The Seattle Traveler

May 13th, 2008

Great Cookware Finds at City Kitchens

I was in the city for the day and had to make a stop at one of my favorite kitchen stores, City Kitchens.

This locally owned specialty store is chockfull of bowls, baskets, serving trays, cutlery, kitchen gadgets, cookware, and just about anything else any lover of cooking and food could desire.  It’s a great shop to pick up something for yourself, or for a gift.

And the best part of shopping at City Kitchens, is the prices.  They are very reasonably priced to start with, and there’s always something on sale.  From a side “sale” room, to little finds on every shelf, you’re likely to find something that cries out “take me home.”

The staff is knowledgeable and helpful, answering questions and making suggestions.

City Kitchens also offers a bridal registry.

Location:  1527 4th Ave, Downtown (map it)

Hours:  Monday - Saturday 10 am-6 pm; Sunday noon-5 pm

TIP:  Don’t miss their big annual sale, held in September.

Photo credit: SXC

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By Mary Jo -- 0 comments

May 12th, 2008

Asian Shopping at Uwajimaya Village

If you’re looking for the ultimate in Asian shopping, you need look no further than Uwajimaya, a family owned supermarket in the International District.

This 60,000 square foot super-supermarket had humble beginnings.  In 1928 when Fujimatsu Moriguchi sold fishcakes and good from his truck to Japanese workers.   He called his business Uwajima-ya after the town of Uwajima, and then ad “ya” the word for store.  Roughly translated, this meant store of the town of Uwajima.

The Moriguchi family was interned during World War II, and after their release they moved to Seattle to set up shop in the International District.  At first, the shop stocked local food items, but in the 1960’s the stock was expanded to include non-food items and imported food from Asia.  The shop was popular with Asian visitors to Seattle 1962 World’s Fair, and that success was a turning point in the business.

Under the ownership of the four Moriguchi sons during the 1970’s, the store moved to a larger location, and then went through a second expansion.

A trip to Uwajimaya today brings you to Uwajimaya Village, a mixed retail and residential center occupying three blocks.  The store occupies a prime location in the Village, more than twice its previous size, alongside a food court, bank, restaurants, bakery, optician, beauty salon, cell phone store, cosmetic shop, and bookstore.  Above the street level retail shops are apartments, and below is underground parking.

Keep reading to discover what will you find at Uwajimaya

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By Mary Jo -- 1 comment

May 11th, 2008

Happy Mom’s Day from The Seattle Traveler

Moms come in all sorts of different packaging, and that’s what makes them so unique and special.

Give yours a hug today!

Photo credit: personal collection

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By Mary Jo -- 0 comments

May 10th, 2008

Seattle: A to Z

Several days ago I wrote the ABC’s of travel destinations.  It seemed like a fun way to share some of those places, near and far, that call to me. 

Geoff from The Switzerland Traveler picked up on the idea, and listed the Swiss Alphabet. 

Here’s another take on the idea as I provide you with Seattle, A to Z:

A - Arboretum for the Japanese Tea Garden & Tea Ceremony

B - Butterfly House at Pacific Science Center

C - Climbing Wall at REI

D - Do the Puyallup

E - Emerald Downs for thoroughbred horse racing

F - Fare Start where having dinner also helps the homeless

G - Gay Bingo

H - Hydroplane Races at SEAFAIR

I - Ice Cream at Don’s Ruston Market

J - Jazz Alley for music, cocktails and dinner

K - Kubota Gardens

L - Labor Day Weekend at Bumbershoot

M - Monorail from the Seattle Center to Westlake Center Mall

N - The Needle whether for dinner or just to the observation deck

O - Otters at the Seattle Aquarium

P - Parade of Christmas Ships

Q - Questions & Answers at the Central Library

R - Rachel the Pig at the Pike Place Market

S - Smith Tower

T - Troll under the Aurora Bridge

U - Underground Seattle Tour

V - Viking Fest in Poulsbo

W - Woodland Park Zoo

X - XXX Drive-In Restaurant for a burger & a root beer

Y - Ye Olde Curiosity Shop for oddities and fun

Z - Zoolights at Point Defiance in Tacoma

If you have suggestions to add to the list, I’d love to know — just leave them in the comments.  Or, if you’d prefer, come up with your own list and leave a link in the comments.

Photo credit: SXC

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By Mary Jo -- 1 comment

May 9th, 2008

Seattle Cocktails: The Useless Needle

Jon over at The DC Traveler challenged all of us Travel & Culture bloggers to create our own tongue-in-cheek city cocktail.  It’s all in celebration of World Cocktail Week which runs May 8-13th.

So have a little “Useless Needle” along with me:

Combine 1 part new tech discovery, with a splash of error messages, and 2 parts Starbuck’s coffee.  Drizzle with rain (although less that you’d expect), and garnish with an Evergreen sprig.  Serve in a re-usable eco-friendly container.

Take a look around the other Travel & Culture blogs in the right side bar, and see what satirical spin other bloggers put on their city cocktail.

Bottoms up!

Photo credit:  SXC

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By Mary Jo -- 3 comments

May 8th, 2008

This Weekend. . . Go To a Plant Sale

This Weekend. . .

. . . go spring plant shopping at the Friends of the Conservatory Plant Sale in Volunteer Park.

The Conservatory is a Victorian greenhouse modeled after London’s Crystal Palace.  It’s full of wonderful plants, including many restricted orchids that have seized.

You can pick up a gift for Mother’s Day, find something for that empty spot in your garden, a little something to brighten your office, or just try your hand at growing something new.  The best part about this plant sale is that includes indoor plants and well as outdoor one.

And, the Friends of the Conservatory will have an information table to answer some of your thorny growing questions.  They’ve been wonderful at giving me suggestions on what to grow in my hard clay soil.

As an added bonus to the Plant Sale, the gift shop will offer all containers on sale for 20% off, so you can choose a plant and a new home for it.

Location:  1402 East Galer (north end of Volunteer Park), Seattle (map it)

Sale Date & Time:  May 10th, 2008, 10 am - 3 pm

Conservatory Hours:  Open daily.  10 am - 4 pm, winter.  10 am - 6 pm, Memorial to Labor Day.

Photo credit:  flickr

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By Mary Jo -- 0 comments

May 7th, 2008

Let Ciscoe Answer Your Gardening Questions

With his trademark Oh-La-La, Ciscoe Morris has been greening up the Seattle area for more than years, offering practical gardening advice along with a healthy dose of storytelling and humor.

If you’ve turned on the radio or television, opened a newspaper, or visited the gardening section of a bookstore, you may be familiar with Ciscoe.  I enjoy listening to him on the radio, frequently needing to take notes of his solution for a garden dilemma that I’ve been facing.

He answers questions from callers, hosts special events at area nurseries, leads travel expeditions, and shares information and stories — some of which may be just a little hard to believe. That’s all part of how he makes gardening fun!

You can find him:

On radio - “Gardening with Cisco” a live call-in show on KIRO 710, Saturdays at 10 am.

On television - a show on KING 5 with station weather anchor Meeghan Black, Saturdays at 10:30 am, on KONG 6/16 on Saturday at 1 pm, and on Northwest Cable News on Sunday at 11:30 am.  Cisco also share gardening information on the Saturday & Sunday KING 5 Morning News, and on the Tuesday & Thursday KING 5 Noon News.  He also has a “Gardening with Ciscoe Live” on Northwest Cable News on Fridays at 6 pm (repeats at various times throughout the week).

In the newspaper - Every Thursday in the Seattle PI you’ll find three of Ciscoe’s To-Do Tips, timed by the season, along with a calendar of garden events.  If you miss a week, or live out of the area, you can find his column online.

In the bookstore - “Ask Ciscoe” a compilation of questions he’s receive in emails and his call-in shows.

Photo credit:  courtesy of Ciscoe Morris

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By Mary Jo -- 0 comments

May 6th, 2008

Family Fun Day at Seattle’s Maritime Festival

One of the best family events in Seattle is Family Fun Day at the Maritime Festival.  There are so many events that it’s hard to know where to start, although my recommendation is not to miss the Tugboat Races!

The tugboat races, the largest in the world, are expecting over 40 boats to participate.  The race starts at the Grain Terminal, Pier 86, with the finish line at Pier 62/63.  The tugboat display starts at noon, with demonstrations starting shortly thereafter.  Parade to post for the race begins at 1:15 pm, with the first race at 2 pm.  The final race is at 3:15 pm.

Other Maritime Festival events include the Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off, the World Invitational Survival Suit Races, a Quick & Dirty Boatbuildiing Competition, and lots more.  Events are designed to capture the interest and imagination of all ages.

There are also FREE Harbor Tours and FREE admission to Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center.

Location: Waterfront Park and Pier 66/Bell Harbor Marina

Dates & Times: Saturday, May 10.  Full listing of events available here.

Admission: Most activities are free, others have a small admission fee.

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Port of Seattle

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By Mary Jo -- 0 comments

May 5th, 2008

Tulalip 2008 Summer Concert Series

Summer concert season is getting launched all over the Seattle area, and tickets will soon go on sale for the Tulalip Amphitheatre 2008 Summer Concert Series.

The Tulalip Amphitheatre is located between the Tulalip Casino and the Premium Outlet Mall in Marysville, and has become one of the more popular venues for outdoor concerts.  There is free parking, a couple beer gardens, and a variety of food and beverage options.

Here’s the line up for 2008 Summer Series:

• Tuesday, July 8th - Kenny Loggins
• Thursday, July 24th - George Thorogood & Buddy Guy
• Sunday, August 3rd - Trisha Yearwood
• Wednesday, August 20th - KC & the Sunshine Band
• Sunday, August 24th - The Temptations & The Four Tops
• Thursday, September 11th - Huey Lewis & the News

You do not need to be over 21 to attend the concerts, but it is required for admission to the beer garden.  No outside food allowed.

There is reserved seating in addition in chairs.  General admission is lawn seating (bring a low back chair and blanket if you’d like).

Location:  10200 Quil Ceda Boulevard, Marysville (map it)

Dates & Times:  Show dates as noted, all shows at 7 pm

Tickets:  On sale Mary 16th, 2008, 10 am.  Available at the casino and through Ticketmaster.  Prices vary.

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By Mary Jo -- 0 comments

May 4th, 2008

Photo Op: Blooming Days in Seattle

Details:  After a few days of sunny, if not warm, weather, all the yards are chock-a-block in bloom.  Rhododendrons, azaleas, tulips, flowering trees - all making for a beautiful walk through the neighborhood.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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By Mary Jo -- 7 comments