Ballard News-Tribune | Recent Articles

Beavers basketball win one, lose one against Issaquah

amrook — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:17:41 +0000

The Beavers were on the road last night against Issaquah for their second to last game of the regular season.

The lady Beavers suffered a big loss as Issaquah outscored them 60 to 30.

Starting in the first quarter, Issaquah was strong on the offense but even better on the defense, allowing the Beavers only five points while scoring 13 themselves. This continued to the remainder of the game and at halftime, the Lady Beavers were trailing by 13 points.
Issaquah steadily build on their lead while the Beavers struggled to make a comeback.

Beverly Verduin netted eight points and Nancy MacGeorge did her part in helping the team by scoring seven points.

Currently tied with Garfield for fourth place, Ballard has one shot left to make the playoffs but only if Garfield loses their remaining two games and Ballard wins against Bothell on Saturday.

The boys basketball team played a very tight and exciting game.

Getting a four-point lead in the first quarter, the Beavers were still in the lead at halftime with a score of 40 to 35. The Beavers stayed in the lead during the third quarter but in the final quarter, Issaquah came awfully close. But Ballard stepped up the defense and won 67 to 65.

Johnny Verduin led the Ballard team in scoring with 25 points, four rebounds, two steals, and four assists.

Senior Luke Beutjer also had a good game, scoring 12 points and making five rebounds.

The boys team is in playoffs right now. If they win against Bothell on Saturday, they will be the third seed team and play at Redmond in the first playoff game next Tuesday. If they lose to Bothell they will be the fourth seed and play at Skyline on Tuesday night.

The Beavers play their last regular season games on Saturday at Bothell. Girls play at 4 p.m., boys at 5:30.

The Seattle Swagger captures thrilling win against rival Loyal Heights team

amrook — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:04:47 +0000

By Coach Rob Mathison

In a thrilling game between local competitors that saw two overtimes, clutch free throw shooting and dramatic drives to the hoop, the Seattle Swagger earned their first victory of the season last Saturday against their rival, the 13-year-old Loyal Heights Boys Basketball Team.

After jumping out to an early 5-0 lead on a steal and lay-up by Antonio Diaz-Mitchell and a long three-pointer by Josh Brown, the Swagger surrendered their lead to free throws before the two teams leap-frogged each other for most of the game.

During regulation play, Diaz-Mitchell poured in 16 points and Michael Scherrer had a key blocked shot on a layup, but their heroics were matched by sparkling drives to the basket and well-executed back-door cuts by the rival Loyal Heights team.

The Swagger were up 21-19 until two clutch free throws tied the game with 23 seconds to go, sending the crowd into a frenzy as both teams tried desperately but fruitlessly in the final seconds for a game-winning score.

Diaz-Mitchell scored four clutch points in overtime play to lead the Swagger, but it was not until Robert Mathison threaded a heavily-defended inbounds pass to a cutting Michael Johnson with 3.2 seconds to play in the second overtime that the victory was sealed, 25-23.

Just as important as the victory was the improvement shown by the Swagger in their fourth game of the season.

“We continue to come together as a team,” said assistant coach Jason Scherrer.

“We are learning how to play together, learning what each other’s strengths are and getting better and better.”

The Swagger will not have long to wait for their next test, as they play an undefeated Yesler team this Saturday at 11:45 AM at Broadview. You can read the results from that game in The Ballard News Tribune.

Norwegian reality TV show reunites Ballardite with famous Norwegian relative

amrook — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:28:58 +0000

At the end of last year, Norwegian reality TV hosts, Thomas Gullestad and Esben Selvig, traveled across America in search of Norwegian heritage for their new show, Uncle America. Specifically, they were tracking down Americans who are related to Norwegian immigrants and modern Norwegian celebrities.

And of course it was during their stop in Seattle that they found what they were looking for.

In addition to finding a cult group that still worship the Norse god Odin, the TV show producers also found a Ballardite with lineage to a very powerful Norwegian.

After months of researching the Elster family heritage, Ballard High School graduate Christoff Elster received a phone call inviting him to participate in the reality TV show.

Elster, a former Ballard High and UW Cheer Captain, and current head coach of the Co-ed UW Cheer Squad, is not shy in front of a camera and agreed to go on the adventure.

The jetlag had barely faded when the BNT spoke with Elster about his whirlwind trip to Norway and meeting his famous distant relative.

"It was very weird," Elster said. "The producers first contacted my family in June about some geneology thing but I didn't really know what it was about."

Then in late December Elster received a Saturday morning phone call asking him to participate in a Norwegian TV show. Shortly thereafter a film grew showed up to film him at a UW cheer practice and brought along a life-size cutout picture of his famous relative.

"As it turns out, I'm related to the Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg," Elster said.

Elster said he has never been interested in his distant Norwegian heritage and had never even crossed the Atlantic before.

But before he knew it, he was on a plane to Norway, accompanied by his brother Gavin, to meet their distant Norwegian relative, Prime Minister Stoltenberg.

"The whole trip was very quick," Elster said. "I was gone for only four days and [the prime was super busy so we met for maybe five minutes."

Elster said finding a relative to the Norwegian prime minister was a big deal for the production company.

"Most of the show is about the search for us and about Norwegian-American geneology but also to feature the unusual, quirky things to do in each city," Elster said. "Being able to do a meeting with the prime minister really was the icing on the cake for them."

The show will air only in Norway and Elster said he didn't even have time to pose for a picture with Stoltenberg.

"Overall it was kind of a fun experience," said Elster.

Police Blotter: Drive-by shooting suspect arrested; burglars caught on tape and arrested

amrook — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:49:55 +0000

By Cassandra Baker, Intern

4:45 a.m. on February 1st. 34th block of Evanston Ave N

Two suspects were arrested for burglarizing a construction site on the morning of February 1st. An alarm company called Seattle Police at 4:45 a.m. to report that their video feed showed two suspects burglarizing an office at the construction site. The responding officer found the two adult male suspects leaving the area and detained them until the alarm company representative made a positive identification.

Officers later determined the description of the suspects’ vehicle. During an area search they found the vehicle with stolen property inside, and the vehicle was impounded. One of the suspects has a history of property crimes. The suspects were later booked in King County Jail on burglary charges.

4:30 a.m. on February 1st. 43rd block of 5th Ave NW

Several people reported hearing 6-8 gunshots during a drive-by shooting in a Ballard neighborhood on the morning of February 1st. When police responded to the scene, one of the callers gave them a description of the suspected vehicle and its driver. The witness said he had seen the same vehicle and driver in the area a few days ago.

The responding officer found multiple bullet holes in a car parked in front of the witness’s address and recovered bullets and shell casings. There was no damage to any residences, and no one was injured in the shooting.

Police determined the address of the man who owned the suspicious vehicle, and they found the car sitting in front of the suspect’s residence with a shell casing visible inside. Another vehicle left the house during the surveillance, and officers stopped it. The driver was a male matching the description of the suspect. He was positively identified by the witness and then booked into King County Jail on charges of drive-by shooting.

Volunteer Naturalist Program looking for people to share love and knowledge of urban nature

amrook — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:07:54 +0000

Seattle Parks and Recreation is looking for candidates for the 2012 Seattle Volunteer Naturalist program. The perfect candidates for the program are people who love sharing nature with others and would like to learn more about the flora and fauna of Seattle’s many public green spaces and parks.

As a volunteer naturalists, people will participate in 10 weeks of training and commit to providing 12 programs a year at Environmental Learning Centers and in parklands near schools throughout Seattle.

Volunteer naturalists provide hands-on learning opportunities for school groups and nature programs for families and adults at Discovery Stations, destination locations throughout parks that present visitors with a theme and natural objects that help them discover their backyard parks.

For example, volunteers would have a spotting scope at Bald Eagle nest locations and at Green Lake Park so visitors could follow the nesting cycle of Bald Eagles or Pied Billed Grebes. Another is a station at Me Kwa Mooks Beach or Discovery Park Beach with shells and information about intertidal creatures. One could be a Forest Station to introduce people to the many plants, mammals and birds that make the forested parklands home.

Volunteers’ backgrounds are as varied as the students they teach - the common thread is their desire to share nature with the greater Seattle community.

The goal of the Seattle Volunteer Naturalist Program is to enhance, promote and foster appreciation of nature by connecting citizens and students with their Seattle parklands, by providing educational opportunities for all.

Training begins in March 8, 2012. Deadline for applications is February 10, 2012. For more information and to get an application, please email Penny Rose at penny.rose@seattle.gov or call her at 206-386-4250.

Weekend road work on intersection of 8th Ave NW and NW 85th St, streets closed

amrook — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:07:07 +0000

Over the next two weekends, the intersection of 8th Ave NW and NW 85th St will be closed to traffic so the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) can rebuild the intersection. The intersection will be closed in all directions and detour routes will be clearly posted.

The work dates (weather dependent) are Friday, Feb 3, to Monday, Feb 6, and Friday, Feb 10, to Monday, Feb 13.

There will be 24-hour continuous work between 6 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday but the noisy work activities will be limited between the hours of 10 p.m. and 9 a.m.

Traffic:

- Follow signed detour routes; avoid cutting through neighborhood streets

- Eastbound detours will remain in place on NW 85th St between 15th Ave NW and 8th Ave NW

- Some Metro bus routes will be affected by this work—look for Rider Alert notices at the bus stops, see reroute information later this week on Metro Online www.kingcounty.gov/metro, or call (206) 553-3000.

Ghost Light Theatricals presents Freak Storm; announces 2012-13 season

amrook — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:30:29 +0000

After winning last year's Battle of the Bards, Don Fleming's comic adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" will be featured at the Ballard Underground.

Titled Freak Storm, the play surrounds the story of a powerful and corrupt scientist, Dr. Benedict Karybduff, who returns to the Cascade Mountains to investigate the causes of the disruptions in his research on using volcanoes as an energy source.

A mysterious figure awaits him in a secret base, ready to wreak revenge on her enemies and usher in a new, environmentally-sensitive and sustainable age.

Freak Storm is written by Don Fleming and directed by Lisa Anne Glomb, and features the work of Jillian Boshart, Chris Davis, Brian Eagen, Linnea Emigh, Joey Fechtel, Jocelyn Fowler, Gordon Hendrickson, Allison Irvine, James Lyle, Mok Moser, Madeline Nutting, Sarah Rose Nottingham, Emily Veling and Dan Yost.

The play opens February 24th and runs until March 11 at the Ballard Underground, 2220 NW Market St.

Tickets are $15 general, $12 student/senior/tps and are available at Brown Paper Tickets.

Ghost Light Theatricals also recently released their line-up for the 2012-13 season, which will feature Scapin by Moliere, Sean Keeley's adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's The Hairy Ape, and Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Also coming up this season is the winner of the last Battle of the Bards, Paper Bullets by John E. Allis.

Visit Ghost Light Theatricals online at www.ghostlighttheatricals.org for more information.

Follies and fools, charlatans and scoundrels take the stage at Taproot Theatre

amrook — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:50:22 +0000

Taproot Theatre kicks off their 2012 season with Molière’s hilariously clever satire, Tartuffe.

Moliere’s comic masterpiece brings us a con artist extraordinaire who oozes piety and charm. Will Tartuffe’s hypocrisy be discovered before Organ’s household is turned on its head?

The play features lightning-quick wit, star-crossed lovers, a badgering grandma and a plot that could be ripped from today’s headlines.

“The more I read it, the more modern it feels,” said Taproot's Associate Artistic Director, Karen Lund, who directs Tartuffe.

Lund hopes the audience will, “take a kernel of truth about life” while falling in love with the stylized absurdity that comes to life on stage through various forms of comedy—the hilarity of physical slapstick to Richard Wilbur’s smart translation of Molière’s play on words.

Wilbur’s stays true to Molière’s rhyming verse by writing the entire play in rhyming couplets.

When Molière debuted the play in 1664, it was soon banned for scandalizing many of Molière’s contemporaries. Molière responded by saying, “As the duty of comedy is to correct men by amusing them, I believed that in my occupation I could do nothing better than attack the vices of my age by making them ridiculous…”

And in his first appeal to the King Molière wrote, “since hypocrisy is, without doubt, one of the most common, the most harmful, and the most dangerous of these, I thought, Sire, that I would render no small service to all the honorable men of your kingdom if I were to make a comedy that would discredit the hypocrites and present all the artificial gestures that these worthy folk display…”

Taproot's Tartuffe opens February 3 and runs through March 3.

The production features a talented cast of Charissa Adams, Don Brady, Ryan Childers, Solomon Davis, Nathan Jeffrey, William Hamer, Frank Lawler, Ruth McRee, Jesse Notehelfer and Josh Smyth. The production team includes scenic and sound designer Mark Lund, costume designer Sarah Burch Gordon and lighting designer Roberta Russell. Anne L. Hitt serves as stage manager and David Anthony Lewis as dramaturg.

Performances are held Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Saturday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available online at www.taproottheatre.org/buy-tickets/ and through Taproot Theatre’s box office, in person or by phone at 206.781.9707. Taproot Theatre Company is located at 204 North 85th Street.

The results are in! Woodland Park Zoo hippos weigh in at a combined 6,279 pounds

amrook — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:47:04 +0000

A two-week online contest to guess the combined weight of Woodland Park Zoo’s two hippos ended today when the hippos were weighed in at the zoo.

Today’s weigh-in of 12-year-old Guadalupe and 33-year-old Water Lily revealed a collective weight of 6,279 pounds, with Guadalupe weighing in at 3,285 pounds and Water Lily at 2,994 pounds.

The contest winner is 42-year-old Alane Michels of Sprague, Wash. who guessed 6,280 pounds. Two people were eligible to win based on the accuracy of their guesses, and by random draw, Michels won the prize.

Michels has won the rare opportunity to meet the hippos behind the scenes in the hippo barn. When notified that she won the contest, Michels, who grew up in Kirkland, Wash. said, “This is a dream come true! I grew up coming to Woodland Park Zoo and am such an animal nut. I can’t believe it!”

Additionally, the zoo will give Michels a 4-gallon bucket of Zoo Doo, six single-day passes to the zoo, and a ZooParent hippo adoption. More than 2,800 entries were submitted to the statewide contest.

“The contest has been a fun way to put the spotlight on these iconic animal ambassadors,” said Pat Owen, a collection manager at Woodland Park Zoo. “It’s a teachable moment for people who took the time researching the natural history of hippos, or simply throwing out a wild guess on their weights. Congratulations to Alane!”

The scale is a new acquisition for the zoo’s pair of hippos and an important tool to help ensure the health of the animals by carefully monitoring their weight but how does one get a powerful hippo to step on a scale and stand still?

“Hippos are very independent-minded animals so training requires patience and positive reinforcement to make the animals feel comfortable,” explained Owen. The hippos, particularly Guadalupe, are becoming comfortable with the weigh-in. “As part of our exemplary animal care program, the scale will help us get accurate weights on a regular basis and we’ll modify their diets accordingly.”

Visit zoo.org to learn more about the Woodland Park Zoo, its programs, and residents.

At Large in Ballard: Developing community

amrook — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:34:38 +0000

What seems like decades, but was actually only five years ago, I wrote a column about meeting a local developer for coffee at Java Bean. I was only months into this column and not yet a veteran of neighborhood district council, design review and Seattle City Council meetings. I’ve logged many bureaucratic hours since that innocent time.

At the long ago meeting I sat down with Nebil Dikmen to discuss his proposed residential building at the NW 58th & 24th NW corner where there had been a link iron fence around a vacant house for several years and a tendency for trash to bank against the metal. I remember that he had exquisite manners, perfectly manicured fingers and seemed very sincere when he told me he wanted to create something high quality.

He built the Danielle building that is just south of the alley between NW 58th & 59th. For the last year I’ve thought about our meeting as his landscape choices have matured and complemented the facade. I’ve wanted to tell Nebil Dikmen. You did make good choices, you did enhance that block.

That sit-down also came to mind while attending two recent public meetings hosted by developer Bill Parks and Johnston Architects to discuss pre-design plans for the site on 32nd NW that currently houses Sunset Hill Green Market. At the first meeting on January 11th there was distinct audience bluster; a spoken and unspoken “How can you do this to us?”

People wanted to know what was going to happen to the Green Market, lamented the parking situation as already challenging, asked Bill Parks, “Why do you want to build this?”

He replied honestly, “Because I’m a builder.”

At the second meeting, also held on the second floor of the Sunset Hill Community Association, the mood was different. Residents had learned about the market’s change of ownership; been assured of its continuity. The shock over three possible design scenarios, including one that would be 15’ higher than the existing structure, had passed. The community members who returned to meet again even offered their own services for the mutual good of project + neighborhood.

Almost everyone in the audience had moved to the next stage: acceptance. The site sold in 2007. There will be a new commercial development that extends to the alley. People raised their hands to ask the team, so why not make it exceptional?

Despite a desire to be anywhere else I felt I needed to be at the public meeting. I live in the neighborhood so to me it’s like voting. How can I complain about results if I wasn’t even willing to be part of the process? A developer actually gives the public the opportunity to voice their opinions…anyone who keeps silent will never know whether their ideas had influence. Likewise the proposed park on 14th NW; if you aren’t interested in participating in its planning, please don’t complain later that you didn’t have the opportunity.

So I went to the meeting tired but determined to be present, but I left unexpectedly energized. Instead of pettiness I had seen grace as residents offered constructive advice, a mechanical engineer offering his services, a local businessman expressing interest in future office space, an architect offering her take on what would gain community support. Instead of a community at odds, I saw community.

A neighbor and I walked home together in the rain, at first accompanied by Nicolas Morin, from Barker Landscape Architects, asked to join the design team to address stormwater runoff and streetscape. Morin just happened to coach my daughter’s high school soccer team when his wife was a teacher at her school. Then we encountered Ballardite Jay Sasnett in his driveway near the clubhouse. Even if you don’t know him by name, you have seen this man in Ballard: red Volkswagen van, trademark white hat, and too often, Spandex leggings. The retired middle school teacher was just returning at 9:30 p.m. from, what else, a day spent teaching middle school students how to teach their peers on the slopes.

As we first left the meeting I complimented Nic on his image choices for potential streetscape. He’d showed images of businesses along Ballard Avenue, as well as from Capitol Hill and Barcelona. Too often in the City of Seattle’s Department of Planning & Development review process the architects show photos of surrounding buildings as though they are the highest common denominator, when sometimes they are the lowest.

“We used to live by the Goodwill,” Morin explained to my neighbor, “We were desperate for places to walk and then one time we discovered there was an ice cream counter next to the video store. My father was from a small village in France,” he added as if this made perfect sense as to why he and his family would stroll the mile-and-a-half to Sunset Hill in the evenings. And to me it did.

During the meeting Architect Ray Johnston assured the audience over and over that whatever they design will not create a “destination.” Perhaps what they don’t understand is that Sunset Hill is already a destination and no one wants a building to disrupt rather than enhance that sense of community. It’s why we live in Ballard.

State Senate approves historic legislation legalizing same-sex marriage

amrook — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:57:39 +0000

On Wednesday evening, the Washington State Senate voted in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage legislation in Washington State. The measure passed by a bipartisan vote of 28-21, with 23 Democrats and four Republicans joining together to advance the bill.

"This is an historic vote for the Legislature and for the people of Washington state," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "More than a decade ago, I stood to fight against the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act.” Today the Senate has righted a wrong and has placed itself on the right side of history."

"All adult residents should and soon will be able to marry under state law—making Washington the seventh U.S. state to recognize this basic civil right," Constantine continued. "I salute the many supporters of this legislation and the Senators who took a tough vote to do the right thing."

Civil rights activists cheered as the measure passed in Olympia.

“We thank Majority Leader Brown, Sen. Murray and the bipartisan coalition of senators who stood with us today in the name of equality,” said Lacey All, Chair of Washington United for Marriage. “The overwhelming support we’re seeing from businesses, labor, faith communities and people all across the state is a testament to the momentum of this movement and sensibilities of Washingtonians."

Larry Lowary and Gerry Betz, longtime partners and residents of Washington said they were grateful that this day has finally arrived, saying, “We’ve been together for 23 years and entered into our domestic partnership five years ago. Now we’re looking to the day when we’ll be able to look into each other’s eyes, exchange our vows and finally say ‘I Do’ just like anybody else.”

The bill now awaits final house approval, which could come as early as next week. Once the house has passed the legislation, Gov. Chris Gregoire would have five business days to sign it into law.

Lady Beavers win senior night game, boys fall to Garfield

amrook — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:05:11 +0000

The Ballard basketball teams hosted Garfield High School last night for the Beavers' last home games of the regular season. Senior basketball player and cheerleaders were honored before each game and a packed gym came out to wish them well.

The girls team will be saying goodbye to seniors Keina Ishiyama and Emma Suchland at the end of the year and the boys basketball team will lose seniors Brad Baker, Domisi Thrash, Jr. , Hudson Sylte , Jake Devine and Luke Beutjer. 

The Lady Beavers played first and treated the home crowd to an exciting game.

Garfield took the lead early on, outscoring Ballard 13 to 9. But Ballard made a comeback in the second quarter, earning back the lead with a score of 23 to 20 at halftime.

Garfield inched closer in the third quarter and the final quarter started with only a one-point lead for the Beavers. That is when the Beavers took control of the game and started scoring. Scoring 23 points in the final eight minutes of the game, the Lady Beavers earned themselves a Senior Night victory with a final score of 59 to 49.

Beverly Verduin led her team with 27 points, two rebounds, and one assist.

The boys game was equally exciting but less triumphant for the Beavers.

It was a back-and-forth game for the Beavers. Garfield outscored them in the first quarter but the Beavers quickly caught up in the second quarter for a halftime lead of 34 to 30.

It was the third quarter where the Beavers lost the game. Garfield managed to score 26 points while only allowing Ballard 13 points, putting Garfield in a nine-point lead at the start of the last quarters.

Garfield was fired up and the Beavers struggled to make a comeback. Ballard lost 57 to 75
Seth Berger led the Beavers with 18 points and four rebounds.

Johnny Verduin scored 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Construction starts on Kirke Park

amrook — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:09:50 +0000

The construction on a new Ballard park started today and is to be completed by the end of May.

Located at 7028 9th Avenue NW, Kirke Park will include a play-area, adventure trail, lawn and open space, picnic area, community gardens, and p-patch gardens.

The site was purchased with 2000 Pro Parks Levy funds and a Parks and Green Spaces Levy allocated $800,000 for planning, design and construction.

The public process involved three community meetings to guide and inform the design. The community favored a design that includes a community garden at the north end, a sitting wall enclosed space to recall an old building foundation, an open lawn, a "sledding hill" and a small play area at the south end.

The park was named Kirke which means church in Norwegian and pays tribute to both the Norwegian heritage of the neighborhood and the history of the site. This site was home to the Church of Seventh Elect in Spiritual Israel for more than 90 years.

For more information, visit the project website at; http://seattle.gov/parks/projects/kirke/ .

WSDOT seeks projects for the Safe Routes to School Program

amrook — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:25:45 +0000

Communities across the state can apply for a new round of project and program funds that increase safety for students walking and biking to school.

WSDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program was created to provide children a safe, healthy alternative to being driven to school. The program supports projects that increase the number of children walking and biking to school where it is safe and works to improve safety along school routes.

The program also supports safety projects such as walking school buses, sidewalk and bike lane construction, pedestrian safety education, bicycle safety skills classes, crossing guards, and installation of speed feedback signs and traffic safety cameras.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is accepting project proposals for the Safe Routes to School Program through May 4. Eligible projects are those within two miles of primary and middle schools, kindergarten through eighth grade.

Review criteria for the applications are based on proposed engineering solutions, education and enforcement efforts, project readiness and need or potential benefit.

More detailed information about the program and the application process is available on WSDOT’s website at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/LocalPrograms/SafeRoutes/CallForProjects.

In addition to the Safe Routes to School funding program, WSDOT’s Highways and Local Programs is working to increase safety for student pedestrians and bicyclists by:·

- Working with schools to develop school walk route plans.
- Providing information about walking and biking to the public.
- Researching bicycle and pedestrian issues.
- Providing design assistance to local communities to improve safety for biking and walking.
- Conducting bicycle and pedestrian related trainings and workshops.

Senior night for Beaver basketball as regular season comes to a close on Saturday

amrook — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:34:21 +0000

There are only three games left in the regular season for the Ballard basketball teams and tonight's games against Garfield will mark the last home game for senior players.

Seniors will be honored with a small ceremony between the JV and varsity games.

On the varsity boys team, coach William Rodgers and his team will be saying goodbye to  Brad Baker, Domisi Thrash, Jr. , Hudson Sylte , Jake Devine and Luke Beutjer.  

The girls team will be saying goodbye to Keina Ishiyama and Emma Suchland.

The girls varsity plays at 6:30 p.m. and the boys will follow at 8 p.m.

The last two regular season games will be on the road against Issaquah on Thursday, Feb 2, and Bothell on Saturday, Feb 4.

Volunteer fish feeders needed for Carkeek Park salmon project

amrook — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:07:50 +0000

Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Carkeek Watershed Community Action Project (CWCAC) need volunteer salmon feeders for the 2012 salmon supplementation project in Carkeek Park.

One of the things that make the park unique is that Piper’s Creek runs through the park and supports salmon runs each fall. These salmon begin life raised in a small pond in the park. There, tiny fry from the Suquamish Tribal fish hatchery learn the smell and taste of Carkeek’s creek water. Volunteers feed more than 50,000 Chum Salmon fry three times a day between February and May.

“Salmon duty” takes just 30 minutes at least once a week. Schedules are flexible and fish feeders attend a one hour training. The training for spring fish feeders will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 11.

Interested volunteers should call Nancy Malmgren with CWCAC at 206-363-4116. Every little bit helps, and volunteers can see the results of their work when the salmon return in November.

For more information on the salmon project, please see http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/salmon/chum/viewing/pipes_crk.html.

Metro to add service hours to route 44

amrook — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:57:50 +0000

King County Council unanimously adopted Metro Transit’s transit service changes on Monday —the first service adjustments since the adoption of the County’s Transit Strategic Plan.

The changes reflect the goals of the Strategic Plan by allocating service hours to higher-performing bus routes to address overcrowding, on-time performance, and adding service to underserved corridors with the goal of making the overall bus system more productive.

Ten routes were eliminated and five routes will have reduced service but these 8,000 hours will be reallocated to address overcrowded routes, including route 44.

Route 44 connects Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford and the University District and has an estimated ridership of 6,287 people.

Anyone who has taken the 44 during rush hour on a weekday knows just how overcrowded these buses can be and that's why Metro will be adding 1,300 service hours to route 44 on weekdays.

 “These transit service reinvestments eliminate lesser-used transit routes in order to add service to highly used routes with unmet demand,” said Larry Phillips, chair of the Council’s Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee, in a statement.

  “This is another step in the long march towards reforming how Metro serves King County riders,” added Council Vice Chair Jane Hague.

  The adopted service changes reinvest more than 35,000 hours of service from lower-performing bus routes throughout the system, using those hours to bolster service on high ridership routes.

This is the first step in the shifting of at least 100,000 service hours to address high priority needs in the transit system. This goal is part of the approach called for in the Strategic Plan for Public Transportation 2011-2021 and King County Metro Service Guidelines, adopted by the Council in June 2011, as well as the County’s Congestion Reduction Plan.

The Psychic View

amrook — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:59:46 +0000

by Marjorie Young

Why are we here? How do we fulfill our destinies? Is our path preordained or ours to determine? How can we live with true awareness instead of sleepwalking through life?

These are just a few topics I hope to touch upon in my new column. I have been a psychic and spiritual counselor for many years, having been aware of these gifts since earliest childhood. It’s my pleasure and joy to be sharing what I’ve learned along the way with you.

To begin, I’ll touch upon one of my most frequently asked questions:

- Does everyone possess psychic abilities?

First, let’s define ‘psychic’…not necessarily a simple task! Under the ‘psychic umbrella’ can be found a variety of attributes, ranging from the ability to communicate with people or animals by extrasensory means, knowledge of future events, connection with those who have passed on…the list is complex and long.
In my younger days, I was convinced we all possessed innate ‘psychic powers.’ However, after thousands of readings for my clients, I conclude that this is not the case.
I now believe that ‘psychic’ gifts are a talent, like any other. Do we all have musical or athletic abilities? Unfortunately, no! In my own family, there is more than one math genius to be found…but that aptitude has certainly passed me by! On the other hand, I have found that psychic talents, like other gifts, may often run in families from generation to generation.

- Is it possible to develop a psychic bent?

I believe so, just as one may learn to play the piano…with practice and application. But not everyone will have the innate ability to make an exceptional musician. And others may prove ‘tone deaf’ and unable to play at all! So, while we are all equally precious beings, we are clearly not all gifted in the same way. That is certainly a plus, in my opinion! Clearly, the human race needs scientists, entertainers, great cooks, bold explorers, etc. and we all have something to contribute. Finding what that something is should be our most challenging and fulfilling goal.
One gift I wish all possessed is intuition! For it is an amazing ‘survival tool’…the instinct whom to trust (or not), which fork in the road to take, etc. It’s also a sad reality that many who possess it often choose to ignore it. When they do, they’ll almost certainly come to regret it. One unfailing method to develop any psychic gifts is to always heed that ‘gut feeling’ when it makes itself known. Because almost certainly it will prove to be correct! By acknowledging that fact, you’ll be opening the door to allow it to guide you. You’ll discover intuition to be a marvelous friend upon whom you can truly rely.

As I explore the psychic/spiritual view, I eagerly look forward to your comments and questions. Meanwhile, I’m wishing you the best!
E-mail: ballardpsychic@gmail.com

Ballard Siphon Replacement Project: UPDATE

amrook — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:32:53 +0000

To protect public health and the environment, King County is in the midst of building a new 84-inch siphon pipe under Salmon Bay between the Ballard and Interbay areas of Seattle. The new siphon will be installed more than 120 feet underground and connect the Ballard Regulator Station at 5110 Shilshole Avenue Northwest in Ballard to the North Interceptor at West Commodore Way and 24th Avenue West intersection in Interbay.

The latest update shows that shoring installation continues at the Ballard Siphon project north site on Shilshole Avenue Northwest through early February. Noise reduction efforts continue during this period of high-level activity.

After the shoring is in place, the crews will begin excavating the tunnel boring machine retrieval shaft, roughly 80 feet below ground. Excavation equipment will be brought to the site. Neighbors can expect to continue to see activity and increased truck traffic at the site.

King County urges drivers and bicyclists to continue to use caution near the site. Pedestrians in Ballard should follow sidewalk detour signs around the north site.

What to expect at the north site through February:

· High levels of activity involving crews, cranes, drill rigs, excavators, and trucks

· Increased truck traffic on and around Shilshole Avenue Northwest

· Shilshole Avenue Northwest sidewalk remains closed in front of the project site

Meanwhile on the south site at Commodore Way, King County contractors continue to prepare the project site for tunnel excavation. Crews are finishing constructing a separation facility onsite and will begin shaft excavation in February.

There will be increased activity on site and truck traffic around the project area. King County urges community members to follow traffic control personnel directions and take extreme caution when passing through the 24th Avenue West and West Commodore Way intersection.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will be working on West Commodore Way in early-to-mid February to relocate utilities in preparation for installation of a diversion structure connecting the new siphon to the existing conveyance system. Please use caution in this area and follow posted traffic signs and flaggers.

What to expect at the south site through February:

· High levels of activity involving crews, cranes, drill rigs and trucks

· Increased truck traffic on and around West Commodore Way

Typical work hours at both sites are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays.

For more information, visit the project website at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/Construction/Seattle/BallardSi...

Slashed car tires and bicycle thefts in Ballard

amrook — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:56:22 +0000

Ballardite Thomas Whipple informs us that he has recently become the victim of some vandalism as someone has been tampering with his car tires.

Whipple stated that the incidents occured at McGinnis Marina along 28th ave NW, and a police report has been filed.

Whipple said four tires were flattened in one week and last week he found that two of his tires had been slashed with a knife.

Meanwhile police reports show that bikes aren't save either as multiple bike thefts occured in the Ballard area this past week.

Thefts have been reported on the 28th block of NW 56th St, 57th block of 14th Avene NW, 58th block of 3rd Avenue NW, and 67th block of Mary Avenue NW.

Please reports any thefts, suspicious behavior, or vandalism to the police.

Community Calendar

amrook — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:14:56 +0000

The print deadline for calendar submissions is two weeks before the date of the event to be publicized. Email calendar@ballardnewstribune.com, or to get it posted online immediately, email anner@robinsonnews.com.

When 1+1=1 Book Event + Happy Hour
Paratii Craft Bar
5463 Leary Ave. N.W.
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 5-7 p.m. Seattle author and Argentine tango teacher Gabriela Condrea presents her book “When 1+1=1: That ‘Impossible‘ Connection.” Come eat, drink, and partake in the interactive presentation. Info: www.facebook.com/events/354217761272561/

2012 Ballard Little League Baseball & Fastpitch Softball Registration
Sunset Hill Community Association
3003 N.W. 66th St.
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6:30-9 p.m. You can get Ballard Little League information, sign up in person, meet coaches, and submit volunteer and medical release forms. There will be a cleat and baseball mitt exchange. Ballard Little League is open to players who live east of Puget Sound, south of N.W. 85th St, west of 8th Ave. N.W., and north of the ship canal. New for the 2012 season: tee ball and coach pitch ball. Players must be between 5 and 16 years old for the 2012 season. For online info and registration: www.BallardLL.net. Ballard Little League is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, tax ID #91-6054846.

The South King Council of the Blind--(SKB) serves as a resource for people who are blind or have low vision, who are in transition to blindness, their friends and families, and works to ensure that such persons experience the fullness of life offered in the South County. Meetings are held monthly on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30AM to noon. Join us at our next meeting: February 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more info and location call 206-433-6565

It’s About Time Writer’s Reading Series
Ballard Branch Seattle Public Library
5614 22nd Ave. N.W
Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:00 - 7:45 p.m. Free. Beginning and experienced writers & poets read from their work. This month’s reading features the work of Paula Friedman, Writing for the Moment students from Peggy Sturdivant’s Cancer Lifeline class, Larry Ebersole & a presentation by Don Harmon on the Writer’s Craft. Open mike time is available for three minutes per person before the author readings. Info: www.itsaboutimewriters.homestead.com

Backyard Cottages as Stay-at-Home Alternatives
Join Microhouse, Ncompass Cottage Company, and Husky Senior Care to learn more about aging-in-place strategies including design, construction, and use of backyard cottages. RSVP: 206-428-8599 / info@microhousenw.com

PNA Home Design Fair
Phinney Neighborhood Center
6532 Phinney Ave. N.
January 29, 12:30-1 p.m. $6/PNA member; $10/general public.

Registration for 2012 NW Seattle Little League Baseball & Softball
Crown Hill Center Gym
9250 14th Ave. N.W.
Saturday, Feb. 4, 1-3 p.m. Find out about the league at the Meet and Greet / Baseball Cleat Exchange. Open to boys and girls who are at least 6 years of age as of April 30, 2012 and live in the approximate area in Seattle between NW 85th St. & NW 145th St. and between Puget Sound & I-5. Online registration now available: www.NWLittleLeague.org. For info regarding our league, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, tryout dates and upcoming player, coach, and umpire clinics: NWLL@hotmail.com.

14th Ave NW Park Boulevard Public Involvement Meeting 2
March 7, 2012, 7-8:30pm
St. Alphonsus School cafeteria - 5816 15th Ave NW

Ballard's newest Park is in the works along 14th Ave NW between NW 59th and NW 61st. Please join the EBCA, the Parks Dept and Mithun for a fun-filled evening focused on the design of this new Park. This will be the second of two community involvement meetings, so don't miss this important opportunity to provide input.

PNA Home Design Fair
Phinney Neighborhood Center
6532 Phinney Ave. N.
January 29, 12:30-1 p.m. $6/PNA member; $10/general public.

Ballard Toastmasters:

"Demystify the home buying process and become a savvy first time home buyer"

Entertaining and informative first time home buyer classes will be held over two evenings, February 8th and 15th at Odd Fellows Hall in Ballard at 1706 NW Market Street from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Get the information you need to make informed home buying decisions.
Registration required. For more information and registration please visit http://become-a-savvy-home-buyer-esearch.eventbrite.com/

Or contact Conor MacEvilly at 206-349-8477 or email conor@mynorthseattlehome.com
Volunteers Sought for Swedish Ballard Gift Shop
Swedish Ballard
5300 Tallman Ave. N.W.
Join a great group of volunteers and auxiliary members serving patients, visitors and staff in our “small but mighty’ Gift Shop. Various 4 hour shifts available. Parking provided. Info: 206-781-6227.

THE SHOWING
Thursday, February 9 and Friday, February 10
7 p.m.
Ballard High School auditorium.

Everyone is invited to a screening of new work by students in the Ballard High School Video Production Program.
The show will be the BHS premiere of Safe at Last, the winner of the Young People’s Film Festival, as well as several other honored productions. In addition to short comedies and dramas, the program will include news features and advertisements.
Tickets are $10, or $7 for students with an activity pass, and will be sold at the door. All proceeds benefit students in the Video Production Program.

Host a Foreign Exchange Student
In Seattle; call Jamin at 360-661-0552 now to choose your student. Explore new cultures without leaving your home. International Student Exchange is a non profit organization that needs you to be a host family in August. j.henderson33@hotmail.com for info.

Volunteer Driver’s Needed
The Seattle Parks & Recreation Lifelong Recreation department needs volunteer drivers for day trips for participants aged 50+. Training is provided for the 10-12 passenger vans. Call Mary at 206-935-2162.

Volunteer Receptionist Needed
Greenwood Senior Center
525 N. 85th St.
Show off your smile and people skills as one of our fabulous receptionists. Shifts are 4 hours long once a week: 8:15-12:15 p.m. or 1:15-5 p.m., and a 6 month commitment is required, along with a background check. Contact LeAnne Chow, gscvounteer@phinneycenter.org or 206-297-0875.

Ballard Sunday Farmers Market
Ballard Ave. N.W., between Vernon Pl. N.W. & 22nd Ave N.W.
htp://ballardfarmersmarket.wordpress.com
Sundays, 10-3 p.m. Enjoy the market. Also “Eat Local for Thanksgiving Cooking Demonstration” - Sunday, Nov. 20, at noon: Chef Dustin Ronspies, Art of the Table.

Emerald Contra Dance
Phinney Neighborhood Center
PNA Community Hall-lower brick building
6532 Phinney Ave. N.
Fridays, beginner’s workshop 7 p.m., dance 7:30-10 p.m. $8 General Admission; $7 Seniors, PNA members, SFS members; $5 Students. All dances taught. No partner necessary. Please - no cologne, perfume or other scented products. info at 206-440-9839 or emeraldcitycontra@pobox.com

Salmon Bay Eagles :
5216 20th Ave. N.W.
783-7791
Music starts at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and 7:30 on weekends. No cover

February Music:
Sat. 4th ~ Larry & The Lizards
Thurs. 9th ~ Town Hall Brawl
Sat. 11th ~ (private party upstairs)
Thurs. 16th ~ Brian Lee & The Orbiters
Sat. 18th ~ Gold Rush
Thurs. 23rd ~ Black Magic
Fri. 24th & Sat. 25th ~ Kami’s Karaoke
Fri. 27th & Sat. 28th ~ Kami’s Karaoke

Monday Movie Nights at King’s Hardware
5225 Ballard Ave. N.W.
Movies begin at 8 p.m. on the back patio, which is covered and heated. Film-appropriate food and drink specials. Check out our facebook page for up to date details and changes (facebook.com/kingsballard) or call 206-782-0027.

February Festivez (Emilio Estevez from the better days):

Mon. 6th - The Breakfast Club & The Outsiders
Mon. 13th - Young Guns & Young Guns 2
Mon. 20th - Maximum Overdrive & Mission Impossible
Mon. 27th - Repo Man & Men at Work

Thistle Theatre Presents ”More Auntie Lena’s African Stories”
Sunset Hill Community Center
3003 N.W. 66th St.
Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 4 & 5, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. Thistle Theatre is a puppet theatre for families. Tickets: Child/Senior $8; General $9. Info: Thistle Theatre 206-524-3388 or www.thistletheatre.org.

Skandia Basics Dance Classes
Phinney Neighborhood Center
6532 Phinney Ave. N.
Upper building-room 2
Wednesdays, Jan. 11 - Feb. 15, 7:30-9 p.m. Taught by Frank Brown and Elaine Marakami. Six week series: $30/Skandia members; $40/non-members. No experience or partner necessary. Info: 206-784-7470 or publicity@skandia-folkdance.org.

Skandia Beyond Basics Dance Classes
Phinney Neighborhood Center
6532 Phinney Ave. N.
Upper building-room 2
Thursdays, Jan. 12 - Feb. 2, 8-9:30 p.m. Larry Reinert and Elaine Mathies are crossing the border to review the elegant Telegangar, present Follinge favorite Atabaks Polska, and review Boda Polska. Dancers should be comfortable with snoa, schottis, and waltz and one fast turning dance, such as hambo. Series: $35/Skandia members; $40/non-members. Info: 206-784-7470 or publicity@skandia-folkdance.org.

Ongoing Events:

Ballard Elks Lodge Events
6411 Seaview Ave. N.W.
206-784-0827
Ballroom Dancing - every Sunday, 7-10 p.m. With Live music by The Eddy Fukano Band. For singles and couples. $7 per person.

“Parade” New Paintings by Pamela Durga Robinson
Fresh Flours
6015 Phinney Ave. N.
206-297-3300
Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wassa Dance Classes in North Ballard
ARC School of Ballet
9250 14th Ave. N.W.
206-352-0799
www.wassadance.com
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 9-10 a.m. Class taught by Lara McIntosh, local dance teacher, performer and choreographer.

Burgers & Bingo - first Tuesday of every month, 6 p.m. Burgers for $5, 7 p.m. Bingo - $2 for 3 cards. Call for reservations.

Way of the Qin: An Exhibition on the Ancient Chinese Zither
Taoist Studies Institute
225 N. 70th St.
206-784-5632
Saturdays & Sundays, 1-5 p.m. The exhibition includes paintings, calligraphy, rubbings, scholars’ objects, and examples of the Guqin. www.taoiststudiesinstitute.org

Don’t Wait - Donate=Tax Deduction
Northwest Center ‘Big Blue Truck’
at the old Sunset Bowl
1420 N.W. Market St.
Open Saturdays & Sundays, 10-4 p.m. Clean out your closets and drop off your reusable clothing and household items at the donation station. bigbluetruck.org or (800) 992-2060.

Greenwood Senior Center
525 N. 85th Street
206-297-0875

Ongoing Classes
Drawing and Painting
Wednesdays, 10-noon. Ongoing Class. Beginning and intermediate participants who want to learn the basics of drawing and painting. Bring basic art materials to class and the instructor will help create a future supply list. $10 PNA member/$12 public.

Watercolor Painting
Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m. Ongoing Class. Some experience is necessary. Bring your own supplies. Fee due for each class. $15 PNA member/$18 public.

Enhance Fitness
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Certified instructors use cardiovascular exercise, strength training and stretching to help increase your strength, boost your activity levels and elevate your mood. $32 2x/week for a month or $48 3x/week for a month.

Senior Voices Discussion Group
2nd Thursday each month, 1-2 p.m. Bette Reed from the Puget Sound Alliance for Retired American will facilitate this group. Discuss pertinent issues affecting older adults in the world today. Free.

Line Dance Class - All Levels
Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. Ongoing. Learn line dances to swing, rock and roll, waltz, zydeco, and western. Different dances each month. $6 PNA member/$8 public.

Nordic stories
Nordic Heritage Museum
3014 N.W. 67th St.
206-789-5707
www.nordicmuseum.org
First Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Join us for Nordic Stories, geared toward stay-at-home parents and their preschool aged children.

Emotions Anonymous
St. Paul’s Church
6512 12th Ave. N.W., Room 1
Saturdays, 6 p.m. Join us in this 12-step group, to give and get support. For information 467.9027 or visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.

Ballard Senior Center
5429 32nd Ave. N.W.
206-297-0403

Dinner Theater
June 3, 6 p.m. A fantastic evening of live musical theater & exquisite cuisine. “The Fantabulous Fifties” tickets are $22/pre-purchase or $25 at the door. Tickets available at the Center or 206-297-0403.

Rotary 5K Run or Walk
June 12, 8:30 a.m. Benefit yourself and the Ballard NW Senior Center. For info www.BallardRotary.org or call the Senior Center: 206-297-0403.

New! Gardening Group
Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m. The gardening group, Sunshine and Plants, meets in the Center’s garden to garden with materials, tools and aprons provided. Donations of plants, bulbs, and seeds are welcome.

New! Is Clutter Getting To You?
2nd and 4th Thursdays of the Month, 12:30-1:30 p.m. This group focuses on the impact of clutter and organizing. Develop a plan for reducing clutter and freeing up your space for yourself and your family.

New! Sunshine Committee
This group brings some sunshine into lives of ill Center Members by sending cards. Contact the Center for info: 206-297-0403. Let the Center know of Center Members that need some words of cheer.

New! Photography Group
Tuesdays, 1 p.m. This group is covering everything from how to use your camera, how to set up a picture and so much more.

New! ESL Class
Fridays, 11:30 a.m. Is English your second language? Work on pronunciation, grammar, and expanding your vocabulary in this free class taught by our experienced language teacher. Class open to anyone who wants to work on their English speaking and writing abilities.

New! Chair Massage
Wednesdays, 12:30-2 p.m. Relax and let your stress go. Sign up at the upstairs reception for 15 minute sessions. Members $5 / Non-members $7.

New! Ping Pong Table
The Ping Pong Table is in the dining room and will be available for use any time another activity is not taking place in the dining room. Try it out!

Card games

Pinochle: Tuesdays at 9 a.m.

Cribbage: Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.

Bridge: Mondays at 12:30 p.m.

We have a great group of people that play Pinochle and socialize. Bridge games are fun and social. $1 to play. No partner is needed. Cribbage is a new and growing group. It is free to play.

Enhanced Fitness
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m. or 3:30 p.m.
Classes include strength training, balance, aerobics and stretching. $25 per month, no charge for eligible Group Health members. Please call in to sign up.

Financial assistance
By appointment 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., second Thursday of the month. If you are in need of financial assistance please take advantage of Kyle, our volunteer financial adviser. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment, 297.0403.

The Dream of America
Nordic Heritage Museum
3014 N.W. 67th St.
206-789-5707
www.nordicmuseum.org
“The Dream of America” exhibit is an interactive path that traces the journey of a Nordic immigrant from Scandinavia to Ellis Island, and into the American frontier. Admission: $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 students K-12, children under 5 free.

Pickleball
Loyal Heights Community Center
2101 N.W. 77th St.
206-684-4052
Wednesdays 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Bring your friends, family, toddlers and more for this fun and exciting time. Bring your paddle and be ready to compete. Open for all levels of experience. Cost: $2.

Toastmasters - Ballard Speakeasy Club
Ballard Baptist Church-lower level
2004 N.W. 63rd St.
www.ballardspeakeasy.weebly.com
Meets every Tuesday from 7-8:15 a.m. Learn public speaking and leadership skills. Info: Dave 206-941-3743

Men’s club
Greenwood Senior Center
525 N. 85th St.
206-297-0875
www.greenwoodseniorcenter.org
Second and fourth Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. $3/PNA member, $5/non-member. Get together with other men to socialize, discuss issues, hear speakers, take part in outside activities and gather information on a variety of interesting topics.

Volunteer opportunities
Foss Home and Village
13023 Greenwood Ave. N.
Volunteers needed Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and to escort residents to Foss Beauty Salon. Volunteers also needed Tuesdays, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. to staff the Foss Gift Shop, and Thursdays 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. to assist with resident birthday parities. To volunteer call Carolyn Fuson at 834.2586.

Volunteer opportunities
Carkeek Park
950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd.
Meet on the fourth Monday of each month. CAN (Carkeek Area Neighbors) is a committee of the park Advisory Council, and is open to the public. For info 782.7054.

Court appointed advocates
Train to become a volunteer advocate for abused and neglected children in court. Must be 21 or older, have excellent references and attend 28 hours of training. For more information call 206-296-1120 or e-mail casa.group@kingcounty.gov.

Adult education
Northminster Presbyterian Church
7706 25th Ave. N.W.
206-783-3402
www.northminsterpres.org
Sundays, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

WICS support group
Ballard Landmark Inn
5433 Leary Ave. N.W.
Tuesdays at 7 p.m. New Ballard location for an ongoing support group for widows and widowers through Widowed Information and Consultation Services (WICS). Open to all, regardless of the time since death. Suggested donation $5, no one will be refused for a lack of funds. For information call Doug at 441.9490.

Propose a neighborhood project
www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/btgnsfcrf
Have ideas for neighborhood improvements? Propose a project today. The Neighborhood Projects Funds can be used for small-scale improvements such as sidewalk repair, traffic circles and traffic calming, sidewalks, school zone speed limit signs, playground improvements, etc.

Ballard Giving Gardens
Change your grass to gardens. Using French intensive and master gardener methods I can help you recycle unwanted grassy areas into highly productive sustainable vegetable gardens. For more information call Jeff at 789.3168.

Now recruiting scouts
Boy Scout Troop 125 is now recruiting boys ages 11 – 17. For more information go to http://troops.scouter.com/wa/troop_125 or call 781.8978.

Seeking singers
The Market Street Singers, a Ballard community choir, invites choral singers to join us for the winter into spring season, culminating in our fifth anniversary concert in May. Fun and satisfying, call 297.3228 or visit www.marketstreetsingers.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound has several program options that you can choose to fit your schedule and interests. For more information, text the word “BIG” to 839863 or go to www.bbbsps.org

Fremont Toastmasters Club
Fremont Baptist Church
717 N. 36th St.
Call 347.3352 or visit fremonttm.freetoasthost.net/index.html.

North Seattle Lapidary and Mineral
Northminster Presbyterian Church
7706 25th Ave. N.W.
Visit www.northseattlerockclub.org for more information.

Keven Wynkoop: a true Ballard boy

amrook — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Keven Wynkoop loved Ballard High School so much that he returned to BHS only five years after his graduation. He started as a history teacher and moved up the ranks to become the youngest principal in the school's history at 35 years old.

"I can't imagine being anywhere else," he said, adding that his story is "the quintessential Ballard story".

Wynkoop attended Ballard High School during the school's "dark ages".

The early 1990s were an era of falling ceiling tiles, a deadly drive-by shooting, and declining enrollment. Seattle Public Schools threatened to close the school altogether.

"There were all those problems and even the building itself was falling apart around us," Wynkoop said. "I was in the middle of it all and loved it."

A third generation BHS graduate, Wynkoop was proud to be a Beaver.

"My friends and I, we were classic old Ballard. We owned everything Ballard," he said. "Ballard has such a unique identity of a small town in a big city. It's a great neighborhood, community, and legacy."

Wynkoop started dating the woman who is now his wife when he was just a high school sophomore and many of his friends married their high school sweethearts, too.

"This was 1950's apple pie for us," he said.

At the time of graduation, Wynkoop knew he wanted to be a teacher and be involved in coaching.

He attended college at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.

"That was getting out for me," he said.

When Wynkoop was able to get a volunteer coaching position at BHS, he happily returned to Ballard.

Today, he lives in the same house he grew up in and gets to continue living in high school.

"I'm still living high school," he said. "And it gets better every year."

While a few of his former teachers became his colleagues, the school had moved into its new building by then, making the return less awkward for Wynkoop.

"The building was a clean slate plus many of the veteran teachers retired because of the move," he said, adding that Valerie Green, Wynkoop's former German teacher, still teaches at the school.

"I may be the youngest principal but I think that expectations and requirements have pushed it to where you have to be younger in some aspects to keep up with the demands," he said. "The stereotypical 60-something, grey-haired principal is a thing of the past."

Before becoming the principal, Wynkoop served as activities coordinator, a job which helped him see the importance of extracurricular activities.

"Being the activities coordinator really drove home for me the importance of connecting kids with their school and activities," he said. "Find a way to get involved with your school through sports, arts, music, academies, or clubs. Whatever it is, that involvement is what gives you the best high school experience."

Wynkoop said he was a "jock-nerd", playing baseball and basketball while also being serious about his education.

He acknowledged that today's teenager deals with a lot of pressure coming from the economy, colleges, sports, and home life. But he also praised today's students for their ability to not only cope with these pressures but to give back to the community.

"What sets today's teenagers apart is their commitment to giving back to the community," he said. "Kids go far beyond the minimum graduation volunteer requirement. It has really become ingrained in their character."

Wynkoop's main goal as a principal is to see his students succeed and have a positive high school experience.

"Because [high school] was such a great experience for me, I want to recreate it for all my kids. I want all 1600 of them to have that wonderful, positive experience that I had," he said.

His own two children -- his nine-year-old son and five-year-old daughter -- have been part of the BHS experience from an early age.

"I've gone out of my way to make my [own] kids be part of my experience here," he said. "But if they, as rebellious teenagers, decide to go somewhere else, more power to them."

Due to the location of their house, Wynkoop explained that his kids will have the option to become fourth generation Beavers or first generation Roughriders.

But regardless of which school they might choose, Wynkoop will forever be a Beaver.

Beavers basketball win one, lose one against Woodinville

amrook — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:21:08 +0000

The Ballard basketball teams were on the road on Friday night, visiting Woodinville.

The Ballard boys basketball ended their losing streak last night with a win over Woodinville.

The Beavers got ahead 13 to 6 in the first quarter and continued to build on it for the rest of the game.

At halftime the Beavers were ahead 35 to 23. Woodinville tried to make a comeback in the second half but were unable to catch up.

Ballard won 68 to 57.

Leading the Beavers in scoring was Johnny Verduin with 27 points, shooting 100 percent from the three-point line. He also had 17 rebounds.

Stuart MacGeorge was also strong, scoring 16 points.

The Lady Beavers were less successful against Woodinville, losing 27 to 52.

Ballard gymnastics takes second with season high points

amrook — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:48:36 +0000

The Ballard gymnastics team took second in a four way meet on Thursday with a season high score of 159.25.

Woodinville took first with 174.0 points. Roosevelt finished third with 156.9, and Eastlake fourth at 111.45 points.

In her last home meet, Ballard senior Maria Volk was second on vault, fourth on bars and fourth all around. Freshman Lauren Lee was second on bars and fourth on vault.

"Overall the seniors had a great meet their last time in their home gym. The whole team has improved so much since the start of the season, it's exciting to see," said coach Stephanie Gundel.

Ballard will host the JV Invitational on Saturday and then travel to Roosevelt on Feb 4th for the KingCo 4A League Championships.

Meet individual scores:

Vault

1. Elaine Marshall (r) 9.05

2. Maria Volk (B) 8.95

3. Julie Tollifson (W) 8.65

Bars

1. Emily Paratore (W) 8.45

2. Lauren Lee (B) 8.35

3. Madison Engel (W) 8.25

Beam

1. Emily Paratore (W) 9.45

2. Julie Tollifson (W) 9.4

3. Madison Engel (W) 9.35

Floor

1. Emily Paratore (W) 9.6

2. Rose Kibala (R) 9.55

3. Madison Engel (W) 9.5

All Around

1. Julie Tollifson (W) 35.5

2. Madison Engel (W) 35.35

3. Emily Paratore (W) 35.3

Locally filmed movie creates buzz at Sundance

amrook — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:13:19 +0000

While the Sundance Film Festival is coming to a close in Park City, Utah, a locally-filmed film is creating a buzz.

Written Derek Connolly and directed by Colin Trevorrow, "Safety Not Guaranteed" follows three Seattle Magazine employees sent to investigate a personal advertisement placed in the newspaper: "guy seeking partner for time travel".

Clever dialogue, outlandish antics, and misfit characters come together in this modern romantic comedy which stars Mark Duplass (from "The Puffy Chair"), Jake M. Johnson (from "New Girl"), and Aubrey Plaza (from "Parks and Recreation") in the lead.

Shot in and around Seattle, many of the supporting actors and crew are from Seattle, including Ballardite Grace Arends.

A Ballard High School graduate, Arends is an aspiring actress who plays the role of Darcy in "Safety Not Guaranteed"

"Though my character only has a few minutes of screen time, my character is crucial to the climax of [a character," said Arends.

Currently attending the University of Washington, Arends said she takes small acting jobs whenever she can. She landed the role of Darcy last May when she responded to a casting call and the director and writer decided she had "the right look".

"Shooting was very exciting," Arends recalled. "Because it's a low budget production, only three or four takes were done of each scene and we were onto the next This is very quick for the film industry.

A huge fan of the hit TV show "Parks and Recreation", Arends said she was very excited to meet Aubrey Plaza.

"[Parks and is the type of show I hope to someday be a part of," she said.

Previously, Arends has played Blanca in the film "Eden", starred ina corporate Pepsi commercial, and played a cheerleader in a pep rally scene in "21 and Over", which should be released later this year.

"Though my roles have been relatively small, I hope that it will lead to more opportunities and more speaking roles," Arends said.

So far the role of Darcy in Safety Not Guaranteed has been Arends' biggest role and she's excited about the reviews it's receiving at Sundance.

"I am very excited that the film has gotten such great reviews already. I hope that I will be able to participate in more successful films as well as a TV series," she said.

Visit the Sundance film guide to learn more about Safety Not Guaranteed.