2012 Farmer’s Markets Summer Season Updates

If you weren’t out enjoying this lovely turn of the weather this weekend you were one of few; as the sun starts to come out, so do the summer crops and the local farmers markets will open in a few weeks with a ton of fresh new produce. The 2012 farmer’s market season took off running this year, with some markets already up and others soon to follow in the next few weeks. The surrounding Seattle areas will have a few new faces like the Shoreline Farmer’s Market that will open June 16th and will close down others like the

Photo Courtesy of Zachary D. Lyons, copyright from the 2011 Wallingford Farmer's Market

Georgetown market, who didn’t see enough foot traffic the last few years, but hopes to return in the fall with more people coming in and out of the neighborhood. Keep in mind the U District and West Seattle Markets run year round; here is a list of openings to look out for when you’re in the neighborhood:

Burien: 11am-6pm Thursdays

Columbia City: 3-7pm Wednesdays ( and will open early to chefs only to check out the loot before the crowds, from 2-3pm)

Lake City: 3-7pm Thursdays, beginning June 14.

Phinney: 3-7pm Fridays, starting June 3rd.

Madrona: 3-7pm Fridays beginning May 18th.

Magnolia: 10am-2pm, Saturdays starting June 9th.

Queen Anne: 3-7:30pm Thursdays, beginning June 7th.

Wallingford: 3:30-7pm Wednesdays beginning May 30th, (opening early for chefs only from 3-3:30)

 

Mother’s Day is Right Around the Corner: Best Gift Ideas!

Do you find yourself stumped every year, scrambling around to try and find the perfect gift for your Mother, who seems to already have everything you can imagine? Do you wind up getting something safe and uninspiring year after year, resorting to a 99 cent card and hand written poem you have stored on your computer’s hard drive?  I can safely assume we’ve all been guilty at one point in time of last minute shopping when we’re down to the wire and wind up with an impulse buy, maybe something that you yourself would enjoy a little more than Mom. This year it might be time to plan a week or two ahead, and get your Mother something unexpected. Here is a list of things you might find inspiring to get for her this Mother’s Day weekend:

1. Is she a fabulous cook? Whether she needs it or not, a cooking class from Seattle Hipcooks in South Lake Union might be the perfect treat.

2. Does your mom love jewelry and recycling? why not get her a recycled sterling silver necklace from Uncommon Goods.

3. Is she a tech whiz? If your mom has had her new Ipad 3 longer than you have, get her a new Mother’s Day inspired Ipad case!

4. Is she hopelessly in Love with Seattle? Get her something personally homemade from Etsy!

5. Is she remodeling? The new West Elm in Seattle is full of inspiring decor she’ll love, or grab her a giftcard.

6. Every Mom appreciates a good musical; take her to the theatre! The 5th Avenue’s summer schedule is out now.

7. Does she have a green thumb? Whether she does or not lend her a hand! Help her garden grow by getting her the best fragrant plants in her garden.

8. Still stumped…check her pinterest account and see what she’s pinning these days, or if she has a wishlist board waiting for you!

9. Or if you’re on a budget, here is a list of free Mother’s Day activities from CBS that you can take her to and enjoy a day just the two of you.

Help Give the Tigers’ Lair a Remodel at Woodland Park Zoo

The Tiger and Sloth bear exhibits at the Woodland Park Zoo haven’t seen any updates in the past 60 years and it’s about time they received some  fresh new interiors! The Zoo is planning the biggest design they’ve seen since the 1990s and plans to build a brand spankin new state-of-the-art exhibit for the Malayan Tigers, sloth bears, small clawed otters, birds, and much more over two acres long! This new exhibit is also hoped to shed light on the crucial need for tiger advocates to help save wild tigers, whose future is unknown and at risk.

Donate towards the Malayan Tiger Habitat, photo courtesy of the Woodland Park Zoo

If you’ve been to the Woodland Park Zoo, and love to see the animals they host living in comfort, the Zoo would like to extend a little encouragement for you to pass along the word that the Zoo will need the community’s help in funding this new sanctuary for their furry friends. The Zoo is currently running a campaign, asking friends to pledge $10 a person, “Give 10 For Tigers” and encourages everyone who donates to ask ten friends to pledge as well. They have $200,000 left to raise in order to hire builders and start construction and every dollar donated is a step closer to their goal. If they raise $100,000 by midnight on May 25th, a local family has even graciously pledged to donate the other $100,000 necessary to fund the new tiger palace! If you’d like more information on how to donate, please visit the Woodland Park Zoo website.

One of Seattle’s best Cinco De Mayo parties is in Green Lake!!

Come celebrate Cinco De Mayo at Tacos Guaymas in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood this Saturday from 11:00 am – 2:00 am.

For 11 years running Tacos Guaymas (Green Lake Location) has played host to what could be considered one of the biggest Cinco De Mayo block parties in town.  I’ve attended the event 3 out of the past 5 years and can assure those who like a good Cinco De Mayo party that you should find the event to be  entertaining.

The festivities are not restricted to just the restaurant as Tocas Guaymas obtains a permit from the city that allows them to fence off a large portion of 2nd Ave NE.  There are drink stations inside and outside, music, and fun times to be had. It’s sure to be one of the most attended parties in town so get your tickets in advance.

To pre-order tickets or for more information please call (206)729-6563

Tacos Guaymos is located at:

6808 East Green Lake Way N. 98155

For those that attend, have fun and keep your fingers crossed that the sun comes out.

Celebrate Earth Day This Weekend!

The Wallingford Chamber of Commerce is helping the Wallingford neighborhood celebrate Earth Day this weekend with it’s much anticipated 3rd annual “Operation Beautification Wallingford” on Saturday. The clean up crews will be gathering from 11am to 2pm around the Wallingford Center to begin cleaning, and will also host face painting, a bake sale and live music. If you’d like to help beautify the neighborhood but aren’t able to work outdoors, you can donate items to the bakes sale! All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Wallingford Community Senior Center and the Chamber for their endeavors and dedication to keeping the community clean, and to “eat, live and work well.” If you’d like more information on volunteering in and around Wallingford for Earth Day, please find more information here.

Photo Courtesy of theCrimsonCrow.com

56 Year Old Woman Helps Rescue Family in Greenlake

On Thursday morning a 56 year old mother reportedly saved her family during a house fire in the Greenlake neighborhood. Firefighters were called to the tangletown home around 3:30am, responding to a call for smoke sightings. The Seattle fire department spoke with the woman, who said she awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of her smoke detector going off, and ran upstairs to wake her 21 year old son and three small grandchildren, the oldest one only 5 years old. The woman was reportedly taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation and the fire was reportedly caused by an overheated extension cord on the second floor of their home. Damage to the home was ruled as accidental, and estimated to cost $75,000 in damages.

Ballard Bridge to be Closed for Evening Paint Job

The Ballard bridge is scheduled to get a fresh coat of paint for the next three weekends, and will be closed in the evenings for traffic. The closure will be scheduled starting from 3:00-6:00AM beginning this Saturday April 14th, and also scheduled for the 21st & 28th. Be prepared for bridge closures from midnight to 6:00AM on Sundays April 15, 22 and 29th as well. The new paint project is expected to end around the end of May.

Photo Courtesy of www.myballard.com

Southbound lanes and west sidewalk closures should also end by the end of April, but northbound lanes and east sidewalk closures will move forward into May, but will be open during rush hour between 3-8pm. For more information and updates on the bridge delays, visit the Seattle Times.

Best Easter Events Around Seattle This Weekend

The Easter Bunny has been heavily sought out, and spotted at several locations around Seattle, such as the Westfield Mall, Northgate Mall, Bellevue Square, and even Yuen Lui! Spring has finally snuck up on us, and with the beginning of the season comes  a heavy influx of pastel cardigans, and alot of tooth aches from too much jelly beans, and impulse cadbury egg purchases. We all love watching the little ones run around filling up their baskets with eggs on a wild goose chase, but here is a hand full of activities for the whole family to partake this Easter weekend.

Snohomish Easter Parade
The Parade kicks off at 11am, with ample time for church goers to stop by on their way home.

Egg Hunt at Woodland Park Zoo’s Bunny Bounce
9:30-2pm, Along with the egg hunt, there will be Easter arts & crafts, events are free with Zoo admission, or membership. Guests can also watch zoo animals receive their own Easter basket of treats!

Seattle Easter Swing Dancing

West Coast swingers will be flocking to the spring Easter swing dance event this weekend, filled with dancing, $20,000 in prizes, and private lessons!

Lace Up For National Walking Day!

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that adults these days spend more sitting down, either in front of  a computer screen at work or watching a movie on their couch than they do exercising. While this might be true for yourself, a negative side affect for our nation as a whole is that we’re becoming slowly more inactive. This could slowly become a huge issue, when you factor in that physical inactivity could double the risk of heart disease; luckily for us, this is problem you can choose to fix, on National Walking Day.

On the first Wednesday in April every year, the American Heart Association hosts a National Walking Day, with events around the country aimed to get Americans off their bums, and on their feet. This year on April 4th, employers can encourage their employees to wear tennis shoes to work that day and use  15 minutes on their lunch break to get out and get the blood flowing. If you’re in the neighborhood, wander around green lake, and encourage others to do so as well. For a list of events going on around Seattle, click here.

Filming new Indie Flick at Greenlake Friday!

Seattle has been  a popular setting for quite a few hit screen plays like 50/50, 10 Things I hate About You, and Sleepless in Seattle; and tomorrow, a new indie is scheduled to be filmed in the Green Lake Area. An Independent film titles “Matt’s Chance” starring Edward Furlong, best know for his role in American History X will be filming in the park from 7am-2pm. Filming is scheduled to talk place near the playground, on a boat on the lake, and in front of the Bathhouse Theatre. If you’re planning to be in or around Green Lake at this time, please be aware that the filming may affect your activities. The crew is asking residents to avoid parking on the street during the time of shooting, and is planning on parking their trucks in or near the playground area. For more information about the film, please find the synopsis here.