Discover Burien’s Annual Silent Auction and the City of Burien Citizen Awards Recognition Dinner will be Friday, March 5th, from 6 to 10 pm at Karuna Yoga Studio in Olde Burien.

At this event, awards will be given out to the recipients of the city’s four awards for Outstanding Citizens and/or Businesspeople for 2009, which include (read our previous coverage here):

• John Nelson
• Luke Cruise
• Jean Spohn
• Jerry Robinson

And if you’re a local businessperson who’d like to donate an item to the auction, please click here for a Procurement Form (PDF file). This is Discover Burien’s big annual fundraiser event, and each item donated will be seen by a captive, interested, local and relevant audience (in other words, it’s a great way to market your stuff!). Contact Debra George if you have a donation: debrageorgemi@aol.com or via phone at (206) 941-7199.

Here are the event details:

WHAT: Discover Burien Annual Silent Auction and the City of Burien Citizen Awards Recognition Dinner

WHEN: Friday, March 5th from 6pm to 10pm

WHERE: Karuna Yoga Studio, located at 819 SW 152nd Street (at the corner of SW 152nd and Ambaum Blvd. in Olde Burien).

INFO: This will be a fun social event, with Dinner, Awards, Silent Auction and a No Host Bar. More information available at the Discover Burien website.

COST: Tickets are $25 each, or a Table with 8 tickets is $200.

Call (206) 433-2882 or e-mail debrageorgemi@aol.com or pick up tickets at the Discover Burien office or City Hall.

Story & Photos by Janet Grella

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence celebrated their major donors and board participants at a special awards luncheon at The House Restaurant in Burien on Wednesday, Feb. 10th.

According to Holly Moore, Foundation Executive, the luncheon was made possible by an Anonymous Donor’s $2,000 gift.

Chef Will and hostess Stephanie prepared and served a four-course meal to 39 guests, while Board President Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Highline Superintendent John Welch and the Foundation’s Holly Moore awarded five couples for their personal and financial support to the Foundation over the 10-years since the Foundation was started.

In the first of what will be an annual event plaques of appreciation were give to:

• Eric and Suzanne Aasness
• Sandra and Denny Eliason
• Tom and Leann Russell
• Nanci Tangeman and Chris Blumenthal
• Sharon and David Wilson (who were acknowledged posthumosly for their long-term support Highline Schools Foundation)

Ms. Moore also shared a “traveling plaque” with the audience that included the recipient’s names. It will be displayed at various schools throughout the Highline School system.

Superientendent Welch noted the good efforts and commitments of the Highline Schools Foundation, and their funding of programs during these “challenging financial times.” He particularly called attention to the arts and athletics support given by the foundation.

If you are interested in donating to or learning more about Highline Schools Foundation for excellence, click here.

Here’s Janet Grella’s Photo Slideshow of the event:

Click to View Janet Grella’s Photo Slideshow

Highline Schools Foundation will hold their first annual “Gifts of the Heart” donor recognition luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 10th at the House Restaurant in Burien.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline Schools Foundation “Gifts of the Heart” donor recognition luncheon

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 10th, beginning at 12:30pm

WHERE: The House Restaurant, located at 643 SW 152nd Suite B in downtown Burien.

INFO: The honorees who will be inducted into the Ring of the Helping Hands will include:

• Nanci Tangeman and Chris Blumenthal
• Tom and Lee Ann Russell
• David and Sharon Wilson
• Eric and Suzanne Aasness
• Sandra and Denny Eliason

These folks have enabled the Foundation to grow and serve the school district for the past ten years.

COST: Tickets are $20 each and space is limited so please make your reservations by calling 206.248.5196 or email info@highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

More information on the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence is available at their website.

Two Highline School District schools – Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) and Aviation High School – have been selected to U.S. News and World Report’s 2010 list of America’s Best High Schools.

HS3, located in White Center, earned a bronze award and Des Moines’ Aviation High School earned a silver. They were the only two South King County schools to make the list.

The list, published annually since 2008, identifies the country’s top-performing high schools.

“The goal is to provide a clear, unbiased picture of how well public schools serve all of their students – from the highest achieving to the lowest achieving – in preparing them to demonstrate proficiency in basic skills as well as readiness for college-level work,” according to the U.S. News and World Report website.

“HS3 and Aviation are examples of our effort to reinvent high school to better prepare all students for college, career, and citizenship,” said Highline Superintendent John Welch. “Both are innovative schools that are preparing students for the math and science careers that will dominate the new economy.”

Health Sciences and Human Services High School, one of three small high schools on the Evergreen campus in White Center, is the state’s only health sciences-themed high school. According to Principal Paula Montgomery, many students aspire to be nurses, doctors, scientists, social workers and educators. In 2008, HS3 was one of four Washington schools chosen by the Washington Global Health Alliance for a partnership designed to enhance Washington’s position as a leader in health sciences by nurturing the next generation of global health leaders.

Aviation High School is the nation’s first aviation-themed college prep high school. All core subjects are taught in the context of aviation, with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Aviation was the third highest-scoring high school in Washington on the 10th grade WASL in 2009. A hallmark of the school, led by Principal and CEO Reba Gilman, is its many aviation industry partners and professionals who mentor students one-on-one.

To earn the silver distinction, schools 1) exceeded statistical expectations for all students on state achievement tests in math and reading; 2) exceeded the state average on test scores for black, Latino, and low-income students; and 3) had high levels of participation and performance in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses. Bronze awards went to schools that met the first two criteria. The gold distinction was awarded to the 100 top-scoring schools that met all three criteria.

In all, 30 Washington state schools earned bronze awards, 17 earned silver awards, and four earned gold awards.

The City of Burien has put out its annual call for people to nominate Outstanding Citizens and/or Businesspeople for 2009’s “Outstanding Citizens Awards” program.

The deadline for nominations is Feb. 1, 2010.

Winners will be honored at the city’s annual awards ceremony, which will be held Friday, March 5th.

The four categories are:

• Outstanding Citizen
• Business Person
• Educator
• Environmental Activist

This program is sponsored by the city, along with Discover Burien.

To nominate a person, the city asks you to:

“Please describe what this person or organization has done, when the contribution was made, who benefited, how the contribution was accomplished and where the impact was made.”

(hmmm…perhaps this could be the year that a certain, fast-growing Burien-based community news website gets nominated…?)

There are two ways to make a nomination, and the deadline is Feb. 1, 2010:

1. Via an online form here
2. Via snail mail to:

Adriene Buckley
Burien City Hall
400 S.W. 152nd Street, Suite 3
Burien, WA 98166

For more information, contact Adriene at (206) 248-5512.

4Culture, the cultural development agency serving King County, recently announced federal stimulus funding awards totaling $250,000 to preserve jobs at 40 arts and cultural organizations throughout the region, including both a $7,500 grant to Burien’s Hi-Liners and $2,500 to the city.

The federal funds will help organizations extend or restore threatened salaried and contract jobs, ranging from executive directors and curators, to marketing managers, to actors and artists.

“The recession has deeply impacted non-profit cultural organizations of all sizes and disciplines,” said Jim Kelly, Executive Director of 4Culture, “However, the applications we reviewed demonstrate that arts managers are resilient, creative, and determined to continue programs in the service of their missions.” 4Culture will distribute the federal funds throughout the County to a diverse range of organizations and communities including:

Auburn Symphony Orchestra	Auburn	$10,000
City of Auburn Arts Commission	Auburn	$5,000
Bellevue Arts Museum	Bellevue	$10,000
City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services	Bellevue	$3,000
Music Works Northwest	Bellevue	$4,000
Attic Theatre, The	Bothell	$5,000
Northshore Performing Arts Center	Bothell	$5,000
City of Burien	Burien	$2,500
Hi-Liners, The	Burien	$7,500
City of Des Moines Arts Commission	Des Moines	$7,500
Duvall Cultural Commission	Duvall	$6,500
Fall City Arts	Fall City	$5,000
Centerstage Theatre	Federal Way	$7,500
Federal Way Symphony	Federal Way	$6,500
City of Kent	Kent	$6,500
City of Kirkland Cultural Council	Kirkland	$6,500
Kirkland Arts Center	Kirkland	$7,500
Kirkland Performance Center	Kirkland	$5,000
Studio East	Kirkland	$8,500
SecondStory Repertory	Redmond	$7,500
Evergreen City Ballet	Renton	$5,000
Arcade (NW Architectural League)	Seattle	$7,500
Arts and Visually Impaired Audiences	Seattle	$3,500
Degenerate Art Ensemble	Seattle	$3,000
Early Music Guild	Seattle	$7,500
Giant Magnet (formerly Seattle Int. Children’s Festival)	Seattle	$7,500
Langston Hughes PAC	Seattle	$5,000
Northwest Film Forum	Seattle	$7,500
Seattle International Film Festival	Seattle	$5,000
Seattle Music Partners	Seattle	$5,000
Seattle Public Theatre	Seattle	$7,500
Seattle Scenic Studios	Seattle	$7,500
Suyama Space (Space.City)	Seattle	$3,000
Theatre Puget Sound	Seattle	$7,500
Town Hall	Seattle	$7,500
Washington Lawyers for the Arts	Seattle	$7,500
Choir of the Sound	Shoreline	$5,000
Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council	Shoreline	$6,500
Vashon Allied Arts	Vashon	$7,500
ArtsWest	West Seattle	$7,500

Earlier this year, 4Culture applied for and received the maximum award of $250,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to re-grant to King County arts and cultural organizations to support art jobs. The NEA had $50 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to distribute nationwide.

Cumulatively, over $1.2 Million dollars will help preserve jobs at nearly 100 organizations statewide through the NEA appropriations. The Washington State Arts Commission received ARRA funds to distribute state-wide, and over the summer announced awards totaling $285,000 to 24 arts organizations, including six in Seattle. In early September, the Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs (SOACA) announced another $250,000 in ARRA funds to 22 Seattle-based arts organizations. SOACA and 4Culture were two of only sixteen local arts agencies nation-wide that received ARRA funds to sub-grant to constituents. The NEA also awarded grants totaling $450,000 directly to 12 Seattle arts organizations.

An arts organization can only receive ARRA-appropriated NEA jobs funding from one source. With all three regional public funding entities receiving ARRA dollars, WSAC, 4Culture and SOACA devised an application process that would ensure that arts organizations wouldn’t have to submit multiple applications if they were eligible to apply to more than one agency. 4Culture was the final agency to undergo a panel process, and received 99 applications from organizations throughout King County. Proposals were evaluated on the significance of the position(s) to the mission and core services of the organization, the potential of the position(s) to have an immediate impact, and the organization’s ability to manage the funds.

According to their website:

4Culture is a unique integration of the arts, heritage, preservation and public art; committed to advancing community through culture. Public exhibitions and performances, public art, preservation of significant sites and interpretation of local history deepen our connections to the places in which we live and work. 4Culture stimulates cultural activity and enhances the assets that distinguish a community as vibrant, unique and authentic.

We’d like to welcome back Advertiser Burien Trophy, which is located at 213 SW 153rd right here in B-Town.

Pictured below are trophies custom-made for the Gregory Seahurst Swim Club Sportsmanship Award, the Captain’s Award for their Tennis Team and the Perpetual Matt Paul’s Trophy:

Other trophys pictured include ones for the Normandy Park Swim Club, and while we’re here to trumpet Burien Trophy, we’d also like to send a big shout-out to all the trophy recipients.

Burien Trophy has had a busy summer providing trophies and other services to the community and owner Angie Coy-Jackson and trusted employee Susan Hilard send shout-outs to all our Readers and Customers!

Here again is a list of Burien Trophy’s products and services:

• Award Certificates
• Custom Engraved Signs
• Name Plates and Badges
• Ribbons
• Achievement and Recognition Medals
• Plaques
• Pens, Clocks and Gavels
• Sandblasting
• Trophies (of course) for all occasions
• They also specialize in Laser Engraving

We’re providing a link to Angie’s Facebook page here, so go “friend” her now!

Burien Trophy is located at:

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

Hours:

• Monday-Friday 10am-5:30pm

[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story and Ad like this for your Business on a popular, fast-growing website seen by 25,000+ interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

Nearly 300 people helped raise $65,500 for the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence Friday at the 9th Annual Gold Star Awards Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Suites in Tukwila, and here are some pics from Photographer Michael Brunk:

Click to View Slideshow

Former “Almost Live!” host John Keister acted as the Master of Ceremonies and brought down the house when he interviewed young scholars who spoke on behalf of their schools’ Excel Grant projects implemented with funding from the Foundation.

Other participants included Amy Pinon, who belted out the National Anthem, Kevin Rodal who played guitar at the pre-event and the Bow Lake Elementary Choir that provided luncheon entertainment.

The Gold Star Awards recipients were:

Outstanding Administrator – Dr. Steve Grubb
Dr. Grubb is a leader who models integrity, respect and professionalism at all times. He has an ability to stay focused on what is most important – the big strategic picture and the end goal without losing sight of the impacts on fron line staff.

Outstanding Classified Employee – Zenaida (ZZ) Newman
ZZ Newman evaluates and enrolls students who speak other languages and is often the first contact for families arriving at schools. She is caring and reliable and puts her knowledge and her personal concern for other individuals into practice.

Outstanding Teacher – Linda Drahn
Linda Drahn is a 1st grade teacher at McMicken Heights Elementary. She is a 28 year teaching veteran who is a loving , patient instructor and a mentor to new teachers, as well.

Outstanding Volunteer – Tamera Nason
Tamera Nason is in her 5th year volunteering at Aviation High School. She travels from Maple Valley to volunteer and is willing to assist with whatever is needed including flying her airplane to Moses Lake to deliver legal documents to students.

The final award of the luncheon, “The Lifetime Achievement Award” was presented to Geri Fain, Highline Assistant Superintendent in charge of Facilities, Transportation, Security and Nutrition at Highline School District. Geri has been at Highline Schools since she started as a teacher in 1971 at Tyee High School. Unlike the other awards, The Lifetime Achievement is the only one to be revealed at the luncheon.

The luncheon and awards were sponsored by Boeing, BECU and Rogers & Norman.

And the winners are..

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence announced its 2009 Gold Star Award winners:

Outstanding Administrator – Dr. Steve Grubb
Dr. Grubb is a leader who models integrity, respect and professionalism at all times. He has an ability to stay focused on what is most important – the big strategic picture and the end goal without losing sight of the impacts on fron line staff.

Outstanding Classified Employee – Zenaida (ZZ) Newman
ZZ Newman evaluates and enrolls students who speak other languages and is often the first contact for families arriving at schools. She is caring and reliable and puts her knowledge and her personal concern for other individuals into practice.

Outstanding Teacher – Linda Drahn
Linda Drahn is a 1st grade teacher at McMicken Heights Elementary. She is a 28 year teaching veteran who is a loving , patient instructor and a mentor to new teachers, as well.

Outstanding Volunteer – Tamera Nason
Tamera Nason is in her 5th year volunteering at Aviation High School. She travels from Maple Valley to volunteer and is willing to assist with whatever is needed including flying her airplane to Moses Lake to deliver legal documents to students.

Because the quality of nominees is always so high, the committee had a difficult time in making the above selections.

The winners will be honored at the Gold Star Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tukwila, on Friday, May 29th. The Master of Ceremonies will be local funnyman John Keister, former Host of KING TV’s “Almost Live!“, local celebrity bald guy and former co-worker of the publisher of this here blog.

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

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

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

Congratulations to all the winners!

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

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

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

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

They make a great team.

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

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

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

They specialize in laser engraving.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See the map below and stop in anytime!

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

Hours:

• Monday – Friday 10am to 5:30pm

View Larger Map

And the nominees are..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Gina Bourdage

Founders of the year-long Burien/ Interim Art Space (B/ IAS) experiment, combining and transforming the concepts of art, temporary green spaces, and community gatherings, Kathy Justin and Dane Johnson have thrown open the doors of Burien, welcoming in the arts community.

“The goal is to get everyone more involved. All groups from different walks of life are invited to be creative and take advantage of the space.” Said Johnson.

Kathy and Dane hope that community members, groups and artists will bring their “out of the box” interpretations for use of the space. The Interim Art Space is just the kick off as they hope to continue to bring more art for display on the streets and parks of Burien.

“We want artists to know Burien is very accessible to the artist.” Said Dane.

“The allure of a city is that your voices are more readily heard in a community this size.” Said Kathy.

Their persistence while working on Burien’s’ 15th anniversary celebration provided building blocks for a great relationship with the city, while opening dialogue that has helped grow the local arts community.

Both Dane and Kathy said that they are grateful to receive the 2009 Community Leader award, and while they will not be able to attend the awards presentation, they will be speaking as representatives of the National Burning Man Association in San Francisco on the night of the event.

Kathy and Dane are looking for volunteers and participants in the arts planning committee as event planners and coordinators, artists and more. If you are interested or to learn more visit www.interim-art-space.com.

Here’s what the award committee had to say about Dane and Kathy:

“With their amazing energy, collaborative effort and never ending persistence, they brought together artists, business owners, community members and city staff to create a temporary art space, the first of its kind in the US.

Their vision and countless hours of work have given the Burien community an incredible space that will continue to develop over the next year; planned an opening celebration that made locals and outsiders rethink Burien, and a stream of publicity that is putting Burien on the map as an arts city.”

Here’s a video (shot by Steven Bradford) of the results of their hard work from the opening night of B/ IAS on Jan. 24th:

We’ve had the pleasure of seeing these two talented residents in action working like dogs, and we’d like to extend a hearty-yet-arty “Way to Go!” to them from The B-Town Blog!

The annual Discover Burien Dinner/Silent Auction and City of Burien Annual Awards Ceremony will be Friday, March 6th from 6pm-10pm at the Karuna Yoga Studio, located at 819 SW 152nd Street in Olde Burien.

This will also serve as the official 16th Birthday Party for the city, which promises to drive carefully if only “you’ll get me a British racing green Mini Cooper with an in-dash iPod and GPS, please Daddy please they’re so awesomely cool!”

As you may recall, last year’s 15th birthday bash involved a very unique “Birthday Bus” that was driven up with just a Learner’s Permit from Burning Man, so who knows what to expect for Burien’s Sweet 16 (although we have heard rumblings of a “special surprise” so read on…).

The city will be giving out its annual awards, which will honor:

• Outstanding business leader
• Environmental activist
• Citizen community activist
• Education activist

Here are the details:

WHAT: Annual Discover Burien Dinner & Silent Auction and City of Burien Awards Ceremony

WHEN: Friday, March 6th from 6pm-10pm

WHERE: Karuna Yoga Studio, located at 819 SW 152nd in Olde Burien (map below)

COST: $25 per person or a table of 8 for $200

INFO: We hear there will be a “special surprise” for attendees, and we know it’s going to be very cool and very Burienesque, so you don’t want to miss this night!

Patty Sader, Executive Director of Discover Burien, also tells us that they’re looking for Event Sponsors and Volunteers, so if you’re interested in helping out, please call her at (206) 433-2882.

They’re also looking for swag to insert into the 150 or so gift bags that will be given out, so if you’re a local business who wants to get some publicity, give Patty a call.

View Larger Map

The City of Burien is seeking nominations for its awards, which will be presented at the city’s annual Awards Dinner in March.

From their press release:

Do you know someone who has improved the quality of life in Burien? Do you know of a program or organization that has helped others in the community? Do you know someone who should be recognized for his/her contributions?

If you do…

The City of Burien is seeking nominations of persons or organizations who have made a significant contribution to the benefit of the community.

Nominations may be made in any of four categories for:

• Outstanding business leader*
• Environmental activist
• Citizen community activist
• Education activist

Submit nominations by Monday, February 2, 2009, to:

City of Burien
Attn: Adriene
15811 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Suite C
Burien, WA  98166

Describe what has been done, when the contribution was made, who benefited, how the contribution was accomplished and where the impact was made.

Please call Adriene Buckley, (206) 248-5512 for more information.

*[EDITOR'S NOTE: By using the silly photo above, in no way are we implying that this here B-Town Blog should be nominated. Nu-uh. However, if we were, we actually own a tux and would be humbled just to be a nominee. Really.]