Seattle Public Utilities has decided that the best location for building a $70 million truck-to-rail intermodal trash facility is south of Georgetown. It's a decision that doesn't necessarily set well with many in the surrounding communities, conceded SPU spokesman Andy Ryan.But the intermodal site is a critical component in the agency's $160 million plan, which includes improving and expanding the existing run-down transfer stations in South Park and Wallingford for $50 million and $40 million, respectively, he said.Identified in the Solid Waste Facilities Master Plan, an intermodal site is necessary to handle an estimated 450,000 tons of trash a year and to reach the city goal of recycling 60 percent of the waste stream, according to Tim Croll, director of the solid-waste division at SPU.The city currently trucks down containers of trash and recyclables from the north and south transfer stations to a privately run South Seattle location.
Since their debut eight years ago, the Pork-Filled Players have presented an irreverent view of American life as seen through Asian-American eyes. Shows like "Red, Blue and Pork" or "In the Mood for Lard" mixed political satire with social commentary, but always aimed more for the funny bone than the jugular. The Pork-Filled Players returns to the Hill for a late-night run at Richard Hugo House in July.The "pork" in the company's name refers not only to the Asian cuisine but also to the love of "ham" in all actors. The current group of players includes producer Roger Tang, Brian Beckley, Virginia Gabby, Maggie Lee, Edward Tonai, Owen Yen, Yvette Zaepfel, and director Linda Lombardi.Tang is not surprised that the Pork-Filled Players have survived eight years to become one of the longest running sketch comedy groups in the city. "I'm stubborn," said Tang, who helped formed the original Pork-Filled Players in 1998 and has stayed with it through all its incarnations. "But I'm a little surprised that there have been so many changes in the group over the years. Some people left for Los Angeles. Some got married and moved to Hong Kong. We did suggest that they send back some single comedians from there."Although that import scheme didn't work, new players have appeared when needed. Today, Tang calls the group's current comedy stronger than ever.
When we're not busy uncovering the high jinks of our mayor and his wealthy backers, or striving to save low-income housing from destruction by developers, or urging the Seattle City Council to hold Seattle Authority accountable for its use of public funds, we both have a pastime for relaxation and renewal - watching birds.Right here in the city a secret world unfolds to those who know how and where to look. Anna's hummingbirds, the males with shining magenta heads, guard their favorite flower patches. Flickers drum on light poles and hollow trees and even gutters in the spring to announce their courtship. Sharp-shinned hawks swoop down to seize an unsuspecting chickadee. In migration, flocks of warblers flit through treetops heading north. Making spaceTo live with nature in the city is a profound experience. It lifts us out of our immediate concerns to realize we are part of something larger, a network of living beings. But this is an experience that has little or no value in our urban planning decisions. As Seattle grows denser, and as trees are removed to make room for bigger buildings, there is less room for any other species besides us.
This is a story of the new parade along the old route and the old parade along the new route.On the Saturday afternoon before the big gay shebang downtown, a "Dyke March" and rally occurred on the old Pride parade route along Broadway. It ran barely a half hour from front to finish, following a full afternoon of speeches and songs at the preceding rally outside the main entrance to Seattle Central Community College.The march began, as did the Sunday parade, with the veteran noisemakers known as "Dykes on Bikes." Then came the main attraction, hundreds of women gathering and walking up the street. A few of them held placards, bearing such slogans as "Chick Magnet." But most of the march's participants were content to make a statement simply by their collective presence, accompanied by non-unison shouts and high-fives.Following the marchers came a brief sampling of attractions from the Sunday Pride parade. (For a "women's" event, there were a lot of condoms thrown to the audience and shirtless men dancing on parade floats.)Yes, it was much smaller than the big Sunday parade.But it may have been the biggest local public spectacle ever in which lesbians weren't overshadowed by either gay men or straight women.
The first ever Capitol Hill Independence Day Community Picnic took place on Sunday, July 2, in Cal Anderson Park. The day featured numerous musical performers, a salmon bake and a large inflatable jump toy for the kids. The event was put together by the newly formed Cal Anderson Parks Events Committee and Seattle Parks and Recreation.
There are no drunks, drug users, panhandlers or bums at Tent City 3. The residents are careful to maintain their temporary encampments, make sure there is no noise after 9 p.m. and minimize impacts to the neighborhood. That is probably why, when Tent City moved back to the St. Joseph's parish school playground in late June, after a two-year absence, there were no protests, no anger and no resistance from the neighborhood."It has been a very smooth transition for them to come back here," said Steve Wodzanowski, a St. Joseph's Parish staff member. "It seems like wherever they move in the city I don't think they draw that much attention."When Tent City 3, a shelter project by Share/Wheel, a city-sponsored non-profit shelter agency, was first invited to St. Joseph's, at 19th Avenue East and East Aloha Street, the neighborhood was wary, apprehensive and alarmed. The self-policing group turned out to be such a responsible, good neighbor that neighborhood resignation has turned into welcome. Such acceptance is in stark contrast to the reaction to Tent City 4, a similar roving homeless shelter that has generated often heated opposition on the Eastside."This year everyone who calls wants to help out in some way," Wodzanowski said.Tent City 3 is a place for people who have found themselves homeless to get back on their feet. Rent is free, and a third to a half of the 100 or so residents have regular jobs. All the residents are adults, there are no families with children, though there are couples. Downtown homeless shelters do not allow couples to stay together and, according to Tent City residents, do not provide the sense of security and community they find in Tent City.Jeffrey "Hollywood" Moorer is a Tent City resident. He says his situation is a little different from the average resident, but it is likely that all of the stories are different. There does not seem to be a single, typical path to homelessness.
Knights "reined" at parkThe Seattle Knights put on a terrific performance June 3 at Bridle Trails State Park and entertained approximately 400 people for more than four hours. There were knights on horseback jousting and many battles for king and honor. They were at times funny, exciting and always entertaining. They also sang some wonderful songs for the crowd. The troupe is comprised of people from all walks of life.Actors and stuntmen as well as computer specialists, nuclear physicists, housewives, engineers, real estate agents, mechanics, horse trainers, and artists all come together with only one thing in common - they love to swing swords! The Seattle Knights are fantastic actors and story tellers; they really draw the crowd in. They were especially terrific with the children and went out of their way to engage and entertain them. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of skill and practice to choreograph and perform with real swords and not hurt yourself or anyone else. The Seattle Knights Academy of Armored Combat Choreography teaches historical and performance fighting techniques for a variety of weapons as well as hand-to-hand combat. All classes are conducted by a certified instructor.
"In the good old summertime, in the good old summertime..." the song goes. I am beginning to think we here in Juanita are making our own "good, old times" as I look at all of the summer activities from here until into September.Historically speaking, Juanita has always been a crossroads for the region. It seems this tradition continues with many events intended for the entire city - as well as the neighborhood - this summer.Regular and ongoing activities include the first Sunday (meet in the parking lot at 1 p.m.) and third Tuesday of the month (meet at 8 a.m., bring binoculars) interpretive tours at Juanita Bay Park. The latter is hosted by the East Lake Washington Audubon Society. Kayak and canoe rentals are at Juanita Beach Park; also there is beach volleyball, ultimate Frisbee and kayak polo. And, though it is not strictly a neighborhood event, the Kirkland Wednesday Market goes all summer, with the addition of two evenings this summer - July 19 and Aug.16.
A room for her loomAs I was looking at the Kirkland Artists Studio Tour brochure on Mother's Day weekend, I noticed that one of the artist's studios was here in the Highlands: Lynn Pinkoske, Fiber Ware. I went to Lynn's and found a room filled with people admiring felt bags and hand-woven scarves, tunics, shawls and jackets in beautiful colors and textures. This was Lynn's first year in the studio tour. "It was very enriching to be part of a community event like this," she said. "I was the sole fiber artist."Lynn started out making felted handbags, and now designs and weaves one-of-a-kind scarves and clothing. She uses a variety of fibers, including rayon, silk, bamboo, wool and cotton. The handbags are knitted and then "felted" by washing and shrinking in hot water. The result is a thick, dense, felt-like fabric. She embellishes the bags with hand-embroidered yarn patterns.
The other day I came across an advertisement that asked, "What's your reason for being healthy?" I feel like this question needs to be paired with another, "What's your reason for not being healthy?" Fact is, some transitions must be approached from both directions.Awareness is vital -awareness of what we're moving away from and what we're moving toward. Looking at only one side of the equation is like riding a bike without both wheels attached - difficult to get moving! This dual perspective has been a requirement for significant transitions in my own life, including the cultivation of healthy habits.Back in college, I encountered the stark realization that positive thinking alone would not get me what I wanted in life. Throughout my childhood, I was very shy until I came to know people fairly well. When I got to college, I can remember going out with friends and observing how much more fun it looked to have the ability to meet strangers and immediately enjoy meaningful conversation. Finally, I realized that I was just holding on to my words in some effort to protect myself from the unknown. I made a new choice to focus on others I was meeting, and to help them feel welcome. The moment I let go of protecting my own discomfort, the shyness melted away.
People have great expectations when they visit a dietitian for the first time. They are motivated and ready to make real changes in their lives. I have seen many clients with serious health problems - often caused by reckless, addictive or otherwise dysfunctional lifestyles.Naturally, I talk about the importance of sound nutrition, the need to exercise and the dangers of alcohol and nicotine. That is what gets discussed on the surface. In most cases, it doesn't address the real issues. It's only the tip of the iceberg. What lurks beneathUnhealthy lifestyles are typically symptomatic for ailments that lie much deeper. People who have otherwise happy and fulfilling lives don't normally exhibit self-destructive behavior. Consequently, I don't believe in treatments that deal only with the symptoms and don't to go to the root of the problem at hand. Prescribing a weight loss and exercise program may be a good and even necessary first step, but it can only go so far - like kicking tires when buying a used car: you don't learn much about the other parts that may need fixing. The picture has to be much larger.
Studio East presents its ninth annual Summer Teen Musical at Kirkland Performance Center the weekend of July 28, 29 and 30. This summer's production is "Footloose," the Broadway musical adapted from the movie of the same name. The story is a classic tale of teen rebellion-telling the story of Ren, a teenager who moves to a small town in the West, causing a major case of culture shock for streetwise Ren. Though he tries hard to fit in, he can't quite believe that he is living in a place where rock music and dancing are illegal."Footloose" features a cast of 55 Eastside teens in a fast-moving show that combines exciting dance choreography and realistic and moving scenework. The production is directed by Marianni Magnuson, musically directed by Susan Bardsley and choreographed by Sheri Lewis. The production will be at Kirkland Performance Center on July 28 and 29 at 7:30 pm, and at 2:30 p.m on July 29 and 30. Kirkland Performance Center is located at 350 Kirkland Ave. Tickets are $14 and can be ordered from the KPC box office at 893-9900. "Footloose" is recommended for ages 10 and up.
Nestled in and among the galleries, restaurants and shops on Park Lane is a trove of healers and artists who - somewhat serendipitously - have created a mecca of healing and art. The eight alternative-medicine practitioners at The Park Lane Wellness Center will treat what ails you with massage, acupuncture, reflexology and hypnotherapy.But there's more. Most of them are also prolific artists, and as such they hope to promote the healing process with their myriad of watercolors, acrylics and photographs that grace the walls of the waiting room and lobby. They will also be participating in the July 13 Kirkland Art Walk with an open house, from 6-9 p.m., where four of the practitioners will be featuring their work. "My first love is healing people," says co-owner/ massage practitioner/artist Donna Ray, who along with fellow massage practitioner/singer Denise Ragnone, have attempted to create a milieu that encourages people to heal in unique and creative ways ... but first the daily buzz has to be interrupted. "People walk in, come up the stairs and immediately notice the aromatherapy and the art on the walls. People love our space because it's quiet. It's all about you."
Rightfully so, a full palette of oils, acrylics and watercolors courses through the veins of Billy Davis.His mother was a painter; his mother's father was a composer and writer; his two uncles were painters. One of these uncles - his mother's brother - was also a furniture maker and "had a vast library of dinosaur books," according to Davis. The other - his dad's brother - had a "really positive influence in my life; he was very loyal and protective of the kids. We were very close," Davis remembers. This particular uncle also had the distinction of successfully escaping from San Quentin prison in California in the late '60s, all the while camped out in the Davis' back yard."He was a very artistic fellow," says Davis, who was 7 or 8 at the time. "We were very close. I didn't necessarily comprehend the social implications but I knew it was high adventure."Eventually, he was found and returned to prison, where he would continue to paint. Davis reminisces protectively. "He was an incredibly magical persona and a musician. There was an element of coming together with his death [in 1994].
Summerfest schedule: July 14, 2-9 p.m.; July 15, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; July 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.As downtown Kirkland attracts increasing attention for its high-quality galleries, Kirkland Arts Center is setting the standard of what a community-based arts center can be.Catering to the 40,000 or so patrons expected to attend, more than 120 juried artists will exhibit, demonstrate and sell artwork in clay, glass, wood, painting, photography and jewelry.Kirkland Avenue will be devoted to demonstrating artists and artists in action, with sparks flying as festival- goers try fiery raku-style ceramics, molten bronze casting and glass fusing. KAC's artist-in-action booths give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at artmaking, as well as the chance to explore their own artistry.