May 2016

Information provided by BHS

Congratulations to Ballard High Jazz Band I, who participated in the 50th annual Reno Jazz Festival on April 28th through 30th, bringing home a 4th place award in the ‘A’ Division for bands. The band was scored with Superior marks by adjudicators. According to the festival organizers, “The festival acts as an inspiration, an educational stimulus and a showcase for some of the country’s most promising and talented middle school, high school and college-age musicians. These students comprise the several hundred bands, vocal groups and ensembles from the Western United States that attend and compete for coveted awards.” The Ballard musicians gained experience, technical knowledge, and individual critique at the Reno Festival. Festival experiences help musicians grow individually and collectively.

Ballard Jazz players recognized for outstanding musicianship in the band category are: Amy Gore-Tenor Sax, Alex Thiersch-Tenor Sax, Mason Lim-Flugelhorn, and Denali Cornwell-Drums.

Ballard Jazz players recognized for outstanding musicianship in the combo category are:
Combo I: Katie Webster, Alto Sax and Kaye Gill, Bass,

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Saturday, May 7
Baseball
Eastside Catholic 3, West Seattle 2
Jamie Maples of the Wildcats struck out 11 Eastside Catholic batters, but West Seattle still came up one run short in a low-scoring game.
The Wildcats' season ended with the Metro League playoff loss.
Kennedy 13, Prairie 0
The Lancers shut down Prairie in West Central District 3A playoff action at Art Wright Field in Kent on Saturday.
Enumclaw 6, Kennedy 5
Kennedy Catholic was edged by Enumclaw later Saturday to fall into a loser-out game against North Thurston at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Heildelberg Park in Tacoma.
Sammamish 10, Highline 2
The Pirates were knocked into the loser's bracket right off the bat in the first game of the 2A West Central District tournament.
Highline 10, White River 2
Highline bounced back to beat the Hornets on Saturday evening, advancing them into another loser-out game scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Franklin Pierce High School in Parkland against Olympic.
Olympic 15, Tyee 0
The Totems were blanked by Olympic as they opened 2A West Central District tournament action Saturday.
Tyee 5, Bremerton 0

By Amanda Knox

I remember it like this: Deanna and I were relegated to the seats while the adults wakeboarded. The speedboat was fun—wind whipped our stringy hair, the bow-broken spray stung our cheeks, and the boat bounced viciously over the waves Uncle Kevin drove zigzag across the lake—but I was six-years-old, and I wanted to try.

Back on shore Mom had reluctantly agreed, so when it was my turn, Uncle Kevin idled the engine while Uncle Mickey and Aunt Christina double-checked the straps of my life vest and pulled out the kneeboard. It was as tall as I was, oval-shaped, the bottom smooth and white, the top a firm, hot pink foam molded to cradle my knees. They laid the board on the stern and showed me how to sit on it, my shins against the foam, my butt on my heels. They pulled a heavy velcro strap across my thighs and gently tipped me into the water, the buoyancy of the board tipping me almost onto my back. I wobbled into starting position—reclined backwards, the front tip of the board pointed towards the sky—and Uncle Kevin revved the engine. “Keep your head up!” they said.

By Lindsay Peyton

Looking back, West Seattle resident Merica Whitehall admits that her career path has been circuitous – but still connected.

“My trajectory seems so diverse, but it’s also so intersectional – because I feel fortunate enough in my life to lead from my heart,” she said. “No matter what, you can never let go of your passion.”

Whitehall serves as executive director of area nonprofit Nature Consortium, a grassroots organization dedicated to building community through a connection with nature and art.

Prior to assuming the post, Whitehall wore a number of hats.

She grew up in Omaha and was the first person in her family to graduate from college, earning her degree in political science.

Whitehall applied to law school – but ended up joining a performing arts group instead, Seattle-based Bakra Batá.

“I wasn’t anticipating it – it just happened,” she said.

Whitehall danced and performed music with the group – and served as a managing director -- as it traveled to theaters, universities, festivals, art fairs and children's events throughout the country.

17-year-old slain in Burien

Officers responded to multiple calls around 11 p.m. on Wed., May 4 in response to a shooting at Spring Creek Apartments, 615 S.W. Ambaum Blvd. in Burien. Callers reported hearing an argument, followed by shots and then seeing a woman lying motionless in a common hallway in one of the buildings on the property.

One caller said a black man in his late 20s, wearing a red jacket, gray sweatpants and white shoes, was seen running from the scene.

Burien deputies found a 17-year-old woman, and medics pronounced her dead upon their arrival.

The search for the suspect began, starting around the apartment complex. Detectives interviewed the callers and other possible witnesses.

Officers decided that one 17-year-old black male who had been talking to the police had probable cause and they booked the suspect into the Youth Services Center in Seattle for investigation of murder.

Car chase in Burien ends in death

Deadline for receiving Calendar items is Noon Wednesday for the following week’s Herald/News. Events are published based on timeliness and space available. Email submissions as soon as possible to: calendar@robinsonnews.com. Items can be accepted from nonprofit groups and government agencies only. Others may call Richard Sherman at 206.356.7288 for inclusion in our “Out & About” advertising column.

Chief Seattle Multi Class Reunion
Lincoln Park, Shelters #3 and #4
Fri., July 22, 3 – 10 p.m. Chief Sealth High School classes of 1969 – 1975 are sponsoring the 1st Annual “Chief Sealth High Day” at Lincoln Park! Our goal is to plan for an annual event involving all 5 shelters next year, complimentary food and fun for all Seahawks! For more information, please contact David Katt at djkatt@comcast.net or craigrobberts@bhhsnwre.com.

Alki’s First Annual Luau
Alki Community Center
5817 S.W. Stevens St.
206.684.7430

With the recent announcement of reopening the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the King County Water Taxi will continue additional parking options at West Seattle and additional sailings on the Vashon route through the end of the day on Monday, May 9.
Regular West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi service will start Tuesday morning, May 10.
For more information regarding the Viaduct closure go to http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/99closure

King County Water Taxi
kingcounty.gov/watertaxi

Information from WS DOT

Alaskan Way Viaduct to reopen for Monday morning commute
Successful tunnel drive means an early opening for SR 99 through Seattle

After 10 days of around-the-clock tunneling, Bertha’s biggest hurdle is now behind her. That hurdle – the Alaskan Way Viaduct she was built to replace – will reopen for the Monday morning commute, bringing an early end to the much-anticipated #99closure.

Structural engineers with the Washington State Department of Transportation completed a thorough inspection of the viaduct on Sunday. Their inspection confirmed what a team of engineers observed throughout the past 10 days of tunneling: continued stability of the ground and the viaduct.

Contractor Seattle Tunnel Partners estimated that tunneling beneath the viaduct would take approximately two weeks. With the ground holding steady, and the most challenging part of the machine’s drive beneath the viaduct complete, WSDOT made the call to reopen both directions of State Route 99 through downtown.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle won in a wild way to stay alive for at least one more day in the Metro League baseball playoffs.

A bases loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth inning proved to be the difference in Friday night action at the Southwest Athletic Complex, pushing across the winning run as the Wildcats dealt rival Chief Sealth an 8-7 loss to end the Seahawks' season.

West Seattle advances to play Eastside Catholic in another loser-out contest at 12 p.m. Saturday at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center. The winner of that game goes on to play again at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the same site.

Chief Sealth opened its playoff stay one day earlier than West Seattle, which had a first round bye.

The Seahawks posted a 5-3 victory at Ingraham on Thursday to reach Friday's battle with the Wildcats.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who died in the alleyway between Umpqua Bank and Johnny’s Ballard Shoe Services off 22nd Avenue N.W. on May 5.

They identified the man as 58-year-old Gary Oaks. Oaks died from pneumonia.

The initial call was made at 8:36 a.m. The caller reported a man down in the alley and not breathing. Police and emergency units were dispatched to the scene. Seattle Police Department reported that the man was dead on arrival. Seattle Fire Department reported that they tried emergency CPR, but it was too late.

The Ballard News-Tribune called Johnny’s Shoe Service that day, and an employee said she hadn’t seen the body, but police were outside the shop as she opened.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church volunteers said they knew of Oaks. They said he was homeless. They also said he would frequent the church for the breakfast offered on weekday mornings. The volunteers had no other details to share.