Blog Posts

Martial Arts Studios in Puyallup

The benefits of learning a martial art are many: it provides exercise that is engaging and never gets old; it builds self-confidence and security; it allows people of just about any size or age to defend themselves in need; and, of course, it is just plain fun. Martial arts for children can let out stress, help calm children with ADD or ADHD, build discipline and focus, and help build positive social skills. There are hundreds of styles of martial arts from around the world, both unarmed and armed, each with its own strengths and benefits. If youre looking to study, practice, or simply learn about various styles of martial arts, heres a few places in Puyallup you can start. Pinnacle Martial Arts This studio on 160th Street features courses for kids, fitness kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Champions Martial Arts Center Located on 105th Avenue, Champions features classes for kids, women, men, and even classes for families to learn together. They teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and feature several fitness programs: Zumba, Turbo Kick, and PiYo. Qs Taekwondo Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that places great emphasis on kicks, fast hand strikes, and blocks. It is one of the most popular martial arts in the world and is one of only two martial arts featured in the Olympics. Qs Taekwondo features classes for kids six and older as well as for teens and adults thirteen and up, and is located on east Main Street. Elite Martial Arts Training Center This studio on Meridian Avenue features classes for children and adults in kickboxing and mixed martial arts. It is also one of the few studios in the area to teach Krav Maga, which is known for how quickly students can become proficient in it due to its simplicity and realistic training drills. Remember, when youre deciding on a martial arts studio, that it is very important to find a system, master, and classmates with whom you feel comfortableand thats doubly important if youre looking for a studio for your child. Make sure to research your chosen studio thoroughly and make sure to stop by to observe classes. Many studios will allow a trail class so that new students can see if the classes are right for them.

Used Bookstores around Puyallup

I love stories. It doesnt matter the mediumfilm, video games, print, or oral storytellingI love it all. And Im not alone. The entertainment industry puts out billions upon billions of copies of books, movies, and games every year. We eat it up. Some of us like to escape to new worlds and new situations, some of us want deeper insights into the minds of others, some of us want to learn about the earth and its people, and some want all of this and more. And while new media like movies and video games are wonderful, sometimes you just cant beat the written word. Written stories have been around for thousands of years, and theyre not going away any time soon. With new technology making e-books and audio books widely available like never before, no one could ever run out of stories to read. But no matter how wonderful new technology gets, sometimes you just cant beat a good, old-fashioned book. Some people like to say that books are dead and outdated, that Kindles and iPads have rendered them obsoletedont listen to those people! If they like e-books best, thats great for them. But if you still love your books in print form, you have nothing to be ashamed of. One of my favorite things to do is go out and browse used book stores for hidden treasures. I have several series of books that Im trying to complete, to find just the right format and edition of the missing books to make my set complete. I dont always find what Im looking for in used book stores, but I usually find something I love, anyway. If you enjoy browsing used book stores as much as I do, then youre in luckIve compiled a short list of some of my favorite stores in and around Puyallup. None of these will take you any further than Tacoma, and all of them are worth a visit. Puyallup Bookmark812 39th Ave SW, Puyallup Half Price Books 4027 Tacoma Mall Blvd, Tacoma Culpepper Books 2521 North Proctor Street, Tacoma Kings Books 218 St Helens Ave, Tacoma Go ahead and check out some of these great stores; besides mountains of books, youll also find book clubs and events that are well worth participating in. Have a great time!

Puyallup Art and Wine Walk

Puyallups downtown is a lovely area, filled with antique shops and wonderful art. This weekend, there will be a new way to enjoy this beautiful part of the city: the Puyallup Art and Wine walk. Sip on local and international varietals while shopping and admiring art downtown this Saturday, October 4th, 2014. Tickets are $25 online and $30 at the door. Included in price is a commemorative wine glass and 8 taster tokens. Additional tokens can be purchased during the event. The 2014 host sites include: Anthem Coffee, Ashleys Room, Calla Lily Designs, Charlies Restaurant & Lounge, Colorful Impressions, Corkscrew Cellars, Crocketts Pub House, Goldenrod Jewelers, Jewells Premier Consignment, Johnson Jewelers, Kristys Boutique, Main Station Dental, Newell Hunt, Real Deals on Home DÃ©cor, Salon Ish, Something Blue, South Sound Running, The Station U-Brew, and Victoria Sells Antiques. The 2014 wineries include: Gecko Cellars, Charles Smith, Terra Blanca Estate Vineyards, Thorny Rose, Kyra Wines, Watermill Winery, Willow Crest Winery, Jones of Washington, Idilico, Christopher Michael Airfield Estates, Hinman Winery, Kitzke Cellars, Naches Heights Vineyards, Haystack Trust Cellars, Sylvan Ridge Winery, and Nathan Gray Schilling Cider. Also enjoy live music provided by Gypsy Jazz, Touch of Class and more and marvel at live art demonstrations throughout downtown by the Valley Arts United group. A signed commemorative Art & Wine Walk poster by Ron Snowden, which won Best in Show Watercolor at the Washington State Fair, will be available for purchase as well. Purchase your tickets online today here to save a few bucks and expedite your wine tasting journey through our beautiful downtown.

Oktoberfest Themed Recipes That Are Perfect All Year Long

German food is known for being hearty and delicious. And while it gets its own celebration each year with annual Oktoberfest Recipes all around the globe, theres no reason that you cant enjoy some tasty German fare any time of year. Heres some of our favorite recipes to get you started. Oktoberfest Recipes Beer Braised Cabbage Pairing perfectly with other standard recipes like spaetzle, this tangy and smoky dish finds its character in the added apple slices and thick-cut bacon. With just a bit of brown or amber ale, fresh green cabbage, grilled onions, and apple cider vinegar, this is an easy dish. And itll take you just forty-five minutes in total to make. You can find the recipe and short list of ingredients in full over here . Bavarian Pretzels Theres not much that goes better with your favorite fall ale or lager than a traditional soft pretzel. And because they only take about thirty-five minutes to make, theres not that much holding you back from making that a reality. With the right amounts of flour, baking soda, active yeast, and coarse sea salt, youll have enough for six servings. The recipe and step-by-step can be found over here . Bavarian Lentil Soup Onions, sweet leeks, lentils, carrots, yellow potatoes, and bacon all work together to bring this chilly weather cure-all together in a memorable way. Though this dish will take about an hour to make, its a cheap dish thats worth the patience as it simmers away. With a little sautee skills, you can easily get this dish started and have enough time to finish the cabbage and pretzels by dinner time. Youll find the recipe to this one over here .

Crisp Ideas How to Use Autumn Apples

Apple treesin the spring we love to see them blossom, in the summer their green leafy shade provides respite from the summer sun, the little green apples hold a promise, and in the fall the promise is fulfilled with sweet, crisp apples ready to be picked. You can pick some up at a pick-your-own farm , and stop at the farmers market to get a couple of gallons of apple cider as well. But its easy to get a little carried away, so the counters in your kitchen end up overloaded with two gallons of cider and three different varieties of apples! So today, we want to share some great ways to use all those apples. Applesauce because it goes great with pork chops, or on pancakes, or for dessert, sprinkled with a little bit of cinnamon of course. Apple Dumplings Delicious and easy to make. Enjoy! Apple Cobbler Just like grandma used to make. For the longer term, you can dry apples and or make and preserve homemade apple pie filling. Drying Apples Apple Pie Filling Ah, a slice of warm apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sounds heavenly. And what are apples without caramel? Heres a super easy caramel recipe to try. And, to drizzle it over apple pie or to make caramel apples, leave out the last two minutes of cooking and dip the apples (slide a popsicle stick into the bottom of an apple for easy dipping) into the caramel. Then roll them in finely chopped pecans and place them on waxed paper to cool. Jaimies Carmels Ingredients: 1 cup butter 1 cup light corn syrup 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk 2 1/4 cup brown sugar 2 tsp vanilla 3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional) Butter baking dish (I used a 9x13 glass baking pan). Directions: Put all ingredients, except vanilla, in large microwave safe bowl: 1 - Heat on high five minutes; stir 2- Heat on high five minutes; stir 3- Heat on high five minutes; stir 4- Heat on high TWO minutes; stir Remove from heat and stir in vanilla (and finely chopped pecans if you want them). Pour into buttered pan; let cool two hours. Cut into pieces and wrap in waxed paper. And with all of that apple cider, it becomes a moral imperative to throw an apple-themed party! Wassaila.k.a. hot spiced cider will be the perfect beverage to serve at the party. You can use the clubhouse to throw your own partyapples are optional. Write a comment and let us know how it turns out.

Washington State Fair in Puyallup

If youve driven along the 512 in the last few days, you may have noticed some big goings-on just a few miles from Willow Hill Apartments. The Washington State Fair has come to Puyallup, bringing with it a host of attractions, events, and entertainment of every varietyno matter what you enjoy, you can probably find it here at the fair. In the mood to sit and enjoy some shows and spectacle? The Fair has plenty of options. There are numerous concerts and performances scheduled, including appearances by Clay Walker, Jennifer Nettles and Brandy Clark, Chicago and REO Speedwagon, Keith Urban, Jeff Dunham, Toby Keith, and Pentatonix. The rodeo will feature traditional events like bull riding, bareback & saddle bronco riding, roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing, plus the Rodeo Parade and Cattle Drive. Or just go out and enjoy the Friday Fireworks spectacularyoull probably be able to see it from Willow Hill! For those who would rather move around and interact with their entertainment, theres loads of attractions. The Vision Dome is a unique 3D projection experience featuring a World Tour, Outdoor Adventures, and even 3D Gaming; there will be art shows and crafting classes, including the headlining Tibetan Photo Display; and animal exhibits including the Piglet Palace, draft horse and driving demonstrations, and the Fair Farm. If youre looking for something a little more exciting, there will be a plethora of contests, including include the Xfinity Daily Prize Giveaway, the Emerald Queen Casino Best of Fair Awards, and the Ultimate Fan contest at the Ultimate Tailgate party, not to mention fairground booths and prizes in abundance! Or head over to the Midvale fairground for carnival rides, including the Classic Coaster, the Extreme Scream, and the Rainer Rush inverted roller coaster. You have to be a certain height to ride, but for kids that dont meet the mark theres also Sillyville, with rides for anyone 32 or taller. Finally, the Fair will play host to a wide variety of food options and over nine hundred vendorsif all you want to do is snack and shop, youll still be busy for a long time. The Washington State Fair runs from September 5th to the 21st, and you can find more information on their website here .