June 2016

By Amanda Knox

There has been a lot of discussion and shaming surrounding the Stanford rape case—of the defendant Brock Allen Turner, presiding Judge Persky, and the criminal justice system as a whole. It’s the digital world equivalent of a lot of loud yelling, fist shaking, and rotten fruit throwing. There has, however, been fewer discussions—or lesser, quieter sentiments perhaps—about reparations for the victim. It’s like we consider punishment and shaming as society’s first responsibility, greatest strength, and ultimately effective means of seeking justice. As important as the prosecution and sentencing process is in the defense of sexual assault victims, we shouldn’t rely so heavily on the perpetrator’s punishment to right their wrong, especially when many, if not most, cases of sexual assault can’t lead to prosecution, a guilty verdict, and sentencing at all.

What was I thinking? I’m sure that is going through a lot of minds in the Ballard households that have agreed to open their gardens and homes to the ticket-buying public over the course of the June 25-26 weekend.

Sustainable Ballard’s 8th Edible Garden Tour on Saturday, June 25 is completely separate from the Ballard Historical Society’s Classic Home Tour on Sunday, June 26th but it makes for a big weekend of opening private spaces to the public. At least 20 households are likely exhausted, resigned or excited, depending on whether they want their garden or home to appear as if it’s always ready for a photo shoot (or normal).

To me it sounds better to purchase a ticket from either commendable local organization than to be on the tour map. Luckily there’s yet another event on Sunday, June 26, that will allow all the hosts, docents and visitors to recover, the Taste of Sunset Hill from 4-6 p.m. at the Sunset Hill Community Clubhouse, free for members, $10 for others.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Little League

District 7 All-Stars
The District 7 Little League all-star baseball tournaments are set to get underway with eight games at the PacWest complex Saturday.
The two team Intermediate tournament starts at 9 a.m. between South Highline National and Seattle Central, with the second game at 9 a.m. Sunday for the championship with the if necessary game of the double elimination tournament at 6 p.m. Monday.
Juniors swing into action at 12 p.m. Saturday with South Highline National playing Renton, with the winner playing PacWest in the winner's bracket final at 12 p.m. Sunday. The loser's bracket final is at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The age 9-10 tournament has an eight-team field.
Southwest plays West Seattle at 9 a.m. Saturday, with PacWest and South Highline National meeting at 12 p.m., South Highline National and Seattle Central playing at 3 p.m. and Rainier playing Renton at 6 p.m.
Winner's games are at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and loser's games at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. that day. More loser's games follow at 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Miller named Athlete of the Year

Kennedy Catholic graduate Nikki Miller has been named as the Baden Athlete of the Year for women's golf in the NWAC as a freshman at North Idaho College.

Miller was the medalist in three of four league matches this year, and she also made the top five in three invitational tournaments and took second in the NWAC championship tournament in a playoff.

Her efforts led the Cardinal to the NWAC tournament team title.

Former professional baseball player and Atlanta Braves scout Steve Goucher will be hosting two baseball camps in the area this summer.

One of the camps for ages 8-13 runs from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. July 14-15 and the other runs from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Aug. 22-25.

Instruction is given in hitting, throwing and fielding in the annual Pro Baseball Camp.

For more information call (206) 870-6527.

SEATTLE – Despite overwhelming evidence proving the perils of distracted driving, the latest poll from PEMCO Insurance reveals that nearly half of Northwest drivers admit they illegally use their phones while driving – and a majority do it because they don’t think it’s “too dangerous.” What’s more, the worst offenders appear to be parents.

In a recent survey of Washington and Oregon residents, PEMCO found that about half of Northwest drivers (46 percent) admit to using their phone to talk or text while driving, at least on a few trips, when they know it’s against the law.
Of those who fess up to phone use, a majority (51 percent) explain that they do it because they don’t think the distraction is too dangerous in that moment. Others say they do it because they don’t think they’ll get caught.

To the editor:
Donald Trump’s political “reality show” I imagine is like looking through a prism of Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors.” Shakespeare must be looking down with amusement at this strange twist of events.

Although Trump has engaged in a unique political phenomenon, his extreme racist statements influence his supporters and manipulates the media.
The disgruntled Trump camp is fueled by his phony promises, which do nothing more than evoke hate and anger.

Trump operates from a split mind-set: fear and racism. His supporters are motivated by fear of Muslims, Mexicans, blacks and anything else that threatens their ideal of White Supremacy.

Trump’s ability to flip-flop is with the confidence in what he flops on, he is quick to change it to a suggestion. This dynamic could be a game to reduce his change to a level of consequence that he finds justifiable.
This is a serious and critical time for the Republican Party and every person in America. First off, Donald Trump is not a conservative. He is Populist Nationalist.

Works by mixed-media artist Kathy Constantine are featured in July at the Burien Arts Gallery.

Meet Kathy at the Opening Reception on Fri., July 8, 5–8 p.m. at the Gallery, located at 826 S.W. 152nd in Olde Burien. The show runs June 29 to July 30.

“My mixed-media pieces flow directly from my vivid and colorful imagination and seldom use any reference material. I often add a bit of whimsy to my pieces.” Kathy explains.

“I incorporate hand-painted and hand-formed papers; metal leaf; images that are drawn or painted on the computer; photography; mono-printing; painting; sketching; and more, as I create a piece. I build up layers as I go, adding mystery and depth to the pieces. I love the array of acrylic media available to create texture and other effects. “
Kathy’s work has been shown extensively in Port Townsend and Port Ludlow. She received a Merit award at the Northwind Arts Center Collage Show. AAUW selected two of her mixed-media pieces for a national art competition.

This Monday and Tuesday evening the King County Boundary Review Board held public hearings regarding the annexation of North Highline and White Center. The Review Board is made up of 11 members. four are appointed by the King County Executive, three appointed by the Cities of King County, three by Special Purpose Districts, and one by the Governor.

In 2009, Burien annexed a portion of North Highline, but in 2012 when Burien attempted to annex the rest of the area, voters overwhelmingly turned it down. Since then Burien has removed North Highline and White Center from its potential annexation area.

information from SDOT

Contractors replacing the bearing pads on the Fauntleroy Expressway are well over half way to finishing their work, but are now working where the bridge turns in or out of West Seattle (west of SW Avalon Way) where setting the jacks used to raise the bridge is more challenging and a slower process.

Having worked from east to west, crews up to this point have been able to set the jacks from a flat paved surface below. As the bridge crosses over Avalon, crews are forced to work from the dirt hillside below, a more challenging work environment.

Until now, crews have generally been able to replace the bearing pads on both sides of the expansion joints each night, such that motorists notice no difference when they drive the segment the next day. The work at each expansion joint now expected to take two nights, there will be a several inch differential on one side of the roadway at the joint until the bearing pad replacement on the other side of the roadway is completed the next night.

WHAT TO EXPECT: