After conducting a three-month search period, the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced on Thursday (March 28) Carol Kolson as their new President/CEO.

Kolson will assume the role on Monday, April 8. She was selected out of more than 40 applicants.

Carol has been involved with the Southwest King County Chamber for the last 6 years and is excited to help lead the Chamber. She has a 28-year banking career, most recently at HomeStreet Bank for 13 years. She has also worked in Marysville, Camano Island, Everett and Bellevue as a banker. Most of her banking career has focused on building meaningful relationship with clients.

Carol has served on the Southwest King County Chamber Board of Directors in the Chair position, Golf Tournament Chair, Funding and Events Committee and the Ambassador Committee. She believes being an active member at the Southwest King County Chamber resulted in new and long lasting client relationships.

Volunteering at non-profits who serve South King County cities has been a big part of Carol’s life. She is a member of the Tukwila Historical Society, and has chaired events for DAWN and Habitat for Humanity. She has taught financial literacy classes for several non-profits in South King County. Giving back to local communities is important to her as a business leader. She won the DAWN 2012 Hero Award, Southwest King County Chamber 2011 Outstanding Community Service Award and the Seattle Rotary 2007 Service Above Self Award.

Born and raised in Johnstown, PA, Carol has made the Seattle area her home since 1981. She loves to play golf, read and cook. She has had the opportunity to travel to Dubai, Qatar, China, Japan and Mexico City. Carol has two sons that also live in the Northwest, and her fiancée, John, works for Boeing.

Here’s a brief interview with Carol:

“I have been involved with the Southwest King County Chamber for the last 6 years and am excited to help lead the Chamber. I have a 28 year banking career, most recently at HomeStreet Bank for 13 years. I have also worked in Marysville, Camano Island, Everett and Bellevue as a banker. Most of my banking career has focused on building meaningful relationship with clients.

I have served on the Southwest King County Chamber Board of Directors in the Chair position, Golf Tournament Chair, Funding and Events Committee and the Ambassador Committee. I believe that being an active member at our Chamber resulted in new and long lasting client relationships.

Volunteering at non-profits who serve our South King County cities has been a big part of my life. I am a member of the Tukwila Historical Society, and have chaired events for DAWN and Habitat for Humanity. I have taught financial literacy classes for several non-profits in South King County. Giving back to our communities is important to me as a business leader. I won the DAWN 2012 Hero Award, Southwest King County Chamber 2011 Outstanding Community Service Award and the Seattle Rotary 2007 Service Above Self Award.

Born and raised in Johnstown, PA, I have made the Seattle area my home since 1981. I love to play golf, read and cook. I have had the opportunity to travel to Dubai, Qatar, China, Japan and Mexico City. I have two sons that also live in the Northwest. My fiancée, John, works for Boeing.

I am looking forward to working with the Board of Directors, Chamber staff and our members!”

Storytelling has become a worldwide phenomenon. The Puget Sound’s newest annual festival, hosted at PowellsWood Garden on the upper edge of the Redondo greenbelt, is expanding this year to include a global-village emphasis. Tamil storyteller Jeeva Raghunath, based in Chennai, India, will be headlining the PowellsWood Storytelling Festival, now in its second year.

The festival runs July 26 and 27th and features a day of workshops in addition to a full day of storytelling.

One of the garden’s four storytelling venues, the spectacular and newly redesigned Perennial Borders, will feature a daylong program with an international focus titled, “Lively World Folktales for All Ages.” Raghunath (right) will be contributing along with Heather Forest and internationally-renowned local teller Margaret Read MacDonald. Festival newcomer Syd Lieberman will also co-host a session in the Spring Garden titled, “Traditions: Tamil, Jewish, Borneo.”

In addition, Donald Davis will share evocative tales from his North Carolina childhood, and Heather Forest will delight with her singing fables and with stories of her life as a gardener.

Now in its second year, the PowellsWood Storytelling Festival was inspired by PowellsWood owner Monte Powell’s annual visits to the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. When Powell discovered that MacDonald had moved almost literally into his own backyard, creative sparks flew—and the Festival was born.

The Festival’s first edition in 2012 was a wild success, featured in a national network broadcast on CBS Sunday Morning. The Festival was anchored by Jonesborough regular Donald David, who is back again for the 2013 edition.

Raghunath is particularly excited to be participating in a Pacific Rim festival. She has represented India at 17 international storytelling festivals around the globe, training over 25,000 children and adults in the art of “telling.” Having conducted over 500 performances, Raghunath has also translated 45 books into Tamil from English. Her storytelling style leaves audiences spell-bound. She believes that she herself is the best prop for her storytelling.

Tickets to the event range from $10 full-day passes for the Saturday storytelling sessions to two-day passes priced at $120, which also include Friday workshops with Donald Davis and Syd Lieberman. Children’s and family rates are also available.

Learn more about the Festival at PowellsWoodFestival.com… and check out the CBS News report (below) that featured the 2012 PowellsWood Storytelling Festival.

Join BECU, Forterra and the City of Tukwila from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Friday, March 8 and help restore the Duwamish shoreline.

“Join community members and local businesses for an afternoon of volunteering to restore the Duwamish River shoreline.  Volunteers will help dig out invasive blackberry, lay down mulch and plant native vegetation. This event will continue the Restore the Duwamish Shoreline Challenge initiated by BECU. Come learn more about the Challenge’s goal of uniting Tukwila’s business community for this local environmental cause and lend a hand restoring the Duwamish River’s ecosystem. For more information about the Restore the Duwamish Shoreline Challenge visit the challenge’s website.

Where to Meet: Green River Trail at the BECU Campus (12770 Gateway Dr. Tukwila,WA)

What to Bring: Please dress for the weather (layers are encouraged), wear close-toed shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring a filled water bottle. Tools, training and refreshments will be provided

Youth Volunteers: Volunteers under 18 and attending the event without a parent or guardian must bring a waiver signed by a parent or guardian to the event with them. Click here to download the Forterra Youth Volunteer Waiver.

Sign up to volunteer at http://www.forterra.org/events/volunteer_to_restore_the_duwamish_shoreline1

WHEN: Friday, March 8, 2013, from 1:00 – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Green River Trail near BECU campus, Tukwila, 12770 Gateway Dr, Tukwila, WA 98168

COST: Free

INFO: http://www.forterra.org/events/volunteer_to_restore_the_duwamish_shoreline1

Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Lynn Wallace is leaving her position to join the Renton Chamber of Commerce, according to an email sent out Monday (Jan. 14).

Wallace has served for nearly the last two years at the chamber – which serves Tukwila, Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac – with her start date being April 4, 2011.

She replaced outgoing CEO Nancy Hinthorne, who retired.

Wallace also served on the Board of Directors for Discover Burien, of which she is leaving as well.

Prior to the SWKCC gig, Lynn served as Executive Director of the Eastern Pierce County Chamber of Commerce from 1994 to 2004, then spent six years in the local hotel industry.

No word yet from the chamber on who might replace Lynn, or when the search will begin.

Here’s the full text of her goodbye email:

I have been fortunate these past two years to work with a great group of people, both the volunteers and the staff of the Southwest King County Chamber. The Chamber is financially stable, the programs are moving along with great leadership and the future looks bright.

An opportunity became available last month that would allow me to take my career on another path and take on new challenges. With a heavy heart I have decided to move forward and take the CEO position with the Renton Chamber of Commerce. I will continue to support the Southwest King County Chamber this month and ensure the Chamber continues the wonderful progress you have made possible this past year.

The Southwest King County Chamber has so many exceptional leaders and volunteers; it will continue to be a strong voice for the business community in Southwest King County. You have two great staff members who make this a great place to work and I know they will continue to work hard and make every program in the Chamber successful.

I want to thank you for the trust you have put in me at the Southwest King County Chamber and I have enjoyed every minute of my time here. I feel lucky to have met and worked with each one of you and I hope I have the opportunity to work with you in the future.

My very best wishes,
Lynn
President/CEO
SOUTHWEST KING COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

L-R: Randy Coplen, The Quincy Group, SWKCC 2013 Board Chair; Kris Van Gasken, Des Moines Area Food Bank, Winner of Outstanding Leadership Award; Michael Schabbing, Courtyard by Marriott/Southcenter, Winner of Business Advocate Award; Barbara Panush, The Ink Stop, Winner of Ambassador of the Year Award; Kathy Powers, Orion Industries, Winner of Large Business of the Year Award; Ashley Fosberg, Highline Schools Foundation, Winner of Outstanding Community Service Award; Jackie Bea, Basil’s Kitchen & Bar, Winner of Small Business of the Year Award.

“Congratulations to our 2013 Business Award Winners!” they said on their Facebook page. “YOU GUYS ROCK!!!”

Tukwila, along with Auburn, Highlne, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Seattle and Tukwila school districts competed together this fall as “The Road Map District Consortium,” a reference to their participation in the Road Map Project. This project is a collaborative effort to dramatically improve education in South Seattle and South King County.

The King County districts’ application was among 16 winners selected out of 372 applications. Awards ranged from $5 million to $40 million, depending on the number of students served by the plan. The Road Map District Consortium was one of only two applicants to win the maximum award of $40 million.

“This is a major victory for students and families in South King County,” said Senator Patty Murray. “When we level the playing field by providing increased access and opportunity for our students, everyone wins. I congratulate the Road Map District Consortium for their outstanding leadership and collaboration in this endeavor. This victory will have a long-lasting impact on our community, and our state, as we all work together to build a brighter future for our students.”

The Puget Sound Educational Service District will serve as the lead agency responsible for overall project management and function as the fiscal agent.

“This amazing accomplishment proves that great things can happen when we work together. Thank you to all our partner organizations, districts, unions, community agencies, cities and housing authorities. The effort and commitment behind this plan is unprecedented – it’s a level of collaboration that should be celebrated and replicated,” said John Welch, Superintendent of the Puget Sound Educational Service District.“The region’s plan is designed to have big impact where it’s needed most. We are excited to roll out strategies that will help all students experience success.”

The winning plan covers 261 schools and 150,000 students, including 36,000 high-need children. The districts will use the four-year Race to the Top grant to implement the following plans to help students “Start Strong,” be “STEM Strong” and “Stay Strong”:

Start Strong – We know that early learning is critical

• Provide funds to help districts work with preschools and early learning programs to help kids be ready to be successful in kindergarten
• Improve math, science and English Language Learner (ELL) teaching and leadership approaches so all students receive high-quality instruction

STEM Strong – We live in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-intensive region

• Provide a computer-based math instructional program for all high-need K-8th grade students that they can use in school and at home
• Help students explore STEM careers via online tools, speakers, mentors and internships
• Be a leader in implementing Next Generation Science Standards

Stay Strong – These strategies will help more students be successful in post-secondary education

• Offer all students the opportunity to take the SAT and PSAT in school for free
• Offer training for middle and high school guidance counselors and provide counselor assistants to better serve more students
• Offer districts the opportunity to the Advanced Placement (AP) course selections for students and help more teachers to get AP course training. Also, provide the opportunity to include more STEM, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, world language and career certificate options

The grant also meets minimum federal requirements:

• Strong focus on personalizing education
• Stronger teacher, principal and superintendent evaluations by 2014
• Implementation of Common Core State Standards complete by the 2014-15 school year
• Transparent reporting of data and school-level expenditures

Additionally, the consortium’s commitments go beyond the minimum federal requirements:

• Provide all high-need elementary students with a summer reading plan
• Double the number of students taking algebra or higher by the end of eighth grade
• Help all eighth-grade students complete a personalized plan to be college- and career-ready

This is the first time the federal Race to the Top competition has been open to districts and district consortiums. Previously, the grants had only been offered to states.

To read the region’s Race to the Top application, click here.

To view a full list of Race to the Top finalists, please click here.

REMINDER: Santa Photos at Advertiser Photography by Steven at their Burien studio ends this weekend – Friday, Dec. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 16!

Just click here to schedule your completely private photo session for your kids or family before Santa gets too busy.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in their Burien studio for one final weekend for private sessions.

Please note though that Friday, Dec. 14 is totally booked up, so your last chance is:

• Saturday December 15th – Sunday December 16th

To schedule your private session in their “virtual line” for Santa for please use our online calendar.

“Let us help to give your child a memory that will last a lifetime,” they said. “With Packages starting at just $20 why would you want to wait in line at the mall??”

Christmas cards are also available and ready for pick up in just a few days.

For package pricing and to schedule your place in “line” click here.

Here are some actual testimonials from Readers:

1. Melissa says:
   We’ve done this two years in a row now. Not only great photos, but a great experience as well! What a concept! Book your appointment online in advance. No waiting in lines. No trying to find a parking spot at the mall. No waiting around with other people’s screaming children. You get a full 15 minutes with Santa without any rush or hassle. Not only that, but Mr. AND Mrs. Claus are prepared with your child’s background info such as likes and dislikes, names of their teachers, pets, etc. It’s a wonderful, personal experience. So thankful to have stumbled upon this on the B-Town Blog two years ago! Thank you!!!
2. Carriesays:This was a GREAT experience!! Fully recommend! She was kind of on the fence about Santa, but after Santa knew so much about her, she’s definitely convinced he’s real. Very fun, and intimate… and great quality pictures to chose from.

3. Betsysays:They do a great job with their photos and you keep your money in Burien with local owners. Win-win.

Photography by Steven is located at 243 SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien.

For more information call 206-433-0988.

“Santa’s Landing Party” at The Museum of Flight in Tukwila begins Saturday morning, December 15, when the jolly old man and his wife will fly in via a classic de Havilland Beaver bush plane at 10 a.m.

After greeting well-wishers outside, the red velvet couple will hear children’s holiday wishes inside the Museum until 2 p.m., while music and family activities continue throughout the galleries.

The activities inside of the Museum are free with admission to the Museum. Greeting Santa’s airplane landing is free for all.

Live Holiday Music
The Museum galleries will ring with holiday fun with music by the Boeing Concert Orchestra and the Boeing Band from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Family Workshops
Family workshops at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. celebrate the “Wright Spirit” of the most famous brothers in the history of aviation: Wilbur and Orville Wright – inventors of the airplane. Learn how they solved the problem of controllable flight 109 years ago on Dec. 17; then make a model of one of their planes.

Live Theatre
During her 15-minute show, “First Flight Dress,” Marina Hutchison portrays a young North Carolina girl telling the story of the Wright brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903. With a period costume and authentic turn-of-the-century Carolina Outer Banks accent, Hutchison relates events leading up to man’s first powered flight.

The Museum will be closed on Christmas.

Winter Family Fun Festival continues December 26 through December 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Family activities continue everyday between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Enjoy winter-themed aerospace fun with gliders, flying snowmen, robots and more.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport.

The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $17 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $13 for active military, $9 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5.

For more information, visit www.museumofflight.org.

Highline Community Symphonic Band’s FREE 41st annual Winter Holiday Concert, ‘Making Spirits Bright’ will be at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10 at the Foster Performing Arts Center in Tukwila.

Dan Kexel, Director, will be conducting the band, which will be performing traditional holiday favorites along with select symphonic Americana.

Admission is FREE, and they will be collecting for the food bank.

The Foster Performing Arts Center is located at 4242 South 144th Street, Tukwila (map below).

ABOUT THE HIGHLINE COMMUNITY SYMPHONIC BAND
The Highline Community Symphonic Band (HCSB) is dedicated to providing classical band music for the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of communities in and around the Highline area of South King County.

Pursuant to this, the HCSB performs quality concerts in a traditional venue without cost to the general public, while nurturing individual talents and continuously improving the skills of all HCSB members.

HCSB provides a venue for local amateur musicians, post-high school to senior citizens, to continue or return to the enjoyment and challenge of playing a wide range of concert band music. The band also provides an opportunity for selected high school instrumental students to expand their musical education by participating in a quality community symphonic band.

For more information, visit www.highlineband.org.

View Larger Map

When we first met Stuart Steadman, the #1 branch top producer at Prudential Northwest Realty since 2008, we expected to meet an agent with focus, responsiveness, experience and a commitment to represent their client’s interests to achieve the best possible results.

Check, check, and again…check.

Yes, he had all those qualities we expected..but what we didn’t expect, was probably his REAL secret of success – Stuart Steadman is a genuinely nice guy!

A smile and some self-effacing humor has accompanied almost every conversation we have had with Stuart. And who doesn’t like that?

Stuart grew up in Lake Stevens, WA, graduated from the UW and settled in the south end, because he “likes the small town feeling of our area.” White Center, Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, SeaTac, Tukwila…it’s all good. We suppose it’s pretty easy to be nice when you’re doing something you enjoy, and indeed Stuart truly enjoys the Real Estate business!

“The best part is helping people make their next move possible,” he told us. “Whether they’re selling or buying, sharing in their excitement is contagious and that never gets old.”

Stuart specializes in Residential, Commercial, Condominium, Waterfront and Vacant Land Sales. He is a Realtor who also has additional expertise in condominium conversions, short sales property negotiations, bank owned properties, and broker price opinions. See more about his professional accomplishments here: http://www.stuartsteadman.com/pnwra/index.asp?p=professionalprofile.asp.

When he’s not closing the next deal, Stuart enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children in and around their home in the area.

If you are in the market for a successful Real Estate Professional minus the big ego, give Stuart a call and mention the Blog. We’re sure you’ll agree this is one nice guy who knows how to finish first!

Contact:

Stuart Steadman Ph: 206-409-4220

Website here: www.stuartsteadman.com

Send him an email here.

Prudential NW Realty Associates:

930 SW 152nd Street
Burien, WA 98166