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Chevrolet has announced the launch of Mi Familia, My Chevy, a national online contest that celebrates Hispanic families. Chevy is calling on Hispanic families to submit their unique stories for the chance to be selected and awarded the road trip of a lifetime, complete with personal chauffeurs and the latest Chevy vehicles for up to 9 family members. The online contest is open for submissions through December 31. Families must submit a photo that highlights a special family moment or milestone, then write a short response explaining more about their family and what a road trip would mean to them. “At Chevrolet, we understand the importance of road trips for families and are excited to kick off this inaugural contest,” said Paul Edwards, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. “Family is at the fabric of Hispanic culture and we want Chevrolet to play a contributing role in building road trip memories.” Among Hispanic customers, Chevy is the third best-selling automotive brand, making vehicles that meet the unique needs of today’s Hispanic families and helping to keep them safe on the road. Hispanic vehicles sales account for 14% of all Chevy sales. As part of the program, Chevrolet has enlisted three Hispanic influencers to capture and share their own Chevy family road trip experiences through their social and digital channels.  Each influencer will drive one of Chevrolet’s latest products, including the All-New 2020 Silverado, 2020 Blazer and the 2020 Traverse. These brand ambassadors will also encourage Hispanic audiences to submit their unique contest entries. Families will also have the chance to enter the contest at select upcoming Chevy events. These events include: San Antonio Auto and Truck Show (November 21-24, 2019) Phoenix Auto Show (November 28, 2019 – December 1, 2019) The winning family will be selected and announced in January, 2020. The grand prize road trip will take place in Spring 2020 and includes a 6 day, 5 night adventure which begins in Miami, Florida, where the winning family will make stops in their Chevy to enjoy the culture of Miami and experience a baseball fan’s dream in West Palm Beach, before ending in a magical vacation at Walt Disney World Resort, where it only takes a moment together to create memories that last a lifetime. To learn more about the Mi Familia, My Chevy contest, please visit http://www.chevyfamilia.com/. Follow the conversation on social by using the hashtag #MiFamiliaMyChevy.

The holiday season is a time to reflect, express gratitude, and give to those in need. Locally, the White Center Food Bank is one of the longest-serving charities in the area. Nearly 20,000 families, almost 58,000 people, utilized the resources at the White Center Food Bank. It takes a village...a very large village...to keep a food bank like this continually supplied with food so that no one in our community goes hungry. Especially this holiday season. The holidays are stressful for almost everyone, but for people who are already struggling to feed their families or themselves, they can be almost unbearable. Let's do what we can to lift up the burdens of our neighbors and make sure they have full plates and full bellies. If you are in need of services from the White Center Food Bank, you can book your appointment online. Donate to the White Center Food Bank this holiday season! Any amount helps and you can make it a one-time gift or regular donation. If you know of other local charities you would like highlighted on our blog, please let us know!

Image via Flickr by foilman Sushi is a staple in the Pacific Northwest, and Burien has its fair share of sushi-lovers. But where do they go for the best sushi in Burien? At Burien Chevrolet, we love sushi as well and these are our top 3 sushi restaurants in town. Sushi Maki Sushi Maki is arguably the most popular sushi restaurant in Burien, but you wouldn't know it from its outward appearance, or even at first glance when you walk in the door. This unassuming storefront hides a treasure-trove of delicious Japanese cuisine. Their specialty is rolls and you can find the traditional rolls, such as California and Rainbow, as well as their own unique sushi roll creations. For those who love sushi, however, this is where Sushi Maki steps up their game. The maguro, nigiri, and hamachi are all fan favorites, made from the freshest ingredients possible. Even inexperienced sushi connoisseurs enjoy the buttery taste and texture of their salmon. Be sure to enjoy a cold, imported Japanese beer with your dinner at this affordable Burien sushi spot. more Oishi Sushi While Sushi Maki focuses on the finer foods prepared for later meals, you'll find lunchtime specialties at Oishi Sushi. With a unique blend of traditional with contemporary, much like Burien itself, you'll find bento boxes and fresh ramen served alongside their delicious sushi. Oh, and you can't forget the miso soup, a local favorite that has many customers coming back. The restaurant space is small, so you'll want to call ahead, especially if you have a large party. On busy nights, you may need to wait a bit for your food. However, once it gets to your table or you've gotten home with your to-go order, you'll realize the wait was worth it. Oishi Sushi chefs take the presentation of your sushi order seriously and, in addition to a plate of sushi, you get a plate of artwork. Wabi-Sabi The name of this Burien sushi restaurant was inspired by a type of Japanese art that focuses on the elegance found in natural simplicity. The chefs here keep to that philosophy when preparing not only some of the best sushi in Burien but also their bento boxes and udon dishes. The atmosphere in the dining room is intimate and cozy while still a prime example of the natural and simple elegance that Wabi-Sabi emulates in their food. For them, a meal isn't just about nourishment of the body, but also the soul, and it's evident as soon as you walk in the door. Whether you have reservations at Sushi Maki as a date with your significant other or you just want to go somewhere unique and fun for a lunch-time meeting, arriving there in style is important. After all, sushi is an elegant food. Burien Chevrolet has a vast inventory of vehicles, so stop by and choose the one you'll take to your favorite sushi bar next time. Then stop by after to let us know how great the sushi was, or better yet, bring some for us to try, too!

Image via Flickr by Daquella Manera Has the baby bump become uncomfortable and the big day could be any day? There are likely countless tasks running through your mind about preparing this or finishing that, but preparing for the drive to the hospital shouldn't be overlooked. Keep the following in mind as you prepare for a safe drive to the hospital. Practice the Route in Advance There may be several ways to get to the hospital and it's important to know all of them well. Choose the fastest or easiest route as Route A and only deviate from this route if there are problems such as construction or an accident. Know Route B and Route C just as well as you know Route A. Practice all hospital routes often. If you always practice your route at the same time of day, you may not realize that there is heavy traffic in the evenings, for example, and that the route isn't ideal at specific times. Practice driving these routes on different days of the week at all different times so you know what to expect on the big day. Prepare Your Vehicle Preparing to leave for the hospital isn't only about having that “hospital bag” sitting next to the door; your vehicle should also be just as prepared. When on your way home from any errands, always stop to fill up for gas. Even if you didn't go very far, you always want to top off. You can also have comfort items already in the car so they are ready when you are. Comfort items to bring might be a favorite pillow, a soft blanket, or even a playlist that was prepared in advance. Have a Friend Ready to Go You will most likely have a few minutes from the time you start feeling contractions or your water breaks to the time you leave for the hospital. Have some phone numbers for friends or family who can be on standby ready to assist with the drive to the hospital. This additional person can help start the group notification chat and help the driver with directions should unforeseen traffic pop up. They can also help mom-to-be get through contractions and concerns, keeping the driver's attention on the road to help get to the hospital safely. Drive Deliberately and Slowly Labor rarely progresses so quickly that you should rush to the hospital, increasing the risk of a car accident. You're more likely to get there in time and safely if you slow down. Be sure to put your hazard lights on so others know you are going slow. Another way to alert drivers to your cautiousness is to have a pre-made sign put up in the back window to let them know the good news! Another way to make sure the growing family gets to the hospital safely and comfortably is to invest in a new vehicle. The right family car will be there for you as you leave the hospital with your bundle of joy as well as when you leave that child at school for the first time. Burien Chevrolet has the perfect family car for you. Stop by and test drive one today.

Image via Flickr by Sam & Sophie Images Planning a birthday party for your child allows you to celebrate their special day, while helping them have fun with their friends. As you're deciding where to host their next party, take a look at some of the local spots that offer birthday party packages and plenty of fun for kids of all ages. The Jungle Gym The Jungle Gym is an indoor play spot in Burien offering a wide range of activities for children. Kids can bounce, zip, climb, swing, roll, flip, and have a blast on the indoor rock wall, soft bounce houses, and gymnastics equipment. The company will also help you host a stress-free and fun birthday party where guests can go through an obstacle course, use the zipline, swing on a trapeze, and enjoy free play. When you reserve a room, you'll get private use of the space for an hour and 45 minutes. It will be set up with festive decorations and the team will take care of the cleanup. You can bring any food you want to enjoy during the party or receive a discount on pizza from a nearby parlor. Extras include a jungle bounce house, dancing mascots, and filled pinatas. iFly If you have an adventure-seeking child, check out iFly Seattle, which is about 12 miles from Burien. A party at this location will surely be one to remember, as the guests will experience body flight while indoor skydiving. Highly trained and certified coaches will instruct each guest on how to hold their body and participate in the activity safely and, after the instruction, your child and their friends can take part in a memorable skydiving experience. Additional flight enhancements are available as part of the party package such as a high flight, which will allow each participant to fly much higher in the chamber. You can also add catered food, cake, ice cream, drinks, an audio system with music or a live DJ, party favors, decorations, and a private party room with audio and video capabilities. For a thrilling party, make sure to check out iFly Seattle. Wiggle Works Kids For younger children, check out Wiggle Works Kids in nearby Bellevue. This location features an indoor playground designed for children who measure under 48-inches in height, so it's a fun spot to host a toddler's birthday party. Party packages include admission for up to 15 guests and the birthday boy or girl, unlimited playtime on the moving playscape, exclusive use of the private party room, two balloon bouquets, and colored paper products and utensils. You'll also have a dedicated party coordinator to assist. If you want to bring your own food, you can do so or, the venue can order pizza for you. Additional options available for purchase include goody bags, pinatas, banners, extra balloons, more playtime, snacks, and festive themed items. Plan an exciting and unique party for your child at one of these locations where you can make sure they have a birthday party to remember. Best of all, you don't have to worry about cleaning up your house in preparation for guests. The venue will take care of all the prep and cleanup for you!

Every area of the country has it's own culture, it's own way of being local. Especially when it comes to the holidays! All of us here at Burien Chevrolet love living in the Pacific Northwest, so if you have family visiting and want to show them a very Puget Sound Thanksgiving, here are some ideas: Don't skip the turkey. But also don't be afraid to add some pink to your table with SALMON. That's right, salmon is a great addition to any Thanksgiving feast. The host shouldn't make the turkey and the fish, so don't be afraid to ask for/offer help! If not a whole salmon with dinner, any kind of salmon dip or appetizer works great, too. Mushrooms. While the scientific survey of us asking around produced few people who actually have mushroom gravy (unlike what this article says), mushrooms as sides or ingredients are very common at the Thanksgiving table in Pacific Northwest. Add them to your sauteed green beans if you want to give them a try! Brussel sprouts. Oh yeah. They may be an acquired taste, but nothing says holiday dinner like steamed brussel sprouts. Or bake them with bacon bits. Don't forget about the sweet potatoes with marshmallows (only native grown and sold, please) and fruits that we have in abundance here in the Pacific Northwest: apples and pears! There are so many ways to incorporate them and it makes your table uniquely local. Go light on the Native American references of Thanksgiving. We love the local Puget Sound Native American communities and understand they may see Thanksgiving differently than the traditional viewpoint. Be prepared for rain. Even if you have a huge backyard, be prepared for all those kiddos to be stuck inside because it will probably rain. Apple Cup! Really, Thanksgiving is just Apple Cup eve. Where are the good little Cougar and Husky fans leave out Thanksgiving leftovers before they go to bed for the football gods and have gravy dreams of their team hoisting the trophy at the end of the most important game of the season. Need some more ideas and even a timeline? This article breaks down what you need to do and how far in advance to make sure everything is done in time for dinner! What are some of your favorite things that make your Thanksgiving uniquely local? We want to hear!

Image via Flickr by smneale Seahurst Park, also known as Ed Munro Park, is a 178-acre park located in Burien, Washington. It features forests and a beach of around 2,000 feet in length with stunning views over the Puget Sound. It's a beautiful place to visit at any time of year and you can return time after time to enjoy the changing seasons. Here are five tips to help you to get the most out of this urban oasis. Opening Hours and Parking The park is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The lower parking lot is close to the beach and has around 30 parking spots, five of them for handicapped users. The upper lot is much larger, but is a quarter-mile uphill from the beach; if you or anyone with you has mobility issues, you'll need to arrive early to get in the lower lot as it fills up pretty quickly. Make sure to leave before 9 p.m. as the gates are closed promptly. more The Beach Most people visit Seahurst Park for the stretch of beach which, typical for the Pacific North West, is mostly gravel and small, rounded stones. Plenty of driftwood gets washed up on the shore, which provides something to sit on as well as treasures for beachcombers. In the summer, the beach is very popular with families and some people even brave the chilly waters of the sound. If you want to enjoy it at quiet times, it's advisable to arrive early morning or in the evenings when the view of the sunset across the Puget Sound is stunning. Facilities Close to the beach are indoor restrooms and a children's playground. Two pavilions are available to rent for parties, as well as picnic tables and grills. Along the beachfront path, you'll find plenty of tables and barbecues where you can enjoy a picnic with family or friends. A shop is generally open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Wildlife Spotting Along the shoreline and in the rock pools, you can see anemones, sea stars, and squirting clams. Seabirds and ducks abound, and, if you're fortunate, you might spot herons and eagles. The forest features sequoias, western hemlock, and towering maples, along with shrubs and wildflowers and berries when they're in season. Watch and listen carefully for woodpeckers, owls, raccoons, and more. Enjoy the Walks For walkers, the Park has a number of walking or running trails that give you the opportunity to exercise and explore. The 1.8-mile Seahurst Park Loop Trail is rated as easy, although the 351-feet change in elevation might challenge novice hikers. The trail starts at the lower parking lot and initially follows the beach before heading onto forest paths and around a deep ravine. The trail has several offshoots for you to investigate. When it's wet, some of the muddier paths have wood planks to make the going easier. Dogs are welcome on a leash. In the park, it's hard to believe that you are so close to the city as the peace and beauty surround you. Take some time out to enjoy this amazing location.

Fall is officially here in the Pacific Northwest! How do we know? Pumpkin spice everything. The chill in the air in the morning...and sweat by the afternoon. More gray and rain. And PUMPKIN PATCHES at all the local farms! It isn't really fall until after the traditional visit to one of our amazing local farms that pull out all the stops to make sure visitors have a fall-bulous time. Here are some of our favorite farms and activities with links to their websites: Carpinito Brothers Farm in Kent What we love to do there: The corn maze (just make sure you give the kids a cell phone. Or don't...) Shop at the country store for our many fall favorite foods The Rubber Duck Races at the Farm Fun Yard Rodeo Ropin Cows Fox Hollow Farm in Issaquah What we love to do there: See the cute animals at this animal sanctuary! Pumpkin pie and fresh apple cider from their cafe (what's more fall than that?) Tractor hay ride Watching the salmon swim up stream in their creek! Mosby Farms in Auburn What we love to do there: Bring your doggo, they're pet friendly! (Remember to scoop the poop) 50th anniversary of Man on the Moon corn maze! An epic u-pick pumpkin patch What are some of your favorite local fall activities?

According to candy authorities at MentalFloss, trick or treaters of Washington State get the most excited when they get some salt water taffy dropped into their plastic pumpkin buckets. So much so, that we consumer nearly 221,000 pounds of it. We have to admit, we were a little surprised at this as a quick survey revealed almost no one could recall ever receiving salt water taffy as they tallied their Halloween booty as kids. A not close second place, according to the article, was Tootsie Pops with 195,600 pounds being consumed. Third place belongs to Skittles at 72,000 pounds...although we think that amount was probably higher a few years ago when there was a certain rainbow eating runningback playing for the Seahawks. What do you think? Did your favorite candy make the top 3 on this list?

If the explosion in the spider population or sudden appearance of Hocus Pocus t-shirts didn't alert you, we can officially celebrate all things spooky now that it's October! Except spiders. There is a lot going on to satisfy your spooky needs from kid fun to something for more mature audiences. For the family, you may want to check out the Haunted Hike hosted by Burien Boy Scout Troop 360 on October 13! The Macaroni website is a great way to find other festive family-friendly activities, too. Before we get to our list of haunted places (not fake haunted houses, but actually haunted places in the area), do you know the local urban legend of the Drowned Girl of Miller Creek in Burien? The story has it that around 1915 a young girl was playing near Miller Creek when a log dam broke up stream and swept her away. Allegedly, she is a benign spirit who you can hear softly giggle on sunny days after big storms. Who's going to go check that out this month? Finally, here's a link to a list of the most haunted places you can visit in the Burien area. The list includes places like Calamity Jane's western saloon, the old train station in Kent, and the Seattle Underground Tunnels. Who's ready for a spooky date night?!

Seattle, Washington, has many fabulous breakfast and brunch spots. When you're looking for the best pancakes, French toast, waffles, and more, where should you go? Here are four of the best locations to satisfy your cravings. Portage Bay Cafe Located on Roosevelt Way North East, the Portage Bay Cafe is a spacious restaurant with a casual atmosphere. During the spring and summer, outdoor seating is available on the covered patio. You can get breakfast, brunch, and lunch here seven days a week, and they specialize in organic and sustainable food. Among the many breakfast and brunch items are a variety of pancakes and French toast options. You can choose from classic pancakes, Swedish, buckwheat, or vegan banana pancakes. French toast options include classic, oatmeal cobbler, gluten free, and Bananas Foster French Toast. When you get your food, you can take it to the breakfast bar to add your own seasonal fruit, nuts, and whipped cream. more Sweet Iron Waffles If it's waffles that get your taste buds tingling, the Sweet Iron Waffle Bar on Third Avenue specializes in Belgian Liege-style waffles. Liege waffles are made with brioche dough and served with sweet or savory toppings. Sweet Iron is a small, clean place with simple decor. You can eat in or order to go. The waffles are freshly made to order so you might have a short wait for your order. Sweet varieties include chocolate-dipped, maple glaze, Nutella, and various fruit combinations. If you prefer savory, you could try the BrieBerry, The Nutty Goat, Italian Pro, or the Triple BBB with Brie, bacon, and basil pesto. Geraldine's Counter Geraldine's Counter on Rainier Avenue South is a bright, airy, and colorful diner-style restaurant with exposed brickwork and cool art that gives it a laid-back ambience. The friendly staff serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Geraldine's has a reputation for being one of the best places in Seattle for French toast. For their unique French toast, Texas toast is soaked overnight, then pan fried with lots of butter. This gives it an intense melt-in-the-mouth crunchiness. It's served with the topping of the day and pure maple syrup. Along with all your breakfast favorites, they also offer delicious pancakes of the day. Fat's Chicken & Waffles Offering authentic Louisiana soul food, Fat's Chicken & Waffles on East Cherry Street also serves awesome waffles. The decor features a hand-painted mural, and the furniture is hand-made by local artists, giving the place a homey feel. The friendly and attentive staff will make you feel right at home. Among the New Orleans-style items on the menu are their perfectly cooked waffles. The house specialty, as the name suggests, is chicken and waffles featuring a succulent piece of Southern fried chicken and a waffle with butter and syrup. You can have that for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. For dessert, you could get a deep-fried waffle with ice cream and fresh fruit. These locations are all very different but offer the best of the special breakfast items that you crave. Image via Flickr by Breville USA under use of CC BY 2.0

Image via Flickr by urbanfoodie33 If you have as big a sweet tooth as we do, you're in good company if you're in the Burien, Washington, area. There are many fantastic sweets and pastry shops in our town to satisfy all your cravings, whether it be flaky baked goods or a creamy gelato. This is a dangerous town to live in if you're trying to avoid delicious sweets. Here are the five best places to get sweet treats in Burien: Bakery Nouveau This French-style pastry, dessert, and baked goods shop knows exactly what it's doing. Bakery Nouveau is full of perfect macarons, hand-crafted chocolates, cookies, brownies, madeleines, bars — everything they sell is homemade, fresh, and just like grandmère used to make back in old Paris. Or, what we imagine she would have made if we had a French grandmother. Take home a bag of fresh croissants to enjoy with the family, or sneak away to their cafe for a coffee and pastry break. more Australian Pie Company The Australian Pie Company is a great alternative to your run-of-the-mill pastry shop. Here you'll find plenty of savory pastries, but it's the sweet treats we show up for. Raspberry cream puffs, turtle cream puffs, Lamington cake, raspberry cheesecake shells, and more fill their display cabinets, ready for you to dig in with a cup of coffee. Their prices are very reasonable, and their creations are always delicious. Grand Central Bakery This northwestern U.S. chain has found success with its well-made pastries. You'll be able to take home chocolate muffins, flavored croissants, cheese danishes, tarts, scones, and more. If you like fresh-baked bread, you'll love their house loaves. The ingredients they use are natural, and from sustainable sources such as local farms. Therefore, their offerings are seasonal, so every trip to Grand Central Bakery is a new experience. Medzo Gelato Bar & Travel Cafe Get your sweet tooth fix at Medzo Gelato Bar & Travel Cafe. Their house-made sorbets and gelato are the perfect refreshment on a warm day — or cold ones, for that matter. Grab an espresso-based drink or Italian hot chocolate and dig into the ever-revolving, always-delicious assortments of gelato flavors they make fresh every day. Once you try their gelato, you'll scoff at soft-serve ice cream for the rest of your days. White Cap Frozen Yogurt If you love frozen yogurt, White Cap is the place for you. They have a great selection of flavored yogurts and even more toppings to cover all your family's dessert needs. Black raspberry, Dutch chocolate, cake batter, French vanilla, mango sorbet, pistachio — they have classic favorites always on tap, and many seasonal flavors they constantly rotate through. Finish off with candy, nut, and fruit toppings, and you've got yourself a worthy dessert. Take some time to patronize these and the other great sweet shops in town to find your favorite. If yours isn't on this list, let us know. We're always looking for a new tasty treat.