Burien Bites Check-In Begins at 11am on June 2nd – Proceeds Benefit Local Charities
With yet another great initiative to help the community, HomeTask organizes “Burien Bites” on June 2nd, the second annual event allows people the opportunity to visit multiple restaurants for a bite to benefit local charities.
Known for its excellent service in all things related to day to day household operations, HomeTask is an emerging company that genuinely cares about people. HomeTask has come to the rescue again by organizing an event called Burien Bites, which is sponsored by Freggies, will let participants visit their favorite restaurants, for a good cause. Registration for the event is $10 per person and it will be held from 11am to 9pm, June 2nd. Each restaurant will serve a special bite for $5. Best of all, all the proceeds from this event will be given to local charities such as Highline Schools Foundation, New Futures, YETI, Highline Food Bank, and HomeTask Cares Foundation.
This event is a follow up of March 20th, when over 120 people gathered in addition to around 40 members from participating restaurants and volunteer film crews for each restaurant. Official event Food Critics choose the “Food Critics Awards” while the guests spoke for themselves with the “People’s Choice Awards.” Visit BurienBites.com to see videos and results from Top Chef. Now it is in the public’s hands to vote and decide who will win the 2013 Burien Bites event. Everyone is highly encouraged to participate and be sure to cast votes using the Burien Bites mobile app. Pre-register at BurienBites.com. (more…)
23 Highline School District Seniors to Graduate with Diploma and Degree Through Running Start
Twenty-three Highline seniors will graduate with more than just a high school diploma this year. The students will also graduate with their Associate Degree (AA) or Certificate through the Running Start Program.
Running Start enables high school students to attend community college and simultaneously earn high school and college credit.
“Running Start is an extremely valuable option for our highly motivated students as college costs are increasing every year,” said Student Advancement Director Rachel Klein. “Students who demonstrate success in Running Start will be more attractive to admissions officers of highly competitive college and career programs, in addition to having some of their credits already paid for.
Earning an AA or Certificate at the same time as a high school diploma is not an easy task. A total of 217 seniors across the district took classes through Running Start this year; only 23 will graduate with an AA.
These students represent five Highline schools: Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment (ACE), Global Connections High School, CHOICE Academy, Highline High School, and Mount Rainier High School. (more…)
Lake Burien Resident, Steve Armstong, Announces Candidacy for Burien City Council Position #7
The following letter of candidacy was released by Steve Armstrong on May 17, 2013. Armstrong has filed to run in the King County Primary Election against Planning Commissioner Joey Martinez and Olde Burien resident Chuck Rangel for Burien City Council position #7 which is currently held by Mayor Brian Bennett. You can find more information about upcoming election here.
Hello my name is Steve Armstrong and I am running for Burien City Council / Position 7. I’ve lived in Burien for over 40 years. Attended Shorewood Elementary, Cascade Middle School, Evergreen High and the University of Washington. My children, Alex and Elena, attended local schools – St. Francis, Highline and JFK. I am currently employed by The Boeing Company (32 years) specializing in Contracts. My hobbies include: hiking, mountain climbing, fly fishing, tennis, volleyball and spending time with my family and friends.
I’m running for city council because I believe it’s time for a change and that I can help initiate this change. It appears that some Council members and the City Manager have lost touch with the citizens of Burien. Recent evaluations from the City Council are mixed as to whether the City Manager is performing to expectations. Council members do not (or will not) work together. This condition must change.
There has been a complete disregard for the voice of the people. An example is the attempt to annex Area Y. My aversion to annexation is based solely on economics and the best interests for all. Seattle, with a huge revenue / tax base, found it impractical to annex at the time. Why would our City Manager and some Council members believe that annexation was in the best interest and would enrich the lives of those living in Area Y as well as Burien? (more…)
Bill Tracy, Southwest Suburban Sewer District Commissioner, Announces Re-Election Campaign
Commissioner Bill Tracy, currently president of the Southwest Suburban Sewer District Board of Commissioners, has announced he will seek re-election to his board position this year.
Commissioner Tracy has worked diligently over the years to achieve reduced rates for those on fixed and/or low income, to bring timely rehabilitation to both the aging conveyance system and treatment plants, and to the maintenance of a quality system and responsive customer service all the while keeping the rates among the lowest in our area.
Much of this has happened through his selection and appointment of a cohesive team of commissioners and the hiring of highly qualified management. Both of the current commissioners have since been elected to office.
Commissioner Tracy has also been recognized regionally where he has repeatedly been selected by industry peers to serve on the King County Regional Water Quality Committee. The State Association of Sewer and Water Districts has also formally recognized his years of leadership.
Tickets for the 2013 Highline Garden Tour are in sale now
Tickets for the 2013 Highline Garden Tour are now on sale. This popular annual event will take place Saturday, June 8. It allows participants to visit inspiring private gardens in Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac and to learn about the latest in gardening techniques.
In addition, the self-guided tour features include artists and musicians in the gardens, plant sales to benefit both the Highline-SeaTac Botanical Garden and the Master Gardener Program, and information on building community through gardening.
Discount coupons and other specials are being provided by tour sponsors including Wild Birds Unlimited, Burien Bark, The Bean, Grand Central Bakery, Rodda and Sons Landscaping and Rain City Sewer and Plumbing. Additional support comes from John L. Scott realtor Susan Plecko and Discover Burien.
Advance tickets for the Highline Garden Tour are $15 in advance, with group rates of $12 per person if bought in groups of four or more. Tickets will be $18 on the day of the tour. Tickets can be purchased at Wild Birds Unlimited, 15858 1st Avenue S, #106; Burien Bark, 13258 1st Avenue S; and Sterling Bank, 224 SW 152nd – all in Burien. Tickets also can be purchased by calling 206-241-5786.
For more information about the Highline Garden Tour and about the Highline Historical Society, visit www.highlinehistory.org.
National Women’s Political Caucus Endorses Burien City Council Member Rose Clark and Candidate Lauren Berkowitz
The National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington (NWPC-WA) is proud to announce its 2013 early endorsements. Caucus early endorsements are reserved for outstanding women candidates. From school boards to municipal courts, these exceptional women are leading their communities to champion policies and practices that have a critical impact on Washington women. This year’s local races are also an opportunity to reestablish women’s equal representation in Washington public office.
“Washington once led the nation with the number of women in elected office, but in 2013 we’ve lost ground with only one woman in statewide office and women making up less than one-third of the legislature,” states Linda Mitchell, president of the National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington. “Electing women at the local level is key to creating a pipeline of exceptional and experienced candidates for future legislative, statewide and federal races.” (more…)
Six Highline Schools Honored at WA Achievement Awards Ceremony
From L to R: Aviation Assistant Principal Bruce Kelly, Southern Heights Principal Deborah Holcomb and teachers Jennifer Matthews and Kaia Tomokiyo, HS3 Principal Jenni MacDonald and Graduate Specialist Brenda Espinoza, Gregory Heights Principal Phil Robinson, and Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson.
Hard work and dedication paid off for students and staff at several Highline schools. Six schools were honored at the Washington Achievement Awards Ceremony. Three of those schools received multiple awards.
“What an honor to be part of the celebration for six of our great Highline schools,” said Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson. “A number of these schools were recognized for high results–and equally important–some were honored for high progress over time. Both are important feats on behalf of students.”
Aviation High School earned awards for overall excellence, math, and science. (more…)
Arts Commissioner Shelli Park Announces Candidacy for Burien City Council
Burien is a beautiful community in which I have loved living and raising my children for nine years. It holds amazing potential and is on a path of establishing itself as an economically vital town, an impressive and critical accomplishment after the economic downturn of 2008. I am running for a seat on the Burien City Council to help drive the forward momentum of this recovery.
I am not only a resident of Burien, but I am also a small business owner (Crimson Park Design) with great interest in helping to create the conditions in which local small businesses can thrive. I have observed and studied Burien’s economic development plan, its vision, and processes. It is clear to me that we must open the conversation to the business community, and consider the impact of the arts/culture/heritage role on viable development solutions currently being brought to the city. The community is working hard to create solutions. City government needs to support these efforts. (more…)