July 2015

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Two close games brought different results for the Highline Bears over the weekend.

The White Center-based squad was edged by the Seattle Studs, 1-0, on Friday before turning around to defeat the Northwest Honkers on Saturday, 2-0, in Pacific International League semiprofessional baseball action.

The mostly collegiate Bears are nearing the end of their summer season.

Highline visits the Honkers in Fall City at 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday before dropping in on the Snoqualmie Hurricanes at the same time Thursday.

The Bears finish with two games against the Kitsap Bluejackets at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds.

Friday the Highline squad managed by Todd Coughlin plays a 7 p.m. game before seeing more action at 12 p.m. Saturday.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Youth sports

Swimming
The Southern Division of the Seattle Summer Swim League will hold its championships at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Arbor Heights pool in West Seattle ahead of the All-City meet at the same time Tuesday at the Wedgewood pool in North Seattle.

Semipro

Bears
The Highline Bears of White Center have a busy week ahead to close out their schedule.
Highline visits the Snoqualmie Hurricanes for 5:30 p.m. action Wednesday before dropping in on the Kitsap Bluejackets at 7 p.m. Friday at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. The Bears will stay for 12 p.m. action Saturday.

Pros

Sounders
Seattle hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps for 7 p.m. men's professional soccer action at CenturyLink Field on Saturday.
The action can be seen on Channel 13 and heard on 1360 AM and 97.3 FM.

Mariners

By Eric Mathison

Who you going to call when your dog backs out of his collar and disappears in downtown Burien?

We didn’t know but, fortunately, our friends Rebecca Dare and Bill Opfermann did—Jim Branson at Three Retrievers Pet Rescue in Burien. If Jim’s name sounds familiar, it is because his parents owned the property that became Eagle Landing Park in Burien.

Awhile back, in a blink, our escape-artist poodle, Otto slipped out of his collar with all his identifying tags and bolted into the middle of Ambaum Boulevard, just south of Southwest 152nd Street.

I chased after him.

That was the wrong thing to do, according to Jim Branson, who has written the booklets (available free at 3retrievers.com) on how to find your lost dog or cat.

Chasing almost never works, Jim declares. It just makes your pooch run away faster.

Then I crouched down and excitedly called Otto.

Crouching is the sign of a predator about to attack, Jim notes. What I should have done is sit down on the pavement, turn toward Otto’s side and speak calmly until he settled down and came back to me.

Born April 11, 1952 in Burien, Washington and raised in Burien, Loran Kelso passed away July 13, 2015, at home in Des Moines, WA, after a brief fight against cancer.

Loran was a driver for a metal supermarket for many years and enjoyed his job.

Nib’s is survived by his wife of 42 years, Karen; daughter, Jennifer; grandson, Joshua; 3 sisters and 2 brothers; 16 nieces and nephews; and 25 great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 2nd, Noon, at the Renton VFW, 416 Burnett Ave. S.
Loran (Nibs) Kelso/facebook

Published in The Highline Times Section of The Westside Weekly July 31, 2015

Born Sophia Kopkas May 13, 1913, of Slovak immigrant parents, in a Hecla, (Southwest) Pennsylvania mining camp, Sophie Frause lived life to the fullest for 102 years. She died of old age in Seattle, Washington Sunday, July 19, 2015.

At her 90th birthday celebration, Sophie poetically predicted that she “would be no more at 104.” She didn’t quite realize that prognostication, but for those who knew her, no one ever questioned the fact that she had the resolve to make it happen. Unfortunately, God had other plans.

Sophie was proud of her Slovak heritage She made up for her lack of formal education by being smart and tenacious in everything she did. Small in stature, but big in heart, Sophie’s life was all about hard work. From the time she left home at an early age to work at General Electric in Cleveland, Ohio to her 20-year career at JC Penney Company in Seattle, she knew that hard work was the secret to success. She never backed off.

Semi crash fire near Southcenter delays I-5 drivers for hours

The King County Solid Waste Division and Executive Dow Constantine are honoring 112 Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention and Recycling this year, recognizing businesses and organizations that are going the extra mile to reduce waste and increase recycling.



“These companies deserve special recognition for demonstrating their ingenuity and commitment in preventing waste,” said Executive Constantine. “From composting in lunchrooms to reusing packing materials, they’re showing that sustainability can be simple and rewarding."



The “Best Workplaces” list has been celebrating waste prevention and recycling in local businesses for nine years and features a wide array of businesses in King County, including hospitality, medical services, professional services, technology, retail, finance, government, arts and entertainment and others. Companies that have made the list five years in a row are recognized with an honor roll designation. This year, 29 businesses joined the “Best Workplaces” list for the first time.


The organizations on the list this year developed innovative ways to be eco-friendly and sustainable, including:

By Tim Clifford

Early last week, on July 22, it was announced that Linda Styrk, managing director of the maritime division for the Port of Seattle, will leave her position to take over as the executive director for the Puget Sound Pilots. Styrk holds a Third Mate’s license with the U.S. Coast Guard and is married to a guide pilot.

“The Puget Sound Pilots are delighted to have Linda Styrk as our next Executive Director. She has a unique combination of sailing and maritime business background. Her understanding of what it takes for Puget Sound ports to compete successfully, her knowledge of ship operations, and her stature across the industry is extraordinary. She will be an outstanding ambassador for pilots and for our industry,” said David Grobshmit, President of the Puget Sound Pilots on their website.

She will be succeeding current Walt Tabler, who has held the position for the last 12 years.

Alaska Airlines has announced a $25,000 gift to Highline Public Schools to support school athletic programs, including the much-needed replacement of athletic equipment.

“We are deeply grateful for Alaska Airlines’ generosity to our schools,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “School athletic programs give our students opportunities to build teamwork and leadership skills and excel outside the classroom. Many students will benefit from this gift.”

The contribution was announced at an event celebrating Alaska Airlines’ community partnerships. Among the guests was Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. 

In addition to the gift announced this week to Highline Public Schools, Alaska Airlines has been a major contributor to the Highline Schools Foundation, funding a $5,000 college scholarship and a program to expose female students to careers in technology fields.

The City of Burien, in partnership with Merrill Gardens, Pillar Properties and Legacy Partners, are moving ahead with the remaining phases of Burien Town Square.  Construction began on May 29 on the Merrill Gardens senior living community and is expected to be complete by late in the summer of 2016. 

Construction is also getting underway at the market rate apartments on the site.  Legacy Partners and Pillar Properties are partnering on the development of both properties and Pillar Properties will manage the apartments upon completion.
 
Once finished, the two developments will complete the Town Square vision which already includes City Hall, Burien Library, Burien Town Square Condos, and Town Square Park.  The two properties will bring intergenerational living to the downtown area with Merrill Gardens 126 independent, assisted living and memory care apartments alongside the 228 market-rate studio, one and two bedroom apartments. Both developments will include limited retail on the ground level as well as underground parking.