A Business Recycling Collection Event is planned for Thursday, July 29th from 11am – 4pm at the Criminal Justice Training Center, located at 19010 First Ave South.

The event is sponsored by the cities of Burien, Des Moines and Normandy Park.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Business Recycling Collection Event.

WHEN: Thursday, July 29, 2010 11am – 4pm.

WHERE: WA State Criminal Justice Training Center, 19010 – 1st Ave South.

COST: There will be fees for computer monitors, TV sets, appliances.

INFO: More details available here, or contact Shanta Frantz at 206-938-8262.

From a flier:

Accepted Materials:

• Cardboard ~ non-waxed or coated, flattened CDs, Floppy Disks, Video Tapes ~ please remove paper or plastic covers
• Cellular Phones ~ phones, batteries, chargers, adapters
• Computers & Components ~ hard drives, monitors ($10 fee-cash only), keyboards, printers, mice.
• Plastics ~ grocery bags, stretch wrap, film, bubble wrap, shrink wrap, garment bags
• Scrap Metal ~ chairs, desks, file cabinets, refrigerators/freezers/cfc units ($25 fee-cash only), telephones, fax machines, type writers, adding machines, copiers, other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Sealed tanks and drums and metals that are insulated, rubbercoated, contain chemicals, paint, or hazardous materials will not be accepted.
• Toner and Printer Cartridges
• TVSets~TV sets with 36-inch or smaller screens and encased in plastic ($20 fee-cash only). TV sets with larger than 36 inch screens, wood console, sets encased in wood, and big screen TV sets – ($25 fee-cash only).
• Projection TV sets ($30 fee-cash only).
• Wood Pallets and Clean, Untreated Scrap Wood

PLEASE NOTE: Fluorescent lights, tubes, bulbs, and incandescent lights will not be accepted.

Please visit the King County http://www.takeitbacknetwork.org/ for a drop location near you.

Questions? Call (206) 938-8262

Note: Only the types of materials listed above will be collected. No hazardous waste will be accepted. Visit www.lhwmp.org if you need assistance with hazardous materials disposal.

The Local Hazardous Waste Program is conducting a small business hazardous waste disposal pilot project for 2010. Qualifying small businesses can dispose of limited quantities of hazardous wastes at Seattle and King County household hazardous waste facilities. This pilot program is offered at no additional cost to eligible small quantity hazardous waste generators (SQGs) in King County. This is an excellent opportunity for SQG businesses to dispose of their stock pile of hazardous materials. Further information is available at www.lhwmp.org or contact the business waste line at 206-263-8899.

Photographer Michael Brunk has been lurking around Des Moines recently, capturing photos of this beautiful “waterland” city as the sun slips behind the Olympic mountains.

He’s gone through the results and pulled some of his favorite shots taken over the last two months and put together a slide show set to peaceful ambient audio recorded at Des Moines Beach Park.

So lean back, adjust your audio and take a few moments to relax with these images of Des Moines after dark!

Tip: When the slideshow is running, you can click the little icon of four arrows (just above the “credits” link) and the slideshow will go full screen.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

The fifth annual Brent Rice Memorial Swim of the Sound is set for 9am on Saturday, Aug. 14th in Des Moines, and organizers are currently seeking athletes, donors and sponsors.

The swim was started in 2006 by 17-year old Justin Moser, who wanted to honor his friend and mentor Brent Rice, who passed away just over four years ago in a car accident. Brent Rice once did the swim himself as a personal challenge from one of his brothers. Brent Rice was a local swimmer, where he competed at both the state and national level receiving All-American honors.

The swim is a 2.3 mile journey in 50-degree water, from the DesMoines Beach Park to Point Robinson on Maury Island. The first year eight made the journey, and last year they quadrupled the number of swimmers. This year organizers would like to have as many as 100 adventurous athletes join their quest to Swim the Sound. The swim will be run by volunteers, lifeguards, the Des Moines Fire Department and the US Coast Guard.

With 45 swimmers taking the plunge in 2009, last year they raised $4,000.00 for the Brent Rice Memorial Foundation. The foundation, created in 2006, helps provide swim lessons for low-income families who can’t afford them and aquatic safety education programs in the Puget Sound area. Last years’ funds will be awarded to Mt Rainier Pool, Kent Meridian Pool and Evergreen Pool for swim lessons and other aquatic programs later this year.

Swimmers who want to participate must be intermediate or advanced; although this is a fun event and for a great cause, the sound is very treacherous. Donors, sponsors, athletes and volunteers who are interested can get more information online at www.BRMSOS.com.

The date of the swim is Saturday August 14, 2010.

All donations can be sent to:

BRMSOS
2452 Alki Ave SW #301
Seattle, WA 98116

To register to participate as a swimmer, the cost is $60 – click here to register online.

Here are a couple of videos about previous swims:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYkoDnBB83o

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMcVdV1IVpk

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAt06OW0neA

Des Moines’ newest arts event is the Poverty Bay Arts Festival, which will happen Saturday, Setp. 25th from 10am – 4pm around the Marina District, and the festival committee has issued an official Call For Entries for Artists and their Artwork.

Sponsored by the Des Moines Arts Commission and the Associated Students of Highline Community College, the one-day arts festival will be held throughout the downtown Des Moines Marina District. It will showcase the incredible pool of local talent and feature the works of professional, college, secondary school and elementary school artists. Art will be displayed at various businesses and special venues.

Also scheduled are street performances and a Poetry Slam.

Anyone interested in participating should visit the festival website at www.povertybayartsfestival.com for more details and download the Call for Entries application (direct link here, PDF file).

The deadline for entries is Friday, July 23rd.

For further information, contact Cora Morrison at desmoinesflorist@gmail.com or Vickie Bergquist at Vickie@vickieinsurance.com.

Story & Photos by Fred Feiertag

[EDITOR'S NOTE: When we found out that our neighbor Fred Feiertag was going to travel some 3,400+ miles to Haiti to help with earthquake relief, we asked if he'd be so kind as to share his experiences with our Readers. This is what he sent us:]

Scott said to keep this simple and tell how my recent trip to Haiti affected me. He doesn’t make it easy. I joined a group of guys who went to Haiti to help build homes for the refugees from the January earthquake. Remember that event? It was just before the Earthquake in Chile. Oh, well, how about that oil spill in the Gulf? It was a while before that…. Having been to Haiti just last year I had fairly fresh memories of how it was. Well it isn’t anymore. The earthquake did to Port Au Prince, the capitol city, in 35 seconds what a large army would need weeks to do. The devastation was extreme. Now, almost six months later less than half the destroyed buildings have been removed.

With hundreds of thousands of ordinary people living in tents, the city looks like the aftermath of war.

How did this make us feel? It made me feel very motivated to help. We went to Haiti knowing that there was a disaster and help was needed. Being there and seeing the destruction and the hardship changes your viewpoint. We didn’t just want to help, we had to help!

Port Au Prince was a bustling city with so much life and tropical color. Now it has been knocked down and covered with the gray of concrete dust. The sights are heart wrenching and almost unbelievable. Here is a tent city built down the middle of one of the only wide boulevards in the city.

Our work site was in a small city 90 miles from the earthquake zone. Les Cayes was not touched by the shaking, but instead has had to care for hundreds of refugees and many injured. On the drive to Les Cayes we saw hundreds of tent cities, mile upon mile of clusters of tents. Some had just a few and more and hundreds of every kind of tent or temporary shelter.

We felt glad that the world has so quickly provided these basic means of shelter. Food and water seemed to be available as well. The like a cloud passing the sun we would think, “Good grief, can you imagine living in a camping tent for six months in this heat?” Once again, we felt the urgency of our project.

In the end we did get the house building effort started. Not without plenty of little annoying troubles. We posed in front of our first house. We hope it is the first of hundreds. By the United Nations, count our score is one done, 249,999 to go.

Who we are: Homes for Haiti Team from Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines: http://www.gotgrace.com.

The actual home building project is through this agency: Reciprocal Ministries International, RMI, http://www.rminet.org/homesforhaiti/index.htm (NOTE: you can also donate online at this website to help continue this relief effort].

To read more of Fred’s first-hand experiences, or view videos, check out his Facebook Page here.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Do YOU have an interesting story to share? If so, please email us and we'll consider posting it!]

by Ralph Nichols

[NOTE: Interviews for this and a companion story that follows were conducted just before the 2010 youth lacrosse season ended in May. With the growing popularity of this sport locally, many players – returning and new – already look forward to a new season next spring. – RN]

Not long ago, a Burien junior high school student, who already plays baseball, basketball and soccer, told me he plans to play lacrosse next spring.

That he is not alone in this new sporting interest is one of many promising signs for the future of a game that remains largely unheralded in the Highline area.

Every spring, the “traditional” high school sports – baseball, soccer, track and field, tennis – grab all the headlines.

Yet lacrosse – first played by Native Americans in the Northeast – is the fastest-growing sport among young athletes throughout western Washington.

Increasing numbers of Highline-area boys from 5th grade through high school are marking their calendars, like the Burien teen, for the second week in March when a new lacrosse season begins.

And it will build on what, looking back, was the best year yet for teams of the Highline Lacrosse Club.

“Just this year we turned the corner” in developing players, said Mark Benedum, who coaches the 5th-6th grade team. He was also the founder of the local club, which is now an ascending youth sports program.

Benedum fielded in the 2010 season an increasing – and increasingly skilled – number of players, who will move from the 5th-6th grade team up to the 7th-8th grade roster, and then to high school-level teams.

The Highline Lacrosse Club even had enough players this year to field a high school junior varsity team for the first time.

Lacrosse isn’t a sport sanctioned by the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association, so competition at both the high school and youth levels is sponsored by leagues with organized clubs that are, for the most part, coached and managed by parent volunteers.

Loy Kalapo coaches both the high school varsity and junior varsity teams of the Highline Lacrosse Club. Charlie Simpson coaches the 7th-8th grade team.

They are assisted by fathers of some players, many of whom are good athletes who participated in other high school or college sports.

“A big difference here is getting dads involved who have never played lacrosse but are teaching [the kids] the game,” Benedum said. “It’s important to have the parents involved.”

All local teams play under the umbrella of the Washington State High School Boys Lacrosse Association, which is working to win sanctioned by the WIAA.

Anthony Gardner, president of the Highline Lacrosse Club board of directors, predicts that “it’s just a matter of time before lacrosse becomes a sanctioned high school sport in this state.”

Highline lacrosse program
Many residents of Burien and neighboring communities already know Benedum as the CEO of Highline Medical Center. But beyond the campus of this growing medical facility, he shares with the young athletes an enthusiasm for lacrosse.

“Lacrosse is one of my passions,” said Benedum, who played collegiate lacrosse at Cornell University. “I’ve been playing it since I was nine.”

After moving to the Seattle area he discovered there were only a handful of lacrosse clubs here. He started playing at the adult club level where most of the players, like him, were transplants from the east coast.

About seven years ago, he got a call from the president of what, at the time, was the local high school lacrosse league. The team at Mt. Rainier High School, which included some players from other Highline high schools, had lost its coach.

Since the team couldn’t finish the season without a coach, Benedum was asked if he would consider taking over, and he volunteered to fill the void.

“The high school kids were good athletes, but they had no experience” playing lacrosse before they got to high school,” Benendum recalled. This impressed on him the need for local junior lacrosse teams to feed players to the high school team, just as youth teams do in other sports.

Three years ago, the team at Mt. Rainier was renamed the Highline Lacrosse Club to eliminate identity with just one local high schools “to make all players feel welcome,” Gardner said. “Any kid in the Highline area can be on the club,” no matter what high school they attend.

The Highline Lacrosse Club also expanded, adding youth teams for younger players to increase participation and skill development.

An estimated 5,000 boys and girls played on lacrosse teams in western and central Washington this spring. The only girls’ team in the Highline area is at Kennedy High School.

There are some 40 lacrosse teams at the high school level from Port Angeles to the Tri-Cities, with about 25 of them in the Seattle metro area, Gardner said. There are around 60 teams at the 5th-6th grade level.

“I see a time when every high school will have a team,” Benedum said. For now, “the kids [from different schools] try to set aside their high school rivalries” as they play at the top level for the Highline club.

As he gazed across the Manhattan playfield in Burien during the final practice of the 2010 season, Benendum observed, “It’s good to see this group out here, to give more kids a chance to play.”

Lacrosse is “a physical game that includes a lot of running,” he added. “It offers opportunities for kids who are not necessarily big. Kids that really do well in soccer and basketball tend to have a lot of fun.

“There is a lot of team strategy. They can use the stick. And, Benedum said with a grin, “you get to hit people.”

Goal: increase players
Gardner said the Washington Stealth professional indoor lacrosse team, which won the league’s national championship at the end of its first year in Everett earlier this year, has “helped a lot in increasing interest in lacrosse” in western Washington.

Looking closer to home, he said “We’re the fastest growing lacrosse club in the country. We’re definitely the fastest growing sport in the Highline area.”

It takes 18 players to field a lacrosse team. And, Gardner noted, the 5th-6th grade team fielded 24 kids this year, the 7th-8th grade team had about the same number, and the high school team, including junior varsity, had 36 players.

“We doubled this year the number of kids playing. Once the kids turn out and get involved, their interest seems very strong. Next year we’ll be more aggressive – reaching out to the elementary schools with a grass-roots marketing campaign.”

The Highline Lacrosse Club is “looking to add a second 5th-6th grade team and a second 7th-8th grade team,” Gardner added. “Our goal is to increase interest and to build a feeder pipeline” for the high school team.

Players from Mt. Rainier in Des Moines, Tyee in SeaTac, Highline, Evergreen and Kennedy in Burien, Foster in Tukwila, and Aviation High support the high school team.

Beyond the playing field, interest has grown to the point where “we’re looking to having an official mascot next year,” he said.

Not only is the number of players improving, so is the level of play, Gardner said. While the 5th-6th grade team “struggled,” they were “building for the future.” And the 7th-8th grade team, which went 11-2, “had an awesome season.

“The high school team had an improved year, and this was the first year that we actually had 9th graders with experience.” In addition, the junior varsity “had a lot of new kids.

“A lot of new kids only means good things for the future of this program,” Gardner concluded. “I’m very excited.”

Rogers Hornsby, the great second baseman with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1920s and 30s, once was asked what he did during the off-season. “I look out the window all winter waiting for spring,” he replied.

In the Highline area, there’s a growing group of boys who are counting the days until next spring for a different reason – it will be time to start playing lacrosse again.

The Des Moines Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a theft suspect, who was observed between May 17 and 24th and confronted by staff at a nursing care facility in Des Moines.

According to police, the suspect was loitering inside the building on two separate incidents. During one of the incidents he seen wearing nursing scrubs and told a staff member he was looking for a job. The police were not called during either event.

On May 24th, one of the staff nurses discovered her purse was taken and learned shortly afterward that a charge in excess of $800.00 in debit card transactions had taken place against her account. One of those transactions took place at the Redondo Safeway and was captured by surveillance video (see photos below).

Anyone with information as to the identity of the suspect (pictured below) is asked to contact Detective Ross Stuth at rstuth@desmoineswa.gov or 206-870-7615.

Rep. Dave Upthegrove will be holding “drop-in hours” at various area locations once a month through August, starting Tuesday, June 22nd in Burien.

Upthegrove, who serves the 33rd District and lives in Des Moines, is doing this so he can “meet informally with Highline-area constituents.”

“I’m always happy to meet one-on-one with people, and they can call my legislative office to make an appointment,” Upthegrove said in a statement. “But in addition, I wanted to give constituents from the Highline area a chance to simply drop by and talk to me about legislative issues and concerns.”

He’ll be available to meet on each fourth Tuesday during June (the 22nd), July (the 27th) and August (24th), and will hang out at the recently-opened Infusion Tea & Coffee Shop at 15607 First Ave South in Burien, from 1:30pm – 2:30pm.

Additional “drop-in” hours will be held June 14, July 12, and August 9 (second Tuesday of each month) at the following South King County locations and times:

• 11:00 a.m. to Noon
  Kent City Hall lobby
  220 4th Avenue South, Kent
• 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  Highline Community College Student Union Building – second floor information table
  2400 S. 240th Street, Des Moines (at Pacific Highway South)

Appointments are not necessary, which will allow for area residents to just “drop-in” and speak with him.

Upthegrove notes that these “drop-in hours” are in addition to his standing offer to meet with constituents at a time and location of their convenience.

Here’s a press release with more details:

With the 2010 Legislative Session now concluded, Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines) has returned home to Des Moines and has set aside specific dates and times to meet informally with Highline-area constituents.

On each fourth Tuesday during June, July, and August (June 22, July 27, and August 24), Upthegrove will be available at the newly-opened Infusion Tea & Coffee shop at 15607 1st Avenue South in Burien (corner of 156th and 1st Avenue South) from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This will enable people to meet with him without having to schedule an appointment in advance.

Upthegrove notes that these “drop-in hours” are in addition to his standing offer to meet with constituents at a time and location of their convenience.

“I’m always happy to meet one-on-one with people, and they can call my legislative office to make an appointment. But in addition, I wanted to give constituents from the Highline area a chance to simply drop by and talk to me about legislative issues and concerns,” Upthegrove said.

Additional “drop-in” hours will be held June 14, July 12, and August 9 (second Tuesday of each month) at the following South King County locations and times:

11:00 a.m. to Noon
Kent City Hall lobby
220 4th Avenue South, Kent

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Highline Community College Student Union Building – second floor information table
2400 S. 240th Street, Des Moines (at Pacific Highway South)

Story & Photos Courtesy Carmen Scott
Des Moines Historical Society

Many of the pioneer families of the Des Moines, Burien, Sunnydale, SeaTac and Highline areas are represented at the historic Hillgrove Cemetery, located on South 200th Street a few blocks east of Des Moines Memorial Drive.

Last Thursday (May 27), several teams of young students from the Puget Sound Skills Center, under the Direction of Fire Services Instructor and Battalion Chief John Madson, spent a hard day at work mowing hip high grass, weed whacking, trimming, raking, and removing overgrown vegetation.

By day’s end, the grounds were walkable and ready for Memorial Day visitors.

An observer will see a great many long-term local names:

Memorial day presents an opportunity to remember the pioneers of yesteryear, and appreciate all they did to forge a future for us, the generations that followed.

The Memorial Day clean-up efforts were arranged by Jim Lingwood, representing the Hillgrove Cemetery Board, and by Jim Langston, representing the Des Moines Historical Society.

A special thanks goes to the city of SeaTac for loaning the use of their grounds-keeping tools and equipment.

Here are more photos of the event:

Also, here’s a Sound Slideshow of Hillgrove Cemetery, as Produced by Scott Schaefer last Fall:

Click to Play Scott Schaefer’s SoundSlideshow

They say that if you don’t like the weather here in the Puget Sound region, just wait five minutes and it will change. That was certainly true Thursday evening!

Photographer Michael Brunk was out prowling for a photo opportunity when he spotted sail boats just off the Des Moines Marina. It turned out to be the Three Tree Point Yacht Club conducting the first race of their summer series. Unfortunately, the weather conditions were anything but summer-like!

There was a light rain tapering off, and even a few small patches of blue sky to the north. Conditions good enough to brave the fishing pier to capture a few photos of the race. The rain eventually stopped, and with it any trace of wind. This made for a rather slow race, but great photos!

What did we say about dynamic weather? Soon enough the distant shores across the water disappeared into the gray murk and the rain could be seen advancing on Des Moines.

The new weather front breathed life and excitement back into the sailboat race for a few last photos before the rain sweeping in horizontally soaked both lens and photographer. This caused a strategic withdrawal to warmer, drier surroundings.

Here are more photos of the race shot by Michael.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Two airport noise-related items to share – first, members of the Highline Forum will discuss the Part 150 Noise Study on Wednesday, May 26th; secondly, the Port’s second public workshop for the study is set for Wednesday, June 9th at Cedarhurst Elementary (611 S. 132nd Street) in Burien, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

The May 26th meeting begins at 2:30pm at Burien City Hall’s Council Chambers (400 SW 152nd Street), and the public is invited to observe. The Highline Forum includes the communities of Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Tukwila and Federal Way and the Highline School District and Port of Seattle.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Port of Seattle Commission Part 150 discussion at Highline Forum, as well as a second Workshop Meeting.

WHEN: Highline Forum: Wednesday, May 26th at 2:30pm; Workshop: Wednesday, June 9th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

WHERE: Highline Forum: Burien City Hall Council Chambers; Workshop: Cedarhurst Elementary, located at 611 S. 132nd Street in Burien.

INFO: From a press release:

June 9th Part 150 Noise Study Public Workshop at Cedarhurst Elementary in Burien

The second in a series of public workshops for Sea-Tac Airport’s Part 150 Noise Study is scheduled for June 9th at Cedarhurst Elementary (611 S. 132nd Street) in Burien. The workshop will run from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The Part 150 Study looks at ways to reduce aircraft noise impacts on communities. Through active engagement with the public, facilitators will lead three group sessions at the workshop: the first addressing what was heard at the first workshop, the second involving a detailed discussion on a few of the proposed ways to reduce noise and the third on the study’s noise modeling and the noise data collected to date. Participants will take part in all three sessions and a general Q&A will occur at the conclusion.

On May 26, the members of the Highline Forum will also discuss the Part 150 Noise Study at Burien City Hall’s Council Chambers – 400 SW 152nd Street. The meeting begins at 2:30 and the public is invited to observe. The Highline Forum includes the southwest King County communities of Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Tukwila and Federal Way and the Highline School District and Port of Seattle.

Please visit the dedicated Part 150 Study website for more information about the June 9th Public Workshop and for all documentation connected to the study.

The Des Moines Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man whose picture was taken as he entered the Walgreens Store in the 23000 block of Pacific Highway South on Saturday, March 10th.

The suspect produced a handgun and demanded entry into the employee area of the pharmacy. He demanded specific prescription medications, placed them into a shopping bag and left the store in a dark colored mid-size Chevrolet sedan. The vehicle is believed to be a model year of 2000 or later. The vehicle was last seen southbound on Pacific Highway South.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 40 years of age, five foot seven with a medium build, short black hair and no facial hair. It is also possible he has been in the store before.

Here are two surveillance camera photos of him:

If you have any information regarding the identity of this individual, please contact the Des Moines Police Department at 206-878-3301.

UPDATE 5pm 4/16/10: The latest Tweet from the Washington State Department of Transportation reads:

“SR 509 in Normandy Park – Crews have opened one lane and are alternating traffic through the area.”

PREVIOUSLY: According to a Tweet sent out around 2pm this afternoon from the Washington State Department of Transportation:

“A gas leak has shut down both directions of SR 509 (1st Avenue S.) in Normandy Park, just north of Des Moines.”

We’re trying to get more info on this, and as we do we’ll give updates.

If any Readers drove through the area or experienced it, please email us.

Story & Photos by Rachel M. Lusby

Noise problems were the primary topic on the minds of at least 30 attendees at Wednesday’s C.A.S.E. meeting (Citizens Against SeaTac Expansion). Managing Director of Sea-Tac International Airport, Mark Reis, was there to answer questions.

Also in attendance was Port of Seattle Media Officer Perry Cooper.

Reis began the meeting by saying “airports are big facilities and they have impact.” He says not only is the noise something to be acknowledged, but so are the environmental impacts on the areas around the airport.

“The environmental initiatives I’m taking are something I’m very proud of,” he says.

Sea-Tac Airport, according to Reis, has the most aggressive recycling program out of most all other airport facilities in the nation. He says the programs in place, including a storm water project, a plan to bring bio-jet fuel to the airport as soon as 2012, are “discretionary actions on our part;” meaning they are being done without the request or requirement of any rules or laws.

After his quick speech, Reis allowed for questions from the audience. Many were concerned about the noise level since the completion of the third runway.

“The F.A.A. had a disorganized approach to using the third runway,” Reis said. “We helped the F.A.A. understand the use of the third runway was important to us and to them and we made a remarkable change in two months.”

As for the noise level, Reis says they are in the process of checking that their projections from the Part 150 study were accurate. He says the perception that they have decided what the outcome of all this is going to be, is inaccurate.

Comments and suggestions of how to resolve the noise problem began to come from the audience.

Suggestions of building a wall, such as what is found at the King County International Airport/Boeing Field, and a “hush house,” where aircraft engine maintenance and testing is done so the noise does not affect neighboring areas, were among the most popular ideas.

Reis simply said “during the single situation evaluation we will consider what could be used to cut noise.”

He said a wall may or may not be a safety hazard in this situation but they will be looking into as an option.

Other concerns from attendees of the meeting were property values. One woman was upset over the devaluing of her property because of the airport noise but having to still pay taxes to the Port of Seattle.

“None of the property tax goes to the airport,” Reis said. “That money goes to the seaport.”

The Highline School District will be holding a food drive the week of April 26 – 30, with donations going to both the White Center and Des Moines Food Banks.

According to a release, each school will set a goal, in pounds, for their individual food drive.

With the Feinstein Foundation Challenge still active, donations could effectively be doubled through April 30th.

“This is an exciting opportunity to make an impact on the needs of our community members,” said Audrey Zemke of the White Center Food Bank. ”The Alan Feinstein Foundation splits one million dollars in matching funds for all monetary and food donations through April 30.”

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline School District food drive.

WHEN: The week of April 26 – 30 (Mon-Fri).

WHERE: All Highline Public Schools.

INFO: From a release:

Help fight hunger! Did you know one in five families with children in our region does not have enough money to buy food?

During the week of April 26 – 30, you have a chance to help change that! Highline Public Schools will partner with the Des Moines and White Center Food Banks to raise food and funds for the hungry.

Each school will set a goal, in pounds, for their individual food drive.

We can do this!  Stamp out hunger in our community!

Bring non-perishable items…

OR

CASH!   ($1 = $4 buying power!)

You can also donate online:

• www.myfoodbank.org (Des Moines)
• www.whitecenterfoodbank.org

Or send donations to:

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

The Coast Guard responded to a report of an overturned 18-foot recreational vessel near Des Moines Wednesday evening, March 31st.

According to the Coast Guard, authorities were notified after a person on shore spotted the overturned boat and called 911 at approximately 7:20 p.m.

The Coast Guard launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles, and a response boat from Station Seattle to search the area for possible people in the water.

A South King County Fire and Rescue marine unit crew was first on scene and removed four people from the water at 7:35 p.m.

Conditions of the survivors is unknown, as is the cause of the vessel overturning.

UPDATE 3/31/10: According to Bob Collins, Professional Standards Sergeant of the Des Moines Police Department, the burglary suspect in the security cam photos we posted Tuesday has been identified. We’ll be updating with full details as soon as we receive them.

PREVIOUSLY:

The Des Moines Police Department is requesting the public’s help in identifying one of two burglary suspects, seen below in security camera photos.

The burglary occurred on Sunday, March 28th, at about 5:45pm at a home located in the lower Woodmont neighborhood of Des Moines.

The homeowner had just pulled into his driveway when he saw one suspect walking out the front door carrying multiple items.

The suspect escaped in a dark blue Toyota Land Cruiser being driven by a second suspect.

Both suspects are white males.

The Toyota Landcruiser is believed to be a 1995 model.

Here are photos taken from the home’s security camera 20 minutes apart – note that this pic is of just one of the two suspects, who apparently changed his shirt and came back:

If you recognize this suspect, or believe you have information related to this case, please call the Des Moines Police Department immediately at 206-878-3301 and reference case number 10-0681.

by Ralph Nichols

Patricio Mendoza is making a last-minute push for public donations to fill a 40-foot container with clothing and bedding for victims of last month’s 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile.

Donations of clothing, bedding or cash can be made at Mendoza’s business, EC Computer, located at 22311 Marine View Dr. in Des Moines.

With the deadline for making donations for the earthquake relief effort fast approaching – the cut-off date is this Friday, April 2 – Mendoza said the container is 25 feet full.

“We still need 15 feet of clothes,” he added. “I hope that this week, Holy Week, with Good Friday as the final day for donations, people will find this an appropriate time to give to Chilean earthquake victims in need.

“We’re collecting clothes here. Please, just bring them on in.”

Needed are winter clothes for men, women, boys, girls, and infants and toddlers that are in “good condition.” But “no shoes, and underclothes have to be new only.”

Cash donations will be spent in Chile to buy roofing materials and nets for commercial fishermen.

The container, which is located in north Seattle, has been donated by Seattle-based Westward Seafoods. On Saturday, Mendoza and others will box the donated clothing and put it back in the container, which will ship on Monday.

A 20-day voyage will deliver it to Talcahuano, a port city in the “’Zero Zone’ where the biggest damage was done,” he said.

When the container arrives in Chile, Mendoza will be there to receive it, thanks to a donation from Public Access Channel 77 for his airfare.

While there, he will get to see his father Humbetor and talk to him for the first time since the earthquake. “Other family members have seen him and he’s fine,” Mendoza said. “But his phone doesn’t work and I still haven’t talked to him.”

Mendoza noted that he is the only individual or organization in this area “to have permission from the Chilean consulate in San Francisco to ask for money and donations” for earthquake relief.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Local Businessman Has Family Ties To Chilean Earthquake Disaster

Back in January we first reported that Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines) had introduced a bill to save Highline-area Little League baseball fields, and on Monday (March 22), the bill became law.

Governor Chris Gregoire wielded her pen like a bat and signed her John Hancock to the legislation, which authorizes Port of Seattle airport operators to make airport property available for public recreation and other community use at less than market value.

Upthegrove, himself a former Little Leaguer, grew up playing baseball in the shadow of Sea-Tac Airport.

“The Port of Seattle has been leasing these ball fields to the Little League organization and it’s been a win/win situation,” Upthegrove said. “The community gets affordable athletic fields, and the Port is able to provide these fields in an otherwise restricted-use area.  Federal law permits these arrangements, but state law hasn’t been as clear.”

The ball fields are located within the airport’s “runway protection zone” (or RPZ), a place of limited residential and commercial activity due to federal regulations. Athletic fields are permitted within the zone, but many homes and businesses are not. Last year, the State Auditor questioned the lease rate the Port has been charging the Little League organization, so Upthegrove moved to introduce a bill aligning state law with federal law.

“We would like to thank Rep. Upthegrove for his diligent work on this issue,” said Mark Reis, Sea-Tac Airport Managing Director. “Working with our neighbors, we’ve all come together to make sure that Little League play can continue on these fields.”

For Upthegrove, saving the ball fields was about continuing a tradition and making sure kids have a place to learn about good sportsmanship.

“Sports played a huge role in my life as I was growing up,” Upthegrove said. “I learned a lot of important life skills by participating in community sports teams, and that is something we need to continue to foster and encourage in our youth.”

The bill is House Bill 3007.

The South King County Genealogical Society is presenting a spring mini-seminar called “Seattle’s Pioneer Women: More Than Pretty Petticoats” on Saturday, March 20th from 9am to Noon, at the First Baptist Church of Kent.

Here are the details:

WHAT: South King County Genealogical Society spring mini-seminar “Seattle’s Pioneer Women: More Than Pretty Petticoats”

WHEN: Saturday, March 20, 2010 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

WHERE: The First Baptist Church of Kent, 11420 SE 248th St., Kent, WA 98030

TICKETS:

• General Admission: $20.00
• SKCGS Members: $15.00
• Students (18 & under) $10.00
• Cash or Check at the door

SCHEDULE:

Session 1 – 9:00 – 10:00: “Patch-Work Pioneers,” Seattle’s First Bride, Louisa Boren Denny

Debbie Dimitre will be presenting Louisa Boren Denny, the Sweet Briar Bride of Seattle. In costume and in character and by the glow of her kerosene lamp, Debbie will bring to life the story of pioneer Seattle through the eyes of its first bride, who on January 23rd 1853, was married to one of Seattle’s founding fathers, David Denny.

Session 2 – 10:45 – 12:00: “They Called Them The Mercer Girls,” Washington Territory’s Cargo of Brides

Peri Lane Muhich: In 1864 Seattle’s ratio of men to marriageable women was nine to one. Asa Mercer had an idea to help correct the situation so he went east to appeal to New England’s single “ladies of refinement” to come west. Eleven responded to his call. Learn who these women were and what became of them.

INFO: Full details can be found on their website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~waskcgs/.

The Kent Police Department has created a website showcasing photos of 160 recovered stolen items including electronics, wallets, purses, backpacks, stereos, baby clothes and even a wedding dress; some of which may have been originally swiped in the Burien/South King County area.

According to police, a man and woman who are suspected of breaking into more than 100 cars have been busted. Now, they want to return the stolen items to their rightful owners.

The suspects were apparently caught when they used stolen credit cards at local businesses. Police then followed their trail and recovered the stolen stuff in a storage locker as well as at local pawn shops.

According to the website:

Suspects Mode of Operation:

Type of crime: Vehicle prowls (car break ins)

Method of entry: Break window or force door lock

Types of vehicles: Different types and styles but they favored FORD F-series trucks

Property targeted: luggage, purses, laptop computers, GPS units, assorted tools, backpacks, cameras, MP3 players, I-Pods, cell phones, CD players, car stereos, jewelry, anything of value.

Estimated time range of criminal activity: Past 3-4 months

Focus area of vehicle prowl activity: Kent, Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, South Seattle, Unincorporated areas of South King County. Collateral areas that may have been impacted as well are: Des Moines, Federal Way, Auburn, Bellevue.

If you were the victim of a car break-in between Oct. 1, 2009 and Feb. 4, 2010, your stolen items may be in police custody – check this website now and see if you recognize anything; if you do, contact Officer Bateman at (253) 856-5894 or via email: kbateman@ci.kent.wa.us.

The recovered stolen property includes (click on links below to see individual pics):

• Laptops
• Cell phones
• MP3 players
• Car Stereos
• Unusual, miscellaneous stuff like:
  • Baby clothes
  • Wedding dress
  • Ford Truck Manuals
    
  • “Pirate Stuff“
  • Swords
  • “Aiming for Barcelona” Belt Buckle

Some items have been claimed and returned, but most are still in evidence and awaiting rightful return to their owners – so check out the website here.

by Ralph Nichols

Sixty-four hundred miles – the distance from Sea-Tac International Airport to Santiago, Chile – is a long way. It’s a lot farther still if you’re here and have immediate family members in earthquake-ravaged Chile.

Patricio Mendoza, the owner of EC Computers in downtown Des Moines, knows this all too well.

For almost 48 hours after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Chile on Feb. 27, Mendoza could only wonder how his son Victor, his father Humbetor, his sister Cecilia, and his niece Erika Cecilia (who lives in the Seattle area, and whose initials give the computer shop its name) had survived.

Communications with the outside world are difficult with widespread power outages and many of the country’s cell phone towers knocked down. Mendoza has since been told the tremor “was so big,” and “lasted so long and was so strong.”

Despite his anxiety, he hoped and prayed for the best – and waited for their calls.

Then late Sunday and again on Monday he finally heard from his niece and his sister. Both were well – and they had word that Victor, who lives near Viña del Mar, a seaside community of almost 300,000 where Mendoza is from, was OK too.

But there was nothing like hearing his son confirm this himself when, at last, Victor called him Tuesday evening.

These reports brought welcome news because “at first I thought the worst,” Mendoza said. “This was one of the biggest earthquakes we have ever had. The destruction is total. It’s all around.”

Mendoza is still waiting for word about his 80-year-old father Humbetor, who he assumes is OK but who lives where power remains out.

In an irony of timing, Mendoza returned only a month ago from a six-week trip to his home town, which is not far from Santiago, the nation’s capital, and an extended visit with his relatives who live in that region.

He also accompanied his niece there. Cecilia, 19, had “worked for the last year to pay for her dream trip to Chile,” he told the B-Town Blog this week.

“She was supposed to get back to the states on March 1. Her flight was scheduled for Feb. 28.” But with canceled flights and possible damage to airport runways, “she’s still stuck down there.” If everything goes all right, he said, she now should return on March 9.

Cecilia sounded much calmer than she did in her first call just a couple of days after the quake, which continues to be followed by strong aftershocks, he added.

Mendoza’s first reaction after hearing about the earthquake was, “I want to get a ticket and go there. The first thing I wanted to do is help my family. But the airlines have raised the ticket price four times or more for this tragedy.

“I still plan to go when the price goes back down. I can’t afford it now. I want to see how my father is doing and how my son is doing. I want to see my father personally because he’s 80 years old and alone. I know he will say he’s OK, but I still want to know.

“It’s pretty bad to be this far away and not be able to go down and help,” he said.

And after helping his family, Mendoza also wants to do what he can – including taking clothing and other necessities – to help others there who are trying to rebuild their lives and property.

“People are hungry, people are upset. I’ve been in strong earthquakes where aftershocks continue for days. You feel so little after that. You cannot sleep in the day. You cannot sleep at night. You have no peace. It takes weeks to recover.”

Mendoza said that although he’s not there now, “at least I can bring some of the resources they need to them” if he can find a way to get there.

“A lot of people from Des Moines have called or stopped by the shop, concerned about my niece and my family,” he continued. “I thank all of you for your moral support. It has really helped.”

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!

On Thursday (Mar. 4), Highline Community College’s Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics (ITTL) announced that it had received $250,000 to provide additional job training opportunities for positions in the international trade sector.

“As our economy continues to change and adjust so too must our workforce,” said U.S. Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA). “This funding will help do just that by training Washington state workers for a career in a growing sector of our local economy – international trade.”

The project — part of the final version of the 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed by President Obama on Dec. 16, 2009 — will lead to a 20 percent increase in the number of trained ITTL workers in Washington state.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Smith secured funding for the project that will also improve the image of international trade throughout Washington state and create awareness of career and training opportunities that lead to family wage jobs.

“In these tough economic times, it is more important than ever to ensure that our workers have the skills they need to compete in the 21st century economy,” Murray said.

Positions in the ITTL sector include managers, logisticians, cargo and freight agents, shipping and receiving clerks, locomotive engineers, drivers and warehouse workers. Washington state will need nearly 77,000 new employees in ITTL by 2018, according to estimates based on data from the state’s Employment Security Department.

For more information about the Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics, visit www.ittlwa.com.

Located in Des Moines, Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,300 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include:

• Former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice
• Entrepreneur Junki Yoshida
• Washington state poet laureate Sam Green
• And yes, even BTB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer

Here’s another great reason to attend the upcoming Poverty Bay Wine Festival this coming weekend – a parade of MINI Coopers will end up at the Landmark Event Center on Sunday, March 7th sometime shortly after Noon.

The parade will start at the south end of the Des Moines Marina, where MINIs will congregate at Anthony’s Home Port (421 S. 227^th St.) at Noon, then motor on up to the Landmark Event Center and park in the front parking spaces (excluding handicapped, etc.).

As everyone knows, it’s always cool to see one unusual, groovy MINI Cooper. Now imagine 20 or more, all detailed, each unique in its own way, cruising in, parking and showing off.

If you’re a MINI Cooper enthusiast (Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer drives one), and you’re interested in being in this parade of fun and funky little MINIs, you should consider joining the Puget Sound MINI Motoring Club at their website here.

This will be the second specialty sports car event at the fest – as you may recall, the Tyee Triumph Car Club will be displaying their classic Triumph cars on Saturday, March 6th (read our coverage here).

To buy tickets for the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, click here, or visit CorkyCellars (206-824-9462), Des Moines Drug, and/or purchase directly from any Des Moines Rotary Club member. All proceeds go to the service projects of the Rotary Club of Des Moines.

For more information, including details on wineries, food vendors and entertainment at the fest, read our previous coverage here.

King County’s Spring Household Hazardous Wastemobile Event is coming up from Friday, March 26th through Sunday, March 28th at the Des Moines Marina.

This is the perfect opportunity to get rid of all that hazardous waste you’ve got sitting around, like dead batteries, fluorescent bulbs, oil, gas and a myriad of other stuff that can ruin the environment.

Here are the details:

WHAT: King County’s Spring Household Hazardous Wastemobile Event

WHEN: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday March 26 – March 28

WHERE: Des Moines Marina, located at 22307 Dock Street in Des Moines.

What to bring:

• solvents
• batteries, (lead acid, button, rechargeable)
• oil based paint
• cleaners
• pesticides
• oil
• antifreeze
• gasoline
• mercury products
• fluorescent bulbs and tubes
• propane tanks

What NOT to bring;

• latex paint
• empty containers
• computers
• TVs
• alkaline batteries
• explosives
• asbestos
• appliances
• medicines
• solid waste
• tires, etc

The following restrictions apply at all the household hazardous Wastemobile collection events:

• gasoline – 30 gallon limit
• total waste – 50 gallons per customer per day
• container size – no larger than five gallons
• fluorescent tubes or bulbs (not accepted from businesses) – limit 10
• automotive batteries – limit 5

The Wastemobile is FREE of charge and is for King County Residents and small quantity generators only. To find out if you qualify as a King County small quantity generator, call the Business Waste Line at 206 263-8899.

Additional information can be found at www.lhwmp.org or contact the Household Hazards Line at 206 296-4692, toll free at 1 888 869-4233

A very unique 9-liter bottle of Five Star Cellars 2006 Cabernet Savignon will be raffled off at the Poverty Bay Wine Festival next weekend (Saturday, March 6th & Sunday, March 7th) at the historic Landmark Event Center in Des Moines.

This one-of-a-kind, big, beautiful bottle contains nine liters – equal to a full case of wine (!) – and is engraved with the Poverty Bay Wine Festival emblem on one side, and the Five Star label on the other.

This 2006 Cab was rated 91 points by Wine Spectator and 94 points by the Beverage Tasting Institute – that means it’s an excellent case of wine in one big bottle!

No purchase is necessary– this is a drawing for anyone who wants to enter – but you will have to show up at the festival, which is just $20 per person; for that amount, you’ll also receive a souvenir wine glass and 10 tokens, a sampling of delicious foods, and live music both days.

Also, for all you non-wine drinkers out there, Pike’s Brewing will also have a booth.

The value of the wine plus the engraving is $1,000!

The opening night Gala will be this Friday, March 5th at 7:30pm at the Landmark Event Center. The theme is A Night in the Vineyard. A lavish buffet will be provided by Anthony’s HomePort. Tickets for the gala are $75 in advance, $85 at the door. The ticket price includes food, entertainment, and wine.

Wine Fesival tickets are priced at $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets for the Wine Festival and Gala are available at Corky Cellars, located at 22511 Marine View Drive in Des Moines (206-824-9462); or online at www.dmrotary.org.

Poverty Bay Wine Festival is the major annual fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Des Moines.

For full details on the festival, check out our previous coverage here.

If you read The B-Town Blog regularly, you’re probably aware that, aside from providing a much-needed and timely service to the Burien area, we’re growing very quickly in both traffic, content and Advertisers (more info on us here).

And growth can be good, except of course when it starts to overwhelm a very small staff.

Hence, this posting – we’re looking for at least two capable folks to come join our Burien-based team:

1. JOURNALIST/EDITOR with WordPress knowledge (or you’re at least not afraid to learn it). Yes, we need another Editor to collect content, format it, copy edit, add graphics (and do appropriate FTPing if necessary), then push the “Publish” button to update some of our up-and-coming blogs (we currently have 6 total, with more coming soon…).
2. SALES REP who can call on local businesses to let them know about us. We have nice Rate Cards, excellent traffic (40-50k Uniques per month on BTB alone), the websites speak for themselves, and we’re finding that Ads on here are an easy sell. We just need more feet on the ground!

Here’s some more info:

• We prefer to find local folks who live in the area.
• We like people who are involved in their communities (we’re active in ours).
• We like to find people who either read the blog already, or know of us.
• You can work part or full-time (some folks working here now have other gigs).
• You can set your own hours.
• This is a “ground-floor opportunity” and you will be part of a small, growing team.
• These are Contractor (1099) positions, meaning that you’ll be paid on an either per-job/hourly basis or pure Commission. And believe it or not, we also accept Volunteers! There are no benefits other than working with a fun, local, talented team who like to make a difference in their community.
• Your work will be seen on not just here on The B-Town Blog, but our five other area sister sites as well, including:
  • The White Center Blog
  • The Waterland Blog (for Des Moines)
  • The Normandy Park Blog
  • The Tukwila Blog
  • The SeaTac Blog

Requirements:

• Please have a computer and internet access (we’ll give you an email account).
• Please have a reliable car & valid driver’s license.
• Please have the ability to manage your clients throughout their entire Ad run on the sites (this includes staying in contact with them, renewing them when their contracts expire, etc.).
• You will work as an Independent Contractor, meaning you’ll be responsible for your own taxes, insurance, etc. and there are no additional benefits).
• You dig the internet and are excited about its future possibilities, including new technologies like the upcoming iPad.
• You like Local News, Events, Arts, Entertainment and more, as well as helping out your community(we hold our own Fundraiser Blog Parties about once per quarter, and over our 2+ year lifespan have raised over $13,000 for local charities).

To apply for one of these positions, please email us your resume, links to your online stuff (ie: Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs, etc.), and your interests and availability!

The Des Moines Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man who was photographed by security cameras (see pics below) during a Redondo bank robbery on Saturday, Feb. 13th.

The bank robbery took place around 4pm last Saturday at the Wells Fargo Bank inside the Safeway store at the Redondo Square shopping complex, located at South 272nd and Pacific Highway South.

According to police, the suspect told the bank teller he had a gun and demanded money.

No weapon was seen and no one was injured during the robbery.

The suspect was last seen leaving the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect is described as:

• Black male with a very light skin complexion
• About 6’2″ tall
• Thin build
• In his 20s
• Dark colored “beanie hat”
• Dark (or black) hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants
• Silver-rimmed sunglasses

Here are two security cam pics – recognize this guy? Anyone with information about this case should call the Des Moines Police immediately at 206-878-3301 or dial 911:

Ric Jacobson is the Des Moines Rotarian in charge of lining up the largest line-up of wineries – 25 – in the six year history of the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, which is coming to the Landmark Event Center in Des Moines on March 6th and 7th.

Ric reports that the following Northwest wineries will be at the festival on Saturday and Sunday to serve the guests. If you taste a wine you want to take home, bottles will be for sale at the event. All proceeds of the sale of wine will go directly to the Rotary Club of Des Moines, who use the funds for the many great things they do for the community.

The following wineries will be in attendance for the event:

• Canyon’s Edge
• Chandler Reach
• Covington Cellars – NEW
• Coyote Canyon Winery – NEW
• Burien’s own E.B. Foote Winery (WLB 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

Des Moines Rotarian, Dave Loft, in charge of food and goodies at the Poverty Bay Wine Festival has lined up the “best of the best” for food and snacks for wine-fest guests:

• Des Moines’ Anthony’s HomePort
• Des Moines’ Salty’s at Redondo
• Charley’s on Central Avenue in Kent
• Cafe Pacific Catering
• Forte Chocolates
• Kauzlarich Smoked Products
• Panera Bread
• Poverty Bay Coffee
• Waters to go
• Redondo Fred Meyer
• Archery Bistro
• Elliot Bay Brewery

The sixth annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival is surely the hottest ticket in town – well lots of towns, surrounding Des Moines. Your ticket includes fun, music, wine, food and even beer, all presented in the historic and magnificent Landmark Event Center (aka Landmark on the Sound), which is located at 23660 Marine View Drive South in Des Moines.

Tickets for the event are just $20 in advance from CorkyCellars (206-824-9462), Des Moines Drug or your local Des Moines Rotarian.

Parking and free shuttles will be available in the South Marina Parking lot.

All attendees must be 21 years of age and photo ID is required.

Click here for more information.

The first in a series of public workshops for Sea-Tac Airport’s “Part 150 Noise Study” is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 24th at Mount Rainier High School (locatrd at 22450 19th Ave. South in Des Moines) beginning at 5:15pm.

So if you have something to say about airport noise, this would be the place to air your thoughts and hope that the Port of Seattle hears you.

Doors open at 5pm, with the program beginning at 5:15pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Public workshop for Sea-Tac Airport’s “Part 150 Noise Study” program

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 24th beginning at 5:15pm

WHERE: Mt. Rainier High School, located at 22450 19th Ave South in Des Moines

INFO: From a press release:

The Part 150 Study will look at ways to reduce aircraft noise impacts on communities. Throughout the study, the public is invited to participate in the solution and recommendation process through active engagement in a series of topical workshops.

The February 24th workshop will include a brief presentation followed by facilitator-led, small-group working sessions designed to gather the public’s input on refining the scope for the Part 150 Study. So, please review the meeting agenda and come prepared with ideas.

Visit the dedicated Part 150 Study Website – the single location for all documentation connected to the study.

State Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Tina Orwall, both Democrats from Des Moines, along with Senator Karen Keiser (D-Kent), will host a Community Jobs Forum on Saturday, Feb. 20th from 10am to Noon at the Kent City Hall.

Stepping out of the traditional “town hall” format, the three lawmakers put together a Community Jobs Forum to give constituents an opportunity to connect with state and nonprofit agencies that do job placement, training, counseling, and similar services.

Legislators will speak briefly about state efforts to spur job creation and get the economy back on track. The rest of the event will be free time for attendees to visit tables from the participating agencies and speak one-on-one with the legislators.

Here are the details:

WHAT: 33rd District Community Jobs Forum

WHEN: Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

WHERE: Kent City Hall – Council Chambers, located at 220 Fourth Avenue South, Kent

WHO: 33rd District legislators: Rep. Dave Upthegrove, Rep. Tina Orwall and Sen. Karen Keiser.

Confirmed participating agencies include:

• WorkSource
• Port Jobs
  
• Highline CC
  
• Green River CC
  
• Renton Technical College
  
• The Veterans Conservation Corps
  
• US Census Bureau

This Community Jobs Forum is a free event, and all South King County job seekers are encouraged to attend.

The 33rd Legislative District includes SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and parts of Kent and Tukwila.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Waldref at (360) 786-7201 or Waldref.Jennifer@leg.wa.gov.

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.

Since it’s Valentine’s Day week, there’s no better time to learn about the “Science of Love,” and Highline Community College is here to help with a seminar this Friday, Feb. 12th from 2:20pm to 3:10pm.

Here are the lovely details:

WHAT: Science of Love

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12th, from 2:20pm – 3:10pm.

WHERE: Highline Community College, Building 3, Room 102, located at 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines.

COST: FREE and open to the public.

INFO: Psychology professor Ruth Frickle presents this special Science Seminar that looks at what is love and the different kinds of love, attempting to answer such questions as:

• What is love?
• Does it really exist or is it a myth?
• Are there different kinds of love?
• Can love last?

For more info, visit http://flightline.highline.edu/scienceseminars.

A preliminary state audit questions the Port of Seattle’s contract with the nonprofit “Port Jobs” program, and Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines) is sponsoring a bill that will make sure the program continues.

Since 1993, the private, nonprofit “Port Jobs” program has successfully matched job seekers with employers, as well as provided continuing education and job training opportunities.

“In the past decade, over 14,000 job seekers in South King County have turned to the services of Port Jobs,” Upthegrove said. “And employers know that when a candidate is referred to them through Port Jobs, that person’s qualifications have been thoroughly vetted.”

Upthegrove is sponsoring House Bill 2651, which specifically authorizes ports to support job placement and training programs that are operated by nonprofit entities. State law already authorizes port districts to contract with nonprofits for economic development. At issue is whether economic development encompasses workforce development.

“Port Jobs has connected thousands of job seekers with employers at Sea-Tac Airport, and to apprenticeships in the skilled construction trades. In this economy, we are doing everything we can to get people to work, and to help them stay employed once they get there,” said Heather Worthley, Executive Director of Port Jobs. “Representative Upthegrove’s bill, if passed, will make it crystal clear that the Port of Seattle has the Legislature’s backing to continue to fund this important work.”

The bill passed out of committee in the House and is awaiting possible action on the House floor. Upthegrove is pushing to ensure that the measure passes the House before the February 16 cutoff deadline for House bills.

“Our focus this year in Olympia is to create jobs and improve our economy, and this bill is all about jobs,” Upthegrove said.

Under the proposed legislation, Port Jobs would be required to submit an annual report to the Port of Seattle detailing the number of successful job placements. In 2009, Port Jobs placed more than 500 people through its Airport Jobs office.

From the Port Jobs website:

Port Jobs is not-for-profit action tank that develops practical programs and supports public policies that increase access to living wage jobs, fostering a more vibrant and equitable economy for residents of and businesses in Seattle and King County. We make good jobs easier to get and good employees easier to find, primarily in the port-related economy.

A 501(c)(3) organization, Port Jobs: engages in innovative research to increase shared knowledge; creates powerful partnerships in key action areas; and develops practical programs that provide important services to jobseekers, employers and our local community.

Highline Community College is now accepting nominations for its “Distinguished Alumnus Award,” its most prestigious award for alumni.

This award is meant to honor a former Highline student who has made outstanding contributions through community service, noteworthy professional achievement and/or recognized leadership.

Nominations are due by April 16, 2010.

Previous winners have included:

• Former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, who attended Highline in 1968–69, was the first recipient of the award in 1990
• Other past honorees include Junki Yoshida, CEO of the Yoshida Group
• Washington state’s first poet laureate Sam Green

Last year’s recipient was Dr. Linda Petter, a family practitioner in Tacoma and author of “Common Medical Sense,” who was honored for her outstanding work in the health care field. She has a regular feature at 7:45 a.m. Sundays on KOMO-AM 1000.

Nominees will be asked to submit a résumé and personal profile that will be reviewed by a campus selection committee. The person selected will be invited to accept the award and participate in Highline’s commencement exercises on June 10, 2010.

Please send your nominations via e-mail to ayoung@highline.edu or hard copy to:

Melissa Sell
Resource Development Office
Highline Community College
PO Box 98000 MS 99-248
Des Moines, WA 98198-9800

For more information, call (206) 870-3774, e-mail rstephen@highline.edu or visit www.funds4highline.org.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,300 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes.

As many of our Readers also know, Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer also attended Highline College, where he worked on the student newspaper The Thunderword. Another alum is one of his then-classmates, prolific local Playwright and current HCC Journalism Professor TM Sell.

The Des Moines Area Food Bank is holding a fundraiser Italian Dinner this Saturday, Feb. 13th, beginning at 6:30 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, which is located at 15226 21st Ave SW in Burien.

The Des Moines Area Food Bank serves the city of Des Moines, most of the city of SeaTac and parts of Normandy Park and the West Hill of Kent.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines Food Bank Italian Dinner

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13th beginning at 6:30pm

WHERE: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, which is located at 15226 21st Ave SW in Burien

COST: $25 per ticket; call for reservations: (206) 878-2660.

INFO: Here’s what to expect on the menu:

• Antipasto
• Salad
• Penne pasta with red sauce & meatballs
• Coffee
• Tea
• Dessert
• No host bar (beer and wine)

For more information, visit the Des Moines Area Food Bank website: www.myfoodbank.org.

The Rotary Club of Des Moines has announced that their Sixth Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival will be held on Saturday, March 6th, from Noon– 7pm, and Sunday, March 7th from Noon – 5pm at the historic Landmark Event Center (formerly Landmark on the Sound) just down the road in Des Moines.

The opening night gala will be held Friday night, Mar. 5th, beginning at 7:30pm.

This festival is a must for anyone who loves wine, as well as for anyone who wants to support the work of Rotary, which supports schools and families in our community and around the world or anyone who enjoys an afternoon of good food, good wine and great music.

“The wine festival is an opportunity for wine-lovers to come taste samples from 25 Northwest wineries,” said Rotary spokesperson Catherine Carbone-Rogers. “All of the wineries typically offer two, three, or four different wines. Each winery will have wine by the bottle for sale. The festival is also a great opportunity to see the newly-restored Landmark Event Center, a unique architectural gem of the Des Moines community. Many people have driven by for years but have never had the opportunity to see the interior.”

What can participants expect while at the event? Besides the wine tasting from 25 Northwest wineries, there will also be a sampling of food from local restaurants, along with numerous musical guests throughout the festival. Here’s the preliminary lineup:

Friday, March 5 (Gala):

• Steve Ryals Trio
• Ed Taylor and TaylorMade

Saturday, March 6:

• Darren Motamedy Duo
• 4th Degree

Sunday, March 7:

• Rouge
• Billet-Deux

For just $20, participants receive a souvenir wine glass and 10 tokens, a sampling of delicious foods, and live music. What if you run out? Don’t worry, there’ll be tokens for sale at the event.

And for all you non-wine drinkers, Pikes Brewing will also have a booth.

Major sponsors are Anthony’s HomePort, 98.9 KWJZ, Landmark Event Center, Fred Meyers, Powell Brothers Custom Homes, Highline Times/Des Moines News, Kent Reporter and The Waterland Blog and its sister sites.

The opening night Gala will be Friday, March 5th at 7:30pm at the Landmark Event Center. The theme is A Night in the Vineyard. A lavish buffet will be provided by Anthony’s HomePort. Tickets for the gala are $75 in advance, $85 at the door. The ticket price includes food, entertainment, and wine.

Wine Fesival tickets are priced at $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets for the Wine Festival and Gala are available at Corky Cellars, located at 22511 Marine View Drive in Des Moines (206-824-9462); or online at www.dmrotary.org.

Poverty Bay Wine Festival is the major annual fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Des Moines. Lisa Meineke is the club President and Brian Snure is chair of the wine festival.

The main purpose is to raise funds for the charitable projects of the Rotary Club of Des Moines that include:

• Financial and volunteer support of Des Moines Food Bank
• Financial and volunteer support for Fireworks Over Des Moines on the Fourth of July annually
• “Dictionaries by the Dozens”: Rotary provides a new children’s dictionary to every third grade student in Des Moines
• Mini-grants of up to $1000 to schools or teachers in Des Moines for special projects
• College scholarship of $2,500 to a Highline Community College student
• Pacific Middle School essay contest
• Funding for after school program at Pacific Middle school
• Financial support to Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence, a non-profit benefiting Highline Public Schools
• Financial support for a women’s shelter in South Africa
• Purchase of sewing machines for women in Peru so they can generate income

“We hope to have more attendees than ever this year,” Carbone-Rogers added. “Each year, we have taken the wine festival up a notch with the number of wineries, the entertainment, and the food. The gala is classier every year, and the Landmark Event Center is an amazing venue. We also hope that people coming to the event will get interested in Rotary and join us in our work to support community causes and families,” she added.

For more information on the Des Moines Rotary, please click here: http://dmrotary.org/aboutrotary.php.

The Port of Seattle Commission released a draft of its memorandum of agreement (download PDF here) with the State of Washington Monday (Feb. 1st) detailing its contribution to the proposed bored tunnel project that would replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Public testimony and comment are being sought by the commission prior to their vote.

The memorandum spells out the port’s intent to make an investment in this program, which is not to exceed $300 million during construction of the Viaduct Replacement Program. The port’s contribution will be linked to improvements that promote freight mobility and access to port facilities. Freight, cruise, agriculture, daily commuters and neighborhoods depend on this vital traffic corridor every day, and the corridor is essential to our regional economy.

The port commission is asking for your input before they make a decision on the MOA. There are several ways in which you can comment over the next two weeks:

• E-mail comments to Viaduct MOA Comments: viaduct@portseattle.org
• Mail comments must be received by close of business Monday, February 8, to:

Viaduct MOA Comments
Attn: Christine Lee, Regional Transportation
PO Box 1209
Seattle, WA 98111

Public testimony can be provided at two upcoming Commission meetings:

• Tuesday, Feb. 2nd, 1:00 p.m., (MOA item will come up around 2:30p.m.) at Aviation High School, 615 South 200th St. in Des Moines
• Tuesday, Feb. 9th, 1:00 p.m., Port Headquarters, Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way in Seattle
  

The commission is expected to make a decision on the MOA, following public comments, at their February 9th meeting.