December 2010

On a beautiful, sunny Sunday, Dec 19th, Cress and Matthew Drees brought their inflatable Santa down to Golden Gardens to take the family Christmas Card photo. They plugged a portable pump into their car and got Santa to stand upright enough to get a photo. The five year Ballard residents said that this was the first time they had done something like this.

Got Ballard pictures worth sharing? Send you Ballard pictures to anner@robinsonnes.com

Mrs. Bertha Davis has another mission to accomplish in life. Her energy and force of will are incontrovertible – from former student to new acquaintance, one has no choice but to do her bidding. The retired Ballard teacher and reading specialist is adamant that the bell on Ballard Avenue must ring again; preferably in time for her 97th birthday in February 2011.

The bell tower at the triangle intersection of Ballard Avenue and 22nd Avenue NW is not just a Marvin’s Park anchor; it is a repository of history that links present-day Ballard to its 1889 origins as its own city in Washington (with nefarious detours along the way). It sits on the site of Ballard’s first city hall and once again houses the 1600 pound bell that rang at 6 p.m. to signal shift’s end at the local mills. To mark Ballard’s centennial in 1989 a group led by Ballard’s own State Senator Ted Peterson took the dream of returning Ballard’s bell from exile (following the earthquake that damaged town hall) all the way through the fundraising, design and dedication. Mrs. Bertha Davis was treasurer of the Ballard Bell Centennial Foundation.

Scott and Allegra Simpson closed their three-year-old restaurant, the Lunch Box Laboratory on Sunday, Dec 19th, in preparation for a move to a new location in South Lake Union.

They had mixed emotions about the move but the success of the tiny restaurant on 7310 15th N.W. was a factor in the change - they simply need more room.

"We tried to find a place in Ballard but we really couldn't," said Scott Simpson.

"We had an opportunity to move into this new space that is ten times bigger so we took it."

The restaurant will open with an expanded menu in late January in its new location near REI.

After Friday's meet, the Ballard gymnastics team now has the highest score in the state so far this year, said coach Stephanie Gundel. "The team just keeps improving every meet. Beam was key [on Friday], with many of the gymnasts sticking their routines."

In the meet against Roosevelt High School, the Ballard team scored 170.4 points and Roosevelt scored 139.7.

Bars:
1. Taylor Stern, Ballard 8.6
2T. Molly Barnes, Ballard 7.7 & Elaine Marshall, Roosevelt 7.7

Beam
1. Stern 9.35
2. Barnes 8.85
3T. Marshall & Erica Redman, Ballard 8.75

Floor
1. Stern 9.35
2. Marshall 9.2
3. Barnes 9.1

Vault
1. Stern 9.45
2. Maureen Sturgeon, Ballard 8.65
3. Maria Volk, Ballard 8.55

All Around
1. Stern 36.75
2. Barnes 34.05
3. Marshall 33.95

Girls Basketball team loses to Woodinville

The Girls Basketball team played Woodinville on Friday, one of the better teams in state.
The Beavers played tough and held on for three quarters. But in the fourth quarter, the Woodinville girls pulled away and Ballard was unable to catch up. The Beavers lost 30 to 49.

Seniors Elena DeWeese and Theresa Moriarty both scored 6 points.

New this Week December 20, 2010 – January 9, 2011:

*****NEW ITEMS IN ITALICS*****

Mead – Honey based alcohol beverage– Delicious! - from Rockridge Orchards at UD and WS. Considered the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world (Bronze Age) made from fermented honey and water... limited quantities and it sells out quickly.

Cippollini Onions – organic from Pipitone Farms – both markets

Frozen Cherries – Sonata, Bing and Santa Rosa cherries). Tonnemaker Family Orchards - at all markets

Frozen Roasted Peppers – Sweet and Hot varieties from River Farm – at both markets.

Dried Herbs – basil, oregano, rosemary, CATNIP! At both markets

PRINT OUT THIS LIST AND TAKE IT WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO SHOPPING.

Fresh at all Seattle Area Farmers Markets:

VEGETABLES:
Beans –Dried Shell Beans – Cranberry, Cannellini, Fava
Beets – Red, Golden, Chioggia
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots – sweet and tender – Rainbow of colors!
Celery Root – Celery cuttings
Fennel
Garlic
Greens – Mache, Bok Choy, Collards, Turnip, Mizuna, Arugula, Spinach, Sorrel
Mixed Braising Greens
Jerusalem Artichokes
Kale
Leeks

Furry Faces Foundation in cooperation with Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation got the first of their four "wrapping events" off to a great start Dec. 18 at the Rocksport by wrapping all manner of gift bottles (some from the Beer Junction around the corner) and many from people there to get great gift wrapping and to help support the organization's work for animals. All gift wrapping is being donated but they do ask for a donation. This was only the first of four events so if you are "gift wrapping challenged" or just want to support an organization dedicated to helping animals you still have three chances left right up to Christmas Eve.

The events are as follows:

• Dec 19th, 1 - 5 pm at the Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California Ave SW (During the Speciality Bottle Sale)
• Dec 23rd, 4 -8 pm, at the Rocksport, 4209 SW Alaska
• Dec 24th, 2 - 7 pm at the Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California Ave SW

More Information: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Furry-Faces-Foundation/119492341396607?v=a...

http://www.furryfaces.org/

The court ruled this morning that DNA evidence used to convict Amanda Knox of murder three years ago in Perugia, Italy, will be re-examined. Two independent experts from Rome's Sapienza University have been selected to scrutinize some of the prosecution's evidence at Knox's fourth appeal hearing, Jan. 15.

Amanda Knox was in court this morning, Dec. 18, in Perugia, Italy, which is nine hours ahead of Seattle time, making her third appearance in her appeal trial. This is the same courtroom that found her guilty of murdering her college roommate, Meredith Kercher, three years ago. However, with a new judge and jury, the West Seattle-raised 23 year-old has a second chance at freedom in her appeal trial.

The two most controversial pieces of evidence may be the kitchen knife that prosecutors have claimed is the murder weapon, and Ms. Kercher's bra clasp. Knox's lawyers have complained that some stab wounds were too small to be a match with the knife, and that the bra clasp was mishandled by the police and forensic team.

This story will be updated.

Brian Agler, the head coach of the WNBA champions, the Seattle Storm took the time on Friday, Dec. 17 to come to West Seattle High School and speak to the girls basketball team. He brought a decidedly inspirational message.

Agler, who actually missed one of his own high school daughter's games to make the visit, brings a history of success to the team. He compiled one of the best records in the American Basketball League including two ABL championships before the league disbanded. He has been an WNBA coach for the past five years, first at Minnesota then moving to Seattle in 2008. Previously he was an assistant with San Antonio and Phoenix.

First year head coach Sonya Elliott (see her site here) welcomed Agler and said, "It's a great opportunity for the girls to meet an icon in women's basketball. He was coach of the year last year. It's important for them to hear what he has to say."

Home care worker Mike Roth is not only fighting for his financial survival, he is also fighting for the lives of his six clients. As one of 2.5 million members of the Service Employees International Union, or SEIU, Roth, 66, who lives in near Westwood Village, has been speaking out against Governor Gregoire's proposed cuts in her 2011-2013 State Budget. SEIU members provide care for people in private homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and janitorial services. Roth's clients, and his wages, are state subsidized.

According to the SEIU Local 775NW website, "Proposals include reducing voter-mandated training requirements, (and) slashing health benefits for low-wage caregivers. Just a day after agreeing to a 3% pay reduction for most state employees, the Governor proposed a 10% pay cut for the lowest paid public employees - home care workers who make just over $10/hour helping seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities."

December 15 was a special day for everyone at Roxhill Elementary School when its kindergarten, first and second grade students were invited to romp in the gym as the school hosted the Young Athletes Play Day program sponsored by Special Olympics Washington.

Of Roxhill's 330 students, nearly 100 have special needs. This was an opportunity for all to participate and compete in soccer, basketball, and other physical activities together regardless of ability. Even Seattle Sounder Taylor Graham dove into the action.

Classrooms were divided into groups to enter the gym at three separate times.

"It's just a really wonderful opportunity for all the young children to experience being athletes and engage with peers regardless of ability level," said Roxhill Principal Carmela Dellino, a West Seattle resident. "Taylor Graham led the soccer activities. He has been a strong advocate here and has been to our school several times.