October 2009

If you've had trouble spotting the Historical Society's new residence in the Steel Lake Annex, the organization hopes their new sign will draw increased attention to their newly-acquired digs.

Last week, the Historical Society installed the roadside sign on S. 312th Street.

In this photo Milan, of Federal Way Sign; Diana Noble-Gulliford, Immediate Past President Historical Society of Federal Way; and Jerry Knutzen, President Historical Society of Federal Way stand next to the new sign.

Three Tenors, wine, art, chocolate, yoga, rummage sales, line dance and people under 50 years old. Which one doesn’t apply to the Ballard Senior Center? Wrong.

Every single one of the above is part of the senior center’s past or current events calendar. The Ballard Senior Center has opportunities for anyone willing to leave their fear of being considered a senior at the door.

It sits just north of the 7-11, at 32nd Avenue Northwest and Northwest Market Street. Picture windows face the bus stop for routes 17 and 44 on 32nd Avenue, often advertising the date of the next rummage sale (Oct. 16-17) or special events like the Wine, Art and Chocolate Night (Oct. 8) or the Bavarian Fest (Oct. 19).

A giant billboard wouldn’t be enough room to list what’s really going on inside the building, which is nothing short of a combined restaurant, fitness center, computer lab, classroom, retail destination, crafts room, billiard hall, health, nutrition and social center.

The unassuming city-owned building is home to one of seven senior centers in the city, and one that center Director Carlye Teel is proud to hear called, “the really friendly one.”

Bethel 31, Decatur 28

Brandon Bailey of Bethel booted a 24-yard field goal Friday to break a 28-28 tie and send his team on to victory.

Alex Bykovskiy was the leader for the Gators, running for a 34-yard touchdown and throwing for touchdowns of 60 and 10 yards. He also passed for a two-point conversion in the action at Art Crate Field in Graham.

Curtis 28, Beamer 10

Todd Beamer didn't have a good outcome in its trip south, either. In this case the game was at Curtis High School and the homestanding Vikings came away with the 28-10 win.

Benjamin Draeger was the highlight for the Titans, kicking a 20-yard field goal, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run and adding the extra point.

Seattle Department of Transportation roadway structures crews plan to make repairs to the following structures this week:

Alaskan Way Viaduct—Crews will close the northbound, left lane of the Alaskan Way Viaduct from College to Massachusetts streets, Monday to Friday, Oct. 5 to 9.
Crews will repair a rail that was damaged by an accident, working from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Fauntleroy Expressway—Crews plan to work on the expressway from Wednesday to Friday, Oct. 7 to 9, and Monday to Wednesday, Oct. 12 to 14, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day.
Crews will make deck repairs, closing one lane at a time. (This work will be rescheduled of the weather is not favorable.)

Mr. Layden, Proposition #1 is a GREAT idea for SeaTac, not a bad one!

As an avid political junkie over the last decade, observing, analyzing, and offering my opinion when asked, as the spouse of the Deputy Mayor, I felt it was imperative for all spouses of the Council to remain behind the scenes regarding the Change of Government until the SeaTac citizens voiced their opinions with their vote on November 3rd.

After watching in incredulity as the spouses of the Angle Lake Council members fight to keep their husband’s or wife’s super majority power base for the Angle Lake elite and their local Angle Lake political advisors, I feel compelled to speak out on behalf of the strong Mayor form of government.

FACT: 85% of Washington cities have selected the more economical Mayor/Council form of government. The average City Manager budget is $8 million more than the elected Mayor budget.

Federal Way unwrapped a new weapon in senior Isiah Umipig, and it has already paid off in dividends.

He put the Eagles on the scoreboard with 4:50 left in the first half when he caught a pass from Nick Tanielu and carried it 50 yards for a touchdown -- sending the team on its way to a 24-14 South Puget Sound League North Division win over Tahoma of Maple Valley.

Umipig is better known as a college-bound basketball player.

"It was his first varsity game ever," said Federal Way head coach John Meagher of Umipig, who joined the team two weeks into the season and had enough practices in to play varsity Friday. "There's nothing like Friday night under the lights. He knows how to compete. He can do the job defensively, too."

The Eagles stood out on defense as a unit in this game, blanking the Bears from the second quarter on.

"We came out and pitched a shutout the second half," said Meagher.

Federal Way evened its SPSL North record at 2-2 with the win and improved to 3-2 overall, while Tahoma fell to 3-2, 3-2.

"It was a big win," Meagher said.

It started off like it may be a yawner for the Eagles as Tahoma got the early jump.

Directed by Todd Phillips
Rated R
(Two and one half stars)
At the Admiral through Oct. 8: 1:45 • 3:50 • 6:50 • 9

Since “The Hangover” is a comedy about a bachelor party that goes horribly wrong, it makes sense that the film’s best scene shows the immediate aftermath.

The camera slowly pans a Las Vegas hotel suite that has been transformed into a still life of debauchery. Lamps are broken, a chorus girl’s costume is draped over a dresser and the armchair is smoldering. On the floor, a bleary eyed Stu (Ed Helms) is trying to come to grips with the fact that he is face to face with a live chicken.

This may have been the wildest bachelor party ever but Stu and his buddies, Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis), have no idea because they can’t remember anything about it. Worse, they can’t recall what they did with the groom, Doug (Justin Bartha), who is nowhere to be found.

If these friends are going to get Doug home in time for his wedding they’re going to have to reconstruct last night’s timeline from the few clues left behind (starting with the hospital I.D. bracelet on Phil’s wrist and a baby in the closet).

It isn’t everyday that I go looking in my yard for salad additions, but I did that just the other day, and if my neighbors saw how excited I was to find a lowly dandelion in my yard I might be drummed out of the neighborhood.

You see, a class I took this weekend through the Women of Wisdom Foundation here in Seattle opened my eyes and tastebuds to edible possibilities I have previously overlooked.

Jennifer Sundstrom, our teacher for the class, lists the title of Ethical Sustainable Wildcrafter on her business card. But there’s nothing stuffy about Jennifer in person. She’s smart and knowledgeable about herbs (some of them are also known as WEEDS) and delights in sharing her knowledge.

Did you know that rosemary is a part of the mint family? I didn’t. And that if you take just a tiny taste and chew it between your teeth you can feel that mintiness.

Perhaps you’ve seen plantain in your yard? Or, god forbid, dandelions? They’re edible, and not just edible, good for you. (Caveat: You do need to know for sure what you are picking before you eat it. There is a false dandelion, for example.)

There are more than 22,000 coffee shops across the nation but only one Bird on a Wire espresso. This tiny coffee house is just off 35th Avenue Southwest on Southwest Henderson Street and is owned by Heidi Herr. She arrives every day, before 6 a.m. to serve the coffee and pastry needs of her adoring customers.

As you might expect the decor has a distinctly bird-like theme with depictions of birds everywhere from the lights, to the art on the walls, to the slightly odd stuffed animals.

Herr was born in Yakima and later moved to Olympia. She has been making coffee since she was a teenager.

She has a degree in criminal justice and sociology, but after trying that "real world" for a couple of years she said, "I always would always go back to a job making coffee."

The customers are mostly local, intensely loyal and Herr loves to hear from them.

"Any Saturday morning you can walk in here and actually the entire neighborhood, every neighbor is in their sleepy eyed role, grabbing their latte and we just all sit her for hours and talk it up," customer Jenee' Arthur said.

It's that time of the year again when pet owners and religion dovetail for the "Blessing of Pets" ceremony at churches worldwide.

At Providence Mount St. Vincent, 4831 35th Ave. S.W., Father Tom Marti and Sister Christine journeyed floor to floor to bless resident fish, birds, and cats. An entourage of dogs with owners in tow followed close behind and even packed their pups in elevators to keep up with Father. The resident fish appeared unphased by the holy water.

"We thank the Lord for today, for St. Francis of Assisi," said Father Marti, who is in residence at St. James Cathedral downtown. "Referring to the pet procession, he said, "They inspire us to be more kind and more gentle in our own lives and with our animals and with all creation."

"Maggie is a three year cancer survivor," said Jeff Leach of West Seattle, describing his 10-year-old golden retriever. "Her right front leg has been amputated."

"It was harder on us than on her," admitted his wife Pam. She and Jeff volunteer at Providence. "Golden retrievers, all dogs, have so much spirit."