May 2010

Highline Schools Superintendent John Welch has been named the 2009-10 recipient of the South Seattle Community College Upward Bound Program's Ida B. Wells Award.

The award recognizes an individual who has made major contributions to the success of students in the Upward Bound program.

Upward Bound serves low-income students and students whose parents did not go to college to help them prepare to be successful in college. Upward Bound operates in Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) on the Evergreen campus and at Global Connections High School at the Tyee Educational Complex.

"Your commitment to the academic and personal success of students is an example for all educational professionals," said Sebastian Myrick, Upward Bound Director for South Seattle Community College. "As a first generation college student yourself, we feel you set an example for our students of how far dedication, hard work, and a belief in one's self can take a person."

Welch will receive the award at an awards ceremony in June at South Seattle Community College.

On the first Monday of the month, I perched amidst fishermen and “Deadliest Catch” fans on a chair in the Leif Erikson Lodge for Sig and Edgar Hansen’s free-wheeling talk. The following Monday night, I crawled in the side door of the Ballard Library’s meeting room and found floor space in a room overfilled with mostly women.

The common theme was adoration, in this case for the rescheduled appearance of Molly Wizenberg, author of “A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table.”

The May 10 event was cosponsored by Secret Garden Bookshop and marks the conclusion of Wizenberg’s book tour for the paperback release.

Sig Hansen’s work life is available on cable. Likewise, through her very popular blog, "Orangette," "Spilled Milk" podcasts and "Bon Appetit" column, Molly Wizenberg’s life would appear to be an open book.

The on-ramp from 1st Avenue South to the Spokane Street Viaduct is now closed for 16 months as part of the improvements to the Viaduct. The South Spokane Street Viaduct Project crews closed the westbound 1st Ave S on-ramp and prepare it for demolition. This will precede work to widen the upper roadway 41 feet to the north, and build a new on and off-ramp along 1st Ave S.

For bus route changes and details, see our May 13 story:
http://www.westseattleherald.com/2010/05/13/news/get-ready-delays-and-d…

West Seattle Democratic Women Fundraiser
Woodside Braseth Gallery
2101 Ninth Ave., Seattle
Thursday, May 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m. You are invited for a wonderful evening of food, drink and beautiful artwork while “Rubbing Elbows” with many of the Political Powerhouses in our community. First hour: KC Exec. Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor McGinn. Second hour: Seattle Council members, State Senator Joe McDermott and others. Suggested Donation: Supporter $25, Friend $50. For information 425-392-7390.

Kathy’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet Class
The Kenney Home
7125 Fauntleroy Way S.W.
Sundays, May 23, 30. 1 - 2:30 p.m. In a 5 week series of classes, you will learn the causes of inflammation and how to reduce it. As inflammation is reduced, people often experience improved sleep, reduced aches and pains, improved health, overall weight loss, lowered cholesterol and reduced sinus congestion. $125 for 5-week series. Read about Kathy’s Diet here, www.pnwlocalnews.com/vashon/vib/lifestyle/44829877.html Register at toquietinflammation.com/westseattle.html

Hiawatha Community Center
2700 California Ave. S.W.
206-684-7441

Residents of West Seattle often share what we enjoy daily with those from out of the area. One of the places to take visitors is the Hamilton Viewpoint Park at the northern end of the Admiral District.

The Seattle Parks Department offers this bit of history for this park, "The land for Hamilton Viewpoint was purchased in 1914. However, it would not become a public park and viewpoint until 1954, when parking, benches, lawn and plants were developed. In 1957, the park was named to honor Rupert Lehn Hamilton in recognition of his efforts to promote parks and viewpoints in West seattle and his work to develop the community while editor and publisher of the West Seattle Herald.

(edited from the files of Don Sherwood, 1916-1981, Park Historian)

On Sunday, May 16, Herald photojournalist Kimberly Robinson noticed another photographer just admiring the view. Craig Becker, here in Seattle for a photo assignment took a break to take it all in.

An article appearing in the British Newspaper Telegraph's online edition that Amanda Knox will appear on a TV interview is inaccurate, according to Amanda Knox's stepfather, Chris Mellas, reached in Perugia, Italy by the West Seattle Herald. Such an interview would be of great interest as it would be the first time Knox would have spoken to the public since her murder conviction of her college roommate, Meredith Kercher. Knox is currently serving 26 years in prison for the murder. She is appealing that verdict.

The Telegraph's reporter, Nick Pisa, writes that Knox will appear on TV, and that one of Knox's lawyers is against it. She is scheduled to make her first public appearance June 1 when she goes on trial in the slander case, brought based on her accusation that the police hit her during questioning.

Stop by today, Sunday, between 9am-3pm for the garage sale in the Bank of America parking lot on Admiral Way across the street from the 7-11 and meet Maddie, Poppy & Maya, friendly pitbulls up for adoption. Get an ice cold Vitamin Water, some great deals and feel great about supporting Animals First Foundation. All the proceeds will be used to pay for the medical costs for our animals.

They also offer plants for sale (very cheap).

A shooting early Saturday morning (May 15th) left a man dead in a White Center street. The incident occurred about 2:30 AM.

The victim was found in the eastbound lanes of the 1500 block of SW Roxbury Street. He was dead when police arrived after receiving a 9-1-1 call of a shooting. He was shot at least once, and in his early 20’s.

According to a witness who was driving by and heard several gunshots, the man stumbled out of an alley and collapsed in the street. There were numerous people in the alley, but most were gone when Sheriff's deputies arrived, just minutes later.

No one has come forward who actually witnessed the shooting.

If anyone has information on the case they are asked to call the King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.

By Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles

The 2010 regular and special legislative sessions have adjourned. While we worked diligently to complete our work by March 13, it turned out that 60 days was not enough time to balance our budget while facing a historic revenue shortfall.

In no uncertain terms, we had to completely rewrite our biennial budget. After closing a revenue gap of more than $9 billion in 2009, we had to fill another $2.8 billion hole during the 2010 legislative session.

As demand for public services grew, we cut more than any legislature in state history. While businesses lose customers during tough economic times, there is greater demand on government for public services. Need for health care, emergency assistance, job training and state financial aid increase, just as our ability to pay for them decreases.

Last year, we cut $4 billion from valuable government services. For the first time since 1951, the two-year budget we approved was smaller than the preceding budget.

This is the fourth in a series of articles on 96-year-old Morey Skaret, who emigrated from the family homestead in Endiang, Canada to West Seattle in 1923. Having survived the hardships of the prairie—and the sorrow of leaving a brother behind—Morey would thrive and blossom as a vigorous transplant in his new land.

“Three times the harvest failed and we went broke,” recalls Morey Skaret, reflecting on his family’s final years on their homestead farm. “We didn’t have enough money to buy seed grain. So Dad just had to pick up and take his family somewhere else; they were foreclosing on us. We owed money for seed grain from the year before.

“We left in a lumber wagon, and we put our stove in there,” Morey says. “We were going to a little town called Hanna. We knew the mounted policeman there. He kinda knew my dad, ’cause they were both Norwegians. He got a shack for us for seven dollars a month, and got my dad a job on the railroad greasing the wheels.