At Woodapalooza, You Can Look AND Touch

Ever wish you could go to a museum where you could touch every exhibit?

Not all art is just for looking. And at a new festival this weekend in South Whidbey Community Park, you'll be able to see--and touch--for yourself.

This weekend kicks of Woodapalooza, a weekend long celebration of woodworking in the region hosted by the Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild. Featuring 20 artists over the course of the three-day event, the event is a great chance to meet some local artists and get to know their work on an intimate level.

This is a particularly unique opportunity because woodworkers are notoriously known for their privacy. “Most of the world doesn't know we exist,” guild spokesman Gary A. Leake said in an article on HeraldNet.com.

“My son's friends come over and they say, ‘Wow, your dad does this?' And they want to know all about it and he says, ‘Let's go play video games,'” said Pat McVay, one of the artists. “Same thing from my wife. Oh, just another sculpture.”

Here are just a few examples of pieces you might find at Woodapalooza:

A sculpture of man dining at a table wipes his face with a napkin. Two statues in a wine garden gossip. The life-sized carving of Babe Ruth is posed ready to slam a ball, right down to the action wrinkles in his uniform.

A man thrown backward by a tsunami of junkmail from a mailbox is a whimsical favorite in Clinton. It's by the post office.

“Woodpalooza” is noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with a reception 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Zech Hall, 565 Camano Ave., Langley.

Admission is free.

For more information: www.woodpalooza.com.

King County Metro Testing Green Buses

If you use public transportation to get to work in King County and you care about the environment, we have good news! Thanks to a $4.7 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration, King County Metro will be replacing two of its older buses with 40-foot, heavy duty battery powered electric buses.

Although two thirds of the county's buses are already fully or partially electric, the new fleet to be tested is even greener. Metro hopes that the entire fleet will look like this by 2018.

Said King County Executive Dow Constantine:

"Ten years after King Country began replacing older buses with hybrid-electric models, we now have technology that holds the promise of an even cleaner and more energy-efficient fleet."
Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond said:

"This testing will allow us to understand where these electric buses can best be used and what their performance will be like within our real-world operating environment...These answers, combined with ongoing federal support and growing interest, will be key in moving this technology into the mainstream."
These new buses will begin testing in June 2015.

Click here to read more about this in the Bothell Reporter!

Remembering Robin Williams' Impact on Seattle

Robin Williams meant something different to every one of us, whether you knew him for his movie roles, standup comedy, or his ability to improvise. But as residents of the Bothell/Seattle area, let's take some time to remember what he meant to our region, particularly for those less fortunate.

In particular, back in 2004, Williams performed stand-up at the Showbox nightclub in Seattle--and to everyone's surprise, he donated all of the show's proceeds to the West Seattle Food Bank.

KING5 news recently covered this story, and the Seattle Food Bank's executive director, Fran Yeatts, recalls: "I was just astounded...Robin Williams is the type of person who really understands there are a lot of people who are really, really struggling."

Another volunteer that night recalled Williams' down-to-earth personality:

"He was this real guy, this regular Joe that had the same issues," said Ellis. "He said it was an honor for him to be able to do these things, to give back...That meant the world to me. It solidified my sobriety to this day."
Said another food bank volunteer, who was inspired by Williams:

"In spite of the problems that some people have, they can still to great things," he said. "I think Robin Williams is a classic example of that."

Click here to learn more about the West Seattle Food Bank, including how to donate or volunteer.


Click here to learn more about Robin Williams' life on KING5.com.


Click here for suicide prevention resources in Washington state.

Washington Wine Month & Woodinville Wine Walk!

Did you know that August is Washington Wine Month, sponsored by the Washington Wine Commission? It is! And yes, we did get started a little early in late July with our wine and cheese event, but there's no reason to stop celebrating through August!

One perfect opportunity to celebrate is the First Thursday Wine-Mead-Spirit Walks in the Hollywood District of Woodinville. At this weekly event, wineries, distilleries, and a meadery will open their tasting rooms for a flat price of $20 in advance (or $25 the day of), so you can taste all the award winning wine, mead, and beer.

And remember, the event is BYOG! (Bring Your Own Glass!)

Here are some more details on the event:

PARTICIPATING TASTING ROOMS

• J Bookwalter (Main Ticket Station)
• Otis Kenyon (Ticket Station)
• Zerba Cellars
• Trust Cellars (Ticket Station)
• Dusted Valley
• Brian Carter
• Sky River Mead (Ticket Station)
• And more to come…..

DETAILS

• Bring your own glass ($5 if you need a basic glass)
• $25, CASH ONLY, the night of the event
• Ticket sales end at 7:00pm
• Check in for tickets and wristband at any ticket station (locations listed online)

Hollywood District of Woodinville
14810 NE 145th ST
Woodinville, WA 98072

Click here to read more about the the First Thursday Wine-Mead-Spirit Walks in the Hollywood District of Woodinville!