News from Seattle Southside

The State Tourism Office has officially closed as of June 30th but Seattle Southside is still OPEN! While we are saddened by the loss of state tourism we are even more focused on Seattle Southside and marketing our region as the home base for travelers in the Pacific Northwest.

Washington Tourism Alliance Update

Several assets have been transferred over from the Department of Commerce (DOC) to WTA. Some will remain under DOC management until the end of 2011.

A search is on for a Director and the WTA board is now accepting nominations for board members. There are several committees looking for volunteers to help support this new organization.

More information WTA

New Condor Flights From Sea-Tac

Condor Airlines began flights to Frankfort, Germany from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The German airline's first flight - a Boeing Co. 767-300 - left Sea-Tac Airport amid fanfare.

Officials said Condor Airlines' flights will add to the airport's growth in international traffic this year, which they said is running nearly 7 percent of last year's pace. This summer, they said there will be 23 percent more seats available to Europe compared with last summer.

Share Your Washington Report

The "Share Your Washington" campaign created by Washington's tourism industry was a grassroots effort to promote travel to Washington. Thanks to strong support throughout the state there were more than 15,000 web visits, exceeding campaign goals.

The winner of the sweepstakes was Joicann Fromm from Greenacres, WA. Even though the contest is over, the website is still live through the summer, so share your Washington with a friend or family member and help support tourism!

Meet the Summer Interns

Seattle Southside is lucky to have three amazing interns with very bright futures working here this summer. Stop by to meet Mizuki, Dorothy and Lauren!

(From left to right)

Mizuki Eguchi is a Japanese student studying at Bellevue Community College in the International Business Professions program. She is working towards a BA in English Literature and Language from Waseda University in Tokyo. Mizuki loves traveling and learning other cultures. Having been in Seattle for 10 months, she has totally immersed herself in the American culture and loves being a part of the Seattle Southside team. In the future she hopes to work internationally and help bridge cultural and language barriers.

Dorothy Franks is a Freshman at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. She is majoring in Sociology with a concentration in Gender Studies and Mandarin Chinese. In the future Dorothy hopes to go into the Communications and Community side of Public Health to help build stronger communities and reduce population growth. Dorothy grew up in Burien and went to school in Des Moines. She is thrilled to be able to share the beauty of the area in which she grew up through her internship with Seattle Southside.

Lauren Minckler, a native of West Seattle, will be graduating from Central Washington University after completing her summer internship with Seattle Southside. Lauren will earn a BS in Tourism with a specialization in Tourism Management. In the future Lauren hopes to work in the Seattle area with a focus on special events. She is very excited for the opportunity Seattle Southside has given her and the doors it will hopefully open.

"We are excited to see such shining stars getting ready to enter the workforce and are honored to say they got their start with Seattle Southside" Katherine Kertzman, Executive Director.

'Bizcations' Mean More Fun for Less

Business is fun

Traditionally, summer is the time for rest and relaxation. But this year, gas prices are up. Leisure time is scarce. What are workers to do to get a little work/life balance? It might be time for a "bizcation."

According to Atlantic Business News this is the hottest new trend for working professionals and their families.

Summer Concert Series

Tukwila: Peanut Butter & Jam

This concert series at the Tukwila Community Center is for kids and families alike. Pack the picnic baskets and blankets and watch your kids dance and sing to the tunes of their favorite performers. Concerts take place Fridays at noon from July through August.

SeaTac Music in the Park

Now through August 7th Sundays at 5:00pm at Angle Lake Park are concerts for the whole family to enjoy. Admission is free but parking is difficult so try to walk or take the bus, RapidRide A Line. Performances include Kris Orlowski Band, Kevin Jones Band, Rod Cook, Harmonious Funk Band and Kleer Cut.

Des Moines Beach Park Jazz and Blues

Enjoy free weekly concerts in the park featuring rock, pop, world and new grass music every Wednesday at 7pm. Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic dinner and relax by the water at Beach Park Meadow.

Kent Station: Soulful Sounds of Summer

Enjoy free concerts at Kent Station twice a week from July 12 through August 31. "Take Out Tuesday," 12pm-1pm are concerts for the working professional to enjoy during the lunch break. "Wednesday Date Night," 6pm-8pm are concerts for a night out with your sweetie or the whole family.

Kent Wednesdays for Kids

Let the kids loose at the Town Square Plaza July 13 - August 10, where they can watch funny performers, hear silly songs and maybe learn a thing or two. Every Wednesday from 12pm-1pm.

Kent Thursdays at the Lake
Enjoy a variety of the region's best live performances in one of Kent's most beautiful parks - for free! July 7 - August 1, 7:00-8:30pm at Lake Meridian Park.

Did You Know...

Installation for the new escalator project at the Sea-Tac Airport begins late July. Forty-two escalators will be replaced and two new ones will be built to serve the traveling public, saving a quarter of a million dollars in annual repair costs and reducing energy costs by 20 percent.

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New restaurant in Tukwila is open. Welcome Mizuki Buffet! Come try the highest standard for buffet-style dining. Using the freshest and finest ingredients to create the Asian and Western inspired cuisine.

New restaurant in Des Moines now open. Scotch and Vine offers over 100 labels of scotch selection, along with a variety of world-class artisan wines from around the world. There is also casual, but elegant bistro-style lunch & dinner cuisine.

Cha Cha Thai has a new location. They moved recently from SeaTac to Tukwila on Stander Blvd.

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Championships The Seattle Sounders Women have been selected as hosts of the 2011 USL W-League Championship presented by Umbro. The W-League Semifinals and Finals, featuring elite women's domestic and international stars, will be held July 29-31 at Starfire Sports Complex, with the finals televised nationally.

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The Boeing Bee has arrived at the Museum of Flight! Recently, crews moved the B-17 to its summertime home on the Museum's East Lawn. The Bee will be on view for a limited time - don't miss the opportunity to see this historic aircraft!

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Scott Ostrander has been named the new general manager for Cedarbrook Lodge. Most recently, Ostrander worked as the general manager of Millennium Resort Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Ariz. Welcome to Seattle Southside Scott! More information

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Airways Brewing's taproom has been expanded. Go down and check it out and taste a few beers while you're there. The celebration is July 9th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thunderbirds

Two Seattle Thunderbirds were selected in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Center Colin Jacobs and left wing Marcel Noebels were both taken in the fourth round of the draft, nine spots apart. Congratulations guys and good luck!

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Tukwila's very own Allentown was recently named neighborhood of the week by the Seattle Times. Check out the write up!

Be sure to let me know about upcoming events or changes within the community such as new businesses or remodels or promotions around the Seattle Southside area including Tukwila, Kent, SeaTac and Des Moines.

Send interesting article ideas by the 23rd of each month and you could be a feature in the next month's At A Glance newsletter!

Sincerely,

Ashley Comar
Marketing Communications Manager

Seattle Southside Visitor Services