Do you get anxious in social situations?

Are you emotionally drained by big crowds?

Then you may be shy, like the young man actor Dick York (the original Darrin Stevens in “Bewitched“) portrayed in this classic 1950s-era film:

According to speaker and shyness expert Frank Selden, the good news is that shy people have some fantastic qualities they can access to transform to more social people.

Selden will share his secrets for shedding shyness during his “From Super Shy to Genuinely Gregarious” presentation at the special Thursday evening, May 29th, Des Moines Soundwaves Toastmasters 7pm meeting.

This free presentation is open to the public at the Wesley Homes Administration Building-Board Room, 21631 11th Avenue South, which is located across from City Hall in Des Moines, WA.

Selden knows from experience what it’s like to be shy. “Before Toastmasters I was scared to talk to people. I wanted to get to know people and wanted people to know me, but couldn’t do it. Now you can’t get me to be quiet!” he stated.

His “From Super Shy to Genuinely Gregarious,” presentation offers four steps for feeling more comfortable and adventurous in social situations.

An estate and tax-planning attorney based in Bellevue, WA, Selden has achieved the status of Advanced Toastmaster Gold through his membership in Toastmasters International. Selden is also the author of “Finding Faith in the Fury,” a non-fiction account of his experience as a Jag officer with the Washington National Guard while stationed in Iraq.

Toastmasters International, headquartered in Mission Viejo, CA, is a non-profit organization comprised of a worldwide network of clubs dedicated to fostering self-confidence and personal growth through public speaking and leadership opportunities.

Contact Lorylee Lejon at 253-839-9982 for more information.

WHAT: “From Super Shy to Genuinely Gregarious” presentation by Frank Selden

WHEN: Thursday, May 29th at 7pm

WHERE: Des Moines Toastmasters, at Wesley Homes Administration Building-Board Room, 21631 11th Avenue South

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Here are two more great pics from Photographer Paul Conrath to ease you into another Tuesday (hey, at least Monday’s history…), this time rather than an amazing early-morning scenic at Eagle Landing Park, here are two stunning shots of a B-Town tear-down:

 

Recently we reported about a major drug bust that resulted in:

• Several arrests
• Seizure of about 40 pounds of cocaine
• A pound of heroin
• Guns
• Methamphetamine
• About $240,000 in cash

Which was headquartered at the “El Flamingo” restaurant, which was reported as being “in Burien” according to authorities and the subsequent sheep-like press coverage (oops…including us…).

Well folks, guess what – this restaurant is NOT in Burien!

It’s actually outside the Burien city limits, in the Boulevard Park neighborhood, technically located in unincorporated King County at 1841 South 120th Street (across from Wayne’s World Tavern and near the Boulevard Park Library). We found the ding-dang place Sunday (that’s right – we were driving Mom around to various crime scenes) and took this photo:

Burien city limits are thus:

Here’s where the El Flamingo Restaurant is actually located:

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As you can see, this den of drugs, guns, cash and shady characters is not, was not, and never was “in Burien.”

Bah.

So, what can we, as proud Burienites, do to quell this common misperception about our lovely city?

Here are some suggestions, courtesy the B-Town Blog (city councilmembers, feel free to propose these as your own at the next meeting):

1. Post numerous, very large “You Are Now Leaving Burien” signs near sketchy neighborhoods:

2. Within said sketchy, still un-annexed neighborhoods, post these signs everywhere:

3. Like cops do at murder scenes, do a giant chalk outline around the actual Burien city limits:

4. Install ginormous, powerful Invisible Fences (the kind that shock dogs if they stray) and require all police and media members to wear collars 24/7, so that whenever they enter or leave Burien’s city limits they get zapped. Rest assured, nobody will ever forget where Burien starts or ends:

So…have any of your own ideas?

Post ‘em in Comments below, and check back often, as we’ll surely be adding to this list…

The things we love about this video are:

• The fisheye lens throughout gives it that other-worldly look
• Camera operator was actually skateboarding behind the featured Sk8r  (without falling…)
• The amazing athletic skills of Isaac, the star

Is the ridiculous cost of gas making you reconsider your daily commuting transportation options?

If so, you’re in luck this week, as the League of American Bicyclists is promoting “Bike-to-Work Week” from Monday May 12th to Friday May 16th, with national “Bike-to-Work Day” on Friday.

Need some ideas?  Here are 50 ways (large PDF) to celebrate Bike Month.

And now, an inspiring video reflecting our attempts to bike to work: