January 2010

The West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our members and to the West Seattle community for supporting our 2009 Giving Tree program. Hundreds of wishes were thoughtfully and generously fulfilled for over 90 families who struggle just to meet basic needs.

We have special gratitude for WJE (Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.), The Boeing Company’s Spirit of the Holidays Drive, and Windermere West Seattle for adopting entire YMCA families and making their holidays especially bright. Thank you to The Charlestown Street Café for hosting wish tags on their own tree and accepting donations on behalf of the YMCA.

At a time of great challenges, your generosity demonstrates the spirit of community continues to thrive.

Jenny Bradbury
Volunteer Giving Tree Coordinator
West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA

Dear Editor,
Recently life long resident of West Seattle Al Bostrom was honored by the National Handball Association by awarding him the Kendler Award. This award was bestowed on Al at a banquet of one thousand people at the World Handball Championships in Portland, Oregon. The Kendler Award is bestowed upon someone who has given tremendously to the game of handball. Al Bostrom served as Commissioner of the Puget Sound Handball League for 38 years from 1962- 2000. He organized the handball schedule for 46 teams that played throughout the Puget Sound Region. He organized the league meetings, recorded scores, maintained the handball accounts for the league, recruited players for the league, and promoted the sport of handball throughout Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Al also assisted with the formation of the United States Handball Association's Heritage Fund. Al has played handball for over 65 years and holds 14 national and international handball titles, two Senior Olympic Gold Handball medals, five national YMCA Tiles, 2 World Singles Titles and has been inducted into the National Handball Hall of Fame. Congratulations Al!

On December 30 I received a "Courtesy Warning Notice" regarding my "speeding in a school zone".

This was an error that will continue to be a problem unless something further is done to alter the flashing light signs that alert drivers of the school speed limit being in force. The Fred Meyer store located at the place where this new automated limit zone is located has two egress points within the zone.

People leaving using the north egress to go south, or the south egress to go north, are not able to see the flashing light sign alerting drivers to the school zone speed limit "when flashing".

There is no warning for those drivers who, like me, are sighted for speeding when there is no way for them to know the school zone limit is in force. At the time of this citation there were no children anywhere near the zone.

It appears this system was created to catch drivers like me, who always adhere to the school zone speed limit, in a bogus speed trap.

I suggest that additional flashing signs be oriented toward the two driveways which people use to access the Twin Lakes Fred Meyer store.

Grab your glove - Register for Little League
It’s time to register for Little League! In-person registrations will be held on Tuesday, Jan 12th (in the Library) and Tuesday, Jan 19th (Room 212) – 6-9 pm at West Seattle High School. West Seattle Little League teaches not only baseball, but lessons learned through teamwork, dedication and pride. Divisions include T-ball, Coach-Pitch, Minors, Majors, Juniors and Seniors (Ages 5-18). T-ball through Majors play most games at Bar-S Fields, at 6464 SW Admiral Way. For registration forms, payment and more information, go to http://www.facebook.com/l/0679f;westseattlelittleleague.com.

Neighborhood Matching Fund Workshop
NMF Large Projects Fund
Thursday, January 21, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW

GT Towing Auction

As the New Year rolls around, many of us resolve to improve our lives. For some, the goals of losing weight or giving up smoking are admirable but of course the cliché is that we dive into dessert and resume puffing by March. Some area residents agreed to share their resolutions and seem committed to make theirs last throughout 2010.

Judy Townsend

As a citizen of West Seattle and a representative of the Alki Community Council I will work to increase community support for our police department so that more people recognize the good things they do. I would like to make sure they’re getting compliments on a day-to-day basis. They are amazingly talented and their work is heartfelt, risking their lives for other people to protect us. They just don’t get enough positive. They’re really fine, fine people.

David Boberg

A year ago at this time I was 126 pounds and just survived radiation and chemo from throat cancer, so my resolution is to remember that each day is a freebie. I am a lot like horseradish root. Once it gets growing it’s hard to kill, even with a blowtorch.

There was excitement in the air as two local teams rang out the year 2009 in stirring fashion.

Controlling the pace at key moments, Class 3A Mount Rainier (6-1) outlasted Class 1A defending state girls basketball champion Seattle Christian 53-50 in a clash of contenders in SeaTac Wednesday night.

“We came out with intensity and played hard,” observed Mount Rainier head coach Bob Bolam. “We were fortunate their three-point shooter (Kara) Kogle was out (with an ankle sprain). We had key shots from different people. Sydney Codd played a good all-around game. This game definitely helped our players learn to play against pressure in tight games.”

Mount Rainier senior wing player Sydney Codd calmly swished home two free throws to extend the Ram lead to 53-50 with 9.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Following a time out, Seattle Christian inbounded from the side near midcourt and attempted to set up a three-point goal opportunity, but Sydney Codd intercepted a pass and dribbled away the final 1.4 seconds.

“I was thinking, like, no pressure,” Codd happily recalled. “Oh, my. I better make it. This is the game winner.”

On 42nd SW, a burglar took careful inventory of the goods to be stolen from the victim's home: Laptop computers? Check. Jewelry? Check. Credit cards? Check. Jar of pickles? Check.

A man who confessed to being in a hit and run accident on SW Jacobsen Rd. on Wednesday was also wanted on a $1,500 warrant for failing to appear on a forgery charge. He was booked into King County Jail for both the accident and the warrant.

A 30-year-old transient walked into a North Admiral restaurant and helped himself to some food from a customer's plate. When an employee was forced to physically escort him from the premises, the suspect threatened to shoot him between the eyes. The suspect was asked to leave two other bars and ended up at gas station, where he was found to be shoplifting some beverages. He was booked into King County Jail for investigation of harassment and theft.

Art

Burien Arts Gallery - Regular hours, Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun., noon- 4 p.m. 421 S.W. 146th St. 206-244-7808. www.burienarts.org.

Evergreen Fine Art Gallery - Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 17700 1st Ave. S., Normandy Park.

Loren Gallery - 1,200 sq.-ft. unique art gallery. Next to Marina Inn Hotel. 22300 7th Ave S., Suite B, Des Moines. Local artist will have hangings and varied art pieces. Art walk reception will be held every 3rd Saturday of month. LorenGallery.com. 253-223-7015.

Vino Bello Wine Bar - 636-F S.W. 152nd St. Burien. For information, 206-244-VINO.

Music

Bison Creek Pizza - Every Friday night, Bison Creek hosts a live DJ. Every Saturday night, Bison Creek offers live music, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. 21+. 630 S.W. 153rd St. Call for schedule. 206-244-8825.

Breaktime Restaurant & Lounge - Primecut, R&B & Jazz group, playing at every Tuesday night from 6- 9 p.m. 635 S.W. 152nd St.

Theater

I would like to welcome and also thank Companion Animal Medical Center; Dr. Leslie Kasper, DVM; and her staff for opening their new hospital located at 19655 1st Ave. S., Normandy Park.

I went to the grand opening of this new facility in April and was very much impressed with everything this hospital has to offer.

I have been looking for a new place to take my pets. After speaking with Dr, Kasper, I decided to give it a try.

It was definitely a good choice. My animals seem to love the staff and my older dog (who has many problems) is now much better.

Dr. Kasper is very informative and takes the time to make sure everything is being done for their health.

If anyone is looking for a veterinarian for their pets, this is a wonderful place for them. Dr. Kasper and her staff are very caring and really make the animals feel comfortable.

I know that it is difficult for new businesses at this time to get started, due to the economy. I hope her clinic continues to grow and gets the recognition that it so deserves.

I just want to let everyone in the community know that Companion Animal Medical Center is here for all of our four-legged family members.

We are all facing tough economic times. The only way is to reach out to the communities.

I know that (the Times/News) also had rack to distribute your newspaper at the Southcenter Post Office, which like ours has been removed. I do not know what to do but I am writing you of the ordeal and hope you will join us in voicing our concern.

Some time back we had put a small rack (to distribute our magazine free) at the Southcenter Post Office. I had asked the window clerk to see the postmaster and seek permission.

But she said the supervisors are at the Riverton Post Office. Also, I was told that the land belonged to the Westfield. I asked Westfield and they said they did not have any problem since there were other racks also.

When I went to put the magazines again, the racks were missing. I asked the window clerk again who again directed me to Westfield. I contacted Westfield and they told me that it was not removed by them.

I contacted Riverton Heights; the supervisor, who identified herself as Mary, said she had asked the Seattle Times to remove the racks.