May 2011

Amy Lee Derenthal, who has filled the job of Director of Development at The Kenney Foundation for the last five years is leaving to take a job with the Highline Medical Center Foundation in Burien she announced today.

Derenthal, who came to the senior living and retirement organization at a time, Feb. 2006 when there was no foundation, was hired by R. Kevin McFeeley President and CEO of The Kenney to raise the awareness of donations and how they affect the lives of the residents and the community at large.

In a memo to the residents Derenthal said, " With a bit of a heavy heart, I am resigning my position with The Kenney. I had an opportunity arise to take a position that is a good next move in my career path. I hope to get additional experience that will some day bring me back to the senior world. Seniors are my passion!

I am proud of where The Kenney Foundation is today as well as the staff and "culture of philanthrophy" you have helped me to build.

I know we will stay connected and I'm happy to help out as a volunteer and a "daughter of a resident" when needed. The Kenney is a part of my family."

Press release from King County Housing Authority:

The King County Housing Authority will accept applications for its Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Rental Assistance Program waiting list for two weeks starting Wednesday, May 25 and ending Tuesday, June 7. The King County Housing Authority serves residents of King County outside of the cities of Seattle and Renton.

This opportunity allows eligible applicants to qualify for a federal rental subsidy through the Housing Choice Voucher program, which can be used in the private market. Also known as Section 8, this program is the primary means of housing assistance for low- and very-low-income people provided by King County Housing Authority. Currently, KCHA’s Section 8 Program provides rental assistance to more than 25,000 residents in King County.

The waiting list was last opened for two weeks in 2007, when the Authority received nearly 11,000 applications to the program. Because that list is nearly exhausted, KCHA is looking to create a more current list of applicants.

Press release from the Seattle Police Department:

Neighbors in SW neighborhood likely thwarted burglary

On 05/03/11 at approximately 3 p.m., a resident observed 2 suspicious males attempting to enter a residence in the 9100 blk of Fauntleroy Way SW. One of the two subjects was contacted in the neighborhood by responding officers . The second subject was contacted an hour later in the 4500 blk of SW Henderson after fleeing the area.

No entry was made into the residence. One of the subjects was ultimately booked into the King County Jail for Criminal Trespass, a Department of Corrections Escape warrant and other miscellaneous warrants.

Southwest Precinct Captain Steve Paulsen had this to add:

"The Southwest Precinct would like to thank all of the citizens who called 911 when they observed the suspicious behavior at the residence as well as calling 911 after observing one of the subjects running through yards. It was your watchful eye and knowledge of your neighborhood that helps keep West Seattle as one of the safest places to live."

Press release from Sam Reed, athletic director for Chief Sealth International High School:

We’re just a few days away from the annual Carne Asada Bowl between the boys soccer teams at Chief Sealth International and the Secondary BOC. This year’s game will be held on Friday, May 6th at 3:30pm at SWAC (Southwest Athletic Complex, across the street from Sealth). As in years past this is fantastic community event that has been warmly supported by many of the soccer parents, students and staff.

Make sure to come out and support the student-athletes on both teams! For the Chief Sealth boys the game should turn out to be a tune-up prior to the beginning of the Metro League playoffs. The Varsity boys are currently in a tight battle for a 1st round by with a current division record of 6-1-3.

After the conclusion of the game, everyone is invited to stay and partake in the annual Carne Asada feast as prepared by Sealth’s own Delfino Munoz and our generous soccer parents. The players will eat first, but if history serves us correctly, there will be plenty of food for everyone.

Registration for various summer sports camps at the Ballard Boys a& Girls Club has opened. See below a listing of what's available for your kids this summer,

Summer Basketball Camp:

Boys: August 8th through 12th
Girls: August 22nd through 26th

Ages 8 through 12
$145 per session
From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with extended a.m. and p.m. supervision

Mini Hoops: Co-Ed, K-2nd Grade
August 29th through Sept 1st
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

What to bring: basketball shorts and shoes, water & lunch
To register, please visit www.ballard.positiveplace.org

Summer Baseball Camps:

They Ballard Boys & Girls Club will be offering five session with head instructors Travis Foltz and Stephen Kelsey.

Session 1: Fielding: July 5th through 8th
Session 2: Hitting: July 11th through 15th
Session 3: Total Baseball: July 18th through 22nd
Session 4: Advanced: July 25th through 29th
Session 5: Baseball 101: August 1st through 5th. K-2nd Grade, 9 a.m. until noon

Ages 8 through 12 boys & girls.
$145 per session
9:30 a.m until 2:30 p.m.

To register, please visit www.ballard.positiveplace.org

A tradition in the Northwest continues with Woodland Park Zoo’s 21st annual Mom & Me at the Zoo. Moms will be honored with half price admission to the zoo on the day of the event, May 7. Live entertainment including ARC Dance and Roberto the Magnificent, Cougar Mountain Cookies, bounce houses, crafts, face painting, and more all will be held on the North Meadow for moms and families.

After creating a day of memories on the North Meadow, be sure to capture the wonder of the zoo’s 1,000 animal ambassadors such as a new pack of wolves living in the award-winning Northern Trail. Enjoy animal stories and learn how to support wildlife conservation at Keeper Chats, storytelling by a Maasai interpreter, birds of prey in free flight, puppet shows in Zoomazium, giraffe and elephant feedings (additional fee) and many more “real close” experiences throughout the zoo.

The office of King County Executive, Dow Constantine, released a press release yesterday promoting the efforts of Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC). RASKC has a solution for residents plagues by rats and mice - barn cats.

According to the press release, these outdoor felines are a totally natural, organic rodent control method. All they generally need is shelter, such as that provided by a barn, a warm place to sleep, fresh water and food. Most of these mousers and ratters are feral or semi-tame, and are available now at the RASKC shelter.

“Barn cats are nearly invisible,” said Glynis Frederiksen, operations manager for the shelter. “Except for the occasional dead mouse or rat they leave behind, they hide in the shadows and you’ll rarely see any evidence of them.”

RASKC places barn cats in small colonies, usually in groups of four. All of the cats have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped for identification, and have been tested for feline diseases. There is no charge for this service, and volunteers are available to deliver and assist with placing your barn cats.

Devon Konikow got her dog Murray, a pure bred Shelty from a breeder in Eugene, Oregon. He's 2 years old.

Shelties are "sheepherding dogs," Konikow said. "We got him because he's very calm and a good pet and because he's a good size." That's good because he likes to run with Konikow and the duo cover 4.5 miles two or three days a week. "He holds up for the first 3 miles and then he complains. He tries to sit down and not go any further." Unusually for his breed, Murry enjoys swimming. "He loves to go swimming in the summer and fetching balls in the lake," Konikow explained.

Shelties are, "either really shy or really yappy so we figured we'd get along better with a shy Shelty than a yappy one."

Murray's favorite walk is Green Lake because there are lots of dogs to get to know there but he tends to spend more of his time with his girlfriend who lives next door. "She's a husky mix of something," Konikow said, named Georgia.

Murray's diet is a mixture of diet food from Mud Bay and Purina Pro Plan mix. He doesn't get regular dog treats. Instead he gets ice cubes. "He loves them, " Konikow said. But he makes his own treat from freshly mowed grass.

When the celebration for the new South Park Bridge takes place on May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) people attending are in for a king sized treat in the form of a 26 foot multi-stage pinata, built to resemble the bridge. Designed and built by Alex Lopez the pinata has multiple chambers and will carry hundreds of pounds of candy and much, much more.

Lopez does taxes for H & R Block, in fact he's an area manager with offices on Delridge Way and in White Center. But his other passion is crafts. "I've done it since I was a little child," Lopez said. The idea for it came from Kathi George of Noise Without Sound design. She and Lopez know each other from volunteer work they both do and, "she's seen me make and donate pinatas," Lopez said, " I do Orcas and Blue Whales and different kinds of modern pinatas that are more aimed at adults and any time there's a non-profit in South Park that needs one I'll just donate one." When George asked Lopez to make it he agreed instantly but then she explained it had to be very large and she needed it in six weeks. "I told her I could only go ahead if she gave me permission to start that night," he said.

King County Council Member Joe McDermott Dist 8 will be attending the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting May 5 to speak about the future of the UAC’s in King County.

He will also be available to take questions regarding other issues including the recent opening of marijuana businesses in White Center.

Here's the agenda for the meeting:

AGENDA
May 5, 2011

7:00 p.m. Call to order
Flag salute
Roll call
Approval of agenda
Approval of minutes
7:05 p.m. Public announcements
7:10 p.m. Public comment – 3 minutes for individuals
5 minutes for groups
7:15 p.m. Mike Martin, Burien City Manager
7:20 p.m. KCSO Capt Joseph Hodgson - Crime Stats
7:30 p.m. Joe McDermott, King County Council Member Dist 8
8:15 p.m. Treasurers Report
8:20 p.m. Corresponding Secretary Report
8:25 p.m. Committee Reports
1. Governance
2. Arts and Parks
3. Public Safety
4. Housing and Human Services