Tukwila Blog Advertiser Three Tree Montessori invites parents and kids to their Open House this Saturday, Jan. 30th from 10am – Noon.

Here’s what they’d like you to know:

Come see the beautiful classrooms, gardens and playgrounds, meet the teachers, and learn about Montessori programs for children ages one through twelve.

All are welcome!

Three Tree Montessori is located in Burien at 220 SW 160th, near Sylvester Middle School. More info at their website here.

[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!]

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Early Saturday morning (Jan. 23rd) a Metro bus driver, 56, was assaulted in Tukwila, receiving injuries that sent her to Valley Medical Center.

And as police were converging on the scene, a King County Sheriff’s police cruiser crashed into one from a Tukwila Police officer. The Tukwila officer was treated at the scene, while the Sheriff’s deputy was taken to Valley Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

Three persons were later arrested, one for the assault and two for vandalizing the bus.

The incident occurred just after midnight, when the Metro Route 124 bus stopped in Tukwila at South 144th and International Blvd. to let passengers off. A group of seven or eight youths gathered at the back door but only two got off before the doors closed. At least some of the group went to the front of the bus and the driver was punched in the head several times, knocking her unconscious.

Meanwhile two suspects kicked and hit the rear door of the vehicle, breaking glass and bending the door frame. All suspects then ran off.

A Tukwila Police K-9 dog tracked the group to a house in the 13700 block of 45th Ave South. Eight people were detained. Eventually witnesses from the bus identified three people who were directly involved in the altercation. They were arrested.

All three were booked into the Youth Center, including a 15 year-old boy from Renton, for felony assault. Two males were booked for felony vandalism, ages 16 and 17, from Tukwila and Kent, respectively.

A passenger called 9-1-1 from the bus after the assault, and as two police cars came to the scene, they crashed into each other.

The King County Flood Control District announced Wednesday (Jan. 20th) that it has made sand and sandbags available to all residents FREE of charge.

There are now two locations open in the City of Tukwila:

• 4010 South 144th St, intersection of 144th and Tukwila International Blvd
• 14000 Interurban Ave S (south of Foster Links Golf Course and just north of Grand Central Casino)

Citizens can visit these locations at the following times to fill their own sandbags:

• Weekdays Monday through Friday: 7:00am – 3:30pm
• Saturdays: 10:00am – 2:00pm

Questions regarding this information can be directed to Tukwila Emergency Management at 206-431-2189 or via email at emservices@ci.tukwila.wa.us.

The City of Tukwila is hiring a Director for its Parks and Recreation Department, with a pay range between $99,672 to $129,612.

The deadline is 5pm, Friday, January 29th, or “until the position is filled” but we recommend that you apply ASAP.

You can download a PDF of the job description here, which we’ve included below:

The City of Tukwila, Washington is seeking a DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR for its Parks and Recreation Department

THE COMMUNITY
Tukwila lies in the heart of the Puget Sound region, sitting 12 miles south of downtown Seattle, 17 miles north of downtown Tacoma, just east of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and at the crossroads of two major interstate highways, I-5 and I-405. Its central location makes Tukwila an ideal site for approximately 2,000 businesses. Tukwila encompasses single and multi-family residences, heavy and light manufacturing, and service-oriented companies, as well as one of the Northwest’s largest concentration of retail businesses. The popular Starfire soccer complex is located in Tukwila. Over the past 100 years, Tukwila has grown into a regional economic powerhouse. Between 50,000 and 100,000 people come to Tukwila every day for employment, shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities.

PROFILE

• Incorporated: June 23, 1908
• Land Area: 8.6 square miles
• Population: 18,000
• Employment: 42,320

CITY GOVERNMENT
Tukwila is a non-charter, optional code municipality. The Mayor is the chief executive offi cer of the City, and the Council is the legislative branch and governing body. The City’s management consists of nine department heads, reporting to the City Administrator. Tukwila has over 330 regular employees, and oversees an annual general fund operating budget of approximately $45 million.

THE DEPARTMENT
The Parks and Recreation Department is organized into five divisions: Administration, Parks, Recreation, Golf, and Aquatics. The Department also oversees three citizen advisory bodies: the Parks Commission, the Arts Commission, and Library Advisory Board. The Department operates the award-winning 48,000-square foot Tukwila Community Center, as well as the newly constructed Foster Golf Links clubhouse and restaurant. The park system has over 15 beautiful parks, open space, 18-hole PGA golf course, an aquatic center, and a complete trail system. The Department is made up of 46 fulltime employees, and has an annual budget of $6,000,000.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the City Administrator, the Parks and Recreation Department Director will be responsible for the administration, development and planning of all activities and operations of Tukwila’s Parks and Recreation Department. The position provides oversight for a variety of recreational programs and services, special events, and volunteer opportunities. Responsibilities include maintenance and operation of parks, trails and all recreational facilities; park design and construction; updates to the Park Master Plan; implementation of the new Park Impact Fees; preparation and administration of operating and capital budgets, and applications for grant opportunities.

THE CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a proven, dedicated, visionary, high-energy individual, specifically responsible for developing and delivering programs, practices and facilities that are responsive to the overall needs of the community. He/she will have a broad knowledge of the parks and recreation field, a variety of facilities, services and equipment used to support Parks and Recreation programs. Specifically, he/she:

• Is familiar with the concepts of modern parks, land use and recreation planning, as well as having an awareness of current trends in the field.
• Has a record of success in developing good interpersonal and collaborative relationships with city leaders, community organizations, advisory boards, and City staff.
• Possesses skills for clear and effective writing, verbal communication, and public presentations to the City Council, boards/committees, and citizen groups.
• Holds a Bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation administration or related field, and five years of experience in parks and recreation management.
• Will have high skill levels in the areas of organization, time management, grant/contract administration, and problem resolution.
• Is an innovator who possesses a strong service orientation and sense of mission, and who can contribute to the City’s leadership teams.

THE POSITION
Establishes goals and objectives for the Department to ensure compliance with the policy directives of the Mayor and City Council and all applicable local, state or federal laws, rules and regulations.

Develops, interprets and implements plans, policies and procedures to accomplish departmental goals and objectives.

Supervises the activities of department personnel to include scheduling, assignment and review of work; providing assistance, administering discipline, evaluating performance; and making hiring, termination and pay change recommendations.

Provides professional, technical and advisory assistance to other departments on issues related to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Prepares & submits reports regarding department activities.

Maintains reasonable, predictable and regular attendance during the standard work week.

Develops, recommends and monitors the Department budget including the incorporation of individual division budgets by review past expenditure, analyzing future needs, and making determinations regarding the necessary resources to accomplish departmental goals. Approves expenditures to ensure compliance with budgetary guidelines.

Represents the Department at City Council, commission and other meetings to present the Department’s plans and accomplishments and to discuss the development and implementation of programs, policies, etc.

Serves as a liaison to civic and special interest groups, local service organizations and other municipal agencies to coordinate activities and to arrange the use of City services and/ or resources. Responds to citizen concerns and issues, and determines appropriate resolutions to maintain positive community/ customer relations for the Department and City.

Develops and implements plans, policies and procedures to ensure smooth and continued business operations of their department in the event of an emergency.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary for this position is within an established annual range of $99,672 to $129,612. Placement within the range will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. In addition, benefits are provided, which include:

• City self-insured medical insurance
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• VEBA
• State retirement plan
• Social Security
• Vacation, sick and holiday leave
• Commute Trip Reduction scheduling options
• Optional “Section 125 Plan”
• Optional deferred compensation plan
• Optional long-term care plan

APPLICATION PROCESS
Application packets must be received at the address provided below no later than 5:00PM, Friday, January 29, 2010, or until the position is filled. Full reference checks will be conducted on successful candidate(s).

Send application materials with resume and cover letter to:

City of Tukwila – Human Resources
6200 Southcenter Boulevard
Tukwila, Washington 98188

Application materials are available from the Department of Human Resources or online. To contact us:

• Phone: 206-433-1831
• Email: tukemploy@ci.tukwila.wa.us
• Download the application materials from the web: http://www.ci.tukwila.wa.us

Other city job listing are available at the Tukwila website here.

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:

by Gina Bourdage

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

Today is not that day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are some pics of the event (more to come so keep checking back!):

Here are some pics sent in by Readers “xtina” and “hollywood,” who added:

“The ride was great…So much fun we got off and on at different spots … ending at Westlake and walked to Fox Sports Bar where we enjoyed a cold one in our undies… Way fun”

On Saturday morning (Dec. 19th) at 10am, Sound Transit opened its Link light rail service to SeaTac with lots of ceremony, local dignitaries, curious passengers, and of course, functioning trains that now link the airport to downtown Seattle.

The first 14 miles of light rail opened from downtown Seattle to Tukwila in July. This final segment from Tukwila to SeaTac / Airport Station, built under a close partnership with the Port of Seattle, connects the airport from downtown with 13 stops serving the SeaTac, Tukwila, Rainier Valley, Beacon Hill, SODO to the final stop at Westlake.

“It’s been a heck of a journey, but we delivered on what we promised: light rail from downtown Seattle to the airport in 2009,” said Seattle Mayor and Sound Transit Board Chair Greg Nickels. “This opens an entirely new option for travelers and commuters, and represents the first steps of a truly regional network.”

Service on the 1.7-mile extension line kicked off with an inaugural ribbon cutting at the SeaTac / Airport Station before the station and trains opened for regular passenger service at 10am, and Photographer Michael Brunk was there to capture this Photo Slideshow:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

“Opening the doors to Sound Transit’s airport line in time for the holidays is great gift to residents of the Puget Sound region,” said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray. “This new line will provide fast and easy connections to downtown Seattle and a low-cost way to get around. This is just the latest in environmentally friendly transportation that will help ensure our region’s long-term economic growth.”

Sound Transit and the Port of Seattle collaborated on the Airport Link project which included the new light rail station, pedestrian bridges connecting the station to the airport parking garage and a pick-up and drop-off area to the east serving the city of SeaTac. The Port also relocated and upgraded the Airport Expressway and the Return-to-Terminal roadway loop.

“With more than 30 million passengers through Sea-Tac every year, and 15,000 airport employees, we anticipate light rail will be a welcome “green” alternative for travel to and from the airport,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner John Creighton. “Using light rail will reduce air emissions and traffic congestion. It’s good for the airport and it’s good for our region.”

The next light rail extension is scheduled to open in 2016 with service from downtown Seattle to Capitol Hill and the University of Washington. Construction is underway on that segment while Sound Transit plans for 36 more miles of light rail extensions to Lynnwood, Bellevue, Redmond, Mercer Island and Federal Way by 2023.

Link’s normal Saturday schedule will be from 5 a.m. – 1 a.m. with regular fares required. On weekdays, the first train from the airport to downtown will depart at 5:16 a.m. and the last one to downtown will leave at 12:07 a.m. The last train to Mt. Baker Station in the Rainier Valley departs at 12:46 a.m.

More detailed schedule and fare information is here: http://www.soundtransit.org/x11204.xml.