According to Gary McNeil, Boy Scout Troop #375 of Burien collected 392 pounds of food in the “Scouting for Food” drive on Saturday, March 20th.

The troop, sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi Church, donated all the food to the White Center Food Bank. Cub Scout Pack 375 helped by handing out bags the previous Saturday, March 13.

The food will help the food bank serve over 1,500 families this month.

“There were many generous households in the neighborhood around Seahurst Park,” McNeil said.

This year Boy Scouts of America is celebrating their 100th Anniversary, and helping feed hungry families is one of the many ways that Scouts serve their community. The Chief Seattle Council has planned many service projects and events to celebrate this milestone – for more information check out their website here: www.seattlebsa.org.

Here are some pics Gary sent us:

The City of Normandy Park’s City Manager’s Report (link, PDF file) says that the former Dairy Queen building, located at 17827 1st Ave South (near QFC), will be remodeled and occupied by a Subway Sandwich shop and probably one other tenant.

According to the report:

The former Dairy Queen building is going to receive a facelift and part of the remodeled building will be occupied by Subway Sandwich.

Plans for the remodel are currently under review by the Community Development Department, but the issuance of a building permit is expected within the next week or two.

The remodeled building will eventually be occupied by two tenants. The photograph to the right below is an architectural concept of the remodeled building.

It’s Photo Friday, so what better day to unveil pics from last Friday’s (March 12) Cove to Clover Pub Crawl?

The fun fundraiser evening brought in at least 430 participants, who paid $10 each to “crawl” amongst 13 Burien pubs (along with restaurants, a coffeeshop and food store), and get their “passports” stamped at least five times, all in the name of raising money for both the Highline Area Food Bank and Highline Schools Foundation.

According to Organizer John Nelson, over $4,300 dollars was raised in just this one night.

BTB Photographers Michael Brunk and Scott Schaefer were on the scene (purely in the name of Photojournalism of course…), and they shot a combined 179 photos.

As is always the case with photos shot by BTB Photographers, you are welcome to choose your favorites, download and print them for personal use at no charge – here’s a link to the entire set on Flickr.

Here’s our SoundSlideshow of the best shots (make sure your speakers are turned on), set to the 1940s public domain song “Hey Joe, Two Beers” by the Benny Bell & Agony Trio:

Click to Play Our SoundSlideshow

“All Mixed Up,” a Cars Tribute Band, will be playing at BTB Advertiser Bison Creek Pizza & Pub this Saturday, March 20th, starting at 10pm.

They will play a variety of hits by The Cars, Tom Petty, The Cure and many other 80’s classics.

Here is a link to their Myspace page, which includes demo tracks:

www.allmixeduprocks.com.

Here are the show details:

• 21+ Only
• NO COVER!
• Call to reserve seats: 206.244.8825

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub
630 SW 153rd St.
Burien, WA 98166
206.244.8825

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, 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!]

Grand Central Bakery, a longtime bakery in Seattle and Portland, is building its newest location in downtown Burien, at 626 SW 152nd Street, in the building formerly occupied by Restaurante CentroAmericano.

Employees from the bakery were on hand at the finish line of last Sunday’s Cove to Clover 5k race, passing out Oatmeal Stout Cake and bread with jam. Rumor has it that some runners even ended up “hitting each other with baguettes.”

It’s nice to see an established bakery come to Burien, and on a personal note, we have many fond memories of eating at their original location in the Grand Central Building in Occidental Square in downtown Seattle.

Here’s a pic of their Burien space taken Tuesday (Mar. 16), currently under construction but moving towards a summer opening:

Here’s a blurb from their website:

COMING SUMMER 2010!

Freshly baked artisan breads, hand-made pastries and delicious sandwiches will soon be available in charming downtown Burien.

Soon we’ll pick up our hammers and get to work building a café that is as warm and inviting as the food we serve.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Here are some links:

• Grand Central Bakery website
• Facebook Page
• Twitter

We’d like to welcome our latest Advertiser – Benson’s Best Bites, located at 17851 First Avenue South in Normandy Park.

Located in Manhattan Village, near the QFC, Benson’s Best Bites brings gems of the world’s cheese culture to the Normandy Park neighborhood—as well as some notable specialty groceries and bakery items.

Here’s what the Bensons have to say about their store:

The Benson family’s long-standing fascination with world foods combined with Ezra’s retail history (he managed the advertising and printing for Benson’s Fashions in Des Moines for 35 years) inspired them to open Best Bites in October 2008. The carefully selected stock reflects a good value for quality products. Not sure you’ll like a certain cheese? Sample it before you buy. Cheese and meat are cut-to-order. Thumann’s Brand Premium cold cut meats offer top quality at better than grocery store prices. Come in and taste the difference. While meats and cheeses are the center of the store, olives, chocolate, and an amazing selection of spices, rice, beans, and lentils are sold in bulk. Other items in the store will optimize their use. As your neighbors, we are excited to offer you great food choices and a fun, personal shopping experience: The extra-you-don’t-pay-extra-for.

If you delight in the Food Channel, you’ll be right at home in our store. We’re not a super market – although we are beside QFC; instead, Best Bites is a small, specialty store, similar to what you might find in Europe. It’s a friendly place to find fresh ideas and special ingredients for supper – or a party! Our cheese and salami platters make any event special. Best Bites also is happy to make sandwich, quiche, or dessert platters.

Best Bites’ Snack Bar is open from 10am to 6pm (10 am to 3:30 pm on Saturday; Closed on Sunday). We have limited in-store seating, but also offer take-out sandwiches and home made soup. The Snack Bar is not a café (no coffee) though we have a great assortment of sodas. Try the Dirty Jobs Sandwich with a cup of Ezra’s Roasted Potato Leek Soup. Top it off with a sticky bun or a scoop of Snoqualmie Raspberry Honey Gelatto in a waffle cone (made fresh at The Bites)!

Special events happen on Saturdays: pig roasts, garlic fries, crêpes, guest chocolatieres, Chicago Style Hot Dogs, raclette tastings, etc. For instance, from 11 to 3 this Saturday, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with a hearty plate of hot sliced Corned Beef, Steamed Red Potatoes, Cabbage, Carrots & Rye Bread, a scoop of Pistachio (or your favorite flavor) Ice Cream! Sign up for our email list to be notified of special events, food demonstrations, and new arrivals.

Baking and cake decorating enthusiasts will find Best Bites’ selection a valuable resource. We have a daughter who loves to bake and had to search the length of Seattle to find ingredients and gifts for her. Now, they are in our store! Best Bites carries an impressive array of ingredients and flavors that are usually only available to commercial bakers.

We offer food choices that can lift the level of cuisine at your own home without destroying your food budget. Guests will seek your recipes! We invite you to taste foods and discover what you like!”

Cheesiest Deli and Specialty Grocery in Normandy Park:

• Over 50 cheeses—from our own back yard to the corners of the world—including some cheeses that are organic and some that use vegetable rennet.
  Italian style salamis; East Coast Deli style cold cuts, and meats from local smokehouses.
• Cured olives from Europe, California, and South America.
• Fine bulk baking chocolate as well as gourmet chocolate bars.
• Cookies and crackers featuring some of Europe’s best!
• Quality oils, vinegars, and jams are flavorful buys. Taste the difference!
• Wonderful bulk selection of fresh spices & herbs—both basic and unusual—at tremendous savings over grocery store prices.
• Bulk section offers an amazing selection of exotic rices, beans, and lentils and pasta.
• An opportunity to discover “gourmet salts” from around the world.
• Ingredients and tools to delight candy making and baking enthusiasts!
• Frozen Raviolis, puff pastry sheets and pie & tart shells.
• Hardware to facilitate the use of foods sold!
• Snack Bar features Deli Sandwiches on artisan bread – Panini Toasted if you wish; hot dogs (Saturdays only), and cheese & cracker Party Platters for entertaining.
• New – Fresh Artisan Breads & Rolls from Columbia City Bakery and Zatz’s Better Bagels in West Seattle

Please welcome our latest Advertisers by showing your support and shopping there:

Bensons Best Bites
17851 First Avenue South
Normandy Park
(206) 243-2420
www.bestbites.biz

Hours:

• Monday to Friday 10 to 6:30 (snack bar closes at 6)
• Saturday 10 to 4 (snack bar closes at 3:30)
• Closed Sunday

Owners – Ezra & Loie Benson

Best Cheeses + Best Meats + Best Breads = Best Sandwiches @ Best Prices!

By the way – Ezra & Loie are better known for their unique honor-system, treasure-chest business, Boundary Pass Trader’s NW, which they have operated for 15 summers on Stuart Island, a remote island in the San Juan Islands.

[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!]

Some updates on recent Burien business news:

We had a chance the other day – Opening Day, as a matter of fact – to visit new Burien neighbors Donatelli’s Market.

The Donatelli family has created Burien’s newest enterprise, where you’ll find a wide variety of terrific fresh fruits, vegetables and other food items.

They are located on the west side of Ambaum Boulevard SW at SW 135th Street, in the building formerly occupied by Ike’s Burgers & Teriyaki.

B-Town Blog staffer Mark Neuman was on his way to another event with camera in hand. By chance timing, Mark became Donatelli’s first customer ever, snaring two bananas plus two perfectly ripe avocados, leaving behind Donatelli Market’s “first dollar we ever earned” (see photo at right).

They’re open seven days a week from 10:30am to 7pm. Open hours will lengthen as summer approaches.

And soon, Donatelli’s will be offering catering … Italian style!

Don’t forget to check out the north side of the nicely renovated building – it’s drive-through Espresso starting at 6:30am every morning.

Also, we’ve seen evidence of construction work on the Red Fish Grill, to be located where the former Keg Restaurant was at 180 SW 148th, across from the Transit Center in the Safeway mall:

Thousands of Local Boy Scouts are mounting a massive Food Drive beginning this Saturday, March 13th (and concluding next Saturday, March 20th), in one of the largest food collection campaigns ever mounted by troops in the Puget Sound area.

The campaign, called “SCOUTING FOR FOOD,” kicks off this Saturday when Scouts canvas neighborhoods with door-hangers listing the most-needed food items for local food banks.

The Scouts will return next Saturday (March 20th) to pick up donations and deliver them to local food banks.

Record numbers of people are visiting local food banks in the wake of news that Washington state’s unemployment rate rose to 9.3 percent in January. 373,000 children living in Washington state households struggle to put food on the table, according to Children’s Alliance and USDA reports.  To meet the increased food shortage locally, the Chief Seattle Council is teaming up with the Pacific Harbors Council of Boy Scouts of America making this the largest food collection campaign ever done by them. The two councils represent up to nearly 46,000 Scouting youth participation.

“In these tough economic times the SCOUTING FOR FOOD drive is more important than ever,” says Pat Craven, Boy Scout Spokesman. “Coordinating the two councils for our 2010 Centennial effort means we can help more people.” Craven added, “This drive will allow our Scouts to put into action the Scout Oath by ‘Helping Other People at All Times’.”

“Many families have depleted their resources and find themselves in need for the first time in their lives and our stock is dangerously low,” says Teresa Andrade, Center Manager at Kirkland/Northshore Hopelink. “The SCOUTING FOR FOOD drive by the Boy Scouts makes a huge difference to the people who depend on our help, especially when programs serving Washington’s children have received harsh cuts in state and local funding.”

And speaking of local food banks and fundraisers, don’t forget that there are two major fundraiser events for the Highline Area Food Bank this weekend:

1. Friday night, March 12th, 6pm+: Cove to Clover Pub Crawl starts at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub.
2. Sunday, March 14th, 1pm: Cove to Clover 5k race begins at the Normandy Park Community Center.

Last Friday night (Mar. 5), the Cove to Clover race organizers held a “Student Limerick Throwdown” contest for area students at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub. Each school in the Highline School District was eligible to submit one entry, with the winner earning $500.

If you haven’t seen the snake posters around yet, the Cove to Clover is a 5k fundraiser run for the Highline Area Food Bank, and it takes place this Sunday, March 14th beginning at Noon at the Normandy Park Community Club (full details here, including how to register).

The winning entry was selected by an “Official Limerick Selection Panel” composed of three non-partisan judges – Normandy Park Councilman Shawn McEvoy, Normandy Park Mayor George Hadley and “A Place for Pets” Owner Kevin Foxen. The winner of the competition was Marvista Elementary 4th 5th Grader Molly Marquis, whose entry we publish below:

The snake is back and we all cheer.
Cove to Clover is finally here
Tiny leprechauns dance
in their jiggly pants.
The race ends with lots of rootbeer!

Marvista decided to give the $500 winnings directly to Molly’s classroom to spend any way they want (with help from their teacher, Mrs. Brossard).

Other schools representing in the throwdown included Bow Lake, Gregory Heights and St. Francis.

Molly’s winning entry will also be read aloud to inspire runners immediately prior to the 5k race start, which is this Sunday, March 14th at Noon – full race details are available here.

The Clarion Hotel in SeaTac will be holding a special St. Patrick’s Day Spaghetti Feed & Auction fundraiser for the Des Moines Area Food Bank next Wednesday, March 17th from 5pm – 8pm at their location at 3000 South 176th Street in SeaTac.

Cost is $10 in advance for adults ($13 at door); Students & Seniors $7; or $25 for a Family Pack.

All proceeds go to the Des Moines Area Food Bank, so come on down, have some good spaghetti and help your hungry neighbors.

Here are the details:

WHAT: St. Patrick’s Day Spaghetti Feed and Auction fundraiser for the Des Moines Area Food Bank.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 17th, 5:00PM-8:00PM.

WHERE: Clarion Hotel, located at 3000 S. 176th St. in SeaTac.

COST: Adults $10 in advance, $13 at door; Students & Seniors $7; Family pack $25.

INFO: Proceeds go to the Des Moines Area Food Bank.

RSVP: Please call 206-676-3742 to RSVP, or click here for more information.

BTB Advertiser Elliott Bay Brewhouse and Pub will be celebrating its 3rd birthday this Saturday March 6th!

Live reggae from Dub Lounge International starts at 8pm.

Families are welcome and there’s No Cover!

Cheers to a great local establishment!

Elliott Bay Brewhouse and Pub is located at 255 SW 152nd in downtown Burien; phone: 206.246.4211. This family-friendly neighborhood pub offers a full pub menu, large party facilities, tournament-sized shuffleboard tables, along with party platters and beer to go.

More info on Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub is available at their website.

Here are a couple of videos of Dub Lounge International to whet your rastaman appetite:

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

Here’s another great reason to attend the upcoming Poverty Bay Wine Festival this coming weekend – a parade of MINI Coopers will end up at the Landmark Event Center on Sunday, March 7th sometime shortly after Noon.

The parade will start at the south end of the Des Moines Marina, where MINIs will congregate at Anthony’s Home Port (421 S. 227^th St.) at Noon, then motor on up to the Landmark Event Center and park in the front parking spaces (excluding handicapped, etc.).

As everyone knows, it’s always cool to see one unusual, groovy MINI Cooper. Now imagine 20 or more, all detailed, each unique in its own way, cruising in, parking and showing off.

If you’re a MINI Cooper enthusiast (Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer drives one), and you’re interested in being in this parade of fun and funky little MINIs, you should consider joining the Puget Sound MINI Motoring Club at their website here.

This will be the second specialty sports car event at the fest – as you may recall, the Tyee Triumph Car Club will be displaying their classic Triumph cars on Saturday, March 6th (read our coverage here).

To buy tickets for the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, click here, or visit CorkyCellars (206-824-9462), Des Moines Drug, and/or purchase directly from any Des Moines Rotary Club member. All proceeds go to the service projects of the Rotary Club of Des Moines.

For more information, including details on wineries, food vendors and entertainment at the fest, read our previous coverage here.

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

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

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

Far as we know, Janel’s two other ECS locations – near the Burien Safeway and at Westfield Southcenter, are still open for business.

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

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

A very unique 9-liter bottle of Five Star Cellars 2006 Cabernet Savignon will be raffled off at the Poverty Bay Wine Festival next weekend (Saturday, March 6th & Sunday, March 7th) at the historic Landmark Event Center in Des Moines.

This one-of-a-kind, big, beautiful bottle contains nine liters – equal to a full case of wine (!) – and is engraved with the Poverty Bay Wine Festival emblem on one side, and the Five Star label on the other.

This 2006 Cab was rated 91 points by Wine Spectator and 94 points by the Beverage Tasting Institute – that means it’s an excellent case of wine in one big bottle!

No purchase is necessary– this is a drawing for anyone who wants to enter – but you will have to show up at the festival, which is just $20 per person; for that amount, you’ll also receive a souvenir wine glass and 10 tokens, a sampling of delicious foods, and live music both days.

Also, for all you non-wine drinkers out there, Pike’s Brewing will also have a booth.

The value of the wine plus the engraving is $1,000!

The opening night Gala will be this Friday, March 5th at 7:30pm at the Landmark Event Center. The theme is A Night in the Vineyard. A lavish buffet will be provided by Anthony’s HomePort. Tickets for the gala are $75 in advance, $85 at the door. The ticket price includes food, entertainment, and wine.

Wine Fesival tickets are priced at $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets for the Wine Festival and Gala are available at Corky Cellars, located at 22511 Marine View Drive in Des Moines (206-824-9462); or online at www.dmrotary.org.

Poverty Bay Wine Festival is the major annual fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Des Moines.

For full details on the festival, check out our previous coverage here.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is an unpaid "Reader Review" of a local Burien restaurant. If you want to write one and have us consider it for publication, please email us.]

by Suzanne Greive

Germaine’s Country Kitchen is now serving dinner – let’s all help support a local family business located at 14901 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Burien, WA 98166.

Germaine’s is a favorite breakfast and lunch spot. They are expanding their hours to serve dinner. To me, they are the “Cheers” of breakfast, ” Where everybody knows your name”. I love supporting a local family business. Mom, Jacki in the kitchen, daughters Jennifer (1/2 owner) and Kaitlyn are serving.

Germaine’s Country Kitchen is dedicated to the memory of Grandmother Germaine Maribeau Bourton. Germaine came to America in 1919 to live on a farm in Eastern Washington.  At that time, all she could do in the kitchen was boil water. Soon, she was selling her egg salad sandwiches at the family barn dances, cooking for the local Catholic church, and planning and cooking dinner for the members of the American Legion. For years, Germiaine was well known to folks in the Waterville area for her wonderful apple pie, maple bars, chicken dinners, and the wine she made in her cellar. Germaine started the family tradition of gathering in the kitchen with good home cooking! Come share the warmth of family and the enjoyment of good food, bringing you the same warmth and comfort of Germaine’s original country kitchen.

Their nightly specials are:

• Monday – Traditional turkey dinner
• Tuesday – Mexican night
• Wednesday – Pasta night
• Thursday – Meatloaf
• Friday – Steamer Clams/ Steak

Jacki is especially proud of her steamer clams. She said she “loves being able to present such a dish to folks who may not be able to afford to go to somewhere like Anthony’s or Salty’s.”

Hope to see you there!

- local resident, Suzanne Greive

The Washington State Department of Health this week issued a warning against eating soft Mexican cheese products made by a Yakima company after a Washington resident was confirmed with listeriosis. The affected products made by the Yakima-based Queseria Bendita (see photo) are subject to a voluntary recall.

According to the state’s website:

Health officials linked the illness of a pregnant woman in King County to cheese products contaminated with Listeria. Samples taken from stores and from the plant confirmed the bacteria. The woman was ill in January and has since recovered. The baby was delivered without complications; however, the disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes can be very serious.

Microscopic view of "Listeria monocytogenes" from Wikimedia.

Healthy people infected with Listeria may have diarrhea or flu-like illness — fever, headache, muscle aches. It can result in bloodstream infection or meningitis. People with weak immune systems or other health conditions are at higher risk. Women who are infected during pregnancy may pass it to their babies. This can result in early delivery or stillbirth. Pregnant women and their newborns are 20 times more likely than healthy adults to get a Listeria infection.

Queseria Bendita has announced the recall of three different types of cheeses (www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm201350.htm) – Queso Fresco, Panela, and Requeson. These products are sold in stores, and also supplied to many restaurants in the Pacific Northwest (www.oregon.gov/DHS/news/2010news/2010-0219a.pdf). Health officials urge anyone who has these products not to eat them (www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2010_news/QuesBendList-sp.pdf).

Listeriosis (www.doh.wa.gov/ehsphl/factsheet/listeriosis.htm) is mostly a foodborne infection caused by Listeria bacteria. Listeria is often found in soft cheeses, including feta, Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, bleu, and Mexican–style cheeses. It’s commonly found in raw milk and other ready-to-eat foods — smoked fish, vegetables, salads, and items purchased at store delis. The bacteria may also be found in hot dogs and other processed meats.

There are some steps everyone can take to reduce the risk of acquiring a Listeria infection:

• Avoid unpasteurized milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk (including cheese).
• Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
• Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry.
• Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
• Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods.
• Consume perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.

The Department of Health recommends people avoid eating certain foods and practice safe food handling. Information on food safety (www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/food/safetytips.html) is on the state health department’s Web site.

Online, there are several other tips on how to avoid listeriosis available here..

The B-Town Blog happily welcomes back one of our Advertisers: The Ming Wong Chinese Restaurant.

Located in a strip mall in Burien near the Dairy Queen off Ambaum Blvd., the Ming Wong Chinese Restaurant is lovingly run by husband and wife team Connie and Kwan Chan.

Connie was born in Canton, China, and moved to the Seattle area in 1995. After honing her culinary skills for 14 years at various restaurants in Seattle, she now brings her dining expertise to Burien.

Connie says “Nothing we serve has MSG anywhere in or on it. It’s good Chinese food at a very fair price!”

Also, Connie tells us if you purchase $25 or more you will receive four free Egg Rolls OR Connie’s fabulous Crab Cream Cheese Wontons (not valid with lunch special menu, individual combos or family dinners).

They also serve beer, wine and Sake.

The Ming Wong has ample room for banquets, large dinner parties, or special occasions.

Ask about their catering menu. They can put together something special that you can enjoy at your home or office.

Connie and Kwan say:

“Thank you, Burien, for seeing our Ad on The B-Town Blog and enjoying our place.

And keep coming on by!”

And one other element that sets Ming Wong apart is their ability to take orders online – give it a try here.

Location:

The Ming Wong Chinese Restaurant
14400 Ambaum Blvd. SW
Burien, Washington 99166

• Phone: 206-241-2679
• Fax: 206-241-4860

Order online here: www.mingwongrestaurant.com

Hours:

• Monday through Thursday: 11am to 9:30pm
• Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm
• Sunday: 12pm to 9:30pm

[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!]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tickets are available for purchase online at this website.

Ric Jacobson is the Des Moines Rotarian in charge of lining up the largest line-up of wineries – 25 – in the six year history of the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, which is coming to the Landmark Event Center in Des Moines on March 6th and 7th.

Ric reports that the following Northwest wineries will be at the festival on Saturday and Sunday to serve the guests. If you taste a wine you want to take home, bottles will be for sale at the event. All proceeds of the sale of wine will go directly to the Rotary Club of Des Moines, who use the funds for the many great things they do for the community.

The following wineries will be in attendance for the event:

• Canyon’s Edge
• Chandler Reach
• Covington Cellars – NEW
• Coyote Canyon Winery – NEW
• Burien’s own E.B. Foote Winery (WLB Advertiser)
• Eaton Hill
• Erin Glenn
• Fall Line
• Five Star Cellars
• Fort Walla Walla Cellars – NEW
• Kestrel – NEW
• Knipprath – NEW
• Masset Winery
• Otis Kenyon
• Page Cellars
• Pondera – NEW
• Sleeping Dog
• Sodo Vino – NEW
• Stina’s Cellar
• Two Vintners – NEW
• Vashon Winery
• Vin du Lac – NEW
• Waving Tree
• Willis Hall
• Windy Point

Des Moines Rotarian, Dave Loft, in charge of food and goodies at the Poverty Bay Wine Festival has lined up the “best of the best” for food and snacks for wine-fest guests:

• Des Moines’ Anthony’s HomePort
• Des Moines’ Salty’s at Redondo
• Charley’s on Central Avenue in Kent
• Cafe Pacific Catering
• Forte Chocolates
• Kauzlarich Smoked Products
• Panera Bread
• Poverty Bay Coffee
• Waters to go
• Redondo Fred Meyer
• Archery Bistro
• Elliot Bay Brewery

The sixth annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival is surely the hottest ticket in town – well lots of towns, surrounding Des Moines. Your ticket includes fun, music, wine, food and even beer, all presented in the historic and magnificent Landmark Event Center (aka Landmark on the Sound), which is located at 23660 Marine View Drive South in Des Moines.

Tickets for the event are just $20 in advance from CorkyCellars (206-824-9462), Des Moines Drug or your local Des Moines Rotarian.

Parking and free shuttles will be available in the South Marina Parking lot.

All attendees must be 21 years of age and photo ID is required.

Click here for more information.

Story & Photos by Gina Bourdage

Community members and local business owners stepped up to raise $1,675 for the completion of Highline Medical Center’s new ER at the “Red Wine & Decadent Dessert” event Wednesday night, Feb. 10th.

This event was the brainchild of local business owners from Mark Restaurant, BTB Advertiser E.B Foote Winery and OptiMark Eye Care. This event allowed attendees to sample some of the great things our community has to offer as well as enjoy an evening among friends.

“We are glad to see such a great turn out, especially in this economy.” said Renee Klein, Executive Director, Highline Medical Center Foundation. “There is really something to be said about the energy in this room and seeing people enjoying themselves. This event speaks to the character and uniqueness of our community to see people come together, showing that this community is truly unlike any other.”

Amongst the warm candlelit setting of the Mark Restaurant, the evening highlighted a raffle drawing for a table full of generous community items including everything from baskets of gardening supplies, a romantic valentine inspired package and art work and more. Guests also were treated to a number of wines from the E.B. Foote Winery and a plate of indulgent sweet treats brought by Mark Restaurant and OptiMark Eye Care.

Originally built to serve 12,000 patients per year, Highline’s Main Campus ER now serves nearly 47,000 –– making it one of the busiest in the state. According to their website:

When a health emergency strikes, you need advanced care. And you need it fast, which is why a new ER is so critical. While we have made significant investments in expert staff and advanced technology over the years, there are simply too few treatment rooms for the number of patients. Ambulances are sometimes diverted to other hospitals farther away, because we simply don’t have enough capacity, according to www. lifedependsonit.org.

“…Highline Medical Center receives no tax support, i.e., we are not publicly funded. Yet, we are a not-for-profit hospital. The new Emergency Room and Patient Care Unit is a $60 million project, most of which is funded through bonds and reserves. But a $10 million capital campaign is needed to help complete the funding. The community has responded, and to date we have raised $5.4 million. But we still need more to reach our goal, and are so thankful for those individuals and businesses who have stepped up!” – Renee Klein

“We are truly grateful for the Mark Restaurant, OptiMark and EB Foote Winery. This was truly all their idea,” added Klein.

In addition to the three businesses that planned the event, many others donated time, products and/or gift certificates, and those businesses include:

• Market Place Salon (BTB Advertiser)
• Levich Agency
• Archery Bistro
• Bison Creek Pizza (BTB Advertiser)
• La Costa
• Purple Café’ & Wine Bar
• Artist Warren Knapp

Here are some photos shot at the event by Gina:

Click to View Gina Bourdage’s Photo Slideshow

The Burien Arts Association is hosting their second “Sing & Sketch” tonight (Thursday, Feb. 11th) at BTB Advertiser Burien Press.

According to Erin Williamson:

“Folks who show up will get a free slice of pie or cake, so even more reason to come!”

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Sing & Sketch” music/art party.

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 11th, from 6pm–8pm.

WHERE: Burien Press, located at 423 SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien (across from the new City Hall/Library); phone: 206-453-5412.

COST: No cover, just bring your creativity or your interest in watching/listening.

INFO: From a poster:

Come enjoy a song and art circle!

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

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

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

For More Information contact: burienarts.org

Poster Art by John Unbehend

BROUGHT TO YOU BY BURIEN ARTS & Burien Press

The Seafair Pirates have commandeered a highly-collectible, $150,000 handcrafted 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and will be auctioning a special Valentine’s Day ride this Saturday to raise money for “Heroes For Heroes,” a fund established for the children of Deputy Kent Mundell, who was killed in December.

This Saturday, Feb. 13th, from 6pm – 11pm, Emerald Downs will be hosting a dinner and benefit auction for this cause. Tickets are only $20.00 for a wonderful dinner and plenty of Piratical Company.

2009 was one of the most devastating years for law enforcement officers in the entire country, especially in the northwest. On Dec. 21st, Deputy Mundell was gunned down, and his partner Nick Hausner was possibly saved by the gunmen’s 16-year old daughter, Bryona Crable.

“Heroes for Heroes” is a nonprofit 501© 3 that has been formed to provide college tuition for all of the children touched by this tragedy – both the police officer’s and the gunman’s.

According to a tribute page website for Mundell:

Deputy Kent Mundell was killed while responding to a domestic violence call in Eatonville.

Deputy Kent Mundell

Mundell and his sergeant had responded to a house where a man was fighting with his daughter and brother. The deputies had convinced the intoxicated man to leave the house when he produced a previously concealed gun and fired ten rounds at the officers.

Despite being wounded, Deputy Mundell returned fire and killed the subject. The suspect’s brother and daughter put themselves at risk to pull the wounded sergeant out of the line of fire by pulling him into another room. Deputy Mundell was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he remained on life support in the intensive care unit until succumbing to his wounds seven days later.

Deputy Mundell had served with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for ten years. He is survived by his wife, 16-year-old daughter, and 10-year-old son.

Why the Seafair Pirates? According to a press release:

“Besides being Goodwill Ambassadors for the Pacific Northwest for the last 61 years, several Pirates have been Police Officers.

There have been many memorials and now with the outpouring for Haiti, the Seafair Pirates have joined with Heros for Heros to see that these heroes do not become forgotten.

The Seafair Pirates are out to prove once again, that it really is all about the Kids.

Individually we all can make a difference. Together we can make an impact.”

Emerald Downs is located at 2300 Emerald Downs Drive in Auburn; more info at their website here.

For ticket information or to donate for the auction click here: http://herosforheros.bbnow.org/ or call Sallie Stewart at (253) 468-1101.

More info on the Seafair Pirates is available at their website here.

REMINDER: The deadline to “Win A Date With Bart” (The B-Town Blog’s own Bart Bryan) is 5pm Wednesday, Feb. 10th, so we encourage all ladies who’d like to get a FREE dinner & dancing date at the Rotary Club’s Rockin’ Valentines Dinner and Dance this Saturday night to enter now.

Bart’s lucky date will enjoy complimentary cocktails, dinner, a live auction, raffle prizes and dancing to two different bands – all on the house this Saturday night, Feb. 13th at South Seattle Community College.

Our single friend Bart is 50-years young, blue-eyed, still has most of his hair, with a sparkling personality and great sense of humor. Bart confesses that he can also still “bust a move” on the dance floor, and is “looking for a fun date for a great romantic dinner dance for a great cause!”

To enter, you must be at least 21 years old and a female. We will announce the winner this Friday, Feb. 12th at Noon.

Please email us with a recent picture, a short bio and why you want to be Bart’s date by 5pm Wed. Feb. 10th!

For more info on this contest, please click here to read our previous post, which includes videos of Bart both without a shirt and sans pants.

Boy Scout Troop #375 will be holding their annual Fish Dinner on Friday Feb. 19th, from 5pm – 7pm at St Francis of Assisi in Burien.

The troop will be barbecuing Sockeye Salmon and serving fresh Dutch Oven desserts – all for just $10!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Boy Scout Troop #375’s annual Fish Dinner

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 19th from 5pm – 7pm

WHERE: St. Francis of Assisi Hall, located at 15226 21st Avenue SW in Burien.

COST: Just $10!

INFO: For more information, contact kgd2418@yahoo.com, or visit the Troop’s website here.

Troop #375 serves boys in areas including Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, White Center and West Seattle. For more information, check out their website here.

Highline High School’s Jazz Band will be holding a fundraiser dinner and silent auction from 7pm to 10pm on Saturday, Feb. 20th at the Highline High cafeteria.

Tickets are just $7 and will be available at the door or can be purchased from a band student.

The band will be playing old jazz and swing favorites such as “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “String of Pearls” and many others.

There is plenty of space to dance and the silent auction will be going on while the band plays.

Desserts will be available also.

Money raised will go towards helping fund a trip to Vancouver, B.C. for band members (jazz and symphonic), with 100% of the proceeds going to the band.

More information on the band and its activities is available at this website.

The Des Moines Area Food Bank is holding a fundraiser Italian Dinner this Saturday, Feb. 13th, beginning at 6:30 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, which is located at 15226 21st Ave SW in Burien.

The Des Moines Area Food Bank serves the city of Des Moines, most of the city of SeaTac and parts of Normandy Park and the West Hill of Kent.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines Food Bank Italian Dinner

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13th beginning at 6:30pm

WHERE: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, which is located at 15226 21st Ave SW in Burien

COST: $25 per ticket; call for reservations: (206) 878-2660.

INFO: Here’s what to expect on the menu:

• Antipasto
• Salad
• Penne pasta with red sauce & meatballs
• Coffee
• Tea
• Dessert
• No host bar (beer and wine)

For more information, visit the Des Moines Area Food Bank website: www.myfoodbank.org.

The Rotary Club of Des Moines has announced that their Sixth Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival will be held on Saturday, March 6th, from Noon– 7pm, and Sunday, March 7th from Noon – 5pm at the historic Landmark Event Center (formerly Landmark on the Sound) just down the road in Des Moines.

The opening night gala will be held Friday night, Mar. 5th, beginning at 7:30pm.

This festival is a must for anyone who loves wine, as well as for anyone who wants to support the work of Rotary, which supports schools and families in our community and around the world or anyone who enjoys an afternoon of good food, good wine and great music.

“The wine festival is an opportunity for wine-lovers to come taste samples from 25 Northwest wineries,” said Rotary spokesperson Catherine Carbone-Rogers. “All of the wineries typically offer two, three, or four different wines. Each winery will have wine by the bottle for sale. The festival is also a great opportunity to see the newly-restored Landmark Event Center, a unique architectural gem of the Des Moines community. Many people have driven by for years but have never had the opportunity to see the interior.”

What can participants expect while at the event? Besides the wine tasting from 25 Northwest wineries, there will also be a sampling of food from local restaurants, along with numerous musical guests throughout the festival. Here’s the preliminary lineup:

Friday, March 5 (Gala):

• Steve Ryals Trio
• Ed Taylor and TaylorMade

Saturday, March 6:

• Darren Motamedy Duo
• 4th Degree

Sunday, March 7:

• Rouge
• Billet-Deux

For just $20, participants receive a souvenir wine glass and 10 tokens, a sampling of delicious foods, and live music. What if you run out? Don’t worry, there’ll be tokens for sale at the event.

And for all you non-wine drinkers, Pikes Brewing will also have a booth.

Major sponsors are Anthony’s HomePort, 98.9 KWJZ, Landmark Event Center, Fred Meyers, Powell Brothers Custom Homes, Highline Times/Des Moines News, Kent Reporter and The Waterland Blog and its sister sites.

The opening night Gala will be Friday, March 5th at 7:30pm at the Landmark Event Center. The theme is A Night in the Vineyard. A lavish buffet will be provided by Anthony’s HomePort. Tickets for the gala are $75 in advance, $85 at the door. The ticket price includes food, entertainment, and wine.

Wine Fesival tickets are priced at $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets for the Wine Festival and Gala are available at Corky Cellars, located at 22511 Marine View Drive in Des Moines (206-824-9462); or online at www.dmrotary.org.

Poverty Bay Wine Festival is the major annual fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Des Moines. Lisa Meineke is the club President and Brian Snure is chair of the wine festival.

The main purpose is to raise funds for the charitable projects of the Rotary Club of Des Moines that include:

• Financial and volunteer support of Des Moines Food Bank
• Financial and volunteer support for Fireworks Over Des Moines on the Fourth of July annually
• “Dictionaries by the Dozens”: Rotary provides a new children’s dictionary to every third grade student in Des Moines
• Mini-grants of up to $1000 to schools or teachers in Des Moines for special projects
• College scholarship of $2,500 to a Highline Community College student
• Pacific Middle School essay contest
• Funding for after school program at Pacific Middle school
• Financial support to Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence, a non-profit benefiting Highline Public Schools
• Financial support for a women’s shelter in South Africa
• Purchase of sewing machines for women in Peru so they can generate income

“We hope to have more attendees than ever this year,” Carbone-Rogers added. “Each year, we have taken the wine festival up a notch with the number of wineries, the entertainment, and the food. The gala is classier every year, and the Landmark Event Center is an amazing venue. We also hope that people coming to the event will get interested in Rotary and join us in our work to support community causes and families,” she added.

For more information on the Des Moines Rotary, please click here: http://dmrotary.org/aboutrotary.php.

Burien’s annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank was a smash hit Friday (Jan. 29th), setting records in both attendance (964 diners) and total amount of money raised (over $13,000).

“We had 477 people attend during lunch and 487 who came out for dinner,” said Mike Werle, Highline Food Bank Executive Director. “The amount of money raised was a little over $13,000.”

Werle added, “There must have been over 40 people who volunteered at the event, many of who were probably not counted because they didn’t come through the front door. Therefore I think we had over 1,000 people who contributed to the dollar total.”

“Do me a favor and put a big plug in for all the work that Gina Kallman and Debra George put in to make this event happen.  They are awesome!”

Here’s a Photo Slideshow shot during the dinner serving by Scott Schaefer:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

Also, as previously reported, BTB Photographer Michael Brunk took these shots during the lunch hour:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Youth Leaders at John Knox Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Spaghetti for Haiti fundraiser dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 10th starting at 6pm.

Cost is $15 per ticket, which can be purchased from the church office (phone: 206.241.1606) or at the door the night of the event.

The dinner will consist of:

• Spaghetti
• Garlic bread
• Salad
• Dessert
• Beverage

Here are the details:

WHAT: Spaghetti for Haiti fundraiser dinner

WHEN: Wednesday, February 10th beginning at 6:00pm

WHERE: John Knox Presbyterian Church, 109 SW Normandy Road in Normandy Park.

COST: $15 per ticket, which can be purchased from the church office (phone: 206.241.1606) or at the door the night of the event. The dinner will consist of spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert and beverage.

WHY: To raise money for Haitian earthquake relief.

INFO: More info available at the church website here.

Valentine’s Day is just about two weeks away, which means that now would probably be a good time to start shopping for something for your sweetie.

We here at The B-Town Blog strongly believe in shopping local, which is why we highly recommend that all our Readers buy their Valentine’s Day gifts from Burien-based Advertiser Dan the Sausageman.

I mean, what says “I Love You” better than a groovy gift box full of high quality meats, cheeses, chocolates and other goodies? And what better way to spend your money than by keeping it local?

Dan the Sausageman has been in business in Burien since 1988. Back then, Dan House (who also owns The Tin Room and the soon-to-be-opening Tin Theater) used to drive around selling sausages to car dealers and other businesses in the south end. Eventually he opened a tiny retail store in Seahurst, then moved into the classic old Hi-Line Tin Shop in Olde Burien where he still works every day.

And no, Danny hasn’t retired his retail sausage business – he’s just moved it in preparations for his new “Tin Theater” (which will be opening soon – stay tuned to the BTB for details) and is doing most work online now (check out his website here).

For Valentine’s Day, Dan the Sausageman is offering a great deal – purchase any gift box, and you’ll get both an extra 9oz Summer Sausage as well as a dozen chocolate kisses!

Gift Boxes are available at this web page, and here are three favorites:

“Dan’s Favorite“: Packed inside this hand made pine crate (15″ x 6.5″ x 4.5″) are all the things Dan loves and is a consistent top pick among our loyal customers. Contents: Summer Sausage (9oz), Sharp Cheese (4oz), Pepper Jelly (5oz), Smoked Salmon (3.25oz), Smoked Pate (3.25oz), Spiced Almonds (1.5oz), Sweet’N'Hot Mustard (2oz), Crackers (1oz), Chocolate Truffles (2pcs), Chocolate Covered Cherries, Blueberries, Cranberries and Apricots (4oz) – all for just $53.95! Click here to order.

“Retro Lunch Box“: If you took a lunch like this to work every day, you probably would WANT to go to work. Our nifty retro lunch pail is filled with all of the stuff that keeps our customers coming back for more. Contents: Summer Sausage (9 oz.), Hot Summer Sausage (9 oz.), Santa Barbara Garlic Stuffed Olives (2 oz.), Bandon Sharp Cheese (8 oz.), Seattle Chocolate Truffles (2.5 oz.), Gourmet Caramels with Almonds, Spiced Almonds (1.5 oz.), Venus Crackers (2 oz.), all for just $54.95! Click here to order.

“Perfect For The Palate“: No, we haven’t started selling paint like Martha Stewart. We do fancy the can though. Whether it is the office, home, or outdoors – all you have to do is spread this out and paint a smile on your face. Contents: Summer Sausage (9 oz.), Hot Summer Sausage (9 oz.), Santa Barbara Garlic Stuffed Olives (2 oz.), Bandon Sharp Cheese (8 oz.), Toffee Almond Cranberry Crunch (8 oz.), Eastshore Pretzels (4 oz.), Sweet ‘n’ Hot Mustard (2 oz.), Spiced Almonds (1.5 oz.), 1 Gallon Collector Paint Can. Just $47.95. Click here to order.

You can order these gift boxes online, as well as many others, safely and securely here (you can also order ala carte items too!).

On Friday afternoon (Jan. 29th), the first of two rounds of Burien’s annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank was served.

For just $10, visitors received a full meal of soup made by various local restaurants and served in one-of-a-kind bowls handcrafted by area Potters, along with bread, cookies and a drink. There was also a dinner served between 4pm and 8pm.

When we visited for dinner, Highline Food Bank Executive Director Mike Werle told us that the lunch crowd was “a record,” in the neighborhood of 470 or so guests. As the dinner crowds wandered in, Werle assured us that the evening group would be another record.

BTB Photographer Michael Brunk dropped by for lunch and captured these photos:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

We’ll be posting the total numbers from this fundraiser, along with more photos soon, so stay tuned to The B-Town Blog!

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.

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

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

Here are the details:

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

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

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

INFO: From a press release:

Haiti Earthquake Relief and Doctors Without Borders Fundraiser

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

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

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

Gregory Heights Elementary School’s “Better Together” auction – its first in four years – will be Saturday, Feb. 27th at 5pm at the Jerry Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College.

Tickets for the “Better Together” auction are just $40 (no, that’s NOT a typo), which gets you dinner, dancing, a drink and an entire night of good fun all for a great cause.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Gregory Heights Elementary School’s “Better Together” Auction

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 27th at 5pm

WHERE: Jerry Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College

COST: $40 per ticket, includes dinner, dancing, a drink and an entire night of good fun all for a great cause.

TICKETS: Buy tickets safely and securely online here.

INFO: From their website:

The money raised at the auction will continue to provide funding for the great programs that the Gregory Heights PTSA has established at the school:

• Language
• Drama
• Art
• Chess
• Jump rope
• Science clubs
• Family fun nights
• Books for the library
• Field trips (there is NO district funding for field trips)

…just to name a few.

These enrichment programs offer something for all students with a wide variety of interests and have been very popular and effective for enhancing the learning experience for all students.  They also hope to purchase as many Netbooks as possible for the students so they can each have use of one for writing and research lessons, which will be essential for all students as they continue on in their education.

Call your neighbors, friends and family and buy tickets online today here. It’s super easy and fast.  It’s going to be a great event for the whole community. What a great way to support the future of your great town and our future leaders!

Better Together: every CHILD  every PARENT  every TEACHER!

We’d like to remind all our Readers that Burien’s annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank is next Friday, Jan. 29th, with both a lunch and dinner serving, along with one-of-a-kind original bowls handcrafted by area Potters.

This is always a great, fun and fulfilling event involving great food, art and fundraising for Burien’s hungry, and you can bet The B-Town Blog will be at the Moshier Art Center to help.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 29th:

• 11am – 2pm: Lunch
• 4pm – 8pm: Dinner

WHERE: Moshier Community Art Center, located at 430 South 156th, Burien

COST: Just $10 donation, which will get you both a good solid meal AND a work of art in the form of a beautiful handmade bowl!

INFO: From their flier:

JOIN US FOR A MEAL AND HELP FIGHT HUNGER IN OUR COMMUNITY!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Lunch served 11:00 AM-2:00 PM

Dinner served 4:00-8:00 PM

Moshier Community Art Center, 430 S 156th, Burien

$10 (minimum) Donation

Proceeds to benefit Highline Food Bank

Moshier Community Art Center Potters have teamed up with the Highline Food Bank and Discover Burien to bring you Empty Bowls 2010. Empty Bowls events can be found around the country raising money to combat hunger in our communities. Potters have donated bowls to be filled with soup at this fun event…all are invited!

Your $10 (minimum) donation will get you the opportunity to pick out a beautiful handmade bowl, as well as a simple but wonderful meal of soup, bread, dessert and drink; all donated by local businesses. 90% of proceeds go to the Highline Food Bank, which serves over 750 area families per month, and 10% will go to provide art programming for low income youth.

www.MoshierArtCenter.org or phone: (206) 988-3700

Here’s a video we shot at least year’s event, where over 800 participants helped raise over $10,000 (let’s break that record this year!):

“Dine for Highline,” an all-day fundraiser to help raise money for Highline Medical Center’s new ER, will be all day Thursday, Jan. 21st at 16 or so various local restaurants (see the full list below).

A percentage of all proceeds from the day will be donated to Highline Medical Center’s “Campaign for a New ER.”

Here’s a link to our original story.

Participating restaurants include:

• Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
• Sal’s Deli
• 909 Coffee and Wine
• Mark Restaurant and Bar
• Yo’s Bistro
• Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar
• Angelo’s of Burien
• Australian Pie Co.
• Tin Room Bar
• Osteria de Primo
• Collier’s The House
• La Costa Restaurant
• Archery Bistro
• Bison Creek Pizza (BTB Advertiser)
• Emerald City Smoothie
• Vino Bello Wine Bar

Local favorite Pianist-Singer Sandra Locklear will be performing tonight (Sat., Jan. 9th) at the new Archery Bistro in Normandy Park, and there’s no cover charge!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Sandra Locklear sings at Archery Bistro (check out her website here for music samples)

WHEN: Saturday, January 9th form 8:30pm – 11:30pm

WHERE: Archery Bistro, located at the Normandy Park Town Centre at 19803 1st Ave. So, Suite 104; phone: 206.429.3145. Read our review of this restaurant here.

COST: NO COVER CHARGE!

“Come check out the late night menu and wine list!”

We stopped by the other day to say Hi to B-Town Blog friend and Advertiser Bison Creek Pizza & Pub. We enjoy the company of the proprietors, but honestly, we just can’t resist the food!

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub originated in West Seattle in 1975 and expanded to Burien in 1977. The West Seattle location is no longer in operation, but the Burien restaurant and pub continues to this day.

New owners Shauna and Ryan Rumel purchased Bison Creek Pizza on September 15, 2008, and have seen business increase due to their hard work even as the economy has seen a dramatic downturn.

Shauna met her husband Ryan at the Art Institute of Seattle where she studied video and film production and Ryan studied graphic design.

They started dating at school and they both graduated in 2001. Then Cupid shot his arrow and they were married in 2004.

Shauna was working in the financial field and Ryan worked in construction. When they both could see that the housing market was going to collapse, they decided to start their own business.

The couple often came to Bison Creek Pizza while they were dating and would drive up from Renton even after they were married because, as Shauna says, “It’s pizza that you crave!”

They noticed a listing for Bison Creek Pizza in 2008 and purchased it.

“It was meant to be,” they told us.

Shauna says “One of the things that sets us apart from other restaurants is that we offer wheat- and gluten-free pizzas, and even wheat- and gluten-free beer!”

“If you have allergies to wheat and gluten, just ask and we will make a special pizza just for you,” she says.

Between 11am and 2pm Monday through Friday, Bison Creek offers a wonderful all-you-can-eat buffet with a salad bar, soup and fantastic pizza!

In addition to pizza, the menu includes appetizers, calzones, a variety of salads, pasta dishes, hot sandwiches and a “Lil’ Bandits” Kids Menu.

Who the heck serves Root Beer Floats anymore? Well, Bison Creek does! Just ask.

On weekends Bison Creek Pizza offers live music featuring some of Seattle’s top bands.

Asked what advice Shauna and Ryan have for folks thinking of starting up their own business, they say “Have patience and go for it. We’re here and we’re happy!”

While eating or enjoying the atmosphere at Bison Creek, ask them about the 100-year old wooden back bar. It’s an 1890’s Brunswick model and was shipped in two pieces from the Bison Creek Dude Ranch in Montana to the Burien location in the early 1990’s.

Click on their ad on this page to read a fascinating history of the Bison Creek Pizza & Pub Burien location.

Better yet, stop by in person and try some of the best pizza you will ever have!

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub
630 SW 153rd Street
Burien, WA 98166

Phone 206-244-8825

Restaurant Hours:

• Monday – Friday 11am to 10pm
• Saturday 11am to 10pm
• Sunday 11am to 9pm

Website: www.BisonCreekPizza.com

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