November 2012

The West Seattle High School Boys Basketball team is having a PRE-Season Skills and Drills Clinic on Nov. 17.

Conducting the clinic will be WSHS Head Coach Donald Watts, and famous former Seattle Sonic "Slick" Watts.

The clinic is open to both Boys and Girls, Grades 1st-8th on Saturday November 17th, from 2pm-5pm

It will be held at the West Seattle High School Gymnasium: 3000 California Ave SW.

The cost is $45.00 for the three hour clinic.

Register at: www.wsbasketballboosters.com
Please contact WSHS Basketball Booster President, Pierre Newsome at (206) 227-5386; email jpnewsome@comcast.net, with any questions.

By Cassandra Baker

7:17 a.m., November 5. 103rd block of Mary Ave NW

A woman called police on the morning of November 5 after confronting a burglar in her home. The victim, a 99-year-old woman who lives alone, said that she heard a noise and got up to investigate. When she left her bedroom, she saw a man with a flashlight standing in the room next door. The victim told the suspect to leave the house, and he walked down the hallway. The victim followed him to the living room and told him again to leave. She said that he didn’t take anything other than some loose change.

5:30 p.m., November 4. 3rd Ave NW and NW 132nd St

An 85-year-old woman was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after she was hit by a car while crossing the street. The driver of the vehicle, a 57-year-old man, was evaluated for signs of impairment, but none were found. The investigation was ongoing at the time of the report.

1:35 a.m., November 3. 39th block of 2nd Ave NW

Dear Editor,

I'm not much of an art officianado so some outdoor art leaves me a bit puzzled such as the 6 large slabs of stone in MyrtleEdwards Park just north of pier 70: 2 are near each other titled "Nearby", 2 are next to each other with one leaning on the other titled "Adjacent" and 2 are set with one above the other titled "Upon". In nearby Sculpture Park, straddling Elliot Ave, are some unusual items including a giant eraser with brush. This is art?

Although Burien City Manager Mike Martin says annexation opponents put out “a lot of bad information,” he doesn’t think their campaign accounted for the overwhelming rejection of Burien annexation by North Highline voters.

Results released in the days after the Nov. 6 election showed the proposed annexation measure being rejected by nearly two-thirds of North Highline voters. Burien residents could not vote on annexation.

“The vote was a heartfelt expression from the community,” Martin declared. “It removes the cloud of uncertainty for the city of Burien.

“It clarifies our vision. It’s a good thing to know where our borders are.”

In an election contest that became increasingly contentious, Martin said he believes city officials behaved appropriately.

We took the “high road. We told the truth,” Martin said.

Burien resident Chestine Edgar, who disputed claims by Martin at several North Highline informational sessions, declined to be interviewed for this article.

Press release:

Dates: Dec. 7; 7:00pm
Location: Highline Performing Arts Center – Burien
Tickets: $15 (seniors $10, 17 & under free with a paid adult ticket) www.nwassociatedarts.org or 206-246-6040

KidSounds, YouthSounds and TeenSounds join forces for their annual holiday concert, a program that will give families a festive start for their holiday season.

In addition to singing some of their favorites songs from past years: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Home for the Holidays, and Deck the Halls, the youth will also perform traditional carols and contemporary Christmas songs.

Helping to celebrate Northwest Associated Arts (NWAA) Youth Choruses’ 10th Anniversary Concert will be a special guest appearance by SilverSounds Northwest, NWAA’s newest group of retired folks who believe “You’re never too old to rock ‘n roll.”

For a special treat, Artistic Director Paula Hawkins has invited back all former singers from any of NWAA’s Youth Choruses to join the singers onstage for a grand finale number.

press release:

The director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced plans to explore regulatory options for banning the harvest of giant Pacific octopuses off a popular Seattle beach and possibly elsewhere in Puget Sound.

WDFW Director Phil Anderson said the department will consider new rules to preserve the population of giant Pacific octopuses at Seacrest Park near Alki Point, where a 19-year-old scuba diver provoked a public outcry after legally harvesting one of the charismatic animals last week.

Under current state rules, divers can harvest one giant Pacific octopus per day in most areas of Puget Sound.

“The harvesting of this animal has resulted in a strong, negative reaction from the public and the dive community,” Anderson said. “We believe this area may merit additional restrictions to enhance the traditional uses of this popular beach.”

Anderson announced the department’s plans at the start of a two-day public meeting of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, a nine-member governing body that has final authority over most new fishing rules.

press release:

New public artwork is now on view at White Center Square, at the intersection of 15th Avenue SW and SW 100th Street, in the heart of downtown White Center. This neighborhood enhancement is an initiative of the White Center Community Development Association (WCCDA) and was sponsored by King County.

Press Release from King County Executive Dow Constantine's Office

Executive Constantine on defeat of proposed annexations in North Highline and West Hill

Next step is up to residents

"We acknowledge the decision of the residents of the North Highline and West Hill communities to remain in unincorporated King County for the immediate future.

“King County will continue to do its best to provide services to these areas within the resources available. The mandate of the state Growth Management Act remains unchanged– that urban areas should be in cities, which are in a better position to provide urban-level services.

“It’s going to be up to the residents of these urban unincorporated areas and their adjacent cities to decide if and when an annexation vote will come up again. It is certainly in the interest of the cities to act before the sales tax relief provided by the state expires in 2015.

“I want to thank the Mayor, the City Council, and the staff of the cities of Renton and Burien for their work and cooperation throughout this lengthy process.

(Editor’s Note: King County Executive Dow Constantine has issued the following statement on the North Highline annexation vote. Before the election, Constantine had urged North Highline residents to approve annexation into Burien.)

"We acknowledge the decision of the residents of the North Highline and West Hill communities to remain in unincorporated King County for the immediate future.

“King County will continue to do its best to provide services to these areas within the resources available. The mandate of the state Growth Management Act remains unchanged– that urban areas should be in cities, which are in a better position to provide urban-level services.

“It’s going to be up to the residents of these urban unincorporated areas and their adjacent cities to decide if and when an annexation vote will come up again. It is certainly in the interest of the cities to act before the sales tax relief provided by the state expires in 2015.

“I want to thank the Mayor, the City Council, and the staff of the cities of Renton and Burien for their work and cooperation throughout this lengthy process.

Thanksgiving morning, you can help feed families. All you have to do is trot.

The sixth Annual Turkey Trot, a 5k fun run or walk, will take place Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 22.

The run starts at 9 a.m. at 32nd Ave NW and NW 85th St, in the Sunset Hill neighborhood of Ballard, and will end at Golden Gardens Park.

Early registration, by Nov. 13, is $25. All proceeds will go to the Ballard Food Bank.

Last year, over 2,000 people participated and over $38,000 was donated to the Ballard Food Bank, according to organizers. This year, 3,000 participants are expected.

“The Ballard Food Bank is grateful to have the support and participation of many Ballard residents for this year’s Turkey Trot,” said Rebecca Butler, Ballard resident and Ballard Food Bank Board Chair, in a press release.

Where did the Turkey Trot come from, anyway?

According to the press release sent out by organizers, it was started six years ago by the Ballard Trio Erin Fortier, Matt Ramme and John O'Brien.

For Fortier, there was a personal connection to the idea of a Thanksgiving morning run.