November 2006

As a long time resident of Normandy Park, I was completely outraged and embarrassed at the articles you chose to publish on October 25, "Conflict concerns are raised" by Ralph Nichols and "Appearance of conflict hurts Discover Burien" also by Ralph Nichols. I am outraged that Robinson News would publish such a biased news article on one of our greatest assets in the community.

I find it incredibly embarrassing that there were no facts backing up the accusations made.

In the October 17 edition of the Highline Times, a letter in this column mistakenly stated that Highline Public Schools plans to surplus Zenith Park. In fact, we do not have any plans to surplus or sell this property in the foreseeable future.

Thank you for allowing me to clear up this misunderstanding.

Geraldine Fain

Assistant Superintendent,

Support Services

Highline Public Schools

Among the many people who have contributed to the success of Burien Town Square, we have omitted mention of one of the most important: State Rep. Shay Schual-Berke. Her role in Olympia has been an invaluable part of the intergovernmental linkage between federal, state and local governments, which have given this project such positive momentum.

In particular, she played a key role on the House Capital Budget Committee in procuring substantial state funds for the project.

The work of Ms.

On Halloween Eve, Port of Seattle staff gathered to celebrate what has been some Highline residents' scariest fear.

As TV cameras rolled, commission president Pat Davis pulled up in a fill-dirt truck from Gary Merlino Construction to deliver the final ceremonial load of dirt for the 13-story third-runway embankment at Sea-Tac International Airport.

The truck was one of the fleet that hauled 17 million cubic yards of dirt to the site over five years.

During the past three years alone, they made 394,000 trips on our freeways-394,000!

The project was so

(Editor's note: Jerry Robinson wandered from Burien to West Seattle and back to Des Moines to file this week's report.)

Meet Howard Lovering and Cyndi Upthegrove

Along with the other significant changes taking place in downtown Burien as it emerges from a long period of licking its collective wounds from the loss of over 36,000 homes to the relentless growth of the Sea-Tac Airport is a plan to provide a museum to house a mighty collection of Highline memorabilia now in temporary storage.

This effort is being led by the Highline Historical Society and its board

At the end of March the fishing vessel Kristiana will leave Seattle for the rich halibut fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska. For the time being, she is moored at Fisherman's Terminal, along with the majority of the halibut fleet. The boat's primary owner, John Crowley is having the crew's quarters and engine room overhauled as part of the winter maintenance.

"John always keeps the boat in good shape," says Michael Offerman, crewmember and Crowley's son-in-law. Built in 1945, the 69-foot halibut schooner's pilothouse bristles with radar, GPS, and Fathometer screens.

For some people, there's nothing better than a turkey dinner and a free sleeping bag on Thanksgiving day.

About 150 homeless are expected to attend the Calvary Lutheran Church's Thanksgiving Day dinner, which is actually served during the lunch hour on Nov. 23.

The dinner offers turkey, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and other staples of the holiday meal.

When the Seattle School Board called off phase two of school closures last month it left Viewlands Elementary students and parents feeling a little lost.

"It's mass confusion--no one knows really what to do," said Viewlands parent Lynn Miller. "We are sensible, rational people who want to plan but we don't know what to plan for."

Viewlands, slated for closure during the first round of school closures last summer, was told to wait for phase two to find a new home.

Led by chief academic officer Carla Santorno, Seattle Public Schools will be operating under a new academic vision aimed at building common curriculum to help students graduate high school and be prepared for college and work.

The plan is "simple," said Santorno, who joined the district earlier this year. "We need consistency.

Beavers get second at state tourney

By Dean Wong

The Ballard Beaver girls swimming team finished in second place overall at the 4A State Championship at the King County Aquatic Center last weekend.

Inglemoor won top honors with 190 points, followed by Ballard at 171 and Garfield at 156.

The meet concluded the best season in Beaver swimming in years with a number of strong individual performances and school records set during the run to state.

Ballard was declared the undisputable champion of the 400 free relay when it took first place with