My Movie!!!

I made a little movie for the BURIEN UFO FESTIVAL/BURIEN FILM FESTIVAL, so now I can say I have something in common with George Clooney (My film did win shit either, George). So, without further ado, May I present: "X-FILE: PLAN K9 FROM OUTERSPACE"

I must mention this film couldn't be done without my "bitch"/assistant director, Kellie Bassen, nor my editor who performed magic working with very raw materiel, Matt Wendland. Also I must mention my love of the movies of Ed Woods, whom without his inspiration Plan K9 would be but a passing thought!

Artsy Kids!!!

We did the B-Town Beat, our local art walk, and Yon Flora, of ReTreasure and I partnered up so the kids in our fair city, could have a go at the Spin Art Spinner I made. Here is what the amazing kids came up with:

I think the kids all had fun making little works of art. I know I did!

Alien Invasion

Crazy Alien drivers!

The Men and Women in Black- my town of Burien was invaded by Aliens!!! Burien holds an annual UFO Festival every year, since B-Town Blog and Emmy winner Scott Schaefer, released a movie, The Maury Island Incident ,  chronicling a UFO incident right here in Burien! Every year Aliens and Spacecraft invade area 152 ( SW 152nd Street, Burien's Main Drag) for an evening of alien merry making, all the time watching out for the MIB. It featured a costume contest, A tribute to Spock (complete with a dance mob) a 5minute Film short festival (locals made 5 minute movies). It is always a great time.


A certain Cephlapodian visitor enjoys his time at the festival!(Picture by Crystal D. German)
 

A star fleet officer driving thorugh town!

 

A traditional Vulcan  dance mob (photo by Kellie Andersen Bassen)

 

RIP Mr. Spock... Live Long and prosper! (Photo by Kellie Andersen Bassen) 

Wild Strawberry Festival June 15th-16th

How Bob Saved His Family Farm...

Interesting sketch work in the Seattle Times...

Sketch by Gabriel Campanario, Seattle Times

Bob Ricci knew what to do with his family's farm after the purebred Holstein cows were sold and the dairy business shut down. He told his dad, a third-generation Snohomish farmer, that he would plant a corn maze and charge people to go through it.
Read about Bob and his innovative ways to make the Family Farm survive. And when reading look at the great Sketches by Gabriel Campanario.

Highline Jazz Festival!

Just found out that my favorite Music Group, Pearl Django is going to be playing this year at the 3rd Annual Highline Classic Jazz Festival, at the Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S. 152nd in Burien. Along with Pearl Django, is Rebecca Kilgore With Dave Frishberg on Piano and Ray Skjelbred to round out the Matinee session. The Evening show will have the Butch Thompson Trio, Holotraband, and Casey MacGill & Blue 4 trio. Tickets are available at Burien Press, Allusia and online at highlineclassicjazz.com
Pearl Django- Gypsy-attle at Jazz Alley...Enjoy!

NW FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW IS COMING

Spring is coming a bit early this year!!! At least the Northwest Flower and Garden show is. Scheduled for February 23-27 at the Washington State Convention Center, it is one of the largest shows of it’s type in the nation.Besides the many great gardens that will be there, I will get to see some of my favorite Vendors like Beez Neez Apairy-who trade in Mason bee housing, materials and cocoons; Natures Fresh Start-(Garden stake trellis for garden and containers); Lee Valley Tools-(Garden hand tools and accessories); and By the Yard Oregon- that sells Maintenance Free outdoor furniture from recycled milk jugs And also get to see some great lecturers and attend some good seminars. I even have my question ready for Ciscoe Morris! So escape winter, even for an afternoon and come frolic in the gardens at the NW Flower and Garden Show. PS There is an online Discount if you buy your tickets early!

B-Patch Garden Day

Due to some confusion over dates (officially Kitchen Garden Day is August 22 - I am glad to announce that

August 29th is B-Patch Garden Day
August 29th 2-6 pm at the B-Patch (Burien Community Garden)
POTLUCK Please bring a dish inspired by your garden
DEMOS- Everything from Self Irrigating Planters to Winter Gardening
Fun and Sun at the B-Patch
More info go to the B-Patch Blog

Big weekend at the Wild Strawberry Festival

It was a very cold day for June on Saturday. And Rainy on Sunday. It didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits at this years Wild Strawberry Festival in Burien, My Fair City, as attendance seemed good.
The Bike Fair was a great thing.

a van outfitted with a Metro Bus Bike Rack to demonstrate how to load your bike on a bus

I personally learned how to use the Bike racks on our Metro Buses. And got some great information on bikes and commuting in King County.Not that I am going to start commuting by bus/bike or any thing. More on that tomorrow. But it is great to know how to.

Just some of 24 unwanted or unused bikes going for a new life!



Bike Works - the unique orginization who takes unwanted and unused bikes to rebuild. They also allow underprivledged youth work for credit on the bikes to earn a bike!
There was even a green landscaper there at the bike fair


And there where over 24 bikes donated to Bike Works so thats 24 bikes that will find a new home and not be entered into the waste stream.


People seemed to like the Bike Rack made from a futon. Also, seems I missed my calling- people all over asked me where I got my T-shirt that said "I Bike B-Town".

The logo I put on my t-shirt

When I told them I made it they asked if I was selling them. I had to say no, I only made them for myself and a few volunteers. But gives me some job ideas for when I retire!

Wild Coastal Strawberry Plants- Native and a great ground cover
The Sustainable Burien Booth went off good as well... this year we were handing out free Native Coastal Strawberry plants, donated by one of our members who has these instead of grass for her yard. And we were handing out bags of Used Coffee grounds, donated by Burien Press, for people to use for soil ammendment, or put in their compost or worm bins. Didn't get to see much of the Fathers' Day Car Show but honestly those are more fun to be a participant in than a spectator!
My only complaint was the lack of food vendors. No Elephant Ears??? No Funnel Cakes??? Damn I had to make do with Corn on a stick and cotton candy.

Getting ready for a festival

Let's see...

Splash Park on and operational... Check

New Bike Racks for parking bikes... Check

Rob has the extra portable futon bike rack ready and tables and canopy for Sustainable Burien Booth... Check! Looks like everything is ready for the Annual Burien Wild Strawberry Festival, today and Sunday at town square park in Burien, My fair city. Looks like a good time with a Bike Festival on Saturday and a classic car show on Sunday. And lots of vendors and giant inflatable climbing things for the kiddies.

Green Festival Fun

It seemed to be a successful Green Festival in Seattle. I of course, was overwhelmed by the groups and such, And also by all the green building products and suppliers. I volunteered to work at the S.c.a.l.l.o.p.s. (Sustainable Communities ALL Over Puget Sound)booth. It was fun to spend a rainy day with like minded people coming together to spread their words and organizations!

There were a lot of "Green" Building companies and products - of course I wanted them all. There was also eco friendly pet products, vegans, PETA, (no I didn't tease or feed the peta people) as well as campaign and political issues. Even Dr. Bonner's soaps were there giving out samples of soap. I can't really say there was any of what I would call "greenwashing as all the companies involved were arguably already green.
Some of them had interesting products I haven't seen in person before like this large wooly pockets wall planter
One of the fun things at the S.C.A.L.L.O.P.S booth was a face painter. Here a young lad is getting made up like his favorite animal.
Of course some big old bald guy had to get his shiny bald forehead painted too