April 2006

I want to thank the wonder staff and employees at the Jefferson Square Safeway, and all of the folks in the West Seattle community that helped and donated to the Chief Sealth Band coupon drive. The money raised has been used in the past for uniforms, music and musical instruments for our wonderful student musicians. Their next public performance will be the Spring Concert June 8 at the Sealth auditorium. Thanks to everyone for their support.

Dave Vague

Fairmount Park

In the long running TV show MASH, Corporal Klinger dressed like a woman hoping to get out of the Army by proving that he was loony.

Last week the King County Council and King County Executive Ron Simms placed lunacy into law by passing an ordinance that would allow a male teacher to show up and teach his third grade class in women's clothes. The ordinance also makes it illegal for the school to reprimand the teacher for doing so.

Sounds loony? That's not all.

President Ford once said, "The American wage earner and the American housewife are a lot better economists than most economists care to admit."

That might explain why, despite the sky-is-falling cries of "neo-economists" who predict unemployment, Americans consistently support raising the minimum wage. Why? They don't believe these hired Chicken Littles - with good reason.

It's never been clearer than today that higher minimum wages do not increase unemployment. Ironically, we have the Bush administration and this Republican Congress to thank for that.

Can West Seattle maintain its cherished small-town atmosphere in the face of large new developments getting ready to break ground near the Junction?

Plans have been announced for two new "mixed-use" projects on Alaska Street that will stand eight and six stories tall respectively and bring 350 new apartments, a QFC grocery store and a Whole Foods Market to the Junction. Not only will these new structures add hundreds of residents, they will change the look and feel of Alaska Street.

THE COUNTY OF KING

NO: 06-4-02400-9SEA

PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS

RCW 11.40.030

In the matter of the estate of: RUTH M. DAY, Deceased.

THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED BELOW has been appointed as personal representative of this estate.

A Ballard icon abruptly closed its doors last week. The Yankee Grill a family-style restaurant on Shilshole Avenue that served as one of the few large catering facilities in downtown Ballard, was permanently shut down by its owners on Monday, April 3rd.

The restaurant is owned by the Spectra Group of Great Restaurants, a Vancouver B.C. based company.

If anyone had any doubt about the availability of local food in March, once they saw the spread at Eat Local Now, those doubts were gone. That was the point of holding the sold out gathering, on March 30th, in the first place. Well, one of the points.

"There are many reasons to eat locally," said Bradley Hole, an organizer of the event, billed as "A Ballard food fest".

"Locally grown food tastes better. Local produce is healthier for you. Local food supports local independent family farmers. Local food builds community.

After winning its first six games in a row, the Ballard Beavers fast-pitch softball team was off to its best start in years, then the team began its KingCo schedule against much tougher opponents.

The Beavers trounced non-league opponents Eastside Catholic, West Seattle, Mercer Island, Interlake before defeating KingCo school Garfield 6-0 on March 23.

Ballard was finally stopped by Skyline in a 7-0 loss and Lake Washington 2-0.

In track and field, the Ballard Beavers made the long journey to Skyline High School in Sammamish and finished second to the Spartans last Thursday.

Some of Ballard's best athletes were nursing injuries and sat out the meet.

Skyline dominated the meet 106.5 to Ballard's 42.5 points. Juanita came in third with 21 points. Skyline is a top athletic power and has been a thorn in the sides of KingCo teams in all sports. The school will move to the 3A level next year.

Ballard is 1 and 2 for the season.

A functional and happy parent to child relationship comes from relating to and respecting your children, not controlling them.