June 2013

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Bar-S fields located in West Seattle above Alki Point will be the site as two District 7 Little League all-star tournaments jump into full swing Saturday.

The Majors age 11-12 tournament will take place on Field 2 and the age 9-10 tournament will be hosted on Field 1.

Major all-star tournaments can eventually lead to the Little League World Series, but the initial prize to all District 7 tournament champions is a trip to state.

West Seattle opens with a first round bye in the Majors tournament, waiting until 10 a.m. Sunday to get underway. South West of White Center plays Renton at 10 a.m. Saturday for the right to face the Westsiders.
Sunday's winner goes straight to the winner's bracket final at 6 p.m. Wednesday, and Wednesday's winner advances into 10 a.m. Saturday, July 6 championship action.

Also opening tournament play this Saturday are PacWest of Burien and SeaTac against Seattle Central at 1 p.m., with South Highline National playing the Rainier District at 4 p.m.

The winners of those games play at 1 p.m. Sunday for a winner's bracket final berth.

By Georgie Bright Kunkel

When my mother served two four year terms as county school superintendent she had the luxury of driving a Ford car provided by the county. But she was so honest that she never drove it anywhere but to the office and to visit the county schools. After I turned eleven, our wheels were no longer available. No matter. I walked several blocks to grade school and over a mile to high school. So you can imagine how exciting it was for me to travel from Chehalis to Portland with my nurse sister to visit her during my summer vacation.

Now fast forward to Rose Parade time 2013. My special friend asked me if I wanted to visit the Rose Garden in Portland and the Japanese and Chinese gardens as well. Three years ago I visited this rose garden with my Rosie the Riveter friend after cracking my left ankle. Now here I was, recovering from breaking my right leg and ready to experience the splendid rose garden once more. Roses of every shade had bloomed to their fullest for our pleasure and the sun which had been predicted not to show its face defied the weather reports.

By Kyra-lin Hom

My study abroad semester in Beijing, China included a program-wide excursion to Yangshuo in southeastern China. For those who know their Chinese geography, Yangshuo is a small county within the Guilin prefecture of Guangxi province. It is a gorgeous river town famous for its truly unique karst formations, softly-peaking mini mountains that rise like several story buildings throughout the entire area. We were there for the hot springs. This was to be our relaxation and reward after a grueling week and a half of non-stop southward travel visiting historical cities and landmarks.

Besides the hot springs, Yangshuo is perfect for hiking, canoeing, and general adventuring. There is a specific canoeing route tourists are encouraged to take. It even has a floating restaurant stop for a midday break. Now, I use the term 'restaurant' loosely. It's really a floating bamboo platform of shaded tables and chairs. The actual kitchen is a trek up the hill to a rundown farmhouse. After several hours on the river, however, my canoeing party wasn't exactly complaining. It had food, drink – awesome.

Discovery Shop
4535 California Ave. S.W.
206-937-7169
All items with pink tags are $1 starting June 27 through the end of the month. July 1 blue tags will be 50% off with all men's wear 40% off every Sunday.  The all volunteer run, non profit American Cancer Society shop is looking for volunteers for clerking in the store, sorting and pricing in the back room.  In just one 4-hour shift a week, you can make a big difference in the quest for finding a cancer cure.  Since the Shop opened in 1990 we have raised more than $1.5 million and continue our commitment every day.  You'll be joining our dedicated group as well as making new friends.  Stop by and talk to us about volunteering.  We are open Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and all other days 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Blood Donors Needed
Peace Lutheran Church
8316 39th Ave S.W. (corner of S. W. Thistle St)
(206) 937-3765
Monday, July 1, from 1-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.  Call number above to schedule.  Walk-ins welcome. Puget Sound Blood Center is especially in need of blood supplies during the summer months.

Coworking Meetup
Office Junction
5230 California Ave. S.W., Suite B

Over the weekend, Ballard played special host for the Noise for the Needy Festival, benefiting the Ballard Food Bank. Music from some of the greatest Pacific Northwest up-and-comers was displayed at the Conor Byrne, Sunset Tavern, Tractor Tavern and Hattie's Hat June 20-23.

The Ballard News-Tribune caught yesterday's daylong marathon of music at the Hattie's Hat parking lot, featuring Tango Alpha Tango, Vaudeville Etiquette (who have been making the rounds in Ballard), Cody Beebe and the Crooks, Hot Bodies in Motion and Kris Orlowski.

The day was muggy and sprinkly, but dedicated music fans and Pabst-drinkers kept trickling into the parking lot as the day went on. By the time Hot Bodies in Motion were on, many had succumbed to the dancing bug (perhaps influenced by said Pabst).

We got to take a plethora of photos of band members grimacing, wailing, guitar-screeching, bongo-smacking, accordion-squeezing and what have you. to see the photos, either click on the main picture above or the thumbnails below.

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

The SeaTac City Council will take action on the jobs initiative on July 23.

The action will take place at the council's regular meeting, beginning at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 4800 S. 188th St.

The public will be allowed to make comments at the start of the meeting. Because King County Elections has certified that the initiative petition received enough signatures, the council must place the measure on the November ballot or adopt it outright.

The council will also discuss the initiative at its study session July 9 at 4 p.m. The session at City Hall is open to the public. Public comment will be limited to a total of 10 minutes.

Here is our previous coverage:

Press release:

It's official: King County Elections has now certified that the SeaTac Jobs Initiative has met the required signature threshold, and after a public hearing by the SeaTac City Council next month, the initiative will head to the November ballot.

The initiative would set workforce standards for more than 6,000 low wage transportation and hospitality workers in SeaTac, including paid sick leave, a wage of $15/hour, and opportunities for full-time employment.

Sounder and Amtrak riders who travel through Tukwila have something to celebrate: Sound Transit broke ground today on construction of a permanent Sounder commuter rail station in Tukwila. The station will replace a temporary structure and offer 390 parking spaces, better transit connections, more bicycle storage, improved passenger shelters, and public art.

Joining in turning the first ceremonial shovels of dirt were U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, Sound Transit Board Vice Chair and King County Council Vice Chair Julia Patterson, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo, Sound Transit Boardmember and King County Executive Dow Constantine, State Rep. Steve Bergquist, and Tukwila City Council President Kathy Hougardy.

“Today marks a long-awaited milestone. Sounder rider access is improving in South King County,” said Julia Patterson. “Currently, more than 1,300 weekday boardings take place on average at the temporary Tukwila Station. Now, local residents and regional commuters will have a permanent Sounder Station in Tukwila for years to come.”

Our news partner, Q-13 Fox News is reporting on the fire at the Des Moines Marina on Sunday night:

http://q13fox.com/2013/06/24/fire-rips-through-boats-moored-at-marina/#…

A not-so-friendly game of hoops
Police were called to some basketball courts on the 9100 block of California Ave. S.W. after a good-natured game of hoops turned into fisticuffs on June 17. The victim told responding officers he was playing basketball with a group, as he does about three times a week. This particular week he said he was playing against the suspect, and that they were both “talking trash” throughout the game. At one point, the victim said he fouled the suspect and the suspect threw the ball at him. More trash talking ensued, followed by some pushing and, ultimately, a fist formed and the victim was punched under the right eye. The two were separated and the game was finished, but the victim said as he sat on the gym bench the suspect came back, talked a bit more trash, and punched him twice more, this time under the left eye. The suspect left and the victim, who suffered facial swelling and lacerations and complained of troubled eyesight and a headache, told gym staff what happened. Police went to the suspect’s apartment but were unable to locate him.

Building and a beating

One of the most aspects of the Morgan Junction Festival last weekend on June 22 was the annual pet contest called the Bark of Morgan. This year's event was no exception with dogs of all shapes and sizes who showed up in the Washington Federal Bank parking lot to vie for Cutest dog, Best Trick and Best Owner/dog Lookalike.

The West Seattle Seattle Herald's Patrick Robinson served as "Bark Emcee" assisted by the amazing Deb Barker of the Morgan Junction Community Association, sponsors for the main event.

The Festival enjoyed great weather, featured a large number of local musicians, artwork, community information booths and this year, food trucks that were stationed along Graham Street, in the soon to be refurbished "Bridge" parking lot.

The Bark of Morgan Winners were: (dog's name first!)

Cutest dog 1st place: Miley & Aaron Kingsland

Cutest dog 2nd place: Lulu & Hope

Cutest dog 3rd place: Skip & Desiree Jones-Hall

Best Trick 1st place: Bobee & Terry P

Best Trick 2nd place: Axl & Aaron Bell

Best Trick 3rd place: Gizmo & Zanna and Marc