January 2015

information from Seattle Department of Neighborhoods

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ popular Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) announces its funding opportunities for 2015. All three of its funds – Small Sparks, Small and Simple Projects Fund, and the Large Projects Fund – support the efforts of community members as they work on projects to build stronger neighborhoods and communities. More than 5000 projects have occurred across the city since this program began 27 years ago.

The Small Sparks Fund which provides awards of up to $1,000 per project accepts applications year-round. This is great funding opportunity for implementing small community projects as well as supporting activities such as Neighbor Appreciation Day, Night Out, Earth Day, and others.

On New Year's Eve, people peppered the beach at Golden Gardens to bid farewell to 2014 and welcome 2015.

People came from all over Seattle to be near the open maw of Shilshole Bay to view the very last moments of a year as the sun languidly drifted behind far off peaks.

The beach was almost barren aside from a few groups of people around burning pits. They sipped cocoa or beer, and burned Christmas trees. Fires blasted from the beach like phoenix-rivers on Mercury, deluging in streams of flames far up into the dusk air. The dried evergreens crackled and shrunk, contorted in the blaze. The heat left faces tight as drums as the flames dimmed and the cool twilight etched back over them. Glowing embers floated like fire-blossoms above spectator’s heads.

Pale, brittle trees were piled around the pits keeping the procession of light well into the night. People jeered and kept up their laughing and erupted praise as yet another Noble Fir was planted on the heap.

Watching the brilliant light take the evergreen, one could not help but think of the astronomer Giordano Bruno or Joan of Arch at the stake before the crowd, before the infinite.

Herbs House (716 NW 65th St), Ballard’s first recreational cannabis shop, will be opening in early January, providing a much anticipated recreational store on the north side of Seattle.

Herbs House has been serving medical cannabis patients for almost two years, and co-owner, Sharon Jacobson, is excited for the shift to a recreational store.

“I am ecstatic; I’m totally excited to open one of the 21 shops in Seattle. It’s a dream come true. I am finally seeing all the hard work come to fruition. It’s amazing, “ said Jacobson.

Jacobson said that they still have some inspections from the State and that their opening will hinge on how soon the State inspectors approve her shop and issue her a license.

When they do open, Jacobson said that she plans on still providing the highest quality ghanja and will use some products from medical cannabis growers she has already been working with — that is, the ones that have State licenses.

“You can pick vendors, but they have to be compliant with sate regulations. I am trying to carry higher quality product rather than the cheapest I can find.”

by Tim Clinton
Sports Editor

Tuesday, Dec. 30
Boys basketball
West Seattle 54, Mountlake Terrace 47
The West Seattle Wildcats were winners in a road game Tuesday.
Bethel 84, Mt. Rainier 64
Bethel buried the Rams by 20 points Tuesday.
Cleveland 69, Highline 49
The Pirates also lost a 20-point game Tuesday night.
Napavine 74, Shorewood Christian 43
Shorewood Christian came up short in action east of the Cascades.

Girls basketball
Kamiak 49, Foster 23
The Bulldogs' lost in tournament action at Juanita this past Tuesday.
Interlake 48, Highline 32
Interlake posted a win over the Pirates on Tuesday.
Spanaway Lake 53, Mt. Rainier 41
Spanaway Lake got the best of the Lady Rams in Tuesday action.

Monday, Dec. 29
Girls basketball
Cascade 62, Foster 28
Foster fell to Cascade in a Juanita tournament game this past Monday.

West Seattle Little League has opened spring registration for a variety of league options.

Here's the link:

https://leagueathletics.com/Registration/Default.asp?org=westseattlelit…

Applicants can apply for T-Ball, Coach Pitch, 2015 AA/Rookie League (age 8), 2015 Minor League (ages 9-10), 2015 Major League (ages 11-12), 2015 50/70 (age 13) Intermediate, 2015 Juniors Division (ages 13-14).

WSLL provides an opportunity for West Seattle youth between the ages of 4 and 18, boys and girls, to participate in one of America's oldest and most esteemed youth league organizations. Every child is guaranteed playing time in every game.

All children ages 4-18 are encouraged to join West Seattle Little League. They offer teams in the following divisions:

T-ball: ages 4-6
(AA) Coach Pitch: ages 6-7
(AAA) Rookies: age 8
Minors: ages 9-10
Majors: ages 11-12
50/70 Intermediate: age 13
Juniors: ages 13-14
Seniors: ages 15-16
Big League: ages 16-18

By Gwen Davis

UPDATE: The appeal hearing date has been rescheduled for Feb. 2.

Nearly five months ago the demolition project at the Arbor Heights Elementary School site took off. From its conception, not everyone was happy with the plans. Two appeals were filed earlier this year, which were ultimately rejected.
 
However, a third appeal is now pending, filed in Nov. by four residents, including Chris Jackins who initiated the former two appeals. A hearing will take place on Jan. 13 at the chambers of the hearing examiner.
 
The appeal mainly concerns the fate of two Douglas firs, located at the edge of the construction site, as well as four zoning exceptions that were previously granted.

Appeal document highlights

The appeal document information begins: “Our group is concerned about preserving historic schools, and providing a good environment for education and neighborhoods; we include taxpayers of the Seattle School District, the City of Seattle and the State of Washington; we include alumni, parents, and guardians of children of the Seattle School District…”
 

The annual Alki Beach Polar Bear Plunge was begun at 10am sharp as organizer Mark Ufkes counted down on his bullhorn to the hundreds of barely clothed participants.
Choosing to remain full clothed however were the Amateur Softball Association umpires who plunged into the 46 degree water believe it or not to stay warm since the air temperature was 31 degrees, despite the sunny day.

It was, as always, a VERY brief event with most dashing into and out of the water in less than 30 seconds. Still some hardy souls chose to go for the full immersion treatment, or were pushed to do so.

After the cold came the hot in the form of free chowder provided by Dukes Chowder house across the street from the plunge site.

Offices said that 2015 is "year of the sheep... a year of nurturing, encouragement and positive nature."

With more than 200 separate spots set up to fire off a blazing display, the Space Needle put on it's most spectacular New Years show yet as people all around West Seattle crowded area viewpoints for a look.

Hamilton Viewpoint in North Admiral was especially crowded as people essentially ignored all parking laws and just left their cars in the street to see the display.

Others set off fireworks of their own to welcome the new year.