Jan l Feb 2016 North End Metro

ROOM TO BREATHE Make Space for Change in the New Year ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Judith and Daniel Caldwell

Whistler, B.C.

WONDER WOMAN Mayor Barbara Tolbert JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2016 DISPLAY UNTIL FEBRUARY 29 $4.99 US • $5.99 CAN

Mike Morse, Morse Steel 4th generation owner Runner Sports dad

Each and every one of us is an original. Shaped by unique inuences that make us who we are today.

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12 Extraordinary Escapes We’ve got ideas for a year’s worth of weekend travel. With these 12 destinations, all located within a five-hour drive, you could get away once a month.

52

46 Room to Breathe

© Tourism Whistler and Robin O'Neill

Getting organized is about more than just decluttering and caring for your home and belongings; it’s also about making space in your life for reflection, balance, and healthy habits.

2 NorthSoundLife.com

CONTENTS LIFESTYLE

© Jared M. Burns

13 GroundFrog Day

14 By the Numbers

SHOP

DINE

27 The Savvy Traveler

67 First & Union Kitchen and Snohomish Bakery

30 Necessities Tranquility 69 Dining Guide 31 Around the Sound Warby Parker

70 Review Kama'aina Grindz

32 Savvy Shopper Lather & Salt

72 Mixing Tin Woodin Sidecar

© Shannon Black

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2016

73 Seven Great Tastes

WELLBEING

AGENDA

15 Lasting Image

18 In the Know Women Painters Make Their Marks 19 In the Know Book Reviews 19 In the Know Who Knew?

20 Community Snohomish County's First TEDx Event 21 Wonder Woman Barbara Tolbert 21 In the Know Apps We Love

35 Warm Up from the Inside Out 75 Featured Event Wellington International Ukelele Orchestra

37 Beauty A Streamlined Transition 38 Trail Review Portage Creek Wildlife Area

HABITAT 43 Featured Home Northwest Modern Luxury Home

76 Events 78 Out of Town

© Jesse Young

17 Calendar January & February

79 The Scene Taste of Tulalip

22 Five Faves Candlemakers

NOTES

24 Spotlight Artists Judith and Daniel Caldwell 6 Editor's Letter

FEATURES

8 Contributors

© Shannon Black

10 Letters to the Editor 46 Room to Breathe: Make Space for Change in the New Year

12 Meet a Staffer Kaity Teer

52 12 Extraordinary Escapes

80 Final Word

January | February 2016 3

CONTENTS On the Web

Be sure to check us out at:

northsoundlife.com Submit your events on our new calendar!

Do you have an event that you would like our readers to know about?

Northsoundlife.com now offers an events calendar where viewers can search by venue, event type, or city.

Go to northsoundlife.com/events and submit your event today. Once your event has been approved by our editorial staff it is live.

Household Know-How

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for:

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Weekend VIBRATIONS

Organize @snocomag

Health & Beauty

Would Martha Stewart describe your folding skills as “fitted sheet impaired”? We’ve rounded up our favorite how-to videos that demonstrate helpful tips and tricks for accomplishing household cleaning and organizing tasks. If fitted sheets are still too much for you even after watching these tutorials, this is Martha’s best advice: “I suggest that you wash your sheets, dry them, and put them right back on your bed.”

4 NorthSoundLife.com

]

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NOTES Editor's Letter

I

love January. Even though I know there’s all manner of well-warranted cynicism lobbed at the practice of making and breaking New Year’s resolutions, I can’t help but be inspired by the start of another year. After all, it only comes around every 365 days, a brief pause after the holidays when we’re all poised to end the year and begin a new one.

All that transpired in the previous year, whatever losses and disappointments both small and large­ — here is an opportunity to look forward to the year ahead with hope, and a change of perspective if not a change of circumstances.

Perhaps the perfectionist in me loves too much the feeling of a fresh start, a clean slate. I see possibilities in the rows upon rows of empty squares on my desk calendar, waiting to be filled with goals, deadlines, appointments, and trips to visit family or spend time relaxing outdoors. The beauty of the New Year holiday, is that it gives us time — even just one precious day — to pause and take stock, to catch our breath, to appreciate the present even as we feel so near to both the past and the future.

In that spirit, we bring you our January/ February issue. I interview professional organizer and productivity consultant Monika Kristofferson

6 NorthSoundLife.com

for her advice on how to make the most of a New Year by decluttering and simplifying our spaces to make room for change. Her advice is as practical and compassionate as it is inspiring. It may be just the thing to get you moving toward your goals.

And, if 2016 is the year you’re finally ready to go on those adventures you’ve been dreaming of, we’ve rounded up 12 trips you can take to make the most of your weekends. Browse our roundup of awesome destinations that are close to home, all within just a five-hour drive, and see how you can make the most of a quick getaway.

Perhaps you should plan your first long weekend of 2016 to coincide with Leap Day. Yes, in February we celebrate Leap Day on Monday, February 29. Why not treat yourself to a much-deserved day out of the office? Because, honestly, who needs an extra Monday in their life?

However you celebrate the New Year, we wish you a fantastic 2016! A peek at our editorial calendar reveals an exciting line-up of feature stories.

I’m already penciling the deadlines into my schedule. It looks like it’s going to be another amazing year here in the North Sound.

Cheers,

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NOTES Contributors

Alyssa Pitcher

Give a Gift! and | or

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Alyssa Pitcher is a senior at Western Washington University pursuing a career as a photojournalist.

She is double majoring in visual journalism and arts. Photojournalism at its simplest form is documentation, while fine art is about the visualization of ideas. Her goal is to combine the two in order to create powerful and moving images. She says, “I don’t know exactly where I am going after graduation but I can’t wait to see where life takes me!”  p. 13

Jennifer Adler Jennifer Adler M.S., C.N., is the author of Passionate Nutrition, A Guide to Using Food as Medicine from a Nutritionist Who Healed Herself from the Inside Out. Jennifer is also the owner of the company Passionate Nutrition, which offers nutrition counseling and online classes. passionatenutrition.com  p. 35

Ken Brantingham Ken Brantingham is a freelance writer who loves to get out and discover what makes Washington such a special place. A published author and photographer, Ken enjoys reading, writing, and weekend escapes. He lives in Bothell with his wife and three teenage children.  p. 38

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2015 DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 31 $4.99 US • $5.99 CAN

The Future of Glass The Pilchuck Glass School

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10/28/15 12:06 PM

Shannon Black

ACB THE

S

Of Woodinville Wine Country INT THE WOODS Fall Fashion

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SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 DISPLAY UNTIL OCTOBER 31 $4.99 US • $5.99 CAN

8/26/15 9:55 AM

Call 360.483.4576 ext.302 or go to northsoundlife.com 8 NorthSoundLife.com

Shannon Black is a freelance writer, photographer, and filmmaker. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in CinemaTelevision and worked in Los Angeles for many years before returning to her Northwest roots.

Shannon also works to champion, inspire, and promote artists and small businesses with her public relations company. When not working, you can find her adventuring through Northwest mountains, waterways, and gardens, or shopping local in the North End. She happily resides in Edmonds with her husband, dog, and two cats.  p. 18, 24-25, 32-33

Even Dorothy just wanted to find her way home.

If only she’d had a really great real estate agent.

Perhaps all the adventure of the munchkins and the yellow brick road, flying monkeys who were really scary when you think about it and the wicked witch of the west could have been avoided.

Don’t we all have a little bit of Dorothy in us?

Running away from one thing hoping to find something better.

Welcome home to Whatcom County–you start looking for a home and you end up with something much greater. From Mt. Baker to the Semiahmoo sandspit, you clearly know... you’re not in Kansas anymore.

I’ve always known there was a better way to practice real estate. A better way to tell the story of the home and the magic of the place. I love this land and sharing its hidden secrets that draw you near and holds you fast.

Glenda the good witch had it right all along...

There’s no place like home!

KATHY STAUFFER

Whatcom County...Even when it rains, I shine!

Managing Broker 360-815-4718 kathystauffer.com

NOTES Letters to the Editor

Loved This Issue My family and I choose a new breakfast spot once a month. We were ecstatic with this issue. There were so many breakfast spots we had not heard of or experienced. Thank you!

Haley R., via phone NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2015 DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 31 $4.99 US • $5.99 CAN

The Future of Glass The Pilchuck Glass School

1511_1_NEM-Cover.indd 1

PUBLICATIONS Bellingham Alive North Sound Life North End Metro NSL Guestbook Couture Weddings PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Lisa Karlberg EDITOR IN CHIEF Frances Badgett ART DIRECTOR Kelly Slater EDITOR Kaity Teer

10/28/15 12:06 PM

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Babette Vickers | Tina Ruff

Impressive Issue I’ve never been so impressed by the layout, the images, and the content of a magazine.

Ferne H., via phone

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelsey Wilmore

INSIDE SALES | MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR Devin Winsby

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

Thank You!

Alyssa Pitcher | Madeline Takata

An incredible job, artistic photos, and words that paint a picture!

Julie P., via email

PHOTOGRAPHERS Ken Brantingham | Shannon Black Madeline Takata | Jesse Young

WRITERS Shannon Black | Garen Glazier | Kyla Rohde

CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Adler | Ken Brantingham Ken Karlberg | Ashley Thomasson

OFFICE MANAGEMENT Jenn Bachtel

PROOFREADER

Join us February 11 from 6-9 p.m. at Judd & Black Appliance's test kitchen in Mount Vernon for a Meet the Chef event featuring Chef Scott Anderson from Crave Catering, and drinks from BelleWood Distilling. Check our Facebook page for a link to reserve your spot and purchase event tickets.

Pat Karlberg

CORPORATE OFFICE K & L Media, Inc. 909 Squalicum Way, Ste. 110 Bellingham, WA 98225

INQUIRIES & SUBSCRIPTIONS Info@northsoundlife.com 360.483.4576 x4

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NOTES Meet a Staffer

From the Cutting Room Floor

Every issue we highlight an employee ­­ of North Sound Life.

Covers that didn't make the cut

Kaity Teer Editor, North End Metro What is your role at the magazine & how long have you been with K&L Media?

Shortly after moving to Bellingham three years ago I joined the North Sound Life team as an editor. It was a wonderful way to experience the best the region has to offer in shopping, dining, and outdoor adventures, and to meet the people who make living here so great. After taking a short break to earn my master of fine arts at Western Washington University, I rejoined the editorial team in March 2015. It feels wonderful to be back in action.

What is your background?

I grew up in Chicagoland, and the list of things I miss about Illinois includes lightning bugs, thunderstorms, and Portillo’s. I don’t miss the mosquitoes or the deep-dish pizza. Despite that the Midwest will always be my first love, the North Sound had me at hello. I don’t think I’ll ever take for granted its exquisite landscape. I feel lucky to call this rainy place in between the mountains and the sea home.

What is your favorite part of working for a regional lifestyle magazine?

The North Sound Life editorial team does it all — casting the editorial vision for each issue, assigning work to freelancers and contributors, coordinating with photographers and stylists, copyediting and proofreading text, researching and writing feature articles, and even tasting delicious food and drinks 12 NorthSoundLife.com

at Meet the Chef events. But I have to say, my favorite part of working for a regional lifestyle magazine is the opportunity to interview small business owners, artists and craftspersons, educators, chefs, brewers and winemakers, nonprofit directors, community leaders, and the many other incredible people who live and work here. I love that I have a professional excuse to ask people about their lives and their work in the North Sound. I feel privileged to hear what inspires them and to share what I learn with our readers.

My second favorite part of the job is to watch as our graphic design team transforms the raw materials of each issue into a polished work of art. It’s deeply gratifying to watch our publications come to life and to hold them in hand when they’re hot off the press.

What are some of your hobbies and interests?

More than anything, I’d almost always rather be reading. I’m an essayist and a poet, so I also spend a lot of time writing. When I’m not writing, I’m often thinking about writing. I’m rather crafty, so usually I have at least one knitting, embroidery, or book arts project in progress. My favorite weekend activity is hiking with my husband and our dog, Rosie. 

LIFESTYLE In The Know · Calendar · Spotlight Artist · 5 Faves

GroundFrog Day The Legend of Snohomish Slew WRITTEN BY ALYSSA PITCHER

T

he legend of the Snohomish Slew begins long ago in the Big Apple with a big frog and an even bigger dream. The Slew was an American bullfrog who lived in a stream. He spent his days imagining a land of luscious green, with a mild climate and tasty bugs. The other frogs thought, “He must be on drugs.”

He heard whispers of such a land in the Pacific Northwest, so Slew took a leap of faith and began his un-frog-ettable quest. As he hopped along he met friendly creatures every day.

They all knew of the land Slew was searching for and helped him find his way. Finally Slew’s frogtastic journey came to an end, on the shores of the Snohomish River bend.

The City of Snohomish celebrates Slew’s incredible journey at the beginning of each year with an event called GroundFrog Day. It is the West Coast version of Groundhog Day, with a ribbiting twist. … continued on page 16

LIFESTYLE By the Numbers

23

speakers took the stage during Snohomish County’s first TEDx event, held in November 2015. p. 20

You Deserve Royal Treatment Facials • Waxing • custom airbrush tanning body treatments • and other specialty services Schedule an appointment today!

Petra Rousu owns The Savvy Traveler in Edmonds. Her lifelong love of travel has taken her to more than

60

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countries, to date. p. 27

2

The round-trip mileage of the trail through Arlington’s Portage Creek Wildlife Area is two miles. p. 38

3

the number of gas fireplaces in the featured Northwest Modern Luxury Home by builder Mickey Hansen of H2 View. p. 43

11

eight-hour days: the annual amount of time lost if you spend just 15 minutes per day searching for something you misplaced. p. 46

12

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WORKING TIRELESSLY to make Snohomish County a more vibrant region.

808 134th St SW, Suite 101 Everett, WA 98204 (P) 425.743.4567 www.economicalliancesc.org

14 NorthSoundLife.com

weekend getaways for you to take in 2016. p.52

4

p.m.: the magic hour on Thursdays when Snohomish Bakery at First & Union closes its kitchen and First & Union Kitchen opens for dinner service. p. 67

Lasting Image

LIFESTYLE

© Tourism Vancouver / Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

“This has been ours, however brief the time. Though two nights only have been spent beneath a roof, yet we leave something of ourselves behind.

Nothing material, not a hair-pin on a dressing-table, not an empty bottle of aspirin tablets, not a handkerchief beneath a pillow, but something indefinable, a moment of our lives, a thought, a mood. This house sheltered us, we spoke, we loved within those walls. That was yesterday. Today we pass on, we see it no more, and we are different, changed in some infinitesimal way. We can never be quite the same again.”

FROM REBECCA BY DAPHNE DU MAURIER

January | February 2016 15

“It’s important to us because whereas Groundhog Day is based on myth, GroundFrog Day is based on fact,” Darrell Charles, event publicist, said. Bullfrogs are an indicator species, and the males begin to croak when it’s time to find their princesseses.

Their croaking sounds announce the beginning of spring.

On GroundFrog Day, Snohomish Slew is the frog of honor and serves as the official Frognosticator Extraordinaire. If he croaks, then spring has sprung, but if he stays silent there will be six more weeks of winter. Other special guests in attendance include Princess Amphibiana and the frogs of Kla Ha Ya Days, Tad and Lils. “[Slew] gets an elegant ride down to the stage where there is a gazebo,” said Thayer Cueter, Slew’s official hander.

“Everybody is waiting to see him, and we get out of the limo, and that’s how his day starts.”

On the day of the big frognostication, businesses in Snohomish’s historic downtown get toadly decked out with frog decorations. Even Slew gets into the spirit of the celebration donning festive “bling” in honor of his prediction.

After making his frognostication, Slew spends time meeting doting fans, posing for photographs, and kissing ladies in hopes of turning into a prince. “He’s adorable, actually, you pick him up and he knows he’s supposed to sit there for a photo,” Cueter said.

During the rest of the year Slew spends his days at Cueter’s Just Frogs Toads Too and Friends Amphibian Center. He watches people visit and eats crickets. He has his own sleeping cage, exercise cage, and swimming pool to keep himself in shape for GroundFrog Day. “We call [Slew] the best kept bullfrog in the world,” Cueter said. “He is very special, very pampered.”

Slew was originally discovered and rescued by a family in Marysville who brought him to Cueter. Bullfrogs are an invasive species in Washington State and are to be disposed of if found, so becoming the Snohomish Slew was his lucky break.

This will be Slew’s second year as the guest of honor on GroundFrog Day. He is not quite full grown yet so he has been fattening up in preparation for the season, eating 30 to 50 crickets each day. “[The event] sets the stage for me every year,” Charles said.

“It makes me happy to be in Snohomish.”

GroundFrog Day began 11 years ago in 2005, and was originally meant to be an event to promote Kla Ha La Days, Pam Osborne said. Osborne is one of the frogfathers of the event.

Although she has attended many GroundFrog Days, her favorite memory is from the very first one.

She explained that her father and brother had owned a gravel pit and they decided to use one of their big dump trucks as Slew’s escort. They thought it would be hilarious to have this huge truck roll in and reveal a tiny little frog hopping out.

“It just so happened that the driver of the truck was a humongous frog freak; so he decorated the truck with all of these frogs that he had,” Osborne said. “My dad was in the crowd and he just thought that was the best thing ever, and he passed away the next year, so for me it’s been kind of a fun personal thing. I have a picture of him and the Kla Ha Ya frog together that’s just about the most adorable thing ever.” 

16 NorthSoundLife.com

© Jared M. Burns

…

Calendar

LIFESTYLE

JANUARY & FEBRUARY JANUARY

1

JANUARY

9

JANUARY

The Caroll Cochran Index Peace Parade

Game Night and Potluck

5th St., Index January 1, 1–3 p.m. skyvalleychamber.com

Mansford Grange, Darrington January 23, 5–8 p.m. destinationdarrington.com

23

Northwest Bridal Showcase Tulalip Resort Casino, Tulalip January 9–10 nwbridalshowcase.com

Edmonds Comedy Night IX Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds January 29-30, 7:30–9 p.m. edmondscenterforthearts.org

JANUARY

29 FEBRUARY

Harlem Globetrotters Xfinity Arena, Everett February 14, 2–4 p.m. xfinityarenaeverett.com

Pacifica Chamber Orchestra Sunshine Concert

JANUARY

9

Tilted Rail Thunderbirds Roller Derby Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe January 9, 6–10 p.m. tiltedthunder.com

First Presbyterian Church, Everett February 14, 3–5 p.m. pacificachamberorchestra.org

14 FEBRUARY

14

JANUARY

14

Pink Martini featuring Storm Large Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds January 14, 7:30–10 p.m. edmondscenterforthearts.org

January | February 2016 17

Women Painters Make Their Marks WRITTEN BY SHANNON BLACK

© Cheryl A Richey, Flotsam

© Women Painters of Washington

LIFESTYLE In the Know

18 NorthSoundLife.com

the genre. All realms of abstraction, from non-objective art to abstract reality, will be represented by the more than 30 artists featured — many of them artists from right here in the North End. “Abstract paintings are like pathways into the human soul,” said Helen Drummond, current WPW president.

“They give the artist a way to express ‘reality’ and/or emotions in a means unique to them.”

The realities these artists express may offer viewers new ways of perceiving the world or understanding their own experiences within it. “In abstract

© Mia Shulte, Looking Out

© Kristi Galindo Dyson, Verdant

O

ur subconscious and conscious minds often seek a dream-like middle space where the folly and sense of life can wrestle and cogitate — a place to let the mind wander and process. Many poets find this transcendent space on paper, singers in aria, and painters on canvas. Women Painters of Washington (WPW) explore such terrain in their new show Abstract Marks, which runs January 5-April 1 at the Columbia Center Building in downtown Seattle.

Six founders started WPW in 1930 in order to bring together extraordinary women painters from across the state to encourage, engage, and foster artistic growth, as well as help these painters overcome hurdles not faced by their fellow male colleagues. Throughout the years, more than 1,000 women have taken part in the organization, which currently boasts more than 200 active participants from Seattle to Spokane.

Abstract Marks will be the first show of its kind for the group according to Irene Yesley, the show’s chairperson.

Although the WPW includes abstract paintings in other exhibitions, this is the first show dedicated exclusively to

art, image ambiguity forces the viewer to a more intensive study of the work,” explained show participant Cheryl A. Richey. “In this closer examination, deeper layers of reality and illusion are revealed. When it succeeds, abstract art releases a tableau of associations and meanings for viewers who invest the time to engage with it.”

Delve deeper into abstract paintings accompanied by the artists themselves during a special presentation about the show on February 4, from 4-6 p.m., at the Women Painters of Washington Gallery. You may just walk away with a new outlook on reality. 

Book Reviews

In the Know

LIFESTYLE

WRITTEN BY KAITY TEER

In this issue, we offer books designed to help you make space for soul-stirring transformation. Set aside an hour or two to make a cup of tea and get inspired.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

By Marie Kondo 224 pages Ten Speed Press (October 14, 2014)

The Fire Starter Sessions

By Danielle LaPorte 368 pages Crown Archetype (April 17, 2012)

This book is as annoying as it is helpful. Afterward, you may hear the voice of Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo like an earworm urging you to purge or to treat your socks with respect. Her mantra: if it doesn’t spark joy for you, don’t keep it. I like the KonMari Method in theory, but confess to applying Kondo’s advice selectively (I loved the results when I did).

The book is full of great suggestions intended to help you discern which material goods actually bring you joy and freedom instead of guilt and stress, and to help you learn how to store your belongings lovingly.

If you hate self-help books, this may not be your cup of tea. But then again, maybe it’s exactly the self-help book you’ve been waiting for. It breaks the mold with empowering, self-revelatory, bad-ass advice. I like this book for its artful, eye-catching graphic design. Pull quotes are made all the more memorable when they fill a full page. With wisdom on defining what success looks like for you, whether you crunch numbers or make art, and on setting goals that reflect your desires, you’ll be stirred to action. There’s plenty of white space here to read with a pen in hand and respond to the prompts for reflection.

January 28, 7 p.m.

Word Works: Maggie Nelson on “The Writing Body” Calling all nonfiction devotees!

The inimitable Maggie Nelson will deliver the first Word Works talk of the new year when she discusses what it means to read a text written by a living body and explores the performative problem for writers who invoke ever-changing, living bodies through their work. There will be a moderated Q&A and book signing following her talk.

Richard Hugo House 634 11th Ave., Seattle hugohouse.org

January 30, 10 a.m.

From Your Own Life: Learning to Write Personal Narrative Theo Pauline Nestor, author of Writing is My Drink, will lead a memoir writing class designed to help you write beyond the surface of what happened. Bring pen and paper or a fully-charged laptop.

Freeland Library 5696 S. Harbor Ave., Freeland sno-isle.org

WHO KNEW? Border to Border Interstate 5 is one of three singledigit interstates in the United States.

The other two are I-4 in Florida and I-8, which traverses California and Arizona. I-5 begins at the U.S.-Canada border in Blaine, Washington, and spans 1,381 miles along the West Coast to end at the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, California. In between the two borders it connects Los Angeles, Sacramento, Portland, and Seattle.

Pacific Highway: Past and Present Before I-5 there was U.S. 99, also known as the Pacific Highway, which was decommissioned in the 1960s. You can still drive remnants of the route along California 99, Oregon 99, and Washington 99.

Cow Creek Rest Area

The Peace Arch

Fifty years ago, this Oregon rest stop was the site of a dedication ceremony to commemorate the completion of I-5 in Oregon. A count of both northbound and southbound rest areas in Washington, Oregon, and California reveals a total of 67 rest areas to stop at while traveling I-5.

Built by Sam Hill in 1921, The Peace Arch is a 67-foot monument located at the U.S.-Canada border on I-5. It features two inscriptions. Northbound travelers read the words, “Children of a common mother,” while southbound travelers read, “Brethren dwelling together in unity.”

January | February 2016 19

LIFESTYLE Community

© Merlin Quiggle

Snohomish County’s First TEDx Event WRITTEN BY KAITY TEER

O

n November 6, 2015, Sno-Isle Libraries presented Snohomish County’s first TEDx event. TEDx is an offshoot of TED, an international nonprofit that shares short, idea-driven talks from thought leaders and experts in a wide variety of fields through live events and online videos.

Twenty-three speakers participated in the daylong event at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. It was the first independently organized TEDx event of its kind, unlike the more than 10,000 TEDx events that have been held in communities worldwide since 2009.

Sno-Isle Libraries staff members produced the event. Kenneth Harvey, communications director, co-organized it along with Jessica Hanaumi, assistant to the executive director. Harvey explained, “We felt very grateful to the TED organization for granting us a license that enabled us to do something outside their normal guidelines. Typically when an institution holds a TEDx event, attendance is only open to its employees, or in the case of a public library, it must be held within a library building and a maximum of 100 people can attend.”

About 700 people attended the live event and hundreds more watched simulcasts at ten public libraries and four other viewing sites, which included community colleges, the Snohomish Public Utility District’s auditorium, and Arlington City Hall. The program’s theme was “Creating New Futures.” Speakers included Swil Kanim, a classically trained violinist and member of the Lummi Nation who is the president of HonorWorks; therapist Sarri Gilman, who founded Cocoon House for homeless teens; former astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger; and Tammy Mach, whose parents immigrated from Vietnam and created an award-winning machining company in Mukilteo.

For Harvey, one of the most memorable moments took place when Shaela Niles concluded her talk and was met with a standing ovation. Niles, a 25-year-old who describes herself as a “writer and monster slayer” described her experiences with 20 NorthSoundLife.com

selective mutism, an anxiety disorder that rendered her unable to speak in high-pressure situations. Niles described learning to view selective mutism as a gift rather than as a disorder and her efforts to find her voice, which included joining Toastmasters International, a group devoted to helping people learn public speaking skills.

“Her talk created such resonance with the audience that they stood to their feet,” Harvey said. “It was a very powerful experience.”

Niles said that she’ll always remember the opportunity, and the ovation. She said, “My hope for talking about my experience with the painful silence was that the signs will be more recognizable and treated properly.”

Her talk, as well as talks delivered by the full line-up of speakers, is available online.

The TEDx event fits well with Sno-Isle Libraries’ strategic plan.

“We’re all about serving as a doorway to ideas and information,” Harvey said. The team is already hard at work planning for TEDxSnoIsleLibraries 2016 and will seek a renewal license from TED. 

Wonder Woman

LIFESTYLE

WONDER WOMAN

[ APPS WE LOVE

Mayor Barbara Tolbert TED Free

WRITTEN BY KAITY TEER

T

The TED app allows you to access the entire TED Talks library on your mobile devices. Bookmark or download talks to watch or listen to whenever you’re in need of inspiration or thought-provoking content. © Mayor Barbara Tolbert

his month, Mayor Barbara Tolbert begins her second term leading the city of Arlington.

For more than twenty years now, she has made her home in the city of 18,340 near the Stillaguamish River.

She reflected, “There’s something about the community that attaches to your heart. It’s got big city opportunities but at its core it’s a friendly, caring, close-knit community.”

Tolbert has sought to build on the community’s strengths, noting the recent opening of the Arlington Community Resource Center, which helps families navigate the complex system of resources for housing, food, jobs, utilities, transportation and education. In order to generate familywage jobs, she has worked to create a Manufacturing and Industrial Center near the airport and to increase broadband and telecommunications access to Arlington.

Shortly after taking office, Tolbert faced the tremendous task of turning around the city’s finances. She increased Arlington’s financial reserves, restored the city’s bond rating, developed a 10-year financial plan, and worked with the city council to restructure city functions for greater efficiency.

Tolbert commended the city for its volunteerism, noting the more than 400 volunteers who work to produce the annual Arlington Fly-In, a substantial tourism event and the organization for which Tolbert has served as executive director since 1994. “Some volunteers put in hundreds of hours each year, in addition to their jobs and families,” she said. “This is a community that really cares about itself.”

The Arlington community came together under Tolbert’s leadership after

the devastating March 22, 2014 Oso mudslide claimed the lives of 43 people and threatened the Stillaguamish Valley with flooding. A licensed pilot, Tolbert took to the air to survey the landslide’s damage several days after the natural disaster. She was overwhelmed by the size of the debris field.

At TEDxSnoIsle, Tolbert delivered a talk about the unusual advantage of being able to view the city she leads from the air. Tolbert said, “Sometimes having that view from the air gives you perspective.”

In the wake of the slide, she worked with Darrington Mayor Dan Rankin, who received a national award for his leadership following the disaster, to form a Darrington-Arlington partnership to compete in the America’s Best Communities competition, a multistage, three-year contest which could grant up to $3 million in funds for economic revitalization. DarringtonArlington was named a quarter-finalist.

“We are a remarkably resilient, strong community,” Tolbert said.

“We’ve spent a lot of time getting ready for opportunities, and we’re at the threshold. I’m really excited for the next four years and the potential for economic development.” 

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January | February 2016 21

LIFESTYLE Five Faves

1

Snohomish Candle Co. Breathe deeply and you might recognize Snohomish Candle Co.’s memorable fragrances from area farmers markets, select home goods and gift stores, and even school fundraisers. Owners and candle makers Joe and Shannon Moore craft their candles from renewable, clean-burning palm wax. Scents range from the sophisticated and soothing Amber Romance to the warm and cozy Blueberry Muffin. A line of country-inspired scents are available at The Country Cupboard in Snohomish. snohomishcandle.com

FIVE CANDLE FAVES

MAKERS

2

Quiet Light Candles

The Orthodox Christian nuns of the Convent of the Meeting of the Lord in Stanwood produce handpoured, 100-percent pure beeswax candles all made with “care and prayer.”

Visit the sisters’ gift shop on Saturdays.

You can even pour your own tea light. quietlightcandles.com

3

Pigs Do Fly Candle Company

The distinctive, hand-drawn labels on Pigs Do Fly candles (created by nine-year-old Avery Petersen) will bring light and whimsy to any space.

Winter scents include Spruce Tree, Love Spell, and Spiced Cranberry. Ten percent of proceeds are donated to charity.

Building a community

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4

through better banking.

Clear Creek Candle

Clear Creek Candle and Gifts is a quaint shop nestled in the North Cascades foothills of Darrington. Stop in for seasonal decor and scents, as well as organic soaps and butters. You’ll find bees wax and palm wax candles and goods for your mind, body, and soul. clearcreekcandle.com

5

Pegasus Moon

Pegasus Moon, a familyowned business, produces soy candles, wax melts, and tea lights on Camano Island. Delightful scents range from Apple Jack and Sugar Plum Spice to Butt Naked (smells like youthful summertime) and Monkey Farts (smells like tropical fruits, obviously). You’ll want to pick up these candles at area farmers markets and holiday bazaars. pegasusmoon.net

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January | February 2016 23

Judith and Daniel Caldwell’s Delightful Public Art

LIFESTYLE Spotlight Artists

WRITTEN BY SHANNON BLACK

© Judith Caldwell

© Johnny Layefsky

© Shannon Black

J

udith and Daniel Caldwell may very well be the two public artists whose work you know best — even if you don’t know you know them. You’ll find their artwork installed throughout the Northwest in places both prominent and obscure. From Sea-Tac International Airport, Seattle Center, and the Everett Station to schools across the state and even the Edmonds Stages of History Self-Guided Walking Tour, the Caldwells shape our landscape and enhance our experiences of community spaces through their public art installations.

You and your luggage have probably cruised over the more than 300 bronze fish swimming through Sea-Tac Airport’s Concourse B, embedded in the terrazzo floor. This is the work of Judith and Daniel Caldwell. The whimsical installation represents more than fifty different native and transplanted fresh water and anadromous species . Anadromous fish are born in fresh water, spend most of their lives in the sea, then return to fresh water to spawn. With so many people coming and going, yet sharing the airport as common ground, it’s a fitting work of art for an airport, according to Judith Caldwell.

The Caldwells don’t seem to worry too much about getting credit for their artwork. Though they make their living by producing public art, the motivation for their work is deeply altruistic. “I never cared about having anyone know one way or the other (who made it) just as long as people were delighted by the artwork,” Judith said. “That’s really the only thing that mattered.”

They devote intense thought to every single project they take on, fiercely investigating all angles before beginning the design process. Bookshelves stocked with endless research fill their Beverly Park studio and foundry. Judith particularly enjoys the challenges of research and is fascinated by the historical and modern stories of a region. She traces how both nature and humans impact a place.

As she ruminates on her findings, her subconscious gets to work and as if by magic, offers up a design idea.

“I’ll be trying to take a nap and all of sudden it pops out,” Judith said with a smile. “You just can’t ever stop believing that it’s going to work. (The idea) changes and evolves as time goes on, but the seed comes out of the interaction between the research and the unconscious mind.”

Daniel refines her inspiration with his own ideas and keen editing eye. “He’s a wonderful editor and thinker,” Judith said as Daniel reaches out to hold her hand. This sweet subtle act of love offers a glimpse into their personal relationship as well as their working relationship.

© Peter Tametta of Highwire

© Judith and Daniel Caldwell

© Judith and Daniel Caldwell

© Judith and Daniel Caldwell

They first met in 1997, when Judith was teaching at Pratt Fine Arts Center where Daniel was a sculpture technician.

Together, they were demonstrating iron pouring at a blacksmith conference when sparks flew of another nature. Their first kiss was on Tuesday, and they were engaged on Thursday.

“I met all of Judith’s friends as her fiancé,” Daniel grinned.

“It only took people meeting Daniel for an hour for them to get on board. For one thing he’s super cute,” Judith laughed. “We consider ourselves very lucky. It was like coming home after spending an eternity looking for one.”

“Sometimes you just know; and we just knew,” Daniel professed.

All of Judith and Daniel’s work feels much like their relationship, that it was always meant to be there, inevitably fitting in with its surroundings.

Both Judith and Daniel are university trained sculptors and metal casters. Judith studied at the University of Washington and Daniel at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. They each bring a specific expertise to the table — Judith with sand casting and Daniel in lost wax — which gives them a wider berth of subject matter and type of sculpting they can achieve together than apart. Their wide range of skills makes them quite the artist power house couple.

Look for their works all over the Northwest, including at the Everett Station, where they designed the terrazzo floor in the great hall using mother of pearl and colored glass to represent the Snohomish River leading into the Sound and imbedding regionally important bronze ships into the floor.

Spotlight Artists

LIFESTYLE

The outside pillars, Pillars of Industry as they’re titled, simultaneously represent three major ages — bronze, iron, and steel — and three major industrial eras of importance for Everett — the logging and mining of the 19th century (the bronze pillar), mills and factories of the 20th century (the iron pillar), and aviation and tech industry of the 21st century (the steel pillar). Each pillar offers layers of thought-provoking insight into Everett’s history.

Their most recent project, Artists at Play, opened this year at The Seattle Center. Designed with a team, the work is a children’s playground mixing sound, motion, and play. They worked with sound artist Trimpin, the landscape architects of Site Workshop, and the playground equipment specialists of Highwire to create and complete the project. The Caldwells produced 124 bronze castings placed in the playground, 38 of those reflect what sound means to the local children they polled. The playground is a work of remarkable artistry and imagination, one that both children and adults alike can’t get enough of.

From grand public displays like Blue Sky Baskets in White Center to tucked away corners like the humble embeddings of Paw Prints in the downtown Seattle REI to bronze masterpieces on school campuses, the Caldwells help shape and artistically humanize our Northwest landscape. They share wonder and contemplation through storied sculpture. Spend some time exploring the joy of public art as part of your 2016 bucket list! 

January | February 2016 25

HIGHEST SEASONAL SNOWFALL

SHOP Savvy Shopper · Necessities · Around the Sound

The Savvy Traveler WRITTEN BY GAREN GLAZIER PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAITY TEER

I

t’s a beautiful morning in Edmonds and Petra Rousu’s shop, The Savvy Traveler, is full of customers preparing for their next adventure. Whether they’re off on a European adventure, a relaxing beach vacation, or a more rugged trek, the store is a trove of clever travel accessories and packing essentials.

“We search for new, unique, and practical items that make traveling easier,” said Petra, who started The Savvy Traveler in 1997. Seeing the world has always been Petra’s passion. She started traveling as a teenager growing up in Germany and has been on every type of adventure, from safaris to cruises.

To date, she has visited more than 60 countries.

“I was never able to find all my travel needs in one place,” she recalled. So, she was inspired to create a store that is a one-stop shop for clothing, accessories, and luggage. Petra designed it to provide the necessities for traveling in as streamlined and convenient a way as possible, all while keeping an eye on good design. … continued on page 29

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Indeed, many of the products in The Savvy Traveler are both stylish and functional. The large clothing selection is a perfect example. Each item must meet a rigorous set of criteria before it makes into the store, said Alexandra Rousu, Petra’s daughter and the store manager. Every piece, from flirty dresses and sophisticated tunics to versatile tanks and sweaters, or men’s button-downs and pants, must be quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle-resistant. The fabrics are polished, but technical, and selected with layering in mind.

“Our clothes can get you just about anywhere, from a day of sightseeing to a fancy restaurant in the evening,” Petra added.

The Savvy Traveler also has a wellstocked luggage section with bags in a range of sizes — all chosen, according to Petra, because they offer the best quality for the best price, blend style, and functionality. Each piece is easy to carry and incorporates a slew of features, including thoughtfully placed pockets, durable material, and even, for select lines, a lifetime guarantee.

The selection of handbags and purses is equally impressive, with a similar emphasis on quality, style, and practicality. Many bags are anti-theft and offer slash-proof straps and zipper

keepers that make it difficult for thieves to access your personal belongings in crowded areas.

Petra, Alexandra, and other staff members invite customers to try on clothing and test out bags. That’s an important step when choosing something as essential as luggage, and also an added benefit that sets The Savvy Traveler apart from online retailers.

“Retail has changed tremendously over the last few years with the onslaught of choices that are offered to consumers online,” Petra said. But the ability to test out products in person, ask knowledgeable salespersons questions, and shop a selection of products curated for quality are advantages unique to businesses like The Savvy Traveler.

“Specialty stores fill a niche that online retailers and big box stores can’t fill: service and experience,” Petra said.

“We help our customers select the right products for their needs. They get expert advice and service.”

This focus on service is evident in the Saturday seminars The Savvy Traveler offers. The store hosts experts in regional travel topics as diverse as Uncharted Peru and Sensuous Southern Italy, as well as language classes. “It is a great way to educate yourself about

a country you are considering traveling to,” said Petra.

The Savvy Traveler’s most popular seminar is all about packing. Petra and Alexandra share their expertise on packing smart and light. They help take the worry out of one of the more stressful aspects of travel, while also turning their customers on to the array of ingenious travel accessories they offer. The impressive range of products includes Petra’s favorite, packing cubes, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes to help keep a travel wardrobe organized.

“You don’t need to repack,” Alexandra enthused, “just restack. It’s like playing Tetris in your suitcase.”

It’s this sense of fun and adventure that makes The Savvy Traveler not only a practical stop when preparing for a journey, but also a great place for travel inspiration. Petra and Alexandra’s wanderlust is infectious. “It is fun to share our recommendations and outfit our customers for their adventure,” said Petra. “Being an independent store and catering to the special needs of our customers is a very satisfying and rewarding experience.” 

112 5th Ave. S., Edmonds 425.744.6076 savvytraveleredmonds.com January | February 2016 29

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30 NorthSoundLife.com

Around the Sound

SHOP

© Warby Parker

Something Warby This Way Comes WRITTEN BY KAITY TEER

C

alling all fashion-forward, philanthropic, four-eyed lovers of the written word! A bookish spectacle known as the Warby Parker Annex opened its doors in the Fremont neighborhood last October. This is the New York-based eyewear retailer’s third Annex, and it joins a growing line-up of thirteen other stores nationwide.

Loyal customers who have purchased eyeglasses online, or perhaps in-person when the Warby Parker school bus rolled through town on its cross-country tour in October 2012, or more recently during last summer’s Pop-In@Nordstrom popup shop, can now visit the company’s first standalone retail location in the Pacific Northwest.

The Annex in Seattle reflects the literary theme of the Nordstrom pop-up shop. Books influence the space at every turn and are even available for purchase. Browse titles from independent publishers like McSweeney’s and New Directions while you try on frames surrounded by other writerly kitsch, including typewriters and coffee mugs, of course. A window installation of stacked books and a literal writer’s block (literally, a cement block with customer-generated scribblings on it) are among the first sights customers both near-sighted and far-sighted will see upon entering the store. Stop by the

Reference Deck (a nod to public libraries) to ask advice, get your frames adjusted or pick up orders. Both sunwear and optical frames are available for purchase.

Warby Parker — its name derived from those found in Jack Kerouac’s journals — first debuted in 2010 as an e-commerce purveyor of vintage-inspired, designer eyeglasses available at affordable prices. It pioneered a free at-home try-on service, which gave potential customers the opportunity to select five trial frames to wear for five days. Its “buy a pair, give a pair” model has distributed more than a million pairs of glasses to people in need, according to the company’s website, by partnering with VisionSpring, a non-profit that trains low-income men and women to give eye exams and sell eyeglasses in their own communities. In all, more than 18,000 men and women in over 35 countries have received training. So, your visit to the Annex in a quest to look stylish and smart may do some good, too.

Perhaps a new pair of specs will stir the writer in you. If so, you may find yourself picking up a pen and contributing your own five-word memoir to the growing compendium on the concrete writer’s block.

Here’s mine: I wore glasses in kindergarten. 

January | February 2016 31

SHOP Savvy Shopper

Lather & Salt WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANNON BLACK

1015 First Street, Snohomish 360.722.9090 latherandsalt.com

THE SHOP Tucked — almost squeezed — neatly between Everything Tea and Roger’s Riverview Bistro on Snohomish’s main downtown First Street drag is a delicious bath and body shop. Though it only occupies about 75-square-feet of space, Lather & Salt smartly fills every nook with odoriferous goodness. Chemicalfree soap and personal care product lovers will rejoice at the decadent bath bars and skin balms only an arms reach away, no matter which way you turn; however, you’ll only find them open on the weekends so plan your trip well.

THE ATMOSPHERE Walking into Lather & Salt is like walking into a chic, mod apothecary for your senses. Even on a cloudy day, light from the First Street entrance’s wall of windows floods through for a cheerful brightness. French music lightly dances off exposed brick while sweet and spicy ambrosial fragrances tantalize the olfactory senses.

KEY PEOPLE Wife-and-husband team Hannah and Brian Long lovingly hand make every thing in the shop, which opened in May 2015. They operated as Washington Soap Works for three years prior and sold at craft shows, but with growing popular demand, they needed a place their line could call home. From a young age, Hannah created balms and perfumes for friends and family. As she got older, her frustrations mounted as she tried to find quality skin care products without detergents, harmful chemicals, and artificial ingredients, so she set out to make her own.

Through countless hours of research, experimentation, and working with a cosmetic chemist, her passion turned into a bubbly business.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND More than 80 all-natural varieties of meticulously crafted olive oil, glycerine, and goat milk based soaps festoon the shelves alongside scrumptious soaking salts, body butters, shaving bars, bath bombs, candles, solid perfumes, and loofahs.

Lather & Salt sources their ingredients locally as much as possible. They procure items like lavender, goat milk, and honey from farmers and bee keepers in the area. Scent profiles appeal to a wide range of customers, from the simple oats and honey fragrance to the more unique combinations, like smoked lavender and peppermint rose. Names like Dirty Girl, Mr. Wonderful, and Mountain Man also beg to be sniffed and tried. Activated charcoal can also be found in some of their lines to help relieve stubborn breakouts and blemishes.

MAKER’S FAVORITE Hannah says a good natural soap like the ones you’ll find at Lather & Salt will keep your skin feeling clean and soft without drying it out and that feeling in and of itself is a favorite. But if she had to choose just one, she’d pick the soap that started it all — Take Me Back a calendula-infused olive oil soap with cocoa and strawberry. If you can’t make it in on the weekends to pick one up, Hannah gladly accepts phone orders, and online ordering will come soon. Happy lathering! 

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WELLBEING Menu · Spa Review · Races & Runs · Beauty

Warm Up from the Inside Out WRITTEN BY JENNIFER ADLER M.S., C.N.

H

ave you ever wondered why most raw food retreats are in sunny, tropical locations? Or why we crave a bowl of hot oatmeal on a brisk morning instead of fresh fruit? When it is wintry outside, our bodies gravitate toward foods that are naturally warming.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), warming foods are foundational during winter. This is because the body is seen as a microcosm of the natural world, which changes with the seasons. Chinese dietary tradition focuses on eating foods that harmonize with the seasons. This can be accomplished naturally by eating more local foods.

“Nature provides the foods that keep our bodies in balance at certain times of the year,” said Elson Haas, M.D., author of Staying Healthy with the Seasons. “When it’s cool out, we need to add more fuel to the furnace.” You may notice this in your four-legged companion’s hunger, as they become ravenous in the wintertime. It is natural to have a stronger appetite and crave heavier foods this time of year. Traditionally people gain a few pounds in the winter only to notice them melt off in the warmer months.

In the Pacific Northwest, the winter weather is cold and wet. Cold is yin in Chinese Medicine. Yin is considered to be expanding, upward energy and needs the contracting energy of yang for balance. Heat is yang and … continued on the next page

WELLBEING Nutrition

… is the contracting, downward energy. There are many warming foods and warming cooking methods you can use to get enough yang to balance the yin weather.

Animals in the wild naturally live in harmony with this cycle. They eat what is available and this signals their body to respond to the environment. As they eat a diet of seasonal foods, they keep warm in winter and cool in summer. Since our grocery stores have foods from far reaches of the globe available at our fingertips, we need to be more conscious about choosing warming foods if we want to stay warm up from the inside out during cold weather months.

This winter, experiment with the following guidelines to stoke your internal fire.

Focus on cooked winter squashes and root vegetables, such as burdock, beets, carrots and parsnips. The downward contractive energy of foods like these, which are grown under the soil, makes them ideal warming foods. These are foods that are typically harvested in the fall and stored for the winter.

Store up energy by enjoying strengthening, warming foods like long cooked soups and stews. Start your day with a whole grain warm cereal or porridge. Branch out and try brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth or millet, to name a few.

Utilize warming spices such as cayenne, black pepper, ginger, cumin, garlic, and coriander. These spices will add zip to your everyday foods and increase circulation and warmth within your body.

Limit the consumption of iced beverages. These are too yin and cold for winter weather. Instead drink hot or room temperature fluids.

Limit yin foods like bananas. These increase cold in our body and therefore can increase chances of getting a cold.

Just as some foods that are in-season in the winter will warm your body, so will different cooking methods. Braising on the stovetop or in the oven with a flavorful liquid is a perfect example. This tenderizes meat and vegetables and infuses them with flavor, and can make even tough, less expensive cuts of meat tender. You can also simmer foods with low heat. The longer you cook food the more of a warming effect it will have on your body.

Another method is to roast vegetables in the oven with butter and salt until golden and crispy around the edges. This is a delicious way to turn an ordinary vegetable, extraordinary. Or use a pressure cooker or crock-pot. Imagine putting a chicken plus a bunch of root vegetables into the crock-pot in the morning to return home at night with dinner hot and ready. Cooking food with these methods nourishes our body on a very deep level while helping our body to build heat. An added bonus is that these long-term cooking methods also make the food easier to digest.

It is easy to get chilled and catch a cold during these frosty months. Take care this winter to stay warm by focusing on eating foods that warm and nourish to keep you toasty from the inside out. 

36 NorthSoundLife.com

Beauty

WELLBEING

A Streamlined Transition from Day to Evening Quick Tips for a More Efficient Beauty Routine WRITTEN BY ASHLEY THOMASSON PHOTOGRAPHED BY MADELINE TAKATA

T

he New Year is an excellent time to update your inventory of beauty products and streamline your routine to save you time and money. With so many obligations to manage, it may seem nearly impossible to find time to pamper yourself so you look and feel your best. With that in mind, I’m eager to share some ideas to help you maximize the time you do spend prepping for special events. It may just convince you to meet up with your friends after work, even if it is dark and rainy out.

I’ve pulled together my favorite quickie-tips to take you from day to night in no time flat — you’ll be party ready before you know it! All you will need is five minutes and these affordable drug-store products and you can add instant glitz, drama, shine, and color to your evening look — while saving you time to catch your breath!

Tips for Your Daytime Look In order to create a clean transition to your evening look, it’s important to not overdo your daytime look; stick to the basics. When it comes to your eye shadow, I recommend using a neutral, matte shade on your lid. Keep the blush subtle and use a sheer gloss on your lips. Using a sheer gloss will help make changing your lip color a breeze later!

Flip the Switch When picking items to transform the look for the evening, it was important for me to find items that would not only make the job quick and easy, but that were also compact and easily portable. Taking up minimal space in your clutch, you’ll be able to freshen up just before leaving the office or even sitting in the car outside!

The Glitz — Roll-On Eyeshadow This may sound like a joke, but it’s not! Roll-on eyeshadow had a brief stint about ten years ago and is starting to make a comeback, and I’m so glad! No need to bring a brush — just a

few swipes across your lid and you’ve completely transformed your look. My favorite roll-on eyeshadow is by NYX and a steal at only $4. Here, we used their “roll-on eye shimmer” in Chestnut, but they have many other bold, metallic colors, perfect for that touch of glam!

The Drama — Jumbo Eyeliner The quickest and easiest way to add a smoky effect to your look is with a chubby eyeliner. These pencils are soft and usually need minimal blending. Plus, their size makes it easy to apply quickly without needing to worry too much about precision. You can use it just on the top alone or add line across the bottom for a truly smoky effect in seconds. I recommend the Jumbo Eye Pencil by NYX. It is only $5, has great pigment, is smudge-proof, and is sure to last you all night long.

Pro tip: pop a q-tip into your purse if you want to smudge the eyeliner out for a softer effect.

The Shine — Highlighter Join the new strobing revolution and add some liquid highlighter to the top of your cheekbones. Focusing on where the light naturally hits your face, strobing gives your cheekbones a natural, little, facelift while also adding an alluring glow. A little goes a long way; just blend a few dabs in with your ring finger. I recommend L’Oreal’s Magic Lumi Highlighter Pen as the perfect on-the-go illuminator.

The Color — Party Lipstick What evening look would be complete without a bold and fun lipstick? While bright reds and pinks are always classic, darker, satin-finish colors are making a big splash this winter. My current favorite lip product comes from Milani and it is their Power Lip Lasting Gloss Stain. For only $7, it adds a bold dose of color coverage while keeping a youthful, glossy finish. It also doubles as a lip stain, ensuring you don’t have to worry about touching up throughout the night. 

January | February 2016 37

WELLBEING Trail Review

Portage Creek Wildlife Area WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEN BRANTINGHAM

Length 2 miles round-trip Elevation gain 0 feet Trail condition Grass Directions Take I-5 to Exit 208 and go east on Highway 530. Turn right on 59th Ave. NE. After a quarter-mile, beyond the horse pasture, look for a gravel road on the right side. It will have a white pipe gate. 59th Ave. NE, Arlington.

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nter a land that is in the process of returning to its primeval origins. The former dairy farm is now grassland, and the peat mine is gone. Portage Creek Wildlife Area is gradually reverting to wetlands wilderness after years of commercial use. Even the foot trails are disappearing.

What is emerging is a habitat for migrating birds, deer and other small mammals, reptilian creatures, amphibians, and aquatic life such as the Coho salmon.

“Bring binoculars,” advised Sharon Swan of the Snohomish Parks and Recreation Department. Swan was directly involved when the county first acquired the former peat mine in 1995 and the dairy farm a year later.

Private ranch land and neighborhoods encompass the 158acre property. On the south side is the Arlington Municipal Airport. Its flight path runs directly over Portage Creek.

Hikers also have to contend with the faint but ever-present noise from vehicular traffic on the surrounding streets and highways. The reserve is shaped on the north side like a 38 NorthSoundLife.com

square lot, but the meanderings of Portage Creek contour its south side.

There is only one authorized entrance, located off 59th Ave. NE in Arlington. Look for a small sign pointing towards a gravel road. At the end of the road are parking and the trail head. Note the sign barring dogs.

From here, enter and keep right along the fence line. After 200 yards is a small bench for wildlife viewing. The path follows the cottonwood trees planted in a row heading south.

Vegetation flourishes as you head towards the center of the reserve. Watch for tall cattails that rise up like corn dogs on a stick, horse hair that resembles bamboo shoots, and many colorful flowers along the ground. Beware of poison hemlock.

It rises up about three feet, has white pedals, and is identical to Queen Anne’s lace.

“We had a problem with poison hemlock,” Swan said. “It took quite a while to deal with.” The plant is difficult to eradicate and toxic to humans.

On the grassy fringes of the trail you may see toads and an occasional harmless garter snake scrambling to get out of your way. The sight is startling at first. Consider these signs of the wetlands returning to health.

Behind the cottonwoods is a motionless creek bordered by shrubs, bark, and young cedars. A hundred yards down the trail you will find a bench and an interpretive sign about the restoration of the wetlands. Behind this sign is a break in the trees for a close-up view of the stream.

Next is the first of two sturdy bridges. Use these as viewing platforms. They’re separated from each other by about 200 feet of pathway. Watch for great blue herons, red-tail hawks, eagles, and flocks of swallows darting over the trees. It’s likely

that water-fowl, mallard ducks, and Canadian geese are present in the marshy areas. Deer and other small mammals like beaver and raccoons frequent the area.

After the second bridge, the trail continues to the southern end of the property. Water pools up here and can be very muddy to slog through. Manmade structures remain in this lower part for the time being. A collapsed log cabin lies disintegrating into the wet ground. A two-story red barn stands abandoned and fenced off. Nearby are a concrete slab foundation, hewn wood logs, and a sign for parking. These are remnants of a previous version of the reserve, when a colorful character named Gene Ammon had custodial duties here.

In 1978, Ammon discontinued his peat farm and created his own preserve. He called it Amens Wildlife Sanctuary and he promoted it with a giant sign atop scaffolding. In 1992, he approached Snohomish County to sell his 20 acres, which they eventually purchased. The name was altered to Portage Wildlife Sanctuary. The entrance sign is visible behind a

Trail Review

WELLBEING

thicket of brush near the barn. The barn housed a bird habitat on the top level and an education center below.

Ammon remained connected to the property even after the sale to the county. He wasn’t hard to miss. With a stocky build, he sported a full white beard that flowed over his chest.

He rode around the city of Arlington on a bike as colorful and interesting as he was. While walking around Portage Creek taking pictures with his digital camera, he noticed strange orbs appearing in his images. He considered these lost spirits. Ammon captured over 400 of these images, according to The Arlington Times.

Portage Creek Wildlife Area is a land still healing from a century of human activity. Much of the reserve has returned to a natural state where animal life is thriving.

Visitors will enjoy more than a hundred acres to roam and investigate all year round with ample bird watching and wildlife viewing opportunities.â€‰ď ´

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The first step to healthy living?

Healthy shopping.

M

ost of us realize we could probably stand to eat and live a little healthier. Of course, knowing that and doing it are two totally different things. See: deep-fried cheese, couch-potatoing, etc.

Fortunately, Haggen can help you find ways to live healthier in every aisle and every corner of our stores. We have more fresh and local produce. More local meat and dairy. More fresh, scratch-made bakery items made with local, sustainable flour. More non-GMO, organic and glutenfree items. And health and beauty departments with a wide variety of traditional, homeopathic and natural products.

At Haggen, the story behind the food we offer is just as important as the food itself. Fresh. Local. Sustainable.

Organic. To us, those aren’t buzzwords. They’re how we see the world, how we want to feed our families and how we hope to help you feed yours.

Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables is probably the biggest key to a healthy lifestyle. That’s why Haggen has so many great relationships with local farmers. And in the dark months of winter and early spring when finding local produce can be a challenge, our broader network of producers help us keep our stores and your fridge stocked.

A great way to make sure your family eats enough veggies is to find new, less boring ways to serve them. You’ll find delicious ideas for vegetables, meat, fish, salads, drinks and more at haggen.com/recipes.

40 NorthSoundLife.com

You can feel good about eating sustainably produced, fresh and organic foods. Our partnerships with local and sustainable meat producers ensure you get the freshest, healthiest meat possible. Tender, locally raised USDA Choice beef. Free range and organic chicken. All natural pork. And local, pasture raised lamb.

That’s also why Haggen partners with local dairies to bring you the freshest milk and eggs possible. All our milk is rBST free and we offer a variety of organic, all natural and grass fed milks. We also feature a wide range of cage free, organic and pasture raised eggs.

One aspect of healthy living that doesn’t get enough attention has to do with reducing stress. Simple as it sounds, Haggen can help you do just that helping you cut the number of errands you run. From great values on everyday groceries down the center aisles, to our in-store pharmacies, to our wide variety of natural health and beauty products, you can cross off a bunch of errands under one roof. Fewer trips means less stress.

Finally, Haggen is a huge supporter of healthy living.

But we’re also big believers in moderation. As nutritious as broccoli is, you can’t live by cruciferous veggies alone. Well, you probably can, but it wouldn’t be much fun. So, remember to treat yourself to one of our famous, scratch-baked donuts on occasion. You’ll be glad you did. 

Healthy living starts with healthy shopping At Haggen, you’ll find farm fresh organic produce, sustainably sourced Northwest beef and seafood, hearty, in-store baked artisan breads, plus hundreds of gluten free and organic products throughout the store. Natural health and beauty care products?

We’ve got those, too.

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HABITAT Home Remodel Tips and Tricks · Featured Home

Northwest Modern Luxury Home WRITTEN BY KAITY TEER | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSE YOUNG

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ocated in Kirkland’s desirable East of Market neighborhood, the Northwest Modern Home by builder Mickey Hansen, owner of H2 View, features breathtaking mountain, lake, and city views and ready access to local restaurants, shops and parks.

Enter through the solid walnut and glass, pivot-style door.

An unconventional take on the contemporary open floor plan, Hansen calls this a “reverse-open floor plan.” You’ll find two beautiful master suites on the main floor, a mid-level garage and entrance, and entertainment areas that maximize the top floor’s incredible vistas. Here, there is ample space for offering hospitality to a houseful of guests as the kitchen unfolds into the family, living, dining, and media rooms.

The master-suite includes such comforts as two dual-controlled showerheads, a freestanding bathtub, backlit mirrors, and a washer/dryer conveniently located in the oversized, walk-in closet. An additional laundry station is located near the other bedrooms and the second master suite.

Perhaps the crown jewel of the entertainment space, a glassed-in wine display room showcases a wine library and is conveniently located near the wet bar, an upgrade from the traditional bottom-floor wine cellar. The home’s three gas fireplaces, including the two-way fireplace shared between the office and living room, are stunning focal points, which warm the cool design palette and make it easy for friends and family find a cozy spot for conversation.

High-tech features in this connected home allow the residents to control lighting, temperature, and locks and home security from their smart phones, offering peace of home when they are away. Though we’re sure a home this stylish and comfortable makes residents reluctant to leave and eager to return.  … continued on the next page

Bi-parting walnut veneer pocket doors make the media room suitable for both gatherings both large and small. The wet bar is located off the media room.

A contemporary exterior design features el dorado stone veneer.

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The kitchen features custom walnut cabinetry, glacial pearl granite, a flush-set Miele induction cooktop, and a walk-through grand pantry, which includes a dumbwaiter from the garage — perfect for unloading groceries with ease.

The second master suite was designed so it can be easily converted into a large home office space.

January | February 2016 45

ROOM TO BREATHE Make Space for Change in the New Y ear WRITTEN BY KAITY TEER

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inter in the Pacific Northwest. The near-constant cloud cover brings the sky low and drapes the landscape in shadows. Often it’s dark

when we wake to leave for work and dark once more by the time we return home. For most of us, the colder, wetter, gloomier weather means more time spent

This season often brings with it time to notice those things that might benefit from change, both within our dwellings and within ourselves. More time inside means you might notice crowded cupboards, broken drawers, and cluttered countertops. And as you reflect on the previous year and look forward to the year ahead, you might also notice areas of your life where you desire more simplicity, balance, or healthier habits.

If you’re looking to make space for change in the New Year, but you’re not sure where to start, or if the thought of getting organized is overwhelming, it might be wise to call in a professional for encouragement and advice.

I joined Monika Kristofferson, professional organizer and productivity consultant, at her home office in Lake Stevens. Over a cup of tea, we discussed strategies for making space in our homes and in our lives for accomplishing personal goals in the New Year.

At one point during our interview, I couldn’t help marveling over her smart, practical advice. “Your friends must love you,” I blurted out. She’s the kind of person who knows just what to say or do to solve a problem without being a know-it-all about it, and she is

indoors. In January, once the festivities of the holidays are over, the winter season can mean a rest from activity and an increase in more contemplative pursuits, like reading by the fire with a warm cup of tea. Just as we are driven indoors, our thoughts may be marked by a greater deal of interiority and reflection.

“I think you get through the holidays and the year has just wrapped up,” Kristofferson said, “It’s an exciting and promising time to set goals.” as compassionate toward messes and mess-makers as she is vigilant about getting things cleaned up and sorted out.

According to Kristofferson, January is an excellent time for this sort of work. “I think you get through the holidays and the year has just wrapped up,” Kristofferson said, “And it does seem like a natural time to think about where you’re at and where you want to be. It’s an exciting and promising time to set goals.”

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SIMPLIFY YOUR SPACE If you want to make changes to your home and to your life, it helps to make space and take stock.

Simplifying things can help you see more clearly.

It’s an important first step for getting organized and setting goals, and it even saves you time.

Kristofferson shared this terrifying statistic from Mary Anne Lessley’s File Anything In Your Home: “When someone must search 15 minutes per day for an important document or possession, they lose 11, eight-hour days per year.”

Kristofferson recommends targeting common trouble spots for clutter. If you go after these organizing “big wins” that require minimal effort, you’ll experience the reward of visible progress. Trust us, it will feel really good to do these simple things.

Coffee cups Many people begin their day by stumbling into the kitchen and fixing a cup of coffee or tea. When

you’re still bleary-eyed and in need of caffeine, you want selecting a mug from the cupboard to be as simple as possible. You shouldn’t have to worry about setting off an avalanche of precariously stacked mugs.

“It sounds silly,” Kristofferson said, “But people tend to have an unmanageable amount of coffee cups that are just spilling out of the cupboard, even though they have favorites that they prefer to use on a daily basis.”

Select only the mugs you need and donate the rest.

If you have a large family or regularly host large tea parties or don’t wash dishes frequently and really need extras, consider purchasing a cabinet shelf organizer, which will provide an additional level of storage for neatly and safely stacking coffee cups.

Toiletries Likewise, a calm and tidy vanity for getting ready in the morning can help set a positive outlook for your day. Many people store make-up in a single drawer or

MONIKA KRISTOFFERSON

basket, which makes it a great project to tackle in just an hour or two.

The clutter of unused products can quickly add up. Start by throwing away duplicates and expired products. No need to keep clumpy mascara or old, thick nail polish. Next, part ways with lipsticks, eye shadows, and liners that just didn’t work out. You shouldn’t feel obliged to keep something you won’t use just because you spent money on it.

“Women tend to get samples or purchase new colors that don’t work out,” Kristofferson said. “By just pulling all of that out and seeing the volume that you have and keeping only what you need, it will help you feel better first thing in the morning if your drawer is in order. And you’ll be able to find things faster, which will make your morning routine more efficient.”

Once you have your make-up storage under control, you might just feel compelled to take a quick peek underneath the sink, too, where shampoo, hair spray, and lotion bottles can accumulate. Again, don’t feel bad about the products that didn’t work out. Better to remove them from your space, and feel good about using the products you love.

Paper

“Organizing is a process not an event,” she said.

“Once you organize a space it will not stay that way unless you maintain that space.”

48 NorthSoundLife.com

Most people pause to collect the contents of their mailbox before entering their home at the end of the day. Once inside, you may feel too tired to sort through bills, catalogs, and credit card offers. Stop this energy drain by going after its source. Even if you don’t feel ready to sort through existing stacks of paper lurking in your home office or filing cabinet, you can still take several easy steps now to reduce the amount of paper coming into your home.

“Mail is its own beast,” Kristofferson said. “That’s probably the number one thing I hear from people. They’re overwhelmed by all the paper.”

Several popular websites make it easy to unsubscribe from junk mail.

Visit dmachoice.org for junk mail and catalogchoice.org to manage communications from retailers. There are also resources online for controlling unwanted mail if you have an aging parent or loved one living in your home.

For example, there are do-not-contact lists for caregivers and persons who are deceased. “Often people receive mail for a deceased relative for many years,” Kristofferson said, which can be both overwhelming and distressing.

FORM HEALTHY HABITS Kristofferson is quick to caution that simplifying your space isn’t achieved overnight. It’s important to break big goals into manageable, achievable steps. Aim to develop processes and habits that help you achieve your goals over time.

“Organizing is a process not an event,” she said.

“Once you organize a space it will not stay that way unless you maintain that space.”

One of Kristofferson’s genius recommendations for maintaining an organized space is to keep a box or bag that’s designated at all times to collect items you no longer use or wear. Periodically take this box or bag to charity while you’re out running errands. You don’t even have to wait until it’s full.

Encourage your family members and housemates to use the box or bag, as well. It’s even a good life lesson for kids to develop the habit of periodically decluttering, according to Kristofferson.

The best thing about making good decisions about your stuff and your life is that it benefits your neighbors and the planet, too. If you no longer appreciate, use, or wear something, then it’s better to pass it on to someone who needs it.

Kristofferson provides her clients with a helpful list of community organizations that accept donations. Be sure to send your stuff where it will do the most good. Similarly, by reducing the amount of junk mail you receive, you help conserve natural resources.

“Sometimes it’s hard for people to get rid of things,” Kristofferson said, “because it cost them a lot of money to purchase them.”

She encourages clients to develop preventative purchasing habits. Before you make a purchase, consider how you will use and store it. “They say we wear 20 percent of our clothing,” Kristofferson said. “It causes stress, frustration, and feelings of guilt if you have to bypass the other 80 percent of items taking up space in your closet to access what you want to wear.”

The key here is to purchase and keep items that you love. As Marie Kondo puts it in her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, “We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of.”

Finally, as with any habit, sometimes you need a good coach to help you really develop. It’s important to recognize when you would benefit from the

January | February 2016 49

FIND BALANCE help of a professional. Kristofferson said that clients often reach out to her during times of transition. Perhaps a loved one has passed away, maybe they are going through a divorce, or downsizing after children have moved out, or consolidating homes with a new partner.

One of the key benefits of working with a professional organizer is that they are a neutral party.

When you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and stuck, it’s hard to make progress alone and you need support. But family members who want to be helpful can sometimes cause feelings of guilt, shame, or anger that complicate the process of change.

“When I’m working with someone, I’m checking in with them to gauge their emotions. I try to alleviate tension and encourage them with photos of the progress we’re making. I want to be a cheerleader,” Kristofferson said. “And I never push them to keep working, if I can tell they would benefit from a break.” In fact, she recommends only decluttering and organizing in short sessions, up to two or three hours at a time.

50 NorthSoundLife.com

Eliminating the material clutter taking up space in your home can be instructive. It may just become a habit of mind and a way of being.

As it turns out, learning how to say “no” to the objects you no longer need or want is good practice for saying “no” to other aspects of your life that no longer serve you. As Barbara Hemphill puts it in her book Taming the Paper Tiger at Home, “Clutter is postponed decisions.”

Organizing your home by making decisions rather than postponing them can actually empower you to feel more confident taking charge and making decisions about your life.

Kristofferson has created two journals for her clients to use as tools for change: A Small Journal of BIG Goals and Little Book of Balance. They are covered with inspiration. Literally. Their covers bear phrases like: breathe deeply, embrace selfcare, love yourself, dream big, set goals, and create good habits.

In fact, maybe you should pause right now and re-read that list. Take a deep breath. Now, don’t you feel inspired to begin?

In her journal, Little Book of Balance, Kristofferson writes, “One of the keys to living a balanced life is embracing the difficult task of saying ‘No,’ when it’s appropriate. The second key is learning to say, ‘Yes,’ when it’s appropriate.”

At the start of the year, it is a good time to reflect on what that means for you. Perhaps it means limiting interactions with a toxic friend who drains your energy. Maybe it means excusing yourselves from volunteer commitments that no longer excite you.

Just as she imparts wisdom on parting ways with stuff, Kristofferson offers tips on how to say no gracefully. Among my favorites: “Thank you, but this isn’t a good fit for me right now,” and “I would love to take that on after I drop something else from my schedule.”

Resolving to cook healthier meals, exercise more frequently, or sleep better means little if you are trying to add to your routine without making space in your schedule to accomplish these goals. Just as with managing stuff, it’s important to both add and remove things from your life for balance.

Finally, here is some practical, compassionate advice: “Remember, you don’t have to be perfect,” Kristofferson said. “Being organized is about having systems so you can restore order quickly.”

When it comes to simplifying, finding balance, and developing healthy habits, the goal is never perfection. So as you consider resolutions this New Year, resolve to make progress. And remember, often with goal setting it’s just as important to think about how you want to feel as it is to contemplate what you wish to accomplish.

With each day of the New Year, the light is returning. In the midst of fog and chilly rain it’s possible to overlook it, to miss the signs of daylight increasing by minutes as the sun rises earlier and sets later. Make this a time for reflection, and find the inspiration you need to embrace the promise of the year ahead. 

“Remember, you don’t have to be perfect,” Kristofferson said. “Being organized is about having systems so you can restore order quickly.”

January | February 2016 51

© Icicle TV

© San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau and Ann Palmer

© Roxanna Froese

© Janis Miglavs

© Justin Yuen

© Travel Portland

© Leavenworth Chamber

© Coeur d’Alene Chamber

© Tourism Vancouver / Coast Mountain Photography

© Tourism Whistler and Mike Crane

© Hotel Murano, Provenance Hotelss

© Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau

12 Written By Kaity Teer For most folks contemplating a vacation, the word calls to mind travel by airplane to spend one week a year on a sandy beach with tropical breezes and a cold beverage in hand. But sometimes all you need is a night or two away to return refreshed and rejuvenated.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best destinations to be had within a fivehour driving radius. These extraordinary getaways are perfect for a quick escape from your daily routine. So mark up your 2016 calendar, pack your weekender bag, and get out there.

January | February 2016 53

© John Valls

© Willamette Valley Vineyards

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Drive Time

Located about an hour southwest of Portland, the Willamette Valley is at the heart of Oregon Wine Country. Before you go, practice pronouncing the river for which the valley is named.

Here’s a helpful rhyming mnemonic device: It’s Willamette, dammit!

This verdant wine region is 120 miles long and comprises six different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Its specialty is producing Pinot Noirs, Oregon’s signature varietal. Home to two-thirds of the state’s wineries and vineyard, more than 500 production houses are here for you to discover. It’s also renowned for the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, the first of its kind nationwide, and for idyllic flatwater river paddling.

“The Willamette Valley is ideal for people who love to combine food and drink with outdoor adventures,” said Jennifer Rouse of the Willamette Valley Visitors Association.

“Think hiking through a vineyard, or cycling from brewery to brewery, or paddling the Willamette and stopping for tastings along the way.”

Where to Stay Recently honored as “Oregon’s Favorite Main Street,” downtown McMinnville is a great home base for exploring wine country. Other fine options include The Allison Inn & Spa (Newberg), which offers Pinot-therapy spa treatments, and the Oregon Garden Resort (Silverton). For something entirely different, rent a retro Airstream at The Vintages (Dayton).

Where to Dine The Joel Palmer House (Dayton) is known for the foraged mushrooms and native wild truffles on its menu. Chef Pascal Chureau of Field & Vine Dinners takes farm-to-fork dining to its literal extreme by offering pop-up dinners in local barns, fields, or vineyards. You’ll also want to partake of dishes prepared by the James Beard Award-nominated Chef Matt Bennett at Sybaris Bistro (Albany).

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© Lainey Dyer

4 hours, sans traffic (240 miles)

What to Do Map your course and plan to paddle, pedal, and sip your way through the valley’s twists and turns. “Touring the Willamette Valley wine country takes patience, a good touring map, and an adventurous spirit,” said Emily Petterson on behalf of Willamette Valley Wineries Association. “Small towns like Carlton, Lafayette, and Dundee dot the map and larger cities, like Eugene and Salem, are brimming with art galleries, museums, gardens, and farmers markets.”

When to Go May is Oregon Wine Month, when you’ll find special deals, tastings, and tours available all month long. The International Pinot Noir Celebration takes place in McMinnville each year during the last weekend of July. Observe “Stand By Me Day” on July 23 in Brownsville, where the coming-of-age movie was filmed 30 years ago. In late August, celebrate the Bounty of Yamhill County Festival with an abundance of farm-tofork plates and wine pairings.

Spend a holiday weekend in the valley during Wine Country Thanksgiving. Finally, take a guided foraging hike and taste native wild truffles in January during the Oregon Truffle Festival in Eugene, Newberg, and Yamhill Valley. *Drive times and mileage calculated from Everett, WA.

Tacoma, Washington

Drive Time

If your only experience of Tacoma is driving through it at 60-miles-per-hour, here’s the low-down on what you’re missing. Tacoma boasts a recently renovated downtown and has become a fantastic destination for art aficionados, foodies, and families.

Tacoma is the birthplace of Dale Chihuly and the American glass art movement, which means you’ll find incredible, world-class collections of glass art at the Tacoma Art Museum and the Museum of Glass, where you’ll catch views of Mt. Rainier on clear days. From the Museum of Glass, a walk along the 500-foot Chihuly Bridge of Glass to the Washington State History Museum is sure to inspire.

Speaking of museums, Tacoma’s Museum District encompasses seven museums in all, including the Children’s Museum of Tacoma and LeMay-America’s Car Museum, making it a great destination for the whole family.

© Hotel Murano, Provenance Hotels

1 hour, sans traffic (60 miles)

Where to Stay Travelers with fine taste in art, design, and dining, should book a room at the Hotel Murano, a boutique hotel that spells sweet dreams for art-lovers. Stop by Bite, its in-house restaurant that serves up inspiration by the plateful or book treatments at its full-service spa. For a dreamy waterfront stay, try The Silver Cloud Inn.

A visit to the Museum of Glass isn’t complete without a stop at its Argentinian cafe, Choripan. For casual fare like sandwiches and salads, entertain your palate at Stink, where you’ll also find wine, beer, cheese, and cured meats. When the attached wine bar El Tufo (Spanish for “stink”) opens at 4 p.m., indulge in endless combinations of tapas inspired by Spain. Visit Indochine for its stylishly appointed dining room, Asian-fusion menu, and homemade gelato.

© Hotel Murano, Provenance Hotels

Where to Dine

Create your own masterpiece at Tacoma Glassblowing Studio.

Tee off at Chambers Bay Golf Course, a highly rated public course, which hosted the 2015 U.S. Open. Shopping more your thing? Go treasure hunting on Antique Row. Take your kids to visit the animals at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium or trek to nearby Enumclaw to ride the Mount Rainier Gondola together.

When to Go Summer is the time to celebrate beer in the City of Destiny.

The South Sound Craft Crawl offers a map of 25 artisanal brewing destinations. In August, the Tacoma Dome hosts its South Sound Brew Festival, which serves up food, music, and of course, beer.

© Hotel Murano, Provenance Hotels

What to Do

Drive Time 4 hours and 45 minutes, sans traffic (330 miles) Just shy of a five-hour drive on I-90E will take you across the state and into the Idaho Panhandle, where you should spend a long weekend in the quaint lakefront town of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. French for “heart of the awl,” the heart of this town is the sparkling blue lake surrounded by idyllic pine-covered hills. Stroll the 3,300-foot floating boardwalk while watching for bald eagles and the largest osprey population in the West.

Where to Stay For many guests, the clear choice is the Coeur d’Alene Resort, which is an upscale lakeside hotel with a spa, golf course, marina, restaurants, and the iconic Lake Tower. Less obvious, a number of bed-and-breakfast options, which offer historic charm. Consider the Blackwell Hotel, which was built in 1904 and underwent renovations that transformed it into a luxury boutique hotel in 2011.

Where to Dine For delicious Greek food, The Olympia is a classic downtown dining hot spot. Tito’s Italian Grill and Wine Shop includes a small retail wine market. A Spokane favorite, Scratch, opened a second location in Coeur d’Alene in 2010. We also recommend the $4 tapas menu at Bistro on Spruce, served Monday through Friday afternoons.

© Coeur d’Alene Chamber

© Coeur d’Alene Chamber

© Coeur d’Alene Chamber

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

What to Do The lake is a great place to enjoy water sports of every kind in the plentiful sunshine. If you’re traveling with children or the young at heart, make sure to include a quick jaunt to the Silverwood Theme Park just 23 miles north, which offers 200 acres of thrill rides and roller coasters, as well as the Boulder Beach Water Park. For a more mature take on a Saturday night, taste local wine and enjoy small bites and live music at Coeur d’Alene Cellars.

Hit the greens and experience the legendary floating 14th hole at Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf. An incredibly posh course, teeing off here includes a ride in a mahogany boat. If that’s not enough, there are 29 other golf courses located less than an hour’s drive away.

When to Go The summer is the peak season for visiting Coeur d’Alene and there are many fun family events including a classic car show, arts and crafts festival, farmers markets and outdoor concerts.

Look forward to the Taste of Coeur d’Alene, the Street Fair, and Art on the Green at the end of July.

If you do decide on a wintertime visit, be sure to plan ahead to visit one of the three nearby ski areas, like the Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg. Coeur d’Alene’s annual Holiday Light Show adorns the lakefront with more than 1.5 million dazzling lights.

© Roxanna Froese

© Roxanna Froese

© Roxanna Froese

Chilliwack, British Columbia

Drive Time 2 hours, plus border (100 miles) Tucked away in British Columbia’s beautiful Fraser Valley, Chilliwack is a quiet destination with an off-the-beaten-path vibe, where you can spend time outdoors with family and friends ensconced by snow-capped mountain peaks.

Named for a local First Nations tribe, Chilliwack translates to “quieter water at the head” or “travel by way of a backwater.” In the 1800s, more than 30,000 miners traveled through the area in search of gold in the Fraser Canyon.

Today, it is a vibrant, rural city home to artists, craftspeople and small business owners.

Here, you can hike through forests, fields of wildflowers, and along rolling streams to breathtaking vistas. Plunge into the clear waters of alpine lakes, or put down stakes at one of more than 2,200 campsites.

Where to Stay Perhaps camping in a provincial park at Bridal Falls or Cultus Lake isn’t your thing. Then, check in to more luxurious accommodations at The Royal Hotel, a heritage boutique hotel that has welcomed guests to downtown Chilliwack since 1908. Antique amenities include clawfoot tubs and period furniture. If you want to stay closer to the action near the lake and waterpark, consider the Cedar at Cultus Bed and Breakfast.

Where to Dine Eat farm-fresh fare at The Local Harvest Market, where foods are grown on-site at the 30-acre farm. Also try the Yellow

Deli for homemade bread and a menu full of rustic comfort foods. We love the Garrison Bistro for its fresh, modern dishes and urban appeal.

What to Do Chilliwack has been called a fishermen’s paradise. It’s home to the prehistoric dinosaur fish, the giant sturgeon, which grow up to 20-feet in length. You can also fish for salmon, steelhead, and trout.

Visit the Chilliwack Cultural Centre for live theatre and musical performances. Shop Inspire Arts & Gifts for art made locally by Chilliwack’s more than 1,000 artists and craftspeople.

Take one of the Bad Rocks Tours offered by Stó:lō Tourism and explore the valley while learning about the Coast Salish Stó:lō, “the River People.” The Cultural Experience Series offers monthly events, and you can visit a longhouse and purchase traditional arts and crafts.

Learn about organic, local farming while taking the Circle Farms Tour, a self-guided experience that will let you meet farmers and sample goods. Your kids will love swimming at Cultus Lake and the Cultus Waterpark or hiking to Bridal Falls.

When to Go We’re partial to visiting Chilliwack in the summertime for splashing in the waterpark and the lake, tasting fresh produce on the farm tour, and camping and hiking in the sunshine.

However, plan your trip for early spring if you’re angling to fly-fish for steelhead on the Vedder River. Consult the Great River Fishing website for its species schedule to plan your fishing adventure.

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PORTLAND, OREGON

Drive Time

© Travel Portland

© Travel Portland

3 hours and 10 minutes, sans traffic (200 miles) Portland demands a weekend to fully enjoy. If you leave after work, you’ll likely arrive after dark, which makes waking up to the city’s sights after a night on the town even sweeter. We recommend arriving with a plan. Know in advance where you’d like to eat as there are so many options and competition for a table can be fierce.

“The city’s food and beverage scene is thriving with boundary pushing restaurants, bars, urban wineries, distilleries and artisans who are drawing travelers in with their creativity and focus on local, sustainable practices,” said Tess Burick of Provenance Hotels. “From food carts to pop-up restaurants or chef collaborations, Portland’s dining scene is constantly evolving.”

Where to Stay Hotel deLuxe, Hotel Lucia, and Sentinel are all excellent options offered by Provenance Hotels. Look for the complimentary craft beer happy hour at Hotel Lucia. And, at Hotel deLuxe’s Gracie’s Restaurant, watch for the development of an Afternoon Tea service in collaboration with Portland’s Smith Teamaker and Bull in China.

Where to Dine After you check into your hotel, treat yourself to brews and pub fare at Burnside Brewing Co. A complex and bewitching combination of fruity and peppery flavors makes Burnside’s Sweet Heat a must-try. If you can get a table at Le Pigeon, it’s well worth the wait to experience the French-inspired fine dining in a casual, intimate dining room. Breakfast at Olympic Provisions is sure to please. Try the charcuterie and the eggs benny. Finally, you can’t miss the food truck pod on SW 10th Ave. and Alder St.

What to Do

© Hotel Lucia, Provenance Hotels

You mean besides eating and drinking? Okay fine, here are some of our top suggestions: Hike the Columbia River Gorge.

Camp or ski at Mt. Hood, depending on the season. Visit the sandy beaches of the Oregon Coast.

“Because the city is located within such close proximity to outdoor destinations, it’s the perfect long-weekend destination for people who want to explore while getting a taste of urban culture,” Burick said.

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When to Go Portland is home to a vibrant cultural scene. Book your trip in conjunction with a festival, concert, theatre performance, or museum exhibition. In November, look for Wordstock at the Portland Art Museum; pairs nicely with a trip to Powell’s Bookstore.

© Tourism Whistler and Mike Crane

© Tourism Whistler and Mike Crane

WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Drive Time

During the 2010 Winter Olympics, the beauty of Whistler, B.C. captured global attention and admiration. But long before that, it regularly earned recognition from travel and winter sports publications, including many first place rankings. Most recently, it was honored as #1 Overall Resort by SKI Magazine.

“Guests from Washington State have enjoyed the short drive to Whistler in both summer and winter for many, many years,” said Mary Zinck of Tourism Whistler. “With world-class hotels and dining combined with North America’s top-rated ski resort, in their backyard, why not?”

Bring a camera and keep an eye out for lookout points along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. The views are incredible year round and truly make for a dramatic journey that’s befitting of the destination.

© Tourism Whistler and Mike Crane

3 hours and 20 minutes, plus border (190 miles)

Where to Stay We love Nita Lake Lodge for its exquisite dining options, impressive accommodations and spa, alpine lake views, and in-room fireplaces. Did we mention the fireplaces? A special treat on chilly nights, take the elevator to the rooftop and soak in a hot tub, tilt your head back and watch the steam rise to the stars.

Where to Dine Unwind after a day exploring Whistler Village by enjoying an unforgettable meal at Nita Lake Lodge’s Aura Restaurant.

Linger over wine and dessert before making your way back to your room or taking a quick stroll along the lakeside trail.

Purebread in the Olympic Plaza is home to delicious baked goods and confections of every kind. Stop by in the morning for breakfast over a hot cup of coffee, and be sure to plan for your day by taking a couple sweet treats to go. Be warned, you’ll want to order everything on the menu.

What to Do Forgive us for stating the obvious, but the best thing to do is snowboard and ski the slopes of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Nestled in between the two peaks, the shopping and dining in Whistler Village is good year round. Also good year round is the Scandinave Spa. So good it’d be worth the drive just to spend several silent, rejuvenating hours soaking in the tubs, breathing in the eucalyptus steam room, resting in the solariums, and warming in the Finnish sauna.

When to Go The summer months are a less obvious but equally good choice. You can enjoy concerts in the Olympic Plaza, go hiking, and sightsee on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Cyclists rule the slopes on the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, which offers an exciting and challenging lift-assisted network of trails.

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© Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce © Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

© Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

Leavenworth, Washington

Drive Time 1 hour and 50 minutes, via US-2 (100 miles) Leavenworth is Washington State’s very own Bavarian Village. Here, it’s easy to find German beer and sausage, as well as Christmas charm with the year-round Kris Kringl store.

“If you are looking for a quiet romantic experience, like staying at a European-style bed-and-breakfast with wine tasting, we can accommodate that. Or if you want a high-energy busy adventure like rafting or hiking the Enchantments followed by music at our local brewery we can offer that too,” said Jessica Stoller of the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

Where to Stay Mountain Home Lodge is just the place for a romantic getaway, with mountain view rooms and even cabins to rent.

Stay in the heart of the village at the Bavarian Lodge, which overlooks the downtown center and includes the cozy, but very cool, Woodsman Pub.

Where to Dine You’ll want to get what you came for. The Bavarian Bakery is known for its authentic German baked goods and fresh breads. Similarly, the Munchen Haus and The Sausage Garten are popular stops for sausage and beer. Finally, Andreas 60 NorthSoundLife.com

Keller’s menu offers authentic German food prepared by Chef Anita Hamilton, originally from Hessen, Germany. The dishes pair well, of course, with a fantastic selection on tap. Look for the restaurant’s Haflinger horses in local parades.

What to Do In addition to the amazing opportunities for winter sports and even sleigh rides, you can also tour the Nutcracker Museum, which has a collection of more than 6,000 nutcrackers. Some are very old, dating back thousands of years. This museum is curated by a former ballerina and dance instructor who found inspiration in producing performances of The Nutcracker.

Shop for Christmas-themed gifts and items at Kris Kringl anytime of year. Visit the infamous Hat Shop, and you’ll fit in with the crowds of hat-wearing visitors during festivals. Taste handmade European-style confections at Shocolat. They specialize in crafting delicious pralines and Belgian truffles.

If Sound of Music is your favorite musical, you’re in luck.

Leavenworth Summer Theater performs this production outdoors, under the stars every year.

When to Go You’ll be greeted by a warm Willkommen anytime you go, but we think winter is tops here, when the mountains are covered in snow and everyone is eager to curl up by a fire after a day spent skiing, shopping the Christkindlmarket, or taking in the twinkling Christmas lights.

Lopez Island, Washington Drive Time

© San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau

2 hours and 20 minutes, includes ferry (75 miles) The journey by ferry is part of the fun of escaping to the San Juan Islands. While many people flock to San Juan Island’s Lime Kiln State Park each year for whale watching and kayaking expeditions, consider visiting the smaller but equally charming Lopez Island. Just as easy to reach by ferry, it’s known as the “Friendly Isle” and is easy to navigate at just 15 miles long.

Barbara Marrett of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau said the islands appeal to “outdoor enthusiasts, artists, environmentalists, foodies, and orca-holics.” The entire family will love relaxing and enjoying island life together on Lopez Island.

Where to Stay Pitch your tent at Spencer Spit State Park or browse the many rental cabins or cottages listed online. We also recommend considering staying at an idyllic, boutique inn, such as the picture-perfect accommodations at Mackaye Harbor Inn and the Edenwild Boutique Inn.

© San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau and Monica Bennett

Where to Dine Savor the sunset from the bayside patio at The Bay Cafe.

Nothing short of magical, this is island-style fine dining, and the whole experience feels like a real treat. For healthy, from scratch options, try Vita’s Wildly Delicious, a one-of-a-kind cafe that serves up paninis, sandwiches, salads, and fresh bread in a quaint red house with a garden patio and a greenhouse. We won’t blame you for wanting to try everything in the deli case. Stop by for a meal or for a pour-over coffee and tasty baked goods. Leave with a bottle of wine, purchased from the excellent selection at Vita’s.

© San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau

What to Do There’s something for everybody on Lopez Island, even a skate park for the kids. Here, there are plenty of outdoor activities, including hiking and biking. The least hillly of the San Juan Islands, you can pedal Lopez in a day while enjoying water views. Cycle onto the ferry or rent bikes on the island.

Visitors fill slots in the 900-person non-competitive cycling event, Tour de Lopez, each spring, which offers routes that vary from 5 to 31 miles.

Explore shops like Paper Scissors on the Rock, The Butterfly Boutique, and Sally By the Sea. For works by local artists, visit the Chimera Gallery and Treebone Pottery Clay at Rural Arts and Gallery 10 Fine Art and Fanciful Clothes for a mixture of arts and gifts. Browse the farmers market on Saturdays all summer long. Taste wine at the Lopez Vineyards tasting room, open on weekends.

When to Go Time your trip for summer to make the most of outdoor activities and to experience the island at its peak season.

Drive Time 2 hours, plus border (115 miles) A weekend in Vancouver is the ultimate urban escape. Enjoy all the thrills of a world-class city in a phenomenal natural setting that’s close to home. Currently, the exchange rate is favorable for American travelers, making it possible to purchase luxury experiences at a discount.

“Now is a particularly great time for U.S. visitors as the American dollar is performing well in comparison to the Canadian dollar,” said Sashie Maclean of Tourism Vancouver.

“While our natural amenities will entice some, for those who prefer an urban escape we have great shopping options and a thriving culinary scene with internationally recognized restaurants and authentic multicultural cuisine.”

Where to Stay As with most urban destinations, there are many impressive options. If you’re looking for a memorable stay, look no further than the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. An indulgence, to be sure, a stay here promises legendary opulence on a scale that has earned this property a worldwide reputation. The Fairmont Pacific Rim is another stunning option with three dining options and a rooftop pool. With the current exchange rate, now is the time to splurge.

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© Tourism Vancouver / Michael Song

© Tourism Vancouver / Albert Normandin

© Tourism Vancouver / Sewell’s Marina

© Tourism Vancouver / Coast Mountain Photography

Vancouver, British Columbia

Where to Dine The Hotel Georgia’s Hawksworth restaurant is sure to please even diners with the highest expectations. Be sure to inquire about the daily chef specials, as they are tantalizing. You’ll want to linger over this meal. Also consider Chambar, which serves up Belgian-cuisine in a flawlessly posh dining room.

Other notable mentions include Olive & Anchor, The Reef Restaurant, Wildebeest, and Yokohama Teppanyaki.

What to Do A visit to Vancouver wouldn’t be complete without walking, running, or biking around the Stanley Park seawall. Set a day aside for either visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge or Grouse Mountain, both are outdoor destinations that reward with unforgettable views. Stroll the shops on Granville Island.

Consider booking a bicycle tour with Cycle City Tours.

When to Go We think anytime is a great time to visit Vancouver. But, if you want to visit for the culinary options, plan to visit in January during Dine Out Vancouver, in which hundreds of restaurants showcase their best dishes in prix-fixe menus affordably priced at $20, $30, and $40 per person. Also look for the Vancouver International Wine Festival in February and the world-renowned Cherry Blossom Festival in April.

© Icicle TV

© Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce

Lake Chelan, Washington

Drive Time:

Where to Stay If you want to stay downtown, try Campbell’s Resort, a classic, family-owned upscale resort that has hosted visitors since 1901. You’ll love being within walking distance of all the major attractions. Looking to rent a vacation home? The Lookout is a newly developed village of rentals, ideal for families and larger gatherings. You’ll feel like a local staying in this well-planned, waterfront neighborhood that is only a mile from downtown.

Where to Dine Visitors and locals alike line up for brunch at Blueberry Hills Farm, a family-owned, you-pick berry farm in nearby Manson with an on-site restaurant. For hand-crafted artisan pizzas, freshly prepared salads, and antipasto head to Local Myth Pizza. Finally, try the beloved, family-owned Marcela’s Cocina Mexicana for delicious tacos, homemade tortillas, and margaritas.

© Icicle TV

Lake Chelan is a classic Washington State destination.

Generations of Western Washingtonians have traveled over the pass to Lake Chelan for weekends of summer fun in the sparkling waters and warm sun, a feature of the semi-arid desert climate and what has been described as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Often sunny even during the long, dreary Pacific Northwest winter, the lake boasts more than 300 days of sun per year.

“While many know and love Lake Chelan during the summer months, the shoulder season is truly our best kept secret,” said Mike Steele, executive director of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce. “During the winter you can escape the city and stay in a rustic cabin or lakeside condo. Enjoy a day of skiing and snowshoeing on Echo Ridge or bundle up inside for wine tasting with friends. Lake Chelan is a home away from home just over the mountains and there is something here for everyone.”

© Icicle TV

4 hours and 30 minutes, via I-90E (220 miles)

What to Do Visit one of the more than 25 boutique wineries that encircle Lake Chelan, which recently earned the status of a distinct American Viticultural Area. View the lake from the sky, with options for ziplining, parasailing, hang gliding, and more. In the winter, you can go hiking, snow-skiing, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing. Find 25 miles of groomed and backcountry trails at Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area, with phenomenal views of the Stuart Range and valley below.

When to Go If you opt for a break from the rain and cloud cover to visit in winter, look forward to the week-long Lake Chelan Winterfest in January. Festivities include ice sculpting exhibitions, Snowga excursions, live music, a polar bear splash, the Fire and Ice Torchlight Parade, beach bonfires, and even fireworks.

The lake also makes an excellent Valentine’s Day getaway with its Red Wine & Chocolate Festival during back-to-back weekends in February.

Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Drive Time

Depending on how reliable your cell phone service is, you may wish to bring a map to help you navigate from one incredible destination to another. Wild, natural beauty is the main attraction on the Olympic Peninsula.

“The Olympic Peninsula is close to the I-5 corridor, which makes for easy access any time of year. No matter what your preference is for long weekend getaways, you’ll find it here,” said Mary Brelsford of the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau. “It attracts adventure seekers, families, romantics, foodies, seniors, birdwatchers, and geocachers.”

It also attracts Twihards, but you didn’t hear it from us. There’s more to Forks than Twilight.

Where to Stay

© Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau

2 hours and 20 minutes, includes ferry (60 miles)

You should consider camping. But if we can’t convince you otherwise, there are plenty of options for off-the-beaten-path accommodations, including cabins for rent and secluded bed-and-breakfasts. Port Townsend is a Victorian seaport brimming with arts and culture. It’s a great homebase for visitors with such historic gems as the Bishop Victorian Hotel, Swan Hotel, and Palace Hotel Port Townsend.

What to Do The opportunities for appreciating natural beauty on the Olympic Peninsula are endless. Whale watch from Cape Flattery. Sightsee at Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Falls, Lake Crescent, and Rialto Beach. Walk the Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rainforest. Explore the tidal pools at Ruby Beach. Cycle along The Olympic Discovery Trail. If you’ve got youngsters, the Olympic National Park’s Junior Ranger Program will help them learn about and care for their surroundings.

Each of the peninsula’s towns offers unique shopping, with boutiques in Port Townsend, antique stores in Port Angeles, and Native American art in Blyn and Forks.

There are cultural experiences to be had here as well. The Makah Museum at Neah Bay is a must to add to your itinerary. It interprets and displays artifacts recovered from the Ozette Archaeological Site, and many are between 300 and 500 years old.

When to Go Visit in July to experience the Sequim Lavender Weekend. In October, Port Angeles hosts the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival. For clear skies and the best sightseeing weather, visit during summer months. The storm watching is excellent otherwise.

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© Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau

We’re big fans of the hand pies at Crust in Port Townsend. Taste awardwinning wines at Olympic Cellars Winery in Port Angeles. For even more tasty options, explore what’s called the Olympic Culinary Loop.

Or, if you’re the more adventurous sort, set out to gather your own food.

Think mushrooms, oysters, and berries.

© Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau

Where to Dine

© Justin Yuen

© Breakaway Promotions

© The Dalles Chamber

The Dalles, Oregon

Drive Time 4 hours and 20 minutes, sans traffic (265 miles) Visit the historic end of the trail for pioneers who safely and successfully completed the months-long overland journey on the Oregon Trail. For the uninitiated, Dalles rhymes with pals, and “The” is an official part of this getaway’s name.

“The Dalles embodies the spirit of the West and embraces its history as a Native American trading center and important stop for pioneers,” said publicist Amy Hunter. “With 300 days of sun a year and fantastic recreational and cultural opportunities, it’s a wonderland for cyclists, hikers, river rafters, wildflower fanatics, anglers, art lovers, history buffs and wine aficionados.”

Cyclists should consider the 28-mile Petersburg School Loop through rolling wheat fields, cottonwood trees and basalt mesas, or the 17-mile Cherry Heights Loop through cherry orchards and farmland.

Where to Stay Rest your head at night in the Celilo Inn, a mid-century motel that offers views of the Columbia River and The Dalles Dam. At Cousin’s Country Inn you can find a comfy spot to tuck in, even in the barn, the Inn’s newest wing.

Where to Dine Sidle up to the bar at the historic Baldwin Saloon. Brothers James and John Baldwin opened the watering hole in 1876 and over the years it has served many uses. Today, you’ll find from-scratch breads, pastas, and local wine. Looking for a brew? Try Clock Tower Ales, housed in the former Wasco County Courthouse, which was built in 1883. Or, stop in at

Defiance Brewing Co., the first brewery to open in The Dalles in more than a century.

What to Do Hit the trails for a hike through Tom McCall Preserve, which includes a view of the famous “Rowena Curves,” or through Columbia Hills State Park.

Experience pioneer history firsthand as you tour Fort Dalles Museum, located in the former Surgeon’s Quarters of the 1856 Fort Dalles military complex. Learn about the area’s significant natural and cultural history at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum. It is one of the oldest continuously occupied areas on the continent, with an 11,000-year history of settlement.

Browse books at Klindt’s Booksellers, one of the oldest continuously operating bookstores in the state. A German immigrant, Inwer Nickelsen opened the bookstore 1870 and it’s remained open ever since.

Taste wine at the former Sunshine Mill, once owned by the Sunshine Biscuit Company. If you’ve eaten a Cheez-It! cracker, then you’ve likely eaten wheat milled here. Maryhill Winery is another tasting room not to miss, home to more than 50 award-winning wines.

When to Go As the Historic Columbia River Highway celebrates its 100year anniversary, 2016 is an excellent time to plan a visit.

Known as the “King of Roads,” the 72-mile highway runs along the Gorge and ends at The Dalles. Don’t miss the breathtaking Rowena Curves, a sinuous stretch of road often featured in car commercials. 

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Experience Hands-on Cooking while enjoying a Full Course Meal including wine pairing!

Thursday

February 11tH From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

MEET Chef Scott Anderson of Crave Catering as he prepares some wonderful recipes in preparation for Valentines Day! For co mpl e te menu a n d det a i l s go t o meetthechefcravecatering .eventbrite .com SponSorED by:

DINE 7 Great Tastes · Dining Guide · The Mixing Tin

First & Union Kitchen and Snohomish Bakery WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAITY TEER

I

visited Snohomish on a recent holiday weekend. The sun had already set by the time I pulled into town. Still, the brightly lit boutiques and shops along historic First Street issued a warm welcome. It was clear and cold. The perfect weather for admiring window displays and ducking into inviting storefronts to warm up and browse for gifts. Santa Claus was in town for the festivities and could be seen greeting shoppers and their children in front of the public library.

As I walked toward First & Union Kitchen and Snohomish Bakery, decorative lamp posts greeted me and illuminated my way up the sidewalk.

Once inside the restaurant’s double doors, visitors are presented with a choice: make a left turn to visit the bar and dining room, or turn right to enter the bakery, with its display case full of breads and pastries. Plan your visit for evenings, Thursday through Sunday, if you’re looking for bar and dinner service, or breakfast and lunch on the weekends, until 3 p.m. The bakery serves cafe-style breakfast and lunch, which …

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includes salads, soups, and sandwiches, daily until 4 p.m.

For my first visit, I opted to taste options from the First and Union Kitchen dinner menu and took a seat in a comfortable corner booth with a view of the bar — a traditional bar framed in rich, gleaming wood with a focal point of neatly arranged bottles and glasses.

The lodge-inspired decor includes a mounted deer with antlers on the wall, which was adorned with small glass ornaments, and a truly impressive lighting installation suspended from the ceiling, in which twigs and branches twined with twinkling lights to form a rustic, whimsical canopy.

I selected the Leavenworth Hefeweizen from the variety of local beers on tap, and started my meal with the hummus plate. I loved the grilled pita, which arrived to the table warm and surrounded by feta, Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, capers, and tzatziki. The service was prompt, thorough, and pleasant, and the meal was well-paced.

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There’s plenty on the menu to tempt pub-goers in search of a hearty burger or sandwich, and I couldn’t pass up trying the house cheeseburger, served on a fresh baked bun with French fries. Though I tasted red onion all the way home, I was delighted it was on my burger. The lettuce comes thinly chopped, which was a nice touch. It was altogether everything I could want in a burger and beer on a winter night.

The menu also includes many more ambitious options like mozzarella tortellini served with seasonal wild mushrooms, or mussels puttanesca, or the devil’s pasta of shrimp, scallops, vegetables, and pappardelle pasta in a spicy cream sauce. In the end, I selected the ricotta gnocchi, lured by the siren song of hand-made gnocchi. I was so distracted by the shrimp and tasty gnocchi, served with melted provolone and citrus zest, that I didn’t get around to tasting the bed of grilled asparagus as soon as I probably should have. Despite how long I’d left it to the olive oil and pesto gathered at the bottom of my

plate, it was flavorful, crunchy, and well cooked, a skill I admire as I often overcook asparagus when preparing it at home.

Looking around the dining room, my fellow diners seemed equally pleased. At the next table, I witnessed a toddler making friends with a fellow young diner who was walking the floor, while several tables over an older couple was sharing a bottle of white wine, and at another table a group of friends gathered for drinks after a day spent shopping.

On another visit, I stopped by the bakery for a quick lunch. I ordered the ham and swiss, and it was the perfect deli sandwich, complete with a dill pickle and warm potato salad, of which I envied the recipe. I’m here to tell you I enjoyed every bite of this well-stacked sandwich. I was warmed up, full, and back on the road in no time.  First & Union Kitchen and Snohomish Bakery 101 Union Ave., Snohomish 360.568.1682, snobake.com

DINING KEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to $9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10–19 . . . . . . . . . . . . $20–29 . . . . . . . . $30 or greater . . . . . . . . . . . . Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dinner . . . . . . . . . Family-Friendly . . . . . . . . . . . . . Takeout . . . . . . . . Outdoor Seating . . . . . . . . . . Reservations . . . . . . . . . . Happy Hour . . . . . . . . . New Review See all our restaurant reviews on our Eat and Drink tab at northsoundlife.com

CAMANO ISLAND

THE CAMANO ISLAND INN BISTRO American

BONEFISH 22616 Bothell Everett Hwy., Bothell 425.485.0305, bonefishgrill.com By combining fresh seafood, a relaxed, romantic atmosphere, and pleasant waitstaff, this Mill Creek restaurant has evolved into a favorite among Snohomish and North King County residents. Top choices include the succulent, spicy Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer, an assortment of grilled fish with your choice of signature sauce and, if you’re not in the mood for fish, the Fontina Chop is one of our favorites.

Happy Hour is a must to experience — come early, the drinks are amazing, food fabulous, and the place gets hopping early.

PRESERVATION KITCHEN American 17121 Bothell Way N.E., Bothell 425.408.1306, preservationkitchen.com Preservation Kitchen is located in the historic 1916 Kaysner home built for the mayor of Bothell and once was a French cuisine kitchen ran by Parisian, Chef Gerard Parrat in the 1970s. With such grandeur hidden in the bricks, it’s astounding that the food surpasses its past. Whether you choose something off the Farm to Kitchen Fresh Sheet or pick the fan favorite, Duck & Grits highlighting local Yakima sweet corn grits; innovation abounds.

Don’t let their high-brow menu give you the wrong idea, they welcome all ages. With a kids’ play area adjacent to their patio, youngins can sample the sumptuousness without feeling out of place. On the next nice day, take advantage of the rare outdoor seating option and dine al fresco beneath their large, resident firs and thirty-year old Rhododendrons.

DINE

WALNUT STREET COFFEE Coffee Shop

1054 S.W. Camano Drive, Camano Island 360.387.0783, camanoislandinn.com The Camano Island Inn Bistro on Camano Island is a destination worth the drive or ferry ride. Consider it for a romantic getaway, and reserve a room at Camano Island Inn to make a weekend out of it. A buffet-style breakfast is complimentary for inn guests every morning, serving up an assortment of pastries, seasonal fruit, beverages, and a daily special. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and other specialties are offered shortly afterward for lunch, but the dinner menu is truly the star of the show! Enjoy fresh seafood and fine meat selections or explore an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu for your evening meal. Those seeking a more casual dining experience should make an appearance at the Bistro between 3–5 p.m. for happy hour.

EDMONDS

410 Walnut St, Edmonds 425.774.5962, walnutstreetcoffee.com Owner Pam Stuller has turned this former garage into a vibrant, modern space. Situated just off the main drag in Edmonds, Walnut Street Coffee is a true neighborhood coffee shop with a multi-generational clientele that include retirees, families with young children and downtown Edmonds employees. But aside from the Vivace coffee being oh-so-good, the food is atypical and locally sourced. Stacked with vegetarian options like the Quinoa Burrito, Black Bean Burrito and Pesto Breakfast Sandwich by Dancing Women Meals they also serve Seattle’s Macrina Bakery Nutella Brioche, or savory breads, like the Parmesan Rosemary Ham Biscuit. Get a daily dose of the best espresso and craft food in town in an environment that is always bright, friendly, and buzzing with neighborhood activity.

BAR DOJO Asian

BOTHELL

Dining Guide

EVERETT

8404 Bowdoin Way, Edmonds 425.967.7267, bardojo.com When longtime friends Andrew Leckie and Shubert Ho decided to open a restaurant, they wanted to create a culinary blend of cultures that would result in a new kind of dining experience in the Edmonds area. Executive Chef Ho incorporated his Chinese-American background and Leckie brought influences from family roots in the former Yugoslavia.

Together, they created a modern menu of Asian-inspired comfort foods. To start, try the Coconut Prawns with mint chutney; they are mind bending. As for comfort food, tiny sliders with cilantro aioli and shallots on crisp sesame brioche buns offer a delicious twist on the common hamburger. But the Noodles may be most indicative of their fusion of backgrounds and that’s exactly why you should try them.

JANBO CAFÉ Vietnamese 6125 Evergreen Way, Everett 425.347.2688 Experience what may be Everett’s most authentic Vietnamese cuisine at Janbo Café. Don’t be fooled by its modest interior; one taste of the house specials will convince you that Janbo Café knows delicious food. Find a wide selection of chilled, fried, grilled or steamed appetizers, including fried meat or vegetable egg rolls.

A word of wisdom: The egg rolls are massive and can easily deter your appetite; eat slowly!

Follow your appetizer with a phenomenal take on Pho Noodle Soup with meat or vegetables.

The Wok Fried Noodles are also particularly savory. Complete your meal with a Janbo Bubble Tea and a plump cream puff.

THE CHEESEMONGER’S TABLE Cheeses 203 Fifth Ave. S. #1, Edmonds 425.640.8949, cheesemongerstable.com

LOMBARDI’S Italian

As its name indicates, The Cheesemonger’s Table is all about cheese. Enjoy the vast selection of more than 100 cheeses from around the world on a sandwich, platter or as a complementary addition to a house special. Cheese enthusiasts should visit the new location at the Old Milltown Plaza in Edmonds. The Table hosts a cheese sampling every Saturday, which is best enjoyed with a drink and a handful of the housemade truffled popcorn. Try the hot Caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

The Table makes it easy to share your love of cheese with friends and family by sending a gift basket of select cheeses, nuts, fruit and other treats, which can be shipped anywhere in the United States.

1620 W. Marine View Dr., Everett 425.252.1886, lombardisitalian.com The original Lombardi’s was a Ballard favorite, and the Everett Marina location has been inundating diners with a heavenly blast of roasted garlic that is Lombardi’s hallmark since 1998.

Lombardi’s pays homage to the seven honored ingredients of Italian food — olive oil, garlic, pasta, tomatoes, olives, basil and love. Dive in to the Tuscan Prawn starter, Pizza Margherita or Chicken Saltimboca — but don’t forget their wide variety of delicious pasta entrees. Both Italian and Washington wines are a focus of the wine list. A three-course prix fixe menu if offered Sunday-Thursday, 3:30–5:30 p.m., for $15. Brunch is offered Sundays.

January | February 2016 69

DINE Review

Kama’aina Grindz WRITTEN BY KYLA ROHDE

70 NorthSoundLife.com

© Kama’aina Grindz

© Kama’aina Grindz

© Kyla Rohde

T

he food may attract you, but you’ll stay for the atmosphere.

Whether it’s your first time venturing into the eatery, or it’s your regular Friday night date spot, you’ll be greeted like family at Kama’aina Grindz.

Owned and managed by Chef Dean Shinagawa and family, this wellvisited hub for locals brings an exciting menu of authentic Hawaiian cuisine to the Everett area. Kama’aina’s wall of windows faces the streets of downtown, which offers abundant natural light and welcomes customers into the warm and lively interior of the restaurant. As for decor, a lone surfboard hangs overhead, and the worn brick walls feature tropical Hawaiian seascapes. The friendly chatter of customers fills the small dining room area as does the distinct clatter of cooking utensils, the hiss of oil, and the questions of servers taking orders. As the door swings open and customers file through, the warm “hellos” of servers and patrons swell into friendly conversation.

Reasonably priced and delicious all-around, we recommend starting the meal off with one of Kama’aina’s featured appetizers. Pick an option from the “Shaka” Plates. Offerings range from Crispy Smoked Gouda Cheese to Ginger Sesame Chicken Drumettes. If you’re seeking something spicy, try the Edamame “Hummus” — salty chips with a tasty sprinkle of seaweed flakes and creamy edamame dip.

The menu appears to adhere to a “less is more” mantra, as the compact yet tantalizing list features “Ono” Salads, “Wiki Wiki” Noodles, “Da Kine” Plates and Bowls, KG Burgers and Sands, and monthly specials, which are often announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

If you’re looking for a satisfying and flavorful dish, go for the Maui Style Bibimbap. The entrée showcases flank steak, seasoned and cooked to flavorful perfection, combined with a medley of vegetables (peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms), Portuguese sausage, and steaming white rice with a mouth-watering Korean Hot Sauce.

If you’ve got a craving for something sweet, try the Mochiko Chicken and Pineapple “Sweet and Sour,” which delivers a tart yet sweet and juicy experience with every bite. Bok Choy, peppers, onion and celery highlight the meal resulting in fresh flavors and a crunchy texture. With a crispy garnish and a base of white rice, this meal is complex and satisfying.

Enhance your meal’s fresh flavors with a truly authentic Hawaiian beverage. Quench your thirst with an island-style Hawaiian Sun Juice, Iced Tea, Lion Coffee, or a brew from the Kona Brewing Company. Try a Dry Soda with fun flavors that include Wild Lime, Blood Orange, Vanilla Bean, and Cucumber. Or, support regional wineries with either a glass or bottle from Patterson Cellars or Kendall Jackson Winery. With the beverage list nearly as long as the entrées on the menu, there is surely something for everybody.

Whether it’s a bubbly atmosphere or fresh flavors you seek, you’re always welcome at Kama’aina Grindz.  2933 Colby Ave., Everett 425.322.5280 kamaainagrindz.com

PROHIBITION GASTROPUB Gastropub 1414 Hewitt Ave., Everett 425.258.6100, prohibitiongastropub.com When Chef Gordon Ramsay first visited Prohibition Gastropub (previously Grille) for an episode of Kitchen Nightmares, his first cuts involved their now-nixed belly dancer and “gloopy” chowder. But ever since the episode aired in April 2013, this 1920s throwback restaurant has been transformed in every sense of the word. Daily specials made from scratch feature spins on comfort foods like Mac and Cheese, all the while serving delightful dishes with a Southern sophistication per the Bourbon Cider Glazed Pork Shoulder and Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles. If you want to experience firsthand what a nationallytelevised restaurant makeover tastes like they would be happy to indulge.

Bed+ Brew

= Hotel package includes beer & swag from these Bellingham vendors:

LAKE STEVENS BRUNO’S PIZZERIA & RISTORANTE Italian 430 91st Ave. N.E. #10, Lake Stevens 425.334.2066, brunoslakestevens.com Enjoy distinguished Italian dishes and ambience at Bruno’s Pizzeria and Ristorante in Lake Stevens, formerly Luca’s Pizzeria and Ristorante. Bruno’s specializes in wood-fired pizza with numerous cheeses, homemade sauces and savory toppings like sausage, mushrooms and roasted red pepper. All of which makes them a popular dinner selection. Other dinner specials include specialty pasta like Butternut Squash Ravioli, Linguine Gamberoni, and Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo.

Finish your meal with Tiramisu and other tasty desserts.

www.thechrysalisinn.com

888.808.0005

AMERICAN CHINESE HAPPY HOUR • TAKE OUT • SPECIAL EVENTS

LYNNWOOD INDIGO KITCHEN & ALEHOUSE Gastropub 2902 164th St. S.W. Ste. F, Lynnwood 425.741.8770, indigowa.com Although Indigo is located in a busy shopping center, its surroundings are nearly forgotten when you enter the warm ambience of this Lynnwood alehouse. The rich wood furnishings of Indigo’s interior entice patrons in for lunch, dinner and happy hour seven days a week. Between the happy hour prices and portions, Indigo is the place to be for hearty appetizers at a sound price. The happy hour menu features items like Gumbo, Meatloaf Sliders and Baby Back Ribs for $3–$6. With more than 20 beers on draft and a variety of comfort foods, including Cider-brined Pork Chops, Chorizo Clam Linguini and Flat Iron Steak, it’s no wonder this restaurant is busy from open to close. In a land of strip malls and chain restaurants, Indigo Kitchen & Alehouse is a breath of fresh air (and sweet potato fries!) for those seeking delicious food and refreshing beverages in a pleasant atmosphere.

425.337.3600 Mill Creek Town Center 11- Close Lunch & Dinner

January | February 2016 71

TAQUERIA LA RAZA Mexican 6815 196th St. S.W., Lynnwood 425.775.7526

The Hollywood Tavern’s

Woodin Sidecar Ingredients: Woodinville Whiskey Co. bourbon, lemon juice, orange juice, simple syrup | $11

One visit to Taqueria La Raza, and you’ll be coming back for more. The menu is simple, and the food is overwhelmingly flavorful; the large portions will leave you plenty to save after the first few satisfying bites. An order of four tacos come artfully packed with tenderly seasoned strips of soft chicken, topped with fresh onions, peppers, cilantro and a generous sprinkle of cheese. The Chile Rellanos are slim and crisp, with a fine balance of cheese and gently fried flavor. A thick Habanero Mango Salsa is among a few of the not-so-secret secret sauces that will add a sweet, spicy kick to your already rich meal. The friendly staff prepares your food fast, and offers to remove any unwanted toppings or sides in anticipation of picky eaters. As you wait for some of the tastiest Mexican cuisine to grace the Northwest, you’ll receive a complimentary bowl of tortilla chips with fresh, tangy home-chopped salsa as a prologue to an excellent meal.

MILL CREEK THE LODGE SPORTS GRILLE American 15117 Main St., Suite B101, Mill Creek 425.225.6347, thelodgesportsgrille.com

T

he Woodin Sidecar served up at The Hollywood Tavern — an historic tavern adjacent to Woodinville Whiskey Co.’s production facility and tasting room — is a fantastic cocktail to sip this winter.

After all, it’s not often that you can sip a beverage whose star ingredient was produced within view.

Though traditionally made with cognac, The Hollywood Tavern’s sidecar makes use of Woodinville Whiskey Co. micro-barreled bourbon. This small-batch bourbon is aged in eightgallon, handmade, American oak barrels, which means the whiskey comes into contact with three times the usual amount of wood. The bourbon is balanced, with oak and vanilla notes, as

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well as more complex flavors like floral and cherry.

For this sidecar, orange juice is subbed for the usual orange liqueur. It’s served chilled with sugar and lemon garnish.

A stylish sidecar for sure, don’t miss this fresh tasting, delicious twist made with excellent ingredients.

It promises sweet and sour balanced by a kick of finely crafted bourbon.

14508 Woodinville-Redmond Rd. NE, Woodinville 425.610.7330 thehollywoodtavern.com

The Lodge Sports Grille has served customers at locations through the greater Seattle area since 2010. The Mill Creek location offers a rustic lodge experience with eye-catching architecture, rustic chandeliers, and metal antler door pulls.

Known as a hub where comfort and quality come together, it is a true family-run business.

The Mill Creek location sports an impressive 48 beers on tap with a knowledgeable wait staff to help you make your selection. Nearly a dozen flat-screen TVs distributed throughout the dining room make it easy to catch the game from any seat. Whether you’re looking for a light salad or mouth-watering burger, The Lodge Sports Grille has it.

CHINA CITY Chinese 15310 Main St., Mill Creek 425.337.3600, chinacityrestaurant.com Owner Jack Ng began his restaurant career as a dishwasher and worked his way up to owning two restaurants on Whidbey Island and now one in Mill Creek. Each shares the same goal of serving comforting meals inspired

by Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan style cuisines. Clean lines and modern décor are juxtaposed with heaping piles of both familiar and unfamiliar Chinese classics. The menu is designed to give the customer plentiful options, with choices of combinations like crab cheese wontons, Mandarin sesame chicken and fried rice, or breaded almond chicken, broccoli beef and fried rice. Each comes with either egg flower or hot and sour soup to start.The dishes are as expected, fried, sweet, tangy and flecked with vegetables. With a vast menu containing lists of dishes in each protein category, there is something for everyone. For dinner, the restaurant

7

accommodates larger parties with family-style menus.

GREAT

MUKILTEO

TASTES

THE SCOTSMAN BISTRO Scottish/American 11601 Harbour Pointe Blvd. #101, Mukilteo 425.493.1191, mukilteorestaurant.com The Scotsman Bistro has an extensive scotch library curated by co-owner George Black.

Black hails from Scotland and is a scotch connoisseur. The establishment offers a full lunch and dinner menu, beer, cocktails and wine. Much of the menu is made up of recipes straight from Black’s family in Scotland. Some customer favorites include caprese salad, Gran’s Steak Pie, and George’s Ginger Chicken Curry. Special events are held regularly, including a Scotch tasting on the third Saturday of each month and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings.

SNOHOMISH

The following selections have made it past our taste bud test and into our top seven this issue. Step out and give them a try, you won’t be disappointed.

1

MALTBY CAFÉ Homestyle

–

4

We love The Nurturer smoothie at The Ringing Cedar Tea Tavern in Lake Stevens. Made with almonds, coconut, and dates, it’s as grounding and nourishing as it is delicious.

mediterraneankitchens.net

8809 Maltby Rd., Snohomish 425.483.3123, maltbycafe.com Maltby’s famed Cinnamon Rolls — roughly the size of your head — are the prime draw to this country-quaint café, but are just the start of a menu filled with home-style cooking and grandiose portions. Choose from breakfast all day, with menu items such as Northwest Potatoes & Eggs or the Prime Rib Omlette.

Voted Best Breakfast Place by Evening Magazine viewers 2009–2011, you can’t go wrong. The lunch menu includes a vast menu of sandwiches and burgers (try a Blues Burger with homemade blue cheese dressing) as well as salads, entrees and desserts.

The MK Fries at the Mediterranean Kitchen are sure to keep you coming back for more each time you visit the Alderwood Mall. Topped with garlic, sumac, feta, and ketchup.

2

5 Try a Sea-Dog by Big Dog’s Food Truck, the Seahawksthemed food truck that counts Mama Lynch and Mama Sherman as fans.

The “meat candy” at Bothell’s Beardslee Public House is worth confusing your sweet tooth. This grilled Kalbi pork jerky is savory and sweet. beardsleeph.com

6

uhungrybro.com

You don’t have to commit to a raw vegan diet to enjoy the Raw Middle-Eastern Pizza at Cafe Zippy in Everett, but it just might make a believer out of you. cafezippy.com

TRAILS END TAPHOUSE Casual American 511 Maple Ave, Snohomish 360.568.7233, trailsendcatering.com A homespun, casual dining experience, Trails End Taphouse is for comfort food aficionados.

Featuring home-cooked entrees and 28 craft brews on tap, diners can sit fireside for a date night or belly up to the bar with their buddies, respectively. Menu standouts include the Steak Salad with Blue Cheese, a delectable combination of mixed greens, tomato wedges, red onions and thinly sliced grilled steak, and the earthy Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms.

3

Craving something rich, creamy, and filling? Try the Dungeness Mac ’n Cheese while sampling craft cocktails at Bluewater Distilling. bluewaterdistilling.com

7

Cruise out to Silvana, take a seat at the fountain counter in the re-built Willow and Jim’s Country Cafe, and share a banana split with your sweetheart.

January | February 2016 73

to where you live.

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AGENDA

Featured Event · Listings · The Scene · Final Word

Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra JAN. 21, 7:30 P.M.

A

ll the way from New Zealand, the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra brings its delightfully small ukuleles, charming humor, and sublime musicality. Their unique, high energy sound features ukulele solos, multi-part vocal harmonies, and an impressive range of ukuleles. Expect to hear songs appropriated from a variety of genres including “ukulelefied” versions of rock and pop classics by artists such as Justin Timberlake and Blondie.

The band’s number one rule: “If you know the words, sing along. If you don’t know the words, sing along.”

Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 4th Ave. N, Edmonds, 425.275.9595 edmondscenterforthearts.org

AGENDA Events

MUSEUMS

has performed on stages throughout the world.

TWO SEARCHES FOR A WINNING WEAPON: THE MANHATTAN PROJECT AND GERMANY’S V-2

Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N, Edmonds 425.275.9595 edmondscenterforthearts.org

JAN. 14, 7 P.M.–8:30 P.M.

Bruce Hevly, associate professor at the University of Washington gives an illustrated lecture on World War II potential “wonder weapons” created by the United States and Germany. Both countries invested heavily in the creation of one but each took different routes. The U.S. pursued nuclear weapons while Germany pursued rockets. The lecture will cover origins of the competing technologies, lessons learned from comparing the two programs, and their influence and significance for postwar research to their merger into the Cold War. 109th St. SW, Everett 206.342.4242 flyingheritage.com

INSIDE THE B-52 FEB. 11, 7 P.M.–8:30 P.M.

Come and enjoy a presentation on the iconic B-52 Mitchell medium bomber

by Flying Heritage Collection Military Aviation Curator, Cory Graff. The B-52 Mitchell is a World War II legend in the Pacific used from the Doolittle Raid to the bombing of the Japanese home islands. Join Graff as he outlines the importance of the bomber and examine it closely.

109th St. SW, Everett 206.342.4242 flyingheritage.com

CONCERTS

THEATER COMEDY NIGHT JAN. 29–30, 7:30 P.M.–9 P.M.

Returning for its ninth year, Comedy Night brings nationally touring comedians together for two evenings of laughs to raise funds to help kids. Both evenings will feature the comedians Kermet Apio, Jackie Kashian, Andrew Rivers, and David Crowe.

Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N, Edmonds 425.275.9595 edmondscenterforthearts.org

CLASSICAL THAT MAGNIFICENT MOZART JAN. 31, 3 P.M.–5 P.M.

The Everett Philharmonic Orchestra presents That Magnificent Mozart. The orchestra will be performing Mozart classics including Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds, select Mozart Arias, and Symphony No 38 “Prague.” Join the musicians for a reception following the concert.

First Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller, Everett 206.270.9729 everettphil.org SUNSHINE CONCERT

JAN. 14, 7:30 P.M.

Portland based music group Pink Martini describes itself as a “little orchestra.”

Formed in 1994 the group’s music is inspired by music from all over the world and seamlessly crosses genres including classical, Latin, jazz, and classic pop.

Featuring 12 musicians, Pink Martini 76 NorthSoundLife.com

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS FEB. 14, 2 P.M.4 P.M

The world famous team celebrates its 90th anniversary world tour with over 320 games in North America. This starstudded roster will have you on the edge of your seat. The team will demonstrate ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind entertainment that is fun for the whole family.

Xfinity Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett, 866.332.8499 xfinityarenaeverett.com DISNEY LIVE! MICKEY AND MINNIE’S DOORWAY TO MAGIC JAN. 17, 1 P.M., 4 P.M.

Unlock your imagination with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and 25 more of your favorite Disney characters. This magical show is fun for the whole family.

Witness the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella’s rags into a gown, the Toy Story gang defy the dimensions of Andy’s toy box, and the spectacular stage debut of Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder.

Xfinity Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett 866.332.8499 xfinityarenaeverett.com

VISUAL ARTS LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD: A CENTENNIAL TRIBUTE TO NELLIE CORNISH & THE CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS JAN. 14–MAY 1

Pacifica Chamber Orchestra presents the Sunshine concert. They will be performing five classical pieces by various composures including Skalttoas and Wu Warren Chang.

Cascadia Art Museum presents historic artwork, dance films, costumes, and more. Works were found deep in public and private archives by key Cornish figures such as Merce Cunningham, Robert Joffrey, and Mark Tobey.

First Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller, Everett 425.743.0255 pacificachA.M.berorchestra.org

Cascadia Art Museum, 190 Sunset Ave., Edmonds 425.336.3809 cascadiaartmuseum.org

FEB. 14, 3 P.M.

PINK MARTINI FEATURING STORM LARGE

FAMILY FRIENDLY

that addresses veterans issues and themes of resilience.

H’ARTS 2016 FEB. 27, 5 P.M.

Enjoy a classy evening benefiting Schack Art Center. Sip a “Schack-tini” while bidding on local art, wine, and more at the silent auction. Sip wine and dine while surrounded by exquisite works of art. Bid on and take home your favorites during the live auction.

Edward D. Hansen Conference Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett 425.259.5050 schack.org

Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 4th Ave. N, Edmonds 425.275.9595 edmondscenterforthearts.org

SPECIAL EVENTS THE NORTHWEST BRIDAL SHOWCASE JAN. 9-10 SATURDAY: 12 P.M.–6 P.M. SUNDAY: 10 A.M.–3 P.M.

DANCE AXIS DANCE COMPANY FEB. 6, 7:30 P.M.

The Edmonds Center for the Arts presents AXIS Dance Company. The company is one of the world’s most innovative ensemble of performers with and without disabilities. Their performances have won numerous awards and they have toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad. Once of the pieces performed will be “to go again”

Top wedding professionals in the area are coming together to help plan your special day. The guest speaker will be Jessica Bishop the owner and editor of thebudgetsavvybride.com. Voted the 2015 Top Wedding Blog the website is a resource for brides on a budget. The event will also include a number of photographers, videographers, caterers, cake specialists, DJ’s, florists, wedding and reception facilities, jewelry, make-up and hair specialists, invitation companies, and wedding coordinators.

The Tulalip Resort Casino, 10200 Quilceda Blvd., Tulalip 425.418.3307 nwbridalshowcase.com

HAVE AN EVENT? Load it on our Events Page at northsoundlife.com/events.

January | February 2016 77

Out of Town SEATTLE STOMP JAN. 16–21

STOMP is an award-winning international percussion sensation that appeals to audiences of all ages. The eight member troupe is completely explosive, outright unique, and perfectly sophisticated.

Rhythms are created with unconventional percussion instruments, including brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, and matchboxes. New to the show are sounds made from tractor inner tubes and paint cans. Come and experience the noise.

The Moore Theatre, 1932 2nd Ave., Seattle, 1.877.784.4849 stgpresents.org BULLETS OVER BROADWAY FEB. 2–7

The hilarious musical comedy, Bullets Over Broadway, hits the stage at The Paramount Theatre in February. Based on the acclaimed screenplay by Woody Allen, and Douglas McGrath, the show follows a young playwright working on a Broadway show. Desperate for financial backing the playwright accepts an offer from a mobster looking to please his showgirl girlfriend. Opening at the St. James Theatre, Bullets Over Broadway has received six Tony-Award nominations.

The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle, 1.877.784.4849 stgpresents.org

VANCOUVER SCIENCE OF COCKTAILS FEB. 4, 8 P.M.–12 A.M.

Science World presents the hottest cocktail event of the year. Explore the chemistry, physics, and biology of your favorite drinks. Tour and sample more than 25 different beverages from some of Vancouver’s best bartenders. Learn about the art of and science of food pairing and enjoy a special program by Science World staff. Proceeds help support the Class Field Trip Program which aims to educate thousands of students from under-served schools in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver, B.C. 604.443.7483 scienceworld.ca/cocktails

78 NorthSoundLife.com

The Scene

AGENDA

© Taste of Tulalip

Taste of Tulalip The seventh annual Taste of Tulalip was held on November 13-14, 2015. Executive Chef Perry Mascitti led Tulalip’s culinary team in serving up a delicious weekend. More than 2,000 guests attended the weekend’s events, which included outstanding food and wine pairings, the Rock-n-Roll Cooking Challenge, a cooking demonstration by guest chef Chris Cosentino, and an in-depth wine seminar and tasting by beverage expert Anthony Giglio. The Tulalip Tribe and Tulalip Resort Casino presented $20,000 to the Snohomish County organization Heartbeat Serving Wounded Warriors.

January | February 2016 79

NOTES

Final Word

The Many Faces of Giving Ken examines his soul for the New Year WRITTEN BY KEN KARLBERG

P

hysician, heal thyself!

Well, I am no physician, but I do know the shortest path to becoming a better person starts with being honest with myself about myself. I was fortunate — I learned this valuable lesson early in life through childhood hardships that weigh upon me even today. Perhaps this is why the lesson resonated as it did. Pain, not pleasure, is the greatest teacher of life that I know.

I don’t always succeed, of course, because the self-critical process is often unsettling. The exercise of looking inward challenges me, and threatens me, like no other. Who likes to admit to their weaknesses, especially those frailties that only they know about themselves? No one. Instead, many of us tend to carefully create perceptions of ourselves in public, and then pretend we are that person while hiding from our faults.

Unhealthy, yes, but very human. The primal instinct to protect ourselves, to survive, even extends to protecting ourselves from ourselves. And it should — after all, the balance between loving yourself and low self-esteem can be a delicate one. So, we do what we do; we do what we must.

But the point isn’t that I always succeed. The point is that I always try, and because I try, I am slowly becoming a better person. (At least that’s my working theory and I am sticking to it, right?)

Here’s a timely case-in-point. In my family, the holidays are traditionally a time for charity and l look for opportunities to show my gratefulness for my many blessings in life by helping others less fortunate. Holiday traditions aside, however, I asked myself recently, “Why do I give, and does my motivation matter?” My answers may surprise some. If I am brutally honest with myself, there have been many faces to my giving over time, and not all of the faces were for the purest of reasons. I submit that giving is primarily a learned behavior. It was for me.

Like many of us living in largely rural areas, I first learned to give by helping clean chicken coops, raise barns, build fences, or put up hay for neighbors with small farms. For my neighbors who were elderly and physically limited, I often mowed their lawns or weeded their flowerbeds or helped however I could. Not a dollar was exchanged. In this sense, giving was part of the community spirit — we were all there 80 NorthSoundLife.com

for each other. I didn’t do what I did out of gratefulness. I initially did what I did because I was expected to contribute. We all were. Giving was a civic duty and part of the farmers’ code.

But giving can have its potential moral compromises. I soon learned that its intangible rewards in the form of praise and appreciation fed my youthful emotional needs. I may have given for the right reasons. However, what I received in return — respect and neighborly love — was more precious to me than my gifts of my time and resources. Was that wrong?

Maybe. Maybe not. I am my toughest critic. All of us appreciate an acknowledgement from others when we give, but we should never give with the expectation of something in return.

If I am honest with myself, however, a small part of me gave at times for reasons other than the purity of the spirit of giving itself. I am not proud of those moments, few as they may be.

I fell short, too, during my years as a parent, when my limited time and financial resources were stretched so very thin between my professional life and my responsibilities as a father and husband. I continued to give, but I could feel the primal urge to protect my family, my career, and my needs first, and to give second. As mercenary as it will sound, I only gave at times because it was the right thing to do — again, a learned behavior — not always because I wanted to.

Externally, no one knew. Internally, I did.

And then life changed. My “aha moment” of giving, that is the moment when my motivation for giving went from duty to gratefulness, came courtesy of my daughters when I began to coach their various sports teams. I could feel the selfishness well up inside, as I gave up my hobbies, spent less time at work, and began to dedicate myself to their lives in a way that I never had before. Who knew that the immensity of my love for them would make me a better man and father — and grateful for life beyond words.

So, this New Year, give — for any reason. If I can learn, you can, too.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

2016 EVENTS MEET THE CHEF

North Sound Women’s Expo & Gift Show

February, May, September

April 15 & 16, 2016

Cooking class featuring local chefs. Learn new techniques while you enjoy a four-course meal paired with wines or spirits.

The 4th annual women’s expo will be held at Bellis Fair Mall just weeks before Mother’s Day and is expanded to add a gift component. Come learn about beauty, style, and fashion— all while shopping for mom and gearing up for spring.

SIPS OF THE SEASON

NSWExpo.com

March, July, November Mixology event. Learn from a local mixologist how to create your own seasonal drinks as you taste small bites provided by the establishment.

2016 BEST OF THE NORTHWEST PARTY October, date to be announced We come together and celebrate our winners of the 7th annual Best of the Northwest Readership Contest. Get ready to vote in July 2016.

BALANCINGACT Litigation takes a balance of knowledge, skill, wisdom and patience.

Let my 30+ years of trial experience in small to large cases give you the peace of mind you need when navigating through a difficult time.

Karlberg & Associates, PLLC LITIGATION • BUSINESS • MARITIME

Issaquah | Seattle | Bellingham

206.817.4202| karlberglaw.com