Seattle Spin: What's Happening this Week

Family Activity: Nighttime at the Beach, Jan 27^th & 28^th at Discovery Park and Camp Long, $8.  The beach at night has its own little spooky feelings of intrigue and adventure.  Explore the beach during the lowest tides of the winter with a flashlight and spot eerie bioluminescence creatures glowing back at you.

Workshops: The Appreciation and Conversation of Bats, Jan 26^th, free.  Actually, bats are kinda cute once you get to know them.  A bat can eat one thousand mosquitoes a night, which is more than any stupid bug-zapper can do.  ж  Also, Stormwater: Turning a Potential Problem into an Asset, Jan 25^th, $50.  With the record rain, this is a topic front-of-mind.  The water has to go somewhere, so learn how to direct water upon ground for best benefit.  ж  Also, Beginning Advocacy, Jan 24^th at the Meadowbrook Community Center, $37.  If you're mad as hell and can't take it anymore, here's how to funnel your energy into a productive direction.  ж  Also, Sahaja Yoga Meditation at Crossroad Mall (in the Community Room), Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM, free, providing health transformation from within.  ж  Also, BizArt, Jan 27^th - 28^th, $85, of the business side of art.  Being a great artist is one challenge; being a great artist that actually makes money from one's work is another challenge. which this seminar covers.

Chamber Music: Since chamber music is small and more intimate, it add an extra dimension of enjoyment when you can see the musician's handwork and facial expressions.  ж  Seattle Symphony at City Hall, Jan 27^th, noon - 1 PM, free.  A rare event, of hearing the Symphony in this format at City Hall.  ж  Also, Seattle Chamber Music, Jan 30^th - Feb 5^th, $12 (free concerts on Feb 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th)  An assortment of different pieces; something to appeal to any taste.  ж  Also, Gallery Concerts, Jan 28^th & 29^th, $25, presenting Totally Bach, a performance of Bach's flute sonatas.  Hear the flute in top form on some of the most challenging arrangements.

Fashion: Fashion Ball at Nectar Lounge, Jan 27^th, $5.  Four designers and four DJs mix the night modeling gowns and club wear.  If you're 20-something with a decent body, then this show is up your alley.  ж  Also, Sew Down, Jan 26^th, free, an Iron Chef competition of sorts by the Art Institute.  Contestants are given material and time to create something new to wear, judged by a panel of fashion divas.

Theater: The Wedding Singer, starting Jan 31^st, $19+.  This Adam Sandler movie turned musical, whisks us back to the 80's yet again when, as we all know, all of the cool music was really produced.  ж  Also, Menopause the Musical, showing until March, $45.  Hot flashes made funny.  25 baby boomer hits re-tuned to "The Change."  You don't need to be a woman in her forties to laugh at this play.  ж  Also, The Diary of Anne Frank, Jan 27^th - Feb 11^th, $12, a powerful story, something everyone should see once in their life.  ж  Also, Capital Hill High: The Queen isn't Dead Yet, Feb 9^th - 25^th, ages 21+, $10, sort of an updated version of 90210, gay and Seattle style.

Film: Northwest Asian American Film Fest, Jan 26^th - 29^th, $9+.  50 films crammed into your noggin over three days.  It's not exactly the pizzazz of SIFF, but certainly just as entertaining and less expensive.  ж  Also, Environmental Film Night at Camp Long, Jan 26^th (and every fourth Thursday of the month), by donation, showing films on sustainability and environmental issues.  Next film is The Corporation, on the rise of dominant institutions.

Author Readings: Human Rights and Terrorism, Jan 25^th, $15.  Remember James Yee?  He was that Muslim Cleric charged of spying by the Army in 2003 when ministering to Muslim prisoners at Gauntanamo Bay.  Charges were eventually dropped.  Hear James talk about his new book, For God and Country. 

Sexuality: Strap-On Seductions at Babeland, Jan 29^th, $30.  Strap one on, literally, at this class.  Pick your pleasure like a pro and learn how to wield for maximum enjoyment.  All genders and orientations welcome.  ж  Also, Clitoral Revelations Workshop, Jan 29^th, $30+, an educational exploration of that elusive little bundle of nerves.

Organization: Chaine des Rotisseurs - Seattle Bailliage.  It's only from the high school French class we slept through that we know this is an organization of people who enjoy fine foods and wines (and like, who doesn't?)   Chaine des Rotisseurs joins together amateurs and professionals over their mutual passion of food. 

Better than Donating Plasma:
If the holidays and new year have left you a stretched for dollars, here's a couple of ways to kick up a little scratch without too much work or effort.

Ebay Drop Off Stores: 30% + various fees.  These drop-off locations work best when you have a couple of items to sell with high value, you don't want to futz around with creating your own Ebay listing, and are willing to take a hit for the convenience.  At this time of year, Ebay becomes the January dumping ground for rejected Christmas gifts.

Selling your used books to Half Price Books:  Your old book is someone else's new story.  It's not top dollar paid, but if you have a bunch of books just sitting on your shelf doing nothing, then this is money found.

Craig's List: This is the free classified listing board threatening newspaper's cash cow of paid classifieds.  As of publication, over 43,000 items for sale of all of the crapola people in Seattle are ready to part with.

Clinical Trials:  Donate your body to science and become a human guinea pig testing new drugs and therapies.  Some of these are paid, others provide just the satisfaction of helping out your fellow man.  At least you get a good party story out of the deal.

Distribution Notice: There will be no Jan 30th issue next week, for staff vacation.