Going on job interviews? Giving a business presentation? Leading a meeting? Need confidence? Toastmasters is the answer!

The ability to speak well is crucial to success, but have you ever evaluated your speaking skills? Many people, if they were to seek feedback, would learn that they talk too much, or perhaps too softly, that they fill their sentences with “ums” and “uhs,” or that they are hard to follow. You might say that it’s the message that matters; but if you can’t put your ideas across in a way that makes people want to listen, that promotion or that leadership position could be a long time coming.

Toastmasters offers a formal, self-paced program that will help you learn to speak better. The two keys to this are practice and feedback. Toastmasters clubs provide a friendly and supportive setting where you can practice your public speaking, and receive constructive feedback. Darlene Burrill says, “Toastmasters has given me the courage to speak in front of a group in spite of my speech impediment.”

To learn more about Toastmasters attend an Open House at Burien Breakfast Toastmasters, Thursday, September 9, 2010. Arrive at 6:45am to receive your guest packet and get your coffee or juice. There will be a light breakfast served at break time.

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters Open House
4 Lessons on Speaking from “The Karate Kid”
Highline Public Schools ERAC Building
15675 Ambaum Blvd SW, Burien
Across the street from Azteca, next to Hi-Line Lanes
7:00am – 8:15am
Arrive at 6:45am for Guest Packets, Coffee and Juice
For more info contact Theresa 206-588-5088 or burienbreakfast.com@gmail.com

There will be three parts to the meeting, the prepared speeches, the evaluations, and “Table Topics”. The prepared speeches are usually of five to seven minutes long. Each member is given in a manual that sets out ten speech projects. Each of these has a specific goal, such as speech structure, using gestures, pauses and vocal inflection. These will help you learn how to express your ideas clearly and with confidence. Bang Parkinson, the President of Burien Breakfast Toastmasters, says that using the speech projects helped her gain confidence and feel comfortable presenting at board meetings at work. “Even though I still have my Chinese accent, people understand me better. Giving speeches at Toastmasters helped me to articulate well and to speak slower, clearer and smoother.”

After each speech an evaluator, usually a Toastmaster more experienced than the speaker, provides feedback. This takes the form of an impromptu speech and the objective is to give suggestions on how to improve future speeches because feedback is essential to learning.

For many people the “Table Topics” part of a meeting is the most frightening, yet this is also of the greatest benefit for those wanting to improve how they speak at work. In Table Topics each person is called upon to speak impromptu on a subject. If you’ve never done it before, delivering an interesting and well-structured talk to a group of attentive listeners without any preparation can be extremely difficult. Yes, the first time is hard, but it gets easier with practice, and that’s precisely the point. As Jean Schmidt says, “I used to be legally blind. Science gave me back my eyesight. Toastmasters opened my eyes. Now they can’t keep my mouth shut!”

Attend a meeting and you’ll find Toastmasters are more than willing to share stories of how Table Topics practice helped them at work. From explaining a project to a group of unexpected visitors to persuading colleagues to consider a crazy idea, being able to express thoughts clearly is essential to being viewed as both confident and competent. Roger Wells will tell you how Table Topics saved his dad’s life when with no preparation he had to convince medical authorities to hospitalize his dad at once.

You can learn these skills and more in a supportive, self paced, fun atmosphere at Burien Breakfast Toastmasters. Join us at our Open House September 9, 2010 at 6:45am or at any of our regularly scheduled meetings.

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters
Highline Public Schools ERAC Building
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW
Burien, WA 98166
2nd and 4th Thursday of every month
7:00am – 8:15am

“Wednesdays with WCELI,” a free parental educational gathering, will be meeting again this Wednesday, Aug. 18th from 9am – 10am at the Educate Early Learning Center, located at 625 SW 100th Street, next to White Center Heights Elementary School.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Wednesdays with WCELI” meeting.

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 18th from 9am – 10am.

WHERE: Educare Early Learning Center, next to White Center Heights Elementary at 625 SW 100th St. Seattle, WA 98146.

INFO: From a flier:

Join other parents over coffee/tea to discuss topics and resources in early learning.

Make it Fun! Watch Them Learn!

Get Ready for Kindergarten!

What you can do to make sure your child is ready for school.

• Coffee/tea and light morning refreshments provided
• Children welcome; activities provided for ages 2 – 5

Questions? Call (206) 716-8855.

The White Center Community Development Association is holding a “Member Mixer” this Saturday, Aug. 7th, from 1pm – 3pm at the YWCA Learning Center, located at 9720 8th Ave SW in Greenbridge.

This event is open to the public, and free food and childcare will be provided.

According to a flier, they will “discuss ideas for action around the issues that effect White Center and its residents. Some of our topics will include:

• Housing
• Education
• Jobs
• Business
• And much more

The future of White Center is in our hands. Together, lets be a voice for change and prosperity!”

Here are the details:

WHAT: White Center CDA Member Mixer.

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 7th from 1pm – 3pm.

WHERE: YWCA Learning Center, located at 9720 8th Ave SW in Greenbridge.

INFO: For more info, email sean@wccda.org or call (206) 694-1082 ext. 165.

The next White Center Business District Mixer meeting is Tuesday night, July 20th, starting at 6pm at Chase Bank, located at 1616 SW 100th Street.

There is no cost to attend, and according to a flier, there will be a light dinner provided.

On the agenda this week are two items:

1. Sibelle from White Center’s Dubsea Coffee and a StartZone representative will report on the fantastic results of a StartZone’s pilot project that connects Highline Community College students to help small business build and maintain an attractive and practical website. There will also be an announcement of a free social media seminar that the CDA will organize to teach WC businesses easy steps on how to set up online marketing accounts (Facebook, Yelp, Groupon, etc.) to attract more customers.
2. Mr. Javier Valdez from the City of Seattle and Luis Navarro from the Port of Seattle will talk about the process of how small businesses can register to become vendors/contractors for government’s businesses.

If you have any questions, or would like more info, contact Nhan Ngyung at (206) 694-1082.

There will be a Special Fire Commissioners meeting for the North Highline Fire District at 10am Thursday, July 1st at their headquarters station at 1243 SW 112th Street.

This is an Open Meeting to the public.

According to Pat Price, this meeting is open to the public.

The agenda will include:

1. New-hire Firefighter
2. Chief Administrative Position

Also:

“A portion of the meeting may be held in executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4) to discuss the strategy or position to be taken by the board in its professional negotiations.

Final action may be taken at the meeting.”

While not quite a memorial, there will be an Open House public meeting about the closure of the South Park Bridge and its impact on the local community on Tuesday, May 25th from 6pm – 8pn at the Machinists Hall at 9125 15th Place South in Seattle.

The meeting will also include a formal presentation and Q&A session starting at 6:30pm.

During the open house and presentation, the King County DOT, representatives from the city of Seattle and other service providers will provide an overview of key actions that will be taken in response to input from residents and businesses in the area. With the June 30 closure of the bridge just weeks away, several actions have been identified to help keep traffic moving while supporting local business needs. Those steps include:

• Adding a signal at the southbound onramp to SR-509 at South Cloverdale Street and 1st Ave. South to relieve traffic congestion;
• The installation of signage to help channel motorists through the area and around the bridge after it closes;
• Working with the South Park community to develop ongoing strategies to support neighborhood business and commerce; and
• Making channelization improvements to key arterials such as 14th/16th Ave. South and East Marginal Way.

Impacts to King County Metro Transit service have also been a major concern for bus riders in South Park and Georgetown. In response to comments from the public, Metro will present revised options for continued service once the bridge is closed. Based on extensive research and input from riders and coordination with the city of Seattle, the reroutes represent the best short-term option for continued service to the South Park and Georgetown neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, King County Executive Dow Constantine continues to lead a broad-based coalition of public and private stakeholders to secure critical funding for eventual construction of a new bridge. Recently, the executive traveled to Washington D.C. to seek support for federal funding to help pay for construction of a new South Park Bridge.

The South Park Bridge suffers from widespread steel corrosion, crumbling concrete piers and an outdated electrical control system. The main drawbridge piers are also unstable. The condition of the bridge is so poor it now has an engineering sufficiency rating of 4 out of a possible 100, making it the worst heavily traveled bridge in the state of Washington.

And a recently released independent engineering report has additionally confirmed that the bridge must be closed on June 30.

“While closure of the South Park Bridge is necessary, we all recognize the difficult challenges and adjustments that lie ahead,” King County Road Services Division Director Linda Dougherty said. “But thanks to the many constructive and thoughtful comments we have received from citizens and the dedicated involvement of community leaders, we have identified several actions we hope will ease the burden on this vibrant community.”

For more information about the meeting, call the South Park Bridge Closure Line at (206) 263-9979. You can also learn more about the meeting and planning for the upcoming closure of the South Park Bridge by visiting www.kingcounty.gov/southparkbridge.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council will be holding its monthly meeting this Thursday night, May 6th, beginning at 7pm at the North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street.

Also, they will be holding their annual election on Thursday, May 20 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the same location; a list of candidates and who can vote is on their website here.

Here’s the agenda:

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL

www.northhighlineuac.org

North Highline Fire Station 1243 SW 112th St. Seattle, WA 98146

AGENDA: May 6, 2010

• 7:00 p.m. Call to order
  • Flag salute
  • Roll call
  • Approval of agenda
  • Approval of minutes
• 7:05 p.m. Public announcements
• 7:10 p.m. Public comment – 3 minutes for individuals
  • 5 minutes for groups
• 7:15 p.m. KCSO – Report
• 7:25 p.m. Rachael Levine – White Center Library Guild
• 7:35 p.m. Dick Thurnau – Friends of Hicks Lake
• 7:45 p.m. Election Candidates
• 8:00 p.m. Treasurers Report
• 8:05 p.m. Corresponding Secretary Report
• 8:10 p.m. Committee Reports
  • 1. Governance
  • 2. Arts and Parks – Flower Planting & Movies in the Park
  • 3. Public Safety
  • 4. Housing and Human Services
  • 5. Public Outreach
  • 6. Transportation
  • 7. Steve Cox Memorial
• 8.20 p.m. Old business
• 8:25 p.m. New Business

NHUAC MEMBERS: Pat Price – District 1: Teresa Vert, Heidi Johnson – District 2

Jessica Stoneback – District 3: Ron Johnson, Christine Waldman – District 4: Douglas Harrell, Russ Pritchard, , Rebecca Lopes – At large.

COUNCIL OFFICERS: President – Christine Waldman Vice President – Douglas Harrell

Treasurer – Ron Johnson Corresponding Secretary – Jessica Stoneback

The next White Center Business District Mixer will be Tuesday, May 4th from 6pm — 7:30pm at the Del Rio Restaurant, 10230 16th Avenue SW, and will include a light dinner.

This is a great opportunity for White Center business owners, employees or residents to come meet their neighbors and talk business.

Topics on the agenda for this mixer will include:

• Reports: alcoholic forum, parking, district marketing
• Discussion: Food PR firm
• Announcements: Jubilee Day & Spring Clean & others
• Future monthly meeting issues and topics

Here are the details:

WHAT: White Center Business District Mixer

WHEN: Tuesday, May 4th from 6pm – 7:30pm

WHERE: Del Rio Restaurant, 10230 16th Avenue SW

INFO: Contact Nhan Nguyen at 206-694-1082 with any questions.

Here’s info from a flier:

White Center Business District Meeting – Happy Cinco De Mayo!

• You care for the White Center Business District
• You are invested here!
• You would love to see it become a great place to work, shop and hang out
• You want to discuss with like-minded business representatives how to:
  • Improve the district
  • Advocate for business issues
  • Create mutual support among businesses
• You are craving a sustainable conversation:

You are invited to:

White Center Business District MIXER

Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Time: 6pm—7:30pm Location: Del Rio Restaurant, 10230 16th Avenue SW

Light dinner will be served.

Contact Nhan Nguyen at 206-694-1082 for any questions.

TOPICS:

• Reports: alcoholic forum, parking, district marketing
• Discussion: Food PR firm
• Announcements: Jubilee Day & Spring Clean & others
• Future monthly meeting issues and topics

The White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition released a list of nominees for its next Certification of Appreciation, the winner of which will be awarded at their next monthly meeting on Thursday, April 22nd.

March’s winner was Young’s Restaurant, and here’s the letter announcing them as winner:

Hi Everyone,

It was really great to be able to present Young’s Restaurant with the Certificate of Appreciation at our last meeting. Well, it’s time to start thinking about who will get the award this month. So far, we have the five businesses listed below, please stop by one of these establishments and let us know what you think, or nominate your favorite business.

We will present the next certificate at our next meeting on Thursday, April 22nd.

The nominees are . . .

• Golden Village Market ( 9810 14th Ave. S.W. )
• Total Fashion (1618 S.W. Roxbury
• Restaurant: Banh Mi 88
• Restaurant: Full Tilt (In the heart of downtown White Center .)
• Grocery: New Angkor Market

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

You can email the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition at wcsdsc@yahoo.com.

From President Greg Duff comes this corrected, updated agenda for Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, which begins at 7pm at the North Highline Fire District Office, located at 1243 SW 112th Street.

Looks like a full meeting too, with visits from Burien City Manager Mike Martin, Burien Fire Chief Mike Marrs and several King County Sheriff’s Department officials.

AGENDA – April 1, 2010

• 7:00 p.m. Call to order
  Flag salute
  Roll call
  Approval of agenda
  Approval of minutes
• 7:10 p.m. Public announcements
• 7:15 p.m. Update from Mike Martin, Burien City Manager
• 7:25 p.m. Major Jim Graddon, KCSO
  Captain Carl Cole, KCSO
  Captain Patrick Butschli, KCSO
• 7:45 p.m. Chief Mike Marrs, Burien Fire Chief
• 8:00 p.m. Update sent in by Deputy Jeff Hancock, KCSO
• 8:05 p.m. Public Comment – 3 minutes individuals
  5 minutes groups
• 8:20 p.m. Treasurers Report
• 8:25 p.m. Committee Reports
  1. Governance
  2. Arts and Parks
  3. Public Safety
  4. Housing and Human Services
  5. Public Outreach
  6. Transportation
  7. Steve Cox Memorial
• 8:35 p.m. Old business
• 8:45p.m. New Business

NHUAC MEMBERS: Pat Price, Ray Helms – District 1: Teresa Vert, Heidi Johnson – District 2
Jessica Stoneback – District 3: Ron Johnson, Christine Waldman – District 4: Douglas Harrell, Russ Pritchard, Greg Duff, Rebecca Lopes – At large.

COUNCIL OFFICERS: President – Greg Duff Vice President – Christine Waldman

Our friends at the White Center Community Development Association alert us to an upcoming educational business seminar on small business tax, funding and financing on Monday, March 15th from 6pm – 8pm at Chase Bank (1616 SW 100th Street).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Educational seminar on small business tax, funding and financing.

WHEN: Monday, March 15th from 6pm – 8pm.

WHERE: Chase Bank Meeting Room, located at 1616 SW 100th Street in White Center.

INFO: From a flier:

Do you own or think of owning a business in White Center? Do you have business tax-related questions?

Are you interested in finding out about funding/financing sources to start/operate your business?

Would you like to pick the brain of an expert in business development and a couple of CPAs?

You are invited to: AN EDUCATION SEMINAR ON SMALL BUSINESS TAX, FUNDING & FINANCING

Presented: Cornerstone Funding Company

Location:    Chase Bank – Meeting Room

Address:    1616 SW 100th Street

Date & Time: Monday, March 15 6pm – 8pm

RSVP is required by emailing Nhan Nguyen at nhan@wccda.org or call 206.694.1082 Ext. 166.

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr, along with other public safety officials, will be giving a special presentation on Tuesday, March 9th from 6pm – 8pm at the South Park Community Center, just down the hill from White Center.

The purpose of this meeting is to address area safety issues, especially gang activity.

Sheriff Rahr will be joined by Jaime Mendez from Univision Seattle TV and La Voz de Washington radio, along with other local gang prevention specialists to talk to Latino families in the community about keeping their kids out of gangs. King County Deputy and Burien Police Officer Joe Gagliardi, a regional expert on gangs and gang activity, will give a visual presentation that will be simultaneously translated for the audience by Mendez.

Mendez, a local Latino radio and television news personality, is also the voice and face of a series of Spanish language radio and television commercials that the Sheriff’s Office has been running which identify the signs of gang involvement that families need to look for.

“We have to make an effort to talk to every community – and language and culture cannot be our excuse not to reach out and do something,” notes Sheriff Rahr.

The Sheriff’s Office E-911 Communications Center can answer many foreign language calls and refer callers to available translators who can help. The Latino community effort is made possible by federal gang prevention funding generated by Washington State congressional delegation members, including Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Jim McDermott. The Sheriff intends to expand this project to other communities where English is a second language for adults in the family home.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Sheriff Sue Rahr and other public safety officials will discuss gang activity in South Park.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 9th from 6pm – 8pm.

WHERE: South Park Community Center, located at 8319 8th Ave South.

INFO: From a press release:

Keep Your Family and Community Safe!

The King County Sheriff’s Office invites residents of South Park to an important event at the South Park Community Center. Gang activity is increasing and dangerous to your family, and especially to your children. Come to this special event to learn how to keep your kids from becoming involved in gangs. Meet police officers who are here to help your family in the community. Experts will be presenting information and knowledge about how gangs operate and what you can do to keep them away from your neighborhood.

Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: South Park Community Center

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr and other public safety officials ask that you attend this special presentation to learn from experts on gangs and listen to answers to these questions:

• How serious is the gang problem in South Park?
• What can parents do to keep children away from the influence and pressure of gang involvement?
• What are the signs that tell you when gangs are active in your community?
• What can the residents of South Park do to help the Sheriff’s deputies to keep gangs out of their neighborhood?

The King County Sheriff understands your concerns about persons being asked to show documentation of their immigration status. This gang awareness and prevention event is only about keeping your family and community safe. No questions about personal identification will be asked of those who attend this special presentation. Your participation is essential to making this occasion successful, so these amenities will be provided at no cost:

• Food and beverages
• Games and care for small children.
• Fun activities for teenagers.

Artists who live in/near White Center, as well as those who “love” the greater/unincorporated area are invited to a Community Artist Meeting facilitated by White Center for the Arts on Tuesday, March 16th at 7pm at Proletariat Pizza, located at 9622-A 16th Ave SW (206-432-9765).

This meeting is intended for ALL artists, including those involved in music, dance, film, theater, visual, 3-D, photography, written, mixed media, new media, and more; including young, old, in-between, students, emerging, established and others.

Basically, if you live ’round these parts and love art of any kind, you’re invited!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Community Artist Meeting facilitated by White Center for the Arts.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00 PM

WHERE: Proletariat Pizza, located at 9622-A 16th Ave SW, Seattle; (206) 432-9765

INFO: From an email:

Who is invited? Artists who live in and those who love the GREATER White Center Area/ Unincorporated King County, and a little bit outside that line. That means ALL artists. Music, dance, film, theatre, visual, 3-D, photography, written, mixed-media, young, old, in-between, student, emerging, established, etc.

What is this about? This is about continuing the conversation about art and it’s impact in White Center. About creating your opportunities. What do you want/need from your community in order to further your work/goals? What can you give to your community to help strengthen it? White Center for the Arts is opening the line of communication. This is not a formal, stuffy meeting, but the third meeting of many where your voice can be heard, where new connections can be created, and we can figure out how to best accommodate you, the artist, in our own neighborhood.

If you can, please RSVP so that we know how much pizza to order for you!

CONTACT: Shelli: crimsonpark@whitecenterforthearts.org.

by Mark Neuman

The gavel came down hard last night (Thursday, March 4) in a spirited meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council.

The prospect of annexation with either Seattle or Burien focused the minds of the approximately 50 citizen attendees at the meeting, held at the headquarters station of the North Highline Fire District on SW 112th Street.

“You’ve had your chance to speak, and the public comment period is over,” council president Gregory Duff told one member of the audience as he hit the table twice with his gavel. That audience member at least three times tried to question invited speakers who were officially addressing the council.

Some attendees, almost all residents of North Highline, voiced dissatisfaction that the public comment portion of the meeting preceded the arrival of Kenny Pittman, Senior Policy Analyst for the City of Seattle.

Twenty citizens addressed the council during the comment period, all speaking about the annexation issue.

Fifteen spoke in favor of annexation with Seattle, three in favor of joining Burien, and two spoke in general terms without clearly stating a preference.

Barbara Dobkin favors annexation with Burien.

“I can call (King County Deputy Sheriff) Jeff Hancock on his cell phone, and he answers it,” Dobkin told the council. “There was a house fire a few doors down from me recently and the fire department was there in about two minutes. I see the high density of Seattle. I don’t want White Center to look like Delridge.”

Liz Giba, of a group called “People for Burien”, addressed the council.

“I would like to have an educated vote,” Giba said. “Seattle will focus on their affluent neighborhoods.”

Mercedes D’Antona has lived in White Center for about five years. She told the council:

“I get a little emotional about annexation. I am Hispanic. Seattle is a huge, humongous beast. Seattle has huge demand (on its services). We would not benefit. I like the laid back lifestyle we have here. I do not want to be suffocated.”

Brad Truesdell, a twelve-year resident of White Center said “Seattle is the best choice. They have three times the gang unit” than is currently available.

Truesdell, who envisions Ambaum Boulevard blossoming from time to time into a “multicultural open air mall,” said that White Center, once annexed with Seattle “could become the real International District of Seattle.”

Stephanie Dotson, who opposes annexation with Burien, told the council: “I have lived here forever. I find it extremely distressing that this council and audience have very few people of color.”

Mark Ufkes, who heads the White Center Homeowners Association, illustrated with placards that Seattle’s list of services to the public exceeds services provided by Burien.

“All we want is a chance to vote (on annexation),” Ufkes told the council.

One man who did not address the council was Gill Loring, a homeowner in White Center since 1998. He told The White Center Blog following the meeting that he favors annexation with Burien.

The newest member of the King County Council, Jan Drago, said at the meeting she will “not oppose” North Highline annexation. Drago recently completed four terms as a member of the Seattle City Council.

Pittman, of the City of Seattle, said North Highline District firefighters who might be temporarily displaced in the event of an annexation with Seattle would immediately go to the top of a re-hire list for firefighter jobs that open up at any fire station in Seattle.

King County Deputy Sheriff Jeff Hancock introduced nine members of the Sheriff’s gang unit. They reported that during 2009, the number of street gangs attempting to do business in and near North Highline was reduced from 21 to 15.

More information on the NHUAC is available at their website.

(Graphic courtesy North Highline Unincorporated Area Councils website)

South Seattle’s Youth Summit planning is underway, with the next meeting set for Monday, March 8th from 3:30pm – 5:30pm at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, located at 4408 Delridge Way SW in West Seattle.

According to a post on the White Center Community Development Association website:

Attention youth and students!

This year’s Youth Summit planning is underway, so if you’d like to get involved and/or if you’re looking for service learning hours, please contact estevan@youthmediaseattle.org.

Youth Media Institute and other youth organizations at Youngstown have been longtime partners and supporters of White Center CDA.

Last year, the youth summit was held in White Center, and this year it will include all of our South Seattle communities, so expect a larger event and even more fun!

REMINDER: The first in a series of public workshops for Sea-Tac Airport’s “Part 150 Noise Study” is scheduled for Wednesday night (Feb. 24th) at Mount Rainier High School in Des Moines beginning at 5:15pm.

So if you have something to say about airport noise, this would be the place to air your thoughts and hope that the Port of Seattle hears you.

Doors open at 5pm, with the program beginning at 5:15pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Public workshop for Sea-Tac Airport’s “Part 150 Noise Study” program

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 24th beginning at 5:15pm.

WHERE: Mt. Rainier High School, located at 22450 19th Ave South in Des Moines.

INFO: From a press release:

Are you bothered by airport noise?

Do you have specific questions you’d like answered related to airport noise?

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, please consider attending the Part 150 workshop at Mount Rainier High School (22450 19th Avenue South Des Moines, WA) on Wednesday Feb 24 from 5 to 7 pm.

“Part 150″ is an FAA regulation that provides for airport operators, such as the Port of Seattle which owns and operates Seatac airport, to study ways of reducing airport noise. Part 150 studies are a two year process, with five or six workshops . The Feb 24 meeting is the kickoff for a new Part 150 study, the last Part 150 study wrapped up in 2001.

The “hope” of a Part 150 study is that the airport operator will then actually implement some of these ways of reducing noise. So how do we turn hope into reality? The answer is: citizen involvement and action.

At the first workshop on Feb 24, the Port and its consultant, Landrum and Brown, are committed to listening to citizen requests for what they would like to have included in the study.

So:

1. Please attend the workshop, and bring a neighbor too. (but if you can’t make this time, which is definitely inconvenient for many people, there’s an alternative below).

2. Please bring your questions in written form.

• We anticipate the workshop will include small group breakouts of 15 to 25 minutes. The “facilitators” are not likely to have time for all questions.

So, it is really important to bring written questions. With your written questions:

• Please include your name and mailing address
• Please ask for a written response within 30 days
• Please feel free to send a copy via email or mail to RCAA, the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs.

RCAA is funded by local governments as a resource for airport – related issues. RCAA is tracking the questions citizens are asking as a part of a project monitoring the Part 150 process. There have been times when questions asked of the Port did not get a satisfactory answer. If you put your questions in writing, cc them to RCAA, and send the responses to RCAA as well, there is a much higher chance no one’s questions will fall through the cracks.

RCAA can be reached by email at rcaanews@earthlink.net or by mail at:

19900 4th Ave SW
Normandy Park, WA 98166

=======

For more information about Part 150 and the workshops:

–The RCAA blog will have periodic updates. The web address is:

http://latestnewsonairportaffairs.blogspot.com/

It is linked to from the main RCAA web site, at www.rcaanews.org

Note RCAA will be posting some topic areas on the blog you may want to consider for your questions.

The Port of Seattle has a Part 150 web page. The address is:

http://www.airportsites.net/SEA-Part150/

Also remember the Port has a noise incident report form online, available here:

http://www.portseattle.org/about/contact/noisecomment.shtml

Read our previous coverage of this issue here.