The Three Tree Point 4th of July Fireworks Fund drive has a current balance of $17,100 (with a target of $21,000), so we’re tossing out one last pitch to ask for contributions from our BTB Readers.

So if you haven’t already, please make your donation now for Burien’s best barge-based, free fireworks show on a great beach – donate online now! You can donate any amount between $25 and $500, so please lend a hand.

The $21,000 budget covers the cost of the barge, fuel, tug, insurance, permits, fireworks and professionals to run the show, police protection for the area (which is being increased this year) and dumpster rental.

So if you’re interested in sponsoring the fireworks, or giving a donation, please click here – you can donate online or via snailmail. This is an amazing celebration of Americana in a great neighborhood!

Previously we broke news about a local filmmaker shooting a movie at Highline High School, and now we’ve just learned of another area auteur – a local Director/Producer named Frank Oliver who is seeking donations and locations from area residents and businesses for his upcoming film production “The War of the Grandmas.”

The film’s plot:

“War of the Grandmas” is a family-fun-packed, independent comedy – half live action and half cartoon animation.

This is a screwball comedy in the vein of “Grumpy Old Men,” but with women.

PATTY, a sixty-something frugal tomboy, reigns as queen of her cul-de-sac until an arch enemy from her past – flirty, glamorous ROSE, also in her sixties – invades Patty’s territory and the queen declares war. The grannies fight the only way they know how – over a man. But when the old gals try to bring their twenty-something granddaughters into the fray, the young gals decide it’s time to teach the old gals a lesson: A woman does not need a man to make her happy! (Or does she?)

Oliver, 33, of Boulevard Park, is seeking local sponsors, including residents and businesses, to help defray some of the film’s $15,000 budget. His intent is to film and edit a six-minute scene, then promote that at film markets in the next year or so in hopes of turning it into a full-length feature film.

“I’m trying to get the community involved, as this is a great opportunity for locals to help create a fun and entertaining project,” Oliver said as he took a break from his regular day job as a Construction Inspector. “I’ve received a grant from the Northwest Film Forum, but we’re still in need of funds to pay actors and crew.”

We spoke with Oliver on the phone recently, and found him to be a very passionate and ambitious man. We know personally that making a feature-length movie is a huge undertaking, and we admire his goals and passion.

From Texas originally, Oliver has been in the Northwest for six years.

“I moved up here for a variety of reasons, one of which is that I was inspired by the WTO riots,” he said. “I love activism, and am also a huge fan of the artistic and independent spirit of the region, which I love.”

Oliver is currently seeking:

• Access to locations in exchange for product placement in the film; specifically three houses situated next to each other, perhaps in a cul-de-sac, to serve as the movie’s major location
• Donate money (any amount, even minor)
• Visit the website, download the flyers, and post at their workplace/social activities
• Everyone is welcomed to audition for the cast or participate as crew

Here’s his self bio:

Frank is creative, resourceful, and entrepreneurial. He helped manage the family business while still attending high school and learned about taking calculated risks and surrounding himself with talented people to help achieve a goal. He founded a non-profit dance organization in Texas and taught swing and lindy hop to inner city youth. Frank is socially conscientious and passionate about social and economic justice. When he relocated to WA, he joined the union construction trades and actively helped organize and educate others about the struggles and gains of the labor movement. Frank enjoys cinema and aspires to be much like Ken Loach, the filmmaker, and serve the people through his art. Frank hopes to achieve credibility as a director by successfully completing the “The War of the Grandmas” production and attracting well-versed writers to collaborate with him on docudramas and films of social commentary.

We encourage all our BTB Readers, and anyone who enjoys supporting the arts, to visit the “War of the Grandmas” website, and consider volunteering their location(s) and/or time, as well as making a donation to the film.

Rest assured, the B-Town Blog will keep you posted on the progress of this creative endeavor as things develop.

The deadline for submittal of applications is 5PM on January 11, 2008, and application forms can be found here (as a PDF).

Selected volunteers will serve on a special advisory committee providing valuable input and guidance during the shoreline master program update process.

The advisory committee will consist of a variety of people representing various geographic areas and a broad range of community interests in Burien’s shorelines.

The committee will meet monthly throughout the update process that is anticipated to start in February 2008 and conclude in the middle of 2010.

No specific shoreline knowledge or planning qualifications are required; however, applicants should be able to commit to attendance at advisory committee meetings and public forums. Dates and times of meetings have yet to be determined.

Burien’s Shoreline Master Program is a set of goals, polices and regulations that manage City of Burien shorelines. It specifically addresses land use and ecological functions adjacent to Lake Burien and Puget Sound. The City has been awarded a grant by the State of Washington to update its master program, which has not been amended since the City incorporated in 1993. Completion of the update process will fulfill a state requirement for shoreline master program updates.

Under the State Shoreline Management Act each city and county with “shorelines of the state” must adopt a Shoreline Master Program (SMP) that is based on state laws and rules but tailored to the specific geographic, economic and environmental needs of the community. State law requires Burien to update its current SMP on or before December 1, 2009 . The City was awarded a $117,000 grant from the State Dept. of Ecology for this work. The City and its consultants have started work on the update.

For more information please contact David Johanson, AICP, senior planner, at davidj@burienwa.gov or (206)248-5522.

SOURCE:

• City of Burien