April 2009

Question: There are so many fat-burning products on the market -are they helpful or harmful?

Answer: There are numerous products on the market that contain thermogenic ingredients, or what most of us call “fat burners.” Ephedrine, yohimbine, green tea extract (EGCG), bitter orange (Synephrine) and even caffeine are examples and they basically work by stimulating the central nervous system.

This increases your “fight or flight” responses, indirectly providing energy and allowing you to process calories at a faster rate. Along with these supposed benefits, there are also side effects associated with these ingredients, including increased blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. Another potential issue is the fact that, individually, they don’t have a real dramatic effect.

Looking forward to a summer of extracurricular programs in the arts, science, music, journalism, math and computers, four Whitman Middle School students have been awarded and given the opportunity to be involved in various summer camps through scholarships given by the Assistance League of Seattle.

Whitman students Tanner Smolen, Gabe Christiansen, Zach Stover and Connor Bradley will be attending camps like the University of Washington Summer Computer Camp, the Digi Pen Summer Workshop for Wide Game Programming and Summer Camp Project Fun and the Cybercamps Academy.

The Assistance League of Seattle is a non-profit volunteer group that accumulates more than 15,000 hours annually of community service to the community and has given aid to students since 2008 through its Enrichment Scholarship Program.

Students apply by writing an essay on why they want to attend a certain program while getting letters of recommendation from school teachers and counselors.

Bike dots, green bike lanes and sharrows are appearing on city streets in growing numbers. The Seattle Department of Transportation is adding improvements to ensure its transportation infrastructure meets the needs of Seattle’s growing cycling community, according to a news release from the department.

The new elements will be found in neighborhoods citywide (see attached sheet) and build on other upgrades already well underway, such as adding bike lanes and multi-user trail segments. These improvements stem from the Bicycle Master Plan and its ten-year goal of tripling the number of people cycling in Seattle.

“Guided by the Bicycle Master Plan, we are making extensive improvements to support bicycling in Seattle,” said Grace Crunican, director of the Seattle Department of Transportation. “Simple roadway elements like bike dots, green bike lanes and sharrows will help transform attitudes about bikes’ rightful place on city streets.”

One day after getting its lowest score of the season, the Ballard High School girls golf team earned its first win of the season, beating Bothell 273-296.

"I'm just really happy for the team," coach Casey McMullin said. "It's fun to watch."

Kayla Wenger placed first for the Beavers for the second match in a row with a score of 46.

Diana Shyue tied for second with 52, Blaire Morgan came in fourth with 54, and Caitie Scott rounded out the top five for Ballard with 57.

Ballard (1-4) faces Roosevelt at 3 p.m., April 30 in West Seattle.

The Ballard High School softball team committed seven errors April 22 against Issaquah leading to six unearned runs and an 11-1 Issaquah victory.

The Beavers dropped catches and let balls get through gaps making it easy for Issaquah to score their 11 runs on 15 hits.

Ballard, meanwhile, had three hits on offense.

The team has scored two runs in the past five games, all losses, and is sitting at 1-8 overall and 1-7 in the conference.

Sophie Overlock-Pauley pitched all seven innings for the Beavers and threw four strikeouts.

The Beavers look to rebound against Eastlake (4-3 conference) at 4 p.m., April 24 at Eastlake.

We’re all adults, right? Well, just because you make it home in time for TRL or the sheer fact that you just turned 21 does not always make it so. Don’t get me wrong I know you think it does. No.

If I may, and I will, give you a laundry list of bar etiquette to follow next time you go out to get messed up with your boys on a Saturday night.

Cash is king. Not only that, it is judge, jury and executioner. Bring paper money to the bar. Stop at an ATM and take out more than enough (including cab fare for you or a friend) for a night of drinking. The bartender will always, ALWAYS, go for the guy holding a 20 in his hand over some guy still getting his girlfriend’s drink order or fumbling with his wallet. If you must start a tab, be ready with a card and a drink order.

After the earthquake in Italy a few weeks ago, I realized that I needed to be more prepared for when “The Big One” hits Seattle.

If an earthquake or other disaster hit, would I be ready? How would Ballard do? Most importantly, what could I do to help out my neighbors?

Ever since I was in the Boy Scouts I have taken their motto “be prepared” to heart. Having lived through a few minor natural disasters I know the value of having food, water, candles, blankets, and a battery-powered radio on hand.

Knowing I need to be prepared is one thing but actually being organized and feeling truly ready is another. Just having these things around the house is not enough. It is a good idea to make sure you have the same equipment in your car and a backpack ready to go in case you have to evacuate.

Once you have your emergency kits together for you and your family you can start to think about everyone else. What about your neighbors and the rest of Ballard?

Ballard High School senior Lizardo Lopez has been awarded a scholarship from the South Seattle Community College Foundation.  He is among 18 graduating seniors to receive the awards, which cover full resident tuition for the 2009-2010 academic year at South Seattle Community College.

Scholarship criteria included academic achievement, leadership potential, community service, and financial need.

The remaining scholarship recipients represent, Lindbergh, West Seattle, Chief Sealth, Global Connections and Highline High Schools; Seattle Urban Academy; and South Seattle’s Career Link Academy.

On April 21 at approximately 2 a.m., North Precinct officers responded to a call of a man down in the 8500 block of Greenwood Avenue North.

Officers arrived at the location and found an unresponsive man, in his 30’s, bleeding from injuries to his head. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center by Seattle Fire Department medics.

His injuries have been described as life-threatening. The Homicide/Assault Unit is investigating.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has announced a multitiered strategy that he said will save energy and shrink the amount of climate pollution from Seattle’s buildings and homes.

Launched on Earth Day, the Green Building Capital Initiative:

- Offers 5,000 residential home energy audits, using state-of-the-art diagnostics to analyze a home’s heating and cooling systems. Funded through a partnership with Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light, the audits will be available at $95, a steep discount from the $600 cost. Residents may call 206-684-3000 to schedule an audit.

- Develops a loan program so residents will be able to make energy-saving home improvements. The public-private partnerships would be funded, in part, by $1.2 million of federal stimulus money from the Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

- Requires measurement and disclosure of energy usage, beginning in 2010, for commercial buildings larger than 50,000 square feet and multifamily buildings with more than 20 units. The program will be expanded to smaller buildings over two years. The data can be used by property owners to determine energy-saving measures.