July 2011

The city of Burien is in the process of updating its Drainage Master Plan to be in compliance with requirements of the state Growth Management Act. A Citizen Advisory Committee, formed to guide the process and make recommendations, is holding its kick-off meeting on Wednesday, July 20, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., at the Burien Community Center (Hilltop Room), 14700 6th Ave. S.W.

Representatives from different neighborhoods - Lake Burien/Puget Sound, Arbor Lake, north, south, east/north and east/south - are needed to serve on the advisory committee.
Representatives are also needed from the business, education and medical elements in the community. To sign up to serve on the advisory committee or for more information, please contact Malissa Phok, Public Works Inspector, at 206-248-5538, or attend the kick-off meeting on July 20.

The purpose of the City's surface water management program is to:
* Protect public health and welfare
* Protect wetlands, shorelines, streams and creeks as natural surface water resources
* Maintain the city's storm water drainage system
* Identify and solve storm drainage problem

Do you need sidewalks in your neighborhood, or safe bike paths to local schools? Do the streets near your home or business need resurfacing, or are entirely new streets needed? Is using public transit convenient for you?

These are some of the many questions the city is asking residents and businesses as the Burien maps out the Burien community's transportation needs for the next decade and beyond. The city is in the process of updating its Transportation Master Plan and seeks to gather information about multi-modal transportation for all ages and abilities.

A series of meetings are being planned to gather information from the public on transportation needs in Burien. An introductory meeting is planned for Tuesday, July 19, 4 - 6 p.m., in the first floor multi-purpose room at the City Hall/library building, 400 S.W. 152nd St. Watch for notices of future meetings.

City staff seeks to learn from the public needs for multi-modal access particularly for:
* School access (safe routes to school)
* Grocery/shopping centers including food banks
* Hospitals and medical clinics
* Parks and open spaces

Highline Times photographer Kurt Howard shares his visual record of the fun had in Tukwila on Independence Day.

Please click the photo above for a slideshow!

Press release:

Discover Burien is now accepting applications for their Event Partnership Program.
Discover Burien will partner with up to two new or established nonprofit organizations each year. The relationship will be as a supportive partner, not as the lead or event organizer. The partners will be selected by the Board of Directors at its November meeting.

The partnership may include but not be limited to:
Color and black-and-white copies at the Discover Burien office-- For an amount determined by the Board. (Additional copies can be made at the Discover Burien office and paid at the established rate.)
Promotion-The event will be listed on the annual Event Calendar, newsletter announcements, Facebook, etc.
Marketing-Assistance will be provided on a case-by-case basis.
Event logistics
Supplies-Tent, tables, chairs, etc.
Flat dollar amount sponsorship option
Other assistance

To apply for the event support opportunity, send a letter describing your event, how you would like Discover Burien to be a partner and why you believe your organization should be selected.

Highline Times photographer Kurt Howard had his trusty lens trained upon Burien's Independence Day parade on July 4.

Please click the photo above for a slideshow of Kurt's images!

Breeders Theater presents its 21st show at E.B. Foote Winery, "Helpdesk," a new comedy by T.M. Sell.

"Helpdesk" is about a group of women working in an office. Across the street, a young man stares at them almost every day. What does he want? Can the women of the Cox & Berman Helpdesk help someone whose troubles aren't computer-related?

"Helpdesk" is directed by Scott Green, and features the acting talents of Laura Smith, Marianne Everett, Emily Fairbrook Shuel, Mari Geasair, Melissa Malloy of SeaTac, and Andrew Galteland.

The show runs July 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 at the winery, 127B SW 153rd St., Burien. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. One Sunday matinee will be performed July 24, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and include wine tasting.

E.B. Foote, one of Washington's oldest wineries, will close in August with the retirement of winemaker Sherrill Miller.

Tickets are available at the winery, 206-242-3852, and at CorkyCellars in Des Moines, 22511 Marine View Dr., Des Moines, 206-824-9462.

Update for 7/18:
Richardson pleaded not guilty on July 14. Here are the details from King County Prosecutors:

"Monty R. Richardson, 48, was arraigned Thursday on charges of Burglary First Degree, Assault Second Degree and Unlawful Imprisonment for breaking in to a neighbor's house in West Seattle where he allegedly tied up, beat and attempted to strangle a 65-year-old woman who lived there. He plead not guilty. Bail remained at $25,000."

Original Story from 7/6:
King County Prosecutors charged Monty R. Richardson, 48, with first degree burglary, second degree assault and unlawful imprisonment on June 30, stemming from an alleged May 7 attack on a 65-year-old woman living right across the street.

Court documents show Richardson allegedly entered the victim’s home (she lives alone) on 41st Ave S.W. using a spare key she had hidden outside. Once inside, Richardson allegedly grabbed the victim while she was getting ready for bed and carried her to the basement.

Washington Conservation Voters has named state Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D-33, Des Moines) the 2011 "Legislator of the Year".

"Rep. Dave Upthegrove has become one of strongest statewide leaders on environmental issues and WCV is proud to name him our 2011 Legislator of the Year," said WCV Executive Director Brendon Cechovic. "Rep. Upthegrove's commitment to saving Puget Sound, ensuring a balanced transportation system, addressing global warming, and creating a clean energy economy was unparalleled in the Legislature."

According to the group, Upthegrove championed the environment in a number of ways this legislative session.

He served as chairman of the House Environment Committee, "During a session where a number of industries directly attacked environmental protections, it was Rep. Dave Upthegrove who most ensured that our future and Washington families were safeguarded from such rollbacks," said WCV lobbyist Clifford Traisman.

Highline Community College has selected Des Moines resident Serenity Carr as the recipient of the college's top academic honor.
The Shirley B. Gordon Award for Academic Excellence recognizes an outstanding graduate who has achieved high academic excellence and has benefited from the community college experience.

During her time at Highline, Carr found her passion for language and helping others.

"Highline gave me a future," said Carr. "I had little to nothing to look forward to before I started school.
Highline has given me the start I needed to be something great."

Carr is a single mom and has devoted numerous hours to her volunteer work, including working with the Des Moines Food Bank in delivering food to local families and as a teaching assistant to Highline's Honor Scholar Program.

During the 2010-11 academic year, she served as the local chapter president of Phi Theta Kappa ( PTK ), the international honor society for two-year colleges. In 2009-10, she served as the chapter's vice president of service.

July is Park and Recreation Month and the city of Burien is challenging families to get outside to celebrate and explore local parks.

The Burien Community Center is challenging families to a scavenger hunt that spans 12 city parks, including Arbor Lake Park, Chelsea Park, Dottie Harper Park, Seahurst Park and more.

Rock Your Park is an entire month celebration of the parks and what they have to offer. Participants will discover random facts about each park with scavenger hunt questions like: What type of animal can you see on a daily basis at Hilltop Park and what is located under the slide at Southern Heights Park?

Families who complete the scavenger hunt can bring their completed form into the Burien Community Center or one of the Music in the Park events by Aug. 1 to enter to win prizes. The winners will be announced at the August Music in the Park events. Burien Parks is also asking families to submit photos of families using the parks. The best photo will be awarded with a prize and used in displays and publicity.