Here’s a great, fun way to brrrrrring in the New Year – at Noon on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, dive into Puget Sound at the fun-filled annual Polar Bear Plunge in the 3500 block of 172nd SW Street (map below) in Burien’s Three Tree Point neighborhood!

This annual New Year’s Day tradition will continue with crisp and refreshing saltwater, along with all the usual craziness (costumes!) that make this the perfect way to start the New Year (and perhaps cure a hangover).
One of the more festive parts of this community event is the awarding of the Polar Bear Plunge champion trophy – which consists of a Polar Bear figure on a piece of driftwood – chosen during the event by regulars and previous award-winners.

TIP: usually, the “most exuberant” plunger wins, but recently some very creative, fully costumed plungers have taken home the prize.

Last year’s winner was Katarzyna Patora, who wore an amazing mermaid costume that she made herself:

Here are some video highlights from our live Facebook feed:

Here’s GoPro POV cam footage shot by Shawn Anderson:

Here’s a great video of the 2017 plunge, shot and edited by Cameron Johnson, a proud grad of Highline High School and freelance videographer from Burien:

The 2017 Three Tree Point Polar Bear Plunge from Cameron Johnson Video on Vimeo.
Here are some Hints and Safety Tips:

• Dress Up in costume to add whimsy (and perhaps win the big prize!)
• Come early, as parking is limited. Carpool or come by boat!
• Anyone with heart problems should consult your health care provider before participating. If you don’t participate, you’re still welcome to join and watch.
• Do Not Drink. Alcohol – it does not warm you up; it accelerates hypothermia.
• Do Not Stay In The Water Longer Than 15 Minutes. Body heat is lost 30 times faster in the water than in air.
• Keep Your Outer Clothing On until swim time and remove any wet clothing before getting back into dry clothes. Bring big dry towels to warm up after you plunge!
• Have Fun!

Check out our extensive prior Polar Bear Plunge coverage hre.

Burien’s Poet-in-Residence Raúl Sánchez read ‘Bountiful Burien,’ his new, original poem about Burien to the City Council at Monday night’s regular meeting.

Managed by former Burien Arts Association Executive Director Erin Williamson, this effort was part of the city’s 25th anniversary celebration. Raúl received $1,300 plus meals and lodging from an Arts Commission grant, and also hosted a reading and poetry workshop for residents.

His collection of poetry “All Our Brown-Skinned Angels” was nominated for the Washington State Book Award in Poetry. Raúl is a Washington State Associations of Poets board member, a Jack Straw Fellow, judge for the Poetry on Buses, and TEDx participant. An active mentor and teacher, Mr. Sanchez has led numerous writing workshops.

Here’s the video, which includes an introduction by Erin Williamson:

Here’s text of Raúl’s ‘Bountiful Burien‘:

Bountiful Burien
Raúl Sánchez December 3rd, 2018

Wholesome winds blow across the Salish Sea,
the city stands unsullied, while anxious waves
crash against the rocks untamed shore
as seen from Poet’s Nest.
The Lushootseed people knew their natural treasures,
revered and protected the old-growth forest and their
hunting grounds. Along the Duwamish, tended
cranberry bogs in the riparian waters.
Nestled in briny air, old trails and winding roads
spread this city from the magnificent valley
Michael Kelly viewed,
Sunnydale still its name.
Jacob Ambaum hacked the early roads in 1909,
now First Avenue cuts through the city
north to south, like an arrow in flight.
West of the Boulevard, there is a glacial spring
that feeds Burien Lake, pristine—
beyond the shadow of the Needle, glass towers,
loading cranes and jungle to the north
where ferries cruise from Vashon to the mainland.
Olde Burien shows vestiges of the early days
made old by time, we still adore that rusty,
rusty old sign for Tin Shop plumbing supplies
and Hayes Feed Country Store still open for
urban farmers. Ambaum Boulevard,
a testament between modest and affluent homesteads.
Winding roads lead to the shore where luxury homes
watch the sun set across Puget Sound.
In Burien, people speak the language of food
Thailand’s curry, Vietnamese Pho, Oaxacan mole,
Italian meatballs, Tortas Locas, Australian meat pies,
Greek lamb and Nepalese Thukpa soup.
“Go ahead Smarty Pants,
I will see you at 909 for coffee and wine!”
From Three Tree Point to Manhattan
across Five Corners up to Boulevard Park
we revel in Duane’s Garden patch to watch
the colors bloom beneath the Flight Path.
From all points, Shorewood, then south to
Seahurst Park, Burien; this land of dreams,
watches the world fly in and out.
Just west of ninety nine, Burien’s indelible
history shines like sunlight through
the center of Helios Pavilion, it’s green spears
point to Tahoma and The Mother of Waters
waits, while the clouds evaporate.
Seola beach gushes with light, and Seahurst Park
a destination at the very end of Shorewood Drive.
Burien is a place of destiny—
awaiting all with open arms.

The bridge, located in the 2200 block of S. 116th Street in Burien (map below) – was demolished after winter storm damage significantly weakened the pilings.

The city says the new structure will open to traffic in the fall of 2020.

As we previously reported, in February, 2017, the ravine below the 67-year old structure experienced severe erosion caused by a strong winter storm, significantly damaging the bridge’s support columns. The erosion undermined the structural integrity of the bridge, and the City closed it. The creek running through the ravine also moved, causing further erosion.

A few facts about the bridge:

• It was built in 1950.
• It underwent a seismic retrofit in 1996.
• It was inspected in June 2016 by King County. The report states that there were no issues with scouring of the hillside.
• There is an apartment complex as well as a few private residences near the bridge.

WHO WAS PETER WESTERN?
The bridge’s namesake – Peter H. Western (pictured, left) – was born in Kent, WA on March 11, 1883, and passed away just a week shy of his 71st birthday on March 4, 1954.

“Peter Western was from a pioneer family who settled in the Duwamish Valley where Peter was born in 1883,” Researcher Karen Portzer said (via Maiya Andrews and Emily Inlow-Hood at the City of Burien). “He died in 1954.”
Western was a farmer, and he also owned a battery repair store in Boulevard Heights. He married Olive Avenell in Nov., 1911, and fathered three children: John Henry Western (1912-1978), Donald Hovel Western (1916-1993), and William Avenell Western (1918-1988).

Western resided at 11837 25th Ave S., and his son Donald appears to have lived at 2400 S. 118th, which is near the bridge.

Here’s the latest update from the city:

Project Overview
On February 9, 2017 City staff responded to a report of severe erosion occurring below the bridge. The bridge was closed for structural inspection, which revealed two bridge columns had been completely undermined. A third column was only partially supported. The bridge was declared structurally deficient. Burien applied for and has been awarded emergency funding to demolish and remove the existing structure; and to construct a replacement bridge, repair damaged stormwater facilities in the ravine, and restore the eroded streambed.
The project will occur in two phases. Phase 1 will demolish and remove the bridge, temporarily stabilize stormwater facilities and the streambed. Phase 2 will install a permanent replacement bridge, permanent stormwater facility repairs, and restore the streambed and adjoining ravine side slopes.
Project Status
Phase 1 Status:

• Demolition is complete. Watch video of the demolition.
• Staff is working with agencies to secure after-construction permits as required by law.

Phase 2 Status:

• Based on the current design progress, the bridge will be under construction in early 2019, and will open to traffic in the fall of 2020. This timeline assumes there are no issues in obtaining the necessary property rights to do the work.
• Estimated project completion date: Project completion date is dependent on requirements from environmental permits.

Below deck rendering of new bridge:

Above deck rendering of new bridge:

And an old pic of the original bridge:

And just because we think it’s interesting, here’s a video of the bridge being knocked down on May 19, 2017:

The Project manager for this is Maiya Andrews, (206) 248-5514, maiyaa@burienwa.gov.

Committed. #homegrown pic.twitter.com/LckeHbkzLy

— Sam Huard (@samhuard11) November 23, 2018

Sam is considered the #1 pocket passer in his class (2021) in the nation, and will carry on the legacy of the Huard name at the U-Dub.
He’s 6-2 tall and weighs 175 lbs., and in September he passed for over 500 yard on 10 touchdowns in a 72-20 blowout against Chief Sealth (read our previous coverage here).
His Dad, Damon, played quarterback for the Huskies and also in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins. Uncle Brock played QB at Washington and also in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks. Uncle Luke played quarterback at North Carolina and is an offensive coordinator.
Sam was named MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year in 2017.
Here are some highlights from Huard’s sophomore season:

Always dreamed about playing in the Apple Cup #gameday pic.twitter.com/jWr493Z75A

— Sam Huard (@samhuard11) November 23, 2018

https://vimeo.com/r/2eU6/eWtKbFhEYk

More info on the film is available here: http://www.mauryislandincident.com

“Thanks to Scott (Schaefer) and Steve (Edmiston) for making a film that led to the creation of the Burien UFO Festival and the Burien Film Festival.
“Let’s hand it over to Des Moines and let them enjoy it. Thanks for all the feedback. Thank you to the City of Des Moines in having in interest in displaying this Mural. Perhaps it will spark a UFO Festival there too. It’s all good.”

For more info on this story, visit http://www.mauryislandincident.com.

• https://www.quadrant45.com/#/thebriefingproject/
• https://www.facebook.com/thebriefingproject/

Our prior coverage is available here.

• Alters & Offerings
• Arts & Crafts
• Traditional Music
• Dance & Food
• Stories & More!

Here’s a great video recap of the 2017 event:

The Burien Community Center is located at 14700 6th Ave SW:

• Friday, Oct. 5, 7:30-9:30 p.m. the ‘Kings of Swing’, a 17 piece band that started in 1944, will play Swing Music at the IOOF Hall in Des Moines.
• Saturday, Oct. 6 at the same time and same place, ‘Big Huge’ (John Born of Des Moines leads the group) will play 1950’s & 60’s rock music.
• Sunday, Oct. 7, ‘Big Huge’ will play again from 2-4 p.m. at the Wesley Terrace in Des Moines.

All shows are FREE and open to the public.
Space is limited, so come early.
Spanish Castle Magic was made possible by 4CULTURE, Des Moines Legacy Foundation, Wesley Homes, Des Moines IOOF Hall, and Des Moines Historical Society.
Here’s more about this project:

The Spanish Castle Ballroom 1931-1968

The Spanish Castle Ballroom was the most fabled dancehall in Seattle’s history. It was located at the intersection of Pacific Highway South and Kent-Des Moines Road where the Walgreens and Shell Station are now. It was constructed in 1931 by its founders, Archie Bacon and Frank Enos. The location, midway between Seattle and Tacoma was chosen because it was outside city limits and wasn’t controlled by restrictive city codes. It was designed like a storybook caricature of an ancient Moorish fortress, a stucco structure with neon accents. Two large Moorish style paintings that hung in the Spanish Castle and a bench from the Castle can be seen in the West Room of the Des Moines Historical Museum.
With Prohibition’s repeal in 1934, they began selling beer at the Spanish Castle. In 1937 the owners sold the Castle to M. W. “Wes” Morrill (founder of Kent, Washington’s First Bank) and C. L. Knutsen (a local car dealer).
The house band, called the Spanish Castle Orchestra was led by Frankie Roth through 1942 when his trombonist, Gordon Greene, took over. During World War II the Castle would have over 2,000 people attend dances from all over the Puget Sound area. Big-band swing music continued at the Castle until 1962, but after 1959 it was only on Saturday nights. Friday nights and also Wednesdays during the Summer were for Rock & Roll teen dances and were hosted by Seattle’s dominate radio DJ and music promoter, Pat O’Day. The Golden Era of Pacific Northwest Rock had begun and bands like the Wailers, the Sonics, the Statics, the Viceroys, Tiny Tony, Merrilee Rush, Little Bill and the Bluenotes, and Dave Lewis were playing at the Spanish Castle. The Wailers made a live record-ing at the Castle with Rockin’ Robin and Gail Harris which became the most famous album of that period, ‘The Fabulous Wailers at the Castle’.
In 1959 the Spanish Castle started to host major touring stars like The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and many others. In 1961 Morrill sold the Castle to Knutsen. During this time a teenage guitarist from Seattle named Jimmy Hendrix started to show up with his guitar and amplifier at the Castle and sat in with some bands. He later changed his name to Jimi and wrote a song called ‘Spanish Castle Magic’ about his earlier experiences at the Spanish Castle in what is now Des Moines, Washington.
In 1966 three kids were attempting to cross Pacific Highway to see a show at the Castle and were hit by a truck, all three were killed. This tragic incident had a terrible effect on the Castle, Pat O’Day quit booking shows and 50 years ago, in 1968, Knutsen’s sons closed the Spanish Castle and had the historic structure destroyed. It was the end of an era.