January 2012

The Neighborhood Projects Fund can be used for projects valued up to $90K to fund park or street improvements, such as playground improvements, pathway upgrades, tennis court repaving, accessibility improvements, traffic circles, traffic calming, and school zone speed limit signs, etc. This funding source is not recommended for sidewalks, as sidewalks are typically more expensive than this funding allows.

The deadline to apply for this funding is Wednesday, February 1.

The Neighborhood Projects Fund is made up of two funding sources – Cumulative Reserve Funds (CRF) and Neighborhood Street Funds (NSF). The fund will accept applications for projects valued up to $90K for park or street improvements, such as pathway upgrades, tennis court repaving, accessibility improvements, traffic calming, playground upgrades, school zone speed limit signs, etc. This funding source is not recommended for sidewalks, as sidewalks are typically more expensive than this funding allows.

Terrific turns and solid swings highlighted the friendly competition of the Federal Way School District athletes participating in the All-City High School Gymnastic meet held at Todd Beamer High School on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

While setting a school points record, Thomas Jefferson edged out Todd Beamer 176.5 - 175.5 to capture this year's team crown. Decatur (160.35) and Federal Way (146.8) also had reasons to be upbeat about the proceedings of the night in front of a packed crowd. TJ also claimed the top regular season spot of the SPSL North Division.

Jefferson and Beamer are elite Class 4A teams with enough returning talent to challenge for state team honors. The Titans finished third at last season's state meet with the Raiders in a close fourth. Getting to state will be much tougher because the West Central District Class 4A has only one team allocation to state this season.

The Raiders outscored the Titans on the beam (44.35 - 43.50) and the floor (48.8 - 47.7) while the host team held sway on the vault (44.10 to 43.45) and the bars (40.2 - 39.9).

Friday, Jan. 27
Boys basketball
Chief Sealth 56, Eastside Catholic 46
The Seahawks of Chief Sealth scored a Metro League victory over Eastside Catholic this past Friday.
Evergreen 51, Lindbergh 48
Evergreen eked out a victory over the Lindbergh Eagles in Friday Seamount League action.

Girls basketball
Lindbergh 54, Evergreen 9
The Lady Wolverines were held to single digits in Friday's loss.

Saturday, Jan. 28
Boys basketball
Bainbridge 60, Chief Sealth 49
Chief Sealth took an 11-point loss in a home game against Bainbridge Island last Saturday.
Rainier Beach 89, West Seattle 38
West Seattle absorbed a lopsided defeat at Rainier Beach this past Saturday.
Bear Creek 71, Seattle Lutheran 46
Seattle Lutheran of West Seattle also came up on the short end of a big score Saturday.

Girls basketball
Bainbridge 52, Chief Sealth 42
Chief Sealth was defeated by 10 in Saturday action.
Bear Creek 41, Seattle Lutheran 23
Bear Creek's defense kept the Lutherans at bay Saturday.

Dear Editor-

On Wednesday, January 4th Governor Christine Gregoire stated her support for same-sex marriage. 
She said, “Same-sex couples should not be denied that meaning of marriage. Equal rights for same-sex couples is not only a good thing, it's the right thing to do."

Many want to say that those who stand against same-sex marriage are bigoted and homophobic. 
Nothing can be further from the truth. Rather, those who stand for marriage as God designed it to be and natural laws support, are simply standing for love, truth, and what is proven best for people and society. 

God created marriage to be between a man and a woman. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) Since that time, marriage in every society and every culture has been between men and women only.

Seattle Public Schools is asking the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for a waiver on making up two days lost to the weather. The snow and ice storm that tied up the entire city on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 delayed events and the schools closed.

Since Gov. Chris Gregoire declared Washington in a State of Emergency for those days, the Seattle Public Schools is now seeking a waiver to not make up those snow days. This is contingent on a decision allowing the Emergency Proclamation to apply to schools in King County. OSPI officials said they will have more information next month on how to apply for waivers.

It would cost the school district approximately $500,000 for those make up days in June.

Seattle schools already made up one of the three snow days on Friday, Jan. 27. State law does not require students to make up a day for Tuesday, Jan. 17, when students had a late arrival and an early dismissal.

To protect public health and the environment, King County is in the midst of building a new 84-inch siphon pipe under Salmon Bay between the Ballard and Interbay areas of Seattle. The new siphon will be installed more than 120 feet underground and connect the Ballard Regulator Station at 5110 Shilshole Avenue Northwest in Ballard to the North Interceptor at West Commodore Way and 24th Avenue West intersection in Interbay.

The latest update shows that shaft excavation has begun on the Ballard side. Neighbors can expect continued activity and heavy truck traffic through April.

North site activities:

Crews have installed dewatering wells at the project’s north site on Shilshole Avenue Northwest and are now beginning to excavate the tunnel boring machine retrieval shaft. The shaft extends roughly 80 feet below ground. Neighbors can expect to continue to see activity and increased truck traffic at the site through April.

King County urges drivers and bicyclists to continue to use caution near the site. Pedestrians in Ballard should follow sidewalk detour signs around the north site.

What to expect at the north site through excavation:

Robbery in South Park
Earlier this month a young man stepped outside a S. Doris St. club to have a cigarette. He was approached by Suspect 1, who asked for a smoke. The victim obliged and all seemed well. He noticed the suspect walking over to a late 1980s Camaro with 20” rims to speak with the occupants briefly before they drove away. Shortly after, the Camaro returned. Suspects 2 and 3 jumped out and joined Suspect 1. Suspect 1 pulled out a handgun, fired off a round near the victim’s head (no one was hit) and demanded his belongings. After they rifled through his pockets and threatened to track him down and kill him if he contacted the police, the victim was struck on the head and blacked out momentarily. He came to in time to see his Chevy Tahoe squealing away from the scene along with the Camaro. His car keys, house keys, wallet and $550 in cash were stolen. Knowing the suspects had his home address (from his driver’s license) and fearing for the safety of his children, the victim initially planned on keeping quiet but his family convinced him to contact the authorities.

Mystery theft

Owl Prowl at Lincoln Park
8011 Fauntleroy Wy. S.W.
(north parking lot across from Rose St.)
Saturday, Feb. 4, 4:30-6 p.m. Join enthusiastic, knowledgeable naturalist Stewart Wechsler on this owling adventure. Owling and an evening tour of the park. Fee: $1-$20 (pay what you can). Info: 206-932-7225 or ecostewart@gmail.com.

The New Anti-Semitism
Presented by Olivier Melnick of Chosen People Ministries

At Calvary Chapel West Seattle
Sunday February 19th at 10:00 am
at 4217 SW Oregon St. 98116
(The West Seattle Senior Center)

For more info go to CalvaryChapelWestSeattle.org
or 206 935-4487
Free Admission

Discovery Shop
4535 California Ave. S.W.
206 937 7169

Dear Editor,
Just wanted to let you know what a fabulous article you did. Having the links to other sources, I am sure, will encourage other young professionals to think about applying for GSE in the future. It is such a wonderful opportunity to learn about other countries! I am so glad you were able to see the entire presentation and posted those great pictures for others to see. Thanks again!!
Yours in Rotary,
Sue,
President  WS Rotary
2011-2012

by Marjorie Young

Why are we here? How do we fulfill our destinies? Is our path preordained or ours to determine? How can we live with true awareness instead of sleepwalking through life?

These are just a few topics I hope to touch upon in my new column. I have been a psychic and spiritual counselor for many years, having been aware of these gifts since earliest childhood. It’s my pleasure and joy to be sharing what I’ve learned along the way with you.

To begin, I’ll touch upon one of my most frequently asked questions:

- Does everyone possess psychic abilities?

First, let’s define ‘psychic’…not necessarily a simple task! Under the ‘psychic umbrella’ can be found a variety of attributes, ranging from the ability to communicate with people or animals by extrasensory means, knowledge of future events, connection with those who have passed on…the list is complex and long.
In my younger days, I was convinced we all possessed innate ‘psychic powers.’ However, after thousands of readings for my clients, I conclude that this is not the case.