July 2012

Years past, when men ruled the household, (or so they thought) ladies called for equal rights in America such as voting for President of the United States, being identified with their birth name after marriage, joining historically male-only exclusive clubs, serving on a board of directors and years later even wearing an “itsy-bitsy yellow polka dot bikini” in public if they darn well please.

Watching this years 4th of July “Fireworks over Des Moines” reminds me of exciting the history of freedom and changing times my generation has known. There was a time women cooked on a wood-burning kitchen stove or stood over an ironing board of newly starched laundry including sheets.

After Pearl Harbor was devastated by the surprise attack of enemy bombs World War Two started and men were sent overseas while women were building airplanes, guns, bullets, tanks, trucks jeeps and joining the military, too.

It was a life-changing time with leaps into freedom. Women stepped out of their kitchen into manufacturing factories while their men were overseas fighting World War Two.

South King Fire & Rescue has lost over 22 percent of its annual revenue as property values have declined. This reduction has necessitated major cutbacks in services and personnel, longer emergency response times, and 23 departmental vacancies including front line firefighters.

Still, SKF&R offers higher quality services at a lower cost to taxpayers than surrounding communities.

Unfortunately, the economic picture is not getting better anytime soon. Thus, these services remain threatened.

To maintain these services, please VOTE YES for SKF&R's maintenance and operations levy in the election on Aug. 7. This four-year levy will allow the district to bridge the gap between current funding and the actual cost of operating at an efficient level for our community.

This levy only costs the average homeowner of a $200,000 home less than $5 per month, and restores an emergency aid unit. Failure will ultimately lead to more cuts in vital services.

I am urging the people who are served by South King County Fire & Rescue to support the fire levy on the August 7th ballot.

So far, as a result of reduced revenue from property tax collections, the fire department has had to reduce personnel by 17% since 2010.

One half of their aid cars have been taken out of service due to budget cuts and not having enough firefighters to operate them.

Part of the money from this levy will go to hire additional firefighters to put one aid car back in service.

We cannot let our fire department go downhill any further. For the safety of our area and the people who live here, please vote YES when you receive your ballot in the next few days.

Vicki Vaux
Federal Way

By Gwen Davis

Cancel all road trips for this weekend. Des Moines residents will not want to go anywhere the weekend of July 20 and 21, when Destination Des Moines will put on the community’s annual summer celebration events. The parades, shows and barbeques will make those endless hours of driving seem ridiculous.

“We are all very excited about this parade,” said Bradley Hawthorne, board president of Destination Des Moines, a nonprofit working to promote the Des Moines community. “This will be one of our larger years – -larger crowds and larger participation.”

The weekend will kick off with the Des Moines Classic Community BBQ on Friday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. and will feature entertainment by Jim Kleinbeck and the Fabulous Murphtones. Beer will be available.

The barbeque is a fundraiser for the Fireworks over Des Moines Show and the Classic Car and Wooden Boat Show. Attendees will also get a preview of the classic cars and wooden boats featured at the following day’s show.

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for seniors 65+.

By Gwen Davis

Passion, applause and anger were displayed at U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott’s town hall meeting at the Burien Library on July 14.

Last year’s redistricting efforts shuffled neighborhoods and residents in and out of congressional and legislative districts. Burien and the neighboring Normandy Park – originally in the 9th Congressional District (CD), represented by U.S. Rep. Adam Smith – are now in the 7th CD, represented by McDermott.
State Rep. Tina Orwall and state Sen. Karen Keiser of the 33rd Legislative District introduced McDermott to a crowd of approximately 35 attendees.

“Redistricting is an interesting experience,” McDermott began. “It gives you new people. I now have 30 percent new people in my district – so I’m coming out to meet them, both in the north and south end. It’s an opportunity for me, and for you to know who represents you.”

McDermott discussed his frustration with congressional Republicans.

In neighboring White Center, the community’s annual July Jubilee Days celebration continues through this weekend.

July 21st and 22nd will see the return of the street fair component of the event with booths of all kinds aligned along 17th Avenue Southwest.

The main stage and beer garden feature local beers, bands from around the country and local talent. The Main Stage starts at 11a,m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday.

The Family Stage located at the south end of the street fair will entertain everyone from ages six to sixty beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday.

The 4th annual PATRÓNS Show and Shine Car, Truck, and Bike Show will be running in conjunction with the White Center Jubilee Days.

This year’s White Center Jubilee Days Parade will be Sunday July 22nd at 11:30 a.m. The route will take the parade north on 16th Avenue Southwest from approximately Southwest 116th street to downtown White Center at S.W. 98th where the parade disperses at the street fair.

South King Fire & Rescue is looking for a few handymen or women to join a Citizens Corp to help with the installation of smoke alarms.

South King serves Des Moines and Federal Way.

They are holding an Open House on July 24th at 6 p.m. to meet with prospective Citizen Installers. The department recently was the recipient of a federal grant that has purchased long-life smoke alarms to be distributed for FREE to the residents of the fire district.

However, staffing reductions and layoffs necessitate the need for help installing the smoke alarms to those that that are unable to accomplish this task themselves.

The smoke alarms have a sealed 10-year battery that is good for the life of the smoke alarm. Current smoke alarm recommendations include installation in every bedroom, outside any sleeping areas, and at least one on each floor.

A three bedroom single story home would require four smoke alarms including one for each bedroom and one in the hallway.

Any Fire District resident can call the department at 253-946-7347 to request these smoke alarms at no cost while supplies last.

Kai Bjordahl, 3, son, of Chloe and Pete Bjordahl of Burien plays at the new Town Square splash park.

Jeng Her shows off fresh produce from True Gardens in Snohomish at the Burien Farmers Market.

A California resident, this was Jeng’s first visit to the Burien market.

Jeng’s mother, True Her is in the background holding flowers.

A sculpture outside the Burien Library and City Hall blends well with one of a number of book covers hung around downtown Burien.

Take a tour through downtown and see how many you can spot.