NPB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Hello!!! Chef Brandon here! This will be my last blog of the summer. I can’t believe September is almost here! Fortunately, September means that football season has arrived! Archery Bistro is your pro and college football headquarters!

Come down and have a burger and a brew, and cheer on your favorite team(s) all season long!

As I said last week, people are already booking their holiday parties with us. I would recommend you giving me a call, or stopping by in person to ensure you can book the date that you want!

Until Next Time,
- Chef Brandon

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This week, our decision to “take the pledge” to the TAO of Journalism came to fruition, and we’d like our Readers to know about it.

The “TAO of Journalism” is, quite simply, a “promise to your audience that you will be Transparent about who you are, Accountable for your mistakes, and Open to other points of view.”

Here’s how this concept originated:

At a Journalism That Matters conference in Washington, D.C., in 2008, John Hamer of the Washington News Council was thinking about how journalists demand that everyone they cover be transparent, accountable and open — but what about journalists themselves? Isn’t it a two-way street? He realized those three words spelled “TAO” and proposed a breakout session on the “TAO of Journalism.” About two dozen conference attendees showed up to discuss the idea and help refine it.

In 2009, at another Journalism That Matters gathering at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, Hamer floated the idea again and convened another breakout session. Several attendees came and talked it over — including Tom Stites of The Banyan Project, who encouraged Hamer to pursue it.

At a third Journalism That Matters event at the University of Washington in Seattle in January 2010 (Editor’s Note: this is where we first met John and learned of this concept), the “TAO of Journalism” was informally launched. Several attendees took the “TAO pledge” and/or bought T-shirts displaying a TAO logo. Others signed up at a Society of Professional Journalists convention in Seattle in April 2010.

We now proudly publish the pledge we took for not only The Normandy Park Blog, but for our five sister sites as well:

Transparent
We will fully disclose who we are, our journalistic mission and our guiding principles. We will post information on our background and expertise, including education and experience. We will list advertisers, donors, grants, and any other payments that support our work. If affiliated with a political party or special-interest group, we will disclose that. If lobbying for any particular legislation or regulation, we will disclose that. If we are being paid to promote a product or cause, we will disclose that. If other factors could be seen as potential conflicts of interest, we will disclose them. (NOTE: The principle of transparency does not apply to confidential sources, who may still be protected.)

Accountable
If we get any facts wrong, we will admit that promptly and publicly. We will post/publish/print/podcast/broadcast a correction or at least a clarification. We will fully explain what happened to cause the error or mistake. We will do a follow-up story if that is appropriate, putting the original material in better context. We will apologize and promise to be more careful next time. We will show a little humility.

Open
If there are credible challenges to our point of view or simply differences of opinion, we will be open to contrary positions. We will give the other side(s) opportunity and space to express their views and engage in open public dialogue through comments or other means. If we are primarily engaged in opinion and commentary, rather than news reporting, we will make that clear – while inviting others to express their opinions through comment and feedback means.

We do not necessarily agree to abide by any particular code of journalism ethics or professional standards, although we may choose to do so. If we do, we will declare that publicly. If we don’t, we will declare that as well. We understand that this will not be enforced by any outside organized group. It will be overseen by everyone on the Internet who wants to see high standards of transparency, accountability and openness in journalism – through whatever media platform.

We understand that if someone using the “TAO Seal” starts violating its basic principles, they will be admonished, criticized, reprimanded and embarrassed in public through the awesome power of the Internet. Call it “crowdsourcing” ethics and accuracy. In summary, we believe that Transparency, Accountability and Openness are keys to our personal credibility and public trust.

So…what the heck does this mean to our Readers?

• It means that you can rest assured that if we have a bias or agenda, we’ll do our best to openly disclose it.
• If we make a mistake, we’ll do our best to correct it.
• And, as we’ve showed in the past by allowing anonymous Comments and Forum Postings, we’ll continue to allow contrary points of view, as long as they’re not libelous, or contain naughty words.

NPB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

What’s up B-Town Followers?! Chef Brandon here to remind you about your Hot Summer Nights promotion every Thursday night in August in our Archery Bistro parking lot! Swing by with your classic car or bike and receive food and drink specials ALL NIGHT long! Thursdays are also our All You Can Eat Fish and Chips night! Plan on coming down after work for a fun and entertaining evening!

Although it may seem far out, people are starting to book their holiday work or family parties now! Archery Bistro is a great place for you and yours to relax and enjoy some fantastic food, drinks, and service! Call now and reserve your party to make sure you get a prime date. If you have an extra large party Archery Bistro is available for a total buy out. I am also happy to custom design your party menu and can work with different size budgets. I promise all of us at Archery Bistro will do all we can so your guests have a lasting and memorable event!
On a final note, have you seen our fire pit? It’s one of a kind! It’s a great place for a late evening glass of wine or summer cocktail! That’s where I would be, if I wasn’t working!

Make it a great day!!
– Chef Brandon

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A new party store will be opening in Normandy Park this Saturday, Aug. 21st – A Perfect Party – in the location that formerly housed Manhattan Drug at 17833 1st Ave South.

The party will go from 11am – 3pm, and to make it “perfect,” there will also be food, including grilled hotdogs, chips, sodas, popcorn and candy. There will also be a DJ, face painting, pictures with cartoon and animal characters and prizes, with the grand prize being a costume rental for two.

“We’re pretty excited about the event,” said Bonnie Barasch, co-owner of A Perfect Party. Barasch, her husband Nick and their partner, Kathy Lucas, moved the business to its new location in July. “It’s going to be a pretty big deal, with all kinds of fun planned”.

“We were previously located in a warehouse in Renton and we are really excited about our move to the Manhattan Village Shopping Center in Normandy Park. The community has given us a warm welcome.” said Nick. “We think having a party is a great way to kick off our grand opening.”

A Perfect Party is located at 17833 1st Ave South in Normandy Park, in the Manhattan Village Shopping Center, and specializes in party supplies, balloons, costume sales and rentals and costume accessories such as wigs and theatrical make-up.

For more information about the store, visit their website at www.perfectpartycostumes.com.

We’d like to welcome back NPB Advertiser Michael O’Neill Interiors, who want us to share the following information with our Readers:

CHOOSING YOUR DESIGN PROFESSIONAL

Designer or Decorator?
The technical definition of a designer often used is one who reconfigures the space i.e. moving or eliminating walls, windows and architectural elements; adding or changing built-in elements such as cabinetry and fixtures. Interior decorators’ forte is usually construed to be finishes, furnishings, accessories and artwork.

You are looking for professional results when designing your project. Some professionals only do interior design and some do only interior decorating, but there are many who overlap and do both. In reality most professionals will call themselves either interior designers or interior decorators even though in essence they are an interior designer decorator because they do both designing and decorating. For our purposes we’ll use the term interior designer to be all inclusive.

Interior designers serve as artisans for clients looking to cultivate a certain type of look and or solve problems for their space. They advise clients on how to think out of the box and allow their creative ideas to synchronize with the realities and possibilities of the space being designed. They help to set overall design concepts and incorporate budget-saving ideas that still allow the space to reflect a certain level of taste and function. A good designer will take stock of the resources you already have in place and help you determine how those resources should best be allocated to ensure that your design goals are met within your budget.

A degree or professional organization affiliation does not guarantee a designer’s abilities or creative talents. Their portfolio, work history and references are the best gauge of their qualifications. Interior designers who have many years experience may not have a Bachelors in Interior Design, but usually are well educated and have learned their craft in the real world.

Considerations
You should consider a few things before deciding on an interior design company. These considerations include:

1. Personality

Are you compatible?
Get a feel for the person or firm. Do you feel comfortable working with them? Do you have confidence that they can manage the task of designing your project? Being able to work closely with your designer is important because clear communication between client and designer is what will ensure a great result. Pay close attention to how well they receive your ideas and whether they are willing to take the mix of your ideas and their expertise to create a beautiful space.

Ask what size projects the interior designer has worked on, where, and what the budget range was.

Competent designers will a have many questions for you about you and your project. Be prepared to talk freely about problems and concerns.

2. Vision

Does the designer understand your aesthetic vision for the project?
Peruse the interior designer’s portfolio, but remember that the designs will reflect other people’s tastes, not necessarily the interior designer’s, and possibly not your own. Look instead for overall effect – use of color, composition, dramatic appeal – wow factor.

It always helps an interior designer when his or her client has some ideas in mind before beginning the design process. Pulling pictures out of books or magazines helps to give the designer a visual of the direction you want to take with the decor in your space. While you shouldn’t expect to get the exact look of your examples, your designer should be able to get a feeling for the style you are after. However, your reason for hiring a design professional should be to tap their creative juices and achieve a unique, personal and outstanding look.

After they have seen your site, how well do they understand your project? Listen to the types of ideas they have. Do they seem to understand your point of view? Do they seem organized and remember points you brought up?

3. Budget

Can the designer work within your budget?
Establish a budget. Work out details. What can you afford? Many companies specialize in working with people on a budget. However, before you hire a designer, you do need to figure out exactly what the limits of your budget are. The designer may be able to give you rough guidelines, but budget ultimately needs to come from you. Remember, it is not the amount that is important (because the best designers can work with any reasonable size budget), but rather that you understand your monetary limit before you hire an interior designer.

Ask how the established budget will be handled, and the kind of payment schedules the interior decorator requires.

4. Time Frame

Can the designer commit to the deadline you need?
Discuss time frame. What are your time constraints? Estimate how long the project will take. Will the project be phased? If so determine priorities. What should be accomplished in each phase? Bear in mind the more work that can be completed in one phase the more economical the whole project will be. How long can the space be “under construction”?

5. Fees

How do designers charge for their services?
Hourly Rate: The interior designer bills a per hour rate.

Per Diem: The designer bills a daily rate.

Flat Design Fee: The client pays a flat fee for the professional interior designer’s services based on the design plan, time required, and scope of services.

Cost Plus Method: Professional interior designers charge a set percentage on all merchandise purchased and tradesmen’s services rendered.

Mixed Method: The client pays both a set percentage on purchases and a base design fee for hourly rate.

6. Role

Exactly what is the scope of the designer’s involvement?
Ask about the types of services the designer can provide. Will you require construction drawings and or renderings? Who will purchase product? Who will hire subcontractors? What do you expect as far as project management? This later consideration is of utmost importance. Some clients feel a designer’s job is done once the specifications and drawings are done and product ordered. Releasing the designer at that point is a recipe for disaster! In order for a designer to best serve their client they should be on board until the project is completed. Cost, quality and maintained vision invariably suffer if this is not the case.

Michael O'Neill

Misconceptions
The most common misconception that exists about the interior design industry is that the process of using professional design services is expensive. The converse is usually the case. Without a designer you could likely end up spending much more money because of the process of trial and error or avoidable mistakes and end up with a mediocre project. Particularly in today’s budget-conscious economy, interior designers are working with clients on how to get the best interior design concepts for less. The best way to navigate the process is to bring this topic up during the interview stage to ensure that the company you choose has some experience designing and sourcing on a budget.

Finally, if an interior designer, or anyone for that matter, tells you the process is easy, stress-free, and will be complete in two weeks, they’re either lying or naive. Don’t hire that person! It should be, however, an adventurous, fun and definitely rewarding experience.

To learn more about Michael O’Neill Interiors, click here, or call (206) 290-3303.

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NPB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Happy Thursday Loyal Blog Readers! The best thing about Thursdays, besides All You Can Eat Fish and Chips at Archery, is our August Car Show Event! Every Thursday of this month we have designated front row parking for you and your classic car or motorcycle! Come show us your ride and receive drink specials! We plan on having some great cars tonight, come see if yours is better!

Since we talked last, I have added a couple new items to our menu. We switched up our Clams and Mussels dish to Clams ONLY and it comes with a Smoked Tomato Butter with white wine and ginger. We also added a Grilled Chicken Penne Pasta with Pesto Cream sauce. It is selling like hot cakes! It started off as a dish I made for our after work staff meal and turned into a sensation! And if you’re one of our bar customers, don’t worry, we haven’t left you out. Introducing Cheese Fries!! Inspired by my brother “because he doesn’t eat “Normal” food,” our cheese fries come with Apple Bacon and White Cheddar Cheese. Come down and have some fries and watch some Pre-Season Football tonight!!!

Always,
Chef Brandon

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NPB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Hello August! And hello blog followers! It’s been really hot in the Archery Bistro kitchen and it has us thinking about ‘Hot August Nights,’ the annual car show in Reno. Starting TONIGHT and EVERY Thursday in August we will have our own version! We are fortunate to have a large parking lot for you to show off your classic cars and bikes to the public and we will offer food and drink specials for all participants! Call your friends, bring your cars and bikes and enjoy a fun evening with us!

This past Tuesday was the one year anniversary of the First Avenue construction that I am properly dubbing “The Fiasco on First.” We are celebrating (or not celebrating) this fantastic date by offering a free appetizer with your entrée purchase. Just say “Fiasco” and the appetizer is yours! This offer is good through this Saturday August 7th.

I wanted to give you all a heads up about a super delicious dinner special that we are going to run this weekend; Bacon Wrapped Eastern Sea Scallops. These will make a return to our special menu because of their popularity! Come on in and have a little taste of love this weekend!

Until Next Time,
Chef Brandon

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NPB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s featured Open House for this week is a desirable, custom waterfront home near 3 Tree Point with ever-changing 180-degree Puget Sound and Olympic Mountain views.

Located on the Half Moon Bay, just north of 3 Tree Point, this multilevel Northwest contemporary home sits on the waters’ edge with easy beach and sound access, and is in the perfect location for enjoying all aspects of waterfront living.

This 4-bedroom, 5-bath home with over 4,600 square feet of living space and 2,000 square feet of deck is designed specifically for entertaining, relaxation and everyday vacation living.

Here are the details:

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

WHERE: 15929 Maplewild Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166

INFO:

• List Price: $974,950
• Listing #: 97204
• Beds: 4
• Baths: 5
• Year Built: 1993
• 2-car Garage
• Approximate House SqFt: 4,640
• Lot Square Footage: 15,490

Interior Features:

• 2nd Kitchen
• 2nd Master BR
• Bath Off Master
• Built-In Vacuum
• Dble Pane/Strm Windw
• Dining Room
• Jetted/Soaking Tub
• Security System
• Skylights
• Vaulted Ceilings
• Walk-in Closet

Waterfront:

• Bay
• Bulkhead
• No Bank
• Sound
• Tideland Rights

Site Features:

• Cable TV
• Deck
• Gas Available
• High Speed Internet
• Hot Tub/Spa
• Moorage
• RV Parking
• Shop

Marketing Remarks:

Desirable 3-Tree Point Area Custom Waterfront Home w/ Ever Changing 180 degree Puget Sound & Olympic Mtn. Views.

Located on the Half Moon Bay North of 3-Tree Point, this Multilevel NW Contemporary Home sits on the Waters Edge w/ Easy Beach & Sound Access and is in the Perfect Location for Enjoying All Aspects of Waterfront Living.

4 Bdrm/ 5 Bath Home w/ Over 4600 sq ft of Living Space and 2000 sq ft of Deck.

Designed Specfically for Entertaining, Relaxation and Everyday Vacation Living.

Click here to see the full, detailed listing.

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

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BTB Advertiser Archery Bistro (located at the Normandy Park Towne Center), would like our Readers to know about their latest food specials and events.

Here’s a letter from Chef Brandon about this week’s offering:

Happy Thursday! Thanks to all of you who came out last Sunday for our Waterbrook Wine Dinner! It was great! The winemaker was handing out prizes after testing the diners on their wine knowledge!

Don’t forget, the Normandy Park Hoop Fest will be taking place in our parking lot here at Archery Bistro this Saturday! We will be offering various lunch items and ice cold beers!!! Come down and check it out!

Starting in August (dates to be determined) we will be doing “Hot August Nights.” Our parking lot will be transformed into a classic car show, with music, food, and drinks! Stay tuned for more info.

Geez there is a lot going on down here! Sundays we have been selling food at the Music In the Park concert series at Mar Vista Park. We will be there this weekend selling some of our signature items!! Bring cash!! We have many events lined up for the month of August so we won’t be doing an August wine dinner. However, we have an award winning winery, Dutch John’s from Wenatchee, slated for September. It is sure to be a delicious evening! Stay tuned for the menu!

Until next time!!!

- Chef Brandon

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NPB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s featured Open House for this week is a totally-remodeled 4-bedroom, 2-bath home with views of Mt. Rainier and the Cascade Mountains.

This home features hardwood floors, six-panel doors, tile bathrooms, rounded corners, new furnace, windows and much more.

There’s a large family room off the living room that leads to huge covered deck overlooking a fenced back yard, along with raised gardens and breathtaking views!

Here are the details:

WHEN: Open House will be this Sunday, July 25th, from 1pm to 4pm.

WHERE: 4846 S 170th Street, SeaTac, WA 98188

INFO:

• List Price: $274,950
• Listing #: 107062
• Beds: 4
• Baths: 2
• Year Built: 1948
• 2-car Garage
• Approximate House SqFt: 1,840
• Lot Square Footage: 11,325

Interior Features:

• Ceiling Fan(s)
• Dble Pane/Strm Windw
• French Doors

Site Features:

• Cable TV
• Deck
• Fenced-Partially
• High Speed Internet
• Outbuildings

Marketing Remarks:

Total remodel 3 years ago, 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with Mt Rainier, Valley and Cascade Mt views!

Home features hardwood floors, 6 panel doors, tile bathrooms, rounded corners, new furnace, windows, electric & plumbing.

Large family room off the living room leads to huge covered deck overlooking fenced back yard, raised gardens and breath taking views!

Deep 2 car garage with opener and shelves.

Lot of extra storage, private setting in back yard.

Click here to see the full, detailed listing.

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

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