The City of Des Moines will be holding an Open House to discuss the historic SR-509 right-of-way (ROW) land request to the Washington State Department of Transportation on Wednesday, March 24th from 5pm – 7pm at the Des Moines Activity Center.

Visitors will be able to review maps of the proposed road extension of 16th Avenue South, along with potential storm water facilities, and Barnes Creek Trail, parts of which could be eliminated if the city does not acquire this property.

Barnes Creek Trail … “is in the historic 509 ROW, which WSDOT is trying to surplus because the alignment of 509 has been moved,” said Amy Swartz, Civil Engineer for the city. “The Barnes Creek corridor is mostly critical area and building a road through there is not optimal. It’s possible that parts of the trail could be eliminated if the City is not successful in acquiring this property. By having strong support from the community, it may help the City acquire this property from WSDOT.”

So if you care about this area, you might want to attend this meeting.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Open House to discuss SR-509 right-of-way land request to Washington DOT

WHEN: Wednesday, March 24 from 5pm – 7pm

WHERE: Des Moines Activity Center, located at 2045 South 216th Street

INFO: From the city’s website:

Please join the City of Des Moines to discuss the historic SR 509 right-of-way land request to WSDOT.  See maps of the proposed road extension of 16th Avenue South, potential storm water facilities, and Barnes Creek Trail.

If you have any ideas about using a trail between Kent-Des Moines Road and South 216th Street, historical stories or pictures of the land before it was acquired for SR 509 right-of-way use, please share them with us.

In April 2009 the City of Des Moines requested the transfer of portions of the historic State Route (SR) 509 right-of-way in Des Moines from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).  Since the current design and plans for the State Route 509 project do not utilize this historic corridor, WSDOT has no plans to improve this unopened right-of-way, and this isolated segment of the corridor has no strategic value to the State as a roadway.  The City of Des Moines is requesting that portions of this right-of-way be turned back to the local jurisdiction to be used for road and transportation purposes, while protecting critical areas within this corridor.

Parts of Barnes Creek Trail could be eliminated if the City is not successful in acquiring this property.

A study of the SR 509 right-of-way was conducted in 2009 entitled: Highest and Best Use Analysis of Historic SR 509 Corridor.  It was determined that the historic SR 509 right-of-way is an isolated section of undeveloped and unopened State right-of-way that has limited use, if any, as part of the regional SR 509 facility.  Current WSDOT plans for the SR 509 Project do not include this segment of historic right-of-way.  Of the 43.42 acres of right-of-way, approximately 50% is designated as critical area.  Therefore, there is no opportunity to design or construct a road through the length of the corridor because of the amount of critical area and other environmental constraints.

Within the three segments of the historic right-of-way study (see Illustrations 1-4), only Segment 1 could be improved to include right-of-way for a future street connection between South 216th and South 220th Streets.  The extension of 16th Avenue South is an improvement identified in the City’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan including sidewalks and bicycle lanes.  Likewise, South 218th Street is planned to be extended to connect with 16th Avenue South.  Right-of-way for other roadway related improvements could include potential wetland and storm drainage facilities needed to support the City’s Transportation Gateway Project, including widening of South 216th Street.

A north-south regional trail linking the Des Moines Creek Trail to Kent Des Moines Road and points south is also included in the City’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan.  Right-of-way for a multipurpose trail was requested along the entire length of the historic right-of-way.  The City will be identifying existing trails as well as potential trail footprints.  While short segments of a trail have been historically used, these trails are on property that WSDOT would like to surplus.   Eventually, a continuous trail will be an important north-south non-motorized transportation link to such activity centers such as the Post Office, the Des Moines Activity Center, the Steven J. Underwood Park and other existing and future employment centers in the City.

The intent of this request is to transfer or secure the necessary right-of-way for future use by the City before it is surplused by the State of Washington.  WSDOT has agreed to hold off on the surplus pending receipt of the City’s formal application(s) scheduled to be submitted in June 2010.  It is anticipated that much of the right-of-way will be transferred to the City for roadway purposes.

Right-of-way required for trail improvements may be subject to fee or leasehold agreements and given revenue constraints, the City may have to rely on outside resources to secure this right-of-way.  Actual improvements would be the subject of a more detailed environmental study, engineering, permitting and construction as funds become available.

For more information visit the City’s website at www.desmoineswa.gov/509 or call Amy Swartz at (206) 870-6592 or email aswartz@desmoineswa.gov.

by Dave Markwell

The other night I stepped on one of my son’s toys. It was a red SUV-type truck with a surfboard rack. It used to have a surfboard, but that was lost a long time ago.

I have stepped on a lot of my son’s toys over the years. In fact, I have probably stepped on, tripped over, kicked, stubbed and/or somehow otherwise damaged myself on more of my kids’ toys than I have not. Breaking toys is not new to me. What was strange about this incident was that I felt bad about it. I was very surprised on this day that the accidental destruction of yet another trip hazard actually affected me.

Through the years, I have been a veritable serial killer of toys and have been personally responsible for countless “disappearances.” Literally, hundreds of victims have met their demise in the stinky, shallow grave of my kitchen trashcan, covered only by chicken bones and eggshells. I have been indiscriminate in my toy tossing. There has been no pattern that any expert CSI or profiler could reveal. It has been random and willful. I have been able to perfect a straight-faced response to my kids’ queries into where a particular toy that I had thrown away might be.

“You must have lost it, like normal…” I can say without flinching or shame. Why do I do this? Simply put, my kids have too much crap and I have taken it upon myself to cull the herd. It is a lonely duty, but it is mine.

Independent of my efforts, the life of a toy in my household is a rough one. It is perpetual teeter-totter hell-ride, bouncing between extreme neglect and extreme abuse, with nothing in between. The truck that I damaged on this day had already endured several tough years. It was my son’s favorite for a time and I can remember him playing with it several years ago, back when he was just a cute little five-year old boy with baby teeth and a big head. This truck had managed to survive, when many, many others could not. While this accomplishment is worth noting, it, to me, does not explain my unusual reaction. I am a jaded and calloused toy killer and I sleep well at night knowing this. Why did I feel bad about crushing another toy that had done nothing to me, but be in my way for years?

Upon reflection, destroying the toy itself did not affect me, rather the toy represented something else that is both gone and leaving more everyday – my kids’ childhood. This stupid, broken red truck symbolized something wonderful and fleeting and its destruction spotlighted the fact my kids are growing older. Its obsolescence hurt me, because, I know what’s coming next…my obsolescence!! I am slowly and surely becoming the dusty, busted toy buried deep under the bed that nobody wants to play with anymore.

While this makes me sad, it comes with, as all downsides do, an upside. They say life begins “when the kids move out and the dog dies.” I cling to this idea as a life preserver. I look forward to golfing more and people not crying in my house everyday. I look forward to watching what I want on the TV with a FULL bag of Doritos. I look forward to fewer questions and less laundry. This is where I am stuck, because these things I will also miss. I will miss the constant bickering, crying and yelling. The silence scares me. My concerns may be premature as my kids are still young and I have a few years to get over my fears and simply enjoy the screaming, fighting, inconvenient pains in the arse that are my kids. They are growing up regardless of how I feel about it and I should embrace this as a natural part of life.

So….I guess that’s what I’ll do…..right after I fix the windshield and glue the roof back on the red truck, maybe polish it a little and while I’m at it, I should look for that surfboard…

[EDITOR'S NOTE:"Feel Good Friday" is a regular column written by Des Moines resident Dave Markwell, who extols to all neighbors: "Enjoy where we live. Put your feet on the pavement and truly feel how great it is to live here!"]

The Kent Police Department has created a website showcasing photos of 160 recovered stolen items including electronics, wallets, purses, backpacks, stereos, baby clothes and even a wedding dress; some of which may have been originally swiped in the Des Moines/South King County area.

According to police, a man and woman who are suspected of breaking into more than 100 cars have been busted. Now, they want to return the stolen items to their rightful owners.

The suspects were apparently caught when they used stolen credit cards at local businesses. Police then followed their trail and recovered the stolen stuff in a storage locker as well as at local pawn shops.

According to the website:

Suspects Mode of Operation:

Type of crime: Vehicle prowls (car break ins)

Method of entry: Break window or force door lock

Types of vehicles: Different types and styles but they favored FORD F-series trucks

Property targeted: luggage, purses, laptop computers, GPS units, assorted tools, backpacks, cameras, MP3 players, I-Pods, cell phones, CD players, car stereos, jewelry, anything of value.

Estimated time range of criminal activity: Past 3-4 months

Focus area of vehicle prowl activity: Kent, Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, South Seattle, Unincorporated areas of South King County. Collateral areas that may have been impacted as well are: Des Moines, Federal Way, Auburn, Bellevue.

If you were the victim of a car break-in between Oct. 1, 2009 and Feb. 4, 2010, your stolen items may be in police custody – check this website now and see if you recognize anything; if you do, contact Officer Bateman at (253) 856-5894 or via email: kbateman@ci.kent.wa.us.

The recovered stolen property includes (click on links below to see individual pics):

Is this your Pirate Stuff? The Kent PD might have it...

• Laptops
• Cell phones
• MP3 players
• Car Stereos
• Unusual, miscellaneous stuff like:
  • Baby clothes
  • Wedding dress
  • Ford Truck Manuals
    
  • “Pirate Stuff“
  • Swords
  • “Aiming for Barcelona” Belt Buckle

Some items have been claimed and returned, but most are still in evidence and awaiting rightful return to their owners – so check out the website here.

Recently, King County Executive Dow Constantine spoke about his

He challenged the Council and the public to:

• invest… in a 21st century transportation infrastructure,
• protect… our health and the most vulnerable in our communities,
• maintain… excellence in public safety and justice for all,
• and partner… with our cities and regional governments, [and] business and labor leaders, to focus on creating jobs and opportunity.

Next, referring to his draft of the first-ever King County Strategic Plan, he cited four elements of his reform:

1. Service excellence
2. A quality workforce
3. Wise financial stewardship
4. A robust public engagement

And now, a public Opinionnaire® Survey through SocialCapitalReview.org has been issued about his “Blueprint for Reform,” where citizens are being asked to take a survey online here.

According to a press release from SocialCapitalReview.org:

One of the under-reported items of the Executive’s “blueprint for reform” is the element for “robust public engagement”. We focus on this element of reform at our new Social Capital Review blog and are highlighting a special online survey to gage the public’s reaction to specific quotations from his speech.

The special Opinionnaire® survey was created by the Forum Foundation “in the spirit of public service to the citizens of King County”. It is based on the same tools used by the Countywide Community Forums — an existing public engagement program from the King County Auditor’s Office that has been used since 2008 for critical feedback from anyone who lives or works in the county.

Registration of King County Citizen Councilors is at CommunityForums.org.

So, if you could spare a few minutes, and like to have your opinion heard, we encourage you to take the survey by clicking here.

by Brenda Anders

Salon Michelle on Marine View Drive was hit overnight by a crowbar-wielding thug who broke both the large plate glass window and glass doors.

Both were struck several times with a crowbar, leaving them shattered and riddled with holes. The vandal also moved the businesses’ freestanding sign in front of the door but did not damage it.

“The glass was everywhere,” stated Michelle Fawcett, salon owner. “We have spent hours cleaning up glass that was all over our waiting area.”

It appears the thugs were unable to gain entry to the salon and that no other businesses in the building were hit.

“The special film on the glass is probably what prevented entry into the building,” commented Sgt. Bob Collins of the Des Moines Police Department.

Michelle estimates there is several thousand dollars worth of damage.

“At least I was able to rearrange my schedule so I have not lost any business, although I will be staying late tonight to get everyone in.”  She went on to say, “I don’t do anything to anyone. I volunteer my time to help make this community a better place. Why would someone do this?”

Michelle has been a hairdresser here in Des Moines for over 20 years, opening her own shop 6-½ years ago. She is a board member of the Des Moines Legacy Foundation and volunteers every year for the annual Bayside Brunch, which benefits Des Moines Area seniors.

If you have any information regarding the vandalism to Salon Michelle or any other business in Des Moines, please call the Des Moines Police Department immediately at (206) 878-3301.

Workers clean up the broken plate glass and door windows at Salon Michelle on Wed. March 10th.

Cost is $10 in advance for adults ($13 at door); Students & Seniors $7; or $25 for a Family Pack.

All proceeds go to the Des Moines Area Food Bank, so come on down, have some good spaghetti and help your hungry neighbors.

Here are the details:

WHAT: St. Patrick’s Day Spaghetti Feed and Auction fundraiser for the Des Moines Area Food Bank.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 17th, 5:00PM-8:00PM.

WHERE: Clarion Hotel, located at 3000 S. 176th St. in SeaTac.

COST: Adults $10 in advance, $13 at door; Students & Seniors $7; Family pack $25.

INFO: Proceeds go to the Des Moines Area Food Bank.

RSVP: Please call 206-676-3742 to RSVP, or click here for more information.

by Janet Grella

Love continues to ferment at the Poverty Bay Wine Festival this year, in at least two separate instances:

1. Three years to the day that Sales Rep Dominic Calandri (pictured, left) met his wife-to-be Debbie at the festival, they’re getting married.

Dominic’s winery, Five Star Cellars, is in Walla Walla. He claims that it was Five Star’s extraordinary premium wine that brought Debbie to his table, but also reveals that “it was me who had to close the deal on the romance.”

2. If you read The Waterland Blog during our coming out party at last year’s wine fest, you may recall our first “Love Ferments” story about Burien residents Emma Wagner and Al Halvorson, who met two years ago at the fest when Al asked Emma to salsa dance.

We met the two lovebirds last year, who told us their story. They got married last March 14th, and of course dropped by our booth Sunday to let us know they were still happy, still together, and were back again to celebrate. And dance.

Photographer Michael Brunk took some pics of the two dancing at the exact same spot where they first danced in 2008:

A big congratulations to both Al and Emma, as well as Dominic and Debbie from all the folks at The Poverty Bay Wine Festival and your friends at The Waterland Blog – we’ll see you next year, where we’re certain there will be more romantic success stories to share!

by Scott Schaefer

Sunday (Mar. 7th) was the final day of the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, a fundraiser for the Des Moines Rotary Club at the historic Landmark Event Center in Des Moines.

There are dozens of reasons to come down this afternoon, from the 25 local wineries, various food vendors, local beer samplings, live music, MINI Coopers parked out front, great crowds as well as the fantastic causes this event supports for the community.

Another huge reason to venture down today is that it is being held in a grand, historic building that once served as the Masonic Retirement Center of Washington. Built in 1926, this majestic, six-story, castle-like building is so cool that you can get lost just walking around admiring it.

Can you find this photo of Grand Master Selucius Garfielde?

And, it may be haunted, according to the company’s website, which mentions that a ghost named “George” allegedly haunts the 5th floor.

To make things even more interesting, if you know anything about the Freemasons, you know that these guys (which include many of our founding fathers) were really into symbolism, and are known to have a myriad of secrets and rituals (check out the Wikipedia entry for Freemasons). There are Masonic symbols scattered throughout this building, despite the fact that it’s no longer a working retirement home. We recommend that all visitors venture up the ramps and explore around the third floor ballroom, paying special attention to the long-dead Grand Master Masons whose pictures line the wall (see if you can find Selucius Garfielde), as well as some of the detailed touches, such as a marble plaque dated Feb. 12, 1913 near the entrance and the classic Masonic symbols built into some of the furnishings (see photo at right).

One of the more interesting Masonic artifacts we found while at the festival is a time capsule that’s buried near the fountain at the center of the exterior front gardens. To us, at least at this moment in time, this time capsule is a mystery. As it is to Jane Ipsen, CEO and President of the Landmark Event Center.

“I have no information on that time capsule,” Ipsen said Saturday when asked about the Masonic mystery. “There’s no paperwork or records here in the building, so it’s a big mystery to us what’s in there as well. It’s owned by the Masonic Retirement Center of Washington, and it’ll stay there, at least until it’s opened in 2030.”

The cryptic-looking time capsule was sealed in place in a Masonic ceremony at 9pm on Aug. 25, 1980, and is scheduled to be opened again at 9pm on Aug. 25, 2030, some 20 years from now (so mark your calendars – we have, and we’ll see you here then!).

Here’s a closeup pic of the time capsule’s plaque:

Here’s the exact text inscribed on the time capsule plaque:

9 P.M.
Aug. 25, 1980
A. Dep. 2980

Records beneath to be restored to the craft 9 p.m. Aug. 25 A.D. 2030. The 150th anniversary of the General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International. Deposted by the most illustrious Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Washington.

Most illustrious Grand Master…Elgan W. Cox

Deputy Grand Master……Morris J. Bean

Principal Conductor of Work…Norman F. Camp

Most Puissant General Grand Master.John Harris Watts

This ornate"G" Freemason symbol adorns a door near the 3rd floor ballroom.

One interesting element on the plaque is the use of the date “A. Dep. 2980,” which, according to our research, indicates the Masonic dating terminology “Anno Depositionis,” which means (according to this website) “the year in which Solomon’s Temple was completed.” This appears to be a common dating method used by “Royal and Select Masters,” and indicates that they add 1,000 years to the common era.

So…interesting history, mysteries, a possible ghost, Masonic symbols, excellent wine and beer tastings, food, live music, great people having a great time for a good cause…all at the Landmark Event Center until 5pm today.

Oh, and we’re here as well, blogging live from a table near the main floor ballroom, that is, until our time runs out…

New Waterland Blog Advertiser GGC Embroidery–Grams Gift Closet–is on a mission; that is “to provide small businesses in the area the opportunity to brand and logo in the same manner as a mid to large size businesses at a lower cost,” so says owner/operator Jeananne Tescar-Burcham.

With this mission in mind, Jeananne created her small business from what was once a hobby. She specializes in personalized-custom embroidery and logo items for local sports teams, companies, families and individuals. Her closet of logo-wear includes sweatshirts, polar fleece, polos and hats.

When it came time to order some new shirts for The Waterland Blog staff to wear at the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, we asked our good friend Wayne Corey of the Des Moines Farmers Market “who does your branded clothing?” He strongly recommended GGC Embroidery for their service, quick turnaround and embroidery work..

Come see Jeananne's embroidery handiwork on our shirts at the Poverty Bay Wine Festival.

Are we another satisfied customer of GGC? You betcha! Would we recommend their services for your small business? We sure would.

You can contact Jeananne at 206-931-1548 or click here for the website.

by Ralph Nichols

Sixty-four hundred miles – the distance from Sea-Tac International Airport to Santiago, Chile – is a long way. It’s a lot farther still if you’re here and have immediate family members in earthquake-ravaged Chile.

Patricio Mendoza, the owner of EC Computers in downtown Des Moines, knows this all too well.

For almost 48 hours after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Chile on Feb. 27, Mendoza could only wonder how his son Victor, his father Humbetor, his sister Cecilia, and his niece Erika Cecilia (who lives in the Seattle area, and whose initials give the computer shop its name) had survived.

Communications with the outside world are difficult with widespread power outages and many of the country’s cell phone towers knocked down. Mendoza has since been told the tremor “was so big,” and “lasted so long and was so strong.”

Despite his anxiety, he hoped and prayed for the best – and waited for their calls.

Then late Sunday and again on Monday he finally heard from his niece and his sister. Both were well – and they had word that Victor, who lives near Viña del Mar, a seaside community of almost 300,000 where Mendoza is from, was OK too.

But there was nothing like hearing his son confirm this himself when, at last, Victor called him Tuesday evening.

These reports brought welcome news because “at first I thought the worst,” Mendoza said. “This was one of the biggest earthquakes we have ever had. The destruction is total. It’s all around.”

Patricio Mendoza spoke with Waterland Blog Reporter Ralph Nichols.

Mendoza is still waiting for word about his 80-year-old father Humbetor, who he assumes is OK but who lives where power remains out.

In an irony of timing, Mendoza returned only a month ago from a six-week trip to his home town, which is not far from Santiago, the nation’s capital, and an extended visit with his relatives who live in that region.

He also accompanied his niece there. Cecilia, 19, had “worked for the last year to pay for her dream trip to Chile,” he told the Waterland Blog this week.

“She was supposed to get back to the states on March 1. Her flight was scheduled for Feb. 28.” But with canceled flights and possible damage to airport runways, “she’s still stuck down there.” If everything goes all right, he said, she now should return on March 9.

Cecilia sounded much calmer than she did in her first call just a couple of days after the quake, which continues to be followed by strong aftershocks, he added.

Mendoza’s first reaction after hearing about the earthquake was, “I want to get a ticket and go there. The first thing I wanted to do is help my family. But the airlines have raised the ticket price four times or more for this tragedy.

“I still plan to go when the price goes back down. I can’t afford it now. I want to see how my father is doing and how my son is doing. I want to see my father personally because he’s 80 years old and alone. I know he will say he’s OK, but I still want to know.

Map courtesy www.usgs.gov

“It’s pretty bad to be this far away and not be able to go down and help,” he said.

And after helping his family, Mendoza also wants to do what he can – including taking clothing and other necessities – to help others there who are trying to rebuild their lives and property.

“People are hungry, people are upset. I’ve been in strong earthquakes where aftershocks continue for days. You feel so little after that. You cannot sleep in the day. You cannot sleep at night. You have no peace. It takes weeks to recover.”

Mendoza said that although he’s not there now, “at least I can bring some of the resources they need to them” if he can find a way to get there.

“A lot of people from Des Moines have called or stopped by the shop, concerned about my niece and my family,” he continued. “I thank all of you for your moral support. It has really helped.”