May 2010

In the heart of Des Moines, on what was once called Cherry Street, is an old farmhouse that had cows, a barley field, fruit trees and chickens. It was a seven-acre farm that provided for a family of eight, back in its day.

The farm was subdivided and is now just a half-acre with only a pear and walnut tree left to harvest. However, being from Montana, I figured that I could resurrect the farm. So, with a shaft of wheat in my mouth, I tilled up the rich earth for a vegetable garden and decided to "git me some chickens!"

Truth be told, many city dwellers are trying their hand at playing farmer, and Urban "Chickenry" is becoming more and more common.

Perhaps folks are getting tired of wimpy eggs that come from miserable, tube-fed hens and vegetables that have less nutrition than the cardboard containers in which they're packaged. Even "cage free" doesn't mean what you think and "organic" isn't a guarantee, either.

Taproot Theatre Education Director Sara Willy isn't just in charge of overseeing the Greenwood theater company's new Drama With Your Mama class, she's also a member.

Willy took her 2-year-old son to the first Drama With Your Mama class, an acting workshop for children ages 1 to 3, May 10, and even with a "drama person" for a mom, Willy didn't know how her son would react. Would he like it? Would he respond? Would he be shy and clingy?

"He went crazy," Willy said. "He loved it so much."

Taproot Theatre, located at 204 N. 85th St., offered classes for adults and children 4 and older, but nothing for what Willy calls "the little ones."

She said there are gymnastics classes, music classes and more for 1-year-olds to 3-year-olds, so why not a theater class?

She and Drama With Your Mama teacher Jessica Brady put together a curriculum that will get young children use their imagination and act without knowing that is what they are doing.

Willy said the little ones get a lot out of the class. Future actors are learning skills that will serve them in that pursuit, while other children learn how to use their voices, bodies and space while being aware of others, she said.

Normandy Park's Archery Bistro will present "Running Blind," a 5K Run to benefit the Hear See Hope Foundation for Ushers Syndrome, on Sunday, June 6th starting at noon at the bistro. It is located at 19803 1st Ave. S.

This inaugural 5K Run is inspired by restaurant owner, Todd McKittrick and his wife Lane, who have four sons, two of which are afflicted with Ushers Syndrome. The boys were born deaf and as time goes on, they will become blind.

The McKittrick family has set up "The Hear See Hope Foundation" to create awareness and raise money for Ushers Syndrome.
For one mile of the run, starting at 12:50 p.m., participants will have the choice to be guided, to walk or run blindfolded while wearing earplugs, so they can feel what it would be like to be deaf and blind.

As part of the festivities, a BBQ and beer garden, as well as a root beer garden for kids, will be set up on the Normandy Park Towne Center property. A hay maze will be available with the option of being blindfolded with earplugs, again to see what it is like to experience Ushers Syndrome.

Burien City officials cut the ribbon on the new City Hall North on May 11. City Hall North shares space with the King County Sheriff's Boulevard Park Resource Center.

City Hall North is located at 11846 Des Moines Memorial Dr. It officially opened its doors on May 4. It will be open initially on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

The ribbon cutting came a little over a month after Burien annexed the area, now referred to as North Burien on April 1.

Citizens will be available to get city information and pick up forms at the new City Hall, as well as talk to Burien police, who will have a desk there.

Photographer Kurt Howard captured these images of the Titan's 1-0 victory over Auburn Riverside on May 12. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO PLAY SLIDESHOW.

Residents and businesses will learn more about how the closure of South Park Bridge will impact their community at an open house on May 25.

The meeting will be held 6-8 p.m. at the Machinists Hall, 9125 15th Place S. in Seattle. The open house will include a formal presentation and a question and answer session at 6:30 p.m.

During the open house and presentation, the King County Department of Transportation, representatives from the city of Seattle and other service providers will provide an overview of key actions that will be taken in response to input from residents and businesses in the area.

With the June 30 closure of the bridge just weeks away, several actions have been identified to help keep traffic moving while supporting local business needs.

Those steps include:

• Adding a signal at the southbound onramp to SR-509 at South Cloverdale Street and 1st Ave. South to relieve traffic congestion;
• The installation of signage to help channel motorists through the area and around the bridge after it closes;

"Save Our Psyches."

That was the motto expressed at the Highline School Board meeting held May 12.

Nearly two-dozen psychologists and counselors employed by Highline schools attended the meeting in an effort to lobby the board to not go forward with proposed budget cuts to their departments.

A variety of budget reductions are on the table as the school district scrambles to maximize savings. The reductions in psychology and counseling would result in the loss of two special education staff members and would increase the workloads of counselors and psychologists. The district estimates the savings would be around $705,000.

About a dozen people made their cases to the board, a few of them unable to hold back tears as they argued for the value of their work and the severe consequences the cuts would have if approved.

One of the tearful ones was Caitlyn McGuire, a special education teacher at Des Moines Elementary.

She told the board that she taught a classroom full of children with "dynamic disabilities" from autism to Asperser's syndrome.

Photographer Kurt Howard captured these images of the Federal Way boys' soccer team's 2-0 victory over Curtis on May 12. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO PLAY SLIDESHOW.

Northwest Art and Frame at 4733 California Avenue Southwest has shared a sad message with the community via its Facebook page this morning. Art the Cat passed away Saturday, May 15.

"Our beloved store cat, Art has passed on into kitty heaven this last Saturday. He was deeply loved and touched the lives of so many in the West Seattle community and beyond for years and will be sadly missed.

He spent most of his life offering excellent customer service to all of our great custom...ers and has been spending the last few years in retirement living with store owners Dan & Jeri. He loved you all very much and will be greatly missed!"

Highline Community College has named Deborah King - founder and president of Final Touch Finishing School in Decatur, Texas - its 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award winner for her work raising civility awareness around the globe.

The civility and etiquette expert will be honored at 3 p.m., June 10 during the college's commencement ceremony at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

"I am so honored by this award," King said. "No matter what a person does in life, someone taught them the skills they needed to be successful. I am grateful to HCC for preparing me for my future, so that I can prepare others."

King has more than 30 years of experience in the etiquette and image industry. She teaches students around the globe how to evaluate social and business situations and how to respond appropriately based on cultural considerations.

"She has donated countless hours of training to various non-profit organizations with a focus on image development for the underprivileged and abused of all ages," said HCC Foundation President Lori DeVore, who nominated King for the award. "I have seen her work increase the self worth and confidence of countless students."