If you read The Waterland Blog regularly, you’re probably aware that, aside from providing a much-needed and timely service to the Des Moines area, we’re growing very quickly in both traffic, content and Advertisers (more info on us here).

And growth can be good, except of course when it starts to overwhelm a very small staff.

Hence, this posting – we’re looking for at least two capable folks to come join our Burien-based team:

1. JOURNALIST/EDITOR with Wordpress knowledge (or you’re at least not afraid to learn it). Yes, we need another Editor to collect content, format it, copy edit, add graphics (and do appropriate FTPing if necessary), then push the “Publish” button to update some of our up-and-coming blogs (we currently have 6 total, with more coming soon…).
2. SALES REP who can call on local businesses to let them know about us. We have nice Rate Cards, excellent traffic, our websites’ content speaks for itself, and we’re finding that selling Ads is easy – we just need more feet on the ground!

Here’s some more info:

• We prefer to find local folks who live in the general area.
• We like people who are involved in their communities (we’re active in ours).
• We like to find people who either read the blog already, or know of us.
• You can work part or full-time (some folks working here now have other gigs).
• You can set your own hours.
• This is a “ground-floor opportunity” and you will be part of a small, growing team.
• These are Contractor (1099) positions, meaning that you’ll be paid on an either per-job/hourly basis or pure Commission. And believe it or not, we also accept Volunteers! There are no benefits other than working with a fun, local, talented team who like to make a difference in their community.
• Your work will be seen on not just here on The Waterland Blog, but our five other area sister sites as well, including:
  • The B-Town (Burien) Blog
  • The White Center Blog
  • The Normandy Park Blog
  • The Tukwila Blog
  • The SeaTac Blog

Requirements:

• Please have a computer and internet access (we’ll set you up with an email account).
• Please have a reliable car & valid driver’s license.
• For Sales Reps – please have the ability to manage your clients throughout their entire Ad run on the sites (this includes staying in contact with them, renewing them when their contracts expire, etc.).
• You will work as an Independent Contractor, meaning you’ll be responsible for your own taxes, insurance, etc. and there are no additional benefits).
• You dig the internet and are excited about its future possibilities, including new technologies like the upcoming iPad.
• You like Local News, Events, Arts, Entertainment and more, as well as helping out your community(we hold our own Fundraiser Blog Parties about once per quarter, and over our 2+ year lifespan have raised over $13,000 for local charities).

To apply for one of these positions, please email us your resume, links to your online stuff (ie: Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs, etc.), and your interests and availability!

The Des Moines Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man who was photographed by security cameras (see pics below) during a local bank robbery on Saturday, Feb. 13th.

The bank robbery took place around 4pm last Saturday at the Wells Fargo Bank inside the Safeway store at the Redondo Square shopping complex, located at South 272nd and Pacific Highway South.

According to police, the suspect told the bank teller he had a gun and demanded money.

No weapon was seen and no one was injured during the robbery.

The suspect was last seen leaving the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect is described as:

• Black male with a very light skin complexion
• About 6′2″ tall
• Thin build
• In his 20s
• Dark colored “beanie hat”
• Dark (or black) hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants
• Silver-rimmed sunglasses

Here are two security cam pics – recognize this guy? Anyone with information about this case should call the Des Moines Police immediately at 206-878-3301 or dial 911:

Highline Community College’s StartZone is offering free tax preparation workshops and filing assistance to self-employed individuals in King County with total household income of less than $50,000.

Workshops being Feb. 10th, and eligible individuals will receive assistance from a trained and professionally supervised volunteer who will help complete and file 1040, Schedule C, applications for the Making Work Pay and Earned Income tax credits, and other forms.

For more information about eligibility requirements, individuals are encouraged to attend a tax preparation workshop. Workshops will be offered:

• Wednesday, Feb. 10th: 6-9pm
  
• Wednesday, March 10th: 6-9pm
  
• Saturday, March 13th: 9:30am – 12:30pm
• Saturday, March 27th: 9:30am – 12:30pm

To register, call (206) 878-3710, ext. 3388, or e-mail startzone@highline.edu.

StartZone’s Business Tax Center is funded by the CFED in partnership with the United Way of King County.

StartZone is a program that helps women, people of color, immigrants and persons with a disability start or grow small businesses in Southwest King County. For information, visit http://startzone.highline.edu.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,300 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida, Washington state poet laureate Sam Green and WLB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer.

King County Councilmember Julia Patterson donated a “retired” eight-passenger van to Sea Mar Community Health Centers Wednesday (Jan. 20th), in an effort to help South King County’s growing Latino community.

There are 50 non-profit, community Sea Mar locations in King County, with a recovery center in Des Moines and two in both Burien and White Center.

Patterson was greeted by a crowd of grateful volunteers and staff who were eager to take a look inside the shiny, blue, van and welcome her to Sea Mar (see pic below).

“I am very touched by the work of Sea Mar Community Health Centers and their commitment to providing quality, comprehensive care to individuals and families across King County,” said Councilmember Patterson. “Their Des Moines location serves an incredibly diverse, low-income population, which will benefit greatly from having this new mode of transportation to and from much-needed medical and dental appointments.”

Sea Mar Community Health Centers was established in 1978 with a single medical clinic serving Seattle’s South Park neighborhood. Today, Sea Mar, a private, non-profit community health center, operates nearly 50 medical, dental and behavioral health clinics and centers in 10 western Washington counties. Sea Mar is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive health and human services to diverse communities, including low income, underserved and uninsured populations. Sea Mar specializes in services to Latinos and is an innovative leader in the delivery of bilingual and culturally appropriate healthcare and social services. For more information, visit Sea Mar’s website here.

”We are pleased that the County has selected our inpatient, long-term treatment program as a beneficiary of its van distribution program,” said Rogelio Riojas, Sea Mar’s Chief Executive Officer. “We intend to make the van available to any resident or person who comes to the treatment center for care and services. It will be a great resource for our program.”

Since 1995, the King County Council has donated vans to nonprofit groups to help meet the transportation needs of low-income, elderly, youth, or people with disabilities in King County. The vans are part of a fleet of county vehicles that have been ‘retired’ after accruing a certain number of miles. This is the eighth year that each member of the council has been able to donate vans.

The vans were donated through an annual application process.

For more information about applying for a van, contact Councilmember Patterson’s Office at (206) 296-1005.

Police are asking for the public’s help in finding Edith M. Claver, 47, a missing Des Moines woman who was last seen Friday, Nov. 27th, when she walked away from the Ukrainian Christian Center in Renton.

According to Renton Police, Claver was last seen around 7pm, wearing a blue pullover jacket, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.

The day after she went missing, an employee of the church discovered items belonging to her near a dumpster on the north side of the church, located at 221 Hardie Avenue NW in Renton.

Police say that she may be schizophrenic, but no other medical issues are known.

And now, with a cold front moving in, authorities are concerned for Claver’s health and well-being.

Anyone with information about the missing woman is asked to call Renton Police immediately at 425-430-7500.

Des Moines’ Youth of Resurrection Lutheran Church has started “Operation Raincoat,” a program where people can donate gently-used coats for children, youth and even adults.

Donated coats will be distributed to area residents in need, and here’s how you can help:

Bring your gently-used coats of all sizes to:

Resurrection Lutheran Church
134 South 206th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198

Also, if you’d like to set up a drop-off station in your business or work place, please contact Elizabeth Schwanke at elizabeth.schwanke@live.com, or call 206.605.4277 and she’ll will be happy to provide flyers and a donation box.

Here’s info from their flyer:

For the past few months, the Youth of Resurrection Lutheran Church have been involved in a ministry called Bread of Life. Every Friday, rain (or snow, or hail..) or shine, we distribute bread to a a very in-need neighborhood of Des Moines. We do this not only to fulfill the immediate physical needs, but to share the hope and love of God with them. Every week as the bread truck pulls into the neighborhood, kids rush out of their homes to meet us, some with barefeet and most all without coats.

We felt compelled to do something more and so we’ve started a little something called “Operation Raincoat”. We are asking you to take a few minutes to look through your closets and ask your neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family memebers for gently used children and youth sized coats (we will take adult coats too!). This is such a great opportunity to help the “least of these” by keeping these children warm and dry during the cold and wet winter months.

There will also be a gathering at RLC on Friday, Nov. 20th at 7pm for fellowship, worship and to pray over the distribution of the coats.

All are invited.

A few Saturdays ago your intrepid Waterland Bloggers were innocently sitting in our booth at the Famers Market, when Debra Jackson, assistant market manager, dropped off THE CHALLENGE.

Da dum, da dum, da dum… (or for all you Swedish Chefs out there: Bor-bork, bor-bork, bor-bork…)

We’re talking of course about the dreaded Chili Challenge, the one that nobody can refuse, and the one that requires your team to actually cook Chili for the Farmers Market Chili Cook-Off coming Halloween day, Oct. 31st.

This past Saturday, The Waterland Blog not only accepted their challenge, but we were the first to actually pay the $30 entry fee!

We have it on good authority that there’s others in the Waterland Community that will be challenged. According to Wayne Corey, president of the DMFM board, there’s some teams from Rotary and others who’ve said they’re on, but nobody’s in until they pay. There’s only room for 10 teams,

Like a six-gilled shark swimming off the Marina, Debra has a bead on various Des Moines organizations and individuals to issue the cookoff challenge. Hide, we tell you hide. Especially if you’re with the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Lions, the Odd Fellows, the Yacht Club, or local churches.

She’ll find you.

Believe us, she’ll find you!

The Des Moines Food Bank needs your help. To sign up before you receive THE CHALLENGE click here for our previous coverage, or here to download the registration PDF.

DMFM has room for just 10 teams…so sign up now. Help the Food Bank, have some fun…and vote for The Waterland Blog team!

Bork Bork Bork!

A brand spankin’ new Goodwill Store will open Thursday, Sept. 17th in Des Moines, and will feature the usual Goodwill great shopping values, a convenient drop-off for tax-deductible, gently used clothes and household goods, as well as provide support for Goodwill’s job-training and placement programs.

A grand opening ceremony will take place that morning, from 8:45am to 9am at the store, which will be located at 23313 Pacific Highway S., in La Plaza shopping center. Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler, along with Goodwill Board of Directors President Bob Bruback and CEO Terry A. Hayes will be on hand.

After the ceremony, at 9am, the store will open to the public, and the Goodwill Hunting shall begin (or perhaps the Goodwill Games?).

During the grand opening weekend (Sept. 17-20th), shoppers will have the opportunity to win a DVD player, iPod nano and $50 gas cards daily throughout the event. Other free giveaways will also be available at the store.

“Our new Des Moines Goodwill Store provides tremendous benefits to the community,” said Bruback. “A Goodwill store not only means a place where families can stretch the value of their dollars, but jobs and even tax revenue for the community.”

About 35 people, from the store manager to supervisors, cashiers and production clerks and donation attendants, were hired for the store. The payroll exceeds a half-million dollars, along with health insurance and other benefits.

Hayes noted Goodwill provides a great opportunity for people seeking that first job or that second chance. Goodwill’s retail stores also are utilized as part of Goodwill’s job training and placement programs, she said.

Hayes thanked architects BCRA, the contractor, Mountain Construction; and Trinity Real Estate, property owners/managers. The Des Moines store is 17,000 square feet and formerly a QFC.

Robert Glidewell will be the store manager. Glidewell has been with Goodwill since April 2008 and was manager of the agency’s Outlet Store. Before coming to Goodwill, Glidewell was a store manager for Walgreens and has experience as an assistant store manager at Lowe’s in Bellevue.

Jeff Kelly will become the Outlet Store manager.

The store hours will be from 9am to 9pm, Monday through Saturday, and 10am to 7pm on Sunday. More information about Goodwill is available online at www.tacomagoodwill.org.

The store will be the 23rd for the agency, headquartered in Tacoma, and marks the fifth store in King County.

The new Des Moines Goodwill is located at 23313 Pacific Ave. South, which technically is in Kent but we’re still calling it the “Des Moines Goodwill” since this town can always use more of that; phone is (206) 824-1101.

View Larger Map

by Mark Neuman

A top of the line mobile dental clinic continues to serve people in the Des Moines area courtesy of the members and volunteers of Grace Lutheran Church and the Des Moines Legacy Foundation.

Medical Teams International, formerly known as Northwest Medical Teams, began providing mobile dental services at Grace Lutheran Church a little over three years ago for local school children with no dental insurance and no ability to pay for dental services.

In April 2008, the mobile dental program at Grace was extended to offer free dental services to adults and seniors with no dental insurance or ability to pay.

The services utilizes a brand new, state-of-the-art van, which is made possible in part by a grant from Franciscan Health System.

The van sets up in the parking lot area of the church, which is located at 22975 24th Avenue South, in Des Moines (see map below).

The van arrives with a licensed dentist, hygienist, and a dental assistant.

The credo of the folks at Grace Lutheran is posted on a church wall:

“Our mission is to demonstrate the love of Christ to people affected by disaster, conflict and poverty.”

Donations from Waterland readers and neighbors, in support of the mobile dental van, are most welcome. Please make checks to Grace Lutheran Church, with a notation “Dental van program,” and mail it to:

Grace Lutheran Church
c/o Sandra Bollinger, Dental Van Site Coordinator
22975 24th Avenue South
Des Moines, WA 98198

Thanks to professional dental volunteers and donated supplies, every one dollar you give provides more than five dollars of dental care for a person in need.

Prospective patients must fill out a client application in advance and be given a specific appointment date and time.

For additional information or a client application, please call the site coordinator at 206-817-3698.

Here is the schedule for the remainder of the 2009 calendar year:

• September 11
• September 17
• October 16
• October 22
• November 20
• December 18

View Larger Map

As homelessness grows with tough economic times, an area non-profit organization, Light Under The Bridge Homeless Ministry, is successfully affecting homelessness one person at a time.

Light Under The Bridge began last October by husband and wife founders, Kevin and Hope Kerkof.

“It began with us just making 6 sack lunches and going to Occidental Park on a Saturday morning. We just wanted to remind the homeless they are not forgotten. To look them in the eye and treat them with respect as human beings,” Kevin explained. “We had no idea what a mission this would become.”

What began as 6 lunches, has now become a team of volunteers and about 40 lunches every Saturday. “The need is overwhelming,” Hope explained, “With approximately 1,900 unsheltered people in Seattle, its easy to get discouraged and think what difference can one person make? However, our strategy is to affect the lives of the homeless by establishing relationships built on trust and respect, one person at a time. We bring them food, clothing, supplies…and as we build relationships with them, we continue to visit them when they are sick or injured in the hospital, and visit them in jail. And through our networking with other ministries, we are able to help get the homeless off the streets and the help they need when they’re ready.”

Light Under The Bridge goes where most charities will not go – under the freeways, bridges, and into the woods looking for the homeless that are not involved with the missions, shelters, and soup kitchens. These are the homeless that indeed feel forgotten, that is until they meet the volunteers from Light Under The Bridge.

Light Under The Bridge goes out every Saturday morning, on the same route-thereby visiting the same people, at the same time. The homeless look forward to their visits as one homeless man, William Johnson tells, “I’ve lived in 49 states, and in all those states, meeting Hope & Kevin is the first time I’ve ever been shown real love. Everyone out here on the streets is always asking me when the Christians are coming back out.”

As a result of Light Under The Bridge and their volunteers building relationships with the homeless, some have left the streets and are getting the help they need. Part of Light Under The Bridge’s mission has been to establish networking relationships with other faith based programs that offer rehab, housing, food, clothing, job skills, and eventually integrates them back into society. One such program that Light Under The Bridge has partnered with is The Freedom House.

The Freedom House is located in Des Moines and is a year long faith-based program that provides a discipleship program for men and women suffering from addictions. There are three phases of discipleship. During Phase I Temporary housing is provided which occurs in the first 30 days. During this time men and women are able to stay in a drug and alcohol free facility. Those that are committed to change continue into phases two and three and provided permanent housing. The program is an inclusive program, providing lodging, food, clothing, biblical teaching, life skills and an alternative life to drugs and alcohol abuse. At the end of the year, these men and women will have established a job, been taught how to budget and have savings, and will have a place to rent. Several of Light Under The Bridge’s success stories have sought treatment and are now residing at The Freedom House.

Kevin & Hope Kerkof compare Light Under The Bridge to a search and rescue team, and The Freedom House as a hospital with long term care.

“It’s a fantastic system which is affecting lives one person at a time.”

Both ministries operate from donations. 100% of all donations received by Light Under The Bridge help the homeless.

Hope adds:

“We are in great need of donations. Tangible items such as clothing or groceries can actually be left off at our church office at Shorewood Foursquare Church marked for Light Under The Bridge. We need socks, gloves, hats, and jackets are most in need, especially since the weather will begin to cool off very soon.

We get help and donations from The Freedom House in Des Moines, and Hope Fellowship Community Church in Burien which has a community outreach clothing closet every Sunday. Volunteers are always welcome. We ask them to give us a call first and to check out our website www.LightUnderTheBridge.com.”

You can also donate by sending checks to:

Light Under The Bridge
224 SW 153rd St #146
Burien, WA 98166

For further information, you can visit their website at www.LightUnderTheBridge.com.

Laid off?

Job hunting?

Tired of being “between gigs”?

Then pay attention – Highline Community College is offering a series of free job-hunting workshops, with the next two coming up on the next two Tuesdays:

WHAT: Two “Navigating the Future” job-hunting workshops on cover letters, resumes and interview tips.

WHEN:

Cover Letters and Résumés That Get Results
Tues., July 28th from 9:30am – 11:30am
Stand out in the candidate pool! Your cover letter and résumé provide the first impression you make to a potential employer. Learn tips and techniques to put together a cover letter and résumé that will get positive results.

Tips for a Successful Interview
Tues., Aug. 4th from 9:30am -11am
Get valuable tips about how to prepare for a successful interview and find out what to expect during the interview process. Human Resources staff members will provide an overview of various interview questions that will prepare you in making a lasting impression on your potential employer.

WHERE: Highline Community College’s main campus, Building 99, room 132. Highline’s main campus is located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99); address: 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198.

COST: Free and open to the public

INFO: www.highline.edu/admin/hr/

RSVP: To register, call (206) 878-3710, ext. 3812, or e-mail hrstaff@highline.edu.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and Washington state poet laureate Sam Green (and yes, even the Publisher/Editor of the BTB…).

The Highline School District will be offering up free meals all summer long, including both breakfast and lunch at 13 different locations, most beginning on Monday, July 6th.

The district has been offering free summer meals for at least the last ten years, and the USDA-funded program has expanded significantly to include community sites as well as schools.

“Based on the estimation from our sites, we may serve up to 1,000 breakfasts and 2,000 lunches plus offer snacks to some sites,” said Brianna Smith, RD, Nutrition Services Manager.

Who is served by the Summer Food Service Program?

• All children 18 years and younger are eligible for the Summer Food Service Program. There is no registration or fee.
• All children are welcome to eat a meal at summer school sites, even if they are not enrolled in a summer program.
• The meal must be eaten at the site and be finished within 15 minutes of the final serving time.

Who pays for it?
The Summer Food Service Program is a federally funded child nutrition program that feeds children nutritious meals during the summertime when school is out and children don’t have access to school meals. It was created to ensure that children in low-income areas could continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations. Funding for the Summer Food Service Program is provided with federal dollars and is sufficient to meet expenses related to sponsorship of the program.

What is the purpose of the program?
Clearly, the nutritional needs of large numbers of children who depend on school meals during the school year are not being met in the summer. Good nutrition is essential for learning.

How are site locations determined?
Service sites for the Summer Food Service Program are determined based on:

1. Eligibility criteria.
2. Interest and need at the school building level.
3. Interest and need at community centers.

Here’s where and when the FREE Summer Meals will be available:

• Bow Lake School
  Breakfast: 7:30-8:45 Jul 6-Jul 24 M-F
  Lunch: 11:30-12:45
  18237 42nd Ave S SeaTac 98188
• Evergreen School
  Breakfast: 7:15-7:45 Jul 6-Jul 24 M-F
  Lunch: 10:45-11:15
  830 SW 116th Seattle 98146
• Gregory Heights School
  Breakfast: 7:30-8:45 Jul 6-Jul 24 M-F
  Lunch: 11:30-12:45
  16201 16th Ave SW Burien 98166
• King County Parks – White Center
  Lunch: 12:00-1:00 July 7-Aug 14 M-F
  Snack: 4:00-5:00
  1321 SW 102nd St Seattle 98146
• Midway Elementary School
  Breakfast: 7:30-8:45 Jul 6-Jul 24 M-F
  Lunch: 11:30-12:45
  22447 24th Ave S Des Moines 98198
• Mt. Rainier School
  Breakfast: 7:15-8:00 Jul 6-Aug 7 M-F
  Lunch: 11:00-12:00
  22450 19th Ave S Des Moines 98198
• Mt. View School
  Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 Jul 6-Jul 30 M-Th
  Lunch: 12:00-12:30
  10811 12th Ave SW Seattle 98146
• Schoenwald Park
  Breakfast: 8:30-9:30 Jul 6-Jul 15 M-F
  Lunch: 12:00-1:00
  16030 Sylvester Road Burien 98166
• Seahurst YMCA
  Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 Jul 6-Aug 14 Mon-Fri
  Lunch: 11:30-12:30
  14603 14th Ave SW Burien 98166
• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission
  Lunch: 12:00-12:30 Jul 7-Aug 14 T-F
  Snack: 4:00-4:30
  15003 14th Ave SW Burien 98166
• Shannon South
  Lunch: 12:00-1:00 Jul 6-Aug 14 M-F
  Snack: 3:00-4:00
  3508 S 180th SeaTac 98188
• Southwest Boys and Girls Club
  Lunch: 12:00-12:30 Jul 6-Aug 14 M-F
  Snack: 3:30-4:00
  9800 8th Ave SW Seattle 98106
• White Center
  Breakfast: 8:15-9:00 Jul 6-Aug 7 M-F
  Lunch: 12:00-1:00
  10015 6th Ave SW Seattle 98146

• Food cannot be taken off the premises.
• The child does not need to be a Highline Public School student.
• There are no forms to fill out and no names are taken.
• Program is open to age 18 and under.

More information available at the Highline School District website.

Are you working with a local community group or non-profit and want to get your information out to the public? Then apply for a FREE booth at the Saturday Farmers Market!

The Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market reserves one booth free of charge for non-profit community groups. All that’s required is that your group provide two volunteers for set up at the market at 8:30am and two volunteers for take down at 2:00pm. In the meantime, your volunteers can meet and talk to up to 1,000 local shoppers. Volunteers must be able to lift and carry 50lbs.

For more information, please contact Market@dmfm.org or go to www.DMFM.org.

Highline Community College’s StartZone helped Chris Stiles (whose painting is pictured above), who has autism that limits his ability to communicate, and his family start a small business where he could share his artwork with others.

Stiles, 40, has been drawing since he was about 10 years old.

“For years friends and neighbors encouraged us to sell Chris’ artwork,” said Julie Stiles, a family member. “We didn’t know where to begin. When we tried to open a business bank account without a business license, the bank referred us to StartZone.”

Chris Stiles Art isn’t the only business to benefit from Highline’s program. Since opening in October 2008, the program has helped more than 70 people who want to start or expand their business.

StartZone helps women, people of color, immigrants and people with disabilities start or grow a small business in Southwest King County.

“We get our members on the path to owning a profitable business,” said Mike Skinner, StartZone’s program manager. “By helping them overcome barriers, we are giving them a fighting chance at success.”

Members receive support from a diverse and multilingual staff of StartZone’s specialists who have been successful at running small businesses and have financial, marketing or other business experience.

StartZone services are free to members and include assessments, referrals, business consulting and planning, loan packaging, workshops, mentoring and opportunities for networking and peer support.

StartZone also works closely with Highline’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC provides counseling, resources and technical assistance for small and medium-size business owners, managers and entrepreneurs in Southwest King County.

StartZone offers orientations from 6-6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at the HCC Outreach Center (Building 99), room 132, 23835 Pacific Highway South in Kent.

For more information about StartZone, call (206) 878-3710, ext. 3388, e-mail startzone@highline.edu or visit http://startzone.highline.edu.

For more information about Chris Stiles Art, e-mail art@artautistic.com or visit www.artautistic.com.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening, online and weekend classes.

With the most diverse population of any college in Washington state, Highline takes a multicultural approach to education for the success of all its students and the prosperity of its surrounding communities. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and Washington state poet laureate Sam Green, and, at one time, even Waterland Blog Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer.

The Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market is in need of a flatbed truck, or tractor with a wagon or something similar for their 50th anniversary parade entry on July 18th.

If anyone has access and wishes to be part of the market for the week, please email market@dmfm.org or call Debra at 206-592-1423!

by Janet Grella

As the sun sets on the last day of National Volunteer Month, The Waterland Blog wanted to highlight some of our local volunteer efforts in the community.

These unsung heroes deserve a pat on the back, as well as the ongoing praise and thank-you’s for their volunteer efforts that keep such entitities running as our own regional hospital Highline Medical Center, the Highline School District, Des Moines Senior Center and Des Moines Food Bank.

Highline Hospital recently celebrated their 300 volunteers at a luncheon at the Normandy Park Cove. One hundred were able to attend the party, which was catered by Emerald Cove Catering.

“One of our volunteers has supported us for 31 years….and has given more than 13,500 hours of service. Incredible!” noted Mara Burke, Director of Community Relations and Volunteer Services.

Mara called the hospital volunteers “a tremendous resource, and quite the gift. Over-all these volunteers contributed nearly 51,000 hours to the running of hosptial services in over 40 divisions at their Main Campus in Burien and their Speciality Campus at 16251 Military Road South in Tukwila. As a matter of fact, WLB was advised that over 16 percent of the hospital workforce is comprised of volunteers.

“As you can tell, we are extremely appreciative of all that our volunteers do to support our patients, staff and community, ”

If you are interested in joining the army of loyal volunteers at the medical center click here. There are positions for adults and teen volunteers, and they currently have 59 teen volunteers who work after school.

Highline Public Schools tells us that for the 2008-09 school year (through March ‘09) they’ve had over 2,700 volunteers working over 30,000 hours.

Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director, Communitcation and Community Engagement told WLB “We have many volunteer activities available in schools. Suffice it to say that every school can use volunteer support.”

“We welcome community volunteers in all our schools. We have recently begun some work to bring more of a community focus to our schools in SeaTac and White Center, with funding from the Stuart Foundation. Fourteen of our schools in SeaTac and White Center now have “community schools” programs, which provide academic and enrichment opportunities for students outside the school day. We have partnered with Community Schools Collaboration, a local non-profit organization, to coordinate these programs, which are often created by and staffed by community volunteers and community-based organizations,” Catherine told WLB.

To volunteer at our local public schools stop by any school to fill out an application. You will have a Washington State Patrol background check to qualify for school volunteering.

“As funding becomes available, we want to expand community schools programs to all our schools district-wide. This will provide many more opportunities for community members to be involved in schools” she continued.

Des Moines Senior Activity center celebrated their 167 volunteers with a luncheon party at the Activity Center. Eighty volunteers were in attendance. Sue Padden of the Senior Activity Center told WLB that “My volunteer hours for 2008 from the senior activity center were 22,000. We have over 50 program areas where volunteers are involved, from coordinating, managing and planning the program, to helping out with driving residents to medical appointments, helping deliver a meal to a homebound senior.”

Sue went on to say “It’s not how many candles…it’s how BRIGHT the flame!!! I have the pleasure of working with the most dynamic, caring, active, joyful, committed older adults. Our senior activity center is ONLY as good as the people who support, plan and participate in our programs…SUPER volunteers!! To volunteer give the Senior Center a call 878-1642.

Our local food bank could use your help. Understaffed but working hard, the Des Moines Food Bank is serving more and more people. Generous donations, fundraisers and smart buying help them keep the food stocked. Volunteers help keep the merchandise flowing to people in need.

Barb Shimizu, DMFB Program Coordinator, explains that “Volunteers are the heart of the food bank. They are involved in everything we do–picking up food, sorting food, greeting clients, serving food, running our backpack program, helping with statistics, serving as board members and innumerable other special projects.”

Here’s a few facts about the DMFB:

• In 2008, the food bank was able to serve over 1.2 million lbs of food to almost 10,000 different individuals throughout the year with only 2 employees.
• This is possible because volunteers provide us with the equivalent of over 23 full-time workers.
• Thanks to volunteers, they are able to run a business worth over $2 million per year on less than $250,000.
• This is a true community effort and a safety net that works.
• To find out more about volunteering for DMFB click here or call 878-2660.

When you volunteer you give the gift of your time to those less fortunate than you. Be there for them. Volunteer!

Des Moines’ annual Earth Day Clean Up is coming Saturday, April 25th, and here’s your chance to help your community:

WHAT: Des Moines Marina District Earth Day Clean Up Sponsored by Destination Des Moines

WHEN: Saturday, April 25th, from 9 am – 11am

WHERE: Meet at Big Catch Plaza. Clean up will take place between Marine View Drive to the Marina (Dock Street) S. 216th Street – S. 227th Street and everything in between!

INFO: Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves, garden tools, shovel, bucket, and rakes!

CONTACT: To volunteer, please call Leslie Newman at 206-769-8882 or via email: leslienewman@remax.net

For more information go to destinationdesmoines.org

ABOUT EARTH DAY:
Earth Day — April 22 — each year marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

Among other things, 1970 in the United States brought with it the Kent State shootings, the advent of fiber optics, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Apollo 13, the Beatles’ last album, the death of Jimi Hendrix, the birth of Mariah Carey, and the meltdown of fuel rods in the Savannah River nuclear plant near Aiken, South Carolina — an incident not acknowledged for 18 years.

Participant in Earth Day, 1970. Photo: EPA History Office

It was into such a world that the very first Earth Day was born.

Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest “to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda. ” “It was a gamble,” he recalls, “but it worked.”

At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. Environment was a word that appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news.

Earth Day 1970 turned that all around.

On April 22, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Denis Hayes, the national coordinator, and his youthful staff organized massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

In our continuing effort to serve the community of Des Moines, The Waterland Blog proudly announces its latest category page: JOB LISTINGS!

You can find it anytime by clicking on “Jobs” listed in the upper navigation menu between “Events” and “Directory.”

We’re still fine-tuning the code, but this page is set up to retrieve live, continuously-updated job listings for the general Des Moines area.

As we find more job listing feeds, we will add them.

Please check it out and let us know your thoughts.

Here’s a taste of what you can expect to find on the Jobs Page – all lists are automatically generated with the most recent jobs posted:

If you’re looking for a job, and happen to have Reporting/Writing or Sales skills…please email us!

We’re having our first-ever “No Foolin’ Fundraiser” Blog Party on Wednesday, April 1st (appropriately it’s April Fool’s Day) at Butler Bar & Grill, and it’s going to serve as a fundraiser for the Des Moines Food Bank.

You’re invited to come – just bring two cans or boxes of non-perishable food (or $5 cash) as your donation to help feed some hungry neighbors.

Here are the details:

WHAT: The Waterland Blog’s “No Foolin’ Fundraiser” for the Des Moines Food Bank

WHEN: Wednesday, April 1st, from 6pm on

WHERE: Butler Bar & Grill, located at 22341 Marine View Drive South in Des Moines (map below); phone: (206) 429-3709

COST: 2 (or more) cans or boxes of non-perishable food items, or $5 cash donation

Some of the evening’s fun will include:

• We’ll be demonstrating this here blog by doing “Live Blogging”
• Meet the staff of The Waterland Blog!
• Fun, friends and most importantly…Fundraising for the Des Moines Food Bank!

Please spread the word by forwarding this page, and/or downloading a PDF of our poster, printing and posting it around town.

We hope to see you there!

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[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a guest column from Highline School District Music Teacher and jazz artist Sandra Locklear. The Waterland Blog welcomes all Writers and Opinions, and if you have something to say...email us!]

by Sandra Locklear

Remember middle or high school choir?

That’s a thing of the past in our school district!

But because of the current budget crisis and the need to determine how next year’s district budget will be spent, there now exists a window of opportunity to restore our cut music programs! On behalf of the students in our district, let’s show our School Board how serious we are about getting back our choirs and keeping our band programs functioning during the regular school day. Bernie Dorsey, our new School Board President, is a Highline High School graduate and is open to change. He said that the more people that show up to fill the room, the more likely we are to get results!

Tell everybody you know and bring others with you – please read on and try to come to this very important meeting:

WHO: Highline School District School Board

WHAT: Fine Arts Programs Work Study Session: http://www.hsd401.org/ourdistrict/board/boardmeetingschedule.htm – see specs below

WHEN: Wednesday, April 15th at 6pm (confirm on website or call district office at 206.433-2217)

WHERE: ERAC (HSD district offices next to Hi-Line Lanes bowling alley, across from Azteca), located at 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW in Burien.

WHY: To find solutions to reinstate music programs in our school district. Due to No Child Left Behind, Small Schools, the WASL, and site-based decision making, our district has lost all choral programs (except at Mt. Rainier HS and Pacific MS). Additionally, the Fine Arts Director position was axed in 2005 as well as the centralized music budget. What we are requesting: a HSD policy advocating music during the regular school day at every grade level K-12; reinstatement of our choral programs at the middle and high school level; reinstatement of a Fine Arts Director (part-time is better than nothing); reinstatement of a centralized music budget for instrument and music purchases and repairs. For a more extensive analysis, see the links below.

Important Note Regarding Work Studies: Unlike school board meetings, people are not allowed to speak at Work Study Sessions unless specifically called upon by a Board Member, i.e., to answer a question a Board Member may have. Please do not allow this to deter you from coming! The Board is very interested in seeing exactly how much community support there is for determining a new direction for the arts and music programs in our district.

Upcoming Board Meetings: If there is something you have to say to your School Board between now and April 15 regarding music programs in our district, you have 3 opportunities: at the Mar. 11, Mar. 25, and April 8 School Board Meetings. Please note: Those who want to share their thoughts with the School Board can do so as a “scheduled” speaker during the Communication portion of the agenda. Scheduled speakers must call the District Office at 206.433.2217 by 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting in order to be included on the agenda, and are allotted 5 minutes to speak. Those who wish to address the School Board but have not called to sign up to speak by the noon deadline may sign-up to speak for 2 minutes during the Unscheduled Communication portion, toward the end of the meeting.

WHY “NOW IS THE TIME!”: Upcoming HSD Budget Work Study Sessions: The window of opportunity exists now to reinstate music programs, as our state and school district are facing unprecedented budget cuts, to the tune of $5-8 million.

How will cuts be determined?

Proposed cuts will be based on:

• School board direction
• Community and parent input
• Analysis by staff

What can you do?

• Voice your opinion on proposed cuts
• Complete a survey now
• Fill out online comment form at www.hsd401.org
• Comment at a school board meeting
• Attend a board budget work session: March 25, April 22, May 27 – Budget Plan to be Finalized in June 2009
• Communicate with your legislator. Online: www.leg.wa.gov By phone: 1.800.562.6000

To get the full scope and gist of Fine Arts issues in the HSD, read Sandra’s article she wrote for the Highline Times on Oct. 22, 2008: http://www.highlinetimes.com/articles/2008/10/20/interact/columnists/column03.txt

Research backing: There is a lot of research out there validating the importance of music in public education, here are a couple of them:

• http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/arts/locklear.htm
• http://www.edutopia.org/arts-music-curriculum-child-development

Sandra Locklear has been a music educator in our district since 1991 and now finds herself in the role of arts activist due to the “dismal state of the arts in our district.”

She can be contacted through her website at www.sandralocklear.com.

by Josh Hart

Last October, a cool new program started in the Des Moines area when Don Harper and Wayne Corey founded the Des Moines/Normandy Park Elder Watch Program.

It took these guys 1-1/2 years to put together this project, which is aimed at increasing public awareness and reducing instances of Elder Abuse and neglect in the community.

Harper and Corey do this through a coordination of resources, support and response from various sources like the Des Moines Fire Aid Fund, South King Firefighters Foundation and the Legacy Foundation fund.

Wayne is the Elder Watch Co-Director, publisher of publicsafe.org, chairman of The Enhanced Public Safety Committee, a member of King County EMS/Medic One Advisory Committee, a volunteer for the Des Moines Police and South King Fire & Rescue, and a board member at the Des Moines Waterfront Farmer’s Market

Don also serves as Elder Watch Co-Director, a part of the Des Moines Senior Services Advisory Committee, and is a volunteer at the Des Moines Police and South King Fire & Rescue, a retired police officer, a volunteer at the Senior Services of King County, and a Suicide Prevention counselor.

Don and Wayne, along with the Des Moines Senior Advisory Committee, the Enhanced Public Safety Committee and local police target elders who get abused and who don’t get protected via the APS (Adult Protection Service). Don and Wayne find four ways of abuse, with Financial Exploitation and Neglect (either self neglect or caregiver neglect) as the most common one, in over 50% of cases. At a smaller amount but still noticeable is Physical and Emotional abuse along with sexual abuse in many cases.

• Intentionally causing pain and suffering and/or injury to an elderly adult can be considered physical and emotional abuse.
• Sexual Abuse is any form of non-consensual physical contact. It includes rape, molestation, or any sexual conduct with a person who lacks the mental capacity to exercise consent.
• Neglect is the failure of caregivers to fulfill their responsibilities to provide needed care. Self Neglect is the person’s own failure to maintain heath and safety. Intentionally taking advantage of an elderly adult financially is financial abuse.

The signs of these forms of abuse are the following:

• Physical & Emotional Abuse: unexplained injuries or behavior, elderly adult appears afraid of a person or circumstances, significant weight loss/gain that is not attributed to other causes, and stress related conditions, including elevated blood pressure.
• Sexual Abuse: inappropriate sex-role relationship between victim and suspect, genital or anal pain, irritation, bleeding or bruising, difficulty walking or sitting, torn, stained or bloody underclothing, and sexually transmitted diseases.
• Neglect/Self Neglect: untreated injuries or health, sudden decline in physical appearance, unsafe living conditions, and signs of medication mismanagement, including empty or unmarked bottles or outdated prescriptions.
• Financial Exploitation: disappearance of possessions or property, sudden transfer of money, unauthorized use of bank cards, and or/ forged signature on checks, and undue influence or coercion.

Only five percent of cases are reported, mainly because the elders are afraid to report the case or because they aren’t aware that they are being abused. Sometimes the elderly won’t talk to or let in First Responders, so Don and Wayne try to be less threatening and more low-key in trying to get the victim to open up.

Elder Watch provides victims rights information; help with information about the investigation; assistance with application for victims compensation benefits; liaison with prosecuting attorney’s office; referrals to other community agencies and resources that assist victims; assistance in getting property returned, and court support through the criminal justice process.

For more information on this program or to schedule a presentation to your group, please click on their website here: www.publicsafe.org/edlerwatch.org or call Elder Watch at 253-946-7338.

You can also visit the Des Moines Senior Center at 2045 S. 216th Street.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Josh Hart is The Waterland Blog’s first Intern!

He’s also a 15-year old student at Highline’s “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac.

Highline Community College continues to do its part to assist area residents hit hard by the recession, and their next helpful handout will be a seminar about writing “Cover Letters and Resumes That Get Results” on March 17th and April 21st.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Writing Covers Letters and Resumes That Get Results”

WHEN: Tuesday, March 17th from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm -OR- Tuesday, April 21st from 9:00 am – 10:30 am

WHERE: Highline Community College, Building 99, Room 132; HCC is located at 2400 S 240th St., Des Moines.

Learn how to write a cover letter and resume that stand out to potential employers. Human Resources staff members will also offer one-on-one consultations to assist job seekers in creating and completing a cover letter and resume.

COST: Free and open to the public.

INFO: RSVP to (206) 878-3710 x3812

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Did you know you can get a hot and affordable meal in Des Moines for under $6 and only $3 for those over 60?

According to the City of Des Moines Website:

LUNCH IS SERVED
A hot, nutritious meal is served Monday through Thursday at noon. No reservation required. Suggested donation is $3.00 for those over 60, $5.75 under 60. You have a choice of the regular meal, or a “souper sandwich” lunch. Alternative desserts, milk and condiments are available for diabetics or those on restricted diets.

Interested in a more international flavor?

LATINO LUNCH PROGRAM
Every Thursday is Spanish Lunch Program day at Activity Center.  Enjoy a nutritious and tasty lunch and the companionship of others who speak Spanish.  We have participants from Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico and other Latin countries.  Seamar Community Health Center provides a volunteer interpreter for those who need assistance with language. A Spanish dance is held the second Thursday of the month at 12:30pm.

Know a senior that could use help from home food delivery?

MEALS ON WHEELS
The Activity Center has frozen, microwavable meals available for persons age 60 and over who are homebound or unable to prepare balanced meals. There are thirty dinner and five breakfast options. Like lunch, we ask a $3.00 donation per meal. Also available are liquid diet supplements. Call for an appointment or to order.

The City of Des Moines is also looking for volunteers to help with these programs and more.

If you would like more information visit: http://www.desmoineswa.gov/dept/senior/info.html

Student volunteers, who have studied and received income tax preparation certification from AARP and IRS, are providing free help to anyone needing assistance preparing certain non-complex 2008 income tax returns.

Bring your patience and plan for at least one hour.

WHEN: Fridays only, through April 10, from 1pm to 7pm; last client at 6:15pm

WHERE: Highline Community College campus, Building 29, rooms 308

COST: Free, including electronic filing

BRING:

• Copy of 2007 income tax return
• Forms W-2 from each employer
• Form SSA-1099 if you were paid Social Security benefits
• Form 1099-G if you were paid unemployment benefits
• Form 1099-R if you received pension or annuity income
• All other forms 1099; e.g., 1099-MISC, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, etc.
• Dependent care provider information, if any (name, tax identification number, and amount paid in 2008)
• Social Security cards or other official documentation for yourself and all dependents
• Forms 1098-T and other available tuition statements
• All receipts or cancelled checks if itemizing deductions

If you own your home but have not been able to itemize in the past, new this year is potential income tax savings if you paid, in 2008, real estate taxes on your personal residence.

More information at this HCC website.