Burien Little Theatre’s current production, a 1950s musical comedy adaptation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will end its run this weekend. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

So who cares? Why support the arts in Burien anyway? Isn’t just a way for a few people to feel good about themselves? Why help? Why now?

Well as it turns out, arts are good for business! Arts are good for Burien! Attached is a copy of an article in the most recent edition (March 2010) of The Business Report, a newspaper serving business interests in South King County.

The article, “Arts Represents a Boon to the Local Economy,” describes some of the economic benefits arts organizations provide to South King County. Three arts organizations mentioned by name in the article are the Federal Way Symphony, Burien Little Theatre and the Seattle Opera Scenic Studios. The latter is located in Renton.

As the article notes, a 2005 study by Americans for the Arts showed that nonprofit arts and culture organizations generate $166.2 billion in economic activity in a year. The ArtsFund 2003 King County Economic Impact Study reported that county-wide arts and culture were responsible for $208 million in sales, $113.4 million in labor income and $8 million in tax revenues.

As also noted in the attached article, not only does Burien Little Theatre buy locally whenever possible, 77.6 percent of BLT’s patrons go out and eat or drink before or after seeing one of Burien Little Theatre’s performances. It is about an even split between those that eat or drink before the show compared to those who eat and drink after the performance. This is business for local restaurants and bars that would not occur without the performances at Burien Little Theatre. Additionally, for many years Burien Little Theatre has partnered with the Mark Restaurant and Bar in Burien for a dinner and a show package, where patrons can combine both dinner and a performance for a reduced rate. This has been very successful.

Not mentioned in the article is Burien Little Theatre’s recently joining with the local child care service The Jungle Gym to provide child care during one of the evening performances during a run, so parents can enjoy a night out and have their children entertained, too. Once again arts helping local business, while also helping harried parents catch a little time for themselves.

Unlike sports patrons who go to a game and eat at the event, patrons at Burien Little Theatre eat at local restaurants before or after the performance. Additionally, on any given evening after a production anywhere from 10 to 40 cast members, friends and well wishers descend upon a local bar, often the Mark, to talk about the show and the next project they have going. Speaking from personal experience, money is spent, food is eaten and liquids consumed at these spontaneous arts-related events.

Not only do Burien Little Theatre’s patrons help the local economy by eating and drinking before and after the performances, Burien Little Theatre itself spends money in the local economy. Live theater takes many things: first of all theater takes a lot of space that Burien Little Theatre rents from the City and a local School District. Theatre also needs countless items to present a live production: from paint to props, from shoes to sandpaper, and everything in between. Theater must create an entire world to tell its story. To do that, Burien Little Theatre spends tens of thousands of dollars every season. Whenever possible Burien Little Theatre spends that money locally. Whether it is Ace Hardware, Fred Meyer, McLendon in White Center or Value Village and Salvation Army, Burien Little Theatre looks first to the local community to buy everything it needs to mount a production and run a nonprofit business.

Burien Little Theatre is suffering from loss of space in the near term and the long term. Approaching is the loss of the green house, which is the office and costume storage space Burien Little Theatre has rented from Burien Parks and Recreation for years. Burien Little Theatre is also facing a much bigger jump in its rent than just to cover inflation. In the long term there have been, and continues to be, discussions of Burien Little Theatre losing its performance space so the City of Burien can replace its new Community Center (the old library space) with another new Community Center located where Burien Little Theatre has performed for the last 30 years.

In a City like Burien, with strong leadership, the arts, including Burien Little Theatre, can flourish and help lead the way out of tough economic times for all of the people in Burien. The attached article and the studies mentioned within it answer the question, “Why help the arts?” The arts are a proven economic engine, one that is much needed right now.

So what can you do to help? First, go see a performance. Decide for yourself whether the local arts are worth supporting. Burien Little Theatre is not your parents’ community theatre. It is part of the suburban fringe movement, bringing to Burien bold, fun, high-quality productions of works you cannot get on a DVD or anywhere else. Check it out, enjoy yourself and support the arts at the same time.

Throughout time immemorial the arts have had patrons. Those patrons were in a financial position to help the arts thrive and grow in a way that was bigger than just ticket sales. To paraphrase William Shakespeare, “There are more things in the cost of production, Horatio, than are covered by your ticket price.”

If you are blessed enough to be in a financial position where you can give some support to the local arts community, please be generous. Help the local arts grow. Because, as the local arts community grows, the local economy will grow even in these tough economic times.

Eric Dickman, Artistic Director
Maggie Larrick, Managing Director
Burien Little Theatre

Story and Photos by Michael Brunk

When most people think of Goodwill, the first thing that likely comes to mind is that it is a great place to donate clothing and other items that you no longer need.

Or perhaps that it is a wonderful store to find bargains on those same household goods.

Few probably realize that both of those things are just an outgrowth of Goodwill’s primary purpose – to provide employment training and basic education to people that otherwise might not have those opportunities.

To educate the community about these programs, the Burien Goodwill Job Training & Education Center located on 128th Street held an open house on Thursday, March 11. Approximately 30 people attended representing local government, community colleges, area businesses and social outreach organizations.

The evening’s program focused on meeting students and instructors from the Goodwill training program and learning more about their classes and facility. The keynote speaker for the night was Jesus Argueta, an adult student who has taken advantage of the free classes provided by the training center. Mr. Argueta spoke at length about the needs that Goodwill meets and the benefits of his education.

The Burien training center consists of a classroom used for teaching English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) and a computer lab that offers courses in basic computer operation and software such as Microsoft Word. The facility has been in operation for just over a year and is already at full capacity, with waiting lists for space in the classes offered.

The evening ended with a Q&A session that answered questions about opportunities for the community to get involved. Beyond donations of clothes and household goods and financial contributions, there is always a need for volunteers and Goodwill welcomes partnering opportunities with local businesses. For more information on how you can help, visit seattlegoodwill.org/getinvolved.

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the event:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

On Thursday (Mar. 4), Highline Community College’s Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics (ITTL) announced that it had received $250,000 to provide additional job training opportunities for positions in the international trade sector.

“As our economy continues to change and adjust so too must our workforce,” said U.S. Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA). “This funding will help do just that by training Washington state workers for a career in a growing sector of our local economy – international trade.”

The project — part of the final version of the 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed by President Obama on Dec. 16, 2009 — will lead to a 20 percent increase in the number of trained ITTL workers in Washington state.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Smith secured funding for the project that will also improve the image of international trade throughout Washington state and create awareness of career and training opportunities that lead to family wage jobs.

“In these tough economic times, it is more important than ever to ensure that our workers have the skills they need to compete in the 21st century economy,” Murray said.

Positions in the ITTL sector include managers, logisticians, cargo and freight agents, shipping and receiving clerks, locomotive engineers, drivers and warehouse workers. Washington state will need nearly 77,000 new employees in ITTL by 2018, according to estimates based on data from the state’s Employment Security Department.

For more information about the Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics, visit www.ittlwa.com.

Located in Des Moines, Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,300 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include:

• Former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice
• Entrepreneur Junki Yoshida
• Washington state poet laureate Sam Green
• And yes, even BTB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer

Looks like a consultant to the City of Burien has some temporary job openings for “door-to-door census taking” in March. According to a Craigslist Ad, this is NOT a federal census job – tt is an annexation census job for the City of Burien.

The pay is said to be $12 per hour, with flexible hours and a 3-5 week contract.

Interviews will be held on Friday, March 5th from 10:30am until 2pm.

From what we can tell, the job is actually for a consulting firm called Calm River, which says on its website:

Calm River Demographics focuses on providing comprehensive census, demographic and mapping solutions for cities, counties, non-profits, universities, libraries, healthcare and human service organizations.

Here’s the exact listing from the Craigslist Ad:

Temporary Job Openings in Burien, WA – $12 per Hour

The City of Burien is conducting a door-to-door census in March, 2010. Work hours are flexible and include evenings and weekends. Work will begin on March 11 and continue for 3-5 weeks.

Applicants must be willing to go door-to-door collecting basic census information and have their own transportation.

Applicants must be able to read a basic street map, have neat handwriting, be willing to pass a drug test and show proof of car insurance. All materials and supplies will be provided.

If you are interested please e-mail your resume to Richard Miller: Rick@CalmRiver.com

Interviews will be held on Friday, March 5th from 10:30 am until 2:00 pm. No telephone calls please.

Frequently asked questions:

How much do I get paid?
$12 an hour plus mileage (pays for your gas) and all the snacks you can eat. We also give you a vest, badge, pencils, and everything you need to work for free…

Can I work only the hours I want?
Yes – you can work only the days you want

How many hours a week can I work?
Up to 40!

What hours do we work?

• Weekdays – we start at 3:00 in the afternoon and work until about 7:30 or 8:00 pm
• Saturdays – we start at 10:30 in the morning and work until about 5:30 or 6:00 pm

Is this a Federal (United States) Census Job?
This is NOT a federal census job. It is an annexation census job for the City of Burien.

How do I apply?
Just e-mail Rick@CalmRiver.com with your contact information and a resume.

Location: Burien, WA

Compensation: $12 per Hour

This is a part-time job.

Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.

Please, no phone calls about this job!

Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Email: Rick@CalmRiver.com

For more area Job listings, check out our Jobs Page, which is continually updated with local employment listings.

Nearly 100 people showed up at Kent City Hall last Saturday (Feb. 20th) to attend a Community Jobs Forum sponsored by state legislators from the 33rd district.

The informational event was meant to highlight government resources that are available to job seekers and those needing job-related training.

Participating agencies included:

• WorkSource
• Port Jobs
• Veterans Conservation Corps
• Several south King County-area community and technical colleges
• U.S. Census Bureau

Senator Karen Keiser (D – Kent ) and Rep. Tina Orwall (D – Des Moines) each gave welcoming remarks that touched on some of the job creation efforts currently under consideration in the Legislature.

“Right now, the average unemployed worker has been jobless for at least seven months,” Keiser said. “That’s an eternity when you can’t pay the mortgage or utilities and benefits are close to running out. This jobs fair was a simple, yet effective way to help people in our district establish connections and crucial job leads. There should be more. The Legislature is looking at short- and long-term approaches to get people back to work, including maintaining our commitment to job retraining programs and helping businesses stay afloat with businesses assistance programs.”

Representatives from each of the agencies in attendance also gave brief presentations about the various resources they offer, most of which is free for job seekers. As budget cuts loom within state government, many of the presenters stressed that federal dollars for worker retraining are still available, and local community colleges are eager to help dislocated workers and those needing to update their skill sets.

“Our jobs forum was not only about linking people to programs and services, but also about helping them navigate these services,” Orwall said.  “This was a way to expand resources around some of the training programs to help people get back to work; overall I think this was a very big success.”

Also present at the forum were representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau, which is in the process of hiring thousands of workers for temporary positions in Washington state to help households accurately fill out their census forms.  These jobs are extremely important because the United States constitution requires a complete population tally every 10 years, and the results determine everything from congressional representation to the amount of federal dollars allocated for things like education and transportation.

Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines), who originally came up with the idea for the Jobs Forum, was unable to attend Saturday due to illness.

“The overriding theme in the Legislature this year is jobs, but I wanted it to be more than just a buzzword,” Upthegrove said.  “I wanted to connect people with the resources that already exist here in the community.”

The 33rd Legislative District includes SeaTac, Des Moines, the west part of Kent, and parts of Burien and Normandy Park.

If you’re looking for work in the general Burien/Highline area, check out our Jobs Page, which is continually updated with job listings 24/7.

(Photos courtesy the Washington State House Democratic Caucus).

If you’re looking for a job and you’ll be in/around Tukwila this Thursday (Feb. 25th), you should clean yourself up, polish up your resume and drop by the Best Western Rivers Edge from 1pm to 5pm for a Job Fair.

Sponsored by Nationwide Job Fairs, this event will feature companies with job openings in the fields of energy, technology, education, government, health care, entertainment, services, retail, nonprofit, manufacturing and others.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Job Fair in Tukwila

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 25th from 1pm to 5pm

WHERE: Best Western Rivers Edge, located at 15901 W. Valley Hwy in Tukwila.

COST: It’s FREE!

Pre-register online here to forward your resume to all participating companies and schedule interviews in advance.

If you read The B-Town Blog regularly, you’re probably aware that, aside from providing a much-needed and timely service to the Burien area, we’re growing very quickly in both traffic, content and Advertisers (more info on us here).

And growth can be good, except of course when it starts to overwhelm a very small staff.

Hence, this posting – we’re looking for at least two capable folks to come join our Burien-based team:

1. JOURNALIST/EDITOR with Wordpress knowledge (or you’re at least not afraid to learn it). Yes, we need another Editor to collect content, format it, copy edit, add graphics (and do appropriate FTPing if necessary), then push the “Publish” button to update some of our up-and-coming blogs (we currently have 6 total, with more coming soon…).
2. SALES REP who can call on local businesses to let them know about us. We have nice Rate Cards, excellent traffic (40-50k Uniques per month on BTB alone), the websites speak for themselves, and we’re finding that Ads on here are an easy sell. We just need more feet on the ground!

Here’s some more info:

• We prefer to find local folks who live in the area.
• We like people who are involved in their communities (we’re active in ours).
• We like to find people who either read the blog already, or know of us.
• You can work part or full-time (some folks working here now have other gigs).
• You can set your own hours.
• This is a “ground-floor opportunity” and you will be part of a small, growing team.
• These are Contractor (1099) positions, meaning that you’ll be paid on an either per-job/hourly basis or pure Commission. And believe it or not, we also accept Volunteers! There are no benefits other than working with a fun, local, talented team who like to make a difference in their community.
• Your work will be seen on not just here on The B-Town Blog, but our five other area sister sites as well, including:
  • The White Center Blog
  • The Waterland Blog (for Des Moines)
  • The Normandy Park Blog
  • The Tukwila Blog
  • The SeaTac Blog

Requirements:

• Please have a computer and internet access (we’ll give you an email account).
• Please have a reliable car & valid driver’s license.
• Please have the ability to manage your clients throughout their entire Ad run on the sites (this includes staying in contact with them, renewing them when their contracts expire, etc.).
• You will work as an Independent Contractor, meaning you’ll be responsible for your own taxes, insurance, etc. and there are no additional benefits).
• You dig the internet and are excited about its future possibilities, including new technologies like the upcoming iPad.
• You like Local News, Events, Arts, Entertainment and more, as well as helping out your community(we hold our own Fundraiser Blog Parties about once per quarter, and over our 2+ year lifespan have raised over $13,000 for local charities).

To apply for one of these positions, please email us your resume, links to your online stuff (ie: Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs, etc.), and your interests and availability!

Burien Goodwill is offering FREE eight-week English and Computer classes from March 15th through May 6th, with registration from March 1-3 at its location at 1031 SW 128th.

These courses are aimed at teaching people with significant barriers to employment valuable skills needed to find and keep jobs.

This session, students who are studying English but would like to build their computer skills immediately can take a new class, ESOL Computer Basics. And to satisfy a growing demand for English classes, the Center will offer a Level 1 course as well as an additional Basic class.

Classes fill up fast, and sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis, so interested people are encouraged to sign up soon.

The center will offer the following classes:

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL):

• Basic ESOL:  Mondays and Wednesdays (three different classes: 9 to 10:30 a.m.; 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. or 6:30 to 8 p.m.)
• Level 1:  Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. NEW CLASS!
• Level 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Level 3: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
• Literacy: Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Computer Basics:

• Computer Basics: Mondays and Wednesdays (two different classes: 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 10:45 to 12:15 a.m.)
• ESOL Computer Basics 1: Mondays and Wednesdays (two different classes: 1:30 to 3 p.m. or 3:30 to 5 p.m.) NEW CLASS!
• ESOL Computer Basics 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
• Microsoft Word: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

For class availability and enrollment information, please call (206) 957-1026.

In a fast-paced legal tennis match, after briefly having its restraining order denied, a State Court of Appeals Commissioner issued a stay late Monday in STITA Cab’s lawsuit against the Port of Seattle.

This means that, pending any other legal maneuvering, the Port will not be able to sign a contract with Yellow Cab.

Earlier Monday, King County Superior Court Judge Steven Gonzalez denied a restraining order filed by STITA to block the Port from signing the contract with Yellow Cab.

The contract for on-demand taxi service at Sea-Tac airport won’t be awarded until the court determines if the Port acted illegally. Judge Gonzalez heard STITA’s case Feb. 4th, and issued his decision Monday afternoon.

STITA vowed to continue fighting. They immediately took the case to the State Court of Appeals, which agreed to issue a stay – meaning the Port cannot sign with Yellow Cab until the legal issues are resolved.

The commissioner is expected to consider the merits of the case this week.

“We’re thrilled with this late-breaking win,” said Jesse Buttar, STITA cab owner. “We know we have a case. We just want a fair shot at the airport contract.”

On Jan. 29, STITA filed a complaint asking the court to halt the Port from signing a contract that violates state law. STITA seeks a fair and legal proposal process in which all bidders can compete on a level playing field.

In 1989, STITA – a non-profit co-op with the greenest cab fleet in the country – was created by the Port of Seattle to exclusively serve the airport and provide reliable service to airport users. Now, after an unfair proposal process, STITA and its approximately 450 members and drivers will essentially be put out of business.

In its lawsuit, STITA contends the Port’s bidding process violated the state Airports Act because the Port discontinued its prior practice of charging fees to taxicabs based on the airport’s actual cost of services provided to the cabbies. Instead, it required bidders to commit to pay an unfair concession fee of at least 10 percent of their airport-based revenues. This violates the Airports Act, which says airport concession fees must be based upon the Airport’s actual cost of operations and be reasonable and uniform.

STITA contends the Port’s bidding process caused a predatory bidding war among taxi companies which not only was illegal but will be financially devastating to the King County taxi industry.

STITA’s lawsuit also contends that the Port’s new concession fee violates the King County Code, which requires the King County Council to set the taxi meter rate at a level that is “just and reasonable.” The Port’s new concession fee cuts directly into the county’s taxi meter rate and prevents cab operators from receiving the gross receipts that they legally are entitled to receive.

Despite notice from STITA protesting these glaring problems with the process and proposed contract, the Port of Seattle declined to re-do its flawed proposal and said it would sign an agreement with Yellow Cab. STITA had no recourse but legal action.

PREVIOUSLY:

On Monday (Feb. 8th), King County Superior Court Judge Steven Gonzales put up the first roadblock in a lawsuit filed by longtime Sea-Tac Airport vendor STITA Cab by denying its attempts to stop the Port of Seattle from signing a contract with Yellow Cab.

The exclusive taxicab contract was held by STITA for 20 years in a no-bid deal. After a harsh rebuke from the State Auditor over its contracting processes, the Port of Seattle issued a “Request for Proposal,” or RFP, for the first time last fall.

Yellow Cab won the award with a bid of $18.3 million, which is $8 million greater than the bid STITA submitted. Yellow Cab was named a defendant in the lawsuit, along with the Port of Seattle and other taxi associations.

In issuing the ruling, Judge Gonzales noted that the RFP allowed for prospective bidders to file complaints, or injunctions, to any portion of the RFP document; Gonzales said, “The Plaintiff had the opportunity to file a complaint during the process, and they did not. They only complained when they did not win the bid.”

Yellow Cab will have to expand to meet its new agreement and may add up to 150 taxis, which could mean transferring over some STITA drivers, according to company representatives.

Without ruling on the lawsuit’s merits, Gonzalez said that STITA’s request for an injunction was damaged by the fact that it waited until after the bidding process to object. Had STITA won the contract, it’s “inconceivable” they would’ve sought an injunction, he said.

As we reported Feb. 1st:

In its lawsuit, STITA claimed that the Port’s bidding process violated the state Airports Act, because the Port discontinued its prior practice of charging fees to taxicabs based on the airport’s actual cost of services provided to the cabbies. Instead, it required bidders to commit to pay an unfair concession fee of at least 10 percent of their airport-based revenues. This violates the Airports Act, which says airport concession fees must be based upon the Airport’s actual cost of operations and be reasonable and uniform.

STITA contends the Port’s bidding process caused a “predatory bidding war among taxi companies which not only was illegal but will be financially devastating to the King County taxi industry.”

STITA has 216 cabs, 450 drivers, and claims to have brought in $10.58 million to the Port between 2004 and 2008.

State Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Tina Orwall, both Democrats from Des Moines, along with Senator Karen Keiser (D-Kent), will host a Community Jobs Forum on Saturday, Feb. 20th from 10am to Noon at the Kent City Hall.

Stepping out of the traditional “town hall” format, the three lawmakers put together a Community Jobs Forum to give constituents an opportunity to connect with state and nonprofit agencies that do job placement, training, counseling, and similar services.

Legislators will speak briefly about state efforts to spur job creation and get the economy back on track. The rest of the event will be free time for attendees to visit tables from the participating agencies and speak one-on-one with the legislators.

Here are the details:

WHAT: 33rd District Community Jobs Forum

WHEN: Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

WHERE: Kent City Hall – Council Chambers, located at 220 Fourth Avenue South, Kent

WHO: 33rd District legislators: Rep. Dave Upthegrove, Rep. Tina Orwall and Sen. Karen Keiser.

Confirmed participating agencies include:

• WorkSource
• Port Jobs
  
• Highline CC
  
• Green River CC
  
• Renton Technical College
  
• The Veterans Conservation Corps
  
• US Census Bureau

This Community Jobs Forum is a free event, and all South King County job seekers are encouraged to attend.

The 33rd Legislative District includes SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and parts of Kent and Tukwila.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Waldref at (360) 786-7201 or Waldref.Jennifer@leg.wa.gov.

A preliminary state audit questions the Port of Seattle’s contract with the nonprofit “Port Jobs” program, and Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines) is sponsoring a bill that will make sure the program continues.

Since 1993, the private, nonprofit “Port Jobs” program has successfully matched job seekers with employers, as well as provided continuing education and job training opportunities.

“In the past decade, over 14,000 job seekers in South King County have turned to the services of Port Jobs,” Upthegrove said. “And employers know that when a candidate is referred to them through Port Jobs, that person’s qualifications have been thoroughly vetted.”

Upthegrove is sponsoring House Bill 2651, which specifically authorizes ports to support job placement and training programs that are operated by nonprofit entities. State law already authorizes port districts to contract with nonprofits for economic development. At issue is whether economic development encompasses workforce development.

“Port Jobs has connected thousands of job seekers with employers at Sea-Tac Airport, and to apprenticeships in the skilled construction trades. In this economy, we are doing everything we can to get people to work, and to help them stay employed once they get there,” said Heather Worthley, Executive Director of Port Jobs. “Representative Upthegrove’s bill, if passed, will make it crystal clear that the Port of Seattle has the Legislature’s backing to continue to fund this important work.”

The bill passed out of committee in the House and is awaiting possible action on the House floor. Upthegrove is pushing to ensure that the measure passes the House before the February 16 cutoff deadline for House bills.

“Our focus this year in Olympia is to create jobs and improve our economy, and this bill is all about jobs,” Upthegrove said.

Under the proposed legislation, Port Jobs would be required to submit an annual report to the Port of Seattle detailing the number of successful job placements. In 2009, Port Jobs placed more than 500 people through its Airport Jobs office.

From the Port Jobs website:

Port Jobs is not-for-profit action tank that develops practical programs and supports public policies that increase access to living wage jobs, fostering a more vibrant and equitable economy for residents of and businesses in Seattle and King County. We make good jobs easier to get and good employees easier to find, primarily in the port-related economy.

A 501(c)(3) organization, Port Jobs: engages in innovative research to increase shared knowledge; creates powerful partnerships in key action areas; and develops practical programs that provide important services to jobseekers, employers and our local community.

Members of the Seattle-Tacoma International Taxi Association (STITA) will rally against the Port of Seattle Monday, Feb. 1st beginning at Noon in downtown Seattle, in an effort to heighten awareness of the Port’s decision to change cab companies at Sea-Tac Airport after 20 years.

According to a press release:

STITA has no choice but to take its case to court to prevent the Port of Seattle from signing a contract with a competitor on Tuesday.

In December, the Port of Seattle Commission awarded a new five-year contract to Yellow Cab.

Now, more than 450 families face the loss of their businesses and livelihoods (while the contract is awarded to a big business monopoly, Yellow Cab).

STITA is a non-profit co-op of 216 cabs owned by 283 people. STITA was formed 20 years ago to solve a problem – the failure of for-profit taxi companies to provide safe, reliable taxi cab service at the airport.

Here’s info on the rally:

WHAT: Members of the Seattle-Tacoma International Taxi Association (STITA) will make an important announcement and take questions from reporters.

WHEN: Noon, Monday, Feb. 1st.

WHERE: South side of the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle, 3rd and Jefferson St. (the corner of the park)

INFO: Attorney Michael Goldfarb will discuss the legal case against the Port, and cab drivers and their families will be available to discuss the devastating impact of the Port’s flawed decision.

From STITA’s website:

STITA was formed 20 years ago by the Port of Seattle primarily to service in-bound passengers to SeaTac and residents of King County. STITA prides itself on providing excellent service. We have nearly 200 taxis in our owner-operated fleet. At STITA, diversity is embraced and our cab drivers are very proud of the fact that they work for an organization whose owners represent a broad range of cultural backgrounds including: Indian, East African, Pakistani, Somali, Filipino, Ethiopian, Iranian, and Bangladeshi. Many may not know that STITA is a not-for-profit association comprised of over 145 minority-owned businesses, meaning that STITA is governed by a Board of Directors and does not have a single owner or leasing agent. Because our cabs are owner operated, STITA takes customer service very seriously.

At the Port of Seattle’s request, several years ago STITA stopped driving traditional gasoline powered vehicles and now has one of the most environmentally friendly taxi fleets in the world. We operate both hybrids (40 vehicles) and compressed natural gasoline taxis (120 vehicles). The use of CNG has resulted in a significant reduction of air pollutants.

Burien’s Para Los Niños is seeking to hire an “imaginative, friendly, out-going and compassionate bi-lingual teacher,” for a part-time contract tutoring children ages 7 to 19 from within the Highline School District.

If you’re not familiar with Para Los Niños, it’s “a grassroots community organization founded by members of the community it serves—the growing immigrant, Spanish-speaking population in South King County. Para Los Niños builds a healthy community with a focus on Latino immigrants. It supports holistic, family-based educational opportunities and builds lasting community networks.”

The job pays $13 – $15 per hour DOE, and here’s the full listing:

“Fostering academic success for every Latino student through parent and community involvement.”

Para Los Ninos has a part-time contract opportunity for an imaginative, friendly, out-going and compassionate bi-lingual teacher. 

Para Los Ninos is offering after school tutoring for children ages 7 – 19 years old from within the Highline School District. 

The hours available are Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 to 8:30 pm and Friday 12:30 to 3:30 pm.

The candidate will be responsible for homework tutoring as well as a Spanish Literacy component, in an effort to maintain (or increase) the newly arrived immigrants understanding and fluency in both English AND Spanish. 

The position responsibilities include:

• Conduct ongoing outreach to students and families identified by the DISTRICT
• Provide tutoring to children from within specific schools in Highline School District.
• Provide monthly reporting on the attendance to tutoring
• Develop and maintain contact with students’ teachers and families
• Provide pre and post assessment data as determined with the Highline School District to demonstrate student growth in the English language as well as Mathematics and Reading.
• Provide requested information for reporting on the Immigrant Competitive Grant by dates assigned
• Provide 1.5 hours of weekly English tutoring for a minimum of 15 students meeting the qualifications defined by the Immigrant Competitive Grant during at least 15 weeks during the 2009-2010 academic year
• Provide 1.5 hours of weekly Spanish tutoring classes for a minimum of 15 students meeting the qualifications defined by the Immigrant Competitive Grant during at least 15 weeks during the 2009-2010 academic year

This a CONTRACT PART – TIME POSITION.

Qualifications:

• Bi-Lingual Spanish and English are required!!
• Must have or be in the process of attaining Teaching Certification in the state of Washington
• It is possible to consider Experience in Education over post-secondary Education
Reliable Transportation is required.

To inquire or submit your resume, please email info@plnwa.org or call 206-241-7900 ext 17.

4 – 5 month contract

Burien Little Theatre is holding open auditions this Monday, Jan. 18th for its upcoming readings of “Dinner with Friends,” a bittersweet comedy about marriage, fidelity, infidelity and friendship written by Donald Margulies.

Male and female actors are sought who can play characters in their early 40s, but keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to be these ages to read the roles.

The time commitment is minimal as three to four rehearsals are planned, and there will three public readings.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Open auditions for Burien Little Theatre’s “Dinner with Friends” readings

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 18th, from 7pm to 10pm

WHERE: Burien Little Theatre, located at the Burien Community Center, located at the intersection of SW 146th St. and 4th Ave SW in Burien

CONTACT: Maggie Larrick, Marketing – email: maggielarrick@earthlink.net; phone: 206-246-0088

INFO: From a press release:

Auditions for readings of Dinner with Friends at Burien Little Theatre

Burien Little Theatre invites actors to audition for readings of “Dinner with Friends,” a bittersweet comedy about marriage, fidelity, infidelity and friendship written by Donald Margulies. Male and female actors are sought who can play characters in their early 40s. You don’t have to be these ages to read the roles. The time commitment is minimal as three to four rehearsals are planned, and there will three public readings.

The readings will be at Burien Little Theatre: Saturdays Feb. 20 and March 6 and 20 at 2 p.m., which are the second, fourth and sixth Saturdays of Burien Little Theatre’s winter production of Arne Zaslove’s 1950s rock & roll musical version of the comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Auditions will consist of cold reading from the script Monday, Jan. 18th, from 7pm to 10pm.

Make audition appointment or just show up. For appointment, contact readings@burienlittletheatre.com or call 206-242-5180.

Please also bring resume and headshot if available.

Auditions will be in the conference room at the Burien Community Center, located at the intersection of S.W. 146th St. and 4th Ave. S.W. in Burien. For directions, go to www.burienlittletheatre.com.

Character List:

• Karen – Early 40s. Married to Gabe
• Gabe – Early 40s. Married to Karen
• Beth – Early 40s. Married to Tom
• Tom – Early 40s. Married to Beth

The City of Burien is looking for residents of both B-Town and the to-be-annexed North Highline area to serve on advisory boards, which is a great way to become more involved with the city and give something back to your community, like your precious, helpful advice.

There is no pay, other than helping your city out, applications are being accepted through Feb. 19th, and the boards in need are the Arts Commission, Planning Commission and Parks & Recreation Board.

Here are the details:

Apply for Openings on City Advisory Boards

Serving on a City advisory board is a great way to become involved with your city and give something back to your community. Burien residents and residents of the North Highline Annexation Area, which will become part of the City on April 1, are encouraged to apply for current openings on the Arts Commission, Planning Commission and Parks & Recreation Board.

Application forms are available at Burien City Hall, 400 SW 152nd Street, Ste. 300, or on the City’s website at www.burienwa.gov/boards. Applications are being accepted through February 19, 2010.

For further information call Monica Lusk, city clerk, at 248-5517.

We love to post Job Offers (see our Jobs page for the latest listings), especially good ones from local organizations like New Futures, which is seeking an Executive Director.

The gig starts in April, and the pay is a $85,000-$92,000 salary.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 2nd, and you must pass a background check.

New Futures has four sites in the general area, including Arbor Heights in White Center, The Heights at Burien (formerly Vintage Park) in Burien, Windsor Heights in SeaTac, and Woodridge Park in Boulevard Park.

From their website:

New Futures’ mission is to partner with families to create communities where children thrive. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths. We operate vibrant community learning centers at four low-income apartment complexes in South King County, providing on-site children and youth, family, and community-building programs for nearly 1,600 people, and positively impacting all of the approximately 4,000 people who live in these communities.

Our sites include: Arbor Heights in White Center, The Heights at Burien (formerly Vintage Park) in Burien, Windsor Heights in SeaTac, and Woodridge Park in Boulevard Park.

Here’s the actual job listing, and here’s a link to a PDF download:

NEW FUTURES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Job Announcement

New Futures seeks a well-qualified, experienced, committed, visionary leader to fill the position of Executive Director (ED). This position provides a unique opportunity to work in an environment dedicated to the values of cultural competency and strengths-based programming.

New Futures partners with families to create communities where children thrive. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths. We operate vibrant community learning centers at four low-income apartment complexes in South King County, providing services and community building programs on-site to children, youth, and families.

THE ORGANIZATION:
New Futures was founded in 1993 by teachers in the Highline School District who realized that many of the children who were struggling most in their classrooms were living in the same low-income, high-crime apartment complex. They rented an apartment there and started an on-site after-school program. Recognizing that children need strong families and safe communities in addition to academic support in order to thrive, New Futures integrated family support and community- building activities into our children and youth development programs. In 2004, New Futures launched ReachOut, a social enterprise that engages individuals in transforming organizations, particularly schools, to effectively serve culturally diverse children and families. ReachOut uses the proven results of over a decade of New Futures’ work to share best-practices and concrete strategies in the area of cultural competency.

Overseen by a committed board of directors of15, and led by a talented and dedicated staff of 45 (26 full time equivalents), the organization intensively serves 1,475 individuals each year, and touches more than 4,000. New Futures has an annual operating budget of $1.5 million.

The residents we work with are racially and ethnically diverse:

• 93 percent of families in our programs are recent immigrants or refugees
• Nearly half of the people we serve speak a language other than English as their first language
• 69% of our families identify themselves as Latino; 10% as African or African American; 4% as Asian or Pacific Islander; 8% as multi-ethnic; 3% as Caucasian; 1% as Native American or Alaskan Native; and 5 % as “other”

We attribute our long-term success at partnering with these communities to three essential characteristics of our work:

1. Neighborhood-Based: New Futures operates year-round at the apartment complexes where the families we serve live, providing very easy access to our programs. Our staff members are able to develop trusting relationships with residents and are considered friends and neighbors. To be as accessible as possible, people do not have to make appointments to meet with staff.
2. Integrated: Helping children thrive is a complex undertaking. By partnering with families, local schools and teachers, King County Housing Authority, property management, and other community agencies, our programs help children and parents simultaneously address challenges at an individual, family, and neighborhood level.
3. Responsive: Since our inception, our programs have been created in response to families’ stated needs and interests, and have incorporated their values. The collaborative nature of our work helps to establish the trust necessary for success, and to ensure our programs are relevant. Our staff members receive extensive cultural competency training and reflect the communities they serve: more than half are bilingual, many of our staff members are immigrants, and several were formerly served by New Futures’ programs. Through our ReachOut training program, we train other organizations and schools in cultural competence, helping change systems to better meet the needs of diverse children and families.

New Futures has had an interim executive director since May 2009. We have used this time to review and strengthen internal systems. New Futures is in the process of developing a strategic plan to guide the organization for the next three years. The incoming executive will inherit an organization that is fiscally and programmatically sound, with strong programs, partnerships, and services in place.

THE POSITION:
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. The current director oversees a staff of 45 full and part-time employees. The position requires occasional evening and weekend work.

The Executive Director must be an engaging leader and experienced manager who excels at balancing internal management with external impact and visibility. S/he will ensure that the organization is fiscally and programmatically sound and strategically advancing its purpose and goals. The Executive Director directly supervises an experienced and committed senior staff team of four.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership:

• Advance, oversee implementation of and communicate the vision, mission, and values of New Futures
• Exhibit a passion for New Futures’ mission
• Act as a public spokesperson and advocate and represent New Futures at community activities
• Develop strong, positive relationships with board, staff, volunteers, donors, and other stakeholders
• Think strategically: assess options and actions based on New Futures’ strategic plan and on trends and conditions in the environment
• Provide leadership in moving New Futures toward increased cultural competency

Fundraising and Community Relations:

• Provide strategic leadership in major development efforts ranging from donor cultivation to solicitations and stewardship
• Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of New Futures’ work and identify changes in the community served by the organization
• Oversee fundraising and community-building events

Personnel Management:

• Maintain a climate that attracts and motivates a diverse staff of top-quality people and volunteers
• Hire, mentor, evaluate, motivate, and, as necessary, manage transition of staff
• Ensure that a sound organizational structure, including a leadership/management team and other staffing, is in place
• Ensure that New Futures is in compliance with all applicable laws

Operations and Fiscal Oversight:

• Develop an operational plan with goals and objectives that reflects New Futures’ strategic direction
• Work with the staff, finance committee, and the board in preparing a budget
• Ensure that the organization operates within budget guidelines
• Manage day-to-day operations efficiently and effectively
• Ensure that all reporting requirements are met
• Perform risk management
• Direct the maintenance of New Futures’ financial records

Program Planning:

• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs and services
• Oversee and support New Futures’ social enterprise, ReachOut

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
The ideal candidate for this position will have a demonstrated commitment to New Futures’ mission. S/he will also bring a variety of experiences and attributes, including:

• Five or more years leading/managing a non-profit organization comparable in size and scope to New Futures or demonstrated combination of for-profit experience combined with board and volunteer experience
• Inspirational leadership with demonstrated experience advancing the mission and vision of an organization
• Ability to connect and develop relationships with diverse groups of people
• Development prowess, including raising funds and stewarding individuals, government, corporations, and foundations
• Overseeing a budget of at least $1 million and managing a large staff as well as having the ability to direct volunteers
• Demonstrated cultural competency and commitment to social, racial, and economic justice
• Knowledge of issues faced by low-income immigrant families
• Integrity and self awareness
• Knowledge of one or more of the following: education, poverty, and/or immigration issues
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Working effectively with a board of directors
• Developing strategic collaboration and partnerships with individuals, staff, and organizations
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

The Executive Director is expected to be able to start work in April 2010. New Futures provides a competitive salary, flexible work environment, and health and retirement benefits. Salary range: $85,000-$92,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

TO APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references on-line to gabrielas@newfutures.org by February 2, 2010. The successful Executive Director must pass a background check.

New Futures welcomes and respects diversity of background, experience, identity, and opinion in our participants, staff and volunteers. We embrace people of any race, color, national origin, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, family make-up, religion, age, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

It’s always good news when a local company is hiring, therefore we happily tip our “Good News Hats” to Burien’s Prudential Northwest Realty, who asked us to post the following job offer:

Prudential Northwest Realty in Burien is now hiring full-time and part-time Real Estate Agents.

Will train, and schooling for new licensees is available.

Call Lori or Bradley at 206-243-8883.

At Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, we put our associates in position to succeed in their profession through training, technology, business planning, management and technical support, and lead generation.

Our associates have responded by having the highest percentage of listed property actually sell and close than the percentage of the entire real estate multiple listing service.

Our associates have sold their clients properties in a shorter market time and for a higher percentage of the list price than the total multiple listing service has done.

As a result of our company and associate teamwork our dollar volume and our number of sales have increased at a higher rate than our competitors and that of the top company in the U.S.

More info at their website here.

UPDATE 10/21/09: We have added one new business (Bratz, a German cafe) and one re-opening (Skippers) to this story, which we hope will continue to develop…

by Ralph Nichols

It may not be a boom. But even as the recession continues to buffet Highline communities, businesses are discovering – and returning to – Burien.

“We have a trickle of new businesses coming in here,” Burien Economic Development Manager Dick Loman told The B-Town Blog recently. “We’re gradually filling up our vacant (commercial) spaces, and it’s happening in the worst economic climate in decades.

“You’d think it would be very quiet, but it’s not,” he said. “It’s very amazing and we’re very fortunate to have this happening.”

NEW BUSINESSES:

• Grand Central Bakery, with popular stores in Pioneer Square and on Eastlake Avenue in Seattle, has announced plans to expand its business by moving into the vacant retail space at 626 SW 152nd St., next to Sylvan Learning Center.
  

  Bratz, a German food store, should open on 6th SW before the end of November.

• And Redfish Grill, already doing a successful business in Tacoma, is going to open a second dining spot in the building recently occupied by The Keg on SW 148th St. at the entrance to the Safeway shopping center.
• Bratz, a German-style fast food cafe, has its signage in place in a spot on 6th SW, just across the street from Sal’s Deli. We spoke with co-owner Robert Lang, who says that the store should open in “two to four weeks” and foodwise to expect “German beer, the world’s best sausages, schnitzels, red cabbage, pretzels, potato salad and more.” Robert and his brother John are both from Germany, and they have one other location in Seattle’s U-District.

BUSINESS RE-OPENINGS:

• Remaining in Burien, after closing its doors when displaced by the third-runway flight path north of Sea-Tac International Airport, is Filiberto’s Cucina Italiana. This popular Italian restaurant, long a local favorite, is moving downtown and will reopen at 653 SW. 152nd St (next to Key Bank).
• Already back in business with new owners is Wizards Casino at 15739 Ambaum Blvd. SW, next to the Hi-Line Lanes bowling alley. The return of Wizards was especially good news for the city – it’s one of Burien’s 10 largest employers.
• Skipper’s Seafood & Chowder, located at the corner of Ambaum Blvd. and SW 148th, has also re-opened.
• In the meantime, Car Pros of Tacoma continues to indicate it will reopen Burien Nissan at Five Corners as soon as their business plan is finalized and approved.

Why this interest? “It starts with the availability of property … on a reasonable-cost basis,” according to Loman, together with marketing studies that indicate these businesses will do well.

Burien has “a reputation of being friendly and a cool place to be … these are destination-type businesses that draw from a much larger area than just Burien. It’s location, location, location.”

As these businesses locate or relocate in Burien, another is expressing interest in coming here – and being the anchor of the phase two development in Town Square.

• Loman identified the company that wants to develop a 10-screen cinema complex in Town Square as Galaxy Theaters, headquartered in Los Angeles.
• Galaxy Theatres runs 10 different “first-run” movie complexes in four states, including three in Washington – Monroe, Tacoma and Gig Harbor.
• Here’s a blurb from their website:

Galaxy Theatres, LLC is a fully integrated movie theatre company.

Privately owned, it is ranked by size in the top 10% of its industry, according to the National Theatre Association and currently has theatres in California, Nevada, Texas and Washington.

Formed in 1998, its focus is to develop and operate a portfolio of high impact, state-of-the-art movie entertainment theatres in selected markets of the western United States.

Galaxy Theatres’ award winning business philosophy of “More than just a Theatre” incorporates the best in movie entertainment with the Company’s philosophy of active community service.

“Being socially entrepreneurial builds strong bonds and goodwill in the communities we serve”, according to Frank Rimkus, the Company’s CEO.

• Representatives of both Galaxy and Urban Partners, the private developer of Town Square, will appear before the Burien City Council at the Nov. 2 meeting to discuss their proposal.

Here at The B-Town Blog, our mission is not only to serve our community with the most up-to-date, relevant local news, events and more – it’s also to serve our Readers with resources that they might find useful.

To wit: today (Tuesday, Oct. 13th) we launched our new Jobs Page, where you’ll find continually-updated listings of the latest Burien-area jobs, as well as relevant stories, resources and more items as we find them.

As of launch, we have 14 different job “feeds” from various sources like Craigslist, Monster, HotJobs and other “big ones” as well as some more obscure ones like DevBistro.com and JuJu.com. Our goal is to list as many local/area job listings as possible, so if you know of one that we’re missing, please email us (just keep in mind that it must have an RSS/XML feed for us to use it).

To access this new feature, either click on “Jobs” in the top menu, or click here!

Thanks, and good luck in your search!

Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department sent us the following article Friday afternoon (Oct. 2nd), where he attempts to clarify budget cuts that will affect police officers, as proposed on Monday (Sept. 28th) by current King County Executive Kurt Triplett.

Here’s Sgt. Urquhart’s rebuttal to Triplett’s announcement:

The King County budget is incredibly complicated…some might even say convoluted!   Attached is my effort to clarify one aspect:  the cuts contemplated by the Exec’s Office to the Sheriff’s Office as a result of the North Highline annexation to Burien.

John

Budget 101: The Cuts to Cops on the Streets

There has been some confusion over budget numbers released by the Sheriff’s Office Wednesday (Sept. 30th), and statements made by the Executive’s Budget Office.  This should clear up at least some of the confusion.

Burien residents voted on August 25th 18th to annex a relatively small area into their city.  It’s officially called “North Highline”.  The annexation officially occurs about March 1, 2010.

Here’s a map of the area:

It is 1,700 acres (about 2.6 square miles) and includes 14,100 people.

The Sheriff’s Office already provides police service to the area since it is in unincorporated King County.  For 24/7 365 day coverage, it takes seven officers, as well as a part-time detective for investigations and a part-time sergeant for supervision.  Call it eight police officers.

With the area soon to be part of Burien, the eight officers are no longer needed so their costs for King County go away because the city will take over police duties in North Highline in March.

The average cost for a Sheriff’s Office employee is $100,000 a year, including salary, benefits, and equipment.  Remember, that’s an average……some are higher and some are lower.

Therefore the “avoided cost” to King County due to the North Highline annexation, if annualized, is about $800,000 (eight deputies X $100,000 each).  However the since the annexation doesn’t take place until March 1st, the 2010 avoided cost is $666,666 (10 months of $800,000).   Pretty simple.

It would be entirely appropriate to take that amount out of the Sheriff’s Office budget for 2010, since that is the savings when deputies won’t be providing police service in the area.

However, rather than $666,666, the Executive’s Office is removing nearly $3.5 million from the Sheriff’s Office budget in 2010.  The amount is specifically labeled as a result of the “North Highline Annexation” in several budget documents.  (Those documents are available for review in the Sheriff’s Office, or are certainly available from the Executive’s Budget Office.)

So that forces a reduction in Sheriff’s Office staff of 35 positions specifically because of the North Highline Annexation ($100,000 X 35 = $3.5 million).

However it is likely that eight of those positions will be hired by the city of Burien, (one of our contract cities) for police duties in North Highline beginning March 1st.

That means the number of lost positions (35) can be reduced by eight, leaving a net loss to unincorporated King County of 27 deputies.

Note that 27 deputies is exactly the number listed in Communications Director Carolyn Duncan’s press release on Monday, Sept. 28th (link here).

However the lost positions are not listed anywhere in budget documents.  This masks the cuts to cops on the street.

So the obvious question:  If the cost savings to King County is $666,666 due to the North Highline annexation, why cut the Sheriff’s Office by $3.5 million…more than five times higher than it should be?

Good question.  We’ve asked.  So far, the Sheriff’s Office has not been provided the documentation behind the cuts.

Our friends at the UW-APL/PSSC Environmental & Marine Science Observatory at Seahurst Park have not only repaired their beach and underwater webcams, they’ve upgraded them to high definition.

This means that now you can watch HD footage not only of the beach, but from underwater as well!

Here are some pretty cool video clips ranging from time lapses that show the changing tides (fast-moving) passersby and sunsets, to clips of dogfish and more; as always, we feature these feeds on our Webcams page along with other local cams:

[display_podcast]

For video highlights from the Seahurst Beach Underwater camera, click here.

For an archive of Seahurst Beach HD clips, click here.

More info from their website:

The observatory is a collaboration between oceanographers and engineers at the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Laboratory and the Puget Sound Skills Center’s Environmental and Marine Science program. The Marine Science program has a wonderful shoreside facility located at the north end of Seahurst Park in Burien, Washington. To support the salmon hatchery located at the facility there are two saltwater intake pipes that run 850 feet from the building out to 25 feet of water. Those pipes provide an ideal means to run power and fiber optic ethernet cables for underwater instruments, providing a permanent, real-time, high bandwidth presence on the bottom of Puget Sound.

The observatory was installed through a combination of volunteer efforts and a science and engineering development project at APL-UW funded by the National Science Foundation. That project is working to install a cabled-to-shore profiling mooring at the MARS observatory in Monterey Bay, California. The installation at Seahurst provides a plug compatible observatory interface for testing that system in diver accessible depths right in our own backyard.

Data from the CTD is collected every 1.5 seconds. Time-lapse video frames are taken every 10 seconds. Daily time-lapse videos are archived. Full-rate video is captured and archived when motion is detected. For presentation on the front page of the web site a snapshot is taken once per minute and twenty seconds of full-rate (10 fps) video is taken every five minutes.

BTB Advertiser BECU is holding a free seminar called “Surviving in Today’s Economy” on Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5pm to 6:30pm at the Woodmont Library in Des Moines.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Free “Surviving in Today’s Economy” seminar

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5pm to 6:30pm

WHERE: Woodmont Library, 26809 Pacific Highway S., Des Moines, WA

COST: NO COST. NO OBLIGATION. REGISTER TODAY.

INFO: Space is limited – call 206-439-5910, visit www.becu.org or stop by any BECU Neighborhood Financial Center to register.

Sponsored by BECU Neighborhood Financial Center, whose free seminars are led by experienced financial educators.

A new burger joint may be opening soon in Olde Burien – “B-Town Burgers & Shakes” is apparently taking over the space at 822 SW 152nd Street, next to Goodie Gumdrops, on the corner of Ambaum and SW 152nd where “Flat Majic Books & Gifts” was previously located:

According to their website, they’re slated to open in mid-November:

B-Town Burgers & Shakes
www.btownburgers.com

At B-Town Burgers, we believe fast food should be made from scratch. We start with 100% beef which is never frozen. Every burger is made to order. At B-Town Burgers there are no heat lamps or microwaves. Your french fries are cooked from fresh potatoes and are peeled and diced in the store. At B-Town Burgers we only use the highest quality, freshest ingredients to make the world’s most delicious burgers and fries. B-Town Burger — always fresh, always delicious.

“Delighting Customers with Burgers, Fries and Shakes”

Opening in November 2009

No word yet on whether you’ll be able to get free Tarot Card readings when you order a “Happy Psychic Meal,” but we wonder:

• Could this be another good sign for Burien’s economy?
• Could it also be a good sign for use of the nickname “B-Town”?
• Would you like fries with that?

by Scott Schaefer

We’d like to welcome our latest Advertiser to The B-Town Blog: Your Neighborhood Yellow VAN Handyman Roger Gee!

Now I must confess something right up front here – Roger is a good friend. In fact, we’ve known each other since we were little brats in grade school, or playing Pee Wee baseball together in West Seattle…so there’s a lot of history between us.

And let me tell you the truth folks about this guy that only an old friend would know: Roger is a man of integrity, of hard work, consistency and persistence. He just doesn’t give up. Now, add all that together with his skillset and passion for fixin’ stuff, and you’ve got yourself a great Handyman.

Now throw in that he lives right here in Burien with his family, and that he serves this area, as well as Des Moines, Normandy Park, Seahurst, Gregory Heights, Shorewood, Fauntleroy, West Seattle, Alki, Tukwila and more, and you’ve got Your Neighborhood Yellow VAN Handyman Roger Gee.

In his previous gig, Roger worked as the shop manager of a small guitar repair shop and custom guitar builder in Bellevue. He managed sales and marketing of their custom guitars, and was fortunate enough to meet, sell to and even play with many great northwest artists and musicians.

Then, this summer, like millions of others, he got laid off.

So, Roger took matters into his own hands and traded in his ax for an…ax – he decided to go into business for himself as a Yellow VAN Handyman.

Instead of “turning lemons into lemonade,” Roger turned his lemons into a Yellow VAN.

It was a natural transition, since he often enjoyed working on projects around his home and for friends and family.

“My wife says that I am not happy unless I have a project to work on,” Roger said as he recalled his weekends packed with repairs and projects. “I am looking forward to helping my clients eliminate their To-Do lists.”

Roger launched his business last month, and he’s already busy serving his community. With his van freshly painted, tools in tow (including a guitar if you ‘ax’ for one) and his Yellow VAN Handyman hat atop his head, Roger is actively marketing his services to his neighbors for his first 12 weeks of business. When asked what he was looking forward to the most about owning his own business, Roger replied:

“Having the flexibility to spend time with my family is something that I am greatly looking forward to. Being able to watch my son play baseball is worth so much to me.”

Look for Roger on his morning walks or driving his yellow van on the streets of Burien and surrounding neighborhoods.

Check out his web page here to learn more about Roger, his rates, his favorite To-Do list items, or to schedule online.

Or call 206-763-6800 for more information.

Just be sure to tell him that his old pal Scott sent ya!

From his website:

Roger is an experienced handyman with a particular aptitude for electrical work. He learned much of his know-how from his father & his growing professional skills are the perfect compliment. Roger finds much satisfaction in the personal relationship he builds with his members & feels strongly about supporting his community. When Roger is not on a job, he surrounds himself with friends & family.

My earliest memory of home repair was at age seven when my Dad remodeled the master bedroom in our home. I was given a hammer and some nails and taught the proper way to drive a nail. Unfortunately the nails I drove in to the hardwood floor upset my Mom and my first job abruptly ended.

My Dad was a custom cabinetmaker and very skilled with woodworking. Throughout my childhood and into my teen years, my Dad was there to show me how different projects were done. Carpentry, plumbing and electrical jobs were very common around the house.

I am a licensed, bonded, & insured contractor. Whether the service you need is on the interior or exterior of your home, I can help. I build decks and fences, repair drywall, fix leaks, stop squeaks, repair & replace toilets, caulk showers and sinks, install tile, repair and clean gutters, as well as hang doors, paint and do minor plumbing repairs. I really enjoy doing the electrical type repair work. Installing a light fixture, a new outlet or just repairing a broken switch is my idea of fun.

You may need help with other tasks such as: spring clean-up, summer landscaping, yard improvements and seasonal things like putting your Christmas lights up and taking them back down for you. I can also help with emergencies like a hot-water heater replacement.

I take great pride in my work and I am committed to establishing relationships based on trust and communication. When a member refers me to their friends and family, I feel I have accomplished my goal of building trust-based friendships.

“Friend” Roger on his Facebook page here.

Check out his band, the Pink Torpedoes music here.

But most importantly, if you need a Handyman, contact my old buddy here, or call him at 206-763-6800.

[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story and Ad like this for your Business on a popular, fast-growing website seen by 31,000+ interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

According to this Craigslist Ad, the semi-provocative restaurant chain Hooters is opening a brand new casino just seven miles down the 509 from Burien at 9635 Des Moines Memorial Drive in South Park:

“Hooters Casino is now hiring for all positions at multiple locations. Dealers, Cashiers, Security and Surveillance. Please apply in person @ Hooters Casino 9635 Des Moines Memorial Drive, Seattle WA 98108.”

Another Ad, posted on Aug. 30th, reads:

We have a brand new Hooters Restuarant and Casino opening up in South Park! If you are fun & outgoing and fit the Hooters Gils image of the All American, Girl Next Door, Cheerleader we need you! We have several spots to fill still and as a Hooters Girls you could be in the position of a server, bartender, cocktailer, hostess, or even a dealer!

We will be accepting applications at the new location starting this Sunday 8/30 located at 9635 Des Moines Memorial DR, Seattle WA 98108. If you think you have what it takes to be the next South Park Hooters Girl hurry and come apply, you don’t want to miss this opportunity! You can also apply at the Seattle and Tacoma Hooters as well!

For any further questions give us a call at our Seattle location (206) 625-0555, and we will be glad to help! See you soon!

According to various Hooters websites:

“Hooters was appropriately incorporated on April Fool’s Day, 1983, when six businessmen with absolutely no previous restaurant experience got together and decided to open a place they couldn’t get kicked out of. Soon after, on October 4th of that year, the doors to the first Hooters Restaurant opened in Clearwater, Florida.

The name “Hooters” came from a popular comedy sketch by one of the nation’s hottest comedians of that time, Steve Martin.

The first Hooters Girl, Lynne Austin, was hired on a bet. One fine day in sunny Florida, one of the Hooters Six anchored his boat off Clearwater Beach to swim in and catch the Jose Cuervo bikini contest. After failing to convince the subsequent winner to join the troop right then and there, he told her that if her job as a telephone operator didn’t work out, she should call them. Weeks later, Lynne tried to get off work at GTE to attend yet another bikini contest. She quit the job when they refused. The next day, she called Ed to join the Hooters team.”

Here’s a map to the new Hooters Casino for those of you um…interested in “researching” this further (wink wink):

View Larger Map

So…what do you think of having not only a Hooters nearby, but one that includes gambling? Please take our poll or Comment below…

It’s good to know that even in tough economic times, money has been set aside to fund arts in our community. Burien of course, being the arts-centric “new Brooklyn” has around $20,000 earmarked for arts and culture in 2010, and has opened the application process to apply for a grant, with a deadline of 5pm Wednesday, Sept. 30th.

There will also be a “Question & Answer” session for applicants with members of the Arts Commission’s Arts & Culture Fund review committee on Thursday, Oct. 22nd.

Here’s the exact verbiage from the cityfolk:

CITY OF BURIEN PUBLIC NOTICE: 2010 ARTS AND CULTURE FUNDING APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

The City of Burien is holding an application cycle for its year 2010 Arts & Culture grant funding.  Total funding available is estimated at $20,000.

Arts & Culture grant funding is available to groups or organizations that provide arts and cultural enrichment to Burien and its residents.

Applications for 2010 Arts & Culture funding are due by 5:00 pm, Wednesday, September 30 to Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, 425 SW 144th Street.  Applications are available on the City website at www.burienwa.gov or by contacting Debbie Zemke at 206/988–3704.

From the city’s website:

The purpose of the City’s Arts and Culture Fund is to support both arts and heritage organizations as well as artists who will enhance cultural opportunities for City residents while also attracting regional artists and audiences that can contribute to Burien’s identity as an arts and culture-oriented City.

Funding Priorities Applications that provide one or more of the following services will be prioritized for funding:

• Programs developed for or presented in the Burien community
• Innovative and/or mixed-genre projects that bring new cultural experiences to Burien
• Cultural education experiences for underserved and/or low-income youth

Eligibility

• Applicants may be individuals or non-profit organizations. Evidence of non-profit status for organizations will be required.
• The proposed program and/or event must be held in Burien or serve a majority of Burien residents.
• Only one application per individual/organization will be accepted per year.

Review Criteria

• There is no priority between each of the elements listed below nor is there a requirement to meet all criteria:
• Artistic and heritage merit and excellence
• Collaborative programs or initiatives with other cultural organizations
• Administrative capability and fiscal stability of the applicant’s organization
• Recruitment of underserved populations through special outreach and/or specialized promotional strategies
• Participation in the City’s cultural programs and/or eventS
• Documented evaluation and measurement of previous year’s program grant objectives
• Diversity of applicant’s additional funding sources
• Burien-based artists, heritage professionals, and cultural organizations
• Prior grant recipients.

How To Apply:
The City holds an annual application cycle for Arts and Culture funding in the fall prior to the year of funding. Thus, an organization requesting funding for the year 2010 would need to apply in the fall of 2009.    The applicant will need to complete the attached application and return the original and ten (10) three-holed-punched copies to: City of Burien Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services, 425 SW 144th, Burien, Washington, Attn: Debbie Zemke, Recreation Manager by the specified due date.

The City’s Arts Commission will review applications and make recommendations to the full City Council for final approval.

You can download a grant application here (PDF file).

For questions, please contact Debbie Zemke, Recreation Manager at 206 988 3704 or via e-mail: debbiez@burienwa.gov.

For more information, click here: www.burienwa.gov/index.aspx?NID=825

by Ralph Nichols

The return of Burien Nissan at 16042 First Avenue South, which closed for business in May, is anticipated in mid-September.

“We understand it’s going to be a Nissan agency, just like it was before,” Dick Loman, economic development manager for the City of Burien, said Wednesday (Sept. 2nd). “We don’t know when they will open, but anticipate it will be soon. We probably will know more by the end of the long weekend.”

Other sources indicated that the dealership will open its doors again in mid-month.

A job ad posted August 31 on Craigslist (see our previous breaking coverage here) solicited applications for all positions at Nissan dealerships “gearing up for mid-September opening.” The ad described the owner of these dealerships as “an award winning Puget Sound Automotive Dealer Group.” Applications could be emailed to Car Pros, and a job posting on the “CarProsJobs.com” website lists Burien as one of the locations hiring.

Car Pros owns Kia and Suzuki dealerships in Tacoma and a Hyundai dealership in Seattle, along with a dealership in Carson, CA. Bradley Wolf was listed in the ad as a Tacoma contact for Car Pros. Attempts by B-Town Blog to contact Wolf on Wednesday were not successful.

Burien Nissan, which previously was owned by Rainier Automotive Group, lost its “flooring” (aka financing) and saw the entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March. The business closed its doors less than two months later, reportedly when new financing couldn’t be arranged.

Loman, however, said his office doesn’t know the “relationship between Car Pros and Nissan, if there is any.” But, he added, Burien Nissan seems to be preparing to interview and hire staff, and “that’s very good news for us, obviously.”

“It will be good to have another new car dealer in town selling automobiles. Not only will it create jobs that we lost (when Nissan closed in March) but sales tax income will be coming back to the city again. So we’re very pleased at what we hear.”

Loman noted the site – which had a $5 million remodel not long before the closure – is already set up for an automotive dealership, signage already is in place, and it’s unlikely that the dealership will need any new permits from the city.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• BREAKING: Might Burien Nissan Be Re-Opening Soon?
• BREAKING NEWS: Burien Nissan Is Now Officially Closed
• Burien Nissan Expecting New Financing In “A Few Weeks”
• UPDATE: More Information On Burien Nissan’s Inventory
• Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot

We got an email tip from BTB Reader Jennifer about a Job Ad posted Monday (Aug. 31st) on Craigslist that implies that the closed/empty Burien Nissan may be re-opening in mid-September under new management from CarPros, which appears to own several dealerships in Tacoma, Seattle and Carson, CA.

Here’s the Ad:

Re-Opening Auburn & Burien Nissan (Auburn & Burien)

---

Date: 2009-08-31, 3:07PM PDT
Reply to: jobs@carpros.com

---

Automotive Parts or Service experience? Opportunity knocks!!!Nissan Dealerships are gearing up for mid September opening, we are seeking qualified applicants for all Dealership positions.

Bring your Parts or Service experience and join an award winning Puget Sound Automotive Dealer Group.
We set the standard for professionally managed Parts & Service, our environment encourages personal and professional growth and includes rewarding pay plans with superior benefits.

E mail jobs@carpros.com
Fax (563) 405-8144, experienced professionals feel free to direct dial Bradley Wolf @ (253) 222-4836

Applicants must be 18 years of age, possess a valid drivers license and be drug free. Car Pros is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Burien Nissan (their former website is still down and no new one could be found), located in a shiny lot at 16042 First Ave South, closed for business in May under ownership of the Rainier Automotive Group, which lost “flooring” (aka financing) and had their entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March.

Since then, the lot has stood empty, like a recently-remodeled $5 million, modern ghost town car lot in Burien.

We’re investigating this developing story further, and will have more in-depth coverage soon, so be sure to check back often, or subscribe to our free RSS Feed or receive updates via email.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• BREAKING NEWS: Burien Nissan Is Now Officially Closed
• Burien Nissan Expecting New Financing In “A Few Weeks”
• UPDATE: More Information On Burien Nissan’s Inventory
• Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot

According to both KIRO-TV and Northwest Cable News, dozens of job-seekers camped overnight Tuesday night outside the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department building on 8th Ave SW in hopes of being one of 250 applicants for a full-time job.

According to BFD’s website:

Applications are now available for download from the Burien Fire web site. Applications will be accepted at Headquarters Station beginning August 19, 2009 at 9:00 AM PST until 3:00 PM PST, Monday through Friday until the first 250 have been received or September 3, 2009 at 3:00 PM PST whichever comes first.

A full list of requirements, minimum qualifications, application procedures, and an information sheet on the written test, physical test, and oral boards is provided to you via the link below. Please read this document in its entirety. You must have Adobe Acrobat to view the document.

2009 Application Information Sheet

2009 Application for Employment

The link below is the 2009 application for employment. It is a PDF document and Adobe Acrobat will be needed to view the file. Please read the Application Information Sheet prior to turning the application in.

2009 Job Application

Questions about the application and employment process, exams, test dates, or other related information should be directed to the receptionist at (206) 242-2040 during normal business hours only.

BFD started accepting job applications at 9am Wednesday morning, and will continue to accept them Mon.-Fri. from 9am to 3pm until 250 have been received or until Sept. 3rd, whichever comes first.

Potential firefighters will have to pass a written test, physical test and an oral board to get hired.

For more information, visit the department’s website or call (206) 242-2040.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is about my "oldest friend" I'm still in touch with, a great guy named Roger Gee, whom I first met when we were just young lads going to Genesee Hill Grade School in West Seattle.]

by Scott Schaefer

What do people do when they get laid off? Go on unemployment? Look for another job? Sit around home playing video games and rewriting their resumes?

Most likely, but oftentimes with little success, especially in an economy where the unemployment rate is hovering near double digits and decent jobs are hard to come by.

Some people however, like Burien resident Roger Gee, see it as an opportunity to “re-invent” themselves.

You see, Roger used to work as the shop manager of a small guitar repair shop and custom guitar builder in Bellevue. He managed sales and marketing of their custom guitars, and was fortunate enough to meet, sell to and even play with many great northwest artists and musicians.

Then, this summer, like millions of others, he got laid off.

So, Roger took matters into his own hands and traded in his ax for an…ax – he decided to go into business for himself as a Yellow VAN Handyman.

Instead of “turning lemons into lemonade,” Roger turned his lemons into a Yellow VAN.

It was a natural transition, since he often enjoyed working on projects around his home and for friends and family.

“My wife says that I am not happy unless I have a project to work on,” Roger said as he recalled his weekends packed with repairs and projects. “I am looking forward to helping my clients eliminate their To-Do lists.”

Roger launched his business last week, and he’s eager to begin serving his community. With his van freshly painted, tools in tow (including a guitar if you ‘ax’ for one) and his Yellow VAN Handyman hat atop his head, Roger is actively marketing his services to his neighbors for his first 12 weeks of business. When asked what he was looking forward to the most about owning his own business, Roger replied;

“Having the flexibility to spend time with my family is something that I am greatly looking forward to. Being able to watch my son play baseball is worth so much to me.”

Look for Roger on his morning walks or driving his yellow van on the streets of Burien and surrounding neighborhoods.

Check out his web page here to learn more about Roger, his rates, his favorite To-Do list items, or to schedule online.

Or call 206-763-6800 for more information.

Just be sure to tell him that his old pal Scott sent ya!

From his website:

Roger is an experienced handyman with a particular aptitude for electrical work. He learned much of his know-how from his father & his growing professional skills are the perfect compliment. Roger finds much satisfaction in the personal relationship he builds with his members & feels strongly about supporting his community. When Roger is not on a job, he surrounds himself with friends & family.

My earliest memory of home repair was at age seven when my Dad remodeled the master bedroom in our home. I was given a hammer and some nails and taught the proper way to drive a nail. Unfortunately the nails I drove in to the hardwood floor upset my Mom and my first job abruptly ended.

My Dad was a custom cabinetmaker and very skilled with woodworking. Throughout my childhood and into my teen years, my Dad was there to show me how different projects were done. Carpentry, plumbing and electrical jobs were very common around the house.

I am a licensed, bonded, & insured contractor. Whether the service you need is on the interior or exterior of your home, I can help. I build decks and fences, repair drywall, fix leaks, stop squeaks, repair & replace toilets, caulk showers and sinks, install tile, repair and clean gutters, as well as hang doors, paint and do minor plumbing repairs. I really enjoy doing the electrical type repair work. Installing a light fixture, a new outlet or just repairing a broken switch is my idea of fun.

You may need help with other tasks such as: spring clean-up, summer landscaping, yard improvements and seasonal things like putting your Christmas lights up and taking them back down for you. I can also help with emergencies like a hot-water heater replacement.

I take great pride in my work and I am committed to establishing relationships based on trust and communication. When a member refers me to their friends and family, I feel I have accomplished my goal of building trust-based friendships.

“Friend” Roger on his Facebook page here.

Check out his band, the Pink Torpedoes music here.

Household finances got you down?

Feeling the pinch during this economy?

Well, the good folks at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church are holding a Free Resource Fair and Block Party, where they will be giving out advice, resources and more to parents, along with FREE Backpacks (with school supplies) to the first 300 kids this Saturday, Aug. 15th from 12 to 3pm at 15003 14th SW.

This is their second annual event, and is in conjunction with the Church Council of Greater Seattle.

Here are the details:

Laid off?

Job hunting?

Tired of being “between gigs”?

Then pay attention – Highline Community College is offering a series of free job-hunting workshops, with the next two coming up on the next two Tuesdays:

WHAT: Two “Navigating the Future” job-hunting workshops on cover letters, resumes and interview tips.

WHEN:

Cover Letters and Résumés That Get Results
Tues., July 28th from 9:30am – 11:30am
Stand out in the candidate pool! Your cover letter and résumé provide the first impression you make to a potential employer. Learn tips and techniques to put together a cover letter and résumé that will get positive results.

Tips for a Successful Interview
Tues., Aug. 4th from 9:30am -11am
Get valuable tips about how to prepare for a successful interview and find out what to expect during the interview process. Human Resources staff members will provide an overview of various interview questions that will prepare you in making a lasting impression on your potential employer.

WHERE: Highline Community College’s main campus, Building 99, room 132. Highline’s main campus is located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99); address: 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198.

COST: Free and open to the public

INFO: www.highline.edu/admin/hr/

RSVP: To register, call (206) 878-3710, ext. 3812, or e-mail hrstaff@highline.edu.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and Washington state poet laureate Sam Green (and yes, even the Publisher/Editor of the BTB…).

The Port of Seattle Monday announced that an estimated 3,000 jobs will be restored when the airport “Consolidated Rental Car Facility” parking garage construction begins again.

The Port of Seattle, the City of SeaTac, Turner Construction and representatives from the Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council and King County Labor Council will officially re-start the construction at a press conference on Wednesday, July 22nd at 10:30am.

Construction on the $419 million, 23-acre site will restore more than 3,000 local, family-wage jobs that were lost when the project was shelved last December.  This project is also projected to generate nearly $2 million in tax revenue for the City of SeaTac. At least 1,000 jobs are expected to be created by the end of 2009, and the facility is scheduled to open in spring of 2012.

The Sea-Tac Airport Consolidated Rental Car Facility will support all airport-related rental car operations at one convenient location. It is designed to meet the current and future demands of the traveling public. The facility will be a five-story structure that will greatly improve the size, space, and efficiency of rental car operations that are currently spread out from the main terminal garage and multiple off-site locations. In addition, the facility will open up two floors of public parking, more than 3,200 spaces, in the main terminal garage.

The Port of Seattle Commission approved the successful sale of $317 million in revenue bonds in late June in order to re-start the project.

Here’s a full rendering of the garage:

A new local business networking group, the BNI “B-Town Business Builders,” is holding a “Visitor’s Day Luncheon” at The Mark Restaurant on Wednesday, July 29th from 11:30am to 1:30pm, and is inviting local businesspeople to attend.

WHAT: BNI B-Town Business Builders “Visitor’s Day Luncheon”

WHEN: Wednesday July 29th, from 11:30am —1:30pm

WHERE: The Mark Restaurant, 918 SW 152nd Street, Burien, WA 98166

COST: Actual cost of your lunch order

RSVP: Susan Fromm, 206-686-8888, or via email: susanismyrealtor@comcast.net

WHO ARE THE BNI B-TOWN BUSINESS BUILDERS?
The BNI B-Town Business Builders is a group of local professionals who refer clients, business associates, friends, family and neighbors to one another. This new chapter is currently represented by 20 members/professions, and in the short time it’s been meeting they’ve already begun giving and receiving referrals and closing business. Its mission is to develop a powerful group of area professionals with the common goal of increasing business for members.

WHY ATTEND?
At the Visitor’s Day Luncheon you’ll have the opportunity to learn about BNI, meet other area professionals involved and experience the power of our BNI Chapter to see if it may be a good fit for you and your business (if attending, please bring 50 of your business cards).

WHY CONSIDER BECOMING A B-TOWN BUSINESS BUILDER?

• Are you looking to grow your business?
• Do you rely on referrals to grow your business?
• Would you like to be part of a powerful group of professionals who will refer business to you?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

• Increase your closed business
• Receive warm referrals (not leads) from people who know you and your business
• Learn to promote your business effectively
• No direct competition among members, only one person per profession
• Develop relationships with other quality area professionals

ABOUT BNI
BNI—Business Network International— is the largest business referral organization of its kind. Our primary purpose is to
facilitate the exchange of qualified business referrals. Last year BNI members passed over 5.6 million referrals in nearly
5300 chapters resulting in more than 2.3 billion in closed business for it’s members.

For more information, visit the BNI website here, or contact Susan Fromm at 206-686-8888, or via email: susanismyrealtor@comcast.net

The B-Town Blog has learned that longtime Burien resident Kim McKoy has been named the new Executive Director of Discover Burien, replacing the outgoing Patty Sader, who resigned June 10th.

Kim has over 15 years’ of executive leadership with ACAP Child and Family Services, CIS of Washington, and Friends of the Children.

In addition to working on children’s issues, Kim volunteers with United Way and BurSST for Prosperity.

Kim told BTB that she is “excited for the opportunity to lead Discover Burien.”

“I like to spend leisure time with friends, traveling, enjoying photography, being a complete computer geek, and playing a mean game of spades,” McKoy added. “My greatest joy though is hanging out with my five pound poodle (Pierre) at Lake Burien Park or Seahurst Park at least a few times a week. Oh, and he is the absolute coolest and cutest dog on the planet!”

So…could this mean a business networking dog park meetup sometime soon? Stay tuned…

According to their website:

Discover Burien is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation working on economic development, business recruitment & retention, education, promotion and marketing of the Burien community. We are a membership based organization, but do not limit our services to only members, we include the entire Burien business community. We work with Burien businesses to find solutions to their problems to help educate or direct to resources that are available. We also work as a liaison between businesses and city hall to help streamline issues.

Have you ever acted? Have you ever dressed in drag? Are you psycho? Love the beach? Like to party?

Well then, you’d better get yourself down to Burien Little Theatre’s open auditions for the over-the-top gender-bending comedy “Psycho Beach Party” on Monday, July 27th and Tuesday, July 28th!

BLT is seeking actors to play characters ranging in age from 15 to 45 for this Charles Busch comedy.

Here are the details:

SYNOPSIS:

“Psycho Beach Party” is an over-the-top, gender-bending spoof of the beach party movies of the ‘60s. Get down with this sexy, multiple-personality, coming-of-age comedy. Chicklet, a perky Malibu teenager, joins a group of beach bums to learn to surf. The hilarity ensues when her multiple personalities wash up to the surface, including “Anne Bowman,” a sinister vamp out to conquer the world.

Performances will be at Burien Little Theatre in Burien from Oct. 2nd through Nov. 1st, 2009.

AUDITION SCHEDULE:

• Monday, July 27th from 7pm to 10pm
• Tuesday, July 28th from 7pm to 10pm
• Callbacks are Wednesday, July 29th from 7 to 10 p.m.
• Rehearsals begin on Sunday, Aug. 23rd.

SALARY:

• $100 stipend provided

REQUIREMENTS:

• For auditioning, please prepare a comic monologue.
• Callbacks will consist of cold readings from the script.
• Please also bring resume and headshot.
• Please make an audition appointment: audition@burienlittletheatre.com or call Burien Little Theatre at 206-242-5180.
• Auditions will be in Studio 1 and callbacks in Room 4 at the Burien Community Center, located at the intersection of S.W. 146th St. and 4th Ave. S.W. in Burien. For directions, go to www.burienlittletheatre.com.

CHARACTER LIST:

• Yo-Yo — Male role, age range late teens to early 20s: Handsome male surfer who has a thing for hair stylings and food. Best friends with Provoloney.
• Dee Dee —Female role, age range late teens to early 20s: Sexy chick in a bikini.
• Nicky – Male role, age range late teens to early 20s: Handsome male surfer.
• Provoloney – Male role, age range late teens to early 20s: Scrappy little surfer. Friends with Yo-Yo.
• Star Cat – Male role, age range early 20s: Handsomest of the male surfers. Dropped out of college to stick with his true calling, being a beach bum.
• Chicklet – Traditionally a gender-bending male role, but we’re open to either gender, character is age 15: Perky high school girl determined to learn to surf even though it’s a male-only sport. Also has multiple personalities–including a dominatrix who plans to take over the world, a black grocery store clerk and a psychiatrist—triggered every time she sees the color red.
• Kanaka – Male, age range early to mid 20s: Macho Big Kahuna of the surfers.
• Berdine – Female, age 15: Hopelessly nerdy, but spunky. Chicklet’s best friend.
• Marvel Ann – Female, age range 15 to 16: Gorgeous high school vamp. It’s all about what men can do for her.
• Mrs. Forrest – Female, age range 32 to 45: Spitting image of Joan Crawford. Chicklet’s mother. Harshly protective, controlling of Chicklet.
• Bettina Barnes – Female, age range mid-20s to 35: Incredibly glamorous movie star. Hiding out at the beach after running away from the set of her latest cheesy sexploitation film. Plans to head to New York to study “serious” acting with Lee Strasberg.

So come on all you talented yet psycho gender-bending partyin’ B-Town Blog Readers – get your stuff together and go audition! Maybe if you get the part we’ll even let you write a first-hand experience blog about it…

In a BTB exclusive, we have learned that recently-installed Discover Burien Board President Sarah Slaughter (of BTB Advertiser El Dorado West Retirement Community) announced that she is stepping down from her position, effective immediately.

This makes for the second departure from Discover Burien’s executive ranks in the last few weeks, as Executive Director Patty Sader tendered her resignation on June 10th.

Here’s Sarah’s resignation letter:

“The only thing constant is change.”

Many of the Discover Burien board members learned last Wednesday that I have stepped down as the President of the Discover Burien Board effective immediately. I am also resigning my position as a board member. I have accepted an opportunity with my company which has taken me full time to Issaquah. It is a move that pushes my career forward and offers me new challenges but does not afford me the time that Discover Burien and the city deserve.

Lori Alden, Vice President and committed Discover Burien member, will be standing in as acting President until the Board makes further decisions.

It has been one of my greatest pleasures to participate with this dynamic group and though I am excited about my new endeavors I will sincerely miss working with all of you.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as President for this brief period.

Sincerely,
Sarah Slaughter LPN
Resident Care Director
Spiritwood at Pine Lake
3607 228th Ave. SE

Lori Alden, formerly the Vice President of Discover Burien, will take over as acting President, and according to our sources, the search for a new Executive Director is almost complete – be sure to check back to The B-Town Blog, as we’ll most certainly be posting that story first.

According to their website:

Discover Burien is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation working on economic development, business recruitment & retention, education, promotion and marketing of the Burien community. We are a membership based organization, but do not limit our services to only members, we include the entire Burien business community. We work with Burien businesses to find solutions to their problems to help educate or direct to resources that are available. We also work as a liaison between businesses and city hall to help streamline issues.

Burien’s recently-installed, controversial nude female sculpture has become a local media sensation (which we first covered on Monday), and Thursday (June 25th) our B-Town Blog video production crew of Mark Neuman and Bart Bryan dared to actually go near “Paradigm Shift,” the lifelike bronze Mike Magrath statue located at the Interim Art Space, where they shot this video:

If you haven’t yet read our original story, it’s worth a peek since the Comments are quite interesting – click here to read ‘em.

The Burien Shuttle is a FREE door-to-door transportation service that drives local senior citizens around to run errands, buy groceries, get to medical appointments and assorted other travel needs, and they’re looking for volunteer drivers.

Here’s the info on how you can help “change the world, one mile at a time”:

Drive the Burien Shuttle and Change the World, One Mile at a Time.
This summer, seniors in the Burien-Highline community need a little extra hope. Help Burien seniors remain independent by becoming a volunteer driver for Senior Services Shuttle Program.  The Shuttle takes seniors to run errands, buy groceries, get to medical appointments and run other local errands.  We are seeking reliable, caring individuals to drive our agency vans—no wear and tear on your own vehicle!  We offer flexible hours and free training in defensive driving and passenger assistance.

You do not need a special driver’s license and do no lifting or bearing of weight.

Interested?  Call Valerie at (206) 727-6262, email valeried@seniorservices.org, or visit www.seniorservices.org for more information.

Or, if you don’t have transportation, perhaps you could utilize the Burien Shuttle’s services:

Need to buy groceries? Run an errand? Go to the doctor?  The Burien Shuttle is a FREE door-to-door van service here in Burien! Seniors and anyone with disabilities or special needs can ride. The van is lift-equipped for people who have difficulty using stairs or use a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair or scooter.

Call (206) 727-6262 to book your ride – no forms to fill out!

Rides are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.  The Shuttle runs Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm and serves the Burien-Highline area.