April 2012

By Cassandra Baker, Intern

1:07 a.m. on April 16th. 99th block of Holman Rd NW

Police responded to reports of shoplifting at the QFC on Holman road in the middle of the night on April 16th. Two cashiers at the grocery store said that a dark colored sedan had dropped off an unknown white male at around 1:00 a.m. They later saw the male exiting the store with beer bottles concealed in his jacket pockets. One of the cashiers confronted the suspect because he believed that the suspect had not paid for the items. The cashier asked for a receipt for the beer, and the suspect began to argue with him. When he found out that the cashier worked at the store, he became more agitated and suggested that the cashier should be fired.

The suspect then shoved the cashier twice, and the cashier attempted to disengage but shoved the suspect back when the suspect would not desist. The suspect walked away, yelling insults at both cashiers and with the beer bottles still in his pockets. The cashier involved in the altercation did not sustain any injuries.

Seattle author Garth Stein's wildly successful novel "The Art of Racing in the Rain" has been adapted for the stage at Book-It Repertory Theatre , Seattle Center, April 17 to May 13. The book, released in 2008, has been a New York Times best-seller for 173 weeks and still counting, and while it has been translated into over 30 languages, it is the language of a lab-terrier mix, Enzo, that seems to connect with the reader.

The official synopsis explains that Enzo knows he is different from the other dogs, and has educated himself by watching TV, and listening to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast.

"I've been acting professionally for about five years, most recently here in Seattle I was in 'Christmas Carol' in ACT as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Estella and Biddy last year in "Great Expectations" here at Book-It," said former Ballard resident Sylvie Davidson.

Press release:

A 3D model developed by Audrey Chavarria Calderon, a student at Puget Sound Skills Center, ranked in the top ten in an international contest sponsored by Dimension 3D Printing.

The eight annual Extreme Redesign 3D Printer Contest challenged students from around the world to improve an everyday object, develop an innovative product design, or create an original work of art using 3D printing technology.

Audrey’s work, A Gift of Beauty from Science, was a top design in the Art and Architecture category. The top ten in this category included designs by students in Romania, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.

Designs were judged on creativity, usefulness, structural integrity and aesthetics.

3D printers build models layer-by-layer using plastic. Beginning with a computer-aided design (CAD), the 3D printer extrudes and deposits molten thermoplastic in layers to build the part from the bottom up. This is the opposite of traditional manufacturing processes, which produce objects by cutting material away from a block of plastic.

Starting on Thursday, April 26, Ballard will hold a brand-new Poetry Fest featuring local poets as well as Washington State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken.

A collaboration between Ballard's Secret Garden Books and the Washington Poets Association, the weekend of poetry celebrates National Poetry Month with readings, open mics, children's events, and more.

Local poets will be reading their work around Ballard through the weekend, and all events are free and open to the community.
 
"Christy McDanold, owner of Secret Garden, came up with the idea of having a series of poetry readings for National Poetry Month and we liked the idea," said Don Kentop of the Washington Poetry Association.

There will be readings throughout the Ballard community at places such as Conor Byrne Pub, Adams Elementary, Umpqua bank, Ballard Library, and more.

"It's modest," said Kentop. "But it's a beginning."

MacDonald and the Kentop are hoping for the Ballard Poetry Fest to become an annual event.

Schedule:

The Ballard Poetry Fest kicks off on Thursday, April 26, with a 6:30 p.m. reading at the Ballard Public Library, 5614 22nd Avenue N.W.

press release
King County issued $30 million in bonds today to finance the County’s share of costs to replace the South Park Bridge. Construction of the new bridge began in May 2011, and it is expected to open in fall 2013.

“Once again, our prudent fiscal management and blue-chip bond rating has enabled us to finance a needed piece of infrastructure – in this case replacement of the South Park Bridge – at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

The total cost of replacing the South Park Bridge is $163 million. The other funding sources include a grant from the federal government and contributions from local partners including the State of Washington, Port of Seattle, City of Seattle, and others.

The county was able to achieve very low borrowing costs thanks to its high quality bond ratings and favorable market interest rates. Annual debt service costs, initially projected at $2.5 million annually, will actually be about $2 million, resulting in a savings of $500,000 per year for the County’s Roads Fund, or $10 million over the 20-year life of the bonds.

by Paul Moseley

The Evergreen Wolverines hosted the Tyee Totems in a Seamount league girls fast pitch matchup April 18.

Evergreen came in looking for their first win of the season, and Tyee looked to add another W to their record after a hitting a rough patch after a positive 2-0 start on the season. Evergreen has shown power this season, putting up 7 or more runs in 3 of their first 6 games, including 7 in a game against league contender Lindbergh.

Tyee jumped out front, earning 3 runs in the first inning and adding another 2 runs in the 2nd giving them a comfortable 5-0 lead. Tyee kept up the pressure in the 3rd by adding 2 runs but stranding 3 runners. Evergreen found their bats and, with the bases loaded, took advantage of an errant pick off attempt at third to score 2 runs. After 3 innings, Tyee was up 8-2.

Evergreen turned the tables in the 4th and 5th innings, outscoring Tyee 5-1, including a double by Tae Johnson in the 5th that turned into a 3 run round trip due to a Tyee error. That brought Evergreen within 2 with a score of 9-7.

Press release:

WABI Burien was organized by a group of citizens in Burien who all share a
passion for making our community safer, healthier, and more fun through walking and bicycling. We present and promote events and advocacy efforts to nurture the walk/bike community here in Burien.

What does "WABI" mean? It’s short for “Walk/Bike.”

WABI Burien specifically promotes elements of the City of Burien’s Vision, which was adopted in 2011:
Healthy: Burien promotes community vitality with health and wellness services for all ages.
Active: Burien encourages active living to support physical and mental health.

We focus on activities that engage citizens of all ages and abilities. We have periodic events such as Walk-n-Talks and Bike SaFaRis (Safe Family Rides), and we support other walking and cycling activities.

WABI Burien is sponsoring a FREE Bicycling 101 Class on May 9, and Burien
Bike Day on Friday, May 18, 2012.

Another WABI initiative is working with the City of Burien toward the installation
of bike racks around town. Abundant, widely-distributed and secure bicycle

Press release:

HCC’s 15th Annual Unity Through Diversity Week
Dates: April 23-April 27, 2012
Price: Free
Location: Highline Community College’s main campus (see “Times/Details” below)
Highline’s main campus is located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99); address: 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198.

Description: Unity Through Diversity Week explores and celebrates the diversity of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, ability and religion.

The weeklong program—united by the theme, “Justice, Leadership and Social Change”—will include free educational events, programs and activities.

The week encourages Highline faculty, staff, students and community members to celebrate diversity and think critically about issues that impact our society. All events are free and open to the public.
Times/Details: For more information on the events listed below, e-mail Yoshiko Harden at yharden@highline.edu or visit www.highline.edu:

Press release:

Please join us this weekend as we work together to improve the health of Puget Sound and the salmon in our local streams! Native plants along rivers and streams capture air and water pollution, soak up and slow down stormwater, and provide food and shelter to fish and other wildlife. Hope to see you there!

Walker Preserve Invasive Plant Removal
Date/Time: SUNDAY, April 22, 2012, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Stewardship Purpose: Improve habitat along the stream by removing non-native, invasive plants
Activities:
• Seek out English ivy and remove it from trees and pull roots out of the ground.
• Seek out Himalayan blackberry plants, cut them back, and then dig out the root balls.
Address: SW. 168th St. and 2nd Ave. SW., Normandy Park
This is up the road from Normandy Park City Hall, just off 1st Ave SW. If driving, your parking options include:
Three spaces in the small lot at SW 171st St. and Second Ave. S.W.
On the street along SW. 168th St.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are no restrooms at this site.
What to bring:
• Your enthusiasm
• Clothing that will protect you from the rain or sun and blackberry thorns

Ay Chihuahuas, a newish food truck located on the corner of 15th Avenue NW and NW Market Street, will be handing out free lunch on Sunday.

Starting at noon, Ay Chihuahuas will be celebrating their opening with free carne asada-topped hot dogs until 6 p.m. or until they run out.

The whole philosophy behind the new sausage truck is based on doing "something different, that no one else was doing", and hot dogs topped with carne asade is just an example of the variety of items on their menu.

Ay Chihuahuas is a family-run restaurant who use ingredients that are mostly natural and mostly sourced locally.

All their sauces and combinations are an attempt to bring a whole new meaning to the experience of eating a hot dog.

Ay Chihuahuas partners with Link Lab Artisan Meats in Wallingford and are also offering a Fremont Beer Bratworst made with Fremont Brewing Company's India Pale Ale.

Go check them out at the Shell station on the corner of 15th Avenue NW and NW Market Street in the parking lot of the Shell Station for a free hot dog on Sunday from noon till 6 p.m.