December 2009

With winter road conditions forecast for this weekend, drivers need to be prepared for winter travel. Check road conditions and weather reports before traveling, then drive for conditions. Information on how to prepare your vehicle, your family and yourself, and guidance for safe winter driving is available online at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter .

Drivers who are going too fast for conditions or who haven’t prepared for winter driving can cause delays to other drivers, can cause damage to other vehicles or highway hardware, and can injure themselves and their passengers.

Drivers can check ahead for road and weather conditions on the WSDOT internet site at: wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/ or by using a home telephone or cellular phone to dial the 5-1-1 traffic and road condition information service.

This web site and telephone service has mountain pass information and conditions on major highways in the seven-county WSDOT Eastern Region.

Motorists also need to keep some tips in mind for winter driving.
- Clear snow and ice from all windows before you drive.
- Pay attention. Don’t try to out-drive the conditions.

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Girls on the Run is a non-profit organization throughout America and Canada whose mission is to use the power of running to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. On a sunny but chilly Saturday morning, Dec. 12, at Seward Park, girls from 13 Seattle schools including 12 kids from Pathfinder and Alki ran a 5K race, one of the organization's activities. Each girl wore the number #1 and was considered a winner despite finish times on the course through the park and along Lake Washington.

"I think it's wonderful and it's just been amazing today," said Amber Swim, program coordinator, Girls on the Run of Puget Sound, while toting an arc of pink and green balloons from the start to finish line a couple hundred yards down a park path.

"This event gives them confidence finishing a 5K race which in the long run takes in all aspects of their lives," she added. "They know they are able to set and accomplish a goal, whether it is learning to play the violin, going out for a sport, or getting into college."

Judy Pigott's fish pond came close to freezing in front of her Palm Avenue, North Admiral house as record low temperatures hit Seattle Friday night, Dec. 11, and may continue for the next few days. Pigott was not too concerned about her fish,

"They probably are either hibernating or cuddling together," she said.

Decatur used a strong second quarter to pull away from and eventually defeat visiting Emerald Ridge of Puyallup 63-42 in a South Puget Sound League South Division boys basketball game on Thursday night at the Gator Dome.

"I felt we were always in control," said Decatur head coach Kevin Olson. "They were able to slow us down with their zone at times."

Jordan McCloud scored 12 first half points and Jerron Smith notched nine second quarter points as the Gators controlled the inside and outside on both ends of the court to establish a lead of 10-5 after one quarter while going into halftime with a 26-13 control.

The Golden Gators stretched the margin to 31-18 after Terrance Peters nailed a fade away jump shot to cap a Decatur 5-2 scoring salvo as the second half began. At that point, Emerald Ridge started to dissect the Decatur defense for close-in shots and open jumpers as it gradually closed the gap. Seven consecutive Jaguar points had the Gators leading only 37-30 going into the third quarter.

Oh dear. It’s that time of year again.

The pressure is on to do the impossible. You need to find a unique gift for that special someone. It’s got to be personable. It’s got to be heart-felt. And it’s got to inexpensive.

What can you do that is special that won’t cost an arm and a leg?

Did you know that you can make a one-of-a-kind gift quickly, easily, inexpensively and have fun doing it too? Did you know that you can even get the kids to make it with you if you want?

Miniature gardening is a very adaptable idea. I’ve mentioned before that it can be 4 inches wide, or it can be 40 feet wide. It’s the 4” wide gardens that can really hit home with that special someone this holiday season – or 6” or 10” wide…

Mini gardening is an idea can suit any personality. You can make just about any theme in a small pot with a few chosen plants and miniature accessories. Instead of spending money, why not spend a little time instead?

Here are some ideas for miniature gardens with “personality:”

For the “Foodie”

Jan and Janice Kelly live on Concord Street in the Fauntlee Hills neighborhood of Seattle not far from the Fauntleroy Ferry dock. Every year, many of their neighbors put up an impressive display of lights. But none are as impressive as the Kelly's.

Janice is the "art director" working on the color scheme, the layout of the lights, and animated and static characters which include, ducks, geese, pandas, snowmen, bears, a moose (crafted from a tree), angels, reindeer, elves, and of course, Santa.

Jan, her husband, is the self-described "gofer" who over the course of two weeks changes their home into a complete fantasy land of Christmas lights and displays.

"Janice tells where it goes and I attempt to put it there and if it doesn't look right, I have to move it," said Jan.

"I'm not sure how many lights there are," said Janice. "We were going to count them but we just got overwhelmed."

The Kellys have been decorating in some fashion or another for decades but over time the displays and lights, and crowds have grown.

The Salvation Army Senior Center inter-generational program held a Christmas party at the Center, 9050 16th SW , Friday, Dec. 11. The program involves Holy Family Middle School students hosting seniors there, one class, 6th - 8th grade, alternating every three weeks or so, to serve food and socialize.

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"Our theme is 'tolerance,'" said Michael Barrett Miller, language arts teacher at the middle school, who helped organize the party, referring to his participating students.

"We also reach out to the Children's Hospital, and the Duwamish Tribe at their Longhouse. We petitioned Congressman Jim McDermott to move to recognize the tribe."

Miller said his students were recognized by both the tribe and congressman for their involvement.

By Sarah Boon, Ballard High School Associated Student Body Vice-President

Senior Matt Law-Phipps stays heavily involved at Ballard High School throughout the school year.

He was a varsity captain of the football team this fall and varsity captain for boys soccer in the spring.

He was first-team All-King Co defense for football during his junior and senior year as well as second in offense his senior year.

Law-Phipps' leadership roles at Ballard continue off the field as well.

He is a mentor in Ballard’s video production program and a recipient of the Seymour Kaplan Humanitarian Award. He received an award at the Rio Grande Film Festival for his video work.

When not playing sports or filming for video production, Law-Phipps stars in productions with Ballard’s drama department.

He plans to pursue a career in film and is working toward his goal with internships at KIRO and Outpost Media.

Senior Nikki Martin has been an exceptional student all four years of high school.

As a senior alone she was co-captain of the girls swim team and a head Link Crew Leader on the Link Crew Leadership Committee.

Attendees at the Dec. 10 Holman Road median study meeting, sponsored by the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association and the Crown Hill Business Association, were largely supportive of a plan to install medians along a portion of 15th Avenue Northwest and Holman Road.

"The general reaction was fairly positive," said Ryan McFarland, a member of the neighborhood association and lead on the median project. "Everyone there saw a need. They saw a point. They got it."

The meeting was an opportunity for residents to review median plans drawn up by University of Washington students. Meeting attendees used it as a chance to give constructive and specific feedback, McFarland said.

He said one man who regularly takes his children to daycare at Small Faces said the turn lane between the medians needs to fit at least three cars.

Several attendees favored removing the pedestrian overpass at 13th Avenue Northwest in order to be able to add other features to the street, McFarland said.

He said an earlier survey of residents showed that one-third use the overpass regularly, one-third never use the overpass when they cross at 13th Avenue and one-third never cross at 13th Avenue.

The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) will begin operating on a winter schedule starting Sunday, Jan. 3 through March 27. The winter schedule brings a number of notable service changes to the Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Seattle/Bremerton routes, as well as the seasonal closure of the international route and the seasonal reduction to a two-boat weekend schedule on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route.

WSF traditionally carries fewer passengers in the winter, so seasonal service adjustments are made to reduce costs.

Winter weekend sailings on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/ Southworth route are less frequent than in the fall, with two vessels instead of three operating on Saturdays and Sundays.
There is no ferry service between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C. during the winter schedule; international service resumes March 28.
There are two different sailing schedules on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes during the winter: weekday and weekend. Starting Jan. 3, only three boats will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, while the normal four boats will continue operating during the week.