March 2012

Terrie Johnston is funny. She’s a person who comes into your home and seems like a friend from the minute she’s over the threshold, noticing the touches that are your own favorites and making you laugh. “I love this house,” she exclaims, “Can I move in?”

But when she exclaims over the “thick, beautiful front door” she’s not just admiring the wood, she’s there to assess the door as a crime deterrent. She works her way through the house like the most sincere and yet polished of real estate agents, but she accentuates different features.

Of the new metal strike plates being fashioned, she says, “I love, love, love that!”

Terrie Johnston is the Crime Prevention Coordinator for Seattle Police Department, North Precinct. She has been on the force 30 years and in community organization for the last twenty-four. She is visiting my friend Lynn’s home in Ballard because two weeks ago on a Saturday night my friend returned home from a school play to find the lock on her back door splintered and the door still open.

Another Ballard woman has announced her candidacy for Representative Mary Lou Dickerson's vacated seat. Washington State Director of Progressive Majority Noel Frame announced her candidacy on Tuesday, March 20, promising to champion public education.

“I believe we can and must change course and re-­‐prioritize public education as our state’s paramount duty,” said Frame in her announcement.

Frame has an extensive background in politics and education advocacy, having been involved with Washington State Democrats, US Senator Maria Cantwell, The Washington Bus. 36th District Democrats, and the King County Conservation Voters. She also held a leadership role in the campaign to Approve Referendum 71 - the first LGBT civil rights ballot measure to pass by a vote of the people.

A graduate of The George Washington University in Washington DC, Frame went to college on a Parent Teacher Association scholarship, and has been a PTA member for 25 years.

Phil, who lives with Allen Nelson and his wife Yoka, is a combination of a Daschund and a long haired Chihuahua, which explains the big ears and the general fearlessness. But Phil, is technically not Allen's dog. "He's actually our son's girlfriend's dog but he's lived with us for 2 1/2 years, so we call him 'Part Time Phil' but really he's 'Full Time Phil.' Nelson has no idea where Phil came from. "I have no idea. He just appeared one day." Now he is Yoka's "constant companion."

The Nelson's took custody of Phil because their son's girlfriend lives in an apartment that does not allow dogs. "So my son has his place and he works all day so...Phil's with us."

Phil loves to go on sniff patrols on Beach Drive as Nelson strolls along behind him."He's very slow." You might think Phil is the source of the motivation. Not so. "My wife keeps me active by sending us out for a walk."

Phil is a blend of bluster and sweetness said Nelson, "He barks at you then sits on your lap 2 minutes later."

Their's a wool lamb that Phil enjoys throwing around and his diet is just basic dry kibble. Treats are often a roast beef snack.

Seattle Police continue to be tight-lipped in releasing details on the murder investigation of 51-year-old Greggette Renee Guy, whose body was found floating in the Puget Sound on March 12. Her body was recovered a half-mile north of where she parked her car the evening before at Me-Kwa-Mooks park along Beach Drive S.W.

Southwest Precinct Captain Steve Paulsen addressed the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council on Tuesday night, March 20, and released a few subtle details on the investigation, the most telling an indication that the murder may not have been random. (Editor's note for March 29: The above statement was updated to show it is an inference into Captain Paulsen's statement, not a conclusion)

"Just know that if there was something where I was concerned about your safety as a community we would tell you, trust me we would tell you,” he said. “Hopefully you can kind of read between the lines of my cryptic messaging on that.”

“I can tell you that your West Seattle parks are safe … in light of the tragic homicide,” Paulsen added.

He did not speak to whether police have a suspect or whether the suspect knew the murder victim.

press release:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is pleased to participate in the American Heart Association’s National Walking Day by hosting 18 park sites on Wednesday, April 4, when people throughout the U.S. will lace up their sneakers and come together to help fight heart disease, the nation’s No. 1 killer.

The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The quote is especially apt for anyone wanting to start a regular exercise program. This National Walking Day marks offers the opportunity to make a commitment to healthy living and fighting heart disease and stroke. Participation is free, and Parks staff will lead the walks.

Why? Because physical inactivity is a huge national problem. Seventy percent of Americans don’t get enough exercise, which means we’re at greater risk for heart disease, stroke and other blood vessel diseases. Start now with Seattle Parks and Recreation and the American Heart Association to walk, to be more active, to be healthy.

Parks Administration Building, 100 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle – Noon. 2 noon, 30 minutes to Lake Union Park and back.

Lax:

On Friday evening, the girls lacrosse team struggled against Bellevue East in their season opener, losing 16 to 5.

Sophie Mora led the Beavers with four goals, an assist and three ground balls.  Ballard goaltender Hannah Bretton had 10 saves between the pipes.
 
Ballard next faces Roosevelt on Thursday, March 22 in a 5:30 p.m. matchup at Seattle’s Lower Woodland Park.

Boys:

The Ballard boys lacrosse team crushed Selah on Saturday with a 15 to 2 victory.

John DeGarmo and Jackson Bowen each delivered a hat-trick to help Ballard get a big lead over Selah.
 
The win was the first of the year for the Beavers, while Selah slipped to 0 – 1.   
 
Other Beaver scorers included Jacob Marks, Jake Losi and Thomas Christensen with two goals each.  Goalie Alex James had nine saves.
 
Ballard next faces Seattle Prep on Tuesday, March 20, in a 7 p.m. start at Seattle’s Lower Woodland Park.  

Softball:

The Ballard varsity softball team played against Highline on Monday afternoon in a game that was scoreless until the eighth inning.

Stripping Down, a brave memoir by ex-stripper turned mother and yoga instructor, was released last month by Seattle’s own Pink Fish Press. Pink Fish Press was founded by Renda Dodge and is co-operated by Senior Editor Sarah Martinez. It is a new independent press with hopes of distinguishing itself from other presses by the comprehensive help they offer their authors throughout the entire publishing and marketing process.

By Christina Gramling
The 17-year old murder suspect in the Jasmyn Tully murder case admitted to the crime the night of the murder, according to police documents.

The incident occurred on the 11600 block of 42nd Ave. S in Tukwila in the early hours of Saturday, March 17. The suspect was found just fifteen minutes after police responded, several blocks away and without shoes.

The suspect first told officers that he had chased a black male out of the apartment where 17 year old murder victim, Tully, had been found. When his story didn’t add up and police questioned further, he admitted to the crime according to Tukwila Detective Ron Corrigan’s Probable Cause Report released Monday.

A wound found on his arm by police he said had been inflicted by the “black male” had also really been inflicted by himself. Medics deemed the wound superficial according to police documents.

UPDATE April 27

The film short, "All My Presidents", shot in location in West Seattle, has been selected to debut at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) with screening to be on Memorial Day May 28 at 11 am. Tickets on sale soon. That, according to the film's Facebook page.

This will help bring the film to the attention to potential backers to turn this into a full-length movie.

Congratulations from the West Seattle Herald to the creative and deserving cast & crew.

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR SLIDESHOW

The film short, "All My Presidents", shot in location in West Seattle, was screened Sunday, March 18 at the Admiral Theater. The West Seattle Herald reported when a pivotal scene was shot on North Admiral here. As we mentioned in that November article:

While many details in the West Seattle murder of 51-year-old Greggette Renee Guy on March 11 have yet to be publically released, community concern over safety along Beach Drive has garnered quick response from city officials on plans to improve both safety and the perception of safety for a neighborhood on edge.

What is known at this time is that Guy drove her red Buick from Kent to Me-Kwa-Mooks Park on the evening of March 11 to take a walk. She parked on the 4400 block of Beach Drive S.W. and the next morning a tragic call came in: a body was floating in the Sound several blocks north, at the 3800 block near Cormorant Cove Park. Once her body was recovered police deemed the case a homicide investigation. The official cause of death from King County Medical Examiners has not been released.

In terms of what can be done for the community, Seattle Parks Communications Manager Dewey Potter shared a communication between SPD Southwest Precinct Captain Steve Paulsen, Seattle Parks, Seattle Department of Transportation and City Light.