October 2005

The South Park Bridge is in even worse condition than the Alaskan Way Viaduct and will likely fall down during the next big earthquake, if it doesn't stop working altogether first.

The Page One story in this week's issue says the South Park Bridge gets a "sufficiency rating" of 8 of a possible 100 points, while the viaduct is rated 9 of 100.

Does this make us feel safer when we use either?

A host of top Seattle corporation leaders, including Microsoft's Steve Balmer, Boeing's Alan Mulally and Safeco's Mike McGavick have joined a host of political and business l

The South Park Bridge, which is just as vital to South Park as the West Seattle Bridge is to West Seattle, could be damaged beyond repair in an earthquake, but there isn't enough money to replace it.

Some of the pilings that support the 75-year-old bridge over the Duwamish River were never driven deeply enough into the river bottom. As a result, the bascule piers now tilt and King County bridge crews struggle to keep the moveable span operating.

When Oren Artlip looks out the window of his Roxhill home, he recalls the White Center Dairy he owned and operated there at the tail end of the Great Depression.

Now of course, the former 10-acre farm is a honeycomb of houses, lawns, driveways and streets. Westwood Village is a block to the north and Roxbury Street is just south.

Artlip, 89, used to own the land between 25th and 26th avenues southwest, from Barton to Roxbury streets. It was mostly woods all around the place back in 1939, when he acquired the dairy from his father-in-law.

Logs and computers seem an odd coupling, but the log-constructed White Center Park Fieldhouse is now a wireless computer access facility.

Wireless-equipped laptops can get access to the Internet anywhere within all 12 acres of White Center Park.

Swagger on in. A brand new bar and your very own mahogany booth await you-along with the finest cut of steak in the neighborhood. Just follow the green neon sign (and your nose) to JaK's Grill.

Named for the first initial of each of the founders' first names (Jeff Page and Ken Hughes), JaK's Grill has been a rare find on the Westside since day one.

"We started from humble beginnings," recalls Hughes. "With 10 tables in a small space in Admiral, we were as tiny as you could imagine.

sports CORRESPONDENT

Thomas Jefferson sharpened its focus and pounded powerfully at the net for a 3-1 South Puget Sound League volleyball match victory Thursday at cross town rival Federal Way.

During the Raiders' first match win in four tries, several elements factored into the success.

"The first two games we were strong at the net," observed Raider head coach Robin McNet. "Playing Federal Way is never easy for us. It's a very mental game from everybody to play as a team.

Football

Em. R. 28, Beamer 10

Cole Bixenman scored Todd Beamer's touchdown on a 1-yard run and Sean Davis kicked the PAT as well as an earlier field goal from 35 yards out in the Saturday, Sept. 24 game.

Beamer 40, Decatur 27

Todd Beamer came away with the win from a wild high-scoring game at Federal Way Memorial Friday. Both teams now stand at 1-4 in SPSL South Division and overall play.

Boys tennis

2. Federal Way police responded to a domestic violence/assault call at 1137 SW 320th Place. At the address, officers found a man threatening to damage the victim's car with a bat. The suspect had pushed the victim against the wall earlier and destroyed the victim's phone to prevent further calls to the police. The suspect, a juvenile, was arrested on charges of making threats, harassment and simple assault. He was booked in King County Juvenile on those charges.

3. Federal Way PD recovered a stolen green 2004 Ford at 27202 Pacific Highway South.

Lack of income doesn't stop Federal Way residents from helping family members affected by Katrina

By Greta Mart Federal Way News

Until two weeks ago, Paula Slumkoski, 30, and her 14-year old son lived alone in south Federal Way.

Wednesday, Oct. 5

Cross country: Spanaway Lake, Sumner at Decatur; Bethel, Curtis at Beamer; Graham-Kapowsin, TJ at Puyallup; Federal Way, Enumclaw at Kentlake. Girls 4:30 p.m., boys 5 p.m.

Volleyball: Graham-Kapowsin at Beamer, 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct.