Concerts Seattle Area

Fun and Business

To the visitors and locals looking to “get away,” Clearwater Casino Resort is a place where they can escape from the world for a few hours or days. To Kitsap County, it is part of the economic base — Port Madison Enterprises, which operates the casino and hotel as the business arm of the Suquamish Tribe, is the county’s third-largest private employer, behind only Harrison Medical Center and Walmart (based on 2010 numbers from the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance). But to the Suquamish Tribe, Clearwater is not only a way to be sustainable, it is also one of the avenues that help provide programs for tribe members.

“The goal is to make a profit but also to help provide for the needs of the tribe and create jobs — as well as diversify,” said Port Madison Enterprises CEO Russell Steele.

When Steele joined PME nearly a decade ago, the tribe owned a convenience store and a bingo hall, and the original casino, which it had opened in a tent structure in 1995. Today, the commercial venture is a thriving enterprise that also includes Kiana Lodge, a business park, three gas stations with convenience stores, and White Horse Golf Course, the latest addition to the mix, plus construction and property management divisions.

PME employs 780 people (with another 30 positions opened). Of those employees, 60 are members of the Suquamish Tribe and another 60 of other tribes, and the rest are nontribal members who commute from as far as Tacoma and Seattle.

This diversity has helped PME fare well in the economy, Steele said, but the enterprise is not finished growing. When it first opened, the casino provided 92 percent of the revenues for PME, which was formed by the tribe in 1987. Now, that number is around 65 percent and the goal is to be at 50.

“We are always looking for new opportunities,” said Steele, who was selected by the KEDA this past spring as the Economic Development Champion of the Year.

A Northwest Getaway

Suquamish Clearwater Casino’s permanent structure was built in 2003. The adjoining resort, which includes a standalone hotel and a spa, was added in 2006.

“One of the things that’s unique about the property is the ‘wow factor.’ A lot of people come here to get away, including people from the local community,” Steele said.

Several bonus features make the getaway enticing — including a full-service spa with luxurious services, an indoor/outdoor pool and an expansive lawn with gorgeous waterfront views and beach access. Four dining options in the casino building cover all bases: from a casual deli and a lounge, to a fine dining restaurant and a popular buffet.

Seattle & Surrounding areas: Free & Frugal Family Events {August ...

Seattle & Surrounding areas: Free & Frugal Family Events {August}

Here are some fun things you can do with your family in the greater Seattle, Washington area in July 2011. If you see a fun family-themed event not listed please share by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post. Here are some fun FREE {and nearly free} family events happening this month! Greater Seattle Area: Free Events 1-29 – Jetty Island Puppet Show – Mondays at 2:15pm. FREE, donations accepted. Free ferry to the island at 10th Street boat launch off W. Marine View Drive, Everett. http://www.ci.everett.wa.us/default.aspx?ID=503 then click “programs”. 2 – Lego Store Mini Model Build – 5pm. Kids ages 6 – 14 can build their own Adirondack Chair while supplies last. Quantities limited to approx. 250 per store. 119 Bellevue Square Mall, Bellevue. 425-451-2271. http://stores.lego.com/en-us/Bellevue 5 – UmojaFest – 11-9pm. African Heritage Festival and parade. Children’s area, Hip Hop music fest, Bite of Africa, vendors and more. Judkins Park 2150 S. Norman Street, Seattle. http://www.umojafamilyfest.com 5-6 – Pioneer Days – 12-7pm. Street fair, salmon bake, kids’ parade, vintage car show and more. 125th & Lake City Way, Lake City. http://www.lakecityfestival.com 6-7 – Awesome August – 11-4pm. Dedicated to all things kids! Music & dance shows, crafts, pony rides, snacks & more. Country Village 23732 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell. http://www.countryvillagebothell.com 6 – Home Depot Kids Workshop – 9am-12pm. Make your own Pencil Box. Aurora Village Home Depot. 1335 N 205th St. Seattle 206-546-1900. 6-28 – Outdoor Concerts at the Locks – 2pm-4pm, Saturday/Sunday. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy music by various local musical groups. See website for more details. Hiram M. Chittenden Locks 3015 NW 54th Street, Seattle. 206-783-7059. http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/ 13 and 27 – Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinics – Every other Saturday from 10-11am. Build your own Schoolhouse Photo Holder or School Locker. Register at www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx 20 & 27 – Vintage Plane Fly Day – 12-1pm. Bring your lawn chairs and watch historic aircraft from the Flying Heritage Collection take to the sky for a maintenance flight. Subject to weather/operational conditions. Paine Field 3407 109th St SW, Everett. http://www.flyingheritage.com 20-21 – Tibet Fest – 10-6pm. Tibetan cultural performances, Tibetan Bazaar, traditional food, costumes, children’s activities, sand mandala and more. Seattle Center House 301 Harrison Street, Seattle. http://www.washingtontibet.org 20 & 27 – Movies at the Mural – 9pm. Watch movies on a gigantic screen. 20th – Raiders of the Lost Ark; 27th – The Incredibles. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, munchies. No pets. Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre 301 Harrison Street. http://www.seattlecenter.com/events/festivals/detail.asp?EV_EventNum=41 26-28 – Makah Days – Celebrate Makah heritage with traditional dancing & singing, canoe races, Slahal games and more. Limited camping and motel accommodations available. Hours vary. Held on Neah Bay. 360-645-3130 http://www.makah.com/makahdays.html The following museums offer free admission Thursday, August 4th: The Burke Museum – 10am – 8 pm. 4500 15 Ave N.E. Seattle 206-543-5590 www.burkemuseum.org Museum of History & Industry –10am – 8pm. 2700 24th Ave E. Seattle 206-324-1126 www.seattlehistory.org Seattle Art Museum -10am-12am. Free admission plus fee for special exhibits. 1300 1st Ave Seattle 206-654-3100 www.seattleartmuseum.org Seattle Asian Art Museum – 10am-9pm. 1400 East Prospect Street Seattle. 206-654-3100 www.seattleartmuseum.org Experience Music Project & Science Fiction Museum—5pm-8pm. 325 5th Ave N Seattle 206-770-2700 www.empsfm.org Museum of Flight –5pm-9pm. 9404 E. Marginal Way S. Seattle. 206-764-5720 www.museumofflight.org Kids Discovery Museum—10 am-4pm. 301 Ravine Way, Bainbridge Island. 206-855-4650 www.kidimu.org Northwest African American Museum—11am-7pm. 2300 S. Massachusetts Street, Seattle. 206-654-3100. www.seattleartmuseum.org Other Fun Things to Do 3-31 – Movies at Marymoor Park – Grab your lawn chairs & blankets! Pre-movie seating starts at 7pm followed by trivia contests, games and prizes. Movies begin at dusk. 3rd – Mamma Mia!; 10th – Toy Story 3; 17th – True Grit; 24th – E.T.; 31st – Up. $5 fee. Marymoor Amphitheatre, Marymoor Park 6046 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond. http://www.epiceap.com/movies-at-marymoor 5-7 – Seafair Weekend – Gates open 8:30am-6pm. See the Blue Angels, watch the hydro races and enjoy food, entertainment and more. Tickets – $10 youth, $30 adult. Visit http://www.seafair.com for schedule & info. 10 – The Wiggles – 2:30pm / 6:30pm. Celebrate The Wiggles’ Big Birthday. Tickets – $15.50 – $42.50. Paramount Theatre 911 Pine Street, Seattle http://stgpresents.org/artists/?artist=1565 12-14 – Taste of Edmonds – Fri/Sat 11am -10pm; Sun 11am-7pm. Food, arts & crafts, carnival rides and entertainment. No pets, please. $3 entrance fee. Edmonds Civic Center Playfield 6th & Bell Street, Edmonds. http://www.atasteofedmonds.org 19-21 – Snoqualmie Railroad Days – Train rides, live music, children’s events and more. Snoqualmie Train Depot – 38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie. Visit http://www.railroaddays.com for event calendar, times & fare info. 25-31 – Evergreen State Fair – Concerts, rides, food, rodeo and more. 14405 179th Ave SE, Monroe. Advance tickets available – $5.24 – $6.67 (plus tax, convenience fee). Visit http://www.evergreenfair.org These deals were compiled just for you by specialist Denise , a married homeschooling mom of 3 crazy kids ages 15, 12 and 10. She works from home for a local dancewear company and enjoys blogging , reading, working out, drinking borderline dangerous amounts of chai tea, and receiving gifts of the pink and sparkly variety.

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Frommer's Seattle 2011

Out & about with kids--Seattle, the ultimate family guide for fun and learning

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Frommer's Seattle 2007