March 2012

Crews will close the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct for two of the next three weekends to inspect the structure and reinforce a two-block section located above the path of the future SR 99 tunnel.

Both directions of SR 99 between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge will close from 6 a.m. Saturday, March 24, to 5 a.m. Monday, March 26. Crews will use the closure to inspect the viaduct and ensure it remains safe for drivers. WSDOT will release preliminary inspection results on Tuesday, April 10.

In addition to structural inspections and routine maintenance, crews building the SR 99 tunnel will begin reinforcing the viaduct between South Washington and Columbia streets in Pioneer Square. An additional full-weekend closure in April will be necessary to complete their work, which must occur before the world’s largest diameter tunnel boring machine passes beneath the structure in late 2013.

Viaduct closure details:

Both directions of SR 99 between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge will close from 6 a.m. Saturday, March 24, through 5 a.m. Monday, March 26.

By Marjorie Young

As a psychic/clairvoyant/spiritual counselor, I truly value what I do, and find tremendous joy using my gifts to help others. Yet, it is true that not everyone claiming to be a psychic is one – unfortunately, my profession is a happy hunting ground for dishonest practices that often harm innocent victims.

Over many years giving readings, I have come across a number of horror stories that make my blood boil. One example: a Seattle woman who consulted a Miami ‘phone psychic’. This ‘lady’ informed her client that all her recent troubles were due to a ‘curse’, which could only be lifted if she sent the psychic all her money (in cash) so she could ‘remove the curse’ and then return the money! After several consultations, the client foolishly decided to do so, sending every cent she possessed (about two thousand dollars), after which the ‘psychic’s’ phone was disconnected, and the ‘lady’ disappeared!

It will only take a total of 50 people (though there's room for more) attending a one hour presentation on how we can restore Puget Sound to win a $1000 award toward a school rain garden. That's tonight, March 22 from 7 to 8 pm at West Seattle High School

The school’s student-led Earth Service Corps is coordinating the rain garden project with other local nonprofits including Stewardship Partners and Sustainable Seattle. Rain gardens are an excellent first line of defense against the polluted runoff that threatens the health of Puget Sound and its most emblematic wildlife: salmon and killer whales. The students’ aim is to turn the rain garden into a permanent feature that can be used for science education for years to come.

West Seattle High School is at 3000 California Avenue SW

A new so-called "bikini barista" drive-thru coffee kiosk opened at 15817 1st Ave. S. called Honey Buns, adding color, well, yellow, to the business district there. Body parts aside, they actually do sell Little Debbie Honey Buns, but plan to offer fresh buns soon. The owner leases the spot from Jay's Mini Mart, on its property. The mart is just north of the bright booth. Honey Bun's owner asked that we do not photograph the two young ladies serving the java when we were there, so we agreed.

One employee was dressed in a slight black bikini. Her colleague was also dressed in black, but her wardrobe was more French Maid than swimming attire.

Hi-Yu Brü is the name of the next charity beer to join Whale Tail Ale and Lowman Braü in the pantheon of brews concocted by Big Al Brewing and sponsored by a group of West Seattle/White Center pubs including The Feedback Lounge, West 5, Shadowland, Mission, The Bridge, Locöl, Beveridge Place Pub, Company Bar, and Big Al Brewing.

It was submitted by TIAN RICHARDSON of West Seattle Over 300 names were entered.

It will make its public debut at 6 pm, April 6 at all sponsors locations.

The Feedback Lounge has posted more details on their website:

HI-YU BRÜ is a hoppier IPA styled beer, and represents Big Al Brewing's committment to craft, quality and flavor. If you’ve ever tasted any of Big Al's fine beers, you know their product stands out with the hops and barley crowd.

press release:
Kayli Schulz was officially crowned the 2012 Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Queen at the annual Spring Tea and Auction held March 18th at the Hall at Fauntleroy. Over 150 guests were on hand to watch as Miss Seafair Veronica Quintero presented her with her tiara, sash and flowers. In addition, the fundraiser will help support the West Seattle community float and the scholarship program for young women.

Kayli Schulz will represent our community this spring and summer at events and parades around the Pacific NW. She will also represent us at Seafair’s 2013 Scholarship for Women Program for the title of Miss Seafair.

The MC of the tea and auction was Seafair Pirate “The Marquis”, also known as Chuck Marcoullier.

Sahar Fathi, legislative aid to Councilmember Mike O'Brien, has declared she will seek the open seat for State Representative in the 36th Legislative District.

“I am running to be the next State Representative in the 36th District because we need new energy, fresh ideas and more diverse representation in the State Legislature to solve the challenges we face today," said the 28-year-old in her statement. "With my personal background and professional experience, I will bring an unwavering commitment to the progressive values this district holds dear.”

Fathi announced that she grew up idolizing people like Shirin Ebadi, the first woman to become a judge in Iran, and Wangari Mathai, the first woman to earn a PhD in all of East and Central Africa. Now she wants to become the first Iranian-American woman in a state legislature.

"I grew up admiring these women who broke down barriers and stood up for the poor and most vulnerable people in their communities. As the next representative from the 36th District, I pledge to do the same,” she said.

Have you ever driven by an overpass, wall or train car and wondered just what the story was behind the graffiti covering an otherwise mundane surface?

King County Sheriff’s Office Detective Joe “I’ve been working nothing but street gangs for the last ten years of my career” Gagliardi has been studying the illegal paint jobs – from scrawls to argumentative artwork - in depth and recently provided some answers on different kinds of graffiti in West Seattle and White Center.

Please click the image above for more.

Gagliardi spoke at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Public Safety Forum in February, talking about gang populations and territory (facts from that discussion can be found here) in addition to graffiti. The detective spent six years combating southern California gang activity before moving to King County four years ago with the same beat.

Telling the difference between gang and tagger graffiti

Martin "David" Pietz pleaded not guilty Wednesday, April 4, in King County Superior Court to the murder of his wife, Nicole Pietz.

Nicole Pietz's body was found in Burien.

Friends and family of Nicole Pietz filled the courtroom.

Speaking about her former son-in-law, Nicole's mother, Gael Schneider told KOMO News, "I've known all along it was him. I think he deserves an Academy Award, because he sure had us convinced (otherwise.) If he does get off, I suggest he goes to Hollywood because he certainly is a good actor."

Here is our previous coverage:

In January 2006, the body of Nicole Pietz was found dumped in blackberry bushes by a hiker near Des Moines Memorial Drive and South 144th Street in Burien.

Nobody was immediately arrested in the strangling death.

But six years later on Wednesday, March 21, her husband, Martin David Pietz has been booked into jail for investigation of murder. It is not known what new eveidence may have led investigators to her husband.

The 33-year-old Pietz disappeared after leaving her Lynnwood home. Her car was recovered near the University of Washington about two weeks after her body was found in Burien.

This spring, White Center residents will be able to begin their college education at the YWCA Greenbridge Learning Center.
 
Starting April 3, Highline Community College will offer “Introduction to Communications,” at the Greenbridge Learning Center each Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.  It is a hybrid course, taught partly in person and online.
 
“Highline Community College has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Greenbridge, and we are excited to bring college classes to the neighborhood,” said Dean of Instruction, Rolita Ezeonu. “We want our college to be accessible to the community and hope that offering classes here will make it easier for people to fit a college education into their busy lives.”
 
“Introduction to Communication” is an entry-level college course required in a wide range of Highline degrees and certificates.

For Running Start students, it can meet the high school language arts requirement. The course encompasses both theory and practice of basic communication in group and individual settings, and focuses on communicator competency.