The Clarion Hotel in SeaTac will be holding a special St. Patrick’s Day Spaghetti Feed & Auction fundraiser for the Des Moines Area Food Bank next Wednesday, March 17th from 5pm – 8pm at their location at 3000 South 176th Street in SeaTac.

Cost is $10 in advance for adults ($13 at door); Students & Seniors $7; or $25 for a Family Pack.

All proceeds go to the Des Moines Area Food Bank, so come on down, have some good spaghetti and help your hungry neighbors.

Here are the details:

WHAT: St. Patrick’s Day Spaghetti Feed and Auction fundraiser for the Des Moines Area Food Bank.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 17th, 5:00PM-8:00PM.

WHERE: Clarion Hotel, located at 3000 S. 176th St. in SeaTac.

COST: Adults $10 in advance, $13 at door; Students & Seniors $7; Family pack $25.

INFO: Proceeds go to the Des Moines Area Food Bank.

RSVP: Please call 206-676-3742 to RSVP, or click here for more information.

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How about one that works at the airport, or on the waterfront, for the Port of Seattle?

Well, the Port of Seattle Police Department is holding its own “Citizens Academy,” which is a unique opportunity to learn up close and personal about the many challenges facing local law enforcement.

This is a once-a-week, 10-week program that is open to the public at no cost. That’s right – it’s FREE.

It will be held at Sea-Tac Airport on Mondays, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., beginning April 12th and continuing through June 28th.

Police officers and civilian personnel who are experts in their fields will teach 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. The class is limited to 25 participants, so get your application in early.

Want to participate? You’ll need:

• The ability to commit to attending a two-hour weekly class for ten weeks
• A background check

Port employees who wish to participate must have their manager’s permission.

Ready to Apply? Download, print and fill out the application (PDF file) here, then return it to:

FAX: (206) 787-5741

or Mail:

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

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

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The Highline Historical Society will be presenting “Soldiers in Petticoats: The Struggle of the Suffragettes” at the SeaTac City Hall on Sunday, Feb. 21st, beginning at 2pm.

Local actress Tames Alan will return, dressed in full period costume and acting in character, to talk about the struggle of American women to gain the right to vote.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline Historical Society’s “Soldiers In Petticoats: The Struggle of the Suffragettes”

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 21st beginning at 2pm

WHERE: Sea-Tac City Hall, located at 4800 S 188th Street.

COST: This is a FREE event.

INFO: From a press release:

In the authentic clothing of a suffragette, Actress Tames Alan returns to talk about the struggle of American women to gain the right to vote. In 1867, the passing of the 14th Amendment defined “citizen” as “male,” thus denying women the right to vote. On this 100th Anniversary of women’s right to vote in Washington State, learn how American women adopted the militant tactics of English suffragettes to earn the right to vote and regain citizenship in their own country. Discover how the suffragettes influenced child labor laws, the use and dispersal of birth control, the Temperance movement, and the right of women to earn a college degree.

This engaging program is free.

It is brought to the community by the Highline Historical Society with the support of Humanities WA.

Immediately followed by a reception for the elected women of Highline.

Tames Alan is an actress, historian, and fashion history teacher who has combined her skills to create Living History Lectures for people of all ages. Since 1986, she has been touring her programs throughout the United States and Canada, where she is known for in-depth research and a lively presentational style. Tames studied theater and history at Willamette University in Oregon and theater at the American Conservatory Theater and the Dell Arte School in California. She taught fashion history at the Art Institute of Seattle, and is a historical consultant to museums, libraries, and historical festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest.

For more information, visit the Highline Historical Society’s website here.

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Our friends at our latest Advertiser – Matt Griffin YMCA (located right here in SeaTac) – are excited to announce that their upcoming Open House is coming this Saturday, Jan. 16th from 10am to 1pm, with lots of games, demos, tours and specials.

If you haven’t had a chance to see their brand new facility – this is your chance!

There will be games, cooking and Zumba demonstrations, tours, and fun activities for the whole family.

Have you made a commitment to yourself to get in shape in the new year? Join Matt Griffin YMCA before January 31st and save up to $125 in join fees! There is no better time to start taking better care of yourself!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Matt Griffin YMCA Open House

WHEN: Saturday, January 16th from 10am – 1pm

WHERE: Matt Griffin YMCA, 3595 South 188th in SeaTac

INFO: Everyone is Welcome!

More info on the Matt Griffin YMCA is available at their website.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, event listing and/or Ad like this on a popular, fast-growing website with thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info!]

Popularity: 1% [?]

by Gina Bourdage

Most days being in your undies in public would be the nightmare we just woke up from.

Today is not that day.

After a frenzied Internet campaign via Facebook, the NYC group Improv Everywhere convinced people nationwide, myself included, to ride public transit today in their skivvies.

I have had that little voice in the back of my head ask me numerous times “What the heck are you thinking?!” and to be completely honest I have tried to talk myself out of participating.

In hindsight of the type of year 2009 turned out to be, most of us could use a little more light-hearted humor in 2010.

According to the Improv Everywhere website, “not taking life too seriously” is exactly the reason behind the nationwide “No Pants!” rides on buses, trains and subways all over the country today.

So relax, take a deep breath, drop trou and enjoy life…

Yep, actually getting out of the car and taking off the pants without the little voice telling me i am officially crazy was impossible. If it weren’t for the other twenty or so fellow pantsless participants I might turn and run. It is a little odd with children pointing “Hey mommy?!” but thank goodness everyone is “decent” and there’s nothing here you wouldn’t see on a beach.

After the first stop half the train is pants free. Who knew it was so easy to get people to rock their undies in public?

Oh boy this went to another level when i just saw a pantsless family.

I am impressed with the level that we, the pantsless mob, have pulled this off. Never have I seen so many strangers be so friendly with a smile and supportive silent acknowledgment that there really is something bigger going on here.

The confused and bewildered looks of the unsuspecting other riders is worth all the initial butterflies.

I encourage everyone to be a part of something that brings people together the way this has.

Here are some pics of the event (more to come so keep checking back!):

Here are some pics sent in by Readers “xtina” and “hollywood,” who added:

“The ride was great…So much fun we got off and on at different spots … ending at Westlake and walked to Fox Sports Bar where we enjoyed a cold one in our undies… Way fun”

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The Port of Seattle Tuesday announced Tuesday that Sea-Tac Airport won first place for the Best “Green” Concessions Practice award among airports in North America.

The “green” in the award is referring of course the ecological elements that the food vendors at the airport use.

The honor was announced during the 2009 Airports Council International – North America Concessions Conference in Indianapolis, at which roughly 200 representatives of North American airport concessions industry were in attendance.

Sea-Tac was also awarded second place for Best Convenience Retail Program.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by our airport peers for our integrated recycling, composting and food bank program,” said Mark Reis, the airport’s Managing Director. “The airport concessionaires and staff have worked tirelessly to divert recyclable and compostable materials from landfills and thereby reducing waste, feeding the needy and helping lead our region and the airport industry to a sustainable future.”

According to a Port press release, during 2008, airport concessionaires recycled more than 1,200 tons of material – an amount equivalent to the weight of six Boeing 747 aircraft. During the same period, they avoided disposal costs and generated revenue through rebates on recyclables which totaled $160,000. Sea-Tac concessionaires made waste reduction and recycling a priority by recycling cardboard, used cooking oil, food waste and coffee grounds. Since 2001, Sea-Tac concessionaires diverted thousands of tons of recyclable material from landfills through recycling, composting, and food bank donation programs. Concessionaires donated food that served 8,000 meals to needy families in 2008.

Sea-Tac’s recycling programs are even estimated to have prevented the release of Greenhouse Gas emissions equivalent to removing 819 passenger cars from the road annually; conserved an amount of energy equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 83 households (USEPA Waste Reduction Model), and saved 3,700 cubic yards of landfill space.

The purpose of the Airport Concessions Contest is to inspire creativity in the industry and to recognize innovative and outstanding airport concessions. These awards help to demonstrate the growing importance of concessions to the total airport experience. This year’s contest received more than 160 nominations from airports of all sizes throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Here are the results of the categories involving Sea-Tac Airport:

• Best “Green” Concession Practice or Concept 
1st Place: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 
2nd Place: C-Pier Expansion, Vancouver International Airport
3rd Place: Concourse D, Portland International Airport
Honorable Mention: Enroute Spa, Indianapolis International Airport
• Best Convenience Retail Program – Large Airport 
1st Place: Atrium, Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport
2nd Place: Seattle Tacoma International Airport

Entries for this year’s contest were judged by an independent panel comprised of high-level professionals with no vested interest in concession operations, or the outcome of any one airport. In addition to the independent panel, one representative from the previous year’s overall winner was also involved in the judging process.

Previously, Sea-Tac Airport won the Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence in 2007 recognizing the Best Food and Beverage Program in North America. That year, three additional awards were won by Sea-Tac and its merchants: 1st place, Best Specialty Retail Program, 2nd place, Best New Food and Beverage Concept [Waji’s], and 2nd place, Best New Consumer Services Concept [butter LONDON].

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The City of SeaTac will be hosting its FREE, annual International Festival beginning this Friday, June 26th through Sunday, June 28th at Angle Lake Park.

The festival will include:

• A grand parade
• A family fun run
• Skateboard competition
• Model-hydroplane race
• Craft and food vendors
• Children’s play area and more

FRIDAY, JUNE 26th:

“Under the Lights 5″ 5th Annual Skateboarding Competition
Valley Ridge Park, 4644 S. 188th St.
6:00 p.m.: Registration
7:00 p.m.: Contest
Click here for more information!

SATURDAY, JUNE 27th:

10:15 a.m. ~ Family Fun Run, approximately one mile and follows the same route as the parade. A medal will be given to all registered finishers. No registration fee. Register by calling the SeaTac Community Center at 206.973.4680 by Thursday, June 25th. Or register the day of event at Valley Ridge Park. For information call 206.973.4680.
10:30 a.m. ~ Grand Parade begins at Tyee High School and travels west on S. 188th St., then proceeds southbound on 33rd Ave. S. traveling through Angle Lake Park and finishing at the Alaska Airlines parking lot (download/view Parade Map PDF here).
12:00 p.m. ~ Teen Idols (Song & Dance routines)
1:00 p.m. ~ Kane Mathis (Traditional Mandinka Music)
2:00 p.m. ~ Jimmy Free – African Allstars (A fusion of world music)
3:00 p.m. ~ Tor Dietrichson – Mambo Cadillac (Salsa & Latin Jazz)
4:00 p.m. ~ Smilin’ Scandinavians (Polka music)
5:00 p.m. ~ Show Brazil (Brazilian Music & Dance)
6:00 p.m. ~ James Whetzel (Indian fusion music played on a sarod)
7:00 p.m. ~ Kris Orlowski Band (Jazz & Goth – This unusual combination delivers an edgy roots-rock mix)

SUNDAY, JUNE 28th:

12:00 p.m. ~ Chris Patin Band (Jazz incorporated with R&B, Blues & Latin music)
1:00 p.m. ~ Vicci Martinez (Folk Rock, Blues & acoustic music)
2:00 p.m. ~ Kellee Bradley (She’s been compared to Karen Carpenter & Sheryl Crow, but she has a sound all her own)
3:00 p.m. ~ Rhys Thomas – Juggle Mania (Juggler)
4:00 p.m. ~ Cory Wilds (Blend of Rock, Blues & Jazz)

A variety of ethnic and cultural bands from around the Pacific Northwest will also perform throughout the weekend.

“With more than 83 languages spoken throughout the city, SeaTac is a growing, vibrant and diverse community,” said Todd Cutts, Assistant City Manager. “The International Festival is an annual tradition to really kick off the summer and celebrate that diversity together.”

Festival Hours are as follows:

• Friday, June 26, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Sunday, June 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Craft and food vendors will be open throughout the festival.

Please consider bringing a donation of canned or nonperishable food, diapers, toilet paper, soap or pet food to the SeaTac Domestic Violence Task Force tent to benefit Highline Area Food Bank.

Admission to the festival is free. All events will take place at Angle Lake Park, located at 19408 International Boulevard in SeaTac. For more information and a full schedule of events, please call (206) 973-4680 or visit the website at www.ci.seatac.wa.us/park/seinternationalfestival.htm.

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Over the past year, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications during unexpected emergencies in towns across America, including the California wildfires, winter storms, tornadoes and other events worldwide. During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio – often called “Ham Radio” – was often the ONLY way people could communicate, and hundreds of volunteer “hams” traveled south to save lives and property.

When trouble is brewing, Amateur Radio’s people are often the first to provide rescuers with critical information and communications. On the weekend of June 27 – 28, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with the Highline area’s ham radio operators and see for themselves what the Amateur Radio Service is about. Showing the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code, hams from across the USA will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities.

This annual event, called “Field Day” is the climax of the week long “Amateur Radio Week” sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. Using only emergency power supplies, ham operators will construct emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools and backyards around the country. Their slogan, “When All Else Fails, Ham Radio Works” is more than just words to the hams as they prove they can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis. More than 30,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last year’s event.

“We hope that people will come and see for themselves, this is not your grandfather’s radio anymore,” said Allen Pitts, W1AGP, of the ARRL. “The communications that ham radio people can quickly create have saved many lives when other systems failed or were overloaded. And besides that – it’s fun!”

In the Highline area, the Highline Amateur Radio Club will be demonstrating Amateur Radio at Marvista Park, 4th Avenue SW and SW 200th Street in Normandy Park on June 27th and 28th. They invite the public to come and see ham radio’s capabilities and learn how to get their own FCC radio license before the next disaster strikes. The Highline area includes Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila as well as the North Highline unincorporated area.

There are over 650,000 Amateur Radio licensees in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world. Through the ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Services program, ham volunteers provide emergency communications for thousands of state and local emergency response agencies, all for free.

The public is most cordially invited to come, meet and talk with the hams. See what modern Amateur Radio can do. They can even help you get on the air!

To learn more about the Highline Amateur Radio Club, go to http://highlinearc.cfsites.org. To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to www.emergency-radio.org.

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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% [?]

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.

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