Columnists

Dog's days of car patrols done

By Jerry Robinson

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Remembering Lupe

After fifteen years as unofficial Chief of the dog patrol on Three Tree Point, Lupe, (pronounced Lu-pay) the Wander dog has stopped wandering.

He died last week and a celebration of his dedication to faithful long-term service lying alongside SW 172nd, rain or shine (mostly shine) is being held this week.

He was revered for never biting a tire, never abusing a hydrant, never obeying a command, never chasing a cat, never barking and never scratching the front door.

Owners Andy and Jana Kleitsch said they have no plans for replacing Lupe.

Meet Cyndi Upthegrove

Never underestimate the power of a woman with a mission on her mind. And Cyndi has a mission.

She is the driving force behind the building of a Highline Historical Museum in Burien on the corner of Ambaum Boulevard and S.W. 152nd.

Enough money has already been raised to buy the property and building plans have been drawn subject to acceptance by the official governmental powers. You can see a display in the lobby of Sterling Bank at 224 S.W. 152nd St. in Burien.

A huge collection of early day Highline memorabilia has been stored in anticipation of a permanent home under the guarded eye of two curators who with the aid of volunteers guides the cataloging.

A 13-person board of elected trustees representing 500 historical society members has already raised nearly $1,000,500 in grants and donations.

Another 500 members would make the museum self-sustaining so they are continually looking for new members.

Meet Jack Kniskern

This Des Moines senior statesman, now retired, was taking in the farmers market at the marina on a Saturday.

A former board member of the Highline College Board of Trustees, Jack is a distinguished architect of numerous public buildings including the first Des Moines library, a number of fire stations and scores of local homes.

He is spending much of his time these days pondering partisan politics, pedantry and the case for religion in presidential races.

An avid Methodist, this grad from MIT came to Seattle in 1949 to set up his practice.

As a long-term member of the Des Moines Rotary club, his main passion is providing dictionaries to local third- grade students.