May 2012

REMINDER: 'Last SUP'r Standing' paddleboard endurance contest set for Seacrest June 2

As the West Seattle Herald reported first on May 19, a unique event is set to happen at Seacrest Park and Cove on June 2 that will test the mettle of those who try it. It's an endurance event to see who can remain standing the longest on a Stand Up Paddleboard to win prizes and recognition. Sponsored by Mountain to Sound Outfitters the event will begin at 8 am.

Original Post
Who will be the last person standing? "The Last Supr Standing" sponsored by Mountain to Sound Outfitters will test the endurance, stamina and balance of those willing to face the test of standing on a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) the longest, to not only claim the title, but hopefully to set a world record.

Set in the beautiful Seacrest Cove in West Seattle with the Seattle skyline as a backdrop, the event will take place June 2 and will start at 8 am.

The winner will take home the title and prizes worth more than $1000. 2nd and 3rd place will take home prizes too.

Prizes will be contributed by industry manufacturers, and sponsors. More details on the prizes will be announced.

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SLIDESHOW:Timberline shuts out West Seattle 5-0

By Kaelyn Sayles

On Saturday morning, the Timberline Blazers shut out the West Seattle Wildcats 5-0 in the 3A State Baseball tournament game.

It was a disappointing game for the Wildcats as dropped balls and missed catches sealed their fate.

“It was a tough game,” said West Seattle head coach Velko Vitalich. “We hurt ourselves. We weren’t fundamentally as good as we’ve been all season and it cost us, and if you don’t score a run, you’re not going to win many games. So, give the other team credit, and I think all our guys think we can play better than we did today.”

The lead was made early in the game. Timberline scored four runs in the first inning alone, and then their fifth and final run in the second.

But despite the lead, West Seattle didn't give up, getting hits, attempting to steal bases and striking out Timberline batters.

West Seattle junior Sam Hellinger pitched the entire game, and Vitalich said he's excited to be able to work with him next season.

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Bikes, music, and fashion: scenes from the 2012 Bike to Work Day and the KEXP Hood to Hood Challange

SLIDESHOW

May 18th was Bike to Work Day and while the chilly morning weather drew fewer bikers than past years, still thousands of people biked to work all over the city and stopped at commuter stations along the way for free food and drink, swag, and bike maintenance.

At Ballard's Bergen Place, the annual Ballard Street Party carried the momentum of Bike to Work Day into the evening. The city partnered with Cascade Bicycle Club and KEXP to transform the heart of Ballard into a bike block party.

There was live music, bike art, conference bikes, free samples, contests, free bike assistance from Bike Sport and Second Ascent. bike vendors, and even a "Share Your Style" Bike Fashion Show.

Because Ballard won KEXP Radio's Hood to Hood Challenge last year, KEXP was onsite all day, airing live from Bergen Place and hosting live bands.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO START THE SLIDESHOW.

Neighborhood
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Reporting from Ecuador: West Seattle teen on exchange discovers culture, music, and how to be the man of the house

Micah Englehart, a senior at O’Dea High School and resident of West Seattle, spent six months of his high school career in Ecuador and, as full immersion in a different world tends to go, the experience has left indelible marks.

From August of 2011 until February 1, 2012, Englehart lived with his host family in Quito and attended public high school. Quito, located in the northern reaches of Ecuador, has a population around 1.8 million.

Getting the idea
As a junior, Englehart overheard some seniors in his Spanish class planning a week long trip to Spain: a great idea, he thought, but the cost was extremely high. Knowing his financial limitations but determined to experience life in a Spanish-speaking country after three years of learning the language, he started looking south.

“It was really a process of elimination,” Englehart said.

Spain was too expensive, Mexico was too dangerous, the exchange timing of his third choice, Argentina, conflicted with his brother’s wedding, and so he set his sights on Quito.

Quito and a new family

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SLIDESHOW: Walk/Bike Burien Bike safari promotes safety and education

WABI (Walk Bike Burien) held a bike safari May 18 to help promote walking and biking in Burien. Brooks Stanfield, event organizer, said the purpose was to show residents new and safe ways to see their community.

Leaving from Town Center the ride, covering about 3.5 miles, took riders west to Eagle Landing and Lake Burien then back to Town Center on relatively flat and safe residential streets.

SLIDESHOW: CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE MORE

WABI will do one or more of these rides every month, with the purpose of educating riders on bike safety and etiquette on the road. It will also show people how they can safely ride around the Burien area.

Renton resident Mike Steffen and his daughter Audry came to the ride to see if they wanted to move into the area. They enjoyed the “very family friendly environment in Burien."

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SLIDESHOW: Dow Constantine's Filing Week Luncheon draws 700, including Hal Sparks

SLIDESHOW: Click on photo for more

Nearly 700 filled the Convention Center ballroom Friday for King County Executive Dow Constantine's 3rd Annual Filing Week Luncheon. While he is in mid-term and doesn't file until 2013, he holds the event to "celebrate the Democratic election process" he said, & to promote candidates running this year.

Actor & musician Hal Sparks entertained with political commentary and biting humor, tagging Mitt Romney as a "mindless puppet" with a key lodged in his back. Sparks then pushed for marriage equality, and Referendum 74 expected to come, in Washington State.

Showing their support at the event were Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Joe Fitzgibbon, King County Council member Joe McDermott, Seattle City Council member Tom Rasmussen, King County Assessor Lloyd Hara, State Sen. Ed Murray, and Mimi and Bill Gates, Sr.

In his speech, Constantine quipped, "The GOP did a nationwide search for a compelling presidential standard bearer—and came up with… Mitt Romney.

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SLIDESHOW: Dow Constantine's Filing Week Luncheon draws 700, including Hal Sparks

SLIDESHOW: Click on photo for more

Nearly 700 filled the Convention Center ballroom Friday for King County Executive Dow Constantine's 3rd Annual Filing Week Luncheon. While he is in mid-term and doesn't file until 2013, he holds the event to "celebrate the Democratic election process" he said, & to promote candidates running this year.

Actor & musician Hal Sparks entertained with political commentary and biting humor, tagging Mitt Romney as a "mindless puppet" with a key lodged in his back. Sparks then pushed for marriage equality, and Referendum 74 expected to come, in Washington State.

Showing their support at the event were Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Joe Fitzgibbon, King County Council member Joe McDermott, Seattle City Council member Tom Rasmussen, King County Assessor Lloyd Hara, State Sen. Ed Murray, and Mimi and Bill Gates, Sr.

In his speech, Constantine quipped, "The GOP did a nationwide search for a compelling presidential standard bearer—and came up with… Mitt Romney.

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Poem - Doggie Do’s and Don’ts

by Carol Smith

In my opinion none’s so fine
As one who sports the name canine
Until I step in the unknown
Because my lawn is now their throne

For parking strips are au contraire
To owners who let dogs repair
Back to the same spot on my lawn
Where now most of the grass is gone

They even use the lame excuse
Which smells much like their dog’s refuse
That since they walk and text as well
What Fido does they cannot tell

Well here’s a hint, when first the ground
Your dog sniffs and then turns around
It’s likely that he soon will stop
And more than just a shoe will drop

So walk you dog much as you like
Use parking strips and bags for Spike
And don’t forget at leashes end
You’ll never find a better friend!

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SLIDESHOW: 7th annual Police Memorial service honors fallen officers

By David Rosen

Seattle Police and other law enforcement agencies gathered at Forest Lawn Cemetery today to remember their fellow officers who were killed in the line of duty.

The service began with a prelude played by the Seattle Police Pipes & Drums, followed by the Post Colors presented by the Seattle Police Department Honor Guard.

CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE IMAGES

The National Anthem was performed by Ms. Lucy Weber, Mezzo-Soprano of the Seattle Opera.

Many other speakers were at the service including Deputy Chief Nicholas Metz of the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Police Chief John Diaz, Chaplain John k Oas, D.D. of SPD, and keynote speaker Sgt. Frank Kampsen, Founding President, WSLEMF.

Immediately following the memorial, a luncheon was provided for all the guests.

The printed program made reference to the forthcoming Seattle Police Memorial,

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Join Seattle Parks for the Hershey Track and Field Games’ 35th Birthday at West Seattle Stadium on May 29

Youth winners may advance to state, North American finals

press release
On May 29, Seattle Parks and Recreation will host the Hershey Track and Field Games’ 35th birthday with a track meet and party at 5 p.m. at West Seattle Stadium. 4432 35th Ave. SW.

Kids ages 9 to 14 can compete in either two track and one field event, or in two field and one track event. Events include 50-, 100-, 200-, and 400-meter dashes, 4 x 100 meter relay, standing long jump and softball throw. The meet lasts until about 7:30 p.m., and family fun events will take place during the meet.

The age 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 first place winners will compete at the State Meet on June 30 at Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma. State Meet first place winners will have the chance to compete for the Hershey North American Final on Saturday, August 4 in Hershey, PA. Transportation, lodging, meals and activities, including meetings with Olympic athletes, are free to participants.

Hershey’s Track and Field is the largest youth sports program of its kind in the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of kids participate and compete each year for the chance to be one of the 480 athletes competing in the North American Final.

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