Sir Mix-A-Lot Is Back!
Find out which summer festival he’s headlining, and who he’s sharing the stage with.



Find out which summer festival he’s headlining, and who he’s sharing the stage with.
I hope this letter finds you laying by the pool or lake and soaking in some much-needed Vitamin D.
As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, I find myself eagerly anticipating the arrival of summer. There's just something about this season that brings about a sense of excitement and adventure.
Sure, fall has my favorite flavors and scents, winter has its cozy charms and I can't deny the beauty of spring. But when the summer solstice rolls around, I’m more than ready for the long, languid days sitting by the pool or floating on a boat.
The pages in our Summer Fun issue will help you make the most of this season in Bellevue. And even if summer doesn't mean three months of summer vacation anymore (because we're, you know, adults) we can still look forward to an adventure by crossing things off our ultimate summer bucket list (check the Local Experiences section for ours!) and curling up with a new favorite beach read. (P.S. Teachers, you deserve this much-needed break and I know you're so ready for it.)
My family loves to camp and have beach picnics each year, go for bike rides, and enjoy leisurely hikes. There's something about being in nature that feels so rejuvenating and refreshing.
Just like this season has a way of bringing people together, we hope the pages inside this month’s issue will enrich and enliven your experience of Bellevue this summer!
July 2023
PUBLISHER
Caitlin Agnew | caitlin.agnew@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Bree O’Brien | bree.obrien@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Taylor Robinson | taylor.robinson@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Max Baker | max.baker@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Bree O’Brien, Kira Womble, Dr. Wayne Larrabee
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Bree O’Brien, Corky Trewin
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer
ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson
WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
BREE O’BRIEN, EDITOR @BELLEVUELIFESTYLEAD DESIGNER Hunter Richie
LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster
.
As a Client of VDB, your satisfaction is our top priority. We work diligently and earnestly everyday to ensure your real estate goals are addressed with the utmost professionalism and care.
15: Tuesday, May 9, 2023, BizQuest guests received the playful takeaway game Barrel of Monkeys. 16: Together, the panelists provided a thoughtful discussion on teamwork, culture, risk, change, and social responsibility. 17: Educational activities were part of the fun at KidsQuest Children’s Museum’s BizQuest breakfast fundraiser.
Tag your Instagram photos with @BellevueLifestyle
m.matthews@ubs.com
425-451-2350
UBS Financial Services Inc.
Private Wealth Management 225 108th Avenue Northeast Bellevue, WA 98004
This Forbes rating is based on information from June of the prior year to June of the award year
We specialize in portfolio management, tax mitigation strategies, liquidity events, advanced planning and concentrated positions.
Matthews Director–Managementm.matthews@ubs.com
advisors.ubs.com/thematthewsgroup
For more information on third-party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that you understand the ways in which we conduct business, and that you carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to you about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review the client relationship summary provided at ubs.com/relationshipsummary, or ask your UBS Financial Advisor for a copy. UBS Financial Services Inc., its affiliates and its employees do not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult with your personal tax and/or legal advisors regarding your particular situation. Private Wealth Management is a division within UBS Financial Services Inc., which is a subsidiary of UBS AG. © UBS 2022. All rights reserved. The key symbol and UBS are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. CJ-UBS-626383130 Exp.: 12/31/2023
Since 1947, Bellevue Arts Museum has hosted the largest award-winning arts and crafts festival in the Northwest – an annual gathering place for our community and a wonderful way to connect to the world of art, craft, and design. We are committed to handmade excellence and supporting national designers, artists, and craftspeople showcasing unique, handmade craft and art. BAM Arts Fair also offers free programming including BAM exhibitions, Kids Fair activities, live performances, and food trucks!
At iAM we believe aging is a privilege. The owners of IAM Center for Integrative Aesthetic Medicine, Michelle Brown and Amaris Murphy, use their experience as nurse practitioners to help women heal from the inside out. They specialize in the treatment of perimenopause and menopause, and offer a variety of medical aesthetic services. A women-owned and veteran-owned company, the two have been in the women’s health and aesthetics industry for a combined 23 years. iam-center.com
Bellevue Essentials will open your eyes to the “who”, “what” and “why" of City government and the avenues to get involved. Participants experience the daily operations of city government through interactive learning, tours and field trips. Applications for the 11-week program are due July 20. 35 participants will be selected who are representative of Bellevue’s diverse community and who are committed to serving their community. Learn more at bellevuewa.gov/bellevue-essentials
Join KidsQuest Children’s Museum as we celebrate the sunshine and make summer memories as you explore the Museum after hours! With special guests and unique activities each week, there is so much to discover! Happening every Friday and Saturday evening starting July 7, from 4–8pm. kidsquestmuseum.org
• Reservations required for entry.
• $20 for all children
• $10 for non-member adults
• Member adults free
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Bellevue
18
Don’t let the summer season get away from you before school and cooler temperatures return. Grab your crew and tackle our bucket list recommendations to check off before one of our favorite seasons comes to an end.
NELSON FAMILY FARM: Bring your chairs and blankets to Suncadia for an outdoor movie experience, Fridays at the Nelson Farm activity center. Concessions are available, movies start at 8PM. 2141 Swiftwater Dr, Cle Elum, Washington 98922
ENATAI BEACH PARK: An almost three-acre park featuring a swimming area, swimming dock, boat house, picnic area, restrooms, and seasonal canoe and kayak rentals offered by REI. 3519 108th Ave SE, Bellevue, Washington 98004
BIRDSVIEW BREWING COMPANY: A small, family-owned and operated craft brewery located in scenic Birdsview. They brew all of their beer onsite and offer an easygoing, relaxed atmosphere. 38302 State Rte 20, Concrete, Washington 98237
MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND INDUSTRY: MOHAI tells Seattle’s story through exhibits and interactives. True Northwest: The Seattle Journey examines the dramatic environment, diverse populations, and inventive spirit of the region's history. 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington 98109
BELLEVUE BEATS & BITES MUSIC SERIES: Free outdoor performances in the Heart of Bellevue. Lunchtime concerts are held Wednesdays and Fridays. Evening concerts on Thursdays feature a beer garden and food trucks. Various locations downtown, Bellevue, Washington 98004
BEST MANICURE
BEST PEDICURE
BEST MASSAGE AND MORE!
From the most luxurious experiences to breakthrough antiaging treatments with expert providers, PRO Club’s awardwinning Spa and Medical Spa offer the ultimate in looking and feeling your best. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
THE VERY LATEST:
contouring
Women’s wellness • And more!
Cultivating a true appreciation for a local jewel
When Susie Marglin, a docent at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, reached out to let me know I’d made an unfortunate choice of stock photo for a previous mention of the garden in Bellevue Lifestyle, she also offered to give me a guided tour. She told me she’d brief me on its history and “How it became the Botanical Park instead of just another beautiful community park asset.”
I arrive for my tour on a beautiful spring day and see many shades of foliage illuminated by the sun, punctuated by assorted blooms big and small. Susie’s passion for the garden and the plants growing in it is immediately evident. “I have been involved with the garden at different levels since its inception over 30 years ago. Now I do the floral arrangements for events, work in our Perennial Border which is the largest such border in the United States run by volunteers, and obviously I am a docent,” she says. She introduces me to volunteers and employees and describes how the park started out as 7.5 acres of private arboretum land, deeded to the City of Bellevue with the provision that it remain a public park. Three more land acquisitions in various forms add up to the 53 acres that comprise the park today.
Marglin is not only knowledgeable about the types of plants and their care, but has stories pertaining to them; like how the Dawn Redwood was considered extinct until a forester discovered a group of the trees in Central China. Seeds were procured
from those Chinese trees, and after millions of years absent from North America, they were re-established here - including at the Botanical Garden.
We wind through the park, taking in Japanese iris, western azalea, a mason bee house, into the Yao Japanese Garden, and across the 150-foot suspension bridge spanning a deep ravine. While I patronize the Garden d’Lights around the holidaysan undertaking that requires over 6,400 volunteer hours a year - I hadn’t explored the botanical garden otherwise. It feels peaceful being amongst all the greenery and blossoms, especially on the Lost Meadow Trail which features the Night Blooming sculpture, and in the Native Discovery Garden. As Marglin said, “People come here as a place of respite from the craziness of the world,” and I could see that in the faces of those who were wandering the park along with us. Entering the garden is free, and groups can sign up for docent-lead tours. Most of the garden is ADA compliant. Plan your own stroll in the garden at bellevuebotanical.org
My passion for the outdoors is far and wide. I love backpacking, camping, whitewater rafting, canyoning, highlining, and foraging. I think being in nature is the best way to decompress, as well as connect with ourselves and our community. I hope that sharing my experiences and expertise makes exploring the great outdoors more approachable for more people from all walks of life.
1. REI CO-OP WONDERLAND 6 TENT
If you’re looking for a go-to spacious tent, this one is for you. The included interior divider can break the large tent into two rooms, which we like using for living and sleeping spaces. The awnings keep gear out of summer rain and the huge doors and windows allow you to see all the views around you! rei.com/product/202982
2. REI CO-OP CAMP ROLL TABLE
Tables aren’t always the first thought when it comes to camping, but this one may change your mind. It’s so convenient when you want to spread out while cooking or enjoy a card game with friends! It rolls up small and is easy to throw in the car for all the days spent outside. rei.com/product/765280
3. REI CO-OP WONDERLAND CHAIR
For ventures that are closer to the car, this chair is an excellent addition. It stays comfortable throughout long evenings by the campfire or hangouts in the park, and feels super sturdy. rei.com/product/217995
4. NEMO DISCO 30 SLEEPING BAG
I love this sleeping bag because it is wider and roomier than a classic mummy bag but almost the same weight. It’s suitable for car camping or a long backpacking trip. rei.com/product/163035
5. PLATYPUS QUICK DRAW WATER FILTER
There are a lot of great filters available, but I’ve been impressed with Platypus’s rigorous product testing. I love that there are caps on either end to keep dirt and debris out of the filter while I’m on the trail. Cleaning it is super easy as well! rei.com/product/188475
6. PACKTOWL PERSONAL TOWEL
These are so small and endlessly useful - I literally carry mine wherever I go. I have used it as a sitting blanket at the park, to clean puppy paws after a romp in the mud, and to dry off after going for a swim in a mountain lake. rei.com/product/221819
Kira Womble has worked at the REI Co-op Bellevue store for the last year, since returning to the USA from living abroad. She loves that co-workers and customers alike revel in sharing their adventures in the outdoors.
IMAGE COURTESY OF KIRA WOMBLE
The summer home to end all summer homes (at least in Washington State) is on the market. A 90+ acre compound encompassing three homes, plus amenities like a game house, caretaker house, two pools, a putting green, and sport courts, the cherry on top is 650 feet of waterfront. The Compass listing agents, Team Foster, say “It’s incredibly rare to have this kind of generational estate come to market in the San Juans. Each house is very private from the other, so it’s a place that a family or group of friends can go to relax—alone AND together.”
Seattle’s premier foodie festival, The Bite of Seattle, celebrates its 38th year in 2023! Featuring hundreds of local vendors, 50+ musical performances, beer gardens and more, Bite of Seattle is fun for all ages. Festival goers will enjoy bites from local restaurants using the CHEQ app to place mobile orders. “As we reunite for this iconic event, we’re proud to highlight the extraordinary food and music that have become synonymous with Seattle,” said Thomas Lapham, CEO of CHEQ.
The event features a wide range of performers, from Seattle’s own Sir Mix-A-Lot to Polyrhythmics to Nite Wave and more. Sir Mix-A-Lot, one of rap’s greatest DIY stories, put the Seattle hip-hop scene on the map in the 1990s, paving the way for the next generation of home-grown rap artists. The Grammy
Award-winning “Baby Got Back” star headlines the festival on Sunday, July 23, bringing his danceable, bass-heavy tracks to the Mural stage. “Posse on Broadway” anyone?
Polyrhythmics, a progressive funk, psychedelic rock, and modern Afrobeat band takes the main stage on Saturday, July 22. Additional music entertainment includes Nite Wave, The Paperboys, The Little Lies – A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, #All4DORAS, Cytrus, Grace Love, Grizzled Might, All-Star Opera, Massy Ferguson, and more local acts showcasing the Emerald City’s music scene.
The Bite of Seattle will welcome over 500,000 guests and is free to the public with a limited number of VIP tickets on sale now. Visit biteofseattle.com for further details.
Ten years ago, Rainier Athletes welcomed its first class of students at Lake Hills Elementary. Bellevue Lifestyle connected with Jesse Franklin in the aftermath of Rainier Athletes’ Shape the Future Gala celebrating this milestone.
Rainier Athletes is “a long-term community that starts in fourth grade and continues through high school graduation and beyond,” says Franklin. Students are matched with dedicated one-on-one mentors and fully sponsored to participate in the extracurricular activities of their choice. Historically focused on sports, the program is expanding to include the arts and STEM extracurriculars. Mentors come from local businesses, higher education institutions, and connections of existing mentors. The majority of mentees are people of color, speak a language other than English at home, and experience challenges associated with poverty.
Students are eligible to apply for the program if they qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and schools help select candidates. Once students apply, their families undergo a rigorous interview process. Rainier Athletes had three times the number of applications this year as in the past, so in the next three years Franklin would like to see the budget of the organization double and impact triple. Farther into the future, at the twenty-year celebration, Franklin hopes the Rainier Athletes community is lasting a lifetime, expanding its reach, and further increasing its impact.
Shape the Future was a sold out event, and guests included a wide variety of community members coming together to support authentic relationships. Hometown teams the Mariners, Kraken, Seahawks, and Sounders are all partners and had a presence there. A focal point of the gala was the theme of “identity,” being proud of who you are and showing up authentically. Summing up the work of Rainier Athletes, Franklin says, “We’re in the business of showing youth their unlimited possibility.”
Summer skincare calls for different considerations than cold-weather skincare - we strive to achieve that summer glow without any associated sun damage. Sweat and oils, chlorine, dirt, and heat can wreak havoc on our epidermis. So how can we prevent harm to our skin? We wanted an expert opinion, so Bellevue Lifestyle turned to Dr. Wayne Larrabee of the Larrabee Center for recommendations. Dr. Larrabee is a globally recognized expert in aesthetic medicine and surgery who has published three books in multiple editions and languages, plus over 250 articles in the field. Here’s what he told us: Use a good broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above. We recommend that you reapply every two hours or after any time in the water. Our
aesthetic staff can recommend an individual product for you, but we especially like Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36.
Prepare your skin for the summer with a HydraFacial! It will deeply clean, exfoliate, and give you glowing, clear skin for summer fun. You can call to schedule with one of our master estheticians.
We recommend you avoid most lasers and lightbased treatments in the summer to prevent unwanted pigment changes. SylfirmX is a radiofrequency needling treatment that can be used for all skin types during the summer for texture and pigmentary problems. This is a minimal downtime procedure done with topical anesthesia. When Exosomes are added the results can be enhanced even more.
Protective clothing, especially broad brimmed hats, and good sunglasses provide added protection against sun damage and are highly recommended.
Dr. Wayne Larrabee is a facial plastic surgeon in Seattle and Kirkland. He founded the Larrabee Center in 1990 and was the founding editor of JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery and the Clinics in Facial Plastic Surgery.
Photo credit: Corri McAllister
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RICK STEVES’ EUROPE
What’s the locally grown, internationally known travel writer’s favorite summer port of call?
We’re always curious to explore far-flung lands in the summer when school is out and the pace of life feels more relaxed. In this spirit of exploration, Bellevue Lifestyle asked public television host, best-selling guidebook author, and travel activist (and Edmonds native) Rick Steves for his absolute favorite summer travel destination. After some consideration, Steves shared:
In the summer, I like to avoid the heat and crowds of the Mediterranean and head north of the Alps, where peak-season travel brings life to sleepy destinations, the days are long, and it’s sunny but not sweltering hot.
In Norway, where the mellow, no-shadow light of “magic hour” lasts until 11:00 pm, there’s something particularly poetic about summer evenings. This is a land of intense beauty, with famously deep fjords
carved out and shaped by an ancient ice age. The call of gulls and lazy gulping of small boats taking on little waves provides a relaxing soundtrack. Cobbled lanes lead past shiplap houses to sheer cliffs. And the mountains are mesmerizing. Rather than jagged, they’re bald and splotchy, with snowfields on top and characteristic cliffs plunging into inky water. I love Norway in the summer.
A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.
JULY 4TH
Woodridge's Annual 4th of July Celebration and 5K!
NORWOOD SWIM CLUB, 2340 123RD PL SE, BELLEVUE | 9:00 AM Race, Parade, Food Trucks, Live Music, Slip n' Slide, and more!
Co-hosted by: Norwood Village Association, Norwood Swim Club, Woodridge Swim Club, and Woodridge Community Association. Thanks to sponsors Wes Jones and Teck Chu. See woodridgebellevue.com for a schedule of events.
JULY 4TH
Bellevue Family 4th
BELLEVUE DOWNTOWN PARK, 10201 NE 4TH ST, BELLEVUE
5:00 PM
Bellevue Family 4th presented by The Bellevue Collection returns to Bellevue Downtown Park for its 31st year in the Heart of Bellevue. Enjoy free live music, children’s activities, food options/food trucks, and family entertainment. The evening leads to a spectacular fireworks show at 10:05 PM, synchronized with a live performance by the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra.
JULY 8TH-9TH
Japan Fair 2023
MEYDENBAUER CENTER, 11100 NE 6TH ST, BELLEVUE
Enjoy a free two-day festival showcasing traditional and modern Japanese arts and culture, music, and technology. Live music, performances, cosplay contest, martial arts, ikebana and tea ceremony demonstrations, Japanese food, and a wide variety of exhibitors are sure to entertain you. Families with kids can enjoy activities in the Kids’ Corner including calligraphy and Japanese carnival games. japanfairus.org
JULY 8TH
StanceWars Seattle 2023
BELLEVUE COLLEGE, 3000
LANDERHOLM CIRCLE SE, BELLEVUE | 5:00 PM
YOU'RE INVITED! To the Largest Automotive Event in Washington. "It's an experience like nothing else in Seattle, maybe the country". In the Bellevue College Garage - hand selected vehicles are displayed on the top floor with thousands below and surrounding in the Toyko Style event. More info stancewars.com/seattle/
JULY 14TH
THEATRE AT MEYDENBAUER
CENTER, 11100 NE 6TH ST, BELLEVUE | 9:00 PM
Fisher is a hilarious comedian/writer/actor and has a beautiful singing voice in the shower. He has written for Viceland, 50 Central on BET, and most recently The Tonight Show. Jourdain was highlighted as one of 2018’s New Faces at the prestigious Just For Laughs festival in Montreal. He has also performed on The Tonight Show and Comedy Central. eventbrite.com
JULY 29TH-30TH
BELLEVUE GOLF COURSE, 5500 140TH AVE. NE BELLEVUE
The most prestigious amateur golf event on Seattle’s eastside, with past champions including Fred Couples, Jeff Gove, and last year’s champion, Kris Jackson. The tournament has three divisions and is open to all golfers with an active USGA handicap of 25 or below. Visit bellevuepgc.com to sign up.
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Bellevue
H E A D S H O T S
Architect ALLOY DESIGN GROUP
DESIGNER ELIZABETH STRETCH OF STRETCH DESIGN