Northwest Gold Coast

Professional potter, Missy James is passionate about many things, including art, pottery, realism and chocolate. Now she has merged these passions into a new product line of “everlasting chocolates” under the name of FossilFire Ceramic Chocolates. Per the tagline on the website, the shiny creations “preserve the moment of anticipation forever”. Each piece is handmade and hand-painted. Available in square, rectangular and heart-shaped ceramic boxes, each unique ceramic chocolate is set into brown glassine candy cups that look just like the paper cups used in boxes of edible luxury fine chocolates.

The article at www.fossilfirechocolates.com/priceofart.html explains Missy’s creation process in fascinating detail. From formation to final glazing, the skill and craftsmanship that go into these unique works of art is significant. Few people, even artists, have the patience or passion to carry them through the hours and weeks it takes to make each custom piece.

Because they look so real, Missy cements the chocolates and their papers into their ceramic boxes so as to prevent any choking hazard to children.

With 58 “flavors” already in production and new “flavors” being introduced each month, Missy James is rapidly becoming the world’s premier ceramic chocolatier. What’s more, customers can even fill their own box by selecting the individual chocolates they love the most! With names like “Cherry’s Da Bomb Heart” and “Splash of Apricot Oval” who wouldn’t want to pick their chocolates.

Custom versions of the boxes are available for corporate Christmas gifts while the 4-piece Square Box of chocolates may be just that special gift for a significant other and the large red heart is a stunning gift for the person who has “everything”.

For more information visit www.fossilfirechocolates.com.

Tags: Shopping by Elizabeth Paulsen
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I remember crabbing as a girl with my father off the coast of Garibaldi, Oregon. Early in the day we went to a local fish market and bought a big old fish head. Dad cut it into hunks, set a hunk into each of the rusty metal cage-style traps and loaded the traps into the small motor boat. I climbed on board with a big old orange life vest (sun-faded on the outside and bright orange inside) and we launched into a slough, motored to the open ocean and tossed out the traps. A few hours later we motored back to the traps and hauled them on board. We measured the crabs’ underbellies and were thrilled if we got a few legal size Dungeness crabs. We then motored back to dad’s boss’ cabin, put a big pot of water over a campfire, boiled up the crab, let them cool and then cracked and picked enough crab to feed our family of six a few meals of crab and drawn butter and crab louie salad.

Now, some 35 years later, I’m pleased to see that a local family finally has invented the best crab trap I’ve ever seen. This new trap, called Stow-B-Low Crab Pod™ is superior in many ways. It is lighter weight, less bulky, collapsible, easily stowed and rust proof. Plus, it can be used with a better bait system that uses fish oil in a sponge rather than an old smelly fish head.

If you know a boater, whether a leisure fisherman, someone looking for a new outdoor or food-related hobby or a serious yachter, the Crab Pod™ makes a great holiday or thank you gift.

To see a demonstration video or learn more about this unique invention, visit http://www.stow-b-low.net/.

Tags: Shopping by Elizabeth Paulsen
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Last year I handmade all my Christmas presents. The presents were personal and unique but it ended up taking more time and expenses than I expected. With the economy the way it is today, we can all step back and look at how much money we have been spending at Christmas.

With that said, I have run across the perfect solution for saving time, energy and money as well as giving a meaningful gift.

Seattle Fast Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs has been in the Westfield Southcenter mall since 1999. While they do routine jewelry inspection and cleaning, watch battery replacement and eyeglass hinge repair, they do more than just that. They also restore antique jewelry, restring pearl necklaces and engrave jewelry, watches and gift items.

Do you have jewelry that you no longer wear? Maybe a ring that needs a little spiffing up, a loose stone that needs mounting, a locket that has a broken chain or a watch from your grandfather that no longer is ticking? Rather than buying new jewelry as a Christmas present, why not make a piece of your own jewelry an heirloom and treasured gift for a loved one?

Seattle Fast Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs takes rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, anklets, watches, tie pins, broaches, tiaras and more that you already have and makes the necessary repairs and/or restorations to make them new at affordable prices.

Engraving jewelry, watches or gift items can also make meaningful, less expensive Christmas presents. Seattle Fast Fix engraves metal and glass items. A personalized glass 1st Christmas ornament might be a perfect gift for a newly wed couple or parents of a new baby. A personalized Zippo lighter might be a great idea for a grandson. An engraved key ring might be perfect for that teenager who just got their driver’s license. Seattle Fast Fix also carries items ready to be engraved such as ID bracelets, medical alert jewelry, plaques, flasks and other gift items. And, they can even remove the engraving from a solid silver item and add a new message.

So while you are out-and-about this holiday season, stop by Fast Fix Jewelry (located near JCPenney’s just inside the Southcenter mall entrance between Racha Thai and BJ’s restaurants) and have your treasured items restored, repaired or engraved while you shop for other items.

To learn more, visit http://www.seattlefastfixjewelry.com.

Tags: Services, Shopping by Risa Miller
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I often enjoy driving Redondo Beach.  It is intriguing to see a group of scuba divers, and wonder what they are doing.  Answers came when our family visited the new Marine Science and Technology Center, located on Redondo Beach.  This recently built facility is the marine laboratory for Highline Community College.  It holds the third largest aquarium in Seattle.  Starting June 28th, the MaST center opened to the public every Saturday from 10am to 2pm.  Admission is complimentary. Donations are always welcome.  On our visit we met a very enthusiastic volunteer who explained some of the fish and let the children feed starfish.  Hands on activities always attract people–especially little ones. 

Highline Community College began training undersea diving classes back in the 1960s.  Graduates of this program became commercial divers.  However, the program closed  towards the end of the decade, and the old facility became a research center.  The facility was used for checking water quality in the Puget Sound, and for classrooms.  Today’s new structure provides not only a pleasant classroom environment, but also research opportunities that benefit general public science education, as well as large institutions like the University of Washington.  This college-owned facility has five aquariums and three touch tanks, showcasing more than 80 species of local marine life.  It also offers easy access to a great diversity of nearby habitats.

The center plays an important role by enhancing science literacy for all ages in the Puget Sound region.  It also addresses urban water quality by monitoring and researching land conservation.  Perhaps most exciting to area parents is that the MaST envisions offering marine science education for all ages, through summer and holiday camps.  Public schools also find the center a worthwhile field trip option.

Our region is blessed with many natural wonders.  The MaST pays tribute to that truth through its small, but valuable facility, just around the corner, on Redondo Beach, in Des Moines.

For more information, visit http://flightline.highline.edu/MAST/index.htm.

Tags: Outdoor Recreation by Oksu Ellis
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Located in the heart of Olde Burien,  Poggi Bonsi is ready for the holiday season.  The charm of the exterior draws you in as you enter a warm and inviting atmosphere.  Inside awaits many wonderful, festive holiday decor and gift ideas for the season.  Christmas trees are trimmed with hundreds of new holiday themed ornaments.  Some of the themed ornaments include mice, frogs, nutcrackers; as well as snowmen, Santas and many more to choose from.  The ornaments range in price from $2.95-$20.95.

A nice gift idea for the approaching cold of winter is a warm, cozy blanket or throw by David Fussenegger.  These Austrian fleece blankets are soft and plush, pill-free, and machine washable.  They come in a variety of colors and prints and retail from $114.95-$167.95. 

Another new item is the new Whimsical French Pottery collection.  Handmade in Vallauris, France; this colorful collection of pottery is perfect to mix and match. One item in the collection, the garlic grater plate, comes in a beautiful range of colors and prints and makes a wonderful gift.  Simply grate a garlic clove on the ceramic grater and add some extra virgin olive oil and use to dip your favorite bread.  This item retails for $25.00 and is found on the web site or in Poggi Bonsi’s kitchen store, ‘Cucina’, located just a few doors down.   

Poggi Bonsi first opened its doors in Burien about 6 years ago, with owners and founders, Keli DeRitis & Michelle Codd.  Keli’s idea was to bring a little European flavor to it’s customers after an inpiring visit to Italy with her family 7 years ago.  Three years later, their kitchen stored ‘Cucina’ opened it’s doors.

Visit the store at 901 SW 152nd Street or go online to www.poggibonsigifts.com to learn more.

Tags: Services by Michelle Leonard
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Dinner and a Movie:  Enjoy watching Kung Fu Panda with chicken stir-fry and rice| Loyal Heights Community Center, 2101 N.W. 77th St. | Nov. 21, 6:30pm | 206-684-4052| $3/$6 | For more info: http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/entertainment/events_calendar/

The Last Polar Bear Arctic Wings:  Facing the Truth about a warming world , | Burke museum, Univ. of Washington campus at the corner of 17th Ave. NE and NE 45th St. | Through the end of year | 206-543-7907| First Thursday of the month is FREE | For more info: http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/

Seattle By Foot:  Seattle’s Original Coffee Crawl is for everyone, not just coffee lovers! | Depart from Pike Place Market | 800-838-3006 | For tickets, date and time go to: http://seattlebyfoot.com/walkingtours/

Community Emergency Response Team Training Program:  Sign up for next session begins March 5, 09 | Contact Jessica Gilleland 206-973-4917| For more info: http://www.ci.burien.wa.us/CERT%20Blurb.htm

Aladdin- An English Panto:  Comedy, Every line is a laugh! | Knutzen Family Theater 3200 SW Dash Point Road | Nov.28- Dec. 21 | 253-835-2000| For more info: http://www.centerstagetheatre.com/default.asp?PlayID=63

Federal Way Chorale Winter Concerts:  “The Great Mystery and Wonder of Christmas” | St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 515 S. 312th | Sat. Dec. 13 at 8:00 pm and Sun. Dec. 14 at 2:30pm | 253-250-3326 | For more info: http://www.fwchorale.com/
 
What Is A Trade:  Donald Fels and Signboard Painters of South India | Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave. Tacoma | 253-272-4258 | Third Thursday FREE 10am – 8pm | For more info: http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org

Breakfast with Santa:  Santa Claus is coming to Tukwila Community Center and have breakfast with you and your family. | Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S. | 206- 768-2822 | For more info: http://www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/recreation/recevent.html

Holiday Adopt-a-Family:  Tukwila Parks and Recreation organizes a holiday giving program with names of local  children and families in need.  If you and your business would like to participate, please contact Shannon Fisher at 206- 768-2822

Tags: Events by admin
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