November 2015

The Ladies Musical Club of Seattle (LMC), the oldest musical organization in Seattle, continues celebrating its 125th Quasquicentennial Season as LMC member-musicians, trained in piano, voice, strings and instruments, present six free, classical music concerts in December at Seattle Art Museum, Frye Art Museum, Seattle Central Public Library, University House Wallingford, West Seattle Library and South Lake Union’s Mirabella.

Jerry Robinson wrote a weekly column for this newspaper for more than 60 years. His wife Lee Robinson would contribute from time to time, taking over for him on some occasions. Here is a follow-up to a column she wrote the previous week about the family Terrier/Cocker Spaniel mix.

By Professor Skipper Robinson
(one hundred percent dog)

You recently read a column conceived in this space by a young colleague of mine named Richard Tiger Robinson,(10/30/15 edition) a junior member of our canine clan.

It was not his column that prompts me to write to you this week. I will get to my message later. I did want you to know a little about this junior member of our backyard partnership.

It is not that I resent him. I guess I went through the kid stage too. But this bone polisher who gets to go on hunting trips is strictly a lime-lighter, a showoff!

You should see this callow youth when THE EDITOR comes home at night. He runs around like a bird dog with his nose to the ground pretending like he found a fresh scent, sniffing and snaffling like mad.

Lincoln Park North Play Area Renovation-Public Meeting
Southwest Teen Life Center
2801 S.W. Thistle St.
Thurs., Nov. 19 join Seattle Parks and Recreation in-house landscape architect & project planner at the Southwest Teen Life Center’s Thanksgiving Dinner event which will feature an opportunity for input on this Lincoln Park project. Play Area Public Meeting: 5:30–6:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Community Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Take a short survey: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/projects/lincoln/north_pa/ For information on the Community Dinner: 206.684.7438 or Mazvita.maraire@seattle.gov

Learn About West Seattle Timebank & Meet Members
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 S.W. Oregon St.
Parking lot off 42nd S.W.
www.westseattletimebank.com
Thurs., Nov. 19. Potluck 6:30–7 p.m., bring a dish to share. Meeting 7–8:30 p.m. Our guest speaker is Florian Becquereau, Director of  Earthship Seattle. Learn more about this new program: www.earthshipseattle.org

How Should West Seattle Grow? Open House
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 S.W. Oregon St.

By Amanda Knox

Colin and I were driving home on a dark, rainy evening. The streets were hissing slick with wet. The lights from cars and traffic lights were bitingly bright. It had been a long day for the both of us, and I still had writing to do after another full day at the bookstore. Then we had each other on top of it all, distinct, separate beings, in it together.

We found ourselves stopped at the five-way intersection of 16th and Roxbury in White Center. It was rush hour, and lines of cars were crowding towards the crossroads from all directions. Pedestrians huddled in puffy coats beneath the street lamps. They looked cold.

“I find it interesting,” Colin mused, “That everyone stuck at this intersection right now is looking at it differently.”

By Pat Cashman

I was ushered into the manager’s office quickly. The round conference table was absent of anything except a single box of Kleenex. I assumed it was there to dab potential tears. Or blood.
My firing happened quickly after a preamble about how much they liked working with me, how painful it was to let me go---and how well I was taking the news.

As I rose to leave, the manager offered one final thought. “Let me tell you something,” he said. “I got let go from a job a few years ago too---and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

He may have meant well, but I was glad I didn’t have a concealed weapon. After all, getting fired can’t possibly be the best thing that could happen in someone’s life. I mean, is getting fired really better than a first kiss---getting married---the birth of your kids---or winning at pull-tabs?

With the theme "Coming Home to the Homestead" The Southwest Seattle Historical Society held it's annual Champagne Gala Brunch at Salty's on Alki Nov. 7. The fund raising event featured an auction led by Fred Northup Jr., a challenge donation round a raffle, and a comical panel quiz show.

This year's gala raised $77,180, up 26.4 percent from last year.

The event featured a video history of the Alki Homestead now being restored, recollection from Catherine Gruye Alexander and Rob Gruye who essentially grew up in the Homestead since their father ran it for many years.

A highlight for the brunch was a live panel called "Wait wait, West Seattle don't tell me" patterned after the famous PBS radio program. Led by local radio host Marty Riemer the panel included Husky Deli owner Jack Miller, WS YMCA's Josh Sutton, radio host Shawn Stewart, TV newsperson Connie Thompson, and author and filmmaker Michael Stusser.

Challenge Fund Contributors included:

• Meg & Clay Eals
• Dave Hrachovina
• Marcy Johnsen & Joey Richesson
• Judy Pigott

Seattle Police rolled multiple vehicles into action following a report of multiple gun shots being fired near 17th SW and SW Kenyon around 5:45pm Friday Nov. 6.

Police officers combed the area looking for evidence of the incident which according to both scanner traffic and an eye witness involved two cars. Scanner traffic said police were searching for a white or gray Mercedes Benz with four black males.

They eyewitness, a neighbor in the area said he saw the white car pull up into the intersection followed by a beige Cadillac with a blue top. He heard multiple shots, saying, "I thought they were firecrackers," then said, "Then the Cadillac took off real fast." The other car also left the scene.

There was no reported property damage and no one was hurt.

Seattle Police arrested a 22 year old Jacob Kokko Thursday night in connection with a series of arsons in West Seattle. He s currently in custody in King County Jail with bail set at $300,000.

Kokko was arrested at a bar near SW Oregon and California Ave SW after serving a warrant on his home and finding evidence linking him to several recent fires in West Seattle.

Detectives interviewed him and booked him into the King County Jail for investigation of arson.

So far, detectives have linked Kokko to four fires in the West Seattle area, including incidents captured on surveillance video on the October 12th and Halloween. Police believe the suspect may be connected to a number of other fires in West Seattle as well, but are still investigating and working with prosecutors to bring charges.

He was brought to the attention of police after his neighbor recognized him from surveillance footage and reported that she smelled smoke on him.

The Port of Seattle is proposing modifications to the existing marine cargo facilities at Terminal 5 and is preparing and Environmental Impact Statement. The study will evaluate potential impacts to: Earth, Air Water, Plants, Animals, Energy and Natural Resources, Environmental Health, Noise, Aesthetics (including light and glare), Historic and Cultural Resources, Transportation, and Public Services.

A public meeting is set for Nov. 12 at the Hall at Fauntleroy from 5:30 to 8:30pm,
The address is 9131 SW Calfiornia Ave. Seattle 98136

Light refreshments will be available.

Public comments are being sought as part of the scoping process until Nov. 23.
If you want some tips on public commenting vis the Washington State Dept. of Ecology's Citizen's Guide to SEPA Review and Commenting.

Public comments will be included on the SEPA record and may result in corrections, additions or clarification in the Draft EIS.

For more information and to comment online , visit the Online Open House at www. TSIS. publicmeeting.info

By Kathryn Kingen

It's 4:00 a.m. and pitch dark outside. Our family of eight is snuggled in sleeping bags in our camper … but there is a stirring about. My dad is shaking shoulders and whispering to any takers that it's time to rise and shine. If you're coming you better get up now because the low tide waits for no one! A few siblings roll over and groan but I'm surely up for this lantern-lit adventure. Digging razor clams with Dad was such a thrill. To this day the taste of pan-fried razors brings back the fondest of childhood memories.