September 2018

   Funded with an Airport Communities Ecology grant from the Port of Seattle, SoCoCulture (the South King County Cultural Coalition) this fall is presenting a series of talks on the cultural importance of trees in our local communities.

   At a time when development pressures are forcing the cutting of many wooded tracts throughout South King County, some of the botanical gardens and historical societies that are members in SoCoCulture created an Engaging Trees Initiative to draw attention to the significance of trees in our landscapes and in our lives.

   One of the outcomes was the introduction this summer of a crowd-sourced story-map of trees on the SoCoCulture.org website. Anybody can access the online map to upload a photo of a tree or grove that is special to them, and include a description about why it is important.

The SeaTac City Council is seeking applications from SeaTac residents interested in serving an unexpired term for Council Position Number 5. The position was vacated on September 12, 2018 when Michael J. Siefkes announced he was stepping down from the Council. The council term will run through the November 2019 General Election certification period.

There are two requirements for all applicants for the seat. Pursuant to RCW 35A.12.030, all applicants must be a registered voter in the City of SeaTac on the day they submit their application. In addition, interested applicants must be a resident of the City of SeaTac for a period of at least one year preceding the date of appointment.

Applications are available from the City Clerk at 4800 South 188th Street, SeaTac, WA 98188, or on the City’s website at: http://www.seatacwa.gov/government/city-council.

I'm Melissa Westbrook; I'm the writer/moderator of the Seattle Schools Community Forum blog, the most widely-read public education blog in the state.  I've been a public education advocate for more than 20 years.

I'm writing to you today to let you know that I oppose the City of Seattle's renewal of the Families and Education levy, slated for the November 2018 ballot. 

I came to this decision with sadness because I have voted for and publicly supported this levy since its inception.  But this current levy is a fairly radical change from previous ones - not to mention it is not just a renewal but a larger cost renewal to voters.

I would be happy to talk to you about this issue as you start your coverage of the November elections.

Basically, my issues with the levy are these:

ON HARBOR AVE.

This message is about the trash on Harbor Ave. Please read the following note that I am considering giving to each motor home "camper" on the Ave:

Dear Neighbor,

As you know, My wife and I live on Harbor Ave. This morning, I decided to do what I should have done weeks ago. With this being my day off, I spent most of my morning cleaning up the trash along Harbor Ave. To be more specific, this was the accumulation of trash in the vicinity of the motor homes along the avenue. Would you believe that this required 3 trips with my Dodge minivan to accomplish this task with one trip to the King County Transfer Station, a.k.a. the dump?

Jenny Durkan and City Council members:

Attached are just a few examples of the problems many residents are complaining about regarding Harbor Avenue SW in West Seattle. They are examples of illegally parked vehicles, garbage, forged temporary license permits, unlicensed vehicles, and some of the RV's that have set up camp and have been continually living along Harbor Avenue. 

Harbor Avenue to Alki Avenue is a Seattle Scenic Drive. It is part of the Alki Trail and is heavily used by families, children, walkers, joggers, bicyclists and traffic of all kinds.

What is now commonly referred to as "The RV Park on Harbor Avenue SW in West Seattle" is a dangerous eyesore that has become the talk of our local community. Harbor Avenue in West Seattle is not a Recreational Vehicle Park and should not continue to be allowed to be used as one.

The Wastemobile, a roving household hazardous waste collection service, continues its 2018 season with a collection event in Burien, Sept. 21-23.

The Wastemobile will be in the parking lot of Fred Meyer, at 14300 1st Ave. S., Burien, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Chief Sealth senior Dontae McMillan put on quite a show all night and West Seattle put up a fight in the end.

The result was that Sealth took a big lead and hung on for a 29-14 Huling Bowl victory over the Wildcats at the Southwest Athletic Complex on Friday.

McMillan scored three touchdowns in three different ways, grabbed a share of a tackle for a safety and came through with an interception.

He gained 150 yards as a running back.with one touchdown, caught another and ran a punt back for a third.

"It's my last year and I have to do it for my team," McMillan said.

Twin brother Jalonie McMillan scored the other touchdown for Chief Sealth and also had an interception.

"They had a heck of a night," said Seahawks assistant coach Terry More of the McMillans.

The Cosmo 7K Run and a 5K Run/Walk is set to take over Alki Beach on Sept. 16.

The run will feature out/back courses along the shores of Elliott Bay before returning back to Alki Beach for a post-run celebration new to the Seattle area. After the run is over, the younger runners get their chance in the Cosmo Kids 1/2 Mile Run for boys & girls 10 and under. The finish line festival will once again feature live music, goodies/giveaways and of course… Tito’s Vodka Cosmos for all participants over 21!

Previously an “All-Women’s” Race – In 2018, the organizers are inviting male participants to join in the fun. While they partner with Northwest Hope & Healing, an organization focusing on providing assistance to women undergoing breast or gynecologic cancer treatment, they recognize not only females want to support NW Hope and Healing.or are affected by cancer.