Belva's Picks

TEATRO ZINZANNI presents LICENSE TO KISS

February 2, 2010

The Bearded One & I were treated to an escape from the humdrum, you all know about humdrum or worse. Well, I’m here to tell you, an evening at Seattle’s TEATRO ZINZANNI will transport you to another time and place. You will most definitely lose the humdrums or the blahs as the magic unfolds.

The theatre viewed from the outside gives you an idea that you are in for something special, the look of a multi-colored tent comes to mind. Inside you experience some place a little bit European, a little bit the twenties, a little bit gypsy and “Dorothy, you and Toto are not in Kansas any more”.

During the leisurely five course dinner, License to Kiss, “The Big Bang Theory, with a Cherry on Top”, leads the diners through a story full of mystery and mayhem. The cast of actors, and this includes the musicians, each and everyone, bring with them an exceptional list of local, national and international credentials. All of this talent comes together for the evening’s entertainment right here in Seattle at TEATRO ZINZANNI.

License to Kiss, with the “house band” setting the mood and ambience, is a combination of zany pranks, elaborate costumes, heart rendering songs, toe-tapping dances, sensual and daring aerial performances, plus a wide variety of audience participation.

Tickets to any TEATRO ZINZANNI production will fill the question of “what can I give the person who has everything or for that matter, anyone at all”. The Bearded One and I strongly suggest getting tickets for yourself and that special someone. The smiles and memories from a TEATRO ZINZANNI night will last long after the show has closed. License to Kiss plays through April 25, 2010.

Teatro ZinZanni
3rd and Mercer Street
Seattle Center’s Theatre District
Seattle, WA
206 802 0015
ZinZanni Website

A SILENT NIGHT

The Great American Dream

Is this the time for you to think about shopping for a house, condo, some place of your own to hang your hat and rest your weary head???

The Most Powerful Healing Device

Belva wasn’t looking so I’m kind of sneaking on to her page to relate some valuable news to everyone. I'll warn you ahead of time, this is a little out of the norm for Belva's Pick's, bit bear with me and you will  find out it does relate to enjoying yourself and not enjoying yourself.

As most of you know by now, at least those of you who visit my Face Book page, I’ve been laid up with a sore knee for a while now—an inflamed tendon. All I know is it hurts like hell, and has for about three weeks now.

I went to the Doctor. He gave me a shot and said if it didn’t get better I was in for physical therapy—in other words, it will heal in time. None of which thrilled me in the least. And then I found an email in my mailbox from my old pal Ted Neff—he’s a fellow screenwriter and owns the Edmonds Wellness Center.

Ted’s email offered a free one hour trial of “THE MOST POWERFUL HEALING DEVICE!!”. The email said I could choose a 1 hour treatment, or 2 thirty minute treatments, or 3 twenty minute treatments.

Read more: The Most Powerful Healing Device

Blue Moon Tavern In Seattle—Americana Music

Fuji... Shoreline's Newst Restaurant

Map

Open to the Public... The Nile Shrine Golf & Country Club

Located between I–5 and Aurora Ave North on the King–Snohomish county line and just east of Lake Ballinger, carefully look for a sign announcing up coming events at the adjacent golf course. Many of us, have driven by and thought, Nile Shrine Golf & Country Club just has to equal a private country club, but not so. This golf course has been open to the public since 1996 and welcomes you, your friends and family.

Golf Pro Randy Puetz comes from a long line of professional golfers. In 1914, long before Randy was a "gleam in any ones eye", his uncles were starting a family golfing tradition. With a flattened can nailed to a 2x4, they had begun to hone the finer points of their long and short game.

Randy remembers growing up on the golf course where his father was the Pro and divots, from the first tee "warm up" area, bounced off of their living room window. It was only natural that Randy, himself became a Golf Pro.

Randy now calls the Nile Golf Club home and is proud to share this little known treasure with the public. The Nile course is well kept with lots of variety and interesting challenges for the golfer. While Nile is an 18 hole course, it is not considered a long course but is said to have some of the fastest greens in the area.

Easy to get tee times and even walk–ons make this course great for that "spur of the moment" need to hit the greens. The Nile’s early bird special is good all day Monday, except holidays. Twilight specials run Friday, Saturday and Sunday year–round with the Sunday twilight allowing children under 17 yrs old to play for free with a paying parent. All this gives lots of opportunity to get in more golfing for your golfing $$s.

Great location, challenging course, affordable green fees, and readily available tee times–what's not to like, see you on the first tee!!!

The Nile Golf Club
6601 244th SW Hwy 104 W
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
425 776 5154 Ext. 512
wwww.nilegolf.com
Map

Chicken Valley In Pike Place Market

The Bearded One has a passion for deep fried chicken gizzards. I think this goes back to his childhood spent on the wheat farms of relatives in eastern Washington.

Now you heart doctors and people eating twigs and branches to keep your heart healthy do not run off just yet. Farm folks of days past ‘worked like dogs’ and ‘ate like horses’, which means they worked at hard physical labor from before sun-up to long after sun-down and needed all the calories they could get.

But, I digress, The Bearded One nearly wept with delight, years ago when, while strolling through Pike Place Market, he discovered a vendor whose menu contained the afore mentioned gizzards. And to this very day he proclaims them to be the best in Seattle.

From time to time, The Bearded One shares with me a bag of deep fried gizzards. I have a weakness for the deep fried livers, as well, so there are a few of them in the bag for me. However, should our Doctor read this, please know we eat salad for the next two days.

So, for all you who wish to sin by eating deep fried chicken gizzards and livers, checkout Chicken Valley in Pike Place Market.

Chicken Valley
Pike Place Public Market
1507 Pike Pl
Main Arcade
Downtown Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 624-2774
Downtown map

Bellevue, WA

The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant

Our dear friends, Bob and Marian received a gift card from their daughter for an evening at The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant. They were kind enough to take The Bearded One and me as their guests. Of the three Puget Sound Melting Pot locations, Bob chose the one located in Bellevue for our evening of enjoyment.

Upon our arrival, we were cordially greeted and promptly shown to a table. Our waiter, Matt, was an absolute delight as he guided us through the protocol of the interactive fondue dining experience. The pleasant ebb and flow of the evening was a direct result of Matt’s attention to our dining needs. This allowed us to enjoy an evening in the company of good friends as well as the fondue experience.

While the history of fondue cooking is somewhat obscure and remains shrouded in mystery, the connotation of a communal meal is the important theme here. Leisurely dining seems to be a luxury for many of us today and fondue dining promotes this much needed break from our usual eating habits.

The menu at the Melting Pot is perfect for both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian, with chicken, steak, Andouille sausage, shrimp, scallops, lobster, or fish fillet. Our waiter, the charming Matt, explained the different cooking styles we could chose from and I must mention the wide selection of condiments that came with our selections were all very tasty and nicely paired with our entrées. However, for me the pièce de résistance was the dessert portion of the evening. We ordered, at Matt’s’ suggestion, a Bananas Foster Flambé which was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal.

Over all this wonder, assistant manager Chris kept a watchful eye and was at the door when we left to ask if our dining experience had been satisfactory.

A profound thank you to Bob and Marian and the Melting Pot for a most enjoyable evening.

The Melting Pot
302 108th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
425 646 2744
www.meltingpot.com
Map

THE MARQUEEN HOTEL, Seattle, WA

THE MARQUEEN HOTEL…

…located in lower Queen Anne is where The Bearded One and I recently celebrated a super deluxe anniversary “date night” package.

First let me tell you about the MarQueen Hotel and then I will describe the package part of the evening. The MarQueen Hotel began life in the 1920’s or so, as a housing and training facility for blacksmiths who worked for the Ford assembly plant located on the shores of Lake Union. Later, this fine building became just another apartment with a Queen Anne address. The story of this building could have ended at this point.

But this was not to be. Enter local investors who saw this tired old apartment building as a diamond in the rough, that only need someone with vision to bring her into her full potential and sparkle.

The MarQueen Hotel has emerged from this “do over” as a perfect example of an intimate European family operated, luxury boutique hotel. However, the Victorian style, grace and ambiance of an east coast 1920’s hotel are what catch you at first glance and around every corner and in every room, this is confirmed.

The rooms, with Queen Ann furnishings and “spot on service”, are to die for. Plush, lush spacious and with all the modern amenities you can hope for. All this and it’s located in the heart of one of Seattle’s major theatre districts.

Stay a night, a week, a month, or longer. Check out the new breakfast room, select evenings of Washington wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres, order room service, eat out, or cook for yourself. Yes, all rooms have a kitchen for your convenience.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby would be right at home staying at the MarQueen Hotel.

THE DATE NIGHT PACKAGE

The MarQueen Hotel will custom design a date night for you and yours. Our date night package included an evening at the famous Teatro ZinZanni dinner theatre. Well, let me tell you that the evening at Teatro ZinZanni was jaw-dropping great!!! The setting and the actors brought us into the world of the theatre, making us participants in the whole experience. The food was as excellent as you would expect to find anywhere and the three hour dinner show was sadly over before we knew it.

The MarQueen Hotel partners with local restaurants and theatres to provide special evening packages designed to stretch your entertainment dollars.

MarQueen Hotel
600 Queen Anne Avenue North
Seattle, Wa 98109
206 282 7407
www.MarQueen.com
Map

Boom Noodle Restaurant, Seattle, WA

BOOM NOODLE RESTAURANT...

…located on Capital Hill was the start of a “date night” recently. The choice of where to have dinner was the luck of the draw. We put the names of restaurants of interest into an unused hat and I drew Boom Noodle.

High concept in design and layout, Boom Noodle presents an ambience of efficiency which is balanced by the warmth and friendliness of the staff. Since we needed to eat early to make it to the theatre on time we were able to be seated in the bar area at a window table.

The Bearded One and I have found that we enjoy sampling as many items as possible the first time we go to a new restaurant. Therefore, we always order form the appetizer menu or in this case from the selection of “small plate” items.

I will not tell you what we had as you should have your own selecting adventure, but I will tell you that everything we ordered was absolutely delicious and the presentation of each dish could well grace the cover of a food magazine. We will certainly return with guests to try more menu items and share this delightful place with others.

Boom Noodle
1121 E. Pike St
Seattle, WA 98122
206 701 9130
www.boomnoodle.com
Map

Seattle Center...

…with its’ iconic Space Needle is recognizable to people worldwide. The Seattle Center has become the community meeting place for people from around the world who now call the Puget Sound area home.

Throughout the year there are currently a total of 22 ethnic groups sharing their rich and diverse stories with us. These FREE cultural events celebrate a national history, allowing some of us to remember and others to learn. Come and celebrate the wonder of brilliant national costumes, traditional foods, songs and dances from around the world. Learn about the crafts and customs from those who know them best. There is always something to keep the kids entertained, whether it is the special children’s activities or the jaw dropping dances or other activities being preformed.

The good folks at Seattle Center have scheduled major events for almost every weekend of the year. During the week take time to check out the less explored areas of this 74 acre entertainment center located in the middle of Seattle. Do not forget the food court for a quick nosh or a ride to the top of the Space Needle for a bird’s eye view of Seattle and Puget Sound and while up there, why not enjoy a sumptuous lunch or dinner with that view.

Rain or shine, summer or winter, The Bearded One and I always enjoy going to the Seattle Center, just the two of us or with friends and do not forget that much of this is FREE for the enjoying. Plan to go often.

The Center is boardered by
Denny Way on the south side,
Mercer St. to the north,
Fifth Ave and Broad St on the East
and 1st Ave on the west.
Entrances located off Mercer, Fifth Ave, Denny Way, Broad St, and 1st Ave.
Phone: 206 443 2001
Events Line: 206 684 8582
www.seattlecenter.com/
Map

Zackys Custom Rods

ZACKYS CUSTOM RODS

There is something at a person's core that responds to raw power—the power of the surf on an incoming tide, the power of lots of money or perhaps the power of an engine being fired up. Now, this can be the engine of an airplane, ship, tugboat, car, truck or motorcycle. The only thing better than the sound of raw power emanating from a vehicle you control, is if that vehicle is jaw dropping beautiful to behold, and a work of art worthy of a museum.

Keith Wong, owner of Zackys Custom Rods, creates custom masterpieces. Call them motorbike, motorcycle, choppers or by any of their other names. Keith will work with you to design a bike that will fulfill your wildest expectations. A true craftsman, Keith will tailor the bikes frame to your height for maximum riding comfort.

As an auto body guy for some 20 plus years, Keith has always taken damaged and bent sheet metal, (as in your smashed fender, door, or side panel) and straightened it, painted it and restored it to it’s former self. Now, he does the reverse, he takes a perfectly flat piece of sheet metal and bends it into the clean timeless lines of a custom “Zackys”.

While Keith himself prefers a more classic art design, he will work with you to produce your own original signature design art work. The finished bike is satisfying to the eye and satin to the touch. Now, you are ready to go out and let your inner-wild-child run free.

At bike rallies and road trips around the country each year, those in the know can easily spot a Zackys among the other bikes.

Zackys Custom Rods
A+N Aurora Body & Paint, Inc.
13720 Aurora Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98133
425 772-2996
206 361-8098 (Body Shop)
Map
www.zackyscustomrods.net

West Seattle & Alki Beach

West Seattle is known for having developed at its own pace. It’s become a place where the sense of community is strong. There life is lived with the ease ones finds in a small town not yet overrun by mega-this and mega-that. Most who work there live there, and are proud of the friendliness and civility with which they conduct their daily lives.

Six or seven blocks along California Street are the heart of West Seattle’s commercial district. They’re filled with restaurants, taverns and shops of all kinds. Your clerk or wait person there may well be an owner or family member who’s ready to assist you. When you leave and they say, “Have a nice day,” you know they really mean it.

West Seattle has a lot to offer visitors and residents. There’s history to learn, parks at every turn, theaters that delight and entertain, ethnic restaurants to satisfy your quest for something different. There are places for biking, walking, birding, jogging, running, or skating.

Alki Beach, Seattle’s true beachfront, has miles of sand, tide flats and the smoothest sidewalks around. Bring a picnic lunch, kids and their friends, to make a day of it, breath that salt-tangy fresh air, watch for marine traffic, look at the far vistas. You will go home feeling that somehow your horizons have expanded.

Thank you, Tom (our West Seattle Connection) for allowing me to repackage your interview about West Seattle.

Skip to West Seattle & Alki Beach
Map

Tacoma Washington...

…newly reborn, lives up to its historic moniker of “City of Destiny.” New and revitalized museums, theatres, restaurants, hotels, art galleries and parks developed over the past 15 years have made Tacoma a class act in many ways.

For example, works of internationally-known glass artist Dale Chihuly abound in many public places FREE for the viewing. In fact, Tacoma has become a place where artists working in every medium thrive and produce wonderful art works for your enjoyment and purchase.

The Tacoma Dome is another all-time favorite with a wide range of scheduled events on a year-round basis to excite the whole family.

And don’t forget the famous Point Defiance Zoo as a place to spend an afternoon with your young ones, observing and admiring the fauna. Point Defiance is something kids will want to talk about at bedtime and recall for years to come.

Do yourself (and your budget) a favor. Rediscover Tacoma and plan a mini-vacation of a day or more exploring the wonders of the City of Destiny.

Click here to_skip_to_Tacoma for maps and directions.

WINE STYLES IN MARYSVILLE

Retired career Navy couple Eric and Vicki had a second career vision. Civic community involvement, smaller (rather than larger) town, a place to put down roots, and a family- run business that would let them become integrated into the everyday lives of their neighbors.

Eric and Vicki’s vision was a wine shop, yes. But an expanded, non-traditional one, not at all like the usual formula. Still, there were those who swore that a wine shop in any form, located in a residential shopping mall between a state liquor store and a major grocery, and located on the east side of Marysville, Washington (of all places) would never find its audience.

Enter Wine Styles, the very special wine shop Eric and Vicki opened in January, 2008, as their dream sprouted to life. But their vision doesn’t stop here. Eric wisely obtained a restaurant license plus a wine and beer license as well. Now you may ask, why would wine shop owners want these extra licenses? Well, here’s the cool part of Eric and Vicki’s foresight: residential mall crawlers often bring minors along. With the additional licenses in place at Wine Styles, customers/friends with children in tow can stop by and browse. They can bring or order-in lunch or dinner, sit and have a glass of wine, no problem. And the kids can stay, too.

Eric refers to the Wine Styles shop as their 2100-square foot “living room.” They host Monday Night football gatherings, wine tastings 4 to 5 nights a week, and Thanksgiving potluck for neighborhood friends.

Wine Styles carries over 235 varieties of wines from across the country and around the world. Washington wines are regularly featured during their wine tastings. Joining their wine club generates lots of customer perks Eric and Vicki can detail for you. When stopping by to try out a new wine (or recall an old favorite), allow extra time to peruse Vicki’s ever-expanding selection of wine accessories.

WineStyles
6608 64th Street NE, Suite A
Marysville, WA 98270
360-658- 4850
Marysville WineStyles website
Map

The Crest Cinema...

...is located in Shoreline, has a $3.00 admission charge for all ages, all shows. Such a deal!

Opening its doors in the late 1940s, The Crest has grown over the decades from one screen to four. Together, they offer visual fare of art and foreign films as well as blockbusters currently popular. Quite a range.

The Bearded One and I have enjoyed movies at The Crest for many years. Go early on weekends as those days often sell out early. If you can plan for a mid-week “date night,” you are sure to get seating then.

In these times of soaring prices and shrinking dollars, your pocketbook will be pleased that you’ve chosen The Crest for a family movie night. And the popcorn is so good!

The Crest Cinema Center
16505 5th Avenue NE
Shoreline, WA 98155
206 363-6338
Crest Cinema Center Website
Map

Third Place Commons...

…is located in the Lake Forest Park Mall. Unusual for a shopping mall, this one offers FREE entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings, 7:30-11:00 PM. Live music such as jazz, blues, country or the big band sound gets everyone moving. The dance floor even has a roped-off area so the small ones can practice their own mini-moves. And don’t be surprised to see someone giving out with some poetry or other performance. Hey, everyone needs a friendly place to polish up the act.

Third Place Commons offers a “neighborhood living room” atmosphere where young and old alike gather to play cards, chat, read, be entertained, or just plain get out of the house for an evening. You’ll see couples with baby carriages and strollers meeting and greeting others with common interests.

The Commons offers a giant 8ft X 8ft chess board with play pieces sized to fit. This friendly atmosphere offers neighborhood students a place to gather and study. There are FREE WiFi and power outlets available, if you’re a computer person.

The adjoining Third Place Books offers cozy nooks with comfortable chairs for use as you look over the latest published arrivals. While there, you’ll probable notice an upcoming date for an author giving a reading and book-signing.

Opposite the stage and dance floor is a food court offering a variety of cuisine. Beer and wine, too. Treat yourself to a meal or just a dessert. Bottom line: for as little as $8 per person, you can have nice meal and a full evening of entertainment. Definitely check this place out!!!

Third Place Commons
Upper Level Lake Forest Park Towne Center
17171 Bothell Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
(206) 366-3302
Third Place Commons Website
Map

WESTERN WASHINGTON WINE COUNTRY...

…commenced when the first wine grapes were planted at Fort Vancouver in 1895. A hundred years later, Washington residents were growing grapes and making wine with ever- increasing gusto. Now, our state is the nation’s second largest wine producer! International winemakers have chosen Washington as a place to let their artistry flourish. As a result, our region is ranked among the world’s top wine regions.

The wine crafting country of Western Washington remains young and vibrant. Cutting-edge artisans continually create new and exotic blends. Did the movie SIDEWAYS inspire you to go on a wine-tasting pilgrimage? Look no further than the Puget Sound area. A start in Woodinville will give you the most bang for your buck as a bunch of wineries are within walking distance of each other—well, a golf cart ride, anyway. Other fine wineries can be reached after a scenic drive or ferry ride. The tasting rooms are often staffed personally by the owner or winemaker, willing to discuss at length the label’s latest creation.

Listen up wine lovers: whatever your time, budget and energy level for wine tasting, you’ll be able to satisfy it right here in the Puget Sound area. No need to travel to Australia, France, Italy or even California; just head over to Woodinville for a self-guided tour or share your enjoyment on a tour group.

Skip to Redmond/Woodinville Wineries for maps and addresses of wineries.