April 2012

West Seattle’s ArtsWest gallery and theater brought together actors, arts philanthropists and theater enthusiasts on April 2 to reveal the lineup of plays for the 2012-2013 season and introduce new Managing Director Line Sandsmark and Christopher Zinovitch as the new Artistic Director (although he has been with ArtsWest for 12 years).

Managing Director Line Sandsmark came to ArtsWest after decades working as a film producer in Scandanavia. She said she was drawn to the theater because the staff and actors “wear their passion on their sleeves” and the “intimacy and energy of the space.”

Here is what she had to say about moving away from a world where the arts are heavily funded and her hopes for the new position:

“I actually find a lot of similarities between working with the shorter format independent films and this type of theater space because the goal here isn’t solely to get bums into seats, as they say, because we are not a mass medium, as film can be, but the emphasis here gets to stay on communication, on storytelling, and not least of all engaging audiences intellectually and also emotionally.

Rain showers (yes April showers), swept across Seattle yesterday and as the sun broke through just before sunset rainbows were reported across the region from Kirkland to Portland by West Seattle Herald readers.

Photographers Patrick and Kimberly Robinson caught both in a series of images in the slideshow.

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

On March 20, several Westwood and Sunrise Heights neighbors sent a letter to King County Executive Dow Constantine pleading with him to halt a rain garden project in their neighborhoods. On April 4, the Sightline Institute, focused on "researching the best practices in public policy for a sustainable northwest," issued a rebuttal to that letter in defense of the Barton CSO Project.

Sightline Daily reporter Lisa Stiffler takes on each point of the letter to Constantine (the letter is found below), and states, "Fears about West Seattle rain gardens appear overblown" and " ... after looking through the concerns about the project, it seems most of the worries are largely unfounded, and many are echoes of fears raised in Ballard that never came to pass. Let’s take a look, point by point."

The article in its entirety can be found here.

-- Visit the Ballard BIg House for an open house on Saturday, April 7th, from 1 p.m. till 4 p.m. --

The Ballard Big House, located on 2007 NW 61st Street is up for sale. The former church, known for its funky front with kid's tricycles on the awning, is now on the market for $789,00 for anyone who ever dreamed of living in a church.

Build in 1907, the building was originally the Second Swedish Church, followed by Bethany Baptist, Bethany Assembly, Evangelical Chinese and Church of the Divine Man.

The old original classic church structure remains remarkably intact but has been renovated into a 6,300 square foot private residence with 6 bedrooms and 3.25 bathrooms, two kitchens, vaulted ceilings, a tower, stained glass, and more.

According to the Windermere Real Estate listing, here are some of the unique attributes the church-turned-residence features:

The Next Fifty is seeking participants from Seattle neighborhoods in A Story Runs Through It, a community filmmaking project that will celebrate Seattle’s neighborhoods and the civic life within them, and connect neighborhoods together.

Submit your film of up to 3 minutes between now and August 31. Selected participants will receive modest cash awards and the opportunity to screen their videos at a festival during The Next Fifty’s Civic Action month in October.

Free filmmaking workshops will be offered at Seattle Center on April 14, May 5, and July 14.

Go to www.thenextfifty.org/filmproject for more information and to register for a workshop.

The first time I saw Kevin Munsch was in 2008, at the Washington State 3A boys' swimming and diving championships at the Aquatic Center in Federal Way, when he was swimming for Kennedy Catholic High School. I was there as a photographer for the Highline Times. Four years later I see Kevin again, but this time at the NCAA Division 1 mens' swimming and diving championships, March 22-24, again at the Aquatic Center, but now he’s swimming for the University of Arizona. It’s interesting to note that Kevin ended both his high school and college swimming career at the same pool.

Throughout Kevin’s swimming career he has accumulated many awards, records, achievements and memories under his swimming belt. In fact, there are too many to list them all -- so I will only mention a few.

On February 7, 2008 Kevin was named the WIAA/Seattle Times class 3A State High School Athlete of the Week. Kevin was the defending state champ in the 200-yard Individual Medley, won his specialty, the 200-yard breaststroke, as well as the 100-yard butterfly and swam on two winning relays at the Seamount championships.

Chief Sealth's girls fastpitch team has already gained a season sweep of its series against the crosstown rival West Seattle Wildcats.

The Seahawks scored a 6-3 victory over West Seattle last Wednesday, March 28 and came back to post an 11-4 win over the WIldcats Friday, March 30.

Chief Sealth ran its record to an impressive 7-2 with the victories over the Wildcats. Wednesday's game was played at West Seattle's Riverview Park and Friday's at Chief Sealth's home at the Southwest Athletic Complex.

Chloe Behar picked up both wins on the mound for the Seahawks.

Chief Sealth was at Lakeside for a Monday, April 2 game before going to Nathan Hale at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3 and to Ingraham at the same time Wednesday, April 4.

West Seattle, meanwhile, was at Eastside Catholic Monday, April 2 and goes to Rainier Beach at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3. The Wildcats visit Nathan Hale at the same time on Wednesday, April 4.

West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School took a split in two meetings this past week -- the only two they will have this year.

Chief Sealth won the first meeting Wednesday, March 28 by a 12-0 score, led by the two-hit shutout pitching of Nic Layton.

Layton struck out seven Wildcats hitters in the outing at West Seattle's Hiawatha Park.

The Seahawks and Wildcats collided again on Friday at the Southwest Athletic Complex located next to Chief Sealth.

This time West Seattle turned the tables on Chief Sealth, outscoring the Seahawks, 8-5.

Sealth was set to visit Lakeside for a Monday, April 2 game as West Seattle travels to Eastside Catholic. West Seattle goes to Rainier Beach for 3:30 p.m. action Tuesday, April 3 and Chief Sealth goes to Nathan Hale. West Seattle entertains Nathan Hale at Hiawatha at the same time Wednesday, April 4 and the Seahawks journey to Ingraham.

The annual West Seattle Thriftway easter egg hunt featuring (no kidding) 50,000 eggs full of goodies and prizes will start at 9:00 am and since the current forecast is for sunny skies you can expect an early crowd to gather at both entrances.

The store, at 4201 SW Morgan Street has been conducting the hunt since 1987 when owner Paul Kapioski took over.

A family event, kids aged 1 through 10 are encouraged to participate.

There are more than 100 eggs with special prizes sprinkled like game consoles and other toys throughout the bounty.

Today, people throughout the U.S. will lace up their sneakers and walk together to help fight heart disease, the nation’s No. 1 killer. Seattle Parks and Recreation is participating in the American Heart Association’s National Walking Day by hosting 18 park sites throughout the city.

The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The quote is especially apt for anyone wanting to start a regular exercise program. This National Walking Day marks offers the opportunity to make a commitment to healthy living and fighting heart disease and stroke. Participation is free, and Parks staff will lead the walks.

Why? Because physical inactivity is a huge national problem. Seventy percent of Americans don’t get enough exercise, which means we’re at greater risk for heart disease, stroke and other blood vessel diseases. Start now with Seattle Parks and Recreation and the American Heart Association to walk, to be more active, to be healthy.

The following walks are scheduled throughout the city: