One of my favorite things about living in the Pacific Northwest is that we have four distinctive seasons (OK, yes, they all include rain). And one of my favorite ways to celebrate spring is my first annual trip to the Proctor Farmers Market.

Though some events have already started in the market space, the really good stuff ― all the fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants ― don’t start showing up until later in May. There are also vendors selling fresh fish, meats, and incredible cheeses. You can find some cool homemade crafts, and even stuff for dogs and for Jaxson (my cat).

If you linger as long as I do, you’ll end up tasting a little bit of a lot of things. When you’re ready to sit and rest, stop at the food booths; maybe a caprese empanada followed by some homemade ice cream. Not a bad way to spend a sunny Saturday…

Have fun!
Danielle

I was leafing through the Sunday paper (I’m making a point these days of reading newspapers while they still exist), and was a little surprised to see who’s coming to the Dome on May 16th. Think of a band with turbulent romances, warring egos, many breakups and many reunions. Right, that doesn’t narrow the field much. In any case, I didn’t know all of the members of this particular one ― Fleetwood Mac ― were even still alive.

What makes this particular concert ― on their “Unleashed” tour ― even more intriguing is an added offering I’ve never seen before: For an extra 60 bucks (or so), you can arrive early, be guaranteed a parking space, and tuck into a dinner buffet with a private bar (drinks are extra, of course). Wow, I don’t know about you, but this is not the concert of my salad days…

Enjoy,
Dale

I’m not sure if we have a clever male or female to thank for this brainstorm, but it takes a keen mind to combine spa treatments and baseball. That’s right; it’s Ladies’ Day at the Ballpark.

Here’s the deal: Tell your man that you’ve made arrangements for the whole family to go see the Rainiers play the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Cheney Stadium on May 10. You want to get there early, so you can park and so he can study the line-up, pregame. As soon as everyone’s in their seats, you quietly slip away to the private party deck for spa treatments, a buffet, beverages, and autographs from the ball players. And, don’t worry, while you’re being pampered the rest of the family can enjoy batting practice.

The whole shebang is sponsored by Savvy Girls of Summer, so I guess we do have a woman to thank.

Have fun,
Danielle

(photo courtesy of Alki Chick)

Times are pretty tough right now and we know you’re looking for the best possible deals out there, so here’s one for you:  15% off our best available rate!  I’ll let you do the math on that one, but I’m sure you’ll feel good about the savings.  In fact, I might just have to move in myself at these prices, but I guess I can save the available rooms for guests, instead.  So, let your friends and family know and have them come visit you or use the special on yourself to spend a weekend relaxing.
Hopefully I’ll be seeing you soon.
Danielle

Here are a few lines that we just picked up the other day from “Bee Movie” that give our fair city a very tiny nod. I don’t know about you, but it’s kind of cool that we got on someone’s radar down at Dreamworks. A group of bugs have hitched a ride on the windshield of a moving truck and are commiserating on their travels. The conversation goes like this:

Mooseblood, mosquito (Chris Rock):Where are you headed?
Barry B. Benson, bee (Jerry Seinfeld): To Honey Farms.
Mooseblood: I’m going to Alaska. Moose blood. Crazy stuff! Blows your head off.
Ladybug (Sean Bishop): I’m going to Tacoma.

I guess you could say we got a little buzz from that movie!

–Dale

(photo courtesy of Visor Peru)

Here in Tacoma we’re rather proud of our glass art tradition, and rightfully so. It’s a world-class act. Visitors explore our hallways and frequently exclaim that they never realized that glass art could be anything more than blown-glass baubles and church windows. Another great opportunity to see yet another use of glass as an art medium is happening right now at the Museum of Glass. The show, “White Light: Glass Compositions by Daniel Clayman” takes what could be the most ordinary of treatments—white glass—and uses it to stretch our perceptions of light and space. But you’d better get there soon, the show ends June 14.

–Dale

Newshound Dan Voelpel, over at the Tribune, recently wrote an article about the U.S. Travel Association’s search for the “Faces of Travel.”  He asked, “Whose face would best represent our region in the contest? Among his recommendations was “Tacoma’s pre-eminent bellhop, doorman, concierge, valet and ever-gushing greeter” our own Bell Captain (and fellow Looking Glass blogger) Dale Rush.  He added , “You could argue that Rush and his bullish-on-Tacoma disposition have influenced more travelers than any other individual during that span.”  Go Dale!

–Danielle

Satellite Coffee, which “imports” its rich, jittery goodness from Portland’s Stumptown Roasters, has been around for a couple of years. But now they’re enjoying a growth spurt. Like this:

February 19, 2009: Satellite Coffee opens a second location, a spot inside Masa.

April 1, 2009: Satellite Coffee opens a third location, at Embellish Multispace Salon.

I am so there. Now you know my secret to always-on customer service.

– Danielle

Another reminder folks: Tacoma’s Wintergrass Festival starts tonight.  I hope to see the whole city of Tacoma out for this one.  I guarantee it will be a blast!

If music festivals aren’t really your thing, hopefully sports are, becuase there’s a couple crazy sporting events happening this weekend.  First off, it’s the Dockyard Dairy Dames women’s roller derby league kickoff!  2 games and 2 filled hours of sweat, blood, and tears (well, maybe not tears, but we promise plenty of fishnet!).  It’s all going down at the Tacoma Soccer Center this Saturday.

Second on the agenda is the indoor motorcycle & quad flat track racing event.  This is also on Saturday so you’ll have to choose between racing and roller derby.  Hmm… tough choice.  If you choose this one, however, it’s happening at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.  I’ll see you there!

- Dale

Four days. Dozens of bands. An international collection of fans and musicians. What’s not to love? If you like old-timey music, then you need to head to Tacoma for its annual Wintergrass festival. You’ll catch some of the best names in bluegrass and get to watch them perform and then mingle with them afterwards. There are also workshops on everything from overcoming stage fright to mastering Old Time fiddle. The hotel lobbies are filled with impromptu jams. February 19-22. Yee haw!

– Danielle