“My wife and I were visiting Walla Walla and were shocked at the high price of gas there…”

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!

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.

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:

• Seattle P-I

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.

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…

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!

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:

• Wenatchee World

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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:

•  KOMO News

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

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