Here’s a thoughtful, thought-provoking piece by Larry Phillips, King County Council, on the trolleys and the future of Metro.
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2010/05/13/the-facts-about-trolley-buses-and-metro-service-cuts
On another note, the Daily Journal of Commerce has a column noting that the ‘First Hill’ streetcar route extends to Pioneer Square, a bit I missed in previous news. That means we could get to the stadiums with only a walk to Broadway…hmmm.
We wrote about the impending arrival of new winery/tasting bar Bottlehouse last week, and they’re opening their doors tomorrow, the same day as Madrona Mayfair.
The shop will be open from 11am-8pm, convenient for those wrapping up Mayfair festivities at 12:30. There will also be live jazz from The Orchid Trio from 4-6pm.
Other upcoming events include the Wilridge Winery release party on May 27 and the official Grand Opening party on June 5.
The Madrona Farmers Market season kicks off tomorrow at 3pm on the corner of MLK and Union with an expanded lineup of vendors for the 2010 season.
The market, held in the Grocery Outlet parking lot, will be open every Friday from 3-7pm through September 24.
We talked with Zachary Lyons, the communications director for the Seattle Farmers Market Association, about what to expect at the market this year – even more local products, and a few new stands that will satisfy those with a sweet tooth.
Lyons said reorganizing the setup of stands in the parking lot has allowed for more room for new vendors. Additionally, almost all prepared food sold will be made predominantly with local ingredients.
“That’s a big shift and something we’re very excited about,” he said.
In addition to the old standbys, here are some of the new items and vendors:
As is now traditional, Chef Michael King of St. Clouds will be hosting a cooking demonstration from 4-5pm.
The Madrona Farmers Market blog has regular updates on what’s at the market on a weekly basis. They’re also on Facebook and Twitter this year, so you can follow updates about what’s fresh there as well.
May 13, 2010
Sustainable Seattle and Walking with Africans presents: Living Harambe Building a Bright Future Together
Sustainable Seattle
Phone: +1.206.622.3522
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Seattle–Sustainable Seattle and Walking with Africans is pleased to announce a joint fundraiser venture called Living Harambe: Building a Bright Future Together. The fundraiser takes place at Hidmo, a local community restaurant and cultural center, and the event will feature world music, food, and opportunities to connect in this vibrant, culturally important locale. The event takes place on Thursday May 20th from 6:30 p.m. until well past sunset.
Hidmo means home and there is no other way to describe the feeling one gets at this local hub of excitement and community. Harambe is a Swahili word that means “pulling together” and that is exactly what Sustainable Seattle and Walking with Africans is doing in this collaboration of like minded not for profit organizations.
As per usual there is a suggested donation, but do not let price be a barrier. We encourage people to pay what they feel is appropriate as we would rather have people there with us, then stay at home on this exciting night of togetherness. The work that is being done from these two organizations is changing lives and growing power. We cannot continue our work without support so please consider sharing in whatever fashion you can.
Walking with Africans
WAF strongly believes that the poor have the capacity and will to transform their own lives. Our mission is to empower the rural poor to tap into their entrepreneurship and establish small business enterprises in order to raise living standards and cultivate a culture of saving and financial independence.
We will offer support through focused mentoring, training and financial backing.
Our core objectives:
A sunny Thursday the 13th in Seattle’s East Precinct:
Today marks the beginning of 2010 Seattle Beer Week, an annual celebration of Puget Sound brews that closes this year on 5/23. 2010 marks the first year the Central District has a venue taking part in Seattle Beer Week. CDNews Sponsor The Bottleneck Lounge is hosting Brewer Kent Larimer of Roslyn Brewing Company tonight from 5 to 8 pm.
- This event features their one and ONLY batch of IPA to be served ANYWHERE in Seattle (they normally make just two beers)
- Featuring Roslyn beer exclusively on tap: Brookside Pale Lager, Roslyn Dark Lager AND Introducing Roslyn IPA!
- All Pints $4
- Brewer Kent Larimer will be on hand to sip some brew and answer questions
- Giveaways all night long
We also have the option of taking part in the Seattle Beer Week events taking place on Capitol Hill.
Last night’s community meeting on the redevelopment of the county’s Youth Services Center site included only slight refinements to the three design options we reported on last month. Apart from the controversial placement of green space in the project, each of the three options share the same overall features for the large six-block property:
As the 12th Avenue corridor continues to develop into a pedestrian-friendly home of new retail and residences, it’s that last point that appears to create the biggest challenge for how the redevelopment project integrates into the surrounding neighborhood.
The county’s architects say they are well aware of that challenge, and are working on ways to address it. Things will be slightly improved if new private development goes into the northernmost block along 12th. But that leaves two other blocks that could lack any connection to the pedestrian environment: one containing the blank wall of the new courthouse, and one with the existing large setback between the street and the 90’s era detention facility that will stay as-is.
The inner centralization of access to the courthouse is driven by security concerns. Architects say that industry standards for court facilities are designed to protect them from all threats, including everything from car bombs to drive-by shooters. Parking can’t be placed under the building, for fear of bombs. And the cost of manned security at entrance points limits the number of doors that can be placed into the building.
One architect at the meeting last night told us that they were looking at ways to include ground-floor retail in the new courthouse building along 12th. But security needs could make that an expensive proposition, requiring heavy concrete blast walls at the back, sides, and top of the retail spaces. The county’s budget on the project is tight, potentially making any pedestrian-friendly features a tough sell.
The county’s will continue working with architects to refine the redevelopment plans over the summer, potentially heading towards a November vote to approve funds for the project.
The new principal of Madrona K-8 school will be Farah Thaxton, Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson announced today in a news release.
The announcement comes four months after former Madrona principal Kaaren Andrews was abruptly tapped for reassignment to head up the Interagency Academy.
As CDNews reported at the time, the news ruffled feathers in the community, as it was initially delivered to parents via a short letter with no explanation for the move. Parents, students and staff held a rally to show their support for Andrews, though as the active comments section shows, Principal Andrews had her share of detractors as well.
Rita Sheckler, president of the Madrona PTSA, learned of the assignment on Friday and said the transition process from Andrews to Thaxton is already in the works. Thaxton officially takes over on July 1, but she will be working closely with Andrews to get up to speed before Andrews’ departure.
“We were all promised a smooth transition and that’s what we’re seeing,” Sheckler said. “I think it was our parents’ and staff’s voices that encouraged a thoughtful transition.”
Thaxton was the preferred pick of the three nominated by the team from Madrona K-8, who interviewed the finalists before making their recommendation to the district. Though the selection committee can list their preferences, the Superintendent has final say over the appointment.
“Ms. Thaxton has several of the attributes that we were seeking in our next principal – previous administration and classroom experience; experience working with a socio-economically and racially diverse population; and K-8 experience,” said Christina Williams, the head of the school’s principal selection team. “She was also able to quickly establish rapport with the Student Council when she interviewed with them.”
Per the release, Thaxton spent three years as a lead kindergarten teacher at Seattle’s Whittier Elementary, one year as a K-12 curriculum and instruction specialist for Victory Schools in the Philadelphia School District, and two years as assistant principal at Philadelphia’s Southwest Leadership Academy. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in sociology/elementary education from Seattle Pacific University and a Master’s Degree in educational leadership/principal certification from the University of Delaware.
On Friday, May 14th, Seattle Community Court community service workers will be clearing the weeds and walkways in the “Butterfly Garden” adjcadent to the Garfield Community Center building (23rd and Cherry, east side). This will ready the garden for the community center participants to begin their Spring Planting!
This project was generated by a member of the Colman Neighbors Association, who noticed the overgrown weeds and contacted Community Court to determine whether we could bring a crew to help. Of course, as a CD resident and community supporter, I agreed (I am also the Program Coordinator of the Seattle Community Court program)
We will begin work at 10 and complete at 2, with a 30 minute lunch at 11:45.
After 2PM, we’ll head out into the neighborhood for a friendly litter pick up until 3:30.
Community Court partners with community stakeholders to identify projects (on public property) that need attention, and we strive to make it happen.
In the spirit of community collaboration, please let me know, before Friday early AM, where we should focus our litter pickup- within 5 or 6 bocks of the Community Center at 23rd and Cherry, along sidewalks and parking strips.
Come by to visit, if you can, and thank the workers for their contribution. I will be there also.
Thanks!
Stephanie Tschida
The Garfield High School Soccer Team won the KingCo Championship last night in front of a packed house at Memorial Stadium! Check out the link to the article in the Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/highschoolsports/2011840973_newberry12.html
The inspired Bulldogs rode that emotion to a 4-1 victory over Skyline and their first KingCo 4A tournament championship, sending Garfield to the state playoffs for the first time since 2002.
“It was very important for me to show up,” said Martinez, a first-year Garfield coach whose injuries stemmed from being kicked in the face during a soccer game. “I’ve grown with this team just as they’ve grown with me. I wanted them to know they have my full support out there.”
Garfield players held the championship trophy high after the game while their coach kept mostly away from the celebration. It was the Bulldogs’ first appearance in the title game, often a showcase for Eastside teams.
“It’s huge,” senior captain Chris Perkins said. “It’s the culmination of all of our efforts.”
Come show your support at the State Tournament!