On Thursday, Jan. 4, the Catharine Blaine Girls Basketball Team played Denny Middle School in the Blaine gymnasium. The Blaine Tigers thumped Denny by a score of 46-30 in front of a packed and warm gymnasium.The team played fantastic and tenacious defense the entire game. The offense was lead by eighth-grader Maddie Soukup's 25 points. Another eighth grader, Natalie Gellos, had numerous assists and was an offensive play-maker the entire game.The next home game at the Blaine gymnasium, 2550 34th Ave. W., will be on Thursday, Jan. 18, starting at 3:15 p.m.There will be a bake sale staffed by the fifth grade class to raise money for their spring camp. All are welcome.-Submitted by Linda MacGeorge
JAN. 26 The Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., is hosting a graphic art exhibition, Immigrants that will feature the works of 80 artists from the Funen Graphic Workshop on the island of Funen in Denmark. The theme of the exhibit is immigration-the experience of constantly crossing and transcending borders physically and mentally.Encompassing a large number of artworks, the exhibition confronts the viewer with the struggle that constantly roams within the immigrant: the perpetual tension between preserving your heritage and assimilating to a new society, and the many ways of dealing with this tension. The exhibit is on view Jan. 26 through March 25. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $4 for children. For further information, visit www.nordicmuseum.org.JAN. 26 The Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., is hosting a graphic art exhibition, Immigrants that will feature the works of 80 artists from the Funen Graphic Workshop on the island of Funen in Denmark. The theme of the exhibit is immigration-the experience of constantly crossing and transcending borders physically and mentally.Encompassing a large number of artworks, the exhibition confronts the viewer with the struggle that constantly roams within the immigrant: the perpetual tension between preserving your heritage and assimilating to a new society, and the many ways of dealing with this tension. The exhibit is on view Jan. 26 through March 25. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $4 for children. For further information, visit www.nordicmuseum.org.
This list of crimes was compiled from censored police reports and written by Dennis Wilken.LOCAL HOSPITALITYA Renton woman returned to her Honda Civic, parked in a Seattle Center parking lot about 4 p.m. on Jan. 6 and discovered she'd paid a price for her shopping pleasures in our neighborhood. Someone had shattered glass in the driver's-side rear door. Her iPod, valued at $300, was no more. Also missing was her white round-trip car adapter, value $70. No suspects.THERE MAY BE NO HONOR, BUT POLITENESS RULESA 29-year-old Woodinville man returned to his 13-year-old Ford Explorer, parked in a Key Arena parking garage about 10 p.m. Jan. 6 and discovered his rear driver's-side quarter window had been removed by someone who had first carefully removed the weather stripping around the window. The unbroken window was gently placed on the back seat. Missing were an $11 paring knife and an unspecified quantity of home-brewed ginger ale.LOCAL HOSPITALITY PT. 2 A 19-year-old student reported that her 1992 Honda Civic was broken into around midnight Jan. 7 while it was parked outside her apartment on Seventh Avenue West. Missing was a Panasonic AM/FM CD player, valued at $250.PATIENCE IS NOT A EX'S VIRTUE A 30-year-old Queen Anne woman called police to complain that her ex-husband had violated their parenting plan. Seems he was 35 minutes late returning their child on the afternoon of Jan. 7. The woman insisted that a police report be filed despite being told no crime had been committed.TRIPPIN'Not much later on the same Sunday afternoon, a 29-year-old Magnolia woman called police because her husband of seven years - they have been separated for three months - had called her and told her to get their young child ready for travel. The woman said her soon-to-be-ex had told her he was taking their child on a drive to Mexico.Police arrived before the man, but when he showed up he told officers he had no intention of taking his offspring out of the country, south of the border. Both parties were advised to seek legal assistance.UNDER DECONSTRUCTIONA 49-year-old Castle Rock man in the employ of a construction company doing some work in Queen Anne reported that someone, sometime Jan. 7, broke into his Ford SUV - parked at a construction site on Fifth Avenue North - and removed two gold wedding bands valued at $1,000, some binoculars valued at $500 and a $300 wool coat. There are no suspects.STEPPIN' IN At 8:15 on the morning of Jan. 8, a 43-year-old Queen Anne insurance rep exited her Bertona Street home and found that her 2002 Honda had been violated. The passenger-side rear window, estimated value $250, had been shattered. A muddy footprint was discovered in the middle of the backseat, but not the owner of the foot. Nothing was reported missing.PHONE SAVEA Queen Anne woman got a call about 11 a.m. from a male friend who told her he was going to kill himself. The alert lady called police and carefully described the man's vehicle. Not long afterward, an alert officer spotted the car parked on Dexter, not far from the Aurora Bridge, described coyly in the police report as "a well-known suicide location." Officers headed toward the bridge and found the man pacing a sidewalk near the guardrail. He told officers he "has disappointed everyone in his life." Since the man had made a previous suicide attempt, the officers took him into protective custody and removed him to a hospital.NO HARM, NO FELONY,NO ARRESTAbout 3 in the morning on Jan. 9, a woman residing on Condon Avenue North called police to report being awak- ened by noises that sounded like someone trying to get inside her house via a side door. Police arrived almost immediately at her home and discovered no signs of damage and no signs of a suspect.YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN'T HIDEA 37-year-old Queen Anne woman had temporarily moved to a Belltown studio to avoid the long arm of the law. But she expressed no surprise, and provided no resistance when officers arrived at 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 9 and arrested her on a felony warrant.TOO MUCH ROOM AT THE INNA 35-year-old Queen Anne woman who friends described as "easy to take advantage of," had some problems with an unwanted houseguest. Seems a transient friend of the woman's arrived at her house on Jan. 7 accompanied by a 42-year-old Oregonian with no visible means of support. When the woman asked her new friend from sorta Down South to leave on Jan. 8, the man refused. She then called yet another friend for help on Jan. 9, and he called police. They arrived to find the woman hors de combat, possibly from alcohol, and the unwanted Oregonian still on the premises. Police ran a check and discovered the man was under Department of Corrections (DOC) supervision. Despite the fact - or possibly because - the fellow was "obviously intoxicated," he was taken into police custody on a DOC retainer.TRIED HARD BUT STILL FAILEDA 25-year-old Queen Anne man returned to his Third Avenue North apartment at 8 p.m. on Jan. 10 and discovered pry marks and wood shavings around the padlock that keeps his worldly goods protected from prying eyes and hands. Police discovered evidence that the unsuccessful thief had approached his or her target by coming over the roof. A daring strategy that nevertheless failed.
Asked to describe her house, Mia Singh says, "I don't know what describe means."Describe means to say what something is like," I said, "usually what it looks like. If I were to describe what you are wearing, I'd say it's a pretty pink and red brocade A-line dress with a broad red velvet border along the hem, a gray satin sash ('Silver,' Mia interjects) and three rhinestones at the neckline."
Boyd Brakken, longtime resident of Queen Anne, died Dec. 19, 2006, at Swedish-Ballard Hospital following a short illness.He was 92.Born May 27, 1914, in Osakis, Minn., to Martin and Eleanor Brakken, he was raised with nine sisters and brothers in a Norwegian community.Mr. Brakken joined the United States Army at the age of 19 and proudly served at Fort Mead during the last days of the U.S. Horse Cavalry. The military took him to posts in Europe, Japan and Alaska. While stationed at the Chilkoot Barracks in Haines, Alaska, he met his wife-to-be, Margaret Barnett. Together they raised four sons: Alan, Dale, Boyd Jr. and Eric. Upon retiring from the Army, the family settled on a farm near Puyallup. They also enjoyed life in the Nevada desert, until the birth of granddaughters in Seattle sparked their eventual settling in the Northwest. In Seattle they made their home on Queen Anne Hill, where they gardened, took daily walks and spent time with family. After his wife's death in 2002, Mr. Brakken moved to the Norse Home on Phinney Ridge. There he continued his dedication to exercise and pursued his interests in finance and current events.In addition to his wife Margaret, Mr. Brakken was preceded in death by his son Dale and siblings Isadora, Virginia, Harold, Ronald and Joyce. He is survived by his sons Alan, of Sumner, and Boyd and Eric (wife Patti), of Seattle; granddaughters Shelby (Joe), Morgan (Nathan) and great-grandson Indiana Maxwell, all of Portland; siblings Maxine Lobejko, of Minneapolis; Audrey Binkley, of Quartzsite, Ariz.; and Gary Brakken, of Seattle.In March there will be a celebration of Boyd and Margaret's life at the family home on Queen Anne.
Broadway has a new set of dance steps. Twenty-seven years after Seattle artist Jack Mackie first placed numerous dance steps on Broadway sidewalks, Mackie will add the Cha Cha Cha to the street. The new steps are located at the corner of Broadway and East Pine Street, next to the new Broadway Crossing development nearing completion. That project features a Walgreens store on the street level with 44 affordable housing apartments above and two levels of underground parking.
In the Gilded Age and Progressive Era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Frick, Rockefeller, Carnegie and Morgan amassed wealth previously unimagined in this country, their monies brought into being parks, universities, libraries and museums, many of which are among the nation's finest today. Now at the beginning of the 21st century, Seattle benefits from the generosity of the entrepreneurs and business leaders of this era who, in partnership with government agencies and other civic-minded donors, have brought us the Olympic Sculpture Park, a bright new gem in the crown of the Emerald City.With the opening of the 9-acre Olympic Sculpture Park last weekend, Seattle took its place among the major centers for public art in the country. The park was guided by the vision of the Seattle Art Museum's director Mimi Gates, its board and staff as well as philanthropists Jon and Mary Shirley and key persons in the Trust for Public Land. Their 10-year effort culminates in this jewel in the middle of our city.
The Northwest Film Forum's popular film festival for children returns on Saturday, Jan. 27, for a week of shorts, animation and feature films from far away places. Once again, the festival offers such a fascinating mixture of more than 70 films from 23 countries designed to appeal to both children and the adults who accompany them.Everything begins with a family pancake breakfast on Jan. 27, followed by "Legends, Fables, and Dreams," a selection of animation shorts from Australia, Denmark, Canada, Ireland, Latvia, Russia, Scotland and the United States. For those who love cartoons, other animated thrills are included in the programs titled "Blast Off To Adventure!" and "Dancing Frogs And Helpful Hedgehogs."In a related educational event, Disney animator Jazno Francouer will discuss his work on such films as "Brother Bear," "Lilo and Stitch," "The Emporer's New Groove," "Tarzan," "Mulan," "The Lion King," "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame," and "Pocahontas." This talk will include clips from Jazno's films including his latest work for Disney, "The Little Match Girl." Francouer's talk will take place Sunday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m.
Legend has it that in 1827, a ship on its way to India began sinking just off the English shore. Those onshore, like any well-intentioned, self-less humanitarians, jumped in the water and swam toward the vessel. Their rallying cry: "Save the beer!" The rest, as they say, is history.The beer they rescued happened to be a variety rarely sold in England, one called India Pale Ale. Specifically created to survive the long journey to England's colonies on the subcontinent, brewers added extra hops which, in turn, effected a unique hop-heavy flavor and a higher-than-normal alcohol content. Together, both ensured that the beer would survive the six-month trip to India and become an instant hit once discovered locally.In present day Seattle, I have little difficulty envisioning a similar scenario. While the women and children would certainly take priority, it's not hard to imagine the devotees of Capitol Hill's Hopvine, "hop-heads" as they're frequently referred to, and co-owner Bob Brelin leading the charge to prevent the Exxon Valdez of party-fouls: wasted beer.Brelin co-owns the Latona Pub in Greenlake, Fiddler's Inn in Wedgwood and the Hopvine on the Hill's bustling 15th Avenue.
The fate of Seattle schools stands on the Feb. 6 ballot like a solitary challenge to voters, and the choice for anyone concerned about the sustained health and viability of public education in our city seems clear.A Yes vote on school Propositions 1 & 2 ensures that teachers, students and parents continue to be provided with a satisfactory environment in which to grow and prosper.These are not new taxes. Both Prop. 1 and Prop. 2 are continuations of funding that replace expiring levies.Proposition 1, a $490-million Building Excellence III Capital Bond, helps pay for building projects as well as infrastructure and technology improvements. Proposition 2, a $397-million Education Programs & Operations Levy, represents operational funding and will help pay for such things as instructional programs, staff salaries, transportation and security and maintenance for school structures.
It was big news when fewer than half the country's population lived on farms, but now more than half of Americans live in a city or state with clean air laws banning smoking in workplaces, restaurants or bars.Seven states and 116 communities enacted tough smoke-free laws last year, bringing the total number to 22 states and 577 municipalities, according to Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights.As smokers know all too well, Washington state joined the clean air club in 2006 with the passage of Initiative 901, which banned smoking in all public places and workplaces and decreed that smokers could not cluster within 25 feet of doorways or open windows while tending their habits. The initiative was approved in every one of the state's 39 counties, winning with more than 60 percent voter approval.Continued momentum for the clean air forces was shown by the new Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, who banned smoking in the ornate Speaker's Lobby just off the House floor. Predictions of apocalyptic disaster for Washington's entire liquor, restaurant and hospitality industry by news media columnists, trade organizations and "rights" groups during the election were followed up with glee 60 days later when predicted business slumps began appearing. However, in preparing this story no recent denunciations could be found on the Internet sites that initially blasted the smoking ban.When the Internet fails, you have to take to the street. In this case, Broadway."Business is better," said Karen Long, manager of the Deluxe Bar & Grill, 625 Broadway E. "It has brought in more people and families." She added that people are just getting used to the idea that they have to go outside to smoke and it's just not a big deal anymore."It definitely has not hurt business one bit," she said.
Even as a child growing up in Eastern Washington, Justin Sorensen knew jazz was his baby."I like all kinds of music, but jazz is what spoke to me. My family didn't listen to jazz, but that was always the music I could associate with."Sorensen, 26 and a resident of Queen Anne, has been playing in bands since he was a teenager. He graduated from U-Dub a few years ago with a degree in ethnomusicology and jazz studies, and he hasn't looked back.Sorensen's current band, Das Vibenbass, has slipped the noose cursing many good young local bands: they are now being paid for their gigs.The group, featuring Sorensen on vibraphone, Geoff Larson on double bass, Josh Clifford on tenor saxophone and JC Bockman on drums, is playing all over the city. And Das Vibenbass also has two CDs out: "Mindwrestling" and "Animals and Robots.""I started the group with Geoff [Larson]," said Sorensen. "We were playing background music for parties. The music was songs I started writing with Geoff.... We were [also] trying to create a new sound. Hardcore jazz - loud, punky jazz, not something smooth or easy, but edgy."
Whether you're a world-class athlete or an average Joe/Jane, one thing is certain: You like being in good health. But what do you do when you sustain an injury?When it comes to healing, a couple of different approaches are currently being used in Seattle. RehabilitationThe first and more traditional approach is rehabilitation. This includes the use of physical therapy to overcome an injury or some other limiting factor.Tom Spencer, a physical therapist assistant and certified athletic trainer in Lake City, said his goal is to improve strength and prevent future injury for his patients. He encounters a wide variety of injuries that arise from sports, work, auto accidents, etc., but he said the majority of his work is with middle-school and high-school athletes. He's helped many athletes improve their speed, vertical jump, core strength and agility, he said.But as Spencer reiterated, it's not strictly a program for athletes. "We also work with older people who want to get involved again," he said. "We try to get them to a base level of strength and conditioning and build from there."The program he uses is called Sports Enhancement Training, which emphasizes core strengthening and sports-specific exercises. This means he doesn't stick to ordinary weight-lifting exercises such as the bench press or squats. Each program is tailored to the patient's desire. This individualized approach includes multiple stages.
On Dec. 18, 2006, the City of Seattle installed six phones and 18 signs along railings of the Aurora Bridge. The phones connect to either 911 or the Crisis Clinic, and the signs state "Suicidal? 24-Hour Crisis Line: (206) 461-3222." After nine people died in 2006 from suicidal leaps off the bridge - a frightening increase from the annual average of four - the phone installations have led to a collective sigh of relief.Sue Eastgard, director of the Youth Suicide Prevention Program, doesn't want to "sound Pollyanna" about the phones; however, "I say, 'Hallelujah!'" She doesn't expect signs and/or phones to end all tragedies, but she does believe they'll help.Surprisingly, the phones were not installed as a reaction to the recent increase in deaths. According to spokespeople for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), they've been studying different prevention plans for some time. "This has been an ongoing issue," according to SDOT's Gregg Hira-kawa. The phones are "a deterrent measure," he says, not a total solution. "We are continuing to look at this matter."
The fate of Seattle schools stands on the Feb. 6 ballot like a solitary challenge to voters, and the choice seems clear for anyone concerned about the sustained health and viability of public education in our city.A Yes vote on school Propositions 1 and 2 ensures that teachers, students and parents continue to be provided with the baseline tools with which to grow and prosper.These are not new taxes. Both propositions are continuations of funding that replace expiring levies.Proposition 1, a $490-million Building Excellence III Capital Bond, helps pay for building projects, as well as infrastructure and technology improvements. Proposition 2, a $397-million Education Programs & Operations Levy, represents operational funding and will help pay for such things as instructional programs, staff salaries, transportation and security and maintenance for school structures.<