November 2010

WallyPark Premier Airport Parking will open a new state-of-the-art parking facility near Sea-Tac International Airport on Monday, Nov. 15.

The garage includes over 1,500 covered and uncovered parking spaces, and provides travelers with both valet and self-parking options. The new building also features 16,000 square feet of retail space, including restaurants and service businesses that will provide additional amenities for travelers and local customers.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Nov. 10 for the project.

"This new mixed-use development increases the retail, service, and dining opportunities for residents, employees and travelers in the City of SeaTac," said Jeff Robinson, interim assistant city manager. "We are pleased that new quality development continues to add to the diversity of our community and the expansion of jobs and tax revenues in the city."

With the addition of the new premier garage, WallyPark will increase its presence in the SeaTac area, where it has operated two parking operations-- WallyPark Valet and WallyPark Self Park-- since 2003.

By Forrest Schroeder-Einwiller

Even though a cut in Medicare payments is imminent and Highline Medical Group is encouraging their patients to switch Medicare plans, they won't be turning away patients.

"We're going to continue to see Medicare patients regardless of their coverage," Dr. Ron Singler, medical director of Highline Medical Group reported.

Singler added, "We're encouraging folks to go to a Medicare Advantage plan."

Highline Medical Group is expecting some Medicare changes for 2011. Officials say they are trying to clear up confusion about the changes among patients.

"Highline Medical Group and Highline Medical Center are trying to provide an island of safety for Medicare patients to be able to negotiate the changes in the health care sector over the next couple of years," said Singler.

Highline Medical Group sent a letter to its Medicare patients in early October, advising them of Medicare coverage changes, and trying to clarify upcoming Medicare changes and cuts.

Washington Dental Service Foundation SmileMobile, which travels the state offering examination to children who might not otherwise have access to dental care, will be in SeaTac next month.

The SmileMobile, a brightly painted 38-foot dental clinic on wheels, is hard to miss when it rolls into town. Sponsored by the Washington Dental Service and in partnership with Seattle Children's Hospital, the SmileMobile provides dental care to children from low- income families.

The SmileMobile visit to SeaTac is in partnership with Community School Collaboration.

Children birth through high school with limited access to care can be scheduled by calling 206-552-4316. SmileMobile is staffed by a clinic manager, dentist and dental assistant, and teams of local volunteer dental professionals in each community it visits.

The SmileMobile will be located at: Madrona Elementary School, 20301 32nd Ave S.

Examinations: will be provided Monday, Dec. 29th, 12:45- 4 p.m. and Tuesday Dec. 30th, 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow-up treatment appointments will be scheduled on a space available basis for the duration of the stay.

On Nov. 17 ,from 2:30- 4:30 p.m., members of the Highline Forum will meet at the Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S.

A Part 150 noise study discussion is part of the agenda. The public is invited to observe.

The Highline Forum includes Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Tukwila and Federal Way and the Highline School District and Port of Seattle.

If you are interested in receiving a copy of the Nov. 17 agenda, contact Marco Milanese at the Port of Seattle - milanese.m@portseattle.org

Balancing budget troubles now with city's future, the Des Moines City Council voted to keep Economic Development Director Marion Yoshino to the end of her contract in April.

The city faces a general fund deficit of $1.4 million and a continued reliance on one-time revenues to balance the budget.

"If you look at the one-time revenue we are using to balance the budget we don't have the ongoing revenue to continue doing what we are doing now," City Manager Tony Piasecki said.

Yoshino was hired in July as a temporary economic development director, with a nine-month contract. Yoshino is working on an economic development plan for Des Moines, as well as upgrading the city website and creating a new website for the city.

Yoshino had volunteered at the city, performing the job of before the position was created.

For the nine-month contract, Yoshino is being paid $70,512. If her contract was terminated early at the beginning of the year it would have saved the city $32,108.

"We are working very hard to have a city that is shovel ready," Councilman Matt Pina said. "I don't want people finding us by chance."

At 25 Morey Skaret had already "rode the rods" to Wyoming and back. It was depression-era travel at its cheapest.

Riding under the boxcar on two-inch thick rods was considered the most dangerous aspect of hobo life but this young man from the prairies of Alberta, Canada was born with an indomitable spirit.

By 1938 Morey's first real job was with the Seattle Police Department. His first assignment; standing in the middle of 3rd and Union, directing traffic. Waving arms and standing as he did for a few hours, Morey felt the need to use a nearby restroom in the alley near the old Embassy Theatre.

"I finished my business and headed back to my intersection," Morey explained.

At this point he could not help but notice a fidgety man at the ticket window of the theatre. The perpetrator's hands and arms were in the pass through.

"He had his back to me but I could see him holding a gun pointed at the pretty black-haired girl behind the glass", Morey said.

Highline Public Schools will have an educational programs levy on the ballot in February. This will renew the current local funding for schools, which will expire at the end of 2011.

As a past school board member, I know how critical these funds are to the schools in our community.
Levies were designed to pay for enhancements like music, sports, and extracurricular activities, but now levy dollars go for basics like school bus transportation and books.

Eighty percent of the levy money pays for teachers and other staff. The state is supposed to pay for basic education, but the state doesn't fully fund everything it takes to educate kids to today's standards. The levy now makes up about 25 percent of the operating district's budget.

To make matters worse, state cuts have slashed the district's budget by almost $15 million over the past three years, so levy dollars even more critical.

Our community can't afford not to renew this levy. Failure would mean dozens of teachers and other staff would be laid off, class sizes would go up, and our kids would be expected to prepare for tomorrow's jobs without adequate technology.

Tukwila's Museum of Flight has named Douglas R. King as president and chief executive officer, succeeding Interim President Michael Hallman, who will return to his previous role as vice chairman of the museum's board of trustees.

King comes to the Museum of Flight from his post as president and chief executive officer of the Saint Louis Science Center, the fourth largest science center in the country, where he served since 1995. He is no stranger to the Pacific Northwest, having received his MBA from the University of Washington.

"We are absolutely delighted to have Doug King join us here," said Kevin Callaghan, chairman of the board of trustees of Tukwila's Museum of Flight. "His impressive background as the president of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education in Washington, D.C., his ties to the Northwest and his track record with the Saint Louis Science Center, sets the stage for our next exciting chapter at The Museum of Flight."

Normandy Park burglary
On Nov. 5, at approximately 10:15 a.m. two white males made entry into a garage in the 18100 block of Normandy Terrace Southwest. The suspects were interrupted during the felony and fled the scene northbound on foot. They were not able to take anything from the residence. One male had blonde hair;, the other had dark hair. There is no other description.
If anyone was a witness to this burglary or has information, which may assist in our investigation, please call the Normandy Park Police at 206-248-7600.

Not guilty plea in attack of two Muslim women

On Nov. 20, Burien Arts will hold its third annual 20/20 Vision art party and sale at the Burien Community Center in Burien from 7- 10:30 p.m.

20/20 Vision features the work of twenty artists who each created twenty works of original art in a variety of styles and media. All 400 pieces will be sold for $40 and proceeds from the event will benefit Burien Arts.

In addition to the art sale, the event will offer food and wine, raffles, and live music in a festive atmosphere.
20/20 Vision showcases the work of talented emerging artists from the Burien and greater Puget Sound region. This year's unique roster of featured artists include: Kelda Martensen, Rachel Loy, Sam "Sneke" Swanson, Jeremy Gregory, Garreth Schuh, Margaret Holland Newcomb, Shelli Park, Devrim Ozkan, Maron Resur, Glenn Tramantano, Jesse Link, Joey Bates, Laura Castellanos, Candice Hacket, David Repyak, Mo Simon, Stephanie Dennis, John Unbehend, Joseph Douglas, and Pete Rodes.