May 2014

By Gwen Davis

Fess up: do you like pot? If so, look forward to some awesome trips this summer. Washington State's Initiative 502 (I-502), which decriminalizes recreational marijuana, will be implemented and retail stores can put scores of people in happy-happy land.

(Note: None of the sources for this story wished to be identified, due to the topic’s sensitive nature.)

But advocates of the initiative say decriminalizing marijuana is a good thing, for reasons other than getting high.

“About a year ago, I met this hippie pot smoker who also has PTSD and she smoked to control her symptoms, as there are really no treatments for PTSD,” said a former Seattle resident. “And the treatments that are out there really suck. So I [am the] owner of a medical marijuana card.”

Gaining relief from mental illness is a great use of the drug, she said, and therefore she values its availability.
But others say recreational marijuana is beneficial for the local economy.

The sixth running of the West Seattle 5K Run/Walk to benefit West Seattle High School will take off on the starter pistol on May 18. Funds from the 2014 West Seattle 5K will be used to improve math, science, music and drama programs and communications at WSHS.

Participants will enjoy views of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline on this scenic 5K route along West Seattle’s Alki Beach. Afterwards, you can take advantage of "Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets" Car Free Sunday on Alki, relax at one of Alki’s famous eateries, or enjoy a day of beach combing while taking in all of the amenities Alki Beach has to offer.

Last Minute Registration & Packet Pick-up.

You can pick up your bib, shirt and timing chip as well as register for the 5K on Saturday May 17, 2014, West Seattle Runner, 3727 California Avenue SW, Suite 2-A, Seattle, WA 98116 (map). Pick up times are from 12:00 to 6:00.

Packet pick-up and registration is also available on the day of the event, starting at 8:00 AM.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle won its regular Metro League season finale by a 12-2 score over Ingraham in a game stopped after five innings at the Southwest Athletic Complex on Friday.

The Wildcats scored 10 runs in the first inning to get the rout underway and tacked on one run each in the second and third.

West Seattle now awaits its Metro League tournament opener Tuesday, when it takes on Eastside Catholic in a 3:30 p.m. game, also at the SWAC.

Sophomore pitcher Gabby Wenn pitched a two-hitter for the Wildcats, striking out nine. She had a no-hitter going into the top of the fifth.

Wenn also hit 2-for-2 with a walk, two stolen bases, two runs scored and three RBI.

Annalisa Ursino hit 2-for-4 with three stolen bases and two runs scored and Coy 1-for-1 with two walks, two runs scored and one RBI.

Tina Lozeau contributed a 1-for-2 effort with one walk, one RBI, one run and two stolen bases.

Carynia Smith hit 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI and Emma Atkinson 1-for-3 with two RBI.

West Seattle residents, King County Executive Dow Constantine and his wife Shirley are now proud parents! Shirley gave birth to a girl who has been named Sabrina Kyoko Adele Constantine.

Her birth weight was 6 pounds 7.3 ounces. Her middle names honor her mother's and father's ancestors respectively. Mother and baby (and dad) are doing well according to a tweet sent out by Mr. Constantine.

information from South Seattle College

South Seattle College announced today that Super Bowl Champion and Seattle Seahawk Derrick Coleman with be the keynote speaker for the Class of 2014 graduation ceremony on June 18. The ceremony will be held at Benaroya Hall, 200 University Street, and will begin at 7:30 PM.

Coleman became the first deaf player to ever appear in a Super Bowl and has served as a worldwide inspiration. During the Seahawks' Championship run, Coleman was a key contributor on special teams and on offense.

As a political science graduate of UCLA, Coleman was a standout scholar and athlete who was named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (2010). He started his professional football career with the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 when he was signed as an undrafted free agent. Later that year, Coleman was released by the Vikings and signed with the Seahawks.

South's 44th graduation ceremony will honor the achievements of over 800 students who have earned degrees or certificates. This will be the fourth consecutive year that South has held its graduation ceremony at Benaroya Hall.

Thursday, May 8
Fastpitch
West Seattle 12, Seattle Prep 1
West Seattle's Wildcats clawed their way to a convincing victory Thursday.

Boys soccer
Evergreen 1, Foster 1
The Wolverines' season ended on a high note Thursday as they knotted second place Foster, 1-1.

Wednesday, May 7
Boys soccer
West Seattle 0, Franklin 0
The Wildcats played the Quakers to a scoreless tie Wednesday.
Nathan Hale 3, Chief Sealth 2
Chief Sealth dropped a 3-2 decision to Nathan Hale on Wednesday.

Mixed tennis
Highline 6, Evergreen 1
Evergreen fell to the Pirates as the Seamount League season ended Wednesday.

Tuesday, May 6
Baseball
West Seattle 5, Blanchet 3
West Seattle finished first in the Metro League's Sound Division at 12-4 with Tuesday's win and advances to play Lakeside in the Metro League tournament at 10 a.m. Saturday at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center.
Larry Jensen threw all eight innings for the Wildcats, striking out three and giving up only three runs on eight hits.

By Gerardo Bolong

With the co-championship of the SPSL 4A North Division girls tennis regular season hanging in the balance, Mt. Rainier was in a 2-2 team match deadlock with visiting Kentridge before perseverance prevailed in the final match on court one in Des Moines under variable light winds and passing clouds on Tues., May 6.

All other courts were devoid of players as the Ram tandem of Alex Boyle and Anya Bonner fought it out against Christine Huynh and Theresa Tran in the No. 2 doubles wind up match.

by Steve Shay

Two Department of Planning and Development representatives received harsh criticism as they fielded complaints, suggestions, and questions Thursday night, May 8, at a community meeting held at the Senior Center of West Seattle.

At issue is a controversial three-story, 40-unit apartment complex proposal with 32 studios and eight one-bedroom units ranging from 250 to 400 square feet with just five parking spaces, located at 4439 41st Av. SW, about four blocks northeast of the Alaska Junction.

While single family homes now dominate the block, the development falls in a designated "Urban Village" zoned LR2, which provides flexibility regarding parking and density. Over 50 attended, and 20 signed up to speak. All were against the project and many were longtime residents near the proposed site, representitives from nearby Hope Lutheran Church and School, and other community leaders.

The DPD representatives, Bruce Rips and Geoffrey Wentlandt, seemed receptive to concerns about issues of noise, safety, and the lack of parking the complex might create, although acknowledged their hands were tied based on current zoning laws for the parcel.

information from King County

Metro and county leaders have been working for more than five years to reduce costs and achieve stable funding to preserve transit service. However, given our current finances, we have no choice but to reduce service levels to balance our budget. County Executive Dow Constantine recently sent the County Council a proposal to delete 72 bus routes and reduce or revise another 84 routes. (Learn more)

These recommended service reductions are now being reviewed by the Council, whose Transportation, Economy and Environment (TrEE) Committee will host three public hearings beginning next week:

Tuesday, May 13 @ 5:30pm – Union Station (Ruth Fisher Boardroom) 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle

Meet the 3-generation team behind the story of mischievous ghosts Ack and Zak. Burien authors Lori and Max (8 years), and Max's Grandma Sue, will be signing copies of Ack & Zak, The Adventures of Two Little Ghosts.

Meet several of the book's characters (most are Burien residents) and find out how much trouble two nice little ghosts can get into! No matter how big their trouble is, it is always resolved happily, making this an ideal early chapter book for 4-7 year olds who are ready to move beyond picture books. Book signing - 1:00 - 3:00pm. Presentation - 1:20pm. Snacks and drawing table for kids.

Location: Page 2 Books, 457 Southwest 152nd Street, Burien, WA 98166