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My mom - a house projects maven - pointed me to Soft Coverings when I was looking for cost-effective sources for upholstery for two chairs I was working on.
Located on the top of Queen Anne,...
My mom - a house projects maven - pointed me to Soft Coverings when I was looking for cost-effective sources for upholstery for two chairs I was working on.
Located on the top of Queen Anne, this store offers the perfect combination of great selection, good prices, and most importantly, good quality. If you've ever been into a JoAnn Fabrics or Calico Corners, you'll know what I mean - rather than wading through rooms full of polyester florals, Soft Coverings has edited its inventory to include only the kinds of materials and designs I'd want in my own house - making the selection process much easier.
The staff there are also great - great at answering questions, helpful to the relative novice (like myself), but also knowledgeable enough to help more experienced buyers (like my mom) find the perfect fabric.
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I don't have first-hand experience with them, but my wife and I have been researching Seattle daycare centers for our own son, and several friends who work downtown have recommended Pike Market...
I don't have first-hand experience with them, but my wife and I have been researching Seattle daycare centers for our own son, and several friends who work downtown have recommended Pike Market Child Care and Preschool (quite a mouthful, but that's what they're called).
It's a fully accredited center, offering both full-time and part-time care. They have a great diversity policy, and their pricing is on a sliding scale based on income - a great feature for young families who may be thinking they can't afford quality childcare
My understanding is that their waitlist is long, so if you're interested I'd encourage you to call soon to arrange a tour.
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My wife and I have been touring daycare centers around Seattle for the past few months, in anticipation of our first child's arrival (in May). Over the weekend we heard a strong recommendation for...
My wife and I have been touring daycare centers around Seattle for the past few months, in anticipation of our first child's arrival (in May). Over the weekend we heard a strong recommendation for La Escuelita, and have heard more good things as we started to look into it.
It's located in kind of an inauspicious location - under the Jiffy Lube and on the edge of the Office Depot parking lot, just north of U-Village. If you can get over that, though, everything else sounds great. The prices - around $900 a month for full-time - are significantly less than other centers we've seen; the program is bilingual (English / Spanish), if you're interested in early childhood language development; the staff is extremely warm and nuturing; and - most important for us - the parents we know whose kids attend absolutely love it.
If you're in the market for high-quality, cost-effective childcare in North Seattle, you should give La Escuelita a look.
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If you like vinyasa (or 'flow') yoga, Shakti Vinyasa on Market Street in Ballard is my top pick in Seattle. Studio owner Lisa Black was a long-time instructor at 8 Limbs in Wedgood before striking...
If you like vinyasa (or 'flow') yoga, Shakti Vinyasa on Market Street in Ballard is my top pick in Seattle. Studio owner Lisa Black was a long-time instructor at 8 Limbs in Wedgood before striking out on her own about a year ago. In a very short time, she's created a warm, welcoming studio with a great team of instructors.
Lisa's studio has a loose affiliation with well-known instructor Baron Baptiste, and her teaching style is similar, blending traditional yoga poses and discipline with a powerful, flow-oriented sequencing and pacing. Classes can be meditative, but you should also expect a solid, full-body workout.
Also, unlike some other studios around town, Shakti has great practice spaces - with high ceilings, warm colors and great light.
Finally, if you're looking for a good excuse to go abroad, Lisa also runs annual week-long clinics every February at Maya Tulum in Mexico. (See my article on traveling to Tulum to get my take on the area -- it's another personal favorite).
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My wife and I have been pursing a slow-motion remodel of our house for the past several years (when we see friends we haven't talked to in a while, they often ask, "'is the house done?"). As the...
My wife and I have been pursing a slow-motion remodel of our house for the past several years (when we see friends we haven't talked to in a while, they often ask, "'is the house done?"). As the resident painting 'expert', I've spent more than my share of time browsing through color wheels, painting samples on the wall and wondering why the perfect color is always something different from what's available in the standard range.
Having tried several paint stores (and manufacturers), I've developed a strong preference for Benjamin Moore paints, and for Seattle Paint Supply (at 80th and Aurora) as my paint store of choice. My return visit this past Saturday just confirmed my preference.
My wife had picked up a custom quart from their Rainier Valley store the weekend before. I wanted to make a slight adjustment to the formula for that quart and mix up a full gallon, and I needed it all in a hurry. The staffer on duty (a) quickly pulled up the previous custom mix from their database, (b) helped me figure out the right formula for the adjustments I had in mind, (c) mixed up a test batch, (d) painted and dried a test chip to be sure the final color was what I wanted, and (e) mixed me up a gallon to go, all in about 15 minutes time.
It's not a fancy store -- they cater more to professionals than consumers -- but they stock everything you need for a quality paint job, the staff is knowledgeable and pleasant to work with, and despite weekend crowds they can usually get you out the door in a hurry. Next time you need quality paint in a custom color, Seattle Paint is your place.
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Thanks to Blake Hamamoto for the tip. I've tried most of the Indian restaurants in North Seattle, with generally disappointing results. Today a friend and I went to Cedars for lunch, and it's my new...
Thanks to Blake Hamamoto for the tip. I've tried most of the Indian restaurants in North Seattle, with generally disappointing results. Today a friend and I went to Cedars for lunch, and it's my new favorite pick for Indian food in Seattle.
Granted, it was a sunny spring day and we sat outside, so some of the positives were provided by mother nature. But instead of a sad, soggy lunch buffet, Cedars offers a la carte service at both lunch and dinner.
We didn't try the full breadth of the menu, but the chicken tikka masala was excellent, the bengan bartha surprisingly good (considering that I don't love eggplant), and the naan fresh, hot and buttery. Per Blake's warning, the service was somewhat indifferent, but the solid food and pleasant outdoor seating more than made up for it.
If you're looking for good Indian food in Seattle, look no further - Cedars is the new champeen.
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Weiss Tree Removal is a great, no-nonsense hire if you want to make a tree disappear. Their full name is Weiss Tree Service & Logging Company, so you know where their heart really lies. That means...
Weiss Tree Removal is a great, no-nonsense hire if you want to make a tree disappear. Their full name is Weiss Tree Service & Logging Company, so you know where their heart really lies. That means that Dave might not be the guy to call if you're looking for a sculptural re-imagining of your favorite tree -- these guys aren't arborists, they're loggers.
My folks have used Weiss for a number of projects, including some high-risk removals over houses and other buildings. They're responsible, safe and good value -- and can do onsite chipping or waste removal in the process.
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I drove through the Eastlake neighborhood for years unaware that one of the best wine shops in town was just a few blocks away. Pete's Super Market is like Clark Kent -- unassuming neighborhood...
I drove through the Eastlake neighborhood for years unaware that one of the best wine shops in town was just a few blocks away. Pete's Super Market is like Clark Kent -- unassuming neighborhood grocery on the outside, stronger-than-a-locomotive wine shop on the inside.
Not only does Pete's have great selection -- from bargain basement finds to top-of-the-heap picks -- everything is priced at least a few bucks cheaper than anywhere else in town (and that's before the standard 10% full-case discount). They also have killer sales -- at least a dozen selections are offered at an additional discount at all times.
If you need a case or less just drop in, grab an empty box from the back right-hand corner and start picking; if you need several cases (either because you're throwing a party, or you just love good wine), they also deliver locally, with only a 10% restocking fee if your eyes are bigger than your thirst.
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I'm not much for doctor's visits -- even when I'm not feeling well, I tend to figure that it will blow over if I give it enough time. But as I start to get older, I'm warming up to the idea that a...
I'm not much for doctor's visits -- even when I'm not feeling well, I tend to figure that it will blow over if I give it enough time. But as I start to get older, I'm warming up to the idea that a little prevention can go a long way to avoiding more serious difficulties down the road.
So when I moved back to Seattle, I set up appointments with a few general practicioners to establish a relationship with someone before I thought I'd need it. Dr. Dipboye is one of the first few docs I met with, and it didn't take too many more stops before I was sure he was the right choice for me.
Given my general crankiness of the subject of going to the doctor, Dr. Dipboye takes just the right approach: he gives very matter-of-fact advice, doesn't try to scare you with 'what-ifs', and strikes just the right balance between professionalism and personal interest. I find it a plus that he's close to my age and is physically active himself, so he understands and supports my goals not just to avoid sickness, but to maintain an active lifestyle. I haven't had any serious medical problems since I started working with Dr. Dipboye, so I can't say what he's like in that role, but if you're looking for a no-nonsense GP who also cares about your total health, I strongly recommend that you give him a try.
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If you're looking for something fun to do next Sunday and have a taste for the offbeat, I higly recommend the Fremont Sunday Market.
Part flea market, part street fair, part community gathering,...
If you're looking for something fun to do next Sunday and have a taste for the offbeat, I higly recommend the Fremont Sunday Market.
Part flea market, part street fair, part community gathering, this year-round event brings together local artisans, antique and found-object vendors, quality street food, political organizers and who knows what else, every Sunday from around 10am to 4 (winter) or 5 (summer) pm.
My wife and I have a particular weakness for funky (and inexpensive) home furnishings, and this market has been our most successful venue for great finds. (Recent successes include a 60's-era leather loveseat in good condition for $95, a very solid painted oak side table for $20, and charmingly weatherbeaten modernist coffee table for $35).
In addition to 'boring adult' pursuits like antique shopping, the Sunday Market (and Fremont in general) includes a number of kid-friendly attractions. First among them is the Burke-Gilman trail along the ship canal, just a block south of the market, and connected by a wide stair-cum-sculpture park at the market's east end. At the west end is a large wire dinosaur that - in summer months - is covered in creeping vines, kind of a mega-sized chia pet. And don't miss the Fremont Rocket, mounted on the outside corner of retailer Burnt Sugar just a block to the north.
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