Going on job interviews? Giving a business presentation? Leading a meeting? Need confidence? Toastmasters is the answer!

The ability to speak well is crucial to success, but have you ever evaluated your speaking skills? Many people, if they were to seek feedback, would learn that they talk too much, or perhaps too softly, that they fill their sentences with “ums” and “uhs,” or that they are hard to follow. You might say that it’s the message that matters; but if you can’t put your ideas across in a way that makes people want to listen, that promotion or that leadership position could be a long time coming.

Toastmasters offers a formal, self-paced program that will help you learn to speak better. The two keys to this are practice and feedback. Toastmasters clubs provide a friendly and supportive setting where you can practice your public speaking, and receive constructive feedback. Darlene Burrill says, “Toastmasters has given me the courage to speak in front of a group in spite of my speech impediment.”

To learn more about Toastmasters attend an Open House at Burien Breakfast Toastmasters, Thursday, September 9, 2010. Arrive at 6:45am to receive your guest packet and get your coffee or juice. There will be a light breakfast served at break time.

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters Open House
4 Lessons on Speaking from “The Karate Kid”
Highline Public Schools ERAC Building
15675 Ambaum Blvd SW, Burien
Across the street from Azteca, next to Hi-Line Lanes
7:00am – 8:15am
Arrive at 6:45am for Guest Packets, Coffee and Juice
For more info contact Theresa 206-588-5088 or burienbreakfast.com@gmail.com

There will be three parts to the meeting, the prepared speeches, the evaluations, and “Table Topics”. The prepared speeches are usually of five to seven minutes long. Each member is given in a manual that sets out ten speech projects. Each of these has a specific goal, such as speech structure, using gestures, pauses and vocal inflection. These will help you learn how to express your ideas clearly and with confidence. Bang Parkinson, the President of Burien Breakfast Toastmasters, says that using the speech projects helped her gain confidence and feel comfortable presenting at board meetings at work. “Even though I still have my Chinese accent, people understand me better. Giving speeches at Toastmasters helped me to articulate well and to speak slower, clearer and smoother.”

After each speech an evaluator, usually a Toastmaster more experienced than the speaker, provides feedback. This takes the form of an impromptu speech and the objective is to give suggestions on how to improve future speeches because feedback is essential to learning.

For many people the “Table Topics” part of a meeting is the most frightening, yet this is also of the greatest benefit for those wanting to improve how they speak at work. In Table Topics each person is called upon to speak impromptu on a subject. If you’ve never done it before, delivering an interesting and well-structured talk to a group of attentive listeners without any preparation can be extremely difficult. Yes, the first time is hard, but it gets easier with practice, and that’s precisely the point. As Jean Schmidt says, “I used to be legally blind. Science gave me back my eyesight. Toastmasters opened my eyes. Now they can’t keep my mouth shut!”

Attend a meeting and you’ll find Toastmasters are more than willing to share stories of how Table Topics practice helped them at work. From explaining a project to a group of unexpected visitors to persuading colleagues to consider a crazy idea, being able to express thoughts clearly is essential to being viewed as both confident and competent. Roger Wells will tell you how Table Topics saved his dad’s life when with no preparation he had to convince medical authorities to hospitalize his dad at once.

You can learn these skills and more in a supportive, self paced, fun atmosphere at Burien Breakfast Toastmasters. Join us at our Open House September 9, 2010 at 6:45am or at any of our regularly scheduled meetings.

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters
Highline Public Schools ERAC Building
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW
Burien, WA 98166
2nd and 4th Thursday of every month
7:00am – 8:15am

We are proud to announce a new section and new advertiser: Freedom Systems is the new sponsor of the Waterland Blog Crime Page. This means that you can now access all crime news by clicking on “Crime” in the upper navigation menu section.

Freedom Systems does Residential and Commercial:

• Security
• Electrical
• Renewable Energy
• Audio / Video
• Automation

The owner, Jimmie Beem, started his career in the Security Industry when he was 19 years old managing two of the largest ADT dealers in the Northwest. In 2005, at the age of 22, Jimmie was presented with an opportunity to establish his very own ADT dealership.

Since then they’ve expanded their expertise into Video Surveillance, Access Control, Audio / Video and they have some of the best Commercial and Residential Electricians in the industry working for them.

Freedom Systems believes in providing their customers with the latest technology, competitive pricing and an outstanding level of customer service. They provide the freedom without the worries and care about your overall customer satisfaction.

To learn more visit their website at www.freedomsystemsinc.com or call (206) 274-9946.

King County Elections certified the results of the Aug. 17th Primary Election Wednesday morning (Sept. 1st), and announced a total voter turnout of 39 percent, the highest for a primary since 2004, with 421,157 ballots returned.

“We saw a respectable rate of participation considering this was not a Presidential election year,” said Sherril Huff, King County Elections Director. “We were able to process ballots very efficiently and got some great support from many voters who returned their ballots early.”

The general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, and ballots will be mailed Oct. 13th.

Here’s more from the county’s election website:

As with any election, some ballots could not be counted because they were postmarked after Election Day or had issues with the voter signature. Voters can use the online Ballot Tracker to make sure their ballot was received and sent on to be counted. Voters who may have experienced problems with their signatures or mailing address should be sure to update their registration information now so that they are ready for the upcoming November General Election.

Ballots for the General Election will be mailed on October 13. The deadline to update voter registration information for the election is October 4. New Washington voters can register in person through October 25.

In this election, 8,800 ballots were returned after Election Day. Voters are reminded that ballots must be returned to a Ballot Drop Box before 8:00 p.m. or postmarked by Election Day.

Here are final results that affect our area:

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT NO. 33

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: *

20128

/

54670

36.82%

State Senator Legislative Dist No. 33

Jack Michalek

Prefers Republican Party

8120

42.14%

Karen Keiser

Prefers Democratic Party

11107

57.64%

Write-in

43

0.22%

State Representative Legislative Dist No. 33 – Position 1

Tina Orwall

Prefers Democratic Party

12306

94.68%

Write-in

691

5.32%

State Representative Legislative Dist No. 33 – Position 2

Dave Upthegrove

Prefers Democratic Party

12651

95.14%

Write-in

646

4.86%

SOUTH KING FIRE AND RESCUE

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: *

26059

/

69179

37.67%

South King Fire & Rescue Proposition No. 1

YES

11898

48.60%

NO

12586

51.40%

* Reflects the voter registration count as of August 5, following the official logic and accuracy test

Note : The totals on this report reflect the results for King County only.

Public Health – Seattle & King County announced Wednesday (Sept. 1st) that Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) has been detected at “levels of concern” in shellfish samples collected along county shorelines, and as a result, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed all of King County to the recreational harvest of shellfish, including the shorelines of Des Moines.

Advisory signs are being posted along area beaches and harbors warning people to not collect shellfish from these areas. The closure includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of mollusks. Crabs and shrimp are not included in the closure.

Commercial beaches are sampled separately and commercial products should be safe to eat.

PSP poisoning can be life-threatening and is caused by eating shellfish containing a potent neurotoxin. A naturally occurring marine organism produces the toxin.

The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing.

According to Wikipedia:

PSP can be fatal in extreme cases (particularly in those who are already immuno-suppressed). Children are more susceptible. PSP affects those who come into contact with the affected shellfish by ingestion.[1] Ten to thirty minutes after ingestion, symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tingling or burning lips, gums, tongue, face, neck, arms, legs, and toes.[1] Shortness of breath, dry mouth, a choking feeling, confused or slurred speech, and lack of coordination are also possible.

A person cannot determine if PSP toxin is present by visual inspection of the water or shellfish. For this reason, the term “red tide” is misleading and inaccurate. PSP can only be detected by laboratory testing.

Recreational shellfish harvesting can be closed due to rising levels of PSP at any time. Therefore, harvesters are advised to call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 or visit the Biotoxin Website: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/biotoxin.htm before harvesting shellfish anywhere in Puget Sound.

The month of September is considered “National Preparedness Month,” and courtesy our friend Wayne Corey, here’s some important info on how to be prepared from a local angle:

To mark this event, publicsafe.org has been updated to include a lot of information from national organizations as well as from King County. By viewing various videos and clicking on the various links, people can find out what they need to do this winter in case of emergencies; like how to make a supply kit, how to make evacuation plans and what supplies they need to have on hand and for how long. There is complete information on family members from adults to kids, as well as how to take care of your pets.

With the mild winter we had last year, people become somewhat complacent about making emergency plans (does anyone remember the winter of 2006; no power for a week?). It is important to understand that we never know how severe winter storms are going to be and what effects they will have on our daily lives. In other words: GET READY.

Locally, DMPD community service officer Kory Batterman heads up a program called Des Moines NET (neighborhood emergency teams). To form a Neighborhood Emergency Team in neighborhoods, people can contact him at 206-870-7617, by emailing kbatterman@desmoineswa.gov or go to his web site Des Moines NET for more information.

If you cannot find specific information on emergency planning or would like more information on a particular subject, email publicsafe publisher Wayne Corey at wayne@corey.cc.

The Des Moines Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation of a deceased woman found in a triplex apartment in the 24000 block of 25th Ave South early Tuesday morning (Aug. 31).

Police say that the landlord of the complex, who lives in an adjacent unit, called 911 just after midnight, after hearing “thumping” sounds a short time earlier. The landlord also stated the dogs inside the unit were barking excessively, which was unusual.

Arriving patrol officers found the apartment locked, interior lights on, and the front window coverings closed. Officers received no response at the door. Utilizing a chair from the landlord, officers were able to peer into the apartment through a small window at the top of the front door. Officers saw the victim on the floor just inside the entry way and proceeded to enter. The victim was deceased and it was evident she had died from homicidal violence.

The victim is a white female, approximately 29-years old, and she is believed to be the tenant of the apartment. The Washington State Crime Lab, King County AFIS, and the King County Medical Examiner’s Office are assisting Des Moines Police Department detectives with the investigation of the crime scene.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has taken jurisdiction of the victim and will release her name once identification has been verified and family members have received notification.

The case is currently under investigation.

Here’s a map of the location:

View Larger Map

The cities of Normandy Park and Burien are co-sponsoring a Recycling Collection Event and Rain Barrel Sale on Saturday, Sept. 18th at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, located north of Des Moines at 19010 First Ave South.

This is a FREE event that will run from 9am – 3pm, and they’ll be accepting a wide variety of items – see the list extensive below.

There will also be a Rain Barrel Sale – to help residents use water more efficiently, rain barrels that normally retail for around $120 will be sold for just $25 each.

These high-quality rain barrels are being made available to residents at a reduced cost. Quantities are limited. Holds 55 gallons of rainwater.

Here are the full details:

WHAT: Normandy Park/Burien Recycling Collection Event & Rain Barrel Sale.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 18th, from 9am – 3pm.

WHERE: Washington State Criminal Justice Center, located at 19010 First Ave South.

INFO: To download a PDF flier, click here.

This is a FREE recycling program that will accept the following items:

• TIRES: Bias ply, steel belted, and studded tires accepted. Limit 6 passenger tires per household (18 inches and below) free of charge. $1.50 charge for each tire on a rim. $5 charged for each large truck tire and $15 charged for each truck tire on rim (cash only). No oversized tires accepted.
• MOTOR OIL, FILTERS, & ANTIFREEZE: Motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, 2-cycle oil, steering fluid, crankcase oil, kerosene, and home heating fuel. Do not mix with antifreeze, solvents, gasoline, or other substances.
• LEAD ACID BATTERIES: Car, truck, marine, and motorcycle batteries accepted. •ALKALINE BATTERIES: AAAA, AAA, AA, A, B, C, and D cell batteries only.
• CARDBOARD: Please flatten. No wax coated cardboard.
  

  "Git yer rain barrels! Just $25 smackers!"

• REUSABLE HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND CLOTHING: Clothing and miscellaneous household items in good condition will be collected by Seattle Goodwill. Mattresses and furniture will not be accepted. Items in need of repair will not be accepted.
• PORCELAIN TOILETS AND SINKS: $5 charge (cash only). Toilet seats, hardware, and base wax rings must be removed.
• PROPANE TANKS: Residential tanks only. $5 charge (cash only).
• APPLIANCES AND SCRAP METAL: Household appliances, auto parts, engines, metal lawn chairs, stoves, barbecues, gas lawnmowers (drained of oil and gasoline), iron, steel, aluminum, brass, copper and other ferrous and nonferrous metals. $5 will be charged for each water heater that still has insulation coating (cash only). Metals that are insulated, rubber or oil coated, previously or currently contain gas, oil, chemicals, paint, or hazardous materials will not be accepted. Light fixture ballasts and sealed drums will not be accepted.
• REFRIGERATORS/FREEZERS: $25 will be charged for each refrigerator or freezer. $25 will be charged for each house- hold air conditioner (cash only).
• ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT: DVD players, VCRs, stereo equipment, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, cellular phones and computer peripherals such as keyboards and mice. Computer monitors and televisions will not be accepted. You can recycle these items for free at other locations – see the E-Cycle box for more information.

DO NOT BRING:

These household wastes:

• No paint of any kind
• No scrap wood/bulky wood
• No construction/demolition debris
• No garbage
• No mattresses/furniture
• No plastic toys, hoses, etc.
• No window glass

These hazardous wastes:

• No oil based paint
• No pesticides/herbicides
• No household chemicals
• No cleaning products
• No fluorescent lights.

Household hazardous wastes can be taken to the Household Hazardous Wastemobile, the Auburn SuperMall Wastemobile, and the hazardous waste collection site in South Seattle. Normandy Park and Burien residents may use the South Seattle Household Hazardous Waste Facility – 8105 5th Avenue South, Seattle. Open 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (except major holidays). There is a 50 gallon limit and a gasoline limit of 30 gallons per customer per day. No containers can be over five gallons in size.

For more information about volume restrictions and other household hazardous waste disposal options visit www.lhwmp.org or call the Household Hazards Line, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm except holi- days at 206-296-4692 or 1-888-Toxiced (869-4233).

Acknowledgments:

• City of Normandy Park
• City of Burien
• Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center

Funding Provided By:

• The King County Solid Waste Division
• The WA State Department of Ecology
• The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County

The Puget Sound Blood Center will be holding a “walk-in” Blood Drive this Monday, Aug. 30th from 1pm – 7pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, located at 19030 8th Ave South in Des Moines.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Walk-In Blood Drive.

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 30th, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm (lunch break from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm).

WHERE: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church’s Fellowship Hall, located at 19030 8th Ave. South.

INFO: This is a walk-in blood drive.

From an email:

Greetings,

We need your help! Many groups have canceled their blood drives due to vacations and low turnouts. The Puget Sound Blood Center is an independent, community based blood center internationally recognized for its research, medical and blood and tissue services. For more than sixty years, the Blood Center has been conducting research to improve the quality of life for all those it touches. The Blood Center currently provides blood to 70 hospitals and clinics throughout Western Washington (e.g. Valley Medical Center, Auburn Regional Medical Center, Highline Community Hospital, Virginia Mason Clinics, Group Health Cooperative, Veterans Healthcare, etc.)

48 hours ago, a 34 year old female, who is pregnant, had a heart attack and received 25 red blood cell units, 3 platelet units and 24 plasma units. Your gift can save a life! Each day, nearly 900 people must register to give blood through the Blood Center in order to meet this ongoing demand. Imaging saving a life…our generous blood donors help save lives every day. Please help us make a difference at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church!

by Dave Markwell

This week my eleven year old son, Aden, and I embark on our annual boy’s road trip around the Northwest. This event is not to be confused with “boy’s weekend”. Certainly, there will be much beer consumed, but most of it will be “root”. For the past several years, my son and I have taken a summer road trip exploring the little nooks and crannies around the area. We have both been introduced to some new places and some new faces. Our trip was originally designed by me as an effort to spend a little time with my son doing something we both enjoy. These occasions seem increasingly rare around home as the distractions of life and other unnamed members of the family demand other things from us. Traveling with just the two of us eliminates a lot of debates about how and what we should be doing. We can just “do”, as guys will.

Being on the road is unlike other traveling. It allows for a slower pace and some genuinely peaceful enjoyment of the scenery. The inherent stress-factor of other forms of travel is not there. No airports or customs or even traffic, if we plan it right…and we do! We drive the back roads and sleepy hamlets littering the wonderful three states in the great Northwest corner. We do it with the windows down and shirts off, eating chips and drinking soda. We are unwashed, decadent hobos and enjoy it all.

I have been a road-tripper since way back. I have seen most of the continent through windshields. I’ve met countless fascinating people in my travels; People one does not meet at Senor Frogs in Cancun. People that have changed the way I think and the way I am. These adventures have shaped me in ways that are difficult to explain or quantify. Little ideas or insights here and there flow freely on a road trip. My mind and spirit are alive and the soil is fertile for my best thoughts. Unburdened by other obligations, road trips allow for true free-thinking. These thoughts are the cornerstones of any good ideas I have ever had. They are my most important thoughts. Having the opportunity to explore the dusty two-laners of my soul with my son riding shotgun is priceless and it is wonderful to know that years from now we will share these as some of the best moments of our lives. We share an armrest as our lives unfold through the bug splattered windshield. We live it together. I recognize this as precious. That’s why I started it. My son does not. He recognizes this as fun. One day he will understand and be grateful. This was not and is not my goal, but I will be happy when the light bulb clicks on and he understands how significant our fleeting time was.

So as I load the rig and stock the cooler, I look forward the adventure and the freedom that awaits us. We will stop and swim when we get hot. We will eat when we are hungry. We will see sights previously unseen. And we will talk. We will talk about important things. We will share pieces of ourselves. We will get to know each other better. We will be what a dad and son should be, but often aren’t. We will be pals with a flexible plan and the authority to change it whenever we want. We will be the co-owners of an experience that counts and I cannot think of a better way to spend a week of my life.

[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.]

Prior to the grand opening of the new Burien location at 626 SW 152nd Street, Grand Central Bakery pledged to contribute a portion of the opening day sales to two local organizations. Today they followed through by handing over checks for 100% of their first day sales.

The two groups receiving checks this morning (Aug 27) were the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence and the Highline Area Food Bank. Thanks to sales that set a opening day record for Grand Central, each organization received a check for $2,350.

Mike Werle, Executive Director of the Highline Area Food Bank, acknowledged the donation saying, “We’re very fortunate to have a business come into our community and latch on to organizations like ours.”

Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, President of the Highline Schools Foundation Board of Trustees, agreed and welcomed Grand Central to the neighborhood saying, “While we appreciate all of our community support, for a new business to step up like this is unprecedented.”

Photos by Michael Brunk. Click to view larger versions.

WLB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Hello!!! Chef Brandon here! This will be my last blog of the summer. I can’t believe September is almost here! Fortunately, September means that football season has arrived! Archery Bistro is your pro and college football headquarters!

Come down and have a burger and a brew, and cheer on your favorite team(s) all season long!

As I said last week, people are already booking their holiday parties with us. I would recommend you giving me a call, or stopping by in person to ensure you can book the date that you want!

Until Next Time,
- Chef Brandon

[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!]

WLB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s featured Open House for this week is a spectacular Sound view 2-bedroom condo just across the street from the water, next to Salty’s Restaurant in Redondo.

With a great covered patio/deck to enjoy, Redondo’s views and the beach, this unit offers a great, easy location, along with a club house big enough for wedding and family get-togethers.

Hardwood floors are only four years old, and there’s lots of storage and covered parking.

This unit is very clean and has fresh paint throughout.

Here are the details:

WHEN: Open House will be this Sunday, Aug. 29th, from 1pm – 4pm.

WHERE: 28120 S Redondo Beach Dr Unit 210, Des Moines, WA 98198

INFO:

• List Price: $249,900
• Listing #: 119453
• Beds: 2
• Baths: 1.00
• Year Built: 1962
• Approximate House SqFt: 815
• Home Owners Dues: $310

Appliances that Stay:

• Dishwasher
• Microwave
• Range/Oven
• Refrigerator

Unit Features:

• Balcony/Deck/Patio
• Skylights
• Top Floor

Marketing Remarks:

VIEW, VIEW and beach life!!

Spectacular Sound view 2 bedroom condo with a great covered patio/deck to enjoy.

Redondo’s views and beach, just across the street from the sound and next to Salty’s Restaurant.

This unit offers a great, easy location, club house big enough for those wedding and family get-togethers.

Hardwood floors are only 4 years old, lots of storage and covered parking.

This unit is very clean and has fresh paint throughout.

Click here to see the full, detailed listing.

Click here to view all of Prudential Northwest’s Open Houses.

[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!]

One of Washington State Patrol’s “Most Wanted” in King County was captured Thursday, Aug. 26th in Des Moines.

According to police, Kenneth W. Williams Jr., 28, was arrested after detectives received a tip that he was residing in Des Moines. Williams is a suspect in a vehicular assault that occurred on August 13, 2009 when he left his seriously injured passenger on the side of the road after falling off of the rear of Williams’ motorcycle. Williams had been driving erratically and popping wheelies just before his passenger was ejected.

Williams was booked into the King County Jail on a $30,000 warrant.

On Saturday (Aug. 14) we reported about a severe boat fire off the Des Moines Marina that resulted not only in the arrest of the owner, but subsequently in an unclaimed, burned-out hull that ended up stranded, floating upside-down outside the marina breakwater, seemingly unwanted by everyone.

According to Wayne Corey, on Thursday, Aug. 26th, the story of the unwanted hull came to an end.

Here’s his story, followed by video he shot of the salvage crew in action removing it:

With the backdrop of marina construction, the Des Moines Boat Fire Saga has come to an end today (at least for the boat). The hull of the boat that caught on fire last week broke away again from its mooring on the jetty and drifted north of the marina on the outgoing tide. A unknown person found the hull and tied it up to a nearby buoy. The Department of Natural Resources incident salvage crew then towed the hull into the marina where it was taken out of the water by the boat lift at the marina repair yard.

One of the DNR crewmen told this reporter that the hull will be loaded onto a flat bed truck and hauled to their yard where any salvage will take place. If there is any salvage value, the monies will go back into the DNR salvage fund to offset future incidents. He stated that about the only thing that might be salvageable is the out-drive. This DNR crew travels the length of Puget Sound responding to in-water incidents hoping to clean up before too much damage is done to the environment.

Read our previous coverage and see extensive photos and videos of this incident here.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here’s a round up of events happening around the area:

• Friday – Watch “Ratitouille” At Lake Burien Memorial School Park
• Saturday – Saturday Morning Jazz Set at Dubsea Coffee
• Saturday – Fantastic Fruits & Vegetables At This Week’s Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market!
• Sunday – Mark Your Calendar For This Sunday’s B-Patch Garden Day!
• Sunday – Advertiser E.B. Foote Winery Hosting Jazz Night On Sunday, August 29
• Sunday – El Tianguis Latino Market at Burien Town Square
• Sunday – Free Music at Marvista Park Featuring Blue Ringer

Know about an event we missed? Feel free to share the details in a comment!

We’ll see you down at the marina this Saturday for the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market! There will be loads of fantastic fruits and vegetables available, so it’s a great time to think about freezing, canning and making jams and jellies!

The Rotary Club of Des Moines will be on hand selling tickets for the Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Fest coming up on September 25 in Beach Park. The festival will features live music, great food and of course plenty to sample from local breweries. Grab your tickets while you can!

This week’s live entertainment at the market is the Fabulous Po’ Boys.

The Exchange Club of Highline (which serves Des Moines) is now selling the latest Entertainment Books for $25, which contain two-for-one and other coupons offering up to 50% off at local businesses, plus new bonus cards for up to $30 in extra savings.

Here’s what our friends at the club would like us to share:

In these tough economic times, the Entertainment Book can help buyers save on dining out, groceries, services, attractions, movies and more.

The Entertainment Book has hundreds of ways to enjoy life AND save some money doing it.

The Exchange Club of Highline uses their proceeds from the sale to help meet the needs in the Highline community such as helping local Food Banks, the Boys and Girls Club, and local schools, just to name a few.

Visit the Exchange Club of Highline website to see the entire list.

Entertainment Books can be purchases from these Exchange Club members’ businesses in Burien:

• Collins Chiropractic at 619 SW 152nd
• E. B. Foote Winery at 127-B SW 153rd
• Economy Wiring/YB Tubless at 633 SW 148th
• Interiors by Jayme at 633 SW 153rd
• Schafer & Husmoe at 15511 3rd Ave. SW
• Doug Moreland Attorney at 417 SW 152nd
• Edward Jones at 645 SW 153rd St

More info on the Exchange Club from their website:

Established in 1961, Exchange Club of Highline was formed with the goal of bringing business and community leaders together to support Youth, Americanism, Community Service, and the prevention of Child Abuse. By holding an annual fundraiser, the money generated is used to meet the ongoing needs of existing community organizations, and members volunteer their time to other community projects. As needs are brought to the club’s attention, members decide on the course of action allowing flexibility and responsiveness to the ever-changing needs of our Highline community.

Advertiser Des Moines Dog House wants to know: How Do You Dress Your Dog? The Facebook Fan who gives the most mouth-watering answer — using Dog House condiments –wins!

What do you win? Your dog dressed the way you like it! Go to the Des Moines Dog House Fan Page on Facebook and share your answer. Post it on their wall, starting with the words “Dress My Dog:” All answers must be received by August 31, 2010. The winner will be announced Wednesday, September 1, 2010.

The Dog House is also announcing a change in their hours. They will be open Monday – Saturday from 11am to 7pm. Owner Tami LaFreniere says they’re planning to reserve Sundays for family and charitable events like the Poverty Bay Arts Festival in September. They will be doing Late Nights, where they serve Nathans 1/4 lb All Beef Hotdogs with cream cheese and grilled onions for $5, from 11pm to 2am, at least through the fall on Fridays and Saturdays.

Keep watching Facebook for surprise specials, contests, and updates. Give them a call at 206-824-1794, visit their website at www.thedesmoinesdoghouse.com or stop by at 22302 Marine View Drive in Des Moines.

WLB Advertiser Highline Medical Center is hosting a Blood Drive with Puget Sound Blood Center this Thursday, Aug. 26th, at Highline’s main campus in Burien.

The drive will be held in Somers Auditorium, on Highline’s Main Campus, from 9:30am – 3:30pm, with a break from 11:30am – 12:30pm.

Donors are required to be at least 18 years of age, and weigh at least 110 lbs or more.

Appointments last approximately one hour, and involve a health questionnaire, brief examination and about 10-minutes of blood collection.

After the donation, cookies, water and juice will be provided during the rest period.

To donate blood, please schedule your appointment by call (206) 901-5034 or email: chervin@highlinemedical.org.

Every two minutes someone in Western Washington needs a blood transfusion. Help keep this resource plentiful and donate blood today!

The Washington State Department of Ecology Tuesday (Aug. 24) extended the public comment time for Des Moines’ Shoreline Master Program, with the new deadline set for Sept. 13th.

In addition, comment time for the city of SeaTac’s program has been extended to Sept. 16th.

The extensions will accommodate those who weren’t notified as requested about the comment periods, due to a database glitch.

More information on Des Moines’ shoreline updates is available here.

As we previously reported July 21st:

The updated master program guides construction and development in the City of Des Moines along its approximately 5 miles of marine shoreline. It combines local plans for future development and preservation with new development ordinances and related permitting requirements.

Under Washington’s voter-approved Shoreline Management Act, Ecology must review and approve the Des Moines program before takes effect.

Des Moines’ proposed program and related documents are available for review at:

City of Des Moines Planning-Building Dept.
21630 11th Ave. S Suite D
Des Moines

Or online here.

Ecology may approve the shoreline program as written, reject it or direct Des Moines to modify specific parts.  Once approved by Ecology, the Des Moines shoreline program will become part of the overall state shoreline master program.  In cases where counties and cities border marine waters, it will be part of the national Coastal Zone Management Program.  Ecology also will help each local jurisdiction legally defend its shoreline program, if necessary.

The City of Des Moines updated shoreline program was adopted by the city council after an extensive local process. The update began with a thorough inventory of existing land-use patterns and environmental conditions to preserve existing shoreline areas while protecting future economic development. Des Moines collaborated over a period of several years with waterfront property owners, commercial property owners, environmental interests and state agencies.

Shoreline master programs are the cornerstone of the state Shoreline Management Act passed by voters in 1972. The programs help minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for water-oriented uses and reduce interference with the public’s access to public waters and shorelines.

The law requires cities and counties with marine shorelines, lakes 20 acres in size or larger, and streams and rivers flowing at 20 cubic feet per second or greater to develop and periodically update their locally-tailored shoreline programs.

Key features of Des Moines’ updated program include:

• Improves protection of habitat and water quality for all of Des Moines Puget Sound shorelines, including the annexed shorelines of Woodmont and Redondo Beach, which represent approximately 50% of Des Moines’ Puget Sound shorelines.
• More detailed shoreline environment designations tailored to existing uses and development potential along Des Moines marine shorelines.
• Promotes incentives for reestablishment of vegetation buffers.
• Limits construction of new shoreline armoring along presently unarmored shorelines and encourages the use of soft-bank erosion control methods.
• Includes a restoration plan showing where and how voluntary improvements in water and upland areas can enhance the local shoreline environment.
• Helps support the broader Puget Sound initiative to protect and restore the Sound.

Ecology adopted new guidelines in 2003 that establish the basic requirements for updating local shoreline master programs. The guidelines resulted from a negotiated settlement between business interests, ports, environmental groups, shoreline user groups, cities and counties, Ecology, and the courts.

City of Des Moines joins a growing number of cities, towns and counties that have updated their shoreline programs using the 2003 guidelines.  The state guidelines allow each town, city and county flexibility to customize their programs to fit its local land-use circumstances and vision of local waterfront development.

More than 30 cities and counties have already updated their shoreline programs, with70 updates currently under way.  Most haven’t done so comprehensively in almost 40 years. From 1978 through 2008, the state population grew from about 3.8 million to an estimated 6.6 million people.

Starting July 1, 2009, Ecology provided $7.5 million in state grants to an additional 77 cities and counties to help them begin updating their shoreline policies and regulation – including $3 million earmarked by the 2009 Legislature specifically to help municipalities throughout the Puget Sound region.

Washington has 266 cities and counties with shorelines that qualify them for grant funding, and updating their shoreline programs by December 2014.

WLB Advertiser Brown Bear Car Wash will be celebrating its 53rd anniversary by giving out FREE washes thus Thursday, Aug. 26th.

Hours for the special one-day offer are 8am – 8pm, and yes, the Des Moines location at 22706 Marine View Drive will be participating, as will others in Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Renton and throughout Seattle.

Over the last four years, Brown Bear has washed 78,760 vehicles during its annual “free car wash day” to celebrate the company’s founding.

Several other area locations are also offering the free service, including:

• 814 Auburn Way S, Auburn
• 22706 Marine View Dr, Des Moines
• 34017 Hoyt Rd. SW, Federal Way
• 800 S Grady Way, Renton
• 1202 W Meeker St., Kent
• 621 Rainier Ave. S, Renton
• 77 Rainier Ave. S, Renton

Here are more details from a press release:

Brown Bear Car Wash celebrates 53rd anniversary with free car washes on Thursday, August 26

Over the last four years, the Seattle-based company has washed 78,760 cars during its annual “free car wash day”

SEATTLE—Brown Bear Car Wash will add sparkle to thousands of cars and trucks August 26 as the Seattle-based, family-owned company offers free washes to celebrate its 53rd anniversary. Hours for the special one-day offer are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Brown Bear will be giving away free “Bear Essential” car washes at all of their automated “tunnel wash” locations in the Puget Sound area. Over the last four years, Brown Bear has washed 78,760 vehicles during its annual “free car wash day” to celebrate the company’s founding.

“We’ve had an amazing response each year. It’s a fitting way to say ‘thank you’ to our customers who have supported us over the years.  And hopefully we’ve introduced new customers to the kind of service and value we deliver year around,” said Brown Bear founder and owner Vic Odermat.

He said the event also reinforces the esprit de corps within the company.

“We blend hard work, pride and a lot of fun into an event that benefits our customers and the environment,” said Odermat.

Odermat started Brown Bear in Seattle in 1957 with one location at 15th Ave West in Seattle.  Through its parent company, Car Wash Enterprises, Inc., Brown Bear owns and operates a total of 41 car wash facilities in Washington State as well as a network of gas stations and convenience stores.  It is one of the largest privately held car wash chains in the U.S. and is widely recognized within the car care industry as being a leader in the environmental movement.

For locations of Brown Bear’s automated “tunnel wash” locations in the Puget Sound area, please visit www.brownbear.com.

Jazz Night and Wine Tasting returns to the E.B. Foote Winery on Sunday, August 29.

Tickets are $10 each ($9 for Wine Club Members) in advance or $12 day of the event and include two hours of smooth jazz, a sample of four wines, and snacks. The doors to the winery will open at 5:30 pm and music will go from 6-8 pm.

Wayne Miller and Friends will relax you with smooth jazz music while you enjoy a sample of four wines. Wine will also be available by the glass for $5 cash, and you can purchase bottles to take home with you. This event is for adults only. Tickets are available by visiting or calling the winery, or on the website at www.ebfootewinery.com.

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Photos by Michael Brunk

Artist Chandelle Anderson returned to Des Moines recently for photographs with her now completed mural, “Celebrating Life in Des Moines.” The 12×37 foot mural now graces the wall of the QFC complex along SW 219th Street between Marine View Drive and 7th Ave S.

Chandelle had this to say about her public art piece:

As requested in the call to artists for this project, my inspiration for the mural design centered around the idea of “Honoring Aging.” With that in mind, my intention was to capture the vitality of the elderly in the community, through a variety of roles– as educators, role models, caretakers and artists. And to incorporate their wisdom and life experience with children’s curiosity.

After spending some time in Des Moines and researching the history of the community, I chose music as the central theme. This is relevant to the local summer concert series, and also to the story of the Draper Orphanage and traveling band that was located at the Des Moines beach park in the early 1900s. Reading and beach activities were also chosen for their relevance to the region and their universal nature.

Thank you Des Moines, for inviting me into your community and giving me the opportunity to celebrate life a bit with you all. I hope this mural brings joy to your city for years to come.

“Celebrating Life in Des Moines” is scheduled to be dedicated on September 25 at 10AM as part of the kick-off of the first annual Poverty Bay Art Festival.

The inaugural art festival currently has around 24 artists signed up and 19 participating businesses.

Cora Morrison assures us that it’s not too late for artists and businesses to sign up if they’re interested in participating. Contact Cora at desmoinesflorist@gmail.com or Vickie Bergquist at vickie@vickieinsurance.com for more information.

Walking maps with the locations of all of the art exhibitions will be available two weeks prior to the event and we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as they are out.

Note: You can click the images in this article to view larger versions

As many of our Readers may recall, last Saturday (Aug. 14) we reported on a severe boat fire off the Des Moines Marina that resulted not only in the arrest of the owner, but now an unclaimed, burned-out hull that is floating upside-down, outside the marina breakwater, seemingly unwanted by everyone.

According to an inside source, the boat fire began after the owner took it for a somewhat reckless “joy ride,” then left the key in the “on” position, with no blower running, which allowed fumes to build up. This apparently lead to an explosive fire, with the boat owner having to abandon ship.

As you can see from the photos below, the boat burned down to the waterline. The owner was arrested, then released.

Currently the boat is awaiting removal by the State Department of Ecology.

Photographer Michael Brunk got a boat ride out to the burned-out hull Saturday morning from Del Rivero to take the following pics: