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INSIDE | Teen pleads guilty to rapes [3]

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The Seattle Thunderbirds junior hockey team collects donated teddy bears and stuff ed animals during the WARM 106.9 Teddy Bear Toss Game presented by Fred Meyer at the ShoWare Center last Saturday. Fans were encouraged to bring as many teddy bears and stuff ed

animals as possible to the game. The bears will later be distributed to local police and fi re departments that give them to children in times of emergency and crisis. The T-Birds beat Portland, 4-3, to snap a 15-game losing streak. CHARLES CORTES, Kent Reporter

Fur on ice

MICHELLE CONERLY

[email protected]

Maureen Ezekwugo was raised to be respectful, even if that meant downplaying her talents.

“Th ere were many times where I didn't push ideas that I strongly believed in hard enough because somewhere in-side of my Asian-self I believed, ‘If someone with authority is telling me it should be another way, I need to respect that’,” Ezekwugo said.

Growing up in a home where modesty was valued, she felt un-comfortable challenging author-ity. But eventually, Ezekwugo overcame those feelings and worked her way to a successful job in sales.

Today the Kent woman is the executive vice president of RealSelf (www.realself.com), a growing national website that connects doctors with patients. Ezekwugo instructs physicians on how to use social media to

better engage and treat patients.Ezekwugo's ascension in

business is one of the many motivational stories in Maureen Francisco's new book, “It Takes Moxie: Off the Boat or Out of School to Making it Your Way in America”.

Francisco, an immigrant from

[ more MOXIE page 7 ]

Firefighters to climb skyscraper stairs for leukemia fundraiser

Kent woman shows ‘Moxie’ in new book

Maureens making moves: Maureen Ezekwugo, left, and Maureen Francisco pose for the book release red carpet eventMICHELLE CONERLY, Kent Reporter

BY STEVE HUNTER

[email protected]

Kent fi refi ghter Art Weichbrodt will have plenty of motivation when he runs up 69 fl ights of stairs at the Columbia Center

skyscraper in Seattle in full fi re gear and a self contained breath-ing apparatus.

Th e 22nd annual Scott Fire-fi ghter Stairclimb race is a fund-raiser for the Leukemia & Lym-phoma Society. Weichbrodt and

13 other Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority members will compete in the March 10 event. Climb, conquer and cure is the fundraising theme.

“I'm competitive and like the challenge physically and I have

friends whose children are af-fected by leukemia,” Weichbrodt said. “One lost a daughter and the other friend has a child with leukemia.”

Each fi refi ghter will race up 1,311 steps on 69 fl ights of stairs

for an elevation gain of 788 feet to the Columbia Center's observation deck. A total of 1,552 fi refi ghters from 281 departments participated last year and raised a record $1.2 million for blood [ more FIREFIGHTERS page 2 ]

BY STEVE HUNTER

[email protected]

Th e King County Flood Con-trol District Executive Commit-tee expects to decide within two weeks whether to choose the city

of Kent or King County plan to spend millions of dollars to repair a 2.7-mile stretch of a Green River levee to improve fl ood protection and reduce insurance costs to businesses.

Th e four-member committee

heard a one-hour report Wednes-day at the King County Court-house in Seattle by a third-party consultant it hired to help resolve a dispute between Kent and the county about the best way to re-pair the Briscoe-Desimone Levee

that runs from South 200th Street to South 180th Street.

Kent proposes to install a fl ood wall at an estimated cost of $17 million. Th e county proposes a setback levee with estimated costs of $420 million to $920 million

because of the need to buy prop-erty and reconfi gure roads.

Robert Gilbert, a University of Texas professor of civil, architec-tural and environmental engi-neering, was hired for $25,000

Flood district board to decide on best fix for levee

[ more LEVEE page 7 ]

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cancer research and patient services.

Kent fi refi ghters raised more than $7,000 last year.

“Our goal this year is $10,000,” Weichbrodt said.

As part of the eff ort to reach that goal, fi refi ghters will appear from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Kent Station shopping mall fountain stage. Firefi ghters will rotate climbing a stair machine during the two hours as they seek dona-tions. Th ere also will be a poster for people to sign if they have a name of some-one they want the fi refi ght-ers to climb for. Firefi ghters will be in gear and a fi re truck is expected to be on

site part of the time to help draw attention to the event.

“Th is is the fi rst time we’ve had a fundraiser as a group,” said Weichbrodt, in his 14th year with the Kent Fire Department. “Kent Station has been extremely supportive. It’s a great venue.”

Th e Kent Firefi ghters Foundation donated $1,400 to give the fundraising eff ort a big start. People who cannot make the Kent Station event may donate online at www.llswa.org.

Weichbrodt has confi -dence the fi refi ghters can reach their fundraising goal.

“We’ll do the best we can,” he said.

Th is marks the sec-ond year Weichbrodt has competed in the Firefi ghter Stairclimb. He fi nished in 16 minutes, 44 seconds last year.

“It’s one of the hardest physical eff orts I’ve done,” said Weichbrodt, who is a competitive bicyclist.

Kent fi refi ghter Jessi Ne-mens will compete for the

third consecutive year. She placed sixth last year out of 120 women with a time of 17:26. Georgia Daniels of Graham Fire and Rescue won the woman’s race in 14:49. Andrew Drobeck, of Missoula, Mont., won the men’s race in 10:39.

A few of the Kent fi re-fi ghters will compete this year for the fi rst time as the department upped its

participation by about six members compared to last year to help raise money to fi ght leukemia.

Th e mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s dis-ease and myeloma, and im-prove the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the society has invested

more than $550 million for research specifi cally target-ing blood cancers. Th ere are more than 340 funded re-searchers, including Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington Medical Center.

For more information about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, go to www.lls.org.

Climbing toward a cure: Kent fi refi ghters prepare last year to climb the 69 fl ights of stairs of the Columbia Center skyscraper in Seattle at the annual Scott Firefi ghter race. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Fire Department

Fundraiser Firefi ghter Stair-

climb leukemia fundraiser

Kent fi refi ghters

4-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2

Kent Station shopping mall fountain stage

American Public University (APU) has recognized student Christopher Rumble, of Kent, as the fi rst recipient of the APU Volunteer Award for his active involvement in community development, volunteerism and support of APU.

Rumble enrolled at APU shortly aft er his

cancer diagnosis last April. During his time at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Rumble produced a music video set to Kelly Clarkson’s song “Stronger,” which featured children also battling cancer. Th e video went viral and Rumble and his video appeared on many news outlets across the nation.

Kent man earns APU Volunteer AwardNEWS TIPS: email us at:

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Sophie McManus, 4, helps her dad, Duncan, right, and mom, Hayden, pick up debris along the Interurban Trail during the fi fth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service litter clean-up Monday afternoon. Volunteers – individuals, students, scouts and families like the McManuses – participated in the community eff ort. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter

Picking up litter

BY STEVE HUNTER

[email protected]

A 16-year-old Kent boy pleaded guilty to two counts of fi rst-degree rape for attacks in 2011 near Kent-Kangley Road and was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison with a possibility of life in prison.

Chrisean Cressel entered his plea Jan. 17 in King County Superior Court, according to the King Coun-ty Prosecuting Attorney’s Offi ce.

“It is extremely rare to see

an off ender this young become a predatory serial rapist,” said King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg in a prepared state-ment. “Th e victims of his crimes were courageous throughout the process and their strength and co-operation ensured that this young man will be incarcerated for at least 20 years, up to life.”

Because Cressel committed a Class A felony, the Washington Indeterminate Sentence Review Board will determine whether he gets released aft er serving his

sentence. Th e board evaluates the off ender’s risk of reoff ending and compliance with treatment programs in prison to determine whether to allow the release of the inmate.

Cressel pleaded not guilty in August to the rapes. He attacked a 17-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman on separate nights in Oc-tober 2011 on the East Hill along Kent-Kangley Road.

A judge ruled in August that Cressel should be tried as an adult. Because Cressel was 15 when the

rapes occurred, the Juvenile Court fi rst handled the charges. Judge Barbara Mack ordered adult pros-ecution for the boy and declined the case, sending it to King County Superior Court.

Under state law, an off ender who commits a serious violent off ense is automatically charged in adult court if they are 16 or 17 years old when the alleged crime occurred. If convicted in Juvenile Court, the teen would have been incarcerated up to his 21st birthday,

Cressel attended Kentwood

High School in Covington, where Kent Police arrested him in No-vember 2011.

In each incident, Cressel ap-proached the woman and the girl aft er they had exited a bus, according to charging papers. Th e boy told the woman and the girl he had a gun and threatened to shoot them if they did not cooperate and go with him to a secluded spot. He raped both women while continuing to threaten them with what he said was a gun.

Teen pleads guilty to two rapes; sentenced to minimum of 20 years

BY STEVE HUNTER

[email protected]

A Kent-based domestic violence visitation and exchange center that served clients for seven years remains closed with little chance of reopening be-cause of a lack of funding.

“Th ere isn’t any funding,” said Katherin Johnson, the city’s housing and human services manager, this month during a phone interview.

Th e downtown facil-ity across from City Hall helped keep adult and child victims of domestic violence safe while com-plying with court-ordered visitation or exchanges.

Originally called Safe Havens when it opened in 2005 as one of four federally funded demonstration sites across the nation, the facility was renamed Safe and Sound Visitation in 2011 when

Seattle-based Sound Mental Health took over operations.

But Sound Mental Health shut down the facility last fall and decided it would not reopen when funds dried up.

“We closed the facility due to a lack of sustainable funding,” said Steve McLean, spokesman for Sound Mental Health, in an email. “Sound Mental Health subsidized this program from a mix of its own resources, individual donations and grants from a few cities in the area. Th ere just isn’t a regular, sustain-able funding source for a unique program like Safe & Sound Visitation that doesn’t completely fall within either behavioral health or domes-tic violence systems.”

Th e program served nearly 400 families while operated by Sound Mental Health, McLean said.

Th e federal grant for the

program ran out in Sep-tember, Johnson said. Th e city of Kent helped fund the program in 2012 with an $11,000 contribution from its human services fund. In Safe Havens earlier years, the city contributed nearly $100,000 per year.

Launched by the city in 2005, Safe Havens was recognized nationally as a model program that ensures safety for families impacted by domestic vio-lence – where the abusive parent is court-ordered to have supervised visitations with their children.

In late 2010, however, the program had its federal funding reduced, lost and state and King County funds, and closed until February 2011.

Th e amount of the fed-eral grant diminished each year and then expired.

Downtown domestic violence center closes after 7 years


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Kent city leaders are looking at whether to adopt new civility laws to help reduce behavior problems by the homeless near down-town parks and the library.

“We've had issues of pub-lic urination and defecation right in the middle of the fountain in Town Square Plaza,” said Parks Director Jeff Watling at a City Coun-cil workshop Jan. 15 about homeless issues.

Police Chief Ken Th omas told the council he gets a lot of complaints from residents concerned about their safety on downtown streets as well as from business owners who say their business is hurt by

inappropriate actions by the homeless.

“Civility laws provide tools for offi cers to use and a feeling of safety for residents who use parks and the library and for businesses to not have urination and defecation in their doorways,” Th omas said.

Th e council's Public Safety Committee, chaired by Coun-cilman Bill Boyce, will consider at upcoming meetings wheth-er new laws are needed to resolve an increasing problem at downtown parks. Th e committee's next meeting is Feb. 12.

“Th e problem is worse

now than a year ago,” Th omas said. “Th e problem has grown.”

Th omas shared a story about 10 or so homeless people who covered the grounds of a park near the

library with garbage. Offi cers and park maintenance staff responded to clean up the park.

Eff orts continue by KentHope and other community groups to fi nd a site and funding for a 24-hour shelter in Kent, as

recommended by a city task force on the homeless that met last year. Th at task force also recommended the need to adopt and en-force civility laws to protect the health and safety of

all residents. Civility laws apply to anyone in a public space engaging in inappro-priate behaviors.

David A. Galazin, as-sistant city attorney, spoke at the council workshop about the possible adoption of civility laws.

“Th e idea is that public spaces are to be as inclusive as possible but focus on behavior that prevents the enjoyment of public spaces,” Galazin said.

Galazin said the council could add to the code of conduct under city laws and make certain off enses crimi-nal misdemeanors rather than civil infractions. Misde-meanors include higher fi nes than civil infractions as well as the potential of jail time.

Th omas said civility laws

are on the books at the Kent Transit Center, which falls under laws adopted by King County Metro to handle behavior problems on buses and at transit stations. Galazin said the transit property conduct code includes criminal penalties for public disturbances and public urination.

Any new laws would apply to all city parks and public spaces, not just the downtown parks that have become a problem, Galazin said.

“It's a real delegate bal-ance as to not regulate too harshly," he said.

Katherin Johnson, city housing and human ser-vices manager, said the task force recommended look-ing at civility laws because it's become a "quality of life issue with what is happen-ing in Kent.”

Councilman Les Th omas said during a discussion about services available to the homeless that he has concerns about the increased number of home-less coming to Kent from other states and cities.

“I see groups around the library and Rotary ball that I talk to and they are not from Kent but are from

Alaska, California and Seattle,” Th omas said. “I want to focus on the Kent homeless.”

Johnson told the council she's unsure of the reasons homeless are coming to Kent from other areas.

“I've been here 18 years and we are seeing a change,” Johnson said. “We ask in our offi ce when people come in for help where they are from and the largest number have a Kent ad-dress but we've seen an in-crease in the number from California and Oregon. Some say they come here because they have friends here or they heard there is work here.”

Les Th omas said jobs are available but he wonders how many of the homeless are seriously looking for work because of how much money they receive if on unemployment.

“If you are a warm body you can get a job, at least an entry-level job,” Th omas said. “Th e problem I see is our unemployment compensation is one of the highest in the nation. Th ere are $10 to $12 per hour jobs that businesses can't fi ll. Th e attitude I hear is why go to work?”

Ken Thomas

Kent to look at civility laws to combat homeless behavior


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?Question of the week:“Are you better off four years into Obama’s presidency?”

Vote online:www.kentreporter.comLast week’s poll results:“Are you concerned about coal trains passing through Kent?”

No: 55% Yes: 45%

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● L E T T E R S . . . Y O U R O P I N I O N C O U N T S : To submit an item or photo: e-mail [email protected]; mail attn: Letters, Kent Reporter, 19426 68th Ave. S., Kent, WA, 98032; fax 253.437.6016

● Q U O T E O F N O T E : “The people of Washington state are tired of a state government that doesn’t change with the times. Today we begin a multi-year effortto bring disruptive change to Olympia, starting with the very core of how we do business.” – Gov. Jay Inslee, in his inaugural address before a joint session of the Legislature.

Letters policyThe Kent Reporter welcomes

letters to the editoron any subject. Letters must include a name, address and daytime phone number for verification purposes.

Letters may be edited for length. Letters should be no more than 250 words in length. Submissions may be printed both in the paper and electroni-cally.

Deadline for letters to be considered for publication is 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Sonics are more than just a team

As I was making my coff ee on Monday morning I received a surprising email.

It was a statement from King County Executive Dow Constantine regarding the sale of the Sacramento Kings to a Seattle business group led by Chris Hansen, a man well known for his eff orts to build a new basketball arena.

Th e news of the sale wasn’t surprising to me, the fact that a press release from Con-stantine’s offi ce about it was what caught me off guard. Rumors that the sale was all but fi nalized had swirled for close to two weeks. When they fi rst began circulating I thought for sure that we were a mere 24 hours away

from the offi cial an-nouncement.

Instead, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a holiday to honor the ac-complishments of a civil rights leader, one of the fi rst things on my mind as I head out the door to

work is the return of the Seattle SuperSonics.Kind of crazy, right?First of all, I know the heartbreak for the

fans of the Kings. I became a Sonics fan at the age of 10. I remember two or three members of the team coming to my elemen-tary school when I was in fi ft h grade. I will never forget sitting on the fl oor in the gym, wearing my Girl Scout uniform, standing up to answer a question asked by one of the very tall players. As a reward for getting it right, I got a Sonics team poster autographed by the players who were there that day.

From that moment on, I was a loyal fan. As a teen, I recall watching Detlef

Schrempf train on the track at my high school during the off season. I remember leaping to my feet and shouting when Shawn Kemp threw down a thunderous dunk, espe-cially when the Sonics were playing the Lak-ers. I was inspired by the play of Gary Payton for his ability to step into passing lanes, poke the ball away from unsuspecting opponents and score in transition.

And when the Sonics made it to the 1996 NBA Finals during my senior year of high school, I remember it as a glorious time.

Losing part of my pastSo when Clay Bennett moved the team

to Oklahoma City, as we all knew he would, it was like losing a part of my child-hood. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to share those memories with my daughter at a game.

Unfortunately, I know all too well what Kings fans are going through. But I’m selfi sh in some respects, and I want the team that thrilled me for most of my life to return. I want the Sonics to return, not just for myself but for all the fans here who felt scorned when they abruptly left .

COM

MEN

TARY

Kri

s H

ill

[ more LETTERS page 6 ]

Marty Brown, executive director of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, second from the left, joined King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, third from left, for the monthly Good Eggs meeting with

South King County leaders to discuss the state of the region’s community and technical colleges. Dr. Eileen Ely, president of Green River Community College, far left, and Dr. Jack Bermingham, president of Highline Community College, far right, participated in the gathering. COURTESY PHOTO

Good Eggs

[ more HILL page 6 ]

Coal trains pose risks to us and to our environment

I trust that many people will be writing about the adverse eff ects of coal trains passing through our commu-nity health wise and econom-ically, but it is imperative to remember that the coal train issue is a basic human rights concern.

I studied abroad for two semesters in China, including for a fall semester in Beijing when days passed where the air quality constantly exceeded 500 parts per million, and where I contracted an upper respiratory infection.

I am appalled that here in our valley and in the Pacifi c Northwest, whose residents have long considered themselves to be so advanced when it comes to environmental protection

standards, we’d be willing to turn a blind eye and literally passively allow governments on the other side of the world to continue to poison their own people in the name of profi t for a select few in our region.

Imagine living in a city

where you look out the window of your apartment and cannot even see past your block because of the smog. Imagine living in a city where the healthcare system refl ects even greater social dispari-ties than we see in the U.S., in which those forced to breathe this toxic air most are those least likely to pay for the medi-cal services they will need as a result of their time outdoors. Is this the kind of future and economy we want to support?

Th e coal trains will undoubt-edly harm not only our own citizens, but the fact that we are considering allowing ourselves to be culpable in the suff er-ing of people throughout the industrializing world should even further appall us into uniting into one resolute “not in anyone’s backyard.”– Kristiana Henderson


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Bills deny public’s right to information

Two Bills making their way through the Washing-ton State Legislature aim to take away the public’s right to transparent government and review of public deci-sion making.

If your city or the state ever made a decision you

questioned, or if you joined a committee to have your city council members or state offi cials hear your side of a controversy, then write your senator and represen-tative immediately and stop House Bills HB 1128 and HB 1185.

Laws on our books protect a citizen’s right to information.

Yet HB 1128 is titled “Limiting Public Records Requests.” HB 1185 creates a cost environment wherein

those that ask to see “re-cords belonging to them as the public” will be charged fees up to the salary of government employee.

Th e public is already pay-ing the salaries to maintain and retrieve public records for the public, so this is asking citizens to pay twice in order to make it too expensive to ask to see the materials upon which deci-sions are made.– Karen Levenson

[ LETTERS from page 5 ]

Th e heartbreak of the team’s departure in 2008 has diminished – even more so today with the likely return of the Sonics.

I am not a part of Han-sen’s ownership group nor can I control the Maloof family’s actions. All I can do is celebrate the return of my beloved Sonics to Seattle, the building of a new arena, and the idea that a little piece of my childhood will always be there.

Bringing the Sonics back is not just about having another pro sports team in

our town. It’s about jobs, the economy, but most sig-nifi cantly to me, it’s about families and community.

Welcome back, Sonics. My inner 10-year-old is jumping up and down.

Kris Hill is assistant editor of the Covington/Maple Val-ley/Black Diamond Reporter. Reach her at 425-432-1209, ext. 5054, or [email protected].

DONATE TODAY: Kent Food Bank, 515 W. Harrison St., No. 107. For more information or to volunteer, call 253-520-3550 or visit www.skcfc.org/kentfoodbank.

[ HILL from page 5 ]

Before diving into the world of bankruptcy, it is best to understand some basics about what it is.

Th ere are four types of bankruptcy. Th e most common bankruptcies, the one your friend or neighbor may have fi led, are chapter 7 and chapter 13. So, what are they?

Chapter 7, which is the most common fi ling, is a liquidation case. Basically, when you fi le, you list all of your assets and all of your debts. In other words, you turn everything over to the court. Aft er liquidation you receive a

discharge, which is an order relieving you of any further liability on your debts, except those debts you are allowed to keep, for example

a car payment because you want to keep the car.

Before thinking you lose every-thing in bankrupt-cy, you are granted exemptions to apply toward your property.

Th e property that is not exempted is liquidated. For example, each debtor, under federal exemptions, is grant-ed a $3,450 exemption for equity in a vehicle. A very important one is retirement

accounts. If they are IRS rec-ognized, (i.e. 401(k) or IRA’s) they can be 100-percent exempted. Before you wipe out your retirement to pay off debt, make sure that you are not ultimately going to fi le for bankruptcy relief. Th e purpose of these exemptions is to give you a fresh start by making sure you have some property when you come out of bankruptcy. Otherwise, you are simply going back into debt to by new property.

A chapter 13 case is a plan payment case. Th e same pro-cess for your property in a chapter 7 is used in a chapter 13. Th e diff erence is that you will make a plan payment for a period of time, typically fi ve years. At the end of that period you are discharged and relieved of any unpaid listed debt, if you make all of

the payments.You may be asking why

not just fi le chapter 7? Th e fi rst thing to understand is that not everyone can qualify for chapter 7, while most can qualify for chapter 13. Th e Bankruptcy Code has established that those making above a certain gross income level must fi le chap-ter 13. Th is varies by location and depends on household size. If you make above that income level, you are con-sidered to have expendable income that must be paid into a plan for a time period.

Now, some individuals have decided to voluntarily fi le for

chapter 13. Th ere are many reasons for doing this. For example, they fi led a chapter 7 within a certain time period therefore they are not allowed to fi le again. Another may be someone has fallen behind in house payments. So, they use the chapter 13 as a way to catch up the payments and save the home. In this economy, some have even used it as a means to remove liens on their property under certain conditions, known as a lien strip.

Bankruptcy is an impor-tant decision but one that may be considered if you have fallen behind on debt

and see no end in sight. Some fear bankruptcy as the end of their fi nancial life. However, those making the right decisions aft er fi ling can rebuild their credit. Some have even bought homes again within a few years aft er fi ling.

Whatever the reasons, it is always good to discuss with a professional to see how bankruptcy can pertain to your specifi c situation.

Brian Hanis is a bankruptcy attorney with the Kent Law Firm of Hanis Irvine Prothero, PLLC. For more information, call 253-520-5000 or email bhanis@HIPLawfi rm.com.

What is bankruptcy?

LEGA

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the Philippines who grew up in Federal Way, wanted to share success stories, es-pecially in the current state of the economy.

“It’s just so relevant now,” Francisco said. “We hear fi scal cliff and debt ceiling all the time, and I want people to know, we’re going to be hearing more of these jargons. Don’t be overwhelmed. You can still control (your) situation.”

Francisco pulls from more than 20 personal sto-ries from people through-out the world, including: Ben Huh, CEO and owner of Cheezburger; Richard Cho, general manager of the Charlotte Bobcats; and Ezekwugo, her boss at RealSelf.

Although Ezekwugo didn’t consider her story to be extraordinary, her ex-periences lined up with the focus of Francisco’s book.

“Nobody in my family had a college education,” Ezekwugo said. “Being in sales was one of the ways to write your own commission checks. I’ve literally worked

my way through the cor-porate sales ladder. Right now, my team is in charge of teaching doctors about social media.”

Th e book touches on a wide range of subjects from learning English as a second language to the

importance of networking. But the book isn’t just for immigrants. She also ad-dresses college students and working professionals when giving tips.

And Francisco has a lot of advice to give. She explains that even though

she achieved her dream of being a TV reporter, she fell into debt. She contin-ues with how she worked her way to being debt free and reached other lifetime goals.

“I want people to know I chose not to be a victim,”

Francisco said. “I (wasn’t) looking for a handout from the government and these people whose stories I share, they (weren’t) look-ing for a handout either. Th ey (wanted) to be self-suffi cient.”

Some of the stories Francisco shares are from high profi le individuals, like that of Dr. Connie Mariano, former White House doctor during the Clinton, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. administra-tions.

“Oft en times, she was discriminated against,” Francisco said. “When she was the doctor at the White House, people mistook her for a nurse. Imagine being in such a powerful position and all they saw was (an immigrant woman.)”

Other stories hit close to home, like that of her lola, a woman who began her career with humble begin-nings.

“My grandmother came to this country in her 50s, and she was able to earn a hotel position in a laundry department,” Francisco said. “When (you) think of

someone in their 50s, (you) think of someone ready to retire. My grandmother wanted to remain healthy – mind and body – because she wanted to work to sup-port her children.”

To publicly announce the book, Francisco hosted a launch party at the Heath-man Hotel in Kirkland last Saturday. Many of the people she mentioned in the book attended, includ-ing Ezekwugo.

“I thought the event was great,” Ezekwugo said. “I loved hearing from the speakers, and I learned a lot. I was able to connect and relate to what they were saying.”

Francisco says her book is “chicken soup for the soul” or at least “your one-stop guide to pursu-ing whatever it is that you want.”

For Ezekwugo, it has a similar meaning.

“Th e thing that I took away from Maureen’s book is that it’s really up to an in-dividual as to how far they make it not just in America but in life,” Ezekwugo said.

[ MOXIE from page 1]

more story online…kent-reporter.com

Success and smiles: Maureen Francisco, center, poses with her new book and some of the people featured in It Takes Moxie. MICHELLE CONERLY, Kent Reporter

by the fl ood district as an independent consultant to review the two proposals.

Metropolitan King County Councilwoman Julia Patter-son, who serves on the fl ood district executive committee along with county council members Reagan Dunn, Kathy Lambert and Larry Gossett, said she came away much more informed aft er Gilbert’s report.

“I think the fl ood district made an excellent decision to bring an outside expert in to bring us additional information and an unbi-ased perspective,” Patterson said. “I think we do have enough information now that we will be able to move forward with a decision. I don’t know where my col-leagues are and what their decision will be, but it’s time for us to act.”

Th e committee is expected to meet again in about two weeks during a special meeting to pick a levee repair plan. Th at recommendation will go to the full fl ood district board (the nine members of the county council) for fi nal ap-proval. Dunn and Patterson each expect the full board to follow the recommenda-tion of the committee.

“I believe we have all the information that the experts can possibly provide,” Pat-terson said. “Th at’s the hard part of our job is that now we have to make a decision. But we defi nitely have a

perspective that is diff er-ent than what we had from either King County or Kent. It’s added a dimension to the discussion that will allow us to act and within two weeks we will make a decision on how to move forward with that levee.”

Dunn agreed action is needed.

“We are going to break the logjam,” Dunn said. “It’s like you’re looking at a Chevy or a Ford. Th e bottom line is both of these will protect businesses, property, people and the environment as well but we need to make a decision.”

Th e fl ood district is funded by a property tax assessment of 10 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation to fund projects. Th at tax brings in about $35 million per year to help pay for projects along six rivers in the county.

Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke attended the meet-ing along with City Coun-cilwoman Elizabeth Alb-ertson and Public Works Director Tim LaPorte.

“I’m very pleased with the report,” Cooke said in front of the committee. “It was a very even report and more objective than what I expected.”

Cooke said city businesses need to know how the fl ood district plans to repair the levee. Th e levee helps protect from fl ooding about $650 million worth of property and 18,400 jobs at a variety of businesses in Kent, Tukwila

and Renton, including the Boeing Space Center, the Starbucks Roasting Plant, IKEA and the Alaska Air-lines Call Center, according to Kent offi cials.

“Th e businesses need economic stability and this unknown factor of how the district is going to proceed with the levee leaves many of the tenants somewhat on the edge as to what their future is going to be to be able to reinvest in their business and equipment,” Cooke said. “Th e jobs that are impacted by the deci-sion you make are key to us.

“My recommendation is to do something sooner rather than later while we focus on a longer term and full levee system (repair). I would applaud that.”

Th e city has spent about $713,000 (from its storm water utility fund) over the last two years on three engi-neering consultant com-panies (Boston-based GEI Consultants, Inc., GeoEn-gineers, Inc., of Seattle and Northwest Hydraulics, of Tukwila) in connection with Briscoe Levee repairs. GEI and GeoEngineers each recommended a steel sheet pile fl ood wall be constructed along the levee to improve fl ood protec-tion. Th e city estimates the project could be completed in one year. About 4,000 feet of the levee would be repaired in four segments.

Th e City Council’s Public Works Committee also recommended on Jan. 14

that the full council approve an additional $736,544 contract with GEI for a fi nal levee design, if the fl ood district board picks Kent’s option. Th at contract could go to the full council in February or March for approval in an eff ort to meet deadlines to hold on to the $7 million state grant awarded by the Legislature last year to the district to repair the levee. Th at grant could be taken away if no repair plan is established by the end of June.

Th e project is part of a larger eff ort by Kent to have the entire levee system within city limits accredited by the

Federal Emergency Man-agement Agency (FEMA) in order to remove proper-ties behind the levee from FEMA fl ood maps to reduce development restrictions and fl ood insurance require-ments in the Kent Valley.

“Property protection in the fl oodplain and the need for fl ood insurance is the motivation to improve the levee to get it accredited so that businesses would not be required to buy fl ood insurance,” Gilbert said.

Th e consultant said the two proposals are quite similar as far as public safety and property protec-tion.

“Th e public safety risk is relatively low now and you can’t really distinguish be-tween the two,” said Gilbert, whose recent work includes analyzing the performance of off shore platforms and pipelines in hurricanes; managing earthquake and fl ooding risks for the Sacra-mento-San Joaquin Delta in California; and performing a forensic analysis of the New Orleans levee failures aft er Hurricane Katrina. “Th e best way to prepare is to get people out of harm’s way.”

[ LEVEE from page 1]

Presenting the facts: Robert Gilbert, levee consultant, addresses the King County Flood Control District Executive Committee on Wednesday at the King County Courthouse in Seattle. STEVE HUNTER, Kent Reporter


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Realtor honoredKent’s Sam Pace was among six

members of Seattle King County Real-tors (SKCR) who shared the spotlight for special achievements at a recent industry annual awards and installa-tion banquet in Bellevue.

Pace, of Executive Real Estate, Inc., Kent, received the Realtors Achieve-

ment Award.Pace, a 23-year veteran of the indus-

try, has held multiple positions with SKCR, including serving on the board and executive committee, chairing vari-ous committees and being a legislative key contact and member of several political candidate interview panels.

Th e Kent resident is a housing specialist for SKCR, focusing on South

King County jurisdictions. Among his initiatives, he is founding chair of the South Sound Legislative Coalition, the nation’s fi rst Realtors Environmen-tal Council (TREC), and the annual Housing Issues Briefi ngs for public offi cials. He also has been an active volunteer with the state and national Realtors associations as well as various community organizations.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. has opened of a new store in Kent at 8810 S. 208th St. H&E – based in Baton Rouge, La., is a leading supplier of equipment for construction, industrial, mining, manufacturing and material han-dling industries. The facility spans 17,000 square feet on four acres with offi ce space, a large shop, a

parts warehouse and equipment yard areas. The store specializes in aerial lifts, telescopic forklifts, compact, large earthmoving equipment and general construc-tion equipment. Products off ered come from JLG, Genie, Atlas Copco, Skytrak, Skyjack, Multiquip, Wacker Neuson, Gehl, Takeuchi, Yanmar and others.

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In other cases, joint tenancy can disrupt a plan to minimize estate taxes.

Protect your right to distribute your estate as you intend in a cost-effective manner. Consult an estate planning attorney.

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... YOUNG AT HEARTKent 50 Plus Program presents Rock ‘n Roll at The Place

Th e Kent 50 Plus Program presents Rock ‘n Roll at Th e Place from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15 at the Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St.

Th e night of song and dance includes hors d’ oeuvres, a So-cial Security workshop with remote Q&A session, burger and chips dinner, root beer fl oat and coff ee bar beverages.

Andy Burnett per-forms.

Advanced tick-ets are required for guaranteed seating. Deadline is Feb. 13.

For more informa-tion call Helena Reyn-olds at 253-856-5164.

Americans may be less optimistic about the future in general than they once were, but a solid majority still hopes to enjoy a long life. In fact, longevity is considered by most as part of a good life, on par with health, prosperity and lov-ing relationships.

Sixty percent expect to live at least until they’re 80. Forty percent think 120 to 150 years could be feasible within their own lifetime due to further advance-ments in medical and bio-logical technology. And 1 percent believes that death could eventually be elimi-nated altogether, according to a survey conducted by David Ewing Duncan, a science writer and author of “When I’m 164: Th e New Science of Radical Life Ex-tension and What Happens If It Succeeds.”

Considering that two-thirds of the population are

dealing with weight prob-lems and a host of lifestyle-related diseases, this may be wishful thinking for many. But the fact is that the aver-age life expectancy has in-deed dramatically increased over the last century due to improved hygiene, diet and medical care.

In 1900, people could expect to live just under 50 years. In the year 2000, it was nearly 77. Th e average lifespan was lengthened between 1.5 and 2.7 years per decade, according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.

What’s even more stun-ning is that our chances of

living longer seem to go up all the time. How so? “Because the more time you spend in the world, the more time the world gives you,” says Ted C. Fishman, author of “Shock of Gray”. “For every hour we live,” he claims, “the average human lifespan increases between 11 and 15 minutes. Every day sees the average lifespan grow another fi ve hours.”

Of course, that doesn’t apply for everyone across the globe, Fishman admits. “Your odds are better if you have avoided the obesity epidemic and live in a place that enjoys good health care, education, and free-dom from war and terrible poverty.”

It also helps if you can manage to stay mentally fi t and don’t suff er from memory loss and cognitive decline. A loving family, a circle of friends and other supportive social surround-ings add to your chances.

Unfortunately, many of

these important factors for longevity cannot be taken for granted. Baby boomers, now entering retirement, are rightly worried about their prospects when it comes to their fi nancial security, health needs and social life.

“It does not bode well for the baby boom genera-

tion at all,” warns Dr. S. Jay Olshansky, a professor for public health at the Univer-sity of Illinois at Chicago who studies longevity, in an interview with Reuters. More recent studies show that life expectancy gains in the U.S. have actually

Living long, living well

HEAL

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[ more GUSTAFSON page 15 ]


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Kent-Meridian’s Josh Smith, top, is 29-1 so far this season with 85 takedowns. RACHEL CIAMPI, Reporter

MICHELLE CONERLY

[email protected]

Josh Smith had some pretty big shoes to fi ll.

“My brothers have been wrestling before me, and I liked it,” said Smith, Kent-Meridian’s 136-pound senior. “What really motivated me the most was because my brother was the state cham-pion for K-M (in 2001).”

In fact, Curtis Smith was the school’s last wrestling state champion more than 10 years ago. And Aaron Smith, another Royals star, was a three-time All-Amer-ican in college.

Th is season, Smith con-tinues his family’s wresting legacy at Kent-Meridian.

And he isn’t far behind. With fi ve tournaments down, he’s built a 29-1 re-cord this winter. And with

85 takedowns to Smith’s credit so far this season, coach Todd Owens knows his lightweight standout is pretty swift on his feet.

“He’s a good athlete,” Owens said. “Joshua is a high-level kind of kid. He goes up in weight classes (during practice) to give him a challenge.”

At the South Puget Sound League tournament in De-cember, Smith beat heralded Adam Romano of Graham-Kapowsin in a 7-4 decision. Th e win earned Smith a bump up to the No. 2 rank-ing in his 4A weight class.

“My favorite match was the SPSL tournament because I beat a guy who’s ranked higher than me,” Smith said. “At the time, he was ranked No. 1 in the state, and I beat him. I cried aft er that.”

Smith said his signature moves include the double-takedown and arm bar, but continues to work on his riding skills.

With a family full of wrestlers, Smith gets a lot of advice.

“Th ey’re all talking about all the moves I can do, and it helps me out,” Smith said. “If I’m in a certain situation, they’ll help me know what I’m doing.”

Smith is poised for a strong fi nish at Mat Classic XXV, which looms Feb. 14-16 at the Tacoma Dome.

Smith is excited to per-form in the state circle. He finished fifth in his weight class at state last season, but is determined to take it a step further this year.

“It’s my last year (so) I want to go out with a big bang,” he said.

Smith legacy goes on at Kent-Meridian

BY KRIS HILL

[email protected]

Th e Kentwood girls basketball team wouldn’t give up, despite being down by double digits more than once against Mount Rainier last Sat-urday night at home.

Th e Conquerors fell a little short in the South Puget Sound League 4A North game against the Rams, who held on to win 63-61 to remain undefeated in league.

Still, to come that close against a team multiple media outlets have ranked No. 1 among 4A girls teams in the state, was a tremendous accomplish-ment, Kentwood coach Lisa Ashley said.

“It’s huge,” Ashley said. “Th is just goes to show if they’re ranked No. 1, we can play with anyone.”

Th e Conquerors are 10-3 in SPSL North play with three games left . Kentwood wraps this week up with a game at Kent-Meridian at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

It was the narrowest win of the season for Mount Rainier, which has one other single-dig-it win this season with its

Rams edge KW girls

KENT-MERIDIAN’S ENGMAN COMMITS TO UPSKyle Engman’s commitment to play baseball for the University of Puget

Sound was a decision he knew would shape not only his next four

years, but would lay the foundation for his next 40 years.

The Kent-Meridian senior‚ a 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-

handed pitcher and third baseman‚ was committed to his goal of playing college baseball,

opting for UPS, according to NCSA Athletic Recruiting.

Engman’s top fastball has been clocked at 86 mph, with a

70-mph change-up and 72-mph breaking ball.

Engman has enjoyed academic and athletic success at

Kent-Meridian as a dedicated student-athlete, earning a

3.72 GPA and being a four-year varsity starter and All-State

selection for the Royals.

WIAA changes state cheer venue to UWREPORTER STAFF

Due to what it called a scheduling confl ict, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has changed the State High School Cheerleading and Salute to Spirit competitions to Alaska Airlines Arena at “Hec” Edmundson

Pavilion at the University of Washington for the 2013 winter season.

“Th is is very exciting for the stu-dent-athletes that will be participat-ing in State Cheerleading and Salute to Spirit,” WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese said in a media release. “Th e association is committed to pro-viding a fi rst-class experience for the student-athletes, fans and coaches for these events and by moving to Alaska Airlines Arena, I believe we have

executed this commitment.”Th e events, which kick off the win-

ter state championships on Saturday, Jan. 26, get a brand new look in the 10,000 capacity arena. Built in 1927 and renovated in 1999-2000, Alaska Airlines Arena gives fans an intimate setting to view the premier state cheerleaders in the state.

Comcast Arena in Everett has hosted the competitions. [ more KW page 11 ]


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Eat fresh. Winter is the time to order seeds for spring gardens, and seed companies have enjoyed a resurgence of popularity as health and well-ness moves to the forefront of the minds of not just gardeners, but consumers as well.

Western Washington gar-deners are lucky because Ed Hume Seed Co. is located near Puyallup and as a local garden legend, Ed himself continues to oversee the operation of the seed varieties that do best in our cool summer climate.

You can order seeds at www.Edhumeseeds.com or just visit a local nursery or garden center and scan the display of seeds in the distinctive dark black seed packets.

Th e most important tip for successful gardening from seed is to read and follow the instructions on the label – and arm yourself with extra information on soil preparation and harvest tips to insure a productive experience.

Grow fresh tips 1. Slugs will eat every-

thing soft and tender – and are especially attracted to

lettuce and other leafy greens. Plan ahead and bait for slugs be-fore your lettuce seedlings sprout. One way to beat the slugs is to lay damp newspaper on top of your

lettuce patch right aft er you plant the seeds. Tiny baby slugs will collect under

the newspaper so you can gather them up easily.

2. Heat loving crops such as tomatoes, basil, eggplants and squash should not be planted too early. I wait until aft er Father’s Day to add these warmth-seeking plants to my garden.

3. Peas need to be planted in early spring because they fade quickly in hot weather. Pre-soak your pea seeds or wrap them in a damp dish towel so they are partly-sprouted before you plant. Th is helps to prevent sweet peas and garden peas from

rotting in the cold wet soil.4. It takes skill and lots

of heat to grow Amaranth, the ancient grain now being sold as a complete protein and the darling of the heir-loom seed companies. Stick with seeds that do well in cool soil – carrots, broccoli, cabbage and kale are crops to start with for beginners.

5. Crops in pots is the an-swer for beginning garden-ers. Patio tomatoes, bush cucumbers, basil and other herbs all benefi t from

THE G

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Time to seed now for healthy garden

[ more BINETTI page 12 ]

68-61 victory in the fi rst game over non-league op-ponent Eastlake Nov. 27.

Mount Rainier raced out to a 17-8 lead in the fi rst quarter and was up 26-10 early in the second quarter when Kentwood went on an 11-0 run to close the gap to just fi ve points.

Th en the Rams junior standout Brittany McPhee scored six straight points followed by a three from Jordan McPhee to push the lead back out to 14 heading into halft ime, 35-21.

Ashley said the low-scoring fi rst quarter hurt Kentwood but how the team came back from that showed how much the team has improved since the beginning of the season.

“Th ey’re much better as a team,” Ashley said. “We just all came together and really gelled.”

Early in the third, the Conks were down 16, but cut the lead down again to single digits by the end of the period which set up a frenetic fourth quarter as the game came down to the wire.

Kentwood junior Sarah Toeaina scored 12 of her

15 points in the fourth quarter as she created turnovers which led to points or put her head down and drove the lane.

With just under two minutes left on the game clock, Toeaina hit a jump-er to cut the lead to two, but the Conks couldn’t quite fi nd the shot to pull even with the Rams. With 4.4 seconds left Toeaina had three chances at the free throw line but missed the fi rst before making the other two to make it a one point game.

On a wild play aft er Mount Rainier got the ball in bounds following those free throws, Brit-tany McPhee was fouled in the battle for the loose ball which sailed away from another Rams player toward the sidelines.

Brittany McPhee made one of two, fi nishing with a game high 28 points, helping the Rams hold onto the win.

Ashley was pleased Kentwood held Brittany McPhee to below her scoring average.

“One of the things we had to do with her, when-ever she got in the paint, we had to double her up,” Ashley said.

Kentridge’s Jawan Stepney lays in two points against Kent-Meridian at the King Showcase Monday at the ShoWare Center. Stepney had 16 points in the 58-41 win over Kent-Meridian, which dropped to 10-7 overall and to 8-5 in the South Puget Sound League North Division. The Royals have lost three straight games. Kentridge (10-8, 7-7 league) has won fi ve of six with two games left in SPSL play. CHARLES CORTES, Reporter

Stepney time

[ KW from page 10]


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Floyd O. CavanaughFloyd O. Cavanaugh was born October 22, 1922 and died

January 12, 2013 at the age of 90.Floyd was born in Kent, Washington to parents Winnie and

Lawrence Cavanaugh. He had one brother named Raymond. Floyd grew up in the Kent area and attended the Kent school district. He graduated from Kent High School. After graduation he was hired by People’s Bank. He left to serve in the army under General Omar Bradley during WWII as a technical sergeant in codes and ciphers. After the war he returned to his work at the bank for a total of 45 years.

Floyd met Gloria Sahley and they were married on May 3, 1947. Floyd and Gloria have two children, Wayne and Cheryl, who also grew up in the Kent area. Wayne lives in Kent and works at Boeing. Cheryl lives in Nordland and works in Port Townsend.

Floyd retired from banking at the age of 62. Afterward Floyd and Gloria traveled and enjoyed their time together.

A Memorial service was held at Kent United Methodist Church. 731296

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the extra heat generated by setting a clay or ceramic container on a sunny patio.

6. Plastic pots and light weight foam containers (some look just like terra cotta and stone) keep the soil cool and do not release

moisture. Gardeners in Western Washington have better luck growing vegetables by using clay or ceramic containers that absorb heat and release excess moisture. If you do use plastic pots – don’t over water.

7. Most potting soils are

sterile or made form what is known as a “soil-less” mix of peat, sand and perlite. This makes the potting soil light weight and quick draining and excellent for prevent-ing disease. But this also means that most potting soils have no nutrition for the plants. You must fer-tilize container gardens.

8. Berries are easier to grow in Western Wash-ington than fruit from trees. This is because apples, pears and cherries are more prone to disease in our cool climate. Rasp-berries, strawberries and blueberries grow better here than almost anyplace in the world. Easiest of all,

harvest native blackberries and huckleberries and reap the health benefits without planting a thing.

9. Perennial herbs from Mediterranean climates such as rosemary, thyme and oregano will return year after year but only if grown in a raised bed, rock garden or container with excellent drain-age. Fresh herbs can be grown indoors but after a few months the plants will weaken from lack of sunshine. Most herbs do well in poor soil – they are great plants for beginning or busy gardeners.

10. Some crops grow too well. Mint will take over in a garden with damp soil

and horseradish, hops and kiwi have all generated lots of complaints about invasive growth from local gardeners.

Just a reminder that growing your own food is not that difficult in our climate. So plan to plant something this spring – and eat fresh.

Marianne Binetti has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of “Easy Answers for Great Gardens” and several other books. For book requests or answers to gardening questions, write to her at: P.O. Box 872, Enum-claw, 98022. Send a self-addressed, stamped enve-lope for a personal reply. Reach her at www.binettigarden.com.

[ BINETTI from page 11 ] Area eventsTacoma Home and Garden Show: Jan. 23-27, Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St. Show hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers, the show is an opportunity for show-goers to meet representatives from more than 750 exhibi-tors providing products and services for the home and garden. Vintage market, kitchen and bath product trends, display gardens, seminars and more. Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors (62 and older) weekdays only, and free to children 16 and under. Two-day passes, $16 adults, $12 seniors. Discount coupons available at www.otshows.com.

Lunar New Year celebration: 6 p.m. Feb. 8, Green River Community College Lindbloom Student Center, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn. Welcome the Year of the Snake. Various clubs and societies perform and present videos about their cultures. The Kungfu/Lion Dance troupe also performs. A dance party follows. Traditional, festive snacks and dishes from Vietnam, China and Korea will be served. Admission $5 for students, $8 non-GRCC students, $10 at the door.

Greater Seattle Postcard and Paper Collectibles Show: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave N. Approximately 15-20 dealers from throughout the Pacific Northwest, California and Utah display close to one million old postcards, paper collectibles and ephemera. Included will be postcards, Stamps, vintage Alaska and Yukon paper and artifacts, advertising trade cards, cigar labels, valen-tines, scrap, travel brochures, photographs, stereographs, aviation, auto, railroad, ship, movie memorabilia, Western Americana and more. Admission: $5, good for both days. www.postcardshows.com.

Fifth annual Model R/C Hydro Show: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 9, Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, 5917 S. 196th St., Kent. More than 50 models, some gas-powered, others electrically-powered, on display. Hand-crafted replicas are 30 inches long, identical to real unlimiteds. Admission: $5 public. Museum members free. For more info, call 206-764-9453 or visit www.thunderboats.ning.com.

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The opportunity to make a difference is right in front of you.Recycle this paper. PUBLIC NOTICES

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TO: MIKE TONY GEORGEAddress Unknown and to all whom it may concern, Respondent,YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of 20 days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you. The petition of SABRINA ADAMS, Petitioner(s) was filed in the Court of Comal County, Texas, on the 25th day of September, 2012, against MIKE TONY GEORGE, Respondent(s), num- bered C2012-1371D and entitled IN THE INTEREST OF TAY- LOR AND DONNA GEORGE AND JOSEPH MATTHEW GEORGE CHILDREN The suit requests. The date and place of birth of the child(ren) who is/are the subject of this suit: JANUARY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 30, 2007. The Court has authority in this suit to enter any judgment or de- cree in the child’s (children’s) interest which will be binding upon you, including the termination of the parent-child relationship, the determination of paternity and the appointment of a conservator with authority to consent to child’s (children’s) adoption. Issued and given under my hand and seal of said Court at New Braunfels, Texas this the 16th day of January, 2013. Published in the Kent Reporter on January 25, 2012. #730829.

PUBLIC NOTICENOTICE OF

LIEN SALE AUCTIONDATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2013

AT 10:00AMProperty belonging to Brian Fitz- jarrald, (unit#(s), (030226, 000008746), Panos Krokus, (000010513, 000001158, 000010258), Panos Krokus, (000010557, 000010574, 000010798, 000010810, 000001538), Charles Guzek,

(000011647), Erika Lindsey,(000001383, 000009137), TrishTiura, (027379), Jonathan White,(000001801), Valerie Koob,(000011524, 000011710), DayJams, (026730), Nancy Bryant,(000002023), Erron Jett,(015785), Dawn Chesbro,(016029), Jim Bullock, (026893,000009875), Katie Garland,(040155), Jim Chevigny,(045213), Jeff Rose, (041767,020345, 000012127), GretchenWagner, (026889), ChristopherDeMarco, (042002, 025284,000018626), Jasmine Brooks,(044827, 000007882),Lacey Lo-pez, (026218, 000013537), La-Toya Alexander, (036192,045302), Robie Hadley, (031482,000004286, 017130, 016861),Ellen Thompson, (21678, 5382),Caren Fox, (24495), BrandonButler, (8728), will be sold bylive public auction (verbal bid-ding) on FEBRUARY 14, 2013STARTING AT 10:00AM atDOOR TO DOOR STORAGE,INC., 6412 S 216th, Kent, WA98032. Goods were neitherpacked, loaded, nor inventoriedby Door to Door Storage, Inc.General description of the goodslikely to be sold: Household,business or consumer goods,namely personal effects, china,furniture, clothing, books, glass,silverware, electronics, tools, andsimilar items; but actual contents,condition, and quality are un-known to Door to Door Storage,Inc. Persons under 15 not admit-ted. Photo ID is required for bid-ders. Only cash or credit card aspayment. Bidder Registration be-gins at 9:30am. Viewing beginsat 10:00am, and bidding will be-gin soon after. Each container is5 ft wide x 8 ft long x 7 ft high.Auctioneer: Thomas Hayward,Thomas Hayward Auctioneers,6167 Jarvis Avenue #286, New-ark, CA 94560, (510) 304-4480,License #2845.Published 1/25, 2/1/13CNS-2435170#THE KENT REPORTER#730914

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flattened out since the 1960s. Despite of dramati-cally increasing expen-ditures for health care, many Americans live with chronic diseases that are left insufficiently treated, espe-cially among the uninsured and those with limited cov-erage. One study concluded that poorer citizens have on average a shorter lifespan

of up to five years than the more affluent.

Obviously, money can’t buy everything and life remains an uncertain enter-prise no matter how rich you are. For the rest of us, there are plenty of opportunities to take care of our health and well-being by eating right, exercising, etc. (you know the drill) – and for this, it’s never too early to get started.

Researchers found that

physical fitness achieved during middle-age can lower the risk of develop-ing chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure in later years and may be associated with compression of morbidity at old age. Compression of morbidity is what many health experts consider the optimal outcome of aging. The idea is “to delay the onset of age-related disease and inevitable decline with-out worrying about extend-ing life,” writes Dr. Andrew Weil, author of numerous best-selling health books, including “Healthy Aging” (Knopf, 2005). Not longev-ity itself should be our first concern, but the quality of life we have as long as we are around, he says.

Timi Gustafson R.D. is a clinical dietitian and au-thor. You can follow Timi at www.timigustafson.com, or on Twitter and Facebook.

[ GUSTAFSON from page 9 ]


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2010 2011 2012 2013

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Kent Reporter, January 25, 2013