March 2016 Edmonds Living Local

MAR 2016

LIVING LOCAL

Pyrates

THE DIGITAL MARKETING

of the Coast

FRONTIER SOUTHWEST MONTANA:

An Unexpected Gift

Where it all comes together EdmondsLivingLocal.com

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Knowing the market is the key to my success!

Edmonds Area Only

• Business Opportunities Selling/Buying • Commercial Listings • Downtown Edmonds Sales & Listings • Custom Homes

525 5th Ave South | Edmonds, WA 98020

Richard Bennett - Broker

Residential & Commercial Property Sales/Leasing

206.850.6082

DickBennett@frontier.com | www.SellingEdmonds.com EdmondsLivingLocal.com 2

Working for your security, independence and peace of mind.

ELDER LAW • ESTATE PLANNING • PROBATE • FAMILY LAW Peggy L. Sanders, Attorney | peggy@sanderslawgroupnw.com Roxana A. Florea, Attorney | roxana@sanderslawgroupnw.com Ph: 425.640.8686 | 152 Third Ave. S., Suite 101 | Edmonds, Washington 98020

www.SandersLawGroupNW.com

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Contents

Join

Athletes of the Month

Our Team!

20 Edmonds-Woodway Athletes

Daniela Acuna & Joel Hashimoto

SALES ASSOCIATES, SALES MANAGERS AND WRITERS WANTED! DEC

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Interested in an exciting position with Edmonds Living Local?

Be a part of the

#1 DISTRIBUTED MAGAZINE

EDMONDS LIVING LOCAL MAGAZINE

is brought to you by www.livinglocal360.com. If you would like to advertise with us please call 253.273.8524 or email info@livinglocal360.com.

To submit articles, photos, nominations and events, email us at events@livinglocal360.com.

Living Local Magazine is published monthly and distributed freely throughout the Pacific Northwest and Inland Northwest; Edmonds, Gig Harbor, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Dover Bay, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Rathdrum and the Spokane Valley. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Living Local Magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Living Local Magazine is produced and published by Living Local 360 and no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission of the publisher.

in Edmonds!

MARKETING

Washington Sales & Marketing Director | Julie Reed 253.273.8524 | julie@livinglocal360.com

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor | Patty Hutchens patty@livinglocal360.com

Editor | Jani Gonzalez jani@livinglocal360.com

DESIGN

Creative Director | Whitney Lebsock Senior Designer | Jessica Herbig

SOCIAL MEDIA/EVENTS Media Manager/Events Kelly Williams kelly@livinglocal360.com

Media Intern | Maddie Russo maddie@livinglocal360.com

ACCOUNTING/OPERATIONS

208.946.0901

Managing Partner | Kim Russo Executive Director | Steve Russo

info@livinglocal360.com

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Photographer | Julie Reed

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CONTRIBUTORS: Megan Olson • Beth Bond • Dan Aznoff • Ian Chittle • Joy Peterson

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08 Good News

Campus Christian Fellowship offers hope to others.

10 Home & Essentials The latest tips and trends.

14 Life & Community Great local events and stories.

16 Feature Story

Reaching your audience online.

20 Athletes of the Month Edmonds-Woodway athletes.

22 Hometown Experts Your chosen local experts.

23 Arts & Entertainment Monthly calendar of great local events, music and shows.

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26 Living Local

Don’t let the name of the playhouse in Edmonds mislead you.

30 Shop in Style The best local shopping.

32 Health & Lifestyle

Tips and informational articles about living a healthy, active lifestyle.

38 Food & Drink

Discover Edmonds’ tastiest destinations.

42 Travel & Leisure Where it all comes together.

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Let us help you develop your marketplace presence!

Call Julie today!

253.273.8524

PUBLISHER Join Our Team GOOD NEWS. THAT IS WHAT we at Edmonds Living Local are all about. We are a passionate team of marketing professionals, writers and designers who are eager to help those in the community market and brand their businesses and share the good news of what makes Edmonds such a wonderful place to call home.

Are you someone with a passion for the community? Someone who enjoys getting out and meeting with people? Someone who loves to help businesses succeed? We are looking for someone to join our team of professionals in the role of Marketing Executive.

For over a year we have been an instrumental part of helping businesses grow in our community, providing them with a forum to reach their target audience. And we don’t do this just through print. We are a company that is up-to-date with the latest in digital marketing as well.

Building relationships is what drives us at Edmonds Living Local. We have a passion for our community and would love to add someone to our team who has the same passion as we do. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact us at info@livinglocal360.com.

Creating. Connecting. Living Local.

Steve Russo

Steve Russo | steve@livinglocal360.com

Would you like to receive this issue and future issues in your inbox? Visit edmondslivinglocal.com and sign up for our FREE Green edition!

ABOUT THE COVER MA R

2016

LIVING

LOCAL

Pyrates

Visit EdmondsLivingLocal.com for local events and more!

of the Coast

THE DIGITAL MARKETING

FRONTIER

A: T MONTAN SOUTHWEScomes together Where it allEdmondsLivingLocal

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An Unexpe 1

cted Gift

THE EDMONDS FOUNTAIN and gazebo is a local landmark, a point of reference for many in our community. The original fountain was built in 1970, and while it has been rebuilt a couple of times since then, the current gazebo was built in 2006. This photo by Julie Reed captures the beauty of the fountain and gazebo that stands at the intersection of 5th and Main.

We are the #1 distributed magazine in our target markets.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR A LIST OF SERVICES!

QUALITY CONVENIENT DETAILING Student-led car detailing service that comes to your home and provides quality service in your driveway!

You will not find more affordable prices anywhere else!

Edmonds, Washington 425.243.9155 | www.bigsmobile.com 7am-9pm | 7 Days Per Week Scan the QR code to the right to visit our website.

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GOOD NEWS

BY MEGAN OLSON PHOTOS COURTESY CAMERON HARRIS

AN UNEXPECTED GIFT CAMPUS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OFFERS HOPE TO OTHERS

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7 THE EXTRAORDINARY BEAUTY of life is that we don’t really know how our story will unravel before our eyes. Each day is just a chapter of a great and mysterious novel.

We make our methodical move to the right and life brings us a sharp and unexpected turn to the left. If we knew the outcome of

God opens doors so that the right people can step in at His precise and perfect moment. our path, we would become crippled with fear. In our paralysis, we wouldn’t be able

to hear God’s whisper nor feel His comfort when He speaks “Do not be afraid.” If we knew of our impending tragedies and grief, we would never take the step to go outside.

There would be no splendor of watching the sun slip past the horizon or the feeling of a summer’s wind as it caresses the face and tangles the hair. We’d flee from the tenderness of love’s kiss and the sweetness enveloped in the breath of new life. It is in our brokenness where God seeks us and sheds light so that we may be used to fulfill His purpose.

God has this unique and perfect way of bringing strangers together in the most unexpected of ways. He brings the unimaginable to life and molds it into something magnificent. Sometimes, His work is so mystifying and inexplicable that there is no other way to explain the

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circumstance other than to attribute it to Him. In November, Idaho resident Connie Welch didn’t know that her life was about to change. She took that step outside of her door; unaware of how God was going to use her. She set out on her 450 mile journey to attend her mother’s 95th birthday at the Mount Baker Care Center in Bellingham, Washington.

On the day of her mother’s birthday, there was an accident where Connie fell and broke her pelvis. In a moment’s notice, she literally became a broken vessel. She was hundreds of miles from home and was unable to return to Idaho until she had sufficiently healed. It was determined that the best place for her recovery was with her mother at the Mount Baker Care Facility.

There isn’t an in-house chaplain for this

assisted living facility. Connie had been searching for someone to visit her mother, but to no avail. She didn’t know that her mother was only weeks away from passing. During her time at Mount Baker, she began to notice the subtleties of God’s presence at the facility despite the lack of a chaplain. As the nurse intern with the cross earrings entered Connie’s room, a conversation was ignited.

When Connie told her nurse with the pretty cross earrings about not being able to find a chaplain, Lindsey knew exactly where to turn.

Lindsey’s pastor, Cameron Harris, had already established student teams with the Campus Christian Fellowship for the purpose of serving the elderly in Bellingham. Cameron asserts “We are called to serve the widows, orphans and the elderly.”

Bellingham has been referenced as the “hidden gem of the Pacific Northwest” and is nestled 80 miles north of Seattle. It also is home to Western Washington University that offers 160 academic programs to 15,000 students.

Of those 15,000 students, Lindsey had entered Connie’s room on that day. When Connie asked her about her cross earrings, Lindsey told her of how she had given her life over to Christ and that she belongs to the Campus Christian Fellowship at WWU. Lindsey had been serving the elderly with the Fellowship and developed a huge heart for geriatric patients.

It wasn’t long until Cameron would come to visit Connie and to pray for her ailing mother.

God opens doors so that the right people can step in at His precise and perfect moment.

While visiting Connie and her mother at Mount Baker Care Facility, there literally was an open door to the office of the Social Work Director. This instance facilitated a dialogue and an opportunity for the Campus Christian Fellowship to begin serving at Mount Baker. It was a combination of an unfortunate accident and a simple conversation that would lead to a much grander scheme; broken vessels with a

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willingness to be used by God. In December, Campus Christian Fellowship was able to bring a choir to sing at Mount Baker. The Fellowship is in the final stages of protocol before they will be able to consistently serve at Mount Baker Care Facility.

We are the child playing in the sand at the beach; all we see before us is our bucket of water. Sometimes, our view is so limited and we are unable to grasp the bigger picture.

We are unable to see the entire ocean in the background. After Connie returned home to Idaho, her beloved mother passed days later.

Despite the unfortunate fall, Connie was given the most elusive and precious gift of all. The gift of time. There is no way to measure the value of time with a beloved person before they pass from this life to the next. How many of us have lost someone only to think “I wish I had more time.”

HOME & ESSENTIALS

Senior Internet Fraud

RECENT STUDIES SHOW that loneliness and isolation are serious health risks for seniors, and that they are at a risk of dying much earlier than those who socialize regularly.

FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE SENIORS

Unfortunately, we have seen that loneliness also puts seniors at a greater risk for fraud and exploitation. It’s also been our experience that as people age, their cognitive abilities start to decline. They also become more trusting and more susceptible to those who would prey on them. It’s almost a form of dementia, not necessarily in the medical sense, but in the legal sense where they are no longer able to rationally handle their financial affairs. Sometimes the only way to protect them is through a guardianship.

BY PEGGY SANDERS, ATTORNEY

Consumer Reports ran a feature article in its November 2015 issue entitled, “Lies, Secrets, and Scams: How to Prevent Them.” The article should be required reading for seniors, their families and anyone who cares for seniors. The cost of fraud against seniors is in the billions nationally, and on a personal level the costs to victims and their families can mean the loss not only of their retirement savings and their homes, but also their sense of self-worth and their dignity.

We see that Internet scammers prey especially on the emotions of the most vulnerable. Often they lurk around dating sites such as Match.com and E-Harmony. They charm the susceptible, lonely ones with texts and emails. These greedy Lotharios promise love and companionship, and after establishing a feeling of trust, start

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scheming for money. They have great stories, too. They need money to finish putting together a business deal, and they promise to share once they make a fortune. They have needy family members. They have prize money to share but need a bankroll first. And, “I love you so much and I hate to ask this, but I really need a loan just for a short while.”

This is Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult. It’s a felony and can mean jail time for the perpetrators. Unfortunately, by the time they’re caught, if at all, it’s too late. The damage has been done. This is why family and loved ones need to be on the alert.

How can you help keep your loved ones safe from Internet scammers? Unfortunately, this can be difficult. This is a situation where a Power of Attorney can be critical. A Power of Attorney allows someone to monitor expenditures from a senior’s account and raise an alarm if the senior begins to withdraw large sums of money for no apparent reason. Introduce yourself to mom or dad’s bank staff (take your parent with you when you do). In this instance, knowledge really is power.

Finally, many times the scammers take cash, and there may be limited ways to get money back.

But we’ve been able to reverse the sale of a home when the money from the sale was supposed to go to the scammer. We succeeded because family members found out about the sale days after the closing and there was still time to act.

GROWTH POTENTIAL …

PLUS LOSS PROTECTION

Are Your Savings Accounts Hurting Your Retirement?

DON’T LET LOW INTEREST RATES INTERFERE WITH YOUR GOALS FOR RETIREMENT SAVINGS ARTICLE COURTESY THRIVENT FINANCIAL

DO YOU HAVE a significant amount of money in conservative savings accounts?

Conservative savers often want to avoid volatility in the market, so they may be willing to accept low interest rate offerings. However, with today’s low interest rate environment, they may be missing out on potential growth opportunities in the market.

The maximum percentage or cap may vary based on the surrender charge period and can change annually. The interest credited to the indexed account will not exceed the maximum cap, however you will be protected against loss should the index perform poorly.

In years where the index performance is negative, no interest will be credited.

Saving money is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family. Insuring against a catastrophe or major issue is a critical part of a healthy financial picture.

However, you may want to have a little of both – protection of principal and potential for growth.

In exchange for this protection, you sacrifice some liquidity. When you purchase a FIA, you choose a surrender charge period between five and nine years. During that time, you will pay a surrender charge if you decide to withdraw your money. A FIA may work best if you have a portion of retirement savings you know you won’t need for several years but still want some potential growth.

A fixed indexed annuity (FIA) is one such option. A FIA is an insurance contract with a combination of accounts available; one fixed account with a guaranteed minimum interest rate and an indexed account where interest is linked to the performance of an external index (like the S&P 500®.) The benefits of these products are that you’re protected against loss should the index have a negative return and you can potentially realize some growth when the index is having strong performance. The interest on the indexed account is capped at a maximum percentage.

If you’re someone with lots of assets in conservative savings accounts, exploring options like fixed indexed annuities might help you realize some market growth while maintaining asset protection.

This article was prepared by Thrivent Financial for use by local area representative Merrillee Bradshaw. She has offices at 15117 Main St. #206 in Mill Creek and can also be reached at 206.949.2204.

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Taking steps today to help ensure you’ll have enough retirement assets is more critical than ever. Protecting those assets from market losses may be just as important.

Thrivent Financial Security TM Preference Fixed Indexed Annuity may be the solution that can help with both. That’s because it combines: • Growth potential, and • Protection from loss.

A great combination for retirement planning!

CONTACT ME TODAY TO FIND OUT MORE.

Merrillee P Bradshaw Financial Associate 15117 Main St Ste 206 Mill Creek, WA 98012 206-949-2204 merrillee.bradshaw@thrivent.com Thrivent.com/fr/merrillee.bradshaw Facebook.com/merrillee.bradshaw.thrivent Linkedin.com/in/errilleebradshawthrivent

Thrivent Financial was named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies”

by Ethisphere Institute 2012–2015.

Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states.

Thrivent Financial representatives are licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent.

For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Contract Forms: ICC14 A-AX-SDFIA, A-AXSDFIA (14) Series Appleton, Wisconsin • Minneapolis, Minnesota Thrivent.com • 800-847-4836 28257 N5-14

Paying the Price THE COST TO INSURE TEEN DRIVERS

BY TREVOR CAMPBELL, PRESIDENT, INSURANCE SERVICES GROUP

CAN I DRIVE? These three little words take on a whole new meaning when you’re the parent of a teen.

When anyone gets behind the wheel of a car risks are involved. You might be a great driver, but you can’t control what’s happening around you.

Those risks only increase when we talk about teen drivers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with each mile, teen drivers are three-times more likely to crash than someone 20 years and older.

As a dad these statistics are frightening. As someone with more than 20 years in the insurance industry, these statistics make insuring teens one of the most costly challenges for both parents and insurance carriers.

Insurance companies look at a number of things when calculating insurance rates, including age.

In 2013, car crashes remained the leading cause of death for 13 to 19 year olds in the U.S. That kind of information is hard for carriers to ignore as they consider the risk involved with insuring young drivers.

We often hear from parents unsure how best to handle protecting their teens. Whether you’re a parent who currently has a young driver or one who might in a few years – it’s good to know what to expect when your teen is ready to hit the road.

Teen Drivers: Common Questions Q. If my teen has a permit, do I need to notify my insurance company?

A. It’s a good idea to contact your agent once your teen gets his or her permit, but it will not change your auto policy. Teen drivers with learner’s permits are still covered under the parent. That

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changes once your teen gets his or her driver’s license.

Q. Would it be cheaper to have my licensed teen get his or her own insurance policy?

A. In order to get a separate policy, your teen must be the registered owner of the vehicle they’re driving. In Washington, teens are not allowed to be registered car owners until they are 18-yearsold. If your teen gets their license at 16, they are not eligible for their own auto insurance policy until they turn 18 and are the registered owner of a car. Talk with your agent about the ins and outs of this as the legal system in Washington creates a problem for this option.

Q. My son has his license, but we don’t let him drive due to grades. So we don’t have to add him to our policy, right?

A. Wrong! Even if you have placed restrictions on your son or daughter’s ability to drive, once they get their license they need to be listed as a driver on your current policy.

Reducing Rates, Raising the Bar In the mid-90s, states across the country began to adopt graduated licensing systems to help reduce deaths and collisions caused by teen drivers. In Washington, teens under 18 are first issued an intermediate driver license and are required to follow a set of laws in order to drive.

Some of these regulations include nighttime driving restrictions, cell phone use and passenger restrictions. According to the IIHS, the number of fatal crashes and insurance collision claims involving teen drivers has decreased among states with these kinds of driving restrictions.

Insurance carriers are also working to find ways to reduce the cost of adding young drivers to parent’s policies, including offering good student discounts. By tying scholastic achievement with the opportunity to be licensed, many carriers have found these discounts helpful for parents from a pricing standpoint. The type of car your teen drives could also make a difference. Fast, highpowered car models will cost more to insure with teen drivers than those cars with moderate power and better safety equipment.

In the mid-90s, states across the country began to adopt graduated licensing systems to help reduce deaths and collisions caused by teen drivers.

Yes, your car insurance rates will go up, in some cases by a lot once you have a licensed teen driver. Working with an independent agent who has access to multiple carriers can help you find the best protection option without breaking the bank.

Trevor S. Campbell, CIC, is the President of Insurance Services Group, an Edmonds based independent insurance agency serving auto, home, and business insurance clients throughout Washington and seven other western states. He chairs the Washington Education Committee for the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. He is a past President for the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Washington and Alaska and was the 2013 Agent of the Year.

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LIFE & COMMUNITY

Pyrates of the Coast DELIGHTING CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

BY BETH BOND

AYE, MATEY! HAVE YOU heard? There are “Pyrates on the Coast!” Blimey, we’ve had it!

Brockett’s landing is being invaded! But wait, there’s something about these “pirates,”….

They’re dancing a jig and singing sea shanties while they wave cutlasses and pistols. Are we in for robbing and pillaging in Edmonds?

Pyrates of the Coast are a unique group of entertainers who dress and speak like, well, like Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean. This boisterous group has a purpose beyond entertaining at special occasions. While they love to pull shenanigans on the host at birthdays and weddings, they get the most pleasure out of visiting the children’s ward at local hospitals.

“Stingray” says his band of seafaring misfits

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find it personally rewarding to see those small faces light up when they come in swaggering with “pirate-speak” and begin to make balloon figures, then “spoof ” the staff. Another place this band of “cutthroats” enjoys visiting are rest homes, senior centers and convalescent homes.

If you think the kids get excited, you should see the response of the elderly. They just can’t quite believe these surprise visitors who claim (in jest) to be long lost husbands and sons, seeking a handout perhaps or hoping to seize a fair maiden as their hostage.

Their costumes are really unbelievable too; the attention to detail and authenticity is to be admired. They bear no watches, wallets or phones either. Their faces are scuffed with dirt,

scars, and the men are bearded, so much that it is hard to tell where one ends and another begins. And built in to the swaggering gait, comes “pirate-speak.” You would need a seaman’s dictionary from the 1880s to keep up with all the “Arrs” peppering their conversation.

We are familiar with the words, “aye, aye” when you answer the captain or “me hearties,” meaning your friends. But what about, “Davey Jones Locker,” an expression that means death in the deep ocean. Or, my personal favorite, “Shiver-me Timbers,” which means shock or surprise, and comes from the experience of a sudden hit on your wooden ship.

There have been pirates on the high seas for more than 2,000 years. And though the type of ships used have changed dramatically, their goal has always been to overtake merchant ships travelling the high seas bearing rich cargo and steal the spoils for themselves. The Golden Age of Piracy is generally thought to have been about 1603. During times of war, some pirates were protected by the government when they wreaked havoc with enemy supply boats. Although we often romanticize the life of a pirate, much like we did with “Robin Hood and his Merry Men,” pirates were rough men who dispensed their own brand of justice far and wide.

We have all enjoyed the classic books about the life and times of pirates like “Treasure Island”

by Robert Louis Stevenson and the musical parody, “Pirates of Penzance”, by Gilbert and Sullivan or even “Peter Pan” by J.M. Barrie. But life as a pirate in the 1880s was fraught with real dangers from a cannon blast to the bow, or battling the high seas, these sailors had to be tough souls. Ship navigation was more of luck than technology, and the fear of going aground or lost on an uncharted island was a reality of life at sea. Scanning the vast sea for merchant ships to plunder or tracking an ambiguous treasure buried on a tropical island, the pirate captain ruled with an iron hand (or hook) as the chance of mutiny was very real.

Our Pyrates of the Coast was formed by “Hurricane” Robb Zerr in 1990. At first, a casual group of roaming troubadours, they “buckled” down to a more organized group of “specialists.” Each member has a name associated with his special skill. My friend Stingray has the pirate’s job of diving under seized ships and disabling the rudder chains.

His colorful personal history is posted on small photograph

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cards. Everyone has a unique moniker and “job” description on their own calling card.

Although some of these lads claim to have been sold into servitude as cabin boys, I have it on good authority their real job descriptions are more like doctors, lawyers, and teachers.

If you’d like to catch this group of renegades in action, they will be in the St. Patty’s Day Parade in downtown Seattle on March 12th.

They have a very entertaining website at pyratesofthecoast.com for more information.

FEATURE STORY

THE DIGITAL MARKETING FRONTIER Reaching your audience online

BY COLIN ANDERSON // LEFT social media marketing which places display ads and content inside Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms as a way to connect directly with consumers who have shown interest in your products.

RIGHT Getting your company exposure organically is difficult but can be accomplished with some devotion.

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H

ow did we get here so fast? It doesn’t seem long ago that a mobile phone was simply one that didn’t have a cord attached to the wall, you set your schedule around the day and time your favorite TV show was on, and term paper research was done in the pages of a book inside a library. Today, everything we would ever want to know or see is at our fingertips, and through DVRs and on-demand services, we dictate when to watch our favorite shows.

Initially, most people thought taking a phone call in a group of people was rude, but now when we get together our phones are out on the table and often used as an interactive piece, showing a video, photos of our family, answering a question or settling a debate. Just as with the appearance of the printing press, daily newspaper, radio broadcast and color television, leading companies see the Internet as a vital platform to reach their consumers and get their message into the home. Digital marketing is the latest trend in branding to the masses, and the options online continue to evolve and grow. So what is it and how does a business get started?

Let’s start with a few definitions. First, what exactly is digital marketing and what is not considered digital marketing? Traditional print, billboards, TV, and radio do not fall into the digital definition because these mediums do not provide instant data on exactly how many impressions your ad created. It’s not to say these mediums are not effective marketing platforms; it is just more difficult to track the number of direct respondents from the ad and exactly how many people saw it. Some consumers will respond to a call to action (coupon, specific

While digital marketing is an emerging and extremely important marketing tool, it should also coincide with other forms of media marketing. Fortune 500 retailers are taking full advantage of digital products but are still forking over tens of millions in commercials, billboards, sponsorships and print ads.

All major companies know that putting all your eggs into one type of media is not an effective approach, and spreading your message over a multitude of mediums is the best way to build and maintain brand awareness.

At Living Local 360, we are doing the same. We take your branding into multiple platforms including print,

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offer), but ask yourself an honest question – when was the last time you walked into a business and told the person at the counter the reason you are in their store was because you saw their ad on page seven of the newspaper, heard their radio spot at 3:45 this afternoon, or saw their commercial on the morning news?

It happens, but not all consumers are going to share this information and it was probably the combination of seeing multiple ads in multiple platforms that ultimately lead them to the storefront. This is called top-of-mind awareness and is the ultimate goal for any company of any size. The short of it is that digital marketing is a term used for a group of interactive products that target specific audiences using measurable digital technologies.

Some of these technologies include social media marketing which places display ads and content inside Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms as a way to connect directly with consumers who have shown interest in your products. Utilizing hashtags like “#McDonaldsbreakfast” allows companies to directly reach out to people who enjoy their goods or services, and also allows them to monitor real-time feedback from consumers.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and website ranking allows businesses to be listed in a general web search. This can be done both by a paid service and organically, the latter being much more difficult. If you want to be the first business listed on a Google search of “Used furniture Seattle,” the search engine will guarantee your spot for a price. The more the search term is used and the broader it is, the higher the price. “Used furniture Seattle” will cost you much more than “Used Sealy Queen Mattress Seattle.” Hiring a professional SEO company will also help with your rankings as

social, web, search engines and email. A well-rounded marketing plan should include all these avenues as your company works toward top-of-mind awareness. Each impression your company makes is another reminder to the consumer. So when the time comes that they need your product or service, your business instantly comes to mind. You might not have tens of millions to market your small business, but no matter your budget, it goes further with Living Local 360 and the multi-media platform we offer. We are educators and are happy to help guide you through the ever-changing marketing landscape. Drop us a line anytime.

Info@livinglocal360.com.

TECHNOLOGY a good company stays on top of the algorithms each search engine uses to rank sites for relevance.

THE SHORT OF IT IS THAT DIGITAL MARKETING IS A TERM USED FOR A GROUP OF INTERACTIVE PRODUCTS THAT TARGET SPECIFIC AUDIENCES USING MEASURABLE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES.

Getting your company exposure organically is difficult but can be accomplished with some devotion. Search engines used to be keywordfocused, meaning the number of times “Used furniture Seattle” appeared on your site would determine your page rank. Today, the ranking system is based on the frequency of updates to the site and if it is optimized for mobile phones.

This is why when searching for a small business website, you will often see that business’s Facebook page ranked above their homepage.

This is often because they are far more active on their social media sites and perhaps have not updated their business webpage in months or sometimes years. Businesses can tie social media feeds into their homepage, update photos and include blogs or articles and various other content which will all help increase the ranking organically.

Email marketing is a way to reach a large number of consumers with the same message without the costs of printing and postage in traditional direct mail marketing. Traditional direct mail allows you to choose specific postal routes that have a general income level and household demographics, but email marketing can get much more specific. The platform that Living Local 360 utilizes gives us access to over 90 million email addresses. We then break these down into the city or area the client wants to target. From there we can narrow the field even further based on income level, gender, size of family, interests, college education

EdmondsLivingLocal.com

level and many more categories. Data from an email campaign will show you exactly how many inboxes the message was delivered to, how many opened the email, and how many interacted with an offer inside the email. This gives you a real-time cost analysis on what it costs per impression (person seeing your message) and lead (person accepting your offer or showing interest). These platforms also contain physical addresses so you can narrow down direct mail follow-up pieces and send those only to consumers who have shown interest in your product, saving you money and knowing you are targeting only warm and hot leads.

A more recent trend that you’ve probably noticed is retargeted IP (Internet Protocol) advertising. For example, you go to Amazon. com to look for a new digital camera. You leave the site without purchasing an item and go next to CNN.com or ESPN.com and low and behold, there’s a side banner ad with the products you were just looking at. This is also common on social media sites if you have been discussing products through posts. Retailers are able to follow your web visit history using your IP address. New websites are now formatted with a blank ad space that companies can purchase and use the information they have gathered on your interests and retarget an ad tailored specifically to your search.

This will become more and more popular with small businesses as they will be able to effectively buy space on some of the most popular national websites without having to fork over a huge amount of money to the site itself and reach consumers not in your target area.

Much like other mediums, there is a balance between reaching your consumer effectively and overwhelming them with ads to the point of discontent with your brand. If you sat down to watch the evening

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LEFT Today, the ranking system is based on the frequency of updates to the site and if it is optimized for mobile phones.

news and got five minutes of news content followed by twelve minutes of commercials, would you pay any attention to that or would you change the channel? The same applies to radio. Stations need to make money through advertisers, but they also need consumers to consume the media around which the advertisers have spent their money. With all the new opportunities seemingly appearing every month with digital, it will be easy for companies to over saturate and frustrate potential customers.

But as with other mediums, digital will eventually balance out the right amount of ads per experience.

PROGRESSIVE

One unique way to accomplish this is through digital content marketing.

Digital content marketing starts with really rich content that people actually care about – including killer images. Then it’s delivering that content when and where your customers want it in hopes they like it and tell all their friends and followers. Building trust in your brand is key to growth, and a referral of your product or service from a trusted friend or family member is the golden ticket of marketing. Making sure readers can see the article on a device that they use every day, especially the one attached to their hip, is vital. But above all, don’t overwhelm people with your sales pitch. Keep it simple and teach them something so they consider you a valuable resource not just a company pushing product.

The unique thing about marketing through digital channels is that it goes way beyond messaging. Given all the ways brands can connect with consumers online, whether in social environments, via mobile apps, paid media or blogs, each interaction leaves an impression of your brand. So in many respects, digital is marketing.

So how does one get started in the digital world? If you have a homepage for your business, you’ve already started. If you don’t, it’s really about time!

Typically local business websites don’t have to go into great length. Your company’s contact information and location, a little background on the company, and the products and services you offer give people what they need to know. Your professional website gives an impression that you are a legitimate business. Many consumers, including middle-aged men and

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women, are interacting more and more with social media. Have your page include fun content, “friends only” offers, events you’re hosting, sales, or partnerships with the community you support. Again, the frequency of posting will help your social media sites and feeds remain relevant; stagnant pages will disappear from most consumers’ news feeds. Most businesses can handle these platforms without being overwhelmed, but if you’re ready to take the next step in reaching your digital audience it’s best to seek out a professional company whose expertise is in this field.

You wouldn’t have your plumber fix your computer and the same applies to your marketing efforts – find an expert you can trust.

Digital marketing is another platform to get your brand and message in front of your audience. The great advantages to digital is the ability to track exactly how many times that message is being seen and make adjustments to not only where the message is seen but perhaps the message itself. Your digital ad might not be performing as you had hoped, but if you make the change from a 1-800 number to a local number on the ad, you will be able to track and see if it’s the message that needed changing, not the medium.

We are tied to our phones and tablets, and it doesn’t look like that will be ending anytime soon. Reaching customers on the devices that are in front of their face from the time their alarm goes off in the morning to the last status updated before bed is paramount in staying competitive in the digital age. Savvy marketers are already looking for what’s coming next. Nothing will remain as it is as technology continues to expand. The digital world is here and your consumer is living in it all day. Time to go say hello!

FEB

2015

LIVING LOCAL

A Wild Four-Season Adventure

LOTSA LOCHSA Welcome Home

LEFT Daniela has been a member of the dance team for the past four years. Photo by Karl Swenson, Just a Whim Photography.

Helping our heroes

IT’S DOG-GONE

LOVE

The studies prove it

LIVINGLOCAL

WWW.GOEDMONDS.COM FEBRUARY 2015

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MAR 2015

LIVING LOCAL

Good News

INTERNATIONAL

EDUCATION EDMONDS

YACHT CLUB

Head for the Coast

THERE IS HOPE LIVINGLOCAL

WWW.GOEDMONDS.COM MARCH 2015

RIGHT Daniela plans on continuing with any dance programs her college offers. Photo courtesy Amber Shin.

ATHLETES OF

THE MONTH

1

Daniela Acuna

We’re the #1 Distributed Magazine in YOUR Market!

Call Julie today!

253.273.8524 julie@livinglocal360.com

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“If I could take away one thing that my coach has taught me for the past fours years, it would be that honor and dedication are an essential piece to an athlete’s character,” said senior Daniela Acuna.

Although she has yet to decide where she will attend, her top choices of colleges include the University of Washington, Whitman College and Seattle Pacific University. Daniela plans to major in both psychology and Spanish.

A member of the dance team for the past four years and captain for the past two, Daniela is not only a dedicated athlete but also manages to participate in many other activities and advanced classes.

“While in school, I plan to participate in any dance clubs or competitive dance teams that my college offers or join a dance studio in the area that offers classes so that I may continue to progress on my dance journey,” she shared of her passion.

“(I am) the historian as a part of the ASB (Associated Student Body) executive board at my school, as well as a member of National Honor Society and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program,” said Daniela who will graduate with an IB diploma this spring.

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Wherever she goes in life, Daniela hopes to continue to dance. “Dance has truly been a light in my life; it has been my way of escaping bad days for the past four years,” said Daniela. “Once I enter practice, all of my other worries disappear and I’m able to focus on what I love doing!”

Your 2016 Digital Marketing

n o i t u l So

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253.273.8524 julie@livinglocal360.com

FEB

2016

LIVING

LEFT Joel is a well rounded student-athlete. Courtesy photo.

LOCAL

RIGHT In a sport where lack of height is a disadvantage, Joel finds a way to overcome. Photo by Karl Swenson, Just a Whim Photography.

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STO COVER

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<< GOO tion e Founda Nick of Tim

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Jewel

& LEISURE TRAVEL A Crown 1

Daniela Acuna & Joel Hashimoto B Y PAT T Y H U T C H E N S

Joel Hashimoto For Joel Hashimoto, swimming is a passion. A junior, Joel has been swimming competitively for eight years and has been on the Edmonds varsity swim team since he was a freshman.

And although he loves the sport, it does come with challenges.

“My height, standing only 5 foot 5, is a disadvantage to my swimming,” explained Joel. “I essentially have to try twice as hard as people who are taller than me.”

But Joel has clearly overcome that challenge.

Last year he swam on the team’s 400 freestyle relay at state. “I hope to continue swimming throughout college, preferably at a four-year university,” he said.

in the International Baccalaureate program at Edmonds-Woodway and plans to study either engineering or psychology after graduating in 2017.

Although swimming is mostly an individual sport, Joel said he what he enjoys most about the competition is being part of a team. And as he goes forward in life, whether it is in swimming, school or a career, he will carry with him the words of a former coach. “My old coach, Jenna, always told our team ‘I can’t means I don’t want to.’”

In addition to excelling in the pool, Joel also succeeds in the classroom. He is enrolled

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Please contact Julie Reed for all of your advertising and marketing needs. Edmonds Living Local Magazine offers print advertising, media packages, online advertising on www.EdmondsLivingLocal.com, branding solutions and more. Julie’s customer service cannot be beat!

Edmonds, Washington 253.273.8524 EdmondsLivingLocal.com julie@livinglocal360.com f /LivingLocal360

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Not your typical Barber! Whether you want a buzzcut or a GQ look, you’ll leave there looking and feeling great! Hours: Tue-Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-4pm, and Saturday and Monday by appointment. Their goal is to provide the men in their community with a great haircut, for a great price.

203 5th Ave S Edmonds, Washington 206.678.7017

They are your neighborhood natural healthcare clinic, focused on helping you and your family to find health and sustain everyday wellness.

Their patient-centered care addresses the root cause of acute and chronic conditions using the modalities of Naturopathic and Classical Chinese Medicine. Consider them for all of your natural healthcare needs!

611 Main Street, Suite A Edmonds, Washington 425.229.1070 | SacredRootMedicine.com f /SacredRootMedicine

RICHARD BENNETT CHAMPIONS REAL ESTATE SERVICES

NATALIYA BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

Nataliya Brown provides professional family photography: specializing in maternity, newborns, children, family and family events.

Contact her today to capture your next special moment! www.ntbrownphotography.com ntbrownphotography@gmail.com 206.458.4565

Whether you are in the market to purchase or sell, Richard Bennett of Champions Real Estate Services can be your partner in the journey. Their focus is on everything from new construction, to condominiums, commercial sales and leasing as well as residential rentals.

Knowledge of the market is the key to his success!

525 5th Ave S Edmonds, Washington 425.771.5020

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KRISTINE HOVDE REAL ESTATE BROKER

INSURANCE SERVICES GROUP

INSURANCE SERVICES GROUP Helping People Make Great Choices

Devoting the last 22+ years to adding value to individual’s lives by helping them sell and buy their dream home, Kristine finds this to be the most rewarding about working within this community. If you are seeking to buy or sell, Kristine would love to be of service to you.

210 Fifth Ave South, Suite 102 Edmonds, Washington 206.459.1454 | www.kristinehovde.com khovde@windermere.com

By doing business with more than 30 insurance companies, ISG’s award winning team combines their professional expertise, coverage options and understanding of their clients’ needs to deliver the best products and pricing for each of their auto, home and business insurance clients. Their home is Edmonds and they are here to support, protect and invest in the community. How can they help you?

Edmonds, Washington 425.775.6446 InsuranceServicesGroup.com

EdmondsLivingLocal.com

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The DeMiero Jazz Festival A 40 YEAR HISTORY OF INSPIRING AND EDUCATING JAZZ CHOIRS OF ALL AGES

BY BETH BOND PHOTO COURTESY ZIGGY SPIZ YOUR TASTE IN MUSIC says a lot about you. A chance to share a special occasion with music brings us closer to friends and family.

And a concert featuring both local young talent and professionals is a wonderful combination.

Edmonds has it all in the form of the DeMiero Jazz Festival taking place this year on March 10,11 and 12 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts.

If you don’t have a child who plays an instrument at school or sings in a choir, you may not know about the Festival. Under the auspices of Frank DeMiero, director of our own Sno-King Chorale, the Festival will be celebrating its 40th year, as the highlight of the musical calendar in the Northwest.

During those three days in March there will be clinics and workshops for more than 1,000 students, including 15 jazz professionals,

who will be part of an unparalleled musical experience. Some invitees come from as far away as East Anchorage High School. There are also 70 jazz vocal groups, including those from our local school district, participating this year.

among the visiting groups. It broadens skill levels in instrument performance and stage presence. Singing in newly formed small groups, before a large audience, also establishes personal confidence.

What a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity it is for these young people!

The daytime clinics, workshops and master classes are free and open to the public. No advance registration is necessary, daily workshops are on a drop-in basis. The evening concerts require paid tickets. The Festival organization is seeking to establish scholarships in the name of the late, great, Tim Hauser, of “Manhattan Transfer” fame.

During the day there are workshops and clinics where students can get one-on-one quality time with professionals in the jazz genre. These musical legends will be mentoring our rising stars, and everyone benefits. Buying a ticket for the evening concerts means you will see it all come together with style and finesse.

This type of hands-on experience can be so valuable to young artists who want to emulate their musical heroes. But there is also a great opportunity for awareness and sharing styles

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Check the website, www.DeMierojazzfest.org for ticket prices and biography briefs of some of the professional music educators who will be in attendance.

VISIT WWW.EDMONDSLIVINGLOCAL.COM AND SIGN UP FOR THE GREEN EDITION!

06 MARCH 1-30 SMALL WORKS EXHIBITION Gallery North is excited to announce its March Small Works Exhibition that celebrates all things small. Both 2D to 3D art pieces will be on display for your viewing pleasure.

Come March 6th from 1 to 4pm to the opening reception of this show. You won’t want to miss this!

Promote your business and network with other business owners in Edmonds at Fairwinds Brighton Court for the Chamber’s weekly Networking Breakfast. From 7:30 to 9am enjoy a continental breakfast and hear guest speaker Barbara Kindness. This event is free, so get networking now!

14 MARCH 5-6 SEATTLE BIKE SHOW Calling all bicyclists! Stop by CenturyLink Field for a mega expo featuring several big name bicycling companies. Cruise from booth to booth getting deals on bikes, bike gear, travel accessories and fitness equipment. Whether you’re looking for a mountain bike or just a typical city commuter, swing by the bike show.

MARCH 12 ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade winds its way for a full mile through the downtown core from the King County Administration Building to Westlake Park. Join the thousands of spectators at 12:30pm that turn out every year to usher in spring and celebrate all things Irish! Don’t forget to wear green!

MARCH 2 NETWORKING BREAKFAST: BARBARA KINDNESS

MARCH 14 RE-IGNITE THE MIND

This six-session workshop uses improvisation and theatre games to tap into the creative abilities of individuals experiencing early stage memory loss and their care partners. Come participate in an experience that releases the imagination while giving a sense of accomplishment, self-confidence and social enrichment.

Edmonds Center for the Arts at 10:30am.

EdmondsLivingLocal.com

No matter where you are in your yoga journey, from beginner to advanced yoga student, yoga teacher or yoga studio owner, the Northwest Yoga Conference will support you on your path to the soul. The conference is held at the Embassy Suites in Seattle. Register for available workshops now! http://nwyogaconference.com

MARCH 6-31 DINE AROUND SEATTLE

Grab your friends, family or significant other because Dine Around Seattle has returned! Several restaurants throughout the greater Seattle area are participating in a three-course meal special. Enjoy an appetizer, entree and dessert. Visit dinearoundseattle.org to view all participating restaurants. Make your dinner date plans now!

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MARCH 2-6 NORTHWEST YOGA CONFERENCE

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MARCH 9 INTERNET FOR BEGINNERS Develop your digital literacy skills at the Lynnwood Library by learning how to access and use the Internet on your own.

In this hands-on class from 2 to 3pm you’ll learn how to use the Internet, what it can do, and how much fun it can be to surf the Web! Registration is required.

MARCH 19-20 UNCLAD ART SHOW Come celebrate the human form in art at this annual art show and sale. There will be over 150 artworks of all mediums depicting the beauty of the human body. From 10am to 5pm at the Edmonds Yacht Club enjoy viewing the different art pieces while local musicians perform. Tickets are $5. uncladartshow.com

VISIT WWW.EDMONDSLIVINGLOCAL.COM AND SIGN UP FOR THE GREEN EDITION!

12 MARCH 2 RAISE YOUR OWN MASON BEES Now is a great time to prepare to raise your own mason bees! These busy bees are easy to raise, gentle, fun to watch, and prolific pollinators. Learn about the mason bee life cycle, bee essentials, how to build a bee box, bee pests, and managing your colony year-round at Frances Anderson Center 6:30 to 8:15pm.

MARCH 4 ECA PRESENTS: BOSTON BRASS

Come out for a oneof-a-kind musical experience combining classical arrangements, burning jazz standards and the best of original brass performance. Boston Brass has been playing for 27 years and starting at 7:30pm is ready to perform again! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss this unforgettable evening!

MARCH 4-6 ARCTIC SCIENCE DAYS The 11th annual Polar Science Weekend is here! Enjoy hands-on activities, live demonstrations and exhibits presented by scientists who work in some of the most remote places in the world. Learn all about life in the freezing Arctic at the Pacific Science Center starting at 10am.

MARCH 10 LADIES PINT NIGHT Pint Nights are back and this one is being held at Maritime Pacific Brewery in Ballard! Between 6 and 8pm enjoy $1 off pints of locally brewed beers. Join us for some pints and conversation. There will be reserved tables/chairs and Girls Pint Out stickers and a banner on hand so you can easily find the group.

Upcoming Events APRIL 1-17 WHIRLIGIG CARNIVAL FOR KIDS APRIL 9 THE SLEEPING BEAUTY APRIL 13 NETWORKING BREAKFAST: TREVOR COVINGTON APRIL 15 - 17 TULIP FESTIVAL STREET FAIR

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MARCH 26 EDMONDS EASTER EGG HUNT

The Edmonds Daybreakers Rotary is hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt at Frances Anderson Field.

Starting at 10am there will be three flights of Easter Egg hunts based upon age. Kids will scramble for chocolate eggs, candy and prizes!

APRIL 16-24 FREE NATIONAL PARK WEEK APRIL 17 ENSEMBLE CONCERT APRIL 22 EARTH DAY APRIL 29 ECA PRESENTS: THE INTERGALACTIC NEMESIS: TARGET EARTH

Visit

EdmondsLivingLocal.com

for more events!

EdmondsLivingLocal.com

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LIVING LOCAL

What’s in a Name?

Don’t let the name of the playhouse in Edmonds mislead you

COMMUNITY LEADERS MAY have acted in haste nine years ago when they christened the theater complex on the site of the old high school on 4th Ave North as the Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA).

In retrospect, the facility could have been named the Center for Interactive Theater, Concerts, Comedy, Travel Information, Community Outreach and Enterprising Entrepreneurs.

That probably would have made for an awkward-looking marquee.

“It’s true, many people think of art as something that hangs on the wall,” said Tina Stryker, the director of marketing and business development for the Edmonds Center. The director smiled for a moment and then added, “And we do have a gallery of work by local artists on the second floor.”

Stryker said the ECA is committed to bringing an array of outstanding performing artists from around the world to Edmonds, as well as provide space, production management and technical expertise for a variety of community partners and rental clients. Stryker said the theater complex serves more than 65,000 patrons every year.

The public performances, she said, are booked to meet the diverse interests of the community.

The first half of the 2015-16 season included screenings of the popular movies, “The Princess Bride” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” for exuberant audiences in costume who shouted out phrases along with the film.

The center also opened its stage doors to the acclaimed AXIS Dance Company that featured

BY DAN AZNOFF

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EdmondsLivingLocal.com

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performers with and without disabilities in addition to the Grammy Award-winning comedy cowboys, Riders in the Sky, performing their musical tribute to Roy Rogers.

Ranger Doug, a member of the country/ western comedy troop, enjoyed his second visit to the Edmonds center in February, describing the staff and crew as “exceptional to work with.”

“Our show was on a Saturday afternoon at three, so we had no idea of what to expect,” said Ranger Doug in his Tennessee twang. “The house was almost full. The audience was a little on the grey side, but incredibly enthusiastic.”

He admitted that his affection for Edmonds has to do with the availability of local seafood.

“It’s a lot better than the fish we have in Tennessee,” he said.

Outreach Programs The non-profit organization contracted to operate the Center for the Arts by the Edmonds Public Facilities District facility also rents the facility more than 100 times every year for business meetings and commercial enterprises.

The private bookings include travel programs hosted by local resident Rick Steves. His latest showcase highlighted the retro styles of tourism in Cuba.

The impact of the center on the community also goes beyond the doors of the theater. Every Monday morning the center offers programs designed for people with dementia and memory issues, their families and caregivers.

Gillian Jones, the director of programming and outreach for ECA, said the weekly programs are designed to offer a safe environment for people with memory issues and provide respite for

their caregivers. Programs include screenings of classic movies that help them recall songs and pleasant memories from their youth.

“One of the most successful programs involves improvisation,” Jones said with a smile. “It seems like a reach. But creativity does not require memory.”

The first event for March was the screening of the Disney movie “Peter Pan.” The memory loss/dementia programs have gone beyond the confines of the theater complex. Jones said workshops at the senior center have featured song and story writing sessions in addition to games that do not require retention. Many of the outreach sessions are done in cooperation with the Aegis retirement communities and veterans from the American Legion.

First Class The two-acre site of the ECA has been at the heart of the community for more than a century.

Construction on the original Edmonds High School was endorsed after voters approved a bond in 1909 for the outlandish sum of $30,000. Graduation ceremonies for school’s first class of seniors took place in the nearly finished school building the following spring.

An auditorium and gymnasium were added in 1939 with funds from a federal grant. The campus became a junior high in 1957 when the new Edmonds High School opened near Holmes Corner. The public school was closed

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in 1975 and sold to Puget Sound Christian College two years later. The structure was added to the Washington Heritage Register in 1986, fifteen years before the college moved away.

The impact of the center on the community also goes beyond the doors of the theater. Every Monday morning the center offers programs designed for people with dementia and memory issues, their families and caregivers.

The timing of the college’s departure inspired the Edmonds City Council to create the Public Facilities District (PFD). The PFD purchased the site and designated the school’s auditorium as the site for a city center for the arts. The plan included the demolition of school buildings built in 1909, 1921 and 1969 to create parking for the proposed center.

Groundbreaking for the ECA took place in 2005. The center hosted its first performance in December of the following year.

Music and Comedy The Second City improvisational comedy troupe kicked off the second half of the current season at the Edmonds Center with an uproarious interactive show on Feb. 13.

Performances scheduled for March begin with classical arrangements from the Boston Brass on March 4 with a show of innovative arrangements of jazz standards and music written especially for the brass quintet. That will be followed by inspirational Irish folk songs performed by the band Altan on March 24.

Grammy Award winner Loudon Wainwright III will be under the spotlight on April 1 when

ABOVE Photo courtesy Mary Claire Crow 2011.

he performs selections from his collection of traditional folk songs. American artist, singer and actress Patti LuPone is scheduled to perform at the center on April 21.

Tickets for the balance of the season are available at the center’s box office or online at www.edmondscenterforthearts.org/ticketsevents.

The two-time Grammy Award and Tony Award winner will be followed two days later by Portuguese fado singer Ana Moura.

The international star has provided her contemporary sound to recordings by rockand-roll icons The Rolling Stones and Prince.

Dan Aznoff was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the toxic waste crisis.

He is now a freelance writer living in Mukilteo dedicated to capturing the cherished stories of our lifetime so they can be preserved for future generations. He can be contacted directly at da@ dajournalist.com.

The center stage doors will open to the “liveaction graphic novel” Target Earth performed

by The Intergalactic Nemesis on April 29.

Portions of the show have been featured during guest appearances on the television shows “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and NPR’s “All Things Considered.” The 2015-16 season will conclude on May 13 with an energetic evening of Latin Jazz featuring Grammy Award winner Poncho Sanchez. The conga player was awarded his Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2000.

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SHOP IN STYLE

Spruce Up Your Spring Look ACCESSORIZE AND COLOR COORDINATE

BY MICHELLE PHILLIPS

SPRING IS JUST AROUND the corner, and it is time to start thinking about putting away your heavier sweaters, coats and winter scarves.

It is much easier to transition by having these items out of your main closet. Each season simply take a huge plastic tub and fold these items away to lighten your closet.

This is also a great time to purge. Consider each item carefully – some pieces are great crossover items for the cool evenings, but some are just too heavy to keep in your spring and summer collections. Any items not worn last season should be donated. The chances of wearing those items next year are slim.

All denim, leggings, lighter weight jackets and sweaters can be kept in your spring and summer closet.

Be sure to include a pair of capri leggings that complement sundresses, long tees and tunics.

Now consider what you may be missing that will bring your look up-to-date.

Be sure to look at shoe trends and add a few new pairs – perhaps a new pair of brightly colored Nikes to inspire your workout, or a pair of sparkly flip-flops or tall wedges that elongate legs but are still comfortable and easy to walk in.

Next look at your basics – are your leggings looking tired and faded? If so, toss them and add a few new pairs. Be sure to include a pair of capri leggings that complement sundresses,

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long tees and tunics. Tees by Tina are our favorite basics and will pair nicely with any of your layering pieces.

Choose a signature color for all of your accessories. This keeps your look consistent and makes packing for trips a snap! Choose a coral or other bright color for a sun-kissed look, or make your signature hue your eye color so that your eyes really stand out.

Next choose your signature handbag for the season. Perhaps last year’s will work, but you may want to choose something on-trend to create that fresh and fun look! Fashion magazines are showing woven and basket handbags as summer’s bag of choice.

Now is also the perfect time to visit a local makeup artist to freshen up your makeup routine. Techniques, colors and quality change rapidly in the cosmetic market, so consider an update each spring and fall.

Happy Spring!

Michelle Phillips Dolly Mama Boutique, Gig Harbor, WA www.dollymamadesigns.com

1.

5.

1 REBEKAH’S BOUTIQUE

What woman wouldn’t love a bit of romance? Rebekah’s carries lacy tops and jackets that can be paired with a flowing skirt or jeggings. This top and jacket can easily go from day to evening. Spring dresses are also arriving just in time for that tropical vacation or cruise escape.

Rebekah’s is open Mon & Tues 11am-6pm, Wed-Sat 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-4pm.

404 Main Street Edmonds, WA | 425.775.2058 f Rebekahs Boutique

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SHOP KLASSY KIDS

As a leading provider of children’s resale clothing and children’s products, they take pride in offering the best prices and the cleanest and friendliest environment to their valued customers. New store hours Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm.

610 5th Avenue South Suite B Edmonds, WA Klassykids1@yahoo.com

3.

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3 MAJE GALLERY

405 Main Street, Edmonds, WA 425.776.3778 | f/MaJeGallery www.majegallery.com

C’EST LA VIE

C’est la Vie is a gift, jewelry, and clothing boutique. With spring in the air this is the perfect personalized gift for bride & groom, groomsmen and bridesmaids, anniversaries, companies, Mother’s Day and any celebration in between.

Personalize wine glasses, shot glasses, bowls and more! Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm & Sun 12-5pm.

4.

320 5th Ave S, Edmonds, WA 425.673.8905 | clvcatalog.com

EdmondsLivingLocal.com

ZINC ART + INTERIORS

Cheers Edmonds! ZINC would like to say Thank YOU for making them a part of your world! ZINC Gallery now open next to the same great shop bringing you fresh design and a curated selection of uncommon gifts.

Open M-T 10-6, W-F 10-8, Sat 10-6 and Sun 11-4!

At corner of 3rd & Main, Edmonds, WA 206.467.1027 | ZINCArtInteriors.com

It’s all made in America at MaJe Gallery, with women’s clothing, accessories, gifts and art by over 100 artists. Their clothing motto is “stylish AND comfortable”. Unique gifts with many under $25. Open daily 11am-5pm, Sunday and Tuesday 12-4pm.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Step One

YOU DON’T NEED TO GET IN SHAPE TO GET IN SHAPE

BY SUSAN MOORE, BETTER GYM, GIG HARBOR

SO HERE WE ARE at that time of the year again. The interim space after the failed New Year’s resolution of getting healthy and the planning of bathing suit season. You feel like you still have time to NOT start your exercise and diet regime with enough chronological wiggle room to lose a few pounds before it gets warmer outside. Maybe you’ll start going to the gym, but only after you figure out how to get into enough shape to not embarrass yourself at the gym. And there continues the cycle of failure.

Why do people think they should get into shape to get into shape? This makes no rational sense, yet I hear it close to every day. This is

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the opposite of a good idea my dear friends.

Not having adequate strength and endurance is not a productive reason to put off a training program. Who’s to say what level you should be at to begin? You go to a training program to GAIN strength, endurance, mobility, and stability; not to show how much you already have. Going to a fitness class isn’t about the physical caliber of the people around you; it’s about supporting those people in their goals and them supporting you in yours. Most of the time I am fixing poor movement patterns on people, I’m not putting them on display to prove anything, ever. I am looking for your progress, not perfection.

No matter what your goals are, Snap Fitness has all of the tools and support to help you look good, feel great, and get results. As a Snap Fitness member, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll receive a free customized nutrition and online meal plan, one-on-one instruction with a personal trainer, and access to over 2,000 locations worldwide. Stop in today and let us help you start your journey towards creating a better you.

Offer expires 3/21/2016

Limit one per household. No cash value. Access card fee, other fees and some restrictions may apply. Valid only for local residents on first visit at participating clubs. Š 2015 Snap Fitness, Inc.

Edmonds 505 5th Ave. S (425) 778-7627 http://www.snapfitness.com/gyms/edmonds-wa-98020/1020 Corner of 5th & Walnut, just south of the fountain

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The intimidation people feel towards group training is unfortunate. I love seeing the camaraderie of perfect strangers when they are in a physically challenging environment. If you feel like you are in a competition you didn’t sign up for and you just want to get healthy and feel great about yourself, then that’s exactly what you should look for. I believe that competition has no place in a training environment. That’s not to say we can’t work for specific strength goals to later put to the test in a fun and family style competition, but the daily practice of strength is no place for competition. You should never feel like you failed a workout. A workout or training session is about moving your body through space in all ranges of motion, on all planes, both loaded and unloaded. You need to figure out if you have any dysfunctional movement patterns. If so, address them and then begin to add complexity and load to these movements. There is nothing like the feeling of getting both mentally and physically stronger and more fit.

When you walk into a fitness center, studio or gym, you should feel welcome, not like an outsider. Go to the gym to create your goals with a qualified professional or instructor.

It should not hurt to go to the gym. Find a

program where you can lift heavy to prevent injury instead of inducing it. Where you can test your limits without testing your good sense. Make sure if you have questions, you ask them. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up.

As health, strength and fitness professionals, we work for you, the client. It is our job to make sure you move towards and hopefully accomplish YOUR goals – not put you into a workout that is one size fits all. Chances are, you will feel like the exception of that one size.

Make sure that whatever you decide to do, you believe in it!

There are many reasons to start a fitness program. You want to lose weight, you want to get stronger, you want to feel better, you want to look better, you might be depressed, lonely or tired. The reasons are endless. Don’t be afraid to start, be afraid not to. In order for your life to change, you have to change your life. Don’t wait for a feeling, an opportunity or a sign. This is the time to jump. No more waiting or conditional excuses. All of us have different goals, genes, body types, limitations, tastes and dislikes. There is no cookie cutter mold that works for everyone, but everyone has the ability to realize their undeniable potential.

Results or excuses – you decide!

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Spring Cleaning Your Marriage RENEW YOUR RELATIONSHIP DURING THE SEASON OF HOPE

BY JOY PETERSON, M.A. LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST. AUTHOR OF “22 MYTHS OF DIVORCE” AND “DISCOVERING A DYNAMIC MARRIAGE” DISCOVERINGDYNAMICMARRIAGE.COM

MARCH PROMISES renewal and hope. So how about “spring cleaning” your marriage?

During the courtship, lovers talk about dreams and visions of future careers and success, but few discuss moral, ethical, spiritual, financial and lifestyle values. Shared values form the bedrock of a successful marriage.

Exploring and Adopting Values. For example, regarding honesty, is it merely telling the truth?

Does honesty apply to tax returns? Secretly stashing funds? Concealing purchases? Hiding raises or bonuses? Hiding compulsions or addictions? What does honesty mean in your values? Is honesty or integrity your goal? Is there a difference? Examine the values you hold as standards of conduct. Learn to collaborate rather than compromise. Collaboration seeks to create something new and distinctive in resolving conflicting goals, ideas or beliefs.

Fidelity. Fidelity is where transparency and integrity demands a higher standard than honesty. Does fidelity exclude pornography?

Sexting? Sharing secrets with friends of the opposite sex? Establish your standards and boundaries.

Trust. Deep emotional connection requires trust. Inability to control anger, stress, moods or behavior undermines trust. Accepting responsibility for consequences of choices is maturity.

Fairness. Trust requires an underpinning of justice and equality.

Crazy-making. Denying a secret, mood or feeling that a spouse is picking up on makes them feel crazy and in a double bind; do I trust my partner or my intuition?

Transparency. In risking rejection by revealing fears, dreams, faults, failures, and inadequacies, you discover if you are loved unconditionally.

Secrets vs. Personal Privacy. Do I have to give up all privacy to be in a committed relationship?

What is the line between personal privacy and a secret that threatens a relationship? There’s a simple guideline to honesty and fairness —the Golden Rule!

Autonomy and Self-awareness. Honesty demands courage and self-awareness. If you

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expect honesty from others you must be scrupulously honest with yourself.

Personal Integrity. Real intimacy demands honesty beyond mere truth-telling. Be true to yourself. Grow up and confront insecurities and self-deception.

Money. Is how money is earned or spent less important than what money represents for you? Is it a means to an end or an end in itself?

How much time and energy will you invest in acquiring money and stuff? What will you sacrifice to have them?

Healthy and Satisfying Sex. Intimacy is often confused with sex. Partners need to honestly express what priority sex is to them. Negotiate an agreement that satisfies sexual appetites and desires.

Happy Spring!

Visualize Success FROM PROBLEM SOLVING TO CREATING SOLUTIONS

BY IAN CHITTLE, M.S., LMHC, HARBOR WELLBEING

A COMMON APPROACH to shifting our health habits is to focus on why a problem exists. We sit with family, a friend or counselor and discuss our struggles, finding explanations for why they came about, with the hope that greater understanding will prevent us from making the same mistakes or unhealthy choices.

If problems were like seeds in the garden, we water them with our constant thoughts and attention until they grow into a huge weed.

Unfortunately, better understanding of our problems does not automatically lead to the change we seek for better health and well-being.

While there is great benefit in understanding the complexity of our problems, we sometimes need a break from rehashing old problem stories in order to actively visualize and create the future that we want. This approach, in therapeutic terms, is Solution Focused Therapy.

For example, someone struggling with chronic illness like type 2 diabetes or depression often find personal faults that they believe contribute to their disease – characteristics such as lack of willpower, low motivation, food addiction or

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As we “get the ball rolling” with small solutions, like a short morning walk or a home-cooked meal, confidence grows and the initial visualization becomes reality. laziness. The focus on these internal problems can leave us feeling even more hopeless.

In contrast, imagine approaching our problems in a new way. Envision taking a break from a focus on these problems and instead focus on creating solutions.

Here are three examples of solution-focused strategies:

Visualize Success Many of the most successful athletes spend their mental energy before games visualizing their success in great detail. When it comes to implementing diet and lifestyle change that helps treat and prevent chronic illness, we can use the tricks of these successful athletes by visualizing a day in which we eat healthy foods that we enjoy and engage in a type of activity we enjoy.

Focus On Your Unique Strengths And Talents Think of a time that you really succeeded or felt proud of an accomplishment, like running a race, a project at work, or helping someone in need. What internal characteristic, strengths and talents helped you succeed?

Discover Hidden Solutions That Already Exist In Your Life We all have exceptions to our problems, when problems are “dialed down” or not occurring.

These exceptions often go unnoticed without our time or attention looking for them.

We can amplify these exceptions with small, highly achievable goals, until our healthy exceptions become our normal habits. As we “get the ball rolling” with small solutions, like a short morning walk or a home-cooked meal, confidence grows and the initial visualization becomes reality.

Try It Out For Yourself!

Close your eyes and imagine going to sleep tonight and one of your problems is solved (i.e. you no longer have type 2 diabetes). You have no idea the problem is solved because you were asleep when this miracle happened.

When you wake up in the morning, how will you notice that a miracle has happened and your problem is solved? What will be different? How will you feel different? What will you do differently? Who will notice and what will they notice different about you?

How will that person act differently? What else will be different throughout your day?

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FOOD & DRINK

Enjoy Fresh Food with a View LOCAL RESTAURANT OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

By Patty Hutchens QUALITY FOOD. Welcoming atmosphere.

Waterfront location. Locally grown and sourced products. Located just steps from the Ferry and Brackett’s Landing guests can enjoy a view of the Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and many beautiful sunsets. That is just part of what has made Demetris Woodstone Taverna in downtown Edmonds a success since opening its doors in 2010.

With both Mediterranean inspired tapas and Northwest American cuisine, Demetris Woodstone Taverna offers something for everyone. Open seven days a week, they serve lunch, dinner and happy hours daily along with an international inspired brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. On most Wednesdays you can find live music as well.

“We purchase locally grown and sourced product whenever possible and prepare it ourselves to insure that our food is healthy,” said Kyle Huffman, who along with his wife Sofeea owns Demetris Woodstone Taverna.

“We strive to offer healthy delicious flavors and foods at a very reasonable value, including our fresh weekly specials that complement our menu.”

Kyle emphasizes that they strive to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the Mediterranean cuisine to ensure every guest can find items they will thoroughly enjoy.

With a desire to welcome families to their restaurants, Demetris Woodstone Taverna provides a small play area in their dining room for guests with young children. “We want everyone in your family to feel welcome and enjoy themselves in our restaurant,” said Kyle.

In addition to Demetris Woodstone Taverna, the couple owns Kafe Neo restaurants in Edmonds, Marysville and Mill Creek. They also own, along with Clara Carrol, Tablas Woodstone Taverna in Mill Creek. “A new Kafe Neo Woodstone Taverna will be opening in April in Arlington,” said Kyle who adds that the three Kafe Neo stores serve primarily traditional Greek inspired cuisine with some Northwest American favorites as well.

“All of our stores serve beer and wine, and Kafe Neo Mill Creek, Demetris Woodstone Taverna, Tablas Woodstone Taverna, and the newest Kafe Neo Woodstone Taverna in Arlington have full service bars,” said Kyle.

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Kyle was born and raised in Edmonds and Sofeea moved here from Missoula in 1983. But it is Sofeea’s Greek heritage that has inspired the food they bring to their customers.

She regularly visits her extended family in Greece and thoroughly enjoys the Greek and Mediterranean cuisine that she shares with her customers.

Together the couple has enjoyed raising their three children in Edmonds and has enjoyed giving back to their community through volunteering their time to organizations and donating to many local organizations.

“We are truly a locally owned and operated family business,” said Kyle.

Be sure to put Demetris Woodstone Taverna on the list for your next night out!

Demetris Woodstone Taverna 101 Main St, Edmonds, WA 98020 425.744.9999 kafeneowoodstonegroup.com/ demetris

Expires 3/31/2016.

Edmondsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hometown Bistro 425.774.0650 www.chanterellewa.com 316 Main Street | Edmonds, WA

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YOURLOCAL

PRIVATE WINE LOCKERS

Restaurants with this symbol have public wifi access.

Salt & Iron

A comfortable dining experience that includes local oysters, steaks and great American cuisine. Salt & Iron’s dining room brings a brighter and more welcoming dining atmosphere to the Downtown core. It’s located just a short walk from the Kingston Ferry and the iconic Edmonds Fountain. A full bar provides craft cocktails, local wines and draft beers to accompany the dining experience.

321 Main Street | Edmonds, WA 425.361.1112 | saltniron.com

WE HAVE GIFT CERTIFIC ATES!

Chanterelle

Located in a charming historic building three short blocks from Puget Sound, Chanterelle is the go-to spot in the heart of town for everything from breakfast, lunch and dinner to happy hour, cocktails, desserts and coffee drinks. (The famous tomato bisque is not to be missed...the Governor called it the best tomato soup in America!) With its welcoming interior, friendly staff, and especially the delicious food, it’s no wonder that Chanterelle is known as Edmonds’ Hometown Bistro.

316 Main Street | Edmonds, WA 425.774.0650 | www.chanterellewa.com

Lake Forest Bar & Grill

www.fortalezawinelockers.com

Classic American food, high quality ingredients, and affordable prices are what you’ll find at this neighborhood favorite. Fresh local vegetables, organic breads, Northwest caught salmon, and regional beer and wine all adds to the local flavor. Happy hour 7 days a week and open weekends for brunch!

17535 Ballinger Way NE | Seattle, WA | 206.364.1261 lakeforestbarandgrill.com

(425) 522-2576 Downtown Edmonds

ONLY $25 A MONTH! EdmondsLivingLocal.com

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DININGGUIDE

Canarino Gelato CaffÈ

Canarino Gelato Caffè has now expanded to include delicious coffee and bakery items. Go in and enjoy their delicious sorbetto and gelato flavors, too! They have 24 different flavors in their display case daily and they rotate flavors depending on the season. They specialize in their affogato: a delicious scoop of gelato topped with two shots of espresso. Canarino Gelato Caffè opens at 6am daily so you can warm up with outstanding coffee before heading to work.

203 5th Ave S Ste 4 | Edmonds, WA | 425.243.9635 canarinogelato.com

Oysters • Steaks Great American Cuisine

Ballard ~ Edmonds

Hamburger Harry’s II

Full Bar • Local Wines Draft Beers

Hamburger Harry’s II is a family owned sports bar and kidfriendly restaurant specializing in gourmet hamburgers, wraps, sandwiches, and more. Dogs are welcome on the deck if on leashes. Trivia night is every Wednesday and they even serve breakfast all day and night. Open Sun-Thurs 11am-8:30pm.

Fri & Sat 11am-9:30pm.

610 5th Avenue South | Edmonds, WA | 425.776.6666

321 Main Street Edmonds, WA

Demetris Woodstone Taverna

Looking for the best tapas in Western Washington? Look no further than Demetris Woodstone Taverna. Treat yourself to delectable food, an inviting atmosphere and supreme service. Located steps from the ferry dock overlooking Brackett’s Landing with water view. The menu includes fresh seafood, mouth watering flatbreads and much more. Join them for lunch, happy hour and dinner daily and international brunch on Saturday & Sunday.

101 Main Street | Edmonds, WA | 425.744.9999 www.kafeneowoodstonegroup.com

EdmondsLivingLocal.com

425.361.1112 www.SaltNIron.com f/saltniron

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Southwest Montana

Where it all comes together

By Colin Anderson

C

owboys, college kids, the ultra-wealthy, and the family caravan— all characters you’re likely to see on a visit to Bozeman, Montana.

Originally a small ranching community, Bozeman continues to evolve and is now the central hub for visitors to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky Resort and an expanding Montana State University. The combination of youth and retirees, city and country dwellers, and longtime residents alongside vacation homeowners has created a diverse destination rarely seen today. A stroll down Main will show you saloons that have stood for decades along with shops featuring upscale clothing and art. You’ll bump into wranglers and Stetsons, engineering students letting off steam, and travelers looking to flee their big city life for a week or so. The reason for each visit varies, but it’s easy to see how Bozeman’s tourism industry continues to grow and adapt to an ever increasing visitor population.

Western Montana in general boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery and incredible outdoor experiences in the lower 48. Bozeman serves as home base for many planning to spend their trip in the great outdoors. Evidenced by the numerous fly shops that dot the town, trout fishing is a huge draw here. The Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone rivers all carry the blue ribbon designation for their water quality, public accessibility, native trout population and ability to handle fishing pressure. Serious anglers from all over the country put a float down one of these Montana legends as a fly fishing bucket list can’t miss. Very fortunate fishermen can land one of only a few yearly permits for a five-day float down the Smith River. During the 60-mile float, it’s rare to see another outfit giving visitors a truly alone-in-the-wild experience.

Yellowstone National Park sits just 90 miles south of town and guests can enter the north end of the park through Gardner or the west entrance at West Yellowstone. Easily one of the most visited and popular National Parks in the country, a trip into Yellowstone will bring you up close and personal with wildlife, geothermal wonders, as well as spectacular bodies of water and mountain peaks. Yellowstone is one of the best places in the country to see the most famous animals of the West. Entering through Gardner, you are all but guaranteed to see herds of elk and some of the last native buffalo left in the West. While they may look like calm massive cows, every year overzealous picture takers get mauled by bison who feel threatened when people get too close. Don’t be that person. These 1,000-pound animals will often block the roadway, and provoking them or honking your horn does little to sway them into moving out of your way. Nature makes the rules and runs the show here.

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SKI

EPIC

PLAYCATION: (n) A vacation full of

DPO N A S

epic opportunities to play, as in the case of the epic powder at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

INT

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vacation home specialists

PLAN YOUR STAY AND PLAY TODAY! 208.946.0901 | www.GoSandpoint.com steve@gosandpoint.com | f/gosandpoint

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Another common occurrence in the park is a traffic build up also known as a “bear jam.” Grizzly and black bears are often spotted right from the road, and as soon as they are seen, cars pull over and stack up to get a glimpse. This causes a headache for park staff, but the chance to see a Grizzly in the wild is too much for most visitors to pass up and drive by. There is an average of one bear attack each year in the park, and most of those occur where visitors are out hiking and surprise a bear. Before going out on trips, park staff educates hikers on how to avoid surprising a bear and what to do if charged. Your odds of being attacked are extremely low, but having the knowledge of what to do beforehand could make all the difference.

Across miles of hiking trails there are deer, moose, eagles, as well as the rarely seen bobcat, mountain lion and wolf pack. The other feature many visitors come to see is the majority of active geysers in the world. Old Faithful is the most popular, but many are surprised to learn that it does not erupt exactly every 60 minutes and isn’t even the most frequent erupting or largest geyser in the park; it is however the most consistent. There are more than 300 erupting geysers in Yellowstone making it the largest concentration in the world. If you can’t wait until your trip, the National Park Service has a constant live stream where you can watch the Old Faithful eruption (www.nps.gov/features/yell/webcam/oldFaithfulStreaming.html).

This is truly a spectacular place and a trip through the park should not be missed.

While summer brings outdoor hikers, bikers, fishermen and adventure seekers, winter brings visitors looking for light fluffy powder, steep terrain and an incredible ski experience. Locals take the 30-minute drive to Bridger Bowl ski area, famous for soft snow as well as some of the most challenging terrain around. Back country skiers hike to the very top for untouched powder and the thrill of leaping off cliffs and ledges. There are also miles of cross-

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A melting pot of Old West and modern is what you’ll find on your visit to the greater Bozeman area.

country skiing as well as snowshoeing trails.

The more famous mountain, Big Sky, sits about an hour south of Bozeman and boasts one of the largest skiable mountains in North America. This is a true western resort experience with dozens of dining and onmountain lodging options. The gathering area seems more like a small downtown than a ski chalet. It would be a challenge to hit every run if you had a week, and if you aren’t a big fan of chairlifts, there is a run that’s six miles long that will take you plenty of time to traverse. Multi-million dollar homes are common throughout the area. Plans were laid to create a private ski mountain called The Yellowstone Club that encompassed nearby Moonlight Basin. However, the dream didn’t come to fruition and in 2013,

Moonlight became part of Big Sky Resort, creating over 7,600 acres of skiable terrain.

If a more laid back stay is your style, there are plenty of options back in Bozeman, and the town is easy to navigate on foot. During the summer months, the downtown area puts on weekly art walks featuring the local galleries as well as ”Music on Main” which features live local bands, activities for kids, and plenty of food trucks serving up a variety of specialties. Pride from Montana State University shuts down Main Street in both the spring and fall for graduating senior sendoffs and fall homecoming parades and pep rallies. The annual Brawl of the Wild football game pits the Bobcats of Montana State against the Grizzlies of the University

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of Montana. It’s been going on since 1897, and it’s easy to tell which side you’re on during Cat-Griz week.

A melting pot of Old West and modern is what you’ll find on your visit to the greater Bozeman area. Luxurious options abound alongside beat up farm trucks. A passion for the outdoors is what drives visitors here and keeps locals from ever leaving the area. Big Sky country is a term not easily described until you’ve experienced it firsthand.

Western Montana is the playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Even if you’re not the mountaineering type, you can experience all the beauty of this region through the window of your car or a short stroll off the beaten path.

Thinking about your dream vacation home in your dream location? Call today for a free consultation.

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Elegant Gems, Ltd. The rarest gemstones on Planet Earth

Elegant Gems, Ltd. • 420 5th Avenue South, Suite 107 • Edmonds, WA 98020 Brent Malgarin, G.G. • 206.355.5065 • elegantgems@gmx.com EdmondsLivingLocal.com 47

Kristine L. Hovde

206-459-1454 khovde@windermere.com

Amanda K. Hovde

206-940-6242 ahovde@windermere.com

“WE SEEK TO ADD VA LUE TO OUR CLIENTS AND CREATE LASTING RELATIONSHIPS”

Windermere Real Estate/GH LLC 210 Fifth Ave S | Suite 102 Edmonds, WA 98020

Born, Raised, and Living Locally in Edmonds

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