July 2011

I just wanted to drop a quick note to your paper thanking you for your front-page coverage of the recent robbery in the Boulevard Park area.

It was quite refreshing to read that the police had actually taken an interest in the crime and had made an effort to deal with it.

I bought my house in the Boulevard Park area in 1972. In the 39 years, I have been robbed on average 5 times or more a year, and the police have always seemed rather reluctant to deal with any of the many robberies.

I have experienced a rather dramatic increase in the number of robberies. Between Dec. 2010 and May 2011 I have had stolen from me two cars, a pickup, a motorcycle, a Troy-Bilt rototiller, a chainsaw, 2 antique steam radiators, a mangle, an antique metal bread rack and a gas wall furnace.

Hopefully, now that the police are finally taking an interest in crime in the Boulevard Park area, maybe my property will be safer.

Edward Towle
Boulevard Park

The city has been involved for some time on shoreline management issues and has been considering legislating ordinances that would allow access to privately owned waterfront properties.

I have one question, initially, which is: What part of private property doesn't the city understand? The sanctity of property rights has deteriorated recently with the use of eminent domain, and this use has been broadened to include instances where cities can practically seize property if it can claim possible increased tax revenues.

The city of Burien has been contemplating ruling that the public suddenly has the right to use what was once formerly private property. I wonder what they would think if the situation were reversed, and suddenly it was acceptable to use their property for recreation.

Private property is one cornerstone of what makes the United States what it is. Without it, we all lose something unique as a nation.

Granted, I have often thought it would be nice to swim in Lake Burien, but to think the city would attempt to acquire that privilege through legislation I think is inappropriate and that violates the basic ideals of private property rights.

"Des Moines Rotary Club members are at it again. First they lured us into a Haunted House that scared the heck out of me. Then enticed us with a $1,000 prize at the Hole-In-One contest. Now they want us to go "Sippin' on the Dock." "What's up with that?"

Those words were written 6 years ago, March 02, 2005, by me in a "Rotary" inspired column when local members started the fundraising first-ever wine tasting event at Beach Park.

The Covenant Church owned this park and used it for young adults summer camp before the city bought it. A swimming pool near the park entrance is now filled with dirt and covered with grass, benches and picnic tables.

Things and people change with time, yet Des Moines Rotary Club keeps right on successfully raising money to help local causes here and in other countries.

This fun-lovin' group is out for raising cash to support their charities. So when Rotarian Ric and wife Dianne Peterson, owners of Corky Cellars Wine Shop, introduced their wine tasting idea, the sweet sound of cash came home to Des Moines Rotary.

Last week I toured the Burien Farmers Market for a look-see and got a bang out it.

Debra George was smiling as usual at the sizable crowd when I arrived. George runs the weekly event. The day was sunny, the vendors were busy, and there is always something appealing about boxes of fresh cherries and berries. There are huge bouquets of fresh cut bunches of exotic flowers and just mingling and greeting some neighbors and friends and having an open air hot dog.

What a treat.

Years ago Elsbeth spent every summer Saturday serving Links and Drinks out of a weenie wagon. Our then circulation manager, Les Altman, built it in his yard. It was my job to move our homemade trailer to our location, a lot where the present metro parking garage now exists.
Elsbeth often pressed the kids into service while I kept some fellow golfers at Rainier golf course off the streets.

We only had one small problem in all the years. We had to pull the wagon to the spot. Going up a hill one Saturday morning the rig broke loose and started rolling downhill backwards.

Several weeks ago, I dreamt a man and woman were trying to anesthetize my baby and I with large needles. I’ve had this dream several times in the past and I usually freeze with fright at the sight of them. Occasionally, I run. But this time, I kicked the needle out of the man’s hand and karate chopped the larger needle out of the woman’s hand while yelling, “I hate your guts!” I woke up with a start, but it was quickly replaced by relief and a bit of pride. “Cool!” I grinned to myself, “at least I finally did something.”
I do not have the fight or flight response; I freeze. I relentlessly critique myself for this and worry that I am not adequately protecting myself or even worse, not protecting my kids by being mute. I am the biggest mother bear around if a shady looking stranger approaches my kids and am quite direct in my day-to-day interactions with the public. I only freeze when people I know well say hurtful things to my children or me. In my opinion, this is the worst time to freeze because strangers aren’t usually the ones who cause the most emotional harm.

West Seattle had little to celebrate once it got to the Washington State Little League baseball tournament in Vancouver, Wa.

The team took a 15-2 loss in its Saturday, July 23 Majors age 11-12 tournament opener against Eastlake and fell to Chehalis the next day, 9-3.

The tournament played at Fort Vancouver had a double elimination format, and the second tournament loss spelled doom to the season for the Westsiders.

West Seattle came into the tournament on a high note -- winning the District 7 championship that paid off in the trip to state.

SPOKANE--The West Seattle charter also had its age 10-11 team play at state.

The tournament at Salnave Park in Spokane opened with West Seattle absorbing an 11-9 loss to Bonney Lake/Sumner.

West Seattle bounced back for an 11-1 victory over Sedro Wooley and a 10-4 win over Bainbridge before bowing out with an 11-9 loss to Walla Walla Wednesday.

Deadline for receiving items for Community Calendar is 5 p.m. Wednesday for the following week's Times/News print edition. Events are published based on timeliness and space availability. Email submissions to: hteditor@robinsonnews.com
Items can be accepted from nonprofit groups and government agencies only. Others may call Dona Ozier or Sheila Lengle at 206-708-1378 for inclusion in our "Out & About" advertising section.

Auditions
Burien Little Theatre--"Frankenstein," adapted by Roxanne Ray from the novel by Mary ShelleyCharacters range in age from mid 20's to late 50's/early 60's. Some actors will be playing multiple characters. Auditions are Aug. 1 and Aug. 2 from 7-10 p.m. $100 stipend provided. Please prepare two contrasting short contemporary monologues (serious/comedy) totaling 3 minutes maximum. Bring resume and headshot. Callbacks will consist of cold readings from the script. Please make audition appointment: audition@burienlittletheatre.org, 206-242-5180.

Call for Applications

Update for Sept. 27
21-year-old Chatri Thip was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Sept. 23 for the beating death of Bernard Ray Martin at Roxhill Park on Sept. 21, 2010.

Thip pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge in July.

Original post from July 25
The defendant in 40-year-old Bernard Martin’s murder at West Seattle’s Roxhill Park on Sept. 21, 2010 has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

21-year-old Chatri Thip entered his guilty plea on July 20 after initially pleading not guilty in October 2010. His sentencing is scheduled for September 23 and King County Prosecutors have recommended the lower range of sentencing at 134 months – just over 11 years in prison.

While it won't take effect until next year a resolution to extend hours for bars and restaurants was unanimously approved by the Seattle City Council today. It is expected to help business as well as law enforcement if this component of the Nightlife Initiative is approved by the Washington State Liquor Control Board (LCB).

The idea was proposed by Mayor Mike McGinn as part of Seattle's comprehensive Nightlife Initiative , whose purpose is to maintain public safety and provide businesses with greater flexibility.

“A vibrant, safe nightlife is good for business and good for public safety,” said McGinn. “The City Council’s approval of this resolution follows a broad public outreach over the past year about how extended liquor service hours should work in Seattle. I thank the City Council, City Attorney Holmes and Chief Diaz for their work on the Nightlife Initiative. I’m confident that by working together with the Washington State Liquor Control Board, we can achieve our goals of a more safe and vibrant city.”

Council President Richard Conlin said “Extended hours of service will invigorate Seattle’s nightlife and help spur our economic recovery.”

Brandi Carlile will appear twice on stage of the Woodland Park Zoo's ZooTunes series in the coming weeks. An extra performance was added after the first performance, scheduled for July 29, sold out within hours of the tickets going on sale.

Carlile has been touring since the beginning of May to promote her live album, "Live at Benaroya Hall with The Seattle Symphony" and returned to Seattle last week. She gave a few minutes of her time to answer some questions for the Ballard News-Tribune, revealing her Ballard-love for the Tractor and margaritas at the Matador.

BNT: Brandi, first let me say Happy Birthday. Thirty is a big one. How does it feel? 

Brandi Carlile: Hey thanks!  It feels great! I feel a little validated...like I've caught up to myself in some strange way.

BNT: Thirty tends to be the start of all the big life questions - settling down, marriage, kids, etc. Are you getting any of those or is life on the road where you want to be?

Brandi Carlile: I'm really thinking about that a lot lately.  I'm inspired by families that can pull it all off at once.  "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids."