July 2007

South Seattle Community College's 2007 President's Medal went to Sinath Touch, who graduated with an associate of arts degree (3.99 GPA), and Melcombe Forbes, who graduated with an associate of applied science in landscape management (3.80 GPA).

Both can give voice to the fact that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

The criteria for selection for the President's Medal include a student's grade point average, rigor of course work, and obstacles that had to be overcome, or other extenuating circumstances.

Some Christians prefer to preach. Some would rather practice. With its "Here's Life Inner City" program, the Campus Crusade for Christ ministry calls upon its college student interns to do both.

Spotting the group's "Prison Bus" parked at the Westwood Christian Assembly church in White Center recently, I tapped on the door and soon found myself talking with program director, Tom Durrant, and Joseph Yasso, one of the student interns, about how it works.

Durrant described the program as a month-long "urban immersion" experience.

Strong. Virile. Aggressive. Dominant.

These are adjectives reflecting physical and acculturated male power. Reinforcing these attributes are the experiences of male bonding, the uniting of men into close knit camaraderie units of power symbolized by the male football team.

Athletic star sports has been tied closely to male bonding. The edge created by the drive to win against an opponent was not a part of the usual female training, however. In days past, a girl to indicate such a spirit would appear too aggressive in the eyes of a future marital partner.

Fanaticism is something everyone in this world can relate to. It is passion for something to an extreme degree. Oftentimes this passion gives positive direction to human action, leading us to chase our dreams.

Yet, if I am not mistaken, fanaticism usually has a negative or superficial connotation. In this context it becomes a passion for say, a rock star, a movie, an author, a supermodel, and so on. As the saying goes, we, the audience, are captivated by their 'It' factor - also called their 'X' factor.

We become addicted to them.

I was disappointed with the Herald's coverage of the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

The article chronicles the events at Barnes and Noble only. West Seattle does have other booksellers. What about Square One Books in Jefferson Square - West Seattle's Neighborhood bookstore?

Gretchen Montgomery and Matthew Mors, the owners of Square One Books, used this event to help a local charity. For every book sold prior to the release, Square One donated $5 to Westside Baby, a local West Seattle charity.

We have an opportunity to improve Seattle Schools. Elect Dan Dempsey to the Seattle School Board.

Dan has the ethics, independence and skills to listen to the voters. He'll do what the voters want and not be a political puppet for special interests.

Dan is the father of four children.

Last week, Forbes Magazine ranked Washington as the fifth-best place for business in the nation. However, the small business community views the Washington State business climate very differently and says more needs to be done before anyone in Washington should feel good about our business climate.

First, in looking at this ranking, let's consider Forbes Magazine.

Sivona Lingle is Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu for 2008 and Danica Tongol is the junior court queen.

Lingle is the 17-year-old daughter of Mark and Autumn Lingle and is a very active West Seattle High School senior. When school resumes in September Lingle will be Associated Student Body Vice President.

She plays varsity soccer, basketball, is a National Honor Society member and enjoys swing dancing.

At the Hiawatha Fun Festival, Hi-Yu continued festival events with the Junior Court Coronation.

Average Seattle incomes aren't keeping up with rising West Seattle housing costs and home ownership and rental opportunities are moving beyond the reach of wageworkers.

That fact prompted Mayor Greg Nickels to unveil his new housing program last week, which aims to put more homes within reach of Seattle's working class.

An investigation into the cause of flooding that damaged houses and yards in the Fauntleroy neighborhood last winter indicates numerous problems cascaded into each other.

Last December's flooding occurred around California Drive south of the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. Many of the streets in the neighborhood remained unpaved and without drainage until the 1960s and '70s, said Sahba Mohandessi, project manager for Seattle Public Utilities. When California Drive and neighboring streets were finally paved, they did not get curbs, gutters or subsurface reinforcement.