by Janet Grella

Ever wonder why Burien-ites are not seeing as much of Mick and Adrian at their local Burien eatery, Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub and Restaurant (a BTB Advertiser)?

To find out, I spent a few hours with Mick’s Marketing Dirctor Sandy Schmitt. We visited their ‘new’ properties where they’ve been real busy expanding their restaurant business to Renton as well as the Glen Acres Golf Club.

In May of this year they resurrected “Full Throttle” in Renton. It’s now “Mick Kelly’s at Full Throttle.” Located on top of Bob Lamphere’s Renton Motorcycles and next to Renton Harley, this location can be called a real, upscale biker bar and restaurant. It’s got “outdoor dining” on a patio that overlooks the sales floor of Renton Motorcycles, and windows that overlook Harley’s service department.

Mick and Adrian not only imported all their Irish Specialities to Renton, but plan to offer pizza on the menu soon. Plus they’ve got lots of sandwiches, sides and appetizers. They offer $1 tacos and $2 beers on Tuesday and Thursdays from 5-8. Regular Happy Hour is Tues-Sun 3-6.

Mick’s sister, Lorraine Torrez, a long-time server/bartender in Burien, has joined Mick and Adrian as a partner in Mick Kelly’s at Full Throttle. She’s quite proud of the all-chrome bar and the bar stools that are authentic Harley motorcycle seats.

On Saturdays in Renton, customers will find the cooks firing up the BBQ downstairs from 11-3. Their specialty, hamburgers and hot dogs soaked in Guinness are served up with chips (that’s french fries) for $5 and $4 respectively. There’s also a beer garden for your drinking pleasure.

You’ll find Mick Kelly’s at Full Throttle at 3701 E. Valley Road in Renton, and here’s a photos slideshow by Michael Brunk that will transport you there:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Next on our road trip was Glen Acres Golf Club. “Mick Kelly’s at Glen Acres Golf Club” opened to residents and members on July 1st. Not only do they serve the same great food we all know and love, but also this location will house Mick Kelly’s Catering.

The catering division started about 18 months ago and grew out of “Mick Kelly’s Catering-Boxed Lunches” serving sandwiches and salads to go.

In order to expand their catering division, they hired Chef Richard Maglietto. “Chef Richard’ (to non-Italian speakers) has 45 years’ experience in the kitchen and his personal credits include 24 gold medals in national culinary competitions and he’s a Certified Chef through New York’s prestigious Culinary Institute of America. He also has extensive training in Tornino and Florence, Italy, mastering the art of baking and desserts.

When you and/or your group decide that you require the best in local/regional catering, contact Sandy Schmitt at sandy@mickkellys.com or call 206-244-1177. She and Chef Richard will create custom menus ranging in price from $12-25 per person.

Sandy tells us that no event is too small or too large for them to cater. They recently did an Irish funeral at the Cove for 300 people. They also do weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, retirement parties – you name it, they’ll cater it.

And this brings us back to Glen Acres. The clubhouse was built in 1935 and has long boasted beautiful views of Seattle, our own Emerald City. The main dining room captures this panoramic view. There’s a cozy bar area, another dining room as well as an outdoor patio. There’s room for up to 250 guests for special occasions.

When your book your event and catering with Mick Kelly’s you will have the full use of Glen Acres Golf Club. Golf Party on the Patio? Swimming party at the pool? Wedding on the lawn followed by catered dinner? No problem now that Mick’s and Glen Acres have teamed up for Mick Kelly’s at Glen Acres Golf Club.

But their catering is not limited to Glen Acres. They will deliver meals to any venue you want. Big or small. No service or full service.

So there you have it. Mick and Adrian are still around Burien…around Renton…now around Glen Acres…and at a catered event near you!

Happy Independence Day Burien!

Here’s a good way to celebrate your independence, your community, your country – read the actual text from the Declaration of Independence:

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. –Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Sustainable Burien has installed four community gardens at the Interim Art Space, with the hopes of developing a place where residents can grow sustainable food.

“Right now we’re just trying to show that this can be done,” said SuBu member John Feeney as he put the finishing touches on some lattice work. “And this garden is open to all residents, especially those who want to grow their own food – just come to one of our meetings.”

Some of the plants growing in the garden now include pumpkin, tomato, corn, mint, lettuce, peppers, chard, onion and others, along with one planter devoted to local, native plants like wild rose and black cap raspberry.

Sustainable Burien’s next meeting is Sunday, July 12th at the new Burien library from 2pm – 4pm. For more information, please visit their website.

Sustainable Burien is having its next meeting on Sunday, July 12th from 2pm to 4pm, and they’re back at the (new) library.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Sustainable Burien’s monthly meeting

WHEN: Sunday, July 12th from 2pm to 4pm – doors open at 1:30pm

WHERE: The new Burien Library, located at 400 SW 152nd

From their website:

Sustainable Burien is an organization started in January of 2008. We recognize the need to promote and participate in the creation of a sustainable community in Burien. We invite all residents and businesses to participate in creating a sustainable local community by sharing their ideas, passions, knowledge and talents.

At our meetings we will be collecting burned out CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) bulbs and dead rechargable batteries. People are welcome to bring any extra food items [produce from your garden, fruit from your trees, etc.] that they have and barter with others. Also bring any coupons for food that you get in the mail or from the newspaper, we’ll pass them on to the food bank, who can make good use of them.

Gatherings are held on the second Sunday of each month, – from 2:00 – 4:00PM at the (new) KCLS Burien Library (doors open at 1:30PM). For more information, go to: http://www.sustainableburien.org.

Please call Rebecca or Bill at 243-9366 if there are questions.

by Scott Schaefer

Late Thursday afternoon (July 2nd), renowned German urban planner Thomas Sieverts walked around Burien on a perfect summer day in an effort to study its unique “Zwischenstadt.”

The term “Zwischenstadt” has become popularized to mean an “in–between city,” or the city between the old historical centers and open countryside, which is how he views Burien. Sieverts previously taught urban planning at the University of Visual Arts in Berlin and the Technical University in Darmstadt.

Sieverts was on a three-day visit to the Seattle area, which included a town hall meeting Wednesday night, and an appearance on KUOW’s Weekday. In addition to Mayor Joan McGilton and Councilmember Gordon Shaw, he was followed around by a four-camera film crew, which is producing a documentary on Burien that will be released later in the summer.

After several different groups did walking tours that began at the Burien Interim Art Space, the entire crowd re-grouped for a lively discussion lead by author Matthew Stadler, along with B-Town Blog Publisher Scott Schaefer and Sieverts himself.

Sieverts spoke about things he noticed on his walking tour, including a strip of Hispanic businesses on SW 153rd, which he recommended nurturing into a sort of “hispanic market strip” as opposed to making it “another main street” to encourage diversity and as a place for like-minded folks to gather and appreciate their culture.

“This is a huge deal for Burien,” said Mark Kearns, owner of nearby coffee shop Burien Press. “Not many know about Sieverts, but there are people here who have followed him up from Portland, or have come down from Vancouver just to see him speak. His appearance here could put Burien on the international map!”

Highlights of the outdoor discussion included:

• Members of the crowd shared their observations of their walking tour, including concerns over possible vandalism in Dottie Harper Park to some carved faces in a tree stump. Later, resident Guy Harper (no relation to Dottie) explained that the artwork had actually been removed for restoration and had not been vandalized. Host Stadler noted how each interesting space in a city can inspire different stories for different people.
• Mayor Joan McGilton spoke about the effectiveness of temporary art, and proposed doing a mural on the large rear exterior wall of Grocery Outlet across the street. Later, Stadler proposed projecting images on the wall as a solution. Sieverts concurred, and spoke briefly about “softly breaking the law” as a way to revitalize a neighborhood.
• Sieverts’ son, Boris, got up and spoke about discovering the hidden gem nearby known as Lake Burien. He wondered aloud why there was no public access to the private lake, and encouraged residents to demand it. Schaefer then explained about how a small group of residents is trying to gain public access, but have had no success due to much resistance from protective lake residents.
• Near the end of the evening, Boris encouraged everyone to “march down to the lake together.” Schaefer then added “…and go skinny dipping!” Unfortunately for the film crew present, the march and nude swim prank never materialized.

Over 100 people stayed to the end of the evening, even helping “strike the set” by putting chairs and tables away.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• German Urban Planner Thomas Sieverts Featured On KUOW; Will Be At B/ IAS Thursday Beginning At 4pm
• “Where We Live Now: Why Burien?” Featuring Thomas Sieverts, Is Thurs., 7/2

Thursday (July 2nd), we received the following email from a BTB Reader named Jessica, inquiring about the 1972 George Tsutakawa fountain at the new library, which has been recently removed:

Hello,

Yesterday I visited the beautiful new Burien library and noticed the fountain in front was missing. I know it made it in the move as I had previously saw it at the new location.

When I asked one of the librarians what had happened to the sculpture she said it is currently in storage but was unsure as to why.

With the community so boisterous about one particular bronze sculpture I can’t imagine why they are not up in arms to protect the lovely G rated George Tsutakawa Fountain.

Is there not enough room in Burien for more than one sculpture?

Or perhaps someone complained about the environmental impact of the base of the sculpture being too small and thus causing a small amount of water to be wasted.

I thought if anyone could get to the bottom of this it would be the B-Town Blog.

Thank you,
Jessica

So we contacted our “Empress Of Information,” Marilee Cogswell, Manager of the Burien branch, who said:

Yes, it has been removed temporarily – we are looking at alternative sites for it as it was getting a bit too much attention (trash, coins, and climbing) in that space.

It was decided to pull it out and store it before any real damage happened.

We are looking at a couple of alternatives..one inside the building and one outside.

I don’t have a timeline, but will keep you posted.

The original installation of this fountain was in an inner courtyard of the old library, which was protected from human interaction.

The new location was not, hence the concerns and subsequent removal.

When we took the photos early Thursday evening three young boys were playing around in the fountain’s base, empty of everything but rocks.

“I think they moved it ‘cuz kids were playing on it,” said one young man who was literally inside the base when asked what happened. Moments later, he found a coin from under some rocks.

Here’s some info on Tsutakawa from the website Art Market Online:

George Tsutakawa dedicated his life to art and the freedom of expression that it granted him. Tsutakawa worked in a number of media, including paint, bronze, and clay. Born in Seattle in 1910, Tsutakawa went to live with his maternal grandmother in Japan from 1917 to 1927. Upon Tsutakawa’s return to Seattle, he began to study art and help with the family import/export business. His time spent in Japan as a child – especially the traditional tea ceremonies performed by his uncle – inform his work, as did the beauty of the Pacific Northwest region and the art of the Northwest Masters. Tsutakawa attended the University of Washington, and received his MFA in 1950.

In 1960 the City of Seattle commissioned George Tsutakawa to create Fountain of Wisdom, for the Seattle Library; this project was the first art commission by the city of Seattle since 1908. Between 1960 and 1990, the artist designed and created over 60 fountains throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan. He exhibited extensively throughout Japan, the United States and Canada beginning in the 1950’s. Tsutakawa was awarded many honors throughout his career including the Order of Rising Sun Award, fourth class, from the Emperor of Japan.

In 1972, “Rain Fountain No.2,” made of stainless steel, 6′, was installed at the (old) Burien Library on 4th Ave SW.

We’ll keep you posted as this story develops, so check back often. You can also subscribe to our free RSS Feed here, or get the blog via email here.

Burien’s next Annexation Informational Open House will be Tuesday, July 14th at the Glen Acres Church of Christ in White Center.

Here are the details:

WHAT: City of Burien’s informational open house to provide information about what annexation will mean for the people within the proposed annexation area.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 14th from 6:30pm – 8pm

WHERE: Glen Acres Church of Christ, located at 11401 10th Ave South in White Center

CONTACT: 206-436-5555; Email: annexation@burienwa.gov

King County Elections is scheduled to mail out ballots to registered voters on July 29 for the August 18 vote. Residents of unincorporated King County who live in the southern portion of the North Highline community will have a chance to decide if they want to join the city of Burien.

City of Burien staff will present information and answer questions at three upcoming informational open houses.  If you would like city staff to come and talk with your community group please drop us a line at annexation@burienwa.gov.

Registered voters in the proposed annexation area will see this language used in the measure on the mail-in ballot that they receive at home:

North Highline South Annexation Area

Simple majority (RCW 35A.14.080)

Proposition No. 1: Proposed Annexation to the City of Burien

The Burien City Council passed Resolution No. 288 which would authorize annexation of that area of unincorporated King County known as the North Highline South Annexation Area which annexation was approved by the Boundary Review Board with a modification to the boundaries as legally described in Resolution No. 292.  Shall that area of unincorporated King County known as the North Highline South Annexation Area as legally described in City of Burien Resolution No. 292 be annexed to the City of Burien?

FOR ANNEXATION

AGAINST ANNEXATION

Burien-based Evergreen Bookkeeping Solutions will be holding a FREE seminar aimed at small business owners called “How To Make QuickBooks Work For Your Small Business” on Wednesday, April 22nd from 1pm-3pm.

The seminar will be lead by Principal/Senior Consultant Shandra Rose, an experienced corporate controller and long-time QuickBooks expert.

To attend, you must RSVP by either calling (206) 243-2799 or emailing shandra@evergreenbookkeeping.com before 5pm Tuesday, April 21st. Space is limited, and interested Burien biz folk are encourage to reply ASAP.

Evergreen Bookkeeping Solutions is located at 401 SW 153rd Street, Suite C in Burien:

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BTB Advertiser Bistro Baffi wants all Readers to know about their special upcoming Italian Wine Dinner on Monday, April 27th, which is co-sponsored by Vino Bello and will feature special guest, Italian Wine Importer Gianpietro Ottolini.

Here are the delicious details:

WHAT: Italian Wine Dinner at Bistro Baffi

WHEN: Monday, April 27th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm

WHERE: Bistro Baffi Italian Cuisine, located at 15217 21st SW across from the Seahurst Post Office

COST: $100 per person, which includes a 4-course dinner, tax and free-flowing wine all night

RSVP: Reservations required. $100 per person, includes tax and 4-course dinner with free flowing wine. Space is limited, please call (206) 244-0737 to make your reservation today.

INFO: “Join us for a special Wine Dinner hosted by Bistro Baffi and Vino Bello Wine Bar with special guest, Italian Wine Importer, Gianpietro Ottolini. This is a once in a lifetime chance to experience these truly unique and magical wines.

Gianpietro was born in a small town in Alps of Lombardia, on the shore of lake Lugano. He first visited Seattle in 1991, fell in love and married. He spent the next 12 years in the wine trade in Seattle before setting up his import company featuring a carefully assembled portfolio of unusual Italian wines. His focus is indigenous Italian varietals that are very unique and rarely tasted. These wines display exceptional individuality, glorious aromatics and palate – stretching flavors. Meet Gianpietro and explore these unique wines paired with Chef Michael’s especially paired dishes.”

MENU:

Antipasti

Funghi Ripieni
Stuffed Mushrooms with prosciutto, roasted bell peppers, sun dried tomatoes, asparagus and pecans, served with spicy pink sauce paired with Livio Pavese Prosecco-Made from 100% Prosecco grapes in an extra-dry style, this wine is vibrant and exuberant. Notes of spring blossoms and fresh apple.

Insalata
Chef Michael’s special Caesar Salad : Romaine lettuce with fresh made Caesar dressing, croutons and aged Parmesan cheese paired with Coffele Soave Classico made from100% Estate -grown Garganega grape variety. This wine has intense aromatics reminiscent of acacia and cherry blossoms, fresh apple with notes of sage, vanilla and mineral. Medium bodied and well built mouth feel.

Secondi Piatti (choose one)

a) Pollo Oscar
Grilled chicken with crab meat in Bearnaise sauce paired with Nera “Alisio” Sassella DOCG. 100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) The vineyards of this Northern Italian viticultural region are planted on the south facing slopes of the Alps at an altitude ranging from 1300 to 2500 ft. This is truly elegant Nebbiolo, very structured and age -worthy with intense floral and explosive dark fruit and tobacco notes.

b) Branzino
Grilled sea bass served with roasted red bell pepper and cognac sauce , and sun dried tomatoes paired with Campodelsole San Maglorio di Romagna Superiore DOC. Campodelsole is a jaw-dropping renovation of an old farm, which was once part of the Franciscan Monks’ estate back in the 15Th C. Campodelsole wines have distinct character and purity. The San Maglorio is selected from lots of the Estate vineyards, all stainless steel fermented to preserve the complex and floral aromas, lots of juicy cherries and rich, long finish.

c) Bistecca Romana
Fillet Mignon wrapped with prosciutto , grilled and served with roasted garlic, and Chianti wine reduction paired with Terenzi Cesanese del Piglio Colle Forma DOC. 100% Cesanese from the Lazio region very close to Rome. Cesanese is the name of one of the indigenous grape varieties only grown here and was amongst the favorites on the tables of Roman Emperors and Popes.This wine has powerful elegance reminiscent of Pinot Noir but is much bigger in style. It shows a deep ruby color with violet hues; intense bouquet of black cherries and currants, with well-structured mouth feel.

Dolce
Livio Pavese Barolo Chianto paired with Chef Michael’s Tiramisu.
A pharmacist in the late 1800’s created this concoction by adding to the Barolo wine a cocktail of wine distilled with the Chincona tree bark, rhubarb root, cardamon seeds and other herbs and spices. It is divine with dark chocolate or even with a little seltzer as an aperitif.

If you’re not familiar with Bistro Baffi, here’s an original Video Ad we produced for them (if you’re interested in having an professional Video produced, Contact Us!):

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

The 2nd Annual Normandy Park Emergency Preparedness Fair is scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd from 12pm to 6pm at the Normandy Park Community Club (The Cove), located at 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive (map below).

The event is FREE and for all ages and will include displays, information and demonstrations from the City of Normandy Park, Burien-Normandy Park Fire District, Dunn Lumber, Highline Medical Center, American Preparedness, Normandy Park Assisted Living, King County Sheriff’s Guardian One helicopter (3pm–5pm) and others.

Vendors, Agencies and Participants providing emergency preparedness information include:

• City of Normandy Park
• King County Fire District No. 2 (Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department)
• Highline Medical Center
• American Preparednesss
• Dunn Lumber Company
• Normandy Park Assisted Living
• King County Sheriff’s Department – Guardian One Helicopter
• Normandy Park RACES Team
• City of Des Moines
• Others pending

Stop by the Fair and learn how to prepare your family, pets, home and business for an emergency – Be Prepared!

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Residents in the path of Sea-Tac Airport’s third runway, negatively affected by increased noise and toxic fumes, are meeting with attorneys on Sunday, April 19th to prepare a lawsuit against the Port of Seattle.

The meeting will be held at 2:30pm, Sunday at the SeaTac Community Center, located at 13735 24th Ave. South in SeaTac. Area homeowners are invited. Trial attorneys Michael Pfau and Darrell Cochran, known for a string of successful, high-profile verdicts and settlements, are partnering with Seattle personal-injury attorney Will Dixon.

Sunday’s meeting is a discussion of homeowners’ rights, and potential remedies available under the law. Concerned residents living near the third runway’s flight path first contacted and met with attorneys on Jan. 10th.

Sea-Tac Airport’s third runway went into use Nov. 20th, 2008. Originally, Port of Seattle officials stated in planning documents, such as the environmental impact statement, that the new $1 billion runway was needed to reduce delays during poor weather. But in recent public statements, port officials have said the third runway was always intended to be used at high-traffic times and 365 days a year.

Local homeowners believe the situation will only worsen as departing planes – not just incoming flights – use the new runway. Also, the port plans to shift more traffic to the third runway as it rebuilds the eastern runway.

There are at least two potential lawsuits that are likely to be filed by homeowners. The first, a class-action lawsuit, would focus on the legal principle of inverse condemnation. Basically, plaintiffs believe the fair-market value of their property has been diminished by government “takings” or damages – in this case, by the dramatic increase of planes flying the area for third runway take-offs and landings. Plaintiffs would seek to recover just compensation for damages based on measurably diminished property values.

The second case would be a nuisance or damages lawsuit representing individuals seeking compensation for personal injuries. Local homeowners say throughout the day, big commercial jets are flying over their homes, coating their lawns with jet fuel particles and leaving a wake of toxic fumes.

Michael Pfau and Darrell Cochran are partners at the law firm of Pfau, Cochran, Vertetis, Kosnoff. Pfau and Cochran have years experience in personal injury and class-action lawsuits. In February, Pfau and Cochran secured a $14.2 million settlement from the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle and a New York-based Catholic order on behalf of two dozen men, who were sexually abused at a Kent orphanage, the Briscoe Memorial School, during the 1950s and 1960s. In 2007, Cochran secured a $13.5 million settlement on behalf of thousands of Washington state students affected by the abrupt closing of the now-defunct Business Computer Training Institute (BCTI).

Earlier this year, Cochran and Pfau left their longtime law office of Gordon Thomas Honeywell to open their own firm, with offices in Seattle and Tacoma.

Will Dixon is a seasoned lawyer with more than a decade of legal experience representing clients in numerous multi-million dollar cases in Washington state and federal courts. Dixon focuses on personal injury, wrongful death, and commercial litigation. Dixon also worked in Gordon Thomas Honeywell’s trial group with Pfau and Cochran before opening his open firm. (Dixon Law Firm, http://www.dixon-law.com)

The meeting will be held in the Banquet Room of the SeaTac Community Center, which is located at 13735 24th Ave South:

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by Mark Neuman

The B-Town Blog spoke recently with Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips, who, along with fellow councilmember Dow Constantine are the leading contenders in the race to replace outgoing King County Executive Ron Sims.

THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE:
We asked Phillips who he regards as the best King County Executive since the office came into existence some 40 years ago.

Phillips named three, starting with the first Executive, John Spellman, who served three terms.

“I think Spellman set the framework for successful (county) government. I hold him in high regard. He’s a fabulous individual.”

Phillips admires Randy Revelle, who served in the early 1980s and for whom Phillips served as chief of staff for four years.

“I got to know the executive branch very, very well during that period,” Phillips said. “I was in the room for all the tough decisions.”

“I am also partial to Ron Sims, who I believe had an extraordinary run during his years two through eight” as Executive.

RESPONDING TO DOW’S BULLET POINTS:
Phillips agreed to respond to five bullet points that appeared on a direct mail piece the Constantine campaign mailed out to prospective voters the week of March 30th.

The Constantine bullet points appear in italics below.

CLAIM: Dow fought for parks, open space and Puget Sound. He has a 97% lifetime environmental voting record

RESPONSE: “I completely trump Dow when it comes to parks, open space and Puget Sound. If there is one hallmark to my service over the years it’s the contributions that I’ve made to open space in King County and our regional parks system. I could go on beyond that significantly. I trump Dow in spades.”

CLAIM: Dow helped lead passage of light rail expansion

RESPONSE: “That one he doesn’t get to claim for himself.”

Phillips recalled the failure of area voters to approve light rail during his school days in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

“I’ve been fighting for light rail ever since, including my time in the Washington State legislature.

“I’m a growth management guy, so I look ahead ten to twenty years. My dad was an architect, so planning is part of my DNA.”

CLAIM: Dow is a champion for jobs and working families

RESPONSE: “I have a fabulous labor voting record. I emphasize jobs and infrastructure.” Phillips named several labor endorsements his campaign has received to date.

CLAIM: Dow demanded efficiency in audits in county government

RESPONSE: “No one has led more reforms in county government than I have. I was the one who called for the audit of Metro Transit last year before anybody else did.”

CLAIM: Dow is the only candidate who represents rural areas, suburban cities, Seattle neighborhoods and the broad diversity that is King County. Dow will unify, not divide our county

RESPONSE: Phillips responded by pointing out that he has received endorsements of the rural county mayors of Enumclaw, Maple Valley, Black Diamond and Issaquah.

“I have a long, long history of working with the rural communities of King County. I know their issues and I know their people.”

RED LIGHT CAMERAS:
Phillips says he does not see the use of red light cameras by some cities in King County (such as Burien) at certain intersections as a revenue-generating effort.

“Sparingly and appropriately used, red light cameras are a public safety and traffic calming effort,” he says. “However, there needs to be some balance and common sense in how much they are utilized.”

ANNEXATION:
Phillips says that King County “does not have the taxing authority that cities have. It’s very hard for King County to continue to provide the levels of service that people normally expect in urban areas.

“The state’s Growth Management Act strongly encourages incorporation or annexation in urban areas, but does not require it.”

Phillips says it’s up to the citizens in the remaining pockets of non-annexed and unincorporated areas to decide for themselves whether they want change or the status quo.

Short of incorporation or annexation, Phillips says, “our ability to provide current levels of services to North Highline and the White Center community will likely continue to diminish over time.”

THIRD RUNWAY:
Does Phillips think the residents living northwest of Sea-Tac Airport were, perhaps, duped with respect to the intended use of the now functioning third runway?

“I think the Port, from my perspective, can always do a better job of communicating with the public on what they’re doing, with respect to high profile or contentious issues,” Phillips said. “I’ve haven’t been a student of this issue as perhaps other citizens living around Sea-Tac Airport are.”

STATE INCOME TAX:
Does Phillips support a state income tax?

“I have supported a state income tax, yes,” he said. “Dow’s very proud of the fact that he supported the commission that just talks about an income tax. I actually supported the legislation.”

GO HUSKIES:
Phillips is a University of Washington alum, who played basketball on his high school varsity team. He went out on a non-political limb: Regardless of who wins the race for King County Executive in November, he predicts the Husky men’s basketball team will come out on top as National Champs in the Final Four next spring.

“I am three generations deep into being a Husky and I believe in Purple!”

Here’s Phillips’ YouTube video announcement for his campaign:

So who will you vote for as Ron Sims’ replacement? Please answer our poll:

[EDITOR'S NOTES: The B-Town Blog first published an interview with candidate Dow Constantine on February 16. The primary election is August 18th; the general election is November 3rd.]

Burien Little Theatre has released its May schedule, which will include readings from winners of the Bill & Peggy Hunt’s Playwright’s Festival.

BLT will also feature “Recession Pricing” for all of May, with tickets priced at just $10.

You can buy tickets safely and securely online here:

You can also email tickets@burienlittletheatre.com or call (206) 242-5180.

As for the playwright fest:

Experience wonderful brand-new works written by up-and coming playwrights from Washington state and never produced anywhere else.  Come see the winners of the 2009 playwrights festival!

The festival is graciously sponsored by the City of Burien.

Half of all ticket sales for the Playwrights Festival go to Hospitality House to help homeless women.  (Sorry, this means NO Five Buck Friday during the Festival.)

There are four shows, two one-act plays and two full length plays in the festival.  One one-act play and one full-length play will be performed together.  Two shows for the first two weekends and then the other two shows for the last two weekends.  Don’t miss out!  Come twice and see ALL the winners! – The shows are recommended for audiences age 15 and older due to occasional language.

SPECIAL – SPECIAL – SPECIAL – Every Saturday there will be a FREE reading of the honorable mention plays! (we will pass the hat)!  Starts at 2 pm!  See details below:

“The Reprieve” a one-act play written by Judith A. Jacobs AND “If Spiders Made Honey” a full-length play written by Dave Tucker:

• May 1 at 8:00 p.m. Friday – MAY DAY!
• May 2 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday – Plus free play readings at 2 p.m. – “Penny Loves Butchie Hartog” and “Sinking Bass Turds”
• May 3 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee
• May 8 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• May 9 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday – Plus free play readings at 2 p.m. – “Penny Loves Butchie Hartog” and “Sinking Bass Turds”
• May 10 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee

“Famous Last Words” a one-act play written by Michael Wallace AND “Man Defeats Nature” a full-length play written by Christopher Bailey:

• May 15 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• May 16 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday – Plus free play readings at 2 p.m. – “Freight” and “Days of Future Passed”
• May 17 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee
• May 22 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• May 23 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday – Plus free play readings at 2 p.m. – “Freight” and “Days of Future Passed”
• May 24 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee

A few things to note:

• The play readings are free to the public.
• Tickets for the productions are just $10 with one half of the ticket price ($5) being donated to Hospitality House.
• BLT is conducting a food drive for local food banks, so please bring non-perishable food stuff.
• There is a “play with your food” option (dinner and a show) at the Mark Restaurant and Bar – a two course meal and a ticket for just $30.00 per person. Call the Mark at (206) 241-6275.
• If you brought food for the food drive and bought a ticket, you could enjoy live entertainment and feel self-righteous from all of the good you are doing for the community!

by Gina Bourdage

Here are notes from Monday night’s (April 13th) Burien City Council meeting (link to PDF agenda here):

PUGET SOUND PARK REVIEW:
After receiving opposition from local councils and the city of Burien, the 5-acre Puget Sound Park will not be used for low income housing development.

“We are roughly twice the rate of affordable housing opportunity as the county,” said Burien City manager Mike Martin.

“As a city we are not against affordable housing. We welcome affordable housing, but don’t just look for areas that a current park exists and replace it,” remarked Mayor Joan McGilton.

CITY SIDEWALKS:
Doug Lamothe, Interim Public Works Director, received wholehearted support from the council on $195,000 budget arrangements for the design efforts on sidewalk installation and street overlay projects.

Current plans include installation of sidewalks on the following streets:

• SW 136th Street from Ambaum Blvd. to Des Moines Memorial Drive
• SW 154th Street
• SW 156th Street
• SW 132nd from 4th Ave to Ambaum Blvd.

Overlay of the following roads are also included in the project plans:

• Ambaum Blvd. north of 153rd Street
• SW 128th street to Des Moines Memorial Drive

Current progress is dependent on receiving additional funding from a proposed stimulus package. The improvements would create local jobs while improving the community.

ANNEXATION VOTE PROPOSED FOR AUG. 18th:
The city is working with the county clerk to establish August 18th, 2009 as the date for voters to decide on annexation.

“Annexation is a high likelihood in the not too distant future,” said city manager Mike Martin.

ZONING REVIEW:
Concerns over Burien’s zoning restrictions were brought before the Boundary Review Board by a local property owner.

Currently Burien has a R-24, meaning there can be a dwelling space of 24 units per acre of land in city boundaries.

The county has double that having zoning of R-48.

Planning staff is working on a detailed analysis between Burien’s zoning and the county’s zoning.

“We will begin working with planning commission when we have all of the needed information,” said Scott Greenberg, Community Development Director

“I view zoning as a one way valve, you can go up but you cannot go down. It affects people’s property rights and is not the moral thing to do,” said Councilmember Gordon Shaw.

CLEAN SWEEP REMINDER:
The council wishes to remind business owners and others that Burien annual Clean Sweep is Saturday, April 25th, with broader “garbage acceptance” than what has been previously allowed.

On Tuesday morning (April 14th), workers from Western Neon in Seattle installed new signs at “Burien Press,” a soon-to-be-opened coffeeshop/newstand located at 423 SW 152nd, next door to the Australian Pie Company and across from the new town square, city hall and library.

Owner Mark Kerns has been busy over the last few months doing a major renovation, turning the former tattoo parlor space into a coffeeshop/newsstand, which he hopes to open sometime in May. The glass windows on the front were installed by Wakefield Glass, a Burien company.

Kerns promises a “european-style” coffeeshop where visitors can relax, have meetings and enjoy free wi-fi, pastries, coffee and magazines from around the world.

Burien Press already has website up, but with only the logo posted.

Stay tuned to The B-Town Blog for more news as the opening gets closer.

It’s “Spring Training” time at BTB Advertiser Highline Athletic Club, which is celebrating this Saturday, April 18th with an incredible one-day grand slam of a special – NO ENROLLMENT FEES!

On Saturday, the HAC basketball court will be taken over for a FREE launch of GroupX (that’s Group Exercise), spring music and routines.

That’s right, you can experience the music and routines at no charge whether you’re a member or not. Fact is if you’re not a member, Saturday would be a perfect time to join, because there will be ZERO, NADA, NOTHING charged to join the Highline Athletic Club this Saturday only.

Here’s what you have to do get this amazing special:

1. Show up Saturday, April 18th and take one of the free demo GroupX Classes (schedule below)
   
2. After class, just enroll and everything that HAC has to offer will become yours (in addition to GroupX classes, there’s basketball, pickle ball, swimming pool, tanning…you name it, and HAC has it).

The schedule is as follows. Get there early and enjoy several classes, swimming or Salsa. The fun starts at 7:30am and runs ‘til 10:40am:

7:30-8:30am: Everyone finishes first in Group Ride®! Pedal in groups, roll over hills, chase the pack, climb mountains and spin your way to burning calories and strengthening your lower body. This normally 60-minute cycling program is geared for anyone that can ride a bike. Motivating music, awesome instructors and an inspiring group environment lets you Ride On!

8:00-8:35am: Group Kick® brings it on! This electric 60 minute fusion class of martial arts and boxing movements will kick your cardio fitness to the next level while defining and shaping your body and self confidence! Energetic music, awesome instructors and a group environment will keep you punching, kicking and smiling! Group Kick will knock you out!

8:45-9:20am: Group Power® is your hour of power! This normally 60-minute barbell program strengthens all your major muscles in an inspiring, motivating group environment with fantastic music and awesome instructors. Group Power is for all ages and fitness levels. Discover results, discover Group Power!

9:30-10:00am: Discover new heights with Group Step®! Utilizing the step in many positions and heights, this compelling normally 60-minute cardio program strengthens and shapes the lower body one step at a time. Energetic music and motivating instructors create this spunky group experience. Step this way with Group Step.

10:10-10:40am: Redefine yourself with Group Centergy®. Grow longer and stronger as you explore this regularly 60-minute journey of yoga and Pilates movements. Positive uplifting music, group dynamics and supportive instructors will enable you to center your energy, reduce stress and even smile. Discover Group Centergy!

And for good measure Highline Athletic Club has included two additional, very popular group classes: Salsa and Aqua Lite:

7:30-8:00am: Salsa lets you boogie to a Latin beat, while providing a solid cardio workout with a Latin flavor. Steps are broken down for all fitness and coordination levels.

8:00-9:00am: Aqua Lite is a great way to get an aerobic workout and tone muscles in a non-impact environment. Foam dumbbells and other devices are used to add resistance and intensity. Please advise your instructor if you are not a swimmer. The pool is 4.5 feet deep.

To repeat, all you have to do to take advantage of this grand slam of a special is:

• This Saturday, April 18th, take one free GroupX class listed above
  
• March over to the reception area and enroll/signup for membership
  
• Say you’re there because you read about the Zero initiation fee on The B-Town Blog (not required but hey, why not give us a plug?)
  
• Enjoy your newfound savings and health club!

Highline Athletic Club is located at 125 South 156th in Burien, and their phone number is 206-246-9000:

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Despite tough economic times, interest rates are low, you can get tax credits, and home prices continue to drop, so believe it or not – now is a good time to buy a home, and this Saturday, April 18th there will be a free Home Buying Class at the Burien Library from 10am to 11am.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Opportunity Knocks: A Home Buying Class”

WHEN: Saturday, April 18th from 10am — 11am

WHERE: Burien Library, located at 14700 6th Avenue SW

INFO: In this class you’ll learn:

• Current market conditions
• Steps in the home buying process
• How to negotiate price, terms & conditions
• What’s in a credit report
• How to improve a credit report
• Loan approval process

RSVP: Pre-registration required; call 206-419-6950. More info at this meetup website.

We offer a first-place, award-winning handshake welcome to our latest Advertiser: Burien Trophy!

Burien Trophy has a long history of community involvement here in town, getting its start about four decades ago.

Susan Hillard, who owned the shop since the early 1990’s, sold it last year to her most trusted employee, Angie Coy-Jackson.

And Angie in turn realized she had no better assistant to have on board than Susan herself, who now holds down the fort from time to time.

They make a great team.

Speaking of teams, Burien Trophy revolves around sports and team activities, including work, corporate and civic groups.

Here’s just a short list of their products and services:

• Award certificates
• Custom engraved signs
• Name plates and badges
• Ribbons
• Achievement and recognition medals
• Plaques
• Pens, clocks and gavels
• Sandblasting
• Trophies (of course) for all occasions

They specialize in laser engraving.

“We are very customer oriented,” Angie said. “We customize and personalize our products for every order. Come in or call and let us know what you need.”

Angie and her husband keep busy with their daughter, Audajha, a student at Highline High School.

“We all love to go bowling and roller skating,” Angie says.

Angie’s husband, Sergeant Guy Jackson, commutes to Fort Lewis every work day, serving in the 1st Special Forces Group Airborne.

On that random and rare day when they have a couple hours to spare, Angie and her husband jump on their motorcycle and, well, just go.

“I just sit on the back and hold on for dear life,” she says, “because my feet won’t reach the ground!”

Burien Trophy moved to their current location about a year ago. They have a great shop on the south side of SW 153rd, very near fellow B-Town advertiser E.B. Foote Winery.

See the map below and stop in anytime!

Burien Trophy
213 SW 153rd Street
Burien, WA 98166
phone 206-246-5371

Hours:

• Monday – Friday 10am to 5:30pm

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by Scott Schaefer

That’s New York Times best-selling Author Robert Dugoni above on the left, along with Burien businessman Dan House, right. Dugoni has incorporated the Burien area into his latest novel, “Wrongful Death,” including this pivotal scene set in House’s The Tin Room:

Dugoni will be celebrating his creative ties to Burien with a reading and book-signing party at The Tin Room at 6pm on Wednesday, May 6th.

We recently caught up with Dugoni, along with longtime Burien resident and businessman Dan House (aka “Dan the Sausageman,” and yes, his name was purposely misspelled in the book as “Hause”), and spoke with both about Burien, writing, and the importance of using authentic locations in a story.

House asked Dugoni why he chose to set the novel’s main character David Sloane’s home in Burien, and why he included The Tin Room.

“Burien is a very interesting place,” Dugoni said as he sipped an iced tea. “On one hand you’ve got this relatively remote, rich area with gorgeous views and beautiful waterfront homes, while just up and over the hill there are pockets of poverty. I just love the contrast, and the possibilities it allows for a mystery are tremendous.”

Another reason Dugoni may have decided to include The Tin Room could be because it’s located next to House’s other retail business, “Dan the Sausageman.”

“One time I was driving through Burien and I saw this odd red neon sign that said ‘Dan the Sausage‘ and I just had to stop,” Dugoni laughed. “I parked, went inside and spoke with an older woman (Dan’s Mom Chirlee) who pointed out that the sign actually read ‘Sausageman‘ but because it was bent to go around a corner it looked like it only said ‘Dan the Sausage.’ I thought that was very unusual. Then I ate at The Tin Room and that was it.”

Dugoni, who makes his home in Kirkland, has family ties in Burien and often spends summer days down on the beach at Three Tree Point. This is his third novel, with the previous two being “The Jury Master” and “Damage Control.”

Here’s the synopsis for Wrongful Death, along with some early reviews:

Acclaimed attorney David Sloane (from the New York Times Bestseller, The Jury Master) agrees to take on a wrongful-death claim with a strong emotional tug. Beverly Ford, the widow of a national guardsman killed in Iraq is convinced her husband perished under nefarious circumstances. Sloane soon learns that established case law makes the prospect of victory over the federal government nearly impossible. When Sloane discovers that other members of Ford’s platoon have died under suspicious circumstances since returning to the U.S., he suspects a conspiracy to conceal the truth. In a battle for justice, Sloane must keep himself, and those he loves, from becoming the next casualties.

Mixing the suspense of a Grisham legal thriller with the political angle of a Baldacci. Dugoni is knocking on the A-list thriller door.
- Booklist

Page-turning action…
- Publishers Weekly

An entertaining thriller. Good guys to like, villains to hiss, windmills to attack.
- Kirkus

And here’s a publicity video produced for publisher Simon & Schuster that showcases some Burien areas – see if you can identify any:

Here’s Dugoni’s bio:

Robert Dugoni was born in Pocatello, Idaho and raised in Burlingame, California. Growing up the middle child in a family of ten siblings, Dugoni jokes that he didn’t get much of a chance to talk, so he wrote. By the seventh grade he knew he wanted to be a writer.

Dugoni wrote his way to Stanford University where he majored in communications/journalism and creative writing and worked as a reporter for the Stanford Daily. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and worked briefly as a reporter in the Metro and San Gabriel Valley Offices of the Los Angeles Times before deciding to attend the UCLA law school. Dugoni practiced law full-time in San Francisco as a partner at the law firm, Gordon and Rees and is currently of counsel for a law firm in Seattle.

While practicing law he satisfied his artistic thirst studying acting at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, appearing in equity and non-equity shows throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. His longing to return to writing never wavered, however, and in 1999 he made the decision to quit the full-time practice of law to write novels. On the 4-year anniversary of his wedding, he drove a u-haul trailer across the Oregon-Washington border and settled in Seattle to pursue his dream.

For the next three years, Dugoni worked in an 8 x 8 foot windowless office in Seattle’s Pioneer Square to complete three novels, two of which won the 1999 and 2000 Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association Literary Contests.

The Big Burien Bunco Blowout is a fundraiser event for the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life, and is coming to BTB Advertiser El Dorado West on Saturday, April 25th starting at 6:30pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: The Big Burien Bunco Blowout, a fundraising evening of Bunco including dinner and great prizes.

WHEN: Saturday, April 25th starting at 6:30pm

WHERE: El Dorado West Retirement Community, located at 1010 SW 134th Street (SW 134th at Ambaum Blvd.) in Burien (map below)

INFO: Join us for a fast paced evening of Bunco! This is our 2nd annual Burien Bunco Blowout to support the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life. Tickets are just $20.00 and include entry into the game with a chance to win a great vacation getaway and other fabulous prizes. Tickets also include dinner and refreshments through out the evening.

CONTACT: Contact Sarah or Laurie at 206-248-1975 to purchase your tickets. Seating is limited so call early for this fun event!

See the full event details at www.meetup.com.

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It was announced Monday that Puget Sound Park, located near SW 126th and First Ave South in White Center, is no longer under consideration as a housing site.

“I was pleased to learn today that Puget Sound Park has been removed from consideration as a demonstration project site for King County’s Sustainable Communities and Affordable Housing program,” King County Council Chair Dow Constantine said. “I support efforts to create needed additional workforce housing in our communities. At the same time, our public parks—both active and passive—are valuable assets to their surrounding neighborhoods and King County that must be preserved and enhanced whenever possible.”

Puget Sound Park is located in the North Highline district of unincorporated King County, and will be part of the annexation area for the city of Burien, should the annexation vote be approved this summer.

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And the nominees are..

Nancy Paré, Executive Director of Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence has announced the nominees for the 2009 Highline Gold Star Awards.

Over 40 educators, volunteers and classified personnel were nominated by fellow educators, parents, citizens and students in the following classifications:

• Outstanding Administrator/Principal
• Outstanding Teacher
• Outstanding Volunteer
• Outstanding Classified Employee

If you want to see if you, a friend, a neighbor, a relative or your favorite principal/teacher were nominated, just click here.

The winners will be selected by a volunteer committee that has been selected to review the Gold Star nominations and make recommendations as to who will be the winners in each category. The committee consists of a Highline School District representative, a Foundation Board representative, a Retired Teachers Association representative, and a PTSA representative. The committee is staffed by the Foundation Executive Director. The committee will be reviewing the submitted nominations materials and meeting early next week for decision making.

Stay tuned to the BTB as we will be announcing the winners next week.

The winners will be honored at the Gold Star Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tukwila, coming up on May 29th. The Master of Ceremonies will be local funnyman John Keister, former Host of KING TV’s “Almost Live!“, local celebrity bald guy and former co-worker of the publisher of this here blog (EDITOR’S NOTE: whatever you do, don’t say this to John in an overly-enthusiastic voice: “Successful succession of successful success!“).

For more information on how you can attend this luncheon, please contact the foundation at 206-248-5196.

The Highline Schools Foundation Gold Star Benefit luncheon is sponsored by Boeing, BECU and Rogers and Norman.

Highline Schools Foundation mission is to “provide community resources to help Highline Public Schools Succeed. By enriching the classroom and school experience, we can engage students to reach a higher level.” Since 2001 the foundation has distributed over $250,000 to the 32 schools in the Highline District. Donors include corporate, foundations and private citizens.

by Jack Mayne

A small group of residents are continuing their efforts to have the city of Burien purchase for a public park a recently rezoned portion of the Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center property on Lake Burien.

The area was rezoned last December, so the Dykeman Center can sell it to improve its revenue structure during the current economic downturn. When approached by the group calling itself the Committee to Free Lake Burien, Dykeman’s CEO said the center would not sell the land for a park.

Lake Burien is well known to long-term residents of the city but newer residents are likely to ask, “There is a lake in Burien?” That is because the lake is completely surrounded by private homes with no public access to it.

Under federal law, all lake shores the size of Lake Burien are considered public, but the sticking point is getting to the lake across private property.

The rezoned land, apparently for sale at some time in the future, would not include public access to the lake, which is vehemently opposed by owners of the property surrounding Lake Burien,

A flier by area resident Lee Moyer says the property should be purchased as a lake front park.

“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the City of Burien to gain a park on Lake Burien for the benefit of all the citizens of Burien,” said Moyer. “It will add to the value of the residences in the area, the Town Center and the businesses in Olde Burien. It is a difficult time financially, but with dedicated money available and a depressed real estate market, it is also a bargain for the City of Burien.”

He suggests that there may be money available from King County park bond funds and possibly other sources, despite the financial crisis.

Emelie McNett lives in a blue-collar area of North Burien and has been a resident of Burien for 35 years, native plant steward, watershed steward, former Burien Park Board member and current member of the Shoreline Advisory Committee.

“I am particularly interested using the rezoned Ruth Dykeman property as a Burien Park,” she says. “Many low income Burien residents live less than a mile from the water but are denied access because of the barrier of private property. A pocket park on Lake Burien would help mitigate this lack of access.”

The city just is not interested at all.

“We are not interested,” said City Manager Mike Martin. “We have not discussed it. We have no money.”

So, what do you think? Please answer our Poll below:

[Sunrise & Rainbow Photos courtesy Gregory Rehmke]

It appears that the airplane laser-pointer has returned, this time Saturday night (4/11) as Alaska Airlines flight #469 was targeted around 8:20pm as it was landing at SeaTac Airport.

This makes over 20 laser incidents since February.

A Burien man was briefly arrested then released last month. He was alleged to have “accidentally” pointed a laser while at a party, but no charges were ever filed.

The investigation is ongoing, and despite our “exclusive interview” with “Laser Floyd” on April Fool’s Day, there are no concrete leads.

Keep in mind though that pointing a laser at an airplane is not a joke – it’s a felony.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Laser Pointer Culprit Is Back In Action NW Of Airport
• Burien Man Charged With “Lasering” Is Released
• UPDATE: Laser Suspect Was “Playing Around” At Party
• Police Arrest Burien Resident For Airplane Laser Incidents

OUR APRIL FOOL’S FAKE INTERVIEW:

• EXCLUSIVE:B-Town Blog Interviews Laser-Pointing Culprit

The King County Sheriff’s Office announced Sunday that they have arrested the fourth and final suspect in last week’s brazen shooting in SeaTac, with all alleged shooters now in custody.

The 21 year-old Kent man showed up at the jail Saturday night (April 11th) accompanied by his lawyer.

The shooting that precipitated these arrests occurred about 4pm on Tuesday, April 7th when a 2000 Cadillac was ambushed as it waited at a red light at South 188th and International Blvd. At least 20 rounds were fired into the car from an AK-47-type rifle as the gunman stood near the sidewalk. The driver was critically injured and the front seat passenger sustained serious injuries from several gunshot wounds.

The driver remains at Harborview, clinging to life.

The first to be arrested was the getaway driver, age 20 from Seattle. He was hit by a pistol round-to-the-groin as the car left the scene. Detectives believe he was shot accidently by one of the other persons in the car. He was released from Harborview and booked into jail on April 9th.

Another suspect was arrested in Burien on April 10th. He is a 21 year-old SeaTac man.

A 21 year-old Seattle man was arrested in central Idaho, also on April 10th. He is awaiting extradition.

Charges for all four are expected next week. In the meantime, bail was set at $2,000,000 each for Attempted Murder.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Three Out Of Four SeaTac Shooters Arrested, One In Burien
• VIDEO: Security Cam Footage From SeaTac Shooting

by Janet Grella

Thanks to the 5K run “Cove to Clover” on March 15 and January’s “Empty Bowls” fundraiser, the Highline Food Bank has more monetary funding than anticipated.

“Cove to Clover,” which started at the Cove in Normandy Park and ended at BTB Advertiser Mick Kelly’s raised over $12,000 in cash for the food bank.

“Empty Bowls” at the Moshier Community Center raised nearly $11,000, which was $3,000 more than the 2008 fundraiser.

“The community has been awesome as far as donations,” Executive Director Mike Werle told BTB.

However, there is some bad news – actual food donations are down, while the number of families served has increased by 27%, from 720 per month to 900.

So what does the Highline Food Bank need?

Baby food.

Yes – baby food!

That’s what Mike and his local families would like to see more of (especially the ones with hungry babies).

Normandy Park’s QFC has been a drop-off point for the food bank for many years. Now Mike has added Page 2 Books as a local drop-off point. Co-owner Gayle Collins delivers a grocery cart full of food every Tuesday. Page 2 has many customers as well as non-customers who drop food off every week. If you’d like to help our Highline Food Bank, please deliver some non-perishable food at Page 2 after 10am Monday-Saturday at 15706 1st Ave South in Burien. You just may find a good mystery or classic book to read while you’re there.

If you and your business wants to help collect food or have a fundraiser for the food bank, call Mike at 206-433-9900 and he’ll be happy to have your participation as a Highline Food Bank drop-off point or bring a barrel to your fundraiser.

Mike is looking forward to the National letter carriers food drive on May 9th. Every year our Highline Food Bank receives 20,000-30,000 pounds of food from Burien neighbors.

BTB will keep you posted on this event, so stay tuned…

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The King County Sheriff’s Department announced Friday that they have arrested three of the four persons they believe are responsible for a brazen, rush-hour shooting in SeaTac on Tuesday April 7th.

One suspect, age 21, was arrested Friday morning in Burien by detectives.

Two people were wounded in the shooting, one critically.

The driver of the getaway car, age 20, was arrested that day after he was dropped off at Riverton Hospital shortly after the incident. He had sustained a “very serious” gunshot wound to his groin area inflicted when one of his cohorts accidentally fired off a pistol he was holding.

The third suspect, 21, was detained in Idaho just before noon by local authorities. Sheriff’s detectives are currently in route to interview him.

Detectives are still investigating the case in hopes of positively identifying and locating the 4th suspect.

The shooting that precipitated these arrests occurred about 4pm on Tuesday, April 7th when a 2000 Cadillac was ambushed as it waited at a red light at South 188th and International Blvd in SeaTac. Numerous rounds were fired into the car from an AK-47-type rifle as the gunman stood near the sidewalk. The driver was critically injured and the front seat passenger sustained serious injuries from several gunshot wounds. Both remain at Harborview.

Three people were seen on this security video getting into the Taurus, driven by a fourth man, immediately after the shooting:

Charges for those arrested are expected next week.

John F. Kennedy High School, which has made Burien its home for over 42 years, will be holding its annual KATCH Auction over two nights: Friday April 24th and Saturday, April 25th at the JFK Gymnasium.

KATCH stands for Kennedy Action Toward Christian Heritage, and is an annual benefit auction extravaganza in support of Kennedy High School. Tuition covers only a portion of the expense of providing the superior academic, athletic, artistic and spiritual education that Kennedy offers. The additional funds generated by KATCH are a major component of Kennedy’s capacity for excellence.

Each evening will feature silent and live auctions, excellent food, great raffles and a gym transformed into “An Evening with the Stars.”

Both Friday and Saturday evening are a great time for guests to mingle with friends, network with clients, and most importantly, show their support for the outstanding work Kennedy is doing.

Friday night, April 24th, will be a casual, family event. Packages are designed to meet every budget and special attention is given to items that will appeal to families. Admission is free and no reservations are required.

The evening of Saturday, April 25th will be Hollywood style semi-formal, with a delicious sit-down dinner and a full live auction.

Reservations are required.

KATCH is the biggest social fundraising event on the Kennedy calendar and tables fill fast for this entertaining evening.

The auction is a time for the Kennedy community to come together and demonstrate its commitment to this institution. Many hours of dedicated volunteer work lead up to two nights of food, entertainment and the satisfaction of making a difference.

Tickets are $75 per person, and can be bought online safely and securely here, or by calling the KATCH Office at 206.246.5212 x399 or via email: KATCH@KennedyHS.org.

SOME ITEMS UP FOR BID:

Vacations:

• Cabo
• Mazatlan
• Palm Springs
• Reno

Experiences:

• A Gentlemen’s Poker Party
• Whiskey Table at the Rainier Club
• Coach for a Game
• Private Rooftop Party
• Attend Tice Ranch Retreat with Fr. Spitzer
• Father B’s Fish Fry
• Dinner with Mariners Manager Don Wakamatsu
• Beach Bash
• More…

Other items:

• Take home an Xbox Package
• Outdoor Fireplace
• Diamond Bracelet
• Wine Rack
• Sports Tickets

For a student you know, give them the gift that keeps on giving:

• Reserved Parking
• Jeans Monday for the 2009-10 school year

There will also be Tuition Raffle Tickets sold for ONE free tuition for a JFK student during the 2009-10 school year. Each ticket sells for only $100, and there are only 500 tickets available.

The winner will be drawn at the KATCH Family Night Auction on Friday, April 24. Winner need not be present to win, but if the winner is present, they will receive a BONUS $250 UW Bookstore Gift Certificate.

For more information, go to the KATCH website or download a PDF with full details.

We’re always scouring the internets for humor to share with our Readers, and today we present to you a locally relevant yet unusual Craigslist Ad from a Des Moines resident seeking help potty training his Mom’s poodle.

So if you’re a local dog pottyer/whisperer, feel free to email Jacob and give him a hand (er, make that a glove):

Can anyone potty train my Mom’s Poodle????? Please Help. (Des Moines, WA)

Reply to: comm-zxjgk-1116431995@craigslist.org
Date: 2009-04-10, 12:52PM PDT

Hello,

I am posting this ad because my Mom has a Mini Poodle that she loves dearly.

There is only one problem.

We got the poodle when he was only 4 months old and she has not had time to potty train him.

I would do it for her, but for some reason the dog doesn’t like me.

So here I am posting this as to see if anyone out there can take the dog for a while, house train him then give him back.

If you can do this, how much would you charge us to do it? Please get back to me and let me know.

I look forward to hearing from you.

- Jacob

If you haven’t yet subscribed to our Free Weekly Event Newsletter, sign up today, and you’ll receive a regular spam-free event listing every Thursday via a spam-free email that goes something like this:

FRIDAY, APRIL 10th:
FREE TAX HELP ENDS, HIGHLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1pm – 7pm (last client at 6:15pm): Today (Fri. 4/10) is the last day to receive complimentary tax help from HCC student volunteers, who have studied and received income tax preparation certification from both AARP and IRS. This is for non-complex 2008 income tax returns. Bring your patience and plan for at least one hour. More info here.

ELMER’S PUB, 15027 Ambaum Blvd SW, 439-1007
9:30pm+: Live Music with Kick Start! NO COVER! ROCK! BEER! FOOD! DANCING! DARTS! POOL! FUN!

MICK KELLY’S IRISH PUB, 435 SW 152nd, Burien, 246-2473
10pm+: Live DJ, 80s night, dancing, NO COVER! Irish accents + Guinness on tap! More info here: www.mickkellysirishpub.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 11th:
“EGGSTRAVAGANZA” BUNNY BREAKFAST/EGG HUNT, BURIEN COMMUNITY CENTER
9am: Burien Parks and the Burien Lions Club present their annual “Eggstravaganza” Bunny Breakfast and Spring Egg Hunt starting at 9am with a pancake breakfast, followed at 11am with an (unscrambled) egg hunt. $3 for the breakfast; $3 for Bunny Photos and the Egg Hunt is FREE! Full details here.

MILLER CREEK APPRECIATION DAY & STREAM TOUR
9am: Miller/Walker Basin Steward Dennis Clark recently spotted a wild otter in Miller Creek, and he thinks that you “otter” help clean it up this Saturday. Cleanup begins at 9am followed by an exclusive stream tour at 11am. More details here.

EASTER EGG HUNT, GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, DES MOINES
10am-Noon: Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines is holding a FREE Community Easter Egg Hunt at their campus at 22975 24th Ave South in Des Moines. There will be an Espresso Cart, Free Muffins and Juice, Veggie Tales Movie, Face Painting, Helium Balloons, Crafts, Games, and more! Full details here.

VINO BELLO WINE TASTING, $10
Noon-8pm: Liberty Bay Cellars, Theo Chocolate tasting, $10
5pm: Live Music w/JD Hobson; more info here: http://www.vinobello.com

BENEFIT CONCERT & ART SHOW, THREE TREE COMMUNITY CHURCH
4PM+: Three Tree Community Church is holding a Benefit Community Concert and Art Show benefiting the Des Moines Food Bank this Saturday, April 11th, starting at 4pm at their campus at 16261 First Ave South in Burien.   More info here.

“COLORAMA” BOWLING, HI-LINE LANES, 244-2272 BURIEN
7-10pm: “Colorama” bowling, a fun, active and funky thang to do, and it beats Wii Bowling anyday! 15733 Ambaum Blvd SW

LIVE MUSIC, 909 COFFEE & WINE, OLDE BURIEN
8:30pm: Live Music with Rhythm Suite, NO COVER CHARGE! 909 is located at 909 SW 152nd Street in Olde Burien; (206) 243-7909

MICK KELLY’S IRISH PUB, 435 SW 152nd, Burien, 246-2473
9pm+: Irish accents + Guinness on tap! More info here: www.mickkellysirishpub.com

BARREL TAVERN, 11501 First Ave South, Burien, 244-7390
9pm+: Karaoke night! LIVE MUSIC! NO COVER! Read our review here.

ELMER’S PUB, 15027 Ambaum Blvd SW, 439-1007
9:30pm+: Live Music with Kick Start! NO COVER! ROCK! BEER! FOOD! DANCING! DARTS! POOL! FUN!

SKWISH PLAYS LIVE AT McMURPHY’S PUB, WHITE CENTER
9:30pm+: BTB faves Skwish rock McMurphy’s Pub, located at 11069 16th Ave SW; phone #: 206-431-1916. See a video of Luke from Skwish doing a solo at one of our fundraisers here.

80s FOR THE LADIES NIGHT, BUTLER BAR & GRILL, DES MOINES
10pm-Close: Des Moines’ happenist bar presents 80s Ladies Night every Saturday with DJ Travis Baker spinning 80s music that you can actually dance to. More info at www.butlerbar.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 12th:
IT’S EASTER – GO TO CHURCH/MEDITATE, FIND SOME EGGS, DO SOME GARDENING, DO YOUR LAUNDRY, ENJOY YOUR FAMILY!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

TUESDAY, APRIL 14th:
STEPS TO FINDING A CAREER IN A DOWN ECONOMY,” HIGHLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2pm-3:30pm: In times like these, it pays to go to every free job-related seminar you can find, especially this one at Highline Community College. More info here.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15th (TAX DAY!):
HIGHLINE SCHOOL FINE ARTS WORKSTUDY
6pm: Come to an important Highline School Board meeting about saving the Fine Arts Programs at the ERAC Offices (next to Hi-Line Lanes bowling alley, across from Azteca), located at 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW in Burien. More info from Sandra Locklear here.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19th:
BOWL IN YOUR PAJAMAS TO HELP FOSTER KIDS
Sleep Country USA’s fourth-annual “Pajama Bowl” fundraiser for foster kids will be held on Sunday, April 19th at Acme Bowl and Billiards in Tukwila. More info here.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19th:
JAKE’S CREW NIGHT FUNDRAISER, BUTLER BAR & GRILL, DES MOINES
6pm-Close: Des Moines’ Butler Bar & Grill will host a Jake’s Crew Night, and a portion of all Sales & Tips will be donated to support the Walk to Cure Diabetes. In addition, they will be taking donations the entire week of April 13th leading up to Saturday the 18th. So spread the word and encourage people to visit the Butler for appetizers, dinner, drinks and more! More info at www.butlerbar.com

SATURDAY, MAY 2nd:
HIGHLINE VINTAGE JAZZ FESTIVAL, PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
2pm-5pm/7pm-10pm: Burien Arts is holding its first annual Highline Vintage Jazz Festival at the Highline Performing Arts Center. Tickets are just $20 per show or $35 for a full-day pass for this new all-day music fest, which will feature two 3-hour performances with some of the region’s most well-known jazz musicians playing Dixieland, swing, solo stride piano, gypsy jazz and more! More info here, including videos of some of the artists as well as ticket info.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

• We know we haven’t included everything going on in the area, so we need your help! If you’re aware of an event we should list in an upcoming Newsletter or on the B-Town Blog, please email Scott directly at: editor@b-townblog.com and we’ll post it! Thanks!
• The B-Town Blog is actively looking for Writer/Reporters as well as Sales Reps! These are Independent Contractor positions – Writers are paid per piece (or you can volunteer!) and Sales Reps earn a very healthy Commission! Email editor@b-townblog.com your resume/samples/links and let’s talk!

“Clean Sweep,” Burien’s annual spring cleaning event, is planned for Saturday, April 25th, starting at 8am at the fire station on 8th Ave SW.

Citizens are encouraged to join this effort to improve the appearance of the downtown area and neighborhoods by picking up trash and other debris along streets, sidewalks and parks.

Volunteers are asked to report to the Burien Fire Station, located at 15100 8th Ave. SW (map below) at 8am, where they can enjoy a free continental breakfast and then head out to the community to clean, pick up trash, remove graffiti and more.

At Noon the crews return to the fire station for a hot dog lunch and raffle with prizes donated by area businesses. The event ends at 1:00 p.m.

Last year 7.61 tons of garbage was collected.

Participants should bring their own tools, gloves and, if needed, rain gear.

Call Discover Burien at (206) 433-2882 for more information.

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by Mark Neuman

We had a wonderful time catching up recently with our friend Dr. Arun Jhaveri, the first mayor of Burien.

We first met Dr. Jhaveri about a year ago, when The B-Town Blog was just “being born.”

The ensuing article lived on as the most read item on our site for many months thereafter.

He’s a fascinating man, born in Bombay (now Mumbai). He and his wife still live in Burien, and he swims every day to stay in shape.

While he’s currently “semi-retired,” he recently co-authored a book, and is being considered for a post in President Obama’s administration.

How have things been lately?, we asked Dr. Jhaveri, who served as mayor for six years, starting when Burien officially became a city in 1992.

“Never a dull moment,” he told us. “I’m supposed to be semi-retired but my sense is that as long as I am physically and mentally active I want to do something both for me personally as well as for the community and professionally.”

Dr. Jhaveri, a physicist and mechanical engineer, earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seattle University, and, early on, worked for Boeing on the development of the 727, 737 and 747 aircrafts prior to their FAA certification.

Still as scholarly and worldly as ever, he will speak at a conference in Paris, France later this month, and his book, “Carbon Reduction: Policies, Strategies and Technologies,” will be released this month as well (Fairmont Press, Georgia).

While he has published lots of technical papers and, of course, a doctoral dissertation, “this is my first formal book. It is something I believe in.”

Available now for advance ordering through Amazon.com, the book serves as a “clear, concise, succinct and practical action plan handbook,” Dr. Jhaveri told us.

He co-authored the book with long time colleague and fellow engineer Dr. Stephen Roosa.

“This is a great book for engineers, architects and decision makers at the local, state and federal levels, government leaders and practicing energy managers,” Dr. Jhaveri said. “We have done the research for them and put it together in an easily accessible manner. It is full of step-by-step recommendations to create an action plan for carbon reduction in any community.”

“Meanwhile, I have been invited by the Alliance to Save Energy, based in Washington, D.C., to speak later this month (April 2009) in Paris, France at the Energy Efficiency Global Conference,” Dr. Jhaveri told us. “I will speak to and meet energy and environment experts from all over the world. This is quite an honor and a privilege for me.”

Dr. Jhaveri is being considered for a position in the Obama Administration.

“While I am not actively campaigning for the job, (Ninth District) Congressman Adam Smith, who I’ve known for several years, has been very helpful in putting my name in the consideration process.”

The position is Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. If selected, Dr. Jhaveri would work primarily out of the nation’s capital.

“I told Congressman Smith, I am doing this not because of money or power. I want to do it as part of my public and community service and if I can help the Obama Administration with very bold actions in terms of energy, environment and sustainability, then I’m willing to do that.”

Dr. Jhaveri recently developed and completed a “holistic strategic plan for the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the country,” with 700,000 students, a budget of $11 billion and 800 existing buildings with 200 new ones in the design and building stages.

The plan covers energy, environment, recycling, resource conservation, sustainable development, renewable energies, use of solar and wind for the whole school district including the design and construction of new school buildings.

“I teamed up with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado with whom I’ve worked for many years,” Dr. Jhaveri explained. “The Los Angeles school board adopted all of our recommendations, and are now implementing them.”

Another opportunity recently came about quite by chance, no pun intended, in Las Vegas.

While certainly not a gambler, Dr. Jhaveri attended an energy conference of engineers, which took place at the Mirage Hotel and Casino.

“One of the speakers there was the Energy Manager for the Mirage. He’s a very progressive type of person.

“He said, ‘Arun, I want to do more (to conserve energy). Can you help me?’”

Energy costs are anywhere from 15% to 20% of the operating budget for Las Vegas hotels and casinos

“And now with the economy going downhill they are concerned about their bottom line.

“So I said to the people at the Mirage ‘Look guys, I’m surprised you don’t take advantage of your 365 days of summer.’

“I put together a plan for them to use solar power, collected right there on site, using relatively little space, and a technology involving absorption chillers, to provide energy for lighting and air conditioning.”

Dr. Jhaveri gave them the proposal and they accepted it.

“The Mirage can really take the lead on the this. The other casinos will see it’s cost effective and they will follow.

“I told them ‘if you can transform the area from Sin City into Sun City, half of your problems will be over.’ They all laughed!”

The Seattle P-I is reporting about an impending lawsuit against the Highline School District over what the mother of a deceased boy alleges as a flourishing “handgun trade” at Highline High School.

Here are some snippets from the story, which you can read in full here:

The mother of a 17-year-old Seattle boy shot to death by his stepbrother has filed suit against the shooter’s family and the Highline School District, where she alleges school officials negligently allowed a handgun trade to “flourish” — a charge attorneys for the district strenuously deny.

In court papers, Lucero’s suit follows the gun used to kill her son and argues that those who failed to stop its movement — including Tautua-Jantoc — should be held responsible for Michael Miller’s death.

According to police reports filed following the shooting, Tautua-Jantoc took a Glock pistol from his father’s collection of weapons some time prior to the shooting. Thomas Baisch, an attorney for Lucero, now contends that the boy kept the gun at Highline High School for weeks before he traded it for the gun that killed Michael Miller.

Highline School District attorney Jerry Moberg disputed Baisch’s claim, saying he’s seen no evidence to support either the allegation that Tautua-Jantoc acquired the gun at the school or that school officials allowed a gun trade to “flourish.”

The B-Town Blog offers a high-volt yet relaxing welcome to our latest Advertiser: Economy Wiring and YB Tubless!

At Economy Wiring, their slogan is “Wiring more, Charging less!”

“We work on residential, commercial, new construction and remodel projects,” says owner Jay Smith. “We also offer 24 hour emergency service, seven days a week for any electrical, wiring, heating, ventilation or air conditioning issues.”

They’ve been in business since 1953. Thomas Edison once requested their advice. Just kidding on that one.

“Call us anytime at 206-244-7542. We are on call for you!”

Ask about their Furnace Tune-Up and Repair services.

Economy Wiring also offers well-built hot tubs and spas, plus accessories, for the home through their sister company YB Tubless.

Think of them as your One Stop Spa Shop.

“It is a medical fact that spas are considered to be one of the best forms of relaxation available,” say the folks at YB Tubless. “Not only are they very therapeutic, they are also recreational.”

Thinking about grilling and barbecuing this spring and summer? Check out the easy-to-use Traeger Pellet Barbecues. You’ll be stunned by their affordability.

We stopped by recently and enjoyed a mouthwatering Beef Brisket, skillfully prepared by office manager Shawn Becker. Just ask and he’ll be more than happy to guide you on “The Shawn Becker Barbecue Basics.”

Come by and say Hello to Shawn and Jay and everyone at their showroom, located next door to Hans’ Deli and just west of the brand new Ace Hardware. Look for the Coleman sign just outside their showroom, on the south side of SW 148th (see map below).

“We are also happy to be a Coleman, American Standard and Kelvinator furnace dealer,” says Shawn.

While you’re there be sure to ask about Heat N Glo gas fireplaces, too.

• • Economy Wiring Company
    
  • YB Tubless

Showroom/office hours:

• Monday through Friday: 8am to 6pm
• Saturday: 10am to 5pm
• Sunday: Closed

The offices for Economy Wiring and YB Tubless are located at 633 SW 148th Street in Burien; their phone number is (206) 244-7542:

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An Editorial by Jim Branson

On Arbor Day, the City of Burien called our attention to the beauty and value of trees by planting a dogwood in Dottie Harper Park.

This is commendable, and if it inspires people to plant appropriate trees in their own yards, it could have some long-term benefit.

We might also benefit by paying attention to the trees we’ve lost. In recent years, Burien has lost hundreds of trees, a few here, one there, a dozen more over here. These trees fall silently, when we don’t pay attention, and one might not even be aware of the gradual loss of canopy if no one takes the time to notice the missing trees. Ideally, the City of Burien should have an inventory of its trees, with notes on their health, so we can know if we are successful in being a Tree City U. S. A., as we were designated 7 years ago. This would take a coordinated effort involving arborists, but we can start by cataloguing the trees we have lost recently.

If you go to Google Maps and choose the Street View at 4th SW and SW 152nd, you can drive down memory lane and see the trees we’ve lost in that block beside the new Town Square. It was a green canopy from more than twenty trees, making a shady street, providing relief at the height of summer, and softening the big ugly box of the Dollar Tree store. Most of those large, healthy trees are gone, and it will take 30 years for that canopy to be replaced:

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Along Des Moines Way, from 156th north to the freeway, we’ve lost about a dozen large shade trees to a public works project. You can see them on the Google Maps aerial view, but they are missing at the time the street view was shot. Further south on Des Moines Way, at 176th, you’ll see a wide swath cut through the margin of a wetland. Dozens of trees were cut down for this “park,” but I have visited this site a dozen times and never seen a single person walking along this trail to nowhere. It seems more likely that the sole purpose of bulldozing those trees was for the convenience of the sewer district when they installed a new line.

At Lake Burien School Park, the large poplars were deemed healthy by the first consulting arborist, but the City found a different arborist to say they were diseased, and they cut them all down, healthy or not. Whatever the reason, we are losing trees far faster than new ones can take their places.

It’s not just public lands that feel the bite of the chainsaw. Private property owners are taking down mature trees, one by one. You don’t necessarily notice one tree missing here or there, but if you take the time to walk through your neighborhood and check, you’ll see that the missing trees add up to a substantial loss. In the Seahurst neighborhood, in the past year, at least fourteen significant, mature, healthy (as far as I could tell) trees were cut down at ten residential addresses. For the most part, these homeowners cut their trees legally, although a few in areas with steep slopes might have required a permit and might have been denied. State law prohibits the cutting of trees without a permit within a certain distance of the eagles’ nest tree in Eagle Landing Park, but those rules are confusing and enforcement is lax.

If we wanted to, instead of Arbor Day, we could celebrate Chainsaw day, and all the homeowners in Burien could cut down all their trees at once while the City mows down trees in parks and along streets. Obviously, this would be absurd and horrific. Why is it any less absurd and horrific to lose our trees one by one?

The Tree City USA website says that Burien has been a Tree City for seven years. It also says that in order to be certified as a Tree City, the city need to satisfy four requirements:

• A Tree Board or Department
• A Tree Care Ordinance
• A Community Forestry Program With an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per Capita
• An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation

As far as I can tell, the Tree Board disbanded a long time ago, and I was unable to find any reference to Burien’s Community Forestry Program or its budget (perhaps it’s a subcategory of some other budget or program). The City’s tree ordinance has a host of inadequacies, but it doesn’t even cover the majority of our trees, located on private property.

Twenty years from now, when we celebrate Arbor Day with the planting of another tree in another park, what will our urban forest look like? Without a detailed inventory, and if people don’t pay attention to this gradual loss, we might be significantly poorer in trees without even realizing it.

If you look at the King County aerial photos of Burien for 1936 and 2008, you can see, obviously, that we have lost the majority of our urban forest canopy:

For many reasons, environmental, economic, and aesthetic, it is important to reverse that loss and start increasing our canopy cover. If we don’t get serious about managing our trees collectively and offering incentives for homeowners to plant and retain trees, Arbor Day plantings will only be symbolic and futile.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Jim Branson is a longtime area resident and environmental activist. Previously, he wrote an editorial on "Earth Hour" that received quite a few Comments from Readers. What do you think of his opinion on Burien's trees? Please Comment below.

If you have an opinion about a local issue and would like to contribute, please email us.]

(THIS IS FROM 2009):

Burien Arts is holding its first annual Highline Vintage Jazz Festival on Saturday, May 2nd at the Highline Performing Arts Center, located at 401 South 152nd Street (map below).

The all-day music fest will feature two unique three-hour performances, the first from 2pm-5pm and the second from 7pm-10pm, with some of the region’s most well-known jazz musicians playing Dixieland, swing, solo stride piano, gypsy jazz and more!

Tickets to the event cost $20 per show or $35 for a full day pass, and are available through Brown Paper Tickets (<–click to order safely online).

Matinee performance musicians will include:

• The Canote Brothers as MCs
• Bulldog Brass Band (Garfield High School New Orleans style band)
• Pearl Django (Gypsy Jazz)
• The Jangles (Western Swing)
• Dina Blade (“A Tribute to Dorothy Fields”)

Evening performances boasts a seperate line-up of impressive jazz musicians including:

• Holotradband (Dixieland)


Hot Club Sandwich

• Paul Asaro (Solo stride piano)
• Hot Club Sandwich (Gypsy Jazz)
• Casey MacGill & Blue 4 Trio (Jump Swing & vocals)

The Festival will also feature:

• Outdoor musical entertainment
• Dancers
• Great food
• Raffle prizes
• Free transportation to and from local restaurants and bars (which will likely be having specials for festival-goers)
• And more!

The Highline Vintage Jazz Festival is the brainchild of Burien Arts’ board member and fixture in the local music scene, Lance Haslund. Lance is a part-time musician and lifetime lover of all music, particularly jazz. He has been promoter of small concerts in the Burien area for several years and says:

“The Highline Vintage Jazz Festival will fill a void in the local festival scene.  To my knowledge, until now the Puget Sound area has not provided a showcase for multiple styles of early jazz in one event.  As Burien emerges as one of the new vital places for the arts in the region, we pay tribute to the people who moved here and grew the community during the Big Band era, and offer a faithful rendering of the music of their youth.”

Burien Arts is a local non-profit dedicated to enriching the community by providing engaging and innovative arts programming to the Highline region and beyond. Vitally active since 1965, Burien Arts maintains a crucial role in the artistic fabric of the community. In addition to hosting the Highline Vintage Jazz Festival, Burien Arts also: runs a vibrant art gallery, manages the South King County High School Arts Program and Education Annex, supports a summer performing arts series, and partners with other arts groups, civic organizations and the City of Burien to bring exciting art installations and community festivals to the region.

Tickets to the event are available online through Brown Paper Tickets or by calling: 1-800-838-3006.

Walk-up sales can be made at Allusia in downtown Burien, located at 921 S.W. 152nd Street in Olde Burien.

For more information, please check www.burienarts.org, call 206-244-7808 or email info@burienarts.org.

To give you a taste of what kind of music you can expect, here are some audio and video clips of artists scheduled to appear:

Hot Club Sandwich “Stompin’ at KAOS”:
[display_podcast]

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The King County Sheriff’s Department released the above video Wednesday, which was taken from a security camera near the intersection of International Blvd. and South 188th Street in SeaTac, where a Tuesday shooting injured two, one critically.

Police are looking for help in identifying the suspects in the silver Ford Taurus, which can be seen about :20 seconds in.

Here are details directly from the Sheriff’s office:

The Sheriff’s Office is looking for any witnesses to yesterday’s shooting in SeaTac. Two men were wounded, one critically. In addition, a possible suspect was shot in the groin, and the circumstances surrounding that injury remain unclear.

A video is attached that shows the immediate aftermath of the shooting. The video starts just after about 20 rounds were fired from an AK-47 or similar rifle into a stopped car occupied by four people, include a 2 year-old boy.

About 8 seconds into the video the victim’s Cadillac can be seen trying to force its way through congested traffic after the shots were fired.

Then the suspect’s Ford Taurus comes into clear view as three suspects clamber back into the car and it flees northbound on International Blvd.

Detectives would like to speak with anyone who was stuck in traffic and may be able to identify the suspects.

Witnesses are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311.

Photos and Story by Janet Grella

A small group of people from the Burien Arts, city and Parks communities, as well as friends of the late Dottie Harper gathered on Wednesday in Dottie Harper Park to plant a commemorative tree in Dottie’s honor.

By proclamation of the city council, Mayor Joan McGilton proclaimed April 8th as Arbor Day in Burien. She also shared a story about Dottie and said from the parks to the arts:

“Dottie made it happen in Burien.”

Micki McNaughton of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources presented Mayor McGilton with a Tree City USA Flag Award. This is the sixth year that Burien has been acknowledged as a Tree City. The Tree City flag will hang at the Burien Community Center.

According to Michael Lafreniere, Director of Parks Recreation and Cultural Services for Burien, a city has to meet requirements from the Arbor Day Foundation to be a Tree City USA, including:

• A Tree Board Department
• A Tree Care Ordinance
• A Community Forestry Program with a minimum annual budget of $2.00 per capita (includes tree and tree related efforts)
• An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamaion

Erin Williamson of the Burien Arts Association remarked that although she never knew Dottie Harper, she has heard her called “passionate” and a “firecracker”.

The tree is a white flowering dogwood and was selected by Burien Parks as it fairly showy and will provide a great contrast with other deciduous trees in the park, according to Park Supervisor Myron Clinton.

We didn’t feel it, and we’re sure you probably didn’t either, but a small earthquake registering 1.8 on the Richter Scale struck near the Normandy Park area Wednesday morning at 6:15am.

While we don’t know what the fault was (or whose fault it was), earthquakes happen often ’round here so it’s nothing to freak out about.

Here are the details from the US Geological Service’s website:

• Magnitude 1.8
• Wednesday, April 08, 2009 at 06:15:13 AM
• Epicenter Location 47.414°N, 122.380°W Depth 17.6 km (10.9 miles) set by location program; 4 km (2 miles) SW (227°) from Normandy Park, WA * 5 km (3 miles) WNW (296°) from Des Moines, WA * 7 km (4 miles) E (92°) from Vashon, WA * 15 km (9 miles) W (272°) from East Hill-Meridian, WA * 20 km (12 miles) NNE (17°) from Tacoma, WA * 24 km (15 miles) S (188°) from Seattle, WA
• Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 4.2 km (2.6 miles); depth fixed by location program Parameters NST= 20, Nph= 20, Dmin=5 km, Rmss=0.71 sec, Gp=101°, M-type=duration magnitude (Md), Version=0 Source
• Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network Event ID uw04081315

You can also read more about this minor geological incident here.