May 2010

Hitting took a holiday for the Decatur girls fastpitch softball team in an 8-0 South Puget Sound League 4A South Division loss at home to divison leader Puyallup on Friday, April 30.

Viking hurler Kelsey Robinson allowed only three hits while striking out 11 with no walks.

"Give the pitcher credit," said Gator head coach Molly Rutter. "We knew where she was going to throw it, but we couldn't adjust to hit the outside corner pitch. She was in command and we were looking for people to stand up for quality at bats."

The Vikings moved to 12-2 league and 15-3 overall. For the Gators, their record turned into 2-9 and 3-12.

Puyallup obtained all the runs it needed in the first two innings to build a 4-0 lead. Decatur was still within 4-0 after five complete innings, but a Sara Rose solo homer in the sixth along with three Viking tallies in the seventh inning swamped the Gators.

The Highline School District will receive $ 1.8 million each for Cascade and Chinook Middle schools as a part of federal school improvement grants for the 2010-11 school year.

The funds are to be used to transform education at the two schools. The grants will extend for three years.

"The schools that were chosen to receive School Improvement grants demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation and turnaround," said Janell Newman, assistant superintendent for district and school improvement and accountability at OSPI. "The money they will receive gives them a unique opportunity not only to turn around the schools, but to establish models for other schools in the state."

The overall goal of the program is to understand which practices produce the most significant improvements in student achievement, particularly in diverse schools serving low-income students, children of color and English language learners.

Cascade, in White Center, has a total enrollment of 521 with 75 percent of the students qualifying for free or reduced meals. Fifteen percent are in English language leaners classes.

The Ballard High School track and field team sent 12 athletes to the men’s Shoreline Invitational May 1.

Significant personal record improvements were made by sophomore Matt Kelly and sophomore Alex Bowns.

Kelly finished 17th in the javelin with a throw of 153 feet 7 inches.

Bowns, who ran in the freshmen and sophomore 1,600 meter. finished in fourth with a time of 4:26.79.

Both Beavers moved into the top 10 in those events in KingCo.

Click here for complete results from the May 1 Shoreline Invitational, which is considered the premiere meet in the Pacific Northwest.

ChoralSounds Northwest, comprised of 65 volunteers who enjoy singing, is putting on its spring show, "Red, White and Musicals" on May 15-16 at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien.

The politically-themed show also features an appropriate special guest --KIRO radio talk show host, Dave Ross, who unsuccessfully ran against Congressman Dave Reichert in 2004.

ChoralSounds conductor, David Spring, said the concert's lineup of songs conveys "social commentary" to the audience to fit with the political theme.

The group will perform songs from popular musicals with themes revolving around race, war and social class, such as "Miss Saigon, "West Side Story," and "Les Miserables."

Ross has sung in choirs since middle school. When he's not on the air talking about the hot political topics of the day, he is also heavily involved with the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society.

Is it surprising that the former congressional candidate has this kind of hobby?

"Not to my long time listeners," he said.

Some members of the choir are excited to see what Ross has up his sleeve come show time.

SeaTac lawmakers agreed April 27 that the city is interested in continuing to receive animal control services from King County for 21/2 more years.

However, they wrangled over how they would express that interest.

Following a 60-minute workshop, council members, with the exception of Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher, expressed their interest in sticking with county animal control services.

But newly elected Councilman Rick Forschler said he was unsure of the validity in taking an informal poll of lawmakers at the end of a workshop.

At the end of the regular council meeting, Forschler made a formal motion that SeaTac convey its interest to the county. Fisher and Councilman Ralph Shape said the council routinely expresses its consensus without taking a formal vote.

Forschler's motion was defeated 5-2 with only newly elected Councilwoman Pam Fernald joining Forschler.

Then, Shape requested the council informally express its consensus again, which the lawmakers did.

King County has announced it will get out of the business of supplying animal control officers, shelters and licensing to cities on June 30.

James Graddon, Chief of Police for the City of SeaTac, has been honored with the Crime Prevention Chief of the Year award by the Washington State Crime Prevention Association (WSCPA).

"The award is based on Chief Graddon's contributions made through his leadership with crime prevention projects, not just in SeaTac, but throughout the state of Washington," said Vince Powell, vice president of WSCPA. "His support of the WSCPA has been instrumental in training, improvement and awareness in the field of crime prevention."

The WSCPA hosted its 2010 Awards Ceremony in Spokane on April 29th

"I have had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Chief Graddon and I can't imagine a better person for the honor," said Todd Cutts, interim city manager for the City of SeaTac. "In just three years his leadership has resulted in continuous improvements in public safety and has helped to change some long-held perceptions of our community."

Air marshal pleads not guilty

Lecheton O. Settles a federal air marshal is being held at the Regional Justice Center in Kent on $250,000 bail. He is being charged with one count of first-degree rape. Settles is accused of raping a woman at a SeaTac hotel. He originally denied having sexual contact with the 24-year-old woman, but recanted after learning the woman had accurately described to investigators his hairless body. Settles pleaded not guilty Wednesday, April 28.

'Forced' bank robbery

A female bank robber passed a note to a teller at the Sterling Savings Bank in Burien demanding money. She told the teller that she was being forced to do it and "he" would make her rob another bank if she didn't get the money. No weapons were used or implied during the robbery. It's not clear how much money was taken. The robber was described as white, about 40 years old, 5 feet, 5 inches with a medium build and bruising around her mouth and face.

Stolen items, dead fish

May I Have this Waltz! Community Dance
Hiawatha Community Center
2700 California Ave. S.W.
www.danceforjoy.biz/
Saturday, May 8, 7-10 p.m: 7-8 p.m. Beginning Waltz Lesson (no partner or experience required). 8-10 p.m. Dance to Swing, Waltz, Blues and more. Mini-lessons throughout the evening to keep you dancing. Singles and couples welcome. Lesson and
Dance $12. Lesson or Dance Only $8. Childcare available for modest fee. Call Lilli Ann to arrange 206-264-5646.

American Sewing Guild
The Kenney Home
7125 Fauntleroy Way S.W.
206-937-5774
Saturday, May 8. 10 - 12 p.m. Monthly meeting will present the program on how to use interfacings and the different types. Bring you sew and tell.

Mother’s Day Glass Blowing Demo
Avalon Glassworks
2914 S.W. Avalon Way
206-937-6369
Sunday, May 9. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Bring Mom to watch live glassblowing demonstrations, talk to the artists and learn about the process. This is a free event.

Save Lowman Beach Park Meeting
Puppy Perfectors
9629 17th Ave. S.W
Monday, May 10, 7 p.m.

Kathy’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet Class
The Kenney Home

Dr. Diane Sherwood-Palmer, a doctor of chiropractic practicing in White Center, was recently elected to serve as President of the Washington State Chiropractic Association (WSCA) Board of Directors. She was elected to this position at the WSCA Spring Conference on April 17, 2010 at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Wash.

The 1000-member WSCA is the only statewide association that represents the chiropractic profession in Washington State.

Dr. Sherwood-Palmer operates Palmer Chiropractic Clinic located at 10767 16th SW in Seattle. She is a second-generation chiropractor operating a nearly 50-year old family practice. Dr. Sherwood-Palmer comes from a lengthy line of chiropractors—her father, mother, sister, brother-in-law, and two brothers are all practicing. She was born and raised in the Northwest and has been in practice for 25 years.

I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful coverage of our visit to Chief Sealth HS last week. The photos are great and I loved the video -- it really shows what our residencies are all about. A lot of times people will focus on just one element of our visit, but you captured the full spectrum. All of us at the Monk Institute greatly appreciate your thoughtful coverage!

Warm regards,
Sarah

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Sarah Andrew Wilson
National Director of Education Outreach
Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz
5225 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 605
Washington, DC 20015
202.364.7272 tel
202.364.0176 fax
202.680.2420 cell
www.monkinstitute.org
www.jazzinamerica.org