Back when they were filming the Highline and Evergreen High football teams in Burien, the makers of the movie “Safety Not Guaranteed” were concerned about pointing out an unauthorized Highline Times photographer taking pictures.
Now they are basking in a prestigious Sundance Festival screenwriting award and a big bucks deal for distribution.
Taking action globally sometimes starts locally. From their Burien office at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, Tim and Rebecca Pratt operate Orphan Relief & Rescue. Since they founded the organization in 2007, they have improved and often saved the lives of countess children halfway around the world.
“When you see incredible poverty to the state of death, it’s shocking to a Western mind. It’s hard to fathom. You hear the stories, but until your eyes see it, it doesn’t sink in that it’s really real,” says Rebecca Pratt. Her recently published book, Inspired To Action, chronicles their experiences and, she hopes, will be a call to action for readers.
Pratt and her husband spent eight years doing missionary work abroad. The last two years were spent in West Africa aboard a mercy ship -- a mobile vessel that provides free surgeries and medical care. During that time, the Pratts witnessed firsthand the suffering of orphaned children.
“It was those last two years in Africa when our whole world view was rocked,” says Pratt.
USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon and Regional Administrator Allen Ng visited Madrona Elementary School Monday, Feb. 6 to recognize four Highline schools for their efforts to promote good nutrition and active lifestyles among students.
Under Secretary Concannon presented plaques to principals from Madrona, Southern Heights, Beverly Park, and White Center Heights elementary schools, as well as to Highline’s Nutrition Services Director, Chris Neal. Under the guidance of Nutrition Services staff, the four schools achieved silver status in the Healthier US School Challenge, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama.
Silver award schools are in the top one percent in the nation for adhering to healthy standards, according to Under Secretary Concannon. No other schools in Washington achieved the silver designation.
To win the award, the schools provide healthier foods in their school meals; educate students about nutrition; ensure that students get at least 90 minutes of PE per week; and give students opportunities for physical activity.
Visitors to Dottie Harper Park in Burien may be seeing some signs around the park this spring that alarm them.
The Burien Parks Department and the state Department of Ecology (DOE) are posting “dirt alert’ signs for a few small areas of the park that contain moderate levels of arsenic. The arsenic comes from a smoke plume from the ASARCO copper smelter in Tacoma.
The smelter spewed the plume from 1890 to 1986 with prevailing winds spreading it north toward Vashon-Maury Island, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, SeaTac and Tukwila. Parks, childcare centers and schools have been tested over the past 10 years.
DOE is contracting with a firm to dig up about a foot of soil in the grassy area in the southeast part of the park’s eastern edge. Also an area just north of the playground near the slide will be dug up. New soil and grass will be placed in the areas.
Amy Hargrove, DOE’s soil safety program coordinator, said other Highline parks that DOE would like to perform some future cleanup work include Sunset Playfields and McMicken Heights in SeaTac and Parkside in Des Moines.
Although my daughter came shooting out of my womb, proving she is indeed mine, my first words were, “Where did she come from?” My son is a blend of my ex-husband and me, so I never doubted his origins. But my daughter has always been unique in her independence and confidence. Rather than questioning her origins, I now say, “My daughter is mostly herself and partly who I’m becoming.”
At six months of age she kicked me out of the bed. Literally, her little feet nudged, nudged, nudged me until I was on the floor. Once she had the bed to herself, she returned to her peaceful sleeping ways. At nine years old, my son would still love to sleep with me.
She can be rascally, but mostly she is a free, joyful spirit. She’ll spend an hour collecting “treasures” outside (anything from flower petals to old twist ties) and place zen-like arrangements of these treasures all over the house. Unfortunately, I often take advantage of her independent nature and check emails, work or otherwise take care of business while she entertains herself. But recently, I’ve been aware that my days of having my kids want to be with me may be limited, so I better enjoy it while I can.
Saturday, February 11, mark's Seattle's 18th annual Neighbor Appreciation Day, a special day to reach out to neighbors and express thanks to all who make your neighborhood a great place. Community organizations and residents across Seattle are hosting work parties, special events, and potlucks to celebrate this day.
The following events will happen in the Ballard area:
Fire Station Open House
Saturday, February 11, 11 a.m.
Location: Fire Stations 18, 1521 NW Market Street
Several Seattle Fire Stations will participate again this year by hosting community members on Neighbor Appreciation Day between 11AM and 1PM.
Interfaith Community Church Historic Building open house
Saturday, February 11, 11 a.m.
1763 NW 62nd St
Friends and neighbors come visit this historic building (built in 1890). A brief presentation about our building will be shared at 12 noon. Cookies & tea will be served.
Restoration event at Golden Gardens
Saturday, February 11, 9 a.m.
8498 Seaview Pl NW
Neighbor Appreciation Day Swim
Saturday, February 11, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Following the passing of Jim Sweeney, owner of Alki Lumber on Sunday, the West Seattle Herald asked our readers to share their thoughts and feelings about a man known to so many in the community both via email and via Facebook. Here are their comments:
Richard Paddon
Sorry to hear this about Mr. Sweeney. Condolences to his family,friends, and co workers. He was a fixture at Alki Lumber, and a man of heart.
Ralph Kennicott
I knew Jim my prayers go out to the family. R.I.P!
Nicholas Packard
I had the pleasure of wearing Alki Lumber's baseball jersey about 18 years ago. They were always happy to see the kids come in. :)
Dawn Padgett
So sad to hear this!!! my prayers go out to the Sweeney's.
Catherine Airola
I love Alki Lumber. So sad. Love and Light to his family, the staff, and all who were touched by service to West Seattle.
Michelle Driver Picinich
So sad. If you ever see Lynn, please pass along my condolences.
Sandra Hines Merkin
Great article regarding the Boundary Review Board’s 1/23 meeting.
I noticed a quote in the article that I would like corrected. For the record, I do not recall saying that the Boundary Review Board's decision "is great."
I do recall saying that "I thought the board had been through a thoughtful process and I look forward to the vote from North Highline."
I continue to have on-going concerns regarding the annexation. I encourage voters to do their homework and ask the tough questions - will there be a sales tax credit?, how will the City of Burien deliver the same services without increasing taxes?, how will Burien address the large gap between expenditures and revenue at the end of the 10 year sales tax credit period?, will the fire districts be made whole? Lots of questions that are still to be answered.
Lucy Krakowiak
Burien City Councilmember
A West Seattle icon, Jim Sweeney, passed away on Sunday, February 5. He was 73. Sweeney was a fixture in West Seattle and owned Alki Lumber since 1959.
Friends and family gathered at the store at 4422 36th s.w. on Monday to plan services and recalled a man of strength, wisdom, loyalty and kindness.
Son-in-law Matt Pedersen, Sweeney's best friend Dean Boender and other employees talked about his life and their memories of him. Alki Lumber was founded in 1921 by Sweeney's grandfather, and then operated by his father Bill Sweeney, Boender recalled. Boender grew up with Sweeney in West Seattle, was born only four months apart, and remembers a bike race they were in together as kids.
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"Hi-Yu used to have a race that started out at Duwamish Head and went around Beach Drive up Marine View Drive and into 35th s.w. Jim and I were at a disadvantage. We had one speed bikes, the guys who came in first second and third had three speed bikes. This was in about 1952. It was the middle of August and it was hot, so we stopped and went into a guys yard to get some water from his sprinkler and ended up coming in eighth and ninth."
Snuck in at the tail end of an article in the Feb 2 Highline Times on "Burien Council OKs Fire Station" was a comment that Burien council members declared the city's support for the Marriage Equality Act, aka same-sex marriage as defined by Gov. Gregoire, and that it was supported without much discussion.
Councilman Jack Block said it was the "right thing to do" (his opinion, not mine.) City Manager Mike Martin will have his staff draft a letter of support to be signed by Mayor Brian Bennett who apparently will sign it.
It's almost like they were trying to hide something. This is another example of the nonsense of "progressivism" that infects this state from Olympia on down.
As a potential cure for this disease, I suggest one check out the Freedom Foundations website (www.MyFreedomFoundation.org) and their work keeping us informed of the shenanigans of elected officials, property rights, voting fraud, schools, etc.
I am offended by Burien's actions, but I'm sure they don't care.
Phil Stanat
Des Moines
