The good folks at Discover Burien (we’re members – join here) announced Thursday (Sept. 29th) that the Burien Farmers Market will be extending its 2011 season to Thursday, Oct. 27th.

Previously the market was slated to end Oct. 13th so this extension adds two weeks. We suspect the extension means that our recent good weather will continue until the end of October, but there are no guarantees…

The market is open today (Thurs. Sept. 29) until 6 p.m. at Town Square Park in downtown Burien.

Highline School District announced that the make-up days for last week’s snow days will be Friday, May 27th and Monday, June 27.

Elementary school conferences have been re-scheduled for Dec. 16th and 17th, with no school for elementary students on those days.

Secondary school conferences will be held Dec. 17th, with no school for students on those days.

Students will be required to attend conferences with their parents.

Here’s a link to the 2010-2011 Calendar, as well as the Half-day kindergarten Friday schedule.

The 2010 Burien Brat Trot Pub Crawl is coming Friday, Sept. 17th, and it’s going to be a wild, crazy and fun-filled night full of lots o’local peeps, libations, food, drink deals, entertainment, and of course…lots of fundraising for the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence.

Bib and passport sales will start at the Tin Room Bar, located at 923 SW 152nd Street in Olde Burien, beginning at 6pm.

Here are the details of the pre-function Pub Crawl on Friday, Sept. 17th:

• 7pm: Start at The Tin Room, where you’ll pick up an official crawl bib # for just $10 (GET THERE EARLY!).
• See the movie “Beerfest” at the Tin Theater to get you in the mood for a week-long celebration starting tonight (Friday Sept. 10th) playing at 7pm through Sunday.
• You’ll then “crawl” to at least five of the official local stops (see list below) and enjoy drink and food specials.
• The infamous “Yodeling Dominatrix” Manuela Horn will perform four shows at the Tin Theater on the night of the Crawl.
• At each stop you will gather visitation stickers (or stamps) to qualify for a fabulous door prize drawing to be held at The Tin Room at 11pm.
• 11pm: Return to the Tin Room for Burien the big giveaway finale.
  

  Burien's own Manuela Horn will perform four shows at the Tin Theater the night of the Pub Crawl.

• There will be numerous food and drink specials from area business worth crawling to, such as:
  • 909 Coffee & Wine: $3 Drafts.
  • B-Town Burgers and Shakes: $1 soda, $1 Fries, $5 cheeseburger and fry.
  • Eat Local: 2 bottles of Viognier Wine $16.98, free fruit crisp w/any purchase
  • Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub: $3.50 Micro Brews, $1 corned beef sliders. Live music: No Difference.
  • Bison Creek Pizza & Pub: $6 16oz Bud Light and Slice of Pizza.
  • Filbertos: $2.75 Tap beer, $4 you call it; $8.50 pizza, $8.50 calamari app; Live music from RLS Band.
  • CC’s Lounge: Live music from The Rhythm Katz.
  • Burien Press: Free shots of espresso!
  • Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub: Happy hour pricing all night.
  • Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar: $2 hefewiezen, $3 Jagermeister, $2 brats.
  • The Hobnobber (!): Specials TBA.
  • Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub: Specials TBA.

Also, don’t forget to register for the actual Brat Trot run, which is two days later, on Sunday, Sept. 19th (this way runners can do the crawl and not worry about running with a hangover) – just click here.

For more information, visit the Brat Trot Pub Crawl website here.

The schedule for Burien’s annual Arts-A-Glow Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18th from 5pm – 10pm at Town Square Park, has been released.

We’re proud to say that we’ll be there – in fact, Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer will be serving as Emcee for the night – so we encourage everyone to mark their calendars for this fun, enlightening, artistic evening.

Here’s the full Schedule of Events:

• Lantern Making—Kids Day, Saturday, September 18th, 10am-3pm: Find the FREE lantern booth at Kids Day at the Burien Fire Station and make a lantern for the lantern festival!  www.BurienFire.org
• Burien Art Walk—Downtown Burien, Sat, Sept 18, 4:00-8:00pm: Wander downtown Burien and find art in the shops.  Sponsored by Discover Burien.  www.DiscoverBurien.com
• THE GLOW! Saturday, Sept 18th, 5-10pm, Burien Town Square Park:
  

  BTB Editor Scott Schaefer will serve as Emcee at Arts-A-Glow Sept. 18th.

  • 5:00-6ish: Harp by Jini O’Flynn
  • 5:00-7:30: Magical Face Painting & Lantern Creation Station
  • 6:15-7:00: Normandy Park Youth Orchestra
  • 7:00-8:00: Boys of Greenwood Glen
  • 7:00-9:00: Stilt walking  by Cabiri, Dancing by Abyssinian Dance
  • 8:00-10:00: Yellow Hat Band
  • 8:30-9ish: Lantern Performers
• Lantern Procession at Dusk (8:00ish): Join the fun! Come early and make a lantern, or bring one from home! We encourage the use of glow sticks and LED’s. Glow sticks will be available at the information booth by donation.
• Free tea by Phoenix Tea & bread from Grand Central Bakery. Treats for sale by Australian Pie Company & Burien Press!
• Event is rain or shine.  Schedule may change.
• For up to date information: www.burienwa.gov/GLOW
• The Arts-A-Glow festival, including the exhibition of illuminated sculpture and performance, is made possible with the support of the City of Burien, 4 Culture and Phoenix Tea.

Burien’s annual Wild Strawberry Festival runs this weekend, with tons of FREE entertainment, music, arts, food, performance art, “live blogging” from your B-Town Bloggers and much more.

The fest runs from 10am – 6pm on Saturday (June 19) and 10am – 5pm Sunday (June 20) at the Burien Town Square, on SW 152nd and 5th SW.

Be sure to come find The B-Town Blog tent, located just east of the intersection of SW 151st and 5th SW, where we’ll be hooked up to the ‘net and demonstrating the site, as well as proving to you live, via an independent traffic source, that we indeed are the most popular local news source in Burien.

Here are some of the weekend’s highlights:

Saturday, June 19:

• Anunnaki Project Trapeze Performances
• Stiltwalker Ellarella
• NW Parkour
• B-TOWN Bike Fair
• Kiwanis Pancake Brfst—8-10am, Burien Fire Station E
• lliott Bay Brewery Activities

Sunday, June 20:

• Abyssinian Dancers
• Manuela Horn—The Yodeling Wonder
• 5K Run/Walk— 150th & 4th SW
• Car Show
• Elliott Bay Brewery Activities

Here’s a map of the site:

To download and print your own copy of the event brochure, which includes a schedule, sponsors, site map and more – just click here for a PDF version, then hit the “Print” button.

Highline School District on Wednesday (Aug. 19th) announced that, beginning this September and continuing through the 2009-2010 school year, students will be released 90 minutes early on “most Fridays.”

This new policy will replace the half-day Wednesdays and most of the non-student “waiver days” HSD has had in past years.

“This has nothing to do with budget cuts,” said Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director, Communication and Community Engagement for HSD. “The purpose is the give teachers time to learn and collaborate with the goal of improving instruction and student achievement. Most school districts do some form of early release or late start for this purpose, and have for many years. Students will have about the same amount of time out of school as they have for the past few years.”

School begins in three weeks for Highline students, on Wednesday, Sept. 9th, which would make the first early-release day Friday, Sept. 11th 18th (so parents, mark your calendars).

“After students are dismissed on Fridays, teachers will use the time for training, professional development, and collaboration,” states the letter. “The 90-minute sessions, called Professional Collaboration Time (PCT), will include activities such as learning new and better ways to deliver instruction, analyzing student work together, and sharing ideas and plans that will improve student performance.”

Also, as printed in the letter, “The school district surveyed parents and teachers, and the majority preferred a weekly early release of less than two hours, versus a less frequent but longer block of time as we have had in the past.”

Here’s the letter, which will be sent out to families from individual school principals:

DATE

Dear [name of school] Families:

We want you to be aware of a change our school schedule. This year, school will be dismissed 90 minutes early on most Fridays. This will replace the half-day Wednesday schedule and most of the non-student “waiver” days we have had in past years. Overall, the amount of time students will spend out of the classroom is comparable to past years.

After students are dismissed on Fridays, teachers will use the time for training, professional development, and collaboration. The 90-minute sessions, called Professional Collaboration Time (PCT), will include activities such as learning new and better ways to deliver instruction, analyzing student work together, and sharing ideas and plans that will improve student performance. While you might not expect that giving time off school could lead to increased student learning, research shows that time invested in teacher training and improvement of instruction does indeed result in improved student achievement.
Students must be dismissed early in order to provide time for teacher learning and collaboration within teachers’ state-funded work day.

We recognize that shortened school days impact families and parents’ work schedules. The school district surveyed parents and teachers, and the majority preferred a weekly early release of less than two hours, versus a less frequent but longer block of time as we have had in the past.

The most significant impact will be to families of half-day Kindergarteners. Morning and afternoon classes will alternate attending school every other Friday. On Fridays, Kindergarteners will be on the same schedule as students in grades 1-6.

For example, on September 18, morning Kindergarteners will attend school the same hours as grades 1-6; afternoon Kindergarteners will have no school. On the following Friday, afternoon Kindergartners will attend school with grades 1-6; morning Kindergarteners will have no school.

We hope the consistency of the weekly early release will be beneficial for students, families, and teachers. If you have questions, please contact me at [phone number and/or email address]

Sincerely,

[name]
Principal

For more information, visit the Highline School District website here, or download a PDF of the school year calendar here.

Our nearest neighbor to the south, the beautiful City of Normandy Park, has posted the following schedule for what’s going on there on the 4th of July – everything from a 2.8K Fun Run to a Children’s Parade to a Social at The Cove:

“Join your neighbors and friends at the Normandy Park 4th of July Social sponsored by the Normandy Park Community Club and the City of Normandy Park from 10am until 1pm. All Normandy Park residents are encouraged to join in the fun for these morning and early afternoon festivities:

10:25am: 2.8K Fun Run. It’s free, but pre-registration is highly suggested. The course is from Marvista Elementary to Marine View Drive & Shoremont. Runners be sure to arrive at the starting area before 10:10am as number pick up will close at that time. This year’s custom designed race t-shirt can be ordered in advance by all runners for pick it up at the finish line. Non-runners may purchase any left over shirts at the end of the race. They are only $15 each. Contact the Cove office to register 206-242-3778 or visit www.npcove.org

10:30am: Children’s Parade. Everyone is welcome to join in, either from the start (be at Marvista no later than 10:15!) or from anywhere along the parade route, which ends at the Cove Building. Classic cars, floats, wagons, bicycles, strollers, horses, marching bands – - all are encouraged to participate. Paint your face, decorate your bike, get out your flags; be festive or plain. Please, however, no campaigning or political signs. The Normandy Park Arts Commission will once again offer children prizes for the best decorated bicycles. Children who participate in the Parade are encouraged to decorate their bikes in the holiday spirit and enter the Bike Decorating Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Patriotic decorations

11:15am: Social at the Cove. After the parade everyone is invited for free Ice Cream at the Cove. To satisfy your lunchtime hunger, hot dogs and beverages will be offered. Festivities include Classic Car Show and, Large Blow Up Toys and Temporary Tattoos for youngsters. All of this will be accompanied by Live Patriotic Music on the lawn.

Line the streets, enjoy the parade, and attend the Community Social at the Cove!

Road Closure Information:

• Marine View Drive and Shorebrook Drive will be closed to motor vehicles during the festivites from approx. 9:30am-12:00pm. Please use caution and consider alternate routes.

If you’re considering other local fun on the 4th, here’s a link to the schedule for 3 Tree Point’s all-day block party.

It’s looking like it’s going to be a great, sunny, summery day for this Saturday’s 4th of July, and here’s the schedule for the goings-on down at 3 Tree Point’s annual Independence Day Block Party, courtesy 3treepoint.org:

9am-11: COMMUNITY BREAKFAST on the strip near 3142 SW 172nd with great food prepared by a host of local chefs. Donations appreciated!

10:30am-1pm: FIELD GAMES & INFLATABLE KIDS STUFF will be hosted at 3750 SW 171st.

1:30pm-2pm: FLAG RAISING CEREMONY at 5 SW 3TP Lane with awards, speeches and the annual crowning of the new King and Queen of the Point.

2:30pm-3:30pm: KIDS PARADE & CARNIVAL GAMES after the Flag Raising Ceremony, kids will parade their colorful bicycles, scooters, strollers & whatever else down SW 172nd. Immediately following the parade, there will a Treasure Hunt on the south beach and Carnival Games at 3568 SW 172nd.

3pm-8pm: LIVE BANDS at the South Beach Amphitheater, 3568 SW 172nd, including music from Jack Johnston, Jim Herron, Joe Delgreco, John Brim, and Todd Anderson, as well as Full Force, 3TP Blue Band, Terri Derr and Boomerang Summer (featured here on the BTB on 6/26): with Trevor Ras, Ian McKamey, Ben Johnston, Paul Davis, a four-piece group with Burien roots.

Noon – 5pm: ART SHOW in the historic Three Tree Point Store, 16957 Maplewild Ave SW. Over a dozen local artists will be displaying their works along with contact information for purchase of artwork. Artists will include Mike Reid, Alex Sasonoff, Guy Harper, John Unbehend, Betty Vacca, Pam Harper, Sheila Jeffery, Beth Gasser, Laurel Mercury, Tina Rout, Sheri Brim, and Chris Stiles.

10pm: FIREWORKS! A great, professional, $21,000+ fireworks show from a barge anchored off the Point by Western Fireworks. Thanks to the generous donations of people like you and the 3TP Fireworks Committee.

9am-7pm: BOOK EXCHANGE – bring your books that you’re done with and exchange them for new ones at the Book Swap near 3324 SW 172nd.

*Times, events and weather are subject to change without notice.

Also, if you’re planning on coming down, why not chip in a few bucks at the 3 Tree Point Fireworks Fund website here? It takes a lot of money and volunteer love to make this event happen, and you can donate online in just a few seconds!

The City of SeaTac will be hosting its FREE, annual International Festival beginning this Friday, June 26th through Sunday, June 28th at Angle Lake Park.

The festival will include:

• A grand parade
• A family fun run
• Skateboard competition
• Model-hydroplane race
• Craft and food vendors
• Children’s play area and more

FRIDAY, JUNE 26th:

“Under the Lights 5″ 5th Annual Skateboarding Competition
Valley Ridge Park, 4644 S. 188th St.
6:00 p.m.: Registration
7:00 p.m.: Contest
Click here for more information!

SATURDAY, JUNE 27th:

10:15 a.m. ~ Family Fun Run, approximately one mile and follows the same route as the parade. A medal will be given to all registered finishers. No registration fee. Register by calling the SeaTac Community Center at 206.973.4680 by Thursday, June 25th. Or register the day of event at Valley Ridge Park. For information call 206.973.4680.
10:30 a.m. ~ Grand Parade begins at Tyee High School and travels west on S. 188th St., then proceeds southbound on 33rd Ave. S. traveling through Angle Lake Park and finishing at the Alaska Airlines parking lot (download/view Parade Map PDF here).
12:00 p.m. ~ Teen Idols (Song & Dance routines)
1:00 p.m. ~ Kane Mathis (Traditional Mandinka Music)
2:00 p.m. ~ Jimmy Free – African Allstars (A fusion of world music)
3:00 p.m. ~ Tor Dietrichson – Mambo Cadillac (Salsa & Latin Jazz)
4:00 p.m. ~ Smilin’ Scandinavians (Polka music)
5:00 p.m. ~ Show Brazil (Brazilian Music & Dance)
6:00 p.m. ~ James Whetzel (Indian fusion music played on a sarod)
7:00 p.m. ~ Kris Orlowski Band (Jazz & Goth – This unusual combination delivers an edgy roots-rock mix)

SUNDAY, JUNE 28th:

12:00 p.m. ~ Chris Patin Band (Jazz incorporated with R&B, Blues & Latin music)
1:00 p.m. ~ Vicci Martinez (Folk Rock, Blues & acoustic music)
2:00 p.m. ~ Kellee Bradley (She’s been compared to Karen Carpenter & Sheryl Crow, but she has a sound all her own)
3:00 p.m. ~ Rhys Thomas – Juggle Mania (Juggler)
4:00 p.m. ~ Cory Wilds (Blend of Rock, Blues & Jazz)

A variety of ethnic and cultural bands from around the Pacific Northwest will also perform throughout the weekend.

“With more than 83 languages spoken throughout the city, SeaTac is a growing, vibrant and diverse community,” said Todd Cutts, Assistant City Manager. “The International Festival is an annual tradition to really kick off the summer and celebrate that diversity together.”

Festival Hours are as follows:

• Friday, June 26, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Sunday, June 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Craft and food vendors will be open throughout the festival.

Please consider bringing a donation of canned or nonperishable food, diapers, toilet paper, soap or pet food to the SeaTac Domestic Violence Task Force tent to benefit Highline Area Food Bank.

Admission to the festival is free. All events will take place at Angle Lake Park, located at 19408 International Boulevard in SeaTac. For more information and a full schedule of events, please call (206) 973-4680 or visit the website at www.ci.seatac.wa.us/park/seinternationalfestival.htm.

Gates close at 5pm, so get slathered and get up here now for the following: