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5 Ways to Spend Black Friday NOT Shopping

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Nov 23, 2016
5 Ways to Spend Black Friday NOT Shopping

Most airlines fly 365 days a year. Most airlines are nationally owned and operated. We’re not most airlines.

We’re a family owned and operated business, home based at the north end of Lake Washington. We call Kenmore home. We have since we were founded in 1946. And, we don’t fly on Thanksgiving or Christmas.

We’re closed both days.

We believe the holidays are meant to spent with family and we want to make sure our employees are able to do just that.

We also believe that for those who aren’t rushing to meet the Black Friday crowds, there should – and are – plenty of fun things to do. Which is why we’re sharing a few of our favorites.

Peruse the Canada’s National Gingerbread Showcase

Now through January 2, The Inn at Laurel Point is hosting Canada’s . This incredible event brings together professional and amateur bakers from across Canada. This year’s theme was ‘Around the World.’ Bakers were asked to draw inspiration from their unique travel experiences and family traditions.

Canada’s National Gingerbread Showcase

Let it Glow at WildLights

Let it glow at the Woodland Park Zoo’s annual event. Starting November 25 (aka Black Friday), the zoo will be brighter than ever. There will even be faux snowball fights!

Hike Mount Constitution

Burn off some of that Thanksgiving turkey with a hike. The tallest peak in the San Juans, Mount Constitution on Orcas Island, offers stunning views. If you don’t feel up for a full-bore hike, you could always drive to the top.

Seattle Scenic Flight

We might be biased, but we think the best views of Seattle are from the sky. Rather than fight the crowds, get your head in the clouds aboard a Seattle Scenic Flight.

Seattle Scenic Flight Tour

Wander Through the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park

Spanning 20-plus acres, the is home to more than 150 unique installations and creations. Located just outside of Roche Harbor, it features five walking trails and is open everyday from dawn to dusk.

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Exclusive Discount to 2016 Orcas Island Film Festival

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Sep 30, 2016
Exclusive Discount to 2016 Orcas Island Film Festival

51Âé¶č is excited to announce we’re the official airline of the third annual Orcas Island Film Festival.

Each year, this amazing festival brings a collection of thought-provoking films from around the world to the island. From October 7 – 10, more than 15 different films will be shown in theaters throughout Orcas Island. This year’s lineup includes:

Girl Asleep

What happens to a teenage girl’s mind after a disastrous birthday party? Directed by Rosemary Myers, takes you into the absurd, scary, and beautiful heart of the matter.

Heidi

When an eight-year-old Swiss orphan is torn between the home of her grandfather in the mountains and her wealthy aunt in the city, the adventures are endless. Directed by Alain Gsponer, is tested to the core as she forms an unlikely friendship and makes the best of a bad situation.

Sand Storm + Storm of the Century

Directed by Elite Zexer, , follows the tale of two Bedouin women as they defy the tradition of polygamist marriage. Experience what it means when a teenage girl and her mother refuse to comply in southern Isreal.

EXCLUSIVE KENMORE AIR DISCOUNT

As the Official Airline of the , all 51Âé¶č customers will receive 15% off a Weekend Pass to the festival. A Weekend Pass will give you:

  • VIP access to every film
  • Reserved seating (allocated on a first come, first serve basis)
  • Entry to the Gala on Friday night
  • Entry to the short film awards party Saturday night

To redeem this offer, purchase your Weekend Pass on the Orcas Film Fest website and use the code: Kenmoreair

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Kenmore Mural – A Beautiful Tribute to the City’s Rich History

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Aug 19, 2016 Mikaela Judd
Kenmore Mural - A Beautiful Tribute to the City’s Rich History

At the corner of Bothell Way and 73rd, where traffic is common and horns often honk, and are adding the finishing touches to the .

The two artists are on a tight schedule. The official ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for September 5 from 11 AM – 2 PM.

Spanning 188 feet, the mural pays tribute to Kenmore’s rich and eclectic history.

“There were definitely parts of the city’s history some people didn’t want showcased, but it was really important to us to tell the true story – the story of a place where everyone was accepted,” Gaul told me on day 80 of active painting.

Gaul Culley works on the Kenmore Mural

At the time of our interview, more than 5,000 man hours had been poured into the project. From time-to-time, volunteers joined the ladies – including the mayor and his wife. But mostly, it was just Staci and Gaul armed with their brushes and their wit.

While these two definitely take their art seriously, they are quick to have fun. It shows in their bright color palette, their use of Northwest inspired realism, and their sense of imagination. If you watch long enough, you might even catch one of them pretending to pluck an ice cream cone from the wall.

Designed specifically to be viewed from the street, the mural features large blocks of color and images that are scaled draw the eye upward and forward. The design causes the viewing experience to change drastically based on your perspective. Pedestrians walking beside the mural are treated to small details such as a portrait here and the furry rump of a deer there. Passengers driving past enjoy a flip-book-esc view as images blend into a story. Even from the air, the mural catches your eye with bold shapes.

Staci Adman works on the Kenmore Mural

Among their favorite pieces is the image of a Native American woman. “For me, she not only pays homage to those who were here first, she is a representation of how this project is a collaboration. Gaul did the body and the portrait. I did the basket and the headdress. It just means a lot to me,” Staci told me.

Gaul also pointed to the shopping cart, located near the center of the mural. Like a modern day cornucopia, it honors those within the community whose homes might be on four wheels. “It makes you consider, ‘What would you put in your shopping cart?’ And that’s really important as we think about and include every member of our community,” Gaul explained.

What’s my favorite part? The 51Âé¶č seaplane of course! (I might be biased.) You’ll find it located on the east end of the mural with a wingspan stretching nearly 18 feet!

Were pieces of Kenmore’s history left out? Undoubtedly, yes. For example, the city had a single jail cell in its early days. “If we’d known about it from the beginning, I’d have put Gaul inside,” Staci said.

But for the most part, the year of research and collaboration the women poured into the mural has culminated in a comprehensive – and undeniably beautiful – addition to Kenmore’s landscape.

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Urban Hiking in Seattle: Lake Union – Kerry Park Loop

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Jul 15, 2016 Mikaela Cowles
Urban Hiking in Seattle: Lake Union - Kerry Park Loop

A bird’s-eye view is a great way to get your bearings when you’re in a new place. It lets you wrap your head around the neighborhoods and topography. But after you’ve drunk in the lakes and building tops, neighborhoods and needle points (hello Space Needle!), putting boots on the ground gives you a bit more intimate look.

In Seattle, we’re blessed with a plethora of urban hikes. As the city’s complicated geography was developed, stairways were carved into steep hillsides, connecting neighborhood to neighborhood. Today, these same pedestrian pathways offer the ideal way to explore – while also stretching your legs (and racking up a few thousand steps, if you’re into that sort of thing).
Urban Hiking in Seattle
The Lake Union – Kerry Park Loop features big climbs, long descents, and a veritable feast of views. I like to begin this urban trek at 51Âé¶č’s Lake Union terminal (A). It’s less than a half-mile stroll to the Westlake Pedestrian Bridge.

Spanning 130 feet, the Westlake Pedestrian Bridge (B) stretches over Westlake Avenue. With its large support beams and long cable-stays that echo the masts of sailboats in the marina below.

On the west side of the bridge, a series of switchback stairways lead to Dexter Avenue. They border a commercial building. At the top of flight small verandas offer exceptional views of Lake Union, downtown, and Capitol Hill.

Cross over Dexter and follow the Galer Street stairs up and over Aurora Avenue. Take a quick jaunt south on Taylor Avenue North, west on Lee Street, and south on 5th Avenue North. You’ll arrive at the edge of (C). This sliver-sized park is nestled among residential houses. Follow its short trail system for a lovely way to keep climbing upward. Don’t be surprised to find families tucked along the path enjoying a picnic or couples enjoying a lazy stroll. At its peak, an expansive view of the city unfolds.

Take Comstock Place to Bigelow Avenue North and head southwest. Take a left on 3rd Avenue North’s pedestrian-only stairway and west onto Prospect Street until you hit 2nd Avenue North (D). Take a left. This small 75-step stairway is the oldest in Seattle. It was built in 1904. At its base, rests a large white house that looks like it was plucked from a storybook. And, it very well might have been. Check the Little Free Library that rests just beyond its gate. You might find yourself lost in a story.

Continue south on 2nd for one block and then head west on Ward for one block. Heading back north up Warren Avenue North, take a left on head Highland Drive. (You’ll now be headed west.) In four blocks, you’ll reach Kerry Park (E) – the ultimate star of this urban hike.

While it spans just 1.26 acres, Kerry Park offers one of the best views in all of Seattle. Located on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill, you’ll be able to see the Space Needle, Key Arena, and Safeco Field. Elliot Bay will rest beneath you and West Seattle will stretch out to the south. Ferry boats will come and go. You might see large shipping vessels coming into port and dinosaur-esc cranes unloading them. On a clear day, you’ll even be able to see Mount Rainier.

Once you are finished soaking in the view, follow 3rd Street West north to West Galer Street and head east. You’ll run into Queen Anne Avenue, where a plethora of great restaurants and quaint coffee shops reside. (This is a great spot for a break, if you want one.)

From Queen Anne an elegant stairway connects West Galer Street to Galer Street. In three more blocks, you’ll come to Old Queen Anne High School (F). Built in 1909, this magnificent landmark is on the National Register of Historic Places. While the high school closed in 1981, the building was converted into condos and remains occupied today.

Take a left on Nob Hill Avenue North, a left on Garfield Street, and a right on 3rd Avenue North. Along the quiet residential street, you might see kids playing basketball and 20-somethings walking their dogs. You might find grandmas tending their plants and workmen repairing a broken fence. This is Seattle, quiet and quaint.
Victorian House on the Lake Union and Kerry Park Urban Hike
At Howe swing east and then take a quick left on Nob Hill. In two blocks you’ll find an eclectic Victorian-style cottage (G). The yard features eccentric statues and the house itself has been painted a breathtakingly wonderful collection of colors.

Continue along the path by taking a right on Crockett Street, right on 4th, and left on Newton. At Bigelow head south for one block. A small 60-step stairway will connect you to 5th Ave North. Follow 5th to Taylor, Taylor to Galer (H) and Galer back to Westlake .

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Celebrate Mom with a Tasty Adventure

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Apr 4, 2016 Mikaela Cowles
Celebrate Mom with a Tasty Adventure

Show your mom just how much you love her with a seaplane adventure she’ll remember for a lifetime.

Sure, a box of chocolates or a new sweater will do in a pinch. But, when you really want to show mom how much she matters, nothing fits the bill quite like making a memory together.

For a bit of adventure that packs a tasty punch, weñ€ℱve once again partnered with Kiana Lodge.

Your getaway will start at southern end of Lake Union, where youñ€ℱll board one of our seaplanes. After a thrilling takeoff, you and your mom will soar over Seattle and the beautiful Puget Sound. The spectacular 15-minute flight will take you to the dock at Kiana Lodge.

This magnificent 6-acre waterfront sanctuary is a slice of Northwest elegance. Located in the inlet near Sandy Hook, its grounds are a riot of fragrant cedars, tall firs and manicures gardens.

Well-known for its exceptional cuisine, brunch will be served in the Garden Atrium. The menu will include: Kiana Signature Salmon, oven roasted pineapple glazed ham, smoked brisket, baked mac & cheese, eggs Benedict, homemade frittatas, scrambled eggs, savory bacon and sausage, French toast, desserts and much more.

After brunch, your return flight brings you back to Lake Union. Reservations are required, and space is limited.

Sunday, May 8 ñ€± 10:30 am ñ€“ 1:00 pm or 11:45 am ñ€“ 2:30 pm

Call 866.435.9524 to book your seats online today.

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2016 Friday Harbor Laboratories Open House

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Mar 28, 2016 Mikaela Cowles
2016 Friday Harbor Laboratories Open House

Since 1904, the have been one of the most well respected biology and oceanography research destinations in the world. Located on San Juan Island, just outside of Friday Harbor, the labs enjoy access to relatively pollution free waters. Swift tideways, quiet bays and lagoons, and a diverse terrain of rock and sand make them home to an exceptionally rich collection of flora and fauna.

Throughout most of the year, the labs remain closed to the public. However, once a year the labs host an Open House. Saturday, May 14, this amazing facility will be open to the public from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to share what we do with the community,” said Friday Harbor Laboratories Advancement Coordinator Rachel Anderson.

The Open House includes a variety of activities including self-guided tours, exhibits, hands-on demos, and lectures. Best of all are the Scuba Diving Demos. “Kids and adults alike absolutely love them,” said Anderson.

This year, the diving demos will be extra special. To find out why we talked Pema Kitaeff, Friday Harbor Laboratories Diving Safety Officer.

Q: How many divers are in the water at one time?
Pema: There will be two divers in the water during each demo.

Q: During the diving demos, will there be cameras below the surface so folks can see what’s going on?
Pema: Yes. One of the divers will be swimming with a video camera hard-wired to the monitor on the dock so people can watch what the divers are seeing in real-time.

But the real exciting draw is that the divers will be wearing full-face masks equipped with-way communication. It’s like a two-way radio. It allows the divers to communicate with the surface.

Q: Awesome. Will the divers bring up specific things to show folks on the surface?
Pema: Yes. Just a few critters. We’ll allow people in the audience to ask for what they’d like to see the divers bring up. That’s one of the really exciting things about the two-way communication. The divers will be able to carry on a conversation during the dive.

Scuba Diving Demos Schedule

11:30 AM
12:30 PM
1:30 PM
2:30 PM

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Celebrating Aviation Geek Fest with a Flight Tour Discount

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Mar 3, 2016 Mikaela Cowles
Celebrating Aviation Geek Fest with a Flight Tour Discount

Aviation Geek Fest is back. For the seventh year in a row, the folks at have organized behind the scene tours and once in a lifetime aviation packed activities.

Working in conjunction with Future of Flight, Museum of Flight, and Boeing, they have created a two-day event sure to thrill. You’ll have the opportunity to see what happens on the factory floor, talk to experts, and check out a cockpit first hand. There will even be an opportunity to tour the Dreamliner gallery.

51Âé¶č Seattle Scenic #AVGEEK16 Special

Extend the excitement even further. Join us for a Seattle Scenic Flight Tour April 7 – 12.

Take off and land on Lake Union in downtown Seattle. Get a bird’s eye view of the city including Lake Union’s famous houseboat community, the University of Washington campus, and the dramatic downtown skyline on bustling Elliott Bay. You might even get to sit copilot!

Call 866.435.9524 Use promo code: #AVGEEK16 and we’ll $25 off the regular ticketed price.*

Scenic Flight Tours are operated aboard de Havilland Beavers and Otters. The primary members of our fleet, production of both planes ended in 1967. At our headquarters in Kenmore, Washington, our maintenance department restores and maintains these elegant machines.

Learn more about the history of the de Havilland Beaver.

*Discounts can only be applied over the phone.

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Victoria Beer Week 2016

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Mar 1, 2016 Mikaela Cowles
Victoria Beer Week 2016

March 4 – 12, the annual Victoria will showcase an array of BC craft breweries.

Each year this nine-day festival showcases a wide array of BC craft breweries. Throughout this nine-day festival events will focus on education and, of course, sampling. March 4, it will kick off with a at the Victoria Public Market. This lively opening will include 25 unique casks and food from the market’s vendors.

Daily events feature tours, pairings, pub-crawls, workshops and more.

Victoria Beer Week Event Highlights

March 5 – Homebrewers Workshop
Join Michael Kuzyk at Category 12 Brewing to get a . Learn the process, flavor development, and environmental essentials to creating your own perfect pour.

March 6 – Beer School
If only all classes allowed drinking! At , drinking’s not just allowed, it’s encouraged. You’ll be invited to sample different flavor profiles, learn about how they were created and more.

March 8 – Drink In The Story
Join three of BC’s renowned brewers at . They’ll be sharing the story behind their breweries and one of their beers, offering insight into some of their inspiration, frustration, education and craft. Beer pairings available to accompany each story.

March 8 – Pucker Up
If you like sour beer, this one is for you. Come experience a .

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7 Rock Star Father’s Day Gifts

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Jun 15, 2015
7 Rock Star Father’s Day Gifts

Father’s Day is just around the corner. Are you prepared? Whether you want to spend some quality time with dad or give him something he’ll use for years to come, we have your covered.

Put a Fishing Trip on the Books
Get out of town for some quality time with dad. Take him on a seaplane ride from 51Âé¶č’s Lake Washington terminal to a British Columbia fishing lodge. Offering some of the best fishing in the world, these remote destinations let you get a little rugged during the day and relax in comfort at night. As an added bonus for U.S. residents, the American dollar’s particularly strong at the moment, meaning you get a better bang for your buck.

Take Him out to the Ball Game
Few things scream quality dad time louder than a ball game. A few peanuts. A beer (maybe two). Perhaps a stadium dog. Talking balls and strikes. Yelling at umps. It’s what Father’s Day weekend was made for. And, . Grab some tickets and take dad out to the ballgame.

Keep Him Pedaling
Sometimes his ride just needs a little help to keep on rolling. For a sleek and functional solution to on-the-go repairs, Seattle-based design firm, E.H. Works, created a compact tool kit. Their comes in a variety of waxed canvas colors. It features 10 pockets of varying sizes give him dry storage for the cycle tools he’ll need in a pinch.

Fly High
Go on a Seattle Scenic Flight Tour and give dad a bird’s eye view of Seattle. You’ll take off from Lake Union in a 1960s de Havilland Beaver or Otter. Soaring over the city, you’ll be treated to a narrated adventure as you fly over Lake Union’s famous houseboat communities, the University of Washington campus, Seattle’s professional sports stadiums and more!

Encourage His Foodie Habit
What good gent doesn’t love a tasty bite? Encourage dad’s inner foodie with a bit of inspiration. Josh Henderson (aka the chef we can all thank for Skillet’s infamous Bacon Jam) recently published . It catalogs the best of what’s passed through Josh’s mobile Airstream trailer window and his brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Dad’s not the in-the-kitchen type? Have no fear. Savor Seattle offers a variety of Seattle-based food tours, including their incredible . This Pike Place Market-based tour features 12+ tastings, including 6 cocktails!

Help Him Keep Time
When dad’s an adventure enthusiast, you never know where the day’s going to take him. Help him keep track of time with a timepiece that’s built to last. Filson’s is sturdy enough to handle whatever he throws at it, whether that’s an outdoor two-week excursion or a night of drinking bourbon downtown.

Pour Him a Drink
Invite dad to kick back and relax with a gin cocktail perfect for summer. The San Juan Island Distillery’s locally brewed gin features a variety of subtle and not so subtle flavors. Their , designed to highlight each gin’s uniqueness, walk the sweet-acidic line in a way dad’s sophisticated palate will appreciate.

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Cory and Matt Pavlovich – Saying,

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Feb 12, 2015 Mikaela Judd
Cory and Matt Pavlovich - Saying,

Cory’s not the kind of woman who settles down. A self-proclaimed “flyer,” she moved six times in the 10 years following the completion of her undergrad degree from Washington State University. She didn’t realize an Iowa boy with charm, wit and a healthy dose of nerd would turn a stop in the road into home.

But he did.

Meeting in Seattle, Matt and Cory bonded over dogs, banter packed conversations and a brief stint as thieves.

(During their first date, they miscommunicated about who was paying for the beer. It wasn’t until hours later they realized, no one had. Don’t worry. They went back and settled up.)

One day, between jokes about ‘Flight Risk Cory’ and trips to the dog park, she woke up with a life changing and location grounding realization. Cory told me over coffee:

I literally woke up one day and knew I loved him. And that was it. I was all in. Because this is home to me. This is more home to me than any place I’ve ever been. He’s home to me.

A Suitcase. A Box. A Ring.
“Cory knows about everything,” Matt said. In the years they dated, their lives became deeply interwoven. Keeping a secret from her was darn near impossible. Still, Matt was determined Cory wouldn’t know about the proposal.

His options were limited. He couldn’t talk to a friend. They might slip and say something. He couldn’t call or text a jeweler. They might call while Cory was around.

That’s why, for the months leading up to the big question, he spent his afternoons cycling to Magnolia. “I’d tell her I was going on all these big rides around the city. But really, I was just biking to the house of a diamond dealer we knew and designing the ring,” Matt said.

In high school, Matt took a jewelry class. It was his first stint flexing the fine motor skills he utilizes today at his West Seattle dental practice, . Among the pieces he designed was a ring. It had a halo with an opal in the center. He gave it to his mom with the stipulation she hang on to it until he met ‘the one.’

He modeled the new ring after the original one – with some changes. The opal was traded for a diamond. The sterling silver was given a platinum upgrade.

To up the ‘surprise’ ante even more, Matt planned a weekend getaway – without telling Cory. He filled a suitcase. “I picked out eight of everything she could possibly want,” he told me. He booked airfare. He reserved a hotel room. He even called Cory’s boss and gave him a heads up. When Cory came home, he asked her to go to San Francisco for the weekend.

“I said, ‘What, are you crazy? You don’t even know what I’d pack,’” Cory recounted. Tearing through the miss-matched weekend wardrobe, she discovered a box.

“Will you go to San Francisco with me? And, will you spend the rest of your life with me?” Matt asked.

She said yes, on both accounts.

Untraditional Digs
Far from your average couple, Cory and Matt didn’t want an average wedding. “I thought about being in a stuffy ballroom and I didn’t want that stark feel,” Cory explained.

They tossed around a variety of ideas. Woodinville wineries. Leavenworth on the river. Carillon Point.

And then Cory thought of 51Âé¶č Harbor. With Munro family ties, she knew there’d been a wedding on the dock once before. Her cousin, 51Âé¶č President Todd Banks, had said “I do,” there years earlier.

They looked at the space and were immediately sold. Matt said:

It had everything. It had a view. It was outdoorsy, but at the same time gave us an indoor space. The juxtaposition was perfect. We were able to get this perfect combination of an unassuming space that we dressed up with classy touches.

And so, on a sunny Saturday in October, Cory and her bridal party climbed into a de Havilland Otter. It was a quick, but thrilling, flight from Kirkland to Kenmore’s Lake Washington home, complete with a wing dip and a flyby.

In the moments before the sky turned pink, Cory and Matt stood at the end of the dock and said, “I Do.”

Molly Landreth Weddings, Photographer
To ensure the day was captured, Matt and Cory hired Seattle-based wedding photographer . “The best thing about working with her was that she captured the moments without you even noticing. Plus, the pictures were fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for more,” Cory told me.

Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, Caterer
As an exceptional cook and a huge foodie, the menu was incredibly important to Matt. Luckily, they found . “They were amazing. They listened to every request we had, completely customizing the menu and decorations for us,” Matt said.

Flower Lab, West Seattle Florist
To ensure the edgy space was given a romantic touch, Cory and Matt worked with their local florist, . “They were hugely instrumental in making the venue look romantic and beautiful for our big day,” said Cory.

John Freeman, Wedding Planner
“We hired a wedding planner and she was awful,” Cory said.

Luckily, their good friend John Freeman stepped up to the plate. “[The wedding] planner would do things and completely mess them up. Then Cory and John would go back and fix them. He was a lifesaver,” Matt explained.

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