The Waterland Blog has obtained a copy of the letter that was sent out to the businesses in the Marina District of Des Moines last week. The folks at Poverty Bay Arts Festival are seeking 50 businesses that want to step up and host an artist on September 25th for the first Poverty Bay Arts Festival.

One of the business organizers, Vickie Bergquist of State Farm Insurance, told Waterland Blog that, “in our research we have found that businesses that are not normally open on Saturday, like banks for instance, will enjoy the benefit of additional traffic throughout the day.”

This event is a collaboration of the Des Moines Arts Commission, Marina District businesses, the Associated Students of Highline Community College and Des Moines citizens.

The Marina District includes Marine View Drive and 7th Avenue to the east and west and 216th and 227th on the north and south and all side streets in-between. Details to participate are in the letter below.

Download a Adobe PDF copy of the letter.

The Waterland Blog is proud to announce that we have become the first Community Website Sponsor for Highline School’s Foundation for Excellence Gold Star Awards.

These awards have been presented annually since the inception of Highline Schools Foundation in 2001. Award recipients are selected from the following categories:

• Outstanding Administrator/Principal
• Outstanding Teacher
• Outstanding Volunteer
• Outstanding Classified Employee

To download a ballot, please click here for a PDF file which you can then print, fill out and either mail or fax in.

All ballots must be postmarked by April 7th, and sent or faxed to:

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence
245 SW 152nd Suite D
Burien, WA 98166
Fax: 206-838-6041

The winners will be honored at the Gold Star Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tukwila, coming up on May 29th. The Master of Ceremonies will be local funnyman John Keister, former Host of KING TV’s “Almost Live!“, local celebrity bald guy and former co-worker of the publisher of this here blog (EDITOR’S NOTE: whatever you do, don’t say this to John in an overly-enthusiastic voice: “Successful succession of successful success!“).

For more information on how you can attend this luncheon, please contact the foundation at 206-248-5196.

The Highline Schools Foundation Gold Star Benefit luncheon is sponsored by Boeing, BECU and Rogers and Norman.

Highline Schools Foundation mission is to “provide community resources to help Highline Public Schools Succeed. By enriching the classroom and school experience, we can engage students to reach a higher level.” Since 2001 the foundation has distributed over $250,000 to the 32 schools in the Highline District. Donors include corporate, foundations and private citizens.

For more information or to see how you might participate go to www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

The Des Moines Arts Commission tells The Waterland Blog that they are looking for sponsors for the last performance in the Waterland Music Series.

The series is currently supported by the following sponsors:

• 4Culture/King County Arts Commission
• Des Moines Drug Store & Hallmark
• Kent/Pacific Highway Fred Meyer
• Landmark on the Sound
• Furneys Nursery
• Corky Cellars
• Des Moines Florist

The 2008-09 season will conclude with the performance by vocal musicians The Main Attraction on April 21st at 7:30pm at Highline Community College in building 7.

Your $100 solo sponsorship includes:

• Individual/Business name in the program at ONE performance (your choice)
• Two tickets to the same performance
• Your name or logo listed on the evening’s sponsor recognition at the performance stage

If you or your business want to participate, contact Nic Lind recreation coordinator at the Parks and Recreation Department 206-870-6582.