December 2009

In September, the Seattle Department of Planning and Development proposed a rezone of three industrial areas in Ballard. The Ballard District Council voted Dec. 9 to ask the city to reconsider a zoning change that would allow residential buildings on a portion of Market Street.

The city plans to rezone Subarea 1, a section along the north side of Market Street from 25th Avenue Northwest to 30th Avenue Northwest, from an Industrial Buffer zone to a Neighborhood Commercial zone, which could include housing, office space and retail.

Catherine Weatbrook, an at-large member of the Ballard District Council, said putting residential that close to the working waterfront on the other side of Market Street could lead to conflicts over light and noise.

Weatbrook said a lot of residential development has already been built up in Ballard. The council's preference of an Industrial Commercial zone for Subarea 1 would bring in living-wage jobs, she said.

In a letter being sent by the Ballard District Council to Seattle City Council member Sally Clark, the district council states that they strongly oppose the change to Neighborhood Commercial zoning.

All of the elements were there for a big Thomas Jefferson boys basketball win.

The Raiders took an early lead, were rooted on by a throng of fans and even had the exciting shot at the end.

The only problem was they were still behind Kent-Meridian, 73-65, after that last shot to come away as the loser, albeit after winning their previous three games to open the season.

First year TJ head coach (and former Raiders player) Kyle Templeton knew right where to put the blame.

"Our biggest issue -- and we know it -- is we just turn over the ball too much," he said. "We've had 20 in games we've won, so it built a false sense of security there."

The Raiders jumped out front early in what wound up as a 24 turnover game.when they were hoping for a win to put them at 4-0 overall and 3-0 in South Puget Sound League North Division action. Instead they fell to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in division play.

Jeff Brigham of the Raiders opened the scoring Thursday with a shot from underneath, then K-M's Serjio Arroyo tied it temporarily at 2-2.

TJ followed with six unanswered points.

On a subfreezing morning at the Woodland Park Zoo this week, the orangutans were huddled in their heated indoor area while a zoo employee broke up the ice that at one point had been a series of rivers and waterfalls.

The elephants, tapirs and sloth bears were nowhere to be seen as visitors in thick coats and gloves walked by empty outdoor enclosures.

About the only animals that seemed to be enjoying this week's cold snap were the relative locals – the animals exhibited in the zoo's Northern Trail.

Wolves darted between trees on frozen patches of grass and two grizzly bears inspected the edge of a pond covered in small floating islands of ice.

"The one zone we have here where every single animal is at home this time of year is the Northern Trail," said Martin Ramirez, Woodland Park Zoo animal curator.

In addition to the Northern Trail animals, the zoo's snow leopards are also loving the winter weather, Ramirez said.

He said many of the zoo's outdoor animals have access to or are confined to heated indoor areas this time of year.

The first fundraiser TEAM TRACY is putting on for the 2010 Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk is Saturday, Dec.12th, 7pm - 9:30pm, Christo's on Alki, 2508 Alki Ave.

So far we have 8 walkers on the Team, and our goal is to raise $60,000 this year...so we are starting our fundraising efforts early and hoping by next September we will set out on 60 miles together having reached our goal.

The fundraiser will be this Saturday, December 12th to raise money for the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. Here are the details:

Christo's is graciously letting Team Tracy take over the place for the evening! We will be doing a Silent Auction (15 items) and a raffle to raise money towards TEAM TRACY for the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. The restaurant and bar will be open for business with great food and drink specials!!! AND...the Christmas Ships will be on Alki that night from 9:40pm-10pm. You can watch the ships from the comfort (and warmth) of the restaurant, or bundle up and head across the street to the beach.

It should be a lot of fun...and will hopefully raise some money for a cause that is SO important!!!

Come wash away the challenges of 2009 and bath in the unlimited opportunities that 2010 brings to our lives by joining the West Seattle/White Center Polar Bear Swim this January 1, 2010 at 10:00 on Alki Beach.

Bring a suit, towel, slippers and dry clothes to put on after the swim. Over 50 of us gather each year at Alki Beach for our annual ceremony. (and it gets bigger each year!). We all hold hands in a long line, and run into Puget Sound together. It is great fun and not nearly as cold as one would think. And it makes the water a lot warmer when everyone runs in together holding hands. It is a grand time and the children have the most fun of all. Hot chocolate will be provided. We guarantee that this will help you get a great start on a new year filled with happiness, opportunity, love and adventure. If you are healthy, be brave! Come join the crowd. 10:00 am January 1, 2010 - Alki Beach across from Dukes.

Questions:

Mark Ufkes (206) 595-7124
markufkes@comcast.net (email only access between Dec. 17-31)

At 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 9, a lone male suspect robbed a business in the 700 block of Northwest Market Street.

He was described as wearing a black ski mask, a black hooded sweatshirt, jeans and armed with a silver handgun.

The suspect then fled the business on foot and was last seen running southbound on 8th Avenue Northwest.

Patrol and K9 responded to the scene but the suspect was not located.

This is an active and ongoing robbery investigation.

Improved effort and effectiveness fell just short of victory for the Federal Way girls basketball team on Tuesday at home as it continued its run through the gauntlet of early season showdowns.

With four seconds showing on the scoreboard clock, 5-foot-1 junior guard Kylie Huerta drove the lane and looped a swishing runner in the key over 6-1 Jaleecia Roland for a 60-58 Conqueror lead. Federal Way called time out and rebounded from the side. Darah Huertas-Vining drove quickly up the court, but couldn't get a shot off before the buzzer, resulting in top-ranked and unbeaten Kentwood's 60-58 victory against No. 5 Federal Way in another South Puget Sound League North duel of ranked teams.

The Eagles (0-2 league, 2-2 overall) suffered their second league loss in a row after being ranked No. 1 in Class 4A preseason polls.

After Friday's decisive loss to Auburn Riverside, Federal Way improved its resolve despite the Tuesday loss.

Papa John’s Pizza, 5252 California Avenue SW, donated its Dec. 8 & 9 profits to the families of the four Lakewood Police officers murdered at a Pierce County coffee shop.

"I wanted to get in and help out," said Marcy Shadow, school teacher at Hamilton International Middle School in Wallingford who lives near Chief Sealth High School. She purchased two pizza pies.

Amy Gourley and Joe Duran bought a Canadian Bacon pizza and pepperoni pizza Wednesday night.

"We tried to get in yesterday but the line was around the block," said Duran.

"It was extremely busy last night," said Stephanie Berg, a manager at Papa Johns on Wednesday night. "We got it a lot more under control tonight. The line is moving faster, because we are sticking to one-topping pizza. We're delivering out of our area for orders over $150 and many are not accepting our discounts and prefer to pay full price. I think this fundraiser is a great thing."

Scott Taylor and Dwain Bierig of Burien came out when they learned about the fundraiser on Facebook. They bought pizza with their own money, and were preparing to hand out pizza to the homeless who hang out by the "bus barn" in Burien.

The film “Princess Angeline” will premiere at the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center, 4705 W Marginal Way SW, this Saturday, December 12th, at 7pm. A suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for students and elders will benefits the Longhouse.

The film is the work of local filmmakers Sandy & Yasu Osawa of Upstreamproductions and was funded in part by a 4Cultures grant. For over 20 years, Sandra Sunrising Osawa, a Makah, has been making films as an independent producer and director. Her films strive to focus on individuals to illuminate both the problems and strengths of Native communities.

Victims of domestic violence often are left with few options and around the holidays, women and children in those situations need even more assistance. That's the purpose of the Hickman House. A transitional housing facility that makes it possible to begin a new life for many.

This cause was the motivation behind establishing The Giving Tree at Capers originally.

The people affected by these traumatic events are asked to submit wishes, these then are turned into star ornaments on the tree. People are asked to select a star and purchase the item, wrap it and bring it back to Capers, to be placed under the tree.

"Our goal is a thousand gifts this year," Myers said, "People really respond to this and as we get closer to Christmas the gifts really start appearing." She asks that all gifts be in place prior to Dec. 20th.