Scott Schaefer | The B-Town (Burien) Blog TEST http://btb.nwlens.com Burien News, Events, Politics, Arts & more Thu, 27 Dec 2018 22:25:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 http://btb.nwlens.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/cropped-BTBExtraLogo1-32x32.png Scott Schaefer | The B-Town (Burien) Blog TEST http://btb.nwlens.com 32 32 Community Meeting about school boundaries will be Wednesday, Mar. 14 http://btb.nwlens.com/community-meeting-about-school-boundaries-will-be-wednesday-mar-14/ Wed, 07 Mar 2018 01:07:46 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123532 All are invited to a kick-off Community Meeting about school boundaries on Wednesday, March 14, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Highline High School cafeteria.

The community-led Capital Facilities Advisory Committee is sharing their proposed, districtwide boundary plan, and they are seeking public feedback.

Boundaries have to be adjusted to accommodate a fifth middle school and a new, larger elementary school opening in fall 2019.

WHAT: Community Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, March 14,6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Highline High School Cafeteria, 225 South 152nd Street, Burien, WA 98148

Following the kick-off community meeting, information will be provided and feedback requested in these ways, in addition to family notifications:

  • Online feedback: Let Highline know your thoughts during a month-long online survey from March 15 to April 15.
  • Website information & FAQs: Visit our website to view maps on or before March 14, and get answers to the most common questions our families and community will have. Visit highlineschools.org/boundaries and continue checking back for updated information.
  • Maps in schools and on school websites: Draft boundary maps will be posted in all schools from March 15 to April 15 and linked on school websites.

“We hope to see you at the community meeting on March 14, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Highline High School cafeteria!”

]]> Burien Council told of plans to find new police chief; students seek youth council http://btb.nwlens.com/burien-council-told-of-plans-to-find-new-police-chief-students-seek-youth-council/ Tue, 06 Mar 2018 21:27:13 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123548
By Jack Mayne
Burien’s city administration is planning “a robust public engagement process before the selection of the new police chief to gather community feedback on what people want to see in their police department” City Manager Brian Wilson told the Burien City Council at Monday’s (March 5) regular meeting.
Wilson said he has received five applications from Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht from officers wanting to be considered for the police chief job.
‘Robust’ process
The long-term goal is to set a candidate up for success with the community and city leadership, the city manager said.
“A robust engagement process will help build bridges early in the new chief’s tenure,” said Wilson. “Specifically, we want to make sure that the community feels their voices were represented during the process and that council supports the city manager’s choice.”
He said the process will engage residents, business owners and other community groups.
There will be community meetings in the downtown area as well as in Boulevard Park and the Ambaum and North Burien areas, Wilson said. Promotional materials will be translated into Spanish and Vietnamese and interpreters will be available at the community meetings.
“We are also deploying a short, multi-lingual survey that will be posted on our website,” Wilson said.
Youth Council sought
Three area high school women asked the Council to create a Youth Council because they “will someday be sitting where you are” and that it “is important for us to have opportunities for civic engagement.” Mya Matta said there are many things that Council will consider that will affect her generation and noted that her age group may “be sitting where you are today … it only makes sense that we are involving our youth now.”
Councilmember Bob Edgar said he had proposed a Youth Council “a couple of years ago” and proposed it be placed on a future agenda, and Councilmember Nancy Tosta supported the idea.
Andrea Reay, Executive Director/CEO of the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, wanted the Council to include businesses in plans the Council involves itself in the upcoming year.
“We are committed to working with you and our community and other stake holders to help Burien to be the best place for our economy to grow and our stakeholders to succeed,” she said.
Resident Cheryl Cornelius told Council during comment period that she works at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church where people often ask for assistance with rent payment or to find places to live, but she noted that many property owners will not accept housing vouchers.
Para Los Niños cited
Deputy Mayor Austin Bell nominated Burien’s Para Los Niños as the organization of the year, and the Council voted unanimously to approve the choice. This award is instead of naming one “Citizen of the Year.”
“Para Los Niños is a grassroots community organization founded by members of the community it serves—the growing immigrant, Spanish-speaking population in South King County,” says the organization’s website.

New employee
City Manager Brian Wilson introduced new recreation coordinator Bo Du (pictured above) to the Council, noting she once worked several years for the city, then moved on to Bellevue and Federal Way.
“I came back because I knew what was good for me,” she said, adding that she was a graduate of Evergreen High School. She said Councilmembers had “a standing and open invitation to all of our special events we put on so we hope to see more of your out there.”

]]> Tilth Alliance accepting applications for Soil & Water Stewardship Training http://btb.nwlens.com/tilth-alliance-accepting-applications-for-soil-water-stewardship-training/ Tue, 06 Mar 2018 18:59:59 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123541 Are you concerned about threats to our land and water? Do you feel that more needs to be done to prevent climate change? You are not alone!

Many people are wondering what they can do locally to make the world a better place right now.

Tilth Alliance offers two different sustainability trainings this spring to empower community members to take action to protect the environment – get involved!

Through classroom learning, hands-on practice and field trips, discover the relationship between soil, water and climate — and learn how you can protect these invaluable resources in important ways. After the training, participants volunteer in their communities by creating demonstration projects and teaching practical techniques to others.

King County: Soil and Water Stewardship
Learn about food systems, water conservation, storm water management, soil science, sustainable gardening and behavior change. This volunteer training consists of 24 hours of education through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on practice. Choose from the Eastside or South King County training options, with class sessions taking place at different locations within each geographic area.

South King County – four Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.:

  • March 31
  • April 14
  • April 28
  • May 12

Eastside – four Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.:

  • March 24
  • April 7
  • April 21
  • May 5

Questions? Email lauramcgrath@tilthalliance.org.

]]> Police arrest man for shooting gun in Seahurst Park 'because it was fun' http://btb.nwlens.com/police-arrest-man-for-shooting-gun-in-seahurst-park-because-it-was-fun/ Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:36:38 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123535 Burien Police/King County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 23-year old male for illegal discharge from a handgun as well as reckless endangerment for firing shots in Seahurst Park recently.

Police say that on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, they initially received a call of gun shots being heard at Eagle Landing Park, and had a description of the subjects firing off the gun.

Nothing was found at Eagle Landing Park, but a short time later police were called to Seahurst park nearby for more shots being fired.

Deputies located two males matching the description of the earlier subjects.
Both of these subjects did not have a gun on them. However, after further investigation Deputies located a handgun in the woods nearby where the two subjects had just walked from.

One of the subjects admitted to just buying the gun and was just firing it off “because it was fun” then admitted that he stopped because he realized houses were too close.

The male was booked into SCORE jail.

]]> Highline Special Needs PTA holding Resource Fair this Friday, March 9 http://btb.nwlens.com/highline-special-needs-pta-holding-resource-fair-this-friday-march-9/ Mon, 05 Mar 2018 23:30:59 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123525
The Highline Special Needs PTA invites all to attend its 5th Annual Highline Special Needs PTA Resource Fair this Friday, March 9, from 5-7 p.m. at Marvista Elementary in Normandy Park.

All Highline School families are invited to attend this free event to learn about special needs, connect with the Highline School District, Arc of King County, Challenger baseball and more.

There will be popcorn and crafts for kids. Come join the fun!!

WHEN: March 9, 5-7PM

WHERE: Marvista Elementary, 19800 Marine View Dr. SW, Normandy Park, WA 98166

INFO: For more information or to become a vendor visit: http://hsnpta.org/resource-fair/

]]> Community Conversations with School Board Members will be Mar. 15 & 19 http://btb.nwlens.com/community-conversations-with-school-board-members-will-be-mar-15-19/ Mon, 05 Mar 2018 21:00:53 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123369 Families, students and community members are invited to join community conversations with Highline Public Schools Board President Joe Van and School Board Director Angelica Alvarez.
The sessions will be open conversations.
Participants can ask questions, bring up concerns and discuss possible solutions.

  • Thursday, March 15: Community Conversation with Joe Van
    5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
    Boulevard Park Library
    12015 Roseberg Avenue South
    Seattle
  • Monday, March 19: Community Conversation with Angelica Alvarez
    6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
    Burien Library
    400 SW 152nd Street
    Burien

Please come with questions and ideas so the school board can learn about the issues that are important to you.
All community members are invited to attend.

]]> Student arrested for bringing gun to Tyee High School Monday morning http://btb.nwlens.com/student-arrested-for-bringing-a-gun-to-tyee-high-school-monday-morning/ Mon, 05 Mar 2018 20:28:02 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123516 A Tyee High School student brought a handgun to school Monday morning, March 5.
Police were called and the student was taken into custody.
Tyee High School administration learned that a student had posted social media photos with a weapon over the weekend, there were no threats at all towards students or the school.
As soon as the student arrived at school Monday morning, he was searched by school security. A weapon was recovered and police were called.
The school was put into lockdown as a precaution while police and security looked for a friend of the student. There was no indication that the friend had a weapon, but the search was done out of an abundance of caution. When it was determined that the friend was not on campus, the lockdown was lifted.
The student was arrested and booked into the Youth Service Center.
Tyee is located at 4424 S 188th Street in SeaTac:

]]> Meet Burien's Lucille Parker – one of the world’s longest running dialysis patients http://btb.nwlens.com/meet-buriens-lucille-parker-one-of-the-worlds-longest-running-dialysis-patients/ Mon, 05 Mar 2018 20:15:05 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123507

Michael and Lucille Parker. Photo by C.B. Bell.

By Cynthia Flash
Burien resident Lucille Parker is one feisty woman. She speaks her mind, asks for what she wants, sets her expectations high and does her best to live life to the fullest.
And she does it all while battling a host of health problems, including chronic kidney failure that has tethered her to a dialysis machine for 40 years – making her one of the world’s longest continuous dialysis patients.
Lucille learned she had kidney disease at age 19 while living in Illinois.
“I was sick. My mom said, ‘Girl, you’re pregnant.’ I said, ‘Woman, you’re crazy.’”
Lucille’s doctor determined one kidney was working at only 50 percent and the other at 75 percent. She was admitted to the hospital for 30 days as her kidneys continued to fail, and in April 1977 she started dialysis treatments. Three times a week she would be hooked up to a machine that cleaned the waste from her blood and removed extra fluid from her body, replacing the work normally done by healthy kidneys.
At the time Lucille was hoping to be picked up by the Barbizon Agency and become a model. But she gave up that dream and followed her soon-to-be husband Michael Parker to Seattle, where they built a life together. She worked as an office manager while raising their son and daughter, supporting Mike’s work as a dry cleaner and the many businesses he started, including a limousine service. When she’s able, Parker dotes on her five granddaughters, ages 1 to 23.
Parker inherited a genetic condition from her father that inflames the small blood vessels in the kidneys. That puts her in the minority of people with kidney failure, who more often develop kidney problems after a history of diabetes or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
She received a kidney transplant that didn’t take, requiring her to continue dialysis even with the new organ.
At one time, she received dialysis at a Northwest Kidney Centers clinic but then she and Mike got training to do her treatments themselves at home. She spends 2.5 hours on dialysis, five days a week, to replace the 24/7 function of normal kidneys. Once a month she returns to Northwest Kidney Centers for a checkup to be sure all is well.
Lucille has also received support from family and friends from Beacon Hill First Baptist Church, where she and Mike have been part of the choir. Mike still sings there.
One must be tough and determined to do 40 years of dialysis. Over the years, Lucille has even died three times. She had a heart attack at a dialysis clinic and was revived by a nurse who administered CPR until the medics arrived. She pulled through two additional near-death experiences, battled intestinal infection, had a hip replacement and is facing additional surgery.
“You have to stay on your schedule and take care of yourself. You don’t cut your treatments short and you can’t skip,” she said recently at her home, surrounded by decades’ worth of framed family pictures. “You can’t drink. You can’t smoke. You can’t do drugs. You can’t put anything in your body that doesn’t belong. It’s about living, not partying.”
They’re a stylish pair – Mike immaculately dressed and Lucille now donning intricately painted long nails. Faith plays a big role for them.
“God has been part of my life since I was a little girl,” she said. “Make God No. 1 in your life. Always stand up on your faith.”
On March 6, Lucille will turn 61 years old. Her birthday is two days before World Kidney Day, a time to focus on health and learn about kidney disease, which affects more than 1 in 10 Americans and 1 in 4 African Americans.
Stay on top of your kidney health
Follow prescribed treatments to control diabetes and/or high blood pressure, the biggest causes of kidney disease:

  • Lose extra weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
  • Don’t overuse over-the-counter pain medicines.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Eat more fresh food to avoid the damaging salt that preserves our processed food.
  • Know your family health history.
  • Ask your doctor to test you for kidney disease if you are at risk—take a quiz to find out at https://www.nwkidney.org/living-with-kidney-disease/am-i-at-risk/overview/
]]> 'Sikh Captain America' will be visiting four Highline Public Schools this week http://btb.nwlens.com/sikh-captain-america-will-be-visiting-four-highline-public-schools-this-week/ Mon, 05 Mar 2018 19:15:40 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123500
Vishavjit Singh – aka ‘Sikh Captain America’ – an artist, speaker and activist based in Harlem, New York, will be visiting four Highline Public Schools to host diversity talks for 4th graders.
Vishavjit’s talks will focus on issues of identity, stereotypes, adversity, the power of our life narratives, What it means to be American and using art as a tool for social change.
Vishavjit has been featured in Teaching Tolerance magazine published by Southern Poverty Law Center (Behind the Shield: Teaching Tolerance Magazine) among many other news outlets. He was the subject of an acclaimed short documentary released online in 2015, Red, White & Beard.
Vishavjit is in the area to plan out an upcoming exhibit (Wham Bam Pow: Cartoons, Turbans & Confronting Hate) of his illustrated and performance art work at Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, which opens in early May.
In order to challenge what it means to be ‘American,’ he has donned the uniform of quintessential American superhero, Captain America, on the streets of many American cities including Cleveland for RNC convention, Washington DC for 45thPresidential inauguration and Women’s March. He has been featured in Facebook and AdCouncil campaigns.
His cartoons, writings and performance art work can be seen on his website at Sikhtoons.com.
His talk schedule details are as follows:
Wednesday, March 6:

  • 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.: North Hill
  • 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.: Cedarhurst

Friday, March 8:

  • 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.: Midway
  • 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.: Seahurst
]]> Former Burien City Manager Mike Martin part of $900,000 lawsuit settlement http://btb.nwlens.com/former-burien-city-manager-mike-martin-part-of-900000-lawsuit-settlement/ Mon, 05 Mar 2018 18:35:25 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123487

Mike Martin stands in front of a satellite image of Burien during his tenure as City Manager in 2009. Photo by Michael Brunk.


By Jack Mayne
The City Council in the Whatcom County town of Lynden has voted 7-0 for a $900,000 settlement of a 2016 lawsuit claiming age and gender discrimination against three former longtime city employees by former Burien City Manager Michael Martin and elected Lynden Mayor Scott Korthius.
The Feb. 20 vote ended the case against current Lynden City Administrtor Martin and the city’s elected full-time mayor.
Martin quit as Burien City Manager in 2013 and went to the farming community of Lynden in eastern Whatcom County just five miles from the Canadian border.
The settlement says former Lynden Planning Director Amy Harksell will get $465,750, former Finance Director Teresa Camfield will get $240,750 and former Human Services Manager Linda Peterson will get $193,500. The three women must pay their attorney fees from the awarded amounts.
Reluctant Councilmember
One Lynden Councilmember, Brent Lanssen was he was “reluctant” to support the discrimination settlement, and said he wanted to know how the city intents to avoid a repeat of such litigtion.
Lanssen told the Lynden Tribune he was “disappointed in them for not apologizing more for their part in bringing on the lawsuit of former employees…”
Left in 2013
Martin had his problems in Burien when in 2009 he was granted a deferred prosecution on a DUI charge (driving under the influence) by King County District Court Judge Eileen Kato. Martin, then 55, had to complete a two-year alcohol treatment program remained on probation and under court supervision for five years.
He also faced community resistence when he was instrumental in opting out of the city’s contract with King County Animal Control and the formation of CARES.

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