September 2010

Two fire engines being retired by the Port of Seattle Fire Department will be used to train future generations of firefighters.

A 1986 fire engine was donated to the Puget Sound Skills Center, to be used in the fire services program. The other fire vehicle, an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting truck (ARFF) was donated to the Washington State Patrol's Fire Training Academy in North Bend.

"These trucks will live on to continue training firefighters who work every day to keep the public safe," Port of Seattle Fire Chief Randy Krause said. "Our staff will continue to benefit from the tremendous training opportunity provided by the Fire Training Academy and support the efforts of the Puget Sound Skills Center."

The Port regularly retires its vehicles after 12 years in active service and four years in reserve service.

The ARFF vehicle carries 3,000 gallons of water, 500 pounds of dry chemical and 400 gallons of foam to respond to incidents on the runway.

The ARFF vehicle can also shoot water while on the move, something normal fire trucks can't do.

September 18
Recycling Event--Recycling collection event and rain barrel sale. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Washington State Criminal Justice Center, 19010 1st Ave. S. Rain barrels for Burien and Normandy Park residents, $25. For info 206-248-7603.

September 26
Autumn Harvest Open House--Wesley Homes Retirement Community, 815 S. 216th St. 1:30-4:30 p.m. Tour campus, farm stand with food samples, gardening presentations, helpful resources available and much more! For info 206-824-5000 or www.wesleyhomes.org.

October 5
AARP Driver Safety Class--Boulevard Park Place Retirement Community, 2805 S. 125th St. 1-5 p.m. AARP members get a $2 discount with membership number at registration. For info and to register 206-244-2945.

October 6
AARP Driver Safety Class--Boulevard Park Place Retirement Community, 2805 S. 125th St. 1-5 p.m. AARP members get a $2 discount with membership number at registration. For info and to register 206-244-2945.

October 14

The Ballard High School girls soccer team lost two matches in the past three days during the early nonconference season to drop its record to 0-3-1.

After a scoreless first half, Roosevelt High School took a 1-0 lead five minutes into the second on Monique Van Zuylen's goal. Ballard sophomore Midge Cryan evened things up seven minutes later. But, Roosevelt's Tessa Vollrath took over, scoring two goals in four minutes to put the game away.

For the most part, Ballard did not play its starters in the matchup with Roosevelt (2-1-0) because Roosevelt is a KingCo opponent, and the team did not want to give too much away during the nonconference schedule.

The Beavers fell 1-0 to Holy Names High School Sept. 13 on a penalty kick from Lucy Havens. Paige Loura and Natalie Gellos combined for the shutout for Holy Names (3-0-0).

Ballard will try to turn things around as it continues nonconference play at 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Ballard High School against Nathan Hale High School.

Nathan Hale (0-2-0) had a 9-6-1 record last season while playing in Metro 3A. The Beavers tied 3-3 in their meeting with Nathan Hale last season.

Ballard will open KingCo play Sept. 21 against Eastlake.

I've been wondering why there are new intersection signals in Burien, when the traffic levels clearly don't indicate an emerging need.

As an example, consider the intersection at 4th Avenue Southwest and Southwest 153rd St, the intersection with Vince's Pizzeria on the northwest corner.

That intersection has always been a 4-way stop, always functioning with no problems. Yet now there is a full set of signals, complete with left turn lanes squeezed in, ready to be powered up.

I have to ask why, when it can be predicted that there will never be enough traffic passing through that intersection to warrant such a change, even if the "city" development just up the street finally succeeds some day in the far future.

I think that it is clear that the "city" of Burien has vastly overreached in its egotistical desire to grow, and has spent money it doesn't have on big "city" frills such as these newly redesigned intersections.

Burien would be much better off selling the signal equipment to a larger and much more trafficked community.

Actually, I'm now waiting for parking meters or "robots" like those in Seattle, lots of luck. That would surely kill Burien.

It will be a fun day and night in Burien on Saturday, Sept. 18 with the Fall Art Walk, Arts-A-Glow lantern procession and Kids Day at the fire station.

Make it an imaginative night out with original art, delectable food and fine wine during the free Burien Fall Art Walk.

The art walk is moving to the evening this year, from 4 to 9 p.m., to coordinate with Burien's Arts-A-Glow lantern festival. (See details on the lantern festival in the Sept. 10 Times/News or online at www.highlinetimes.com.)

Treat all of the senses during the art walk with the unique visions of artists of every kind, plus food and drink.

Find artists and culinary happenings at businesses along Southwest 152nd Street between Second and Tenth Avenues Southwest in downtown Burien. Locations will be marked with balloons, or grab an art walk map at Arts-A-Glow in Burien Town Square Park, Fifth Place Southwest and Southwest 152nd Street.

The nonprofit Discover Burien Association is sponsoring the event. For more information, call 206-941-7199 or go online to www.discoverburien.com.

Take an early evening drive (after 7-8 p.m.) on Marine View Drive or 7th Avenue through the City of Des Moines and count the moving cars.
Sometimes it seems as eerily inactive as most roads into a cemetery.

It doesn't take a "Rocket Economist" to recognize this isn't business as usual with folks commuting to and from work, stopping to shop locally or heading to a dandy restaurant for dinner.

Nope - without big bucks to spend it's likely another night at home with chores, a simple meal with family and TV for entertainment. And what's wrong with that destiny? Nothing.

In fact, good can come from not hitting the freeway everyday with little time at home to share with each other. Count the times in trying moments when enduring love inspired good reason to carry on.

Rather challenges are personal or revenue-generating businesses - teamwork pays off. Ask a farmer how their crop grows so tall and perfect and they'll likely say, "With tender care and good helpers."

By Colin Hartke

When Lisa Skari started teaching part time at Highline Community College 18 years ago, she intended to keep her day job in a management position with a retail and manufacturing company.

But the work environment and the caliber of her coworkers at Highline convinced her to leave that job behind and pursue fulltime work at the school, according to Skari, who is now Highline's vice president in charge of external affairs.

Skari is not alone in her opinion that Highline is a top employer. A recent survey names Highline as among "Great Colleges to Work For."

Highline is one of 97 colleges and universities across the country that made the list compiled by The Chronicle of Higher Education, one of the top publications in the education field. Highline is the only school in Washington on the list and one of 39 institutions featured on the list's "Honor Roll."

"It's an exciting honor," said Jack Bermingham, Highline's president. "It reinforces the success we've had and our commitment to our purpose."

The list is based on the results of a random survey of employees and an assessment of school policies and demographic information.

As Des Moines works to re-envision it's downtown it struggles to blend its vision without being too restrictive on the businesses that are already there.

Earlier this year the council discussed design guidelines for downtown, called the Marina District. Now the council is looking at updating the code for allowed uses in the Marina District.

Recently the council changes in the number of bays an auto repair shop is allowed to have. In the draft of the ordinance being considered by the council the number of bays would be limited to one bay for every 7,500 square feet.

In a previous version of the ordinance the number was flatly capped at two. The council considered this a hardship on the businesses.

In a previous draft ordinance it was also written the auto repair businesses downtown could only have one car stored outside waiting to be repaired. The language is changed in the last draft ordinance to say number of cars awaiting repair cannot exceed the minimum number of parking spaces allowed by the city's parking code.

On Saturday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m., Hospitably House is having a fund raising walk in downtown Burien. It is an easy walk through Burien's business district.

The registration fee is $25 the day of the walk, but the pre-registration fee is $20. Forms to register for the walk are available at Hospitality House's website www.HospitalityHouseSouthKing.org

If you cannot walk but wish to donate that may also be done at the website. Or donations may be mailed to : Hospitality House, Attn: 152nd Street Walk, 15003 14th Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166.

On Sept. 25th registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at Burien's Town Square. After the walk participates should return to the stage to see if they won one of the numerous prizes. Top money raisers will have a choice of prizes.

Hospitality House is located in Burien and was founded in September 2000 by twelve sponsoring churches as an ecumenical outreach to the homeless community in South King County. A woman may stay at Hospitality House for up to 90 days. Almost 65 percent of the women move on from Hospitality House to affordable transitional or permanent housing.

What does it take to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Burien/White Center Rotary Club?

In the case of Walt Carsten, he's earned four college degrees including a doctorate in school administration, served as assistant superintendent of the Highline School District, Evergreen High principal and Hi-Liners director.

He retired from the Highline district in 1982 and now lives at the Judson Park Retirement Community in Des Moines.

Before going into education, he's was a fireman, worked as a carpenter's helper, built boats, played the piano and sang.

Carsten is also the last original member of the local Rotary Club, where he was elected president in 1968-69. During that term, the local Rotary initiated the Service Above Self award in local schools. The award was designed to honor students who contributed great public service to their school and community but were not necessarily competing for scholarship money.

He is retiring from the Rotary so the Burien/White Center branch is honoring him on Thursday, Sept. 16 at noon. The event is being held at Angelo's Restaurant, 601 S.W. 153rd St. in Burien.

Carsten has always been involved in a myriad of activities.