March 2012

The names are forever etched in University of Washington women's basketball lore.

Carlin McClary, Karen Murray, Leteia Hughley, Yvette Cole, Karen Deden, Rhonda Smith, Loree Payne, Megan Franza, Laurie Merlino and Cameo Hicks are among the many fine Husky players who have gone before.

The 2011-12 Huskies are making a name for themselves as the team that has renewed the UW's proud tradition of winning basketball.

The Huskies took one more step toward the Final Four in the women's National Invitation Tournament, scratching and clawing to a 52-39 win Sunday over Pac-12 nemesis Utah in the tourney's second round at Hec Edmundson Pavillion.

They avenged a tough 49-36 loss to Utah earlier in the season.

"It's a great feeling that our seniors are getting to play more games after the regular season and for all of us to know that we are turning the Washington women's basketball program around," said freshman Aminah Williams, a former Kennedy Catholic standout and West Seattle resident.

"It's exciting for our team to realize the opportunity to keep playing in the postseason."

The names are forever etched in University of Washington women's basketball lore.
Carlin McClary, Karen Murray, Leteia Hughley, Yvette Cole, Karen Deden, Rhonda Smith, Loree Payne, Megan Franza, Laurie Merlino and Cameo Hicks are among the many fine Husky players who have gone before.
The 2011-12 Huskies are making a name for themselves as the team that has renewed the UW's proud tradition of winning basketball.

The Huskies took one more step toward the Final Four in the women's National Invitation Tournament, scratching and clawing to a 52-39 win Sunday over Pac-12 nemesis Utah in the tourney's second round at Hec Edmundson Pavillion.

They avenged a tough 49-36 loss to Utah earlier in the season.

"It's a great feeling that our seniors are getting to play more games after the regular season and for all of us to know that we are turning the Washington women's basketball program around," said freshman Aminah Williams, a former Kennedy Catholic standout and West Seattle resident. "It's exciting for our team to realize the opportunity to keep playing in the postseason."

By Scott Anthony

 I finished some projects around the house over the three day weekend and had not been out in public. Heading for breakfast on Tuesday morning, I grabbed the door handle to the restaurant and then absentmindedly, I scratched at my beard and itched my nose. Bad idea. On Wednesday morning I woke up with a completely plugged head, scratchy throat and watery eyes. The idea that one can come into contact with germs and viruses in public places is easy to overlook, but in this age of SARS, H5N1 Avian Flu and MRSA, germ awareness is beginning to come to the forefront.
 
In a few supermarkets around town it is possible to find antibacterial wipe dispensers at the entrances, and the personal use of hand sanitizing gels is up considerably. Arguments of whether or not these products simply increase the proliferation of ‘superbugs’ is ongoing, but still inconclusive.
 

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.

Classes

The Hi-Liners -- Registration closes the first week of April for Spring DownStage Center Classes: Imagination Station, Improvisation, and Glee. A full production experience, complete with costumes, lighting, and a stage performance at the June Recital, but class is still only once a week. Classes began Feb. 28th at the Burien Annex, 425 S.W. 144th St. For complete descriptions, schedules, and registration please visit www.hi-liners.org

Miller/Walker Creek Resource Protection Response Numbers

Please use the following information if there is a natural resource issue requiring an immediate response on Miller and Walker Creeks and in their watersheds.

Spills
Emergency: 911
Washington State Department of Ecology: 425-649-7000
U.S. Coast Guard (marine waters): 206-217-6232

Local Spill Hotlines and Drainage Investigation
Contact these numbers for questions about water quality, spills (oil, paint, soap, etc.), and localized flooding/drainage.
Burien – 206-439-3154
Normandy Park – 206-248-8249
SeaTac – 206-973-4770 (after hours: 206-296-8100)
King County (White Center) – 206-296-1900 or visit King County Drainage Services

Fish/Wildlife Kills
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife: 425-775-1311
Washington State Department of Ecology: 425-649-7000

Code Enforcement
Burien – Jim Bibby: 206-248-5507 (during weekends/holidays/non-business hours, contact the police non-emergency number: 206-296-3311)
Normandy Park – Chad Tibbits: 206-248-8249 (during weekends/holidays/non-business hours, contact the police non-emergency number: 206-248-7600)

Burien City Manager Mike Martin, center, talks over an idea with Highline schools Interim Superintendent Alan Spicciati, left, and Normandy Park Mayor Clarke Brant at last week’s summit meeting called by the Highline Communities Coalition. The coalition is a group of city and school district officials fostering cooperation on solving regional issues.

By Kyra-lin Hom

I was watching the news program Nightline on TV the other night when it ran a short segment on a new anti-aging treatment called “thermage.” Apparently it's the new hot thing in cosmetic procedures because it is non-invasive but still manages to penetrate into the collagen without damaging the skin. The treatment is so tricky that the website www.thermage.com even claims no one will ever know you had it. Instead, the people around you will just think you've been away on a fabulous vacation. Their words, not mine.

Minus the hefty price tag, this does sound like the holy grail of cosmetic procedures. And I really don't have anything against plastic surgery and the like as a whole. There is a lot of evidence supporting the notion that it can have a very positive effect on people's lives. However, I do have to wonder about the rising obsession with remaining youthful looking. After all, there is a difference between changing the alignment of your nose and compulsively comparing your reflection to photos from years past, counting every extra line, wrinkle and wilting micrometer. Enter preventative cosmetics.

Tukwila Police Department press release:

On 3-17-12 shortly before 3am, Tukwila Police officers responded to an apartment located in the 11600 block of 42nd Avenue South in Tukwila on a report of an unconscious, bleeding female.

Officers found the victim in the apartment, unconscious and suffering from stab wounds. The victim – a 17-year-old SeaTac girl – was transported to Harborview Medical Center by Medic One but was pronounced dead a short time later.
A 17-year-old male acquaintance who lived at the apartment was detained and questioned by Tukwila Police Department detectives and was eventually arrested and booked into the King County Youth Services Jail and charged with murder.

No motive for the crime has been uncovered.

Hard to believe unless you saw it but there was snow in Burien in the middle of March. This wintry scene in spring was at Luxury Auto Sales along First Avenue South.

Highline Public Schools has been recognized by the King County Board of Health for achieving the silver award level in the national Healthier US School Challenge.

Four Highline elementary schools were the only schools in the state to attain silver level in the national award program.

The board awarded certificates to Beverly Park, Madrona, Southern Heights, and White Center elementary schools and to Nutrition Services director Chris Neal and Nutrition Services manager Megan de Vries.

The Healthier US School Challenge is a voluntary federal initiative that recognizes schools that have created healthier school environments by promoting nutrition and physical activity. The challenge is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and championed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

“The Board of Health has statistics showing people living in South King County have higher obesity and smoking rates and lower life expectancy than people in the rest of the region,” said King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson.  “These schools are creating opportunities for children to defy the troubling health data …and live better lives.”