We know they’re out there, and we need your help finding them. We’re talking about budding “Clark Griswalds” – you know the type we mean – when they flip the switch on their holiday display, the lights dim on the entire block from the power drain. Airplanes arriving at SeaTac are momentarily confused about the location of the runway because their house is so bright. You have trouble sleeping at night because of the beams of light blazing through your blinds and curtains no matter how tightly you close them.
We all love their work, as long as we don’t have to live next door.
If you live on a block that features one of these spectacular outdoor lighting displays — or if it’s your own display (we promise not to tell) – we want to know about it! We’d like to compile a list of the best locations in the general Burien and Des Moines areas for our readers looking to put together their holiday light cruising plans.
Send your recommendations to michael@b-townblog.com and we’ll dispatch our photographer to check it out. If we like what we find, you could see your favorite holiday lights showcased right here on the blog!
by Mark Neuman
We touched base this week with friend of The B-Town blog, Burien’s first mayor, Dr. Arun Jhaveri, and he’s as busy as ever.
He’s planning a trip to Copenhagen this month, interviewing for a position on the Metropolitan King County Council this week, and just recently accepted a position as Executive Advisor with One Million Lights, a Palo Alto-based group determined to bring light to the world.
Literally.
“Two billion people in this world of a little over six billion, one third of the world’s population, do not have electricity,” Dr. Jhaveri said.
One Million Lights, a year-old non-profit group, “provides rechargeable solar handheld lights to poor children and adults in developing countries,” he told us. “They can use these in lieu of kerosene lamps, particularly at night so children can study in their huts.
“These solar batteries last forever. And the children don’t have to be exposed to the (kerosene) fumes or the fire hazard while they do their homework.”
The organization has delivered 30,000 lights worldwide with a goal of one million.
Anna Sidana, One Million Lights’ founder and CEO, is “thrilled to have someone of Arun’s caliber on our board of advisors. He brings depth of knowledge and contacts that are invaluable to us.”
Dr. Jhaveri recently announced his interest in filling the seat left vacant when King County Councilmember Dow Constantine took over as County Executive.
“I meet Thursday afternoon (December 3) with the advisory committee for an interview,” he said. The committee will recommend “three or four candidates” to the eight sitting members of the council, who hope to make a final selection by December 14.
“I am interested only in an interim one-year term,” Dr. Jhaveri said. “I am not interested in campaign financing or running for election (beyond 2010). I want to focus my attention on helping the council on the priorities such as the budget and county services.”
Dr. Jhaveri is planning on attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen December 7 through 18.
“If things move forward with respect to the vacancy on the council, I might have to cancel or postpone my trip to Copenhagen.”
Dr. Jhaveri was recently in Washington D.C. signing copies of his new book, “Carbon Reduction: Policies, Strategies and Technologies” (Fairmont Press, Georgia) which he co-authored with long time colleague and fellow engineer, Dr. Stephen Roosa.
“The book is something I believe in. There is a lot of interest in it.” Dr. Jhaveri’s book can be ordered through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble’s website.
For more information on One Million Lights and how to offer help, here is their website: www.onemillionlights.org
And here’s a video:
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
| Dec ’09 |
| 2 |
| 6:00 pm |
Santa will be arriving in Burien to help light up our big fir tree, along with firefighters, the St. Francis School Choir, free treats and much more at the annual Tree Lighting Festival on Wednesday, Dec. 2nd beginning at 6pm.
The ceremony will take place at the large Fir tree at BTB Advertiser’s Y-B Tubless store, located at 633 SW 148th in Burien.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 2nd beginning at 6pm
WHERE: The giant Fir tree at YB Tubless, located at 633 SW 148th
INFO: Santa will arrive with Burien firefighters on a fire engine and the St. Francis School Choir will sing Christmas songs.
Treats and hot beverages will be available for everyone.
We will also be collecting canned food for local needy families.
Come out and enjoy the evening.
Courtesy BTB Contributing Photographer Gregory Rehmke comes this nighttime photo of Lake Burien, which appears to have thawed out, as well as grown some seasonal sparkling lights and an airport tower in the upper right corner…
Have any cool photos to share?
Please either email us or add ‘em to our Flickr Group so we can share them!
Loading ...
