West Seattle Herald / White Center News - Non-profits

Highline Historical Society online auction has gifts for dads and grads

ericm — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:25:30 +0000

Press release:

The Highline Historical Society online auction is now open. Auction items range from exotic vacation getaways, to restaurant gift certificates, to sports memorabilia signed by the likes of Hank Aaron and Russell Wilson.

If you’re looking for the perfect something for the dad or grad in your life, check out the auction at www.highlinehistory.org. The auction runs until June 2.

Proceeds benefit the Highline Historical Society, which is raising funds to construct the new Highline Heritage Museum

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ericm

05/22/2013

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Wednesday is the day to Give Big to your favorite Highline nonprofits

ericm — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:34:19 +0000

Highline nonprofits are anxiously waiting for the big day on Wednesday, May 15.

That is when the Seattle Foundation is holding its Give Big Day. Donations to your favorite Highline nonprofit may reap more big money from the foundation. Various Highline nonprofits are holding events to promote the day of giving.

Information on Give Big in general can be found here:
http://www.seattlefoundation.org/givingcenter/GiveBIG/Pages/default.aspx

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ericm

05/14/2013

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Burien is 10 tons cleaner after Clean Sweep

ericm — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:22:40 +0000

More than 10 tons of trash and recycled materials were picked up during this year’s Burien Clean Sweep event on April 20.

Discover Burien Event Manager Debra George reported 3.3 tons of garbage and 7.17 tons of recycled materials was gathered for a total of 10.47 tons.

She also reported on previous year’s totals:

2012 5.54 Tons + 942 Lbs Monitors + 389 Lbs of Mixed Electronic
2011 8.2 Tons
2010 5.9 Tons
2009 8.15 Tons
2008 7.61 Tons
2007 8.66 Tons
2006 6.75 Tons
2005 10.82 Tons
2004 9.88 Tons
2003 12.06 Tons
2002 7.72 Tons
2001 9.82 Tons
2000 13.72 Tons
1999 9.73 Tons

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ericm

04/29/2013

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Shop abundance of fresh produce, handicrafts at Burien Farmers Market

ericm — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:01:29 +0000

Press release:

Stock up on just-picked produce, locally crafted food items and one-of-kind handicrafts at the Burien Farmers Market, which opens Thursday, May 2.

Market hours are every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October 31 in Burien Town Square in downtown Burien.

A major benefit of shopping at the market is better prices for fresher food, according to Debra George, event manager for the Discover Burien Association, which operates the market. The fresh-from-the-fields fruit and vegetables are from Washington State farmers, mostly local, who sell directly to market customers.

Don’t miss new market eatables that include locally concocted Full Tilt ice cream and chocolate biscotti. Among the many returning food vendors, expect to see organic berries and other organic produce, freshly baked goods, shaved ice and hand-made dried pasta.

New this year, handcrafted wood furniture will join the line-up of unique handicrafts. Greenery will feature freshly cut flowers of all sorts and such plantable vegetation as rhododendrons and rose bushes.

Buy lunch from the market’s hotdog cart and other market vendors for a great price to eat al fresco at one of the market’s patio tables. Enjoy live music by Eric “Two Scoops” Moore from noon to 3 p.m.

Buskers are sought to perform live music from 3 to 6 p.m. for tips, and they may also sell their CDS. Check-in at the yellow Discover Burien tent is required before busking.

The Seattle Humane Society MaxMobile will park at the market on the second Thursday of each month for on-the-spot adoption of loving pets.

Market customers may make their purchases with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, debit cards, WIC or EBT cards. Some vendors accept credit cards directly. Otherwise, shoppers can use debit, credit or EBT cards by purchasing market tokens at the Discover Burien Association booth. Debit and credit tokens can be spent like cash with the majority of the market’s 40-plus vendors. The nonprofit Discover Burien will not charge a fee for debit card use.

Discover Burien is a nonprofit organization that works on Burien’s economic development, promotion and education.

Sponsored primarily by Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, LLC, the market will be situated on Fifth Place Southwest off Southwest 152nd Street in Burien Town Square. For more information, call 206-433-2882 or go online to www.discoverburien.com.

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ericm

04/25/2013

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Attention: ex-Wolverines, Pirates, Rams, Totems, Glacier Grizzlies and others, donations sought for Highline student-athlete scholarships

ericm — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:20:02 +0000

It went so well last year, Highline Public Schools and Highline Schools Foundation staffers are doing it again this year.

It is the Scholar-Athlete, Coach and Community Recognition Program.

Sixteen student-athletes, eight honored middle and high school coaches and community contributors will be honored at a recognition banquet, Tuesday, May 21 at Mt. Rainier High School in Des Moines.

The students will receive scholarship funds.

The total amount given away depends on the generosity of Highline alums, parents and community members.

In the inaugural event, $15,000 was raised for scholarship support.

Highline district athletic director Terri McMahan said donations reached $30,000 per year when she organized a similar program as Edmonds Public Schools athletic director. The Edmonds program is still going strong, she reports.

As for last year’s Highline event, McMahan said she has heard nothing but positive comments about it.

“We are committed to making this an annual event and to growing scholarship support,” McMahan declared.

Donations are being accepted online at www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org. Checks can be made payable to the Highline Schools Foundation at 15675 Ambaum Boulevard S.W., Burien 98166. Contributions received after May 17 will apply to next year’s event.

For questions, contact McMahan at terri.mcmahan@highlineschools.org or 206-433-2418.

The student scholarships will be awarded to athletes at the four high school campuses that offer interscholastic athletics—Evergreen, Highline, Mt. Rainier and Tyee.

The coaching staff at each school selects the nominees. They must have a 3.2 or better cumulative grade point average, played at least two sports their senior year, volunteered in the community and displayed outstanding leadership skills.

KJR radio host Dick Fain, “Voice of the Seattle Storm,” will be master of ceremonies at the banquet. Fain is the son of former Highline assistant superintendent Geri Fain.

University of Washington Huskies play-by-play announcer Bob Rondeau pinch hit for Fain at the inaugural event last year when a schedule conflict occurred.

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ericm

04/25/2013

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Brand new works by Washington state playwrights in festival at Burien Little Theatre

ericm — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:29:02 +0000

Press release:

For the price of a movie theater ticket, you can see two—count ‘em, two—live, brand-new, award-winning plays by Washington State playwrights in the 2013 Bill & Peggy Hunt Playwrights Festival.

From May 3 through May 26, Burien Little Theatre’s (BLT) Festival offers 4 weekends of new shows. Pay just $10 to see a performance of two plays -- a one-act followed by a full-length.

The one-act Bottom Line is paired with the full-length Undiscovered Places May 3-12. The one-act 17B is paired with the full-length Parsing Race May 17-26.

After each play is performed, audience members are invited to give their opinions and ask questions of the director and playwright.

These talk-backs provide playwrights with fresh ideas, valuable comments, and honest audience response.

Festival sponsors include the new film The Maury Island Incident, Mark Restaurant & Bar, 4Culture King County Lodging Tax and City of Burien.

Staged performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are just $10 and include 2 shows.
Shows are recommended for ages 13 and older due to occasional language or mature subject matter. The Festival is sponsored by the City of Burien and Mark Restaurant & Bar.

For tickets and information, go to www.burienlittletheatre.org or call 206-242-5180.
MAY 3 – 12
Bottom Line, one-act written play by Judith Jacobs
AND Undiscovered Places, full-length play written by D. Richard Tucker
In the comedy-drama Bottom Line, a lottery ticket is the answer to a young couple’s financial problems, or is it? Directed by Robert Harkins and featuring the acting talents of Natalie Schmidt (Crystal) and Riley Donohue (Jack).
A man meets his adult daughter for the first time in the drama Undiscovered Places, just as his wife is grieving the loss of her son by a prior relationship. Directed by John Ruppeck and featuring the acting talents of Kevin Finney (Dan), Eloisa Cardona (Greta), Patty Bonnell (Candice), Kiki Abba (Julie) and Eli Tock (Scottie).

MAY 17 - 26
17B, one-act written play by Stephan Feldman
AND Parsing Race, full-length play written by Dave Miller
A woman buys two seats on an airplane for her own comfort in the comedy 17B, and arguments ensue about airline policy and common sense. Directed by Russ Kay and featuring the acting talents of Geni Hawkins (Doris), Tim Takechi (William), Shanda Russell (Pam), Dennis Moore (Captain Scully) and John Flynn (The Passenger).

The drama Parsing Race explores what happens when two mixed race couples and a troubled young man deal with the different ideas of race relations held by three generations of friends and family. Directed by Rochelle Flynn and featuring the acting talents of Maria Knox (Yolanda), Adam Hegg (John), Malcolm J. West (Walter), Melissa Malloy (Maddy), Charles Reccardo (Franklin), Patrick Tolden (Saleem) and Vera Werre (Lydia).

ABOUT THE BILL AND PEGGY HUNT PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
The mission of the Bill and Peggy Hunt Playwrights Festival is twofold: to encourage Washington State playwrights to pursue their craft and to showcase previously unproduced plays written by Washington State residents. Playwrights are invited to submit their scripts, which are evaluated by a panel of judges who select the winners. BLT produces the winning plays in the festival. Top winners in the one-act and full-length script categories are produced as fully staged performances on BLT’s main stage.
The Festival was named to honor Bill and Peggy Hunt’s dedicated service to theater and their devotion to and involvement with BLT. Peggy Hunt joined Burien’s theater scene in 1960 with a leading role in the play Harvey. Over the next 35 years both Bill and Peggy appeared in and directed plays, designed and built sets, served on the Board of Directors, and were involved in some aspect of every theater project.
BLT officially launched the Bill and Peggy Hunt Playwrights Festival in 1999. This year, BLT chose four playwrights to be honored with awards.

ABOUT BURIEN LITTLE THEATRE
Exciting live theater has been a tradition in Burien since 1955. Incorporated in 1980, Burien Little Theatre (BLT) has been a leading producer of quality live theater serving residents of the Seattle and south Puget Sound areas.
BLT is committed to being an entertainment leader by producing intriguing professional-quality shows. The company’s mission is to treat audiences to productions of the highest artistic integrity that excite, engage and involve both the local and expanding theatrical communities in the Puget Sound region.
A nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity, BLT operates on revenue from ticket sales, donations, grants, sponsorships and volunteers.

THEATER LOCATION
Burien Little Theatre
14501 Fourth Ave. S.W.
Burien, WA 98166
(Intersection of Fourth Avenue Southwest and Southwest 146th St., parking lot entrance on Fourth)
Directions available under “Find Us” at www.burienlittletheatre.org).
(206) 242-5180

TICKET PRICES AND PACKAGES
Staged Performances (Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.): All tickets just $10 for performance of 2 plays.
Dinner and a Show Package: This package includes a two-course meal at Mark Restaurant & Bar plus a ticket to the show; cost is $25 per person. Contact the Mark at 206-241-6275.

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ericm

04/25/2013

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New Futures merger into SW Youth and Family Services will be official on April 29

ericm — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:45:09 +0000

Press release:

On April 29, the merger of New Futures with Southwest Youth & Family Services will be complete, creating one stronger, more versatile organization primed to reach more families in southwest Seattle and King County.

This integration reflects a shared belief in the power of self-determination for families. The merger will make it possible to apply greater resources and increase support to families as they determine for themselves the best ways to empower their children and build resilience.

"I first approached Southwest Youth & Family Services in 2012 about our interest in a merger because of their track record, integrity and cultural sensitivity," stated Jenn Ramirez Robson, Executive Director, New Futures.

Hers is one of the few roles that will change post-merger, as she becomes the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Southwest Youth & Family Services, with a focus on fundraising and community outreach.

Steve Daschle, Executive Director, Southwest Youth & Family Services shares Ms. Robson's enthusiasm for the benefits of the merger. He believes that, "By combining our strengths in service delivery, we will be better able to address the growing educational and social service needs of low-income families across southwest Seattle and King County. We can immediately connect our counseling and educational services, and solidify our role as family advocates with local school districts."

New Futures will gain administrative support, the financial stability of an organization twice its size and increased access to even more services for participants. Southwest Youth & Family Services will expand its service area, increase its ability to serve more people through its program offerings and broaden staff expertise.

New Futures programs will continue under the umbrella of Southwest Youth & Family Services. Key partners of both organizations, such as the King County Housing Authority, United Way of King County, the Highline School District, the Cities of Burien and SeaTac, and The Seattle Foundation have expressed their support for the merger.

Please come and celebrate with us at our May 1st Get Inspired! Benefit Breakfast. Register online at www.newfutures.org.

About New Futures:

New Futures' mission is to partner with families in their communities and with educators to ensure that children succeed in school and life. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths. We operate vibrant community learning centers at three low-income apartment complexes in South King County. New Futures provides on-site children and youth, family, and community-building programs for over 1,800 people on an annual basis. Learn more at www.newfutures.org.

About Southwest Youth & Family Services:

With a commitment spanning nearly 33 years, Southwest Youth & Family Services helps people use their own strengths to make what they want of their lives. We work to create an environment in which culturally and economically diverse families thrive and children succeed in education, work and life. Children, youth and families engage in education, early literacy, counseling, case management and family support services in White Center, South Park, Delridge, and West Seattle. Learn more at www.swyfs.org.

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ericm

04/18/2013

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Burien likely to extend, increase controversial CARES animal services contract

ericm — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 01:27:01 +0000

King County animal services estimate almost twice proposed CARES contract

The Burien City Council appears ready to extend the animal control and services contract for the controversial Burien CARES group and increase funding by $50,000 annually.

With the two-year contract extension, CARES would also be required to implement several recommendations made in an audit by Denise McVicker, deputy director of the Tacoma, Pierce County Humane Society.

Two King County representatives appeared before the council on April 15 to answer questions about operations of the Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC). Some CARES critics have suggested Burien return to contracting with King County for animal services. SeaTac and Tukwila contract with RASKC.

Sean Bouffiou, King County Records and Licensing finance administrator, estimated RASKC would charge Burien $418,000 per year minus pet licensing fees from the city. The net cost is pegged at $332,000 annually.

The proposed new Burien CARES contract is $170,000 annually. CARES has one animal control officer who covers the city and an animal shelter on Southwest 151st Street.

Dr. Gene Mueller, King County regional animal services manager, said RASKC has two animal control officers and a sergeant on duty at all times to cover the southern district that Burien would be a part of.

Besides Burien, the RASKC district would include SeaTac, Tukwila, North Highline, Skyway, Vashon Island, Enumclaw, Black Diamond, Kent, Covington and Maple Valley. Councilmember Joan McGilton noted the RASKC district covers about 1,100 square miles while Burien is about 7 square miles.

Mueller said RASKC also has a Kent shelter, veterinary clinic and licensing division.

Bouffiou said the cost estimate is figured 80 percent on usage and 20 percent on city population.

Burien management analyst Nhan Nguyen emphasized that Bouffiou’s estimate was based on the number of service calls in neighboring cities and the volume of calls from Burien when it was serviced by King County.

Even CARES supporters questioned the service call numbers provided by CARES. The nonprofit reported it handled 2,860 service calls just from Burien last year. On the other hand, RASKC reported it received 5,392 for the entire county.

CARES director Debra George said all calls are logged when the phone rings. She said calls for information are not counted as service calls.

King County’s Mueller said multiple calls about one animal are logged as just one service call.

The proposal calls for extending the CARES contract from May 30, 2014 to May 30, 2016, increasing the total cost form $120,000 annually to $170,000, allowing part of the payment to be made in an upfront lump payment to address immediate capital needs, increasing the amount annually by a cost of living adjustment equal to city staff but not to exceed 3 percent, and modifying the scope of work to remedy issued identified by McVicker.

The improvement recommendations include wearing goggles when handling cleaning chemicals, entering animal information into the system right away, removing cats only when necessary while cleaning cages, using fresh water as the primary method of cleaning instead of mopping and answering the phone as “Burien Animal Care and Control.”

Nguyen said part CARES would also pick up dead animals from roadways and vaccinate all animals that come into the shelter.

Lawmakers were evenly split April 15 on extending the contract. However, Councilmember Rose Clark, a staunch CARES supporter, was absent from the discussion.

Deputy Mayor Lucy Krakowiak said the contract should be put up for competitive bid like the Waste Management garbage service contract. She said King County has a professional staff that supports the animal control officers.

Councilmember McGilton admitted CARES is “ bit of a start-up” that “needs to clean up its act a bit more.” But she said a handful of Burien residents want King County animal services and cost is not an issue with them.

“When you look at the contract, you have to look at price,” McGilton said.

Councilmember Jack Block Jr. said the requirements for what CARES would do with the extra $50,000 per year are pretty vague. He called again for an increased effort to raise pet license revenue.

Councilmember Bob Edgar said he was concerned about an extension halfway through the contract period.

Councilmember Gerald Robison noted CARES’ only competitor for the contract, RASKC, is bidding much higher.

“In three years, we’ll see if anybody else wants to do it,” Robison added.

Mayor Brian Bennett said CARES opponents feared the McVicker audit would be a “whitewash” but he commended the staff for doing a good job on it.

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ericm

04/17/2013

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Update: Discover Burien announces board candidates, explains voting procedure

ericm — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:16:04 +0000

Discover Burien release:

We're very excited to announce the nominations for the 2013 Board of Directors as selected by the nomination committee from interested applicants:

Lori Alden
Ali Levich
Lance McIntosh
John White
Brent Volle

Additionally, we have three applicants running by petition:
Virginia Wright
Suzanne Greive
Patricia Eslava Vessey

We are very grateful for the very qualified and enthusiastic leaders in our community that each, in their own way aid in the progress of Discover Burien's efforts in making our community a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Discover Burien’s Annual Membership and Board Elections meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 5:30 PM at Southgate Masonic Hall, 1004 SW 152nd Street Burien, WA 98166.

At this annual meeting, we will conduct the election for Board positions.

Discover Burien is updating and clarifying the voting rules for the upcoming election. To be in line with the spirit of "one person, one vote" each person will have to be present at the election, a member in good standing, show id, and sign the registration sheet to receive their voters ballot.

For individuals that are involved with Discover Burien through multiple memberships due to having their business (es), not-for-profit (s), and an individual membership, they must cast their individual ballot and designate one person to represent each additional membership.

Each designated person must be present at the election, show id, and sign the registration sheet to receive and cast the ballot.

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ericm

04/19/2013

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