September 2012

Two squads with limited experience in relation to last season battled on the tennis courts in Des Moines before Kentwood swept the two singles matches in a 4-1 Class 4A South Puget Sound League North Division match at Mount Rainier on Thursday, September 20.

Playing with the temperature in the middle 70's with a light breeze under mostly blue skies, the Rams fell to 1-5 while the Conquerors improved to 4-2.

Mount Rainier was heavily hit by senior status with seven players graduating from last spring's 3-6 fourth place squad.

Senior J.P. Postlewait is the key returner with strong experience. Freshman Anantish Vashist has added his name to early varsity play.

"I've never lost that many seniors at one time," stated Ram coach Tim Lee, who is in his 27th year at the helm. "Kepe (Bonner) has been injured and unable to run more than a few steps at a time. Today, he was moving better than he has been all season. He is definitely getting stronger. Our No. 1 doubles played competitively. Our No. 2's have been competitive all year. They just dug a really deep hole to get out of.

By Lilli Ann Carey

Dakota Place Park, formerly a Seattle City Light substation, has been undergoing a remodel this summer and this and next week will mark the opening of this new site.

A charming brick building surrounded by beautiful plantings and lawn will offer another venue for special occasions for the weekends. During the week, the space is programmed for classes of various kinds including Adult Dance and youth Ballet and Tap.

This coming week, there are classes starting up including those for kids and adults.

Dance for Joy! is back participating in the program teaching adult classes in beginning Waltz and Foxtrot (They are also classes offered by this group at Highpoint Community Center in East Coast Swing and Fusion blues) And if you want to get your older kids involved there is a discount for students under 18.

You can check out the offerings here- https://class.seattle.gov/parks/Start/Start.asp (Click on the Programs Tab and search by site)

You can sign up online though Parks or Call Lakema Bell at Seattle Parks (206)512-5288 to register.

SeaTac Airport officials gave the "Airport 101" tour Thursday, Sept. 21, one of four of the Port of Seattle's annual "101" tours. We reported on their Sept. 12 Duwamish 101 tour. Their Cargo Terminals tour is Oct. 3, their Ship Canal tour one week later. The Port 101 Series allows the public to tour the Ship Canal, Airport, Duwamish River and the port's industrial Cargo terminals for a first-hand view.

This year, the Airport 101 tour focused on the Port Commission's "Century Plan", a 25-year reach into its future with such stated goals as becoming increasingly environmentally responsible. Tour officials noted that the ever-expanding airport means more jobs, and estimates that the shipping port and airport, now responsible for 200,000 related jobs, should increase to 300,000 over the next 25 years. To clarify, the term "Century Plan" commemorates the establishment of the Port in 1911.

Mark Reis, SeaTac's Managing Director, emphasized the importance of international, non-stop flights at SeaTac.

By Greg McCorkle

Although Kennedy fielded their JV team, in this match they were more than up to the challenge. While the first half was scoreless the young ladies of Kennedy spent the half in front of the Evergreen goal and allowed Evergreen into their half of the pitch only once.

Kennedy Catholic’s persistence paid off in the second half. At the 30:50 mark Carrera Geer nailed a shot from 15 yards out that caught Evergreen’s goalie flat footed for the 1-0 lead.

Kennedy kept up the pressure and forced an Evergreen penalty. The penalty kick, by Anna Olsen, again left Evergreens goalie scratching her head as the kick was good and Kennedy’s lead grew to 2-0.

Evergreen pushed the ball into Kennedy’s 20 yard zone a few times but couldn’t pull the trigger. Good defense by Kennedy really stymied the girls of Evergreen and on a blinding breakaway Kennedy’s Katie Thomas fired what amounted to a point blank rocket to seal the deal with 6:42 left in the match.

The final score, Kennedy 3 Evergreen 0.

Heron Habitat House Free Open House

Though they're quite common to Seattle, few things beat catching sight of one of our majestic blue herons settling on a log near you while relaxing by the water. There's a reason why they're the official Seattle bird.

This Saturday, the Heron Habitat Helpers -- who mainly do work on the Kiwanis Ravine, home to over 80 heron nests -- will be hosting an open house for all the heron lovers out there. It'll feature a talk by a state biologist, heron artifacts from the Burke Museum, activities for the kids and, of course, "tasty treats."

The open house takes place Saturday, Sept. 22, 3-4:30 p.m. More info

Bingo for Charity

Exactly like it sounds. Play Bingo and help charity. The Ballard Elks and Plus One Foundation will be hosting a night filled with cocktails, food and fast-paced games (a.k.a., Bingo!). It's being advertised as a "retro" event, too, so don't forget your vintage clothing -- but you probably shouldn't go pre-Victorian.

The event starts at 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22. More info

Editor's Note: The following is a press release sent out by SDOT, chocked full of information on all the traffic craziness you might run into this weekend.

Several significant roadway closures will occur this weekend in Seattle. Drivers are advised to plan ahead and also consider special event traffic when selecting their routes.

I-5 On and Off-ramps at Mercer Street:

The I-5 on and off-ramps will be closed at Mercer Street from 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21 to 5 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 24. The I-5 on-ramp at University Street will also be closed to provide more efficient traffic flow around the closed Mercer Street exit lane. Drivers are advised to consider alternate routes such as SR 99, or alternate I-5 exits and entrances. Detour routes may be heavily used, especially Denny Way. For more on detour routes, see SDOT’s Web site, http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/ppmp_mercer.htm

Aurora and N 85th Street Intersection:

At the beginning of the school year, the Ballard News-Tribune received a tip that trees were still obstructing school zone signs from view near Whittier Heights Elementary.

The BNT followed up with District Coordinator Rob Mattson, who said he had initially sent in a report to the Seattle Department of Transportation on Sept. 10. He had also since received notice of a total of four spots near four different schools, all along 80th Ave NW, where trees had not properly been pruned -- a practice that is normally buckled down on right before school starts.

The spots include First Ave NW, Third Ave NW, 10th Ave NW and 27th Ave NW.

Community members, including the principal of Loyal Heights Elementary, have expressed concern for the safety of their children. Without being able to see the sign, many drivers have no way of knowing to slow down.

"I'll move away if this crap keeps going on," one disgruntled resident said in a phone call to the BNT.

BNT followed up with SDOT to find out what was being done. After crews were sent out to inspect the problem, spokeswoman Marybeth Turner gave an update:

By Rev. Judith Laxer

Urban gardeners know the labor of love that keeps us connected to the Earth within city limits. The changing of the seasons in the garden are metaphors for the cycles of our own lives. They help us make sense of the ebb and flow, the growth and dormancy, the harvest and the fallow times we encounter along our life’s journey. With this experience comes the understanding of what it means to be soulfully alive and intimately connected to Mother Nature. As we work the soil, plant the seeds, tend the growth, harvest the bounty, enjoy the spoils and then rest for a season, our souls revel in that connection.

I am an urban gardener methodically transforming her back yard into a sacred place of beauty and bounty, creating sanctuary for my heart and soul. I never tire of any aspect of keeping it. On any given day, regardless of the weather, I would prefer to be out there fussing over every little leaf and stem. One exception may be to spend some time at the computer and writing about it. Which is where this column comes in.

By Cassandra Baker

1:45 a.m., September 16. 90th block of Dayton Ave N

Two pedestrians were hospitalized after being hit by a truck on September 16th. The victims were standing by their cars when a pickup truck veered toward them and crashed into them. The driver initially stopped, but then drove away. The victims were treated at the scene by Seattle Fire and then transported to Harborview Medical Center, where it was determined that their injuries were less serious than had first been thought. The driver of the truck had not been found at the time of the Seattle Police report.

4:00 p.m., September 14. 90th block of Greenwood Ave N

A standoff between a suspect and a SWAT team was peacefully resolved on the afternoon of September 14th. The victim woke up at approximately 9:00 that morning to find the suspect in her apartment. The two had previously been in a relationship and they have a child, who was also at the residence. At first the suspect refused to let the victim leave, but she was eventually able to get away with her child and call 911. Neither the victim nor her child was injured.

WCFB press release
It's Harvest Time at Avalon Glassworks on Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 11am until 5pm.

Watch this year's apple crop take shape before your eyes and support White Center Food Bank with your purchase of a blown glass apple. Apple demonstrations continue throughout the day - come by and enjoy art in action. Each apple sells fro $80: $40 from each purchase benefits the food bank. Avalon Glassworks is located in Luna Park at 2914 SW Avalon Way, Seattle, WA 98126. 206-937-6369. http://www.avalonglassworks.com/