The City of Burien’s Community Development Director Scott Greenberg sent us this photo taken whilst on a trip to Walla Walla recently, with the comment:
“My wife and I were visiting Walla Walla and were shocked at the high price of gas there…”
| Jul ’08 |
| 4 |
Lots of fun celebrations planned around the area for the 4th of July (which just happens to fall on Friday, July 4th this year):
BURIEN:
Noon-3pm: Olde Burien will be hosting a ‘Harley meets Vespa’ BBQ Street Party. The Vespa Club of Seattle will have a large contingency of scooters included in the parade.
3pm: The 85th annual Burien Independence Day parade starts on Ambaum Blvd. SW and SW 149th, then turns east on SW 153rd to 2nd SW then loops back to Ambaum on SW 152nd.
Before the parade, hop on your bike and take part in the 33rd annual Joe Matava Classic and Washington State Juniors Criterium bike races along SW 153rd and 152nd streets.
THREE TREE POINT:
1/2pm+: The most charming local neighborhood kids’ parade in the USA happens as kids dress up their trikes, bikes, scooters and pets and parade down SW 172nd to earn the reward of an ice-cold popsicle. Oh yeah, be sure to wear a helmet kids, as about halfway down the street you’re going to be pelted by some wacky neighbors throwing candy! After the parade, be sure to hang out around the corner of SW 172nd and Maplewild where there will be lots of great kids games with prizes.
10pm+: Professional neighborhood Fireworks display blasted off a barge anchored just off the point.
NORMANDY PARK:
10:25am: The celebration begins at Marvista Elementary with the 7th Annual All Downhill Fun Run followed by a parade. The parade leaves the school at 10:30am, traveling north on Marine View Drive to Shorebrook Drive, then west to the Normandy Park Cove. Kids are invited to decorate their bikes, scooters and other modes of transport in the holiday spirit and enter the bike-decorating contest. Prizes will be awarded for the best patriotic decorations.
At the Cove there will be free ice cream, hot dogs, beverages, popcorn, snow-cones, music, car show, inflatable kids toys and more.
Marine View and Shorebrook will be closed to all cars from approximately 9:30am to Noon.
DES MOINES:
6pm: Family events, food, arts, crafts, kids activities, entertainment and more, including singer Joey Jewell, who will do his musical tribute to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin with a backing big band.
DUSK: 7th Annual “Fireworks Over Des Moines” presented by the Des Moines Arts Commission and launched from the marina pier.
For more information, call 206-870-6527 or visit www.desmoineswa.gov.SEATAC:
5pm: The fun kicks off with a special music performance in the park.
10pm-ish: Fireworks will light up the sky over Angle Lake, which is located at 19408 International Boulevard.
TUKWILA:
2pm+: celebrate Independence Day AND Tuwkila’s Centennial at Tukwila’s “Family 4th at the Fort” at Fort Dent Park, located at 6800 Fort Dent Park Way.
Events include children’s fun, with inflatable bouncers, slides, climbing wall and preschooler’s area. Fireworks go off around 10pm, and there will also be food and entertainment.
For more information, call 206-768-2822 or go to www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/recreation/recevent.html.
MUSEUM OF FLIGHT:
11am & 2pm: Skyway Post 9430 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will present all 27 versions of the American flag’s history in the William M. Allen Theater at the Museum of Flight, located at 9404 East Marginal Way South in Tukwila.
On Friday July 4th and Saturday July 5th, the museum’s exhibits, galleries and store will remain open until 7pm.
NOTE: If you notice that we’re missing any area events from this listing, please email us!
UPDATE 2:30pm 6/30/08: The tragic apartment fire that killed three early Sunday has been determined as being arson and a $10,000 reward has been set for information leading to an arrest.
Lots of generous B-Town Blog Readers have been asking how they can help the victims, and here’s what we recommend for now since relief efforts are still developing:
Donate online directly to a “Burien Apartment Fire” fund courtesy the American Red Cross. The Red Cross website says:
“Help the Red Cross provide food, shelter and hope to the victims of the Burien Apartment fire. All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. By making a gift to this fund, your gift will be used to provide assistance to individuals and families affected by the fire. If you would prefer to make a gift to support the thousands of disasters the Red Cross responds to each year across the country, please select the National Disaster Relief Fund. If you wish to support disaster relief in our local community, please select the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties Fund.”
- Donate by phone: With a credit card, you can make a secure Red Cross donation over the phone weekdays between 8:30am – 5:00pm by dialing (206) 323-2345. Make sure and specify that the donation goes toward the “Burien Apartment Fire”.
- Donate by snail mail: Send a check or money order to the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties with “Burien Apartment Fire” in the Memo Field and mail it to:
Seattle Red Cross
P.O. Box 3097
Seattle, WA 98114-3097
- As of today, here are local businesses that are accepting donated goods for the fire victims:
- Sterling Savings Bank, located at 224 SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien is accepting and holding donations; contact number is (206) 243-6869
- Collins Chiropractic, located at 619 SW 152nd in downtown Burien is accepting and holding donations; contact Lindsay at (206) 242-0998
NOTE: Until we gather more info on the victims, we recommend that our Readers either donate cash directly to the Red Cross, or purchase Gift Cards to local businesses and drop them off at either Sterling Savings or Collins Chiropractic.
Until we know specific needs and sizes we recommend NOT donating clothing yet – stick to either cash or Gift Cards for now.
If you own a business, or are a BTB Reader who wishes to help, please email us – our goal is to serve as the online resource for assisting our neighbors in need, and this effort is only just beginning.
Joan McGilton, the Mayor of Burien, recently wrote an Op-Ed piece for the Seattle P-I, defending Washington’s congressional delegation and how it’s helped B-Town.
Since a lot of our readers have eschewed traditional media for online media, you may not have seen it.
So, as a favor to all BTB readers, here is Mayor Joan’s piece in its entirety, as it appeared in today’s edition:
Recent criticisms of earmarks that the Washington congressional delegation has secured are more than unfortunate — they are unfair. They mask the many positive results that our members of Congress deliver for us. Their efforts in the other Washington help communities throughout our state address many needs of our residents and businesses.
In our case, the city of Burien — with just 31,410 people — is working hard to recover from the loss of taxes caused by Sea-Tac Airport’s new third runway. Since airports are required to buy homes in runway flight paths because of noise and safety concerns, this removes properties from the tax rolls.
Additionally, our city — along with every other local jurisdiction in this state — suffers the effects of tax-cutting initiatives. With less money coming in, cities have less to spend on critical responsibilities such as public safety, streets, economic development, parks and environmental protection.
While our congressional delegation cannot secure funding for the hundreds of requests received, members always carefully weigh the merits of each and try to advance the most worthy ones. Fortunately for Burien and other communities, our delegation often succeeds in helping us, and we sincerely appreciate that.
Thanks to a few modest earmarks secured by Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and the rest of our delegation, Burien obtained funding for critical infrastructure for our Town Square project. In turn, that helped attract more than $100 million in private investment.
Without that help our bold vision of new downtown shops, housing, City Hall, regional library and a wonderful new park, and the hundreds of jobs associated with Burien’s “extreme makeover” would still be just a dream.
Other vital projects progressing thanks to congressional assistance include a new Metro transit center and a future transit-oriented development project in downtown Burien, plus improvements to the hazardous state Route 518/509 interchange in Burien and the widening of eastbound state Route 518 near the airport.
Furthermore, federal funding to save salmon has come to Puget Sound only because our delegation secures it every year, as this is never included in the current administration’s budget. Congressional assistance enabled Burien and our regional, state and federal partners to improve a portion of our city’s shoreline for salmon habitat, and we hope to restore our whole shoreline soon.
By getting projects ready to go, we have been able to work with our delegation to get the federal government to pitch in a bit. While we expect to continue to need their help, especially with our effort to revitalize the area next to the airport, eventually these investments will help us build up our local revenues and rely less on federal assistance.
We cannot imagine our city’s future had we not received the congressional assistance that led to our downtown redevelopment. If executive branch officials in D.C. were the only ones to decide how to spend federal funds, our lovely city — along with many others — would probably not see a dime of our residents’ taxes returned to help the community.
Joan McGilton is mayor of Burien.
SOURCE:
When I was laid off from a corporate job last Fall, I decided that my next gig would be much closer to home – hence the creation of LOL Dudez and the B-Town Blog.
My current commute is just a hair over one mile, which is great compared to the previous trek to Tacoma, which was 30+ miles each way.
Of course, I’d still like to save gas and money (anyone want to donate a Prius? I’ll give you tons of publicity…), and if it wasn’t for some kids who need rides to things like “school” and “soccer” I’d walk or ride a bike (okay, there is a rather large and lengthy hill in the way, but still…).
And that’s one reason why today, June 19th, is a special day – it’s National “Dump The Pump Day,” sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation to save money, conserve gasoline, and help reduce greenhouse gases.
Households with two workers and one car that use public transportation save $6,200 every year, compared to a household with no access to public transportation.
According to a new study prepared by ICF International and titled “Broadening the Connection between Public Transportation and Energy Conservation,” public transportation reduces our nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually – equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households.
So…leave your car behind today, hop on a bus and do some good, will ya?
More info here.
…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!
MANSON, WA — No decision has yet been made on whether to recommend assault charges against two Burien men involved in a reported fistfight with a Manson man just prior to his being struck and killed by a passing pickup, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Harum said this morning.
And Chelan County prosecutors have also yet to file a vehicular homicide charge against the driver of the pickup that struck and killed 39-year-old John W. Jones early Saturday.
Chelan County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Doug Shae said this morning that prosecutors are waiting for a full report from the sheriff’s office and the results of blood alcohol tests before deciding what charges, if any, should be filed against the 41-year-old pickup driver suspected by the sheriff’s office of driving while drunk.
The man has been released from Chelan County Regional Justice Center, according to both Harum and the man’s former attorney, John Brangwin. Brangwin said in an e-mail Wednesday that he no longer represents the 41-year-old man because his office previously represented one of the witnesses in the case.
The identities of the Burien-based suspects have not yet been released.
Sheriff’s office investigators continue to seek witnesses to the series of events leading to Jones’s death. A dispute began when the longtime Manson resident struck a pedestrian while driving away from a Wapato Way bar, then was chased by two — or possibly three — motorcyclists, according to witnesses.
Jones then was involved in a rollover accident less than a half mile away in the 300 block of Boetzkes Avenue, and a physical confrontation followed with the motorcyclists.
While Harum previously said three men were involved in the confrontation with Jones, he said Thursday morning it was unclear if there were two or three men who confronted Jones. The sheriff’s office has only spoken with two men, Harum said.
“We’re going to be…contacting them again,” said Harum, adding he didn’t think the motorcyclists were given sobriety tests or had blood drawn at the scene, though they were at the same bar as Jones.
Harum said he expected a decision to be made on charges sometime next week.
“I think there are 10 or more witnesses now who had seen something there at the establishment downtown or at the scene,” Harum said.
Some witnesses have given conflicting statements, however. One witness not involved in the dispute described Jones as getting out of his SUV and walking when the fistfight began with the motorcyclists, while another account of the altercation describes Jones as lying in a ditch when confronted.
An autopsy revealed that Jones suffered multiple internal injuries after being struck by the passing pickup. Other questions were left unanswered, however.
“He could have also sustained some injuries in the collision he was in where he rolled over, and we suspect he could have sustained some injuries from an assault as well. But we’re not able to delineate where they all came from,” said Harum.
The driver of the pickup is also believed to have been drinking at the same bar as Jones and the motorcyclists, Harum said, but he added that the pickup driver was not involved in the dispute. The driver is reported to have attempted to flee the scene only to have been brought back by one of the motorcyclists involved in the dispute.
According to his conditions of release, the pickup driver is not allowed to operate a motor vehicle until further orders.
Call the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office at (509) 667-6851 if you have information.
SOURCE:
WHITE CENTER – First-degree murder charges were filed Wednesday against a man accused of shooting another man to death here.
The charge was filed Wednesday in King County Superior Court against 22-year-old Durell L. Campbell.
He was arrested last Thursday and remains in jail with bail set at $2 million pending a hearing May 22 in Superior Court.
Campbell is charged with fatally shooting 22-year-old Robert Crawford on Dec. 17 after a gang-related conversation outside the Magic Lanes Bowling Alley-Casino.
According to an affidavit filed in court, Crawford made a “sarcastic, disparaging remark” to Campbell. Moments later, investigators wrote, Campbell apparently returned and fired about seven shots from a .45-caliber pistol.
Campbell was identified partly through surveillance videotapes. If convicted, he faces a standard sentencing range of 25 to 31 years in prison.
SOURCE:
| Jun ’08 |
| 7 |
| 3:00 pm |
The Highline Relay For Life is holding their annual “Relay For Life” Event on Saturday/Sunday June 7th and 8th from 3pm to 9am (that’s right – it appears to be an overnight thing) at Highline Memorial Stadium (map below), to pay tribute to lives lost to cancer as well as raise money to help fight it all right here in B-Town.
They are also holding numerous fundraisers around the B-Town area, and they’ve got quite a few coming up, from an All-You-Can-Eat Pizza Party to Garage and Yard Sales:
- SUNDAY, 5/18, from 4pm – 9pm: All You Can Eat Pizza, salad, soup, garlic bread and sodas (beer & wine are extra) for only $15 for adults, $12 for kids 12 and under, at one of our favorite places in Burien: Bison Creek Pizza. Call (206) 433-6939 for tickets.
- FRIDAY 5/16 and SATURDAY, 5/17 9am – 5pm: The Possibilitarians Garage Sale at 20010 14th Ave S, SeaTac, WA
- SATURDAY 5/17, 9am – 5pm: Fam-Damily Garage Sale at 17136 2nd Ave. SW, Normandy Park, WA; Donations/Questions: Patty (206-248-0502)
- SATURDAY 5/17, 9am – 5pm: Burien Fred Meyer Team Garage Sale at 115 SW 140th St, Burien, WA
- SATURDAY 5/17, 6:30 pm: El Dorado West Bunco Night at 1010 SW 134th St, Burien, WA; Tickets $20 advance purchase (limited seating), Taco Buffet included and chance to win Whidbey Island Getaway. Call El Dorado West for more details (206) 248-1975
More info and full details available at www.highlinerelay.org
| May ’08 |
| 29 |
| 7:00 pm |
Do you get anxious in social situations?
Are you emotionally drained by big crowds?
Then you may be shy, like the young man actor Dick York (the original Darrin Stevens in “Bewitched“) portrayed in this classic 1950s-era film:
Selden will share his secrets for shedding shyness during his “From Super Shy to Genuinely Gregarious” presentation at the special Thursday evening, May 29th, Des Moines Soundwaves Toastmasters 7pm meeting.
This free presentation is open to the public at the Wesley Homes Administration Building-Board Room, 21631 11th Avenue South, which is located across from City Hall in Des Moines, WA.
Selden knows from experience what it’s like to be shy. “Before Toastmasters I was scared to talk to people. I wanted to get to know people and wanted people to know me, but couldn’t do it. Now you can’t get me to be quiet!” he stated.
His “From Super Shy to Genuinely Gregarious,” presentation offers four steps for feeling more comfortable and adventurous in social situations.
An estate and tax-planning attorney based in Bellevue, WA, Selden has achieved the status of Advanced Toastmaster Gold through his membership in Toastmasters International. Selden is also the author of “Finding Faith in the Fury,” a non-fiction account of his experience as a Jag officer with the Washington National Guard while stationed in Iraq.
Toastmasters International, headquartered in Mission Viejo, CA, is a non-profit organization comprised of a worldwide network of clubs dedicated to fostering self-confidence and personal growth through public speaking and leadership opportunities.
Contact Lorylee Lejon at 253-839-9982 for more information.
WHAT: “From Super Shy to Genuinely Gregarious” presentation by Frank Selden
WHEN: Thursday, May 29th at 7pm
WHERE: Des Moines Toastmasters, at Wesley Homes Administration Building-Board Room, 21631 11th Avenue South
View Larger Map
| May ’08 | May |
| 12 | 16 |
Is the ridiculous cost of gas making you reconsider your daily commuting transportation options?
If so, you’re in luck this week, as the League of American Bicyclists is promoting “Bike-to-Work Week” from Monday May 12th to Friday May 16th, with national “Bike-to-Work Day” on Friday.
Need some ideas? Here are 50 ways (large PDF) to celebrate Bike Month.
And now, an inspiring video reflecting our attempts to bike to work:
BURIEN – A Burien restaurant called the El Flamingo (according to this website, it may be located in Boulevard Park on SW 120th) apparently served as headquarters for a major drug operation that was busted Friday.
A 10-month investigation by a law enforcement team, dubbed Operation “Pink Tiger,” resulted in several arrests and the seizure of about 40 pounds of cocaine, a pound of heroin, guns, methamphetamine and about $240,000 in cash.
The operation was a joint effort carried out by the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Six suspects were arrested late Thursday and charged today with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. The arrests bring to 17 the total number of defendants charged in the case. One charged defendant remains a fugitive.
The operation took it’s name from the original target of the probe, who went by the nickname “Tigre,” and the fact that cocaine was wrapped in distinctive pink cellophane.
The first arrests and indictments in the case occurred in late March 2008, with the arrest of 10 people for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.
This investigation used court-authorized wiretaps, which were left in place even after the first round of arrests. The wiretaps lead to additional evidence which resulted in the additional arrests.
Last night, law enforcement executed seven search warrants and seized more than 16 kilos of cocaine, three guns and more than $203,000 in cash. Four cars also were seized.
An additional person was arrested for involvement in the drug conspiracy, but later was released when he was found to be a juvenile.
Eight search warrants were served on March 25, which resulted in ten arrests, seizure of two kilos of cocaine and a pound of heroin. In addition law enforcement seized three guns, eight cars and $40,000 in cash.
The drug-trafficking organization was based in Burien and had direct ties to Sinaloa, Mexico, said Special Agent-in-Charge Arnold R. Moorin.
“The organization was large, well-established and was distributing more than 30 kilograms of cocaine per month in the greater Seattle area, Moorin said.
Domingo Bailon-Yanez, 30, of Burien, was identified as the alleged leader of that distribution ring. El Flamingo Restaurant is owned by a relative of Bailon-Yanez, and both the manager of the restaurant, Rigoberto Sabalsa-Lozano, 43, of SeaTac, and bartender Carla Rodriguez-Romero, 26, of Kent, have been charged in the case.
Conspiracy to distribute the amounts of drugs involved in this case is punishable by a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison and a $4 million fine.
Use of a juvenile to facilitate a drug crime can add an enhancement to the sentencing range, under federal law.
SOURCE:
Come July 25th, shoppers and diners will be able to admire Mt. Rainier through a 90-foot glass facade while eating inside the $240 million remodeled Westfield Southcenter mall.
The addition brings the mall to 1.7 million square feet, making Tukwila the home of the largest indoor shopping center in Washington and Oregon, according to the Westfield Group, the company that bought the property in 2002.
The 400,000-square-foot upgrade is the most dramatic change to Southcenter since it opened in July 1968.
Among the mall’s new features will be an AMC Theatre with IMAX capabilities, 75 additional retail stores and five restaurants with outdoor seating:
- Joeys
- Duke’s Chowder House
- Blue C Sushi
- Racha Thai & Asian Bistro
- BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
New retailers include:
- H&M
- Coach
- Banana Republic
- Sephora
- White House | Black Market
“Retail is what it’s all about,” said Larry Green, Westfield’s senior vice president of West Coast development, adding that Southcenter is “taking the level of fashion up another level.”
Other additions include parking garages, rooftop parking and family lounge play areas for kids and parents.
On Thursday, Westfield passed out hard hats and safety goggles to a group of reporters who toured the construction site, including the B-Town Blog’s own Mark Neuman, who said it was “very impressive.”
Construction crew members operated two cranes within the atrium. The air inside was dusty, the floor was mostly unfinished and unadorned signs hung where stores will be: Kay Jewelers, Hot Topic, Limited Too.
The mall’s new layout will resemble a racetrack, with three connecting walkways into the existing section. The addition sits in front of the older section, giving the building an entire new front.
Andrew Ciarrocchi, Westfield senior general manager, noted that more than 1,000 pilings driven 180 feet into the ground support the new shopping structure. The old section will be spruced up with better lighting, new storefronts and fresh paint.
The Westfield executives’ statements Thursday didn’t match what retailers seem to be feeling nationwide.
In a recent survey by American Express, for example, business owners in the retail industry had the most negative outlook on the economy, compared with other industries. Retail business owners cited a downturn in the housing market, rising energy and gas costs, and the U.S. tax system as the main causes for their woes, according to American Express OPEN’s Small Business Monitor, a semiannual survey of business owners. The nationwide survey was conducted in March.
Green said that Westfield is concerned about what is going on nationally, but that the Seattle region has a healthy level of demand for new retail.
But “we’d like to see gas prices drop,” he said.
Westfield Southcenter is one of several regional retail centers that are expanding. Other developers have said the Puget Sound retail market is not yet saturated.
Retailers were lining up to be a part of Southcenter, but the center didn’t have the space to accommodate them previously, Ciarrocchi said. The center wouldn’t have expanded if it wasn’t sure that it could lease the space, he added, when asked whether the economy has affected leasing.
Westfield’s new space is 100 percent leased, but all the new tenants have not yet been announced.
SOURCE:
Do ya ever wonder how to figure out if that glad-handin’, baby-kissin’, door-to-door knockin’ political candidate you’re thinking of voting for would make a good elected official?
And how does one judge a good judge? By the material of their cape or what?
The answers to those and other important political questions have been answered every year for the past 93 years thanks to the hard work and efforts of local citizens who participate in the Municipal League of King County’s candidate evaluation process.
Now is your chance to help your fellow citizens be well-informed before they vote.
In case you were wondering, the Municipal League of King County is a non-partisan organization dedicated to informed decision making and open government. The Municipal League researches policy issues, evaluates candidates, communicates its findings and then mobilizes citizens to action when needed. The group is made up of diverse citizens from throughout King County who are united by a commitment to good government.
The Municipal League is looking for volunteers to evaluate political candidates for a variety of public offices. As a volunteer you will be asked to research work histories and references of candidates; interview candidates; and recommend candidate ratings. The final result is a Voter’s Guide designed to provide useful, nonpartisan information prior to the Aug. 21 primary.
Candidates are rated on four criteria:
- Involvement
- Character
- Effectiveness
- Knowledge
The league does not use partisan criteria and does not endorse candidates. You will be asked to evaluate candidates only to determine their fitness for office. This year, candidates throughout King County will be evaluated in races for the state legislature and judicial offices.
Having a group of volunteers with diverse backgrounds and views is important to ensuring high quality and unbiased candidate ratings. Volunteers must be able to leave their political leanings at the door. Knowledge of or interest in local politics is a plus. Prior experience is not necessary. Volunteer work takes place throughout June.
For more information and applications contact the Municipal League at (206) 264-1070 or visit their website at www.munileague.org.
And remember… good government doesn’t just happen. Good government is the result of good people like you (the astute, intelligent reader of this here Blog) getting involved!
| May ’08 |
| 11 |
| 11:00 am |
Sandra Locklear, jazz pianist-singer and considered Burien’s “own Diana Krall” will bring her sensual sound to Burien for a special Mother’s Day Brunch this Sunday at The Mark Resturant in Olde Burien.
Locklear will perform from 11am – 2pm.
Drawing on her intensive background in many musical genres, Locklear has refined her jazz stylings over many years of performing in Europe and the United States into a distinctive sound that eludes classification.
For prices and reservations for the brunch at the Mark Restaurant & Bar (located at 914 S.W. 152nd in Burien), call (206) 241-6275.
For more information on Locklear, go to www.sandralocklear.com.
Some of her music samples can be heard here.
| May ’08 |
| 10 |
Every year in Burien and communities across the US, the National Association of Letter Carriers (in other words, your Postal Carrier) volunteer to help “Stamp Out Hunger” in America by picking up food items left at mailboxes, so don’t forget to start gathering your goods.
This year the collection will take place on Saturday, May 10th, and all collections remain local:
The drive, in its 16th year, is the largest one-day food collection in the nation and the biggest community service effort by any union affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
“The food drive is the hallmark of the union’s tradition of community service,” said NALC President William H. Young, “a very rich tradition that includes numerous heroic acts by carriers as they deliver mail along their routes, the year-long campaign to collect funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and watching out for the elderly through the Carrier Alert program.”
More info at the NALC website.
Just got word from Dan the Sausageman that last night’s “Relay For Life” Cancer fundraiser at The Tin Room Bar raised $295 bucks.
Not bad for a Monday night – way to go all you generous B-Town drinkers!
| Apr ’08 |
| 28 |
| 3:00 pm |
Tonight (Monday, April 28), from around 3pm until closing, Dan the Sausageman is holding a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Highline Relay for Life at the Tin Room, located at 923 SW 152nd Street in Olde Burien.
Dan will donate a percentage of the entire day’s proceeds towards the local fight against cancer.
Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature event, is a fun-filled overnight experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer. At Relay, people from within the community gather to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer, and to fight back against this disease. Relay participants help raise money and awareness to support the American Cancer Society in its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health issue.
During Relay For Life events, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. The events are held overnight to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps. Through the survivors’ lap and the luminaria ceremony, we honor the people who have faced cancer first hand, and we remember those who have been lost to this disease.
But, Relay isn’t about taking laps — it’s about coming together in the fight against cancer. It’s a time to remember those lost to this disease and celebrate those who have survived. It’s a place where people connect with others, share the cancer experience, and find comfort and solace. And it’s an opportunity to build hope for a future where cancer no longer threatens the lives of the people we love.
As volunteers and donors, your efforts support research, education, advocacy, and services that allow the American Cancer Society to offer help and hope to people across the country when they need it most. By joining together at Relay, we celebrate life, friendship, and an opportunity to work to defeat cancer for future generations.
Sign up today to become a part of the Relay For Life effort in your community, and you too can fight back against cancer.
As both survivors and relatives of cancer victims, we here at the B-Town Blog raise a pint to those taking part in this fine fundraiser.
More info available at www.highlinerelay.org or here.
TUKWILA – Police busted up a major indoor marijuana-growing operation today, including shutting down Greenhouse & Garden Supply, a Tukwila garden shop located at 4451 South 134th Place (map below).
Fifteen people were indicted. A second garden shop in Auburn, Scitek Garden Supply, was also raided and shut down.
Two indictments unsealed today in federal court outline what the U.S. attorney’s office is calling “Operation Green Reaper,” which involved thousands of pot plants.
Over the past 15 months agents have raided at least 27 houses from Auburn to Lynnwood that they allege were part of the operation.
Between August 2006 and February of this year, agents say that more than $1 million moved through personal and business accounts associated with Scitek Garden Supply.
The defendants are charged with conspiracy and money-laundering.
Already in custody before today’s raids were Thiet Van Tran and Quyen The Nguyen. They and the others arrested today will appear before a U.S. Magistrate this afternoon.
The indictments identified Nguyen as the owner of Greenhouse & Garden Supply, and is accused of providing horticultural supplies to indoor marijuana growers, including “starter marijuana plants.” Similar allegations are made in the indictment against Scitek and its various owners.
The U.S. Attorneys Office will hold a news conference on the busts this afternoon.
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