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

On a drizzly Thursday morning (Jan. 14th), officials from Sea-Tac Airport demonstrated some brand new toys – a new, advanced bird tracking system with real-time displays of bird activity on and around the airport – and Photographer Francis Zera got lucky and was invited onto the actual runway.

In partnership with University of Illinois researchers and the Federal Aviation Administration, Sea-Tac is the first airport in the country to begin the use of this technology, which will allow wildlife management staff to access live data as they patrol the airfield to minimize bird hazards.

Sea-Tac Airport has been the demonstration site for avian radar research since 2007, and in fact currently has three avian radars installed, two on the top of the airport’s office building and one in the middle of the airfield between two runways (see photos below for details).

“Sea-Tac is a leader in the evaluation of this technology,” said Dr. Edwin Herricks, the leader of the University of Illinois research program, a professor of civil and environmental engineering. “I don’t know where this program would be without the input and real-life evaluation efforts by the staff and support from the Port of Seattle.”

Through the FAA-designated Center of Excellence for Airport Technology (CEAT) at the University of Illinois, the latest milestone in the research program builds on equipment from Accipiter Radar Inc. that provides geographic displays of bird activity on Google Earth™ maps.

“This technology will give us situational awareness of the entire airfield day or night – it will be like wearing a huge pair of binoculars,” said Steve Osmek, Sea-Tac Airport’s wildlife biologist. “Rather than depending only on what we can see from our particular location, we’ll be able to know if there are bird issues anywhere around the airfield so we can respond quickly and appropriately.”

Here’s Francis Zera’s Photo Slideshow:

Click to View Francis Zera’s Photo Slideshow

Burien’s Dottie Harper Park, located at SW 146th and 4th Ave SW, was identified during last summer’s “Burien Walkabout” with author Thomas Seiverts as an underused and “scary” place by some participants.

Recommendations included bringing “light” to the park, which would enhance it aesthetically as well as increase safety.

So a bunch of local folks teamed up and are bringing temporary holiday lights to the park, with an official “lighting up” ceremony set for Sunday, Dec. 20th at 4pm.

Also, volunteers are needed to help install the lights on Wednesday, Dec. 16th, from 10am to 4pm.

BTB Reader Sybil Davis tells us via email that:

Dottie Harper Park is used by people of all ages, and creative lighting of it might make it much more inviting, take away the “fear factor” of sitting or strolling through it, and provide more performance options in the future.

Burien Parks' Steve Roemer, Myron Clinton, and Ray Helms.

What did the city do?
They provided expertise, skill, time and equipment and trenched down to the amphitheater!

What did Burien Arts do?
They organized and facilitated everything.  Found the BEST VOLUNTEER in the world in Jacob Daley, of Always Solid Electric who laid the electrical and did all the electrical work!

Who else helped?  Why is Burien a Dynamite Community?!
Because everyone pitched in and helped!!!  People didn’t form “focus groups” they just rolled up their sleeves and got to work!  It was impressive!

Kathy Justin designed a basic first year affordable light design for Burien Arts.

Home Depot and McLendon’s gave support, and ACE Hardware pulled out all the stops to get lights for Burien Arts.

The entire Burien Arts board of directors is donating money to buy the lights, and all have donated time.

What’s the result?
Lights On! in Dottie Harper Park on Sunday, Dec. 20th!

At 4 pm we will plug in the lights over the amphitheater in Dottie Harper Park. Now when you stroll through the park between the hours of 4-9pm Thursday through Sunday there will be a cozy bower of lights overhead in the middle of the Park.  Burien Arts has exciting future light plans but will reveal those later.  This is just the first step.

Please note that these are just temporary holiday lights for now.

What do we need?

• Volunteers to help us hang the lights this Wed. Dec. 16th 10 am to 4 pm
• Performers to sing or play music at 4 pm on Sunday, Dec. 20th – to help celebrate the fact that now we have Lights!
• Donations to Burien Arts to help defray the electric bill we’ll have to pay.  Your donation is tax-deductible, and can be made here: www.burienarts.org or via phone at 206-244-7808.

by Ralph Nichols

The location for a new Burien/Normandy Park fire station in the city’s downtown business district could be selected before the end of November.

And, Fire Chief Mike Marrs told The B-Town Blog, if a land-acquisition agreement is reached by then, the new fire station could be built and occupied by late 2011.

“We’re progressing pretty well,” Marrs said. “We’d like to have been further along, but the reality is that it takes time to put together a real estate deal.”

Burien needs a new fire station to replace the outdated existing facility at the corner of SW 151st Street and 8th Ave South. But Marrs and Fire District 2 commissioners don’t want the new facility located just anywhere.

A top priority is locating the new station downtown where response times will be no more than seven minutes anywhere in the district. In addition, they want to locate the new facility near main arterials that will also provide direct access to State Route 509.

“We’d like to stay within five to seven blocks of where we are now,” he said. “That works pretty well for us.”

Last November, voters in the fire district approved a bond issue to replace both the Burien fire station and the Normandy Park fire station at 135 S. Normandy Road. Plans call for rebuilding the fire station in Normandy Park at its current location.

Marrs said earlier that both new fire stations are needed because the existing facilities were built about 50 years ago. Now the aging buildings – not built for such things as equipment for contamination calls that weren’t part of the service then – “have all sorts of deficiencies including seismic.”

In addition, the existing Burien station can’t house the department’s ladder truck downtown, where it’s needed.

The fire department is “actively pursuing several sites,” Marrs added. “We’re leaving all options open as we look at different parcels. We’re trying to get a location that makes the best economical and operational sense. We’re trying to find a good deal that’s in a good location for us.”

Earlier this year, the department expressed interest in the city’s municipal parking lot between SW 150th St. and SW 151st St. on the east half of the block east of 8th Ave. SW.

But Burien City Council members Sue Blazak and Lucy Krakowiak expressed concern during an August council meeting about losing parking spaces downtown. Blazak indicated that new parking would have to be found before she could support letting the fire department build at that location.

Since then the fire department has looked at a number of private properties downtown.

“All sites looked at have varying degrees of buildings and vacant land on them, with a number of parcels put together” to provide the land needed for a new station,” Marrs said.

“There’s not a lot of large parcels left in downtown Burien, so it’s a package of smaller parcels. It’s a real mix and match.”

Once a land deal is reached, the design and permitting process will begin, a process that will take about a year, followed by construction of the new station, which will take about another 12 months.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a Guest Editorial by Joe Fitzgibbon, Planning Commissioner for the City of Burien:]

by Joe Fitzgibbon

The residents of Burien will have the opportunity this November to vote YES for investments in bicycle and pedestrian facilities. For the price of a half tank of gas, we can make our city safer for our kids and families walking and biking.

As The B-Town Blog has previously reported, a YES vote on the Transportation Benefit District and the proposed $25 vehicle license fee will enable the City of Burien build bicycle lanes, provide safer connections to schools, and repair inadequate sidewalks to increase the mobility of our seniors. I hope you will join me in voting YES to approve this levy to make our city safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Over 400 Burien residents helped shape what we want our city to look like through the Bike and Pedestrian Master Plans. All agreed that our city would be a better place if people could easily get around on two feet or two wheels. Since then, the city has completed some projects, but our progress has slowed because of the competing demands on the city budget — roads, parks, and public safety.

A YES vote on the Sidewalks and Bikes Levy will enable the city to keep moving ahead with some of the highest priority projects from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Master Plan–specifically, improvements to S and SW 136th St and 8th Ave S.

This is a great time for us to tackle these improvements. Construction projects are coming in under budget because demand for residential construction has declined. It is likely that we won’t ever be able to build these projects more cheaply than we are able to right now.

The benefits of better pedestrian and bike infrastructure are numerous and include improved home value, making students safer, and saving school districts money that can instead be used for teaching. It can save you money too. It reduces emissions and makes our air cleaner. It encourages healthy and active lifestyles.

Opponents suggest the cost of improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety is too high and this is not the right time to make our streets safer for walkers and bikers like students at Kennedy High School and Cedarhurst Elementary.

I disagree. The cost of this investment is less than seven cents a day, per vehicle. We must not sacrifice the safety of our children and our quality of life here in Burien.

And our community partners all agree; organizations including the American Heart Association, Washington Conservation Voters, and the 34th District Democrats have all endorsed the Sidewalks and Bikes Levy.

If you have any questions, please email me at safesidewalksnow@gmail.com. Let’s vote YES for a healthier and safer Burien!

(Joe Fitzgibbon is helping lead the Safe Sidewalks Now campaign and is the chair of the Burien Planning Commission).

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We welcome all viewpoints, and will print those that do not contain libel and that pass our standards. All we ask is that Contributors use their real names, not lie or libel/slander anyone. Please email your opinion/letter to the editor by clicking here.]

The Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department’s annual “Kids Day” is coming Saturday, Sept. 12th from 10am to 3pm and will feature firefighting demonstrations, apparatus showcase, games, prizes, fire prevention education and more.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Burien/Normandy Park Fire Deptartment’s Kids Day

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 12th from 10am to 3pm

WHERE: Fire Station #2, located at 15100 8th Ave SW

COST: It’s FREE!

INFO: “Join us again this year at Burien’s annual Fire Department Kids’ Day. Last year, 1,000 kids attended our event which included:

• Display of fire engines, ladder truck, aid units, police vehicles, helicopter, etc.
• Auto extrication, high-angle rescue, and other demonstrations.
• Safety instruction for children (fire prevention, burns, electrical, railroad, fire escape practice, police fingerprint I.D.)
• Prize drawings, balloons, candy and hot dogs.
• Inflatable air toy, face painting, Smokey Bear, Mariner Moose, games, etc.

This event focuses on injury prevention, interesting displays and demonstrations, and most of all – FUN for everyone!”

Tuesday night, Aug. 4th, was “National Night Out,” an annual event where neighborhoods get together with local police and other officials for neighborhood gatherings with the goal of giving crime and criminals a “going away party.”

Photographer Michael Brunk dropped by a party thrown by the Olympic View Estates Homeowner’s Association right here in Burien:

• This is the 8th year they’ve participated
• A total of 28 homes are in the neighborhood
• The homeowners association pays for the BBQ and entertainment, including facepainter Karen Haines from illustriddler.com, DJ Leanna Mason from entertainmentmasters.net and a bouncy toy for the kids
• Neighbors also brought food to share
• The fire department sent a truck over with fire fighters to participate
• A detective from the King County Sheriff’s department also stopped by
• Local politicians were involved as well (Councilmember Kathy Keene attended as well as a couple of other reps from different departments)

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

If you have any pics to share of events in your ‘hood, email us at editor@b-townblog.com!

Even though we all are all most certainly chock-full of common sense, sometimes we all need gentle reminders of what stupid decisions can do to a human being, especially on a sunny summer day where there are fireworks, reckless youths and other celebratory elements around us.

Therefore, here is our requisite 4th of July “Safe and Sane” posting, courtesy the Seattle Red Cross, the King County Sheriff’s Department and our own experiences:

“While celebrating Independence Day, burns — superficial or first degree — can result from partaking in any of these celebratory activities; so the American Red Cross offers the following tips to keep this holiday safe and fun-filled:

• Make sure that exposed skin is covered with an appropriate sun block before heading out to the parade, family picnic or other outdoor activity.
• Keep small children a safe distance from hot barbecue grills, outdoor fireplaces, and of course, fireworks.
• Plan to attend a professional fireworks display instead of creating your own. Remember that the setting off of fireworks is illegal in Burien.
• Whether received from cooking at the grill or being careless with fireworks, burns should be treated immediately. We recommend buying an aloe vera plant and having it on hand, ‘cuz nothing’s better for a burn than fresh aloe.
• Stop the burning. Put out the flames or remove the victim from the source of the burn. For example, you may have to put out flames that have caught on to clothing.
• Cool the burn. Use large amounts of water to cool the burned area. DO NOT use ice or ice water other than on small superficial burns; ice causes loss of body heat. Use whatever resources are available — tub, shower or garden hose. You can apply soaked towels, sheets or other wet cloths to a burned face or other areas that cannot be immersed. Be sure to keep cloths cool by adding more water.
• Cover the burn. Use dry, sterile dressings or a clean cloth to cover a burn. Loosely bandage them in place. Covering the burn helps keep air out and reduces pain. Covering the burn also prevents infection. If the burn covers a large area of the body, cover it with clean, dry sheets or other cloth, then get to the hospital.
• For minor burns and burns with open blisters that do not require medical care, wash the areas with soap and water. Keep it clean. Put on an antibiotic ointment (available from any drug store). Watch for signals of infection.
• Critical burns need immediate medical attention. Call 9-1-1 if a burn victim is having difficulty breathing; more than one part of the body is burned; burns are on the head, neck, hands, feet or genitals; a child or an elderly person has been burned; or chemicals, electricity or explosions have caused burns.

From the King County Sheriff’s Department:

The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public that water safety should be of paramount importance over the long, Independence Day weekend.

“The weather will be great, but the rivers of King County are still cold, fast-moving, and extremely dangerous”, said Sheriff Sue Rahr.  “The last thing we want to do this holiday is a rescue or recovery of someone who didn’t heed the warnings”.

Many of the rivers in King County are still clogged with debris and downed trees from last winter’s high water.  That makes those areas impassable to boaters, tubers and swimmers.

Also, fast-moving waters can pull unsuspecting river users under trees and logjams. They won’t come out the other side, and subsequently drown.

Many rivers have areas that are closed due to these hazards.  Recreationists must not disregard the posted closures.

Hypothermia can still be a problem, even in area lakes.  It affects everyone, no matter the age, size, or experience, and will quickly take away a person’s ability to swim or tread water.  Wear thermal protection!

Always swim in an area designated for swimming.  Learn to swim!

Always wear a Coast Guard approved lifejacket while boating.  Remember children under 12 must wear a lifejacket all the time on boats less than 19 feet. All boats must have a life jacket for everyone on board.  “Lifejackets float, you don’t!”

Alcohol does not mix with boating, floating, or swimming.  Boating Under the Influence is a crime!

“We want King County residents to have a great time over the 4th”, said Sheriff Rahr.  “But use common sense and stay safe!”

Our Advice:

• Whatever you do, do NOT look down into a pipe when you’re waiting for a bottle rocket to go off. Just forget it dude.
• Stop pointing fireworks at your friends.
• Stop throwing firecrackers at girls. They don’t dig it dude.
• If you start a fire, put it out right away. Don’t run away laughing, ‘cuz karma will get you back.

The American Red Cross offers many training sessions in First Aid and CPR. For First Aid and CPR classes in King County, please call (206) 726-3534 or visit the web site at www.seattleredcross.org.”

Friday (May 1st), at 11am, the American Red Cross will dedicate a new Disaster Relief Supply Center in Burien with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 510 SW 158th.

The event will include representatives of the Red Cross, Southwest Suburban Sewer District and the City of Burien, and the center will will store emergency supplies which will pre-positioned for use in future disasters and can be transported to emergency shelters. The cots, blankets, hygiene kits, etc., will provide short term emergency shelter for 750 people.

The Disaster Relief Supply Center will be located at 510 SW 158th Street (map below), and was created with a generous grant from The Tiffany Circle, a Red Cross Society of Women Leaders.

“The Tiffany Circle members are particularly excited to see the completion of this Disaster Relief Supply Center in Burien,” stated Judy Holder, Tiffany Circle Chair for the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties. “We believe in the importance of community disaster preparedness, particularly in areas with vulnerable populations. We are proud to be providing this support.”

“Southwest Suburban Sewer District recognizes the importance of emergency preparedness as individuals and as regional partners. We are excited to provide our support in helping bring this asset to our community and the region,” said Ron Hall, General Manager for the Southwest Suburban Sewer District.

The American Red Cross is the country’s leading disaster relief organization, providing immediate emergency relief to those in need and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. All Red Cross disaster relief is free, funded through the generosity of the American people.

For more information about the Red Cross in King County, call (206) 323-2345 or visit www.seattleredcross.org.

The 2nd Annual Normandy Park Emergency Preparedness Fair is scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd from 12pm to 6pm at the Normandy Park Community Club (The Cove), located at 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive (map below).

The event is FREE and for all ages and will include displays, information and demonstrations from the City of Normandy Park, Burien-Normandy Park Fire District, Dunn Lumber, Highline Medical Center, American Preparedness, Normandy Park Assisted Living, King County Sheriff’s Guardian One helicopter (3pm–5pm) and others.

Vendors, Agencies and Participants providing emergency preparedness information include:

• City of Normandy Park
• King County Fire District No. 2 (Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department)
• Highline Medical Center
• American Preparednesss
• Dunn Lumber Company
• Normandy Park Assisted Living
• King County Sheriff’s Department – Guardian One Helicopter
• Normandy Park RACES Team
• City of Des Moines
• Others pending

Stop by the Fair and learn how to prepare your family, pets, home and business for an emergency – Be Prepared!

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When Jacob Ambaum Park (located on Ambaum near SW 128th) opened up last May, we received numerous emails and comments from concerned parents about the lack of a gate or fence to protect little ones from running out into the busy street.

Well, just this last week, a brand new fence and gate was installed by the City of Burien, possibly due to Reader comments like:

Not my personal ideal children’s playground location, nestled in between gas stations there, and right along the busy road, but I hope it can stay kind of nice for a while. – Seashell

Well, it looks like a really fun park for my boys of 4 and 9 months. Unfortunately I won’t be going there until it’s completely fenced in. Ambaum is too busy for an ornamental fence with two exits facing the busy street. Turn your back for a 1/2 second and the kids are in the street. I’m not the only one who feels this way. The Moms group I belong to has also boycotted this park until it’s safer. - burienmom

…we also will not be visiting this park until it is completely fenced in.  No gates + small children + busy street = really bad!  Too bad, we live so close. – jenamarie

Attempting to play a role as neighborhood watchblog, we forwarded all emails and comments onto Michael LaFraniere, Director of Burien Parks, who promised us action.

It took a little while, but at least something happened!

For you local history buffs out there, here some background on Jacon Ambaum Park:

The history of Jacob Ambaum Park includes not only details of Jacob Ambaum’s life and times, but also the story of the roads and streetcar line he helped build – both of which played a vital role in opening up Burien to settlement and development.

In 1870, the Soloman family purchased 319 acres in North Burien from the U.S. Government. The Solomans settled near SW 128th and Ambaum Blvd, an area known as Mayfair and Hermes Depression. Soloman hoped that draining this swamp would yield rich bottomland for farming. After failing to do so, however, he sold off the land. Some of the early buyers included the Jacob Ambaum family.

A skilled jack-of-all-trades, Jacob Ambaum, a German immigrant via Ohio, was a road-builder, realtor, investor, and chicken rancher. In 1902, he brought his wife, Mary, to homestead in Hazel Valley. Ambaum’s thickly timbered property extended from 126th to 128th SW, and from Ambaum Blvd. to 8th Ave. SW, including the present site of St. Bernadette’s School. An existing house, dating to the 1880s, sat on the property. A new house was built in 1916. The Ambaums’ homestead was bordered in the front by a large gate flanked by imported Norway spruce.

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by Josh Hart

Halloween is TONIGHT(!) and you should all know tips to make your trick or treating experience a safe one.

Here are my Top 11 Rules for having a Safe & Happy Halloween:

1. Children should go out only during daylight hours unless accompanied by an adult
2. Plan a safe route, through “good” parts of the neighborhood
3. Set a return time
4. If your kids are going out alone make sure they are responsible enough to know take care of themselves
5. Stay in populated places and not cut through back alleys.
6. Stay in well lighted areas
7. Make sure treats are examined by an adult before eating
8. Eat nothing that isn’t fully wrapped
9. Never enter the house of a stranger
10. Carry a flashlight, glow stick, or reflective costumes so that cars can see you
11. Do not go out ALONE… make sure you are with a group of at least three people

If you follow these rules you will have a fun, safe, Halloween.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is the B-Town Blog's first Intern! He's also a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac. He recently wrote on the economy, about JFK beating Highline 61-0 in football, an opinion piece on the VP debate, a story on Mt. Rainier High's Drill Team playing at the Seahawks' Halftime and a story on a Fight at the Tyee vs Rention Football Game!]

From our own Sales & Promotion Diva Janet Grella comes these photos from Tuesday night’s “National Night Out” in the Burien area, taken at Normandy Park Assisted Living:

Tuesday night, Aug. 5th, starting around 6pm, neighbors around the B-Town area will turn out, get together, meet, talk and get to know each other (and the cops who protect them) better in hopes of keeping their ‘hoods safer.

That’s right – it’s National Night Out, an annual, unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) celebrated throughout the country.

According to their website:

Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 35 million people participated in National Night Out 2007.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Some video clips from various 2007 Night Outs:

So…are you partaking in National Night Out?

Have a digital still or video camera?

Then send us some pics/clips Tuesday (or just email us info on what you did)!

Sorry for the late notice, but we just learned about this:

Get prepared for the worst by reviewing the best safety techniques at the Normandy Park Emergency Preparedness Fair, which runs today from 2-8pm at the Normandy Park Community Club.

WHAT: Normandy Park Emergency Preparedness Fair, with free information, displays and demonstrations from local cities and organizations.

WHEN: Today (Earth Day 4/22) 2 to 8 pm

WHERE: Normandy Park Community Club, 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive, Normandy Park

CONTACT: (206) 248-7603

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