Blog Posts

Shutter Tours near Fife

Every now and then, you might get the urge to load up whatever photography equipment you have and go out of your apartment to take some beautiful pictures. There’s beauty everywhere, of course, but it never hurts to have a gorgeous place to go if you want to take some really first-class pictures. Our residents at Port Landing at Fife are extra fortunate, however, because they have easy access to guided tours of the Seattle and Fife area through Shutter Tours. Shutter Tours was founded by professional photographer Terry Divyak. When taking photographs on a trip to New York in 2007, he began to wonder if there were any tours of the area that would cater to photographers, helping find the best shots of landmarks both famous and unknown. It turned out there weren’t, so he was forced to wander the city on his own looking for great shots. When he returned to his hometown of Seattle, he began putting together Shutter Tours so that he could share his intimate knowledge of the best photography locations in the city with other photographers. The company’s most popular tour begins at Snoqualmie falls in the Cascade foothills, and then moves on to Seattle and some of its most historical and beautiful sights — including the Fremont Troll, Theo Chocolate, the Ballard Locks, and the best view of the Seattle skyline at Kerry Park. The tour is packed with stories about Seattle and its history, from the Klondike Gold rush and how the city got its name to how Starbucks became the company it is today. Tours are open to guests of all ages, and reservations need to be made ahead of time. The tour does require some light walking, so wear some comfy shoes. You don’t have to bring a camera, but it would almost be a waste if you didn’t! Fortunately, there are no requirements as to how nice your equipment has to be — many guests simply take photos with their phones or with disposable cameras. You can check out their website here to make reservations or for more information.

Korean Barbecue around Fife

Summer is long over, and cooler weather is here. You’ve probably said goodbye to your favorite warm-weather activities like sunbathing and barbecues. But there’s no reason that you can’t still enjoy delicious barbecue for dinner! And as long as you’re not doing the cooking, why not try something new and different? How about . . . Korean barbecue? Or maybe you’re a longtime fan of this particularly delicious cuisine. If you’re in the mood for some Galbi (short ribs) or Samgyuopsal-gui (pork belly), head to one of these restaurants in the area of Port Landing at Fife apartments! Cham Garden Korean BBQ is almost universally recommended if you are new to Korean barbecue. The staff there can help you with ordering and even assembling lettuce wraps if you’re having a particularly hard time. Plus, it’s a buffet, so you won’t leave hungry. Dennis W. said on Yelp: “My favorite Korean bbq spot! It's selection at the cook it yourself buffet is great . The spicy chicken and pork was delicious! Service pretty solid .if your in south Tacoma and hungry stop by!” Chung Ki Wa is a great place to go if you’re dining with a group. Their spacious booths provide ample seating for larger parties. Ki Y. on Yelp said: “Just re opened this past Monday. The food is excellent. I got the monk fish casserole. So good and so spicy. Just perfect. Will recommend all my friends to come here.” Palace BBQ is one of the better buffet-style Korean barbecue joints in town. Not only that, but their anchovy banchan is incredible (if you’re into that sort of thing, of course). Gangnam BBQ is the place to go if you’re trying to impress someone, as they’ve got the nicest dining room of them all. Pro tip: If possible, take a seat on the side of the grill for a front row view of the cooking action! This list only scratches the surface of fine Korean dining available to those in the Fife, WA area, but it is far from comprehensive. If we left out your favorite, be sure to tell us about it in the comments below!

Welcome to Our New Blog

Welcome to the brand new blog of Port Landing at Fife apartments in Fife, WA! Were here to let our residents and other readers know about events going on in the area: sports, the arts, and cultural festivals. Well help guide you to great local restaurants, parks, and other attractions near our apartments. And we will sometimes share information about Fife and its history, tips on apartment living, tasty recipes you can try at home, or recreation recommendations for a rainy day. To start out, we want to let you know who we are heres a bit about our apartments and amenities. Don't get stuck in a home that doesn't fit your life. Port Landing Apartments in Fife, WA feature a variety of floor plans to suit whatever needs you have. One-, two-, and three-bedroom options are available, with a wide array of in-home amenities including all-new appliances, granite counters, and a washer and dryer in each apartment. Our pet-friendly community also features an excellent array of amenities outside our apartments. Enjoy our clubhouse, a business center, a seasonal pool, a relaxing spa, a tanning salon, and walking trails, not to mention the support of our excellent and friendly staff. Call us or send us an email to schedule a tour. Our gated apartments in Fife, WA deliver some of the best among all apartments for rent in Washington. Our homes for rent are right between Edgewood, Tacoma, and Puyallup, WA. Living here, you'll have convenient access to the best of all three cities. We're also located just a few blocks from I-5 and the 509 Federal Way, giving you a quiet home away from the hustle and bustle of the city but with a short, easy drive to reach Seattle when you want. Browse around our site for more information and come by for a tour soon!

Organizing a Book Club

You’ve probably noticed that the theme for our blog posts this month has been reading, from looking at the benefits of regular reading to recommending books for our residents at Port Landing at Fife. We are going to continue with that theme in today’s post by sharing a few ideas about organizing a book club. Book clubs provide an opportunity for socializing and the opportunity to discuss books you’ve read with others who have read the same book. Books and readers are the two essential ingredients for forming a book club. Adding other components such as good food, a comfortable setting, and thought-provoking discussion questions will simply make a good thing better. One of the best things about creating a book club is how flexible the format can be, and the details can be determined over time by the members. Flexibility is a hallmark of book clubs. The club can be formal or informal. They can focus on a specific genre, or they can explore multiple genres. One person can decide the titles or it can be a decision by consensus, where everyone puts forth an opinion. Books to read can be planned for the whole year in advance or decided upon month-to-month. Being consistent in when the meeting is hosted is one thing that has a big impact on the success of a book club. About a dozen members is an ideal size for a book club — there are enough members so that there is a consistent turnout, but there are not too many, so everyone has an opportunity to share their thoughts, and lively discussions can ensue. This guide provides details about how to set up a book club. And these websites are good resources for what to read: LitLovers and About.com Resources for Book Clubs, Classes & Reading Research . Book groups are a fun, friendly way to socialize in our apartment community. Schedule the clubhouse at Port Landing at Fife soon and launch a book club. Let is know what book you’re going to start with in the comments.

Reading We Have Recommendations

Reading offers a wonderful variety of genres to choose from, and every reader can choose his or her favorites. So whether your tastes lean toward classical literature and poetry, or if you love young adult historical fiction and self-help, someone’s writing about it. Don’t forget history, graphic novels, mystery, and memoir are options, too. There are also many who prefer to read non-fiction. Today the Port Landing at Fife has some excellent book suggestions different genres, featuring Goodreads reviews, to get you started. Fantasy Elantris by Brandon Sanderson Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all. Yet each of these demigods was once an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod. Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became wizened, leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself dark, filthy, and crumbling. Fiction The Light between Oceans by M.L. Stedman After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. . . . Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel [to the island]. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. . . . Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them. . . . The Light Between Oceans is exquisite and unforgettable, a deeply moving novel. Non-Fiction Guns, Germs, and Steel:The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond A global account of the rise of civilization that is also a stunning refutation of ideas of human development based on race. Bill Gates calls it fascinating and says it, “Lays a foundation for understanding human history." Historical Fiction Behind Rebel Lines by Seymour Reit In 1861, when war erupted between the States, President Lincoln made an impassioned plea for volunteers. Determined not to remain on the sidelines, Emma Edmonds cropped her hair, donned men’s clothing, and enlisted in the Union Army. Posing in turn as a slave, peddler, washerwoman, and fop, Emma became a cunning master of disguise, risking discovery and death at every turn behind Confederate lines. What’s your favorite genre? Have you read any of our suggested books? If you haven’t head over to the library in Fife and pick up a copy to read soon. Please share your favorite titles in comments.

Reading It Does a Body Good Part II

Last week we shared several of the benefits for reading including expanding vocabulary, and exercising your brain. This week we have additional benefits to add. Read to learn. Education never ends. Everyone can continue to learn through self-directed reading. Whatever you may be interested in, you will most likely be able to find books, journal articles, and online content available. So whether you want to become an expert on the hypnotherapy for childbirth, the American Revolutionary War, or how to build a straw-bale house — the information is out there. This website is a good place to start to find self-education resources. The site creator says this, “studies are now revealing that over 80% of learning is informal and outside of the classroom. This means that curiosity, passion and self-education are the key factors that determine a person’s education and lifelong success.” Reading reduces stress. A study done by Mindlab at the University of Sussex supports the idea that reading reduces stress. The study found that subjects needed to read silently for six minutes to slow down the heart rate, ease tension in the muscles, and relax. Also, according to the study, reading “works better and faster than other methods to calm frazzled nerves such as listening to music, going for a walk or settling down with a cup of tea.” We suggest that everyone at Port Landing at Fife take some time out to read this month. Grab a book, head to your favorite reading spot, and get lost in a different time and place for awhile; it will do your body good. Read for pleasure. Reading is the perfect way to take a “vacation for the mind” and go exploring — roam ancient cities, navigate worlds beyond the borders of earth, take part in defining moments in history, or forage into the future. Travel world without leaving your armchair. Give yourself the benefit of reading every day. Next time we will have some book recommendations. Happy reading everyone!