“The Red Cross will be providing assistance which could include shelter, food, clothing and other immediate needs,” according to an email from Katherine Boury, Seattle Red Cross Media Relations Officer.

“It was a minor fire caused by bedding and mattress against a baseboard heater,” said Doug Luedeman of the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department. “The fire was contained in the bedroom and quickly extinguished by the fire department. There were no working smoke detectors in the home at the time. There was nobody home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries to fire personnel.”

“On average, the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties responds to an emergency like this every other day. All Red Cross assistance is free. For more information about the Red Cross please go to www.seattleredcross.org.”

PREVIOUSLY: We encourage all our Readers to participate in our community news gathering efforts (you can email us tips & photos here), and here’s an example of one such submission from BTB Reader Desiree Gonzalez – a photo of a residential fire in a complex just north of SW 132nd and First Ave South in Burien at around Noon on Tuesday, July 12th:

Click image to see larger version.

We’ve inquired about this incident with the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department, and once we gather more info, we’ll update this post.

If you happen upon something newsworthy in the Burien area, please take a photo and email it to us: editor@b-townblog.com.

Please include your name, location of the event and any other info you can find, and pending review, we’ll likely post it.

Five years ago this Sunday, Feb. 6th, marks a very sad and tragic anniversary – that’s when the body of Nicole Pietz was found in a wooded area in Burien.

She was the victim of a homicide, and the case remains unsolved.

Nicole was last seen by her husband in Lynnwood on January 28, 2006.

Her car was found in the University District of Seattle about two weeks later.

There remains a $36,000 reward in the case.

In addition, Nicole’s mother has said the family will pay the legal costs of anyone who comes forward with information germane to the case, but wishes to use the services of an attorney.

The King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is still investigating this case, and would like anyone with information to call (206) 296-3311.

Here are photos of Nicole:

Burien native Jerrod Sessler wants our Readers to know that he is spearheading a new venture, called “BTownHelpers” that is aimed at helping local residents in need.

“There is a growing number of people in the Burien community that want to see our country become more healthy,” he said in a statement. “Many of us realize that it starts with one step by each of us and the best place to do that is at home. So a group of people, of which you can join if you choose, is offering to support members of our local community with needs. There is no obligation or sign-up. If you choose to follow the twitter feed (@BtownHelpers) then you can keep up with opportunities to serve.”

Many of our Readers may recall a story we did on Jerrod, who is a cancer survivor of over 10 years.

“The doctors told me it was terminal. And here I am now,” he told us in September, 2009.

So he knows a thing or two about needing help, and helping in return.

Jerrod Sessler

Jerrod adds:

The holidays always bring opportunities to serve and we have helped by adopting families, giving gifts, delivering Christmas trees, preparing or purchasing food. We have collected clothing for kids such as warm coats for the winter. We have cleaned up local parks and walking areas. We have worked with local businesses to put left over food or other items to use for the people of the community. We have helped local small businesses that are closing their doors for economic reasons. Help includes hauling out valuable items from their business, assisting with business management issues around losing a business, personal counseling and prayer as well as other related items.

There are no limits to what we can do when we put our heads and our hearts together with the vision of expressing our love for one another.

Email: Btown@freggies.com

Twitter: BtownHelpers (set up mainly for people to follow who are able to help when needs arise)

More details to follow for those interested in serving and for those in need.

Regards,
Jerrod

Burien native Todd Anderson suffered a serious heart attack on Dec. 9th, and his family is reluctantly asking for financial help to offset some of the costs.

Todd was born and raised in Burien’s Three Tree Point area, and is well-known to many as both a Contractor and Drummer for the “Three Tree Point Blues Band,” which plays at area community events as well as local clubs. He graduated from Highline High School in 1972, then attended the University of Washington. His wife Kathy also grew up at Three Tree Point and they’ve been married since 1980. Three generations of their families have lived or are still living at the Point.

While Todd does have health insurance, as with many plans, only part of the medical expenses are covered. A website has been set up to help raise funds for Todd and his family, with a goal of $25,000 (as of 3pm on 12/23, it had already raised $6,800!).

Kathy and Todd Anderson at a recent Halloween party.

“Todd is a self employed contractor and does not have disability insurance,” said his wife Kathy. “He will not be able to work for several months. That amount was decided by friends as a way for Todd to have peace of mind so that he can focus all of his energy on recovering and healing completely.”

Here’s a blurb from the fundraiser website:

A message from family & friends of the Andersons

Please join us in raising money to help Todd Anderson and his family.  On December 9th, Todd suffered cardiac arrest. He is still in the hospital awaiting surgery as of this writing. His recovery will take many months and as you know, Todd is self-employed. Your contribution will help with overwhelming medical bills and the family’s needs in the months ahead.

The Andersons have nurtured a large and loving community of family and friends. Kathy and Todd are far more comfortable giving to this community than receiving.  We now have an opportunity to give back generously to help this wonderful family during a challenging time.

Here’s more info on Todd courtesy Kathy:

Todd had a cardiac arrest while sleeping on December 9 at 5:15 am. Our daughter, Molly, heard me call out his name and came rushing into our bedroom from her room next to ours. After calling 911, she immediately began CPR and continued until the paramedics from the Burien Fire Dept arrived. His heart responded after only one paddle shock. As they transported him to Highline Hospital, the new hypothermia therapy treatment began with a chilled IV drip. His Hypothermia treatment continued at Highline by cooling his body temperature to 91 degrees for 24 hours. He is number 736 in the King County study of this rather new treatment. We’ve been told that given Todd’s scenario, only 8 % survive. After recovering to consciousness at Highline following the hypothermia treatment, Todd was transferred to Swedish hospital for an ICD (defibrillator implant) surgery. However, a blood clot had formed in the right atrium of his heart stalling the surgery. He is now at home on blood thinners and wearing an external life shock vest through the holidays as the clot continues to dissipate. He will return to Swedish for the implant surgery when the clot has cleared …we hope the first or second week of 2011!

Todd’s love of waterskiing has been shared in teaching many kids (including his own children, Pat, 21 and Molly, 24) and friends in the community over the past 35 years behind his original 1968 Boston Whaler. Pat and Todd even competed in a water skiing and wakeboard tournament as father and son a few years ago. He’s still seen ripping it up behind his orange Tahiti along the shores of the sound.

He is very appreciative of the support we’ve received from our family, friends and community.

The Three Tree Point Blues Band, with Todd drumming.

Anything else? We asked Kathy, who added:

“Encourages all yours Readers to get educated and trained to perform CPR!”

We know that any donation is appreciated, and we encourage those who can lend a hand to consider helping out Todd and his family – click here for the fundraiser website, where you can donate online (no PayPal account is needed).

On Tuesday (Dec. 21) the King County Sheriff’s Department announced that they are seeking the public’s help in finding what they are calling the “He or She” robber, who has struck area pharmacies three times in the past few months.

Police believe the armed robber is dressing to conceal her gender, which was originally thought to be male. But now detectives believe the suspect is actually a female – check out these surveillance pics:

“The He/She robber heads to the pharmacy counter and asks for oxycodone,” said Sgt. John Urquhart in a statement. “In at least one of the robberies a pistol was waived around while the pharmacist complied.”

The robber is described as short and stout. She wears bulky clothing under a heavy coat, a hat and hoodie, sometimes a wig, and manages to conceal most of her face with hair from the wig or with a scarf.

The first robbery was the Burien Walgreen’s store located at 14565 Ambaum Blvd. SW on Sept. 30th at about 9:30pm. The robber wore a gray hoodie, blond wig, and a straw hat. She brandished a handgun during the robbery.

The same Walgreen’s was hit again on Nov. 22nd about 12:15am. This time the suspect wore a light-colored trench coat, hood and a beanie hat, with a scarf that covered most of her face. A gun was implied.

On Dec. 16th about 2:45am, store employees believe the same suspect was at Walgreen’s again, inside the store. For some reason the robber didn’t act and left the store before Sheriff’s deputies arrived. Not long afterwards the Walgreen’s in Renton was robbed. Both Renton and Sheriff’s detectives believe the same person is responsible for this robbery as well.

The suspect is described as a black female, quite heavy set between 5’ 5” and 5’ 8”, at least 200 to 225 lbs. She has dark skin and wears a coat and other bulky clothes and tries to conceal her face.

If anyone recognizes the suspect they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.

CrimeStoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. Call 1-800-222-TIPS.

Another reward, up to $1,000, is available from Rx Patrol at (203) 588-7614 or their web site at www.rxpatrol.org.

Transform Burien, a cooperative group of Christ-centered churches located in the Burien/Highline area, will be holding a special Toy/Gift Giveaway event on Sunday, Dec. 19th for families that find it hard to provide the gifts they would like to this Christmas.

In addition to this giveaway event, Transform Burien hosts a free hot meal for families and people in need every Sunday from 3pm – 5pm and free sack lunches every Wednesday from 12pm – 3pm in the former location of the Burien Community Center at 425 SW 144th Street (at the intersection of 4th SW & SW 146th).

Guests are also provided with basic grocery needs and are welcome to a community clothing closet where they can choose from wardrobe necessities. These meals feed anywhere from 60 to over 100 people on average.

In a time when seemingly everything is in need, this group of eight local community churches have provided for the most vulnerable in our community; however, none of would be possible without donations from you, the community members. Toys are still in need for the gift giveaway on December 19th as well as non-perishable grocery items and clothing.

Donations can be made at the former Burien Community Center, on Wednesday from 12pm – 2pm; Friday from 9am – 11am; or before 4pm on Sunday, Dec. 19th.

If you can help make a parent make their child’s Christmas brighter in a difficult time please contact the Transform Burien group with your donation:

Website: http://www.transformburien.org/index.htm

Email: pastor@westsideburien.org

Phone: 206.439.9031

It’s the holiday season in B-Town, the perfect time to ‘gift’ your local community by giving back in the form of volunteerism.

In that spirit, here’s a starter list of local volunteer opportunities – if you know of any others, please email us and we’ll add ‘em:

ADDED 11/22/10:

NAVOS MENTAL HEALTH:
The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for our clients and patients. All live at or near poverty level and many are estranged from their families. Both of these situations often occur as a result of having a serious mental illness. For those of you who want to help, we have created a list of items that would be very useful to our clients and patients, at this or any time of year.

For information about where to donate, or to host a drive at your place of employment or place of worship, please contact us at 206-933-7248 or development@navos.org.

HYGIENE KITS FOR ALL OF OUR LOW INCOME CLIENTS:

• Soap
• Brush/Comb
• Toothpaste, toothbrush and floss
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Feminine Hygiene Items

FOR RESIDENTS OF OUR SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAMS:

• Twin mattress
• New pillows
• New phone
• Kitchen stuff such as pots and pans, silverware
• Coffee maker
• Oven mitts and kitchen towels
• New shower curtains
• New twin sheet sets
• Boxes of tissue
• Canned and boxed goods

FOR OUR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS:

• Wilson Evolution Basketballs(4 units are needed annually for Inpatient Services)
• Clay and Paint Supplies
• Used soft cover books (no romance)
• Hats and Gloves (for homeless discharge patients)
• New sweat pants and shirt sets (male and female)
• New L and XL women’s plain white underwear
• Women’s make up, finger nail polish, acetone, cotton swabs and q-tips
• Men’s face wash, deodorant, lotion

HIGHLINE AREA FOOD BANK
The Highline Area Food Bank is always in need, of both volunteers, food donations and cash. Cash/check donations are best, as the food bank can then purchase items at special rates, thus making the donation stretch further.

To contact the food bank, call 206-433-9900 or email highlinefb@gmail.com.

They’re located at 18300 4th Avenue South in Burien (Map).

According to Executive Director Mike Werle, current needs include:

• Grocery Store Collectors to stand in front of stores (the current location is at Albertson’s through December)
• Food Bank Workers in the food bank itself, sorting food and helping
• Distributors for holiday distribution week is Dec. 20-22, and they need extra help then

WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK
The White Center Food Bank (10829 8th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98146; Telephone: 206.762.2848) is also in need of:

• Grocery Rescue Drivers and Driver Support: We are looking for volunteers to drive our van and accompany our drivers to collectd donated food from food drives, local grocery stores and individual donors. Shifts are Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-1:00PM and 1:00PM to 5:00 PM.  A valid drivers license for driving, training in the grocery rescue program and a food handlers permit are requirements for both of these positions.  Training can be arranged by the food bank.  Minimum commitment: 1 day/week for 3 months.
• Client Intake/Data Entry Support: We are looking for caring volunteers who would like to help clients fill out minimal paperwork and enter their information into our database. Client Intake volunteers will also be trained to help order and distribute items for low-income families with babies as well as Emergency Feeding Program bags for special dietary needs and after-hours emergency food needs.  Bilingual ++.  We are currently looking for volunteers to work on Wednesdays from 10 AM – 1:00 PM.  Minimum commitment: 1 day/week for 6 months.
• Food Line Workers: The food bank serves approximately 100+ families each day that we are open! Volunteers help to stock shelves, package food, set up the produce and bakery department and distribute food to the community.  Training will be provided. Food handlers permit preferred and can be arranged through the food bank. Shifts run Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM.  Minimum commitment: 1 day/week for 3 months
• Baby Pantry Support: Through our partnership with Westside Baby and other groups in the community, we are able to provide support to families with infants. The Baby Pantry is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM to provide items such as infant formula, clothing, baby food, equipment, and diapers. Volunteers will help take orders and distribute these items to families. Minimum commitment: 1 day/week for 3 months.
• Help the Hungry Food Drive: Are you a member of a community group, club, or workplace? Hosting a food drive for the food bank can be a great way to support hungry children and families in White Center.  We can supply a packet of instructions and help to coordinate with grocery stores or your organization. We will also pick up donations as needed from your food drive.

HIGHLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Highline Historical Society is seeking (click here to email them directly with your interest):

• Oral history recorders
• Archives assistance
• Computer data entry help
• Qualified researchers

BURIEN LITTLE THEATRE
Burien Little Theatre has plenty of opportunities; according to Eric Dickman, Executive Director:

BLT can use the skills set of just about anyone with time and energy.

We build and entire world and then tear it down and build another 4 to 5 times a year.

A short list of what BLT could use is:

• Set builders
• Set painters
• Office staff
• Tax preparer
• Bookkeeper
• Publicity manager
• Help with publicity
• Help passing out posters and postcards
• Writing press releases
• Distributing press releases
• Organizing set construction space
• Organizing costumes
• Wardrobe manager during run of shows (clean and repair costumes)
• Building, finding, managing props
• Managing concessions
• Selling concessions
• Program layout
• Web master
• Editor
• Sound tech
• Managing front of House
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Public speakers (fund raising)
• Fund raising
• Program advertising sales people
• Photographer
• Videographer

Basically if you have a skill and the time to volunteer there is place for your talent in live theater.

Read to Little Kids in Burien
Sponsor: United Way Volunteer Readers | Location: Primary Location is Burien, WA 98166, but other locations are available

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More than half of all kindergartners in our state are entering school without the social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills they need to be successful. Research shows that those who start behind often stay behind.The good news is that. . . moreYouth Program Tutor

Sponsor: New Futures | Location: Burien, WA 98166

Description of the Organization: New Futures is an organization that partners with families to create communities where children thrive. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs in low-income apartment complexes build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths.Responsibilities: 1. Engage and build relationships. . . more

Burien Library – Study Zone Tutor

Sponsor: King County Library System | Location: Burien, WA 98166

Give students the homework help they need!Volunteer to be a Study Zone Tutor!

The Study Zone needs dedicated volunteers to tutor elementary through high school students at the library. Use your skills in math, science, English, social. . . more

Southwest KCLS Libraries – Substitute Study Zone Tutor

Sponsor: King County Library System | Location: Burien, WA 98166

Give students the homework help they need!Volunteer to be a Study Zone Tutor!

The Study Zone needs dedicated volunteers to tutor elementary through high school students at the library. Use your skills in math, science, English, social studies, study. . . more

Burien Hyde Shuttles. We’ll put YOU in the driver’s seat

Sponsor: Senior Services | Location: Burien, WA 98166

Love Driving? Want to take it to the next level? Volunteer with Hyde Shuttles! We?re not your ordinary volunteer experience. Use your love of driving to give back to your community by helping seniors and folks with. . . more

Know of any other volunteer opportunities? Please email us and we’ll add them to this post!

On Friday (Oct. 22nd), the Normandy Park Police Department announced that they are currently seeking Sina Ghodsee, who is wanted for making threats over the phone on Sept. 17th to kill Officers and City Employees.

Police have filed charges with the King County Prosecutor’s Office against Ghodsee, and do not believe he is currently in the Normandy Park area.

They are seeking the public’s help in finding him, and persons with information about Sina Ghodsee’s whereabouts are encouraged to call the Normandy Park Police at (206) 248-7600 or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-222-TIPS.

As many of our Readers may recall, these phone call threats happened the same day someone accidentally fired a gun in Normandy Park, causing a lockdown at Marvista Elementary School as well as the Criminal Justice Training Center (read our previous coverage here).

And according to Q13 Fox News:

Sgt. John Urquhart with the King County Sheriff’s Office: “The Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man who’s threatened the Normandy Park Police Department on more than one occasions. Threatening to bomb them. Threatening to use a sniper rifle and kill their officers. He’s posted all the names of officers on his web page. We believe he’s extremely dangerous, and needs to be caught before something really bad happens.”

That web page Ghodsee had is gone now – just like him – but along with things on it no one should ever have to see, he wrote a haunting message for Normandy Park police: “I’m plotting your day in hell.”

Not only does this guy have cops on alert, Sgt. Urquhart says he has his own mother living in fear! “She’s gone into hiding because she’s so afraid of her son. He seems to be fixated on Normandy Park. But, that being said, every officer, every deputy in the area we think is at risk from this particular individual.”

The Washington State Patrol is seeking witnesses who may have seen the wrong way driver and subsequent collisions that occurred on Monday, Oct. 18th on SR 509 that led to a pedestrian fatality and several other serious injuries (read our previous coverage here).

The bizarre, chain reaction crash happened at 10:53pm Monday night, and in the end the driver of the wrong-way vehicle, Adam Knapp, 31, of Federal Way, was killed.

The collision occurred on Burien’s SR-509 both north and southbound just south of S. 128th Street, and involved a three vehicle head-on collision and a pedestrian that came into contact with five separate vehicles.

If you have any information, please call Detective Stacy Moate at 425-401-7746.

Debbie Zemke, Recreation Manager for the City of Burien, tells us of two news nuggets out of Burien Parks – one good, and one not-so-good that involves a call for computer-related help – first, the good news:

Burien Parent Expresses Appreciation:
On Oct. 10th, the mother of a middle-aged, disabled adult stopped by the Burien Community Center to personally express her gratitude for the City’s “Sitting Fit” class.

Her son lives in a Burien group home, and prior to participation in the class, had been uncommunicative with fellow residents, lethargic, and showing little interest in life.

Over the last two months while participating in this exercise class, he’s become physically active and shows interest in others. He continually talks about the “Sitting Fit” class, especially how friendly everyone is, the beautiful community center, and how much he enjoys coming to class.

A few more residents from the group home have now also joined the program and are expressing the same excitement.

As a result of her gratitude to the City for providing this life-changing opportunity for her son, the participant’s mother made a major financial contribution to the senior recreation scholarship program so that low-income individuals could be assured access to these wonderful programs.

Burien Parks Instructor Alex Jones needs help retrieving "lost" info from his computer.

And now, the not-so-good news, which involves a call for computer-related help:

Class Instructor Needs Computer Assistance:
The acutla instructor of the “Sitting Fit” class, Alex Lewis, is also working on his doctorate degree while teaching.

However, his computer crashed and he lost all of his doctorate work.

We’re wondering if there’s ANYONE in the Burien community who’s knowledgeable on how to retrieve lost data and would be interested in helping Alex.

If you can help Alex, or know someone with computer experience who can (looks to us like he’s using a Windows PC), please contact Debbie Zemke directly at debbiez@burienwa.gov or (206) 988-3704.

For more information on Burien Parks, check out their website here.