April 27 The Whiskers and Paws Gala, supporting Auburn Valley Humane Society, Northwest Spay & Neuter, and AVHS Animal Shelter, is a signature fundraising event to raise funds for the homeless and lost animals in our community. With your support, these organizations are able to sustain life-saving efforts, subsidize humane education, expand their spay and neuter programs, and expand programs to maintain the human-pet bond. The 2024 event takes place 5 to 9pm on Saturday, April 27, at Federal Way PAEC and will feature silent and live auctions, appetizers and dinner, Alaska Ticket Raffle ..read more

Kind, Compassionate and Thorough Care By Jillian Chandler Photo By Christy Ash Photography “Committed to the Higher Standard” – A phrase that caught the eye of Dr. Ryan Reid while searching for his forever dental practice – a place called SoundBridge Center for Dental Arts.   SoundBridge has been a staple dental office since 2005. And in 2021, the reins were carefully passed to Dr. Reid, who assumed ownership from long-time doctor Karla Bloomquist. “I was drawn to SoundBridge by the reputation and ongoing commitment to provide high-quality, thorough patient care,” he states. Dr. Reid ..read more

Featured on the cover of our April edition of 253 Lifestyle Magazine is a custom home built by Garrette Custom Homes. Serving the Puget Sound for more than a decade, Garrette Custom Homes in Tacoma specializes in building brand-new homes on your land, their land, or land you find together, and offers more than 30 spacious floor plans to choose from. Find out more about owner Matt Lewis, his passion for homebuilding and his dedication to his clients in our featured spotlight here ..read more

Providing wraparound support to families By Rachel Kelly The Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center (MCFHC) is a local nonprofit whose mission it is to educate, empower and uplift our children, youth and community to increase access to opportunity. “Having access to mental health resources, family support, therapy support, etc., MCFHC has endless resources for almost everyone in my family. Knowing I have that support at the tip of my fingers has been the biggest blessing. For myself, I have been battling so much to the point that I literally lost myself, forgot who I was, in a fog mos ..read more

Ingredients: 4 cups fresh or frozen peas 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth 1 tbsp. olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Fresh mint leaves, crème fraîche or a drizzle of olive oil to garnish (optional) Method: • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes. • Add the peas to the pot, along with the vegetable or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, or until the peas are tender. • O ..read more

Dive into the world of color Benjamin Moore’s unveiling of “Blue Nova” as their 2024 Color of the Year heralds a captivating shift in interior design trends. This cool, ethereal shade of blue, with its subtle undertones of violet, captivates the imagination and inspires a sense of wonder. Blue Nova embodies a delicate balance between tranquility and vibrancy, making it an ideal choice for creating serene yet captivating living spaces this spring season. At the heart of Blue Nova lies its versatility. Whether used as a bold statement hue or as a calming backdrop, this color effortlessly el ..read more

Gear up for spring! All the tips and tricks to make your outdoor space your favorite haven. By Patrice Allen As the days lengthen and nature awakens, our yearning for the great outdoors becomes undeniable. The backyard, often relegated to the outskirts of our attention, is now poised to emerge as the star attraction in the upcoming spring season. Through a series of simple yet transformative tips and tricks, your outdoor space can evolve into a sanctuary of unparalleled comfort and relaxation, beckoning you to revel in the warmer months to come. Begin by contemplating the furniture as th ..read more

By Jillian Chandler It was more than a decade ago, 2013 to be exact, when Matt Lewis opened the Puget Sound division of Garrette Custom Homes in Tacoma. The company first began building in Vancouver, Washington, in 1996 with 20 homesites. Since then, his team has built more than 6,000 homes throughout Washington and Oregon. “I love how so many disciplines collide in homebuilding and development. Economics, demographics, environmental, regulatory — all of these things are in play in our business,” Matt says. “But, at the end of the day, it’s about people — your team, your customers, and your t ..read more

April 7, 2:30 - 4pm Photo By Scott Quade Composers find inspiration in everything – their nationality, historical events and, of course, other genres of music. With his Symphony No. 38, Wolfgang Mozart wrote a love letter to the city of Prague. The music crackles with virtuosity and grace, signaling that Mozart is at the peak of his compositional powers. Auburn Symphony Orchestra welcomes percussionist Garrett Arney to the stage to perform Emmanuel Séjourné’s Concerto for Marimba and Strings, an eclectic piece that will leave the audience breathless. The concert opens with Jessie Montgomery’s ..read more

Kelley Home Services, a distinguished, award-winning home construction and renovation company, has more than 20 years' experience in the industry of crafting homes that reflect your way of life, from craft and design to build, remodel and  repair of the heart of your home.  5117 89th St. Gig Harbor 253.858.5844 ,,KelleyHomeServices.com ..read more