Chardonnay and Spaghetti-o’s

by Downtown Diva on Nov 18, 2010

Fall is absolutely my favorite time of year. As we are approaching the holidays, I am eagerly planning my event schedule for
downtown Yakima.  For me, the holiday season starts with Thanksgiving in Wine Country from November 26th-28th. I’m hoping to learn a little more about pairing food and wine. I tell ya, nothing beats a glass of Kana Winery’s Tempranillo paired with a bowl of Cheerio’s or the Gilbert Cellars UnOaked Chardonnay with Spaghetti-o’s. But this year, I’m would like to cook outside the box and I think that the tools are here in downtown Yakima’s wineries and restaurants.

After Thanksgiving in Wine Country, I’m am gearing up for a weekend of  fun: Downtown Yakima First Friday’s and the Christmas Lighted Parade!  Where do I sign up? First Friday’s are a great way to spend some quality time with my friends and family in the city that I love! Plus, with the retail and drink specials, mix of live music and DJs, and people downtown, there really is no better place to spend a Friday  night. The Christmas Lighted Parade, on the first Sunday in December,
is one of my favorite holiday traditions, its a unique way to experience Yakima and the hot chocolate is always a must!

Then there are various holiday productions occurring throughout the month of December. The Yakima Symphony Chorus will have it’s Winter Concert on the 11th at the Capitol Theatre. The Yakima Light Opera is the 17th followed by La Pastorela on the 18th and 19th, both shows are at the Seasons. On the 18th, make sure to head downtown for the Warm Wine Walk, where several downtown businesses will offer mulled and spiced wines.

Finally, I’m capping off my downtown festivities with the 6th Annual Rockin’ New Years Eve, which is put on by the Committee for Downtown Yakima. The New Years Eve bash features live music, a kids tent, food vendors, a beer and wine tent and fireworks at midnight.  I’ll be checking that out as well as all of the fun entertainment at the restaurants, bars and wineries downtown.

So, happy holidays, and my advice is load up on egg nog and hang out under the mistletoe.

Seasons Greetings, DD

RSVP

by Downtown Diva on May 18, 2010

Dear Downtown Lovers,

I don’t know about you, but this broad loves a good party! Sometimes I come up with reasons to throw parties – whether it be flag day, or champagne is on sale. One time, I even threw a party because my dog D.D. (for Downtown Dog) chased her tail, thus giving us a reason to celebrate!

Well, have no fear, we can give up the search for a good party, because Yakima is giving us one this weekend! Or shall we say, we are throwing one for Yakima?

2010 is the 125^th anniversary of the move of Yakima from Union Gap. When you couple Yakima’s anniversary with Historic Preservation Month, what do you get? Not one but two parties this weekend celebrating Yakima and Historic Preservation!

On Saturday, celebrate Yakima at the Depot, which is celebrating 100 years with activities from 3 p.m. until closing. The Depot will provide free root beer floats from 3 – 5 p.m., and from 4 – 6 p.m., there will be live music by Jerry Hobbs. Chuck Thompson will perform from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. After dark comes the laser light show under the Depot Dome ceiling!

Then on Sunday, celebrate the City of Yakima’s 125^th birthday party which will be held at the old Rite Aid Building, 16 N. 3rd St., from noon to 4pm. The old Rite Aid building will be decorated with historical photos. There will be free horse-drawn carriage rides and self-guided tours. And just like all great parties, there will definitely be cake! Past and present mayors will be on hand to cut the cake.

A weekend devoted to Yakima, my favorite city? I’ll be RSVP’d yes this weekend!

Xoxo,

Downtown Diva

My favorite pair of Double D’s… Drinks & Dixie!

by Downtown Diva on Mar 15, 2010

Hello Downtown Yakima Lover!

I spent Wednesday night with my favorite pair of Double D’s… Drinks & Dixie!

A girlfriend of mine approached me weeks ago and asked if I wanted to go to Dixie’s Tupperware Party with her, and before I knew it, I was signed up for the ride of my life! Who knew that love at first site could really happen? I’ve always thought that if I weren’t me, I would love to be a drag queen from Mobile, Alabama with fake eyelashes, sky-high heels, and attitude to match! I L-O-V-E Dixie!

I was among the majority of attendees who didn’t realize that Dixie’s Tupperware Party really is a Tupperware party. I’ve never actually been to a Tupperware party, but Dixie had me at “jell-o shots.” Although, she didn’t serve them, she certainly got this Double D’s attention (Downtown Diva, c’mon, what were you thinking?) She told her life story and incorporated many of her products into the stories, like showing item number 787. 787 is a locking cake holder with handle. She also pointed out that it could fit 38 jell-o shots. No, it’s not the most important thing that I learned, but it was quite possibly the most interesting.

Dixie’s approach to selling Tupperware is to look at it like a revolution. She spoke about how in the workforce, for decades, women were made to feel like they didn’t matter. Dixie made sure that every girl, woman, and diva in that room knew that they “matter.” And as she told her tale of being a struggling mother of 3, she showed how she learned that she mattered.

Well, thank you Dixie, for your Tupperware and your inspiration!

Until next time,

xoxo Downtown Diva

Hello Downtown Yakima Lover!

by Downtown Diva on Mar 5, 2010

Hello Downtown Yakima Lover!

I am the Downtown Diva. The wonderful people at the Yakima Magazine have asked me to write a blog about my adventures downtown. I didn’t choose the pseudonym  “Downtown Diva” but I must admit, I kind of like it. It describes me perfectly. I live and work downtown. But the Diva part was a little harder to accept. When I heard the word Diva, I could only think of Lady Gaga and Britney Spears – possibly because both have made it onto my playlist for the day. So I did a little research, and I found that diva can mean “goddess,” “celebrity,” and “idol.” If someone wants to describe me like that, I’m not going to argue.

If you are a downtown lover, I hope that you enjoy and possibly uncover some fun things to do downtown that you might not have thought of before. If you are a skeptic, then I hope you stick with me, read my blogs, and experience downtown for yourself, in ways you may have never thought to experience our downtown.

Through this blog, I plan on eating, drinking, shopping, laughing, living and experiencing my way through downtown. I hope that you decide to join me for all the fun. I’ll be searching for answers to downtown’s toughest questions: What really goes into the Sports Center’s Tokyo Tea? How does the Little Soapmaker make her signature soap scents? At Out On A Whim, what kind of adventures can you experience during story time? Yes, I will find the answers to all of these and more!

For my first blog, I decided to adhere to the old adage, “stick with what you know,” and that’s exactly what I decided to do. So this afternoon I walked over to Essencia Artisian Bakery – 4 N. 3rd Street – for a cup of coffee and a little treat. Usually, my menu consists of a cup of drip coffee and a pastry (I have a love affair with the ham and cheese croissants). However, this particular afternoon I was feeling a little bit crazy. The excitement of writing my first blog paired with really bad pop music was getting to me.

I ordered Essencia’s Cuban Latte – steamed milk and sugar with the espresso shots poured over the steamed milk, macchiato style – a chicken sandwich on croissant tied neatly with a piece of twine, and a dainty Pot de Crème. Although I would like to report that I acted like a lady while eating this beautiful meal, I cannot actually say that I did. I devoured it… every last crumb, and quickly too! I must admit, that I ate the Pot de Crème first, it’s this great mix of chocolate and crème filling that fits in the palm of your hand. Needless to say, I had more than a little slice of heaven right here in downtown Yakima.

So the next time you are looking for the perfect pastry or a cup of coffee to warm your soul, head to Essencia and let Dan, Dawn, Brennan and the rest of the gang help you to indulge.

Until next time,

xoxo Downtown Diva