students to today's standards; and with recent state cuts, schools depend on levy funding for basic education. Levy failure would mean reductions in staff and programs that would impact student learning."

How could we as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles not support education and thus the well-being of our children, their future and the future of our community? Please vote "Yes" and mail your ballot no later than Feb. 8.

Rachael Levine
Burien