Going Green: Bio Diesel Northwest, March 18th, free, turning plants into oil. This isn't the complete solution, but it can be part of it. This event is a good forum with some general information and is not just for industry geeks. Also, Wise Earth, starting March 18th, $450. A “New Age-y” type of seminar; a metaphysical approach of being one with the environment. Go morph into an elf or tree pixie or something.
History: Washington Trust for History Preservation, March 21st, $25, at the Stimson Green Mansion, a lecture on history and libraries. Once in the mansion, be sure to wander downstairs into the basement parlor. In the mansion's great Victorian setting, you can really pick up an eerie vibe. It's easy to imagine ghosts or deceased residents participating in a séance, or at least visualize some Scooby-Do misadventure.
Restaurant: Trader Vic's. The big news on the eastside was the opening of this new restaurant. Two things: for a new establishment, this place already has a regal legacy from its prior history. It's old money Seattle, kinda like Canlis in terms of cliental, but certainly not atmosphere. Second, this place is nicely upscale. Usually Polynesian food means just a bunch of pineapple and bamboo or something, but these guys do it with class.
Ballet: Points of View at PNB, starting March 16th, $20+. Going to the ballet? It always seems to be young families in attendance or girlfriends going together since their boyfriends certainly won't go. If you're outside of these groups, you should actually consider checking it out. Everyone was saying the last performance of Valentine was the strongest contender of the season, but the real money is on this one. ж Also, Conversations with PNB, March 12th, free - dancers discussing their previous works. After seeing the glory on the stage, it's always interesting to talk with the dancers and better understand some of the hardship it takes to get there.
Billiards: Northwest Women's Pool Association Double Pro Qualifier, March 18th - 19th. Shoot some stick with regional pros or just watch the action. Amateurs are actually welcome to come in and slop a couple of shots around as well.
Fashion: Student Fashion Show, March 17th, $15. Over 30 students display their wares (and wears!) on the runway. This show is about clothing as art rather than something you can wear, but you can still pick up a couple of good ideas that you can convert into something practical.
Business: Legally Speaking, March 14th, $40, a seminar for technology executives building successful ventures. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention. Also, The New World of Buying and Selling Real Estate, March 15th, $45. In this industry, real estate agents have been resilient, maintaining their exclusive access of information and keeping their commissions intact. A lot of technology has promised to tear down this barrier and make the buying/selling process cheaper for participants, and it looks like some new ventures may finally deliver.
Lectures: Which Way Seattle, March 16th, $7, a discussion on how the foster care system can better serve African American children. The stats for African American children in the foster care system certainly are not promising, so here's how to help young people at critical points in their early lives. ж Also, An Evening with Ann Wilson, March 17th, $25. Ann is half of Heart, one of Seattle's musical legacies, so listen to her perspective on the music scene.
Activities: Triathlon Expo, March 18th. Learn how to take on the challenge of swimming, running, and biking; all in the same competition. A triathlon is a great personal goal and certainly is not for weenies, so here's how to prep for this worthy accomplishment. You'll thank yourself later.
Organizations: Dress for Success, a non-profit organization providing business suits to economically disadvantaged women and encouraging self-sufficiency through career development and employment retention. This week, two buildings are hosting drop-off donations: the IBM Building (1200 5th Avenue) on March 15th and the Bank of America Plaza (1001 4th Avenue) on March 17th. They're looking for accessories; such as wide shoes, purses, umbrellas, scarves, briefcases, day planners, etc. A worthy cause to help women portray the right image to potential employers.
Semi-Secret Organizations:
They don't have websites, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.
Gypsy: Any Seattle “foodie” worth his or her dinner fork already knows about this group. Gypsy is organized by a husband/wife team, prominent in the Seattle food scene, sometimes out of their residential house in a quiet neighborhood. They can’t openly advertise these dinners, but the word certainly gets out. Actually, this turns out to be a great marketing ploy as well, since it certainly distinguishes Gypsy among the other 2,000 dining options in the Seattle area and adds a bit of mysterious sex appeal.
Tolars: A pre-initiative 901 group of smokers who do it the way God intended - inside a bar enjoying smokes and drinks together. It's a casual group of friends gathering at a licensed liquor establishment after hours. The stakes are a little high, but it's not like they're going to rat each other out and ruin a good thing.
The League of Seattle Dandies: Think meterosexuals more than a century ago, men into the art of dress, culture, leisure, and love of self. Of course, it's about the clothes and how to live rich without being rich. This group is a little out-of-place and out-of-time, but they still manage to be way-cool. Who knows, maybe cravats will come back into style?
