The Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department will be hosting “Kids’ Day,” their annual open-house event on Saturday, Sept. 18th, from 10am – 3pm.

In addition to a full day of FREE, fun and informative events, there will also be low-cost helmets for anyone over the age of 1 for sale for just $7 by Safe Kids King County South. These will be custom fit by Highline Medical Center staff, and wearer must be present.

This is a great way to also meet your local firefighters, so mark your calendars now.

During the event, there will be a wide range of activities, including:

• Learn about safety
• Climb aboard a fire engine
• Play games
• Watch Demonstrations of emergency automobile extrication and high-angle rope rescue
• Practice escaping from a burning house (simulated)
• Spot the tot and hyperthermia (overheating) demonstrations from Safe Kids King County South
• Squirt a fire hose
• Answer questions for prizes
• Hunt for candy
• See a helicopter land
• Make crafts
• Bring your camera

Balloons, fire hats, and safety information will also be handed out.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Annual Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department Kids’ Day.

WHEN: 10am – 3pm on Saturday, Sept. 18th.

WHERE: Fire Station #28 located at 15100 8th Ave. S.W. Burien, WA 98166.

INFO: For more information call Station 28 at (206) 242-2040.

Today is not only a huge day in the history of the City of Burien, with Annexation officially taking place – it’s also a big day in the history of The B-Town Blog, as today (Thursday, April 1st) marks the very first day in the 2+ year history of the website that an Editor other than Scott Schaefer will be at the helm.

Meet our newest Intern Editor, Robb Patrickson (pictured, left).

Patrickson, 19, is a student at Cascadian Provincial College, located up north in Kelowna, B.C.

Aside from pursuing a career as a hip-hop/graffiti artist and amateur cheese maker, Patrickson recently overcame a serious bout with Lyme Disease, which affected his “critical thinking” and reasoning skills, especially the ability to discern the truth from fiction. He’s been receiving experimental treatment at a local hospital for the last two months, where he met Schaefer during a routine female examination.

“I’m honored that Scottso is trusting me with da keys to deser here blogs, eh?” Patrickson said in a strange, clipped accent. “I just hope I can deliver da caliber of journalism that’s expected here, oh ya oh eh?”

Patrickson will be serving as temporary Eh?-ditor for just today (April 1st), as Schaefer will spend the day traveling cross-country to Pennsylvania, where he’ll tend to some family issues.

So say hello to your temp Editor in Chief for the day, and wish him da best!

So you own a Toyota that you may have seen in the news lately…now what?

Don’t panic just yet – we spoke with the General Manager of BTB Advertiser Burien Toyota Scion, Pat Dillon, about what Toyota owners can look for and expect with issues surrounding the recent accelerator malfunctions.

We asked:

“What exactly should I look for if I have one of the models mentioned in the recall?”

Dillon said:

“The condition is rare, but can occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position.  Toyota is working quickly to prepare the correction remedy.”

“In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.”  (we would like to note that this statement can also be found on Toyota’s Corporate Website).

Toyota initially only listed eight models with a potential connection to this issue and later expanded the list to include additional models with accelerators manufactured by the CTS Company which produces the part. The malfunction has caused one of the largest recalls in recent history, stirring concern and confusion among owners worldwide. There continues to be discussions around including the Prius models on the recall list as reports begin to roll in about similar issues and possibly a glitch in the cars’ software.

Models affected as of February 3rd, 2010 include:

• Avalon
• Camry
• Corolla
• Corporate
• Highlander
• Matrix
• RAV4
• Sequoia
• Toyota Tundra

“Our message to Toyota owners is this – if you experience any issues with your accelerator pedal, please contact your dealer without delay. If you are not experiencing any issues with your pedal, we are confident that your vehicle is safe to drive.” – Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.

“We encourage owners to make an appointment or contact us to address repair questions and concerns.” said Dillon.

Should you find your car needing service, you will not be without a vehicle at Burien Toyota Scion as we have a rental car service department that can assist in placing you in a temporary vehicle until yours is repaired.

Additional information and updates on the recall can be found here.

More info on Burien Toyota available here.

Burien Toyota Scion
15025 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148

Service: 888-468-0481

Between Jan. 19th and 22nd, Highline Community College’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week will feature nationally known authors and scholars discussing a variety of topics, including diversity, politics, education, sports and the legacy of Dr. King.

This year’s event includes an exhibit featuring local social activists and revolutionaries who played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement in Washington state. The exhibit is on display throughout the week in the Highline Student Union.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline Community College’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Week

WHEN: Jan. 19th through Jan. 22nd at various times

WHERE: Highline Community College’s main campus. Highline’s main campus is located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99); address: 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198.

COST: Free and open to the public

SCHEDULE:

TUESDAY, JAN. 19th:

Dream Fulfilled? The legacy of Dr. King in an Obama age
A lecture by Dedrick Muhammad
9:00 – 9:50am, 10:00 – 10:50am Building 7

Dedrick Muhammad is a Senior Organizer and Research Associate for the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute of Policy Studies. His presentation will examine the current socio-economic status of African Americans, the progress that has been made since the time of Dr. King, and the prospects of African Americans under the Obama presidency

Cradle to Prison Pipeline
Celestine Lanier-McClary, Black Child Development Institute
11:00-11:50am, Highline Student Union Building 8, Mt. Constance Room

Children of color are entering the Criminal Justice at an alarming rate! In 2001, it was said that 1 out of every 3 African American preschool child has a chance of going to prison in his lifetime (CDF 2006). This workshop will explore the link between education and the criminal justice system and also examine the risk factors as it relates to people of color in the criminal justice system. During this time participants will begin to better understand this pipeline and start to create strategies for dismantling the Cradle to Prison Pipeline.

MLK Exhibit
Highline Student Union Building 8, Mt Constance Stage
Open all day/evening, Jan 19-22 Come view a display of local social activists and revolutionaries who played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement in Washington State.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30th:

Why are Poor People Poor?
A workshop by Dustin Washington and John Page, American Friends Service Committee and People’s Institute Northwest
9:00 – 9:50am, Highline Student Union Building 8 – Mt. Constance Room

Explore the roots of class inequality with two community organizers and leaders in the Seattle Area. Dustin Washington and John Page are from the Community Justice Program at American Friends Service Committee and do extensive work around anti-racism and social justice advocacy.

Workshop: Environmental Justice and You!
Presented by Community Coalition to Environmental Justice (CCEJ)
10:00 – 10:50am, Building 7

We hear about the environmental movement, but what we don’t hear about much is the Environmental Justice (EJ) movement. With the EJ movement, they take into consideration how certain populations are targeted and polluted on purpose, specifically people of color and/or low income communities. In addition, environmental injustice is impacting people not just locally, but globally as well. Come to this workshop to hear more about the EJ movement, discuss the root causes of environmental injustice such as racism and profits before people, and how you can get involved and make a difference.

Music and Liberation: A panel discussion
12:10-1:10pm, Highline Student Union Building 8 – Mt. Constance Room

Join us for a panel discussion with local activists and musicians. Explore how social change, activism and music intersect. The artists will represent different genres of music that include Hip Hop, R&B, Folk, Reggae and Latin.

Music and Liberation: A Caucus Discussion
1:30-2:30pm, Highline Student Union, Building 8 – Leadership Resource Room

Join a follow up discussion of how music was, can, and is used for activism.

THURSDAY, JAN. 21st:

Inter-Minority Racisms and Cross-Racial Identifications: The Role of Hip Hop in Shaping Contemporary Asian/Black Relations in the U.S.
Lecture by Nitasha Sharma followed by Q &A session
9:00-10:30am, Building 7

In this talk, Professor Sharma will analyze the political potential of hip hop for framing Asian/Black relations in the U.S. Americans often view Asians and Blacks to be distinct minority groups with little in common; however, history and politics reveal otherwise. Drawing from her fieldwork on 24 South Asian American hip hop MCs, DJs, record label owners, and journalists, Dr. Sharma will discuss how some Asian American youth call upon hip hop to articulate their racial identities and politics. Within the context of Asian anti-Black racism and Black anti-immigrant sentiment, perhaps hip hop offers a space and form for some youth to create cross-racial connections across these divides.

Nitasha Sharma is a professor in African American Studies and Asian American Studies at Northwestern University. Her ethnographic research focuses on Asian/Black relations through hip hop culture and the multiracial experience. She is the author of “Hip Hop Desis: South Asian Americans, Blackness, and a Global Race Consciousness.” Her latest project analyzes the negotiations of mixed race Asian/Blacks in Hawaii.

Poetry Workshop
11:00-11:50am, Building 2

Engage in this workshop for new and existing poets and discover how poetry can be used as a platform for expression.

Open Mic Poetry
Laura “Piece” Kelly & Freshest Roots
7:00-9:00 pm, Highline Student Union Building 8 – Mt. Constance Room
An evening of poetry open to anyone wishing to share their poetry in a like-minded environment. Co-sponsored by Freshest Roots.

FRIDAY, JAN. 22nd:

Freedom When? Race and Labor, Then and Now
Lecture by David Roediger, followed by Q & A Session
10:00 – 11:30 am, Building 7

Dr. David Roediger has a doctorate in History from Northwestern University and teaches African American Studies at the University of Illinois. Dr. Roediger’s talk looks from periods of slavery and conquest to current workplace traditions, to suggest that keeping people apart has been a consistent key to overworking and underpaying them.

Movie Fridays: SLAM
Facilitated by Aaron Reader
12:30-2:00 pm, Building 7
Slam is a 1998 independent film starring Saul Williams and Sonja Sohn. It tells the story of a young man whose talent for poetry is hampered by his social background. It won the Grand Jury Prize for a Dramatic Film at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. Co-sponsored by Movie Fridays.

For more information contact Natasha Burrowes at 206-878-3710 x 3256 or via email.

SPONSORS: HCC’s Center for Leadership & Service, Multicultural Services and Learning & Teaching Center

MLK Week Committee Members:

• Natasha Burrowes, Chair
• Darryl Brice
• Naiomi Etienne
• Jodi Golden-White
• Yoshiko Harden
• Heather Johnston-Robinson
• Aaron Reader
• Gayatri Sirohi
• Barbara Talkington
• Gerie Ventura

If you need accommodations due to a disability, please contact Access Services at (206)878-3710, ext.3857(voice) or (206) 870-4853 (TTY) no later than January 5, 2010.

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, online and weekend classes.

With the most diverse population of any college in Washington state, Highline takes a multicultural approach to education for the success of all its students and the prosperity of its surrounding communities. Alumni include Scott Schaefer, Publisher/Editor of this website former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and Washington state poet laureate Sam Green.

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

All King County Libraries will be Closed Thursday, Nov. 26th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

DID YOU KNOW?

The King County Library System offers a variety of databases to help you with everything from business information and directories to homework help.  See our featured database at http://www.kcls.org/databases/

Testing & Education Reference Center:
Get ready for the big tests in your life – AP, SAT, GED, MCAT, and civil service – with practice tests, ebooks, and planning advice from #1 names in college and vocational prep, Peterson’s and ARCO.

BOOKS & READING:
Visit http://www.kcls.org/booksandreading/index.cfm for a list of books we recommend, new books, and book club resources.

PROGRAMS:

Literary Feast
LOCAL AUTHORS Cliff and Nancy Hollenbeck will be at the Burien Library Saturday, Nov. 21st  from 2pm- 4pm.

Northwest authors Cliff and Nancy Hollenbeck will visit the Burien library on Saturday Nov. 21, for a book-reading and signing event. The best-selling local authors are featured in the book, “Literary Feast, The Famous Authors Cookbook,” which is a compilation of 100 food, drink and dessert recipes from scores of well-known authors and writers.

Singing Thanksgiving at the Burien Library Wednesday, Nov. 18th at 10:30am! Presented by Harmonica Pocket
. All ages welcome.
 Celebrate the holidays with American Folk tunes including Over the River and Through the Woods, Turkey in the Straw, and This Little Light of Mine. This dynamic musical duo will have everyone singing and dancing along.

Rock! Rock! Rock! at the White Center Library Wednesday, Dec. 2nd at 6:30pm! Presented by Rowbes.
 Ages 2 and older welcome.
 This original children’s rock concert is performed by some crazy puppet musicians. 
Rowbes is better known as Dewy the Dog from Story Time with Dewey and Sketch: Season 2.

Visit http://www.kcls.org/season/ for a complete list of all upcoming library programs!

Why Can’t You Behave? Ideas for Handling Misbehavior at the Greenbridge Library Saturday, Nov. 21st at 1pm

Presented by Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed., Priceless Parenting, LLC
 – Learn ways to set effective limits, deal with adult-child control issues and use positive techniques for dealing with issues like tantrums, tattling, begging at the store and bedtime. 
Provides 2 hours STARS credit in Child Guidance.

BOOK REVIEW:
‘Wild Swans; Three Daughters of China’ by Jung Chang.

From turn of the century China through the 1980s Chang traces 3 generations of women.

Her grandmother, born in 1907, was a concubine as a young girl, her mother was a Communist party member and official, and she was a member of the Red Guards in the late 60s.

China’s evolution from a feudal society to present day told through the experiences of one family brings to life the incredible hardships and successes that have shaped the country.

Non-fiction, and definitely worth a read!

Until next time…see you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

October 2009 was another record-setting traffic month for The B-Town Blog, and like we did in September (and August and July), we’d like to shout out a huge THANK YOU to all our beloved Readers and Advertisers for the following statistics:

• 39,702 Unique Visitors – an average of 1,281 per day!
• 68.369 Page Views – an average of 2,205 per day!

That translates to an overall current average of nearly 1,600 Unique Visitors and nearly 2,700 Page Views per day for the lifespan of this website (launched in Dec. 2007), along with a current average visit length of over two minutes.

Here are the most recent stats from Sitemeter, a widely-used, independent website that tracks internet traffic:

As you can see, one thing that sets The B-Town Blog apart from others is our open policy of being totally transparent with our website traffic statistics – something you will NOT see on any other competing “local” websites (we use quotation marks because ones produced in downtown Seattle aren’t truly “local” now, are they?).

“Transparent” means that, at any time, you can click on one of at least three statistics links in the footer of the website (at the bottom of any page), and see what kind of traffic we’re getting right then and there from external, independent sources.

That’s right – we have no intention of hiding any information from you, our Readers, nor from our Advertisers or potential Advertisers.

And we challenge our local all media competitors to do the same.

Click on a logo below to see our stats (keep in mind that statistics vary with each independent measuring company, something that’s not in our control):

And remember, we are here to serve our community, since we all live, work, shop, eat and drink here.

We are active members of Discover Burien as well as the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce, and you’ll see us at various events, Farmers Markets, festivals, city council meetings and much more.

If you’d like more information on our Advertising solutions, please don’t hesitate to email us!

At 2am this Sunday, Nov. 1st, bar owners and patrons throughout the area will rejoice as they’ll be the first to take advantage of the extra hour that’s given back by the ending of Daylight Savings Time, as all clocks are to be set back one hour at that time (which equals an extra hour of drinking as well as sleeping off the hangover the next morning).

This weekend is also an excellent time to replace your smoke detector batteries, as well as do something new that could save your life, or the life of a loved one – get “The Vial of L.I.F.E.” – here’s some info:

The Vial of L.I.F.E…

End of Daylight Savings Time-update your personal medical information for emergency first-responders.

When you’re changing your smoke detector batteries, take a few extra minutes that could save your life–or the life of a loved one.

WHO/WHAT: The Medic One Foundation provides a simple tool designed to help save lives in an emergency situation:

The Vial of L.I.F.E. (Lifesaving Information For Emergencies). First responders are trained to look for the containers in refrigerators upon arrival at a home.

The “Vial” of consists of a 5-inch “prescription” plastic vial containing medical forms with key information about an individual’s medical history. Over 30,000 have been distributed locally.

WHERE: New to the Vial of L.I.F.E program? To get started, pick up a new “Vial” at any Bartells for just $1 (with net proceeds benefiting the Medic One Foundation).

HOW: Update forms are available online at: www.mediconefoundation.org or www.bartelldrugs.com.

Complete the form with all current vital medical information; put the completed form (s) in the vial and place it on the top shelf inside the refrigerator door.

Follow directions for placement of refrigerator magnet and front door sticker.

It’s “Binational Health Week” and the Sea-Mar Community Health Center is holding a FREE Health Fair at the Burien Library Saturday, Oct. 10th from 11am to 4pm.

There will be clinical screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, weight, asthma, vision, HIV, dental and cholesterol, as well as a presentation by Mayor Joan McGilton, fire truck (and photo ops), kids activities, a raffle with prizes and much more…all FREE.

Here are the details: