Festivals & Events

Saturday, July 19th – Winemaker Cruise

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Looking for an ideal Pacific Northwest experience?  Postpone whatever you might have planned and take a winemaker dinner cruise this coming Saturday, July 19th.

A chartered bus will pick you up at Hellams Vineyard in La Conner at 5 p.m. (please check in to the shop no later than 4:15 p.m.).  You’ll head over to Mystic Sea Charters in Anacortes http://mysticseacharters.com/, boarding and departing at 6 p.m.  The boat will return to dock at 9 p.m. and you’ll then be chartered back to La Conner.

The cruise will take you through the San Juan Islands, heading from Anacortes northbound to the mystical Mermaid Rocks and the Cone Islands, venturing on to Toehead Pass and Obstruction Pass off of Orcas Island, continuing onward to Thatcher Pass, Lopez Spit, Decatur Island and Lopez Pass, and the Marine Sanctuary off of Bird Rocks – then homeward bound.  This is a fantastic scenic cruise abundant with eagles, seals, and spectacular scenery.

The cruise this Saturday will feature Barrister Winery  http://barristerwinery.com/, with owner/winemakers Greg and Mike on board pouring their special wines and a couple winery only wines.  The cruise is also a Dungeness Crab Feed which also includes several side dishes and dessert. Cost is $140 per person (+tax).  To reserve  your spot, call Hellams Vineyard at 360-466-1758.  http://hellamsvineyard.com/  It just may be the highlight of your summer!

 

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Salish Sea Native American Culture Celebration – June 7th

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Help celebrate the maritime heritage of the Swinomish and Samish tribes this Saturday, June 7, at the 9th Annual Salish Sea Native American Culture Celebration at Deception Pass State Park.

The event is from noon to 4 p.m. at the Bowman Bay picnic site on the Fidalgo Island portion of the park.

Take a ride in a traditional native canoe. Listen to singers, dancers and storytellers from the two …tribes. Watch demonstrations of traditional weaving, cedar work and woodcarving. And enjoy a salmon and fry bread lunch.

Proceeds from food sales help support the tribes’ canoe families’ participation in the annual intertribal canoe journey. (This year’s canoe journey will bring Northwest Tribes and First Nations to Bella Bella, British Columbia.)

Saturday is a state parks ‘free day’—a Discover Pass is not required for day use at Discover Pass State Park.

For more details and directions to this event, visit: http://www.parks.wa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=38

Find out what other days during the year are free days at WA state parks: http://adventureawaits.com/2014/01/2014-state-park-free-days/

-credit for this info given to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

May Happenings

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May is the start of festival season here in the Pacific Northwest.  There is much to see and do… so check out a number of these options and you’ll be sure to have a good month.

  • University District Streetfair, May 17-18
  • Walk or run in the various 5k’s this month
  • Northwest Folklife Festival, May 23-26
  • Museum Week Northwest (first ever!), May 16-23
  • Miro: the Experience of Seeing, Seattle Art Museum, through May 26
  • Visit Pike Place Market
  • SPY:  The Secret World of Espionage, Pacific Science Center
  • Catch a ballgame – the Seattle Mariners are in town!
  • Olympic Peninsula Wineries’ Northwest Wine and Cheese Tour, May 3-4
  • Opening Day of Boating Season Parade, May 3
  • Seattle’s Big Food Truck Festival, May 3-4
  • Penn Cove Water Festival, Coupeville, May 10
  • Camano Island Studio Tour, May 9-11 & 17-18
  • Sequim Irrigation Festival, Sequim, May 2-11
  • Do a “Wine Walk” in your local area
  • Vashon Island Art Studio Tour
  • Seattle International Film Festival
  • Cultural festivals abound
  • Edmonds Waterfront Festival, May 30-June 1
  • and more…

National Park Week

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It’s National Park Week and what better way to celebrate is to offer free admission this weekend (April 19-20th) to the 401 of America’s National Parks.  There are special events planned as well through April 27th.

http://www.nationalparkweek.org/

http://www.nps.gov/index.htm

 

133 of our country’s 401 national parks usually charge an entrance fee. If you’re planning a trip that includes multiple national parks, you might consider the $80 annual pass that provides entrance to all national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and other Federal lands (more than 2,000 in all).

Mount Rainier National Park, taken September 2006

Mount Rainier National Park, taken September 2006

 

It’s April! Seattle Restaurant Week

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It’s April and it’s that time again for Seattle Restaurant Week.  It’s called Seattle Restaurant Week but there are a variety of restaurants located in the greater Puget Sound area.  It starts today and goes through April 17th (Sunday – Thursday for two weeks).  Check out a new restaurant or go back to a favorite. There are more restaurants participating than ever – over 160!  3-course meals for lunch and/or dinner.  The list of restaurants and their menus can be found at http://seattletimes.com/seattlerestaurantweek/  Make a reservation and savor the experience!

 

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Art in April

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April is a great month for art.  If you do one thing this month, you might want to consider a visit to a local gallery or museum, Art Walk, tour or festival.  It might be down the street or make a trip of it to a neighboring city.

The one exhibit that caught my eye is “Paintings About Trees”.  It is showing at Jeffrey Moose Gallery on 5th Avenue in Seattle  through May 3rd.  www.jeffreymoosegallery.com  A great review can be found at http://seattletimes.com/html/thearts/2023182544_treesjeffreymoosexml.html

Other options in the Puget Sound area that you may want to consider are the galleries of:

And, this being April, a visit to some of the most beautiful natural art of all, the 31st Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival  www.tulipfestival.org

Art Guide Northwest has all the details you might want to find that special something, whether it be the physical or the beauty of just viewing it.  http://www.artguidenw.com/

 

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Hibulb Cultural Center

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The Hibulb Cultural Center is a place that tells a story and enhances the history, traditional  cultural values and spiritual beliefs of the Tulalip Tribes.  The tribes are the successors in interest to the Snohomish, Snoqualmie and Skykomish tribes and other tribes and bands signatory to the Treaty of Point Elliott.  It is a beautiful Center with stone flooring and wood beams which contains a longhouse, interactive displays, and a place to meet.   The feeling here is that of home.

You’ll find your own favorite exhibit.  Mine was “The Tree Itself”, showcasing the cedar tree and the many uses of it; as well as the journey of life through the various seasons.

The gift shop houses a nice selection of items for purchase.  I would like to see a coffee table type book with the history and photos that is presented here at Hibulb Cultural Center.  It is conveniently located off of I-5 in Marysville, WA.  Take exit 199, Marine Drive NE in Marysville. Go west approximately 0.5 miles, then turn left on 23rd Avenue NE.

“Thank you for allowing me to take your bark so I can make something beautiful and useful.  I will not waste any of the cedar that I have taken and I will share this gift you have given me with other.”  ~ Joy Jones Lacey- from Cultural Resources Department, Tulalip Tribes

http://www.hibulbculturalcenter.org/  Twitter. Facebook.

 

 

Washington Wine Month 2014

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March is Washington Wine Month and to wrap up the month, there are two great events this weekend – try something new or try a favorite again.

March 29th – Capital Food & Wine Festival – Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, WA  – http://www.capitalfoodandwinefestival.com/ Purchases are encouraged.

March 29th and 30th – Taste Washington – CenturyLink Field Event Center in Seattle – http://tastewashington.org/  Drink. Eat. Learn. Stay. Participate.  Also, look into attending the First Annual Taste Washington Magnum Party on March 27th at Chihuly Garden and Glass

Stop by your local wine shop or tasting room for a taste of what’s being poured.  A good way to keep up with what’s been poured is to get on their mailing list.

If you are up for more food and drink, check out Anthony’s Restaurants Oyster Festival. http://www.anthonys.com/restaurants/best-of-season/

Can’t get much better than that this weekend.

December Joy

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It’s December and there is much to do.  Do you send cards?  Do you have many people to buy for?  Have you decorated yet?  We all have our own story and experience and what is tradition for one may not be so for another.  Or maybe you’ll start your own tradition.  There are options for fun this time of year whether you’re on a strict budget or you’re not.  I have already done some of these on the list below.  Others I won’t.  Here is a list of possible holiday options this month:

Visit a local nursery – Swansons, Molbak’s, Wight’s, Squak Mt., and more – the gift shops and decorating possibilities abound

Put up your own decorations – a little outside light with the indoor poinsettia and/or tree

Seattle Center –  a sample itinerary might be 1) Space Needle  2) Armory – grab a snack and check out the train 3) see a play at the Bagley Wright Theater (Seattle Repertory Theater).  I can attest that The Hound of the Baskervilles is a great choice – open till Dec 15th 4 & 5) enjoy a dinner at Collections Café.  Chihuly exhibition is extra special this time of year  6) walk the grounds to view the lights and take to ice skating to celebrate Winterfest

Woodland Park Zoo or Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium– lights!  Note:  Bellevue Botanical Garden is still under construction and they are having a smaller display this year.  And don’t forget the Issaquah Reindeer Festival at the Cougar Mountain Zoo

Bake cookies, spiced nuts or other holiday treats

Get a jump-start on your healthy New Year’s resolution and hit the gym, go ice skating or head outside

Watch a holiday movie (or one that is popular this time of year) – Sound of Music, It’s a Wonderful Life, Holiday, Christmas with the Kranks, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Andy Williams Christmas, or catch one on the Lifetime or Hallmark channel

Make a point of getting together with friends

Check out Snowflake Lane at the Bellevue Collection with its 7 pm nightly show

Take in the theater, ballet, symphony, orchestra.  This is an especially good time of year to check out a local company

Shop Downtown Seattle – the lights, hustle and bustle are especially fun.  Snowflakes at Pacific Place, the Holiday Carousel, Argosy Christmas Ship Festival, Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Hotel, take a Ride the Ducks tour or take a whirl on the Seattle Great Wheel, check out Pike Place Market, and there is a new attraction this year – SnowGlobe Live!  Step inside the globe and get your picture taken – what a treat!

December