Northwest Travel and Life
“Shell” We Head to Oysterfest?
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. The year was 1979. Dick Oltman was a graduate student with a simple goal of completing a thesis that became the model for what is now Oysterfest. Decades later, thousands of people from the Pacific Northwest and beyond make their annual visit to this event filled with great […]
Lund, British Columbia: Gateway to Desolation Sound
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Summertime is best spent on the water in Lund. This picturesque, small town in British Columbia is best known for being the gateway to Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park, British Columbia’s largest marine park with warm waters, calm bays and wildlife that make it a boater’s paradise. With […]
Bellwether and Bucatini: Bellingham, Washington
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Late afternoon light filled the harbor. Our ample room at Bellingham’s Bellwether hotel had the solid refinement of a wealthy aunt’s guest room, complete with fireplace. It was the style to which we wish to be accustomed. From its balcony we looked out at Squalicum Harbor. There were […]
Meeting News Northwest
Big Connections Start Small: A Q&A with Deborah Hoskins on Meetings in the San Juan Islands
Originally published on Meeting News Northwest. While massive conferences have their place, oftentimes smaller gatherings make for more meaningful connections. And that’s where destinations built for smaller gatherings are having a moment. The San Juan Islands have long specialized in intimate retreats and meetings where attendees can step away from daily distractions, reconnect with colleagues […]
Looking Back Toward the Future: Why In-Person Events Are Booming Again
Originally published on Meeting News Northwest. Last year, Forbes released a report that showed meetings and events industry saw a surprising amount of optimism in 2025. That continues to be good news for destinations, convention centers and hospitality businesses across the Pacific Northwest. According to the Forbes report highlighting the American Express Global Business Travel […]
IACC Report: Making Large Meetings Feel Personal
Originally published on Meeting News Northwest. Venues are often evaluated on metrics. After all, there are many to consider: square footage, room layouts and audiovisual capabilities, just to name a few. While those fundamentals still matter, a new report from the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) shows the industry’s priorities are shifting. The modern […]
425
Bellevue College’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee
Originally published on 425. Nearly 200 donors and community members raised a record $415,200 to support student scholarships, programs, grants, emergency aid, and more for years to come. The evening featured a student showcase, remarks from college leaders, a live auction, and the “Raise the Paddle for Student Success” segment. Student speaker Morgan Burke shared […]
2026 Cats & Dawgs Kirkland Classic August 1, 2026
Originally published on 425. Every August the world’s best young female softball players come to Kirkland for the Junior League Softball World Series. The Cats & Dawgs Kirkland Classic kicks it all off at Lee Johnson Field, a free Welcome Rally open to the community—Parade of Champions, live DJ, performances, and a celebrity game captained […]
‘Practical Magic 2’ to Premiere at Coupeville Drive-In
Originally published on 425. Gather your coven for a bewitching evening at the Blue Fox Drive-In celebrating the release of “Practical Magic 2” on Sept. 10-13 and 19-20. The Blue Fox Drive-In is located on Whidbey Island, where the first film was shot. Working with the local gift shop The Crow’s Roost, the two local […]
425 Business
Kirkland’s EIT Pharma Closes Oversubscribed $35M Series A Round
Originally published on 425 Business. Kirkland-based EIT Pharma Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for infectious diseases, today announced the successful close of an oversubscribed $35-million Series A financing round. Propel Bio Partners led the round, with participation from Good Ventures, Arrowtown, and others. Propel is an equity-investment firm with offices in Seattle […]
Merrill Lynch Names New Market Executive for Region
Originally published on 425 Business. Merrill Lynch has named Adam Little as its new Seattle market executive. Little, who works out of Merrill’s Bellevue office at 10400 NE Fourth St., leads a team of 150 financial advisers and approximately 300 total employees across six Western Washington offices, including downtown Seattle, Bellevue, Bainbridge Island, Tacoma, Everett, […]
WESCU Names New CEO After Nationwide Search
Originally published on 425 Business. Olympia-based credit union WSECU has named Harry Zhu as its next president and CEO. He will succeed Gary Swindler, who is retiring next month after 37 years with the company, which has locations across Washington. Previously, Zhu spent 13 years with Alliant Credit Union, where he held several senior leadership […]
South Sound
The List: Lowrider Cookie Co.'s Emily Allport
Originally published on South Sound. While some measure success in milestones, Lowrider Cookie Co. owner Emily Allport has a different view. “I don’t like thinking about ‘I made it’ because it makes it sound like the journey is over,” she said. “The journey is the best part. Sitting back and thinking ‘I made it’ sounds […]
Out & About: A Local Dolly Parton Tribute, Kids in Business, and the Washington State Fair's Return
Originally published on South Sound. A Local Dolly Parton Tribute Country legend Dolly Parton passed away earlier this week at 80. Her death has inspired countless tributes from admirers around the world. One closer-to-home homage is coming from the Seattle Men’s Chorus, which is releasing its popular “Dolly: Seattle Men’s Chorus Salutes Dolly Parton” tribute […]
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center Opens Doors to Patients
Originally published on South Sound. Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital has treated its first patients at its newly expanded Outpatient Center in Tacoma. The recent opening of the expansion marks the final part of the new, 250,000-square-foot pediatric hospital. The outpatient facility has 85 exam rooms, 10 infusion bays, three sedation rooms, two X-ray units, and […]
South Sound Business
Xfinity Expands Network to More Kitsap County Residents
Originally published on South Sound Business. Comcast recently announced that it will be expanding its fiber-powered network into Kitsap County, supplying an additional nearly 2,000 homes and businesses on Kitsap Lake, Erlands Point, Harlow Drive, and Chico Way. “We’re excited to expand our fiber-powered network in Kitsap County, helping more families and local businesses get […]
Registration Open for Future of Work Summit
Originally published on South Sound Business. The Thurston County Chamber is hosting the 2026 Future of Work Summit at Lacey’s Saint Martin’s University in October. The summit is designed for business owners, executives, human-resource professionals, educators, workforce-development organizations, nonprofit leaders, and elected officials, according to a press release. This year’s event will take place from […]
Pierce County Executive Announces Initiative to Expand Apprenticeship, Trade Skills Opportunities
Originally published on South Sound Business. Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello announced today at Clover Park Technical College‘s Eastside Training Center the county’s new Building Together initiative, which aims to expand apprenticeship opportunities for local workers and reducing barriers for area contractors bidding on public projects. The initiative was launched by several Pierce County departments […]
Southwest Travel and Life
Switzerland of America? You’ll Find It in Ouray, Colorado
Originally published on Southwest Travel & Life. You don’t need a passport to see Switzerland, at least not for the Switzerland of America. That title belongs to Ouray, a mountain town tucked into the rugged San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado. Complete with historic storefronts, waterfalls, scenic drives and steaming hot springs, this town makes […]
Local Pulse: Exploring the Town of Gilbert, AZ
Originally published on Southwest Travel & Life. Expand The Local: Michelle Streeter Senior Project Manager Town of Gilbert Unexpected Surprises in Gilbert Step off the plane at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and you might be tempted to stay. After all, Arizona’s largest city is packed with sporting venues, rooftop bars and endless things to […]
Celebrating SoCal Heritage at the Old Towne District of Orange
Originally published on Southwest Travel & Life. Before Southern California became known for its movie making and theme parks, it was citrus country. At its peak, Southern California was home to tens of thousands of acres of orange groves, drawing workers, growers and families from a variety of backgrounds to help build the region’s booming […]
West Sound
Poulsbo Café Supporting Homeless Youth Reopens with Updated Menu and Hours
Originally published on West Sound. The Coffee Oasis, a nonprofit organization providing services and support to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability in Pierce and Kitsap counties, recently reopened its Poulsbo café on Northeast Iverson Street. The café is now open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday, and in addition […]
Bainbridge Island Author Releases Vietnam-Era Historical Fiction
Originally published on West Sound. Bainbridge Island-based author Susan Wiggs, whose penned more than 30 books, added one more to her repertoire this summer — a historical fiction novel titled “Wayward Girls.” “Wayward Girls” is based on a true story and follows six teens from Buffalo, New York in 1968 amidst the unsettling Vietnam War […]
Look Up at the Bremerton Airshow
Originally published on West Sound. The Port of Bremerton at the Bremerton National Airport will host the Bremerton Airshow on July 11-12. The show will feature a full lineup of classic military and civilian aircraft, para-commandos, and lots of action in the sky. On the ground, check out planes, military vehicles, take pics in an […]