March 2011

Seattle Public Schools is hosting a Family Engagement Symposium on Saturday March 12 at Ballard High School.
The symposium titled "From Cradle to College & Career" is aimed at providing families with the information, practical strategies, and resources they need to support their students’ academic success.

The symposium, which runs from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., includes a Resource Fair with community resource booths and activities for children ages 4 and up. Families will learn how to support their children in the areas of early learning, math, reading and writing non-fiction, special education, parent leadership, college and career readiness, graduation requirements and four-year planning, and apprenticeships among others. A light lunch will also be provided courtesy of the Alliance for Education.

I am an idea man. I've known it for sometime but it took a hobo in the depression to help me understand how to sell them. I'm a win-win guy. Here is my story.

   When I was ten and alone down by the northwest side of the Vancouver Avenue Viaduct in Portland, Oregon I wandered under the bridge supports. It was 1930. The viaduct passes over the railroad tracks not far from the Columbia Slough, a favorite hangout for us kids. I noticed several cuss words scrawled on the underpinnings by others, sometimes using a rock as a scribe.

I decided, while sitting there, to yell each word out loud. I was not permitted to use swear words at home. In the process, a hobo appeared and asked me what I was mad about. I explained why I was yelling. He nodded his understanding. He must have seen opportunity in a young boy as he walked back down by the tracks. Dressed in tattered shirt and pants, some unlaced, hobnail boots and a weathered hat, the hobo asked if I'd ever had mulligan stew. I said I hadn't so the hobo asked me if I lived nearby and had a garden. I did not correlate the two questions at the time.

Chief Sealth's bid for a Class 3A boys' basketball state championship teetered on the results of the final 79 seconds in their game against the Bellevue Wolverines March 3.

Keon Lewis had just countered a Nate Sikma inside goal with an inside basket, giving the high flyers a 48-47 lead with 1:19 remaining in the fourth quarter. Sikma was whistled for a foul on a backing in move to give Sealth possession 15 seconds later.

Following several exchanges of possession, Bellevue stole the ball, but in action near the Wolverine basket, the ball was rolling on the court. Evian Richard scooped up the ball for the Wolverines and went to the basket for a hoop with 12.6 seconds remaining.

Following a time out, the Seahawks inbounded and worked the ball around the perimeter until Lewis saw the opening he wanted and went to the hoop. The ball rolled around, but failed to go in with 4.1 seconds showing, causing Sealth to foul.

The residents and businesses dependent on the disabled South Park Bridge are a step closer to a replacement with the unanimous adoption Monday, March 7, by the Metropolitan King County Council of agreements to fund construction of a new structure.

"Our region failed when the South Park Bridge closed last June. Today's votes take a significant step towards righting that wrong for South Park residents and our region's businesses," said Councilmember Joe McDermott, whose district includes the South Park Bridge. "Replacing the bridge will create jobs in the present and support a regional economic hub into the future."

"The Council wants to assure tax payers that we can afford this project," said Councilmember Julia Patterson, Chair of the Council's Budget and Fiscal Management Committee. "Now that the Port and the city of Seattle have firmed up their commitments to help pay for the project, we have the money we need to go forward with the construction of the new bridge."

Press Release:
The residents and businesses dependent on the disabled South Park Bridge are a step closer to a replacement with today’s unanimous adoption by the Metropolitan King County Council of agreements to fund construction of a new structure.

“Our region failed when the South Park Bridge closed last June. Today’s votes take a significant step towards righting that wrong for South Park residents and our region’s businesses,” said Councilmember Joe McDermott, whose district includes the South Park Bridge. “Replacing the bridge will create jobs in the present and support a regional economic hub into the future.”

“The Council wants to assure tax payers that we can afford this project,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson, Chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee. “Now that the Port and the city of Seattle have firmed up their commitments to help pay for the project, we have the money we need to go forward with the construction of the new bridge.”

Discovery Shop
4535 California Ave. S.W.
206-937-7169
Monday, March 7 thru Sunday, March 13: Antiques and Collectibles continue at 50% OFF. Pink-tagged items: 50% OFF thru Monday, March 21. The Shop is open on Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All other days the Shop is open for our valued customers & donors purchasing and/or contributing goods; offering estates or financial support from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

Rummage Sale Time
Tibbetts United Methodist Church
3940 41st Ave. S.W.
932-7777
Friday, March 11, 9-5 p.m. & Saturday, March 12, 9-3 p.m. Lots of Clothing as well as Books, Toys, Housewares, Hardware and the Boutique. Coffee & Doughnuts will be available.

Sound Steps St. Patty’s Day Walk
West Seattle Stadium
4432 35th Ave. SW
206-684-4664
Saturday, March 12, 10 a.m. Registration, 10:30 a.m. Walk up to 3.1 miles. $10 includes T-shirt. Family friendly.

Seed Swap N’Sale
South Seattle Community College
6000 16th Ave. S.W.
www.gleanit.org/seedswap2011.html
Saturday, March 12, 2-4 p.m. Purchase mini-packets of seeds for $1 each.

“Spirituality and Life’s Transitions”

Press Release:
Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Delridge community, and sportsfield users are celebrating the renovation of Delridge Playfield. The event, co-sponsored by DiscNW and the West Seattle Soccer Club, is Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. on the north field.

The community is invited to come enjoy light refreshments and sporting fun. Disc games will begin at 12:30, followed by the official dedication at 1:15 with Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and Acting Superintendent Christopher Williams. The event will wrap up with soccer games led by the West Seattle Soccer Club.

The renovation of the playfield complex included replacement of the all-weather sand/silt field with synthetic turf, creating two fields. Together they accommodate adult soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, men’s and women’s lacrosse, baseball, and softball.

This project, funded by the Parks and Green Spaces Levy, also includes replacement of the existing field lights with more energy efficient and neighborhood friendly lights. The new lights provide a 33% reduction in electricity compared to the previous lighting system.

To the editor:

Two weeks ago my husband had a major heart attack. One hundred percent blockage to forty percent of his heart. But we live in Seattle, and today he is walking up the steep hills by our house and out running errands. Had he been anywhere else he well might not be alive today.

Thanks to the quick action of the crew at Station 11 on SW Holden, Seattle's amazing Medic One program, the team that transported and treated him, and the cardiac "wizards" at Swedish Cherry Hill, he is going to be just fine.

Medics had him there quickly diagnosing and treating on the way and the cardiac team met them at the emergency bay door. Within 18 minutes of the time the gurney wheels hit the ground they had two stints placed and the blood flowing again. Because of the short time frame, any damage should be minimal.

Thank you to all of Seattle's fire fighters, Medic One crews, Dr. Lewis' team at Cherry Hill, and of course all the Seattle voters who support the Medic One program. It really is true, if you're going to have a heart attack, you'd better hope you have it in Seattle!

Midge Batt
West Seattle

By Patrick Dunn

Some folks have a downright fear of drilling through masonry, even if it’s just to hang a picture. Though largely irrational, it’s still understandable. After all, masonry can eat drill bits, especially if you use the wrong kind. And the actual drilling often takes forever, especially if you use the wrong drill. That’s why it’s almost a heavenly experience when a person finally picks up a hammer drill and a masonry bit and realizes that the job is actually a heck of a lot easier than they’re making it.

Press Release:
What do Hotwire Hot Mess Roulette, Pig Craps, BlackCat 21 and K9 Blackjack all have in common? ‘These are just a few of the twelve crazy Las Vegas style games we’ll be playing at Catsino,’ said Lora Swift of Furry Faces Foundation, ‘Local businesses and animal rescue groups are adopting’ the gaming tables, dealing out the cards and rolling the dice. Rumor has it that some of the tables will be shelling out extra prizes!

Tickets are just $25 at the door or save $5.00 by purchasing your ticket early at one of our four ticket outlets by March 31st. Each Catsino guest will receive $1,000 in Catsino bucks, three raffle tickets, one free drink ticket, gaming instructions, hors d'oeuvres and a chance to win over 30+ raffle prizes. ‘Use your ‘Vaccination Record Passport’ as a guide to visit and play at each table,’ says F-Cuber Teri Ensley, ‘every time you play for at least five minutes at a table you have not visited before, you will receive a stamp. Play at six different tables, you’ll win an extra Grand Raffle ticket; play at nine different tables—another Grand Raffle Ticket; play at all twelve and earn your third grand raffle ticket!