Travel

Shore Notes From a First-Time Caribbean Cruise

The most pernicious misconception I had about cruising the Caribbean was the fantasy where I spent the whole time flat on my back on a lounge chair on the upper deck, working on a tan, harassing waiters for daiquiris, and making plans for “second lunch” at the buffet. You can do that, certainly, and cruise lines like to play up the pampering, but if you have an ounce of explorer in you, stopping at a new island each morning will have you up bright and early, ready to hit to the pier. Continue reading Shore Notes From a First-Time Caribbean Cruise

Arts & Entertainment, Music

Seattle Symphony Rings in the New Year With the Ninth

The Seattle Symphony has an annual tradition of ringing in the new year with performances of Beethoven’s Ninth, and this year, Conductor Laureate Gerard Schwarz returns to the podium at Benaroya Hall for these popular concerts. Performances began on Wednesday evening and will be held nightly, culminating in a special New Year’s Eve concert and gala on Saturday night. Continue reading Seattle Symphony Rings in the New Year With the Ninth

News, Transportation

New SR 520 Toll Boosts Microsoft Connector Ridership

You know who doesn’t care about the new SR 520 tolls? Microsoft Connector passengers. Or, rather, they no longer have to care. When I asked Microsoft’s Lou Gellos if the Redmond-based company anticipated a boost in ridership of their private transit system, now that the 520 bridge is being tolled, he chuckled and said they’d already seen an increase: back in April, when the tolls were originally planned to go into effect. Continue reading New SR 520 Toll Boosts Microsoft Connector Ridership

Health, News, Politics

Good Sex, Bad Sex 2011

‘Tis the season of year end highlight lists. I’ve already shared my food highlights, but this food-writer-by-day and sex-educator-by-night (or something like that) has been thinking about the year in sex. With a look at the national scene and a little local (and also a food-flavored) finish, here are some highlights of the political and cultural climate related to sex for 2011, along with a couple of toy recommendations to take you into 2012. Continue reading Good Sex, Bad Sex 2011

Arts & Entertainment, Music

Best Northwest Music Releases of 2011

I eschewed sticking with an all-Seattle roster for my Ten-Best List of 2011, going instead with my gut and using the most basic of criteria: Namely, picking the ten 2011 Northwest releases that I listened to–and enjoyed–the most.
Continue reading Best Northwest Music Releases of 2011

Environment, Health, News

A Few Rules for Seattle’s Small Game Hunters

People turn to the Seattle Times for many things, but not usually for instructions on how to cook and eat squirrels. The reaction in the comments section is varied, but quite a few are not troubled so much by the idea of “eastern gray squirrel braised in Lopez Island white wine with mushrooms and Italian-style rice,” as they are by the cook’s drowning of the squirrel.

As is often the case with trend pieces, the alternative press got there first. Continue reading A Few Rules for Seattle’s Small Game Hunters

Arts & Entertainment, Music

Leroy Bell Brings His X-Factor to the Moore Theatre on New Year’s Eve

Saturday night brings the countdown to the start of a new year, and the unofficial start of LeRoy Bell’s life after The X Factor with a concert at the Moore Theatre. Bell, a former postal carrier who hails from Edmonds, is the local hero who went deepest into the inaugural season of The X Factor. A spin-off of sorts from American Idol, Simon Cowell’s newest show expanded the age range of the contestants, allowing Bell (now 60, though you’d never know from his looks and voice) to perform in the “over 30s” group. His soulful sound propelled him to final eight before elimination. Continue reading Leroy Bell Brings His X-Factor to the Moore Theatre on New Year’s Eve