April 2013

Sustainable Ballard, the go-get-'em organization that wants to make Ballard a more green, sustainable neighborhood, is competing for a $2,500 grant. Lately, the folks at Sustainable Ballard have been hard at work spreading the word about RainWise rain gardens and solar power.

Umpqua Bank's contest is hosted on Facebook and can be found here. It ends on April 14.

Below are the guidelines for the Facebook contest:

"From April 1st to the 14th, share a photo that celebrates how your favorite nonprofit or school gives back to the community. This can be anything from your whole group posing in front of a recently completed community-service project to a photo of members serving food at your local soup kitchen (or simply a photo that represents the great work they do). Give it a caption and encourage others to “Like” it to show their support. One photo per person per day, please.

By Greg McCorkle

Pitching five solid innings and having some offense to back him up, Sealth pitcher Blaine Steele took the mound in the sixth inning with Sealth up 4-3.

That’s when Lakeside started to flex their bats, scoring three runs in a two out rally that left Sealth Coach Policarpio no choice but to bring Jake Eddy to the mound in relief.

Unfortunately Eddy didn’t fare any better, giving up three runs in an inning and one-third of relief.

Sealth goes down 9-4.

A full story and more pictures will be posted soon.

The Seahawks will travel to Nathan Hale on Wednesday in hopes of getting some momentum back against the Raiders.

Guy Olson, a five-year Alki Beach resident, has big plans for “Alki Car Free Day” on May 19 this year, including live bands, “The Bubble Man” and “West Seattle’s Largest Costumed Bicycle Parade.”

Car Free Day is part of the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Alki Summer Streets Event, running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., sans vehicles.

Olson explains:

“On May 19th Alki Avenue in West Seattle will be closed to vehicle traffic for 'Alki Car Free Day.' In recent years interest has dwindled, and criticism has increased. Car Free Day is a wonderful occasion and could really be a great thing. So.... this year I have planned a few activities and I'm hoping you will be a part of it, or will help spread the word. I have 2 DJ's, one band and 'The Bubble Man' committed so far. My home has a large balcony in the heart of Alki Beach, overlooking the beach, in the middle of the nearby bars/restaurants, and the avenue. My plan is to have all the performers perform from the driveway directly next door and the bubble artist on my patio/deck/balcony.

The Des Moines City Council is accepting applications for potential candidates for appointment to fill an unexpired term on the City Council.

Applicants must be a resident of the city for a minimum of one year, be a registered voter within the city at the time of filing, and be at least 18 years of age.

Applicants will be required to submit a resume regarding work and community service experience, respond to the questions on the application and complete a personal financial affairs statement from the Public Disclosure Commission.

Applications will be accepted until 2 p.m., Friday, April 19. Council members anticipate conducting interviews Thursday, April 25.

Contact the City Clerk’s office for a complete application packet at 21630 11th Avenue South, Des Moines, WA 98198 or call 206-870-6519.

The vacancy became available when Councilmember Dan Caldwell resigned April 4 for health reasons.

Press release:

Practice is paying off for math students at North Hill Elementary in Des Moines.

Students at the school finished 1st on the West Coast and 7th in the world for most minutes logged in the Math Mania Bowl.

The Math Mania Bowl is a computer based competition where students play one minute math games in real time. The competition lasted 24 hours and students from around the world participated.

“The students went wild and logged in an incredible amount of minutes online,” said North Hill Principal, Nancy Melius. “The kids were excited to compete against each other, and the rest of the world.”

Many students logged in for 5-6 hours.

Fourth and fifth graders started training for the competition in September when the school started a Math Club through V-Math, an online math program and interactive game. To join the club, students were asked to put in 100 minutes of work each week, on top of their regular weekly homework.

If there are any questions about the importance of libraries and the joy of reading a poem from paper in this digital age, the students of Sanislo Elementary made a good case for continued relevance as they spent 45 minutes reading with Caroline Kennedy on April 8.

The author, attorney, potential future US Ambassador to Japan and daughter of President John F. and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy visited the West Seattle elementary school as part of her duties as the honorary chair of National Library Week and met with first through third grade students in Sanislo’s Poetry Club.

Sanislo teacher/librarian Craig Seasholes joined Kennedy and the students in reading a number of favorite poems from their books, including Janet Wong’s “Liberty,” an updated rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance the kids knew by heart. In unison, they serenaded Kennedy with the following:

I pledge acceptance
of the views,
so different,
that make us America

To listen, to look,
to think, and to learn

One people
sharing the earth
responsible
for liberty
and justice
for all.

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

Artists United April Spring Show--April 5–May 3. Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave. S.W. Recent paintings & photography by Nancy Bogni, Sharon Carr, Judy Eckhardt, Victor Kimsey, Judy Lane, Al Matsumoto and Betty Vacca. Reception: Sunday, April 7th, 4-6 p.m. artistsunitedclub@gmail.com; or http://www.artistsunitedclub.com
Burien Community Center--Drawings and paintings by West Seattle artist Kelly Lyles. Through May 31. Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m, Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 14700 6th Ave. S.W. 206-988-3700. www.kellyspot.com

Classes

One seat is now vacant on the Des Moines City Council.

Mayor Dave Kaplan announced April 4 the resignation of Councilmember Dan Caldwell. Mayor Kaplan read aloud Councilmember Caldwell’s letter of resignation. Caldwell explained that although it was not an easy decision for him to make, it was one that was necessary due to health reasons.

“Dan’s going to be missed,” said Kaplan. “We wish him well and the best of health and happiness.”

The Des Moines City Council has 90 days to fill the position and in the event they do not, the decision will be passed on to the King County City Council.

Since the position became vacant ahead of elections, the new councilmember will be chosen by the current City Council. The Council in time will release an application form. Anyone can apply. Applicants that meet the criteria will be interviewed; these interviews will be open to the public.

Although the new council member will be chosen by application, the position will be up for election in the fall. If an applicant is accepted they can choose to run and win the seat by election or step down.

LED Streetlight Conversion Project

Roll up those sleeves to tackle trash and beautify Burien with fellow community members during the city’s annual Clean Sweep on Saturday, April 20.

From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Burienites will be shredding confidential paperwork, picking up litter, eliminating graffiti, trimming shrubs, planting flowers and sweeping sidewalks. Clean Sweep was moved to a week earlier than in previous years to better coincide with Earth Day, which is on April 22 this year.

New this year, shred financial and other confidential paperwork at a great price while supporting local charities during Home Task’s Shred Day event from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The suggested donation for shredding the first box is $10, and $5 for each additional box, compared to typical fees of around $35 for a regular box.

All proceeds from Shred Day go to nonprofits, and some of them will be at the event. Boxes of paperwork can be left at Home Task before the shredding truck arrives. Home Task is located at 611 S.W. 152nd St., Burien.

During the 2012 Clean Sweep, more than 400 people eliminated over 8 tons of garbage from Burien’s streets, parks and commercial areas.


On the first day of spring the weather struggled against winter’s grip but that did not get Claudia Dickinson and her team of SeaTac Rotary volunteers down.

Dickinson and several volunteers from the Rotary, Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce, community and sponsors have been working hard the past several months putting the finishing touches on the First Annual Flower & Garden Show coming to SeaTac on Saturday, April 13.



“This has been a team effort from the very start,” said Dickinson who has past experience coordinating events in SeaTac. “We’ve gone from initial sketches and brainstorming to making this event a reality with the help of many people. We’re very pleased to see just how many businesses and residents want to come together to ‘cultivate community’ with us here in SeaTac.”



Last year, the SeaTac Rotary began developing ideas for events that would make a positive impact on the community, something with a bigger splash than the usual dinner auctions.

The outpouring of support from local sponsors, vendors, and volunteers has bolstered Dickinson’s resolve.