On Monday (March 1st) we received an email from Janel Stoneback, announcing that her Emerald City Smoothie store located at the Normandy Park Towne Center had shut its doors.

This store, located at 19803 First Ave South, may have been affected by a number of elements, including recent ongoing construction on First Ave South, the economic recession, as well as a relatively troubled location where other businesses have also faltered.

According to the Normandy Park city newsletter, this ECS location opened in August of 2008.

Far as we know, Janel’s other ECS location near the Burien Safeway, is still open and in business.

While we don’t have the exact details yet (we’re hoping to get more info from Janel soon, which we’ll publish as soon as we receive it), according to Janel’s Facebook Page:

To all my Excellent very supportive customers, friends and business associates, it is with great disappointment we have had to make a decision to close Normandy Park Emerald City Smoothie.

Burien’s Hospitality House will be holding its Spring Fling Dinner and Boats for Beds Fundraiser on Saturday, March 6th at the Cove in Normandy Park beginning at 6pm.

Located in Burien, Hospitality House is a shelter and place of transition for homeless women in south King County. The Women of Hospitality House are supported by more than 12 local churches and organizations as well as by our local communities. Home-cooked meals are provided 365 days per year by volunteers. With the staff case workers, over 70 women each year develop and work their individual plans to find home, health and hope (see hospitalityhousesouthking.org to learn more).

Richard LeMieux, the author of “Breakfast at Sally’s,” will be the featured speaker, and according to a press release:

”Richard has lived in Washington State since 1981. He ran his own publishing company, producing medical directories and university student directories for 14 years. When his business failed, he lost his livelihood, his home, his possessions, and his wife of 17 years.

Richard was homeless in Bremerton, WA, with his dog, Willow, for a year and a half. He lived in his minivan while writing Breakfast at Sally’s with a second-hand manual typewriter at picnic tables in parks around the city.

While he was homeless, Richard and the other homeless people he portrays in his book regularly visited Sally’s, the soup kitchen at The Salvation Army in Bremerton.”

Today Richard has committed himself to sharing the story of homelessness with people of all backgrounds and of all ages across the country.

A short film about Hospitality House will be premiered at this dinner and a former resident will also be sharing her story.

Three Tree Point Yacht Club will be partnering with Hospitality House to raise funds with Boats for Beds. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase “the boat” or individual seats aboard one of several sailboats. It will be a fun afternoon of racing Saturday, June 26 out of the Des Moines Marina. What better way to celebrate a graduation, Father’s Day, girls’ day out, engagement or anniversary, than as crew, passenger or ballast aboard one of these special sailboats and with this fun-loving community of people? The boats are each photographed and featured on the Hospitalityhousesouthking.org website.

Tickets are available for purchase online at this website.

If you read The Waterland Blog regularly, you’re probably aware that, aside from providing a much-needed and timely service to the Des Moines area, we’re growing very quickly in both traffic, content and Advertisers (more info on us here).

And growth can be good, except of course when it starts to overwhelm a very small staff.

Hence, this posting – we’re looking for at least two capable folks to come join our Burien-based team:

1. JOURNALIST/EDITOR with Wordpress knowledge (or you’re at least not afraid to learn it). Yes, we need another Editor to collect content, format it, copy edit, add graphics (and do appropriate FTPing if necessary), then push the “Publish” button to update some of our up-and-coming blogs (we currently have 6 total, with more coming soon…).
2. SALES REP who can call on local businesses to let them know about us. We have nice Rate Cards, excellent traffic, our websites’ content speaks for itself, and we’re finding that selling Ads is easy – we just need more feet on the ground!

Here’s some more info:

• We prefer to find local folks who live in the general area.
• We like people who are involved in their communities (we’re active in ours).
• We like to find people who either read the blog already, or know of us.
• You can work part or full-time (some folks working here now have other gigs).
• You can set your own hours.
• This is a “ground-floor opportunity” and you will be part of a small, growing team.
• These are Contractor (1099) positions, meaning that you’ll be paid on an either per-job/hourly basis or pure Commission. And believe it or not, we also accept Volunteers! There are no benefits other than working with a fun, local, talented team who like to make a difference in their community.
• Your work will be seen on not just here on The Waterland Blog, but our five other area sister sites as well, including:
  • The B-Town (Burien) Blog
  • The White Center Blog
  • The Normandy Park Blog
  • The Tukwila Blog
  • The SeaTac Blog

Requirements:

• Please have a computer and internet access (we’ll set you up with an email account).
• Please have a reliable car & valid driver’s license.
• For Sales Reps – please have the ability to manage your clients throughout their entire Ad run on the sites (this includes staying in contact with them, renewing them when their contracts expire, etc.).
• You will work as an Independent Contractor, meaning you’ll be responsible for your own taxes, insurance, etc. and there are no additional benefits).
• You dig the internet and are excited about its future possibilities, including new technologies like the upcoming iPad.
• You like Local News, Events, Arts, Entertainment and more, as well as helping out your community(we hold our own Fundraiser Blog Parties about once per quarter, and over our 2+ year lifespan have raised over $13,000 for local charities).

To apply for one of these positions, please email us your resume, links to your online stuff (ie: Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs, etc.), and your interests and availability!

State Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Tina Orwall, both Democrats from Des Moines, along with Senator Karen Keiser (D-Kent), will host a Community Jobs Forum on Saturday, Feb. 20th from 10am to Noon at the Kent City Hall.

Stepping out of the traditional “town hall” format, the three lawmakers put together a Community Jobs Forum to give constituents an opportunity to connect with state and nonprofit agencies that do job placement, training, counseling, and similar services.

Legislators will speak briefly about state efforts to spur job creation and get the economy back on track. The rest of the event will be free time for attendees to visit tables from the participating agencies and speak one-on-one with the legislators.

Here are the details:

WHAT: 33rd District Community Jobs Forum

WHEN: Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

WHERE: Kent City Hall – Council Chambers, located at 220 Fourth Avenue South, Kent

WHO: 33rd District legislators: Rep. Dave Upthegrove, Rep. Tina Orwall and Sen. Karen Keiser.

Confirmed participating agencies include:

• WorkSource
• Port Jobs
  
• Highline CC
  
• Green River CC
  
• Renton Technical College
  
• The Veterans Conservation Corps
  
• US Census Bureau

This Community Jobs Forum is a free event, and all South King County job seekers are encouraged to attend.

The 33rd Legislative District includes SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and parts of Kent and Tukwila.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Waldref at (360) 786-7201 or Waldref.Jennifer@leg.wa.gov.

The second annual “Cove To Clover” fundraiser 5K race will be Sunday, March 14th, winding its way from the Normandy Park Community Club up the dreaded “snake hill” to the finish line in front of Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub.

We’re proud to be a Sponsor of this great event, which serves as a fundraiser for the Highline Food Bank. Last year over $12,000 was raised, and this year’s goal is $20,000!

If you’re interested in registering, please click here.

If you thought last year’s race was fun and challenging, just wait until you get a whiff of some o’the new elements for 2010. It’s as if the dial on the family-friendly funometer has been cranked up to 11 – check out some of the new features:

• The race begins at 1pm on Sunday, March 14th at Normandy Park Community Club. The course winds up “snake hill” all the way to the Gregory Heights neighborhood, past St. Francis of Assisi, crosses 152nd street with the finish line in Burien Town Square, where there will be a traditional Irish Festival.
• This challenging course takes its toll on even the most seasoned runners! Two water stops are provided, and racers will be rewarded with music from an Irish Piper when the reach the top of the ominous “snake” hill.
• Again there is a 1-mile Family Race which begins at St. Francis and follows the last of the 5K course.
• NEW: “While You Run” childcare, check your kids in at the Family Race start. Run the first 2 miles of the 5K, check your kids back out to run the Family Race together. Your 5K time will suffer of course.
• NEW: Pub Crawl – Friday March 12th!
• NEW: School Registration Contest! $5 from each registration fee can be donated to the local school of your choice! Just—type in your school’s name at registration–the school with the most registrations will be awarded an additional $1,500! Registrations can track their school’s progress at www.covetoclover.com/schools.
• NEW: School Limerick Contest — A $500 prize will be awarded to the school (or non-profit for non- student entries) who present the winning Limerick! Limerick contest details at www.covetoclover.com/limerick. BTW, we’re working on our own Limerick that starts “There once was a man from B-Town…”
• NEW: Start Line Party – Live Band inside the Normandy Park Cove Building prior to the race so you can warm up dancing to old school rock and roll.
• NEW: Expanded Pre-Race shuttle service from the finish line to the start line.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER:

5k at 1:00pm:

• $30.00 early registration (before Mar. 2nd; $35 after)

Family Race (1 mile) at 1:30 PM:

• $25.00 early registration (before Mar. 2nd; $30 after)

Here’s a map of the race course:

Some other highlights include:

• On-course Irish Pipes
• Irish Entertainment
• 2 Live Bands
• Bigger Beer Garden
• 1-mile Family Race
• Free Hot Dogs for Kids
• Free Root Beer Garden
• Irish Grub

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:

• 10:15am+: Take the Free Pre-Race Shuttle – loads at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub starting at 10:15 am (WARNING: Start Line Parking is EXTREMELY LIMITED!). Please park near Burien Town Square and take the free shuttle from Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub. Final shuttle departs promptly at 12:40 pm. Shuttle will drop you at the family race start-line (St. Francis Parish) of the 5K start-line (The Cove).
• 1pm: 5K Race (race starts at 1 pm sharp) Start Line @ Normandy Park Swim Club “The Cove”
• Registration/Packet Pickup from 10:45 am – 12:45 pm @ The Cove
• LIVE ROCK BAND starts at 10:45 am: “The Throbs” will be cranking out old school rock and roll at the start line until race time. Warm your bones rocking out to covers of Nirvana, AC/DC, Scorpions and other eye-popping ROCK!!! Come early and avoid the last minute shuttle rush.

FAMILY RACE:

• Race starts at 1:40pm sharp
• Start Line @ St. Francis Church
• Registration/Packet Pickup from 10:45 am – 1:20 pm @ St. Francis Church
• 1 mile-ish. This can be walked or run and will include people of all generations. Hopefully we’ll have Irish Step Dance lessons prior to the start. – Pick up bib
• NEW: “While You Race” Childcare (11:00 am – 1:35 pm) at St. Francis Church
• If you want to run the 5K but your kids aren’t ready for that level of suffering, consider checking your kids into “While You Race” Childcare at the family race start line. You can then run the first 2 miles of the 5K to the Family Race Start, grab your kids and run then run the Family Race together. Child care provided by St. Francis Parish, extra fee may be involved.
• YOU MUST CHECK OUT YOUR CHILD BEFORE FINISHING THE 5K. It is not intended that runners finish the run and then return to claim their children. Due to the tight schedule, this service is for families with children who plan to run the Family Race.
• If you do the math, you’ll need to be able to run the first 2 miles in 30 minutes to pickup your child in time for the Family Race. Shuttle from the finish line, will stop drop you at St. Francis to check in your kids. Then you can re-board the shuttle to be taken to the 5K start line (the Cove).

FINISH LINE FESTIVAL AT BURIEN TOWN SQUARE:

• Finish Line Irish Festival runs from 2pm – 5pm at Burien Town Square
• “The Haggis Bros” are a lively Irish Band. You can enjoy the show from the beer garden (or free root beer garden for the kiddies). Be entertained by traditional step dancers while you gnash some Irish grub.

Not a runner? Get involved as a race day volunteer: Please contact John Nelson at jonelson@adobe.com.

And there are still some great Sponsorship Opportunities available – please email Ashley Fosberg at fosberg5@comcast.net for a sponsorship packet!

As the official web Sponsor of the Cove To Clover race, we’ll be posting more updates soon (including details on the Pub Crawl March 12th!), so be sure to come back often.

Normandy Park City Hall was evacuated and closed for most of Thursday, Jan. 28th, after a bomb threat was left on a city official’s voicemail Wednesday night claiming to blow up the building “around Noon.”

According to a Normandy Park Police spokeswoman, the building went into “lockdown” mode around 10am this morning, when city hall was shut down and all employees were evacuated and sent home for the day.

After the evacuation, Port of Seattle Police brought in their bomb squad, which includes bomb-sniffing dogs, and checked the building for around an hour. Officers from the Des Moines Police Department also helped out.

No bomb was found.

However, city hall was shut down for the day, and it will not re-open until tomorrow.

As for the bomb threat itself, police say the caller ID was traced to Minnesota, and they’re considering it a hoax.

Advertiser Normandy Park Senior Living will be hosting two special benefit events to help raise funds to help victims of the Haiti earthquake, including a Pancake Breakfast this Sunday (Jan. 31st) and a Spaghetti Dinner on Feb. 13th.

Both fundraisers will be held at their campus in Normandy Park, and all funds raised will go directly to Doctors Without Borders.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Two food-related benefit fundraiser events for Haiti earthquake victims by Advertiser Normandy Park Senior Living.

WHEN: Pancake Breakfast will be this Sunday, Jan. 31st from 11am to 2pm; Spaghetti Dinner will be Saturday, Feb. 13th from 3pm to 6pm.

WHERE: Normandy Park Senior Living, which is located at 16625 1st Ave. South in Normandy Park.

INFO: From a press release:

Haiti Earthquake Relief and Doctors Without Borders Fundraiser

Pauline Smith, Executive Director, Normandy Park Senior Living announced today two special benefit events to raise funds to help the victims of the Haiti Earthquake. A Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday, January 31 from 11:00am to 2:00pm and a Spaghetti Dinner will take place on Saturday, February 13 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Both events will be held at Normandy Park Senior Living located at 16625 1st Ave. South in Normandy Park.

According to Smith, “All proceeds will go directly to Doctors without Borders one of the critical relief organizations assisting victims in Haiti. We’re pleased that our parent company, Artegan, our residents, staff and family members have joined together to make these events possible.”

Other area businesses interested in participating should contact Pauline Smith. “We’re honored to be part of the worldwide Haiti relief effort and hope our community will join us on January 31 and February 13th to help the people of Haiti and Doctors without Borders.”

Des Moines is one of four South King County communities to be awarded a $50,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology meant to help them comply with federal regulations regarding toxic runoff from streets and other surfaces.

The grant money will be applied toward anything from equipment purchases and storm drain cleaning to public education and outreach.

Recipient cities include:

• Des Moines
• Kent
• Normandy Park
• SeaTac

Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines), who chairs the state House Ecology and Parks Committee, says the timing of the awards couldn’t be better.

“Toxic runoff is one of the major causes of pollution to Puget Sound,” Upthegrove said. “Research clearly shows it is a threat both to drinking water and marine life. These grants will help communities that are already operating on lean budgets still meet federal requirements to address this very serious environmental health issue.”

About 14 million pounds of toxic pollutants – including petroleum, pesticides, and heavy metals – enter Puget Sound each year. This constant influx of hazardous substances kills fish, closes beaches to swimming, and threatens drinking water supplies. It imperils the region’s economy, not only because of the state’s reliance on water resources, but because cash-strapped municipalities lack sufficient funding to pay for cleanup efforts.

All four cities plan to use part of the grant money for detection of pollutants within their stormwater systems. By pinpointing the source sites where pollutants enter these systems, they can take the necessary steps to address the problem. Public education efforts will also be undertaken, to help teach people how they can help prevent toxic runoff from their homes and businesses.

“The clock is ticking for us to save Puget Sound, and how cities deal with toxic runoff is going to determine whether or not we’ll be successful,” Upthegrove said. “This extra boost in state funds will help these communities move forward with pollution prevention efforts.”

Story and Photos by Scott Schaefer

Members of Boy Scout Troop #375 were busy Saturday (Jan. 2nd), at their annual Christmas Tree Recycling Fundraiser in the parking lot of Herr Backyard Garden Center in Burien.

Troop #375 includes boys from an area that includes Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, White Center and West Seattle (for more information, check out their website here).

It’s just $5 to donate your tree(s), and they’ll be accepting more on Sunday (Jan. 3rd) from 9am to 4pm.

“This is one of two major fundraisers we do every year,” said Scoutmaster Mark Ufkes as he supervised the kids. “Along with our annual dinner at St. Francis, the money raised today will go towards scholarships for camps for scouts. And people should know that a kid can be a Boy Scout without having to pay much money.”

Ufkes continued: “To be a Boy Scout, all you have to do is a) be between 11 and 18 years old, b) be an upstanding citizen, c) believe in a higher power, and d) want to spend a lot of time outdoors doing adventures with other kids. Having money is not a factor.”

This event is a “mandatory” one for members of this troop, and we counted at least 12 scouts while we were there Saturday afternoon. Ufkes says that all 20 boys from this troop will help out over the entire weekend, making one wonder:

How many scouts does it take to de-limb a Christmas tree?

To find out, click on Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow below:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

The large truck hauler used at his event was donated by Scarsella Brothers Construction, who help out every year.

Over the last two years, 16 Eagle Scouts have been awarded in Troop #375, which is an unusually high number. The Troop is currently sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi Church in Burien.

According to the Des Moines Historical Society, Boy Scout Troop #375 was formed March 17, 1924 by Rev. Beatty, Scoutmaster, Rollin Case, and Franklin Lowery. In 1923, Rev. Cyrus Gilbert, a teacher at Sunnydale and Highline High School, had established a troop at Sunnydale.

We here at The Waterland Blog highly recommend that all Readers recycle your tree with these kids, because everything stays local, from the donations, which fund scout activities, to the firewood, which will be sold to raise funds, to the mulch made from the tree chippings (which will end up in a local yard).

It’s that time of year again, when the holiday trimmings start coming off, get put into big plastic storage bins in the shed or garage, leaving behind a dilapidated and dried up, dangerously flammable Christmas tree with no place to go.

And not only that, but you probably also have lots of cardboard boxes, Styrofoam and packing materials scattered about as well.

Here’s your Waterland Blog guide on where and how to recycle your holiday crap:

JAN. 11-15 DES MOINES TREE-CYCLING EVENT:

• Allied Waste will be picking up Christmas trees for City of Des Moines residential curbside customers during the week of January 11 – 15 on the normal garbage pick-up day.
• Place trees curbside, cut into 4′ lengths and tie into bundles no more than 2′ wide.
• Tinsel, garland, and ornament hangers must be removed.
• There will be no charge for this special pick-up.
• Must be a garbage customer to be eligible.
• Trees need to be cut into 4′ lengths and tied into bundles no more than 2′ wide.
• Call Laura Techico with questions at 206-870-6595.

BOY SCOUT TROOP #375 BURIEN RECYCLING EVENT SAT./SUN. JAN. 2-3:

• Boy Scout Troop #375 will be recycling trees on Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 2nd and 3rd) from 9am – 3pm at Herr Backyard Garden Center on SW 160th near First Ave South, and look for the Boy Scouts and wood chipper device.
• $5 fee per tree.
• Trees must be “clean,” meaning no tinsel, no forgotten ornaments, etc.
• Call Herr Garden Center for more information: 242-2014.

NORMANDY PARK:

• Allied Waste provides curbside collection of Christmas Trees to single-family residential yard debris customers.
• Yard Debris customers can set Christmas trees out on their regularly scheduled collection day.
• Trees must be free of flocking, tinsel, ornaments and metal hangers, cut to 4′ lengths and tied into bundles less than 2′ wide.
• Use biodegradable string or twine – no nylon, plastic or other synthetic materials.
• Flocked trees are not recyclable and will not be accepted – put flocked trees in the garbage.

DO IT YOURSELF:

• Waste Management also takes Christmas trees, but we suggest cutting yours in 4′ lengths and tie it into bundles less than 2′ wide, and perhaps even cutting it up and placing it inside your yard waste container.
• Pacific Topsoils, Inc. in Tukwila allows Christmas tree drop-offs; Call for Hours (206) 772-3091; located at 6000 S 129th Street in Tukwila.
• King County has several options for recycling Christmas trees. Call the King County Solid Waste Division Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

More suggestions from Sustainable Burien’s website:

• Styrofoam: at the Sustainable Burien collection event on Thursday, Dec. 31st and Friday, Jan. 1 or at Styrorecycle any time. All Styrofoam must be clean. They’ll also take clean packing peanuts of all types. See their Events page for details.
• Christmas Trees: In your yard waste (ornaments and other non-biodegradable items need to be removed, check with your waste collection company to see how much cutting you need to do) or at the above-mentioned Boy Scout Troop #375 tree-cycling event.
• Boxes and wrapping paper: In with your regular recycling as long as you’ve removed ribbons, bows and any other non-recyclable material. Foil wrappings, wrapping with embedded material and other non-paper wrappings are not recyclable.
• Electronics: Under a Washington State law that went into effect Jan. 1, 2009, TVs, computers, monitors and laptops can be recycled for free at many locations. Usable, working items can be dropped off at most charities who will resell them. Dead or out-dated items can be recycled at a number of locations. Personally I suggest taking all electronics to RE-PC in Tukwila or South Seattle. They will resell what they can, and what can’t be sold is recycled properly and locally through Total Reclaim which is important. Some recycling locations ship material out of State or worse yet out of the country for “recycling” and that can cause big problems. See our archived tip for details. If all you’ve got is items that can’t be resold, save a step and take them all to Total Reclaim. Contact them to see what else they’ll take.
• For other Holiday related items: see the links in the top right corner of the King County Solid Waste Page.

by Kelly Johnson

There is no question Seattle is an amazing city for food, drink and great places to go out, get out, hang out and hang loose. But here’s the drawback:

What happens if you don’t live in the city?

Fortunately, Dan Thiessan of Bellevue’s 08 Seafood Grill and Twisted Cork Wine bar was wondering much the same thing, so he brought a bit of neighborhood warmth, uptown style and devotion to dining out fundamentals — such as making people happy — to those of us here in the south end.

I had the privilege of spending last Thursday night at Archery Bistro (formerly Cafe Mia). I didn’t know what to expect really. “Ooh. Ahh. A new place in Normandy Park,” I thought. I am now amending my original thought by adding a few more “h’s” after that initial ooh and ahh.

I don’t care if you’re a smalltown to downtown meat & potatoes lover, a seafood fan only interested in the market list or the “go out of your way to try the one thing you haven’t seen on a menu elsewhere” type. The diverse but unpretentious menu here gives a nod to them all. While Archery doesn’t skimp when it comes to a solid array of beer, traditional as well as upscale soft drinks and liquor, it is the wine that will win you over. There’s a wine list designed to pair well with whatever might be on your plate. But if you don’t know what to choose, that’s not a problem. Feel free to leave the Sommelier lingo at the door if it’s not your mother tongue. Dan and his staff have you covered there. Just tell them what you like. The wine list is extensive yet unintimidating with price point being under twelve dollars by the glass and bottles in the $24 to $50 range.

The kitchen shared generously with us that night. High points go to the “crab no cake” crab cakes with the ribbon-thin drizzle of apple aioli giving the sweet densely packed meat perfect tang. This isn’t the Panko proffered version you might be used to. It’s just densely-packed loveliness encased in a golden brown sear from the pan. Oh and for those of you who don’t like greenery, you’re missing a bet if you don’t eat the Fuji apple and watercress slaw that comes with it. This is one time no one is going to have to make you eat your vegetables.

The Cowboy Beef Tenderloin — emphasis on the word tender — had a dry rub that could very well make our counterparts south of the Mason-Dixon Line want to sit up and take note! The tenderloin was carefully prepared, juicy and darkly flavorful. The coffee ground rub put a confident spin on what is sure to be a crowd favorite.

My guest and I also got to try the artfully brined cedar-planked Salmon that flaked perfectly, along with the Apple wood Smoked Pork with the Mushroom Forest Hash (the Pork Chops and applesauce Bobby Brady would only hope to try) and a Squash Soup whose flavor embodies winter time cozy and a texture that could only be described as velveteen.

If you can pull yourself away from focusing on your meal, you’ll note the tribute the décor pays to Glen St. Charles of Northwest Archery fame. Warmly hued wood, subtle touches from the St. Charles’ museum and a beautifully executed wine rack display instantly lend itself the overall dining experience.

The restaurant hasn’t even been open a month, but I noticed staff and patrons are already exchanging first names in greeting, good byes and all that’s in between. Keep an eye out for this place. The commitment to community, its customers and high quality cuisine is quite a gift to us here in the south end this holiday season.

See what happens when you make it onto Santa’s “nice” list?

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the Archery Bistro by Michael Brunk:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Archery Bistro is located in the Normandy Park Town Centre at 19803 1st Ave. South, Suite 104 in Normandy Park.

Their hours are:

• Lunch: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Dinner: Nightly, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Happy Hour: Daily, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.; 9 p.m. – Close
• Bar: Daily, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Their phone number is 206.429.3145.

Beginning this Friday (Dec. 18th) and continuing through New Year’s Eve, law enforcement in King County will join other local police to conduct “X-52″ patrols around the area, including the general Des Moines and Normandy Park areas.

“X-52″ stands for extra patrols 52 weeks per year, and the goal of the program is to reduce speeding and DUI-related traffic fatalities and serious injuries on the roads.

Other areas where the X-52ers will be out on Dec. 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, and 31 include:

• Burien
• Federal Way
• Kent
• Federal Way
• SeaTac
• Algona
• Bellevue
• Black Diamond
• Carnation-Duvall
• Clyde Hill
• Covington
• Issaquah
• Kirkland
• Maple Valley
• Mercer Island
• Newcastle
• North Bend
• Pacific
• Port of Seattle
• Redmond
• Sammamish
• Seattle
• Snoqualmie
• Woodinville
• Washington State Patrol

Officers will look for people who drive after drinking or using drugs and arrest them, so if you tend to drink and drive…DON’T!

Washington Traffic Safety Commission is releasing $450,000 worth of grants to local law enforcement agencies to help them provide additional impaired driving and speed patrols every week of the year.

These sustained enforcement patrols will specifically target speed and DUI offenders, as well as look for other traffic violations. The program is being administered statewide through a network of community traffic safety task forces.

The X-52 program also includes initiatives designed to let the public know that these extra patrols are happening in Washington every week. $450,000 is budgeted for paid radio advertising and alternative messaging. Earned media efforts will be spearheaded by community traffic safety task forces.

“Traffic crashes kill or seriously injure hundreds of people in King County each year,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “By driving sober or planning safe rides home, you can protect yourself, family and friends.”

A total of 94 people died in King County traffic crashes in 2008, and an additional 669 people were seriously injured. In a 2006 survey of Seattle drinkers, the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center found that one out of five drinkers admitted to driving after drinking too much at least once in the past month.

Officers who participated in 2008 – 2009 X-52 patrols in King County made 5,061 contacts with dangerous drivers, wrote 3,619 traffic citations or infractions, and arrested 105 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Officers also made 14 arrests for felony crimes.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission funds all X-52 DUI patrols as one strategy delineated in “Washington’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, Target Zero.” The goal of “Target Zero” is zero traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington State by 2030.

Normandy Park’s first-ever Winter Festival will be held this Saturday, Dec. 12th, from 11am to 4pm at the Normandy park Towne Center (located at 200th & 1st Ave South).

From their poster (download/view PDF here):

Join us at the first Normandy Park Winter Festival in Towne Square (1st Avenue at 200th) for holiday fun.

A free family event with over a dozen kids’ activities including Santa photos (bring your pets, too!), face painting, cookie decorating, Rockie the Police Dog, karaoke and caroling, and performances by Melanie’s Dancers.

Give back. Bring an item for the “Stuff the Trailer” senior gift drive or a food bank donation, and receive a free cocoa, cider or coffee at the Little League Trailer.

Support your local Normandy Park businesses. Raffles every half hour. Win prizes and gift certificates, receive discount coupons, and shop for hand-made gifts from local artists.

Raffle Sponsors:

• Archery Bistro
• Optimal Health Chiropractic
• SkySoles Reflexology
• Benson’s Best Bites
• Richard Steppic Wood Turning
• Emerald City Smoothie
• Companion Animal Medical Center
• Starbucks

Special thanks for generous sponsorship by:

• Normandy Park Senior Living
• Highline Little League
• Melanie’s Dance Unlimited

Here’s a video promo:

 

 Podcast Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

City of Normandy Park Arts Commission

by Janet Grella

Everyone who knows me knows that I’m studying Italian and that I love all things Italian. So when I heard that native Italian artist Maria Grazia Repetto had moved to the area, I just had to meet her and hopefully talk a little Italiano with her.

My husband Michael joined us for dinner at Osteria da Primo, where Carlo and Lindsay made a fellow Italiana feel welcomed. Fortunately Michael was with us, as he served as translator part of the evening (my Italiano has barely made it past Buona Serra, Bongiorno Buona Notte and Ciao!).

Having just returned from two years of painting frescoes for homeowners and businesses in Arizona, Maria settled with a friend in Normandy Park. She joined us for dinner on a recent Tuesday night.

Her journey to our area began 12 years ago when she visited her college-aged son in Seattle. She loved the lushness, beauty and summer weather here.

“I could live here,” she thought.

So she went back to Milano, collected her 12-year old son, procured a visa and moved to Seattle. She spoke no English, and relied on connections with Italian speakers and her young sons to help her open a shop, begin a business and began working her art. Maria Grazia’s training is in the fine work of murals, frescoes, reliefs, stuccoes, oils on canvas, acrylics, watercolors, sketches and portraits. She quickly found herself accepting commissions in Seattle, and soon Boca Raton, and finally Arizona.

One of her fondest memories of a commissioned fresco was with Hedges Winery in Richland.

“I painted a beautiful view of the red mountains with vineyards and orchards and gold colored soft rounded hills of the desert,” she said. “It was painted in a private apartment above the chateau and can be seen by invitation only.”

She spent four months alone in the chateau, “creating, creating and creating.”

“It is sometimes very lonely when you paint frescoes,” Maria Grazia told BTB over prosciutto e melone and carcioffi fritti at Primo.

Another totally modern fresco (which she prefers over rennaisance style) was “The Tower” which includes partial view of Qwest Field in the background (see photo at left).

Here’s a video showing her in action, along with the progression of her work on “The Tower“:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpMZEKyrZps[/youtube]

“It looks completely weird, and I love it.”

She added that she was taught the art of fresco with a ‘modern’ take.

Maria Garcia proudly told us that every woman in her family is an artist, including her mother and sister who live in Italy, a sister in Brazil and another sister in France, plus two nieces. I guess you could call them the “Painting Repetto Women.”

Maria Grazia began the study of frescoes when she was 15.

“At the time I was studying, women were only expected to become secretaries, maids, shopworkers or wives and mothers” (can we infer, like many women of a certain age, Maria Grazia became a feminist?).

After our double espresso and sorbet de limone we did a passegiatta (walk about) of Burien and B/ IAS. Maria Grazia found our notorius ‘naked woman‘ sculpture “very beautiful and it looks like a real woman.” On the other hand, like many Burien-ites she is still trying to figure out ‘The Passage’ and the torn up grounds around it.

Her young sons are now grown into young men, aged 35 and 25 respectfully. Her oldest is with the FAA and his wife is a pilot for Horizon Airlines. Her youngest just graduated from the UW in Physics.

What’s next for our new resident italiana artist? She is shopping for a studio in the area.

“The medium I prefer is olio (oils). But I can’t do olio at home due to the smell.”

She’s currently working in acrylics in her Normandy Park home.

Here are some more videos that showcase her work:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl0MOR_USac[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9_xC7ie_W4[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_bvsTb0X84[/youtube]

To find out more about Maria Grazia Repetto and see her masterpieces click here.

Our nearest neighbor to the north, the beautiful City of Normandy Park, has posted the following schedule for what’s going on there on the 4th of July – everything from a 2.8K Fun Run to a Children’s Parade to a Social at The Cove:

“Join your neighbors and friends at the Normandy Park 4th of July Social sponsored by the Normandy Park Community Club and the City of Normandy Park from 10am until 1pm. All Normandy Park residents are encouraged to join in the fun for these morning and early afternoon festivities:

10:25am: 2.8K Fun Run. It’s free, but pre-registration is highly suggested. The course is from Marvista Elementary to Marine View Drive & Shoremont. Runners be sure to arrive at the starting area before 10:10am as number pick up will close at that time. This year’s custom designed race t-shirt can be ordered in advance by all runners for pick it up at the finish line. Non-runners may purchase any left over shirts at the end of the race. They are only $15 each. Contact the Cove office to register 206-242-3778 or visit www.npcove.org

10:30am: Children’s Parade. Everyone is welcome to join in, either from the start (be at Marvista no later than 10:15!) or from anywhere along the parade route, which ends at the Cove Building. Classic cars, floats, wagons, bicycles, strollers, horses, marching bands – - all are encouraged to participate. Paint your face, decorate your bike, get out your flags; be festive or plain. Please, however, no campaigning or political signs. The Normandy Park Arts Commission will once again offer children prizes for the best decorated bicycles. Children who participate in the Parade are encouraged to decorate their bikes in the holiday spirit and enter the Bike Decorating Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Patriotic decorations

11:15am: Social at the Cove. After the parade everyone is invited for free Ice Cream at the Cove. To satisfy your lunchtime hunger, hot dogs and beverages will be offered. Festivities include Classic Car Show and, Large Blow Up Toys and Temporary Tattoos for youngsters. All of this will be accompanied by Live Patriotic Music on the lawn.

Line the streets, enjoy the parade, and attend the Community Social at the Cove!

Road Closure Information:

• Marine View Drive and Shorebrook Drive will be closed to motor vehicles during the festivites from approx. 9:30am-12:00pm. Please use caution and consider alternate routes.

If you’re considering other local fun on the 4th, here’s a link to our sister site The B-Town Blog’s schedule for 3 Tree Point’s all-day block party.

The City of Normandy Park’s Annual Arts Festival will be held this weekend, Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th, from 10am to 4pm at the NP city hall, located at 801 SW 174th Street (map below).

Here are the details:

WHAT: The City of Normandy Park’s Arts Festival

WHEN: Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th from 10am-4pm

WHERE: Normandy Park City Hall, located at 801 SW 174th Street

INFO: This is a wonderful time for everyone in the community to enjoy viewing the talent of local artists, participate in the annual Walk-In-The-Park, or to just kick back and listen to the sounds of live music.

• JURIED ART SHOW

The juried show is open to amateur’s and professionals. Awards are given in both categories. For those who are new to the art experience, the City offers art classes throughout the year. These classes can prepare you for our annual Art Show. See the Fine Arts Program Flyer for details (Search FAP).

• ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR

An opportunity to sell or purchase original art work and crafts.

• ENTERTAINMENT

Live music throughout the day. Performers include various local youth groups.

View Larger Map

Welcome our latest Advertiser to The Waterland Blog: Companion Animal Medical Center in Normandy Park!

There’s a new vet and clinic in town, Dr. Leslie Kasper and her Companion Animal Medical Center with a new philosophy on the care and treatment.

Dr. Kasper told us here The WLB, “We believe every pet is a member of a family, so why should your animal’s doctor visits be any different?”

At Companion Animal pet-parents will always feel comfortable and confident in their companion’s care. Dr. Kasper and her staff simply love animals. You can see it in the way they treat them. They’re all pet-parents too!

“Whether it is a simple vaccine or a major procedure, we will strive to educate you on your patient’s current condition, overall health, and any prevention or future care that may be warranted,” stated Dr. Kasper.

Area resident Dr. Leslie Kasper can’t remember a time she didn’t want to be a veterinarian. She gained experience working in the field as an assistant and technician through high school and undergraduate school.

As a 2005 graduate from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, she initially worked in Cheney, WA at a mixed animal practice. Although she enjoyed working with the livestock and farmers, she missed her family in Western Washington.

Dr. Kasper (then Strelow) spent the next two-and-a-half years practicing in both Bellevue and Renton, where she developed the clinical medicine, professional and business skills she utilizes today.

Dr. Kasper and her hubby Mike share their Burien house with their pet-family that includes two miniature dachshunds, Piglet and Molly, as well as a DSH lilac torti named PufDuster and two adopted kittens – TuTu and Evalyn.

Services for your pet-family:
What can we say about services in 20 words or less? Dr. Kasper’s clinic is state of the art with the most advance medical equipment in the area. Some of her services are:

• Routine Examinations with Specialized Preventive Care
• Nutrition and Weight Management
• Soft Tissue Surgery
• Dental Prophylaxis and Oral Surgery
• In-House Laboratory Testing
• Digital Radiography (X-Rays)
• Geriatric and Hospice Care
• Housing and Boarding Facilities
• Behavioral Consultation

Top: Dr Kasper with Piglet and Molly, Lisa with Bella, Teghan with Boxer.
Bottom: Rose with Chance, Audrey with Lil’Girl.

Meet the staff:

• Audrey—Licensed Veterinarian Assistant (LVT) Hospital Manager, 11 years experience
• Lisa—final stages of schooling to become a LVT.
• Rose — Certified Veterinary Assistant, 4 years experience
• Teghan — Veterinary Assistant: New to veterinary field; studying for masters in Animal Behavior
• Melanie—LVT, and has been with Dr. Kasper through then entire rehabbing process

Also on the staff are:

• Lil’Girl (greeter)
• Chance (sniffer)
• Piglet and Molly (worry-warts)

If you drive on First Ave South through Normandy Park halfway between Burien and Des Moines, you’ve probably witnessed Companion Animal Medical Center come to life at 19655 First Ave. South in Normandy Park (map below).

Now you can stop by and welcome them to the neighborhood and check out their state of the art clinic.

Or call them at 206-878-0405.

Or visit their website here.

For hours of operation click here.

View Larger Map

The Normandy Park and Burien Spring Recycling Event and Rain Barrel Sale is scheduled for this Saturday, May 16th from 9am – 3pm at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, which is located at 19010 First Avenue South.

At this event you can safely dispose of numerous unwanted materials, some for free, others for a small fee.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Normandy Park & Burien Recycling Collection Event

WHEN: Saturday, May 16th from 9 am to 3 pm

WHERE: Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center

INFO: Recycle these household wastes:

• 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.

Items Must Meet the Following Guidelines:

• 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.
• REUSEABLE 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).
• CLEAN SCRAP WOOD: Includes milled wood, plywood, pallets, and other untreated and unpainted wood. No peg board, particle or press board.
• BULKY WOOD: Includes large tree branches (minimum 6 inches in diameter), logs, and stumps. No leaves, grass, small branches, sod, or brush. Please lay a tarp under material for ease of removal.
• 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.

Household Hazardous Wastes can be taken to the Household Hazardous Wastemobile or one of three household hazardous waste collection sites. 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 holidays). Volume restrictions apply.

Latex paint is no longer considered hazardous waste and the household hazardous waste facilities in King County (the Wastemobile, Factoria, and two Seattle sites) no longer accept it. Residents who cannot use up latex paint, please dry it out and put it in the garbage with the lid off. Visit the King County website www.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/swd for more information on how to dry out latex paint.

DON’T BRING:

• No Scrap Metal
• No construction/demolition debris
• 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

For event information, call 206-248-7603 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/ or call the Household Hazards Line Monday to Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm except holidays at 206-296-4692.

Appliances and scrap metals will not be collected at this event. Appliances and scrap metals will be collected at a similar event this fall. Washington now has a FREE recycling program called “E-Cycle Washington” for computers, computers monitors, laptops, and televisions. Call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit 1800recycle.wa.gov to find authorized E-Cycle Washington collection locations. In the Burien/Normandy Park area you may drop off computers, computers monitors, laptops, and televisions at no charge at the following E-Cycle Washington locations: Burien Goodwill Store (1031 SW 128th Street, Burien, WA 98146) and Salvation Army Burien Store (16033 1st Ave S, Burien, WA 98148). Please note – drop off locations may change. Quantities accepted are limited. Please also note that computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included in this program but will be accepted at City Recycling Collection Events.

Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Sale:
To encourage the use of recycled content material and more efficient use of water, the cities of Burien and Normandy Park are offering recycled plastic rain barrels at a huge discount. In addition, start backyard composting with a compost bin to save resources and money. Composting is a natural process that turns yard waste into rich soil. Yard waste—grass, leaves, old flowers—contain mostly water. Once the material decomposes, rich soil is all that’s left.

$20 each. Cash only. While supplies last. No pre or post event sales.

There will be a Rummage Sale this Sunday, May 17th at the Normandy Park Cove Community Center, located at 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive in Normandy Park (map below), from 10am to 3pm, and here are the details:

WHAT: Normandy Park Cove Rummage Sale

WHEN: Sunday, May 17th from 10am to 3pm

WHERE: Normandy Park Cove, located at 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive (map below)

INFO: Many vendors, inside and outside spaces; bring your not-so-useful-stuff-anymore for another huge rummage sale! Tables inside are $20, or set up in the lot for free. You can come and buy stuff also!

CONTACT: Contact coordinator Staci McLaughlin at 206-242-3778

View Larger Map

by Scott Schaefer

UPDATE: Cafe Mia, which closed without warning last Thursday (we first reported on it Saturday 4/25), is planning on remodeling and re-opening as a “family bar and grill” sometime in early to mid-summer, according to co-owner Todd McKittrick.

We spoke with Mr. McKittrick on Monday (4/27), and he told us that the cafe, as it was, simply wasn’t making enough money. Despite a strong lunchtime crowd, business wasn’t consistent enough, so they decided to close it down.

McKittrick says that a new restaurant will soon open in the same location after a remodel that changes the current cafe to include:

• More comfortable atmosphere with table service
• Lower ceilings to make it quieter
• Replacing the round tables with more traditional square ones
• Enlarge the outdoor seating area
• Re-design it as a “family bar and grill”

A few Commenters on our sister site The B-Town Blog mentioned that they thought the location in the new Normandy Park Towne Center was a problem, one calling it a “dead zone” and another a “black hole,” with one even suggesting that the only business that would thrive would be “a strip bar.”

McKittrick disagrees, saying that it wasn’t the location.

“All three owners are Normandy Park residents,” McKittrick said. “We’re all local, and we all believe that a local restaurant can work at this location. We’re just listening to our customers and making changes based on their feedback. We’ll re-open soon with the same great food, but with a different menu.”

McKittrick said that the remodeled restaurant will have a new name, but that they hadn’t yet decided on what that will be.

Despite the changes, the Cafe Mia website remains unchanged, with no mention of any closure or changes, as does their Facebook page.

Photos and Story by Scott Schaefer

Cafe Mia, located in the Normandy Park Towne Center on First Avenue South, closed suddenly last Thursday (4/21) with no warning.

Saturday afternoon (4/25) the doors were locked, paper covered all windows, no employees were present, and the only information available was a letter taped to a window near the front door, which read:

April 24, 2009

Dear Loyal Cafe Mia Customers,

We opened as a Cafe and unfortunately realized that this is not what the residents of the City of Normandy park need and want. In an effort to respond better to these needs we are closing effective immediately and are working to rebrand our concept. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that you will soon see that our new, more comfortable, family friendly concept will be even better. We will continue to provide great food an hope to add a bar into the new concept.

As residents of this community, our community is very important to us. We are excited to be part of it look forward to bringing you the restaurant that Normandy Park residents need and want. If you have any questions please email us at cafemianp@yahoo.com.

Thanks for your continued support and patience. Please check back for updates.

The Owners of Cafe Mia

We sent an email to the address listed in the notice, but as of 6pm Saturday had not yet heard back; the Cafe Mia website doesn’t mention the closing. We also called the restaurant’s phone number, but after about a dozen rings it went to voicemail.

“I was a regular customer,” said Helga Herrera, a Normandy Park resident and owner of Normandy Nutrition who we found reading the explanatory letter (see photo above). “I loved coming here because they were open late and I could eat here after I closed my store. Plus, they had great coffee.”

While it was opened, Cafe Mia offered fresh baked breads, pizzas, pasta, pastries, paninis and sandwiches, gelato, salads, and even beer and wine.

The recently-opened Normandy Park Towne Center appears to have many empty storefronts and condos, and there were plenty of empty parking spots and little foot traffic when we dropped in on Saturday. The development, which opened in December, is managed by the McKittrick Real Estate Group.

According to the Towne Center website:

“This 3.58 acre mixed use project consisting of retail, office and residential components on 1st Avenue in Normandy Park promises to be a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

With Emerald City Smoothie, Café Mia, Herfy’s and Tight Cuts as our first tenants, we are also proud to offer 26 luxury townhomes for sale and 18 condo flats for rent.”

We’ll keep you updated as soon as we learn what the future holds for this business.

The world premiere for area resident Steve Edmiston’s original short comedy film “The Day My Parents Became Cool” is set for the Sedona International Film Festival on Wednesday, February 25.

A second showing—on the festival’s biggest day—will be Saturday, February 28.

Here’s a sneak peek at the well-produced trailer – see if you recognize any of the locations used:

The short has also been selected by the International Family Film Festival, and will play there on Thursday, Feb. 26th and Sunday March 1st in Hollywood.

“The Day My Parents Became Cool” is a comedic short about a group of teenagers who wake up one morning to find that adults have adopted teen fashion, complete with tattoos, body piercings, sagging jeans and lots of ‘tude. Edmiston describes the film as “Ferris Beuller’s Day Off meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”

Patrick Schweiss, Executive Director of the Sedona International Film Festival, says “I was HOWLING through it (especially having an 11-year-old and 7-year-old myself)…I could totally relate.”

Some other reviews of the film we found on the film’s website:

“… a slick-looking comedy that goes beyond image and explores how parents and their kids relate..”
- Richard Seven, The Seattle Times

“…a cute, family-safe comedy about high school students’ reactions when all grown-ups (including parents and teachers) suddenly change their looks and personalities to rival that of the most outrageously-dressed teen. Solidly acted and directed, with a fun script, great original music, all beautifully shot in HD…”
- Scott Schaefer, B-Town Blog

“… a bizarre world where all of the adults on the entire planet have literally “become cool” and desire to look and act just like their teenage kids, which provides both comedy and horror.”
- Steve Clare, Prost Amerika Film

“…the story of a cosmic catastrophe that causes all adults on the planet to become “cool,” adopting teen fashion and body image… high school students are more than just another brick in the wall.”
- Lynsi Burton, Seattle Post Intelligencer

More than 100 students from Highline, Mount Rainier, and Federal Way high schools were involved with the movie as extras, script consultants, and production assistants. A band formed by Federal Way high school students composed and recorded music for the movie’s soundtrack. And even Highline School District Superintendent John Welch got “cool,” playing the altered Principal Higgens in dyed hair and anarchy-styled leather jacket.

The movie was shot at Highline High School in Burien and a home in Normandy Park.

The Day My Parents Became Cool was made on an extremely low budget, funded by contributions from community members and grants from King County 4Culture, the City of Burien and the Federal Way Arts Commission.

“This film literally started out as an idea for a neighborhood home movie for my daughters, but the script quickly turned into a much larger idea,” says Edmiston. “We couldn’t have stepped up to a project of this size without the support of the schools, the cities, and local arts community.”

Other films written by Steve Edmiston include The Spy and the Sparrow and A Relative Thing.

For more information about the film, including local cast and crew info, go to www.thedaymyparentsbecamecool.com.