March 2012

A three to five-year-old, 37-foot juvenile gray whale washed up on Arroyo Beach in West Seattle April 14, 2010 and died. The Highline Community College Marine Science Technology Center, (MaST), 28203 Redondo Beach Dr. S., Des Moines, now displays the whale skeleton to the public that the college flensed. Flensing is the removal of blubber from a whale skeleton.

The Highline Community College Marine Science Technology Center (MaST), 28203 Redondo Beach Dr. S., Des Moines, now displays the whale skeleton that the college flensed. They discovered it had the whale equivalent of juvenile onset arthritis.

The tip of the tail and some neck vertebrae are calcified which may have contributed to his death. Alive weighed 40,000 pounds. The skeleton and hardware weighs 2,500 pounds. Its hard-bristled baleen, the a filter-feeder system inside the mouth, is prominent.

Dr. Kaddee Lawrence, Executive Director, MaST, a West Seattle resident, was involved in the project.

This skeleton of a 3 to 5 year-old, 37-foot juvenile gray whale washed up on Arroyo Beach in West Seattle April 14, 2010, struggling to breath, then died. The Highline Community College Marine Science Technology Center (MaST), 28203 Redondo Beach Dr. S., Des Moines, now displays the whale skeleton that the college flensed.

They discovered it had the whale equivalent of juvenile onset arthritis. The tip of the tail and some neck vertebrae are calcified which may have contributed to his death. Alive weighed 40,000 pounds. The skeleton and hardware weighs 2,500 pounds. Its hard-bristled baleen, the a filter-feeder system inside the mouth, is prominent.

Dr. Kaddee Lawrence, Executive Director, MaST, a West Seattle resident, was involved in the project.

SLIDESHOW, Click on photo for more

The Discover Burien Annual Dinner Awards & Silent Auction last night, March 2, brought a warm sense of community to the room at the Burien Community Center as attendees bid on auction items and honored award winners while dining on meals, including sumptuous dessert, supplied by area purveyors.

Host Scott Schaeffer, Publisher, B-Town Blog and SoKing Internet Radio warmed up with crowd with his light-hearted humor and introduced Brian Frederick, Discover Burien President, who spoke, too, and later presented the Citizens' Awards.

Those included the Business Leader Award, which went to the popular Dan House, owner, Tin Room & Tin Theater. He honored his staff and mother, and praised other nearby restaurants and pubs that have opened since his establishment.

The Student Leader Award went to Elliott Newsom of Highline High School. Margie Gibb received the Volunteer of the Year Award. A founding Board member, she actively volunteer with the Burien Farmers Market. Doug Query got the Team Clean Sweep Recognition Award.

As we reported on February 1 the biggest parade of the year in West Seattle is in serious danger of not happening. Financially the goal is $5000. This parade, enjoyed for generations is a West Seattle tradition that every year attracts thousands along its California Avenue route.

The American Legion shared this note:

The 79th Annual West Seattle American Legion Grand Parade is in need of community support to happen this year. The parade is currently scheduled for Saturday, July 21 at 11:00 AM. However, to run the parade we are in desperate need to raise funds. Our largest expense started last year when the Seattle DOT required us to fund the cost of our own No Parking barricade signs. The initial bid last year was $3,000 and ended up being about $3,700. The bid we have secured for 2012 for the same signs as jumped to $7,000!

For West Seattle parents with children preparing for kindergarten to 5th grade in 2012 there is a new, intriguing option in the K-5 STEM program starting in September, 2012, at the Louisa Boren Building on Delridge Way S.W.

The problem is one of timing: while the school’s ultimate curriculum, staff and amenities are yet to be solidified, Seattle Schools’ open enrollment for option schools such as STEM ends on March 9 – only days away (although parents can apply after that date, but first crack and a best chance at getting in is during open enrollment). It’s a gamble of sorts: buying into the theory of STEM rather than an established program with a brochure that answers all of the questions.

If a parent applies for STEM and their child is accepted, that child will lose their spot at their default public school. If it becomes obvious the new school isn’t a good fit, the ability to switch back is based on available space … and with our crowded schools that is no guarantee.

Press release:

It's the beginning of March and time to go for a walk. (It even looks like the forecast weather will cooperate with a little sunshine and warmth).

This Sunday, March 4 at 2:00, we'll meet up at Burien Town Square, on the grassy knoll, and start walking at 2:15. This will be the eighth monthly Walk-n-Talk enjoyed by folks from different communities coming together for conversation. Think of it as a chance to talk to people you wouldn't otherwise have a chance to chat with… and get some exercise and fresh air while you're talking.

For this month's walk, we'll go north from Town Square into the Chelsea Park area. We'll see these things, (among others): Dottie Harper Park, Burien Community Garden, white-painted tree trunks, Mortar House, Bird-House House, Stormwater Park, Green House, Purple House.

Entertain your "Inner Explorer". Discover visual and architectural details you might not otherwise see. Walk with your Burien neighbors, as well as others from Renton, Kent, Lacey, Bellevue and…

Brewlesque Espresso Coffee at 9735 Delridge Way s.w (at the tip of the triangle heading south on Delridge) is the new coffee stand in White Center, taking over from Java Joint (though their sign is still up) a couple of weeks ago. But since then the new owner Mike Adame, has been making improvements (with a few more to come) until the business is really running at top speed.

The name suggests something of course but Adame insists that there will be no bikinis or lingerie but just, "girls following themes and wearing fun sexy outfits. I told them wear anything that you think is fun except bikinis because I want to be able to sell coffee to everybody."

They make 100% fresh smoothies on site and as they get going they are offering any 12 Oz beverage for $2.

This is Adame's first business but he brings to it the experience his parents have. He lives very close by and said, "I have been working with all the local business owners to promote each other. I really like White Center and I think it has a lot of potential.

They are open from 6 am to 6 pm and Saturdays 8am to 6pm and Sundays 10am to 6pm.

Ballard High School was one of 15 finalists at the 17th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival, presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York.

It was the first time in BHS' history that the school's jazz band participated in the Festival, and some musicians even received some outstanding soloist awards.

Sam Zisette was awarded Outstanding Trumpist, and Jade Likkel took home the award for Outstanding Vocalist.

Fellow Seattle school Roosevelt High School took second place and was awarded $2,500.

The Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival is one of the most innovative jazz education events in the world. Each year top high school bands are chosen to travel to New York City and spend three days immersed in workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals and performances at the "House of Swing" of the Jazz at Lincoln Center.

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Ballard High School jazz musicians chosen to participate in the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival in New York
By Anne-Marije Rook
2012-03-05

Press release

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs is accepting nominations for the 2012 Mayor’s Arts Awards. The awards recognize the accomplishments of artists, arts and cultural organizations and community members committed to enriching their communities through the arts.

The Seattle Arts Commission will review public nominations and recommend recipients to the mayor for final selection. The awards, which are non-monetary, are presented annually. This is the 10th year of the awards.

As the goal of the awards is to reflect the diversity of artistic achievement throughout the city, there are no preset award categories.

“The arts are one of Seattle’s greatest strengths and a powerful avenue of expression for our diverse communities,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “I’m proud to live in a city where so many people and organizations are dedicated to making a difference through art and culture.”

McGinn will honor recipients of the 2012 Mayor’s Arts Awards at a public ceremony at Seattle Center, noon, Friday, Aug. 31. He will also open the Bumbershoot Visual Arts Exhibits for a free public preview that day.

Highline-1, Seattle and Bellevue-Nil

Things are looking brighter in Highline after we stole Dr. Susan Enfield away from both the state’s largest district and the glittering Eastside.

I tend to be your usual reporter skeptic, but I’ve got to tell you, Enfield dazzled me as the last of the three school superintendent finalists up to bat at the public forums.

As one of the few civilians in the room for all three forum nights my eyes were glazed over with ”Educationese”-- standards-based grading, one-on-one computing, dual language learners, highly capable students, equitable access, etc.

Why do educators speak English as a second language?

Enfield knows her stuff but the remarkable thing was how simply she translated it into everyday English. It’s amazing how plain spoken she is considering her world-class education—degrees from Cal-Berkeley, Harvard and Stanford. Wow!

I got the impression that--dare I say it-- she would be a “nurturing” superintendent but one you would just hate to disappoint. And behind all that “chief cheerleader” façade, her expectations are high.

“Genuine” was the word I wrote in my reporter’s notebook.