by Janet Grella

The Waterland Blog recently sat down with Wayne Corey, President of the Des Moines Farmers Market (DMFM) Board, a non-profit, all volunteer position.

As part of his role as President of the board, Corey’s a man on a mission. And that mission is to rally his board to sign up enough sponsors to make the 2010 market and beyond self-sustaining.

“To keep the market going and viable for next year and beyond, the board has begun a campaign drive to obtain sponsorships to cover the costs which generally begin after the first of the year or before,” Corey said. “Between now and through December, board members will be contacting local business and individuals who may want to be market sponsors.”

If you would like to become a sponsor or would like more information, please contact Wayne Corey at 206-824-1066 or email at wayne@corey.cc.

The following have so far stepped up to be 2010 sponsors:

• Des Moines Legacy Foundation
• Des Moines Rotary
• The Print Place
• The Waterland Blog
• Char Schulz Insurance

2010 will be the fifth year for the DMFM in its current waterfront location. And if Corey and the board have their way, it will be the best ever.

Historically DMFM has been funded, in part, by the City of Des Moines in conjunction with sponsorships from local business (including The Waterland Blog) and private citizens.

“Since this was the last year the city sponsored the market, a board was formed in early March by unpaid volunteers to work with the city this season and then take over the market for next year. The city will still be a very visual partner in supporting the market in 2010″, explained Corey.

The non-profit DMFM board consists of nine members, including four officers:

• President Wayne Corey
• Vice President Dr. Genie Markwell
• Secretary Kim Trapp
• Treasurer Kathy Russell

Other members include:

• Char Schulz
• Del Rivero
• Gary Hisel
• Catherine Barashkoff
• Greg Fox

Councilwomen Carmen Scott was the city’s liaison. Helping the board are many volunteers who have given up their Saturdays during the summer.

“With the Chili Cook-Off marking the final day of the 2009 market on October 31st, the board declared it a very successful season with revenues and attendance both up over the previous year,” Corey added. “It was felt that having expanded the number of vendors and having a better mix of vendors were the primary reasons. Many of this year’s vendors stated that Des Moines was the best market for them and, one flower vendor said ‘we do more business here than we do downtown and Pike Place market.’”

Wayne added that “on a personal note, I would like to thank the board members for all their help and especially Market Manager Rikki Marhol and Assistant Manager Debra Jackson for all their hard work and dedication to make sure the market had a successful season. Also a great big thank-you to the many volunteers who showed up every Saturday to help the market as well as city employees from Parks and Rec and the marina.”

Sometimes one can’t help but be self-indulgent, so please indulge us as we announce a new contest that may seem, well…very self-indulgent.

You see, recently Des Moines’ own Highline Community College contacted WLB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer. No, he didn’t owe money on overdue library books (talk to his little sister about that one…), they found out that he once attended the college and wrote and took photos for The Thunderword, the student newspaper.

Well, HCC launched a new ad campaign on Metro buses this August, and now, apparently Scott’s face is plastered all over them with photos taken by our own Michael Brunk (we send out our sincerest apologies to all passengers – not for the excellent photo, but for the subject of said photo…).

The problem is, Scott hasn’t yet seen any buses with his, um, interesting face on them (not that he’s skeptical, but…), which looks like this:

Here are the details of the contest:

WHAT: Take photos of the HCC/BTB Ads on a Metro bus (please get a shot of both of them – one is on the exterior and the other inside)

WHERE: Metro bus(es) with the ads on them – this is where you have to do some work.

WHEN: Deadline for the contest is 5pm on Tuesday, Sept. 1st.

PRIZE: One $50 gift certificate to The Mark Restaurant & Bar, located at 918 SW 152nd Street in Olde Burien.

INFO: Please email a higher-res version of the photos to us at editor@waterlandblog.com by 5pm on 9/1/09! Winner will be selected by Scott, based on the quality of the photo(s) as well as creativity (meaning, perhaps you could submit a “mash-up” gag photo along with a decent one? Hmmm…we may regret that suggestion…)

We at The Waterland Blog welcome our newest advertiser, a true craftsman, Scott Lindsay of Furniture’s Friend, located just off Marine View Drive in Des Moines.

Scott will be celebrating his 14th year as owner of Furniture’s Friend this September.

At Furniture’s Friend, Scott specializes in furniture repair and refinishing, millwork and custom woodworking.

He’ll happily take on any antique restoration job.

After laboring as a shipwright for a while, Scott built shoji screens and custom furniture including cabinets and dining room sets.

Scott also provides custom color-matching and caning.

He is, well, an expert.

He’s like those Saturday afternoon PBS woodworking and carpenter guys all rolled into one.

You just don’t have to go to New England to find him.

Location/Contact info:

• Furniture’s Friend
  22511 7th Avenue South
  Des Moines, WA 98198
• Phone 206-824-6284

Hours:

• 11am to 7pm Monday through Saturday

Map:

View Larger Map

Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story like this for your Business, along with an Ad on every page seen by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

The Waterland Blog has learned from a top secret, well-placed inside source that the Seafair Pirates will be “raiding” Des Moines’ own Butler Bar and Grill on Saturday night (July 18th) after the big 50th Birthday/Waterland Parade, ’round 8pm.

Expect a riotous and raucous evening as they’ll be up to their usual pirate schtick.

You see there’s all sorts of new happenings at Butler Bar and Grill in Des Moines. Can we talk happy hour, new menu, karaoke, trivia nights and more?

Butler’s has a really fun Happy Hour that stretches from Monday to Saturday with great prices on beer, wine and wells. Plus you’ll enjoy some really great bar food with all the grease and cheese needed to make good bar food.

Happy Hour specials are available from 3:30-6. You and your party can enjoy

• $2 Off Well Drinks
• $2.50 Coors Light Pints & $3.00 House Wines

…and some great appetizers including:

• Sliders ‘n’ Fries
• Chipotle Chicken Wings
• Dusted Calamari
• Nachos
• Garlic Styx
• Tacos

Plus Butlers has some really cool mixed drinks such as “The Butler Did It“, and “Butler Tickler” just to name a few intriguing concoctions.

Owner Mike Colello sat down with The Waterland Blog recently to explain how Butler’s is his dream come true. Mike formed the idea for Butler’s in 1998. His idea was to create and “upscale American Pub” to fill a niche in the Des Moines community. Mike added that “the city has embraced us. We are very excited and proud to be the focus of things to come in Des Moines.” Mike went on to explain that the “staff and attitude” of Butlers is his vision and the décor is his partners, Scott Andrews, vision (the neon art, which you won’t find anywhere else in South King County).

Going into the food business was not suprising to those who know Mike. He grew up helping his father Bo Colello sell produce at the Pike Place Market.

Butler opened its doors in Des Moines in October of 2007. Butler can be enjoyed by folks from all age groups, but as the night wears on, Butlers turns its focus to the mid-30 crowd, with Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 10 pm-close (around 2 am).

And then there’s Thursday Night Trivia starting at 7:30 pm. It’s $2 a team to enter and special Butler Gift Cards are awarded to weekly winners.

Back by popular demand is Monday Night Spaghetti that includes Delicious Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs, served with green salad and garlic bread for $12.95.

A month or so ago, Mike told WLB that he was going to develop a menu that “works for this town.” And he’s got it – check this out Des Moines: BBQ’d ribs, fettuccini, steak salad, an array of sandwiches and burgers cooked to a turn, salads both small and large (read the entire menu here).

When The Waterland Blog launched our new Des Moines community website in February we knew we needed to have a fundraiser for the Des Moines Food Bank, and we knew it had to be at Butler Bar and Grill. Why? Because it’s a cool spot in the middle of the Marina District. Over $600 was raised on April Fool’s Day in our “No Foolin Fundraiser,” and we became great friends with Mike, his team and the city and businesses of Des Moines.

We proudly welcome Butler Bar and Grill to our growing Advertising roster, and encourage our readers, who aren’t in the parade to watch the parade from Butler Bar and Grill on the Waterland Parade route this Saturday July 18.

Butler Bar and Grill is located at 22341 Marine View Drive South in Des Moines, in the spot once occupied by the historic Butler Garage.

You can call ahead for reservations 206-429-3709, or learn more at their website.

[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story like this for your Business, along with an Ad on every page seen by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

The Des Moines Arts Commission tells The Waterland Blog that they are looking for sponsors for the last performance in the Waterland Music Series.

The series is currently supported by the following sponsors:

• 4Culture/King County Arts Commission
• Des Moines Drug Store & Hallmark
• Kent/Pacific Highway Fred Meyer
• Landmark on the Sound
• Furneys Nursery
• Corky Cellars
• Des Moines Florist

The 2008-09 season will conclude with the performance by vocal musicians The Main Attraction on April 21st at 7:30pm at Highline Community College in building 7.

Your $100 solo sponsorship includes:

• Individual/Business name in the program at ONE performance (your choice)
• Two tickets to the same performance
• Your name or logo listed on the evening’s sponsor recognition at the performance stage

If you or your business want to participate, contact Nic Lind recreation coordinator at the Parks and Recreation Department 206-870-6582.