There will be classic cars, wooden boats, even vintage hydroplanes and more at the 6th annual Des Moines Classic BBQ, which will be held on Saturday, July 21.
This event is a fundraiser for ‘Fireworks over Des Moines, Waterland Parade, and the Des Moines Classic Car and Boat Show.’
Enjoy a BBQ style dinner and get a beer at the beer garden.
Tickets are $20 for general admission.
$15 senior (65+) tickets only available for purchase at the City of Des Moines Marina.
For more information call 206-824-5700 or email Joe Jewell at info@desmoinesmarina.com.
Tickets are available online here.
More info available here.
The Des Moines Classic BBQ is back!
The City of Des Moines on Monday (May 14) announced five Finalists for the position of Police Chief:
- George Delgado, Commander, Vancouver, WA
- Charlie Dennis, former Chief of Police, Page, AZ
- John Dyer, Commander, Oak Harbor, WA
- Stephen MacKinnon, Chief of Police, Santa Paula, CA
- Christopher Shawkey, former Chief of Police, Costa Mesa, CA
The position has been vacant since the retirement of Chief Roger Baker in June 2010, with Commander John O’Leary serving as interim chief since.
The public will be able to informally meet and interact with the finalists during a reception hosted by the City on Monday, May 21st from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Des Moines Activity Center (2045 South 216th Street).
No formal presentations or question and answer process will be conducted; however, a short written biography for each will be available. Comment forms will be on hand for citizens to offer their impressions of each candidate.
For more information, please contact Sue Bowman in the Des Moines City Manager’s office at 206-870-6541.
South King Fire & Rescue is reporting that a 9-1-1 call came in at 7:57 a.m. Sunday morning (May 13), reporting heavy smoke and flames from the one car garage of a one story single family home in the 20800 block of 4th Place South in Des Moines (map below).
Fire department units from two South King Fire stations in Des Moines were assisted by the Seatac Fire Department and the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department. Units arrived and found flames well above the roofline of the home. Two adult males were home at the time and evacuated safely from the house, but were later treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by King County Medic One. They were released at the scene.
The fire extended into the house and involved two cars parked in front of the garage. All were damaged by the heat and flames that came from the garage fire. No car was in the garage at the time of the fire, only storage items.
A German Shepard at the home caused some concern for the firefighters, but was safely secured at the scene. A live overhead wire caused an obstruction until PSE arrived to de-energize the wire.
The fire was extinguished in about 45 minutes. The origin and cause is under investigation by the South King Fire Marshal and the King County Fire Investigation Unit.
To learn more about the fire department, visit them at www.southkingfire.org or on the district’s Facebook Page.
Photos courtesy South King Fire & Rescue.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Dave Markwell is taking this week off from writing, so this week we're re-running one of his previous columns.]
by I got flipped off by an old man the other day. I was driving down 7th Avenue and stopped at a crosswalk to allow a woman to cross the street. The lady was standing at the crosswalk and was looking around a little confused, but to me, still seemed to be intending to cross the street. Apparently, she was just confused and stepped back and did not cross. The old man behind me in a small silver car honked at me as I was waiting for the woman to see me stopped and cross the street. I stuck my arm out the window and pointed to the lady, with my left index finger, indicating to the old man why I was stopped in the middle of the road. At this point, his raised a meaty middle finger and shot me the bird through his windshield. I, instinctively, returned fire and had a brief flash of road rage that included an image of grabbing this geezer by the neck, forcibly removing his false teeth from his mouth and chucking them into the fresh beauty bark neatly spread in the planters on the side of the road. This image passed very quickly and I then just smiled and drove on.
I am never the sharpest guy in any room. I am, however, considerate. I was right to stop for the cross-walker and the grouch was wrong to honk while I waited. This was fact and served to release me from any onus of responsibility for receiving the bird. I was good, baby!
I have been flipped off plenty of times over the years. It is always a little troubling, sometimes warranted, sometimes not, but rarely any big deal. It was not a big deal this day and more than anything highlighted for me a sense of evolution that I may have attained. I had a good day following a middle finger by a grumpy old man. In the past, I may have lingered over the gesture. Having someone deliberately and quite personally attack one with a finger does not feel too nice. It has the power to create some negativity that can dwell for some time. It seems that, at least on this day, that power no longer had impact on me. I was unaffected, with the exception of the aforementioned, very brief, denture throwing fantasy. 
I soon had to make a left turn and as the angry man passed on my right, I waved (with all fingers) and grinned at him, while shaking my head. He stared straight ahead and did not acknowledge my gesture. My day moved on without incident.
I rode bikes with my son to the marina. We bought ice cream drumsticks at ABC Grocery, chatted up, Yoon, the owner, and rented a movie. I played “Sorry” with my daughter who, once again, delivered a handy beat-down (or two). I barbequed hamburgers while standing bare-footed in my lawn. I had a cold beer with my neighbor at the fence which separates our yards. I went to bed early with a good book and a contented mind. I opened my bedroom window and enjoyed the cool sea breeze blowing through. It was a day of days, a dream day. It could not have been a better day. A better day has not been invented and even a fat, hairless old finger shining in my rear view mirror could not disturb it.
Any evolution I have achieved through the years has been slow and painful, though at age 41, it feels pretty good to understand that good days are available everyday and that the power to manifest them is mine alone and even a crusty, quick-fingered old fart cannot shake my tree. This is a good thing to know and I will continue to stop at crosswalks, every time.
[EDITOR'S NOTE:"Feel Good Friday" is a regular column written by Des Moines resident Dave Markwell, who extols to all neighbors: "Enjoy where we live. Put your feet on the pavement and truly feel how great it is to live here!" Also, you can "friend" Dave on Facebook here. Or work out with him at his new exercise company Waterland CrossFit!]
The public is invited to meet the five finalists for the Des Moines Chief of Police at a reception hosted by the City on May 21st from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Des Moines Activity Center, 2045 South 216th Street.
The position has been vacant since the retirement of Chief Roger Baker in June 2010, with Commander John O’Leary serving as interim chief since.
The public will be able to informally meet and interact with the candidates during the reception. No formal presentations or question and answer process will be conducted; however, a short written biography for each will be available. Comment forms will be on hand for citizens to offer their impressions of each candidate.
For more information, please contact Sue Bowman in the Des Moines City Manager’s office at 206-870-6541.
The candidates’ names will be released on Monday, May 14th.
Click image to see larger version.
Puget Sound Energy is planning a major presence – including a corporate office building and a warehouse – in Des Moines Creek Business Park at the south end of Sea-Tac International Airport.
Des Moines Mayor Dave Kaplan, speaking to the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce during the annual mayor’s luncheon last month, said the Port of Seattle was expected to announce soon that a major tenant would locate there.
The Port owns the 89-acre – and as yet undeveloped – business park, which is inside the Des Moines city limits, and operates the airport.
Kaplan did not identify this “major tenant,” but the Daily Journal of Commerce (DJC) reported in its May 4 issue that it is Puget Sound Energy (PSE).
In that story, based on documents obtained from the City of Des Moines through a public disclosure request, the DJC identifies the Benaroya Co. as developer.
Lawhead Architects of Bellevue as project designer and Barghausen Consulting Engineers of Kent is a member of the design team.
“We’re very pleased to have Puget Sound Energy locate in Des Moines,” Mayor Kaplan told The Waterland Blog on May 9.
“I think that it helps break the ice on development of the rest of Des Moines Business Park,” Kaplan added.
Earlier Wednesday, Port of Seattle aviation division spokesman Perry Cooper said Port officials won’t comment on the identity of this tenant or the development plans “until every I is dotted and every t crossed.”
Port commissioners are expected to finalize details at their “first or second meeting in June,” after which an announcement will be made, he said, with groundbreaking then anticipated in the near future.
“The city is very excited, the Port is very excited, the tenant is very excited,” Cooper said.
According to the DJC report, Benaroya plans to develop a 242,000-square-foot warehouse, a five-story, 125,000-square-foot office building, and a smaller building and storage yards for PSE.
The project site will occupy about 50 acres in the business park at S. 208th St. and 24th Ave. S. – with the development is listed at $44.2 million, the article said.
PSE will relocate some facilities there from SeaTac, Kent and Renton because of the central location of the business park in the Puget Sound region, it also noted.
Once a residential neighborhood in Des Moines, the Port purchased the area that is now designated for a business park in the 1990s as part of its noise-abatement program for the airport.
In 2008, a Southern California developer was picked by the Port to plan the business park, but those preliminary plans were scrapped and that developer withdrew in the wake of the economic downturn.
Link:
South King Fire & Rescue announced Wednesday (May 9) that they will be launching a brand new, redesigned website – www.southkingfire.org – to be unveiled on Tuesday, May 15.
“Budget cuts and the fire chief’s insistence for cost efficiency left South King Fire & Rescue staff struggling with how to manage website content on an aging website platform,” reads an announcement. “IT and administrative staff brainstormed how to best meet the need to keep the community up-to-date while reducing the need for staff time.”
The site platform was designed to allow multiple employees within the organization to manage their own content without advanced programming knowledge. It will also allow members of the community to request automatic notification of meetings and special events as well as emergency information in the wake of a disaster or large scale emergency.
The site will still offer downloadable prevention and safety materials for teachers and public safety advocates. Fire prevention information, fire code regulations, permit information, and inspection forms will still be available to business owners, contractors, and the general public.
To learn more about the fire department, visit them at their current website – www.southkingfire.org – or on the district’s Facebook Page.
The new website will be launched on May 15th to the public.
Click image to see larger version.
There is less than one month until Opening Day at the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market (we’re a Sponsor), and what a day Saturday, June 2 will be – in its new location at the remodeled north end of the Des Moines Marina!
Coming off its most successful seasons in history (up 30% each of the past two years), the Market will have a new look during its seventh season, having outgrown the old space in the South Marina Park and moving into a true waterfront spot.
The word “Waterfront” in its name will be prominent as the location is right on the water where guest yachts are moored. Look for the new Boardwalk Bistro where you will be able to enjoy your favorite market foods while watching all the boating activities.
“Along with your favorite returning farmers, food and craft vendors, there will lots of new ones like Seattle Bagel and Total Europe, serving soups, hot dogs and sausages,” said Rikki Marohl, market manager. “Also new this year will be a Des Moines favorite, Auntie Irene’s serving ice cream.”
The market again will feature its own wines, including last year’s favorite Waterfront White.
Opening Day activities will include a military color guard ceremony, presenting the emblem (US Flag). Other opening activities include classic cars on display, the Des Moines Arts Commission will be showcasing some local artists, radio station WARM 106.9 will be doing a remote broadcast and your pals at The Waterland Blog will be blogging live.
Don’t forget to bring your old musical instruments and donate them to the Rotary Music4Life program. They will be at the market the first three weekends in June. The program refurbishes the instruments and gives them to the Highline School students who can’t afford them.
Wayne Corey, Board President, recently commented on the upcoming season:
“We are really excited about the move to the North end of the Marina, as it will allow us to grow and expand, provide for more conveniences for shoppers and gives us greater flexibility every Saturday thru October.”
To keep up with all the current happenings at the market, please log onto the web site and sign up for our e-newsletter that comes out once a week. You can also keep up on the activities by coming back to The Waterland Blog!
The market will run every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. until the end of October.
Here’s a video:
See you on OPENING DAY!
The Des Moines Historical Society will be presenting John McEvoy’s “Those Daring Young Men &their Flying Machines” Chapter #2: Uganda & Idi Amin from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9 at the IOOF Hall.
This event will be an “insider’s point of view about Northwest Aviation History.”
McEvoy will talk about his adventures in Uganda, when he agreed to start an international airline for dictator Idi Amin.
McEvoy will share stories like the time he was on the scene at Entebbe when Israeli commandos rescued 278 hostages from an Air France plane hijacked by the PLO, and much more.
He will also answer questions at the end of the presentation, followed by a social time and refreshments.
“The Des Moines Historical Society looks forward to seeing familiar faces, and welcomes newcomers – please join us. Wednesday, May 9th, 7 – 9 p.m.!”
The IOOF Hall is located at 728 So. 225th Street in Des Moines. Questions? call (206) 824-5226.
WLB Advertiser Wesley Homes announced the recent appointment of Joanie Vivaz to the position of Director of Community Relations for the Des Moines campus.
“I was drawn to the retirement industry because I wanted to be a part of a community,” Vivaz said. “I was captivated by Wesley Homes. The management team is very protective of the soul of this community. I look forward to strategizing and creating programs that lead to the continued success of Wesley Homes.”
Vivaz brings to Wesley Homes an extensive background in customer service and marketing. In addition to her years with the King County Library System, Vivaz has also been an entrepreneur, starting up cookie, handbag fashion design, stylist, fashion events and innovative marketing companies. She has also served as a director of resident services at a retirement community.
Established in 1944 and affiliated with the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church, Wesley Homes operates two retirement communities and a home health agency. Wesley Homes Des Moines is a continuing care retirement community offering cottage homes, apartments, assisted living and skilled nursing. Wesley Homes Lea Hill in Auburn offers village homes, apartments, assisted living and memory care. Wesley Homes Community Health Services provides home health services to clients throughout the Puget Sound region.
More information on Wesley Homes is available here.
South King Fire & Rescue announced Tuesday (May 
that they have decided to re-run an excess levy on the August primary election that would fund re-staffing a previously closed aid car and fill a $2 million funding gap for operations.
Despite receiving a yes vote of 59.32% and only a 40.68% no vote, the measure failed because of the 60% yes vote requirement for Fire District Excess Levies.
“We had so many people come up and congratulate us for an overwhelming victory only for them to learn that we must have a 60% yes vote to pass” expounded both Fire Chief Al Church and Fire Board Chairman Bill Gates.
A discussion of options following the very-near passage of the ballot measure started at a special meeting May 3 where the five-member board voted unanimously to place the measure back to the voters as soon as possible. The discussion also covered whether to change the amount or change the use of the funds to be collected, specifically whether there would still be enough to re-staff a previously closed aid car following a recent update from the King County Assessor’s office that property tax revenues were expected to fall another 4%-6%. This would increase the department’s funding gap in 2013 to $2.5 million despite extensive cost cutting and the loss of 23 department wide positions.
Community leaders and community groups had largely supported the measure after the fire department had made massive program and personnel cuts and spent cash reserves previously earmarked for capital needs in an effort to prioritize emergency operations response.
The levy’s proposed collection rate would be an additional 29 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value or about $58 per year for the average homeowner (less than $5 per month). The levy would run unchanged for 4 years collecting $3.5 million annually. “We are confident that if we explain our needs in further detail and do a better job of asking for help from our citizens that they will support this level of service. They haven’t told us they want less service” said Assistant Chief Gordie Olson.
To learn more about the fire department, visit them at www.southkingfire.org or on the district’s Facebook Page.
Volunteers are needed for a Work Party at the Sonju Community Orchard and Garden from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. this Saturday, May 12.
“Please join us and our friends from Just Garden Project (www.justgardenproject.org) for May Spring Into Bed Day in the Garden,” reads an announcement.
Volunteers are needed to help clean up around the garden, finish the compost bins, spread and compact gravel around the senior accessible beds, move brush piles to the yard waste dumpster, and meet your neighbors!
After the work party, everyone will be welcome to a FREE event at Just Garden’s celebration party at Columbia Park (4721 Rainier Ave S, Seattle WA 98118) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact us with any questions and check out Facebook.com/sonjugarden for current pictures of the garden!
Here’s more info on this park from the city’s website:
In 1996, Daisy Sonju and her family donated a 9.3 acre parcel, formerly herfamily home, to the City of Des Moines. The City created a Master Plan to develop the property as a conservancy park that included an orchard and community garden, picnicking, open space, creek and recreational trails. In 2010, with volunteer leadership, the City in collaboration with gardening advocates (funders, sponsors, volunteers) began to clear the orchard and plan for a community garden. Daisy’s Garden includes: a 22-plot pea patch, demonstration beds for local elementary school groups, an herb garden, seating areas, planting space for the Des Moines Area Food Bank, and senior-accessible raised beds. The orchard next to the garden will supply apples and cherries to the community food coalition. We envision inspired residents enjoying fresh air, sunshine (we hope!), bountiful nutritious fruits, vegetables, and herbs with each other as they learn about planting, nurturing, harvesting, and donating food to others.
Help families in need prepare for Mother’s Day by donating non-perishable food items at the following locations this coming weekend:
Friday, May 11 from 12pm – 7pm and Saturday, May 12 from 9am – 5pm:
Burien Saars Marketplace
14905 4th Ave. S.W.MLK Saars Marketplace
9000 Rainer Ave. Way S.Renton Saars Marketplace
3206 N.E. Sunset BlvdAlpha and Omega (Puyallup)
1037 N. Meridian
Saturday May 12 from 11am – 4pm:
Red Robin (Des Moines)
22705 Marine View Drive South
Nick Rondos, Owner of the Kayak Bar and Grill (located in the Normandy Park Towne Center), wants our Readers to know that they’ll be offering a special Mother’s Day Brunch from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (or later), as well as regular weekend brunches starting Sunday, May 13.
“Mother’s Day is a great day to treat Mom to a fantastic brunch,” Rondos said. “Our special brunch for Moms on May 13 will include Prawn Cocktail, Spinach Salad, Eggs Benedict with Crab and Creme Brulee.”
Kayak will also be serving their regular brunches on Saturdays and Sundays from May 13 on, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Teddy Rondos
They’ll also have their full menu available that day as well, all prepared by their excellent cook, Chef Ejidio.
Also helping the Kayak cause is Nick’s son Teddy Rondos (pictured, left), who’s tending bar and doing other general duties.
Nick, former owner of the hip Western Cafe in downtown Seattle, also wants our Readers to know about their private ‘Kayak Room,’ perfect for intimate, business or any other occasions. This room accommodates 2 to 14 people, with a warm and cozy living room feel. “Watch your team’s replays or live sporting events in a private setting or light the candles and close the doors for your own getaway – enjoy it all with full restaurant service!” You can also rent the entire restaurant for special occasions.
Kayak is also offering Happy Hour specials daily from 3 – 6 p.m., and again from 9 p.m. – 12 a.m., with $5 Calamari, Skewers, Sliders, Wings, Nachos and more.
HOURS:
- Lunch Daily 11:30~4:00
- Dinner Daily 4:00~close
- Happy Hour 3~6 & 9~12 Daily
**NOW** Serving Breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays 9:00 ‘til 1:00.
To download their menu, click here (PDF file).
There’s plenty of free parking, free Wifi, weekly specials, orders to go, outdoor dining, full service lounge, a large wine selection, a party room and much more.
The Kayak Bar and Grill is located at 19803 1st Ave South, in the Normandy Park Towne Center, and their phone # is (206) 429-3145. You can also email them here: nikorondos@kayakbarandgrill.com.
For more information on the Kayak bar and Grill, call them at (206) 429-3145, or visit their website here: http://kayakbarandgrill.com.
You can also “Like” them on Facebook here.
Be sure to tell ‘em you read about ‘em on the Blog!
The Kayak's outdoor patio is a perfect place to enjoy the nicer weather.
The annual West Seattle 5K Run/Walk will take place on Alki Beach on Sunday, May 20, with proceeds going towards educational programs at West Seattle High – where both WLB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer and Writer/Sales Rep Mark Neuman graduated from.
May 20 will also mark Seattle Summer Streets “car-free day” on Alki.
“Enjoy the most scenic, flat and fast 5K road race in the Puget Sound region!” reads an announcement.
Afterward, stick around for some summer fun sponsored by Seattle Summer Streets and many of the participating businesses and community groups.
To register for the West Seattle 5K or for more information, visit: www.westseattle5k.com.
Online registration closes at 6 p.m. on May 17th.
If you don’t leave Burien much, here’s our super-secret shortcut to Alki:
- Take SR-509 North
- Exit to West Marginal Way
- Take West Marginal Way all the way into West Seattle (until it basically ends)
- Veer right under the Spokane Street Viaduct
- Take the Harbor Ave/Avalon Way exit
- Turn right onto Harbor Ave and cruise to Alki!
Think SUNSHINE!
