December 2013

By Jeremy Martin

As the ball worked its way around the perimeter Oskar Deithrich muscled his way underneath, eventually receiving a pass on the left block. With grace and power the big man turned towards the rim and laid in two of his team high 19 points.

The junior center would follow that basket with another layup on the ensuing possession and Bainbridge High would ride the big man to a 70-64 come from behind victory over West Seattle on Tuesday night.

“Bainbridge is a really gritty team, they make you work every possession. We talked about being disciplined for four quarters and I think it came down to a little bit of grit and the rebounding edge,” West Seattle head coach Keffery Fazio said.

There are a few hard and fast rules when it comes to winning basketball games; strong defense leads to opportunities on offense, never foul a three point shooter and the team that gets out rebounded rarely comes away victorious, all lessons the Wildcats learned the hard way last night against a much taller, and in many ways more aggressive Bainbridge club.

Strikes For Kids a nonprofit organization that partners professional athletes with benefiting youth organizations in the community will be in West Seattle Monday, December 30th at West Seattle Bowl to present their "Merriman Live United Bowl United Bowling Classic Presented By Team Avril".

Seahawks stand out Cliff Avril will host this United Way of King County benefit.

The first session from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm sold out in just 6 days and since all 32 lanes with 6 people per lane went so quickly they added an additional session from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This session has already sold 14 lanes.

Registration is just $35 per person or $175 for a lane (up to) 6 bowlers. This includes 3 games, shoes, pizza, soda, shirt and goody bag.

For more information please visit www.liveunitedbowlunited.com

The contractor for the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow project will begin on-site preparation for facility construction later this week. Security fencing will be installed around the Murray Pump Station in Lowman Beach Park, and two trailers will be put in place in the park’s northwest corner to serve as the contractor’s office for the duration of the project.

Access to Lowman Beach Park facilities and beachfront will be maintained. Park users are encouraged to access the park through the 15-foot wide pathway north of the contractor project office. This pathway will remain open throughout construction. Parking on the west side of Beach Drive Southwest will be maintained once the trailers are installed.

Community members can call the project hotline at 206-205-9186 with any inquiries or concerns.

What to expect:
• Work hours will typically be 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Brief temporary traffic delays on Beach Drive Southwest are expected as the contractor moves in equipment.
• Increased truck traffic on nearby streets.
• Lowman Beach Park and beach remain open.

By Kathryn Hunter

How about giving someone a tattoo as a gift? You don't have to be a sailor on leave or a criminal to get a tattoo. Now, they are routine embellishments for people of all ages on a more mainstream level.

A survey shows that 21% of Americans today have at least one tattoo. Who is getting tattooed these days?

A higher percentage of woman are tattooed (23% compared to 19% of males). Of those with ink, 74% are between the ages of 18 and 39.

“What's great about giving a tattoo for a gift is the person gets to pick something that is meaningful and beautiful to them, and they have it forever,” said Alki Beach Tattoo artist Chris Hunter. “I have been tattooing in West Seattle at the same location for seven years and have a steady customer base. I see people from all walks of life. Punk rockers to lawyers, even an 86-year-old woman. Really, all types of people get tattooed and are interested in permanent body art.”

Average tattoo costs in Seattle range from $100 to $200 per hour. Alki Beach Tattoo has a shop minimum of $60, and the artists’ hourly rate is around $140.

Citing a string of violent crimes in and near Roxhill Park including the reported rape of a 12 year old girl last week, the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council has sent a letter to Mayor Elect Ed Murray.
In the letter they list the most notable crimes and point the finger at Metro, stating that since the area along Barton Street was designated as a Transit Hub, Metro, "has failed to be a good neighbor."

Here's the text of their letter:

December 17, 2013
Mayor Elect, Ed Murray Seattle City Hall
Re: Roxhill Park

Dear Mayor Elect Murray,
Roxhill Park is located on the Southern border of West Seattle across from the area’s largest shopping center. It is a natural peat bog with thousands of native plants and the head of Longfellow Creek - a beautiful gem within the City. In November 2012, a new playground and skate park were built with Community volunteer time and materials, a Department of Neighborhoods grant and the Parks Levy. Since its official opening in April 2013, Roxhill Park is constantly busy with Neighborhood families.

Today SDOT will start construction on Shilshole Avenue Northwest/Northwest 45th Street between Northwest 46th Street and 11th Avenue Northwest.

45th will become a one-way going eastbound for motor vehicles, with a separate two-way bicycle lane to the north. Motor vehicles traveling westbound will be detoured onto Northwest 46th Street at 11th Avenue Northwest, and eastbound traffic may experience sporadic slowdowns.

The construction is the result of longstanding safety concerns with the gap in the Burke Gilman Trail. The area of Northwest 45th Street is one of the highest bicycle collision locations in the city. It is also a heavy industrial area. Therefore, crews will be installing all-way stops on 14th Avenue Northwest at Northwest 45th Street and Northwest 46th Street.

The original South Ballard Corridor Safety Project called for advisory bike lanes and speed humps along Northwest 45th Street. The bike lanes are important because they indicate to drivers where they can expect to see cyclists within a driving lane. However, the roadway segment is narrow and therefore one-way motor vehicle travel with a separate bike lane was thought to be a better option.

There has been a lot of talk in recent years about the over compensation and gross salaries of corporate CEO types. According to GMI Ratings, who conducted a survey of over 2,000 American CEO’s, 2013 saw the top ten highest paid CEO’s making more than $100 million, and the top two making over $1 billion because of stock options –- the first being Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook.

This phenomenon is not something new. The Ballard News reported on the same things happening in April 1913 (exact date unknown). Oilmen and grain brokers from Chicago were making over $50 thousand dollars a year. In modern currency, that is about $1.4 million. Corporate fat cats were not alone. President Taft was in office from 1908 to 1912 and made $75 thousand a year, which is the modern equivalent to $1.7 million for serving as master and chief of the free world. Currently, President Obama makes an annual salary of $400 thousand, plus perks like a travel expense account.

Meanwhile, in the world that most of us live in there is heavy dispute and deliberation over a $15 minimum wage at Seatac and potentially in Seattle.

The numbers are in, and this year’s Turkey Trot saw a large flock of 3,500 runners signing up for the annual event.

Erin MacDonald, development associate for Ballard Food bank, helped organize the event with executive Director, Nancy Mckinney.

“It was the biggest one ever, growing by around 500 people. Every year the numbers keep going up, and I think it’s becoming more of a community staple,” said MacDonald

MacDonald said there was really great energy from participants and spectators down at finish line and that it is always a treat to see what people will come dressed up as, as well as their dogs.

“It really is a grass roots event that could not have had more support from the Ballard community,” said MacDonald

To run in the Turkey Trot, adult runners paid $25 or $30 and child runners were $10.

A 12 year old student at Denny International Middle School said she was a victim of a sexual assault in Roxhill Park, while walking home Dec. 12.

Her attacker was in his mid 20's she said.

The girl did not report it right away but when she arrived at school Monday morning, she reported the attack to administrators, who called her parents and police.

At this time there are no leads.

Police are asking members of the public that if they saw anything or anyone suspicious near Roxhill Park around 3:30 p.m. last Thursday to call 911.

The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship came for a musical if fog cloaked visit to Salty's on Alki for the first time on Monday Dec. 16. An estimated crowd of 250 people gathered under tiki torches and enjoyed refreshments on the deck and patio at the West Seattle waterfront restaurant. The Pacific Sound Chorus performed a range of holiday classic songs including a few unusual numbers for good measure.

This visit was the last of three stops for the Christmas Ship in West Seattle.