October 2013

By: Jeremy Martin

On Tuesday night John F Kennedy Catholic hosted Highline in a match that if victorious would not only keep the Lancers firmly planted atop the Seamount League standings but would also solidify the school as the team to beat within in its hometown of Burien.

Things however wouldn’t be that easy for the pirates as their guests rolled down 1st Ave seeking revenge for a week two loss suffered at the hands of Kennedy.

But in end the Lancers were able overcame a sluggish opening game, taking the match 25-21, 23-8, 25-14

“Our focus is on trying to improve our play and not focus on what the other team is doing. Obviously they are one of our closest rivals, and they’ve gotten a lot better, and we know that,” Lancer head coach Joanne Uhl said.

A back and forth first quickly gave way to an onslaught of Lancer points as Kennedy raced out to an 11-1 second game advantage, spurred on by exceptionally aggressive net play, much of which came from Shayne McPherson and Apryll Eneliko.

By Peggy Sturdivant

When you write a blog or a column you don’t get to accept gifts; but you can accept press passes to see a play. Given my level of exhaustion on Friday nights you would practically have to pay me to leave the house. And even that would need to be negotiated.

However, when I returned a book that Colette Mercier at Amazing Grace Spiritual Center (2007 NW 61st St) loaned me, about the Ballard First Lutheran Church that was once in their location, I was invited to check out the October-only play written and performed by Donna Rae Davidson, Ten Days to Happiness. Reader, I dragged my tired self there.

Seriously, if you read this link, you will get much better background on the real retreat that Davidson attended and inspired the play. You will also read about the twists and turns of life that resulted in Fringe Festival playwrights, actors and directors reuniting as minister and performer.

Just in time for Halloween, Kitty Harbor is holding a black cat adoption event this weekend, Oct. 12-13.

Here are the details from Teri Ensley:

Looking to add some furry love to your family? Then get yourself to Kitty Harbor this weekend!

There will be 60+ Adult cats, teenagers (6+ months), and kittens (8 weeks to 6 months), waiting to meet n greet you. And just so you know, kittens under 6 months old must be adopted in pairs unless there is already another cat friendly cat in the household.

If you love black cats like we do, we currently about 20 of the sweetest black/black & white kittens you have ever met. Not only are they gorgeous & sleek, but they are lovers!

Adopt a black cat this weekend, (Oct 12th/13th) , and receive $20 off the adoption donation. Just our way of saying thank you!

More Information (206) 935-1919 | info@kittyharborseattle.org | http://ebayc.us/30054995

The West Seattle Food Bank has been feeding families in our community for 30 years, and they are inviting one and all to their place this evening from 5 to 7 p.m.

Here is the announcement:

The West Seattle Food Bank Board of Directors and Staff invite you to join us in the celebration of our 30th Anniversary, Thursday, October 10th from 5 - 7pm! Take a tour, bring your kids and teach them how to give back and learn how we serve our West Seattle community. Get your own signed "hot off the press" copy of "Hunger Immortal: The First Thirty Years of the West Seattle Food Bank, 1983-2013" written by board member Reverend Ron Marshall. Appetizers and beverages will be served. Everyone is welcome!

The food bank is located at 3419 S.W. Morgan St.

To read more about Rev. Ron Marshall's new book, please see our earlier story found here.

Paige Hansen got her dog Lola, a Chihuahua, whose parents really are from Mexico, about 7 and half months ago. She lives with Paige and her boyfriend Tom Wearly near Alki Beach.

Paige buys Premium Edge from Mud Bay in the Admiral District for Lola's primary diet though Lola does get a little dried fruit now and then for snacks.

When we encountered them Lola was wearing a cute green hoodie, yes a dog sized hoodie that Paige got from Amazon but normally, Lola doesn't wear too many outfits. Lola hasn't had any obedience training yet she does know sit and stand and jump.

Lola is not a fan of little children and Paige suggested that it might stem from a scary experience when she was just a puppy. "They're just a little too aggressive," Paige said.

Depending on what Lola encounters her attitude and courage can shift.

"She's very courageous and then the other dog turns around and she runs back," said Tom, chuckling.

Mac McElroy, owner of Mac’s Triangle Pub where Delridge and Roxbury meet at the Seattle/White Center line, knew he was in for some very tough months on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 6.

The Seahawks were playing an away game which, under normal circumstances, means a packed bar (around 40 people) with fans eager to drain a few pre-noon pitchers with friends while they watch the game. At opening kickoff, he only had 13 people in the bar.

“We made a couple hundred as opposed to a thousand,” McElroy said.

The year-long revamp of Delridge Way S.W. in West Seattle is nearing its completion in December, but several businesses along the southern reaches of Delridge and into White Center, including McElroy’s, say the loss of parking during this final phase of construction is putting their services – from food to haircuts to cold beer – and livelihood at risk.

The Highline School Board will hear public comment on a proposal to close Odyssey High School on Wednesday, October 23, at 5:00 p.m. at the school district central office (ERAC), 15675 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien.

Speakers will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Testimony is limited to three minutes per person. For disability accommodations to attend the public hearing, participants are asked to contact the school board office at least three working days in advance of the meeting. (206-631-3001)

Last month, Superintendent Susan Enfield recommended closure of Odyssey High School at the end of this school year because of low enrollment. Due to its low staff/student ratio and high overhead, operating costs for Odyssey are more than double that of the average costs at other high schools in Highline.

“I have been impressed with the good work happening at Odyssey. I want to make it clear that this is a financial decision, not one based on performance,” said Superintendent Enfield. “As tough as closing a school is for staff, students, and families, given our limited resources I believe this decision is in the best interests of our students as a whole.”

The City’s Parks and Recreation advisory board is looking for suggestions and nominations to help name a trail.

In 2010, the Port of Seattle and the City of Burien jointly prepared a redevelopment plan
for the Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA), a 158-acre area located northwest of
Sea-Tac Airport’s third runway. The NERA includes about 55 acres of Port-owned property acquired with FAA funds as part of the noise mitigation program.

The City required a shared use path or trail to be developed along the Miller Creek corridor as part of the larger redevelopment of the NERA. The trail would follow the planned Miller Creek greenbelt between Des Moines Memorial Drive and S. 140th Street (see Figure 1). The City proposes to construct the trail in tandem with the required regional stormwater facilities. The proposed trail will serve two necessary functions by (i) providing ongoing maintenance and operations access to the new stormwater facilities and (ii) providing pedestrian and bicycle access through the NERA consistent with adopted City and regional plans.

Des Moines – Campaign signs for Des Moines Municipal Court Judge Veronica Galvan were vandalized twice over the weekend. The signs, placed along Des Moines Memorial Drive, were cut off their stakes with a blade or sharp implement.

Galvan’s signs were initially vandalized sometime Friday evening. The culprit cut one side off each sign, so only half of each sign was left on the stake. A campaign volunteer replaced the damaged signs on Saturday. Then, on Saturday night, the signs were hit again. This time, both sides of the signs were cut off, leaving only the stakes.

Galvan noted that the manner in which the signs were taken down feels threatening. “This is more than a mere knocking down of signs,” said Judge Galvan. “Someone went to extra effort to send a message.”

Although a number of other candidates have signs on the stretch of Des Moines Memorial Drive where Galvan’s signs were vandalized, no other candidate’s signs were damaged.

The Galvan campaign has reported the vandalism to Des Moines Police.

Ballard has more community groups than you can shake a stick at. Even if you happen to be a black belt at stick-shaking. If you live somewhere within the confines of the neighborhood, it's likely you have a group of dedicated community members who are 1) Absolutely in love with the sub-'hood they live in, and 2) Dedicated to making it a better place.

Joining the ranks of community groups is Friends of NW 65th. The group is focusing on a narrower area than other groups, taking on -- duh -- NW 65th St, mainly between 3rd Ave NW and 8th Ave NW. (Think Cafe Bambino, Chocolate Vitale, the Tin Hat, the RidgeBack Cafe, etc.)

According to their Facebook page, "The Friends of NW 65th promotes, plans and advocates on behalf of the community to improve the quality of life through a clean, safe and economically vibrant NW 65th community."

The group is headed by East Ballard/West Woodland neighbors David Barnes, a chamber of commerce president and city planner for Kirkland, and Sue Pierce, a sales and marketing professional.