August 2012

Press release:

Jamie Ewing, a fifth grade teacher at Mount View Elementary, was awarded top honors in Microsoft’s Partners in Learning U.S. Forum.

He is one of 16 educators in the nation honored for inspiring student learning and impacting positive change through technology in the classroom.

The Forum annually recognizes innovative teachers and school leaders who creatively and effectively use technology in their curriculum to help improve the way students learn.

Ewing won first place in the Collaboration category for "Using Technology to Develop Science Fair Projects for the Virtual World."

“Our cloud-based science fair takes the idea of the ‘old school’ card board science fair and spins it into the 21st century,” says Ewing.

Students begin by exploring earth systems and designing related science experiments. Students present their experiments as interactive web games, videos or PowerPoint presentations.

The Roxhill Skatespot that has been in the works now for many months is finally getting down to a resolution.

The process was slowed down by a number of bidders on the project being deemed "non-responsive" and West Seattle's own Grindline was in the mix too. Their bid however was substantially higher than others at $29,000 over the estimated cost.

42 companies bid on all or part of the project going in at Roxhill Park between S.W. Barton and S.W. Roxbury,

The project got the go-ahead from the city’s Department of Planning and Development to start building after passing an environmental impact review, and the bidding process for builders came to an end on July 11.

Last night, all over Ballard and the entirety of Seattle, hundreds of streets were blocked off for neighborhood parties to celebrate Night Out, a Seattle Police Department sanctioned event hosted to increase crime prevention and awareness.

The goal was to bring neighbors together and get them to know one another, and -- if the many barbecues, tables full of food, live music, and chatty groups of people found around town were any indication -- that goal was met.

At Shilshole Bay Marina, the largest liveaboard community on the west coast with about 300 boats used as permanent homes, the Port of Seattle Police Department went all out. In addition to live music, neat gadgets and vehicles and a raffle, police officers -- including Port of Seattle Police Department Chief Colleen Wilson -- even went as far as to personally grill up burgers and hot dogs for everyone.

As far as public safety goes, Gail Luhn, president of the Shilshole Liveaboard Association, had trouble thinking of any problems within the marina community.

"Quite frankly it's a pretty darn safe place to live," Luhn said.

Twelve-year-old Jillian Rhodes, just graduated from 6th grade at Marvista Elementary and celebrated the 4th of July at Angle Lake.

She had picked out the yellow kayak and paddled out on the lake, when she noticed the canoe of a 60+year-old couple had capsized and the couple was clinging to the boat.

Jillian told them to hang on tight to her kayak, as the man couldn't swim. Jillian pulled and helped guide them to the dock, where they climbed to safety. Someone on shore called for help, firemen arrived and took over care and got them safely back across the lake where they lived.

Jillian also went back and picked up some of their belongings floating on the water.

Her family is proud of Jillian for her quick action and calm thinking.

Elaine Tabor
Jillian’s grandmother

This morning (Aug. 1) at 11 a.m., I encountered two LaRouche supporters standing by their table blocking the sidewalk. This was right outside the Seahurst Post Office.

Their sign stated "Impeach Obama" and great care had been taken to alter the picture to present a Hitler-like effect.

They have the freedom of speech to do this, but they need to be respectful of our rights to use the sidewalk. They were basically not much better than Hitler themselves, by blocking the sidewalk from all but those with the ability to walk without help.

I don't think these two LaRouche supporters knew the facts of World War II. They appeared too young to have been around during World War II. If they don't know the history of the beginnings of World War II, then they don't know that Hitler slaughtered not only the Jews but anyone to have been deemed different from the "normal" Aryan, including the mentally ill, disabled, artists, intelligensia, gays and others.

These two men prevented any person who needed a wheelchair, a walker, cane or a helping hand--Discrimination, just like Hitler.

Maybe someone has an answer for me. When did the term "tea party" become a bad word ?

It wasn't that long ago when I was is school, that in American History class I was taught of the exploits of this group and the reasoning behind their brazen acts.

They were upset with the continued taxation by government without being represented. The colonists had just recently fled a repressive regime where they had been denied their personal liberties, which they held so dear.

My schoolmates were told of the courage and sacrifice these men and women made to insure a more secure future for their young country. With pride our class was told that these new colonists fought against overwhelming odds with bravery and ingenuity.

It was their principles that later progressed into future independence and a signing of a constitution that stipulated, warned and insured safety from the abuses of both man and government-- truly a work of genius that formed a country that the world had never seen before.

So if someone hears a person explain that he is a “tea bagger!" don't be surprised if the answer is "why yes I proudly am!

The results for this year's primary elections are in, mostly, and the winners have been more or less announced. For many who have entered a crowded field, it's the end of the line. For those who made it in the top two, it's just the beginning.

In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Jay Inslee upset expectations, beating out Republican Rob McKenna with 47 percent of the vote. McKenna, who just this month has been slipping behind in polls, won 43 percent of the vote. Pollsters have chalked this up to a combination of Inslee's new ad campaign and McKenna's more publicized flubs, often regarding social issues or attacks on media. Historically, Republicans have a strong showing in the primaries.

In the jam-packed 36th District, Seattle Port Commission President Gael Tartleton and Progressive Majority Director Noel Frame came out on top. Tarleton received 30 percent of the vote and Frame received 21 percent. The other candidates, including Brett Phillips, Sahar Fathi, Evan Clifthorne, Ryan Gabriel and Linde Knighton all will not be continuing on.

In position 1 of the 36th District, Reuven Carlyle handily beat his long-shot opponents, Robert Canamar and Leslie Klein.

Over fifty boats thronged the sun-streaked waters in front of Shilshole Bay Marina for the third race of the Ballard Cup series on Aug. 6. Waters were wavy and rolled rough, with wind gusts upwards of fifteen knots and air temperature hanging over seventy degrees.

“These are perfect conditions, too bad we're not racing today,” said Sloop Tavern Yacht Club Commodore, Tim Morgenroth.

In a departure from racing, Morgenroth’s forty-foot Baba, Airloom, acted as committee boat, anchoring about two hundred yards from a large buoy that created a start and finish line for the racers. Members of the STYC take turns acting as committee boat throughout the racing season.

The crew of the Airloom: Suzzanne Oosterman, Laura Dangel and her husband Tim Adamson, Galen Yalch, Bob Foulds, and Paul Ramsay were the acting officials, signaling the countdown to start for each of the six fleets using horns and flags. They also had the meticulous task of checking-in each boat by watching for the sail number and name, which proved to be difficult on a day with zero overcast and a brilliantly golden sun streaming across the water.

All across West Seattle hundreds of streets were closed off as neighbors held their own block parties as part of Night Out, an event intended to get neighbors acquanted to help fight crime, provide assistance in emergencies and make neighborhoods more cohesive.

Liz Green, an Upper Fauntleroy resident, speaking on the meaning of Night Out:
"I think it's very Seattle to not get out that much (and talk with your neighbors). With Night Out, suddenly everyone gets a chance to meet and create much more cohesion in the community."

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

Neighbors of the 8800 block of 37th Ave S.W.
"You need an excuse to get together anymore, we might see each other and wave but it's not the same as gathering for Night Out."

"We tried it on Facebook and it just wasn't the same," one neighbor said, eliciting hearty laughter from the group.

Early primary results from the August 7 election have been posted by King County.

You can keep an eye on the results here, and the next round of updates is expected at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8.

Here's some significant local results so far (as of 8:30 p.m. counts):

Secretary of State
Kim Wyman (R) leads with 30.19 percent and Kathleen Drew (D) is at 27.29 percent, edging out former Seattle mayor and West Seattle resident Greg Nickels (D) at 20.98 percent.

34th District Rep. Position 1
Eileen L. Cody (D) has 81.39 percent of the vote with challenger William Giammarese (D) coming in at 17.48 percent.

34th District Rep Position 2
Joe Fitzgibbon (D) will win with 98.03 percent compared to write-in candidates (including Mark Cavener) pulling in 1.97 percent.

The Children and Family Services Center Capital Levy is being approved with 52.63 percent of the vote.