More Farmer's Markets

I posted a list of local Farmer Markets a few months ago, when summer seemed so far far away.  We are only a few weeks away from the official start of summer and I'm still waiting for spring.  According to the news, the growing season is about 6 weeks behind schedule, but the local farmers are doing thier best!  Since I wrote that original post in April, there have been a couple more markets to add to the list.

Issaquah: Tavon Farmer's Market at Gilman Village. Thursdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Monroe: Monroe's Farmer's Market in Downtown Monroe.  Tuesday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
(Okay, okay, I said I wouldn't cover Monroe, but I was out there looking for a hay supplier, so there I was!)

Asparagus is everywhere in the markets.  Here's a simple way to cook asparagus and get a really intense flavor.  Heat your oven to 500 degrees.  Cut the tough ends from the asparagus.  Toss the asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Spread on a sheet pan and roast until the tender ends are shriveled and maybe a bit crispy!   Serve with a drizzle of basalmic vinegar.

Sorry there aren't any links, but go forth and shop!  Support your local farmers!

In search of Spring and farmer's markets

Although Winter is stubborn here in the Snoqualmie Valley - as last night's snow proves - Spring does march on.  My most anticipated rite of Spring is the first trip to a Farmer's market.  Crisp beans, frilly lettuce, warm tomatoes, fancy flowers, baby bokchoy, and cheese from goats and cows with names are the things I usually can't leave a market without.  Here are the markets that have been announced for 2011.

Issaquah:  Issaquah Farmer's Market  Saturdays, April 16  to mid-September at Pickering Barn across from Costco.

Carnation: Sno-Valley Tilth  Tuesdays, May 3 to September 27  in the lot just south of Bird Street, kitty corner to Hockert Park.

North Bend:  Mt. Si Metropolitan Parks Thursdays, June 23rd to September  at Si View Park.

Fall City doesn't have a farmer's market, but the Farmhouse Market  brings in local produce and display it in an open tent in front of the store.  

So, as you shovel our driveway for hopefully the last time, think green thoughts and soon we'll be at the market and tasting the first Spring peas!

Sliante! St. Patrick's Day East of the Eastside

Having travelled to Ireland a few times, I love any excuse to celebrate all things Irish.(Besides, with the last name Smithwick, do I have a choice?)   I've been gadding about Issaquah and Carnation the past few days and found some great places that are celebrating the Irish...and where you can get your corned beef fix.

Finaghty's Pub - Snoqualmie Ridge - If you HAVE to celebrate the Irish in an Irish pub, head over here. Live music from 4 p.m until 12:30 a.m. including the Firefighter's Pipe and Drum corps! Sliante!

Sunset Alehouse - Issaquah:  They will be serving corned beef and cabbage today!

Amante's - Issaquah:  Irish, Italian...sure, why  not...  Amante's has a full Irish celebration planned with music and of course Irish Food!

Issaquah Coffee - Gilman Village, Issaquah - Green bagels anyone?  Don't forget to admire Ryan's t-shirt.

Issaquah Brewery (Rogues) - Old Town Issaquah - Special Rogue's Irish Lager for the day...but is it green?  Yes, they are also serving the corned beef, but if you want something different try the Irish Nachos!  Waffle cut fries with a generous amount of chopped corned beef and yummy stuff on top including a killer horseradish sourcream.

Pogatchas - Gilman Blvd, Issaquah - I don't know the details, but from the size of the sign out front, I'd say it's going to be a killer bash.

Raging River Cafe  - Fall City -  Irish Stew and a grilled corned beef sandwiches.  Sadly, though known for their live music, nothing is planned for tonight.

Pete's Club and Grill - Carnation - Corned Beef and Cabbage all day!

Be safe and have a designated driver!

Has Spring finally arrived?

After the brutal snow and cold in the past few weeks, it looks like Spring might actually have arrived!  Driving down Sunset in Issaquah, the crocuses and daffodils have bloomed, the cherry blossoms are bursting in pink sprays, and the trees are budding.  Speaking of spring, it's also time to think of spring cleaning.  The Issaquah Downtown association is organizing their Annual Sprig clean up on Saturday April 30th.  This is a great opportunity for those middle school kids who need community service hours.

For more information, check out the History Downtown Issaquah website.

Last Minute Romantics Valentine's Day

Ack! Did you forget! Here are some last minute one stop shopping for your Valentine sweetie! (Updated 2015)

Issaquah Highlands
Flowers - Plateau Florist · (425) 391-9433
Flowers/Gifts/Cards - Safeway on the Highlands
Gifts - HomeGoods
Gifts - Opals Boutique -
Something extra: Pinkabella cupcakes (425) 392-0287

Issaquah (Old Town)
Chocolates/Wine/Flowers - Red Apple Market (425) 392-5371
Chocolates - Boehm's Homemade Swiss Candies · (425) 392-6652
Something extra: Cupcakes

Issaquah (Issaquah Square/REI/Safeway)
Flowers - Cinnamon's Florist · (425) 392-3711
Chocolate  - Sees Candy - (425) 392-3556
Gifts/Cards - Target
Flowers/Cards - Trader Joes

Preston
We must be an unromantic bunch...though you can get icecream at the gas station!

Fall City
Gifts/Cards - Farmhouse Market (425) 222-7005

Snoqualmie (Old Town)
Flowers/Cards/Gifts - Down to Earth Flowers and Gifts (425) 831-1772 - they've moved!

Snoqulamie Ridge
Flowers/Cards/Gifts - The Ridge IGA Supermarket (425) 396-1340

North Bend
Flowers/Cards/Gifts - North Bend QFC · (425) 888-1682
Gifts/Cards - Birches Habitat- (425) 292.9390





  

Hanging out in North Bend

I don't make it to North Bend as often as I'd like, but today I was checking out the Train Depot for a potential Ayyam-i-Ha party site, and found a new coffee place!  "Toad's Coffee & Flowers."  Having just watched "Harry's Law" with Kathy Bates, whose character has a law office "Harriet's Law &Shoes," this idea of a multi-use business tickles me.

Located in the buildig kitty-corner from Twedes on North Bend way and Bendio Blvd, Toad's is large, very light and airy with local art on the walls.   The ladies who own the shop are also florists.  In the summer, they plan to have carry-and-go bouquets.  Like my other new favorite, Issaquah Coffee, Toad's carries Flying Apron vegan and gluten-free goodies!  Chuck! Let's meet for coffee!  Their coffee is roasted by some local guys, called Middle Forks Roasters.  Nice blends...smooth and not bitter or burnt.

They have plenty of parking on the side.  According to their Facebook page (doesn't every business have a Facebook page now?) they have open mic nights and things like raw food demos and CD launch parties. 

They also have free wi-fi!

Help your neighbors - donate to your local feedbank

Foodbanks have it hard this time of year. Their stores are depleted by the holidays and the giving spirit has waned.  Collection pushes have ended and gardens aren't producing yet.

There are food banks in nearly every neighborhood East of the Eastside, and even more through local churches. So, next time you are at Costco, pick up an extra flat of non-perishable food and drop it by your local food bank. 

Issaquah Valley Community Services (425) 392-4123
179 1st Ave SE, Issaquah, WA 98027

Maple Valley Food Bank And Emergency Services (425) 432-8633
PO Box 322 Maple Valley, WA 98038

Fall City Food Pantry
United Methodist Church
4326 337th Place SE Fall City, WA

Snoqualmie Tribe-Food Bank (425) 333-6560
31822 E Myrtle St, Carnation, WA 98014

Preston / Raging River Food Bank
31104 SE 86th Street, Preston WA 98050

Sky Valley Food Bank (360) 794-7959
233 Sky River Pkwy, Monroe, WA

The weather outside is frightful...

For those trying to make it home tonight, here are some links that you might find helpful:

Twitter

• Seattle Forecast
• Washington State Department of Transportation (tweets accidents and blockages)

Weather (hourly)

• Issaquah
• Preston
• Fall City
• Carnation
• Snoqualmie
• North Bend

Traffic Cams 

•  Downtown Issaquah, including Front Street, Gilman Blvd, and both exits on to I-90.
• Meadowbrook Bridge over the Snoqualmie River (currently offline)
• N.E. Tolt Hill Road at SR-203
• SE Issaquah-Fall City Rd at 247th Pl SE
• http://www.blogger.com/
• Issaquah-Hobart Road at May Valley Road

Traffic Alerts

• King County Traffic "My Commute"

Free Wi-Fi East of the Eastside

Unlike Bellevue and Redmond, here in the East of the Eastside there isn't a Starbucks on every corner that provides free Wi-Fi. So, if you find yourself in EOE and in need of a quick Wi-Fi fix, here's some places to stop by.   There are plenty of other places, but do you really think you'll stop by the Salish Lodge to look up the pass conditions?

Eastgate - 150th and Eastgate way, off I-90

• Starbucks
• Tully's
• McDonald's (really)

Issaquah - Exit 11 Northside

• Tully's
• PCC
• McDonald's (on Snoqualmie Parkway)
• Starbucks (in the Fred Meyer parking lot)

Issaquah - Exit 11Southside - Gilman Blvd

• Starbucks (QFC parking lot)
• QFC
• McDonald's
• Safeway
• Starbucks (in Safeway)
• Issaquah Coffee Company (Gilman Village)

Issaquah - Old Town/Front Street

• Front Street Cafe
• King County Library - Issaquah (Printers too!)

Issaquah Highlands

• Cafe Vida

Klahanee on Issaquah/Fall City Road

• QFC
• Starbucks (next to QFC)

Fall City

• Fall City Roadhouse
• Raging River Cafe and Club
• King County Library - Fall City (Printers too!)
• Fall City Grill  - Hwy 203/Fall City-Carnation Road

Snoqualmie Ridge

• Starbucks (next to IGA)
• Koki's
• King County Library - Snoqualmie Ridge (Printers too!)

Snoqualmie

• Koko's Coffee Bean (soon to be the Bindle Stick)

North Bend

• King County Library - North Bend
• Sawdust coffee - West side of the Factory Outlets

Carnation

• King County Library - Carnation

I don't make it out to Monroe much, but I betcha that you can find free wi-fi at any of  the following:

• Starbucks
• Safeway
• QFC
• Library
• McDonalds

Coffee, coffee, coffee, tea!

Two posts in one day... say it ain't so.

My newest hangout is Issaquah Coffee in Gilman Villiage. It occupies the same space as Grimaldi's, and before that Mountain Tea Company (or something like that.) It's in the Juniper Street side of Gilman Villiage.  Lots of parking (unless you come during toddler music classes.) 

Ryan has made some subtle changes to the place, better lighting, a dedicated kid's area, a really cool fireplace.  He's a bit of a clean freak, so sometimes there's a slight whiff of cleaner, but better than some other things.I can't wait until Summer, when I hope he opens up the deck.

They are obviously trying new things to bring in folks. Today, I was late for the Wednesday Happy Hour (Wed 7 am. to 9 a.m. $1 lattes), but saw the most delish looking breakfast sandwich go by.  Every time I go in there is something new to try and the place is getting busier and busier.  Luckily, the baristas are fast and make great lattes. Did I mention that they make their own chocolate and caramel sauces! Ooh la la!

I haven't made it to Open Mike or one of the music performances, but I keep putting them on my calendar.  Maybe I'll see you there!

You can get there from here! New way to get from North Issaquah to downtown Issaquah

The  new undercrossing won't be officially opened until January 11 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and everything, but it is open and I found it, used it...loved it!

The new road goes from the Gilman Villiage driveway next to Julia's crosses Gilman, past the post office, under the freeway, and then winds its way to that little road that connects 62nd (the road between Fred Meyer and Home Depot) and Brown Bear gas.

Don't look for it on Mapquest, or Bing maps. Neither show it yet.

Beware though, there is construction on a Medical Center, and on the 62nd street end, folks haven't quite figured out the turning lanes.

Now to figure out how to fold this new route into my daily commute.

Reboot!

Ok, so 2010 was Epic Fail, but I am determined to try again. So.. since the last time I posted, here are some current tidbits.

1. Traffic Cams in downtown Issaquah!
http://www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=47

2. Koko Bean in Snoqualmie is under new management. Soon to be rechristened "The Bindle Stick" and there are plans to start serving high end beer.

3. Burger 7 in Preston, is apparently under renovation. No known reopen date.

4. The Nourish Food Gallery in Preston is reopening January 8, 2011! I missed you!

5. Fall City Boy Scout Troop 425 is picking up Christmas Trees in Fall City, Snoqualmie, Snoqalmie Ridge on January 8 for a $10 donation!

6. The Preston Fall city trail...or whatever it is called when it's west of High Point, is open!

7. There is a new way to get across I-90 from North Issaquah to South Issaquah. The road is just past the Post Office.

8. Pho Hoa in Issaquah is now Issquah Pho.