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Mill Creek Town Center Spring Wine Walk
Seattle Uncorked | Mill Creek Town Center | First Financial Northwest Bank
On Thursday the forecast called for a 100% chance of rain and by Friday it had dropped to 89%. Come what may, I was committed to bundling up and making my way outdoors to sip and stroll down main street at the Mill Creek Town Center Spring Wine Walk on Saturday. Our Windermere Mill Creek office was set to feature Sin Banderas Wines and I wasn’t going to miss out on a fun opportunity to taste wine from local crafters because bad weather. After all, when you live in Washington you must get comfortable with a little or a lot of rain.
For the advanced purchase price of $25 attendees received 10 wine tastings and a souvenir glass. The only caveat being that there were 15 featured wineries all of which I would have loved to try. On Saturday the rain did fall as the forecasted. Despite the rain, I was pleasantly surprised to see there was a large turnout of eager and happy sippers lined up in the entrance cue. I was further surprised when I was handed extra gifts at check-in. I left the cue with a heavy-duty wine tote, a wine tour map and a golden coin for an extra pour.
The event itself was well thought-out. If you flipped the map over there was a list of the wines available for purchase along with their prices, makers, and hosts. If you were less inclined to use the map the event planners had marked the doorways of the hosting businesses with a purple star balloon which was great since my map started to get waterlogged as time passed. Several of the hosting businesses laid out additional refreshments and snacks and even offered swag and had live music and giveaways. There was even a free valet service offered to store any purchased event wine so you wouldn’t have to lug it around with you all evening.
The only thing I would have changed about the wine walk was the speed at which I maneuvered through it. At the start of the event, I had thought that 11 tastings would be easily doable. I anticipated having time to make it through my tickets and coin and have spare time to go back and purchase the bottles that I had marked with a star on my map. That was not how things worked out. Once I got to sipping, sitting, snacking, chatting and purchasing other things, I veered too far off track to accomplish that goal. At the end of the event, I still had a few tickets and my golden coin left over and didn’t make it back in time to purchase my starred bottles.
Overall, the event was such a fun way to get out and socialize on a rainy Saturday. It was great exposure for the town center businesses and the featured wineries, and I would highly recommend going to the next one! Just be advised you should plan to put on good walking shoes and move like a Winosaur if you want to make it through all your tickets in time.
Stay Tuned for a Roundup of the Featured Wineries and Tasting Notes!
written by Kerriann Jenkins/Creative Team
Wine of the Month
Pasek Cellars Wine of the Month
When I think of Wine destinations, I pour out images of France, Tuscany, Sonoma, and Napa Valley. I never really considered to look more locally at my own home of Washington State. That being said, recent events led me to learn that I needed to re-evaluate my ill formed opinion on the matter. After a few weighted exchanges of polite words and a quick google search, I learned that Washington’s Wine game was in fact the real deal. As it turns out, while small in comparison to California’s boastful 680,272,512 production gallons, Washington is the second highest wine producing state in the US crafting 40,747,190 gallons per year as of 2021. Washington also ranks 3rd in our number of operating wineries at 792 and falls short of second highest only by one to Oregon at 793 wineries. Some sources claim a winery is opened here every 15-30 days. Washington’s wine economic impact comes in hot at a whopping 9.6 Billion dollars and was only really developed into a commercial industry in the 1960’s when the first commercial-scale plantings began by Chateau Ste. Michelle & Columbia Winery. With figures like that it’s hard for a wine student like myself to not want to learn more. This information got me thinking about the bottles I have delved into in the past and really thinking about where they came from and who made them and now, I have a strong thirst to explore the pours that Washington has to offer. As the saying goes wine only gets better with age and as Washington’s graperies ripen with age and experience our wine will only get better with time.
Why I Chose this Wine Label
This month I’m cheating and talking about a wine label that has frequently been poured into my glass at home. It’s the wine I offer to my friends who say they are not a fan of drinking wine and it’s the wine that has converted many of them into wine lovers. Pasek Cellars.
After only ever drinking grape wines, my Dad brought me home my first bottle of Loganberry wine from Pasek Cellars well over a decade ago. I had told him I liked reds and technically the wine he offered was red inside the bottle. I was skeptical but back then drinking was less about the experience and more about the buzz, so I uncorked the top, gave it a go, and was instantly hooked. In honor of my Dad I continue to offer this label to those who haven’t tried it.
About Pasek Cellars
Pasek Cellars was started in Mt. Vernon in 1995 by Gene & Kathy Pasek and is best known in the area for their fruit wines. Unlike other fruit wines who add in fruit flavoring, Pasek cellars fruit wine is 100% Northwest grown fruit through & through. They currently offer 18 varietals to choose from including five berry wines, 5 port style dessert wines, 3 reds, 3 whites and two tropical wines; six of which are certified Kosher. Pasek Cellars top selling bottle is their Cranberry wine, which makes up a third of their business followed distantly by their Blackberry bottle. Their demand has grown since the 90’s and they are now the official wine of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Pasek Cellars continues to grow and expand what their production has to offer under a change in hands of ownership to David James and his wife Judy Pascale. If you would like to find out more about Pasek Cellars or purchase their wine you can visit their website here: www.pasekcellars.com
Tasting Notes:
In this portion you will be reading my personal notes as well as our Social Media Director, Chasity Rodriguez’s tasting experiences.
CRANBERRY
Kerriann: Having previously had this wine I knew that despite this being the top seller for Pasek Cellars this was not going to be my favorite. I usually pick up a bottle of Pasek Cellars Cranberry wine for Thanksgiving and call that my Cranberry side dish. It goes great paired with a Thanksgiving Day Turkey. During the tasting I paid closer attention to details I had passed over during previous sipping. The wine itself is a brilliant red to even a deepened pink tone. When I smelled it, I was surprised to find that I could actually smell the sweetness and tartness of a cranberry. My initial sip was fresh and there was a deep sweetness to the wine followed by abruptly by a juxtaposed crisp tartness and a dry finish. For me the sweetness and tartness provided something of a sour patch kid experience, the warring flavors brought out an impactful burst of tarte and sweet. In closing, this is a great and unique wine but without food to offset it this was too strong for me. At the end of the tasting this is still a one glass wonder for me, it’s not something that I would sit and sip on without food but it will remain a holiday side dish necessity in my household.
Chasity: This is the first time I have tried this type of wine and this flavor and I have to say it was not my favorite. It did provide a fresh crisp tart taste with a dry ending. The smell was sweet and did smell of cranberries. The taste did resemble cranberry juice but the cranberry taste was not predominate. The color was rich in red but held to light it was blush in color. I would say this a sipper wine and wouldn’t drink too much of it, perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
RASPBERRY
Kerriann: I went into this tasting knowing that I really enjoyed this bottle, but I believed it wasn’t my personal favorite out of the wines I had purchased for this tasting. This one poured out much deeper in color and had a smooth pleasing smell I couldn’t quite place that was almost floral and summery. My initial sip started out tarte and finished sweet and left my mouth watering. To me this wine tasted closer to a true red varietal grape wine. Unlike the Cranberry wine where the tarte and sweet flavors seemed at war with one another, the Raspberry wine’s tarte and sweet flavors were well balanced and complimentary of one another. I was surprised to find that this wine was the overall winner for me of the wines that we tasted this day. The Raspberry literally left my mouth watering well into the Blackberry wine tasting and at the end of the tasting I couldn’t help but have a full glass of this one.
Chasity: So as like Kerriann I really enjoyed this wine. Surprisingly it was my favorite out of the three we tasted. The color was a deeper in red and was true to a more traditional red wine we are all unaccustomed to. This wine started off a little tart and then finished with a sweet taste in my mouth. It made my mouth water, wanting to go back for more and well balanced so you could have more than one glass. Overall, a winner for me!
BLACKBERRY
Kerriann: Initially this was the wine that I had thought was my favorite out of the flavors I had managed to find. However, having the wines back-to-back made me take notice of things that I had not before and left me with an unexpected change of opinion. The Blackberry wine poured out even darker than the two previous glasses and for me there was no mistaking that this was a Blackberry wine. I could smell the Blackberry and it wasn’t as sweet smelling as the first two wines had been. There was a bit more of a robustness to it. For me, this wine tasted the closest to a true red varietal grape wine. Despite not smelling as sweet as the previous two wines this one tasted consistently sweet throughout, but not sickeningly sweet, it was more of a deepened smooth rich sweetness that ended dry on the taste buds. There was something almost homemade and comforting about this wine. It reminded me loosely of a blackberry cordial my parents used to concoct. It is a very enjoyable wine, and I could have more than a glass of this one on its own, but it was the Raspberry that had sated my taste buds the most.
Chasity: This wine is also more of a red wine, smoother throughout the tasting then the others I believe. I could smell the blackberry but not very sweet when it hits your nose. This wine was also true to a red grape wine. The taste was sweet and tart but stayed consistent throughout. To be honest it did end with a dry taste in my mouth not like the Raspberry where my mouth was literally watering. The color was even deeper in red and I thought it was very pretty, I’m about the color……I know.
blog written by Kerriann Jenkins
Creative Team
blog featuring Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director/Creative Team
November Artist of the Month
Every Month our office holds space for an Artist of the Month. We display their work at our Mill Creek Town Center location for the whole month. Its a great opportunity for the artist! We love supporting our community and this is just one way of showing how much we love it.
This month for November we have an artist by the name of Jim Schleis. He specializes in acrylic painting and loves to add texture, depth and liveliness to each one of his canvas he creates. Jim was born in 1939 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He started his artistic endeavors in the ‘50’s with painting, pottery, and stagecraft projects. He started with water colors but is exclusive to only acrylic medium. He only paints subjects he has personally seen and photographed, most often using landscapes or tourist subjects observed while traveling. His paintings portray subjects found in the United States, England, Germany, Holland, and Turkey. Jim has a theatrical background in over 100 productions including scenery design, scenery and set construction, scene painting and decoration, lighting design and execution, and technical direction. He has participated in many workshops becoming a mentor and tutor to art teachers and young aspiring artists along the way. His work has been shown at the Bothell Arts Fair and in the High Country Artists associates members art shows at the Carpenter House Museum in Cle Elum and various other venues in Kittitas, King, and Snohomish counties. You can visit his website to view more of his incredible work at jimschleisart.com.
Social Media Director
Blog written Chasity Rodriguez
Fall Reading List
These are my reading picks through the Fall months. I hope you enjoy them along with other reading options through Sno-Isle Libraries which is open for in person services. All online services and resources continue to be available as well. Visit there site here, sno-isle.org
How to be Fearless in 7 Simple Steps by Hagy, Jessica
“A visual infographic self-help book from the Seattle-based master of the venn diagram, Jessica Hagy, author of How to Be Interesting. This book empowers readers to see themselves as capable and powerful even when beset by worry and worrying messaging”–
Evidence Not Seen by
The True story one one woman’s triumph of faith. Newlywed American missionary Darlene Deibler Rose survived four years in a notorious Japanese prison camp set deep in the jungles of New Guinea. Thinking she was never to see her husband again, Darlene Rose was forced to sign a false confession and face the executioner’s sword, only to be miraculously spared.
I hope you enjoy the books I have chosen for you to read. Visit sno-isle.org to view other wonderful books that are available. All online services and resources continue to be available. Sno-Isle Libraries are offering in-building services. Visit there site here, sno-isle.org
written by Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director
Tips For Amping Up Your Home Security While On Vacation
We all look forward to vacations for months, and it’s maybe the only opportunity to enjoy a few consecutive stress-free days away from the typical day-to-day pressures of work and life. You’ll want to make sure that while you’re away, your home is safe and secure.
The most obvious option is to invest in some high-end home security devices; however, those can be very pricy, and wouldn’t you rather put that money toward your getaway instead? If so, we’ve got you covered with five tips that you can use to increase the security of your home while you’re on your next vacation.
1. Set Your Lights on a Timer
Having lights on in your home is one of the most obvious indicators that the home is not empty. However, if you’re planning to go away for several days, or several weeks at a time, keeping the lights on for the entire duration of your trip is not only going to drive your electric bill through the roof, but it’s also dangerous as it poses a risk for fires.
Light timers are a great and cost-effective way to increase the security of your home while you’re away. You can set the timers to automatically turn your lights on and off at the same times that they typically would be if you were home. You can set up a few throughout the different floors of your home so it appears that people are around and occupying both the upstairs and downstairs.
2. Have a Friend Check in on Your Home
If you’re going to be away for more than a day or so, a smart idea is to have a trusted friend or neighbor come by to check up on your home a couple of times. Not only will this help to ensure that everything is right within your home, but it will also bring some motion and human presence to your house.
3. Keep a Car in the Driveway
Unless you have to use your car to get to your vacation destination, leaving it parked in the driveway can be a a great option for increasing your home’s security while you’re not there. It’s all about creating the illusion that someone is home, even when that’s not the case. Although you might be planning to use your car to drive to where you’re going. If that’s the case, a good alternative is to ask a nearby friend or neighbor if they would be willing to park their car in your driveway while you’re away. To sweeten the deal, offer to pay for their next carwash when you get back.
4. Be Mindful of Your Curtains and Blinds
If you typically keep your blinds closed throughout the day, keep them closed while you’re away. However, if it’s more common for you to leave them open for the majority of the day, mimic this while you’re gone, and make the choice to keep them open. The recurring theme here is doing little things in order to generate the impression that you’re still home, so consider leaving your curtains and blinds in a position that is more like how they are on a normal daily basis.
5. Create a Decoy Security System
By putting up decoy security signs, stickers and even imitation cameras in plain sight, you’re increasing your chances of deterring trespassers from trying to enter your home or approach your property. If it looks like a security system is installed, and it’s not hidden, it’s unlikely that someone would try to break in if they saw it.
While we don’t recommend this as your only means of protecting your home but by putting up decoy security signs, stickers and even imitation cameras in plain sight, you’re increasing your chances of deterring trespassers. If it looks like a security system is installed, and it’s not hidden, it’s unlikely that someone would try to break in if they saw it. This should help to give you the peace of mind that you need in order to enjoy your vacation and know that your home will be adequately safe and secure until you return back.
blog post by Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director
Ask Yourself These Questions Before Purchasing Your Home
No matter how many HGTV shows you watch about flipping old houses that have happy endings, reality isn’t always as kind. Regardless of when the home was built and its current condition, if you find yourself in a situation where you’re getting ready to make an offer, ask yourself these questions first to make sure it really is the right house for you (and your budget).
Questions to ask:
Here are some questions to consider to help you determine whether this is your best option:
- Are you forcing the numbers to work?
Being able to “afford a house” goes far beyond whether you can hypothetically secure the funds for a down payment and get a mortgage. It also includes all the repairs, taxes, maintenance fees, utilities, and who knows what else that pops up over time. Make sure you take all of that into consideration and be realistic about what you can afford. - Does the home excite you?
Not everyone is in a place where they’re able to hold out for a home that “excites” them, but if you are, why spend that much money on something you’re not that into? - Does the home meet everyone’s needs?
If you live on your own, this isn’t an issue, but if you live with a partner and/or family, make sure the house is a good fit for everyone—not just you. - Are you willing to waive the inspection contingency?
It’s a seller’s market, so if your attempt to make your offer stand out is to waive the inspection contingency, that could be a problem down the line. There could be something that comes up in the inspection report that completely changes your enthusiasm for buying the home. - Are you ignoring the findings of the inspection report?
If so, this may not be the place for you. If the inspection comes back with red flags trying to tell you this isn’t the house for you, listen to them. Once we begin picturing ourselves in a home or visualizing ourselves raising kids in a home, it’s really hard to walk away. - Are you up to the task of making all the repairs the home requires?
Please be aware that home improvement shows only show a tiny part of the entire renovation process. It is so much work. And also expensive. If you don’t have the skills to do it yourself, or the money to hire people to make the repairs, it’s time to pass. - Does the house have a high turnover rate?
Do a little research and find out the sales history of the house. If it changes hands frequently, that is not a good sign, and you should find out why that happens.
As heartbreaking as it may be to walk away from what you think could be your dream home, the reality is, it might not work out. And it’s better to know that now, than after the papers are signed.
5 Mother’s Day Gifts That Thrill
Mother’s Day is a special time to celebrate moms, although we don’t really need a reason to celebrate mothers because they are amazing everyday. Here are 5 gifts that we thought stood out and reasonably priced for that special mom.
Personalized Handwriting Cutting Board
This unique gift from Etsy showcases handwriting from you or a loved one engraved on a smooth, matte wood cutting board. Your mom can hang it as a display or use it to cook in the kitchen — the bamboo composite is harder than wood and helps keep out bacteria. This runs about $45.
Minted 60-Piece Custom Heart Puzzle
Puzzles picked up in popularity amid quarantine, so consider giving your mom a special one with a personalized photo of your choosing. This 60-piece matte puzzle also comes in a patterned drawstring pouch and hinged box with gold detailing for a beautiful presentation, and includes a reference artwork card that she can follow while building it. The price for this is also around $45.
Sips By – Personalized Tea Gift Card
Tea is often a great gift choice — and it’s hard to mess up. Sips By delivers four types of tea on a monthly basis, based on preferences and taste. Each shipment should cover about 15 cups of tea (more if she resteeps them) and the $45 gift card will cover three months of subscription. If you want to play it safe, this will be a solid choice.
Customs Pillows – All About Vibe
How about a Customized pillow? Every single pillow is custom made-on-demand by artisans in our their partnered factory based in Chicago, IL. Turn any favorite photo, or memorable moment into a soft, double sided and super-realistic pillow. A perfect gift for mom.
Winc Wine Club Membership And Gifts
Winc’s process involves a short quiz that determines her taste and with each new shipment, it learns slightly more to make more informed decisions and recommendations. If she enjoys a glass of red or white (or otherwise) every once in a while, you can be the source of that (responsible) delicious swig. There lots of offers to fit moms needs at a reasonable price.
written by Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director
Moving and Packing Tips Part 2
Here is Part two of Moving and Packing Tips. Pack a “first day” box with items you will need right away (dogs and cats included, hahaha….)
FIRST DAY BOX:
scissors
utility knife
local phone book
coffee cups
teakettle
instant coffee or tea, soft drinks
pencil and paper
soap
bath towels
trash bags
shelf liner
paper plates
snacks
toilet paper
children’s toys and books
MOVING ESSENTIALS:
furniture pads
hand truck or dolly
packing tape
bubble wrap
newspapers or
packing paper
scissors
utility knife
labels
felt-tip markers
cornstarch packing
“peanuts”
plenty of boxes
MOVING DAY: OLD HOME
Pick up the truck as early as possible if you are
moving yourself.
Make a list of every item and box loaded on the truck.
Let the mover know how to reach you.
Double-check closets, cupboards, attic, basement
and garage for any left-behind items.
MOVING DAY: NEW HOME
Be on hand at the new home to answer questions
and give instructions to the mover.
Check off boxes and items as they come off the truck.
Install new locks. Confirm that the utilities have been turned on and
are ready for use.
Unpack your “first day” box (see list above for suggested
contents).
Unpack children’s toys and find a safe place for them to play.
Examine your goods for damage.
written by Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director
Spring Reading List
Spring Reading List
These are my reading picks through Springtime. I hope you enjoy them along with other reading options through Sno-Isle Libraries which is still offering contact-free pick up and return of physical library materials. All online services and resources continue to be available. Sno-Isle Libraries is now currently offering limited in-building services at select Sno-Isle libraries. Visit there site here, sno-isle.org
We Run Tides by, Vida, Vendela
Best friends Eulabee and Maria Fabiola have a vehement falling out after disagreeing on the nature of an act they witness while walking to their upscale all-girls’ school, and Maria Fabiola’s sudden disappearance soon after that exposes dark community secrets.
Sustainable Minimalism by, Seferian, Stephanie Marie
“Break the consumption cycle. There’s so much to do, and way too much to buy. Whether it’s through late night TV ads, social media, or other sources of influence, we are addicted to buying and then storing things. Sometimes we consume with no regret and other times we realize that we’re doing more harm than good to our wallets and our homes. It’s a constant cycle one that many are longing to break. Who wants their hard-earned money to go toward something that soon ends up in a landfill? A guide to eco-minimalism with a plan that is realistic. Manufacturing “stuff” exploits Earth’s precious (and finite) resources. And then there’s the harsh reality of where it all goes. Our discarded possessions ultimately head to landfills and contribute to environmental pollution, releasing greenhouse gases during breakdown and decomposition. Sustainable Minimalism is the solution. Empower yourself to incrementally incorporate the tenets of sustainable minimalism into your home and life. Learn to master the easiest tasks first and build upon your successes a practical and stress-free process.
I hope you enjoy the books I have chosen to put on our blog to read. Visit sno-isle.org to view other wonderful books that are available online. All online services and resources continue to be available. Sno-Isle Libraries is now currently offering limited in-building services at select Sno-Isle libraries. Visit there site here, sno-isle.org
written by Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director
Moving and Packing Tips
The process of moving is long and complex. Being organized, knowing what needs to be done,
and tackling tasks efficiently can make your move significantly less stressful. We have some moving and packing tips for you and a detailed list to keep you on task and help make your move successful.
SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE:
Use up things that may be difficult
to move, such as frozen food.
Get estimates from
professional movers or from
truck rental companies if you
are moving yourself.
Once you’ve selected a mover,
discuss insurance, packing,
loading and delivery, and the
claims procedure.
Sort through your possessions.
Decide what you want to keep,
what you want to sell and what
you wish to donate to charity.
Record serial numbers on
electronic equipment, take photos
(or video) of all your belongings
and create an inventory list.
Change your utilities, including
phone, power and water, from your
old address to your new address.
Obtain a change of address
packet from the post office
and send to creditors,
magazine subscription offices
and catalog vendors.
Discuss tax-deductible moving
expenses with your accountant
and begin keeping accurate
records.
TWO TO FOUR WEEKS BEFORE:
If you’re moving to a new
community, contact the
Chamber of Commerce and
school district and request
information about services.
Make reservations with airlines,
hotels and car rental agencies,
if needed.
If you are moving yourself, use
your inventory list to determine
how many boxes you will need.
Begin packing nonessential items.
Arrange for storage, if needed.
If you have items you don’t want to
pack and move, hold a yard sale.
Get car license, registration and
insurance in order.
Transfer your bank accounts to
new branch locations. Cancel
any direct deposit or automatic
payments from your accounts if
changing banks.
Make special arrangements to
move pets, and consult your
veterinarian about ways to make
travel comfortable for them.
Have your car checked and
serviced for the trip.
Collect items from safe-deposit
box if changing banks.
TWO TO THREE DAYS PRIOR:
Defrost your refrigerator
and freezer.
Have movers pack your
belongings.
Label each box with the contents
and the room where you want it
to be delivered.
Arrange to have payment ready
for the moving company.
Set aside legal documents
and valuables that you do not
want packed.
Pack clothing and toiletries,
along with extra clothes in
case the moving company
is delayed.
Give your travel itinerary to a close
friend or relative so they can reach
you as needed.
Look out for the second part of this coming soon!
written by Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director
