Festivals/Annual Events

Better Business Bureau press release:

Loving sons and daughters looking for thoughtful ways to show affection for moms this year should think twice before opening up hearts and wallets. A recent survey from the National Retail Federation estimates that total Mother’s Day spending will reach $18.6 billion in 2013, and scammers will employ all sorts of tricks to fool consumers. Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington wants this day to be safe and mom-entous.

As with most special occasions, schemers try to catch last-minute shoppers off-guard and BBB offers the following reminders:

E-cards: Email cards appear to be from known contacts or trusted retailers, but are actually fraudulent, contain malicious links or malware and seek personal information; verify senders before opening.

Gifts: Newly registered websites stock Mother’s Day gifts at reasonable prices and guarantee timely delivery, but the products are never delivered or don’t actually exist at all. Avoid online vendors lacking verifiable contact information.

Press release:

The Hyde Shuttle vans are seen nearly everywhere in the Des Moines, Normandy Park and Burien area, taking folks wherever they need to go, and now, you can ride one to the Des Moines Farmer’s Market!

Beginning June 1st, and every other Saturday through October, you can ride a comfortable, clean Hyde Shuttle van from your home to the Farmer’s market and back! The hours are from 11AM until 2PM every other Saturday. Spend the mid day at the market, enjoy lunch, buy fresh flowers or veggies, listen to the fun entertainment on the waterfront. It takes just one call to the Hyde Shuttle office to arrange your ride, and you can call right now! The number is 206-727-6262. The vans are filling up so an early call is best.

The Hyde Shuttle is part of the Senior Service Transportation program and is available to anyone 55 or older, or who has any kind of mobility challenge. The vans can easily accommodate walkers and wheelchairs as well. Companion pets are welcome! There is no cost to the service, but donations are appreciated.

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

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.

Press release:

The following web site is now live showing the videos from the TOP CHEF event.

The videos will also be shared with the restaurants so they can promote socially.

Thank you for your efforts in letting the community know about these amazing establishments in our community.

http://burienbites.com/Home/Videos

Part of the awards at Burien Bites on June 2nd will be awards for the videographers and film crews that shot, edited and created each of these videos.

Press release:

Love is in the air and florists are busy filling Valentine’s Day orders, but many consumers have learned the hard way that everything doesn’t always come up roses.

In 2012, florists were among the most complained about service categories on Angie’s List. Most complaints stemmed from the quality of the flowers as well as issues with delivery.

Angie’s List surveyed highly rated florists for advice on placing an order for delivery:

Act now: Don’t wait until the last minute to place your order for flowers. Give the florist plenty of time because Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for any florist.

Buy local: If there is a reputable florist in your area, buy directly from them when you can and think beyond the roses. Your florist can help you find the freshest blooms and find something a little less traditional, too. National companies take your order and pass it along to a local florist to fulfill the order anyway. You’ll have better luck with a correction if something goes wrong.

Press release:

Paper valentines account for a big spike in annual waste production, with roughly 180 million Americans exchanging Valentine’s Day cards each year.

This year, Waste Management, Burien’s solid waste utility, recommends alternatives to conventional cards as a way to express the spirit of the holiday and also love the planet.

“Valentine’s Day doesn’t produce as much waste as Christmas or even Easter, but when you consider what goes into a 180 million cards, it’s easy to understand that a few small changes make a big difference for the environment,” said Robin Freedman of Waste Management of Washington. “This Valentine’s Day, we are urging Washingtonians to be good to their loved ones and to the environment. It just takes a little forethought and creativity.”

GREEN VALENTINE IDEAS
Cards - Save trees in the name of love by sending an e-card. If the paper card is a must, make sure it’s printed on recycled paper or make one from materials you have at home.

Flowers - Consider planting a tree for your loved one.

Press release:

Global Connections High School Wind and Jazz Ensembles received the highest possible rating, Superior with Distinction, for their performances at the Presidential Inauguration Music Festival.

During their trip, January 18 – 21, the students also witnessed the Oath of Office and the Presidential Address, toured famous monuments, visited Smithsonian museums, and had the chance to interact with music groups from across the country. A special highlight was the tour of the U.S. capitol, arranged by US Congressman Adam Smith.

“The trip to Washington, D.C., was an amazing and inspirational experience for our students,” said Rick Harwood, Principal, Global Connections High School. “Our students were fully engaged in every aspect of the trip, as they experienced one exciting event after another.

“The chance to be part of one of the most important events in the world made a lasting impression on our students and expanded the possibilities they see for themselves as contributing members of their communities, local and global.”

Press release:

Boy Scout Troop 375 will host its annual Christmas Tree Recycle this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 5 and 6 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Southwest 160th Street and 1st Avenue South (the Herr lumber site) in Burien.

We ask for a $5 donation per tree. Funds go to our scout camp and other troop activities so that all our 28 boys can go to summer camp regardless of their family economic situation.

Free hot chocolate will be served. And our polite boys will remove your tree from your car and share a smile.

Free bags of our "Good Karma Christmas Tree Compost" are available for the asking. Bring a bag!