May 2015

(Seattle—May 20, 2015) –Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s busiest time of the year, the summer travel season, kicks into high gear this Memorial Day holiday weekend. Travelers can expect over half a million passengers to pass through Sea-Tac Airport during the five-day period Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25. The busiest day of the holiday weekend is projected to be Friday, May 22 with about 120,000 travelers.
 
Through April of this year, Sea-Tac Airport has seen nearly three times the projected number of passengers, with a 13 percent overall increase and 16 percent jump of international passengers. This comes after a record setting 2014 where Sea-Tac handled nearly 37.5 million passengers.


 
We recommend individuals give themselves plenty of time and plan ahead accordingly.

Included below are additional passenger traffic numbers, travel and parking tips, and a comprehensive list of various passenger amenities and programs available throughout the airport.
 
Holiday Passenger Traffic Numbers: 
Top Three Busiest Days of the Memorial Day Holiday weekend:
• Friday, May 22: 120,000 projected passengers going through the airport (inbound and outbound)

Highline Public Schools is seeking feedback from families of Highline students through an online Parent and Family Climate Survey. All families are encouraged to participate in the survey which asks questions on topics ranging from academic preparation to student support to safety and behavior.
 
District and school leaders want to know how parents and families view Highline schools, programs, and services. This will help Highline make changes to improve schools and better support students.
 
“We want to work together with you to build an excellent education system where every student is known by name, strength, and need,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “Every family's voice is important. These conversations will help us learn how to make our schools better.” 
 
The online survey is easy to access and provides a convenient way to share input and ideas. Parents and families who have provided their student's school with an email address will receive an email invitation to participate. The survey is also posted on the YourVoice section of the district’s website.
 

By Tim Clifford

The first meeting for the month of May for the SeaTac City Council was held on May 12 at City Hall. Clocking in at a little over 90 minutes and with only two presentations on the agenda this was one of the shorter meetings in recent memory.

During the time for public comments a number of attendants criticized the council for their handling of the North SeaTac Park clean up (or lack thereof) as well their treatment of councilmember Pam Fernald. Recent television and print media coverage of Fernald offering her salary to help cover the clean-up costs came to dominate the proceedings. The term “disgusted” was used frequently and one commenter accused the council of being “environmentally racist” by neglecting Tub Lake and North SeaTac Park.

The first presentation of the evening was given by Kizzie Funkhouser, a volunteer supervisor with Catholic Community Services (ccsww.org). Volunteers with this program provide aid to senior citizens throughout south King County and SeaTac who can no longer take care of themselves (yardwork, handiwork, running errands, etc.).

Bergen Place Park filled with people last Friday afternoon for the second part of King Harald V's visit to Ballard. The King was there for the rededication of the Bergen Place Park mural, which was recently refurbished.

After a visit to Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, the King met the crowd at the mural. Mayor Ed Murray greeted the King for the dedication, along with other Seattleites still in good spirits after the Syttende Mai festival, which took place days before the King's visit.

The Ballard Centennial Bell tolled for his arrival and departure, with many in the audience able to recall the King's visit of 1995. King Harald dedicated the mural 20 years ago, and Harald’s father, King Olav V, dedicated the park in 1975.

While in Washington King Harald will also receive an Honorary Doctorate from Tacoma’s Pacific Lutheran University during its 125th anniversary commencement ceremony.

By Tim Clifford

The first meeting for the month of May for the SeaTac City Council was held on May 12 at City Hall. Clocking in at a little over 90 minutes and with only two presentations on the agenda this was one of the shorter meetings in recent memory.

During the time for public comments a number of attendants criticized the council for their handling of the North SeaTac Park clean up (or lack thereof) as well their treatment of councilmember Pam Fernald. Recent television and print media coverage of Fernald offering her salary to help cover the clean-up costs came to dominate the proceedings. The term “disgusted” was used frequently and one commenter accused the council of being “environmentally racist” by neglecting Tub Lake and North SeaTac Park.

The first presentation of the evening was given by Kizzie Funkhouser, a volunteer supervisor with Catholic Community Services (ccsww.org). Volunteers with this program provide aid to senior citizens throughout south King County and SeaTac who can no longer take care of themselves (yardwork, handiwork, running errands, etc.).

By Tim Clifford

Sad news arrived in the form of “permanently closed” signs adorning the windows of Zoopa Organics in Tukwila earlier this week. The restaurant, located at 393 Strander Blvd. across from the Westfield Southcenter Mall, was one of the first, and still one of the few, all-you-can-eat buffets to offer mostly organic ingredients.

“In the 18 months since we took over Zoopa we have made significant progress and learned more than we knew we needed to. But, the landlord has other plans. Restaurants are a risk for landlords and one they are not willing to shoulder given the looming threat of forced wage increases which render restaurants unprofitable,” wrote the owners on their website, eatzoopa.com, of the closing.

According to the owners the closing was unexpected and the decision by the landlord came last weekend.

Please join us for a work party at Ballard Corners Park (17th Ave NW & NW 63rd Street) on Saturday, June 27th from 9am-12noon, rain or shine.

Some tools and refreshments will be provided. If you have your own gloves and tools please bring them. Any questions, please contact Gabriella: gabriella@seanet.com or (206) 782-3238. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Rebecca Woodhouse Allard, a printmaker who works in carved linoleum and rubber, will be the featured artist for Burien Arts Gallery’s June exhibit.

Explains Rebecca, “I carve words into linoleum and rubber. I hand press my work, layering colors with different size blocks to create an abstract print.

“Since I carve each plate at a different time, every print combines thoughts from different moments. As a result, the text wouldn’t make sense as a narrative. I intend the words to be a visual element rather than communicative.

“So what do they say?  Some are lyrics from my favorite bands, but most are about life—art, news, self, people, and time.”

Meet Rebecca at the Opening Reception, Friday, June 5, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., at the gallery, 826 S.W. 152nd St. The exhibit runs June 3-June 28.

Rebecca has exhibited throughout the Puget Sound area since 2001. She earned her Bachelor of Fines degree in Painting/Drawing in 2000 from the California College of Arts and Crafts.

Artists United will also present their semi-annual small works show in different mediums.

From an estate garden, to a native plant haven, to a property dedicated to sustainable gardening practices, and more – the six gardens featured on the 2015 Highline Garden Tour showcase an inspiring range of horticultural features and cultivation practices. This popular annual event, which focuses on gardens in Burien, Normandy Park and SeaTac, will take place on Saturday, June 13, and tickets are now on sale. The self-guided tour includes plant sales, artists and musicians in the gardens, and information on landscaping with native plants.

Discount coupons and other specials are being provided by tour sponsors including Wild Birds Unlimited, Burien Bark, The Bean, and The Mark restaurant. Additional support comes from John L. Scott realtor Susan Plecko.