SEARCH STORIES

GRAND REVEAL CELEBRATION September 28 & 29 Spokane Valley Latah Creek Wine Cellars is unveiling their newly remodeled tasting room and the community is invited to stop in 11am to 5pm both days for wine and food samples and 20 percent off all wine cases during their Grand Reveal Celebration. Read more... SPOKANE OKTOBERFEST September 27 - 29 Spokane Valley This authentic German celebration returns to CenterPlace for the fifth annual Spokane Oktoberfest. This community celebration of all things Bavarian features games, festivities, two stages, dancing, and of course plenty of food and drink. Read more... HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS SEPTEMBER 27 BRAS ON DUDES If you're looking for an evening of entertainment and laughter, all for a good cause, you won't want to miss this year's Bras on Dudes at the Coeur d'Alene Eagles. Featuring dinner, drinks and dessert, auctions, wine wagon raffle and fabulous fashion show featuring decorated bras modeled by local 'dudes.' Read more... SEPTEMBER 27& 28 84th ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL Experience a taste of Greek culture! This year's annual Greek Dinner Festival kicked off yesterday at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Spokane. Held 11am to 8pm each day, find Greek food, pastries, taverna, dancing, deli, Greek gift and handcrafted goods, Orthodox books and religious items, church tours and more! Read more... SEPTEMBER 28 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S Join the community at Riverstone Park in Coeur d'Alene for this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's. This 2.5-mile walk brings together those suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia, those who have lost someone to the disease, those who are caring for someone with Alzheimer's and those who support the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer's. Read more... SEPTEMBER 28 6TH ANNUAL HOPTOBERFEST MickDuff's will once again be hosting its annual Hoptoberfest. This annual Sandpoint Oktoberfest ritual is fun for the whole family and features live music, fun and games all day long. And of course, those 21 and older can enjoy hoppy and harvest beers, special tasting trays and limited-edition glassware. The Burger Dock will also be there. Read more... For more happenings this week ... CLICK HERE To read the Summer 2019 issue of SIZZLE .... CLICK HERE #newsletter

NIBCA PARADE OF HOMES September 14 & 15 Various Locations North Idaho NIBC's Parade of Homes showcases the work of North Idaho’s leading builders, top architects, interior designers, landscapers, home automation specialists, kitchen and bath designers, and suppliers of building products. Read more... SCENIC HALF MARATHON September 15 Sandpoint With a route through historic Downtown Sandpoint, across the iconic Long Bridge with views of Lake Pend Oreille and the surrounding mountains, it’s no wonder it’s called the Scenic Half Marathon! Read more... HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS SEPTEMBER 13 A PAINT & WINE PARTY Sip some fine wine, munch on gourmet snacks and create a masterpiece! Register today to attend Pilgrim's Market's Paint and Wine Party. Held today from 6:30 to 8pm, the cost is $35 and includes two glasses of wine, snacks, personal instruction by local artist Christina, 16x20 canvas and all painting supplies. Make it fun and bring friends and family! Read more... SEPTEMBER 14 RUNWAY RENEGADES FASHION SHOW Don't miss the 12th Annual Runway Renegades Fashion Show at Riverside Place, with doors opening at 6pm (5pm for VIP guests), followed by the show at 7pm and after party with shopping and a chance to meet the teams at 9pm. The evening will feature some brand new designers, and a few favorites from previous years. Read more... SEPTEMBER 14 2ND ANNUAL RETRO REVELRY Join the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center in Post Falls Saturday, September 14, 11am to 3pm for food, art, live music, fun vendors, raffles, fashion, cars and more and the second annual Retro Revelry. This is a fun, free family friendly way to celebrate the vintage styles of the past. Read more... SEPTEMBER 19 BATTLE FOR THE GOLDEN LADLE The community is invited to attend SoupTember: Battle for the Golden Ladle, Thursday, September 19 from 5 to 8pm at Farmin Park in Sandpoint. Sample soups from your favorite local restaurants and vote for your favorite! Also enjoy a raffle, auction and live music. Read more... For more happenings this week ... CLICK HERE To read the Summer 2019 issue of SIZZLE .... CLICK HERE #newsletter

SCHWEITZER'S FALL FEST August 30 - September 2 Sandpoint Spend Labor Day Weekend at Schweitzer, where you’ll find great bands, regional wines and more than 75 regional microbrews and ciders! For the kids they’ll have the soda tent where they can mix their own flavors and create wild concoctions. Read more... FREE LABOR DAY CONCERT IN THE PARK August 31 Liberty Lake Presented by the Spokane Symphony and Friends of Pavillion Park, the community is invited to attend this free outdoor concert featuring a lineup of light classics, patriotic tunes and favorite from the world of pop, Hollywood and Broadway from 6 to 8:30pm. Read more... HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 2 PAUL BUNYAN DAYS An annual celebration of their logging community, this four-day celebration, held each year over Labor Day weekend in St. Maries, offers excitement and fun for all ages, from a carnival with rides, games and your favorite carnival foods to vendors, music, dancing and the always-entertaining logging events and unforgettable fireworks display. Read more... AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 2 PIG OUT IN THE PARK Pig Out in the Park kicked off Wednesday and continues through Labor Day. Open daily from 11am to 10pm, this favorite six-day food and free music festival offers a tasty menu of food and fun, with 50 food booths, 225 menu items, great food, cheap prices, three adult beverage gardens, , dozens of free concerts regional and local artists, and more. Read more... AUGUST 31 & SEPTEMBER 1 SANDPOINT RENAISSANCE FAIRE A two-day event of chivalry, excitement and fine entertainment, the Sandpoint Renaissance Faire offers an experience in a renaissance-themed environment like no other, replete with performers and musicians on stages throughout the day, jousting tournaments and professional animal performers. The event takes place at 784 Shingle Mill Road in Sandpoint. Read more... SEPTEMBER 2 SYMPHONY CONCERT IN THE PARK Pack up a picnic and load up the kids this Labor Day for a free concert in the park featuring the Spokane Symphony at the Rotary Bandshell at City Park in Coeur d'Alene. Both young and old will enjoy the wonderful sounds of classical, pop and patriotic musical works, with Maestro Jan Pellant conducting. The concert kicks off at 1pm and conclude at 2:30. Read more... For more happenings this week ... CLICK HERE To read the Summer 2019 issue of SIZZLE .... CLICK HERE #newsletter

COEUR D'ALENE BOAT SHOW August 24 & 25 Coeur d'Alene Boat owners have the opportunity to show off their beautifully restored, rebuilt and preserved classics and socialize with the public and other classic boat owners during the annual Coeur d'Alene Boat Show August 24 and 25 at the Coeur d'Alene Resort's Floating Boardwalk. The event is free to attend. Read more... PIG OUT IN THE PARK August 28 - September 2 Spokane Held during Labor Day Weekend at Riverfront Park, this favorite six-day food and free music festival offers a tasty menu of food and fun, with 50 food booths, three adult beverage gardens, dozens of free concerts and an arts and crafts fair and public market. Read more... HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS AUGUST 24 NAMI FARM TO TABLE DINNER This elegant multi-course gourmet dinner will feature a delicious meal, served family style, from Tango Cafe and award-winning wine provided by Pend d'Oreille Winery. In addition, there will be a silent auction. Held at Flowers from the Heart garden, the evening benefits NAMI Far North. Read more... AUGUST 24 6TH ANNUAL BOOTS & PEARLS Lutherhaven Ministries presents the sixth annual Boots and Pearls event Saturday, August 24, 3 to 9pm. Tickets include a Coeur d'Alene boat cruise to and from the event, live music, wine, beer and cider tasting, dinner, and a meaningful program and paddle raise to support the Lutherhaven Fund. Read more... AUGUST 24 & 25 ANNUAL ART & GLASS FEST Come and view the work of more than 50 artists at Arbor Crest's annual Glass & Art Fest this Saturday and Sunday, August 24 and 25! Attendees will have the opportunity to join this year's poster artist, Megan Perkins, among dozens of other artists for this year’s popular art-and-wine extravaganza. Admission is free. Read more... AUGUST 25 EVENING EN BLANC Benefiting Project Beauty Share, (a nonprofit organization serving women in the Inland Northwest), Evening en Blanc is an elegant outdoor event held at Summit Parkway in Kendall Yards 4 to 7pm and features delicious food, wine and champagne, silent and live auctions, entertainment and more! Read more... For more happenings this week ... CLICK HERE To read the Summer 2019 issue of SIZZLE .... CLICK HERE #newsletter

UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY August 17 Spokane Don't miss the largest multicultural celebration in the region! Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Unity in the Community is a free family friendly event at Riverfront Park. From vendors to entertainment and acts, this event is one all ages are sure to enjoy. Read more... BREWFEST August 17 Kellogg This mountain-top party at Silver Mountain in Kellogg gives you the opportunity to sample a variety of brews and ciders from 1 to 6pm. Brewsfest ticket includes gondola ride, event access, 2019 5-ounce Brewsfest mug and six tasting tickets. Read more... HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS AUGUST 16 & 17 SPOKANE-TO-SANDPOINT RELAY Held August 16 through 17, this two-day, 200-mile relay adventure for you and your eleven closest friends! The course starts on top of Mt. Spokane, descends to the Spokane River, cruises nearly the full length of the Centennial Trail to Coeur d'Alene and finishes on the beach of Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint. Read more... AUGUST 18 A BLACK ORCHID AFFAIR The Inland Northwest Opera presents A Black Orchid Affair: Annual Gala Fundraiser at 6pm at Hayden Lake Country Club. This elegant evening features Asian-fusion fare and wine; both live and silent auctions of a highly curated collection of luxury goods, trips and fine wines; and end the night dancing under the stars. Read more... AUGUST 21 - 24 BONNER COUNTY FAIR The 2019 Bonner County Fair kicks off at 10am Wednesday, August 21 and runs through Saturday, August 24. Main events this year include Redhead Express Summer Nights Concert, Challenge of the Champions and Sandpoint Smash Demolition Derby. Don't miss special activities including pony rides and interactive petting zoo. Read more... AUGUST 21 - 25 NORTH IDAHO FAIR & RODEO BHeld at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds August 21 through 25, the North Idaho State Fair offers five days of rides, food and fun! This year's events include Party in the Dirt Concert, Demolition Derby, Gem State Stampede PRCA Rodeo, new Carnival with all-you-can-ride (one-day) wristbands, ride sheets, individual tickets or a golden ticket! Read more... For more happenings this week ... CLICK HERE To read the Summer 2019 issue of SIZZLE .... CLICK HERE #newsletter

Realizing the power of your personal brand By Genny Heikka I had a conversation with a young woman a while ago who’d recently gotten married. She and I we were talking about the new phase of life she was in, and I asked her what her biggest challenge was. She answered, “I guess I would have to say my own individualism, since I’m in a different phase of life and I’m newly married now. Sometimes I think about who I am and what I’m supposed to be doing ... I want to live passionately now, not just in the future.” We all have that longing to matter—to do something significant that we are passionate about. But how do you know what that “something” is? How do you find your purpose and live it out with passion? Some of you reading this might be in a place where you’re doing exactly what you know you’re supposed to be doing in this season of your life—and you’re excited about it. And some of you might feel so far from that, you don’t even know where to start. (If that’s you, it’s OK! You’re not alone.) And even if you are operating in your sweet spot, things change as life changes: relationships, jobs, health, finances. All these things can change over time. And especially during those times of change, questions like “What’s my purpose?” and “What am I passionate about?” seem to stare us in the face. The good news is, the answer to those questions doesn’t lie in having it all figured out, “finally arriving” or finding that one thing to do for the rest of your life. (After all, you can live out your purpose in different ways in different seasons of your life.) It actually has more to do with truly understanding who you are and then identifying ways to authentically live that out, right where you’re at. So how do you do that? The power is in your personal brand: the unique combination of all the things that make you you and the distinct value you bring to your job, the marketplace, your relationships and the world. We all know that companies have brands, and we know those brands are much more than just a logo or a tagline. A company’s brand is really about what that company is known for and the value or benefit they add in people’s lives through their products or services. It’s about how people see and experience that company. (For example, when I think of Amazon, I don’t think of their logo or tagline; I think about convenience and the way ordering online and getting products quickly makes my life so much easier.) The same is true for your personal brand: What are you known for? What is the unique value you bring to the table that can impact and add value in the lives of others? How do others see and experience you? Considering these questions can be daunting, I know. (Often, when we think of branding and marketing, we think of self-promotion or spending money.) But the great news is, you don’t have to start from scratch or hire an expert to create your personal brand—because whether you realize it or not, you already have one. Right now, today, you are already seen and experienced by people in a certain way. You are already known for something. The question is, is your personal brand what you want it to be or are there ways you can strengthen it to have greater impact and find more clarity on your own purpose and direction in life? When you think about managing and maximizing your personal brand from this point forward, ask yourself what differentiates you. Are you known for what you want to be known for? Are you seen how you want to be seen? Think about who you uniquely are as a person, what makes you different from others and the impact you want to have. And give yourself permission to dream a little! Take time to explore more about what makes you you—things like your individual strengths, your core values, your personal and professional passions, and the experiences you’ve gone through that have equipped you and shaped you. To strengthen your personal brand and have the greatest positive impact, a process of self-discovery is really the starting point. Sometimes I’ll get clients who come to me for coaching and want help figuring out their next move or their career direction. But before we ever start talking about vision, goals and actions, we start by walking through a phase of self-discovery. Because the things that are unique to you—and make you who you are—make up the foundation for your personal brand and inform not only your direction but how you can stand out in the noise of today’s world. When you truly know yourself, it clarifies your vision and how you show up and communicate in your life, every day. And even though there’s much more to the personal branding process than can be captured here in this article, here are a few key things you can do, starting now, to help you discover more about who you are and strengthen your own brand: Know your strengths. Know what you are naturally good at. Don’t guess; actually take the time to discover the things that come easy to you and that you excel at. There are plenty of assessments and resources that can help—some online and several books. And if you want to keep it really simple, just think about what you were good at as a child. What did you gravitate toward doing when you were little and what came easily to you? Often, those are the things that point you to your natural strengths. When I was a little girl, I loved getting up in front of my class and speaking. I was in every talent show I could be as a dancer, and I loved to entertain and encourage audiences. And when I look at what I find such a sense of purpose and passion in doing today—speaking and encouraging audiences at conferences and events—I see the connection to when I was little. Often, as we grow up and life happens, we forget the things that we are naturally gifted at. Knowing your strengths can give you clarity on your direction and point you toward what you’d likely find the greatest purpose in doing today. Know your passions. What fires you up and fuels you? Is it hiking or business, cooking or traveling? Or maybe it’s fighting for a cause. Identifying your passions is easy for some, but for others it can be hard. And that’s OK. Start by giving yourself permission to try new things and don’t think you have to be passionate about what others are passionate about—really explore what sets your own heart on fire. (When I became a mom, I thought I should be passionate about crafts so I volunteered to help with crafts in my kids’ classrooms all the time. It took me a few years to figure out that leading craft projects just wasn’t me. It was liberating to realize I didn’t have to volunteer to do that anymore, and there were other moms who not only loved crafts but were way better at it than I was! Doing the things that excite and interest you will cause you to feel energized, not drained. You’ll also likely make the greatest contribution and impact, because you’ll be doing something that you love and care about. Examine your experiences. You might’ve gone through the same thing as someone else, but you didn’t experience it the same way because you are you. Think about the experiences in your life—the challenges you’ve faced, the successes you’ve had, the things that have helped to shape you. Your experiences—positive and negative—are a valuable part of your story, and they often uniquely equip you to make a significant difference in the lives of others. All of these things: your strengths, passions, experiences and more combine to make up your personal brand—who you are and the unique value you bring. And when you spend time discovering more about yourself and strengthening your brand, your purpose and passions become much clearer. But there’s one more important step to living your purpose with passion, and that’s doing it with others by your side. If you do all this work to dig into who you are and figure out your strengths and direction but live that out in isolation, you’ll still miss out on being able to make the maximum impact. Look for opportunities to make a difference in the unique way only you can, and do it in community. Years ago, when I first started pursuing my dream of writing books, I was a closet writer. I felt like I needed to be published or have my writing perfected before I told anyone what I was doing. But then someone wiser than me said: “If you are writing, you are a writer. You don’t have to be published to call yourself one.” And that gave me courage to share what I was doing. I realized you don’t have to have it all figured out before you step out and pursue your dreams. And when I started calling myself a writer and doing that journey with others by my side, that’s when doors opened. Not only did doors open, I had a community around me when doors closed. And that was important. I got hundreds of rejection letters before I got my first book contract. But having other writers in my circle who were going through the same thing made all the difference. I didn’t lose my passion when I hit the roadblocks. And that’s the power of community. Putting yourself out there in a new way makes you feel vulnerable (believe me, I know!), but it creates opportunities you would never see otherwise. I saw that in my journey as a writer. And I saw that when I started my coaching and consulting practice Her Team Success. One of the first things I did when I started my practice was share what I was doing for others, and that fueled my courage—and my business. So if there is something you’re longing to do or unknown territory you’ve been wanting to step into, do it. First take the time to understand more about who you are, then put one foot in front of the other and don’t worry so much about the outcome or if you are “ready.” Instead, recognize the unique value you bring to the table and the unique contribution you can make. And be sure to share what you are doing with others and surround yourself with community, because living out your purpose with passion is better (and way less terrifying) with friends by your side. Genny Heikka, MBA, is an author, speaker and personal branding coach and consultant. She has served in a variety of leadership roles within corporate, nonprofit, community and ministry organizations. Genny began her career at Hewlett-Packard then stepped into her dream of becoming an author, writing several books. She’s appeared on radio and TV and has been published in multiple publications. She’s also the founder of Her Team Success, where she uses her expertise in business, branding and leadership to help women and companies succeed. Websites: HerTeamSuccess.com, GennyHeikka.com

It’s Crave! Time. By Marguerite Cleveland Visionary chefs from around the Pacific Northwest will be converging on the City of Spokane Valley for the annual Crave! Food and Drink Celebration July 11 through 13, 2019. With all this culinary talent in the area, it makes the perfect time for a foodie trip. Spokane is building a reputation as a food lovers’ paradise, and it is an exciting time to experience it. From older family loved restaurants to new and innovative places, there is something to love for everyone. Stay Whether you are coming from a short distance away—can you say staycation?—or driving from further afield, plan to make your base at Spokane’s grand dame, the Historic Davenport Hotel. This lovingly restored gem is just beautiful. It is a food and wine destination on its own with its renowned Sunday Brunch and two wine tasting rooms on-site. Book a Brunch package or a Sip and Stay package, which are perfect options for food and wine lovers. Insider Tip: Make sure to have a cocktail at the Peacock Room Lounge with happy hour every day (even on weekends). It has a jazz-age vibe and a stunning 5,000-piece stained glass Peacock. Crave! This three-day festival of all things food and drink is a foodie’s Disney World. Not only will you enjoy culinary treats but you will help the less fortunate with both 2nd Harvest Foods and Wishing Star, this year’s beneficiaries. The 2019 lineup includes over 40 chefs and is at the Spokane Valley CenterPlace Regional Event Center. There are a variety of options for tickets. You can purchase for just one event or splurge for the whole weekend. Kicking the event off on Thursday, July 11, is a Seafood Bash. The Grand Tasting takes place Saturday, July 13, from noon to 4pm. You don’t want to miss this one with over 70 participants with food, wineries, artisans, craft breweries, cider makers and distillers. Visit Walla Walla will anchor the event. The Cork District The Cork District in Spokane is one of the most convenient areas in Washington to taste wine with tasting rooms from wineries across the state. From the Historic Davenport Hotel, just take the elevator downstairs to two tasting rooms on-site, Arbor Crest and Va Piano. Just a short walk away is Helix Wines, which are just outstanding. Also make sure to stop in Terra Blanca for a truly stunning tasting room, which is in the old Chronicle (a newspaper) building. It is a rather unique experience and a little more hopping than most tasting rooms as many of the residents in the apartments above the tasting room are wine club members. It offers a fun vibe, and the younger crowd is a great source for local favorites for restaurants and entertainment. Eat The food scene in Spokane has just blossomed in the past 10 years. James Beard Chef semifinalist Adam Hegsted is the creative visionary behind Crave! and serves as the culinary director for the event. His restaurants, under the Eat Good Group, are also culinary destinations while in town. Another James Beard Chef semifinalist is Jeremy Hansen and Top Chef contestant Chad White, who both own restaurants in the area. There are some great eateries in the Downtown Entertainment District. Cochinito Taqueria is an interesting take on a taco shop. All the ingredients are responsibly sourced and then paired with craft cocktails and a curated beer and wine list. There are also some of the old places still around. Luigi’s Italian Restaurant has been around for more than 30 years and is consistently voted Best Italian Restaurant in Spokane, great service and food in a historic building. Sunday Brunch at the Historic Davenport Hotel is an epic gastronomic experience. The lavish buffet is served in one of the hotel’s legendary ballrooms. The extravaganza of food includes buffets of seafood, salads, specialty items and carved meats like prime rib. House-made desserts and a towering chocolate fountain will satisfy any sweet tooth. Champagne and mimosas are included or, for an additional charge, take a trip to the Bloody Mary Bar. Things to Do Head out to the Bluff. Just 15 minutes north of Spokane you’ll find more than 35 farms, which are part of the Green Bluff Growers. Endless fields of green fill a 12-miles square area of farms, country stores, farm stands, wineries and breweries. Farm to table takes on a new meaning when the restaurant is located on the farm or orchard. Well worth the drive and fits in with the theme of this trip. There is something special about getting in your car and discovering where your food comes from. Agritourism has really helped small, local, family farms. Your dollars go a long way to help these treasures stay in business. With a weekend centered around food, shopping has to include a culinary store. Make sure to check out the locally owned Kitchen Engine, located in the old Flour Mill. Their motto is “Find Your Inner Chef.” How can you not with over 7,000 items to choose from. The store has all the tools you need to create your next culinary masterpiece. High-end cutlery, pots and pans, every kitchen gadget you can imagine, as well as spices, sauces and other culinary treats will have you yearning to get in the kitchen. They also offer cooking classes and demonstrations. Check out their calendar for more information. After all that food, a little exercise is in order. You can easily access the Spokane Riverwalk from your hotel. It is a 1.9-mile loop trail with the highlight being Spokane Falls. The falls are so thunderous you’ll hear them before you see them. Roaring through downtown, the Spokane River has carved its way into a river gorge. In addition to the trail and artwork, plan to purchase a ticket to ride on the Skyride to have a bird’s-eye view of the Spokane Falls from a gondola. Two suspension bridges along the trail allow you to cross over the river to the other side. Spokane really deserves its reputation as a foodie paradise. When planning your weekend, peruse the Crave! events and see which ones you want to attend. Pay attention to which local restaurants are participating. Plan your other meals around places you didn’t get to experience at Crave! or visit a favorite from the festival. There are such a variety of great places to eat you want to hit as many as you can. The Visit Spokane website is a good source of information on the area. Everything you need to know from hotels to restaurants to things to do is on the site. It is well organized and easy to find what you are looking for. What are you waiting for? Plan a trip to Spokane for your perfect foodie weekend. The Specifics Stay The Historic Davenport Hotel - DavenportHotelCollection.com Eat Crave! - CraveNW.com Cochinito Taqueria - CochinitoTaqueria.com Luigi’s Italian Restaurant - Luigis-Spokane.com Eat Good Group - EatGoodGroup.com Things To Do The Cork District - CorkDistrict.Blog The Green Bluff Growers - GreenBluffGrowers.com The Kitchen Engine - TheKitchenEngine.com

Maximize your life expectancy By Kenny Markwardt, CSCS Despite the advancement of literally everything else in our lives, life expectancy in the United States is actually declining. Think about that for a second. That should be a flabbergasting piece of data. The generations that have access to a litany of available information, an infinite amount of options for exercise and nutrition, an overwhelming amount of coaches and trainers out there, and the fact that we should be more aware of it than ever, are losing to generations that grew up on cereal and cigarettes. Are new generations lazier? Do they expect someone else to come and solve their problems before their time on this earth prematurely expires? Perhaps. Perhaps not. I really don’t know the answer. However, what I do know is that the other side of the spectrum is equally as dramatic. In no other time in human history have we had more fit, healthy and active people who spend a significant part of their time, energy and resources on prolonging their abilities and purpose as high-functioning humans. These people are exercising and purposefully moving daily. They’re eating well, monitoring relevant numbers, taking care of their bodies and continuing to improve well into the decades that would previously mean getting final affairs in order and checking into assisted living. On both ends of the spectrum, this curve of function and wellness is only being shifted further in each direction. The population of overfat, sedentary and improperly nourished is only growing and getting more so. At the same time, the population of fit, strong and mindful about wellness is only expanding as well. The implications of this divide are fascinating to me. If you can imagine a graph of outlook and future for each, it becomes incredibly significant. While one side will start to see a decline in performance and function as early as their teens and 20s—and will likely only live until their mid-60s or early 70s at best—the other side is still kicking butt into their 70s and 80s, with the potential to live until they reach their early 100s. (And these are only hypotheticals. I can only speak from the anecdotes of witnessing people in their 70s at CrossFit.) Imagine the difference in quality of life, the length of life and the amount of experience in one’s life for the person who might live twice as long and two to three times as healthy. Imagine the amount of things in your life that you love that you’ll be able to embrace and continue to do with your grandkids and great grandkids! So which side are you on? Are you treating your body like there’s no tomorrow and that you’ve only got a few years left? Or like it could live and function until triple digits? I know which side I’m on.

Klara Glosova, Lead SAI Instructor Courtesy of Gage Academy of Art If you are interested in exploring your inner artist, Studio Arts Intensive (SAI) is a unique and innovative program combining a broad range of studio courses with professional development and activities offsite designed to introduce and connect the students with the local art community. Students of all ages have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive portfolio in drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking for admission into a university, one of Gage ateliers, or to bridge their pursuit in the visual arts into a full-time career. The program includes over 400 direct contact hours with 10 instructors in different mediums and courses of study, and includes approximately 200 hours working from the live model. You can apply online at GageAcademy.org/studioartsintensive. Behind every successful program there is a passionate instructor with the ability to connect students’ aspirations with the highest standards of art instruction. Meet Klara Glosova, lead SAI instructor. Klara’s list of accomplishments is stellar, including being a Betty Bowen Award finalist in 2017 and a recipient of 4Culture Project Grant in 2018. Q. Klara, your role in the Studio Arts Intensive is so unique for you carefully ‘curate’ the incredible roster of artists and curators, as well as visits to galleries, and exhibitions in local museums. You literally see the SAI students transformed through the program from passive makers to artists actively engaged in ‘why’ they are making. A. Many students go to an art school such as Gage because they want to build and hone their skills and technique … but the unique thing about this program is that from day one we start talking about developing their own ideas and interests. The question of ‘why’ they want to make the kind of art they want to make is less about finding a specific answer; it is more about developing the awareness that they should be asking that question themselves. It is about tuning into their own motivations and desires, following those leads and applying the tools they are learning to their unique voice and vision … You can see why SAI is an amazing opportunity. Q. How do you guide the students to become individual thinkers, making a body of work over a long period of time—not just classroom exercises that teach technique and skill? A. I start the year with a simple prompt and an assignment. From then on students are allowed to change one parameter (media, format, subject matter, etc.) each week according to their choice, but only one at the time. So even though they all start with the same assignment, by the end of the year students arrive at very different outcomes … As a group we do a lot of looking at the individual works and have engaged conversation about what is happening for each student—that way they can also learn from each other. The cohort dynamic is a very important part of this program. Q. How is Studio Arts Intensive unique within Gage learning community as well as other courses of studies available out there? A. In addition to working in the classroom, we go visit artist studios, meet curators and visit galleries and exhibitions. I usually schedule studio visits with artists who are working in very different ways. The variety drives home the point that each art practice is unique and equally valid. Q. We are currently enrolling for the 2020 Studio Arts Intensive class, which starts in September 2019. I know that you are particularly excited to talk about the new printmaking component. A. I think there are two reasons why printmaking is a great teaching tool: On one hand it forces students to think about the structure of the image—breaking it down to shapes, colors, layers, textures—and on the other hand it allows for a series of spontaneous decisions that can lead to unexpected results. I’m very excited that SAI students will get to learn using this versatile media thanks to our brand new press and printmaking studio. In my class students will learn several fundamental techniques, which they will then apply to their individual projects. Again, students are encouraged to follow their own intuition and ideas. I’m here to help facilitate the deep dive and eventually their manifestation. For additional information about Gage Academy of Art, visit GageAcademy.org, Facebook.com/GageAcademy, instagram @gageacademy, email info@gageacademy.org or call 206.323.4243.

Duties of the Coast Guard go beyond party patrols By Dan Aznoff Photo Courtesy of Defense Visual The orange-striped ships with sailors from the US Coast Guard that patrol the waters of Washington, Oregon and Idaho are responsible for more than checking registrations and policing loud parties. District 13 of the Coast Guard has authority over commercial fishing regulations, enforcing environmental regulations and protecting inland waters. But their primary mission is to protect the Pacific coastline from attack from hostile forces from the border of California to the straights of Juan de Fuca in Northwest Washington. “District 13, based in Seattle, covers a vast range of commercial and recreational boating responsibilities,” said Petty Officer Third Class Trevor Lilburn, who is stationed at the Coast Guard base on Alaskan Way in Seattle. “The Seattle base alone is responsible for monitoring the Port of Seattle, the third largest domestic port in the country,” he said proudly. “That includes the Washington state ferry system, which transports 24 million passengers and 11 million vehicles across 10 routes every year.” The 3,000 sailors assigned to the Seattle-based Coast Guard station are also responsible for the nation’s third largest cruise ship terminal, the nation’s largest grain export terminal and the multitude of commerce that relies on the Columbia River to reach international destinations. As the often-overlooked branch of the US military, the Coast Guard staffs three bases built originally to protect the Pacific Coastline. In addition to the one on the Seattle waterfront, Coast Guard bases are located in Bellingham near the Canadian border and in the Oregon town of North Bend. An inland facility on the Columbia near Kennewick is responsible for safety on the vast number of lakes that draw thousands of recreational boaters with varying degrees of compliance at the helm of their vessel. “There are times it feels like we are policing a college dorm during frat rush week,” said one officer assigned to the Clover Island base in Kennewick. One incident that highlights the vital role the Coast Guard plays in protecting boaters took place last year when the branch of the Coast Guard was called on to assist the Kootenai County Sheriff’s office with monitoring boaters at Lake Coeur d'Alene over one of the busiest weekends of the year. According to one local newspaper, crews from the Coast Guard stopped and escorted three boats back to shore for boating under the influence, in addition to ending the voyage of two other boats for negligent operations. In total, the military contingent stopped 81 boats, issued 21 warnings and was called on to help with numerous EMT responses and commercial inspections in just one weekend. "A lot of people had their required safety gear," said USCG Maritime Enforcement Specialist Second Class Paul Quaife, "but unfortunately we did have some people who chose to operate a vessel under the influence." As Lilburn explained, the mission of the Coast Guard is to save lives, not to be on the prowl for rowdy mariners. In June, the Coast Guard based in North Bend deployed one of its helicopters to conduct a technical rope rescue for a hiker who had fallen into the center of the caldera in Crater Lake in Oregon. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Command Center received a dispatch from local authorities at 9:18pm that a hiker had stranded himself on rock pilings and was surrounded by water and oncoming waves. The aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River hoisted the uninjured man and transported him to Air Station Astoria. One Coast Guard spokesperson compared the duties of the marine-based military to those of firefighters. “Always on call,” he said. “And ready to respond at a moment’s notice.” The Coast Guard is America’s maritime first responder As one of the country's five armed services, the Coast Guard has a unique agency that can trace its history to August 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws as well as to prevent smuggling. Known variously through the 19th and early 20th centuries as the Revenue Marine and the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew. The Coast Guard established its presence in the Pacific Northwest with the construction and operation of 16 lighthouses along the coast built between 1852 and 1858. The responsibilities of the Coast Guard in the Northwest expanded in 1854 when the revenue cutter Jefferson Davis was assigned to prevent late-night shipping of homemade alcohol from remote ports around the Puget Sound. District 13 covers the coastal waterways and inland lakes of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The sailors and officers have 21 cutters, 132 boats and 11 aircraft based throughout the region to complete their mission. The largest region in the Coast Guard system also has access to three endurance cutters for high seas rescue, two icebreakers, a port security unit, a maritime safety unit and security team out of Base Seattle. Many of those pieces of specialty equipment were used in February of 2018 when Coast Guard crews were dispatched to rescue five members of an 87-foot fishing vessel who were forced to abandon ship when it was engulfed by flames south of Neah Bay. Crews aboard the Coast Guard cutters Cuttyhunk and Swordfish, an MH-65 dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles and motor lifeboats from Station Quillayute River and Station Neah Bay responded to the emergency. According to a statement released by the Coast Guard, the pumps on the 87-foot Sunnfjord had failed to keep up with the rising water. “While responders were in route, the fishermen reported they had their survival suits on, life jackets, that captain put his cell phone in a plastic bag to help keep it dry as they were experiencing issues with their handheld radio, and the water had risen in the engine room to above the floor boards,” the release stated. The rescued fishermen were transported to Coast Guard Station at Neah Bay. The Sunnfjord sank approximately 6 miles offshore in about 300 feet of water. The vessel still had 800 gallons of diesel fuel onboard when it sank below the high seas. Another Coast Guard vessel with environmental containment equipment was dispatched to the scene to guard against the potential impact of fuel on the sensitive area. Double duty Rescue crews from the Coast Guard were stretched thin last June when they performed two rescue operations in the same day off the coast of Oregon. In one incident, a Coast Guard helicopter crew hoisted an injured 26-year old Ukrainian man who reportedly suffered from spasms from a boat 72 miles off the coast. The man had reportedly suffered lacerations two days earlier and had not had his tetanus shot. The second rescue took place when a Coast Guard helicopter was called in to save a hiker from a ledge in Humbug State Park when officials determined there was no access to safely remove him by land. Not all the Coast Guard rescues are equally dramatic. Last summer, Coast Guard sailors were called in by a Washington state ferry when a man fell off his 39-foot boat near the Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle. The man was reportedly wearing a life jacket and communicated with rescue crews with a hand-held radio he kept above the water until he was pulled onto a 25-foot response boat. Some rescues do not even include people. In July of 2018, the Coast Guard was called in to investigate a 48-foot sailboat that was adrift near Greys Harbor. The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Barracuda discovered the sailboat more than 440 miles southeast of its last reported position. After an inspection of the vessel’s seaworthiness, it was towed to Coast Guard Station Fort Bragg. The owners were reportedly sailing from Hawaii to Bellingham when a storm rendered their vessel disabled and tore their main sail. The couple activated their emergency position indicating radio beacon, and a helicopter crew from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Astoria responded and rescued them. “The vessel was not under power and was completely at the mercy of the sea,” said Chief Warrant Officer Chris Ramp, the Sector Humboldt Bay command center chief. “The owners probably never thought they’d see it again.” The active Coast Guard personnel are not the only ones with eyes on the coastline or the inland waters of the Northwest. There is also an active contingent of Coast Guard Auxiliary on duty to assist with educational programs and public safety. Thomas Bliss, the Flotilla Commander for the auxiliary in Seattle, explained that the Coast Guard Auxiliary has been active for more than 79 years to provide navigational assistance and be watchful for polluters. The Washington state auxiliary provides support to active duty personnel at events like SeaFair and at festivals and celebrations all summer across the state. “We do not have punitive authority,” said Bliss. “Our job is to steer owners in the right direction so they have the proper safety equipment aboard before they are caught in a situation when it’s too late.” With a smile, Bliss said auxiliary members try to teach lessons in basic “boating etiquette.” More than 20 members of the auxiliary are available to support activities in Western Washington, while an equal number assist the Coast Guard with crowd control and education east of the Cascades. On Lake Coeur d'Alene, and Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint the Coast Guard is charged with enforcing regulations and reporting violations to the proper authority, according to Bliss. The Coast Guard has one other duty in North Idaho. That is keeping recreational boaters a safe distance from the clandestine submarine testing that goes on at Lake Pend Oreille in the panhandle of Idaho. The lake has been the inland point for secret submarine research since the middle of the last century. The site was chosen because of the lake’s unique combination of 148 square miles of surface area, crystal clear water and one of the deepest lakes in the country. Depths in some portions of the pristine lake reach 1,150 feet deep. The Navy's Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD) at Bayview, Idaho, which is some 375 miles from the ocean, is where new shapes and designs for submarine and surface ships are tested in ocean-like conditions far from watchful eyes of potential enemy vessels. The subsystems are tested in a sub-scale environment that closely mimics the ocean. The lake is deeper than Loch Ness. Its large size, clear water and quiet conditions provided by steep tree-lined shores and a flat muddy bottom, along with a constant chilly temperature under 100 feet, are all key factors that have made it such an attractive testing location for the US Navy since WWII. The Coast Guard has a monumental task in District 13, from safeguarding recreational boaters on the Puget Sound to protecting some of the military’s most secret submarine research at a remote lake in Idaho. Petty Officer Third Class Trevor Lilburn summed up the task: “It is a job we accept with the knowledge that we are protecting lives and doing our duty to maintain peace.” Dan Aznoff is a freelance writer based in Mukilteo, Washington, who takes great pride in sharing stories that document our history. Aznoff is the author of three books and was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Toxic Waste crisis. He can be reached directly at da@dajournlist.com.

An art form unto itself By Nikki Luttmann, Interior Designer Cabinetry is often the first thing my clients and I choose when working on a new construction project or kitchen remodel. Why? Because the cabinetry sets the tone for the entire room—and often the rest of the house. Cabinetry is really an art form unto itself. Not only does it have to be functional, but it needs to be beautiful and durable as well. Yet, there are so many different types and styles it can be difficult to start. Cabinet boxes are the storage units themselves. These often come in set size—counter height and multiple widths, though they can be customized to include drawers, pullouts, doors and more. The key to selecting the correct sizes for your kitchen is to really take a look at the things you have to store and where you like to store them. Do you like to keep dishes overhead in upper units, or do you prefer a lower-unit dish drawer? The options are endless, but there are often only a few that are exactly right for how you live and cook. Working with a good salesperson can really help streamline this process. After functionality comes style. Do you like a more ornate door and drawer combo? Something with a little more detail works wonderfully in more traditional homes. I’m a fan of the Shaker style myself, but now there are usually options within the Shaker style, some with a beaded molding, some plain. Some with a slab drawer front versus a drawer with a border to match the door. Shaker works well with a variety of interiors—from modern to formal and everything in between, which is why it is a go-to for designers. Finally, there is the color to consider. While painted cabinetry is all the rage right now, people are often surprised to find that painted styles typically cost more than their stained wood counterparts. This is because painted surfaces are more labor-intensive to produce and leave no room for error—they must be smooth and blemish free. Typical woods for cabinetry include beech (often considered builder-grade for its affordability), alder, cherry, walnut and, of course, oak. These can all be stained a variety of colors and are offered in an array of styles. Beware, however, that not all woods are created equal. Walnut, for example, while pricey, is soft and may ding and dent more easily than other woods. If, like me, you are a brave soul, you can paint your existing cabinetry to give your kitchen and baths an updated look. I used a primer and natural milk-based paint, which covered well. Chalk paint is a popular option and covers well, also. However, keep in mind that as with any paint job, the finished product is only as good as the preparation. It pays to do a light sanding, use a cleaning agent and degreaser, such as TSP, and then always use a primer, which helps the paint adhere to the surface. And you will be doing multiple coats of paint, then adding a layer or two of sealant, so make sure you set aside plenty of time for this project!

Experience the Northwest flavors and entertainment this summer Compiled By Colin Anderson and Jillian Chandler Food & Drink Taste of Tacoma June 21 - 23, 2019, Tacoma, Washington Point Defiance Park will host the wildly popular event, now in its 34th season. More than 40 regional restaurants and food truck operators will give your taste buds a trip around the culinary world. Here you can choose your own adventure or pre-purchase ‘Taste It’ tickets, which include tickets for food tastings as well as five beer or wine tasters as well. The two 21+ beer gardens also include wine and craft cocktails from Heritage Distilling. Admission is free. Once inside you’ll find a kids carnival, chef competitions and more than 100 live music acts throughout the weekend. TasteofTacoma.com CRAVE! July 11 - 13, 2019, Spokane Valley, Washington Spokane continues to grow, and so does the food scene. CRAVE! brings together the top regional chefs from Eastern Washington and North Idaho for a three-day culinary experience. There are several “Top Chef” contestants and James Beard winners and nominees who will serve up a variety of samples. There is a different theme for each session; fire and smoke, seafood, and around the world, to name a few. Admission gets you unlimited samples of both food and drink from local brewers, distillers and vintners. The schedule includes cooking demonstrations from expert chefs, and you can vote on your favorite dishes. Tickets for single sessions and all weekend passes are available. CraveNW.com Seattle International Beer Fest July 12 - 14, 2019, Seattle, Washington Not only does this annual beer lovers mecca include the best of the city but also brings in some of the top international brands and some of the most crazy experimental brews you won’t find on any shelf. You won’t get to them all as there will be more than 200 taps pouring. Sours, fruit beers, double IPAs, barley wines and ‘wild’ ales can be found alongside more traditional styles in seven different tents spread out across the festival grounds at the Seattle Center Pavilion. Tastes are 4 ounces each and run anywhere from $1 to $7, with most in the $1 to $2 range. Food is also readily available inside the festival. SeattleBeerFest.com Taste of Coeur d’Alene/Art on the Green August 3 - 5, 2019, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho While technically two separate events, the proximity between them makes this an annual pilgrimage for many in the Inland Northwest. Close to 200 artists from all over the region set up booths featuring paintings, photography, metal sculpting and more on the lawns of North Idaho College. Just a beachside walk over to downtown’s City Park will bring revelers to the Taste of Coeur d’Alene, where they will find a wide range of food on-site, served up food-truck style. Local chefs serve up their favorites, and there is a beer garden featuring local brewers. The main strip of downtown is also closed for pedestrians where another 250 or so vendors are set up selling a wide range of crafts, gifts and, oh yes, food. ArtontheGreenCdA.com Arts & Entertainment Kirkland Summerfest July 26 - 28, 2019, Kirkland, Washington This three-day music and arts festival returns to the picturesque shores of Lake Washington for its eighth year offering the perfect environment for the artists, musicians and fans to enjoy an incredible summer weekend filled with music and art. During Summerfest, attendees will be treated to dozens of live performances, outdoor entertainment venues, delicious food, local beers and wines, street fair with more than 200 vendors, Create Zone, Rotary Duck Dash and KidZone. Though the event is free for those wandering the streets, there are festival passes that get you into the main stage events and KidZone passes available for purchase. This is Kirkland’s signature event of the year with more than 40,000 attendees. Don’t miss out! KirklandSummerFest.com Summer Meltdown August 1 - 4, 2019, Darrington, Washington Summer Meltdown offers a weekend “where the music meets the mountain.” People gather from all over the West to attend this four-day music, camping and adventure festival held at Darrington Bluegrass Park in Darrington, Washington. The annual festival prides itself as offering a “vibrant” community setting that welcomes all ages. From the live performances, dancing and kids zone to relaxing and socializing in the beer garden, this is a festival the whole family will enjoy. This year’s lineup includes Tipper, Umphrey’s McGee, Gramatik, Nahko and Medicine for the People, The Polish Ambassador, CloZee, G Jones, along with three dozen more acts. All general admission tickets include optional tent camping. Discounted weekend passes are available for youth ages 9 to 15, and kids 8 and younger are free. SummerMeltdownFest.com Festival at Sandpoint August 1 -11, 2019, Sandpoint, Idaho Enjoy eight nights of incredible entertainment featuring a variety of genres under the stars and overlooking the water in a breathtaking setting at War Memorial Field in Sandpoint, Idaho. Now in its 37th year, The Festival at Sandpoint has played host to incredible entertainers drawing people from all over the Pacific Northwest to enjoy the 4,000-seat capacity venue. Intimate in its setting, attendees can choose to bring in their own food and drink or enjoy some of the fabulous food and beverages provided on-site. This year’s lineup includes Nathaniel Ratecliff & The Night Sweats, Walk Off The Earth, Jackson Browne, Lake Street Dive, The Avett Brothers, and Kool & The Gang, as well as the Family Concert featuring The Festival Community Orchestra and Studio One Dancers and Grand Finale featuring the Spokane Symphony. FestivalAtSandpoint.com Watershed Music Festival August 2 - 4, 2019, George, Washington This country music festival is one you won't want to miss. Enjoy a weekend of camping and live musical performances by some of the top country artists around. Held at The Gorge Amphitheatre overlooking the Columbia River (just 10 miles northeast of Quincy), this year’s lineup features Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Brothers Osborne, Chris Young, Maren Morris, Midland, Kip Moore and many more. The Gorge Amphitheatre offers some of the most spectacular views in the world from any music venue and seats more than 20,000, including the lawn area. Country fans from all over the Pacific Northwest continue to flock to Watershed—the biggest three-day country and music festival in the Northwest—year after year. WatershedFest.com

How to plan a summer vacation on a tight budget By Marguerite Cleveland Summer is upon us, and it is time for that annual rite of passage—the summer vacation. It can be an expensive extravaganza or you can choose a more frugal option. Some of my best memories of family vacations are the ones that were the least expensive. With a little planning and creativity you can have a fun vacation that won’t break the bank. Staycation The staycation is the ultimate budget vacation, but you have to make some rules first to ensure it is a vacation. The rules are: Decide the length of the vacation, determine a budget, stick to it and lastly no work. This last one is tough and must be agreed upon by all parties. No family yard work, no house projects and no working from home. Plan activities for each day and visit local attractions. Maybe invest in a family membership that you can use all summer at a local aquarium, museum or pool. Turn your backyard into a summer playground with fun yard toys. It’s low tech, but running through a sprinkler never gets old. Rent an outdoor movie screen for summer movies under the stars and purchase movie candy from the dollar store. The key is to spend time together as a family and just have some fun. At the end of the week, invest in a night at a waterpark hotel. For a family of four the cost is about the same as a day at a waterpark. Many hotels will let you check in early to use the waterpark and stay later the next day after you check out to swim some more. Make sure to bring snacks to save money, as nothing builds an appetite like swimming. Summer Road Trip Road trips are one of the more economical ways to travel with a family versus the high cost of plane tickets to a destination. The first rule of thumb is to plan how far you want to drive. For a weekend trip plan no further than a three- to four-hour drive. If you are planning for a weeklong trip, venture out about a seven- to eight-hour drive. Consider more scenic routes and research fun stops along the way. Next decide if you want to go to multiple destinations or make a base at one location. The more relaxing route is to pick a location and then venture out from there. When traveling with family, a cabin or vacation rental can save you money. You may pay slightly more than a hotel room but you can cut costs by cooking some of your meals. For budget lodging check state parks or campgrounds for low-cost cabin rentals. Websites like AirBnB.com or VRBO also offer options for economic vacation rentals. Spend some time researching your options and look for any specials at your destination. Often resorts will offer a free night if you stay for a certain number of days. Plan to eat breakfast at your lodging, have your big meal at lunch at a restaurant where lunch prices are less than dinner, bring back leftovers and supplement with other foods for an easy dinner. Purchasing local favorites or specialties makes a fun meal. Plan easy cookouts. You can also cook and freeze meals to bring with you. This allows the cook in the family to vacation without spending lots of time in the kitchen. For the car pack a snack box and a cooler with cold drinks. During the summer heat, beverages can quickly add up in costs if purchasing on the road. For savings on lodging, some surprising places offer deals. Groupon is a go to for local deals, but did you know they offer travel deals as well? Rakuten.com (formerly Ebates.com) offers cashback on hotels and vacations. A quick search revealed offers from 3 to 10 percent cashback on hotel websites, and discount sites like Expedia and TripAdvisor. You can double dip by going through Rakuten to access Groupon. You will get cashback on your Groupon discounted purchase—a win all around. Also, when searching for lodging, check the pricing on different dates. For example, in big cities with lots of business travel, rates are often more expensive during the week, and they offer specials on the weekend whereas a resort area is more costly on weekends than on weekdays. Summer Cruise A cruise is a more expensive endeavor, but if you are willing to wait until the last minute there are deals to be had. VacationsToGo.com is one of the best websites for discount travel. Although prices may be the same on other sites, they often have onboard ship credits and other perks available only through VacationsToGo. The key to making a cruise a good deal is you must be able to drive to the port, and the ship needs to start and end at the same port. Last-minute airfare for a family of four defeats the cost savings of booking last minute. At the time this article was written, the site had many Alaska cruise deals out of Seattle and Vancouver for as much as 79 percent off. This deal offered a price of $749 (not including taxes) per person for an ocean-view cabin with a brochure price of $3,498—and also threw in a $175 per cabin onboard credit. The less expensive cabins sell first, so oftentimes last minute you can pick up a great deal on an ocean-view or balcony cabin. One offer was less than $400 (not including taxes) a person for a seven-day Alaskan cruise. Once you are on your cruise you can save additional money by taking the time to plan your trip. Take advantage of all the things your cruise includes. Plan your shore excursions so that you eat all your meals on the ship. Shore excursions in Alaska are pricey, but by researching the ports of call you can save money. Many Alaskan ports are walkable. You can spend your time in port seeing quite a bit on your feet. One thing to be aware of if you book an excursion through the cruise line: They will make sure you are back or will wait for you if it is delayed when the ship is due to depart. You do not have this guarantee when you book a shore excursion through another business. When shopping look for unusual options for souvenirs to reduce your costs. In Sitka, the Russian Orthodox Church had a wonderful gift shop with very good prices; many under $10. When on the ship, look for deals that can save you money. Drinks can be pricey, but one cruise line offered a pub crawl through all the areas on the ship that served mixed drinks for not much more than the cost of one drink. At each stop you received a cocktail or shot themed for that stop. Some ships will offer wine tastings for a set price. When planning a budget vacation, the Internet is your friend. Research, research, research. This is the key to finding great deals. Read forums on websites. Facebook has travel pages and groups for every interest. The website for your destination is also a wealth of information. Send away for free area guides. Do a web search for coupons for an attraction you want to visit. Use Groupon for the destination you are traveling to for discounts on food, activities and even spa treatments. If you are willing to put the work in beforehand, it will pay off by lowering the cost of your vacation.

Klara Glosova, Lead SAI Instructor Courtesy of Gage Academy of Art If you are interested in exploring your inner artist, Studio Arts Intensive (SAI) is a unique and innovative program combining a broad range of studio courses with professional development and activities offsite designed to introduce and connect the students with the local art community. Students of all ages have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive portfolio in drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking for admission into a university, one of Gage ateliers, or to bridge their pursuit in the visual arts into a full-time career. The program includes over 400 direct contact hours with 10 instructors in different mediums and courses of study, and includes approximately 200 hours working from the live model. You can apply online at GageAcademy.org/studioartsintensive. Behind every successful program there is a passionate instructor with the ability to connect students’ aspirations with the highest standards of art instruction. Meet Klara Glosova, lead SAI instructor. Klara’s list of accomplishments is stellar, including being a Betty Bowen Award finalist in 2017 and a recipient of 4Culture Project Grant in 2018. Q. Klara, your role in the Studio Arts Intensive is so unique for you carefully ‘curate’ the incredible roster of artists and curators, as well as visits to galleries, and exhibitions in local museums. You literally see the SAI students transformed through the program from passive makers to artists actively engaged in ‘why’ they are making. A. Many students go to an art school such as Gage because they want to build and hone their skills and technique … but the unique thing about this program is that from day one we start talking about developing their own ideas and interests. The question of ‘why’ they want to make the kind of art they want to make is less about finding a specific answer; it is more about developing the awareness that they should be asking that question themselves. It is about tuning into their own motivations and desires, following those leads and applying the tools they are learning to their unique voice and vision … You can see why SAI is an amazing opportunity. Q. How do you guide the students to become individual thinkers, making a body of work over a long period of time—not just classroom exercises that teach technique and skill? A. I start the year with a simple prompt and an assignment. From then on students are allowed to change one parameter (media, format, subject matter, etc.) each week according to their choice, but only one at the time. So even though they all start with the same assignment, by the end of the year students arrive at very different outcomes … As a group we do a lot of looking at the individual works and have engaged conversation about what is happening for each student—that way they can also learn from each other. The cohort dynamic is a very important part of this program. Q. How is Studio Arts Intensive unique within Gage learning community as well as other courses of studies available out there? A. In addition to working in the classroom, we go visit artist studios, meet curators and visit galleries and exhibitions. I usually schedule studio visits with artists who are working in very different ways. The variety drives home the point that each art practice is unique and equally valid. Q. We are currently enrolling for the 2020 Studio Arts Intensive class, which starts in September 2019. I know that you are particularly excited to talk about the new printmaking component. A. I think there are two reasons why printmaking is a great teaching tool: On one hand it forces students to think about the structure of the image—breaking it down to shapes, colors, layers, textures—and on the other hand it allows for a series of spontaneous decisions that can lead to unexpected results. I’m very excited that SAI students will get to learn using this versatile media thanks to our brand new press and printmaking studio. In my class students will learn several fundamental techniques, which they will then apply to their individual projects. Again, students are encouraged to follow their own intuition and ideas. I’m here to help facilitate the deep dive and eventually their manifestation. For additional information about Gage Academy of Art, visit GageAcademy.org, Facebook.com/GageAcademy, instagram @gageacademy, email info@gageacademy.org or call 206.323.4243.

Easy ways to keep your skin looking flawless By Pamela Dawne Bolado Travel can be great for the soul but tough on your skin—especially during the summer months when the sun is beaming and the water is cool (and highly chlorinated). Your skin has numerous reasons to act up from the bacteria you breathe on the airplane to fluctuations in climate, routine, sleep patterns and, not to forget, increased sun exposure. So how do you keep your skin happy while living that travel and beach life? The answer is more than just applying your sun protection. Improve your airplane hygiene! Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! Cleanliness is so important, especially when dealing with recycled air on a plane. The first step is to wipe down the seat and armrests before you sit. People leave behind bacteria and oils on the seat, which is why sometimes people can develop body acne, especially where skin is exposed. You can also apply that rule to your phone! I love facial hydrating mists. If you have that ‘I don’t care’ attribute, like myself, wear a hydrating sheet mask on your overnight flight to combat dry cabin air! Drink lots of water! Staying hydrated is so important. If caffeine is a must, opt for green tea to give you a boost rather than getting the dehydrating effect of coffee. Healthy Hotel Habits! During the summer, many of us are prone to breakouts due to excessive sweating and sometimes using new products. Always travel with your own products. Hotel toiletries, even the most lavish, can give your skin trouble if you’ve never tested them out. If your favorite products don’t have travel sizes available, it’s a good idea to invest in mini travel bottles to fill them to go. Protect! Protect! Protect! Did I mention sun protection? Those UV rays are for real! And never underestimate them when it’s cloudy. Even if you rarely to never burn, you are at risk of skin cancer when you remain outside unprotected. Here are my favorite SPF options: • Cotz Prime & Protect SPF 40 • Coola SPF 30 • Elta SPF 30 • ZO Skin Health SPF 50 A minimum of SPF 30 should always be applied and re-applied! Make sure to apply a whole-body sunscreen before leaving for the day—and bring it with you. It’s important to reapply every few hours and more if you are swimming. Adjust Your Skin-care Routine Accordingly Knowing your skin type is key! The summer heat can be good for people with dry skin, especially if there’s humidity. For those with oily skin types, the heat can pose a challenge. I’ve spoken to many clients who skip the moisturizer because they’re worried it will make their skin more oily, however, dry and cracked skin makes it easier for bacteria to get in and cause acne—and that dryness is causing the skin to produce more oil. Keep your skin routine simple by starting with cleansing and ending with moisturizing. I highly recommend using a toner and serum. That’s when a visit to your MedSpa can help, by prescribing the best products for your individual skin needs. Here are a few suggestions for a summer skin routine: • Dry sensitive skin should use a creamy cleanser, and for those with oily skin I recommend using a water-based cleanser in the morning and then a foam cleanser in the evening. It’s always a good idea to gently exfoliate a few times a week to keep your skin glowing. • I suggest applying a toner after cleansing, which aids in ‘establishing’ the PH back to the skin. If you have oily skin, then you may want to use a serum before applying sun protection. For dry skin, use a light water-based moisturizer after toning and before SPF. • Always pack some aloe in case you end up getting a little more sun than you intended—a tried-and-true remedy for sunburn and wound healing. Bottom Line … Plan Ahead! Pack your carryon with your essentials, including your re-application sunscreen. I always keep one in my glove compartment! Even after the exhausting traveling days, always prioritize your night routine by washing and moisturizing your face and body before bed—and in the morning! With a simple routine, you can have an enjoyable vacation and still keep your skin glowing and healthy! This article was provided by Pamela Dawne Bolado, LME, LMS, Oncology Trained LME Instagram @pamelaskinspecialist / LePamier.com