Northwest Gold Coast

Most people probably don’t sharpen their household knives as often as they should.  In fact, most people have never truly worked with a sharp knife because sharpening a knife seems scary or like too much trouble. 

Did you know cutting with a dull knife is much more dangerous than using a sharp one?  Many injuries in the kitchen while preparing food are caused by using a dull knife.  This is because the excessive force needed to cut with a dull knife can cause the knife to slip and then cut the user. 

Those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen know that a sharp knife is a vital tool and a cook’s best friend.  Taking good care of knives and keeping them sharp is very important.

Now there is a new service that can help both the novice cook and the experienced chef.

Cutlery on Wheels is a new, mobile business started in the Greater Seattle Area in late 2009 by Bill Magee.  Bill brings years of experience in cutlery sales and service. His new business is the fulfillment of a 20 year old dream to have a fully equipped utility van offering mobile knife sharpening service and a knife and kitchenware showroom. 

Customers bring their knives and scissors on to the van for Bill to sharpen.  While they wait they can browse the knives and kitchen gadgets displayed on the shelves and walls of the van as Bill shares stories of knives and life experiences that educate and entertain his customers.

Bill loves meeting new people and welcomes all questions regarding knives and cutlery and how to care for them.  With over 20 years experience in this field, Bill is very knowledgable on the subject and his storytelling style is lighthearted and warm.

Cutlery on Wheels carries a variety of quality knives from manufacturers such as Forschner, E Dick, Lamson & Goodnow, Messermeister, Victorinox and more.  Quality products and oustanding service are unparalleled by Bill Magee’s business.

For more info on this business and to learn how you can schedule your service, go to http://www.cutleryonwheels.com.

Tags: Services, Shopping by Michelle Leonard
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Two boutique retailers countdown to launch the holiday season with new stores at The Landing in Renton.

Poggi Bonsi of Burien and C’est la Vie of Edmonds are launching new stores at The Landing in Renton in Mid November, 2009 with a joint grand opening celebration scheduled for December 4. Both stores are #1 winners in King 5’s “Best of the Northwest” contest 2009—C’est la Vie won for best gift store and Poggi Bonsi won for best housewares store. The two retailers, who share a common customer demographic, business philosophy and promotional savvy, will remain separate entities but will team up to plan advertising, promotions and in-store events. This creative partnership will provide their customers with a varied and unique destination shopping experience.

Poggi Bonsi specializes in kitchenware, Italian and French ceramics and linens, specialty foods, home décor and “Gifts with European Flavor.” C’est la Vie is an intimate and sophisticated artisan boutique featuring contemporary jewelry, clothing and home furnishings. Each store will occupy approx 2,800 square feet with a connecting doorway so customers can stroll between the two with ease.

The Landing in Renton was chosen as the location to launch this new partnership because of its commitment to attracting boutique retailers to an under-served area of South Lake Washington.

About Poggi Bonsi

Poggi Bonsi (www.PoggiBonsiGifts.com) is a direct importer of Italian ceramics, French pottery, Italian olive wood utensils, and fine European linens. In addition to its imported goods, Poggi Bonsi features an assortment of European kitchenware, specialty foods and home decor celebrating the Mediterranean lifestyle. The name Poggi Bonsi is taken from the village “Poggibonsi” in central Tuscany. Owners Michelle Codd and Keli DeRitis have traveled hundreds of miles in the European countryside seeking out suppliers who practice their centuries-old crafts.

About C’est la Vie

C’est la Vie (www.clvcatalog.com ) is a one stop gift, clothing, jewelry, furniture and wall art store based in Edmonds, WA. C’est la Vie features brands such as jewelry from; Trollbeads, Heather Moore, and David Tishbi, clothing from Michael Stars, Jag and many more. C’est la Vie also showcases a constantly changing selection of handcrafted artisan works. The store’s focus is on unique, trendy products for the discerning boutique customer. C’est la Vie, which translated means “such is life” is a favorite saying of the owners; Colleen Bowman, Susan Dunn and Michael Bowman. This ownership team, with the essential help of a phenomenal staff of sales associates, combine their talents to make C’est la Vie a one of a kind shopping experience.

About The Landing

The Landing (thelandinginrenton.com) is a 46-acre mixed-use development located in Renton, WA that sits at the base of Lake Washington conveniently located just off Interstate 405. The $300 million project will offer a unique combination of housing, restaurants, entertainment options, national retail chains and regional boutiques to create an urban village with all of the desired options for area residents. When finished, the project will include 900 plus residential units and more than 614,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space. The Landing is a joint venture between Harvest Partners a Dallas-based commercial real estate development firm and Transwestern Investment Company, L.L.C, a Chicago-based principal investment company.

Tags: Community Involvement, Shopping by admin
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In the charming waterfront community of Edmonds, Washington resides the chic and eclectic retail boutique C’est la Vie.   Opening its doors to the community in 2001, the shop experienced such a successful first four years that  owner and founder, Colleen Bowman and her husband, Michael, decided to expand the boutique and relocate to a larger retail space just down the street from the original store.  

Colleen, a former buyer for Nordstrom,  opened the shop so she could allow her own vision to permeate every inch of  the inviting, unique shop.   Colleen  spearheads the business as lead buyer and merchandiser.  Michael directs the website and Internet side of the business. In 2008 Susan Dunn brought her great eye and business acumen as she became a partner in the business.   And warm and  knowledgeable staff  underpin a positive shopping experience for the shop’s loyal customers.  

What makes C’est la Vie unlike  any other retail boutiques is the light, bright, welcoming ambiance and the one of a kind art, wall sculptures, home decor, jewelry and women’s fashions and accessories found inside.   Merchandise is ever changing and always new.   Once items are offered in chain stores, they are removed from C’est la Vie.  

Two product lines currently  featured at C’est la Vie are the Heather B. Moore custom personalized jewelry line and the
luminous Fire  & Light recycled glassware collection.   Heather B. Moore jewelry is uniquely created for each customer  to be personal and one-of-a-kind.   Customers  choose the metal (14kt gold or silver), chains, tags, medallions, stones, coins, and charms  to be used in  each custom piece.   They  also define the  monograms, names, dates, phrases  and sayings to be engraved on each medallion, coin  or tag.   The resulting engraved necklaces, bracelets, rings  and cuff links express the individuality of each customer.

Fire  & Light is a beautiful line of hand-poured glass tableware that is made in the USA.   The dishes are made from over 91% recycled glass.   The glass is crushed, poured and pressed, which creates a luminous look that gives the glassware it’s brilliance and sparkle.   There are 8 attractive eye-catching colors available in-store and online.  

For more information on this artisan boutique,  (named  as one of  the top 5 best Western Washington gift shops in Best of the Northwest by Evening Magazine),  please visit their website at www.clvcatalog.com, or visit the store in Edmonds, Washington at 320 5th Ave S.   You’ll be glad you did.

Tags: Shopping by Michelle Leonard
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Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Ancient Proverb

Many enjoy honey simply because it tastes good.

Others know that honey, man’s oldest sweetener, is an effective calmer of coughs or ulcers when ingested with warm tea. Honey is also a natural antiseptic for wounds and, because it has the ability to attract water, it can be used as a face mask or mixed with olive oil to be used as a hair moisturizer.

Yet recent media stories have scared many people off from buying honey with reports that much of the honey sold in the United States is tainted with contaminants or watered down.

So where can one find healthy honey?

Some of the best honey in the world comes to the United States via locally owned, Ritrovo Italian Regional Foods, LLC. For 10 years husband and wife team, Ron Post and Ilyse Rathet have been honey devotees and they have helped bring the hand-crafted honey products of Dr. Paolo Pescia to the US market.

Pescia, a passionate second-generation honey maker, transports his apiaries (beehives) to seasonally-flowering zones and protected national parks located from Italy’s Tuscan coast to its hills. He uses this practice to produce monofloral (one flower) honeys of stunning quality and flavor. All production is done by hand, including the scraping of the honey from their combs. Contrary to the reports of adulteration in some imported honey, Pescia’s honeys, like many other limited-production honeys, are free from chemicals and contaminants. In fact, Pescia honeys have “proudly” passed several lab analyses for the Chinese-based contaminant choloramphenicol, which has never been discovered in honey “Made in Italy”.

Pescia Honeys can be purchased locally at Poggi Bonsi Cucina at 907 S. 152nd Street in Olde Burien.

Varieties of honey are as follows.

Acacia Honey by Dr. Pescia – From a national park in Northeast Tuscany, this golden, liquid honey is extremely floral, perfect for drizzling on pastries or Sunday morning French toast.

Blackberry Honey from Dr. Pescia – Available seasonally, this rare, lush honey produced from bees visiting ripe fall blackberries in the Tuscan countryside. Its deep flavor is perfect for fruit desserts, quick breads, and meats–including game meats.

Cardoon Flower Honey by Dr. Pescia – available seasonally.

Corbezzolo Honey by Dr. Pescia – available seasonally.

Chestnut Honey by Dr. Pescia – The bees are transported to chestnut woods in the hills near the Pescia farm for the production of a transparent, bronze-colored, pourable honey with a potent, molasses-like bouquet and flavor. Ideal as a condiment for cheese plates.

Ivy Flower Honey by Dr. Pescia – available seasonally.

Sulla Honey by Dr. Pescia – From the flowers of a wild local legume in the Tuscan Hills, this light and delicate honey has a velvety texture, making it a delicious addition to tea or coffee. Also use it in any sauce reduction.

Sunflower Honey by Dr. Pescia – available seasonally.

Wild Heather Honey by Dr. Pescia – From the expanses of heather facing the Mediterranean near the Pescia farm, this honey has a slightly crystalline structure and intense yet balanced suite of flavors. Excellent as a dessert topping, elegant over pancetta, and simply wonderful on ice cream.

Enjoy this vignette of one of Post and Rathet’s visits to a Dr. Pescia honey territory.

Or check out this recipe for Honey Panna Cotta.

Tags: Health, Shopping by Elizabeth Paulsen
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If you’re like most of us and consider a whole block of fresh Parmesan an absolute splurge compared to the normal powder in the green cans, then have we got a place for you! Or if you know exactly what “fromage” means and just where to find “rennet” at your neighborbood store, then again we’ve got the place for you!

Benson’s Best Bites is just the type of store/deli that the southside has been needing for a long time. It is comfortable as Loie and Ezra Benson offer true Mom & Pop service. Plus, the store’s wares are both eye and taste-appealing. The specialty items encourage you to get creative with normally impossible-to-find cooking and baking ingredients. Ezra invites customers to be adventurous with their palates as he offers tastes of exquisite cheeses like the 2008 Paris Fair winning cheese and offers insights to fine foods. Then as you are dining on your choice of specialty handcrafted soups or sandwiches, Loie slips behind you to offer samples of pickles or the 16 varieties of olives that are sold at the store.

The service isn’t speedy, nor should it be. The time and care going into your order gives you ample time to explore the shop. And honestly, we spent twenty minutes just walking around soaking it all in before we could even bring ourselves to place an order. In the end we ordered sandwiches, the very items Ezra never intended to sell when he and Loie first opened the shop.

Ezra explained how he had originally envisioned a fine cheese and cold cuts counter with other delectable treats for the cook, baker, and eater enthusiasts in the area. If he made a few sandwiches here and there that was fine, but the plan didn’t include sandwich specials. After the recommendations of many customers that he make sandwiches with cold cuts and Havarti, he made a decision. He would make sandwiches with what he calls a Havarti Upgrade*. *(Havarti being one of the “fanciest” cheeses found at most grocery stores was as far and strange as most customers had been in the world of cheese.) However, Ezra sought to take them further and farther into the world of fromage.

Needless to say, when Benson’s Best Bites started making sandwiches they were sure to do them right. Our Ciabatta Mufaletta, Mozzarella di Buffala pesto en Carroza, and Dirty Jobs sandwiches were nothing short of spectacular. The Ciabatta Mufaletta has been cut down in size from its New Orleans cousin but retains all the full flavor of the Big Easy original. Both the name and a bite of the Mozzarella di Buffala pesto en Carroza truly are a mouthful in the most delightful sense of the word.
The Dirty Jobs featuring Lebanon bologna, smoked turkey, and smoked mozzarella on white bread was a pleasing surprise. Having been a student from Kindergarten through grad school for the past 18 years-I always think of white bread as that sweet-stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth Wonder bread sort. Nope, what I had before me was pure artisan bread, the very kind that makes you want to cradle the whole loaf and try Pixar’s Ratatouille squeeze on it to find out if it too, “…eez a symphony of crackle.”

Benson’s Best Bites is an eclectic but wonderful store selling everything from gourmet fresh and dried pasta, to spices like saffron and lavendar, to giant hunks of fine cheese or chocolate, to Mexican Coca Cola. And more than just the selling of products, the store and its owners are there to share with you: to share their knowledge and passion of fine food, to share their community involvement (fliers about local events are posted around), and to share their thoughts on the current weather and economic status in the southside.

The store is not the easiest to find as it is located near the back right-hand side of the Manhattan QFC in Normandy Park, but it is worth the trip, well worth it.

Benson’s Best Bites is open M-F 10 am – 6:30 pm and Saturdays from 10am – 4pm serving garlic fries the flavor and balance of which has already been adored all over the internet. If you have any questions, please phone 206-243-2420 or simply stop by the store at 17851 First Avenue South,
Normandy Park, Washington 98148.

Tags: Dining, Shopping by Jennifer Paulsen
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For over 50 years, B & E Meats has been bringing the freshest meats and seafood to the south Puget Sound area.   With locations in Burien and Des Moines, this family owned and operated business began in 1958 with two brothers, Bob and Earl Green.  

Early business wasn’t easy as there was plenty of competition with over 6 meat markets at the time  in the Burien area alone.   Their hard work and determination paid off  and their business quickly grew to open a second store.   After 40 years in the business, they retired, but the company is still family owned and run by Bob’s son and daughter in-law, Jeff and Trisha Green.     Business has continued to be sucessful and grow as loyal customers appreciate the warm and friendly staff and the highest quality meat  products available.

B & E Meats offers a wide range of wonderful and award winning meats, seafood, and jerkys.   Their ground beef comes from Eastern Oregon’s Painted Hills natural beef company where animals are fed only 100% vegetarian diet.   No added hormones or antibiotics are ever used.      B & E also offers many other  fresh products such as a variety of steaks, roasts, pork loin and rib.   Marinated, smoked meats, and poultry are also available as well as their award winning beef jerky.

A special service that makes B & E Meats stand out from other competitors is their custom processing service for game and seafood.   This allows individuals, such as hunters, to bring in their game to be cleaned and processed for them.   With that they offer grinding, cut and wrapping the meat as well as custom sausages and the option of fresh filleting seafood   and smoking salmon.  

For more information on B & E Meats products and services,   visit them at their Burien or Des Moines location, or online at www.bnemeats.com .

Tags: Services, Shopping by Michelle Leonard
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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 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

Tags: Shopping by Michelle Leonard
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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.

Tags: Shopping by admin
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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 Podâ„¢ 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 Podâ„¢ 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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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: Shopping by Michelle Leonard
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Hammond Ashley Violins is all about bringing quality music tools to the string communities of Seattle, Washington and San Diego, Calfornia.

Founded in 1964 by Hammond Ashley, the business began on the second floor of Ashley’s woodworking shop just south of the Seattle-Tacoma airport. Ashley’s background in engineering, woodworking and music made the perfect foundation for lutherie work. (Read more about founder Hammond Ashley here.)

After Hammond Ashley died in 1993, his grandson, Paul Ashley, took on the business, which had grown significantly and taken up shop on Des Moines Memorial Drive. In 2006, the business again moved to a shop with more space in Issaquah, Washington.

In February 1999, “Hammond Ashley Bass Violins” went online under the domain www.bassviolins.com. Here, they had a large inventory price list of instruments and their accessories. Customers could order these products by emailing or faxing their desired products and phoning in their credit card information.

Currently, Hammond Ashley Violins has two shops, one in Issaquah, Washington and one in San Diego, California. Both shops have recently moved location and are continuing to grow in business. They can be found online at www.hammondashley.com where customers can easily complete the entire rental process online and simply pick up their rental instruments at their school or in-store. Customers are encouraged to come in-store for the purchase of instruments, bows and accessories where professional staff will help find the perfect instrument for each individual.

Hammond Ashley violins’ specialty is in sales and rentals of high quality stringed instruments. Both stores are lined with hand-picked instruments and bows from all around the world that customers can play and compare in a friendly and comfortable environment. Before deciding on the purchase or rental of any stringed instrument, customers are encouraged to take the instruments and/or bows home to play for their teacher’s input. The store also includes a workshop where stringed instruments are set up, adjusted and repaired before and after purchase. Instruments purchased elsewhere can also be brought to the workshop.

Passion for musicians is not limited to Hammond Ashley Violins’ walk-in customers. Their outreach extends to schools and the string community around them. Throughout the years, Hammond Ashley Violins has sponsored master classes, workshops, summer camps and festivals, concerts and contests. They have a school outreach program whose goal is to educate students and teachers on topics such as care and maintenance of string instruments and how to select an instrument or bow.

Hammond Ashley Violins offers reliable referrals for professional private string instructors for any skill level or age. In fact, most of the business to Hammond Ashley Violins comes from private string teachers and their students. This is because Hammond Ashley Violins

• sells only the best quality instruments, bows and their accessories,
• provides professional service,
• guarantees their work,
• provides personal assistance and help with difficult questions like “what do I look for when searching for a bow?” and
• provides a rental program that builds equity for future purchases.

Hammond Ashley Violins is a worry-free dream for any music teacher.

Tags: Services, Shopping by Risa Miller
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Jason Lollar

When seeking a handcrafted guitar or pickup, knowing the artisan behind the work is crucial. Jason Lollar graduated from Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix, Arizona in 1975, and has enjoyed life as a professional luthier, ever since. Besides designing and producing extraordinary archtop, solid-body electric and lap steel guitars, Jason is a noted authority on nearly everything related to electric pickups. He is the sole author of
Basic Pickup Winding and Complete Guide to Making Your Own Pickup Winder and contributed to Bart Hopkin’s Getting A Bigger Sound: Pickups and Microphones for Your Musical Instrument.

Professional musicians and instrument manufacturers look to Jason’s products to get superior sound. His client list—which includes many internationally known artists— is growing exponentially.

Lollar Guitar

Individual design, and a master craftsman’s passion and attention to detail, mark the tailored guitars produced by Lollar. Five styles await the discerning artist: Concert, Performer, Kona, Koa V and, of course, the Classic. Each of these is sure to please the serious musician. Quality and a uniquely uplifting excellence are hallmarks of all these finely detailed instruments.

Jason Lollar also produces amazing and highly sought after pickups, for electric, bass and steel guitars. With 36 different types of pickups, Lollar is sure to offer the exact sound to match the musician and his instrument. He not only knows design and production—Lollar has made understanding the issues, the history, the folk lore—the heart and soul—of pickups his passion and profession.

As a special service, Jason offers pickup rewinding restoration for old, broken coils. True to his principals, he discourages tinkering with functioning units—calling such efforts “an exercise in futility.” Nevertheless, those wishing to bring dead coils back to life, will find a friend in Lollar.

Ultimately, folks who just like to strum on a guitar can find less expensive materials that are “good enough.” However, for the musician who knows that a guitar is more than a tool, and a pickup is more than an attachment, Jason Lollar’s boutique design and production offerings will surprise and delight!

www.lollarguitars.com

Tags: Services, Shopping by Oksu Ellis
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Located   at 902 SW 152nd St in the heart of Historic Olde Burien, Miss Kitty’s formerly known as Stardust Memories, offers Christmas ornaments and decorations, collectible bears and gift items.

Miss Kitty, a rather contemplative little black cat with big pale yellow eyes, is the inspiration for this  all year Christmas shop.

Prices vary from as low as $3 up to $350 for special collectibles.

Those of you who miss The Gazebo, which was formerly located on the northwest corner of SW 152nd Street and Ambaum, will be happy to know that Jean Kim, The Gazebo’s former owner/operator, is now the hospitable proprietor of Miss Kitty’s.

Visit this cozy and inviting shop and you will find affordable treasures and gifts.

In addition, Jean is accepting special items for consignment. She will also list things on eBay for folks who would like this support.

Hours:

Tuesday thru Saturday – shortly after 10am until a little before 5 pm

Sunday and Monday – evenings by chance or by appointment.

Phone: 206-439-6486

E-mail: Kittyskristmas@aol.com

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3D Art in Precious Metals

Beautiful, “one-of-a-kind” jewelry items have been the specialty of the house at Federal Way Custom Jewelers for over 49 years. The store opened in 1955, and today remains among the oldest continuously operating jewelry stores in South King County.

Rene Criss, owner and custom jewelry designer, and his wife and business partner, Lorraine Meckley-Criss, (pictured here on their special day) delight in seeing a piece of jewelry go from concept to precious reality.

Some customers come to the store with a diagram, photo or description of a desired piece. Others come to the store with a rare stone that they want set into an exquisite work of art. Many come back again and again to develop new pieces to celebrate special events.

In addition to gorgeous custom work, the store also provides quality special occasion jewelry made by well-known manufacturers such as TrewTungsten wedding bands, Benchmark fine wedding rings and Bellarri International Blue Topaz, Mosaic, Multi-stone Ring and Smokey Quartz Collections.

To meet the jeweler or gain more information, visit the store, which is located in Federal Way across the street from SeaTac Mall at 1810 S. 320th Street Suite B, see their website at http://www.federalwaycustomjewelers.com, or email rene@fwcj.com.

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PAPER TRACKER is the perfect solution for displaying/organizing small items you want to view often in the home, business, RV, or just about anywhere! The ingenious design holds items within layered plastic tabs – no tape, pins or clips to damage items. Easily insert, withdraw and reorganize items with one hand.

People often need to view messages, refer to notes or lists or schedules, display pictures of loved ones, or view multiple documents simultaneously. Dick Bennett, the original PAPER-TRACKER developer, got tired of seeing all the clutter attached to his computer monitor, and the “sticky notes” that fell to his desk. Scotch tape, Post-it-Notesï½® and clips held family photos, coupons, business cards and notes on his computer monitor. An invention was born to hold all these items without clips, or tape or adhesive, and allowed him to make changes to any document by withdrawing and re-inserting the item back into the display devise. As a nice by-product, Dick found he could display many more items in the same limited space than before.

PAPER-TRACKER holds various types of small documents one wants to view over a period of time – notes, instructions, lists, codes, telephone numbers, notices, pictures, sports schedules, coupons, reminders and recipes. This is a great picture holder and allows for easy replacement with the newest picture of those growing kids!

Various product versions and accessories allows PAPER-TRACKER to be used virtually anywhere – on a computer monitor or keyboard, on a refrigerator, a microwave or other metal equipment, on a cabinet, a shelf, on a car dash or window or console, or on a desktop, kitchen/bath counter or on a desk or wall telephone.

PAPER-TRACKER is also a great promotional product to use for your business.

For more pictures and information about the many styles that you can get PAPER-TRACKER products, or to order on line, go to their site at http://www.papertracker.net/.

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Birdfeedersonly.com offers a wide variety of bird feeders sure to appeal to the creatures in your backyard habitat. You can choose from your basic Bird Feeder Tube, Platform Feeder, or Window Bird Feeder. If you’d like to attract a more unusual bird or creature, you could try the Woodpecker Feeder, Butterfly Feeder, or Squirrel Feeder, just to name a few.

Birdfeedersonly.com also carries very decorative bird feeders, some pictured here, that appeal to the creative creature in all of us. A pole mount bird feeder will keep your birds up off the ground in a treeless yard. Birdfeedersonly.com also offers inexpensive wooden birdfeeders and balcony birdfeeders.

Birdfeedersonly.com can also help fill your feeders. They are proud to sell Sun Country Farms Bird Seed as their exclusive bird seed product. Want to make suet for your feeder but not sure how? You can get that information from their page of Suet Recipes.

The possibilities are endless. Go to http://www.birdfeedersonly.com/ to see more!

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www.hummingbirdsonly.com contains valuable information about these fascinating birds, many different items that are used to attract hummingbirds and gift ideas for the hummingbird lover. They are dedicated to educating people about these fabulous birds and providing all the tools necessary to attract hummingbirds through the use of gardens, plants and feeders. You can find hummingbird feeders of all shapes, colors and sizes including their favorite hummingbird feeder w/suction cup, hand blown bottle hummingbird feeders, Perky Pet humming bird nectar and hummingbird feeders from many different designers. They also have unique hummingbird wind chimes, garden items, collectable outdoor clocks and thermometers, and even unique thank you gifts like hummingbird night lights.

Hummingbirds Only not only carries many products for and about hummingbirds. They also provide valuable educational opportunities to those who want to learn more about hummingbirds especially how to attract hummingbirds. Every once in awhile someone is able to photograph the early stages of a Hummingbird’s life. In 2005 a pair of young Allen’s Hummingbirds were captured from Mom laying the egg until departure, 24 days total. Hummingbirds Only shows you these unique and amazing photographs that are great to share with others.

To see and learn more, go to http://www.hummingbirdsonly.com.

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You can find the world famous Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, an historic, open air market located in the heart of Seattle, Washington. People come from all over the world to see our world famous crew of fish mongers throwing fish and having fun with customers. They also come to buy some of the best seafood available anywhere in the world and have it shipped home. You too can buy some of this great seafood from their online seafood store without setting a foot outside your front door! Pike Place Fish Market can also tell you about their well known business motivation philosophy.

Phone: (206) 682-7181 (800) 542-7732

Visit our website at www.pikeplacefish.com

e-mail us at pikeplacefish@pikeplacefish.com

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Puppy Stairs pet stairs and ramps help dogs, cats, kittens and other pets get on and off sofas and beds safely.

This dog-friendly business was started by Krystal Hanson after her Yorkshire terrier, Raphael, had to have surgery. During his recovery, it was important that he not run, jump or climb. Since his favorite napping spots were “up”, Krystal needed to find a way for him to get there safely.

Krystal learned about wood steps and ramps for pets, but they were hard on people toes and shins and their rigid construction can cause too much impact on the animals hip joints and spine. Krystal figured that fabric covered foam cushions would do the job–and she was right.

Two years later, Puppy Stairs is a highly successful business. The original product has been refined somewhat, and Krystal and her business partner, Jeanne Wolfington, have developed a large variety of products to meet the needs of small breeds and pets with osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia and other mobility problems. Their products are also a great help to handicapped people who can’t assist their animals.

Puppy Stairs products have been featured on Martha Stewart and Christopher Lowell television programs and are recommended by veterinarians around the country.

Today Krystal and Jeanne continue to build their business, Puppy Stairs. Their purpose is to help animals live a better quality of life. To learn more about their business and products, please visit http://www.puppystairs.com/.

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Plants and flowers have the extraordinary ability to calm, cheer and welcome. A truly beautiful container starts with experience and knowledge, and finishes with the perfect arrangement of structure, movement and color.

Seasonal Color Pots chooses a blend of plants and flowers as well as artistically appropriate containers that reflect your taste and thrive in your location. Whether your container is an investment in your home or your office, having it designed by a professional ensures that the outcome will be nothing less than stunning.

You can see a wide variety of her work on her website and especially her Portfolio of beautiful pots and landscaping.

Toni Cross, owner of Seasonal Color Pots, is a longtime Washington resident. She understands and loves our unique climate and the challenges they bring to the design process. With her years of experience and extensive knowledge of what grows well in the Pacific Northwest, Toni uses interesting combinations of foliage plants, flowers and woody plants to create beautiful containers.

Seasonal Color Pots can be designed for inside the home or place of business as well as outside. If you don’t want to do the maintenance for your plants, The staff at Seasonal Color Pots can maintain your pots according to a schedule and budget that is defined before installation.

To learn more, go to their website at www.seasonalcolorpots.com/index.html or call them at 206-781-1060.

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Fast Fix Jewelry Repairs is Seattle’s best source for “while you wait or shop” jewelry repair. They also specialize in eyeglass repairs, watch repairs and engraving services–even on glass!

Seattle Fast Fix Jewelry can take your broken pieces of 10, 14 or 18 kt gold and custom design any piece you wish. You will save money and have a new piece of jewelry you will cherish forever.

Owners, Clarence and Nadine Jenkins, opened their first Fast-Fix Jewelry Repairs store in Anchorage, Alaska in 1996. Moving to the Seattle, they opened at the Westfield Mall on April 1, 1999. Clarence is a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America with a Graduate Jeweler’s Degree; and Nadine has complete courses in Counter Sketching & Design and Retail Jewelry Replacement Appraising with honors. Clarence and Nadine enjoy their work and take pride in the finished product.

Readily available are pens, desk sets and accessories, lovely retirement gifts, anniversary gifts, wedding gifts, baby gifts and plaques.

For more information, go to their website at:
http://www.seattlefastfixjewelry.com/.

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