January/February 2022 253 Lifestyle Magazine by Like Media

ISSUE NO. 37

JAN/FEB 2022

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Winter Sports in the South Sound WINTER IS THE TIME TO DIVE

Q&A WITH CHRIS SCHULER OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST AND FOUNDER OF SKIBYK 253 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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MARKETING WASHINGTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Julie Reed | 253.363.8832 julie@like-media.com

EDITORIAL EDITOR Jillian Chandler | jillian@like-media.com STAFF WRITERS Colin Anderson | Taylor Shillam | Rachel Kelly

DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Maddie Horton LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Darbey Russo GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Kennedy Pew DIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Whitney Lebsock

OPERATIONS MANAGING PARTNER | Kim Russo EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | Steve Russo DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | Rachel Figgins DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | Allyia Briggs

CONTRIBUTORS

great things for a great community Founded in 1925, Peninsula Light is your member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, providing reliable power throughout Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula. We are dedicated to continually improving the quality of life in this great community through system reliability, helping you

Lynn Castle, Mindy Murray, Molly Radonich, Laura Jane Brougher, David Gladish, Marguerite Cleveland, Tina VanDenHeuvel-Cook

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Photographers: David Gladish pg. 45 & 46, Wayne Wallace pg. 48, Kristy Kleedehn pg. 50, Tina VanDenHeuvel-Cook pg. 58, Marguerite Cleveland pg. 64 & 65 Courtesy Photos: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Marketplace Events

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253 Lifestyle Magazine is published bi-monthly and distributed freely throughout the Pacific Northwest. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. 253 Lifestyle Magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. 253 Lifestyle Magazine is produced and published by Like Media, and no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission of the publisher.

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PUBLIS HER’S

Picks

Steve Russo Executive Director

A YEAR OF NEW BEGINNINGS ...

am sure we can all agree that we’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of 2022. 2021 was yet another year of uncertainty, and there is something about the start of a new year that encourages us to look at life—the world, our family, our careers, our health—with a fresh, clear perspective.

We’re geared up for a successful 2022 and are truly grateful to have the opportunity to continue to serve the 253 community while promoting all that is great in this place we call home, and we look forward to our clients and our readers joining us as we continue on this exciting journey.

Here at Like Media, 2022 is bringing exciting changes to our company and products. Everything from our print model to digital offerings, Like Media has been hard at work adjusting and repositioning our model to better serve our community and our partners. With an emphasis on digital and the impact it currently has, and will have in the future, Like Media has been gearing up for the past several years to be leaders in this ever-changing, ever-expanding market.

Cheers to health and happiness as we begin anew in 2022 with a fresh, positive outlook. May this year be a prosperous one for our clients, readers, and community as a whole, filled with new adventures and many blessings.

28 MOVING THROUGH WINTER: DON’T BE STAGNANT!

CHRIS SCHULER: OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST AND FOUNDER OF TACOMA-BASED SKIBYK

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THE NICHE SPORT OF DRY TOOLING: LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR CLIMBERS

60 WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA: A WINTER WONDERLAND

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CONTENTS 36

H OME

Real Estate Resource: Buyers need to be bold

28 Q&A

HE ALT H & LIF E S TY L E

Moving through Winter: Don’t be stagnant!

Chris Schuler: Outdoor enthusiast and founder of Tacoma-based SkiByk

The latest tips and trends about living a healthy, active life

T RE NDING

TACOMA FOC US

TH E A RT S

BU S IN E S S P IN P O I N T

Winter Sports in the South Sound: Winter is the time to dive

APCC New Year Celebration: Asia Pacific Cultural Center’s 24th Annual New Year Celebration to feature China

Lydia Geline for Kensington Gardens: Where life continues to get better

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sneak peek into this edition ... 44

ISSUE NO. 37

JAN/FEB 2022

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

F E ATU R E

FEATURE D R ECIP E

The Niche Sport of Dry Tooling: Leveling the playing field for climbers

Healthy and Delicious: Apple, Feta and Rosemary Flatbread

Winter Sports in the South Sound WINTER IS THE TIME TO DIVE

Q&A WITH CHRIS SCHULER OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST AND FOUNDER OF SKIBYK 253 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 1

About The Cover

E N T ERTA INME NT

TRAVEL & LE IS U R E

Events to look forward to during the cold season

Whistler, British Columbia: A winter wonderland

OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST AND FOUNDER OF SKIBYK, based in Tacoma, Washington, Chris Schuler shares the journey, inspiration and success of his life and business. Find our Q&A with Chris on page 28. 253 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 11

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Home Real Estate Resource LO C A L R E A LTO R S N OT S E E I N G M U C H S E A S O N A L S LO W D O W N , S AY B U Y E R S S T I L L N E E D TO B E B O L D

COURTESY OF KEY2SEE TEAM

oggy weather and the onset of holidays did not deter thousands of home buyers and sellers at the end of 2021. Reports from the NWMLS show numbers for new listings, pending sales, and closed sales were comparable to year-ago totals, while prices rose a little more than 15 percent. “It is normal for there to be a seasonal slowdown, which normally allows serious buyers to gain an advantage over casual buyers who take a break during the holidays. This year, neither class of buyers have taken the sideline,” commented Frank Hawkins, president of HawkinsPoe, Inc. “The difference this year is that there are fears of increasing interest rates, which is keeping the demands high and the pressure on all types of buyers,” reported Hawkins. Northwest MLS figures show 8,571 pending sales across 26 counties in November, nearly matching the year-ago total of 8,584 mutually accepted offers. The 8,976 closed sales marked a slight improvement on 12 months ago when MLS members tallied 8,875 completed transactions. “Waived inspections and funds committed upfront in the event of a low appraisal are not as common, but sellers still have the upper hand.” Twenty of the 26 counties in the NWMLS report adding more new listings during November than a year ago, but with demand outstripping supply, inventory was meager in many areas. Area-wide there were 4,621 active listings of singlefamily homes and condominiums at month end, down nearly 29 percent from a year ago when there were 6,505 listings. The selection at month end amounted to about two weeks of supply (0.51 months). Five counties had even less supply: Snohomish, Thurston, King, Clark and Pierce.

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Looking at other areas, James Young, director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington, believes “the normal seasonal effects have taken hold,” but pointed to Skagit and Whatcom counties, and other areas along the I-5 corridor, as areas where the “main price action” is still occurring. “The return to these suburban areas seems to continue unabated as first-time buyers seek value, and those seeking a more relaxed lifestyle are taking advantage of low interest rates,” said Young. He singled out Skagit and Whatcom counties for their large price increases, at 21.2 percent and 26.5 percent, respectively. Area-wide, the November numbers were “pretty much as expected, with the market starting to slow as we move into winter,” stated Hawkins. He also commented on recent adjustments in Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) limits for conforming loans (mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac). Loan limits for King, Pierce and Snohomish counties took an 18 percent jump, increasing from $776,250 to $891,250. key2see serves the South Sound by pairing innovation, knowledge and communication so you can enjoy home!

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Trending MOVING THROUGH

WINTER Don’t be stagnant!

By Colin Anderson

uring our beautiful Northwest summers, it’s rather easy to stay active. It’s rare that stormy weather lasts for more than a couple days and, even in the biggest heat waves, there are places in which to take a swim and cool off. It’s also easier to engage in accidental exercise activities such as mowing the lawn, taking the dogs for a walk, kicking a soccer ball or shooting hoops with the kids, or just a leisurely stroll along the water with a friend. While there are some who look forward to the cold of winter, many others retreat to their couches and beds, gorging on streaming services until the cold dissipates and it’s fun to go outside again. While it’s comforting to curl up in a blanket with snacks and warm drinks, the body craves movement. It might take a little more effort in the winter, but staying active will help keep both your mind and body right, and also lead you into the active summer lifestyle so many of us enjoy. Many people join a gym in January as part of their resolution to get in shape or drop unwanted pounds. Where options were once pretty limited, there are a number of specialty fitness gyms that cater to a multitude of interests and ability levels. A traditional gym is a good place to start, as it contains a large amount of equipment for both endurance and strength

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While it’s comforting to curl up in a blanket with snacks and warm drinks, the body craves movement.

building. Treadmills, ellipticals and bikes, free weights and muscletargeting machines allow you to choose your own adventure when keeping active. Most health clubs employ a personal training staff that can help create a personalized fitness plan for you based upon your goals. Each also has a variety of classes from yoga and spin to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and dance. If you’ve tried the gym before with limited success, perhaps a smaller, more targeted approach can work for you. CrossFit gyms, as well as cycle, HIIT and yoga studios offer smaller spaces and often more attention from training staff. Participants encourage each other to succeed, making for a fun and rewarding experience. Many will let you try a class for free and offer various levels of membership from unlimited to a few sessions per month. Working out at home has also come a long way. You can spend many thousands of dollars on top-of-the-line exercise bikes, home gyms and group training courses, but, if your budget is limited, there are nearly infinite home workout videos available on YouTube and other platforms. Just pick up a few free weights and a mat, and you are good to go.

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One simple way to fight the winter bulge is doing small blocks of exercise while watching your favorite show. If you have an exercise bike, take a seat and pedal slowly through the entire movie—you’ll be surprised how many calories you’ll burn without breaking a serious sweat. Watching your favorite sports team for a few hours? Consider doing block exercises during the commercial breaks. Rotate through pushups, squats, lunges and sit-ups during commercials, and go back to lounging when the game resumes. While fitness is an individual goal, having a partner creates a sense of accountability for both parties. Grab a friend or loved one and make a plan to meet for a certain class, go for a long walk, or even just have them send you a friendly text reminder (or a post-it note on your mirror) each day to do something active. It’s easier to make excuses for yourself, but when someone else is counting on you and holding you accountable, it’s much harder to skip knowing you’ll disappoint them. There are also plenty of winter accidental exercise opportunities available that are both fun and memorable. You can strap into a pair of skates and take a few laps around an area ice rink. Your kids enjoy

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sledding, so why not trudge up and down the hill a few times and slide down with them; they’ll love you for it. Even getting outside in the rain to splash in puddles or building a snowman or snow fort in the backyard, will engage the muscles and burn a few extra calories. While being careful not to overexert, clear snow from your driveway and sidewalk and help out a neighbor or two with theirs. A day on the slopes is also a great way to enjoy the beauty of our area while getting the heart rate up for a few hours. There are places for every level of skier or snowboarder, and many have tubing hills as well. Cross-country skiing works just about every muscle in your body as well as endurance, and can be enjoyed at a leisurely sight-seeing pace or serious calorie burn. Snowshoe trails are another great way to get in a few extra steps while taking in the natural beauty of the area. Like all exercise, the toughest part about exercise in the winter is committing to do it. An added bonus to winter outdoor activity is the body tends to burn even more calories, as not only are your muscles and lungs engaged in activity, but your body is also using energy to keep warm. While we yearn for the wonderful warm spring and summer days of a round of golf, jogging and playing outside, let’s not forget to keep ourselves fit so we can enjoy all those wonderful activities as soon as the cold clears and the flowers bloom.

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Tacoma Focus WINTER SPORTS IN THE

SOUTH SOUND WINTER IS THE TIME TO DIVE BY RACHEL KELLY

inter, not summer, is the time to do some diving here in the South Sound. Don’t believe me? Ask Harbor WildWatch in Gig Harbor: “I can tell you that diving in the winter is only slightly colder (45 degrees versus 55 degrees), but the clarity is generally much better,” says Rachel Easton, executive director for Harbor WildWatch. The South Sound is rarely affected by surface waves and storms, making it an ideal place for diving. The only issue that generally affects divers here is the visibility. As the snow melts from the mountains in the spring, the Sound experiences heavy rainfall and tidal exchanges. The currents can also get pretty intense out there during the spring. While the summer is warm, and generally the time that we all think of diving, there are many factors that mess with visibility, including the long sunny days. “The abundant sunshine and long day length of summer fuels a massive bloom of plankton that turns the water into pea soup,” says Easton. In addition, the late fall and early winter is the time that salmon make their ocean run. Along with that migration comes an abundance of wildlife that feed off the schools of fish, including dolphins, seals and whales. Here in the South Puget Sound, there are a variety of diving opportunities, including steep sheer walls, reefs, and underwater “parks.” Divers can expect to see lingcod, perch, ratfish, and various types of sculpin and gunnels. For the lucky diver, looking in the right place (and with that clear winter visibility), there are the Pacific Giant Octopus, wolf eel and whales. As for gear, it is possible to dive with a full wetsuit versus a dry suit. Ten degrees isn’t a lot, but water is water, and it always feels cold at first. Most divers around the South Sound take on the extra tack of a dry suit, and while they might not be snorkeling in such an outfit, they do experience longer dive times in the water. For new divers, safety requires special diver certification and a buddy system. Nondivers and families, or just someone who doesn’t feel like braving the winter waters, can take advantage of the clear visibility of winter waters as well. October through March, on the first Saturday of the month, Harbor WildWatch hosts Pier Into the Night. Held at Jerisich Public Dock

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in downtown Gig Harbor from 7 to 8:30pm, staff biologists set up a 10-foot viewing screen that live streams what divers are seeing in realtime below the docks. In the past they’ve discovered feather-duster tube worms, sculpin, gunnels, Red-Irish Lorde, stubby squid and the infamous Pacific Giant Octopus. For more information about Pier Into the Night, be sure to visit HarborWildWatch.org. For really adventurous spirits, underwater diving opportunities are abundant here all over Washington. If there’s one thing we have in Washington it’s water, and both salt and fresh provide ample diving opportunities. Dive sites can be found using a simple internet search. There are over 50 dive sites here in the South Sound (which underwater includes Olympia all the way up to Lake Washington). By land however, that large of an area can be a long drive, especially when traffic is taken into account. So, for our purposes, here are some notable places found within a 30-minute radius of home. IF THERE’S ONE Included are small and large shipwrecks, THING WE HAVE IN beaches with boat access, broken ferry WASHINGTON IT’S docks, and walls for beginner to advanced WATER, AND BOTH divers.

SALT AND FRESH For beginning divers, there is a large wreck PROVIDE AMPLE DIVING on the western side of Vashon Island, in OPPORTUNITIES. the Colvos Passage just north of Sandford Point. Due to general neglect, the wreck sank and can still be seen peeking above the surface during low tide. This is a generally busy stretch of water, so dive flags are necessary. The area below the disintegrating hull houses a variety of creatures and are worth a good look. Also in that same area is the Maury Island Marine Park, which can be good for beginners. There are two wrecks in that area, some which are good for intermediate or advanced divers, so be sure that where you’re going is within your skill level. Also, for beginners, there is the area outside of Cutts Island State Park. Near Kopachuck State Park, just South of Cutts Island, is a dive park with a boulder pile and shelves. The snorkeling is also good because of the eelgrass beds. Point Fosdick also has diving that is easily accessible by shore, with general debris and boulder shelves for exploration. Intermediate divers might be interested in looking into two wrecks, one around Vashon Island and one around Gig Harbor. Neither wreck is available by shore and requires a boat for access. The Quartermaster wreck, north of Quartermaster Harbor near Vashon Island, abandoned more than 40 years ago, lies peacefully under the water. Light currents and clear visibility makes rockfish, sea anemones and sea stars visible as they huddle around the remains. Just west of the popular Tides Tavern dock in Gig Harbor lies the other wreck, a steamship by the name of the S.S. Burton. The steamer ferry caught fire in 1924 and was towed out to the middle of the harbor to protect the other boats closer to shore. There she sank and serves as a beautiful survey of maritime history. Also for the beginner to intermediate diver is the Point Richmond Minesweeper, which is a large wreck located outside of Point Richmond in Gig Harbor.

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The South Sound also has an abundance of difficult dives, with fast currents and deep waters. The rewards for difficult dives are great, however, as the South Sound houses many large, and notoriously shy, sea creatures. One such dive is the Tacoma Narrows Pylons. The Tacoma Narrows is a technical dive, as currents and zero beach access make this a difficult area to navigate. The pylons themselves serve as a wonderful survey of marine life, but it is the old debris of “Galloping Gertie” that houses the truly fascinating Pacific Giant Octopus. Be sure to bring your underwater camera for this dive; as you float by with the currents you might experience a rare visit of one of these shy “monsters of the deep.” For experienced divers not interested in braving the more extreme currents of the Tacoma Narrows, octopus and wolf eels can also be spotted at Z’s Reef off Fox Island. This dive is considered fantastic and allows for more grazing of various critters versus the high-current dive at the Tacoma Narrows. For other sightings of wildlife not often seen in other parts of the Sound, visit the artificial reef created by fisheries near Johnson Point near Olympia called Itsami Ledge. Whether beginner or advanced, diving in the South Sound is worthy of investment, as it's an activity that can be enjoyed year-round. Happy new year and happy diving!

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Q&A

CHRIS SCHULER OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST AND FOUNDER OF TACOMA-BASED SKIBYK BY JILLIAN CHANDLER

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wishing you a

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Welcome the new year with our teas! From citrus to detox blends, we have something for everyone. Stop by our store or visit our website to shop our blends.

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"OVER THE LAST FIVE SEASONS WE HAVE DONATED SKIBYKS TO ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS AND MOST RECENTLY HAVE PARTNERED WITH A FOUNDATION THAT WILL PROVIDE SMALL GRANTS TO 501C3 ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS WHO WANT TO USE SKIBYKS IN THEIR PROGRAMS."

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orn and raised in Hawaii in the town of Kailua on Oahu, Chris Schuler spent many holidays visiting his relatives in Tahoe, where he fell in love with skiing. “It was a very natural sport for me, and I wanted to do it more,” he recalls. After graduating from high school, Chris was intent on living and working in a ski area. Pat Deneen, a friend of his father’s, managed the Hyak Ski Resort on Snoqualmie Pass at the time. Chris gave him a call, and Pat invited him out to work at the resort. It was October of 1981 when Chris made the move to Washington state. After his first season at the resort, Chris was hired with Riblet Tramway Company out of Spokane to build chair lifts at ski resorts, and then he worked at Pac-West in the winter. “I was the ultimate ski bum and having a blast,” he smiles. Today, you will find Chris utilizing his love of the slopes at his company SkiByk, based out of Tacoma. Q. SkiByk is the number one selling SkiBike in the United States. Can you tell our readers a bit about this journey and what inspired it? And for those who don’t know, what is a SkiBike? A. So, let’s start with a SkiBike, as a SkiBike in one form or another has been around for a long time. There are pictures of wooden SkiBikes that were used in Germany and Austria way back in the day. Today’s SkiBikes are classified in three categories by the American SkiBike Association. Type 1 SkiBikes you ride sitting down with little skis on your boots—these were very popular in the ‘70s and ‘80s and continue to have a strong following in Europe. Type 2s, or freestyle bikes, are similar to a downhill mountain bike with full suspension and skis instead of wheels. The Type 2 SkiBikes are what we design and distribute at SkiByk, and they are growing in popularity and have seen huge growth in the last five seasons here in North America. Type 3s are SkiTrikes and are a newer addition to the sport.

It was a fortuitous post on Facebook that was the start of SkiByk, LLC. I saw a post from a guy named Alfie Fernandez, who is now my partner, and he had developed the first prototype in conjunction with a mountain bike manufacturer overseas. He lives in California, so I flew down and we went to Sierra-at-Tahoe and rode his prototype. Over lunch we discussed a partnership and my vision for building a highquality, low-cost SkiBike. He agreed, we came to an agreement, and SkiByk, LLC was formed in 2015. We launched with our mainstay product the SB100 SkiByk, which has become the number one selling SkiBike in North America and the primary SkiBike of choice for rental operations in the USA. Two years ago, we launched the SB200 that offers the same geometry of the SB100 but with suspension upgrades for the SkiByker that needs a more dynamic ride. For the sport, high-quality and low-cost were key to growth. Prior to us bringing a SkiByk to market, the only real options were custom-built SkiBikes that were $3,000 to $4,000 each. We obviously were correct on our assessment, as we have sold out every year since our first year. Q. You also build SkiByks to help amputees— notably veterans—to help get them up on the mountain with their children. Why is this so important to you? And what do you find most rewarding? A. In our first year, we had many customers who were transitioning to a SkiByk due to bad knees, lower back issues, etc. (Most of us are aging skiers and snowboarders.) About midway through our first season, I took a phone call from a customer who asked me if he could ride a SkiByk with a prosthetic leg. I put him in touch with one of the board members of the American SkiBike Association Jim Weiland, who rides a SkiByk with a lower leg prosthetic as well, and he shared with our customer his experience. That opened a new road for us that, to this day, we still travel.

Over the last five seasons we have donated SkiByks to adaptive programs and most recently have partnered with a foundation that will provide small grants to 501c3 adaptive programs who want to use SkiByks in their programs. We always offer Military and First Responder discounts and will continue to work with adaptive programs and customers to help get them back out on the slopes. Q. You are on the board of the American SkiBike Association and donor for Life Christian Church. Why are these organizations important to you? And what inspired you to get involved? A. Easy … They need help. With Life Christian, all our kids went to school there, my wife volunteers there, I am on the board for the Endowment Fund, and it’s a great place to be. The school was a blessing for our family, and so we want to give back as they gave to us. The American SkiBike Association is necessary for the continued growth of the sport. Their mission statement is to grow the sport of SkiBiking by gaining access to ski areas for SkiBikers, through educational programs, events and adaptive programs. As a manufacturer, to be on the board as the vice president is an honor, and I enjoy working with the all-volunteer group of SkiBiking enthusiasts to get access for all. Q. What do you enjoy most about the city of Tacoma? And why did you choose Tacoma as the home base for SkiByk? A. My wife was born and raised here, her family lives here, we live here, and I think it’s a great city. We love living here! In terms of business, Tacoma wants businesses, and I have found it’s a great place to base SkiByk out of. Recently the decision to operate in Tacoma has proven to be quite fortuitous, as we ship our SkiByks in from overseas, and the port of Tacoma is not backlogged to the levels we are seeing in California. 253 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 31

Arts

APCC NEW YEAR CELEBRATION Asia Pacific Cultural Center’s 24th Annual New Year Celebration to feature China BY LYNN CASTLE

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or more than two decades, Asia Pacific Cultural Center has presented their passion and joy surrounding the cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands through their New Year Celebration. Returning to their live day-long format, the 2022 event will showcase China as the featured nation. The 24th annual event will be held on Saturday, February 19, from 11am to 6pm at the Sharon McGavick Center at Clover Park Technical School in Lakewood. This exciting festival honors and celebrates the vibrant cultures of the 47 nations of Asia and the Pacific Islands represented by Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma. Visitors from around the state and beyond gather for this free-to-the-public event. According to the chairperson of the New Year Celebration, as well as chair of the Hosting Committee, Dr. Belinda Louie, “This event gives the API community a chance to showcase our wonderful cultures and traditions through joyous presentations of dance, music, arts and crafts, and of course, delicious food.” Audiences at the New Year Celebration will see demonstrations from featured nation China, but also Guam, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Samoa, Japan, Cambodia, Philippines, Tonga, Tahiti, Hawaii and India. Attendees will experience exotic music and dances, exciting martial arts, and many other wonderful cultural demonstrations. As the featured country, several local Chinese organizations will contribute to the day-long stage performances with the longest set. Included in their set will be several Chinese dances including the Drum Dance and always popular Lion Dance. Martial art demonstrations and Chinese musical performances will also be featured. Several retail vendor booths will be at the event, including many food booths selling delicious, authentic cultural foods. Clothing, décor, fabrics, and many culturally relevant items, will be on display and available for purchase. “Acting as the host nation in 2022, the year of the Tiger, is special to the Chinese community here in Tacoma given its history. Now, more than 5,000 Chinese people call Tacoma and Pierce County home,” she added. Many Chinese have returned to Tacoma, making great contributions to the city, county and state. For the last 25 years, APCC has been teaching in schools and various organizations about the history, as well as the arts, of the

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Chinese people. Now, their culture, history and traditions will be on full display at the New Year Celebration. APCC is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to “bridge communities and generations through art, culture, education and business.” This past November, APCC celebrated its 25th year anniversary and is continuing to grow and expand its programs and offerings like this New Year Celebration. In 2023, APCC will be launching a new building project of 21,000 square feet that will replace where they are now and will be open to the public in 2025. This building project will include, but not limited to, a demonstration kitchen that will be utilized to teach Asian Pacific culinary skills to aspiring students, preparing them to enter the workforce; a library, gallery, garden space, performance center with a full commercial kitchen, gift shop, a tearoom and more classrooms are also in the plans. Executive Director of APCC Faaluaina Pritchard encourages everyone to attend the 24th Annual New Year Celebration. “We look forward to the event every year, but the 2022 event is incredibly special given the last two years,” she said. “We all need the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy each other.” Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with APCC on February 19! For more information, please visit the APCC website at APCC96.org. COVID-19 safety rules will be implemented accordingly, with temperature checks at the door, and wearing a mask required. Vaccine/booster will be available onsite. 253 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 35

Health A PAIN IN THE NECK Got pain in the neck?

BY MINDY MURRAY, PTR AND MOLLY RADONICH, LAT, ATC

f you find yourself as one of the many who suffer from neck pain, this article is for you! Read below to find the common causes and solutions.

Reasons for Neck Pain and Stiffness We have all experienced neck pain at one point or another in our lives, and we see it a lot in our practice. Neck pain is often debilitating and can prevent you from doing functional daily activities like washing your hair or driving. Each year, approximately 30 percent of the adult population suffers from neck pain and stiffness. If not treated properly it can become a long-term issue. There are several reasons why neck pain may occur, including arthritis, whiplash and cervical disc herniation. Arthritis is commonly caused from wear and tear over time. Minor traumas to the cervical spine and its structures cause a degeneration of bones and joints. In the neck, osteoarthritis is often the diagnosis, or degenerative joint disease of the neck. This can be due to bad posture. Many people spend hours a day at a computer that is not set up to be ergonomically efficient, which leads to muscle weakness, tight muscles, and can become very painful. Whiplash is another reason for neck pain. Whiplash can be caused from a sudden movement of the head backward and then forward—such as in car accidents or falls. These extreme motions push your neck muscles and ligaments past what they are used to. Most people recover completely from a whiplash injury in the first six weeks, while others have symptoms that improve over the course of a year. For about two to three weeks, avoid activities that bring on or worsen your pain and stiffness. Herniated discs in the cervical spine can also be a reason for neck pain. The discs in your spine act as shock absorbers and help keep the spine flexible. When they are herniated, it is because they have bulged or ruptured. Cervical disc injuries can compress spinal nerve roots, causing a pinched nerve and are often used to explain neck, shoulder and arm pain syndromes. Herniated discs can take about six months to fully heal with physical therapy, but most last about six to eight weeks. Spinal decompression recommended by a physical therapist can be very

beneficial for decompression of the cervical spine. Treatment of Neck Pain and Stiffness If you are like me, you want the easiest, most affordable solution. A licensed physical or occupational therapist will perform an initial examination to identify the cause of the pain. One of our main goals should be empowering you on how to address the issue so it will go away forever. Several clinical tests are performed to identify the problematic areas in posture, strength, flexibility and muscle function. Typical treatments may include: 1. Protection of the neck is initially a must to prevent further damage. This may include relative rest for a period of time and education about damaging activities and movements. 2. Posture can be improved by simply adjusting the height of your computer screen and your keyboard compared to your chair. Driving can be another contributing factor to postural issues. Slouching, forward head posture and sitting crooked are common driving positions, and when someone spends a lot of time in the car or simply sitting, the positions can transfer to other aspects of life. 3. Flexibility movements to increase mobility of the neck musculature without pain or discomfort are included in the neck pain treatment plan. These should be gentle and progressive with emphasis on proper body mechanics. 4. Progressive strengthening exercises for different muscle groups are also included in the treatment of neck pain. There are specific neck exercises that help get range of motion back, strengthen, and relieve stiffness and pain. Make an appointment with a physical therapist and learn how to do the exercises properly, then do them at home as the therapist specifies. 5. Advanced techniques like modalities such as the 830 Cold Laser, or Dry Needling Therapy, medical massage, mobilizations and hands-on therapy—all under the expert supervision of the physical or occupational therapist—can be effective ways to decrease neck pain.

If you are like me, you want the easiest, most affordable solution. 36 253 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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Health DERMAL FILLER

What are they, and why are they so popular?

BY LAURA JANE BROUGHER RN, MASTER AESTHETICS INJECTOR AND SKIN REJUVENATION EXPERT @THEFACEANGEL @GIGHARBORAESTHETICS

ermal fillers can have a lovely, positive impact toward restoring a fresh and rejuvenated look in the face. Dermal fillers are soft, gel-like substances that are injected under the skin and onto the bone to restore the areas that are most affected by aging anatomy. When you look into the mirror and wonder what can be done to turn back the clock, dermal fillers are an important part of the plan. They can address a number of common concerns including: replacing volume loss in the mid-cheek area; enhancing the contour of the cheekbones; plumping the lips and filling in lip lines; smoothing out the creases that run from the side of the nose to the corners of the mouth; improving the jawline and increasing the projection of the chin. As we age, lost volume in the face can be restored with dermal fillers. Over time, age-related bone loss in the face can lead to retraction of the jawline and loss of high cheekbones. The facial muscles also decrease in volume and elasticity, and deflation and movement of fat pads further accentuates the signs of aging. Finally, the skin stretches and loses elasticity. Compounded by the loss of scaffolding provided by fat, muscle and bone, this leads to wrinkles, sagging skin, and other familiar signs of aging. Dermal fillers can be composed of a variety of substances. The most common compound used in dermal fillers is hyaluronic acid (HA). HA

is a naturally occurring substance found in our skin, and it plays a major role in keeping skin hydrated and volumized. HA fillers, depending on their specific chemical makeup, can last from six months to two-plus years before being gradually absorbed by the body. Examples of HA fillers you may have heard of are Juvederm, Restylane and Versa. They come in different formulations that are used according to the area of the face it’s being used. Aging in the face shows up as volume loss, drooping skin, a tired look, deflation and hollowing where there was once fullness. (Think apple of the cheek.) Dermal fillers can also be used in younger clients to enhance or balance the face. Dermal fillers, an injectable treatment, should be performed in a clinical office by properly trained medical professionals. When seeking an aesthetic injector, I would definitely recommend going to an injector who does this work full time, and have an expert consultation. HA fillers can be dissolved if you are unhappy with the results, however, with experienced expert injectors this is less likely to happen. Here at Gig Harbor Aesthetics, we have over 18 years of injection and skin rejuvenation experience. We can be reached at 253. 514. 6766 or GigHarborAesthetics.com.

Aging in the face shows up as volume loss, drooping skin, a tired look, deflation and hollowing where there was once fullness.

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THE CASCADE COMMITMENT GENERATIONS OF TRUSTED CARE.

UNIVERSITY PLACE | PUYALLUP SUNRISE | AUBURN GIG HARBOR | BONNEY LAKE 253 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 39

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pinpoint G I G H A R B O R , WA

WHERE LIFE CONTINUES TO GET BETTER Kensington Gardens Resort Living Community

BY JILLIAN CHANDLER

ig Harbor has been home to the beautiful Kensington Gardens since 2005—designed and built by native Washingtonians and local residents Mark and Kelly Watson. They have been providing personalized care for a decade and are now adding more living options on their 27-acre estate.

The Watsons have succeeded in creating an innovative living concept with a luxury resort-vibe. “We believe that life should continue to get better, and as needs change over time, our residents have the confidence of knowing they have access to our award-winning, full personalized care,” says Kelly. KG was originally started as an event venue, but the couple found themselves caring for Mark’s grandmother, and then Kelly’s father, who suffered a stroke. They began touring facilities for their aging family members—yet they could not find the quality of life they were seeking. So, in 2012, the Watsons established Regent Park at Kensington Gardens to provide living the way they believe it should be—with grace, laughter and love. Personalized Care means they tailor a plan toward specific needs and goals as you age. “Our residents have fun and feel loved in a home environment—so they thrive!” affirms Kelly. There is exciting news on the horizon, as Kensington Gardens is adding Villas and Cottages with their signature resort living lifestyle, to be completed 2022-2023. With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day, there is an extreme shortage of living options that are of fine quality and where residents can age in place. Using state residential care licensing and codes, Kelly and Mark developed their own concept—“Personalized Care Resort Community (PCRC)”—a 253 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 41

resort lifestyle that provides care and evolves with residents. They have designed an active environment in natural surroundings, which includes a plan for care. Kelly and Mark are creating a boutique community with walking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, meals, activities, transportation and care—just minutes from the Uptown Shopping Center, Met Market, the picturesque downtown Gig Harbor and lively Tacoma. The buildings and grounds are meticulously maintained, gourmet meals are designed, concierge services are offered, and they’re passionate in making every day the best that it can be for their residents! “Our suites will have 10- and 12-foot ceiling heights, great room common areas, large private balconies, heated bathroom floors, and are beautifully appointed with quartz countertops, fireplaces and walk-in closets,” shares Kelly. Kensington Gardens uses a membership and monthly maintenance fee model. “This membership concept is a plan that allows you to budget and provides a legacy for your estate,” Kelly states. “Our membership plan provides incentive to move in earlier to lock-in the maintenance fee structure, allows partners to age together and promotes aging in place.” While assisting a client looking for an independent living community, Lydia Geline, Realtor for Windermere Real Estate, toured Kensington Gardens and had the opportunity to meet Kelly and her father, who was also living there. “The property was stunning, and Kelly’s compassion for all the residents sold me on Kensington Gardens,” states Lydia. Lydia’s Real Estate career began as a Corporate Relocation Agent on the Executive Team, moving families from all over the world to work for our state’s largest corporations. “As a Realtor for the past 24 years, I have been along the journey with my clients through many shifts and changes in their lives. I now have the pleasure of assisting them with yet another life chapter as a Windermere Sales Consultant with Kensington Gardens. My clients of several years are now looking for their next step to include lower maintenance, healthy environment and options that include fun, lovely meals and the ability to stay!” Lydia is passionate about sharing all that Kensington Gardens has to offer and making the process of securing a forever home as seamless as possible. To make the process simple, clients will work with Lydia and may continue to have their Realtor represent them in selecting their new home at Kensington Gardens. If you or someone you love is interested in securing a home at Kensington Gardens, please reach out to Lydia at 206.419.0775.

LYDIA GELINE WINDERMERE REAL ESTATE LGELINE@WINDERMERE.COM 206.419.0775

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Feature THE NICHE SPORT OF

DRY TOOLING LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR CLIMBERS BY DAVID GLADISH

parks fly as a climber scratches her way up a vertical rock face. A glint of light flashes off the steel pick of an ice axe. Ropes anchored to the top of a cliff, flutter in a light breeze, lifelines for the daring few pushing themselves to ascend the steep metamorphic rock on a cold winter day. The movement of the athletes might look familiar to a growing audience of climbing enthusiasts, those who are aware of climbing from watching the Oscar-winning film Free Solo or from following the sport, which was included in the 2020 Olympics for the first time. This type of climbing is much different, however. Instead of climbers using bare hands and tight-fitting shoes to tackle a route, dry toolers use ice axes, called tools, and crampons that are strapped to mountain-climbing boots. Here at the “crag” (the term used for a climbing area), these shiny, weapon-like devices are used to balance on thin rock edges, slotted into fissures and cracks in the wall, torqued into precarious holes. The use of this gear, originally designed for mountain climbing, seems out of place for such a unique application. Yet to the developers of this climbing area, located near North Bend, Washington, creating a training ground for this sport has opened new

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possibilities for inclusion and diversity that historically have not been a part of climbing. For Wayne Wallace, a climber and a developer of this crag, dry tooling is an opportunity to climb with people of varying economic, physical and social backgrounds. Because dry tooling is such a niche sport that is much newer than rock and ice climbing, there are many reasons why it is gaining popularity for a variety of people. “There’s no preexisting scene or standards, so it’s open for everyone,” said Wallace. “If you are willing to put up with a little rain, you are welcome here.” Kyle Willis is part of the tight-knit cohort of climbers establishing routes at Wayne’s World (fittingly named after Mr. Wallace). He explains, “The tools and crampons are expensive to start, so there is a lot of pooling of the community’s equipment. This levels the playing field and creates a community and sharing aspect of its own.” Despite the opportunity to share equipment, you never know who will be at the crag, so being selfsufficient and knowing how to set up climbs is paramount to progressing in the sport. Since the creation of the first route at Wayne’s World in the winter of 2020, Wayne and company have hosted several clinics to teach newcomers the technical skills necessary to get up the wall. Being

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grassroots, and unofficial, there was no advertising or promotion of the free clinics, simply a word-of-mouth gathering of people in the know. However, there is hope that as the sport grows, official festivals and clinics will be available in the area, similar to the well-established Bozeman Ice Festival which teaches dry tooling classes. During their classes, Wayne and Willis noticed that unlike rock and ice climbing, which is often dominated by white males, dry tooling has brought out more women and people of color. “During our first event with 50-plus first-time dry toolers (in a complete downpour!), half were women,” said Willis. The fact that almost everyone is new to the sport makes it less intimidating for anyone wanting to try it. There are few expectations regarding who should be good at the sport, and there is very little media portraying the archetype of what a dry tool climber looks like. While dry tooling remains the most obscure discipline amongst the sport of climbing, its counterpart, ice climbing, is a great example of how the BIPOC community is being accepted and recognized. The 2020 film Black Ice—about a group of black climbers from a gym in Memphis who traveled to Montana to hone their skills on ice climbs—drew critical acclaim and opened many conversations amongst climbers from across the country on how to be more inclusive at our local climbing areas. Prominent news outlets such as CNN, Forbes, and Men’s Journal caught wind of the film and helped spread the positive message of diversity in climbing. Marcus Garcia, a Colorado-based climber and the lead coach for the youth Team USA Ice Climbing, is one of the few world-class athletes who is making a living partially through dry tooling. “The most exciting thing I see is just how inclusive this sport is. Out at the crag or in the gym. I have witnessed nothing but positive inspirational thoughts to those first trying it. Or those trying hard,” said Garcia. He believes that there is equality in the sport because everyone uses the same tools to climb. “It’s available to more people quicker because all you have to do is hold on to a grip rather than deal with each

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handhold, so it’s an open door for people that don’t have the same physical gifts,” echoed Wallace. For some, dry tooling is a means to hone skills to climb mountains that involve a variety of ice, snow, and wet or dry rock. Having the ability to climb rock with tools and crampons makes it possible to scale peaks that would be improbable to climb with just rock shoes. Others see dry tooling as the end game. For Wallace, developing the dry tooling area was an opportunity to create a relatively safe environment to practice the sport. “It’s a chance for people to go somewhere that’s not comfortable, but the risks are minimized. You can get out of your comfort zone without having the tough consequences.” Being a developer of dry tooling routes is a thankless task. Wayne and his crew have put a lot of money into anchor equipment and bolts that protect climbers on each climbing route. Developing a climbing zone involves “cleaning” the cliff by bashing off loose rocks with hammers and crowbars, scrubbing excess lichen off slick areas with wire brushes, and even cutting new trail to get to the climbs. This can take years, months, or weeks, depending on the time and dedication the creators have. While no official permits were needed to establish the climbing area, the cliffs fall within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, which is subject to multiple-use management that allows the development of rock climbs within its jurisdiction. Additionally, the developers factored in the quality of rock when choosing to establish the climbs at a particular cliff. While there is no official committee in the world of climbing development, there is a code of expectations. In general, a climbing zone used for dry tooling is not going to be ideal for climbing with just hands and feet because the edges are too small for purchase. There is also concern that climbing with tools and crampons on established pure rock climbs will ruin the routes by pulling off key holds and scratching up delicate foot placements, so finding a specific cliff that didn’t already have rock climbs established was important. For climbers who are interested in trying out dry tooling, park at the trailhead for Dirty Harry’s Peak off exit 38 close to North Bend, Washington. Once you cross under the I-90 overpass, you arrive at the trailhead. From there, head up the main trail. As the developers of the crag said, “Those who are motivated will find it.” I’ll let you in on the secret: You can find specific details of routes and how to get to the climbing area on Mountain Project, an online resource and app that is the most comprehensive database for finding climbing routes across the country. Wayne’s World climbing area may be the highest quality dry tooling cliff in the Seattle area, yet

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there are other crags to be found throughout Washington and nearby states. Spokane’s South Hill offers climbers a spot to hone their craft on a wall named Lincoln Park. A cliff off the Mount Baker Highway gives Bellingham climbers a local spot. A mecca for ice climbing, as well as many options for dry tooling, can be found further afield in Hyalite Canyon just outside of Bozeman, Montana. While dry tooling is still on the fringe, it is attracting enough interest that there are now a few gyms throughout the country that have space specifically for dry tooling or are dedicated solely to training for this type of climbing. The Ice Coop in Boulder, Colorado, was the first to open in late 2019, offering worldclass routes for enthusiasts and beginners alike. Just recently, in November 2021, The Barn opened in Seattle, Washington. This under-the-radar gym offers rentals for those who have never tried the sport, as well as access to private coaching, and a variety of

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set climbs on walls ranging from vertical to overhanging. On The Barn’s website, the tone of inclusivity is evident, describing that “This Facility is a great way of meeting the local dry community and building stoke.” The sport of dry tooling may sound intimidating to try, and while there is a learning curve, it is more accessible than it may seem. The easiest way to try dry tooling is by hiring a guide. In the Northwest, we are blessed with an abundance of guide services that offer classes, guided climbs and courses for developing skills. Guide services such as Mountain Madness, Alpine Ascents and Miyar Adventures in Seattle will take clients dry tooling. In Idaho, Sawtooth Mountain Guides is a popular choice for folks looking to learn the disciplines of climbing. Another good way to learn about dry tooling, the equipment needed and how to get involved is by picking up a copy of Ice & Mixed Climbing: Modern Technique from The Mountaineers Books, or online through Amazon and

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“

HAVING THE ABILITY TO CLIMB ROCK WITH TOOLS AND CRAMPONS MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO SCALE PEAKS THAT WOULD BE IMPROBABLE TO CLIMB WITH JUST ROCK SHOES.

Barnes and Noble. While not solely focused on dry tooling, this book describes the movement and equipment that is necessary for dry tooling, while simultaneously focusing on the sport of ice climbing. The beauty of dry tooling is that counterintuitively to the name, you can dry tool any time of year! While rock climbing requires dry rock to keep hands and feet from slipping off, and ice climbing needs enough ice to be formed, you can dry tool on wet rock, dry rock and icy rock. It was a wet Northwest day when I found myself tying into a rope at Wayne’s Wall for the first time. I was immediately welcomed by several climbers I had never met. In the past, I’ve always relied on the partners I go climbing with to share belays and get up routes, so it was a surprise when these strangers offered to climb with me right away. Before I knew it, I was putting my life in their hands as they held the rope while I climbed up the wall. It was not until I got down that I realized I accidently used a set of my new partner’s tools, thinking they were mine. We both laughed, just two climbers, sharing a new experience and learning together.

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J ulie R eed WASHINGTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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HOME IMPROVEMENT AND INSPIRATION THE TACOMA HOME + GARDEN SHOW IS BACK! By Jillian Chandler

he Tacoma Home + Garden Show is returning to the Tacoma Dome the weekend of January 27 through 30, and you won’t want to miss what this year’s show has to offer! After being canceled last year, the event is sure to be better than ever, and an excuse to get up and out of the house, ready to be inspired. “This Grit City favorite is back and packing its usual punch of one-of-akind home and garden installations, marketplaces, speakers and more, providing design inspiration for South Sound residents and beyond,” shares Carolyn Riesinger of Revolution PR on behalf of Marketplace Events, organizer of the show. “HGTV stars Leslie Davis and Lyndsey Lamb of Unsellable Houses will be featured speakers, and the Tacoma Night Market joins this year's show, offering an impressive variety of handmade goods and vintage pieces to shop and admire,” Carolyn adds, bringing more than 50 local vendors for a pop-up craft show and featuring a wide array of local artisans, craftspeople, vintage collectors and more. Looking for inspiration and resources for your next home project? With design inspiration from reputable home and garden brands, who will be onsite highlighting the latest decorating trends, this is where you will want to be the last weekend of January. Planning on enhancing your outdoor oasis? Be sure to shop the variety of specialty garden tools and accessories.

If you’re excited to learn from industry experts, shop one-of-a-kind goods and fill up on inspiration, then you won’t want to miss the Tacoma Home + Garden Show—with 2022 marking its 39th year! The Tacoma Home + Garden Show takes pride in giving back to the community's most valued members, therefore offering Hero and Teacher days. Hero Day is scheduled for Friday, January 28, offering free admission to active and retired military personnel and frontline workers (including fire, police and health-care workers). On Sunday, January 30, is Teacher Day, in which teachers and school staff will receive free admission with an employee ID. For additional details about this year’s show, and to purchase tickets to attend, please visit TacomaHomeandGardenShow.com. Be sure to download your discount coupon today to save at the box office (TacomaHomeandGardenShow.com/savings-coupon). In accordance with Washington state’s current requirements, each attendee and participant (those 12 years and older) must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of having received a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours of the event, to attend the Tacoma Home + Garden Show. Current regulations also require all attendees to wear masks in indoor public settings.

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38TH ANNUAL TACOMA RV SHOW January 20 through 23, Washington state's biggest RV show makes its way back to the Tacoma Dome. Doors will be open for the 2022 Tacoma RV Show, presented by BECU, 11am to 8pm Thursday and Friday, 10am to 8pm Saturday, and 10am to 5pm Sunday. With hundreds of RVs on display and more than 100 brands onsite, now's the time to take advantage of seasonstarting selection and money-saving deals as you shop the top dealers all under one roof—with more than a dozen local dealers, motorhomes, travel trailers of all sizes and descriptions, fifth wheels, toy haulers, campers, pop-up tent trailers, tear drop trailers and more! General admission is $12 for those 13 and older, $6 with Military ID and free for attendees 12 and younger. Visit TacomaRVShow.com today to purchase your tickets online for admission to this year’s show!

DISENCHANTED! A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY Poisoned apples, glass slippers ... who needs ’em? Not Snow White and her posse of disenchanted princesses. Forget the princesses you think you know, as these royal renegades are here to comically beat out the truth! If you are looking for some entertainment to put a smile on your face despite the gloomy weather, don't miss Disenchanted! A New Musical Comedy, presented by Tacoma Musical Playhouse. Shows will run January 31 through February 13 at TMP (7116 6th Avenue). Rated PG-13, the show is best suited for the older crowd, as it contains adult language and content. Tickets are priced $31 for general adult admission; $29 for seniors (60+), military and students. Group rates are also available. Visit TMP.org for showtimes and to purchase tickets.

SEATTLE BOAT SHOW Celebrating 75 years in person and online, the 2022 Seattle Boat Show will feature 268 participating exhibitors on display, with more than 800 new and brokerage boats on display and over 160 different boat brands at Lumen Field Event Center and Bell Harbor Marina. Dive into some of the incredible events and attractions this year's show has to offer. From the Long-Putt Challenge and the U.S.S. Open to Sails & Ales and UnCorked, there's a lot you won't want to miss! For additional details, including dates and show hours, as well as to purchase tickets to attend the event, visit SeattleBoatShow.com. Admission is $18, or opt for a nine-day pass for just $36!

* Please note, as of press time, these events were still scheduled to take place as planned. Due to the continuing pandemic, there is the possibility that event schedules may change or events canceled completely. Be sure to visit event websites to stay up to date with current information.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS ONLINE! Want your event to appear on the largest event site in the Northwest? Submit your events to us online at Events.DirectoryNorthwest.com 24/7, 365 days a year!

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Eat & Drink

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APPLE F E TA , R O S E M A R Y

F L AT B R E A D Recipe Courtesy of Tina VanDenHeuvel-Cook, NTP, NHC You can follow Tina @madebetterforyou on Instagram

INGREDIENTS: 2 Caulipower brand pizza crusts 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and cut into ¼-inch rounds 1 cup feta cheese 1 tbsp. rosemary, minced ½ cup walnut pieces 2 cups fresh arugula 2 tbsp. date syrup

METHOD: • Preheat oven to 425˚F. Remove crusts from box, overwrap and cardboard. Place crusts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle crusts with 1 tablespoon of the date syrup so that the apples will stick to the crust. • Layer crusts with apple slices, feta cheese, rosemary and walnuts— divide equally between both crusts. • Bake for 10 minutes or until edges of crusts are golden brown. • Remove from the oven. Top both crusts equally with arugula. Drizzle reserved date syrup over the arugula and slice to serve.

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Travel WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA A WINTER WONDERLAND

BY MARGUERITE CLEVELAND

visit to Whistler, British Columbia, is magical in the wintertime. The charming village nestled at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains comes alive as skiers and snowboarders return to visit the largest ski resort in North America. With the U.S. and Canadian border now open, you can once again enjoy the breathtaking Sea to Sky Highway on a winter road trip to this festive town. Whistler Village is massive with an endless array of shops, cafés, bars, galleries and restaurants—all in a pedestrianonly village. The towering mountains and lush forest surrounding the village are ripe for exploration with many trails. It really feels like another world when you arrive to explore this snowy paradise. Where to Stay The Westin Resort and Spa has the perfect location for your stay in Whistler. It is tucked away at the far end of the village up against Whistler Mountain. It is within walking distance of the gondolas, which whisk you up the mountain and the Village Stroll—the main street through the village. All rooms are fully equipped with mini kitchens and fireplaces. The resort has two towers with shops and restaurants in between. With a spa and both indoor and outdoor pools, you won’t want to leave the resort. Insider Tip: Rooms in the same category can vary in size. When checking in, see what your options are. For families, consider booking an adjoining room to a one-bedroom suite. It will give you two bedrooms and two bathrooms with plenty of space for a family. Where to Eat Dining is such a wonderful experience in Whistler. There is such a variety of options, from budget to high-end luxury and farm to table. There is something for everyone. The El Furniture Warehouse offers everything on the menu for $5.95 to $7.95, which is a bargain in Whistler, and is surprisingly good for the price. A dining tradition in Whistler is cheese fondue, and one of the most authentic can be found at Crepe Montagne, a small restaurant located on a side street. It is very cozy inside with tables tucked into every corner. The

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fondue is outstanding, with both cheese and meat varieties available. They also offer a popular breakfast and crepes served either savory or sweet. Araxi is one of the original restaurants in Whistler and is famed worldwide for its farm-to-table excellence. The restaurant is very upscale but not stuffy. Parents will be surprised that they can enjoy a meal of this caliber with their children. Chef James Watt is a pioneer of farm-to-table dining with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. Menus change throughout the year to highlight the best bounty of the season from local farmers, ranchers and fishermen. What to Do Winter sports-lovers are drawn to Whistler for the many outdoor adventure opportunities. Whistler-Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America with over 8,100 acres of snow-covered slopes that have over 200 marked trails, world-class terrain parks, 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers. The famous PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola takes you between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, maximizing your ski time. When finished, you can ski right into the village for the ultimate ski-in/skiout experience. For those who aren’t avid skiers, you can enjoy winter sightseeing by taking the Village Gondola to access the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola for a ride over the valley, between the two mountains, and free from the weather outside. Grab a drink at the Roundhouse Umbrella Bar, where you’ll be treated to incredible views on a sunny day.

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Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of outdoor adventures including snowmobiling and dog sledding. For an interesting tour, check out the Whistler Winter Wonderland, a series of snowshoe tours on Whistler Mountain. The Medicine Trail tour will have you exploring a mysterious forest on an old trappers’ trail. Heading deep into the ancient forest of the Callaghan Valley, you will learn the history of the area and the traditional ways local plants were used for healing. Take a free self-guided tour with Go Whistler Tours from Tourism Whistler and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. These unique tours will take you throughout the resort exploring the outdoors, the history and heritage, cultural institutions, and food and drink. Download the mobile app, Go Whistler Tours, for both Apple and Android devices. The app is very easy to use, and the tours are very informative. There are currently eight tours available, with new tours added regularly, providing immersive experiences and locations that are off the beaten path. The Audain Art Museum is an architectural treasure. Designed by Patkau Architects, the building has a long hallway adorned with luminous wood strips, one side that is floor-to-ceiling windows that look out into a forest—creating a work of art. It is stunning, especially if you are lucky enough to visit when it is snowing. The museum’s permanent collection of British Columbia art was donated by the founders Michael Audain and his wife Yoshiko Karasawa.

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For a truly relaxing time, walk from the parking lot through a spruce and cedar forest to the Scandinave Spa Whistler. This bastion of silence (no talking aloud once you enter the outdoor day spa) will have you feeling tranquil vibes in no time. The utter and complete quiet feels odd at first, but it helps to disconnect and clear your mind. Enjoy a series of hot, cold and relax, which takes place in pools both hot and cold, Nordic waterfalls, solariums, a Finnish wood-burning sauna, an outdoor firepit and so much more. Plan to bring a book and stay a few hours to achieve total relaxation.

The Specifics

Insider Tip: Arrive right when the spa opens to avoid the crowds. It is very popular, especially when people come off the slopes from skiing.

Border Crossing - Canada.ca/en/public-health/services/ diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html

As you get ready for your trip to Whistler, make sure you are prepared before crossing the border. Download the Arrive Canada app (see the Specifics) and follow the instructions. You will need proper documents (passport, enhanced driver’s license for your situation), the receipt or QR code from the Arrive Canada app, your vaccine card, and your COVID-19 test results (rapid antigen tests are not valid for this requirement). When returning to the U.S., there is no COVID-19 test required if you are driving. Allow extra time for crossing into Canada due to all the documents that must be checked. Also note, the COVID-19 test must be taken within 72 hours of your crossing, and the times are checked. You will be turned back at the border if your test is older than 72 hours. These requirements were current when this article was written, but as things are constantly changing, make sure to confirm the current requirements for your visit. Also be courteous to those behind you and have all the requirements for everyone traveling with you together to hand to the agent (and not in your trunk) so you don’t cause further delays.

The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler - Marriott.com/hotels/ travel/ysewi-the-westin-resort-and-spa-whistler

THE SPECIFICS

WHERE TO STAY

WHERE TO EAT Araxi - Araxi.com Crepe Montagne - CrepeMontagne.com El Furniture Warehouse - WarehouseGroup.ca/locations/elfurniture-warehouse-whistler WHAT TO DO Audain Art Museum - AudainArtMuseum.com Whistler Blackcomb Activities - WhistlerBlackcomb.com Go Whistler Tours - Whistler.com/self-guided-tours Scandinave Spa - Scandinave.com/en/whistler

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Marguerite Cleveland pg. 64 Courtesy Photos: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Marketplace Events