Summer may or may not actually be ‘here’ yet to us humans, but regardless, plants are still growing, bugs are still invading, and you’ve probably got some questions you’d like answered.

Did you know that there are local “Master Gardeners” in Burien with gardening and pest control expertise who can answer your questions for no charge?

These free clinics are offered at either BTB Advertiser Herr Backyard Garden Center (107 SW 160th in Burien; 206-242-2014) or the main Burien Library during July.

The clinics are conducted by volunteer experts who are all trained by Washington State University.

Here are this month’s remaining clinics:

Wednesday, July 27: Burien Master Gardener Clinic 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Burien Library, 400 SW 152nd St, Burien
Get answers to general gardening questions, learn about proper plant selection, bring a sample of a diseased plant for diagnosis and treatment recommendations, have an insect identified. Learn the least toxic ways to treat diseases and pests. This service is free.

Saturday, July 30th: Burien Master Gardener Clinic- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Burien Library, 400 SW 152nd St, Burien. Get answers to general gardening questions, learn about proper plant selection, bring a sample of a diseased plant for diagnosis and treatment recommendations, and have an insect identified. Learn the least toxic ways to treat diseases and pests. This service is free.

Saturday, July 30th: Burien Master Gardener Clinic- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., at Herr Garden Center, 107 SW 160th Street, Burien.
Get answers to general gardening questions, learn about proper plant selection, bring a sample of a diseased plant for diagnosis and treatment recommendations, and have an insect identified. Learn the least toxic ways to treat diseases and pests. This service is free.

Advertiser Matt Griffin YMCA is offering some great Summer Programs for Tweens and Teens:

QUEST
Youth entering grades 6th to 10th participate in weekly adventures where they will meet new friends and discover new passions. Quest trips depart the Matt Griffin YMCA at 9:00 am, returning by 4:00 pm. Participants must bring a sack lunch. Space is limited. Each field trip costs $40. Financial assistance is available to the extent possible. To register, please contact Cesar Hernandez at chernandez@seattleymca.org.

Upcoming trips:

• Wednesday, July 27: Seattle Art Museum and Digital Photography Workshop
• Wednesday, August 3: Family Fun Center & Coulon Park (Swimming)
• Wednesday, August 10: Seattle Aquarium & Harbor Cruise
• Wednesday, August 17: Wild Waves (Swimming & Amusement Park)
• Wednesday, August 24: Circus Training School (Acrobatics)

LEAD
Level 9: Level 9 is a 5-week summer bridge program for students entering their first year of high school (9th grade). It will run from July 25 until August 26 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and take place on the Campus of Global Connections High School. The program offers an academic support (language arts and math) component as well as fun enrichment activities, a business practicum and several field trips. A 1-night, overnight college visit will be offered on August 18-19. Only a few spots are left! The fee for this program is $25. Financial assistance is available to the extent possible. To register, please contact Arielle Fissmer at afissmer@seattleymca.org.

Y-Achievers
Y-Achievers is a 2-week college and career preparation program with a community service focus. The program runs from August 1-12 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and takes place at the Matt Griffin YMCA. Join us to discover new passions and participate in an exciting overnight college exploration trip to Western Washington University from August 4-5. Register today to reserve your spot! The fee for this program is $10. Financial assistance is available to the extent possible. To register, please contact Mehret Tekle at mtekle@seattleymca.org.

The Matt Griffin YMCA is located at 3595 South 188th Street in SeaTac, and their phone number is 206.244.5880.

More information at their website here.

Advertiser Normandy Park Congregational Church, United Church of Christ would like our Readers to know about what’s cooking at their Vacation Bible School coming up the week of July 18 – 22.

NPUCC is located at 19247 1st Ave South.

Here’s more info:

In this kid-friendly café full of chef’s hats and aprons, pots and pans, checkered tablecloths, and chalkboard menus, kids explore the Bible as a cookbook filled with recipes for living out God’s word. Through interactive lessons, that are easy for kids to apply to their lives today, boys and girls will celebrate biblical festivals that reveal ingredients for being a follower of God.

Be ready for God
Give happily to God
Believe fully in Jesus
Remember Jesus often

Shake It Up Café will be an event to remember! Come join us!

Normandy Park Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

July 18 – 22, 1 to 4 PM

For all cooks ages 4 thru 9

Cost is $20 for one/first child in family, $10 for each additional child in a family

Scholarships are available

Our church is open and affirming and welcoming of all people, no matter where they are on life’s journey.

Please direct questions to Kirsten Pangelinan at 206-824-6503, or email bpkirsti@aol.com or to the church office, located at 19247 1st Ave South.

Click here for more information and to register!

Also, the Kennedy Catholic High School Band and the Keystone Cops have signed up to entertain. They’ve also got a few floats and that famous pink toe truck from Lincoln Towing……and now they want you! (NOTE: The Mt.Rainer High Band will not be performing, but there will be lots of students volunteering).

If you’d like to enter your business, organization or special float or antique car, click here for application forms.

Fax it to Anna Bjorneby, the director of the Waterland Parade at 206-824-4733.

For more information contact:

Anna Bjorneby
Cell: 206-571-5568
Work: 206-824-4731
abjorneby@aol.com

or

Katy Reynolds
206-870-7675
parade@destinationdesmoineswa.org

Registration is free, but they are accepting $20 donations to help support the 2011 and future Waterland Parades!

The Waterland Parade is a Seafair-sanctioned parade which started in Des Moines in 1959.

Olde Burien will sizzle with a Summer Street Party on Saturday, July 16th, with a full day packed with fun diversions ranging from ice-cream (and sausage) eating contests to live music to a drawing for a $500 shopping spree to a live wedding onstage and much more.

From Noon to midnight, the Olde Burien Block Party will also feature a sausage-eating contest, a fashion show and a drawing for a $500 shopping spree, plus a live wedding onstage. The free event is a thank you from the Olde Burien merchants to customers and community for their support.

Be sure to enter the drawing to win a $500 Olde Burien shopping spree. Every time shoppers make a purchase at participating businesses that day, they will be entered in the drawing. The shops will offer special deals, so it’s an ideal time to shop the unique wares of Olde Burien.

Until 10 p.m., catch live entertainment on an outdoor stage while savoring the food and drink of various Olde Burien eateries in their extended outdoor seating. Don’t miss the live wedding onstage of a member of Uncle Ernie. Or become part of the action by competing in the ice-cream-eating and sausage-eating contests.

In the street party’s entertainment lineup are:

• 12-2 p.m.: Greg Parke (easy listening acoustic & electric guitar)
• 2-2:30 p.m.: Fashion Show
• 3-4 p.m.: Mike Sroc Band
• 4-4:30 p.m.: Ice Cream and Sausage Eating Contest
• 5-6:30 p.m.: Otis and The Raw Dogs (rock & roll)
• 7-8:00 p.m.: Uncle Ernie (classic rock & roll), including a live wedding
• 8:00 p.m.: Drawing for $500 shopping spree
• 8:30-10 p.m.: Tin Smiths (acoustic rock) and The Burien City Ballbangers (hard rock)

This year’s event sponsors are Burien Honda, the restaurants and bars of Olde Burien, and the Mark Restaurant & Bar.

The party will take over SW 152nd Street in Olde Burien between Ambaum Blvd. SW and 10th Ave SW. That portion of SW 152nd will close to vehicular traffic around 9 a.m.

For more information, call (206) 941-7199 or go online to www.shopoldeburien.com.

White Center Jubilee Days will celebrate its 89th year in the Dub-C this year, and this annual Seafair-Sanctioned Community Event continues to grow, with a garden tour, street fair, auto show, auction and of course the parade and more.

This year new events, include the Spring Fling & Pinewood Derby, Rock ~n~ Bowl and a Retro Roller Skating Party.

Here’s the 2011 schedule:

July 9, 2011 9:00 am – 6:00 pm:The Mclendon Hardware Garden Tour. This year’s Garden Tour will again start in the parking lot of McLendon Hardware (10210 16th Avenue SW; Seattle, WA 98146). The tour will feature 10 distinctive gardens in the White Center area and then end back at McLendon’s.

July 13, 2011 Starts at dusk: The second annual Jubilee Days Fireworks Show. Steve Cox Memorial Park (15th SW & 102nd White Center, WA 98146). This spectacular show consists of 500 shells spanning 20 minutes .

July 13 – 16, 2011 avis Shows Carnival, Steve Cox Memorial Park (15th SW & 102nd White Center, WA 98146)

• Wednesday 3:00pm -10:00pm
• Thursday 12:00pm -10:00pm
• Friday 12:00pm -11:00pm
• Saturday 12:00pm -11:00pm
• Sunday 12:00pm -10:00pm

July 14, 2011 8:00pm – 11:00pm: Rock and Bowl, Magic Lanes (10612 15th Ave SW White Center, WA 98146)

July 15, 2011 7:30pm – 11:00pm: Retro Roller Skating Party, Southgate Roller Rink (9646 16th Ave SW, White Center, WA 98146)

July 16, 2011 7:30 am to 12:00 pm: Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast, Holy Family Church (9622 20th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98106)

July 16 – 17, 2011: White Center Jubilee Days Street Fair (17th Avenue SW, Between 98th and 102nd White Center, WA 98106). There will be approximately 100 booths displaying their crafts, food and merchandise, and 2 stages of live entertainment. The official opening of the 23rd annual Jubilee Days street fair will be at 10:00am on the main stage. There will also be a covered beer garden and dining area, as well as free drawings and give-a-way of 500 dollars in cash.

• Saturday 10:00am – 11:00pm
• Sunday 12:00pm – 6:00pm

July 16, 2011 8:00am – 4:00pm: Auto Show and Shine, SW White Center Cutoff (16th Ave SW & SW 100th St) White Center, WA 98146. Last year there were tricked-out and souped-up cars from the 50′s, 60′s, 70′s through today and this year is bound to be better than ever! We will have Rat Rods, Hot Rods, Lowriders, Customs, Lead Sleds and Classics. There will be pin striping the day of the even and show casing by Renegade Bikes.

July 17, 2011 11:00 am: White Center Jubilee Days Parade, 16th Avenue from 112th, North to 100th Street White Center, WA 98146.

December 3, 2011: Autumn Auction Time & Location TBA White Center, WA 98146

2011 will mark the 23rd year that White Center has participated in a Seafair-sanctioned community event. An event planned for the local businesses to participate and support the community and its resources and talent.

It is an opportunity for neighbors to get to know their neighbors, community service providers and local business members.

For more information visit www.jubileedays.org.

BTB Advertiser Decanter Wines will be holding a ‘Summer Solstice Wine Tasting’ party this Friday and Saturday, June 17th and 18th, from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Cost is $10, and includes a taste of five different white wines, and a glass of your favorite.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Summer Solstice Wine Tasting

WHEN: Friday and Saturday June 17th and 18th. 11am – 9pm

WHERE: Decanter Wines 15830 1st Ave S Burien, WA 98148

INFO: Wine Tasting. A taste of 5 different white wines and a glass of your favorite

COST: $10

Decanter Wines is located at 15830 1st Ave South, in the space formerly occupied by Party City, next to the Verizon store; phone (206) 243-8751.

Check out their website here, or their Facebook Page here.

Ward says that the teens arrive at Sea-Tac Airport on July 1st, and are scheduled to depart on July 29th.

“They will be here to experience the ‘typical daily life’ of an average American family,” he added. “They are interested in learning about our culture, practicing their English, and seeing if we are ‘like what they see on TV’ in Europe. Are we really like ‘The Jersey Shore’ or ’90210′? The teens will not have a daily schedule, and there are no group activities planned. It’s simply a four-week language and cultural immersion program.”

All of these teens have homes except for these three (and no, they’re not starting a boy band, although they do have ‘that look’ don’t they?):

From left to right: Jordi, 17, Carlos, 16 and Jose Maria, 15, all need a place to stay during July.

Here’s more info on each of these teens:

Jordi, Male, age 17, #50473

• Interest and activities: SOCCER, BIKING, swimming, tennis, country life, jogging, cooking, videogames, movies, dance
• Do you smoke? No.
• What is your religion? unaffiliated.  I would participate in my host family’s religion if different.
• Do you have dietary requirements? No.
• Any allergies? Cats

Carlos, Male, age 16, #50459

• Interest and activities: SWIMMING, Sports & Soccer (but mostly running), PHOTOGRAPHY, READING, biking, videogames, computers
• Do you smoke? No.
• What is your religion? Catholic. I would participate in my host family’s religion if different.
• Do you have dietary requirements? No.

Jose Maria, Male, age 15, #50055

• Interest and activities: SOCCER, tennis, country life, cooking, shopping, videogames, reading, movies, music, concerts, history
• Do you smoke? No.
• What is your religion? Catholic. I would participate in my host family’s religion if different.
• Do you have dietary requirements? No.
• Any allergies? No.

If you can help host any of this kids, please email Andrew Ward at senorward@yahoo.com.

Andrew says: “It will be a fun way to spend the summer!”

We’re proud to be the Media Sponsors of Burien’s 2011 Wild Strawberry Festival, and we invite everyone to mark their calendars to ‘Celebrate Community’ on Saturday & Sunday, June 18-19 at the downtown location at Town Square Park!

We’ll have a booth at the fest, where we’ll be doing ‘live blogging,’ taking pics, talking to visitors and generally just having a grand old time at a classic outdoor event.

An amazing number of exciting activities will be featured, including:

• Saturday B-Town Bike Fair, with a bike rodeo, scavenger hunt, and helmet fitting
• Carnival Days hosted by Discover Burien, with rides and games for all ages
• B-Boy Strawberry Jam on Saturday afternoon featuring amazing break dancing
• Games at many of the vendor booths

Some of the other events to look forward to include:

• Kickoff the weekend at the annual Kiwanis Club’s Pancake Breakfast at the Burien Fire Station.
• Discover Burien’s popular Father’s Day Car Show & Chili Cook-Off will again be held on Sunday and conveniently located right next to the activities.
• The Wild Strawberry 1K & 5K Run will be held on Saturday morning and sponsored by Whitewater Aquatics.
• Fabulous music, strolling comedians (including BTB Fave Manuela Horn on Sunday, June 19th), dancers, puppeteers, storytelling and community performers will be a mainstay of the event, along with tasty food booths, great shopping, and the Festival’s signature strawberry shortcake.
• Drop by The B-Town Blog booth and get the latest local news fresh on scene. Or if you have a story we should tell, come give us your news tip in person! We’ll be blogging live all weekend!

Town Square Park is located at the intersection of SW 152nd Street and 5th Ave SW.  The festival is produced by the City of Burien and supported by Burien Toyota, Burien Chevrolet, Waste Management, Burien Press, 4 Culture, The Highline Times and The B-Town Blog.

For a full entertainment schedule and more information, go to WildStrawberryFestival.org, or call Burien Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Services at 206 988 3700.

To get you in the mood for this year’s event, here’s a time lapse video we shot last year from a camera perched on the Town Square condos – be sure to watch closely at around the 1:00 mark as the inflatable bouncy things lose power and deflate:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Full moon over Lake Burien by Gregory Rehmke, 7/24/10.

Osprey and airplane at Lake Burien by Gregory Rehmke, 7/30/10.

Scuba Divers at Sunset at 3 Tree Point by Scott Schaefer, 8/5/10.

Have a great photo you’d like to share with our Readers? Please email us a pic with a width of 500 pixels and we’ll consider it!