December 2007

The city is seeking candidates for a vacant position on the Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board. Members of the board are appointed by both the mayor and the City Council to serve renewable, two-year terms. Board members must reside in Seattle and serve without compensation. Applicants of color are encouraged to apply. The board was established in 1993. Board members advise city staff and departments on issues related to pedestrian safety and accessibility.

Seattle will join other communities around Washington to form a coalition to reduce gun violence.

State Rep. Patricia Lantz, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has agreed to sponsor legislation that would deny guns to anyone who has been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility and improve the reporting of mental health information to the National Instant Background Check System.

Gun violence, whether self-inflicted or inflicted by others, remains a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, claiming nearly 30,000 lives each year.

Optimistic despite setbacks

By Dean Wong

With two new coaches and some seniors who did not turn out this year, the Ballard Beavers are moving ahead as the 2007 KingCo season begins.

Former head coach Michael Bruesch has moved to Chicago and Thor Tyson has taken over the program.

Dave Dawson, the diving coach in recent seasons has also moved away from Seattle. His position has been filled by Madison Graham, a University of Washington junior.

Several senior swimmers have decided not to turn out this year for various reasons.

Learn from one of the best minds in KingCo, Karen Blair, head coach of the Ballard Beavers girls basketball program. The Ballard High School Girl's basketball team is holding a Youth Basketball Player Skills Clinic on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is a non-perishable food or cash donation for the Ballard Food Bank. Participants can expect court demonstrations, shooting, passing, ball handling and position play. Coaches are encouraged to bring their whole team to work with as a group. A packet with information on drills for coaches is available on request for $5.

A North Beach Elementary School student goes for a lay up as Seattle Sonic guard Earl Watson watches. Two of physical education teacher Rett Hartmann's classes were treated to a visit by Watson and teammates Mickael Gelebale and Johan Petro on Nov. 6. North Beach takes part in the Presidential Fitness Test and is one of the top schools in the Seattle District in that area. Watson had a good time with the children. "It's fun. I don't think I will ever grow up, that's my problem. It reminds me a grade school in gym class," said Watson, who is 28 years old.

Ever since Ballard Community Hospital was taken over by Swedish Medical Center in 1992, there have been persistent worries and concerns about the future of the institution created by Ballard residents years before. Many in Ballard worried that Swedish would simply chop the place into pieces and sell it off to the highest bidder, stripping it down for cash.

Those worries have held sway even when Swedish Hospital executive after executive said there was no truth to the stories of impending doom.

Current Highline Community College trustee Dr.

Friday, Nov. 30

Boys basketball

Federal Way 72, Ft. Vancouver 59

Aaron Broussard connected for 31 points to lead the Eagles past Fort Vancouver in Friday, Nov. 30 non-league action. Jeff Forbes was next with nine points, while Andre Barrington scored eight and Ian Tevis seven.

Girls basketball

TJ 66, Stadium 35

1. Federal Way police responded to a warning call that an unnamed person was being suicidal. The incident took place at an apartment complex at 2100 South 336th Street. The call came in around 3:32 p.m. on November 18. Upon arriving at the scene, officers determined that the suicidal subject was nowhere to be found. It was later determined during their investigation that the subject made suicidal threats and caused self-inflicted injuires. Federal Way police then issued a be-on-the-lookout notice to help locate the subject.

People are recognizing the need to help others this holiday season in and around the Federal Way community, and thanks to Woodstone Credit Union, local donors will have another opportunity to make their donations stretch a little farther this year.

In November, Woodstone Credit Union did something a little bit different when it came to collecting for Federal Way's Multi-Service Center Food Bank.

In addition to collecting several bags of food, it raised funds and matched them for a total donation of $500 for the food bank.

Due to the quick and immediate suc