As confirmed cougars, my sister Velma and I have seen our fair share of pasty, mindless men.  So when we heard about the Red, White & Dead Zombie Walk in Fremont we got out our Aquanet, push-up bras, and Halloween make-up (which looks surprisingly like our regular make up) and got to work.

Velma

Vera

This year marks the Zombie Walks’ fourth infestation of Fremont.  And the festivities this year are going to be epic:

- Thriller Dance by Seattle Thrillers

- Fashionably Undead Costume Contest

- Zombie Walk by Seattle Zombie Walk — a run at a Guinness World Record

- Live Music Performances

- Zombie Quarantine Zone Beer Garden

- 10 mobile food trucks

Sure, an homage to the undead seems like a strange place to show off our aging wares, but trust me, honey: we are going to make rotting flesh look good.  And with thousands of staggering stiffs out there we’ll have the pick of the horde.

Interested in joining us — or at least coming down to witness the mayhem?  Come on out to Fremont Outdoor Movies at noon on Saturday.  Here’s where you can dig up some information: http://www.facebook.com/events/352021441481392/

Tickets are still on sale, so hurry up and get yours. https://zombieswalkfremont.eventbrite.com/

*This week’s guest post is brought to you by Vera, herself! Thanks for the contribution, Vera. YOU are a true belle

My sister moved to Fremont a few months ago and she and I have slowly working our way through many of the bars and restaurants in Fremont.  A couple weeks ago as part of our Fremont bar discovery tour we wandered into Woodsky’s to see what it had to offer.  It turns out that the answer to that questions is: goldfish races.

This is Ned. He is a loser.

First off, Woodsky’s is Seattle’s very own ski lodge themed bar.  I do not really ski or snowboard (I have only skied a couple of times and most of that was falling), but I don’t think that is a requirement.  The bar has a very open feel and a relaxed atmosphere.  That is until every Tuesday night when, despite PETA’s best efforts, the people pour in to race goldfish. Registration begins at 9:30PMand the races start at 10:15PM.  For $5 you get to pick out a goldfish, name it (and there is a free shot for whoever has the best name) and pit it against rival goldfish for supremacy and cash prizes.  You also get glory.  All the glory.  Apparently there is some guys who has won like 9 times.  That seemed even more impressive after I gave it a shot.

This is Sparky. He is slightly less of a loser, but still a loser.

Both my sister and I decided to try our luck at this sport of kings.  We each picked out a fish and named them.  You then place your fish in one side of a two lane track and urge them onwards by squirting near them with a waterbottle.  You are not allowed to use anything but water to propel them forward.   My sister and her fish, Sparky, were called up first.  Sparky was a solid racer and was ahead until in the final moments of the race he had a change of heart, turned around and started going the wrong way on the track.  It was a heartbreaking loss.

My fish, Ned, was a different story.  He sucked right off the bat.  He refused to go forward and when he did he would only go a few inches forward before turning around and trying to wedge himself in the beginning of the lane.  He clearly lacked the drive of a champion.   I only wish I had known that before I plucked him from the tank and bet my sister’s hard-earned five dollars on him.  I am saying it was all my Ned’s fault and obviously not my own. I think his main problem was his tiny size.  Let my folly be a lesson to you and pick a bigger fish.

So, if you want to try your hand at the highly technical sport of goldfish racing make your way to Woodsky’s tomorrow night by 9:30 and I wish you more luck than I had.

The line up is out and this Summer’s movies in Fremont are some of the best. Many of them with a special themed event to go along with it. Such as a viewing of Caddyshack with a beer garden/mini golf/pub crawl. Don’t ask me how it works now, but I could certainly follow up with my review.

Some classics and even some more recent blockbusters will show during this season’s Fremont Outdoor Movie events on the big screen located at 3501 Phinney Ave North Seattle, WA 98103 . The cinema screen is directly in the U-Park parking lot by Fremont Studios.
Quite fitting, this summer’s movies kicks off this Saturday night with the 20th anniversary of the movie Singles – the flick centers on the lives of a group of young people, mostly in their 20s, living in an apartment block in Seattle.

The great favorite will be back again this year: Red, White and Dead Zombie Walk. This year marks the fourth year of one of the largest flash mobs to infect the 4th of July weekend in the (Dead) Center of the Universe. Last year, over 7,000 people showed up to help go after a Guinness World Record from previously with New jersey for 4,522 costumed people. Plus it includes a Thriller Dance, Fashionably Undead costume contest, charity beer garden and live music and food trucks.

I snapped a photo of the line up the other day when I was walking home from work. Check it out, pick your fav (personal devotion to Top Gun for this girl) and show up.

Photo by Robert Wade

Solstice is here! Well, not the actual Summer Solstice, but the Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade is this weekend, June 15th-17th. Founded in 1972, the Fremont Fair is a Seattle staple that attracts more than 100,000 people to the Fremont-proclaimed  ’center of the universe.’ For those of you who have never attended the Fremont Fair, allow me to sum up the highlights.

Naked people covered in body paint on bicycles. A dog parade. Wacky decorated art cars. A parade of floats made by the Fremont Arts Council. Sidewalk yoga. The official Fremont motto, ‘Delibertus Quirkus’ meaning ‘freedom to be peculiar.’ Local bands, performers, food, crafts, etc. Aaaaaand…. day drinking. All good things are accompanied by day drinking. Am I right? Be sure to check it out! Click “Continue reading” to see full weekend schedule.

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With Bike to Work Month well underway, Redhook Brewery is doing it’s part as host of the 17th annual Haul Ash Redhook Tour De Brew which commemorates the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Over the years, Haul Ash has become a great tradition for local cyclist and Redhook beer enthusiasts alike.

Registration is open now for the Sunday, May 20 ride.

So pull out the padded spandex shorts and your rain slicker (just in case) and register to ride roundtrip from Redhook Brewery in Woodinville to Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood – the birthplace of Redhook – along the scenic Burke-Gilman Trail. Once in Fremont head into downtown to quench your thirst with a cold pint at the midway point at LTD Bar and Grill, or hold onto your drink tickets for the Haul Ash After-Party. The party will be held in the grassy Bowl at the brewery, complete with a BBQ and Redhook beer garden.

The Deets:

DISTANCE 42 miles roundtrip, flat course
EST RIDE TIME 2.5-4.0 hours
PARKING Available at Redhook, neighboring ball fields, and the business parks on Hwy 202 north of Redhook. No parking at Columbia Winery.

On-Site Registration: You can pre-register with no processing fee in the Forecasters Pub. $30 through May 16. $40 on the event day.

Packet Pickup: Wednesday, May 16 from 4pm to 7pm

May 20, 2012

• Registration & Packet Pickup: 8:00 AM
• Riders Depart: 9:00 AM
• After Party: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

This Sunday, May 6th, Fremont will be overrun by mobile food trucks and wandering buskers (street musicians). Great food, great beer, great music – I can’t wait to get a side ache from dancing on a full stomach!

The Mobile Food Rodeo is Seattle’s largest mobile food truck rally featuring over 35 food trucks and plenty of Pike Place’s best buskers. The festival offers the chance for attendees to sample food from some of the most creative and refreshing menus around, and celebrates the star chefs of the street food scene. Admission is free, a charity beer garden will quench your thirst, and a large  seating area awaits to sooth your tired feet. How can you possibly say no to all of that? Come on down and join the fun!

Photo via Mobile Food Rodeo

First off, contrary to what that title may have you believe I am not a hoarder or an animal hoarder.  I just really enjoy both books and cats.  Though I am not much interested in books about cats.  Though, they would be better than books about horses.  I don’t understand some peoples’ horse obsessions.  I am not a horse person.  Anyway…I’m getting off topic.

Seattle is a city that loves to read.  We are one of the top ten cities with the most bookstores and one of the most literate cities in the country as well.  Seattle has also been on multiple lists as one of America’s most pet friendly cities.  It is no surprise then that sometimes these two things collide.  There are many bookstores in town with their own feline mascots to help you pick something out.  I am particular to the two cats that live at Ophelia’s Books in Fremont. (more…)

Sometimes when I go shopping all I want to do is go in and get out without punching any of my fellow customers in their faces.  However, on occasion, I am up for a bit more of a challenge and like to go on a bit of a hunt.  Antique and vintage stores are not good places to get into and out of quickly.  They are places to meander through looking at all of the piles of hopefully great stuff in search of those items that will call out to you and ask you to take them home.  A great place for a little leisurely vintage browsing is the massive Fremont Vintage Mall.  It is wedged in on Fremont Avenue  right next to Simply Desserts (Which, by the way, makes a great Strawberry White Chocolate Cake). (more…)

My friends and I and our tiny baby mugs

If you didn’t make it down to Fremont’s Oktoberfest this last weekend, don’t fear. I did and I sampled many tasty adult beverages.

As I was sipping out of my tiny five-ounce beer mug, tasting one beer after another, I realized I was consistently choosing the Oktoberfest selections from most vendors. And then a light bulb turned on – I thought, it would be entertaining to put all the Oktoberfest beers together into one tasting party with no distractions (I know, incredibly genius and original huh?)

Aaaaaand then I thought you might be interested too.

Many of these are available at your local grocery store, and if not, perhaps the challenge of going about town to collect them all could be part of the entertainment.

Here are my recommendations:

#1 Deschutes Oktoberfest

Utilizes German Pilsner and Munich malts, as well as German N. Brewer and Hallertau hops. We tried a very traditional method of acidification in our brew kettle. We used a sour sort strain we received from the Distelhauser Brewery in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany.

#2 Okto Festival Ale (Widmer Brothers)

Loosen your lederhosen. Our full-bodied OKTO Festival Ale is inspired by Bavarian Oktoberfest, and we pay fitting tribute with its distinctive malt flavors, mild floral character and crisp clean finish. Prost! To the land of the Prost. Where to Buy: Marjor grocery retailers

#3 Oktoberfest (Silver City Brewery)

Silver City Oktoberfest is an authentic interpretation of this classic amber lager. Just a few sips of this luscious brew and you are transported to the great beer halls of Bavaria. You will enjoy the rich malty sweetness, and spicy hop character of this popular Silver City seasonal brew. Where to Buy: Numerous locations around the Puget Sound

#4 Samuel Adams Oktoberfest

Samuel Adams® Oktoberfest has a rich, deep reddish amber hue which itself is reflective of the season. Samuel Adams Oktoberfest masterfully blends together five roasts of malt to create a delicious harmony of sweet flavors including caramel and toffee. The malt is complimented by the elegant bitterness imparted by the Bavarian Noble hops.

#5 Tomtoberfest (Georgetown Brewing Co.)

Oktoberfest-style amber lager brewed with 2-row Pilsner, Munich, Caramel and Black Malt. Imported Hallertau Hersbrucker hops and Bavarian lager yeast combine to make this Georgetown brew as German-like as possible. Nutty and malty with a dry, clean finish. ABV 6.3% Designed and brewed by Tom Wearly.

Where to buy: Limited bars, growlers at the brewery

And last (not an Oktoberfest but delicious and festive nonetheless).

#5 Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale

Amber-colored ale, brewed with a bounty of fall flavors like vine-ripened pumpkin, allspice, cloves and nutmeg. Together with a touch of wheat, Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale has a smooth, lightly spiced finish. Pairs well with beef dishes and seasonal soups.

Prost!

I’m torn about telling you all about my latest find. On one hand, I want everyone to know about this fabulous new place. But on the other hand, I want to keep it all to myself! Well, I guess I’ll let you in on the secret, just don’t tell anyone, okay?

I was at a friend’s birthday a few weeks ago and the always adorable Monica Guzman was in attendance. Monica always looks cute, but she had on the most stylish outfit ever! It was the perfect combo of a feminine little slip dress layered with a cardigan and leggings then topped off with a funky necklace and fashionable cowboy boots. While complimenting her, Monica let me in on the secret, the slip dress and boots came from Vintage Angel Company. I immediately let my BFF know we needed to plan a shopping trip to this magical place!

About a week later I made a trip with a couple girlfriends and this store did not disappoint! The owner, Susie, restores and reinvents vintage boots and clothes. The Fremont shop opened in June and is a sister store to The Vintage Closet in Phinney Ridge. There are hand-dyed tutus, lacy slip dresses, funky jewelry and boots galore! There are cowboy boots, high-heeled boots, knee-high boots… all super cute and AFFORDABLE! I fell in love with a pair of knee-high, tan leather Aldo boots for $38. Most of the boots were $38 or $58, far more reasonable than the $200-300 price tag of most new boots. And these ones are broken in for you!

Vintage Angel Company is open Thursday – Sunday and can be found across the street from the Lenin statue. I suggest you check it out! Unless you wear size 10 shoes, then you should stay away!

Also, don’t tell anyone, but they are having a FABULOUS $15 boot sale this weekend! Shh! Let’s keep it just between us!