Last Saturday (Aug. 14th), a Normandy Park man who uses the pseudonym “Sam the Sausage” (aka “John Nelson”) took part in a thrilling fundraiser for Special Olympics called “Over The Edge” (see our previous coverage here).
In this event, Mr. Nelson Mr. Sausage, risked his life by rappelling down the 40-story, uniquely-shaped Rainier Tower in downtown Seattle to help raise money for this worthy cause.
Nelson Sausage, along with 126 other rappellers, helped bring in over $181,000.
According to Ashley Stanfield, Development Director for Special Olympics, no previous climbing or rappelling experience was required, “just enough courage to step out Over the Edge.”
Ashley adds:
A training center was set up on the roof of the skyscraper, where there is about a 25-foot ledge participants practiced rappelling from.
The gear is fairly easy to get a hang of and the training location allows people to try out what it is like to sit in a harness and use the industrial hand held descender device.
Yeah, then they really got to try it out by rappelling 40 stories straight down!
What’s next for Nelson Sausage? After the rappel, he’s setting his sights on the quintessential prize in the world of meat – that’s right, he’s planning on competing in this year’s Burien Brat Trot, coming up Sunday, Sept. 19th in Olde Burien. He expects to take top honors, upsetting local sausage “Bret the Brat.”
If you’re interested in registering to run in the 2010 Brat Trot, click here – the fee is only $35, but act fast, because the price goes up Sept. 1st. The 5k run was developed in 2009 as a way to gather the community together, Octoberfest style, for an afternoon of exercise followed by a celebration. In the spirit of community the Brat Trot also raises critical funds for two local non-profits Safe Kids King County South and WestSide Baby. Both organizations support injury prevention through education and access by providing needy families with essentials such as car seats and cribs. The brainchild of Tin Room owner Danny House (aka Dan the Sausageman), the race raised nearly $25,000 in 2009 and equally important drew more than 700 people together for a day of fun and festivities.
The 5K race begins on SW 152nd widely circling Lake Burien and finishes to cheering crowds around the corner of 10th and back onto SW 152nd. 2010 brings the addition of a 1 mile+ “Seize the Sausage” race perfect for kids and adults alike looking for a shorter venue. Runners can dash out, grab their Bratton and race back to the same finish line as those in the 5K.
If you’re a business interested in sponsoring this year’s fundraiser (we’re sponsors!), click here to download a PDF document with more info.
Courtesy Photographer Daniel M. Wilk comes this Photo Slideshow of Mr. Sausage’s fearless feat:
Click to Play Daniel M. Wilk’s Photo Slideshow
According to the City of Normandy Park’s July/August “City Scene” newsletter, engineers at the City, County, and State levels have decided that a reconstruction project is required for the 80-year old Sylvester Bridge, which is also used as an access road to parts of Burien, like Three Tree Point.
Wrought with many problems, including cracked columns and girders, weathered and worn rails and deck, and an antiquated design, experts say that reconditioning does not appear to be the best option for service to the bridge.
The city says that construction will cost $2.8 million, and is slated to begin this summer in Feb. 2011.
According to City Manager Doug Schulze:
“We anticipate the design completion in November 2010 and start of construction in February 2011.
The dates and length of bridge closure will be determined after bid award, which is anticipated to occur in December or January.
At this point, these are estimated dates, but we will have a better idea of project timelines in September.”
Built during the depression era, Sylvester Bridge has spanned Fox Creek for eight decades, and is one of a handful of large concrete bridges built in this area during the twenties and thirties. The existing Sylvester Bridge replaced a timber trestle in the same location, which served the area through the turn of the twentieth century. The city says that the new bridge is planned to be a full span bridge, meaning that there will be no supporting columns like the existing bridge has, which are not designed to carry earthquake forces.
The city also adds:
“Design work on the replacement bridge is currently underway. The design of the new bridge is being planned to look somewhat similar to the existing bridge with concrete rails possibly as depicted above.
Construction is planned for the Spring and Summer of 2010.
Unfortunately a lengthy closure will be necessary for removal of the old bridge and construction of its replacement. Detours will be developed by the Cities of Normandy Park and Burien.
More details on closure dates and detours will be published in the coming months.”
For more information, residents are asked to contact the City of Normandy Park Public Works Department at 206-248-8269.
Scott Schaefer dropped by the bridge Monday afternoon and shot this Sound Slideshow:
Click to Play Scott Schaefer’s Sound Slideshow
The annual Highline Relay For Life cancer fundraiser began at 3pm Saturday, June 13th and continued all night until 8am Sunday at Highline Stadium in Burien.
Here’s a slideshow by Photographer Michael Brunk:
On Saturday (May 16th), the cities of Normandy Park and Burien held a major recycling event, and Photographer Michael Brunk was there to capture these photos:
On Saturday (May 16th), a dozen volunteers from Burien and Normandy Park descended into the sun-dappled depths of the Fox Creek ravine on the Burien/Normandy Park city boundary on a mission that didn’t involve spray painting graffiti!
Here are some pictures taken by Photographer Michael Brunk::
The Creek, which flows beneath the Sylvester Road bridge, tumbles down to join Miller Creek at the Southwest Suburban Sewer District plant.
Last October (see our coverage here), volunteers removed a ton of trash from the bottom of the ravine along the creek, including many electronics that were leaching metal into the stream. The task this last Saturday was to remove the remaining trash, which consisted of 500 pounds of electronics, broken furniture, and many bottles and cans that the thoughtless have thrown off the bridge over the years.
After dragging the litter out of the ravine between the pillars of the bridge, the volunteers also stripped English ivy from the base of trees in the ravine. When ivy, an invasive plant, climbs into the canopy of a tree, it competes with and physically weakens the tree. Girdling the ivy at the base of the trunk causes the plant to die, sparing the tree a premature death. In two strenuous hours, the volunteers did their bit to improve the urban forest and stream of this part of Highline.
The project was organized through the Miller/Walker Creek stewardship program that is jointly funded by the cities of Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac; the Port of Seattle; and King County.
Special thanks for Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, for sending us the update!
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Area resident Jim Branson alerts us that Native Plant Appreciation Week starts Sunday, May 3rd, and Earnie Thompson of Normandy Park will be showing his innovative yard to the public from 10am to 3pm.
Earnie lives at at 625 SW 189th Street, on the north edge of Nature Trails Park, at the corner of 8th Ave SW and SW 189th Street (map below).
Earnie is a member of the Washington Native Plant Society, and he is also on the Parks Board of Normandy Park. Over the past three years, he has transformed his property from the standard suburban yard of lawn and shrubs to a lush and vibrant garden of native plants. Over 60 species of native plants now blend into the wild habitat of the Park behind his house.
He uses no chemicals, gave away his lawn mower, and doesn’t need to water any of his plants, which are adapted to our climate. Birds, butterflies, bees, and small mammals make themselves at home in his yard. Right now, the strawberries, elderberry, and twinberry are looking especially good. Later in the year, Collomia and hedge nettle will bloom prominently.
Here’s a photo slideshow of Earnie’s innovative yard:
The Washington Native Plant Society has many lectures, hikes, and tours to celebrate, culminating in their annual Spring Sale at Bellevue Botanic Gardens.
View Larger Map
From our sister site The B-Town Blog comes this news:
Thursday morning (2/12/09) around 10:45am, the Burien Key Bank located at 655 SW 152nd was robbed by this man, described as a white male, late 20s, medium height, slim build, brown hair, with a goatee:
According to police, he entered the bank, gave a teller a note, got his loot and took off.
No weapons were displayed and there were no injuries.
If this bad guy looks familiar, you are asked to contact the Seattle FBI immediately at (206) 622-0460 (you can also call 911).
