September 2009

Kennedy High School in Burien has changed its name to John F. Kennedy Catholic High School.

Principal Mike Prato commented, "Our name change is not about defining who we are with a word, but going back to our roots and being proud of our Catholic identity."

Soon after Prato became principal in 2004, talks began about changing Kennedy's name.

In 2007, school staffers held focus groups with constituents to get their opinions on the possible change.

The focus groups supported adding "Catholic" to the Kennedy name and, in 2008, the change was approved.

As the school begins its ten-year strategic plan, Prato said he knew this would be the best time to institute the change.

"Kennedy was created as an extension of the parish community," Prato noted. "Adding the word 'Catholic' to our name clearly communicates our legacy and purpose in the community."

Kennedy has also adopted a new logo.

"We wanted a logo that would invoke emotions from our student body, staff and alumni," Jim Mesick, advancement director said.

The new logo shows a head-on view of a knight on horseback wearing a flowing red cape while holding a shield and lance pointed outward.

Many of you may not know that for a number of years I have been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Highline Historical Society.

All of the trustees feel it is a privilege to know and work with one another because we are working on a great project.

Today we are pleased to publish a print of the board-approved plan for our upcoming Highline Heritage Museum.

This is going to be a wonderful addition to our region.

As an early resident, we bought our first home in Highline 70 years ago and have lived here ever since and loved it.

I love its history of the "Toonerville" trolley streetcar. I helped build the Highline Christian Church on First Avenue South.

I loved having a CHerry phone number. I once hit a home run in the storied ball game between White Center and Burien merchants and I used to hunt pheasant where airplanes now land by the minute.

I have native credentials.

More than 10 years ago a group of people in Highline came together to preserve a number of important historical collections in our region.

They spent their time and treasure planning step by step to provide a new institution for the citizens of Highline.

Boys tennis

TJ 5, Federal Way 0

Thomas Jefferson swept the Eagles aside in a cross-town battle Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Branden Muraki of the Raiders won the No. 1 singles match by a 6-2, 7-6 (5) score over Chase McLaughlin and teammate James Lee won the No. 2 singles match, 3-6, 6-4, 13-11, over Ben Blackner.

Makoa Rosa and Kainoa Rosa posted a 6-2, 6-4 No. 1 doubles victory over Max Ward and Dalton Alvey.

Joe Lee and Brandyn Gomez won No. 2 doubles, 6-1, 6-1, over Bradley Lewis and Matt Havili and Kyle Creek and Eric Kim came through with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Alex Lewis and Colby Lane in No. 3 doubles.

Aub.-Riv. 4, Decatur 1
Murali of Decatur won, 7-6, 2-6, 6-4, in No. 1 singles, but Auburn-Riverside swept the next four matches.

Girls soccer

Kentwood 2, TJ 0

The Raiders were blanked by the Conquerors of Kentwood Thursday, Sept. 17.

Decatur 4, Graham-Kapowsin 0

Decatur posted a 4-0 victory over Graham-Kapowsin Thursday.

Cross country

Todd Beamer

Graham-Kapowsin 23, Beamer 21

Todd Beamer came close to victory again Saturday, losing on a 37-yard field goal, 23-21, with only 39 seconds to play.

Dominique Maxi gave the Titans their 21-20 lead on a 17-yard run in the third quarter. Safety Napa Mefi returned an interception 98 yards for an impressive Beamer touchdown.

Kentlake 37, TJ 26

Tim Laufatasaga scored three touchdowns for the Raiders Thursday, but they still came up short against the Kentlake Falcons. Laufatasaga struck from the 5-yard line, 8-yard line and 1-yard line.

Thomas Jefferson’s other touchdown came as Scott Sanford caught a 46-yard pass from Jordan Williams. Thomas Goldingay kicked the extra point.

Federal Way 28, Em. Ridge 3

Trent Pinson started the Eagles on their way to victory Saturday, returning a punt all the way across the field for a touchdown.

Pinson struck again in the second quarter, this time on a 6-yard run.

Emerald Ridge gained its three-point total for the game on a second quarter field goal, but the Eagles were well on their way to victory.

Jordan Pulu scored an insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter, picking up a kick and running into the end zone.

Kellen Rowe did all of the kicking for Federal Way, making all of the extra points.

Federal Way returns to action Friday when it visits Kentridge for a 7 p.m. game at French Field.

The Eagles stand at 1-1.

The tools of a woodworker and artist make sense to Dave Lacey. They let him express himself and he likes the idea that they help him strive for structure and stability, he said.

Lacey, who lives in a modest West Seattle home works with both wood and stone to create very functional art, from unusual shelving, to stone walks and walls, to unique wooden bridges. His backyard is an ongoing project and home to his raw materials, as well as his three chickens. His process is as natural as his materials.

Lacey was born in Las Vegas and left at the age of 19 to "find himself."

"Nine out of 11 people at the cafe I hung out at said 'Go to Seattle,' so, I came up here with 200 bucks and did a lot of temp jobs," said Lacey.

At one point Lacey actually moved out to the woods and built some platforms among the trees on a friend's land. The experiment didn't last very long. He came out one morning after hearing some noise nearby.

Twenty-eight teams competed for the title of grand champion in the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association competition on Sunday, Sept. 20.

The teams came from as far away as Vancouver B.C. and central Oregon to compete in the event, now in its sixth year. The association, a recognized affilliate of the world famous Kansas City BBQ Society, was formed in 1991 by a group of barbecue cooks in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years it has grown from 20 members to more than 400 internationally.

Thousands of people attended this years event, which had contestants vying to be the best at pork shoulder, brisket, chicken and ribs.

Michael Stevenson, of Lynnwood, who normally photographs the event was in his second year of the competition. He uses apple juice as a secret ingredient and sprays it on his baby back ribs right on the grill.

"It keeps them moist and gives them flavor," he said.

Ty Staley, who took home the title two years ago was back this year with a new $16,000 barbecue grill. He said the secret to good barbecue is to cook, "Low and slow."

The 2nd Annual Junction car show got underway early Sunday morning, Sept. 20, with many of the participants taking their places along Calfornia Avenue Southwest well before the 8 a.m. starting time.

The show featured cars from the 1930's, 1940's 1950's, 1960's and 1970's and this year saw more than 236 participants.

The sunny skies encouraged thousands to show up.

Music for the show was provided by DJ Galen Suave. The event also featured a number of raffles, antique fire trucks from the Last Resort Fire Department, the Miss Oh Boy! O'Berto Hydroplane and plenty food at Junction restaurants.

The Alki Time Capsule was filled and assembled at the Alki Log House Museum and later placed in the ground on Sept 19 during a ceremony featuring Seattle dignitaries and West Seattle native and Space Shuttle Pilot Gregory C. Johnson.

Items were placed inside the Alki Time Capsule at the Log House Museum. The capsule was then sealed shut with caulk and 12 bolts, to be opened in a half-century.

Museum Director Andrea Mercado hosted. She described the memorabilia and why she felt certain items would be significant in 50 years. Items included newspaper and campaign items about President Obama, photographs of Alki and other West Seattle businesses, people, and scenery, Gold "archival" CD's of interviews, and essays illustrated with sketches by Alki Elementary School students about their lives now and their hopes and dreams in decades to come. (See full item list below).

One student, Loren Peterson, 11, read his essay. He and his sister Clara assisted Mercado as they filled the 20 pound rectangular vessel while wearing protective gloves.

Items were placed inside the Alki Time Capsule in the lobby of the Log House Museum on Alki Saturday morning, Sept. 19. The capsule was then sealed shut with calk and 12 bolts, to be opened in a half-century. Museum director Andrea Mercado hosted. She described the memorabilia and why she felt certain items would be significant in 50 years. Items included newspaper and campaign items about President Obama, photographs of Alki and other West Seattle businesses, people, and scenery, Gold "archival" CD's of interviews, and essays illustrated with sketches by Alki Elementary School students about their lives now and their hopes and dreams in decades to come.

One student, Loren Peterson, 11 read his essay. He and his sister Clara assisted Mercado as they filled the 20 pound rectangular vessel while wearing protective gloves.

Just prior to sealing the capsule, Mercado dropped in metallic pouches of small "ageless oxygen absorbers" and those little bags of absorbent salt packs one sees tucked inside new electronic packaging.