December 2011

Tough play down the stretch run catapulted Seattle Christian to a 48-43 home boys' basketball win against Charles Wright Academy of Tacoma on Monday, Dec. 12.

Seattle Christian improved its Nisqually 1A League record to 3-0 while moving to 5-1 overall. Charles Wright saw its unbeaten string end after five non league wins prior to this league opening loss.

"This was our third game in four days and we knew it would be tough," Warrior head coach Shaun DeYager stated. "We started slowly, but gained some momentum after halftime. Then, we retooled everything. There were key threes back to back. When they took their leads we didn't panic. I felt we were in control and the players showed control."

With the teams in a 41-41 standoff, Cody Gunhus raced for an offensive rebound and pulled up just inside the free throw line for a left handed jump shot that gave Seattle Christian the lead for good as 2:12 remained in the fourth quarter. Charles Wright had an opportunity to tie the game again on free throws, but Chaise DeVries of SCS rebounded the miss on the front end of a one and one situation.

KOMO News reports a woman is in jail for investigation of first-degree murder after allegedly running over her friend in the aftermath of an argument over gas money in Tacoma on Dec. 16.

According to the report, the victim was identified as 45-year-old Michelle Johnson of Burien and her friend, 33-year-old Denise Larkins, turned herself in to police shortly after the incident.

Witnesses speaking to KOMO reporters described watching the argument escalate to where Johnson punched Larkins in the face and then walked away. Larkins then allegedly got into her SUV, waited for Johnson to step off the curb and ran her over.

"Whoever's driving the SUV hits the gas, cranks the wheel hard left, and I watch this lady get hit," a witness told KOMO.

With landlords like these
Back in November, a couple living on the 5600 block of 21st Ave S.W. told police they had a family emergency in Yakima and had to leave. During that time they failed to pay November and December rent. When they returned on Dec. 12 their landlord had dumped all of their belongings outside, and several items were stolen as a result. Police told the landlord his procedure was awry and he would need to formally evict the tenants through King County before kicking them out. After the landlord moved the couples’ stuff out of the house he hired a team of painters to paint the inside of the house. The couple, now living back in their home (at least until formal eviction), decided to move all of the painting supplies outside. On Dec. 12 the couple left the home for a few hours and, upon their return, noticed not only were all of the painting supplies gone but someone had gone through the house and stolen several more personal belongings. The victims told police they suspect the painters.

Purse snatching

Many Seattle residents wonder how they can fit all their wrapping paper, boxes, bottles and other recyclables into their cart during the holiday season.

As a reminder, Seattle residents can always recycle as much as they want at no extra charge. Simply put additional recyclables in sturdy bins or boxes next to your recycling cart on your regular collection day. Remember to flatten empty cardboard boxes and do not put recyclables inside of bags. Carts need to be put out by 7 a.m. on collection day.

Common holiday items that go in Recycling:

Clean pie tins, plastic deli/veggie trays and lids (wider than 3 inches), empty eggnog cartons, paper, plastic and metal cups, bottles, cans, jars, and tubs; catalogs, greeting cards, envelopes, cardboard, clean aluminum foil, gift wrap, plastic grocery bags (bundle and tie together) and glossy/shiny shopping bags (reduce waste and bring your own reusable shopping bag instead).

All food scraps and yard clippings can go in your Food and Yard cart, including:

By Katy Wilkens, MS, RD and Erin McCormick, RD

Also called staples, here are important food products that should always be kept on hand at home. They don’t go bad quickly and can used in a variety of ways. Here are our top picks for what to keep on hand for healthy meals.

1. Eggs: this inexpensive protein rich food stays fresh 3-5 weeks they are purchased. Eat them alone, in a sandwich, or in a casserole dish.

2. Rolled Oats: A great salt-free way to start the day.

3. Tuna: Another inexpensive protein option. Just rinse regular tuna in a sieve or colander to save money and get rid of most of the salt. Tuna can be eaten cold on a salad or sandwich or hot with pasta or over rice.

4. Sour Cream, Cream Cheese or Yogurt: Add salsa or fresh herbs to make a dip or spread. Use in a quick alfredo sauce, or to top a potato or homemade nachos. Try the reduced fat options or use plain yogurt

5. Couscous: Just add boiling water to this pasta, wait five minutes and it will be ready to add seasonings and protein for a main dish. Avoid the type with seasonings.

The Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA) will launch its latest community program - the PNA Village - in January of 2012. This membership program is designed to help people remain in their homes and neighborhoods while staying active and engaged as they age.

The concept of Villages is a growing national movement enabling communities to support and serve each other through a network of volunteers in combination with vetted businesses. Members of the Village are in close contact with the program coordinators, who establish a complete profile for each member to best serve them in times of need or crisis.

Primarily designed for older members in the community, the PNA Village may also be beneficial for younger generations. Therefore, the program will be open to everyone who lives within the program's catchment area (between N 50th Street and N 105th Street and from Aurora Avenue N to 15th Avenue NW).

The Sustainable West Seattle (SWS) staff including President Christina Hahs was on hand at the West Seattle Farmers Market on Sunday gathering recycled Christmas lights. Their truck was filled with boxes each of which was crammed full of recycled old holiday and christmas lights - several hundred pounds according to Chas Redmond - Patrick Dunn, manager of the SWS Tool Library and Hahs.

SWS also had a demo showing the electricity draw of conventional, incandescent lights, even the mini's, and the new LED lights - with a string of 100 LED lights and another string of 75 incandescent mini lights running for three hours, the LED lights drew 3 watts and the incandescents (even though there were fewer) drew 300 watts - roughly 1 watt/hour for the LED string and 100 watts/hour for the incandescent string.

CAPERS Giving Tree benefiting Hickman House is accepting gifts for the holidays until Decmeber 21st.

CAPERS, specializing in furniture and home decorating is located at 4525 California Ave s.w.

Hickman House is a transistional housing facility supporting women and children who are victims of Domestic Violence right here in the neighborhood.

To participate is easy: Choose a wish from the tree, purchase the gift and return it by 12/21.

You may also make a cash donation via a CAPERS sales associate.

Dear West Seattle Folks,

Thank you for the strong response to the request for toys for the South Park Community Center.

As usual, the community has turned out in grand style. The party at the Center was held today and many children received gifts because of your thoughtfulness.

A big thank you to Jack Miller and the staff at Husky Deli for hosting the toy collection.

It’s wonderful to be part of a community with such a large and giving heart.

Joan Bateman,
Toys for Kids Steering Committee

Long time West Seattle residents Myland and Betty Streck will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on New Years Eve. They were married in Betty’s parents home in the University District on December 31, 1946.

The couple lived on a house boat on Lake Union for a short time before settling at Fort Lawton during their first year of marriage. They then moved to Beacon Hill, where they purchased their first home.

In 1955 they moved to West Seattle where they raised their four sons on the corner of Walnut and Hinds. They sold the home in 2004 and moved to a condo in the West Seattle Junction area, where they happily reside.

Myland and Betty plan on celebrating a quiet evening at home with family and friends. Please join us in congratulating them for their long-term commitment and the love they share for each other.