The Museum of Flight is holding an Engineering Fair this weekend, and the one event that stood out to us was the 15th Annual Popsicle Bridge Contest, which is scheduled to take place Saturday, Feb. 13th from 8am to 5pm.

High School engineering students will be busy creating sturdy (and perhaps not-so-sturdy) bridges made entirely of Popsicle sticks and white glue, which to us sounds like a lot of fun (especially if they have to eat a lot of Popsicles beforehand to prepare).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Engineering Fair & the 15th Annual Popsicle Bridge Contest

WHEN: Saturday, Feb 13th from 8:00am-5:00pm

WHERE: William M. Allen Theater at the Museum of Flight, located at 9404 East Marginal Way South in Seattle; Phone: 206.764.5720

INFO: From the Museum of Flight’s website:

The Younger Member Forum of the American Society of Civil Engineers will put on a competition of bridges built using only Popsicle sticks and white glue. Each year teams of high school students from local schools build bridges that are strong, efficient, as well as aesthetically pleasing. The bridges will be judged and then tested to failure with a hydraulic press. Be sure to be in the room as each bridge snaps and broken Popsicle sticks fly everywhere. At 12:00 noon the winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded.

In the Museum’s Side Gallery, the Puget Sound Engineering Council will celebrate the annual National Engineers Week with an Engineering Fair. Local chapters of national societies representing the entire span of engineering disciplines will staff booths all day where those interested in engineering careers can learn more about the exciting opportunities available. Several university engineering departments and student clubs will also be represented.

Here’s a video about the Popsicle bridge competition:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NhBJJcXOPQ[/youtube]

The Port of Seattle Commission released a draft of its memorandum of agreement (download PDF here) with the State of Washington Monday (Feb. 1st) detailing its contribution to the proposed bored tunnel project that would replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Public testimony and comment are being sought by the commission prior to their vote.

The memorandum spells out the port’s intent to make an investment in this program, which is not to exceed $300 million during construction of the Viaduct Replacement Program. The port’s contribution will be linked to improvements that promote freight mobility and access to port facilities. Freight, cruise, agriculture, daily commuters and neighborhoods depend on this vital traffic corridor every day, and the corridor is essential to our regional economy.

The port commission is asking for your input before they make a decision on the MOA. There are several ways in which you can comment over the next two weeks:

• E-mail comments to Viaduct MOA Comments: viaduct@portseattle.org
• Mail comments must be received by close of business Monday, February 8, to:

Viaduct MOA Comments
Attn: Christine Lee, Regional Transportation
PO Box 1209
Seattle, WA 98111

Public testimony can be provided at two upcoming Commission meetings:

• Tuesday, Feb. 2nd, 1:00 p.m., (MOA item will come up around 2:30p.m.) at Aviation High School, 615 South 200th St. in Des Moines
• Tuesday, Feb. 9th, 1:00 p.m., Port Headquarters, Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way in Seattle
  

The commission is expected to make a decision on the MOA, following public comments, at their February 9th meeting.

We know there are no excuses for posting this video so late, as the event took place last Sunday (Jan. 10th), but, um…we left our Flip camera in our other pants, and since we weren’t wearing any to begin with…

Actually, we hate to just throw up lame raw video, and editing takes time, and um…there’s that whole “other pants” thing again.

But first, a little interesting behind-the-scenes backstory:

Two days before the pantsless prank, we received the following email from Emerald City Improv’s Kelsey Wildstone:

First, please remember that we’re trying to be inconspicuous here.

If you’d like to film the event with a motion camera, try to find a way to disguise your camera in a box or something to make it a sort of “hidden camera”.

Use some creativity here, but the point is that we’d like to avoid people seeing you openly point a camera around.

Considering that we respect the fine art of successful pranking, and that our Publisher used to work on a hidden camera TV show (“Totally Hidden Video,” Fox), we wanted to abide by this request (unlike some local TV news stations who just showed up and shot with their huge cameras and “Reporters”). The end result was that our shooter Mark Neuman went out of his way to “disguise” our Flip camera thusly:

Okay, so here it is (finally!)…with video shot by Neuman, featuring Bart Bryan, edited by Scott Schaefer and featuring the groovy public domain hit “Midnight Special” recorded by some long-dead dude named Bill Cox in 1933, ironically during the last Great Depression when not wearing pants wasn’t a prank, it was a way of life:

Also, we were very curious to find out what the MuckyMucks at SoundTransit thought of this pantsless prank, so we sent an email to Andrew Schmid, Sound Transit Media Relations director –here’s his response:

Q: Was ST aware beforehand that this was going to happen?
A: No, we were totally caught with our… (unless you lack internet access, it was almost impossible to not know about this event).

Q: Did ST security goes pantsless?
A: No.

Q: Was security worried about this prank at all?
A: Slightly – our security is worried about everything.

Q: Did this event increase ridership? if so, by how much? (have any estimate on the # of pantsless?)
A: Yes, but the infrared technology on Link’s Automatic Passenger Counting machines is not designed to distinguish between the pant-sed and the pants challenged.

Q: Will ST tolerate future events like this?
A: So long as folks follow our code of conduct (read it here).

Q: Will ST ever sponsor future events like this?
A: No.

Q: How about creating some ST underwear for folks to wear?
A: Sorta already been done – see this.

Q: Did you, or any other ST officials, attend?
A: NO COMMENT

And in case you haven’t seen the other videos, here they are:

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first in a series of reports on Sunday's "No Pants! Link Light Rail Ride," where Reporter Gina Bourdage was brave (or foolish) enough to ride public transportation and drop trou. Look for more reports soon, including a video from Bart Bryan and Mark Neuman]

by Gina Bourdage

Most days being in your undies in public would be the nightmare we just woke up from.

Today is not that day.

After a frenzied Internet campaign via Facebook, the NYC group Improv Everywhere convinced people nationwide, myself included, to ride public transit today in their skivvies.

I have had that little voice in the back of my head ask me numerous times “What the heck are you thinking?!” and to be completely honest I have tried to talk myself out of participating.

In hindsight of the type of year 2009 turned out to be, most of us could use a little more light-hearted humor in 2010.

According to the Improv Everywhere website, “not taking life too seriously” is exactly the reason behind the nationwide “No Pants!” rides on buses, trains and subways all over the country today.

So relax, take a deep breath, drop trou and enjoy life…

Yep, actually getting out of the car and taking off the pants without the little voice telling me i am officially crazy was impossible. If it weren’t for the other twenty or so fellow pantsless participants I might turn and run. It is a little odd with children pointing “Hey mommy?!” but thank goodness everyone is “decent” and there’s nothing here you wouldn’t see on a beach.

After the first stop half the train is pants free. Who knew it was so easy to get people to rock their undies in public?

Oh boy this went to another level when i just saw a pantsless family.

I am impressed with the level that we, the pantsless mob, have pulled this off. Never have I seen so many strangers be so friendly with a smile and supportive silent acknowledgment that there really is something bigger going on here.

The confused and bewildered looks of the unsuspecting other riders is worth all the initial butterflies.

I encourage everyone to be a part of something that brings people together the way this has.

Here are some pics of the event (more to come so keep checking back, and if you participated and have some, please email us!):

Photo of pantsless women at Sea-Tac Airport courtesy Monica Guzman of SeattlePI.com.

Just got off the phone with Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department, who reports Monday (Nov. 9th) that Nicholas Francisco, a SeaTac man who went missing in Feb. 2008, has been found alive and well, living in another state, living under a new name.

Francisco was last seen leaving his work at an ad agency in Seattle on Feb. 13th, 2008; he was supposedly heading home to bake cookies with his children.

Francisco’s car was found a few days later abandoned at a condominium complex in Federal Way, and an extensive investigation was conducted to see if he had been a victim of foul play.

Nothing turned up, and subsequently his wife divorced him in absentia.

Last week detectives developed information that he was in fact alive, had changed his name and was living outside of Washington.

“Since he did nothing illegal and this case is basically closed, we won’t reveal where he was found,” Urquhart said to The B-Town Blog. “But let me tell you – there was something incredibly unique about this guy that made bloggers go crazy. In all my years, I have never seen such a reaction. I’m glad this case is closed.”

And yes, the King County Sheriff’s Department has indeed closed their investigation, so we may never know where he lives and why he left so suddenly.

Read previous coverage of this story on our sister site The B-Town Blog here.

Des Moines’ very own Mt. Rainier High School Ramblin’ Marching Band will be one of several area participants in Macy’s 24th annual Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 27th in downtown Seattle.

More than two dozen high school marching bands and community drill teams will also participate, including marching bands from:

• Chief Sealth High School
• Denny Middle School

• Kentwood High
• Ballard High
• Penninsula High
• Washington
• Centralia
• Sequim
• Roosevelt

In addition to MRHS’ Ramblin’ Marching Band, several other area drill teams will participate:

• Northside Drill Team and Drum Squad
• Lake City Girls
• Marysville Pilchuck High School Marching Tomahawks and Color Guard
• Connect All Stars & Northwest Open Cheer
• Edmonds Woodway High School

Boasting nearly 56 entrants, the parade will also feature:

• 22 balloon floats and inflatables
• 500 costumed characters
• 18 high school marching bands
• Community drill teams
• Four dog clubs

The parade will begin promptly at 8:45am on 7th and Pine in downtown Seattle, travel west to 5th Avenue, south on 5th to University Street, west on University Street to 4th, and north on 4th to Pine street, where it will deliver Santa to Macy’s under a confetti snowstorm.

At 5pm, Macy’s will light its famous, 161-foot high, 3,600-bulb Holiday Star on the corner of 4th and Pine, in conjunction with the Westlake Tree Lighting Ceremony. The star lighting will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, weather permitting.

So be sure to cheer on your local, ramblin’ marchers and musicians either in person on or KING-TV beginning at 9am Nov. 27th.

(Photo courtesy Carmen Scott)

UPDATE Sat. 11/7/09: The Seattle Police Department released more information Saturday about Christopher J. Monfort, the suspect shot Friday in Tukwila after being approached about his car, a Datsun B-210 that matched a vehicle seen near the scene of Officer Timothy Brenton’s death on Halloween.

He was shot on the scene and is currently in serious condition, in custody at Harborview Medical Center.

According to the latest reports, Monfort’s apartment had a cache of weapons, including bomb-making materials. He is now believed to have “worked alone” in the fatal shooting of Officer Brenton, and is also a suspect in the Oct. 22 firebombing of seven Seattle police vehicles.

Monfort once attended Highline Community College in Des Moines.

Here’s the release:

On the afternoon of November 6^th , 2009, Seattle Police Homicide detectives received a tip about a Datsun 210 matching the description of a possible suspect vehicle used in the slaying of Officer Tim Brenton. Detectives responded to a parking lot in the 13700 block of 56^th Avenue South in Tukwila. While detectives were investigating the scene further an adult male suspect emerged and pointed a gun at them. Detectives fired on the suspect in self defense, striking him at least once. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. No detectives were injured.

The Tukwila Police Department is handling the crime scene investigation and the King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is conducting the officer-involved shooting investigation.

SPD detectives obtained search warrants to further examine the crime scene. Evidence located inside the suspect’s apartment included improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a rifle, and various other items of evidence. Detectives now believe that this individual is responsible for both the murder of Officer Brenton, the attempted murder of Officer Sweeney, and the arson attack on October 22^nd at the Charles Street facility. Detectives are asking the Prosecutor’s Office for formal charges. The Datsun that detectives were looking for is registered to the suspect. Our investigation into the murder of Officer Tim Brenton and attempted murder of Officer Britt Sweeney continues and we are still receiving and following up on tips. We have received numerous tips from the public and we encourage everyone to continue to call us with any information they may have regarding this investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call either 911 , or the tipline at (206) 233-5000. Those wishing to remain annonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637). Your text message should include “TIP486″ to ensure proper routing. Calls are taken 24 hours a day.

PREVIOUSLY: Friday afternoon (Nov. 6th), shortly after Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton’s memorial concluded, a suspect named Christopher J. Monfort was shot outside his apartment building in Tukwila, prompting a massive outpouring of police to the area.

Police were apparently serving a search warrant on Monfort, 41, when he pulled out a weapon. He was shot on the scene and is currently under custody at Harborview Medical Center.

Monfort apparently attended Highline Community College in Des Moines, where he ran for student office in 2003.

According to HCC’s “Thunderword” student newspaper dated Nov. 20, 2003 (PDF link to issue), Monfort’s platform was:

“Christopher Monfort said he’s running to make the student body more aware of the civil liberties lost under the Patriot Act and the current political administration (Bush).

Monfort said students should vote for him because he actually cares about the world and wants to make a positive change.”

Monfort also studied law enforcement issues at the University of Washington.

Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton was shot and killed as he sat in his patrol car with an officer-trainee after a traffic stop on Capitol Hill on Oct. 31. Thousands of officers from around the country attended a memorial Friday afternoon for him at KeyArena in Seattle.

Four students from Des Moines’ Aviation High School graduated from the 2009 Washington Aerospace Scholars Summer Residency program this summer, and we here at The Waterland Blog would like to give a big shout out to them:

• Thomas Malchodi
• Andrew May
• Andrew Reece
• Michael Thompson

They were among the 150 students who qualified for the Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) Summer Residency program from 260 students who applied last November. To qualify for the residency program, they spent six months studying a NASA-designed, distance-learning curriculum via the Internet. Based on their academic performance on these lessons, they were selected to attend one of the four residencies hosted at The Museum of Flight in Seattle this summer. During the residency, the students collaborated with the other participants on the design of a human mission to Mars. WAS scholars are guided by professional engineers, scientists, university students and certified educators as they plan these missions. The WAS program is designed to inspire students to pursue degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) but the students are divided into teams which also require them to learn about mission management, budgets, the legal aspects of space exploration, and medicine.

In addition to the design of the human mission to Mars, they and the other WAS scholars participated in a number of hands-on engineering challenges. These challenges included: design, construction and deployment of robotic rovers, model rockets, lander devices, and payload lofting systems. Summer residency participants also received briefings from experts in the fields of engineering, science, physics, medicine, project management, risk management, and space exploration, such as Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar, astronaut and CEO of the Museum of Flight. They also visited the Boeing plant in Everett for a behind-the-scenes tour of Boeing’s Commercial Airplane assembly (including the new 787), and toured engineering laboratories at the University of Washington.

As graduates of WAS, Thomas Malchodi, Andrew May, Andrew Reece, and Michael Thompson join over 380 alumni representing 170 different Washington high schools.

All expenses (including travel, meals and lodging) are provided to students free of charge by the Washington Aerospace Scholars Foundation. The program has been supported through generous grants from The Apex Foundation, The Aldarra Foundation, The Boeing Company, Microsoft, Battelle and individual donors. The Museum of Flight hosts both the program administration and the summer residency sessions. Additional partners include NASA Johnson Space Center for curriculum development, the Washington State Governor’s Office, Washington State Legislators, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Washington Aerospace Scholars began accepting applications in early September for the 2009-2010 program cycle to download an application, please visit www.museumofflight.org/washingtonaerospacescholars. WAS participants must be high school juniors with 3.0 minimum grade-point-averages, United States citizens and Washington State residents.

The deadline for student applications is November 6th, so you’d better get ready for take-off now.

by Mark Neuman

We spoke with King County Council member Dow Constantine, who, along with Susan Hutchison, will advance to the general election in November in the race to become the next King County Executive.

As of Friday, Aug. 28th, vote count totals showed Dow in second place with 27 percent of the vote compared to Susan Hutchison’s 33 percent.

“We are in a very strong position to win the general election,” Dow said from his victory celebration Tuesday night (Aug. 18th). “I am very happy with our numbers.

“The four office-holding Democrats in the (primary) race were really splitting up the vote. And now we have a chance to consolidate that.”

We asked Dow Tuesday evening: Are you, generally speaking, having a good time tonight?

“Generally? Yes. It was pretty nerve-wracking leading up to the announcement of the vote totals. My girlfriend, Shirley, and my mom and dad and I were sitting and waiting for the results to come over. And when it happened it was a big relief.”

We asked Dow about his strategy for his general election campaign.

“There are two distinctions between the two remaining candidates,” he said. “One, Susan Hutchison has a philosophy which is way out of synch with the people of King County.

“And two, there’s also the issue of experience. Susan Hutchison has zero experience at solving the kinds of problems that we’re facing in our economy (and) in our county.

“I have served in the private sector as well as the State House and Senate and the King County Council. I have a strong record of reform legislation of exactly the kind that’s going to be needed as we weather this economic crisis,” Dow said.

“The four Democratic elected officials in the primary, including myself, had a robust exchange of ideas during the campaign. These are all bright, capable people. We raised a lot of great ideas.

“We need to throw open the doors of this county to everyone’s ideas and everyone’s proposals for innovation.

“I have had conversations on several occasions with (primary candidate and State Representative) Ross Hunter about how we can work together in the future between the state and the county to solve some of these structural problems. I’m very excited about that opportunity,” Dow said.

King County Executive election results as of Fri. 8/28/09:

• Larry Phillips 40157 12.10%
• Fred Jarrett 40411 12.18%
• Stan Lippmann 3580 1.08%
• Alan Lobdell 7971 2.40%
• Susan Hutchison 109699 33.05%
• Dow Constantine 89515 26.97%
• Ross Hunter 36136 10.89%
• Goodspaceguy 3862 1.16%
• Write-in 572 0.17%

Read our interview with opposing candidate Susan Hutchison here.

Courtesy Reader Duane Hobbs (of Andrews/Hobbs Design Company, 206-248-8410) comes this weekend’s interactive map of area garage and yard sales, as culled from Craigslist and other online listings.

While most listings are from the Des Moines area and north, keep in mind this is a new feature so it’s a work in progress.

To utilize the map, simply click on any of the yellow push-pin styled icons, and a listing of that specific sale will pop up (HINT: if you feel like you’re “stuck” on one listing, just click on another icon):

View Burien Area Sales (8/22-23) in a 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.

Story by Ralph Nichols
Photos & Video by Oran Viriyincy

With Sound Transit’s Link light rail trains running at last between Tukwila and downtown Seattle, it was time to experience this new commuter option. So with my girlfriend, I boarded a train for a round trip from the South 154th Street station late on a busy Seafair Saturday afternoon.

With lots happening downtown, we weren’t surprised to find the station’s main parking lot full. (Tukwila has Link’s only free park-and-ride lot, like those at several Metro bus stops around King County, although there is private paid parking near the Beacon Hill station.) But there were a number of empty spaces at the overflow parking lot across the street.

Five minutes after parking, we bought our tickets – $5 per person for the round trip – and one minute later boarded a train that had just come in. With trains running from Tukwila every 10 minutes at that hour, this gave us 9 minutes to look around on the inside before our journey north.

Each $4 million electric-powered car, with electricity from overhead wires, is 95 feet long – three times longer than one of Metro’s articulated buses. Each car can seat 74 passengers and accommodate a total of 200 riders with standing room only, and each train consists of two cars. The trains travel at a maximum speed of 55 mph on the elevated track near Tukwila and at 35 mph on the ground.

The train doors closed – rather quickly it seemed – at 5:50 p.m. Soon it pulled out of the station, right on time. Less than half a mile down the track, we agreed the ride was not as smooth as expected; still, the vibration isn’t bad at all. And the train moves along at a steady clip without delays for vehicles when streets intersect with the tracks.

Station stops took far less time than I expected. Passengers got on and off with ease and without delay, and we moved right along. Here is how our station stops went:

5:59 p.m. – Arrived at the Rainier Beach station.

6:00 – Depart.

6:02 – Othello station.

6:03 – Depart.

6:06 – Columbia City station.

6:07 – Depart.

6.10 – Mount Baker station.

6:10 – Depart … and head into the tunnel under Beacon Hill.

6:12 – Beacon Hill (tunnel) station.

6:13 – Depart … and back into daylight.

6:15 – SODO station.

6:15 – Depart.

6:17 – Stadium station.

6:18 – Depart … and enter the downtown bus tunnel.

6:20 – International District/Chinatown station.

6:21 – Depart.

6:23 – Pioneer Square station.

6:23 – Depart.

6:24 – University Street station.

6:25 – Depart.

6:26 – Westlake station, the end of the line.

Twenty-six minutes from Tukwila to midtown Seattle via the Rainier Valley. Not bad.

When we left Tukwila, there were about 12 riders in our car including us. Picking up more riders at most stations along the route (none at a couple), usually ranging from an additional 6 to 12 at each stop, our car was almost full of seated riders by the time we reached Westlake. No one had to stand. As we stepped off the train, it looked like its other car had carried about the same number.

Getting from the train to street level – at Pine Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues just below Nordstrom – is easy, as is returning to the train, which we did about an hour later. On the return trip, which took the same time, only 16 people were riding in both cars and only 8 beyond the Mount Baker station. It is logical to assume, given the number of cars still in the parking lot when we got back to Tukwila, that southbound ridership was much higher after events wrapped up downtown and people headed home.

Above ground, the view from a train car ranges from interesting, even scenic, along the elevated track north of the Tukwila station to very drab through part of Rainier Valley not far up the line.

A trip on Link light rail is comparable to a ride on Portland’s MAX, although a good stretch of that line parallels Interstate 84 – the major highway into that city – rather than winding through nearby neighborhoods along the way.

Sound Transit has reported that Link light rail carried an average of 12,000 riders per weekday in its first five days of regular paid service, and 16,900 riders on July 25 and 15,100 on July 26 during the first big Seafair weekend, when both the Mariners and Sounders also were in town.

With service on to Sea-Tac International Airport scheduled to begin in December, Sound Transit projects 26,600 one-way trips daily (13,300 round trips) along its 16-mile light-rail route by the end of 2010. The current trip from Tukwila to Seattle is 14 miles.

A footnote about our trip: While the actual travel time from Tukwila to Westlake was a reasonable 26 minutes, it took another 9 minutes to drive from my home and park, then another 14 minutes to get into the station, buy tickets, board a train and wait for it to depart. Riders who take light rail from other stations must walk, ride a bicycle or take a bus to get there since they have no park and ride lots.

Convenience, including time and destination, may be the determining factor for riding light rail for many commuters. I might take light rail from Tukwila to a Mariners game or dinner in the International District, but would not do so from, say, Columbia City due to lack of parking. At the same time, I probably would drive to SODO to shop or the Othello community to go to the park.

Regardless, once you’re moving on a light rail train, it’s a comfortable trip in good time to your stop. Still, at $2.3 billion for this line, it’s one expensive commute for the convenience it affords.

If you haven’t yet ridden Link light rail, here’s a video by Oran Viriyincy:

This section, approaching Tukwila Intl. Blvd., has the steepest grade in the system. You can hear the motors as the train climbs.

So…have YOU ridden Link light rail yet? Please take our poll or Comment below…

by Mark Neuman

We spoke recently with Ross Hunter, candidate for King County Executive.

Ross, a Medina Democrat, managed a political miracle, if you will, seven years ago.

The 48th District (Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland) had not sent a Democrat to the House in over 100 years. Ross got himself elected.

“That was back when it wasn’t fashionable to be a Democrat on the east side. It was hard work. I raised and spent about a quarter of a million dollars. I knocked on eight thousand doors. I worked pretty hard.”

Was there a particular selling point?

“Sure. I’m competent. And I care about public education, the paramount duty of the state legislature.”

We asked Ross about one of his opponents for King County Executive, Susan Hutchison. In a recent direct mail piece Susan said she, if elected, would establish a transportation czar.

“Susan seems to be confused about the powers the King County Executive actually has.

“For her to come in and say she is going to have a czar that takes over the functions of the cities and the state is a fundamental misreading of what the King County Executive is actually allowed to do.

“The job of Executive is a complicated one with a lot of moving parts and a $5 billion budget.

“Unless we coordinate our transportation with our land use we are making the problem worse.”

Ross recently received the endorsement of the Seattle Times.

“Of course it makes you feel good that they (the Times) share your belief that you are competent to do the job.

“Next to the Seattle Times endorsement, I am most proud of the endorsement of the Eastside Business Alliance. This is a group of various chambers of commerce who know their business doesn’t succeed if they don’t have quality education for their kids, or if they don’t have roads.

“Our economy and quality of life depends on us making the wisest use of limited transportation dollars. We are one county, one region, and we should act like it.

“The solution to improving the business climate isn’t always to cut taxes. Making the system fairer and easier to comply with could have much more impact. More service, less overhead. Simplifying and regionalizing how King County does business with its businesses is one way the county can potentially save businesses thousands and thousands of dollars.

“We can simplify the permitting process for builders and contractors. Instead of making a business owner waste time traveling throughout the county to revisit city permitting offices, King County can provide a regional office where businesses can manage their permits at one location.

“Many cities in King County are already doing this and there’s no reason we can’t provide such a service countywide.”

“I propose that King County provides a simple web service for businesses to apply for licenses and calculate and pay business taxes. One tax return, one tax bill.”

Regarding recent budget cuts Ross said “I think we probably need more prosecutors. It’s not a place I would have cut. I also wouldn’t have cut into the public defenders.

“There are normal times and there are special times. This is a special time, because of the unprecedented downturn in the economy.”

Ross said he expects voters of North Highline to approve annexation on August 18.

He supports annexation because with it “There will be somebody to answer residents’ phone calls.”

by Josh Hart

Imagine every bone in your body from the waist down aching. You’re sitting on the couch and you can hardly get up. Once you do get up, you can barely move around. Everything just feels sore.

The day before you had just competed in Seattle’s Inaugural Rock and Roll Marathon. You remember running across that finish line in pain, but triumph. You had done it. You set out to do something and you did it. You almost gave up on mile 24, you started feeling the burn on mile 17, but you had pushed through and accomplished something. You had even finished in 4 hours and 49 minutes. 11 minutes faster than your goal.

Just remember back on mile 13 when you were still fresh and you had seen your family and you were still running strong. Just remember back to when the race started and you could hardly even jog, because there were so many people. That wasn’t even the start. Remember back to when you were training and you ran from Kent to Orting. That felt like an accomplishment too, but it wasn’t like what you were feeling now. Remember that night that you had said, “I’m going to run a marathon.” We thought you were crazy, but you printed out a training schedule and you put your mind too it and look where you are right now. Crossing that finish line. You want to fall to your knees, because of the ache.

You find your family waiting at the other side of the finish line. They are so proud. This wasn’t just about the accomplishment of a marathon. It was much more than that. It was the will power that you had to put your mind to something and 16 weeks later accomplish it. You give people the awareness that they really can do whatever they put their mind too. It would have been impossible 16 weeks prior for you to run that marathon, but you trained in the beating down sun, you trained in the rain, the cold, and the heat. You also trained on the beach, in the woods, at the track, in the valley. You never gave up. You gave inspiration to many people out there. Even though you didn’t finish with the best time, you still did it. You accomplished something very few people accomplish.

This is the story of my dad, Nathan Hart, competing in the Rock and Roll Marathon, which went from Tukwila to Seattle on June 27th.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is The Waterland Blog's first Intern! He's a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac who loves to write and play soccer.

You can read more of his writing here...]

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.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To see photos from Des Moines’ 50th Birthday & Waterland Parade (on 7/18/09), click here. To read our firsthand account of being in the parade, then hanging out with the Seafair Pirates, click here.]

by Janet Grella

It’s official – Des Moines’ Waterland Parade has become a Seafair Sanctioned Community Event!

This means that the Seafair Marshals will be on hand to help with the organization of the parade. It also means parade favorites the Seafair Pirates, the Seafair Clowns and the Keystone Cops will be in our very own Waterland Parade, which will be held Saturday, July 18th.

It will start with a Junior Parade at 5:30pm, where kids 14 and under can participate. They will be followed by a truck from the Des Moines Food Bank to collect food donations.

The Grand Parade will start promptly at 6pm with floats, drill teams and bands. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate.

The parade is part of a summer of outdoor fun scheduled by the city to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Des Moines. And who better to run the parade than parade veterans Anna and BJ Bjorneby. Anna was the parade organizer three times in the 80s.

As co-chairs along with “volunteer extraordinaire” Fran Woodward, Anna and BJ are now seeking sponsors at any level, as well as volunteers and participants.

Interested in joining the fun? Call Anna at 206-571-5568 or 824-1400; or Fran at 253-303-1098.

The Waterland Blog will be participating in this event that is uniquely part of the the Waterland Community. We’re working on exactly what we plan to do in the parade, so if you have any ideas on what grown men and women and our young intern can do to amuse the crowd click here.

We encourage everyone to participate through sponsorship, volunteering or joining the parade!

by Josh Hart

Thursday morning (March 26th), a press conference was held at Aviation High School’s temporary campus in Des Moines, where a major announcement was made:

The school received a $4 million grant from James Raisbeck, and it will be re-named Raisbeck Aviation High School, and will move to the Museum of Flight in Seattle!

The press conference was exciting – everyone mingled, whilst awaiting the start of the speech.

The principal of Aviation High School, Reba Gilman, started off by talking about Aviation’s mission and some of the work they have done. Everyone seemed anxious to hear who the donor was, but they wouldn’t disclose it yet.

Donnie Dunbar, CEO of the Museum of Flight, spoke after Reba. She spoke about how the museum and AHS are integrated and how they were working together to achieve their mission.

There was still no mentioning of who the big donor was.

Randy Dorn, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, spoke about how excited he was about Aviation High School and that AHS wasn’t just about aviation. It included animation, robotics, and science, among others. He said that he looks for three things in school: Efficiency, Quality, and Innovation.

“You can have quality and efficiency, but innovation is what makes the community great,” Dorn said.

People were getting antsy. The donor’s name would soon be disclosed, but there was one more speaker: John Welch, the Superintendent of Highline School District, had to thank everyone who contributed.

Than Reba Gilman got up on stage again and announced the big news – Raisbeck Engineering (James and Sherry Raisbeck), and their foundation had pledged $4 million dollars to the construction of the new site of AHS.

“It will happen!” James stated.

He spoke about the crew that was working on it and keep reiterating that it WILL HAPPEN! He plans for the building, located near the Museum of Flight, to be done within three years. The projected finish date is January of 2012.

Since he was the leading donor, the school will now be called Raisbeck Aviation High School. The cost of the project in total is $43.5 million. The cost was estimated in August of last year by Basetti and Highline School District.

They expect to have half the private funds identified by June, and 95 percent of the private funds identified by March of next year. Construction will begin in March of 2010.

They are planning on getting $15 million dollars from Washington State, 15 million from private and non-profit donors, $12 million from the Port of Seattle and Highline School District, and $1.5 million from federal tax dollars.

About James Raisbeck:
Mr. Raisbeck has received many prestigious awards and honors in the field of aviation and engineering, including the Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Living Legends of Aviation award in January 2008.  James and his wife Sherry started the James and Sherry Raisbeck Foundation to support education, the arts, and the bio-medical field.  In 2007, James and Sherry won the annual Seattle/King County First Citizen Award recognizing extraordinary philanthropy and commitment to local communities, both in human services and the arts.

About The Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight exists to acquire, preserve, and exhibit historically significant air and space artifacts, which provide a foundation for scholarly research, and lifelong learning programs that inspire an interest in and understanding of science, technology, and the humanities. The Museum of Flight’s expansion plan includes a space gallery and a commercial aviation gallery. Currently, The Museum’s programs serve more than 120,000 K-12 students each year. More information at www.museumofflight.org.

[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.

We just got off the phone with Catherine Carbone-Rogers, Director, Communication and Community Engagement for the Highline School District, who shared this exciting news:

Aviation High School, up to now housed at the former Olympic Elementary School building in Des Moines, has received a private donation of $4 million, moving it well on its path to flying to the Museum of Flight in south Seattle.

According to Carbone-Rogers, Aviation High School will continue to be managed by the Highline School District; the Seattle School Board has approved an interlocal agreement with Highline to locate the school within Seattle’s boundaries.

The identity of the donor will be revealed at a press conference this Thursday (March 26th) and here’s more info from a press release:

Local officials, students, parents, school administrators, and general aviation advocates will join Highline Superintendent John Welch and Aviation High School Principal and CEO Reba Gilman as they announce the first major private donor investment in the relocation of Aviation High School to The Museum of Flight in South Seattle.

Aviation High School has adopted an ambitious plan to relocate to the Museum of Flight by 2012. Construction costs for the new facility are $43.5 million, of which about $20 million has been raised from public and private sources.

This announcement of a major anchor private donor is the first of what is expected to be several other major contributions from individuals and businesses prominent in the aviation, engineering, and technology sectors of the Pacific Northwest.

The major donor will be in attendance to be acknowledged for his sizable gift, and to accept the naming rights to this unique high school.

Aviation High School’s mission and vision is:

To prepare all students for college, career and citizenship through a personalized, rigorous and relevant learning experience that is facilitated in the context of aviation and aerospace.

To be the premier public high school of choice for students in King County and the region who wish to pursue their passion for aviation and aerospace in a learning environment that prepares them for higher education, citizenship, and work.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 East Marginal Way South in Seattle, near Boeing Field. Aviation High School is currently located at 615 South 200th Street in Des Moines:

View Larger Map

From our sister site The B-Town Blog comes this news:

Thursday morning (2/12/09) around 10:45am, the Burien Key Bank located at 655 SW 152nd was robbed by this man, described as a white male, late 20s, medium height, slim build, brown hair, with a goatee:

According to police, he entered the bank, gave a teller a note, got his loot and took off.

No weapons were displayed and there were no injuries.

If this bad guy looks familiar, you are asked to contact the Seattle FBI immediately at (206) 622-0460 (you can also call 911).

The Southwest Seattle Business Professional Women’s Group is holding a meeting this Thursday, Feb. 12th at The Mark Restaurant in Olde Burien to honor Women’s Heart Health Month.

Attendees are asked to wear RED to the meeting, as well as “invite someone you care about to join us.”

Guest Speaker will be Dr. Cheryl Berry from the Cafe of Life.

Here are the details:

WHAT: SW Seattle BPW Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 12th, with a 5:45pm Social Hour, 6:15pm Dinner, 7pm Speaker and 8pm Adjourn

WHERE: The Mark Restaurant, located at 914 SW 152nd in Olde Burien (map below)

INFO: Here’s the press release:

Happy February! The month of LOVE.

This week Southwest Seattle BPW is starting the 2009 year with honoring Women’s Health. Please wear RED to the meeting, Thursday, 02/12, to acknowledge Women’s Heart Health Month. Invite someone you care about to join us. 5:45 PM Social Hour. 6:15 PM Dinner, 7:00 PM Speaker, 8:00 PM Adjourn. The Mark Restaurant, in Burien.

Meet our speaker, Dr. Cheryl Berry, from the Café of Life.

Dr. Cheryl Berry has been a licensed chiropractor for seven years. Dr. Berry brings 25 years of experience in studying the human form. Her studies include not only chiropractic, but also exercise physiology, cardiac rehab and psychology. Her practice has been in Kent, WA for five years honoring the natural healing capacity of the body.

Dr. Berry uses a “gentle whole person approach” when taking care of her patients. By combining the very best hands-on-technique, and state of the art assessments, Dr. Berry is able to help you to accelerate and/or maintain your journey to good health.

February is Foundation Month. The Board is planning something special to help the Foundation provide scholarships to deserving women. Come and bring a little extra cash to get in on an auction for a couple of fun items.

Mark your calendars. State Conference is May 29-31 in Everett, WA at the Holiday Inn. SWS BPW has been asked to do the decorations. It is a Hawaiian theme. More information to come.

View Larger Map