April 2012

By Peggy Sturdivant

Twenty-one years ago on the 21st day of March a nurse helped transfer my day-old baby into the virgin car seat placed in middle back of the Honda car. Along with other pregnant women the vernal equinox had worked like a charm; we’d arrived in a wave to the Family Childbirth Center, top floor of then-Ballard Community Hospital. My room overlooked the 7-11 that still rules at the corner of Market and 17th NW.

Almost exactly twenty-one years later I was the clueless arrival first out of the airport chute in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The incubation period should have been longer. One should not be able to board an ice-coated airplane in New York at 8 a.m. and emerge four hours later in the tropics. The culture shock is too great, especially coupled with a confident, glowing young woman suddenly breaking from the waiting throng and calling, “Mom.”

The North Highline Unincorporated Council met on April 5 to discuss crime and safety, a new alcohol initiative, the new Technology Access Foundation building in Lakewood Park and the latest in annexation from the City of Burien's perspective.

Public Safety in White Center
White Center Storefront Deputy BJ Myers presented the latest in crime and public safety for the region.

Concerning crime statistics over the past year, Myers said “part one” crimes (including homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, rape, burglary, larceny, vehicle theft and arson) have dropped. Part one incidents spiked to 131 in October, 2011, but have dropped from that time to 64 incidents last month.

Part two crimes, including fights, vandalism, drug use/sales, lesser assaults, etc, have pretty much remained level over the last year, ranging from 78 to 98 offenses reported on a monthly basis.

Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead visited Ballard’s Tractor Tavern in December with the Mickey Hart Band and recently released his new album, Mysterium Tremendum (360° Productions) on April 10, 2012. The album consists of an epic, strange collaboration of sounds from the universe, so alienated and odd that one might feel they are experiencing a completely new world.

Strange, jungle-like rhythms excite and arouse the soul to new meaning. Hart’s new album transforms music and infuses it with sounds selected from the universe. The marriage of vibrations and tones leaves one reflective and empowered.

Evergreen High School rose up to knock off the Highline Pirates, 3-1, in a Seamount League boys soccer match at Highline Stadium this past Thursday.

The Wolverines of White Center have this week off for spring break along with Kennedy and the Renton schools -- Lindbergh, Hazen and Renton. Foster is the only Seamount League team not to have spring break this week but has it off because of the other teams being off.

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

Evergreen is now preparing for a 5:30 p.m. home match against Tyee at Highline Stadium before drawing a bye for Friday and entertaining Foster at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24.

The Wolverines then host Renton at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27 before going to Renton Stadium to play Lindbergh at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 1 and visiting Renton on the same field for their regular season finale at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3.

Evergreen High School rose up to knock off the Highline Pirates, 3-1, in a Seamount League boys soccer match at Highline Stadium this past Thursday.

The Wolverines of White Center have this week off for spring break along with Kennedy and the Renton schools -- Lindbergh, Hazen and Renton. Foster is the only Seamount League team not to have spring break this week but has it off because of the other teams being off.

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

Evergreen is now preparing for a 5:30 p.m. home match against Tyee at Highline Stadium before drawing a bye for Friday and entertaining Foster at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24.

The Wolverines then host Renton at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27 before going to Renton Stadium to play Lindbergh at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 1 and visiting Renton on the same field for their regular season finale at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3.

Monday, April 2
Baseball
Kennedy 19, Renton 2
Connor Richardson led the Lancers to victory in a Seamount League game played Monday, April 2 by hitting 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and four runs scored.
Mt. Rainier 11, TJ 7
Adam Badley hit 3-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored as the Rams outslugged Thomas Jefferson in a South Puget Sound League North Division game this past Monday.

Fastpitch
TJ 8, Mt. Rainier 5
Thomas Jefferson turned the tables on Mount Rainier with a win on the girls side.
Kennedy 23, Renton 0
It was all Kennedy when the Lancers met the Indians on Monday.
Lindbergh 8, Tyee 2
The Totems were left behind by Lindbergh in Monday's game.

Boys soccer
Kentlake 3, Mt. Rainier 2
Kentlake dunked the Rams in a close match this past Monday.

Girls lacrosse
Bellevue 21, Kennedy 8
Bellevue got the best of the Lancers last Monday.

Tuesday, April 3
Boys soccer
Kennedy 2, Highline 0

Kids of all ages will have plenty of opportunity to hunt for eggs and have a lot of fun doing it on Saturday April 7 all over West Seattle as various groups all stage Easter Egg Hunts.

Eastridge Church is staging a hunt at Lincoln Park at 11 am. Kids will love the 20-foot inflatable slide and other fun activities!

As we've previously told you the West Seattle Thriftway is staging their annual hunt starting at 9 AM. Be there a bit early at California and Morgan Street s.w.

Seattle Parks is taking part too of course with hunts at various facilities.

Toddler Spring Eggstravaganza at High Point Community Center

Join us for a morning of fun and activities, including a very special bunny visit especially for

toddlers. There will be games, crafts for the children and an egg hunt (at 11 a.m. sharp!) with age-appropriate prizes and snacks.

High Point Community Center, 6920 34th Ave. SW

Thursday, April 5, 10 a.m. – Noon
Cost: $5
Ages 2-5

Monday, April 2
Tennis
Chief Sealth 6, Franklin 5
Chief Sealth slipped past the Quakers in a Metro League mixed tennis match Monday, April 2.
Seattle Prep 11, West Seattle 0
Seattle Prep swept all of its matches against the Wildcats last Monday.

Fastpitch
West Seattle 5, Eastside 2
The WIldcats won against Eastside Catholic in this past Monday's action.

Baseball
Chief Sealth 5, Lakeside 0
Kyle Castillo struck out seven while tossing a three-hitter for the Seahawks last Monday.
Eastside 11, West Seattle 1
Eastside Catholic cruised to victory Monday against West Seattle.

Tuesday, April 3
Fastpitch
Chief Sealth 8, Nathan Hale 5
Chloe Behar hit a home run and won on the mound for the Seahawks in Tuesday's game. Alana Sullivan also homered and added a double and a single.
Boys soccer
Chief Sealth 4, Nathan Hale 0
Abel Madring scored two goals and one assist for Chief Sealth this past Tuesday's win.
Franklin 6, West Seattle 0
The Wildcats were shut out by the Quakers on Tuesday, April 3.
Baseball

After winning the lease for the concession at Seacrest Park, Marination, owner of Marination Mobile and Marination Station in downtown Seattle, found they needed to work out the lease terms with the City of Seattle. As that process goes forward Alki Kayak Tours has signed its own short term lease with the city and is up and running for the 2012 season. For the time being they are allowed to sell drinks and pre-packaged food too.

Owner Greg Whittaker said, "During the Seacrest Boathouse RFP process we have been patiently waiting for the final contract, and have now have reached an agreement with Seattle Parks and Recreation and signed and interim concession contract to continue to serve West Seattle and visitors. This agreement is in place until the RFP Award winners, Marination, can finalize the concession contract with Parks and Rec."

Tracey Spenser, 51, earned her 1st Dan Black Belt last night at Lee's Martial Arts in West Seattle last night. She is the oldest female there to earn a black belt. Also earning their black belts were Jesse Simpson, 17, a Chief Sealth junior, and Meagan Veltman, 19.

Spenser is an editor for MSN. She worked for the Seattle Times for 20 years, including a post as National Wire Editor. Spenser gave a speech of thanks, and self-examination, before earning her belt in front of Master Lee, instructors Lisa and Joe Skvarla, and West Seattle black belt Mileta Radunovic. Spenser explained that the speech is the last procedure on the check-off list for the belt qualification.