September 2016

By: Bill Will

We're all sick of the presidential race. Let's talk some Washington state politics, OK? Here are thoughts of a cynical, jaded independent on the statewide races, worth exactly the price of an expired Discover Pass.

Governor
Jay Inslee (D)
Bill Bryant (R)

There are dozens of bright, energetic Democrats who would make competent governors. Then there is Jay Inslee, the embodiment of the word "feckless." But he's got that "D" on his ballot next to his name, so he'll win handily.
I'd be tempted to vote for Bryant, but his association with the Port of Seattle gives me great pause. POS is the perfect acroynm. If it were run by a man with a name ending in a vowel, it would be the subject of an FBI RICO investigation.

Lt. Governor

Cyrus Habib (D)

Marty McClendon (R)

On Oct. 14 the Museum hosts "Spaceman: An Evening with Astronaut Mike Massimino," a reception, lecture and book signing with the engaging spacewalker who refurbished the Hubble Space Telescope during two shuttle flights, including the fifth and final Hubble servicing mission. Massimino is an aerospace engineer, space robotics expert and has played himself on two episodes of TV's hit, "The Big Bag Theory." The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a lecture and book signing from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Do Not Open White Center Emergency Shelter in Residential Neighborhood

The people of White Center are very upset about the Emergency Shelter that is going to open on November 1st of this year. It is set to be located on the corner of 108th and 8th Ave SW. Our community is asking you to put this permit on hold in order for us to have a fair and effective conversation about alternative locations. We, as a community, feel like we know the area extremely well and could offer insight into a location that is best for the homeless folks it will be serving, as well as the community as a whole.
It is truly unfortunate that this has been in planning since November 2015 and the community, including those within 500 feet of the location were just notified one week ago, six weeks before opening day. The neighborhood should have been involved in this decision and are extremely unhappy that they weren't afforded that respect.

This is not a good location for multiple reasons:

Merriam-Webster defines water as “The clear liquid that has no color, taste or smell that falls from clouds as rain that forms streams, lakes and seas, and that is used for drinking, washing, etc.”

In college, our dorm defined it as “A substance found in beer.”

Water is a pretty big deal, it seems---whether expectorated, perspired, peed or cried out.

And we gotta have it. Often.

After all, some people have been known to survive two weeks or more without food. For example, I can go a very long time without kale, lutefisk or pig’s feet.

Perhaps only a handful of men can last three weeks without a TV remote---except during the Seahawks season when some have perished in the middle of long commercial breaks.

But next to air---which all but pearl divers, cattle auctioneers and infomercial spokespeople need frequently---most people can’t go much beyond 3 or 4 days without guzzling some H2o.

By Amanda Knox
 
Last week Chris and I threw a housewarming party. It used to be that a couple didn’t move in together until they were married and ready to start a family. In the 1950s, my Oma lived in an all-female dormitory, and only came into contact with men her age at specially organized dances, like the one where she met my Opa. Social norms loosened up significantly by the 1980s, but my mom was still living with her sister prior to getting married and moving in with my dad.
 
Back then, a housewarming party was like a baby shower. It was expected that the new couple needed furnishings and housewares. Furthermore, it used to be much more common that couples settled into their new homes for the long run. Even if they couldn’t afford to buy their house yet, they were investing themselves in a community. They could expect that their future kids would be riding bikes and building forts with the other kids on the block.
 

information from SDOT

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that work on the SW Admiral Way Safety Project in West Seattle will start on Wednesday, September 28, and last for about one week, depending on weather.

Starting at 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28, travelers can expect:

• No parking on both sides of SW Admiral Way between California Ave SW and 63rd Ave SW
to keep a travel lane in each direction open
• Existing striping will be removed Wednesday; new striping will be installed Thursday and Friday
• Temporary lane closures and lane shifts around the work area; flaggers will be present to direct traffic
• Sidewalks will remain open during work; people biking on the sidewalk must yield to people walking at all times
• People biking should use alternate routes during construction
• Construction equipment, trucks, noise and activity will be in the area for about one week

By Peggy Sturdivant

I thought my student Olive Royal was kidding when she said she’d have a dog with her at our meeting. She was not. I perked up when I met the dog.

The dog with Olive had the head of a black Labrador on a Corgi’s body. The dog has paws that turn out and make him look like he’s a seal out of water. His name is Ink.

“We have a dog date,” I told Olive.

By coincidence I’d arranged with Canon Britt Olsonat St. Luke’s Episcopal to photograph her puppy Sally. I was planning to write about the Blessing of the Animals scheduled for Sunday, October 2, 2016 at Ballard Commons.

Sally also has the head of a black Labrador, but on the legs of a greyhound. Their mismatched match-up was perfect.

It was the ultimate dog frolic. Ink and Sally. Sunshine. Ballard Commons. One short. One tall. Both with sleek black coats.

If you would like to obtain some well considered financial advice, contact Sarah Cecil 206-938-6017.

Brought to you by Sarah Cecil Financial Advisor with Edwards Jones Investments.

Sponsored post.

Dance MS
West Seattle Senior Center
4217 S.W. Oregon St.
Sat., Oct. 1, 7–10 p.m. Three hours of live swing dance music from the West Seattle Big Band, plus live and silent auction, to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society! Come swing for a cure! $15 suggested donation; includes hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks. No-host bar provided. For more information visit www.dancems.org, email brooke@dancems.org or call 206.659.9391.

Daystar Toastmasters
Daystar Retirement Village
2615 S.W. Barton
Sat., Oct. 1, 10–11 a.m. Come as a guest to experience the safe, supportive atmosphere in which you can grow your communication and leadership skills. Improve your ability to think-on- your-feet and become more comfortable speaking to groups. Meetings are the first and third Sat. morning each month. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early for orientation. For more information visit daystarclub.toastmastersclubs.org. or call Bill at 206.932.6706.

White Center Bike Playground Grand Opening
Dick Thurnau Memorial Park
11050 10th Ave. S.W.

Alki Ave. SW was a pedestrian and bike riders paradise on Sunday Sept. 25 as the Seattle Parks Department staged Seattle Summer Parkways, an outreach and community enjoyment event.

The Orca Half Marathon was staged during the event, various City Departments had a chance to talk to folks from at CityScoop (offering free ice cream). There was bike decorating and a Kids Bike Parade from FamilyBike Seattle, Education and Creative Art Projects with The Seal Sitters. Food trucks on hand including Anchor End Pretzel Sandwiches, Neema's Southern Comfort Foods, Mini The Doughnuts and Off The Rez.

Part of the fun was provided by Harry Helmet, Bike Bingo from Cascade Bicycle Club, Books on Bikes from Seattle Public Library, Bike decorating and Kidical Mass kids bike parade with Family Bike Expo.
People heard live music from Ephrata.

At one end there was a Bike Rodeo for kids with West Seattle Bike Connections. The Seattle Humane Society MaxMobile was promoting pet adoption on site.

People could learn about HALA from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
There were free bike rentals from Pronto Cycle Share