Kirkland, WA May 2023

The Women's Issue

FOOD + BEVERAGE

LIFE IS SWEET: MEET THE FOUNDER OF LADY YUM

STYLE + BEAUTY WORTHY SUBJECTS

LOCAL SERVICES

THESE WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS

Women

I don’t know about you but I love any opportunity to recognize the women I know who just make life more rich and beautiful.  Our friends, wives, sisters, and daughters are some of the most influential women and girls in our lives.

And of course with Mother’s Day this month, all eyes are on moms… But there are other women who have also made an indelible impact on us. It’s the family members, teachers, friends and neighbors doing awesome things in our communities, pouring into our lives - making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

In this issue you’ll read about a photographer who wants to show women they are worthy as they are, a family with three generations of women dedicated to early childhood education Montessori-style, an entrepreneur who started a macaron bakery with a company culture based in authenticity, and a ballerina who made a dream come to life.

While it’s always important to shop local and support our area businesses, this month is the perfect time to patronize businesses owned by women in our communities. That’s one of my favorite parts of this role - connecting with and championing the best of the best when it comes to Kirkland's women.

They are movers and shakers, builders and makers. They are both seen and unseen. Their silent service blesses those who are under their care. Their attention to detail shows us something about beauty that can’t be seen or understood any other way.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love them.

May 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, Jayme T. Stahl

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Life N Light

Corporate Team

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

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

O’BRIEN, EDITOR @KIRKLANDLIFESTYLE

BREE

Proverbs 3:5-6

Spring has sprung and recently released data for the month of February indicates a cautiously optimistic outlook in the housing market! Current trends in activity demonstrate a seasonal pattern typically characterized by heightened open house traffic and an increase in the number of homes under contract, signaling the onset of the spring market. It is worth noting that these market conditions present a multitude of opportunities for

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: A peek at the Woodinville Whiskey Dinner menu. 2: Woodinville Sherry Cask Bourbon pairing with fresh scallop and pork belly first course.

3: Hearth sign lit up for the Woodinville Whiskey Dinner event. 4: Patrons enjoying their Woodinville Whiskey tastings inside Hearth.

5: Second course marina rye bruschetta with house-smoked sockeye salmon paired with Woodinville Rye Whiskey. 6: Woodinville Bourbon glazed short rib. 7: Crepes filled with Woodinville Bourbon bananas, paired with Port Cask Finished Bourbon.

Photography Courtesy of The Heathman Hotel

8: Guests Jeff Payne and Connie Lindsay and Key Bank associate enjoy a glass of wine. 9: Stacy catching up with a past client! 10: Some of the faces behind the name, the Alair Kirkland team! 11: Stacy’s longest and most loyal supporters, his wife and family! 12: Smiles were bright for Stacy who was surrounded by friends, colleagues, and customers! 13: Stacy giving a speech with the support of his loving wife Danica. 14: The party was held at Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi, where the food, drinks and views were to die for!

Photography by Life N Light

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Tag your Instagram photos with @KirklandLifestyle

celebrate SkinSpirit’s new location in Kirkland. 21: Guests watched live demos of popular treatments, received personalized skincare consultations and booked appointments.

Photography Courtesy of SkinSpirit

15: SkinSpirit opens at The Village in Totem Lake with a grand opening party including sips, bites and live treatment demos. 16: Media, influencers, partners and friends gather to enjoy drinks and appetizers and speak with SkinSpirit staff. 17: Nurse Practitioner, Jessica Shdo, shows live treatment demo for guests to learn more about leading medical grade lines. 18: Guests received a goodie bag loaded with medical-grade skincare products. 19: Guests enjoy sips and bites to

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Imagine Housing’s Farm to Table(aux): A Feast, Friends—and Frida!

Farm to Table(aux), a celebration of art and culture, will bring the community together on May 13 to support Imagine Housing’s mission to develop affordable housing, build welcoming communities and foster vibrant futures—on the Eastside. The evening is designed to be an exhilarating journey of the senses: dance performance, artisan cocktails, art, and fine food and wine. It’s a feast with friends—and Frida!—to support affordable housing, which creates vibrant neighborhoods and benefits us all. imaginehousing.ejoinme.org/ftt

The Slip Reopens With a New, Expanded Deck

One of Kirkland's oldest restaurants, The Slip at 80 Kirkland Avenue, recently celebrated the opening of their bigger, nicer deck and patio. They demolished the old concrete patio this winter and constructed a new deck on the west side of the restaurant. Weathered gray Trex decking, with new tables, chairs, umbrellas, and railing; the expanded deck now looks north and west with expansive water views. The Slip is open seven days a week from mid-May.

Taylor Swift Sing-along at the Kirkland Performance Center

So you didn't snag tickets to Taylor's Seattle shows in July? Not to worry! We have a Taylor Swift Sing-along with the Kirkland Community Choir and house band at the KPC! Come sing along with your favorite songs like Shake It Off, Love Story, Bad Blood and others! Take selfies on the red carpet with (cardboard cutout) Taylor and hang with the Swifties of Kirkland! Tickets at  www.kpcenter.org . No site crash expected due to demand. Scan

Photography: Provided by Baile Folklore Colibri

Butter Massage Spa: Melt Away Stress and Unwind

Michelle Wedel, LMT wants to ensure she treats your problem areas all while pampering with hot towels & luxury oils. Butter Massage Spa is modern & inviting with a great downtown Kirkland location with free parking. You can choose from a menu of massage options such as a standard Swedish, therapeutic deep tissue, relaxing hot stone & more. You can also find quality retail prod ucts that are woman-owned compa nies and made in the USA.

E A D S H O T S

May the 4th be With You at Kirkland Urban

Celebrate that galaxy far, far away at Kirkland Urban on May 4th from 7-9 pm with an immersive laser show produced by Modern Enterprises, real-life storm troopers and other costumed characters. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character. The laser show begins at dusk, but join us early to grab a bite to eat, and swing by QFC to support their food drive!

Art That Gives Back at The Agency

Art That Gives Back at The Agency Seattle will feature select art pieces for viewing and purchase by the incredible C. Bennett beginning May 5th and through the month of May, while we work towards a common goal of providing housing for a local family in need, in partnership with Give Back Homes. A portion of art sales goes directly towards Give Back Homes.  Donations warmly welcomed. 123 Lake Street South, Suite 123B in Kirkland.

Northwest Family Law Opens New Kirkland Office

Founded in 2014, Northwest Family Law was born out of its founder Monica Chin's firsthand experiences as a child.  The firm focuses on leading families through the pain of divorce toward a brighter future by guiding clients through a strategic plan tailored specifically to their circumstances and goals. Our team of six opened the new space on Market Street in October, and are expanding to double our space in April as we grow further. nwfamilylaw.com

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland

Photography: Dakota Elizabeth Photography

Photography: Studio B Portraits

Photography: Joe Kunesh

local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

Grab your gal pals and plan a relaxing or upscale day, weekend, or GNO (Girls Night Out!) with any one of these local experiences fit for the females.

Our Picks for The Gal Pals

THE LODGE AT ST. EDWARDS PARK: A beautifully restored landmark building peacefully tucked away in a lush 326-acre forest, all just a short walk from the shores of spectacular Lake Washington.  14477 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore, Washington 98028

CAFE JUANITA: Surrounded by trees, this cozy restaurant prepares Northern Italian fare with Northwestern ingredients. The menu changes frequently to reflect the freshest available produce, meats and seafood. 9702 NE 120th Pl, Kirkland, Washington 98034

MOLBAK'S: Acres full of vibrant plants as well as inspiring landscape and home ideas. Their indoor plant selection is the largest in the region. 13625 NE 175th St Woodinville, Washinton 98072

YUAN SPA - TOTEM LAKE: Embark on a holistic sensory journey that will transform your body, mind and spirit. 11900 NE Village Plaza #176, Kirkland, Washington 98034

CANVAS! PAINT AND SIP: You will relax in a social, group setting, as an artist team member guides you through replicating the sessions featured painting step by step. 223 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, Washington 98033

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Cafe Juanita

Meet Marilisa

REAL ESTATE BROKER WITH COMPASS

Hello Neighbors,

I hope you’re enjoying my monthly real estate, home and design feature. Those who have been following me over the last few years know that I am passionate about property and that I am driven by being of service to others.

But how well do you really know me?

I’ve been a Kirkland resident ever since I relocated from London to the United States in 2010. This city’s vibrant lakeside community stole my heart. Don’t be reeled in by my British accent, I’m actually a born and bred Italian, hailing from Lake Como. After graduating from University in Oxford, I had a brief stint working in TV, read the sports news on local radio and interned with multiple publications, including Elle. I was once an aspiring ballet dancer and I’m a published writer in the Huffington Post, though my previous longtime career was in IT, with Microsoft.

When I’m not selling real estate, you’ll find me out in nature with my Golden Retriever, Bailey, volunteering at the kids’ school and hanging with my family - usually at Chainline. My not so secret passion project is renovation & design and a guilty pleasure of mine is shopping. Kirkland’s Park Lane is a little slice of retail heaven.

My ambition in this business? To be of service. I am an educator and a strategist, a master certified negotiator and a fierce advocate for my clients.

MARILISA

Broker

206.599.9908

marilisa@compass.com

luxuryseattleliving.com

ARTICLE BY BREE O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIFE N LIGHT

Life is Sweet

THE ENTREPRENEUR BEHIND LADY YUM SHARES A BITE OF HER STORY

Mac·a·ron: a light, often brightly colored sandwich cookie consisting of two rounded disks made from a batter of egg whites, sugar, and almond flour surrounding a sweet filling (as of ganache, buttercream, or jam)*

Do you like sweet treats that are as lovely to look at as they are delicious? You’ve probably seen macarons from Lady Yum at birthday parties, weddings, or holiday events. They’re eye-catching colors, sometimes sprinkled or sparkly, and smell heavenly. We’ve seen the locations in Bellevue, Kirkland, Seattle, and SeaTac Airport, and wanted to know more about the creator of these delectable desserts. Kirkland Lifestyle connected with Megan Wagstaff, Lady Yum founder and CEO, to get the details.

ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM THE EASTSIDE AREA?

Nope! I was born in Aberdeen, Washington and moved to rural southeast Alaska when I was four years old. I grew up in a village of 800 called Hoonah. I left Alaska at 17 to attend college at Pacific Lutheran University, where I earned a degree in business.

“I was determined to build a life for myself and my daughter, and a working environment for my employees, that was happy and stable and where you could 100% be yourself.”

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN BAKING?

My dad moved our family to this tiny village of Hoonah so he could get logging work. With three small kids that she homeschooled in a single-wide trailer, my mom imagined us on an Alaskan adventure.

It was during that adventure I started baking. I would put on my apron and with my mom’s cookbook and words of encouragement, set to work making cookies, brownies, and more.

WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN YOUR CAREER PRIOR TO LADY YUM?

I was an operations manager for an investment bank.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GO INTO BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF?

I realized I didn’t thrive in the corporate world. It was a very unnatural, unsafe environment for me. After escaping, I couldn’t imagine going back and I was determined to build a life for myself and my daughter, and a working environment for my employees, that was happy and stable and where you could 100% be yourself.

ARE THERE ANY GOALS YOU’RE WORKING TOWARD AS AN ENTREPRENEUR?

Right now my focus is on stabilization. We grew very quickly and then Covid hit and it has just been a really difficult few years. My personal goals are growing my executive leadership skills so I can effectively lead us into our next phase of growth. I have some things to learn.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF OWNING LADY YUM?

My favorite part of owning Lady Yum is being able to provide neighborhood gathering places for our community to luxuriate in, and an affordable and delicious indulgence for any occasion! It brings a lot of happiness and I feel honored that so many people have built traditions around my stores and macarons!

*definition from Merriam-Webster

“My personal goals are growing my executive leadership skills so I can effectively lead us into our next phase of growth. I have some things to learn.”

Worthy Subjects

ARTICLE BY BREE O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNON BEAUCLAIR

Meet Shannon Beauclair, the creator of the Worthy Project - for which she photographed 40 women over the age of 40, ranging from 40 to 90 years old.  Beauclair says, “As a photographer, I like to have the focus be on my subjects,” and loves for her clients to have physical, tangible portraits that are true art. There can be a lot of emotion that goes along with a photo shoot of this type, but Beauclair wanted these sessions to be fun and depict women as the stars of the show, worthy of being seen.

To Beauclair, the portraits are also a legacy. She asks clients to consider, “What photos, when you pass away, will your children fight over?”

Photographs are an important part of her own family’s history, and Beauclair says, “I feel lucky that portraits and photography were important to my dad’s mother, so they all had portraits taken and preserved. When I had children, I made sure to take photos and videos of their lives. The photo is tangible evidence that someone was here on earth and loved.”

Beauclair does all her own editing, and says that when she received the Worthy Project portraits back from the printer, she was in awe. Even after viewing them so much during the shooting and editing processes, the final results stunned her. Each photo conveyed the essence of its subject,

Shannon Beauclair

The photographer

Photography: Lara Blair Photography

The Worthy Project Gallery Event, celebrating the women over 40 project

some of the women even started crying when they saw their photos. It turns out, these shoots and photos helped them feel seen.

Beauclair has philanthropic aims, so she personally donated $40 for every client to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and used her Microsoft matching program to double that amount.  About 2/3 through the project she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and during medical leave had to reschedule nine of her clients while she recovered from surgery.  Then she lost her full-time role at Microsoft while on leave.  She was able to recover enough to finish her photoshoots, and celebrates the subjects and their stories in a Worthy Magazine that she has put together. Beauclair says, “I am taking my photography business full-time and will continue another Worthy Project this year, making it an annual event.”

Beauclair has started her next endeavor, The BARE Project, in which she’ll photograph 30 women over the age of 30, encouraging them to take authentic portraits in a fine art style.  This project’s philanthropy is benefitting The Melanoma Research Foundation, in memory of a friend’s son. Beauclair’s overarching mission to make women feel beautiful and worthy, as they are right now, continues.

Denise - 50’s, participated after years of caring for her husband to celebrate herself

Basilia - 50’s, wanted to be a role model for her daughter proving life over 50 is still beautiful

A New Ballet

KARINA MELIKYAN SPENT SEVEN YEARS BRINGING A NEW VERSION OF THE LITTLE PRINCE TO LIFE

ARTICLE BY BREE O’BRIEN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NADEZDA ZAVITAEVA

Karina Melikyan has been a ballerina her whole life, training in Vaganova style classical ballet  at the Yerevan State Choreographic School in her home country of Armenia. Originally writing off professional dance as not a long-term career option for her, she tried studying language instead in both Armenia and Syria. But life continually brought Melikyan back to dance. After she’d been a ballerina for years, she began to learn Armenian dances and opened up a dance school on the Eastside. Melikyan started with six students, one of which was her son, and “suddenly there were twenty kids knocking on my door, wanting to take lessons with me,” she said.

Over the course of the COVID pandemic, she expanded to a bigger school in Kirkland. Karin Kirkland School of Dance specializes in Vaganova technique classical ballet and it is the only school in Washington that teaches Armenian national dances. Since 2017, Melikyan had been thinking about helming a ballet production of The Little Prince, with new music written just for this show. After almost seven years from ideation to the stage, her production premiered in June of 2022, with Elisa Sargsyan as the composer. Melikyan and her friend Shushanik Babayan - with whom she went to dance school - wrote the libretto for the production to give to Sargsyan.

The Little Prince was recorded and Melikyan plans to make a film out of it, featuring a speech given by herself at the beginning. As she says, “Production was initiated, created, and brought to life by me and my Armenian friends in America. I just want the world to see how wonderful things are created.”

“THE LITTLE PRINCE” CREDITS

Creative idea: Karina Melikyan

Libretto: Karina Melikyan and Shushanik Babayan (WA and CA)

Music: Alisa Sargsyan (based on creative idea by Karina Melikyan) (WA)

Music performed and recorded: Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, conductor Harutyun Arzumanyan (Republic of Armenia)

Illustrator: Garrick Antikajian (OR)

Photographer: Nadezda Zavitaeva (WA)

Karina Melikyan

Adagio of the little prince and the rose.

Armenian dance to the music of Komitas “Dance of Vagharshapat”

The little prince in the garden of roses. In this moment he remembers his rose left all alone on his planet.

Larabee Aesthetics is led by Dr. Wayne Larrabee, an award winning, double board certified surgeon who has been serving moms and daughters for over 30 years.

Three Generations of Early Childhood Education on the Eastside

IN HER OWN WORDS:

JAYME

T. STAHL TELLS

KIRKLAND LIFESTYLE ABOUT HER FAMILY’S MONTESSORI JOURNEY

I have been the Director of Lakeview Montessori School in Kirkland since we opened our doors in September of 2010. Previously, I was the Assistant Director at Bellevue Montessori School from 2007-2010, and a Montessori teacher and administrator before that at both Bellevue Montessori and Lakeside Montessori.

Montessori is a child-focused method developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy’s first female physician ( Editor’s note: Maria Montessori lived from 1870-1952 and graduated with honors from medical school at the Sapienza University of Rome). Montessori education is an individualized approach in which each child has natural opportunities for independence and discovery. Children master concepts through repetition and use of the skillfully designed multi-sensory Montessori materials as they move from concrete understanding toward increasing abstraction of the concepts, eventually being able to carry their learning on to other applications. Children work in multi-age classrooms and follow their interests and curiosity at their own pace, taking their time to meet individualized learning goals.

The outcome is children who are self-directed, confident and accountable learners. Montessori nurtures children’s innate desire for understanding and knowledge with a focus on respect for the child, the community and the environment. As Dr. Montessori said, “Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire ‘to make him learn things,’ but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.”

Stahl and her husband and daughters. Photo credit: Stephanie George Photography

My grandmother, who had eight children of her own, was always passionate about early childhood development and education. She used to run a music kindergarten from the basement of her Clyde Hill home. She learned about Montessori when she took one of her children to a Montessori school in Seattle after a local school said they “could not keep up with his learning.” The director at that Montessori prompted her to start her own Montessori school.

My grandmother pursued a degree in early childhood education, brought Montessori teacher trainers over from Europe, and eventually founded Bellevue Montessori School in 1966, the first Montessori school on Seattle’s Eastside. She also established a Montessori teacher training center. She was truly a pioneer of Montessori education on the Eastside.

My mother completed the Montessori teacher accreditation in 1971 and received her degree in early childhood education from Washington State University in 1974. She audited the Montessori course as a refresher in 1984 and founded Pine Ranch Montessori School (now Lakeside Montessori) in 1985. My mother grew her school from a one-room farmhouse Montessori preschool to a multi-campus Montessori school for students 2.5-6 years old on the Sammamish plateau. My aunt Jeannine Hanson, also a Montessori certified educator, took over my grandmother’s training center in 1998 and later founded Chestnut Montessori School in 2008.

Although I grew up surrounded by Montessori and attended Montessori school through 4th grade, I never planned on a career in education. My dream was to become a broadcast journalist. After completing my BA in communication from WSU, I traveled to Thailand. On that trip I contracted a rare mosquito-borne disease that had me hospitalized for weeks and in rehabilitation for months.

During this time I returned to my Montessori roots. I enrolled in the Montessori teacher training, and immersed myself in learning the Montessori method from the teaching

perspective. It became clear to me that this was the path that was intended for me. The method and purpose resonated with me in a whole new way.  I received my Montessori early education teaching certificate in 2005 and completed my Masters in Education with Montessori emphasis from Chaminade University in 2009.

“This was the path that was intended for me. The method and purpose resonated with me in a whole new way.”

Stahl, her mother, grandmother, and aunt Teresa Bikhazi, at the opening of Lakeview Montessori

Photo credit: Kirkland Reporter

Children doing work at Lakeview Montessori

I am passionate about Montessori education because the philosophy so beautifully addresses childhood development, offering young children a unique sense of dignity and respecting each individual child’s process for learning and discovery. It is so much more than an academic model. Montessori is a holistic approach to understanding, appreciating, and supporting early childhood development. I am

Five Core Components of Montessori Education (courtesy of the American Montessori Society)

TRAINED MONTESSORI TEACHERS: A properly credentialed Montessori teacher has the skills and expertise to implement high-fidelity Montessori.

THE MULTI-AGE CLASSROOM: Classes with 3-year age spans facilitate mentorship among the students and encourage leadership development.

USING MONTESSORI MATERIALS: A hallmark of Montessori is specially designed materials that provide a hands-on approach to learning.

CHILD-DIRECTED WORK: Students are given agency to self-select work, leading to intrinsic motivation and sustained attention.

UNINTERRUPTED WORK PERIODS: An extended period of “free choice” enables students to work at their own pace and without interruption.

delighted every day watching our students discover new concepts, learn to exert their independence, and find joy in those “aha” moments.

I feel so lucky to have watched my own two daughters thrive in this educational environment and I can’t wait to witness the joy and discovery that my third child (due this summer) will experience once she is a student as well.

Stahl's grandmother preparing a Montessori math lesson

MEET THE BEST VERSION OF YOU

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These Women Mean Business

ARTICLE BY BREE O’BRIEN

As this is Kirkland Lifestyle’s Women’s issue, we thought we’d shout out some of the entrepreneurs behind six local woman-owned businesses. These ladies run the gamut from interior designers to

restaurateurs, but they are all talented, determined, and successful. We encourage you to check out their companies and websites - perhaps you’ll find yourself doing business with them soon.

Harmony Weihs, Design Harmony: An award-winning interior designer specializing in remodels, restorations, and more.

Susan George, Mediary Marketing: Social media, content coaching, and branding, content, and engagement strategies for businesses..

Mai Phan-Redwine, Sweet Onion Catering: Trained in classical cuisine, but prefers making comfort food from a variety of global cultures.

Rocio Salcedo, Plaza Garcia: Authentic Mexican food, restaurant, food truck, and catering..

Rose Atumba, Global Women Community SPC: Provides and promotes entrepreneurship training and one-on-one support to women.

Marisa Mancke, Happy Hour By Marisa: A fitness community primarily offering classes, in-person and virtually.

The Northwest’s Premier Spa Destination

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.

LOVE YOUR LAZY LAWN

An easy way to help the ecosystem

Give some thought to this. Almost all US fruit and grain crops depend on pollination, yet our insect population has declined by 75% in the last 25 years - and most pollinators are insects.

Fortunately, keeping pollinators (and our local farms) alive couldn’t be easier. Just get lazy about your lawn!

Lawns mowed every two weeks offer more food for pollinators than lawns mowed weekly. So, while you’re lounging on the couch every other Saturday, your longer grass will be supporting American food systems. As a bonus, longer lawns also need less water, so being lazy saves you money, too.

Perfect lawns are literally the empty calories of the ecosystem. By letting go of that green-carpet ideal, you’ll add color to your landscape by allowing dandelions, violets, and white clover to decorate your grass. More important, these “weeds” feed pollinators which, in turn, feed us.

Here’s one more way being lazy can save the world: skip the pesticides. Pesticides kill pollinators, and they’re hardly health food for humans, birds, and pets, either. In fact, research shows that when bees visit plants treated with neonicotinoids (a chemical in most pesticides), even small amounts can build up over time and kill the hive. Neonicotinoids disorient bees and disrupt their fertility. Worse, they can linger in plants and pollen for 2-4 years.

So be a hero. Stay in bed this weekend and stop fussing over your lawn.

For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/ treesearch/pubs/55816

ARTICLE BY ANDREA BUGBEE

Make an Impact for Mom

Memorable ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life

The moms and the mother figures in our lives mean everything to us. They deserve the best every day, of course. But at least one day out of the year, we get to shower them with the same love and thoughtfulness they give to us so selflessly.

This year, we hope you’ll consider some memorable ways to make lasting memories with the mom or mother figure in your life. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!

Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Mom feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your mom, wife, sister or maternal figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.

Take a Flower Arranging Class Mother’s Day arrives just as spring is in full bloom. Take advantage of the season by going to a flower arranging class with mom.

Play a Family Board Game

If Mom likes strategizing, challenge her to a friendly board game competition. (And, no, you don’t have to let her win just because it’s Mother’s Day.)

Pick Your Own Fruit

This activity is especially fun if you have a lot of kids who want to get in on the action. Then, when you all get home, you can whip up a treat for Mom with your selections. (Maybe give her a strawberry in a Champagne glass while she waits.)

Book Her a Weekend Away

There’s no day like Mother’s Day to be impulsive! Book a weekend trip for the two of you at a cute B&B in a city Mom has always wanted to visit.

Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle

Find a puzzle with an image you know your mom will love (or make a custom one using a photo of the two of you) and put it together over wine and snacks. You’ll be amazed at how much chatting you can get done while puzzling.

Get Theater Tickets

Go to a play or a musical — lots of towns even host outdoor theater events.

IF YOU ARE READING THIS... SO IS YOUR BEST CLIENT.

OUT OF 3 of our readers regularly purchase from our ads.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

MAY 5TH-6TH

Tacos El Guero - Cinco De Mayo Weekend

TACOS EL GUERO, 14130 JUANITA DR NE, UNIT 101, KIRKLAND | 7:00 PM

3 Trick Pony will be playing our first ever show on Friday and Saturday nights at Tacos El Guero in Kirkland. And yes, this is Cinco weekend! Come rock with us 7-10pm both nights, no cover charge. Should be a great party. Thanks for supporting LIVE music and local business.

MAY 6TH

Metropolitan Fashion Week Seattle 2023

THE WINEMAKERS RESERVE, 15902 WOODINVILLE-REDMOND RD. NE SUITE D, WOODINVILLE | 6:00 PM

The evening will include a one-of-a-kind fashion show featuring sustainable high fashion masterpieces by local & international fashion designers. seattle2023.shindigg.com 6:00pm Doors open. Cash bar available to all ticket levels. 7:00pm Show begins. 8:30pm After party, photos with models & designers.

MAY 7TH, 14TH, 21ST, AND 28TH

The Tommy Wall Sunday Blues Jam

LUCKY 7 BAR & GRILL, 12715 NE 124TH ST KIRKLAND | 7:00 PM

Love to sing or play an instrument? Bring yourself or your instrument to Sunday Night's Blues Jam with Tommy Wall! With award winning drummer Andrew Cloutier. Every Sunday, 7PM-10PM no cover!

MAY 14TH

Mother’s

Day Half Marathon & 5K

JUANITA BEACH PARK, 9703 JUANITA DR NE, KIRKLAND | 7:30 AM

About the Half: The course starts and finishes at Juanita Beach Park and is a combination of road and crushed gravel on the Cross Kirkland Corridor with views of Lake Washington for much of the way!  About the 5K: Also starts/finishes at Juanita Beach Park. The course is run on the roads in the neighborhoods surrounding the park. runsignup.com

MAY 14TH

Mother’s Day Brunch & Bubbles

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE WINERY, 14111 NE 145TH ST, WOODINVILLE | 11:00 AM

Join us for a magical Mother’s Day weekend celebration to honor the special women in your life! Indulge in a full buffet selection of brunch favorites including egg frittatas, a French toast bar, and most importantly, a mimosa bar complete with juice options to match with Domaine Ste. Michelle sparkling wines. 21+ only. More info and tickets at ste-michelle.com

10-To-Try Book Group

KIRKLAND LIBRARY, 308 KIRKLAND AVENUE, KIRKLAND

2:00 PM

Join the Kirkland Book Group in 2023 for KCLS's annual 10-To-Try reading challenge. This month, tackle the category, About Friendship, by reading and discussing  Our Country Friends  by Gary Shteyngart. Copies of the book are available at the Kirkland Library, courtesy of FOLK (Friends of the Library of Kirkland). Registration not required

MAY 20TH

United Festival: Snack * Shop * Enjoy

DOWNTOWN REDMOND PARK, 16101 NE, REDMOND WAY, REDMOND | 12:00 PM

United Festival is a celebration of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander culture in Washington state. Our goal is to bring the beauty, diversity, and culture of our communities to our neighbors for a day of celebration. Our festival includes: Free henna, Indian dancing, cultural fashion show, delicious food and boba, and more!  allevents.in/redmond for info.

MAY 21ST

Kirkland

Clean Sweep

HALLMARK REALTY, 101 LAKE

ST, KIRKLAND | 10:00 AM

Join forces to clean up Downtown Kirkland! We clean up the litter, pull weeds, and polish and sweep up this town. Come prepared with gloves, grubby clothes, and a tool of your choice – brooms, shovels, hoes, rakes, etc. Organized by the Kirkland Downtown Association.

MAY 23RD

Lake Washington Saddle Club - EI Dressage Schooling Show

BRIDLE TRAILS STATE

PARK, 5300 116TH AVE NW, KIRKLAND | 11:30 AM

Join us for a fun and inviting season judged by local, certified dressage judges at the most idyllic dressage-show setting.  We offer all test levels including Eventing, Musical Freestyle, Gaited, Para-Equestrian and Western Dressage.  lakewash ingtonsaddleclub.org CONTINUED >

206.825.2030

EVENTS

MAY 26TH-29TH

52nd Annual Northwest Folklife Festival

SEATTLE CENTER

A community-powered celebration of the music, arts, and heritage of the Pacific Northwest. With over 6,000 performers on 20+ stages, 200 food/ craft/import vendors, and 500 volunteers, the Northwest Folklife Festival remains one of the largest access-forall festivals in the nation since 1972. This year’s Cultural Focus is Lagom: Not too much, not too little, but just right! Info at nwfolklife.org/festival

MAY 29TH

7 Hills of Kirkland

MARINA PARK, 25 LAKESHORE PLAZA, KIRKLAND | 7:30 AM

A beloved Memorial Day bike ride for over 20 years. The ride supports fundraising to provide housing and services to the Eastside’s less fortunate residents. Join a few hundred of your closest friends and challenge yourself to complete the traditional 38-mile route. You'll finish back at Marina Park where you can celebrate with delicious strawberry shortcake.  Kirklandkiwanis.org/7-Hills to learn more

STARTING MAY 30TH

Kids’ 4-Day Summer Series: Baking 101

SUR LA TABLE, 90 CENTRAL WAY, KIRKLAND | 10:00 AM

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THE FERRERA TEAM

SOLD OFF-MARKET

Point, Kirkland

As a mother-daughter & women-run real estate team, we understand the importance of creating a warm and welcoming environment for our clients. With a shared passion for real estate, we bring a unique perspective to the buying and selling process that is grounded in years of experience and a deep knowledge of the local market. We believe in building strong relationships with our clients, listening carefully to their needs, and working tirelessly to find the perfect property or buyer for them, even if that means searching off-market. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, we are committed to making your real estate experience as smooth and successful as possible. So if you're looking for an agent that combines expertise with a personal touch, look no further than the Ferrera Team!