Lynnwood Pool

Hey you all.  I just to my son to the Lynnwood Pool and felt that I should give people some information and pointers about this fantastic place.  The recreation center had 3 pools.  The water is very warm and the pools have some unique features.  I will not go into them here because the website does a better job than I could. What I wanted to do is give you some need to knows:

• Arrive 30-45 min before open swim.  There is always a line and if your at the back you may not get in. 
• A great time to go is when the Everett Public Schools have a half day or a furlough day. 
• Bring your own pad lock.  The lockers are not coin operated.  
• Bring a snack or change for the vending machines.  My little guy is always hungry after swimming.  
• There is an outdoor playground just out side the main pool for kiddos who are tired of swimming and not ready to leave.  
• The library is right down the street. 

Here is a picture of the line.  I am not kidding, you need to get there at least 30 mins early before open swim! However, it is the one of the cheapest places to take the kids to be active ($4 for kids and $5 for adults)

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Bookend Coffee Company

I feel a little silly,  I have been lamenting about the lack of good coffee houses in Everett and I totally overlooked Bookend Coffee Company!  Bookend Coffee Company is located on Hoyt Ave adjoining the Everett Public Library Downtown.  This place is super cozy, quite and relaxed.  I often see people with with there text book or laptops getting work done.  I also have noticed book clubs meeting here.  There is about 5-6 lg oak tables with cushy seats and a couch and a few mission style upholstered chairs next to a electric fire place.  The style is art deco, like the library.  With wood paneling and law books lining the walls.  This place is classy and cozy all at the same time.

The coffee is always really great and if you ask, you can get a "for here cup".  They serve really well made sandwiches from a local deli for under $6.  There pastries are average but defently will satisfy your sweet tooth.  One of the things I like is they have small bags of pretzels or chips for cheap.  There is also cups of soup, lolly pops, bottled drinks and teas available.  Service is always friendly and quick.  I really love this place and we all should not forget its there.  Parking is in the library garage and there is no time limit.  WiFi is free with purchase.

Thing I love:

• Great kid snacks
• You can enjoy your library books and have a cup of coffee
• Its quiet

Things I would like to see:

• Wish there was pastries from a local bakery

Bookend Coffee Company
2702 Hoyt Ave
Everett Wa 98201

425-530-6422

BARK Espresso Seattle, Wa

BARK Espresso is one of my favorite places to visit while I am in Northgate visiting my acupuncturist.  Who is right next door to them. This coffee house is split into two hang outs.  One for humans and one for humans and their doggies.  It is attached to Great Dog (grooming, daycare, obedience, shop and adventure time for our pets).  BARK serves Caffe Vita espresso. The day I visited I had a decaf americano and a squash bread with pumpkin seeds.  The coffee was plenty strong and tasty.  My squash bread was lovely also.  One of the things I like about BARK is that there is a comfy couch. Something missing in some coffee houses.  I love to kick back and enjoy my coffee and play words with friends and be left alone.  I can do that at Bark.  Service is always friendly and quick.  I never have to wait in line for my coffee.  I asked the barista what made BARK special and her response was, We always display local art that is pet related and we serve a doggie latte to our 4 legged friends who come in.  The doggie latte is made from peanut butter and soy milk and served gently warmed.

The last trip I made to BARK, I visited the doggie side.  I found it to be equialy cozy with a faux leather couch and lots of tables and chairs.  On the doggie side you go to a ordering window to get your drinks.

Things I love:

• Doggies are welcome
• Lunch is available
• Lovely baked goods
• There are Gluten free items on the menu
• Cozy and quiet
• Easy Parking
• They take cards and do not charge you an extra fee to do so
• Wifi with purchase of a drink or food

Things I would like to see:

• More people and doggies to visit BARK

Check out my pictures of BARK on photobucket
http://s1172.photobucket.com/albums/r576/cvankeu1977/BARK%20Espresso/

BARK Espresso
Hours: Monday 7am to 4pm
Tuesday-Friday 7am to 5:30pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday 9am to 3pm

Address: 11335 Roosevelt Way NE
               Seattle, Wa 98125

Sno-Isle Food Co op

 I am going to use my power of influence to get you to come to the Sno-Isle Co-op.  Beer!!  Enough said. They have a whole walk in cooler full of local beer.   If you need more convincing read on.

Sno-Isle mission is to provide local, orgainic or free trade products and gifts.  When you walk in you will see a bounty of fresh produce.  Everything is beautiful and tasty.  Besides the  beautiful produce they have the best bulk section I have ever seen.  You can find loads of gluten-free flours, beans, pasta, candy, dried fruits, nuts and so much more.  On the opposite side of the bulk bins is the bulk spices, herbs and teas.  There is cooking herbs and medicinal herbs.  Bulk coffee, nut butters, honey and oils are also available in bulk.  Of course they carry all the regular grocery stuff, including beauty products, organic wines, dairy and vitamins. You can find just about everything you need here.

If you need a quick bite to eat they have a deli case with homemade salads and baked goods. In the case in front of the deli they also have pre-made sandwiches and salads.  You could come here for your lunch and feel good you had a healthy and tasty meal.  There is seating in the front of the store if you want to eat there.

You can become a member and help support their mission to support local farmers.  A life time membership is a $100 and with that you get discounts and invites to member only events and tasting.  But you don't need a membership to shop.  To learn more about Co-ops check out this web site.  www.strongertogether.coop

Sno-Isle Food Co-op
2804 Grand Ave Everett, Wa 98201
(425) 259-3879

Open 8 to 8 Monday - Saturday 10-6 on Sundays

Things I love:

• All the natural sodas and drinks
• The selection of natural cleaning products
• Natural pet products
• Local and handmade gifts
• Free trade gifts
• Great books for sale
• Local beef 

Things I would like to see:

• Meats that are sold fresh (all meats are sold frozen)

Super Supplements Oregon/ Washington

Super Supplements

Let me begin my review saying all my Portland friends and family can visit the Clackamas store on Sunnyside Rd or the one downtown. So read on.

SS (super supplements) is a discount health and wellness store in Wa and Or. When I say discount I mean they deal in volume, not old products. Every thing in the store is anywhere from 15 to 65% off from the retail price. If you sign up to be on there mailing list you will recieve coupons in the mail every few months. Every one that works in the store is super nice and very educated on their prodcuts. The vitamin companies come in and train the employees so they know a lot.

They sell every sort of vitamin supplements you can think of, meal replacements(whey, soy, hemp, bars, shakes), natural beauty products, tea, nuts, natural sweeteners, flower remedies, homeopathic remedies, cold drinks, organic chocolates, probiotics, books, pet supplements and so much more. I absolutely love this company. I believe they have the best selection of any vitamin store out there! There are stores all over Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Things I love:

The selection

Friendly/helpful people

I can go in and grab a meal bar and a cold drink just as fast as if I went to McDonalds.

Web site: www.supersup.com

Everett:

4031 Colby Ave

Everett, Wa 98201

425-293-0373

Clackamas:

9919 SE Sunnyside Rd

Clackamas, Or 97015

503-794-9355

Skagit Valley Food Co-op

Today Our family went to the Skagit Valley Food Co-op http://skagitfoodcoop.com/ for a late lunch after getting a Christmas Tree http://www.biglaketrees.com in Mt. Vernon, Wa.  I love this store!  Some of the things I like about it is it has a full deli with a variety of pre-made foods, saled bar, soup bar, bakery items, coffee bar and much more.  There are tables inside and out for you to have a meal.  I had a bowl of Moroccan chicken  and chickpea soup, David had turkey and noodles and my son "B" had a slice of pizza bread.  All was super yummy.  After we could not help but to pick up sweets.  I got a cream cheese brownie, David got a peanut butter cookie and also we picked up 2 coffee's to go.   Both were great.  


The store it self sell about every thing a regular grocery store sells but its all local and organic.  Well most of it is.  There are a few items that are generic like foil and laundry soap.   I saw many items made in the Skagit valley, candies from Portland, Oregon, hand crafted sodas and much more.  There Health and Beauty section was soooo fun!  They had brands like Merry Hempsters, Bert's Bees, Alba and so many other natural and Organic products.  If your in the Skagit Valley Go to the co-op!!! You will love it 


The things I loved:
-The Deli-So much food!!
-The fact the also carried Western Family Generic brand.
-They support local farmers and businesses


Things that need improvement:
-Service was slightly slow


Skagit Valley Food Co-op
202 South First Street 
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Open every day till 9