Luna Express offers a full menu of frozen treats and customizable smoothies, including boosts and a new line of green drinks. COURTESY PHOTO

BY CELINA KAREIVA

As the mercury rises around the Eastside, finding a drink that fights the temps is essential.We’ve put together a list of places to grab delicious smoothies and healthy juice for when you tire of those overly sweet blended-iced coffees or need a break from calorie-filled treats like ice cream. Of course we included a classic milkshake, too, and this one has a twist.Whether you’re looking for a quick cool down or a tasty way to sneak in those fruits and veggies, we’ve got it covered.

Luna Express
11200 SE 6th St., Bellevue
bellevueclub.com/luna

Luna Express recently launched a hearty menu of new smoothies, including delicious green drinks that will have you questioning if that’s really kale in your cup. Dedicated to providing healthy options, Luna Express works with a wellness group to ensure its frozen treats offer the same healthy twist as other menu items. Customize your order with add-ins like “the blast,” protein, flax oil and bee pollen. Even if you aren’t a member of the Bellevue Club, service is open to the public.

Hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Lunchbox Laboratory
989 112th Ave NE #105, Bellevue
lunchboxlaboratory.com/bellevue

It’s no fruit smoothie, but Lunchbox Laboratory offers a host of sweet shakes (both virgin and alcoholic), like the banana creme pie, Almond Joy and the Butterfinger. Be warned, these are not for the calorie-conscious, but we can promise you’ll walk away satisfied.

Hours: Monday-Sunday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Whole Foods
888 116th Ave NE Bellevue
wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/bellevue

Disappointingly, most smoothie and juice bars load their menu items with lots of sugar and even more syrup. Whole Foods, better known for its produce and deli departments, offers a bunch of blended drinks without the sugar coma. Try the Blue Moon, Sunrise Blend or Paradise Found.
The recipes even sneak in ingredients you might not expect to find, like dates, bok choy, mint and chard. Shots and boosts available upon request.

Hours: Monday-Sunday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Cafe Happy
102 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland
facebook.com/pages/Cafe-Happy

As the name suggests, Cafe Happy serves up delicious, refreshing juices and milk teas made with real fruit. The best part? Everything is made fresh, without the powdery bases you’ll find at most bubble tea spots. Juice blends include celery-beet-orange, apple-strawberry-lemon and carrot-spinach-orange. “Everything is fresh fruits and vegetables,” says co-owner Chim-Kuai Chang. “There’s no water added, no sugar.”

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Lucky Jack’s Latte
17648 NE 65th Street, Redmond
meylah.com/luckyjackslatte

Named after the owner’s third rescue pooch, a Jack Russell Terrier, Lucky Jack’s has a beverage for your every craving: Italian sodas, fruit smoothies and a host of espresso drinks. Located just outside Marymoor park, this spot calls itself dog-friendly and even offers a menu for your four-legged friends, like bacon-flavored waffles, biscuits,and collars.

Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

League President Jackie Devich and Jenni Martinez, a former recipient of the Operation School Bell program. COURTESY PHOTO

BY ROSE DENNIS

Assistance League of the Eastside Corks for A Cause was an enjoyable evening of fun, friends and philanthropy at The Newcastle Golf Club on April 27. This wine-themed event was attended by more than 350 guests who began the evening with wine tasting from five Washington wineries while bidding on a multitude of wine, experiences and fine dining during the silent auction. The guests then enjoyed a three-course dinner that was followed by the live auction.

More than $234,000 was raised to help those in need through the league’s philanthropic programs:

• Operation School Bell, which provides new clothing to low-income school children to help build their confidence. The program helps 2,650 children in the Lake Washington, Bellevue and Northshore school districts.
• Assault Survivor Kits provides personal care items to survivors of sexual assault, along with new clothing to replace items retained as evidence by police.
• Starting Over Support provides baskets of basic household items for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence; and
• Assistance League Outreach, which works with local agencies to provide specific needs in the community.

The four programs supported more than 5,000 people in 2012.

President Mike Ranz of SNC-Lavalin Thermal Power, a global company located on the Eastside, was this year’s recipient of the National Operation School Bell Award. It is given to a person in the community who has made a powerful Impact on the program. High school sophomore Jennifer Martinez spoke to the audience about the significance of shopping for new school clothes through the Operation School Bell.

The league has 138 volunteers. Since 1989, they have raised $3.3 million. More information is at eastside.assistanceleague.org

Rose Dennis writes about events in Bellevue and the Greater Seattle area. She lives in Bellevue.

Alex Wheelwright, Byanka Larkins, Ulyber Mangune and James Matthew Johnson make up the Expose the Eastside collective. COURTESY PHOTO

BY GABRIELLE NOMURA

Don’t be fooled.

Seattle may be where people go to the ballet. It may be home to modern-dance hubs, Velocity Dance Center, On the Boards theater, and hip-hopper’s studio of choice, Westlake Dance Center. But the big city is not the place to see dance.

Enter Expose the Eastside – a dance collective with a whole lot of homegrown talent. This collective aims to give emerging choreographers a chance to showcase their work on dancers from various backgrounds and abilities. Much of the group hails from Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish, Redmond, Kirkland, Bothell and Renton in addition to the Greater Seattle area.

The group is now gearing up for their June 16 performance at the Theatre at Meydenbauer, where audiences will be treated to high-energy contemporary ballet, jazz, hip-hop and even some African fusion.

Byanka Larkins, a choreographer and founder of the project, said it’s not just about helping young people grow as artists; it’s about helping them mature and grow, period.

“We want to expose how much talent there is among our youth who often do not have the opportunity to be recognized,” she says.

Larkins grew up dancing at Ballet Bellevue before partnering with the studio’s education and outreach division to form the Expose the Eastside project almost a year ago.

Larkins, as well as the other choreographers – Alex Wheelwright, James Matthew Johnson and Ulyber Mangune – are given support such as studio time and costumes from Ballet Bellevue to set their works on dancers who range in age from teen to early 30s,’ all with a variety of abilities and backgrounds. The goal is to create an opportunity to dance together in a fun, non-competitive environment.

The stylistic differences in the choreographers will create a show that hasn’t been done yet on the Eastside, says Wheelwright, a recent Cornish College of the Arts graduate whose pieces reflect her modern and jazz-dance background. Larkins, a ballerina at heart, contrasts her highly-technical style with hip-hop or popular music, whereas Johnson and Mangune will bring the isolations, full-bodied articulation, popping and locking one might expect to see in an MTV music video.

Most people have seen dance recitals or competitions; performance is usually what’s emphasized in a dancer’s development. A showcase of young people’s choreography, however, that’s not often done.

Especially for those trained in classical dance, one is taught to follow, not to lead – to be a puppet to a choreographer’s vision, rather than an innovator of new steps and ideas.

Of course, this isn’t the case for Larkins and her peers.

For them, dance, in all its aspects, is a way of life. This includes the art of making a dance: getting an idea or story, selecting the music, making up the moves, then teaching them.

Larkins’ ability to fearlessly put her own work on display has had a far-reaching positive impact.

“I love that some of our dancers are starting to get groups of their friends together,” Larkins says. “They’re translating ideas into dances.”

Watch Expose the Eastside in performance at 7 p.m., Sunday, June 16 at the Theatre at Meydenbauer: 11100 NE Sixth St., Bellevue. Tickets range from $13 -$16 in advance and $18 – $20 at the door. To purchase in advance, go to brownpapertickets.com/event/369681.

BY KEEGAN PROSSER

Kevin Pollak has been performing stand-up comedy since he was a kid. His first act? Lip syncing to Bill Cosby’s album.

“It made my parents laugh, and at the age of 10, I’d never seen them laugh so hard,” Pollak says. “It was kind of unnerving – like the first time you see your parents cry. And I wanted to be the cause of that.”

By age 20, Pollak was touring professionally, and in 1988, at age 31, Pollak landed his first movie role – in George Lucas’s “Willow.”

As an actor, Pollak’s most notable accolades include roles in movies such as “Casino,” “A Few Good Men” and “The Usual Suspects.”

“It’s because of films – like [those] – I kind of became a dramatic actor in the eyes of filmmakers,” Pollak says.

But he’s also really funny.

As a comedian, Pollak’s most famous work was his 1992 HBO special “Stop With the Kicking,” directed by fellow comedian David Steinberg and produced by Boston comedy writer Martin Olson. His second special, “The Littlest Suspect,” aired on Showtime in July 2009.

The Scene recently caught up with Pollak to chat about what Eastsiders can expect when he returns to Parlor Live! this month:

SCENE: In your career you’ve played both dramatic and serious roles. What do you enjoy more? And why?
KP: I probably enjoy the comedy more because it’s my roots. But as far as dramatic versus comedy – it rarely comes down to that. It comes down to whether it’s good.

SCENE: Describe your comedy in two words:
KP: Best impressions.

SCENE: Could you explain the set-up of your act?
KP: There are no real jokes; it’s all stories. Funny jokes within stories. I released my first book a couple months back [“How I Slept My Way To The Middle”] and a lot of my stories came from the stage and went into book. Now I’m taking some of the stories from the book, that I haven’t talked about before, to the stage.

SCENE: What inspires your stories?
KP: A lot of the stories are inspired by being on movie sets and interacting with actors.

SCENE: How do you decide which stories will translate to the stage?
KP: Well that’s just it. I have to gauge and evaluate if there are enough live audience laugh moments verses laughing while reading. I have to decide, is this going to sustain an audience during a three to four minute story?

SCENE: You’ve also done pretty well with your online talk show, “The Chat Show.” Who has been your favorite guest?
KP: I have so many favorites.

SCENE: Are there any recent ones that stick out?
KP: Peter Farrelly from the Farrelly brothers was incredibly great. We just taped Eli Roth a couple days ago and he was a lot funnier than I thought he would be. I didn’t know he was that funny in his story telling ability.

SCENE: Last year you competed in the World Series of Poker. Did you grow up playing poker?
KP: It is something I grew up doing. When I was younger, I was staying with my cousin, and he came home from playing with friends with money and their belongings. And I was like, “How do you do that?” I became a little more than curious.

SCENE: Have you found that you’ve brought any of your poker skills into you standup act?
KP: Yeah, I guess I probably have – like reading people. But trying to read a whole audience is a lot different.

SCENE: What are you looking forward to most about returning to the Parlor?
KP: I just remember the audiences are really smart. My act doesn’t play well to dumb people, so the more intelligent the crowd is, the better chance you have of holding their attention.

SCENE: What can the audience expect?
KP: A lot of new stories and a lot of really great impressions.

SCENE: Any new impressions we can look forward to?
KP: Oh, yes. But I’m not telling you!

Kevin Pollak performs at Parlor Live Comedy Club June 13-15. $15-30, parlorlive.com.

Loud and About Column by Heija Nunn

Shakespeare opined “All The World is a Stage” and given the cheap, easy-to-produce reality shows that dominate the airwaves, a lot of people are getting their 15 minutes.
The popular show “America’s Got Talent” showcases classic talent while also introducing viewers to under-appreciated, but equally challenging to develop skills like ventriloquism, hand-whistling and contortionists.

There’s a competition or celebrity status for those possessing more basic life skills as well. Amazing Race rewards those with physical endurance and a willingness to actually stop and ask for directions while The Biggest Loser and Survivor favor those who don’t develop a short fuse on an empty stomach.

These talent and out-of-the-box skills competitions are our modern day Gladiator Games. While they are arguably more politically correct, the eviscerating judgments doled out by the likes of Simon Cowell and the Internet makes them no less bloody.

You would think we would want to protect our kids from this sort of battle, but no, year after year parents like me (and you) push our kids on stage to participate in school talent shows even if the talent is better left to perform awkwardly in front of a bedroom or bathroom mirror.

School talent shows are kinder and gentler than ancient gladiator games or even modern day elimination style competition shows. I think of them as preparation for the stage that is life: job interviews, work presentations, speed-dating.

At this level there’s no risk of having your dreams crushed without ever bathing in the warmth of stage lights.The unwritten rules of cooperative parenting mean that all audience members will smile, clap and limit all critiques to the voices in their head.

My kids have participated in school talent shows for more than a decade, yet somehow the spring audition announcements always catch me by surprise. There’s a hustle and rush to loosely support the creation of an “act.”

This is a challenge in our household because each year after the school talent show, I promise myself and the kids, that they will immediately begin piano, violin and voice lessons, coupled with a total ban on television and enrollment in Saturday school designed to discover and cultivate a previously undiscovered and show-stopping talent that belies their tender age.

But then they look at me in horror and say something about just wanting to have fun, and then I break the media rule by showing them a YouTube video in the parking lot as we leave, and we all forget about my lofty aspirations until the next year.

As a result, other parents need not be concerned if their child performs immediately before or after mine.They will not perform a piano concerto, sing opera, or mesmerize the audience with an amazing display of grace and ability using a hula hoop.

My kids’ acts are usually simple, light-hearted and for the most part easy to suffer – I mean, enjoy! Beginning in first grade, oldest son Sweetie-boy used his stage time to perform magic tricks he learned from the generous teacher and owner of the Pike Place Magic Shop. Low maintenance and easy-going Sistafoo happily performs silly skits and this year she did a “dance” to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” with her third-grade buddies.

However, Venom Pen rejects my stage-mother tendencies and insists on artistic freedom. He’s the Johnny Depp, the Joaquin Phoenix, the Artist formerly known as Prince of my three kids. In other words, the complicated one.

No matter what I suggest, he begins to shake his head “no” as the first words leave my mouth. His ultimate act may contain traces of a suggestion he pretended to ignore, but usually he goes with his own gut, no matter what it does to mine. His acts have ranged from original songs, sweet duets, skits and the one he would rather forget that involved light sabers and a playground ball.

This year he and a friend decided to tryout for emcees of the middle school talent show. I was not privy to his preparations beyond him rejecting my advice and providing rides to rehearsal. The night of the show I arrived just as he took the stage dressed in a Goodwill bow tie and cobbled tux look alike.

For the next two hours I held my breath each time he and his co-emcee appeared on stage. Each time they disappeared I wiped tears of laughter and relief from my face. In those two hours I watched Venom Pen wrestle a snake, model the super hero cape he got when he was three, emanate a terrifyingly funny maniacal laugh while marching around the stage with the inexplicable confidence of Jim Carrey and then follow a classmate’s sweet solo guitar and song act with his own performance – “I can top that.”

The little boy who couldn’t wait for my planned epidural to enter this world, the one who walked into preschool every day for three years with his arm over his eyes, the kid who left me, his MOTHER, out of his fifth grade heritage project – last Saturday night that same kid sat on a stool onstage at Newport High School strumming the ukelele he has mostly ignored since Christmas and shrieked an ode to Mister Whiskers a cat he doesn’t have:

Mister Whiskers!
I hate you so much! You claw me in my sleep!
You took a pee in my bed! You took a crap on my head!
I hope you die in the street!

With that I went from Worst Mother in the World to Proudest Mother in the World – even though Venom Pen refused to hug me on Mother’s Day until the last possible moment.

Wanna say Hiya to Heija? Follow her on Twitter , friend her on Facebook or relax, sit back, and silently judge her life in the flickering glow of your computer screen at her blog The Worst Mother in the World.

The patio at The Slip overlooks Kirkland’s Marina Park. KEEGAN PROSSER

BY LINDA BALL

It’s summertime and since everyone loves a picnic, outdoor dining is one way to enjoy one without packing up your basket. Several Eastside eateries offer outdoor seating, more than we have room for here. So get out and enjoy the sun, great food and perhaps a happy hour (or two).

Kirkland

The Slip
80 Kirkland Ave., (425) 739-0033

Located on Kirkland’s waterfront, this popular burger joint can seat about 70 people on two outside patios. When it’s sunny they open at 11 a.m. and stay open till 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday. Happy hour is from 3-6 p.m. every day with $2 wine, well drinks and a happy hour beer.

No reservations needed, outdoor seating is on a first-come first-served basis. One patio is tented in case of extreme heat or rain.

“We have great food, a casual environment and great views,” said owner Dave Plumb.

The Slip specializes in what he referred to as “designer burgers.”

Open 7-days a week, there is a parking lot with 100 stalls nearby.

Cactus
121 Park Lane, (425) 893-9799

Cactus has patio seating for 33 people, with 12 tables total. For cooler days heaters are built into the awnings.

Hours for outside seating, as weather permits, are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The patio has its own bar with happy hour from 3-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. During the day the patio is shaded but catches the sun in early evening.

Hector’s
112 Lake St. South, (425) 827-4811

Hector’s has an outdoor patio that seats approximately 88 people, with western exposure, one-half block from Lake Washington.

The patio opens at 10 a.m. for lunch and 4 p.m. for dinner, remaining open until 10:30 or 11 p.m. Patio seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. All the tables have umbrellas. Music is piped onto the deck at this family oriented restaurant serving traditional American comfort food.

Bellevue

El Gaucho
450 108th Ave. NE, (425) 455-2715

El Gaucho has outdoor seating for approximately 50 people and can accommodate more for a planned private event. As the weather allows, the patio opens with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and stays open for happy hour which starts at 3 p.m. and rolls into the dinner hour which begins at 5 p.m. This is a 21 and over patio.

The patio closes when the sun goes down, or at 11 p.m. on weekends. Outdoor seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to stay outside beyond sundown the staff is happy to offer blankets.

Valet parking available at dinner for $7, or park free in the Microsoft garage with validation.

520 Bar and Grill
10146 Main St., (425) 450-0520

This Bellevue hot spot has both an enclosed patio and sidewalk seating. It can seat about 60 people between the two.

The patio opens weekdays at 11 a.m.; 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Due to nearby residential neighbors, they try to encourage folks to come inside by 10 p.m. A couple of propane heaters warm things up when the sun goes down.

“I don’t think you’re going to find a patio like ours anywhere in this area,” said Andrew, a server. “We get a lot of sunshine, and we have great food and great service. There’s no where I’d rather be.”

Andrew says they also have big umbrellas that can form a canopy over the whole patio for a really hot day, or a little drizzly day.

Firenze Ristorante Italiano
15600 NE 8th St., (425) 614-0007

This fine dining Italian establishment, and its sister restaurant, Pizzeria Guido and Wine Bar, both have outdoor seating available. Awnings keep you in the shade if you want, but you can also worship the sun while you dine.

The pizzeria has four tables outside, and Firenze has five outdoor tables; each table can hold four or five people.

Happy hour is 3-5 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. at the pizzeria only. Summer hours are until 11 p.m.

Issaquah

Fin’s Bistro
31 Front St., (425) 392-0109

Fin’s has outdoor seating for approximately 20 people on the West facing patio capturing the afternoon sun. The patio is open for lunch, dinner and Saturday and Sunday brunch. Patio is on a first-come, first-served basis. Seafood is the specialty at Fin’s.

Umbrellas are available for shade and propane heaters for later when it gets chilly. Hours are Tuesday – Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Agave Cocina & Tequilas
1048 NE Park Drive, (425) 369-8900

Located in the Issaquah highlands, Agave can seat 60 people on its patio, situated to bask in the sun all day. Umbrellas are provided for shade and a gas fire pit lends warmth at night. Patio hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, and until midnight on weekends. Happy hour is only offered inside. The patio is on a first-come first-served basis. Open seven days a week.

Agave’s Redmond location also offers a more intimate outdoor setup during the warmer season.

Steve Miller Band

Chateau St Michelle
6-15: A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor
6-29: Steve Miller Band
14111 NE 145th St., Woodinville, 425-488-1133

Bake’s Place
6-3: The Fig Brothers
6-4: Hans Brehmer Trio
6-5: Rod Cook and Toast
6-6: Michael Gotz Jazzukha
6-7: Patricia Lee
6-8: Crème Tangerine
6-10: The Fig Brothers
6-11: Hans Brehmer Trio
6-12: Rod Cook and Toast
6-13: Michael Gotz Jazzukha
6-14: Little Bill & the Bluenotes
6-15: Mark DuFresne Band
6-16: Contempo
6-17: The Fig Brothers
6-18: Hans Brehmer Trio
6-19: Rod Cook and Toast
6-20: Michael Gotz Jazzukha
6-21: Ventura Highway Revisited
6-22: Impossible Bird
6-23: The Roberts Music Institute Student Showcase
6-24: The Fig Brothers
6-25: Hans Brehmer Trio
6-26: Rod Cook and Toast
6-27: Michael Gotz Jazzukha
6-28: Kelly Harland Band
6-29: Random Manor
6-30: Just One Look – Tribute to Linda Rondstadt
155 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue, 425-454-2776

Beach Cafe
Live music Thursdays from 6-9 p.m.
1170 Carillon Point, Kirkland, 425-889-0303

The Black Dog
6-1: Sam Shepard’s Simpatico
6-6: Tina & Her Pony
6-7: Edmund Wayne
6-8: Stillwater Hill Band
6-13: Stereo Fidelics
6-14: Little Hurricane
6-15: John White
6-20: Jim Page
6-21: Sonova
6-22: Gary Kanter
6-27: Shawnee Kilgore with Jean Mann
6-28: Hound Dog Crisis
6-29: Cynthia Alexander
8062 Railroad Ave. SE, Snoqualmie, 425-831-3647

Central Club
6-2: Kid Quagmire
6-5: Motown Cowboys
6-9: Tim Turner Band
6-12: Funk E3
6-16: Rod Cook
6-19: CD Woodbury
6-23: John Stephan
6-26: Full Degree
124 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-827-0808

Chop Suey
6-1: Lick!
6-3: Cool Ghouls
6-4: Curse of the North
6-5: Laff Hole
6-6: Anamanaguchi
6-7: Cut Hands
6-8: Christdriver
6-9: Hooves & Beak
6-11: Death By Stars
6-13: Golgothan Sunrise
6-14: Am & Shawn Lee
6-15: Jai Ho
6-16: Golden Gardens
6-17: Pony Time
6-19: Laff Hole
6-20: Audioasis Community Partnerships
6-21: Lady Gaga vs. Madonna Mashup Night
6-23: Throwing Shade Live
6-24: Scream Queen
6-25: Chris Pureka
6-27: A Gigs4Good to benefit Rain City Rock Camp for Girls
6-28: Lick!
6-29: Talcum
1325 E. Madison St., Seattle, 206-324-8005

Comedy Underground at Swannies
6-05: Ron Reid’s Stand-Up Comedy 101
109 S. Washington St., 206-628-0303

Concerts at Marymoor
6-19: Damian Jr. Gong Marley
6046 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond

Crocodile Cafe
6-1: Head Like a Kite, Fly Moon Royalty and Nissim
6-2: Hands In
6-5: The Duke Evers Band
6-6: Casey Veggies
6-7: Pharoahe Monch
6-8: Logic
6-9: Crystal Fighters
6-10: Shepard
6-12: I The Sky
6-14: The Coup
6-15: Under Pressure – A Night of Queen & David Bowie
6-16: Summer Jump Off with Shelton Harris & Tyler Dopps
6-17: Dust Moth
6-18: Torres
6-19: Emily Wells
6-20: JoJo & Austin Brown
6-21: Mealfrog
6-22: School of Rock performs Zappa
6-24: Krizz Kaliko
6-27: The Bad Things – 11 Years of Junkyard Cabaret
6-28: A benefit For Musicares with Prophets of Addiction
6-29: Ayron Jones and The Way & The Staxx Brothers
2200 Second Ave., Seattle, 206-441-4618

Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
6-1/2: Spanish Harlem Orchestra
6-3: Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Bands
6-4/5: An Evening with Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo
6-6/9: Jane Monheit
6-10: Edmonds-Woodway High School Bands
6-11/12: Groove for Thought
6-13: Ricky Skaggs
& Kentucky Thunder
6-14/16: Jonathan Butler
6-18/19: Benny Green
6-20: Hugh Masekela
& Larry Wills – Friends
6-21/23: Gregory Porter
6-25/26: Vieux Farka Toure
6-27/30: Booker T. Jones
Sixth Ave. & Lenora St., Seattle, 206-441-9729

The Fifth Avenue Theatre
6-20/232: Hairspray in Concert
1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle, 206-625-1900

Finaghty’s Irish Pub
6-7: Rock Stars Show featuring Big Star Studios
7726 Center Blvd SE #110, Snoqualmie, 425-888-8833

Kirkland Performance Center
6-16: The Great American Songbook V
6-21: Carmen Souza
6-24: A Jazz Evening with Youn Sun Nah
6-26: Madeleine Peyroux
350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900

Laugh’s Comedy Club
6-1: Melissa Villasenor
6-6/8: Ian Bagg featuring Kortney Shane
6-14/15: Aisha Tyler with special guest Ali Mafi
6-20/22: Dwight Slade with special guest Stefan Davis
12099 124th Ave. NE, Kirkland, 425-823-6306

Meydenbauer Center
6-1: Bellevue Jazz Festival
6-2: Bellevue Girl Choir presents First Ascent
6-5: Leher 2013
6-8: Evergreen City Ballet’s Cinderella
6-9: La Luna Performing Show
6-15: International Ballet Theatre Spring Recital
6-21/22: Rhythm of Dance
6-23: Anjali School of Dance
6-29/30: Dance Time’s 23rd Annual Showcase
11100 NE Sixth St., Bellevue, 425-637-1020

Moore Theatre
6-8: Dancing Around The World
6-29: Queensryche with Geoff Tate
1932 Second Ave., Seattle, 206-812-3284

Neptune Theatre
6-1: Foals
6-2: The Boxer Rebellion
6-7: School of Rock Seattle performs Beck’s Song Reader
6-8: Anthony Jeselnik
6-13: LIGHTS
6-14: Tracy Morgan
6-19: Patty Griffin
6-21: Chris Mann
6-26: Red Baraat
6-28: Dylan Moran – Yeah, Yeah
6-29: Pete Holmes
1303 NE 45th St., Seattle, 206-781-5755

Paramount Theatre
6-1/2: FELA!
6-4: Celtic Woman
6-6: Seattle Science Festival Opening Night – Beyond Infinity?
6-10: Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Monday
6-13: Theresa Caputo Live – The Experience
6-17: Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Monday
6-21: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
6-22: Bill Maher
6-23: Cody Simpson
6-24: Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Monday
911 Pine St., Seattle, 206-467-5510

Parlor Live
6-1: Rex Navarrete Asian Mix-Plate
6-2: Brooke Fox
6-6/8: Tony Rock
6-13/15: Kevin Pollak
6-27/29: Loni Love
700 Bellevue Way NE, Ste. 300, Bellevue, 425-289-7000

Pogacha
Live music Friday and Saturday nights.
120 NW Gilman Blvd., Issaquah, 425-392-5550

Showbox At The Market
6-2: New Found Glory
6-7: Alkaline Trio
6-8: One More Time – A Tribute to Daft Punk
6-20: CSS with IO Echo
6-21: The Dandy Warhols
6-22: Camera Obscura
6-26: Hollywood Undead
6-30: Face To Face
1426 First Avenue Seattle. 206-628-3151

Showbox SODO
6-12: They Might Be Giants
6-19: Fall Out Boy
6-29: Chino y Nacho
1700 First Ave. S., Seattle, 206-628-3151

Snoqualmie Casino
6-2: Paul Anka
6-6: Kathleen Madigan
6-9: Boz Scaggs
6-21/22: Joe Cannon
37500 SE North Bend Way, Snoqualmie, 425-888-1234

Soul Food Books
6-6: Jim Page
6-7: Clint McCune Brother Film Release
6-14: Jeff Crookall
6-15: Songwriters in Seattle
6-29: The Old Dog Band
15748 Redmond Way, Redmond, 425-881-5309

Teatro ZinZanni
“Lucky in Love” is playing all month.
222 Mercer St., Seattle, 206-802-0015

Triple Door
6-1: Sinatra at the Sands
6-2: Coyote Grace
6-3: Mice Parade with Ghose of Kyle Bradford
6-5: Andre Mehmari
6-6: Yogoman Burning Band & Blvd Park
6-7: The Maldives
and The Wind
6-8: Blue Street Jazz Voices
6-9: School of Rock presents Pink Floyd’s The Wall
6-10: Black Prairie & Jon Mooallem
6-11: Indigenous
6-12: Peter Tonk
6-13: The Local Strangers & The Passenger String Quartet
6-14: Slice Smith
6-15: Geoffrey Castle
6-16: The Staves, Musikanto
6-17: Joseph Arthur
6-18: Josh Rouse with Field Report
6-19: Daniel Rapport Trio
6-20/21: Noah Gundersen
6-22: Grant Lee Phillips with Gerald Collier
6-23: Bernholft with Sun Rai
6-24: Free Funk Union
6-25: Singer-Songwriter Showcase
6-26: Pavlo
6-27: Albare
6-28: Wendy Ho
6-29/30: Irma Thomas
216 Union St., Seattle, 206-838-4333

Village Theatre
“Chicago” plays through the 29th.
303 Front Street North Issaquah, 425-392-2202

Vino Bella
6-1: Shaggy Swete
6-7: Seatown Rhythm and Blues
6-8: Electric Soul
6-14: Tweety and the Tom Cats
6-15: Brian Lee and the Orbiters
6-21: A Cedar Suede
6-22: Lady A
6-28: Vibe Central
6-29: British Beats
99 Front St. N., Issaquah, 425-391-1424

White River Amphitheatre
6-15: Vans Warped Tour 2013
6-20: Lynyrd Skynyrd & Bad Company – The XL Tour
6-29: Last Summer on Earth – Barenaked Ladies, Ben Folds Five and Guster
40601 Auburn-Enumclaw Rd., Auburn, 360-825-6200

The trails at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Beach Park.

BY KEEGAN PROSSER

The weather’s getting warmer (we hope) and it’s time to go play outside.

You pack up the car – with blankets and an ice chest and lots of toys for fun in the sun. You grab the kids, already suited up, life jackets in hand. And then you drive. And drive. And drive. To the nearest beach.

For many Washingtonians inspired by the sun, this seems to be the trend during the summer – a trend often met with disappointment when short drives turn to long ones and a relaxing day in the sun turns into maneuvering through miles of sunbathers.

Luckily, the Eastside has hundreds of options for enjoying the nice weather at spots a little closer to home. Not all of them have the same amenities as the biggest, most obvious public beach, but they’ve got something else: a little peace of mind. Here are our picks for some of the best parks on the Eastside:

Bellevue

Clyde Beach Park
2 92nd Avenue NE

Located off a busy stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard, this neighborhood beach is the perfect spot for a lazy day by the water. The always-green, grassy slope is a nice spot to take in the view of the water – and the beautiful West Bellevue mansions that line it. Clyde Beach also boasts ample parking, restrooms, a boathouse, a playground and roped-off swimming (lifeguard on duty during the summer). The word on the street is that the grass tends to always be a bit damp – so bring a waterproof mat or a lawn chair to sit on!

Meydenbauer Beach Park
419 98th Avenue NE

Located near the heart of Downtown Bellevue on the shores of Meydenbauer Bay, this tucked away spot is equal parts charming secret garden and bustling beach. For those on the more active side, the park features a playground, an area to play volleyball and a life guarded swimming area. And for those looking to relax, there’s a large lounging lawn, small sandy beach and picnic area. The walk from the parking lot is a bit steep but it’s supplemented by killer views of Lake Washington, impressive tree trunks and sculptures. It’s known to get pretty crowded on the weekends – so get there early!

Kirkland

Waverly Beach Park
633 Waverly Way

Complete with a public dock, swimming, fishing, and picnic areas, Waverly Beach Park is a popular spot for all ages. Tucked away at the bottom of a hill, near the edge of a residential neighborhood in Kirkland, this beach park offers a sweeping view that spans from the 520 floating bridge to the north end of Lake Washington.

A favorite spot for swimmers, Waverly Beach Park has a large swimming area enclosed by a half-circle walking dock , as well as a sandy beach. For those looking to make it an all day adventure, Waverly Park Beach also features a large lawn area for lounging, as well as a picnic area (gas fired barbecues allowed).

O.O. Denny Park
12032 Holmes Point Drive N.E.

Originally established as the private estate of Orion Orvil Denny, O.O. Denny Park belonged to the city of Seattle before being handed over to the city of Kirkland in April 2013.

In 2001, a $52 million general fund shortfall in the King County budget led to the closure of 20 parks throughout the county, including O. O. Denny Park. Luckily, Finn Hill residents voted to manage the park themselves, through a small property tax increase.

A popular picnic site for Kirkland residents, the 46-acre park also features an extensive trail system, designated four separate waterfront locations and a small sandy beach.

Redmond

Edge Skate Park
Corner of Northeast 83rd Street and Northeast 90th Street

We’ve included this park because it’s not your typical park. And while it doesn’t necessarily offer something for everyone, it’s an alternative for Eastsiders looking to be a little more adventurous this summer.

Located at the corner of NE 83rd Street and 161st Avenue NE in Redmond, the Edge Skate Park is a concrete jungle gym, including a variety of ramps and rails for risk takers looking to drop in. The park also features an active graffiti wall, sponsored by the City of Redmond, and is located near a Metro Bus Park and Ride.

Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park
19545 Redmond Road

Redmond’s Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park is a great alternative to your traditional park and features an orienteering course, tire swings and nature trail. Also unique to this park is the inclusion of a children’s animal farm – where the little ones can get up close and personal with a variety of friendly animals including pigs, goats and ponies.

Other amenities include trailer parking, covered picnic shelters with electricity and multi-use trails connecting to the Redmond PSE Trail.

Juel Community Park
18815 NE 116th St

This exciting park was donated to the City of Redmond by Glen and Betty Juel who purchased the 38 acres in the early 1950s. Throughout the years, the couple raised vegetables, blueberries, and flowers alongside an expanse of 100-year-old trees. In 1999, the pair sold the property to the City of Redmond at a fraction of market value so the land would remain green and open forever.

In addition to the lucious gardens, this park is perfect for a round of Frisbee golf or family picnics. The city hope to develop the park further over the next few years – with plans for sports fields, walking trails, large open spaces, a children’s play area, and a community garden.

Issaquah

Timberlake Park
4500 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE

This 24-acre, predominantly-forested park features a 1/2 mile trail down to the Lake Sammamish shoreline and beach area. The park is also part of the Lakes-to-Locks Water Trail. Other amenities include picnic tables and benches, scenic views of the creek and Lake Sammamish and a grassy field at the shoreline. You’ll also find lots of open space – and a 5-car parking area off of NW Sammamish Road.

Snoqualmie

Snoqualmie Point Park
37580 SE Winery Road

The scenic beauty of Mount Si and the rugged Cascade foothills unfolds before your eyes at one of the Snoqualmie Valley’s best kept secrets – Snoqualmie Point Park.
From the park’s view shelter, visitors can see the breadth of the Valley, including the old Snoqualmie mill site – and the mountain views go on for miles.

Located on the former property of a winery that burned down decades ago, the city-owned park underwent a complete renovation and reopened to the public in 2008. The park now boasts space developed for weddings, picnics, and other purposes, created with the intention of taking full advantage of the views.

Tricky access puts Snoqualmie Point Park a bit off the beaten path. Getting there from eastbound I-90 is easy, thanks to highway Exit 27, but westbound travelers need to work their way up North Bend Way to find it. Even so, the park’s amazing views and new amenities are a draw for in-the-know sightseers.

Sammamish

Pine Lake Park
2615 228th Ave NE

Hidden atop the Sammamish Plateau, Pine Lake Park offers swimming, a boat launch, fishing pier and two new play areas.

The 16-acre park, formerly operated by King County, also offers a baseball/softball/open play field and a basketball court. Picnic facilities are plentiful and may be reserved. Restoration projects completed to date by the City of Sammamish include replacement of restroom fixtures and the construction of two new play areas.

The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, rainbow trout and yellow perch, which can be fished April through October.

Because of its central location and a beautiful wooded setting, the park is host to numerous community events, including the annual Summer Nights At The Park series of music concerts, plays and outdoor movies.

Beaver Lake Park
SE 24th Street @ 244th Avenue SE

Beaver Lake Park offers opportunities for recreation, hiking, and exploring its 54 forested acres. In addition, the City of Sammamish park is an attractive fishing spot. Triploid rainbow trout are primary targets. Jumbo-size rainbow (2-4 lbs each) are stocked annually in the fall around mid-November.

Park facilities include a large pavilion and lodge with ADA accessible public restrooms on the north side; and three ball fields, a picnic shelter, play structure, and restrooms on the south side. Unpaved hiking paths connect the north and south sides of the park.

The Lodge at Beaver Lake is a Northwest log building, which houses weddings, private parties and meetings. Discounted rates are available to eligible community groups for use during the weekdays and Monday through Thursday evenings.

Don and Maria Riggs traveled 11,039 miles on their Big Trip acoss the U.S. and Canada. COURTESY PHOTO

BY DON RIGGS

“Livin’ the Dream.” That’s a popular license plate frame at RV parks. A lot of people talk about retiring, hopping into a motorhome or trailer and going around the country. Our health was OK, we had a little cash and credit left, so we actually did it.

Our Big Trip was talked about and roughed out over several years by my wife, Maria, and others who would be joining us for parts of it.

Maria said we would not be making such a trip in our 28-foot motorhome with limited space. So, we bought a used 36-footer with two slide-outs to increase our interior room when stopped for the night. And late last August, we hit the road for seven months.

We headed east with our newly-washed motorhome, which looked great until we got into a five-minute thunderstorm in Montana, followed by some dusty road construction. You know the character “Pigpen” in the “Peanuts” cartoon? Our motorhome could have been his wheels.

After Mt. Rushmore, we were allowed in to Sturgis, S.D., even though we didn’t have a Harley. We passed the Deadwood Hospital, which didn’t inspire a lot of confidence. We went north to Mackinac Island, where there are no motor vehicles, just bicycles and horses (you have to watch your step).

Then it was east into Canada, using bi-lingual traffic signs to learn French. And converting gasoline prices to more than $5 a gallon. (Yes, at nine mpg or less.)
Niagara Falls is more awesome in person than any picture can be. Take the boat ride to the base of the falls, and they give you a cheap bright blue plastic poncho to wear. It looks like a Smurf’s convention.

You get a great view of Canada’s largest city, Toronto, from the CN Tower, which is about 2 1/2 Space Needles tall. Quebec was a little more frustrating, since signs were in French only. (Did that sign say “Road Closed in 100 Centipedes,” or what?)

You cross a beautiful eight-mile-long bridge to get to beautiful Prince Edward Island. Nobody wants to leave. Partly because of the $44 toll for that bridge. (No charge to get on to the island.)

Back in this country, we got into a genuine nor’easter in Bar Harbor, Maine. It was like spending a day and a half stuck in the rinse cycle at a Brown Bear Car Wash. We ate at a restaurant so thoroughly fishing-related, their restrooms are labeled “Inboard” and “Outboard.”

After playing tourist in Boston and New York, we drove on to South Carolina, where some nasty wind took part of our motorhome roof. A roll of duct tape helped us get to our planned stop at the big RV rally in Daytona.

After mulling repairs to what would still be a 13-year-old motorhome, we bit the bullet and bought a new one. I may be the only guy you know who’s driven two laps at Daytona Speedway…in a motorhome. A perk for buying. The hand-lettered “50 mph” sign didn’t look all that official to me. I tried what I’ll call highway speeds.

I’d happily return to the Tampa area, if it wasn’t a 5,000-mile drive. They had to kick us out at closing time at the Naval Air Museum at Pensacola. It’s that good. Bonus: we saw the Blue Angels this year. That’s their home.

It’s discouraging to enter Texas at milepost 899, realizing how far it is just to get out of that brown and dusty state and into a couple more of them.

After longer stays at two RV parks in Arizona, it was back home. Coming down the driveway, looking at the dandelions and mole hills, my first thought was “it doesn’t seem like we’ve been gone seven months.”

We had quit talking about it. We “lived the dream” for more than 11,000 miles. Worth every moment, and every penny. And there were plenty of both.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Money: Bring more money. It doesn’t matter how much you planned to bring. Bring more.
Problems: We started the Big Trip with a 13-year-old motorhome, bought used. We bought somebody else’s problems, like tired struts that wouldn’t keep storage doors open, brittle fan blades, and a roof that didn’t survive the trip.
More problems: We traded for new and bought our own problems. Like the bedroom slide sticking (in the “in” position, so at least we could still drive). Also, a leaky hot water heater, a warped door and a problem with the finish on the floor. At least it’s all warranty stuff.
Water: Enjoy your water here. It’s not as good in many other places, which means we had to spend another $400 to buy a decent water filter so we could have suds for washing and drinkable coffee.
Eating: Because you’ll meet new friends, you’ll go out to eat more often than you might have planned. When they offer to buy, let them. You’ll get stuck often enough.
Clothes: Pack fewer. Most places you’ll go will let you in if you’re not overly scruffy. No need for formal gowns and tuxes. Take a suit if it makes you feel better, but you’ll probably never wear it. So, don’t.
Groceries: Pack fewer when you’re on the road. You’ll be going by a store.
Surprises: Know that something expensive will break.
Finally: Travel with others. Not only is it more fun to share the adventure, but also when something goes wrong (I almost said “if”), you have, if not technical help, at least moral support.

Don Riggs is a long-time Bellevue resident who graduated from Bellevue High School and the University of Washington. He began a 55-year broadcasting career in high school, ending it with 33 years at KMPS. He and his wife have been married for 49 years.

Dear reader,

June can be a doozy of a month in the Northwest.

For many, it’s the last month of school. That last, winding road on a long stretch of learning.

For others, it means summer Fridays – getting to leave the office a few hours early to enjoy the lovely afternoon. Or is that just an East Coast thing?

But for most of us in the Northwest it means another thing: patches of sunny days hidden between weeks of rain. Darn June gloom. Let the countdown to the Fourth of July begin – because just maybe, we’ll get a summer AFTER that.

Even though the month of June may not offer the BEST weather, the June issue of The Scene has a lot of BESTS:

• BEST kept secret parks
• BEST outdoor dining options
• BEST places to find tasty smoothies
• BEST warm weather fashion trends.

And they’re all on the Eastside.

We’ve also got a preview of Expose the Eastside – a new dance collective bringing tons of technique and spice to the Meydenbauer this month. As well as all you need to know about road trippin’ from Don Riggs. The longtime Bellevue resident and broadcasting vet just returned from seven months of RV traveling – and he’s got lots of tips to share.

So pack up that backpack with sunscreen and a beach towel – and set it by the door until that rare sunny moment comes along. While you wait, sit back and read about the best of what’s to come – in The Scene.

-Keegan Prosser