January 2011

by Patrick Dunn

Some tools just stand the test of time, regardless of technological advances. The brace, in all its simplicity, is one of those modern tool dinosaurs. First developed sometime in the 15th century, the manual brace hasn’t really changed much over all those years. Aside from its transition to steel, the only real advance has probably been the introduction of a ratchet mechanism somewhere along the line that allowed a user to maximize the tool’s torque when operating in a cramped environment.

Until last week I was unaware that January 23, 2011 is National Pie Day. Even sadder, I didn’t realize the event is celebrated with extra fervor in Ballard and has been for last four years at Salmon Bay Eagles. Local realtor, volunteer extraordinaire and Eagles member Mary Schile and her pie team are mounting their annual Pie Buffet as a benefit for the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research. Free with “pie in hand,” otherwise $10, this event sounds like a must for pie lovers (and those who love pie puns).

Whittier Heights resident Mary Schile has always loved pie; although “no one makes a better crust than my mom." The American Pie Council’s declared pie day happens to fall near her own birthday. To celebrate Schile would invite her friends to, “come over, and bring a pie.” This evolved into a Pie Buffet that got so big she had to move it to upstairs at Salmon Bay Eagles on 20th N.W. With the move Schile added live bands, a silent auction and a raffle, and more funds earmarked for ovarian cancer research. Over the last four years she has amassed a 25+ member pie team whose duties range from pie check-in, pie plate washing, t-shirt design and raffle ticket sales.

Chief Sealth Girls Basketball lost to Rainier Beach on Wednesday night, 45-55. Story and a slideshow will be updated soon.

A photograph of the Vashon Ferry at sunset, 5:25 p.m., taken from the end of Fauntleroy Pier, and a shot of the moon over Lincoln Park taken from the Vashon Island Ferry Terminal.

By Richard Sherman

Jan. 19 saw a whole lot of shooting going on. Don't worry it wasn't dangerous. It was Cub Scouts shooting marbles. This event was held at Holy Rosary, where there were some 100 cub scouts from West Seattle pack #793 practicing their marble shooting skills.

They were practicing for a regional event to be held in Burien on Feb. 5 scheduled for 10:00 am to 12 noon at Latter Day Saints gymnasium.

On hand to teach and keep things under control was Mr. Hinthorn, the Den Leader of pack 793, sponsored by Holy Rosary School.

Press Release:

Big changes for bus service in downtown Seattle are only a few weeks away, and King County Metro Transit is urging bus riders to “know before you go."

Starting Saturday, Feb. 5, Metro will make routing and bus stop changes for approximately two dozen bus routes serving downtown Seattle to keep people moving during the long-term construction in downtown Seattle and the SODO area.

Although the road closures and construction projects will be phased over many years, Metro thinks it is best for bus riders if their routes change as few times as possible. The major adjustments being done this February also helps Metro set the stage for two future RapidRide routes to downtown Seattle from West Seattle and Ballard that are scheduled to start in 2012.

This February, Metro is diverting much of its downtown service away from First Avenue between Edgar Martinez Drive and Broad Street. Most bus routes now serving First will move to Third Avenue. It will also result in some changes for bus travel on Second and Fourth avenues, as some routes are moved there to accommodate the bus changes on First and Third.

Kelly Hughes, a Seattleite of Icelandic descent, has launched a blog to share Nordic culture on a global level.

Promoted as “the world's most important source for the people, places and things that make Iceland so painfully relevant”, ice-town.com is a new and satirical Icelandic-themed blog intended to teach people about Icelandic culture.

Hughes is the facilitator of the Swedish Cultural Center Viking History series, the editor of Seattle's Icelandic Club’s newsletter and a singer in the Icelandic Male Choir.

“I’m immersed in icelandic-ness and What I hope to do with this, is create a compelling way to share culture with people,” Hughes said.

The blog has been up and running since late November but didn’t receive a proper launch party until last Friday when the Swedish Cultural Center hosted a celebrity-studded, flashy launch party with a performance by Icelandic pop artist Haffi Haff.

“Iceland is highly artistic,” Hughes said comparing Reykjavik to Seattle in the 90s with the Grunge movement.

“The view of icelandic culture is skewed and differs from other Scandinavian Cultures,” Hughes said.

Patrick Dennis Redmond, the President and CEO of Viking Bank and a valued community member passed away this weekend. The community reacted with great sadness to hear of his death.

"This morning I was saddened to learn that Ballard has lost another of its great community members," wrote Beth Miller from the Ballard Chamber of Commerce in an email. "Pat was not only a leader in the company, but a leader in the community as well. He was a warm and friendly man who, despite his role, was very approachable and personable. Pat always had a great smile and cheery hello when you'd see him at various events around town. He also believed in and loved Ballard. His participation and support will be greatly missed by many local organizations, including the Ballard Chamber."

"This was a really good man. Truly a gentle soul" said Patrick Robinson from the West Seattle Herald. "He would, on the birthday of every employee, send them a personal message thanking them. The Viking Bank has lost a good man...very very sad to learn of his passing."

"I am sad this morning. I am sure all the Viking Bank employees are feeling the loss of a good guy," said Richard Sherman.

The Seattle Chinese Garden needs help from the community to help make the visitors’ experience interesting, fun and educational. They are seeking volunteers who are available to greet visitors, sell tickets, talk about the Garden and/or staff the Discovery Center. They are asking volunteers to commit to at least two shifts per month during the following days and times:

Wednesday through Sunday 11:30-4:45. They have other volunteer opportunities but almost all will be based at the Garden.

The garden is on the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus in West Seattle.

Two Volunteer Trainings are currently scheduled to help staff the Garden:

**Saturday, 1/29/2011, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm (includes Garden tour) -OR-

**Wednesday, 2/2/2011 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm (no Garden tour)

Location: Seattle Chinese Garden Chan Center Classroom

Open volunteer positions:

• Visitor Services – Staffing the Discovery Center and small gift shop, answering questions, and processing entry fees
• Garden Education Assistant – Walk around the Garden and answer visitors' questions

Wednesday, Jan. 12
Boys basketball
Evergreen 59, Highline 47
The Wolverines of Evergreen scored a victory over the Pirates last Wednesday.

Girls basketball
Foster 66, Lindbergh 43
Foster fell to the Eagles of Lindbergh in Seamount League action this past Wednesday.
Seattle Prep 77, West Seattle 19
The Wildcats took a beating at the hand of Seattle Prep on Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Thursday, Jan. 13
Wrestling
Chief Sealth 42, Lakeside 36
The Seahawks soared to victory over Lakeside in Metro League wrestling action this past Thursday.
Armstrong won the 103-pound match by pin and Taylor took the 112 by forfeit. The 119-pound match went down to a double forfeit and Gross won by forfeit at 130 for Chief Sealth.
Kedic picked up a forfeit win at 135, and Russell won by pin at 171 pounds. Hyumah was a winner by pin at 189 and Sikes won by pin at 215.

Friday, Jan. 14
Boys basketball
Tyee 55, Evergreen 37
The Wolverines from White Center absorbed a loss against the Tyee Totems this past Friday.

Girls basketball
Tyee 61, Evergreen 31
Tyee also won big against Evergreen this past Friday.