January 2010

The raging snowstorm made the highway impassable for them all. Stranded at a small mountain inn, their fellow "inn-mates" may include an escaped killer. Not knowing whom to trust, they found themselves trusting no one.

They felt torn between their fear of danger and a sense for adventure. Do they trust their instincts and try to flush out the killer? Do they play it safe and hide in the safety of their rooms? Or do they sit and wonder what red wines will be served during intermission?

If it were me, I'd vote to wait for the merlot.

But, for the rest of the Burien community, I am delighted to report that both mystery and wine can be enjoyed together. And you know what that means.

Yes, the fine folks at E.B. Foote Winery and the Breeder's Theater are at it again, with their latest wine-tasting/theatrical event: a good old-fashioned mystery/comedy, "Snowbound."

Twenty-six Highline teachers who earned national board certification in 2009 were honored Jan. 13 by the Highline school board.

They join 33 other Highline teachers who have achieved national certification.

The certification process involves creation of a professional portfolio and a rigorous assessment of teaching practices.

The state provides a $5,090 bonus for nationally certified teachers with an additional $5,000 for those working in "high needs" schools.

In other business at the Jan. 13 board meeting, Superintendent John Welch told board members, "The state budget picture looks bleak right now. It will be a tough road ahead, not just for this year but also for the next biennium.

"I am surprised the number of community people who don't know how this impacts schools."

Welch said community members assume that K-12 funding is protected but schools do much more than what is currently defined as basic education.

The board will be provided with a budget update at its Feb. 12 meeting.

Development on the Des Moines Business Park (DMCBP) is again moving rapidly forward, after the loss of the developer when the housing market collapsed.

Des Moines and the Port of Seattle are now working on an agreement to develop the 89 acres of Port owned land in the area designated as the Des Moines Business Park.

The business park extends from 20th Avenue South to 24th Avenue South, along South 216th Street and goes north to South 208th Street. The Port originally bought up the houses in this area for the third runway.

A new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) office building is one of the possibilities being looked at for development on the DMCBP site.

The FAA is looking to build a new office somewhere in Renton, SeaTac, Kent Tukwila or Des Moines. According to Grant Fredericks, Des Moines planning, building and public works director, the DMCBP site is one of two places that meets the FAA's criteria. The other location is Port owned property on South 200th Street across the street from the Federal Detention Center.

The Highline Kiwanis Club is holding an open house and dedication of a new caretaker residence at Burien's Kiwanis-Schoenwald Park on Jan. 26.

The open house is from 4:30 to 6 p, m. with the dedication being held at 5:15 p.m. It will be held at the park, located at 16222 3rd Ave. S.W.

The new structure replaces one that was lost by fire in March 2008.

Highline Kiwanis through member work parties is completing the construction. President Frank Weise indicated this is a real credit to the members of the club who participated and will permit expanded use of the park.

Camp Schoenwald is a 55-year-old, 10-acre camp operated by the Highline Kiwanis Club. The camp has operated for the benefit of organized youth groups. During the past year, 5,300 campers used the campsite.

Kiwanis members offer use of the camp by youth groups for no charge.

Support and operation of the camp has been a major function of the club. The group supports the camp through fundraisers such as operating the concessions at the Highline Stadium for football, track and soccer and holding their annual pancake breakfast.

We're only a few weeks into a brand spankin' New Year and, so far, I've done pretty well on keeping my resolution - getting back into shape.

I decided to join one of those Spinning classes, at the Highline Athletic Club in Burien. I got to class early, so that I could secure a position way in the back - I was there for exercise, not humiliation therapy!

I hadn't ridden a bike in probably twenty years and I had been warned about the mercilessly hard seats, so I came prepared with a fluffy towel to sit on. I didn't know that they had gelled seats to loan.

So, while I'm still fumbling around with all of the adjustments, I hear Marilyn, the instructor, bellow out, "Let's ride!" The music is pounding, the pedals are whirring and there's a sea of faces with smiles framing their gritted teeth. I hop on my trusty steed, throw my feet into the stirrups and look for someone to place my focus - a mentor for motivation.

Meet Jack Burke

Jack, 87, of Hurstwood via Miles City, Montana, began flying at 16.

He started flying for Pan Am at 19, put his commercial aviation career on hold three times-to serve in World War II, Korea and Vietnam-and went on to become an elite "check pilot."

He has logged thousands of air miles, flown every type of aircraft, and passenger, imaginable (including the Beatles) and flown around the world more times than he can count.

Yet despite his lofty credentials, Jack is the friendliest, most down-to-earth guy you could ever hope to meet, and we are lucky that he "landed" here.

The Highline Times is busy doing Jack's life story and will bring our readers glimpses of his incredible saga from time to time. Like his friendship with Charles Lindbergh, Tex Rankin and many others.

Meet Al Moser

This long time Des Moines resident remembers well the Old Spanish Castle and Banfield's Halfway House at the intersection of Highway 99 and the Kent-Des Moines Road.

He is now 70 and wears a pleasant smile on his face. He should. He is married to Sandi who was secretary to Ed Command of Highline College fame for ten years.

Casino Robbed

Police are looking for two men who robbed the Silver Dollar Casino early Wednesday Jan. 13. Officials said the men, both armed, hit the casino at 19222 International Boulevard about 5 a.m.

No one was injured, and no shots were fired. Both men ran off, but it was not known how much they stole. Sheriff's deputies surrounded the area and searched with police dogs, but the two robbers remain at large.

Toddlers walk away from school

A local private school could be facing charges of child neglect.

Police responded to a report of unsupervised children walking into a heavy traffic area. Three toddlers were able to walk through an unsecured backyard fence gate, two of the children walked into heavy vehicle traffic.

None of the children were hurt or injured.

Rifle found in local lake

Renton City Firefighters were doing a dive training at Angle Lake Park, 19400 International Blvd. S. One of the firemen noticed a rifle in the lake. The rifle was found in approximately 35 feet of water, 50 feet east of the fishing dock. The rifle is a "State Arms Gun Co."

This past week former Governor Albert D. Rossellini turned 100 years of age. In honor of this remarkable event Robinson Newspapers publisher Jerry Robinson wants to share a column he wrote during the time the Governor was in office in the 1960's.

I knew it was going to be an important day, so the night before I shined my shoes, and hid a pair of matching socks in a place the kids would never look (the soap cabinet) and went to bed.
Along with several others, I was scheduled to spend a few minutes with Governor Rossellini the next day. Naturally I wanted to be at my best.

Catastrophe struck early next morning. No white shirts. What does a guy do? Put on a flowered sport shirt and pretend he is just back from the islands? Wear a turtleneck and pretend you think it will snow? " Where are all my white shirts?" I asked the supine form who is my wife in the other bed. "They didn't get back from the laundry," she answered from somewhere under the blankets.
"But I can't talk to the governor in my T-Shirt," I pleaded.
"What do you want me to do? Knit one? she muttered. "There are some shirts in the box in the closet."

Update 1/19/10: The Federal Way Police Department has identified the person suspected of shooting the two victims in this case as 20-year old Edgar Daniel Sanchez of Federal Way, Washington. AKA: “Sharky.”

Sanchez is a Hispanic male, 5-07, 260 pounds, with black hair and a pock marked face. Sanchez has been identified as the shooter by multiple witnesses and there is probable cause for his arrest.

Sanchez is reported to be driving a black, four door sedan, possibly a Chrysler Sebring.

This individual is to be considered armed and dangerous.

Update 1/18/10: Police spokesman Ray Bunk said Monday a 21-year-old Federal Way man has been booked into the King County Jail for investigation of conspiracy to commit murder. Bunk told KOMO Radio police are looking for two other suspects.

Federal Way Police are on the lookout for three Hispanic male suspects in their 20s and 30s after a shooting this morning.

One victim, a male, was killed and another injured in a the shooting that took place in the early hours of Sunday.

Dear Editor,
I read in the Times recently about the debate to stop individuals from Smoking in city parks. I believe a real serious health hazard is wood and charcoal fires in the picnic areas. Specicifically Lincoln Park. The upper and lower picnic areas are next to children's play areas and a wading pool. Often groups are cooking (frying) grease meat on the grills and the smoke clouds drift over the pool were children and toddlers are playing. The children are inhaling these particles of combustion and other carcinogens in wood and charcoal fires when these group parties go on for hours.
Why not post a "No Smoking" sign on any benches located next to walking paths in city parks and concentrate on serious issues.

Paul Jensen