A “work party” is scheduled for this Saturday, March 13th at the Salmon Creek Ravine in Burien beginning at 10am.

The goal of this two-hour “party” is to save this park from invasive plants like English Holly, English Ivy, English Laurel and Himalayan Blackberry (EDITOR’S NOTE: Looks like we’re going to have to defeat the English again…).

These events are always a satisfying form of both exercise and social interaction, but we recommend that you RSVP early to the organizers.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Invasive plant work party at Salmon Creek Ravine

WHEN: Saturday, March 13th beginning at 10am

WHERE: Meet at the intersection of Shorewood Drive and SW 130th – the top of Goat Hill near the Shorewood on the Sound sign.

INFO: From the Shorewood on the Sound blog:

Help to protect our local forests by coming to a work party at the Salmon Creek Ravine on March 13th at 10:00.

We’ll provide tools and gloves and a specific project to work on for 2 hours.

Meet at the intersection of Shorewood Drive and SW 130th – the top of Goat Hill near the Shorewood on the Sound sign.

This is your opportunity to participate in a group effort to save this beautiful forested park from invasive plants like English Holly, English Ivy, English Laurel and Himalayan Blackberry.

RSVP/CONTACT: RSVP to Jean Spohn at jeanspohn@comcast.net, or if you have any questions.

The City of Burien announced the recipients of its four awards for Outstanding Citizens and/or Businesspeople for 2009 at its council meeting Monday night (Feb. 8th), and here are the winners:

John Nelson was named the recipient of Burien’s 2010 Citizen Community Leader award by the city council at their Feb. 8th meeting.

Nelson is cited in the council’s award designation as “the inspiration and engine for bringing two new charity running races to our City” – the Cove to Clover and the Brat Trot runs. “Each surpassed all expectations of what new events can be in terms of scale, polish, turnout and funds raised” – $37,000 between the two.

Luke Cruise was named Educator Leader of the Year. Cruise has worked for Highline High School as a para-educator for a number of years, and has volunteered as Flag Team advisor, Pacific Islanders Club advisor and Dance Team advisor.

Jean Spohn, described as “a stalwart member” of the Shorewood-on-the-Sound Community Club for many years, was named Environmental Leader of the Year. A Beach Naturalist, she has also led efforts to rid Shorewood Park of invasive plants that threaten native vegetation in the park.

Jerry Robinson, owner of Robinson Communications and publisher of the company’s weekly newspapers, including the Highline Times, was named Business Leader of the Year.

All four awards, which will be presented at the Annual Discover Burien Dinner on Friday, March 5th, were made by a unanimous council vote.

The catered dinner and silent auction will be at Karuna Yoga Studio, 819 SW 152nd Street, with a social hour beginning at 6 p.m. Dinner will be at 7, with the presentation of the Burien Leadership Awards at 8:15.

Tickets are $25 each, and are available at the Discover Burien office, which is located at 620 SW 150th Street, as well as Burien City Hall, online at www.discoverburien.com, or by calling 206.433.2882.