December 2008

Overheard recently and too often: "There is nothing to do in Des Moines!"

This is a false impression of our little city and I only wish more people, both within and outside of Des Moines, would give us a second glance.

Here we have so many little shops, a wonderfully stocked Hallmark Drug Store, banks that invite a myriad of services.

On Marine View Drive, alone, you can find many good places to enjoy lunch or dinner and some even tout, "The best breakfast anywhere!" The Reuben, a newer sandwich shop brings you New York style Reuben sandwiches and many more tre

Our thanks to everyone who attended the first annual Andy MacDonald memorial soccer game held Saturday, Nov. 29 at Highline Memorial Stadium.

It was a great success pitting the Highline alumni boys against the Highline alumni girls (with a little help from friends on both teams). The boys won the game by a score of 3 - 2, but the girls have promised to come back harder next year!

Through your generous donations and a raffle drawing held at Mick Kelly's Irish Pub after the game, we raised $4,400, which was presented on Wednesday, Dec.

After years of wrangling, the third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport was officially opened in 2008. However, the controversy continued.

A group of local men and woman gather in their swim attire on a January day. Standing on the rocky winter beach of Three Tree Point they begin the countdown.

A voice yells, "...4, 3, 2, 1!" and everyone runs straight for the frigid Puget Sound water. The rush of cold over their bodies as each one submerges themselves fully and rises back to the surface is heard in a mix of screams and laughter. Shaking and smiling they come together on the beach for a post-swim photo.

As they stand on the beach wrapped in towels one of the men says, "I feel great!

The City of Burien is conducting informational open houses on its proposed North Highline annexation.

The open houses will give residents and businesses in the proposed annexation area the opportunity to learn more about becoming part of the Burien.

The open houses will be Jan. 6 at Shorewood Elementary School, 2725 S.W. 116th St. and Feb. 12 at the Boulevard Park Library, 12015 Roseberg Ave. S.

King County encourages residents to take advantage of the many options for recycling Christmas trees, instead of throwing the tree in the garbage.

Recycling the tree is better for the environment, costs less than putting it in with the garbage, and leaves space in the county's landfill for the waste that really needs to go there.

The King County Solid Waste Division recommends these Christmas tree recycling options:

Curbside pickup: If you have curbside yard waste collection service, you can place your tree at the curb with your regular yard waste.

Nami Mun will visit Highline Big Picture High School on Jan.

Love blooms unexpectedly in Breeders Theater's new show, "Prairie Heart."

Written by T.M. Sell, "Prairie Heart" is about Scandinavian pioneers in North Dakota in the 1890s.

"That's about the time my great-grandparents homesteaded there," said Sell.

Burien Councilwoman Sally Nelson has been appointed to chair the 2009 Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Advocacy Committee of the National League of Cities (NLC).

NLC President Kathleen M. Novak, mayor of Northglenn, Colo, announced Nelson's appointment.

The committee is one of NLC's seven standing committees that develop policy positions and advocate on behalf of municipal governments.

"The year ahead will be critical for the future of this country - and for our cities and towns," said Novak.

SPORTS EDITOR

Two titles by John F. Kennedy top the list of the biggest sports stories of 2008.

The Lancers captured both the Class 3A fastpitch and girls swimming titles, and came close in some other sports.

The fastpitch crown was Kennedy’s second in a row, and came against Timberline - which is also in the West Central District tournament with the Lancers.

“Timberline is a good club,” said Kennedy head coach Dino Josie.