The Seattle Traveler

July 24th, 2008

This Weekend. . . Party at the Capitol Hill Block Party

This weekend. . .

. . . enjoy more than 50 bands, mingle with neighbors and visitors alike, and support a couple of great causes, at The Capitol Hill Block Party. 

Jam and various locations to bands that will include Vampire Weekend, Chromeo, The Hold Steady, DeVotchka, and a whole lot more. Take a look at the block party schedule of events to plan your time there.

Location:  Seattle’s Capitol Hill, of course!  Various venues and clubs, so check the map.

Date & Time:  July 25-26th, 2008, Friday music starts at 4:30 pm, Saturday at 2 pm. 

Tickets:  A variety of tickets options are available, from specific events to full 2-day passes.  Available at Seattle Urban Outfitters, Rudy’s Barbershops, select QFC’s, Moe Bar, and online from Ticketswest.

NOTE:  Some venues are 21 and over only!.

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By Mary Jo -- 0 comments

July 22nd, 2008

Three New Channel Blogs Join b5media

Three!  Count ‘em, three new travel blogs joining the b5media Travel & Culture Channel.

All travel products, all the time at Travel Product Guide, written by Sports Channel Editor Kori Ellis and myself.

The Phoenix Traveler is the newest destination blog, and is written by Jackie Dishner.  , joins our other Traveler destinations blogs and focuses on the city of Phoenix and the surrounding area.  There’s lots going on in the desert year round, so stop by to get some ideas to on how to add some fun into your trip.

You can travel the world without leaving your home at Travel Photo Daily, written by The DC Traveler blogger Jon Rochetti.  Great photos – take a look

Check ‘em out!  There’s some great travel reading.

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July 17th, 2008

Weekend Getaway: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Looking for a getaway weekend?  Los Cabos, Mexico, is just a hop, skip, and a couple hour plane ride away from Seattle!

For some ideas of what would make a great getaway weekend, follow the advice offered up by the Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown, in this season’s Samantha Brown:  Passport to Great Weekends.  Tonight Sam frolics in Cabo San Lucas, on the Baja peninsula.

Here’s an advance peek at what’s in store on tonight’s show:

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July 17th, 2008

This Weekend. . . Have a Bite of Fun

This weekend. . .

. . . you can have bites and bites of fun at the Bite of Seattle, the Northwest’s premier food festival. 

Bringing you all the food, music, and entertainment that you can handle, this free event is a popular summer tradition.

In response to public demand, this year the Bite has adjusted portion sizes and pricing, bringing you a great selection of food at lower prices.  At $3.75 per selection, from 80 local restaurants, you can make diverse selections throughout the day and still have cab fare home!

Check out the participating restaurants and chefs, and schedules for music, comedy, and kids entertainment to plan your visit.

Location:  Seattle Center, 305 Harrison (map it)

Date & Times:  July 18-20th, 2008.  Friday & Saturday, 11 am-9 pm; Sunday 11 am-8 pm.

Admission:  FREE.  Charge for food and beverage.

Image credit:  SXC

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By Mary Jo -- 1 comment

July 16th, 2008

Knitting Fans Head to Bad Woman Yarn

Knitters and yarn crafters can get completely spoiled at Bad Woman Yarn in Wallingford Center.  Once a school, Wallingford Center has been renovated into a fun shopping center, and Bad Woman Yarn is just on of the stops I’d recommend making.

With over 1,000 square feet of scrumptious yarns and fibers, the yarn addict will want to wander Bad Woman Yarn for hours.  And who could blame them?  There’s so many yarns to choose from — Blue Heron, Bergere de France, Brown Sheep, and Euro Yarns to name just a few.  You’ll be able to find the perfect color and weight for nearly any project that you have.

The staff is friendly and helpful, and can assist you in your selections, or make a recommendation if your trying to select a gift item.  The shop offers knitting classes from beginner through advanced, along with classes for special projects.  If you’re having trouble with a project, bring it by for a little help, or join a knitting group if you’d like a little companionship while you’re knitting.  Private instruction is also available.

Location:  1815 North 45th Street, Wallingford Center (map it)

Hours:  Monday – Friday, 10 am-8 pm; Saturday, 10 am-6 pm, Sunday, noon-5 pm.

Price range:  Yarns start at $5; classes start at $20.

Photo credit: SXC

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July 15th, 2008

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Starts July 18th

This weekend starts the celebration of wool meets summer with the kick off of the annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  Offering substantial savings on fall and winter fashion selections for men, women, and children, this is the city’s biggest and best sale

The sale starts Friday, July 18th, and runs through Sunday, August 3rd.  Prices are available in stores across the country (use the store selector to find one near you), as well as online.

Opening weekend is always a hectic time, and shopping early will ensure you the best selection.  However, you may want to option for a more leisurely shopping experience by waiting until well into the two-week sale.

The sale always felt a bit more exclusive, before the spread of Nordstrom across the country.  Still, for those of us here in Seattle, we still think of it as “our” sale.

Photo credit: personal collection

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July 14th, 2008

Speeding Through Life at the Pacific Science Center

If you feel like you’re racing through the day, the Speed exhibit at the Pacific Science Center will be just your. . . well, speed!

With interactive displays suitable for all ages, and an underlying educational message that encompasses math, velocity, acceleration, friction, and technology, it’s easy to see why this exhibit is a visitor favorite.

Don’t let the educational theme put you off – there’s tons of fun things to do here!

• Drag Racing:  Kids can sit in their dragsters, side-by-side, and once the light turns greens push the throttle forward and see who makes it to the end first.  Don’t go too fast, or you’ll find yourself spinning out.
• LEGO Race Cars:  Build your own, then race them on a metal track.  Play around with different designs and see how design and performance are related.
• Crash-test Dummy:  It’s the stopping that can kill you, as you’ll see in this display.  Learn about what happens in an impact by smashing a coin with the penny smasher.  OUCH!
• Virtual Ski Machine:  Nearly like the real thing, and an opportunity to learn how using edges and turns can change your rate of speed.  It also seems to be the display that’s the most fun – and has the longset line.
• Horsepower Pedaling:  Learn how much horsepower you can create with your pedaling power.  Although it starts out pretty hard, it gets a little easier as you pick up speed, and it’s fun to see how much horsepower you can generate.  This display seemed to bring out the competitive side of everyone.

Check out the video to get a little feel for speed:

If you’re not ready to slow down after viewing Speed, you can head over to the Imax theater for the movie, Super Speedway: Racing with the Andrettis. Check the schedule for times.

Location:  Seattle Center Campus, under the arches near the Space Needle, 200 2nd Ave North (map it) 

Dates & Hours:  Daily, 10 am - 6 pm (summer hours)

Tickets:  There is all sorts of special summer pricing available, including combo tickets, so check for details.

Photo credit:  flickr

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July 13th, 2008

Photo Op: Port of Seattle Cranes

Details:  Cranes line the landscape of the Port of Seattle, reminding us of the economic reliance we have on trade.  On a sunny day, Mount Rainier peeks through.

Photo credit:  flickr

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July 12th, 2008

Enjoy a Dog & a Brew at Shultzy’s

The Seattle Traveler, travel, vacation, Seattle Traveler, Seattle, Washington, Washington State, Seattle tourism, travel information, city blogs, destination blogs Is there a more classic summertime food pairing than hot dogs and a beer?  A root beer perhaps for those under 21 or who are beer lovers.

Some of the best dogs in the city will be found at Shultzy’s Sausage in the University District.

Long popular with the university set, Shultzy’s offers simple fare like sausages, burgers, sandwiches, and fries.  In fact, if you ask guests what’s their favorite order at Shultzy’s, you’ll likely hear “the fries.”

The decor is sparse, almost college dorm-like, with tables close and televisions around the room.  The food is consistent, if not spectacular, and good, although not great.  Service can be spotty at best.  A fairly decent beer selection is offered, seemingly at odds with the otherwise simple menu.

None of these comments, however, should be taken to detract from the charm and popularity of the casual eatery.

Location:  4114 University Way N.E., University District (map it)

Hours:  Weekdays 7-10 am and 11 am-midnight; Saturday 8 am-midnight; Sunday 9 am – 10 pm. 

Happy Hour:  Weekdays 3-6 pm; Sunday noon-close.

Price Range:  $10/person should get you a dog and a beer, depending on your selection.  Add a few dollars more if you’re looking for a bigger meal or a more specialty beer selection.

Image credit:  SXC

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July 11th, 2008

The First Handwritten & Illuminated Bible in Over 500 Years is in Tacoma

Opening this weekend at the Tacoma Art Museum is the new exhibit, Illuminating the Word:  The Saint John’s Bible. 

This is the only handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned in over 500 years — since the advent of the printing press, and was created in the tradition of medieval handwritten manuscripts.

The calligraphy was done with goose-feather quills writing on vellum sheets created from calf skin.  The painting was done with hand ground minerals and stones, and included silver, copper, and gold.  To the extent that it was possible, the Bible was created with material and processes that replicate the way it would have been done during medieval times.

Theologians and consultants from a variety of faith helped to direct the interpretation of the scripture through illustrations, and you’ll find imagery represent Eastern and Western religious traditions, along with influence from Native American culture.

Only a portion of the Bible will be on display, as it is still a work in progress.  The entire project is not expected to be completed for another year.  When complete, it will consist of seven 1,150 pages bound in seven volumes, each volume approximately two feet tall and three feet wide.  It will be permanently housed at Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota.

An interesting Washington connection to this exhibit is the work of Suzanne Moore, a Vashon Island artist.  She was one of three American artists who work on the project.  Two of her illuminated pages will be on display.

Location:  1701 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma (map it)

Dates & Times:  July 12th - September 7th, 2008.  Tuesday - Saturday 10 am-5 pm, with third Thursday of each month open till 8 pm; Sunday noon-5 pm.  Closed on Mondays, except for holidays.

Admission:  Adults $7.50; Students, Military, and Seniors (65+) $6.50; Children 5 and under FREE.  Family plan $25 (two adults and up to four children under 18).  Third Thursday of each month are FREE.

Image credit:  Used with permission of Tacoma Art Museum

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