September 2008

With the snip of a pair of scissors, the purple ribbon dropped and the Brandon Roy basketball court was reborn recently.

The refurbished outdoor court south of the Delridge Community Center was once the healthy hangout for the Portland Trailblazer who fans call "Broy." The court was renamed in his honor.

"It's incredible to be back with my family," said Roy, a 6 foot 6 inch guard, following the ceremony. He was toting his 18-month-old son, Brandon Jr.

"I've had so many memories from this court when I worked on my game," he said.

New interim regulations to protect trees in Seattle would close a loophole used by developers to take down trees before applying for a development permit.

The proposed interim regulations will be transmitted to City Council for review and would stay in place until permanent tree protection regulations are adopted.

There are currently few limits on tree cutting for most developed sites in Seattle other than in environmentally critical areas.

Ever wanted to teach a skill but thought you weren't qualified enough?

As the cost of gas and food has skyrocketed in the last six months so has the number of senior citizens visiting the White Center Food Bank.

Part of the frustration that Rick Jump, executive director of the White Center Food Bank, sees with the ever-growing population of senior citizens visiting his food bank is the stress they endure during regular food bank hours when the center is often overcrowded.

"This food bank gets very busy," said Jump. "We use to serve between 1,000 to 1,100 (people) a month but now we're up to 1,500 families a month.

After the Design Review Board showed a design that would include a 58,000 square foot market, a residential unit and a separate commercial building, community members voiced their concerns and the board requested to see more alternative designs.

The three different design options presented last Thursday night were not distinctive enough for community members or the board.

Bartell Drugs is launching an extensive vaccination program as the flu season approaches, including a full schedule of in-store vaccinations, pre-paid FluGram cards and a new program targeting businesses.

The 56-store chain begins a full schedule of more than 70 in-store vaccination clinics October 1. In addition to clinics, many stores are offering shots by appointment or on a walk-in basis. Cost for the shots is $28 and Medicare Part B is accepted.

Saturday, Oct. 4, is the last day for online or mail-in voter registrations or transfers in the Nov.

A simple domino game turned sour after a loser refused to pay up ($80), threw a brick through the host's sliding glass door ($1,500), and then threatened to burn the host's house down.

Near 13th and Myrtle, a couple was concerned to see a young boy standing on the street corner in the dark. He told them he was waiting for his mom, who had left him on the curb after they had argued in the car. He wore only a thin t-shirt, pants, and no jacket, as well as one black shoe and one pink ballet slipper. The citizens called 911 and officers came to investigate.

Wet runners, soggy times

By John Leonard

On a wet Wednesday afternoon at Lincoln Park some cross country runners came to race and some showed up just to pace.

Notwithstanding their plans for Saturday's Bellevue Invitational, West Seattle High School's boys managed to squeak past Eastside Catholic, 86-87, for third place, behind nationally ranked Seattle Prep and a reconstituted O'Dea team.

Internal team dynamics between the No. 4 and No.

The days of sock hops, soda fountains and roller rinks are only a distant memory of what kids and teens look forward to when the weekend hits.

As the iPod, the Internet and video games take center stage it's a wonder what will become of the few roller rinks left like the Southgate Skate Center in White Center.

When Pop Brown converted the original boxing ring to White Center's Southgate Skate Center, 9646 17th Ave.