June 2010

Opinions abound on how much water you should drink as well as what acceptable sources of hydration are.

Elizabeth Quinn, M.S., an exercise physiologist, fitness consultant and health information content producer and editor, states: "It is a myth that you need eight glasses of water a day. According to a report from researchers at the Institute of Medicine and Canadian scientists we should be more concerned about our sodium and potassium intake. Their findings indicate that most people get adequate fluids by drinking when they're thirsty."

Paul Chek, F. Batmanghelidij, M.D., a host of other holistic (defined: addressing the emotional, physical and environmental impacts on our health) wellness practitioners and I respectfully disagree.

Human evolution has not progressed one cell in the last 200,000 years. Humans evolved drinking water and mother's milk. We learned to tolerate full fat cow, goat, sheep and mare's milk depending on what part of the world we were in.

Certain beverages were fermented. We discovered tea and coffee. Some peoples were vibrant, happy and vital; many were not.

"I want to capture the vitality of the elderly in the community, through a variety of roles-- as educators, role models, caretakers and artists. And to incorporate their wisdom and life experience with children's curiosity," said award-winning artist Chandelle Anderson.

If you haven't seen this eye-catching, in-process project yet, go to 219th Street between Marine View Drive and 7th Avenue South. Look for the south plaza wall in the QFC shopping block, just behind Andy's Spiro's Gyros restaurant and next to Kim's Des Moines Nail Salon.

There, on the south end of that shopping plaza wall, you'll likely see Anderson with her paintbrush creating this city's only 12' by 37' mural.

Even in just the beginning of the creative stage, this colorful mural lends a sense of community. It's about time-- the time of life, time of joy sharing that day in nature's beauty young and old alike sharing music, singing, and fishing in the park.

I tried to picture myself there -- what fun. See for yourself.

Watching the mural develop is captivating. This art can be a significant attraction to downtown Des Moines.

The Sound Transit light rail station at South 200th Street in SeaTac may open four to six years ahead of schedule in 2016, according to officials.

King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson, who represents Des Moines, Renton, SeaTac and Tukwila and also sits on the Sound Transit Executive Committee, described the rail line as "long overdue."

Interstate 5 is currently used over its capacity, she said, causing frequent congestion during which vehicles often move at average speeds of 15-30 miles per hour,--far below posted limits.

Patterson said that the light rail line would provide "an alternative to driving in that." The trip from the new station to downtown Seattle will take 38 minutes, she added, "whether or not there's a Mariners game."

However, starting the project will require gathering $34 million in grants. Bruce Gray, a Sound Transit spokesman, said that the agency will likely be able to present a finalized timeline in spring of 2011.

Much of their hope rests on the appropriation of a federal TIGER II job creation grant, which could cover about 11 percent of the total costs, Patterson said.

Fireworks in Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila. Community parades in Burien and Normandy Park. Twenty-seven American flags at Tukwila's Museum of Flight.

No need to fill up the old gas-guzzler's tank to go searching for family-friendly Fourth of July fun. There will be an explosion of Highline holiday happenings on Sunday, July 4.

Burien

Just what is it about a parade that is so magical? Patriotic music fills the air as colorful floats drift idyllically down the street.

Esteemed veterans proudly salute the American flag, beauty queens and elected officials wave merrily from their convertibles, and youngsters squeal in delight as they clamor for the free candy. All around, happiness is contagious.

And in Burien, community pride shines! The City of Burien and the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce are excited to present the 89th Annual Burien Independence Day Parade, on July 4.

It starts at 3 p.m. and goes for approximately two hours, putting it at a convenient time before all the barbecuing and fireworks begin.

The long awaited Junction Plaza Park was dedicated on Tuesday, June 29 before a crowd on onlookers, benefactors and many who put in the hours and sweat equity to make the park a reality. Todd Carden, owner of Elliott Bay Brew Pub and President of the Junction Association opened the ceremonies and spoke about the 10 year process the park took to come to fruition.

Carden said, "This is a pretty exciting day. This project has been a long time in the making. " He noted that in 2000 Kay Knapton, then executive director of the Association spearheaded many projects including some of the existing sidewalks and was the original prime mover behind the park. He said, "It's been a big collaboration between the local business community, fund raising, a lot of the local residents have been big supporters of this through the JUNO organization.

He introduced City Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw and Tom Rasmussen who both expressed their gratitude to everyone who helped develop the park, Deputy Parks Superintendent Eric Friedli was on hand as was Parks Board chair Jackie Ramels.

4:45 p.m. June 26 – 12:32 p.m. June 27, 200 Block of N.W. 40th St.

On June 26, a well-dressed and overly polite man arrived at a Fremont estate sale.

Victim said most people check out the whole house and walk through all the rooms. However, the man, who as acting suspiciously, only looked at the glass jewelry display cases, victim said.

Vicim said the home, which is unoccupied as its owner is deceased, was left locked after the sale. The next morning, it was found to have been burglarized. The front door and display case were pried open and damaged, and several jewelry items were stolen.

The approximately 30 jewelry items stolen from the case are valued at approximately $2,500.

2:30 a.m. June 26, 9200 Block of Holman Road N.W.

Victim stated that he was leaving work and walking westbound on Holman Road when two unknown males attacked him.

He stated that one suspect grabbed him from behind, and the other punched him in the face. Victim fell to the ground where he was punched in the face several more times.

The suspects took his wallet out of his pocket and ran southbound on 13th Avenue Northwest.

Two Seattleites represented by the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the city of Seattle June 29 to stop what they see as the city’s unlawful use of taxpayer dollars to support the Woodland Park Zoo’s reckless and illegally cruel treatment of its elephants.

Plaintiffs Mary Sebek and Nancy Farnam brought their concerns about what they characterize as misuse of city funds to support illegal conduct at the zoo to the national non-profit Animal Legal Defense Fund, whose attorneys are representing them, according to an Animal Legal Defense Fund press release.

“As a taxpayer, I feel obliged to take a stand to make sure that the city of Seattle stops funding animal cruelty,” Sebek said in the press release.

According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, as a result of inadequate facilities, abusive management practices, longstanding intentional neglect, and breeding practices in callous disregard for elephants’ welfare, the zoo’s elephants, Bamboo, Watoto and Chai suffer from severe and chronic foot and joint injuries, unexplained physical trauma and bleeding, and sustained psychological harm, according to the press release.

Providence Mt. St. Vincent 4831 35th Ave SW (between SW Hudson & SW Edmunds in West Seattle has announced their summer concert series which will be staged through the month of August on Friday nights August 13, 20, 27.
The events are free and good for the entire family. Each event is different and features a new food theme for each concert.

Dinner is available starting at 5 pm. Music starts at 6 pm.
Food is available for purchase. Beer and wine garden for those over 21. Fun activities for kids.

August 13th: Maia Santell & House Blend
Jambalaya, burgers, hot dogs.
Bouncy House, face painter, caricature artist.

August 20th: Illusion of Elvis by Danny Vernon
Fried chicken picnic, burgers, hot dogs.
Clown, face painter, caricature artist.

August 27th: The Haggis Brothers - Rockin’, swingin’, fiddle-driven string band
BBQ ribs, burgers, hotdogs. Magician, face painter, caricature artist.

Providence Mount St. Vincent can be contacted at (206) 937-3700.

Following a widely acclaimed 2009 debut that received national attention, Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Center on Contemporary Art and the Carkeek Park Advisory Council are again collaborating on a unique, temporary outdoor sculpture trail that will run through Sept. 26 at Carkeek Park.

As before, the theme of the "Heaven and Earth II" outdoor sculpture exhibit concerns the natural world in a time of dramatic change. Some of the art is designed to weather in place and erode, while other work incorporates movement and interactive use by visitors.

The exhibition features 12 artists with 15 to 20 works located throughout the park. A walking tour of the whole exhibit takes about an hour, but visitors can see some work in much less time, including a variety of work accessible from the access road.

Maps can be downloaded for free at Center of Contemporary Art website beginning. A catalog of this year’s exhibit will be released in August.

Artists included in "Heaven and Earth II" are Big Camera Group, Barbara DePirro, Miguel Edwards, Julie Fisco, Anette Lusher, Ingrid Lahti, Julie Lindell, Piper O'Neill, Eden Rivers, Sylwia Tur, Ken Turner and Johnny Wooten.

Author of The Car That Brought You Here Still Runs (Revisiting the Northwest Towns of Richard Hugo), Frances McCue, will make a personal appearance at the King County Library at Greenbridge 9720 8th Ave SW, at 6:30 PM in White Center on July 15. McCue will do a reading and sign books.The event is free, open to the public, and suitable for all ages

Watch the book trailer:

There will be a literary open mic following the reading, at Mac’s Triangle Pub 9454 Delridge Way SW for those who want to read their own (or the work of others) writing. Note: Minors are not allowed in the Triangle Pub.

This special event is produced by the White Center Arts Alliance, White Center for the Arts and Real Art Ventures, in cooperation with Elliott Bay Book Company, White Center Jubilee Days, the White Center Community Development Association and the White Center Chamber of Commerce. Special thanks to Mac’s Triangle Pub and the YWCA at Greenbridge for their generous cooperation.