July 2015

By Andrea Reay, Executive Director, Discover Burien


With the rise of Airbnb and with our location, mere minutes from SeaTac airport and all of the major chain hotels vying for customer’s attention and dollars on International Boulevard, one might assume that Burien is not a hospitable environment to own and operate a lodging business, but you would be mistaken. There are 6 wonderful bed and breakfasts currently operating in Burien, 3 of them are Discover Burien members and I had the rare opportunity to speak with each of them and tour their beautiful amenities over this last month. It took a while to make it to each member’s bed and breakfast because they are booked solid in the summer, and of course I couldn’t tour their spaces with guests. But I’m happy to report back from spending time with each of them and share with you the best hospitality you could ever find, right here Burien.

Patsy Wakefield passed on May 26, 2015, age 82. She was born to the late Leighton Harry and Minnie (Mantz) Patterson in Yakima, WA, March 2, 1933. Her husband Wallace F. Wakefield preceded her June 2006.

She is survived by Gary Wakefield of Federal Way, Lauretta Glover (Richard) of Burien and Scott Wakefield of Burien. 9 grandchildren, Keiran Kennerson (Stephanie), Samantha Missel (Christopher), Matthew Wakefield, Alexander Wakefield, Shane Wakefield (Tina), Carl Wakefield, Samuel Wakefield, Beth Wakefield and Joseph Wakefield. 2 Honorary Grandchildren Thomas and Madeline Rentz. 4 great grandchildren Cody and Nannette Missel, Holden Kennerson and Julian Wakefield.

Patsy had 21 different jobs during her lifetime from fruit and pickle packer to garment marker to health department assistant to Thrifty Car Rental driver moving cars to and from different locations to name a few.

Linda was our big sister, aunt, and friend, and this earth will not be the same without her.

She enjoyed life to the fullest and liked life best when she could persuade the people she cared about to join her on an adventure. As one of the original “baby boomers” she was born in Los Angeles, California, the first grandchild of maternal grandparents Sophie and John Cronk. California was her home until 1978, when she packed up her car and moved to the state of Washington, where she began her career with the King County Parks division. In 1996 she moved to Roads as assistant manager, becoming the director of the Road Services Division in 2001.

Linda loved all types of art, and spent a number of years volunteering for the Burien Arts Association. She was also an avid genealogist, and was able to link up with distant relatives through the research that she and her sisters did.

Linda passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2015, with her family by her side.

By Matt Wendland

Man shot in Des Moines Red Robin parking lot

By Tim Clifford

The Highline Times received a reader’s tip tonight concerning shots fired on 136th and Ambaum, now confirmed by the King County Sheriff’s Department.

Earlier this evening, around 10:30 p.m., a KCSO deputy was driving on patrol when he heard the sounds of men fighting out of his window. Once he spotted where the sounds were coming from he saw that two large groups of men, many that the deputy recognized as gang affiliated, were arguing and fighting. The deputy got out of his car and broke up the two groups, sending them away in different directions.

As the groups were leaving one member stopped, pulled out a gun and fired at the other group 12 times. Both groups dispersed after the shots were fired and deputies soon poured onto the scene.

At this time the King County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that, miraculously, no people or property were hit in the gunfire. It is also being reported that the suspect’s identity and whereabouts are currently known.

Deputies are currently en route to apprehend the suspect tonight if possible.

More information will be posted here as it becomes available.

The King County Sheriff’s Office is seeking answers and asking the public for help in what appears to be the fatal shooting of a Good Samaritan early this morning in White Center.

Around 1:15 a.m. this morning deputies were called to the 10600 block of 14th Ave. S.W., near the Coronado Springs apartment complex, for a shooting. When they arrived they found a 51-year-old man with a gunshot wound in his chest. He died at the scene shortly after medics arrived and had begun work on him.

The victim has been identified as Edward “Eddie” Grant.

Witnesses at the scene informed the officers that the victim had run onto the scene after spotting a street robbery in progress. He apparently rushed out to help the victim of this robbery and was shot while assisting him. The suspect and the street robbery victim both fled the scene after the shot was fired.

"Much Ado About Nothing" GreenStage photo

BURIEN, WASH. – This summer, the City of Burien is initiating its Slurry Seal Pilot Program to lengthen the life of its roads at a fraction of the cost of complete repaving.  With the contractor now in place, specific dates and roads to be affected are now available.  The project will require single-day road closures from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on July 27, 28, 29, and 30 along the roads highlighted on the map.

Because slurry seals need to be applied during warm, sunny weather to cure properly, the project schedule may need to be adjusted if inclement weather occurs.  Residents and businesses will be notified of any such changes.
 
While slurry seal is laid, the road must be cleared of debris, cars, recreational vehicles, and other personal items.  In addition, the affected streets will close to all car, bike, foot, and pet traffic while the seal cures.  Vehicles left on the street will be towed at the owner’s expense.
 
Residents and businesses affected by the project will be notified via door hangers two to three days before the seal will be laid.  Visit www.burienwa.gov/slurryseal for updates.
 

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

VANCOUVER--West Seattle took the first step back through the losers bracket at the age 10-11 state Little League baseball all-star tournament Monday.

The Westsiders dealt District 9 a 5-3 defeat in the action at the Fort Vancouver Little League complex.
West Seattle still must win four games in a row to reach Saturday's finals starting with a 3 p.m. Tuesday game against District 9.

By Gwen Davis

What are you passionate about?

Jamie Youngblood was a firefighter and EMT for 13 years, since the late 1990s. He loved it. His passion for the profession ran deep. But in 2011, Jamie unfortunately hurt his back. Time went on it and it didn’t get better. Eventually, he had to go in for surgery. It was then that his firefighter career was permanently sidelined. Never again would Jamie be able to engage in his job he so loved.

However, Jamie was resilient. Just because one passion was shattered, Jamie’s drive to find another was not.

That’s how he ended up co-founding the West Seattle Coffee Company.

“I had a great friend who started a roasting company in 2003,” he said. “It was something we were always drawn to. He ended up having a huge influence on me. I took his idea and put my own little spin and twist on it.”

West Seattle Coffee Company roasts beans and delivers them to costumers’ houses or stores.