January 2013

Once again the Seafair Pirates are saying Farewell to a respected and honored friend.

Jerry Ceis closed the circle last week and we now can commit his memory to Davy Jones Locker. The loss of any Pirate is a poignant moment for the crew of Moby Duck and probably more touching when it’s one such as Jerry who had ascended to our most exalted position of Captain Kidd.

Our image is that of a bunch of booze swilling, woman chasing, cutthroat Pirates. This is an image more flight of the imagination than fact, which makes it more difficult to maintain, I might add. All the while Seafair Pirates have had a dedication to community involvement which cannot be challenged. Baring in mind these two considerations there was no way Jerry could have lived in Seattle and not have become a Seafair Pirate.

Once again the Seafair Pirates are saying Farewell to a respected and honored friend.

Jerry Ceis closed the circle last week and we now can commit his memory to Davy Jones Locker. The loss of any Pirate is a poignant moment for the crew of Moby Duck and probably more touching when it’s one such as Jerry who had ascended to our most exalted position of Captain Kidd.

Our image is that of a bunch of booze swilling, woman chasing, cutthroat Pirates. This is an image more flight of the imagination than fact, which makes it more difficult to maintain, I might add. All the while Seafair Pirates have had a dedication to community involvement which cannot be challenged. Baring in mind these two considerations there was no way Jerry could have lived in Seattle and not have become a Seafair Pirate.

Once again the Seafair Pirates are saying Farewell to a respected and honored friend.

Jerry Ceis closed the circle last week and we now can commit his memory to Davy Jones Locker. The loss of any Pirate is a poignant moment for the crew of Moby Duck and probably more touching when it’s one such as Jerry who had ascended to our most exalted position of Captain Kidd.

Our image is that of a bunch of booze swilling, woman chasing, cutthroat Pirates. This is an image more flight of the imagination than fact, which makes it more difficult to maintain, I might add. All the while Seafair Pirates have had a dedication to community involvement which cannot be challenged. Baring in mind these two considerations there was no way Jerry could have lived in Seattle and not have become a Seafair Pirate.

Mike Schmidt and Gabby Delgadillo got their dog Puma (who is a Chihuahua mix) in Fresno. The couple just moved to Seattle in September for work and leave near the beach.

Puma is adjusting slowly to the change in climate Mike said, "He doesn't like to go out in the rain, but he's getting used to it. He's used to being warm and dry."

Gabby explained how she got Puma.

"A friend of mine, her dog had puppies so she gave him to me. That was six years ago."

They feed him Innova dog food but Puma has some issues. "He's got teeth problems, "said Mike, "so we give him a lot of dentastix," They also double as snacks for Puma. "Chihuahua's typically have problems with their teeth and he just had a vet visit where they pulled eleven of his teeth. But he's doing really well."

Puma howls on command, usually with the word "Howl" but far more unusually and perhaps because of his upbringing or bloodlines but he knows Spanish commands. "Like to get off the couch we say, Bahase, which means to 'get down' or to go to the rest room we say Banò which is rest room," said Gabby.
"If we're going to go somewhere in the car we say "Vamanos"

By Carol Smith

Help Wanted

There’s a job that pays big money
Where no matter what you earn
Satisfaction’s not the product
You’re expected to return

You’ll go to parties, be on TV
And while schmoozing the elite
Claim allegiance to the middle class
But never walk their street

Collaboration you will welcome
Only if you get your way
Or else pouting in stagnation’s
Where you stubbornly will stay

In addition, those who hired you
Have so very little clout
You’ll have lots of time to screw things up
Before they throw you out

And if you wonder who, could in this job
Out distance all the rest
Well when it comes to hardly working
The members of Congress work the best

West Seattle Elementary School 6760 34th Av. SW got a very special visit from the Seattle Seahawk mascot Blitz and Seagal Tamaria on Tuesday Jan 15 as they awarded a $2,500 fitness and nutrition grant from the Washington State Dairy Council (WSDC) as part of the national Fuel Up to Play 60 program.

The grant presentation featured Blitz and an interactive video with pre-taped appearances by Seahawks players and coaches.

“We became involved in Fuel Up to Play 60 and other activity and nutrition programs because it is important to reduce the risk of obesity in our students,” said Terri Helm-Remund, a West Seattle Elementary nurse and Fuel Up to Play 60 program advisor.

West Seattle Elementary School, located in the High Point area, serves 420 students in K-5 grades. Many students come from low-income households which has led the school to focus on community engagement and relationship-building.

”With the Fuel Up to Play 60 grant we plan to increase student’s awareness of the nutritional value of low-fat/non-fat dairy,” continued Helm-Remund.

Compiled by Shara Wallace

Deadline for receiving items for Community Calendar is 5 p.m. Wednesday for the following week’s Times/News. Events are published based on timeliness and space availability. Email submissions to: hteditor@robinsonnews.com Items can be accepted from nonprofit groups and government agencies only. Others may call Dona Ozier at 206-708-1378 for inclusion in our “Out & About” advertising section.

Art Exhibits

Burien Community Center---“Extraordinary Women of Highline," an exhibit that showcases the accomplishments of 15 pioneering women from the Highline area. Through Jan. 31. Hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Burien Press--Artist Scott Grigg, presents American Spring Art show a visual critique of modern American politics. 423 S.W. 152nd St.

Community service and all around good feelings were the order of the evening as the Des Moines City Council kicked off their first meeting of the new year with the “Spirit of Des Moines Awards.”

The awards acknowledge citizens of Des Moines who have lived and worked in the community.

Over 70 people crammed into chambers to watch the three lifetime awards, two annual awards and one organizational award get presented.

“In my book, there’s nothing more important than a public ‘thank you,’ for the countless hours that people have put in to make our city better for everyone” said Mayor Dave Kaplan.

“A lot of people give themselves to our community, and it’s important that we recognize those efforts,” said Kaplan.

There were three lifetime honorees for the 2012 Spirit Awards, Mary Beth Benson, Norma Somers and Jack Kniskern. The two Annual 2012 Awards went to Gene Achziger and Char Schulz. The organizational award was given to the Des Moines Farmers Market.

The first lifetime award went to Mary Beth Benson, owner of Benson’s Fashion Apparel and mother of five.

Highline’s popular annual Empty Bowls fundraising event is coming up Friday, Jan. 25 at the Burien Community center, 14700 6th Ave. S.W.

Lunch will be served 11a.m.-2 p.m. while dinner is on 4-8 p.m.

Minimum adult donation is $15. For childrem the minimum donation is $10.

Empty Bowls events can be found around the country, raising money to combat hunger in communities.

In Burien, Moshier Art Center potters have donated over 1,300 bowls to be filled with soup at this fun community event. A donation brings the opportunity to pick out a beautiful handmade bowl, as well as a simple but wonderful meal of soup, bread, dessert and drink. All parts of the meal are donated by local businesses.

Last year, the event was so successful, the organizers ran out of bowls. To make sure everyone who attends gets a bowl all donations will be accepted but donors must be present to pick out a bowl.

For those with too many bowls at home already, the organizers say to feel free to bring your own bowl to eat out of or paper bowls will be available too.

The event is hosted by Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Discover Burien, and Moshier potters.

As of 1 p.m. today, Jan. 15, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is lowering the air quality burn ban to Stage 1 in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties.

However, this doesn't mean you can just start burning wood willy-nilly. In fact, most of the same restrictions are in place. No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, and no outdoor fires are allowed, including bonfires, camp fires, fire pits and chimineas.

Yes, this means no fires at Golden Gardens.

It is OK to use natural gas, propane, pellet and EPA-certified wood stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.

Burn ban violations are still subject to fines of up to $1,000.

"Air pollution levels throughout the region have dropped, likely due to clouds and warmer temperatures," said Dr. Phil Swartzendruber, agency forecaster. "The drop in pollution could also be due to the help of our communities following the burn ban."

Dr. Swartzendruber added, "Calm, cold, and clear weather conditions are likely to continue over the next few days, so ongoing cooperation with the burn ban will help keep our air healthy."