October 2011

Today, Zagat released its 2012 America’s Top Restaurants Survey, covering 1,578 of the nation’s top restaurants across 45 major markets. The new guide incorporates the votes of over 156,000 food lovers who dined out an estimated 25 million times in the past year, i.e., 3.1 times per week.

Paseo Caribbean Restaurant, with locations in Ballard and Fremont, ranked as the number two of the Top 5 best restaurants in Seattle.

Zagat's Seattle Top 5 for 2012 is:

1. Cafe Juanita – Italian
2. Paseo – Caribbean
3. Mashiko – Japanese
4. Spinasse – Italian
5. Herbfarm – Pacific NW

For more information about the nation's best restaurants and eating habits, visit ZAGAT.com.

As I was watching various sports this weekend, and talking to my wife about how things have changed in football, I was reminded of how baseball has changed so little in the last 40 years or more.
Sure, the steroid scandals may have put an asterisk next to some home run records and the Texas Rangers look to be on the verge of winning their first World Series title, but the game itself is as familiar as it ever has been.

Any given day during the summer, a number of games will be played. If you happen to listen to, watch or attend one or more games – be it youth, high-school, college or pro - you will find yourself in a familiar role. Keep your eye on the ball, because here's the pitch...the swing...the crack of the bat. The pitcher's throwing some heat out there today...wow! What a curve!

By now, you're surely wondering why an automotive columnist is waxing poetic about the “boys of summer”, but that familiar feeling you get knowing you can count on “America's favorite pastime” makes it reliable. You'll hear “Take me out to the ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch every time and you can count on it.

Here's where I throw my own curve.

Just in the nick of time.

The Evergreen Lutheran football team from the Woodmont area of Des Moines and Federal Way held a 44-6 lead in the third quarter and needed one more touchdown to earn a 40-point or greater lead and end the game against Tulalip Heritage on a mercy rule.

They got it on a 1-yard touchdown run by Andrew Goyins, ending the action with 3:57 left on the third quarter clock.

Just then the heavens above Auburn-Mountain View High School's swanky artificial turf practice field broke open and let loose a downpour.

Everyone scrambled away from the Class 1B eight-man football game in search of cover on their way toward the locker room -- and their cars.

Class 1B is the only level in the state that has the 40-point rule. The rest have a running clock rule where they do not stop the clock in the second half of a 40-point or greater rout.

"They'll probably go to a running clock next year," said Evergreen Lutheran head coach Nathan Seiltz. "All of the upper divisions have that now."

Seiltz is enjoying the team's first year of eight-man football after two years of the standard 11-man game.

Thomas Jefferson High's 47-6 win over Mount Rainier on Friday, Oct. 21 in Federal Way turned out to be one for the history books.

The victory enabled the Raiders to clinch a South Puget Sound League 4A football postseason berth for the first time in their 43-year existence, dating back to when Lyndon Baines Johnson was president in 1968.

Division-1 college prospect and senior quarterback K.W. Williams whirled and whooshed for 201 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in Jefferson's watershed victory on a wet homecoming night at Memorial Stadium.

"It's been a long time coming," said Jefferson coach Dean Peck of the playoff bid. "The whole school's excited."

Mount Rainier (0-6 in league, 1-7 overall) made a little history of its own last week, ending a 21-game losing streak dating back to 2009 with a 35-30 win over Spanaway Lake.

In their loss against Jefferson (5-3, 5-3), however, the Rams showed all the flaws of a prep program in the rebuilding process. They squandered opportunities to get any kind of momentum going by making mental and physical mistakes and let the game slip away early.

by Kyle Howard, photos by Kurt Howard

Kennedy Catholic took on the Highline Pirates at Highline Stadium Friday night. Highline’s record stood at 2-3 while Kennedy is the only undefeated team in the Seamount League. It was Kennedy’s homecoming game and the stands were packed with students, staff, parents, and alumni. Kennedy Catholic made sure they didn’t disappoint, their offense was on a roll the whole game, scoring a touchdown on every single drive except for their first possession of the first quarter.

Please click the photo above for more.

Tuesday, Oct. 18
Girls swimming
Mt. Rainier 114, Hazen 72
The Mount Rainier girls swimming team raised its overall record to 8-1 with last Tuesday's win over the Highlanders.

The foursome of Kawaguchi, Webster, Larson and Dorhofer combined to win the opening 200-yard medley relay in a time of 1 minute, 55.88 seconds and Kawaguchi came back to take the 200 individual medley in a state-qualifying time of 2:12.51.

Larson tied for first in the 50 free in 25.52 and Beal won the 100 butterfly in 1:04.03 and Lemley took the 500 free in 5:53.11. Larson, Webster, Ward and Kawaguchi took the 200 free relay in a state-qualifying time of 1:43.71 and Webster took the 100 breaststroke in 1:15.73. Larson, Lemley, Beal and Kawaguchi won the final 400 free relay in a state-qualifying time of 3:45.65.

Kennedy 116, Highline 41

Highline 102, Foster 13
Highline took a 116-41 loss to Kennedy on Tuesday, Oct. 18 but won compared to Foster, 102-13.

By Kyle Howard, photos by Kurt Howard

Thursday night the Kennedy Catholic Lancers girls soccer team took on the Hazen Highlanders at Renton Stadium for their third and final match between the two teams. Both teams had faced each other twice before, each game resulting in a tie. There was a good crowd out for the game as it was also senior night for Hazen as they had a pre-game ceremony honoring their seniors.

Please click the photo above for more.

Hazen got an early goal only seven minutes into the game when junior Deedee Green got a shot off from about 10 yards out, giving Hazen a 1-0 lead. It is interesting to note that Green played for Kennedy Catholic last year, but transferred to Hazen.

Kennedy Catholic’s defenders had their hands full, having to counter Hazen’s aggressive offense. Kennedy’s goalkeeper Angie Isernio blocked two shots on goal, one of the shots with a wide open net preventing an almost guaranteed goal for Hazen. Hazen continued to test Kennedy’s defense, attempting several more shots, but Kennedy’s defense proved worthy.

West 5, the West Seattle Junction's retro cool restaurant and lounge at 4539 California Ave. will be featured on the Food Network’s newest program Crave with Troy Johnson. The restaurant will make its national appearance on the program’s seventh episode, “Cheese-Milk does hard time”. The show appears on Friday nights at 11;30 pm.

In the episode, West 5 co-owner Dean Overton prepares a delectable grilled cheese sandwich for the show’s host. The grilled cheese sandwich has become a popular menu staple.

In addition to the national TV spotlight West 5 also just announced “WAXY MONDAY,” a new entertainment option featuring guest DJ's and their music starting Mondays around 8:00 PM, beginning October 24th

Waxy Monday will feature a line-up of Seattle talent spinning their favorite tracks on vinyl from deep within their own LP collections. Rare soul, garage, dirty-funk, jazz and a smattering of world-stage psychidelia will be heard each night.

The current DJ line-up includes;

20th Annual Community Art Showcase
Southwest Branch Library
9010 35th Ave. S.W.
Through November 12. Local artists of all ages working in any medium are invited to participate. Sign up by calling 206-684-7455 or stop by the Southwest Branch Library between now and Saturday, Oct. 15. A Meet-the-Artists Reception is Sunday, Nov. 6, 2 p.m. Coffee and dessert will be served. Event co-sponsored by the Friends of Southwest Branch Library.

Discovery Shop
4535 California Ave, S.W.
206 937 7169
Cook Book event continues featuring a large and varied selection. Looking for a Halloween costume? Our yearly Black and Orange clothing and Halloween decor sale at 50% off runs through Monday, October 31st. Menswear is 50% off until the end of October. Spruce up your wardrobe with our wide selection of suits, sports jackets, jeans, shoes and ties, among other items. All yellow tagged items are 50% off Tuesday, November 1st through Saturday, November 19th. The American Cancer Society Shop is open Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All other days 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

West Seattle High’s Drama Club Present The Desperate Hours

A lot of years back when White Center had the IGA Food Basket grocery we asked owner, Ed Minnis, If he wanted to go pheasant hunting with us near WHITE SWAN about 15 minutes southwest of Yakima.  

      "You bet", he said.

We also took took King County Commissioner Ed Munro and two dogs. Our circulation manager, Bruce McKnight, drove us over to a motel that night. We got to bed early. After a quick breakfast we got our gear ready and headed out. 

     The fields were close by. We went exploring for likely pheasant hunting areas. The first place we found was a marshy field loaded with cat tails. Lots of likely spots for birds to hide. Cattails like their feet wet but not me. I had standard issue, ankle-high hiking boots. They’re made for dry land. I was nearly up to my knees on the first step as I slogged through the marsh. 

    Both the Eds were smarter than us. They offered to stay at the far end of the huge cattail patch while Bruce and I were expected to make noise and thrash through the cattails. Our job was to drive the birds out while our buddies lay in wait with their  shot guns loaded. They planned to pick them off as they flew by. Easy pickins... Right?