November 2012

Eastridge Church will be providing 1,000 free Thanksgiving turkeys and bags of groceries to families in need on Saturday, November 17, beginning at 9 a.m. (while supplies last) at their two locations: Issaquah and West Seattle. The church will also be giving free haircuts from licensed stylists, coats and gloves for children and adults, and Bibles.

“The Thanksgiving season is a time to we all naturally reflect on our lives and the good things that we’re experiencing, but it can also be a difficult time for families with limited resources,” said Eastridge Lead Pastor, Steve Jamison. “We want to show our community that Eastridge cares by providing a blessing this Thanksgiving to those who may be struggling to make ends meet. This is our tenth year providing a turkey and bag of groceries to families and this year we’ll also be giving away free haircuts from stylists who attend Eastridge, coats and gloves for children and adults, and Bibles.”

When: Saturday, November 17, starting at 9 a.m., while supplies last

Where: The Issaquah campus of Eastridge Church
24205 Issaquah-Fall City Road, Issaquah

Update, April 22

If you've walked by the empty space where Bauhaus Coffee and Third Place Books are supposed to open, you might be saddened to see that nothing -- or at least very little -- has happened.

We called Bauhaus Coffee and Books and have received word that they are planning to open in August now.

We will be talking to a manager within the next few days. Stay tuned.

Orignal, Nov 15

It's been a while. But Ballardites will finally be able to purchase cheap, used books again.

Though the date isn't set quite yet (possibly sometime in February, sources say) because of permitting and remodeling that still has to be done, a new branch of Twice Sold Tales will be opening up along with Bauhaus Coffee in the old Epilogue Books location on 20th Ave NW and NW Market St.

According to John Watkins, the owner, they will have about 900 sq ft of space that they will be renting from Bauhaus. They will have an entry on 20th Ave NW as well as one through the coffeeshop. Bauhaus will have the main corner entry.

UPDATE Nov. 16
The imminent closure of the Shipwreck Tavern is clearly a cause for some as a group calling itself "Daughters of the Dead Sea" has announced a closing night event on Facebook. "Come help us say Farewell to our favorite local bar!", they say.
from 8:00pm to 1:00am.

Original post

The Shipwreck Tavern at 4210 SW Admiral Way is closing Sunday night, Nov. 18.

"This is Scott and Chris here telling all yall this is the end. The ship is wrecked. We will be closing the doors this Sunday the 18th. We want to thank everyone for all there support and especially to all the wonderful musicians who have graced this bar. Also everything is for sale so come in and have one last beer with to celebrate a new beginning and buy some nautical s__t, and grab your stein if you have one. We love you all and thanks again."

Ballard High Baseball player Rory Graf-Brennen is heading for the big leagues. Or, well, at least the college leagues.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, he signed his national letter of intent to play baseball for Santa Clara University. That's right, Graf-Brennen is going to be a bronco -- which is a tad bigger than a beaver.

Standing at 5'7" and 160 lbs, Graf-Brennen plays center fielder and 2nd base and will be finishing out his fourth year on varsity. Throughout his time at Ballard he has become a force to be reckoned with, if the stats Coach Doug Montgomery have anything to say.

As a freshman, Graf-Brennen hit .302, with a .403 on base percentage (OBP), and .547 slugging percentage.

As a sophomore, he hit .304, with a .403 OBP, and .429 slugging.

And as a junior last year, he hit .339, with an astounding .541 OBP, and .549 slugging.

He led the Ballard team in home runs, runs batted in, and runs. He led the entire league with 25 walks, indicating that his reputation preceded him. Coach Montgomery said opposing teams will likely be pitching around him again this year.

Montgomery had this to say about Graf-Brennon:

What are legislators in the 36th District worried about going into this coming year's legislative session?

At State Senator Jeanne Kohl Welle's (D-36) annual post-election analysis forum at Hale's Ales on Wednesday night, Nov. 14 that's what was discussed. She was joined by Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-36) incoming Rep. Gael Tarleton (D-36), Stranger editor Dominic Holden, famous-guy and marijuana advocate Rick Steves, and City Attorney Pete Holmes, also a supporter of the marijuana initiative and who joked that people asked if he was Rick Steves while at events. The event was moderated by Nate Miles

The speakers, all Democrats, were jubilant about wins that happened during the elections: President Obama, Jay Inslee, same-sex marriage, marijuana legalization and more. (We reported about the election night wins here.)

By David Rosen

The Seattle Fire Department quickly responded to a garage fire in the 3600 block of SW Othello St around 2:24 am on Nov 15. The fire department had a hard time trying to find the garage due to the heavy fog. Upon arriving the firefighters determined that it was a greenhouse and that the fire had pretty much put itself out but they sprayed water on it to keep it from reigniting.

The fire department determined the cause could have been by an electric space heater catching combustible materials nearby on fire . The greenhouse and everything inside were completely destroyed.

Michael Hickey, a popular tenured professor of creative writing at South Seattle Community College and published award-winning poet, appeared at the Feedback Lounge in the Morgan Junction in West Seattle Wednesday night to sign his latest book and first novel, "Counterclockwise".

The West Seattle resident was joined by his wife, Mona, a stand-up comedian, and his brother, Matt, in from Eagle River, Alaska, as he signed books for a respectable crowd of his friends, students, former students, and colleagues including Gary Oertli, President & Vice Chancellor of South Seattle Community College.

Amazon's description of "Counterclockwise" states: In 1980, Junior McPherson's life spirals out of control when his mother dies and his relationship with his father collapses. In a move toward escape and reinvention, Junior relocates to Arizona and has a chance meeting with a person who will change the trajectory of his life. Through this connection, each of the men will discover that sometimes the only way to move forward is to go backward: Counterclockwise.

Trish and Seamas Markey got their dog Lola, a golden retriever from Rush Hill Golden Retrievers in Arlington and she was named with the help of their daughter Keely) after the Tom Douglas restaurant of the same name. Lola is now five years old.

"We had another dog that just passed away in July", Trish explained, "and we had gotten that dog, Louie from them. Louie was three when we got Lola and we're looking for another puppy right now. She's lonely."

The couple describe Lola as a, "Major squirrel hunter and she's a major pig. There is nothing she won't eat. The other day she was eating candy wrappers, and she doesn't even care if the candy is in there."

As we talked with the Markey's, Lola suddenly dashed away, tearing the leash out of Trish's hand, as the dog dashed toward some squirrel or bird. Lola is very, very focused on other animals. Still, Lola is well loved and well known to the beach community.

"I walk around with her every morning," said Seamas," down on Alki so everybody knows her."

Lola apparently has the idea she's part human because she tries to communicate through her own unique sounds.

SDOT press release:

SDOT paving crews will restore a gas line on SW Brace Point Drive at California Avenue SW on Friday, November 16, working from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and, if needed, they will continue work on Monday, November 19. One shared lane of traffic will remain open with flaggers assisting drivers taking turns traveling through the area. Sidewalks and crosswalks will remain open.

SDOT crews will return to SW Brace Point on November 26, 28, and 30 to work again from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting, to complete paving the street as part of SDOT’s annual paving program. There will be one lane of traffic each way during construction with periodic delays. Sidewalks and crosswalks will remain open.

The King County Public Health Center, formally next door to the White Center Food Bank, will move to the nearby Greenbridge housing development on Nov. 15, according to the county. An open house for the new location is planned for Dec. 4.

Here is the King County press release:

Seattle & King County’s White Center Public Health Center will move to a new location in the nearby Greenbridge housing community on Thursday, Nov. 15. The cost-effective move is expected to save $250,000 a year, while providing better service to patients.

“By moving the clinic less than one mile, we are bringing essential health services in a more comfortable setting closer to the people who need them, on a bus line for more convenient access, while also helping to create more of a business district for the Greenbridge community,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

“We’re excited to have Public Health – Seattle & King County as a partner in the Greenbridge community. They’re a great addition to the services available for both our residents and families living throughout White Center,” said Stephen Norman, Executive Director of the King County Housing Authority.