The tradition continued Tuesday night, Nov. 16, when, in the mode of Jack Benny, King County Executive and West Seattle resident Dow Constantine celebrated his 39th birthday, again, and for the 11th time. The fundraiser party took place at the crowded Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub near Pike Place Market. His actual birthday is Nov. 15.

"No, he is not 50 yet," insisted Shirley Carlson, Constantine's longtime girlfriend. "People keep coming up to me and saying that. He was 39 at his first annual party, so he won't be 50 until next year," she grinned.

"I'm feeling pretty good," said the birthday boy. "It's an awful lot of work," Constantine said of his roll as Executive. "There are probably more relaxing jobs in the world but it is tremendously rewarding to be able to fix some of the problems that face us. I'm very excited about Maury Island."

He is referring to the former gravel site there which looks to be headed for becoming a nature preserve.

"I've been working on it since the mid to late 1990's. To have a deal on the table and the support of a number of County Councilmembers is a big accomplishment. Hats off to (State Senator-elect of the 34th District) Sharon Nelson who's been such a stalwart all these years."

"I'm here to not only celebrate my friend Dow Constantine's birthday but to celebrate the work he's done in the last year in helping to reset King County," said King County Councilmember-elect Joe McDermott.

At his 10th annual party, Constantine was about a week away from transitioning from King County Councilmember to his Executive position.

"I'm proud," said Dow's mother Lois. "He's good to his parents. He lives within walking distance of our house which is nice. He and his brother (Blair) come over and watch the university football games with their father (John). I go into the other room."

"I'd just like to wish Dow a happy birthday and congratulate him on a year of accomplishments in a difficult environment to be able to do the things he's done for the county," said Jacob Metzger, an Alki resident and union representative.

"Hey Dow. Happy 49th birthday. You are doing a great, great job. It has been my privilege and honor to work with you on a number of issues," said Jan Drago, out-going King County Councilmember.

"I'm a supporter of Dow and my friend, Sally O'Brien, brought me to the party with her," said West Seattle resident Nancy McManus, founder of West Seattle on Social Media, a company that connect businesses, non-profits and communities via her robust website, www.quallyque.com. The company and website each have a popular Facebook page.

"I was a founding board member of Family Promise of Seattle, a non-profit devoted to helping homeless families become sustainable again," said O'Brien, a an activist in the multiple sclerosis community.

"Dow Constantine goes to my Church, Alki United Church of Christ," she added. "He was instrumental in helping Family Promise get on its feet and get some grant money prior to his current position, so I'm a big fan."

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