You must have heard of those guys? They’re the fine folks that have created all the events we have come to enjoy and expect in Burien. Events like the Farmers Market, the Father’s Day Car Show, Boo in Burien, the Art walks and more.

But Discover Burien is much more than events. They are a non-profit corporation working on economic development, business recruitment & retention, education, promotion and marketing of the Burien community. DB’s got an Executive Director, Steve Gilbert and is run by an executive committee of 12 elected members from the Discover Burien membership roster.

And speaking of marketing, the folks at DB have been busy working on creative and cost effective ways to attract customers into our city and your business. As a member you can enjoy compelling ways to market your business. Consider group advertising potentials that are targeted, focused and on point:

• Seeing your business promoted on the back of a bus with nine other advertisers moving back and forth 24/7 between Burien and West Seattle
• Sharing group commercials with three other advertisers running 60-80 times in a month
• Sharing a group page in the Highline Times six times a year with special group rates

As a member, you and your business will also enjoy a 10% discount on ad rates on The B-Town Blog. BTB is Burien’s #1 news and information outlet, with nearly 50,000 unique visitors per month. You can also enjoy a 20% discount off the Highline Times open display advertising rate, or a 10% discount on the Best of Burien quarterly coupon book.

Members will also receive:

• Discount on a Highline Athletic Club membership
• No Fee IRA from Cox Financial
• Web Site Presence and Links on Discover Burien website
• Free black and white ad in quarterly coupon books
• Access to Inventory of Banners for Sales and events
• Restaurant sampling at Burien Farmers Market
• Access of monthly DB newsletter to promote your business specials and events

Besides these marketing benefits, DB likes to party, with bi-monthly afterhours get-togethers at local Burien businesses. They also like to inform with morning seminars that you’ll find pertinent to growing and retaining your customer base. DB calls these events “Networking & Educational Programming.” You’ll call it fun and informative.

Discover Burien has just celebrated it’s eighth year in serving the Burien business community. Their members are an eclectic mix of individuals and businesses that want to see Burien thrive. In addition to actively working in the business community, they also work as a liaison between businesses and city hall to streamline issues.

You can join the old-fashioned way by filling out the bright gold application that the mailman delivers to you, or you can click here to download the application (PDF file).

They say that membership has its’ privileges. Well, in the case of a Discover Burien membership, it also has it’s benefits. Become a member today!

Discover Burien’s office is located at 620 SW 150th across from the post office. If you want to talk to Steve or one of his volunteers, it’s 206-433-2882.

Burien’s first-ever “Hookah Bar” has opened – Pyramids Club, at 153 SW 153rd, just west of the E.B. Foote Winery – a membership-only “club” where members can smoke from communal “Hookah” water pipes.

The fact that it’s a private club is why smoking is allowed there, despite the state’s ban on smoking in restaurants and bars. But it’s only Hookah smoking, according to owner Shadi’ – no drugs or alcohol are allowed, members must be at least 18, and strict rules are posted.

Members pay $5 for an annual membership, then order from a menu and share a large, communal water pipe filled with flavored tobacco in a very social, group setting. Current flavors include: Double Apple, Strawberry, Grape, Cherry, Pipe, Guava, Plum, Peach, Coconut, Mint, Lemon, Berry, Banana, Grenadine and Cardamom.

Some snacks, non-alcoholic drinks and games are available, and they also offer free Wi-Fi.

Hookahs are very popular in the Middle East, as well as India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, South Africa, and more recently in the U.S. and Canada. There are around five other Hookah Clubs in the Seattle area, with Pyramids Club being the first one in the Burien area.

Now if you’ve never heard of Hookah, here’s a brief primer, courtesy Wikipedia:

The Hookah was invented in India in the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar (1542 – 1605 AD). Following popularity among noblemen, this new device for smoking soon became a status symbol for the Indian aristocracy and gentry.

The jar at the bottom of the hookah is filled with water sufficient to submerge a few centimeters of the body tube, which is sealed tightly to it. Flavored tobacco is placed inside the bowl at the top of the hookah and a burning charcoal is placed on top of the tobacco. Some cultures cover the bowl with perforated tin foil or a metal screen to separate the coal and the tobacco, which minimizes inhalation of coal ash with the smoke. This may also reduce the temperature the tobacco is exposed to, in order to prevent burning the tobacco directly.

When one inhales via the hose, air is pulled through the charcoal and into the bowl holding the tobacco. The hot air, heated by the charcoal evaporates (not burns) the tobacco, thus producing smoke, which is passed down through the body tube that extends into the water in the jar. It bubbles up through the water, losing heat, and fills the top part of the jar, to which the hose is attached. When a smoker inhales from the hose, smoke passes into the lungs, and the change in pressure in the jar pulls more air through the charcoal, continuing the process.

There are no drugs involved, and the flavored tobacco mixes have lower amounts of nicotine than regular cigarettes.

The Washington State smoking ban mandates that any smoking establishment be a private club, ergo a membership is required at Pyramids Club.

A yearlong membership to Pyramids is $5, and the minimum age is 18 years old.

Pyramids Club is open Sunday – Thursday from 6:30pm – 12am, and Friday – Saturday from 3pm – 2am.  Their address is 153 SW 153rd, located just west of E.B. Foote Winery. Phone: 206-588-1019; Email: al.shadi@yahoo.com and their website is www.pyramidsclub.net.

Here are some pics taken by Scott Schaefer:

BTB Advertiser Highline Athletic Club has been serving the community for 22 years and is proud to have recently received two awards – here’s their latest news:

Highline Athletic Club wins BEST GYM in the health and fitness category in King 5’s Evening Magazine Best of Western Washington contest. We are proud to have won this great award and appreciate the votes from our members, staff and local community. We will continue to strive to be the BEST and provide our members with excellent facility and service.

Highline Athletic Club also wins BEST WORKOUT VENUE from Highline Times readers.  Thank you to our community for voting for us.  We appreciate the recognition and support.

ZUMBA comes to HAC!!  What exactly is ZUMBA?
ZUMBA is known to burn 500 calories an hour with this hot new workout! Well, the word ZUMBA is a Colombian slang meaning to move fast and have fun.  Are you in already?  This cardio workout is famous for its Latin-inspired dance steps, Salsa, Merengue, Flamenco, and Samba.  Although ZUMBA’S success stems from its Latin roots, you may also hear a little country, funk and rock & roll.  A variety of world influences are used we well, including Indian harmonies, and African Reggae tone.  The music enjoyed in this dance-based class offers something for everyone.  The class will be offered at Highline Athletic Club Wednesdays 6:30 PM with Patricia Vessey instructing.  ZUMBA dances its way into HAC beginning Wednesday, December 2nd. For more information on ZUMBA visit www.zumba.com.

Special Enrollment Fee Discount!
Highline Athletic Club wants your help in donating food to the hungry for Northwest Harvest during the month of November.  All food non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at Highline Athletic Club by November 30th.  If you are a non-member and are interested in joining the club simply bring in a bag of food for Northwest Harvest and your donation is also worth $50 off the current enrollment special. Below are the November enrollment fee specials & also what the enrollment would be if you donate to Northwest Harvest.  Great way to not only help others, but also your own health.

This promotion and food drive will end on November 30th, 2009.

What types of food does Northwest Harvest need?
 Northwest Harvest can use any nonperishable food or monetary donations. If you prefer to donate food, select shelf-stable food with the lowest saturated fats and refined carbohydrates (sugar, white flour). NW Harvest buys white rice and beans in bulk, so we encourage you to donate other items. Here are some suggestions:

General food items:

• Oatmeal
• Whole grain pastas
• Brown rice
• Tomato products
• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruit, especially with low sugar (but not artificial sweeteners)
• Canned fish or meat
• Shelf-stable milk
• Beef stew
• Chili and similar meals with low sugar and saturated fats

Infant and baby foods:

• Baby formula
• Canned milk
• Infant cereal
• Jars of baby food
• Powdered or canned milk
• Baby diapers also accepted

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, event listing and/or Ad like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 40,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

You only have until this Wed. Sept. 30th at 5pm to join BTB Advertiser Highline Athletic Club

As in Nada. Zilch. Zero.

All you have to do is get yourself over to the club by end of business (5pm) on Wednesday and say “I saw it on the B-Town Blog!” and the friendly folks at HAC will sign you up for NO CHARGE!

That’s right – ZERO enrollment fees now through the end of September when you mention the blog. Swing by HAC today at 125 South 156th, or call Christina in Membership Services at 206-246-9000, or email membershipservices@highlineathleticclub.com with the Subject Line “I saw it on the Blog!”

Depending on the size of your membership, you can save up to $200 with this special blog-only offer.

The Highline Athletic Club is located at 125 South 156th Street, and is open 5am-10pm Monday-Friday; 7am-8pm on Saturday; and 8am-8pm on Sunday.

That’s right – ZERO enrollment fees now through the end of September when you mention the blog. Swing by HAC today at 125 South 156th, or call Christina in Membership Services at 206-246-9000, or email membershipservices@highlineathleticclub.com with the Subject Line “I saw it on the Blog!”

Depending on the size of your membership, you can save up to $200 with the special blog-only offer.

The Highline Athletic Club is open 5am-10pm Monday-Friday; 7am-8pm on Saturday; and 8am-8pm on Sunday.

When you join Highline Athletic Club, you’ve chosen the only full-service gym in the Burien area. With its pool, basketball court, pickleball court, and state of the art Pilates Studio you’ll find workouts that other gyms just don’t offer. You’ll also be able to choose from 50 group exercises HAC calls ‘Group X’, including Centergy, Groove, Power, Ride, Step, Active to name a few.

If swimming is something you’re interested in, know that the climate controlled pool (always 84 degrees) offers lap swimming and water aerobics

Also as a new member you’ll receive three sessions with a highly trained instructor to learn how to work the equipment as well as to create a personalized fitness regimine based on needs and goals.

No more excuses…join today for zero enrollment just by mentioning The B-Town Blog.

But hurry…you only have til’ September 30th to act on this special offer.