We here at The Normandy Park Blog are proud to introduce our newest section and Advertiser: Real Estate Powered by Prudential Northwest!

This means that you can now access all local real estate listings by clicking on “Real Estate” in the upper navigation menu section between Advertise and Events. We’re happy to be working with the Burien-based Prudential Northwest office, and the entire company consists of six offices throughout the Greater Seattle area.

Techie-types at both PNW and BTB have been working ’round the clock to develop the innovative new “Zero Click House Finding Engine” for real estate listings in the Burien and South Seattle areas. Users will be able to quickly and easily see all of the area’s latest home listings, view by neighborhoods, see open house maps and more just by clicking on “Real Estate” in our top navigation menu. These real estate sections are also available on our sister sites The Waterland Blog (Des Moines), The White Center Blog, as well as The B-Town Blog.

“To search on a real estate site we wanted to make it easy to use so that every level of user can find what they are looking for,” said PNW Sales Manager Bradley Hawthorne. “Just by clicking on ‘Real Estate,’ you’ll instantly have every listing in all of Burien, Normandy Park, and Des Moines without having to do anything, hence the ‘Zero Click’ technology moniker.”

Want some real proof? Just click on one of the five areas below and see for yourself:

• Burien
• Des Moines
• SeaTac
• Tukwila
• South Seattle

If you click on any of those five areas, on that page is every listing for that area – and not just Prudential Northwest Realty listings – but everything that is inputted into the Northwest Multiple Listing Services website! Within those five major pages you’ll also find several communities and if you click on a community again just the listings in those communities will be shown without you having to input any search criteria (of course PNW’s standard and advanced searches are still available for the techie searchers, so you can tailor our search site to any criteria that you personally want), but for those of us that need a little help when surfing the web, “This is the simplest sight I have ever seen!”

Hawthorne adds: “Tying into these fast-growing community websites will not only help us showcase the latest listings for these areas, it will also help us serve our communities better. We all love the Southwest King County area and we hope we can help others find out what a hidden gem it is.”

PNW has been a community player since they first set foot in Burien seven years ago. With 56 active Realtors, they outgrew their first location in Olde Burien and they’re now located at 127 SW 156th Street. Broker/Branch Manager Lori Alden-Pense has been managing PNW Burien since they moved here; she’s been with them since 1994.

“It is PNW’s mission to help build a better tomorrow by partnering with our communities today,” Lori said.

She talks the talk and walks the walk when it comes to PNW’s mission of giving back to the community.

Not only is Lori President of the Discover Burien Executive Board, you’ll find PNW sponsoring all of the events that Discover Burien brings to our community including the Farmers Market, Clean Sweep, the Father’s Day Car Show, Lunch-time Concerts (New!), Octoberfest, Winterfest and Empty Bowls.

For the past six years, PNW has held an annual food drive benefiting the Highline Area Food Bank on the first Saturday of October. They are currently hosting a three-month food bank drive at their office, and you can drop by non-perishable food items or money now through March.

Owned by long-time and well known real estate professional Mike Gain, Prudential Northwest Realty Associates has established itself as an industry leader by upholding the principles of the agent-customer relationship. Their combination of real estate expertise and responsive, flexible customer relations has allowed them to continue to grow and become one of the most influential real estate companies within the greater Puget Sound region. Constantly looking for ways to improve their company, PNW remains committed to the very highest standards of professionalism and service. More info is available at http://www.pnwrealty.com.

Prudential Northwest realty has a total of 450 real estate agents in their neighborhood offices, which, in addition to Burien includes Federal Way, Kent, West Seattle, Bellevue and Kirkland.

“We’re very excited to have Prudential Northwest Realty as our newest Advertiser,” said Scott Schaefer, B-Town Blog Founder/Publisher. “This brand new sponsored section will help inform the more than 55,000 monthly Readers of The B-Town Blog, Waterland Blog (Des Moines) and White Center Blog for the latest local news, events, arts, entertainment and now – up-to-the-minute local real estate listings.”

Be sure to stay tuned for another new related feature – “Open House Friday” on our blogs, where we’ll present the weekend’s best Open Houses throughout our coverage area, among other real estate related features.

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

Advertiser Normandy Park Senior Living is sponsoring a Spaghetti Fundraiser for the Lakewood Police Officers’ Families this Saturday, Dec. 12th from 6pm – 7:30pm at their campus at 16625 1st Ave South in Normandy Park.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Lakewood Police Officers’ Families

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 12th from 6pm – 7:30pm

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

COST: Minimum donation of $10.00 per person

INFO: From a press release:

Normandy Park Senior Living with the assistance of several other agencies including Harlow’s Bus Sales, Starbucks Coffee, Food Service of America, Sam’s Club, Fast Signs and others, will be hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the Lakewood Police Department’s officers.

All proceeds will go the Lakewood Police Independent Guild (LPIG).

“We tried to think of something that we could do to give our residents, staff and the local community the opportunity to express their support for the families of the three men and one woman that died in this painful and senseless tragedy,” said Executive Director, Pauline Smith. “We have the utmost respect and appreciation for the men and women who protect and help us every day and this is just a small way to thank them and show our support.”

The fundraising dinner will be held Saturday, December 12th from 6pm-7:30pm at Normandy Park Senior Living located at 16625 1st Ave S, Normandy Park, WA 98148.

We are requesting a minimum donation of $10 per person.

There will be entertainment and raffle tickets available for some terrific prizes that will be drawn on Monday, December 14, 2009.

For additional information on how to donate if you cannot attend, please contact Pauline Smith or Kim Parks at 206-241-0821, or via email: psmith@artegan.com.

Normandy Park Blog Advertiser BECU is holding a free seminar called “Surviving in Today’s Economy” on Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5pm to 6:30pm at the Woodmont Library in Des Moines.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Free “Surviving in Today’s Economy” seminar

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5pm to 6:30pm

WHERE: Woodmont Library, 26809 Pacific Highway S., Des Moines, WA

COST: NO COST. NO OBLIGATION. REGISTER TODAY.

INFO: Space is limited – call 206-439-5910, visit www.becu.org or stop by any BECU Neighborhood Financial Center to register.

Sponsored by BECU Neighborhood Financial Center, whose free seminars are led by experienced financial educators.

If it’s September, it must be time for the third annual Oktoberfest at Burien’s Elliot Bay Brewhouse and Pub (a returning NPB Advertiser) – that’s right, following in the German tradition, Oktoberfest starts in September! Big difference is that the Germans celebrate for 16 days, into early October.

Elliott Bay’s celebration will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26th.

Michael Goldsmith, General Manager of Elliott Bay, sat down with NPB last week to lay out their plans to be a part of Burien’s Oktoberfest. The aim is to provide the city of Burien and surrounding area with a “family friendly area-wide celebration in the broadest sense.”

“We’re really excited about the music,” said Michael. “We’re presenting live music inside and outside from 2-9pm.”

Here’s a line up of the bands:

• Mellifluous Zephyrs will be playing traditional German Polka music on wind instruments
• Jonathan Kimball will play Folk/Blues and Acoustic
• Sunderlyn, “a powerpop altrock band” according to their website

In addition to the music, Elliott Bay has developed a special Oktoberfest Menu. In the true Oktoberfest tradition they’re setting up beer tents outside with “festival-style tables.” This means that you may have to sit with strangers, but the more you get into the spirit of Oktoberfest, the less strange they might be to you.

Elliott Bay is Burien’s only award-winning brewery, making the beers their customers enjoy right on the premises. Such popular local beers as:

• B-Town Brown
• Highline IPA
• Hop von Boorian

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. Monday-Wednesday they’re open to from 11am-10:30pm. Thursday-Saturday ’til midnight. The kitchen closes 30-minutes before the doors are locked. On weekends they open up early for brunch at 9:30am. They’ve also got a great happy hour with great happy hour food and beers.

If you can’t wait ’til Elliott Bay’s Oktoberfest, stop by and give ‘em a try. Then stop back on Saturday, Sept. 26th and enjoy the fun, food, ice cold beer, music…and make some new friends!

You’ll find Elliott Bay Brewhouse and Pub at 255 SW 152nd, right at the corner of 4th Ave SW. For more information, call (206) 246-4211 or visit their website here.

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EXCLUSIVE: Now this is special – you, your business or your family can join NPB Advertiser Highline Athletic Club for ZERO enrollment fee. All you have to do is get yourself over to the club and say “I saw it on the 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 in Burien, 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 Normandy Park Blog.

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

by Diana Arney

Attention Normandy Park 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.

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 (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.

“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.

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.

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We’d like to offer a “may the best person win” welcome to Ross Hunter, candidate for King County Executive, our latest Advertiser.

We recently met up with him at a local farmers market for a get-to-know-you chat.

“I’m an agent for change,” said Ross, who is in his fourth term in the Washington State House of Representatives, and worked at Microsoft for 17 years.

“I have the skills to make things happen.”

We asked Ross to talk about former Executive Ron Sims, namely the thing Sims did best while in office, and that which he did not do so well.

“You’d have to include the council in on my answer,” Ross responded. “They really work together. I’d say that they put us on the map environmentally in a positive way.

“But over the years the executive and council showed a lack of attention to financial reality.”

We asked what experience not commonly known about him would suggest he is ready to run the state’s largest county.

“Not many people know this, but I spend time now and again helping Habitat for Humanity,” he said, referring to the group that helps build houses for those who otherwise might not be able to afford one.

“I like to frame. If I can swing a big hammer, I’m happy.”

A hint of the style of a Hunter Administration?

“No,” Ross said with a laugh. “It’s just how I build homes for those who need them!”

Primary Election day is August 18th. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the General Election in November.

For more information on the Ross Hunter campaign go to: www.RossHunter.com.

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Welcome our latest Advertiser to The Normandy Park Blog: Companion Animal Medical Center in Normandy Park!

There’s a new vet and clinic in town, Dr. Leslie Kasper and her Companion Animal Medical Center with a new philosophy on the care and treatment.

Dr. Kasper told us here The NPB, “We believe every pet is a member of a family, so why should your animal’s doctor visits be any different?”

At Companion Animal pet-parents will always feel comfortable and confident in their companion’s care. Dr. Kasper and her staff simply love animals. You can see it in the way they treat them. They’re all pet-parents too!

“Whether it is a simple vaccine or a major procedure, we will strive to educate you on your patient’s current condition, overall health, and any prevention or future care that may be warranted,” stated Dr. Kasper.

Area resident Dr. Leslie Kasper can’t remember a time she didn’t want to be a veterinarian. She gained experience working in the field as an assistant and technician through high school and undergraduate school.

As a 2005 graduate from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, she initially worked in Cheney, WA at a mixed animal practice. Although she enjoyed working with the livestock and farmers, she missed her family in Western Washington.

Dr. Kasper (then Strelow) spent the next two-and-a-half years practicing in both Bellevue and Renton, where she developed the clinical medicine, professional and business skills she utilizes today.

Dr. Kasper and her hubby Mike share their Burien house with their pet-family that includes two miniature dachshunds, Piglet and Molly, as well as a DSH lilac torti named PufDuster and two adopted kittens – TuTu and Evalyn.

Services for your pet-family:
What can we say about services in 20 words or less? Dr. Kasper’s clinic is state of the art with the most advance medical equipment in the area. Some of her services are:

• Routine Examinations with Specialized Preventive Care
• Nutrition and Weight Management
• Soft Tissue Surgery
• Dental Prophylaxis and Oral Surgery
• In-House Laboratory Testing
• Digital Radiography (X-Rays)
• Geriatric and Hospice Care
• Housing and Boarding Facilities
• Behavioral Consultation

Top: Dr Kasper with Piglet and Molly, Lisa with Bella, Teghan with Boxer.
Bottom: Rose with Chance, Audrey with Lil’Girl.

Meet the staff:

• Audrey—Licensed Veterinarian Assistant (LVT) Hospital Manager, 11 years experience
• Lisa—final stages of schooling to become a LVT.
• Rose — Certified Veterinary Assistant, 4 years experience
• Teghan — Veterinary Assistant: New to veterinary field; studying for masters in Animal Behavior
• Melanie—LVT, and has been with Dr. Kasper through then entire rehabbing process

Also on the staff are:

• Lil’Girl (greeter)
• Chance (sniffer)
• Piglet and Molly (worry-warts)

If you drive on First Ave South through Normandy Park halfway between Burien and Des Moines, you’ve probably witnessed Companion Animal Medical Center come to life at 19655 First Ave. South in Normandy Park (map below).

Now you can stop by and welcome them to the neighborhood and check out their state of the art clinic.

Or call them at 206-878-0405.

Or visit their website here.

For hours of operation click here.

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NPB Advertiser Normandy Park Senior Living is hosting a car wash this Saturday, May 9th, from 10am-3pm, at their location at 16625 1st Ave South in Normandy Park.

This fundraiser will benefit the Highline Relay for Life, so if you’ve got a car and it needs a feel-good scrubbin’, this is the place to go on Saturday.

The Normandy Park Blog offers a warm-smile welcome to our latest Advertiser, Dr. Jim Coleman, and his amazing team at Seahurst Dental Design.

At the office of Dr. Jim Coleman you will experience how pleasant modern dentistry can be! Their focus is always on your health, and your comfort is their first concern. Their passion is creating gorgeous, healthy smiles coupled with minimally invasive complete care.

Dr. Coleman takes the time to involve you in deciding what the right care is for you. The office has a fun, relaxing, non-judgmental atmosphere. How refreshing!

Dr. Coleman’s office is truly “state-of-the-art.” Remember the sound and feel of “the drill”? Well, Dr. Jim says: “In our office, we offer the gentle process known as air abrasion. This decay-removing process is virtually pain-free as I can control the speed of the spray of air/powder mix as well as the intensity. There is generally no need for shots with this technology. It’s also free of the noise vibration and smell associated with the old drill.”

Just imagine a filling done with no drilling and no shot!

Patient safety and comfort are always the top concerns for Dr. Coleman. They use digital x-rays, which reduce radiation exposure by 90 percent, the Diagnodent system to locate problems on average three to five years sooner, along with pictures so you can see your teeth, too. To help you relax, you can enjoy chair massagers, hot towels, aromatherapy and Tempur-Pedic™ chair pads.

Would you believe a same-day onlay or crown is possible?

One visit, no temporary, no “silly putty” impressions to gag on. Start to finish in a little over an hour. Dr. Coleman uses CEREC technology to design, fabricate and place all ceramic, metal free restorations in just one visit.

Sedation dentistry is wonderful for those whose fears or busy schedules have caused them to put off care. Can you believe, it is possible to achieve a healthy mouth often in only one visit! Millions of people have experienced this relaxing non-IV technique where, by taking a pill, “hours seem like minutes.”

For patients who want whiter teeth, they offer in-office power whitening (i.e. Zoom!), which achieve brighter smiles in just a couple of hours. Or, for the do-it-yourselfer, professional home whitening kits.

Jim Coleman, DDS, FWCMID, has more than 35 years’ experience providing smile makeovers along with comprehensive dental care. At Dr. Coleman’s office they provide all the expertise and services of the downtown Docs but with the hometown warmth and convenience.

Just head west from Olde Burien on SW 152nd; the office is on the right in a convenient location with plenty of free parking (see map below).

Jim Coleman, DDS
1800 SW 152nd Street
Burien, WA 98166

Phone: (206) 242-4477
Fax: (206) 242-1438
E-mail: info@jimcolemandds.com

Hours:

• 8am to 5pm
• Monday through Friday

Website:

www.jimcolemandds.com

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