May 2017

The shooting that took the life of a 23 year old man on Alki is part of a pattern of shootings in Seattle with an increase of nearly 17 percent over last year. District 1 City Council Member Lisa Herbold addressed the problem in a meeting of the Gender Equity, Safe Communities and New American's committee meeting on May 26. Part of that meeting was taken up by a presentation by the Seattle Police Dept. response to gun violence (see the presentation at the link). Herbold attended to express her concern about what she sees as what has become chronic gun activity in Delridge and South Park. Herbold in summarizing what was discussed said.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

It was the Highline Public Schools 6th Annual Scholar-Athlete, Coach and Community Recognition Banquet, and the last with Terri McMahan leading the way in her capacity as district athletic director.

McMahan used her impending retirement as a reason to honor those above her in the district, such as superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield.

"Some say it's self serving to honor people above you, but because I'm not coming back, I'm going to," McMahan told Tuesday's gathering at Mount Rainier High School.

Master of ceremonies Dick Fain, a Mount Rainier graduate who is now a KJR-Radio sports personality and has been the voice of the Seattle Storm for six years, chose to honor McMahan.

"Thank you for all of your time," he told her from behind the microphone.

The banquet was mostly about honoring top scholar-athletes from the Highline School District's four high schools, along with coaches of the year from each school including the four middle schools.

By Marjorie Young

The news was grim, as is so often the case these days. A suicide bomber had attacked a sold-out Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. As a pop star with a huge following among teens and tweens, it was inevitable there would be very young victims among those injured or killed.

The aftermath of such events are manifold of course. But one certainty is that devastating and unrestrained guilt is bound to emerge. The bitter irony is that it will not be visited upon those responsible for the outrage, but rather the innocent who have no hand in what occurred. Certainly Ariana Grande will know a crushing sense of responsibility, thinking ‘my fans wouldn’t have been in harm’s way if they hadn’t come to see me.’ Indeed, the rest of her European tour has been suspended. And without question, parents are now agonizing over permitting their kids to attend the ill-fated concert. One distrait mother, whose fifteen-year-old daughter was among the missing, vowed that if she comes home, she’ll never, ever let her out of her sight again.

information from City of Seattle

Mayor Ed Murray announced an investment of $1,182,400 to support 28 community-initiated projects across the City. The awards are from the Neighborhood Matching Fund’s Community Partnership Fund which provides awards of up to $100,000 to community organizations committed to fostering and building our community. The awards range from $10,500 to $100,000 with the 28 organizations pledging a total of $1,729,494 in community match resources of locally raised money, donated materials, in-kind professional services and volunteer hours.

“Through the Neighborhood Matching Fund, the City helps to support the efforts of the many community members whose creativity and hard work make this a more vibrant, interesting, and inclusive city for everyone,” said Mayor Murray. “From providing free classical concerts to creating a youth fitness challenge to celebrating the rich heritage of ethnic communities – our community members can use this fund to make their ideas come alive, and we are all richer for it.”

The annual Taste of West Seattle, a benefit event that helps support the programs for West Seattle Helpline blew past last year's total raised of $63,000 by raising $70,000 and still counting.

The Taste of West Seattle is a local, community-based food fair and is the largest event of its kind in West Seattle. This year's Taste featured food and drink from 40 different restaurants, breweries, wineries, coffee shops, bakeries, chocolatiers, and more-all from right here in West Seattle.

The winners of the event voted on by those attending were:
Best Sweet 2017: Stuffed Cakes
Best Pour 2017: The Westy
Best Taste 2017: Fresh Bistro

Executive Director Chris Lengler said, "We are so grateful for the restaurants, the volunteers, our sponsors, and everyone who joined us last night for the 12th Taste of West Seattle! We raised enough funds to help more than 200 families stay safely housed while they recover from crisis. We are so lucky to be part of our wonderful West Seattle community!"

Check out the restaurant line up below:

Seattle Public Schools announced via a letter today the appointment of Brian Vance as the new principal for West Seattle High School.


Dear West Seattle High School community

I am pleased to announce that Brian Vance has been selected to be the new principal of West Seattle High School.
Mr. Vance was selected because of his vision for social-emotional learning for high school students within the Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports framework, his culture building experience as principal in several different comprehensive high schools, and his experience developing and leading work in high school advisories.
Mr. Vance has served as principal of Roosevelt High School since 2007. Under his leadership, the school has made significant progress to close achievement gaps, and established a school culture that promotes rigorous instruction for all students, and has been recognized for its academic and performing arts successes numerous times. Prior to that, Mr. Vance was the principal of the Center School from 2003-2007.

BY GERARDO BOLONG
Special to the West Seattle Herald

SPANAWAY - For everything there is a season and for Seattle Christian the 2017 girls fastpitch softball season finally ended with an 8-3 defeat at the hands of Coupeville on Sat., May 20, at Sprinker Field No. 4 in a loser-out game of West Central District III.

The Warriors started energetically, exuding optimism.

After catcher Kelli Ronish threw a runner out at second base to help stifle a Wolves first inning threat she led off the SC home half with a ground single to right field. Eventually reaching third base on a sequence of a wild pitch and Madisen Fors' ground out, Ronish easily scored by on a Carlee Ronish foul out to the right fielder.

In the second inning, Seattle Christian attacked with one out. Hannah Glynn shot a single up the middle with freshman Taylor Hegland following up on her own one-baser. Another SC freshman ,Kelsey Wieland, sliced an opposite field RBI single to left field before advancing to second base on the throw in. Junior Madisen Fors delivered a run on her single as SC led 3-0.

On Friday, May 26, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will lower the speed limit on on Harbor Ave SW in West Seattle (and Boyer Ave E in the Montlake neighborhood) as part of the city’s Vision Zero plan to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets by 2030. Lower speeds improve safety for everyone, especially people walking and biking.

On Harbor Ave SW, the speed limit will drop from 35 to 30 MPH. On Boyer Ave E, SDOT will reduce the speed limit from 30 to 25 MPH to complement physical design changes put in place last year.

“At the end of the day people expect to get home safely to their families, and as a transportation agency, that’s at the heart of what we do,” said SDOT Director Scott Kubly. “We know that lower speed limits are a key way to improve safety for everyone.”

In West Seattle, Harbor Ave SW provides access to residences, businesses, Alki Beach, and parks. Harbor Ave and nearby Alki Trail draw people walking and biking year-round, especially during the warmer months, so a lower speed limit in this neighborhood will help create a more comfortable environment for all travelers.

by Rob Clay
               Celebrating their second year offering Italian recipes from "grandma's cookbook", Frank and Sue Genzale and cousin, Frank Yellam are celebrating their second year offering Italian recipes from "grandma's cookbook” after acquiring the former Filiberto's Restaurant in 2015.
                      
               Many Burien residents know the history of the Italian families who moved here decades ago. Mostly farmers, they were close and helped Pike Place Market become the Seattle icon it is today.
               Frank and Sue started Frank's Quality Produce (1973) in that market, where they sell fresh produce every day. They are also partners with Duane's Garden Patch near Glen Acres on 8th Ave S.
               Frank Yellam Jr., will tell you Frank G is the idea man. "I'm the guy behind the scenes," Yellam said. He opens each day while Frank G is at Pike Place.
Selling produce is an early morning game. A game of one-upmanship between the booth of the first seller of veggies and fruit to the last booth and who has the best display, the best quality and trust that a buyer will come back the next week too.

Visiting the Ballard Lock one might not think that over 100 years ago the first boat passed through and July 4 marks that day.

The SS Roosevelt was the first vessel to pass through the locks, leading a procession of commercial and pleasure crafts through the Lake Washington ship canal from Puget Sound to Lake Washington.

To commemorate the event, this July 9 there will be a recreation of the parade featuring historic vessels, starting in Salmon Bay and ending in Lake Union.

For more information visit makingthecut100.org/event/boat-parade/