September 2012

A working group of Burien residents has come up with a compromise Burien Shoreline Master Program that they say is likely to be approved by the state Department of Ecology (DOE).

DOE has objected to four proposals in the city’s submitted SMP plan. The state must sign off on Burien’s plan before it takes effect.

The largest sticking point is setback requirements along the city’s Puget Sound shoreline.

Burien established a 20-foot setback between the ordinary high water mark and development. But DOE is insisting on a 50-foot buffer and an additional 15-foot setback along the developed shoreline.

Michael Noakes, chair of the working group, told Burien City Council members Sept. 17 that his committee is suggesting that the developed areas along the Sound be split up into zones.

In area’s along the Sound that have been highly altered, adverse conditions in the 20 feet nearest the water would be strictly limited. In the next zone of 15 feet, adverse effects would be allowed if they were mitigated in the first zone nearest the water.

By Gwen Davis
SPECIAL TO THE HIGHLINE TIMES

It happens frequently: A scammer calls a senior, posing as the senior’s grandson and says, “This is Johnny and I’m in Vancouver and I just got arrested for drunk driving and I need $5,000 dollars wired to me to get me out of jail. And don’t tell mom or dad because I’m really embarrassed.”

The senior’s emotions are tapped and he or she will do anything for Johnny – including hastily wiring the money to “Johnny” even though no such person exists.

The common “Grandparent” scam dupes numerous seniors each year – just one of many other scams and frauds.

Which is why the AARP Washington (Association of American Retired Persons) hosted the event “Scam Jam—Fight Back!” on Sept. 17, collaborating with nearly two-dozen leading agencies and advocates in Washington state to educate seniors about scams and related protection.

Nearly 400 local seniors signed up. The event was held at the Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien.

Burien Little Theatre is presenting the quirky comedy “Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” written by Sarah Ruhl, opening Sept. 28.

When a lonely woman answers a dead stranger's cell phone, she gets tangled in his shady past, travels to the afterlife and back, and finds unexpected love.

This show is suitable for ages 13+ due to a little adult language and adult content.

The play will run through Oct. 21 at the Burien Annex, 14501 4th Ave. S.W. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $7 through $20, with a number of discounts available. For tickets or information, go online to www.burienlittletheatre.org or call the ticket office at 206-242-5180.

Get thrilled and chilled during Burien Carnival Days from Thursday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 30 in Burien Town Square Park.

Presented by the nonprofit Discover Burien Association, the Davis Shows’ full carnival offers day passes good for unlimited rides all day.

The carnival closes each day when attendance gets too light. Hours are Sept. 27 and Sept. 28 from 3 p.m. to close and Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to close.

Burien Town Square Park is located at Southwest 152nd Street and Fifth Place Southwest in downtown Burien.

Discover Burien is a nonprofit organization that works on the economic development and promotion of the city.

For more information, go to www.discoverburien.com or contact Debra George, the Discover Burien event manager, at 206-941-7199.

The brats will be trotting on Sunday, Oct. 7 during the Burien Brat Trot. The event features a 5K race, 1-mile family race and Oktoberfest fun.

For information and registration, visit www.burienbrattrot.com.

Burien resident Marco Spani had quite a fish tale to tell me the other day.I thought I would pass it on to my readers:

OK Jerry, here’s the story.

My daughter, Jesann and her boyfriend, Nate were visiting from southern California and we were fishing on Labor Day weekend. We hadn’t had a bite all morning, then at about 8:30 we got one on.

Jesann began reeling in the fish and she could tell it was a good size salmon. When she got it up to the boat she saw the flasher, then the fish, then right behind the fish was a sea lion!

The fish must have figured that out too because he took off like a rocket, went about 50 yards without stopping. The reel was singing! At that point Jesann handed me the rod and I started reeling in as fast as I could.

There were now two sea lions converging on our fish, slowly moving toward the boat as I was reeling him in. I yelled at the sea lions every time they came to the surface. I don’t know if that helped. I finally got the fish back to the boat.

By Tram Le, DVM
Burien Veterinary Hospital
SPECIAL TO THE HIGHLINE TIMES

To deworm or not to deworm

It amazes me how many people say, "my pet doesn't have worms, I don't see anything," or "we live in the Northwest, we don't have that problem here." So here are some facts:

Adult roundworms, hookworms, or whipworms usually stay in the host unless there is an overpopulation. Their eggs are microscopic. Parasites will survive in most climates.

In King County for 2011 and part of 2012 from only one of the three laboratories in the area, 1 out of 33 fecal test was positive for hookworms, 1 out of 53 for roundworms, and 1 out of 50 for whipworms. It is estimated that this represents only 30% of our pets since many are not seen by a veterinarian or even tested.

Unless you are equipped with a microscope, fecal floatation solution, and a centrifuge what you think is negative may not be. On top of that, these little creepy crawly's eggs don't shed all the time. So, for a true negative test a series of three fecal tests are necessary.

In conjunction with the new school year getting under way, the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) has released a toolkit for non-profit groups and teachers to talk with teens about dating violence and healthy relationships.

Called “In Their Shoes: Teens and Dating Violence,” the toolkit “is an interactive experience and gives teachers everything they need to get the conversation started,” Kelly Starr with WSCADV wrote in a statement. “Participants become a teen character, make choices about their relationships, and move through experiences of sexting (text messaging), pregnancy, homophobia, and stalking.”

The tools have been given to two local non-profits that focus on domestic violence: the Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN) working with Highline schools, and New Beginnings, working with Seattle schools.

16-year-old girl arrested in SeaTac Motel 6 fatal shooting
A 16-year-old girl was arrested Sept. 19 in the fatal shooting of a 47-year-old man at the SeaTac Motel 6 in the 20600 block of Military Road Sept. 7, according to the King County Sheriff's Office. They expect more arrests. Detectives want the public's help in
finding 19-year-old Kavahn Matthews-Smith, who lives in the Skyway area and is considered a suspect. He is described as African American, 6-foot-5, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information should call 911. The victim has been identified as Herman Herlondo Tucker of Skyway. He died from multiple gunshot
wounds. The 16-year-old girl was arrested in Seattle. A judge found probable cause to hold her in custody on investigation of first-degree murder, said Dan Donohoe, spokesman for King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg. It is expected that the girl will be charged as an adult, he said. Detectives determined that Tucker was checked into Room 224, and got a warrant to search, locating two cellphones, one that belonged to