The Federal Way News | Recent Articles

SLIDESHOW: Kennedy routs Decatur

Seth Bynum — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:17:45 -0700

By Seth Bynum

Photographer Kurt Howard captured these images of Kennedy's 41-7 thrashing of Decatur on September 2. Click on the photo to play slideshow.

Vincent Thompson undefeated

Seth Bynum — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:29:45 -0700

By Seth Bynum

By Bob Sims
TACOMA -- Muhammad Ali used to like to say "Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" to describe his boxing style.

A young Federal Way fighter took that adage to heart and used its message to beat Vili "The Tongan" Bloomfield Saturday night in a five-round pro heavweight fight at the Emerald Queen I-5 Casino.

Thompson is now undefeated in his first five pro fights.

"There's no one who can stop my speed," Thompson said, while his father, and trainer, Calvin, unwrapped his taped hands after the fight. "Speed kills. You can have all the power you want but I've got the grace of Ali."

Thompson, a southpaw, controlled the fight with his quick right jab, doubling up occasionally and developing his combination punches from it. He won the Battle of the Boat 78 undercard match unanimously, 50-45 from all three judges.

"I'm so determined, I'm so ready, man," Thompson said. "I don't care who they've got out there in the Pacific Northwest, I'm going to make them look stupid."

Bloomfield, who wore a native Tongan printed name -- "A Warrior" -- on his trunks, was on the defensive most of the night, crouching, ducking, slipping and rope-a-doping.

He survived the best Thompson could throw at him on that night, particularly in rounds two and four when Thompson fired off a swift barrage of combinations that landed more often than not.

"Vincent executes his punches well, said Bloomfield's manager Bill McDonald, "and he has great speed. He will need to set down on his punches more in order to score some knockouts."

When Thompson ended the second round with a flurry of punches and began the third round by sticking hard jabs, the crowd, perhaps sensing a knockout, started chanting Vinny, Vinny in unision, but Bloomfield again weathered the storm.

"Vili (9-5-1) did not fight up to his best Saturday night," McDonald said. "A lot of reason is attributed to Vince's speed and dedication to winning the fight.

"Style makes fights and Vince's style and fight plan were enough to beat Vili," McDonald added. "Vili is a very skilled fighter on certain occasions."

Thompson landed his hardest punch of the night when he connected with hard right hand to Bloomfield's cheek in the fourth round.

Thompson, who obviously was ahead on points, sailed through the fifth round despite a smattering of boos for the boxers' inaction.

"I think every round was my best round because I whupped him unanimously," Thompson said. "He didn't even touch me. Am I still pretty?"

In the cruiserweight main event, a packed affair put on by Brian Halquist Productions, Jason Douglas (8-2) beat Brent Urban (6-3-1) by a seventh-round TKO and in the 133-pounder co-main, Francisco Reyes (6-1) defeated Heder Rivas (6-2).

Darlington Agha (5-0) beat Nelson Zepeda (9-4-1) by TKO and Sylvestor Barron defeated Freddie Miller (2-3-1) in other fights.

Thompson returns to action Oct. 16 at the Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale against an opponent to be announced.

HSFW volunteers honored

Seth Bynum — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:14:35 -0700

By Seth Bynum

Three Federal Way Public Academy students volunteerd a total of 28 hours at the Historical Society of Federal Way. Under the direction of Maureen Hathaway, George Koshi, Blaise Pascual and Andrew Pascual helped Lynda Jenkins with organizing the files at our office. For more information about how you can help, please call 253.945.7842. Our office is open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am until 3 pm.

Local boxer aims high

Seth Bynum — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:40:24 -0700

By Seth Bynum

By Bob Sims

Vincent Thompson works six days a week managing an auto detailing shop in Tacoma when he's not working out at the boxing gym, sparring, hitting the heavy bag, lifting weights and taking long runs.

"There isn't any boxer out there training like me," Thompson said. "There's no one out there who has the quickness and stamina I do. I'm hungry."

Thompson's single devoted goal is to win the heavyweight championship of the world.

Thompson, 27, a Federal Way resident, is on his way to achieving that goal. He is
undefeated in four professional fights, including one by knockout.

He will part of the undercard of the Battle at the Boat 78 at the Emerald Queen Casino Aug. 28, fighing Everett's Vili "The Tongan Warrior" Bloomfield (9-4-1).

Thompson said Bloomfield beat him twice in youth boxing and "has been running his mouth" about beating him again.

"I'm gonna embarass this dude (Bloomfield)," Thompson said. "He's going to throw in the towel. He just doesn't understand what is in store."

Bloomfield has won most of his fights at the Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester, Wa., where he had a particularly tough match last year. He was fighting Montanan Bridger Bercier and was hit by a "wicked right hook" that almost knocked him out in the first round. He kept his wits and outlasted Bercier in four rounds.

Similarly, Thompson has experienced the same shock in one of his earlier fights. "I got rocked with a left hand," Thompson said, referring to his third fight with Enrique Lobato. "I shook it off and kept in the game. I finished it."

Thompson, who was born in Fort Bragg, N.C., said he has drawn his tenacity and strength from his father, Calvin, 52, formerly in the U.S. Army. "He's my trainer and dad. He's my best friend in this game."

It was Calvin who convinced his son to take up boxing at such a late age. Thompson gave up boxing when he was 13, talented enough to win the Tacoma Golden Gloves at 8 years old.

"He asked me whether I wanted to play on streets or box," Thompson said. "He told me I already know what to do; I've done it before."

Thompson, who attended Decatur High but did not graduate, said he got caught up in the system. 'I was a follower not a leader."

He changed his life around and got his GED in 2007 when he was 24 years old. He has since been working in the auto-detailing business.

Thompson has a nine-minute video on youtube entitled Vicious Vincent Thompson the future heavyweight champion of the world, showing his first sparring session with a professional fighter. Thompson shows the rawness of a beginning boxer, but one can tell the speed and movement are there.

"I'm going to be stingin' on him all night," said Thompson of his fight with Bloomfield. "Speed kills."

Cruiserweight Brent Urban (6-1-2-1, 4 KOs) gets main billing in a fight sponsored by Brian Halquist Productions. It was part of the hoopla that is also featuring Playboy Playmates on "Fight Night at the Playboy Mansion."

Tickets are $25, $40, and $100 for an event that begins at 7 p.m. They are available at the Emerald Queen Casino box office (1-888-831-7655) and all Ticketmaster locations.

Athletes as "Gladiators" shows skewed perception on education priorities

Charles Hoff — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:24:39 -0700

By Charles Hoff

Recently while traveling through airports in America I was struck by the “Headline News” that seem to be a fixation for much of the news media, and presumably the nation, about a recent parochial school graduate who has excelled as an “Indoor Gladiator.” It seemed that he was about to pick a coliseum to “Play” in and the entire media was in a frenzy about where this might be! There has been no mention of the academic skills of this “Gladiator.”

I wondered if this might have been the case in Roman times when coliseum games were the “major leagues.” As I recall these games were taking place at a time when a certain other group, Barbarians, whose focus was on “Burning and Pillaging” were approaching major coliseums with the idea of applying their skills.

I think that this analogy has some merit. Here in Federal Way schools we were fortunate enough to have many kids who were invited to the join the major leagues, but I saw no notice of these invitations in the local paper! Many had to make some very difficult decisions that would have some very long term effects.

However on the sports pages I saw many stories about Federal Way students who were accepted into some of the ‘Brush Leagues” for their “Gladiator Skills!” In fact we have a long series of articles in our local papers about the success in the Bush leagues and almost nary a mention of the successes that our students are having in the “Major Leagues of Knowledge” instead of the “Bush leagues of Gladiators!”

Why is it that when a student has to make a choice between attending Harvard and Stanford this isn’t big news? Isn’t this far more of a success story than signing to “play” in a coliseum in Boise or Eugene?

In Massachusetts a local school district has to eliminate some freshman sports due to the voters rejecting a levy. Some of the parents, and coaches, of this “Early Gladiator” activity have offered to fund these quasi-educational activities and the Superintendent, wisely in my mind, has said that unless the parents, or community, is prepared to fund the other cuts in academics that were also required, their contributions should not be accepted. The parents and coaches are concerned that if these programs are eliminated the success of the varsity teams will be limited! I would ask, “In which league?” If it is the “Knowledge League” I think it would be hard to defend this. If it is the “Bush League,” that’s probably where “Casey” stuck out, they may be right. It is more important that Mudville make it in the Knowledge League or the Bush League. In Massachusetts I suspect that the Bush League may not have a high priority.

It’s Bush Leagues verses Major Leagues when it comes to education!

For those who follow the “Bush Leagues” and read this column, probably not too many are in this category, you need to know that the equivalent of the Barbarians to the Romans, are practicing the skills that they believe will pillage America. Does anyone reading this column, think that a discussion about freshman sports is taking place in any of the nations’ educational circles that have surpassed us in the “knowledge race?”

The falling of Rome, where Gladiator shows were of great importance, led to the Dark Ages where there was little civilized organization and little human progress. One only has to look at places in this world where the Knowledge League isn’t functioning to see situations that are very reminiscent of the Dark Ages. Africa, Afghanistan and some parts of American cities show some very striking similarities to what occurred in the Dark Ages.

Looking at the level of police enforcement at our coliseums we see that we may not be too far from a new Dark Age. Following some of the major events in our coliseums we have seen burning and pillaging in our cities.

Where does this start? Right here in towns like Federal Way where adults seem to find that Gladiation trumps knowledge!

The true “Goths” are approaching!

Is it time for us to redefine “Public Education?”

Charles Hoff — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:57:37 -0700

By Charles Hoff

I am writing this within walking distance of Horace Mann’s birthplace ,and I hope that I do not disturb his legacy too much, but I think that it is time that we re-examine what Horace had in mind and how this may have become distorted by “Mission Creep.”

Horace felt that it was important that every child have the necessary tools to be successful in the society of the middle to late 1800’s. This meant, I believe, that you could read, write, and count in order to be able to enter the workplace of the industrial society that was overtaking the country.

To do this small schools, often one room schools, were established close to the homes of the children as there were no school buses or other forms of transportation available to most children. As the schools were small every teacher had personal contact with the adults, usually parents, who were raising the children. The curriculum was basic as the teachers were often not much better trained than the oldest of the students. Education stopped for most children at end of the 8th grade, and at least initially was not compulsory.

When High Schools were added they were in larger towns, often with admission requirements and attendance at the discretion of the Principal. Getting to high school was up to the parents and the student. These schools focused on training students for the kinds of jobs that existed in the locality, and offered a “Classical” curriculum for those that wanted to go on to either a college or university as well. Latin, possibly Greek, Grammar, and serious History were mandated for this track. Electives? Probably not. Textbooks were lacking in both pictures and color. Summers were off so that children could help with the harvest.

Normal schools, designed to train teachers, were initially only one year in duration and not all teachers had even completed this training. The costs of these schools were borne by the local taxpayers, not the state or federal government.

This simple system allowed America to become the leading nation in the world and gave us the highest literacy rates on the planet.

What happened?

America now graduates less than 70% of those who enter high school even when we cannot define the skills needed to graduate, requires state and federal funding, feeds most kids lunch and many breakfast, offers electives too numerous and often too frivolous to mention, places about 25th among developed countries in basic academic skills, spends twice as many hours in school as many developed countries and has some of highest costs per student in the world.

Our prison population, highest in the world, has about a 5th grade education, yet I doubt that many of the prisoners have spent only 5 or 6 years in school. “Social Promotion” has clearly been a factor in developing adults that are not capable of functioning in our society.

We have the largest transportation system in the nation devoted to transporting school attendees, students is too strong a description for many, in the world.

Clearly this system is expensive and not serving the taxpayers or our youth in the manner that Horace Mann had envisioned.

Why?

I would like to suggest that the old adage, “What is free is valued little” has a great deal to do with this. Whereas, when Horace was alive, education was valued very highly it is now taken for granted, and what we call “Education” has been diluted so that there are no “Failures, disappointments, or embarrassments.” It is the Disney World where everyone lives a happy life according to those who are running this system.

It is the greatest, and most expensive, daycare system on earth for most of our students. There is no longer any expectation that the biological parents prepare kids for school, feed them, or insist that they behave or do anything related to school when school is not in session. Educators have come to allow any, and all, to enter the school house and once there to keep them no matter what their behavior. “Consequence” is a word that is nearly banned from the school house! “Discipline,” that is that really is meaningful, is certainly out of the question! School has become an amusement park without an admission fee for many. It is a place to go to be with friends and classes are a disruption. Better yet you get a free ride to the “amusement” park!

Elsewhere in the world, in those countries that now seem to be leading in manufacturing and design of new technologies, as America used to do, education seems to lack these expensive distractions and have higher expectations for the adults. I think that Horace would look at that kind of education much more kindly.

Is it time that we call a halt to this? Is it time that we redefine the objectives of education to be ones that we can afford? Is it time that we demand that the adults in our society step up to the mark and insist on focus and behavior if we are to expend our resources on their children?

America is now facing limitations that we didn’t used to have to face. It is no longer the place of “Unlimited Resources” that we have experienced in the past. I think it is time to “Buck up!”

Fall football schedule

Seth Bynum — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:55:17 -0700

By Seth Bynum

SPSL Football 2010 Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 2
Tahoma at TJ
Friday, Sept. 3
Graham-Kapowsin at Federal Way
Kentwood at Mt. Rainier
Saturday, Sept. 4
Emerald Ridge at Todd Beamer
Thursday, Sept. 9
TJ at Kentwood
Federal Way at Puyallup
Friday, Sept. 10
Mt. Rainier at Auburn
Todd Beamer at Bethel
Thursday, Sept. 16
Curtis at Federal Way
Kentlake at Mt. Rainier
Friday, Sept. 17
Auburn at TJ
Saturday, Sept. 18
Todd Beamer at Aub.-Riv.
Thursday, Sept. 23
TJ at Kentlake
Friday, Sept. 24
Mt. Rainier at Kent-Meridian
Rogers at Todd Beamer
Federal Way at Emerald Ridge
Thursday, Sept. 30
Bethel at Federal Way
Todd Beamer at Spanaway Lake
Friday, Oct. 1
Aub.-Riv. at Mt. Rainier
Kent-Meridian at TJ
Thursday, Oct. 7
Mt. Rainier at Kentridge
Friday, Oct. 8
Federal Way at Todd Beamer
TJ at Aub.-Riv.
Thursday, Oct. 14
Kentridge at TJ
Spanaway Lake at Mt. Rainier
Friday, Oct. 15
Rogers at Federal Way
Todd Beamer at G-K
Bonney Lake at Decatur
Thursday, Oct. 21
Puyallup at Todd Beamer
Friday, Oct. 22
Federal Way at Spanaway Lake
Saturday, Oct. 23
TJ at Mt. Rainier
Friday, Oct. 29
Federal Way at TJ
Todd Beamer at Curtis
Mt. Rainier at Tahoma
Thursday, Nov. 4
Non-playoff crossovers
Friday, Nov. 5
Saturday, Nov 6
Playoffs for qualifiers
--All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
--Decatur's Class 3A schedule has yet to be released.

Cann lights up pool at All City meet

Ed Shepherd — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:34:57 -0700

By Ed Shepherd

Cann could be king.

No question D'voreaux Cann can swim, but he could break, not one, but two (counting the 200 yard freestyle relay) All City meet records in the prestigious summer-ender to the Seattle Summer Swim League season happening this Aug. 3 at the Lakeridge Pool in Renton.

Cann just swam in Thursday's Southern Championships meet that pits all the Seattle Summer Swim League teams stretching from Kent to West Seattle to Federal Way, and the times tell he -- and his relay team -- could get records indeed.

"Yeah, I am going to go for it on Tuesday," said Cann, who was a top-three state placer this past season at the 4A state high school meet in the King County Weyerhaueser Aquatic Center in February.

Twin Lakes finished in seventh place overall, out of eight teams, but Cann won his two races swam no problem, the 100 individual medley (56.62) and the 50 butterfly (23.85), setting a pool record in the latter stroke. And, let's not make light of this sport being all about team, as well as individual performances, with teammates Tanner Brotherton, Connor Hassur and Noah Johnson, all on the winning Southern Championship meet swim relay champ, a meet that precedes All City with the top six times combined from the top six swimmers of the Southern and Northern Division meets that happened simulataneously in North and South Seattle venues July 28.

That team will be going for it, too, having a mark done at Southerns of 1:29.81, with the All City best time 1:29.50.

And just how will Cann "go for it" at All City?

Didn't Cann go for it in the Southern Championships meet? Cann did not go for it even though he swam a blazing-fast 23.85 in the 50 fly and the All City SSSL all-time best mark swam by Tyler Harden of North Seattle's area swim club, Sheridan Beach, happened back in 2007 in 23.83.

"I am two-hundredths of a second off the record," said Cann, looking like he was licking his lips as he was talking about that one. Well, not really "licking," but...

No doubt Cann is going to go for it as he was looking like any other speedo wearing 15-&-over boy swimmer out there at Southerns. But, at All City, he will change into Superman, so to speak.

"I will wear my race suit next time," said Cann. "I wore my practice suit today. If I change suits, it should make a difference."

Many should marvel at Cann's feats which also could include a dramatic anchoring in the final event of the night at All City, the boys 15&over 200 free relay, event No. 72, going against a talented second place team in Normandy Park's 200 free relay team plus the Northerns champs surely will be right in there, too, as they usually are.

Lauren Madeja, who coaches along with her sister, Alexandra, and Kai Ory, said that her 15&over boys are the glue that holds this team together and the biggest percentage of swimmers that range from age 4, like littlest Violet Tucker, to the oldest, like Cann.

"They are great, our 15&over boys do a great job helping out our team," said Lauren Madeja. "They really get into it."

They will go for it to screaming cheers, but do they have it in them to drop 30/100ths of a second in the 200 free to set an All City record?

"If this kid wears his swim cap," said Cann, jokingly, slapping the top of Brotherton's blonde head.

Cann then took his hand and examined Brotherton's head, rubbing it a little, flicking it...

"Well, yeah, actually, he has a lot of hair," said Cann, laughing. Brotherton laughed, too.

Stepping back a bit, at the famed rivalry meet of Twin Lakes vs Marine Hills, it was a MH win but the 15&over boys were really hooping it up with songs and dance, not to mention chants, like "Penguins on the warpath, Penguins on the warpath, oooh, ahhh..." Saying that phrase faster and faster and using their hands as chompers, which is a play off the Decatur Gators students doing that cheer at their sports games and, that makes sense, since a lot of these 15&over boys are Gators.

Anyway, it should be fun for Cann and company at All City. There will be plenty of other great swims and swimmers like the 11-12 boys Marine Hills 200 medley and 200 free relay team of Thomas Miller, Micah Oh, Wilfred Meyer and Robert Hughes. These guys were double event relay winners, the only boys team of the Southern swim teams of Kent, Normandy Park, Olympic View, Arbor Heights, Lakeridge and Gregory Seahurst to do that honor.

What does it take to be so good?

"A lot of heart," said Oh. "Practices, got to push through. If mom and dad tell you that you are not going to practice, you have to convince them that you are going to practice."

So, do the dishes, vacuum, pull weeds out of the garden?

"Whatever it takes," said Hughes, who won the 11-12 50 breaststroke in 34.83 at Southerns.

"Our coaches have definitely helped us improve," said Miller, who one-upped Hughes in the win category, taking first in the 50 free (26.57) and the 50 backstroke (29.88).

"Got to listen to your coaches," added Oh. "I love our coaches."

Coaches would be Tommy Cunningham and Jordan Anderson, assistants, and head coach, Doug Djang, a first-year coach for the program.
Miller admitted he wasn't the fastest fish in the brook, so to speak, before something happened in his life.

"I was really slow when I was 9," said Miller.

No All City?

"No," said Miller. "Then at 10, 11, I got faster, a lot."

What happened?

"I did year-round," said Miller, speaking of swimming for King, which is coached by Sean Hutchison, who journeyed to Beijing, China for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. So that kind of coaching helped Miller loads. But something else happened, too.

"And I think I got some serious growth spurts," said Miller, laughing some, and let's not miss the fact Miller will not only be a candidate to win All City, having his 50 back 29.88 time less than a second off the All City record (29.06), but he, also, swimming against great year-round swimmers took first in the 50 free recently for that competing-time swimming club stuff.

"I won sectionals in the 50 free and that was going against five other states," said Miller.

So, yeah, Miller is a candidate to break an All City record, like Cann. And fast as Miller has improved who's to say he can't.
The relay times at Southerns for this foursome relay group of boys was 2:06.85 in the 200 medley and it was 1:55.88 in the 200 free relay.

"We are about five seconds off of the medley time," said Hughes, and, that All City best in the 200 medley, to note, is 2:01.60. So, that might not be broken this year, but this group stays together and convinces themselves to dedicate time to swimming, a lot of it, then the future may be quite good.

In the girls arena, 8-year-old Marine Hills swimmer, Breanna Ross, won the 25 back in 18.98 and 25 fly in 16.13. Twin Lakes' Isaac Sato was showing his stuff, too, getting two firsts for 9-10 boys, with a 100 yard IM swim win of 1:21.15 and a 25 fly of 15.49.

Another notable effort, as usual, came from 13-year-old Marine Hills swimmer Kenna Ramey, who stormed through the water to two first place finishes, winning the girls 13-14 50 fly in 27.19, beating out four 14-year-olds. And, in the 50 free, Ramey again was tops, taking it in 25.38 as Ramey is another with All City record-breaking potential, not just next year, having one more year swimming in this age group, but this year too. All City record is 24.88 in the 50 free, so, Ramey is right there.

Brianne Lindblad holds that record, a former Kennedy swimmer who didn't just participate at state but won many races while there, including being "Swimmer Of The Meet" her senior year, which is an award that goes to the top-scoring swimmer of their two individual races.

Who else made some things happen in the water?

How about the 8&under 100 medley relay team of Taylor Kabacy, Maki Bispham, Haley Jacobson and Ross, swimming to a time of 1:18.49, setting a pool record at the OV pool where Southerns was held July 28. That was good. All the swims were good for this Marine Hills team that took second place under Djang's new ruling order.

"My kids are absolutely amazing," said Djang. "I couldn't be prouder of them. It was a big change when I came in and the kids have adjusted really well."

Federal Way American LL Juniors

Gerardo Bolong — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:09:47 -0700

By Gerardo Bolong

The Federal Way American Little League Junior All Star team went 3-2 in their state tournament games at Medical Lake High School in Spokane.

In their opening game, the Americans lost a close 6-5 battle to Hazel Dell. Mitch Stewart pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits with nine strikeouts.

Hazel Dell scored two runs in the fourth inning, but FWALL struck back with three in the fifth, with Mitchell Garza's triple and RBI singles from Stewart and Shires. American added two more in the sixth with Renne Jones' double leading things off and RBI singles from Jay-J Jones and Stewart. However, HD rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull out the victory.

Branden Shires batted 3-for-3 with a double,triple and two RBIs.Mitch Stewart was 2- for- 4 with two runs batted in.

Federal Way responded with an 8-2 defeat of Stilly Valley in the single-elimination bracket.

FWALL scored several times in the early going, aided by some SV errors and a triple from Maertins. Shires had two RBI and Matt Walls started two run-scoring rallies with a walk and single. Maertins struck out 10 before leaving in the sixth, but J Jones and Musstafa Niazi closed the game effectively.

Andrew Maertins pitched five and two thirds innings of shutout ball, giving up only four hits while striking out 10 batters.

Keeping its momentum, Federal Way American outslugged West Plains of Spokane 18-13 in its next encounter. Mitch Stewart and Joe Potts blasted three hits and three runs each, Stewart, Maertins, Walls, and Niazi each had two RBI.

West Plains took an early 4-1 lead, but a 10 run third inning put FWALL ahead to stay. The inning was highlighted by consecutive singles from Walls, Niazi, J Jones, and Stewart and furthered along by some WP errors. FWALL later stretched the lead behind run-scoring base hits from Shires, Niazi, J Jones,and Austin Noteboom before WP rallied to close the gap.

Musstafa Niazi pitched five innings for the win.

Game number four began with Fort Vancouver grabbing an early 3-0 lead. Federal Way American. American staged a six-run surge with two out in the second inning to take the lead for good.

Stewart singled with the bases loaded followed by a Maertins two-run double to secure the lead. Shires followed with a left field, fence clearing two-run homer to cap the rally. It was Stewart who initiated two additional rallies with a single and a triple while being pushed home each time by Maertins. Noteboom added and RBI single.

J Jones pitched into the sixth inning for the five-run, six-hitter win while Noteboom recorded the final five outs in relief.

Stewart batted 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored as Maertins was 2-for-4 with four RBI. Shires hammered a two-run homer.

Eventual state runner-up West Valley outlasted American in a wild 22-10 win that began with two scoreless innings. WV broke a scoreless tie with five third inning runs before Federal Way American struck back with a three-spot, led by an RBI single from Stewart and Maertins' two-run double

West Valley fired home four runs in the fourth inning for an 11-4 lead that stood until the bottom of the sixth.

Federal Way unloaded its firepower in a six run sixth inning salvo. Consecutive singles from Potts, Walls and Niazi started the rally. Despite a double play, hits by R. Jones and Stewart kept the rally alive. Shires' home run pulled the Americans within 11-10, but West Valley counter attacked with 11 big runs in the top of the seventh inning to send Federal way home with a fourth place finish.

Stewart batted 3- for- 4 and scored three runs and Maertins clubbed two hits with three RBI. Shires unloaded a two-run homer.
:The Federal Way American 13 and 14 year-old District 10 champions included Mitchell Garza, J.J. Jones, Renne Jones, Christian Lindbom, Andrew Maertins, Austin Noteboom, Mustafa Niazi, Joe Potts, Branden Shires, Mitch Stewart, Kyle Tanemura and Matt Walls.

Federal Way American is managed by Bob Clinton and coached by Nick Clinton, Jerry Stewart and Matt Jones.

(Compiled from reports provided by Bob Clinton).

Marine Hills paddles past Penguins

Ed Shepherd — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:52:25 -0700

By Ed Shepherd

Go Twin Lakes!
Go Marine Hills!

Quite a lot of fun times going on in (and out of) the water for this annual rivalry clash of two, having-fun Seattle Summer Swim League teams in a dual meet, won this time, 433-286, by The Fish And The Tree Marine Hills team over the visiting Penguins at their pool Tuesday.

It is all about the fun for these kids totalling together, 200-plus kids, for each SSSL team. Winning is fun, but that is secondary to the...

"Ballet, I love ballet," screamed little Violet Tucker, one of the youngest ones out swimming the water at all of four years old. She swam the entire distance of 25 yards for the freestyle and backstroke races for Twin Lakes.

Ballet?

Well, trying to get this littlest of swimmers out there to talk about the swimming was not so easy, even Tucker went through the water just fine in her two races.

A teenage friend and Penguins' teammate, Kimmie Brotherton, was holding Tucker in her arms after the race and Jaycee Fraser, who won the 50 yard freestyle and 50 breaststroke, and also on the winning 100 medley relay team, came over and congratulated her and also gave Tucker a big high five, or two, or three, or...

Was this racing in swimming a lot of fun, Violet? You were a real rah-rah girl before the race, raising your arms, clapping, making fun expressions on your face, the big crowd loved you.

Tucker nodded her head up and down. But no words.

Violet, you finished the whole race, that was great.
Nod.

Brotherton then said something about ballet or was that her big sister, 9-year-old Genevieve, who said that?

Well, anyway, that was huge to get Tucker talking, and even moving from Brotherton's arms.

"Ballet, I love ballet," said Tucker to Brotherton, asking to get down.

"Watch this," said Tucker, jumping up and down on the pool deck.

Tucker jumped a few times, really going now...

This little girl was really energetic, too, before her races, rubbing her hands together and clapping and looking out at the audience who had to be liking what they saw of one of the youngest Twin Lakes member in attendance. One other Penguin is young as age four on Twin Lakes' swim team but she was not in attendance at this meet. So, Tucker was it.

Well, Tucker was fun to watch in the "Speedy Sixers" category for those age six and under as were all these kids and some really made some great accomplishments that will bode well for their future swims at Southerns where all six of the area SSSL teams -- Normandy Park, Kent, Marine Hills, Twin Lakes, Olympic View and Gregory Seahurst -- compete the end of this month. And, then a few days later, the first Tuesday of August is All City.

Best swims came from the 8 & under girls team of Breanna Ross, Taylor Kabacy, Maki Bispham, and Bridget Woods, who broke the Marine Hills pool record in the 100 yard medley, swimming a 1:19.50 time. The old record was 1:20.40.

"We normally are the same time (in previous dual meets this season as this was the final regular season swim meet), but today was different," said Bispham.

Then later on in the meet they broke the 8 & under 100 free mark of 1:10.10 with their time of 1:07.32.

"We were breaking them down," said Ross, starting to do a little break-dancing movement as she said it.

The 100 free was a record that held since 1981, a time 1:08.42 broken. And, longer held yet, the 100 medley record dated back to 1968, 1:20.40.

Individually, Ross won the 25 free in 15.70 and 25 fly in 16.11 for 8 & under. Bispham won the 25 breast (22.25) and back (20.57) in same age group.

Another record breaker was Marine Hills' Kaia Barth, who swam the 50 free in 25.18 for 15-18 year old girls, breaking the old record of Katy Jayne set back in 1998 of 25.27.

"A great way to finish up," said Barth, who is only 17 and will be breaking records next year, too, it sounds like.

Robert Hughes broke the record in the 11-12 boys 50 breast that was set by Kirk Balin back in 1971, so another longstanding team record was broken. Hughes swam a 33.37.

"We had a lot of outstanding swims," said Doug Djang, Marine Hills coach, who mentioned Tommy Cunningham and Jordan Anderson.

"I'm proud of them (the swimmers), from the parents to the swimmers, it's all about them," said Djang. "And I couldn't do it without my two other coaches helping me, Tommy and Jordan."

Great coaches helping out like Cunningham, who swam to top three finishes his senior year in freestyle events at the 4A state meet, representing Decatur High School last year.

All these coaches were great helping the kids, as were the Twin Lakes coaches, Jenna Madeja, Lauren Madeja and Kai Ory.

Djang could be seen giving high fives and encouraging his swimmers after each race as the younger and older ones all reported to their coaches afterward to see what could be improved upon.

Some stuff was not even about swimming like Kaycie Haven, afterward, getting ready to leave the pool, with a towel wrapped around her head.

"You have a towel on your head, should I call you 'Towly,'" said Djang.

Haven laughed, "They are nice, they help me get better."

For Marine Hills, more encouraging, not to mention helpful words came from Cunningham, talking to 12-year-old Madison Malnory after she raced to second place in the 50 back in 42.41, just behind teammate Jordan Frederickson's 41.79.

"See what happened," said Cunningham when Malnory reported to him after the 50 back.

"Yeah," said Malnory.

"I told you, I told you, you dropped a second because you kicked (right)," said Cunningham, smiling.

Time was better, Madison?

"Yeah, I took a whole second off," said Malnory.

Kicked right?

"He (Tommy) was asking me to slow down my kick so I can improve," said Malnory.

What's the most fun about swimming?

"You get to hang out with your friends, it's really healthy and it's really fun," said Malnory.

Then she put in a pitch for her sport and team.

"You should join Marine Hills," she said.

Why?

"Cuz it's awesome!" Malnory said.
Awesome fun.

Next up is the Southern Division meet where the top six swimmers from each team compete for the right to qualify for All-City after that.

Southerns happens on Thursday, July 29 at Olympic View and then the All City meet is right after that the following Tuesday, August 3 at Lakeridge's pool in the Renton area.

Merchants hatch 'semi-secret' plans to revive Waterland, downtown Des Moines

Rachel Krueger — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:53:52 -0700

By Rachel Krueger

Des Moines business owners and officials have embarked on a "semi-secret" effort to revive the downtown area of Des Moines," according to Wayne Curran, owner of Page Turner Books.

After years of disappointing results, Des Moines business owners report that they are partnering with the city of Des Moines to revitalize the area.

To facilitate these efforts, Destination Des Moines, a group of business promoters recently dormant in the poor economic climate, has re-formed, planning to focus on drawing tourists and local visitors to Des Moines. Michelle Fawcett, owner of Salon Michelle and member of the Destination Des Moines board, said that the new board was elected at a July 13th meeting.

"We had people in the community interested in... getting this show on the road," she said. At this point, the board will primarily focus on recruiting members, but they will likely take over several traditional community events in the future.

"We're definitely committed to bringing back the [Waterland] parade," she added.

Efforts by local businesses to draw visitors downtown go back a few years, Curran noted. One of the first involved giving customers who brought a receipt from another participating business a discount on goods and services. Since its start, the program has constantly increased in popularity.

Curran cited Snohomish and Leavenworth as examples of small towns with vibrant shopping districts. He suggested that Des Moines, too, could become a place "where people come on weekends to get that downtown shopping experience."

Though neglect has contributed to relatively sluggish economic growth downtown, Curran said he is "really optimistic" about the area's future.

Next June, he and other business owners plan to sponsor a daylong music festival in Des Moines, featuring indie rock bands from the Northwest and other areas.

"It's important for us to give [visitors] a reason to come here," he said.

Morgan Hicks, owner of All Points Yarn, is hopeful that city officials are committed to "making business easier to conduct in Des Moines."

These actions compliment grassroots efforts by the business owners to reach out to members of the community, especially families and seniors.

"A good business is responsible to its people," he said, describing a free knitting course his shop has sponsored for new mothers. He has also encouraged local businesses to create websites that a new web directory, www.lostindesmoines.com, can link to. Flyers and coupon books may soon spread information that now travels only by word of mouth.

Like Curran and Fawcett, Hicks expressed excitement about upcoming collaborations, saying, "We all want Des Moines to thrive."

Steel Lake rallies for survival

Gerardo Bolong — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:32:15 -0700

By Gerardo Bolong

Steel Lake Little League staved off elimination with a clutch, come from behind 7-4 defeat of Bonney Lake/Sumner in a loser-out game of the District 10 All-Star Majors baseball tournament on a comfortable night at Sunset Park on Wednesday, July 14.

"We didn't commit five errors like we did on Tuesday (in a loss to Auburn)," said Steel Lake manager Ken Allen. "You gotta catch the ball. Our guys fielded the ball, we had base runners and got timely hits."

For the first part of the game, the conflict resembled dueling World War II battleships with both teams exchanging heavy fire.

In the beginning, Steel Lake created the lead and the momentum by onloading its lethal armaments in the first inning. Michael Ziccarelli's lead off walk followed by two wild pitches and a walk to Brycen Allen positioned runners at first and third with no outs. Fitch delivered a sacrifice fly out to center field for a 1-0 SL lead with a runner on first base.

Following a fielder's choice ground out, Steel Lake still had a runner on first, but with two outs. Left-handed hitting Matthew Roybal then had an opposite field fly that had "gone, home run all the way" written on it as Steel Lake concluded its attack with a 3-0 lead.

BLS returned fire in the top of the second inning by tallying two runs on three hits before continuing its outburst in the third inning.

A dropped fly ball followed by a wild pitch sent a Bonney Lake/Sumner runner to second base with no outs. Although the next two batters struck out, Josiah Fidecaro's long home run over the center field fence earned BLS a 4-3 advantage.

As the game became more pitching and defense oriented, runs were much more difficult to gain.

Steel Lake evened the score in the fourth inning on a base running event. Christian Jones drew a lead off base on balls ahead of special pinch runner Fitch advancing to second base on a wild pitch. The pitcher's throw on Tyson Sonnenfeld's short ground ball drew the first baseman off the bag while also allowing Fitch to reach third base. When the next batter came up, the runner on first base dashed for second and got caught in a rundown. While BLS concentrated on eventually tagging out the runner, Fitch scored to make the score 4-4 as the teams went to the final two innings.

After struggling for three innings, Steel Lake's defense and pitching closed off Bonney Lake/Sumner's avenues to scoring which allowed the Lake's bats to bring back the bounty.

Mason De La Cruz drew a walk after one out was recorded gainst SL in the fifth inning. One out later, Brycen Allen was hit by a pitch. Fitch's high fly to right field dropped in for a triple, driving home two runs to put Steel Lake in control, 6-4. Later in the inning, with runners on second and third, Roybal chipped a run-scoring single to enlarge the margin to 7-4.

"Our team did really well," recalled Roybal. "The bats were dead for awhile, but we got them back in time to win."

James Fitch then set down BLS in order to close out the game.

"We had great defense by Mason De La Cruz and great play by our entire infield," stated James Fitch, who closed out the game with two innings of perfect relief, setting down all six batters he faced. "This brought up our morale. (Starting pitcher) Brycen Allen pitched a great four innings."

Steel Lake earns second at district majors

Gerardo Bolong — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:33:34 -0700

By Gerardo Bolong

Aggressive, and continually attacking Auburn won the District 10 Little League Majors (11-12 year-old) All-Star baseball tournament with an 8-3 championship round victory against Steel Lake at Sunset Park to complete an unbeaten run and make a provisional second game unnecessary.

Auburn moves on to an 11:30 a.m. state match up against District 7 champion South Highline National on July 24 at Smith-Murrey Park in Elma. The tournament is hosted by District 3 East Grays Harbor Little League.

"The guys played well in the tournament," said SL manager Ken Allen. "We just didn't hit the ball real well and went through a lot of pitchers to try to keep Auburn off balance."

Swinging its bats with a powerful purpose from the outset, Auburn hammered away for three runs on five hits in the top of the first inning.

Launching its own lightning strikes, Steel Lake opened the home half of the first inning with a walk to Michael Ziccarelli. After Ziccarelli moved up to second base on a wild pitch, Matthew Roybal singled to set up runners on first and third. Two consecutive wild pitches led to a run and a runner on third base. Jaret Wick walked to hasten in a new Auburn pitcher.

Relief pitcher Isaiah Hatch was greeted by Christian Jones, who chopped a run-scoring single through the middle, drawing Steel Lake within 3-2.

Following this single, fireballing right hander Hatch with the quick delivery to the plate dazzled SL batters with a lights out performance, retiring 18 out of the next 19 Lake batters. His only mistake was a home run pitch that Ziccarelli smoked over the left field fence for a solo home run in the fifth inning.

Auburn added two runs in the fourth, a single run in the fifth and a pair of runs in the sixth to close out the scoring.

Hatch finished his six full relief innings with a two-hitter and 12 strikeouts, including stretches where he struck out five batters in a row and four batters in sequence.

"This was a tournament where we didn't hit real well," said Ziccarelli. "Our defense was the big part of our success. I was looking for fastballs, but the ball I hit for the home run was a low curve. The pitcher was tough because every pitch he threw had movement, not just straight."

Steel Lake began the tournament with wins against South Hill and Kent before dropping a verdict to Auburn. A Wednesday defeat of Bonney Lake/Sumner in a loser-out round final sent the Lake into the rematch against Auburn.

Team members are Jalen Prather, Tyson Sonnenfeld, Ethan Phelps, Jaret Wick, Mason De La Cruz, Gabe Togia, Alex Sonnenfeld, Garrett San Luis, Matthew Roybal, Christian Jones, James Fitch, Brycen Allen and Michael Ziccarelli.

SL's coaching staff includes manager Ken Allen with coaches Joey Sonnenfeld and Nate Bowman.

As part of the evening's final presentations, retiring District 10 board member Leigh Ann Holm was honored for her 18 years of exemplary volunteer work in several capacities, including her current duties as secretary.

Nationals win Majors tourney opener

Gerardo Bolong — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:26:38 -0700

By Gerardo Bolong

It was a quartet of pitchers that produced the tune of victory for the Federal Way National Little League Majors (11-12 age) baseball All Stars in a District 10 tournament opening win gainst Soundview on Friday, July 9.

As Tanner Knapp, JJ Asinas, Kaden Jacobs and Mitchell Grant held the SV offense in check most of the way, the Nationals overcame a 1-0 deficit and broke through in the final three innings for a 5-1 win at Sunset Park.

"I knew we had a lot of pitchers," said FWN manager Tim Robbins. "Our core group of players has been together for three years and have had one-run games. All can hit."

After trailing 1-0 through three complete innings of play, National battered Soundview pitching during the final innings.

In the top of the fourth inning, Baden Jacobs led off with a single for Federal Way and moved up to second base on a wild pitch. Knapp then torched a double to left field, scoring the equalizing run.

The go-ahead fifth inning tallies were set up by a walk to Brady Robic and Tyler Swanson's ground out sacrifice that advanced a runner to second base. Asinas followed with his one-baser and pressed on to second base on the throw from the outfield. Jacobs' base on balls filled the bases with runners. Hanging tough on a 3-2 count, Knapp drew a walk to force home the lead run as National assumed a 2-1 advantage. Jake Perdue added another run on his ground out to second.

Leading 3-1, Federal Way National put an exclamation on its performance in the sixth inning. Swanson timed a Soundview offering for a two-run homer over the center field fence to enlarge the National margin to 5-1.

Soundview's first batter, Braden Schmunk reached base on an outfield error from the lead off batting position, but Grant came to the mound in relief of Jacobs to retire the next three hitters and end the game.

Federal Way's fearsome foursome on the mound allowed only two hits and struck out nine batters.

"We just needed to concentrate, play defense and hit the ball," said starting National pitcher Knapp who allowed one run on one hit in two and one-third innings with four strikeouts-including striking out the side in the second inning. "I can count on the other pitchers we have."

Soundview took the lead in the first inning. Tyler Mick singled before advancing to second base on a wild pitch. One strikeout later, Jordan O'Connor was hit by a pitch. Christian Bell's fielder's choice ground out placed runners on first and third with two out. Trying to steal second base, the runner on first was caught in a rundown and eventually tagged out while the runner scored from third base.

"Early on, we'll trade an out for a run, especially against this team," intoned Robbins. "I was nervous for the first three innings."

Jacobs finished his offensive day for FWN with two hits in three at bats with two RBI, including a double and a walk. Swanson batted 2-for-4 with two RBI, a double and a home run.

Luke’s Wall to be built to honor Des Moines climber

Rebecca Livingston — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:35:38 -0700

By Rebecca Livingston

A fundraiser is being held to build a rock wall in honor of former Des Moines resident Luke T. Gullberg, who died on Dec. 12.

Luke died while attempting to summit Mt. Hood in Oregon, along with Katie Nolan and Anthony Vietti. The fundraiser is being held at the Seattle REI rock wall, The Pinnacle, from noon- 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 24.

Although Luke is no longer with us, his memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. In order to honor Luke's memory, this fundraiser is being held to raise money to build the rock wall at the bible camp he loved and served: Lakeside Bible Camp, located on Whidbey Island.

"Lakeside was a huge part of Luke's life and we want him to be remembered through something he loved," said Peter Livingston, close friend of Luke's and an organizer for the fundraiser.

Luke spent a lot of time at camp as a camper and serving in many areas (cabin leading, replacement staff, cooking and directing).

Luke touched many lives at Lakeside and the hope is that through Luke's Wall, he will continue to touch many more. As an avid climber, he envisioned constructing a climbing wall at Lakeside to share his passion with younger generations.

All skill levels are welcome to participate, even those with no experience.

For those who are climbing, the suggestion is a $50 minimum donation. If that amount is more than one can afford, there are sponsors and other ways to help - for example, spreading the word about the event.

Overcast Clothing Company, a company owned by two young college students who personally knew Luke, created a t-shirt in remembrance of Luke and will donate the profits from the t-shirt to the rock wall fund. They will be sold at the event for $20 a shirt.

Also, slick-looking wristbands will be giveaway items for all climbers. They are currently being sold at Lakeside Bible Camp with all proceeds going to Luke's Wall.

"For those who can't make the climb, please still consider donating. Anything helps," said Livingston.

For those who can't make it to the climb and would still like to donate, visit www.Lakesidebiblecamp.org and click on the donate button in the top right corner. You can specify that your donation goes towards Luke's wall.

For more information e-mail Peter Livingston at peterclivingston@gmail.com.

WA and MA: Similar demographics, different education results

Charles Hoff — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:43:03 -0700

By Charles Hoff

I have now spent a few weeks in Massachusetts and I think it will be interesting to do a little comparison between Massachusetts and Washington. Both have approximately the same 6.6 million populations, both have dominant cities that are very significant in the politics of the states. Both have been very liberal in their politics for many years.

Massachusetts has more minority populations. There are twice as many Blacks and about 12% more Hispanics in the Bay State.

When it comes to education there are dramatic differences! There are more competitive colleges in Massachusetts than there are colleges in all of the Northwest! Harvard, MIT, Tuffs, Boston University, Holly Cross, Williams, Boston College, to name a few, are all colleges that are open only to those high school students who have taken high school very seriously.

Why doesn’t the Northwest, touting itself as “educated,” have a stable of colleges that are of this caliber? Many of the employees of Microsoft and Boeing come from these New England institutions.

Washington State is 35th in the nation in high school graduation rates only about 2/3rds of those who enter the 9th grade graduate and there are no specific standards for “graduation” in Washington in subjects as important as Mathematics and Science... Massachusetts is 10th in the nation and they have standards for both Math and Science.. So Washington is better than 10 of the 50 states and Massachusetts is better than all but 9! Perhaps if you have so few even graduating from high school, let alone being qualified to attend a competitive college, there just isn’t a demand for quality education in Washington? After being involved in Washington education for more than 15 years I would suggest that there just isn’t a demand for quality education either at the K-12 or college level. Our community colleges are full of kids taking remedial courses.

Massachusetts has charter schools, magnet schools and some of the finest public high schools in the nation as well as some of the premier private day and boarding schools. Why is this the case? I would suggest it is because the parents in Massachusetts have spoken clearly that bland education just isn’t adequate.

In Massachusetts school board elections are strongly contested events that offer some real contrasts in philosophy. These disagreements have lead to charter schools and a very strong private education system that allows parents to select many different approaches to an education. These various approaches are mostly designed to prepare students for the rigorous acceptance criteria of so many of New England’s, colleges and universities.

Why doesn’t this happen in Washington? As some readers point out it doesn’t seem possible to even have a discussion of these issues with school boards in this state. School Board members, in general, are just “not available” for any kind of public discussion about the quality of schools and all roundly proclaim that their schools are “excellent.” Even if some of the members decline to have their children attend them!

Instead of addressing these issues school boards in Washington seem to resort to wringing their hands over poor achievement scores, projecting better times ahead, and lamenting the lack of funding from the state. Oh, I forgot to mention school districts in Massachusetts do not depend upon the state for nearly the level of funding that school districts in Washington get! School boards in Massachusetts have to “sell” their needs to their local populations! They cannot rely on an excuse that the “State” isn’t helping them enough as Massachusetts doesn’t seem to believe that the state has a “Paramount Duty” to “educate” children! In Massachusetts they must believe that each community has this obligation.

It would seem then that if a Washington community really wanted better schools they would have to be more participative and more insistent. Washington State seems to have more than its share of apathy and this is most apparent in schools and education.

There hasn’t been, at least I haven’t seen it, anywhere in Washington, any group, perhaps save “Where’s the Math,” that has approached school boards in this state suggesting, or demanding, that our schools be competitive with even the best states let alone with the international leaders. When we don’t do well on the soccer or football field we demand changes. When we don’t do well on the whiteboard we shrug our shoulders, resign ourselves, and muddle on.

Where are the “soccer moms” for quality education? Based on the experiences of the Where’s the Math people I would have to suggest that they are either reluctant to enter the fray, even though their children are at risk, or they are too busy on the soccer field.

School board members, not feeling any heat, continue to follow the advice of their state association to “not be controversial” and look to the state for more money even if they couldn’t figure out how this money would actually improve education.

Is 35th in a nation that is probably 30th in the world good enough? It must be so. We are leaders in football and used to be first in baseball. Our soccer abilities seem to be improving.

Reign ’93 Purple Davis Tournament Finalists

Seth Bynum — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:36:34 -0700

By Seth Bynum

Federal Way’s Reign ’93 Purple, an elite U17 girls soccer team, returned from the Davis Legacy Soccer Showcase with second place after a strong run against top-level California competition. The Federal Way girls won four straight games against higher ranked teams to reach the finals, before losing in a tight 2-1 championship game against the Cap United girls of Northern California.

Reign ’93 Purple features several high school players from Decatur, Thomas Jefferson and Todd Beamer. The team brought Federal Way’s first national championship in girls’ soccer in 2008 when they won the US National Club Cup Championship. They are currently ranked nationally among the top 200 youth soccer teams at their age level.

Reign ’93 Purple are: Kasey Carrel, Nicolette Carnahan, Chelsa Jensen, Madison Hibbard, Madison Cecil, Autumn Talney, Danielle Robinson, Sydney Rogalla, Priscilla Yu, Sarah Wachowitz, Analise Rutt, Ashley Graves, Obianaju Muoneke, Callison Hunter and Breanna Strauss. The team is coached by James Cecil. Mark Froes is Assistant Coach for the Reign.

Pac West All Stars Senior baseball at state

Ed Shepherd — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:30:17 -0700

By Ed Shepherd

Pac West manager Joe Antush spoke some challenging words to his players following PW's 12-3 loss to Redmond, which followed after an opening day win (July 17) over Mulkiteo area's Mill Creek, 9-7, in the Seniors State Little League All Stars Tournament at Hartman Park in Redmond July 18.

"We have to come ready to play tomorrow (Monday) or we're going home," said Antush, talking to his players after the game. He saw some things against Redmond that were not very good from the game's beginning.

Still talking to his players huddled listening to his thoughts outside the field of play after the loss to Redmond, the home-field team of the tourney, Antush said, "I noticed we were a little lethargic, and lazy out there. So, how are we going to look tomorrow?"

This game Pac West's Senior All Stars looked pretty good early on as Redmond picked up a couple hits and RBIs in the first inning to lead 2-0 after the bottom of the first inning completed.

"Just a couple hits and two runs from it, they were earned," said Antush, adding, "But I am always telling them 'Got to stay away from the big inning,' and 'two runs is no big deal.'"

So, Redmond led 2-0 going into the top of the second, where Johnny Rhodes, a newcomer to the area from Spokane, put the bat to the ball to start the inning, blasting it over the right field fence, 2-1.

"I wasn't even going for a home run," said Rhodes, who started on the mound pitching in this game and did pretty well, all things said, with Redmond being a 4A school, with most of Pac West's players from 3A Highline and Tyee, like Joe's son, Ben.

"I just swung at the first pitch and it was right over the plate," said Rhodes.

Right there.

Pac West was right back in it, with that dropping over the chain link fence and changing the goose egg on their side to a run. And more runs would come soon after as Rhodes pitched well the second inning, shutting out the Redmond hitters.

In the Pac West top of the third, Mitchell McCartney started off with a double blasted, high arcing, into left-centerfield as the ball was only about 10 feet from clearing the fence. Then, Ben Antush hit a chopper that good things happened on as the Redmond pitcher got to the ball halfway down the third base line and looked to third base to try and catch the speedy Mitchell 7/8 of the way there. Seeing that a dry option, he swung around 180 degrees and threw to first base to try to get Antush.

But Antush was maybe listening to the fans telling him, "Hustle, Ben, hustle, beat out the throw," and Antush did just barely stretch a foot to the bag before the ball got there. So, runners at first and third with no outs. The next batter struck out but then Ryan Ward, who pitched a solid five innings against Mill Creek, getting that game's winning pitcher of record honor, smacked the ball, hard to the hole at shortstop.

The Redmond shortstop did get to the ball but there was no play as Ward beat the throw to first base and the Pac West speedy leadoff hitter on the team went home easily on the play too, to make it 2-2.

Hitting the ball, that's a good thing as a "chopper" like Antush's can bring good things.

"At this level of Seniors, it is a big field for these kids, it is important to just put the ball in play," said Antush, whose is a 14, 15, 16 age division. The field gets bigger for these kids after Majors (11-12 age) as the field goes from 60 feet to each base to 90 and pitchers go from throwing from 46 feet away to 60 feet away.

Anyway, after that good job to tie the game against Redmond, two Pac West outs came next, ground outs, and that ended the inning. But the knotted up score would not last for long as Redmond scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning, off three hits and one sacrifice scoring another runner to make it 6-2.

A couple of those three Redmond hits in their third inning were nearly stopped by Pac West infielder McCartney, having a ball get by, barely, as he put the glove down a millimeter from the ball hitting it, that was a hit in the books. And, then a ball hit deep to center field was just over the center fielder's outstretched glove trying to make an over-the-shoulder catch. So, plays that could have maybe been made were not.

So, the score was a four-run gap but Pac West showed again in its top of the fourth inning that they could come back a little with a walk to Cole Porter and a full-count RBI single from McCartney to make it 6-3. So, a run in, with two outs and a runner on base but a strikeout ended that rally. The batter that struck out was Antush, too, who was a solid hitter against Mill Creek at 2-for-3 with an RBI.

So, the hitting, which belted out nine against Mill Creek, including many clutch hits, could not come through in the clutch in this game.

Four were left on base in the first four innings against Redmond while Redmond left only one on base in that time, scoring their rest.

"I could tell in infield warmup before the game they were a little flat," said Antush. "I don't know why. They had a such a good game against Mill Creek."

Redmond broke the game open in their bottom half of the fifth, scoring five runs on four hits, making it 11-3, adding another last run of the game in the bottom of six.

Rhodes spoke after the game on what happened and it had something to do with that "flat" word, more or less.

The momentum of winning against a good charter from Mill Creek was supposed to bring momentum.

"Hoping it was going to be like that," said Rhodes. "We just weren't on top of it. We are going to come back tomorrow (Monday) with our 'A' game. They (Redmond) brought their 'A' game. We just weren't on top (of ours)."

The Mill Creek game was a good start to a game as Pac West hit the ball five times and led, 4-2, after the bottom of the first inning as Mitchell led off by drawing a walk and Antush singled and Conner Erben singled and Ward collected a couple RBI and Rhodes drew a walk and Nick Clothier and Cole Porter and Zac Smith all added to the five-hit first inning parade for Pac West. In the fourth inning , Pac West again hit the ball as Mitchell got a double leading off the inning and Antush's RBI triple brought in Mitchell. A sacrifice from Ward added another run to the then 6-2 score.

Mill Creek scored one run in the top of five before the sixth was more Pac West scoring with Erben and Ward singling and Rhodes and Cody Taylor drawing walks to force in a run and Porter sacrificed for another.

Down, 9-3, Mill Creek rallied for four runs in their last inning at-bats but it was not enough.

Pac West's road is tough but certainly doable. They have to win Monday, then Thursday, Friday, and two Saturday. Last year, the Pac West Seniors team, a group of nearly all different players that moved up to Big League play this year, won games in a row without losing going all the way to the final. There, in the first championship game and then the if necessary championship, Pac West lost.

"I am just happy we could beat a team like Mill Creek," said Antush. "Other teams like Redmond that we played today combine two teams from the regular season while we only have one team."

So, whatever happens in this all stars for this group of Pac West Seniors, they should be proud for taking on state calibre competition and beating it.

Bilingual students from Highline, Tukwila, Federal Way school districts snag jobs

Seth Bynum — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:34:04 -0700

By Seth Bynum

Mayrani Romero Luna (Decatur High School, 2007) is a Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) certified medical interpreter with a fulltime staff position.

She says, "I have a great job that I love!"

Silvia Yanez (Tyee High School, 2008), also DSHS certified, is working fulltime as a freelance medical interpreter for three different interpreting agencies.

Elizabeth Arteaga (Highline High School, 2010) earned her DSHS certification a full year before she graduated from high school. She is looking forward to working for herself as a medical interpreter this summer.

These talented young people love being bilingual and bicultural. While in high school they all attended the Translation and Interpretation Program at the Puget Sound Skills Center (PSSC) in Burien.

This program is for bilingual high school juniors and seniors in the Highline, Tukwila, Tahoma and Federal Way school districts.

Students who take this program learned to speak a language other than English at home or growing up in another country. Some sign up for the Translation and Interpretation Program because they are already interpreting for family members and they want to become better at it.

Others have heard that participation in the class is a good way to improve reading, writing and speaking skills in both of their languages.

These skills give students a leg up in other career paths as well. Daniel Luna (Mt. Rainier High School, 2011) realizes that there is a need for bilingual teachers; he plans to go to college to become an elementary school teacher.

Mitzi Gonzalez (Foster High School, 2010) wants to go to college to become a bilingual nurse and Shani Patrick (Foster High School, 2007) uses her language skills tutoring international students at a community college to help pay her way at Seattle University.

Romero says, "The Translation and Interpretation Program definitely helped me get my job. You have to know what to do and what not to do."

Yanez agrees, "The Translation and Interpretation program prepares you to be a professional. I like the feeling of knowing that I'm helping others and doing a job that I like."

The program teaches bilingual students how to make maximum use of their language skills. At a time when jobs are scarce, graduates of the program are finding that they are well-qualified and getting hired for many exciting jobs.

Update-Man missing from Burien area found in Oregon

Seth Bynum — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:03:02 -0700

By Seth Bynum

UPDATE 7/17/10: Carl Wallace, age 58 and suffering from dementia, was found last night in Grants Pass, Oregon. He was with his vehicle and dog Frankie. He was not injured.

Wallace was reported missing from the Burien area on Friday July 16th.

There is no additional information at this time.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

The help of the public is needed to find 58 year-old Carl Wallace. He was last seen on Thursday, July 15th in the Burien area, and might be intending to drive to California.

Wallace suffers from Alzheimer's and is in Seattle from Idaho for medical treatment.

The missing man has little gas, no credit or debit cards, little money, and did not know how to get to the freeway from Burien.

He is likely driving a black, 1990 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, Idaho license 1AEB756.

His dog "Frankie" is with him, a brown and white border collie, weighing about 40 lbs.

Wallace is 5' 7" tall, 180 lbs., and gray hair, blue eyes, and a full beard.

He has a tattoo on his left forearm of purple roses with "Carl + Betty." He is wearing a gray shirt, tan shorts, tan boat shoes, and might have a purple sweater.

If anyone sees Carl Wallace they should call 9-1-1 or the Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours).

National fastpitch drops heartbreaker to Chinook

Ed Shepherd — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:00:41 -0700

By Ed Shepherd

Federal Way National put heart and effort into beating Chinook in the Little League Majors District 10 Fastpitch All Stars Tournament championship game, but they were beat, by one run, 3-2, to end their season at Brannon Park in Auburn Monday, June 28.

"What a game, huh," said Tom Magruder, the National manager. "Everyone deserved to win that one. We played a heck of a game. Both teams did."

The score was 3-0 Chinook entering the top of the sixth, signaling that National had but one at-bat to send this championship to the if-necessary game. And things looked like National was on its way to doing that, in the beginning and middle stages, even the final stages, of their sixth, starting off with a Tivana Tinsley hit-by-pitch leadoff at-bat.

Then, Alex Haven was hit by a pitch too. So, two runners on base, the second calmed down and comfortingly soothed by her dad, and coach, Gary, who works under manager Magruder, after 11-year old Alex took a fast pitch squarely on the lower leg. The next batter, Aleah Adams, drew a walk. Chinook did not likely want to face her, she was thrown four straight pitches out of the strike zone.

"They walked Aleah intentionally, they weren't going to let her battle, that was a smart move," said Magruder, whose player, Adams, had knocked the starting Chinook pitcher out of the game in the fourth inning by turning squarely on a pitch and sending it up the middle as the Chinook pitcher's hand got in the way. She was done, purple, swollen finger on her throwing hand. She left the game then for the hospital.

"I felt bad about that," said Adams. "She was a good pitcher."

Very good as that pitcher, Quinn Briederbach, shut out National the first three and two-thirds innings of play, going out of the game after recording two outs in the fourth, including having the ball hit luckily off her to the shortstop, who threw out Adams.

Going back to the sixth inning National rally in progress, now full swing after Sam Simonson hit the ball hard and it was an RBI single, scoring Tinsley to make it 3-1. Morgan Vance, the next batter, singled, too, scoring Haven to make it 3-2.

Then, with Adams on third base, the count was 2-2 (two balls, two strikes), with two outs now, and National's season on the line very close to ending or extending, something happened. Would it be a hit to tie the game, 3-3, or a ball four that would make the count full?

Well, the fateful pitch came and it was low and to the ground, ball three. But, more than that, Adams took off from third base on this passed ball going to the backstop. The Chinook catcher got the ball, wheeled around 180 degrees and threw to the pitcher now covering home as Adams slid into the bag...

"Out!," shouted the umpire, doing the familiar hand signal.

The ball just needed to have kicked off the wall a foot more and Adams would have definitely scored. But baseball, it is a game of bounces, good ones and, unfortunately, bad, too.

"The ball didn't bounce our way, it was a bang-bang play," said Magruder, coach of these 11 and 12 year old young ladies. "He made the call. Tough call."

Very. But the way the team played, starting off with the pitcher, Gennie Summers, was something only to be very proud of the result. This team lost 13-3 to Chinook earlier in the tournament, getting sent into the loser bracket. So this was a big change from that to only allow them three total runs and be one run away from forcing an "if-necessary" game.

"Chinook deserved it, We deserved it, it was a tough fight," said Magruder.

Tough fight all the way through starting with the way Chinook scored, getting critical production early on in the game from an unlikely batter in their order, their number eight hitter.

After National's pitcher, Summers, had taken down the Chinook side in the first inning, the Chinook bottom of the second was when the foe scored two runs on a two-RBI double from Rechelle Summers, that Buckley area team's No. 8 hitter in the line-up.

Probably not expecting that hitter to hit like that?

"I don't know," said Summers, talking through broken words and a tear-stained face. Then she added, "Yeah. I wasn't."

Besides that run production for Chinook in the second inning, and a little more -- just one run -- in the bottom of the fourth, Summers shut that good hitting Chinook team down. And that was a very experienced Chinook team, as they were the defending champ in Majors Fastpitch for all stars, having represented District 10 at state last year.

Summers just was recovering from a tough thing happening to her early in the National regular season.

"Gennie he had a rough outing (pitching) two weeks into the season and we have been waiting all season, steadily, steadily, for her to get her confidence back," said Magruder. "Gennie did a great job for us today."

This National team may get a state representative slot yet in the future. Some of the players will move on to juniors play or club fastpitch teams in the area. But the majority of this team, all but four players, is still 11 . So, this group should be right here again next year contending for the Majors all stars district 10 crown.

"Nine returners," said Magruder.

Summers is one of the ones back and she hopes next season will be just like this one, except the end result, of course.

"It was really good. I had fun playing with these girls," said Summers. "I am glad we all got to play together. I will miss it."

Hopefully Summers doesn't miss playing next year because she proved she could pitch very well against a very good hitting Chinook team.

Adams looks forward to next year, too, after this game that ended with her slide into the Chinook pitcher's glove.

"That was intense," said Adams. "We battled hard. We came back, just didn't get enough to come back. We scored more runs than last time."

Scored more runs and held Chinook to a lot less runs.

Improvement is what sports is really all about, or, at least, it should be, and, this team can't be anything but very proud of how they did in regard to that fact.

Here is one other fact about this National girls Majors fastpitch team.

"That was our first team a a Majors division ever in our league," said Magruder. "We set a goal of winning 75 percent of our games so we could keep our team together and not have to combine with another charter. "I am proud of these girls."

This team really listened to their manager, Magruder, this season and that makes sense all the more for the success this team experienced.

"I called them (my players) 'my human sponges,'" said Magruder. "They took in everything that was said to them and wanted more."

Players on National are Dani Ward, Alexis Smithwick, Hannah Davis, Aleah Adams, Tricia Hultman, Morgan Vance, Sam Simonson, Alex Haven, Madison Magruder and Tivana Tinsley.

SHN goes unbeaten for District 7 Majors All-star title

Gerardo Bolong — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:03:42 -0700

By Gerardo Bolong

Basic baseball buoyed unbeaten South Highline National Little League to a District 7 Majors (11-12 year-olds) baseball All-Star title in the first of two possible championship round games on Sunday, July 11.

Pounding away for six runs in the last two innings, the baseball boys from Normandy Park turned a tense struggle into a comfortable 8-3 decision against continually battling West Seattle.

National opens the District 3 hosted state tournament against the District 10 champion on Saturday, July 24, at Smith-Murrey Park in Elma. Start time is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

"We used the basic elements of success - pitching, defense and timely hitting," stated Highline manager Dave Galando. "Our slogan has been 11-4-1 which means 11 players, four games (to win) and number one."

South Highline opened the Friday event with a solid first inning of offense beginning with Evan Galardo reaching first base on an infield throwing error. Ryan Lafrombois followed with a single before a fielder's choice ground out left runners on first and second with one out. Up stepped Jared Scott to deliver a run on a sacrifice fly out to left field. A WS throwing error in this sequence of plays allowed another SHN run to score.

National kept a slim lead through four innings due to the clutch pitching of starting pitcher Bryce Pulver. The strong right hander spaced out four hits during this time span, his only big mistake being an opposite field home run allowed to left-handed hitting Morgan McCullough in the third inning.

In the fifth inning, South Highline loaded the bases with one out. One strikeout later, Daniel Russell rifled a line drive that tipped off the mitt of a leaping first baseman for an RBI single to slightly stretch the National lead to 3-1.

Pulver's RBI double and a two-run single highlighted a five-run sixth inning salvo that situated South Highline in a superior situation, holding an 8-1 command.

"We played together andf just kept our heads in the game," stated Tyler Eaton.

To their continuing credit, the West Seattle All-Stars refused to go away meekly. McCullough singled to lead off West Seattle's sixth inning and Zachary Gibson hammered home the run one out later on a triple into the left field corner one strikeout later. Brandon Tyler walked ahead of David Johnson's single for West Seattle's final run.

"It was still agreat tournament for us," said West Seattle manager Mark O'Neil. "We played well and hung in through the loser-out bracket. We came out with total confidence against good pitching. The players gave 110 percent. Even though we were beat up with injuries, we fought through. That's all we could ask."

Pulver pitched five and one-third innings for South Highline National, giving up three runs on six hits with 11 strikeouts. The 85-pitch rule forced Pulver out of the game after he had accumulated 90 pitches following his last batter faced.

"I felt pretty good and just threw strikes," Pulver recalled. "On the home run I just threw too high a fastball."

Scott had two hits in four plate appearances with three runs batted in for SHN. Russell batted 2-for-4. David Johnson notched two hits in three at bats for WS, including a triple and RBI.

As South Highline set its sights on state play, a veteran All-Star commented on his experiences with his teammates.

"This is my fourth year as an All-Star (in different levels)," said Evan Galando who closed out the game in relief of Pulver. "I've been with most of these players for three years and it's fun to be their teammate."

District 7 champion South Highline National's players are Conor Davidson, Tyler Eaton, Evan Galando, David Johnston, Ryan Lafrombois, Gianni Orsillo, Bryce Pulver, Daniel Russell, Darius Saelee, Jared Scott and Joey Urquhart.

SHN is coached by manager Dave Galando and assistant coach Tim Eaton. League president is Lance King. Mike Wydick is the District 7 administrator.

Runnerup West Seattle's player roster includes Austin Hall, Adam Chase, Jeffrey Kasahara, Michael Werlech, Zach Gibson, Riley O'Neil, Alex Parker, David Danilchik, Kyle Van Vleet, Brandon Tyler, David Johnson and Morgan McCullough. Manager O'Neil is assisted by coach Eric Kasahara. Mike Terao is league president.

Americans celebrate

Gerardo Bolong — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:57:20 -0700

By Gerardo Bolong

On the Friday before Independence Day commemorations, there was an American success story at Brannan Park.

Utilizing key contributions from the entire team, the Federal Way American Junior Little League All Stars defended their District 10 championship with an 8-2 verdict against Chinook/Auburn to also complete an unbeaten run through district.

Federal Way qualified for the state tournament, which is scheduled for July 17-25 at Medical lake High School in the Spokane area.

"The team played together and its defense was very good," said Americans manager Bob Clinton. "We've had very good pitching, especially from Andrew (Maertins) and Mitch (Stewart), plus good support from each other all year. Tonight, Mitch was efficient and able to keep the pitch count down with good control while we got key hits."

On July 2, Stewart pitched a masterful mound gem for the first five innings, allowing no runs on two hits through the first five innings. During this stretch, he also struck out 10 batters.

Federal Way took a 1-0 edge in its first at bat as the visitors for this game. Mitchell Garza led off with a single before Stewart's ground out to shortstop forced Garza out at second base. Stewart stole second base ahead of a Maertins single that placed runners on first and third with no outs. Branden Shires singled to plate a run, but that was all FWA could muster for the inning.

J.J Jones's deep fly double with two out in the second inning was the next American chance, but reaped no runs. Despite loading the bases in the fourth inning, the Americans were unable to score thanks in part to a line out that also doubled a runner off third base.

Federal Way increased its sliver-like 1-0 margin in the top of the fifth inning. Lead off batter Garza was hit by a pitch. Stewart followed with a run-scoring double over the right fielder's head for a 2-0 lead. C/A brought on a relief pitcher who was greeted by a Maertins' run-scoring single through the middle.

With no outs, the Americans seemed to be on the verge of a big inning before the next batter lined out to the center fielder who threw to first, doubling off the runner. The next batter popped out to the infield to end the threat.

Capitalizing on its reprieve, Chinook/Auburn retightened the pressure by scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth by way of Jonny Yarbrough's two-out, two-run double. Stewart struck out the last batter on an inside slider to stop the uprising.

Back under tense pressure, American ignited its fireworks in the top of the seventh. Jones reached first base on an infield error with no outs. Garza's swinging bunt single and a base on balls to Stewart loaded the bases. Maertins unloaded a two-run double to make the score 5-2. Consecutive walks to Shires and Joe Potts tallied another run. Mustafa Niazi forced run number seven home on a walk and Kyle Tanemura was hit by a pitch to conclude the five run display.

Buoyed by the run explosion, Stewart set the C/A batters down in order to finish his five-hitter with 13 strikeouts.

"I used the fastball and pitched the slider at different angles and speeds to keep them off balance," Stewart said. "I was scared to death when the run that could tie the game was 90 feet away. I tightened up my pitches and was extremely relieved to get out of trouble in the sixth."

Federal Way American marched through the tournament by defeating Chinook/Auburn 4-2 on a Stewart complete game. American followed with a win against South Hill before winning Friday's rematch with Chinook/Auburn.

As a new player on the All-Stars, Maertins, who batted 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI, expressed his feelings.

"This is great," he said. "We were good at district and we were hitting the ball for key base hits."

Returning All-Star Renne Jones also had positive recollections.

"I think this team is the best team I've been on," said Jones.

The Federal Way American 13 and 14 year-old District 10 champions included Mitchell Garza, J.J. Jones, Renne Jones, Christian Lindbom, Andrew Maertins, Austin Noteboom, Mustafa Niazi, Joe Potts, Branden Shires, Mitch Stewart, Kyle Tanemura and Matt Walls.

The team is managed by Bob Clinton and coached by Nick Clinton, Jerry Stewart and Matt Jones.

SeaTac trial announcement and fireworks accident top police blotter

Shara Hamby — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:21:16 -0700

By Shara Hamby

No third SeaTac trial
The King County prosecutors announced July 9 they will not seek a third trial for former sheriff's Deputy Paul Schene on assault charges. Two juries were not able to come to a unanimous verdict in earlier trials. Schene, who was fired as a deputy, had been charged with assaulting a teenage girl at the police precinct behind SeaTac City Hall.

Man barely survives festivities
A July 4th explosion of homemade fireworks sent a SeaTac man to Harborview Medical Center with critical injuries. He had tied together several sparklers and secured them in a concrete block. When the fireworks were detonated, the block flew apart, one fragment hitting him in the head and causing life-threatening injuries. Other fragments his the garage door and a nearby car. Deputies continue to investigate the situation.

Unlawful airport visit
Passengers restrained a man who entered the Sea-Tac Airport jetway through a security exit, where arriving passengers usually exit. He attempted to flee through an outside exit gate, but was prevented from doing so. Officials report that he is currently undergoing mental evaluations.

SeaTac fire
An apartment complex fire that began in an unoccupied unit displaced four SeaTac residents. The SeaTac Fire Department responded to the fire, and local Red Cross volunteers provided aid to the residents.

Troublesome customer reported
The front desk manager of a restaurant and hotel on International Boulevard called 911 after staff and customers complained that a female customer was yelling irrational comments to other patrons while sitting in the restaurant. When staff members asked her to leave, she refused.

Theft at local church
A Burien church reported that several gift cards had been stolen from the church safe during a service. The safe was locked at the time of the theft, but several members of the congregation knew the combination.

Jukebox robbery
The owner of a business located on Ambaum Boulevard South reported to police that he had found a glass plate in the business' rear door shattered when he arrived at work. The unknown suspect had broken the glass with a rock. Upon entering the building, he stole only the money in an electric jukebox.

Mail rudely dispersed
A resident of the 16000 block of 7th Avenue South told police that an unknown suspect had removed her mail from her mailbox and thrown it into nearby bushes. A neighbor later found the mail and placed it on the victim's porch. Several envelopes had been torn, but none were missing.

Car Break-ins, prowlers, thefts, and vandalism
3000 S. 176th St., 16700 Blk. 31st Ave. S., 3300 S 175th St., 17338 International Blvd., 3201 S. 176th St., 19408 Pacific Highway S., 20060 International Blvd., 19400 Blk. Military Rd. S., 13800 Blk. 12th Ave. SW, 14300 1st Ave. S., 11600 Des Moines M.E., 15800 2nd Ave. SW.

Des Moines Marina puts on a new face

Earline Byers — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:03:13 -0700

By Earline Byers

Correction: CSR Boatyard is the correct name of the boat yard in the Des Moines Marina. It was incorrectly identified in Earline Byers' column in the July 16 Times/News.
Also Classic Yachats also is open at the marina. It was inadvertently left off a list of businesses operating in the marina.

The Des Moines Marina is one torn-up mess with fences and construction machines of heavy equipment working everywhere. Recently ICMO Construction tore down about 20 dry storage sheds.

Dock Avenue is closed off to through traffic and the public boat launch is long gone. The only commercial businesses there now are Anthony's Homeport and CRS Boatyard.

Forget those tasty hamburgers - long gone too.

At first sight, the marina is a war zone of action we could live without and a price more than money. Imagine hearing piercing back-up machines beep, beep, beep, with regular doses of crash, bang, thud of digging, scrapping and loading. It's enough to try the soul of saints.

The city is following their marina master plan created over years of planning with citizens, city officials and experts.
History tells us May 10, 1970, Sunday, was the Grand Opening of Des Moines Marina and Des Moines' "most visible asset," as it remains in 2010.

From a population of about 3,000 when this idea took hold to today's population of nearly 30,000 the marina and beautiful harbor has/is a big drawing card and "long recognized excellent site for pleasure boats." Magnificent sunsets and sailboat races are frosting on the cake.

As early as 1946, Des Moines-Zenith Improvement Club plans were developed for a breakwater and boat haven using concrete obtained when air raid shelters at the Boeing Company in Seattle were demolished.

In 1964, Des Moines Jaycees club, in partnership with the city, delivered surveys to a population of about 3,000 asking about interest in a marina. Results were so positive with a second survey of boat owners that construction planning began with city and community working together.

Des Moines City Council passed a resolution for a $10,000 loan application from Housing and Urban Development to pay for a study and qualify the city as large enough to acquire tidelands.

They applied for a certificate of public use that was denied, and appealed in 1967. It almost passed except for certain land that could not be obtained until revising the plan again.

Finally, bids were called for January 1969 and the first rocks were dropped into Puget Sound marking the breakwater location.

Construction began operating around-the-clock and caused community unrest. After more land acquisition and addition of floats A through D, the grand opening took place.

The total loan from DHUD was $3,830,000. In 1977 the city added 67 open moorages making a total of 838 slips. Des Moines Marina is entirely self-supporting paid for by users. Des Moines residents' taxes do not support their marina.

Today the marina is experiencing a much-needed face-lift of new pilings and more. Work is progressing a little ahead of schedule.

When visiting the marina be prepared for a disruption in boating, walking and sightseeing in general. Use north 223rd entrance for access to the fishing pier.

People who exercise daily in the marina and Beach Park, walk their pets, and look for some silence and sanity with a dose of fresh of air, miss that freedom.

However, Harbor Master Dusenbury, and Doreen Torseth, project contract city administrator, worked with the public, boaters and nearby residents to help. Now, Beach Park is quite accessible.

Des Moines Marina is still this city's 2010 "star asset." Judge for yourself when Harbor Master Joe Dusenbury proudly invites the public to come and see their spiffy new-marina-look.

Work may possibly be finished by early December.

Construction sort of resembles children-nine months of growing pains and a lifetime of an "apple of our eye." Yup, that's kinda picture-perfect.

Watch for improvements of community benches seating area with new landscaping where the former public boat launch was and an expanded CSR Boat Yard with nearby travel-lift for moored and repair vessels. All supported by brand new pilings and improved utility services.

Remaining dry storage sheds will stay, Doreen Torseth said.

Des Moines Marina is the most visible city asset. In 1946 a dream gave birth to surveys, in 1977 a marina was dedicated. The scarcity of land capturing nature's public beauty now is priceless.

This marina is a legacy for all to enjoy, a gift from people who made a dream come true. When we love something we protect it.
(Resource: "100 Hundred Years of the Waterland Community;" Editor, Richard T. Kennedy; Associate Editor, Grechen F. Schmidt)

Today's Thought: "He who has all the answers hasn't heard all the questions."
-Anonymous