by Gina Bourdage

The Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County met for a Public Hearing Monday March 30th, to review the City of Burien’s efforts in annexation of the North Highline neighborhood. Board members heard public and officials representing public groups with interests in the community.

The Board gave preliminary approval of Burien’s proposed annexation. They will vote on final approval at their April 16th regular meeting.

“We don’t want to be forgotten. We would like to see the same attention,” said Karen Valloria, President of White Center Community Development Association. Valloria spoke in support of annexing to Burien and expressed concern for the lack of progress on Seattle’s attention to the Northern part of White Center.

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council member Ron Johnson expressed favor of the proposed neighborhoods to officially become part of Burien: “We are hoping that with a successful annexation they (Burien) will be able to come back for the rest of us.”

Fire Chief Scott Lavie spoke on behalf of the fire departments in support of Burien’s efforts reached through mediation.

Property owner Daryl Tappio was one of the dissenters, expressing his dislike of the lower zoning regulations in Burien – currently Seattle allows 48 residences where Burien would only allow 24. Burien City Manager Mike Martin later addressed Mr. Johnson’s concern confirming the regulation stating that future consideration for changing the regulation could be examined with expressed community interest.

Martin was able to present progress of the annexation, addressing the concerns of all whom spoke.

Many residents would have liked to have seen the entire North Highline area brought into Burien as a whole community.

“As a practical matter the current annexation proposal is a good idea,” Martin said. “Doubling the size of of a 15-year old community is too risky in my opinion. The economic reality is that annexing the entire North Highline area is not possible, at this time.”

In review of public and officials comments and concerns the review board moved to approve Burien’s efforts in annexation of the proposed North Highline area.

Voters in the proposed area will get to vote in August 2009. Should the annexation be approved, Burien would be welcoming 14,000 new residents in March 2010.

The fate of the remaining White Center area is still up for debate.

The next Annexation Informational Open House is scheduled for April 16th at Hilltop Elementary School. Click here for meeting details.

Residents in the Burien Proposed Annexation Area can expect to vote on this issue soon, likely on August 18th. You can download a Map of the Proposed Area here [PDF].

On Monday (March 30th), the King County Council approved a major investment in White Center, with a $6.25 million federal loan for construction of a retail plaza.

One interesting aspect of this is that the loan is from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which King County Executive Ron Sims will be joining soon.

Coincidence?

Here’s the release direct from the county:

Council approves investment in White Center

HUD loan key to redevelopment and jobs in southwest King County

The revitalization of White Center received an economic boost today with action today by the Metropolitan King County Council to accept a $6.25 million federal loan for construction of a retail plaza.

“This is a great opportunity to finance an economic development project that directly benefits the surrounding mixed-income community, creating local jobs for local residents,” said Council Chair Dow Constantine, who represents White Center on the County Council.

“The next step in the transformation of the Park Lake neighborhood into Greenbridge is construction of the plaza that will be financed by this loan,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee. “This complex will spur economic growth in both Greenbridge and the communities within southwest King County.”

The legislation approved by the Council authorizes the Executive to borrow $6.25 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and re-lend those funds to the White Center Investment Fund, LLC. The legislation also pledges the County’s Community Development Block Grants funds as additional security for the loans.

The investment Fund will use the loan to leverage the additional funding needed to complete a new 26,500 square foot retail/office plaza near Greenbridge. Greenbridge is a mixed-income community built on the site of the former Park Lake Homes, the King County Housing Authority’s oldest and largest public housing development

The project will also be eligible for a federal tax credit, which will help defray the overall cost of the $11 million project.

The new building, which has pre-lease commitments for 80 percent of its retail space, will provide goods and services to the surrounding neighborhood while creating about 60 job opportunities. It joins a plaza and renovated community center that were built as part of the Greenbridge revitalization project.

Starting at 8:30pm tonight (Sat., March 28th), everyone is encouraged to turn their lights off for one hour for “Earth Hour,” a movement meant to raise the awareness of global warming.

Plus, under the right circumstances, it could be fun.

“Earth Hour” is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, which is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.

It is projected that one billion people will go dark for Earth Hour.

Already hundreds of icons and landmarks around the world have signed up to turn their lights off for Earth Hour 2009 including:

• The Eiffel Tower in Paris
• Sydney Opera House
• Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens
• The London Eye
• Perhaps your house?

For more information, check out earthhour.org.

Here’s another video with more info:

Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services announced today that beginning April 1st, many people currently receiving food assistance through Washington’s food stamp program, Basic Food, will receive an increase in their monthly food benefits.

The Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), recently signed into law to help stimulate the national economy, provides additional aid to people receiving food benefits. Changes in Basic Food provided by the federal stimulus package include:

A 13.6 percent increase in maximum monthly benefit amounts for most households – meaning a four-person household could receive up to $668 instead of $588.

Suspending the three-month time limit on food assistance for childless, unemployed adults through September 2010.

Households currently receiving Basic Food will automatically receive the higher benefits. DSHS sent letters to all affected households informing them of the upcoming increase to their monthly benefits.

People receive their monthly Basic Food benefits electronically on a debit-like card to spend on food items. The additional grocery purchases generated by the extra benefits will increase economic activity in communities across the state. During the state’s 2007 fiscal year, Washington’s Basic Food Program generated more than $607 million in food purchases statewide. With recent program expansions, this figure is estimated to reach nearly $1 billion in 2009.

“Washington state has a history of weathering economic downturns fairly well, but we haven’t been so lucky this time,” said Troy Hutson, assistant secretary for the DSHS Economic Services Administration. “As unemployment continues to rise, more people needing help to make ends meet are coming to us. The food stamp program is the nation’s first defense against hunger and these additional benefits provide much needed help to families and the economy as a whole.”

People who would like more information about Basic Food can go to www.foodhelp.wa.gov. Households can quickly estimate what their monthly benefits would be and apply online.

People can also call 1-877-514-FOOD (3663) for questions about the program.

The White Center Blog proudly welcomes its latest Advertiser: the American Cancer Society, which provides hope for a cure for cancer through the upcoming Relay For Life, to be held June 13th and 14th at Highline Stadium just a few miles south in Burien.

Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer. And for the volunteers who are busy planning the 4th Annual Relay For Life of Highline, it’s those personal stories that keep them going.

Set to take place June 13th and 14at at Highline Stadium, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life provides a way for everyone to fight back against cancer.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. Teams of people will camp out on the field at Highline Stadium and take turns walking or running around the track. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length, to represent that cancer patients battle the disease 24 hours a day.

Teams can be made up of family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors who have fun while raising much-needed funds to fight cancer and raise awareness. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay.

One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The money raised at Relay saves lives by funding cutting-edge cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts, and life-affirming patient services. It is because of Relay that we are able to save lives, help those battling cancer and empower all to fight back against the disease.

Relay also allows all individuals an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those who have survived cancer and to remember those who have been lost to the disease. For the newly diagnosed, Relay is a healing experience that offers a chance to meet others who have claimed victory over cancer. For the caregivers who give their time, love, and support to their friends and family who face cancer it provides hope and understanding.

Highlights of the event include the Opening Ceremonies at 3pm which include the Cancer Survivor Victory Lap. The Victory Lap is an opportunity for the community to come together and show support for those who have gone through or are still fighting cancer. Immediately following the Victory Lap is the Cancer Survivors Social; all cancer survivors and their caregivers are invited to enjoy the good food and share stories with other survivors and caregivers. At 10pm, the Luminaria Ceremony provides a time for everyone to pause and reflect on those we have lost to cancer and those who are still battling the disease.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser and is planned by volunteers in our community. Event Chair Gary McNeil says he got involved “because I lost my dad to cancer and I wanted to feel like I was contributing to a solution. Relay provides me the opportunity to support cancer patients and really make a difference.” Gary started out as a team captain and stepped up to fill the role of Event Chair because “it’s an important cause to me, and I wanted to do what I could to help out.”

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. No matter who you are, we can help. If you, or someone you know, have been diagnosed with cancer the American Cancer Society can provide support and services to help you through the cancer journey.

If you would like more information about Relay For Life or services the American Cancer Society provides, please contact Kelly Cochran at 206.674.4103 or at kelly.cochran@cancer.org.

And please visit the website at www.relayforlife.org/highlinewa, where you can sign a team up, join one, or donate online.

We’ll see you there!

Here’s a video with more information:

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UPDATE 3/24/09: Tuesday afternoon in Tukwila, King County Sheriff’s detectives arrested the man they believe stole a car with two young children in it.

Here’s their release:

The suspect who Sheriff’s Office detectives believe stole a car with two toddlers strapped in the back seat was arrested this afternoon shortly before 2:30 PM. The arrest occurred at an apartment in Tukwila. The arrest was uneventful.

The kidnapping incident occurred last night (Monday March 23^rd) about 7:00 PM in the Top Hat neighborhood of Burien.

Detectives believe the suspect was loitering at the Oasis 76 Station, 11249 – 1^st Ave South last evening. A man went into the station to buy cigarettes, but left his 2005 Jeep Cherokee outside with the doors unlocked and the engine running, just outside of the entrance doors.

The man’s 1½ year-old daughter and 3 year-old niece were inside the vehicle. The father/uncle saw the suspect get into the car and start to drive away. He ran to the car and pulled open the driver’s door, yelling “My kids, my kids”, but the suspect pushed him out of the doorway and drove off. The dad gave chase on foot but to no avail. He returned to the store and called 9-1-1.

As Sheriff’s deputies were taking the report and notifying adjacent police agencies, the Jeep Cherokee pulled into the Albertson’s parking lot, 15840 – 1^st Avenue South, at a high rate of speed and honking the horn. The driver was yelling out the window “help me…help me” and when a patron approached the car he handed off both kids and took off quickly.

Suspecting something might be amiss, the customers called 9-1-1 and the connection was made. Families were reunited shortly thereafter.

An alert Sheriff’s sergeant located the stolen vehicle about 11:30 PM in a Tukwila parking lot.

The suspect arrested today is a convicted felon and on Active Supervision with the Dept. of Corrections. He was released from King County Jail on March 18^th after an arrest on an Obstruction charge.

The suspect will be booked into the King County Jail later today for Investigation of Kidnapping and Investigation of Theft.

PREVIOUSLY:The Seattle Times is reporting that a Jeep was stolen Monday night in White Center, with two very young children still inside.

According to the Times, someone left their two young kids in their idling Jeep, and a thief took off with it.

The kids, both under two years old, were later dropped off three miles away at the Albertson’s in Burien.

The incident started near South 112th Street and First Avenue South just before 7pm, and the thief then left the two girls at the Burien store, telling a witness that it was an emergency.

Police later found the Jeep at about 11:30pm, abandoned in Tukwila.

Read the full story here.

And if you’re a parent who drives your kids around, please don’t leave ‘em unattended in a car, whether it’s running or not.

“If you take your keys, take your kids…”

Shorewood Christian School’s annual auction is coming up this Saturday, March 28th, starting at 5pm, and here are the details:

WHAT: Shorewood Christian School’s annual auction, with the theme “Come Aboard Our Cruise Ship”

WHEN: Saturday, March 28th, starting at 5pm

WHERE: Shorewood Foursquare Sanctuary, located at the church at 10300 28th Ave SW (map below)

COST: “Boarding Passes” are $25.00 each.

INFO: Mark your calendars! This Saturday, March 28th at 5pm, you won’t want to miss the Shorewood Christian School’s annual auction.

The theme of this year’s dinner-auction, “Come Aboard Our Cruise Ship”, docks at Shorewood Foursquare Sanctuary at 5pm.

This is a fun filled evening of buffet dining, with a silent and live auction benefiting Shorewood Christian School.

The proceeds from the auction this year goes to Shorewood Christians’ high school expansion efforts.

For tickets or more information, call Shorewood Christian at 206-933-1056 or visit their website at www.ShorewoodChristianSchool.org

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Friday afternoon around 2:25pm, two men were shot in the 1200 block of SW 119th, and as we drove by around 3:30pm we witnessed some of the aftermath, including five King County Sheriff’s vehicles parked near Geno’s Coffee, and cops scouring an area at the intersection of 16th SW and SW 116th, near the border of White Center and Burien.

According to authorities, police were called to the area when a man reported he’d been “grazed” with a pellet gun, which may have actually been an actual gun. The gunman reportedly ran off with two other youths, then as cops were interviewing the victim, another male who’d really been shot came out of a nearby house.

Officers searched the area and found the alleged gunman and two teens around 3pm.

The victim of the shooting was taken to a hospital, and the man who originally claimed to have been “grazed” was treated for a minor injury.

All victims are expected to survive.

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Ever since we first created our exclusive, continually-updated, White Center-centric Jobs Section last September, we’ve done what we can to help both area residents and local businesses who need help, so it was only natural today when we found the following three job listings to share them with our Readers.

All are with the Highline School District at the Evergreen Campus (located at 830 SW 116th Street), with an application deadline of next Friday, March 27th; application info is included at the bottom of each listing:

1. HOMEWORK HUB SUPERVISOR:

Position Description: To provide program oversight for after-school tutors, volunteers, high school students, and activities of the Evergreen Homework Hub.

Note: The Evergreen Homework Hub is a new program on the Evergreen Campus. This position is a contract position from April-June 2009 with the possibility of a more permanent position during the 2009-2010 school-year.

Essential Functions:

• Supervise volunteers and tutors during program hours
• Assist in the recruitment of volunteers and tutors for the Homework Hub
• Supervise students and apply appropriate behavior management
• Complete required reports and maintain accurate records and documentation
• Maintain communication and relationships with school day and after-school staff
• Assist in supervising enrichment activities while on site
• Assist in providing periodic training sessions for tutors, volunteers, and CSC staff to increase competency in working with students
• Help students develop positive attitudes towards learning and studying
• Help students develop self-confidence, raise self-concept, and reduce anxiety or fear of failure in academic work
• Help students develop a high level of motivation in academic areas
• Assist students in achieving a better understanding of specific subject material and in improving academic capabilities in designated areas as needed
• Help students develop the study skills necessary for academic success
• Serve as a role model for students being served

Qualifications/Skills Required:

• Ability to use computers for entry into database, spreadsheets, word-processing and network software, including email; proficient use of telephone systems with voice mail; ability to use copy machine
• Strong and effective organizational and time management skills
• Working knowledge of age-appropriate education expectations and knowledge of student behavior management
• Ability to supervise volunteers; communicate effectively via oral and written communication; ability to work effectively with other team members; good people skills and personal judgment
• Ability to work under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; creating a safe learning environment for all participants
• Comfortable serving ethnically diverse populations of youth and adults
• Bilingual skills preferred
• Proficient in language arts and high school level math
• Experience working with ages 14-18
• Ability to maintain a professional relationship with youth and adults
• Willingness to conduct special activities as needed
• Willingness to comply with established school district and Community Schools Collaboration policies and procedures
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

Working Environment:
This job is primarily performed within school buildings in a generally clean and healthy environment. Work hours will vary from 15-18 hours per week, primarily afternoons; includes school early release days; includes meetings and trainings as scheduled by Community Schools Director; reports to Site Manager

Experience:
At least two years experience working with middle or high school aged students in educational or recreational setting. Experience with program management; experience working with multicultural, multilingual students and families preferred.

Education:
AA degree in job related field, such as Education, Social Work, or Recreation. Experience may substitute for educational requirements.

Compensation and Hours: $16-$18/hour; 15-18 hours/week approximate; April-June; There are no benefits for this position.

How to apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Chera Amlag, amlagco@hsd401.org by Friday, March 27, 2009. For questions, call 206.248.5474.

2. MATH & SCIENCE SPECIALIST:

Position Description: The general responsibilities of the Math & Science Specialist Tutor is to provide individual and small group tutoring to students in the Evergreen Homework Hub with an emphasis on Math and Science support. Other assistance might include: reviewing class material, discussing the text, predicting test questions, formulating ideas for papers/assignments, or working on solutions to problems.

Essential Functions:
•Provide academic assistance to students in the Homework Hub, either in a group or individually, particularly to students requesting math and science support.
•Attend periodic training sessions given by Community Schools Collaboration staff members to increase competency in working with students.
•Help students develop positive attitudes towards learning and studying.
•Help students develop self-confidence, raise self-concept, and reduce anxiety or fear of failure in academic work.
•Help students develop a high level of motivation in academic areas.
•Assist students in achieving a better understanding of specific subject material and in improving academic capabilities in designated areas.
•Help students develop the study skills necessary for academic success.
•Serve as a role model for students being served.
•Work with Homework Hub Supervisor to provide evaluations and other reports as requested by CSC staff.

Qualifications/Skills Required:
•Comfortable serving ethnically diverse populations of youth and adults
•Good listener; good oral/written communication skills
•Bilingual skills preferred
•Proficient in high school level math and science
•Experience working with ages 14-18
•Comfortable tutoring one-on-one as well as leading small groups
•Ability to work independently and on a team
•Ability to maintain a professional relationship with youth and adults
•Willingness to comply with established school district and Community Schools
Collaboration policies and procedures
•Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

Working Environment:
This job is primarily performed within school buildings after-school in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Compensation and Hours: $10-$13/hour; 8 hours/week; April-June 2009; There are no benefits for this position.

How to apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Chera Amlag, amlagco@hsd401.org by Friday, March 27, 2009. For questions, call 206.248.5474.

3. LANGUAGE ARTS & SOCIAL STUDIES SPECIALIST:

Position Description: The general responsibilities of the Language Arts and Social Studies Tutor is to provide individual and small group tutoring to students in the Evergreen Homework Hub with an emphasis on Language Arts and Social Studies support. Other assistance might include: reviewing class material, discussing the text, predicting test questions, formulating ideas for papers/assignments, or working on solutions to problems.

Essential Functions:

• Provide academic assistance to students in the Homework Hub, either in a group or individually, particularly to students requesting language arts and social studies support.
• Attend periodic training sessions given by Community Schools Collaboration staff members to increase competency in working with students.
• Help students develop positive attitudes towards learning and studying.
• Help students develop self-confidence, raise self-concept, and reduce anxiety or fear of failure in academic work.
• Help students develop a high level of motivation in academic areas.
• Assist students in achieving a better understanding of specific subject material and in improving academic capabilities in designated areas.
• Help students develop the study skills necessary for academic success.
• Serve as a role model for students being served.
• Work with Homework Hub Supervisor to provide evaluations and other reports as requested by CSC staff.

Qualifications/Skills Required:

• Comfortable serving ethnically diverse populations of youth and adults
• Good listener; good oral/written communication skills
• Bilingual skills preferred
• Proficient in high school level language arts and social studies
• Experience working with ages 14-18
• Comfortable tutoring one-on-one as well as leading small groups
• Ability to work independently and on a team
• Ability to maintain a professional relationship with youth and adults
• Willingness to comply with established school district and Community
• Schools Collaboration policies and procedures
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

Working Environment:
This job is primarily performed within school buildings after-school in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Compensation and Hours: $10-$13/hour; 8 hours/week; April-June 2009; There are no benefits for this position.

How to apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Chera Amlag, amlagco@hsd401.org by Friday, March 27, 2009. For questions, call 206.248.5474.

Here’s a new Video Ad for WCB Advertiser Vision Collision, produced by Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer:

Vision Collision is located at:

803 SW 154th Street (just west of Ambaum) in Burien
Phone 206-244-2758

[Are you a Business looking to make a major impact on the internet? Video is one of the most effective ways to market, and when you buy a 6-month Ad on The White Center Blog, not only do you get a FREE video produced by a 3-time National Emmy Award winner, you also get our expert viral marketing push, which lands your video on YouTube and Facebook! For more information, email us, call (206) 248-2565 or check out our Advertise Page!]

White Center for the Arts is holding two big events this month on two Saturdays at the Southgate Event Center: March 21st and March 28th, and here are the details:

SATURDAY, MARCH 21st:
Open Studio Tour from 5pm-10pm at the Southgate Event Center (formerly the Southgate Skate Rink), located at 9639 16th Ave SW (map below – just be sure to enter on the 16th SW side).

SATURDAY, MARCH 28th:
Rat City Rummage sale from Noon – 6pm at the Southgate Event Center.

Rat City Rummage is an art event/swap meet, and vending is open to handmade arts and crafts, baked goods, non-handmade goods such as household items, furniture, clothing, CDs, bicycles, small electronics, dishware, etc.

White Center for the Arts is a group of six artists with diverse backgrounds who have come together to form a non-profit organization focused on supporting the arts in White Center.

Our desire is to offer space where local artists can show their work, and to provide a place to learn learn about art.

We want to provide classes to young and old in many media, bringing out the rich diversity of culture that can be found in White Center.

And we want to have fun!

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That was the scene Friday morning in the 10000 block of 10th Ave SW in White Center, when a trailer parked on a vacant lot was totally destroyed by fire around 9:30 – 10am.

The resident, a white man in his late 50s/early 60s, suffered minor injuries and was treated on the scene. His home was a total loss, and we don’t have word on his current housing status.

The North Highline FD Batallion Chief on the scene said it was too early to determine the cause, and fire investigators had not yet arrived on location.

We spoke with a neighbor who owns the vacant lot, whose house suffered some damage from the heat – as you can see in the photo below, her siding actually started to melt from the intense heat:

As we reported Wednesday, King County’s Public Health Department closed a taco truck called Taqueria El Rincon (photo above), located at 11066 16th Ave SW for the violation of “Wastewater draining to the ground.”

When we dropped by this morning to take a pic, nobody was present at the truck, but according to the Public Health website, it has been officially re-opened as of Thursday morning, so the previous wastewater issues have apparently been addressed.

West Seattle Montessori School (which is moving to White Center this spring) is hosting a guest expert speaker tonight, who will speak on the topic of Montessori education.

John Chattin-McNichols will speak tonight (Thursday, Mar. 5th) from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at the American Legion Hall, which is located at 3618 SW Alaska Street in West Seattle (map below).

The event is sponsored by the West Seattle Montessori School and is free to the public.

John Chattin-McNichols took his Montessori teacher training for ages 6-12 years in Bergamo, Italy, in 1970-71. He got his first job at a Montessori school in 1968.

One of his lecturers and his final examiner was Mario Montessori, the son of Dr. Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori method of education.

Maria Montessori once said: “Education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment.”

Chattin-McNichols has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA, and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Child Development and Early Education.

He is a Past President of the American Montessori Society and the author of The Montessori Controversy.

He is an associate professor and department chair at Seattle University, where he has taught for 28 years.

He is a Fulbright lecturer and has spoken about Montessori in many countries around the world.

For more information, please contact West Seattle Montessori School at 206-935-0427.

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On Tuesday afternoon (Mar. 3rd), King County’s Public Health Department closed Taqueria El Rincon, located at 11066 16th Ave SW (we think this is the taco truck across from McMurphy’s, where we’ve eaten before – street view below),  for the violation of “Wastewater draining to the ground.”

According to the King County website:

Public Health – Seattle & King County helps the food establishment keep the risk of food borne illness low through education and inspections. There are 2 basic causes of food borne illness we want to protect against with safe food handling practices.

1. Contamination of food by food workers’ hands, other foods, or food preparation surfaces. This is why hand washing, no bare hand contact with ready to eat foods and the washing, rinsing and sanitizing of food preparation surfaces is vitally important.
2. Temperature control: Foods that provide a good environment for the growth of the bacteria that cause food borne illness are called potentially hazardous foods. The bacteria grow quickly in “the danger zone,” 41°F to 140°F of these foods. Therefore, these foods must be cooked to temperatures that will kill the bacteria, then kept hot (over 140°) until served, or kept cold (under 41°) until served.

There are some safe food handling practices that, if not done properly, are more likely to lead to food borne illnesses. The inspector specifically observes and documents these food handling practices during the inspection. If any of these most risky practices are not done properly, the establishment is given a red critical violation on the inspection, the risk is taken care of immediately, and the manager is taught the correct procedure or method. Based on the risk caused by the violation, a return inspection and education will be done. Finally, if a food establishment hasn’t improved its practices after additional education and direction, the establishment will be closed.

Reasons for immediate closure of a food service establishment:

• High score on the routine inspection*
• Sewage backing up in kitchen &/or bathroom
• No hot water/running water
• Electricity goes out
• Other imminent health hazards: broken refrigeration, damage caused by accidents or natural disasters, or when establishment is linked to a food borne illness outbreak
• Other: No permit to be operating (The permit assures that they have met all of the structural & equipment requirements for the menu items they are going to serve); the owner/manager interferes with the inspector’s ability to do her/his duties.

*The inspection is based on a 400 point system. The violations are added up between red and blue violations. If the total red critical violations is 90 or more, or the total of red and blue is 120 or more, then the establishment will be closed.

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The White Center Blog gives a big green “Thumbs Up” to Clean Air Lawn Care, our latest Advertiser!

Do you know that 5-10% of the Nation’s Air pollution is attributed to small engines like the ones used in gas powered lawn care equipment – mowers, blowers, edgers and trimmers?

Or that gas lawn mowers consume some 580 million gallons of gasoline annually of which 25-35% escapes unburned – that’s on top of the 17 million gallons that are spilled annually by people filling up gas mowers?

Clean Air Lawn Care of West Seattle is “Changing the Way America Mows the Lawn” by using only battery and electric operated equipment powered by renewable energy sources. The solar panels on their trucks are used to harvest the solar energy and recharge their equipment throughout the day.

Adam Werner, Owner of Clean Air Lawn Care, has been a Seattle resident since 1995 and a West Seattle resident in the Riverview Neighborhood since 2004. He has been involved with his Riverview Neighborhood group to help save the Sound Ways property from private development. He is also a member of the Highland Park Improvement Committee and a new member of Sustainable West Seattle.

In 2008, Clean Air Lawn Care was able to reduce air pollutants by 2289 pounds or the equivalent of 70,158 vehicle miles driven. According to the EPA, in 1 hour, 1 gas mower:

1. Pollutes the same as 40 late model cars.
2. Emits the amount of hydrocarbons as a SUV driven 23,600 miles.
3. Contributes 93 times more smog-forming emissions than 2006 cars.

Another huge advantage of the electric equipment is the lack of noise – it’s 50-70% quieter than traditional lawn equipment. So not only do you not have to smell the gas burning, you don’t have to hear it either. This is great for working from home, napping children, and not disturbing your neighbors on a nice sunny afternoon.

Adam says that their equipment is so quiet, “We’ve had several customers tell them that they did not even know we were at their house!”

Adam and his crew are knowledgeable, professional and courteous. They provide all of Burien, White Center, Des Moines (and beyond) spring and fall clean ups, mowing, blowing, edging, trimming, weeding, mulching, hedge trimming (up to 7 ft) and other hourly work as required.

Outside of the electricity generated by the solar panels, Clean Air participates in the Seattle Green Up program and all additional electricity used is purchased from a renewable energy broker. The windpower they purchase is used to power the lawn equipment and offices, qualifying the entire organization as carbon neutral.

Be sure to stop Adam, Josh, or Chelsea when you see them in your neighborhood to get a look at the truck with the solar panels (see photo above). Josh would love to talk you about his passion for photography – his work can be seen at www.joshuakenneymiller.com/Abstract.html.

Chelsea would be more than happy to show you some of the jewelry she makes or even teach your kids to play the piano. Check out her work at www.seatemple.etsy.com.

Help your neighborhood become clean and quieter and help Clean Air Lawn Care “Change the Way America Mows the Lawn” – please click on their Ad, check out their website, or contact Adam directly at 206-941-4180!