May 2017

Nearly six years after opening its doors on Leary Way in Ballard, Card Kingdom and Café Mox – a gathering place for Seattle gamers of all stripes – is getting a new name. Starting this spring, the acclaimed game store and restaurant will bear the same name as the company’s Bellevue outpost: Mox Boarding House.

Card Kingdom began as an online Magic: The Gathering trading card retailer in 1999, and the e-commerce business is still flourishing almost 20 years later. The Ballard storefront, opened in 2011, became a mecca for Magic players in Seattle and beyond, while its attached restaurant, Café Mox, provided an atmosphere for non-gamers to meet up with friends and maybe even explore a new hobby.

“I’ve tried really hard to make the store accessible to everybody…and I think that’s one thing we’ve done successfully over the years,” said Damon Morris, co-owner and business developer for Card Kingdom and Mox Boarding House. “You could have a Magic player and a Settlers of Catan player in the café at the same time, and it works.”

The Ninth Annual running of the West Seattle 5k is set for May 21. Registration is open.

Enjoy a scenic waterfront run with stunning views of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline. Course is flat and fast, starting and finishing at the Alki Bath House. Prizes for top three male and female finishers. Afterward, take advantage of one of Alki’s famous eateries, or enjoy a day of beachcombing while taking in all of the amenities Alki Beach has to offer.

Rain or shine. Strollers and leashed dogs okay. Race fee includes t-shirt and chip timing.

Please note, this is a fundraiser for West Seattle High School. Proceeds from previous events have been used to improve math, science, music, drama and communications.

Packet pick-up and registration is also available on the day of the event, starting at 8:00 AM near the Alki Bath House.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Hellinger pitching at Gonzaga

West Seattle graduate Sam Hellinger is now a senior right-handed pitcher at Gonzaga University.
Hellinger -- who was drafted by the Seattle Mariners out of high school but opted to play college ball instead -- has appeared in 20 games for the Bulldogs this spring.
Hellinger has a 4-2 record with a 2.72 earned run average over 36.1 innings of work, striking out 20.
Hellinger will be eligible for the draft again in June.

McCullough starting for Ducks

Morgan McCullough, also a West Seattle graduate, is starting at second base for the University of Oregon baseball team as a freshman.
McCullough has played in 39 games as an infielder for the Ducks, hitting .258 (33-for-128) with 17 runs scored, 15 RBI, five doubles and four triples.
McCullough was drafted by the Mariners in the 33rd round out of high school in June 2016, also opting to play college ball.

Rangers recall Keone Kela

information from Seattle Parks and Recreation

Whether you’re a paddler or a swimmer, a wader or a sailor, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has ways for you to get close to – or into – the water all over town: two outdoor pools, eight indoor pools, nine lifeguarded beaches, 20 wading pools, and 10 spray parks.

Two Outdoor Pools

SPR operates two unique outdoor pools for summer fun. Each offers swimming lessons, family swimming, water exercise programs and special events. The pools can also be rented for special occasions.

Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool, at 2535 32nd Ave. W, 206-684-4708, is open daily May 13 to Sept. 10. Mounger Pool is really two pools in one place. The “big pool” has a 50-foot corkscrew slide and the warmer, shallower “little pool” is great for relaxing and for teaching little ones. Call the pool to reserve it for your own birthday party or other special event.

By Chef Jeremy MacLachlan

I never REALLY knew what true unconditional love was until I had my own kids. In writing this blog I reminisce about all the times I screwed up, said something wrong or wasn't on my best behavior but my mom was always there with love support and patience. I am dedicating this month's blog and recipe to my mom because of all her sacrifices, guidance and true love. Living in a blue collar family we always had some interesting meals. My mom would come home and try out a new casserole on the family every week. Some of these concoctions went into my culinary database (Tamale Pie) and some made me learn what not to do (Taco Casserole). No matter what the meal was, we always had some sort of vegetable or healthy supplement on the side just like Salty's mom talks about in her blog, Your Mom Was Right. This month I am featuring one of my mom's favorite things in the entire world, Soup! This soup is one that we had in Italy and features fresh vegetables that you can soon find at all your local markets and grocery stores.

By Kathryn Kingen

I truly was blessed with the best Mom there ever was. Through her I know that mothers are magical, intuitive, all knowing protectors of the hearts they love. They nudge and guide us in ways that even they don't know are brilliant. Moms know what we need (our vegetables) and what we lack (a nap) and love to complement our finest features (which no doubt came from her marvelous genes). But, what the heck? How is it that it takes years of longitudinal studies, extensive scientific analysis and a paper in a prestigious journal to simply repeat what your Mama told you? If we would just listen we could avoid so much trouble! But nnnooooo. Us kids have to learn the hard way.

Whether you’re a paddler or a swimmer, a wader or a sailor, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has ways for you to get close to – or into – the water all over town: two outdoor pools, eight indoor pools, nine lifeguarded beaches, 20 wading pools, and 10 spray parks.

Two Outdoor Pools

SPR operates two unique outdoor pools for summer fun. Each offers swimming lessons, family swimming, water exercise programs and special events. The pools can also be rented for special occasions.

· Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool, at 2535 32nd Ave. W, 206-684-4708, is open daily May 13 to Sept. 10. Mounger Pool is really two pools in one place. The “big pool” has a 50-foot corkscrew slide and the warmer, shallower “little pool” is great for relaxing and for teaching little ones. Call the pool to reserve it for your own birthday party or other special event.

By Lindsay Peyton

Maria Groen turned her acceptance speech for the “Westsider of the Year” award into a rallying cry – imploring others to join her in the ranks of volunteers for worthy causes.

Shortly after taking the microphone at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s annual Westside Awards Breakfast on Thursday, May 4, Groen asked a group of friends to stand beside her waving signs displaying reasons to help others.

“You have the power,” one read.

“Your gifts are meant to be shared,” was printed on another.

“You’ll be happier,” read a third.

“When we work to transform the world, we are the ones who are transformed,” Groen said. “So all you do-gooders, get out there – to transform and to be transformed.”

She was recognized for her work with Fauntleroy Church, the West Seattle YMCA and Seattle University -- but accepted the award on behalf of all the volunteers who have stood by her side.

Now, Groen said her mission is to recruit others.

Give Big is your chance to support local non-profits (and others) in an annual event that really makes a difference. GiveBIG Seattle is a one-day online giving event to raise funds for nonprofit organizations serving Greater Seattle. It runs from Wednesday, May 10 from 12:00am Pacific Time to 11:59pm Pacific Time. GiveBIG is a crowdfunding event, using online donations of all sizes to raise funds for nonprofit organizations. Many of the non-profits participating have arrangements to get matching donations so your donation can have double the impact.

Ballard
Ballard Civic Orchestra/WIWS
Ballard Food Bank
Ballard High School Foundation

Give Big is your chance to support local non-profits (and others) in an annual event that really makes a difference. GiveBIG Seattle is a one-day online giving event to raise funds for nonprofit organizations serving Greater Seattle. It runs from Wednesday, May 10 from 12:00am Pacific Time to 11:59pm Pacific Time. GiveBIG is a crowdfunding event, using online donations of all sizes to raise funds for nonprofit organizations. Many of the non-profits participating have arrangements to get matching donations so your donation can have double the impact.

Ballard
Ballard Civic Orchestra/WIWS
Ballard Food Bank
Ballard High School Foundation