April 2008

Builders here will be asked to pitch in to help purchase more parks and open space for the community and new residents many of the developments will bring here.

Groundswell NW has been the leading non-profit force for acquiring and building parks in Ballard and Crown Hill, and now they plan to get developers to volunteer a percent of their construction costs as a sort of giveback to the community they are impacting.

"We want developers to see the value in this for themselves," said Catherine Darley, a member of Groundswell NW who is leading the new program.

While the Seattle Police are well known for their crime fighting ability, the men and women in blue go out of their way to help people and support the community they serve.

That was the message delivered by Seattle Police chief Gil Kerlikowske to the Ballard Rotary Club during their luncheon last week.

"How much the Seattle Police Department gives back to the community is another side of the department people do not know about.

The March 26 story on the new rune stone in Bergen Place incorrectly stated that James Cole designed the granite stones that were installed the previous year. The other four were designed by Hewitt Architects, the company which designed the park's modifications in 2004. Cole was a member of the Friends of Bergen Place and designed only the plaque on the stone honoring Norway.

Passports are now available Monday through Friday at the Neighborhood Service Center in Ballard.

The Ballard Neighborhood Center at 5604 22nd Ave. N.W. is open for passport servicing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Passports usually take 10 to12 weeks and are mailed directly to you. Expedited service is available - if you have at least 14 days prior to travel - for an additional $60. If needed prior to 14 days, call the Federal Building for an appointment at 206.808.5700.

Two Ballard school champions represented their respective schools last Friday in the Washington Geographic Bee in Tacoma.

Erik Hammarlund, an eighth-grader at Whitman Middle School, and Jasper Wensnahan, an eighth-grader at Salmon Bay School, continued each school's succession of qualifying its champion for the state-level competition.

Wensnahan was one of only 17 girls who qualified for state in this boy-dominated field of study.

John Bowers new head coach

By Dean Wong

In their search for a new football coach, the Ballard Beavers have dipped into the collegiate ranks to hire John Bowers who brings 27 years of experience to the program.

Bowers, 50, is leaving his position as recruiting coordinator and secondary coach with the Western Washington University Vikings to take over the Beaver team.

"I'm very excited to get started," said Bowers, who will no longer have to make the long commute to Bellingham.

His coaching experience includes leading the defensive backs, de

The spirit of Steve Cox, and a chilly wind, were felt by many on the field and in the stands of the newly dedicated Steve Cox Memorial Park Saturday as family, friends, dignitaries, and many King County police and firefighters honored the deputy who died in the line of duty just over a year ago.

King County provided $430,000 toward the renovation of the park, formerly known as White Center Field. The name "Mel Olson Stadium," on park grounds, will remain. The community leveraged those funds and came up with another $600,000 or so of in-kind donations, materials and volunteer work.

Seattle Mariners public address announcer Tom Hutyler emceed in uniform.

Guest speakers included King County executive Ron Sims, King County sheriff Sue Rahr, Steve Cox's wife, Maria, and his brother, Ron.

After speeches, Hutyler invited the Cox's' son, two and a half year-old Bronson to the mound to throw the first ceremonial pitch both to honor his father and to start the Seattle Preparatory School vs. Eastside Catholic High School baseball game to follow the dedication.

The return of the Elliott Bay Water Taxi for another summer season will be celebrated with a kick-off event on Sunday, April 27 from noon to 2 p.m.

Refreshments, live music, and family activities will be featured at the event at West Seattle?s Seacrest Dock. The musical group Once, featuring singer/songwriter Bronwyn Edwards Cryer, will perform. Water Taxi rides will be free all day and riders will receive free Water Taxi posters.

?The Water Taxi has proven itself as a vital link between West Seattle and the downtown waterfront for commuters and visitors alike,?

After an exhaustive effort, researching countless names of community members, Jerry Robinson at Robinson Newspapers settled on celebrating the efforts of Jim Hughes, owner of Sal's Deli on 6th ave in Burien.

Jim has owned the deli since 1990 and worked there since 1980. His commitment to community service and active participation in a variety of events were recognized by Robinson Newspapers a deserving of the award.

The award was presented at Burien's 15th birthday party Friday, March 28. "I feel like the luckiest man in Bedford Falls," Jim said.

Most of the 28 competitors in the bicycle pie jousting contest at Sully's Snowgoose Saloon in Phinney Ridge got creamed during its eighth annual April Fools Day event. New Belgium Brewery, Fort Collins, Colorado, which supplied the retro balloon-tire bicycles, sponsored the event.

Each heat involved two participants on bicycle about 40 feet apart in front of the saloon. They tossed a pie at each other as they passed consisting of sugarless whipped cream on a paper plate supplied by T.M. Dessert Works across the street. The jouster with more cream on his or her face was eliminated.