May 2012

SLIDESHOW. CLICK ON PHOTO FOR MORE

King County Council member and West Seattle resident Joe McDermott hosted his annual bowling party at Roxbury Lanes in White Center last night, May 31. He serves District 8 which includes West Seattle and Burien. He was introduced by West Seattle resident Pete Spalding who serves on the Southwest Precinct Advisory Council. Also attending were King County Executive Dow Constantine, Burien Mayor Brian Bennett, other area dignitaries (see slideshow), McDermott's parents, Jim and Terri, and his domestic partner, Michael Culpepper, who he referred to in his speech as "My fiancé."

McDermott explained that while last year's bowling party focused on his reelection bid, he would now focus on marriage equality and the challenges ahead for same-sex marriage in the state of Washington. Last Feb. 8, the Washington State House passed Bill 6239 paving the way for gay marriage here. Governor Gregiore then signed the bill.

Referendum 74

City Council unanimously votes YES:

Burien Mayor Brian Bennett told the Highline Times Friday night that the City of Burien plans to put forward a resolution, 334, to repurchase the three undeveloped Burien Town Square parcels. He said the matter would be discussed at the upcoming June 4 City Council meeting, and explained that the meeting's agenda outlining this is now posted on the City of Burien's website here. Scroll down to pages 49-54 for details on this link.

"On Monday we are going to consider a resolution to repurchase Town Square," said Mayor Bennett at King County Council member Joe McDermott's annual bowling party at Roxbury Lanes. "If the Council supports it we will file an action. This just became public when we published our agenda for the Monday meeting. It's a pretty big deal. The current developers have not been responsive and are in breach of their obligations.

Bill Cullins is the first one to tell you he's tried many careers. "My very first job was washing dishes when I was 14 years old," he said. He's mowed lawns, worked for JC Penney and then went to school to become a hairdresser at the age of 18. But the lure of big money working as a fisherman in Alaska was strong until, "I found out I didn't want to die in the sea getting King Crab so I went home and went into construction."

He became a day laborer, working in construction primarily with concrete, even working on the construction of the Bull Run Reservoir in Portland. He did a little more hair work then started a window washing business (he still has this one) and out of that a business referral business, somewhat similar to Angie's List but before the internet. He also tried a martial arts video production business for a while.

"I basically tried a lot of different jobs," Cullins said, "but my sole goal was to create an income that produced without me." That's a tall order if you are not the boss. "I'm very good at making money when I show up but I'm not good at hiring employees but I'm great at hiring private contractors."

Bill Cullins is the first one to tell you he's tried many careers. "My very first job was washing dishes when I was 14 years old," he said. He's mowed lawns, worked for JC Penney and then went to school to become a hairdresser at the age of 18. But the lure of big money working as a fisherman in Alaska was strong until, "I found out I didn't want to die in the sea getting King Crab so I went home and went into construction."

He became a day laborer, working in construction primarily with concrete, even working on the construction of the Bull Run Reservoir in Portland. He did a little more hair work then started a window washing business (he still has this one) and out of that a business referral business, somewhat similar to Angie's List but before the internet. He also tried a martial arts video production business for a while.

"I basically tried a lot of different jobs," Cullins said, "but my sole goal was to create an income that produced without me." That's a tall order if you are not the boss. "I'm very good at making money when I show up but I'm not good at hiring employees but I'm great at hiring private contractors."

The very exclusive West Seattle Fifty Year Monogram Club, whose members were all varsity lettered athletes during their career at West Seattle High School at least 50 years ago honored this year's crop of scholar athletes at a luncheon on Thursday May 31 at West Seattle Golf Course.

Their scholarship program which started when the club began in 1965 has awarded hundreds of scholarships.

This year's eleven recipients were in attendance and received scholarships ranging from $500 to $1500.

The scholarships went to:

• Gabby Flores
• Haily Hage
• Nikko Emm
• Kris Tollefson
• Megan Ormsby
• Dulce Siguenca
• Annie Patnode
• Travis Duell
• Valeria Najera
• Suny Nguyen
• Jimmy Bui

Click the link above to see a larger version of the photo

press release
The joint effort of King County Metro and the City of Seattle’s Department of Transportation (SDOT) to prepare for the fall implementation of RapidRide Line C service between West Seattle and downtown includes the permanent loss of some on-street parking on SW Alaska Street, as well as on 35th Avenue SW.

The RapidRide service includes the installation of Business and Access Transit (BAT) lanes on SW Alaska Street, which will help improve transit speed and reliability and support more convenient and efficient service. However, it does require the permanent loss of some on-street parking spaces. The westbound BAT lane will run from California Avenue SW to 35th Avenue SW and will mean the loss of 32 of 48 parking spots on the north side of the street. The eastbound BAT lane will run between 42nd and 40th Avenues SW. Some 28 of 59 parking spots on the south side of SW Alaska St will be removed. Drivers are encouraged to use the off-street parking options available in the area, including garages and parking lots.

I recently got to go to the Seattle Westin hotel to sample and select the menu for Northwest Kidney Centers’ May 15 annual Breakfast of Hope fundraising event. We aim for a menu that’s delicious and at the same time low in sodium, because that protects our hearts, blood vessels and kidneys.

It was fun to work with a professional chef, and good to educate everyone about where salt (sodium) lurks in our food. Together the chef and I came up with a great breakfast entrée – baked egg rolls – that anyone can make on a bright weekend morning.

This egg-and-bread dish does everything to pack flavor into a low-salt recipe. It adds savory and spicy flavors, fresh herbs, mushrooms and blue cheese for kick, and it gets underlying complexity from the rosemary and thyme, so you don’t miss salty ingredients at all. Plus, of course, the bread already has about 200 to 300 milligrams of sodium per serving – and 400 milligrams is plenty of sodium for anyone at one meal.

The Ballard Go-Getters, the student marketing group for Ballard High School DECA, announced that Ballardopoly is still available for purchase while supplies last.

Ballardopoly is a fully customized Monopoly-style game that celebrates Ballard. Proceeds support BHS's ever-growing DECA organization, which is one of the largest in Washington.

DECA is an international student marketing association that promotes leadership development and helps students to gain valuable business experience through competitions and interacting with the business community.

Earlier this year, local businesses, organizations, and individuals had an opportunity to purchase real estate on the board, where they could display company logos or personal messages. 

In selling the “real estate” on the board, students practiced leadership, communication, and sales skills. 

Ballardopoly has been a completely student-driven project, and now the students are reminding the local community to get their hands on the limited-edition game before they sell out.


There are only 60 games remaining and the club will not be ordering more.

Press release
Hello DPC friends and supporters!

Join Delridge Produce Cooperative for a night of food trivia at the Skylark Cafe on Tuesday, June 5th, 6:30 to 8:00 pm!!

There is $5 suggested donation to play. All profits go toward bringing healthy, affordable local produce to Delridge residents.

Fun prizes will be awarded! We will have our reusable strawberry bags and handmade organic cotton produce bags available for a cash donation.
Please join us and bring your friends! Come early and enjoy dinner at the Skylark, too! This event is all ages as the Skylark is not restricted to 21 and over until 9pm.

We look forward to seeing you soon!
Delridge Produce Cooperative

Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation Benefit show featuring Aaron Daniel

What: A benefit show and fundraiser for AARF with Aaron Daniel, one man banned (www.aarondanielmusic.com)

Where: Feedback Lounge 6451 California Ave SW

When: Saturday, June 2nd at 8pm