On Thursday afternoon (Nov. 20th) you may have witnessed lotsa hullabaloo around Sea-Tac Airport, like helicopters, media vans, VIPs and such.

Don’t worry, it wasn’t the end of the world as we know it, it’s just proof that the third runway at Sea-Tac Airport opened with a PR-stunt bigshot landing.

Here’s a snippet from the Port of Seattle of what went down :

The Port of Seattle will formally open Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s third runway with an invitation-only celebration Thursday, November 20 between 3 and 5 p.m. at the Gina Marie Lindsey Arrivals Hall.

The event will include a live video look at the first commercial operation of the third runway plus dignataries scheduled to include U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters, Acting FAA Administrator Robert A. “Bobby” Sturgell, Governor Chris Gregoire, Port of Seattle Commissioners, POS CEO Tay Yoshitani, Alaska Airlines CEO Bill Ayer and other local political and community leaders.

Sea-Tac’s third runway will be one of three new runways scheduled to open that day across the country. The Transportation Secretary and FAA Administrator are scheduled to travel to each new runway beginning at Dulles (Washington, D.C.), then to O’Hare (Chicago) and finally to Sea-Tac. Potential program delays could occur based on their travel time.

Speaking of third runways, if you didn’t hear this excellent piece on KUOW recently, we highly recommend you listen to it, as it includes an eye-opening interview with longtime local resident Brett Fish, who says that all the PR we hear lately from the Port about the renewing of MIller (and Walker) Creeks may not be so true after all – according to Brett, salmon are not returning like they used to.

In fact, during the taping of the KUOW piece, not one salmon was found where the Port folks said they would be:

KUOW story here (includes transcript and audio recording).

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s controversial third runway is scheduled to begin operating on Thursday, Nov. 20th, with hopes that bad-weather delays could be trimmed by 25 percent.

Airport Manager Mark Reis is enthusiastic about how Sea-Tac’s third runway will improve airline operations. Its chief benefit, Reis said, is “to allow two streams of traffic in all weather conditions.”

“This will bring a substantial reduction in delays, and, in the process, will not only bring customers a better customer experience, but also will bring airlines substantial savings in fuel not wasted from circling, and will reduce greenhouse gases,” he said.

The third runway opens Nov. 20, eight years later than originally planned, and at a cost of $1 billion, far higher than originally envisioned.

Here’s a video clip, courtesy “lasrina” on Flickr:

The Job and Resource Fair at Sea-Tac Airport might help – here you can learn about opportunities for full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs with airport employers, as well as get assistance with finding housing, health care, child care, educational programs, transportation and more.

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 16, 11:30am - 4pm

WHERE: Sea-Tac Airport, Main Terminal at the south end of the Baggage Claim Level in the Gina Marie Lindsey International Arrivals Hall. Park in the Airport Garage: Bring your parking ticket with you to the Job and Resource Fair and it will be validated

For more information, call the Job Fair Hotline at (206) 835-7504.

Learn more about Airport Jobs at www.airportjobs.org.

If elected this Nov. 4, Tina will replace retiring State Representative Shay Schual-Berke.

Literally dozens of groups and elected officials have endorsed Tina.

She has been rated “Outstanding” by the Municipal League of King County.

“I’ve spent my life helping people – developing award winning housing programs, assisting families in crisis, and serving our schools as a PTSA leader,” Tina said. “I will put my commitment and experience to work in Olympia to strengthen our economy, invest in our schools and protect our quality of life.”

She is challenged by Republican Todd Gibson, a teacher and advertising executive.

Here is a link to a map of the 33rd Legislative District:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=33

For more information, here is Tina’s official campaign website:

www.electtinaorwall.com

The man, in his 30s, was found slumped over the wheel in a car near the intersection of International Blvd (aka Highway 99) and State Route 518 just after midnight.

The shooter remains at large.

Apaprently, SR-518 was closed down for a while as police dogs and a helicopter searched the area, causing backups for drivers headed to or from the area.

The name of the man who was killed has not been released.

SOURCES:

• KOMO News
• Seattle P-I
• KIRO-TV
  

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The event takes place Saturday, October 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center in SeaTac.

“We wanted to create an event that would give the women of our community an opportunity to learn strategies for staying healthy,” said Mara Burke, director of community relations for Highline Medical Center. “Our goal is for every woman who attends this event to come away with valuable information that is meaningful in her life. We couldn’t think of a better way to do that than to bring Dr. Oz to Seattle and pair him with a dozen other medical experts.”

Event guests will enjoy their choice thought-provoking health workshops, the keynote by Dr. Oz, continental breakfast and lunch, and their own copy of Dr. Oz’s latest book YOU: Staying Young for an all-inclusive $90 registration fee. Workshops cover a wide and relevant range of topics for women at every age and life stage. From the power of positive nutrition to strategies for restful sleep to coping with menopause gracefully, this event promises to answer women’s pressing health and aging questions in candid, compelling, and useful ways.

Visit www.LiveHealthyStayYoung.com to download a brochure with class descriptions. Seats for this event are limited. Advance purchase is required. Call 206-695-5544 to claim your place at your workshops of choice and register.

Burke said that this event is part of the 50th anniversary activities in motion to honor Highline’s half-century of growth and commitment to healthy living and compassionate care. Highline opened its doors as Burien Community Hospital 50 years ago and has since grown into an award-winning, comprehensive medical center. The presenting sponsor for the event is KeyBank. Other sponsors include Puget Sound Health Partners, BECU, Burien Toyota/Burien Chevrolet, Albertsons/Supervalu, Powell Brothers and Alaska Airlines.

About Highline Medical Center
Highline Medical Center includes two healthcare campuses and more than 20 clinics across Southwest King County. From orthopedic surgery to obstetrics, from heart care to home health, you’ll find it at Highline. We offer access to leading medical experts supported by sophisticated technology. And through our progressive Planetree model of care, we are committed to caring for each patient and his or her family with genuine respect, understanding and compassion. Learn more at www.highlinemedicalcenter.org

A call came in around 8am reporting the attack at South 150th Street and 30th Avenue South, said King County sheriff’s spokesman John Urquhart.

The elderly woman apparently hid nearby while a deputy shot and killed one of the dogs; the second dog ran off, but was shot and killed when it returned, he said.

The woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries.
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On Wed. Aug. 27th, the City of Burien announced that it is temporarily withdrawing its North Highline Annexation Request, an issue pertinent to the City of SeaTac, since it was once courting the area itself.

Here’s the press release from the City of Burien website:

Burien Withdraws North Highline Annexation Request

The City of Burien has notified the Boundary Review Board of King County that it is withdrawing its current request to annex the southern portion of the North Highline unincorporated area. The City plans to re-file an annexation request later this year after completion of a new round of negotiations with King County and the cities of SeaTac and Seattle regarding the proposed annexation boundary.

The Burien City Council authorized submittal of the “Notice of Intent” to annex part of North Highline in May 2008. The Notice of Intent was filed with the Boundary Review Board in late June after the approval of new countywide planning policies allowing the annexation request to proceed. The timing of Burien’s filing was challenged by the City of Seattle and the North Highline Fire District on legal grounds.

“In the interest of having the community and the Boundary Review Board focus on the merits of annexation rather than upon procedural and legal issues, we believe that it is in the best interest of the parties for the City to withdraw its current Notice of Intent,” said Mike Martin, Burien’s city manager.

The delay in the annexation process allows the cities and County to meet to discuss substantive issues related to annexation, including providing adequate urban services within annexed portions of North Highline and any remaining unincorporated area.

“We’ve tried to get Seattle to the table for almost a year to resolve these issues but they have been unwilling to meet with us,” Martin explained. “For whatever reason, they’ve changed their mind now and appear willing to talk. We wish for the sake of the North Highline residents Seattle would have come to that conclusion sooner, but better late than never.”

Now, for the first time, Burien is able to consider the specific and detailed concerns of the North Highline Fire District that were filed with the Boundary Review Board. While the City of Burien has no authority over the current or future operations of the fire district, “we will encourage the North Highline and Burien/Normandy Park fire districts to resolve their differences in the interest of providing quality services in the areas they serve,” said Martin.

The City has offered to start negotiations immediately, with the goal of reaching a successful resolution of issues by the end of the year. Martin added, “Our City values trust, integrity, communication and collaboration. It is in this spirit that we are ready to take one step back in order to help our neighbors in North Highline move many steps forward.”

Here’s a quote from Jenn Ramirez Robson, Management Analyst at the Burien City Manager’s Office:

“In brief, the City of Burien has withdrawn its current request to annex a portion of North Highline but plans to re-file later this year.

We are still committed to the annexation process and will continue to do educational open houses in the North Highline Area, including the Open House tonight at 6:30 PM at the Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church.”

Just got off the phone with Gordon Shaw, Burien native and City Councilmember, who offered up this exclusive, yet rather fiery quote about the annexation withdrawal political game currently being played out between Burien and Seattle:

“The efforts Burien has made so far have been stymied by Seattle and King County to a certain degree because of preference for Seattle to annex North Highline.

But clearly Seattle is not ready to do it.

To oppose Burien’s annexation efforts on the substance of annexation is one thing, but to oppose it on procedure that we all know is going to change in 30 days is BULLSHIT!”

We also received an exclusive response from Burien Mayor Joan McGilton on this entire annexation withdrawal issue, and here’s the latest:

First, a snippet from Seattle Councilmember Richard Conlin as quoted on another Seattle-based blog:

“…unless Burien is prepared to make significant change in its proposal…”

Mayor Joan’s reaction to Mr. Conlin’s statement:

“Burien has consistently acknowledged the role Seattle has in the proposed annexation of the North Highline Area. Seattle chooses to not negotiate directly with Burien. The City of Seattle’s Position Statement filed with the Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County filed on August 18, 2008 clearly misinterprets Burien actions to move forward with annexation.

In the best interests of all parties, Burien chooses to withdraw its current request so that the Boundary Review Board can focus on the merits of annexation rather than on the procedural and legal issues.

Burien wishes to take the “high road” and have our neighbors to the north ask the probing questions so that when this comes to a vote, they are truly informed of the actions that are in their best interest as a community.”

More details, and most certainly more interesting and fiery quotes, will be forthcoming as this issue plays itself out…so stay tuned…

Including unused margarine squares, as evidenced by this weeks Craigslist Ad O’The Day, found on seattle-tacoma craigslist > seattle > free stuff:

Three (3) pounds of margarine squares, unopened, recently purchased.

Just can’t eat it anymore. 

Email: sale-810531527@craigslist.org