February 2007

Lutheran Community Services' long-delayed plan to bring social and health care services to the residents of SeaTac and the surrounding community has been long delayed but it is finally almost here.

The three-story Lutheran Community Services Building at South 188th Street and 42nd Avenue South will house an extended-hours childcare, family center, full-service medical center, immigrant and refugee services, home care assistance for seniors and people living with disabilities, and administrative offices.

The campaign to raise money for the center kicked off in the fall of

The legacy of the Tran family of Burien lives on through one surviving son, Canh Minh Tran, 19, a sophomore at the University of Washington living in the University District.

The other five members of his immediate family died from carbon monoxide poisoning, believed to be result of a generator running in the family's closed garage during the power outage caused by December's windstorm.

Canh Tran was not at his family's house over the weekend following the Dec. 14 windstorm, which knocked out power for several days in much of the Highline area.

On Dec.

So the Burien City Council and the Burien city manager are trying to level the annexation playing field by trying to prevent Seattle from obtaining any of the tax credits to offset the costs of service to newly annexed areas. That is really trying to tip the field in the direction of Burien.

We are talking about laying a deficit of roughly one third to one half of the 2007 Burien city budget on the residents of Burien.

Contrary to what some believe, the White Center Homeowners Association has worked to protect Burien's interests while it has advocated for Seattle annexation.

Justin Cline asks in his letter of Jan. 31 what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s religion has to do with his advocacy for civil rights. He states, "Dr Martin Luther King's legacy is not based upon his religion." On what, then, is it based? What constituted the basis for him to take a bold stand on the important issue of racism, a stand that cost him his life?

Moral convictions flow from our worldview. Our worldview is shaped by our understanding of what true about the world. Dr.

Joseph D. Vrable notes that February is a significant month, not just because of St. Valentine's Day or being the shortest month on our calendar, but because it notes the birth dates of great men who have contributed much to our "American Way of Life."

First among the greats of our country is George Washington, whose birthday we celebrate on Feb. 22. Often called the "father of our country," Washington did more than any individual in bringing us the freedom we enjoy today.

Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is celebrated Feb.

"You and me kid," legendary screen actor Humphrey Bogart whispered to the ever-so-lovely Ingrid Bergman in that famous movie Casablanca. And those who believe in the magic of love swooned in their theater seats.

That movie won awards years ago-and love is still nearly everyone's treasured emotion.

Join a gym, my doctor ordered.

Being a gym rat is so, not me. I've spent my life avoiding exercise.

Even at Sunnydale and Sunny Terrace grade schools, recess was my worst subject.

At Highline High, Drill Sgt. Wendell, my P.E. teacher, made every school day a living hell for me.

Marge offered to join the health club with me.

But I don't know how much moral support she can provide.

On January 31, The West Seattle Herald withheld its endorsement for the capital bond issue (Proposition 1) because the Seattle School District had not provided enough information as to why the seven schools selected for renovation were more deserving than other schools.

You said let the voters decide, which is tantamount to saying Proposition 1 does not deserve support.

Editor's Note: This letter was sent to parents, faculty and staff of West Seattle High School last week.

Dear West Seattle High School Community:

Over the past several years, one of the great joys of my life has been my involvement with West Seattle High School and my connection to its staff, students, parents, and surrounding community. West Seattle High School is an outstanding school because of the wonderful people who comprise it, who dream for it, and who work together to continually improve it.