Along with Burien Arts, BTB Advertiser Burien Press is holding a unique “Sing & Sketch” party this Saturday, Nov. 7th from 6pm to 8pm at their coffeeshop at 423 SW 152nd.

Here are the details:

WHAT: SING & SKETCH At BURIEN PRESS

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 7th from 6pm – 8pm

WHERE: Burien Press, located at 423 SW 152nd in Burien (across from Town Square)

INFO: There is no cover charge; from their poster:

Come enjoy a song and art circle!

For the Musicians: Share you latest songwriting creation or just play an old favorite while others join in.

For the Visual Artists: Enjoy the chance to do some figural drawing or painting while listening to live music.

For Everyone, art and music appreciators alike: Relax at the Burien Press while enjoying a terrific cup of joe & delectable pastries, pies and sandwiches.

For More Information contact: info@burienarts.org

Poster Art by John Unbehend

BROUGHT TO YOU BY BURIEN ARTS & Burien Press

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There’s nothing like curling up with a newspaper and a cup o’ joe at your neighborhood (and we do mean neighborhood) coffee shop.

That combination has sprung forth on SW 152nd, across from the new library and city hall, in the form of Burien Press, our latest advertiser.

We welcome them aboard the B-Town Blog, and we love the double-entendre of their name, expressed in their slogan: Fine coffee, fine print.

Hence the newspapers and magazines from around the country easily found at the newly-built shop, which also features free wi-fi and lots of electrical outlets, perfect for those who prefer to read things like local blogs.

Co-owners are husband and wife Mark Kearns and Erin Williamson.

“We spent two years looking around Burien for just the right spot,” said Erin, a fourth-generation Burien resident.

Mark did the bulk of the build-out. He’s a carpenter with years of experience with Pacific Studio, where he worked on projects for the Seattle Art Museum, Experience Music Project, and Yellowstone National Park.

The Burien Press interior is warm and smartly designed, featuring fir and other material reclaimed from the site’s demolition. A deck out back provides sunlight and seclusion.

(How non-corporate. Hmmm. We wonder if an international coffee house conglomerate, headquartered in Seattle, might take a clue here. Naaah! They’d never go ‘neighborhood,’ now would they? Just a thought.)

Many of our readers already know Erin. She serves as Executive Director of Burien Arts, which runs the Burien Art Gallery.

Burien Press is not Mark and Erin’s only recent creation. Their son Alder was born just a few weeks ago. His older sister Isla, almost three, couldn’t be more proud.

Alder and Isla. Unique names they are.

“Their names come from my European roots,” said Erin. “Some of my more nearby relatives think we named our kids Beatrice and Ernest!”

Stop by and say Hi (you’ll probably see us, or numerous Burien city employees who frequent the joint). Juices, fresh salads and sandwiches are also available.

Burien Press
423 SW 152nd Street
Burien, WA 98166

Hours: Open daily 6am – 8pm

Phone 206-453-5412

Website: www.burienpress.com

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Fresh espresso is “espressed” Monday at Burien Press’s new spot,
and through Tuesday (May 19th) they’re offering free lattes and goodies!

Our friends Erin and Mark at Burien Press (located at 423 SW 152nd Street, across from the new Town Square/City Hal) are having a “soft opening” Monday and Tuesday of this week, where they’re offering FREE lattes and samples of goodies from 8am to 6pm both days.

Here’s their announcement:

Hello!

The Burien Press is opening the doors for some “public training” tomorrow, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19 from 8-6. Our baristas will be seasoning the machine, dialing in the grind,and practicing their latte art–so stop by for a free drink.

The Burien Press is located at 423 SW 152nd Street, in downtown Burien.

Hope to see you!

According to the staff, Burien Press has also activated their free wi-fi, so if you need a place to sit and surf The B-Town Blog and have some free stuff, get over there!

Every second and fourth Thursday night, the good folks at Burien’s Cafe Mundi (located at 447 SW 152nd downtown) turn over their mics and stage to regular B-Towners for Open Mic night, and since this Thursday (April 23rd) is the fourth one of the month you can expect to see lots of poetry, music and comedy.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Open Mic Night at Cafe Mundi

WHEN: Thurs., April 23rd (every 2nd and 4th Thursday), with sign-ups starting at 6pm and open mic at 6:30pm

WHERE: 447 SW 152nd in downtown Burien (map below)

COST: No cover charge!

INFO: 16 and over please, under 16 with Guardian.

Café Mundi opened in January and serves espresso drinks, tropical shakes, Latin American fast food such as empanadas, arepas and Spanish tortillas.

We also have desserts.

Everything is made locally, using organic ingredients whenever possible.

Café Mundi also offers Internet access and will soon offer free Wi-Fi.  Currently we have computers that people can use (1/2 hour free with purchase of a coffee drink) or they can bring in laptops and be connected via ethernet.

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On Tuesday morning (April 14th), workers from Western Neon in Seattle installed new signs at “Burien Press,” a soon-to-be-opened coffeeshop/newstand located at 423 SW 152nd, next door to the Australian Pie Company and across from the new town square, city hall and library.

Owner Mark Kerns has been busy over the last few months doing a major renovation, turning the former tattoo parlor space into a coffeeshop/newsstand, which he hopes to open sometime in May. The glass windows on the front were installed by Wakefield Glass, a Burien company.

Kerns promises a “european-style” coffeeshop where visitors can relax, have meetings and enjoy free wi-fi, pastries, coffee and magazines from around the world.

Burien Press already has website up, but with only the logo posted.

Stay tuned to The B-Town Blog for more news as the opening gets closer.

BTB Advertiser Philip Kelley just sent us this photo and update on Jason Sanders of “The Bean” espresso, who is back working as of today (Thursday, March 26th).

As you may recall, Jason broke his pelvis in a head-on collision in California in late December:

Important announcement, sort’a:

Jason Sanders, Seahurst’s fav-o-rite barrista, who was seriously injured in an accident back in December has returned to work.

Tanned, rested, ready.

He is, not surprisingly, very happy to be back in action, and is lookin’ good.

Reduced hours this week; 9 AM – Noon, then back to a fuller schedule as early as next week if he feels up to it.

Caffeine ergo sum.

So be sure to drop by The Bean, located across from the Seahurst Post Office, near Bistro Baffi, and welcome Jason back! And while you’re in the ‘hood, be sure to say hello to Philip Kelley, who’s located across the street, next to the post office in Advanced Massage.

Here’s a link to our previous coverage of Jason’s accident and recovery.

On Dec. 31st, we reported that Burien resident and businessman Jason Sanders (of Seahurst espresso stand “The Bean”) had been “moderately” injured in a head-on collision in California, suffering from a broken pelvis.

Jason may be coming home very soon, and Wednesday we received word from Robin Dunkle of BTB Advertiser Howard and Marge about a unique way to help him – she’s spearheading a “meal list” where volunteers can sign-up to make meals for him as he continues his recuperation with his father at home.

According to Robin:

So, word has it, Jason comes home this week.

We are getting our heads together and doing a weekly meal list.

Jason’s father will be here taking care of him so we are putting together a sign-up sheet to provide daily meals for Jason and his father over the next months.

If this sounds of interest to you and you would like to help out, please email Robin Dunkle @ howardandmarge@comcast.net.

I can email you the sign up list.

Jason will soooo appreciate this!  Thanks Burien!!

So, you heard the request – now it’s time to answer the call and help your neighbor…

We’re at the Farmer’s Market, and in the alley behind us today are two moving vans, with sweaty people moving big things.

Upon further investigation, we discovered that BTB Advertiser John L. Scott of Burien is moving into their new offices on SW 152nd in Olde Burien.

According to Amy Hyson, JLS will spend the next few days moving in and unpacking, with plans to officially open Tues. Sept.  2nd.

The B-Town Blog would like to welcome its latest Advertiser, a business we personally know well (and frequent often) – 909 Coffee and Wine Bar, located at 909 SW 152nd in Olde Burien!

In fact, we’re such big fans you can find us there practically every morning getting our usual day-starting triple grande super-duper hyper caffeinated mocha fix (they use Caffe Umbria coffee), often along with one of their wonderful handmade scones, all whilst joking around with their great, friendly staff.

909 Coffee and Wine Bar serves coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and of course, great wine as well. When you step inside the 909 you’re almost always greeted by one of their friendly staff, who either seat you at one of their sturdy wood tables, overstuffed leather chairs, outside on the deck (pending weather) or offers you something to go. If you only have time for a quick glass of wine, or are waiting for your table, you’ll find their granite-topped bar area very comfortable.

It’s usually very busy in the mornings, with lots of neighbors and residents enjoying their breakfasts, lattes, espresso or teas (by Luxe Tea). They offer a full breakfast menu, including quiche, crepes and paninnis to more traditional eggs, sausage and toast. Many people bring their work, newspapers, magazines or other readables while enjoying the bustling morning atmosphere.

A great breakfast isn’t the only thing you’ll find at the 909 – they also serve a complete lunch and dinner menu, including gourmet appetizers, fresh salads, hearty entrees and decadent desserts.

But wait, there’s more – every Thursday night, 909 has wine tastings, featuring either a particular winery, region of varietal with several tastes at a very reasonable price. On Friday and Saturday nights, the 909 turns into Olde Burien’s only live music joint, with blues, R&B, jazz, funk and more. 909’s coziness translates into a surprisingly nice venue for live music, and yes, even dancing (just move a few tables and you’ve got a dance floor).

Did we mention that the 909 is a cozy place? Better make reservations to ensure you can get a seat (call 206-243-7909). Don’t get us wrong – you can always just drop in, but you may have to wait a few minutes, especially on a bustling Friday or Saturday night.

Here’s a list of upcoming live Music at 909 Coffee and Wine Bar, which starts around 8:30pm and goes to around 11:30pm:

• Fri. Aug. 22nd – PAUL GREEN Blues Band (Jazz & Blues)
• Fri. Aug. 29th – MIKE GRIFFIN PROJECT (Featuring Mike Griffin-keys, some OTC members & Leah Stillwell-vocals) Performing Smooth Jazz Covers from David Sanborn, Dana Owens, Grover W Jr, George Benson & much more
• Sat. Aug. 30th – RHYTHM SUITE (featuring: Sandy Harvey & Keely Whitney, Performing Old Skool, R&B, Soul, Jazz & Pop)

So, please welcome 909 to the B-Town Blog by clicking on their Ad, checking out their website, and especially dropping in to enjoy their great coffee, food, wine and live music!

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The B-Town Blog is happy to welcome its latest Advertiser, Yo’s Bistro!

Yo’s Bistro is located at 205 SW 152nd Street, Burien, in the space formerly occupied by The Daily Perk.

Owner Sriyong Brashear, better known as “Yo,” has delivered a marvelous transformation of the venerable Perk, on the levels of both its interior design as well as the presentation of a stunning and generous menu, which includes a weekend brunch.

While the morning coffees and pastries are always available (Yo’s opens at 7am Monday through Friday),  the introduction of the knowledge, skill, talent and passion of Yo’s life and professional career is immediately evident.

The theme for his bistro is “American Cuisine With a Touch of Thai.”

Yo was born in a small town in northern Thailand. He learned cooking from his mother and sisters, later working in Bangkok restaurants.

He came to the US in the 1980s, studied and worked more. He was the General Manager of Dilettante Chocolates’ retail store in Seattle, mastering the fine art of pastry making and Eastern European cuisine.

Yo branched out on his own this past fall, finding his perfect spot in Burien. His “Yo’s Bistro” sign was raised and installed this summer.

Yo says that his secret, if you will, is to “always start with fresh ingredients, including the spices, cooked very, very rapidly at hot temperatures. The timing is important.”

Whether your pleasure is Classic Phad Thai…or Classic Cobb Salad…enjoy!

Yo’s Bistro
205 SW 152nd Street, Burien
Phone 206-244-4084

Breakfast:  Mon-Fri, 7-noon
Lunch:  Mon-Fri, 11-3
Dinner:  Wed-Sat, 5-9
Weekend Brunch:  Sat-Sun, 8:30-3

So, stop by and say “yo” to Yo at Yo’s Bistro, and be sure to tell him you heard about it on the B-Town Blog!

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by Scott Schaefer

Last week, we found this rather interesting, potential recession indicator – a Burien business listed “For Sale” posting on Craigslist:

We’ve known of Burien’s Olympic Coffee & Roasting for a while, are aware it’s been in biz since the early ’90s, have bought coffee from them, even used their free wi-fi a few times, and were somewhat shocked when we saw that it was for sale.

Come on – they roast their own beans in the back of the shop, making them (as far as we know) Burien’s only local coffee roaster!

Why would this business be for sale?

Is the recession really hitting the coffee biz that hard (don’t forget Starbucks recent troubles)?

We just had to know, so we did what every other good blogger/reporter would do – we called the owner and arranged to meet with him over (what else) coffee at his place.

Owner Ron Namgoung, 43, was born in South Korea, and moved to America when he was 15. He came to Washington in 1988, and bought Olympic Coffee and Roasting in January of 2006.

In addition to running this B-Town coffee institution, he works full-time at Northwest Airlines.

In other words, he’s a very busy man who puts in 17-18 hours per day doing two jobs.

But his coffee business is hurting, and he appears to be fed up. So he’s trying to sell it.

“I can no longer continue this business,” said Namgoung as he took a break from serving as his own barista, “because I have lost lots of money and still am…”

When asked why he’s losing money, Namgoung paused a moment, then declared “Many reasons – this was my first business and I feel like I was mislead by the realtors who sold it to me; there’s also a recession going on and people aren’t buying $4 lattes like they used to, and…I’m in so much debt now that I’ll probably have to declare bankruptcy soon.”

Namgoung says that he often put in $8,000 to $9,000 per month just to meet his payroll, on credit, but he’s proud that he never missed making payroll.

He ended up going into some serious debt (to the tune of $150,000+), and he now appears to have reached his limit.

And yes, he’s tried advertising in the one local (and obviously troubled) weekly newspaper, where he paid for a coupon ad for four months.

The net result from that expensive four-month coupon ad?

Three users.

But there’s still a chance he can recover, and this could be where you, our faithful and generous B-Town Blog Reader, comes in.

“If I can sell 160 more pounds of coffee beans per week, I can stay in business,” he said in a hopeful voice.

That works out to around 26-1/2 pounds of coffee per week for six local espresso stands, which doesn’t sound like that tall (or venti in this case) of an order.

Will Ron be able to find enough vendors to buy more beans?

Or will he have to sell this Burien institution?

Stay tuned…and in the meantime, why not drop by Olympic Coffee & Roasting and buy some of their freshly-roasted beans (we did, and they’re excellent), buy a cuppa joe, or perhaps just outright buy the entire business.

Feel free to contact Ron with any offers or ideas – he’s all ears:

Ron Namgoung
(206) 755-4569 – cell #
n5929@comcast.net

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by Shawn Underwood

I like dogs.

All kinds of dogs.

Except “biters” and those with foaming saliva on their molars.

The “biter” phenomenon is very evident in small yappers, the kind that yip and yap then bite and bite until the victim (usually me and my ankles) yaps, thus negating the “yapper phenomenon” via a double negative.

We have several “latchkey” dogs in our neighborhood as well. When I say “latchkey,” what I mean is that they don’t wear keys around their necks, then miraculously open the door to their home. No, when I say “latchkey” dog I mean the kind that just wanders around, latching onto anyone they deem latchable.

Two of my favorite latchkey dogs are called “Tuffy 1″ and “Tuffy 2.”

These two Westies are the spirited neighborhood mascots. They go everywhere together, paw in paw. I have spotted them chasing their Suburban-driving owner in a frantic attempt for a car ride. Of course, most dogs love car rides – who wouldn’t want to hang their head out the window with the wind blowing your ears back?

Tuffies 1 and 2 have been know to frequent “The Bean”, our local coffee shop, perhaps partaking in a “bow wow” so to speak with the other customers.

Another four-legged visitor to The Bean is a yellow lab. He trots about a mile up Maplewild hill for his biscuit and water. He is often seen with his boyfriend (not that there’s anything wrong with that…), who he picks up on his way to the coffee stand. His boyfriend is a friendly, fetching Irish setter.

Jason, the owner of The Bean, always stocks a good supply of doggy biscuits, so perhaps this is part of the doggy allure. Either that or maybe there’s a new frequent biscuit punch card thing going on.

I have not seen any cats in the coffee area but then this story is not about the neighborhood cats is it? So why do you ask?

The wandering latchkey canines also have latchkey human company at The Bean. A group of men from Maplewild meet there everyday, exactly at 9:15am and 3:15pm on the dot.

While the gentlemen yap, yap, yap, the dogs nap, nap, nap.

Sometimes it’s vice-versa, and other times it’s hard to tell whose who, or what’s what.

The two-legged species at The Bean are of an indeterminate age, meaning they are mostly retired but still full of beans, and I am not talking about coffee beans. I am not sure what they talk about twice a day. I wonder if the same subject comes up in the afternoon as was discussed in the morning.

“Hey Elmer, did I tell you about the thirty pound fish I caught in Alaska?”

“Yes, Rufus you did, but this morning at 9:15 the fish was 40 pounds, so which is it?”

They are a cantankerous and exclusive group; several times I have tried to horn in on the conversation, to no avail. This club is obviously exclusive to men and dogs, and I’m seriously considering filing a discrimination lawsuit (although I’ve been called the word used to describe a female dog before, I still feel excluded).

The dogs are also male; there may be something to this.

Maybe if I bring my male dogs, “Mr. Big” and “Mr. Small” to The Bean, the men will let me join in the fish tales.

I am sure they could use a fresh voice in their crowd.

Or not.

Yap.

Twenty-five years of living in Burien gives Humorist Shawn Underwood much fodder for her writings.

All of her stories are true, or at least have a grain of truth with no added embellishments.

Or something like that.

Read more of her humor at her website here.

by Shawn Underwood

The month of May is over and as usual, we remain sunless in Seattle. We had one sunny day on the third Saturday in May but I was out of town. Of course, no place on earth equals a sunny warm day in Seattle…well, at least not a location that I have been to.

And last weekend – it snowed.  Yes – SNOWED!

On Sunday, my husband and I awoke just in time to attend our church of choice – Saint Starbucks Of Normandy Park.

A long time ago my daughter tried to convert us to her church, one of those strange ones with one of those weird pointy thingys on top (she once told me that it’s called a “steeple” but that word just doesn’t sound right), but the coffee at the church with the “steeple” (what a weird word…try saying it over and over and over again and you’ll get it) was…well frankly, it was bad.

So we continued to pray over the New York Times Sunday edition at St. Starbucks while she prayed at the church with the “steeple” (see what I mean?!) concurrently.

After we entered the St. Starbuck’s parking lot, a sinking feeling permeated my gut like a cup of stale Folger’s from 1964. Cars were parked on the sidewalk; there were lines out the door, and our favorite chairs were occupied. I realized that even the tried-and-true technique of the “hover and look pathetic” (which I had long-since perfected) was not going to work.

Disappointed but resilient, we drove to the second St. Starbucks; this was better anyway, as there was a fireplace and it was freakin’ snowing outside. After parking the car far away and running through the blizzard, frustration reigned supreme – this place of caffeine worship was bursting at the seams, there was “no room at the inn” or something like that that they sometimes say in those places with the “steeples” (now it’s starting to look weird as well as sound weird!).  I saw that my husband was ready to give up the ghost. However, I was made of made of sterner stuff and of course it didn’t hurt that I also was beginning to acquire the dreaded caffeine headache.

Putting on our chains (not really, but it was freakin’ snowing in mid May for God’s sake!) we slid our way to the third and final St. Starbucks in the Burien area. You guessed it, all seats occupied – no coffee for you, go home and make your own coffee for cryin’ out loud and quit with the hovering technique.

The double tall foam with extra saliva slather dripping from my mouth was not helping either.

On the way home we came up with a novel idea: let’s go to the locally-owned coffee shop 909 Coffee and Wine. We should have gone there in the first place – the coffee was a thousand times better and the waiters actually “serve you.”

However, I was there for breakfast the day before and I didn’t want them to think that I had nothing to do but drink coffee. As if…

We sat by the window and enjoyed the bad weather from a view seat while being served our coffee and hot pastry.

So when you encounter a blizzard in May, or some other weather anomaly, make a beeline for Coffee and Wine at the 909.  Trish, Natalie or Corey await with smiles and steaming coffee, complete with lovely artistic foam designs, none of which resemble a “steeple.”

Save the “hover and look pathetic” technique for St. Starbucks.

Twenty-five years of living in Burien gives Humorist Shawn Underwood much fodder for her writings.

All of her stories are true, or at least have a grain of truth with no added embellishments.

Or something like that.

Read more of her humor at her website here.

This Saturday night, the B-Town Blog is forecasting a major Jazz Advisory, as Josephine Howell & Paul Richardson bring their amazing musicianship to the 909 Wine & Coffee Bar, which, coincidentally, is located at 909 SW 152nd in Olde Burien (that is soooo weird…).

Music starts ’round 8:30pm, and what better way to mock the alleged “real” Weather Advisory then to go out and have a great time in a great wine/coffee bar, all whilst damning those teeny little flakes and specks of hail falling from the foreboding, darkened skies of doom.

That’s right – let’s all show the Steve Pools, Handy Wapplers and Doppler Radars of the world that we control our lives, not some alleged “Weather Advisory.”

Just remain in control, or better yet – walk thru the sleet and snow like a rugged Postal Worker (oh heck, just assign a Designated Driver).

So get out and have fun, after of course doing good for our planet on Earth Day (or at least the working person’s weekend version of it), then quaffing some spirits and grooving to the sounds of some talented humans.

For more info, call the 909 at (206) 243-7909.