June 2010

Senator Maria Cantwell spoke at the Washington Public Campaigns (WPC) 4th Annual Awards Banquet at South Seattle Community College Brockey Center Saturday, June 19. The event was coined "Fair Elections Now!" and she and other speakers emphasized the urgency for election finance reform to minimize damage done by special interests and lobbyists that could derail health care reform and recession recovery.

Democratic Candidate for the 34th District, Marcee Stone, emceed. Stone, who pledged not to take PAC or corporate money is the former president of WPC, now held by Annie Phillips of Burien, who also spoke. WPC board member Brian Gunn urged the audience to recruit more WPC members. Elsie Simon was awarded WPC Volunteer of the Year Award.

"We have an antiquated system that continues to reward the influence of large organizations in our campaign system when what we really need to do is vote for people based on what they stand for and what their constituents want them to do in Washington, D.C.," said Sen. Cantwell in her speech.

The 3rd Annual Seattle Brain Cancer Walk is held Saturday, June 26, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM, beginning at the Seattle Center. Alki resident Maria Hoppe is leading "Team Irene" with about 15, including her husband, Eric, their two kids, Andrew, 15, and Katherine, 12, brothers and friends, some coming in from the Bay Area where Maria's mother Irene lived, was treated for brain cancer, and where she passed away at age 65, in August, 2009. The walk will raise money for research and increase support for families and caregivers of those with brain cancer.

"When my mother was diagnosed I was surprised how many others have had brain cancer," said Maria. "It turns out my neighbor lost his father to the disease, too, and his family will join our team. My mom was still working at Cisco Systems in the Silicon Valley while she was being treated at UCSF. I reached out to her co-workers there to sponsor our team. My mom was really popular there, and they have been very receptive.

Many Moons Trading Company is doing a Food Drive for the White Center Food Bank and is seeking food for hungry children. The White Center Food Bank is not as well funded as the West Seattle Food Bank, as White Center is not considered a part of the city of Seattle. School is out, and their supplies for children are running low.

Statement from White Center Food Bank:
"We are currently serving 1,500 families a month which is made up of 4,900 people. 1,700 of those are children. More than 55% of children in White Center area schools are on free or reduced lunch programs. Less than 1 in three of the schools has a summer food program. That leaves a gap in the food available to hungry children. People can help us by donating kid friendly food like peanut butter, jelly, macaroni & cheese, tuna, canned fruit and easy to heat canned or dry meals. All food should be non-perishable.”

Drop food off from 11-6 Tues-Sun
Many Moons Trading Co
4517 California Ave SUITE B
(by the liquor store)

In May of 2010 the White Center Food Bank served 4,907 individuals and got donations of 71,756 pounds of food.

If you pass a friend's front yard flagrantly flocked with fifty flamingos flanking their house, this may be due to Admiral United Church of Christ youth engaging in a fundraising mission.

"Members of the church commission us to flock friends' houses," said Admiral UCC Youth Group Leader Don Osmer. "We are raising money to go toward involving youth in programs including camp," said Osmer, the partner of new pastor, Rev. Dr. Donald Schmidt.

To flock a friend contact the church at (206) 932-2928 or visit www.http://www.admiralchurch.org/

You can read our story about new pastor, Rev. Schmidt here.

Nothing says summer quite like a barbecue. Whether it’s hamburgers on a hibachi, spareribs on a Weber or barbecue chicken in the oven, these tasty grilled meats are a summertime favorite.

The problem with most barbecued meats is the added salt the sauces often contain.

Many meats are also brined, or soaked in salt water, which adds unnecessary salt. Although brined meats may be moister, that added salt holds onto fluid in your body, raising your blood pressure and affecting your kidney function.

When you buy meat or chicken, watch out for those that include up to 15 percent added water or are “enhanced” or “plumped.” Chances are, the added water has added salt.

An unplumped chicken breast has about 41 milligrams of sodium, while an enhanced chicken breast can have more than 350 milligrams. Keep your kidneys healthy – choose the unplumped chicken breasts without added, hidden salt.

Meats that are already marinated also have added salt, so make sure to check the label. A pound of beef, chicken or pork should only have 200 to 300 milligrams of sodium per pound, not per serving.

While the West Seattle Herald was at Villa Heidelberg Bed and Breakfast June 17 to report on a big event hosted by local power-house Renae Gaines, there to recognize five years of accomplishments of the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant that discourages teen drinking and drug consumption (and, by the way, where we picked up a nifty "Top Reporter 2010 Award". Thanks Renae!) B&B owner Judy Burbink discussed the sale of her home and business to guests.

The eight-bedroom Villa Heidelberg Bed and Breakfast, 4845 45 Ave SW, at the corner Erskine Way SW, built in 1902, is listed for sale for $1.3 million.

"I'm in my 12th year here and still love doing it but thinking I want a little break," said Burbank who co-hosted the event in her expansive but cozy Germanic living room and dining room. "I still enjoy meeting all the people because they come from all over, and I like hearing about their vocations and travels. That's the most fun part, and I love cooking. Renae was at a different event here and asked if I could do this event. I like to do things for the community."

Friday night people gathered for the 10th annual 'Relay for Life' walk in West Seattle Stadium, raising money to find a cure for cancer. 20 teams of people came out this year, almost twice that of last year. King County Executive Dow Constantine was on hand to get the event started.

The walk goes through the night, lasting 18 hours in all. Participants pitch tents and make the field their home for the night, as team members take turns walking around the track.

There were events throughout the evening, including bingo for the kids, and a candle ceremony where the entire track is lined with bags decorated for people who have last their lives to cancer. The names of those being honored were later read aloud for all to hear.

At 10 p.m. on Friday the candles inside the bags were lit, illuminating the entire track.

Following an investigation of the athletic program, Highline Public Schools administrators have posted job openings for a new district athletic director and Evergreen High School campus athletic director.

Jackie Lewis, the district's athletic director is on leave following revelations that Jayson Boehm, a substitute Highline Field stadium manager, had given physicals to male students without appropriate medical supervision. Boehm, who had been hired to provide first aid at athletic events, was not licensed to give physicals. The district fired him.

Daylene Boehm, Jayson Boehm's sister, was also placed on leave. The district is now advertising an opening for her former position.
The district is also advertising for a coordinator of athletics, which is a lower job classification than district athletic director, according to spokeswoman Catherine Carbone Rogers.

However, the job is a full-time position. Lewis served part-time as athletic director.
He was also an assistant principal at Highline High School. Whether Lewis returns to Highline High or the Highline district is on hold, pending the conclusion of the investigation and an athletic program audit.

Nearly a year after the ribbon cutting for the project last August, the 1st Avenue improvement project between 192 and 200 street in Normandy Park is overdue and over-budget, with plenty of blame being thrown around.

Normandy Park City Manager Doug Shulze said at the end of March that work was expected to be completed by the end of May or early June. He is now saying they hope to have the road and construction work completed by the end of July.
The city received a federal stimulus grant for $3.6 million, which was expected to cover the entire project.

Shulze says there are some change orders pending from the contractor, Pivetta Brothers Construction, in the amount of $100,000-$200,000. Any additional money required to finish the project will have to be paid by the city, Shulze said.
One of the requirements for receiving the federal grant was that the city have a "shovel ready" project-- meaning the project was completely designed and ready for work to begin immediately.

Mark Pivetta, president of Pivetta Brothers, said he did not feel they were given a shovel ready project.

Following an investigation of the athletic program, Highline Public Schools administrators have posted job openings for a new district athletic director and Evergreen campus athletic director.

Jackie Lewis, the district's athletic director is on leave following revelations that Jayson Boehm, a substitute Highline Field stadium manager, had given physicals to male students without appropriate medical supervision. Boehm, who had been hired to provide first aid at athletic events, was not licensed to give physicals. The district fired him.

Daylene Boehm, Jayson Boehm's sister, was also placed on leave. The district is now advertising an opening for her former position.
The district is also advertising for a coordinator of athletics, which is a lower job classification than district athletic director, according to spokeswoman Catherine Carbone Rogers.

However, the job is a full-time position. Lewis served part-time as athletic director.
He was also an assistant principal at Highline High School. Whether Lewis returns to Highline High or the Highline district is on hold, pending the conclusion of the investigation and an athletic program audit.