February 2017

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By Amanda Knox
 
This week Chris and I learned the shim sham. Without getting technical, I’d describe it as a social line dance combining tap-style stomping, gliding, kicking, wiggle-walking, and swagger. The shim sham is what our instructors Mark and Katie K. call the seventh inning stretch of every social dance—at least on swing nights at the Century Ballroom. It’s the one time we shed our roles as leader or follower and synchronize instead with the whole room full of other individual dancers.
 
You can feel the difference. Your mind shifts from honing in on your partner to honing in on both yourself and the entire group, from “couple” to “individual + collective.” So, though I adore partner dancing, I was excited to finally also participate in the shim sham, for the same reason that I love participating in a choir or a theatre chorus or a flash mob. It’s magical when individuals come together and the resulting organism is greater than the sum of its parts—like a flock of birds.
 

By Lindsay Peyton

White Center resident Mariah Kmitta never pictured herself working as a chef – even though she had been building a resume in restaurant kitchens since she was a teenager.

Still, she is pleased that her path led her to where she is today – standing in the kitchen alongside Hajime Sato, owner of West Seattle’s famed sustainable sushi destination Mashiko.

Originally from California, Kmitta moved to Seattle with her family when she was 7 years old.

They settled in Burien and Kmitta’s first job was in a neighborhood sandwich shop, followed by a pizza shop and another restaurant before she landed a gig at Salty’s.

Kmitta pursued a degree in graphic design at Western Washington University – but she continued working seasonally at Salty’s, even working as a pastry chef for a while at the waterfront bistro.

In 2000, soon after graduating college, Kmitta spoke to a friend who had recently been hired at Mashiko.

“She called and asked me to help out for a couple of weeks, and I thought it would be fun,” Kmitta said.

By Pat Cashman

I sat in the general manger’s cluttered office nervously wringing my hands---my first-ever job interview was underway. There was an opening for a spot on the assembly line at my hometown’s major builder of mobile homes---and I was vying for it.

“Do you have any experience?” asked the G.M.

“Of course I had experience,” I thought, but did not speak. “Everyone has experience of some kind.” But I knew what he meant: Carpentry experience. I nodded vaguely, hoping that would be enough of an answer.
“Let me be more specific,” he said. “Have you ever used a power saw?” I thought about fibbing---and even bent my index finger down and under so that it appeared I might be missing part of it. But I finally answered truthfully, “Not really. But I’m a quick learner.” What was I going to say: “I’m a slow learner?”
“Never mind,” said the boss gruffly. “We can teach you what you need to know, But what we really insist upon around here is that you follow the rules.”

“What are the rules?” I asked helpfully.

Stabbing in the street

Police were dispatched to the 4700 block of California Ave SW for a report of a stabbing incident around 5 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. The victim was a 16-year old female. Officers found the teen sitting on the ground near SW Alaska, with blood on her shoulder and face. The Seattle Fire Department arrived and placed her in a medic unit to transport her to the hospital. The suspect was a 40 year-old woman, who is missing her front teeth. The incident began when the suspect’s boyfriend gave the victim a hug. The suspect became angry and stabbed the victim with a knife. The boyfriend was able to stop her and calm her down. Then, they both fled the scene, heading south. Officers searched the area but were unable to find the couple.

Barroom brawl

By Gerardo Bolong
Contributing Sports Correspondent

TACOMA - After dropping a 41-35 1A West Central District III basketball game to Vashon Island, Seattle Christian boys basketball head coach MIcheal Watts was searching for a way to make his team more offensive to its foes.

Taking a cue from the Warrior girls district champions, Watts incorporated the quick passing, ball movement tactics into the boys repertoire, resulting in much improved results.

On Sat., Feb. 18, at Bellarmine Prep High School, the offense was a prime mover in a winner-to-regional, loser-out 47-40 win against the Olympic League regular season champion Port Townsend Redhawks. Seattle Christian (13-10) will face Cascade Christian for the third time this season on Feb. 24 or Feb. 25 in a nearby regional site at time to be determined.

"We added the offense the girls played in a long, four-hour practice," he said. "The ball movement also got us more rebounds for more chances at the basket."

Other than a third quarter plagued by turnovers, SC executed the strategy well."
Ball movement manifested itself in Warrior resumption of strategy and renewed ball protection.

By Gerardo Bolong
Contributing Sports Correspondent

It was an accomplishment befitting the monumental effort.

Seattle Christian worked its way back from ground zero with stifling defense to shock Nisqually 1A girls regular season champion Bellevue Christian 36-34 in the West Central District III title game at Bellarmine Prep High School on Thurs,, Feb. 16.

This emotional victory qualified the Warriors to a Feb. 24 or 25 regional winner-to-state battle against Columbia (Burbank)at a time and location to be determined.In addition to avenging two regular season losses to the perennially powerful Vikings, the Warriors stopped their frustration against BC following six years and 13 consecutive losses to their Eastside opponents.

According to Alex Ellis who scored seven points to go along with six rebounds, it was a true effort of the collective."It was tight," she said. "We put our hearts and souls into it and guarded every player. Taking care of the ball was better."

The West Seattle Community Orchestra, led by James Pham Conductor, will present their Spring Celebration concert at Chief Sealth International High School March 10 at 7:30pm.

The concert will feature Quinton Morris, violinist performing Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major.

Program:

• Mozart - Violin Concerto No. 3 G Major
• Verdi - Triumphal March from Aida
• Strauss Jr. - Emperor Waltzes
• Glazunov - Overture Solenelle

Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted.

Chief Sealth is located at 2600 SW Thistle Street. For more information visit WSCOrchestra.org

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle reigns as the Sea-King District girls basketball tournament champions after sinking Mercer Island by a 58-50 score at Bellevue College Saturday night.

The Wildcats grabbed the No. 1 seed into this coming week's state regional action after coming into district as the Metro League No. 2 seed behind Blanchet.

This time Blanchet was knocked off by Mercer Island in a district semifinal as West Seattle beat Bellevue.
The Wildcats opened district action with a win over Garfield.

West Seattle is gunning for an appearance in the state Class 3A tournament to be held March 1-4 in the Tacoma Dome.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Seattle Lutheran snagged the Class 2B Tri-District's second and final seed to state regionals with a 64-42 victory over Friday Harbor.

Saturday's clash took place at Sedro Woolley High School.

It came on the heels of a 60-51 championship loss to Orcas Island on Thursday that dropped the Saints into the do-or-die situation.