Northwest Gold Coast

Celebrate the Holidays with Locomotion

What: Winter Train and Village at Seattle Center’s Winterfest. You are invited to take your turn conducting the winter train around the holiday village. A free event, with a suggested donation of $2.

When: Open through the month of December all the way through 4pm on December 24th. 10:30am – 12 noon, 1pm – 2:30pm and 3:30pm – 5:30pm daily.

Where: Seattle Center

Go to: http://www.seattlecenter.com/winterfest/#Winter

 

Zoolights

What: Enjoy the zoo, covered in decorations and holiday lights (standard admission rates apply).

When: December 21st through January first, 5:00pm (December 24th Excluded).

Where: Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.

Go to:http://calendar.thenewstribune.com/tacoma-wa/events/show/220339765-zoolights#storylink=cpy

 

Ice Sculpting

What: Watch expert ice sculpting artists create works of art.

When: December 24th and 31st. Noon to 2:00pm.

Where: Seattle Center, Outside of Fisher Pavilion.

Go to: http://www.seattlecenter.com/winterfest/#Ice

 

Ugly Sweater Night

What: Put on your worst holiday sweater and get a $1 discount on admission to the Tacoma Art Museum.

When: December 23rd, 10:00am – 5:00pm.

Where: Tacoma Art Museum

Go to:http://www.voiceplaces.com/ugly-sweater-night-seattle-1663261-e/

 

Seahawks vs. 49ers

What: Watch the Seahawks butt heads with their division rivals the 49ers. A Seahawks victory would keep their playoff hopes alive.

When: Saturday, December 24th at 1:15pm(pt)

Where: Century Link field

Go to:http://www.seahawks.com/schedule/season-schedule.html

 

Federal Way Tree Recycling

What: Free Christmas Tree pickup for residents of Federal Way. Simply place the tree by the curb (remove all decorations, no trees with coatings or fireproofing are accepted).

When: 7:00am, December 26th – January 6th

Where: Federal Way curbsides (residents only).

Go to:http://www.cityoffederalway.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=368&month=12&year=2011&day=21&calType=0

 

New Year’s Fireworks

What: Celebrate the beginning of 2012 by enjoying the view of the professional fireworks show launched from Seattle’s iconic space needle.

When: December 31st, Countdown to the new year in the moments approaching midnight and watch the fireworks start at 12 O’clock.

Where: Visible from downtown Seattle, or local news stations.

 

Polar Bear Dip

What: Kick off the New Year with a jump into the chilly waters of Lake Washington.

When: January 1, 11:00am

Where: Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park

Go to:http://rentonwa.gov/living/default.aspx?id=6150

 

Day Trip to Leavenworth’s IceFest

What: Join other winter enthusiasts on a trip to Leavenworth’s IceFest. Enjoy a full day of winter activities in beautiful and festive Leavenworth. Transportation costs $40 – $50.

When: Saturday January 14th. Bus departs at 8:00am and starts the return trip at 6:00pm.

Where: Bus departs from Hwy 512 Park N Ride, Lakewood, WA

Go to:http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/198251

 

Empty Bowls

What: Buy a hand crafted bowl and enjoy a nice meal, all while doing something good for the community. Admission is a minimum $15 donation for adults and $10 for children. Proceeds go to the Highline Food Bank and White Center Food Bank.

When: Friday January 28th, 11:00am-2:00pm & 4:00-8:00pm

Where: Burien Community Center

Go to:http://www.burienwa.gov/index.aspx?NID=840

Tags: Around Seattle, Cities, Community Involvement, Dining, Events, Outdoor Recreation, Sports by Kevin Cushing
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In my years of optimizing websites for the search engines, I’ve often been called in to remedy business websites that have had disastrous results in the search engines. In each case a prior SEO service provider had employed abusive and/or neglectful strategies. 20 of these abuses and neglectful practices are listed below.

1. The first thing on the home page is a link to someone else’s web site.
2. A competitor’s website is inappropriately optimized for the business’ name and trademarked names.
3. The web pages include hidden text (text that is in the same color as the web page background color).
4. The web pages include hidden links (such as links from unseen graphics).
5. The web pages have many identical web pages with different web addresses or page names.
6. The site is built in frames without implementation of proper code.
7. The home page is a Flash sequence with no text for the search engines.
8. Every web page name includes lots of code language such as “&” (ampersands), “?” (question marks) and “=” (equals signs).
9. Keyword phrases are based on guessing what people search for rather than on what keywords are actually used by searchers.
10. Web pages have no original text (text is copied from other websites)
11. Important text is placed into graphics.
12. The web pages have no metatags.
13. The same metatags are incorporated into every web page.
14. The site’s text hasn’t been updated in years.
15. The site’s code doesn’t meet current international standards.
16. The navigation links are different on every page.
17. There is no single web page that lists links to all the website’s pages.
18. The navigation takes visitors forward to lots of dead ends with no ability to link back.
19. The web pages include many links to missing pages and graphics.
20. The site uses free sub-domain hosting, which even if disguised with redirects can harm your search presence.

In many cases, the business’ leadership doesn’t know these abusive and neglectful strategies have been employed. However, those businesses that have allowed me to remove these strategies and employ proven, ethical strategies which have experienced very positive results.

If you suspect that your site may suffer from these abusive or neglectful strategies please email us at info@4cesi.com.

Tags: Business Advice, Services by Elizabeth Paulsen
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While every business is unique, successful businesses are built with the support of the following roles.

1. The optimist – On a daily basis this individual envisions and speaks of success and exhorts others to do the same. This individual’s optimism is so strong that it is contagious. Staff, prospects and vendors all have an opportunity to “catch” this individual’s optimism for the business.
2. The relationship builder – This individual gives the business its face or personality. Communications between this individual and prospects, customers, vendors and/or affiliates are genuine and substantive – more than casual schmoozing.
3. The inventor – This individual plans, builds or creates services and/or products that distinguish the business from its competition.
4. The pragmatist – This individual assures that the practical aspects of the business are carried out on time – bills (including taxes) are paid, governmental requirements are fulfilled, marketing attracts prospects, prospects are secured as customers, customers are served, receivables are received, etc.
5. The sage – Typically, this individual is short on words and long on insight. This individual is often the one who realizes that no one person can be all of the above and so this individual advises the organization to find strategic relationships with vendors, affiliates and mentors who can fulfill the roles not filled by the principals of the organization.

Each of these roles must work in balance and harmony with the other roles. In the case of a very small business, one person may fulfill several roles (but typically can not fulfill all roles). In the case of a large business, each role may require the coordinated effort of hundreds of people. In both small and large businesses, mutual respect and encouragement across the roles help create an environment in which all staff and associates can excel.

Every business will experience episodes when the roles are not being fulfilled in a balanced way. The optimist may become temporarily melancholy, the sage may have a lapse in judgment, etc.

These episodes can be weathered with the help of planning, mutual respect and good humor. Planning must involve training individuals to step into new roles so that other individuals can take vacations or leaves of absence to rest and restore.
Mutual respect and good humor alleviate tension through the unstable period, provide a platform for creative problem solving and buy the time needed to implement practical solutions.

It is easy to recognize businesses that keep these roles in balance. They are the businesses we enjoy having as employers, vendors, associates and customers. They are positive, forward thinking and successful over the long haul. They are the role models we want to emulate and the businesses we need to keep in our community. Seeking them out and learning from them is a refreshing and healthy experience.

If you know a local business that keeps these roles in balance, please let us know. We would be happy to interview them for an upcoming article!

Tags: Business Advice, Services by Elizabeth Paulsen
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Contributed by: Elaine Irons RN, MSN

What preparations have you made to reduce holiday stress? Can you believe that it is already December? As the holiday season approaches, you may be excited and enthusiastic, or already feeling anxious, exhausted or a little blue. All of these feelings are normal. To simplify your holiday preparation, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Which holiday traditions are meaningful and which are merely habitual?
2. Which social activities are pleasurable events and which are just obligations?
3. Which gifts do you love to select and give and which to you hate shopping for and feel required to give?

From your answers to the above questions, you can reduce your stress by making a list of the things you think that you “should” do and a list of the things that you “want” to do during the holiday season. If you have too many things on your list to accomplish without feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, reduce or eliminate the activities you believe you “should” do to provide more time and energy for the activities you truly enjoy.

Other things to keep in mind:

• Organize your holiday priorities by reflecting on the deeper meaning and spirit of the holidays for you personally, your family, humanity and the world.
• Be open to change. Each holiday season is different and can be enjoyed in its unique way. Try to focus on the present and look toward the future instead of dwelling on the past.
• Take care of yourself. Pay attention to your own needs and feelings during the holiday season. Eat sensibly, exercise and get plenty of rest.
• Last but not least, be encouraged knowing that your “best” does not have to equal “perfect.” Superman and Wonder Woman are imaginary characters!

As states in the quote by W.P. Kinsella, “Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.”

Tags: Services by admin
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Translate “grazie” to English and you get:

preposition:.thanks to

interjection. thanks, thank you!

noun. gratitude, thankfulness, appreciation

noun. gracefulness, neatness, grace, prettiness, favor, pardon, mercy, reprieve

Enter the door of Grazie Ristorante Southcenter and you experience a lovely reprieve. Ideal for a small dinner party, one on one or small group business strategy lunch, father-daughter date or first, second or more date. The intimate, warm and calm setting provides a great backdrop for good conversation and authentic Italian cuisine. It proved to be the perfect place for our monthly Cascade e-Commerce Solutions staff lunch.

The only problem with Grazie is you wouldn’t know it’s there. It is tucked quietly in the corner between Men’s Wearhouse and Car Toys in an unremarkable strip mall on the west side of Southcenter Parkway.

The simple exterior belies the attractive interior. Attention to detail appears throughout the restaurant. Soft light fixtures that spread a warm glow over wood paneling and trim, wrought iron screens, and Italian art work create an ambience that is both elegant and comfortable.

Then there’s the staff… Since 1991 the owners have traveled every other year with staff to Italy so that each staff member is well versed in Italian culture and food preparation and service. You can view photos of some of their trips to suppliers’ wineries, olive groves, pasta factories and restaurants online at http://www.grazierestaurant.com/italy-gallery.htm.

As we ate we could see the chefs visibly busy behind the counter preparing meals for guests, while the host/hostess and wait staff attentively served guests. There was no need to flag down staff here as they remain focused on anticipating each guest’s next request regardless of whether the guest was in a party of several or a solo diner.

When it came to the cuisine, the Calamari Fritti (fried squid) appetizer was a great start that would be a nice beginning to a lunch or dinner. Deep fried on the outside, yet tender on the inside, it was perfect with its accompanying Chive and Garlic Aioli sauce. The Formaggi Arrabiata (fresh mozzarella and goat cheese served hot with prosciutto, chili oil, basil and crostini) was also a lovely appetizer but needed to be eaten promptly so that the mozzarella remained soft.

For the main course we ordered Fettuccine Alfredo, Lasagna, Cannelloni, Capellini Gamberetti, and Linguine di Mare (noodles with an array of seafood). Everyone was pleased with their decisions. Jordan went as far to say, “It was one of the best linguine I’ve ever had!”, then jokingly added, “and I go to Olive Garden all the time!” If you want to try something new, the Lasagna is quite different. It’s green! Thankfully there is good reason for this; their lasagna is coated in pesto sauce. Talk about scrumptious!

For dessert we ordered Tiramisu, Cannoli, Turtle Cheesecake, Lemon Tart, and Triple Chocolate Cake. These tasty treats were so good that for a few moments we were able to forget how full we really were. That’s no easy feat either. Every course of this meal had generous serving sizes. Even after feasting and thoroughly testing the strength of our belts we still had plenty of food to take home with us.

Enjoying leftovers at home was tasty but certainly no substitute for the experience and freshly cooked meal at Grazie. We enjoyed our meal so much that we recommend you reconsider your next trip to the Olive Garden. Instead, take a tip from the staff of Cascade e-Commerce Solutions and visit Grazie Ristorante.

The History of Grazie Ristorante:

The first Grazie Ristorante was built in Tacoma in the early 1900′s. Owner Kevin Downey brought Grazie Ristorante to the eastside in 1987 when he opened the Southcenter Grazie Ristorante location. Today Grazie Ristorante provides the Puget Sound with Italian dining from its Southcenter location and another location in Bothell, WA.

For more information about Grazie Ristorante go to:http://grazierestaurant.com/about.htm

Tags: Dining, Services by Kevin Cushing
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