Ballard High lacrosse team marches into quarterfinals

bryanz — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:43:02 +0000

From Ballard High School

Last night, our Ballard Beavers defeated Stadium 10-5 within the hallowed confines of Tacoma’s Stadium Bowl. We meet Nathan Hale Wednesday May 29th at 5:45 PM for the right to face the winner of Richland at Garfield for the Division II Lacrosse State Championship.

The Stadium Bowl, a concrete amphitheater constructed in 1913 out of a gulch, has now hosted Presidents, victorious generals and a dominating performance by the Ballard Boys Lacrosse team.

The game was 2-1 starting the second period when the Stadium goalie attempted to clear from the crease. With his four seconds to leave the crease expiring and Ballard Attackman Josh Schwartzenberger riding, he passed instead of dodging into a run. His pass travelled three feet into Josh’s stick for a Stadium shocking goal. Moments later, middie Thomas Christensen’s speed down the topside alley left him open for a quick stick from “X” goal. By halftime Ballard had pushed the lead to 5-2.

Through scholarship, Ballard High film student helps carry on legacy

bryanz — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:10:54 +0000

When Ballard High School film program student Vann Fulfs was announced the winner of The Justin Amorratanasuchad Scholarship Fund -- more colloquially known as the JDogg Scholarship -- it was an emotional moment.

“I actually think I started crying to be honest,” he said. “… I think it was very emotional for a lot of people in the room. It’s sort of a touchy subject.”

For Fulfs, it was a moment that meant his ability to attend all four years of college was assured. Fulfs said he and his family were unsure whether he would be able to finish college with the money they had.

But what made him emotional was the story behind the JDogg scholarship. It was created by two proud parents in memory of their son, Justin “JDogg” Ammorratanasuchad,” a former Ballard High School video production student and a junior at Emerson University who had won several accolades and the hearts of his friends and teachers.

At Large in Ballard: I choose scissors

bryanz — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:15:57 +0000

I do not have fine motor skills. I cannot cut a snowflake out of paper, even using a pattern. I abuse scissors by cutting inappropriate materials or opening wooden crates. But from when I saw the first poster for the Nordic Heritage Museum’s “Scissors for a Brush” exhibit I was like a fly in a paper web.

On March 21, I limped home from back to back days of draining events. It was 4 p.m. and my goal was collapse … until a friend’s email referenced the opening night reception for the first ever U.S. exhibit of Karen Bit Vejle’s paper cuttings. “How do I get an invite?” I queried.

“Members only,” she replied. “You’d have to join quickly.” By the time Martin got home at 5 p.m. I had purchased a family membership to the Nordic Heritage Museum online. Ignore the fact that I’ve lived within blocks since 1988.

“We’re going to a reception for a new exhibit,” I informed him. “We need to leave in 45 minutes.” I made it clear that comparing hardships of our respective days would be futile.

Teenagers recreate Fight Club at Golden Gardens, are broken up by police

bryanz — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:34:29 +0000

Apparently a bunch of teenagers decided to make like Edward Norton in the movie Fight Club and start their own real-life Ballard-based version. As you can imagine, police were not pleased. SPD's Jonah Spangenthal-Lee writes a compelling (read: sarcastic) report ripe with allusions to the movie. The original title? "The First Rule of Fight Club Is: Don't Join Fight Club." Read it below.

Seattle police broke up a teenage “fight club” at Golden Gardens over the weekend, proving once again that teenagers just aren’t ready for R-rated movies.

Officers working an emphasis patrol in Golden Gardens pulled into the park’s upper parking lot just after midnight and spotted a crowd of about 40 juveniles cheering on a group of two or three people fighting (although, spoiler alert, it might’ve been one person fighting themselves).

Once officers flashed their lights and sounded their siren at the group, the crowd scattered into the woods, leaving behind garbage, beer bottles, and several cars.

Ballard High student awarded with leadership scholarship

bryanz — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:48:26 +0000

From the Comcast Foundation

Anna L. Cechony, a senior at Ballard High School, is among the 90 recipients of the Comcast Foundation’s annual Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program awards in Washington State, the Comcast Foundation has announced.

Among Cechony’s past and present achievements: a vice president in student government and president of the Student Lives Always Matter Club and volunteer for Link Crew and Inspiring Girls Now Into Technology Evolution Club. She received a Varsity Letter for swim and dive and was Boys Swim Team manager. She has received several academic and community service honors including Trevor Simpson "Lifesaver" Award for Youth Suicide Prevention. At the time the school nominated her for the scholarship, Cechony was planning to study chemistry at Scripps College in Claremont, Calif.

You are What You Eat: Spice up your life with flavors from around the world

bryanz — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:23:49 +0000

By Katy Wilkens, MS, RD

I like to think I am an adventurous cook. Then someone gave me a huge, restaurant-sized container of Chinese five-spice powder. I must admit, I was stumped for a while, but there is nothing like a challenge to bring out some tasty and low-salt recipes.

Five-spice powder is a staple in Chinese cooking. It’s used to season duck, chicken and sometimes fish. You can easily make your own powder to season chicken – see the recipes below.

Another spice mix I have been experimenting with is from the Middle East. Like five-spice, it’s an ancient seasoning. Called Za'atar, it is a mix of thyme, dried sumac, sesame seed and, often, salt.