July 2017 REAL Northwest Living

JULY 2017

Tired in tacoma

Helping fight homelessness in our area

UNREAL

One woman’s faith and her fight to overcome

INTENTIONAL DESIGN MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPACE

real local

TRANSCR

ENDURO A Jungle Race Unlike ANy Other

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Northwest Living pg. 56 REALNW

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EnR Re p a t thu tired WH NO fo urc n o o a E sW r h ld n ia ? Cl AIRI W ? R as NN Ji all as cl thyeo stA m t in a n W e sic TEG! at yp g t ssi hoeu t ifD A D 20 es ha c c seh?a wO an Futom ! a t o t C t 6- f r r yF o 40 ca car th alleJfe ouER tive 6- rs . W at im.rs ouE 13 ru e re u t oD 13 nn pa sul s tof t i (h ng y t s i er or op n u e in d s th no ol e la H t. ar C r bo a ll r)

“ T H E U LTIM ATE G ARAG E S AL E ”

Summer is officially here and we have a local warehouse full of cars. If you are looking for an old classic car like a Mustang, Chevrolet, Truck, Convertible, Mercedes, Austin Healey, Saleen, Sunbeam, International, Cadillac, Chrystler, Hudson, Jaguar, etc., you need to look at our website, identify the car you would like to drive and

OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS NOW OPEN AND AVAILABLE FOR ALL TYPES OF SERVICE

FULL RESTORATION • BODY WORK • PAINTING • TUNE UPS • ELECTRICAL WORK CALL JIM TO TAKE A TOUR OF THE WAREHOUSE. We have cars coming in daily. Even if you’re not looking to buy for yourself, you might just want to buy that grandson of yours a very nice 1966 Mustang Coupe!

ALWAYS ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS A L W A YALWAYS S L O O K IACCEPTING N G F O R C O LCONSIGNMENTS LECTOR CARS TO BUY ALWAYS LOOKING FOR COLLECTOR CARS TO BUY

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features Check us out online!

RealNWLiving.com is your online resource for everything REAL! Sign up for the green edition of our magazine to be delivered to your inbox every month, check out our highlighted stories, see what is happening around you and much much more!

Real Local:

Real Near:

Real Tasty:

Real Home & Garden:

On February 22, the population of Providencia nearly doubled as 100 mountain-bike racers and support staff arrived for a four-day jungle enduro stage race called the TransCR (RaceTransCR.com).

A night out at Jones Island State Park is a perfect place to unplug, relax, find some spectacular scenery and enjoy a more quiet San Juan experience.

This month’s recipes are meant to be quick, easy and delicious. A homemade dressing added to a premade meal is a quick trick to a truly gourmet treat, while the drink of the month keeps summer fun rolling all month long.

Rooms that are dedicated to a single purpose are not common in the average home.

When we think of these rooms, we typically see them in magazines where they are set up with a perfectly made bed, a spare dresser, fresh flowers, etc. Designing with intention is what it’s all about in these articles.

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REALNW

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PUBLISHER’S note

wood windows re-imagined

dependability redefined

A REASON TO CELEBRATE LAW ENFORCEMENT. Firefighters.

The U.S. military. All who serve in these roles are given the task of keeping us safe at home and abroad. They put their lives in danger each and every day. Often, we take for granted the high price that these men and women pay so that we continue to be and remain one of the truly greatest countries in the world.

As we observe the Fourth of July, let us sit back and reflect on how fortunate we are to live in a country where we are free to express religious beliefs and are blessed with an abundance of opportunities.

Offer prayers of gratitude for the blessings we have and for those first responders and military who serve our country and communities. And … let’s celebrate!

Celebrate not only the joy that stems from the independence and freedom with which we are blessed, but celebrate the love of family and friends. Plan get-togethers with them, invite them for dinner or a day at the beach. Reconnect with people with whom you have lost touch. And while you celebrate, remember to give thanks that you live in a country that is one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Steve Russo Steve Russo Executive Director steve@livinglocal360.com

Sarah Ortega Window + Door Specialist 253.752.7000 x147 sarah@graylumber.com 6 REALNW

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

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Contents pg. 56

ON THE COVER ENTERTAINMENT

SPOTLIGHTS

50 Real Cool

12

Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering

52 Real Cool Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival

56

Real Featured

Photos from our Facebook feed, Northwest Living

Real Local

TransCR Enduro: a four-day jungle race unlike any other

22 Real Entrepreneur Creasy Construction: General contractor building strong relationships

26 Unreal Changing lives ... one bed at a time

TRAVEL

30

18 Real Near

Battling Cystic Fibrosis. One woman’s faith and her fight to overcome

Camping Jones Island: Hiking, paddling, peace and seclusion

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Unreal

36

Real Prepared

Diversify your investments ‌ but consolidate your providers

38

Real Healthy

42

Real Adventure

Unique ideas to be gutsier in life

Crater Lake ... Enjoy the scenic ride

46 Real Tasty

Fun, fast and friendly recipes to try out today!

58

Real Home & Garden

Designing with intention. Making the most of your space

Get Real!

In an awesome show of fortunate timing, one of our writer/photographers was in South America at the same time as a group of local Washington riders participating in the TransCR Enduro. Diana Scheel managed to capture much of the race and festivities and then gave REAL NW Living an exclusive!

Feeling Good is Good to Feel

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MARKETING

Washington Marketing Director Jamie Taylor | 253.906.4735 jamie@livinglocal360.com

Meet the team

Washington Director | Julie Reed 253.273.8524 | julie@livinglocal360.com

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor | Jillian Chandler jillian@livinglocal360.com Senior Editor/Staff Writer Patty Hutchens | patty@livinglocal360.com Staff Writer Colin Anderson | colin@livinglocal360.com

DESIGN

Creative Director | Whitney Lebsock Senior Designer | Rachel Figgins Designer & Media Manager Maddie Russo

ACCOUNTING/OPERATIONS

JAMIE TAYLOR

JULIE REED

“WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST FAMILY PET?” How do you choose a favorite pet? I’ve had three pets in different stages of my life, and I’ve loved them all. Meca was my childhood dog and slept with me every night. She was so sweet even through all of the torture of dressing her up in clothes. Kojac was my first pet as an adult, and boy do English bulldogs give you first-hand experience with raising a child. Regardless, we fell in love with the breed and now have Frankie, our toebiting, water-loving, panda-looking little girl. Nothing can cheer your day up more than your pet excited to see you as soon as you walk through the door.

“WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST FAMILY PET?” Best family pet is our Great Pyrenees, Saint, also known as “Big White”! He is the biggest and fluffiest dog I have ever owned, weighing in at 110 pounds at 10 months old. It’s funny that he is the favorite, because he is definitely not the best behaved. He is irresistibly cute and has so much personality. Extra bonus— he brings the kids home to visit more often.

JAMIE@LIVINGLOCAL360.COM 253.906.4735

JULIE@LIVINGLOCAL360.COM 253.273.8524

Proud To Partner With

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Managing Partner | Kim Russo Executive Director | Steve Russo Operations Director | Jessica Herbig Contributors Rhonda Savage | Diana Scheel | Annie Nye

REAL NORTHWEST LIVING MAGAZINE

is brought to you by 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.

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REAL LOCAL

H

igh in the Talamanca mountains, in the Parque Nacional Los Quetzales in Costa Rica, lies a tiny village called Providencia de Dota. It is rarely visited by tourists as it is very difficult to navigate the 20 kilometers of minimally maintained steep gravel road leading to the rural farming community. It is home to some of the best coffee in the world, as well as the elusive Resplendent Quetzal—a mythicallooking bird, seldom seen by humans, with bright colors and long tail feathers—and the

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Rio Savegre runs through the community and forms a beautiful waterfall with a natural swimming pool about two kilometers down the road. The town consists of a primary school, a church and two small “tiendas” selling only very basic goods. Residents live in typical “Tico” (a colloquial term for a native of Costa Rica) houses with tin roofs, tile floors and suicide showers, where cold water runs over an electrical element to warm it before coming out of the shower head. Cows and chickens are more common on the road than are cars, and

most people work on the coffee and blackberry farms that the area is well-known for.

On February 22, the population of Providencia nearly doubled as 100 mountain-bike racers and support staff arrived for a four-day jungle enduro stage race called the TransCR (RaceTransCR.com). As Canadian Jay Balabas, one of the two main organizers of the event and owner of the “Bicycle Cafe” in Canmore, Alberta, says, “enduro” is the fastest-growing form of mountain biking in the world today.

TRANSCR ENDURO A FOUR-DAY JUNGLE RACE UNLIKE ANY OTHER ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY DIANA SCHEEL

It combines the best of cross country and downhill, with the winner of the race being the most well-rounded rider in the group. He says it is like playing chess, where strategy is everything—you have to know when to go all out or when to save your legs and energy for later. Balabas, along with good friend and native Costa Rican, Paulo Valle, came up with the idea of the TransCR while having a barbecue on Balabas’s deck only seven months prior to race day. To successfully put together an event of this caliber in such a short amount of time

is unheard of. Online registration opened in October, and just through word of mouth on social media, it sold out very quickly, with riders from all over the world including South Africa, Iceland and Venezuela.

In the pack of multinational riders, Washington state was well represented with eight racers in attendance: Adrian Hopkins of Snoqualmie; Stephanie Tuck of Seattle; Aaron Bradford of Auburn; Gretchen Nelson of Seattle; Jason Heggenes of Whidbey Island; Ralph Havens

of Seattle; Heather Hudson of NewCastle; and Craig Harvey of Spokane.

The four-day event saw participants exploring the best riding Costa Rica has to offer, with varied terrain ranging from steep, unrelenting jungle single track, to high-speed backroads.

Race organizer Paulo Valle has spent the past 17 years building the trails around Providencia.

His knowledge of the land and his love for sport brought an unparalleled design to the course.

Each day, three or four stages were ridden with

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REAL LOCAL

as much as 1,500 meters of climbing per day.

Although the timed portion of each stage was only between four and 15 minutes, racers often had to ride up to the top of the stage, or back up to camp from the bottom, which in and of itself was extremely grueling. Add to that the heat, dust and elevation, and you have extremely exhausted people at the end of the day, especially since most were coming from winter conditions in their home countries.

Riders were not allowed on the trails, neither on bike nor on foot, prior to each stage, meaning they were going down “blind,” adding to the difficulty of the race. Ralph Havens says this was the best race he has ever done. “The vertical was awesome!”

OUR WASHINGTON RACERS ALL HAVE THEIR FAVORITE SPOTS TO RIDE IN OUR STATE, FROM THE FOUR TIN CORRIDOR TO HIGH IN THE CASCADES, TIGER MOUNTAIN AND SECRET SPOTS NEAR BELLINGHAM, BUT THEY ALL SAID THE TRAILS IN COSTA RICA WERE AMONG THE BEST THEY HAVE EVER RIDDEN. Of course, with such challenging trails, injuries are to be expected, but, during the four-day event, only two people had to leave the race to seek medical attention; one had a separated shoulder and the other a broken elbow. The medical team on location for the event was well equipped for the numerous scrapes and gashes that happened daily. Unfortunately, our own Aaron Bradford, who is sponsored

by Seattle-based Evil Bikes, hyperextended

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Online registration opened in October, and just through word of mouth on social media, it sold out very quickly, with riders from all over the world including South Africa, Iceland and Venezuela.

his knee on the very first run. Although in substantial pain, he didn’t want to miss out on all the fun and continued to ride as much as he could and only had to skip couple of stages. Sadly, his misfortune put him out of contention for the “pro” prize money. Besides the injured Bradford, all seven of the other Washington riders made it down every stage, which was something plenty of other riders couldn’t claim.

Almost all of our local riders have been on their bikes since they were children.

Stephanie Tuck has been riding for 22 years and racing for 16 of them. She loves to race, but most importantly she loves getting outdoors. Bradford got his first mountain bike at the age of 10 and raced in his first national competition at age 13. Most of them got their racing starts in downhill but have since turned their attention to enduro. When asked why, Adrian Hopkins says that a lot of it has to do with riding time. In downhill, your whole time racing might only consist of a couple of minutes; with enduro, you still get the rush of downhill but you also get a lot more time in the saddle. Hopkins adds that enduro is the hardest thing she has ever done, but “it is so worth it!” Gretchen Nelson remarked that racing makes her feel younger.

As a 45-year-old, she thinks hanging out with and trying to keep up with 20-somethings helps keep her feeling youthful.

All of the racers talked about the riding community as a reason why they love the sport so much. Heather Hudson’s good friends are all riders, including Stephanie Tuck, who made the trip to Costa Rica with her.

EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE ARE COMPETITIVE, EVERYONE SUPPORTS ONE ANOTHER. SHE LOVES THAT SHE CAN TRAVEL ALL OVER THE WORLD AND MEET PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PASSION AS HER WHEREVER SHE GOES. Jason Heggenes, who is supported by Transitions Bikes in Bellingham, has traveled around the world to ride and met race organizer Paulo Valle on a bike trip to Switzerland in 2006. Stories like that are not uncommon in the enduro community. The TransCR camp felt like a big reunion of sorts, with people finding friends they had made at previous events, and of course making new ones.

The camp itself was a huge part of the success of the event. In the tight-knit community of Providencia, the Retana family is a driving force. With four brothers, their wives and children, they make up a good percentage of the population of the small town. The camp,

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REAL LOCAL

with a private tent for every racer, organizer and much of the support staff, was located on Retana family land as were many of the trails throughout the area. The local logistics, such as getting supplies to the remote village, were taken care of thanks to the Retanas allowing Jay Balabas to focus on the big-picture items.

The racers were welcomed to the community with open arms and made to feel like part of the family.

After a full day of riding, participants made their way back to camp caked in dirt, sweat and often times blood. Portable showers that seemed to be magically set up in the field overlooking the valley were definitely one of the most welcomed amenities provided. Once racers had cleaned up and put on fresh clothes, they made their way to the bar, their next favorite spot in camp.

Bartender Richie Retana kept the crowds happy with his wares as well as his big personality, with everyone laughing and having a great time. Of course the favorite beer of Costa Rica, Imperial, was served, but a cocktail appropriately called “Jungle Juice” was the biggest hit. A huge camp kitchen staffed by locals managed to keep everyone well fed throughout the entire event.

Three hot meals a day were served with plenty of food for seconds. During the day when meals were not being served, stands with fresh fruit and snacks were set up in camp as well as on the trails.

ALL THE RACERS RAVED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE “COMIDA” AS WELL AS THE AMAZING PEOPLE WHO PREPARED IT. RALPH 16 REALNW

HAVENS COMMENTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE RIDING WAS WHAT BROUGHT HIM TO COSTA RICA, IT WAS THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON HIM. At the end of the four days, there wasn’t a face without a smile on it. The superb planning of Balabas and Valle, with the help of the local Retana family, had paid off immensely. The entire event had gone off spectacularly without any major mishaps or hiccups. Every rider had nothing but praise for the organizers, support staff, course and location. As bikes were broken down for transport, congratulations given to the winners and goodbyes were said, there was an overwhelming sense that many would be back next year.

Jay Balabas, says, “enduro” is the fastest-growing form of mountain biking in the world today. It combines the best of cross country and downhill, with the winner of the race being the most well-rounded rider in the group.

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REAL NEAR

HAPPY PADDLING!

CAMPING JONES

Island

Great hiking and paddling to be had in relative peace and seclusion

BY COLIN ANDERSON

W

hile San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw islands tend to have the most going on across the San Juan Islands, some prefer to find a place with a few less people but still plenty to explore. There are 172 named islands and reefs in San Juan County, and many of these are accessible only by watercraft.

A favorite of campers and paddlers is Jones Island, which offers plenty to do by both land and sea. The state park, which was acquired by U.S. Fish and Wildlife in 1983, is 188 acres and offers stunning views from just about every vantage point.

While not as sheltered as other areas of the San Juans, experienced kayakers can get to both the north and south sides of the park where there are coves and easy landings. Boaters will also find mooring buoys at both locations and a 128-foot docking area on the north cove.

Boaters will often stash kayaks and transport them to the island as not to deal with the continuous open-water chop turned up by boat traffic during popular summer months.

With 25,000 feet of shoreline to explore, a slow paddle or cruising loop around the island is a great way to relax and enjoy the afternoon.

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F ind adventure this su mmer!

REAL NEAR

WHERE TO HANG THE WHOLE ISLAND Jones island is considered one of the best destinations in the San Juan Islands. Enjoy camping, picnicking, hiking, salt-water fishing, kayaking and scuba diving!

WHERE TO EAT CAMPING STYLE Pack your own food out to the island and keep it sealed up.

Jones is known to have deer and overly aggressive raccoons.

FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO STAY AWHILE, THERE ARE 24 PRIMITIVE CAMPSITES LOCATED ON JONES ISLAND STATE PARK. These are on a

first-come first-serve basis, and you’ll need to bring your discover pass with you or pay the daily camp fee. There are six composting toilets as well as running water available from May through September. There is no garbage service and no trash cans, so anyone camping needs to pack out whatever they pack in. Visitors should also note that a herd of blacktail deer roam the island and have grown very accustomed to humans.

You might be tempted to feed the deer—but don’t—as this could result in getting you kicked off the island. Surprisingly, raccoons are also in great abundance here. In fact, visitors will tell you to pack up every scrap of food into plastic containers because anything left outside or hanging from a tree will be gone by morning.

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WHERE TO PLAY CHECK OUT THE ISLANDS Jump in the kayak and paddle on over to the islands. Deer Island is just a short 2.5 mile paddle from Jones.

The highlight for most visitors here are the two hiking trails that circumnavigate the entire island. The roughly mile-long east trail is smooth and includes views of several beaches and the Turtleback Mountain Preserve. The west trail is a little longer and a little steeper but shouldn’t intimidate most day hikers. The trail weaves along the shoreline and into the forest, often lining up right above rocky shoreline.

With 4 miles of trail, visitors can easily accomplish the whole system in a day with enough energy for a great summer cookout at night.

A night out at Jones Island State Park is a perfect place to unplug, relax, find some spectacular scenery and enjoy a more quiet San Juan experience.

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REAL ENTREPRENEUR

creasy

Construction

GENERAL CONTRACTOR BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

BY JILLIAN CHANDLER

I

t is never too late—or early—to set off and start your own business.

Lucinda Creasy is one such woman who set this goal and achieved it. Just 27 years old, this wife and mother of two was ready to take control of her professional life, and just last year, Tacoma was introduced to Creasy Construction, LLC.

Q. What is your business name and nature of your business?

What year did it open?

A. It’s Creasy Construction, LLC. I’m a general contractor who focuses on roofing and exterior paint. It opened in October of 2016. Even though I started out working on the exterior of homes, I have taken on projects that include converting a crawlspace to a basement and a church remodel.

22 REALNW

Q. What inspired you to go into the field you are in?

A. I have heard a ton of horror stories of contractors running with people’s money, doing shoddy work and just being all-over bad. I want people to have a good experience with a general contractor that includes work that is done properly and a good customer-service experience.

Q. What is it that you are best known for in your field?

A. I’m a Malarkey Certified Residential Contractor. My vendors send referrals my way because they know customers will be taken care of with me. Customers refer me based on my woman’s eye in the construction world. I pay really close attention to detail and ask questions that make a homeowner think about exactly what they want for their home. I am also a member of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association.

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REAL ENTREPRENEUR

before

after Q. Who has been the biggest influence in your professional life?

A. That would be Dad. My dad has been the biggest influence because growing up he owned his own dump trucking company. He is a people person and always built really great relationships. That is something I value; building solid relationships with my vendors and customers. My dad is always a positive person, finding the good in any situation and people. And he has always pushed me to be better than what I think I can be.

Q. How did the journey to opening your own business start?

A. I was an accountant in a small accounting office in Lakewood. I had a client who was a general contractor, so when I decided to leave that office he offered me a position as his office manager. Working for him, I got into sales and building relationships with vendors, and after about a year and a half, I decided that I should go out on my own so I can make my own schedule and make sure I’m around to raise my kids.

Q. Why did you choose Tacoma as a place to start your business?

A. Tacoma is home to me. I’ve lived down here for eight years, and it has always felt like home since the moment I moved down here. And I’m a home-based business, so it just made sense.

24 REALNW

SHIFT HAPPENS! Q. Describe a typical day in your professional life.

A. A typical day involves me meeting the guys at the job site to make sure everybody knows the work that they need to do that day and setting goals. I am in contact with my customers, my vendors, setting up deliveries, setting up pickups, going to networking groups and marketing. In our busy season, I’m working 12to 14-hour days, and during our slow season, eight to 10 hours a day. And I’m always available by text message or phone call.

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Q. Is there anything you would have done differently when starting your own business?

A. I would have done it sooner. At the other job, I was working 80 hours a week for someone else to build their business, but when I put in 80 hours a week now, I am building my own business and future. Most importantly, I have the freedom to raise my kids because of the flexibility of my schedule. Plus, it comes down to being financially secure. You make your own success when you’re your own business. What you put into your own business is what you get.

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25

UNREAL

CHANGING One bed at a time

BY PATTY HUTCHENS 26 REALNW

lives

Meet Scott Smalling, the man behind the idea.

Relief Bed single handedly moved 14 people and seven truckloads to new locations.

M

ost of us can recall a summer camp from our youth. We could run wild outside, meet new friends and have new experiences. Thankfully, the nostalgia of summer camp isn’t lost for the children of today, and in fact, there are some pretty unique offerings all around our area.

It was just three years ago when Scott Smalling was first inspired to form his nonprofit, Relief Bed International. A Gig Harbor native and longtime mattress industry businessman, Smalling hit the ground running and has been making a dramatic impact on the lives of those in need ever since. Relief Bed International was first launched in September of 2015 and provides innovative beds to help the poor and homeless as well as those who are victims of disasters. While their reach is

worldwide, they have a special focus on the homelessness in North America.

“My original concept after creating our product was to work primarily with international relief agencies like World Vision,” said Smalling. “Although after only two to three months, I was very intrigued by the homeless plight in the U.S.” One of his first projects was in the Tenderloin District in San Francisco. “Since that project, we have distributed more than 5,000 beds, mats and pads,” said Smalling.

The Relief Bed is 20-inches wide, 72-inches long and 2-inches thick, providing sufficient area to accommodate all shapes and sizes.

There is also an integrated pillow that supports one’s head, neck and shoulders. Given the population to whom these are distributed,

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27

PHOTO BY DIANE FETZNER

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www.on6thave.org

“The relief kit is more of a matchmaker.

It allows the general person to have a thoughtful and strategic gift to someone living on the street,” said Smalling.

the fact that the interior foam self inflates when each valve is released makes it easy to set up. In addition, each of the relief beds can be deflated, rolled and compacted to 7 inches in diameter and 20 inches in length, making it easy to transport.

“Relief kits are very welcome on the streets as they offer a weatherproof pad that separates their body from the wet, cold ground,” said Smalling, who adds that they have received numerous hugs and a few tears from recipients over the past 18 months, and some of those have been from people right here in our community.

On April 15, Relief Bed International spearheaded a projected titled Tired In Tacoma. With 42 volunteers, the group assembled 180 relief kits that consisted of a weather-proof foam sleeping mat, water bottle, hat, gloves, hygiene kit, first-aid kit, Bible, poncho and space blankets. The group also supplied more than 100 sleeping bags and 160 sack lunches. In the afternoon, the volunteers broke up into five teams and visited five different locations in Tacoma to distribute them.

Smalling said that the following Tuesday the City of Tacoma planned to shut down The Jungle, an encampment, displacing up to 75 people. Relief Bed single handedly moved 14 people and seven truckloads to new locations.

On Memorial Day, Relief Bed International headed up a team of volunteers to create a fabulous picnic to honor many of the homeless veterans. “We created a mobile kitchen with two barbecues and served over 200 meals at two different locations,” said Smalling.

Smalling shares that there is much more to distributing the relief kits than just providing the homeless with items to survive on the streets; it also helps open the door to communication.

“The relief kit is more of a matchmaker. It allows the general person to have a thoughtful and strategic gift to someone living on the street,” said Smalling. “Further, it creates a dialogue with the homeless person that can break down walls of misperceptions.”

Working closely with the Tacoma Rescue Mission and Fish Food Bank, Relief Bed International continues to enrich the lives of the homeless in our own community.

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UNREAL

Battling Cystic Fibrosis

One woman’s faith and her fight to overcome

BY JILLIAN CHANDLER PHOTOS BY CHRISTY ASH

S

arah Perez recently celebrated her 36 birthday this past April. To many, 36 is not much of a milestone worth reveling in. But for Sarah and her family, it’s a testament to her faith, her trust in God and her will to live.

Born in Enumclaw, Washington, and raised in Tacoma, at age 23, Sarah was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis—a protein deficiency which causes the body’s mucus to thicken and clog one’s lungs. Most are diagnosed as children, and it wasn’t long ago that those battling the disease were lucky to see kindergarten. Now, the life expectancy is 37.

As a child, Sarah dealt with various health

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issues. She was in and out of doctor offices while growing up, but the tests were inconclusive, as one doctor diagnosed her with cystic fibrosis, while another did not. “The doctor that told my parents I had CF also told them I wouldn’t live to see 18, I would be lucky to see kindergarten, and I would never be able to have kids,” Sarah recalls.

So her parents tried changing her diet, and her dad, a pastor at the time, refused to believe his daughter had CF, so he interceded for her as she grew up.

Despite her health issues, Sarah’s childhood was an active one filled with gymnastics and fast pitch, volleyball and choir. After high school, she went on to college for dental assisting, playing college volleyball at Tacoma Community

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Broadway 950 Broadway May – Oct 10 am – 3 pm

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UNREAL

College. It was there she met her future husband, Anthony. Roughly six months into their relationship, Sarah woke up in the night coughing up blood. Anthony rushed her to the emergency room, where the doctors thought she had pneumonia. Even after rounds of antibiotics and chest x-rays, her health did not improve. She then saw a lung specialist, who referred her to an infectious disease doctor. After a multitude of tests, it was confirmed—Sarah did in fact have cystic fibrosis.

She was referred to the University of Washington in Seattle, where she was yet again told that the average adult battling the disease does not live past age 37, that she would be unable to bear children or if she did she would be condemning them to death, and added that her husband would have to take care of her. Sarah was mad and angry. The desire to have children had been with her since she was a young girl.

Two years later, Anthony and Sarah were married. And … on their honeymoon, the couple became pregnant! Their daughter, Araya Faith, is “a ray of faith” in their lives. Two years later, their second miracle, Jacob, arrived. Both babies were born beautifully healthy, despite concerns from the doctors.

In 2011, Sarah’s health really started to decline. She could no longer live the active lifestyle she once enjoyed. She experienced shortness of breath, and she became extremely sick, over and over again, and her weight plummeted to just 76 pounds. She was put on oxygen 24/7 and was now in a wheelchair.

When the doctor gave them the grim diagnosis, Anthony told her, “I’ll die before you.” He has continued to be a constant support; a loving, and in love husband, who has stood strong for her.

Throughout the years, Sarah continued to be in and out of the hospital.

And after a lot of prayer and decision making, Anthony and Sarah decided to begin the process of getting on the transplant list. Shortly after completing all of the tests needed to get placed on the transplant list, Sarah had to have a feeding tube placed because she could not gain weight. While in the hospital, they overdosed her on antibiotics—four times the amount she should have received. Now, her kidneys were failing. Yet another obstacle that Sarah was determined to overcome. And she did. Despite being told she would have to have a kidney transplant, and putting her trust in God that He would heal her, after two months of dialysis, her kidneys were completely healed!

As Sarah says, he has never left her side, and he was tested to see if he was a carrier of CF (as one in every 20 people carry a cystic fibrosis gene). The results were negative, and since he is not a carrier, if they were to have children, the disease would not be passed down to them; they would just be carriers.

Sarah was officially placed on the transplant list on October 3, 2014. The doctors told her it would be six to nine months before she’d get her new lungs, but she waited two and a half years! During this time, each day seemed to get worse for Sarah. The last time she was in the hospital, her lung function was at just 18 percent and the IV medications she had been

“I had always wanted kids and couldn’t wait to be a mother, so when the doctor said that I looked at him and said, ‘So we will see about that! God gave me a desire to be a mother, and he wouldn’t give me that desire if He wasn’t going to fulfill it.’”

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J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 1 7

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Indianola Days - July 21 -23 ...............

Bainbridge Wine on the Rock - July 22-23 ...............

58th Kingston Arts Festival - July 28-30 ...............

Silverdale Whaling Days - July 28-30 ...............

Mustangs on Port Orchard Wtfront - July 30 Hop aboard a beautiful WA state ferry or cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge for a scenic ride to the Kitsap Peninsula!

Visit us online to find info about lodging options, attractions, eating, drinking and lot of things to do.

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33

UNREAL

Top and bottom right photo courtesy of the Perez fa mily.

on for more than three months were no longer working. Doctors said, “There is nothing else we can do.” Sarah and Anthony went home and agreed: “It’s heaven or healed.”

Two days later, on March 30, 2017, they got the call they had been waiting for and would change all of their lives—it was time for Sarah to have her lung transplant. “I can’t explain all the emotions that I had from that call,” says Sarah.

Before the surgery, Sarah prayed over the surgical team. She fell asleep praying. The surgery went perfectly. From pre-op to post-op, it took nine hours. During recovery, doctors couldn’t believe how fast the breathing tube came out (less than 24 hours) and how quickly Sarah was up and moving around. She was only in the hospital for 13 days, being released two days before her 36th birthday. Within the first week, she could do more than she had in years!

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“My lung function now, not even three months post-transplant, is 80 percent!” says Sarah. “I walk faster than my family now. I can breathe, sing and cheer on my kids at their games. I get to do dishes and laundry, make dinner, volunteer at the kids’ school, and I eat everything in sight. I can go back to work. I will get to play sports again. I don’t take breathing for granted. I am so blessed and living life to the fullest. I am going to steward these lungs and honor my donor in the process.”

She adds: “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Jesus and my donor. There are no words that can express my gratitude. I am blessed and pray for my donor’s family every day. God performs miracles every day. He is never changing and He provided a miracle to me through my donor and the hands of my surgeon. Don’t give up, have hope and trust in His faithfulness.”

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35

REAL PREPARED

FINANCIALFocus COURTESY OF EDWARD JONES FINANCIAL

Y

ou have probably heard that diversification is a key to investment success. So, you might think that if diversifying your investments is a good idea, it might also be wise to diversify your investment providers—after all, aren’t two (or more) heads better than one?

Before we look at that issue, let’s consider the first half of the “diversification” question— namely, how does diversifying your investment portfolio help you?

Consider the two broadest categories of investments: stocks and bonds. Stock prices will move up and down in response to many different factors, including good or bad corporate earnings, corporate management issues, political developments and even natural disasters. Bond prices are not immune to these dynamics, but they are usually more strongly driven by changes in interest rates. To illustrate: If your existing bond pays 2 percent interest, and new bonds are being issued at 3 percent, the value of your bond will fall, because no one will pay you full price for it. (Of course, it may not matter to you anyway, especially if you planned to hold your bond until maturity, at which point you can expect to get your full investment back, providing the bond issuer doesn’t default.)

Here’s the key point: Stocks and bonds often move in different directions. If you only own U.S. stocks, you could take a big hit during a

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market downturn, but if you own domestic and international stocks, bonds, government securities, certificates of deposit and other types of investments, your portfolio may be better protected against market volatility, and you’ll have more opportunities for positive results. (Keep in mind, though, that even a diversified portfolio can’t prevent all losses or guarantee profits.)

Diversify your investments … but consolidate your providers

So, it clearly is a good idea to diversify your investment portfolio. Now, let’s move on to diversifying financial service providers. Why shouldn’t you have one IRA here and another one there, or enlist one advisor to help you with some types of investments and a different advisor assisting you with others?

Also, if you have accounts with several different financial service providers, you might be incurring a lot of paperwork—and many fees.

You can cut down on clutter and expense by consolidating your accounts.

Actually, some good reasons exist to consider consolidating all your investment accounts with one provider. For one thing, you’ll keep better track of your assets. Many people do misplace or forget about some of their savings and investments, but this will be far less likely to happen to you if you hold all your accounts in one place.

Diversification and consolidation – one is good for building an investment portfolio, while the other can help you invest more efficiently and effectively. Put the two concepts together, and make them work for you.

But most important, by placing all your accounts with a single provider, possibly under the supervision of a single financial advisor, you will find it much easier to follow a single, unified investment strategy, based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. You won’t get conflicting advice and you’ll receive clear guidance on important issues, such as the amounts you can afford to withdraw each year from your retirement accounts once you do retire.

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REALNW

37

REAL HEALTHY

Unique Ideas to be Gutsier in Life BEING HUMAN TAKES GUTS, but a sense of bold confidence doesn’t come easily for everyone and often requires you to start from the inside. You may need to overcome mental roadblocks and bulldoze through personal physical barriers that have held you back.

(BPT)

YOUrself to

Now is the perfect time to break free of those internal boundaries and challenge yourself to live boldly and bravely. Here are some ideas to unlock your potential from the inside out, allowing you to live gutsier at any age: 1.

and bravely

Try Something New. When you try something you’ve never done before, it stimulates the body and mind. Don’t worry about failure—just keep an open mind and have fun. No matter the outcome, you’ll create lifelong memories.

For example, even if you aren’t crafty, sign up for a pottery class. Always wondered about yoga? Take an intro session.

Want to make new friends? Attend that community function. When you get outside your comfort zone, you may be surprised just how much fun you have.

2.

Eat New Foods. Expand your nutritional palate with healthy items that aren’t staples on your daily menu; mix them with dishes you know and try them a couple of times. Training your brain to recognize new flavors and smells requires multiple exposures, and proximity to familiar favorites helps make things safe by association. You never know what might become your next favorite dish.

Some healthy foodie trends you may want to try include sea vegetables like dulse, seaweed and items that include probiotic cultures, such as kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt. You might even consider signing up for a cooking class to learn new skills in the kitchen.

3.

Take a Spontaneous PTO Day. Americans wasted 658 million paid vacation days, according to Project: Time Off ’s State of American Vacation 2016 report. That means more than half of workers (55 percent) left vacation time unused. Don’t let precious time off slip away, and take a mental health day.

Call in on a random day and give yourself the gift of an unplanned day off. Maybe

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Follow The Leader Follow The Leader

it’s a particularly nice day and you can go hiking, or you can surprise your best friend with lunch on her birthday. Take a “me day” and enjoy.

4.

Reflect on and be a Role Model. Who do you admire for their guts? Is it someone famous or someone close to you? Think about what they do that inspires you.

If you can, tell them why. For example, write your mom a letter about how she’s impacted your life. It’s sure to make her day.

When you try something you’ve never done before, it stimulates the body and mind.

Don’t worry about failure—just keep an open mind and have fun.

While thinking about role models, reflect on how you can be a better one yourself.

Whether you hope to inspire your friends, children or co-workers, be the best you that you can be. Always stand up for what you believe in and be true to yourself. One way to do this is to donate to a cause close to your heart.

5.

Challenge Yourself. Need extra motivation for living gutsier? Join a fun challenge that can both guide you plus provide a sense of community and support. Sign up for a 5k with a friend or commit your family to meatless Mondays for a month. When you do challenges in groups, it can be a lot of fun.

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39

REAL HEALTHY

Is the “Time of Change” CAUSING YOU STRESS? Protecting your teeth and your investment during the “Summer of Change”

By Rhonda R. Savage, DDS

What’s affecting your life? Retirement, job changes, family needs or personal stress can all lead to a breakdown of your teeth. Why does this matter?

When you clench and/or grind, you flex your teeth in an outward movement. This leads to stress on the enamel/root interface. Did you know that if you clench during the day, you generate 10 to 20 times the pressure on your teeth during the night? This is especially true when you’re in a deep sleep process. This breakdown can lead to costly dentistry.

Here are the best preventive tools dentists have in their arsenal.

1. Keep getting cavities? Night guards will help protect your teeth while you sleep. Outward jaw movement breaks the cement bond of the crown to the tooth. Then bacteria (which are totally opportunistic) say, “Yay!” And you have decay under your existing dentistry, even if you don’t feel discomfort.

2. Do you have wear on your front teeth? Do you want to keep from having crowns or veneers? Get used to a night guard. Have you tried this and can’t wear it? Call your dentist for a deprogrammer process to stop the vicious cycle of tooth wear.

3. Sugar patrol! Watch the frequent carb intake. Bacteria that cause decay love carbohydrates, which of course are more than ‘just candy.’ Watch out for bread, crackers, desserts, alcohol and more.

It’s not that you can’t have this awesome tasty treat; you just need to limit the frequency. Also, cough drops, breath mints, power drinks, sipping on a latte … these all lead to decay.

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4. Consider preventive measures: prescription fluoride toothpaste or a natural xylitol toothpaste.

5. See your dentist regularly! The bacteria that cause root cavities— and this can happen from 40 years old and onward—causes rampant destruction quickly! I’ve seen significant destruction even in a 6- to 12-month period in some patients.

6. Dry mouth and medications can cause issues with your teeth, as can snoring and sleep apnea. Did you know that if you’re gasping for air, you can volatize your stomach acid and cause cavities?

7. Arthritis? Consider the Philips Sonicare products (Sonicare brushes and the AirFloss) to get the food out from between your teeth. They are the best on the market.

8. Not flossing? No worries! Don’t feel badly. When asking my patients how often they floss, one replied, “Ha!” Another said, “The week before I see my dentist!” ninety-five percent of Americans either don’t floss or don’t do it well. There are alternatives: Butler Soft Picks, the Airfloss and Sonicare brushes.

Change happens. We need to shift and change. Is it time to change your habits?

“

Retirement, job changes, family needs or personal stress can all lead to a breakdown of your teeth.

“

M

y mom is now living with us. My dad is in long-term care. My niece just passed. And we decided to downsize this summer, putting our house on the market. This is the summer of change.

To add to the issue, I’m a major clencher. Between you and me, my cheek muscles are the only muscles that get regular exercise on a daily basis.

At Uptown Dental we have solutions that eliminate pain, let you relax and actually enjoy your visit to the dentist.

Say goodbye to your fears‌ we can make you smile again!

www.UptownDentalGigHarbor.com REALNW

41

REAL ADVENTURE

CRATER LAKE

By Colin Anderson

Enjoy the scenic ride

I

t’s been close to 8,000 years since a massive volcanic eruption forever changed the landscape in Southwestern Oregon. Where there once stood a 12,000-foot-high volcano dubbed Mount Mazama now lies the deepest lake in the United States, famous for its brilliant color and striking scenery. Crater Lake was given its designation as a National Park by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1902, and was the sixth such park at the time. Today it is visited by roughly 750,000 road-trippers, families, adventure seekers and photographers all wanting to take in the lake’s amazing colors and beautiful backdrop.

When Mount Mazama erupted some 7,700 years ago, the explosion was so powerful that the volcano collapsed on itself, creating a caldera. Over the centuries, rainwater and snow melt has filled the caldera to a depth of 1,943 feet—or more than a third of a mile at its deepest point. According to the National Park Service, the water gets its brilliant blue color because there is almost nothing but nearly pure water in the lake. There are 4.6 trillion gallons of water held here.

Similar to Glacier or the Grand Tetons, snow can linger around Crater Lake into June, but now that summer is in full swing, it’s the best time to visit for those looking to stretch their legs and get an amazing glimpse of the lake. One of the best ways to do this is to leave your car in the parking lot and take the Rim Drive via bicycle.

The Rim Drive is a 33-mile stretch of pavement that circles the entire

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lake. Construction began on the road in the early 1900s and was made safer with a remodel in the 1940s. The road itself was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, and many publications have called it one of the 10 most scenic drives in the United States. While driving is the quickest and easiest way to get around the lake, you can see so much more by peddling your way around it. You’ll begin at the Rim Village Visitor Center and start your trip heading east around the lake.

While you don’t need to be a professional cyclist to get the loop done in a day, it’s probably not the best bet for those who haven’t been on a bike in a while. While the surface is in relatively good condition, the road goes from a low point of 6,500 feet up to 7,900 feet at Cloudcap. Climbing taxes the legs, and if your body hasn’t acclimated to the higher altitude, you’ll be struggling a lot quicker than you might have anticipated, so it’s best to get some training runs in before you make the trip. If the busy summer traffic is a concern, look ahead to September when the park will host two ‘vehicle free’ days. Biking has become so popular that park officials are now setting aside days each year that are open only to nonmotorized vehicles. Dates this year are September 9 and 16. Cyclists will have 24 miles of car-free roadways from the North Junction to Park Headquarters.

July and August are typically the best months to get a clear view of the lake as weather is the warmest and most stable, but don’t be surprised if clouds roll in and ruin your views for a couple of hours. Weather changes here fast, so if you plan on hiking or biking, be prepared for any conditions.

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REAL ADVENTURE

While driving is the quickest and easiest way to get around the lake, you can see so much more by peddling your way around it.

July and August are typically the best months to get a clear view of the lake as weather is the warmest and most stable, but don’t be surprised if clouds roll in and ruin your views for a couple of hours.

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As you make your way around Rim Drive, there are eight designated viewing areas. Some are right off the road while others require a short hike to the observation area. Each offers a tremendous view of one of the most pristine lakes in the entire world.

July and August are also about the only times of year you’ll want to jump into the bright blue waters. Most of the year, the water hovers around 40 degrees, warming up to just 55 to 60 degrees at the surface on the hottest of summer days. Many are surprised to learn that there is only one place where it is legal for park visitors to swim at the lake.

The Cleetwood Cove trail typically opens in midJune. It’s a mile-long trail that descends more than 700 feet down to the water’s edge. Here, visitors are welcome to take a refreshing dip. Some visitors also choose to bring their fishing rods down the trail.

There are no native species in the lake, but kokanee salmon and rainbow trout were introduced midcentury. There is no license needed and no limit to the amount of fish you can keep. Fishing is also available on Wizard Island when tours are running; however, no private boats or inflatables are allowed in the lake.

If you’d like to stay in the park for a couple of nights, there are three campgrounds to choose from. Guests wanting a little extra comfort can

Epic Adventures Await

book a cabin at Mazama Village ($160 per night) or a room at the historic Crater Lake Lodge ($190 per night). Food options are fairly limited with a full-scale restaurant at Crater Lake Lodge, another sit-down restaurant in Mazama Village, a small café and a limited grocery store that also sells camping supplies.

Crater Lake is one of the easiest to view and most beautiful National Parks to visit. Its 33-mile loop at a speed limit of 35mph offers sweeping views of this incredible landscape at a leisurely pace. It’s bike friendly, and short hikes are accessible for even novice hikers. If you’re a pro photographer or just an Instagrammer, you’ll come home with some incredible images to share and treasure.

Carve some time out this summer or fall to see one of the most spectacular bodies of water you’ll ever come across, and do yourself a favor by seeing it on two wheels, at your own pace and with the full experience of your surroundings.

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REAL TASTY

Power Breakfast Ingredients • 3 cups vanilla almond milk • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon • 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg • 1 tbsp. raw honey (or other sweetener of your preference) • 2 cups fully cooked quinoa • 2 tbsp. walnuts • 1 cup blueberries (or other berry of your liking) • 1 banana, sliced

tip

You can cook the quinoa a day in advance to lessen the work in the morning.

method • In a small saucepan, combine the vanilla almond milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and honey. Heat over low heat, whisking consistently until the the mixture is combined and warm. Remove from heat.

• In your serving bowls, place warm quinoa in the bottom of the bowl. Pour the warm milk mixture over top.

• Garnish with walnuts, berries and bananas.

• For a chilled version, simply warm the honey for 20 seconds. Whisk the milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and honey. Pour the milk over chilled quinoa and top with walnuts and berries.

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The correct name for a bunch of bananas is a hand; a single banana is a finger.

REAL TASTY

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Great Seasonal Dinner Specials

Saturday & Sunday Limit 1 use per table

9AM-2PM

Located on the Edmonds Waterfront (424) 744-9999

425-774-0650 www.chanterellewa.com 316 Main Street Edmonds, WA 98020 REALNW

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REAL TASTY

Sweet Garlic Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients • 1 cup vegetable oil • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar • 3 tbsp. honey • 2 cloves garlic, minced

method • In a container, combine oil, vinegar, honey and garlic.

• Cover and shake until blended.

• Set aside for 45 minutes to allow flavors to combine.

• Shake again before serving.

• Best served as a salad dressing but can also be used as a marinade on chicken or seafood!

fact

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Apple cider vinegar can be used as a powerful tool to help acid reflux, lower blood pressure, improve diabetes and support weight loss.

REAL homeMade

COCKTAIL HOUR gluten free

A SUMMERY DRINK RENDITION

lactose free

ages 21 +

A crisp and refreshing summer cocktail. A cool, light drink best served over ice to help beat the heat through July!

INGREDIENTS Verbena Sugar:

Cocktail:

• 3 tbsp. sugar

• 3 tbsp. lemon verbena sugar

• 1 tbsp. lemon verbena leaves (8 leaves)

• 1 lime wedge

• 1 2-inch piece lemon zest

• 1 tbsp. lemon verbena sugar • 2 oz. gin • 1 oz. lime juice • 2 sprigs lemon verbena • 2 sprigs mint

METHOD 1 2

To make the sugar: Grind sugar, lemon verbena and lemon zest in a spice grinder until fine.

To make the cocktail: Combine 3 tbsp. lemon verbena sugar and 3 tbsp. water in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer

until sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate syrup until ready to use.

3

Place remaining lemon verbena sugar on a small plate. Rim a martini glass with the lime wedge and run the rim around the sugar;

refrigerate until ready to use.

4

Combine the gin, lime juice and 1⁄2 oz. of the syrup in an ice-filled shaker; shake vigorously, then strain into reserved glass and garnish with the lemon verbena and mint.

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REAL COOL

Largest Highland Ga mes in Washington State.

ENTERTAINMENT JULY 29TH-30TH

Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering A WEEKEND OF FUN, EDUCATION AND TRADITION

BY JILLIAN CHANDLER PHOTO BY REINIS RITELIS

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T

he weekend of July 29 and 30, 2017, marks the 71st Annual Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering—the sixth oldest Highland Games in the U.S. and the largest in Washington state, with 20,000 in attendance last year! Grab your kilt and join the festivities at Enumclaw Expo Center where you’ll enjoy an authentic weekend of old-country field events and Scottish food and entertainment.

From Celtic harpists to competitive highland and national dancers, colorful pipe bands and drummers playing alongside field events—some to include the popular caber toss and hammer throw—there’s enjoyment everywhere you turn. Various local English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh dancers, musicians and singers will perform in the Celtic Arts Showcases. And attendees will also be treated to traditional Scottish foods, fine Scottishstyle ales at the Rampant Lion Pub or the Tilted Kilt Pub and clan tents during this two-day event.

Both days, the fun is nonstop 8am to 5:30pm.

All ages will enjoy strolling through the Avenue of the Clans, the Glen of the Clans and the Walk Through Time, where you can delve into your Scottish ancestry and heritage.

Observe the works of talented Scottish

artisans at the Hall of the Vendors and the Celtic Marketplace. The kids will love the Scottish Farm with shaggy Scotch Highland cattle black-faced sheep and Shetland pony, as well as the Celtic dog breeds working and playing in the Celtic Kennel.

Your weekend won’t be complete without attending a traditional Scottish party—the Ceilidh—Saturday evening, with music, singalong, stories and Scottish country dancing.

This weekend of fun, education and traditional Scottish activities will be one to remember, so join in the festivities and enjoy a taste of Scotland right here in the Pacific Northwest! For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, call 206.522.2541 today.

EN!

A magical store for personal transformation • Crystals, candles, jewelry, oracle cards, himalayan salt lamps, books, essential oils and unique gift items • Aura & Chakra Photos: Sat., July 8th • Meditation Mondays from 6-7:15 pm • Free Sound Meditation with Crystal & Tibetan Bowls, Friday, July 14th 6-7 p.m.

• Intuitive readings, reiki & energy healing • Massage appointments available on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 5247 Olympic Dr. NW • Gig Harbor, WA 98335 In the same parking lot as Harbor Greens & MarKee

@IntuitiveAlchemy www.intuitivealchemy.com • 253-432-4727

TOO HOT TO HANDLE We can see how Tacoma Rainiers games might be too much for some people.

Things have been turned up a notch at House the past couple of years, and when the experience is this big, this vibrant, and this awesome; some have reported we’ve gone too far.

Take our deliciously local concessions. Fresh and hearty barbecued meats, carefully crafted hot dogs, and gourmet salads for the healthy bunch have led to murmurs that food this good shouldn’t be at a ballpark.

When the variety of seating options runs seats so close to dugouts you can hear the to unparalleled sightline of Mount Rainier Yard, aren’t always for the faint of heart. our views can take your breath away.

from ball, from Even

To top it off, we just added a little area to the park we like to call “The Fire Place”. It’s a fully stocked bar in left field with rustic countertops and a bar staff that’s warm & friendly. Matching that heat is a 25 foot fire pit (the only one in professional sports) to huddle around, drink, and catch the game with family & friends.

We understand if this sounds like too much, but we will be here when you embrace your sense of adventure.

Until then, catching a Rainiers game at Cheney Stadium just might be too hot to handle.

WORLD CLASS WINES TASTING ROOM VINEYARD TOURS WEDDINGs & EVENTS

OLALLAWINES.COM

253-851-4949 REALNW

51

REAL COOL

GIG HARBOR WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL CELEBRATING THE REGION’S WINE, SPIRITS, BREWS AND FOOD!

BY JILLIAN CHANDLER

28 JULY

The weekend of July 28 and 29 is sure to delight all of your senses! Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival is more than just a wine and food tasting event; it is a complete entertainment experience centered around wine and food! It kicks off Friday, July 28, with its Sip and Savor Dinners, where you can enjoy a specially prepared menu at participating restaurants including JW and Morso Wine Bar, or join Heritage Distilling Company at Morris’ Netshed. Morso will be hosting a fivecourse wine dinner with Winemaker Mark Vlossak of St. Innocent Winery out on the patio, while a four-course wine dinner will be offered at JW, and Heritage Distilling Co. will present its sixcourse dinner with cocktails from HDC and wines from Browne Family Vineyards. Make your reservations soon by contacting the business directly, as space is limited at each location, and seats are sure to sell quickly!

Saturday, July 29, the Grand Tasting Event takes place on the grounds of the Harbor History Museum, 4121 Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor. The festivities take place noon to 4:30pm, and wine and food lovers will be treated to a tasting unlike any other! With more than 50 wineries, craft distilleries and breweries, paired with fine restaurants and food purveyors, the variety of aromas and flavors will entice and tantalize your taste buds.

Inside the Chef ’s Tent you’ll find some of the best chefs of the Pacific Northwest. Four regionally accomplished chefs will battle it out in two cook-off competitions with the Chef in the Hat, Thierry Rautureau, moderating the event. Four more well-known chefs and culinary experts will judge the competitions. Guests can also attend a wide offering of educational and cooking classes and featured demonstrations. Live music by the Paul Green Jazz/Blues Trio can be heard at the event 2 to 4pm along the “Creekside Lounge.” And before you leave, don’t forget to stop by the new and improved onsite retail wine store, where you have the opportunity to purchase your favorite wines you sampled throughout the day.

Event attendees must be 21 and older and will receive a commemorative wine glass, carrying bag, tasting plate, wine opener, event program with map and 15 sip tickets at entry. For more information and to purchase tickets to the event, visit HarborWineAndFoodFest.com.

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THE OPEN NORTHWEST SEMIFINALS

July 8

TACOMA FREEDOM FAIR & AIR SHOW

July 1-4

This family friendly performance will feature the top 10 a cappella groups in the Northwest region! The Open begins at 7pm at the Rialto Theater. The winning group will be named The Open Northwest Champion and move on to the finals held in New York City's Carnegie Hall in September. Tickets are $30 for general admission, $25 for students and youth.

BroadwayCenter.org

The Freedom Fair and Air Show has repeatedly been recognized as one of the top Fourth of July celebrations in the United States! This four-day destination event boasts seven stages, air show, multiple car shows, Camp Patriot dedicated to honoring our military heroes, an international food marketplace, a media day and a pilot’s VIP reception. FreedomFair.com

THE LITTLE MERMAID

July 7-30 Tacoma Musical Playhouse takes you “Under the Sea” as it presents Disney's The Little Mermaid. With music by eight-time Academy Award-winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.” TMP.org

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July 10 & 12

SCUBA ROCKFISH SURVEY

July 9 Join Harbor WildWatch for some SCUBA Science noon to 2pm.

You must be SCUBA certified to participate, but you don't have to be a scientific diver. Stena will train you on the simple protocol to identify year of young rockfish prior to splashing.

Once you learn the procedure, you can collect data on any of your future dives to help better understand the recovery of threatened rockfish species in the Puget Sound. HarborWildWatch.org

SUMMERFEST

ART ON THE AVENUE

July 8 This memorable outdoor festival, 11am to 11pm at Fort Steilacoom Park, is an event for the whole family offering hands-on art activities, multisporting events, yoga, trapeze, more than 20 food trucks, beer garden, live music, car show, public vendors, Kids Zone and movie at dusk … for free!

Raffle prizes and giveaways round out the event. For more information, visit CityOfLakewood.us or call 253.983.7758.

July 9 This annual music and art festival hosted by the 6th Ave Business District attracts thousands of patrons and is Tacoma’s largest arts-based yearly event. This year’s festival, which will take place 10am to 4pm at 6th Avenue and Pine, will focus on the many styles and forms of expressions from Tacoma’s diverse city. Admission is free. On6thAve.org/art-on-the-ave

TRIPLE-A HOME RUN DERBY AND ALL-STAR GAME Don't miss out on this opportunity to see the greatest talents from the Pacific Coast League and International League square off at Cheney Stadium.

Tickets are priced between $31 and $61 each; lap children 3 and younger are free. Call 800.745.3000 to purchase tickets by phone. Each seat purchased includes: Triple-A Home Run Derby (July 10 at 7:05pm) and Triple-A All-Star Game (July 12 at 6:05pm). MILB.com

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REAL COOL

THE GRAND CINEMA SHOWING IN JULY 7/11 - TWIST TOPS PRESENTS BEST SHORT FILMS 7/12 - CHECK IT 7/13 - MANET - PORTRAYING LIFE 7/15 - THE IRON GIANT 7/18 - SACRED 7/19 - THE WIZARD OF OZ 7/21 - MAUDIE 7/22 - THE DARK SIDE OF OZ

TWO PINT CONVERSION BENAROYA GROUNDBREAKING CELEBRATION

July 11 Attend the first public unveiling of the final design of the new addition to the Tacoma Art Museum—the new Benaroya Wing. The event, held 2 to 5pm, celebrates the generosity of Jack and Rebecca Benaroya and family and honors Jack Benaroya’s memory on his birthday. Call 253.272.4258 or visit TacomaArtMuseum.org for more information.

13

An adults-only tailgate-style party at the Washington State History Museum, tickets include two beverages from a local craft brewery, a collectible beverage cover, indoor lawn games and other fun activities, plus and opportunity to explore the exhibit, 7 to 10pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Call 253.272.3500 or visit WashingtonHistory.org.

Check out

RealNWLiving.com

for more events and information!

54 REALNW

SEATTLE'S STREET FOOD FESTIVAL

July 15-16 Experience the bounty and culinary talents of the Northwest July 15 and 16 in South Union Square. The Seattle Street Food Festival features 50 food trucks and food booths, a beer garden, live music and 70 Urban Craft Uprising vendors.

The event is family friendly, and admission is free.

SeattleStFoodFest.com.

Photo courtesy of @MobileFoodRodeo

EXPLORE THE SHORE

July 24 Explore local wildlife at Owen Beach! Join Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium naturalists for low-tide beach walks where you will identify tide pool animals. This is a fun and exciting opportunity for ages 5 to adult to learn about the biological diversity of local beaches and how to protect them. Explore the Shore is free, and no RSVP is needed.

PDZA.org

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July 29, Saturday

GIG HARBOR WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL GRAND TASTING Wine and food lovers will enjoy sampling the best of what more than 50 regional restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries have to offer. The Grand Tasting Event, noon to 4:30pm, will feature some of the best chefs the Pacific Northwest has to offer, with two cook-off competitions under the watchful eye of Chef Thierry Rautureau, the Chef in the Hat. HarborWineAndFoodFest.com

REALNW

55

REAL FEATURED

For a chance to be featured, join our Facebook group, Northwest Living!

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“The Southern coast of Oregon is just beautiful!”

PHOTO BY: DIANE K. FETZNER “We have such a variety of plants and flowers at our new home and it’s been fun watching them bloom.”

PHOTO BY: MICHELLE HOAG PHOTOGRAPHY

56 REALNW

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57

REAL HOME & GARDEN

DESIGN WITH Intention Make the most of your space

BY ANNIE NYE NTERIOR DESIGNER AT SELKIRK GLASS AND CABINETS, A DIVISION OF PONDERAY DESIGN CENTER

H

ow many of us would need to clear off our “stuff ” to make room to use the dining table as the actual dining table? At our house, we have homework, books and clutter that end up on the table, our collect-all space, throughout the week. Wouldn’t it be nice to just have a room that has a dining table, storage for the napkins, tablecloths and your “good” dishes and silverware? Maybe display some of the china you inherited or those decorative vases, pitchers or crystal that you have tucked away in the cabinets. A room like this may seem unnecessary when designing floor plans or if you are house shopping; it may not be on your must-have list, but it should be.

Rooms that are intentional in their purpose, such as dining rooms, offices, kids’ playrooms, game rooms or dens, are good ideas when designing or shopping for a house. You don’t have to add square footage to the floor plan of your home to make this work, and by having these intentional spaces, it will actually free up space in other areas of your home.

58 REALNW

Some of us have these spaces but aren’t using them to their

ROOMS THAT ARE DEDICATED TO A SINGLE PURPOSE ARE NOT COMMON IN THE AVERAGE HOME. WHEN WE THINK OF THESE ROOMS, WE TYPICALLY SEE THEM IN MAGAZINES WHERE THEY ARE SET UP WITH A PERFECTLY MADE BED, A SPARE DRESSER, FRESH FLOWERS, ETC. That’s just not real life! Don’t waste that square footage full potential.

where you invested your hard-earned dollars. Let’s figure out how to make these spaces more useful.

Most rooms only need to have a dual purpose once or twice a year. Guest rooms are a prime example. We only have guests a few times a year, so why have a room dedicated solely to their time spent at our house when we can be using that room for our own purposes the other 49 weeks out of

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59

REAL HOME & GARDEN

A thing of beauty the year? Why not convert that room into an office with a Murphy bed so it has a dual purpose?

Think of the layout of your home (or your dream home). Aside from the required bedrooms and bathrooms needed, a kitchen and a living area, what other areas would you like to have? I see an office, an exercise room, a mudroom and a family game room in my dream home.

An exercise room or dedicated gym space would be square footage well planned for someone who actually uses it. Often times, the treadmill or exercise equipment gets put behind the sofa or in the garage, but that’s not an appealing place to use it. Treadmills are loud, therefore if someone else wants to watch television, the volume is either so loud so that everyone can hear the movie or the treadmill can only be used when no one else is trying to watch. Or because of space constraints, the exercise machine is put in the garage where it can be loud and take up space that we’re not willing to give up in the house. But in the garage, it’s also less apt to

60 REALNW

get used because it’s hard to get to; it’s cold and just not as appealing. Plus, it’s taking up valuable space that can be used as storage space.

Having a dedicated gym space in our home would be ideal for me. I had our treadmill (before I sold it) on our covered front porch.

I have my kettle bells in the office, the yoga mat and videos are in the living room where the DVD player is, and my TRX bands are anchored in our master closet. If we had an exercise room, I could have all that in one space, and it actually would free up other space in our house and make it look less cluttered!

The family game room area would house an insanely comfortable sectional for movie watching and a large coffee table that would allow board games, card games and lots of area for drawing space. In that same room would be the ping pong table, dart board and storage for our game paraphernalia.

I could also have this room double as the “sleepover” room for the kids to crash when they have friends over or when additional

The family game room area would house an insanely comfortable sectional for movie watching and a large coffee table that would allow board games, card games and lots of area for drawing space. family wants to stay when we have the other guests those few times throughout the year.

One room we do have that’s used for its intended purpose is an office. It could have been used as a den as well, but with my husband being self-employed and the cub master of a local pack, we needed a space dedicated to his stuff. There’s a desk, storage bookshelves, etc. We also put a small sofa in there and a second television so it could do double duty as a den, but we still consider it the office. It’s truly a blessing that he can keep all his piles in one location instead of having them scattered throughout the house. I just wish there was enough space in there for a second desk that I could use when I pay bills and need a space for my laptop. (Instead my stuff is tucked into an armoire in our master bedroom.)

It’s a waste not to use these spaces if you have them already. You paid extra for that square footage, so you may as well make the most of them.

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REALNW

61

REAL HOME HOME & & GARDEN GARDEN REAL

living

GREEN

Find the right window coverings for your home

BY ANNIE NYE

“Green” is a buzzword right now, and it’s the “in thing” to be green.

The building industry is no exception. Green building can mean using recycled products to build a home or incorporating new technologies that make your home more energy efficient.

Examples of recycled building products can be old timbers and beams, hand-hewn siding, barn wood and metal. As with anything, there are extreme cases of green. I worked with an individual a few years ago who used recycled denim to insulate his entire house. It literally was chopped and shredded denim that was blown into the walls with a wide hose just like insulation would be. He also had Marmoleum flooring (which is biodegradable in a landfill) and bamboo cabinets made from a sustainable forest.

Most people are on the more minimal green spectrum. They may have a few solar power panels, recycle rainwater for irrigation or integrate

62 REALNW

smart interior finishes like energy-efficient window coverings. The window-covering industry represents green using recycled products in the manufacturing of some of their fabrics, giving vintage or textured looks to some options, but mostly helping with the home’s energy efficiency.

Most people buy window coverings because they need privacy, but do you realize that blinds also block UV and save our interior furnishings and flooring? They also help keep our homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, in turn saving money on our utility bills. Plus, they can really lend a hand in the interior finishes department. Some are uber contemporary with wood and metal blends. Some are more formal with sheers and tilting vanes for privacy, and some are strictly functional and tuck up out of the way when they’re not doing their job.

Cascade Compost Add Cascade Compost to your landscape all summer long.

• Keeps moisture in the soil.

• Helps plants resist disease and insect infestations.

• Reduces the need for fertilizer. Compost feeds the soil so your plants can take up nutrients.

Mediterranean Cuisine, Tapas, Flatbreads, Gorgeous Sunsets!

JOIN US FOR BRUNCH! Saturday & Sunday 9am-2pm Located on the Edmonds Waterfront, Demetris offers delectable food, a full bar and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

CATERING AND GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE Demetris Edmonds (425) 744-9999 Kafe Neo Edmonds (425) 672-3476 Tablas Mill Creek (425) 948-7654 Kafe Neo Mill Creek (425) 357-0512

Registered organic! Bags, bulk and specialty mixes.

Place orders: 253-863-5126 www.CascadeCompost.com 18001 Meridian Ave E, Puyallup, WA 16804 64th St. E, Sumner, WA

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Technology has played an important part in the window-covering world, not only with product advancement, but also with smart-home integration. You can literally raise and lower your blinds from your smartphone or tablet or set them on a timer depending on seasonal sun settings. If you didn’t pre-wire, no worries, they can be battery operated.

(Requires batteries changed out once a year.)

There are numerous options that control the sun and block UV rays.

The most common are screen roller shades. These come in different opacity levels. For example, 1-percent openness will block 99 percent UV, 10-percent openness blocks 90-percent UV and so on. If you want privacy, this isn’t your best option. If you want a cooler house and your interior furnishings to last longer, this option is for you.

The other most popular window coverings are cellular shades, sometimes referred to as honeycombs. These are the most energy-efficient window covering available because they trap air coming from the exterior into your home. They trap that cold air out during the winter and reflect the heat back out during the summer. This is a huge green upgrade to any home.

Additional green upgrades to your home not only benefit the environment, but they directly benefit you.

64 REALNW

The other most popular window coverings are cellular shades, sometimes referred to as honeycombs. These are the most energy-efficient window covering available because they trap air coming from the exterior into your home. They trap that cold air out during the winter and reflect the heat back out during the summer. This is a huge green upgrade to any home.

10

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66 REALNW

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68 REALNW

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