May 2012

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People claimed the best viewing spots as early as 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 17th, to ensure they wouldn't miss anything of the annual Syttende Mai Parade, one of the largest ethnic parades in the U.S.

The Ballard festivities in recognition of Norwegian Constitution Day are the largest outside of Norway, and thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Ballard for the 123-year tradition.

With over 100 units, the parade provided on-watchers with a full two-hour long steam of variety and entertainment including marching bands, pirates, gnomes, princesses, unicyclists, and even clowns.

While the parade may be the highlight of the day, Syttende Mai activities took place all day in Ballard.

There were free kids crafts at the Nordic Heritage Museum as well as fjord horses, live musical performances at Bergen Place, and food and beverages to be had at the Leif Erikson Lodge.

“Syttende Mai a great, full-day of events with  lots to eat, see and do,” said Kae Ellingsen, parade chair of the 17th of May committee.

A new nonprofit called FREE2LUV has been launched by an Alki couple to offer cover to youth getting bullied, both gay and straight, and to encourage individualism in teens pressured by their peers to "blend in".

Tonya and Kym Sandis said they "never call a bully a bully".

"We call it an 'act of bullying,'" Kym explained. "The labeling, and putting people in boxes, is where it all starts. The kid who bullies is often being bullied at home."

Tonya and Kym, a lesbian couple together 26 years, planned their family. They have two daughters, 11 and 13, who they home school.

"Being gay we can relate to the feeling of being different," Kym said. "The way we are raising our children is the message we want to get out there, daring to be who you are. FREE2LUV will bring that to a larger audience."

R. Kevin McFeely, President & Chief Executive Officer of The Kenney, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in West Seattle is leaving the foundation after serving in that role for almost 9 years. He's taking a position with The Hearthstone, a CCRC in Green Lake "they are developing a second campus. That is one of the most exciting things about it, to start planning for the growth."

He acknowledges that he's wistful about leaving, primarily because of the many relationships he's formed at The Kenney with co-workers, residents and the community. "I've always said that if you're going to leave a job you should leave it when things are going well, when you're on top. That's really the hardest piece of advice for me to follow."

He said he did not seek this job, he was recruited for it. "But I get 3 or 4 calls a week from headhunters," McFeely said. The new job is also with a non-profit organization. "Non-profits are not beholden to shareholders. At the end of the day the only people we need to worry about are those that we're serving."

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As part of its Syttende Mai festivities, the Nordic Heritage Museum hosted a group of beautiful Norwegian fjord horses on their parking lot, which attracted children and adults alike.

"This is our seventh year here and doing the parade," said Rory Miller from Stawberry Hill Fjords. "They enjoy it."

The Norwegian fjord horses are a versatile breed that are among the oldest and purest breed in the world, said Kristin Miller.

"They are extremely athletic, personable, and smart. Sometimes a little too smart," Kristin said.

The horses will be walking in the 119-unit Syttende Mai parade taking place at 6:00 p.m. today.

The parade starts near Adams School in Ballard heading south to Market Street and eastward to Bergen Place park, then turns right onto 22nd and continues south down Ballard Avenue and ends at Dock St.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS.

As part of its Syttende Mai festivities, the Nordic Heritage Museum hosted a group of beautiful Norwegian fjord horses on their parking lot, which attracted children and adults alike.

"This is our seventh year here and doing the parade," said Rory Miller from Stawberry Hill Fjords. "They enjoy it."

The Norwegian fjord horses are a versatile breed that are among the oldest and purest breed in the world, said Kristin Miller.

"They are extremely athletic, personable, and smart. Sometimes a little too smart," Kristin said.

The horses will be walking in the 119-unit Syttende Mai parade taking place at 6:00 p.m. today.

The parade starts near Adams School in Ballard heading south to Market Street and eastward to Bergen Place park, then turns right onto 22nd and continues south down Ballard Avenue and ends at Dock St.

Transform Burien is a cooperative group of nine churches located in the Burien/Highline area that offer free resources to those in need through their Outreach program. They are located in the "old" Burien Community Center, on 4th Ave. SW between SW 144th St. and SW 146th St., by the skateboard park.

Participating churches are the Burien Evangelical Church, Burien Free Methodist Church, Evergreen Church, Highline Christian Church, Hope Christian Community, John Knox Presbyterian Church, Taproot Church, Three Tree Community Church, and Westside Christian Fellowship.

Free hot meals are served every Wednesday, noon to 2:00 p.m., every Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and new and used clothes, and food pantry items are also free, and available during this time. Their food pantry is sparse, and they urge the public for donations of non-perishable canned goods like soup and beans, and other staples like rice.

Mobile Medical Care

Update note: Ron Sterling's comments in response to the county's plan can be found towards the bottom of the story (if you happened to already read the original version).

King County’s plan to install a one million gallon underground storage tank on private property to the east of Lowman Beach Park has been in discussion since 2009, with citizens and the county alternately butting heads and working together on the project intended to reduce combined sewer overflows from the Murray pump station into the Puget Sound.

The most recent outcry comes from a website called “What Now West Seattle?,” focused on issues of recreational access with the county’s (and SDOT's) plan to reduce road width at the popular access point to the Sound and northern Lincoln Park. The website is run by Ron Sterling, a resident living in the direct vicinity of Lowman. The web address is http://whatnowwestseattle.wordpress.com/.

Sterling states his concern as follows on the website:

Washington State Department of Transportation will have representatives on hand at Pier 50 this afternoon from 4:00 pm to 5:45 pm to solicit feedback regarding the recent changes to Alaskan Way.

Please plan a few extra minutes in your afternoon commute if you are interested in commenting.

Here's the list for upcoming public events by WSDOT:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/Calendar.htm

Press release:

Katherine Chounla of SeaTac was recently selected to participate in the 2012 Miss Teen Seattle pageant competition that will take place on Sunday, June 17.

Katherine, a Global Connection High student on the Tyee campus, learned of her acceptance into this year's competition when the pageant announced their selections following interviewing in the local Seattle area.

Katherine submitted an application and took part in an interview session that was conducted by this year's Seattle Pageant Coordinator.



Katherine will be competing, for her share of thousands of dollars in prizes and specialty gifts that will be distributed to contestants. Katherine will be competing in the division, one of four divisions that will have young ladies ages of 7 and 19 competing in modeling routines, which include casual wear and formal wear.

Most important, Katherine will display her personality and interviewing skills while interviewing with this year's Seattle judging panel.

Punning on his name, longtime barbecue pit master and caterer Mike Schacht just opened a place of his own, and calls it The BBQ Schacht, 19231 Des Moines Memorial Drive at South 192nd in Sea Tac. Schacht is assisted by friend and pit master colleague, Jimmy Carter. Customers have fun with his name, too.

Until now, Schacht, 46, took his barbecue business to you, for weddings, festivals, and privates parties. He will continue catering events on weekends, when his restaurant is closed. That is why the BBQ Schacht's hours are Mondays through Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

He opened April 12, and said that last Friday, May 11, he went through 30 racks of ribs.

"It was ridiculously busy," he said. "We had 50 customers here, many sitting out on the curb eating. Not everyone was from around here, either. Barbecue is a destination."

Schacht is a blues buff, and customers will hear blues and cajun music on the speakers including Robert Johnson and other old masters. He saw Chicago blues man Buddy Guy perform at his club Legends in the Windy City, and said he lucked out when he arrived to a standing room only concert.