Hylebos Day Rocks!

No, we didn't have Pearl Jam or the Shackletons open for us, but the first ever Hylebos Day rocked just the same. About 50 people turned out in the cold, rainy weather (underneath two very large tents) to observe the dedication of a plaque to the park's founders, Francis and Ilene Marckx, and the ceremonial cutting of the Himalayan blackberry ribbon to open the park officially.

I too the opportunity of my opening remarks to point out the current issue of Seattle Metropolitan magazine, which features real estate and good neighbhorhoods in nd around Seattle. Federal Way is listed as an up and coming market - still working on that downtown it needs - but with the right prices, great diversity and quality of life. One of the two photos on the Federal Way page was a photo of our beautiful new wetlands boardwalk. Nice.

The article also had some flattering but embarrassing comments about me and referred to me as a Transformer. Loyal readers of this blog (Say it with me: all 6 of you) know that I am a huge fan of The Transformers and patiently waiting for the release of Transformers 2. If you like, you can simply refer to me as The Transformer. This is particularly pleasing as a good friend of mine, recently got the nickname "The Collaborator" by another NGO. I like The Transformer better!

Anyhow...King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer did an excellent job invoking the memories of Francis and Ilene Marckx in dedicating the plaque (look for it between the sheltered bench and kiosk at the trailhed) and invited Ilene's daughter Kathy to say a few words. That was a touching moment as Kathy's words almost brought tears to my eyes.

We had stirring words and wonderful memories evoked by Sen. Tracey Eide, Rep. Mark Miloscia, Rep. Skip Priest and Federal Way Mayor Jack Dovey before the five of them grabbed loppers and cut the daunting Himalayan blackberry ribbon at the park entrance.

Despite the rainy day, we had about 70 people in all turn out for the ceremony and the boardwalk. The people that came brought great energy for the West Hylebos Wetlands and the mission of Hylebos Creek Conservation. All in all, a great day.

I'll have photos up later in the week. Thanks to everyone who volunteered and helped make this event work. Thanks as well to our event co-sponsor, the City of Federal Way - we couldn't ask for a better partner for the West Hylebos! Thanks to our good friends Dan and Alice Olmstead, who donated hot coffee and special promotional bags of Hylebos Creek blend coffee. The cookies were delicious and your coffee kept me going through the afternoon.

Comments

[Lisa]

Sorry I missed it, I was backpacking on the coast.

I do want to schedule a time to come out and take pictures and interview you for South Sound Magazine.

[Kristi]

The Transformer eh? Hmm.... And I had no idea there was another Transformer coming out! I hope they resurrect my favorite one.

[Dan]

Chris: I had no idea you were a device that can transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled electrical conductors.