September 2010

Seattle Deputy Mayor Daryl Smith, Concord Elementary principal Dr. Norma Zavala, and local artist Amaranta Ibarra-Sandys were on hand for opening ceremony of the “Little Bridge” at South Henderson in South Park.

CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
 

Feet First worked together with Sea Mar Community Health Center, Concord International Elementary School and the community to transform the “Little Bridge” from an eyesore: dull, rusty and overgrown, into a beautiful artist’s path rich with cultural imagery. The fence was replaced and several days were spent cleaning and painting by community members.
 
Principal Zavala was given the honor of cutting the ribbon that officially opened the “Little Bridge” while local residents waited to be the first to cross the bridge. Also speaking at the opening was Feet First Executive Director Lisa Quinn. Ms. Quinn spoke of importance walking in bringing a community together. She also pointed to Principal Zavala’s efforts in making Concord Elementary the most “Walked to school in Feet First’s Safe route to school program”.
  

Madison Middle School 6th grade math teacher, and entrepreneur, Kathy Myers, wants students across America to have a piece of the “pi.” The North Admiral District mother of two began a part time “temporary tattoo” business, Academic Tattoos, with math equations and slogans for students to affix to their hands, arms, cheeks, and even foreheads to remind them of equations and to increase their interest in math. Some stickers contain pi puns such as the "Vam-pi-re" design, the pumpkin with pi symbol over it. Get it? “Pumpkin pi?” And for the brainy high school senior, how about the quadratic formula on your shoulder, or the golden ratio, a design that evokes architect Frank Lloyd Wright-meets-seashell.

While the tattoos vary in size and price, and while Myers expands her line to science, English, and history, she said the common denominator is getting kids involved in enjoying learning, and pointed out that when the student is home a teachable moment surfaces when the parents ask their kid about the tattoo and its content.

Crown Hill's Small Faces Child Development Center celebrated its 35th year as a nonprofit organization Sept. 11. And, for the first time in 35 years, the older children of Small Faces had a playground of their own to celebrate on.

In addition to the anniversary, Sept. 11 was the official debut of Small Faces' new playground for older children. Before that, Small Faces only had a preschool-centric playground.

John Otto, executive director of Small Faces, said he found a letter from the 1980s signed by students and a teacher asking for a playground for older children.

The new playground was built by volunteers in two days, but it took a week before children were allowed to use it, Otto said.

"The kids could just not wait," he said. "They were on the other side of the fence like, 'Please just let us in.'"

Otto said he is looking forward to another 35 years of Small Faces. And, now that Small Faces owns its facilities at the Crown Hill Center, there is a chance to make some real improvements, he said.

While crossing the West Seattle Bridge and then cruising Alki, test-driving the noiseless, battery-powered, zero-emissions Fusion Red Tesla Sport Roadster, letting loose from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 hair-raising seconds, it is hard to find an adjective to describe the sense of acceleration, especially while your racing heart feels like it's hiding behind your backbone. During our test-drive from Tesla Seattle at 435 Westlake Avenue North, to Alki Beach, my pilot and co-pilot, Patrick Robinson (we took turns at the small, leather wheel) the West Seattle Herald web editor, somewhat of a car maven, and equally impressed by Tesla's zip, said, “Let’s put it this way. We left the dealership at 2:30 p.m. and now it’s 2:25 p.m.”

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The Ballard High School football team's Sept. 10 nonconference matchup with Franklin High School was a game of highs and lows.

The high was Ballard senior Daisjurr Sosville scoring on two-yard run on fourth and goal and sophomore Johnny Verduin adding the extra point to cap a seven-minute drive midway through the first quarter. The low, at least in terms of the score, was anytime after that.

Franklin took the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown to start a string of 24 unanswered points on the way to a 24-7 victory.

That early kickoff return was only one example of a rough day for the Ballard special teams, who had two kickoffs, including the opening kickoff of the second half, run back for touchdowns and muffed a punt.

But, the special teams did show some positive signs as well. Verduin landed a couple punts inside Franklin's 20-yard line, including one inside the 10. And, Ballard blocked three extra points and stopped a two-point conversion.

Now in its 21st year, WestFest has become West Seattle’s Fall Family Festival. The event will take place between s.w. 41st and 42nd on Dakota Street and features rides, games, food, a beer garden, bingo and much more on the Holy Rosary School grounds.

The hours are Friday evening Sept. 17, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Wristbands for rides are available in advance at Curious Kidstuff – 4740 California Avenue, West Seattle. Phone – 206-937-8788. Wristbands will also be available at the festival.

This year, the stage will host both a local children’s talent show "WestSeattle Idol" from p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and a “Best in Show” pet show from 2 p.m to 2:45 p.m, also on Saturday Sept. 18.

"My ID Club" will be on site to make ID cards for kids. Check them out at MYIDCLUB.org. This is one of the only times they will be in West Seattle.

From the SPD Blotter:
On 09-10-10 at approximately 8:30 p.m., a motorcycle driven by a 54-year old-male was traveling southbound on the Alaskan Way viaduct. As the motorcycle took the southbound exit to 1st Ave S, it failed to negotiate the right curve of the exit ramp.

The motorcycle collided with the east side curb, continuing along the curb for approximately 95 feet, when the driver came off the motorcycle and struck a light pole, continuing over the rail and landing in the curb lane of 1st Ave S below the East side of the exit ramp.

The Seattle Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced the 54-year-old male driver dead at the scene.

The King County Medical Examiner responded to gather additional evidence and recover the body of the victim.

Traffic Collision Investigators responded to investigate the collision and processed the scene.

If you have a pet without a license and live in unincorporated King County (or one of the cities the County contracts with) you could
be facing a very stiff fine, up to $250 for an "unaltered" animal without a license.

King County Press Release:
Residents in unincorporated King County and 27 contracting cities have just 20 days left to take advantage of an amnesty period for unlicensed pets before they face a no-tolerance fine. As part of the new Regional Animal Services model for animal control in King County, residents were given a 90 day amnesty period to license their pets without facing a fine. The amnesty period expires at the end of the day on September 30, and starting Friday, October 1, residents who have unlicensed cats or dogs face a fine of $125.00 for spayed or neutered pets, and up to $250.00 for an unaltered pet.

Under the new model that took effect July 1, the cost for pet licenses for spayed or neutered animals remained unchanged at $30.00, and the price for unaltered pets was reduced to $60.00 (previously $90.00).

At Chief Sealth High School Sept. 10 the stands were filled with students and alumni for the second home game of the Seahawks.

Everyone went home happy when Chief Sealth defeated the Rams of Ingraham High 12 to 6 in a turnover plagued game that could have gone in any direction.

That said, at the end of the game both teams shook hands in the middle of the field and went away friends.

The Chief Sealth Marching band was in full swing and did what high school bands are supposed to do...keep the place rockin'!

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The Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation has completed its renovation tasks at its new home at 7141 California Avenue Southwest and is planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12.

The first service will follow at 10:30 a.m.

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The congregation purchased the building that once housed the Gatewood Baptist Church in April and needed to make many renovations to improve the facility and get it ready. With a 60 year old building, they completed an extensive repair & renovation prior to moving in. These repairs include installing a new sound systems, accessibility upgrades, painting, electrical and plumbing upgrades, new furnishings, kitchen upgrade, garden design and more.

The move in process began in June 2010. After spending the summer cleaning, painting and making general repairs, the congregation moved in on September 5.