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Bakker's does a good job, nothing less, nothing more, pretty much what you would like in a dry cleaner. Unfortunately, their cleaning is done off-site, so getting clothing expedited is generally...
Bakker's does a good job, nothing less, nothing more, pretty much what you would like in a dry cleaner. Unfortunately, their cleaning is done off-site, so getting clothing expedited is generally not an option, thus one has to be on schedule and thinking ahead with their dry cleaning if you need a particular article for a particular day. Because their location is little more than a storefront, I wasn't exactly awe inspired by their tailoring services, although they managed to do an adequate job on loose buttons. One bonus is that we received a store credit after about every ten visits or so (at $30 to $50 per visit for a week's worth of dress shirts and pants with suits here and there), which ended up to be about one to two weeks worth of free dry cleaning. There is another dry cleaner right around the corner from this Bakker's location that I never tried, so clearly Bakker's did a decent enough job to retain my business.
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If Scarecrow Video doesn't have it, it's still in the movie theaters. If you're truly a film weenie, like my wife, this place will excite you to no end because films are organized by director. Not...
If Scarecrow Video doesn't have it, it's still in the movie theaters. If you're truly a film weenie, like my wife, this place will excite you to no end because films are organized by director. Not once have we failed to find something there, no matter how obscure. However, if something is rare enough, you will have to leave a pricey deposit on your credit card until you return it. Frankly, we wear it as a badge of honor that we have rented something so rare. Scarecrow has the full complement of accoutrement necessary to play videos and DVDs coded for other parts of the world, so no matter where its from, you'll be able to watch it in your own home. The biggest ding against Scarecrow is that it only has one location (but I guess two would be tough with so many rare items) and the parking situation can be abhorrent. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and won't look down on you too much if you come in to rent Mean Girls and not avail yourself of the massive realm of choice. And if you can't navigate all those choices on your own, there are plenty of staff picks and people to ask.
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Whidbey Island Dive Center, while off the beaten path, is a great dive shop with excellent staff. Pat Beach, the owner knows his stuff and is extremely patient with new divers and getting them...
Whidbey Island Dive Center, while off the beaten path, is a great dive shop with excellent staff. Pat Beach, the owner knows his stuff and is extremely patient with new divers and getting them outfitted. Although the shop only carries one main brand of scuba gear (scubapro), there is more than enough selection to cover rookies to advanced divers. Pat's local knowledge of the area only enhances the experience, ensuring divers are mentally equipped as well as physically. The shop's rental policies and payment plan programs are decent, allowing you to rent gear at no charge while you pay for the gear you will eventually own.
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The Student Organization (Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW)) sponsors the Experimental (or X) College which runs several hundred classes per year ranging from yoga to...
The Student Organization (Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW)) sponsors the Experimental (or X) College which runs several hundred classes per year ranging from yoga to foreign language to financial planning to just about anything you could think of. Classes can be single sessions or ongoing and are generally quite reasonably priced and offered multiple times throughout the year. This is a great opportunity to learn something completely new, meet people with similar interests, and support one of the region's great and long-running non-profit endeavors.
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The Everett Silvertips compete in the Western Hockey League, a premier developmental league, which generated about 20% of current NHL rosters. The Tips play in the Everett Event Center, a fairly...
The Everett Silvertips compete in the Western Hockey League, a premier developmental league, which generated about 20% of current NHL rosters. The Tips play in the Everett Event Center, a fairly new civic arena in downtown Everett. Unlike Key Arena, the Everett Event Center is built to house hockey, so half the arena isn't covered by a curtain or designated empty during games. Silvertips hockey is definitely a great family event and the team is pretty darn good as well. Last year, the Silvertips went deep into the playoffs and are expected to do as well in the coming years. Downtown Everett has undergone some significant economic redevelopment in recent years, so there are plenty of great restaurants and bars to grab a good meal or a drink before the game. Tickets are dirt cheap, with the best seats in the house around $30 and cheap seats around $10. Don't forget to sign up for the charity puck toss when you go! For $5 you get three neon orange foam pucks to throw at on ice targets from the stands during intermission.
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The Inn at the Market is a beautiful boutique hotel next to Pike Place Market. This is definitely not a budget hotel, but worth every penny. I proposed to my now wife in one of their two-floor...
The Inn at the Market is a beautiful boutique hotel next to Pike Place Market. This is definitely not a budget hotel, but worth every penny. I proposed to my now wife in one of their two-floor suites overlooking the Market and Sound. The staff is extremely attentive but not obtrusive; in coordinating the proposal surprise, I worked with the concierge over e-mail for several months to get every detail just right and their execution was perfect. Even right down to having the requisite bridal magazines ready as one last surprise for my fiancee when we checked out the next morning. The beds are tempurpedics, which are the most comfortable things around, made up with high quality linens and plenty of pillows. The decor is classy modern with plenty of marble to go around. The view from our room was absolutely extraordinary. And if you have visitors from out of town, this great location puts them right in the center of all the action.
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I bought my first new car from University Mazda and it was generally a quick, painless experience. Rather than go in to dealerships to haggle, I had faxed out a specific list detailing the car I...
I bought my first new car from University Mazda and it was generally a quick, painless experience. Rather than go in to dealerships to haggle, I had faxed out a specific list detailing the car I wanted including color and options. University Mazda faxed back the cheapest quote and acknowledged that the car they would be able to obtain had extra dealer installed options beyond what I had requested. Even with these items, University Mazda's quote came in well below any other Mazda dealer in fifty mile radius! We set a time to test drive my actual vehicle and complete the paperwork. The car and paperwork were both ready at the appointed hour. There was no last minute haggling or deal-breaking, University Mazda came through as they promised, making for a fantastic experience of buying a car. Next time I'm in the market for a Mazda, that's where I'm heading.
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Car washes at the Elephant Car Wash, its locations easily identifiable by the giant pink neon elephant, are very pricey, starting at around $10 (including tax) for a basic wash. None of the...
Car washes at the Elephant Car Wash, its locations easily identifiable by the giant pink neon elephant, are very pricey, starting at around $10 (including tax) for a basic wash. None of the packages include interior vacuuming until you hit almost $20. I'm not opposed to paying this much for a car wash, but if I wanted a quick get the dirt off, I could hit a drive-thru gas station car wash for $5. I've tried several of the more expensive packages ($20+) and have been disappointed each time, often finding large spots that have been missed either inside or outside. Compounding this problem is the extremely long wait, nearly 30 minutes! I've had better car washes (sadly, not in this city) for one-half the price in roughly one-third of the time. Sadly, I cannot recommend this Seattle institution.
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The Frye Art Gallery is my favorite art museum in Seattle. The collections rotate frequently ensuring that even someone who visits a couple of times per year is exposed to new material each time. ...
The Frye Art Gallery is my favorite art museum in Seattle. The collections rotate frequently ensuring that even someone who visits a couple of times per year is exposed to new material each time. The galleries are uncrowded and peaceful, allowing the viewer as much or as little time as they would like to view pieces without feeling crowd pressure to move on. The Frye is an unpretentious and un-snobby art museum, making art accessible to al, regardless of background or education in the arts. Most importantly, the Frye is one of Seattle's best bargains since it's FREE. Located not too far off the bus line on the edge of Capitol Hill, leaving your car at home is probably best since parking in this neighborhood is terrible.
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Absolutely the coolest store in Seattle. Located in a basement store in Pioneer Square, Bud's has anything and everything one could want when it comes to jazz music. Granted, you could probably...
Absolutely the coolest store in Seattle. Located in a basement store in Pioneer Square, Bud's has anything and everything one could want when it comes to jazz music. Granted, you could probably get a bunch of this stuff off the internet these days, but that could never compare to the experience of shopping at Bud's and learning from the staff. Just walking through the door evokes the feeling that you're in on a secret. Scanning through the voluminous collection would take several enjoyable hours. If jazz is your thing, Bud's is a must-see place. Even if jazz isn't your thing, a stop at Bud's might change that.
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