Do you get anxious in social situations?

Are you emotionally drained by big crowds?

Then you may be shy, like the young man actor Dick York (the original Darrin Stevens in “Bewitched“) portrayed in this classic 1950s-era film:

According to speaker and shyness expert Frank Selden, the good news is that shy people have some fantastic qualities they can access to transform to more social people.

Selden will share his secrets for shedding shyness during his “From Super Shy to Genuinely Gregarious” presentation at the special Thursday evening, May 29th, Des Moines Soundwaves Toastmasters 7pm meeting.

This free presentation is open to the public at the Wesley Homes Administration Building-Board Room, 21631 11th Avenue South, which is located across from City Hall in Des Moines, WA.

Selden knows from experience what it’s like to be shy. “Before Toastmasters I was scared to talk to people. I wanted to get to know people and wanted people to know me, but couldn’t do it. Now you can’t get me to be quiet!” he stated.

His “From Super Shy to Genuinely Gregarious,” presentation offers four steps for feeling more comfortable and adventurous in social situations.

An estate and tax-planning attorney based in Bellevue, WA, Selden has achieved the status of Advanced Toastmaster Gold through his membership in Toastmasters International. Selden is also the author of “Finding Faith in the Fury,” a non-fiction account of his experience as a Jag officer with the Washington National Guard while stationed in Iraq.

Toastmasters International, headquartered in Mission Viejo, CA, is a non-profit organization comprised of a worldwide network of clubs dedicated to fostering self-confidence and personal growth through public speaking and leadership opportunities.

Contact Lorylee Lejon at 253-839-9982 for more information.

WHAT: “From Super Shy to Genuinely Gregarious” presentation by Frank Selden

WHEN: Thursday, May 29th at 7pm

WHERE: Des Moines Toastmasters, at Wesley Homes Administration Building-Board Room, 21631 11th Avenue South

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A SeaTac man was arrested in a major drug bust Friday in Burien.

Rigoberto Sabalsa-Lozano, 43,  was manager of a Burien restaurant called the El Flamingo, which apparently served as headquarters for a major drug operation.

A 10-month investigation by a law enforcement team, dubbed Operation “Pink Tiger,” resulted in several arrests and the seizure of about 40 pounds of cocaine, a pound of heroin, guns, methamphetamine and about $240,000 in cash.

The operation was a joint effort carried out by the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Six suspects were arrested late Thursday and charged today with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. The arrests bring to 17 the total number of defendants charged in the case. One charged defendant remains a fugitive.

The operation took it’s name from the original target of the probe, who went by the nickname “Tigre,” and the fact that cocaine was wrapped in distinctive pink cellophane.

The first arrests and indictments in the case occurred in late March 2008, with the arrest of 10 people for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.

This investigation used court-authorized wiretaps, which were left in place even after the first round of arrests. The wiretaps lead to additional evidence which resulted in the additional arrests.

Last night, law enforcement executed seven search warrants and seized more than 16 kilos of cocaine, three guns and more than $203,000 in cash. Four cars also were seized.

An additional person was arrested for involvement in the drug conspiracy, but later was released when he was found to be a juvenile.

Eight search warrants were served on March 25, which resulted in ten arrests, seizure of two kilos of cocaine and a pound of heroin. In addition law enforcement seized three guns, eight cars and $40,000 in cash.

The drug-trafficking organization was based in Burien and had direct ties to Sinaloa, Mexico, said Special Agent-in-Charge Arnold R. Moorin.

“The organization was large, well-established and was distributing more than 30 kilograms of cocaine per month in the greater Seattle area, Moorin said.

Domingo Bailon-Yanez, 30, of Burien, was identified as the alleged leader of that distribution ring. El Flamingo Restaurant is owned by a relative of Bailon-Yanez, and both the manager of the restaurant, Rigoberto Sabalsa-Lozano, 43, of SeaTac, and bartender Carla Rodriguez-Romero, 26, of Kent, have been charged in the case.

Conspiracy to distribute the amounts of drugs involved in this case is punishable by a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison and a $4 million fine.

Use of a juvenile to facilitate a drug crime can add an enhancement to the sentencing range, under federal law.

SOURCE:

• KOMO News

Come July 25th, shoppers and diners will be able to admire Mt. Rainier through a 90-foot glass facade while eating inside the $240 million remodeled Westfield Southcenter mall.

The addition brings the mall to 1.7 million square feet, making Tukwila the home of the largest indoor shopping center in Washington and Oregon, according to the Westfield Group, the company that bought the property in 2002.

The 400,000-square-foot upgrade is the most dramatic change to Southcenter since it opened in July 1968.

Among the mall’s new features will be an AMC Theatre with IMAX capabilities, 75 additional retail stores and five restaurants with outdoor seating:

• Joeys
• Duke’s Chowder House
• Blue C Sushi
• Racha Thai & Asian Bistro
• BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

New retailers include:

• H&M
• Coach
• Banana Republic
• Sephora
• White House | Black Market

“Retail is what it’s all about,” said Larry Green, Westfield’s senior vice president of West Coast development, adding that Southcenter is “taking the level of fashion up another level.”

Other additions include parking garages, rooftop parking and family lounge play areas for kids and parents.

On Thursday, Westfield passed out hard hats and safety goggles to a group of reporters who toured the construction site, including the SeaTac Blog’s own Mark Neuman, who said it was “very impressive.”

Construction crew members operated two cranes within the atrium. The air inside was dusty, the floor was mostly unfinished and unadorned signs hung where stores will be: Kay Jewelers, Hot Topic, Limited Too.

The mall’s new layout will resemble a racetrack, with three connecting walkways into the existing section. The addition sits in front of the older section, giving the building an entire new front.

Andrew Ciarrocchi, Westfield senior general manager, noted that more than 1,000 pilings driven 180 feet into the ground support the new shopping structure. The old section will be spruced up with better lighting, new storefronts and fresh paint.

The Westfield executives’ statements Thursday didn’t match what retailers seem to be feeling nationwide.

In a recent survey by American Express, for example, business owners in the retail industry had the most negative outlook on the economy, compared with other industries. Retail business owners cited a downturn in the housing market, rising energy and gas costs, and the U.S. tax system as the main causes for their woes, according to American Express OPEN’s Small Business Monitor, a semiannual survey of business owners. The nationwide survey was conducted in March.

Green said that Westfield is concerned about what is going on nationally, but that the Seattle region has a healthy level of demand for new retail.

But “we’d like to see gas prices drop,” he said.

Westfield Southcenter is one of several regional retail centers that are expanding. Other developers have said the Puget Sound retail market is not yet saturated.

Retailers were lining up to be a part of Southcenter, but the center didn’t have the space to accommodate them previously, Ciarrocchi said. The center wouldn’t have expanded if it wasn’t sure that it could lease the space, he added, when asked whether the economy has affected leasing.

Westfield’s new space is 100 percent leased, but all the new tenants have not yet been announced.

SOURCE:

• The Seattle P-I

Do ya ever wonder how to figure out if that glad-handin’, baby-kissin’, door-to-door knockin’ political candidate you’re thinking of voting for would make a good elected official?

And how does one judge a good judge? By the material of their cape or what?

The answers to those and other important political questions have been answered every year for the past 93 years thanks to the hard work and efforts of local citizens who participate in the Municipal League of King County’s candidate evaluation process.

Now is your chance to help your fellow citizens be well-informed before they vote.

In case you were wondering, the Municipal League of King County is a non-partisan organization dedicated to informed decision making and open government. The Municipal League researches policy issues, evaluates candidates, communicates its findings and then mobilizes citizens to action when needed. The group is made up of diverse citizens from throughout King County who are united by a commitment to good government.

The Municipal League is looking for volunteers to evaluate political candidates for a variety of public offices. As a volunteer you will be asked to research work histories and references of candidates; interview candidates; and recommend candidate ratings. The final result is a Voter’s Guide designed to provide useful, nonpartisan information prior to the Aug. 21 primary.

Candidates are rated on four criteria:

• Involvement
• Character
• Effectiveness
• Knowledge

The league does not use partisan criteria and does not endorse candidates. You will be asked to evaluate candidates only to determine their fitness for office. This year, candidates throughout King County will be evaluated in races for the state legislature and judicial offices.

Having a group of volunteers with diverse backgrounds and views is important to ensuring high quality and unbiased candidate ratings. Volunteers must be able to leave their political leanings at the door. Knowledge of or interest in local politics is a plus. Prior experience is not necessary. Volunteer work takes place throughout June.

For more information and applications contact the Municipal League at (206) 264-1070 or visit their website at www.munileague.org.

And remember… good government doesn’t just happen. Good government is the result of good people like you (the astute, intelligent reader of this here Blog) getting involved!

SEATAC – Police in SeaTac arrested a man for the April 13 shooting death at a Dr. Dre book signing after-party in Tukwila, and today charges of second-degree murder and assault were filed by King County prosecutors.

Lovelychild “Freddie Mac” James Manuel (yes, that’s his real name) is in jail on $1 million bail.

Manuel is scheduled to be arraigned on May 8 at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Devon Guidry was shot and killed and Paul Dervin was wounded by gunfire outside Gordon’s on the Green restaurant at Foster Golf Links, where a party had been held for the authors of the Dr. Dre biography

Witnesses told police that Manuel shot Guidry in the back of the head after an argument. He then fled in an SUV driven from the scene by another man.

Following the shooting, police received several anonymous tips that Manuel had been involved in the shooting and was planning to leave the state.

On Monday, King County prosecutors charged Manuel with second-degree murder and second-degree assault, both with firearm enhancements. He is being held in the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned May 8.

If convicted as charged, Manuel, who has two previous felony convictions, faces 23 to 32 years in prison.

SOURCE:

• The Seattle Times

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