Defending plunge champ Bart Bryan was there of course, jumping in with everyone else while wearing the exclusive B-Town Blog Waterproof Point-Of-View Splash Cam.

Here’s a video of today’s wacky event as shot and edited by Scott Schaefer, with help from Bart, Patricia Schaefer, former Sales Diva Janet Grella, Photographer Michael Brunk and a cast of 40+ (be sure to try and watch full-screen at 720p for best viewing experience):

Click here to view the embedded video.

The highest winter tides along Washington’s shorelines, also known as ‘King Tides,’ will be coming on two occasions soon: Dec. 27 – 29 and again Jan. 13 – 17.

The state Department of Ecology is asking residents to help them out by taking photos of the high tides, in an effort to document their effects.

To download a map of the King Tide schedule, click here (PDF file)

According to Ecology’s website:

Take photos during one of the identified high tides in your area:

• To better illustrate the impacts of the high winter tides, we recommend taking photos in areas where the high water levels can be gauged against familiar landmarks such as sea walls, jetties, bridge supports, dikes, buildings, roads or other infrastructure.
• Please do not include people in your photos

Upload your photos to the Washington King Tide Photo Initiative Flickr Group.

• Watch these great tutorials created by British Columbia to learn how to upload photos to Flickr, how to “geotag” them (identify where the photo was taken using Flickr’s map) and how to add them to a Flickr group.

Here are the times:

December 27 – December 29:

• Tuesday, Dec. 27: 8:00 am – 8:15 am
• Wednesday, Dec. 28: 8:00 am – 8: 45 am
• Thursday, Dec. 29: 8:00 am – 9:00 am

January 13 – 17:

• Friday, Jan. 13: 8:00 am – 8:45 am
• Saturday, Jan. 14: 8:00 am – 9:15 am
• Sunday, Jan. 15: 8:30 am – 10:00 am
• Monday, Jan. 16: 9:00 am – 10:30 am
• Tuesday, Jan. 17: 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Here are some photos by Michael Brunk of last year’s King Tide:

And from Ecology:

Here are some videos showing previous King Tides both from the northwest and other areas:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Aside from the Pie Joust in August (see our coverage here), nothing else can quite match this wacky tradition – just look for the foolish, er we mean brave folks gathering ’round in bathrobes and swimsuits in the 3500 block of SW 172nd Street just before Noon on Jan. 1st.

The entire affair lasts 15-25 minutes, and the actual plunge itself is about a minute or so. Or longer, depending on the participants.

Everyone’s welcome to attend this free event, and we encourage all participants and visitors to bring some non-perishable food (or a check) for the Highline Area Food Bank. Oh, and a blanket and your swimsuit too!

Never done it, but want to see what it’s like? Just check out our videos below of defending Polar Bear Plunge champion’s Bart Bryan’s previous plunges, shot and produced by Publisher Scott Schaefer, and featuring our exclusive, waterproof “Polar Bear Plunge POV” cam:

Click here to view the embedded video.

From 2010:

Click here to view the embedded video.

From 2009:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Also, here are some great pics shot by Jana Kleitsch last year:

As usual, The B-Town Blog’s foolish, er we mean intrepid Bart (pictured above with an actual Polar Bear) will be plunging again, using our high-tech waterproof video cam for another exclusive “POV” first-hand view of his chilly, shrink-inducing experience.

We’ll see ya there!

Organized by Julie Dow, the parade gathered about a dozen local kayaks and their pilots.

“Impromptu decorations added to the festive character(s) and to the bugling of our leader’s duck call a parade line formed,” said Participant Fred Feiertag. “With the entourage sailing in stately splendor past the south beach of Three Tree Point both the bystanders and the sailors had a fun view.”

Now all this event needs to really liven up Burien would be a visit from the Seafair Pirates!

The photographs were shot by the semi-official, (and self-appointed) photographer Fred Feiertag:

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

“We will come to your house with free CFLs, showerheads and faucet aerators,” reads a statement on their website. “We will install the CFLs and leave behind the showerhead and faucet aerator for you to install. To qualify, you must live in a single–family home or 2–4 unit apartment/condo in the parts of Burien, White Center, North Highline, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Skyway served by Seattle City Light, and the northern part of the Central District.”

Here are some of the FREE products Seattle City Light is offering:

To make an appointment, call 206–449–1132 or send an email to SCL_install@seattle.gov

Here’s more info on City Light’s Powerful Neighborhoods program:

The Powerful Neighborhoods program is a pilot program designed to reach customers who may not have taken advantage of our energy conservation programs in the past. These customers include senior citizens, non-English-speaking households and low-income customers.

We hope that by offering to make home visits and providing energy-saving products, we can educate customers about energy conservation and motivate them to take actions to save money and electricity.

Seattle City Light is working with Ecos Consulting, Cascadia Consulting, Environmental Coalition of South Seattle (ECOSS), and the Working Green to hire and train installers, schedule home visits, provide translations, and deliver and install the products.

All installers have undergone background checks and drug-screening. Installers fluent in Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Amharic, Cantonese and other languages will be available to visit homes where those languages are primarily spoken.

This project received funding support from the Federal Government under the American Recovery and Revitalization Act (ARRA)

In 2010 The Powerful Neighborhoods program successfully served more than 7,000 homes in south Seattle, installing more than 130,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs, reducing energy consumption by more than 24 million kWh and saving our customers more than $2.2 million on their energy bills.

by Ralph Nichols

The Southwest Suburban Sewer District announced Feb. 18 that Susan (Suzy) Genzale has been appointed to complete the commission term of her late husband, Tony, who died of cancer Dec. 4.

Mrs. Genzale will be sworn in as the new sewer district commissioner at the Board of Commissioners meeting on March 1. The term ends on Dec. 31, 2015.

Tony Genzale, a well-known owner of produce markets in the Highline area, was first elected to the sewer district commission in November 2003 and was vice president of the board at the time of his death.

Mrs. Genzale has worked as a nurse and as a partner in charge of the financial end of the family’s produce business.

“I consider it a real honor to represent the ratepayers, and I look forward to looking out for their interests,” she said following her selection. “I have a high regard for the ratepayers, for Commissioners Bill Tracy and Scott Hilsen, General Manager Ron Hall, and the district staff.”

Nine persons applied for position and six were interviewed. The other finalists were Robert Edgar, Thomas Evankovich, Daniel Johnson, Joseph Lyons, and Donald Theiler.

“All of the applicants were excellent, and each one brought a unique combination of skills and knowledge to the table” Hall said.

“Suzy stood out because of her strong desire to continue the seat’s legacy of being an advocate for the ratepayers, along with the great amount of preparation she did upon submitting her application.”

Hilsen, the commission president, noted, “Suzy asked for tours of our facilities, and read through all of the minutes posted on our site. She really came to the interview with a lot of knowledge about the district and its ongoing business and issues.”

“Suzy’s answers to all of our questions were outstanding, but the questions that she asked us were even more impressive,” Tracy added. “I think she will be a great addition to the Board.”

Tony Genzale’s election in 2003 helped stabilize commission management of the sewer district after a contentious period that ended when one incumbent commissioner was recalled by the ratepayers and another was defeated – by him – in the next election.

At the time, Tony wrote in his campaign statement, “I plan to continue bringing to the table the sound business logic that has enabled me to own and operate my own business all these years. I feel that it’s my obligation to be a representative of the ratepayers – insuring that any expenses occurring during my term will be valid and honest.”

Mrs. Genzale told The B-Town Blog, “I was so devastated at losing my husband. He enjoyed his work with the sewer district. He brought a lot of common sense and was making so much progress in getting harmony back in the district. There was so much chaos before.

“I want to continue with my Anthony’s legacy. I want to represent our ratepayers and employees. I’m just so lucky to have the opportunity to pay it forward and honor his name and honor the district. I believe in our district and who I’m working with.”

She recalled that Tony “would come home and say they’re the best. That everyone brings something good to the table.

“Ron worked his way from the ground level up. Bill has been serving the district since the early 90s. Scott is very good with computers. I’m very honored to be working with these gentlemen. They’ve done so much. I’m so excited and I’m going to be learning from the best.”

She vowed to bring to the commission “the same business sense that my husband brought, and to make sure that any expenses are needed ones.”

On a lighter note, Mrs. Genzale said, “I think I’m the first woman commissioner – maybe the second – in the Southwest Suburban Sewer District. I’m not a women’s libber but believe in an equal voice for women. So it’s kind of cool to have a woman on board.”

The Southwest Suburban Sewer District Board of Commissioners is now accepting applications from individuals interested in an appointment to fill a vacant position on the commission.

The candidate selected will fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Tony Genazle, who died Dec. 4.

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, a commissioner questionnaire and a résumé. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m.

Candidates must be registered voters living within the district boundaries. The District is generally located in Burien, Normandy Park and White Center.

Both the commissioner questionnaire and a map of the district’s corporate boundaries can be found at the district’s website: www.swssd.com.

Commission board meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at the District office, located at 431 SW Ambaum Blvd. in Burien.

The appointee will serve until the next general election in November 2011. If elected then, the new commissioner will complete Genzale’s unexpired six-year term and be required to run for a full term in the 2015 general election.

Interested candidates must submit their application packets to:

Ron Hall, General Manager
Southwest Suburban Sewer District
431 SW Ambaum Blvd
Burien, WA 98166

For more information, contact district staff at 206-244-9575.

First picture is morning of Jan. 1. Maybe ice half way out, but ducks swimming near.

Second picture, this morning early, Jan. 2. Ice or water? No movement is a clue, and the line in the water. And no ducks swimming.

Third picture, across Lake Burien, airport control tower in distance. And evidence behind the steam, but hard to see.

Fourth picture a few minutes later. Solid evidence...

And a closer look...irrefutable evidence! Don't 'quack' the ice little fella...

And yes, now numerous ducks are learning the hard way about frozen water...

Temps will likely hit a high around 40 today, with lows in the 20s, as our New Year’s cold snap continues…

Looks like the Creature from the B-Town Lagoon is still hanging (or should we say swimming) around – Miller/Walker Creek Steward Dennis Clark reports that this week’s tests of Lake Burien shows a high level of toxic algae.

The most recent levels, taken Oct. 5th, show a level of 563 micrograms per liter, far above the 6 microgram per liter, state-recommended caution level.

The most previous level, taken Sept. 21st, was a 698 reading.

Residents are warned to keep children and pets (especially dogs) out of the lake as a precaution.

Here’s what Clark said in an email:

On Tuesday, October 5, a sample of algae scum was taken from south shoreline of Lake Burien and analyzed for the presence of toxins in the algae.

Preliminary results came from the lab today (Friday, Oct. 8):

The concentration of the October 5 sample was 563 micrograms per liter. This is far above the 6 microgram per liter state-recommended caution level and is comparable to the 698 reading from September 21 obtained from a sample of thick algae at the NE outlet from the lake.

The lake is still producing toxic algae and residents should continue following previously recommended steps to avoid ingesting algae (download here, PDF file). Dogs and small children should be kept out of the lake to minimize risk to their health.

As the weather turns colder and wetter, the human health risks continue to decline as the likelihood of ingestion goes down but dogs – being dogs – can expose themselves at any time of year.

Looks like the Creature from the B-Town Lagoon might be back folks – Miller/Walker Creek Steward Dennis Clark says that the most recent tests for toxic algae in Lake Burien shows a dramatic increase.

According to Clark’s report, a Sept. 21st sampling from a different part of the lake shows algae at 698.0 micrograms per liter, up from the Sept. 14th results of 2.68 micrograms per liter – a very dramatic increase.

However, the most recent sampling was done at the northeast outlet to the lake, in an area that contained “thick algae scum.”

Clark still recommends that lake users should keep small children and pets out of the water, as well as to avoid areas with algae scum.

Here’s what Clark had to say about this news:

It remains very important for Lake Burien users to avoid the algae scums.

The microcystin (toxicity) result from the September 21 sample of algae at Lake Burien was 698.0 micrograms per liter.  These are final, confirmed results.

I observed the collection of the September 21 sample at the northeast outlet to the lake.  The sample contained thick algae scum.  We should assume that any other algae concentrations in the lake may have similarly high concentrations of microcystin.

Although the latest results represent a dramatic change from the September 14 results of 2.68 micrograms per liter, the September 14 results were of clear lake water.

My provisional recommendations based on my discussion with Ecology staff – until I hear otherwise from my County colleagues – is that lake users should continue to avoid algae scums.  People should continue to keep small children and dogs out of the water so they do not inadvertently ingest algae. Older children and adults should follow all the guidelines in the summary sheet posted here.

Clearly, the lake is still producing toxic algae even if concentrations in the water column are below the state recommended “caution level” of 6.0 micrograms per liter. Next week, we may sample both any scums found AND clear water to quantify the relationship between the toxin concentrations in the different types of samples.

Clark also did similar tests at Arbor Lake, and here’s what he found there:

Your readers may be interested to know that I also found algae scum at Arbor Lake on September 21.  l had that scum sampled for microcystin (the toxin in the algae) as well.  Although microcystin was present, it was at the very low level of 0.096 micrograms per liter (far below the 6.0 micrograms per liter state recommended “caution level”).

Also regarding Arbor Lake, last night (Thursday, Sept. 23rd), Steve Roemer from Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services held a meeting at Arbor Lake Park with neighbors to learn about their concerns and desires for park management now that the park is part of the city of Burien.  About 30 neighbors came out for this meeting.  Sgt. Henry McLaughlin from the Sheriff’s Office and I also participated.  I thought it was a productive meeting because the neighbors have a long history with their park and had many practical ideas for improving it over time.  I was impressed at how they were quick to recognize the challenges of balancing multiple goals: recreation, public safety, ecological health.  They also listened to each other and occasionally offered constructive criticism for each other’s ideas.  Not every community meeting is marked by those dynamics!  The residents were very complimentary about improvements in police responsiveness in recent years that have made the park safer and reduced the level of unsavory activities.  Neighbors also were pleased with the increase in maintenance in recent months following the annexation to Burien.  In my role as the Miller/Walker Creeks basin steward, I benefited by getting answers to a lot of questions I had about how the lake functions.  The meeting ended with several neighbors expressing hope that the city will take advantage of their high level of community interest to work together to improve the park.  Nice!