Going on job interviews? Giving a business presentation? Leading a meeting? Need confidence? Toastmasters is the answer!

The ability to speak well is crucial to success, but have you ever evaluated your speaking skills? Many people, if they were to seek feedback, would learn that they talk too much, or perhaps too softly, that they fill their sentences with “ums” and “uhs,” or that they are hard to follow. You might say that it’s the message that matters; but if you can’t put your ideas across in a way that makes people want to listen, that promotion or that leadership position could be a long time coming.

Toastmasters offers a formal, self-paced program that will help you learn to speak better. The two keys to this are practice and feedback. Toastmasters clubs provide a friendly and supportive setting where you can practice your public speaking, and receive constructive feedback. Darlene Burrill says, “Toastmasters has given me the courage to speak in front of a group in spite of my speech impediment.”

To learn more about Toastmasters attend an Open House at Burien Breakfast Toastmasters, Thursday, September 9, 2010. Arrive at 6:45am to receive your guest packet and get your coffee or juice. There will be a light breakfast served at break time.

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters Open House
4 Lessons on Speaking from “The Karate Kid”
Highline Public Schools ERAC Building
15675 Ambaum Blvd SW, Burien
Across the street from Azteca, next to Hi-Line Lanes
7:00am – 8:15am
Arrive at 6:45am for Guest Packets, Coffee and Juice
For more info contact Theresa 206-588-5088 or burienbreakfast.com@gmail.com

There will be three parts to the meeting, the prepared speeches, the evaluations, and “Table Topics”. The prepared speeches are usually of five to seven minutes long. Each member is given in a manual that sets out ten speech projects. Each of these has a specific goal, such as speech structure, using gestures, pauses and vocal inflection. These will help you learn how to express your ideas clearly and with confidence. Bang Parkinson, the President of Burien Breakfast Toastmasters, says that using the speech projects helped her gain confidence and feel comfortable presenting at board meetings at work. “Even though I still have my Chinese accent, people understand me better. Giving speeches at Toastmasters helped me to articulate well and to speak slower, clearer and smoother.”

After each speech an evaluator, usually a Toastmaster more experienced than the speaker, provides feedback. This takes the form of an impromptu speech and the objective is to give suggestions on how to improve future speeches because feedback is essential to learning.

For many people the “Table Topics” part of a meeting is the most frightening, yet this is also of the greatest benefit for those wanting to improve how they speak at work. In Table Topics each person is called upon to speak impromptu on a subject. If you’ve never done it before, delivering an interesting and well-structured talk to a group of attentive listeners without any preparation can be extremely difficult. Yes, the first time is hard, but it gets easier with practice, and that’s precisely the point. As Jean Schmidt says, “I used to be legally blind. Science gave me back my eyesight. Toastmasters opened my eyes. Now they can’t keep my mouth shut!”

Attend a meeting and you’ll find Toastmasters are more than willing to share stories of how Table Topics practice helped them at work. From explaining a project to a group of unexpected visitors to persuading colleagues to consider a crazy idea, being able to express thoughts clearly is essential to being viewed as both confident and competent. Roger Wells will tell you how Table Topics saved his dad’s life when with no preparation he had to convince medical authorities to hospitalize his dad at once.

You can learn these skills and more in a supportive, self paced, fun atmosphere at Burien Breakfast Toastmasters. Join us at our Open House September 9, 2010 at 6:45am or at any of our regularly scheduled meetings.

Burien Breakfast Toastmasters
Highline Public Schools ERAC Building
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW
Burien, WA 98166
2nd and 4th Thursday of every month
7:00am – 8:15am

On Wednesday night (Aug. 18th), Burien’s Tin Room hosted the opening party for sponsors of the 2010 “Brat Trot” 5K race, which will be on Sunday, Sept. 19th.

This year’s all-day event will benefit White Center’s own WestSide Baby, along with Safe Kids of South King County, as well as Multicare at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center.

Last year’s race brought in nearly $25,000 for local charities, and this year’s will include even more activities, including a German Oompah Band, a “Seize the Sausage” race, beer garden, and a block party emceed by none other than Burien’s own inimitable “Yodeling Dominatrix” Manuela Horn.

The brainchild of Tin Room owner Danny House (aka “Dan the Sausageman“), the original race drew more than 700 people together for a day of fun and festivities, and most important, fundraising. Of course this year, Danny wants to do more.

Here’s how YOU can help:

• If you’re a local businessperson and you’d like to chip in to sponsor (we’re already one!), click here to download a PDF Sponsorship Packet.
• If you’re a Runner who’d like to register for the race, click here.
• If you’d like to serve as a Volunteer, click here to email Deb Will.
  

Here’s info on this year’s race from the website:

This year’s 5K race begins in Olde Burien on SW 152nd, widely circling Lake Burien before finishing to cheering crowds around the corner of 10th SW and back onto SW 152nd.

2010 brings the addition of a 1 mile+ “Seize the Sausage” race, perfect for kids and adults alike looking for a shorter venue. Runners can dash out, grab their Bratton and race back to the same finish line as those in the 5K.

5K Individual Race
This 5K course is generally flat with few even slight grades. Runners will be primarily on blacktop with a bit of gravel and grass. Race is clearly marked with live hand wavers to keep you on the course and trained flaggers and police officers at busy intersections. Runners can expect a nice run through neighborhoods with glimpses of beautiful Lake Burien and other parts of our charming city. Timing is chip-driven and provided by BuDu Racing.

The Burien Brat Trot starts and finishes nestled into one of greatest festivals of the fall — Octoberfest. Beginning at 10:30 am on September 19th the band strikes up and begins to play in Old Burien. All day event goers can enjoy brats, the beer garden, a german oompah band,water weenie races, booths and of course the Chicken Dance. Local restaurants and shops will be open for business with drink and event specials. Entertaining again this year is the Austrian Yodeler Manuela Horn.

In addition to marking your calendars for the race day, you might also want to pencil in Friday, Sept. 17th as well – that’s the night of the Brat Trot Pub Crawl, which, if it’s anything like last year’s, will be amazingly fun.

by Ralph Nichols

Just 21 votes separate 34th Legislative District candidates Mike Heavey and Joe Fitzgibbon after a second day of counting ballots cast in the Aug. 17 primary election.

Fitzgibbon gained more than a hundred votes in the updated totals released by King County Elections on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 18) to virtually erase Heavey’s slim election-night lead.

But whoever emerges as winner in this neck-in-neck race will walk away with little more than bragging rights. As the clear front runners, Heavy and Fitzgibbon, both Democrats, will advance beyond the top-two primary and face each other in the Nov. 2 general election.

Ballots cast by 27.49 percent of voters in the 34th Legislative District have been counted. Unreported is how many of its 75,415 registered voters mailed in ballots.

Heavey now has 33.43 percent of the vote, with Fitzgibbon at 33.32 percent. Independent Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy is at 18.47 percent, and Democrat Marcee Stone has 14.27 percent.

The two finalists seek to replace Sharon Nelson as state representative from Position 2. Nelson is unopposed in her move to the Senate, where she will replace former Sen. Joe McDermott. He easily won his contest for the King County Council and will face Diana Toledo in November.

Reached Wednesday morning (Aug. 18) by The B-Town Blog, Heavey reflected on his campaign that now has seven more weeks to go, noting, “I’ve been working since six months ago. There’s no rest for the weary.

“I’m very positive and I’m really humbled by all the support I got. It wasn’t a fluke. I did a lot of hard work from door belling to phone banking to visibility. It paid off.”

Fitzgibbon said “it’s just really gratifying to see all the hard work that we put in during the last five months paid off, and that our message has resonated with the voters of the district. I wouldn’t be surprised if I moved into the lead in the next day or so.”

Fitzgibbon has been a legislative assistant to Rep. Nelson, and also a King County Council legislative aide. He is chairman of the Burien Planning Commission, and was a member of the Burien Shoreline Advisory Committee.

Heavey is director of Outreach and Constituent Relations for the King County Council, focusing on public safety, crime and youth violence. Previously he worked at Expedia.com in fraud and identity theft prevention.

Despite their apparent similar positions on major issues that will confront the next Legislature, both say voters will have a clear choice.

“I think things look very good. People have known the Heavey name for years, and I have only gotten my name out in the last few months. If we keep doing what we’re doing, I’ll be in a strong position.

“Mike’s a good guy and has been working hard, but one of the big differences is that I have a track record of service to our communities. I’ve demonstrated a stronger grasp of the issues, a better grasp of what’s going on in state government for our communities.

“On most big issues, Mike and I have had similar positions. We differ on a matter of style. I hope that will come out in the fall campaign.”

Heavey:

“I think the voters will have a clear choice come November. It will be my job to articulate those differences and it will be up to the voters to decide who they want to represent them in Olympia.

“On paper and in personality, there are some striking differences between us. I’m confident that at the end of the day, the voters will make that decision.

“The biggest issue is the state budget. The question is, do the residents of the 34th District want someone acting in the Legislature on behalf of all the citizens of the state, or acting for only a select few?”

Neither McElroy nor the Stone campaign returned calls from The B-Town Blog for comment.

by Ralph Nichols

After a second day of counting ballots cast in the Aug. 17 primary election, Joe McDermott maintains a lopsided lead in the King County Council race from District 8.

McDermott has almost 60 percent of the votes counted in the district with the release of updated totals by King County Elections on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 18).

Diana Toledo appears headed for a second-place finish with 19.69 percent of the vote. The top two finishers qualify for the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Normandy Park City Councilman and former mayor Shawn McEvoy is third with 13.14 percent of the vote. Tim Fahey, a South Park carpenter who based his campaign on getting a new bridge there, has 6.89 percent.

The totals for McDermott and McEvoy increased slightly, while those for Toledo and Fahey slipped a little – but all changes were well under 1 percent.

Ballots cast by 26.62 percent of voters in the district have been counted. Unreported is how many of its 109,557 registered voters mailed in ballots:

METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT NO. 8

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: *

28,466

/

109,557

25.98%

County Council District No. 8 Unexpired 1-year Term

Diana Toledo

4,879

19.63%

Tim Fahey

1,711

6.89%

Joe McDermott

14,859

59.79%

Shawn McEvoy

3,265

13.14%

Write-in

136

0.55%

“I’m surprised with how high [his vote total] was,” McDermott told The B-Town Blog. “I thought I would place first, but had no idea it would be with numbers as high as I received last night. I’m very pleased.”

Toledo said she is “very excited and looking forward to working very hard over the next few months to close the gap [with McDermott] and to win in November. I’m encouraged by my numbers given the fact that I came into the race so late.”

If Toledo holds her primary position, which now appears likely, the election for this seat will take on a pivotal dimension for the King County Council despite the fact that she is a long shot.

McDermott, who has served 10 years in the Legislature, seven in the House and the last three in the Senate, will continue to run on his record as a liberal Democrat from West Seattle, which he points to with pride.

“I think voters will continue to have a strong choice and I look forward to continuing to knock on as many doors as I can and talk to as many voters as I can about transit and transport, environmental protection, human services and public safety, as I have thus far in the campaign,” he added.”

A political newcomer from West Seattle, Toledo, who worked for King County for 15 years, campaigned on conservative themes – government reform, reduce spending and taxes, cut waste, and public safety as the top priority.

She planned to hit the ground running the day after the primary to increase her visibility and “tell voters who I am and point out the differences between Joe and me. I have a lot of people supporting me and I believe that that number is going to grow.”

They are running to fill the council position vacated by Dow Constantine when he was elected county executive last year. The winner will serve one year, then must run for election to a full four-year term in 2011.

Both highlighted their opposing positions in interviews with The B-Town Blog.

McDermott:

“I’ve had the opportunity over the last 10 years to demonstrate my priorities and my values in my service in the Legislature. They have meshed well with the district I represented and they mesh well with the larger 8th County District. It is those priorities and those values that I took to the voters, asking them to support me in yesterday’s primary.

“Certainly the council positions are now non-partisan and I have a track record of working with a variety of people in Olympia and I look forward to continuing to do that if elected to the county council. At the same time, I think the voters have a right to know what my values and priorities are and a party label is an initial indicator of that to the public.”

Toledo:

“Shawn McEvoy ran a great race. I’m very honored that I have been able to make it through to the general election. I’m grateful for the support from all the people who believe in the issues that are part of my campaign – who want change in King County government, who want reform in King County government.

“We can’t afford politics as usual. We can’t sustain unsustainable budgets. King County cannot afford to continue the excesses of career politicians and career appointees whose policies have devastated our communities, a projected budget deficit of $60 million next year, with talk of sales and property taxes and the slashing of law enforcement positions. We have to protect our senior citizens who are being taxed out of their homes.”

Can Toledo win despite McDermott’s lead? “I have to. We’ve got too much to lose.”

But McEvoy isn’t ready to concede the race. “It’s going to be one of those multi-day adventures,” he said about the continuing vote count. Elections will continue to update results at 4:30 p.m. every weekday through Aug. 31.

“I’d rather be in second place, but I’m not that concerned. I’m looking forward the late vote during the rest of the week. That’s where I’ll swing back.”

He added, “My goal always was to be in second place in the primary. The race is still on. It’s the first turn of the horse race.”

Fahey expressed hope that the second posting of votes would improve his fortunes. With that apparently not in the cards, “Diana has my complete and absolute endorsement. I agree with her platform, she’s bright, and I’ll be delighted to have her as my councilman. I don’t think there is any way I can come close at this point, and I will campaign for her.”

He added, “I’m happy. We didn’t make it but I’m happy. I did something I never thought that I’d do … I will continue to work to see that a new bridge is built and that things like this don’t happen again. This is a silly way to run a government.”

WCB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s featured Open House for this week is a newly-updated 5-bedroom home in the Gregory Heights neighborhood in Burien, located just a block away from the elementary school and a short walk to a community swimming pool.

This home boasts new features like: carpet, paint, vinyl, gas stove, refrigerator and microwave.

Enjoy entertaining in the living room with vaulted ceilings or a simple family dinner in the formal dining room.

With the family room upstairs and a large shop next to the garage you will have plenty of room for your RV and toys.

Here are the details:

WHEN: Open House will be this Sunday, Aug. 15th, from 1pm to 4pm.

WHERE: 16037 15th Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166

INFO:

• List Price: $329,999
• Listing #: 115054
• Beds: 5
• Baths: 2.75
• Year Built: 1954
• Garage-Attached
• Approximate House SqFt: 2,137
• Lot Square Footage: 7,620

Interior Features:

• Dble Pane/Strm Windw
• Dining Room
• French Doors
• Security System
• Skylights
• Vaulted Ceilings
• Walk-in Closet

Site Features:

• Cable TV
• Deck
• Fenced-Partially
• Gas Available
• Gated Entry
• High Speed Internet
• Patio
• RV Parking
• Shop

Marketing Remarks:

Welcome to Gregory Heights!

This newly updated 5-bedroom 2.75-bath home is a block away from the elementary school and a short walk to the community swimming pool.

This home boasts new features like: carpet, paint, vinyl, gas stove, refrigerator and microwave.

Enjoy entertaining in the living room with vaulted ceilings or a simple family dinner in the formal dining room.

With the family room upstairs and a large shop next to the garage you will have plenty of room for your RV and toys.

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 read by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

The Seattle Police Department reported early Wednesday morning (Aug. 11) that they’ve arrested a 50-year old male suspect in the recent “smash-and-grab” crime sprees that hit small businesses in an area from Burien north into West Seattle.

The suspect is alleged to have been responsible for at least 40 similar burglaries since July 1st (we’ve been following these cases closely – read our previous coverage here).

Here’s the report from SPD:

On August 11th, at approximately 2:30 AM, Seattle Police and King County Sheriff detectives working in conjunction on a series of commercial “smash and grab” burglaries, arrested a 50-year old male for a burglary in the Burien area.

This suspect is believed to be responsible for at least 40 similar type burglaries in the West Seattle and Burien area since July 1st.

Detectives from the two agencies will continue to follow up on these burglaries as they put together their cases for prosecution.

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Burglary.

by Ralph Nichols

Voters in Burien, Normandy Park and North Highline will help decide the only two contested races in the Highline area on the Aug.17 primary election ballot.

Ballots must be postmarked by next Tuesday, Aug. 17, or deposited in a King County Elections ballot drop-box by 8 p.m. that day.

There are no contested legislative district or local primary races in Des Moines.

A contest that has gained high-profile status is the race for the King County Council seat from District 8, which includes Burien, Normandy Park and North Highline.

The eventual winner in November will complete the unexpired term, with one year remaining, which was vacated by Dow Constantine after his election last fall as King County Executive.

And that outcome, depending on who is elected, may significantly alter the complexion of the county council.

Constantine’s replacement, former Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago, did not file for election to that post.

The quartet of candidates includes:

• Tim Fahey, a South Park carpenter who is basing his campaign on the need for immediate action to build a new South Park bridge and the failure of the county to replace the structure before it was permanently closed to traffic.
• Normandy Park City Councilman Shawn McEvoy, who has served as mayor and is a small business owner, and who cites his environmental record for protected critical areas in and surrounding the city.
• State Sen. (and Rep.) Joe McDermott of West Seattle, currently representing Burien, White Center, West Seattle, and Vashon and Maury Islands, who is running on his 10 years in the Legislature. He is endorsed by Constantine.
• Diana Toledo of West Seattle, who says her experience from 15 years as a county enforcement coordinator, animal cruelty investigator and licensing supervisor will help her reform and restore financial responsibility to King County government.

Fahey and Toledo both oppose the proposed .02-cent sales tax increase that advocates say is needed to avoid layoffs of sheriff’s deputies, prosecutors and court personnel next year. They maintain that savings can be found within the county budget to avoid those cuts.

McEvoy and McDermott both support the sales tax measure.

In the 34th Legislative District, which includes Burien and North Highline, Democrats Joe Fitzgibbon, Mike Heavy and Marcee Stone, and Independent Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy are running for State Representative, Position 2.

The winner in November will replace state Rep. Sharon Nelson, a Democrat who is running for the State Senate to fill the office vacated by McDermott.

• Fitzgibbon, who is chairman of the Burien Planning Commission, has been a legislative aide to Nelson and also a King county Council legislative aide.
• Heavey currently is director of Outreach and Constituent Relations for the King County Council, and has worked in fraud and identity theft prevention for Expedia.com.
• McElroy owns Mac’s Triangle Pub in White Center. A military veteran, as a member of the White Center Chamber of Commerce he is involved in community development.
• Stone, a legal administration professional who has worked for several law firms, has been a professional actor and a local political activist.

WCB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s featured Open House for this week is a desirable, custom waterfront home near Burien’s 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.

[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!]

by Rachel M. Lusby

Fraught with sadness and anger, Keasha Beard plummeted into a deep depression for over two years.

Now in her early 20s, Beard is back on her feet with a smile on her face. She has created her own destiny by way of “The K. Beard Experience,” a spoken word poetry show of enormous subject variety which incorporates story-telling, poetry and hip hop rhythm.

Starting at the beginning, Beard grew up, as she describes, “basically poor.” She lived with her father, who was rarely home, and most often had to take care of herself; sometimes even having to solicit the neighbors for cash to go get something to eat from the 7-11.

One thing Beard did have that was all her own, was basketball, and she was extraordinary at it.

“I grew up alone,” says Beard, “and I knew that basketball was the only way out of Seattle, so I put my all into the game.”

Beard used basketball as a means of escape from the trials of her young life.

By the time she reached high school, she was considered one of the best point guards in the state of Washington. She secured an athletic scholarship to New Mexico State University, was written about in High School Sports Magazine, and had a role in the acclaimed documentary “The Heart of the Game.”

Beard injured herself in high school, severely damaging her leg. She had surgery to fix the problem, however it did not work and her leg ended up healing at a 45 degree angle. She attempted to play basketball for New Mexico State, but as she says she “ended up being on the injured reserve list” for the entire season.

The pain from all the pressure on her leg was unbearable, and she had to give it up. Doctors were telling her if she did not stop playing basketball, by the time she was 40 she would be unable to walk.

This is where she slipped into the dark hole of depression. She says she felt sad and angry and had no way to deal with it. Growing up, when she was dealing with difficult issues she would just go play basketball and not have to think about it. Now, she had to face things head on; her outlet no longer available to her.

After leaving college she returned home to live with her grandparents. She humorously describes in her show the rules laid out before her by her grandmother. “My grandmother told me I either had to go to school or get a job,” says Beard.
In the meantime, life was getting harder. “I wanted to die,” states Beard plain and simply.

And she tried to do just that.

“I was so far gone that I tried to commit suicide and the only reason why I’m alive today is because of my grandmother, who found me and rushed me to the hospital.”

Beard had gone into the bathroom and swallowed half a bottle of Aleve.

In her piece entitled “Priceless” Beard describes this event. She begins by talking about family.

“I don’t think people appreciate their families enough,” she says.

In great detail, Beard discusses how although dysfunction ran rapid through her family, they are still the most important aspect of her life. She has a brother she claims has “been to juvy more than anyone she knows,” and an uncle who has been in and out of prison. Her mother always lived far away, and her father was rarely around.

Despite all this, however, Beard says she loves her family simply because no matter what she may do, they will always be right there for her.

“You’ll eventually have to go home,” she says.

One of her uncle, says Beard, has the “greatest quote.” He says “you can love your family, but you don’t gotta like ‘em.” Beard laughs as she says this, and attests to its truth.

Beard was put into therapy after her suicide attempt. She saw several different therapists who put her on several different types of antidepressants; none, she says, worked at all.

“One of those drugs had me seeing things!” Beard exclaimed.

It was not until she saw the “old man” therapist that she began to come up. He had her keep a journal of her daily activities or simply what she was thinking; whether she wrote in prose or poetry did not matter.

“I just snapped awake,” says Beard.

This is where the change began. Like many others, Beard had lost her job and was having a nightmare of a time finding a new one.

“The idea for the show kind of came out of no where,” she says.

Two things she knew, though, were she liked to write and she liked to entertain people.

“So I combined my spoken word, my knack for making people laugh, and my unique way of storytelling,” says Beard. “It took me eight months to put everything together, but ever since my first show, it has been taking off fast. Faster than I ever thought it would.”

The K. Beard Experience implements a very simple stage, with no props or backdrops, just her presence.

The show touches on several subjects. Beard gets personal in describing her rise in basketball, her fall into depression, and her climb back out of the hole. She also talks about world issues, such as the current economic recession and even has a bit regarding the child prostitution problem seen in so many parts of the world.

The K. Beard Experience sends audience members free falling through an atmosphere of emotions; they laugh, they cry, they ponder. Beard says she likes to start the show off on a light note, get more serious but leave the audience feeling good again at the end.

Beard’s family is also involved with her show. Her uncle, Chad Miller, and his wife Correna Miller worked the door at her show on July 18th.

“I am so proud of her,” says Chad. “She’s come a long way. She grew up in the not-best parts of town and has made the best out of a difficult situation.”

Correna has great affection for the show.

“I think it is phenomenal,” she says. “It is entertaining but inspirational and touching.”

Beard believes her best bit in the show is “War of the Worlds.” This piece is about many of the skewed ideals we see world wide, such as the “love of money.”

“Why does money have to be our main religion?” raps Beard.

She describes how selfish people can be; how the value of a necklace seems to be in the forefront of a person’s mind, rather than how the value of that necklace could be used to feed children who are starving to death.

Beard talks about all the warring between nations and the obsession with looking young; all the creams and make ups, and Botox injections. “This ain’t Neverland,” she says. “That ain’t fairy dust and MAC ain’t Tinkerbell.”

Beard says there is a war in the world, and it is reality. “…And Tom Cruise can’t save us.”

Beard is now taking her show nationwide, with her next gig to be in Portland, OR.

For a full calendar, go to www.kbexp.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, Facebook and other networking sites; all can be found on her website.

Here’s a video interview of her:

Our sister site The B-Town Blog wants to remind our readers of its next Candidates Forum, featuring the contenders vying for Dow Constantine’s former seat on the King County Council.

It will be this Tuesday, July 20, from 7pm to 8:45pm at the Highline School District’s E.R.A.C. Building, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W. in south Burien, across the street from Azteca Restaurant and just north of Hi-Line Lanes.

Moderator for the evening will be longtime local reporter and radio talk show host Dave Ross. Ross’s show airs 9am to noon Monday through Friday on 97.3 KIRO-FM.

All four candidates for the seat have been invited and all four have agreed to attend.

They are:

• Diana Toledo, former King County employee.
• Shawn McEvoy, former Normandy Park mayor and current Normandy Park city council member.
• Joe McDermott, current 34th district state senator.
• Tim Fahey, professional carpenter and South Park resident.

The forum format is to have area journalists ask questions for the first 45 minutes or so, followed by questions from the public. There is no admission charge and anyone and everyone is welcome to attend.

The 8th District council seat everyone is duking it out for is currently held by Jan Drago. Drago is not running for election.

The primary is August 17. Mail-in ballots will be sent to voters later this month. The two candidates garnering the most votes advance to the general election in November.

The King County Sheriff’s Department reports that they found Carl Wallace, age 58 and suffering from dementia, Friday night (July 16) in Grants Pass, Oregon.

Wallace was found safe, with his vehicle and dog “Frankie.”

He was first reported missing from the Burien area on Friday July 16th:

PREVIOUSLY:

On Friday (July 16) the King County Sheriff’s Department sent out word that they’re seeking the public’s help in finding 58-year old Carl Wallace, last seen in Burien.

According to police, he was last seen Thursday (July 15th) in the Burien area, and might be intending to drive to California.

Wallace suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, and is in the area from Idaho for medical treatment.

The missing man has little gas, no credit or debit cards, little money, and did not know how to get to the freeway from Burien.

He is likely driving a black, 1990 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, Idaho license 1AEB756.

His dog “Frankie” is with him, a brown and white border collie, weighing about 40 lbs.

Wallace is 5’ 7” tall, 180 lbs., and gray hair, blue eyes, and a full beard.

He has a tattoo on his left forearm of purple roses with “Carl + Betty.” He is wearing a gray shirt, tan shorts, tan boat shoes, and might have a purple sweater.

If anyone sees Carl Wallace they should call 9-1-1 or the Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours).

WCB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s featured Open House for this week is an “extremely clean 3 bedroom, 2 full (all new) bath rambler” located near the beach in Hurstwood and priced at $369,950.

This home features newly-refinished hardwoods, new tile in the kitchen and family room, new interior paint, and a 2-car garage with huge attic storage.

Here are the details:

WHEN: Open House will be this Sunday, July 11th, from 1pm to 4pm.

WHERE: 13843 17th Ave SW, Burien 98166

INFO:

• List Price: $369,950
• Listing#: 32089
• Beds: 3
• Baths: 2
• Fireplaces: 1
• Year Built: 1966
• 2 Garage-Attached
• Approximate House SqFt: 1,420
• Lot Square Footage: 16,000

Interior Features:

• Bath Off Master
• Dble Pane/Strm Windw

Site Features:

• Cable TV
• Fenced-Partially
• Patio

Marketing Remarks:

Extremely clean 3 bdrm,2full(all new) bath rambler.

Newly refinished hardwoods and new tile in kitchen and family rm.

New interior paint. 2 car gar.w/huge attic storage.

Sought after Hurstwood-near the beach.

Get in this one!

Furniture negotiable if interested.

Directions:

• Ambaum Blvd. to SW 144th St.
• West to 13th SW.
• Right to stop sign.
• Turn Right then immediate left to 13843 17th SW.

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 seend by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

Born out of a mother’s love and in memory of her son, B-Unit #83 from Airport Towing made its first public appearance in Sunday’s 4th of July Parade.

The Storer family, owners of WCB Advertiser Airport Towing and Burien Towing, spent the last two years recovering from the tremendous loss in their family – on July 23, 2008 Mark and Brian Storer were tragically lost in a small plane accident (read our previous coverage here).

The family has found ways to cope with their loss. The greatest of which was most likely an idea that was produced by Lynette Storer, Brian’s mother and Mark’s wife. Lynette is now the President/CEO of Airport Towing and has been helping run the day-to-day operations of the company for nearly 22 years.

According to Lynette’s son Jared:

“Her vision was to restore the ’66 Ford-350 Tow Truck, exactly as her son Brian would have wanted it done.

Even though it has proven to be an expensive and time-consuming project, Lynette has pressed forward with the restoration. Despite a depressed economy, the love she has for her son is far beyond any monetary value.

With the help of Lynette’s staff the project is now complete!”

The antique tow truck emblazoned with Brian’s driver number – #83 – made its inaugural Burien appearance in Sunday’s 4th of July Parade and was driven by Lynette, with some very special people on board – Brian’s wife Christy and their sons Sam and Toby rode ‘shotgun’.

“B-Unit #83 is a tribute to Brian Storer. The lean, mean, Ford racing machine has been restored for one reason: it was Brian Storer’s dream to revive this this truck and make it his own,” said Lynette.

With the help of several employees, antique specialists and paint specialists at local Huddleson’s Auto Color World in White Center, this vintage truck was lovingly re-assembled and restored.

Final touches were put on this week by Roy Dunn and his crew at Dunn Auto Graphics in Des Moines. The graphics were designed and hand lettered by Roy.

What’s next for B-Unit #83 after Burien’s 4th of July Parade? It will take its place along with 13 other antique tow trucks in the in the Airport Towing Museum as the most powerful truck in the collection. Mark Storer began his collection of exotic and antique tow trucks in 1997.

If you’d like to learn the entire history of B-Unit #83, click here.

Here are some photos of this nicely-restored vehicle that’s a fitting tribute to a life lost too young:

[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!]

Just a few miles south of White Center, Burien’s annual Wild Strawberry Festival runs all weekend, with tons of FREE entertainment, music, arts, food, performance art, and much more.

The fest runs from 10am – 6pm today (Saturday June 19), and 10am – 5pm Sunday (June 20) at the Burien Town Square, on SW 152nd and 5th SW (map/directions here).

Be sure to come find our sister site The B-Town Blog near the intersection of SW 151st and 5th SW, where they’ll be “blogging live” all weekend.

Here are some of the weekend’s highlights:

Saturday, June 19:

• Anunnaki Project Trapeze Performances
• Stiltwalker Ellarella
• NW Parkour
• B-TOWN Bike Fair
• Kiwanis Pancake Brfst—8-10am, Burien Fire Station E
• lliott Bay Brewery Activities

Sunday, June 20:

• Abyssinian Dancers
• Manuela Horn—The Yodeling Wonder
• 5K Run/Walk— 150th & 4th SW
• Car Show
• Elliott Bay Brewery Activities

Here’s a map of the site:

To download and print your own copy of the event brochure, which includes a schedule, sponsors, site map and more – just click here for a PDF version, then hit the “Print” button.

The Rotary Club of Burien/White Center recently awarded local winners of its 2010 Scholarships, which includes students from Evergreen, Highline, Kennedy and the Puget Sound Skills Center.

The club grants a student from each school for extraordinary community service with a “Service Above Self” award. 

The scholarships recipients this year were:

• Evergreen – Fabian Valencia and Mahlet Assefa
• Highline – Giovanni Torres and Dijana Raco
• Kennedy Catholic – Bridget Grotz and Mary Corbett

The Service Above Self Winners were:

• Evergreen – Nicolas Malagon-Lopez
• Highline – Michelle Wunch
• Kennedy Catholic – Cerice Keller

This year a third scholarship was granted to three sisters within the same family – the Corbett sisters are all graduates of Kennedy Catholic High School:

• Katie (2005)
• Mary (2010)
• Meagan (2008)

Congratulations to this year’s 2010 Scholarship Winners:

WCB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s featured Open House for this week is an “extremely clean 3 bedroom, 2 full (all new) bath rambler” located near the beach in Hurstwood and priced at $369,950.

This home features newly-refinished hardwoods, new tile in the kitchen and family room, new interior paint, and a 2-car garage with huge attic storage.

Here are the details:

WHEN: Open House will be this Sunday, June 13th, from 1pm to 4pm.

WHERE: 13843 17th Ave SW • Burien 98166

INFO:

• List Price: $369,950
• Listing#: 32089
• Beds: 3
• Baths: 2
• Fireplaces: 1
• Year Built: 1966
• 2 Garage-Attached
• Approximate House SqFt: 1,420
• Lot Square Footage: 16,000

Interior Features:

• Bath Off Master
• Dble Pane/Strm Windw

Site Features:

• Cable TV
• Fenced-Partially
• Patio

Marketing Remarks:

Extremely clean 3 bdrm,2full(all new) bath rambler.

Newly refinished hardwoods and new tile in kitchen and family rm.

New interior paint. 2 car gar.w/huge attic storage.

Sought after Hurstwood-near the beach.

Get in this one!

Furniture negotiable if interested.

Directions:

• Ambaum Blvd. to SW 144th St.
• West to 13th SW.
• Right to stop sign.
• Turn Right then immediate left to 13843 17th SW.

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 thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]