November 2009

"Do you watch that show, 'The Biggest Loser?' many clients start out asking me. "Let's do what they do!"

I politely, but firmly, explain to them why that will never happen in my lifetime.

There is nothing remotely realistic about that horrible show. Any trainer worth their salt is appalled at what is being done to desperate, overweight people in the name of fitness, as noted by this well qualified trainer, Laura S. Giddon, M.S., Bamboo Balance LLC, Los Angeles, CA in the June 2009 issue of the IDEA Fitness Journal:

"Like Daniel, I have been a part of this profession for twenty-eight years, earning many certifications and training clients for many hours. In addition, I've earned a Master's degree in exercise science, and I take my career and passion for fitness/exercise very seriously. I am embarrassed by this show, and I believe every fitness professional should educate all clients by letting them know this is the exact opposite of what real fitness training is. Hooray and kudos to Daniel (R. Ball) for writing this piece and to IDEA for publishing it!"

(Editor's Note: Virginia Pearce, 96, died last week. She was the owner of Burien Books, one of Burien's oldest businesses. The Times/News will have more on her next week. Jerry Robinson, a long-time business neighbor, writes his personal memories below.)

The Highline Times had an office next door to Burien Books on Southwest 152nd for over fifty years so the newspaper staff was a friendly neighbor and spent a lot of money there.

Virginia Pearce was a no nonsense businesswoman who we at the newspaper all held in high respect. To operate any small business successfully for that length of time meant she knew what she was doing.

I bought many books from her over the years and it has always been fun for me to browse the small but cozy place. Her selection of titles was limited but if you wanted something she did not have she would get it for you.

After we moved to larger quarters, we still bought books from her. Amazon and Barnes and Noble have had no appeal to me.

I guess her crusty persona appealed to me, so I worked at making her laugh.

When the new (Burien) library opened, the George Tsutakawa sculpture/fountain was relocated from its formally secure enclosure.

It was subjected to unintentional abuse, mostly by curious young children and removed for its own safety. Children being children, they waded in the pool and tried to climb the fountain.

This was impossible at the old library's enclosed courtyard.

This is Burien's most important piece of public art, and needs to be displayed in a secure place where all Burien citizens can appreciate it.

Burien was lucky to have a piece by such a historically important artist.

With the end of the BIAS, we need more art than ever before.

Warren Brickell
Normandy Park

I have opted not to do a recount on SeaTac Prop #1 (Voter election of mayor.)

While I know this proposition would have benefited our City, a respectable winning margin would have been preferable versus fighting to the last vote and still being unsuccessful.

Ballot-issue recount costs that come within the same margins as candidates should have the same treatment.

The entire SeaTac Prop #1 campaign could be run again for the previous excessive/estimated cost of the manual recount ($20,000) and the machine recount ($5,000) would most likely produce the same results ignoring human error and be worthless.

I have copied the King County Council on this e-mail basically to inform them how ridiculous the unequal treatment is where a ballot issue can have greater and far reaching effects more than a single candidate in local issues. Prop #1 had a .20 difference (9 votes).

Three Des Moines police officers will be laid off following action by the city council.

The cuts come as the council struggles to close a $2 million deficit. What will not be cut, however, are senior programs and before and after school parks and recreation activities.

The cuts include a sergeant position, reducing their number from eight to seven. Two officers will be transferred to the levy lid lift fund.

The police department made it through last year's budget season without losing any police officers. When Police Chief Roger Baker was asked to cut $800,000 from his budget this year, he was forced to look at personnel and officers.

The total saved from eliminating three police officers and moving two to a different fund would save the city just over $500,000.

With the reduction in officers, Chief Baker said he plans to eliminate the Crime Prevention Task Force, and roll those police officers back into patrol. So, even with the cuts, there will be the same amount of officers on patrol.

This year even the family pooch can get into the holiday spirit with a free Santa photo during Winterfest in Burien on Saturday, Dec. 5.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., stroll holiday-bedazzled streets brimming with free activities ranging from kids' crafts to photos with Santa or his reindeer, hot treats and in-store specials.

Santa will take a break from toy making to pose for free photos at two different locations: John L. Scott Real Estate, 930 S.W. 152nd St., for humans and the Mark Restaurant & Bar, 918 S.W. 152nd St., for dogs.

Festival-goers can also cuddle up to one of the jolly old elf's reindeer for a free picture at Goodie Gumdrops, 816 S.W. 152nd St., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Santa will also pop back into Goodie Gumdrops for photos from Dec. 2 through Dec. 23 weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and on weekends.

Another returning activity is free holiday crafts for kids at Collins Chiropractic, 619 S.W. 152nd St. Meanwhile, the adults can explore wine tasting across the street at Vino Bello, 636 S.W. 152nd St.

Winterfest offers an opportunity to save gas, time and money on holiday shopping with in-store specials and gift-wrapping at local shops.

Under the direction of Paula Hawkins, KidSounds, YouthSounds and TeenSounds Northwest will join forces with a fun-filled program designed just for families.

"The Night Before Christmas" combines colorful costumes and creative sets with traditional holiday favorites like "Silent Night" and "O Come, All Ye Faithful."

Popular newer gems such as "We Need a Little Christmas" and "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" are included to showcase the budding musical talents of even the youngest 8, 9 and 10-year old singers.

The performance is Friday, Dec. 11, beginning at 7 p.m., in the Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S. 152nd St. in Burien.

Tickets are $10 to $15 for adults and may be obtained by visiting www.nwassociatedarts.org or by calling 206-246-6040.

Families hunting for affordable entertainment will delight and parents looking for a risk-free way to introduce their children to the joys of choral music can rest easy because Northwest Associated Arts youth ticket program lets young people 17 and under in free with a paid adult ticket.

I'll just say it right off. The new Christmas-themed play at Burien Little Theatre, "Christmas With the Crawfords" is a hoot, and believe me, that's a good thing in this, the dark time of the year in the Northwest.

It's also like walking into someone else's fantasy, so be aware that you might feel a bit off kilter at times watching this campy, witty slice of life from a book page of "Mommie Dearest" Joan Crawford's less joyful moments in her career.

With a set that dazzles as much as it draws the audience into this bitingly witty musical dramady, one is set for an old-fashioned Christmas gathering, only this is definitely not that sort of thing.

While the city of Des Moines struggles with choosing between police and parks in adopting next year's budget, the city of SeaTac managed Nov. 24 to introduce its proposed budget, hold a public hearing and adopt the budget in one night.

The city plans to spend $16.2 million more than it takes in. But that will still leave it with $48 million in reserves. In all funds, the city has budgeted $76.3 million in expenditures and expects to receive $60.1 million in revenues.

In the general operating fund, the city expects expenditures of $29.2 million and revenues of $28.2 million. That will reduce the general fund reserves by about $953,000, down to $7.8 million.

Finance director Mike McCarty said the reserves could cover three months of operating expenses. The city's past policy was to have four months of reserves on hand but the general recommendation is to have one to two months of operating expenses in reserves, according to McCarty.

McCarty said the budget would maintain current service levels with no layoffs expected.

City staffers will receive 2 percent raises but must take five unpaid furlough days next year.

(Editor's Note: Schedules may vary during holiday periods. Call to verify meeting times.)

Burien City Council
Regular council meetings are on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7 p.m.
Meetings are held at Burien City Hall, 400 S.W. 152nd St. For information, call 206-241-4647.

Des Moines City Council
Regular council meetings are on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 7:30 p.m.
Meetings are held at the Des Moines City Council chambers, 21630 11th Ave. S.
For information, call 206-878-4595.

County Fire District No. 2 Board of Commissioners
Regular board meetings are on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m.
Meetings are held at Fire Station No. 28 at 15100 8th Ave. SW. in Burien. The district coverage area includes Burien and Normandy Park. Firefighters also assist those in District 26, which includes a portion of Des Moines.
For information, call 206-242-2040.

King County Water District No. 20 Board of Commissioners