Scott Schaefer dropped by the site Monday afternoon (May 23rd) and took the following pics:

Workers spent most of Monday painting the exterior walls where signage will be installed.

A peek inside shows that there's still a way to go before the store opens for business.

A worker is reflected in the glass as he lowers himself down.

While we were there we spoke with the construction foreman, who told us to expect the store to open “sometime in July.”

Crews are making modifications on the space, including re-wiring the electrical and other major work.

As we learn more information about what will surely become one of Burien’s biggest retail shops, we’ll update the blog, so stay tuned!

Story & Photos by Scott Schaefer

If you happen to catch a whiff of some sweet, potent-smelling herbs or teas next time you’re near the Seahurst Post Office, don’t worry, you’re not losing your mind, you’re merely smelling the latest new business next door – Cascadia Herb n’Tea.

After dropping some mail off, our nose led us over the other day, and we met Owner Vicki Winston, who told us that, even thought they’re already open, they’re holding a Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, March 17th.

“Everything we sell here is organic and sustainably grown,” Vicki said. “And a lot of the herbs are grown locally, right here in Seahurst.”

Owner Vicki Winston stands in front of her herb-filled cabinets, which were made by her husband.

Vicki said that many of the herbs she sells are grown on the roof of her house, which is located just down the hill, within walking distance. Cascadia sells medicinal herbal remedies and teas, and will be offering outdoor seating once the weather clears up. Oh, and Vicki’s also currently offering FREE tea tastings.

A retired Boeing Engineer, Vicki has lived in the Seahurst area for 19 years, and this is her first retail business. Vicki has deep roots in the northwest – so deep in fact that the cities of Winston, OR and Winston, WA were named after her ancestors! She is studying to be a Naturopath, and when talk turned to this Reporter’s hayfever problems, Vicki naturally offered this one-word nugget of advice:

“Nettles!”

“N-n-nettles???” I gulped.

“Yes, freeze-dried, fresh nettles!”

Growing up near Schimitz Park in West Seattle, I am much more familiar with nettles than any normal human being should be. Just the thought of the stinging and resulting painful welts brought back many an unpleasant childhood memory.

“I’ve fallen in many a nettle patch,” I explained to Vicki with a wince.

“Oh – that’s another way you can beat allergies,” Vicki said with the hint of a smile. “Many hayfever sufferers actually beat their naked bodies with nettle branches as treatment. And it apparently works for many – one treatment and you’re good for the year!”

“Wait. Did you say they ‘beat their naked bodies with nettle branches’?”

Cascadia Herb n'Tea is located at 2118 SW 152nd, next to the Seahurst Post Office.

“Yes.”

Apparently the nettle beating self-torture therapy causes the body to build up immunity against hayfever.

I think I’ll pass on that idea, but will certainly look into taking the freeze-dried variety.

Cascadia Herb n’Tea is located at 2118 SW 152nd, next to the Seahurst Post Office.

Don’t forget to drop by and sample a free cup of tea and say hi to Vicki.

Oh, and be sure to tell Vicki you read about ‘em on The B-Town Blog.

by Mark Neuman

For most newly elected public officials, the first day on the job usually involves a touch of ceremony and tradition, with the real work beginning the very next day.

But for 34th District State Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, at 24 the youngest current member of the Washington State Legislature, Day One was anything but traditional.

At about noon this past Saturday (Dec. 11), while powerful winds beat down upon western Washington, as heavy snow piled in the passes, and a steady rain lobbied Olympia, Joe Fitzgibbon entered the chamber of the House of Representatives and cast his first vote before an hour had passed.

The occasion was a one-day special session called by Governor Chris Gregoire to, effectively, cut several hundred millions of dollars from the current state budget.

Fitzgibbon is certainly no stranger to Olympia, having served as a close aide to then Representative Sharon Nelson, now State Senator from the 34th District.

A Burien resident, Fitzgibbon was elected to Nelson’s former seat last month and sworn in Dec. 2nd.

“But it is still awe inspiring as your first time as an actual legislator to enter that chamber and cast a vote that will shape the future of our state,” Fitzgibbon said.

“You take very seriously that role when you see the institution at work like that. It was very much a business day where we had to go down and get some work done. We took three votes on Saturday and we did it in record, fast time. I was gratified to see that.”

The Budget Crisis
Voters last month rejected a state income tax on high earners, and passed Initiative 1053, which narrows the corridor of opportunity for the legislature to raise taxes.

In that light, Fitzgibbon did not rule out the specter of an “all cuts” budget, and he commented on it’s possibility.

“I think we would cut from probably almost all areas that are not constitutionally protected,” he said. “So that means higher education, probably community colleges as well as four-year colleges, and pretty much every Medicaid service that isn’t required by the federal government. All these will probably be on the chopping block (along with) the (state’s) basic health plan.

“Also, a lot of our corrections programs that are aimed at reducing repeat offenders, such as drug treatment programs and mental health courts, will be on the chopping block.

“Certainly K-12 education, though protected, is still likely to take some very severe cuts if we go ahead with an all cuts budget.”

On the possibility that new or additional taxation might occur, Fitzgibbon said “It’s still anyone’s guess whether that is possible. If that happened it would probably come as a result of the legislature sending a package of revenue increases (to the voters) on an upcoming ballot. I think those would likely concern ending some tax exemptions that we don’t think are performing well.

“I think sending a package to the voters would be more responsible than just cutting everything to the bone.”

Governor’s Proposal On Boards and Commissions
Just a couple of hours before our interview with Fitzgibbon (December 14), Governor Gregoire proposed cutting a number of state boards and commissions.

“I have not seen (the governor’s) specific proposal,” Fitzgibbon said. “Optically, cutting state boards and commissions looks like a good cut, but generally it saves no money, or next to no money. Those boards and commissions don’t cost very much. Many of them pay their own way in different ways.

“We probably will cut some more boards and commissions (but) I don’t think that’s going to make the smallest dent in our budget problem. It’s always worth looking at and figuring out whether what we’re doing is worth doing.”

Committee Assignments
Committee assignments have not been finalized, but Fitzgibbon has asked to sit on, among others, the Higher Education, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Transportation committees.

“My number one committee request is certainly Transportation,” he said.

“I’d really like to help stabilize our transit agencies so they can protect the service that we have, and have a pathway to new services in the future.

“We have Rapid Ride transit lines that are supposed to be coming to Burien and I’d like to keep us on track to get those, even in bad economic times.”

Retrospect
Asked what, perhaps, the legislature might have done differently in the recent past to avert the current crisis, Fitzgibbon said:

“There are a lot of things. I don’t think we could have foreseen the magnitude of this economic crisis. Certainly we could have put more into the rainy day fund than was constitutionally required. With the magnitude that the revenues have dropped, I don’t think there’s any way that we could have totally alleviated the shortfalls.

“Revenues were growing very, very fast in the mid-2000’s and I think that the Legislature probably could have done a better job of knowing that couldn’t go on forever and to put more of that in the bank for a time like this,” he said.

The disparity between tax revenues of the mid-2000’s and now “show how unstable our tax system is. Five or six years ago it would have been great if the legislature and the governor had started the conversation about how to construct a more fair tax system and a more stable tax system,” he said.

Public Education
“I would really like to see us stabilize our public schools,” Fitzgibbon said. “As of right now the best we can do for public schools in our state is to keep things from getting cut even worse than they are already likely to.

“But in the long run I’d really like to see the state step up and provide a good quality public education for students in our K-12 system, but also before they enter kindergarten, as well for students in technical and four-year colleges.

“That’s the paramount duty of our state and we haven’t been doing a very good job of it,” Fitzgibbon said.

“I’d love to see us provide a quality education for everybody who wants it.”

The Future
Fitzgibbon lightly rang the bell of optimism.

“We are slowly but surely seeing things improve,” he said. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take us to get back to where we started, but we have already seen the state’s revenue collections picking up slightly, which is encouraging.

“Apparently it’s a pretty good holiday shopping season, from what we hear from retailers.

“I think slowly but surely we’ll get back on the right track. But it’s not going to happen overnight and it’s not going to happen without a lot of hard work.”

(The regular legislative session is set to begin January 10, 2011. The 34th District covers Burien, White Center, West Seattle, Maury Island and Vashon Island.)

The League of Women Voters of King County South is hosting a Ballot Issues meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 13th from 6:30pm – 9pm at the Burien Library, 1st floor conference room.

Speakers will offer pros and cons for Initiatives 1053, 1098, 1100,1105, 1107 and King County Prop 1.

Here are the details:

WHAT: League of Women Voters Ballot Issues meeting.

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 13th from 6:30pm – 9pm

WHERE: Main Burien Library, located at 400 SW 152nd Street (206-243-3490).

INFO: The AAUW of Renton is co-sponsoring the event.

Refreshments will be served.

It will be a good chance to ask questions and become informed.

Click image to download your own PDF of our print version you can print yourself.

We’re trying an “experiment in irony” here at your normally online-only B-Town Blog – we’re printing up free weekly one-page, double-sided, 8-1/2 x 11 inch condensed versions of our online publication, and distributing them around various Burien businesses.

Edited and Designed by Nicholas Johnson, if this experiment fails, these are surely to become collector’s items – so get yours today!

You can find ‘em at the following area locations (with more to be added if it “takes off”):

• The Tin Room
• The Mark Restaurant & Bar
• Burien Press
• Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub
• Elliott Bay Brewery

As we said, this project is an “experiment in irony” (WTFH?! an online-only publication doing print?!), and it’s meant to supplement our regular, daily edition, oftentimes with bonus content and photos.

But don’t worry, we’re not switching our business over to a dying medium – we’re simply trying something new; plus, it’s only one (double-sided) page so just chillax will ya?

And we know a lot of folks still enjoy reading tree-based products, especially since not everyone has an iPad yet. Heck, we even enjoy reading ink on paper occasionally (as well as risking those oh-so-painful paper cuts…) and we promise that we’ll only use 100% recyclable paper.

If you’d rather just download and print your own PDF and kill part of a tree yourself, click here to get your very own collectible version of Edition #1.

There is dedicated advertising space in it, so if you’re an area business and want to hop on board our newfangled old-world experiment, please email Janet Grella: janetgrella@msn.com.

Story & Photos by Janet Grella

Piranaha Joe’s will be opening in May, but rest assured, when you go there to enjoy this new Burien eatery, you’ll be eating the fish, it won’t be eating you!

The new restaurant, housed in the former Keg location at the Safeway Plaza on SW 148th, will not be called the “Red Fish Grill” as previously reported, but “Piranha Joe’s.”

Why Piranha Joe’s?

Owner Coy Wood tells The B-Town Blog that “my wife and daughter wanted that name.”

Piranha Joe’s will open “around May 1,” according to Coy, but first they’re “hosting a fundraiser for Highline Medical Center on April 24, where guests will sample a limited menu.” Here’s a flier for it:

When open, Piranha Joe’s will serve dinner only for three weeks, and then open for lunch as well after that. Coy tells us that “we’ve kept the best of The Keg, with steaks and prime rib and added fish and seafood to the menu, and some weird food like alligator!” They’ll also have entrees of chicken and baby back ribs.

Once in full swing, they’ll be offering a happy hour from 3-6pm and 9-11pm, with half-price appetizers and discounted drinks.

And for the first time ever in Burien, Piranha Joe’s will present a Gluten-Free menu. If you want to see what Gluten-Free dining is like, check out the menu from Coy’s other restaurant Woody’s on the Water. Coy opened that restaurant in Tacoma in 2007. It’s on the Thea Foss Waterway next to the Museum of Glass.

Piranha Joe’s will employ 35-40 people, and they’re currently accepting applications.

According to Chef and Kitchen Manager Torri Mueri (former Keg patrons will know her as Torri Clemons, from when she served as Chef), Piranha Joe’s will be “coastal casual,” as evidenced by the Hawaiian shirt that the bar staff will be wearing. The dining room staff will be wearing white shirts and really ‘fun’ ties.

Here are some sneak peek pics of the joint taken this week:

"Piranha Joe's" Chef and Kitchen Manager Torri Mueri.

BTB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s featured Open House for this week is a new, two-story Craftsman style home in Seahurst.

The main floor has an entry with open staircase, and there’s a large open gourmet kitchen with elegant cabinets, slab granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas cook top range, and a built-in microwave and oven.

The hardwood floors are made of Brazilian Cherry, the upper floor has four bedrooms, two full baths, and a large master suite with five-piece bath and walk-in closet.

Here are the details:

WHEN: Open House will be this Sunday, March 21st, from 1pm to 4pm.

WHERE: 14438 12 Ave SW • Burien 98166

INFO:

• List Price: $415,000
• Listing#: 28106636
• Beds: 2
• Baths: 2.5
• Fireplaces: 1
• Year Built: 2008
• 2 Garage-Attached, Off-Street Parking
• Approximate House SqFt: 2,420
• Lot Square Footage: 5,245

Interior Features:

• Bath Off Master
• Dining Room
• Dble Pane/Strm Windw
• Walk-in Closet

Site Features:

• Cable TV
• Fenced-Partially
• Nat. Gas Available

Marketing Remarks:

Quality built new construction in Seahurst. Gorgeous Two-Story Craftsman style.

Main Flr. has entry with open staircase, living Rm., dining rm., large open gourmet kitchen w/elegant cabinets, slab granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas cook top range, built in microwave & oven, spacious family rm. w/gas fireplace off kitchen, gleaming Brazilian Cherry Hdwe. flrs., half bath, & utility rm.

Upper flr. has 4 bedrooms, two full bths., lg. master w/5 piece bath & walk-in closet.

DIRECTIONS:

• Take Ambaum to S.W 146th St.
• Go West on S.W. 146th for 1.5 blocks.
• Turn right into alley between 11th Ave. S.W. & 12th Ave. S.W.
• House is on the left side, middle of alley.

Click here to see the full, detailed listing.

Click here to view all of Prudential Northwest’s Open Houses.

[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!]

Burien Parks has released photos of the remodeling of the former Burien Library, which will be the new home for the Burien Community Center.

The re-purposed facility is scheduled to open in late April of 2010, with a total cost of just under $1.5 million.

Here’s what the friendly Parksfolks say:

This collection of photos will document the remodel of the former Burien Library as the new home for the Burien Community Center.

The repurposed facility will open in late April 2010.

The general contractor on the project is McKinstry Essention; architectural design services provided by James Cary, Architect pc.

Here’s a Photo Slideshow courtesy Burien Parks:

Click to View Photo Slideshow

by Diana Arney

Attention B-Town Blog readers – it is with great pleasure that we introduce our latest Advertiser: Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar! Blog Reader…Sidestreet Kitchen…Sidestreet Kitchen…Blog Reader.

There…consider yourselves formally introduced.

Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar, a.k.a Burien’s “Best Kept Secret,” is located at 717 SW 148th Street, in the heart of Burien. Dan Davis is the chef/owner of Sidestreet and I had the pleasure of talking with him about his restaurant recently.

Dan grew up in Burien, on our very own Three Tree Point. He went to culinary school in New Jersey. After various chef and catering positions, including Daniel’s Broiler and Ruth’s Chris downtown, he became the executive sous-chef at the top of the Columbia Tower in Seattle. It is here that Dan earned the honor of cooking dinner for President Bill Clinton. He kept the meal “local” by serving the President a chanterelle-stuffed Filet Mignon with a Rainier Cherry demi-glace and a Walla Walla onion crust. Dan was also selected to cook for many other diplomats during his time at the Columbia Tower.

Heather is one of Sidestreet's Bartenders.

The planning for Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar took over two years when Dan decided to “return to his roots” and start his business in Burien, a place he’s always called home throughout his many travels. Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar opened for business on December 26th, 2008 in the midst of the infamous Seattle winter storm!

Just recently, Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar had the honor of having The Blue Angels pay a visit! Turns out, Dan is good friends with another local celebrity by the name of Dave Eady, Harley Davidson uber-aficionado and owner of the Harley Davidson Memorabilia Museum ( HYPERLINK “http://www.dave-eady.org” http://www.dave-eady.org). Each year, Mr. Eady takes the Blue Angels on a few of his Harleys around town. This year he brought them by the restaurant on their Burien tour, where they sampled some of the fare and signed some pictures.

Even the Blue Angels fly into Sidestreet!

“To look out into our restaurant and see a great friend like Dave, the Blue Angels, our customers, and my parents (who sped up to the restaurant after they heard the Blue Angels were here) all rubbing elbows together, was a pretty special moment for me,” Dan recalled.

Dan likes to delve into various menu genres, picking favorites from his various influences that he’s picked up over the years. Mediterranean, Asian, Cajun, Fusion, and general upscale pub specialties are a few genres you’ll see on the menu. Most of the produce on the menu is local; purchased from either Burien’s own Farmer’s Market, Duane’s Garden Patch in Boulevard Park, or picked from Dan’s family garden. Even the fresh flowers on the tables are picked from this garden. Dan takes great pride in keeping things local; and it’s evident in the presentation…presentation of the restaurant and presentation on the menu.

A few of my personal favorites from Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar include:

Appetizers/Bar Menu:

• Hummus/Grilled Flat Bread
• Pulled Pork Sandwich with green apple slaw/hand-cut herb fries (YUM!)

Dinner Menu:

• Cucumber-Tomato Salad – baby spinach/peppers/feta cheese/mint/basil/red wine vinaigrette
• Grilled Italian Flatbread – Your choice of:
  • White bean puree/shaved parmesan/arugula/bacon, or
  • Tomatoes/basil/extra virgin olive oil/fresh mozzarella
• Pepper-Seared Rare Ahi Tuna – sesame-soy BBQ sause/wasabi mashed potatoes/chef’s choice vegetables.

And, my all-time favorite: PRIME RIB on Friday nights! A wonderful cut of Prime Rib, served with a loaded baked potato and fresh vegetables.

Talk about a bar!

Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar has the best Happy Hour in town, Tuesday-Saturday from 3pm to 6pm. Rainier Draft for $2, all micro brews for $4, all well drinks $1 off, wine specials, and a nice variety of Happy Hour food! All drinks are made from scratch, using only fresh ingredients. You won’t find any mixers here, only fresh fruits, herbs and juices!

My article wouldn’t be complete with making special mention of Heather, one of the bartenders at Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar. Heather makes the most incredible concoctions, my favorite of which is her famous Mocha-tini. Enough said…you have to try this one!

Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar has a wonderful atmosphere, and very friendly staff who will always welcome you with a hearty hello and earnest smile. They’ll treat you like a regular, even on your first visit…and soon you WILL be a regular. The covered, outside patio, which is dog-friendly, by the way, is now open so you can enjoy your meal outdoors throughout the summer.

So, come on down to the Sidestreet Kitchen and Bar! Tell ‘em that “the blog” sent you and be prepared for a great meal and a great time altogether. For more information, visit their website here.

[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story and Ad like this for your Business on a popular, fast-growing website seen by 25,000+ interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

by Janet Grella

In their 4th annual Mid-Summer Social, members of the Three Tree Point Yacht Club are raising money for Hospitality House.

“We hope to raise $8,000 which will support four women through the three month program,” said organizer and fellow racer Pat Waters.

On August 7th, with only one race week to go “we’re over the half-way mark,” Pat reported to The Waterland Blog.

Racers, crew and guests have also been asked to bring food and/or money for the Des Moines Food Bank. Organizers estimate a “van-full of food” has been raised to date.

According to their website, this invitation went out to members and non-members:

Join other sail boaters for fun, food and prizes, Thursday evenings, July 9th through August 13th. The race will start at 7:00 pm, conducted by The Three Tree Point Yacht Club. Social hour with food, beverages and prizes will begin shortly after the race on the Guest Dock in the Marina, with one or two boat/s serving as host.

Any boat finishing the race by 8:30 pm will be eligible for prizes. There won’t be many rules but there will be lots of fun. Come join your friends for some sailing, food and prizes. No entry fees and the after race social is also free.

For further information contact the Des Moines Marina at 206-824-5700 or Pat Waters at 253.529.2873.

Sue Waters, race committee member, told us “we have been averaging about 17 sailboats out every week. Any boater can join in the festivities. Since it is a sailboat race, powerboats have not joined in. However, they could – and be chase boats or just go around cheering and encouraging the sailboats, especially when there is no wind!”

According to Pat Waters, the boat that raises the most money will win a boat bailout and pressure wash from CSR Marine. The winner will be announced by a former resident of Hospitality House after the final race on August 13th.

Hospitality House is located at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church in Burien. From their website:

Hospitality House shelter is a caring environment, providing case management and safety to homeless single women in order to foster empowerment that leads them toward a permanent home and self-sustainability.

Short- and long-term outcomes include:

Meeting of basic needs to allow residents to focus on larger stability issues
Referral to affordable transitional or permanent housing as they prepare to leave our shelter

Individualized case management services with professional staff who assist residents in overcoming barriers to stability

Client assistance funds that are used to remove certain financial barriers
Hospitality House is open 365 nights a year. We are largely supported by a diverse and committed volunteer corp. We are always recruiting new volunteers and have new volunteer orientation several times a year. Other ways to serve Hospitality House are through financial contributions and in-kind professional services.

In King County’s 10-year plan to end homelessness: “A Roof Over Every Bed”, South King County is recognized as underserved. Keeping Hospitality House open and viable, as one of the only single women’s shelters in South King County, is an important part of serving the needs of homeless women.

We strive to successfully move women of South King County into stable lives and homes. While the organization was founded by area churches, supported by volunteers from area churches, and housed at no cost in the education building of a church, Hospitality House is an independent non-profit organization that does not proselytize in any way.

Supporting Organizations:
Des Moines United Methodist Church ~ John Knox Presbyterian Church ~ Lake Burien Presbyterian Church ~ Normandy Park United Church of Christ ~ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ~ Prince of Peace Lutheran Church ~ Saltwater Unitarian Universalist Church ~ Southminster Presbyterian Church ~ St. Bernadette Catholic Church ~ St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church ~ St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church ~ St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church ~ Soroptomist International of Seattle South