September 2008

Money the city set aside in March to help renters displaced by apartment-to-condominium conversions has sparsely been used, but the program has been extended two months to aid those not eligible for assistance from a new state law.

The state Legislature passed earlier this year a bill requiring developers to provide relocation assistance equal to three month's rent to households earning 80 percent or below the median income. The new law went into effect August 1.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, tens of thousands of Americans will mobilize for "Green Jobs Now: A National Day of Action to Build the New Economy." Green Jobs Now is a national day of action designed to empower everyday people to stage hundreds of grassroots events throughout the country. Special emphasis is being focused toward low-income communities and communities of color.

Meanwhile the Moontown Foundation is spearheading the largest Day of Action event in the state of Washington.

The King County Jail notified police that a man with a history of assaulting his girlfriend had not returned from work release as scheduled. Given the man's history, jail officials were afraid the girlfriend might be in danger. Officers went to South Park to check on her welfare, but she was hesitant to let them in. When she finally opened the door, they could see the suspect trying to escape. He jumped from the third floor balcony, suffered serious injuries, and was taken to Harborview. Upon recoveryhe faces charges for violating a no-contact order.

Thank you to the West Seattle Herald for hosting a lively exchange of opinions on the proposal to tax plastic grocery bags.

As the debate continues, I find it quite heartening to hear from so many people who suddenly care so much for the less fortunate among us.

But I do wish this new sense of compassion extended farther than self-justification about plastic bag use.

Woman seriously injured in pit bull attack

Sept. 8-Huong Le, 71, was mauled by two pit bulls outside a residence in the 3000 block of South 150th St. As of the Times/News deadline, Le was being treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

The two dogs were shot and killed by SeaTac police officers responding to the emergency call.

Two other pit bulls were taken by King County Animal Control officers from the owner of the dogs who attacked the woman but were later returned.

In 1950, the main street of White Center was only two paved lanes in the middle of eight blocks of huge mud holes whenever it rained. The county territory was ruled by Republican Bill Sears, who probably never got a vote from the hugely Democrat citizenry.

We got frustrated with governmental neglect.

Kennedy girls swimming appears to be heading toward another super showing at state for Nov. 2008, led by identical twins Allie and Nikki Vetterlein, seniors, along with young freshman diver Paige Greely, who is doing things to put the Lancers over the top.

Defending state champion Kennedy swam in a dual meet against their nemesis and rival, Mount Rainier, and beat them, 126-60, at the city of Tukwila pool on the Foster High School campus Thursday.

Whitewater club opens

Miss watching Olympic swimming? Come try it yourself at Whitewater Aquatics.

The new season opened Sept. 8, with swimmers from age 6 and up still welcome to join and have coach Greg or coach Casey take their swimming skills to a higher level.

Whitewater is a non-profit swim club run by parents.

Anticipation is building in the Waterland community as volunteers continue to plan a year of festivities that will celebrate Des Moines' 50th anniversary as an incorporated city in 2009.

A full calendar of activities promises to involve residents of all ages, from young people to seniors who lived in Des Moines before it become a city. These range from a black-tie event that will begin the city's golden year to mid-summer fun, including the return of a parade to downtown Des Moines.

Volunteers gathered at the community center Sept.

SeaTac Mayor Ralph Shape called it "the biggest thing to hit not just SeaTac, but all of South King County" following a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 48,000 square foot YMCA at South 188th Street and 37th Avenue South.

The new YMCA will serve Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Tukwila.

The facility, which will replace a YMCA five miles west in Burien, is scheduled to open in a year.