August has always feels like it has two distinct personalities— it’s the core of summer and yet the end of the month clearly has a crispness in the air and displays the first turning leaves. It’s easy to feel like the glass is half empty with these fleeting days.

My recommendations this month fall along this very duality— such appreciation for the life and laziness of summer and also the imminent hustle of the coming school year. Parenting for me these days has felt like this too. My emerging adults are one moment carefree children and the next pause brings big emotions and insecurity.

Embrace the outdoors while the sun still shines!

Dive into a world of color and creativity at the Chalk Art Extravaganza, where library sidewalks transform into vibrant masterpieces. Join the Squeaky Wheels’ Bike for Pie event and pedal through beautiful landscapes while indulging in pie and music at the finish line. Have you heard about One Two Kai food truck? They're serving up 100% sourdough pizza that's a treat for your taste buds. Plus, pairing it with wine at Eleven Winery is a culinary adventure you won't want to miss.

Featured Events:

• Chalk Art Extravaganza, August 22

• Squeaky Wheels’ Bike for Pie, August 27

• Food Truck - One Two Kai, August 27

Get ready to dance, groove, and celebrate on Bainbridge Island this week! From sizzling salsa lessons to a disco dance party and soulful Latin jazz, Bainbridge has it all. Check out this week's featured events.

Featured Events:

• Salsa Dance Lessons, August 17

• Disco Dance Party, August 18

• WEPA (Free Saturday Concert), August 19

Experience an exciting week on Bainbridge Island with three fantastic events! Enjoy Tracie Marsh's soulful tunes at the Mouse Fountain on August 8th. Join the Master Gardeners Clinic on August 10th to learn valuable gardening insights. And on August 13th, groove to Brazilian jazz at the Choro Jam hosted by Village Music. Don't miss these enriching experiences for music lovers, gardening enthusiasts, and anyone looking to have a great time on the island!

Featured Events:

• Tracie Marsh at the Mouse Fountain, August 8

• Master Gardeners Clinic, August 10

• Choro Jam on Bainbridge, August 13

In the past couple of years, home buyers ran through the housing market like it was a rat maze, encountering obstacle after obstacle, frantically trying to outbid other bidders, retracing their steps, and often searching in vain for any house to purchase.

Get ready for an electrifying celebration on Bainbridge Island! Join us for the BIMA Block Party's 10th birthday bash on Aug 5, with 12 bands on 4 stages, live music from Americana to Latin beats, and pop-up vendors with artsy treasures! Laugh out loud with The EDGE Improv's spontaneous comedy and be mesmerized by Sona Jobarteh's soulful tunes and empowering message! Don't miss this sensational event of art, music, and culture! See you there!

Featured Events:

• National Night Out, August 2

• BIMA Block Party, August 5

• Sona Jobarteh at the WEAVE, August 6

Discover the thrill of Bainbridge Island with three exciting events happening this week! Savor Cajun delights at Taste Da Boot Pop-Up in Eleven Winery. Immerse yourself in Jenner Fox Trio's soulful House Concert. Beat the Monday blues at Fletcher Bay Rooftop Manic Mondays. Fun, food, and music await!

Featured Events:

• Taste Da Boot Pop-Up, July 29 and 30

• House Concert with Jenner Fox Trio, July 30

• Fletcher Bay Rooftop Manic Mondays, July 31

One of the greatest things about Bainbridge Island is that there are so many things to do and see every day. If you work during the weekday, no problem because we’ve got your weekends covered with the diverse events happening on the island. Start off your weekend by unleashing your inner artist at Corks & Canvas - Brother’s Mountain Sail. This event is hosted at Eleven Winery, so, you guessed it, grab a glass of wine and paint the night away! If you want to spend some time outdoors, consider attending the Moonlight Market. With over 30 booths of food, crafts, arts, jewelry and much more, this event welcomes the whole family. To end the weekend and get you ready for the work week, we’re filling your bellies at the Paella Party hosted by the Eagle Harbor Wine Company.

Featured Events:

• Corks & Canvas - Brother’s Mountain Sail, July 21

• Moonlight Market, July 21

• Paella Party, July 22 and 23

I may have been ambitious in June but July is feeling lazy, fun and relaxed. I also have such a wonderful group of clients in my life right now so am just grateful for all the good energy around. Not a bad way to spend the hottest days of summer.

Take a look at what’s been on my mind this month.

Summer means good food, good music, and good drinks. This week we’re bringing you all three! First up, we’ve got a weekly Tropical Tuesday at Eleven Winery. Their summer special, the Angelica Spritzer, is a crowd-pleaser and only available during the warmer months. Don’t sleep on this or you’ll have to wait a whole 365 days for your next opportunity. Next we’re talking Sounds of Summer Concert Series only running for the months of July and August. The 12th is their next one so mark your calendars and bring the kids and grandparents for some family fun. The last event we’re featuring is the Battle Point BBQ Food Truck extravaganza on July 15. Save your stomachs and join your neighbors for yummy BBQ grubs. Saucy pulled pork, juicy ribs, cheesy mac and cheese, and so much more.

Featured Events:

• Tropical Tuesdays at Eleven Winery, July 11

• Sounds of Summer Concert Series, July 12

• Food Truck - Battle Point BBQ, July 15

At the end of last year, I made some guesses about the housing market in 2023. Well, here we are, six months into the new year and how did those predictions turn out? I spoke with economist Kathryn Rooney Vera, Chief Market Strategist, StoneX and we had a freewheeling conversation about the housing market and I’ll combine her observations with an evaluation of mine from last year.

When there’s a holiday there’s a celebration. Bainbridge Island is celebrating July 4th this week with a few funtastic event. Dance the night away with your favorite performers and artists at Street Dance on July 3 on Winslow Way. Keep up the energy on Tuesday at the Grand Old 4th of July bash. Grab a drink at their beer, wine, and cider garden and a bite from one (or all!) of their 18 food vendors as you celebrate America’s independence. Last but never least, we’ve got the 63rd Annual Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale on Saturday, July 8. Events you won’t want to miss!

Featured Events:

• Street Dance, July 3

• Grand Old 4th of July, July 4

• The 2023 Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale, July 8

The weather’s heating up which can only mean one thing…backyard BBQ time! With all the fun and excitement, it’s easy to skip steps in the setup or cooking process. This can lead to improperly cooked up or shortening the lifespan of your grill. Avoid these 5 common BBQ mistakes to serve up the juiciest and safest grilled delights.

This week’s calendar has SO many camps running for kids of all ages that Summer Vacation must have now finally begun! We hope you have a fun-packed Summer planned for the kids, but don’t forget about the Adults in the family. A six-week class, (aka “Camp for Adults”!) Introduction to Acting for Adults, starts on Tuesday evenings. Or, if you want to improve your painting skills, spend the afternoon at Bloedel Reserve’s MasterClass Plein Air Painting. This week also includes the beginning of July and on Saturday, July 1, Eleven Winery is hosting a Ukrainian Dumpling Pop-Up.

Featured Events:

• Introduction to Acting for Adults, June 27-August 1

• Masterclass Plein Air Painting at Bloedel, Tuesday June 27

• Ukrainian Dumpling Pop Up at Eleven Winery, Saturday July 1

In the same way that the cooling of the September air also smells like a new backpack and fresh pencils, June feels like an all out celebration of high fives, accomplishments and recognition.

I feel a bit like a kiddo myself this year as I’ve stepped into a couple of areas of personal development that I’m super proud of.

This is the week that Summer officially begins with the Solstice on Wednesday! Accordingly, we are showcasing events that celebrate the beginning of Summer. Take a picnic and enjoy a production of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, indulge in a tasty bowl of Paella at Port Madison Yacht Club’s Annual Summer Solstice Party, and join Ham Radio enthusiasts at Battle Point for their annual field day.

Featured Events:

• Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” at Bloedel Reserve, June 23-July 9

• Summer Solstice Party, Port Madison Yacht Club, Saturday June 24

• Ham Radio Field Day at the Battle Point Park Observatory, Sunday, June 25

Can’t make the long haul to Hawaii for your vacation? Don’t worry, these tropical paradises may be the best-known islands in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones. From nature sanctuaries on the East Coast to tropical islands in the Caribbean, here are 10 of the best U.S. islands that aren’t Hawaii.

It’s fun to be spontaneous and try something new, but sometimes it’s comforting to have a routine in your life. This week we focus on our Bainbridge Island Calendar’s weekly recurring events, which you can add to your regular plans for the family to enjoy. Here are just a few of our favorites! Every Monday enjoy live piano and wine at Earth & Vine and on Tuesdays they continue the fun with Half Price Wine by the bottle! On Wednesdays stop by Fletcher Bay’s Copper Top location for “Wine Down Wednesdays” with live music, wine specials, a food truck and importantly they have a kids' play area in the loft! On Fridays, children can play at being Mermaids and Mermen at the Mermaid Cove Aquatic Center.

Featured Events:

• Earth & Vine - Piano Bar Mondays and Half Price Wine Tuesdays

• Fletcher Bay - Wine Down Wednesdays (inc a Kids Loft Area)

• Mermaids and Mermen at Aquatic Center on Fridays

This is going to be a fun week! Support our wonderful Island by attending one or more of these events, starting with Dine and Discover at IslandWood on Thursday evening. The evening begins with a Docent-led Hike around the Trails, followed by a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Jim White, which is accompanied by beer and wine. Indulge your passion for art and adventure at two amazing events in support of Bainbridge Island Museum of Art - BIMA Bash! Silent and Live Auctions on Friday and Saturday Nights; pick your preferred event or night or attend both. On Saturday afternoon, get creative and have fun dressing up your dog(s). All proceeds from the admission and raffle support Bainbridge Boys & Girls Club.

Featured Events:

• Dine and Discover at IslandWood - Thursday, June 8

• BIMA Bash Auction - Friday & Saturday, June 9-10

• Dogs UnLeashed - A Dog Fashion Show - Saturday, June 9

Discover the best 10 indoor plants to add color and interest to every room with our easy-to-follow guide. Full of expert tips as to which house plants will survive best in your home, you can banish any worries of green fingered failures for good. Get expert tips from homesandgarden.com in this article.