We Think You'll Love...

We think you'll love the DIY website creator, Wetpaint. Wetpaint lets you build a rich, online community around whatever-it-is that you’re really into. Utilizing the best features of wikis, blogs, forums and social networks, Wetpaint mixes everything you need so you can create, collect, and organize content on your own social website. The best part is you can create a completely advanced and sophisticated website and it's all FREE. What better way to chronicle your upcoming event than to build a community around your efforts and allow other event planners to pitch in?

If you don't feel like building your own website, you can also join a pre-existing site that is already created by another person with your same interests. Just use the search box up in the top right-hand corner and see who’s already started a page around any particular topic you would like to get involved in. Wetpaint is a great way to connect with other event planners and share ideas and experiences.

Click the video below to learn more about Wetpaint...

On The Move?

Living green is really about taking advantage of alternative methods of doing everyday activities. Whenever we hear about a new and improved way of doing ordinary things, we just have to share them with you. We recently heard about a company based out of Orange County California that is changing the way families and business pack and move to new locations. Meet EarthFriendlyMoving, the do-it-yourself pack and move solution that allows you to rent packing eco-friendly packing supplies.

EarthFriendlyMoving recycles all of those hard-to-recycle colorful plastic bottles from under your kitchen sink, laundry room and garage shelves- like bleach bottles, household cleaning products, dishwashing and laundry detergent to make the famous: RecoPack™

The word RecoPack™ is short for "Recycled Ecological Packing Solution." Made in five consumer friendly sizes, these lightweight, stackable containers are rented to relocating households for a buck a box per week.


Following the move, the Recopacks are picked-up at customers’ new home by a fleet of vegetable oil powered trucks, cleaned, sanitized and then rented out to another customer.

EarthFriendlyMoving is currently operating in Orange County and Long Beach, and will expand throughout Southern California and then nation wide over the next three years. To learn more about EarthFriendlyMoving, click here.

Wind Beneath Your Sails

Since Seattle and other Northwest cities like Bremerton and Everett rest along the shores of the Puget Sound, we have the opportunity to watch cargo ships enter and leave our ports, attributing to our area's economy. Our offices are located in West Seattle, so each day we drive parallel to Elliott Bay where hundreds of goods are transported each day. With as much action as our waters undergo, one has to wonder what effect each ship has on our environment. Recently we came across something quite unique that could change the way cargo ships travel from port to port. Meet SkySails. That's right, just like a sailboat moves through the waters by the force of wind against its sails, now the same energy source is being used to move large vessels.

It's a simple fact: wind is cheaper than oil and the most cost-effective offshore energy source. Yet, despite its attractive saving potential, it is not presently being used by cargo ships - for a simple reason: so far no sailing system has met the requirements of commercial shipping.

SkySails is now offering a wind propulsion system based on large towing kites, which, for the first time, meets the requirements of shipping companies. By using the SkySails-System, a ship‘s fuel costs can be reduced by 10- 35% on annual average, depending on wind conditions. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumption can temporarily be reduced by up to 50%.

So the next time you drive past a water port, be on the lookout for a "sailing" ship. You never know what the wind might bring.

Saving Lives, One Sip At A Time

If you've ever seen the CBS show Survivor you've probably seen the contestants travel to a water source and boil the water they collect before they can drink it in order to decontaminate and filtrate the water from bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and all other microbiological waterborne pathogens. You may have even gone camping before and had to do this yourself. Now, for the first time ever, comes a water bottle that produces filtered sterile drinking water quickly and easily. The LIFESAVER bottle is the first ultra filtration water bottle that incorporates LIFESAVER systems’ unique failsafe technology (another world first) which shuts off the bottle’s cartridge upon expiry, preventing contaminated water from being drunk. With LIFESAVER bottle there is no need for tablets, boiling, chemicals, tubes, shaking, scrubbing, waiting or effort. LIFESAVER bottle produces clean, sterile drinking water with no foul taste - fast!

The LIFESAVER bottle was developed as a response to the tragedy that unfolded due to lack of safe drinking water after the tsunami in December 2004 and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The LIFESAVER bottle has been designed to help save lives supplying people with clean pathogen-free drinking water.

The LIFESAVER bottle retails for $229, which may sound expensive, but as important as clean water is to your health, isn't it worth a few extra dollars?

Mix It Up

We recently got a tip from one of our readers about a great new party ice-breaker called Mikon Mixers. Mikon Mixers are iconic stickers that event attendees and party-goers stick on their nametags that describe their personality traits and skills. They make great conversation ice-breakers. The website has a simple drag-and-drop application and thousands of images to choose from. (See below).


There are two ways to use MikonMixers at your event...
(1) Free Form: At large events like Conferences, they are used a personal identifiers and people can freely meet other attendees.
(2) Mixers - Meet and Greet: At smaller networking or social events you can use a more structured technique to encourage guests to meet. Click here to get the instructions. Generally, the attendees are asked to select the stickers that match them and the organizer instructs the group to find another person, and pick a mikon sticker and talk about it. The organizer should limit each conversation to 7 to 10 minutes then have the guests rotate to another person.

Learn more about MikonMixers by clicking here.

For The Love Of Our Pets

Today we have a completely non-business and non-event planning story for you all -- just for fun. We at banquetevent.com love animals (as most people living in the Northwest do) so when it comes to one our own pets, we basically consider them family members. This week, one of our staff members, Alexis, went through quite an ordeal with her cat, Gus, also known as "The Fat One." Gus was staying at a friend's house for the week, because Alexis is selling her house and she was worried he might sneak out during an open house. This is where our story begins.

Alexis' friend, a city dweller, lives in a 4-story condo unit on a very busy street. She also lives on the top floor. (See picture below). When she returned home she saw that her window, which she had left about a foot open, was missing its screen. That wasn't the only thing missing. Gus was gone too.


In a panic, she called Alexis and her husband and asked them to hurry over to start looking for Gus. When they arrived, and to make matters worse, Alexis' car broke down and at 10 o'clock in the evening they had to get it towed across town. After a few hours, and to no avail, Alexis and and her husband returned home, Gus-less.

For the next four days, "missing" posters were placed around nearby blocks, the shelters were notified, and the veterinarian offices were contacted, but still no Gus. By the end of the week, they were pretty much certain Gus was gone.

That afternoon, however, Alexis' friend got a call from a neighbor in her building saying they had found a black and white cat nearby and had placed him in the building's large recycle bin so he wouldn't escape. Alexis' husband hurried over and sure enough, sitting in a pile of filth, was Gus, the flying wonder cat.

Now, anyone who knows Gus, knows he's a tad (okay, alot) overweight, sweet but not active, and would much prefer lounging the days away sitting in the sunshine, rather than jumping out of 4-story buildings and cruising around the city for a week. It's most likely that he fell or slipped and suddenly found himself on the outside looking in. We're all just amazed that a cat could fall that far and survive, but animals are amazing creatures.

After taking him home and giving him a bath, Gus seems to be very happy to be in the safe compounds of his own domain, and we're pretty sure, he's been sharing his adventure, in cat language of course, to the other household pets. It all goes to show you the animals we consider to be our little angels must have angels of their own.


We're not here to debate whether cats or dogs are better than the other, because quite frankly, they are both delightful in their own way, but here is a little perspective on the difference between how cats and dogs see the world. This Diary was sent to us a while back and we hope you get a kick out of it as much as we did.

Dog Diary & Cat Diary

DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of, however, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Jerks!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

Introducing The New and Improved Washington State Convention & Trade Center

As you may have heard us mention, once or twice, the 2008 Northwest Event Show is going green! In honor of our Emerald City, the Northwest Event Show will showcase green event planning methods, decor, tips and trends to make your own green event planning ever the more simple and easy-to-do. To start off, the 2008 Northwest Event Show will be held in one of the greenest event venues in the city, the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. Located in the center of one of the most environmentally progressive cities in the nation, the Washington State Convention & Trade Center (Center) has long been an industry leader in energy conservation and recycling.


Here is the short list on how the WSCTC stays green...

• 1. They continue to invest our resources into renovation projects to make the facility even more efficient
• 2. The Center’s lighting systems to replace older equipment with more efficient fixtures, resulting in savings of over 3,000,000 kWh per year
• 3. New touchless faucets and self-flushing toilets are being installed throughout the facility to reduce water consumption
• 4. Tons of food scraps, food soiled paper and disposable service items are separated from
• trash and recyclable materials and sent for composting instead of to local landfills
• 5. The new meeting facility at 800 Pike will achieve LEED Silver Certification following completion of renovations in 2010

The Washington State Convention & Trade Center is doing their part to preserve the city and world we live in. To read even more about what the WSCTC is doing, click below for their "GREEN NEWSLETTER."

Save The Date: The LeMay Car Show & Auction

LeMay – America’s Car Museum® will hold the 31st Annual LeMay Museum Car Show & Auction, presented by AAA Washington, at the Marymount Academy and the LeMay grounds in Tacoma, WA on Saturday, August 30, 2008 from 9am to 5pm. Visitors will be able to see over 1,000 vintage, classic and specialty automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles from the LeMay Collection, plus hundreds of unique, local collector cars and other vehicles. In addition to the cars, there will be many interesting vendor displays, including our ever-popular "Flintmobile" photo car which makes for a memorable snapshot to take home! There will also be a classic car auction hosted on-site by Mathers Inc. Auctioneers. Entry donations are $10 for adults, $20 for a family of 4, $5 for children under 12, and $5 for active-duty military. Free parking will be available offsite with free shuttle bus transportation between the parking lots, the Marymount Academy and the LeMay grounds. For more information call (253) 536-2885.

Date & Time:
August 30, 2008
9 am. to 5 p.m.

Location:
LeMay's America's Car Museum
325 152nd St. E, Tacoma WA 98445
Contact Info:
Phone: 253-779-8179
Contact Person: Trudy Cofchin
Email: trudy@lemaymuseum.org
Website: lemaymuseum.org

A Quick Comparison of Seattle's Greenest Hotels

Have you ever wondered how green the hotels in Seattle are in comparison to each other? Now you can easily find this information available at RezHub.com. Hotels around the globe are making a huge effort to lower their energy and water usage, and reduce solid wastes. They are installing energy efficient lighting, low flow showers and toilets, participating in recycling programs, and contributing to the local communities. What's even better is whether you're looking for a luxury suite, or something a little more budget friendly there are green options for you and they are all reviewed for you with price comparisons in RezHub's Green Travel Hub section. You can also find information for other cities, plus search for Green Rental Cars, Green Flights and read the Green Travel Blog.

Check below for a quick comparison of the greenest hotels in Seattle.


Have you ever wondered which hotels in the Seattle area are the greenist?

Get Cozy

Sometimes in this new green-friendly world, it is easy to wonder what part you can make as an individual. But the truth of the matter is that the best way to make your contributions to sustaining the earth is to make small commitments and changes to your every day lives. Here is one way to start.

Let's face it, Seattleites love their morning cup of java. Whether you get your cup at Starbucks or Seattle's Best or Tully's or even the local stand in your office, each time you order a piping hot cup of joe, your barista most likely also includes a cardboard sleeve to protect your hands from being burned. Just think how many of these paper products are used and thrown away each day.

Now comes a reusable alternative to the cardboard sleeves. CupKozy, available through Etsy, creates new cup sleeves made of felt, chosen for its superior insulating properties. They will fit most 12, 16 and 20 oz. disposable coffee cups, and the best part is they are reusable day after day.

And we think they are pretty darn stylish too. See what you think below.

Look Whose Going Green...

Whenever we hear about a company that is conducting green business practices, we like to toot their horn a little for them. The FritoLay Company, known for salty snacks and chips, has made huge changes in their everyday business methods to conduct greener practices. Since 1999, FritoLay has reduced their use of water by 39%, natural gas by 30%, and electricity by 22% for each bag of snacks they make. They have also dedicated Green Teams at all of their manufacturing facilities who are focused on finding ways to optimize operations and reduce consumption of resources. By making changes to their overall facilities and fleet, they are able to prevent over 96 million pounds of CO2 emissions from reaching the atmosphere each year.

And if you are still thinking that FritoLay's tasty snacks are still really bad for you, think again. You may have noticed the introduction of FritoLay's natural line including the American classic, Cheetos. That's right, Frito-Lay now makes “natural” Cheetos with organic corn meal, and no preservatives or artificial colors. Sure, a carrot would still be a better choice, but if you ever get the craving for a cheesy bag of goodness, at least you don't need to feel as guilty.

Ditch The Car, Grab Your Bicycle

In June, the City of Seattle launched a new program called Bike Smart Seattle, a campaign designed to encourage more Seattleites to ditch their cars for their two-wheeled rider. This summer Bike Smart Seattle will bring neighborhoods an exciting program of group rides, repair clinics, and special bike-oriented events to help Seattle residents overcome hesitations about cycling and promote it as a transportation option.

At its onset, Bike Smart will start in the northwest and central east sections of Seattle, but will eventually be implemented citywide. If you live in these areas, you may have already received a postcard that can be returned for a free bicycle kit containing a calendar of events, citywide bike map, safety information and other helpful materials.

“With the high price of gas and climate change concerns, bicycling should be a transportation option for local trips,” said Grace Crunican, director of SDOT. “Bike Smart Seattle will help create excitement about using bicycles to get around - whether going to the library, meeting a friend for coffee, or picking up groceries at a farmer’s market. As regular riders already understand, bicycling is a fun and healthy way to experience your neighborhood.”

For more information about Bike Smart Seattle, contact Serena Lehman at 206-957-4439.

Thin Is In

All of us at banquetevent.com love technology. So whenever something new and improved, hit the market, we're all over it. This new television design from SONY is one of our newest favorites.

Sony's OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TV, the XEL-1, is truly the next big thing in television technology. It boasts a 3 millimeter thin panel and offers unparalleled picture quality with amazing contrast, outstanding brightness, exceptional color reproduction, and a rapid response time. OLED creates unmatched color expression and detail and enables rapid response times for smooth and natural reproduction of fast moving images like those found in sports and action movies. The XEL-1 features the latest connectivity options including two HDMI™ inputs, a digital tuner, and a Memory Stick® media slot for viewing high-resolution photos.

Why is the OLED so thin?
OLED TV’s are incredibly slim because organic material directly emits light so OLED display panels do not require a thick backlight or complex construction like other flat panel technologies.


What is so great about OLED?
What’s so great about OLED– Lots! Blazing fast response times, wide viewing angles, exceptional color reproduction, outstanding contrast levels, and high brightness. The nature of its technology lends itself to extremely thin and lightweight designs along with the ability to use it in a variety of different applications. OLED is the holy grail of TV display technologies!

How much does it cost?
Quite frankly, too much (for now). The 11" OLED costs roughly $2500.

Where can you get one?
Video & Audio Center

Mark Your Calendar for TrailsFest 2008

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts, TrailsFest 2008 is the event for you! This outdoor extravaganza features clinics on everything from wilderness first aid to hiking with kids to backcountry cooking. Take a guided hike, tie a fly on, or climb a rock wall.

Event Details:
Saturday July 19, 9am - 4pm at Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend

TrailsFest is a hands-on event for all ages, providing families and other adventurers with a fun and safe environment to explore the outdoors. Been wanting to explore the North Cascades? Attend a clinic with Craig Romano, author of Day Hiking – North Cascades published by Mountaineers Books. Learn how to whip up a tasty backcountry meal in no time from the author of Freezer Bag Cooking. Want to be a responsible hiker with your dog? Check out the clinic on hiking with dogs and trail etiquette. Wanting to try backpacking? Go to Hilleberg the Tentmaker’s clinic on smart packing and learn how to take less, still be comfortable and safe, and have lots more fun!

Brought to you by the Washington Trails Association

Get more FAQ's about TrailsFest by clicking here.

Directions to TrailsFest:
To get to TrailsFest, take I-90 to exit 32, then turn right on 436th Ave SE. Follow this road 2.7 miles to Rattlesnake Lake.

Post-Meeting Wrap-Ups

The event is over, but the work is not. For many meeting and event planners the final wrap-up is the biggest struggle. Not only have you ended months of preparation, now you have to finalize the billings, check the invoices, distribute the monies, etc. The wrap-up may not be fun, but it is crucial.

START THE PROCESS IN THE BEGINNING
Good planners start this final process long before they get on-site. They plan with their vendors how they will verify services during the event, when payments will be due, and what kind of documentation will need to be completed in order to take care of matters in a timely way.

THINGS TO MAKE THIS STEP EASIER
Ask to get all function bills the day of the event so you can verify their accuracy while things are still fresh in your mind. When verifying charges, ask yourself:

Were you charged for the correct number of people?
Are there any charges you cannot identify?
Are there charges you did not anticipate?

DAILY DIARY
Make a daily diary notation of things that worked and didn't work, notes for next year, and things to remember. Write it down or it won't be remembered. Follow-up should include making arrangements in advance to have materials returned or disposed of.

THANK-YOU NOTES
Determine who will receive thank-you notes. Verify addresses, spelling of names, facility, and vendor contacts. Make a note of those people who were especially helpful to you or your attendees!

MEETING WRAP-UP
Schedule a wrap-up meeting in advance with the facility's major department heads, or for small events, your contact. The purpose of this meeting is to find out how well EVERYONE performed, and what could be done differently in the future. This is also a time to ascertain whether you provided the facility and other vendors with appropriate information and instructions. Did you schedule enough time for activities on the agenda? Did you guarantee enough meals within the deadline? Should you have ordered another bar, larger room, or extra servers?

FEEDBACK
While you are evaluating, make sure you ask the attendees what they thought of the event, the facility, and the program? Do they have ideas or suggestions for next year? Their feedback can be one of the most important tools to help you plan the next event. Take time before the event to design questions that will solicit answers that will help you plan future events.

REWARD YOURSELF!
Last, but not least...reward yourself! Many planners make this their first task of the meeting or event. They plan what they will do after the BIG DAY. Whether it is a bubble bath or an island cruise, plan something for yourself--you've done a great job and you deserve it!

Discovering Skagit Valley

Weekend excursions are a must during the summer months. And the best part about living in Washington State, is you don't have to go far to feel like you've left the hustle and bustle of the city for a little R&R. One of our favorite places to visit and only about 2 hours north of Seattle is Skagit Valley. With its rolling hills, lush landscapes, seafront shores and fresh markets, Skagit Valley brings a sense of quiet peace to us city dwellers.

If you haven't visited Skagit Valley lately, here are a few of the highlights we recommend you check out.

For Food:

BreadFarm
Breadfarm is a hand-formed, artisan bakery located in the small village of Edison, Washington. Just off of Chuckanut Drive, you can find them nestled at the bottom of Blanchard Mountain in Skagit Valley. Each loaf is hand formed and carefully tended through each stage of the baking process. Breadfarm delivers fresh baked bread to their customers daily.




The Oyster Bar On Chuckanut Drive
For fresh seafood, there is nothing better than the Oyster Bar On Chuckanut Drive. The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive had it's earliest beginnings in the 1920's when E. N. Steele and J.C. Barnes formed the Rockpoint Oyster Company on Samish Bay. Their slogan coined in 1946 still rings true today: "The oysters that we serve today slept last night in Samish Bay."

Rhododendron Cafe
Stop by the Rhody Cafe for the best brunch in town. Taste the Smoked Salmon Benedict or the Wild Mushroom, Spinach & Provolone Scramble served with Homemade Crepes paired with Fresh Berries and Orange-Almond Syrup. The Rhody Cafe blends Northwest recipes with extra ethnic flairs.

For Scenery:

Visit the oyster shell-encrusted lighthouse (left) at Taylor Shellfish Farms. Located on the Samish Bay, the lighthouse can be found just outside the store where you can also pick up fresh Dungeness crab, mussels, clams and Pacific oysters.

Places to Stay:

Benson Farmstead B&B
Benson Farmstead B&B is a 1914 Scandinavian farmhouse that was restored in 1981 and has been operated as a B&B by Jerry & Sharon Benson since 1991. The 3 acres of grounds include a granary now used as a family cottage, a well house which is used as a guest suite, a water garden, farm machinary garden, orchard, playground and many flowers.

Katy's Inn
Katy's Inn is one of the oldest homes in La Conner, and when opened in 1984 was the first bed-and-breakfast in town. The Inn sits high on a hill only two blocks from the beautiful artistic town of La Conner with easy access to sightseeing, shopping and dining.

Queen of the Valley & Spa
Located just 1/2 mile from the beautiful waterfront hamlet of La Conner, with four luxurious rooms with en-suite baths, as well as a huge two-bedroom suite perfect for families, girlfriend getaways, or couples traveling together, the Queen offers all the amenities of a luxury hotel along with the personal attention and care of a bed and breakfast.

Interested in hosting an event in Skagit Valley? Check out the following wonderful event facilities.

LaConner Channel Lodge
LaConner Country Inn

Well, Are You Coming?

The 2008 Northwest Event Show postcard invitations have been mailed and we want to make sure you received yours! If you didn't get your copy of the invitation, that means you are not on our list, which quite frankly, is a crying shame!

Join our network automatically by registering to attend the 2008 Northwest Event Show. You'll be added to our mailing list to receive all banquetevent.com updates and industry alerts. Be in the know from the very start!

You can also join our network by signing up to receive the 2008 Event Resource Guide. If you don't already have your copy, order yours soon, before the 2008 edition completely runs out, making way for the 2009 Event Resource Guide, which debuts September 23 at the Northwest Event Show. And stay tuned for a sneak peak at the cover of the 2009 Event Resource Guide...coming soon!

Click here to register.

New and Improved?

This Friday the newly priced and improved Apple iPhone 3G will be released featuring two size options, one 16 GB ($299) and one 8 GB ($199). With fast 3G wireless technology, maps with GPS, support for enterprise features like Microsoft® Exchange, and the new App Store, iPhone 3G puts even more amazing features in your hands. iPhone 3G also has a sleek new design and is available in black or white. And just like the original iPhone, it combines three products in one—a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod®, and a breakthrough Internet device with rich HTML email and full web browsing. According to Apple, this mobile device is the ideal phone for conducting business.

We're curious, of those who have already purchased the Apple iPhone, what are the features you like the most? Is it really as revolutionary as the ads say?

Weigh in below.

Click here to find out what you need to do before purchasing the Apple iPhone 3G.

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing you and yours a happy and safe 4th of July.


“Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.”
- Albert Einstein

Check back Monday for more great event planning and business tips.

What's Happening This 4th of July

Still undecided as to where you will spend the 4th of July. See what's happening in your neighborhood.

SEATTLE

WaMu Family 4th at Lake Union
What: Daytime and evening activities include a spectacular fireworks show
Location: Gas Works Park - 2101 N. Northlake Way, Seattle
Cost: Free
Website: familyfourth.org
Time: Noon - 11 p.m.

Fourth of Jul-Ivar's
What: Fireworks show
Location: Elliott Bay - Myrtle Edwards Park, 3130 Alaskan Way W., Seattle
Cost: Free
Website: ivars.net
Time: 10 p.m.

Museum of Flight's 27 Flags Show
What: Aircraft fly-ins, children's activities, Wings of Freedom Bomber exhibit and picnic.
When: July 1-5
Location: Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $7.50-$13
Website: www.museumofflight.org

Fourth of July bash
What: Picnic buffet, dancing, karaoke, games, indoor and outdoor view of the Lake Union fireworks
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Swedish Cultural Center - 1920 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle
Cost: $33 adults, $12 ages 9 & younger
RSVP: 206-523-9570

EASTSIDE

Bellevue Family 4th
What: Family fun and fireworks
Time: 10 pm for fireworks
Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue
Cost: Free
Parking: Free parking at Bellevue Square after 6 pm
Website: www.bellevuedowntown.com

Kirkland 4th of July Festivities
What: Fireworks
Location: Juanita Marina Beach Park - 25 Lake Shore Plaza, Kirkland
Time: 10 p.m.
Website: www.ci.kirkland.wa.us

Fourth on the Plateau
What: Fireworks Show
Location: Sammamish Commons Park, 801 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish
Time: 10:15 p.m.
Website: www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/4thjuly.aspx
Carnation Celebration
What: Fireworks Show
Location: Tolt-MacDonald Park - Carnation
Time: Dusk
Website: www.carnation4th.org/

SOUTHEND

Fireworks Over Des Moines
What: Fireworks Display
Location: Des Moines Marina, 22307 Dock St., Des Moines
Time: 10 p.m.
Website: www.desmoineswa.gov

4th of July in Renton
What: Fireworks display over Lake Washington
Location: Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd., Renton
Time: 10 p.m.
Website: rentonwa.gov

Fourth of July Splash
What: Fireworks display accompanied by Rainier Symphony
Location: Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd St., Kent
Time: 10 p.m.
Website: www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts

Red, White and Blues Festival
What: Old-fashioned games, soccer, flag football, volleyball, preschoolers' play area, entertainment on two stages, food vendors, dance, fireworks display
Location: Celebration Park, 1095 S. 324th St., Federal Way
Time: 6-10:30 p.m.
Website: www.cityoffederalway.com

Tacoma Freedom Fair and Air Show
What: Outdoor market, international food fair, Lost Boys Pirate Cove children's activities, Camp Patriot to honor community heroes, car show, entertainment, fireworks display
Location: Waterfront Park, Tacoma
Time: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Website: www.freedomfair.com

NORTHEND
Family 4th of July
What: Music, children's activities, food vendors, fireworks show at dusk
Time: 7 - 10:30 p.m.
Location: Evergreen Playfields, 22400 56th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace
Website: mltrec.com
An Edmonds Kind of Fourth
What: Fireworks show
Location: Edmonds Civic Stadium and Playfield, Sixth Avenue North and Bell Street, Edmonds
Time: 10 p.m.
Website: www.edmondswa.com

Fourth of July Fireworks
What: Parade with dancers, drill teams and musicians who represent world cultures; all-day festival with food, children's activities and music, fireworks show over Port Gardner Bay
Time: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Location: Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd. at Marine View Drive, Everett
Website: www.everettwa.org

Looking for more? Click here.

Above photo by Erika Schultz of the Seattle Times

What Is Old Can Be Made New

Do you remember how the elderly gentlemen in many classic films wore tailored suits and checked the time with an elegant pocket watch? Or perhaps even your own grandfather used one. We love to see a fusion of traditional pieces with modern updates and this concept pocket watch from designer Adam Huffman gives us a glance into the future of the modern gentleman's pocket watch.

Featuring a round OLED touchscreen, the Colbalt not only serves to convey the time and date but it also features voicemail, email and texting capabilities thanks to integrated Bluetooth connectivity. It also comes complete with voice recognition software allowing for voice commands and voice messaging.

The Cobalt is only in concept form, meaning the product has not been created for sale yet, but we assume this modern take on a timeless piece (no pun intended) will see the light of day soon enough. And we certainly hope it does.



Source

Party ePlan by PartyBluPrints.com

We'd like to thank PartyBluPrints.com for the scoop they sent us on a free party planning manual for the 4th of July. Party Blue Prints has put together a 17-page "how-to" to guide you through the steps of planning the ultimate 4th of July picnic. From invitation ideas to recipes, the manual has it all.

Here is a sample of what you'll find inside...

Make this picnic easy as A, B, C! Keep Your Guests Comfortable & Clean:

• a. Banish the bugs – 1 hour before guests arrive, light bug bomb and citronella candles. Set out individual bug spray wipes and/or spray for guests' convenient use.
• b. It's a picnic, so while you're “roughing” it, offer your guests the opportunity to “wash up” with wipes and/or hand sanitizer – a must have at a picnic!
• c. Give your guests a place to kick back: Provide plenty of clean and comfortable seating (chairs, blankets, benches, etc.)

Keep Waste to a Minimum:

• a. Mark your beverages. Use ClinQ™s , these clever peel off stickers adhere your to drink (whether it's a glass, bottle, disposable cup or plastic bottle). Each has a different symbol so you can identify your drink from the rest. This avoids waste as guests inevitably forget where they set their drink – all they have to do is remember their symbol.
• b. Put out a recycling bin for empties.
• c. Use renewable dinnerware or acrylic dishware and cloth napkins (for fun you can purchase flag bandannas and use them as napkins).

Keep it Cool & Wet:

• a. Ice, Ice and more Ice: There's nothing worse than lukewarm or hot beverages on a hot day. Make sure you have more than enough ice to continually replenish the supply. General rule of thumb is 2 lbs. of ice per person.
• b. Hydrate your guests: Have plenty of non alcoholic beverages on hand - make sure to consider all your guests: adults, children, elderly.
• c. If your yard offers no shade, create some with a few umbrellas. You can also purchase a fan or two that mists while it cools – now that's cool!

Click here to download the entire manual.