The YMCA is now accepting applications through March 31st for their Teen Leadership Institute & Youth Exchange to Japan, which gives local teenagers a chance to experience Japanese culture through a trip this summer.

Teens currently in grades 8-12 will travel to Kobe, Hiroshima and Kyoto from July 22-Aug. 7, 2010.

There are 14 spots available, and group selection will take place in early April, so be sure to get your applications in before March 31st.

According to a press release:

Participants learn important leadership skills, cultural sensitivity, history and language through home stays, visiting historical places and interacting with teens their own age.  There are 14 spots available in the Annual YMCA Teen Leadership Institute, a 45–year-old international partnership between the YMCA of Greater Seattle and Kobe YMCA.

Michaella Rosner, a participant in last year’s Youth Exchange, feels that the experience was truly eye-opening. “Japan really made me understand how similar people are across cultures. You can hear all your life how much we all have in common, but it doesn’t really sink in until you’re high-fiving Japanese girls and talking about boys. It’s also incredible how willing my host family was to accept me into their family. They begin their emails to me ‘Dear our daughter Michaella.’ I get homesick for Japan sometimes,” she says.

YMCA of Greater Seattle is part of the World Alliance of YMCAs in 122 countries. The Teen Leadership program is one of a number of international programs the Seattle YMCA is offering for teens, young adults and families.

The subsidized cost for the program (including pre-trip training, airfare, transportation, food, lodging and activities) is $2,750. Financial assistance is available to the extent possible for those in need.

Parents and applicants can join one of following information meetings to learn more about the trip:

• Monday, March 21, 7:00 p.m. : Northshore Family YMCA, 11811 NE 195th Street, Bothell, WA 98011
• Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 p.m. : West Seattle High School Library, 3000 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
• Thursday, March 24, 7:00 p.m.:
 Coal Creek Family YMCA, 13750 Newcastle Golf Club Road, Newcastle, WA 98059

The YMCA of Greater Seattle is a charitable, non-profit organization serving King and south Snohomish counties since 1876. Reaching more than 140,700 people annually through 12 branches, two overnight camps and more than 200 program sites, the YMCA provides a wide range of programs and services in child care, youth development, education, foster care, family support, wellness and outdoor experiences.

More information may be found at seattleymca.org.

Burien’s Highline Medical Center is holding a children’s “Kidz Tipz for Safety” billboard contest in association with Highline Public Schools, in an effort to engage kids in childhood safety.

Each year one in three people in the U.S. visit an emergency room – 40 percent as a result of injury-related accidents and a third under the age of 21.  Highline Medical Center, which serves nearly 50,000 ER patients annually, in concert with Highline Schools, is inviting students to design their own safety billboard.

Elementary school students in the Highline School District are encouraged to design their own billboard featuring an up-to- eight-word safety tip, with three winning entries to be featured on billboards in the surrounding community. Finalists’ artwork will be also featured at the Grand Opening Celebration of Highline Medical Center’s new Emergency Room on April 10. And every child who enters will be eligible to win a party at Family Fun Center in Tukwila.

A panel of representatives from Highline Medical Center and the community will review the entries and select 20 finalists from which final winners will be chosen. Finalists will have their artwork on display at the opening of the new ER from 10 am to 3 pm on April 10.

The deadline for entries is Friday, March 19, and more information and contest rules are available by emailing commrelations@highlinemedical.org.

Last Friday night (Mar. 5), the Cove to Clover race organizers held a “Student Limerick Throwdown” contest for area students at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub. Each school in the Highline School District was eligible to submit one entry, with the winner earning $500.

If you haven’t seen the snake posters around yet, the Cove to Clover is a 5k fundraiser run for the Highline Area Food Bank, and it takes place this Sunday, March 14th beginning at Noon at the Normandy Park Community Club (full details here, including how to register).

The winning entry was selected by an “Official Limerick Selection Panel” composed of three non-partisan judges – Normandy Park Councilman Shawn McEvoy, Normandy Park Mayor George Hadley and “A Place for Pets” Owner Kevin Foxen. The winner of the competition was Marvista Elementary 4th 5th Grader Molly Marquis, whose entry we publish below:

The snake is back and we all cheer.
Cove to Clover is finally here
Tiny leprechauns dance
in their jiggly pants.
The race ends with lots of rootbeer!

Marvista decided to give the $500 winnings directly to Molly’s classroom to spend any way they want (with help from their teacher, Mrs. Brossard).

Other schools representing in the throwdown included Bow Lake, Gregory Heights and St. Francis.

Molly’s winning entry will also be read aloud to inspire runners immediately prior to the 5k race start, which is this Sunday, March 14th at Noon – full race details are available here.

REMINDER: The 6th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival kicks off tonight (Friday, March 5th) with a black-tie “A Night in the Vineyard” gala party starting at 7:30pmat the Landmark Event Center in Des Moines.

Gala tickets are $75 in advance or $85 at the door, and include a buffet catered by Anthony’s HomePort, unlimited wine tasting, and live music by the Steve Ryals Trio and Ed Taylor & TaylorMade, plus free admission to the wine tasting event on Saturday or Sunday. Several premium wines and other exclusive items will be offered at a silent auction.

Sponsored by the Des Moines Rotary Club, this annual wine festival will run through Sunday March 7th at the historic and grand Landmark Event Center (formerly Landmark on the Sound) in Des Moines. Guests will enjoy live jazz and great food while tasting wines from 25 Northwest wineries.

“The wine festival gala is the hottest ticket in town,” says Des Moines Rotary President Lisa Meineke. “Everybody has a great time! People come back year after year. And this year we have new wineries and more wineries than ever before.”

The fun continues on Saturday and Sunday, with more wine tasting, food, and live music. Saturday’s music line-up includes Darren Motamedy and 4th Degree. On Sunday, it’s Rouge and Billet-Deux. Local restaurants and gourmet food vendors will sample breads, cheeses, smoked salmon, chocolates and other fine fare.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are just $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Gala tickets are $75 in advance or $85 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Corky Cellars in Des Moines (206-824-9462) or at www.dmrotary.org.

Through the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, the Rotary Club of Des Moines has raised over $150,000 in its five-year history. All proceeds fund a wide variety of charitable projects, including college scholarships, grants to local schools, safety and recreation programs for children, yard projects for elderly residents, support for the local food bank and the homeless, and projects to assist needy people as far away as South Africa and Pakistan.

“People can come to the wine festival to have fun and discover some great wines and feel really good about what they are contributing to the community at the same time,” says wine festival chair Brian Snure. “There are so many needs in our community and in our world right now. What better way to give?”

HOURS:

• Saturday, March 6:  12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Sunday March 7: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

WINERIES:

• Canyon’s Edge
• Chandler Reach
• Covington Cellars – NEW
• Coyote Canyon Winery – NEW
• Burien’s own E.B. Foote Winery (BTB Advertiser)
• Eaton Hill
• Erin Glenn
• Fall Line
• Five Star Cellars
• Fort Walla Walla Cellars – NEW
• Kestrel – NEW
• Knipprath – NEW
• Masset Winery
• Otis Kenyon
• Page Cellars
• Pondera – NEW
• Sleeping Dog
• Sodo Vino – NEW
• Stina’s Cellar
• Two Vintners – NEW
• Vashon Winery
• Vin du Lac – NEW
• Waving Tree
• Willis Hall
• Windy Point

MUSIC:

• Friday, March 5 (Gala):
  • Steve Ryals Trio , Ed Taylor and TaylorMade
• Saturday, March 6:
  • 12:30-3:00:  Darren Motamedy Duo
  • 3:30-6:30: 4th Degree
• Sunday, March 7:
  • 12:30-2:30: Rouge
  • 3:00-5:00: Billet-Deux

For more information, please visit www.dmrotary.org. We’ll see you there tonight!

Local singers in KidSounds, YouthSounds and TeenSounds will be taking the stage at the Highline Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 19th at 7pm for “A 20th Century Celebration” concert.

These area youth are a part of Northwest Associated Arts’ commitment to providing musical education and performance opportunity for young people from grades 3 through 12 in South King County. The three choruses perform together for two mainstage concerts at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien.

The goal of KidSounds, YouthSounds & TeenSounds Northwest is to foster a love of singing by engaging a wide variety of music repertoire. Proper vocal technique, theory and artistry are emphasized with an eye towards developing well-rounded young musicians.

WHAT: KidSounds, YouthSounds & TeenSounds Spring Concert

WHEN:  Friday March 19 at 7:00 pm

WHERE: Burien’s Highline Performing Arts Center, located at 401 South 152nd Street, next to Highline High School.

TICKETS: $10-$15 (17 & under free with a paid adult ticket) are available for purchase online: www.nwassociatedarts.org or via phone: 206-246-6040

INFO: From a poster:

Overture…light the lights! An entire century of music represented in one work! This fabulous 55-minute revue, complete with an original opener by Greg Gilpin, takes us on a decade-by-decade celebration of popular music. Under the direction of Paula Hawkins, KidSounds, YouthSounds and TeenSounds Northwest will join forces with a fun-filled program designed just for families.

You’re A Grand Old Flag, Give My Regards to Broadway, Rock Around the Clock, Fame, Good Vibrations, plus many other favorites combine to make this fast-paced show a must-see for anyone who loves popular music. Narration, dancing, and solos blend together seamlessly with wonderful choral singing in this showcase of the budding talents of our youth choruses.

Families hunting for affordable entertainment will delight and parents looking for a risk-free way to introduce their children to the joys of choral music can rest easy because Northwest Associated Arts youth ticket program lets young people 17 and under in free with a paid adult ticket.

YouthSounds & TeenSounds Northwest demonstrate Northwest Associated Arts’ commitment to providing musical education and performance opportunity for young people from grades 3 through 12 in South King County. Each year the three choruses perform together for two mainstage concerts at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien. In a time of radical funding cuts to music programs in the schools, these ensembles provide an important and life-changing opportunity for students to learn through the discipline of music. Along the way, audiences are delighted with the entertaining performances of these dedicated young singers. The goal of KidSounds, YouthSounds & TeenSounds Northwest is to foster a love of singing by engaging a wide variety of music repertoire. Proper vocal technique, theory and artistry are emphasized with an eye towards developing well-rounded young musicians.

The NWAA young people’s music education program is funded, in part, by the generous support of: 4 Culture, Lucky 7 Foundation, Glaser Foundation, Norcliffe Foundation, City of Burien, JR Mailing Services, Inc, and many individuals & families throughout our community.

You know Spring is almost here when we post this annual notice – Burien Parks’ Eggstravaganza, Bunny Breakfast and Spring Egg Hunt is hopping into the Community Center on Saturday, April 3rd, with breakfast, Bunny Photos, various egg hunts for different ages and much more.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Burien Parks’ annual Eggstravaganza, Bunny Breakfast and Spring Egg Hunt.

WHEN: Saturday, April 3rd, with breakfast beginning at 9am.

• 9am-10:45am: Bunny Breakfast

Egg Hunt has staggered Start Times & two locations:

• Community Center Park: Ages Walkers – 7 years 425 SW 144 St
• Dottie Harper Park: Ages: 8-11 years 4th Ave SW & 146th SW

• 11am: Walkers-3 years at Peter Cotton Tails House
• 11:15am: 4-5 years
• 11:30am: 6-7 years
• 11:45am: 8-11 years

WHERE: Burien Community Center (located at 425 SW 144th Street) and Dottie Harper Park (across the street); see poster for details.

COST: Bunny Breakfast is $4/Person (children under 1 eat FREE); includes pancakes, ham, juice, & coffee; $4 FOR Bunny Photos

TICKETS: For info on how to purchase tickets in advance, call Burien Parks at (206) 988-3700, or visit their website here.

INFO: From a poster:

*NEW THIS YEAR! Save Your Spot… Get Your Tickets Now!

Limited Seating Available!

Event held at the Burien Community Center, Auditorium

Story and Photos by Michael Brunk

Something a little different happened this past Friday (Feb. 26th) at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien. As the end of the school day approached, students and faculty gathered in the gymnasium.

That part isn’t so unusual for a high school.

It’s not often though, that they assemble to see a teacher get tattooed. At school. During the assembly!

The event was an outgrowth of the school’s recent “Every Lancer Against Cancer” awareness week. Part of the activities included raising money for several cancer-related funds. To spur the students on, American Government teacher Walt Kostecka issued a challenge (as we first reported here):

Raise $10,000 and he’d get inked.

The students threw themselves into the fundraising effort and Walt put himself in the hands of tattoo artist Bryan Kachel from Emerald City Tattoo & Supply – here’s a Photo Slideshow I shot at the event:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

That the students met their goal shouldn’t surprise anyone. As Principal Michael Prato noted, it’s difficult to find a family that hasn’t been touched by cancer in one way or another. Their enthusiasm for learning about cancer and its affects, and collecting donations, carried over into the assembly. As Walt sat onstage with Bryan and his buzzing tattoo needle, the students conducted a pep rally around him. Complete with the school’s band, shouting cheerleaders and plenty of spirited applause.

Asked afterward how it felt getting his first tattoo, Walt replied:

“It felt like being stuck in a blackberry bush… for an hour!”

Walt shared that the real experience was watching his students get involved and raise the $10,000. He’s already thinking about next year and kicking around the idea of sky diving. Based on the response of his family members in attendance, Walt may have a challenge himself meeting that goal!

Burien Little Theatre has teamed up with local business The Jungle Gym to offer a “Kids Night Out” on Friday, March 5th so parents can easily attend a performance of “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.”

“Midsummer” is Arne Zaslove’s 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which continues at BLT through Sunday, March 21st (read our previous coverage here).

According to a press release:

Want a night at the theater and can’t find a babysitter? Problem solved! The Jungle Gym has teamed up with Burien Little Theatre to offer a “Kids Night Out” in conjunction with the theater’s performance of A Midsummer’s Night Dream on Friday, March 5.

On March 5 before the show drop the kids off for 3 hours of free play, games, snacks and a movie! The Jungle Gym is located at 191 S.W. 152nd Alley, Burien, WA 98166 and the cost is $25 per child from 7:45-11:00 p.m. This place is full of fun and exciting things for kids ages 3 and up to do, like the zip line, tumble track trampoline with pit, beams, bars and much more!  Reservations are required, and kids must be potty-trained to attend.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is set in a gymnasium at Athens High School on graduation day 1957, and in a neighboring forest. A group of magical fairies intervene and meddle with the lives of two young couples for whom “the course of true love never did run smooth.” A live band and rockin’ tunes make this a treat for all ages!

Show dates & times:

• Feb. 26 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• Feb. 27 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• Feb. 28 at 2:00 p.m.   Sunday Matinee
• March 5 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• March 6 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• March 7 at 2:00 p.m.   Sunday Matinee
• March 12 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• March 13 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• March 14 at 2:00 p.m.   Sunday Matinee
• March 19 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• March 20 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• March 21 at 2:00 p.m.  Sunday Matinee

For $25 per child parents get a three-hour break so they can have a date night to see a great, funny play – to reserve a space at The Jungle Gym on the evening of March 5, call 206-248-3547.

For tickets to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream, go to wwww.burienlittletheatre.com or call (206) 242-5180.

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)

Burien’s Glendale Lutheran School is holding a book sale fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 27th from 9am to 2pm at their gymnasium at 13455 Second Ave SW.

All books will be priced at just 50¢ or less, with special deals during the final hour.

Proceeds from the book sale will benefit school operations and help maintain affordable tuition rates at Glendale Lutheran School.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Glendale Lutheran School Book Sale Fundraiser

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 27th from 9am to 2pm

WHERE: Glendale Lutheran School Gymnasium, located at 13455 2nd Ave SW • Burien • (206) 244-6085

INFO: “All books 50¢ or less!! Come early for best selection. Special deals during the last hour!”

The number of Highline Public Schools students heading to college is up significantly over the past four years, and more Highline graduates are going to four-year universities, according to a study released by the school district this week.

In 2004, 52.5 percent of grads went directly to college. That number was up nearly five percentage points to 57.4 percent in 2008.

The study goes on to say that the increase in university enrollment was even more dramatic. The number of Highline seniors enrolling in four-year institutions in 2004 was just over 20 percent. By 2008, that number had increased to 28.6 percent.

Highline’s upward trend was tracked in research conducted by Baker Educational Research Consulting in cooperation with the National Clearinghouse, which has a 92% success rate in locating students who attend two- or four-year institutions anywhere in the United States.

Highline chief accountability officer, Dr. Alan Spicciati, praises the schools’ “intense efforts” at creating a college-going culture. “These results are a reflection of a lot of good, coordinated work in supporting students on their way to a better future,” says Spicciati.

Highline saw a decrease in the number of students staying in college beyond freshman year over the four-year period, from 82.6 to 75.5 percent. Spicciati says that is likely due to economic challenges facing families in the current recession.

Spicciati points out positive trends among Latino and African American students, in particular. Black and Latino students increased college-enrollment at higher rates than other racial groups, enough to eliminate what has been a significant college enrollment gap between White, Asian, and African American students.

“We now have the same percentage of African American students entering college as that of White and Asian students,” says Superintendent John Welch.

Welch, the first in his family to attend college, acknowledges that Highline has much work to do to realize its vision of college readiness for every student. But he is encouraged by the new numbers.

“This four-year upward trend represents several hundred Highline kids who are now going to college,” notes Welch. “We’re heading in the right direction.”

Burien’s St. Francis of Assisi School’s 7th and 8th grade students are presenting “The Pied Piper” musical at the Highline Performing Arts Center on Feb. 26th and Feb. 27th at 7pm.

According to the school’s website, “The Pied Piper” is:

“…the story of a town infested by rats. When the Piper comes to town and offers to get rid of the rats for a nominal fee, the villagers gladly agree.”

Here are the details:

WHAT: St. Francis of Assisi’s 7th & 8th grade students production of “The Pied Piper” musical.

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 26th and Saturday, Feb. 27th at 7pm.

WHERE: Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien (located at 401 South 152nd Street, next to Highline High School).

TICKETS: Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and children, and are on pre-sale at the school, which is located at 15216 21st Avenue SW (206-243-5690); or you can download an Order Form here (PDF file).

INFO: From the school’s website:

PIED PIPER ALL SCHOOL MUSICAL

This year, the annual play of St. Francis of Assisi School is “The Pied Piper”. The 7th and 8th grade students and their teachers have been enthusiastically at work to rehearse for this performance.

It is the story of a town infested by rats. When the Piper comes to town and offers to get rid of the rats for a nominal fee, the villagers gladly agree. We invite you to come see for yourself what happens when the villagers refuse to pay the Piper for his service.

This wonderful play will be held at the Highline Performing Art Center in Burien on Friday, February 26th and Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 7:00PM.

Tickets are on pre‐sale at the school. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and children.

Thank you for your support of our school!

We are having a contest between all of the classes to see who can sell the most tickets to our school musical, “The Pied Piper”, on February 26th & 27th. Please help them to spread the word and make this the most successful musical ever!

The Seafair Pirates have commandeered a highly-collectible, $150,000 handcrafted 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and will be auctioning a special Valentine’s Day ride this Saturday to raise money for “Heroes For Heroes,” a fund established for the children of Deputy Kent Mundell, who was killed in December.

This Saturday, Feb. 13th, from 6pm – 11pm, Emerald Downs will be hosting a dinner and benefit auction for this cause. Tickets are only $20.00 for a wonderful dinner and plenty of Piratical Company.

2009 was one of the most devastating years for law enforcement officers in the entire country, especially in the northwest. On Dec. 21st, Deputy Mundell was gunned down, and his partner Nick Hausner was possibly saved by the gunmen’s 16-year old daughter, Bryona Crable.

“Heroes for Heroes” is a nonprofit 501© 3 that has been formed to provide college tuition for all of the children touched by this tragedy – both the police officer’s and the gunman’s.

According to a tribute page website for Mundell:

Deputy Kent Mundell was killed while responding to a domestic violence call in Eatonville.

Deputy Kent Mundell

Mundell and his sergeant had responded to a house where a man was fighting with his daughter and brother. The deputies had convinced the intoxicated man to leave the house when he produced a previously concealed gun and fired ten rounds at the officers.

Despite being wounded, Deputy Mundell returned fire and killed the subject. The suspect’s brother and daughter put themselves at risk to pull the wounded sergeant out of the line of fire by pulling him into another room. Deputy Mundell was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he remained on life support in the intensive care unit until succumbing to his wounds seven days later.

Deputy Mundell had served with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for ten years. He is survived by his wife, 16-year-old daughter, and 10-year-old son.

Why the Seafair Pirates? According to a press release:

“Besides being Goodwill Ambassadors for the Pacific Northwest for the last 61 years, several Pirates have been Police Officers.

There have been many memorials and now with the outpouring for Haiti, the Seafair Pirates have joined with Heros for Heros to see that these heroes do not become forgotten.

The Seafair Pirates are out to prove once again, that it really is all about the Kids.

Individually we all can make a difference. Together we can make an impact.”

Emerald Downs is located at 2300 Emerald Downs Drive in Auburn; more info at their website here.

For ticket information or to donate for the auction click here: http://herosforheros.bbnow.org/ or call Sallie Stewart at (253) 468-1101.

More info on the Seafair Pirates is available at their website here.

Boy Scout Troop #375 will be holding their annual Fish Dinner on Friday Feb. 19th, from 5pm – 7pm at St Francis of Assisi in Burien.

The troop will be barbecuing Sockeye Salmon and serving fresh Dutch Oven desserts – all for just $10!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Boy Scout Troop #375’s annual Fish Dinner

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 19th from 5pm – 7pm

WHERE: St. Francis of Assisi Hall, located at 15226 21st Avenue SW in Burien.

COST: Just $10!

INFO: For more information, contact kgd2418@yahoo.com, or visit the Troop’s website here.

Troop #375 serves boys in areas including Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, White Center and West Seattle. For more information, check out their website here.

BTB Advertiser West Seattle Montessori School and Academy will be presenting the play “Mulan” this Thursday, Feb. 4th, and Friday, Feb. 5th at West Seattle High School, at 7pm both nights.

Starring in the play will be the schools’ lower and upper elementary students.

Directing is WSM’s faculty member Mary Springer, local founder and artistic director of Twelfth Night Productions.

The tale of Mulan contains universal themes – that often the individual must sacrifice for the greater good, and that the path of personal discovery lies in that sacrifice.

Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door.

Since 1985, West Seattle Montessori School has been an integral part of the West Seattle Community. Offering preschool through 8th grade education, WSMS prides itself on fostering independence and intellectual curiosity, stimulating personal growth, and encouraging innovation and a love of learning.

The school and academy are now enrolling for the 2010 – 2011 academic school year.

For more information, please contact the main office at (206) 935-0427, or visit their website here: www.WestSeattleMontessori.com.

Play location:

West Seattle High School
California Avenue SW and SW Stevens Street, in West Seattle

Ticket information: www.westseattlemontessori.com/updates/mulan

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Are you looking for a great place to enroll your child in preschool this fall?  Then come to new Advertiser Burien Co-Op Preschool’s Open House on Monday, Feb. 8th to find out why parents and kids have fallen in love with this fabulous little school!

In the Co-Op spirit, parents are “hands-on” and work with their kids in the classroom under the supervision of knowledgeable, caring teachers who receive support through Bates Technical College. Parents help in all aspects of running the preschool and develop connections with other families that last a lifetime.

The Open House will take place on Monday, February 8th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Burien Community Center, which is located at 425 S.W. 144th St. Burien. Families wishing to enroll that evening will need to complete a registration form (available at www.burienco-op.org) and turn in a non-refundable check for the $40 registration fee.

Emphasis is placed on learning through play and meaningful experiences for the children, with a focus on the natural world. Every child’s unique talents and interests are celebrated each day. The classrooms are magical places designed to capture the hearts and imaginations of everyone who passes through. Come see for yourself!

No matter the age of your preschool child they will thrive and be happy at our school. We look forward to meeting your family

For a registration form and more information, please visit: www.burienco-op.org.

For questions, please email buriencoop@gmail.com or call 206-241-6714.

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The second annual “Cove To Clover” fundraiser 5K race will be Sunday, March 14th, winding its way from the Normandy Park Community Club up the dreaded “snake hill” to the finish line in front of Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub.

We’re proud to be a Sponsor of this great event, which serves as a fundraiser for the Highline Food Bank. Last year over $12,000 was raised, and this year’s goal is $20,000!

If you’re interested in registering, please click here.

If you thought last year’s race was fun and challenging, just wait until you get a whiff of some o’the new elements for 2010. It’s as if the dial on the family-friendly funometer has been cranked up to 11 – check out some of the new features:

• The race begins at 1pm on Sunday, March 14th at Normandy Park Community Club. The course winds up “snake hill” all the way to the Gregory Heights neighborhood, past St. Francis of Assisi, crosses 152nd street with the finish line in Burien Town Square, where there will be a traditional Irish Festival.
• This challenging course takes its toll on even the most seasoned runners! Two water stops are provided, and racers will be rewarded with music from an Irish Piper when the reach the top of the ominous “snake” hill.
• Again there is a 1-mile Family Race which begins at St. Francis and follows the last of the 5K course.
• NEW: “While You Run” childcare, check your kids in at the Family Race start. Run the first 2 miles of the 5K, check your kids back out to run the Family Race together. Your 5K time will suffer of course.
• NEW: Pub Crawl – Friday March 12th!
• NEW: School Registration Contest! $5 from each registration fee can be donated to the local school of your choice! Just—type in your school’s name at registration–the school with the most registrations will be awarded an additional $1,500! Registrations can track their school’s progress at www.covetoclover.com/schools.
• NEW: School Limerick Contest — A $500 prize will be awarded to the school (or non-profit for non- student entries) who present the winning Limerick! Limerick contest details at www.covetoclover.com/limerick. BTW, we’re working on our own Limerick that starts “There once was a man from B-Town…”
• NEW: Start Line Party – Live Band inside the Normandy Park Cove Building prior to the race so you can warm up dancing to old school rock and roll.
• NEW: Expanded Pre-Race shuttle service from the finish line to the start line.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER:

5k at 1:00pm:

• $30.00 early registration (before Mar. 2nd; $35 after)

Family Race (1 mile) at 1:30 PM:

• $25.00 early registration (before Mar. 2nd; $30 after)

Here’s a map of the race course:

<a href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/wa/normandy-park/131126275593197103″ mce_href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/wa/normandy-park/131126275593197103″>Official Cove to Clover 5K Route</a><br/><a href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/find-run/united-states/wa/normandy-park” mce_href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/find-run/united-states/wa/normandy-park”>Find more Runs in Normandy Park, Washington</a>

Some other highlights include:

• On-course Irish Pipes
• Irish Entertainment
• 2 Live Bands
• Bigger Beer Garden
• 1-mile Family Race
• Free Hot Dogs for Kids
• Free Root Beer Garden
• Irish Grub

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:

• 10:15am+: Take the Free Pre-Race Shuttle – loads at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub starting at 10:15 am (WARNING: Start Line Parking is EXTREMELY LIMITED!). Please park near Burien Town Square and take the free shuttle from Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub. Final shuttle departs promptly at 12:40 pm. Shuttle will drop you at the family race start-line (St. Francis Parish) of the 5K start-line (The Cove).
• 1pm: 5K Race (race starts at 1 pm sharp) Start Line @ Normandy Park Swim Club “The Cove”
• Registration/Packet Pickup from 10:45 am – 12:45 pm @ The Cove
• LIVE ROCK BAND starts at 10:45 am: “The Throbs” will be cranking out old school rock and roll at the start line until race time. Warm your bones rocking out to covers of Nirvana, AC/DC, Scorpions and other eye-popping ROCK!!! Come early and avoid the last minute shuttle rush.

FAMILY RACE:

• Race starts at 1:40pm sharp
• Start Line @ St. Francis Church
• Registration/Packet Pickup from 10:45 am – 1:20 pm @ St. Francis Church
• 1 mile-ish. This can be walked or run and will include people of all generations. Hopefully we’ll have Irish Step Dance lessons prior to the start. – Pick up bib
• NEW: “While You Race” Childcare (11:00 am – 1:35 pm) at St. Francis Church
• If you want to run the 5K but your kids aren’t ready for that level of suffering, consider checking your kids into “While You Race” Childcare at the family race start line. You can then run the first 2 miles of the 5K to the Family Race Start, grab your kids and run then run the Family Race together. Child care provided by St. Francis Parish, extra fee may be involved.
• YOU MUST CHECK OUT YOUR CHILD BEFORE FINISHING THE 5K. It is not intended that runners finish the run and then return to claim their children. Due to the tight schedule, this service is for families with children who plan to run the Family Race.
• If you do the math, you’ll need to be able to run the first 2 miles in 30 minutes to pickup your child in time for the Family Race. Shuttle from the finish line, will stop drop you at St. Francis to check in your kids. Then you can re-board the shuttle to be taken to the 5K start line (the Cove).

FINISH LINE FESTIVAL AT BURIEN TOWN SQUARE:

• Finish Line Irish Festival runs from 2pm – 5pm at Burien Town Square
• “The Haggis Bros” are a lively Irish Band. You can enjoy the show from the beer garden (or free root beer garden for the kiddies). Be entertained by traditional step dancers while you gnash some Irish grub.

Not a runner? Get involved as a race day volunteer: Please contact John Nelson at jonelson@adobe.com.

And there are still some great Sponsorship Opportunities available – please email Ashley Fosberg at fosberg5@comcast.net for a sponsorship packet!

As the official web Sponsor of the Cove To Clover race, we’ll be posting more updates soon (including details on the Pub Crawl March 12th!), so be sure to come back often.

BTB Advertiser Three Tree Montessori invites parents and kids to their Open House this Saturday, Jan. 30th from 10am – Noon.

Here’s what they’d like you to know:

Come see the beautiful classrooms, gardens and playgrounds, meet the teachers, and learn about Montessori programs for children ages one through twelve.

All are welcome!

Three Tree Montessori is located in Burien at 220 SW 160th, near Sylvester Middle School. More info at their website here.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, 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!]

Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines) filed a bill this week that would allow the Port of Seattle to continue to lease land to the Highline-area Little League organization at a steeply discounted rate for use as Little League baseball fields.

The measure authorizes “airport operators” to make airport property available for public recreation and other community uses at less than market value.

“I grew up playing Highline Little League baseball on these exact ball fields,” Upthegrove said. “Today, south county children continue this tradition only because of the extremely affordable lease rates the Port extends to the City of Burien. With local governments currently strapped for cash, a hike in the lease rates could put the future of these fields at risk.”

The ball fields in question are located in the second runway “buyout area” near SeaTac Airport, a neighborhood dotted with boarded-up residences. Federal law specifies how close a residence can be to an airport runway, and over the years the Port of Seattle has had to “buy out” home and business owners to keep them out of the prohibited zone. The recreational and athletic fields, however, continue to enjoy active use and are permitted within the zone.

“The lease rate has recently been called into question by the State Auditor. My aim is to ensure that our state law is consistent with federal law, which actually permits these kinds of arrangements between airport operators and organizations like Little League,” Upthegrove added.

“Little League sports provide affordable recreation for so many children while teaching the values of teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.  We need to ensure that these Highline ball fields remain available for the community.”

The bill number is House Bill 3007, and it’s scheduled for a public hearing in the House Local Government and Housing Committee on Monday, Feb. 1st at 1:30 p.m.

Story and Photos by Scott Schaefer

Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 26th) members of the Highline Kiwanis Club, along with numerous volunteers and businesspeople, held a dedication ceremony at the newly re-built caretaker’s cabin at Burien’s Camp Schoenwald, located at 16222 SW 160th.

The Kiwanis Schoenwald Camp is nestled in a secluded, 10-acre wooded area tucked away behind Sylvester Middle School off of SW 160th. The previous caretaker’s cabin, which was a doublewide trailer, burned to the ground in March 2008 (see our previous coverage here), and this new structure was built over the last year by Highline Kiwanis members, volunteers and various area businesses who donated thousands of dollars of goods, services and time.

Camp Schoenwald has been part of the club’s Highline Youth Foundation since 1952. Every year it hosts thousands of Boy and Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls and other youth groups for day camps and overnight camping. Facilities include a large outdoor tee-pee with a huge fireplace and a building for indoor activities and sleeping quarters. The natural and primitive setting has been carefully retained, and is offered free of cost to all qualifying youth organizations.

The Highline Kiwanis and the Highline Youth Foundation have faithfully been serving the Puget Sound’s youth since 1952.

According to the Highline Kiwanis website:

“One of the ways we endeavor to provide a fun and safe facility in our 10 acre camp is to make sure there is on-site staff living at the two ends of the Camp Schoenwald Memorial Park 365 days a year.

Unfortunately, we lost the North caretaker’s home in a 2008 fire (though the caretaker and his family are all in good health).

Contact our president, Frank Weise, to find out how you can help the Highline Kiwanis to continue to maintain and provide an important facility to our Puget Sound youth.

The Highline Kiwanis Club is one of more than 6,000 such clubs throughout the world chartered by Kiwanis International.  Membership is made up of men and women from all walks of life who are genuinely concerned with the betterment of their community.”

If you’d like to see Camp Schoenwald yourself (an amazing, hidden gem with great trails, access to Miller Creek and the outflow from Lake Burien), you can come to an Open House every Tuesday evening from 6:30pm to 8pm – and all members and guests are welcome! For more information, contact Frank Weise.

Here’s Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The position responsibilities include:

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

This a CONTRACT PART – TIME POSITION.

Qualifications:

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

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

4 – 5 month contract

Gregory Heights Elementary School’s “Better Together” auction – its first in four years – will be Saturday, Feb. 27th at 5pm at the Jerry Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College.

Tickets for the “Better Together” auction are just $40 (no, that’s NOT a typo), which gets you dinner, dancing, a drink and an entire night of good fun all for a great cause.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Gregory Heights Elementary School’s “Better Together” Auction

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 27th at 5pm

WHERE: Jerry Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College

COST: $40 per ticket, includes dinner, dancing, a drink and an entire night of good fun all for a great cause.

TICKETS: Buy tickets safely and securely online here.

INFO: From their website:

The money raised at the auction will continue to provide funding for the great programs that the Gregory Heights PTSA has established at the school:

• Language
• Drama
• Art
• Chess
• Jump rope
• Science clubs
• Family fun nights
• Books for the library
• Field trips (there is NO district funding for field trips)

…just to name a few.

These enrichment programs offer something for all students with a wide variety of interests and have been very popular and effective for enhancing the learning experience for all students.  They also hope to purchase as many Netbooks as possible for the students so they can each have use of one for writing and research lessons, which will be essential for all students as they continue on in their education.

Call your neighbors, friends and family and buy tickets online today here. It’s super easy and fast.  It’s going to be a great event for the whole community. What a great way to support the future of your great town and our future leaders!

Better Together: every CHILD  every PARENT  every TEACHER!

One way you can tell that spring is on its way is when you start seeing signs for Little League baseball registration (oh, and these 50+ degree days sure help as well) – PACWEST Little League registration begins Tuesday, Jan. 26th.

PACWEST Little League is for kids ages from age 5 to 18.

Here are the details:

The following are the dates, times, and locations for the scheduled registrations.

Please plan to attend one of the dates:

• Tues., Jan. 26th – Highline Christian Church: 6pm-8pm
• Sat., Jan. 30th – St Francis: 10:00am-2:00pm
• Sat., Feb. 6th – Tukwila Community Center: 10:00am-2:00pm
• Sat., Feb. 20th – Boulevard Presbyterian Church: 10:00am-2:00pm

If you have questions about signing up, you can call the main office at (206) 243-9229 or email PACWEST Here.

More info available at the PACWEST website here.

Burien’s John F. Kennedy Catholic High School is holding a one-week “Every Lancer Against Cancer” fundraising drive from Jan. 25th through the 29th, and if their goal of $10,000 is met, veteran teacher Walt Kostecka (see his website here) has vowed that he’ll get a tattoo.

Kostecka is a Social Studies teacher who’s been at JFK for 34 years, and if the $10K goal is met, he’ll get a tattoo, chosen by an online poll (you can see and vote on it here).

Here’s the info from JFK’s website:

Every Lancer Against Cancer is a one week effort by the Kennedy family to raise money and educate ourselves about cancer. If our financial goal of $10,000 is met, Mr. Kostecka will get a tattoo.

Cancer awareness week is January 25-29.

If people want to donate they can send a check made out to Kennedy Catholic Cancer Awareness and mail to:

Kennedy High School c/o Walt Kostecka
140 S. 140th Street
Burien, WA. 98168

(Individuals are also encouraged to donate straight to the cause of your choice if you choose not to donate at Kennedy. )

Money raised at Kennedy will go to the following:

• Leukemia Society in honor of Brian McClusky and Courtney Caldwell
• Prostate Cancer Foundation in honor of Dave Danforth and Fr. Batterberry
• Fred Hutchinson Center in honor of Shane Cambronero, Gloria Strauss, Jennica McPherson, Steve Mclender and Richard Larkken?
• Candlelighters – an organization that helps families that have kids with cancer
• Terri Crosswhite who is fighting breast cancer

Throughout the week we will have various activities:

• In the front lobby of the school there will be boards placed where families can put pictures of family members who have lost the fight with cancer, pictures of family members who are presently fighting cancer, and family members who are cancer survivors.
• There will be an all school mass on Thursday, January 28th for the family members who have deceased, for family members fighting cancer and cancer survivors. All of the Kennedy family is welcomed to attend. The pictures of family members posted on the lobby will be brought to the Mass.
• The daily bulletin will have facts for the students about the fight against cancer.

Students are being asked to wear specific colors on the following days in support of various cancers:

• Monday Pink / breast cancer
• Tuesday Orange / Leukemia
• Wednesday Black / Melanoma
• Thursday Gold / Childhood cancer
• Friday Dark blue / Colon cancer

On Friday, January 29th, Mr. Kostecka will have a tattoo at the assembly if $10,000 is raised!

Here are the four tattoo candidates for Mr. Kostecka – which do YOU think he should get if the goal is met?:

You can help choose Mr. Kostecka’s New Tattoo by voting here.

John Chattin-McNichols will be the featured lecturer Thursday night, Jan. 21st, at BTB Advertiser West Seattle Montessori School.

The approximately 90-minute presentation is scheduled to begin at 7pm.

Since 1985, West Seattle Montessori School has been an integral part of the West Seattle Community. Offering preschool through 8th grade education, WSMS prides itself on fostering independence and intellectual curiosity, stimulating personal growth, and encouraging innovation and a love of learning.

John Chattin-McNichols has a seasoned history with Montessori methodology and teaching that goes all the way back to 1968.

Some of his vast accomplishments include being the president of the American Montessori Society, the founder of the American Montessori Teachers Research Network, and a Professor of the American Montessori Society teacher education program at Seattle University.

John is respected and highly esteemed throughout the field of education, and is a published author, and world-renowned speaker.

The school will also soon be hosting two Open Houses, the first one being this Saturday.

Anyone and everyone in the Burien/White Center/West Seattle and surrounding communities is invited to attend the lecture and Open Houses.

The school is now enrolling for the 2010 – 2011 academic school year. For more information, please contact the main office at (206) 935-0427.

Open House Schedule:

• Saturday, January 23, 1pm – 3pm
• Wednesday, February 10, 6pm – 8pm

West Seattle Montessori  School
11215 15th Ave SW
Seattle, WA  98146
Phone (206) 935-0427

www.WestSeattleMontessori.com

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, 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!]

Burien’s Angelica Alvarez began the first term for a Latina on the Highline School board this month after being elected in November and sworn into office in December.

According to a press release:

Alvarez says she brings a passion for academic success for all children, regardless of the ethnic and social backgrounds. She is also interested in improving the transition from early childhood education to school, and in building collaborative, inclusive partnerships with parents.

Angelica works for the non-profit organization Child Care Resources where she promotes equity for children, building community stability, and encouraging school readiness. Her work often brings her into contact with King County’s low-income families in an effort to serve the basic needs of children. She says it is her goal is to bring these same values and skills to her work with Highline Public Schools.

Story and Photos by Scott Schaefer

Members of Boy Scout Troop #375 were busy Saturday (Jan. 2nd), at their annual Christmas Tree Recycling Fundraiser in the parking lot of BTB Advertiser Herr Backyard Garden Center on SW 160th, just behind the Cafe Lipshtick espresso booth.

It’s just $5 to donate your tree(s), and they’ll be accepting more tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 3rd) from 9am to 4pm.

“This is one of two major fundraisers we do every year,” said Scoutmaster Mark Ufkes as he supervised the kids. “Along with our annual dinner at St. Francis, the money raised today will go towards scholarships for camps for scouts. And people should know that a kid can be a Boy Scout without having to pay much money.”

Ufkes continued: “To be a Boy Scout, all you have to do is a) be between 11 and 18 years old, b) be an upstanding citizen, c) believe in a higher power, and d) want to spend a lot of time outdoors doing adventures with other kids. Having money is not a factor.”

Troop #375 serves boys in areas including Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, White Center and West Seattle. For more information, check out their website here.

This event is a “mandatory” one for members of this troop, and we counted at least 12 scouts while we were there Saturday afternoon. Ufkes says that all 20 boys from this troop will help out over the entire weekend, making one wonder:

How many scouts does it take to de-limb a Christmas tree?

To find out, click on Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow below:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

The large truck hauler used at his event was donated by Scarsella Brothers Construction, who help out every year.

Over the last two years, 16 Eagle Scouts have been awarded in Troop #375, which is an unusually high number. The Troop is currently sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi Church in Burien.

According to the Des Moines Historical Society, Boy Scout Troop #375 was formed March 17, 1924 by Rev. Beatty, Scoutmaster, Rollin Case, and Franklin Lowery. In 1923, Rev. Cyrus Gilbert, a teacher at Sunnydale and Highline High School, had established a troop at Sunnydale.

We here at The B-Town Blog highly recommend that all Readers recycle your tree with these kids, because everything stays local, from the donations, which fund scout activities, to the firewood (which will be sold to raise funds) to the mulch made from the tree chippings (which will end up in a local yard).

BTB Advertiser Jim Coleman, DDS recently held their annual Stuffed Animal Drive for children who end up in the Highline Medical Center Emergency Rooms, and this year received over 300 donations!

The purpose of the annual drive is to provide children who may be visiting hospitals something to “calm them,” like a stuffed animal.

“These animals are given to children as they check into the ER and I have been assured by the nurses that they have a very calming effect on the kids,” said Lynn Coleman. “About half of this year’s donations went to the main Highline Medical Center campus, and the other half went to the Riverton campus in Tukwila.”

We here at The B-Town Blog tip our collective hats to this innovative fundraiser, as many of us here still use our stuffed animals to help calm us.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanmorgan/ / CC BY 2.0

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.

Burien’s Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center has placed “Giving Trees” throughout the area, and you can make a child’s Christmas wish come true by purchasing their wish list item.

Tags on the trees include all the details (age, gender and specific gift wish) and include a single wish of a Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center resident.

Once purchased, bring the unwrapped item back to the business you picked up the tag or drop off at Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center during business hours.

Please deliver all Giving Tree items by Monday, December 21st to:

Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center
1033 SW 152nd Street
Burien, WA  98166

For more information, contact Megan Clingman, Special Events Manager at (206) 242-1698 x142 or by email: meganc@rdcc.org. More info on the Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center is available at their website here.

Megan adds: “Together we can make this a Happy Holiday season for all families!!

Here’s a list of local businesses with RDC Giving Trees:

• 3 Wishes
• 909 Coffee & Wine
• Albertsons (5 Corners store)
• Bank of America (230 SW 152nd St)
• Collins Chiropractic
• Copiers NW
• Goodie Gumdrops
• Highline Athletic Club
• Highline Therapy Service
• Key Bank (17818 1st Ave S)
• Matt Griffin YMCA (3595 S 188th St)
• Orthodontics of Burien
• Poggi Bonsi
• The Mark Restaurant
• Tin Room
• Volt Services
• You’ve Been Worn
• Zizzia

We got an email Friday afternoon from Lisanna Fox, who says that her niece Tayvaunna Milam, 15, is missing, and that she “…may be in the South Park, White Center, and Burien area. Can you please post her information on your site?”

So we made some calls, checked with the Washington State Patrol, spoke with her Mother Lydia, and confirmed that this is a legit runaway case, so if you’ve seen Tayvaunna (pictured, left), you are urged to contact the Seattle Police Department at (206) 684-5582, or the WSP Missing Persons Unit at 1-800-543-5678 immediately.

Here’s the email request we received from Lisanna:

My name is Lisanna and I have a 15-yr-old niece that has been missing since the 25th of November. Her name is Tayvaunna Milam. The case has been reported to the SPD, WSP, as well as The Center For Missing And Exploited Children. We have been posting fliers throughout Seattle and the surrounding areas. There has been info relayed to us that she may be in the South Park, White Center, and Burien area. Can you please post her information on your site. The information has been approved by all of the above agencies..thank you for any help that you can offer with getting the word out!! Every little bit helps and I think that it is important that our children know that we care and will go to great lengths for them. Again thank you and Happy Holidays.

Here’s the poster from the Washington State Patrol (download a PDF here if you’d like to post it):

Some helpful links:

• Help The Children Profile Page On Tayvaunna
• PDF Poster from the Washington State Patrol
• Web page & poster  from MissingKids.com

Here’s info directly from a poster:

TAYVAUNNA SHAKAYLA LERONIQUE MILAM
Case Type: Endangered Runaway
DOB: Mar 15, 1994	Sex: Female
Missing Date: Nov 25, 2009	Race: Biracial
Age Now: 15	Height: 5′5″ (165 cm)
Missing City: SEATTLE	Weight: 140 lbs (64 kg)
Missing State : WA	Hair Color: Black
Missing Country: United States	Eye Color: Brown
Case Number: NCMC1136240
Circumstances: Tayvaunna was last seen on November 25, 2009. She is American Indian, Black, and White. Tayvaunna’s ears are pierced.

Burien’s annual WinterFest is coming to Olde and Downtown Burien on Saturday, Dec. 5th from 10am to 5pm, with a bunch of FREE activities for the entire family, including carriage rides, photos with reindeer, kids crafts, hay rides, human (and dog) photos with Santa, along with (not-free) wine tasting and in-store specials.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Burien’s annual WinterFest

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 5th from 10am to 5pm

WHERE: Olde Burien & Downtown Burien

COST: FREE!

INFO: There will also be numerous in-store specials during the day, along with hot treats and the following:

• Free Carriage Rides from 2pm – 5pm
• Free Photos with Reindeer at Goodie Gumdrops
• Free Kids Crafts at Collins Chiropractic
• Free Hay Rides 11am – 3pm
• Free Dog Photos with Santa at The Mark Restaurant
• Wine Tasting at Vino Bello Wine Bar
• Free Photos with Santa at John L. Scott

Main sponsors of the event include:

• Moss Chiropractic
• John L. Scott Real Estate
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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 Ralph Nichols

Just as it is for all soccer teams, the fall season is winding down players in a soccer program conducted by New Futures and the Greater King County Police Athletic League. But this is the first year for the soccer program, which was organized to fill a void for some young people.

The seeds for this program were planted by young people served by New Futures who “expressed an interest in soccer but did not have the means” to participate, said Katie Mason, a youth program coordinator for the agency at Woodbridge in Boulevard Park.

Burien-based New Futures also operates at The Heights at Burien, Windsor Heights in SeaTac, and Arbor Heights in White Center to provide on-site learning programs for low-income children and youth in the Highline School District and their families, directly serving nearly 1,600 people.

Despite their interest in soccer, these students lacked the family time, transportation or financial means to play in an organized program, Mason noted. So the New Future’s youth program coordinators decided they would give the 12-17 year old kids a chance to play soccer by starting their own league.

Still, they couldn’t do it alone, so New Futures turned to the Greater King County Police Athletic League (PAL), a volunteer organization that provides activities for at-risk youth and allow them personal interaction with law enforcement officers.

With a coach from PAL and another who is a parent volunteer, two teams of about 50 Highline youth, both boys and girls, practiced once a week and played once a week at Chelsea Park in Burien and North SeaTac Park.

Their first season, says Mason, has been a “success. I think it’s gone pretty well. There have been a few kinks on our end. We could use more field time and more parents or community volunteers to coach. But the kids really enjoyed themselves.”

Both New Futures and PAL are considering the possibility of winter soccer. And, she adds they would like to use their program “to get these kids started playing, to improve their skills,” and then feed them into other leagues where they can continue playing at a higher level.

PAL hopes to involve these soccer players in the Starfire League’s indoor facility in Tukwila and eventually get a team in La Ligas, a regional Latino soccer league.

For more information, check out New Futures’ website here.

BTB Advertiser Jim Coleman, DDS is holding their annual Stuffed Animal Drive for children who end up in the Highline Medical Center Emergency Rooms, and they’re looking for donations.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Jim Coleman, DDS annual Stuffed Animal Drive, to help calm children who end up in Highline Medical Center’s ERs.

WHEN: Now through Dec. 22nd.

WHERE: Donate stuffed animals at Jim Coleman’s offices, located at 1800 SW 152nd Street in Burien.

INFO: Here’s an email we received from Lynn Coleman:

As many of you know, our dental practice collects stuffed animals for the Highline Medical Center Emergency Rooms. These animals are given to children as they check into the ER and I have been assured by the nurses that they have a very calming effect on the kids.

We are again collecting animals and would really appreciate any contributions that you could make.

We will get them to the ER on the 22nd of December so if you want to drop them by our office before then, it will be great!

Let’s make those kids comfortable, loved and cared for in the best ER in the Seattle area!

Thanks,
Lynn Coleman

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanmorgan/ / CC BY 2.0

by Ralph Nichols

Organized just six years ago by a group of Latino parents concerned about the education their children were receiving, Burien-based Para Los Niños today operates three programs in seven Highline schools.

And in January, Para Los Niños – “For the Children” – will begin yet another program “to add arts and culture in an education environment,” says executive director Sharonne Navas.

Funding for the new program comes from a $1,500 Latino Led Arts and Media Grant, which was presented to the group at last month’s Latino Community Fund Summit and Awards Ceremony at Bellevue Community College.

Para Los Niños received the grant “for their work to enhance art projects through Aprendamos Juntos (“Let’s Learn Together”), which integrates child and parent learning to boost academic success, build children’s emotional development, and support parenting.”

Aprendos Juntos is one of the three programs already conducted in the schools by Para Los Niños.

The new arts program will focus on Latino art and culture so students from 24 different countries don’t lose their cultural heritage. Participating students will work on perfecting their bilingual skills, Navas says.

“We encourage (Latino students) to be bilingual and bi-cultural,” Navas added. “Studies show that bilingual students do better academically, with life skills, and in standard testing if they don’t avoid their primary language while learning a secondary language.”

Activities in the art program will include dance, ceramics, and literature that takes stories from Latino cultural history and transfers them to painted art.

“We’ll try for about 100 kids and build from this, including more children as they get more funding for this program,” she adds.

One of the ideas behind this program is that it’s easier “to bring the similarities of both cultures to non-Latino kids if Latino kids do this and make it for others to see and experience.”

Para Los Niños’ other programs already underway are Descubrlendo Nuestra Cultura – “Discovering Our Culture” – and the New Immigrant Literacy Program.

Two programs are in grades K-6 and the third is for high school students. And student participation is growing.

“Last year we had about 1,200 students in the primary program in elementary schools,” Navas notes. “This year we have about 1,600.”

There is also an ESL (English as a Second Language) component for the parents of these children. As many as 98 percent of them speak only Spanish.

“The parents have a harder time learning to be bi-cultural and we teach biculturalism to them too.”

Navas says Para Los Niños, a local community based organization, started in 2003 “when a group of Latino parents got together about concerns they had about the education system and their children.” The organization incorporated in 2006.

Their objective is “fostering academic success for every Latino student through parent and community involvement.” And it’s working.

Today, she says, children participating in programs through Para Los Niños “are excelling in their classrooms.”

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.

On Halloween (Saturday, Oct. 31st), the annual “Boo In Burien” took place, where children went trick or treating from business to business, dogs (and kids) in costumes paraded, and wiener dogs raced against each other.

This year’s event was sponsored by Discover Burien, Prudential Northwest and Grocery Outlet.

The B-Town Blog was there of course, and Photographer Michael Brunk captured these photos:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

If you see yourself (or your dog or child) and want to download a FREE high-res version of the photo suitable for printing or emailing, click here and browse the photos on Flickr. Once you find something you like, download it by clicking on “All Sizes” just above the image, then right-click and “Save As” the JPEG in whatever size you prefer (Large and Original are best for printing).