May 2010

Art

Evergreen Fine Art Gallery-Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 17700 1st Ave. S., Normandy Park.

Loren Gallery-1,200 sq.-ft. unique art gallery. Next to Marina Inn Hotel. 22300 7th Ave S., Suite B, Des Moines. Local artist will have hangings and varied art pieces. Art walk reception will be held every 3rd Saturday of month. LorenGallery.com. 253-223-7015.

Normandy Park City Council Chambers-"Transcendence," a No Boundaries exhibit. Through May 15. 801 S.W. 174th St. Showcases artwork of established and emerging artists with disabilities. Sponsored by Normandy Park Arts Commission with financial contribution from commission member Robert E. Frey.

Music

Bison Creek Pizza-- Every Friday night, Bison Creek hosts a live DJ. Every Saturday night, Bison Creek offers live music, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. 21+. 630 S.W. 153rd St. Call for schedule. 206-244-8825.

Breaktime Restaurant & Lounge-"Primecut," R&B & Jazz group, playing at every Tuesday night from 6- 9 p.m. 635 S.W. 152nd St.

Theater

The man who saved fireworks in Seattle is venturing south to Burien May 15 and 16 to create some musical sparks in Choral Sounds Northwest's "Red, White and Musicals."

The Burien-based choral group's spring production is billed as a reflection on the impact of political and social discourse in musical theater through the years. They'll cover late 1800s British theater through such American Broadway standards as "Show Boat" and "South Pacific."

Dave Ross, veteran Seattle radio talk-show host and one-time political candidate, guest stars.

Ross' specialty is Gilbert & Sullivan. He'll perform a sampling from three of the British comic operas.

His interest in G&S started as a sophomore member of the Cornell University glee club. The college Gilbert and Sullivan society recruited him. Actually, Ross joked, "They come and kidnap you at midnight."

When Burien Lions stalwart and Tape Ministries Northwest director Bill Wippel brought him to Seattle to anchor KIRO radio news in 1978, Ross quickly joined the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He has performed in all 13 of the duo's operas.

The new West Seattle Produce at 4755 Fauntleroy Way S.W. is offering FREE produce for those on public assistance or the unemployed. "We're giving away a small amount of free produce to those people who need it most," said Mike Cairns. For those that are employed the cost will be cut by 40%. The offer is only good through to the end of the day today, May 3.

The company is waiting on the delivery of some coolers so it will close Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and reopen, fully stocked on Friday May 7.

How about that spring/summer "Des Moines City Currents" newsletter! Can you believe all the local activities and government projects either in process or going to be? Guess this little city is about to grow up - ready or not.

Development of about 85 acres of land planned for Des Moines Creek Business Park is huge. One does wonder where the money's coming from to support so much.

As to recreational activities, credit must go to Parks staff that likely researched grant money and revenue-generating, self-supporting activities. How great that this small community offers such quality and quantity of youth events.

Until I wondered what kind of dance "Hip Hop" is, the dance programs caught my eye. Melanie's Dance Unlimited instructor wrote, "We'll whip you into shape and teach you how to dance. No experience necessary." Sounds okay for kids - not comforting for me.

At the Activity and Senior Center seasoned citizens likely prefer the Viennese Waltz. A dance that takes two people gracefully floating around the dance floor looking quite elegant in gowns, ties and tails. Not exactly like "Dancing with the Stars," yet reminiscent of our glory years.

I recently read the letter of Chloe Swain in your paper, regarding Lake Burien.

I, too, have been wondering for many years about this lake. I moved to Burien in 1974, and at that time, there was a tiny corner of the lake that was visible. You could park a car there and look over a fence at the lake, but that was all.

That area disappeared over the years.

I always thought that lakes were not private lakes, but that part of a lake always had to have public access to a lake-- here in this state and other states. Isn't there some kind of law that would prohibit citizens living around a lake to have exclusive rights to this lake?

When you drive down 152nd street to the old post office, or St. Francis church, you can not see the lake on the south side of the street, as people have huge hedges or bushes that seem to be "hiding" the lake!

How can people--mostly wealthy people who can afford homes right on the lake--keep this lake only to themselves?? Do they own the lake?

I remember seeing old newspaper stories about how a train came to this area and people from Seattle had access to the lake, and there was even some kind of viewing tower there.

After five days and nights of 24-hour observation at the new wing and emergency ward at Highline Hospital, Elsbeth came home on Saturday and the girls of the family decided that the sons of the family should pitch in doing duty, taking turns staying at our house over night.

That required planning that included some cooking and serving both Elsbeth and me.

My legs are not very serviceable since the left hip bone was fractured last July and left me with balance problems that require a cane.
The family boys fancy themselves as gourmet chefs so that suited me fine.

I can make the coffee in the morning and pour bran flakes into a bowl but then I am maxed out.

I know where Elsbeth keeps the peanut butter, the orange juice and the bananas. But I have never learned how to handle the microwave oven or where she keeps the Sweet and Low.

I know how to burn toast and open a can of corned beef hash but I was startled when number four son Patrick sleepily appeared in his jockey shorts and handed me a bowl of Cheerios, a banana and a paring knife.

Now those are Council members we want!

My hat is off to Council members Rick Forschler and Pam Fernald. In the last council meeting on April 27th, Councilmember Forschler did extensive research into how grant money from the King Conservation District should and can be spent.

Council Member Fernald looked into the paid consultants, Pomegranate Center (a non-profit,) their agenda, and previous projects.

Ms. Fernald likes to do her own research and so does Mr. Forschler to enhance the information they use to make a decision.

We have done well to elect these council members.

The sour note was Councilmember Ralph Shape. Mr. Shape actually criticized Mr. Forschler for putting in the extra effort. Summarily, Mr. Shape wanted the spoon fed data from the non-resident City Manager and PowerPoint presentations to be all that was needed for his decisions.

The enthusiasm that Council members Forschler and Fernald have shown for their elected positions is unmistakable. Councilmember Shape needs to revisit the reasons why he is there.

Earl Gipson
SeaTac

An advocate for the homeless and less fortunate, 19-year-old Megan Johnson has been picked as the Outstanding High School Senior in Washington by Prudential Insurance.

A Running Start student at Highline Community College and a senior at the Highline School District's Choice Academy, Megan will receive $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip in May to Washington, D.C.

Johnson is being honored for starting many programs over the past eight years to raise money to help homeless people, hospitalized children, and drug-addicted babies.

"I do it because I really care and not just to do good works or for getting rewards and attention," said Johnson.

"Megan is from South Korea," said her mother, Jill Johnson. "We adopted her at seven months of age...we really wanted a little girl and we fell in love with Megan's picture."

Megan was born with Hemifacial dysplasia, a condition in which the lower half of one side of the face is underdeveloped and does not grow normally. She has had 27 surgeries and expects to have two more.

Vehicle owners in Burien will now pay an extra $10 a year for car tabs, to help pay for the city's new street overlay program.

After two years of no asphalt overlay on the roads Burien lawmakers voted borrow $8.6 million to bring 263 lane miles of roads up to a pavement condition index (PCI) of plus 80. For the next 20 years, Burien will spend $600,000 annually to maintain the 80 plus PCI.

To repay the debt service and maintain the asphalt overlay, the city had to find $1.25 million each year for the next 20 years. The city found savings of $750,000 by bringing the surface water management and transportation services in house, no longer contracting with King County.

Some $100,000 will come out of the capital reserve fund and another $100,000 will come from Seattle Light customers in lieu of fees.

City staff recommended a $10 Transportation Benefit District (TBD) after some council members expressed concern about how to ensure future councils continue to fund the street overlay program.

A TBD has specific rules attached to it, and the money from the TBD must be used to improve the City's streets.

Photographer Kurt Howard captured these images of the Federal Way vs. Kentridge boys' soccer game April 29. The more powerful Federal Way squad knocked off Kentridge, 5-0. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO PLAY SLIDESHOW.