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

A stair-climbing fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be taking place this Saturday, Feb. 27th at Eagle Landing Park, located at 14641 25th Ave in Burien.

Eagle Landing Park is known for its 257 stairs, so this should be a good workout for a good cause.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while located in Memphis, TN, is known worldwide as a renowned pediatric treatment and research facility.

According to their website:

St. Jude researchers are published and cited more often in high impact publications than any other private pediatric oncology research institution in America. St. Jude is a place where many doctors send some of their sickest patients and toughest cases. A place where cutting-edge research and revolutionary discoveries happen every day. We’ve built America’s second-largest health-care charity so the science never stops.

Discoveries made here have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today’s most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly.

Here are the event details:

WHAT: Fundraiser Stair Climb for St. Jude Children’s Hospital Research

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 27th at Noon (park & meet at Noon at south end of Lake Burien Park, 149th & 18th SW)

WHERE: Eagle Landing Park, (map here) which is located at the west end of SW 149th Street where it turns into 25th Avenue SW. Parking is limited, so you may need to park on the street or near Lake Burien School Park nearby. Please note that the nearest public restrooms are at Lake Burien School Park, at 149th and 18th.

From Drew deVry of Burien’s Freedom Fitness Gym:

Join us as we climb the stairs at scenic Eagle Landing Park in Burien for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital!

Participation in the Stair Climb helps raise funds to support St. Jude patients with life-threatening diseases.

No child is ever denied treatment because of a family’s inability to pay.

Bring your friends! It’s only 290 257 stairs, and it’ll be a fun event for a great cause!

INFO: How you can participate:

• Do the stair climb and get sponsors (example: someone would donate $10 each time you climb the stairs)
• Do the stair climb and donate (we ask for minimum donation of $10 – bring on the day of the event)
• Become a sponsor for the climbers

Email drew@freedomfitnessgym.com if you would like to participate.

More info at: www.freedomfitnessgym.com/community.

(Photo credit: Paul Conrath)

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!

by Ralph Nichols

Local groups and projects that receive financial support from the Exchange Club of Highline can look forward to a good year despite the lingering recession.

The Exchange Club’s annual spaghetti dinner and auction at St. Bernadette’s School on Jan. 30 “was a huge success!” member Sherrill Miller of BTB Advertiser E.B. Foote Winery told The B-Town Blog.

“Attendance was up over last year,” Miller said, with about 280 people attended the evening event. “Preliminary numbers indicate we made over $30,000” from the dinner with wine, a dessert auction, a raffle, and both silent and live auctions, which also “is more than last year!”

Miller added, “With our annual spaghetti dinner and auction, the funds generated are used to meet the ongoing needs of various community organizations.”

All money raised goes right back into the community, and “will be used to support more than 30 community organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, area food banks, WestSide Baby, Ruth Dykeman Center, local schools, backpacks and school supplies for kids, Crisis Clinic, and many more.”

At their regular meeting on Feb. 3, Exchange Club members said they were pleased with the “festive appearance” of the dining hall, adding that “the food was fantastic” and everyone “had all they wanted to eat.” They reserved special praise for the students who waited on tables.

“Donations (for the auctions) in this down economy were up,” it was reported, and “people already are talking about donating” for next year’s event. The Exchange Club got 285 items for the silent auction and anothe4 38 for the live auction.

The Exchange Club is a national service organization. The Exchange Club of Highline was established in 1961 with the goal of bringing business and community leaders together to support the needs of the Highline community.

Members also volunteer their time to community projects such as working at the White Center Food Bank one Saturday each month.

More information on The Exchange Club of Highline is available at its website here.

The Puget Sound Blood Center is holding another blood drive, this coming Monday, Feb. 8th from 1pm to 7pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church’s Fellowship Hall, located at 19030 8th Ave South in SeaTac.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Puget Sound Blood Center blood drive

WHEN: Monday, February 8, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm (lunch break from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm)

WHERE: Prince of Peace Fellowship Hall – 19030 8th Ave. South in SeaTac.

INFO: From a press release:

To meet the healthcare needs of our region, the Blood Center depends on your lifesaving contributions, by donating blood.

Your support allows us to provide a stable, adequate blood supply to all those who rely on it and, in giving back to the community, you play an essential role in saving thousands of lives every year.

You can invite a friend or a family member to donate blood with you.

Please Donate Blood at the Prince Of Peace Lutheran church blood drive on Monday, Feb. 8th at 19030 8th Ave. S.

For information please contact Courtney & Nancy Steinke at (206) 878-4219 or by email: truoc1011@yahoo.com.

For questions about donor eligibility, please contact the Clinical Program at 1-800-366-2831 Ext 2543 or email: clinicalprogram@psbc.org.

To read a firsthand account of what it’s like for someone deathly afraid of needles to rise above give blood, read Gina Bourdage’s report here.

Highline High School’s Jazz Band will be holding a fundraiser dinner and silent auction from 7pm to 10pm on Saturday, Feb. 20th at the Highline High cafeteria.

Tickets are just $7 and will be available at the door or can be purchased from a band student.

The band will be playing old jazz and swing favorites such as “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “String of Pearls” and many others.

There is plenty of space to dance and the silent auction will be going on while the band plays.

Desserts will be available also.

Money raised will go towards helping fund a trip to Vancouver, B.C. for band members (jazz and symphonic), with 100% of the proceeds going to the band.

More information on the band and its activities is available at this website.

BTB Advertiser Pro Se University wants our Readers to know that Seattle Family Law Attorney and CEO Marie White will be offering FREE Attorney Support on Tuesdays, Feb. 16th and March 2nd, to help you with any family law issue.

Sign up for a free 30-minute appointment now, but keep in mind that there is a limited number of these free appointments available.

For more information, click here.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 50,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

King County Councilmember Julia Patterson donated a “retired” eight-passenger van to Sea Mar Community Health Centers Wednesday (Jan. 20th), in an effort to help South King County’s growing Latino community.

There are 50 non-profit, community Sea Mar locations in King County, with two in Burien, including a dental clinic at 18010 8th Avenue South and a medical clinic at 14434 Ambaum Blvd. SW. There are also two clinics in White Center, and recovery center in Des Moines.

Patterson was greeted by a crowd of grateful volunteers and staff who were eager to take a look inside the shiny, blue, van and welcome her to Sea Mar (see pic below).

“I am very touched by the work of Sea Mar Community Health Centers and their commitment to providing quality, comprehensive care to individuals and families across King County,” said Councilmember Patterson. “Their Des Moines location serves an incredibly diverse, low-income population, which will benefit greatly from having this new mode of transportation to and from much-needed medical and dental appointments.”

Sea Mar Community Health Centers was established in 1978 with a single medical clinic serving Seattle’s South Park neighborhood. Today, Sea Mar, a private, non-profit community health center, operates nearly 50 medical, dental and behavioral health clinics and centers in 10 western Washington counties.  Sea Mar is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive health and human services to diverse communities, including low income, underserved and uninsured populations. Sea Mar specializes in services to Latinos and is an innovative leader in the delivery of bilingual and culturally appropriate healthcare and social services. For more information, visit Sea Mar’s website here.

”We are pleased that the County has selected our inpatient, long-term treatment program as a beneficiary of its van distribution program,” said Rogelio Riojas, Sea Mar’s Chief Executive Officer. “We intend to make the van available to any resident or person who comes to the treatment center for care and services. It will be a great resource for our program.”

Since 1995, the King County Council has donated vans to nonprofit groups to help meet the transportation needs of low-income, elderly, youth, or people with disabilities in King County. The vans are part of a fleet of county vehicles that have been ‘retired’ after accruing a certain number of miles. This is the eighth year that each member of the council has been able to donate vans.

The vans were donated through an annual application process.

For more information about applying for a van, contact Councilmember Patterson’s Office at (206) 296-1005.

January is “National Blood Donor Month,” and the city of Burien is holding a blood drive from 10am to 3pm Monday, Jan. 25th at City Hall, and they’re inviting all humans who have blood to donate.

With the recent bad news in Haiti and continued distress within our own community, giving blood is a great way to show that you care, because every time you donate, you’re not only helping your neighbors, you’re saving lives.

Plus, after you donate, sometimes you get a free cookie and orange juice.

Here are the details:

WHAT: City of Burien Blood Drive

WHEN: Monday, January 25th from 10am to 3pm (with a lunch break from Noon-1pm)

WHERE: Burien City Hall Multipurpose Room, 1st Floor

INFO: From a press release:

“Every day, we are grateful for the commitment of generous donors like you who give blood regularly to maintain a stable community blood supply.

And there is no better time to express our appreciation for your life-saving efforts than during National Blood Donor Month.

Every time you give blood, you’re not only helping local patients, you’re saving lives.

This month, we say thanks for continuing to support the cause, and ask those who have not previously donated, to start a new habit in 2010: giving the Gift of Life by becoming a blood donor.”

To reserve a time to donate blood, please contact Kathy Wetherbee at 206-439-3158 or by email kathyw@burienwa.gov.

Monday, Jan. 18th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and to honor his legacy, the local American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide Washington are holding a “Day of Service” where they are seeking volunteers to help, beginning at 10am and continuing to 1pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide local “Day of Service”

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 18th:

• 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.: Rally Celebration with Seattle Sea Gals, Blue Thunder
• 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Volunteers canvass neighborhoods in White Center and Burien
• 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Educational activities from American Red Cross & HOPE worldwide in the SW Boys and Girls Club

WHERE: Kick-off rally will take place at the Southwest Boys & Girls Club, located at 9800 8th Ave SW in White Center. Canvassing will take place in White Center and Burien neighborhoods.

INFO: From their press release:

Volunteers will gather at the SW Boys & Girls Club for a community rally and educational activities and interactive safety demonstrations for neighborhood youth.

The Seahawks Sea Gals, Blue Thunder and Seahawks heroes Mack Strong and Leonard Weaver will be on hand.

After the rally, volunteers will canvass door-to-door throughout local neighborhoods, talk with residents and leave behind door hangers with safety information. The door hangers include information about smoke alarms, creating a household fire escape plan and tips for cooking and heating a home safely this winter. The door hangers provide information in English and Spanish.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized that strong families and communities make dreams come true. The Red Cross and Hope worldwide want to honor that legacy by keeping local neighborhoods safe.

Home fires remain one of King County’s most common disaster threats. Right here in our community, the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties responds to a residential fire every 48 hours.

When the weather gets colder the potential for home fires always grows, but according to a recent survey conducted by the American Red Cross and National Fire Protection Association, this year the potential for home fires may increase even more as people, concerned about the cost of heating their homes, plan to use an alternative source of heat- like a space heater or stove- to lower their bills.

The American Red Cross is a non-profit, humanitarian agency dedicated to helping make families and communities safer at home and around the world.  For more information, visit www.seattleredcross.org.

HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy. For more information, visit www.hopeww.org.

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.

The Burien / Normandy Park Fire Department has done a holiday outreach program for over 25 years, and Tuesday morning (Dec. 22nd), they set out with Santa in their shiny fire trucks to make their annual delivery to 59 local families in need.

Local firefighters receive family names from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services office, then provide each one with a nice turkey dinner as well as stuffing, pies and other assorted food.

Each family also receives several toys and gifts for each child, as well as gift cards to Fred Meyer for each teenager 13-17.

One hundred percent of all donations are returned to the community and all donations are distributed locally.

“Contributions were down a bit this year,” said Doug Leudeman of Fire District #2. “And while we had enough gifts to give out, we could certainly use more cash donations to help offset some of the costs.”

Cash donations are still being accepted at the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department Headquarters Station, located at 15100 8th Ave SW; phone: (206) 242-2040; website: www.burienfire.org.

Photographer Michael Brunk was there to capture this Photo Slideshow:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

WestSide Baby’s Nancy Woodland tells us that they’re holding a special “Save the Day” event today (Wed. Dec. 16th), and they’re seeking donations of girls size 3 and 5 clothes and size 8 boys warm clothes, as well as others.

Here’s the text of an email we just received:

Today the Burien Salvation Army offers 50% off and WestSide Baby really needs clothes to fill orders for kids today!

WestSide Baby Volunteers are furiously filling orders due for delivery this week and there are a few bare shelves.  We really need Girls Sizes 3 and 5 clothes and Size 8 boys warm clothes.  Winter coats in all sizes are in short supply.    The orders are here and waiting to be filled right now.  If you love the idea of dashing off to Save the Day, please go to the Salvation Army and then bring the clothes to our facility in White Center as soon as you can.  We have special open hours for donations until Christmas.  (Mon-Friday 9-4, Thurs. 7-9pm Sat. 9-2.

If you can’t put on your super hero cape today, please consider dropping off diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6) or gently used (or new) warm clothes, especially in sizes 4-12.  Two great drop off locations right in Burien at Advanced Massage and at Goodie Gumdrops.

Salvation Army
16033 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148-1401
(206) 438-4546 Volunteers

Advanced Massage
2120 SW 152nd
Burien
Win a chance for 1 of 4 free massages if you donate there

Goodie Gumdrops
816 SW 152nd
Burien
Drop off clothes, Pick up thing for kiddos on your list and maybe even toss in a new board book or toy for one of the kids on ours.

Janice Hammond of Sunrise Financial Services tells us that they’re holding a special “Pay It Forward” event at the Burien Library on Tuesday, Dec. 15th, from 2pm to 8pm, where you can drop off unused items (see list below) to help out both the Highline Area Food Bank and YWCA’s Emergency Housing Program.

Here’s an email Janice sent us:

Been looking for a way to help out your community? Here is a very easy and/or FREE way to do it! We are putting on a drive for many items you may have in your house right now and are not using anymore.

Go clean out your CUPBOARDS AND CLOSETS and bring any usable items to the main Burien Library on Tuesday, December 15th from 2pm-8pm.

I’m sure if you looked through your kitchen you would be surprised at how many items you will find that you know your family will never use! So, clean out your closets and cupboards and don’t let all those usable goods go to waste!

What we need:

• NON PERISHABLE FOOD
• SHEETS
• BLANKETS
• PILLOWS
• TOWELS
• CLEANING SUPPLIES
• TOOTHBRUSHES
• TOILETRIES
• CLOTHES
• KITCHEN ITEMS

Who it’s going to: Highline Food Bank and YWCA’s Emergency Housing Program – they provide housing to local families in crisis and woman and children who are survivors of domestic violence.

Why: Because if you’re not using it, someone else can!

PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD BY FORWARDING THIS OUT TO OTHERS!!!!

Help us make this a great success!

If you have any questions feel free to email them to me at janice@sunrisefinancialservices.net

The City of Burien, along with the Burien Police and King County Sheriff’s Department, are seeking donations of gift cards for area kids and families in need this holiday season.

Gift Cards in $20 increments are preferred, specifically from the local Fred Meyer and Safeway stores.

The deadline is Monday, Dec. 21st, and donated cards can be dropped off at City Hall during regular business hours.

There’s also a great opportunity for a local business or resident to “adopt” a needy family, and there are at least 35 in need this year.

Here’s more info from Nicki Maraulja, Community Service Officer:

It’s that time of year again to help out our kids and families in need for Christmas.

We have some 40 families that could use an extra hand this year.

We’re now collecting any gift cards for either Fred Meyer or Safeway.

These gift cards can be dropped off at Burien City Hall during City hours, until Dec. 21st.

Cards should be in $20.00 increments.

We would also be interested in any business or community member that would be interested in adopting a family. I have at least 35 families as of right now.

If anyone has any questions, I can be reached at the precinct. in Burien, at 206-296-3333.

REMINDER: We’re holding our annual “Have A Heart” Food Bank Fundraiser Blog Party this TUESDAY NIGHT, Dec. 8th, starting at 6pm at The Tin Cellars.

We’ll be raising funds and collecting non-perishable food items for the Highline Area Food Bank, which serves Burien.

The night of food bank fundraisin’ blog partyin’ fun will begin at 6pm and continue ’til whenever at The Tin Cellars, the brand spankin’ new bar next to the Tin Room, located at 923 SW 152nd in Olde Burien.

The Highline Area Food Bank has been serving about 850 families a month, and is in need of more donations. It serves Burien clients north of 192nd Street and south of 116th Street, from Pacific Highway/International Boulevard/Military Road west to Puget Sound. Of those served, 42 percent are adults, 18 percent are seniors, 38 percent are children, and 2 percent are infants to age 2.

Suggested donation will be two cans/boxes of non-perishable food, $5 cash or whatever you can afford (including larger donations).

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Have A Heart,” The B-Town Blog’s Annual Food Bank Fundraisin’ Blog Party

WHEN: This Tuesday, Dec. 8th from 6pm on

WHERE: The Tin Cellars, next to The Tin Room Bar at 923 SW 152nd in Olde Burien

COST: Suggested donation of two cans/boxes of non-perishable food or $5 cash or whatever you can afford. All proceeds will go directly to the Highline Area Food Bank (HAFB).

Here’s a list of items needed by the HAFB:

• Canned Veggies & Fruit
• Soup
• Tomato Sauce
• Yams
• Cranberry sauce
• Olives
• Meats
• Milk
• Crackers
• Mac & cheese
• Jam
• Peanut Butter
• Pumpkin
• Toiletries

INFO: Here’s a lnk to our Evite invitation.

This will be our 5th-ever “Blog Party,” and we hope that you can make it whether you’ve been to one before or not.

We’ll also be demonstrating the BTB, doing live updates, taking pics and much more.

A special “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser is being held by the Tukwila Police Department this Friday night, Dec. 4th, to help raise money for the families of the Lakewood Police Officers killed last Sunday (Nov. 29th).

The fundraiser will be at the Claim Jumper Restaurant (located at 5901 S. 180th Street in Tukwila), beginning at 4pm, and all donations collected between 4-11pm will go to a trust established for the families of fallen Lakewood Police Officers Mark Renninger, Tina Griswold, Greg Richards and Ronnie Owens, who were all shot and killed at a coffee shop in Lakewood this past Sunday.

As we reported on Nov. 29th, Officer Renninger served eight years on the Tukwila Police Department, and was most recently a member of the Lakewood P.D. and S.W.A.T. team. He is survived by his wife and three children.

“Tip-A-Cop” is a great, fun fundraiser, where, for a small donation, you can pay to have a friend or family member “arrested” and taken out of the restaurant by uniformed cops. It’s all in fun, for a great cause, and from our own previous experience it provides a lot of laughs as well as a great way to meet and learn about local law enforcement.

Other participants will include Valley SWAT, Tukwila Fire Department and Les Schwab.

The Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department is seeking help for their annual “Light Up The Holidays” outreach program for needy families in the area.

Donations of food or toys are being accepted at the locations listed below through Dec. 18th.

All will go directly to needy families in the area.

Christmas Outreach Drop-off locations include:

• Burien Fire Department – 15100 8th Ave SW & 135 S Normandy Rd.
• North Highline Fire Department – 1243 SW 112th & 1606 S 128th
• Highline Medical Center – 16251 Sylvester Rd SW ∙ 12844 Military Rd S ∙ 13030 Military Rd S
• Burien Toyota – 15025 1st Ave S & 139 SW 150th
• Burien Chevrolet – 14400 1st Ave S
• Albertsons – 15840 1st Ave S & 12725 1st Ave S
• YB Tubless/Economy Wiring – 633 SW 148th
• Frenzi – 218 SW 153rd
• Boulevard Park Place Seniors Center – 2805 S 125th
• Curves – 17824 1st Ave S
• Breaktime – 635 SW 152nd
• Page 2 Books – 15706 1st Ave S
• Collins Chiropractic – 619 SW 152nd St.
• Dooley’s – 611SW 152nd St.

Christmas Outreach Sponsors include:

• Sylvester Middle School
• North Highline FD
• Highline Exchange Club
• Plush Pippin Pies
• Burien Town Square
• DSHS
• Burien/Normandy Park FD

by Mark Neuman

All of us at The B-Town and White Center Blogs would like to offer a huge Turkey Day “thank you” to everyone who donated this past weekend at our 2nd Annual Turkey ‘N’ Diapers Drive at Albertsons in White Center.

Over $800 in donations was collected!

The food items will be distributed to those in need by the White Center Food Bank.

Baby related items will go to WestSide Baby, located in White Center.

Team leader Bart Bryan, who often hosts “Whaddaya Think?” on our six neighborhood blogs said “It was very, very cold weatherwise, but the hearts of our neighbors were warm.”

Example: two men, both fighting cancer, arrived three hours apart and, not knowing each other, donated food. Each did so with giving smiles.

One of the most touching moments of the day was when an elderly man donated all he could – 24 cents.

A Sarah Palin look-alike stopped by and contributed food.

A casino dealer set his 52 cards down and gave away a box of 168 diapers.

A grandmother waved and left a grocery bag of pasta and sauce.

A man named “Joe,” who did not want his picture taken, gave four bags of Top Ramen for “starving college students.”

Darla Green, from Skin Perfect Aesthetics in Burien, was the first donor of the day, bringing in a paper bag full of canned goods.

Mike, from an up and coming spot in White Center called Proletariat Pizza, donated three pizzas for the volunteers.

We’d also like to give a big shout out to the good folks at the White Center Albertsons!

Thanks, everyone!

WestSide Baby is a nonprofit organization that collects previously-owned items for children and babies and distributes them free of charge to South King County families in need.

In 2008 WestSide Baby served more than 12,000 children.

In any given month the White Center Food Bank serves over 1,500 families.

Here’s contact information:

White Center Food Bank
10829 8th Ave SW
Seattle WA 98146
www.whitecenterfoodbank.org
Phone: 206-762-2848

And:

WestSide Baby
10032 15th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98146
(206) 767-1662
www.westsidebaby.org

Here’s a Photo Slideshow shot by Mark Neuman and Scott Schaefer of the day:

Click to View Our Photo Slideshow

by Ralph Nichols

While the number of families seeking help from the Highline Area Food Bank in Burien increased by 17 percent during the first six months of 2009, food donations are down by more than 30 percent.

“In this recession, we’re hurt the most by the lack that kind of giving,” said Mike Werle, executive director of the Highline Food Bank. “At every food drive for the past year and a half, the poundage of donated food has been going down.”

Werle notes that 380 pounds of food were donated during Prudential’s food drive in Burien on Oct. 1, compared to 780 pounds last year.

Yet, he adds, “We’re doing better than some food banks.”

This fall, the Highline Area Food Bank has been serving about 850 families a month.

Located at 18300 4th Ave South, the bank distributes food to clients on Tuesdays from 12 to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The value of donated food distributed last year topped $1,042,980. Food donations come from supermarkets, smaller stores and food outlets, and individual donors. Day-old and damaged goods come from:

• Fred Meyer
• Safeway
• Albertson’s
• Three Starbucks
• Little Ceasar’s
• Mud Bay pet store
• Bartell Drug in Burien
• QFC in Normandy Park
• Safeway and Gai’s Bakery in SeaTac

In addition to financial donations from individuals, businesses and churches, the food bank receives grants from federal, state and city governments, King County, United Way, and FEMA.

Financial donations, which Werle said “are way up” even as food donations are down, are essential to the food bank’s mission. “The purchase of food is essential to our ability to give out a nutritionally balanced unit of service to our clients.”

The Highline Area Food Bank serves clients north of 192nd Street and south of 116th Street, from Pacific Highway/International Boulevard/Military Road west to Puget Sound. Of those served, 42 percent are adults, 18 percent are seniors, 38 percent are children, and 2 percent are infants to age 2.

Clients come from Burien (65%), SeaTac (20.5%), Normandy Park (4.5%), and unincorporated King County (4%). Six percent say they are homeless.

The food bank negotiated a 25-year lease at its present facility, the former Manhattan Community Center, which Werle calls “a heck of a deal.” It opened there in 1996 and since has added 40-foot and 20-foot insulated containers and a 12 foot by 24 foot walk-in cooler and freezer for an on-site storage capacity of about 60,000 pounds of food.

“On average,” he says, “we go through 50,000 to 65,000 pounds of food a month.

The large storage capacity gives the Highline food bank the ability to accept large donations and then give some to other food banks if they can’t use all of some items.

Werle says Highline and other area food banks adopted in 2001 a list of foods, which was reviewed and revised slightly by nutritionists from the University of Washington, to provide clients a “standard minimum unit of service.”

Clients self-select from a standard list of items at the food bank, with the variety depending on what has been donated. Once a month their minimum unit includes milk, meat, peanut butter, cereal, soup, canned fruit and vegetables, rice, beans and Jell-o.

Once a week they can get fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes and onions, bread and other baked goods, baby food, nutritional supplements – and pet food when it’s been donated.

For Thanksgiving and Christmas, which Werle describes as “special giving,” more than 400 families will be served before each day with holiday foods as well as some of the regular food items that are distributed.

At Christmas, donated toys will be given to the children of clients at the John Knox Presbyterian Church fellowship hall in Normandy Park.

After the holidays, he says, “the need continues,” but donations decline sharply from early January until May, when the U.S. Postal Service holds its annual carrier food drive at “the best time of year for that to happen.”

In addition to providing food for clients in need, the Highline Area Food Bank also serves new people from outside the area for that day and refers them to the food bank closest to their home, helps people sign up for DSHS services and rental and energy assistance.

Twice a month, a United Way worker comes in to help them sign up for food stamps and summer nutritional programs for kids.

There’s no question that the Highline Area Food Bank could use some help this season; here’s how YOU can lend a hand:

• Send checks made out to Highline Area Food Bank and mail to:

Highline Area Food Bank
P.O. Box 66427
Burien, WA 98166

(you can also place checks into the drop box located at the Normandy Park QFC)

• Drop by the Burien Albertsons any Saturday or Sunday between 10am and 2pm and buy some “Turkey Bucks,” which come in $1, $5 and $10 denominations. Turkey Bucks are converted in to actual, hot Complete Holiday Meals for people in the Highline community to enjoy on Thanksgiving Day (which, by the way, is Thursday Nov. 26th).

• Drop non-perishable food off at Page2Books (15706 1st Ave South; 206-248-7248‎) which delivers to the Food Bank every Tuesday. Also, on Saturday (Nov. 14th) they are donating ALL proceeds from their $1 Book Cart to the Food Bank.

• Come to The B-Town Blog’s “Food Bank Blog Party” on Tuesday night, Dec. 8th at The Tin Room in Olde Burien! Stay tuned for more details soon…

For more information, visit the food bank’s website here.

Burien’s Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center’s Annual Holiday Wreath Sale has begun, and for just $25 each you can help support the children, families and community that they serve everyday.

Just keep in mind that the deadline to order is Friday, Nov. 20th – so you’d better act quickly!

The wreaths are handcrafted with noble and silver fir, incense, western cedar, blue-berried juniper, cones and includes a festive red bow. The wreaths can be shipped anywhere in the United States which makes them the perfect gift for those far away family members and friends.

Simply download and complete the Wreath order form (link, PDF file) and mail, fax or email it to the contact information below by Friday, Nov. 20th to secure your order:

Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center
1033 SW 152nd Street
Burien, WA 98126
Fax: 206.243.5321

Here’s a photo of a sample wreath:

Wreaths can be picked up on Friday, Dec. 4th from 9am – 6pm at the Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center located in Burien.

Questions? Contact Megan Clingman at Meganc@rdcc.org or 206.242.1698 x142.

More information on the Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center can be found here.

In August, a portion of Walker Creek in Normandy Park was reconstructed to make it a better fish habitat, and this Saturday (Oct. 3rd) from 9am to Noon, volunteers will be the first members of the public to see the restoration (the Walker Preserve remains closed while the new pedestrian bridge is being constructed).

Volunteers are sought to help remove the remaining ivy and other invasive plants around the restored area to ensure its revegetation with native plants is wildly successful.

• Do you want to be the first to see the recent Walker Creek restoration?
• Do you care about a healthy environment for your children?
• Do you want to get rid of the stress of the work week by whacking non-native, invasive weeds?
• If so, recruit your friends and family and join us to help restore a section of Walker Creek!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Walker Creek Preserve Stewardship Work Party

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 9am to Noon

WHERE: Walker Creek Preserve in Normandy Park; enter through a gate off First Ave South just south of Normandy Park Assisted Living Center at 16625 First Ave South.

If driving, your parking options include:

• Two-three spaces for high clearance vehicles just inside the gate
• Four-five spaces at the far southeast corner of the Assisted Living center (staff said it would be okay for us to use this area); immediately turn left after entering off First Ave.; cars will have to park head-to-tail
• Three spaces in the small lot at SW 171st St. and Second Ave. SW
• On the street along S. 168th St. on the east side of First Ave. S.

INFO: We will continue the work of removing English ivy from trees and the forest floor along Walker Creek.

What do you need?

• An eager attitude
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Water bottle
• Gloves (if you have them)

We provide gloves, tools, and snacks!

This project is a cooperative effort of the Cities of Normandy Park, Burien, and SeaTac; the Port of Seattle; and King County. These governments are working with residents to improve water quality and create healthy streams in the Miller and Walker Creek basins.

RSVP: Please RSVP in advance so a donut with your name on it is saved; to sign up or get more info, contact Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, at:

• dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov
• 206-296-1909

Our friends at Burien Parks sent us a note, asking if we could put out a call for a Volunteer to serve as a Day Trip Driver for the Senior Program.

Here are the details:

Are you fun, flexible, people-oriented and like to travel?

Burien Senior Program is looking for responsible and experienced drivers for day trips throughout Western Washington.

If you want to see more of your home-state for free, this volunteer position might be for you.

Call 206-988-3700 for a volunteer application or stop by the community center at 425 SW 144th St, Burien to talk to the Senior Program Director.

Your help is needed to help bicycles and pedestrians in Burien – Sustainable Burien is teaming up with the Cascade Bicycle Club and the City of Burien to count the number of people who walk or bike to their destinations.

In a partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Cascade Bicycle Club, volunteers will count people bicycling and walking on paths, bike lanes, sidewalks, and roads. We’ve targeted key locations around Burien.

Volunteer shifts available are:

• Tuesday, Sept. 29th
• Wednesday, Sept. 30th
• Thursday, Oct. 1st

There are two shifts available:

• 7am to 9am
• 4pm to 6pm

WSDOT will use this count information to track progress toward the state’s goal of increasing bicycling and walking in Washington and reducing the number of vehicle miles driven.

Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond puts it simply:

“When people have safe and convenient places to walk and bicycle, they are more likely to leave their car at home. This count helps us to measure the demand for and benefits of existing paths and trails, and to identify new needs.”

To volunteer, contact the Cascade Bicycle Club at organizer@cascadebicycleclub.org or call 206-957-0689.

To contact or learn more about Sustainable Burien, visit http://sustainableburien.org.

Burien’s Hospitality House is holding a “Street Walk for the Women” fundraiser walk in downtown Burien on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Hospitality House’s 8th Annual “Street Walk for the Women” fundraiser for Homeless women.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 26th at 10am; registration starts at 9:30am.

WHERE: Look for the Hospitality House booth at Burien Town Square near SW 152nd; you can register there, or before via online or snailmail (details below).

INFO: Have fun, win prizes and do good. The walk is a lively two miles through the heart of Burien to benefit Homeless women in South King County.

Multiply your efforts by asking friends, family, neighbors & co-workers to sponsor you with donations made to Hospitality House in your name. List them on the second/reverse page.

Here’s the plan:

1. Pre-registration fee is $15 before Sept. 23rd; Same Day fee is $20; you can register online by downloading this form (PDF)
2. Registration starts at 9:30am Sept. 26th at the Hospitality House table near SW 152nd at Burien Town Square; if you have sponsors, bring your completed sponsor form and money to the registration table before the walk
3. Get your route map and list of Sponsors from the registration table, take time to stretch and warm up.
4. Walk starts at 10am.
5. Return to the stage after the walk to see if you win one of the numerous prizes. Top money raisers can select their choice of prizes.
6. If you cannot participate but would like to help Hospitality House, please charge through Paypal on their website at: www.hospitalityhousesouthking.org or mail your check to:

Hospitality House
Attn: 152nd Street Walk
15003 14th SW
Burien WA 98166

Hospitality House is a nine bed shelter for homeless women in South King County. Founded in October 2000 by 12 sponsoring churches. Our mission is to help women find Home Health and Hope Each year we (graduate) approximately 70 women from a comprehensive 90-day program designed to help residence find employment, improve their life skills , and secure a safe affordable place to call home.

How is your donated dollar spent?

• $15 registration fee will stock the refrigerator of Hospitality House with sandwich makings for one day.
• $65 pays for one night of shelter.
• $250 sponsorship pays the monthly phone bill.
• $500 Sees a residence through a two week stay
• $2000. Sponsors a resident for the entire 12 week program, preparing them for a secure and stable life.

How many have been helped?

Since 2000 more than 400 women, ages 18 to 58, have received the services of Hospitality House.

Want to find out more about Hospitality House? Visit their website at: www.hospitalityhousesouthking.org.

The annual “Taste of Tuscany” spaghetti feed fundraiser for senior programs in Burien is coming Friday, Sept. 25th from 5pm to 7pm at the Community Center.

If you haven’t already, make a tradition of this affordable and entertaining event where you can help contribute to the continuation of senior programs in Burien.

Get your tickets today and reserve your spot at this fabulous and fun event – call the Burien Community Center at (206) 988-3700 or reserve online here.

WHAT: Taste of Tuscany 2009 (for ages 12 years and over please)

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 25th from 5pm to 7pm

WHERE: Burien Community Center, located at 425 SW 144th Street

COST: $8.00 per person

INFO: The “Taste of Tuscany” Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser is back for another year. Begin your Friday night with your family and friends for a tasty spaghetti dinner and great Italian music.

For more information, click here.

Work is progressing on construction of a new north caretaker’s cabin at Camp Schoenwald – a secluded 10-acre wooded facility in Burien, owned by the Highline Kiwanis, just east of Sylvester Junior High School.

The caretaker’s home previously on this site was destroyed by fire in March 2008 (when the Buckleys, the family living there, lost everything they owned – see our previous coverage here and here), and now local Kiwanis members are building the new structure with volunteer labor. Their initial goal was to have the cabin’s walls and roof built before a new rainy season this fall, and on this sunny Thursday (Aug. 20the) they were close to getting that done.

Completion of the cabin – including all interior work on its spacious living room and two bedrooms along with a small deck and carport – will occur as fundraising by the Highline Kiwanis permits, in addition to regular maintenance of the camp.

The Kiwanis hopes to have the home ready to be occupied by spring 2010, but it all depends on how many volunteers they can get (they need drywallers, sheet rock, carpeting, flooring, vinyl, cabinet makers, etc. – contact Frank Weise if you can lend a hand or building materials via email at fwise@nor-pacseating.com) as well as cash donations, which can be made by emailing John Gaston at johngaston@highlinekiwanis.com.

Since 1952, the Highline Kiwanis have welcomed thousands of young people to Camp Schoenwald every year. Kiwanis members are proud of the fact that they help young people – especially those who are disadvantaged – experience the outdoors without charging a penny. For many boys and girls who come here, this is their first experience in the outdoor world.

The grounds include trails, a lodge for indoor activities and sleeping quarters, a big tepee with a huge fireplace, and an amphitheater that serve Boy and Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls and many other youth organizations. It is open for both day camps and overnight camping to these groups under adult supervision on a first-come, first-served basis – always free for all.

The Kiwanis want to offer a shout out and big thanks to Powell Homes of Des Moines, who recently sent a crew of four workers for a full day at no charge. The Powell crew helped with one of the project’s more difficult tasks: lifting and nailing in place the prefabricated roof trusses.

For more information, visit the Highline Kiwanis website here.

Our friends at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound are currently seeking adult volunteers to help area children in need.

Here are the details:

Washington State currently holds more than 18,000 prisoners. According to the Department of Corrections, more than 15,000 of them are parents. The stigma that the families face often forces a curtain of silence, isolating these children when they need support the most.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is reaching out to these children, providing caring adult mentors to spend quality one-on-one time with these youth, offering support, compassion, and fun. Youth in the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program are 52% less likely than their peers to skip school, and 97% of “Littles” avoided contact with the juvenile justice system, helping to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeking adult volunteers in your local area who have a couple of hours a week, a few times a month, to make a lasting difference in their community. Just by showing up, you show a child that they matter. You show a child that society expects great things from them, and we know from more than 100 years of experience that it makes a big difference.

If you would like to be a change agent in your community, or for more information, please call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound at 877-700-BIGS or visit www.bbbsps.org.

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:

Burien Little Theatre is looking for a baby grand piano to star in “Christmas with the Crawfords.” The piano would be onstage from November 22nd through December 20th.

Here’s what BLT’s Eric Dickman sent us:

This season BLT is doing two musical productions, “Christmas with the Crawfords” and a 1950’s rock ‘n roll “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” (Theater fans will recognize the latter as Arne Zaslove’s adaptation that ran for years at the Bathhouse and at the Moore. In 2008 Arne updated the show with a few “new” 50s songs.)

BLT audiences seem to love musicals. They are great fun and a great escape, but they are very expensive to produce. They can easily be twice as expensive to produce as a non-musical. (Last season’s “The Rocky Horror Show” set a new budget record for BLT, but was loved by all who came to the show.) At BLT we strive to keep costs down to make every performance affordable to as many people as possible, but we also raise the production values and quality with every new production. To that end we beg and borrow props and set pieces whenever possible. The Seattle Opera, The Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and countless other theaters in the Northwest have loaned pieces to BLT. To be fair, BLT returns the favor whenever it can.

But with the Christmas show, BLT is between a rock and a hard place. The show takes place at the legendary film diva Joan Crawford’s home. (Just the idea of Christmas with Joan and kids, should make you smile, even before the curtain goes up.) Joan’s pianist is onstage throughout the show and provides live music for the singers. Let’s face it, the Crawford house would not have an upright piano.

Can you help? BLT will work with you to protect your baby, but it is time for your baby to leave home and become a star! Of course, you will have the honor of being put on BLT’s exclusive “comp list” and you will be forever memorialized in the “special thanks” section of the program for “Christmas with the Crawfords” and maybe most importantly your baby grand will have its day under the lights onstage.

If you can help BLT, please contact Eric at eric@burienlittletheatre.com, or email BLT at info@burienlittletheatre.com, and don’t forget to check out all of BLT’s new season here.

by Janet Grella

In their 4th annual Mid-Summer Social, members of the Three Tree Point Yacht Club are raising money for Hospitality House.

“We hope to raise $8,000 which will support four women through the three month program,” said organizer and fellow racer Pat Waters.

On August 7th, with only one race week to go “we’re over the half-way mark,” Pat reported to The Waterland Blog.

Racers, crew and guests have also been asked to bring food and/or money for the Des Moines Food Bank. Organizers estimate a “van-full of food” has been raised to date.

According to their website, this invitation went out to members and non-members:

Join other sail boaters for fun, food and prizes, Thursday evenings, July 9th through August 13th. The race will start at 7:00 pm, conducted by The Three Tree Point Yacht Club. Social hour with food, beverages and prizes will begin shortly after the race on the Guest Dock in the Marina, with one or two boat/s serving as host.

Any boat finishing the race by 8:30 pm will be eligible for prizes. There won’t be many rules but there will be lots of fun. Come join your friends for some sailing, food and prizes. No entry fees and the after race social is also free.

For further information contact the Des Moines Marina at 206-824-5700 or Pat Waters at 253.529.2873.

Sue Waters, race committee member, told us “we have been averaging about 17 sailboats out every week. Any boater can join in the festivities. Since it is a sailboat race, powerboats have not joined in. However, they could – and be chase boats or just go around cheering and encouraging the sailboats, especially when there is no wind!”

According to Pat Waters, the boat that raises the most money will win a boat bailout and pressure wash from CSR Marine. The winner will be announced by a former resident of Hospitality House after the final race on August 13th.

Hospitality House is located at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church in Burien. From their website:

Hospitality House shelter is a caring environment, providing case management and safety to homeless single women in order to foster empowerment that leads them toward a permanent home and self-sustainability.

Short- and long-term outcomes include:

Meeting of basic needs to allow residents to focus on larger stability issues
Referral to affordable transitional or permanent housing as they prepare to leave our shelter

Individualized case management services with professional staff who assist residents in overcoming barriers to stability

Client assistance funds that are used to remove certain financial barriers
Hospitality House is open 365 nights a year. We are largely supported by a diverse and committed volunteer corp. We are always recruiting new volunteers and have new volunteer orientation several times a year. Other ways to serve Hospitality House are through financial contributions and in-kind professional services.

In King County’s 10-year plan to end homelessness: “A Roof Over Every Bed”, South King County is recognized as underserved. Keeping Hospitality House open and viable, as one of the only single women’s shelters in South King County, is an important part of serving the needs of homeless women.

We strive to successfully move women of South King County into stable lives and homes. While the organization was founded by area churches, supported by volunteers from area churches, and housed at no cost in the education building of a church, Hospitality House is an independent non-profit organization that does not proselytize in any way.

Supporting Organizations:
Des Moines United Methodist Church ~ John Knox Presbyterian Church ~ Lake Burien Presbyterian Church ~ Normandy Park United Church of Christ ~ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ~ Prince of Peace Lutheran Church ~ Saltwater Unitarian Universalist Church ~ Southminster Presbyterian Church ~ St. Bernadette Catholic Church ~ St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church ~ St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church ~ St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church ~ Soroptomist International of Seattle South

Local non-profit New Futures is currently seeking candidates to serve as members of the Board of Directors, to do the things that board members do best – help raise funds, do marketing, publicity, planning, advising and much more.

In case you’re not familiar with New Futures, here’s some info 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. Within low-income apartment complexes in South King County, which have the highest rates of poverty and school failure in King County, New Futures provides educational programs and support services to families we work with.

We have four sites in South King County: Arbor Heights in White Center, The Heights at Burien (formerly Vintage Park) in Burien, Windsor Heights in SeaTac, and Woodridge Park in Boulevard Park. We impact all of the 3,500 individuals in the apartment complexes in which we are located with services that include translation, advocacy with management and schools, support with basic needs like food and clothing, community-building events, outreach, increased social cohesion, and reduced crime.

In addition to general board member responsibilities (see below) New Futures is looking for 1 – 3 people that have one or more of the following attributes:

• Resides and/or works in South King county
• Possesses fundraising ability/experience/ contacts
• Represents families we serve/ cultural competency/knowledge of community New Futures serves
• Has marketing expertise

If you would like more information about serving on the Board please contact Jenn Ramirez Robson at jenn.ramirez@yahoo.com.

If you are interested in New Futures but are unable to make the commitment required for a full board seat at this time, please consider volunteering for one of their standing committees:

• Strategic Planning
• Fundraising

Here’s the job description for New Futures’ Board Members;

The board as a whole has the responsibility for governing the entire organization, for establishing and upholding the organization’s mission and vision and for preparing for the organization’s successful future.

Planning:

• Establish the organization’s mission, vision, values, priorities (strategic plan) and keep them in focus at all times
• Plan for the organization’s future on a long-term and short-term basis
• Ensure alignment of program priorities with strategic plan
• Ensure the evaluation of programs and operations on a regular basis

Human Resources:

• Recruit, orient, train and recognize board members and provide them with opportunities to grow and develop as leaders
• Hire, orient, support and guide the Executive Director and evaluate his/her performance annually
• Develop personnel policies, including setting salary ranges, benefits and grievance procedures

Finance:

• Ensure financial accountability of the organization and ensure appropriate financial controls are in place
• Assist in the development of and approve the annual budget
• Oversee the organization’s properties and investments
• Review and approve audit and respond to any issues

Development:

• Ensure adequate resources to fulfill the organization’s mission
• Participate in fundraising activities
• Help identify, steward and thank major donors

Community Relations:

• Enhance the organization’s public standing by clearly articulating its mission, accomplishments and goals to the public
• Ensure that the programs and services appropriately address constituent needs
• Promote collaborative relationships with other organizations
• Help identify opportunities to promote the organization

Operations:

• Conduct annual board performance evaluations and establish plans to improve board accomplishments and processes
• Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability to 501(c)(3) guidelines and to each other
• Maintain an effective structure with committees appropriate to the size of the organization
• Conduct board meetings that generate and utilize the best possible thinking of its members

Individual Board Member Responsibilities:

• Learn and keep in focus the organization’s mission, vision, values, goals, policies and programs/services
• Suggest new board members
• Serve on at least one committee
• Avoid conflicts of interest
• Follow trends in the organization’s field
• Prepare for and participate in all board meetings
• Read and understand presented financial statements
• Exercise prudence regarding the expenditure of funds
• Represent the organization in the community
• Participate in board fundraising activities including the annual event
• Make a personally significant financial contribution
• Attend New Futures organized public functions
• Be open serving in a leadership capacity 5-10 hours per month, including:
  • board meeting preparation and attendance
  • committee meeting preparation and attendance
  • fundraising and special requests
• Serve a minimum of 3 years

In 1993, New Futures linked 4 apartment units together in The Heights at Burien and converted the space into classrooms, computer labs, and family meeting areas, to open our largest family center.

Located in the heart of Burien, The Heights at Burien has 543 apartments inside the complex, which makes it one of the largest complexes in the Puget Sound area. A majority of the residents here are Latino. There is also a large group of indigenous Mexican immigrants known as Purepecha, who speak a language called Tarascan, which dates back to the time of the Aztecs.

Like all of our sites, we offer English Language Learner (ELL) classes, translation services, and family advocacy services to help recent immigrant families navigate unfamiliar education and governmental systems, so they can thrive.

More information on New Futures is available at their website.

Bartell Drugs and World Vision are launching their 6th annual “School Tools for Kids in Need” program, which is aimed at helping to fill the school supply needs for children in the Puget Sound area.

Here are the details:

WHAT: 6th Annual “School Tools for Kids in Need” program to collect school supplies for children in need.

WHERE: At all 56 Bartell Drug locations, including Burien’s, located at 14901 4th Ave SW; (206) 242-1201; find other locations here.

WHEN: From Monday, August 10th to Sunday, August 30th.

THE NEED: This three-week school supply drive is especially important as 58,000 local children would begin the school year without the basic school supplies needed to succeed if it weren’t for this much needed program. Teachers, whose students qualify for the free or reduced-price lunch program, are able to “shop” for school supplies for these children, all free of charge.

Basic Needs List suggestions found in Bartell’s “School Aisles” include:

• R. Geddes Crayons – 24 colors
• School Works Kids Scissors – Pointed or Blunt
• Bic Cristal or Round Stic Ink Pens – 10 pack. Blue or Black
• Elmer’s Glue – Glue-All or School Glue/4 oz. bottles
• Paper-Mate #2 Pencils – 20 count
• Avery Glue Stic/2 pack – Acid-free, photo-safe, permanent, washable
• Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers – 3 pack
• Avery Poly Binders – 1/2″ or 1″ sizes
• Buffalo Erasers – 25 pack Cap Erasers or 4 pack Pink
• Avery Hi-Liter Markers – Yellow or Pink

PARTNERS: Bartell Drugs, World Vision and Star 101.5 FM

INFO:

• Bartell Drugs will be on hand collecting school supplies at the Tacoma Rainiers “World Vision Night” game on August 21 in Tacoma.
• Seattle Storm will be helping to raise awareness of the program with discount tickets to a “Back-to-School Night” game on August 29 and an in-store sweepstakes to become a Junior Storm Assistant.

Navos, an organization devoted to “helping people navigate through troubled waters of great challenges and landing in a state of Recovery and Wellness” will be hosting an open house, program and lunch buffet on Thursday, Aug. 6th to celebrate the completion of Burien Heights, a new housing development designed for low-income  and disabled adults, including veterans.

The event will run from 11:30am to 1pm Thursday at the new housing, located at 1115 SW 134th in Burien.

The construction of the Burien Heights Residences marks the completion of the first phase of Navos’ long-term plan to build a new Mental Health & Wellness Center in Burien on the parcel directly to the south.

Navos will also celebrate the purchase of apartments for 14 more people adjacent to the new construction. This project will eventually be able to provide long term housing and support services for thirty-six adults in recovery.

Providing a community of safe, decent and affordable living for adults succeeding in recovery

Lunch will be provided by Third Runway Cafe & Catering, an employment training program of Navos.

According to their website:

Navos’ implementation of Recovery and Resiliency Services in mental health care is setting a new standard. These new housing units, with the other 260 homes for adults who live in Navos owned or operated housing, demonstrate our success in working with individuals and families affected by serious mental and emotional illness, as well as their successes living fuller and richer lives in the community.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Navos Building 15 Affordable Housing Units On SW 136th

BTB Reader Rebecca Dare brought this to our attention a few days ago – around Burien, there are numerous “orphan” trees (and plants/bushes) that may be suffering from this extreme heat and drought.

These living things might be growing near unattended buildings, near sidewalks and other places where they may not get the water they need, especially during times of high heat.

So we’re putting out the call to all Readers to “adopt” one of these poor trees and bring them water.

Here’s Rebecca’s email to us:

I noticed a Forest Pansy Redbud (one of my favorite trees) dying near the Thai restaurant (the old IHOP) and started taking bottles of water to try to save it for the last few days. The rhodys around it are already toast so I’m not bothering with them.

I’d like to add that mulch can help hold in the water — just don’t put mulch all the way up to the trunk of a tree.

At this point — this week — I think just water would be a big help! And whenever & however a person could do it. (At this point I’ve just been watering the redbud once a day — approx. 4 gallons or so.

On the day we did the big walk around with Thomas Sieverts, some of us were pretty concerned (Kitty Milne among us) about the plants by the old City Hall. I’ve been meaning to take a look at them, but not sure how best to water — maybe I’ll look into it. At the SuBu raised beds at B/IAS was have access to water.

If you see another plant or tree suffering, it’d be wonderful if you’d adopt it until things get better.

Thanks, Rebecca

UPDATE 8/3/09: Rebecca sent us these pics of herself and Bill Opfermann watering one of these trees:

We did some research, and here’s more information that might help you save one of these plants and keep Burien green:

• What a tree under “drought stress” looks like:
  • Symptoms of drought injury to trees can be sudden or may take up to two years to be revealed. Drought injury symptoms on tree leaves include wilting, curling at the edges, and yellowing.
  • Deciduous leaves may develop scorch, brown outside edges or browning between veins.
  • Evergreen needles may turn yellow, red or purple. They may also turn brown at the tips of the needles and browning may progress through the needle towards the twig.
  • In continued drought, leaves may be smaller than normal, drop prematurely or remain attached to the tree even though brown.
  • Often times, drought stress may not kill a tree outright, but set it up for more serious secondary insect and disease infestations in following years.

• Where to water your tree:

• Deep watering to a depth of 12” inches below the soil surface is recommended.
• Saturate the soil around the tree within the “dripline” (the outer edges of the tree’s branches) to disperse water down toward the roots.
• For evergreens, water 3’-5’ beyond the dripline on all sides of the tree.
• The objective is to water slowly, dispersing the flow of water to get the water deep down to the trees roots. Wateringfor short periods of time only encourages shallow rooting which can lead to more drought damage.
• Don’t dig holes in the ground in an effort to water deeply. This dries out roots even more. A soil needle/deep root feeder attached to a hose is acceptable to insert into the ground if your soil is not too hard and compact.
• Overhead spraying of tree leaves is inefficient and should be avoided during drought conditions. Watering at ground level to avoid throwing water in the air is more efficient.

• Tree Watering: Amount of water needed and methods to use:

• During the drought, trees must be given top watering priority over your lawn. However, caring for trees requires different watering methods than your lawn.
• During water restrictions, irrigation systems designed to water turf do not sufficiently water your trees. During the drought, trees should be given a higher priority than lawns. Lawns can be replaced in a matter of months whereas a 20 year old tree will take 20 years to replace.
• How much water your tree should receive depends upon the tree size. A general rule of thumb is to use approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for each watering. Measure trunk diameter at knee height. General formula: Tree Diameter x 5 minutes = Total Watering Time.
• Example: When you hand water using a hose at medium pressure, it will take approximately 5 minutes to produce 10 gallons of water. If you have a 4” diameter tree, it should receive 40 gallons of water – multiply by 5 minutes to equal total watering time of 20 minutes.
• All size trees should be watered April through September according to the guidelines below. All trees should also receive adequate water during the winter months too –For more information on winter watering, see below.
• Water should be distributed evenly under the dripline of the tree.
• The best watering method depends upon whether you have a small (1-7” diameter), medium (8-15” diameter) or large sized (16”+ diameter) tree.
• Small Trees (1-7” diameter) –3 times per month, April through September.
• Newly planted and smaller trees can get adequate water within the existing watering restrictions by hand watering with a soft spray hose attachment as a separate zone on your designated day.

So, if you decide to help out one of Burien’s (and your planet’s) fellow living things, please take some pics and email them to us along with info on where the tree/planet was located!

The Burien Parks Department wants kids of all ages to cool down by running through their sprinklers at Lake Burien School Park, where they’re turning on the irrigation systems for two one-hour periods over the next few days.

If you’re wondering what this new “spray ground” looks like, here’s a video courtesy Michael Lafreniere, Director of Burien Parks:

Here are the details:

WHAT: Lake Burien School Park’s main grassy area will become a “spray ground” as the Department turns on the irrigation systems for two 1-hour periods over the next few days.

WHEN: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (7/28/09-7/30/09), from 3pm-4pm and again from 7pm-8pm

WHERE: Lake Burien School Park (located at SW 149th & 16th Ave SW)

COST: None. It’s FREE!

INFO: The Parks folks also add:

“In addition to this fun and wet opportunity to cool off, some cool breezes can be found along the shore at Seahurst Park, in the cool forests of Eagle Landing Park and Dottie Harper Park, and along the really cool trails in Shorewood Park.

More information about these cool parks is at http://www.burienwa.gov/index.aspx?NID=687.”

Looks like the much-hyped “Hotpocalypse ‘09™!” is finally hitting, with temps forecast to be in the 90s over the next several days, prompting local health officials to issue the following common sense tips:

“Protect yourself and your loved ones from heat exhaustion and heat stroke by following these recommendations:

STAY COOL:

• Spend more time in air conditioned places. If you don’t have air conditioning, consider visiting a mall, movie theater or other cool public places (ie: Southcenter, where “it’s always a beautiful day”)
• Go down to the water – Seahurst Park Beach is a great place to hang out, with a creek and lots of shady areas.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
• Dress in lightweight clothing.
• Check up on your elderly neighbors and relatives.

DRINK LIQUIDS:

• Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic beverages.
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

WHILE OUTSIDE:

• Limit your direct exposure to the sun.
• Do not leave infants, children, people with mobility challenges and pets in a parked car, even with the window rolled down.
• Avoid or reduce strenuous activity.
• Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Avoid sunburn by using a sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.

Check with your physician if you are concerned about heat and the specific medications you are taking. Certain medications may increase sensitivity to the heat. Do not take salt tablets unless directed to by a physician.

Heat can lead to serious medical problems, particularly for older adults, young children, people with chronic illness, and people with weight or alcohol problems.

“The danger for heat–related illnesses rises when outside temperatures are very high,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Fortunately, all of us can prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke with some simple steps.”

RECOGNIZING HEAT STROKE:

Overheating occurs when people’s bodies are not able to cool themselves quickly enough and can lead to symptoms of heat exhaustion, including muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. If you notice someone with signs of overheating, move the person to a cooler location, have them rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention for them immediately if they do not feel better.

In severe instances, people can suffer heat stroke, which can cause can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Symptoms of heat stroke include:

• An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Nausea, confusion and unconsciousness
• *Melted skin
• *The smell of burning flesh
• *Strangers using your body to make S’Mores
• *Death

(* our inappropriate, lame jokes)

For more tips and resources on staying cool in hot weather, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/BeatTheHeat.

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…).

Who knew that when Burien resident Cassidy Huff took a step onstage with the Rascal Flatts, the chart-topping country rock band, that she would later be taking a step in the right direction to help other kids just like herself?

Cassidy, a 7-year old Make-A-Wish Foundation wish recipient, has teamed up with her mom (Shannon) and sister (Ella) to “pay it forward” and give back to the organization which helped her realize her wish by participating in the Foundation’s Walk for Wishes.

Cassidy had always belted out Rascal Flatts’ songs into her hair brush and so it came as no surprise that she chose to meet them and attend their concert as her wish in April of 2008.The night that Cassidy will never forget began with a candlelit dinner with her favorite band member, Jay DeMarcus, where she was able to ask him lots of questions and joke around with him. Later, Cassidy was pulled from her front row seat onto the stage when the band handed her a microphone and she sang her heart out to thousands of adoring fans.

According to her Mom, Shannon Huff:

Cassidy was born with a rare genetic condition called Conradi-Hunermann Syndrome. It affects her spine so she has scoliosis and kyphosis for which she has two VEPTR’s (titanium ribs) to help keep her spine straighter. She has limb length issues. Her right side is shorter and she wears a lift on her shoe for now.

Her vision has now been corrected in her right eye. She had a very severe cataract in that eye that has now been replaced with a lens. We call it the bionic eye!

She also has some patchy alopecia.

Cassidy also has some hearing loss in her left ear. This has been corrected with a hearing aid that she wears most days.

Cassidy is 7! She has had 22 surgeries to date with more to come.

We do have our own blog that I keep updated: www.caringbridge.org/visit/cassidyhuff

Fast forward almost a year and a half later, as the Make-A-Wish Foundation plans its inaugural Walk for Wishes fundraiser on Sunday, August 16th at Marymoor Park in Redmond. Cassidy and her Burien family are now giving back by setting up a fundraising team for the Walk and are hoping to inspire many others to do the same. On the day of the event, Cassidy and her family, along with other wish families and supporters, will participate in the family-friendly 5k to raise funds and awareness of the Foundation.

You can help by making a donation on their team webpage by going to www.walkforwishes.kintera.org/Washington and selecting the sponsor a participant link. From there, type in “Shannon Huff” and make your donation.

“Cassidy has been an inspiration to those she has come in contact with, and the Foundation appreciates all that she has endured and her courage to help other kids who are living with their own hardships,” said Jeannette Tarcha, communications director at the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska, Montana, Northern Idaho and Washington grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since its inception in 1986, the chapter has granted 4,000 wishes to children in the Pacific Northwest and will grant 291 wishes this year alone. For more information about the Foundation, including how you can help share the power of a wish contact them at 800.304.WISH or visit our Web site at www.northwestwishes.org.

And be sure to read Shannon’s blog about Cassidy here:

www.caringbridge.org/visit/cassidyhuff

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I was lucky enough to participate in a few Make-A-Wish moments while working in Hollywood, and I can say that there's not much else that's legal that can make you feel as good as it feels to help one of these kids.]