May 2013

Information from King County Metro

King County Metro Transit is challenging riders to take and record at least 250 bus rides before June 7 on the Route 50 which runs from Columbia City/Seward Park to West Seattle/Alki, connecting Link light rail and every north-south route in the area.

In addition to winning the challenge and gaining bragging rights for the most rides, participants who log at least three trips will be eligible for a drawing of $25 REI gift cards, and there will also be four winners for recruiting the most additional participants into the challenge. To encourage participation in the challenge, the program is open to all King County residents.

“This is a friendly competition, and we’re excited to try motivating riders by using this challenge format,” said Kelly Lindsey of King County Metro. Participants can track the conversation on Twitter using #Rt50challenge.

Information from King County

Starting Thursday, May 9 the north ferry entrance lane and toll booth will reopen. The lane and toll booth have been closed since January due to construction activities at the Barton Pump Station. With the opening of the north lane and toll booth, a uniformed police officer will no longer be on site.

During the closure crews have conducted activities essential to the pump station upgrade, including jet grouting, which is a soil stabilization technique that will allow a safe underground work zone.

As work on the pump station progresses, there may be a need for occasional day time lane closures. King County will notify commuters and the community of any short-term or day-long lane closures.

What to expect

· There will no longer be a uniformed police officer to direct traffic
· Flagger to continue moving traffic through site and in and out of the ferry terminal entrance, when necessary
· Work to continue on site, beginning with excavation of the pump station
· Heavy equipment on site

The Burien Arts-A-Glow Lantern festival is looking for artists and community groups to create lantern installations for the 2013 event to be held on Saturday, Sept. 7th.

The Call is below and can also be found at: www.burienwa.gov/glow

Call for Artists

Arts-A-Glow Lantern Festival and Procession
Dottie Harper Park, Burien, WA
Event date: September 7, 2013, 5:00-10:00pm
www.burienwa.gov/GLOW

Deadline for Submissions: 4:00pm, June 28th, 2013
Applications must be submitted electronically, no later than 4pm on June 28th to
ginak@burien.gov

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Artists are invited to submit proposals to provide new or existing temporary illuminated artworks
as part of the Arts-A-Glow Lantern Festival in Burien, Washington. The festival is sponsored by
the City of Burien.

• Artists are encouraged to visit Dottie Harper Park (4th and 146th SW; Burien)
http://www.burienwa.gov/index.aspx?NID=401 prior to preparing their proposal.
• The artworks must be waterproof.
• Artwork must have no lasting physical impact on the park - leaving “no trace.”
• Artwork must be family friendly.

We received a note from the Heron Habitat Helpers about heron eggs in the Kiwanis Ravine being destroyed by eagles. Most of the herons of the 90-plus great blue heron nests have abandoned the colony due to this predation. The Helpers are asking residents of Ballard and Magnolia to help spot any new nests.

We'll be following up on this case. For more information, read the full note below.

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The majority of 90-plus great blue heron nests established this spring in Kiwanis Ravine, located near Discovery Park, have failed due to eagle predation of eggs and chicks. Heron Habitat Helpers, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting herons and the Kiwanis Ravine colony, is asking residents of Magnolia and Ballard to report any sightings of herons carrying twigs and building new nests to info@heronhelpers.org.

Press release:

This May marks the 86th anniversary of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Better Hearing Month, an event dedicated to raising awareness about hearing loss treatment and the challenges facing those who live with limited hearing.

To further this goal, Highline Hearing Professionals in Burien will be offering free hearing screenings by appointment throughout the month of May.

“Both regular hearing checkups and the protection of your existing hearing are key to preserving your hearing health,” says Rebecca Grady of Highline Hearing Professionals. “And for those who are living with untreated hearing loss, Better Hearing Month is a good time to learn more about recent technological advances in hearing aids. Today’s devices are vastly superior to those of even just a few years ago.”

Better Business Bureau press release:

Loving sons and daughters looking for thoughtful ways to show affection for moms this year should think twice before opening up hearts and wallets. A recent survey from the National Retail Federation estimates that total Mother’s Day spending will reach $18.6 billion in 2013, and scammers will employ all sorts of tricks to fool consumers. Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington wants this day to be safe and mom-entous.

As with most special occasions, schemers try to catch last-minute shoppers off-guard and BBB offers the following reminders:

E-cards: Email cards appear to be from known contacts or trusted retailers, but are actually fraudulent, contain malicious links or malware and seek personal information; verify senders before opening.

Gifts: Newly registered websites stock Mother’s Day gifts at reasonable prices and guarantee timely delivery, but the products are never delivered or don’t actually exist at all. Avoid online vendors lacking verifiable contact information.

Press release:

The public is invited to ask questions and offer formal comments on the Draft Part 150 Noise Study for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on May 15 at Cedarhurst Elementary in Burien (611 S. 132nd St.) from 6 - 8 p.m.

The open house and public hearing is set to review the proposed recommendations for minimizing aircraft noise impacts on airport communities.

At this fifth and final public meeting, the public can offer formal comment on the Draft Part 150 Noise Study and required State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) study in writing or with a court reporter.

This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 150 Noise and Land-Use Compatibility Study update is designed to evaluate existing noise levels, predict noise for the next five years, evaluate potential noise mitigation ideas and recommend programs to minimize impacts.

The following are a few of the draft recommendations – based on study input from the community, Port of Seattle Commission and technical experts – which will be described in detail at the meeting:

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Press release:

The Hyde Shuttle vans are seen nearly everywhere in the Des Moines, Normandy Park and Burien area, taking folks wherever they need to go, and now, you can ride one to the Des Moines Farmer’s Market!

Beginning June 1st, and every other Saturday through October, you can ride a comfortable, clean Hyde Shuttle van from your home to the Farmer’s market and back! The hours are from 11AM until 2PM every other Saturday. Spend the mid day at the market, enjoy lunch, buy fresh flowers or veggies, listen to the fun entertainment on the waterfront. It takes just one call to the Hyde Shuttle office to arrange your ride, and you can call right now! The number is 206-727-6262. The vans are filling up so an early call is best.

The Hyde Shuttle is part of the Senior Service Transportation program and is available to anyone 55 or older, or who has any kind of mobility challenge. The vans can easily accommodate walkers and wheelchairs as well. Companion pets are welcome! There is no cost to the service, but donations are appreciated.

Students from the Arts & Academics Academy performed in front of HomeTask, 611 SW 152nd. during the Student Art Walk Thursday night. Dancer pictured are students of Maya Soto, including Angela Martinez, pictured in top photo, & Christian Molina, pictured in middle photo. Pictured below, people enjoy work at Collins Chiropractic, 619 SW 152nd, of Highline High & Cascade Middle School. Artwork in some locations will remain up through May 20.

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Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services presents the Student Art Walk Thursday night, May 9, along SW 152nd St. Here are the locations:

1. Burien Press, 423 SW 152nd

2. Keller Williams Realty, 455 SW 152nd

3. HomeTask, 611 SW 152nd St

4. Collins Chiropractic, 619 SW 152nd St, Highline High School & Cascade Middle School

5. Bumbershoot Books, 639 SW 152nd, Arts and Academics Academy

6. Burien Books , 824 SW 152nd, Highline High School

7. Cross Fit Burien, 819 SW 152nd, Odyssey High School

8. Phoenix Tea, 902 SW 152nd, Highline High School

9. The Mark Restaurant, 918 SW 152nd, Global Connections High School

Press release:

The City of Burien has installed a series of ornamental art pieces on light poles along 1st Avenue South. The different-colored art pieces depict a series of hubcaps, stacked end-to-end, with the words “Burien’s 1st Avenue.”

“The art pieces were designed by an artist to reflect the character of the City’s main thoroughfare, with its auto dealerships and other related businesses,” said Brian Victor, City of Burien engineer for the 1st Avenue South improvement project, who added that the artwork is part of the overall project contract and has been planned for several years. Victor said the ornamental pieces were installed on light poles between South 140th and South 146th streets, and possibly will be installed south to South 160th Street at a later date.

Phase Two of the improvement project is currently under way on the segment between South 140th and South 146th streets. Improvements include new sidewalks, curbs and gutters on both sides; new asphalt overlay; new signals and street lighting,; undergrounding of overhead utilities; new storm drainage; and landscaping.