March 2008

In the highly competitive sport of rock climbing, a group of young people in Ballard has begun to stand out among northwest teams.

The Stone Gardens Junior Climbing Team's 12 members practice twice a week for three hours under the watchful eye of coach Jeremy Bowler. Ranging in age from 11- to 19-years-old, half of the team is made up of Ballard residents.

"We work on special techniques for strength and fitness. Our overall goal is to go to climbing competitions in the Northwest, regionally and nationally," said Bowler.

Half of the team is new to the sport.

North Beach Elementary School had its science fair on Friday, March 14 and almost a hundred students participated.

Actual scientists in the community, including a physicist, a chemistry teacher and the medical examiner of Snohomish County, judged the third- through fifth-grade projects.

The science fair is a big deal in our house.

For a couple of years, I chaired the science fair at North Beach.

The Metropolitan King County Council has approved the transfer to the county of $426,000 from the defunct Monorail project for transit improvements that connect Ballard and West Seattle with downtown.

"With this action, the remaining proceeds from the Monorail Project can now be spent in the spirit voters intended," said Councilmember Larry Phillips, who represents the Ballard neighborhood on the County Council. "Voters recently reaffirmed their support of rapid transit in this corridor by approving Ballard and West Seattle bus RapidRide lines in Transit Now.

As the weather improves and pet owners allow their animals to go outside, household pets are at higher risk of being accidentally lost or stolen. To protect pets, the Seattle Animal Shelter continues its aggressive campaign to make sure pet owners license their pets.

"A license is like a life insurance policy for your pet," says shelter Director Don Jordan.

Team concentrates on strategy

By Dean Wong

As family affairs go, this year's Ballard Beavers soccer team is close knit with the ability to make the KingCo tournament at season's end.

After practice last Thursday, the entire team went to dinner at a parent's house and this type of bonding could result in the Beavers making a statement in one of the best soccer leagues in the state.

"We have a lot of talent. We all know each other and are good friends.

I wanted to learn more about Broomfield's Marine Exhaust on Ballard Avenue even before owner Ed Broomfield contacted me. Two years ago I watched Broomfield's Little League team win their division and was struck by the straightforward industrial name. So when Ed contacted me on a day that I was thinking about them, it was quite a coincidence. On paper there's no reason my path would cross with that of Ed Broomfield. I don't own a boat, am allergic to cigarette smoke, favor gun control, am afraid of dogs (particularly ones that outweigh me by 50 pounds) and have never had 1) a son in Little League Baseball, or 2) a son.

Yet one afternoon I found myself stepping over sheets of metal and a 175-pound brindle bull mastiff to perch between Ed Broomfield and his office manager, Lisa, in the narrow space just off the machine shop. Ed proceeded to interview me, asking about my interests, my writing, whether I prefer cats or dogs.

Glory be gone.

One star player gone can make a big difference, but then take two stars from the same team and it makes a big difference.

Stand-out SPSL North All-Leaguers Kelyn Rowe, a freshman, and Murphy Campbell, a junior, are not playing high school soccer for the Federal Way Eagles.

And the loss of them showed, as the Thomas Jefferson Raiders, a team they beat soundly twice last season, just now soundly beat them, 18-1, in shots fired on goal and the final score was 2-0 at Federal Way Memorial Friday night.

Last year's league MVP Omar Cruz, the

The Federal Way Historical Society needs help from the community in identifying the two women in the photo above. The image is one of several under consideration for the cover of a new book on Federal Way's history, compiled by FWHS volunteer Marie Sciacqua.

The photo was taken at the Webb family homestead, which sat where Sea Tac Mall (now the Commons) stands today.

Free dental van service for seniors 55 and older who live in Des Moines or Normandy Park will be held Friday, April 18.

The service is presented by Grace Lutheran Church in partnership with Northwest Medical Teams International and the Des Moines Legacy Foundation.

A second clinic is scheduled for May 9.

The dental van will be located at Grace Lutheran Church.

Friday, March 14

Boys soccer

Beamer 1, Federal Way 0

Jordan Hale scored the only goal and Troy Peterson earned the assist as Todd Beamer edged out Federal Way Friday, March 14. Ben Draeger earned the shutout on goal.

TJ 2, Mt. Rainier 2

Thomas Jefferson played to a 2-2 tie against Mount Rainier in non-league action.