The Kent Police Department has created a website showcasing photos of 160 recovered stolen items including electronics, wallets, purses, backpacks, stereos, baby clothes and even a wedding dress; some of which may have been originally swiped in the Des Moines/South King County area.
According to police, a man and woman who are suspected of breaking into more than 100 cars have been busted. Now, they want to return the stolen items to their rightful owners.
The suspects were apparently caught when they used stolen credit cards at local businesses. Police then followed their trail and recovered the stolen stuff in a storage locker as well as at local pawn shops.
According to the website:
Suspects Mode of Operation:
Type of crime: Vehicle prowls (car break ins)
Method of entry: Break window or force door lock
Types of vehicles: Different types and styles but they favored FORD F-series trucks
Property targeted: luggage, purses, laptop computers, GPS units, assorted tools, backpacks, cameras, MP3 players, I-Pods, cell phones, CD players, car stereos, jewelry, anything of value.
Estimated time range of criminal activity: Past 3-4 months
Focus area of vehicle prowl activity: Kent, Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, South Seattle, Unincorporated areas of South King County. Collateral areas that may have been impacted as well are: Des Moines, Federal Way, Auburn, Bellevue.
If you were the victim of a car break-in between Oct. 1, 2009 and Feb. 4, 2010, your stolen items may be in police custody – check this website now and see if you recognize anything; if you do, contact Officer Bateman at (253) 856-5894 or via email: kbateman@ci.kent.wa.us.
The recovered stolen property includes (click on links below to see individual pics):
Is this your Pirate Stuff? The Kent PD might have it...
- Laptops
- Cell phones
- MP3 players
- Car Stereos
- Unusual, miscellaneous stuff like:
Some items have been claimed and returned, but most are still in evidence and awaiting rightful return to their owners – so check out the website here.
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:
- 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…).
- 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:
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 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]
State Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Tina Orwall, both Democrats from Des Moines, along with Senator Karen Keiser (D-Kent), will host a Community Jobs Forum on Saturday, Feb. 20th from 10am to Noon at the Kent City Hall.
Stepping out of the traditional “town hall” format, the three lawmakers put together a Community Jobs Forum to give constituents an opportunity to connect with state and nonprofit agencies that do job placement, training, counseling, and similar services.
Legislators will speak briefly about state efforts to spur job creation and get the economy back on track. The rest of the event will be free time for attendees to visit tables from the participating agencies and speak one-on-one with the legislators.
Here are the details:
WHAT: 33rd District Community Jobs Forum
Rep. Tina Orwall
WHEN: Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.
WHERE: Kent City Hall – Council Chambers, located at 220 Fourth Avenue South, Kent
WHO: 33rd District legislators: Rep. Dave Upthegrove, Rep. Tina Orwall and Sen. Karen Keiser.
Confirmed participating agencies include:
- WorkSource
- Port Jobs
- Highline CC
- Green River CC
- Renton Technical College
- The Veterans Conservation Corps
- US Census Bureau
This Community Jobs Forum is a free event, and all South King County job seekers are encouraged to attend.
The 33rd Legislative District includes SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and parts of Kent and Tukwila.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Waldref at (360) 786-7201 or Waldref.Jennifer@leg.wa.gov.
Today marks a big day in the nearly one-year lifespan (so far) of The Waterland Blog, as we’re proud to introduce our newest section and Advertiser: Real Estate Powered by Prudential Northwest!
This means that you can now access all local real estate listings by clicking on “Real Estate” in the upper navigation menu section between Advertise and Jobs. We’re happy to be working with the local Prudential Northwest office, and the entire company consists of six offices throughout the Greater Seattle area.
Techie-types at both PNW and WLB have been working ’round the clock to develop the innovative new “Zero Click House Finding Engine” for real estate listings in the Des Moines and South Seattle areas. Users will be able to quickly and easily see all of the area’s latest home listings, view by neighborhoods, see open house maps and more just by clicking on “Real Estate” in our top navigation menu. The real estate section is also available on our sister site The B-Town Blog (Burien), and will also be available soon on sister sites The White Center Blog, and soon The Normandy Park Blog.
Sales Manager Bradley Hawthorne (sitting, right) explains the 'Zero Click House Finder' technology to the PNW staff.
“To search on a real estate site we wanted to make it easy to use so that every level of user can find what they are looking for,” said PNW Sales Manager Bradley Hawthorne. “Just by clicking on ‘Real Estate,’ you’ll instantly have every listing in all of Burien, Normandy Park, and Des Moines without having to do anything, hence the ‘Zero Click’ technology moniker.”
Want some real proof? Just click on one of the five areas below and see for yourself:
If you click on any of those five areas, on that page is every listing for that area – and not just Prudential Northwest Realty listings – that is inputted into the Northwest Multiple Listing Services website! Within those five major pages you’ll also find several communities and if you click on a community again just the listings in those communities will be shown without you having to input any search criteria (of course PNW’s standard and advanced searches are still available for the techie searchers, so you can tailor our search site to any criteria that you personally want), but for those of us that need a little help when surfing the web, “This is the simplest sight I have ever seen!”
Hawthorne adds: “Tying into these fast-growing community websites will not only help us showcase the latest listings for these areas, it will also help us serve our communities better. We all love the Southwest King County area and we hope we can help others find out what a hidden gem it is.”
PNW Broker/Branch Manager Lori Alden-Pense
PNW has been a community player since they first set foot in the area seven years ago. With 56 active Realtors, they outgrew their first location and they’re now located at 127 SW 156th Street in Burien. Broker/Branch Manager Lori Alden-Pense has been managing PNW since they moved here; she’s been with them since 1994.
“It is PNW’s mission to help build a better tomorrow by partnering with our communities today,” Lori said.
She talks the talk and walks the walk when it comes to PNW’s mission of giving back to the community.
Owned by long-time and well known real estate professional Mike Gain, Prudential Northwest Realty Associates has established itself as an industry leader by upholding the principles of the agent-customer relationship. Their combination of real estate expertise and responsive, flexible customer relations has allowed them to continue to grow and become one of the most influential real estate companies within the greater Puget Sound region. Constantly looking for ways to improve their company, PNW remains committed to the very highest standards of professionalism and service. More info is available at http://www.pnwrealty.com.
Prudential Northwest realty has a total of 450 real estate agents in their neighborhood offices, which, in addition to Burien includes Federal Way, Kent, West Seattle, Bellevue and Kirkland.
“We’re very excited to have Prudential Northwest Realty as our newest Advertiser,” said Scott Schaefer, Waterland Blog Founder/Publisher. “This brand new sponsored section will help inform our more than 55,000 monthly area blog Readers for the latest local news, events, arts, entertainment and now – up-to-the-minute local real estate listings.”
Be sure to stay tuned for another new related feature – “Open House Friday,” where we’ll present the weekend’s best Open Houses throughout our coverage area, among other real estate related features.
[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]
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:
Mark discovered that the Flip cam fit nicely inside an empty coffeecup. Just don't put it in a full one...
A little bit of cloth and tape secured the cam in tight.
...and with a hole cut in the side, it's hidden camera time!
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]
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.
Lovelychild Manuel of Des Moines was sentenced Friday (Jan. 8th) to eight years in prison for the deadly shooting of Devon Guidry after a book signing in Tukwila in April, 2008.
Manuel pleaded guilty to killing Guidry and wounding Paul Dervin after a party for two authors of a book about rapper Dr. Dre in the parking lot of the Gordon’s On The Green restaurant, which is located at Foster Golf Links in Tukwila.
Witnesses told police that Manuel shot Guidry in the back of the head after an argument, then fled in an SUV driven from the scene by another man.
Following the shooting, police received several tips that Manuel had been involved in the shooting and was planning to leave the state. Officers arrested him following a traffic stop in SeaTac. Manuel admitted to being at the restaurant during the party, but initially denied any involvement in the shootings.
At first charged with second-degree murder, Manuel pleaded guilty to reduced charges of second-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault. Had he been convicted as initially charged, he would likely have faced more than 20 years in prison.
Manuel is currently jailed at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, pending transfer to the Department of Corrections.
According to KING-TV, Des Moines Police are investigating the discovery of a 22-year old Tukwila man’s body after it was found near a Des Moines gas station on Pacific Highway South.
According to reports, a pedestrian first spotted the body face down on some gravel between a wall and a carwash at a Shell station located in the 23000 block of Pacific Highway South near Kent-Des Moines Road.
Police have questioned the clerk, and have also interviewed people in the surrounding area. They will also be reviewing footage from numerous surveillance as well as red light cameras in the neighborhood.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released, although sources say he was a Tukwila resident.
UPDATE 1/4/10: Here’s a video courtesy Q13 News:
A special “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser is being held by the Tukwila Police Department this Friday night, Dec. 4th, to help raise money for the families of the Lakewood Police Officers killed last Sunday (Nov. 29th).
The fundraiser will be just down the hill at the Claim Jumper Restaurant (located at 5901 S. 180th Street in Tukwila), beginning at 4pm, and all donations collected between 4-11pm will go to a trust established for the families of fallen Lakewood Police Officers Mark Renninger, Tina Griswold, Greg Richards and Ronnie Owens, who were all shot and killed at a coffee shop in Lakewood this past Sunday.
Officer Renninger served eight years on the Tukwila Police Department, and was most recently a member of the Lakewood P.D. and SWAT team. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Officer Mark Renninger
“Tip-A-Cop” is a great, fun fundraiser, where, for a small donation, you can pay to have a friend or family member “arrested” and taken out of the restaurant by uniformed cops. It’s all in fun, for a great cause, and from our own previous experience it provides a lot of laughs as well as a great way to meet and learn about local law enforcement.
Other participants will include Valley SWAT, Tukwila Fire Department and Les Schwab.
According to the South Correctional Entity Multijurisdictional Misdemeanant (SCORE) website, Lydig Construction is the low bidder for construction of the new jail, which will be built in Des Moines beginning this month.
According to the press release, the new jail will “…bring a cost-effective misdemeanor corrections facility to partnering cities of Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Renton, SeaTac and Tukwila.”
Lydig’s bid was for a construction cost of $62,000 per bed, which apparently is half the cost of other jails planned in the Northwest. Further savings in operation costs are expected through design solutions, enabling a six-to-one staffing ratio using a combination of direct and indirect supervision methods.
According to their website, Lydig Construction was founded and incorporated in 1956, and has grown from a 4-person organization into a multi-million dollar construction service provider. They have offices in Bellevue and Spokane, and Lydig has built eight different justice-related projects, including:
- Northwest Detention Center
- Green Hill School
- Coyote Ridge Corrections Center
- Franklin County Courthouse
- Wenatchee Police Station
- Washington State Patrol Crime Lab
- Washington State Penitentiary Warehouse
- National Guard Readiness Center
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 6th , 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 56th 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 22nd 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.
King County Councilmember Julia Patterson (5th District) was presented with the 2009 Local Hero Arts Award by the Washington State Arts Alliance (WSAA). Patterson, chosen from a slate of nominees from around the state, was honored for her strong support of cultural groups not only in her own district, but throughout South King County.
In 2004, Patterson hosted a community luncheon attended by scores of individuals involved in arts and heritage efforts, to discuss the cultural vitality of South King County. Out of that session, the South King County Cultural Coalition (better known as SoCoCulture) was formed.
Linda Petersen, chair of SoCoCulture, was among those who nominated Patterson for this year’s WSAA award.
“Julia Patterson’s vision has materialized into an active organization of almost 70 arts and heritage groups that share resources, ideas and marketing through a terrific website and bi-monthly meetings,” Petersen said. She also noted that in 2007, when the organization had grown too large to be run solely by volunteers, Patterson provided SoCoCulture with funding for a part-time administrator.
Today the web site, www.sococulture.org ,includes an online calendar featuring all members’ events, a page that posts auditions and calls for artists, and other pages listing current local exhibits, arts classes, and other cultural opportunities. The arts commissions of Des Moines, Tukwila, Renton, Kent and many other South King County cities are members, as are local historical societies, theater groups, orchestras, dance companies, and more.
“Julia’s continued support and enthusiasm have been visionary. We commend her leadership and passion for arts and heritage,” Petersen said.
Patterson represents King County’s 5th District, which includes:
- Des Moines
- Federal Way
- Kent
- Renton
- SeaTac
- Tukwila
The WSAA presented the Local Hero Award to Patterson at a ceremony in Olympia on Sept. 22nd.
Courtesy Waterland Blog Contributor Duane Hobbs (of Andrews/Hobbs Design Company) comes this weekend’s handy-dandy interactive map of area garage and yard sales, from Des Moines to West Seattle, from Friday Sept. 4th through Sunday, Sept. 6th (since Monday is a holiday some may be going on then as well).
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 Area Sales (9/4-6) in a larger map
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
Tukwila company American Electronics Recycling Corporation is holding a FREE “E-Cycling” event this weekend (Aug. 7th, 8th, and 9th from 9am – 3:30pm) as part of the state’s “E-Cycle” law that allows for convenient and environmentally-responsible recycling of computers, monitors, laptops and televisions.
Drop-offs are being accepted at American Electronics Recycling Corporation offices, located at 18435 Olympic Ave. South in the South Center South Industrial Park in Tukwila (see map below). There will be signs directing traffic off of West Valley Highway.
Here are the details:
WHAT: FREE e-cycling event
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 7th, Saturday, Aug. 8th and Sunday, Aug. 9th, from 9am-3:30pm
WHERE: American Electronics Recycling Corporation offices, located at 18435 Olympic Ave. South in the South Center South Industrial Park in Tukwila (see map below)
INFO: They will be collecting a long list of electronic items, including all TVs, Laptops, PCs, and Monitors for free. AER is registered with the WA State Dept. of Ecology, as part of the E-Cycle WA program. More info on our company, and a list of the items they will be accepting can be found at http://www.aercorprecycler.com.
Here’s more info from the State of Washington E-Cycle website:
Who can use the program?
Households, small businesses, schools & school districts, small governments, special purpose districts, and charities can recycle electronic products free of charge in this program.
What can I recycle for free?
- Televisions
- Computers
- Computer monitors
- Portable or laptop computers
Please note that computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included in this program.
Why recycle electronics?
Many electronics, especially TVs and computers, contain toxic materials such as lead, cadmium and mercury. Reusing and recycling electronics keeps these toxic materials out of our landfills and incinerators and also recovers valuable resources. The electronic equipment this program collects will be taken apart and separated into materials such as glass, plastic, metal and toxic chemicals. All recycling will follow performance standards set up by the Department of Ecology.
To find other drop-off points near you, visit this website.
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…
Loading ...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.
My Dad, Nathan Hart, crossing the finish line at the Rock n'Roll Marathon!
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...]
BECU staffers Truyen, Angela, David (branch manager) and Tina in front
of their Neighborhood BECU location in Redondo.
Welcome Our Latest Advertiser: BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union)!
BECU is the largest credit union in Washington with assets of $8.2 billion with over 540,000 members. It is one of the top five financial cooperatives in the United States. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, BECU is owned by its members, and its earnings are returned to the members in the form of better interest rates and lower fees for services.
BECU “walks the walk and talks the talk” when it comes to giving back to the communities they serve. We interviewed the managers of the BECU offices in our coverage area to see if they’re ‘walking and talking’.
David Paice, Manager of Redondo BECU located at 25250 Pacific Highway South in Fred Meyer’s – right when you walk in the door! David was born to manage with BECU. He was 19 when he started there, and less that seven years later he was branch manager. He’s been with BECU for over nine years, and during this time he went to school and got his MBA. His thoughts on BECU:
“It’s a great place to work.BECU provides a great environment and culture for our employees and members. Finally we have a great involvement with our communities.”
And speaking of involvement, in addition to managing the Redondo branch, David has thrown himself into volunteering in the communities he serves. He’s most particuarly interested in education and the issues of children. A board member for the Des Moines Legacy Foundation which raises funds for both the Senior Activity Center and youth at risks. It is a not for profit organization entering it’s 10th year in Des Moines.
He is also on the Highline Community College Foundation Board. David’s been on the board of the Highline Fund For Excellence which raises money and awareness of the Highline School District. Currently he is co-chair of this years’ Highline Fund For Excellence awards program on May 29th.
He joined the Des Moines Rotary Club two years ago, and is an active participant in their Poverty Bay Wine Festival. Monies raised from this event help children and students in the area.
David is a product of the Highline School District, and owes a lot of what he’s achieved in life to his association with HSD. A Tyee grad, and former Burien resident, David and his wife recently relocated to house four blocks from the house he grew up in. Not on purpose, they liked the house!
After we left David and his BECU Neighborhood Financial Center in Kent/Des Moines, we journied North to the BECU Tukwila Financial Center, at 12770 Gateway Drive.
Branch Manager Tricia Singer was glad to show us around the facility. In this BECU center, there’s 29 tellers, and 31 consulatants. The drive-thru accommodates six cars (see photo below).
Tricia’s been with BECU for 6 years, and a branch manager for over a year. When it comes to serving her community her “passion is the Tukwila Food Pantry, which serves Tukwila, and parts of Burien and SeaTac.” She grew up on food bank food, so she understands its importance to a community. She’s on the board and volunteers with her 13-year old daughter. She’s also recruited several tellers and bankers to volunteer.
Repeating David’s sentiments about BECU being such a great place to work, she added that at BECU it’s all about the members.
“When we say we’re here for the members, we are. With any decision made we ask ‘what is the benefit for our members?’” Tricia added.
Tricia serves on the Employee Involvement Committee which encompasses the Annual Member Scholarships for high school graduates and undergraduates that last year distributed over $1 million to 500 receipients who excelled in academics, leadership and displayed a passion for helping others. She also works on the annual Ebay Auction for Children’s Miracle Netork, which will be held June 1 – 11.
A graduate of Evergreen High School, Tricia is a lifelong resident of the unincorporated Highline area.
In the Burien area you can find BECU banking ATMs at Fred Meyer and Five Corners. You can see David and his staff at the Redondo Branch, or visit Tricia at the BECU Banking Center 12770 Gateway in Tukwila.
Membership is no longer limited to Boeing Company employees and their families. All Washington state residents are now eligible to join
BECU. The minimum deposit required to join is $5.
So, click on their ad, visit a branch, and start your relationship with BECU today!
[Are you interested in getting a "Blogvertorial" Ad like this for your Business? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]
In a struggling economy, every piece of positive news counts, and here’s some that’s very relevant to the area:
Tourists spent $615 million last year in the cities of Des Moines, Tukwila, SeaTac and Kent, according to a tourism group that represents the four southwest King County cities.
There were 5,350 tourism-related jobs that generated $181 million in wages last year in the four cities, according to a report prepared by Dean Runyan Associates for the Seattle Southside organization.
There were 2.2 million visitors to the four cities last year that accounted for $51.6 million in tax revenues for the state, the report indicated.
“For every South King County household, tourism provides $400 in taxes that residents don’t have to pay, and over 5,000 jobs that wouldn’t otherwise exist,” said Katherine Kertzman, program director for Seattle Southside, in a statement.
Seven south King County cities announced today (Thursday Feb. 26th) their plans to build a 668-bed misdemeanor jail.
In Des Moines.
The cities on board this venture, which is called the South Correctional Entity (or “SCORE,” not to be confused with the small business advisors “SCORE”), include:
- Des Moines
- Tukwila
- SeaTac
- Federal Way
- Renton
- Burien
- Auburn
SCORE is hoping to open this new jail in mid-2011 to replace jail space that will no longer be provided by the county. The seven cities will team up to handle all operations of the new facility.
From a press release, here’s a quote from SeaTac Mayor Ralph Shape:
“Meeting the public safety needs of our residents while keeping costs down is our number one goal. SCORE meets that need.”
The entity has hired a consulting firm, which proposed that the area will need nearly 700 additional jail cells by 2026, and that cities could reduce costs by working together.
The preferred site for the new jail is near Des Moines Creek Park, on a 14-acre parcel owned by the Port of Seattle located southwest of where South 208th intersects with 18th Ave South (see map below).
Next steps in this project is the permitting process, which will also allow for public comments and review; here’s more info from the SCORE website:
SCORE is currently seeking applicants for the Community Outreach Team.
The Community Outreach Team will work with SCORE to address community concerns and questions.
If you are interested in participating, send your letter of interest to:
SCORE Outreach Team
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057Priority will be given to:
- Applicants that live in the cities of Des Moines or Tukwila
- Applicants that live west of 18th Avenue South
- Applicants that live South of 200th Street
- Applicants that live north of 216th Street
Questions and Comments can be e-mailed to SCOREjail@rentonwa.gov
A public meeting on this jail is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th at 8:30am at the Renton City Hall.
So…what are your thoughts on having a jail in Des Moines?
Please Comment below the map…
View Larger Map
The State of Washington now has a new “E-Cycle” law that allows for FREE, convenient and environmentally-responsible recycling of computers, monitors, laptops and televisions, and a local company is open for drop-offs in Tukwila.
Drop-offs are being accepted at American Electronics Recycling Corporation offices, located at 18435 Olympic Ave. S. Suite B in Tukwila (map below).
- Hours are Mon – Sat from 8:30am – 3:00pm.
- They also offer a pickup service for a fee.
- Visit www.aercorprecycler.com for additional electronics that are accepted at this location.
- They are registered with the WA Dept. of Ecology, and are part of the “Take it Back” network for King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.
Here’s more info from the State of Washington E-Cycle website:
Who can use the program?
Households, small businesses, schools & school districts, small governments, special purpose districts, and charities can recycle electronic products free of charge in this program.
What can I recycle for free?
- Televisions
- Computers
- Computer monitors
- Portable or laptop computers
Please note that computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included in this program.
Why recycle electronics?
Many electronics, especially TVs and computers, contain toxic materials such as lead, cadmium and mercury. Reusing and recycling electronics keeps these toxic materials out of our landfills and incinerators and also recovers valuable resources. The electronic equipment this program collects will be taken apart and separated into materials such as glass, plastic, metal and toxic chemicals. All recycling will follow performance standards set up by the Department of Ecology.
To find other drop-off points near you, visit this website.
On Saturday, Feb. 14th, 15 or so area locals braved the chilly 45-degree temps of Puget Sound near the Redondo Pier in Des Moines for a special “Polar Bear Plunge” to raise money for Special Olympics.
The Waterland Blog was there, and our own Bart Bryan, intrepid Ad Sales Dude, actually jumped into the water with the rest of the nuts. Organized by Tukwila Police Officer Ted Rutt, the plunge took place around 11:15am.
Salty’s provided free clam chowder to participants, and numerous Tukwila cops, local firefighters, lifeguards and even an ambulance were on hand, just in case (there were no injuries, but there was a lot of hoopin’ and hollerin’).
UPDATE: Tukwila Police Officer Ted Rutt, who organized the event, has informed us that they raised $3,000!
We were happy to donate $100 to the cause, and we also shot the following video story:
Aside from making airplanes and being blasted by Sir Richard Branson, Boeing has a collection of talented musicians who make up the Boeing Orchestra of Flight.
They’re seeking more musicians, and here’s some info from their press release:
The Boeing Orchestra of flight is a volunteer ,community orchestra open to all adult instrumentalists, including musicians not affiliated with Boeing. We have been performing in the Puget Sound area since 1983.
We strive to provide a fun, non-competitive and improvement-oriented experience for our members. Our music includes works from the Baroque and classical to contemporary Broadway and Hollywood film scores.
We would particularly like to invite string players, double reed players, and percussionists to join us.
There are no auditions required. Musicians who perhaps have not played for some time are definitely encouraged to return to their instrument and lend their talents to the group. We strive to provide a fun, non-competitive and improvement oriented organization.
Musicians young and old are welcome with the following qualifications:
You should be able to:
- Read music for your instrument
- Play at a high school level or better
- Be willing to commit to the rehearsal and concert schedules
- Be able to get to and from rehearsals and concerts
Dues are $70 for the season (September to June), or $35 for the combined Fall and Christmas series or $35 for the combined Winter and Spring series of concerts. You are welcome to come play with us for a rehearsal, or just listen, before you join the orchestra.
Rehearsals are Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 P.M. and are held in Boeing’s South Park Cafeteria, the 15-35 Bldg. The first rehearsal of the Fall Series is in September on the first Monday after Labor Day. Rehearsals continue weekly (except during the Christmas break) through the end of the season, usually in June.
The South Park facility can be seen from the air in Google Maps.
For more information, e-mail Paul at pandmo@msn.com.
You can learn more about us at http://www/flightorchestra.org
