September 2006

Bartell Drugs in downtown Burien will move to a new store not far from its current location next year.

Wesbild Shopping Centers, owners of Burien Town Plaza (formerly Redwood Plaza), will build a state-of-the-art facility for Bartell Drugs at Southwest 150th Street and Fourth Avenue Southwest, where Burger King now stands.

Burger King will remain in Burien Town Plaza but in a new store to be constructed on Fourth Avenue Southwest just north of its current location.

Demolition and construction is expected to begin later this year.

The current Bartell

Burien Little Theatre's 2006-2007 season opened last weekend with the French comedy Art by Yasmina Reza.

BLT's opening production is a success, thanks to both a wonderfully humorous script and admirable acting. As modern art-lover Serge, Thomas Kelly is an 11th hour replacement for another actor who suddenly had to depart for personal reasons.

No doubt you've already seen the signs around town. Colorful banners mounted in front of local businesses proudly announce the Hi-Liners' upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz.

Based on the beloved 1939 MGM movie classic starring Judy Garland, the Hi-Liners' show promises all your favorite tunes, such as "Over the Rainbow" and "Ding, Dong, the Witch is Dead."

Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion ... they'll all be there.

But in case you are saying to yourself, "I've already seen the movie a dozen times.

Des Moines and Federal Way voters will be asked in next Tuesday's primary election to maintain the current levy for South King Fire & Rescue.

If approved, Proposition 1 will continue for another year the levy lid lift that taxes property at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for fire, Medic One and other rescue services.

Although voters have approved levy overrides to help pay for these services locally since Initiative 747 was approved statewide in 2001, this marks the first time that South King Fire & Rescue has requested the additional tax dollars.
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A wide range of questions and opinions on annexation was aired once again by Burien and North Highline residents at a Sept. 7 community meeting on annexation.

Burien City Council members were scheduled to continue the discussion at a public hearing on potential annexation of the North Highline unincorporated area on Sept.

Editor's note: Jerry Robinson wrote the following column before Paul Tucker, CEO and administrator of Highline Medical Center, announced his retirement last week.

Our recent experience with Elsbeth's hip replacement surgery at Highline Medical Center prompts me to be a little bit serious instead of the usual whimsy and nonsense I generally offer up here to lighten your day.

Elsbeth has now come through some scary moments in the last six weeks.

When she came home after surgery and rehab, we rigged up a bed for her in the living room and I became her primary care

In 2004, 16,694 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes on America's highways-an average of one almost every half-hour.

National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration

Millions of Americans paused this week to reflect on the events of 9/11 five years ago.

Those attacks by terrorists-the worst on our soil since the Civil War-propelled the nation into another "long twilight struggle," as President Kennedy described the Cold War, to defend "freedom in its hour of maximum danger."

On Monday, did you remember?

The Ugly Yard Contest is back at the Plant Amnesty sale and fall festival. This unique once-yearly sale is a "must-do" for anyone who loves gardening.

Plant enthusiasts can choose from a large variety of plants donated by the Pacific Northwest's finest nurseries. Shoppers can also pick from unique offerings from members' private gardens.

The huge selection of new and recycled shrubs, trees and perennials is available at bargain prices - just in time for fall planting.

Clear your bank card for this happening sale on Sunday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.