Seattlest

The Weekend in Charitable Events

Kimberly A. Dixon — 2010-03-12T09:35:00-08:00

Seattle Children’s Health Fair:This Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., the Seattle Children's Health Fair will teach kids how to stay safe and healthy through a variety of fun activities. The hands-on event hopes to encourage children to develop positive opinions about healthcare and hospitals. Finger casting, operating room tours and a wheel chair obstacle course are just a few of the fun things you’ll find. Bring along your fuzzy friends for a check-up at the teddy bear clinic or visit the Tooth Fairy for oral health tips. Life jacket, helmet and booster fittings will also be available as well as safety resources for parents and guardians.

10:00 a.m. // Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 // Tickets: Free

Teens Read Around the Clock: This Sunday, The Seattle Public Library will host “Team Read Around the Clock.” The all-day family event will feature teen tutors reading children’s books from noon to six. The goal is to support literacy and raise awareness of Seattle’s Team Read program. The free event is open to the public and no registration is required. Children in attendance are eligible for fun surprises like free t-shirts, pencils and more.

12:00 p.m. // Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 // Tickets: Free

Presented By:

2010-03-12T09:35:00-08:00

Breaking: Bomb Threat Outside King County Courthouse

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-12T09:29:22-08:00

According to KING-5 and our friends on Twitter, police have blocked off Third Avenue downtown. A man with an unknown device in his hand and electrical tape around his arms and legs made threats against general property and then laid down on the sidewalk. SPD Bomb Squad has been called in and he is now cooperating with police.

Good News, Bad News

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-12T08:30:24-08:00

The good news:

Avalanche danger at Snoqualmie Pass has lessened.
Huskies win against OSU and advance to Pac -10 finals.
State legislators have approved a measure to penalize people who text or talk on a cell phone while driving.

The bad news:

Accused cop killer Christopher Monfort compared Seattle police to Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini in an unexpected courtroom rant.
Lacey police arrested a convicted felon who was illegally keeping 37 firearms.
Washington and Arkansas continue to fight over whether or not Arkansas can send their felons here.

Seattlest Pix 10March12

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-12T06:30:00-08:00

"UNTITLED" by SEA KAY from the Seattlest Flickr pool.

Last Night For A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

Ian Chant — 2010-03-11T15:00:00-08:00

For our more high-minded and worldly Seattle cinephiles, there are several fine documentaries playing in town tonight. Prodigal Sons closes at SIFF Cinema while Northwest Film Forum hosts one more evening of of American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein complete with a follow up Q&A session with playwright, performer, and activist Edward Mast.
But what are we seekers of mindless entertainment to do? What of those among us who just want to see a movie for the brief respite from reality it provides - to giggle unapologetically for a few hours at people doing goofy things solely for our amusement. Worry not, seekers of a lighter cinematic fare - we have you covered. Boy, do we ever have you covered. You've got exactly one more evening to check out the musical comedy classic A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum at The Grand Illusion. This is something you really, really should do. Featuring the incomparable Zero Mostel in the role that won him a Tony on Broadway, the pure genius of Phil Silvers, and oh yeah, comic legend Buster Keaton in his final film silver screen performance, this one has everything - singing, dancing, T&A, chase scenes, and some of the most brilliant slapstick comedy and screwball antics ever put to celluloid. You could safely say we are fans of this movie, and it comes with our highest recommendation.

Lunch and Auction Gala for Haiti

Kimberly A. Dixon — 2010-03-11T14:00:00-08:00

This Sunday, Basil & Chives restaurant will be hosting HOME & HEART, a lunch and auction gala for Haiti. Quyen Huynh, owner of the Monroe-area restaurant has teamed up with the Seattle King County Disaster Team for the event. There will be a live auction, entertainment and a gourmet buffet. 100% of all ticket and auction sales will go towards food and medical provisions for the earthquake victims.

1:00 p.m. // Basil & Chives, 114 N. Lewis Street, Monroe, WA 98272 // Tickets: $45 or $100 for VIP

PBR and Prose at The Hugo House

Jen — 2010-03-11T13:00:00-08:00

Stacey Levine, author of The Girl With Brown Fur

The Hugo House is hosting their third installment of the popular Cheap Wine and Poetry spin-off event, Cheap Beer and Prose, tonight at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, there will be plenty of cheap beer to go around for only a buck--and really, where else in town can you get a $1 PBR along with a night of great readings from some of Seattle's favorite authors?

Tonight's reading will feature stories, essays, or chapters from local authors Stacey Levine, Jonathan Evison, Bret Fetzer, and Janna Cawrse Esarey, with Charla Grenz hosting. And following the four author's readings, there will be an open mic for anyone that would like to share their own prose up on stage.

Stacey Levine is the author of the recent fiction collection The Girl With Brown Fur and other novels such as Frances Johnson. Levine is a Pushcart Prize nominee and has had fiction featured in Tin House, The Fairy Tale Review, and other venues.

Janna Cawrse Esarey made major waves last year with the publication of her Indie bestselling travel memoir, The Motion of the Ocean: 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman’s Search for the Meaning of Wife. If you've been to Elliott Bay or Barnes & Noble in the past year, chances are you've seen Esarey's book in the recommendation section like we have. CNN.com's The Frisky referred to the true story as, "hilarious,
poignant and completely relatable.” And who can argue with The Frisky? Bonus points for if you know what The Frisky actually is. (We don't, but it's fun to say.)

Jonathan Evison is the author of the book All About Lulu, which took home the 2009 Washington State Book Award. Evison is the 2009 recipient of the Christopher Isherwood Foundation fellowship and also has a forthcoming book, West of Here, that will be available this fall. As per his Hugo House bio, Evison loves rabbits and beer, and lives on Bainbridge Island.

Bret Fetzer, who you might know from his articles in The Stranger and Seattle Weekly, writes plays, screenplays, fiction, and basically anything other than poetry. Fetzer has had a play produced by Annex Theatre, has written a collection of original fairytales, and is currently working on a young adult novel about teenage superheroes.

With such a varied bunch of local authors and an open mic invitation, we have no doubt that tonight will be extremely cheap and extremely fun for all. Donations are being accepted to keep the beer flowing in the future and there will be plenty of books, t-shirts, and other merchandise for sale. It's recommended to show up early to get a seat, as Cheap Wine and Poetry normally only has standing room left. So get out there, put a couple cold ones back, and read your work or hear local authors read theirs. $1 PBR; enough said.

7 p.m., beer for 21+ // Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave. // FREE, donations excepted

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Seattle Has the Best Tofu, Folks

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-11T11:45:00-08:00

Vegetarians! Serious Eats has determined, through a rigorous taste-testing, that Seattle's own Thanh Son tofu is the best tasting soy-curd around.

If you wander into their International District store in the afternoon and buy a pound for a whopping $1.25, you will be rewarded with a still-warm, sweet, tender, luscious block of tofu. Yes, I said luscious and tofu in the same sentence. This stuff is so good, you might want to eat it plain, just dipped in a little soy sauce.

Yelp, normally an unpredictable and slightly terrifying place to visit, also offered forth some gushing praise:

Thanh Son tofu is awesome. They offer fried tofu to buy by the pound in a couple of different varieties as well as fresh tofu that they've clearly just made. I am in love with the lemongrass and onion flavors of fried tofu and am glad that there is a cheaper place to get it than Uwajimaya (which carries the same product for more money). The only problem with the place is that it's not really close to anywhere you would ordinarily be, but it's worth the walk for some quality product.

Hands in the air, Seattle vegetarians. Hands in the air.

Can't Miss It: Thursday

Aaron M. — 2010-03-11T10:34:22-08:00

A NICE SHOWING: Things just aren’t what they used to be. Kids these days. Internet. What not. Still, we do what we can. Seattle may be one of the techiest cities in the country. Does that hurt our cred? No Problem -- we’ve also formed a strong relationship with the performing arts of yore, namely variety, Vaudeville and burlesque. Dare we say Seattle has the best burlesque in the country? We’ve got trapeze and aerial arts schools as well, and a variety of variety groups. We’re a hotbed, people. So why not have a citywide festival highlighting some of the best in the business? Tonight marks the beginning of three and a half weeks of sheer entertainment, and there’s plenty more to come. Inga Ingenue la la.

7:30 p.m. // ACT Theatre // $20

TWO IN THE CHAMBER: Orchestras can be so stuffy. To see them we have to put on uncomfortable shoes, go places we’d never otherwise go, sit properly and clap hands properly and keep our voices down. Plus they cost a pretty penny. But Tigran Arakelyan and Todd Hayen are changing that with their new orchestra. CCO is free. Home run number one. Each program is performed at two venues: one in an unconventional setting (such as Q Café) and the other in a more traditional place (like Magnolia United Church of Christ). Each program features well-known orchestra mainstays (say Haydn and Mendelssohn) as well as a world premiere. Sounds like orchestra can be alternative, too. Now we can say things like, “Hey friend, grab a cup of joe and enjoy this live orchestra.” Home run number two.

8:00 p.m. // Q Café // Free

TIMBER: Oh Portland. We knew you’d go and do it. We knew you’d go ahead and get a professional soccer team too. But the road is long and the hoein’s hard, and 2011 is still a ways away. The Sounders, meanwhile, are close to starting their second MLS season, but we’ll take a USL team as preseason practice for now and give you fellas a taste of Sounder green and blue. We’ve gotta give you credit though, it takes a lot of foresight to name yourselves after what we’re going to make of you - for years and years to come. See ya on the pitch.

6:00 p.m. // Qwest Field // $10

Seattle's with Coco

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-11T08:33:00-08:00

Totally exciting news: Conan O'Brien is going on tour. He's bringing his Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour Seattle to Seattle. The tour's includes music, comedy, hugging, and the occasional awkward silence -- all the elements that made Late Night with Conan O'Brien a consistent joy. He'll be at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle Center on April 18.

It was a real bummer to see the comic genius of Conan get bumped off the air by Jay Leno's meaty, unfunny fist. But if it means we'll get to see him perform live, we guess we can live with it.

There are some intimidatingly pricey tickets for this -- you can get a Meet & Greet package for $695 (!). Main tickets start at $39.50 and go up to $79.50. They're going to go fast, so buy yours now.

Further dates and ticket info at The Wrap.

Good News, Bad News

Ian Chant — 2010-03-11T08:15:00-08:00

It's one of those news days, folks. We may as well lead with the Least Bad News, as it dominates the headlines today:

Crap... Anybody seen a big wooden stick, about three feet long, nasty looking knot on the end? It's the official shilelagh of Seattle, and it's been stolen, like it is every year. But this year's theft appears not to be the work of the mischievous leprechauns responsible every other year, and if it's not returned to the Friends of St. Patrick, we're going to have to cancel St. Patrick's Day in Seattle FOREVER. Won't someone please think of the problem drinkers?
They shoot sea lions, don't they? Yes, they do, and it's not even the ones that are killing chinook salmon in the Columbia - these appear to be just normal, everyday law-abiding sea lions who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
See what happens when you give all your money to charity, Bill Gates? Now Carlos Slim, who is not a loan shark, as his name would have you believe, but instead a Mexican telecommunications mogul, is the richest person in the world. Are you happy now?
Kirkland investor/scam artist Rhonda Breard has gone from being merely under investigation to thoroughly under arrest. It's a subtle distinction, but an important one, marking the line between her investors savings being 'probably gone' and 'definitely, totally gone.'
Stealing someone's identity? Pretty bad. Stealing the identity of someone's dead child for a tax write-off? Worse by orders of magnitude, and not just a couple.
A Portland man has been arrested in Kent for pimping out a 15-year-old girl.
And last but not least, a Seattle woman has been charged with poisoning her newborn daughter with methadone.

Geez, enough of this. Can we get some Good News, please?
Ummm.....

Well, the Seahawks seem to be getting more serious about bringing some new blood in at quarterback - but are the Browns Derek Anderson or Chargers backup Charlie Whitehurst supposed to be viable long term options?
A Seattle laboratory has sequenced the genome of a family of four, a feat that may lead to further insight into hereditary genetic ailments.
Amazingly, no kids were seriously hurt when their school bus rolled off the road in Skagit County.

Best of luck today, everybody. It would appear that we're going to need it.

Seattlest Pix 10March11

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-11T06:30:00-08:00

"TINY MAN IN A BOX" by SHAWN MEBO from the Seattlest Flickr pool.

Wear in the World Art Institute Fashion Show

Cameron — 2010-03-10T16:45:00-08:00

Seattlest dropped by the Art Institute’s dress rehearsal and model-fitting yesterday and met with some of the featured designers in the upcoming runway event, Wear in the World Fashion Show, March 11th at the SODO Showbox. When we think of the Art Institute’s previous student fashion shows, we think of big budget productions: sophisticated lighting, local celebrities, glossy catalogs, expensive venues and fancy effects. But what takes place before the awe-inspiring production is like an episode of Kell on Earth: Excel sheets of seating charts scattered about, humming laptops, industrial racks, randomly stacked boxes and nervous, hopeful energy in the air. Unlike the docudrama of People’s Revolution, this show is organized by capable, eager students and Seattle’s own New York transplant and fashion event legend, Joan Kelly, Art Institute fashion instructor and creator of Fashion First.

Tomorrow 19 talented student designers will premier their 7-10 piece collection in front of an expected mass of 1,600 people. In between students stacking boxes and jumping over each other in event-mode frenzy, Kelly told us how this mass-production works:

"Our show has a lot of energy and it’s fun. Students work really hard to produce the show but also they have to work their collection into seven themes. Three for fall and four themes for spring: bohemian, mystical, Savannah adventure, glitter, glam and pop, deconstruction, twisted effects (think gothic, Tim Burton style, netting, etc) and film noir,”.

We took a sneak peak at some of the designer’s collections, and the above stated themes are exquisitely conveyed through the textiles and design techniques. So as not to give any secrets away, we're most excited for Nathalie Amthor's Lady Gaga-esque glitter, glam and pop piece, and Isaiah Whitmore's dark, urban men's wear.

Thursday, March 11 // Sodo Showbox // $20 Pre-registered // $30 at the door // 5pm and 8pm Shows

Presented By:

2010-03-10T16:45:00-08:00

High 5 Pie Gets Geometrically Delicious

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-10T16:42:00-08:00

If Mobile Chowdown 3 doesn't leave you sufficiently sated, you can top yourself off the next day with some discount pies courtesy of Pie Day -- er, Pi Day, 3/14. Get 14% of your purchase of three High 5 Pies at any Fuel Coffee location. It's all in honor of our favorite circumference-related constant, which we'd eat if it weren't an abstract concept.

45365: A Film About Place

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-10T15:45:00-08:00

45365 is the filmic equivalent of an oil portrait of a perfectly average middle-aged woman, painted by a skilled, passionate artist. There's nothing distinctive about the subject, but it's rendered in such detail that it's hard not to find it beautiful.

45365 is the zip code of Sidney, Ohio. Sidney is one of those small towns semi trucks barrel their way through and where trains stop to be filled with grain. It's the sort of place where a hog race is considered the highlight of a summer, where high school football regularly makes the evening news, where an ex-4H queen can trade her past glories for a good husband. In other words, people bypass Sidney unless they live there. It's a tightly knit community: at its local jail, a prisoner and his guard have a jovial conversation about their respective dinner plans even as the guard's cuffing the prisoner. The men in Sidney have the same functional haircut, and the ladies all have the same build. What connects these people is their location.

While it's not fictional, we wouldn't call 45635 a documentary. It's shot without commentary. There's barely any soundtrack to speak of. No one acknowledges the camera. We see the same faces and places from time to time -- a high school football coach, a barbershop, cop, a fisherman and his son, an ex-con and his wife, a farmer -- but we don't follow anyone long enough to identify with them. We never learn anyone's name, except that of a judge campaigning for re-election. Meaning is implied in 46365, not broadcasted. The filmmakers present their subjects without judgment. Things just happen in front of the camera, and the audience is left to determine their own response.

We see some happy things: wedding preparations and a high school football coach's motivational speech before an important game. Three middle-aged couples square-dancing atop a parade float. An old farmer laughing a high-pitched laugh. We see some painful things: the calm moment in which a driver's sobriety is tested by a cop. A mother yelling at her son for stealing her pills. Work, home, social life, public life. This isn't boring. It's meditative.

45365 plays at the Northwest Film Forum March 12 - 18 at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.

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Pyramid Throws A Curve Ball

Paul Orchard — 2010-03-10T14:30:00-08:00

With the winter weather soon behind us, thoughts begin to drift towards beers colored like the sun. Soon you will be perusing the local grocer's beer aisle for the perfect summer beer to help you escape the overcast weather. However, if your anxiety for gold beer is killing you, there's this: March 16th, at around 5pm, Pyramid Alehouse is releasing their annual "Blond Ale" Curveball. In the past this was a Kolsch-style beer but now it's been retooled to something more blond.

Don't sweat it if you miss ou, though. The beer is scheduled to be available on draft and in the bottle (six packs, 22s, and a Summer Variety 12 pack w/Audacious Apricot and Thunderhead) through July. For more information check out their site or stop in on the 16th.

5pm to 8pm // 91 Royal Brougham Way

Cheers

Latest WA-SEN Poll Shows Murray Facing Trouble From Potential Rossi Run

Ian Chant — 2010-03-10T13:45:00-08:00

For those of you playing along at home, the latest poll numbers for the Washington Senate election in November are in, and they show incumbent Democrat Patty Murray taking three of her four current challengers out to the woodshed. Murray holds double digit leads over former Redskins tight end Clint Didier, State Senator Don Benton and author and public speaker Chris Widener.

The fourth name brought up as a challenger to Murray - not so much. Former State Senator and perennial gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi holds a 3 point lead on Murray, according to yesterday's poll numbers. Progressives probably don't need to panic yet - the lead is within the 4.5 point margin of error of the poll, which was conducted by Rasmussen, a very good source of poll numbers nationally that does tend to skew a bit to the right. Still, it demonstrates that a Rossi/Murray race could run neck and neck - much closer than state Dems can be comfortable with.

If Rossi decides to run, that is. He's remained canny about his interest in the seat, but is getting encouragement from the GOP establishment across the country. These numbers, which represent Rossi's second consecutive month with a slim lead on Murray, probably aren't doing anything to dissuade him from a possible run.
Granted, these are early numbers, and a lot could change between now and the June 11 filing deadline, but with the best name recognition of the current challengers, experience running in statewide elections and a turn-key fundraising operation, Rossi is the de facto GOP frontrunner for the seat, whether he's running or not.

Seattlest Volunteer Spotlight: Purrfect Pals

Kimberly A. Dixon — 2010-03-10T13:00:00-08:00

Meet Yukio, one of the many adoptable cats currently available at the downtown Bellevue adoption center.

Each week Seattlest highlights an individual whose philanthropic efforts are helping to make our fair city a better place. From environmental causes to the health and wellness of Seattleites and animals we recognize that every contribution helps. We’ll also feature information as to how you can get involved. This week, Seattlest looks at Purrfect Pals, a local no-kill cat sanctuary.

Today, we look at Kayla Kemner, an accountant that has been living in Seattle for five years. As the Montana native has always had a soft spot for animals Kemner volunteers with Purrfect Pals. She chose this organization because they are one of the few area shelters that provide refuge for those that are not adoptable. While complex health or behavioral issues often force other shelters to euthanize cats, Purrfect Pals promises them a home for life.

As Lead Volunteer for the downtown Bellevue Adoption Center, Kemner manages volunteer schedules, oversees the care of the 10 cats on-site and serves a weekly shift as an Adoption Counselor. She feels the most rewarding aspect is finding permanent homes for the cats. Having volunteered for nearly four years, Kemner has witnessed countless success stories including that of an 11-year-old cat whose owner had planned to euthanize her. Purrfect Pals stepped in, saving the cat's life and finding it a fantastic new home.

Kemner believes volunteering is important because it allows you to give back to your community. "I would encourage everyone out there to volunteer, whether it's with Purrfect Pals or another organization, giving yourself to a good cause feels so great!" If you would like to get involved you may volunteer at one of the many local PetSmart or PetCo Adoption Centers as well as at the main shelter in Arlington. Financial contributions as well as donations of supplies like cat food and blankets are also greatly appreciated.

To learn more about Purrfect Pals, check out the "Adopt" and "Purrfect Endings" sections.

Mobile Chowdown 3: This Time It's Regional

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-10T10:45:00-08:00

Let's face it: when it comes to food carts, Portland has long had one over us. Their laws are more permissive and their carts are better organized. They've got more carts. There's more variety in the food their food carts offer. For years it was no contest: Seattle was playing catch-up with Portland food cart scene.

But we're catching up: Seattle's food cart scene is stronger than ever before. The food is better, the carts are more numerous, the locations more convenient. Our own Marination Mobile won Good Morning America's Best Food Cart Challenge. This weekend, if you can brave the crowds, you'll have a chance to find out for yourself who's got the finest cart-based food.

Rev up your intercity rivalry! On March 13, food cart from Portland and Seattle will convene to vie for your appetite. Past Mobile Chowdowns have been big, maybe too big: crowds braved disorganized locations, long lines and frustrating food shortages at Mobile Chowdown 1 and Mobile Chowdown 2. But the food is good, maybe too good. People kept coming back for a reason.

Mobile Chowdown 3 promises to up the ante, at least food-wise, on its predecessors. Portland vendors will join Seattle food trucks at new location outside Safeco Field to vie for your appetites. March 13 is also the first day of single-ticket sales for the Mariners, so there will be a built-in hungry audience just waiting for some delicious dishes handed down to them on the curb.

Seattle Vendors:

Portland Vendors:

March 13, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. // Occidental Avenue South (between Edgar Martinez Drive and South Massachussetts Street) // Tickets: free // Parking: Free at Safeco Field Garage.

Follow @mobilechowdown for more details.

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Good News, Bad News

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-10T09:30:00-08:00

The bad news:

Corey Haim: dead.
Six members of a Federal Way-based aid group killed in Pakistan.
Huskies' Andru Pulu suspended indefinitely after an assault over the weekend.
A Puyallup man who rented out strangers' homes claims he did it to keep property values up.

Good news:

Bike directions added to Google Maps.
Dale Chihuly Museum planned for Seattle Center.
Voracious has Seattle's five best omelets.
Google opens online business portal.

Seattlest Pix 10March10

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-10T06:30:00-08:00

"YIP 2010.062 - WINDOWS 9" by STEVE MOHUNDRO from the Seattlest Flickr pool.

Can't Miss It: Wednesday

ryan — 2010-03-10T06:00:00-08:00

"Orson Welles 1937.jpg" by Carl Van Vechten

ME AND ORSON WELLES: Early on in the Prodigal Sons, we learn that the director, Kimberly Reed, was once known as Paul, a star quarterback in high school before her sex-change operation. Reed's gender reassignment, however, turns out to be a mere side note in this exploration of her family's past.

While visiting her hometown of Helena, Montana, to attend a high-school reunion, she reconnects with her adopted brother, Marc, whom she hasn't seen in more than a decade. Growing up, Marc lived in the shadow of his overachieving then-brother Paul (now Kimberly). Since suffering a traumatic brain injury at age 21, Marc is prone to mercurial mood swings and violent behavior. But Marc takes center stage after it is revealed that he is the biological grandson of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth.

The jaw-dropping revelations continue as Kimberly and Marc travel to Croatia to visit Welles' longtime partner Oja Kodar to learn more about Marc's mysterious origins. The raw emotions and sibling resentments uncovered in Prodigal Sons make it one of the strangest first-person documentaries in recent years and one that is sure to ignite many "nature versus nurture" arguments among viewers.

7:30 p.m. // Siff Cinema // Tickets: $10

GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE: The Tenth Annual Breakfast with Champions, a fundraising occasion sponsored by the King County Bar Foundation that benefits several good causes, brings former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle to Seattle as the keynote speaker. He is expected to speak on the current health-care proposals and where they stand. His most recent book is Critical: What to Do About the Health-Care Crisis.

7:30 a.m. // Sheraton Seattle // Tickets: $50

WILLIE NELSON JR.: Promise of the Real features Lukas Nelson on lead guitar and lead vocals, Anthony Logerfo on drums and backing vocals, and Merlyn Kelly on bass, while JP Maramba has since joined the band onstage. Promise of the Real leans towards blues, a little folk and good old rock and roll. “I have no idea how to label it,” says Lukas, “but we come to it with a rock and roll attitude!”

The band’s five-song EP also contains some very personal lyrics from its frontman. “When my girlfriend and I first broke up, I felt really shitty. She’s part of the reason I quit school,” he begins, more of a revelation than an accusation: “I didn’t want to study, I just wanted to play music. I knew music could heal me. After 6 months apart I realized I really loved her and we’re now back together, but Track 4, ‘Want You Around’, is a real strong song for me. I actually couldn’t play it for awhile,” he confesses.

“One night we were having a deep conversation and she didn’t feel as strongly about the particular subject as I did, but I realized just being around her was what mattered. ‘I want you, to want me around’, was what came to mind. She went to take a shower and like in a movie, I looked up and saw her silhouette and the light in her window.” ‘You stood in the window of my soul, and I played for you’ leads to ‘Feel the rhythm, ride the tide, rise above’, warm moments in a poignant song which stresses the importance of loving one’s self, in order to truly love someone else.

7:30 p.m. // The Triple Door // Tickets: $15

Let's Play Name That Ferry

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-09T14:55:00-08:00

"FERRY LEAVING" by JEFF CARLSON.

As the State Transportation Commission continues construction on its second new ferry, they're asking the public to help name it. Most ferries in Puget Sound have names relating to our tribal heritage. The remainder have botanical names (Rhododendron and Evergreen State). It's time to branch out:

If you want to submit a name, these guidelines apply:

Names for ferries should carry statewide significance and represent our state’s image and culture.
Specifically, names should represent such things as: state adopted symbols, tribal names, names of bodies of water, geographic locations, cities, counties, or relate to nautical heritage, etc.
Consideration will be given to the consistency with existing WSF fleet names.
Names should have broad familiarity, be easy to pronounce, are non-offensive and meet ethical standards.
Names with commercial overtones or names honoring or commemorating individuals should be avoided, but will be considered upon very careful review. In these cases, the following guidelines will apply:
The individual must be deceased for at least 20 years.
They must have enduring fame and have played a significant historical role in the region and/or state.

Entries so far include “Squi Qui,” entered by the Town of Coupeville and the Swinomish Tribe (Squi Qui was a Lower Skagit tribal leader and a signer of the Point Elliot Treaty), and “Salish,” entered by the San Juan County Council.

The request for names is open until April 30. The Transportation Commission will then work with WSF and the public to select the new name.

SAM's Busy, Busy 2010 Schedule

Ronald — 2010-03-09T14:30:00-08:00

Photo © Estate of Pablo Picasso, courtesy of SAM

The Seattle Art Museum laid out its exhibit plans for the next couple of years, beginning with its October blockbuster, "Picasso Masterpieces." The national Picasso museum in Paris is undergoing renovations so they're sending much of the collection--Picasso's private stash, mostly--on a worldwide tour: Madrid, Moscow, Helsinki, Seattle. Seattle? Yes, indeed. "This is what we built the museum to do," director Derrick Cartwright told a press luncheon. An extremely ambitioius undertaking, 150 pieces, that requires a couple of "Presenting Sponsors" (Microsoft and JP Moran Chase) not to mention a "major sponsor" (Sotheby's) and a hotel sponsor (the Four Seasons, duh, right across First Avenue).

Cultural tourism is expected to be a windfall for the local economy. The last really big show at SAM (Van Gogh to Mondrian, in 2004) drew nearly 300,000 visitors, a third of them from out of state. The Picasso exhibition is expected to be even more of a visitor magnet.

Even before Picasso arrives, however, Kurt Cobain gets his own show. For those who remember the days of grunge and roses, it's an altogether fitting notion that Seattle's most mainstream museum would bring together works that comemorate Cobain's life, music and suffering.

There's more, much more, on SAM's schedule. Read the whole lineup here.

Presented By:

2010-03-09T14:30:00-08:00

In Focus: Delancey Pizzeria

lynchseattle — 2010-03-09T13:30:00-08:00

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A behind the scenes look at a night in the life of Delancey in Ballard. More pictures from the Delancey kitchen can be found here.

Delancey
Cuisine: Pizza
Owners: Brandon Pettit and Molly Wizenberg
1415 Northwest 70th Street
Seattle, WA 98117
(206) 838-1960
Twitter: @DelanceySeattle

The Zoo's Night Exhibit Orphans Need Your Help!

Amy Mikel — 2010-03-09T12:15:17-08:00

The Woodland Park Zoo forever closed their popular Night Exhibit on March 1, 2010, part of a series of cost-savings measures to reduce annual zoo expenses by $800,000 to $1 million. While some of the nocturnal animals were shuffled to other accredited zoo programs, Woodland Park Zoo has committed to caring for seven of the original fifteen Night Exhibit species. Among others, a pair of two-toed sloths, tamanduas and a colony of Rodrigues fruit bats are being re-located to housing throughout the zoo. In the meantime, BNSF Foundation has issued a $20,000 challenge grant to help with the long-term care of these animals. “BNSF is issuing a challenge to the community to match our gift and help the zoo raise $50,000 for the nocturnal animal fund by May 1, 2010,” said Gus Melonas, Regional Director of Public Affairs with BNSF Railway. To date, members of the community have contributed $5,500 to the fund. Donations can be made online or by mail to: Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., Seattle, WA 98103.

Mark It Eight, Dude: 2010 Lebowski Fest Tickets Now Available

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-09T11:45:00-08:00

Fans of the Coen Brothers' cult film, it's time to pull out your bowling gear: Lebowski Fest returns to Seattle on October 15th and 16th, 2010. That's a ways out, but tickets are on sale now.

Last year's Lebowski Fest featured an appearance from Jeff "The Dude" Dowd, the inspiration for Jeff Bridges' sloppy bowler/sleuth.

You can't really do better than Lebowski Fest as far as audience participation goes. Especially in heavily bearded Seattle, everybody knows a guy who looks like Jeff Lebowski. And that lookalike usually has a Walter Sobchak-lookin' buddy. Toss in a few bowling balls, a really nice rug a couple German accented antagonists, and a hair-netted Jesus-wannabe, and you've got yourself a party, dude.

No one really expected The Big Lebowski to become the next Rocky Horror Picture Show, but we guess that no one was really expecting Rocky Horror Picture Show to become an audience phenomenon in the first place, were they?

This year's Fest will include bowling, fans dressed as their favorite characters, triva contests, and a screening of the film, all lubricated by copious amounts of White Russian. It starts October 15 with a Movie Party at The Showbox, where a guest TBA will be followed by a screening of the film. Tickets are $18 in advance, $22 the day of show. Doors a 7:00 p.m., show starts at 8:00. Then on October 16, head to the Kemore Bowl for a Bowling Party. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 the day of show. 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Bowling and shoe rental is included with ticket. Bowling is general admission and not guaranteed.

Don't forget to RSVP on Facebook once you've got your tickets.

Can't Miss It: Tuesday

Jen — 2010-03-09T10:00:00-08:00

"Sun Storm" compliments of Kate - Spirited Earth, our Flickr pool.

FOR THE DESIGNERS: Northwest Film Forum is holding their 10th annual ByDesign Series and tonight features two different selections of short films from the influential husband and wife design team, Charles and Ray Eames. The first selection, Eames Design, documents their private home, Herman Miller furniture, and solar powered kinetic sculpture. The second selection, Eames Communication, includes the duo's short films on communication, science, and new technologies. Considering that these two iconic designers were the main inspiration behind the ByDesign series when it first began a decade ago, this is definitely a not-to-be-missed night for the designers out there.

Design begins at 7:00; Communication at 8:30 p.m. // Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. // Tickets: $6-9, for each

CHABON COMES TO TOWN: As we noted yesterday, Michael Chabon will be in town tonight as a part of the Seattle Arts & Lectures 2009-2010 Literary/Arts Series. Chabon will be speaking on "I was Edgar Allan Poe! A true story of imaginary reincarnation, literary influence, and pathetically belated revenge." As an added bonus, if you are a patron ticket holder you're also invited to the W Seattle Hotel for an after-party with Chabon and complimentary wine and hors d'ouevres.

7:30 p.m. // Benaroya Hall, 200 University Street // Tickets: $10-70

GOING SOLO: Theatre Off Jackson presents the 4th annual Solo Performance Festival and tonight features Seattle singer/comedian/actor Lisa Koch with her solo act, Demonstrate the Place of My Abode. Co-writer of past cabaret productions such as Ham for the Holidays: Lard Potion No 9 and The Carpeters: Uncomfortably Close To You and having shared the stage with the likes of Steve Martin and Dave Brubeck, Koch is well-known for her one-woman shows and we're sure that tonight will be no different. Koch will also be joined by Seattle comedian Peggy Platt in her solo performance of Cooking with Peggy.

7:30 p.m. // Theatre off Jackson, 409 7th Ave. S // Tickets: $15

Good News, Bad News

Ian Chant — 2010-03-09T08:00:00-08:00

First,The Good News, because there is much of it today:

Tanker contract WIN! Tail between its legs, Northrop Grumman backs away from bidding for new Air Force refueling tanker contract, leaving Boeing the sole bidder for the project.
No, really, it was the one armed-man who did it! This time, police captured him at a Magnolia house party without even making Harrison Ford jump off of anything, which is kind of disappointing.
After years of cleanup work, shellfish from nearby Port Susan have been given the OK for human consumption for the first time in over two decades.
Seattle will be one of five markets to get an early test of the all-electric Nissan Leaf starting in April.
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced what seems like an eminently reasonable plan to trim the fat from the county budget and close a $95 million gap.
No need to worry about an armed man roaming the streets near Seward Park. Turns out the shooting victim just accidentally shot himself and didn't want to admit it to the cops, because that would be totally embarassing! Also, because he is a felon.

But don't get too giddy, now. There remains, as always, The Bad News:

There are worse backup quarterbacks to have than Seneca Wallace, especially when your starters arm is held on with duct tape and happy thoughts. But the Seahawks won't have Wallace to kick around anymore, dealing him to the Cleveland Browns. Best of luck, Seneca.
An Enumclaw woman has been charged with animal cruelty after police and animal control officers remove dozens of animals, some starving, others already dead, from her property.
A physical therapist at Swedish Medical Center has been charged with taking indecent liberties following allegations that he physically abused two patients under his care.

Seattlest Pix 10March09

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-09T06:30:00-08:00

"ONLY REFLECTIONS 5" by LINDA BANNING from the Seattlest Flickr pool.

The Champions of Sound Off!

Aaron M. — 2010-03-08T16:00:06-08:00

And the winner of the 2010 Sound Off! Battle of the Underage Bands is the great……..Great Waves!

By beating some seriously tough competition (read: Hooves and Beak, Candysound, and SEACATS), the Sammamish six-piece has scored an amazing first place prize package: a performance at this year’s Bumbershoot Festival, a live on-air performance on 107.7 The End, some studio time, lots of great gear, and more. The group edged out indie harpist Hooves and Beak, but second place is nearly as sweet: a performance at this year’s Northwest Folklife Festival, studio time and equipment.

Candysound and SEACATS came in third and fourth place respectively. Of course neither group walks away empty-handed. Third place prize is a performance at Seattle's new Hard Rock Café, two days recording time at The Vera Project and equipment. Fourth place is two days recording time at the Redmond Old Firehouse studio and equipment.

Congratulations to Great Waves and to all the participants in this year’s competition. EMP produced another terrific Battle of the Underage Bands, and we can’t wait til next year when they do it again. But for now, we can sit back and bask in the brightness of local music's future.

Dusted Valley named Winery of the Year

Ronald — 2010-03-08T15:00:00-08:00

Wine Press Northwest has named Dusted Valley of Walla Walla "Winery of the Year."

(Seattlest profiled the oracular Andy Perdue, publisher of Wine Press, four years ago; he's always on top of what's new in the ever-changing local wine scene.)

The formal announcement will come in the magazine's Spring 2010 issue, but the most recent mention of Dusted Valley, a few weeks ago, hinted at the honor:

Dusted Valley Vintners in Walla Walla, Wash., continues to impress us with its string of top red wines over the past several years. In our 10th annual Platinum Judging, Dusted Valley earned a unanimous Double Platinum for its 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and a Platinum for its 2007 Grenache.

Dusted Valley was founded in 2003 by brothers-in-law Chad Johnson and Corey Braunel. It produces 4,000 cases of Bordeaux and Rhone style blends, Syrah, Viognier and Chardonnay. They'll continue their mantra of "sharing the good life" with friends, fans and fellow winos this weekend (March 13th) at the Dusted Valley Tasting Room in Walla Walla and March 20th at the Dusted Valley Wine Gallery in Woodinville.

Dusted Valley Gallery: 14465 Woodinville-Redmond Rd.NE, Woodinville, 425-488-7373
Dused Valley Winer Tasting Room: 1248 Old Milton Hwy Walla Walla, 509-525-1337

The Amazing Adventures of Michael Chabon

Jen — 2010-03-08T14:15:00-08:00

Michael Chabon will be in town Tuesday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. as a part of the Seattle Arts & Lectures 2009-2010 Literary/Arts Series. Tickets range from $10-70.

We've been waiting to see Michael Chabon since last September when we first received the SAL letter in the mail announcing this year's guests. Had you asked us last fall if we knew when Chabon would be speaking we probably would have come across like one of those "overloaded" Bing characters, giving you a verbal mishmash of miscellaneous Chabon information along with the fact that he would be here in March.

Chabon has always been on our short list of favorite authors and as his career continues, we can't help but grow more fond of him--not only as a writer, but also as a person. His repeatedly proven versatility in genre fiction including that of pulp, fantasy, science fiction, and so much more has truly earned him a rightful place in modern literature history. John Podhoretz, of the The Weekly Standard even takes it one step further, refering to Chabon as "The best writer of English prose in this country, and the most interesting novelist of his generation."

We first read Chabon a couple of years ago after close friends prodded and promised us that we wouldn't be disappointed. We were given The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay as a gift. We were skeptical. We don't normally have interest in or pay much attention to super hero comics, but kept thinking to ourselves, well, it did win the Pulitzer... and he DID also write Wonder Boys... luckily our friends know our taste better than we do.

Everything about Kavalier and Clay, for us, was magic. The plot-driven fiction, the fantastical escapes (metaphorically and physically), the Jungle-esque work and power struggles of the time period, and not to mention the romantic notion of super heroes taking on Hitler and saving the world--who wouldn't want to read that book? It reminded of us of reading Mark Twain for the first time--getting caught up in the excitement of the adventure, the powerful underlying social commentary, and the characters that forever cement themselves in your brain as if they actually exist.

Chabon first realized he wanted to be a writer at the young age of ten when he was given a school assignment to write a short story involving Sherlock Holmes. In many interviews, Chabon has looked back on this moment by saying, "I thought to myself, 'That's it. That's what I want to do. I can do this.' And I never had any second thoughts or doubts."

Chabon's first novel, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (recently adapted into film), was actually written as his Master's thesis. His professor was so impressed with the novel that he secretly sent the manuscript to a literary agent and Chabon was given a $155,000 advance on the book--an incredibly high amount for a first-time novelist. Mysteries of Pittsburgh debuted in 1988, quickly becoming a bestseller and throwing Chabon into literary fame at the age of 25.

Overall, Chabon has shown us since his beginning in 1988 that he is no one-trick pony. He doesn't JUST want to be his generation's Raymond Chandler or Philip K. Roth, or McSweeney's poster child. Chabon does what he wants; he writes about what interests him in the moment, whether it's fiction or nonfiction, pulp or fantasy; at times, even taking different genres and fixing them together to fit a novel's purpose.

Though Chabon's writing continues to vary and reshape in different forms of literature, there are always definite, recurring themes present--even in his latest autobiographical collection, Manhood for Amateurs: The Pleasures And Regrets Of A Husband, Father, And Son, a.k.a Chabon's "Daddy Diary." Themes such as abandoment, belonging, that of Jewish and gay/bisexual identity, fatherhood, divorce, exile, and regret; all appearing in large and small manners throughout each of his novels. However, this is certainly not to say that Chabon's work is filled with bleak sadness--rather, Chabon is quite humorous--mixing Yiddish wit and amusement into his work, creating a unique and in-depth balance.

For his Seattle Arts & Lectures appearance, Chabon's will be speaking on, "I was Edgar Allan Poe! A true story of imaginary reincarnation, literary influence, and pathetically belated revenge." We're not quite sure what this exactly means, as it could mean a lot of things, but we're excited. We have no doubt that like his work, Chabon has some tricks up his sleeve in store for us, filled with plenty of the unexpected surprises and twists that he has been giving his readers now for two decades. And, as an added bonus, if you are a patron ticket holder ($50) you're also invited to join Chabon at the W Seattle Hotel for an after-party with complimentary wine and hors d'ouevres.

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Solo Performance Festival #4: Tamara Ober’s Pipa

Amy Mikel — 2010-03-08T14:00:09-08:00

The following is part of Seattlest’s continuing coverage on the 4th annual Solo Performance Festival: SPF #4 Can You Get My Back? Full event calendar here.

Pipa, a dance-theater work by Tamara Ober, is an entrancing tale of a wayward young girl named Pipa. The eponymous piece combines Ober’s movement and spoken narration with props, recorded text and video. Ober’s outstanding range and precision, mixed with a captivating stage presence, result in an inventive story-telling style that smoothly submerges the viewer into the character’s quirky world. Ober has toured Pipa to Montreal, Winnipeg, Budapest, and to the Edmonton and Minneapolis Fringe Festivals, where she was awarded a Minneapolis Sage Award for Outstanding Performer. Pipa’s showing has ended for this year’s SPF run, but we absolutely recommend Ober as a performer to watch out for in the future.

March 3 - April 3 //Theater Off Jackson, 409 7th Ave S. // Tickets $15 advance, $18 at door, All-festival pass $99

World Wide WTF: Godzilla Haiku

sjohnston — 2010-03-08T13:30:00-08:00

So, what else do we really need to say besides, 'Godzilla Haiku'? Exactly...nothing. Get on it.

Am I violent
Because you assume I am?
Is this really me?

I only wanted
To share a rainbow with you
But you treat me thus

Your bulge draws my eye
And now it is too awkward
To look at your face

Presented By:

2010-03-08T13:30:00-08:00

Video: Washington State Lottery Ad

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-08T11:55:00-08:00

By PES Studios.

Snow!

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-08T11:43:09-08:00

We've got flurries in Queen Anne, sleet in Beacon Hill, and reports of flakes all over the city. Got pics of the first snow of 2010 to share with Seattlest? Contribute here.

Can't Miss It: Monday

sjohnston — 2010-03-08T10:30:00-08:00

SULLLLLLLLLLLLLLY!!: Go Sully, go Sully, go! Perfectly moustached and amazingly named Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III is in Seattle! We can all rest a little easier just knowing that. America's hero stops by The Museum of Flight to discuss aviation safety, the “Miracle on the Hudson,” and his memoirs, Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters. We're not worthy.

7:00 p.m. // Museum of Flight // $5-$10

JAMES BOND PART-AY: Central Cinema brings us a smattering of James Bondness in their James Bond Fest, and showcases Sean Connery (in Goldfinger and Thunderball, which opens the series), George Lazenby (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service), and Roger Moore (Moonraker, A View to a Kill). A James Bond three-way, if you will.

6:30 p.m. // Central Cinema // $6

PILOT BOOKS RULES: Matt Briggs, The Stranger genius recipient in Literature, reads and hosts a workshop as part of Pilot Book's continuing Small Press Fest. If you haven't been to Pilot Books yet, it's a must - small and inspiring and adorable.

6:00 p.m. // Pilot Books // FREE

Good News, Bad News

Regis Lacher — 2010-03-08T09:18:00-08:00

There's good news:

A Bothell kid is a total wimp, and that's a good thing.
Washington Senate passes latest tax bill.

And there's bad news:

Spring has sprung a leak - it's going to be a cold and rainy couple of days.
Authorities have resumed their search for a hiker who went missing near Bonneville Dam.
Police took an intoxicated baby into custody in North Seattle.
Vandals in Arlington tore up a truck transporting food to the homeless.

Starbucks Gets Dragged Into Gun Control Debate

Ian Chant — 2010-03-08T08:00:00-08:00

"GIRL WITH FLAG AND GUN, 1952" by SEATTLE MUNICIPAL ARCHIVES.

One would hope that jittery dudes and prominently displayed firearms would not go together, as there are few things in the world that could be less safe than a guy walking around a public place wielding a loaded pistol in one hand and a ludicrously large caffeinated beverage in the other. But Starbucks locations around the United States have become the latest unlikely battleground in the gun control debate.

Giddy at the fact that open carry laws in 43 states allow them to demonstrate what badasses they are by wearing a gun at all times, packs of gun owners are descending on Starbucks around the nation, firearms strapped to their sides, proudly displaying the fact that they could murder anyone in the room if they wanted to. But they won’t, probably, because they are responsible gun owners. This is exactly what the framers had in mind when they spoke of a "well-regulated militia." It is also not at all like carrying around the security blanket you clutched when you were a toddler, screaming and wetting yourself at the very notion of anyone trying to take it away or even asking you to leave it at home. We repeat, it is nothing like this, for reasons that will come to us.

Unlike other establishments that have decided to flex their muscle as private businesses and added 'No Handguns' to 'No Shirt, No Shoes No Service' signs, Seattle’s own Starbucks has as yet refused to make any rules that prohibit firearms inside their stores, instead deferring to pertinent state laws. Which, to be fair, is understandable - any company policy that requires a barista to try and disarm NRA members on a regular basis is asking a lot from a class of employees that are already typically underpaid and overworked.