April 2010

What could have been a tragedy was recently averted up on Gatewood. Homeowners heard suspicious noises on their back deck around 4 a.m. and discovered an obviously intoxicated young man who couldn't explain why he was there. Telling him to stay put, the couple called 911. It turns out that the impaired 22-year-old lived two blocks away and had become separated from his friends. He was transported home. His mommy promised to keep him from wandering into anyone else's yard.

Around 7 a.m. on the 12th, a passerby noticed a man lying face down, with his head on a pillow, in the alcove doorway of an Alaska Junction business. Not getting a response from the man, he called 911. Medics determined that the fellow—a 29-year-old West Seattle resident—was deceased. The Medical Examiner found no signs of foul play, but test results are pending.

Sig Hansen, infamous captain of the Northwestern on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch,” is reading from his new book, “North by Northwestern,” on May 3 at the Leif Erikson Lodge.

In a Seattle Times' interview with writer Jack Broom, Hansen discusses the changing face of Ballard and Ballard Avenue: “The weekend farmers markets he dismisses as ‘frequented by sandal-wearing recyclers ... storefronts that once sold hardware and ship supplies are now boutiques ... It's not clear to me what they sell.’"

I’m a sandal-wearing recycler who loves the Ballard Farmers Market. So in advance of the reading, I decided to look and see if all of the old Ballard Avenue businesses had gone the way of boutiques.

Just two weeks ago, Sam Peterson of Associated Wood Products (formerly on Ballard Avenue, now on Ballard Way) recounted the loss of part of a finger due to a “stupid mistake” in his shop. That’s old school.

He told me that his friend and landlord Dick Olsen didn’t even seem to care about the blood on his car upholstery, but insisted that Sam fasten his seat belt.

Dani Heckman loses her name when she laces up her roller skates and clops onto the flat track.

Hanging up the doe-eyed, cheery 29-year-old R.E.I outreach specialist in the locker room, Heckman becomes Dee Troit, a flash of black spandex, silver stars and knee pads, the number 8 inked on her arms.

“When we put our uniform and makeup on, it’s a chance to be somebody different for a little while,” Heckman said.

Heckman, who lives in Ballard, has skated with the Rat City Rollergirls, Seattle’s premiere roller derby league, since 2006.

The sport has soared in popularity in recent years, especially in Seattle. Just last week, the Rat City Rollergirls filled 5,703 seats in the Key Arena, shattering a national roller derby record.

All the rollergirls adopt alter egos, morphing into wheeled warriors that push, knock and mow down their opponents in a blend of sport and spectacle.

“Nothing is acting or theatrical," Heckman said. "The hits you see are real hits. The uniforms are just an added bonus. It gives you a little bit more character. Every girl has their own little flair.”

Okay, you've probably heard of "Glee," the new hit show that just about every teenager (and teenager at heart) watches these days. I love it, too - mostly because it brings me back to my "glee" days.

Yeah, it's true, I was a Gleek. I was in Concert Choir (the one that you sing in wearing a velvet robe). I was in Swing Choir (think jazz.)

But that's only the beginning. I was also in the "Choraliers" (younger singers) and I was in another small group ensemble. I took voice lessons. You get the drift. When in doubt, I sang.

I loved the singing, loved the camaraderie, and loved the harmony. I also loved my high school music teacher - until I quit choir in a rage.

Yeah, it's true. I quit the very thing that I felt, in so many ways, defined my high school experience.

My high school choir teacher was famous in music circles. He was amazing, and we all knew it. I adored him, and looked up to him. He used to hang out with us, take us to dinner. He was supportive, creative, and funny.

There will be a special three-day filing period, April 26 to 28, for the upcoming North Highline Unincorporated Area Council election to be held on May 20.

Applications will be accepted for a two-year term for District 2 and At Large positions and a one-year term for District 1 and District 3.

District 1 is the unincorporated area east of state Route 509. District 2 is between 509 and 4th Avenue Southwest. District 3 is between 4 Avenue Southwest and 16th Avenue Southwest.

To obtain a Candidate Filing Statement or to learn more about the position contact Ronald Johnson, Chairman, Elections Committee, 206-767-3053 or visit www.northhighlineuac.org.

The council represents residents and business/property owners of the North Highline Unincorporated Area in their dealings with King County and surrounding cities. Some of the issues of concern include annexation/incorporation, zoning/rezoning, parks, human services, surface water management, land use, transportation/ roads/ Metro issues, 3rd runway, adult entertainment, drug houses, public safety and projects to improve the quality or delivery of county services.

Burien Clean Sweep will be happening on Saturday, April 24th from 8 am to 1 pm. The starting point will be the Burien Fire Station #2 at 15100 Eighth Avenue S.W. were there will be teams that will clean the streets, parks and commercial areas of Burien.

With the addition of North Highline area being annexed by the city of Burien, the teams have more ground to cover and clean this year.

Even though the start time is at 8 am, the prep time comes comes as early as 6:30 am.

"The fire station helps out with preparing the garage for setting up tables and moving out the fire vehicles so the volunteers will have a place to get ready for the event at 8 a.m.," said Debra George, Discover Burien event manager.

George noted that stores in the area will be helping out by setting up dumpsters nearby for the trucks that have collected the trash around the area after the volunteers have collected them. Also there will be recycle containers for any recyclable items which will be located in the Burien municipal parking area.

Just in time for baseball season, Burien Little Theatre presents "Bleacher Bums," a comedy that swings for the fences and scores a home run in laughs.

"Bleacher Bums" features a diverse cross-section of eight Chicago Cubs fans who cheer on their team against their hated division rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. Some of them have followed the Cubbies for 30 years; others are just there to get a tan.

Present at Wrigley Field during this hot summer day are Greg (Dash Shearer), a blind man who seems to be more aware of the game than anyone else; Decker (Alan Wilkie), a loud mouthed gambler; Richie (Matt Bordwell), Decker's geeky son who reluctantly serves as his father's scorekeeper; Mr. Zigowski (Don Speirs), a gambling addict who cannot seem to turn down any bet; Rose Zigowski (Kate Brophy), his wife who disapproves of his gambling; Marvin (Mark Burton), an anti-Cubs fan who roots for the Cardinals just out of spite; and Melody King (Dallas Milholland,) a gorgeous sunbather who seems more interested in soaking up the rays than noticing the game.

Water District 54 commissioners and staff met last week with Des Moines Council and staff to discuss some much needed upgrades to the water infrastructure in downtown Des Moines.

The meeting ended with staff from the water district and the city being directed to work on an agreement to manage and fund what will be a nearly $2 million project.

Inadequate water pressure to meet the required level for fire suppression has hampered the development of downtown Des Moines.

Grant Fredericks, the Des Moines public works planning and building director, said any buildings built downtown would have to be either concrete and metal, or the developer would have to pay to upgrade the water pipes their building would tie into so there was adequate water pressure in case of a fire.

One developer has told the city the building restrictions were prohibitively expensive, ultimately resulting in them not building downtown, Fredericks said. He added the city has heard indirectly other developers citing the same problem.

The project being looked at would put a 10-inch water main along Marine View Drive from South 219th Street to South 227th Street.

Former Burien City Councilman Larry Lee Gilbert, of Union, WA, 71, died March 1 in Rancho Mirage, CA. A life remembrance ceremony will be held this summer in Union.

He also founded the Burien Computer Center.

He was born June 21, 1938, to Helen Van Zanten and Jack Gilbert in Spokane, WA. He graduated from Seattle's Lincoln High School in 1956 and went on to the University of Washington on a Carkeek Scholarship where he became a member of Sigma Xi and graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

Also a member of ROTC, Mr. Gilbert became a U.S. Army 2nd Lt. and was stationed at the Signal School in Red Bank, N.J.

Past and present members of the Burien Breakfast Toastmasters and guests recently celebrated their 50th anniversary with a dessert reception.

One of the original charter members, Al Sasonoff, was in attendance and shared anecdotes about the early years of the club. When the club was originally founded on Feb. 6, 1960 there were charter 20 members.

During the last 50 years hundreds of people have belonged to the club.

On display was the collection of interesting club memorabilia, collected over the years by the late Gil Duffy, a prominent citizen of Burien. The artifacts displayed showcased the changes made over five decades of club history.

Duffy, a prominent member and club corner stone joined "Burien Breakfast" in 1967. He was the club's treasurer for 40 years and remained an active member until the time of his death.

The club honored Duffy's memory and many contributions to Burien Breakfast by announcing a trophy in his name to be awarded to the winner of the club's International speech winner in the spring and the District Humorous contest held on a local level in the fall.