January 2007

At least nine people stood atop the Aurora Bridge last year where they contemplated ending their lives.

No one knows how long it took to decide, nor what their last thoughts were. But eventually, they were each desperate enough to heave themselves off the bridge where they fell more than 100 feet to their deaths.

On average, someone attempts suicide by jumping from the Aurora Bridge every three months, about four per year. The bridge has been the site of 40 suicides since 1995.

The aftermath of these deaths is largely unseen.

Unlicensed pets could fetch a hefty fine this year if Seattle Animal Shelter officers can catch them.

Thanks to a $250,000 boost in its annual budget the shelter has hired three additional officers, increasing its patrol staff to 15 as part of its "zero-tolerance policy."

Officers will be out patrolling parks, off-leash areas and neighborhoods in excess of 100 hours per week, up from 20 hours per week during the last few years, said Don Jordan, director of the Seattle Animal Shelter.

"It really gives us the opportunity to expand our services," he said.

Violinist Hilary Hahn plays Bach at Tractor Tavern - after a Benaroya gig

By Kate Levin

By 1:30 a.m. Sunday, the crowd at Ballard's Tractor Tavern had mostly cleared out, but for a few dedicated Hilary Hahn fans.

The next Seattle Schools' superintendent should breed inspiration within the community while also possessing strong leadership skills and sound financial know-how, parents told the national search firm hired to look for a new district chief.

About 12 people came to Whitman Middle School last Wednesday evening to tell representatives from the Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based company, Ray and Associates, what characteristics they'd like to have in a new district leader.

Getting from West Seattle to wherever on the bus is now just a Google away thanks to the next generation of online trip planning from King County and Google.

"This partnership between Metro and Google combines 21st century technology in a way that delivers sheer simplicity," King County Executive Ron Sims said.

Metro has provided the public with trip planning on its Web site for nearly five years, but the new Google product makes planning a trip on Metro even more convenient, Sims said.

Seattle set a new record for recycling rates, with 52.1 percent of residential garbage heading to recycling bins instead of the landfills.

The residential recycling rate climbed by 2.7 percentage points compared to 2004 and was 2.2 percentage points higher that the previous record set in 1995. The figures are based on an annual waste audit conducted by Seattle Public Utilities.

"Seattle is once again leading the way on recycling, thanks to the commitment of residents across the city," Mayor Greg Nickels said.

The Ballard News-Tribune would like to clarify the opening paragraph of the article titled, "School bon-levy debated," that was published Jan. 17, 2007.

While Ballard area schools would not receive any major construction projects from the $490 million capitol bond, each school in the district would get an equal share of the $397 million programs and operations levy, which makes up about 23 percent of the district's general budget and funds basic educational programs.

Both measures will go before Seattle voters in a special election Feb. 6.

Injuries, weather hampered team

By Dean Wong

The Ballard Beavers gymnastics team has been dealing with injuries and the weather, but the squad is expected to finish their season on a strong note.

Both sophomore Johanna Juarez (knee) and senior Jayna Lehman (wrist) have taken time off to get healthy.

The team has only participated in three meets so far thanks to mother nature. "It's been difficult with all the snow days," said Lehman.

Despite the weather, head coach Stephanie Gundel had the team practicing, adding some weekend sessions.

The expansion of West Seattle's esteemed Elliott Bay Brewery to Burien's Main Street was the tipping point for me.

Now, I'm really excited about Burien's future.

For a skeptical columnist, it was dicey for a while.

A few years ago, the city began renovating Southwest 152nd into Burien's Main Street with trees, benches, a funky street clock and a welcoming arch.

The remodeling was expensive and a burdensome intrusion on already struggling businesses.

Finally it was finished. It looked beautiful.

Snow, wind and the deep freeze -- should we next be expecting locusts or frogs? Probably most local gardeners have had all the winter we care for and are ready for spring.

Well, spring does comes early in Puget Sound country with the annual Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle.