December 2009

Thievery turned into an asset in a Federal Way girls basketball win on Monday.

Federal Way continued its non-league dominance with a 69-51 subduing of tough Class 3A Metro League contender Cleveland at home.

With league play looming on Friday, Federal Way head coach Danny Graham recalled the tough outing.

"We came out a little flat and had to make second half adjustments to run our offense against their zone," he said. "No one has been as quick as us, and Cleveland is also very athletic. We escaped the first half frenzy and the girls gave a fantastic, 100 per cent effort."

Leading only 36-34 with just less than two minutes left in the third quarter, Federal Way pressure finally took its terrible toll on the visiting Eagles. Six-foot-one inch Talia Walton stole the ball and whipped a pass to Darah Huertas-Vining, who fired home a three-ball.

Two consecutive inside buckets by Walton preceded Dyesha Belhumeur's steal and length of the court lay up as the host Eagles flew away to a 47-34 command.

West Seattle Junction Merchants
Hometown Holidays Headquarters: 12-4PM
Stay local on Sundays and enjoy what your neighborhood has to offer.
Meet us in front of Key Bank for festivities and information on shopping, the $6500 raffle, and in-store events.

Santa’s Workshop at 4218 SW Alaska St. (around from Cupcake Royale):

Santa Photos: 12-4PM Santa Photos – Santa will be here to listen to your children’s Christmas requests. Professional Santa Photos by Donna Ryan Photography and a suggested donation of $10 or more will be donated to our West Seattle charities. Also help make ornaments for the holiday tree. Santa donations to West Seattle Food Bank, West Seattle Helpline and West Side Baby.

Free Gift Wrap: 12-4PM – Receive a complimentary holiday gift wrapping by Swee Swee Paperie with any $50 or more purchase from participating West Seattle Junction merchants. Additional holiday gift wrapping services are available for a fee with a portion of the profits to be donated to a local charity.

“Teach them well, and let them lead the way.”

I believe the children are our future. I know it sounds corny, but, after weighing all the variables, I’m supporting the children.

Over a month ago, I was looking for a charity that my business can adopt so I can start to give back. I’m thankful that I am at a point where I can give back, and I really felt that this was an important decision to make.

I think it says a lot about a business, and the person behind the business, as to where they put their charity dollars.

And I was torn. It seem like everybody needed help.

How do you start deciding who to help when there is so much need out there?

Rescue animals? I love animals and I could completely side with any kind of animal cause, but think for a minute about ‘who’ they are being rescued from.

The homeless? This was also a close one for me because I could never live without a home base, and my heart really goes out to this cause. But, where does the (mis)understanding of homelessness truly start?

Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Seattle Department of Transportation are working together to clean and paint the Carkeek Park pedestrian bridge that spans the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks on the west side of Carkeek Park.

Starting Dec. 7 through the end of the month, the bridge will be intermittently closed. This bridge provides access to the beach at Carkeek Park.

This cleaning and painting project is one of five projects that Seattle Department of Transportation is working on over the next two months. For more information on the bridge painting projects, click here.

For more information on the Carkeek Bridge project, please contact Seattle Parks and Recreation Project Manager Gary Gibbons at 206.386.1511 or gary.gibbons@seattle.gov .

This summer, third-generation Ballardite Mike Erstad will be climbing the 14,410 of Mount Rainier to raise money for the American Lung Association as part of the 23rd Climb for Clean Air.

For Erstad, an avid backpacker and hiker who scaled Rainier in 2006, lung health is a personal issue worthy of support.

His oldest son suffers from asthma and his grandfather died of lung cancer.

Erstad's goal is to raise $4,000 in pledges for the American Lung Association. The group of about 50 climbers embarking on the Climb for Clean Air in July have an overall goal of $200,000.

The Mount Rainier climb is going to be a treat, Erstad said.

"I'm a Northwest guy, so I love getting outdoors," he said. "When you get out, it's just so beautiful. I can't get over the scenery."

In addition to the views, Erstad will get to spend some time with the Whittaker family, mountaineering legends.

"It's like hanging out for a few days with Michael Jordan for a basketball player," he said.

Lou Whittaker, founder of Rainier Mountaineering, Inc., led the first successful American summit of the North Col of Mount Everest.