April 2010

Carrying on the efforts of a dedicated volunteer who passed away more than a year ago, 200 trees were planted April 10 at the Grandview dog park in SeaTac.

The off-leash dog park is located just off of Military Road South on South 228th Street.

Tim White was an advocate for Off Leash Areas (OLA) in South King County.

"It really began after Tim got his two Australian Shepherds," says his wife, Susan White.

Tim White recognized the public's need for off leash recreation both as a benefit for dogs but also for pet owners. White knew the best way to support OLAs was to become an active volunteer. So, he joined S.O.D.A. (Serve Our Dog Areas) and helped build Grandview Off Leash Dog Park in 2003.

Years later, stewards of Grandview asked him to plan a tree-planting project. His experience as a Restoration Ecologist working at CH2M Hill and his lifelong passion for nature made him well suited to the task.

White's plan included nearly 200 trees consisting of nine varieties of native species. His proposal would complement the stunning views of Mt. Rainier as well as provide further definition to the landscape and much needed shade during hot summer months.

Highline Community College in Des Moines is replacing the printed class schedule delivered to residents' homes with a new environmentally and cost friendly mailer, "The Quarterly Bulletin."

"In this tough economic climate, we need to re-evaluate the needs of our students and community, while reducing costs," said Highline President Dr. Jack Bermingham. "This new mailer was designed with our community in mind and highlights the various ways that community members can connect to the college. We will certainly leverage the college's Website for greater access."

The college expects to save more than $20,000 in printing and mailing costs and 6 million pages of paper for the 2010-11 academic year compared to 2009-10.

The new mailer features the college's community offerings that are free to the public, as well as information on becoming a Highline student.

The mailer is expected to be in residents' mailboxes starting April 27.

The new version of the printed class schedule - featuring information designed specifically for students, staff and faculty - will be available on campus only. Up-to-date class listings are also available at http://onlineschedule.highline.edu.

Stolen property sent overseas

A King County Sheriff's Detective was contacted by the Clark County Sheriff's Office regarding a suspect he had information on. It appears that stolen property is being shipped to a man in SeaTac. The man allegedly forwards the stolen items to Russia. The detective went to the suspect's apartment and he turned over a box of make-up he had just received. An investigation is ongoing to determine what charges will be filed.

Disturbance at casino

Police were called to the Wizards Casino, 15739 Ambaum Blvd. S.W., for a disturbance. A man was acting disorderly and was physically removed by security. Police arrived and found the man in the parking lot. While they were talking with the subject, he openly urinated in front of the officers. The man was arrested and taken to King County Regional Justice Center where he faces charges of indecent exposure.

Woman left behind

Two crows gang up to harass a young bald Eagle by Burien's Three Tree Point. The photo was taken at the corner of South 172nd Street and Maplewild Drive South.

MEET FRIEDA BOWKER

This long time friend was born and raised in a 200-year-old farmhouse in a tiny village called Mengesdorf, near Bern in Switzerland.

She heard Elsbeth was feeling krank so she baked a loaf of Swiss bread and brought it over to cheer her up.

Frieda lives in Normandy Park.

Sabra Schneider, the former 34th District Democratic candidate for State Legislature who dropped out following her serious knee injury, spoke at the April 14 meeting at Fauntleroy Hall. It was there at their March 10 meeting she announced her run for the office. That leaves three Democrats, Michael Heavey, Joe Fitzgibbon, and Marcee Stone to compete, as well as Independent candidate Geoffrey "Mac" McElroy.

"Three weeks ago I tore may ACL and MCL," Scneider said, with the aid of crutches. "Those are the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. "I was running stairs in our park.

"After some long talks, with myself, and friends and family, I decided I should spend three to six months healing my knee instead of running (for office.) I’m from the South and we make lemonaide out of lemons. We have three great Democratic candidates left. I just want to thank everybody. We are so lucky here in th 34th. I aprpreciate the support (...) I can help in other ways that involve sitting, like phone banking, fundraising, and website work. If you need help. I'm your woman."

Check out West Seattle Herald's story on Michael Heavey's candidacy on March 20:

http://www.westseattleherald.com/2010/03/20/news/candidate-mike-heavey-…

Mike Heavey has announced his candidacy for State Representative from the 34th Legislative District, Position 2, the seat currently held by State Representative Sharon Nelson, who will run for the open State Senate seat in the same district this fall to be vacated by Joe McDermott. McDermott will try for Dow Constantine’s vacated King County Council seat which has been temporarily appointed to Jan Drago, who Heavey works for, as director of Outreach and Constituent Relations. He is Drago's lead policy person on law, justice, safety issues and an advocate for the South Park Bridge replacement, which he calls "a hot button issue." Heavey was an active volunteer on Dow Constantine's victorious King County Executive campaign.

Four candidates are running for State Representative from the 34th Legislative District, Position 2. They are Democrats Michael Heavey, Joe Fitzgibbon, Marcee Stone, and Independent Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy.

Democratic candidate and Burien resident Joe Fitzgibbon is only 23, but sees his youth as an advantage in the race. He has been 34th District Representative Sharon Nelson’s legislative aide since she entered the House in 2007, and feels this has prepared him to take over her seat when she vacates it. He spoke at the 34th District Democrats monthly meeting Wednesday, April 14, and explained why he felt he was the most qualified candidate.

He said that this year legislators found “band aid fixes” for tax reform which is “good for now, but next year we will need longer-term fixes.

“Our generation is going to be dealing with these problems for 20 or 30 years and it makes sense for our generation to have a voice,” he said, referring to his age. The audience applauded.

Fitzgibbon praised Rep. Nelson, who has endorsed him.

Four candidates are running for State Representative from the 34th Legislative District, Position 2. They are Democrats Michael Heavey, Joe Fitzgibbon, Marcee Stone, and Independent Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy. Democrat Sabra Schneider withdrew following a serious knee injury but plans to work for her party.

“Number one, we need jobs,” said Marcee Stone, who grew up in White Center and Highland Park. She now lives by Fairmount Park. “We need to get funding for those shovel-ready transportation projects.

“I’m pro-choice, and pro family planning,” said Stone, who works in legal administration. “That’s one of the reasons I am a Democrat. We need to protect our freedom of choice at any cost. It’s slowly being chipped away. I’m of a generation that is aware of what happened before (pro-choice.)

“I have real life experience, and I’ve obviously had a longer life than the other two Democrat candidates,” she said. Fitzgibbon is 23 and Heavey is 30.

Four candidates are running for State Representative from the 34th Legislative District, Position 2. They are Democrats Michael Heavey, Joe Fitzgibbon, Marcee Stone, and Independent Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy.

Independent candidate Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy believes the Democratic Party is too entrenched in the 34th District and does not offer its constituents enough options.

“The Democrats here are very open minded, as long as you have a ‘D’ behind your name,” said McElroy, 46, an Arbor Heights resident who owns Mac’s Triangle Pub at the corner of Delridge and Roxbury in the heart of White Center. McElroy earned his UW Masters Degree in business administration, then spent 10 years in the Navy and served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He was involved in anti-submarine warfare, and was a Naval instructor for three years. His daughter recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy. At Byrne Specialty Gases he worked his way up from floor-sweeper to operations manager.