July 2011

I think we all had a crush on some Hollywood hunk, when we were young. For the boys, it was typically the male star that they wanted to grow up to be like. For the girls, it was the male star that they wanted to grow up and marry. For me, it was James Drury of "The Virginian" television series.

Being raised in Montana, it isn't surprising that I'd pick a cowboy figure; but it was more than that. Not only was James Drury wildly good-looking, he had a rich smooth voice and the most phenomenal eyebrows. Oh yes, I'm an eyebrow fancier from way back!

What a thrill, when I found out that I was going to get to do an on-camera interview with my childhood heartthrob. Of course, I'd have to travel to Medicine Bow, Wyoming (in the middle of nowhere) for The Virginian Hotel's 100th Anniversary celebration to do it.

I must admit that I had mixed feelings about coming face-to-face with Jim Drury. You never know the truth of a person, until you spend time with them and see them in all circumstances. And I must say that I certainly got that opportunity. You see, Jim needed a personal assistant while he was in Wyoming, so I saddled up and took the reigns, so to speak.

Fifty years ago Seattle Trust & Savings stood on the corner of 152nd and Ambaum Blvd. The Ding How Chinese Restaurant was three doors down, next to the Highline Times office.

My, how the town has changed. We had four grocery stores, three men's stores, a couple of independent pharmacies and even a field house where kids played hoops while the basement held the county library. It was a different time, of course, but we had that typical hometown feel.

Part of that feel came because Highline High had a bunch of youngsters called the Hi-Liners, led by a remarkable drama teacher named Bill Moeller. He was a genius who knew how to train a gang of would-be thespians into a troupe of singing, dancing drama students of near-professional caliber stage performers. I was lucky enough to attend a number of Bill Moeller's' productions on the Highline High stage.

I asked him several years before he retired to consider putting together another group and bringing back some more glorious shows. I was hoping he could still strike gold once more.

Lori Alden, managing broker of Prudential Northwest Realty in Burien, has announced the office will move to 930 S.W. 152nd St. in Olde Burien.

Alden said 50 agents will use the 3700 square-foot building. Alden added that being in Olde Burien is a good fit for the company due to greater visibility and the charm of the area. Prudential has had a Burien location for years.

Through those years the internet has actually helped agents and clients alike with the amount of information that is transferred back and forth. Some agents will use "drop-in desks" while others are comfortable working out of home offices.

With business way ahead compared to this time last year, Alden said she is confident enough to feel that the market will begin rising. "Our timing is perfect to offer clients great homes while interest rates are low," she said.

Four area District 7 teams were scattered to the four winds as they opened Washington state tournament action this past weekend.

But only one of them emerged with a win, dropping the rest into the loser’s bracket right off the bat.

The Junior age 13 Little League baseball team from South Highline National was the team that won, edging the District 2 team, 10-9, in a Saturday, July 16 game up north at Evans Field in Arlington.

The age 9-10 baseball team played a little closer to home at Hartman Park in Redmond, but it was defeated, 8-1.

West Seattle’s age 10-11 baseball team wandered the farthest for state tournament action – Salnave Park in Spokane at the eastern edge of the state. The Westsiders came close to a victory, taking only an 11-9 loss when going up against Bonney Lake/Sumner.

Also seeing action at a distant place and losing was the age 9-10 fastpitch team from South Highline National. The team fell by a 24-0 score at Snider Field in Poulsbo to the West, with the 10-run rule stopping the action in the fourth inning.

SLIDESHOW: CLick the above image for a gaggle of great swimming photos with goggles galore. Intrepid photographer Kurt Howard is responsible for the photos.
Arbor Heights showed up Normandy Park for the first time in a long time at a meet on Thursday, July 14th at Normandy Park.

Press release:
The third and final King County Council hearing on potential Metro Transit service cuts and the proposed congestion reduction charge to maintain service will be held in Burien on Thursday, July 21, 6 p.m., at the Burien City Council Chambers, 400 SW 152nd St.

Background
Due to a dramatic, recession-driven drop in sales tax revenues, Metro is facing a $60 million annual deficit between revenues and the cost of providing current levels of transit service. To close this budget shortfall, King County has a choice of cutting 17 percent of transit service—taking the system back to 1996 service levels—or preserving current service levels by enacting a two-year $20 congestion reduction charge on vehicles in King County. L

Travel to Burien City Hall
Parking at Burien City Hall is limited. Hearing attendees are encouraged to ride transit to and from the meeting if possible. The following Metro and Sound Transit bus routes serve the Burien Transit Center, about two blocks north of City Hall: 120, 121, 122, 123, 131, 132, 133, 134, 139, 140, 180 and ST 560.

Healthy Foods Here is hosting a grand reopening event at the SeaTac International Market, 16324 International Blvd., on Friday, July 29 from 4-7 p.m.

Participants will have the opportunity to sample African dishes, win raffle prizes, and enjoy fun activities and purchase fresh healthy foods provided by United People's Farm.

The Healthy Foods Here project is supporting small local businesses selling fresh fruits and vegetables become certified in the Federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. Stores that accept SNAP and WIC increase access to healthy foods for low-income residents.

The SeaTac Healthy Foods Here grand reopening will re-introduce the community to the SeaTac International Market and bring awareness to the new healthy products and produce.

For more information, visit HealthyFoodsHere@gmail.com or www.healthyfoodshere.com. The phone number is 206-684-0133.

By Christy Wolyniak, Intern

Abundant Productions is in the process of producing a Seattle-based movie so chilling and magical, even the trailer carries with it a sort of haunting which leaves viewers’ mouths gaping and wanting more.

Actress and producer, Lorraine Montez, first wrote “Stop Requested” as an Oprah or Lifetime show. However, once the script was in the hands of writer and director Ben Andrews and writer Ben James, the film quickly morphed into something for which no one was quite prepared.

“We made it more edgy/thriller – added a little bit of horror to it. We wanted to make it so that it wasn’t predictable at all – so the audience has no clue where we’re going with it until the key moment,” explained Andrews.

Jess is tormented by her past and is no longer living her life. Her choices ultimately affect not only her own destiny, but also that of the world according to Montez. Packed with symbolism from biblically based characters such as Jess (Jesus) and Miriam, the film displays a twisted battle between order and chaos.

“It’s Armageddon on a bus, just not in the format anyone ever thought it would be,” said Andrews.

Press release from King County Sheriff's Office:
Public’s Help Needed to Find Man Missing Almost Three Months

The help of the public is needed to find a missing man. He was last seen by his father on April 29th.

Investigating detectives believe the disappearance of Ben Munoz, age 32, may be suspicious, and foul play is a definite possibility. There does not appear to be any other reason why he may be missing.

Benjamin R. Munoz lived with his father in the 11000 block of 1st Ave SW, in the Top Hat neighborhood of unincorporated King County.

On April 29th, his father heard Ben come home about 2:00 AM and go to bed. He saw Ben briefly the next morning before leaving for the day. No one has seen or heard from Ben since. He was unemployed.

Ben is 5’5” tall, 200 lbs with black hair, with numerous tattoos on his arms across his shoulders. He did not have a car.

If anyone knows where Ben Munoz is, or what may have happened to him, they are asked to call the King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.

Tipsters can also call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS with information. Rewards are offered up to $1000.

Seattle Tunnel Partners, the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) design-build contractor for the proposed SR 99 bored tunnel, has selected Hitachi Zosen Corporation to supply the machine that will construct the tunnel. Hitachi Zosen will be responsible for designing, manufacturing, assembling, testing and commissioning the machine as well as training Seattle Tunnel Partners’ personnel.

“After a decade of debate, we are taking another step toward creating a new waterfront for Seattle, preserving the capacity businesses need to grow and replacing the viaduct,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. “Hitachi Zosen’s state-of-the-art proposal exceeded WSDOT’s standards and will help Seattle Tunnel Partners deliver this world-class tunnel project.”