March 2013

Press release:

Judge Veronica A. Galvan has announced she will run to retain her position as Presiding Judge of Des Moines Municipal Court, a position she has held for six years. Judge Galvan was originally appointed in 2007 through a rigorous selection process out of a field of 41 applicants.

In her 11-year judicial career, Judge Galvan has presided over a broad range of cases, from traffic infractions to homicide allegations to complex licensing issues.

Judge Galvan graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in 1994. After graduation she accepted a position as an assistant city attorney with the City of Seattle. In this capacity she was a member of a unit specializing in the prosecution of domestic violence offenses, as well as elder and child abuse matters. Later, she served as prosecuting attorney for the City of Federal Way, where she continued to advocate on behalf of victims and to champion community safety.

By Maggie Nicholson

Allstar Fitness opened its doors in West Seattle over twenty years ago. The gym became deeply engrained in the small community, hosting yoga and cycling classes, offering a kid’s club filled with colorful toys, greeting its members with its monumental glass walls and offering a warm fireplace to lounge in front of between workouts.

In August of 2012, the fitness club quietly filed for bankruptcy. Then-owner Bob Padgett was ordered by the court to notify his members, and he did not swiftly comply.

“They seemed extremely happy to push me to prepay for a year --"a much better deal!" -- when clearly someone, somewhere, there knew they would be filing for bankruptcy,” said member Anne Hurley.

Trustee Richard Hooper composed an announcement of the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing, which was passed out as a flyer to the club’s members as they moseyed in to take a swim or take a class, in February of 2013. Filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy allows the business to seek relief in the form of re-organization or a changing of ownership.

The annual private performance evaluation of City Manager Mike Martin reflects the deep divide evident publicly in the Burien City Council.

The four majority members of the City Council rated Martin outstanding or very strong in all five evaluated categories while the three minority members said Martin’s performance was not developed or underdeveloped in all areas.

Martin’s evaluation was obtained by a public records request. Lawmakers were not expecting their remarks to be made public so were quite candid about Martin and the dysfunction between council members.

Mayor Brian Bennett and former Deputy Mayor Rose Clark gave Martin the highest rating (5, outstanding) across the board.

Former long-time Mayor Joan McGilton rated Martin a 5 overall with 4’s (very strong) on community relations and communication. The other categories were intergovernmental relations, policy making/vision implementation and management of organization.

Councilmember Gerald Robison gave an overall rating of 4 (very strong) with the outstanding marks in intergovernmental relations and management of organization.

The gargantuan mixed-use project slated for a 2015 completion at 4755 Fauntleroy Way S.W. may have trouble reaching that goal if the design review process continues at this rate. On March 28, the six-story building, including 370 apartments, 570 stalls of underground parking and a Whole Foods grocery store, was sent back for more work as the Southwest Design Review Board decided not to move the project along.

This means at least one more design review meeting, a fourth, will be scheduled.

183 days have elapsed since the SW Board declined to move the project beyond an early design review on Sept. 27, 2012. They finally passed the early review in November, allowing developers to apply for a Master Use Permit and start preparing for this week’s design review.

The board’s decision on March 28 was two-fold

Sweet Mickey's Candy Shoppe Annual Easter Egg Hunt

What: What better combo? Sweet Mickey's, the delicious old-fashioned candy shoppe, is holding their first annual Easter egg hunt at the Ballard Commons right next door to them. A raffle and games will follow the hunt, and the proceeds from the raffle tickets (which are on sale now) will benefit Blessings in a Backpack.

We also hear they have some delicious Easter baskets and Easter candy that you might still be able to get your hands on: malted eggs, Caramel Robin Eggs, foil eggs and solid chocolate bunnies made with white chocolate, milk, and dark. Mmm.

Where: Ballard Commons Park, 5501 22nd Ave NW

When: Saturday, March 30, 11 a.m.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/108704355970019/

Bunny Bounce at the Woodland Park Zoo

What: Bounce to Woodland Park Zoo for egg hunts on the North Meadow and Easter-themed treats for the zoo’s animal residents at the 12th annual Bunny Bounce.

Two repeat bank robbers with a criminal history of more than 25 years were found guilty of a series of robberies in the Seattle area The U.S. Attorney's office announced March 28. One of the robberies was committed in West Seattle at the Washington Federal Bank branch on Oct. 20, 2011.

In a press release from the office of Jenny A. Durkan U.S. Attorney details were provided:

66-year-old Jack P. Sexton and 65-year-old Ronald C. Kettels were convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, three armed bank robberies, and using a firearm during a crime of violence. The jury deliberated for about a day before finding the men guilty following a seven-day trial. Both men face a mandatory minimum 57 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik on June 21, 2013.

Forest Lawn Cemetery and Funeral Home- Dignity Memorial
The 74th Annual Easter Sunrise Service
Celebrate Life Anew This Easter

March 31 Easter Sunday at 6:30am
We are proud and honored to present this family tradition for the 74th year. Come join in our program by the West Seattle Ministerial Association for a timely message of hope and to reflect with uplifting music and an awe-inspiring sunrise over the Cascades (clouds permitting). The service is outdoors, so dress warmly! Breakfast will be served following in the Reception Room of the Forest Lawn Funeral Home.
6701 30th Avenue SW.
For more information or directions, call 206-932-0050 or
visit us at www.forestlawn-seattle.com.

Eastridge Church
March 30 Easter Services 5pm
March 31 9am, 11am
4500 39th Avenue SW
For more information visit www.eastridgetoday.com

Calvary Lutheran Church
Celebrate Easter Sunday at 10:30 am Festival Eucharist
The Community Room at The Kenney, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW
All are welcome! Pastor Paul Winterstein. Office phone 206-937-6590

Holy Rosary Parish
Holy Saturday, March 30
Triduum Morning Prayer: 8am

Seattle Public Schools sent out the following letter signed by Superintendent Jose Banda regarding MAP testing. For our coverage of the MAP test, see our articles "For Ballard teachers, dissatisfaction with MAP test has history" and "MAP protest not unanimous among BHS parents."

Dear Seattle Public Schools community,

Our community has engaged in a deep discussion during the last two months about the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment, which provides data used for screening and analyzing student achievement and measuring growth over time.

The White Center branch of U.S. Bank showed their support for a burgeoning coalition aimed at reducing drug and alcohol abuse among White Center and Burien youth on March 27 with an oversized check for $5,000.

John Hannahs, branch manager for the White Center US Bank, said 40 percent of his job is engaging the community and business owners, and that the donation “is highlighting a part of US Bank and what they work towards in supporting the community.”

Hannahs is also a member of the Coalition for Drug-Free Youth, chairing the Leadership Council.
“Education for students, a decrease in drug abuse, hopefully education towards a smarter youth so we have less problems with adolescents,” Hannahs said of his hopes for the Coalition.

Rudy Garza of Navos and the coalition coordinator said, “This grant will allow the coalition to better engage students and youth in our community by supporting projects that involve them directly.”

The White Center branch of U.S. Bank showed their support for a burgeoning coalition aimed at reducing drug and alcohol abuse among White Center and Burien youth on March 27 with an oversized check for $5,000.

John Hannahs, branch manager for the White Center US Bank, said 40 percent of his job is engaging the community and business owners, and that the donation “is highlighting a part of US Bank and what they work towards in supporting the community.”

Hannahs is also a member of the Coalition for Drug-Free Youth, chairing the Leadership Council.

“Education for students, a decrease in drug abuse, hopefully education towards a smarter youth so we have less problems with adolescents,” Hannahs said of his hopes for the Coalition.

Rudy Garza of Navos and the coalition coordinator said, “This grant will allow the coalition to better engage students and youth in our community by supporting projects that involve them directly.”