November 2009

To the editor:
The Staff and students of Alki Elementary school, should get a big rousing cheer. On 'Veterans Day' a group of friends went into the Alki Tulleys, and at the counter, were a bunch of hand-made greeting cards,
that the students had made, to be handed out to any Veteran. They wrote messages in them, thanking Veterans for all they do for their country. It was a heart warming gesture, and each message was unique . (the four vet's in our group were overwhelmed.) Thanks again, we all were so very very surprised, and pleased.

Patricia Rollins

To the editor:
We are parents of children attending Holy Rosary School, and are very proud that with the passage of Referendum 71, the state of Washington will offer full voter-approved rights to all domestic partners. A letter that appeared in The Herald on October 22, urging voters to oppose Referendum 71, was signed by the pastor of Holy Rosary Church. We are writing to clarify the fact that his opinions do not reflect those of the entire Holy Rosary community. We and so many others will continue to offer our political and personal support to all domestic partners and families that grace our lives and communities and, we hope, set an example for our children to do the same.
Lyanda Lynn Haupt
Tom Furtwangler
Rise Pyscher
Paul Pyscher
Phil Evans
Sheila Cosgrove
Gregg Ridgeway
Nancy Stillger
Sandi Viscusi
Dave Hartley
Maggie Lucas
Kaiti Grassley
Aaron Grassley
Kim Wells
Karri Lange
Irv Crosby

There is a scene—it appears in the film’s trailer but bears describing one more time—in director Kathryn Bigelow’s Iraq War film, “The Hurt Locker,” where a soldier pulls a web of electrical wire out of the dirt and suddenly finds himself surrounded by a ring of land mines.
Thousands of miles away from that imagined moment, in the comfort of a movie-theater chair, your muscles clench, just for a second. The soldier’s claustrophobic breathing takes on an unbearable intimacy and the muscular technology of his protective armor is exposed for what it really is: a prison against every rational impulse to run away.

“The Hurt Locker” understands that a combat film’s first allegiance is to the adrenal glands.

Set in the height of the Iraqi insurgency, “The Hurt Locker” embeds itself into the lives of a three-man bomb disposal unit. Their job is to defuse those IED’s (improvised explosive devices) that have become the iconic weapon of Middle-East warfare. It is, as the film is quick to point out, insanely dangerous work.

FILM REVIEW
There is a scene—it appears in the film’s trailer but bears describing one more time—in director Kathryn Bigelow’s Iraq War film, “The Hurt Locker,” where a soldier pulls a web of electrical wire out of the dirt and suddenly finds himself surrounded by a ring of land mines.

Thousands of miles away from that imagined moment, in the comfort of a movie-theater chair, your muscles clench, just for a second.

The soldier’s claustrophobic breathing takes on an unbearable intimacy and the muscular technology of his protective armor is exposed for what it really is: a prison against every rational impulse to run away.

“The Hurt Locker” understands that a combat film’s first allegiance is to the adrenal glands.

The Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center, 4705 West Marginal Way SW, presents "Duwamish Narrative, Contemporary Voices of the Duwamish Tribe," a photo-documentary by Joanne Petrina. An artist's reception will be held at the Longhouse Thursday, December 3rd from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. You needn't wait until then as the photos are now on display for the public to view.

Joanne Petrina studied photography at the University of Washington and the Photographic Center Northwest.

This project was sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, and Bill Speidel's Underground Tours.

The Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 Southwest Holden St., celebrated its 90th birthday Sunday afternoon, Nov. 15. Delridge District Neighborhood Service Coordinator Ron Angeles, a big club supporter was on hand.

Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen read and presented a proclamation signed by all nine Seattle City Councilmembers which recognized the Highland Park Improvement Club's contributions over the years to local high school and college scholarships, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, its support of local baseball, softball, swimming teams and golf tournaments, the local Boy and Girl Scouts, its donations to local food drives, the Salvation Army, and other organizations.

Rasmussen handed the proclamation to Dan Mullens, chairman Highland Park Action Committee that meets in the Improvement Club facility.

Dining, dancing, and reminiscing were on the agenda, but so was a look at the organization's future, and its desire to attract a younger crowd.

Perhaps because the world outside of Ballard seemed so brutal in early November, life in Ballard seemed particularly sweet.

Just as there are days when ugliness cloaks every encounter like a low-lying fog, there are other days when a single leaf on the ground appears radiant.

The weather and its effects have been almost apocalyptic, especially when electrical transformers blowing out over Magnolia completely lit the sky bright green. (Which was after the live power lines blocked Metro’s 17 bus, but before lightning and thunder shook every structure in Ballard).

The rain seemed thrown at windows from buckets, and even the smallest leaf stung when the wind smacked it across the cheek. There was hail, white caps and roofers working on the house next door who stopped for nothing.

So when there was a break in the wind and bad news, the Japanese maple that held onto its flaming orange leaves appeared to be brighter than the sun.

West Seattle Food Bank’s Jack Wagstaff thanks Roman Saladino and Jackson Sullivan for their food donations. The two boys, best friends, each turned eight the first week of November and chose to be given food to donate instead of birthday gifts. This year has seen a 20 percent increase in need. West Seattle Food Bank is especially in need of baby formula, baby diapers, and protein items like tuna and peanut butter. Also dog and cat food.

High Point residents and West Seattle Elementary students Ayan Abdi, 9, and her sister Amina Abdi, 5, attended the High Point Neighborhood Center opening Saturday, Nov. 14. The Somali-born sisters said they love High Point and plan to have fun both inside and outside the Center and its grounds, at 6400 Sylvan Way SW.

Hundreds from High Point and beyond attended the celebration Saturday, Nov. 14. Mark Okazaki, the executive director of Neighborhood House, spoke. Also, Rep. Jim McDermott said some words. Five hundred bags were given away and an estimated 200 more folks entered the environmentally friendly facility.

"I think it's wonderful for the community," said Gary Lichtenstein, Vice President, Sustainable West Seattle of the Center. "It is well thought-out. It's a great example, but it's sort of like priming the pump. These ideas are key to all of us, bioswales, rain catchment, solar, wind, and all these things. I'd like to see these ideas spread out through Seattle."

Steve Daschle of Southwest Youth and Family Service was wearing a wide grin as he checked out the Center.

The 8.0 magnitude earthquake in the South Pacific that set off the deadly tsunami Sept. 29 brought tragedy to American Samoa and Samoa. Samoa was formerly Western Samoa and is now independent and simply called "Samoa." Sean Wooten, 29, of West Seattle, decided he wanted to help.

On Oct. 11 he flew the 5,000 miles, about twice the distance to Hawaii, and arrived in the American Samoan capital of Pago Pago with a first aid kit, a tool kit, and two suitcases filled with clothes to donate.

After he planned to give away the supplies he would pitch in and help the local people.

His parents lived there for three years in the late 1970’s. His father worked at their local public television station. The family still has many friends, and emotional attachments there, and was very concerned about the wellbeing of the Samoans.

Wooten’s generosity was shunned at first, and even the landing was rocky.
“I was pulled out of the customs line and strip-searched,” said Wooten, a 1998 West Seattle High graduate.