In the Seattle, WA area Matt Groesse has been operating his business Matt The Plumber for about 10 years now starting back in 2010 and his business only continues to grow. Matt had previously been working for another company for 5 years that he felt had passed him up for promotions and then was hit with a layoff before taking a leap of faith and going into business for himself.
 
The hardest part about getting his business started came down to 2 things; upgrades and people. Every time he needed to go get any type of new tooling, for example, he only had so much money to work with causing him to be broke after making some major purchases that he had to invest in. When it comes to people it was just all the different personalities of customers and trying to hire others for his staff. Plumbing seems to normally be a trade for older individuals anymore as the younger generation doesn't want to do the physical labor that is required, though theirs definitely some exceptions to this.
 
Every company has a couple of things they wish they done differently from the beginning, whether it was taking a big job they were too scared to take or maybe a few small decisions that could have greatly impacted them for the good in the long run and Matt The Plumber is no exception to this. If Matt could do it over again, he would have not hired friends when starting out as it’s a whole lot harder to yell at family for example than it is someone with strictly an employer-employee relationship. It was also scary in the beginning to take on jobs like remodeling entire bathrooms as Matt didn't want to chance to overextend himself and tried to stick with routine service calls as he paid for everything with cash and still does but looking forward knows he will have to use credit to expand.
 
The hardest part about running his business today though is the taxes because you get taxed for everything twice. The gas that's needed to do a job, any supplies and tools needed, the gas to travel to and from and the vehicle itself that's needed to travel is all taxed and then whenever he finishes a job he is then taxed again for the money he has made. In his opinion, the taxes should only be on the consumables and not how much money he makes.
 
When asked what makes Matt The Plumber stand out from its competitors Matt stated their company motto is to be fair and honest. He does not claim to be the cheapest company, but he is fair, and you will get personal attention from his company compared to the other larger companies and he isn't out to gouge the customers just make a living.
 
How they bring in new customers is simply by word of mouth advertising Matt believes he is an older soul in a younger body and words are powerful. He never had any formal sales classes just learned as he went but found out little things to help with service. His company tried Yelp but didn't need it as he already had plenty of work and had a hard time canceling it afterward.
 
Going forward his goals is to start stepping away a bit and doing more management, hiring another employee where he can have 2 in the field with him running day to day but says that will be tough because repeat customers already ask where's Matt with just the one employee. He would also like to get another van out in the field with the new employee as well as he is booked up 2 to 3 weeks in advance right now and has plenty of work to get through but would need to ride with the new employee for a couple of years first to make sure they are ready to handle it. Matt The Plumber had recently just started doing more commercial work and would like to do more of that going forward as well.
 
At the end of it though, the most rewarding thing to Matt is when he gets to see how happy people are after he has fixed whatever issue they had. It might be something simple as unclogging a sink and watching the families' reaction whenever they walk in and see its working and the gratitude they show makes it all worth it. Some jobs may not be that way as he is dragging himself through the mud and they are asking for a discount but the good outweighs the bad for Matt as he has turned what was a job into a career and his own business.

Ian of I.S. Motorsports (formally I.S. Garage) has steadily grown his auto customizing service from a one-man-shop to a full-service team. A team he credits for his stellar word-of-mouth reputation. 
 
I.S. Motorsports started back in 2009, right after the economic crash. Ian had his own mortgage company up till that point and when the crash happened, he followed a passion. He was always into cars and he found himself part of the street race culture that emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ian made a name for himself in the car show circuit as an “import guy.” He specialized in outfitting imported cars to make them bigger, cooler, and of course, faster. Today the scene has changed and Ian admits it’s been a while since he met up with some friends to watch a street race. 
 
The business has outgrown its location twice and Ian would welcome any future growth.  Although, he admits that each time he has moved his shop, it gets harder to move such a big operation. A problem that any business owner would love to have. There is another hiccup that the move has caused, long-term clients find it difficult to get to Ian’s shop now that he’s moved so far from them. He is trying to win those customers back and adjust to the new challenges this new location gives him. Ian’s shop is in a major business area, he’s not the only shop there that does what he does, but his customers come to hang out at his place on Fridays. That’s a testament to I.S. Motorsports’ good customer/business relations.
 
It’s really impressive that Ian’s business has grown as much as it has just by word-of-mouth promotion. However, Ian admits that his oldest friend and team member Roy has brought the shop into the 21st century with Instagram and other social media platforms. It has put Ian and his talent in a new spotlight for a new and younger audience. Instagram is a huge meeting place for car enthusiasts, the digital answer to a car show. 
 
One of the cool developments he has noticed at his new location is that he gets walk-ins now! That’s something he and his team have had to adjust to after all walk-ins are a different type of clientele. In a culture where a guy can walk into a major automotive store and have his car checked for free, Ian’s team deals with the attitude that diagnosing the problem should be free. Time is money though and diagnosing a problem takes time and expertise. It is a problem Ian addresses head-on, and it has led him to focus more on customization and performance upgrading services. Having such a loyal customer base has allowed the shop to be selective about their projects.
 
As with all businesses, Ian does have a regret, he wishes he hired the right people from the beginning. He says the right team is super important in his business and if you don’t have the right team, it isn’t going to work well. Especially now since he is shifting I.S. Motorsports in another direction. The direction Ian has in mind is vinyl wrapping, car detailing, ceramic coating, and other services that send car enthusiasts clamoring to his door.
 
Ian loves car shows and remembers his early days driving the circuit and making a name for himself with his team called Team Menace. He became known for souping up imports, but his specialty is BMWs. Ian is a graduate of the BMW STEP (Service Technician Education Program) program. He made a huge impression on the Bimmer community after he did some work for the moderator of Bimmerpost. He unknowingly found a brand-new avenue for customers. Even with all this good word of mouth and publicity, Ian still makes time to attend the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show every year. He says the hardest part of doing business in 2019 is keeping up with trends and forums. Following the trends and community buzz is important to stay in touch with Ian’s customer base.     
 
So that leads to the question, why choose I.S. Motorsports over its competitors? In today’s market, it is nearly impossible to have a decent, let alone a great word-of-mouth reputation. Ian is customer-focused, he doesn’t push unnecessary work, and he’s part of a tight-knit community that recognizes quality when they see it.
 
I.S. Motorsports hasn’t had an official grand opening yet. Ian hopes to rectify that come this summer. He hopes to begin a Sunday tradition of setting up an impromptu car show for his friends and other local car fans. He says he really doesn’t have any big plans for the next six months or even in the upcoming year. He just hopes that business will stay steady and he can focus more on auto customization. He loves turning wrenches and he just wants to keep doing what he loves. 

For many businesses, especially those in the Pacific Northwest, the availability of work can ebb and flow throughout the year. If you don’t work in an industry that gets hit every year by a downturn in business because of weather, it might come as a surprise to you how much of their year is spent preparing for and trying to mitigate that loss. For the owners of K&D Quality Painting in Puyallup, WA, though, it’s a constant concern. And not just because of the loss of profit: but because of the impact it has on their employees.
 
The pair who own K&D Quality Painting puts every ounce of their heart and soul into their business. And that’s never more on display than when they have to contemplate how to help their employees get through the slow time of year. David is one half of the pair of owners, and for him, making sure his team is looked out for is top of mind.
 
The painting business slows down in the winter months, and it sometimes comes to pass that the income of David’s employees sinks low enough that rent and basic bills become a real problem. When that happens, though, he’s ready to dip into his own cash reserves to make sure they all make it through the tough months together. Says David, “Having employees changes the way you think your life is supposed to be. I have people who count on my decisions. They look up to me in a sense -- where I’m going to be able to carry them to the next step.”
 
Kurtis and David, the owners of K&D Quality Painting, didn’t have to open their own painting business. Previously employed by a big box store in the area, both Kurtis and David were comfortably employed and knew they could rely on a steady paycheck. But throughout their time working for the faceless corporation, they started to realize that they were unlike their employers and peers: Kurtis and David cared.
 
Painting someone’s house could easily be dismissed as something superficial, or something that can be glossed over. But that’s exactly the attitude that David and Kurtis rebel against, and why they started K&D Quality Painting. For them, getting the customer exactly what they’re asking for is extremely important. A person’s home is their face to the world, and the care, quality and concern that goes into making it look good should reflect the respect that the painter feels for the customer.
 
Working at the large box store, David quickly realized that his peers didn’t agree with him. For both his employer and his co-workers, the approach was to deliver the fastest, cheapest solution that met most of the customer’s requests and leave well-enough alone. It didn’t take long for him to get frustrated by this lack of personal touch or interest, and it was the shared appreciation for taking a job seriously that drew Kurtis and David together.
 
They started as friends while working together. Kurtis had been painting for over 30 years, and David was drawn to his professionalism and attention to getting the job done right. They both took pride in “giving the customer all that we are.” They noticed as they worked at this anonymous box store that the painters around them would “just show up, put color on a wall and leave,” and they both wanted to be different.
 
And that’s exactly what they’ve achieved. In Puyallup, you won’t find a painter with more sincere and earnest interest in getting the job done right than K&D Quality Painting. And that’s because they treat the business like an opportunity to provide comfort, beauty and happiness to their customers and a livelihood for their families. David is intensely proud that at K&D Quality Painting, they treat their customers like friends and their employees like family.
 
He approaches each job with a genuine interest in giving the customer what they want. If the customer makes it clear that they don’t have the budget for a hand-painted job with expensive paint, he doesn’t push them past their comfort zone or try for an up-sell. But by the same token, if the customer makes it clear they’re looking for a high-quality job, he and his team don’t cut any corners. No matter the customer, K&D Quality Painting always makes sure that they understand fully the customer’s needs and requests, and set out to get it all right, the first time.
 
The heart and soul that sets K&D Quality Painting apart among painters isn’t completely unique – but it sure is rare. It speaks to an honesty, decency and faith in a job well done that’s fundamentally American. And to hear David explain it, it’s not even a choice: he simply can’t see it any other way except that customers deserve what they ask for, and his employees deserve a good life. And the only way to provide that is to be the best painter he can be, and run his painting company according to his values.

For Nick Baker, the owner of Voy Home Services, his top priority in every home he cleans is to make sure that each customer has a great experience. That commitment comes from a blend of good business savvy and an extra dose of basic human decency. A trained, experienced and certified carpet cleaner, Nick Baker and his Voy Home Services provide roof cleaning, carpet cleaning, window cleaning and everything in-between for residential and commercial needs in the Seattle area with an eye for the perfect customer experience.
 
That’s because “80% of the customer’s experience is based on the relationship with the technician, not the quality of work,” says Nick. “How they feel about the technician is how they feel about the job.” What Nick understands, which not all cleaning technicians do, is that beneath the transaction there’s a need for a real, human connection. He readily admits that inviting someone into your home is a vulnerable experience, and he holds himself and everyone who works for Voy Home Services to a high level of professionalism and personal standards.
 
A key challenge for Nick is finding staff who are honest and hard-working. It’s a struggle not to get saddled with employees who just want to earn a paycheck and “get home to get high.” He won’t tolerate poor work ethic among his employees, but he also knows that customers are going to ask about it.
 
One discovery in Nick’s commitment to giving every customer a good experience was surprising to him, but demonstrated his sincerity. Now, Nick would be the first to admit that he’s an uncommonly hairy man, and at one point he realized how intimidating that can be to some people. So he started wearing undershirts, and was surprised to learn just how much positive feedback he received from colleagues and peers! But for Nick, it’s a small change to ensure a good impact.
 
The importance of a job well done drives Nick to ever-increasing levels of excellence and professionalism. It isn’t necessary for a carpet cleaner in Seattle to be earn the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), but Nick did earn it -- and he does the work to maintain it. Because he believes that knowing and understanding cutting-edge industry techniques, technologies and knowledge is how he delivers the best product possible.
 
But Nick’s commitment goes beyond being certified. To protect his customers’ homes from the super-heated water that runs through his hoses, he puts down vinyl runners at every job. To prevent damage to molding and walls, he puts down corner-guards in every room he does work in. And to prevent air conditioning from leaving the house and bugs from entering, he covers every door with a temporary, vinyl covering. Only one other cleaning company in the region follows suit (after following his example!). The usual alternative? Leave the hoses and cables running out the door, allowing anyone on the street full view and access to your home.
 
Nick Baker and Voy Home Services got their start in 2012. Back then, he was providing commercial cleaning services: mostly after-hours work vacuuming and power-washing. In 2015, one of his regular clients offered him a 59-store contract, but only if he’d clean their carpets too. His entrepreneurial spirit kicked in, and Nick said, “Of course we do that!” He started with a few hoses and chemicals, but quickly got trained, educated and certified and expanded his offerings. Now, Voy Home Services provides carpet cleaning, gutter cleaning, pressure washing, roof cleaning, and window cleaning throughout the Seattle area.
 
But running a small business is notoriously hard, and commercial/residential cleaning is no different. For Nick, taxes and cash flow have been the hardest parts of maintaining his own business. He admits readily that he’s not a trained or educated businessman, and so he’s had to manage the growing and shrinking of his company with grit and determination.
 
The hardest chapter of that experience was when a huge, $48,000/month contract fell through unexpectedly. At the time, Voy Home Services was only going to be a residential backdrop to his commercial services. He had a staff and multiple vehicles in the run up to that contract, and when it suddenly got cancelled, he felt the ground fall out beneath him. He tried to maintain his grip on the business for several months, but the overhead became too much and he had to let the overwhelming majority of his staff go.
 
Cash flow is notoriously challenging because the small-business services industry is feast-or-famine. After losing that huge contract and the company shrinking, he then got a huge opportunity at snow-plowing and de-icing every Home Depot from Everett to Olympia. For a week and a half, he did nothing but plow. The ice-snow-melt, ice-snow-melt routine ended up netting him nearly $50,000 in a week and a half. But it also nearly ruined his truck.
 
Networking with local chapters of national networking organizations has been the saving grace, according to Nick. Being a good member of them can take time, dedication and a lot of chipper willpower, but he says that it’s likely his business survived thanks to networking he’s gotten in those groups. “It’s almost like going to church — now, church is better — but it’s a strong community,” said Nick.
 
Through it all, Nick Baker is clearly the sort of person who relishes a challenge. He provides an excellent service with a smiling face to his customers because he knows it’s the right thing to do. Most homeowners wouldn’t know a perfectly clean, nearly sterile carpet from a filthy one that just smells clean, but to Nick and Voy Home Services it’s an important distinction and why he demands excellence from his staff and himself. Hopefully in a few years he’ll be managing a whole fleet of cleaners and vehicles, but until then, he’s looking forward to making great connections with local homeowners and businesses.

Mark opened his shop 33 years ago this October.  Although he didn’t start out to own an automotive repair shop, he was also trained to be a chef.
 
When he first started in this industry, he was working with Aaron’s auto wrecking.  This was a Subaru only wrecking yard.  From there, he started Brian’s Subaru clinic in White Center with Brian Page. Mark worked on this project for a few years, until Brian decided he didn’t want to be responsible for the business.  Creating an opportunity to allow Mark to take control.  Mark also had a towing company, Bryant Enterprises.  In the past year Mark was able to move his operations into his new 7,000 square foot location.  Currently situated in Kent, WA.
 
He recently sold his last tow truck.  I asked him if he missed that side of his business, he said he does. There are many challenges with owning tow trucks.  One of the largest hurdles to overcome is the 24-hour business day.  Finding, and keeping, qualified employees to drive those trucks, while maintaining levels of good service for this type of business model.  As you can imagine when you are hauling someone else’s vehicle whether it’s a $1,500 Chevy or a $50,000 BMW the regulations for drivers and insurance is stringent.
 
Keeping quality drivers isn’t the toughest part of business for Mark.  It was finding a new location and moving the shop, and all the assets.  Mark has moved three times in his over 30 years in business, recently into his new 7,000 square foot space.  East Valley Auto Rebuild is not only a repair shop but he also has a full-service machine shop with a clean room.  You can imagine how many pieces and parts had to be inventoried, moved, and unpacked once he located his new shop. 
 
Mark is proud to have put together a team of people that can boast 125 years of combined experience amongst them.  One of his employees has been with him for almost 30 years. Mark truly understands how to treat his employees and his customers.
 
One of the many reasons that keeps customers coming back to this shop, is that Mark is not afraid to explain repairs to people. I saw it firsthand during my initial visit.  He was on the phone with a customer explaining what repairs were taking place, and even sent pictures to help them better understand. This is one of the reasons that he can secure business from dealerships. Mark knows this is one way to keep an edge over his competition.
 
Mark’s excellent understanding of customer service is not the only way East Valley Auto Rebuild gets their customers.  He said that the internet plays a big role in capturing new business.  He operates a website, Facebook page, and Instagram.  Because he is both a mechanic and chef by trade, it can be difficult to keep up with these forms of technology, and keep East Valley Auto Rebuild running smoothly.
 
In his over 30 years in the trade industry, Mark has learned that customer service is the pinnacle of his reputation in this market.  He has come to realize the importance of further growing his team.  Delegating the management of his online presence and marketing of his services allows him, and the team that runs the day to day operations at East Valley Auto Rebuild, to continue to provide levels of customer service that they know will speak for themselves.
 
I asked Mark, in hindsight, if there was anything he would have done differently when he entered this industry.  As I mentioned, he is a trained chef and was offered a good sum of money by Budd Gould to join his team and run several restaurants.  This had to be enticing to Mark, especially as a young man.  He has no regrets; Mark continues to enjoy the adventure he embarked upon all those years ago.  He still cooks, using herbs from his garden and livestock that his family raises.  He not only cooks for himself and his family, he also enjoys his ability to cook for and feed his employees on occasion.  When the boss springs for pizza it’s always a good day.  Working for someone who takes the time to put love into a home cooked meal, however, cannot help but create an additional level of good morale in the workplace!
 
As Mark looks ahead, he is excited to see what the future brings.  The Subaru Guru and his team can not only service vehicles, they also possess the ability to do a complete rebuild of your engine on site. Which is not only a time saver, but also saves his customers money.  Looking to add more horsepower to your vehicle?  Look no further – East Valley Auto Rebuild has that covered too.  Need a car tuned up to get a little more zip in traffic?  No problem.  Want a complete stroked out engine with a turbo charger? You guessed it; they will handle it all for you!  
 

            For those of you who already call Seattle home, you're likely wildly aware of all the amazing benefits living in Seattle affords. With a strong economy, well paying jobs, and a housing market that has seen great strides since the housing bubble popped all those years ago, Seattle continues to thrive in a fluctuating American market. This stability has attracted home-buyers eager to move into the area. Incidentally, buyers are sorely outnumbering sellers, creating a need for more housing space capable of filling the we find ourselves at a bit of a precipice as we make the moves to try and incorporate more space for people.

            Though Seattle has been going through a construction boom in recent years, and showing no signs of stopping, there can only be so much room for people to come in and call Seattle home. Though we for one wish the circumstances could be different, being the champions of the city, we are, we wish that everyone who wishes to come here could have the space to do so, but in the meantime, there is space issues to sort out, and the issue of where construction can reasonably end in the near future. Wherever the end goal line, we hope that it includes an extension to the population counter of the city.

            Though it’s great news to know that the Seattle area is such a draw for those looking to relocate, it’s a proposition that unfortunately can only go so far. Eventually in any city, with any size limits, there will come a point where further expansion just isn’t possible, and the space within becomes an issue of supply and demand, driving up prices to the realm of the unaffordable, which we are already seeing hints of within our city borders. As homes in the high six-figure range seem to be the only ones with large vacancy spots.

            This of course is good news for those who already own homes in the area, as the value of those investments are starting to see drastic rises in the overall resale price. Knowing that the home you purchased so many years ago for a decent price is now sitting in the mid-six-figure range has to be good news for just about any homeowner, but when it comes to those looking to purchase property in the near future, this can be an issue. Of course, there are hurdles for the city to overcome, but we hope it can be done in a way that works for everyone.
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            We at Seattle 5 Star Review wish there was an easier solution, yet when it comes to the infrastructure of our city, and the steps that are being taken to open up some more space within our region for those looking to come and join the community, we need to put a little faith into those leading the charge. We hope that that the answers open soon, and that we have the means to make more accommodation, because there is a lot to the city, and more each day for everyone to see. 

           It’s hard to argue on the side of safe injection sites in the Seattle area, not only because it’s hard to justify in general, but also because proponents against the sites are quite adamant. This was all made more apparent when it was revealed that over 70,000 signatures from residents across the city will be handed into city hall in an effort to strike down any attempts made on providing safe injection sites within the city of Seattle.

            We at Seattle 5 Star Review are going to make an attempt to counter-point, if you will, with all the temerity that comes with the stance. Whether or not there is an allowance for this type of behavior, it is going to continue regardless, this isn’t a claim, this isn’t a justification, this is just looking over the facts of the last few dozen years in the Seattle area alone. Those who partake in the ingestion of illegal drugs aren’t going to stop simply because of an attempt to make them even more cast out as behaviors go.

            Though entrapment laws make it difficult to simply round these individuals up as they make their way to the sites, it is still a far better decision for them to have them as options. The use of injections leaves materials behind, one of which of course being needles. We remember stories of needles found in parks, playgrounds, school yards, and more, as these are wide open spaces that are rarely regulated in the evenings. It’s the perfect type of place for someone looking to take part in an illegal activity without having to worry about possible dangers.

            This of course leaves possible danger for those who follow onto that property in the hours to come, and is unfortunately more often than not, young children. By providing safe injection sites, we also provide direct access to biohazardous and sharps waste, which is a vital step in bringing down some of the issues that comes with those using these materials in our public places. These attempts to strike down locations such as safe injection sites seem much more like trying to punish those addicted, than trying to bring about any safety in the wake of their unwanted behavior.
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            We are not by any means condoning the action, and we are not saying that we should make things easier for those who partake, but we are saying that we need to look beyond the action, and into the consequences. Not just the consequence of those who are directly affecting themselves with the behavior, but those who are conversely affected by their actions. We need to provide more solutions for those addicted, to bring measures to assist them away from drugs, and not to shove the issue back into the dark corner. There is no resolution here, only a problem that is out of sight, and out of mind. 

            Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of year again, and we can safely assume that there are hundreds of you in the local area who are gearing up and ready to go with this years outing of the annual concert and comedy series. It seems that every year the event keeps getting bigger, and this year proves no exception, the line-up is strong, the music will be diverse and star studded as always, and the ability to turn a concert outing into a full day of enjoyment there in full force.

            On the musical side of things, you can expect only the best in the market today as Bumbershoot coordinators are always aiming for. With guests Lorde, Weezer, Big Sean, The Roots and more gracing the stages, there is sure to be a musical representation of all styles, and enjoyment for those coming out to see the spectacle. From more family friendly outings, to the best in today’s hip hop music, there is a little something for everyone, and always a place that you can find yourself surrounded by like-minded individuals jamming out to your favorite music.     

            Where Bumbershoot sets itself apart though is the dual highlight between music and comedy, and this year is preparing to bring the best in today’s stand-up as well. This year the stage will be resounding with laughter due to the likes of Margaret Cho, Todd Barry and more. The ability to not only see a great musical performance, but to see some of the best stand-up comedians in the world today as well really brings a rounded curve to the enjoyment of the entire event, delivering on the preferences of everyone who takes the time to get out and enjoy the festivities.

            If you thought that two major parts of the event was enough to get you interested, then you need to keep in mind that it doesn’t end there. With spoken word, lectures, workshops, art, and don’t even get us started on the food. This event is one that goes beyond merely being a music and comedy festival, and into the realm of being a full-on lifestyle cruise through the streets of Seattle. Whether you have a favorite local food vendor, or are interested in catching up on some of the idea movements in the Seattle area, then this may be the event for you.
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            Whether you’re looking for an enjoyable day out with the family, or gathering a group of friends as you head out to one of the later evening, more adult oriented shows, you can be sure that Bumbershoot has the event going on that you’ll want to take part in. There’s a reason why this festival has been going on for so long in the area, and why it draws crowds from all across the state. So if you’re going to be finding yourself out there for the festivities, you can be sure that you’ll find us there as well. 

            Who doesn’t like a night at the movies? Though over the last few decades or so we have seen the cost of going to the cinema grow from that of a few dollars to the cost of a small house loan, it’s still something that we enjoy taking part in, and the ability to do so for free can be even better. This is the fundamental idea behind the movies in the park events that are happening across Seattle, and your chance to catch one is better than ever.

            Across the summer, across open parks in the Seattle area, you will find a movie screen popping up almost every weekend, and residents of the area camped out with their lawn chairs, packed snacks, and family in tow. With the chance to see movies as recent as just released from theatres, the ability to catch that one blockbuster you were looking forward to, but didn’t have access to the necessary bank loan to be able to see in traditional cinemas is even easier. We may jab at theatres costs here, but it’s not wholly unjustified you know.

            Without making another crack at the cost of the theatre, even if costs were lower, the means to take your entire family out to see a show could be a deal breaker, and it’s good to see the efforts and participation of local residents in bringing these events to those who may otherwise not be able to do so. Supplying their own screen, sound systems, and of course movies themselves, it’s great to see people from the city banding together to bring a community gathering event such as this to the local areas, and more should be done in this vein of togetherness.

            With the open nature of the park, you have room to fit hundreds of people together into one area, and standard quality sound systems that accompany these shows are more than capable of reaching all the way to the back. For those living in the direct area, you can catch the show without even leaving your front porch, which is just as exciting. Everyone has the capability to take part, so long as you’re respectful of those around you and not looking to cause disturbance, but that goes for almost any public event in the city.
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            For those looking to get out with the family and enjoy something different, this option can be just the event you’re looking for. The travelling cinema will be bringing all sorts of family friendly options to the city, as well as a few adult oriented evenings with shows a little too beyond the scope of the young ones, but those are easily researched in advance. We for one are excited for the venture, and look forward to seeing as many of the community members there as possible, and we sincerely hope that it turns into a bigger even each year, as it rightfully deserves to be. 

           You may not have heard much about Sue Bird, and it’s a shame. Not only is she one of the leading figures in the Seattle Storm women’s basketball team, but also a record-tying number holder of the most appearances in the WNBA, oh, and she’s a lesbian. You may think it strange for us not to start out with that tidbit of information, but it also exhibits a fundamental flaw in a lot of our lines of thought when it comes to women.

            Sure, it may mean nothing to you, you may not be affected by it at all, yet if we were to be able to see into your head upon reading the first two sentences, you may have a mental image of her walking down the aisle to her soon-to-be husband, or out on a nice dinner date with a basketball player from the men’s side of things. It’s become ingrained that we should make an assumption on someone due to normalcy, and its thoughts like these that make things a lot harder for those looking to come out, as it still appears “against the grain”.

            We are not making any claims as to people’s stances when it comes to the LGBT conversation, there may be many now who have an all new respect for her for coming out, some may be disgusted, and though everyone has the right to their opinion, not agreeing with something doesn’t make it go away. Sue came out to ESPNW in the most casual of ways, and in a way that it should be. Treating the news as if it wasn’t news, as if she was talking about the color of her hair, the type of shoes she was wearing.

            Certain aspects of women’s life, and especially in women’s sports we find don’t get enough attention already, and though we regale and celebrate our male sports counterparts coming out, there seems to be a different line of thought when it comes to women. Maybe it’s the loss of a child bearing individual? Who’s to say? But it’s a gain to not only the women’s portion of the population, but especially to those who are finding themselves hiding their own sexuality. Girls out there need to know that it’s ok to be who you are, and you can make accomplishments in life regardless of who that is.
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            At Seattle 5 Star Review we are supporters of everyone in our community, gay, straight, tall, black, human, dog, it doesn’t matter. To us, the community is what’s important, and every member of that community has the right to be happy, to feel safe, and to live their lives as they are. And if young women who are struggling with their sexuality, and how to address it, we’re glad that there’s local sports representatives who can lead by example, to say “Yes, I’m a woman in a game dominated by men, and I am gay, and that’s perfectly fine.”