The Best of Seattle this Week

Finances: Family Financial Series, with Women and Money on June 17t= h,=20 $10 suggested donation. This group covers the financial basics= , which=20 of course, most people lack. Most of these seminars are about = picking=20 up the one or two gems that make a real difference. Upcoming s= eminars=20 include Saving Savvy Kids, Teens & Money, College Saving,= and Estate Planning. * Also, as long as we've mentioned = a women's=20 themed event, then we'll just mention Embodied = Voice,=20 June 14th, $50, a singing workshop for women to improve singing voic= e=20 through breath work, movement, toning, chant, and strengthening the= =20 voice/body connection.

Ceremony: Japanese Ground Purification, June 16th, free with regular=20 admission. The Japanese have such great ceremonies for everyth= ing. =20 Before putting up a building, if they don't go through the protocol = of=20 requesting permission from the earth spirit Kami, well, the anger of= =20 Kami will come back to wreak havoc on the building and its occupants= =2E =20 Another purpose of the Jichisai is to pray that construction proceed= s=20 safely, without incident. Hey, if it helps bring the project i= n on-time=20 and on-budget, then more construction managers should be calling upo= n=20 Kami.

Beauty:=20 The Wax Bar opens i= n=20 Seattle; prices vary, for waxing and skincare services. Essent= ially,=20 these folks are taking the most profitable spa-salon service, and=20= carving it out into its own specialty business. This means the= y do one=20 thing, they do it really well, by optimizing the quality, services,= =20 environment, and prices. They have this specialty speed waxing= - a=20 Brazilian bikini wax completed in 15 minutes. * Also, 7 Salon, a place that makes t= hose=20 hundred-dollar hair cuts worth it, for people who aren't interested = in=20 just a hair cut, but a relationship with their stylist. This m= eans=20 flawless style, full service, and people who actually make you=20 better-looking. This is your beauty at top form.

Environmental: Green Home Tour; Go= ing=20 Green to the Beach, June 14th, free but must RSVP. Take a = little=20 tour of the greenest home in the Northwest to date, winner of variou= s=20 green awards. These green home tours are actually a little=20 anticlimactic, since all of the interesting stuff is out of view,=20= underneath the floor or wallboards. It works better as an educ= ational=20 opportunity for building green, and asking questions of the pros.

Theater: ACT Theater has two event= s=20 coming up worth calling out. First, the theater is = celebrating with a gala, June 14th, $125. Those theater ty= pes are=20 always a hoot when they get to a party. Mingle and meet the ta= lent,=20 both on and off stage. Also, ACT puts on A=20 Marvelous Party, starting June 13th, $15-$55 (pay what you can o= n=20 June 15th and 26th). They cherry-pick the best into a mash-up = of 34=20 Noel Coward tunes along with comedy sketches, anecdotes, and musings= =2E =20 There's a lot of creativity and talent put together into this=20 production, so you'll probably be impressed.

Eating: Ponti Seafood Grill,=20 scoring high on three points. First is the outdoor dining, wit= h the=20 view of the boats passing under Freemont bridge; second is the seafo= od,=20 which is notable even in seafood-rich Seattle; third are the special= s=20 and happy hours. Actually, Ponti was was one of the creators o= f the=20 25-for-$25 specials, banding together with other restaurants to get = out=20 of the post 9/11 slump. * Also, Murder Mystery= Party,=20 June 14th, $60, of fun along with your meal. These murder myst= ery=20 parties are a fun diversion worth doing at least once, for some=20 special-occasion excuse.

Bicycle Event: Flying Whe= els=20 Summer Century, June 14th, $35. This is the warm-up for th= e=20 Seattle-to-Portland ride coming up next month. They're offerin= g 25, 45,=20 65, and 100-mile loops, from beginner to gonzo level, so all can mak= e=20 it. They're also having a costumed contest of four-person rela= y teams=20 around the Velodrome, sacred ground usually only available to regist= ered=20 pros.

Charity: Cocktails for Charity, June 12th, $50 (RSVP through info@ocassionsllc.com o= r=20 425-587-1507), of drinking to help make the world a better place, th= e=20 beneficiary being Dress f= or=20 Success. Pravda=20 Studios opens its door for the night. Between the cocktail= s and the=20 uber-art, the swank factor will be high this night. The savvy= =20 socialites will be here.

Appearance:=20 Seattle Mariners=92 left fielder, Raul Ibanez, is showing up at Macy=92s to sign the first 200 autographs on June = 14th. =20 The man will put his pen to work for the fans. He will only be= signing=20 items purchased from Macy's, or the photos Macy=92s makes available,= and=20 not personal memorabilia. For these events, you always need to= show up=20 wicked early; better have a store of patience with you.

Organization: School of Visual Concepts= -=20 actually, their website is a little too hip for its own good. = This=20 school helps people communicate and market through the visual arts, = so=20 you get a real zippy image, but you also gotta make sure the message= is=20 clear.


Finances: Family Financial Series, with Women and Money on June 17t= h,=20 $10 suggested donation. This group covers the financial basics= , which=20 of course, most people lack. Most of these seminars are about = picking=20 up the one or two gems that make a real difference. Upcoming s= eminars=20 include Saving Savvy Kids, Teens & Money, College Saving,= and Estate Planning. * Also, as long as we've mentioned = a women's=20 themed event, then we'll just mention Embodied = Voice,=20 June 14th, $50, a singing workshop for women to improve singing voic= e=20 through breath work, movement, toning, chant, and strengthening the= =20 voice/body connection. Ceremony: Japanese Ground Purification, June 16th, free with regular=20 admission. The Japanese have such great ceremonies for everyth= ing. =20 Before putting up a building, if they don't go through the protocol = of=20 requesting permission from the earth spirit Kami, well, the anger of= =20 Kami will come back to wreak havoc on the building and its occupants= =2E =20 Another purpose of the Jichisai is to pray that construction proceed= s=20 safely, without incident. Hey, if it helps bring the project i= n on-time=20 and on-budget, then more construction managers should be calling upo= n=20 Kami. Beauty:=20 The Wax Bar opens i= n=20 Seattle; prices vary, for waxing and skincare services. Essent= ially,=20 these folks are taking the most profitable spa-salon service, and=20= carving it out into its own specialty business. This means the= y do one=20 thing, they do it really well, by optimizing the quality, services,= =20 environment, and prices. They have this specialty speed waxing= - a=20 Brazilian bikini wax completed in 15 minutes. * Also, 7 Salon, a place that makes t= hose=20 hundred-dollar hair cuts worth it, for people who aren't interested = in=20 just a hair cut, but a relationship with their stylist. This m= eans=20 flawless style, full service, and people who actually make you=20 better-looking. This is your beauty at top form. Environmental: Green Home Tour; Go= ing=20 Green to the Beach, June 14th, free but must RSVP. Take a = little=20 tour of the greenest home in the Northwest to date, winner of variou= s=20 green awards. These green home tours are actually a little=20 anticlimactic, since all of the interesting stuff is out of view,=20= underneath the floor or wallboards. It works better as an educ= ational=20 opportunity for building green, and asking questions of the pros. Theater: ACT Theater has two event= s=20 coming up worth calling out. First, the theater is = celebrating with a gala, June 14th, $125. Those theater ty= pes are=20 always a hoot when they get to a party. Mingle and meet the ta= lent,=20 both on and off stage. Also, ACT puts on A=20 Marvelous Party, starting June 13th, $15-$55 (pay what you can o= n=20 June 15th and 26th). They cherry-pick the best into a mash-up = of 34=20 Noel Coward tunes along with comedy sketches, anecdotes, and musings= =2E =20 There's a lot of creativity and talent put together into this=20 production, so you'll probably be impressed. Eating: Ponti Seafood Grill,=20 scoring high on three points. First is the outdoor dining, wit= h the=20 view of the boats passing under Freemont bridge; second is the seafo= od,=20 which is notable even in seafood-rich Seattle; third are the special= s=20 and happy hours. Actually, Ponti was was one of the creators o= f the=20 25-for-$25 specials, banding together with other restaurants to get = out=20 of the post 9/11 slump. * Also, Murder Mystery= Party,=20 June 14th, $60, of fun along with your meal. These murder myst= ery=20 parties are a fun diversion worth doing at least once, for some=20 special-occasion excuse. Bicycle Event: Flying Whe= els=20 Summer Century, June 14th, $35. This is the warm-up for th= e=20 Seattle-to-Portland ride coming up next month. They're offerin= g 25, 45,=20 65, and 100-mile loops, from beginner to gonzo level, so all can mak= e=20 it. They're also having a costumed contest of four-person rela= y teams=20 around the Velodrome, sacred ground usually only available to regist= ered=20 pros. Charity: Cocktails for Charity, June 12th, $50 (RSVP through info@ocassionsllc.com o= r=20 425-587-1507), of drinking to help make the world a better place, th= e=20 beneficiary being Dress f= or=20 Success. Pravda=20 Studios opens its door for the night. Between the cocktail= s and the=20 uber-art, the swank factor will be high this night. The savvy= =20 socialites will be here. Appearance:=20 Seattle Mariners=92 left fielder, Raul Ibanez, is showing up at Macy=92s to sign the first 200 autographs on June = 14th. =20 The man will put his pen to work for the fans. He will only be= signing=20 items purchased from Macy's, or the photos Macy=92s makes available,= and=20 not personal memorabilia. For these events, you always need to= show up=20 wicked early; better have a store of patience with you. Organization: School of Visual Concepts= -=20 actually, their website is a little too hip for its own good. = This=20 school helps people communicate and market through the visual arts, = so=20 you get a real zippy image, but you also gotta make sure the message= is=20 clear.	Cirque de Soleil Alternatives: The Redmond=20 show is getting lukewarm reviews, along with criticism for the hefty= =20 ticket prices. It lacks moments of human awe, not up to its Ve= gas=20 glory. So, what's an alternative? Teatro Zinzanni: These f= olks=20 have been doing good work since they moved into their new home, and = the=20 act got warmed up. The dinner/performance has a magic quality = that=20 sticks with you after you leave. Plus, this one has more of a = festive=20 vibe. Circus Contraption= :=20 Here's an example of what happens with a lot of imagination on a low= =20 budget. This one is more of a Tim Burton-es= que=20 style show where liberal talent is applied to the oddball and quirky= ,=20 with a slightly gothic flavor. It's like going to the freak sh= ow at the=20 circus, except the freaks are talented performers, instead of mere h= uman=20 oddities to gawk at. Cirque Du Slaque, June 13-14th, $25. Seattle Men's and Wom= en's=20 Chorus takes up the circus, in a musical story form in the persona o= f=20 Captain Smartypants. They sing some classic circus songs, rein= vent some=20 others, and present some originals. There's a special dream se= quence,=20 involving those creepy clowns dancing about. For the eye candy= , two=20 burlesque dancers come onto stage and provide titillation. Cool Video: Iron Maiden playing in Auburn= =20 last week:


Financial: Sell Your Own Home , July 1st, $45. When half-million dollar homes are standard, it can b= e tempting to save those six points for yourself. Of course, the web i= s making selling your home by yourself easier every year. Learn k= ey principals, points of law, pricing, and negotiation. If you're will= ing to put in the work, the payoff can be impressive. Food: Mush= room Festival, June 28-29th, $5. Mushroom fans tend to be real ear= thy people. They have some A-list Seattle cooking talent providing dem= onstrations, as well as notable sponsors. While everyone knows about t= he button mushroom, they explore mushrooms in other edible dimensions. = To round the festival out, there's an antique show. Women's Networking: Jazzy June, June 26th, $40. A networking event for women. Over 70 vendors = showcase their goods, along with the usual party nosh of appetizers, music, = and a fashion show. Now that this event has been around for a couple o= f years, it's building up good momentum. * Also, Girl Power Hour , a women's monthly social event, $10, networking for savvy gals. Conn= ect with entrepreneurial and like-minded women in varying industries and soc= ial circles. Outdoors: Greenway = Days , June 27-28th. Because of this organization, we're looking at forests= on the I-90 drive to Spokane instead of clear-cut mountains. These fo= lks are putting together events along the corridor: a geocaching competition= in North Bend, a Mountains-to-Sound relay in Snoqualmie, an 11-mile hike at= Rattlesnake lake, tours of the Cedar River watershed, and more. Environmental:= The Last Polar Bear , opening June 28th. They bring everything about this bear together, f= ocusing upon how global warming is deteriorating the big guy's environment.&= nbsp; Touch polar bear fur, ring seal, and arctic fox pelts. A photogr= apher with a decade's experience journaling their lives talks on June 28th, = as well as a polar bear expert from the US Geological Survey's Alaska Scienc= e Center. Learn how these bears live in the most inhospitable land.&nb= sp; This event is also a good reminder that=20 the Burke Museum is free on the first Thursday of each month.<= /P> Out-and-About:= Sorrento Hotel, most people k= now of this place for the Hunt Club or the Fireside Lounge (or because they shot a scene from Sleeple= ss in Seattle here). This place is worth a personal tour if you're in the area.&nbs= p; The atmosphere has a real aristocratic vibe. The building just cele= brated it's 100th anniversary, and of course, it has a resident ghost on the= 4th floor. The other unexpected feature is the complimentary London t= axi to downtown points (for guests). Family: Architect= ural Tour , June 28th and July 26th, $10/adult and $5/kid. This is a hands-on ac= tivity driven tour, designed to keep those little kids active. This is= a good way to spend a day with your little ones. They learn how build= ings and nature interact together, the vocabulary of buildings, and using cr= itical thinking to make architectural decisions. Seminar: Great Relationships , June 26th, free, on the relationship dances we all supposedly do. Sp= ecifically, the topic is boundaries, of secret boundaries we harbor, damagin= g dynamics, and employing guilt-free boundaries. Topics on relationshi= ps are like diet books - you'd think just about everything that can be said = has already been done, but then, somebody comes out with another new hook on= the subject. Real Estate: <= A href=3D"http://www.reapsweb.com/clubportal/EventDetailPublic2.cfm?clubID= =3D173&EventID=3D57319&mo=3D6&tDate=3D{d '2008-06-18'}">Buy Low,= Rent Smart, June 28th, $49. Be vulturistic and buy bank-owned foreclosures for ch= eap. If this is your thing, it's a great market right now. Then,= after acquiring your property for discount, learn how to rent smart and mak= e a profit. There's a lot of money to make in real estate, but it's ce= rtainly not for the faint of heart. Organization: = ASTAR, helping parents of autist= ic children. Raising a child has enough challenges, but now there's a = high-maintenance child who very much needs your dedicated attention to have = a decent shot at life. Gain education and support from other parents a= nd the medical pros.	= Theatrical Young Patron = Groups: If you're between 20-39 years old, that makes y= ou young, for an arts patron. The opera, ballet, and symphony have wel= l established groups courting these desirable youngsters (Bravo Club , Backstag= e Pass, and Wolfgang Group). Given their success, Seattle theaters are d= uplicating the recipe. Besides the bonus fun, these groups provide a w= ay to see great theater too. Membership Club at= ACT Theater : Since this is a new group, it's still in the planning stages, launching fo= r the new season. There's no cost yet, being in the free trial period.= This means if you join, expect a new club undergoing development, one= that's hungry for your feedback and participation. Upcoming planned parties= include a beer tasting, "pink-a-boo!", and a "marvelous" party for the main= stage performance, as well as the usual lot of pre and post performance get= -togethers. Some day, you get the=20 bragging rights of being "a charter member". Avenue New Club, for fans of 5th Avenue Theater =2E This club is just coming together, maturing from an informal get-tog= ether, to an organized club. They're planning 5-7 events for the next = season. Most of the activities are pre or post show get-togethers at n= earby restaurants, offering a chance to talk with members of the creat= ive team and gaining a first-person account of what goes into constructing a= musical. Since this group is new, there's no cost to join (yet), whic= h is amazing, since they offer great=20 discounts (subscriber discounts, pre-sale offers) for members. This up= coming season, they're planning to put together a couple social activities o= utside of show events as well. Seattle Rep Theater : As far as theater groups go, this is Seattle's oldest group of young profe= ssionals, with over 200 members. These folks have the best behind-the-= scenes tours, so you get to see the scene shop and how the costumes are put = together. Then, there's the usual membership benefits, of social event= s, food and drinks before the show, crew parties, and ticket discounts. <= B>Cool Video: This is the best Seattle classis ever: Almost Live - Roscoe's Rug Emporium Featuring Pat Cashman. No= w, ask the usual question of why Almost Live isn't available on DVD?<= /FONT>