If the recession is still raging, it wasn’t apparent at Taste Washington Sunday, March 27 at Qwest Field. Of the 200+ wineries there, there were dozens that have just released their first wines—jumping into the wine business fray with vigor. A few of my new favorites are miniscule, but just as passionate about producing excellent…

I became acquainted with Portland artist Anna Peters after seeing her work in a Seattle show last year. I love her work—pieces of found wood that she festoons with old photos, cartoon images, lots and lots of tiny nails, bits of maps, old linoleum, and the shiny name plates from retro cars (think: Impala, Pinto, New…

Take part in this annual spring garden ritual and choose from the largest selection of organically, sustainably and locally grown vegetable starts in Seattle. Beginning and long-time gardeners alike will not want to miss this event! Shoppers can choose from over 50 varieties of tomatoes and 20 varieties of peppers, rare and heirloom organic veggie…

We swear, there is something in the water in Ballard: every year when we tally up the votes for our Seamless in Seattle contest (this year’s deadline coming up April 16, entry details here), an astounding number of finalists have Ballard-based New York Fashion Academy stamped on their resume. Last year, five of our seven…

Kick start spring with a visit to one of our region’s many flower fests. Here are a few of our favorites: Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Mount Vernon4/1 – 4/30 • Flora fans can celebrate Skagit Valley’s prized tulips throughout the month of April. Swing by the city’s main flower venues, Roozengaarde and Tulip Town for…

Just one day after restaurateur Tom Douglas announced his plan on Dave Ross’ radio show to donate $5,000 to save the Lake Union Fourth of July fireworks show (formerly sponsored by Washington Mutual and then Chase), and asked other business owners to follow suit, the necessary $500,000 was raised. Many local business owners made donations…

Editor’s Note: Nick Perry at The Seattle Times reports that Microsoft and Starbucks have each pledged $125,000 toward saving the Independence Day fireworks show at Lake Union. Look to the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane…. No, it’s local restaurateur Tom Douglas saving the annual Lake Union Fourth of July Fireworks show. In an…

At only 28 years old, Nicole Richie has become a Hollywood trendsetter thanks to her fashion sense. She recently visited Seattle’s flagship Nordstrom store to celebrate the launch of her new apparel line, Winter Kate (her daughter’s middle name). Over 400 fans participated in the meet-and-greet and the downtown Nordstrom nearly sold out of the…

Must Listen A Prairie Home Companion Saturday (4/3) – Seattle will stand in for the fictional Lake Wobegon for two nights this spring, when beloved public radio personality Garrison Keillor and his cast perform their radio variety show—broadcast to more than 4 million listeners—live from the Paramount. The show is known for its acclaimed musical…

The North Casacdes Insitute last weekend kicked off its Sourdough Speaker Series with an enchanting talk by one of the best known landscape photographers of the Pacific NW, Lee Mann. Growing up on a rural third-generation stump ranch in the Skagit Valley, Mann was felling trees and trapping his supper by his teen years. But…

One of my favorite boutiques, Ballard’s Velouria, opened a sister store on Capitol Hill in December. The airy, light-filled space is ideal for showcasing local designers such as Deco Modiste and Lekkerlife (both lines currently offer color-saturated dresses that are perfect for special occasions, $120-$148). The new store also carries men’s and children’s clothing –…