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Bicycles, Helmets and Gear Oh My!

Tacoma’s waterfront is the premier bike path for a cruise. Old Town Bicycle is ready to get your bike that much needed tune up before Spring melts the Winter frost.

With three locations, Olympia on Capitol Way, Gig Harbor on Kimball Drive, and Tacoma’s McCarver St Location, Old Town Bicycle’s staff is ready to get you on the road.

Cycling Aspirations and Perspiration

Let’s be clear, I do not claim to be a cyclist. When I ride, it’s usually a pleasurable cruise down by the water. My beach cruiser is classic cream white with style, and of course she has a basket.

The only time I was semi-serious about cycling was for the annual Tour de Goldfish on Five Mile Drive. That race ended in a tag team Tandem Bicycle ascent to the finish.

READ: THINGS TO DO IN TACOMA: THE NARROWS BRIDGE

Get Tuned

If you are a cruiser like me, or a serious cyclist that needs the right gear for those long distance rides, Old Town Bicycle has you covered.

When I brought my beach cruiser in for a much needed tune up, I was greeted by several staff members who were ready to assist me. Alana described the different types of tune up’s the shop offered.

They cover everything from Standard to Deluxe tune ups, taking the time to clean, inspect, grease and adjust so my two wheeled transportation was ready once again to ride along the waterfront.

Gear Heads

The staff at Old Town Bicycle is friendly and knowledgeable. They were glad to discuss the importance of bike maintenance and the best ways to keep my bike in well working condition.

Helpful Hint: Giving your bike a bath, similar to washing your car keeps it in good condition. Washing prevents pebbles, sticks and nature from rusting chains or breaking gears.

We also discussed the right types of gear. Those funny shorts and Clip in shoes you see when a cyclist passes by in the bike lane are actually well worth the price for comfort and balance.

Old Town Bicycle has the right helmets, tires, water bottles and cycle gear you need to get out on the road feeling prepared.

Outdoor Adventures

Tacoma’s beauty is is better enjoyed outside. The bike path is a great way to do this. There are plenty of things to do in Tacoma on your two wheeled friend. There are tons of local trails and waterfront views to be enjoyed.

If you ever made a resolution to get active and healthy or trying a new sport, placing your feet to the pedals is a great solution

It’s never a bad time of year to get your bike tuned, especially if it hasn’t been done in a while.

Check out Old Town Bicycle’s Deluxe Tune Up Package! Be sure to tell them Clever Neighbor sent you!

Old Town Bicycle
Address: 3009 N McCarver St, Tacoma, WA 98403
Phone:(253) 573-9400
Hours: 10AM–6PM

Ananda is Sanskrit for bliss, which is exactly what students find at Source Yoga. Located on North 21st Street in Tacoma or Regents Blvd in University Place, this local yoga studio has amazing instructors that help students at every level develop and harness their abilities. I began my Yoga expedition this past September. Coming in with zero experience, I was nervous about trying yoga. I decided to start with the I & II level class. One hour and fifteen minutes later my Yoga Bhakti (path of devotion) was under way.

Let’s talk benefits! Everyone knows that yoga helps to increase flexibility, energy and vitality. Moreover, when paired with healthy eating leads to weight reduction and increased self esteem. Yet, improved athletic performance isn’t the only benefit. With a monthly membership at Source Yoga students are able to utilize mats, bolsters, blocks, and straps to assist in their practice. You never need to worry about forgetting your mat again.

All the instructors at Source Yoga are extremely knowledgeable. They are continually developing their skills by attending seminars and workshops. Students also have access to with their membership or can purchase these exploits individually.

What to expect! Class starts with seated dhyana or meditation and Instructors help students mentally focus through breathing exercises. I have tried a couple other Yoga studios in Tacoma. One of the many reasons I keep coming back to Source Yoga is the instructors. They walk students through the poses by performing them during class. They also assist students by helping to adjust their poses to develop proper movement.

So do yourself a favor this Holiday Season and take a break from the chaos by venturing into Source Yoga and find a moment of zen. Use Holiday Promo Code – Holiday15 – to get 15% off gift card purchases until December 15th!

Ananda Yoga
Address: 2712 N 21st St a, Tacoma, WA 98406

Phone: (253) 756-8066
Hours: 8am – 5pm

Website: http://sourceyogaonline.com/

It would seem that Puyallup has a hidden gem of a restaurant in Ben Herreid’s Arista. A restaurant so intriguing, that restaurant owners rallied around it this week to say, “You will not close!”

Arista offers fresh pasta that is made in-house, and is a proponent of a “farm-to-table” approach. One such dish is their Pumpkin Ravioli, featuring locally sourced pumpkins and foraged Chanterelle mushrooms. They have a diverse selection of wine, including a chianti by the glass, and feature dessert from local bakeries.

Arista has 4.5 stars on Yelp, with gushing reviews. If you are looking for a spot to relax and a be served with food from the heart of a passionate, friendly chef, then find yourself in Arista in the near future, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Arista offers a Farm to Table approach and diverse selection of wine.

“The amazing community of Puyallup has reached out! In short we made a decision off of what appeared to be an amazing opportunity to open Roast House in Parkland which has brought on a huge financial burden due to an unforeseen situation. Due to that situation we made a premature emotional decision to close however we apologize for the premature decision to close today. I am passionate about my restaurant. This is my love. We ask you for your support as we open tomorrow and purely focus on doing what Puyallup has proven to us that they love and appreciate in Arista. We ask for your support…we will be open for dinner tomorrow. Please come support us tomorrow!!”

– Ben Herreid (Chef & Owner of Arista in Puyallup) from Arista’s Facebook page

Head Chef Ben Herreid with Bryan Reynolds of Anthem Coffee

Chef and Owner Ben Herreid (on the right) talks shop with Bryan Reynolds of Anthem Coffee.

Something To Consider:

Just across Pioneer Avenue is Anthem Coffee, where you can enjoy an espresso, beer or wine, before or after your meal.

Maybe take a walk through Pioneer Park, or peruse the books at the Puyallup Public Library before your meal.

Make Your Own Pasta at Home:

Sleek Design — Automated: Philips Pasta Maker

Italian Made — Inexpensive: Marcato Atlas Pasta Maker

Old Fashioned Burger Joint With A 21st Century

When my wife was pregnant with our first born, she craved potatoes; mainly in the form of Pick-Quick french-fries. Many drives were made past the conventional fast food restaurants in favor of the fresh offerings and light atmosphere you can find at Pick-Quick — a 21st Century Burger Joint in Auburn, Washington.

Pick-Quick offers french-fries, burgers, hot-dogs and milkshakes — along with an assortment of self-serve sodas. One embellishment that I am fond of is the inclusion of Green River Soda, undoubtedly hearkening to Auburn’s nearby Green River Valley.

A great gift for you or a friend this season could be an Assorted Selection of Sodas.

Customers enjoying a meal at Pick-Quick’s Auburn location.

Two South-Sound Locations

Pick Quick has two locations in the South Sound. Their first is a walk up window in Fife. Their second location, in Auburn, could be described as a 21^st century adaptation of a mid-20^th century burger joint. Many of the decisions made in design and construction are environmentally friendly. Pick-Quick does not hide this fact, scattering their restaurant with signs explaining their eco-conscious decisions. One such design choice is their use of chairs made from 111 Coca Cola Bottles (purchase your own here). The eco-friendly design extends to the parking lot with pervious concrete and parking spots for low-emission vehicles.

The Fife location opened in 1949. The Auburn location opened in 2011. Their third location opened in Seattle’s SODO district in the fall of 2016.

Pick-Quick offers great food and atmosphere for kids and adults alike.

Creating Memories

I recently made a trip to Pick-Quick’s Auburn location with my son. As you may know, he’s been eating there since before he was born. We shared a chocolate milkshake and an order of fries. He wanted a little more so I got him a hamburger. Perched on well intact bar stools, watching the short order cooks at work, lit by a partly cloudy sky, eating freshly made food, enjoying a weekend afternoon. Something simple. Something to be thankful for.

Create your own Burger-Joint at home.

Check out these offerings from Amazon.com:

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French Fry Cutter

Retro Style Milkshake Maker

Cuisinart Compact Deep Fryer

Cuisinart 5 in 1 Griddler

Fast Food Basket

Milk Shake Glasses – Made in USA

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