May 2010

Limber Babies
Seattle Integrated Martial Arts
4711 42nd Ave. SW
206-935-4531
Sundays, May 30 - June 27, noon-12:45 p.m. This is a wonderful and unique playdate for moms, dads or caregivers! Bring the little one and relax, play, and recharge through yoga. Call now to register; 6 classes/6 wks: $60.

Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Training Dates
West Seattle Library - Admiral Branch
2306 42nd Ave. S.W.
206-240-4757
Tuesday, June 1, 6-7:30 p.m. Special training for those wanting to volunteer for Seal Sitter in West Seattle. Seating limited to 70 with some standing capacity. Contact janeleimbachermartin@gmail.com with any questions. Check Seal Sitters’ blubberblog for updates regarding participants.

Providence Mount St. Vincent
4831 35th Ave. SW (between SW Hudson & SW Edmonds)
206-937-3700

Intergenerational Art Show

By Bill Hoffman

Too much of late has been written of the need of political engagement when the political dialog at all levels is mired in partisan politics and in process. This is because how we go about something has become the end game. Many in politics don’t seem to care if we ever get a result.

Despite the claims of our present politicians, political pundits and party hacks to the contrary, we the citizens know it is almost impossible to be heard, much less present solutions because on many levels the average voter really has no voice.

I am an average voter. Yet I am running against Jim McDermott for the 7th Congressional seat because I believe in the power of ideas. I believe in discourse and I believe that we are at a crossroads. We have several omni-important issues that must be addressed and solved within the next few years. Our economy is presently inequitable and could collapse under its own weight of corruption and greed. There’s terrorism. There are a number of critical social issues. Yet there is one issue that could eclipse all others … that is the problem of global warming.

This is the fifth in a series of articles on longtime Fauntleroy resident Morey Skaret, who came to West Seattle in 1923 as a wiry, wide-eyed 10-year-old, fresh off the Canadian prairie.

As a transplant from “the sticks” of Canada, Morey Skaret wasted little time seizing the educational, economic and social opportunities awaiting him in his new land. He enrolled in Jefferson Elementary School, and was a member of its last class to include eighth grade students. “In 1928 they finished James Madison,” he recalls, “where they had the middle school. Before that, you went from the 1st to the 8th grade, in grade school, and then you went directly to high school as a freshman.

The 2nd annual 5k run/walk to benefit the West Seattle High School PTSA saw 1140 runners, walkers, babies in strollers, dogs and many more gather on Sunday, May 23 under cool and cloudy skies on Alki Avenue. The race organization began in January with early registration when PTSA Vice President Jo Bader got things going.

The race went from approximately the Alki Bathouse to Anchor Park at Duwamish Head and back.

West Seattle High School Principal Bruce Bivens was on hand and said, "It's like a field of dreams out here. If you build it they will come. You have come today to show your support for West Seattle High School so I thank the West Seattle community. This is a wonderful time and this is a troubling time. As you know, it's no mystery, that public education is in a financial crisis. So every dollar that is earned here today goes back to the classroom as a dollar of support to the teaching and learning of students."

A few years ago, my husband started complaining that he was gaining weight. He decided, since his wife is a dietitian, he’d ask me what to do. Smart man.

I told him to pack his lunch. He likes to take clients out to lunch, but those meals add twice as many calories and salt as a meal fixed at home.

Just like my husband, the average American eats two out of three meals a day away from home.

So how can you cut the salt and fat out of your lunch meals? Here are some lunchbox tips for you.

Breads. Whole grain breads add a nutty flavor and have lots of nutritional pluses. Try artisan bread for a chewier texture or the added flavor of roasted onions or fresh herbs.

Veggies. Tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, bell peppers, onions, water chestnuts, celery, shredded carrots or apples add crunch and flavor. Try red leaf lettuce, Romaine or even arugula for a change.

Spreads. Try low-fat mayonnaise or go easy on the regular version, and add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest for flavor. Instead of mayo, use fresh or dried herbs added to yogurt or a new type of mustard. Most are low in sodium and fat.

Sunday morning at 9 AM hundreds of people will take to the street for the West Seattle 5k Run/Walk sponsored by West Seattle High School PTSA. Check in begins at 8 AM and the run starts at 9:20 AM.

At 11 AM it's time to play, make art, listen to music, check out the surf machine, drink root beer floats, watch skateboard demonstrations, shop at local businesses and to stop by the kid’s obstacle course sponsored by Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Hiawatha Community Center and Pathfinder School joined other teams for the "Girls on the Run" 5k event. Over 300 participants ran through Seward Park Saturday, May 22. Girls on the Run® is a life-changing, experiential learning programs for girls 8 to 13. The programs combine training with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development.

This doubles the number of participants from last fall's run.

Click on the photo to see more images from the event

About a dozen parents and children spent their Saturday morning giving shape the the new Golden Gardens play area May 22 at the Golden Gardens Bathhouse where Seattle Parks and Recreation were presenting two potential schemes.

The first scheme for the new play area, which will be located in the field immediately east of the Bathhouse, is called Bubbles. In Bubbles, there are four partial circles of play that are segregated by age group. In the middle of the play area are picnic tables.

In the second scheme, Squid, the play spaces are less broken up. There is a plaza at the east side of the play area where Americans with Disabilities Act parking spaces would be located. Areas of beach grass, logs and rocks separated the play area from parking.

Dean Koonts of HBB Landscape Architecture said comments at the first meeting for the new play area April 7 expressed a desire for seating near play areas, paths separating age groups and proximity to restrooms.

Both Bubbles and Squid schemes are four to five times larger than the current Golden Gardens play area, Koonts said.

The Westwood Village Street Fair was blessed by a sunny day and a big turnout on Saturday May 22. The crowds came to take part in the dog show, hear music, tour business booths and see the treasured northwest legend J.P. Patches.

CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT

The event featured inflatable carnival rides, face painting, a magician, a fashion show, plus live performances from the Red Hot Blues Girls and The Memphis Radio Kings.

They held a free hourly raffle with prizes ranging from gift cards for Westwood Village Stores including a diamond pendant from Wyatt’s Jewelers.

The event began at 11AM with the 1st Annual Westwood Village Dog Show with great prizes such as Puppy Vacations, Doggy Spas, grooming certificates, and gift cards.

Entry to the event, rides, and participation was FREE.

Randi Hansen was working for the city of Seattle when she saw a need to provide emergency services in the north end. She would find a place for someone to stay temporarily, help them with paperwork and then put together a small food bank when the need was for food. This was in 1978.

What became the North End Emergency Fund is now the Ballard Food Bank, serving the four zip code areas that make up Magnolia, north Queen Anne and Ballard.

In addition to walk-in customers, the Ballard Food Bank delivers groceries to 90 households a week for those unable to pick up food because of illness or disability.

Original founder Randi Hansen, born in Norway but a 58-year resident of Ballard, is one of those people.

“I don’t know what I’d do without them,” Hansen, who is unable to drive due to epilepsy and a stroke, said of the nonprofit.

Currently located in a primarily residential neighborhood on 24th Avenue Northwest, the Ballard Food Bank recently announced they will be relocating in mid-July to a former machine shop at 5130 Leary Ave. N.W., just south of Carter Volkswagen & Subaru.