Ready for a spot where not only have you left the kids at home but everyone else has, too? Then Katie Down’s on the waterfront is the place for you. There are plenty of fancy places in town that are 21-and over only, but Katie Down’s is different: a fun, casual spot — without the crying and chaos (until closing time, that is).

A Tacoma institution, this spot consistently serves up great burgers, fish and chips, and salads, and they also have world class pizza (try the white sauce!). They have a good beer selection, a decent wine list, and a full bar (a relatively recent change for those of you who remember the days when you couldn’t get a gin and tonic on a hot day).

The service is sometimes leisurely, shall we say, and the crowd can be boisterous, but Katie Down’s is still the place to go when you want a relaxing afternoon or evening out. And a darn fine view. Remember to get there early for happy hour (1/2 price apps), and their deck is amazing on a sunny afternoon/evening.

Have fun,
Dale

I bring you yet another of Tacoma’s very cool no-cost summer outings. On Saturdays, through August 29, Metro Parks will transform a park into a concert venue, a movie theater, or both.

For example, on this past Saturday (August at Portland Avenue Park, you could see both music and film. The band, Miho and Diego, started things off at 7 p.m. A blend of Latino, Japanese, African and American traditions, it was just the thing to get everyone up and dancing.

The music was then followed by a very family-friendly flick, Surf’s Up (saw it, loved it). If you wanted to get there early with the kids, there was even a back-to-school carnival from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

Each of the events is all lawn seating, so you’ll need to bring your own blanket or lawn chairs. As usual, they had me at “admission is free.” Hope to see you there over the next couple of weeks.

Have fun,
Dale

Yes, the hotel has amazing glass art. Yes, the hotel has a fantastic restaurant. Yes, it has awesome, comfortable rooms. That’s all fine and dandy, but did you know that the Hotel Murano Tacoma also has a spa?

So, this is how I see it: You’re here on business and have spent your trip standing in front of a bunch of execs, in heels, and all you want is someone to attend to your needs for once. You definitely need the Spa La La package. It includes a night in the hotel with massages and facials for two at the Savi Day Spa (I might just do both twice!).

Oh, and since we do have all of the other great stuff going on at the Murano, you’ll also get a yummy lunch brought in to you to the spa from our very own Bite restaurant. And then go ahead and wander around in your pampered stupor to see the art. It really is fine and dandy.

Have fun!

Danielle

OK, this is something every couple can sink their teeth into, so to speak, but I’m sending a special shout out to you parents who need a little kick-in-the-butt in the romance department. Drop the kidlets off at Granny and Grandpa’s and head over to the Murano.

We have a special lovers’ deal at the moment called “Naughty & Nice” that includes a night in one of our rooms, where every consideration has been addressed, for your maximum pleasure (nudge, nudge), some “ love poison” (your choice of champagne, wine, or sparkling cider) served in our gorgeous, art-filled lobby bar, our fabulous Bite restaurant or delivered right to your door by room service.

The package also includes breakfast in bed, a late check out, and a mystery box filled with some extra goodies. Can’t tell you what they are. Aren’t you just a little curious?

Have fun!
Danielle

I bet you thought nothing very exciting could happen amidst parked SUVs and mini-vans. Well, in Tacoma some clever folks are prepared to prove you wrong: They actually stage Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night right in a parking lot.

At Tacoma’s Curran Apple Orchard at University Place, Art on the Ave, Sanford & Son, and Kings Books, you can enjoy a free performance (donations are most welcome, however) of one the bard’s most well-loved, and dare I say “accessible” plays. A romp involving twins, mistaken identity, cross-dressing, it’s sort of an Elizabethan cross between Freaky Friday and Monty Python.

The troupe invites and encourages audience participation, just as they did and still do at
Shakespeare’s original theater in London, The Globe (coincidentally, also open-air). The play is performed at various times and days throughout July (with more venues to be added), so check their site for all the details.

Have fun,
Dale

We’ve got plenty of cutting edge features at Hotel Murano, but one of the really great offerings here at the hotel is a much older technology: the Book. Now we all know it’s traditional to find a St. James Bible in your hotel room. But we go one step – or actually many steps – further.

We know people of all faiths travel. And we welcome any and all to the Hotel Murano. So for that reason we like to provide any Good Book of faith, available by calling our front desk staff and requesting any of the following with no late return fees:

•    St. James Bible
•    The New American Bible
•    Bhagavad Gita
•    Book of Mormon
•    Book of Buddhism
•    The Koran
•    Tao Te Ching
•    The Torah

Part of the focus here at Hotel Murano is to meet the need to view and embrace “world class art” and also as many “spiritual needs” as we can.

Enjoy,
Dale

Dale, I loved the “the art of meeting people’s needs” line. It actually got me thinking about our art. So after writing about the Neddy Fellowship the other day I took a little tour of our collection. I’d never done that if you can believe it! I recommend it, especially to any employees like me who really checked it out.

Here are some of my favorites. In case you want to include them in your itinerary.

Grand Corridor
Specimen Block by Steffen Dam: It’s like a puzzle that you could look at for hours.

Lobby
Fish Lures by Rick Beck: They’re just fun. I’m lucky I can seem them all day from reception.

Floor 4, Bite Restaurant
Totem by Costas Varotsos: It’s amazing the way he managed to use both glass and stainless steel.

Floor 24

Iceberg by Peter Bremers: This one is incredible because of all the research he did. See the pictures showing his process.

Visit us and you’re sure to find some favorites of your own!

Have fun,
Danielle

Ah, Dad’s Day. After working hard all year for our families, it’s time for us to get the spotlight. Bravo! Here’s to all the fathers out there for all you do! I feel privileged that my work at the hotel gives me a chance to meet so many great dads.

Well, if you’re looking for a good way to celebrate the father in your life, think about taking him to the Tacoma Invaders semi-pro football game on Saturday, June 20. The game takes place at Curtis High School and pits our hometown Invaders against the Olympic Peninsula Eagles.

The Invaders are hovering around .500 in the Cascade League standings. So get out and give them a bit of support, while giving dad a chance to cheer some football while his Seahawks are taking some well-earned time off to gear up for next year!

Dale

It is a 15 minute drive from the hotel and did I say, it changed my life? It’s a family business and has been around for years and I finally got to go with a friend last weekend. We got a package off the Web site that included a one-hour body scrub, one-hour massage and use of their facilities for $150. And it was the best $150 I’ve spent! Or, you can go and just use their facilities for $30/day. You walk in and it’s very organized, clean and Korean. It is not hip or trendy at all but very down to earth and substantial.

There are three Infrared rooms that emit natural materials such as salt or mud and jade. For example, the salt room is quiet with low lighting consisting of a floor of salt that is covered with a thick blanket-like material and the floor is heated! You lie on the floor and it’s like a big hot pad for your body while the salt’s properties help your body in various ways, including improved circulation and metabolism. Another room has mud and jade (seemingly ground up like sand) which helps your body by detoxifying and many other great things. The pool room has a hot Jacuzzi, warm Jacuzzi, mineral baths, cold plunge, dry sauna, wet sauna and a tub of water steeped with mugwort (a herb that helps the body in multiple ways) where you can pour the warm water over your body.

The body scrub was incredible. Korean women scrub every inch of your body and you can physically see dead skin slough off of you while they intermittently pour warm water over you to rinse you off before going back to scrubbing. It was amazing! My skin never felt so soft! The massage was surprisingly typically in a Swedish style.

Then, another bonus…the food. They have a little restaurant that is only for spa members that resembles a kitchen in someone’s home. Two Korean women whip up wonderful homecooked Korean meals – some of the best Korean food that I’ve had! We were there for more than four hours! The spa is open until 10 p.m. all days except Friday and Saturday they are open until midnight! Closed on Sundays. www.olympusspa.net. You have to go!

- Danielle

Anyone who has ever visited us at Hotel Murano knows that we love art. Aside from our incredible collection of glass art, which you can see on every floor of the hotel, there are also all kinds of other creations to feast your eyes on.

But on the off chance you’re still hungry, we happen to be only a couple of blocks from the Tacoma Art Museum. And if you’re here on June 6 (6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.), head over to meet this year’s Neddy Artist Fellowship nominees and see their work.

You’ll see great paintings from a variety of people, including some excellent glass work as well. Highlights include the work of Eric Elliot, this year’s painting fellowship winner, and April Surgent, who was awarded this year’s glass art fellowship.

And the event’s free and includes hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar!

Have fun!
Danielle