February 2013

Beverly Verduin works some three-point magic in Friday's game against Roosevelt.

We already mentioned it in our basketball roundup, but thought it deserved extra attention. Ballard High School basketball player Beverly Verduin was highlighted in the Seattle Times as a "star of the week," most notably for her serious three-pointers. Here's what they have to say:

"Verduin, a junior guard, was a three-point wizard in two wins as the Beavers reached the playoffs for the first time in five years. She scored 21 points (hitting 3 of 6 three-point attempts) in an overtime win over Redmond, and nailed 8 of 10 behind the arc en route to a season-high 26 points against Roosevelt."

We recently highlighted Verduin along with her brother Johnny, who plays on the boys team, in a front page article late last year. She's been kicking some serious butt and it's about time she's been recognized for it.

Update, Feb. 5, 3 p.m.: The principal of Salmon Bay K-8 posted an update on crossing guard Des's condition. Looks like everything will be just fine:

"Thank you so much to all of you who have reached out to ask how our crossing guard Des is doing. The outpouring of care and support from the community has been inspiring. We heard from his wife this morning and he is doing much better and has been sent home from the hospital.

Many of you have asked about sending cards, flowers, etc. If you are interested in doing this, please stop by the main office with your gift/donation. We will make sure that everything gets to Des and his family."

Original

We saw the following note posted on Salmon Bay K-8's website yesterday:

My kids care about me and my time alone since I lost Elsbeth 18 months ago. They offered to get me a dog to keep me company and maybe gnaw at a solicitor's ankles when I am trying to nap.

I love dogs. The truth is I think I'd have trouble taking care of one.

Mac, my first dog as a youth in Portland, was a beautiful mutt no more than knee high to my ten years and smart as a whip! We went everywhere together.

Since he had no shoes, I went barefoot out of respect. Actually I only got new shoes for school each September and mostly wore through them before June so going barefoot was a way of life for us kids. Mac did not seem to mind being barepaw either.

I left home at 18, leaving Mac to my younger sis Norma. I married and moved to Seattle. One afternoon, a rather gentle Collie wandered into our neighborhood in McMicken Heights. His long hair was slightly matted, possibly from neglect. He rested on our porch. He may have been tired of walking or maybe he liked the sound of kids playing in the yard. Whatever the reason, we adopted him.

Compiled by Shara Wallace

Deadline for receiving items for Community Calendar is 5 p.m. Wednesday for the following week’s Times/News. 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 at 206-708-1378 for inclusion in our “Out & About” advertising section.

Art Exhibits

Burien Community Center ---“Extraordinary Women of Highline," an exhibit that showcases the accomplishments of eleven pioneering women from the Highline area. Through Feb. 28. Hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Burien Press --Artist Scott Grigg, presents American Spring Art show a visual critique of modern American politics. 423 S.W. 152nd St.
Burien Town Square Retail Space --S.W. 151st St and 5th Pl. S.W. Crimson Park Design’s Fall Furniture Line, Series 1, Back from Nature as a part of an art installation by Shelli Park called Love Letters, An Installation. Love Letters includes Park’s recent works.

To President (Bob) Lawson and Members of IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) Local 1810:

The Board of Commissioners of North Highline Fire District want to recognize that the members of Local #1810 have supported this department as we work through some recent challenges.

Due in most part to a significant decline in property tax values, and also due to the annexation of the southern portion of the district into Burien, our fire district has been left in a very difficult financial position.

IAFF Local #1810 has proven to be a good partner in working to keep the District functioning at a high level to protect and provide service to the community and its citizens.

As a result, you and your families have had to make some significant financial concessions. For example, you have been willing to give up cost-of-living increases since 2009 and also made adjustments to vacation use that saved a very impactful amount of money in overtime cost to the district.

(Editor’s Note: Highline Times freelance photographer Kurt Howard was embedded with the Global Connections Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble as a chaperone/photographer during the group’s once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington D.C. for the Presidential Inauguration Festival.

Music director Lyn Nelthropp has been at Tyee/Global Connection High School in SeaTac for 23 years. During that time, she has taken her students on many trips around the country, but never to Washington D.C. for a presidential inauguration--until now. Following is part of my interview with her, as well as comments from the students.)

Why were you invited to the Presidential Inauguration Music Festival? “At the Orlando Heritage Festival a year ago April, both groups [wind ensemble and jazz ensemble] scored a 96 average. One of the judges from that competition recommended us, based on our scores and the performances that we gave to participate in this festival without an audition.”

A familiar landmark in Burien’s Seahurst Park will disappear in the next year or so.

The large sculpture that greets visitors by the vehicle turnaround will be removed this year or next in conjunction with the park’s seawall project.

Burien Councilmember Jack Block Jr. has referred to it as “Burien’s fertility symbol.”

Visitors dub it the “Donut Sculpture.”

“Please don’t call it that,” pleads Gina Kallman, Burien Parks cultural arts supervisor.

Kallman says the artist has named it, “Taurus,” after the second sign of the zodiac, whose mascot is the bull.

King County commissioned the work by Guemes Island-based artist Thomas Lindsey in 1977 for placement in the regional park.

The park’s northern beach is slated to be returned to its natural state to match the southern beach. With removal of the seawall, the sculpture has to go, Kallman reports.

She said, originally, the city planned to move it to another location at Seahurst Park.

Unfortunately, the piece is in bad shape.

The sculpture’s lifespan was estimated at 15-20 years so “the artist was amazed how long it lasted,” according to Kallman.

By Shara Wallace and Steve Shay
HIGHLINE TIMES

SeaTac fire was arson
Officials say a fire that significantly damaged a SeaTac apartment was intentionally set. SeaTac Fire Capt. Kyle Ohashi said the fire early Tuesday morning, Jan. 29, had multiple starting points within the second-floor apartment. He says the apartment tenant was not home when fire crews arrived. The tenant’s wherabouts is unknown.
Two residents were treated for smoke inhalation and one for a twisted ankle. Ohashi says the unit where the fire began is uninhabitable. Residents of the other apartments were able to return to their homes.The King County sheriff's office is investigating.

Car break-ins, vandalism, prowlers and theft

Monday, Jan. 28
Girls basketball
Seattle Prep 55, West Seattle 31
Ioane and Giomi tossed in 10 points apiece on Monday, Jan. 28 but the Wildcats still lost to Seattle Prep by a 65-54 score.

Tuesday, Jan. 29
Boys basketball
Eastside Catholic 65, West Seattle 44
Newsome threw in a team high 13 points for the Wildcats in Tuesday's Metro League defeat at the hands of Eastside Catholic.

Wednesday, Jan. 30
Girls basketball
Bainbridge 64, Chief Sealth 46
Haywood hit 14 points and Scroggins 12 in Wednesday's Chief Sealth loss to Bainbridge.
Evergreen 44, Tyee 29
Evergreen outlasted the Totems in a Seamount League battle fought at Tyee this past Wednesday.

Friday, Feb. 1
Boys basketball
Seattle Prep 78, Chief Sealth 59
Griffin II erupted for 29 points and Knox added 12, but it was not enough for the Seahawks in Friday's loss.
Blanchet 59, West Seattle 53
Elder threw in 13 points to lead the Wildcats in a close loss Friday.
Evergreen 58, Foster 52

Friday, Feb. 1
Boys basketball
SCS 72. Chimacum 49
Pierotti poured in 21 points to pace the Warriors in their lopsided victory over the Chimacum Cowboys last Friday.
Evergreen 58, Foster 52
Tupa tossed in 16 points as the Wolverines won in overtime Friday..
Lindbergh 56, Highline 27
Anderson hit 12 points for the Pirates in Friday's loss.
Kennedy 49, Renton 39
Kennedy Catholic beat top-ranked Renton Friday, led by the 18 points of Sierhuis.
Girls basketball
SCS 36, Chimacum 28
Kaler contributed 13 points for Seattle Christian in its win over Chimacum on Friday.
Foster 64, Evergreen 55
Foster flattened Evergreen in a rivalry game Friday.
Hazen 39, Tyee 26
Cadelina and Langly scored nine apiece for the Totems in a loss Friday.
Lindbergh 33, Highline 23
The Pirates dropped a low-scoring game to the Eagles of Lindbergh on Friday.
Renton 58, Kennedy 28
Abrajera hit 13 points for the Lancers in Friday's defeat at the hands of the Indians.

Saturday, Feb. 2
Swimming
Seamount League meet