May 2015

The Taste of West Seattle, a gathering of the best restaurants on the peninsula and beyond broke all fundraising records on May 21 by raising over $53,000. That's the highest fundraising total ever for the Taste of West Seattle.

The annual event is sponsored by local West Seattle businesses covering all the expenses. That means that every dollar of ticket and raffle sales go directly to supporting West Seattle Helpline's programs helping neighbors in need.

The award winners for the evening included Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes catering who won "Best Taste" (food), Stuft Cakes who won "Best Sweet" (desserts) and Viscon Cellars who won "Best Pour" (wine, beer, or cider).

Over 500 people attended the event, which sold out for the third consecutive year. The latter half of the night involved full-throated sing-a-longs with piano performer, Derrick Richards, to classic songs like Piano Man, Wonderwall, and Free Bird.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle fell to Lake Washington, 3-2, in a Sea-King District 2 tournament semifinal Thursday to fall into Friday's game for third and fourth place.

The Wildcats will meet Ballard at 5 p.m. at the Southwest Athletic Complex located near Chief Sealth High School, with both teams still advancing to next week's state tournament.

It will be a rematch of last week's Metro League tournament title game, which was won by Ballard by a 3-1 score.

West Seattle won a three-way playoff with Bainbridge and Ballard for a Seamount League division title previously.

Ballard was beaten by Bainbridge, 8-0, Thursday to fall into Friday's rematch with the Wildcats.
Lake Washington and Bainbridge are playing for the Sea-King District 2 title at 7 p.m. Friday, also at the SWAC.

The fate of the West Seattle Health Club (also known as All Star Fitness and later as West Seattle Athletic Club) has been up in the air seemingly for years with a succession of owners who could never seem to make it work. The legal issues that followed those business problems dragged on so long people thought the facility might close forever.

But that's not the case. In fact now, after a million dollar makeover, the massive athletic complex is not only back but is built for the future and focused on building strong bridges with the community.

The building owner, John Pietromonaco is also now the owner of the business and has assembled a team of industry professionals to run it. At the top is operations VP Dan Lehr who said that the investment in new equipment and facility improvements and repair has been major. Lear has been in the industry for more than 25 years.

Update 5/28/15
Confusion with the Washington State Liquor Control Board and their understanding the status of the re-opening of West Seattle Brewing Company has led to a delay in the opening date. Originally set to open June 1, the new date is June 5. They will still open at 5:30am to introduce the new coffee and breakfast service to West Seattle. Additionally owner Drew Locke, in sympathy for all those who have waited patiently for the business to re-open said, "I understand it's a bit of a disappointment and it is for us too. So to make it better for everyone, on June 5 it will be Happy Hour all day with $1 off all beers and $2 off all wine. Thanks to everyone for their understanding and patience. We can't wait to get going."

Original Post 5/21/15

By Ed Shepherd
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Intense action, screaming fans, and a win in the first round of the 3A state championship tournament all made for a nice bit of fun for Kennedy Catholic. The Lancers beat the Shorewood Thunderbirds, 1-0, at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila Tuesday.

The No. 10 state-ranked Lancers take their 12-2-4 Seamount championship honors on the road for their next state game, a quarterfinal match-up against No. 2 ranked Interlake (13-2-1), a Bellevue-area school, while the Thunderbirds of the North Seattle 3A Wesco division had their season end at 13-5-2.

"We knew what we were coming up against in Shorewood, played them in the preseason, they scored on a PK (penalty kick) in the last couple minutes to tie us, 1-1," said Teddy Mitalas, Lancers head boys soccer coach. "They're a good team. This was a good game tonight. Both teams played hard. Could have went either way."

More than 1400 teachers, staff and parents in the Highline School District took to street corners all over the area from White Center to Burien to stage a one-day strike Thursday, May 21, to protest the Legislature’s failure to fully fund smaller K-12 class sizes in every grade level and professional pay and benefits for educators.

Picketing began in the morning with a rally at Moshier Park (430 S 156th St) set for the afternoon. Teachers in Moses Lake and the Tri-Cities also are walking out Thursday. Educators in more than 60 Washington school districts have approved one-day walkouts against the Legislature. The Highline Education Association has 1,375 members.

Here are the Highline picket locations:

Site 1: SW 107th & 16th Ave SW - Mount View, Beverly Park, White Center Heights, Shorewood
Site 2: SW 128th St. and 1st Ave. S - Hazel Valley, Southern Heights, New Start, Aviation, Cascade, Evergreen Campus
Site 3: SW 148th St. and 1st Ave. S – *North Disability Site - Hilltop, Cedarhurst, Seahurst, Special Services, Substitutes

Burien, WA– Highline Public Schools is seeking feedback from families of Highline students through an online Parent and Family Climate Survey. All families are encouraged to participate in the survey which asks questions on topics ranging from academic preparation to student support to safety and behavior.

District and school leaders want to know how parents and families view Highline schools, programs, and services. This will help Highline make changes to improve schools and better support students.

“We want to work together with you to build an excellent education system where every student is known by name, strength, and need,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “Every family's voice is important. These conversations will help us learn how to make our schools better.”

The online survey is easy to access and provides a convenient way to share input and ideas. Parents and families who have provided their student's school with an email address will receive an email invitation to participate. The survey is also posted on the YourVoice section of the district’s website.

By Peggy Sturdivant

It is not my imagination that the month of May, especially in Ballard, explodes with too many activities. The grand finale combination of flowering bushes and Syttende Mai is stressful enough in Ballard; the addition of boomtown construction equals relentless.

My car resembles a book mobile as I collect for the Literacy Council of Seattle book sale on June 6th. It’s also a traveling road show as I tote banners, tri-folds (and soon a wheelbarrow for the parade) as Seattle Green Spaces Coalition member. By the front door is a stack of egg cartons to deliver along with ten pounds of organic butter to a neighbor. The heirloom tomatoes that I bought at last week’s Abundant Greens sale still need to be planted.

West Seattle resident and activist Amanda Kay Helmick has dropped out of the race for Seattle City Council District 1, falling 9 signatures short of getting public signatures in lieu of a filing fee.

In a press release today she said:
"Exactly 7 months after announcing her candidacy for Seattle City Council in District 1, Amanda Kay Helmick has ended her grassroots campaign. Her steadfast choice to gather signatures in lieu of the filing fee was successful in getting 1318 people to sign for her, but fell 9 signatures short.

“I am disappointed in the process and outcome. The last several days of comparing the King County Elections list to the petitions, and speaking to individual signers, has been alarming. Invalid voters on the list had no idea their right to vote is in question. There is room for obvious improvements, and I hope King County Elections is working diligently to rectify the situation. I want to thank everyone who signed and helped me in my bid for inclusion on the ballot. Ultimately, the support I needed was not there.”

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle wrapped up a state Class 3A fastpitch softball tournament berth by burying Bellevue, 7-2, Tuesday evening.

The win in the Wildcats' first game of the Sea-King District 2 tournament gives them at least a fourth place finish in the tournament and the top five finishers advance to state May 29-30.
West Seattle will play in the Sea-King semifinals at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Southwest Athletic Complex located near Chief Sealth High School.

A win would advance the Wildcats into the 7 p.m. championship at the same location Friday, while a loss would drop them into the game for third and fourth place at 5 p.m. Friday at the SWAC.

West Seattle came into the tournament as the No. 2 seed out of the Seamount League tournament, while Bellevue came in as the Kingco No. 3 team and had to win a loser-out game against Holy Names on Monday. Bellevue won that game, 15-0.

West Seattle received a bye past that round.

Juanita 9, Chief Sealth 0

Chief Sealth's season ended with Monday's loser-out opening round loss against the Rebels.