We haven’t seen one of these since July 29th, when the temps hit 104-degrees – an actual Weather Advisory – this time for quite the opposite: a cold/wet and “breezy” front to come in Saturday.

Consider yourselves warned, especially those of you planning on attending say, an outdoor wedding late Saturday afternoon:

… A cool and wet Labor Day weekend is expected across western Washington…

A cold front will move across western Washington on Saturday… bringing periods of rain… cooler… and breezy conditions. The front will be followed by an unseasonably cool and showery upper level trough Saturday night through Labor Day. Temperatures in The Lowlands Sunday and Labor Day will struggle to hit the lower 60s during the afternoon hours.

Snow levels in the mountains will be around 6000 feet Saturday night into Labor Day. Temperatures above 3500 feet will remain in
the 40s during the daytime hours. Cold temperatures will be accompanied by occasional showers and breezy conditions.

People planning travel into the mountains this weekend should be prepared for fall-like conditions. Dress warm and take rain gear. Hypothermia can occur with these expected conditions.

Need further evidence to get your rain coat out? Local celeb Meteorologist Cliff Mass talks about this weather event on his blog here.

Photo courtesy Gregory Rehmke.

The Burien Arts Association is holding a special “Summer Garden Party” benefit on Sunday, Sept. 13th from 3pm to 7pm at a “private beach house” in Burien.

It’s sure to be an artsy and elegant event, cost is $50 per person and space is limited so you’d better act quick.

Your tax deductible ticket will contribute to the programs and events Burien Arts presents throughout the year for the enrichment and enjoyment of area residents.

Burien Arts programming includes:

• Highline Vintage Jazz Festival
• Burien Art Gallery Lectures and Exhibitions
• Shakespeare in the Park

For more information, or to buy tickets, call (206) 244-7808 or email info@burienarts.org.

From BTB Contributing Photographer Gregory Rehmke comes these amazing photos taken Friday afternoon (Aug. 14th) of one of your Burien neighbors – a Bald Eagle – fishing in Lake Burien (click on each pic to view larger image):

Looks like the hottest heat from “Hotpocalypse ‘09″ is over, so now it’s time to do what every media outlet does – let’s take a nostalgic look back at this heat wave that just happened, where temps ranged from a high of 103 (our unofficial Burien high was 104) on Wednesday to 96 Thursday.

Here’s a photo slideshow of the record-setting days as shot by Photographer Michael Brunk:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

BTB Reader Rebecca Dare brought this to our attention a few days ago – around Burien, there are numerous “orphan” trees (and plants/bushes) that may be suffering from this extreme heat and drought.

These living things might be growing near unattended buildings, near sidewalks and other places where they may not get the water they need, especially during times of high heat.

So we’re putting out the call to all Readers to “adopt” one of these poor trees and bring them water.

Here’s Rebecca’s email to us:

I noticed a Forest Pansy Redbud (one of my favorite trees) dying near the Thai restaurant (the old IHOP) and started taking bottles of water to try to save it for the last few days. The rhodys around it are already toast so I’m not bothering with them.

I’d like to add that mulch can help hold in the water — just don’t put mulch all the way up to the trunk of a tree.

At this point — this week — I think just water would be a big help! And whenever & however a person could do it. (At this point I’ve just been watering the redbud once a day — approx. 4 gallons or so.

On the day we did the big walk around with Thomas Sieverts, some of us were pretty concerned (Kitty Milne among us) about the plants by the old City Hall. I’ve been meaning to take a look at them, but not sure how best to water — maybe I’ll look into it. At the SuBu raised beds at B/IAS was have access to water.

If you see another plant or tree suffering, it’d be wonderful if you’d adopt it until things get better.

Thanks, Rebecca

UPDATE 8/3/09: Rebecca sent us these pics of herself and Bill Opfermann watering one of these trees:

We did some research, and here’s more information that might help you save one of these plants and keep Burien green:

• What a tree under “drought stress” looks like:
  • Symptoms of drought injury to trees can be sudden or may take up to two years to be revealed. Drought injury symptoms on tree leaves include wilting, curling at the edges, and yellowing.
  • Deciduous leaves may develop scorch, brown outside edges or browning between veins.
  • Evergreen needles may turn yellow, red or purple. They may also turn brown at the tips of the needles and browning may progress through the needle towards the twig.
  • In continued drought, leaves may be smaller than normal, drop prematurely or remain attached to the tree even though brown.
  • Often times, drought stress may not kill a tree outright, but set it up for more serious secondary insect and disease infestations in following years.

• Where to water your tree:

• Deep watering to a depth of 12” inches below the soil surface is recommended.
• Saturate the soil around the tree within the “dripline” (the outer edges of the tree’s branches) to disperse water down toward the roots.
• For evergreens, water 3’-5’ beyond the dripline on all sides of the tree.
• The objective is to water slowly, dispersing the flow of water to get the water deep down to the trees roots. Wateringfor short periods of time only encourages shallow rooting which can lead to more drought damage.
• Don’t dig holes in the ground in an effort to water deeply. This dries out roots even more. A soil needle/deep root feeder attached to a hose is acceptable to insert into the ground if your soil is not too hard and compact.
• Overhead spraying of tree leaves is inefficient and should be avoided during drought conditions. Watering at ground level to avoid throwing water in the air is more efficient.

• Tree Watering: Amount of water needed and methods to use:

• During the drought, trees must be given top watering priority over your lawn. However, caring for trees requires different watering methods than your lawn.
• During water restrictions, irrigation systems designed to water turf do not sufficiently water your trees. During the drought, trees should be given a higher priority than lawns. Lawns can be replaced in a matter of months whereas a 20 year old tree will take 20 years to replace.
• How much water your tree should receive depends upon the tree size. A general rule of thumb is to use approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for each watering. Measure trunk diameter at knee height. General formula: Tree Diameter x 5 minutes = Total Watering Time.
• Example: When you hand water using a hose at medium pressure, it will take approximately 5 minutes to produce 10 gallons of water. If you have a 4” diameter tree, it should receive 40 gallons of water – multiply by 5 minutes to equal total watering time of 20 minutes.
• All size trees should be watered April through September according to the guidelines below. All trees should also receive adequate water during the winter months too –For more information on winter watering, see below.
• Water should be distributed evenly under the dripline of the tree.
• The best watering method depends upon whether you have a small (1-7” diameter), medium (8-15” diameter) or large sized (16”+ diameter) tree.
• Small Trees (1-7” diameter) –3 times per month, April through September.
• Newly planted and smaller trees can get adequate water within the existing watering restrictions by hand watering with a soft spray hose attachment as a separate zone on your designated day.

So, if you decide to help out one of Burien’s (and your planet’s) fellow living things, please take some pics and email them to us along with info on where the tree/planet was located!

We’re not saying that the 102.9-degree heat recorded Wednesday, July 29, 2009 was the hottest day ever.

No, that would be pretentious of us to think that it’s never been warmer here (since 1891 is when records started being kept, and there was plenty of weather history before then, right?).

With that said, can you FLIPPIN” BELIEVE HOW FLIPPIN’ HOT IT WAS TODAY???

104 degrees?

IN BURIEN???

Okay, so now that it’s cooled down a bit (and our keyboard isn’t drenched in sweat), we’d like to share some pics that BTB Readers sent us after we asked for “hot temp” pics (sorry, we’re only sharing the G-Rated stuff…and thanks gang, keep sending us more of those special pics!):

From Reader Carrie Rasmussen comes these photos of cookies being cooked in the back window of her Nanny Gloria’s car:

From Reader Candice Packer comes this pic of a truly-retro Honeywell thermostat showing that today’s temp was totally off the chart:

Our own Mini Cooper Blogmobile recorded the following 104-degree temp whilst overheating in downtown Burien:

BTB Photographer Francis Zera appears to have won the “hottest place” contest with this shot of his thermometer hitting 106.2!:

Francis’ prize of course is a duct-taped-patched down snowcoat we found at Value Village for $4.99, which he will be required to wear everyday (zipped up to the neck) until summer ends.

In the meantime, if you have any hot weather pics (wink wink), send ‘em our way. We’ll be posting more until we pass out from heat exhaustion.

The patented B-Town Blog Weather Rock™® (ok, so it’s not really a rock but we bet there’s quartz inside there, plus, that sounds waay cooler than a “Digital Thermometer”) shows proof that yes, the outside temp has hit 100 degrees in Burien, specifically outside our office window in Olde Burien.

Hey…remember during the big snowstorm last December, when everyone sent pics of how much snow they had in their yards?

Let’s do that again, only this time please send pics of the temp on your Weather Rock (aka “digital thermometer”; heck, we’ll even post analog ones) to us and let’s see who’s got the hottest yard!

Email us here.

Now, enjoy this photo and remember this record-setting day/week; and do you think it’s going to get much hotter?:

by Dr. Leslie Kasper, DVM
Companion Animal Medical Center

Boy it’s hot out! Ninety-plus degree weather and no real rainfall in months; Burienites haven’t seen weather like this for some time! But I guess now they understand the real meaning of “The Dog Days of Summer.”

I mean really, you think you got it bad?! Don’t forget about us – imagine wearing a fur coat and not being able to sweat other than through the pads of your feet (unless they are hairy too) and by panting! Yuck, Dry Mouth! So just as a kindly reminder from some of your fuzzy four-legged friends, here are some tips to help make keep us cool and comfortable too!

Cars + Pets = Death!
Think I’m being dramatic? Hundreds of pets die every year from being left in cars during summer heat. Yes, I know it’s just a quick errand and you left the windows cracked or even down, but in 80+ degree heat outside, the inside of a car can easily reach over 100 degrees in about five minutes. Best course of action is to just leave me at home! Really, you will only be gone a few minutes…

Shade or Shelter
If some of your four-legged friends spend a majority of their time outside during the day, make sure they have an adequate amount of shade to protect themselves. Doghouses can be helpful, but like your house or car, if it’s in the sun all day they can hold heat and provide little comfort. If the roof is detachable try lifting it up slightly or setting it off kilter to allow for airflow and heat escape. Having a second shelter or shaded area allows for options as the day and temperatures progress. If your pet has a light skin colored nose or ears (areas with little to no hair) a bit of sunscreen may be warranted as well.

Fresh water at all times!
Inside or out, all pets need access to fresh clean water. If possible when outside keep it in the shade, then it is bearable to drink and doesn’t evaporate quite as fast. Multiple bowls may be needed as we will go through more water than usual. But even inside, with all the fans and a/c going, the air becomes dry, and a good drink would feel great on that panting tongue. And ice cubes make fun toys!

Oh, and on the subject of mouths…
Don’t be surprised if the appetite falls off a bit! Sometimes it just doesn’t sound appealing to eat in this heat. Oh, and of course, sometimes heat can cause imbalances in the intestines, so soft stools can occur also!

Emergency Situations
Okay, we all know you are great pet-parents, but sometimes it’s just too hot! If you notice any of these symptoms, please call my veterinarian right away for evaluation or advice:

• Difficulty breathing, especially in cats or dogs with short noses (like pugs, pekes, bull dogs, and others)
• Pale gums, nose, eyes, or inner ears which are normally pink.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of food/water intake
• Shaking, seizures, or unresponsiveness when stimulated.

Okay, now go out and be safe!

Sincerely,
Rover and Tiger

(Courtesy of BTB Advertiser Companion Animal Medical Center, 206-878-0405)

The National Weather Service has released an “Excessive Heat Warning” along with an “Air Stagnation Advisory,” and while it may not be hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk (but if you do, email us a pic!), predictions are that the temps Wednesday and Thursday will hover around 100+, so be sure to stay cool, drink plenty of fluids and all the other common sense things one should do when it’s really hot.

Here’s the warning/advisory from the bigshot professional weatherpeeps:

Excessive Heat Warning, Air Stagnation Advisory
Statement as of 4:30 AM PDT on July 29, 2009

… Excessive heat warning remains in effect until 6 PM PDT Friday…
… Air stagnation advisory remains in effect until 6 PM PDT Friday…

An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 6 PM PDT Friday. An air stagnation advisory remains in effect until 6 PM PDT Friday.

Hot and humid conditions are expected to continue through Thursday. High temperatures from the upper 80s to 105 will be accompanied by rather humid conditions and only light breezes. Temperatures at night will remain quite warm… falling only into the 60s for a couple hours late at night in most places.

Record high temperatures will be widespread… and SeaTac Airport will likely tie or break its all time record high temperature of 100 degrees. While today is expected to be the hottest day overall… Thursday will be only a degree or two cooler in most locations.

Friday will be somewhat cooler as the low level flow turns onshore … but temperatures in the western Washington interior will still be well above normal with many spots in the upper 80s to mid 90s.

In addition… the stable air mass will limit dispersion of ozone pollutants and air quality will deteriorate.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids… stay in an air-conditioned room… stay out of the sun…and check up on relatives and neighbors.

If you are concerned about the buildup of pollutants… check with your local air quality agency for further information.

If you need ideas on how to stay cool during this weather, here’s some previous stories we’ve posted:

• Need To Cool Down? Run Through Sprinklers At Lake Burien
• School Park Twice A Day!
• Where To Cool Down During “Hotpocalypse ‘09″
• Tips To Stay Cool During “Hotpocalypse ‘09″
• ADVISORY: Heat Wave Coming Over Next Several Days

And if you need a visual to focus on as you meditate your way to coolness, here ya go:

The Burien Parks Department wants kids of all ages to cool down by running through their sprinklers at Lake Burien School Park, where they’re turning on the irrigation systems for two one-hour periods over the next few days.

If you’re wondering what this new “spray ground” looks like, here’s a video courtesy Michael Lafreniere, Director of Burien Parks:

Here are the details:

WHAT: Lake Burien School Park’s main grassy area will become a “spray ground” as the Department turns on the irrigation systems for two 1-hour periods over the next few days.

WHEN: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (7/28/09-7/30/09), from 3pm-4pm and again from 7pm-8pm

WHERE: Lake Burien School Park (located at SW 149th & 16th Ave SW)

COST: None. It’s FREE!

INFO: The Parks folks also add:

“In addition to this fun and wet opportunity to cool off, some cool breezes can be found along the shore at Seahurst Park, in the cool forests of Eagle Landing Park and Dottie Harper Park, and along the really cool trails in Shorewood Park.

More information about these cool parks is at http://www.burienwa.gov/index.aspx?NID=687.”

Somewhere, somebody cranked the master thermostat waaaay the flip up, with temps in the 80s Monday and predicted to hit a major, possible record-breaking high between 99 and 106(!) on Wednesday.

While the city of Burien doesn’t have an official “cooling center” (hey city, what gives?) there are numerous places around with air conditioning that you can take advantage of; here’s a list (more listed at the King County website):

BURIEN:

• King County Library branch on SW 152nd and 4th SW (as well as any KCLS branch in the area)
• Any bar/restaurant/coffee shop that doesn’t have its windows open (your first clue to A/C use)
• Stores – stay cool by going from store to store around town!
• The myriad of beaches around town, especially Seahurst Park Beach

DES MOINES:

• City Cooling Shelter at the Activity Center (Senior Center)
  2045 S. 216th Street
  Des Moines
  Open for Des Moines and Normandy Park residents, Monday-Thursday this week from 11:00am to 9:00pm. The shelter accommodations are minimal, water will be provided at the shelters but no food will be available. Small pets in carriers will be allowed but the owner is responsible to provide food, water and bowls for the animals.  Pets will be required to remain in their carriers will inside the shelter. An information phone number with recorded information has been set up at (206) 870-6719.

TUKWILA:

• Tukwila Community Center
  12424 42nd Avenue South
  6:15am. – 9pm (Monday – Thursday)
  Phone: 206-768-2822
• Tukwila Aquatic Playground
  12424 42nd Ave South
  Tukwila, WA 98168
  Website: http://www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/recreation/recbrochure.html
• Southcenter, where “it’s always a beautiful day” (and a cool one this week)
• Tukwila Pond (go ahead and jump in, it’s not just a swamp…)

SEATAC:

• SeaTac Community Center
  13735 24th Avenue South
  SeaTac, Washington 98168
  Phone: 206.973.4680

FEDERAL WAY:

• Federal Way Community Center
  876 S. 333rd Street
  5:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (weekdays)
  7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Saturday)
  10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Sunday)
  Phone: 253-832-6900
• Wild Waves Water Park (cost involved)
  36201 Enchanted Pkwy
  Federal Way
  Phone: (253) 925-8000

AUBURN:

• Auburn Senior Center
  808 9th Street SE
  8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Thursday
  Crated/caged pets welcome.Some pet cages available for those who don’t have them.
  Phone: 253-931-3016

• Auburn Library
  1102 Auburn Way S
  10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Monday – Thursday)
  Phone: 253-931-3018

• Auburn City Hall
  25 W Main
  8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Thursday
  Crated/caged pets welcome. Some pet cages available for those who don’t have them.
  Phone: (253) 931-3033

For all you weather nerds out there, here’s a link to a new UW website called “probcast.com” that will do customized forecasts based on zip codes; here’a a screenshot of what we can expect for 98166 – note Wed.’s predicted high of 101!:

An Excessive Heat Warning will remain in effect until 6pm Thursday, July 30th; this means that a period of dangerously hot temperatures is expected which can lead to heat related illnesses. Anyone can be overcome by extreme heat, but some people are at higher risk than others. They include the elderly, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases

Signs and symptoms of heat related illness may vary but can include:

• heavy sweating
• paleness
• muscle cramps
• tiredness
• weakness
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• fainting

Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can cause death or permanent disability unless treated immediately. Symptoms of heat stroke include an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F); red, hot, and dry skin; rapid, strong pulse; nausea, confusion and unconsciousness.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is urging people to take precautions and monitor themselves and others for signs and symptoms of heat related illness and call for medical aid as necessary.

Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and stay in air-conditioned buildings such as public libraries and community centers, malls and movie theaters. Check on relatives and neighbors, particularly those with health issues. Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows rolled down.

More hot weather safety tips are available at www.kingcounty.gov/health/BeatTheHeat

BTB Reader Philip Kelley sent us the pic below, and says:

“Of course, one way to beat the heat is with an ice cream cone.

I think I saw these two headed off toward Three Tree Point afterwards, probably to munch on a Mini Cooper…”

Looks like the much-hyped “Hotpocalypse ‘09™!” is finally hitting, with temps forecast to be in the 90s over the next several days, prompting local health officials to issue the following common sense tips:

“Protect yourself and your loved ones from heat exhaustion and heat stroke by following these recommendations:

STAY COOL:

• Spend more time in air conditioned places. If you don’t have air conditioning, consider visiting a mall, movie theater or other cool public places (ie: Southcenter, where “it’s always a beautiful day”)
• Go down to the water – Seahurst Park Beach is a great place to hang out, with a creek and lots of shady areas.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
• Dress in lightweight clothing.
• Check up on your elderly neighbors and relatives.

DRINK LIQUIDS:

• Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic beverages.
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

WHILE OUTSIDE:

• Limit your direct exposure to the sun.
• Do not leave infants, children, people with mobility challenges and pets in a parked car, even with the window rolled down.
• Avoid or reduce strenuous activity.
• Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Avoid sunburn by using a sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.

Check with your physician if you are concerned about heat and the specific medications you are taking. Certain medications may increase sensitivity to the heat. Do not take salt tablets unless directed to by a physician.

Heat can lead to serious medical problems, particularly for older adults, young children, people with chronic illness, and people with weight or alcohol problems.

“The danger for heat–related illnesses rises when outside temperatures are very high,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Fortunately, all of us can prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke with some simple steps.”

RECOGNIZING HEAT STROKE:

Overheating occurs when people’s bodies are not able to cool themselves quickly enough and can lead to symptoms of heat exhaustion, including muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. If you notice someone with signs of overheating, move the person to a cooler location, have them rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention for them immediately if they do not feel better.

In severe instances, people can suffer heat stroke, which can cause can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Symptoms of heat stroke include:

• An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Nausea, confusion and unconsciousness
• *Melted skin
• *The smell of burning flesh
• *Strangers using your body to make S’Mores
• *Death

(* our inappropriate, lame jokes)

For more tips and resources on staying cool in hot weather, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/BeatTheHeat.

The annual Olde Burien Block party will run all day Saturday, July 11th, from around 9am until dark, with lots of family fun, including The Bubble Man (11am) two performances of “Burien’s Got Talent,” Karaoke, Sausage and Ice Cream Eating contests, and live music – here’s the schedule:

Olde Burien is, of course, located in Olde Burien on SW 152nd between Ambaum Blvd. and 10th Ave SW.

Summer officially begins tonight (Sat. June 20th) at 10:45pm PDT, with Sunday considered the “first day of summer” as well as the longest day and shortest night of the year.

Of course, it’d be nice if the weather gods would cooperate, but instead of basking in the heat of a new summer’s day, we’ll all be shivering as temps strain to reach 60 degrees, with a 60% chance of rain Sunday, which of course is the final day of Burien’s annual Strawberry & Arts Festival, where we have a booth near the Skate Park (come on by and enter our contest to win one of 38 local prizes valued at over $2,100!).

But we’re all rugged Northwesterners aren’t we, and we’re not going to let a little cold or dampness stop us from having fun, so strip off your shirts, show off some skin and relish in the start of another fine Summer Solstice Day (and if you’re planning on some kind of unusual pagan ritual this weekend, be sure to send us pics)!

The Highline School District will be offering up free meals all summer long, including both breakfast and lunch at 13 different locations, most beginning on Monday, July 6th.

The district has been offering free summer meals for at least the last ten years, and the USDA-funded program has expanded significantly to include community sites as well as schools.

“Based on the estimation from our sites, we may serve up to 1,000 breakfasts and 2,000 lunches plus offer snacks to some sites,” said Brianna Smith, RD, Nutrition Services Manager.

Who is served by the Summer Food Service Program?

• All children 18 years and younger are eligible for the Summer Food Service Program. There is no registration or fee.
• All children are welcome to eat a meal at summer school sites, even if they are not enrolled in a summer program.
• The meal must be eaten at the site and be finished within 15 minutes of the final serving time.

Who pays for it?
The Summer Food Service Program is a federally funded child nutrition program that feeds children nutritious meals during the summertime    when school is out and children don’t have access to school meals. It    was created to ensure that children in low-income areas could continue    to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations. Funding for the Summer Food Service Program is provided with federal dollars and is sufficient to meet expenses related to sponsorship of the program.

What is the purpose of the program?
Clearly, the nutritional needs of large numbers of children who depend     on school meals during the school year are not being met in the summer. Good nutrition is essential for learning.

How are site locations determined?
Service sites for the Summer Food Service Program are determined based on:

1. Eligibility criteria.
2. Interest and need at the school building level.
3. Interest and need at community centers.

Here’s where and when the FREE Summer Meals will be available:

• Bow Lake School
  Breakfast: 7:30-8:45 Jul 6-Jul 24 M-F
  Lunch: 11:30-12:45
  18237 42nd Ave S SeaTac 98188
• Evergreen School
  Breakfast: 7:15-7:45 Jul 6-Jul 24 M-F
  Lunch: 10:45-11:15
  830 SW 116th Seattle 98146
• Gregory Heights School
  Breakfast: 7:30-8:45 Jul 6-Jul 24 M-F
  Lunch: 11:30-12:45
  16201 16th Ave SW Burien 98166
• King County Parks – White Center
  Lunch: 12:00-1:00 July 7-Aug 14 M-F
  Snack: 4:00-5:00
  1321 SW 102nd St Seattle 98146
• Midway Elementary School
  Breakfast: 7:30-8:45 Jul 6-Jul 24 M-F
  Lunch: 11:30-12:45
  22447 24th Ave S Des Moines 98198
• Mt. Rainier School
  Breakfast: 7:15-8:00 Jul 6-Aug 7 M-F
  Lunch: 11:00-12:00
  22450 19th Ave S Des Moines 98198
• Mt. View School
  Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 Jul 6-Jul 30 M-Th
  Lunch: 12:00-12:30
  10811 12th Ave SW  Seattle 98146
• Schoenwald Park
  Breakfast: 8:30-9:30 Jul 6-Jul 15 M-F
  Lunch: 12:00-1:00
  16030 Sylvester Road Burien 98166
• Seahurst YMCA
  Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 Jul 6-Aug 14 Mon-Fri
  Lunch: 11:30-12:30
  14603 14th Ave SW Burien 98166
• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission
  Lunch: 12:00-12:30 Jul 7-Aug 14 T-F
  Snack: 4:00-4:30
  15003 14th Ave SW Burien 98166
• Shannon South
  Lunch: 12:00-1:00 Jul 6-Aug 14 M-F
  Snack: 3:00-4:00
  3508 S 180th SeaTac 98188
• Southwest Boys and Girls Club
  Lunch: 12:00-12:30 Jul 6-Aug 14 M-F
  Snack: 3:30-4:00
  9800 8th Ave SW Seattle 98106
• White Center
  Breakfast: 8:15-9:00 Jul 6-Aug 7 M-F
  Lunch: 12:00-1:00
  10015 6th Ave SW Seattle 98146

• Food cannot be taken off the premises.
• The child does not need to be a Highline Public School student.
• There are no forms to fill out and no names are taken.
• Program is open to age 18 and under.

More information available at the Highline School District website.

The Burien Strawberry & Arts Festival happens just two weekends from this one (on June 20th and 21st), in the area around the Burien Community Center and Dottie Harper Park, and it’s a very family-friendly (and FREE) event worth making a weekend out of, especially for these numerous kid-friendly reasons:

ALL WEEKEND:

• Sidewalk Chalk Art Creations
• Free Bouncing on Inflatable Toys

SATURDAY, June 21st:

• 10am-6pm: Superheroes Art Garb booth. Create wild capes, hats, and vests to take home or wear in “Festival Family 1K Run” the next morning in Downtown Burien
• 10:30 am-3:00 pm: Face Painting
• 3pm-4pm: Central Services presents The BOARD OF EDUCATION. Fun, witty, & smart musical romp created by Seattle band Central Services, fronted by a former elementary school teacher/published children’s novelist, and written for tweens but with something for all ages. Kids (and kids at heart) get ready to ROCK!
• 4:15pm-5:15pm: Bubbleman. Kids go crazy with the King of Bubbles, Gary Golighty

SUNDAY, June 22:

• 10am-5pm: Arts Garage booth, where kids can create everything and anything using tons of recycled arts materials
• 11:30am-12:15pm: Eric Ode. Fun interactive music with stories, skits, poetry, and puppets
• Noon-5pm: Face Painting

the full schedule of events and performers can be found by clicking here.

Burien’s Annual Strawberry Festival is coming Saturday, June 20th and Sunday June 21st to the Community Center and Dottie Harper Park area at SW 146th and 4th Ave SW, and here are the details:

WHAT: Burien’s Annual Strawberry Festival

WHEN: Saturday, June 20th from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, June 21st from 10am to 5pm

WHERE: Burien Community Center & Dottie Harper Park area at SW 146th & 4th Ave SW

INFO: The B-TOWN BLOG will be BLOGGING LIVE! TRAPEZE Artists! New ARTS MARKETPLACE! Fabulous New FOOD!

• Entertainment Schedule
• Kids Activities!
• At the Burien Art Gallery
• Skateboard Competition
• 5K Run
• A Great Selection of Food and Snacks
• Shop Till You Drop @ New Vendor Marketplace
• Sustainability!
• Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
• Discover Burien Father’s Day Car Show

If you’re interested in participating, here are links for appropriate applications:

• Food Vendor
• Arts, Crafts, Gift Food or Import Vendor
• Non-profit Information Vendor (Highline Area non-profit or services Burien residents)
• Fresh Produce or Flowers Vendor
• Organic & Sustainable Vendor
• Activity Vendor (Henna Art, Face Painting, etc)

Sponsors are also being sought for the 2009 Strawberry & Art Festival – for more information contact Casey Stanley at (206) 988-3700 or via Email: caseys@burienwa.gov

The City of Burien is looking for Vendors and Entertainers for its 2009 Strawberry Festival, which will be Saturday June 20th and Sunday, June 21st at the Burien Community Center.

Deadlines are:

• Entertainer: March 15th
• Vendors: April 17th
  

Here are the details, courtesy Gina Kallman, Cultural Arts Supervisor at Burien Parks:

“Expect the unexpected at the Burien Strawberry & Arts Festival!”

• Strolling Surprises
• Hot Music and Entertainment
• Kids Hands-On Area
• Inflatables
• Skateboard Competition
• 5K Run
• A great Selection of Food and Snacks
• Hot New Arts, Craft and Import Vendors

2009 APPLICATIONS
Click on the category you want to apply to for a PDF application:

• Entertainer
• Food Vendor
• Arts, Crafts, Gift Food or Import Vendor
• Non-profit Information Vendor (Highline Area Non-profit or services Burien residents)
• Fresh Produce or Flowers Vendor
• Organic & Sustainable Vendor
• Activity Vendor (Henna Art, Face Painting, etc)

Or go to http://www.burienwa.gov/index.asp?NID=773

The City is also looking for Sponsors for the Strawberry & Art Festival – for information please contact Casey Stanley at (206) 988-3700.

Fall officially begins at 8:44am PDT today (Monday, Sept. 22), and what better way to celebrate the season of spiders, colorful leaves and pumpkin slingshots than by taking a look back at summer through this exclusive B-Town Blog slideshow:

As summer winds down, we thought we’d try to keep it going by sharing this video we found on Youtube – a very nicely done montage of great (and sometimes not so great) skateboarding antics well-shot (good work LastExileProductions) at the Burien Skatepark:

View Larger Map

The patented B-Town Blog Weather Rock® is already showing serious signs of melting due to the recent heat wave that’s come in,  so please be aware of the dangers of the following throughout the hot weekend ahead (yay.):

• Pets in cars
• Elderly neighbors or family members
• Magical, large boulders used to predict weather

From the National Weather Service comes this “Advisory”:

…Hot weather across western Washington into the weekend…

A strong ridge of high pressure will build over the Pacific northwest today and persist through at least Saturday. Temperatures on Thursday will be noticeably warmer across western Washington under sunny skies. Offshore flow will strengthen on Friday with much hotter temperatures expected through Saturday.

Some spots may exceed the record high temperatures over the next few days.

Temperatures Thursday are expected to range from the upper 70s and 80s at the coast with widespread 80s across the interior. On Friday and Saturday interior areas north of Seattle will continue in the 80s with temperatures rising mainly into the low and mid 90s around the Puget Sound region… foothills…and southwest interior.

A switch to onshore flow will first occur Saturday afternoon along the coast resulting in cooler high temperatures. Temperatures will begin to moderate across the interior on Sunday as onshore flow increases.

Be careful of the heat in the coming days and check up on the elderly. Stay hydrated and avoid vigorous activity during the heat of the day. Never leave pets in a parked car.

The record temps to beat at SeaTac Airport are (go mercury!):

• THURS. 8/14: 88 (set in 2005)
• FRI. 8/15: 92 (set in 1967)
• SAT. 8/16: 98 (set in 1967) 

So…enjoy another fine summer weekend, but be careful out there.

by Cynthia Reid

“For the first time ever we have confronted in reality
the sinister power of uncontrolled nuclear energy.”
- Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev
19 days after the April 26, 1986 disaster

Everyone seems to think that summers just fly by, but for those of us who host Children from the Chernobyl area it seems to go by lightning fast.

As our time together comes to an end, we scramble to find those last minute necessities: winter boots, heavy coats and gloves as well as all those little gifts to send back home to families. Our local treats seem to be the favorites, like Almond Roca and Seattle’s Best Coffee.

The children come to the US, and stay for six weeks every summer.

This year For the Children of the World hosted over 80 children from Belarus, which is an area that was most contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster. In fact, 70% of the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl Nuclear disaster fell on Belarus. Even 22 years after the meltdown, the children there suffer from the constant bombardment from low-level radioactivity and often live with limited employment, poor wages and rampant inflation, and it is not always possible to provide the children with adequate amounts of nutritious food.

We have found, through medical testing, that a six-week stay in a clean environment with good nutrition can completely recover a child’s immune system. Most of the children come from very small villages where much of their food is grown in the contaminated soil and the economy is very poor.  While the children are here in the US, medical and dental expenses are donated by generous medical professionals who provide their services. We fundraise as much as possible to help reduce the cost; the rest of the expense is borne by the hosting family. The average hosting cost for 2008 was $1,450 per child.

When our own host child, Akulina, came to us five years ago she knew only four words in English:

• “Yes”
• “No”
• “Please”
• “Thank you”

Except that she didn’t know what any of the words meant!

We had a great time getting to know and understand each other with our little games of charades! She had never ridden in a car, never shopped at a grocery store like our local Fred Meyer and never been to a mall. We gave her a camera so she could take photos home with her and it was fun watching her take pictures of the snack aisle, the meat case and the veggies at the grocery store! After the first six weeks her English was coming right along. Akulina and our daughter Valerie had tons of adventures learning each other’s language and sharing stories.

After her first visit, I traveled to Belarus to visit with Akulina’s Aunt and Grandmother and to experience my first trip to Eastern Europe. During that visit I met Akulina’s cousin Olga. We signed her up to come on a visit the next year and she stayed with our friends, the Whites, from Normandy Park. It’s a beautiful country and I’ve never met friendlier people anywhere in the world. At one point we stopped in a very small village to get a bite to eat. As soon as we stepped through the door of the inn, the hostess was on the phone to someone. Within minutes there were people arriving to see the strangers from America. For most of them it was their first time meeting an American. Some even brought us gifts!! Total strangers, giving us hugs and thanking us for coming to their country! Everyone fed us. And fed us. Every table was set up with more food than you can imagine, every square inch of the table covered. And the vodka!!! I’d tell you all about it but the details are fuzzy…..  However, I can tell you that 15 degrees is okay when you’re bundled up in layers but it’s darned cold when you’re in the outhouse with your backside exposed!

Here’s a video interview (produced/shot by Cynthia Reid) with Akulina’s cousin Olga, who stayed in the area this summer:

“More than 14 years after the accident which made Chernobyl a symbol of fear throughout the world, the catastrophe is far from over for the inhabitants of the region. In Belarus, in Ukraine and in the Russian Federation, it continues to have a devastating effect not only on the health of the people,
but on every aspect of society.”
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
June 12, 2000

Over the years our organization has been lucky enough to have received excellent help from so many people – Doctors, dentists, co-workers and even rock stars have stepped up to help us out. My Chemical Romance, The Shins, Billy Talent and even Devo (who knew they were still around?) have met with us and donated signed memorabilia to raise money for For the Children of the World.

Summer 2009 will be here before we know it. We’ll have things to pick up over the winter for our host children and our translators; more heavy coats, vitamins, backpacks, etc.

If you are interested in hosting a child next summer, please contact us and let us know. We can also use help with medical and dental care, hosting fees, gathering needed items, etc. We’re always happy to answer any questions about our program!

There’s also a lot of information on our website:  www.fortheworldschildren.org

Cynthia Reid is an owner/agent at John L. Scott Westwood

Now here’s how to enjoy a nice B-Town summer day – put your cat on a leash and take him to a restaurant with outdoor seating:

That’s exactly what Sal’s Deli employee Crystal Aquino did Thursday with her cat, Casper (insert “Casper the Friendly Cat” reference here) at The Mark Restaurant in Olde Burien.

Cyrstal also has a pet bunny rabbit named “Kitty” that she takes out as well (on a leash of course).

When asked if she ever takes Casper and Kitty out on leashes together, Crystal said:

“No way – that’d be like taking two 2-year olds out at the same time!”

Great summer scene photo of Lake Burien with the SeaTac Airport tower and jet taking off in the background, courtesy BTB Reader Gregory Rehmke:

Wow, just in time for the Burien Strawberry Festival – a minor HEAT WAVE is coming, according to the Patented B-Town Blog Weather Rock:

Hot weather across western Washington this weekend…

A strong ridge of high pressure will build over the Pacific northwest Friday through the weekend. Temperatures on Friday will be noticeably warmer across western Washington under sunny skies. Offshore flow will strengthen over the weekend with much hotter temperatures expected. Some spots may flirt with record high temperatures… especially locations away from the water.

Temperatures on Friday are expected to range from the 70s along the coast to the upper 70s and 80s inland. On Saturday and Sunday most areas should reach into the 80s… with some low to mid 90s possible. It is possible that a few spots could approach or break the record high temperature for the day.

Marine air will arrive at the coast Monday bringing cooler temperatures. However… it may take a couple days for temperatures to moderate over interior western Washington.

Except for the short hot spell in mid may… it has been cooler than normal the last couple months. This will be a rather abrupt transition to hot weather. Be careful of the heat in the coming days and check up on the elderly. Stay hydrated and avoid vigorous activity during the heat of the day. Never leave pets in a parked car.

The record highs to beat at SeaTac are:

• FRIDAY: 88 (set in 2000)
• SATURDAY: 91 (set in 1995)
• SUNDAY: 93 (set in 1987)

Summer officially starts today at 4:59pm, as if it were some kind of anxious cubicle worker trying to sneak out a minute early.

Of course, today will also be our longest day of the year, so we can’t blame ol’ Solstice for wanting to get out early.

According to the all-knowing yet sometimes obvious-defining Wikipedia:

The summer season in most regions of the world has an evident increase in tourism.

Outdoor activity is also a hobby, taken by many people during this season, due to the favorable conditions.

Leisure tasks are also associated with summer, due to the number of people on vacation.

Some other lesser-known facts about Solstice, courtesy Discover Magazine:

• Supporters of Seattle’s Solstice Parade, an annual fixture of the city’s artsy Fremont neighborhood, proclaim that it will “cast a spell of joy, hope, and rebirth that spreads from Fremont to the entire universe.”
• Helping cast the spell are the Painted Cyclists, everyone’s favorite nude bike riders who wear intense body makeup. And nuthin’ else, ‘cept for sunscreen. Newbies who doubt are encouraged to “ask Rob about his plaid sunburn from Solstice 2002.”
• Some 1 billion to 3 billion years from now, the sun’s increasing intensity will boil away Earth’s oceans, turning our planet into an endless desert.

What will you be doing to celebrate Solstice at 4:59pm today?

…and we have proof in this photo of our patented B-Town Blog Digital Weather Thingy®, taken at 2:34pm today in Three Tree Point, where it was probably a bit cooler than other ‘hoods:

The high at SeaTac Airport today was 90 degrees, and yes, we’re very proud that it was .3 degrees warmer at our place.

We hope everyone enjoyed this brief taste of summer.  Tomorrow should be considerably cooler.

We now return you to your regularly-scheduled Spring…

7pm UPDATE: According to the loco meteorologists, apparently the record high of 84 degrees was actually tied today at SeaTac Airport!

WAY TO GO YOU VISUALIZING B-TOWN BLOG READERS!

PREVIOUSLY: According to the patented B-Town Blog Weather Rock®, today’s high temps should be in the 80s.

To break the all-time record, today’s high would have to reach 85, and tomorrow 86.

We know that we can do it!

But the weather gods may need a little help, and that’s why we’re asking all B-Town Blog readers to take a minute, close your eyes, take three slow deep breaths, then, as you exhale the last breath, at the nadir moment where you’re neither inhaling or exhaling, turn your eyes upward and visualize the following:

• Large bold newspaper headlines that shout: “High Temps Break All-Time Record!”
• Wacky “on the scene” TV Reporters in colorful shirts and shorts doing over-excited live broadcasts from area beaches
• The number 85 for today (repeatedly chant “85…85…85…”) and 86 for tomorrow (lather, rinse, repeat)

On another note, please use common sense this weekend, as when that bright orb comes out it’s easy to forget a few obvious “D’oh!” things, like:

• Although you may get the urge to jump into area lakes, rivers or Puget Sound waters to cool off, it would not be a wise idea. Water temperatures are still quite cold, often in the 30s and 40s. Cold water tends to do bad things to the human body rather quickly…like this little thing called hypothermia, which causes muscles to cramp up from the cold.
• Also, rivers are running high and swift due to Spring snow melt. Avoid jumping into swift moving, cold water.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid overexertion.
• Limit time spent in direct sunlight. Wear a hat. Slather the SPF on children (and yourself).
• Check up on elderly relatives or neighbors.
• Protect pets from the dangers of hot weather. Never leave them in a parked car on a hot day!
• For those planning on taking advantage of the weather by hiking in the mountains, please be aware that there is an avalanche warning in effect for the Olympics and Cascades through Saturday.
• For more details, visit the northwest weather and avalanche center web site at www.Nwac.US.

Now, get ready to do your visualization exercises and let’s see what we can do!

5/13/08 9pm UPDATE: You know things aren’t quite right when the Weather Service issues an Advisory about hot, sunny weather.

Either that or we’re on the verge of being in an Al Gore Powerpoint…

Here’s what they wrote and posted today, in their ever-so-exciting meteorologist-speak:

…Unseasonably hot weather to affect western Washington from Thursday through Saturday…

After a cool and cloudy Spring in western Washington…a dramatic shift to hot and sunny weather will take place starting Thursday.

The hottest locations on Thursday will be along the coast…where high temperatures will approach 80 degrees. Over the interior…a cool northerly wind down Puget Sound will hold temperatures back only in the 70s.

On average…Friday will be the hottest day in western Washington. Nearly all lowland locations more than a mile or two from saltwater will reach at least the mid and upper 80s…while locations from Olympia south through Lewis County should reach the lower 90s.

Saturday and Sunday should see some cooling along the coast…where daytime temperatures should fall back into the 70s. However…interior locations along the I-5 corridor should still be quite warm with daytime temperatures well into the 80s again. The unseasonably warm weather is expected to end on Monday of next week.

Several record high temperatures will be in jeopardy from Thursday through Saturday. The following table compares the official NWS forecast with record highs at a few locations. Asterices indicate records that would be broken or tied based on the current forecast.

Though it is not forecast…if Sea-Tac Airport reaches 90 degrees during the upcoming hot spell…it would be the earliest 90-degree day on record at Sea-Tac. Currently…the earliest occurrence of 90-degree weather occurred on may 20 1963…when the high reached 92 degrees.

After such cool weather this Spring…people should refresh themselves on basic hot weather tips. When the weather warms up… be sure to drink plenty of water…wear lightweight and light colored clothing…and be sure to protect yourself from sunburn by wearing sunscreen and a hat.

When the weather heats up…it may be tempting to jump into area lakes and rivers…some of which will have slightly elevated levels due to snowmelt brought on by the hot weather. Keep in mind that most lake water temperatures are still in the 40s after the Cool Spring weather. Rivers fed with snowmelt could easily have water temperatures in the 30s. During Spring heat waves of this
magnitude…it can be an ironic Twist of fate for people to escape the heat by jumping into river and lakes…only to suffer or even die from the hypothermia brought on by the frigid water temperatures. Despite the hot weather…people should still use cold water safety practices by wearing a wetsuit when going into such cold waters.

Lastly…with plenty of snow still left in the mountains…the current rain system and the upcoming hot spell will provide substantially increasing avalanche danger this week. Please refer to latest forecasts and statements from the northwest weather and avalanche center at www.Nwac.US.

It may be hard to believe right now, considering today’s gray drizzle, but allegedly, according to the supposed “Weather Experts,” our climate will be changing within a mere 48 hours to something very summer-like, to the (hold onto your wool hats) upper 70s and 80s!

Check out the forecast for Thursday through Sunday: