January 2009

Highline Water District's bond rating recently was revised by Standard & Poor's to AAA, the highest possible rating.

Previously, Highline, which serves approximately 18,000 residential and commercial customers in Southwest King County, had a rating of AA-.

Highline, which was formed in 1946, serves parts of Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, SeaTac, Tukwila and unincorporated King County.

It was one of four water, sewer and/or drainage utilities in Washington - and only 16 nationally - to be upgraded to an AAA rating from Standard & Poor's Ra

Highline Community College's Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST) is presenting a "Science on the Sound" speaker series beginning Feb. 7.

The semi-monthly seminar features experts discussing issues pertinent to Puget Sound and the region.

Seminar dates are Feb. 7 and 21 and March 7 and 21 from noon to 1 p.m. at the center, 28203 Redondo Beach Dr. S. The seminars are free.

On Feb. 7, Caroline Hempstead will discuss sea otter recovery She specializes in marine mammals at the Seattle Aquarium.

On Feb. 21, the subject is Oceans and Human Health.

Nine times Foster’s Refugio Soto-Lopez launched three-point shots that barely even made a swishing sound Friday, dropping straight down through the net.

The baskets accounted for all of Soto-Lopez’s 27 points in an eventual 75-63 Seamount League win over Highline, and came from beyond the three-point arc seemingly from anywhere he wanted.

“Just practice, practice, practice,” said Soto-Lopez of how he learned to shoot like that. “Usually I make four or five.

Highline went against Tyee in a gymnastics meet won by the Pirates, getting top places in all events -- bars, beam, floor and vault.

But the Totems’ loss, 120.2-99.1, was by a respectable score and, more than that fact, the loss came at the expense of “fun,” in action at the Mount Rainier gymnastics gymnasium Tuesday.

“They are not club girls, but we have fun,” said Gordan Kadric, coaching the Totems in gymnastics for his 12th season now. “I am not saying you need club girls to have fun.

Boys basketball

Foster 82, Orcas Isl. 30

Cameron Faison and Darius Page scored 17 points each to lead the Bulldogs to victory at Orcas Island Saturday, Jan. 17. Travis Miller added 15, JJ Smith 11 and Daniel Tang eight.

Sea. Luth. 47, Ev. Luth. 43

Hall hit 13 points for the Eagles of Evergreen Lutheran in the Saturday, Jan. 17 loss and Jack Parker was next with eight.

Highline 57, Lindbergh 52

Burien Pony searching

The Burien Pony program is searching for players ages 13 to 14 years old. For more information, contact John at (206) 241-8094.

Brewers seek players

The RIPS Brewers are looking for 14U and 16U select baseball players. Contact Aaron at 206-941-0128 for more information.

LaCrosse trying out

The Highline LaCrosse club is seeking new players, and is open to boys grades 5-12 with no experience required. A new grade 5-6 team is forming. Call Kathy McCabe at 206-204-0587 for more information.

Charles Salazar misses his friend. Eugene Reets and Eugene's wife, Remy.

The Reets died together in the weekend blaze at the Emerald Place by the Lake Apartments in SeaTac on Jan.

Tom Lin, co-owner of the Alki Homestead, said it's in his best interest to restore the historic restaurant.

This week, Lin met up with the potential buyers of the Homestead, "Johnny and Rose" (Zhu is said to be the buyers last name, but Lin would not confirm that). They are still interested in purchasing the business, but a few conditions need to be met.

First, the restaurant has to come back as the Alki Homestead.

A fundraiser was held Saturday night at Salty's for Amanda Knox's legal defense fund. Knox, 21, has been sitting in an Italian prison for over a year awaiting trial for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Perugia, Italy, which took place in 2007, the day after Halloween.

So far, only Rudy Hermann Guede has been convicted. Knox's boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito is also accused.

Nearly 120 supporters who believe she is innocent of the murder charges joined Amanda's parents, step parents, sisters and extended family. Most are West Seattle residents. A group of about 10 of Knox's close friends from college sat at one table.

The suggested donation was $100, and included a buffet, and an hour-long lecture by Chicago criminal investigator Paul J. Ciolino. He became involved while starring in a CBS "48 Hours" episode about her case, and is now involved pro bono. A silent auction was also held.

"Paul came to us and said, 'You know your kid is innocent?' Then he got personally involved," said Amanda's mother, Edda Mellas. "He's great. Amanda would be amazed at this overwhelming turnout of support.

Prudential Northwest Realty is combining its two West Seattle offices into the Jefferson Square location, due to changes in the economy and the real estate industry, according to Chris Pauling, president of the company.

The Admiral office, located at 3221 California Av. S.W., will close.

"Locally the real estate industry has seen a significant drop in sales," said Pauling. "The good news for our firm is that even though there are fewer homes being sold in West Seattle, our share of the shrinking market is growing.