August 2009

The King County Library System regrets the difficulty Ms. Malo's son had recently trying to call home to tell her that he had arrived safely at the Burien Library.
We recognize her concern, and appreciate the need for safe communities, especially for children.
KCLS library staff does have the authority to allow limited local calls in emergency situations. We have reminded the staff of their authority in these matters, and encourage sensitivity to the needs of unattended children.
KCLS contacted Qwest Communications, the sole landline telephone service provider in the Burien area, and learned that there are no pay phone providers in Burien.
Qwest has discontinued pay phone service entirely, and no other telecom companies provide landlines in Burien. It is not possible to provide pay phone service at the Burien Library, and unlikely that there are other pay telephones in the area.
The King County Library System does everything within our power to provide safe and secure environments in all our libraries.

Brewers schedule tryouts
RIPS Brewers Baseball Club is holding tryouts Aug. 29-30, and Sept. 12 for its 13U, 14U, 15U and 16U teams. Details: Aaron 206-941-0128 or visit www.ripsbaseball.com

Soccer signups open
Fall 2009 youth soccer registration is now open. West Highline Soccer Club serves over 900 youth (boys and girls) in the community from ages 5-18.
Register online at www.westhighlinesoccer.com and click on the registration link. Volunteers for coaching positions can also register.
Make sure to view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) section. Also read about our club sponsored "UK Socca Summer Camp", other local soccer camps, referee clinics and coaches clinics on our website.

Goucher hosts camps
Directed by former professional baseball and Atlanta Braves scout Steve Goucher and staff will provide instruction in throwing, hitting, pitching and fielding.
All of the sessions run from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and are for ages 9-13. The cost is $165.
The City of Federal Way camp runs July 23-27, with the City of Normandy Park camp running Aug. 3-6 and the City of SeaTac camp Aug. 10-13.

What’s that sound?
Duh-DUH! Duh-DUH!
It’s a shark. Sharks!!!
Sea-Tac Sharks, that is. The little to big-size guys running around on the Tyee High School park grass fields, of the wonderfully done new place out there for all to enjoy from skateboarders to soccer players to baseball lovers. And, yes, Junior League Football players!
Junior Football League (JFL) football is something that has been jawed about greatly about the Sharks through this franchise’s start all the way back at the beginning of this decade.
“We’ve been in existence eight years and we’ve won a championship on every level in that time,” said Ken Turner Jr., who coaches the Bantams division. From the youngest 6-7 year-olds, this football starts with 89ers, then Pee Wees, then Bantams, then Juniors, and, finally, last but certainly not least, Marshall Jones’ territory, the Seniors.

A woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center after falling from a third story apartment late Sunday, Aug. 16th, in Tukwila.
The woman was found lying on the sidewalk and is being treated for non life-threatening injuries. According to police, the woman was involved in a domestic violence incident with her ex-boyfriend before the fall.
Police spokesman Mike Murphy said the woman was not pushed by her ex-boyfriend and did not jump to get away from him. It has not been determined definitively how she got out the window, she was not pushed, but it was not an accident.
Murphy declined to elaborate, saying facts of what led to the woman's fall "are pertinent to our case."
Police are looking for the ex-boyfriend.

(Editor's Note: Initiative 1033 co-sponsor Tim Eyman wrote this op-ed for the Times/News in response to the SeaTac City Council passing a resolution stating its opposition to the measure.)

Here's what we're debating with I-1033: how fast should the government grow and who should decide? I-1033 takes the position that the public sector should grow at the same rate as the private sector (unless voters OK faster growth) and it should be the citizens, and not the politicians, who decide.
I-1033 brings back successful policies passed by the voters previously. In 1993, during tough economic times, voters approved I-601, which put reasonable limits on government's fiscal policies.
I-601 established a sustainable rate for government to grow, saying it could grow at the inflation rate plus population growth.
It included a safety valve that said if government thought I-601's automatic increase wasn't a big enough increase, they could go to the voters and ask for an even bigger increase.
I-601 worked very well for many years until the Legislature started putting loopholes in it. Those loopholes removed I-601's reasonable fiscal discipline.

"Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times." -- Unknown
The world of parenting can be crazy, full of soccer clubs, math competitions, piano lessons and more. Parents of children with special needs have an additional challenge. They have to figure out where to look for welcoming, quality programs with the extra support that their kids need in order to participate.
That's why we are particularly excited about a special effort at our soon- to-open new Highline YMCA, which will provide a support system and a gathering place for this amazing community.
We have heard loud and clear that while these families want programs that help their children develop individual skills, even more important is a place where their kids and teens can interact with their peers and be accepted for who they are. That goal is guiding us through the process of developing specific programs for this important segment of our community.

I am now at home resting and doing some therapy to hasten recovery of my hip operation. It has been a 30-day ordeal but can walk with a walking device now.
My arrival home a week ago was incredible. As I got in the house a tremendous thunderstorm broke loose over the Three Tree Point area.
Great flashes of lightning, rolling thunder, scary gusts of gale-like winds, rain beating down on the house and then all the lights went out.
What a welcome God arranged for the homecoming.
The storm only covered a tiny area so I knew it was on orders from on high and not from Burien officials.
I knew Mayor McGilton was powerful, but come on. A neighbor called us with her cell phone and told us that she saw someone crawling down a manhole in the middle of the road so I guessed it was very local.
I was not too concerned at first because like many homeowners around these windy parts we have a gasoline driven generator.
But we had a problem.
I was unable with my gimpy leg to get out to the generator shed and turn it on but about that moment my son in law drove up and gladly did the chore. Amazing timing.

No hats on in the building and no coffee in the hallway.
Those are the two golden rules according to Joe Duffie, Tukwila Elementary School's long-time head custodian.
Duffie is retiring this month after 23 years at the school.
But he will continue on the Tukwila City Council where he has served for 28 years.
"The City of Tukwila is a great place," said Duffie.
Duffie says he joined the city council after the Terrace Apartments were built behind his home without any notification from the city.
"The city council is supposed to serve the citizens," he said. "We work for the citizens and we need to listen."
He and his wife will also still operate their business, "Duffie's Home Maintenance."
Duffie is not just the head custodian to the students and staff at Tukwila Elementary, though
"He didn't just clean," said Katrina Dohn, Tukwila Elementary School math coach, "He knew who the kids were, and the kids knew you didn't mess with Mr. Duffie.
"He was a disciplinarian and he motivated the kids to do better."
"Noon Runners" is Duffie's brainchild. He wanted to encourage physical fitness among the children.

Des Moines City Councilman Dave Kaplan made a strong showing in the Tuesday primary in his race against fellow council member Susan White.
In Tuesday election night final results, King County Elections reported Kaplan received 1,447 votes (51.68 percent) and White garnered 945 votes (33.75 percent.
Kaplan had withdrawn his filing for his current council position to file against White for Position 7.
Kaplan has touted his ‘sound thoughtful and reasoned analysis and debate.” White has cited her council accomplishments in helping to get Beach Park on the landmark National Register and advocating for foot ferry service.
The two will meet in a rematch on the November general election ballot.
Real estate agent Chris Alexander was eliminated from the race after receiving 398 votes (14.21 percent) in election night final results.
Another interesting general election race is shaping up for Des Moines council, Position 1.
Sales representative Anne Farmer bested Matt Pina in election night final results. Farmer received 1,104 votes (39.71 percent) while Pina received 952 votes (34.24 percent.)

A last minute conflict will prevent State Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Ballard, Queen Anne) from attending the Ballard Farmers Market this Sunday, where he planned to speak with the community about issues affecting the 36th Legislative District.

However, his legislative Aid Lucas Dressel said staff will be there in his place to discuss issues and answer questions.

"Rep. Carlyle remains committed to extensive outreach and expects to continue meeting personally with district residents during events over the coming months," said Dressel.

Carlyle's staff will be available at the market from noon to 2 p.m. on Aug. 30.

Carlyle encourages people to stop by and express their ideas, concerns and thoughts on state government and its services, according to a release from his office. Transportation, the state budget, education, public safety and the economic climate are just some of the topics Carlyle is hoping to address in an informal, casual environment.

Carlyle represents the 36th Legislative District—encompassing Belltown, Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Interbay, Crown Hill, Phinney Ridge, Blue Ridge and Fremont—in the Washington State House of Representatives.