Lahaina Harbor, Maui

Seattle Gay News
Issue 08, Volume 37, February 20, 2008
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Maui is Mother Nature’s gift to lovers.
From every breathtaking seaside cliff,
gorgeous sandy beach, or even the towering mountain peaks in the center of this
island paradise, couples are treated to a
serenity that just can’t be found on the
mainland. Thanks to the “Aloha Spirit,”
Gay and Lesbian couples have a tropical
haven that is safe and welcoming to all.
With three major airlines offering daily
non-stop flights, often with a choice of
two departure times, a vacationer can find
themselves on the happiest six-hour flight
of their life. There are so many bargains
being offered right now from airlines and
hotels, you and your partner are sure to
find an affordable deal in spite of this
time of year being a peak season. With
July and August as two of their busiest
months, I say take advantage of “two for
one” and “third night free” deals now, and
just before summer. The airport is about
an hour away from all of the best hotels,
and the most beautiful destinations are
spread around in every direction, so a
car is a must. You can forget about late-
Didier b
by Richard Kennedy
SGN A&E Writer
Sunset on Maui
night clubbing, as you won’t find a single
Gay bar in sight. This is all about the two
of you enjoying sunsets, coastal drives
and late-night walks on the shores. If
planning a vacation or honeymoon in
Maui, go to www.visitmaui.com for up to
date information. This is how I suggest
enjoying your trip on this beautiful, romantic island.
STAY
Maui Sunseeker
www.mauisunseeker.com
One of the nicest and more affordable
surprises at this sunny haven was our
stay at the Maui Sunseeker, the only Gay
and Lesbian hotel located in Kihei on
Maui’s beautiful south shore. Many Gay
hotels can be seedy, lending themselves
,
Gee s Bend
Regional Premiere
by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder
to a cruisy atmosphere, but the Sunseeker overflows with tropical splendor, 17
tastefully remodeled rooms and suites
that all boast an ocean or garden view,
and a friendly staff that make this modest
resort a fantastic place to stay. There is the
obligatory clothing-optional hot tub and
deck, but it’s well balanced with a classy
clientele of both Gay and Lesbian couples. Located across the street from the
beach, you even have the option to get
the Penthouse Suite with its own private lanai and hot tub. Updated with a
contemporary motif, this 1000-squarefoot, one-bedroom suite offers amazing
views spanning neighboring islands to
the West Maui Mountains, and with the
new sleeper sofa the suite accommodates
four guests. While the other rooms are
smaller, they all offer a mini-refrigerator,
microwaves, complimentary parking and
beach supplies all within the same updated modern decor. The only drawback is
that it’s not particularly close to the hot-
see Maui page 13
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2
Seattle Gay News
Celebrating 35 Years!
February 20, 2008
TV4051_Culture_10x16.indd 1
CLIENT:
Tourism Vancouver
1/23/09 4:19:55 PM
TRIM:
10” x 16”
Black
PMS Magenta C
Visit us online www.sgn.org
February 20, 2008
Seattle Gay News
3
Treasure Island reinvents
itself, re-energizes Vegas
by Jessica Price
SGN A&E Writer
file photo
Can a fabulously indulgent Las Vegas
weekend be done in less than 48 hours on
a modest budget? Having been to Sin City
on numerous occasions, I wanted to find the
latest hotspot when I returned there late last
year; affordable, yet nothing less than topnotch. TI, the revamped Treasure Island Hotel and Casino right in the center of the Vegas Strip, has quietly become the #1 choice
of Seattle’s hippest frequent travelers. Since
my trip was going to be a brief one – pampering with a little excitement thrown in
– this is exactly what I had in mind. In the
months preceding my trip, everyone from a
favorite bartender in Seattle to the staff at
my favorite salon kept emphasizing what
an impressive, all-around package TI offers. What I found was that it exceeded
every expectation and was definitively a
buzz-worthy destination in the oversaturated Vegas market. Not only that, the prices
were extremely reasonable and the hotel’s
care of its guests a top priority. In fact, with
all of the features and entertainment available, it’s quite possible you may not need to
leave the massive grounds of TI at all during
your stay – everything necessary for an allinclusive weekend getaway is right at your
fingertips. At the moment, TI is featuring an
online Winter Solstice package including an
incredible range of discounts and free bonus
offerings. (Check www.ti.com for details.)
Allow me to unveil the coolness of this new
hotel.
service offerings made my first impression
complete. With prices ranging from $89$499 for deluxe rooms, and suites starting
at $140, I felt that I was getting the most for
my money compared to other recent visits to
the Las Vegas area. And even on a very busy
Friday night, the lines for checking in were
quickly and efficiently moved along, and
each guest (a noticeably hip mix of people
corn cakes and pico de gallo, paired with a
few of the finest margaritas in town. Isla’s
bar stocks over 90 tequilas every night, and
your server will be only too happy to explain
the nuances of each one. Mexican food this
authentic is not so easy to find back home in
Seattle, I felt truly spoiled with the wide array of selections.
Worth a mention also is the restaurant
I chose on day two of my visit, Pho at TI.
Pho boasts that it is the only Vietnamese restaurant in Las Vegas, and coming from the
Northwest where Vietnamese cuisine can be
found on virtually every corner, I found Pho
to be surprisingly delicious. I chose grilled
chicken skewers over vermicelli, as well as
an order of tofu salad rolls. What I discov-
ACCOMMODATIONS
Checking into the TI’s contemporary
lobby was a breeze; I noticed right away the
fanciful chandeliers and modernized décor
– quite a change from the days of old, when
Treasure Island leaned a bit heavily on the
pirate theme and attracted more families.
Not so anymore. The new décor and general vibe is much more refined and upscale.
My room was spacious with an understated
contemporary feel. Marble bathrooms and
dark wood-framed mirrors with gleaming fixtures brought out the richness of the
soft earth tones. Each of the 2,885 guest
suites in the tri-tower hotel features floorto-ceiling glass with a spectacular view of
the mountains and the tropical pool, or the
lagoon structure facing The Strip. Custom
designed pillow-top beds, high-speed internet access, and a menu of spa and room
ranging from mid-20s to about 40 years old) ered was this little hidden gem at TI actually
was treated with personal attention.
rivals the best Seattle Vietnamese cooking
– my meal was perfection, and service genEAT/DRINK
uinely kind and courteous. The prices, like
A trip to Vegas is never complete with- everything else at TI, were reasonable and
out a little dining and nightlife. My favorite the menu extensive.
restaurant at TI proved to be Isla Mexican
Next up was a trip to Christian Audigier’s
Kitchen and Tequila Bar. Mexico City-born The Nightclub, a chic new hotspot designed
and James Beard Award-winning chef Rich- by the rock ‘n’ roll fashion designer himself.
ard Sandoval infuses traditional Mexican The glam-inspired club incorporates Audigicuisine prepared in not-so-traditional ways. er’s trademarks such as roses, skulls, thorns,
I chose spiced chicken breast served over gleaming crystal and various works of art
4
February 20, 2008
Seattle Gay News
Treasure Island, Las Vegas
throughout the club and bar areas. Drinks
were stiff and the bartenders all decked out
in Audigier-style fashion. The stylish patio
area offers a full view of the lagoon outside
and features glass sculptures behind the
bar. I noticed a long line of beautiful people
waiting outside both nights during my stay,
but if you check with the hotel staff VIP
cards can be found to usher you inside. This
is definitely the most striking and unusual of
the newest Sin City clubs, and just the place
to end a long day in Vegas.
RELAX
After a refreshingly quiet night’s sleep,
I got up early for the part of my trip I was
most looking forward to: a visit to Wet, the
Spa and Salon at TI. Water plays a large role
in TI’s general theme, and the spa’s aquatic
design and sea-inspired tones conveyed
a sense of fluidity and relaxation at first
glance. The Spa offers a variety of signature
water-based services, including seaweed
wraps and massages for both men and women. While resting in my plush robe and slippers, I eyed the menu of services. Wet offers
quite a long list, including all types of nail
care, waxing, and hair cut or color services.
After the previous day’s fast-paced travel,
I opted for the Wet Signature Massage, an
hour-long full-body service including customized essential oils, paraffin wraps for
the feet, and a scalp massage. The lighting,
music, and scents in the room were subtle
and luxurious. I haven’t had a classic Swedish massage so languid, deep, and perfectly
balanced with tension alleviation in quite
some time; in fact, I would venture to say
that it’s one of the best I’ve had anywhere.
With prices from $70-$140, you can’t afford
not to indulge.
Next, I received a quick haircut and waxing “add-on” service; add-ons are easy to
schedule (just inquire with any staff member) and very inexpensive. Prices range
from $25-$115 for haircuts and various
coloring services, and $20-$80 for waxing.
Feeling freshly scrubbed and relaxed, I ended my visit with a complementary use of the
Spa’s gym facility, featuring all the standard
equipment in a quiet, co-ed setting. After my
workout, I enjoyed a private shower and dip
in the Jacuzzi. Use of the gym is available
at any time, but complementary with some
services if you choose to go at any time on
the day of your service. For relaxation with
an upbeat, yet not over-the-top ambiance,
I’d highly recommend spending an afternoon indulging in a few different services
at Wet. Every artist and technician I visited
was skilled, friendly, and ultra-professional.
This visit was the best present I’ve given
myself in some time. Like any good spa experience, it left me wondering why I don’t
make the time for such little luxuries more
often.
Celebrating 35 Years!
Courtesy Shaun Knittel
Badlands Saloon
Las Vegas: desert,
glamour, and beyond
by Shaun Knittel
Special to the SGN
and each casino
boasts at least one,
times have changed.
These days it’s all
about great dining
at a good price. Dining in Las Vegas can
accommodate any
budget.
Inside all of the
main casinos you
will find fine dining, a café, buffet,
fast food court, and
a few ethnic restaurants. Two Vegas
favorites, steak and
roast beef dinners
are available everywhere. Chain restaurants such as Denny’s, McDonald’s,
and Applebee’s can
be found along the
Strip.
What to see
Las Vegas didn’t
earn the nickname
“Entertainment
Capitol of the World” for no reason. You
can see almost any type of show you can
imagine, from Elvis impersonators to female impersonators, and you are sure to be
entertained.
What other city in the world can say that
on any given night you could choose from
a Barry Manilow, Elton John, Cher, Tina
Turner, or Bette Midler show?
Magic shows, gigantic stage productions,
and musicals are all available for under $100
a ticket. All shows, including the Chippendales and other burlesque entertainment,
include one or two drinks and sometimes a
dinner as well.
If you are looking for some fun off the
beaten path, you can check out the Brian
Head Ski Resort, fly over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter tour, visit the Valley of
Fire, see the Liberace Museum, and take a
trip back in time at the Bonnie Springs Old
Nevada – complete with a daily old western
gunfight, melodrama theatre show, and petting zoo.
five blocks above Freemont Street at Downtown Las Vegas. The venue is the location of
free concerts, art exhibits, and the location
of the city’s annual New Year’s Eve party.
Tourists looking for a little something beyond the glitz and glamour of the city need
not worry, as there is plenty to do outside
the city limits. Major tourist destinations
include Hoover Dam, 30 miles southeast of
the city, Lake Mead, the largest man-made
lake and reservoir in the United States, and
Mount Charleston, approximately 35 miles
northwest of Las Vegas offering snowcapped mountains half of the year. For NASCAR fans, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway
is located just outside the city in a 1,200acre complex of multiple tracks.
Where to drink & dance
Combine the different areas of the city
The Gay community is split between two
with its surrounding attractions it’s easy to areas of town; the Fruit Loop on Paradise – a
see why Nevada’s most populace city re- mere two blocks from the Strip – and inside
ceives millions of visitors a year.
the Commercial Center on Sahara, also near
the Strip.
Gay Vegas
The Fruit Loop is where most tourists end
For many years Las Vegas has been a up. The newest edition to the “Loop” is 8 ½
popular destination for GLBT tourists. But Ultra Lounge and Piranha Nightclub. Half
few tourists know that just beyond the Strip lounge and half dance club, with a friendly
there is a whole world of fun to be had with staff and nightly drink specials, this destinathe small, but evident, Gay Vegas commu- tion has quickly become a hotspot for locals
nity.
and tourists. Themed nights and drag performances can be found most nights inside
Where to stay
the trendy 8 ½ Piranha.
Las Vegas accommodations run the gamGipsy is a favorite with locals, and has
bit from pricey and luxurious to roach motel been for nearly 20 years. Recently under
and seedy. It’s the in-between that should new management, the club hosts “Ladies
catch your eye. For the best rates on hotel Night” on Saturdays, which have quickly
rooms, look for a room in any one of the become popular with the local Lesbian
Downtown properties or budget hotels lo- community because Vegas has yet to have
cated just blocks away from the Strip on a strictly girl bar. Gipsy is always full and
Paradise road. Still, Vegas hotels are famous
for great deals, so you just may get to rent
that great room with a view depending on
your budget.
A favorite with the locals are the Station
Hotel and Casinos which consist of Sam’s
Town, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Palace Station, and Sunset Station. All of the
Station properties are located off the Strip
but offer taxi or shuttle service between the
hotels.
The Blue Moon Gay Resort is Las Vegas
only Gay resort. The 45-room three-star resort offers both smoking and non-smoking
wheelchair accessible rooms, a lagoon-style
pool, sundeck and lounge, and many other
amenities at an affordable price. Located
at 2651 Westwood Drive, the resort is just
minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip.
Las Vegas at a glance
Internationally known as “Sin City” or
“The Entertainment Capitol of the World,”
Las Vegas has been a popular destination for
travelers who want to win a jackpot on the
slots, dine at a buffet and see a good show.
Often copied, but never bested, Las Vegas
does not disappoint.
Las Vegas, Spanish for the meadow, officially became a city in 1911. The amazing
population growth during the 20th century
earned the city the nickname “Boomtown,
USA.” Being internationally renowned as
a major resort city for gambling and shopping brought the population of the Las Vegas metropolitan area to over one million in
2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
– something even Bugsy Siegal couldn’t
have predicted when he opened the infamous Flamingo Hotel in 1946.
Gambling on the weather is one bet you
are sure to win if you place your money on
the sun. Las Vegas is a city surrounded by
dry mountains, and much of the landscape
is rocky and dusty. Locals and visitors alike
enjoy an arid desert climate. During the
summer temperatures can reach over 100
degrees Fahrenheit with lows in the winter
reaching an average of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The air contains very low humidity,
frequently under 10%.
The four-mile Las Vegas Boulevard –
from space it’s the brightest metropolitan
area on Earth – houses resorts, casinos, and
shopping malls known as the Vegas Strip. It
is there you will find such iconic hotels like
the pink Circus Circus, enormous Caesars
Palace, and Stratosphere, with its 1,149foot observation deck – the tallest of its kind
in the United States – offering breathtaking
views of the valley.
The Las Vegas Strip is home to 31 different casino and resort properties. Eighteen of
the world’s 25 largest hotels by room count
are on the Strip. Among the architecture defining the city’s skyline are a pyramid and
sphinx, statue of liberty, Eifel tower, and a
colorful medieval castle, to name a few.
The famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las
Vegas” sign is located at the official southern end of the Strip. The sign has been welcoming visitors since its creation in 1959.
The north end of the Strip begins with
Downtown Las Vegas, an area of town that
still offers locals and visitors the chance to
experience old Vegas charm. The casinos,
Where to eat
most of which have been operating since the
No matter what your taste – be it Mexican
1960s, offer cheaper rates on hotel rooms
and looser slot machines. The best-known or Middle Eastern, Italian or Japanese – you
attraction is the Freemont Street Experience, will not go hungry in Las Vegas. True, while
a 1,500-foot barrel vault canopy stretching the Vegas style buffet is the town’s standard
Visit us online www.sgn.org
boasts a large dance floor, drag show, and
full bar.
FreeZone, open 24 hours daily, is the best
deal in town. The average drink is $3.50
with a 4-8 p.m. happy hour daily. There is
never a cover charge and the business alternates between drag shows, Ladies Night,
and Boys Night effortlessly.
All of the Fruit Loop properties accept
major credit cards and feature an ATM inside the bar. There is a taxi stand in front of
Gipsy making it easy for tourists to get to
and from the Strip.
The Commercial Center bars are some of
the oldest in Gay Vegas. Spotlight Lounge,
open 24 hours every day, has an average $2
drink price and offers beer and liquor busts
nightly.
Sharing space with Spotlight Lounge in
the Commercial Center is the LGBT Center,
Entourage men’s spa, and the popular Badlands Saloon.
Badlands, like Spotlight, offers daily beer
and liquor busts and is popular with the Gay
cowboy crowd. Badlands fancies itself as
a neighborhood bar complete with pool tables, beer mugs, and jukebox.
If country and western or National Gay
Rodeo is your scene, then after visiting Badlands you can mosey over to Charlie’s Las
Vegas.
Charlie’s, located on Arville road, is a
bright clean, saloon popular with the country and western Gays. The bar is also a local
waterhole for members of the bear community.
Also located off the Strip, Fruit Loop, and
Commercial Center scene is the Las Vegas
Eagle.
The Eagle, located on Tropicana, is most
popular for the Wednesday and Friday Underwear night. From 10 p.m.- 2 a.m., if you
wear your briefs, panties, or jockstrap, you
drink for free. The bar has a pool table and
small dance floor and is open 24 hours a
day.
If you are looking to dance your Monday
blues away then Goodtimes if for you. Every Monday is Boys Night at Goodtimes,
with a $15 liquor bust from 11 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Goodtimes offers a dance floor, pool tables,
and outdoor patio for smokers.
Krave, located on the Las Vegas Strip, is
the only alternative club to ever be located
on Las Vegas Boulevard and is the hottest
thing to hit Gay Vegas in years. Krave is a giant space, boasting a nightclub, theater, and
lounge. Krave is located next to the Planet
Hollywood Resort and Casino. Nightly
Krave has shows, dancing, and food. Valet
parking is available and there is a $20 cover
charge.
Like Freezone and Gipsy, Krave offers a
Ladies Night as well, but a mixed crowd is
always welcome at all three venues.
Most bars or nightclubs in Las Vegas are
open 24 hours and offer tabletop poker at
the bar. The city is, in general, Gay-friendly,
so you don’t have to stick to just Gay bars to
have a good time. Las Vegas is not known as
a Gay city, but certainly will not discriminate or turn Gay business away. For your
next vacation, if you are looking to have a
great time, be entertained, and leave with a
few more friends and phone numbers than
when you arrived, then Las Vegas is the
place for you.
A spectacular cliff side setting
for commitment ceremonies,
or just time away together.
www.cavebinn.com ~ (509) 785-2283 ~ 344 Silica Road NW, Quincy WA
Just over 2 hours from Seattle: take I-90 E to exit 143, Silica Rd.
February 20, 2008
Seattle Gay News
5
Tacoma a surprising
weekend getaway
ier. The lobby is chic and exciting, offering
guests ample space to unwind, read a book,
sip an afternoon latte, marvel at unique
glasswork displays, or all of the above in a
colorful, vibrant ambiance. Rooms, such as
my corner suite, are decked out in trendy decor like fire red lamps, midnight blue chaise
lounges, and hand-embroidered resting pillows, not to mention large firm beds with
duvets, flat-panel TVs, multi-cabinet drawers, in-room robes and Aveda bath products.
Complimentary morning newspaper at
your doorstep, iPod docking stations, free
wireless and good-sized working desks
complete the amenities. Murano’s 24-hour
business center, while centrally situated on
the ground level, expensively charges for
its hardwire internet access, so bring your
laptop if you intend to polish an AM sales
presentation. With original glass pieces
displayed everywhere by top artists, like
world-renowned Dale Chihuly, and within
minutes of museums, financial offices, convention center and University of Washington-Tacoma campus, Hotel Murano is not
just a prime location, but a cool one at that.
EAT / DRINK
RELAX
Savi Spa
www.savidayspa.com
Over the years I’ve become an advocate
for massage as therapy in contrast to indulgence – though it effectively kills two
birds with one hot stone. An afternoon at
Savi Spa was just what my body was begging for, and it began with a quick change
into a soft robe in a stall no bigger than a
closet – I would’ve preferred a locker room,
but that’s the spoiled traveler in me talking.
After a glass of water in a modest relaxation
lounge, my therapist escorted me to a dimly
lit room and explained my treatments – a
chocolate massage and desperately needed
eyelift. The 60-minute rubdown was superb,
as my therapist loosened a myriad of knots
on my back and relieved tension on each of
my calves. A chocolate massage is close to
what it sounds like: a full-body session with
cocoa-infused oil that supposedly rids you
of stubborn toxins. My eyelift was brief yet
essential, a healthier service for facial baggage than collagen injections – instead, collagen strips are positioned just below the
lower lashes. Pedicures, manicures, acne
management, and a terrific array of peels
and exfoliations are other treatments provided at Savi Spa.
SEE
Museum of Glass and
Tacoma Art Museum
www.museumofglass.org and
www.TacomaArtMuseum.org
Two of the state’s best museums are within five minutes of each other in downtown
Tacoma. The Museum of Glass, a coneshaped fixture with a stunning 500-footlong pedestrian overpass showcasing a
Michael Lane
p. kennard
Lobby Bar and Bite
www.hotelmuranotacoma.com
To the immediate right of the concierge
booth at Hotel Murano is the Lobby Bar, a
sophisticated drinking spot that has attracted the underground hipster squad residing
or working in the downtown vicinity. An
illuminated bar counter, rectangular fireplace, nifty armchairs and beverage tables,
great selection of spirits, positive energy,
and some of the friendliest service I’ve ever
encountered in my travels add equally to
its splendor. The drawback for Lobby Bar
is that it presently doesn’t serve food to its
clientele, many of them regulars, and instead points them upstairs to the restaurant
– not only is this an inconvenience, but a
shame, since the lobby is quite comfortable
and oozing in chic. Hotel Murano’s signa-
the edgy-alternative hotties, I loved the
warm reception I got as an outsider stepping onto foreign turf – I even received a
hug from a total stranger, and you can’t put
a price tag on that.
Tacoma Museum of Glass
by Albert Rodriguez
SGN A&E Writer
Nobody plans a getaway to Tacoma. You
haphazardly arrive there for a major concert or an important business meeting, then
suddenly it’s time to whisk back to Seattle.
But, why not stay the night? Sure, Tacoma
has gotten a bad rap for its unpleasant odor,
near ghostown vibe, and, well, lack of any
character other than “odd.” In recent years,
Washington’s third-largest city has dolled
up its waterfront, carved a museum district by the harbor, added a light rail system
downtown, opened its own convention and
trade center, and welcomed a stream of tantalizing restaurants, bars, shops and cafes on
its main thoroughfares. It’s a new chapter
for Tacoma, as skyrocketing house prices
in Seattle have enticed many young professionals to buy lofts and condos in the centralized districts, the same young achievers
who meet for happy hour at Matador or take
in a symphony performance at the Rialto
Theater. The Gay scene in the “City of Des-
tiny” is undergoing another cycle of transition with only a handful of places to escape
the straight college crowds and rowdy military pods – Tacoma continually loses Gay
residents as many of them eventually relocate to Seattle or Portland. One gentleman
at a bar said he hopes people will re-think
the idea of visiting Tacoma, and I agree – at
least give it a chance. Here’s how I recommend spending an overnight at this nearby
destination.
STAY
Hotel Murano
www.hotelmuranotacoma.com
Fresh on the Tacoma scene is Hotel Murano, which replaced the decades-old Sheraton
– one of the city’s tallest structures, easily
visible from I-5. Opened in 2008, the property has done the impossible: appear boutique in a massive dwelling. With 25 floors
of available rooms, Murano is a beast in
comparison to neighboring hotels that tiptoe
just high enough for views of Mount Rain-
T h e PAC I F IC N O R T H W E S T ’ S
GROCERY & GIFT MARKET
To View Our Weekly Specials
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6
Seattle Gay News
February 20, 2008
Washington State History Museum
ture dining option is Bite, peering down at
the lobby from the fourth floor and offering
American favorites in a semi-formal setting. My dinner was satisfying, although
the tasty meatloaf almost swam in its sauce,
but the next morning’s eggs Benedict with
sliced proscuitto and just-brewed Starbucks
coffee was on the mark. Regional-accented
dishes include Pac Northwest Cobb salad,
mustard-grilled wild salmon, Pyramid ale
fish ‘n’ chips, buttermilk huckleberry pancakes, gingerbread French toast, and truffled mac ‘n’ cheese. Prices are reasonable,
atmosphere is upbeat, and the service was
cordial yet could’ve been chipper. Overall,
I recommend Lobby Bar for cocktails and
Bite for breakfast.
The Mix
www.myspace.com/themixtacoma
Club Silverstone remains the premier Gay
establishment in Tacoma, but the newest kid
on the non-hetero block (actually, several
blocks away) is The Mix. Located in the
St. Helens district, this corner bar is where
you’ll find cute 20somethings wiggling their
backsides to Lady GaGa and Rihanna, middle-aged guys singing karaoke standards,
and older men pounding Mac ‘n’ Jacks on
the intimate L-shaped counter. Aside from
ceiling of Chihuly original pieces, sits on
the peaceful Dock Street steps away from
another attraction, the Washington State
History Museum. The Glass Museum, as
it’s unofficially referred to, features impressive works by many regional glass artists
and others from around the world. Current
exhibits include Dante Marioni: Form, Color, Pattern through March 8, Dale Chihuly:
The Laguna Murano Chandelier through
April 19, and White Light: Glass Compositions by Daniel Clayman. I overheard a
teenage student say to a fellow classmate,
“these are more complex and exciting as
I thought they’d be,” referring to the displayed art, and it’s true – what might appear
uninteresting is actually fascinating. Don’t
miss checking out “The Studio,” where you
can view glass artists busy at work. At Tacoma Art Museum, you’ll find more works
by the eye-patch-wearing Chihuly, but also
paintings, sculptures, and even jewelry by
Washington state-based artists, such as Yakima native Isaac Layman. Current exhibits include The Surrealist Impulse, The 9th
Annual Biennial, and David Macaulay: The
Way He Works. The Museum of Glass and
Tacoma Art Museum both have cafes for a
quick bite or cup of coffee following your
self-guided tours.
Celebrating 35 Years!
Seattle's Pan Pacific
Hotel raises its profile
nally, dessert was maybe too chilled – lemon
cheesecake drizzled with a strawberry couli
– though nonetheless a delight that finished
off an overall impressive meal. Seastar’s
menu changes seasonally, and this time of
year the selections include trout, mahi mahi,
tilapia and a hearty Northwest seafood stew,
and for non-fish eaters, chicken and beef entrees are offered. The wine list is stellar, featuring several regional bottles, and if cocktails with sushi or oysters are what you’re
more in the mood for, try the Raw Bar
tucked inside Seastar’s ample dining space,
adorned in soft brown tones and minimal
wall art. It should also be mentioned that
service was first-class – attentive, prompt,
and always with a smile.
Kenner-Lodis
courtesy Pan Pacific Hotel
RELAX
Up until Vida Spa came along late last
year, another add-on to the Pan Pacific family, I had mixed feelings about referring anyone to a good spa in Seattle because, honestly, there are less than a handful worth a
recommendation. It’s one thing to get a massage and enjoy it; it’s another thing to walk
that provides guests with a fireplace, oversized suede and leather armchairs, complimentary herbal teas, water two ways – with
cucumber or lemon, and a signature pecanfruit medley often requested by clients beyond their visits. The foyer of the place is
spiffy and eco-friendly, certainly inviting to
an upscale and planet-caring visitor. I didn’t
expect my treatment of a Vigor Wrap to be
so involving, though it was and my body
filed no complaints – just sighs of relief. It
began with a complete disrobe, followed
by a body exfoliation consisting of organic
oils and warm sugar, then a shea butter application before being wrapped up like a cocoon – kind of scary, since you have no use
of your arms and legs for about 20 minutes,
though your therapist is directly behind you
to start a relaxing scalp massage. After a
quick rinsing shower in a private stall inside
the treatment room, a head to toe massage
finalizes the session, and I remember my
therapist using long, penetrative strokes on
my legs, which needed them because I’m
on foot most days. Even a decent massage
is hard to criticize because affording one is
Pan Pacific Hotel
by Albert Rodriguez
SGN A&E Writer
What was once considered a poor man’s
holiday has now become a routine little
splurge, a nearby retreat referred to as a
“staycation.” This backyard getaway isn’t
just a money-saver; it’s a night away from
home that provides the luxuries of traveling
without standing in airport security lines or
waking up at the crack of dawn to catch an
early train. Staycations are great on the wallet and have proven to be popular for those
celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or a pat
on the back for a hard-earned job promotion.
In some instances, like power outages due
to severe weather or reparation issues on
a new home, it’s a matter of having to stay
elsewhere for a night or two – thus, make a
vacation out of it. In Seattle, we’re fortunate
to have an array of boutique and chain hotels, from modest to high-end, and the Pan
Pacific is one of them to consider. Not only
is it central to downtown and Capitol Hill,
but it also opened its doors to our community as a premier sponsor of the 2008 Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. From check-in
to check-out, this is what an overnight at the
Pan Pacific Hotel (www.panpacific.com/Seattle) is like.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There’s a sense you’re in the Northwest
upon walking into the Pan Pacific Hotel, the
rich brown color scheme and left shoulder
lobby area with fireplace are the kind of
earthy finds one associates with the natural landscape of this region. Boasting 160
rooms and suites, the enormity of this property is another thing you notice immediately
– part of the redeveloped South Lake Union
district, its 11 floors of retail and guest space
overwhelm everything else in the vicinity,
even its adjacent residential tower. Aside
from the reception desk, lobby, cozy nook,
and entrance to the bar-lounge, there are two
hardwired computer stations with compli-
mentary internet for guests. Rooms, such as
mine on the 10th floor, have plenty of windows offering generous views to mountains,
water, or in my unfortunate case, building
construction across the street (ask for the
fifth floor and above for the best views). Big
beds with Egyptian cotton bedding, rainshower stalls, window-side tubs, abundant
drawers, armchairs, flatscreen TVs, fluffy
robes, Yui bath products with loofah sponges, and Seattle-based Torrefazione Italia coffee are in most rooms or suites. Besides the
lobby computers, amenities include 24-hour
fitness center, street-level Whole Foods,
plus Starbucks and Tutta Bella shops within
feet of the main entrance. In-room dining
and valet services are available throughout
your stay.
EAT/DRINK
New to Pan Pacific is Seastar Restaurant
and Raw Bar, replacing the terrific yet unsuccessful Marazul, as the hotel’s main dining attraction. The second of its kind, an addition to John Howie’s (of Palisade acclaim)
first installment in downtown Bellevue, its
standout menu is anchored firmly by fresh
seafood – from appetizers to entrees, this
is a fish lover’s paradise. To start, I suggest
the cedar plank roasted mushrooms and the
restaurant’s signature deviled eggs, topped
with either citrus salmon gravlux or truffled
ahi tartare – the latter of these two fares better than the other, and I would’ve preferred
a tad more tuna to balance out the whipped
yolk. The Maytag shrimp and pear salad
(minus the shrimp for this shellfish-allergic foodie) was creamy and superb, while
my companion’s Dungeness crab and corn
bisque appeared to be a winner evidenced
by a rapidly emptied bowl. Upon recommendation of our server, I chose the wild red
king salmon, roasted on a cedar plank with a
lightly spiced rub and served on a mound of
citrus rice, and was not disappointed; lots of
flavor, just-right portion, definitely fresh. Fi-
Vida Spa
away with the intent to return and tell your
friends all about it – sadly, I’ve found this to
be a rare occasion in this city. But a change
has come. Based in Vancouver BC, Vida is
now the largest spa in these parts with 17
treatment rooms and a relaxation lounge
indulgence on its own, but your body knows
when it’s received superior touch, and for
me this was it – which has already resulted
in referrals to Vida and its inclusion as one
of the best spas in our Best of Travel 2008
issue.
Gay Travel Expo
a fun place to start
your travel plans
Margaritas in Mazatlan? Gay Days in
Orlando? Shopping in Paris? White Party
in Palm Springs? Beach bumming in Miami? Whatever your travel plans are for
this year, begin your itinerary by attending
the 2009 Gay Travel Expo, sponsored in
part by Seattle Gay News.
The free of charge event takes place
Thursday, February 26 from 4-8 p.m. at
the Grand Hyatt (721 Pine Street), perfect
for those working downtown and on their
way home back up to Capitol Hill. With
dozens of travel representatives from regional to international destinations on
hand, this is a great opportunity to get
questions answered pertaining to airfare,
hotels, and general tourism. Host bar will
be available, fun giveaways, and a chance
to mingle with fellow Gay travel buffs –
just don’t forget to stop by the Seattle Gay
News table to say hello.
Visit us online www.sgn.org
February 20, 2008
Seattle Gay News
7
Courtesy the nines
The Nines
by Albert Rodriguez
SGN A&E Writer
Because of their proximity, Portland and
Vancouver BC continue to attract Gay travelers every weekend of the year – shopping,
entertainment, social networking (aka hookups), visiting friends, and all-night partying
are some of the reasons why we make the
two hour-plus trek to and from. Like Seattle,
both cities have gone through much revision
in just the past 12 months, and on my most
recent visits to these destinations I scoped
out the hottest new hotels at each. Portland
Pride festivities take place in mid-June and
Vancouver’s big Gay weekend is in early
August – if planning to attend either, make
reservations now to avoid last minute worries. Here’s the skinny on Portland’s The
Nines and Vancouver BC’s Loden Hotel to
consider for your next Northwest getaway.
The Nines
www.thenines.com
Fabulous doesn’t even begin to describe
the Nines, a luxurious new hotel in the heart
of Portland. This 331-room property, a renovated space once home to Meier and Frank
department store offices, has been creating
tremendous buzz in the travel industry and
the hype is well-deserved, as it goes that
extra mile to peak above its competition.
Located a block from Nordstrom and within
walking distance to everything downtown,
guests enter at street level but are escorted
Loden Hotel
www.lodenvancouver.com
Rumor has it Madonna wanted to stay at
this nifty upscale hotel when she swung her
“Sticky and Sweet Tour” to Vancouver BC
in late October but it hadn’t been open yet
for six months, an unbendable requirement
for the Material Girl – so I stayed there for
her. In fact, the total time in getting to BC
Place Stadium from the newly established
Loden Hotel, whether for a major concert
or hockey game, is 10 minutes with a brisk
walk/Sky Train combo. A posh addition to
the city’s downtown sector, the 14-story
property also puts you within blocks of Davie Village and Robson Street, two hotly
pursued districts by Gay male visitors.
Rooms are modernly swanky, a palette
swirl of oranges, soft and deep browns with
amenities that include floor-to-ceiling operable windows, 42-inch flatscreen TVs,
firm beds, dreamy pillows and covers, fourfixture bathrooms featuring Molton Brown
goodies, comfy take-home slippers, evening
turndown service, and daily newspaper. I
loved my bathroom, offering a separate tub,
shower and commode stalls, as well as a
fair-sized marble counter with double-sided
mirrors and speaker system, allowing me to
listen to CNN while preparing for a night
out. Need a ride to somewhere downtown?
Loden’s complimentary luxury car service
will get you there, but ask in advance of
your departure time or at check-in for best
availability.
The Loden Hotel’s restaurant, Voya, was
launched days before my visit and while
lodenvancouver.com
Portland & Vancouver BC:
two fabulous new hotels
that is one of a kind, trendy, and popular
amongst young, sophisticated social circles.
Local farms supply most of the meat, fish
and produce that is grown naturally, an ele-
the intimate nook called “The Libary.”
to the eighth floor to check in at a stylish
reception area that doubles as a way into
the hotel’s restaurant-bar, Urban Farmer,
and with key card in hand you’re directed
back to the elevators for a quick transport to
your floor. Hallways are elegant, two rows
of black-painted doors, chandeliers, and
noticeable brushes of a suave aqua tone repeated throughout the hotel.
Rooms are ample, especially the restrooms
that supply a vanity area, cushioned benches,
unattached shower and tub, shaving mirrors,
and Gilchrist & Soames care products. Each
is decorated in a color scheme of whites, toffees, and that unusually bold aqua. In-room
amenities include invitingly comfortable
beds, down comforters and pillows, duvet
covers, cable TV, DVD players, bathrobes,
slippers, umbrellas, data ports, working
desks, crystal hanging lamps, complimentary local and toll-free calls, CD player/radio/
alarm clocks, evening turndown service, and
daily newspaper. For an upgrade, the Club
Floor spoils its guests with extra treats, such
as access to its “Club Lounge” – a decadent
area, similar to an airline first class lounge,
with complimentary wine or cocktails, appetizers, mixed nuts, dried fruit, bottled soft
drinks, and most importantly, privacy and
distinction from all other guests.
Urban Farmer at the Nines has collected
glowing reviews from nearly every Portland
food writer, the perfect blend of familiar
items with subtle twists and an atmosphere
MARCH 4-28
Loden Hotel, Vancouver, BC
BY
Alan
Bennett
DIRECTED BY
Christopher
Zinovitch
TICKETS: 206.938.0339 or www.artswest.org
SPONSORED IN PART BY VILLA HEIDELBERG
8
Seattle Gay News
February 20, 2008
ment most appreciated when noting its succulent flavor like the restaurant’s signature
porterhouses or ribeyes, both from Oregonraised cattle. Chicken, lamb, suckling pig
porcetta, halibut, and scallops are other selections appearing on the menu, all served
with your choice of steakhouse sides like
creamed spinach, twice baked potatoes, and
sautéed mushrooms. I’ve eaten at Urban
Farmer on two occasions, and even a simple
lunch of white bean soup and a BLT sandwich put the widest smile on my face – even
greater was an extensive bar counter with a
good variety of beers and not a single annoying TV (go watch the game somewhere
else). If the bar doesn’t suit you, sip your
cocktails in the propped “living rooms” or
the meals were tasty, the prices seemed a
bit high for the amount of food served; my
fish was cooked to crisp and moist perfection, dessert and tea were memorable, presentation was beautiful, but the overall portions were less than expected. On the bright
side, the sleek lounge has a fantastic wine
and cocktail menu, not to mention employing one of Vancouver’s standout and sexiest
bartenders, Brian Grant, previously with the
Four Seasons. New to the hotel is the “Loden
Spa Suite,” an on-premise mini spa on the
same floor as its nicely equipped fitness center, providing guests with limited treatments
like the magically, health-altering “infrared
sauna” – ask for the Garden Room Vista for
a reviving experience.
Celebrating 35 Years!
Visit us online www.sgn.org
February 20, 2008
Seattle Gay News
9
10
Seattle Gay News
February 20, 2008
Celebrating 35 Years!
Visiting Port Townsend for
perfect burgers and brews
by Scott Rice
SGN A&E Writer
jan tik
Port Townsend courthouse
Once in town, you will want to stroll
down both sides of Water Street, the waterfront shopping/entertainment district. There
are art galleries, restaurants, hotels, and fun
shops (I was there the Sunday after Christmas and the markdowns were rampant and
deep). This time of year Port Townsend has
less sunshine (too bad) but also fewer tourists (too good). The quiet Victorian streets
add to the feeling that you are worlds away
from Seattle’s constant din.
While Water Street is the place to be for art
and shopping, I always seek out local favor-
town Pub and Grill (1016 Lawrence Street).
I’m always in search of a good hamburger
and this isn’t as easy as you might think. I
grew up in Oklahoma and the folks down
there take ground beef seriously. The flamelicked version from the Uptown Pub would
definitely pass muster, even in the heart of
Tulsa. The patty was perfectly cooked, juicy
on the inside and nicely charred on the outside. The fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion
came stacked on the side, as they should.
They nestled beside a small pile of pickle
slices on the opposite side of the hamburger
junk on the walls, some of which is even
interesting, especially the artwork by the locals. And this is where the locals hang out
– that’s why the food is better than I’ve ever
found downtown; these customers come
back and they come often. I walked in and
Alicia Savery
With gas and airline prices as predictable
as Seattle snow flurries these days, many
folks canceled vacations altogether or convinced themselves that a “staycation” could
be just as awesome as a week on the beach
in Puerto Escondido. Though Mexican
beaches have an incomparable charm that
would defy direct comparison to our favorite local destinations, we do have some extraordinary destinations to visit quite close
to home.
One of these places is Port Townsend, the
artsy little burg on the northeast end of the
Olympic Peninsula that’s an easy day-trip
for snow-weary Seattleites. In fact, you can
be strolling the quaint downtown-shopping
strip in less than two hours if you plan your
ferry trip from Edmonds to Kingston well.
Take I-5 north to 104 (signs directing you to
the Kingston/Edmonds ferry are prominent
before the exit). 104 will take you directly
to the ferry.
Though the ferry ride across the sound
takes a bit less than a half hour, I encourage
hauling yourself out of the car and onto the
passenger deck so you can enjoy the beautiful views. The ferry toll is about 12 bucks
each way in the off-season. Drive off the
ferry and stay on 104 across the Hood Canal
Bridge. MapQuest will tell you to turn right
onto 19 and proceed north into town, but
I suggest turning right onto Paradise Bay
Road just after crossing the Hood Canal
Bridge – it’ll add a few minutes and some
terrific scenery to the journey.
ites when it comes to food. I stumbled upon
the “uptown” strip that sits astride Lawrence
Street on the hilltop above the waterfront,
or what locals refer to as “downtown.” Uptown Port Townsend is home to the Uptown
Theater (826 P Street) showing Valkyrie
and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on the week of my visit, Lanza’s Fine
Dining (boasting live music), Sweet Laurette and Cyndee’s French Bistro (with an
intimate courtyard for outdoor dining), and
a few small shops hawking everything from
T-shirts to antiques.
Uptown is also home to the Uptown Pub
and Grill and Aldrich’s Market, two of the
most interesting businesses in town-up or
down.
Aldrich’s Market (940 Lawrence Street) is
the oldest grocery store in Washington – it
first opened in 1895 and has subsequently
survived four changes in ownership and
two fires. There is an excellent wine selection, a deli, a sushi counter, and a small
meat department with an actual person. The
salad bar at the end of the produce department is fresh and pretty with a nice selection of items including real bacon bits and
clean, sliced mushrooms (I’m always a little
freaked out eating mushrooms off salad bars
because I was told long ago that mushrooms
grow in poop). It’s the perfect place to grab
a sandwich and some California rolls before
heading out to Worden State Park for lunch
overlooking the east end of the Strait of Juan
de Fuca.
If you prefer to sit indoors and have your
grub delivered, you must check out the Up-
from the fries (an important detail to keep
the produce fresh and crisp). I splurged for
the extra 75¢ and got the Western Burger
that comes with jalapeno peppers, Tillamook
cheddar, and a smoky BBQ sauce. The bun
was soft and firm and perfectly toasted. The
Port Townsend
ample hunk of cheese was complimented
by the perfect amount of peppers and BBQ
sauce. And the fries were thinly cut, crisp,
and hot. Things don’t get much better than
this and all for a measly $7.50.
The menu includes a Philly cheese steak
sandwich, and three grilled chicken sandwiches that I’m told are all excellent.
There’s also a nice selection of local brews
on tap from the Port Townsend Brewing, Co
(330 C 10th Street). I suggest the Scotch ale
at $4 because its slightly smoky caramel flavors compliment the spicy burger nicely.
The décor is old-school pub with a maritime twist. There is lots of dark wood and
the row of regulars at the bar turned in unison to give the new guy a quick once-over
before turning back to the Seahawks game
on the television mounted high above the
taps. There are a couple of dartboards and
a pool table in the back and a small patio
that’s mostly used by smokers. The place is
comfortable like an old wool sweater, and
the burgers rock.
Port Townsend can seem like a long journey when you live in the city. In reality, you
can leave the house by 9 a.m. Sunday morning and be back home by 9 p.m. Sunday
evening and have yourself a lovely day that
won’t cost a bucket of cash.
(206)325-3654
www.nowakhouse.com
Lopez Island Gay Owned & Operated
The Food, The View, The Sunsets
Lopez Island’s Premier Restaurant
Award winning Cuisine
Casual Fine Dining Atmosphere
FRESHEST SEAFOOD YEAR ROUND
Call or visit our website
for reservations
(360)468-3700
www.bay-cafe.com
Visit us online www.sgn.org
February 20, 2008
Seattle Gay News
11
by Albert Rodriguez
SGN A&E Writer
albert rodriguez
Whistler Mountaineer a
scenic trip to ski resorts
Glacier Dome Experience and enjoyed
prime views of the mountains, lakes, waterfalls, canyons, forests, and hilltop mansions
belonging to BC’s rich and famous (Sarah
McLachlan, Michael Buble, etc.). We also
received a no-charge hot breakfast (omelet, potatoes, ham), plus complimentary
mimosas, beer and wine service throughout. Seats were ultra comfy and onboard
staff was friendly, if not bubbly, doubling
as tour guides during our trip. Souvenirs,
such as tote bags and fleece jackets, can be
purchased for small fees during the ride. All
passengers, regardless of seat class, are allowed access to the Heritage Observation
Car (open at certain portions of the journey).
On the return leg, Glacier Dome guests are
treated to a traditional afternoon tea service
complete with sandwiches, warm scones,
strawberries and cream, and petit fours.
Whistler, British Columbia is one of
the most sought-after getaways during
the winter months, a haven for skiers and
snowboarders. In spring through early fall,
mountain-bikers and day-hikers flock here
along with overnight campers, wilderness
enthusiasts, and those simply wanting a
break from the urban grind. The dashing resort will host a portion of the 2010 Winter
Olympics and all events of the 2010 Winter
Paralympic Games. From Vancouver BC
between May and October, I recommend
taking the Whistler Mountaineer to the ski
area to alleviate renting a car, to avoid the
usual traffic headaches on Highway 99 and
to provide you with spectacular scenery
along the way to this popular destination.
Plus, one less automobile on the road keeps
our Northwest that much greener. For details and exact dates of service, visit www.
SIGHTS
whistlermountaineer.com. This is what to
The trip begins in North Vancouver and
expect onboard the train.
zigzags through Howe Sound, Coast Mountain Range, Portneau Cove, Brittania Beach,
DEPARTURE
The Stawamus Chief, Squamish, BrackendBe prepared for an early-morning pickup ale, Mount Garabaldi, Cheakamus Canyon,
at a select downtown hotel via free motor- Brandywine Falls, Alpha Lake, and finally
coach that will transport you to North Van- Whistler. On the way, we saw bald eagles,
couver, where you’ll board the Whistler snow-frosted mountains, tall evergreens,
Mountaineer. One daily train departs at 8:30 ferries headed to BC islands, expensive
a.m., with an 8 a.m. boarding call, and ar- waterfront properties, and residents wavrives in Whistler at 11:30 a.m. There are two ing to us from the side of the tracks. Have
classes of seating available, Coast Classic your digital camera within arm’s reach at all
Experience ($119 one-way, $199 RT) and times because unique photo opportunities
Glacier Dome Experience ($199, $299). pop up at any given moment.
The return leg of the trip leaves Whistler at
3 p.m. with a 2:30 p.m. boarding call, and
ARRIVAL / WHISTLER ITINERARY
arrives in North Vancouver at 6 p.m.
When the Whistler Mountaineer makes
its arrival, after claiming any checked-in
ON-BOARD
baggage, a free motorcoach will transport
My travel companions and I chose the you to Whistler Village. From there you can
Whistler Mountaineer
begin your adventure at this world-famous
ski resort that doubles as a spring and summer playground when the snow melts. For
overnight accommodations, I suggest the
Sundial Boutique Hotel (www.sundialhotel.
com), located inside the village with quick
access to bakeries, restaurants, spas, movie
theaters, and coffee shops. An affordable
and great place to eat is Avalanche Pizza
(www.avalanchepizza.com), and if you’re
on a really tight budget, McDonalds and
Subway are both represented on the mountain. For sit-down meals, I suggest Apres,
The Keg, Brewhouse, and a more recognizable eatery, The Old Spaghetti Factory. A
pampering at Lesbian-owned Solarice Wellness Spa (www.solarice.com) is a must to
soothe those fatigued calves and sore back.
For visitor information, go to www.tourismwhistler.com.
give a whole new meaning to the great OUTdoors
Join us for a 7 day Alaska Cruise July 11-18, 2009
We have teamed up with Norwegian
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champagne breakfast with friends or enjoy room service
and the view from your balcony. Take an afternoon to
explore the wilderness of Alaska, or just relax poolside
with a cold drink.
When you feel like getting out of the sun,
wind down your evening with a glass of wine at the
piano bar or crank it up with a Broadway style show.
Fill your day with as little or as much as you want. So,
grab your gear, your friends, your family and experience
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Visit us at rfamilyvacations.com. Call 1-866-rfam-vac or your travel agent.
12
Seattle Gay News
February 20, 2008
Celebrating 35 Years!
Maui
continued from cover
test restaurants or beaches, but again with a
car rental you can easily find these spots.
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
www.sheraton.maui.com
If you are looking for a destination that
truly has it all, you can find it at the Sheraton
Maui Resort & Spa. The island’s oldest
luxury resort is literally built against the historic Black Rock cliffs and spread across 23
ocean-front acres on Kaanapali Beach. Just
north of the popular tourist spot Lahaina, all
508 rooms and suites directly face the Pacific with a private lanai and interior craftsmanship of old Hawaii. Bamboo designed lamps,
artwork recreating traditional block printing,
and rattan chairs drawing on designs of ancient thrones give these rooms a unique feel.
Lava rock waterways, fresh-water lagoons,
palm trees and loads of cocktail servers create the expansive 142-yard pool area in this
grand retreat. Rather than the typical “nickel
and dime” charges, they present a $25 Resort Charge (per night) which includes parking, wireless internet access, shuttle service,
cultural activities and even yoga and pilates
classes. Black Rock is a sensational location
for snorkeling and scuba diving (supplies
can be rented on-site), while the resort offers
tennis courts, golf and even hula lessons.
You will find all of this without ever leaving!
Check-in is seamless, any island activity can
be arranged, every whim can be catered to,
and all guests leave feeling as if they were
treated like royalty.
EAT/DRINK
Ko Restaurant
www.fairmont.com/kealani/
GuestServices/Restaurants/
Ko.htm
Located on the other end of paradise, in
the Fairmont Hotel, is the delectable Ko
Restaurant. Surrounded by the hotel’s pool
area, it highlights cuisine reflective of the
many cultures of Hawaii’s sugarcane plantation era such as Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese cultures. This blending creates a diverse menu
that just can’t be found elsewhere. My partner and I actually seared our fresh “Ahi On
The Rock” with a heated stone and thought
we couldn’t find anything better until he
ordered up the lobster tempura with spicy
sesame. You could honestly live off of their
scrumptious appetizers alone.
Sansei Restaurant and
Sushi Bar
www.sanseihawaii.com
If sushi is your thing, then a visit to Sansei
Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar will introduce you to a world you never knew existed. We found it a little difficult to locate,
but I guarantee there is no more creative or
delicious new wave sushi to be found in the
world, which made it well worth the trouble.
Traditional Japanese recipes become modern reinterpretations by the award-winning
chefs with creations like Panko Crusted Ahi
Roll or the famous Kapalua Butterfly Roll,
a colorful delight of salmon, crab, shiromi,
and fresh vegetables. It was impossible for
us to keep our chopsticks on our own plates,
so we ended up sharing one roll after another to get the best sampling of the menu, and
the waitstaff is more than happy to guide
you through the selections.
Westin Maui Resort and Spa
You just can’t go wrong with any restauwww.westinmaui.com/
rant on the island, since all use the best loluau.htm
cally grown produce, fresh fish and farmTo experience one of Hawaii’s most definraised livestock. In fact, it can be overwhelming choosing just one, but here are a ing dining experiences, look no further than
the Westin Maui Resort and Spa, temptfew “musts” you cannot miss.
ing islanders and travelers alike with their
signature Wailele Polynesian Lu’au. This
Lahaina Grill
Hawaiian meal is a four-course dinner prewww.lahainagrill.com
Lahaina Grill is voted Best Maui Restau- sented family style, just like the olden days.
rant year after year and it’s no surprise since Lush greenery with the soothing sounds of
you are enveloped in mouthwatering smells waterfalls and a breathtaking sunset form
upon arrival. They have found the perfect the perfect backdrop for an evening of enblend of elegant dining in a comfortable tertainment, with authentic dances, songs
atmosphere with a menu featuring a mix of and colorful costumes. My partner and I
worldly flavors incorporating local seafood, took advantage of the open bar, and I just
meat, pasta and vegetarian offerings. You can’t tell you how exciting fire dancing is
can’t leave without trying The Cake Walk: with a buzz!
petite servings of Kona lobster crab cake,
DO
sweet Louisiana rock shrimp cake, and
I could write a book on Maui activities and
seared ahi cake.
still not cover all that it has to offer. I love a
picturesque hike, and you can find that by
booking with Maui Eco Adventures (www.
ecomaui.com), which presents a variety of
adventures like their waterfall hike that includes a return drive along the scenic coastal cliffs, Maui’s most Northern points. Snorkeling abounds along the beaches, but booking a boat ride with the non-profit Pacific
Whale Foundation (www.pacificwhale.org)
will get you out to the colorful coral reefs
surrounding the tiny crescent-shaped Molokini Island. Speaking of beaches, let’s not
forget my favorite island activity: lounging
on the sandy shores. If you decide to venture
away from any of the gorgeous oceanside re-
sorts, you can hit Little Beach, Maui’s only
Gay beach (www.littlebeachmaui.com).
Keep in mind it’s also the island’s only nude
beach, but you will find that everyone keeps
to themselves and the location is divine,
perfect for swimming and even a couple of
spots for surfing. I admit my partner and I
weren’t brave enough to remove our Speedos, but there were plenty of others in their
trunks, too, so it wasn’t awkward. And take
note, official whale watching season is from
December 15 to May 15 every year. Finally,
be sure you always have cash handy so you
may tip all tour guides and drivers who rely
heavily on gratuity.
,
Gee s Bend
Fina
l
!
k
e
We
Regional Premiere
by
Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder
“on-target
direction...
touching
performances”
– Seattle Gay News
“Heartfelt”
– Seattle Times
Jan. 28 - Feb. 28
Great Stories, Great Theatre, Great Times
204 North 85th Street, Seattle
206.292.ARTS
or 206.781.9707
www.taproottheatre.org
Oceanside Retreat, Hawaii
Get your lava flowing!
www.KALANI.com
Visit us online www.sgn.org
800.800.6886
February 20, 2008
Seattle Gay News
13
Sugino Studios
Ontario’s Shaw Festival
offers rare Noel Coward
by Milton W. Hamlin
SGN A&E Writer
Tickets are now on sale for the 2009 season of the world famous Shaw Festival in
Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario. This tiny
town on the Canadian side of the historic Ni-
Sugino Studios
at 8:30 series, a collection of one-act plays
originally starring the openly Gay author/
actor and his lifelong friend – and theater
legend – Gertrude Lawrence, first in London and later on Broadway. While many of
the landmark one-acts have had frequent revivals, The Shaw bills this
summer’s production as
the first complete revival
of all 10 plays in the cycle.
The Shaw will offer the 10
works in three groups of
three plays plus the rarely
revived “Star Chamber”
as a stand-alone staging in
the Shaw’s popular Lunchtime Series. On two days
in The Shaw’s season, all
10 plays will be staged in
one day – an epic undertaking that the Festival is
calling, quite appropriately, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, a sly reference to one
of Coward’s most famous
patter songs.
Three different directors
will each stage three oneacts in the series but actors, designers, music directors will all work on all
the plays. Jackie Maxwell,
The Shaw’s artistic director, directs the first collection, which The Shaw
is calling Brief Encounters, a reference to
the hit film adapted from one of the one-act
plays. That grouping includes “Still Life,”
“We Were Dancing” and “Hands Across The
Born Yesterday
agara Falls landmark has been home to The
Shaw Festival for 48 years. The centerpiece
of the coming season is the first production
of all 10 plays in Noel Coward’s Tonight
Seattle Gay News
February 20, 2008
The Entertainer
Sea.” Play, Orchestra, Play groups “Fumed
Oak” (still a classic one-act in community
and educational theater), “Shadow Play”
and the mini-musical “Red Peppers,” one
of the most famous titles in the series. Ways
of The Heart collects “Ways And Means,”
“Family Album” (another community theater staple) and “The Astonished Heart.”
The Luncheon Series “Star Chamber”
completes the cycle. (Noel Coward, 18991973, is receiving major attention this year
with a soon-to-open Broadway revival of
his Blythe Spirit starring Angela Lansbury
and a popular, openly Gay actor playing the
straight male lead. Blythe Spirit is currently
being staged at the University Of Washington at the in-the-round Penthouse Theatre,
running through March 1.)
SHAW FEST SCHEDULES
SEVEN MORE SHOWS
FOR 2009 SEASON
Other titles in The Shaw’s 2009 season
include a limited run of
John Osborne’s 1957 The
Entertainer, a highly theatrical piece that Osborne
originally wrote for Lawrence Olivier. Using the
dying traditions of the
British Music Hall as a
metaphor for post-World
War II life in England in
the 1950s, the play was
an international success,
best known now from its
stark film version. The
Shaw purposely scheduled the bleak Osborne
work as juxtaposition to
the more traditional, more
“polished” work of Noel
Coward.
Honoring its namesake,
The Festival offers two
works by George Bernard
Shaw, the well known politically-based The Devil’s
Disciple and the rarely revived 1939 In Good King
Charles’ Golden Days,
billed as “a hilarious satire
of philosophy, playwriting and acting.” The
Festival always offers classic and all-butforgotten works by Shaw (see below).
Broadway’s golden Born Yesterday puts
a corrupt business tycoon and his not-sodumb blonde girlfriend stage center it what
should be a timely – and entertaining – look
BITS & BYTES VISITS
THE SHAW IN 2008 –
REVIEWS, TIPS, CHATTER
Bits&Bytes was delighted to accept an invitation from the Ontario Tourism Bureau
Sugino Studios
14
at corruption in America,
circa 1946. The original
Broadway production,
and later Hollywood film,
made a star out of the
unknown Judy Holliday
who immortalized Billie
Dawn.
Eugene O’Neill’s A
Moon for the Misbegotten is also offered in The
Shaw’s season. Committed to regular productions
of Canadian classics, The
Shaw focuses on Michel
Tremblay’s Albertine in
Five Times in a new English language translation
by Linda Gaboriau.
Building on the incredible success of last season’s productions of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little
Night Music and Follies:
In Concert (see below),
the openly Gay composer’s Sunday In the Park
With George receives a
highly anticipated staging in the intimate, jewel-box setting of the
historic (and beautifully restored) Royal
George Theatre.
(Seattle theater fans will, of course, have
a chance to see Sunday In The Park in an
upcoming production at the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre. Major recent revivals of both
A Moon For The Misbegotten and Born Yesterday have been highly successful at local
subscription theaters.)
The Shaw Festival runs from early April
through late October in a rotating repertory
format, with some shows running all season,
some opening mid-season and some in short
runs. Specific dates, ticket dates and box office information are all available at (800)
511-7429.
The Devil's Disciple
and the Shaw Festival to attend the 2008
Festival in late August, scheduling the trip
to include a short, four-performance run of
Stephen Sondheim’s Follies: In Concert,
the adaptation of the Tony Award-winning
Broadway music that was adapted for concert presentation in New York and taped
for later PBS broadcast. There’s an old adage that “we look to our future through our
past” so, using that philosophy, your humble
scribe gives loyal readers a quick run down
on the 2008 season.
Incredibly, The Shaw had one of its most
successful seasons in its 47-year history. Despite early economic downturns in 2008, rising gas prices last year, and ongoing border
issues, The Shaw reported that last season
had a six percent attendance increase over
2007. Attendance reached 281,000, giving the Festival 70 percent capacity for 792
performances. Box office revenues reached
Celebrating 35 Years!
Sugino Studios
be a major work on the regional theater cir- and showed The Festival to be a world-class
cuit. As a one-hour, one-act play, The Presi- theater.
dent worked wonderfully as the Lunchtime
Series offering. Alas, its length prohibits it
IN SUMMARY:
from stand-alone productions, and double
In addition to the appeal of The Shaw
bills of one-act plays have virtually no box Festival, Canada’s Niagara-On-The-Lake
office appeal. Look for it in adventurous region has great appeal to vacationing
small theaters and in college and communi- Americans. The famous Niagara Falls are
ty theater productions.
Terrance Rattigan’s
After The Dance, a 1938
nearly forgotten work,
started off a stylish production as the “rare discovery” of the year. Act
One worked beautifully
as these survivors, these
bright young things of
London’s 1920s, faced
reality in a pre-World
War II England. At intermission, it was clear
that this overlooked
work was the find of the
season. Then Act Two
took over. What had
been bright and insightful turned melodramatic and ponderous,
illustrating why the
early play from a major
British playwright had
simply disappeared. A
perfect Festival choice,
but, alas, a theatrical
rarity.
The Stepmother, “an
undiscovered theatriIn Good King Charles's Golden Days
cal gem” from 1924,
receiving its North American premiere, truly spectacular – and much more impreswas the true rarity of the season. Well in- sive from the Canadian side. The Vintage
tentioned, well acted, well staged, the show Hotel properties where Bits&Bytes dined
was a challenge for many in the audience. (on his own dollar) at all three top-rated
It seemed a curious choice for The Festival, dining rooms are always sold out for meals
although it had it supporters.
before The Shaw. This scribe was housed at
Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes has the historical Pillar and Post, which, like all
been a hit since its original production in Vintage Hotels, offers free limo service to
the late 1930s. The Shaw’s polished staging and from The Festival productions – a major
showed the play in its full power. A terrific savings for many. The area is full of British
production with memorable performances, and American history. Watch for more “tourLittle Foxes tested The Shaw for this scribe ism” details in an upcoming Bits&Bytes.
Sugino Studios
scribe picked his Shaw Festival dates around
the four performances of Sondheim’s Follies: In Concert and the capacity, turn-away
crowd at the August opening night proved
that Bits&Bytes was not alone in planning
a trip around the powerful, bittersweet tale.
A full staging of the original Broadway version requires incredible expense and a cast
of more than 50 performers on stage. While
the show has a tremendous following, it is
a hard show for many audiences, and the
show is often not well received by season
subscribers who can be turned off by the
show’s pessimism
– the title refers
to the “Follies of
Life” as a group of
Follies showgirls
attend a reunion. (A
terrific production
at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre years
ago was the least
attended staging
in the company’s
history and the production that created
the greatest numbers of subscriber
complaints.)
The Shaw’s In
Concert staging
was simply terrific
and well worth the
whole trip. Enough
said.
Also a bittersweet examination of life and lost
love, Sondheim’s
A Little Night Musical turned out to
be one of the composer’s biggest
Sunday in the Park with George
Broadway hits. The
small, self-chorused work is easier and less
TWO PLAYS BY SHAW
expensive to stage. Plus, it has “Send In the
ILLUSTRATE FESTIVAL
Clowns” as the bankable famous song that
PHILOSOPHY, PATTERN
The Shaw Festival, of course, is dedicated lures many musical fans to the show. Staged
to the memory of George Bernard Shaw, simply in the Festival’s Court House The1856-1950. Originally, The Shaw staged atre, a basic black box theater adapted from
plays only by Shaw or his contemporaries. the city’s old courthouse, this Little Night
His incredible life span, living more than used no amplification – a rare, rare event in
95 years, made that easy in The Festival’s musical productions. A top-notch cast, clevoriginal years. The Shaw’s mandate was er direction, simple musical accompaniment
expanded in 2000 to include contemporary all worked to make this Night Music a total
works written about issues and the years of delight.
A big, brassy staging of Wonderful Town
Shaw’s life.
Last season included two works by Shaw, was The Festival’s third musical of the 2008
high profile and rarely staged. Mrs. Warren’s season. The Shaw’s big Festival Theatre,
Profession, a major work in Shaw’s long list a contemporary space that welcomes big,
of classic titles, received a raw, stunning brassy shows, was the perfect Festival spot
production. Often staged in an elegant man- for the Leonard Bernstein Broadway clasner, this Mrs. Warren was a desperate wom- sic. A delightful show, equal to the recent
an who long ago turned to running houses of Broadway revival (and to Seattle’s 5th Avprostitution as a way to provide a decent life enue Theatre’s glorious production), this
for her only daughter, who is unaware of her Wonderful Town was just that: wonderful.
mother’s life as a madam in European brothTHE PRESIDENT WOWS
els. Ingrid Bergman famously played Mrs.
AS LUNCHTIME SHOW,
Warren as a stylish, born-to-the-manner
AFTER DANCE INTRIGUES
aristocrat in a popular Broadway production
Ferenc Molnar’s rarely revived one-act,
in the 1950s. Seattle theaters have followed
that pattern in several productions over the The President, was the wonderful “discovpast decades. At The Shaw, Mrs. Warren ery” of the season. Not a political satire, the
was one step ahead of poverty. Her money door-slamming farce is about the president
went to send her daughter to good schools, of a major corporation who has exactly one
not to her own wardrobe. The gritty produc- hour to turn an unacceptable young man into
tion was especially popular with Shaw fa- a polished corporate stunner, so that he is
natics, who, of course, visit The Shaw every acceptable as the soon-to-be-husband of his
boss’ innocent daughter. Hollywood’s Billy
year.
Shaw’s relatively unknown Getting Mar- Wilder turned the original European play
ried turned out to be the smash hit of the into his wild farce, One, Two, Three in the
season. The production was so popular that early 1960s, giving James Cagney his last
the original run was extended briefly to in- major film role as the fast talking company
clude additional performances. The comic president who can make anything happen as
look at marriage, often bordering on farce, he snaps his fingers and counts, “one, two,
received a handsome production. Well three.”
A nonstop laugh-getter, the show should
acted, beautifully staged and seamlessly directed by Jerry Ziegler, the show was a rare
chance for Shaw fans to see a minor work in
a major production. The success of the basically forgotten work at The Shaw is sure
to lead other festivals and regional theaters
to reexamine the work, which will lead to
more productions.
$14.9 million, nine percent above the prior
season. The Shaw’s box office revenues
represented an overall economic impact of
nearly $100 million to the Niagara region.
(The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, which also runs a lengthy
multi-month season with a similar number
of plays in a rotating repertory format, is a
valid comparison for Seattle-area theater
fans. It, too, had an increase in attendance
– a major boost for art institutions all over
the region.)
THREE MUSICALS DELIGHT
SHAW REGULARS, VISITING
THEATER, MUSICAL FANS
Three musical productions last season
– two by Stephen Sondheim – delighted
Shaw regulars and visiting theater fans. This
Visit us online www.sgn.org
February 20, 2008
Seattle Gay News
15
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Seattle Gay News
February 20, 2008
FREE
BIG SEASON OPEN HOUSE
FREE REFRESHMENTS
PRIZES • BACKSTAGE TOURS!
Celebrating 35 Years!
Steven Lane
Lincoln City in the winter
Sweet people, empty beaches, and price is right
by Scott Rice
SGN Contributing Writer
Have you ever blown glass or taken a
cooking class? Have you taken a romantic
walk along an empty beach while the tide
came in slowly and a light rain fell? Lincoln
City’s tagline is, “A great place to try new
things,” and if you’ve never done any of the
above, they’re right.
Lincoln City is nestled along the Oregon
coast just two hours from Portland and five
hours from Seattle. It’s a busy family vacation spot in the summer months, but come
winter, it turns into a windswept oceanfront
town with a decidedly relaxed atmosphere.
It’s the perfect place for a short, relaxing
getaway. The beach was empty except for a
young dad in cold weather sports gear pushing a hi-tech stroller and a woman tossing
a tennis ball to her black lab as my partner
and I took a leisurely stroll in the misty
drizzle. We picked our way down the beach
poking around the tidal pools and halfheartedly looking for one of the 2000 signed and
numbered handcrafted glass floats hidden
each year from mid-October through Memorial Day. The floats were inspired by the
tradition of locals finding Japanese glass
fishing floats washed ashore in the vicinity.
Though we pulled our scarves around our
necks against the biting wind, the day was
absolutely perfect. If you’d rather shop in
comfort than brave the wintry oceanfront,
from beach access, around the corner from
great restaurants like The Blackfish Grill,
and a short six blocks from the Chinook
Winds Casino Resort. Don’t be fooled by
the outdated advertisements everywhere; the
place doesn’t take pets and our room did not
have a fireplace or a Jacuzzi. Still, the newly
remodeled rooms are clean and comfy and
the price is right – try $55 a night during the
winter. If you like to relax in your room and
watch the ocean, you’ll want to spring for
a little extra and get a larger room with a
view. But if, like my partner and I, you plan
to spend time exploring the dramatic beauty
of the Oregon coast and checking out the local haunts instead of lounging in your room,
save yourself some cash. Another plus, The
Whistling Winds Motel is managed by a personable Queer couple. Sure, Surftides Hotel
panders to the Queer vacation dollar by advertising in a number of LGBT publications,
but the Whistling Winds makes for a quiet
home base with folks that get you.
EAT/DRINK
Beach Dog Cafe
If you’re looking for upscale dining with
nice atmosphere and a sweet view, stop by
The Bay House (thebayhouse.org) on Siletz
Bay. The 1937 building has been a restaurant since day one. Over the years the business changed hands and expanded until the
current incarnation under proprietor, Stephen Wilson, with 1600 wines, two dining
rooms, and the spiffy new cocktail lounge.
Oregon-raised Wagyu beef topped with Oregonzola bleu cheese, whole grain mustard,
mayonnaise, and served with house made
chips. The formidable burger was a bit past
medium rare, but tasty nonetheless. I love it
when the burger is still juicy on the inside
but slightly charred on the outside – the
whole grain mustard/mayo combination
was awesome and the house-made chips
were airy with no greasy feel. I wish there
were a better selection of Oregon Pinot Noir
(a complaint I would echo repeatedly during
our stay) and the selection of sparkling wine
is perfectly fine if a bit predictable. The new
cocktail lounge, a hit with us, is warm and
comfortable with a fireplace and sleek leather couches. It’s a great place for a nip of Port
after dinner. The view, even though the tide
was out while we dined, was spectacular.
We finished dessert, a tasty crème brûlée
that I hear folks come all the way from San
Francisco for, while watching a couple of
guys digging sand shrimp on the tidal flats.
Not a bad way to blow an afternoon.
If you’re looking for something a little
less expensive, you must check out Beach
Dog Café (1266 SW 50th, no website).
This family-run joint will wiggle into your
heart for a number of reasons. The food is
terrific. We shared the potato pancake with
warm homemade apple compote and sour
cream ($7.50), a spicy sausage burrito with
fried potatoes on the side ($8.50), and biscuits and gravy ($4.95 for a half order).
The potato pancakes are crispy and light
see lincoln city page 18
scott rice
Glass expert Kelly Howard with my partner.
opportunities abound. There are a number
of nice galleries, bookstores, kite shops, and
surf shops. However, Lincoln City may be
best known for its ubiquitous antique stores.
I won’t even mention favorites because
searching out your own is half the fun. After a long day of hard shopping you can alleviate your buyer’s anxiety by reviewing
your receipts and adding up all the cash you
saved because Oregon has no sales tax. Lincoln City is one of the top 25 places to retire
in the United States (according to their brochure), boasts the shortest river in the world
(the D River), and is home to some of the
nicest people on the planet. If interested in
visiting this scenic, coastal getaway go to
www.oregoncoast.org for helpful information. Here’s how to spend a few days in Lincoln City.
The food is excellent, hats off to Executive
Chef Matt Nesel. My partner and I started
with a bowl of vegetable curry cream soup
that was the hit of The Bay House – silky
smooth and brazenly rich with the perfect
amount of spice and a hint of pumpkin. My
salad paled in comparison. For dinner, I
had the sturgeon – pan-seared with a dusted
cornmeal crust presented with wilted baby
bok choy, potato salad, and horseradish aioli. The fish was perfectly medium rare with
a cool moist center and a thin crust, the bok
choy was faintly wilted and colorful, the
potato salad was smooth with a subtle tartness I found pleasing, and the horseradish
aioli added the perfect zip. I ordered a glass
of King’s Ridge Pinot Gris out of Newberg,
Oregon. The wine came served too cold,
but by the time my sturgeon arrived it was
just about right – there was a bit more fruit
STAY
than I would prefer, but the formidable body
The Whistling Winds Motel (www.whis- and stone fruit character helped it stand up
tlingwindsmotel.com) is a restored 1930s- nicely to the zippy horseradish. My partner
era motor coach inn just a stone’s throw and I opted for the Kobe burger, made with
Visit us online www.sgn.org
February 20, 2008
Seattle Gay News
17
Lincoln city
continued from page 17
with a slight hint of onion. The pancakes,
the homemade apple compote, and the sour
cream come together in a unique blend of
savory, sweet, and sour that put my head in
the low-slung beach clouds. The biscuits
and gravy were smooth with big chunks of
sausage and plenty of pepper. There is an art
form to B&G and I’m lucky to have one of
the foremost connoisseurs for a partner – he
approved, so they must be good. The spicy
sausage burrito was a real treat, too. You
can believe them when they say spicy and
that’s fine with me, as I love to eat until I
sweat (it’s a throwback to my years in Texas). The burrito is stuffed with sliced spicy
link sausage, eggs, grilled peppers (red and
green) and onions. As if this weren’t enough
to make me swoon, the good folks at Beach
Dog saw fit to toast the flour tortilla on the
grill for a few seconds before stuffing it full
of goodies – I’ve eaten a few burritos in my
time, but this one definitely stands out. And
there are other reasons to love the Beach
Dog Café. The Sears family that owns and
runs Beach Dog is terrific. The men (Roger
and Jesse) are handsome and the women
(Sonja and Shannon) are beautiful, and they
are all genuinely happy to have you in the
place. The locals are as likely to chat you
up as they are to make familiar small talk
with the proprietors. The place is comfortable, though tiny, and you can admire the
hundreds of family dog pictures covering
the walls or flip through doggie albums
as you wait for your breakfast. Did I mention you get all this good grub and comfy
atmosphere at dirt-cheap rates? I love little
surprises like the Beach Dog. If I’m at an
expensive restaurant, it better be good. But I
really get excited when I luck into a charming little place with great food at a good
price.
DO
Though hiking along the seashore is nice,
sometimes you want a more social activity. You can’t miss with a cooking class at
The Culinary Center in Lincoln City, formerly The Pacific Coast Center for Culinary
Arts. Executive Chef Sharon Wiest runs a
first-class operation. Wiest brought in visiting Chef Liz Lesesne from South Carolina
to teach us the finer points of down-home
southern cooking - the menu included
Bam’s fried chicken (Lesesne’s grandmother’s nickname was Bam), squash casserole,
simmered okra and tomatoes served over
rice, biscuits, gravy, and a caramel pecan
cake that nearly brought me to my knees.
After tasting Lesesne’s fried chicken I am a
firm believer that bacon fat absolutely possesses supernatural properties. The class
runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; the cost is $50
(cost and schedules vary, so check ahead at
www.oregoncoast.org/culinary). The view
from the fourth floor of the Center, one of
the tallest buildings in the city, is lovely.
The locals, who comprised about a third of
the class, were great fun and obviously enjoyed playing host. We sat between Helen
and Bonnie, a couple of, shall we say, mature local ladies who were sweet and witty
and added lots of local color to the day.
After getting some useful cooking tips,
stop by Jennifer L. Sears Glass Art Studio
(www.lcglasscenter.com) and have Kelly
Howard, glass artist, help you tap the right
side of your brain. Kelly is a doll and actually seems to enjoy her job. She was patient
with us as we agonized over what colors to
choose, what to make, and who would go
first. In addition, while I made my glass
float my partner snapped photo after photo,
getting in the way and asking silly questions. Then while he made his glass bowl,
I took even more photos, got even more in
the way, and asked even sillier questions.
From gathering the molten glass in the furnace onto the rods to heating things up in
the 2300-degree glory hole (I swear that’s
what they call it) to blowing things perfectly, we had a blast. Since the glass must
cool, they ship it to you, and we received
our pieces within 10 days. Glass floats cost
$75 and bowls cost $135. Plan to get there
early because blowing glass is popular and
the glassperts (glass experts) get bogged
down easily when things get busy.
Let’s Take the Train.
See the Pacific Northwest up close on Amtrak Cascades. With multiple daily
roundtrips between Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, you
can sit back, relax and watch the scenery roll by—like one postcard after another.
Visit AmtrakCascades.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Amtrak and Cascades are registered service marks of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
18
Seattle Gay News
February 20, 2008
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February 20, 2008
Seattle Gay News
19
FREE
ADMISSION!
thursday, february 26, 2009 4 PM to 8 PM
the seattle grand hyatt – 721 Pine street
Whether you dream of shopping in europe, hiking through
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