April 2016

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Keone Kela didn't have a favorite baseball team when he was growing up, even though he always loved the sport.

"I just liked specific players," said the graduate of Chief Sealth International High School in West Seattle.
Now his favorite players are his Texas Rangers teammates.

"It's great to be in Texas," said the second year relief pitcher. "We have a unique team and a great group of guys."

The Rangers won the American League West title last year and are hoping for more of the same.
"I know our chances are real good," Kela said. "I think we can do the same and then keep pushing forward. I think they're great. The Texas Rangers organization only puts up the best team they can."
Kela, who was born in Los Angeles on April 16, 1993, played a key role in helping the Rangers to last year's title.

By Michele Smith
On April 4 the Burien City Council voted down an amendment to extend the contract for Burien’s animal control program (C.A.R.E.S.) until Jan. 31 2017. The current contract is set to expire on Aug. 31 2016 and may leave Burien without animal control services as the contract has not been put out to bid and it is yet not clear whether King County Regional Animal Services could take on Burien. No other plan exists at this time.
At the heart of the issue, according to council member Lauren Berkowitz, is not only the contract extension process but also community concerns and regret for letting King County Regional Animal Services go. “I am not opposed to extending it; I'm opposed to what amounts to action through inaction - staying with C.A.R.E.S. merely because we've extended the contract so long that it's a problem to end the contract. My door-to-door anecdotes tell me that many residents lament leaving King County.” Berkowitz said.

The staff of Page Ahead, a children’s literacy non-profit in North Ballard, never expected an illegal pot garden with over 500 cannabis plants to be operating on the other side of their office wall. However, after an early morning burglary left a hole large enough to fit someone the size of one of their readers, that’s just what they found.

Seattle Police uncovered an illegal marijuana grow last Tuesday morning, April 12th, after investigating a burglary at the office of Page Ahead located on the 1100 block of N.W. 85th Street.

Police responded to a burglary in-progress report at 3:30 a.m.
After entering the building, officers noticed a large hole in the wall, which led them to an adjacent room filled with hundreds of pot plants.

Officers believe the suspect(s) broke into the Page Ahead office and tried to break through the wall in order to get to the plants in the commercial space next door.

Investigators believe there were only two plants stolen, however, police seized 531 plants from the illegal pot grow and are seeking its operators.

The Ballard News-Tribune contacted the landlord of the building, but he declined to comment on the incident.

As a neighborhood that proudly hosts one of the best actual record stores in the nation, in Easy Street Records the annual celebration of record stores, Record Store Day (RSD) on Saturday, April 16, is an event worth noting.

Easy Street is celebrating the vinyl release of their RSD event last year, "The Sonics Live At Easy Street." This LP will be available at all stores participating in Record Store Day, but Easy Street is the only place selling the Easy Street Special Edition, a limited edition of 500, which will include the following:

* Custom-screened, hand-numbered outer sleeve
* Copy of signed set list
* Ticket for the event
* Download card good for two free bonus songs from the concert not included on the album
* Detailed liner notes by Easy Street president Matt Vaughan

A a five story apartment project with 40 units and room for retail from LDG Architects aimed 9030 35th SW.
is the subject of a Design Review Board Recommendation Meeting on May 5. A land use application has been filed.

Parking for 32 vehicles would be provided within the structure. Existing structures would be demolished.
The project includes 2,000 cu. yds. of grading.

The project has been in the works for at least two years. It is project number 3008455.

MEETING

Date: Thursday, May 5, 2016

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: West Seattle Senior Center
4217 SW Oregon St
Hatten Hall

All meeting facilities are ADA compliant. Translators or interpreters provided upon request. Please contact the Public Resource Center at prc@seattle.gov or (206) 684-8467 at least five business days prior to the meeting to request this service.

OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT

By Peggy Sturdivant

Throughout the entire month of March there was always at least one truck being loaded at the Fenpro building on Market Street as its warren of artists and fabricators emptied their studios and prepared to disperse. Until the eve of its last act the final inhabitants were largely invisible, and always impossible to categorize.

On the last official night, when there was supposed to be farewell party that had been nixed by the building manager, the 7 p.m. light was golden, yet eerie. Perhaps it too was dispersing, separating into “constituent wavelengths.” It was March 31st and the leonine artisans of Fenpro were departing like lambs. It was too quiet, too calm, as these artists who had been able to make noise with their welding and soldering, their hammering and drilling, were quietly emptying their workspaces.

By Joe McDermott
King County Councilmember

Anyone who commutes anywhere in our region knows that our transportation infrastructure is not keeping up with the region’s rapid growth. Too many of us are spending hours in our car when we could be spending time with our families.

Estimates suggest delays on our region’s freeways increased 95 percent between 2010 and 2015. Commuters who leave the north end and drive to the eastside wasted $3,300 in time and gas sitting in traffic. Those of us who live in West Seattle are all too familiar with wasted time and gas as we sit in long lines on the West Seattle Bridge waiting to get anywhere we need to be. With the growth only expected to continue (1 million more people in our region by 2040!), we must make bold and meaningful investments in our infrastructure. 

information from Highline Public Schools

The Washington Association of Secondary School Principals (WASSP) named Principal Jenni Maughan as the South Sound Region Principal of the Year for 2016. Maughan is in her sixth year leading the Health Sciences & Human Services High School, one of three small schools located on the Evergreen Campus.

Maughan was a contender for state principal of the year due to her dedicated work on closing the achievement gap at a school with 88% students of color and 83% below the poverty line.

"Congratulations on a well-deserved honor," said Highline Superintendent Susan Enfield. "Jenni is a dedicated leader who is resourceful and determined to help students and teachers achieve their potential. She and her staff truly know every student by name, strength, and need."

Health Sciences & Human Services High School won six consecutive Washington Achievement Awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and two School of Distinctions Awards (2012 and 2014). Between 2011 and 2015, the suspension rate dropped from 30 to 0, and the graduation rate increased from 71% to 85%, higher than the district average of 70%.

Salty’s on Alki is celebrating its 15th annual gathering of 35+ Washington wineries on April 28, in the event called Sexy Syrah. Produced by Sommelier David LeClaire and Salty’s Sommelier Tim O’Brien. A portion all tickets will benefit Children’s Hospital in cooperation with John L. Scott Foundation and in partnership with Seattle Uncorked.

The event offers a VIP entrance with media and judges at 5pm for $65 but is otherwise $50 per person and will take place between 6 to 9pm. Seating is limited to only 75 people.

NOTE:
Tickets: Must be purchased in advance at John L. Scott Foundation

The menu:

Buffet
Beef Shank Ragu
paccheri, san marzano, wild oregano

Roasted Leg of Lamb
tandoori masala, mint chimichurri

Wood-Oven Roasted Carrots
gochujang, coriander yogurt

Warm Lentil Salad
baby beet, chevre, frisée, pancetta vinaigrette

Passed Appetizers
Brisket Sliders

Gubernatorial candidate (R) Bill Bryant paid a visit to West Seattle on Tuesday, April 12 to have a meeting with local business leaders, hear their concerns and build support for his campaign. It's uncommon for Republicans to visit West Seattle, long known as a bastion of the Democratic Party but Bryant said he's had strong support in the past in West Seattle. Bryant has been a Port Commissioner since 2008 who announced his candidacy almost a year ago. "I've run twice county wide and I've always done very very well in West Seattle," he said.

Describing himself as "socially libertarian, fiscally responsible and pro environment" Bryant said he came to talk to people about education and transportation and small businesses in West Seattle.

Bryant and his wife live in north Seattle but he said they've looked at property here.
"I like the community, I like the neighborhood feel, and I think it has a solid base of small businesses. He was hosted by West 5 restaurant and lounge owner Dave Montoure and he was joined by attorney Phil Tavel to talk about the local aspects of those larger issues.