November 2012

Burien dentist Dr. Jim Coleman & staff invite public to stop into their office with donated stuffed animal

Each holiday season through Christmas Burien dentist Dr. Jim Coleman and his team asks the public to donate stuffed animals to their office which they then deliver to Highline Medical Center’s emergency room. Dr. Coleman said that emergency room patients, and not just children, become calmer while hugging the cuddly critters.

Those who come in with a stuffed animal can put their name in a bowl and a winner will be selected to receive a gift certificate redeemable at any Burien shop for $100.

Lynn Coleman, Jim's wife, invites people to donate stuffed animals by stopping by the office during business hours at 1800 SW 152nd St., Burien. New, or gently used stuffed animals are preferred because of the hospital environment.

Their office number is 206-242-4477.

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Bubbleman bends over backwards to please onlookers

The indefatigable Bubbleman, Garry Golightly, delights passersby creating his ephemeral soap spheres as only he can do. On Thanksgiving Day he performed on Alki just north of Salty's.

Golightly said his basement apartment flooded and while his artwork and assorted bags of tricks were not damaged, he asks the public to help him locate another affordable West Seattle apartment or cottage to rent.

If you know of a rental, you can contact him at:

bubbleman.com@gmail.com

Phone: (206) 781-6749
Cell: (206) 729-6692

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SLIDESHOW: Turkey Bowl pickup games; A Thanksgiving tradition

For many young men, those who enjoy sports and possibly once played on organized teams, Thanksgiving represents something more than family and a big meal.

Every year, on playfields across the nation guys get together to toss the football around and have fun in what everyone calls the Turkey Bowl.

A group of friends, coordinated through Facebook, many former Sealth players got together on Thanksgiving morning at the the SWAC field not to watch a game on this day, but to play it.

Keeping score is beside the point. Rules are a little sketchy and there are no referees. Sometimes disputes happen but they are quickly resolved. There are no famous players, no uniforms and no cheering fans.

So while you gather with your family, and tune in the big game on TV, remember that the sports is about the fun of it. These guys know that very well.

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UPDATE 2: Power restored; Goose hitting power line had knocked out power for 188

By David Rosen

UPDATE: 9:25am
Power has been restored. Now on to the business of Thanksgiving. No doubt many in the affected area are thankful for dedicated City Light workers.

UPDATE:8:47am
The outage has grown to 188 customers and includes the area around the Bar-S Playfield. Some people's turkeys may well be delayed today.

Original post
Around 7:18am this morning near the Bar-S Playground a transformer blew causing a power outage for about 83 people. The outage extends from SW Admiral Way, down 64th Ave SW, and part of Alki Ave SW. The power is estimated to be restored by 2:00pm. The outage was caused by a Canadian Goose hitting a power line.

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LETTER: North Highline PAC says thanks

To all of our supporters, friends, neighbors and business owners in Area Y (White Center, Top Hat, South Park) the Independent White Center PAC would like to take this time to thank you for voting in the November 6, 2012 election.

Two out of every three voters voted against Burien annexation.

White Center has a history of being fiercely independent and unique. We have sponsored the White Center Jubilee Days for 88 years with strong business community support.

And we have dozens of businesses, like mine, that have been here for many decades.

We are proud of our community improvements in recent years. This growth has come from the efforts of many of our community service organizations as well as our business owners.

We look forward to even a brighter future for our community by all working together toward our common goal of improving our neighborhoods and our business district.

LETTER: Obama vindictive

Voters who are disenchanted with the re-election of Barack Hussein Obama in 23 states have filed secession petitions with the federal government seeking their "permission" to secede from these United States of America.

While this is maybe just an effort to let off steam from the disappointing election results it bears zero probability of any successful outcome.

It most certainly does not take into account that Obama is arrogant, naive and vindictive. So do you think he would have any remorse in expending the funds required in the closing of Armed Services installations, postal installations, canceling government contracts in these states seeking secession in retribution of in his view disloyalty?

Gary L Kennedy
Des Moines

SLIDESHOW: Burien Arts celebrates another successful 20/20 Vision art show and sale

The fifth annual Burien Arts’ 20/20 Vision fundraiser was THE public Art Happening of the fall Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Keller Williams real estate office across from Town Square in downtown Burien.

Burien Arts’ 20/20 Vision featured 400 small-format pieces of excellent, affordably priced original art by more than 20 emerging artists of the Puget Sound region, as well as a silent auction of select additional original art by two featured artists and 20/20 Vision artists.

To insure the quality of the art, and that a variety of art styles and media are represented in the event, artists participated by invitation only.

During the event, there were surprise performances, tasty snacks and beverages provided by the many local restaurants that generously support Burien Arts.

The art show and sale was initiated, and continues to be presented, by Burien Arts. Launched in 2008, the event provides a public venue for local and emerging artists to exhibit their work and gain broader exposure, and it is a major fundraiser for Burien Arts.

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Update: New Highline superintendent offers 'big, inspiring goals' at first ‘State of the Schools’ speech

Nobody can accuse new Highline Public Schools Superintendent Susan Enfield of thinking small.

At her first “State of the Schools” presentation to community leaders on Nov. 19, Enfield outlined “three “big, inspiring goals” for the district.

The first goal is that 95 percent of the students entering Kindergarten in 2013 will perform above grade level in reading, science and math by the end of third grade.

Enfield’s second goal is that 95 percent of students entering 9th grade in 2013 will graduate successfully.

The final big goal is eliminating out-of-school suspensions by 2015.

“We know what to do, we just need the collective will to do it,” Enfield declared.

To make the third-grade goal, Enfield said the district will invest more in early-learning staff training, hire an early learning director, and expand high-quality preschool and full-day kindergarten for all students.

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Des Moines dealt a blow as Puget Sound Energy backs out of business park

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has announced that it will not be moving to the Des Moines Creek Business Park. The news comes as a blow to the city, as the move could have potentially doubled sales tax revenue annually.

Des Moines staffers were counting on the project to reduce the tax burden on its residents.

“We’re very disappointed, we’ve been working at it for some period of time with the Port (of Seattle) and obviously for whatever reason it doesn’t pencil out,” said Mayor Dave Kaplan. “We would have loved to have them, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.”

“The stability of this revenue stream would have been wonderful,” said City Manager Tony Piasecki. “In short, we’re very disappointed. However we understand they made a business decision.”

The decision was “completely a bottom line thing,” PSE spokeswoman Terri-Ann Betancourt said. “What’s better for our customers is for us to stay put for a while.”

PSE decided that it’s more economical to postpone consolidation of its south King County operations until at least 2018, Betancourt said.

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Highline College president stresses value of higher education

Washington state needs to realize the value of higher education.

That was the overall tone Nov. 15 at the Des Moines City Council roundtable designed to begin conversations about the importance of higher education and getting constituents to realize it.

“The Legislature and the public have to realize that education is an investment,” said Mayor Dave Kaplan.

Rising tuition rising, cutting of state funding and the overall instability facing higher education institutions were addressed.

In attendance were Dr. Jack Bermingham, president of Highline Community College (HCC), Dr. Jim Gaudino, president of Central Washington University (CWU) and Dr. John Bassett, president of Heritage University.

“This state has abandoned higher education,” said Dr. Gaudino. “We have lost 50 percent of our state support in four years. We load all that on the backs of our students. We need to say enough, it’s not good public policy.”

Gaudino said that it only takes six to seven years to destroy a university but 30 years to rebuild it.

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