June 2016

by Lindsay Peyton
Passions were running high at tonight’s city council meeting in Burien.

A number of animal owners holding signs in support of Burien Community Animal Resource and Education Society (CARES) were in the audience – and several stepped up to the microphone to voice their concerns about discontinuing the services of the current animal control provider.

The local animal shelter was a hot topic on the agenda during the council’s regular meeting, held at 7 p.m. in the City Hall building, 400 SW 152nd St. in Burien Town Square.

The city council moved the last item of its business agenda – a discussion of provider options for animal control – to the top of the list.

Council members were considering terminating the city’s contract with CARES, a local organization, and using the Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) instead.

During the public comment session, Burien residents relayed their concerns over increased costs associated with the county’s proposed contract.

Crowds gathered on closed streets and sidewalks at Ballard Avenue N.W. and 20th Avenue N.W., spilling out of bars, restaurants and cycle shops to catch the 23rd annual Criterium in Ballard on June 4.

Hundreds of people gathered to witness what’s commonly called the "The Ballard Crit" when hundreds of riders sprint at face-theft speeds on the bumpy streets of Ballard – all for the glory of course and a little cash.

The course is a four-corner, one kilometer gauntlet on bumpy city streets “with a very slight side hill,” and ran from at Ballard Avenue N.W. and 20th Avenue N.W. to a descent on Vernon Place onto Shilshole then to Dock Street and back up Ballard Avenue.

Racers are fast, aggressive and push peddles across the knotty cobblestone of Ballard Avenue and Dock Street; a place where one spectator said “all the action” takes place. By action, he meant a “yard sale” of carbon fiber frames, wheels, limbs and screams.

Luckily, there were no pile-ups this year and no injuries to speak of, but that didn’t deter spectators from congesting that area hoping to “see something” as woman with a camera said.

he Ballard High Fiddlers will play at their 3rd annual FIDDLE SHOWCASE on THURSDAY, JUNE 9TH at 6:30pm at Ballard Homestead (6541 Jones Ave NW). The Ballard Fiddlers will be joined by the award-winning Blues duet of Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons, and the Rain City Ramblers.

Wear your dancing shoes!!! That's right, enjoy the concert, stay on for some square dancing. No experience is necessary and all dances will be taught by a guest caller backed by the music of the Ballard Fiddlers.
This is a special annual event that features this group playing traditional tunes with a bluegrass bent. They are directed by Brittany Newell and are part of the orchestra program and concerts, but this night is theirs alone and the foot-tapping music and down-home fun is infectious.

Tickets are $6 for students, $7 for adult advance purchases, $10 at the door. http://fremontabbey.org/june9ballard/

Even though we can't save the viaduct, we can save our spectacular view. Initiative 123 locates our downtown waterfront park promenade up where the best view is, where the most beauty is, where the greatest value and public benefit is and where the most people will be attracted to visit.

The SDOT plan for the downtown waterfront locates the wide park promenade down on the street level of Alaskan Way between the freight route arterial and the touristy amusements on the piers where views are very limited and the tone is decidedly commercial. The commercial uses there are very seasonal so a big wide boardwalk there will be extremely hard to program and will be empty much of the year as it is now, but bigger.

Initiative 123 puts the promenade up where the view is on a brand new garden bridge. It's peacefully above the traffic where you can see over the piers to the spectacular Northwest territorial view of the mountains and Elliott Bay on one side and the entire downtown skyline on the other. Alaskan Way Elevated Park would be an inspiring and elegant park promenade with spectacular views and acres of gardens.

The two-day, all ages and free community celebration, The Ballard SeafoodFest, announces an all-new lineup for the 2016 event. Featured are local legends and up and coming favorites. Ballard comes alive from July 9 and 10 to serve the best community event of the year. Enjoy live music and all the seafood you can eat at the Ballard SeafoodFest.

Headlining the 2016 Ballard SeafoodFest is local grunge legend, Mudhoney, headed by the infamous Mark Arm, Steve Turner, Dan Peters and Guy Maddison. Notable alternative duo, Helio Sequence, will also deliver their kinetic energy to the stage with their nu-wave, northwest sound.

Full Lineup:

July 9, 1pm to 10pm
Mudhoney
Helio Sequence
Smokey Brights
Maszer
Wild Powwers
The Pro & The Con
July 10, noon to 9pm
Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme
Polyrhythmics
Fly Moon Royalty
Polecat
Rabbit Wilde
School of Rock

information from FEMA

Emergency Operations and Coordination Centers (EOC) at all levels of government and the private sector in Washington, Oregon and Idaho will activate June 7-10 as part of ‘Cascadia Rising,’ a national level exercise that will simulate a 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami along the Washington and Oregon coast. Thousands of people, including military personnel, will participate to test a joint response to one of the most complex disaster scenarios facing the Pacific Northwest.

“A 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake will be a disaster unlike anyone has ever seen,” said Ken Murphy, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 10. “Cascadia Rising will test our own preparedness. It is exercises like this, ahead of a disaster, that foster coordination and help build relationships before a real world event occurs.”

Dear Mr. Ken Robinson,

The purpose of this letter is to add my voice to those who support Washington State adopting a progressive state income tax. I am a math teacher and author for the Transition 2030 research project. Today the project has two websites: www.future4washington.webs.com and www.transition2030.webs.com. The first website is a presentation in favor of a progressive state income tax.

The Washington State Treasurer’s Office publishes a report each year called the Debt Affordability Study. This report shows that the State of Washington is currently over $20 billion in debt. Each year the Legislature passes a “balanced budget.” However this budget is “balanced” by borrowing money.

Currently forty-three states place an income tax on individuals. Forty- seven states place an income tax on corporations. One feature of a state income tax is that both individual and corporate state income taxes are deductible from Federal income taxes. In fact, there is no cost or “financial burden” associated with a progressive state income tax to individuals or corporations.

by Lindsay Peyton

Laura Quinn, community coordinator for the county’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Division, invites anyone interested in creating a healthier environment for teens and children in the area to join a new coalition.

The group will have its next meeting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21 at Denny International Middle School, located at 2601 SW Kenyon St.

Community members interested in joining may attend – and help guide the nascent organization as it moves forward.

Quinn explained that in 2012 the state changed the way it appropriates funding for substance abuse prevention programs.

“Instead of giving a lot of agencies a little money, they decided they would concentrate funding in higher need areas,” Quinn said. “They wanted to have community involvement as well.”

The new strategy meant bringing schools directly into the process of educating youth about the risks of drug and alcohol use.

by Lindsay Peyton

Thieves broke into South Seattle College, located at 6000 16th Avenue SW, around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31. Officers arrived on the scene to find a broken gate, a wrecked glass door and a missing ATM machine.

The machine was later recovered unopened in the yard of a home on the 3900 block of SW 97th St. Robbery detectives detained and interviewed one male resident at the house, but then released him. Officers are continuing to investigate the case.

Detectives are still looking for a white Chevrolet pickup truck with a crew cab, which they believe was used in the break-in. Contact the SPD Southwest Precinct Burglary Unit with information about the case by calling (206) 233-2623.

Store clerk assaulted on Delridge Way SW

Officers arrived around 12:45 a.m. on Thursday May 26 at a store on the 9000 block of Delridge Way SW – to find the clerk inside had been assaulted and was in need of medical attention. The man had a laceration on his forehead and was bleeding excessively from his nose.

Barton Neighborhood RainWise Info Event
Brace Point Pottery
4208 S.W. 100th St.
Sat., June 11, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. RainWise outreach staff will have information and answers to your questions about the rebate program and how to participate during the final months the Barton basin is eligible. Attend this neighborhood event and get started with RainWise before it is too late. For more information contact Sonja Sivesind at sonja@urbansystemsdesign.com.

Rudy’s and RealFine Coffee Parking Lot Party
Rudy’s & RealFine parking lot
4480 Fauntleroy Way S.W.
Sat., June 11, 5–10 p.m. Rudy’s Barbershop, Realfine Coffee, PAC NW and Plus One Presents have teamed up to bring the West Seattle community an amazing summer’s eve of local music, art, drinks and more! Get a trim and meet your neighbors! Free and all ages. Visit www.facebook.com/events/250606628628610/.

Discovery Shop
4535 California Ave. S.W.
206.937.7169