May 2013

AUBURN - On the heels of a fine SPSL 4A North 8-2 second place regular season, the Mount Rainier girls tennis team reiterated and in some ways empowered itself more at the 2013 SPSL 4A sub-district tournament held at Auburn Riverside High School.

Following Monday, May 6, action the Tim Lee-coached Rams held a clear second place total of 31 points behind sub-district champion Thomas Jefferson's 40 based on the strength of its singles players while also qualifying personnel to the West Central/Southwest Washington bi-district tournament scheduled for May 17-18 at the Capitol City Court in Olympia.

Beginning with the round of 16, the Rams brought the fire to the well warmed courts with junior Kristana Stevanovic, senior Tajana Vujic and sophomore Anya Bonner.

The 3rd Annual Sealth Athletics Golf Tournament is coming up Friday, June 7th at Foster Golf Links in Tukwila.

Reservations, foursomes and sponsorships are now being taken online, by clicking here. Individual spots in the scramble tournament are just $100, while foursomes can be reserved for $400. Participation includes free continental breakfast, complimentary use of the driving range, free food and non-alcoholic beverages on the course, golf cart, and a full catered BBQ lunch following play.

All proceeds will benefit the growth and development of Chief Sealth athletics as well as the dedicated student-athletes that benefit from them. Prizes will be given to the top three overall teams, as well as to the winners, both male and female, of the long drive and closest to the pin contests.

Local businesses and organizations have added prizes to the event:

· 4 tickets to a Seattle Sounders game (provided by Special Olympics of Washington)
· 4 100-level tickets to a Seattle Mariners game (provided by Farmers Insurance, Chris Lavin)

Don't cry because it's over, but smile because it happened.

That’s what Ric and Dianne Jacobson told sorrowful customers at the news of CorkyCellars’ closing.

CorkyCellars, a wine shop in downtown Des Moines, has been a staple of the community for almost two decades.

It’s hard to put into words the impact people have on a community. Sometimes it’s things that are hard to describe--a smiling face, a welcoming expression, a warm environment, a place to talk.

CorkyCellars was all of that and more to many people over the years.

"The selection at CorkyCellars was outstanding. In the nearly 14 years my husband and I shopped there, we were always able to find that special wine to match the food or occasion. Ric was a wonderful resource for information on wine, and never steered us wrong once. I will miss the store, the selection, and the amazing customer service Ric and Dianne provided,” said long-time customer Nancy Warren.

Des Moines Mayor Dave Kaplan issued a proclamation officially declaring April 12, 2013 “Ric and Dianne Jacobson Day.”

Jeremy Nutting is the newest addition to the Des Moines City Council,

Nutting was nominated May 2 by Councilmember Bob Sheckler to fill the council seat vcated by Dan Caldwell. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Melissa Musser, the motion passed unanimously.

No discussion followed.

Nutting has been a sales representative for Lumbermens Commercial Sales and he is the current owner of Down & Out Demolition, LLC.

“We are so blessed to have eight amazing candidates who came forward for this position,” said Musser. “Every single candidate who came forward brought something a little bit different to the dais.

“For me personally it was a tough decision because everyone was so wonderfully qualified for the position, I just want to say ‘Thank You’ to everyone who took the time to put their name in the hat.”

Mayor Dave Kaplan said, “Mr. Nutting seems to have had a hand in just about every aspect of the city, whether it’s the marina, our schools or the Farmer’s Market, It’s hard for him not to be seen somewhere so for me that stood out.”

“I think he will fit in quite well,” said Councilmember Carmen Scott.

By Gwen Davis
SPECIAL TO THE HIGHLINE TIMES

The state’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has determined that Hanbleceya, the Normandy Park mental health treatment center, is operating in compliance with Washington law. The investigation has been closed.

According to a press release on April 22, Lori Melchiori, assistant director for residential care services at DSHS said that the homes are not operating as unlicensed adult family homes.

The company has been under scrutiny for nearly a year.

“Complaints initially expressed concerns about the quality of care,” Melchiori told the Highline Times. “Individuals heard people were being served in the community, and those individuals felt their concerns weren’t being properly met.”

Normandy Park residents have complained about Hanbleceya’s facilities. They reportedly felt the company shouldn’t have been allowed to buy the properties. They were concerned about shattered glass from a Hanbleceya window and worried the facilities were not state-regulated.

On May 18 and 19, ChoralSounds Northwest presents a red, white and blue musical tribute to America and some of its great composers.

“ America the Beautiful” is a rousing salute to the country and the freedoms we hold dear. This stirring collection of patriotic favorites includes “America the Beautiful,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “God Bless the USA.”

Video tributes, stories of heroism and narration combine to make the first act of the program a stirring and memorable musical treat.

For ChoralSound’s second act they pay tribute to some of the great American composers who have contributed to our country’s musical heritage, including classic folk songs like “Polly Wolly Doodle, “Stephen Foster’s “Oh! Susanna,” Aaron Copland’s “The Promise of Living” and James Erb’s “Shenandoah.”

Families hunting for affordable entertainment will delight and parents looking for a risk-free way to introduce their children to the joys of choral music can rest easy because Northwest Associated Arts youth ticket program lets young people 17 and under in free with a paid adult ticket.

A strong middle class is the key to a strong economy. That was the overall theme at Congressman Adam Smith’s Town Hall meeting May 2 at Highline Community College in Des Moines.

Over 90 people attended the meeting.

Congressman Smith said that he is worried about the current lack of equality of opportunity.

“We’re not quite at that standard anymore,” said Smith. “If U.S. incomes were still distributed as they were in 1979, the average U.S. worker would receive nearly $6,000 more a year in income.”

Smith said he is a strong supporter of what is called a middle-out economics rather than trickle-down economics.

Middle-out economics supports the idea that a strong middle class provides a stable consumer base that drives businesses and investments.

“It’s not the government that grows the economy,” said Congressman Smith. “Decisions need to be good for the middle class.”

Congressman Smith said that although he is not overly obsessed with the deficit, it is a problem and it does matter.

Four-year-old Lotus Chang helps her mom out in the Moua Garden booth at the Burien Farmers Market.

The market is open Thursdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.,, through October at the Town Square.

The Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market opens Saturday, June 1, at the north end of the marina.

At Slate Coffee Roasters, which last week had its soft opening for their location in East Ballard (5413 6th Ave NW), the goal is not to just inject customers with a dose of morning caffeine, but to foster an appreciation for good coffee.

"We're trying to approach it in a culinary sense ... and just creating a really wonderful coffee menu," said head barista Amanda Atkins.

Every cup has its ingredients measured on a scale to keep the taste of every cup consistent and delicious. Atkins said that her partners, Nik Virrey and Brandon Weaver (all three come from Zoka) are both very serious about coffee. They are constantly reading, researching, doing experiments and trying to make better coffee in every way, she said.

In addition, Slate stays away from the Pacific Northwest trend of dark flavor profiles and seeks to bring out lighter, more subtle flavors, according to Chelsey Walker-Watson, who owns the business with her brother, Keenan Walker, and her mother, Lisanne Walker.

Responding to April 26, 2013, page 8 Healthy Life

Organic foods are not only about nutrition but for me, they are about no dead areas in the ocean.

The fertilizer runoff makes plants grow in the water but when those plants die there is no oxygen left and a dead zone is created.

Some fish can swim away but many animals cannot and they die with no oxygen to breathe. There is an imbalance of too much fertilizer which causes an algae bloom and then a dead zone.

If fertilizer does not reach the water there is not this problem.

Thus the helpful idea of organic farming and gardening.

Merry Ann Peterson
Normandy Park