If you register now to run in the 4th annual Cove to Clover fundraiser (coming up March 9-11), you’ll save some serious ¢lover, ‘cuz registration rates are at their lowest right now!

South King Media be a Sponsor for the fourth consecutive year (learn more about becoming a Sponsor here), and we encourage all our Readers to find a way to participate – even if you’re not a runner – as this is a great, fun, local fundraiser.

The race starts near the cove in Normandy Park, then winds its way up ‘Snake Hill’ through Burien before ending up in front of Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub. The 10k will start at the Normandy Park Towne Center and catch up to the 5k route (click here to see a map of the race course).

Last year over $37,000 was raised and distributed to these local charities:

• Highline Area Food Bank: $16,000
• Highline Schools Foundation/Schools: $12,500
• Hospitality House: $3,000
• Para Los Ninos: $2,250
• YETI Club: $1,550
• Emergency Family Relief: $500
• Hi-Liners: $500
• Girl Scouts: $350
• Boy Scouts: $350

There are several new elements this year, including a 10K run and a Talent Show, along with the usual 5k race and Pub Crawl.

“Cover to Clover is unlike any other 5K or 10K,” reads a note on the C2C website. “For one thing, it is very hard. So hard in fact that it is fast becoming a test piece for NW runners. For starters, “Snake Hill” rises nearly 1000′ in the first mile of the course. Around mile 2 you’ll encounter ‘The Uprising,’ a runner obstacle that has been constructed in the middle of a live Celtic battlefield. For your suffering, you will be rewarded with on-course Celtic pipers and a finish line festival that delivers the goods (2 beer gardens, 2 stages with live entertainment, free root beer garden and free hot dogs for children).”

The Cove to Clover is a 501(c)(3) umbrella charity which distributes all proceeds to local charities. The organization is very lean and run by passionate volunteers.

“Be assured, your participation will be making a positive impact on your community,” the website adds.

This year there will also be a ‘Corporate Team Challenge,’ where companies can participate by registering their employees; here’s more info:

“It’s easy to do; just have each member of your team use a ‘Registration Code’ representing your company’s name. Also, be sure to email us at

“'The Uprising' will be at least double in size and absolutely impossible to scale. I suggest organizers begin working with City officials on a solution to help the estimated 2000 runners that will likely be stranded. This year you are mine…ha, Ha, HAAA!"

corporate_teams@covetoclover.com to let us know the code you are using so we can insure you get proper credit for each registration. We’d also like to have a team captain’s name and email address, so that we can pass on the information of who joined your team. Then all you have to do is promote the race at your company and encourage your co-workers to register online using your ‘Registration Code.’

The team with the most team members (registered with your unique code) will be recognized with a special award at the finish line. Cove to Clover will throw an extra special catered party for the winning team at a later date. We don’t want to be pinned down to a location, since the size of the winning team may require a bigger venue.”

Also, the sponsorship window will be closing relatively soon, so if you’re with a business that wants to do good and get great local exposure, contact sponsorship@covetoclover.com ASAP to let them know of their interest.

Here’s more from member Angel Laycock:

Hello,

My name is Angel Laycock and I play for a local soccer club, HPFC Eagles, and within our club we have a leadership group called the Senior Leadership Committee and our goal is to get our club involved in a lot of activities that we can do as a club for the community. Our group is lead by Maya Mendoza and it is a group of seven players who are in charge of planning events. So the reason for contacting you is that we have an event coming up called “Trick or Can,” and what we will be doing is on Sunday, October 30th between 3pm-5pm small groups of our club will be going around house to house to collect canned food and what we will do is send that canned food to three different food drives which include Highline Area Food Bank, White Center Food Bank, and West Seattle Food Bank. We will be in a couple different areas that include Normandy Park, Three Tree Point, North Admiral and a few other local locations. If you could post this event on your blog and advertise it so people can be prepared when we come around and just to get the word out. Thank you so much!

Angel Laycock

‘Curves,’ a women’s health club located at 17824 1st Avenue South, is for sale, according to a Craigslist Ad we found Friday (May 20th).

“OWN Your own TURN KEY Business ~ CURVES – $245000 (Normandy Park)” reads the ad’s headline.

“Wouldn’t you like to own a business that you could leave town, go on vacation, and know your employees ran the “shop” like you were never gone? This is your chance!” reads the ad, which lists the price at “$245,000 (somewhat negotiable).”

The Ad continues:

“This franchise has close to 500 members and continues to grow each month. Our staff members are qualified trainers and are capable of maintaining the day-to-day business without any help from the owners. They have formed personal relationships with our members and work to make each member’s workout a pleasant break in their day.”

Here’s more from the listing:

The Normandy Park/Burien area has been home to this prosperous Curves franchise since it opened in September of 2001. The business is located in one of the newest buildings in the area. It sits directly bordering a busy, four lane thoroughfare that links Burien and Des Moines. The neighboring businesses include banks, floral and gift shops, service stations and a QFC shopping center with a variety of stores.

As the original owners, we have made certain our facility has the newest and most progressive equipment to include the personal coaching of Curves Smart, 14 workout stations including the stepper and the stretching circuit. We are open every day, all day, from 5:45 a.m., except Sunday.

Zumba classes are offered five days a week for fun and a challenge to your workout routine.

Square Footage: 2400
Rent: $4,176.38 which includes triple net.
Lease renewal date: 6/1/2013
Asking price: $245,000 (somewhat negotiable)

For more information or with any questions, call Sandy at 206-954-3598.

According to the company website:

Created specifically for women, Curves offers a complete fitness and nutrition solution. The Curves 30 minute workout exercises every major muscle group and burns up to 500 calories through a proven program of strength training, cardio and stretching. In addition, club promotions and events encourage women to support charitable causes, learn about health-related issues and forge lasting friendships as part of the global Curves community.

BTB Advertiser Highline Athletic Club will be offering youth Swim Lessons for Members and Non-Members this Spring, beginning Tuesday, May 24th.

Beginner, intermediate and advanced youth swim classes will begin May 24, and be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays for three weeks (six ½-hour lessons).

Class size is limited for individual attention.

Member prices are $60+tax, and non-member price is $70+tax.

Register by calling the Highline Athletic Club at 206-246-9000. Questions call 206-734-7611.

Here’s more directly from our friends at HAC:

Learn to Swim and Water Safety

As parents, we understand the importance of swim lessons for our children. Living in the Pacific Northwest, water surrounds them and safety must come first. But many of us know that getting in water also goes beyond safety.

By teaching children how to swim and respect the water, they learn how to swim safely in diverse aquatic situations such as pools, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Swimming is simply great exercise for many reasons. Exercise in water is movement without pain. Water’s high density and lack of gravity creates support for the body, while allowing freedom of movement. Swimming in water causes us to breathe deeply, instantly. And swimming teaches your child the lifelong value of exercise. Once children have learned swimming basics, they are free to explore and move creatively. Exercise in water is gravity-free and fun.

Lessons in water help us on land. Children can find a new sense of freedom in water and experience a new dimension of awareness caused by sensory adaptation (sounds and sights diminish in water). In water, life is simple with extraordinary lessons. Children learn the basic swim and safety skills, succeed at that level and progress to the next. Classes are available for each level of swimmer, from beginner to advance with parent/tot classes as well. Prepare your child for fun, safe times in the water this summer, and sign up for swim lessons at the Highline Athletic Club!!

Beginner, intermediate and advanced youth swim classes begin May 24, Tuesdays and Thursdays for three weeks (six ½ hour lessons). Class size is limited for individual attention. Member prices are $60+tax, and non-member price is $70+tax. Register by calling the Highline Athletic Club at 206-246-9000. Questions call 206-734-7611.

They will have age specific information for everyone from babies, to youth to seniors and even pets. The health and wellness fair will have dentists, Licensed Massage Practitioners; Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Family doctors, Mental-health providers, Nutritional advisors, skin care consultants, healthy eating options & much more. Plus there is a scavenger hunt and raffle prizes will be awarded every hour. Speakers will be offering 15-30 minute talks on a variety of specialized topics.

No appointment necessary! No insurance co-pay! At the Health and Wellness fair, attendees will be able to talk to vendors and decide if their services are right for their particular health issue(s).

The BNI – Business Builders Power Team bringing you this event consists of: Dona Forrester, Highline Athletic Club; Susan Parko, Rodan and Fields Dermatologists; Bryn Karlberg, The Human Touch Massage; Dr. Kyle Beffa, Beffa Dental, Anne Chandler, Advocare; Kathy Nordgren, Dreambody Acupuncture; and Spencer Wade, Collins Chiropractic.

A final change: Hypnotist Patricia Eslava Vessey will be speaking at noon. To see the revised speakers list click here or you can check out www.hachealthfair.com.

The Highline Athletic Club is located at 125 South 156th Street in Burien, tucked behind MacDonald’s, right off 156th. Plan to park at the club, or there’s a parking lot to the south, right next door.

Competing from the Highline School District were Skunkworks Robotics from Aviation High School, the HIGH-Tekerz from Highline High School, and TEC Robotics from TEC High School.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an organization founded 20 years ago by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway. The goal of FIRST is to help inspire students to get excited about science and technology.

The competition joins students with adult mentors in a challenging program that has them designing and building a robot to compete in a game that changes each year. They start with a common kit of parts and a set of rules and have just six weeks to complete their robot.

This year’s challenge, called Logo Motion, is played by two alliances of three robots each. Each team scores points by hanging inflated tubes shaped like the components of the FIRST logo on a scoring grid of pegs at each end of the playing field.

Each match is 135 seconds long. For the first 15 seconds, teams win bonus points by having their robot hang a gold “ubertube” without any human intervention. They can win additional bonus points in the last 10 seconds of the match by having their robot deploy a “minibot” that climbs a tower on the playing field and trips a sensor at the top. The remainder of the time the robot is controlled by human drivers.

This video explains how the game works in more detail:

Click here to view the embedded video.

This year’s Seattle Regional wound up being the largest FIRST regional event ever held. So many teams attended that the event was split and two complete sets of competitions were held, doubling the number of teams earning their way to the National event.

Two of our own local teams qualified for the Nationals.

In their first year competing, Highline High School’s HIGH-Tekerz were the top seeded rookie team. Winning the Rookie All-Star Award qualified them for the Nationals.

Skunkworks Robotics from Aviation High School made it into the semi-finals with their alliance before being eliminated. They earned their trip to the Nationals by winning the Engineering Inspiration Award.

Photographer Michael Brunk attended the competition and shot these photos. You can click individual photos to view them larger.

The HIGH-Tekerz driving team celebrates as their robot (#3574) places an “ubertube” in autonomous mode

The HIGH-Tekerz team showing their spirit in the stands

The HIGH-Tekerz prep their robot before a match

The Skunkworks Robotic robot (#1983) places an “ubertube” in autonomous mode

A member of the Skunkworks Robotics team works on their robot between matches in the pits

The Skunkworks Robotics driving team (in black and white shirts) caps off a gold “ubertube” to complete a top-scoring logo

Members of the HIGH-Tekerz team receive their Rookie All-Stars Award from the judging panel

Members of the Skunkworks Robotics team receive their Engineering Inspiration Award from the judging panel

REMINDER: Our friends at Cove to Clover (we’re Sponsors) want us to remind our Readers that they’re holding a “Party before the Pain” Irish Gala this Saturday night, March 12th from 7pm – 11pm at The Cove.

Tickets are $20 per person, and this includes a traditional Irish dinner, live music from The Haggis Bros., dancing, Guiness and Georgetown’s Mannys, Rogers on tap, a special appearance by a 30-foot Snake(!) and much more.

There will also be a “Celtic Costumed Couple Contest” with the winner receiving dinner for two at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “The Party Before The Pain” Cove to Clover Irish Gala.

WHEN: This Saturday night, March 12th, from 7pm – 11pm.

WHERE: Normandy Park Community Club (a.k.a. “The Cove”), located at 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive in Normandy Park.

ATTIRE: Full Celtic Warrior, Kilt or at least something green (Note: please check all broad swords at the door)

INFO: Tickets can be purchased at the Normandy Park Community Club. No online registration for this event is planned (NPCC Office hours are M,W,F 9-1:00 and Sat 8-10:00). You must be 21 and over to attend.

More details:

• Celtic Costumed Couple Contest: Dinner for 2 at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
• $20 admission includes (fee increases to $25 on March 1)
• Dinner – Traditional Irish fare (7-8 pm)
• Dancing – Live Irish band – The Haggis Bros (8-11 pm)
• Guiness and Georgetown’s Mannys, Rogers on Tap
• Special Appearance by the 30-foot Snake!
• Tickets are now available for purchase at the Normandy Park Community Club. No online registration for this event is planned (NPCC Office hours are M,W,F 9-1:00 and Sat 8-10:00).
• Join Mr. Snake himself as you dance a jig old-country style. You can B.Y.O.B. in case you’re not a beer drinker.
• Email: gala@covetoclover.com for more information.

More info available at the Cove to Clover website.

‘Coyle,’ the 30-foot, handmade giant snake mascot of the 3rd annual Cove to Clover Fundraiser (we’re Sponsors), ‘crashed’ the Normandy Park City Council meeting Tuesday night (March 8), passing out hats and “Angel Bands” to sponsors on the council.

“The Normandy Park council really stepped up to the plate too, sponsoring 20 students via the Angel Program,” said race organizer John Nelson.

There are still 13 angel sponsorships available – just click here to help out a needy, local student. The Athlete Angel program allows free and reduced lunch Highline district students to participate in the race via angel sponsorships. In 2010, the Tin Room Bar connected 50 such students with willing sponsors who paid their registration fees. The program was so successful that organizers decided to make it generally available.

“If you know someone that wants to run but might not be able to afford the fee, please have them contact their school counselor ASAP,” John added. “Counselors need only email angels@covetoclover.com requesting an Angel sponsorship for an anonymous student.”

Here’s more from an email we received from John:

We received a warm reception from the NP council as we passed out hats and the “Angel bands” which Angel sponsors will receive on race day signifying their support to the program. They had to reach into the mouth to receive their hat/band. We thanked them for sponsoring 20 students via the Angel Program.

Current Status of the Angel Program:

• Total Sponsored Registrations: 128
• Total Students Signed-Up: 115

That means there are still 13 sponsorships available for free and reduced-lunch Highline schools students. If you know someone that wants to run but might not be able to afford the fee, please have them contact their school counselor ASAP. Counselors need only email angels@covetoclover.com requesting an Angel sponsorship for an anonymous student.

Special Thanks to the Angel Shoemaker Sponsor
Larry and Kathleen Shoemaker graciously donated $500 to purchase running shoes for Angel runners in the greatest need. To date, 13 pair of youth running shoes have been purchased for young runners. They are truly shoemakers.

Pub Crawl – $15 (now includes a “clover coin” good for a snake drink or beer at the Big Top Beer Garden – $5 value)

Also, there’s a new promotion for the pub crawl – each registrant will receive one “Clover Coin” which is good for a beer or drink in the Big Top Charity Beer Garden all weekend. (Clover Coins will sell for $5 each or 5 for $20) RACE DAY ONLY: “Clover Coins” can used to order a food item from Mick Kelly’s, Burien Press or the Australian Pie Company. Free food delivery service provided by the Boy Scouts from the tables on the perimeter of the garden tent.

Thanks,
John

Here are some photos taken at the council meeting courtesy Jensen Nelson:

‘Coyle,’ who also ‘crashed’ the Burien City Council meeting on March 1st (see our coverage and photos here), was designed by noted local Artist Sarah Lovett, whose most prior Burien appearance was at last fall’s “Arts-A-Glow” festival when she premiered an oversized canine puppet named “Doggedy.”

Have you made resolutions to improve your health and fitness, lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, reduce stress? The beginning of January is often the easiest time to stick to your new goals when you are highly motivated and ready to get started. It is not uncommon for people to start losing motivation and desire after a couple weeks and need some help sticking to yours goals.

Highline Athletic Club is proud to announce that we are the title sponsor for the local Cove to Clover Run on March 13th, 2011. You’ve got plenty of time to get in shape and get involved in this great community event. Get yourself registered so that you are committed and plan on walking or running in support of this event. Go to http://covetoclover.com to register. There are many ways to get involved as a volunteer if you are not a runner/walker.

Whether you are training for Cove to Clover or just need to satisfy your own New Year’s resolutions know that Highline Athletic Club is a full service athletic club who has been serving the community for 23 years and would love the opportunity to help you achieve your fitness goals. Besides the machine weights, free weights, cardio machines, full gym including pickle ball & basketball, racquetball, squash, group exercise classes, Pilates – including reformers, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, childcare and indoor running track.

HAC has introduced Boot Camp classes to their programs that are creating a buzz and getting people results! Boot Camp classes are available to members as well as non-members so please call Highline Athletic Club at 206-246-9000 to register or for more information.

Demand I.T. – Don’t work for fitness – DEMAND IT! This is a high intensity interval circuit training class taught by Deb Will. This class meets Monday & Friday mornings from 9:15-10:00am and also Monday & Friday evenings from 6:30-7:15pm. A new session starts February 14th. Learn More

Resultz – This program is all about results! It is a 12-week program that just kicked off Saturday, January 15th. If you are interested in this contact the club immediately and we will work you into the program. The program includes an ExerSpy which tracks your calories burned, physical activity, number of steps & sleep efficiency. It also include a 1 year subscription to www.dotfit.com to track your exercise with the ExerSpy, log food intake and much more. Participants have (2) 75 min. sessions per week with HAC Trainers; Amy Rebmann, Jaime Crow and Kimi Walker. Nutritional seminars and weigh ins. Learn More

Paleo Bootcamp – This program is an ADVANCED interval training program that will give you a simple, effective template to follow to achieve fitness, fat loss and really impact your health in a permanent way. Challenge Yourself, Work Hard, Get Lean and Get Results with HAC Trainer Rueben Baca. Class meets Tuesday & Thursdays at 5:30pm. Enrollment for this boot camp is monthly so contact trainerrueben@gmail.com. Register soon if you want a spot in Paleo for February – space is limited. Learn More

Hard Yakka – This program is for the early risers and means “Extreme Training”! This program is fun, dynamic & will help you improve core strength; reduce body fat & increase lean muscle mass; increase cardiovascular endurance; enhance balance and agility and improve your power. Classes meet Tuesday & Thursday mornings at 6:00am. Hard Yakka is team taught by HAC Trainers; Fereti Vasa and Scott Gregerson-Dahl. Learn More

Total Body Conditioning is a boot-camp style group interval training class with plyometrics, body resistance training, sprints, core work and more! Fast paced and fun–and can be modified for any fitness level. This new class is part of the 50+ classes offered to our membership and is also available to non-members who purchase a Group X Punch card. Come join HAC instructor Ashley Fosberg Saturday mornings at 8am in the gym at Highline Athletic Club!

The third annual Andy MacDonald Scholarship Benefit Boys vs. Girls Soccer Game will be held Saturday, Nov. 27th at 12:15pm at Highline Memorial Stadium.

All proceeds will go to the Andy MacDonald Fire Services Scholarship for the Puget Sound Skills Center Firefighting Program.

Admission is by donation, accepted at the stadium and after the game, where the gathering will continue at The Cove in Normandy Park.

Gates open at the stadium at 11:30am.

Andy MacDonald www.andymacislove.org

To donate prizes for the raffle, or for more info, please contact Becky MacDonald at 206-948-1859 or via email at beckym@lynden.com.

Here’s more info on Andy and this cause:

Andy was a friend, son, brother and volunteer firefighter, who tragically lost his life in the flooding of the Cowlitz River four years ago. On November 6th, 2006, Andy, 19, was on a hunting trip with his family when the river bank that his truck was parked on gave way.

Out of tragedy something good can be born; Andy’s family and close friends set up a scholarship in his name. Each November, in honor of Andy’s birthday and untimely passing a soccer game is held, known as the “Boys vs. Girls” game. All of Andy’s teammates and friends come out to play a friendly game. Afterwards the team holds a raffle and auction at a local community center. This consists of items donated from local business’ and personal items contributed by Andy’s family.

Last year over 150 people attended the game held at Highline Stadium; we raised more than $4,700. All of the money is donated straight to the scholarship. The Andy MacDonald Fire Services Scholarship is set up at the Puget Sound Skills Center where Andy received his firefighting training. This scholarship will assist future cadets in the Puget Sound Skills Center Fire Services class to help with their continued education/training in Firefighting. Andy’s passion in life was to help those in need and this is our way of assisting others with the same life goal.

We are asking you as a business owner if you can help us reach our goal. Anything that you can contribute is amazing and much appreciated. Monetary gifts will go directly to the scholarship fund and any donated items will be raffled or auctioned off at the party.

To contribute to the Andy MacDonald Third Annual Boys vs. Girls Soccer Game please contact: Becky MacDonald 206-948-1859 or via email: beckym@lynden.com.

For more information on Andy MacDonald, here’s a link to a Facebook tribute page, chock full of great photos that will soon make those who didn’t know him feel like they actually did.

If you can’t make it to the game, you can also donate directly to:

Andy MacDonald Fire Services Scholarship Fund
c/o Puget Sound Skills Center
18010 8th Ave South
Burien, WA 98148

For more information, please visit www.andymacislove.org.