March 2013

The Mark and 909 win Burien Top Chef contest

The people have spoken.

So have the critics.

The people’s choice for Burien’s top chef is Rogelio Rios of the Mark Restaurant.

The food critics picked chef Ryan Nielcen of 909 Coffee and Wine.
Those were the results of the Burien Top Chef competition held March 20 at HomeTask Network in Burien.

All this was a preliminary event for the second annual Burien Bites on Sunday, June 2 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Participants will tour Burien restaurants sampling special bites prepared at each establishment. They will then vote for their favorite bite and the winning restaurant will be awarded the Burien Bites trophy.

Rios won the Top Chef people’s choice award with 56 points for his corn and black bean salsa fresca.

Second place went to 909 with 51 points and Sidestreet Kitchen garnered third place with 44 points.

Top Chef participants sampled dishes prepared at each competing restaurant. Each sampler was given five stones to vote with. They could use all five stones to vote for one chef or distribute them among multiple chefs.

The critic’s choice, Nielcen prepared two dishes—asparagus salad with a cilantro vinaigrette and fettuccine with mushrooms and asparagus.

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Up We Go: Development updates for West Seattle

Nowadays, there are guaranteed to be any number of new developments either in the planning stage, being built, or on the cusp of opening up as West Seattle transforms to a higher density form of living.

As of March 21, here are just a few of the latest development happenings:

5020 California Ave. S.W. (6 story) – Any day now
F & M Development out of Burien is expected to start construction sometime this month on a six-story, 101- unit apartment building with 4,000 sq. feet of retail at the base level and parking for 95 vehicles. Nine residential units within three structures will be demolished to make room.
Project website: http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=3012553

4755 Fauntleroy Way S.W. (6 story) – Design review on March 28

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2 Highline College students named to state all-academic team

Highline Community College students earn top honors at state awards

Press release:

Highline Community College students Jemimah Kamau and Lloyd Thomas have been named members of the 2013 All-Washington Academic Team for their academic achievement, community service and involvement on campus.

“We are proud to have Jemimah and Lloyd as Highline’s All-Washington Scholars this year,” said HCC President, Dr. Jack Bermingham. “They both overcame extraordinary challenges to gain access to higher education, making their academic achievements even more remarkable. Their outstanding success both inside and outside the classroom demonstrates the character and leadership that merit national recognition.”

Kamau, Thomas and other top scholars from the state’s 34 community and technical colleges were recognized today during the awards ceremony at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia.

KeyBank honored each team member with a $500 scholarship. Kamau also received a $1,000 scholarship from the Washington Trustee Association of Community and Technical Colleges at the event.

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WS Community Orchestras announces Adult Beginning Strings and Winds session on April 2

Information from WSCO

Here’s an opportunity for adults to learn an instrument or brush up those skills. Kriszti Bunica, violinist and candidate for Masters of Arts in Teaching, will be leading the strings group, and Dr. Toni Reineke, long-time music teacher, the winds and percussion.

The new session will begin Tuesday April 2. Both classes will meet from 7:15 to 8:15pm each Tuesday evening at Chief Sealth International High School. Located 2600 SW Thistle St, Seattle, WA 98126.

Tuition is $80 for the 8-class session. Instructors will provide info on lesson books and other supplies you might need.

Participants in our recent Strings and Band classes for adults have expressed delight and astonishment at how rapidly they progress. Brand new beginners founds themselves playing recognizable tunes after just a few short weeks.

You can find more info as well as preregister on our website: www.WSCOrchestras.org

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Bellevue-based tech company makes sizeable donation to Arbor Heights Elementary in West Seattle

When Seattle Public Schools decided to host media for an Arbor Heights Elementary walkthrough in advance of the school levy votes in February (both of which passed), it was a calculated decision.

The 65-year-old school is in desperate need of replacement and with the renewal of the Building Excellence levy, they are on schedule for just that by 2016. It’s was an ideal location for SPS to illustrate the need to pass those levies with overcrowded classrooms, ancient, useless chalkboards, pervasive heating problems and on, and on, and on.

Cherie Wentz Blehm, marketing director for an IT outfit in Bellevue, had never heard of Arbor Heights until she was driving to work one morning in January.

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Superintendent Enfield invites community members to office visits

Press release:

Dr. Susan Enfield, Highline schools superintendent, invites business owners, representatives of community organizations, and other community members to make appointments to meet with her during her monthly office hours.

Each month Superintendent Enfield hosts office visits, an opportunity for anyone in the community to share ideas and ask questions. The last two scheduled dates for office hours this school year are April 25 and May 23, both from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

“Most of my office visits this year have been with parents and staff members. I have enjoyed these meetings and have learned a great deal from them,” said Enfield. “I am also hoping to have the opportunity to meet with members of the general community. You provide a different, and important, perspective.”

To schedule a 15-minute visit during office hours, please contact Jan May at 206.433.2217 or jan.may@highlineschools.org.

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City of SeaTac wins distinguished accounting honor again for twentieth year

Recognition highest honor in governmental accounting and financial reporting

Press release:

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the City of SeaTac for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

The award was given by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. This award is the highest honor possible in the area of governmental accounting and reporting.

“Receiving this distinct recognition so many times over the past two decades is truly an honor and testament to the incredible team we have here at the city,” said Todd Cutts, city manager for the City of SeaTac. “We have consistently exceeded national guidelines for serving our community, and we are very fortunate to receive this recognition from such a prestigious group.”

Aaron Antin, the City’s Finance Director, specifically cited Brenda J. Rolph, Assistant Finance Director, as the individual most responsible for the achievement.

Neighborhood
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Letter: In search of stone fireplace history

I am looking for information about a stonemason who I believe crafted many stone fireplaces from the Burien, Three Tree Point, Seahurst areas all the way to Alki around 1915 and later.

The only information I have is that he was a German gentleman. If you have an older home with the original stone fireplace built in that era, I am trying to get a collection of photographs of his work.

You can contact me and/or send photos to: ttpointer@comcast.net
Thank you,

Sheri Brim
Burien

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UPDATE: Arbor Heights Elementary replacement officially moved up to 2016

Arbor Heights Principal Christy Collins confirmed on March 21 that Seattle Public Schools has decided to move the school’s replacement up from 2018 to 2016.

Collins said Arbor Heights staff and students will be at the current school (one in dire need of replacement) for the remainder of this school year and all of next year, then move to the Louisa Boren interim site while the old building is torn down to make room for a new, larger facility.

Tom Redman with Seattle Public Schools confirmed the scheduled completion date for the new school is September of 2016 for the 2016-2017 school year. Students and staff are expected to move to Boren for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years.

Funding was secured for the new building with Seattle voters passing two school levies in the February election.

The new school will have room for 650 students while the current building has room for 350, Collins said.

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Scenes From Old Ballard: When streetcar existed

With all of the recent hubbub over the possibility of a high capacity transit line connecting Ballard to Downtown, we thought it might be nice to take a look at the past. If you'll remember, Ballard had a streetcar before.

In this photo from the Ballard Historical Society's photo archive, which was taken around 1920, Maud Reid Adams stands on the Ballard Bridge with a steetcar in the background.

Here are their notes on the photo:

The Ballard Bridge was originally constructed in 1888. Prior to it being built there was no direct access to Seattle from Ballard. Interestingly, there was originally a tiny island located where the current bridge stands. Anchored to this island (at the turn of the century) was what was known as a Pest House. Built initially upon a scow and eventually secured to the island with pilings, the pest house was used as a quarantine facility during the epidemics of diphtheria, scarlet fever, small pox and polio. The original bridge has been replaced twice by more modern versions.

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