April 2013

Outside the Supreme Court, awaiting the historic cases to be argued was a lone wolf, an opponent of same-sex marriage, a 24-year-old woman, Ms H.

As she stated, ’I believe rights were endowed to us by our creator and our creator has a certain definition of marriage.’ And what precisely is God’s definition of marriage? What irrefutable evidence do we have that clearly states His position on this issue? And that homosexuality is a sin and abortion is murder and other issues as well?

I grew up in the Deep South, in The Methodist Church, and I have at least 4 bibles. None of them have Commandments #11, #12, #13: [Thou shalt not be a homosexual; Thou shalt not have an abortion; Marriage shalt only be a union between a man and a woman, for all eternity.]

Yes, people can spew Scriptures about homosexuality til the cows come home, I’ve read them all. There are no references to abortion and, as a historical guide, we can get a discussion of what became to be labeled ‘marriage.’

Some things in the news lately can really make a guy's blood boil. Here are some examples:

The former police chief of Medina, Washington, an enclave of wealthy business people, was recently awarded $2 million by a jury for a perceived affront. The chief, of Chinese extraction, had been fired by the mayor of that rich little burg on Lake Washington. He was fired by the female mayor for reasons not connected to the jury award, but because of alleged malfeasance.

He was awarded the two million bucks because someone on the staff at Medina characterized him as "a real Charlie Chan" for his police work and because on another occasion in his presence someone asked if Chinese people ate turkey on Thanksgiving.

These are not politically correct comments by any means. And to come up in a civil suit against the city shows that the chief remembered the comments well. Then he got fired.

(Editor’s Note: Although th Seattle show has apparently been cancelled, Independence Day fireworks displays are set for the marina in Des Moines, Angle Lake in SeaTac and Fort Dent Park in Tukwila.)

Why is it such a surprise that Seattle businesses don’t want to cough up thousands of dollars for fireworks that last just a few seconds each?

Our nation is in serious financial do-do, right now. Although the people might still feel a deep patriotism for the country, they are not too thrilled with the government.

And it’s not just these things that might affect the reasons that businesses are stepping away from sponsoring the Seattle fireworks display. Personally, I think we’ve lost focus on what those fireworks were about in the first place.

Most of us have never been to war. We haven’t seen real bombs exploding or experienced the devastating aftermath. So fireworks, to us, are just exciting and pretty and all of that fluff.

By Shara Wallace and Steve Shay
HIGHLINE TIMES

Burien Teen shot in torso
King County Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives arrested 26-year-old Linley A. Valdez April 5 in connection with a shooting that occurred in Burien on April 4. He was booked into the King County Jail.
Valdez is suspected of shooting an 18-year-old man in the stomach.
On Thursday around 5:15 pm police responded to the 15600 block of 4 Avenue South to the report of a gunshot victim. When police arrived they found the victim with a gunshot wound near the stomach. The victim was transported to Harborview and was treated and released later in the evening.
The victim told investigators that prior to the shooting he had arranged to meet with Valdez. The pair had made some type of deal involving electronics. During the meeting Valdez pulled out a gun and shot the victim.
Valdez is described as a Hispanic/Asian male, approximately 5’10”, 165 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. He has distinctive tattoos on the left side of his neck and a cross tattooed on his right upper arm. He is known to be skilled in martial arts.

Car break-ins, vandalism, prowlers and theft

Two slow rollers made the difference as the Highline High School boys soccer team scored a 3-1 Seamount League victory over the Lindbergh Eagles this past Friday.

The first soft grounder that found its way to the back of the net came eight minutes into the match played at Highline Memorial and was actually scored by Lindbergh.

Senior midfielder Joel Hernandez was the last Pirates player to touch the ball, which was then rolled back by a Lindbergh defender with it slipping past the goalie.

It then crept over into the left back corner of the net.

The next goal for Highline was scored with 26 minutes, 27 seconds left in the first half and almost looked like an instant replay of the first goal.

This ball was sent on its way by Highline junior midfielder Alexandru Muresan, however, and this time it went past the Eagles' goalie on its own. It then dribbled into the left back corner.

The Pirates' third goal was more of the conventional variety, only the weather provided an assist.

Seattle Restaurant Week is back in Ballard! Oct. 13-17 and Oct. 20-24, several restaurants in our beloved neighborhood will be offering three-course dinners for $28, and three-course lunches for $15.

Without a doubt, one does not need to look any further than Ballard for their dining needs. Here's a list of the participating Ballard restaurants.

• Anthony's HomePort on Shilshole Bay
• Bastille Cafe and Bar
• Golden Beetle*
• Plaka Estiatorio Greek Cuisine*
• Ray's Cafe*
• Staple & Fancy Mercantile
• The Gerald*
• Matador*
• Volterra (Ballard)

*Offering a vegetarian, vegan or gluten free option.

For more info, including reservations, visit the Restaurant Week website at http://seattletimes.com/seattlerestaurantweek

Follow Ballard News-Tribune on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ballardnewstrib

And Twitter at http://twitter.com/ballardnewstrib

Apparently, April is the month of the bicycle in Ballard, as several events are geared toward life on two wheels. Learn about greenways, bicycle to the annual Pedaler's Fair and go on a bicycling rain garden tour.

Ballard Greenway Open House

What: Within the past year or so, NW 58th St has become synonymous with the new bicycle-and-pedestrian friendly Ballard Greenway project. Now, the Seattle Department of transportation will be hosting its second open house on the subject. If anyone went to the last one back in October, they'll remember the informative presentation, outspoken criticism and a chance to discuss with city officials in small groups.

Recently, the Seattle Department of transportation sent out a letter to community members about progress on the greenway and what to expect next.

Where: Ballard High School Cafeteria (1418 NW 65th St)

When: Thursday, April 11, 6-7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 5
Boys soccer
Evergreen 2, Northwest Christian 1
The Wolverines won their non-league game against Northwest Christian on Friday.
Hazen 3, Tyee 0
The Highlanders got the best of the Totems this past Friday.
Mt. Rainier 1, TJ 1
Thomas Jefferson scored with only 4:08 to play Friday to forge a tie against the Rams.
Baseball
Foster 20, Evergreen 1
Foster posted a lopsided win against Evergreen last Friday.

Saturday, April 6
Auburn Mountainview 13, Highline 0
Auburn Mountainview jumped out front early against the Pirates in a game played under the Safeco Field roof, scoring three runs in the first and eight in the second.
The visiting Auburn team outhit Highline, 15-1, in the non-league game.
Boys lacrosse
Ballard d. Highline
Ballard won by forfeit against the Pirates Saturday night.

John Diaz, Seattle’s Police Chief since 2010, announced his retirement on April 8.

His retirement becomes official in May, at which time Assistant Chief Jim Pugel will take over as interim chief until Mayor Mike McGinn and Seattle’s City Council decide on a successor.

In a letter announcing his retirement, Diaz,55, wrote, “You, the men and women of SPD, are among the finest law enforcement professionals in the world. Your skills and ingenuity are matched only by your caring and dedication. It has been an honor to work with and around you for over thirty years, and in particular, to have served as your Chief for the last four years.”

Mayor McGinn, in a press conference, thanks Diaz for his service and noted the good work done by his department during his time as chief, including a 10 percent drop in major crime and the work of SPD during the Café Racer murders that ended with shooter Ian Stawicki taking his own life in West Seattle in 2012.

By Sarah Wyatt
Special to the West Seattle Herald

Catsino, the annual benefit event hosted by Furry Faces Foundation, was back on April 7. The event featured 16 table games, all to benefit local animal charities including Community Cat Coalition, Regional Animal Services of King County, and Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation. The event was held at Beveridge Place Pub located at 6413 California Avenue Southwest.

“This is our fifth year and this event just keeps getting better,” explained Teri Ensley, coordinator of the event. “People are smiling, laughing and cheering the whole time!”

Whimsical games including Studless Draw, Texas Snip ‘em, Pig Craps, and K9 Blackjack were featured at sponsor tables.

Robinson Newspapers and the West Seattle Herald sponsored a table, including a $250 vacation prize that was won by West Seattle resident Suzanne Youngs.

“My husband and I are going to use this prize to take a vacation for our 25th anniversary,” Youngs explained. “We come to Catsino every year because we want to see no more animals suffer. If everyone is responsible with their animals, we’d see an end to homeless animals.”