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 other ECS location near the Burien Safeway, is still open and in 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.

The Normandy Park City Council, in a unanimous vote, adopted Resolution 819, Opposing Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033.

City Manager Doug Schulze explained how I-1033 will reduce future revenues for the City.

Schulze reported that revenue shortfalls in 2009, required over $400,000 in cuts and additional cuts of $500,000 are needed for 2010 without I-1033. The City’s annual operating budget is $4.3 m.

I-1033 is intended to reduce property taxes, a regressive tax, which means the amount paid increases as the value of property (wealth) increases. As a result, I-1033 shifts the tax burden to progressive taxes (sales), which are paid equally by everyone regardless of income or wealth.

Based on the projected $500,000 annual impact to the City, the benefit of I-1033 is projected to be $180 for the owner of a $600,000 home in Normandy Park.

However, the owner of a $6.0 m commercial property would see an estimated $1,200 annual benefit.

And according to our sister site The B-Town Blog, the neighboring City of Burien also voted to oppose I-1033.

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.

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

The Normandy Park and Burien Fall Recycling Collection Event and Rain Barrel Sale is scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 19th from 9am – 3pm at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, which is located at 19010 First Avenue South.

At this event you can safely dispose of numerous unwanted materials, some for free, others for a small fee.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Normandy Park & Burien Recycling Collection Event

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 19h from 9 am to 3 pm

WHERE: Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center

INFO: Recycle these household wastes:

• TIRES: Bias ply, steel belted, and studded tires accepted. Limit 6 passenger tires per household (18 inches and below) free of charge. $1.50 charge for each tire on a rim. $5 charged for each large truck tire and $15 charged for each truck tire on rim (cash only). No oversized tires accepted.
• MOTOR OIL, FILTERS, & ANTIFREEZE: Motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, 2-cycle oil, steering fluid, crankcase oil, kerosene, and home heating fuel. Do not mix with antifreeze, solvents, gasoline, or other substances.
• LEAD ACID BATTERIES: Car, truck, marine, and motorcycle batteries accepted.
• ALKALINE BATTERIES: AAAA, AAA, AA, A, B, C, and D cell batteries only.
• CARDBOARD: Please flatten. No wax coated cardboard.
• REUSEABLE HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND CLOTHING: Clothing and miscellaneous household items in good condition will be collected by Seattle Goodwill. Mattresses and furniture will not be accepted. Items in need of repair will not be accepted.
• PORCELAIN TOILETS AND SINKS: $5 charge (cash only). Toilet seats, hardware, and base wax rings must be removed.
• REFRIGERATORS/FREEZERS/HOUSEHOLD AIR CONDITIONERS: $25 charge for each refrigerator, freezer or household air conditioner (cash only).
• APPLIANCES AND SCRAP METAL: Auto parts, engines and gas lawnmowers (drained of oil and gasoline), metal lawn chairs, stoves, microwaves, barbecues, steel, aluminum, brass, copper and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. $5 will be charged for each water heater that still has insulation coating (cash only). Metals that are insulated, rubber or oil coated, previously or currently contain chemicals, paint, or hazardous materials will not be accepted. Light fixture ballasts and sealed drums will not be accepted.
• PROPANE TANKS: Residential tanks only. $5 charge (cash only).
• ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT: DVD players, VCRs, stereo equipment, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, cellular phones and computer peripherals such as keyboards and mice. Computer monitors and televisions will not be accepted. You can recycle these items for free at other locations.

DON’T BRING:

• No scrap wood/bulky wood
• No construction/demolition debris No garbage No mattresses/furniture No plastic toys, hoses, etc.
• No window glass

These hazardous wastes:

• No oil based paint
• No pesticides/herbicides
• No household chemicals
• No cleaning products
• No fluorescent lights

Rules For Latex Paint

• Latex paint is no longer considered hazardous waste and the household hazardous waste facilities in King County (the Wastemobile, Factoria, and two Seattle sites) no longer accept it. Residents who cannot use up latex paint, please dry it out and put it in the garbage with the lid off. Visit the King County website www.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/swd for more informa- tion on how to dry out latex paint.

For event information, call 206-248-7603 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/ or call the Household Hazards Line Monday to Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm except holidays at 206-296-4692.

Washington now has a FREE recycling program called “E-Cycle Washington” for computers, computers monitors, laptops, and televisions. Call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit 1800recycle.wa.gov to find authorized E-Cycle Washington collection locations. In the Burien/Normandy Park area you may drop off computers, computers monitors, laptops, and televisions for free at the following E-Cycle Washington locations:

• Burien Goodwill Store (1031 SW 128th Street, Burien, WA 98146, 206-957-1020)
• Salvation Army Burien Store (16033 1st Ave S, Burien, WA 98148, 206-267- 7272)
• St. Vincent de Paul (13445 1st Ave S, Burien, WA 98168, 206-243-6370)

Please note – drop off locations may change. Quantities accepted are limited. Please also note that computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included in this program but will be accepted at City Recycling Collection Events.

Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Sale:
To encourage the use of recycled content material and more efficient use of water, the cities of Burien and Normandy Park are offering recycled plastic rain barrels at a huge discount. In addition, start backyard composting with a compost bin to save resources and money. Composting is a natural process that turns yard waste into rich soil. Yard waste—grass, leaves, old flowers—contain mostly water. Once the material decomposes, rich soil is all that’s left.

$20 each. Cash only. While supplies last. No pre or post event sales.

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.

[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story and Ad like this for your Business 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!]

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.

View Larger Map

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.

by Gina Bourdage

After 51 years in their Normandy Park location, Manhattan Drug Store, the neighborhood drug store with “Big city selection and small town service” will soon be writing its last prescription, closing shop and taking their business in a different direction.

“We are very proud to have been entrusted with not only the filling of your prescriptions, but also with giving you advice and counseling in all matters pertaining to your pharmaceutical care. You have made us feel like family,” says a letter from the Herbert family.

While John Herbert Jr. says the change is not recession-related, he hopes to see everyone at the new location in Safeway (on SW 148th Street).

“I will be going to work at the Burien Safeway Pharmacy to help with the transition, which should go very smoothly. Our phone lines and prescription files will be transferred there at the close of business on May 7th,” Herbert said.

The current inventory of the general drug store is now available at discounted prices and fixtures will be sold after the store closes in about two months.

Manhattan Drugs, located at 17833 1st Ave South, is one of the last non-chain drugstore locations in the area.

It is not known if another business is moving into the location.

Here are some comments we found via Google Maps on this store:

Manhattan Pharmacy is your small town type drug store of days gone by. It is a quaint store which a myriad of miscellaneous items so if you can’t find what you are looking for elsewhere try Manhattan Pharmacy. They also have a first-class pharmacy and a small liquor store outlet. It is a great place to just browse. I would certainly recommend a visit to Manhattan Pharmacy — you might like it.

Manhattan Drug Store has been around for years. In addition to having a pharmacy, they offer a wide variety of items for sale, including food products, gift items, etc. Recently I needed some small regional gifts to give to some foreign visitors. I found a wide vairety of candies made in Washington–just what I was looking for–at a reasonable price.

View Larger Map

by Scott Schaefer

UPDATE: Cafe Mia, which closed without warning last Thursday (we first reported on it Saturday 4/25), is planning on remodeling and re-opening as a “family bar and grill” sometime in early to mid-summer, according to co-owner Todd McKittrick.

We spoke with Mr. McKittrick Monday morning (4/27), and he told us that the cafe, as it was, simply wasn’t making enough money. Despite a strong lunchtime crowd, business wasn’t consistent enough, so they decided to close it down.

McKittrick says that a new restaurant will soon open in the same location after a remodel that changes the current cafe to include:

• More comfortable atmosphere with table service
• Lower ceilings to make it quieter
• Replacing the round tables with more traditional square ones
• Enlarge the outdoor seating area
• Re-design it as a “family bar and grill”

A few Commenters on our sister site The B-Town Blog mentioned that they thought the location in the new Normandy Park Towne Center was a problem; one calling it a “dead zone” and another a “black hole,” with one even suggesting that the only business that would thrive would be “a strip bar.”

McKittrick disagrees, saying that it wasn’t the location.

“All three owners are Normandy Park residents,” McKittrick said. “We’re all local, and we all believe that a local restaurant can work at this location. We’re just listening to our customers and making changes based on their feedback. We’ll re-open soon with the same great food, but with a different menu.”

McKittrick said that the remodeled restaurant will have a new name, but that they hadn’t yet decided on what that will be.

Despite the changes, the Cafe Mia website remains unchanged, with no mention of any closure or changes, as does their Facebook page.