April 2012

Update Wednesday 12:50 a.m.

The Riverton Post Office, 15250 32nd Ave. S. in SeaTac, seemed to resemble a busy, fast-food drive-up window as vehicles queued up to hand off their tax returns by Tuesday at midnight to two cheerful ladies standing by a metal rack of shelving containing envelopes for the IRS.

Concepcion Hermosillo, Manager, Customer Service, Riverton Post Office, and Louise Stafford, Manager, Customer Service Operations for Riverton and other locations, were cheerfully accepting envelopes from drivers, most of whom thanked them.

"I don't have any official numbers, but it seemed busier last year," Stafford observed. However, the stream of cars seemed to increase as midnight closed in. She said many drivers pulled up to her with their pets in the car.
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The Riverton Post Office in SeaTac has cut its hours in recent years but procrastinating 2011 income tax filers will be grateful to know that they can mail their return there up until midnight, Tuesday, April 17.

And the Internal Revenue Service won’t even consider it late.

press release:
Come learn, be inspired, and get great solution advice from our cadre of experts! On hand this month:

• Mighty House Construction
• LD Arch Design
• Solar Epiphany
• Gray Sky Farms
• AND Green Home Tour Site Hosts!!

Each month, the Tool Library brings together our community and hosts experienced DIY coaches who are willing to answer any questions that you may have on your current projects, future plans, or anything else you liked to discuss. These open and informal community meetups offer an opportunity to bounce project ideas off fellow DIYers and maybe receive some advice in the process, if you like. It’s also a great time to show off what you’ve been working on.

You bring your inspiration, your inquiring minds, and projects.
We’ll bring the experts and the pizza! See you there!

Thursday, Apr 12, 2012
6-8pm
West Seattle Tool Library
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106

Press release:

A medical van now visits Transform Burien’s program on two Wednesdays a month - the first and third.

The medical program offers:

* Screening for diabetes and high blood pressure
* Connections to other services such as 1) dental, 2) food, 3) shelter or housing, 4) domestic violence
* Help with DSHS and other benefit applications
* Mental health care
* Establishing a regular medical provider

Those qualifying for help:

* staying on the street,
* staying in a camp,
* staying in a vehicle,
* "doubled up" with family or friends (couch surfing)
* staying in transitional housing,
* living in a motel short term,
* staying at a detox or treatment center.

If the one or more of the requirements above are not met, the staff of the Mobile Medical Van can direct the individual to the appropriate agency.

TRANSFORM is located at 425 SW 144th street in Burien (which is in the old community center by the skate park)

Our hours are:

Sundays
3-5 pm
Hot meal, clothing and a food bank are available

Wednesday
12 noon- 2pm

The Port of Seattle and their partners celebrated the completion of the $52 million E. Marginal Way grade separation project on April 11. The new elevated overpass is intended to “improve road and rail access to port terminals,” rail yards and manufacturing and distribution facilities, according to the Port.

By creating dedicated lanes for freight traffic, the roadway should also reduce the number of freight trucks on other thoroughfares and ease the commute for West Seattleites headed east, according to Peter McGraw with the Port.

The $52.7 million tab was picked up in majority by the Port ($18.8 million). The rest was covered by the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board ($10.3 million), City of Seattle ($1.6 million), BNSF and UPRR railroads ($1.43 million), State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board ($6.9 million), federal grants ($10.8 million) and federal stimulus money ($2.88 million).

Information from 34th District Democrats

The 2012 Precinct Caucus is April 15th!
Come and join fellow Democrats from your neighborhood on Sunday, April 15th at 1:00PM for the 2012 Precinct Caucuses.

Find Your Caucus!
Go to this website and enter your last name and zip code. The website will give you the caucus location, your precinct name, and instructions about how the caucus will be conducted. If you want to be a delegate to the legislative district, county or state convention, a delegate form is also provided there. You should also be able to call 425-998-7055 to find caucus locations.

Why Caucus this Year?

The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council will have guest speaker Christopher Williams, acting superintendent for Seattle Parks and Recreation, attend their meeting on April 17, 7 p.m., at the Seattle Police Southwest Precinct Building (2300 S.W. Webster St.).

According to WSCPC, "Williams will bring staff to address concerns about specific parks. If you have concerns about a specific park please send the information to us at westseattlecpc@gmail.com."

The meeting is very timely in addressing community concern over park safety in the aftermath of the still unsolved slaying of Greggette Guy at or near Me-Kwa-Mooks Park on March 11.

Trader Joe's grocery store will open its new West Seattle store located at 4545 Fauntleroy Way Southwest (three blocks East of the Alaska Junction) on Friday, April 13 at 8am. To commemorate the official opening Trader Joe’s Captain (store manager) Sean Greutert, Regional Vice President Micheal Krause and the crew will gather at 8:00AM for a ceremonial lei cutting to welcome new customers– Trader Joe’s style. The celebration will continue throughout the day with a live music, balloons for the kids and food demonstrations. The celebration will continue on Saturday April, 14.

The 14,200 square foot store features a festive décor mixing traditional Trader Joe’s cedar covered walls, Hawaiian inspired elements throughout the store combined with a local flare including art that celebrates the neighborhood. Throughout the grocery store there are several amazing hand painted murals that pay homage to all things West Seattle including Alki Beach, The West Seattle Junction, the Fauntleroy Ferry, West Seattle High School, Sealth High School, The Alki Point Lighthouse, the Log Museum and more.

Roxbury Lanes & Casino is the host on May 5 for "Saving 2nd Base" a 9 pin bowling tournament to promote breast cancer awareness. Roxbury Lanes is located at 2823 SW Roxbury St, Seattle.

The cost is $25 per person and you must be 18 years or older to bowl.

Organizer Victoria Rae said, The $5.00 prize fund in included in the $25.00 entry fee and that is so we can award a first place winner. Depending on the amount of entries there may be additional winning places. Winning / paying prizes will be awarded the out same day after the tournament has been completed and totals have been tallied. Currently we are working with a few hotels regarding a weekend stay get away."

The average will be determined on prior bowling avergages established in the USBC average book if no average is in the books for the last 5 years one will be set.

Soccer:

The Ballard boys’ soccer team played Inglemoor at Pop Keeney Stadium on Wednesday, April 11.

Inglemoor’s Justin Li passed to Mehron Abdi, who scored in the 20th minute. Ballard’s Sam Zisette followed right behind, assisting Garrett Wirta in a speedy goal a minute later.

Unfortunately, Inglemoor continued to score two more goals in the first half, with a final goal three minutes into the second half, beating Ballard 4-1.

Ballard will play Eastlake at Interbay on Friday, April 13. Hopefully it will be a lucky day for the Beavers.

LAX:

Ballard LAX team played Mukilteo at Mariner High School on Tuesday, April 10, losing 12-5. Their next game is tonight, April 12, at Genesee Park against Garfield.

Softball:

Ballard ensured a shutout when Eastlake hosted the Ballard girls’ fast-pitch Tuesday April 10. Aggressive and serious about winning, Beavers won 10-0.

The girls wasted no time in the first inning, scoring 3 runs against Eastlake. Beavers continued to score runs across the plate, with 15 hits and no errors. Eastlake had one hit and one error.

Perhaps Monday’s loss had the girls amped and set on winning this one. Andrea Jewett pitched for 5 strong innings, striking out 6 and allowing the one, and only hit that Eastlake made in the game.

Amry Kimmerly went 3 for 2, with one RBI, while Audrey Rausch went 4 for 3 with one RBI. Jewett went 3 for 2, with 3 RBI and hit a double. Lexi Gray went 3 for 2, with one RBI. Overall a fantastic game for the Beavers.

Baseball:

Newport hosted the Beavers on Thursday, April 12 and beat Ballard 4-2.

The Beavers scored runs in the 1st and 3rd inning, but Newport caught up in the 4th with one run and finished the game off in the 7th inning scoring three runs.

Ballard’s Alex Stamey went 3 for 2 and Ben Welch went 3 for 2, hitting a double and scoring two runs.