The Highline Historical Society will be holding a Garden Tour on Saturday, June 13th from 10am to 5pm, where people can visit gardens in SeaTac, Normandy Park and Burien.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline Historical Society Garden Tour

WHEN: Saturday, June 13th from 10am to 5pm

WHERE: Various gardens in the area, including Seike Garden

COST: $12 per person for groups of four or more; $15 advance purchase, $18 day of tour. Please mail check with name, address, phone, email and # of tickets requested to:

PO Box 317
Seahurst, WA 98062

Or charge via VISA or MasterCard by calling 206-241-5786.

INFO: The Highline Historical Society presents a visit to our neighborhoods for a day of gardening inspiration.

Highline Historical Society invites you to visit our neighborhoods for a day of gardening inspiration. Visit lovely gardens in Normandy Park, SeaTac and Burien, where you will be treated to music and artists-in-action. Visiit the Seike Garden at Highline/SeaTac Botanical Garden, talk with a Master Gardener, attend Marianne Binetti’s program and learn about creating your own show garden.

Music program of “artists in action” by Marianne Binetti.

Special sponsor drawings for gardening gifts.

“The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always enterprising, and never satisfied.” - Vita Sackville-West, 1892 – 1962 .

Popularity: 47% [?]

BECU staffers Truyen, Angela, David (branch manager) Tina in front of their Neighborhood BECU location in Redondo.

Welcome Our Latest Advertiser: BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union)!

BECU is the largest credit union in Washington with assets of $8.2 billion with over 540,000 members. It is one of the top five financial cooperatives in the United States. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, BECU is owned by its members, and its earnings are returned to the members in the form of better interest rates and lower fees for services.

BECU “walks the walk and talks the talk” when it comes to giving back to the communities they serve. We interviewed the managers of the BECU offices in our coverage area to see if they’re ‘walking and talking’.

David Paice, Manager of Redondo BECU located at 25250 Pacific Highway South in Fred Meyer’s – right when you walk in the door! David was born to manage with BECU. He was 19 when he started there, and less that seven years later he was branch manager. He’s been with BECU for over nine years, and during this time he went to school and got his MBA. His thoughts on BECU:

“It’s a great place to work.BECU provides a great environment and culture for our employees and members. Finally we have a great involvement with our communities.”

And speaking of involvement, in addition to managing the Redondo branch, David has thrown himself into volunteering in the communities he serves. He’s most particuarly interested in education and the issues of children. A board member for the Des Moines Legacy Foundation which raises funds for both the Senior Activity Center and youth at risks. It is a not for profit organization entering it’s 10th year in Des Moines.

He is also on the Highline Community College Foundation Board. David’s been on the board of the Highline Fund For Excellence which raises money and awareness of the Highline School District. Currently he is co-chair of this years’ Highline Fund For Excellence awards program on May 29th.

He joined the Des Moines Rotary Club two years ago, and is an active participant in their Poverty Bay Wine Festival. Monies raised from this event help children and students in the area.

David is a product of the Highline School District, and owes a lot of what he’s achieved in life to his association with HSD. A Tyee grad, and former Burien resident, David and his wife recently relocated to house four blocks from the house he grew up in. Not on purpose, they liked the house!

After we left David and his BECU Neighborhood Financial Center in Kent/Des Moines, we journied North to the BECU Tukwila Financial Center, at 12770 Gateway Drive.

Branch Manager Tricia Singer was glad to show us around the facility. In this BECU center, there’s 29 tellers, and 31 consulatants. The drive-thru accommodates six cars (see photo below).

Tricia’s been with BECU for 6 years, and a branch manager for over a year. When it comes to serving her community her “passion is the Tukwila Food Pantry, which serves Tukwila, and parts of Burien and SeaTac.” She grew up on food bank food, so she understands its importance to a community. She’s on the board and volunteers with her 13-year old daughter. She’s also recruited several tellers and bankers to volunteer.

Repeating David’s sentiments about BECU being such a great place to work, she added that at BECU it’s all about the members.

“When we say we’re here for the members, we are. With any decision made we ask ‘what is the benefit for our members?’” Tricia added.

Tricia serves on the Employee Involvement Committee which encompasses the Annual Member Scholarships for high school graduates and undergraduates that last year distributed over $1 million to 500 receipients who excelled in academics, leadership and displayed a passion for helping others. She also works on the annual Ebay Auction for Children’s Miracle Netork, which will be held June 1 – 11.

A graduate of Evergreen High School, Tricia is a lifelong resident of the unincorporated Highline area.

In the Burien area you can find BECU banking ATMs at Fred Meyer and Five Corners. You can see David and his staff at the Redondo Branch, or visit Tricia at the BECU Banking Center 12770 Gateway in Tukwila.

Membership is no longer limited to Boeing Company employees and their families. All Washington state residents are now eligible to join BECU. The minimum deposit required to join is $5.

So, click on their ad, visit a branch, and start your relationship with BECU today!

Popularity: 55% [?]

The City of SeaTac, the Rotary Club of SeaTac and the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce are presenting the 2009 SeaTac International Festival at Angle Lake Park the weekend of June 26-28th.

The International Festival is a fun summertime event that lets families enjoy a wide range of unique activities on the shores of beautiful Angle Lake and other locations in SeaTac.

Here’s the tentative schedule:

Friday, June 26th: “Under the Lights V” Skateboard Competition will be at Valley Ridge Park in SeaTac. Registration opens at 6pm and the contest starts at 7pm.

Saturday, June 27th: The Annual Family Fun Run is scheduled for 10:15 am, and follows the same route as the parade for approximately one mile. The Parade will follow shortly thereafter at 10:30 am, beginning at S 188th St. at Tyee High School and traveling west on S 188th St., then turning southbound on 33rd Ave. S, ending at Angle Lake Park. At the vendor booths, visitors can satisfy their appetites with a variety of ethnic and festival type foods, and enjoy perusing the Arts & Craft vendors and informational displays.

There will be a Kids’ Area on Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday June 28th: will feature an Electric Model Airplanes event in the park from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, and a Volks Walk from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. These are 5k and 10k walks that start and finish at Angle Lake Park. For information on the Volks Walk call 253.922.9147.

• Friday hours are 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Saturday hours are 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Sunday hours are 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Unless otherwise noted for specific events, the festival will take place at Angle Lake Park, which is located at 19408 International Boulevard, SeaTac. Parking available.

The event is FREE and open to the public.

Proudly sponsored by the City of SeaTac, Rotary Club of SeaTac and the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, including the entertainment schedule, contact the City of SeaTac at 206-973.4680 or www.ci.seatac.wa.us.

Popularity: 58% [?]

Rep. Dave Upthegrove will present Claudia Tanis, Executive Director of the Highline YMCA, with a $2 million “check” at their board meeting Tuesday afternoon (May 19th) at SeaTac City Hall.

Upthegrove will formally announce the appropriation, which is funded by a Youth Recreational Facilities Grant ($800,000) and a Building Communities Fund Grant ($1,163,000). Both grants are part of the state’s capital budget.

Rep. Upthegrove represents the 33rd District, which serves SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park and large parts of Kent and Burien.

The money will be used to aid construction of a Silver LEED 48,000 square foot comprehensive Family YMCA to serve the Highline/Sea Tac community. The new facility will serve over 15,000 individuals – more than triple the amount currently served – and provide 100-150 new jobs.

The new YMCA will be located at South 188th Street and 37th Avenue South, and will include amenities like:

• Aquatic Center
• Youth Development Center
• Family Locker Rooms
• Full-Size Gym
• Wellness Studios
• Adventure Zone
• Kids Corner
• Family Center
• Community Kitchen
• Reflection Room
• Pinnacle Climbing Wall
• Cardio & Strength Training Center

Here’s a “virtual” video tour:

Popularity: 59% [?]

On Monday (May 18th) the Port of Seattle announced that it will be holding a public meeting to consider a proposed land exchange with the Washington State Department of Transportation during the regular meeting of the Port of Seattle Commission on Tuesday, June 2nd to discuss the possibility of extending SR-509 to connect with I-5.

The meeting will take place at 1pm in the Port Commission Chambers, located on the waterfront at 2711 Alaskan Way in downtown Seattle.

The proposed deal will reduce the cost of completing improvements to the Northern Airport Expressway, allow the FAA to maintain the north approach lights for the Third Runway, and reduce the cost of future projects.

The land exchange would include nine properties currently owned by the Port transferred to WSDOT and three properties currently owned by WSDOT transferred to the Port along with rent credit toward three airspace leases needed by the Port for current and future Aviation projects.

In October 2007, the Commission authorized the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with WSDOT to negotiate the transfer of properties needed by WSDOT for the SR-509 extension in exchange for the properties and airspace leases needed by the Port for current and future aviation projects. The proposed Property Exchange Agreement and Airspace leases will facilitate the accomplishment of that memo’s intent.

The nine Port-owned properties that are proposed to be declared surplused and transferred to WSDOT are located in the City of SeaTac and include:

• A 0.64 acre detention pond site lying at the intersection of South 170th Street and 8th Avenue South
• A 0.02 acre remnant off South 188th Street
• A 0.24 acre parcel at 1205 South 196th Street
• Four noncontiguous parcels (0.68, 18.76, 3.24, and 1.13 acres respectively) in the area bounded by South 196th Street, 14th Avenue South and South 200th Street in vicinity of Tyee Golf Course
• Two noncontiguous parcels (0.08 and 0.45 acres respectively) in the area bounded by 24th Avenue South, South 202nd Street and South 204th Street

Popularity: 69% [?]

In an effort to avoid having to close any more schools, Public Health Seattle and King County is asking parents to be on the front line of stopping flu infections, and are offering this informational checklist for parents:

Please talk to your children about how they are feeling.

If your child is sick, keep your child home. Staying home when sick helps reduce exposure to others and helps the sick person get well faster.

Answer these questions every morning before sending your child to school or child care:

1. Does your child have a fever (100º F or 37. 7ºC)?
2. Does your child have a sore throat, cough, body aches, vomiting, or diarrhea?

If you answered “yes” to both questions, your child might have the flu. Keep your child home from school for seven days or until symptoms are gone for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

If you answered “yes” to only one of the questions, keep your child home from school until symptoms are gone for 24 hours.

In addition to health and safety information about H1N1/Swine Flu, starting tomorrow, Wednesday May 6th, the Flu Hotline will offer callers an opportunity to speak with registered nurses.

(The hotline starts with a recorded message, follow the prompts for the best language option and when asked if you want “health and safety information about the H1N1 flu” or “if you have the flu,” follow the prompt to “if you have the flu.” This will take you to the menu that allows you to select “talk to a nurse.”)

Hotline nurses will tell callers how to manage their symptoms at home, tell them if they need to see a doctor or health care provider and answer other medical questions about H1N1 flu.

The Flu Hotline number is 1-877-903 KING (5464)

For more information, go to Public Health’s web site: www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 or call the Flu Hotline at 1-877-903-5464

Popularity: 74% [?]

Spring has sprung, plants are blooming and that can mean only two things:

1. Spiky, irritating pollens are attaching themselves to suffering humans everywhere
2. Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens will be holding their annual plant sale this Saturday, May 2nd, from 10am to 3pm.

Here are the details on #2:

WHAT: Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens Plant Sale

WHEN: Saturday, May 2nd from 10am to 3pm

WHERE: Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens, located at 13735 24th Ave South in Burien (map below)

INFO: The Puget Sound Daylily Club, King County Iris Society, Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden Foundation, Heritage Roses Northwest, and the Seattle Rose Society will be hosting a plant sale at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 from 10 am—3 pm.

Joining us for the first time this year will be the Puget Sound Fuchsia Club.

Last year shoppers enjoyed bargains on a wide variety of plants, from rare collectibles to old garden standards.

Cuttings and divisions will be available of plants from the original Elda Behm Paradise Garden, and experts from each group will be on hand to answer your garden related questions. No trigonometry questions, please.

Shop early for best selection, as quantities are limited.

Proceeds from this sale will be used to improve the existing display gardens and install new gardens at HSBG.

For directions to the garden, click here.

For the latest pollen count for the area, click here.

Popularity: 67% [?]

And the nominees are..

Nancy Paré, Executive Director of Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence has announced the nominees for the 2009 Highline Gold Star Awards.

Over 40 educators, volunteers and classified personnel were nominated by fellow educators, parents, citizens and students in the following classifications:

• Outstanding Administrator/Principal
• Outstanding Teacher
• Outstanding Volunteer
• Outstanding Classified Employee

If you want to see if you, a friend, a neighbor, a relative or your favorite principal/teacher were nominated, just click here.

The winners will be selected by a volunteer committee that has been selected to review the Gold Star nominations and make recommendations as to who will be the winners in each category. The committee consists of a Highline School District representative, a Foundation Board representative, a Retired Teachers Association representative, and a PTSA representative. The committee is staffed by the Foundation Executive Director. The committee will be reviewing the submitted nominations materials and meeting early next week for decision making.

Stay tuned to the SeaTac Blog as we will be announcing the winners next week.

The winners will be honored at the Gold Star Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tukwila, coming up on May 29th. The Master of Ceremonies will be local funnyman John Keister, former Host of KING TV’s “Almost Live!“, local celebrity bald guy and former co-worker of the publisher of this here blog.

For more information on how you can attend this luncheon, please contact the foundation at 206-248-5196.

The Highline Schools Foundation Gold Star Benefit luncheon is sponsored by Boeing, BECU and Rogers and Norman.

Highline Schools Foundation mission is to “provide community resources to help Highline Public Schools Succeed. By enriching the classroom and school experience, we can engage students to reach a higher level.” Since 2001 the foundation has distributed over $250,000 to the 32 schools in the Highline District. Donors include corporate, foundations and private citizens.

Popularity: 70% [?]

The Highline Medical Foundation has a simple question for you, and they’re not horsing around:

Q: What could possibly be more fun than watching the Kentucky Derby live simulcast at a VIP trackside tent at Emerald Downs, with a sumptuous buffet lunch and silent auction?

A: Well, helping a good cause at the same time! Highline Medical Foundation is sponsoring Hats on for Highline to raise money for cancer care and other patient care programs on Saturday, May 2nd, beginning at 11:30am at Emerald Downs in Auburn.

This will be an afternoon of fun and fashion, complete with regional delicacies, Mint Juleps and the traditional festive Derby Day hats.

Details include:

• It’s on Saturday, May 2nd
• Gates open at 11:30am
• Buffet will be served beginning at 12:30pm.
• A silent auction of hats and other items includes glamorous hats for women, upscale straw Panama hats for men, and even a Harley-Davidson motorcycle helmet!
• At 3:04pm post time, the bugle will call Churchill Downs jockeys to their mounts for the famous “Run for the Roses” Kentucky Derby.
• Attendees are welcome to stay at Emerald Downs until 7:00 p.m. to watch the full complement of live races at the track that day.
• There even will be a handicapper to explain the ABCs of horseracing for any novices.
• Tickets are $45 each, and include admission to Emerald Downs, seating in the VIP trackside tent, parking, program, racing form and tip sheet.
• Reservations, due by April 25th, can be made by calling 206.901.8500, or emailing events@highlinemedical.org

Popularity: 57% [?]

Have you wondered about the work of a Port police officer?

The Port of Seattle Police Department is offering a unique opportunity to learn up close about the many challenges facing local law enforcement. It’s called “Citizens Academy” and consists of a once-a-week, 10-week program offered at Sea-Tac Airport.

Classes will be held Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, March 4 thru May 6.

Police officers and civilian personnel who are experts in their fields teach the classes at the Citizens Academy. Each instructor has years of training and street experience, providing insights not ordinarily available to those outside the department.

Subjects include: patrol, community policing, recruitment and training, domestic violence, narcotics, dispatch, investigations, crimes scene analysis, SWAT, explosive detection and narcotics detection K-9 and the bomb squad.

All classes are free of charge and open to the public.

Want to participate? You’ll need:

The ability to commit to attending a two-hour weekly class for ten weeks

A background check

Ready to Apply? Print and fill out the attached application (PDF, requires Adobe Acrobat) and return it to

FAX: (206) 248-7134

or Mail:

Port of Seattle Police
Attn: Citizens Academy
PO Box 68727
Seattle, WA 98168

For more information, please contact Officer Dan Breed, breed.d@portseattle.org, or Officer Kyle Yoshimura at yoshimura.k@portseattle.org.

Popularity: 52% [?]