Happy Happy Happy

Well it's back to school, back to the grind! And, there are always many reasons to celebrate. Gather at Tagaris and enjoy flatbread pizza while sipping Kokkino. Linger indoors, or hang out on the patio while the weather remains friendly.

There's a new venue in town, Casa Vino. Swing by and swirl some wine in your glass. Breathe!

Catch the current that runs through Tri Cities ... let it carry you away!

Amusing Grace

It has been a roller coaster ride to the end of summer. Having experienced everything from Hurricane Harbor & Magic Mountain to Disneyland to Silverwood Theme Park and finally the local fair, suffice it to say "there's no place like home."

The lessons from Acres of Diamonds glisten ever more brilliantly after recent travels. For a water park, Boulder Beach is a nice drive away. Closer yet is the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center! Either offers a splash of a good time, comparable to Hurricane Harbor in sunny SoCal. Or for a free soak, step into the river!

Then there is the ride thing. Get bang for the buck at Silverwood ... or wait till August and enjoy the fare at the Benton Franklin Fair!

The fun rivals that of any amusement park or attraction! Catch the current running in and through Tri Cities.

Join the Club ... Experience Tri Cities

There are many ways to get connected in Tri Cities, and many options for involvement.

Join the club. Among the clubs to explore : Meadow Springs Country Club, Tri City Country Club, Canyon Lakes Golf, Horn Rapids Golf Club. These clubs usually offer a range of membership opportunities from Social for those who wish to enjoy club activities (dining, the pool, wine tasting, bar be que, special events, and etc.) to Family to Regular which includes almost unlimited golf opportunites. What a joy to swill mojitos or margaritas and swapping stories after any sort of play!

Save the world. Get in on the fundraising action by participating with any of many guilds or foundations. The Children's Hospital Guilds plan events to increase resources. This is one of many opportunities.

Hit the trail. Become one of the many Friends of Badger Mountain. Efforts for land preservation and conservation put a wonderful hike at your feet! Remember to bring plenty of water (but not too much because the loo is at the base of the hill).

Run with the river that runs in and through Tri Cities.

A River (or Three) Runs Through It ...

This one is all about finding balance ...

A recent death in the family has helped remind me all how precious life is. "No one gets out of this one alive." Be boldness. Be love. Be beauty.

A stroll along the river led me to wade in the cool waters. I was thankful for the refreshing treat to my toes. While standing ankle-deep at the river's edge, I stumbled across an infinity of beautiful colors as the wet stones revealed their authentic selves. So many attracted my attention, however I restricted my selection to three. These I held in my hands and "inscribed" them with my thoughts.

Peace. Forgiveness. Opulance. We can change the world, together. Then I tossed them back into the water. Then, last evening, I watched as lightening lit up the sky with a show of power and focus. Thunder drummed past overhead. And, drops fell from heaven.

Embrace and add to the blessing that travels with the current running through Tri Cities.

Follies & Fashion & Fidelitas

TAN YOUR HIDE, HIDE YOUR TAN ... Artwalk and the Water Follies visited Tri Cities bringing many out to the river's edge. In the warm summer sunshine, many were tanning their hides while showing off various forms of body art ~ tattoos, piercings, cleavage, crevices, and more! Fashion statements abound.

To hide the tan come September, CAbi representatives introduced the Fall Fashion line up. A full house gathered at the Café at Queensgate to enjoy the runway models in CAbi wear. I particularly taken by the flapper style shift dress. It moves in the most delightful way.

While viewing the clothes, we were treated to the most delightful treats ~ my favorite being the vanilla mini cupcakes with pink frosting.

I ended the week with a delish dinner at P.F. Chang's ~ ambiance and all! Usually a take-out diner, we snagged a rare empty table. Thus I sat for a while sipping through a bottle of Fidelitas 2004 Optu with family, reminiscing about hydroplanes and flappers, enjoying our food piping hot!

The current runs deep and wide ... step into it.

Digging It ... Here & There.

This week was an adventure in getting to know the neighbors!

First, a road trip to the state next door - Idaho - for rockhounding! Just a drive out of Tri Cities through Pullman (Cougar territory) and past Clarkia (as close as one can pinpoint it on a map), the road leads to the Emerald Creek Garnet Area where Star Garnets are tucked in the soil. These 12-faceted gem stones look like dried raisins covered in cocoa - if you can find them. Clean 'em up and you will see the deep burgundy and purple hue in the light. One lucky digger came up with a golf-ball sized gem that might likely host a star inside, thus fetching thousands of dollars! Our take was more conservative. However, the quest for treasure unearthed priceless fun.

Returning home, we were beckoned to a block party & barbeque! Sweet summer sizzle as families gathered in the cul de sac to share dishes, swap stories, and play. Karaoke, step aside! The center of attention was the Wii Rock Band Special Edition and, since three neighbors own Wii sets, we could Wii, Wii, Wii all the way home.

In the Tri Cities, the current is strong ... go with it!

One Affair After Another ~ FUNdraising Tri Cities

The buzz around town is usually alive with the latest philanthropic affair. These events are unique opportunities to gather, imbibe, socialize, and ... bid, buy, beget.

There are many memorable opportunities in which to indulge while giving to a worthy cause. An example is the New England Clambake we bid for last spring. On this particular weekend, we enjoyed an exquisite and exclusive feast for twelve, brought fresh from the coast to our local Cañon de Sol winery!

The chefs were wearing "new hats" as the team from Henager, Black & Ciabattoni Dentistry donned aprons and concocted the brew of shellfish, potatoes, corn, onions, and spices. A dozen diners were treated to a feast of cool hors douvres, an array of wines, a whole lobster accompanied by oysters and clams, plus all the sides. For dessert, barrel tasting and cigars ... next time, we will bid higher!

Create a current in that which runs through Tri Cities.