The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is the largest film festival in the country. Featuring 450 films over 25 days from 70 different countries, there is certainly something to capture the attention of just about any film buff.

The festival runs from May 17-June 10, 2012. With so many films to choose from, SIFF has a variety of helpful tools to help you find flicks that interest you. Use their SIFFTER and Pathways site to search through films. Once you find films you like, visit the box office for tickets. There are a variety of special events throughout the month, including gala presentations, tributes and other special presentations.

Dubbed as the “longest running street festival in the nation,” the University District StreetFair is in it’s 43rd year, with over 50,000 attendees enjoying food, music, crafts and more.

The StreetFair features three main stages with music, dance and comedy. There is also a huge array of vendors, from food and beverages to fine art and local crafts. They will also have a special children’s area for the little ones.

The University District StreetFair runs from May 19-20, 2012 on University Way. Check out directions on how to get there.

Any cheeseheads in Seattle? The 8th annual Seattle Cheese Festival is happening at Pike Place Market where you can taste, celebrate and learn more about artisanal cheeses.

In addition to sampling lots of tasty cheeses, the festival features educational seminars, cooking demos, a wine garden and wine tasting.

The Seattle Cheese Festival runs from May 19-20, 2012 at Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle.

Syttende Mai (17th of May) is Norwegian Constitution Day, celebrated by Norwegians around the world. Seattle was settled by many Scandinavians, so as you might guess, we’ve got a pretty neat Syttende Mai celebration.

The day kicks off with a Norwegian luncheon at Leif Erickson Lodge, along with barneleker (children’s activities) and more Scandinavian food at the Nordic Heritage Museum. The afternoon has entertainment at Bergen Place (intersection of Market St and Leary) followed by the big 17th of May Parade. The parade starts at 6PM and draws ~20,000 folks, so come early, enjoy some food and get a spot. Here is a list of the day’s events.

Hipp, Hipp Hurra!

A treat from Trophy would be the icing on the cupcake this Mother’s Day – don’t you think? With flavors like red velvet, mocha, chocolate peanut butter and this special Mother’s Day edition – Lemon Raspberry (pictured above)  – your mom will think you are the sweetest. This local favorite has several cupcake shops around town and a party room at the Wallingford Center. They also do weddings and special orders. Not just for mothers! (Maybe she’ll share)

Wallingford Center | University Village | The Bravern Bellevue | Pacific Place

Welcome to the mecca of all garage sales… the West Seattle community garage sale starts today at 9AM and goes until 3PM. This is a festive day with over 250 households participating, selling all sorts of treasures. Go early for the best selection and don’t forget your dollar bills!

West Seattle Garage Sale Map
In other words – head to West Seattle and watch for signs

For a fun activity just over an hour south of Seattle, spend the day at Northwest Trek. This Douglas Fir-lined park is like a Northwest-themed zoo. Here you can see animals that would call the forest home – grizzly bears, wolves, and cougars; moose, bald eagles, and mountain goats. The Tram Tour allows you to see animals in their natural environment (the free roaming bison area is way cool) and the walking tour takes you through the park in more of a zoo-like setting. Speaking from experience, the river otters are a must-see and watch for the newest resident, the turkey vulture near the owl exhibit.

Special Highlight – May 19-20 is Bear Awareness Weekend. Learn how to camp safely with bears and watch what happens when bears encounter an unsafe campsite!

And thanks to Northwest Trek, here’s an answer to that age-old question: Can owls turn their heads 360 degrees?

I don’t know about you, but this selection of pies looks awfully delicious. A la mode pie shop recently opened in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle and is a cozy place to enjoy a slice of pie along with a cup of Caffe Umbria espresso and a scoop of Bluebird ice cream.

Cafe – 5821 Phinney Ave (Across from the Zoo)
Open everyday.
Also available at Geraldine’s Counter in Columbia City and Zeitgeist Coffee in Pioneer Square.

The outdoor ZooTunes summer concert series (held at Woodland Park Zoo) starts June 27, but it’s a good idea to get tickets early, as the events tend to sell out. Check out this year’s lineup:

June 27                        Leo Kottke / Jake Shimabukuro ($24)
July 3                           k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang ($38)
July 18                         Grace Potter & The Nocturnals ($22)
July 19                         Ziggy Marley ($28)
Aug 1                           Los Lobos / Steve Earle and the Dukes ($28)
Aug 5                           The Johnny Clegg Band / Ladysmith Black Mambazo ($28)
Aug 12                         An Evening With Melissa Etheridge ($39.50)
Aug 15 & 16                 An Evening With Pink Martini ($34)
Aug 22                         Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue / Robert Randolph & the Family Band ($26)
Aug 29                         Rosanne Cash / Madeleine Peyroux ($26)

This is a totally fun way to spend a summer evening – bring your own chair and a picnic, or pick up some dinner from one of the food stands or beer gardens.

The menu over at Holy Cannoli is short and sweet – with a magnifico offering of cannoli, stromboli and a couple of sandwich & salads, Detroit-Italian style. The cannolis are stuffed with egg custard – not like East Coast ricotta filled jobbies.  Stop by for a small bite, or order a huge round for family & friends or for your next Italian get-together.

Holy Cannoli Seattle
2720 3rd Ave
Open Hours – offering breakfast, lunch & dessert items

If you like to think while you drink, make sure to stop by the Think & Drink event, sponsored by Humanities Washington. The format of these get-togethers is great – a short lecture followed by a lively discussion. The next presentation: Harlots & Heroines – An Engaging Evening of Conversation will explore the media’s portrayal of women – from Wonder Woman and Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Lady Gaga and the Kardashians. Sounds topical and intersting, especially when paired with a Pilsner!

Wednesday, May 9 @ 7:00 PM
Naked City Brewery – 8564 Greenwood Ave N.

The Fremont Sunday Street Market is a must-do if you ever find yourself without anything to do on a Sunday in Seattle. This European-style flea market brings 150+ vendors together for all of your treasure hunting. You’ll find all things vintage, jewelry, furniture, books, handcrafts, produce, flowers, locally-made food items and mobile food trucks & street performers a plenty.

Now in it’s third decade, this market has a religious following and you can come week after week and see something new each time. Maybe even your very own Ronald McDonald bust.

Every Sunday at the Center of the Universe in Fremont
10AM – 5PM
Rain or Shine

Check out Brea & Lexi’s tour of the market:

OK these are too fun – handmade here in Seattle are PillowMobs – customized pillows made with your sweet face or a photo of your choice. You can also order from their catalog or get ideas for your own creation.

It’s super easy to order – just upload a photo, choose a shape & fabric color, then the magic elves at PillowMob print, stuff & sew, and mail direct to your door.

We do a lot of talking about mobile food trucks around here, so we had to mention this mecca of street meat converging in Fremont this Sunday. The Mobile Food Rodeo ponies up 35+ food trucks for 7 glorious hours … that’s 5 food trucks an hour, people! Roughly 12 minutes per truck. I say you start fasting now.

While you’re down at the Rodeo, make sure you swing by the music stage for live music and the Zagat Pioneers Lounge at the Mischief Distillery.

Sunday, May 6 | 12-7P
Fremont – 3501 Phinney Ave N (Fremont Studios)

The kick-off to Seattle’s boating season always starts with the Windermere Cup – a heart-racing rowing event at Montlake Cut held each year on the first Saturday of May. Viewers line up along the Cut and across Montlake bridge to watch the rowers whiz by. The setting makes for high drama with close access to view the racers and see, feel and hear the competition.

After the event, all crews parade back through the cut and a canon blast signals the raising of the Montlake bridge — commencing the launch of the Seattle Yacht Club Opening Day Boat Parade. This summer-kick-off event is usually marked by a rainy Seattle Day – although looks like sun is forecast this year. Bring on the summer!

Saturday, May 5
Begins at 10:00AM
Parking/Spectator Info

Photo Credit: Wikipedia