February 2014

By Christy Wolyniak

He has an office with one of the best views in Seattle. Senior Bridge Operator David Leask is one who knows the
ropes and the responsibility that comes with navigating the 2,854-foot Ballard Bridge.

Countless ships, commercial fishing crews including the Deadliest Catch’s king crab anglers and pleasure-seekers pass through the Lake Washington Ship Canal, communicating with the man, or woman in the tower who remains unseen.

When he was dodging between riggings and shipyards as a young boy, Ballard has long been home to Leask. His father was the Fremont Bridge Operator for 25 years- a highly competitive occupation today.

With a construction and carpentry background, Leask yearned for a consistent schedule and applied to jobs with the city. It took five years before coming on board as a bridge operator in 1987.

“The hardest part about this job is to do it smoothly. No matter what you do, you’re going to tick someone off. The Ballard Bridge is a little easier to work because there’s less pedestrian traffic and the traffic clears faster here than at some of the other bridges,” he said.

Saturday, Feb. 22
Gymnastics
State 4A meet
Ava Welch of Mount Rainier came through with a third-place tie in the state Class 4A vault in action at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall that ended Saturday.
Welch scored a 9.600 to knot Jenna Schlosser of Mead after coming in eighth with a 9.300 in preliminary action Friday.
Welch also finished 12th in the all-around with a total of 34.575 points.
Welch was 22nd in the floor exercise with a 9.150, 32nd in the bars with a 7.825 and 38th in the balance beam with an 8.300.
Mount Rainier teammate Regan Hunt finished 15th in the bars with an 8.35 score.

State 1A-2A-3A meet
The three smaller classes that have gymnastics were bunched together for their state action Friday and Saturday.
Danielle Carnahan of Kennedy came in 12th in the all-around out of the bunch with a total of 22.900 points.
Carnahan was 73rd in the bars with a 6.700, 79th in the vault with a 7.825 and 81st in the floor exercise with an 8.375.
Nieves Alvares of Highline finished 81st in the vault with a 7.800 score.

Boys swimming
State 3A meet

More than 60 people attended the monthly Discover Burien-sponsored open house put on by B-Town Business Builders Wednesday, Feb. 19.

The event is a business networking opportunity for local business. The gathering was comprised of some brick-and-mortar companies as well as individuals who work from home, but who want the chance to meet other business operators in the community.

There were graphic artists, hair stylists, event planners, newspaper publishers, chiropractors, building contractors, massage therapists and even a diplomat. Many prizes, including and iPad, were won.

Discover Burien's Annual Awards Dinner and Silent Auction is March 28 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave S.W.
There will be awards recognizing community leadership, as well as awards for a variety of 'Best of Burien' categories. Enjoy a night out with food from local restaurants, drinks, and community merriment.
Single Ticket prices:
$35 for Discover Burien members, $45 for non-members
Table of 8 prices:

By Matt Wendland

SeaTac Police arrest man trying to pick a fight with random people
According to SeaTac Police, on the morning of Feb. 15, officers responded to reports of a man attempting to fight with would-be passengers at the King County Metro bus stop near the intersection of S. 176th St. and International Blvd. Deputies witnessed the suspect verbally threatening, attempting to assault, and spitting on random people as they passed by him. When deputies approached the man, he kicked one of the deputies. The suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.

High-speed chase from Des Moines ends with arrest in SODO

White Center's own, WSU quarterback legend Jack “The Throwin’ Samoan” Thompson will make an appearance at South Seattle Community College for a discussion about his football career, life after football and his roots in White Center.

Thompson graduated from Evergreen High School, then went on to Washington State University where his football career blossomed. He became the most prolific passer in NCAA history. His professional career includes time with the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After his football career, Thompson came back to Seattle and became a mortgage banker, as well as a volunteer quarterbacks coach at Ballard High School.

He will be in the Olympic Hall Theater on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 from 1 – 2PM.

Friday, Feb. 21

Boys basketball
Shorewood Christian 74, Lummi Nation 64
Stan Domingo racked up 30 points to lead the Lions of Shorewood Christian past the Lummi Nation team from the Bellingham area at Mount Vernon Christian school Friday.
The Lions of West Seattle were bouncing back from an 86-55 1B Tri-District semifinal loss to Tulalip Heritage, and the 74-64 win over Lummi Nation sent them into Saturday's game for third and fourth place.
Shorewood Christian nailed down a state regional berth and the Lions will travel to WF West High School in Chehalis to play Oakville in a 2 p.m. game this coming Saturday. The winner goes to the state final eight at the Tacoma Dome next week.
In Friday's action against Lumi Nation, Jordan King backed Domingo up with 21 points as JJ Young scored 11, Joey Fevaleaki eight and Micah Lorenz four.

Girls basketball
Liberty 43, West Seattle 30
The Lady Wildcats' season ended with Friday's 43-30 Sea-King District loss to the Liberty Patriots at Bellevue Community College.

Saturday, Feb. 22

Boys basketball

Wednesday, Feb. 19
Boys basketball
Foss 77, Kennedy 67
Kennedy Catholic is facing possible elimination from the West Central District 3A tournament after Wednesday's loss to Foss at Rogers High School in Puyallup.
The Lancers dropped into a 7:45 game at Washington High School for Friday, with the loser out and the winner playing for the fifth and final state berth at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Clover Park High School.
Michael Sasonoff tallied 26 points to lead the way in the Foss loss. James Jolly and AJ McGrew threw in 13 points apiece and Keannu Royster added 12.
Foster 67, Sequim 64
Foster clinched a berth into next week's state 2A regional action with Wednesday's win over the Wolves at Curtis High school.
The Bulldogs were set to battle White River in a 7:45 game at Foss on Friday, with the winner playing for the No. 1 and No. 2 berths at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pacific Lutheran University and the loser playing for third and fourth at 6:15 p.m. Saturday at Clover Park High School.
Isaiah Lewis led Foster with 19 points and Ronnie Roberson threw in 13.
SCS 44, Meridian 42
Seattle Christian came within one win of 1A state regional action with Wednesday's win over Meridian.

Information from King County

The King County Ferry District announces that beginning March 1, 2014, there will be a fare increase for the West Seattle and Vashon Island Water Taxi Routes. The increase will range from $.50 to $.75 per ticket for cash, ORCA, and youth fares; $.25 for riders with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit.

The Water Taxi experienced record annual ridership numbers in 2013 with an increase of 2.8% for the West Seattle Route and 5.5% for the Vashon Island Route over 2012. The Vashon route continues to often run at or near capacity despite being approved for a vessel capacity increase from 150 to 172 passengers by the United States Coast Guard in the fall of 2012.

Taste of West Seattle, an annual event that benefits the West Seattle Helpline, featuring local restaurants and more is set for May 15 at the Hall at Fauntleroy.

Tickets are on sale now. VIP Tickets, with early admission at 6:00 are $95. General Admission tickets are $50.

Last year's event saw nearly 50 area restaurants participate with more than 600 people in attendance.

To learn more, take part if you own a local restaurant or help sponsor the event visit http://tasteofwestseattle.org

With transit cuts looming for Metro and a Plan B funding solution moving forward from King County at least some relief is happening. Washington State Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson has sent a letter to Kind County Executive Dow Constantine stating that WSDOT will extend the SR99 construction mitigation agreement that was set to expire in June, through the year 2015. The funding is estimated at approximately $14 million.

An excerpt from the letter follows:

Dear Executive Constantine:

In 2008 the Washington Department of Transportation agreed to provide funding for transit service as mitigation for impacts to drivers during construction of SR99 in Seattle. Replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct is a critical safety project, however, construction has significant effects on the traveling public and freight mobility and mitigation of those effects was identified as an essential part of the project.