December 2013

New Years Eve is traditionally a time for a lot of noise but you might notice a longer and louder set of sounds coming from Highland Park as the Highland Park Improvement Club celebrates the new year, Dec. 31.

They will start the evening with a "Not So Silent Parade" and participants are encouraged to bring pots, pans, or whatever makes noise, and gather at 6pm at 1116 S.W. Holden Street for a noisy walk through the neighborhood.

Following the parade is the Sage Comet Fire Performance in which large flaming balls are swung by performers in the parking lot of the club. These are veteran fire performers, once with the well known Seattle 'Cirque de Flambe' troupe.

Next up is the Choroloco Brazilian Jazz Band from 8pm to 10pm. Listen to some samples here http://choroloco.com/?page_id=140

Taking the party into the night and the new year is DJ Rich and DJ Evan who will "rock your world" with music from their extensive collection.

The Corner Bar, a regular feature at the Highland Park Improvement Club will feature a Champagne Bar with liqueurs and fresh fruit. Non alcoholic drinks will also be available.

Next up in the “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series is West Seattle author Robert Spector, speaking about his memoir, The Mom & Pop Store: True Stories from the Heart of America (Walker Books, 2009).

This FREE presentation will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan 3, 2013, at Barnes & Noble-Westwood Village. A question and answer opportunity as well as book signing will follow Spector’s presentation.
The Mom & Pop Store is a celebration of the history of small, independent retail and the story of how these shops thrive on attentive customer service and community support for local businesses. With the backdrop of the growing “buy local” movement across the country, Spector, who grew up working in his parent's butcher shop, set out to discover the state, and the state of mind, of independent retailing in America.

From a specialty soda-pop shop in Los Angeles to a florist shop in Dayton, Ohio, from a bakery in Chicago to a bookstore in Bellingham, mom-and-pop store owners share their stories, revealing the spirit and tenacity of the small business owner, dealing with frustration and defeat as well as triumph and success.

Alki Beach Academy, (ABA) an infant through youngster daycare and learning institution opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a special performance by Caspar Babypants on Dec. 27.

The Alki Beach Academy is located at 2414 S.W. Andover, Suite F-102.

The ABA is owned by Julieann Crisostomo Donohue, Executive Director, whose background includes graduating from the Albers School of Business/Seattle University with a Business Administration Degree: focus on Marketing.

She's had a successful 25 year career in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech Industry managing and has marketed medical products. She previously successfully created and launched two family businesses. Donohue said, ""Knowing the value and precious gift children can bring to everyone if given the chance, is what drives our goals to provide quality education."

Donohue thanked all those present for helping her and her team realize a 15 year goal.

Alki Beach Academy has hired a Lead Supervisor Teacher who is a recent Graduate from the University of Washington. Her degree is in Education and Curriculum Development.

By Marjorie Young

South Africa and the world recently lost Nelson Mandela, a towering figure whose impact on humanity is nearly beyond measure. To be sure, he fought against the horrors of Apartheid, ultimately gaining freedom and equality for the oppressed majority in his homeland. Imprisoned for his actions, he served twenty-seven years under bitter conditions; yet upon his release, became the first democratically elected leader in his nation’s history.

That, in itself, is truly remarkable and admirable; but Mandela’s legacy goes far beyond those bare facts. His most magnificent achievement was his extraordinary, almost inconceivable ability to forgive those who had treated him, and all black citizens, with such brutal disdain. Not merely to ‘tolerate’ them, mind you, but to forgive and accept them. While many had feared bloody reprisals, whites were instead gifted with clemency and compassion; allowing for a true reconciliation amongst all the citizenry.

There was a fire at BAT’s home of 34 years. It is up to the Burien City Council, BAT’s landlord, to decide wether to rebuild the theater space or not. But this is not about arson, is is about Hope in Hard Times and the miracle on 153rd street. Most of all it is about thanks.

BAT chose “Coney Island Christmas” because the Highline Historical Society asked BAT if we could produce a Holiday show set in the Great Depression to go along with the Historical Society’s exhibit about the Depression, “Hope in Hard Times.”

It took some time, but BAT located the script for “Coney Island Christmas,” a play that had been written in 2012, but about a very special Christmas in 1935. To produce the play BAT had to get the script directly from the author’s agent, as it has not yet been published. (BAT has dealt with agents many time before, to get a new work.)

information from Seattle Parks and Recreation

Are you thinking about New Year’s resolutions and getting more active? Seattle Parks and Recreation is offering affordable and fun adult sports and activities in 2014. Enjoy bowling, men’s flag football, roller derby, women’s volleyball, coed dodgeball, men’s basketball and get out and go groups during the first quarter of 2014. The programs offer an opportunity to meet new friends, bond with old friends and get moving in the New Year!

To learn more about programs visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/athletics/index.htm and to register call 206-684-7092.

Roller Derby
Adult Roller Derby is the fastest growing sport in the world, with over 60 leagues forming weekly, globally. Seattle Roller Derby is athletic, instructional, non-violent, great workout with an amazing community. Seattle Parks and Recreation has teamed up with Seattle Roller Derby to provide the first league of its kind.
When: January 5 – March 25, 2014
Days: Tuesday and Sunday
Time: Tuesday 8 p.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 7 p.m. -9 p.m.
Where: Southwest Community Center, 2801 SW Thistle, Seattle WA

Monday, Dec. 23
Boys basketball
West Seattle 57, Graham-Kapowsin 54
West Seattle edged out the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles by a 57-54 score in non-league action this past Monday.
The Wildcats were led by the 29 points of DeAndre Love.
Ruslan Burduzha was next with 16 points and Nate Prior finished with five.
Raphael Jackson and Andrew Move both swished in four points and Joe Hey hit two.
Malachi Cain rounded off the West Seattle scoring with one point.
West Seattle is especially waiting for Friday, Jan. 3 when it returns to Metro League action with an 8 p.m. visit to crosstown rival Chief Sealth.
That will be the second half of a double-header with the girls game between West Seattle and Chief Sealth that gets underway at 6:15 p.m.

An extensive study examining the economic impact of the maritime industry was released last Nov. that quantifies the economic systems at work in Ballard, Washington State, and beyond.

The “Maritime Cluster Economic Impact Study” was produced by Community Attributes Inc., Puget Sound Regional Council, Work Force Development Council of Seattle and King County, and supported by the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County.

The study serves as a way to quantify the economic impact of the maritime cluster in Washington State and illuminates the strengths and potential for growth.

The cluster study broke down the maritime industry into six core categories: passenger water transportation, boat and ship building, repair and maintenance, maritime logistics and shipping, fishing and seafood products, military and federal operations and maritime support services. The data was collected in 2012.

Moreover, the economic impact of these core sectors was measured by direct, indirect, and induced monetary measures. “Induced,” meaning jobs resulting from the spending of new labor income associated with Maritime activities.

Last week Henbart LLC, current owner of Ballard Bartell’s property presented their design plans to the City of Seattle’s Design Review Board in an early design guidance meeting. The public was invited to the meeting and participants were invited to add their concerns and comments.

Charles Strazzara, a principal architect with Studio Meng Strazzara , is one of the architects working on the 5601 22nd Avenue project and lead the presentation, along with Kris Snider, principal landscape architect (Hewitt).

They presented three potential concept designs for the project, favoring the third: two separate standing buildings that share a bottom retail/commercial level with residential on top.

There are plans for the structure to be six-stories with 78 apartments, four townhouses, 20,000 sq. ft. of office space and two levels of underground parking with 131 spaces.

“A dynamic space will provide the same value as maximizing the space, so we think the market will reward that. …When there are ten to eleven people sharing a floor with you it’s a little friendlier than 40,” said Strazzara.

A disturbing display of animal skulls was found early this morning across from the Fremont Troll.

SPD reported that officers arrived at Troll Avenue and N. 36th St. at approximately 2:30 this morning to find over a dozen bloody animal skulls placed on the lawn, porch and chair of a house across from the Troll.

The skulls appeared “freshly skinned” and still had blood and animal material on them.

The residents had no idea what the skulls were doing there but told officers some “neighborhood kids” had been “run off” the night before. The residents thought maybe the kids had something to do with it.

Pictures of the incident were posted on reddit and the skulls appear to be sheep.

Police are investigating the motive for this heinous act and the BNT will keep readers posted.