October 2007

Lewis CarrollBy Ralph Nichols

The Walrus and The Carpenter

With many things to write about, the time has come to consider a few issues in "bits and pieces."

First Avenue South project

Burien chiropractor Diane Visco expresses support in a letter to the editor for the rebuilding of First Avenue South despite the fact that many businesses along this thoroughfare-hers included-are sustaining considerable financial losses.

But, Dr. Visco maintains, "The inconveniences are far outweighed by the ongoing benefits that will be accrued."

The state Department of Ecology has fined the Port of Seattle and two contractors $20,000 for water quality violations at Sea-Tac International Airport.

Ecology found that the port, which operates the airport, and the contractors allowed four releases of muddy stormwater from Sea-Tac north expressway project into storm systems that drain to Gilliam Creek and Des Moines Creek.

The violations occurred in November and December 2006, and January and August this year.

Ecology issued the penalty jointly to the port and to Mowat Construction Co.

Several thousand residents and scores of businesses in Burien and Normandy Park spent much of the afternoon and evening in the dark on Oct. 18 as the season's first major windstorm swept through western Washington.

Most power outages were west of First Avenue South. No serious damage was reported, and Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy crews had service restored later that night.

Local fire officials reminded residents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by never bringing barbeques or running electrical generators into a home for heat during a power outage.

The family friendly Boo celebration in Burien on Saturday, Oct. 27 will unleash some howling good fun along Southwest 152nd Street from noon to 5 p.m.

Activities get under way with the fourth annual Costume Dog Parade, which will set paw in Olde Burien on Southwest 152nd Street in the block between Tenth Avenue Southwest and Ambaum Boulevard Southwest.

Register your decked-out canine at that location for a suggested donation of $2 between 11 a.m. and noon.

The parade starts at noon, and all participating pooches will receive goodie bags.

State Rep. Joe McDermott, D-West Seattle, last week was appointed by the King County Council to the state Senate.

McDermott replaced Erik Poulsen, who resigned earlier this month to become a lobbyist on energy issues.

"It's an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of the 34th District," which includes part of the Highline area, said the new senator after taking the oath of office.

"I will take my passion for education and equal rights to the Senate."

McDermott was elected to the House of Representatives in 2000.

State Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, and Rep. Eileen Cody, D-West Seattle, recently received special recognition from Mount St. Vincent Long Term Care Hospital ("the Mount").

A $5,000 scholarship has been named for each of them for their work in long-term care both as nurses and legislators. The scholarships will go to nursing students or nurses who wish to specialize in geriatrics and long-term care.

Prentice represents the 11th Legislative District, Cody the 34th.

Northwest Symphony Orchestra will mix up a caldron of fun at its family concert on Friday, Oct.

The Highline Community College Board of Trustees has retained National Search and Education Consulting (NSEC) to assist them in their search for a new college president.

NSEC is an educational consulting firm with experience in conducting community college president searches.

Football

Kennedy 48, Mt. Rainier 7

Jordan Flowers scored first for Kennedy in its Thursday, Oct. 18 win, and Daniel Martiniello kicked his first of six-straight conversions.

Dionte Cagogan of Mount Rainier answered by scoring an 89-yard kickoff return and Shawn McGlynn kicked the PAT to tie the game at 7-7, but it was all Kennedy from there.

Flowers struck on a 6-yard run for the Lancers after that, then Beau Rasmey returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown.

Nothing but good things for the Evergreen Lutheran girls soccer team, who beat all their competition in the Sea-Tac 'B' League and will now head off to the playoffs for district competition starting at a determined time after the season completes and all things are sorted out.

An 11 win, four loss and one tie record final was the Eagles, which is better than last year's 9-8 mark. Hopefully, unlike last year, this year's team will make it past playing just one and out in districts.

"We have had a really good season," said head coach Stan Cole.