November 2011

In what could be the biggest local heavyweight fight in 20 years, featuring two of the top prospects in the Pacific Northwest, unbeaten Vincent Thompson and Jonte Willis square off in a 10-round Battle of the Boat 84 main event at Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma on Saturday night, Nov. 5. The six-round card begins at 7 p.m.

"It's been a long, long time since two heavyweights with this kind of talent have met, not since Joe Hipp fought Mike Cohen at the old Executive Inn in Fife in 1991," said fight promoter Brian Halquist.

The only other Seattle-Tacoma pro heavyweight fights of some note in the past 30 years were the Ibar Arrington-Harvey Steichen bout in Everett in 1982 and the Pinklon Thomas-Lee Mitchell fight at the Seattle Center Arena in 1981. Thomas, the former WBC champ, and Arrington won on knockouts.

Boone "Boom Boom" Kirkman knocked out Charles Atlas at the Arena in 1978, but that was the last best local heavyweight fight of that era.

All these fights pale in comparison to the big outdoor fights in the Seattle-Tacoma area in the 1950s. Boxing was a big sport in town then, along with University of Washington Husky football and hydroplane racing.

Whether or not Burien should annex the remainder of unincorporated North Highline, including White Center, has been a hot topic in our area for many months. In October two major stories rocked the discussion:

First, on Oct. 20, a multi-agency raid of 16th Ave S.W. in White Center headed by the ATF yielded over 50 arrests and the seizure of over 60 guns and over 60 pounds of drugs including meth, cocaine and heroin. For those opposed to annexation, the raid was fuel for the argument that taking on White Center would invite more crime into Burien.

The crime conversation may all be for not, however, since on Oct. 27 Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed scrapping the sales tax credit for cities that annex unincorporated areas. If the cut goes through, Burien city officials have said annexation is likely off the table.

Whether or not Burien should annex the remainder of unincorporated North Highline, including White Center, has been a hot topic in our area for many months. In October two major stories rocked the discussion:

First, on Oct. 20, a multi-agency raid of 16th Ave S.W. in White Center headed by the ATF yielded over 50 arrests and the seizure of over 60 guns and over 60 pounds of drugs including meth, cocaine and heroin. For those opposed to annexation, the raid was fuel for the argument that taking on White Center would invite more crime into Burien.

The crime conversation may be for naught, however, since on Oct. 27 Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed scrapping the sales tax credit for cities that annex unincorporated areas. If the cut goes through, Burien city officials have said annexation is likely off the table.

Update for Nov. 4
SeaTac resident Ross Bryde has been arrested by the King County Sheriff's Office for his alleged involvement in a string of Kent home burglaries, according to Kent Police Lt. Pat Lowery.

"With both suspects from the original call for public assistance in custody we just want to say thank you for everyone’s assistance," Lowery said. "This is a great example of working together!"

Original post on Nov. 3
Kent Police released the photo and description of 25-year-old Ross Bryde on Nov. 3.

A warrant was issued for Bryde’s arrest after he and a female partner were identified as suspects in a string of Kent-area burglaries.

The 26-year-old female suspect was arrested after Kent police released surveillance footage from a home the pair attempted to break into on Oct. 13 in Kent’s east hill neighborhood. The homeowner was home and scared the pair off. He described their ploy to police: the female knocked on the front door and, after getting no response, they both moved to the backyard in hopes of finding a way in.

The West Seattle Helpline's14th annual fall fundraiser dinner event for West Seattle families that are facing a one-time emergency is tonight.

Proceeds will be used to help families that have faced emergency situations with rent and utilities so that they may remain in their homes with heat and water.

This mission becomes even more vital as the weather turns colder and the need is especially great this year.

This dinner will help support your fellow West Seattle neighbors that are facing hard times. The fall fundraiser dinner will be held at the Duwamish Longhouse is tonight, Thursday, November 3rd from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Tickets are $100 and may be purchased by calling 206-932-2746.

On Saturday, the Ballard Library will host Stokley Towles' "Stormwater: Life in the Gutter", a one-man performance that uncovers the world of urban rainfall and traces its travels from the clouds to the city’s streets, homes and businesses and the sewer lines below.

Towles’ nearly one-hour piece is part performance, part exhibition offering a gutter’s eye view of Seattle’s drainage system and the Seattle Public Utilities’ employees who guide, monitor and maintain stormwater flow in the city.

Meet Ellen, a gutter detective. Find out what a floating river is and meet James who observes them. Learn about John’s trips into the bowels of the city and what he finds there. Ponder whether beavers should be on the city’s payroll. Discover who tracks toxins before they poison Lake Union.

Towles weaves interviews, observations and historical research together with images and props to talk about runoff in a humorous and illuminating fashion, revealing the world of drainage and stormwater and the people who manage its flow.

The performance is free and open to the public and will take place this Saturday, Nov. 5, at noon at the Ballard Library, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W.

UPDATE:

The dead woman has been identified as Karen Lee Pedersen, 45, and the cause of her death has not yet been determined.

(Early reports stated it appeared to be a death by natural causes, but the Medical Examiners and Seattle Police are still investigating.)

WHEEEL and the Women in Black will stand vigil for Pedersen from noon till 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov 9, outside the Seattle Justice Center at 5th Avenue and Cherry Street downtown.

At least 20 homeless people have died outdoors or by violence in 2011, and Ballard has been particularly hard-hit. Four homeless people have died in Ballard since the start of the year.

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Original article:

A body of a woman was found on Wednesday morning near the Ballard Locks.

The body appears to be that of a transient woman in her forties and was found on West Commodore Way, across from the Ballard Locks.

"Yesterday we were called to the scene of a transient camp that was about 50 feet away from the train tracks located along West Commodore Way," said Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore. "The female was dead when we arrived."

The death appears to be due to natural causes.

A website, www.seattlesubway.org, is just now seeing the light of day. It was sent anonymously to one of our reporters, possibly myself, with the promise that we will be filled in later. All you will see on the site is the above, and a place to fill out your name and email address and zip code.

Full disclosure: We did find a reference to it in the SLOG, The Stranger.

Press release:
You are invited to the kick-off of the Highline Schools Foundation Symposium Series - a bi-annual event at which the Foundation will bring education-related issues to our community for reflection and dialogue.

The first installment of the Foundation Symposium Series will be the presentation of the documentary "Race to Nowhere," which will be held at the Mount Rainier High School Theater, 22450 19th Ave. S. on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m.

"Race to Nowhere," produced by Reel Link Films and written by Vicki Abeles, offers a close-up look at the pressures on today's students to achieve.

This thought-provoking film tells personal stories of over-scheduled and over-stressed students, parents, and educators, as they try to navigate their way to getting into college.

The close of the film provides helpful action items for various interest groups including students, parents, educators, administrators, and policy makers.

A brief Question and Answer session will follow the film, moderated by parent educator Jan Faull, M.Ed.

Tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance online or for $15 at the door on a space-available basis.

SeaTac resident Joe Van received the honor of the Advocacy and Civic Leaders Award as one of the unsung heroes who works behind the scenes to make Washington a better place. The third annual Molina Healthcare of Washington Community Champions Awards Dinner took place Thursday, October 27.

Seven everyday heroes were honored for their extraordinary service and civic contributions. Each honoree received a grant to be given to an organization of their choosing and a Molina Healthcare of Washington Community Champions Award trophy, named in honor of Molina Healthcare’s physician founder, Dr. C. David Molina.

“Molina Healthcare is excited to honor everyday heroes in our community like Joe Van,” said Glen Bogner, president of Molina Healthcare of Washington. “Joe’s commitment to helping marginalized children in the SeaTac area is truly inspirational.”

Van has almost singlehandedly planned, collected, organized and distributed backpacks and school supplies to more than 1,300 students each year at the Back to School Resource Fair.