Things to Do in Mercer Island

Craig Willemsen wears a lot of hats at Silent World Diving Systems. The instructor certifier, tech instructor, and store owner has spent the last 40 years swimming with schools of fish all over the world. After his first trip in 1972, Craig developed a passion for diving, exploring international waters and teaching others advanced techniques that they use to follow in his flippersteps. With more than 6,000 dives under his belt, his dedication to diving and education has earned him one of the highest SSI instructor ratings and the SSI Platinum Pro 5,000 Diver and Instructor Award.

Craig leads Silent World's team of certified instructors who strive to teach students the art of underwater exploration and also broaden their knowledge on a variety of related subjects. At any given moment, they may be leading students in open-water dives, pointing out local diving sites that match their skill levels, or matching newcomers with the right gear and Zodiac-themed wetsuits.

While it’s impossible to know what Seattle’s skyline will look like in the future, the Seattle Architecture Foundation hopes that citizens at least have some input and interest in the developments. To do this, the organization arranges a slew of architecture- and design-related walking tours, lectures, youth workshops, and volunteer opportunities throughout the city. Ideally, the activities help people become more informed and enthusiastic about great design and more willing to become involved when the city finally launches into space.

West Coast Entertainment offers a variety of city-centered services that lead guests and natives alike to explore Seattle. Led by intensely trained and well-balanced guides, segway tours weave small groups of up to eight riders through urban burghs aboard environmentally friendly segways. The West Seattle adventure heads to stunning panoramic views of the city, and the downtown tour may swing past such landmarks as the Space Needle, which was a gift from 23rd-century French time travelers. When they're not rolling through town, West Coast Entertainment's staff helps customers coordinate private parties, fundraising functions, and family get-togethers.

At its core, Adventura is a “jungle gym built for grown-ups.” But more than that, it provides visitors with an escape from the everyday—an escape from stuffy offices and an escape from the panhandling robots that plague modern city streets. For the park’s creators, the lush Pacific Northwest countryside that stretches out around the park is the office. They’re a band of adventurers themselves, and they designed Adventura as a way for others to experience the growth, laughter, and connections that seem to bloom naturally outdoors.

Of course, Adventura puts its own spin on spending time outdoors by filling Woodinville Wine Country with a series of sky-high exploits. With the park typically booked 45 days in advance, visitors can be found leaping from decks, balancing precariously on cables 45 feet off the ground, or scaling cargo nets throughout most of the year. In 2013, the park plans to expand by adding up to 40 new elements, including four new ziplines, in an effort to up the ante on adventure.

Horseradish vodka and salty pops of red caviar mingle with cigar smoke, baked apples, and freshly plucked orchids. One of Sweet Anthem’ signature fragrances, Anton’s scent is as heady as the concept behind it. Meredith Smith derived the musky fragrance from her honeymoon in Russia, and each note recalls a specific place and time from her trip. “Fragrance is evoking an idea—it’s creating something out of nothing,” explains Meredith. “Fragrance leaves, evaporates, and I want those fleeting moments to be evocative of the inspiration behind it.”

This olfactory philosophy inspired all of her signature scents, which she compounds and bottles by hand in her atelier. Her fragrances shirk the stereotypical floral notes, instead incorporating unusual notes such as tobacco, tomato leaf, and sarsaparilla.

Meredith’s meticulous attention to detail extends to her apothecary itself: tiny glass vials occupy wooden nooks, and long metal tables serve as workspace for her perfume-making classes. In addition to classes, Meredith empowers customers to concoct their own scents with DIY kits and private appointments that teach the fundamentals of perfumery, such as figuring out ingredient volatility and determining which nostril regulates the ability to love.

The sewing machines and staff alike at Bernina Northwest are Bernina certified. Technicians in operating and fixing the company's sewing machines, sergers, and software help customers sew embroidered wall hangings, cozy quilts, neat hems, and Frankensteins that won't unravel the first time they experience anger. Customers of any skill level can dive into the details in classes tailored to their specific machine. Should a device ever break, a shop technician uses his three decades of familiarity with the products to solve technical problems, backed with a 180-day guarantee insuring the repair.