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Holiday Lights at Viewpoint at Redondo

Holiday  lights are an inviting attraction. As winter days get shorter we can enjoy such lights for a longer time.

Nobody complains that there are too many lights in our neighborhood. Rather we pout that there aren’t more lights to decorate.  

While  driving along Redondo Beach in the day time offers spectacular scenery, in the night time itleads to  a winter wonderland. Due to our current economic downturn some people are reticent to light up their houses and celebrate the season. However, the Viewpoint at Redondo residents are still faithful to the season. They decorate their houses with hundreds of lights. Each house has some kind of theme – some proclaim  a miracle such as the  birth of Jesus through a nativity scene or the extension of light through a star of David or menorah and others share jolly Christmas  kid-friendly figures like Santa Claus, snowmen, gingerbread houses, choo choo trains and, of course, reindeers. (There’s even a Grinch at one.)

You will also see a canned food drive placed by someone who cares about people in need–especially during this holiday season. Some nights a family sells hot beverages to raise money for good causes. What a great way to teach our children to share their love for the community.

One year I remember our family attempted to drive through a fancy light display that was more than 10-miles away. They charged per vehicle at that time. We were pretty close to the area, but had to turn around because of traffic. We were so disappointed and ended up coming back to the simple but brilliant display at Viewpoint. Whether you walk around or drive along, you would feel as if you are in a winter wonderland. So, bundle up the family and indulge in Christmas spirit, right here in South King County. You will feel the spirit of Advent as you slowly drive or walk the circle. It’s a homey, comfortable feeling, regardless of how you get here or where you come from.

Viewpoint at Redondo displays its lights free of charge, daily, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. They started December 1st and will continue through New Year’s. The neighborhood can be reached from the North by driving along Redondo Beach Drive until it becomes 1st Avenue South. Then turning left on South 300th Pl. From the South, simply take 1st Avenue South, and turn right on the same street. The price is right, the spirit is right, and how often do we see a dedication to  the holiday  that is quaint, rather than garish and commercial? Kudos to a neighborhood that annually captures the humble, yet brilliant spirit of the season!

Herr Backyard Garden Center

Fresh Cut Trees from Herr Garden Center

Christmas is fast approaching and the winter season is upon  us.     Still looking for those last minute gift ideas, ornaments, or holiday trimmings?    Burien’s  locally owned Herr Backyard Garden Center is ready this season  with a huge selection  of fresh cut Christmas trees, wreaths, and many other  festive and decorative items for your home.    

The wonderful smells of  the holiday season  fill the air as you walk through  Herr Garden Center.   All of their Christmas trees are freshly cut and locally grown in Shelton, WA.   They’ve got a wonderful variety of trees this year from Nobles, Douglas Firs, Grands, Fraziers, and Farm Firs.   The trees range in height from 4′ to just about 10′ tall and  are priced from $11.99 up to  $130.     There are fresh wreaths available as well as artifical wreaths.  

Inside Herr GardenInside you will find 12 beautifully decorated Christmas trees – each  with it’s own theme.   Whatever type, style, or color of ornament you are looking for, you will be sure to find it here.   Herr has a great selection of wooden nutcrackers, ribbons, trimmings, snowglobes and much more.   The ever popular L.E.D. lights are also available here.   If you’re going ‘green’, or just wanting to conserve on energy, these lights are very efficient and long lasting.   Herr also sells a colorful selection of candles, including the Root candle, which is a soy based candle which burns very clean and  is also very long lasting.   Gift cards are also available.

For more information, visit Herr Backyard Garden Center at 107 SW 160th at Buriens 5 Corners, or go online at www.herrgardencenter.com

Seattle Attractions

Museum of GlassIf you are looking for something to do in the greater Seattle Puget Sound region, Seattle Attractions has over 27 places to visit that tourists and locals can enjoy.

Seattle Attractions features year round activities  such as the 22,000 square foot Children’s Museum, Museum of Flight  (thier self-guided tour leads you to over 85 historic  air and space craft exhibits), the Experience Music Project, Washington State Ferries, Kenmore Air, Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art,  dining, sports attractions and more.  

You’ll also  find family-friendly outdoor activities  such as Woodland Park Zoo,  Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, local tours & cruises of Seattle’s waterfront, North West Trek Wildlife Park that offers a tram tour in this beautiful 435 acre natural habitat.  

This city guide can help you plan your event and give you the needed information for each attraction.   It gives you incite on great deals, an events calendar, visitor information and  a Seattle’s Favorite Attractions Coupon Book that has special offers  for every attraction listed above and more!

To find out more about Seattle Attractions, call 1-877-885-9452, or go online and visit their website at www.seattleattractions.com

Help Your Feathered Friends Escape the Cold!

Downy WoodpeckerAs winter approaches do you leave the screen windows on? Of course not! Likewise it’s common sense that if we want our feathered friends to use (and benefit from) the nest boxes we have in our yards, we must winterize them.

First clean out the season’s nests that may have gotten damp, filthy or infested with blowflies or lice. Then, layer 3-4″ of clean dry meadow grass in the bottom of each house. Wood shavings can work well too, but don’t use sawdust as it retains moisture when wet.

Second, plug the air vent holes (and drainage holes) in your houses with flexible weather strip. You can get weather strip (Moretite is one brand) in most home/hardware center stores. It comes in a putty- like cord that you simply press in with your fingers and it comes out easily in the spring.

Who will use your house if properly winterized? Downy woodpeckers seem to be one of the most common winter tenants, even though they prefer to carve their own nest cavity. You can tell they have visited when you find some of the feathers they shed. Their feathers are long with very flimsy shafts with gray barbs and a grayish white tip. Chickadees and titmice will sometimes leave droppings and a few feathers behind while bluebirds leave a few regurgitated seeds. It’s not uncommon for 6-9 bluebirds to emerge from one box. Nuthatches and Carolina Wrens are some other common visitors to winterized homes.

If you want to provide even more winter housing, check out  the Winter Roosts at BirdFeedersOnly.com!

Gogol Towncar Services

For the holidays, why not treat yourself, your friends and family to executive-class transportation at affordable prices?   Whether you are looking for shuttle transportation to/or from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, or searching for a town car service for  a wedding, vacation, convention or other  special event, Gogol Town Car Services offers comfortable, safe and cost-effective transport.  

As a  member of the Seattle Limousine and Town Car Association,   Gogol Towncar Services is ready to meet your transportation needs with a choice of Lincoln Town Cars; Escalades, Hummers  and Navigators ranging from regular to stretch; SUV’s and vans from mini vans to 14 passenger coaches.  All vehicles are available with such accomodations as WiFi, cell phone, newspaper and bottled water.  

Professional chauffeurs provide excellent service to wherever your desired location may be in the Greater Seattle Puget Sound Washington State Area.   Drivers are proficient in speaking English and also speak Spanish, French, Dutch, and Russian.  

Taking a cruise out of Seattle?   Gogol also  offers affordable cruise ship transfers from SeaTac airport and area hotels to Seattle’s port.   And, if you have extra time before boarding your ship, you may wish to take a tour of some of Seattle’s most famous sights!

Upon visiting the website, you will find fleet and rate information with prices based to/from SeaTac International Airport,  as well as  the ability to schedule reservations online.   You may contact Gogol Town Car Services at (206) 403-7681, or go online to www.gogollimo.com for more information.

Upcoming Events December & January

Living Nativity: This free outdoor tour takes your entire family on a journey by torch and candlelight to visit Mary, Joseph and the Wise Men, and the town of Bethlehem. | Thursday, December 18 through Monday, December 22 | Lifeway Church, Dash Point Campus 5015 SW Dash Point Road Federal Way, WA 98023 | 253-946-8107 | For tour times and more info: http://livingnativity.lifeway-online.org/

Washington State History Museum–13th Annual Model Train Festival: Holiday activity the whole family will enjoy | Friday, December 26 through Thursday, January 3, 09 | 1911 Pacific Ave. Tacoma, WA 98402 | 1-888-238-4373| For more info:   http://www.washingtonhistory.org/wshm/event-programs.aspx

Black Nativity:   Clap your hands to traditional gospel and holiday favorites.   Get on your feet to marvel at dance ranging from traditional to tap. |   For tickets: 206-269-1900| For more info: http://www.intiman.org./2008Season/bn.html

Seattle Gingerbread Village:   Display the Gingerbread Village at Sheraton Seattle | through January 4, 09 | 1400 Sixth Avenue | 206-838-5153

Zoo Lights:   FUNtastic! The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium host the annual night time zoo lights display.   | Tickets are $5.50 at Bartell Drugs and $7 at the gate | Open through Friday, January 4, 2009 | For more info: http://www.pdza.org/page.php?id=435

New Year Eve Kids Party:   Countdown to 2009! Bring your whole family to Borders on New Years afternoon. There will be games, crafts and special parade. | 2000 South Commons at Federal Way | 253-946-5877 | For more info:  
http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_301

Bite with a Beat – New Years 2009:   Federal Way Symphony- New Year’s Eve Pops Concert | Federal Way Commons 2000 South   | December 31, 2008 | 253-529-9857 | For more info: http://www.federalwaysymphony.org/

Underwater Dome Feeding:   Naturalists will give short talks during feeding activities with the animals. | The Seattle Aquarium | Through January 1, 2009 at 1:30pm| For more info: http://www.seattleaquarium.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=183

Winter Break Fantastic Fishtival:   Join for hands on arts and crafts and much more | The Seattle Aquarium | Friday, December 26, 2008 through Saturday, January 3, 2009 | For more info: http://www.seattleaquarium.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=183

The Nutcracker:   Affordable magic | The Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Road, Federal Way | 7:30pm December 19, 2pm & 7pm December 20 and 1pm & 5pm December 21 | Advanced tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for children under 12 and seniors | 253-835-2030 or 253-924-0621 | For more info: http://www.ninthavenuedance.com/Tickets.html

Chamber Membership Luncheon: Speaker: Brad Worthley, Internationally Acclaimed Customer Service and Leadership Expert | Friday, January 10, 2009 | Pre-pay by January 8: $20.00/person , or pay at door: $25/person | Doubletree Guest Suites 16500 Southcenter Parkway Tukwila, WA 98188 Map | 206-575-1633 or contact Brenna Arnesen at 206-575-1633 or register online at http://www.swkcc.org

January Networking Breakfast: Great way to connect with community leaders and Southwest King County businesses | Tuesday, January 21, 2009, 7-9am | Pre-pay by January 20: $17/person, or pay at door: $20/person | Great American Casino 14040 Interurban Ave S Tukwila, WA 98168 | 206-575-1633 or contact Brenna Arnesen at 206-575-1633 or register online at http://www.swkcc.org

Two Fishers Gourmet Seafood

Gourmet canned salmon and tuna is the specialty for this family owned and operated commercial fishing company. For many years owner and captain Gene Fisher and his wife, Aileen, have been troll fishing off the Oregon Coast.

They have a catching and processing method that is unlike other companies to bring you the highest quality and freshest canned Albacore tuna and salmon you can buy.   All of their albacore are hook and troll caught with jigs (no nets or long lines!), and timed hung / vertical bled and then flash frozen.  All of this happens right onboard the F/V Two Fishers to preserve ultimate freshness ,fat and Omgea 3 content.

Two Fishers Gourmet Seafood products are unique in the canned tuna industry because they are produced by a single family owned and operated boat.  So, discerning buyers are purchasing fish that is processed with a level of personal clan pride and care that large factories cannot begin to compete with. They are so confident  that they offer an unconditional guarantee: Two Fishers Gourmet Pacific Albacore will be the best canned tuna you’ll ever taste!

Those looking for the benefits of fresh fish, but with the convenience that canning offers will find Two Fishers Gourmet Seafood to offer the perfect balance. Their unique processing procedure and hook and line caught seafood defines gourmet!

To learn more or to  buy canned Albacore Tuna and Gourmet Salmon online, visit www.twofishersgourmetseafood.com.