Orcas Island, nicknamed “the gem of the San Juans”, had everything we needed for a relaxing weekend—a lovely downtown to shop and eat, a stunning shoreline, beautiful lakes, and walking, hiking, and biking trails. There are plenty of lodging options: you can camp, stay in a cabin, yurt, at a resort, or book an airbnb. Once on the island, you can take the ferry to visit the other islands for free, including San Juan Island (Friday Harbor), Lopez Island, and Shaw Island.
Run to help the animals!
In this edition of Dog Days, we feature Furry 5k Fun Run + Walk at Seward Park in Seattle. This event takes place next Sunday, June 12th. The race starts at 10:00 am. The 5K fun run/walk benefits the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Help the Animals Fund.
Chef Shota Nakajima served a standout meal bringing Seattle its first traditional kaiseki-style Japanese restaurant. The overall experience at Naka is one of the best in recent memory. The atmosphere is modern, with light music playing in the background, and only a half-full dining area. The chic bar was busier than the dining room on the weeknight we visited, but gets fully booked on the weekend.
Walk in Motown mogul Berry Gordy’s shoes at the Paramount Theater
Motown is arguably the single most influential music of all time – and you can thank Berry Gordy, music mogul and founder of Motown records, for virtually every great 1960-80s sensation that came out of that era. Everyone from the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and SO, so many more. Motown the Musical walks you through Gordy’s
Say goodbye to stinky synthetic clothing.
Ably’s 100% premium cotton shirts and hoodies shrug off water, stains, and odor so you can get into your dirtiest fun and still look and smell fresh. Go ahead, Nature Boy—camp for a week with only one shirt. Go for it, Gym Queen—work out for an hour on the elliptical and still smell like daisies. It’s time to think of all the stuff you can do with your time besides laundry.
Shop, learn, play, adopt!
In this edition of Dog Days, we feature the 3rd Annual Seattle Pet Expo at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle. The Seattle Pet Expo is bigger than ever and running for two days this year! The event takes place next Saturday through Sunday, June 4-5. Admission is FREE and your pet is welcome to attend. There will be shopping, adoptions, free nail trims, discounted vaccinations and microchipping, pet costume contest, pet talent show, author book signings, agility demonstrations and much MORE.
Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore.
Adult coloring books are everywhere these days. You can find them in gift shops, bookstores, craft stores, and online. Touted for their powers of stress-reduction and mindfulness, coloring books with intricate designs are a welcome reprieve from staring at a screen all day. They help quiet the mind and give us something to do when we’re binging on Netflix. It’s a fun activity to do with friends while catching up at a coffee shop or cafe and makes a thoughtful gift as well.
Seattle’s 45th annual Northwest Folklife Festival, the country’s largest community-powered arts and culture Festival is this weekend! Beginning Friday, Northwest Folklife creates opportunities for all to celebrate, share, and participate in the evolving cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest. Northwest Folklife Festival is the non-profit’s signature event, featuring over 5,000 performers from over 65 different cultural communities that help to make up the Northwest’s arts-rich landscape.
Mark your calendar! Feast Portland returns for year five September 15-18
Bon Appétit Presents Feast Portland released its full 2016 festival lineup yesterday, unveiling four new Fun-Size events, a Latin theme for the Night Market, a ballin’ new east side location for the Sandwich Invitational, and over 100 chefs from around the world. This event should not be missed—the weekend is easily better than any food & wine event in Seattle (sorry Seattle, nothing but love for you). Festival tickets will be available to purchase starting at 9:00 am PST today at http://www.feastportland.com/.
When is the last time you went to the symphony?
Benaroya Hall is a beautiful and majestic venue that many of us hardly visit. Native Seattleites might remember when they took a grade school field trip to watch the symphony perform years ago. Those who are newer to the city may have never been, but many state that they’ve “been meaning to go”. The Seattle Symphony has something for everyone, offering a variety of programs, from casual and short to more sophisticated and slightly longer to family friendly.
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