by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Happy nearly-springtime to all those B-Town Bookworms out there!

DID YOU KNOW?

Voters Approve Levy Lid Lift for libraries!!

Thanks to dedicated community advocates and library supporters, voters approved Proposition 1 on the February 9 special election ballot by 52%, authorizing a one-year increase in the property tax level to fund essential library services.

With the passage of Proposition 1, voters restored the full allowable library levy rate of 50¢ per $1,000 assessed property value for 2011.

The additional revenue will sustain library operations, including hours of service, new and replacement materials, computers and software upgrades, and regular preventive maintenance.

Thank YOU VOTERS!!

KCLS WELCOMES RENTON LIBRARIES, PATRONS & STAFF:
Renton Libraries are now part of the King County Library System! Though many details involved in merging the library systems are being worked out, two key changes are now in place for Renton Library patrons:

1. Expanded library hours in downtown Renton.
2. Immediate eligibility for a Seattle Public Library Card.

Welcome!!

PROGRAMS AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARIES:

• TechConnect!!! Burien Library Saturday March 13th 10am -2pm: TechConnect is an interactive library open house showcasing the many ways KCLS technology connects you to reading, recreation, entertainment and lifelong learning.  Whether you’re tech-savvy, tech-challenged or somewhere in between, TechConnect will enhance your use of the library!  King County Library TechLab van will be in our parking lot demonstrating the latest in downloads available.  TechConnect stations will be set up throughout the first floor of the library demonstrating our databases, how to use the library catalog, children’s story time online, and much much more. There will also be Spanish language station ‘Biblioteca’ showing library technology for Spanish speakers.  Visit every station and enter to win the prize drawings, winners announced on the hour, must be present to win.  Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• Crumac Concert: Burien Library, Sunday March 14th 5pm. This Irish trio creates traditional music on fiddle, uilleann pipes, whistles, and guitar
  Ages 5 and older.
• Get Loose with Seuss! Burien Library, Friday March 19th, 10:30am. Presented by Harmonica Pocket. Sing along with the Doctor’s ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish’ and other Seussian favorites! All ages welcome Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! White Center Library, Friday March 19th, 3pm. Presented by Harmonica Pocket. Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with stories, songs and silliness. Sponsored by the White Center Library Guild.

BOOK REVIEW:
‘The Eight’ By Katherine Neville

Part historical fiction, part mysticism, part modern day suspense thriller – this tale follows the discovery and disappearance of the powerful Montglane Chess Service. The chess service imbues unlimited power to anyone playing. The task of hiding and protecting the chess pieces from abuse falls upon the novices of Montglane Abby in the year 1790.  In 1972, modern day computer expert Catherine Velis is hired to recover the valuable chess pieces and soon finds herself entangled in a global plot.

Excellent!

Until next time…see you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Lori A. Alden
Prudential Northwest Realty

Thinking about investing in Burien? Now is the Time!

Turn on any financial news program and at some point you’ll hear the experts extolling the virtues of diversification. Real estate, even through the market downturn, has long been considered a conservative, long-term strategy to growing wealth.

In fact, that very downturn has created a historic buying opportunity for potential homebuyers and investors alike. The combination of lower home prices across the Burien and Southwest King County areas and historically low mortgage rates, two essential factors that usually don’t trend in the same direction, have triggered a buyer’s market in many areas of the county. For real estate investors who want to rent their properties, this can make the difference in achieving positive cash flow sooner or right off the bat.

While some seasoned real estate investors make it look easy, to be successful, beginners should follow some basic principles.

Learn all you can. Before committing your cash, you should have a fundamental understanding of real estate. For example, be aware that, in general, investment properties are not liquid investments. Barring exceptional circumstances, real estate does not sell at a moment’s notice. It could take days or months to sell a property, depending on the strength of the market in a particular region.

Consider cash flow. You’ll need to have enough capital on hand to cover any short-term losses due to vacancies between tenants.

Start small. Look into buying a condominium, single-family home or a duplex. Leave large apartment buildings and commercial properties to the pros.
Inquire at the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce about companies relocating into or out of the area. Company movement is one indicator of demand for rental and/or office space.

Find a property that will be in demand. Look for a moderately priced home with three or four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a garage that sits on a quiet street.

Research the property. The most common way first-time investors lose is by failing to investigate a property thoroughly. Look beyond the front door. Investigate the reputation of the school district, the crime rate, and plans for expanding a nearby highway or developing vacant land. Ask a local Prudential Northwest real estate professional about the area, its history, and how fast (or slow) properties are moving.

Inspect the home you’re considering for signs of water damage, such as stains on the ceiling and crinkling or gathering wallpaper; open and close every door and window; and check all electrical sockets by plugging in an appliance. Get an independent home inspection, roof inspection and termite inspection. Unexpected repair costs can eat away your cash flow. Because even the best inspection can’t always predict problems, try to set aside some of the rental income for unexpected repairs.

Spend time driving the streets of the neighborhood noting the condition of other properties. Are lawns maintained? Are roofs in good shape? Are homes kept up?

Be ready to make fixes quickly and respond to the renter’s needs. If you’re not prepared to be a hands-on landlord, consider hiring a property management firm.

See your tax advisor for related planning and laws that can affect your investment decisions.

Remember, investing in a property is much different than living in one, and while emotion and attachment can be prime motivators when it comes to homes, it is return on investment that counts when investing in real estate.

Lori A. Alden can be reached at 206-244-6400, or via email at lorialden@PNWRealty.com.

Prudential Northwest Realty is an independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity. They’re also a proud sponsor of The B-Town Blog’s Real Estate section.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 50,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

by Shawn Underwood

Yes, it’s rainy.

Yes, the wind is howling and the 2010 Olympic flame is blowing sideways, leaving my umbrella to resemble a closed tulip, but the enthusiasm for the Olympic games is infectious.

The minute we stepped off the Skytrain we are greeted with a chorus of  welcomes.

“Good morning!” said one Mapleleaf-clad young woman.

“Good morning!!” said another.

“Good morning!!!” said a third.

Oh my gosh, I’ve got to move to this friendly city – I’ve already got three friends in less than one minute. Just think, by the time I get to my hotel, let’s say ten minutes or so – I’ll have 30 new friends. I did notice a lot of my new ‘friends’ were wearing bright green coats and badges.

Hmmm…

At our centrally-located hotel, Rosedale on Robson in Vancouver BC, the staff personnel practically fall over each other with their welcomes. I love this place. I can’t wait to tell my old college friend, Deb, how much I love her country. Deb moved here 20+ years ago and never left. She probably has loads of friends.

The phone rings five minutes after we settle into our room.

“I’m downstairs,” said my old friend (what, no “Good morning!”? So much for a friendly country…).

I quickly put on some lipstick and run downstairs.

“Damn girl, you look the same as you did in college!” I said.

Waiting, waiting, waiting for similar reply. Guess I’m not looking as fresh as I thought. Oh well, things could be worse.

“Deb, everyone here is soooo dang friendly.”

“Oh yeah, we’ve been barraged with public announcements before the Olympics – stuff like, ‘remember you are a representative of Canada, go out of your way to be friendly.’”

I’m rather deflated by this statement. Maybe I don’t have quite so many friends as I imagined. Maybe they are paid to be nice!

“What about all the people in green jackets?” I ask.

“Oh, those are volunteers, they don’t get paid unless their empolyers pay for their time off to help with the Olympics,” she said as we walked towards the waterfront to see our first ever ‘live in person’ Olympic flame.

Sunday–we hope to be first in line at The Bay department store–the only place in Vancouver which sells Olympic souvenirs. The line was three blocks long today. I don’t want the popular mapleleaf mittens that bad.

Monday–Off to Cypress to watch Tom’s relative, Nate Holland, a “five-pete” X Games champion.

Hopefully I’ll be wearing my new souvenir mapleleaf mittens – you know, the kind that make you smile and say “GOOD MORNING!!!!”?

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.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We are re-posting this column (originally run Nov. 2, 2008) in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, whose life and work we celebrate today:]

“When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, militarism and economic exploitation are incapable of being conquered.”

– Dr. Martin Luther King,
from a speech delivered in 1967

by Mark Neuman

Contemplating the Giant Triplets
I am embarrassed to admit that, at age nine, I knew more about Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch and a TV situation comedy called “F Troop” than I did about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I know this because I was watching a syndicated repeat of that silly show on the afternoon of April 4, 1968, when a news bulletin cut into regular programming to announce that Dr. King had been shot and killed earlier that day.

I did not know who he was.

I quickly got to know, in part, on the strength of my third and fourth grade teachers at Holy Rosary Elementary School in West Seattle, and then I never forgot.

Our recent handful of years
With an over half-trillion dollar burden set firmly on the backs of Americans not yet born, the powers-that-be recently bailed out the powerful who failed us.

And some number of millions of everyday Americans participated as well, in the pursuit of a piece of the glittering illusion: unbelievably rapidly appreciating equity.

Any number of common desk working brokers and agents just “did what the boss told us” to earn fast, fat commissions.

Regulators, overseers are somewhat difficult to blame. They, too, like the profits, were largely imaginary, nonexistent. Those who existed sat by, quite silent.

Today, a Senator from Illinois engenders, through no fault of his own, racist sentiments from various pockets all about our country.

And this is seven score and three years after the end of the Civil War.

And meanwhile another chunk of trillion has been thrown at a conflagration, a quagmire, in the Middle East that, inarguably, Dr. King would have opposed.

A great speech
And so I bring to you today words earnestly delivered by Dr. King, less than a year before he died. Officially it is titled: “Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam.”

It could quite well be subtitled: “The Giant Triplets Speech.”

It could also be called: “Please Don’t Make Our Country Look Like This in the First Decade of the 21st Century.”

If only all we Americans had recited or read, daily, his powerful words, spoken forty-one years ago:

“When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, militarism and economic exploitation are incapable of being conquered.”

In our modest blog offices it was suggested: Should we post and highlight this speech two days before Election Day?

We “Woodwarded and Bernsteined and Bradleed” this about. Would some be offended? Might some misunderstand?

Perhaps some will.

Some always do.

Any complaints? Send them to me.

Any credit or compliments? They go to Dr. King.

Here is a recording of, in my opinion, a stunning and timeless speech from the greatest and most courageous leader of my lifetime.

When you hear Dr. King’s words, spoken less than a year before he passed, does your heart beat fast?

I should expect and hope it would.

Perhaps your eyes water at certain points.

You’re in good company if they do, I assure.

Never heard this speech before? You are not to blame. We live in a “forget the past” society. Additionally, Dr. King’s other stunning and courageous works, including “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” happen to overshadow his own genius, literary and oratory greatness and prescience displayed at other times in his life.

Does the speech seem familiar? Please give it a listen again, in the relative stillness of this, the day most often set aside for meaningful thought, then send a note to that Social Studies teacher from grade six, your History professor from college, your Speech Coach and thank her or him for the initial introduction.

Send the links to your nephew in the Navy, your sisters from the old sorority, your Aunt in Auburn or Alabama, your boss in Bellevue, your kid in college.

Move it along the internet line to your favorite State Rep or least favorite Congressman, the most ethical attorney you know, or maybe even the least trustworthy scumbag Wall Street suit you are glad you never met, or, perhaps, are sorry you ever did.

Print out Dr. King’s words (we’ll get that link to you soon), fold it up and send them along with warmth in your Holiday greetings later this Autumn.

And so, on this Contemplative Holiday
Let us all, now and in these crucial near years, stare down those Giant and Ugly Triplets and knock them off their high perch for good.

Thanks.

–Mark Neuman
mark@b-townblog.com

And in case you haven’t heard it in a while, here’s Dr. King’s classic “I Have A Dream” speech:

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Happy Holidays to each and every one of our fine bookworms out there!

Can you believe it’s almost 2010? (and isn’t that the “Year We Make Contact“?)

Please note that all King County Libraries will be closed on Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th for the Christmas Holidays.

Also, all King County Libraries will also close at 5pm on Thursday, December 31st for New Year’s Eve and remain closed on Friday, January 1st 2010, New Year’s Day.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Burien Library Guild is now sponsoring the ongoing book sale at the Boulevard Park Library. Bring your donations of gently used books to the Boulevard Park Library, all sales collected from this book sale will be used to sponsor programs at the Boulevard Park Library.

The Burien Library Guild continues to sell used books in their ongoing sale at the Burien Library as well.

The Guild is also selling ‘Book Lover’s Calendar’ 2010 for $8 each at the Burien Library – a great bargain and a wonderful gift!

The King County Library System selection department has put together a list of the Best Books of 2009 - check it out here.

PROGRAMS:

Burien Library:

• Opera Preview : Verdi’s  ‘ll Trovatore’ presented by Norm Hollingshead
• Wednesday December 23th beginning at 7pm
• Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild
  Visit http://www.kcls.org/events/opera.cfm for a complete list of Opera Preview times and locations.

• Holiday Magic, for children ages 5 and older.
  Thursday December 31st beginning at 11am
  Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.

White Center Library:

• Fiestas – Early Literacy Parties in Spanish
  December 10th & 17th 6:30pm-8pm
  The ‘Fiestas’ are workshops designed for Spanish-speaking families to prepare their children for Kindergarten. Las ‘Fiestas’ son talleres disenadow para los padres hispanos que preparan a sus hijos para el Kindergartern
  Sponsored by the KCLS Foundation

Visit http://www.kcls.org/programs/ for a complete list of programs throughout the library system.

BRANCH LOCATIONS:

• Burien Library – 400 SW 152nd St Burien (206.243.3490)
• White Center Library – 11220 16th SW (206.243.0233)
• Boulevard Park Library- 12015 Roseberg Ave S (206.242.8662)
• Greenbridge Library -9720 8th Ave SW (206.762.1682)

BOOK REVIEW:

“My Dream of You” by Nuala O’Faolain

When middle aged travel writer Kathleen de Burca returns to her native Ireland to research a scandalous love affair between a landlord’s wife and an Irish peasant during the potato famine she finds herself examining her own desires and needs as passion comes to her in the form of a married man.

The story is both an historical account of Irish history and a contemporary novel.

Wonderful, sad, uplifting.

Fiction.

Until next time…see you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Shawn Underwood

Word travels fast here in B-Town.

I was just gathering my courage to call my dentist to make an appointment for a tooth scrubbing when Margi, the receptionist at Dr. Abolofia’s office phoned me—for the third time.

“Shawn, so glad I finally caught you at home, how are you? Have you heard of ‘Eat Local’? I bought the Chicken Pot Pie, and it was to die for! By the way, you are way overdue for your six-month check up!” She said all of this in pretty much one breath.

“Yeah, I have been meaning to go there, isn’t it right next to the bike shop?” I said.

Maybe if I kept the conversation away from overdue appointments she would forget why she called . .  . It could happen. But it didn’t. However, I did visit ‘Eat Local.’

The first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was the Thundering Hooves sign on the wall. That sign alone gave me the feeling that a cow could be grazing out back. The store feels homey and it should because everything is prepared right on site. There are a wide variety of choices from, appetizers, entrees, sides, desserts and wine. A fair amount of the hand-made entrees were packaged in reusable glass containers, which can be bought and returned through deposit as you would a milk bottle.

Greg Conner, Eat Local owner and extremely affable fellow took me on a tour of the store. All of the ready-to-serve items are produced from ingredients procured locally from nearby farms that specialize in organic produce. I was amazed to find such specialties as Pork Cassoulet, made with pork, beans and sausage and then slow cooked in a wine sauce. I haven’t eaten cassoulet since I lived in France seven years ago. Thundering Hooves beef and poultry is pasture raised and hormone-free. I wonder if the cows and chickens are having menopausal issues—being hormone-free and all.

Speaking of local—Greg’s a homeboy. He grew up in B-Town and attended Kennedy High School. He opened his first Eat Local store in Queen Anne and is excited to be back in his hometown, and frankly I for one am very glad to have a place to pick up a quick ‘made from scratch’ meal for my peeps. I was just contemplating another cooking strike—just for the heck of it.

So, give yourself a break and visit the friendly folk at ‘Eat Local.’ It’s not to be missed.

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 Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

All King County Libraries will be Closed Thursday, Nov. 26th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

DID YOU KNOW?

The King County Library System offers a variety of databases to help you with everything from business information and directories to homework help.  See our featured database at http://www.kcls.org/databases/

Testing & Education Reference Center:
Get ready for the big tests in your life – AP, SAT, GED, MCAT, and civil service – with practice tests, ebooks, and planning advice from #1 names in college and vocational prep, Peterson’s and ARCO.

BOOKS & READING:
Visit http://www.kcls.org/booksandreading/index.cfm for a list of books we recommend, new books, and book club resources.

PROGRAMS:

Literary Feast
LOCAL AUTHORS Cliff and Nancy Hollenbeck will be at the Burien Library Saturday, Nov. 21st  from 2pm- 4pm.

Northwest authors Cliff and Nancy Hollenbeck will visit the Burien library on Saturday Nov. 21, for a book-reading and signing event. The best-selling local authors are featured in the book, “Literary Feast, The Famous Authors Cookbook,” which is a compilation of 100 food, drink and dessert recipes from scores of well-known authors and writers.

Singing Thanksgiving at the Burien Library Wednesday, Nov. 18th at 10:30am! Presented by Harmonica Pocket
. All ages welcome.
 Celebrate the holidays with American Folk tunes including Over the River and Through the Woods, Turkey in the Straw, and This Little Light of Mine. This dynamic musical duo will have everyone singing and dancing along.

Rock! Rock! Rock! at the White Center Library Wednesday, Dec. 2nd at 6:30pm! Presented by Rowbes.
 Ages 2 and older welcome.
 This original children’s rock concert is performed by some crazy puppet musicians. 
Rowbes is better known as Dewy the Dog from Story Time with Dewey and Sketch: Season 2.

Visit http://www.kcls.org/season/ for a complete list of all upcoming library programs!

Why Can’t You Behave? Ideas for Handling Misbehavior at the Greenbridge Library Saturday, Nov. 21st at 1pm

Presented by Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed., Priceless Parenting, LLC
 – Learn ways to set effective limits, deal with adult-child control issues and use positive techniques for dealing with issues like tantrums, tattling, begging at the store and bedtime. 
Provides 2 hours STARS credit in Child Guidance.

BOOK REVIEW:
‘Wild Swans; Three Daughters of China’ by Jung Chang.

From turn of the century China through the 1980s Chang traces 3 generations of women.

Her grandmother, born in 1907, was a concubine as a young girl, her mother was a Communist party member and official, and she was a member of the Red Guards in the late 60s.

China’s evolution from a feudal society to present day told through the experiences of one family brings to life the incredible hardships and successes that have shaped the country.

Non-fiction, and definitely worth a read!

Until next time…see you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Shawn Underwood

I’m a procrastinator.

I won’t ask for a show of hands from people who have the same problem because, well first of all I can’t see your hands because I’m here in my son’s room—recently converted to an office until said son returns from college and all Hell breaks loose, because I’m using his room.

As I was saying before I started going off track with the converted office bit—I have no doubt there would be a sea of procrastinating hands, too numerous to count.

For instance, who has yet to take down their Halloween decorations?

Today as I drove around the neighborhood (putting off writing yet another revision for my editor of a ‘grabber’ beginning for my book), I noticed numerous pumpkins with barely recognizable faces, long overdue for the yard recycle or where ever dead pumpkins go after the holidays. Strings of orange Halloween twinkle lights festooned some trees and even some Jack o’ Lantern pumpkin lights still dangled on a charming white fence.

You know who you are!

A picture says a thousand words but my daughter, Leslie said. “Mom, I don’t think everyone else thinks leftover Halloween displays are as funny as you do. I don’t think you should take a picture. What if something happened in the family and they haven’t had time to take down the displays or what if they are on vacation?” Her list went on and on until even I felt guilty for my paparazzi-like behavior. So no pics but like I said—you know who you are!

It’s possible orange twinkly lights can linger through Thanksgiving but the pumpkin lights have got to go—pronto. Now I’ve got to go trash my own pumpkins which still sit on my porch, and then of course there’s the scarecrows . . .

On a final note. I can’t resist a cupcake. Have a look:

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 Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Have you visited the new Burien Library yet? Do you have a group who would like to meet at the Library? Did you know you can book a meeting room online?  Click here to do it: www.kcls.org/meetingrooms/index.cfm. Library tours are also available for groups upon advance request – call  206-243-3490 for more information.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Burien Library Guild needs your help!  We are seeking donations of used books in good condition for adults and children. Please remember us when cleaning out your closets! Your donations support the wonderful programs we are able to have at the Burien Library including our ‘Opera Previews’ and ‘Sing Into Reading’ listed below.

You can now follow the King County Library System on Twitter!  Check it out at www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/widgets/ for all the details and linkage.

We have made it easy for you to keep track of your library materials, track what’s due, what’s overdue, and what items are ready for you to pick up using this new feature called ‘Library Elf’ – find out how to sign up at www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/catalog_help/library_elf.cfm.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS:

• Opera Preview: Wednesday, Sept. 16th beginning at 7pm – “La Traviata’ by Verdi, presented by Norm Hollingshead, sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• Burien Book Group: Wednesday Sept. 16th – “Omnivore’s Dilemma: Search for a Perfect Meal in a Fast-food World” by Michael Pollan. The book group meets in the conference room on the second floor of the Burien Library beginning at 2pm…everyone is welcome
• ‘Barking Buddha: Yoga for You and Your Dog’ demonstration presented by author Brenda Bryan in conjunction with the City of Burien’s ‘Wellness Fair’ Saturday, Sept. 19th at 1pm in the Burien Library.

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS & CHILDREN:

• SAT Prep: Five FREE sessions to help you prepare for the SAT. Practice exams will be scored. Participants must attend all five sessions and will receive an official SAT Study Guide. Registration is Required beginning September 5th; Saturdays Sept 26th, Oct 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 10AM; Presented by Sandwiess Test Prep.
• ‘Sing Into Reading’: Saturday Sept 12th, 10:30AM & 11:30AM; Presented by Nancy Stewart. Ages 5 and younger with a parent. Registration begins Saturday August 29th. Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild

For a complete list of programs and story time events at our libraries visit the KCLS homepage at www.kcls.org/programs/index.cfm.

BOOK REVIEW:
“The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seekers Guide To Making Travel Sacred” by Phil Cousineau.

This beautiful little book will make you look at the way you travel in a whole new way.  Every journey you take, be it long or short, can become a part of your personal spiritual development.  If you are looking for a more focused or deeper meaning to your travels this lovely book will instruct and inspire.

Until next time…see you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Shawn Underwood

I know I have written about swim meets previously, but the swim meet parents provide such incredible fodder that I simply cannot pass up this opportunity.

After my friends and I suffered through a very loooong swim meet at Normandy Park, our friendly announcer said we were in for a treat. What? It’s almost 10pm, and I’m about to turn into a frosty pumpkin. Swim meets really take it out of me.

The parents from Gregory Seahurst pool and the parents from the Normandy Park pool actually want to have their own college-daze swim relay. I simply can’t believe that any grownup with a lick of common sense would want to squeeze into a skin-tight Speedo, and jump into a barely-tepid pool. A humiliating event to be sure. Well, for me it would be mortifying, maybe not for these studly parents.

Men and women dashed about looking for swimsuits and goggles from the older kids. Believe it or not, a total of six relay teams quickly assembled. Twenty-four adults dawned tight-fitting swimsuits and just as quickly wrapped towels about themselves. As I watched a few floundering adults, I mentally prepared myself for a possible water rescue. The stroke and turn judge from Gregory Seahurst and his wife said they were actually looking forward to the race. So much so that, “the judge” squeezed into my sons size 28 speed suit. I am not kidding. The judge is a fit man, but my son’s suit is stinkin’ small!

As the teams begin to line up, the announcer from the other pool blusters through the microphone. “Wait, hold on, we have a ringer in lane three.” I guess he doesn’t abide by the rule we always tell our young children. “No one’s keeping score Kipper, the race is just for fun.”

BANG— the starter gun begins the race. The belly flops commenced, along with some expert dives. The sides of the pool can’t hold the immense overflow created from the tidal wave of dives. We are witness to a water-follies of sorts, and by far the best physical humor ever. I’m just glad it wasn’t me in the pool.

Tonight there are some story-worthy swimmers. One fellow in particular appears to be in need of rescue. He has that peculiar style I’ve observed with beginner swimmers. Stroke, glub, stroke, cough, stroke. He holds his head above the water as he makes a valiant effort at the freestyle stroke — and then he tried to do a flip turn. In my opinion, flip turns require acrobat-like skill. Claps for him. His flip turn looks very similar to mine — the body in a crooked position with legs kicking water all over the place. Sort of like an upside down fountain. My friend Susie, can’t contain her laughter, I myself am simply speechless. This swim-challenged participant is remarkable, and such a good sport. He was the “anchor” for his team — in hindsight, perhaps not a suitable position for his abilitites. I really feel for him, that could be me, if I were brave enough to participate and if the side-stroke was an option.

What ever happened to the old swim style of the “side-stroke?” Now that was a winner stroke. Effortless, you could keep your face out of the water as your legs preformed the scissor kick practically on their own.

Ahhhh, the good old days.

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

So, Leslie and I were walking on the beach in front of our house yesterday and a little black and white Jack Russell Terrier playfully ran between Mr. Big and Mr. Small.

“Look at that dog Leslie, isn’t he cute?”

“Mom, that reminds me, my birthday is coming up and wellll—I really want another dog,” she spat out in rapid teenager fashion. I studiously ignored my youngest child as I watched the Terrier.

The walk posed the usual trials—Mr. Big ran into the neighbors yard as he investigated whatever it is that dogs dig for, while Mr. Small hunted for rats in the bulkhead. The usual fare.

After we corralled our ill-mannered pups, we hiked back up the hill escorted by the Terrier. He was still cute.

Once our little family was inside, the determined little fellow scratched and scratched and scratched at the front door.

“Oh God, Leslie, look at him, we have to do something.” “Mom, let him in, he’s a nice doggy.”

No one in the neighborhood recognized him, however all the neighbors doted on him and called him “Good dog.” He wagged his tail and looked very pleased with himself. What dog wouldn’t?

So, we drove to Five Corner Veterinary Clinic to have him checked for a chip. He had one. Thank goodness – someone loved him and was obviously missing him. The chip was registered at a hospital and the hospital was closed. Of course.

Five Corner Veterinary convinced me that the small Terrier would be well taken care of at the Animal Shelter.

“He won’t go to the big fire-hydrant in the sky will he?” I asked in a nervous tone. “No, no, we will call you as soon as he’s comfortably settled,” said Steve, the South King County Shelter guy who happened to be at the clinic. So we assured the little Terrier that we would check on him tomorrow and if no one claimed him, well he could come live with Mr. Big and Mr. Small. He was certainly much better mannered than Mr. Big or Mr. Small. He wagged his tail happily from the front seat of Steve’s patrol car and licked the window.

At home, Leslie posted a note on the Threetreepoint Yahoo Group website with a fetching picture of Zorro. The phone rang less than 30 minutes later.

“So, I think you have my dog Zorro,” said a very friendly voice, although it was rather difficult to hear him because of the child chatter in the background.

“Well, yes I did, but don’t worry, he’s ok,” I stammered. I told him where Zorro was and assured him of Zorro’s safety.

“Oh, not to worry, he escapes all the time.” “I’ll phone them right now.”

Ten minutes go by and my new friend calls again:

“I messed up the numbers, can you give them to me again.”

“How many kids do you have?” I said, assuming he couldn’t hear me the first time I gave him the numbers.

“Just two, ages one and three.”

“Do you need a babysitter?”

“What are you kidding me? This is simply fortuitous, yes I need a babysitter. Do you watch ‘America’s Got Talent’?” he said.

Huh, where was the segue?

“Uh, sometimes.”

“Well, my wife is on Tuesday night, 9pm, she is a 6’2” singer, you can’t miss her…be sure to watch!”

“Well ok, I will.”

After my new friend and Leslie worked out the babysitting days, Leslie and rehashed the tale of Zorro.

1. Find friendly dog.
2. Post finding on Threetreepoint yahoo site.
3. Receive phone call immediately.
4. Leslie gets babysitting job.
5. Find we have a local celebrity.

In conclusion—watch “America’s Got Talent” on Tuesday night Aug. 4th and see our 6’2” singing neighbor, and the next time anyone finds Zorro, just say “Go home Zorro.”

Even when he’s scratching on the door.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Despite being unable to confirm this 6'2" tall local singer's identity, we're 99% certain her name is Manuela Horn, an accomplished singer, model, actress and spokesperson (she's been in Teatro Zinzanni) who may now be residing in Burien (actually she may be sequestered in a hotel room in LA right now).

We did some digging, and found this video which showcases her talents in a rather unusual way:

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

I recently returned from The National Society of Newspaper Columnists Conference, which was held in Ventura, California.

My new writing group BFF, Karen Rinehart, award-winning humorist and author, cajoled me into attending and I have to say I enjoyed every minute—except for that one time I waited in a long line for a drink, ordered a delicious beverage only to find I had no money, but I digress.

I’d like to say that I hung with all of my contemporaries at the Crown Plaza Hotel, but reality bit when I met Jeff Zaslow from The Wall Street Journal and co-author of “The Last Lecture.” I mean really, I write the humor column for The B-Town Blog (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and I don’t recall winning any awards recently or for that matter have any other credentials that allowed me entrance to such an esteemed society. But times are hard and Karen said:

“It doesn’t matter, they need people to fill the conference room, all the newspapers are shutting down or going Chapter 11, you could be a graffiti tagger and they’d let you in.”

So I went.

What a treat, let me tell you about it.

I loved Bruce Cameron who created “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.” He’s a hoot and so generous with his vast knowledge. He wants me to write a screenplay about Mr. Big and Mr. Small (my two dogs.) He said so—honest.

“Anyone can write a screenplay, it’s easier than writing a book, you just have to have an interesting premise and a dynamite protagonist,” he said.

Heck, how easy would that be? Mr. Big and Mr. Small, also known as Gus and Jack, don’t even talk—unless you count the fabricated storylines that my husband Tom comes up with.

Jeff Zaslow, the Wall Street Columnist that I mentioned earlier is my other new BFF. He doesn’t know it yet but we are gonna be tight. I could tell he liked me after I questioned him about his writing methods. I’m not sure why he walked away so quickly after I gave him my pitch—he’s very important and most likely had another appointment.

Steve Lopez, one of the keynote speakers brought tears to my eyes when he discussed the plight of the homeless. His columns featuring the homeless violinist, Nathaniel Ayers morphed into a book, and then the movie, “The Soloist.” I could go on about my “contemporaries” and such, however I don’t want any of my readers to get the idea that I’m bragging—as if!

Maybe some of the creative magic will rub off on me—I don’t know. I’m seriously contemplating the “Mr. Big and Mr. Small” screenplay. I just can’t decide who should play the lead. Mr. Big does a mean imitation of beggar-dog at least I think he’s playing a part when he sits at my feet each night as I wolf down dinner. And Mr. Small—well he’s just so stinkin’ cute and smart. For years, I’ve blamed Mr. Big for the pee stains on the family room carpet. Last week I caught Mr. Small doing the deed with a guilty look on his face. Smart—like a fox, he could certainly memorize a few different dialogue barks. Lassie has nothing on him. Heck, he should have attended the conference (Mr. Small that is, not Lassie.)

That’s all for now from your humble roving humor reporter for The B-Town Blog.

I’ve got to get to my screenplay.

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 Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

The Grand Opening of the beautiful new Burien Library will be this Saturday, June 13th beginning at 10am!

The Library (along with the new Town Square) will open its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony, programs throughout the day, food, giveaways, story times, building tours, and lots more! The new library also features an automated materials handling machine that will check your items in, give you a receipt, and sort the item for shelving.  Check out www.kcls.org/bond/groundbreakings.cfm for all the details.  Our new address is 400 SW 152nd Street.

If you have books you need to return before this Friday, June 12th, please drop them off at one of our sister libraries:

• White Center Library is located at 11220 16th Ave SW
• Boulevard Park Library is located at 12015 Roseberg Ave S
• Des Moines Library is located at 21620 11th Ave S (in Des Moines)

We Thank You for your patience during this transition period!!

COMING UP:
“Be Creative @ Your Library” is this year’s Summer Reading Program theme.  The Summer Reading Program kicks off on Monday, June 15th.  Our children’s librarians are busy right now making school visits and preparing programs.  See www.kcls.org/srp for complete details.

BOOK REVIEW:
“Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague“ by Geraldine Brooks:

Based on the true story of Eyam, the “Plague Village”, located in the rugged mountains of England in 1666.  As a young widow with small children, Anna Firth, finds herself intensely involved in caring for the sick and dying residents of her small mountain village.  The townsfolk make the decision to quarantine the village in hopes of stopping the plague from spreading.  As the disease ravages the village fearful villagers react with fear and jealousy as Anna and the town’s minister try to keep the town from falling into complete chaos.

This is a riveting novel that really brings to life the ethical and emotional impact dealing with the plague must bring.

Highly recommended!

See you in the brand new stacks this weekend!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: On March 17, 2009, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published its final print edition, completing a more than 145-year run. Its online presence continues. We at The B-Town Blog, while excited about the future of neighborhood blogs such as ours, lament the folding of great US newspapers, particularly those with such rich histories and stellar legacies as the P-I.

Scott Schaefer and Mark Neuman, of the B-Town Blog, worked together on their high school newspaper, The West Seattle High Chinook, a few decades back. They were fortunate enough to have as their advisor and journalism teacher a lady who truly is one of the very best in the state of Washington, Miss Dorothea Mootafes, known a little better as Dorothy, and affectionately as Miss Moo. Miss Moo has been retired from the Seattle School District for over twenty-five years, lives in the Roosevelt area of Seattle and is quite active in her church and various teacher organizations.

We recently asked her to reflect on the passing of the P-I, and let us in on her P-I memories.

This four-part Sunday series, which concludes today, began with Miss Moo recalling taking her students to the P-I building on Sixth and Wall Street in the mid 1970s.

“In the lobby were the words of Thomas Jefferson which continue to imply what the role of the newspaper should be in a free society:

‘If it were left to me to decide whether to have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.’”]

Part Four:
by Dorothea Mootafes

When Kennedy was nominated, the Thursday July 14, 1960, P-I read “It’s Kennedy” and the front page included one of Jim Bishop’s stories in his traditional writing format, “The Day Kennedy Was Nominated.”

Westbrook Pegler was still writing his opinion column but better balanced by “On The Line” with Bob Considine, one of Drew Pearson’s “Washington Merry Go Round” columns and David Sentner of the Hearst Headline Service with “Convention Window.”

The November 10, 1960 election issue had a full-page photo of the young president-elect whose election margin was described as the “Tightest in Nearly Half A Century.” Frank Conniff of the Hearst Headline Services gave his observations on Kennedy.

Kennedy’s inauguration was the Hearst Headline Service story on January 21, 1961. His now famous words were at the top the page:

“Let every nation know, whether it wish us good or ill, that we will pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend or oppose any foe in order to assure the survival of liberty.”

The P-I of November 8, 1980 proclaimed the “Reagan Landslide.” Editorial columnists that day included Jack Anderson and Flora Lewis. OP Ed writers were Russell Baker, William Safire, and T. D. Allman of The New York Times. A David Horsey cartoon appeared, a congratulations to the new President.

Many Horsey cartoons followed including two Pulitzer Prize winners in 1999 and 2003. I recall when Horsey was an outstanding staff member of the excellent Ingraham High School Cascade.

These reflections of The Seattle Post-Intelligencer are becoming longer than the final edition of the P-I a few weeks ago. In conclusion I’ll borrow some words of the P-I headline on Wednesday, October 18, 1995, referring to the “Refuse to Lose” season of the Seattle Mariners. Etched in the minds of every Seattle fan was a front page photo of a compassionate Alex Rodriguez consoling a weeping Joey Cora. “Thanks for the Ride, M’s,” the banner headline read. We have been provided with a lifetime of P-I editorials, news stories, and features, not to mention comic strips which live In our memories, at least one of which fortunately has moved on to The Seattle Times (Blondie). There are those hoping Dennis the Menace also will find a home there. For all of the years of information, entertainment, and thought, to The P-I -“thanks for the ride.”

Even more important than the pleasure and thought The P-I and other vanishing newspapers have brought us are these facts:

• Up to the present, even other media tell us, newspapers are still responsible for 65 per cent of the news.
• A free press is a constraint on those who would impose their will on an uninformed public.
• When The P-I folded, it was said that Tim Eyman, the perennial initiative writer, would dance on The P-I’s grave. There would be one less critic of his over-zealous initiatives.
• Just before he died, Peter Jennings reported on a survey of young people which showed a large number thought a newspaper should send its stories to the government for approval before printing them. Every high school journalist would cringe at that idea of prior review!

Although history tells us that Thomas Jefferson read few newspapers himself after eight years of being criticized by them, in the end the saddest part about losing The P-I and all the other newspapers which have folded already or will soon stop publication is we may soon be left with the society the third president rejected: a government without newspapers.

- 30 -

by Shawn Underwood

Last Thursday I was perusing the Burien Farmers Market (open from 11am to 6pm) when I ran into my favorite flower vendor. They happily met me with kind smiles and inquired, “What you like today?”

“Hmmm, I don’t know, I like all flowers. Can you make me a bouquet of the yellow Lupine and the white daisies?”

“You don’t like these already made up?”

“Yes, but I like those in the back better.”

“Ok, no problem, she make you a big bouquet,” said the smiling fellow.”

I certainly hoped they remembered me, or they would just think I was a persnickety customer—you know the type—the sort of person who carries floss in their pocket. Tooth floss that is.

“Can I take your picture for the B-Town Blog?” I asked with what I thought was a winning smile. Hopefully that spinach quiche I had at 909 Coffee and Wine wasn’t residing between my two front teeth. Not a good look.

“Oh no, we too old and shy,” said the smiling apple-faced woman. Her partner readily agreed with her as I took a people-less picture of flowers. As I walked away, my friend Trixie greeted me.

“What are you up to now?” she said with a knowing look.

“I wanted to take a picture of my favorite vendors and they declined because they are old and shy.”

“And dirty!” shouted the old, shy women. “You come back next time and I have on clean apron, then I ready for picture.” I swear she started preening as she barked her remark across the aisle.

“It’s a deal, see you next Thursday,” I bellowed back at her.

As I wandered from the market up the street, I ran into two city workers. Finally, the dead light pole was being restored.

“Hey guys, you two look pretty busy, is this an all-day job or what?” I jokingly said to them.

They both paused in their labors and took a much-needed break while I told them about a story I wrote about the dead light post.

“Really?” says the overly eager repairman. “Do you want to take my picture? Do you think I should have my tool belt off or on? Can you get a shot of my face from that angle? It should probably be an action shot, don’t you think? Maybe I’ll be famous.”

He jokes; at least I hope it was a joke.

After his “candid action shot” I asked him why there were always four or five workers standing around a man hole and shooting the breeze as one guy threw dirt out the hole.

“Well, one of the guys was probably holding an extra shovel,” he said with a hint of a grin.

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.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: On March 17, 2009, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published its final print edition, completing a more than 145-year run. Its online presence continues. We at The B-Town Blog, while excited about the future of neighborhood blogs such as ours, lament the folding of great US newspapers, particularly those with such rich histories and stellar legacies as the P-I.

Scott Schaefer and Mark Neuman, of the B-Town Blog, worked together on their high school newspaper, The West Seattle High Chinook, a few decades back. They were fortunate enough to have as their advisor and journalism teacher a lady who truly is one of the very best in the state of Washington, Miss Dorothea Mootafes, known a little better as Dorothy, and affectionately as Miss Moo. Miss Moo has been retired from the Seattle School District for over twenty-five years, lives in the Roosevelt area of Seattle and is quite active in her church and various teacher organizations.

We recently asked her to reflect on the passing of the P-I, and let us in on her P-I memories. Today we continue a four-part Sunday series by Miss Moo.]

by Dorothea Mootafes

Some columnists are associated with presidents. I always thought of Marianne Means as beginning with John F. Kennedy, but she actually wrote for 50 years for the Hearst newspapers from Harry Truman to George W. Bush. On October 5, 2008, in her farewell column, she wrote:

“It’s a new world, for someone else to figure out. So I bid you fine farewell, and I will miss you all terribly particularly my great mentors at the Hearst newspapers.”

Marianne Means was among the first women whose opinion columns appeared in The P-I. Maureen Dowd, Helen Thomas, Ruth Montgomery, Marcia Freeman, and Mary McGrory were among the others.

Men expressing their thoughts through the years in The P-I have been many: Frank Conniff, Jack Anderson, Shelby Scates. Jack DeYonge, George Will, Fendell Yerxa, Drew Pearson, Westbrook Pegler, Fulton Lewis, Jr., Jack McCoy, David Horsey, Jack Hopkins, James Reston, Paul O’Connor, Richard E. Thompson, Patrick J. Buchanan, Jack Douglas, William Safire, Russell Baker, Charles Dunsire, O. Casey Corr, Charles Sykes, Dan Coughlin, Bob Considine, Charles Osgood, Bill Prochnau, Joel Connelly, Sam Angeloff, George Dixon.

For this article of remembrance, I entered my basement with its myriad of yellowing and aromatically scented Post-Intelligencers proclaiming presidential nominations, elections, and inaugurations as well as the rare times when Seattle sports teams triumphed nationally (the Seattle Supersonics in 1979 when they won the NBA Championship and the Seattle Mariners in 1995 when they stopped one game short of playing in the World Series).

The Thursday, May 5, 1977 issue described David Frost’s interview of Richard Nixon which just last year was remembered with the Academy Award nominated movie “Frost-Nixon” based on that historical event.

“Ike New President,” a banner headline on November 5, 1952, announced the nation’s return to rule of the Republican Party for the first time since the Depression, twenty years earlier. The lead editorial that day was a full page in length by the regular editorial width with the title “It’s Ike,” written by William Randolph Hearst, Jr.

In a call for unity, the younger Hearst wrote in one section:

“The Hearst Newspapers and this writer share in the elation of General Eisenhower because we were on his side.” He quoted his father with the following: “The Hearst newspapers are not Democratic in the party sense, nor again are they Republican. In fact, they are not party organs of any kind.”

“The Hearst papers hold as their guiding policy Lincoln’s injunction to support any man when he is right and oppose him when he is wrong.”

“This was Pop’s policy.

“This is our own.”

In the logo of the editorial page that day was a thumbnail photo of the elder Hearst next to his words: “Great issues are never invented or created by political leaders. Real issues make themselves.”

I could not help but remember that the elder Hearst, because of his sensational yellow journalism, was one of those blamed for creating the issue of the Spanish-American War.

The editorial page that day in 1952 included Westbrook Pegler’s “The Republic Is Badly Damaged,” and Fulton Lewis, Jr., “Truman’s Last Order.” The man from Missouri’s flaws were tempered only by Drew Pearson’s “Bitter Campaigns of the Past,” reviewing some of history’s “hottest political campaigns.” The Op Ed page had a soothing effect with E. V. Durling’s “On the Side,” “The Mirror Of Your Mind,” “City Bred Farmer” with Clarence Dirks, and Ph. D. Richmond Barbour with “Parents’ Corner.”

The full page advertisements scattered throughout could have enticed readers in our own era to spend the country out of our recession.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: On March 17, 2009, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published its final print edition, completing a more than 145-year run. Its online presence continues. We at The B-Town Blog, while excited about the future of neighborhood blogs such as ours, lament the folding of great US newspapers, particularly those with such rich histories and stellar legacies as the P-I.

Scott Schaefer and Mark Neuman, of the B-Town Blog, worked together on their high school newspaper, The West Seattle High Chinook, a few decades back. They were fortunate enough to have as their advisor and journalism teacher a lady who truly is one of the very best in the state of Washington, Miss Dorothea Mootafes, known a little better as Dorothy, and affectionately as Miss Moo. Miss Moo has been retired from the Seattle School District for over twenty-five years, lives in the Roosevelt area of Seattle and is quite active in her church and various teacher organizations.

We recently asked her to reflect on the passing of the P-I, and let us in on her P-I memories. Today we continue a four-part Sunday series by Miss Moo.]

by Dorothea Mootafes

Just as the other P-I departments had something for everyone, sports had a fishing expert, Ken McLeod; a hunting specialist, Cliff Harrison; a bowling enthusiast, Blaine Freer, who also covered skiing at times. The P-I sports also provided public services for young people with fishing derbies, ski schools, and swimming lessons.

John Owen also wrote sports and succeeded Royal Brougham as sports editor. The item I most remember pre-Mariners, was when he wrote that Seattle would never have a major league team until it had a major league hot dog. In his view the hot dogs either were served with a hot dog on a cold bun or a hot bun with a cold dog. A major league hot dog, he wrote, consisted of a hot dog on a hot bun. When he came as a visitor to one of West Seattle’s journalism classes, I told him how much I had enjoyed that. He was not happy with my commentary, preferring that readers remember articles in which he had taken greater pride. I hope the Safeco cuisine suited his taste.

In the 1940s, Leo Lassen, the radio voice of the Seattle Rainiers, covered the team for The P-I. Among the many other P-I sportswriters through the years have been—Angelo Bruscas, Jim Street. Laura Vecsey, Steve Rudman, Jack Smith, Mike Donohoe, Los Angeles columnist Melvin Durslag, Jim Moore, John Levesque, John Hickey, Bill Knight, Joe Mooney, J. Michael Kenyon, Bud Withers, Jack Jarvis, Ellis Conklin, Boyd Smith, Robert Browning, and Art Thiel.

Special features included columns by Emmett Watson under various names including “This Our City.” “Lesser Seattle” was his unofficial campaign to discourage people from migrating to Seattle in order to keep it a more comfortably sized community without the problems of a large city. Douglass Welch with his “Squirrel Cage” provided laughs particularly with his humorous coverage of Park Board meetings. Referring to his wife as “Green Eyes” also evoked a few smiles. Jon Hahn wrote a column on a variety of subjects. “Action,” edited for a time by Maribeth (Bunker) Morris and later Dick Young, gave readers the opportunity to solve problems and frustrations they might have. It was similar to today’s television problem solvers.

Ann Landers not only provided advice for those who asked but also occasionally gave readers more to think about. The Mike Mailway column spanned the years. It consisted of questions and answers, along with interesting facts (Example: Firefighters have the greatest incidence of heart attacks.) Billy Graham provided spiritual advice in answers to questions sent to him by readers. By now bridge enthusiasts must be great players. The lessons were interminable.

The Post-Intelligencer’s “Living Textbook,” as did The Seattle Times’ “Newspaper in the Classroom,” assisted students and teachers in improving their knowledge of newspapers, the English language, history, and geography.

The P-I conducted Christmas Fund Drives for the needy. Articles through the years showing the special needs of the handicapped and the poor touched everyone’s humanity.

Critics helped readers in determining what movies were of value (William Arnold), plays and other events (John Voorhees), the theatre (Joe Adcock)., music (R. M. Campbell).

E. J. Mitchell edited a Saturday religion page and wrote a weekly column covering churches and religious matters. Maggie Hawthorn edited Arts and Entertainment. For some years Louella Parsons provided a column of movie gossip.

Investigative reporters have included Eric Nalder, Hilda Bryant, Steve Militich and Shelby Scates among others. Stub Nelson, Charles Dunsire, Mike Layton, and Maribeth Morris covered politics. Fergus Hoffman wrote business and financial news.

The opinion pages (editorial and Op Ed), have through the years provoked thought and sometimes aroused anger over an editorial or column they carried, but they always provided the opportunity to disagree in letters to the editor. I couldn’t bear Westbrook Pegler and through the years have taken issue with other columnists and with P-I editorials.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: On March 17, 2009, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published its final print edition, completing a more than 145-year run. Its online presence continues. We at The B-Town Blog, while excited about the future of neighborhood blogs such as ours, lament the folding of great US newspapers, particularly those with such rich histories and stellar legacies as the P-I.

Scott Schaefer and Mark Neuman, of the B-Town Blog, worked together on their high school newspaper, The West Seattle High Chinook, a few decades back. They were fortunate enough to have as their advisor and journalism teacher a lady who truly is one of the very best in the state of Washington, Miss Dorothea Mootafes, known a little better as Dorothy, and affectionately as Miss Moo. Miss Moo has been retired from the Seattle School District for over twenty-five years, lives in the Roosevelt area of Seattle and is quite active in her church and various teacher organizations.

We recently asked her to reflect on the passing of the P-I, and let us in on her P-I memories. And so today we begin a four-part Sunday series by Miss Moo.]

by Dorothea Mootafes

When Mark Neuman asked me to recall what I remembered about The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, he mentioned the visit of West Seattle High School journalism students to the P-I building on Sixth and Wall Street in the mid 1970s. In the lobby were the words of Thomas Jefferson which continue to imply what the role of the newspaper should be in a free society:

“If it were left to me to decide whether to have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

Jefferson’s words are also on one of the four panels in the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D. C. The P-I always could be counted upon to investigate excesses in government when they occurred and to keep demagogues in line when the occasion arose; but in my more than a half a century of reading The P-I, it has been more than a watchdog of my rights. It has been a source of information, a means of entertainment, and, at times, a needle instantly raising my blood pressure.

No part of any Seattle-area person’s existence was untouched by The P-I. The news pages, women’s pages, sports pages, opinion pages, special features, and even the comics have affected us all. Through the years, the women’s pages were transformed from strictly society news—weddings, engagements, club news—time, date place events; who, what, where, when—into a department exploring significant and controversial issues, adding the why and how to coverage.

Nancy Hevly, a women’s page staff member, recalls it was Susan Paynter who wrote the first stories of the new type. Among the first articles were those on a woman’s right to choose and on a lesbian couple.

Sally Raleigh was editor of the traditional society page and also guided it through its changes. “Lifestyle” was one of the subsequent titles which mirrored the change in content. Sally’s staff included Laura Emory Gilmore, Jean Lunzer and Nancy Hevly herself. Edna Daw edited the club news. If there was a PTA meeting, sorority gathering, etc., members would find the time, date and place in the club column. Groups chose publicity chairmen whose job it was to send notices on their meeting, guests, speakers, or special program to the newspaper.

Prudence Penny was the early title of the Home Economics Department. Food editors later began using their own names and their food pages continued to be popular and useful. Nancy Beardsley sometimes covered special community or church events showing an ethnic or historical specialty the public might enjoy.

Gradually women’s news blended into the rest of the newspaper. Articles under Lifestyle, for example, could be on either men or women. Until World War Two, women did not cover hard news. Lucille Cohen and Eleanor Bell were the first to break the sex barrier.

The name Royal Brougham was synonymous with P-I sports. He was not only the sports editor for so many years; he was also the cheerleader and promoter of every Seattle-based team and outstanding athlete. “The Morning After,” his daily sports column, opened with sections on sports personalities or current happenings, and closed with a final “Chitter-Chatter,” sometimes with an other heading, composed of a miscellany of sports news. Everyone learned much about Husky sports and particularly Al Ulbrickson’s crews, hometown baseball hero Fred Hutchinson, and the Seattle Rainiers. Naming the street across from Safeco Field for Royal Brougham was well deserved as the P-I sports editor long touted major league baseball for Seattle. Like the rest of us, he survived the short stay of the Seattle Pilots in 1969. The Mariners began in 1977, a year before Royal Brougham’s death in 1978.

It was Royal Brougham who started the annual Man of the Year Sports Award and Banquet at the beginning of each calendar year. I attended the event in l957 because my St. Louis Cardinal hero, Stan Musial, was the special guest. When golfer JoAnne Gunderson was named “man” of the year that night, she turned to Royal Brougham and said, “Royal are you sure you’ve got the right man?” Pat Lesser, another woman, had won the award two years before. The problem was solved in recent years with the selection of one man and one woman.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

As everyone has shown time and time again, we’re a strong community here in Burien, whether we’re using our beloved library or whacking invasive weeds in a local park or helping neighbors in need, and the month of May will show everyone just how strong we are with this upcoming, helpful, community-oriented event:

‘Look to Your Library’ job-hunting help from May 1st – May 8th at ALL KCLS Libraries!

Across the county people are feeling the economic pinch: layoffs, reduced hours, decreased benefits and mounting bills. To help people cope and get back on their feet, KCLS is hosting how-to demonstrations of the latest job search and financial tools.

All libraries will open one-hour earlier than normally scheduled each day that week.

Look at our website for all the details.

The Burien Library Guild has generously agreed to bring coffee and donuts for Burien Library patrons May 1st and May 2nd.

COMING UP:
Japanese Paper Cutting Workshop Presented by Aki Sogabe:

• Saturday May 2nd at 2pm at the Burien Library
• Ages 7 and older
• Using her books as an introduction to the ancient art of Japanese paper cutting, this book illustrator will help participants create an origami and paper cut project.
• Please bring scissors. Registration required.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
Grand Opening of our New Burien Library is set for Saturday June 13th!

This will be an all day event, with music, speeches, food, and programs throughout the day – Don’t miss it!

The New Burien Library is located at 400 SW 152nd St (corner of 152nd & 4th), and the Burien Library Guild is sponsoring refreshments inside the library for the celebrations.

For news and pictures of library construction projects throughout the county visit http://www.kcls.org/bond/

On May 15th at 6pm the current Burien Library will close its regular operation.

On Saturday May 16th we will be open limited hours for book returns and holds pick up. We will not have public use computers or reference services during this time (May 16-June 8th).

From June 9th until our Grand Opening on June 13th the Burien Library will be completely closed. Please visit our nearby libraries for reference services and public computers during this time.

Visit our webpage at http://www.kcls.org/locations/index.cfm for a complete list of library locations and open hours.

We appreciate your patience during our move, and we look forward to seeing you in our new digs!

BOOK REVIEW:
“Autobiography of a Face“ by Lucy Grealy:

Ms. Grealy tells her life story from age 9 when she was diagnosed with bone cancer. In stark and touching detail Grealy shares her remarkable strength, humor, and resilience as the cancer progresses.

The cancer eventually takes 1/3 of her jawbone.

Her struggles to remain ‘normal’ and continue to give and receive love are beautifully written in this moving story.

In “Truth & Beauty: A Friendship,” Ann Patchett writes about her long and special relationship with fellow writer Lucy Grealy (author of ‘Autobiography of a Face’). A heartbreaking and tender story of friendship and commitment.

Read together these two books provide special insights on love, laughter, and the beauty of life.

Highly recommended!

See you in the (new) stacks soon!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Happy Spring my sprouting B-Town Bookworms from your Empress of Information!

LIBRARY CARD CONTEST:
Create the next new Library Card!

That’s right – your art can grace the new library cards, so get busy!

Winners will be announced May 29th, and there are three levels of competition:

• Elementary, Grades 3 and up
• Middle School/Junior High
• High School

Entries may be submitted until April 30, 2009.

Winners will be selected by a panel of children’s and teen librarians and other KCLS staff.

Each winner receives a $100.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble-funded by the King County Library System Foundation.

Check out www.kcls.org/librarycardcontest/ for all the details

DID YOU KNOW?
From the KCLS Homepage you can access practice tests for the WASL and SAT tests.

We have partnered with Brainfuse to offer this new online tutoring service.

Visit www.brainfuse.com for all the details.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:

• Saturday, April 4th at 1pm: ‘Recess Monkey’ Live! Will Hop Bump and Bounce into Spring! All ages. Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild
• Wednesday, April 29th 10:30am: ‘Nursery Rhymes & Tales’ Puppeteer Peter Allen tells the story of ‘The Little Duckling Who Couldn’t Quack’ All ages. Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• To see our entire list of upcoming events and programs, click here.

Visit the KCLS Programs page for a complete list of programs throughout the Library System.

BOOK REVIEW:
“Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America” by Erik Larson.

A true ‘thriller’ in every sense of the word!

Local writer Erik Larson’s research illuminates the genius behind the innovative 1893 Chicago ‘World Columbian Exposition’.

Daniel H. Burnham, architect of the fair, was responsible for the construction of the famous ‘White City’ around which the fair was built. There were numerous obstacles, including the death of this partner, that had to be overcome.

At the time the Exposition was going on another sort of genius was busy in Chicago as well – serial murderer, H.H. Holmes, was entrapping young women in his home and executing them in a sealed room while he watched them die.

Larson weaves these two stories together as skillfully as any novelist, but the difference here is that these two stories really happened.

Absolutely gripping!

Comes in large print, on CD and is available for download as an ebook from the KCLS homepage as well.

See you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Scott Schaefer
Publisher/Editor

It’s always a risk to do an April Fool’s joke issue of any publication, and The B-Town Blog is no exception – as many of you know by now, yesterday’s edition was devoted to entirely fake “news” stories based in the Burien area (with the one exception of my birthday tribute to J.P. Patches, which was very, very serious).

Being a former full-time comedy writer, I must confess (and perhaps apologize) that it’s in my genes to try and have fun with stories and words. Growing up with a funny Dad who was always cracking jokes, I guess I became enamored with the rewards of making others laugh. Once I got my hands on my first Mad Magazine, I never looked back. In fifth grade I published my own attempt at a humorous newspaper (ripping off, er, inspired by Mad) and sold it to family members for 25-cents apiece. At Highline Community College, I edited a special April Fool’s edition of the Thunderword student newspaper and called it the Thundergag. I love writing fake news stories and think that sometimes there’s nothing funnier (can you tell I’m a fan of The Onion?). Even when I wrote and directed for “The Arsenio Hall Show” I printed my own ‘zine targeted at the small demographic of about seven other comedy writers. In between all these gigs I found time to do some TV work, yet now here I am, back doing the printed word.

And loving it.

In case you missed it, nine comedy bits were published yesterday (writing help came from Mark Neuman, Gina Bourdage and a former neighbor, Stefan Hovland, who all helped tremendously):

• BREAKING: Ex-Office Depot Space To House Strip Club
• EXCLUSIVE: B-Town Blog Interviews Laser-Pointing Culprit
• UPDATE: No Morton Today
  
• PHOTO: Vandals Knock Over Part Of “The Passage”
• Burien’s Little Theater To Perform All-Nude Musical
• BREAKING NEWS: Mayor Nickels Suffers Injury In Burien
• BREAKING: King County To Fence In North Highline Area
• City Of Burien To Impose 20% Tax On All Internet Use
• Highline Hysterical Society File: Burien’s Forgotten Festival

The most rewarding aspect of publishing yesterday’s gag edition was the slew of Comments, emails and yes, even a couple of inquisitive voicemails – one from a local businessperson asking for more info on the “new strip club,” the other from a man whose business monitors the internet for “terrorist news” (he was very interested in the interview with the laser pointing culprit, and he found the story through searching the keywords “laser” and “airport”).

Here’s a short collection some of the best Comments:

BREAKING: Ex-Office Depot Space To House Strip Club

Dona Forrester: “I hope this is an April Fools Joke also? This would be terrible for Burien!”

Christine: “Gosh I hope this is an April Fools joke too…yikes….empty space beats a strip joint any day.”

PHOTO: Vandals Knock Over Part Of “The Passage”

<<<”…some dude with artsy glasses and a girly ponytail starting screaming like he was having a seizure around 15:30 hours. He called 911 on his cute red iPhone, so now we’re stuck here investigating. And I was just about to head down to The Tin Room for
Happy Hour”>>>

K & D : you’re SO fortunate to have such dedicated public servants (sic)

Lisa B: “So the sculpture isn’t really down?”

luuuupus: “I, for one, like the new name and theme.”

Dave: “You suck at photoshop…” (EDITOR’S NOTE: I know, and I’m surprised my sucky job fooled anyone!)

BREAKING: King County To Fence In North Highline Area

too embarassed 2 say: “I didn’t fall for Google’s, or UW Daily’s, but then I saw this title in the RSS feeds, and for a second I was totally wondering…”

From a marketing perspective, yesterday’s prank issue has apparently become viral, as our daily traffic tripled, and is tracking very high today (yesterday and today’s traffic are the 2 right bars in the chart to the left). It appears that a lot of people are sending email links to the site.

If you’d like to, just click here and forward this date-specific URL via email so others can, um…enjoy it.

Several blogs linked to our “Strippers on Segways” story, including Nerve.com out of New York City:

It’s also interesting to note that if you do a search for the stock symbol of Office Depot (ODP) on Google Finance, the top story in the upper right sidebar section of news stories is ours:

Perhaps the most intimidating response was a voicemail left early Thursday morning from a man named Morgan, with a company called “Global Incident Event,” which tracks “terrorist activity” on the internet. He wanted to know more about our interview with “Floyd the “laser culprit.” I called Morgan on the phone and said “April Fool’s!” and he admitted to forgetting what yesterday was when he read his news feed for the keywords “laser” and “airport.” Morgan apparently wans’t too hip to Pink Floyd lyrics, but several of his subscribers include numerous government intelligence agencies.

Gulp.

In conclusion, to everyone and anyone who was fooled by our issue – I am very, very sorry.

We’ll see again on April 1, 2010.

by Shawn Underwood

While perusing the shops of B-Town the other day, I stumbled across a light-post lying across the sidewalk.

Hold on, what’s this and why isn’t it standing up like the other light posts?

I looked around for crushed and damaged cars, or heaven forbid, people, anything that the heavy light post could have destroyed when it fell down. I see nothing that gives me an indication of what happened, and I wasn’t able to offer my assistance in first aid or use the “Kiss of Life”. I guess I was too late.

DEAD LIGHTPOLE MYSTERY SOLVED
What kind of kamakazi driver would mow the light post down? Hmmm. I wondered about this when I entered, Cucina, the local kitchen store. Perhaps they will be able to shed some light on the downed post. They know me well and inquire after my dogs, Mr. Big and Mr. Small. After a rousing doggy discussion we move on the important topic at hand. What do I want to buy? Now completely distracted, I spy a garlic press. Pleased with my purchase and nearly ready to leave the store, I suddenly remember the purpose of my visit.

“What happened to the dead light-post taking up most of the sidewalk?”

Ever the diplomat, the store employee says, “I don’t think I was here that day.”

“Well, what day did it happen?” I said.

“I don’t recall.” Further questioning turns up no solid leads.

“No worries, I’ll see you later.”

Underwood/Undercover always gets her story. I have a snitch that I rely on when my interviewing skills defeat me. I’m not sure he’ll be around; it’s a bit late for him, but I decide to drive by anyway.

Sure enough “PUMPKIN-HEAD” is sitting in his old hangout, a well weathered bench with a view of passing traffic.

“Hey PUMPKIN-HEAD, how are you doing? Did you enjoy the festivities on the 31st?”

“You feel neglected and are tired of wearing the same old thing?”

AN UNLIKELY SNITCH
“Well, why don’t you ask the guy with the long ears for a change of clothes? I think he visits around Easter.”

“He may even give you some candy egss, but I wanted to talk to you about a serious subject.”

“There’s been a “hit” on one of your friends in B-Town.” The new light-post has been taken out. Do you know anything about this? I mean who would do such a thing? Leaving a brand new post laying dead in the road like that, it’s not right.”

“Ask Jack?”

“Jack who?”

“Jack in the Box.” Says PUMPKIN-HEAD.

“Do you think Jack is responsible for the light-post fatality?”

PUMPKIN-HEAD shows me the article he retrieved from the internet, which reads as follows:

After languishing for weeks in a hospital bed following a nearly fatal run-in with a bus, Jack, the iconic founder and namesake of Jack in the Box(r) restaurants, emerged from his coma earlier this week and made his first public appearance today. http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6641782.html?industryid=47553

“Thanks, PUMPKIN-HEAD, my readers will be relieved, we just can’t have this type of destruction in B-Town, and Jack is suffering the consequences of leaving his free standing restaurant.”

If you ask me, he is a bit uppity ever since he acquired a new log.

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 Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Greetings and salutations to all B-Town Bookworms from your Empress of Information!

DID YOU KNOW?

• The King County Library System now offers downloadable books, audio books, video, and music from several sources. Just visit: http://www.kcls.org/ecollection/ for all the downloadable details.

• February is “Black History Month” so be sure to check out Burien’s book display celebrating the event. The Burien Library also houses the “African American Achievement” collection located in the Teen Zone.

• Our brand new Burien Library is really taking shape! Have a look at all the construction pictures at http://www.kcls.org/bond/burien/ and get ready for our Grand Opening Celebrations!! Date to be announced. To whet your appetite, here’s a photo – check out the nice curved windows and view:

• FREE Job Hunting Seminars @ the Burien Library. Monday evenings 6:30-8:30pm, Feb 23rd, Mar 2nd, Mar 9th, and Mar 16th. Don’t miss this great series that brings experts from the human resources and recruiting world to share job search tips, resume do’s and don’ts and information on online applications and government jobs. Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild. Call or visit the Burien Library for seminar details.

• “Your Money or Your Life” presented by Liesbet Trappenburg @ the Burien Library on Saturday February 28th beginning at 1pm. This program is part of KCLS’s ‘Fiscal Fitness’ series, visit http://www.kcls.org/events/fiscalfitness.cfm for all program listings.

• 2009 ‘Literary Lions Gala’ March 7th beginning at 6pm at the Bellevue Library. Nancy Pearl of ‘Book Lust’ fame will emcee the event and Garth Stein author of ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ is the keynote speaker. See http://www.kcls.org/literarylions/ for all the details.

• Check out all the fabulous programs in our ‘Many Voices, One Land’ series ‘celebrating the traditions of many cultures that bring us together in community’ including:

• The Burien Library will host ‘Discovering Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, a Community Research Project’ Saturday March 21st 1-3pm, visit http://www.kcls.org/manyvoicesoneland/ for a list of all the programs being offered throughout the King County Library System.

• The White Center Library will host ‘Songs & Stories of the Coast Salish Peoples’ on Wednesday March 4th at 6:30pm

• PLEASE NOTE: Story Time at the Greenbridge Library is now at 2pm every Wednesday for ages 2-6 with an adult. More info here.

BOOK REVIEW:
“Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life” by Alice Schroeder.

Ever wonder how to become a billionaire?

Read how Warren Buffett, a decidedly low key and down home personality became one of the richest men in the world.

Author Alice Schroeder gets up close to the highly private and personal life of Mr. Buffett. Includes insights on his personal and business friendships and dealings with such persons as Kay Graham (owner of the Washington Post) and Bill Gates.

Buffett, an Omaha native, lives a very unconventional life, from ‘elephant bumping’ with the world’s elite to maintaining his marriage to Suzie Buffett who lives separately in California.

A great read!

(Also available on CD).

See you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Matt Marble

Everybody has rules.

A common one is that you never mess with a man’s family.

This is what happens in the action thriller “Taken.”

Bryan (Liam Neeson), a former secret agent living in the US,  is very skilled in hand-to-hand combat, divorced, and he loves his 17-year-old daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) who lives with his ex-wife and her new husband Stuart (Xander Berkeley).

Kim wants to take a vacation in Europe with her friend Amanda (Katie Cassidy), and together follow U2’s European tour. But when they arrive in Paris, they get kidnapped by some thugs and are forced into the sex trade.

When Bryan finds out, he heads to France and starts knocking down doors…and busting heads. With only 96 hours before she vanishes forever, time is not on his side.

The film demonstrates that a father’s love knows no bounds. From the very beginning, you can feel the connection that Bryan longs to have with his daughter. Giving up his “career” to be closer to her is a sign of this. “Taken” is filled with action and violence, but also has a good feeling of family and love.

Written by Luc Besson (“The Fifth Element”) & Robert Mark Kamen, and Directed by Pierre Morel (“The Transporter”), “Taken” is rated PG-13.

“Taken” was #2 at the box office last weekend, and has brought in over $100 million bucks; it’s playing at several area theaters – click here to see locations and showtimes.

Here are some clips of the movie to whet your appetite:

[EDITOR'S NOTE: "Matt's Movies" is a regular movie-review column written by Matt Marble, a 17-year old student at Highline School District's Big Picture High School.

If you have a movie you'd like for him to review, please email him.

Look for more of his movie reviews and other articles soon on The B-Town Blog!]

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Happy belated New Year as well as a premature Valentine’s Day to all!

Please Note:

All King County Libraries will be Closed Monday February 16th for Presidents Day.

DID YOU KNOW?
That the King County Library System offers many programs and program series throughout the county that are  FREE and open to all:

• See details of our “Many Voices, One Land” series here: http://www.kcls.org/manyvoicesoneland/
• See details of our “Fiscal Fitne$$” series here: http://www.kcls.org/events/fiscalfitness.cfm
• For a complete list of all programs here: http://www.kcls.org/programs/index.cfm
• To see a complete list of all KCLS Libraries OPEN HOURS and LOCATIONS: http://www.kcls.org/locations/index.cfm

BOOK REVIEW:
“Puss ‘n Cahoots” (Mrs. Murphy) by author Rita Mae Brown

If you like mysteries, small towns, and animals as detectives, then the “Mrs. Murphy” mysteries are for you.

“Puss ‘n Cahoots” is the 14th in the series where all the animals belonging to Mary Minor ‘Harry’ Haristeen, post mistress of a small Virginia town, get in on the action.

In this series the critters serve not only as friendly human companions but are central characters in the story.  They find clues, solve mysteries, and most importantly, protect ‘Harry’.

Mrs. Murphy (tabby) is the brains of the operation, lazy Pewter (a slightly overweight cat) and Tee Tucker (corgi) exuberant and fearless, team up with a wide range of farm and wild animals to uncover who done it every time.  A fun twist on the relationship between animals and their humans, discussed from the animal’s point of view.

Many of the books in the ‘Mrs. Murphy’ series are available in audio format and in Large Print.  Check the KCLS catalog here: http://catalog.kcls.org/

Highly recommended!

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AT THE BURIEN LIBRARY:

Preschool Story Times:

• Tuesdays at 10:30am
• Ages 3-6 with an adult

Toddler Story Times:

• Wednesdays at 11:15am
• Ages 24months to 36 months with an adult.

Early Toddler Story Times:

• Thursdays at 10:30am
• Ages 12 – 24 months with an adult

Lapsit Story Times:

• Fridays at at 11am
• Ages 6-12 months with an adult

Cuentos en Español:

• Thursdays at 6:30pm
• Ages 2 and older
• Stories and songs in Spanish and English

Sweet Songs!

• A Nancy Stewart Concert
• Wednesday February 11th at 10am

Happy Valentines Day!!

• Ages 3-7 with an adult.

Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Shawn Underwood

Joe, my undercover Money Manager advises:

“The number one non-necessity item that people are cutting back on in these economic hard times is vacations.”

Sigh.

But hey, let’s look on the bright side…who needs a respite from the stress of the current gloom and doom financial forecast when real relief is right here in our own backyard?

At least once a week, I travel to France. Yes, you read that right – once a week, I go to the land of “mais, oui monsieur” right here in B-Town central. Nirvana waits at my local Key Bank Automated Teller Machine. And, no, I am not desperate enough for some vacation monies to rob the bank.

As I slip my well-used magnetically encoded bankcard into the “insta-poor” machine, the money dispenser reads: “What language do you speak?” Feeling somewhat daring and oh-so-continental I opt for French – not too much of a stretch since I have the cash machine buttons memorized.

A brief adrenaline rush jolts through my body as I read (more like look for familiar pictures or symbols) the Francoise language that appears on the screen. Confidence, self-esteem, and a jaunty aire suddenly posses me. I stand a bit taller and wish I were wearing something other than sweats – the Europeans don’t wander around in their son’s tattered cast-offs. I then wonder if Yummy Tummy malks berets that make your head seem slimmer…

Memories of fresh tantalizing mouth-watering baguettes taunt my senses. An impatient “ahem” escapes from the harried fellow behind me.

After my two-second day dream, I realize the machine is beeping at me, and the crisply dressed dromedary-shaped fellow glares at me. Taking my time to review my receipt from the kiosk computer with the touch pad screen (fancy foreign word for ATM), I saunter over to my cube on wheels. Camel guy is incensed with my dawdling; l’idiot obviously has no imagination!

Feeling confident from my imaginary trip to Nice, France, on the Cote D’Azur, I programmed the destination on my Blackbird navigation system in Francois: destination–ma maison naturellement.

“Tournez a`gauche dans un mille” emanates from the speaker of my Honda Element. Gauche? What a strange word for left, as I try to assimilate this into my singular language thinking, the uppity French lady (she sounds uppity, honest!) instructs me to turn around.

“Tournez autour.”

No please or thank you as I follow her directions. Just “Tournez autour.”

I turn off the navigation system and switch to the radio, hoping she will find another satellite to haunt.  After all, I do know my way home and she is just plain rude. Dory Monson on 710 AM is rudely interrupted after just a few minutes by “Madam Destination Explanation”:  “Tournez autour.”

In a few short minutes my magical French mystery tour turns into sour French milk, the hard crust of the baguette now just a stale memory. Mademoiselle Navigation will not be ignored until I arrive at my destination her way.

De chien!

I may as well have the direction-Nazi (spousal unit of course) as my co-pilot, because at least I can shout back at him, c’ept not in Deutsch.

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 Matt Marble

Most movie buffs think that Clint Eastwood was at his prime playing Dirty Harry or starring in one of his many “spaghetti” westerns.

But I think that Gran Torino proves that Eastwood is still in his prime, as both a leading Actor and Director.

He stars as Walt Kowalski, a retired autoworker and Korean War Vet, who’s not afraid to pronounce his hatred for…well everybody.

When a Hmong teenager tries to steal his mint condition 1972 Gran Torino, his temper flares. After the failed carjacking, the boy’s family insists that he repays Walt by working odd jobs. Over time, Walt gets used to the kid. A series of events lead to a very heartfelt and memorable climax.

In the beginning of the film, I was unsettled by the anger that Eastwood possessed for the Hmong people, but by the end, you can witness the transformation from angry old man to caring neighbor.

You don’t have to be a fan of Clint Eastwood to enjoy Gran Torino – just a fan of great storytelling…and remember, this film is rated R for a reason.

Gran Torino is playing at many local movie theaters; you can find movietimes here.

Here’s the trailer for the film, which was ranked #1 at the box office last weekend, as well as an AP feature on Eastwood:

[EDITOR'S NOTE: "Matt's Movies" is a regular movie-review column written by Matt Marble, a 17-year old student at Highline School District's Big Picture High School.

If you have a movie you'd like for him to review, please email him.

Look for more of his movie reviews and other articles soon on The B-Town Blog!]

by Josh Hart

With all the flooding recently I wanted to find someone to talk to about what happened to them. I realized that someone very close to me had been affected, my great grandma and grandpa (Betty and Glen).

When I talked to them about the flooding this is what I found out:

Last Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 7th), they started to get phone calls from Pierce County Emergency Management saying that they should move to a higher location for the night. When Glen went to the store he saw that the water was getting pretty high on the roads. They debated leaving; they hadn’t had any flooding in their housing area yet.

They finally decided they were in danger when two fire trucks drove through the area with sirens on and announcing to everyone to “evacuate immediately” over their loudspeakers.

Their housing area is in Orting, between the Puyallup River and the Carbon River. Both rivers were over their banks and were starting to flood the roads. Many of the stores were closing so they decided they would leave the area.

They were worried and didn’t know what to expect. They didn’t know what belongings they should take with them or how long they would have to be out of the area. They had many people offer them a place to stay but didn’t know where the best place to stay was. Many of them were too far to drive to at the time, because traffic was so bad.

That night they stayed at a motel in Sumner and listened to the flood news on TV. The next morning it seemed like it would be safe to go home. So at about 9am in the morning they headed back to their housing area in Orting. It took them longer than usual, because the traffic was bad again.

While they were driving home they saw some places that were underwater. As they crossed the Carbon River, the water was coming right up to the banks. Despite the dangerous conditions, they got home safely and found that there was no damage to their yard or their house. It seems like their housing area hadn’t been affected at all.

They were thankful everything was safe and they were happy to be home with all their belongings and things they cherish safe and unharmed. 
And I am happy that my great-grandparents were spared and harm or damage.

However beautiful Orting is, it can still be very dangerous, not because of the two rivers, but because it lies in the shadow of Mt. Rainier.

View Larger Map

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is the B-Town Blog's first Intern! He's also a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac.

You can read more of his writing here...]

by Josh Hart

Hello people of Burien, this is your city here – I want to talk with you a little about what I want to happen in 2009.

In 2009 there are many resolutions I want – no, need – from you, the people of Burien:

• I want to see my streets clean. If you have walked around my streets you know they are very dirty. There is litter everywhere and it makes me upset that you treat me like that. If you stop littering the return will be great for you. I, as your city, will be healthier for you.
• Another thing I want you to do for me is ride the bus. There are so many cars on my roads, if you take the bus it will pollute my air less and also be better for you. The bus is also cost efficient if you get a yearly pass, it saves you a lot on gas money.
• I also want you to strive to do good for your fellow citizen. Help someone in need. Give to a food bank. Open a door for one of my little old ladies. Smile at each other. Buy some dude a brewski at Elmer’s for cryin’ out loud…
  
• The last thing I want from you is to help fight crime. There is so much crime around on my streets. Especially around the park and ride. If everyone helps by not just ignoring crime, it will make me a better place.

So please help me become better and you will be better off for it.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is the B-Town Blog's first Intern! He's also a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac.

You can read more of his writing here...]

by Shawn Underwood

If I do say so myself…ahem, I am an unusually calm and cool driver.

Even in the calm and cool snowstorm we just survived.

Unforeseen curbs, sidewalks and even an errant jaywalker rarely cause me any distress.

However, this last week, I cannot contain myself any longer – Burien drivers (and you know who you are!) are summarily grounded when the snow falls!

RANT: DO NOT drive in the snow unless you know what the ‘H-E-Double-Toothpick’ you are doing!

Snow accumulation of one-inch or more constitutes a universal ”inept snow driver stay at home” grounding. This rule must be enforced by all police officers on patrol. I don’t care if you are having a much-needed coffee break in U.U. office at Starbucks, get out there and control the mayhem! Underwood-Undercover is willing to make a Citizen’s Arrest whenever her services are needed. No need for the errant driver to know that she officially deputized herself, like some arrogant female Barney Fife (a great role model if ever there was one).

RANT: A slick tire is a type of tire that has no tread pattern; these tires are used on RACECARS, not your Volvo! DO NOT attempt to drive in the sleet and slush with worthless wheels on your ancient Volvo, dude.

RANT: Under no circumstances can a weak driver with the dribbles back down (more like slide sideways) a giant hill to try again and “get a run at it.” Other competent, strong forces are trying to get up the hill.

RANT: Plan ahead you boofus, especially if Grandpa Joe is driving in geezer gear ahead of you. Use the horn man, and slip-slide your way around him. Oncoming traffic can be flashed off with multiple blinks of headlights. Again – it’s every (snow)man for himself.

RANT: Pedestrians – get the ‘H-E-Double-Toothpicks’ off the main road. Put on your freakin’ snow boots and walk (trudge) on the non-existent sidewalk. I know it’s hard going but it’s better than being run over by “Mr. Volvo Slick Tire.”

RANT: Do not stop in the middle of the already very narrow plowed main road to “help” a motorist stuck in the snow bank in the center of the road. For Gawd’s sake man, how are the other drivers supposed to: first of all stop, and second of all, get around you? Being an upstanding citizen does not negate using common sense!

Underwood-Undercover cannot think of any actual Raves with regards to driving in the snow; but sledding in the snow = plenty of raves.

RAVE: To U.U.’s daughter, who found an awesome steep driveway with plenty of trees to dodge (more exciting) and zero sledders competing for the steepest path. Way to go!

RANT: The very steep hill of Tuffie’s 1 and 2 (an aforementioned columnist’s favorite neighborhood dogs) is awesome for sledding, but dude! Where is the lookout on the bottom of the hill? U.U. has twice narrowly missed snow-blind boarders sliding right onto Maplewild.

As I look at my column now, I see that I have only one Rave.

Sad but true, but remember a Driver (especially a lame-o snow driver) is a “club with a wooden head.”

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 Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Holiday Salutations my Dear Readers from your Burien Library Empress of Information™!

Despite the winter wonderland-ness of the recent weather, it’s nice to be dug out of the snow…and I never thought I’d appreciate seeing the cement in our parking lot as much as I do now!

SCHEDULE UPDATE:

• On New Year’s Eve, all Libraries will close early at 5pm (Wednesday, December 31st).
• All Libraries will be CLOSED on New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1st).

DID YOU KNOW?
You can access lots of business and investing information including the ‘Valueline’ & ‘Morningstar’ databases through the KCLS databases page, which is located here – all you need is a current KCLS library card and a current pin number (usually the last four digits of your phone number).

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:

• Holiday Magic! A Children’s program (NOT story time) Wednesday, December 31st at 10:30am for children 5yrs and older.  Magician Jeff Evans and his trained reindeer will perform card tricks!  Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• Opera Preview: Wednesday January 14th beginning at 7pm, learn about “Blue Beards Castle & Erwartung” by Schoenberg, presented by Norm Hollingshead and sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• Highline ESL Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 6pm.  No registration is required – first class of the new year is Tuesday January 6th. Free English as a Second Language classes for adults
• Study Zone (K-12): Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays in Janurary beginning at 3:30pm, And Sundays January 11th, 18th, and 25th beginning at 2pm.  Drop in and Get Help with Your Home Work from our volunteer tutors! More information here.

BULLET POINT BOOK REVIEW:
‘Touchstone’ by Laurie R. King

• A suspenseful tale set in the English countryside circa 1926.
• Politics, old families, class struggle, and love set the stage for this compelling drama.
• The story opens as FBI agent Harris Stuyvesant arrives in England to ‘informally’ follow the trail of a possible bomb-making union organizer, whose latest work in America has rendered Stuyvesant’s younger brother incompetent.
• Stuyvesant gets no help from the British government and is about to give up when he is inadvertently put in touch with Aldous Carstairs, a very shadowy British operative whose motives for helping Stuyvesant are at the very least questionable.
• The touchstone in ‘Touchstone’ is a British veteran of WWI by the name of Bennett Grey.
• Carstairs has worked with (and exploited) Grey in the past and knows of his uncanny abilities- now Carstairs is looking for ways to control and use him again.
• To Carstairs, Stuyvesant looks like the perfect patsy to help him reclaim his leverage over Grey.
• The story is further complicated by Grey’s sister Sarah, who Stuyvesant seems to be falling for.
• This is a page turner with a surprise ending that will leave you wanting more.
• Highly recommended!
• Also available in large print and on CD.
• For a list of the Best Books of 2008, visit this website.

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Greetings again Dear Readers from your very own Burien Library’s Empress of Information™!

I am certain that, like me, you’re all very thankful this time of year for all the goodness contained within.

I’m speaking of course about “within” hardcovers, softcovers and other covers used to contain excellent reading materials like you’ll find at your very own Burien Library.

What did you think I meant?

I don’t normally shout, but this is important (yet oh-so-obvious):

ALL KING COUNTY LIBRARIES WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY NOV. 27TH FOR THANKSGIVING DAY!

Hey, did you know that the new Greenbridge Library is NOW Open! It’s located at 9720 8th Ave SW in White Center – visit it in person or check out this website for details on the grand opening.

Greenbridge Library’s hours are:

• Monday-Wednesday 11am-6pm
• Thursday 1-8pm
• Saturday 12-4pm
• Closed Fridays & Sundays

DID YOU KNOW?
You can access thousands of full text newspaper and magazine articles through the King County Library website  Full-Text Magazines & Journals In KCLS Databases – search here when you are looking for a specific title, visit http://www.kcls.org/databases/ for a complete details.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN:

THE RAIN-DEER,  PRESENTED BY ROWBES PUPPET PRODUCTIONS
Saturday, November 29, 2008, 3pm at the White Center Library – this puppet show is for children & their families
. And anyone who likes puppet shows (and who doesn’t really?).

POPCORN CLASSICS: CHILDREN’S FILMS
Tuesday, December 02, 2008, 10:30am at the Burien Library –These films are for children 3 years & up along with their families

A SEASON FOR SINGING: A CHILDREN’S CONCERT
Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 10:30am at the Burien Library.  Celebrate Holiday traditions from around the world with Nancy Stewart.  This program is for children & their families.  Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.

WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD HOLIDAY BAZAAR & MAGIC SHOW
Saturday, December 6, 2008, from 11am 3pm at the White Center Library – shop for gifts at the Bazaar and bake sale, Magician Jeff Evans will perform at 2:30pm – this event is for everyone, and is sponsored by the White Center Library Guild.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS:

OPERA PREVIEW: GEORGES BIZET’S THE PEARL FISHERS
Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 7pm at the Burien Library, presented by Norm Hollingshead and sponsored by the Burien Library Guild. This program is for adults.

Visit the King County Library programs page at: http://www.kcls.org/programs/index.cfm for a complete listing of programs county wide.

BULLET POINT BOOK REVIEW:
Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier (fiction)

• Twelve year old Will sets out on his own to run a remote trading post in Cherokee country.
• Lots of interesting history and background of the Cherokee people and life in pre-Civil War America.
• A love story
• An adventure
• And a bit of history too
• A good read – highly recommended!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Shawn Underwood

The roads and lane dividers in the Burien intersections cannot get much worse.

Seriously, with all of the weaving required due to hastily applied road lines and dashes, we may as well be living in the Wild West, and revert to riding horses. Hayes Feed and Country Store, (formerly Kirk’s Feed Store) on SW 152nd, has enough hay to feed 100 starving mustangs – now all they need are hitchin’ posts in place of the parking stalls in the front.

The kindergarten chalk marks (lane lines) on SW 148th, and on the cross streets of First Ave. South and SW 160th require Mario Andretti-like driving skills.

More than once I have witnessed zombie-like drivers attempting to drive through an intersection, and then stop in the middle of it.

“Where in tarnation is my lane?” they say to themselves.

Once through the collision course intersection, take care not to run over the new constructed curb. The protrusion juts into the intersection, leaving the now thoroughly annoyed driver to either drive over the curb, or simply veer into the adjacent lane. This leads to “near misses” and most certainly to angry fists waving out the window, sometimes accompanied by foul language not printable in Underwood/Undercover’s column.

I wonder if the operator of city “lane-painting” machine is an artist. I imagine the dreadlocked artist thinking to himself, “Hmmm, these straight lines are so boring, a curvy line is really much more pleasant to look at.”

I personally take a deep breath when I motor behind people who get confused by the bumper car lanes. Maybe they are not “locals,” and are unaware of the haphazard lanes in the intersections, or perhaps a “Burienite” is late to work and looking for the toothpaste/toothbrush stashed in their deli-wagon.

Maybe it’s a test by the powers-that-be in the city of Burien. If we can navigate crooked laned intersections without causing mayhem and destruction, then possibly they will budget more money for planting REAL flowers in the center partition of 148th Avenue.

At one time cherry-colored pansies adorned the long median of SW 148th. Then the flowers were gone, not wilted, just dug up in the middle of the night. Some joker put a fake palm tree or some such thing in the median to replace the rainbow colored flowers. Possibly a hint to the city to plant REAL flowers, giving the taxpayers something to look at as we wait for the police to clear the inevitable fender bender in the poorly-painted intersection of death.

So, I am all about improving our little known oasis fondly known as “ B-Town,” but let’s get our priorities (or at least the lanes) in the intersections straight.

Otherwise, I guess I should be looking for a good “used” horse that can walk a straight line!

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 Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

For the legions of all my literary (and librarian) fans out there, you may recall that this column was once entitled “Shush!” (a very stereotypical personification of us Librarians, but that’s another story).

Well I have some good news and some bad news – first, the good news:

This feature has now been re-titled “From the Empress of Information”!

That’s right, say goodbye to “Shush!” forever.

The bad news: the smartypants citizen who came up with the original title is still involved as “Editor,” albeit as a much more sheepish one who’s relegated to a secret “Study Room” that doubles as a storage closet.

And now, on with my column:

SUMMER READING PROGRAM A HUGE SUCCESS!

• The King County Library System’s Summer Reading Program was a huge success this year.
• Over 40,000 children signed up!
• Congratulations go to Cathy Ngo, White Center Library winner of the laptop computer drawing for teens – good for you Cathy!!

TEMPORARY LIBRARY CLOSURE:

The following library branches will be closed the morning of Thurs., Oct. 9th for staff training:

• Burien Library
• Boulevard Park Library
• White Center Library
• Vashon Library

The Burien Library will open at Noon, while the Boulevard Park & White Center Libraries will open at 1pm, and Vashon Library will open at 2pm.

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN:

• October Story Times in Spanish for children and families:
  • Thursdays @ the Burien Library beginning at 6:30pm
  • Mondays @ the Boulevard Park Library beginning at 7pm
  • Saturday Oct 4th & 11th @ the White Center Library beginning at 1:30pm
• October Story Times in Vietnamese for children and families:
  • Tuesdays @ the White Center Library beginning at 7pm
• Study Zone @ the Burien Library – Drop in for help with your homework!
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning at 3:30pm (K-12)

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS:

• Front Porch Theater is Wed., Oct 15th starting at 7pm!
  • Participate in an informal dramatic reading of Robert Penn Warren’s ‘All the Kings Men’ (adapted for stage by Adrian Hall) presented by the Intiman Theater.
  • Check out http://www.kcls.org/programs/index.cfm for a complete listing of all programs offered in our Libraries!

DID YOU KNOW?

• The King County Library System offers STARS Training (State Training and Registry System)?
  • Persons requiring STARS-approved continuing education credit can find many of these workshops being offered in our Libraries.
  • Visit http://www.kcls.org/stars/index.cfm for details, listings, and instructions for online signup.

BULLET POINT BOOK REVIEW:

Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring by Richard Preston—(it’s available on CD too)

• A fascinating account of tall tree enthusiasts and scientists who climb and study some of the world’s biggest trees, primarily the Giant Sequoia.
• Until fairly recently no humans were able to venture into the canopy of these huge trees and consequently little was known about canopy ecosystems.
• A ‘wild tree’ is one that has not been climbed nor studied.
• Author Richard Preston (a tree enthusiast himself) follows the work of those few who have developed and mastered climbing techniques that makes study of these amazing trees possible.
• A wonderful addition to the natural history of the pacific coast, reads like an adventure novel.
• Highly recommended.

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the 
Burien Library.

by Shawn Underwood

The other morning I awoke to the sounds of shouting and loud engines. Looking out the window, I noticed a plethora of boats in front of the house.

Hmmm, I guess the salmon are running, says I (which is weird, ‘cuz everyone knows salmon can’t run).

Later in the morning, as we walked the dogs along the beach (and yes, we were packing plenty of plastic poop bags thankyouverymuch), fisherman of all sizes and shapes were wading into the water with those rubber, thigh-high topper boots. They looked pretty serious (or at the very least wealthy) with their giant waders, pocketed vests full of fishing paraphernalia, and brightly colored sharp hook thingies hanging from their hats.

And of course, those $500 fishing rods.

Always looking for a story, I realized this was prime fodder for “Underwood/Undercover’s” column; action in the Three Tree Point neighborhood is usually newsworthy (and easy to cover since I can just walk to it).

After in-depth questioning from U.U., the wading fisherman told me that the annual Three Tree Point fishing derby was today. In fact, it was…right now! The fish “weigh in” was at high Noon on the corner of Three Tree Point. This really piqued my interest because I have not fished in some time and was itching to get out the old pole (rod in fish lingo) again.

Only a few things needed to be done to accomplish my goal:

1. A Fishing license needed to be procured post haste, as we just saw the Coast Guard speeding by. The fish cops were everywhere (I quickly checked my creel for a half-drunk can of Schmidt sport beer. Nope, all clear).
2. Find someone to row my boat – er, I mean fish with me and take notes.
3. Buy tackle at Big 5 Sporting Goods Store, however I had left the remainder of my cash on the table at 909 Coffee and Wine just this morning, so a trip to the cash machine was in order.
   
4. Wash “Ol’ Rusty” the trusty (but rusty) ol’ rowboat and drag it out of the weeds now growing over and into the boat.
5. Launch the boat (in other words, drag it down the hill and throw it over the bank.)

After I procured “the goods” from Big 5, I still needed to find someone to row the boat while I fished for “Walter” (code word for world’s biggest fish).

I found my lazy 18 year-old son in his usual spot – half asleep in front of the television. After much pleading on my part, he grunts something that sounded like: “maybe later.” But then again, I seem to have misplaced by Grunt-to-English Dictionary so I’m not really sure what the heck he said.

“Time is of the essence son, lets go, it will be a wonderful bonding experience!”

These words of encouragement fell on deaf ears. I think it was the utterance of the word “bonding” that sealed my doom.

Or the fact that I failed to translate my English to Grunt.

Seeing my curt dismissal from my son, my long-suffering husband then piped up and said he would be the “horse power” and row our 15-foot sturdy metal skiff (aka “Ol’ Rusty” which, come to think of it, isn’t so sturdy, and not so metallic anymore, and has probably rusted away some of its 15-foot length) while I fished.

After the usual bickering we launched the boat…well, sort of. Spouse rolled the rear-wheeled boat most of the way down the hill, and then pushed it over the bank. The loud crashing noise caused a nearby fisherman to look up, as if to say, “Not sporting old chap!” I noticed that his pipe fell out of his clenched teeth as he stared at us, mouth agape.

We caught a fish immediately with my pink florescent squid that I procured at Big 5. This marvelous little rubber-hooked-bouncer had always brought me good luck on my rare previous fishing forays. Our silver salmon was a good foot-and-a-half and put up quite a fight. We took a picture of the little fellow and let him go. Somehow I didn’t think my brave little fish would suffice for a “weigh in.” I couldn’t bear to keep him, and with my sketchy de-boning skills he would have been sushi by the time I finished with him.

My man-made horsepower rowed us around the point just in time for the weigh-in party. Little did we know that we were in for a treat. The great magician “Castro” (Who? Just in from Cuba perhaps??) performed a host of magic tricks, none of which involved rowing a rusty skiff or de-hooking an angry dogfish. However, the main event was the fish “weigh in,” and the prize awarded the biggest fish tale, I mean fish. The largest salmon weighed in at 17 pounds and had teeth to match. I spotted the usual assortment of dogfish and flounders but the salmon winner was a thing to behold.

And lo and behold – cna you guess which local neighborhood humor columnist won a prize?

Underwood/Undercover may have to take up a new hobby other than reporting the neighborhood happenings. I humbly accepted the “Best Sportsmanship” award, crediting my “man-made-horse-power” engine. Horsepower missed the award ceremonies, since he was just starting his long row back home in Ol’ Rusty, against the current (ha!).

As I walked home after the event, Horsepower loped up behind me. I proudly showed him our award and he held up his broken oar.

“I tied Ol’ Rusty up to a log on the beach,” he said.

The Three Tree Point Fishing Derby is held every year right before Labor Day, so come check it out. Wear your boots, and fish off the shore or procure a boat, hopefully with an engine.

It is my turn to row Ol’ Rusty next year, so I think we better start a few hours earlier.

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 Eric Dickman

Have you ever wondered what happens backstage at a theatre?

Well, you won’t find that out here.

However, you will find out what happens BEFORE there is a backstage.

Burien Little Theatre is getting ready to open “The Rocky Horror Show” (September 26 through November 2 – tickets can be purchased here), and I am the Production Manager.  What that means is that I am the interface between everybody involved in the show and Burien Little Theatre, which is the producer of the show.

Before I explain what that means, let me say a little about how I got here.

Three seasons ago I was one of the people that helped revitalize Burien Little Theatre. After one of our shows from that first season, a group of us volunteers were sitting at The Mark Restaurant (from the beginning, The Mark has been a great supporter). The casts and crews can often be found in the bar there after a show (we often take over the dining room, too).

It was near closing, and we were talking about possible shows to produce in future seasons. The beer was flowing. One of our tech volunteers, a 23-year old, said, “Why don’t you do Rocky Horror?” We loved the idea.

It took a couple of seasons before we could afford the show (this is our biggest budget show, to date). In the interim, we found an actor who we loved for Frankenfurter, and a music director who loved the show. By last January, we were ready to commit to Rocky.

My job started as soon as we officially decided to do the show. That means in January I secured the rights to do the show and started to line up possible directors and designers. The director develops a vision for the show, and the designers execute that vision, with their special additions. I was also smart enough to tag Maggie Larrick, a production manager par exellence to help me out.

Quickly we found a director, Steve Cooper. Burien Little Theatre fans may remember his directorial work from “Waiting for Mr. Green,” “Dracula” and “Mrs. Bob Cratchet’s Wild Christmas Binge.” Steve is great to work with and quickly the show started to take shape, at least in Steve’s mind.

Next, certainly as important if not more so, we found a Stage Manager. Stage Managers run the cast and once the show opens, all key decisions about the running of the show are in the stage manager’s hands. Steve cornered Michelle Rodriguez. Michelle has worked with us before, and she is dream come true.

With Steve and Michelle in place, and knowing this was a big show, I immediately went to the well. In just weeks I had a set designer, Nathan Rodda. Nathan is the in-house set designer for The Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Nathan had done the set for “Dracula.” I knew he was perfect for this show.

Next, came a Lighting Designer. I designed lights for over 30 years, so I have a weak spot for lighting. I needed someone very good, or I would cringe as I watched the show (the curse of having designed lights is that a perfectly good show can be ruined by a misplaced light or bad cue).

Before long, we lined up Dave Baldwin. Dave can do more with a few lights than anyone I know. He worked for years at Intiman. More importantly, he is a gem to work with. No one is better. If you saw “Dracula” or “Lysistrata,” you have seen, and likely loved, Dave’s work.

I was on a roll. Next, the Music Director. I got the guy I wanted. Cool. We needed a Choreographer, Prop Master and a few others, but I had my core in place. We could start working on the show.

What do I do with all these talented people? As Production Manager, my job is to find these people, propose a budget to the Trustees of the theater, which hopefully is passed, and work out the logistics to make the show happen. Thank goodness I have lots of help with the logistics.

Theater at any level is about its budget. At Burien Little Theatre, everyone is a volunteer. We put in hundreds of hours of work a month. Designers, actors and the band each get a small stipend, but that does not even cover the cost of gas for six weeks of rehearsal and six weekends of performances. The rest of us don’t get a stipend. We do it for the love of the theater. Nevertheless, we spend thousands of dollars to put on a show.  Wood, paint, props, fabric for costumes, shoes, make-up, and jells for lights all cost more and more every show. That is why we look to donors, business sponsors and others to support us.

Over the next five months we worked on the show. Ideas were everywhere. Some of them were better than others and some were even possible. The show was on its way. We lined up Shari Barr as our Costumer. She costumed most of all last season, and she had just finished costuming a movie. Our timing was impeccable.

We decided to get some elected officials involved in the show. I started with a visit to the City Council. Kathy Keene was the only one to agree. But who else? The stars lined up. Before long I had City and State officials together with one U.S. Congressman to be a narrator-for-a-night.

Next came auditions. Every show needs a cast.

We had fantastic people come to audition. I sometimes wonder what I add to the audition process, but I would not miss it. It is a thrill to see so many great actors come and give us a glimpse of their talent. We had to turn away at least another full cast of excellent actors.

Steve has a gift for seeing what role each person fits the best. In my next life, I am asking for that gift.

The actor we dreamed of for Frankenfurter came to the audition. He blew us away. He had already memorized the songs. When he sang…well he was “Frank.” He also had his own wild costumes (don’t ask).

We were rolling. Then the sky opened.

First, the night before rehearsals, our Music Director had a personal emergency, and had to drop out. When it comes to a musical, a Music Director, is, well, important.

I was on the phone, as was everyone else involved with the show. The scramble was on. There is a reason why the Production Manager lines up people early. The closer to the show, the harder people are to find.

Next it was “Frank.” He got a promotion at his day job. Great. But that meant he was transferred to San Francisco. Not so great.

Again the scramble was on. If we were honest with each other, Steve, Michelle, Maggie and I would have said we were worried. But no one blinked.

Meanwhile, rehearsals were fully underway. Steve was working the cast. Without a Music Director, we turned to the cast. Luckily, this cast is amazing. They stepped up to the plate and started acting as their own music director. Many casts would not have been up to this challenge (thank you cast).

Around moving the show forward, we searched for a “Frank” and a Music Director. The cast found us a “Frank.” Wow. He fit the bill and more.

We set a date. If we did not have a Music Director by then, we were going without one.

When we could see the opening night date on the horizon, along came Ann Sager (Ann is a friend of Nathan’s). Her day job was Choral Director for a church. We held our breath. Had she seen Rocky (not exactly church music)?

She showed up on a Monday, and sight-read the score for the rehearsal. We were all in love. She was just what we needed. But what about her? After rehearsal she admitted she watched the DVD the night before. Pause. Nervous looks between all of us. Pause. Then Ann said she had costume pieces that would look great on stage.

By the time the whole band showed up to work with the cast, Ann was pounding the 88s, standing and swinging her hair.  Rocky’s devil music had her.

Now, John Flynn, our gifted Set Builder is building the set. We are locating or building props and getting sound effects together, the cast is on the verge of a full run though. Ann needs a synthesizer, but hey, the show looks and sounds great! Hopefully, there will be no more than the usual problems before we get to where we have a backstage to worry about.

“The Rocky Horror Show” opens Sept. 26th and plays through Nov. 2nd at Burien Little Theatre.

Tickets can be purchased online here.

Eric Dickman serves as Vice President of Burien Little Theatre as well as Production Manager for “The Rocky Horror Show.” In his real life, he works as a personal injury lawyer.

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by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

As every faithful library fan knows, the expression “third time’s a charm” was probably first referenced in Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Letters Addressed to R. H. Horne (1839) with the expression ‘The luck of the third adventure.‘

But the reason I’m using it here is because this is my third (and henceforth most charming – so far) column for the wonderful B-Town Blog.

Of course I must start out my column by fulfilling my contractual obligation, else risk losing this wonderful soap box/bully pulpit, which I cherish only slightly less than the smell of books themselves, and that is this word:

SHUSH!

Now that that’s over with, let’s move on to the business at hand…

LIBRARIES CLOSED LABOR DAY:
All King County Library System libraries will be closed Monday Sept 1st for Labor Day.  For a complete list of 2008 library closures please visit http://www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/holidays.cfm.

PROGRAMS:

• Book Discussion Group @ Burien Library
  Wednesday Sept 17th @ 2pm: ‘Three cups of tea: one man’s mission to fight terrorism and build nations– one school at a time’ by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

• Opera Preview
  Wednesday Sept 24th @ 7pm: Norma Hollingshead will be discussing Richard Strauss’ voluptuous epic tragedy of  ‘Eleckra’ – you don’t want to miss this one! Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild

• Programs for teens
  SAT Prep Class Saturdays Sept 20 & 27th, October 4th, 11th & 18th @ 2pm – Presented by Sandweiss Test Prep. Students must attend ALL five sessions.  This series will help prepare students  for all sections of the SAT test.  Practice exams will be scored and returned. Registration BEGINS Sept 2nd.

• Programs for children
  Burien, Boulevard Park, and White Center Libraries ALL have regularly scheduled story times for toddlers and preschoolers, please check the programs page at http://www.kcls.org/programs/index.cfm for dates and times.

DID YOU KNOW?

• King County Library Homepage InfoVote 2008 links to answers for all your election-related questions, from voter registration and polling locations to background on candidates and issues. Start here to find details, context, and analysis to help new and seasoned voters make informed decisions about all candidates and issues on the ballot.
• We Have 2009 Calendars For Sale!
  The Burien Library Guild is now selling 2009 ‘Book Lover’s’ calendars for $7 each. Be sure to stop by the Burien Library for your copy before they are all gone!  All proceeds support library programs and supplies.

BULLET POINT BOOK REVIEW:

Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen (fiction)

• Set in Washington State during World War I
• Plot revolves around the flu epidemic and the advent of organized labor
• A well written tale that knits together dilemmas facing the people of a small logging town
• Spies, union organizers, and fear of disease and death all come into play even as the townsfolk try to shut themselves off from the outside world
• A very good read!

Well, that’s all I’ve got time for this week, but please come back soon for more, and of course come visit your local Library, but in the meantime, please don’t forget to SHUSH!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the 
Burien Library.

by Shawn Underwood

Underwood Undercover here, entering the information superhighway via my coffee hole on-ramp office.

I look around to see what usual suspects are at the office today…er, um…I mean the Starbucks in Normandy Park.

Not only can I get a fresh brewed cup to my liking, I can observe the daily dramas that unfold. Not that I am eavesdropping. It’s not considered eavesdropping when it’s “research material” for my “column.” At times, customers breaking obvious coffee etiquette distract me, and that’s when I pull out my secret weapon: “air quotes.” Only these are used “in print” so “look out”!

Is it okay to talk loudly into your cell phone head set while in Starbucks?

NO, not okay.

One nearby yet unaware individual engages in a conversation over a phone that needs no phone if his intended recipient were within a mile of the booming voice. The only redeeming value in this obnoxious neighbor is the contest to insert made up replies to fill in the “blanks.” A casual observer might think this “Dress For Success” (unsuccessfully) person’s cheese has slipped off her cracker.  And who or what does the blabber look at when they impart their vital news? It is a bit bizarre, talking on one’s phone while others stand by and listen to your conversation. No, this is a definite Starbucks foul. I don’t mind cell phones, as long as they don’t ring; buzzing is okay, and then take your business outside so other busy people such as myself are not privy to your conversation, unless it is good for my “column.”

Underwood Undercover has also observed a certain “Man Ministry” of sorts that takes place at least once a week at her coffee hole. Freshly-scrubbed men of varying ages hold hands, with heads bowed (although I did spot one bowing dude checking out a lycra-clad gym attendee once but perhaps that was a form of “prayer”). Quiet talking ensues (sometimes I think they’re really whispering about me, which they obviously are), and of course tons of coffee is consumed like it’s some sort of holy water. As far as I’m concerned they can have their meeting but I don’t see how they can concentrate on their prayers with all that caffeine coursing through their veins.

Of course who am I to talk – I’m supposed to be writing about happenings in town and here I am watching everyone in my “office.” Whoops, my phone just rang. Forgot the buzzer feature, and just broke my own cardinal rule.

Not only do the “Man Ministry,” and ringing cell phones distract me, but also something else diverts my attention outside today: there are no less than six policemen and three civilians standing outside my headquarters. I check them out closely. Are they about to join hands and pray to the coffee gods? Hmmm…perhaps this will be a good tidbit for my column. I recognize a few of the policeman as “regulars,” so now I can claim that I have my own private protection right here at my place of work, sort of like my own “Secret Service.”

After all, I am Underwood Undercover.

On Sunday, the dynamics change at Starbucks. People flock in for coffee after church. Rummy-eyed parents with soccer/baseball kids in tow rush in for a caffeine pick-me-way-the-heck-up, and large groups congregate (hey, it’s Sunday, congregations are expected!). Empty seats are difficult to find. One family in particular are big offenders of a very obvious rule: “No Squatters Allowed.” They gather most of the chairs around a few tables, thus leaving chair-less tables for the rest of us. This rude family has twenty people in it, and not only are they LOUD, but one of them breaks my DRESS CODE and wears pajama bottoms, posing as pants to my office.

GEEZ!

Then there is the Single Dad and his darling-though-rambunctious child. Said child is about three. Her Dad talks to someone he knows while the small savage runs up, down, and around the displays. I suppose her Dad might finally notice something’s amiss if one of the mugs on the display case crashed to the floor. Rather lazy parenting if you ask me. He has not asked me yet but if he does…Underwood Undercover has her doggy leash in the car, and she’s not afraid to use it.

On someone else’s brat.

So feel free to stop off at Underwood Undercover’s office anytime, especially if you have “newsworthy” information for my “column.”

However, you must follow these rules, or be prepared to suffer the wrath of a totally hyped up and wickedly wired Underwood Undercover:

1. Turn your cell phone to “buzz only.”
2. Wear appropriate attire, no pajamas please.
3. Leash your lively children.
4. Leave at least two chairs to a table.
5. Stop checking out the lycra-clad chicks whilst “praying.”
   

Have a nice day!

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 Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Being that this is only my second column for this upstart electronic media publication, I want to take a moment and let everyone know that I do not believe in the sophomore jinx, and therefore will not even respond to those who wish me ill will for said superstition (knock on wood!).

However, we here at KCLS do have the ability to monitor your every thought, and I know what you’re thinking, so I will now fulfill my contractual vow to the B-Town Blog, and henceforth shout in your general direction the following word:

SHUSH!

Now that that’s over with, let’s move on to the business at hand…

PROGRAMS

• Come to the ABC Afternoon Book Club for 3rd- 6th grade kids! Join Lydia, one of our children’s librarians to discuss The Anybodies by N.E. Bode. Monday, August 4th at 4pm at (where else) your Burien Library.
• Anime & Manga Club for teens.  Come watch anime movies, talk about your favorite anime and manga, graphic novels, or practice drawing manga characters while enjoying snacks at the library.  Wednesday, August 6th at 3:30pm at (duh) your Burien Library.

DID YOU KNOW??

The King County Library System is making the switch to BioBags!

These bags are eco-friendly, 100% compostable and biodegradable.

BioBags are produced from cornstarch and vegetable oil and are designed to decompose in less than one year.

Check out http://www.kcls.org/research/infogreen/bio_bags.cfm for more details.

BULLET POINT BOOK REVIEW

The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber

• Shakespeare buffs take note! This wonderfully written novel of intrigue and suspense is sure to keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next.
• Our story opens with the discovery of an encrypted letter found tucked in the binding of a fire-damaged antiquarian book.
• The letter, written by one Richard Bracegirdle, a 16th century English spy and solider, reveals the existence of a previously unknown Shakespearean play.
• The story revolves around characters both past and present that become, either by design or by circumstance, deeply involved in discovering the location of the Shakespeare manuscript.
• Russian gangsters, English spies, and high profile lawyers with dubious family ties all come to life in this smart and articulate novel by Northwest writer Michael GrubeR.
• Da Vinci Code move over – highly recommended!
• This one is on CD too!

Well, that’s all I’ve got time for this week, but please come back soon for more, and of course come visit your local Library, but in the meantime…SHUSH!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the 
Burien Library.