Patch Picks: Five Reasons Not to Stay Home this Weekend

Starting today, Patch will run a new weekly feature called The List, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off,  and more. 

You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more. This week on The List: five reasons not to stay home this weekend.

1) WINE AND CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

The City of Enumclaw, Sip City Wines and the Enumclaw in a joint effort got this sweet little celebration of indulgence rolling.  They were able to get more than 30 wineries, and each winery is sampling three wines. Do the match, and you'll find you have 90 ways to saturate your mind with the nectar of the gods.

Where:

When: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4; 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5

How much: Admission is $15 at the door and includes a Riedel wine glass and two tastes. Additional wine sample tickets are $1 each.

Chocolate samples and other goodies will tempt you into that cocoa coma and allow you to do some retail therapy (shopping ) in a wine soaked sky.  That 15 bucks you paid will allow you to attend seminars and demonstrations on wines and how to taste them.  Feel free to buy as many samples as you want and just know that if you buy six or more bottles, you can get a 10 percent discount.

Got Kids? No Babysitter? No problem.  is open on Friday night from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. The cost is $10 per child for ages 3 & up.  Saturday is teen night and it’s $8 per teen.

Wine it up…  Chink Chink.   

Sara Poe Hardersen is a hometown Enumclaw girl.  She was even homecoming queen.  This gives her connections and a local vibe for what is happening in the area.  She is as nice as they come and balances her real estate career with two kids, a puppy, and a lucky husband (He told me he is lucky). 

As far as homes go, things appear to be starting to turn around.  A month ago the stock market was always flashing red.  Now it is turning green and up way more than down.  I asked Sara what this means for the real estate market and she said,  "It is such an incredible time to buy a house right now. Prices are rock-bottom, our inventory is great and interest rates are still very low. Enumclaw has a great selection from fine homes and properties to inexpensive fixers that would be great for investment. If you have been thinking about buying, I would be more than happy to sit down with you, go over your options, and show you some homes!" 

Who am I to tell you where to watch the Super Bowl?   But really, there are three reasons why has a lot to offer for your Super Bowl experience.  Here is a list within “The List.”

1. Good local delicious microbrews.
2. Freaking HUGE plates of nachos.
3. Gigantic screen (plus some little ones in case you are stuck with your back to it).

Tip:  The Mint has gone back and forth between table service and bar service so many times that I am not sure they know which one they are.  They best way to get the best service is to go to the bar and order from there.  Good people work there and understand this dilemma.  

Trigonometry at The Mint:

Beers + Superbowl + Big Screen + XL Nachos = You on Sunday

Allow me to start off with another list within “The List.”

1. Beautiful environment
2. Great music
3. Dancing
4. Refreshments & beverages
5. A rose for each daughter

My sad guy glands twitch with a bit of happy sadness for the day I have a daughter and get to embarrass the heck out of her at one of these things.  It will no doubt be a memory of how much her dad loves her and will live with her forever.  So throw on some nice clothes and cut the gym floor with your daughter.          

The event is broken into three time slots based on the age of the daughters attending. The first slot begins sharply at 2 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The second from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and the third from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at . 

Pre-register with the Enumclaw Parks and Recreation Department located in City Hall at 1339 Griffin Avenue. The office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m (closed between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.). Or call (360) 825-3594. They anticipate the event selling out early so register now.

Poker on Satudray night with a full bar!

Tuesdays are now Taco Tuesdays!

Menu items have been chopped down to $5.99!

Check them out and bring a local business some business!

Want to suggest a list? Submit your idea in the comment box.