Meet Nesto

Ernesto Alvarez, a house painter, who is also a preacher, once was a bad guy who had many a brush with the law when he was a youngster. And they were not paint brushes.

An American citizen? You bet.

He and his wife, who is a supervisor for Children's' Care Resources, have four children who attend Highline schools.

What kind of trouble did he get into as a youth? All kinds, he admits.

In those days, going across the border at Sonora was easy.

In the U.S. town of Somerset in Arizona near Sonora on the border he became a drug runner and gang member.

Underage and undersize(135 pounds) he was also speedy enough to avoid police.

Caught up in daily, deadly combat with rivals he had many near misses in his struggle for survival.

Once being chased through a slum neighborhood by five rival gang members he found refuge by crawling into a doghouse while it's four-legged occupant was snarling at his pursuers. They finally gave up when they became baffled by his disappearance.

Only once was he arrested and put in jail.

He had moved to Los Banos in California and his baseball team got into a free-for-all riot with the home team, which did not sit well with fans. He spent the night in the pokey.

Now 42 years old, his life changed dramatically when he "found God" 12 years ago.

He moved his family to West Seattle, lived in a rented basement and joined Burien's Highline Christian Church on First Ave. So. where he now preaches to his flock in a small room graciously proffered him.

It is named Ebenezer Mission Church, the services are in Spanish, and all are welcome.

A meticulous and reliable workman, he gladly offers a long list of references from happy painting customers.

He paints houses year round, weather permitting, but not on Sunday

"That day I reserve for my family and my Lord," he said.

Meet Clark Mounsey

Clark Mounsey keeps the Three Tree Point community up to date on the fund drive to provide the annual Fourth of July Fireworks show.

The annual event is a long time tradition and is viewed by thousands. Pyro experts with their spectacular sky busters are anchored offshore of the lighthouse.

Show starts around 10 p.m.