February 2010

The Metropolitan King County Council has unanimously selected Councilmember Julia Patterson of SeaTac to serve as chair of the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee and to lead the Council's 2011 budget deliberations.

The Budget and Fiscal Management Committee maintains oversight of the current year's budget, and is the lead decision-making body during the adoption of the 2011 budget.

"As a member of the Budget Leadership Team during last year's budget process, I witnessed first-hand the significant threats the County is faced with due to a shortfall between revenue and expenses," said Patterson. "I look forward to leading the effort to address this structural gap and minimize the painful cuts that we will undeniably face again in 2011."

Along with chairing the Budget Committee, Councilmember Patterson was appointed to her fifth term as chair of the King County Board of Health.

The Board of Health sets county-wide public health policy, enacts and enforces local public health regulations including preventing and controlling the spread of infectious disease, and establishing fee schedules for licenses, permits and other services.

Annexation of the North Highline area dominated conversation, with worries about libraries running a close second at the Burien City Council meeting on Feb 8.

Citizen and council concerns over possible annexation of the northern portion of North Highline to Seattle were voiced. The southern portion will become part of Burien on April 1.

"I'm here because I'm asking you to make sure that when my neighbors vote in November, if that does happen, that they are fully educated about the options in front of them," said North Highline citizen Liz Giba. "It's important that people make decisions based on full information and I'm afraid that silence will allow rumor to take precedence over fact."

Giba said that annexation was a huge decision that will affect thousands of people for many years.

"Please let them know where you stand if in fact you are willing and are interested in having us become a part of your city," Giba said.
"The people of North Highline need to know they are making an educated decision."

Many of the council members expressed that they were eager to work the people within the area of intended annexation.

Burien Little Theatre's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" retells a classic love story with a hip blend of 1950s pop music, dancing and all the nostalgia one would expect from a musical that revels in its retro shtick.

William Shakespeare never would have imagined his renowned romantic love story would be set in the gymnasium of Athens High School on the day of graduation, circa 1957.

His tale involving magical fairies, mistaken identities and perplexing love triangles is complete with familiar tunes such as "Love Me Tender," "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," "Love Potion No. 9" and "I Will Follow Him."

The story picks up before the wedding of Theseus (James Tucker), principal of Athens High School, and Hippolyta (Laura York), the drama/gym teacher. The party is about to start before Egeus (Russ Kay) interrupts the celebration to ask Theseus a favor. His daughter Hermia (Lynne Randall) is set to marry Demetrius (John Mallory), but is really in love with Lysander (Caleb Slavens). Hermia's best friend Helena (Toni Guidry) is in love with Demetrius, but the love is unrequited.

By State Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, 36th District

In 2007, 51 percent of Washington voters approved Tim Eyman’s Initiative 960.

The initiative has many provisions, but the provision that affects the legislature the most is a requirement that all tax increases must pass each chamber of the legislature by a two-thirds vote.

This is the same requirement to pass a constitutional amendment.

Last week, the senate approved Senate Bill 6130, which suspends I-960 until July 1, 2011.

The initiative as enacted makes it nearly impossible for the legislature to pass a fair and sustainable supplemental budget. And, not just because it reduces our ability to raise taxes.

This Eyman initiative is so broad that it severely limits our ability to close tax loopholes that no longer create the jobs they once did, limits our ability to end unfair tax breaks for out-of-state businesses that don’t apply to our in-state businesses, and even prevents us from transferring funds that could save vital government programs.

The simple truth is that the will of the people is about more than just reducing their tax bills:

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a conference hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on how to close the “Achievement Gap.” The African American Chamber of Commerce was also included in this meeting of about 200.

I must say that I was unprepared for some of the statements that were made from the dais to this group!

The President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce opened with, what I thought was an astounding statement that, “The responsibility for this achievement gap rests with the Hispanics!” This is a “Mea Culpa” that is seldom heard when it comes to this topic.

This statement was followed by a statement for a local school superintendent who said, “Schools cannot solve this problem!” This is, to me, a long overdue observation of the actual facts.

I opened the local paper this morning to one of my favorite cartoons that stated, “A new study finds that children ages 8 to 18 spend 7 hours and 38 minutes watching TV, net surfing, playing video games, and using other media each day. Even more astounding is how these kids, who obviously have no parents, afford all this stuff!”

This could be the end of the neighborhood bookstore. Burien Books, longtime independent neighborhood bookstore, is on the market.

Charming and cozy, this shop with old world charm can be found on Southwest 152nd Street, next to the red brick Key Bank building in downtown Burien.

A variety of books greet each customer entering the shop, ranging from local historical books, fiction and nonfiction, new and used books, greeting cards and a delightful children's corner.

"The shop has a little of everything, but specializes in children's books and always has a wonderful supply of classics," said former employee Elizabeth Desimone.

The bookstore's owner for over fifty years, Virginia Pearce, passed away recently at the age of 95 and her nephew, Joe Wisen, is selling the shop. It is part of the estate and with other businesses to manage, Wisen cannot keep it going.

"We are actively trying to sell it and if it doesn't sell quickly we will have to close it down," said Joe Wisen.

"It has some value to it, in that everyone knows where it is," said Wisen.

Saturday February 6th was the night of the Chief Sealth Jazz Band's Big Band Dinner Dance. This always popular event was held at the temporary school site located at Boren and was well attended by students, families and jazz fans alike.

The Chief Sealth Jazz Band, sporting their new tuxedos, both looked and sounded great. The festivities included performances by the Chief Sealth Jazz Band and The West Seattle Big Band, as well as a Spaghetti Dinner and free Swing Dance Instruction.

This event is held every February and is a big fund raiser for the Chief Sealth Jazz Band as well as being a huge source of fun.

Let’s face it – we love to eat out. No grocery shopping, no messy kitchen, no dishes. So, it comes as no surprise that most Americans eat two meals a day away from home.

Since February is host to National Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, it’s a great time to take someone you care about out to dinner. But remember: be kind to your heart while treating your sweetheart.

Here are some sweetheart tips for ordering heart-healthy meals at restaurants

Drool ahead. Most restaurants post menus on their Web site. It’s online where, in the logic of daylight, you can choose your favorite healthy menu items. On some sites, you can even order ahead.

Customize. Almost every restaurant will customize your order. Many restaurants will even let you make up your own menu. Request grilled seafood on top of your pasta, with a drizzle of olive oil and parmesan cheese, or a side salad instead of salty soup.

Share. Most restaurant portions are big enough for two, so a great option is to share a meal with your date. If you both want different items, take half your order home with you for lunch the next day.

Ninety-five year old Madeline Sertz Williams, who first landed in White Center in 1919 and moved into a World War I tent with her parents from Erie, Pennsylvania, has just established the Endowment for the Arts under her name to benefit Holy Family Parish School, 9615 20th Avenue SW.
Williams, a feisty, Marine View Drive resident who lives alone in her house, attended from 7th through 9th grade and was then West Seattle High School class of '34. A dinner and reception was held for her at the parish school Friday night, Feb. 12.

Williams, who was Miss White Center 1933 and 1934, will donate $5,000 immediately toward the endowment, and her family will donate an additional $50,000 of her money when she passes. The endowment seeks $100,000 total to keep music and dance a permanent part of the school's curriculum.

The Humane Society of the United States is now offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the shooter(s) of the six seals and sea lions found dead, three on Alki, one in Burien, one in Purdy, and one in Gig Harbor. The pinnipeds include one harbor seal, three or four California Sea Lions, (one was found with a flesh wound) and one Steller's Sea Lion, which can weigh over 1,500 pounds which can be times that of a harbor seal.

The local organization Seal Sitters reports that, of those shot, the Steller's Sea Lion and two California Sea Lions have been found dead on West Seattle beaches, but fear more may soon appear.

"We will be conducting investigation, including collect bullets," Brian Gorman told the West Seattle Herald this afternoon. He is with NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Services, NOAA. "The $2,500 award can be very helpful. "When we recover forensic evidence like bullets we still need a witness. It is a bit of a challenge to know when they were shot. But I believe it was in late January or early February when the shooting took place.