It’s time to get your first Friday on again. Tired of doing the same old thing? Well then scoot on over the The Seasons Performance Hall, learn some new moves, and then dance the night away.

Dance lessons with Salsa con Rumba are held backstage from 8-9pm tonight as part of “Salsa Fridays,” a group of salsa afficionados who take to the stage at Seasons each Friday all year. They used to meet on Thursdays (read our story from last year here), but they group – and its musical offerings -  has grown much since then.

If you’re worried you’ll stick out like a sore thumb, well don’t, you wont be the only one – there are plenty of newcomers each week. The cost is $10 for one hour of salsa lessons, and then stick around to hear the Cambalache Salsa band.

Cambalache Salsa have become one of the biggest salsa bands in the northwest, breaking attendance records at almost every salsa club around. Their music includes familiar salsa classics, as well as contemporary tunes.

So do something different tonight – grab a drink downtown, and then head on over and get your groove on.

And if you’re new to the first Friday scene, click here for some great ideas.

Salsa goers spin across the floor. • Photos by Andy Sawyer

Look at those feet!

The DJ's intent on his task.

As if we need another internet addiction, right? But this one’s so good!

It’s called Pinterest - an online pinboard where you organize and share things you find on the internet. For example, you come across a great recipe on the internet, but you don’t have the time to write it down, so instead, you pin it to your “recipe” board on Pinterest. It’s a great way to save all of your recipes in one little spot.

I have the tendency to find something I love on the internet, like a great pair of boots, but then I’ll forget where I saw it. Pinterest will let me pin the boots to my board, so that I never again lose them in cyber space. Once you pin them, other  members will see your pin, and can re-pin them to their board – if they so desire. It’s actually very simple, but highly addictive. It may very well become your next guilty pleasure.

You must first sign up, and within a short period of time, you will receive an invite from Pinterest. Once you do, you are free to pin, re-pin and follow other pinners. Once you become a Pinterest member, click here to follow Yakima Magazine.

Happy pinning!

This might seem odd, but the seeds you once used to grow “hair” on the head of a clay animal, are actually the new superfood. According to Dr. Oz, they contain 500% more calcium than milk and the same amount of omega-3s as wild salmon. They are rich in protein and fiber and suppress appetite, while fighting cancer. Sound too good to be true? I know, I thought so too, until I did my research. 

Once I was convinced of their health benefits, I gave ‘em a try. It made sense to eat them in bread, so I began there. Oroweat makes a whole grain and chia bread that tastes no different from any other multi-grain bread. Next I moved on to a smoothie. I combined a half of a banana, a handful of frozen strawberries, 1 tablespoon chia, about 3/4 cup of milk and a few cubes of ice. Honestly, it was delicious. After being blended, the seeds were like nothing more than you’d get in most berry shakes. They’re small to begin with – comparable to a poppyseed.

Next up: chia muffins! Once I get the recipe down, I’ll gladly share.

Chia seeds can be found in the health food section of higher-end grocers. Although finding them in Yakima wasn’t as easy as I had hoped. So I’ll let you in on a little secret…the best price per pound can be found at Fred Meyer. They’re also available at Rosauers, but a bit more spendy. Of course, they’re readily available on the internet.

I’m curious. Are you going to give them a try?

I’m loving stamped metals these days. Well, it seems most everyone is, given its growing popularity on the internet.

At Mighty Tieton’s most recent craft and artisan bazaar, I stumbled upon a vendor selling hand-stamped vintage spoons. Right then and there, I knew I wouldn’t be walking out empty-handed. There was a beautiful vintage fork and spoon set, stamped with the words, bride and groom, but having no future weddings to attend, I opted for a key chain – and it gets oodles of compliments. Quite possibly the best $3 I’ve ever spent.

The artist wasn’t available, but his work was part of the Highland Community Church’s booth. Similar items can also be purchased online at Etsy.

Mighty Tieton

608  Wisconsin Ave.

Tieton, WA 98947

My friend Brenda shot this photo of my Framboise Sherbet with her neato iPhone ... love the tiny spoon!

This weekend a good friend threw an indoor “tag sale” (read: yard sale) at Treveri Cellars on 2nd Street. If you haven’t been there, Treveri is a relatively new winery in Yakima that makes some tasty sparkling wines (I’d call them “champagnes,” but France would object). In addition to pouring each of its varieties, Treveri’s tasting room also offers up special concoctions – call them grown-up smoothies.  After purchasing my third set of white dishes from my friend, I plopped down at one of their comfy tables and chatted with another pal over a Framboise Sherbet (shown above). What a great Sunday!

Treveri has a few other special drinks too – I saw someone sipping Treveri’s version of a Mojito, with the mint leaves muddled into a champagne glass instead of a pounder. So much classier.  And delicious!

Treveri Cellars

225 S. Second Ave.

Yakima • 509-248-0200

trevericellars.com

I love books – everything about them. Of course reading them, but also holding them, displaying them and decorating with them. There’s just something so cozy about books. I actually have a fear that electronic book readers will one day replace hard copies. Scary thought. With that being said, I’m a huge collector. So the move into my new (old) home is like a little dream come true.

I also love thrift shopping, so when I find something interesting or appealing, I’ll pick it up and add it to my bookshelves. Take a peek at some of the things I used and then give it a try.

Erin Black, YWCA's Executive Director, laughs after "cutting the ribbon." • Photo by Andy Sawyer

The YWCA is an emergency shelter for the women and children of Yakima fleeing domestic violence. With their newly installed orange sign, you may have noticed their building’s recent renovation on the corner of 8th and Yakima avenues.

During the renovation they expanded the shelter and increased the number of beds available to the families in need. In doing so, they also wanted to create a sense of “home” by adding artwork. So the Junior League of Yakima, Allied Arts of the Yakima Valley and the YWCA teamed up to seek inspirational and encouraging artwork for the rooms.

The shelter received 44 pieces from 36 local artists, based upon this affirmation:

“My Story is now… I am safe, strong, empowered, loved, courageous, confident and committed. I am free to write my own story through self-reflection, self-respect, and recognizing my self-worth. I AM.”

The Allied Arts of Yakima Valley is inviting the public to view this art during an opening reception tonight from 5:30-7:00pm in the Peggy Lewis Gallery at the Allied Arts Center. The pieces will be on display for one week before being installed at the YWCA.

In the November/December 2011 edition of Yakima Magazine we featured LeAnne Ries, a talented multimedia artist. Ries is just one of many contributing artists on display at the exhibit this evening.

Allied Arts of the Yakima Valley

5000 West Lincoln Ave.

Yakima, WA 98908

509-966-0930

Since Valentine’s Day has taken over the holiday section of our stores, I figured I’d give it a go on our little blog here too.

In the Nov/Dec 2011 edition of our magazine we featured Jane Milford’s amazingly styled rustic romantic home. In an attempt to similarly decorate my house, I tried my hand at some projects that Jane might approve of. Well, I’m at it again. 

While scouring Pinterest (my newest internet addiction), I came across these darling little paper hearts, and of course, had to add a little love to my new home. So I ripped some pages out of an old book, cut and stapled some strips of paper and – wah-lah – my kitchen window is now happily decorated in this darling heart garland.

1. Cut 40 strips of paper. Separate into four groups of ten. Leave the first group as-is. Cut the second group 1/2 inch shorter than the first. Do the same thing with the next two set of strips (as seen in the photo).

2. Stack strips of paper so that the longest strips are on the outside and the shortest strips are together on the inside. Staple stack of strips.

3. Pull strips apart and form into a heart – four on each side. Staple the top of the heart (I inserted a piece of yarn for hanging).

Loving it! 

Traveling doesn’t have to be difficult, but at times it can seem more like work than a vacation – unless of course, you are on the job. Either way, we’ve found a few great things to simplify your trip.

Vapur Water Bottle

It’s actually called, The Anti-Bottle, made to “fold and go.” When filled with water, it stands upright. Once you drink it down, the bottle folds up nicely to fit in small spaces. The eco-friendly water bottle is also reusable, freezable, washable and attachable. And if you so desire, you can even buy it a sweater. $9.99, Available at vapur.us or at the Eddie Bauer outlet store in Union Gap, 509-225-3507.

PopOut Maps

PopOut maps and travel guides seem to be popping up everywhere.  They were designed to fit in your pocket, with hopes to ease the stress associated with oversized maps. Quite simply flip over the cover and a map pops out. They’re reliable, durable and easy to read. $6.95, Available at Inklings, 509-965-5830.

Fanny Pack

We’re bringing back the fanny pack. Not only are they lightweight and discreet, but today’s designs are much sleeker than you might remember from the eighties. They also securely store your money, passport and travel tickets under your clothing. Added bonus – your cell phone and lip gloss will easily slip in, replacing your heavy handbag. $22.50, Available through REI or at eaglecreek.com.

Total Pillow – As Seen on TV

“As Seen on TV” products are usually pretty quirky, but the Total Pillow may just be an exception. It’s filled with tension-easing microbeads, which allow it to twist, turn and shape any way you choose. It can be used as a neck rest, seat cushion or lumbar support for added comfort while you travel. And for the trendy traveler, it also comes in zebra and leopard prints. $15.99, Available at As Seen on TV.

These cold winter months often lead to dry, itchy skin, so when I stumbled upon this DIY citrus body scrub, I thought I’d give it a try. Aside from the sea salt, I had all of the ingredients in my kitchen. The orange zest is optional, but I wanted to  give it some color, so I added it. Not only does it look great, it feels amazing. It actually reminds me of a sea salt scrub that I used to buy from Arbonne for $24.

This little ditty took about five minutes to whip up and cost about $2 to make. And like the Arbonne product, it’s made with all-natural ingredients.

Add a hand-stamped tag and some raffia and it looks as though you purchased it from a unique little boutique – excellent for gift-giving.

Ingredients:

1 cup sea salt

1/4 cup oil (vegetable, olive, almond or coconut – your choice)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Directions:

Slowly stir oil into sea salt. Using a spoon, mix until salt is thoroughly soaked with oil. Add lemon and stir. Add orange zest and stir. Pour into jar and seal. Enjoy!

Mixing the ingredients together - sea salt, oil, lemon juice and orange zest.

It's the perfect consistency for a body scrub.

Such darling little jars.