December 2010

Jim Winder, the man behind the lights at 3908 s.w. Charlestown, has been putting up Christmas lights since he was six years old.

With time, his skills have increased alongside his scope for what makes a good display. At six, he was likely proud of a 100 light string wrapped around a bush. Today, it takes 40,000 lights, precisely choreographed to Christmas and classic rock music, framing the house like a festive exoskeleton.

This is the second year of Winder’s Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular display, and it seems to grow in leaps and bounds each year. Last year he used 10,000 lights, this year it’s four times that amount.

As for why Winder and his son, Jonathan, devote so much sweat equity to the display, Winder says, “To see the smiles on peoples’ faces. That’s the big part of Christmas is making memories for people, especially little kids.”

The BHS boys basketball team defeated Nathan Hale High School 63 - 56 for their season opener.

"[We were] up 9 at the half and led by as much as 18 in the second half," said coach William Rodgers. "Overall, I was pleased with our first game. Our offense played pretty well and the kids played as a team. I thought it was a little sloppy and we need to take better care of the ball on offense. We will work on our defense this week…need to keep improving."

Salim Gloyd lead the scoring with 31 points, Seth Berger scored 21.

Next up is Tuesday's game against Eastlake.

"They are 2-0 and are a pretty good basketball team. Last year they went to the AAAA State Tournament. Should be a good test," said Rodgers.

Burien Little Theatre is having a food drive! BLT will be accepting nonperishable food for those in need before, during and after ANY of its performances of “Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis” on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm (http://www.burienlittletheatre.com/) and at its free reading of “A Christmas Story” on Saturday, December 11, at 2 p.m.
Even if you do not stay for the show, please bring some food and help a neighbor of yours get through the holidays. Someone will be at the theater (at the old Burien Community Center, near the skateboard park) to accept your gift an hour before the performance, during the performance and for at least 30 minutes after the performance. That gives you plenty of time to get to the theater and do something that will make you feel good during the holidays.

From the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Daily Docket on Dec. 29:

Isaiah Kalebu, competency hearing to be re-scheduled--Today's competency hearing for Isaiah Kalebu (09-1-04992-7) will be re-scheduled to next month. The hearing, which began earlier in December, was scheduled to resume tomorrow with testimony before King County Superior Court Judge Michael Hayden at the King County Courthouse, courtroom E-863. A new date for the competency hearing has not been set.

Isaiah Kalebu, the man charged with first degree aggravated murder, first degree attempted murder, first degree rape and first degree burglary for the July 2009 murder of a South Park women and assault of her partner will appear in court on Dec. 7 for a competency hearing to determine whether he is competent to stand trail.

According to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the competency hearing will be split into three sessions of testimony and Superior Court Judge Michael Hayden will make his decision after the third session.

The dates of the next two sessions have not yet been released.

Southwest Suburban Sewer District Commissioner Tony Genzale died Dec. 4 after a battle with cancer.

SERVICES TO HONOR THE LIFE OF ANTHONY GENZALE

ROSARY: MONDAY, DECEMBER 13 @7:00 pm

FUNERAL MASS: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15 @ 10:30 am

BOTH WILL BE HELD AT ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH
15236 21st Avenue SW
Burien, WA 98166

Mr. Genzale, a Burien resident since 1966, owned a produce stand at 35th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Barton Street in the Westwood area of West Seattle. The family also sells Christmas trees at that location.

He previously owned Tony's Market at Southwest 128th Street and Ambaum Boulevard Southwest in Burien.

At the time of his death, Mr. Genzale was vice president of the sewer district board. He was first elected to the sewer commission in Nov. 2003.

His term was set to expire at the end of 2015. The two remaining commissioners will appoint a replacement, who will have to run for election to keep the seat.

Mr. Genzale's election in 2003 marked a stabilizing of the board after he defeated one commissioner and voters recalled another commissioner. Bill Tracy remained as the third commissioner.

When you read the words "Shop Local", what do you really hear? Is it a slogan propped up by the local chamber of commerce as some sort of obligatory business notion. Is it the plaintive and hopeful request of a small business that you patronize them so that they can keep the doors open? Or is it simply a good idea that could save you time and money?

It might be all of those things.

Because everything costs more these days and over our heads is the threat of harder times to come, there is good sense in making shorter car trips to get what you need and want. But there is a deeper reason for this often repeated appeal. It is woven into the nubby texture of the fabric of our community.

Locally owned and operated businesses are often the life dream of the proprietor. You know this feeling. You know the powerful feeling of wanting to be on your own, to make you own rules and to do something well that brings a value to others. Maybe it is you.

Community Invited to “The Christmas Guest”
Hope Christian Community
632 S.W. 143rd St.
206-244-1399 / www.hope-christian.net
Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 11 & 12, 6 p.m. You’re invited to the dramatic presentation of “The Christmas Guest.”

Old Clothes = New Opportunities Donation Station
Northwest Center ‘Big Blue Truck’
Diamond Parking Lot
44th Ave. S.W. & S.W. Edmunds St.
Fridays - Sundays, 9-5 p.m. Clean out your closets and drop off your reusable clothing and household items at the donation station. For a complete list of donations accepted visit bigbluetruck.org or (800) 992-2060. Donations are tax deductible and donors receive a $3 off coupon to Value Village.

White Center Kiwanis Holiday Nut Sale
On Sale while nut supplies last - sometimes that’s Valentine Day. $20 for 3 lbs. of Gourmet Mixed Nuts or 2.25 lbs. of Chocolate Covered Nuts & Raisins. Proceeds support the White Center Food Bank, SW Boys & Girls Club, and other local groups. To place an order, please call Bill Tracy at 248-2441.

West Seattle Senior Center Needs Volunteers
4217 S.W. Oregon St.

A town hall comment meeting hosted by The Stranger, verified the fact a deep bore tunnel even it were free, is not a project that serves the interest of our city. The tunnel is a multi billion bypass road to nowhere. Our civic leaders from the State and City are blind sided and in complete denial to think this project will benefit our transportation need for the future. There was no plan adopted to replace the present viaduct however the tunnel was the worst. A new viaduct and a surface/transit option were mentioned.

"The debate about whether or not we're going to do a tunnel is over," explained Ron Judd project outreach director. We the people have been saying the same but our elected officials don't listen. There are too many unknowns and it is doubtful the tunnel could ever be completed. the money is not available and the city will not tell us how they intend to get the funding. It will be taxing the people of Seattle even though they claim they can't enforce the legislation passed by our state legislators. See Article in the State Constitution..Legislative Powers Where Vested,

Three years after real estate agents Roger Cayce and Jim Gain, plus 22 other property owners, along California Ave. first applied to the Seattle Department of Planning and Development for commercial rezoning of their land and buildings, the Committee for the Built Environment approved the plan. They include Sally Clark, Sally Bagshaw, and TIm Burgess. It now goes to the full City Council for their approval within approximately two weeks.

The current NC130 zoning there translates to "neighborhood commercial 1", with a maximum of 10,000 square feet of commercial space and maximum building height of 30 feet. The application is for NC240, which allows for 25,000 square feet of commercial space and a building height of up to 40 feet. Mixed use, or business and residential, are permitted.

"The timing of this whole thing taking over three years is way longer than it should have been, but there is no current situation regarding a delay," said Cayce. "The city originally told us it would take a year and a half, in 2007. There were changes in the regime and system and lots of time delays. Someone there had a personal tragedy, too. So there is no one we want to point the finger at.

A deep-bore tunnel Town Hall meeting downtown on Dec. 1 drew nearly 200 and a panel of four. However, the meeting's agenda was not just about the tunnel, but about the meeting itself, as only opponents and skeptics of the tunnel project showed.

The panel included Mayor Mike McGinn, City Councilmember Mike O'Brien, Sightline Institute senior researcher Eric de Place, and Move Seattle Smarter's Drew Paxton. Sightline Insititute equips Northwest citizens and decision-makers with policy research to advance long-term solutions to regional challenges. Move Seattle Smarter is trying to put forth two initiatives to a vote to protect Seattle from cost overruns.

Over a dozen members of SCAT, or Seattle Citizens Against the Tunnel, attended. They have so far collected 15,000 signatures for their Initiative 101 to stop the tunnel, just 5,000 shy of the requirement. They plan to cushion that number and have until the end of February. Judging from audience applause to statements by McGinn and O'Brien dissing the project, and Olympia, the panel seemed to be preaching to the choir.