April 2009

Seattle Parks and Recreation will join other public and private aquatic facilities throughout Washington to celebrate the 16th Annual April Pools Day on Saturday, April 18, 2009.  The Ballard Pool will be free from 10 a.m. until noon.

More than 40 facilities throughout the state are working together to help families prepare for a safe summer by hosting free events that offer water safety tips and activities.
 
Participants of all ages will have the opportunity to learn hands-on water safety in and out of the water.  Activities may include practicing wearing and using lifejackets, learning about hypothermia, taking a boat ride, practicing reaching and throwing rescues, and learning about CPR. Participants can enter a drawing for a free Mustang lifejacket, as well as other prizes. 
 
Don’t miss this chance to get ready for fishing and boating season by participating in April Pools Day at your local Seattle Parks and Recreation swimming pool. Learn and have fun together as a family.

The Ballard Pool is located at 1471 N.W. 67th St., 684-4094.

Other locations participating:
 

Adults and youth from grades eight through 12 are invited to come join one of 10 Camp Fire USA area day camps in the King and Kitsap County area, including Camp Sealth on Vashon Island.

Day camp relies on volunteer staff, so you may choose to be a counselor, craft specialist, junior staff, outdoor skills specialist, nurse, purchaser or other. Excellent training is offered for volunteers. Volunteers' preschool-aged children will also receive well supervised care. Teens who are not Camp Fire members will need to pay a $20 membership fee. Adult volunteers who work a full camp session may send their children for $35 per child!

Day camp creates lifelong memories. Being outside, youth feel wonder and excitement, plus a sense of adventure, freedom, and beauty. As one parent told us, “What was fun and meaningful for us when we were kids at summer camp, actually turns out to be many of the things that are fun and meaningful about being alive.”

Camp Fire USA staff and volunteers are trained and all are background checked. Camp Fire USA has ten area Day Camps in King and South Kitsap Counties and 8 weeks of day camp at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island.

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society (SWSHS) invites residents to bike into history as the second annual SWSHS Bike Tour returns to West Seattle Sunday, June 7, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The Bike Tour accompanies SWSHS’ popular Walking Tour series, showcasing some of West Seattle’s most influential landmarks.

Beginning at the Log House Museum on Alki Beach, the Bike Tour is a casual 5-mile bike ride around the Duwamish Peninsula via Alki and Harbor Avenues and West Marginal Way. Featured sites on the route include the Log House Museum, the newly reconstructed Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, Alki Beach, Anchor Park (formerly Luna Park) and the new Duwamish Longhouse on West Marginal Way.

Bike Tour creator and Museum Assistant Sarah Frederick and Museum Director Andrea Mercado are excited about the Bike Tour’s unique format in reminding Seattleites of West Seattle’s central influence on the city’s history.

The CD Stimson Company, which owns the office, warehouse and lab complex, Salmon Bay Center at 5301 Shilshole Ave. N.W., recently gained approval from the city to sub-divide its two parcels of land into eight separate pieces of land, ranging from about 25,000 square feet and 131,000 square feet, for future development.

The Seattle Department of Planning and Development released its decision Monday, April 6 and the public has until April 19 to comment.

The land is zoned industrial, which limits its uses and is located in an environmentally critical area. The land-use application was filed days before new legislation took effect that limits the size of office uses in industrial zoned areas to 25,000 square feet.

The application was submitted to the city Jan. 14 2008 and the legislation was passed and became ffective on Jan. 18 that year.

Portions of the property are also located within the "urban industrial shoreline environment."

Tom Bayley, president of Stimson, said the purpose of the subdivision is for the future development of five office buildings in the industrial area.

After Seattle Financial Group sought to sell the Fauntleroy Place project earlier this year, Alamo Manhattan, LLC has verified that they are currently under contract to purchase the project.

The firm will lead an investment team to purchase the property. Alamo Manhattan will also serve as the developer for the project.

Despite the change in ownership, no significant design changes are expected. Fauntleroy Place is a mixed use project with a 45,000 square-foot Whole Foods Market, a 15,000 square-foot Hancock Fabrics, 184 apartment homes and parking for 484 vehicles.

“We are conducting due diligence regarding the purchase of the property and continue to be excited about the opportunity,” said Matt Segrest, principal of Alamo Manhattan in a written statement. “Negotiations are currently underway with multiple investors on the project. We expect to select an equity partner soon and be positioned to restart construction in the third quarter of this year.”

Segrest, a West Seattle resident himself, appears to be optimistic about the project.

(Editor's note: The following article appears originally in Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin's newsletter "Making it Work.")

Seattle is about to embark on a flurry of legislation to invest in economic recovery projects, beginning with new federal money, and including advancing city capital projects that voters approved in the 2008 Parks for All Levy.

The city has already received $15 million for the Spokane Street Viaduct project from the initial federal transportation package and $6 million for energy conservation investments. The city is currently taking bids on the Spokane Street projects and there’s a good chance that work will begin this year.

The city will also receive some $3.3 million in Community Development Block Grants for loans to small businesses and to build and remodel community facilities. The Jewish Family Services Food Bank, Bush Hotel Congregate Meal Facility, Pike Place Childcare and Preschool and Goodwill Teen Parent Home are all slated for support. We will also rehabilitate and repair seven senior housing buildings, a total of 216 units.

Lake Washington's offense was too much for the Ballard High School soccer team, which suffered a 3-1 defeat April 7.

The Beavers (2-4-1 overall and 0-3-1 conference) allowed two goals before Sofien El-Mehrik answered with a goal in the 52nd minute on an assist from Nick Christie.

Ballard's offense has struggled this season. The team only scored more than one goal in a game once this season and has been shutout three times in seven games.

The Beavers match up against Issaquah at 7:30 p.m., April 14 at Interbay Stadium.

Q: Julie P. writes: "Right now I can't think of a single, solitary thing I'm grateful for! My partner left, and the kids are acting out. My job may be cut. The tax assessment just came in, and I don't know how I'll keep the house. I'm angry, burnt out and resentful. What can I do?"

A: We asked around our office about how we had coped with stress and dejection. How did we keep gratitude in our minds in those times? Our ideas will help you if you're having trouble finding gratitude.

Memories are mood dependent. There are actions you can take to change a down, angry or resentful mood.

1. Write down, every morning or evening, two things for which you are grateful. Watch your list grow.

2. Help someone else or volunteer for your local non-profit.

3. Go into nature.

4. Eat healthy food

5. Watch a video that brings up happy feelings.

6. Exercise.

7. Keep a list of favorite people, sayings, or messages.

Every choice you make will help you lift your mood. Try some of these, and let us know of any others that are effective for you.

The Ballard High School girls lacrosse team dropped its third game in a row when Klahowya handed them an 18-5 loss April 7.

The Beavers won their first game but lost their next three contests by an average of 12 points per game.

Once again, Ballard was able to hang with its opponent for the first half but found itself outmatched in the second.

Klahowya lead 4-3 at halftime, but closed out the game with a 14-2 run. On March 24, Ballard was tied with Eastside Catholic at two apiece at the end of the first half. Eastside Catholic finished the game on a 12-3 run.

The Beavers can end the skid when they face North Kitsap at 5:30 p.m., April 10 at Ballard High School.

Two local businesses were honored today at the 6th Annual West Seattle Chamber of Commerce Awards Breakfast.

West Seattle Herald Publisher Gerald S. Robinson was given the Community Service Award. The honor is given to an individual who has left a mark on West Seattle, who has bettered the community with a contribution of time, energy and civic leadership that leaves a lasting impact. Robinson is president of Robinson Newspapers, which publishes six community papers in the Puget Sound Region including the Herald.

Also recognized as Business of the Year was Elliott Bay Brewery and Pub. Owner Todd Carden opened the pub in 1997 in the Junction. Elliott is the first 100 percent organic brewery in King County.

The company initiated 100 percent composting three years ago and uses all biodegradable and post-consumer paper products. Elliott Bay Brewery and Pub has been a long-standing supporter of many local non-profits. Carden has served on the Junction Association board for eight years. The award was given for his foward thinking approach to business, environmental stewardship and community support.

King County Councilman Dow Constantine introduced both award recipients.