January 2014

By Allyce Andrew

On Jan. 1, Dozens gathered on the shore outside of the Ballard Beach Club to witness the fourth annual Ballard Elks Pledge or Plunge. Though the number of the plungers themselves were few compared to others around Seattle, their motives for jumping into the frigid water were far more altruistic than masochistic.

As a recent annual tradition, the Elks decided to use the trendy event for ringing in the New Year as a fundraising effort for children’s hospitals, therapy and scholarships. During the inaugural plunge, the elks raised $3,000, but this year they raked in more than $7,000.

Cindy Olsby, a six-year member of the Elks, said she thought of implementing the plunge into their fundraising efforts about five years ago.

“Anyone can do it,” Olsby stated, “We do have non-members who actually plunge and that’s fine, too (but) most of them are Elks and want to raise money for charity. It is a social thing, but people want to get involved. This is an easy way to do their part for the year.”

Burien Arts, operators of the gallery in Olde Burien, have invited the Top 5 selling artists from their successful Vision 20/20 Art Event in November to showcase two to three larger pieces each. The show will runs through Feb. 2.

The gallery is located at 826 S.W. 152nd St. Hours are noon-6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.

The All-Stars are Alida Schuh, Abstract, Encaustic; Alexis St. John, Whimsical, Heat Set Oil; Lisa West, Impressionist, Oil, Alexis Nasya Prall, Fantasy Realism, Oil, and Kim Gunns, Abstract, Oil.

Artists United will also present a January gallery show with artists to be announced.

The mission of Burien Arts is to engage, enrich and entertain all the communities, generations and visitors to the Burien and Greater Highline area through creative and innovative arts programming. The non-profit was founded in the 1960’s and for years operated a gallery in the little blue house at Dottie Harper Park.

This fall, they opened an exciting new gallery in Olde Burien.

Sports Roundup

Monday, Dec. 30
Boys basketball
Ingraham 51, Highline 47
Matt Horejsi and Lucas Kelly tossed in 10 points apiece to lead the Pirates in this past Monday's close loss. It was Highline's finale at the Bothell Christmas Classic.
Girls basketball
Glacier Peak 62, Foster 11
Foster met Glacier Peak for a game at Juanita on Monday -- and suffered a lopsided loss.

Thursday, Jan. 2
Boys basketball
Foster 62, Decatur 45
Ben Mitchell swished in a team-high 16 points to lead the Bulldogs to a victory in the Decatur High School gymnasium.
Cory Covarrubia was next with 14 points for Foster, with Ronnie Roberson adding 13 points and Patrick Straight 10.

It’s a sad day in Ballard after La Tienda owners Monique Tran and Fred Hart announced last Wednesday that they will be closing the store due to Hart retiring.

“With hearts filled with appreciation for over 51 years with our family of customers we have decided to retire and close the store. Luckily we are all in good health and looking forward to some new directions and fresh challenges,” wrote the two owners in their announcement.

With no for sure plans yet, Tran said she is going to take some time to spent with her family.

“I am going on to the next new adventure in my life, though I don't know what it is. I am taking a few months off to spend time with my husband and daughter, then I will be looking for a job in the fall. You will still see me in Ballard as a customer of these great local shops,” Tran wrote in an email to the Ballard News Tribune.

In 1962 La Tienda first opened in the University District by then owner, Leslie Grace, after being inspired by the artisans and folk art she saw at the Seattle World’s Fair.

25 years ago Tran and Hart purchased La Tienda. In 1998 they opened their second location in Ballard.

A small neighborhood convenience store at 16th S.W. and S.W. Henderson was the scene of an assault on Monday Jan. 6.

According to Seattle Police, a small group of teenagers entered the store and tried to steal something. The owner told them to leave the store which led to a scuffle that moved outside. The owner was assaulted at that time but did not sustain any significant injuries. Police were called and arrived in time to catch the "main aggressor" who was taken to the Southwest Precinct and may be transferred to juvenile authorities.

His associates escaped on foot and went northbound on 16th.

Searching for something a little different from your typical Ballard restaurants? Hana’s Kitchen, specializing in Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine opened under the radar four months ago.

“They were selling trees next door that blocked my signs before, so I don’t think people saw the sign,” said owner and operator Filmon Gebrekristos.

Located on Leary Way between Fremont and Ballard, this small Fre-lard restaurant may be one of the area’s best-kept culinary secrets. Hana’s is in the building that used to be Medin’s Ravioli Station and had that train wreck mural outside. Gebrekristos painted over the mural to make one of his own.

Gebrekristos is from Seattle, but his parents moved here from Eritrea. He said that when he went to Eastern Washington for school he would often call his mother asking for recipes to his favorite dishes. Then he would put his own twist on them.

As for starting his own business, Gebrekristos said it’s been a lot of hard work but the rewards are there.
“I cook. I wash dishes. I serve. I bartend. I do everything here.”

By Ansley Lacitis

I want to thank all the wonderful Ballard people who are helping me find my lost dog, Ellie, whom I lost last Thursday night.

The blog I created, www.FindEllie.blogspot.com, received over 1700 page hits the first day alone. The blog has even been viewed by people in Nigeria, the UK, Argentina, and Australia.

But it’s the wonderful reactions I’ve gotten from folks at the supermarkets, on the street corners, and at the stores that have overwhelmed me.

I have passed out nearly 700 leaflets. Obviously, Ellie means the world to me.

“I feel for you,” a woman told me. “I once lost my dog for a week, but someone found her.”

I’ve heard many stories from people about their dogs and how much they mean to them.

I am a Seattle native now studying law at Georgetown University Law Center. Ellie is my constant companion and keeps me sane while I study.

I was in Seattle over the holidays visiting my family and was excited to meet Ellie and was excited for them to meet her.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving
A Christmas gift sparked multiple assaults in the middle of the day on December 26th at the 700 block of S Elmgrove St. Police responded to an open phone line where they could hear a violent commotion on the other end of the line. Upon arrival police found two victims with fresh wounds on each of their faces.

The first victim had apparently bought a Christmas gift for a relation of one of the suspects, a female the victim has helped out financially in the past. The victim saw suspect 1 and her boyfriend (suspect 2), who is described as a Hispanic male of 25 with a stocky build, outside of a residence and went up to them and asked suspect 1 how her relation liked the gift he had given them. Suspect 2 became visibly upset at hearing about this and pulled a knife from a sheath on his hip. When the victim asked suspect 2 if he was going to cut him suspect 2 put the knife away and threw a hard right punch into the victim’s face. At this point both suspects fled in a vehicle.

Friday, Jan. 3
Boys basketball
Shorewood Christian 56, Quilcene 39
Jordan King tossed in 21 points to lead Shorewood Christian of West Seattle to a 56-39 victory over Quilcene this past Friday.
Stan Domingo finished with 15 points to back King up and Jovi Fevaleaki also reached double figures with 13.
Micah Lorenz added four as Cameron Akers scored two and JJ Young one.

Girls basketball
Shorewood Christian 42, Quilcene 19
Shorewood Christian of West Seattle posted a lopsided victory over Quilcene last Friday, led by the 29 points of Nicole Jones.
Stalyn Domingo added six points to the Shorewood Christian cause as Natalie Jones hit four and Kayla Gonzales three.

Discovery Shop
4535 California Ave. S.W.
206 937 7169
Come to the Discovery Shop for a great deal on winter coats! All coats are half price through Saturday, January 11. Other winter deals in the store include 50% off blue tagged items and starting Sunday, June 12, women's clothing will be half off. If you're resolving to make a difference in this new year, please consider volunteering with us. Volunteer positions include processing donations, display and merchandising of the store, as well as cashiering. It's a great way to meet new friends and be a part of our commitment to fund cancer cure research.  The all volunteer run, non profit American Cancer Society Shop is open until 8 p.m. for the Junction's Art Walk on the 9th, Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and all other days 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Daystar Toastmasters Meeting
Daystar Retirement Village
2615 SW Barton St.