October 2011

By Theresa Edwards, Intern

Looking to sell that antique gold bracelet that’s been collecting dust in your jewelry box? Wondering how much those gold coins are worth? There are many infomercials on TV lately asking people to sell their gold and other precious metal items and according to Ben at Sound Gold Buyers in Ballard, now is a good time to do so.

The BNT met with Ben who explained how much gold is worth these days, what happens to the golden goods once sold, and why recycling gold is good for the environment.

“People are aware that gold prices are high, so it’s a good time to sell it,” said Ben. Gold is currently worth a fairly high $1,698.00 per ounce. After rising for the past 18 months to the historical all-time high of $1,925 an ounce, the value has gone back down again a bit, but the small Ballard business has seen many customers recently who have been looking to make some money off of their unused jewelry or coins.

After the standing room only success of their 2010 event writers, Ballard Writers present their second annual Book Slam on Friday, November 18, 2011.

Taking place at Sunset Hill Community Club, over 22 writers will have three minutes apiece to read/perform their work.

Book sales and signings will precede and follow the premiere event and the evening will also feature food and wine, as well as the opportunity to meet and mingle with award-winning and emerging authors.

Ballard’s infamous Mary Schile (Pie Queen, Ballard Historical Society President, RE/MAX Hall of Fame Inductee) will emcee the event.

Participating authors include Stephanie Kallos, whose first book was a “Today Show” Book Selection, Rona Jaffee Award Winner Alma Garcia, Iowa’s Young Adult Author of the Year Carl Deuker and an incredibly rich collection of local poets, playwrights, historians, fiction writers and cookbook authors.

Kids and their parents, and especially toddlers took advantage of a bevy of treats that Westwood Village offered in a limited time frame, 5 to 7 pm on Halloween.

Hundreds of trick or treaters crowded the sidewalks and walkways of the shopping center, wandering between 40 merchants all giving away a lot of candy.

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

Canadian geese today on the west side of Harbor Av. on Alki took a gander at the other side and decided to go for it, slowing rush hour traffic.

Friday, Oct. 28
Seattle Prep 42, West Seattle 0
The West Seattle Wildcats finished the regular Metro League season on a losing note in a game played at Seattle Memorial Stadium. They will open state action Saturday, going to Ingersoll Stadium to play Capital at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 28
Girls swimming
West Central District
Mount Rainier won the West Central District Class 4A championship Saturday, scoring 215 points in the action held at the Rogers Aquatic Center in Puyallup. Kentlake was next with 163 points and Stadium was third with 125.

The Rams are also sending a host of athletes on to next week's state championships at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Jackie Beal is advancing in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke as a junior and freshman Anna Burdine qualified in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 breaststroke. Sophomore Megan Kawaguchi made state in the 200 IM and 100 backstroke and Courtney Larson reached state as a junior in the 50 freestyle and 100 back.

Junior Rachel Webster is going in the 200 IM and 100 breast.

The Halloween spirit came to Olde Burien on Oct. 29 with a costume parade comprised of little Burienites, a wiener dog race and pumpkin carving and craft stations.

Boo in Burien was put together by Discover Burien.

Primary sponsors of Boo in Burien were Waste Management, Jim Coleman DDS and the Discover Burien Association. Other sponsors include the B-Town Blog, A Place for Pets, Moss Chiropractic, Grocery Outlet, Hiline Lanes, Goodie Gumdrops, Collins Chiropractic, Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub and Burien Little Theatre.

Discover Burien is a nonprofit organization that works on the economic development and marketing of the city. For more information, call 206-941-7199 or go online to www.discoverburien.com.

UPDATE

Flanked by local health care leaders outside West Seattle High School, Mayor Mike McGinn today called on Seattle to vote “Yes” on the Families & Education Levy so the City can continue providing successful “wrap around” services, including student health centers, to Seattle’s public school students.

If re-approved by voters, the City’s Families & Education Levy will provide nearly $232 million in continued funding for:

• School-based health clinics in middle and high schools that any student can use;
• Early learning programs, like health screenings and preschool for low-income kids;
• Extra learning time for kids struggling to get to high school;
• Sports programs and transportation at every middle school; and
• After-school and summer programs.

Approximately $44.4 million, or 18.8 percent, of the $231.5 million levy will provide continued funding for health clinics in middle and high schools where any student can go to receive physical, mental, and dental health support.

by Kyle Howard, photos by Kurt Howard

Highline and Evergreen faced off Friday night, Oct. 28, for a Seamount League matchup. It was the final game of the season for both teams and Evergreen’s senior night. It could possibly be the last game any of the seniors may ever play. Highline’s league record stood at 1-4, as Evergreen remained winless at 0-5 at the start of the game.

Please click the image above for more.

Highline fumbled on their second possession as Evergreen’s Alex Tautua recovered it on the 50 yard line. Evergreen made its way toward the end zone on several plays as the drive was finished by a 3-yard touchdown run by Maletino Hola, who also kicked the point after making it 7-0.

Highline went three and out on their next possession and punted to Evergreen, setting them up on their own 49-yard line. Evergreen stretched their lead when quarterback Alex Tautua connected with Manu Tuitoelau for a 51 yard touchdown pass. Highline blocked the point after and the score stood at 13-0.

by Kyle Howard, photos by Kurt Howard

Tyee and Evergreen girl’s soccer went head to head Thursday afternoon, Oct. 27, at Tyee High School for the last game of the 2011 season.

Please click the image above for more.

Both teams have been struggling all year having a hard time recording wins. Though the sun was out the temperature was very cold, in the mid 40’s with some wind chill. Tyee shot out of the gate quickly wasting no time scoring their first goal. Senior forward Araceli Esparaza scored the first goal, dribbling in for the close shot putting the Totems up 1-0. Just a couple more minutes into the start of the game Tyee’s second goal was scored, this time by senior midfielder Dalia Fernandez. This would prove to be all Tyee needed as they won the game 2-0. Evergreen’s Emy Suazo was able to score a goal but the goal did not count, due to Evergreen being called off sides.

The winner moves on and the loser stays home. Plain and simple.

That's the postseason scenario that played out Friday night, Oct. 28, at Werner L. Neudorf Stadium in Tukwila.

Lindbergh High was up to the challenge, exploding for 33 unanswered first-half points en route to an easy 40-13 Seamount League win over Foster.

With the win, the Eagles (5-3 overall; 4-2 in league) secured a postseason spot in the 2A state tournament. Lindbergh hosts North Kitsap Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the play-in round.

Before its crucial meeting with Lindbergh, Foster (3-6, 2-4) had roared back from a big 26-6 halftime hole against Renton on Oct.21, winning 27-26 on the road in the last minutes on a 30-yard pass from senior quarterback Marquis Jackson to senior wide receiver Gabe Gutierrez to keep its playoff hopes alive.

But, against Lindbergh, similar heroics were not to be.

"We had 11 fumbles and nine dropped passes," said Foster coach Jim Sutrick. "There aren't too many football teams that can win that way."