April 2014

March 27 -- Executives from the maritime industry gathered at the Port of Seattle Headquarters round table to talk about policy and the state of the maritime industry in the Puget Sound.

Council member Sally Clark, the Deputy Mayor, Andrea Riniker and the state’s leading stakeholders in the maritime sector were in attendance.

The discussion was held to assist the Port Commission in gathering opinions from stakeholders and policy makers about the nature of economic opportunities and challenges facing Seattle’s maritime industry.

“Growth” was a major question of interest, and the goal of the round table discussion was to walk away with a better understanding of how to facilitate proliferation of the maritime industry through policy recommendations.

Port of Seattle Commission Co-President, Stephanie Bowman, led the discussion and stressed the significance the maritime industry has on the economy of the State and conceded the urgency for the discussion.

Thief makes off with fine coin

March 22 – At the 5500 block of 8th Avenue Northwest officers responded to a commercial burglary at a laundromat. The owners reported that when they arrived at the scene they found the front door pried open. The suspect took a set of building keys that were in a hidden location behind the counter. The owner said that one would need to be familiar with the business in order to know where the keys were kept. The suspect used the keys to open a storage room that contained a coin-dispensing machine. A special crank was used to open the vaults of the machine, and the owner stated again that someone would need to be familiar with the crank in order to open the machine. A coin-sorting tray was also emptied. The complainant estimated the suspect too $1800 worth of coins.

Copper cat burglar takes a bundle

CareClinic at the new Bartell Drugs in Ballard (1500 N.W. Market St.) opened its doors to patients last week, marking a whole new way for patients to access health care.

The clinic is one of three launching around the city. Known as CareClinic: Group Health at Bartell Drugs™; the clinic offers treatment and consultation for maladies ranging from cuts and minor injuries like burns and sprains, to infections, allergies and the flu.

Some lab testing for pregnancy and infections like strep throat will also be provided. However, imaging, blood and other lab work will not be offered at the site.

“We have a menu of things we are going to treat every time, but if the clinician thinks you’re sicker than what we care for here, they will refer patients to a medical center,” said Dr. Wellesley Chapman, Medical Director for the three new CareClinics and a Care Delivery Innovation Physician for Group Health.

With an out of pocket fee of $75, uninsured patients have the option of going to the CareClinic rather than a medical center, where depending on insurance or lack there of, can be thousands of dollars for a single visit.

information from SWSHS

Join renowned mountaineer and West Seattle native Lou Whittaker for a special presentation, “A Life in the Mountains,” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2014, at West Seattle High School Theater.

The event is a fundraiser for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. West Seattle High School is located at 3000 California Ave. S.W.
Whittaker will speak about his West Seattle roots and screen an hour-long documentary, “A Life in the Mountains: The Legacy of Lou Whittaker.” He is especially pleased to make this presentation at his alma mater.

One of America’s most respected climbers for more than six decades, Whittaker began his mountaineering career as a teenager in the Pacific Northwest, climbing in the Olympic and Cascade ranges with his twin brother, Jim.

Whittaker’s name is synonymous with Mount Rainier, where he has guided thousands to its summit since his own first ascent of the mountain at age 19.

He stepped naturally into coveted spots on expeditions to formidable peaks in Alaska, the Himalaya and the Karakorum and went on to lead the expedition that made the first American ascent of the North Col pass on Mount Everest in 1984.

The Grand Opening of the King County Veterans Center, formerly the American Legion Hall at 3618 S.W. Alaska Street is this Friday, April 4. The event is an "SOS" Breakfast beginning at 7am and will feature Guest Speaker, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott.

In our previous coverage the facility has been known as the West Seattle Veteran's Center but was updated to reflect a wider regional service area. Also previously, King County Executive Dow Constantine had been scheduled to speak but had other responsibilities that day.

The breakfast will feature traditional military style breakfast foods plus some vegan choices.

The next big music event, the Gala, which was postponed will take place May 31.