The City of Burien’s Arbor and Earth Day Celebration will start at 11am on Wednesday, April 13th at the South Shelter in Seahurst Park.

This year marks the 139th anniversary of Arbor Day, and Burien be recognized for its 10th year as a Tree City USA.

The city will be planting a Hemlock tree to honor the memory of Jay Powers, park maintenance worker for the City of Burien contracted through TruGreen Landcare, who passed away in December 2010.

Here are the details:

WHAT: 2011 Arbor Day and Earth Day observation

WHEN: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 11:00 am

WHERE: Seahurst Park, South Shelter.

Bistro Baffi: Chef Michael has prepared a four-course meal menu to please the most discriminating palate. Appetizers include his famous stuffed mushrooms, Clams Rockefeller or Caprese. Following, the salad course is Insalata al’ Gusto or Chef Michael’s Caesar Salad. The main course includes two different steaks, Chicken Oscar, the Catch of the Day, and two homemade pastas, plus Risotto with lobster. Dessert includes a choice of Tiramisu, Chocolate Walnut Cake or imported Italian ice creams. They’ve got a huge wine cellar and great selection of after-dinner drinks as well as full cocktail bar. Reservations are recommended. Call 244-0737.

CC’s Lounge: Special dinners and prices are available at CC’s on this New Year’s Eve. For $25/person or $45/couple enjoy your choice of dinners complete with all the fixings: Top Sirloin with Shrimp Skewer, Chicken Cordon Bleu or a Salmon Plate. Dinner will also include a champagne fountain starting at 11:30 and party favors to bring in 2011. CC’s regular Andy Burnett will be on hand playing his mix of contemporary music for your dancing pleasure. Reservations are recommended and we’re told they’re nearly sold out. Call 206-242-0977 to secure your table. Dinner will be served from 6-9pm.

Elliott Bay Brewery: If you want your favorite home brewed suds this night, manager Michael Goldsmith tells us you’d better come early. They’re closing down no later than 9 pm.

Mark Restaurant and Bar: It’s Murder at the Deadwood Saloon. This is another one of their Murder Mystery Dinner parties. They are asking that you come dressed in your best 1880’s attire. You can take part in a murder most foul—maybe even be the corpse!

The cost is $45 per person and includes a Three Course Dinner – Prime Rib and Salmon, Champagne at Midnight and Party Favors – No host bar – plus tax & gratuity.

According to owner Debra George, “the fun starts at 8:30 pm New Year’s Eve. Bring yourself or a group – it is FUN FOR EVERYONE!

For those not so outgoing, we will have a friendly poker game going as part of the murder mystery night.”

Vino Bello Wine Bar: Hosting a New year’s Eve wine tasting with live music. Wine tasting from noon to 9PM, $15 per person. Music by Andy Eades from 5PM-9PM with no cover charge.

Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub: It’s business as usual at Mick’s this New Year’s Eve, but they will have a DJ playing all night and a champagne toast at midnight.

Piranha Joe’s: It’s a Parrot-head extravaganza as Coy and Joe welcome Trop-Rocker Ron Herring playing in the lounge from 9 pm-1 am.

In addition to their regular dinner menu, Joe’s is featuring Steak & King Crab Legs.

And here’s something really great Joe’s is serving a free midnight breakfast for guests that are there from 10pm to midnight.

Tin Room: Dan House told BTB “We’re getting excited about New Year’s Eve! We’ll be celebrating with drink specials, party hats and a champagne toast at midnight. Bring all your friends and be ready for fun!”

He warned us that the Tin Room and Tin Theater will be closed Saturday, Jan 1st so the staff can all nurse their hangovers.

The Tin Theater will be playing that classic film Airplane at 7:30. According to their latest email blast:

“Surely, you’ll want to come watch this tribute to Leslie Nielsen. (Just don’t call us Chirlee.) An airplane crew takes ill. Surely the only person capable of landing the plane is an ex-pilot afraid to fly. But don’t call him Shirley. Remember that the Tin Theater Bar area opens up at 6 PM daily ready to serve you dinner and cocktails before the show”!

Yo’s Bistro: Enjoy a totally Thai New Year’s Eve at Yo’s. Doors will open at 8 pm, there’s a full cocktail bar with a special food menu. Lao and Thai music will be featured. Mayoulee is the guest singer. Plus you can dance in 2011 to the live band.

If it’s a quiet night with Italian fare, both Osteria da Primo and Filiberto’s Cucina Italiana both on 152nd plan dinner as usual.

We also checked in with our friend Hilda at La Costa Restaurant on 153rd. It’s business as usual, which includes Mariachi Monarcas from 6:30-7:30PM.

Elmer’s Pub: Horsehedd, Skwish, and Dyslexic 33 play, starting at 9pm for FREE.. All original music, all local bands.

HiLine Lanes: New Years Eve Bash starts at 6pm with Dinner. At 8pm, there will be a 9 or better bowling competition…. At 9pm (’til Midnight) HiLine will throw in colored pins for Colorama. At Midnight, favors and Champagne (or Cider) will be featured for the toast of 2011. Then a breakfast buffet will be served until 2am. Total cost to Bowl and Eat both meals is $40. Or, one can either bowl OR eat only for $25.

ALSO, from 2pm to 4pm, HiLine Lanes is hosting a JUNIOR NEW YEARS EVE PARTY. Cost is $10 for unlimited bowling (with shoes). Party favors & Munchies will be provided.

“WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE EVERY JUNIOR AGE 18 AND UNDER IN OUR HOUSE FOR FUN…FUN…FUN!!!”

Editors note: We tried to contact every bar/restaurant in Burien. If we missed you sorry! Be sure to let us know for next year.

This family-friendly event featured music, games, crafts and refreshments. Inside the community center, visitors could view “Day of the Dead” altars courtesy of the Highline Historical Society and take in a puppet show put on by Clay Martin. Those who chose to brave the chilly night air could enjoy spooky stories from Burien Little Theater while huddling around a warm fire in the park.

Officials from Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services estimate that the crowd may have been as large as 500. Said Gina Kallman, Cultural Arts Supervisor, “I thought the event was amazing! The first big event at the new community center and Dottie Harper Park and the place was packed. So much fun watching the families have a good time!”

Photographers Nicholas Johnson and Michael Brunk were in attendance and put together the following slideshow set to music by Becky Poole playing her wood saw.

Click to Play the Slideshow

Dia De Muertos, aka “Day of the Dead,” will be coming to the White Center Community Cultural Center on Nov. 1st and 2nd, and residents are encouraged to participate by building an alter, showing off some artwork or just visiting alters created by others.

This is one of our personally favorite holiday celebrations, not only for us to pay respects to our own departed loved ones, but to enjoy the very interesting and oftentimes humorous culture surrounding it.

The Community Cultural Center is located at 9421 18th Ave SW in White Center.

Here’s more info and a cool-looking flier:

DIA DE MUERTOS OR DAY OF THE DEAD is holiday celebrated in central and southern Mexico during the days of November 1 & 2.

Even though this coincides with the Catholic holiday called All Soul’s & All Saint’s Day, which is celebrated by Folks in parts of Italy, Spain, Central & South America and the Philippines.

The indigenous people of Mexico have combined this with their own ancient beliefs of honoring their deceased loved ones.

They believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults allowed to come down.

In most Indian villages, beautiful altars (ofrendas) are made in each home. They are decorated with candles, buckets of flowers (wild marigolds) mounds of fruit, peanuts, plates of food, stacks of tortillas and big Day-of-the-Dead breads called pan de muerto. The altar needs to have lots of food, drinks, salt, bread and water for the weary spirits. Toys and candies are left for the angelitos, and on Nov. 2, cigarettes and shots of mezcal are offered to the adult spirits.

Day of the Dead is a very expensive holiday for these self-sufficient, rural based, indigenous families. Many spend over two month’s income to honor their dead relatives. They believe that happy spirits will provide protection, good luck and wisdom to their families. Ofrenda building keeps the family close.

On the afternoon of Nov. 2, the festivities are taken to the cemetery.

People clean tombs, play cards, listen to the village band and reminisce about their loved ones. Tradition keeps the village close.

Please join us in Celebrating the DIA DE MUERTOS by building an alter, showing off some artwork or just visiting the alters created by others.

The block party offered a little something for just about everyone this year. Businesses in Olde Burien were open and area restaurants were serving special deals.

Bands on the main stage were offering up a smörgåsbord of musical genres and in between there were sausage and ice cream eating contests, and even a fashion show sponsored by Howard & Marge.

Photographer Michael Brunk hung out in Olde Burien on Saturday and shot these photos. This slideshow is set to music by The Blame recorded live at the block party. Be sure to check your volume before clicking!

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Despite events wrapping up today, there’s a full slate of entertainment for residents to enjoy. The street fair is in full swing on 17th Avenue SW, between 98th and 102nd, adjacent to the musical stage and beer garden, and will run until 6 PM tonight.

There is also live music on the stage near the street fair all day long, wrapping up with headliners The Dusty 45s performing from 5PM to 6PM.

Those looking for a little more excitement will find the carnival up and running until midnight tonight over at Steve Cox Memorial Park on SW 102nd Street.

Photographer Michael Brunk visited the White Center Jubilee Days carnival last night and shot these photos. Click on the images to advance through the slideshow.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

The B-Town Blog’s own Michael Brunk and Scott Schaefer were on hand as well, taking pics and having fun – first, here’s a time lapse video of the intersection of Maplewild Ave SW and SW 172nd, as shot from the roof of a beachfront cabana beginning Sat. July 3rd (can you see yourself Waldo? look closely!):

Click here to view the embedded video.

And here’s a slideshow of pics Scott took:

Click to Play Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

And Scott’s iPhone 4 HD video of the fireworks finale (who’s the stooge chanting “USA! USA!” anyways?); note the US flag in the right foreground:

Click here to view the embedded video.

And finally, Michael Brunk’s Sound Slideshow of the fireworks show – be sure to turn your speakers on to hear the audio!:

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Sound Slideshow

Fortunately for all involved, the rain held off until almost the end of the parade! Kudos to everyone involved in a very successful parade.

Photographer Michael Brunk was in Burien and put together this slideshow set to audio recorded live at the parade. (With additional photos from contributing photographer Lindsey Brunk, who managed to capture a few shots that dad missed!)

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Two of your B-Town Bloggers live in the Tree Tree Point area of Burien – Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer and his family, as well as Sales Diva Janet Grella and her husband, Michael.

We’ve been lucky enough to experience what is just a good, old-fashioned fireworks show and true family-fun day.

But this does not happen without some hard work and planning behind the scenes.

We sat down with Fireworks Fund co-chair Julie Dow to learn the magnitude of the task:

BTB: What is the Three Tree Point Fireworks Fund?

Julie Dow: We are a group of neighbors that put together a July fourth fireworks show, which is launched from a barge anchored off Three Tree Point. The show is a professional “high altitude” show that’s visible from West Seattle to Federal Way.

The Miller family originally started the July 4th show about 25 years ago. When the Millers moved on, other neighbors took over. Volunteers continue to work to raise money to fund the show. In 2009, hundreds of donors – giving between $3 to $700 to privately keep our community event afloat.

BTB: How much money do you collect? What do you spend it on?

JD: Most of the donations go to the show itself, the professional pyrotechnics firm that puts on the show. We also pay barge, tug, permit fees, patrol boats and insurance. We arrange for dumpsters for the all-important 5th of July clean up, which is great for the beach and the environment. We did increase the budget this year to fund additional police protection for our neighborhood on the evening of the 4th of July.

BTB: Your goal is $24,000 – how’s it going?

JD: We’re half way there. But we’re a little concerned that we will not meet our goal by June 1st, which is the date the fireworks company orders the really fancy fireworks. Every penny really helps. We are so grateful that our neighbors still want to uphold this important community tradition. Everyone can donate securely online at www.3TreePoint.org be it $10 or $1,000, we can all be proud that each of us does what we can.

BTB: Where’s the best place to see the fireworks?

JD: If you are invited to a private home with a view or club on the beach – say yes to that invitation! Scope out the view parks or places in your neighborhood – if you can see the tip of Three Tree Point you know you will have a great view of the fireworks.

Parking is limited to private homes in The Three Tree Point area so we encourage you to plan and enjoy the fireworks from a place where you get a great view. Usually that will be someplace “high” on a bluff. Don’t miss it – make a plan! If you can see the tip of Three Tree Point you know you will have a great view of the fireworks.

So…help your community celebrate America’s independence by donating online – just click here to help with whatever amount you can.

And if you haven’t experienced this amazing local tradition, click the image below to see a photo slideshow of last year’s highlights by Photographer Michael Brunk:

Click to view Michael Brunk’s Slideshow of last year’s 4th at Three Tree Point.

Over 300 supporters of the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence gathered at the DoubleTree Guest Suites in Southcenter on Friday, May 21st to celebrate the Tenth Annual Gold Star Awards for the Highline School District.

The highly supportive audience was also told that the foundation has raised over $1 million in its 10-year history. These donations have funded many opportunities for teachers and students that they may not have had otherwise.

Honored Gold Star recipients were:

Rick Hardwood

Outstanding Administrator – Rick Harwood, Principal at Global Connections High School. Mr. Harwood was honored as he “embodies all the traits of a knowledgeable, dedicated, caring and hard-working principal. All his actions and energies are centered around creating kind, intelligent, thoughtful and action-oriented young adults.”

Jacqueline Faundez

Outstanding Classified Employee – Jacqueline Faundez, Cedarhurst Elementary. The Gold Star committee found Ms. Faundez “an especially effective advocate for our students most in need, regardless of home language or background. As an ELL tutor, Jacqueline is a professional in every sense – good at what she does and continually striving to improve.”

Carlyn Roedell

Outstanding Teacher – Carlyn Roedell, Bow Lake Elementary. Ms Roedell was chosen as she is “the paragon of an effective teacher. She loves to learn and she loves to teach. Her students are inspired by her enthusiasm, joy, and hard work. The test results back up her success.”

Klara & Braxton Dunn

Outstanding Volunteers – Klara & Braxton Dunn, Gregory Heights Elementary were selected due to “their dedication, belief in children, and high standards, which led them to introduce themselves and ask to help out ten years ago. They have a passion for inspiring youngsters.”

Reba Gilman

The last award in this annual fund raising event was for Lifetime Achievement and was awarded to Reba Gilman, CEO/Principal of Aviation High School. Ms. Gilman spent 16 years at Seatac’s Occupational Skills Center prior to becoming the first Principal of Highline’s Aviation High School. The award was presented by Tom Russell, Emeritus Trustee for the Foundation.

Musical entertainment included harpist Clara McMichael from Pacific Middle School and Mt. Rainier High School’s “Music Company” directed by Sara Stricherz. The guests enjoyed a wide variety of song and dance from this award winning choir during lunch.

The Master of Ceremonies was Peter Fewing. Besides being a proud Pirate and Highline High School graduate. Mr. Fewing is known around the Northwest for Peter Fewing Soccer Camps and his broadcast on 710 ESPN radio, talking about what else, but Soccer. He is also coach of the Kitsap Pumas.

Boeing was the Executive Event Sponsor. Event Sponsors included Rogers and Norman, Saint-Gobain Containers and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

Photographer Michael Brunk assembled this slideshow with additional scenes from the awards luncheon.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow