March 2010

Tonight Mayor McGinn's Youth and Families Initiative comes to West Seattle to the Denny Middle School 8402 30th Avenue Southwest from 7 to 8:30 pm. The initiative will shape the city of Seattle's agenda on youth and family issues. The Youth and Families Initiative is committed to eliminating racial disparities in key indicators such as education, child care, children's health and the criminal justice system.

Tonight's meeting is one of six large group workshops being held around the city where the public can participate in the process.

For more in depth on the Youth and Families Initiative see the Herald's original story about it here.

Mayor Mike McGinn's question and answer session during the March 14 annual meeting of Groundswell NW, in which he touched on green infrastructure inside and outside of Ballard, began in what is becoming the typical style of all city representatives.

"We're in a really tough budget situation," McGinn said. "That will be the starting point for any discussion."

The city is facing a $5 million general fund deficit from 2009, another $5 million deficit this year and a projected $15 million deficit next year, he said. In addition, the city's utilities are also facing deficits, he said.

"It's kind of a bleak situation," McGinn said.

He said there are fewer resources for the city to provide services, and that is creating a challenging situation in which to invest in neighborhoods.

McGinn said the city is facing a number of expensive projects, such as replacing 520 and the viaduct, that are part of what he considers gray infrastructure, projects that lead to greater pollution and poorer health.

"We are very interested in making a transition from these gray infrastructure projects to what we consider green infrastructure projects," he said.

Kennedy Catholic's quest for a repeat Class 3A girls basketball championship came to a crashing end on Thursday, March 11, in the quarterfinals of the state tournament at the Tacoma Dome.

With the shot clock winding down in a 50-50 deadlock, Hailey Gullstad drove the lane and threw up a shot that barely rose above the front to give Mercer Island a 52-50 lead against Kennedy Catholic.

Facing similar situations throughout the season, the fighting Lancers turned once again to senior Yaz Fuller, who has made numerous key shots in her career.

After a time out, Fuller attempted a running jumper in the lane that bounced off the front of the rim. A tip-in try by Aminah Williams failed to drop and the Islander upset was complete, even as Fuller and Williams collapsed to the floor in grief and disbelief.

Kennedy Catholic led most of the game, utilizing athleticism, quickness and patient passing that led to driving layins or materialized in clear outside shots.

Defending Class 3A girls basketball champion Kennedy Catholic survived the inspired efforts of East Valley of Spokane to escape with a 61-55 first round victory in opening action of the 2010 state championship tournament at the Tacoma Dome on Wednesday, March 10.

The Lancers (22-3) moved on to a Thursday showdown with third-ranked Mercer Island (21-5).

East Valley's 9-17 record against tough competition encountered mostly in its Greater Spokane 3A/4A League still put its caliber of play in question.

"We underestimated them," admitted senior Yaz Fuller, who scored 14 of her game high 33 points in the fourth quarter to rescue the Lancers. "I'm a senior. I'm not going out with a loss, no way. We were more concerned about what everyone was saying. We weren't focused on what coach tells us, '(Play it) game by game'. We needed to take it to heart."

Kennedy ended on a good note Wednesday thanks greatly to the determination of Fuller.

Fuller scored 11 of Kennedy's last 14 points including the spin around driving layin that

As expected, Bob Warden, Kent attorney whose suit against Mayor Greg Nickels and the City of Seattle regarding the ban on guns in city parks was dismissed by Judge Marsha Pechman last week has filed his appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

In his letter to the Herald Warden states, "This morning I appealed the district court's dismissal of my federal civil rights claim against the city of Seattle. The appeal will be focused on the second amendment claim against the city. The portion of Judge Pechman's ruling regarding former Mayor Nickels and punitive damages was reasonable, and I accept it. Though I disagree with the portion of the ruling dismissing the state constitutional claim, it sets no precedent for future actions, and could add little to the value of my case.

With so many changes in Ballard these days, you’re more likely to find an Asian-style teahouse here than Scandinavian lutefisk or lefsa.

Interest in tea is surging, and we're fortunate to have several exceptional spots to relax and enjoy fine Chinese tea.

From Miro on Ballard Avenue to Floating Leaves Tea on Market Street to Zen Dog Studio Teahouse atop Crown Hill, sip and take home exquisite teas grown and processed on small estates in mainland China and Taiwan.

If you really want to dive in, try visiting them all some afternoon on a tour de tea.

Miro Tea

My first stop on this Ballard tea tour is Miro, which at first glance is the most similar to our ubiquitous Seattle coffee shops. But, the ambience is noticeably more relaxed.

People park here with their laptops and work, talk, sip tea and eat tasty handmade crepes and other good eats.

You can learn about Permaculture tonight Monday, Mar 15,during the Sustainable West Seattle March Meeting at the Senior Center for West Seattle on at 7:00 pm. Laura Sweany a member of SWS, the owner of Terra Flora Farm, and a certified permaculture instructor will be speaking. You will learn how to prepare an area, what to consider planting, how to manage sun, water and other environmental elements, and how to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your efforts.

The Senior Center of West Seattle is located at 4217 SW Oregon St., around the corner from California Ave. SW. This is a temporary location necessitated by the renovations being made to the Lodge at Camp Long, their long-standing meeting location and a West Seattle landmark.

You can learn more about Sustainable West Seattle through their website http://www.sustainablewestseattle.org/

Gutsy Women
Saturday, March 20, 9 a.m. This informal gathering is for women to meet and learn from each other’s travel experiences and share wisdom learned on the road. Bring your coffee and your questions! Group meets on 3rd Saturday of each month.

Sunday Service
Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation

4736 40th Ave. S.W.
206-935-0418
Sunday, March 21, 10:30 a.m.
“Vernal Equinox: Swinging with the Great Pendulum” Multigenerational Service
Service Leaders: Lisa Reitzes and Shelby Greiner. In ancient times, the many cultures of the Northern Hemisphere celebrated Spring as people intimately connected to the earth, its seasons and its energies. In these post-modern times, what does Spring mean for us, practically and spiritually? Drawing inspiration from ancestral practices, we'll explore ways to reconnect with our identity as children of this planet and members of the family of all beings. Be prepared for a different sort of service incorporating story, music, movement, and celebration of the light and life force of our community.

Have a Conversation That Matters!
C&P Coffee Co.

As a reminder for all who are considering applying for a Small and Simple Neighborhood Matching Fund, there is a deadline approaching on July 12, 2010.

The Small and Simple Fund offers awards up to $20,000 for neighborhood and grassroots groups, in partnership with the City, to initiate, plan, and implement community building projects.

Groups must be open and inclusive, actively engage diverse community members, be significantly composed of people who live and/or work in Seattle, and be able to raise community match. For additional information on community match and the Small and Simple Fund, visit http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/smallandsimple.htm.

Gatewood Elementary at 4320 S.W. Myrtle Street is the scene for another concert by Westside Symphonette on Tuesday, March 16, 7:30pm. The concert will benefit the Gatewood and Roxhill music programs through the $1 admission.

Founded by Toni Reineke in the Fall of 2002, local students have an opportunity to participate in a full symphony orchestra, an opportunity that does not exist in West Seattle schools.

Program Highlights:
Orchestra classics Finlandia Intermezzo from Hary Janos, Bugler's Holiday (with a twist!)
Sing Along with Sounds of Simon and Garfunkel
Special Guests; Gatewood and Roxhill advanced strings and their coaches

There are now two orchestras, senior for the more experienced musicians and junior for beginners with 45 members in all. The orchestras present two to three concerts each year. Students come from public and private schools all over the West Seattle area.

Sponsored by Gatewood and Roxhill PTA's the concert will take place in the cafeteria.