May 2014

The annual charity roundup for a variety of area organizations, Give Big is taking place May 6 and in White Center several restaurants will host Dine Out for Hunger events by donating a portion of their proceeds to the White Center Food Bank. You can be part of the event by supping on burgers at Zippy’s, pizza at Proletariat, dinner and drinks at Company, ice cream at Full Tilt, or pub fare at Mac’s Triangle Pub. Look for White Center Food Bank signs at these locations.

Each online donation made to the White Center Emergency Food Association (also known as the White Center Food Bank) using the Seattle Foundation GiveBIG link between midnight and midnight (Pacific Daylight Time) on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, will receive a prorated portion of the matching funds (or "stretch") pool. The amount of the "stretch" depends on the size of the stretch pool and how much is raised in total donations on GiveBIG day. As long as you have an internet connection (or access to the internet on your mobile phone), you can participate using this link on May 6.

U.S. Women’s National Team legend Michelle Akers will visit the Washington Youth Soccer State Cup weekend May 10-11 at Starfire Sports. Akers, a Washington native named by FIFA as the Female Player of the Century, captured two FIFA World Cup championships and an Olympic gold medal during her illustrious career. Akers has resided in Georgia since her retirement, and is looking to return to the Washington soccer community and help motivate and inspire today’s young soccer players.

Akers will hang the championship and silver medals for the Under-15 through Under-18 Girls State Championship and Challenge Cup finals, be available for two autograph sessions and a media session, host a youth clinic with Seattle Sounders Women and speak during an open seminar to Washington Youth Soccer players, parents, coaches, referees and administrators. The full schedule of events can be found below.

By Gerardo Bolong

COVINGTON - It was a May Day alert for the Mt. Rainier girls tennis team on Wednesday as it attempted to clinch the SPSL 4A regular season championship at second place Kentwood.

In long and grueling matches punctuated by 85 degree heat, the home standing Conquerors earned a 4-1 team win to tie the Rams for first place at 8-1 with one league match remaining. This was a reversal of results from Mt. Rainier's earlier 3-2 win in Des Moines.

"It was a tough match," said Ram head coach Tim Lee. "The girls played well and we came close to pulling it off. Last time, we got a doubles win. This time, we just didn't quite get it."

All five matches started at the same time with Kentwood's Megan Charlton and Michelle Batin stroking by the pairing of Kristina Stevanovic and Svetlana Avanesyan, 6-1, 6-1, in No.1 doubles.

Mt. rainier was situated on a slipper slope after Kathryn Araki and Christina Cheung defeated Alex Boyle and Karissa Pallagi, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 2 doubles.

Pramila Jayapal and Ron Sims, the co-chairs of Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s police chief Search Committee, announced today the three finalists the committee will forward to the mayor for his consideration.

The three finalists are:

· Robert Lehner, Chief of Police, City of Elk Grove, California

· Frank Milstead, Chief of Police, City of Mesa, Arizona

· Kathleen O’Toole, former Police Commissioner, City of Boston

WHO: Ron Sims and Pramila Jayapal, co-chairs of the Seattle Police Chief search committee

WHEN: Today, May 2, 2014, noon

WHERE: Norm B. Rice Room, Seattle City Hall, seventh floor
600 Fourth Ave, Seattle

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) had planned to close NW Market Street/N 46th Street from Third Avenue Northwest to Phinney Avenue the next two weekends while department crews replace worn concrete panels in the roadway. The closures for this weekend are now canceled due to an unfavorable weather forecast.

By Tim Clifford

As the sun was setting on May 1st and the May Day demonstrations were getting into full swing in downtown Seattle, a demonstration of a different, quieter kind was being held on the corner of S.W. Barton St. and 16th Ave. S.W. Family, friends and neighbors gathered with candles to hold a vigil for Stephen Jeffries, the man who was murdered on that very same street on New Year’s Eve.

Green, blue and white balloons and signs with Jeffries’s face and the motto “No justice, no peace” adorned a nearby fence while revelers wore green and blue bands on their wrists, a nod to Jeffries’s love for the Seahawks. Organized by Jeffries’s oldest daughter, Denise, this was the second gathering in the pursuit for answers this week along with a fundraiser that was held at the Puerto Vallarta restaurant on Apr.26. “It was a really, really good turnout…we raised about $2000 in just under two hours” said Denise of the results last Saturday’s fundraiser.

Burien Nursing and Rehabilitation Center announced today that it has been honored by the American Health Care Association for its work to safely reduce hospital readmissions, increase staff stability and safely reduce the off-label use of antipsychotic drugs. Led by Leonard Russ who is widely recognized as a leading expert and spokesman in the field of long term care, the American Health Care Association is the largest association of long term and post-acute care providers. AHCA advocates for quality care and services for frail, elderly, and disabled Americans.

“AHCA commends you and your staff’s proven commitment to quality, demonstrated by your attainment of the Quality Initiative goals. Your accomplishment means improving the lives of the individuals you serve, which is what the Quality Initiative is ultimately about.” Dr. David Gifford, MD, MPH AHCA Senior Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs

The Highline Historical Society’s online auction is officially open – from now through May 3 at 7 PM, shoppers can browse through a virtual storehouse of inspired merchandise and fun experiences from the convenience of their own homes. With springtime celebrations looming on the calendar, there are many gift ideas here that would be perfect for moms, dads, and grads: hot air balloon rides, resort stays, restaurant gift certificates, a Russell Wilson autographed football and a vintage slot machine, and much more.

Proceeds from the auction will be used to defray administrative costs for the Society’s capital campaign to build a museum for Highline. To access the auction and learn more about the Highline Historical Society, go to www.highlinehistory.org and click on the blue “online auction” button.

Artists United is presenting its annual Juried Art Show at the
new Burien Arts Gallery in May.

The gallery is located at 826 S.W. 152 St. in Olde Burien. Hours
are Wednesday through Saturday, Noon- 6 p.m. and Sunday,
Noon- 4 p.m. The Juried Art Show will run until June 1.

The opening reception is May 1, 5-8 p.m. The opening is part of
the B-Town Beat Art Walk.