You know Spring is almost here when we post this annual notice – Burien Parks’ Eggstravaganza, Bunny Breakfast and Spring Egg Hunt is hopping into the Community Center on Saturday, April 3rd, with breakfast, Bunny Photos, various egg hunts for different ages and much more.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Burien Parks’ annual Eggstravaganza, Bunny Breakfast and Spring Egg Hunt.

WHEN: Saturday, April 3rd, with breakfast beginning at 9am.

• 9am-10:45am: Bunny Breakfast

Egg Hunt has staggered Start Times & two locations:

• Community Center Park: Ages Walkers – 7 years 425 SW 144 St
• Dottie Harper Park: Ages: 8-11 years 4th Ave SW & 146th SW

• 11am: Walkers-3 years at Peter Cotton Tails House
• 11:15am: 4-5 years
• 11:30am: 6-7 years
• 11:45am: 8-11 years

WHERE: Burien Community Center (located at 425 SW 144th Street) and Dottie Harper Park (across the street); see poster for details.

COST: Bunny Breakfast is $4/Person (children under 1 eat FREE); includes pancakes, ham, juice, & coffee; $4 FOR Bunny Photos

TICKETS: For info on how to purchase tickets in advance, call Burien Parks at (206) 988-3700, or visit their website here.

INFO: From a poster:

*NEW THIS YEAR! Save Your Spot… Get Your Tickets Now!

Limited Seating Available!

Event held at the Burien Community Center, Auditorium

There will be a FREE, low-tide, nighttime beach walk tonight (Fri., Feb. 26th) at Seahurst Park Beach from 7:30pm to 9pm.

These are always fun, adventurous family (or creative “date night”) outings, where residents can explore the unseen lifeforms that live all around us, yet are seldom seen.

Here’s a blurb from a flier:

Night Low-Tide Beach Walk

MOONLIT WAVES LAPPING THE SHORE

Imagine you’re on the shoreline at a lovely low tide. Rocks that are covered all year lie exposed to view while the sea denizens remain happily cold and wet in the dark.

All around you, people waving flashlights are intently studying the amazing and abundant sea life as local naturalists help you discover the wonders of your Puget Sound shoreline.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Featured Education family event nighttime beach walk at Seahurst Park Beach.

WHEN: Friday, Feb 26th from 7:30 pm to 09:00 pm.

WHERE: Seahurst Park Beach, Burien.

CONTACT: Barb & Darrell Williams via email: darbarwill@gmail.com; phone: (206) 901-1964.

INFO: From a flier:

Join People For Puget Sound, the Burien Environmental Science Center and Seattle Aquarium in a night low-tide exploration.

Adventure with us out into the intertidal zone at our night time beach walk.

Trained naturalists will wow you with intertidal stories of nature-in-action as rocks that are normally covered with water are exposed.

Sea stars, barnacles & crabs of all sorts are just the beginning of what we’ll see.

Bundle up – We adventure rain, sleet or cold so don your winter clothes, boots and a flashlight for best results.

Bonus – we’ll show you the best way to save the critters you’ll see with direct action through our photo postcard campaign.  Be sure to get your picture taken “standing for clean water” before you head down to the beach.

Family-friendly; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Reservations recommended.

BUNDLE UP AGAINST THE WEATHER AND BE SURE TO BRING:

• Bright flashlight with good batteries
• Wading boots (you’ll be in ankle deep water)
• Warm hat & dry gloves

Free and family friendly!

BTB Advertiser Pro Se University wants our Readers to know that Seattle Family Law Attorney and CEO Marie White will be offering FREE Attorney Support on Tuesdays, Feb. 16th and March 2nd, to help you with any family law issue.

Sign up for a free 30-minute appointment now, but keep in mind that there is a limited number of these free appointments available.

For more information, click here.

[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!]

The family of deceased Burien man Mark Ebinger (pictured, left), 25, who was stabbed to death outside Good Time Ernie’s last November, has increased the reward offered to $10,000 in hopes of generating tips that will lead to an arrest.

Mark and his brother Peter, 24, were attacked outside the Burien bar on the morning of November 12, 2009. Mark died from stab wounds at the scene. Peter was stabbed numerous times, but survived.

Detectives believe there were several witnesses to the attack, and these witnesses might have information that could solve the case.

The homicide occurred outside Good Time Ernie’s Pub,  located at 15747 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien.

As we reported on Dec. 28, 2009 when we attended the family’s first press conference at the King County Sheriff’s office:

Peter recalled the attack, saying that a “few words were spoken to someone who was with us in the bar, and I told Mark we should leave…and as we left a group of guys came out the other door, a bottle was thrown at us, then they came at us with knives.”

“I was just scared, and was trying to get away,” Peter said. He also added that Mark was “kind of far away” from him in the parking lot at the time of the attack.

The Ebinger Family at the Dec. 28th press conference.

Peter also added that “someone else had words with one of the guys in the other group…” and he had no idea what was said, but is certain that the attacker(s) were in that group.

Once outside, “one guy came up in my face and tried to take a swing at me and another guy hit me from behind,” Peter continued. “I got stabbed probably six or seven times in the back…”

Peter said he’s “not planning on going back” to Goodtime Ernie’s anytime soon, “and no one I know is going back…”

Despite numerous rumors, there is no definite word on whether the attackers are part of a gang.

Mark Ebinger's brother Peter was also stabbed, but survived.

“We’re all very upset and angry, and well, you can imagine…”

Mark worked at a printing press and mostly did manual labor.

Regarding Mark’s death, Peter said: “It happened real fast and he didn’t feel much pain…”

The investigation is still ongoing.

“We know that someone out there knows something, saw something, or has heard something,” said Jim Laing. “…and that information might seem insignificant to them but it could be the information that cracks this case and we’re appealing to anyone who has any information to come forward.”

Laing continued: “No homicide case is ever closed until it’s closed, and this will remain open until it’s solved.”

On our original Nov. 12th report, there are now 105 Comments, which make for some very interesting reading – see it here – many comments are in scolding tones to those who were there that night but have refused to come forward to identify the suspect(s). Perhaps this higher reward will change that?

Crimestoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information on the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours), or 9-1-1.

Burien Parks will be holding its annual “Daddy Daughter Valentine’s Ball” on Saturday, Feb. 6th at the Burien Community Center, located at 425 SW 144th Street.

There will be two sessions:

1. 1. From 5:30pm to 7pm
2. 2. From 7:30pm to 9pm

Here are the details:

WHAT: Burien Parks’ annual “Daddy Daughter Valentines Ball”

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 6th – two sessions: #1: 5:30pm – 7pm #2: 7:30pm – 9pm

WHERE: Burien Community Center, located at 425 SW 144th Street

COST: $27 per couple & $5 per additional person; Tickets must be pre-purchased.

INFO: Admission includes:

• Flower for each daughter
• Picture in Cupid’s Corner
• Cookies & Punch
• Door Prizes

INFO: For more information, call the Burien Community Center at (206) 988-3700 or visit the Burien Parks website here.

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

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

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

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

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

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER:

5k at 1:00pm:

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

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

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

Here’s a map of the race course:

<a href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/wa/normandy-park/131126275593197103″ mce_href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/wa/normandy-park/131126275593197103″>Official Cove to Clover 5K Route</a><br/><a href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/find-run/united-states/wa/normandy-park” mce_href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/find-run/united-states/wa/normandy-park”>Find more Runs in Normandy Park, Washington</a>

Some other highlights include:

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

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:

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

FAMILY RACE:

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

FINISH LINE FESTIVAL AT BURIEN TOWN SQUARE:

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

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

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

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

We got an email Friday afternoon from Lisanna Fox, who says that her niece Tayvaunna Milam, 15, is missing, and that she “…may be in the South Park, White Center, and Burien area. Can you please post her information on your site?”

So we made some calls, checked with the Washington State Patrol, spoke with her Mother Lydia, and confirmed that this is a legit runaway case, so if you’ve seen Tayvaunna (pictured, left), you are urged to contact the Seattle Police Department at (206) 684-5582, or the WSP Missing Persons Unit at 1-800-543-5678 immediately.

Here’s the email request we received from Lisanna:

My name is Lisanna and I have a 15-yr-old niece that has been missing since the 25th of November. Her name is Tayvaunna Milam. The case has been reported to the SPD, WSP, as well as The Center For Missing And Exploited Children. We have been posting fliers throughout Seattle and the surrounding areas. There has been info relayed to us that she may be in the South Park, White Center, and Burien area. Can you please post her information on your site. The information has been approved by all of the above agencies..thank you for any help that you can offer with getting the word out!! Every little bit helps and I think that it is important that our children know that we care and will go to great lengths for them. Again thank you and Happy Holidays.

Here’s the poster from the Washington State Patrol (download a PDF here if you’d like to post it):

Some helpful links:

• Help The Children Profile Page On Tayvaunna
• PDF Poster from the Washington State Patrol
• Web page & poster  from MissingKids.com

Here’s info directly from a poster:

TAYVAUNNA SHAKAYLA LERONIQUE MILAM
Case Type: Endangered Runaway
DOB: Mar 15, 1994	Sex: Female
Missing Date: Nov 25, 2009	Race: Biracial
Age Now: 15	Height: 5′5″ (165 cm)
Missing City: SEATTLE	Weight: 140 lbs (64 kg)
Missing State : WA	Hair Color: Black
Missing Country: United States	Eye Color: Brown
Case Number: NCMC1136240
Circumstances: Tayvaunna was last seen on November 25, 2009. She is American Indian, Black, and White. Tayvaunna’s ears are pierced.

Burien’s annual WinterFest is coming to Olde and Downtown Burien on Saturday, Dec. 5th from 10am to 5pm, with a bunch of FREE activities for the entire family, including carriage rides, photos with reindeer, kids crafts, hay rides, human (and dog) photos with Santa, along with (not-free) wine tasting and in-store specials.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Burien’s annual WinterFest

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 5th from 10am to 5pm

WHERE: Olde Burien & Downtown Burien

COST: FREE!

INFO: There will also be numerous in-store specials during the day, along with hot treats and the following:

• Free Carriage Rides from 2pm – 5pm
• Free Photos with Reindeer at Goodie Gumdrops
• Free Kids Crafts at Collins Chiropractic
• Free Hay Rides 11am – 3pm
• Free Dog Photos with Santa at The Mark Restaurant
• Wine Tasting at Vino Bello Wine Bar
• Free Photos with Santa at John L. Scott

Main sponsors of the event include:

• Moss Chiropractic
• John L. Scott Real Estate
• Taproot Church
• Prudential Northwest Realty
• Discover Burien

Tonight (Friday Nov. 20th) BTB Advertiser Bison Creek Pizza & Pub will be holding a benefit memorial to honor Mark (last name intentionally omitted), the 25-year old victim of the stabbing fatality outside Goodtime Ernie’s in Burien last Thursday (read our coverage here).

Ian from local band The Cauze will be playing an acoustic (intimate) set.

Here are the details:

• The event will start at 10pm.
• 21+ only please.
• They’ll be collecting donations to help the victims family.
• The funeral will be next Wednesday (Nov. 25th); Bison Creek will be closed during the service, but will re-open at 5pm.
• Mark was an employee of Bison Creek a few years ago, and all of their employees will be attending this service.

Santa will be arriving in Burien to help light up our big fir tree, along with firefighters, the St. Francis School Choir, free treats and much more at the annual Tree Lighting Festival on Wednesday, Dec. 2nd beginning at 6pm.

The ceremony will take place at the large Fir tree at BTB Advertiser’s Y-B Tubless store, located at 633 SW 148th in Burien.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 2nd beginning at 6pm

WHERE: The giant Fir tree at YB Tubless, located at 633 SW 148th

INFO: Santa will arrive with Burien firefighters on a fire engine and the St. Francis School Choir will sing Christmas songs.

Treats and hot beverages will be available for everyone.

We will also be collecting canned food for local needy families.

Come out and enjoy the evening.

Of all the Halloween events happening in Burien this Saturday, you won’t want to miss this one – the 15th annual Haunted House at BTB Advertiser Moss Chiropractic, located at 612 SW 152nd.

The family-friendly fun will run from 1pm to 5pm.

Seems like Dr. Jonna Moss (pictured, left) just loves Halloween. She has since her childhood neighbor turned his house into a haunted house, and she knew that when she grew up she would do the same for other kids.

Moss’ lodge-like Chiropractic Clinic has lots of small rooms, which makes for the perfect haunted setting. This year’s visitors will enter from a castle façade off SW 152nd to walk into a scary (but not too scary), gorey (but not too gorey) display of Halloween horrors which includes 15 staged rooms and 18 total displays of terror. Every room will be a different experience.

Visitors can expect to see zombies, pirates, witches, aliens, werewolfs, vampires and hippies (hippies? Since when were hippies considered scary?).

New to the haunted house this year will be professional lighting and professional special effects. Also for the first time ever, Moss patients will join the staff in scaring the little and big kids of Boorien.

This labor-of-love on the part of Dr. Moss and her 24 volunteers, including patients, staff and friends of staff started last Saturday when everyone met at her home to start painting and sorting the props, walls and other assorted elements. Since this is a working clinic, light decorating began Wednesday, working around the patients. On Friday (Oct. 30th), at 6:30pm, like clockwork, the truck hauling the props and walls will arrive at their door and everyone goes to work for the next four to five hours creating the rooms and displays. They’ll finalize the scary displays Halloween morning at 7am..and like magic, the castle doors will open at 1pm and remain open until 5pm. Tear down will precede a group dinner in costumes at Azteca Mexican Restaurant, compliments of Dr. Moss.

If you or the kids are too afraid to go inside, they will have candy outside for the ‘fraidy-cats.

Usually open for business on Saturdays, Moss Chiropractic will be closed for everything except scary-business on Halloween!

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some photos from their 2007 Haunted House:

Burien-based Northwest Symphony Orchestra is presenting their Family & Halloween Concert at 7:30pm on Friday, Oct. 30th at the Highline Performing Arts Center.

Children are welcomed to wear family-friendly costumes.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Northwest Symphony Orchestra’s Family & Halloween Concert

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 30th starting at 7:30pm

WHERE: Highline Performing Arts Center, located at 401 South 152nd Street (next to Highline High School)

INFO: The musical lineup will include:

• Carmen Fantasy, Pablo Sarasate with student soloist Maya Cohon
• The Accursed Huntsman, Cesar Franck
• Ruler of the Spirits, Carl Maria von Weber
• Zampa Overture, Ferdinand Herold
• Overture for Home, Kimberley Blanchard
• Prince Igor Overture, Alexander Borodin

TICKETS: Tickets are $10.00 – $14.00 each, and to purchase them online, click here.

INFO: For more information, visit the Northwest Symphony Orchestra website here.

Burien’s Interim Art Space’s space in time is nearing its completion, with a Dec. 31st deadline fast approaching, and it’s fitting that the final big bash will be a special Day of the Dead “Night of 1,000 Pumpkins” celebration on Sunday, Nov. 1st.

Everyone’s invited to bring carved pumpkins and a candle to the B/ IAS site (beginning at 3:30pm), or carve one there to fill the area with illuminated jack o’ lanterns.

Bring something for the community Dia de las Muertes altar, walk through the cemetery, pay tribute to your departed loved ones and gather with your neighbor over food, drink and dance. Celebrate your community, your family and friends!

And be sure to bring your carved Pumpkin with a candle to fill the site with 1000 lit pumpkins.

The fun begins at 3:30pm and goes until Dark:

• Pumpkin Carving for Adults and Kids
• Face Painting
• Flower Making
• Grand Pumpkin Games
• Sand Painting by artist Amaranta Sandys at the Burien Library
• Traditional foods and vendors
• Community created Altars

PERFORMERS:

• 4:30 to 6:30: Trio Lucero del Norte on the B/ IAS Site (Roots Music / Regional Mexican / Folk); 
Trío Lucero del Norte play traditional/regional Mexican music from the Huasteca. Specialists in son huasteco and huapango, they are currently the only local group who play son huasteco with the complete ensemble: violin, jarana and quinta huapanguera. Son huasteco is the zapateado style of Mexican son from the Huasteca region. It formed the basis for many styles of huapango that became popular throughout Greater Mexico. The Huasteca region encompasses the plains region of six states: Hidalgo, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Veracruz and Tamaulipas.
In addition to sones huastecos and huapangos, Trío Lucero del Norte interpret sones de costumbre for Day of the Dead and Carnaval, sones and cumbias in Náhuatl and Huastecan regional stylings of polkas, canciones rancheras, boleros and cumbias. The three members: Jose Hernández (violin), Modesto Antonio Hernández (quinta huapanguera) and Kim Carter Muñoz (jarana), met when Kim posted an add in the El Paisano, a Mexican Carnicaría/Grocery in White Center.
Kim traveled to Mexico for several years to study son huasteco and sones de costumbre for her graduate studies in Ethnomusicology. After playing with well-known son huasteco musicians in Mexico, including Los Cantores de Pánuco, Soraima y Sus Huastecos, Trio Chicóntepec, Los Caporales de Pánuco and others, she wanted to form her own trío in Seattle. 
• 5:30 to 6:30: Los Flacos At the Burien Library; Join with Los Flacos for a musical celebration of El Día de los Muertos. This Latino music group performs a blend of the traditional sounds of Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. Using a variety of instruments, some indigenous to the Americas and others of European and African origin, they create their own renditions of the songs of Latin America. Gather together with friends at the Burien Library to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died. For More info on Los Flacos.
• 6:30 to 7:30: Pyrosutra on the B/ IAS Site; Pyrosutra is a fire dance collective based out of Seattle, Washington. We combine choreographed bellydance, breakdance and stilt walking with a wide range of professional fire performance techniques and innovative tools.
• 7:30 to 9:30: La Banda Gozona on the B/ IAS Site

Tapetes de Arena or Sand paintings
These “murals” are typically made of sand, sawdust, seeds, flower petals, and pigments. Traditionally, a tapete is made in the home when there is a death in the family. After a period of mourning, the tapete is swept up and entombed with the body of the deceased. Tapetes are also created all over Oaxaca for the Días de los Muertos celebration, and judged along with the ofrendas in the Concursos de Altares de Muertos.

Amaranta Sandys is been collaborating in the making of sandpaintings with Latino artists in Seattle for the last 10 years @ SAM and Tacoma Art Musuem.

We think that if you dig Tim Burton or Danny Elfman, or love Hispanic culture (or even just good ol’ fashioned dead people), you’re sure to enjoy this event (and we can assure you, we’ll be there…).

All pumpkins will be composted through a gift from King County Solid Waste.

Here’s info on B/ IAS from their website:

The Burien/ Interim Art Space (B/ IAS) is a year–long experiment that expires Dec. 31st. Founded by residents Dane Johnson and Kathy Justin, B/ IAS combines and transforms the concepts of art, temporary green spaces, and community gathering.

B/ IAS at Town Square displayed Burien’s first major temporary art piece, “The Passage,” a sculpture depicting a mother and child walking together to share and explore life. This artwork was first created by Dan Das Mann and Karen Cusolito for the 2005 Burning Man Arts Festival. The figures stand a dramatic 30′ and 20′ tall and are fabricated out of recycled and scrap metal.

B/ IAS is located just north of Burien Town Square; Phase I of the project is now under construction. This exciting space not only showcase art, but is an energetic gathering place for Burien’s citizens. B/ IAS is a working canvas being transformed by the efforts of both artists and the community throughout the year.

The art space celebrated its opening on Saturday, January 24th, 2009 with the installation of “The Passage.” The project will conclude a year later when the sculptures are removed.

B/ IAS is a collaboration between Ignition Northwest, the Burien Arts Commission, Urban Partners and GGLO.

Burien Parks’ annual “Pumpkin Patch Bash” for 1 to 12-year olders is coming Friday, Oct. 16th from 6pm to 8:30pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Pumpkin Patch Bash

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 16th from 6pm to 8:30pm

WHERE: Burien Community Center, located at 425 SW 144th Street

INFO: This event is for kids Ages 1-12 years old, and will include:

• Carnival Games
• Face Painting
• Costume Contests
• Arts & Crafts
• Photo Booth
• Bouncer (the fun kind, not the kind you find at bars…)

COST: $4 per child/parents free; Children under 1 year of age free with parent

CONTACT: (206) 988-3700 or Email: parksinfo@burienwa.gov

Here’s a video from the 2007 bash to give you an idea of what to expect:

The brand spankin’ new Matt Griffin YMCA is holding its grand opening this Saturday, Oct. 3rd from Noon to 5pm at its new location at 3595 South 188th in SeaTac.

The opening will feature free activities, including tours, health and wellness information, class demos, youth and family activities, cooking demonstrations, climbing on the new 28-foot climbing pinnacle and live music.

The facility is named after Matt Griffin, who began his involvement with the YMCA of Greater Seattle in the early 1980s. This is only the third time a local YMCA facility has been named for a community leader. Griffin joined the board in 1983 and has served in numerous leadership roles since. As chair of the board from 1997 – 2000, he oversaw a very successful $17 million capital campaign that redeveloped the historic Downtown Seattle YMCA and added youth development centers in YMCA branches throughout King County. Griffin also co-chaired the million It’s All About Community capital campaign. Conservative estimates indicate that Griffin has directly shepherded more than $55 million in philanthropic contributions for the YMCA– exponentially more than anyone else in our 132 year history.

Additionally, the Matt Griffin YMCA is also one of 11 local YMCAs selected as part of a $750,000 Knight Foundation grant to expand newcomer services. Key areas of focus include language and education, health and well-being, citizenship and civic engagement, job initiatives, and support of inclusive planning to strengthen communities. The new Y will offer more and better services than ever before to ethnic populations in the Sea-Tac and Highline communities.

Saturday’s event is entirely free and open to the public.

The YMCA chose the Matt Griffin location in the SeaTac neighborhood because that community is the fastest growing area in the Puget Sound area, in terms of both poverty and diversity. The new Matt Griffin YMCA will address needs in SeaTac, Highline, Burien, Normandy Park, White Center, Des Moines and other local areas.

Allen Bilderback, owner of Platinum Plumbing and husband/father to seven, passed away in early June. As the owner of Platinum Plumbing he was the sole provider for his family, and many people in the Burien community have come together to help support them in their time of loss, including a special fundraiser auction dinner this Friday night (Oct. 2nd) at Glen Acres Golf Course.

The Bilderback family is fighting to get control of their business back, and that’s the main reason for this fundraiser, which is being sponsored by Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub, which has sponsored many fundraisers for worthy causes, including for the family of slain King County Deputy Steve Cox and the displaced survivors of the Tara and Jenny Marie apartment fire in Burien.

But, says co-owner Mick Purdy, this fundraising dinner “may be one of the most worthwhile events we’ve done.”

“The effort beging put in (for the fundraiser) by a lot of community members and friends is remarkbable,” he continued. “If the family gets their business back, they have the means to make it. But the need the community to help them get over the hump.”

“The family is fighting to get the business back. But it is pretty challenging since they are pretty financially strapped.”

Here are the details:

WHAT: Fundraiser Auction dinner party for the Bilderback family

WHEN: Friday night, Oct. 2nd from 7pm to midnight

WHERE: Glen Acres Golf Course, located at 1000 South 112th Street

INFO: A night to remember! Together, we can show support for a wonderful family. As the Bilderback Family grieves the loss of their father and husband, Allen Bilderback, we can make this difficult time a easier by participating in this fundraising dinner. We have a great dinner and fun evening planned with music, raffle, and auction. Reserve a table today!

Please confirm & select your dinner option by Wednesday, Sept. 30th.

Incredibly generous donations from:

• Sounders FC
• Royal Argosy Cruises
• Osteria de Primo Italian Restaurant
• Starbucks
• Local artists & businesses
• Seattle Painting & Decorating ($5,000 value)
• And many more!

TICKETS: $50.00 per person; Pick up tickets at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub: 435 SW 152nd in downtown Burien. If you can’t make it, but would still like to donate, go to the Sterling Savings Bank in Burien and donate in his name.

For more information, contact Trish Robles at hagertyrobles@yahoo.com or Mick Purdy at belfast81@comcast.net.

Here’s Allen’s obit:

Allen James Bilderback Jr.
Allen James BILDERBACK, Jr Age 35 died on Monday, June 8th, 2009 in SeaTac, WA. Allen is survived by his wife of 14 years, Sarah; six daughters and one son; father and step-mother, A.J. and Audrey Bilderback; grandmother, Mimi Fritz; brothers, Guy and Chet; step-sister, Katy and several nieces and nephews. Allen was a loving husband and father. He worked extremely hard at everything he set out to do in life and was a successful business owner. He enjoyed basketball with the guys and making plans for the future. Allen always had so much ambition and drive that there was never a doubt he would accomplish so much in life. He will be missed very much by so many who loved him. Forever and always in our hearts he will be. There will be a private family gathering and a public memorial at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial Park in Seatac, WA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, all donations to the family can be made at Sterling Savings Bank in Burien, WA.

Oktoberfest returned to Burien this weekend, with three full days of live entertainment, food, crafts, a carnival with rides, B-Town’s own professional Yodeler Manuela Horn (who will return next weekend as her alter ego, the “Yodeling Dominatrix” for the first-ever Brat Trot). and plenty of fun for kids of all ages.

Photographer Michael Brunk was also there to capture these photos:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Puyallup What? Who needs to drive down way there when, as part of Burien’s Oktoberfest, a carnival with rides, flashing lights, cotton candy, a mini-midway and much more will be right here in B-Town, in the lot next to the Interim Art Space!

Rides open at 2pm Thursday (Sept. 24th) and run to 11pm, then again on Friday/Saturday from Noon to 11pm and Sunday Sept. 27th from Noon to 7pm.

Here are photos taken Wednesday by Scott Schaefer as workers were setting things up:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

[NOTE TO ALL OVERLY-CONCERNED PARENTS: Since this is taking place at/near B/ IAS, be aware that the controversial naked female sculpture "Paradigm Shift" will be visible, so be sure to bring blindfolds.]

Oktoberfest is returning to Burien this weekend, beginning Thursday, Sept. 24th and continuing through Sunday Sept. 27th, with live entertainment, crafts, food, a carnival with rides, and of course, Burien’s own “Yodeling Dominatrix,” Manuela Horn.

What? You didn’t know we have our own Yodeling Dominatrix? Here’s a new clip of her “cooking”:

(BTW, we’re actually somewhat responsible for getting her booked at this event, so you’d better show up, ‘cuz she’s HIGHLY entertaining, not to mention tall – 6′2″! – and a professional yodeler to boot; you may have even seen her on “America’s Got Talent”!)

Here are the event details:

WHAT: The return of Burien’s own Oktoberfest

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 24th, through Sunday, Sept. 27th

The carnival runs from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 24 and Sept. 25, noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 26 and noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 27. Hours for the main festival are Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26:

• Noon – Greg Parke (acoustic & electric guitar)
• 2-4 pm. – Kenny Olendorf Polka Band
• 2-4 p.m. – Burien’s Got Talent (Kids’ Stage)
• 4-5:30 p.m. – The Burien Ballbangers (classic rock & roll)
• 5:30-6 p.m. – Dominatrix yodeler Manuela Horn
• 6-8 p.m. – The Evin Rudes (classic rock & roll)

Sunday, Sept. 27:

• Noon – Two Scoops Combo (award-winning blues)
• 3-4 p.m. – Greg Parke (acoustic & electric guitar)
• 4-6 p.m. – Tony & The Time Bandits (classic rock & roll plus rhythm & blues)

INFO: “Celebrating the end of the harvest season, this annual event features live entertainment throughout the day, crafts, food and a carnival. The festival is focused on Burien Town Square at SW 152nd Street and 5th Ave SW. Estimated attendance: 20,000″

Burien’s Oktoberfest will feature much more than just a Yodeling Dominatrix and beer gardens (although there will plenty of that) – this year there will also be lots of food, arts and crafts, as well as a carnival with rides, and live entertainment.

BTB Advertiser Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub will also be holding their own festival, with an outdoor beer garden and live music from 2pm to 9pm with the Mellifluous Cephyres, then ramping up with Jonathan Kimball and capping the evening with Sunderlyn. They’ll be serving their own specialty beers brewed on site, and will also be selling bratwurst and other appropriate foods.

Hoist a pint of suds or a glass of wine in true Octoberfest fashion at one of two outdoor beer and wine gardens. Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub will be serving from Friday night through Sunday in front of the restaurant at 435 SW 152nd Street. Mick’s will dish up live entertainment Friday night through Sunday, plus German menu specials and outdoor barbecue Saturday and Sunday.

Shop the festival’s 50-plus booths for unique arts and crafts, plus tasty eats such as Mexican and Hawaiian fare, hamburgers, hotdogs and more. Some vendors from the Burien Farmers Market will also be on hand.

Also on Saturday morning join other walkers for an easy 2-mile stroll to help Hospitality House’s shelter for homeless women (see our previous coverage here), located in Burien. Dogs on a leash are welcome.

Register for the eight annual StreetWalk for the Homeless at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 26 for $20 at SW 152nd Street and Fifth Place SW at Burien Town Square. The walk starts at 10 a.m. Afterward there will be a prize drawing for walkers who raise the most money through sponsorships. For sponsorship forms, call (206) 243-1597.

Sponsored by the Discover Burien Association, the event will center on Burien Town Square at Southwest 152nd Street and Fifth Place Southwest in downtown Burien. Discover Burien is a nonprofit organization that works on the economic development and marketing of the city.

For more information, call (206) 941-7199 or go online to www.discoverburien.com.

As for Manuela Horn, Burien’s Yodeling Dominatrix, she’s also a professional actress and multi-talented performer who has done gigs for Teatro Zinzanni and many others. She’ll yodel her way into your beer-stained heart on Saturday from 5:30pm to 6pm on the main stage.

(Oh, and look for us there as well – we’ll be in our B-Town Blog t-shirts at a booth, or perhaps even a beer garden or two…)

Burien’s annual “Arts-A-Glow” festival lit up the evening at Town Square Saturday night (Sept. 12th), with lots of do-it-yourselfers making amazing, one-of-a-kind lanterns, along with performers in costumes, stilt-walkers, belly dancers, musicians and much more.

Photographer Michael Brunk was there to capture both visual and audio elements, which he has built into the following “SoundSlideshow”:

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s SoundSlideshow

Wednesday, Sept. 9th is the first day of school for most Highline School District students, and since there are some serious schedule changes this year (like “early release Fridays” which begins Sept. 18th) we thought we’d share some info for parents wondering things like:

“There’s now early release every Friday???”

“I’m so confused – early release is exactly what time every Friday?”

“OMG early release means I have to change my schedule! WTF?”

Early release Friday will range from 1:40pm to 2:30pm depending on the school, so in order to help all our Readers who may have kids who are just jonesin’ to get back in class, below are two charts (download/view them here) showing the exact early release schedules (NOTE: click on each image to view larger version):

For more information, visit the Highline School District website here.

The Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department’s annual “Kids Day” is coming Saturday, Sept. 12th from 10am to 3pm and will feature firefighting demonstrations, apparatus showcase, games, prizes, fire prevention education and more.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Burien/Normandy Park Fire Deptartment’s Kids Day

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 12th from 10am to 3pm

WHERE: Fire Station #2, located at 15100 8th Ave SW

COST: It’s FREE!

INFO: “Join us again this year at Burien’s annual Fire Department Kids’ Day. Last year, 1,000 kids attended our event which included:

• Display of fire engines, ladder truck, aid units, police vehicles, helicopter, etc.
• Auto extrication, high-angle rescue, and other demonstrations.
• Safety instruction for children (fire prevention, burns, electrical, railroad, fire escape practice, police fingerprint I.D.)
• Prize drawings, balloons, candy and hot dogs.
• Inflatable air toy, face painting, Smokey Bear, Mariner Moose, games, etc.

This event focuses on injury prevention, interesting displays and demonstrations, and most of all – FUN for everyone!”

This Friday night (Aug. 14th), starting around 8pm, prepare to put your complimentary 3D glasses on and get transported for FREE on a “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” the first of the two outdoor movies in Burien Parks’ “Music and Movies in the Park” summer series at Lake Burien School Park, SW 148th & 16th Ave SW.

This is a family-friendly 3D film starring Brendan Fraser, who has ties to the northwest – he went to Cornish School of the Arts in Seattle before hitting the bigtime in the 90s.

Here’s the film’s synopsis:

An exciting adventure based on the classic Jules Verne novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” Journey to the Center of the Earth stars Brendan Fraser (Crash, The Mummy) as a science professor whose untraditional hypotheses have made him the laughing stock of the academic community. But on an expedition in Iceland, he and his nephew stumble upon a major discovery that launches them on a thrilling journey deep beneath the Earth’s surface, where they travel through never-before-seen worlds and encounter a variety of unusual creatures. Journey to the Center of the Earth is directed by Academy Award-winning visual effects veteran Eric Brevig (Total Recall, Pearl Harbor) from a screenplay by Michael Weiss and Jennifer Flackett & Mark Levin.

The movie is scheduled to start at “Dusk,” which means around 8-8:30pm-ish, and viewers are asked to bring your own lawn chairs, blankets and popcorn.

But don’t worry about bringing your own 3D glasses – the fine folks at Burien Parks will be providing those!

Des Moines’ 2009 Pet Festival is coming to Des Moines Beach Park on Saturday, Aug. 1st, from 9am to 2pm, with lots of FREE fun for animal lovers of all kinds!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines Pet Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 1st

WHERE: Des Moines Beach Park

INFO: No cost, and there are lots of fun activities for your pets, including:

• Agility and Rally Training Match
• Ice Cream Eating
• Hot Dog Bobbing
• Basic Obedience
• King and Queen
• Best Trick
• Best Costume
• Ugliest Pet
• Owner/Pet Lookalike

Please keep in mind that “any pet that might be a safety hazard to humans or other animals is not allowed, and may be removed from the festival.”

The City of SeaTac will be hosting its FREE, annual International Festival beginning this Friday, June 26th through Sunday, June 28th at Angle Lake Park.

The festival will include:

• A grand parade
• A family fun run
• Skateboard competition
• Model-hydroplane race
• Craft and food vendors
• Children’s play area and more

FRIDAY, JUNE 26th:

“Under the Lights 5″ 5th Annual Skateboarding Competition
Valley Ridge Park, 4644 S. 188th St.
6:00 p.m.: Registration
7:00 p.m.: Contest
Click here for more information!

SATURDAY, JUNE 27th:

10:15 a.m. ~ Family Fun Run, approximately one mile and follows the same route as the parade. A medal will be given to all registered finishers. No registration fee. Register by calling the SeaTac Community Center at 206.973.4680 by Thursday, June 25th. Or register the day of event at Valley Ridge Park. For information call 206.973.4680.
10:30 a.m. ~ Grand Parade begins at Tyee High School and travels west on S. 188th St., then proceeds southbound on 33rd Ave. S. traveling through Angle Lake Park and finishing at the Alaska Airlines parking lot (download/view Parade Map PDF here).
12:00 p.m. ~ Teen Idols (Song & Dance routines)
1:00 p.m. ~ Kane Mathis (Traditional Mandinka Music)
2:00 p.m. ~ Jimmy Free – African Allstars (A fusion of world music)
3:00 p.m. ~ Tor Dietrichson – Mambo Cadillac (Salsa & Latin Jazz)
4:00 p.m. ~ Smilin’ Scandinavians (Polka music)
5:00 p.m. ~ Show Brazil (Brazilian Music & Dance)
6:00 p.m. ~ James Whetzel (Indian fusion music played on a sarod)
7:00 p.m. ~ Kris Orlowski Band (Jazz & Goth – This unusual combination delivers an edgy roots-rock mix)

SUNDAY, JUNE 28th:

12:00 p.m. ~ Chris Patin Band (Jazz incorporated with R&B, Blues & Latin music)
1:00 p.m. ~ Vicci Martinez (Folk Rock, Blues & acoustic music)
2:00 p.m. ~ Kellee Bradley (She’s been compared to Karen Carpenter & Sheryl Crow, but she has a sound all her own)
3:00 p.m. ~ Rhys Thomas – Juggle Mania (Juggler)
4:00 p.m. ~ Cory Wilds (Blend of Rock, Blues & Jazz)

A variety of ethnic and cultural bands from around the Pacific Northwest will also perform throughout the weekend.

“With more than 83 languages spoken throughout the city, SeaTac is a growing, vibrant and diverse community,” said Todd Cutts, Assistant City Manager. “The International Festival is an annual tradition to really kick off the summer and celebrate that diversity together.”

Festival Hours are as follows:

• Friday, June 26, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Sunday, June 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Craft and food vendors will be open throughout the festival.

Please consider bringing a donation of canned or nonperishable food, diapers, toilet paper, soap or pet food to the SeaTac Domestic Violence Task Force tent to benefit Highline Area Food Bank.

Admission to the festival is free. All events will take place at Angle Lake Park, located at 19408 International Boulevard in SeaTac. For more information and a full schedule of events, please call (206) 973-4680 or visit the website at www.ci.seatac.wa.us/park/seinternationalfestival.htm.

Burien’s annual Strawberry & Arts Festival is this weekend (rain or shine), and it’s gonna be chock-full of live music, arts, dance, food vendors, kid’s activities, a skate competition and more, as well as over $2,100 worth of local prize giveaways (scroll down to see the latest list) at The B-Town Blog’s booth!

We invite everyone to drop by our booth which will be located near the Skate Park, fill out an entry form and enter to win one of 38 great local prizes from our Advertisers and various Burien businesses.

Here’s Saturday’s schedule:

SATURDAY, JUNE 20th:

MAIN STAGE:

10:00am – 10:30am: New City Dance Academy
11:00am – 11:30am: Youth Sounds NorthWest
11:45am – 12:30pm: Momentum Dance
12:30pm – 1:00pm: Burien’s own Block Party B-Boys
1:15pm – 2:30pm: Dyno Jamz
3:00pm – 4:00pm: Pearl Django
4:30pm – 6:00pm: The Tempos with Swing-Amajig and the Aviation HS Ballroom Dancers

GALLERY STAGE:

10:00am – 10:30am: Hi-Liners
11:00am – 11:45am: Abysinnian Dance
12:15pm – 1:00pm: Sohoyini
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Jump Ensemble
3:00pm – 4:00pm: Central Services presents The Board of Education
4:30pm – 6:00pm: The Jangles

FESTIVAL GROUNDS:

10:30am – 12:30pm: The Whisky Swillers
1:00pm – 2:30pm: Skate Competition
4:15pm – 5:15pm: Bubbleman (located at 4th &146th)

1PM: SKATE COMPETITION:

• Noon: Registration Starts
• 1:00pm: Competition starts
• $5 Registration Fee
• Register the day of the event at the skate competition tent. 
• A registration form must be completed and signed by an adult prior to competing.

Four Age Divisions:

• 9 & Under
• 10 – 12 years
• 13 – 15 years
• 16 & older

RULES:

1. Riders WILL be disqualified for interupting another rider’s run.
2. Handle all property and equipment safely and properly.
3. No vulgar, offensive, or derogatory language.
4. Helmet required
5. Have FUN!

JUDGING:
The performance of the rider will be judged in the following three categories:

• Consistency
• Technicality
• Style

Each contestant will get two 1-minute runs.  Contestants will be judged and scored on each run then totaled for a final score after both runs.

Music:
Live Performance by the Dyno Jamz during the Skate Competition.  Check them out and listen to their music here!

Kids Activities:

• Make Superheroes Art Garb at the Art Garage: Hats, headbands, vest,capes, and more!  Used recycled materials to make fun costumes to wear as you wander the fest, or to wear as  you run in the 1K Fun Run on Sunday (run sign-up booth at the fest!)
• Create Chalk Art at the Burien Art Gallery!
• All Day: Bouncers

10:30am-3:00pm: Face Painting

3:00-4:00pm: Central Services presents The Board of Education on the Gallery Stage.

Here’s the latest, greatest, and most updatedest B-Town Blog Prize List:

BUSINESS		VALUE	PRIZE
Bistro Baffi		$25	Gift Certificate for Dinner
Poggi Bonsi		$25	Decorative Italian Plate
909 Coffee & Wine		$20	Gift Card
Moss Chiropractic		$185	Gift Certificate for Complete Chiropractic Exam & Adjustment
Moss Chiropractic		$23	Ice Pack
Highline Athletic Club		$234	One-Month Free Membership & Enrollment Fee
1-Stop Computer Repair		$50	One-Hour Computer Service
1-Stop Computer Repair		$50	One-Hour Computer Service
Herr Backyard Garden Center		$10	Gift Card
Burien Auto Repair		$89.95	Oil Change & Filter Service, Inspection, Car Wash & Mini Detail
Howard & Marge		$25	Gift Card
Advanced Massage		$65	One-Hour Massage
Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub		$25	Gift Card
Reiki by Anita		$85	Reiki Session
Mark Restaurant & Bar		$40	Gift Card
Vision Collision		$50	$50 off Interior Detail
Mark’s Expert Auto		$25	$25 off Coolant Flush
Digi Guys/CPI		$15	B-Town Blog T-Shirt
Digi Guys/CPI		$15	B-Town Blog T-Shirt
Digi Guys/CPI		$15	B-Town Blog T-Shirt
Digi Guys/CPI		$15	B-Town Blog T-Shirt
Digi Guys/CPI		$15	B-Town Blog T-Shirt
Philip Kelley Acupuncture		$90	Acupuncture Treatment
Shining Star Massage		$50	Foot Reflexology
Ace Hardware		$39.99	43-Piece Hanging Tool Kit
Park Place Bar & Grill		$50	Gift Certificate
Sal’s Deli		$10	Certificate for One Free Breakfast
Sal’s Deli		$10	Certificate for One Free Breakfast
Sal’s Deli		$10	Certificate for One Free Breakfast
Tin Room Bar		$25	Gift Certificate
Photography by Michael Brunk/NW Lens		$475	1-Hour Photo Shoot, Post Production, CD and 3-5 Minute Video Story
Market Place Salon		$175	Helix Cordless Flat Iron
Economy Wiring/YB Tubless		$30	$30 Credit Towards Electrical Call or Hot Tub Service
Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub		$40	Gift Card
Emerald City Smoothie		$90	Five Re-Usable Smoothie Mugs with Free Drink Coupons
Cheese FX Cheesecakes		$15-$18	6-inch Basic or Deluxe Cheesecake
Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar		$25	Gift Certificate
Wow Window Washing		$75	Gift Certificate for Window Cleaning

So…we’ll see you at our booth, which will be located near the Skate Park, this Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10am to 5pm!

Father’s Day is this coming weekend, and what better way to celebrate than by comparing dear ol’ Dad to a lingcod?

Highline Community College’s Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST), located in Redondo Beach (in Des Moines), is holding a special “Fatherhood Under the Sea” presentation from Noon to 12:45pm this Saturday, June 20th, and it’s FREE.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Fatherhood Under the Sea” – learn why lingcods make such great fathers from Edmonds Underwater Park volunteers Ken Collins and Kirby Johnson during this special Father’s Day weekend presentation.

WHEN: Saturday, June 20th from Noon to 12:45pm

WHERE: Highline Community College’s Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST), located at 28203 Redondo Beach Drive South in Des Moines

COST: FREE

INFO: http://mast.highline.edu

Burien’s Annual Strawberry & Arts Festival is this coming weekend (Sat./Sun. June 20-21st) at the area around the Burien Community Center and Dottie Harper Park, and along with two full days of music, arts, food vendors, kid’s and family activities there will also be some spectacular special shows that are indeed “one of a kind.”

These include:

SUNDAY, JUNE 21st:

• 11:30am – 5pm: THE CALIBRI – get mesmerized by these spectacular outdoor trapeze artists & stilt walkers:

• 1pm – 2pm: DEVIL’S DANCE PARADE – incredible costumed & masked dancers, demonstrating a blend of Latino and African theater, dance and music. Join the parade and celebrate Afro-Latino & African American roots, culture, and history.

Don’t forget that The B-Town Blog will be there (look for the racing green Mini Cooper “Blogmobile”) and we’ll be giving out some very special prizes, so look for ouR booth! Oh, and the full schedule of events and performers can be found by clicking here.

On the last morning of Burien’s Strawberry & Arts Festival (Sunday, June 21st), the 3rd Annual Burien Festival 5K & Family 1K Run will take place, starting at 9am.

Here are the details:

WHAT: 3rd Annual Burien Festival 5K & Family 1K Runs

WHEN: Sunday, June 21st, beginning at 9am (registration begins at 7:30am)

WHERE: Race begins at Burien’s Interim Art Space, located at SW 150th & 4th Ave SW, then heads east through Olde Burien and the surrounding neighborhood. The course will be clearly marked by cones, and volunteers will be available at most intersections. The 1K Kid’s race will start 1K from the 5K course finish line. Check back for a course map.

COST: $25 registration fee (you can register online here)

INFO: “The Burien Festival 5K Run is an annual community event sponsored by WhiteWater Aquatics. The purpose of the run, aside from providing a healthy activity for our members and the community, is to raise funds for the Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center and for scholarships for WhiteWater swimmers.

This year, we’re adding a Family 1K Run for kids 12 and under – while they can compete in either race, the 1K will have a SuperHero theme – kids are encouraged, but not required, to dress as their favorite SuperHero and run the race. A prize for best costume will be given at the completion of the Family 1k Run.

Q:  Who is WhiteWater Aquatics and why are they sponsoring a 5K Run?
A:   WhiteWater Aquatics is a year-round competitive swim team that swims at Evergreen and Tukwila Pools.  Swimmers are from ages 5 to 18, and are from the local Highline area.

Q:  How do I register?
A:  Register on-line at www.getmeregistered.com or at the registration site the day of the race.

Q:  How much are the registration fees?
A:  The entry fee is $25 per participant, if you register prior to the event (strongly encouraged to guarantee you’ll get a T-shirt!), and $15 for the 1K Kid’s Run.  The entry fees will increase by $5 (and no guarantees about getting a T-shirt) starting on June 7th, two weeks before the race.

Q: If I register online, how do I get my race packet?
A:  T-shirts, bibs and timing chips will be available for pick up the day of the race (Sunday, June 21th, from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.) at the Registration area near the starting line.

Q: What time do the different events begin?
A:   7:30 a.m.    Registration begins at the race starting line on 6th Ave SW and SW 152nd St.
9:00 a.m.    5K Run begins
9:45 a.m.    1K Run begins on last portion of 5K course
10:15 a.m.   Awards Ceremony at the finish line

Q:  Where does the race start?
A:  The 5K race starts and finishes at the Burien Interim Art Space Park located at S.W. 150th & 4th Avenue S.W..  The race heads east through Olde Burien and the surrounding neighborhood.  The course will be clearly marked by cones, and volunteers will be available at most intersections.  The 1K Kid’s race will start 1K from the 5K course finish line.  Check back for a course map.

Q:  Will timing chips be used in the 5K race?
A:  Yes.  All timing chips must be returned immediately following the race.  Runners who fail to return their timing chips are subject  to a $30 fee, refundable when the chip is returned.

Q:  Are strollers or baby joggers or dogs allowed in the 5K Run?
A:  Strollers ARE allowed, Dog are NOT.

Q:  Who should I call if I have more questions?
A:  Call 206.878.0499

The Burien Strawberry & Arts Festival happens just two weekends from this one (on June 20th and 21st), in the area around the Burien Community Center and Dottie Harper Park, and it’s a very family-friendly (and FREE) event worth making a weekend out of, especially for these numerous kid-friendly reasons:

ALL WEEKEND:

• Sidewalk Chalk Art Creations
• Free Bouncing on Inflatable Toys

SATURDAY, June 21st:

• 10am-6pm: Superheroes Art Garb booth. Create wild capes, hats, and vests to take home or wear in “Festival Family 1K Run” the next morning in Downtown Burien
• 10:30 am-3:00 pm: Face Painting
• 3pm-4pm: Central Services presents The BOARD OF EDUCATION. Fun, witty, & smart musical romp created by Seattle band Central Services, fronted by a former elementary school teacher/published children’s novelist, and written for tweens but with something for all ages. Kids (and kids at heart) get ready to ROCK!
• 4:15pm-5:15pm: Bubbleman. Kids go crazy with the King of Bubbles, Gary Golighty

SUNDAY, June 22:

• 10am-5pm: Arts Garage booth, where kids can create everything and anything using tons of recycled arts materials
• 11:30am-12:15pm: Eric Ode. Fun interactive music with stories, skits, poetry, and puppets
• Noon-5pm: Face Painting

the full schedule of events and performers can be found by clicking here.

Burien’s annual FREE Strawberry Festival will be in just three weeks from now (Sat. June 20th-Sun. June 21st) at the Burien Community Center and Dottie Harper Park, and since we’re its “official blog,” we’d like to introduce you to some of the cool featured performers you’ll see.

This week – sexy acrobat troupe The Cabiri, who will appear Sunday June 21st from 11:30am – 5:00pm by the Main Stage:

[display_podcast]

The Cabiri were formed in 1999 as theatrical emissaries of The Anunnaki Project, a curatorial organization that seeks to preserve the mythologies of cultures that have passed into antiquity. In that time we have traveled the world presenting our work to diverse audiences. We are eternally dancing the dream and we seek to bring you along on our adventure!

In 2005, The Cabiri began a formal apprentice program for prospective troupe members, and have provided training for up-and-coming aerialists and physical theater performers in the techniques we use to manifest the unique characters we bring to life. As the troupe’s instruction and apprentice program has grown, so has our capacity to tell tales on an epic scale.

Using physical theater, dance, aerial arts, fire performance, stilts, puppetry and a little fairy dust that is our secret recipe, Cabiri performers enrapture the audience and transport them to worlds our technology-focused society has lost sight of under modern-day stress. We take our audiences to misty nights beneath the waxing crescent moon, worlds where anything is possible, and realms that remind us that we never have to lose the mysteries we knew before arriving in this mortal coil.

We invite you to come with us as we dive into the dusty tomes of the past. Our adventure is just beginning and the magic only grows as we delve deeper into the world of dream. We have spent our lives dancing in Cabiria, we invite you to come along for a spell, you can stay for as long as you desire…

We’ll have a booth at the fest (full schedule here: www.burienstrawberryfestival.org), where we’ll be blogging live, demonstrating how we do what we do with a behind-the-scenes look and much more, so be sure to mark your calendars!

Burien’s Annual Strawberry Festival is coming Saturday, June 20th and Sunday June 21st to the Community Center and Dottie Harper Park area at SW 146th and 4th Ave SW, and here are the details:

WHAT: Burien’s Annual Strawberry Festival

WHEN: Saturday, June 20th from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, June 21st from 10am to 5pm

WHERE: Burien Community Center & Dottie Harper Park area at SW 146th & 4th Ave SW

INFO: The B-TOWN BLOG will be BLOGGING LIVE! TRAPEZE Artists! New ARTS MARKETPLACE! Fabulous New FOOD!

• Entertainment Schedule
• Kids Activities!
• At the Burien Art Gallery
• Skateboard Competition
• 5K Run
• A Great Selection of Food and Snacks
• Shop Till You Drop @ New Vendor Marketplace
• Sustainability!
• Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
• Discover Burien Father’s Day Car Show

If you’re interested in participating, here are links for appropriate applications:

• Food Vendor
• Arts, Crafts, Gift Food or Import Vendor
• Non-profit Information Vendor (Highline Area non-profit or services Burien residents)
• Fresh Produce or Flowers Vendor
• Organic & Sustainable Vendor
• Activity Vendor (Henna Art, Face Painting, etc)

Sponsors are also being sought for the 2009 Strawberry & Art Festival – for more information contact Casey Stanley at (206) 988-3700 or via Email: caseys@burienwa.gov

Three big Burien events coming up – the annual Spring Art Walk, Plant Sale and “Cards for a Cause” on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Annual Spring Art Walk and Plant Sale and “Cards for a Cause” Play Texas Hold’em, roulette and blackjack tournament.

WHEN: Friday, May 8th from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday, May 9th from 10am to 5pm; “Cards for a Cause” is from 3pm to 8pm Sat. May 9th.

WHERE: The stroll and plant sale will center on SW 152nd Street between 6th Avenue SW and 10th Avenue SW in downtown and Olde Burien. Maps will be available at the information booth on SW 152nd at 9th Avenue SW. Balloons will mark activity sites.”Cards for a Cause” will be at Karuna Yoga Studio.

INFO: Revel in local culture during Burien’s annual spring art walk and plant sale

Relish the culinary and visual arts, court Lady Luck at a charity casino and discover that perfect garden plant during Burien’s annual Spring Stroll Art Walk and Bloomin Burien Plant Sale on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9.

During the Spring Stroll from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9, savor the work of talented area artists, from jewelry artisans to watercolorists, plus
local food, wine, beer and arts-related activities. While many activities and samples are free, some involve a small charge. A sneak preview and reception is slated from 6 to 8 p.m. May 8.

Among the fine wine and beer explorations are samples of Abundance Vineyards bottlings at Poggi Bonsi Cucina and summer beers at the Mark Restaurant & Bar. For a $5 fee, experience affordable new Washington State wines at Vino Bello Wine Bar from noon to 9 p.m., with blues guitarist JD Hobson live at 5 p.m.

Check out offerings from Burien food-related businesses including Hey Paison!, where strollers can browse owner Ronnie Santone’s Frank Sinatra art collection while eating.

Take the kids to Goodie Gumdrops to sample sodas and indulge their inner artist with arts and crafts activities. Follow up with ice cream tasting at B-Town Scoop.

Refurbish the garden with finds from the Bloomin’ Burien Plant Sale May 8 and May 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Olde Burien Retail Group tables will be packed with bedding plants, and proceeds from sales help pay for the stroll. For new and unusual plants, head to Grassroots Home and Garden.

The Olde Burien Retail Group and Marketing Innovations are producing the stroll, which is sponsored by Karuna Yoga Studio and the Celtic
Prayer Center, and the plant sale.

For more information, call 206-941-7199 or go to www.shopoldeburien.com.

In conjunction with the stroll, Soroptimist International of Seattle South is hosting Cards for a Cause, a casino to benefit local women’s charities.

Registration is required only for the Texas Hold’em tournament.

For information, go to http://event.pingg.com/Cards4Acause.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to our Free Weekly Event Newsletter, sign up today, and you’ll receive a regular spam-free event listing every Thursday via a spam-free email that goes something like this:

FRIDAY, APRIL 10th:
FREE TAX HELP ENDS, HIGHLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1pm – 7pm (last client at 6:15pm): Today (Fri. 4/10) is the last day to receive complimentary tax help from HCC student volunteers, who have studied and received income tax preparation certification from both AARP and IRS. This is for non-complex 2008 income tax returns. Bring your patience and plan for at least one hour. More info here.

ELMER’S PUB, 15027 Ambaum Blvd SW, 439-1007
9:30pm+: Live Music with Kick Start! NO COVER! ROCK! BEER! FOOD! DANCING! DARTS! POOL! FUN!

MICK KELLY’S IRISH PUB, 435 SW 152nd, Burien, 246-2473
10pm+: Live DJ, 80s night, dancing, NO COVER! Irish accents + Guinness on tap! More info here: www.mickkellysirishpub.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 11th:
“EGGSTRAVAGANZA” BUNNY BREAKFAST/EGG HUNT, BURIEN COMMUNITY CENTER
9am: Burien Parks and the Burien Lions Club present their annual “Eggstravaganza” Bunny Breakfast and Spring Egg Hunt starting at 9am with a pancake breakfast, followed at 11am with an (unscrambled) egg hunt. $3 for the breakfast; $3 for Bunny Photos and the Egg Hunt is FREE! Full details here.

MILLER CREEK APPRECIATION DAY & STREAM TOUR
9am: Miller/Walker Basin Steward Dennis Clark recently spotted a wild otter in Miller Creek, and he thinks that you “otter” help clean it up this Saturday. Cleanup begins at 9am followed by an exclusive stream tour at 11am. More details here.

EASTER EGG HUNT, GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, DES MOINES
10am-Noon: Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines is holding a FREE Community Easter Egg Hunt at their campus at 22975 24th Ave South in Des Moines. There will be an Espresso Cart, Free Muffins and Juice, Veggie Tales Movie, Face Painting, Helium Balloons, Crafts, Games, and more! Full details here.

VINO BELLO WINE TASTING, $10
Noon-8pm: Liberty Bay Cellars, Theo Chocolate tasting, $10
5pm: Live Music w/JD Hobson; more info here: http://www.vinobello.com

BENEFIT CONCERT & ART SHOW, THREE TREE COMMUNITY CHURCH
4PM+: Three Tree Community Church is holding a Benefit Community Concert and Art Show benefiting the Des Moines Food Bank this Saturday, April 11th, starting at 4pm at their campus at 16261 First Ave South in Burien.   More info here.

“COLORAMA” BOWLING, HI-LINE LANES, 244-2272 BURIEN
7-10pm: “Colorama” bowling, a fun, active and funky thang to do, and it beats Wii Bowling anyday! 15733 Ambaum Blvd SW

LIVE MUSIC, 909 COFFEE & WINE, OLDE BURIEN
8:30pm: Live Music with Rhythm Suite, NO COVER CHARGE! 909 is located at 909 SW 152nd Street in Olde Burien; (206) 243-7909

MICK KELLY’S IRISH PUB, 435 SW 152nd, Burien, 246-2473
9pm+: Irish accents + Guinness on tap! More info here: www.mickkellysirishpub.com

BARREL TAVERN, 11501 First Ave South, Burien, 244-7390
9pm+: Karaoke night! LIVE MUSIC! NO COVER! Read our review here.

ELMER’S PUB, 15027 Ambaum Blvd SW, 439-1007
9:30pm+: Live Music with Kick Start! NO COVER! ROCK! BEER! FOOD! DANCING! DARTS! POOL! FUN!

SKWISH PLAYS LIVE AT McMURPHY’S PUB, WHITE CENTER
9:30pm+: BTB faves Skwish rock McMurphy’s Pub, located at 11069 16th Ave SW; phone #: 206-431-1916. See a video of Luke from Skwish doing a solo at one of our fundraisers here.

80s FOR THE LADIES NIGHT, BUTLER BAR & GRILL, DES MOINES
10pm-Close: Des Moines’ happenist bar presents 80s Ladies Night every Saturday with DJ Travis Baker spinning 80s music that you can actually dance to. More info at www.butlerbar.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 12th:
IT’S EASTER – GO TO CHURCH/MEDITATE, FIND SOME EGGS, DO SOME GARDENING, DO YOUR LAUNDRY, ENJOY YOUR FAMILY!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

TUESDAY, APRIL 14th:
STEPS TO FINDING A CAREER IN A DOWN ECONOMY,” HIGHLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2pm-3:30pm: In times like these, it pays to go to every free job-related seminar you can find, especially this one at Highline Community College. More info here.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15th (TAX DAY!):
HIGHLINE SCHOOL FINE ARTS WORKSTUDY
6pm: Come to an important Highline School Board meeting about saving the Fine Arts Programs at the ERAC Offices (next to Hi-Line Lanes bowling alley, across from Azteca), located at 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW in Burien. More info from Sandra Locklear here.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19th:
BOWL IN YOUR PAJAMAS TO HELP FOSTER KIDS
Sleep Country USA’s fourth-annual “Pajama Bowl” fundraiser for foster kids will be held on Sunday, April 19th at Acme Bowl and Billiards in Tukwila. More info here.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19th:
JAKE’S CREW NIGHT FUNDRAISER, BUTLER BAR & GRILL, DES MOINES
6pm-Close: Des Moines’ Butler Bar & Grill will host a Jake’s Crew Night, and a portion of all Sales & Tips will be donated to support the Walk to Cure Diabetes. In addition, they will be taking donations the entire week of April 13th leading up to Saturday the 18th. So spread the word and encourage people to visit the Butler for appetizers, dinner, drinks and more! More info at www.butlerbar.com

SATURDAY, MAY 2nd:
HIGHLINE VINTAGE JAZZ FESTIVAL, PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
2pm-5pm/7pm-10pm: Burien Arts is holding its first annual Highline Vintage Jazz Festival at the Highline Performing Arts Center. Tickets are just $20 per show or $35 for a full-day pass for this new all-day music fest, which will feature two 3-hour performances with some of the region’s most well-known jazz musicians playing Dixieland, swing, solo stride piano, gypsy jazz and more! More info here, including videos of some of the artists as well as ticket info.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

• We know we haven’t included everything going on in the area, so we need your help! If you’re aware of an event we should list in an upcoming Newsletter or on the B-Town Blog, please email Scott directly at: editor@b-townblog.com and we’ll post it! Thanks!
• The B-Town Blog is actively looking for Writer/Reporters as well as Sales Reps! These are Independent Contractor positions – Writers are paid per piece (or you can volunteer!) and Sales Reps earn a very healthy Commission! Email editor@b-townblog.com your resume/samples/links and let’s talk!

[NOTE: This posting is for the 2009 Cove to Clover race; for the most recent info on the 2010 race, click here]

The first-ever “Cove to Clover” 5K Run (despite the sign, and us earlier, calling it “Clove to Clover”), a benefit for the Highline Area Food Bank, will take place this Sunday morning, March 15 2009, starting at the Normandy Park Beach Cove and ending at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub in downtown Burien, and here are some important notes:

• The entire race course will close at different times during the race, so check out the map below and plan accordingly if you’re driving anywhere between The Cove and Mick Kelly’s Sunday morning:

<a href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/wa/seattle/401972419541″ mce_href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/wa/seattle/401972419541″>01/24/2009 Route</a><br/><a href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/find-run/united-states/wa/seattle” mce_href=”http://www.mapmyrun.com/find-run/united-states/wa/seattle”>Find more Runs in Seattle, Washington</a>

If you’re planning on registering for the race, there’s still time to do so online at the Clove to Clover website – but the deadline is 11pm Friday March 13th, and 5K entrants will be limited to 250.

RACE DETAILS:

• Race-day packets can be picked up at race start area (for the Kid’s Race at St. Francis, for 5K at the Cove).
• RACE-DAY REGISTRATION WILL ONLY BE CONDUCTED AT THE 5K START LINE AND WILL BE CLOSED AT 10:45 AM.
• KID’S RACE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO RACE DAY.
• Kids, you can now look forward to your very own “Root Beer Garden,” sponsored by Goody Gumdrops and featuring FREE root beer.
• 5K Start Line @ The Cove (begins promptly at 11:00 AM):

Normandy Park Community Club
1500 SW Shorebrook Drive
Normandy Park, WA 98166

• Snake Hill Shuttle loads at the 5K Start Line at 11:10am (line up behind the 5K runners). The boarding area will be at the Start Line after all runners have left the area. Those pre-paid riders should line up behind the runners wave. Shuttle drop-off will be at the Gregory Heights Pool (1st Water Station) which is approximately 2 miles from the finish line on relatively flat ground! Perfect for walkers who want to support the cause.
• Family Race Start Line (begins promptly at 11:45 AM):

St. Francis of Assisi Church
2103 SW 152nd St
Burien, WA 98166

• Awards for 12 and under only in the Kid’s Race. However, parents are encouraged to run with their kids and all entries are welcomed.
• Finish Line (and Mick Kelly’s Beer Garden):

Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
435 SW 152nd Avenue
Burien, WA 98166

• Award Ceremony to follow the race at the finish line ASAP.

Here’s a map of the starting line near the Normandy Park Cove:

And as if that isn’t enough info for ya, here’s a video of the entire course, from start to finish (minus the doubling over from “Snake Hill” and drinking at Mick Kelly’s afterwards) shot by resident Francis Doniego:

More information available at the Clove to Clover website.

Way back in January (remember, when it was cold and there was snow?), we posted a rather unusual event listing: Slot Car Races at a local church.

Well, apparently they had so much fun last time that they’re doing it again this coming Sunday, March 15th; here are the details:

WHAT: Slot Car Racing for everyone

WHEN: Sunday, March 15th from 1:30pm on

WHERE: Normandy Park Congregational Church, located at 19247 1st Ave South in Normandy Park (map below)

INFO: We had so much fun the last time, we’re doing it again. We’ll have several tracks set up in our Fellowship Hall. Bring you own cars to dust ‘em off, or use ours. We’ll be having double elimination on a four lane track. The official race will be closely matched GT40 HO Super G+ cars.

We’ll open the doors at 1pm and start the races at 1:30. Tracks are all open until then for practice. There will be a grand prize, maybe a couple of raffles and some other runner up prizes too.

Races are open to all, we may have brackets depending on turn out.

Hope to see you there!

CONTACT: Call Bob at 206-890-6479 for more details.

View Larger Map

If you’re a Father, here’s nothing quite as charming as taking your little girl to a Daddy/Daughter Dance, and here’s a classic, annual local Valentine-themed version that is a must-do for every good Burien parent.

And get this – there are two sessions, so you have two chances for fun:

WHAT: Burien’s Annual Daddy Daughter Valentine’s Ball, with Valentine cookies, punch, flowers for each daughter, a picture of the couple and door prizes!

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 7th – two sessions: Session 1: 5:30 – 7:00pm; Session 2: 7:30 – 9:00pm

WHERE: Burien Community Center Auditorium, located at 425 SW 144th Street in Burien (map below)

COST: $25 per couple; $5 each additional person

INFO: Contact: (206) 988-3700 or order online here.

If you’ve never been before, here’s a video from last year’s event:

View Larger Map

Burien Parks is sponsoring a special family snowshoe outing this Saturday, Jan. 31st at Snoqualmie Summit, leaving Burien at 8am.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Family Snowshoe Outing

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 31st, leaving B-Town at 8am

WHERE: Snoqualmie Summit

WHO: Adults must be accompanied by a child 7 years or older.

COST: $20 per person

INFO: As of 1/25/09 there were still 11 spots available, so act fast! “Come spend some quality time together doing an activity the whole family can enjoy! Snowshoeing is one of the fastest growing, easiest to learn, and healthiest winter activities. Leave the driving to us!”

REGISTER: Call (206) 988-3700 to register or for more info: CLICK-N-GO

Have you ever raced slot cars before?

It’s a blast for kids of all ages, especially during the “gift playing” time of year – we recall with fond memories racing slot cars either in the basement rec room or every Wednesday night at Speedway & Hobby in the West Seattle junction.

Man, that was fun.

Well, the fun is coming back folks – starting at 1:30pm on Sunday, Jan. 25th, there will be a free, open, multi-generational HO-scale slot car session at Normandy Park United Congregational Church.

WHAT: Multi-generational slot car racing session

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 25th, from 1:30pm to 4pm+

WHERE: Normandy Park United Congregational Church, located at 19247 1st Ave South in Normandy Park (see map below); phone: (206) 824-1770

COST: FREE!

CONTACT: Bob at rfgeorge@rockwellcollins.com or 206-890-6479

Here’s the original posting we found on Craigslist:

Do you have any HO (1/64 scale)cars that have not been used lately? On January 25th, Sunday afternoon, come on out and use them on our tracks. As a multi generational gathering at Normandy Park Congregational UCC, we’ll be having slot car day. The plan is to introduce slot car racing to some of the youth, and all ages are invited.

We plan to have the tracks ready to run by 1pm Sunday, and will be actively racing from 1:30-4 or whenever the final winner is announced. We plan to have multiple tracks set up so all ages can play/compete within their skill levels. We’ll have a four lane set up for elimination competition. Time trials will be used to allow for lane selection.

If you’ve already got a track set up, I’d love to hear about that too! perhaps you have some pointers for us on our activity. If we get good turn out, we’ll probably turn it into a monthly event.

We emailed Bob and got more info:

As an overgrown kid, I like to inspire “play time” in others like myself.  We work long hard hours, so a little R&R is deserved.

I mentioned to our Christian Ed leader, who has been coordinating several youth events, that I’d like to host a youth event with the slot cars.  As we talked more about it, we decided it should be a multi-generational thing, as there are a lot of us “older” kids in our congregation.  In discussing it further, we decided that we should invite the general population, as the slot car thing is rather a small sect of the population and being multi-generational the real message is interfacing with all ages.

So, I’ll set up three or four race tracks in our fellowship hall on Sunday the 25th.  My plan is to give a 20 minute presentation on the history of the slot cars in general, a bit about the care of the cars and tracks, and a bit about race car competitions in general.  (There are some very serious slot car racers out there, and they take it just as serious as Indy 500 etc.).  After the introduction, we’ll commence in race track fun.  Depending on the number of people, we’ll handle the “who goes first” with drawings or count off in the group or whatever.

After an hour and half of general race/play fun time, I’ll start time trials for those who want to compete.  This will be on a four lane track.  Again, done by random drawing or whatever.  Then we’ll start the elimination races.  Depending on how many people there are, we’ll determine the number of elimination races.  For example, 16 people will be 4 elimination races and a final race for a grand prize winner.  There will be prizes, and we’ll have different prizes such that whatever age the ultimate winner is, we’ll have an appropriate prize.  Nothing significant, but something fun.

There is a lot of effort on my part to set up,and tear down the tracks, but I think it’ll be a great time for all.  And, who knows, maybe we’ll make this a regular event, make some new friends, and at the very least have a “hobby shop” afternoon with all ages.  The youngest should not be under 7, and the oldest (that I know of) will be 85. Me, I’m 47.

View Larger Map