August 2013

By Mayor Mike McGinn

Fifteen years ago America’s internet speeds were among the fastest in the world. That infrastructure helped build a tech industry that is helping create jobs and build prosperity here in Seattle today.

But the private companies who own and operate that digital infrastructure haven’t kept up. American internet speeds and bandwidth are falling behind other countries. We continue to rely on copper wires to carry increasing amounts of data, even though those wires were originally intended to carry just voice and video. Meanwhile Australia is wiring their entire country with fiber broadband, which can provide enough capacity for data, voice, and video streaming for decades to come.

We want to keep Seattle as an attractive place for business, because we have the right talent, good quality of life, and first class infrastructure. That’s why I am working to bring better broadband service to Seattle.

The new Bloom Restaurant (5410 17th Ave NW), which is taking over the space of now former French Bistro Le Marche, is having its grand opening today.

The restaurant is basically an upgraded version of Chef Jason Harris's bento box popup shop of the same name. He will be using Japanese techniques and recipes to prepare fresh Northwest meats and veggies, many straight from the farmers market.

The full restaurant gives Harris a lot more flexibility. With a full kitchen and dining room, he can do much more than just bento boxes. They will have a full menu and a bar.

According to Bloom, the menu will feature Ramen noodle soup year-round, including the popular Showa Ramen and Vegetarian Ramen, and signature dishes such as Koji Chicken and Japanese Potato Salad. The rest of the menu will follow the seasons: Fried Smelts in the summer, Kabocha Squash Nimono in the fall, Daikon Oden in the winter, and Grilled Asparagus in the spring. Most of the dishes will be naturally gluten-free, including the Turnip Butterfly Miso Soup.

Information from ArtsWest

ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery's marquee has gone dark for the next six weeks while an update takes place in the Gallery and Theater space as well as some changes behind the scenes. To mark this day and to hint at what's to come, ArtsWest has revealed a new logo.

"As we are moving into our 15th year, the best anniversary gift we could give to ourselves is a rebranding and strengthening of our identity," says Board President Judy Pigott.

Compiled by Katie Nelson

Deadline for receiving items for Community Calendar is 5 p.m. Wednesday for the following week’s Times/News. Events are published based on timeliness and space availability. Email submissions to: hteditor@robinsonnews.com
Items can be accepted from nonprofit groups and government agencies only. Others may call Dona Ozier at (206) 708-1378 for inclusion in our “Out & About” advertising section.

Art Exhibits

Burien Community Center
--Paintings of Normandy Park artist Roxanne Fawcett. Through Sept. 30. Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Fridays 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 14700 6th Ave. S.W. For more information call 206-988-3700.
Burien Community Center
—“No Boundaries 2013,Beginnings & Beyond.” Artists reception, Aug. 20, 6-7:30 p.m. Exhibit by artists with disabilities. Exhibit runs through Sept. 30. Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Fridays 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 14700 6th Ave. S.W. For more information call 206-988-3700
Normandy Park City Council Chambers

By Katie Nelson
HIGHLINE TIMES

Lifelong Burien resident Ralph Palumbo led a team to support the families of fallen Marines in the annual 100 Miles for One Mind run around the Puget Sound area last weekend.

The Aug. 10-11 run was the third headed up by Always Brothers, a 501c3 organization begun in 2011 by a group of Marines stationed together on presidential guard duty in the early to mid-1990s. While catching up via Facebook, the men soon learned of the fate of one of their own, Captain Tyler Swisher, who was killed in Iraq in 2005.

“He left behind three kids and his wife, and we decided that we wanted to do something to honor him, and to raise money for the education funds of his three kids,” said Dan Neilsen, vice president of Always Brothers. “We decided we were going to run 100 miles for Tyler. … We formed this nonprofit and started putting together the route.”

By Peggy Sturdivant

I warned Shin Yu Pai that neither my column nor the Ballard News-Tribune necessarily generate much interest in a volume of poetry. Perhaps a literary event, an author of local interest, a book set in Ballard. But almost as if I was a student consulting their adviser, in a quietly professorial way Shin Yu (pronounced Yee) illuminated the thematic link between her new poetry collection and my column: a connection with place.

Originally from California, Pai’s past moves have been for purposes of study or jobs. While working in Texas she met her future husband; they moved here in 2007 for her intended Ph.D. in Anthropology at the University of Washington. After two years they moved instead to Arkansas, returning to Seattle in 2012, this time to Ballard, fittingly for her Texas-born Swedish-American husband.

Pai’s vita, which includes teaching, several poetry collections, commissioned works, artist-in-residence at Seattle Art Museum, an MFA from the School of Art Institute of Chicago, curatorial experience and her own visual art and photography, is daunting. Friend and Ballard poet Carol Levin puts it simply, “Shin Yu’s brilliant.”

Pecado Bueno, a Mexican-inspired restaurant and bar, is opening at 5 p.m. on Aug. 15 at the old Wingdome location at 4523 California Ave. S.W., according to their Facebook page.

Pecado Bueno has one other location in the Fremont area, and explains their “food philosophy” as such on their website, http://pecadobueno.com/:

Our concept is to take simple Taqueria food to a new level. We buy the best ingredients, make everything from scratch, and combine it with a full bar.

We also keep our standards high and our prices low. By serving natural and organic foods whenever possible we ensure that all of our food not only tastes better but that it is also a healthy choice. We purchase food based on taste, the effect on environment, and the quality of life for the animals that help feed us.

By Ken Robinson

Chris Hoke holds Oscar, his 5-year-old wiener dog, Oscar likes to try to keep up with Hoke's 70-mph remote control car as it races along he driveway next to the Hoke residence on 6th Avenue Southwest and Southwest 112th Street in Burien.

Oscar was adopted, Hoke said. Originally, the dog was lost, came to live with the Hokes until the owner claimed him.

Then, the owner became involved in domestic violence dispute and asked the Hokes to take Oscar in, for good.

The speedy little dachshund can actually keep up with the speeding toy car for the length of the yard.

"That's how he gets his exercise," Hoke said.

Burien Police Chief Scott Kimerer, center, shakes hands with Burien resident Jim Sharkey as neighbors gather for a National Night Out gathering on Tuesday, Aug. 6. This gathering was for block watch residents along 25th Avenue Southwest in Burien’s Gregory Heights neighborhood.

Neighborhood get-togethers were held throughout the Highline area on Aug. 6 as part of National Night Out events.

Press release:
Come join us for the kickoff walk of the WABI Weekday Walkers, on August 21st. We’ll explore Seahurst Park before it closes down in September for a major salmon restoration project.

Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Time: Meet at 8:45 am. Walk will begin at 9:00 am.


Meeting Place: In front of the restroom building in the lower public parking/turnaround area of Seahurst Park.
Parking: It’s unlikely that the lower parking lot will be filled this early, but if it is, there is further parking in the upper lot.


Directions: From Ambaum Blvd., turn west on SW 144th Street. Then turn right on 13th Ave. SW. and follow this all the way down to the lower parking lot.


Transit: There is a stop at Ambaum and SW 144th for Route 120. It’s about a half-hour walk down to the lower parking lot.

Walking route: The trail within the park is about 2.5 miles round trip with 400′ gain. An optional extension to Hurstwood afterwards is an additional approximate 2 miles with about 400′ gain. Trails in the park may be muddy depending on previous rainfall, so wear appropriate footwear.