Spencer Gifts
Spencers nearly a decade ago was definately a great novelty shop, but in recent years it has taken a turn for the worse. The store now is devoted almost solely to an adult audience with absolutely nothing really acceptable for children anymore. As an adult, the store is indeed interesting, but as a parent, I don't think a store selling sexual products should be in a family friendly mall. As far as this particular location is concerned...the store is small in size, dark in lighting, but usually has a great knack for playing awesome music. I have, on the other hand, seen a number of great sales, some of which worthy of my time. If you need a novelty lamp, costume, or other thing, I would suggest giving this Spencers location a tentative try.
PROS: Great atmosphere.
CONS: Small and not family friendly.
Childrens Life Daycare
While this daycare is much more inexpensive than many others, I have never found it's location or playgrounds very safe or adequete for that matter. The play toys are indeed fenced in, but its close proximity to 99 makes a parent like me slightly anxious. It is worth checking out as the staff is polite, trained and experienced, but don't expect anything revolutionary.
PROS: Experienced
CONS: Bad location and not the safest appearing location.
Regal Auburn Stadium 17
These theaters are extremely expensive, with movies exceeding $16 for a couple, not to mention the enormous costs for drinks and food. Despite either of these, they have a giant selection of movies, and a large number of screens. The seats are very comfortable and include movable arm-wrests. In contrary to other theaters I have attended, these actually send staff through the theater during a movie a number of times in case members are talking or being abusive in anyway, which I find great! The parking lot is also large, so expect parking whenever you go, and lines tend to not get too long, although on occasions, they may be large. The location near the supermall is also superb!
PROS: Large, with a huge selection of films.
CONS: Very expensive tickets and food.
Jerry's Rock & Gem
Ironically, Jerry focuses far more on fossils than gems in his shop, located in the Kent Valley. I have visited on numerous occasions and purchases several fossils from him. Bassed on these experiences, I can say that the store is nearly always busy, attributing to the fact that it is one of very few in this state. He has a large selection of cheap, moderately priced and very, very expensive fossils and stones. Paleontologist and paleobotanist supplied fossils galore! He has leaves, teeth, claws, very cheap actual bone fragments (these make great gifts for kids!) and many others. If you collect and are on the hunt for new display material, give this shop a try!
PROS: Large Selection, well known for the area, and always friendly!
CONS: Can be expensive!
Enchanted Parks
Wild Waves is one of the only formidable theme/entertainment parks available in Washington state, and as such it has quite a lot of others to live up to. After going to this park for five straight years, I can say that it gets better every year. The addition of the Timberhawk has nearly doubled the fun of Wild Waves, which can be attributed to its purchase by Six Flags. The prices do seem to continually rise though so your best bet is to go now if you've never been. The wave pool is enjoyable and large in size, other rides are also suitable for all ages, including areas primarily for children, and others primarily for teenagers. One downer is the fact that food is extremely expensive. Hot dogs can be more than $5 and pop in upwards of $3.50! Overall, if you find no problem with the cost of movie theater food, and you want theme park entertainment in Washington, give this place a try!
PROS: Entertaining and getting better every year.
CONS: Expensive admission and expensive food.
Laser Quest
I'm a laser quest fanatic, or at least I used to be, and I can safely claim that this is one of the best and least expensive locations available. The entrance room offers games, scoreboards and food, and the ENTIRE level consists of thematic decorative items, smoke effects, strobe lights and mirrors, and anything else that will make the experience that much more immersive. I have always found the equipment in great quality, and the staff extremely fair and helpful everytime I play. I also must note though that the level design does lean somewhat more towards higher-skilled laser questers as the mirrors and smoke, and confusing tiers may cause children below the age of 8 some discomfort. Happy questing!
PROS: Great for technical players, cheap, and friendly!
CONS: Floor design can be difficult and confusing
Helmers Music
This location of Helmers Music is nearlly filled to the brim with musical instruments. Pianos alone, many of high quality, take up at least half of the store. If you are in the area and looking to purchase a Roland electric piano, do so here! They offer a fair size of medium and high class guitars including a wide selection of Gibsons and a few worthy of show-cases! One thing they specialize in is repair and instrument lessons. I have taken guitar lessons multiple times and found them extremely useful just as often. This store is definately worth your time!
PROS: Large selection of Instruments, Lessons available!
CONS: No semi-expensive equipment.
Pawn X-Change
If you have been to other Pawn X Change stores, do not expect anything different with this one. Everytime I go there, I can at least attest to the fact that this store stays clean. The floors are always mopped and the glass is always fingerprint clean which is definately something worth appreciating in this type of store. As far as selection goes: If you are into electronics, hit this store up! They have dozens of computers, sterios and a few amps, as well as at least 5 guitars some of which worth purchasing (I found a 1970's Gibson Flying V once!). They also carry a wide selection of videogames, movies and dvds. I know the manager as well as much of the staff and they are all friendly and willing to lower prices!
PROS: Friend staff and a Clean Store
CONS: Nothing extroardinary about this location.
West Coast Sports Cards
West Coast Sports Cards offers nearly every type of collectible card available! Baseball, basketball, Pokemon, Anime, Wrestling...absolutely everything! The variety is ENORMOUS as is the store for a cards store. Don't let the Sports in the name fool you. They have all cards from all companies. The only problem is that they are expensive. Because they have many rare and collectible cards on display, many of the actual products are in upwards of $100. Nonetheless, if you are in the need for a specific type of card or a card in particular, give this play a try!
PROS: Tons of cards of all types including displayed collectibles!
CONS: Rather expensive and situated off of a main road.
Thomas Jefferson High School
This highschool is the only in the district to offer the IB program, an extremely rigorous honors program offered all over the world. By taking the college prep classes, students will be able to pass tests their senior year earning them college credits and therefore saving money! The IB Diploma is even accepted by the University of Washington. Other than this, the school is large, organized, clean, and includes an extremely respectable teaching staff, state champion quality cross country, swimteams, basketball, and tennis! The marching band, jazz band and symphonic bands are also offered as well as AP statistics and upperlevel IB Calculus!
PROS: Very rigorous and of high quality!
CONS: Open Campus, covered walk-ways.
