November 2009

Elsbeth and I were married 41 years ago today and Elsbeth is having her annual martini.

Our first date, a dinner dance at the old Olympic was suggested by my editor, Jeanne Sweeney, and when Elsbeth who worked at the once popular Epicure restaurant turned me down, Jeanne insisted I go back and ask her again.

This time Elsbeth said yes.

Jeanne had gone up to the restaurant and convinced her I was harmless and lonely after the mother of my five sons had passed away.

I got another son and two daughters and a valuable lesson.

Go back and ask again.

A year later, after a lot of dates and dances I went out and bought a ring and planned to pop the question one Saturday night.

I knew she loved Crackerjack karmelkorn so I drove to Fred Meyer and bought a box and opened it to find the prize, hoping for a little plastic box or something I could put the ring in and surprise her.

Amazingly, in the line ahead of me was a little kid about 8 years old and he also had a box of crackerjacks.

I had opened mine, eaten a handful and found my prize. It was just a dumb little plastic banjo.

With the payment deadline just passed on Halloween, property taxes are on the mind of many homeowners.

The League Of Women Voters of South King County is taking advantage of that interest by hosting a forum on property taxes Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Highline Public Schools headquarters, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W.

Barbara Alsheikh, King County assistant tax advisor, will speak about appealing property tax assessments.

Bob Rosenberger, retired deputy tax assessor, will address how property taxes are assessed.

A representative from the Association of Washington Counties is also expected to make a presentation.

The speakers will also answer written questions from the audience.

Among the topics to be discussed are why the property tax is important, why there are special levies and a comparison of Washington's tax approach to other states.

For more information, call 206-243-4236.

The South King County branch of the League of Women Voters and the Highline Times/Des Moines News/SeaTac News are sponsoring the forum.

Toby Matasar is a chef who loves to make pastry. Being a chef means she loves many things about food but her focus is on flavor and texture.

Matasar is the owner of Eats Market Cafe in Westwood Village and it has become an award winning restaurant and favorite of many people in West Seattle. Her experience includes training at culinary school in New York, some time learning pastry preparation in Paris and she came to Seatle to work with well known Chef Tom Douglas.

A few years ago she chose to open her own restaurant. " I opened this restaurant because I was looking for a really great place to eat around where I live. This is the neighborhood where I have lived for 10 years now. I have a great staff and together we've tried to create a really wonderful homey kind of restaurant. We represent all that food that you would want if you went home to your grandma's house…and they knew how to cook really really well for a lot of people."

Pending home sales rose again, the longest streak since measurement began in 2001, marking eight consecutive monthly gains, according to the National Association of Realtors.
The Pending Home Sales Index a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in September, rose 6.1 percent to 110.1 from a reading of 103.8 in August, and is 21.2 percent higher than September 2008 when it stood at 90.9. The gain from a year ago is the largest annual increase on record, and the index is at the highest level since December 2006 when it was 112.8.
The momentum is understandable Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said. “What we’re witnessing is a rush of first-time buyers trying to beat the expiration of the tax credit at the end of this month,” he said. “Home values will stabilize sooner rather than over-correcting. That, in turn, will mean wealth stabilization for the vast number of middle-class families and lay the foundation for a durable economic recovery.”

The West Seattle-based Animals First Foundation gives true meaning to the expression "sick as a dog" and tries to do something about it. The foundation, which works in conjunction with with other rescue and adoption organizations, including www.petfinder.com and West Seattle resident Teri Ensly's www.furryfaces.org will hold a charity wine tasting and auction Friday night, Nov. 13, 6pm-9pm. The event takes place at Vino Bello, 636 SW 152nd St in Burien. Donations are $20. (206) 244-8466.

Through donations, the 501 (c)(3) foundation pays for expensive operations for dogs and cats, potential pets that may otherwise be "lost causes."

Thor, an American Bulldog, was surrendered a year and a half ago by its owner, a physically disabled man who was wheelchair bound. Just one day before Thor was to be put down at the pound, Animals First Foundation rescued him, and cared for him for over a year. Two months ago Thor was placed by Animals First with another disabled man who also uses a wheelchair.

For more information go to: www.animalsfirstfoundation.org, or call Heather Enajibi at (206) 331-7440.

Sophomore Alex Bowns, the only Ballard High School cross country runner to qualify for the Washington State 4A Championship, finished in 58th place at the Nov. 7 meet.

Bowns finished the race in a time of 16.31.

The first-place runner, Shane Moskowitz of Central Kitsap High School, finished with a time of 15:06.

Bowns led the Beavers in almost every meet in the 2009 season.

Superintendent John Welch has recommended that the Highline School Board not run a school construction bond on the May 2010 ballot.

The district will be finishing up two schools currently under construction and will be ready to start on new projects.

However, the superintendent advised waiting until the economy shows stronger signs of recovery.

A citizen's committee has developed a prioritized list of schools to be replaced when the next bond is passed by voters.

In May, the school board will re-evaluate and discuss the possibility of running a bond measure on the same ballot with its educational program levy in spring 2011.

Superintendent John Welch has recommended that the Highline School Board not run a school construction bond on the May 2010 ballot.

The district will be finishing up two schools currently under construction and will be ready to start on new projects.

However, the superintendent advised waiting until the economy shows stronger signs of recovery.

A citizen's committee has developed a prioritized list of schools to be replaced when the next bond is passed by voters.

In May, the school board will re-evaluate and discuss the possibility of running a bond measure on the same ballot with its educational program levy in spring 2011.

The folks who bring yearly concerts to Burien are having a tag sale on Nov. 14 and 15 to raise money to keep the performances going.

Northwest Associated Arts, the parent group for ChoralSounds , KidSounds, YouthSounds, TeenSounds and Cantaré Vocal Ensemble, will hold the sale, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day at 13809 1st Avenue South in Burien, a former Harley Davidson dealership.

The group intends to add new items every hour both days, and likely will have markdowns Sunday afternoon.

"As you know, funding for the arts is really scarce in the current economic climate, and all of us at Northwest Associated Arts would like to ask you to help us bridge the gaps as we move into our 26th year of presenting great choral concerts," the group stated in in a press release.

On Nov. 21, Burien Arts will hold its second annual 20/20 Vision fundraiser and art sale at the Karuna Arts Yoga Studio in Burien from 6:45-10 p.m.

The fundraiser features the work of twenty artists who created twenty works of art in a variety of styles and media. All 400 pieces will be sold for $40 and proceeds from the event will benefit Burien Arts.

In addition to the art sale, the event will offer food, an art vacation raffle and live music.

Featured artists include Kelda Martensen, Rachel Loy, Rachel Dory, Judy Dore, Kelly Neidig, Mandy Cufley, Ellen Van Wyck, Gina Kallman, Margie Lee, Michael Matrese, Kimisha Turner, John Unbehend, Margaret Davidson, Ellen Werner, Kim McCarthy, Pete Rhodes, Luke Dolkas, Elissa Eng, Zeb Andrews, Andi Williamson and Roxanne Fawcett.

Burien Arts is a local non-profit dedicated to providing affordable and innovative arts opportunities to all generations and communities in the Burien/Highline region.

Burien Arts manages the Burien Art Gallery, produces the Highline Vintage Jazz Festival, manages a summer performing arts series and offers educational resources to high school students.