Catch the fever….it's contagious!

It’s finally official. Summer has finally arrived in Seattle, the sun is out and everyone has caught the runners fever!  Watch out…it’s contagious. You could find yourself one of the hoards of people getting outside and running before, during and/ or after work! Everyone is training for some running event be it a half or full marathon. Everyone except myself that is. When asked if I am a runner I simply respond, “No…I play soccer.” People usually give me a confused look and state that there is lots of running in soccer. This is of course true but I don’t have the patience to run long distances without a ball to focus on. My husband John however is a runner…and I always support healthy causes so we both will be participating in 3 upcoming races in the Seattle area.  Be sure to check them out below…these are all either 5K or offer a 4 mile option instead of a full half marathon. Get your running shoes on…here we go!

1)      Foster Kids 5K at Marymoor Park- Redmond, WA- Saturday, August 13^th, 2011- 9am

Run/walk to support foster kids in King County to allow them to go to summer camp to be loved and learn valuable life lessons. Anyone can participate - baby joggers and dogs are welcome!

Sign up at: www.fosterkids5k.org

2)      Labor Day Half at Redhook Brewery- Woodinville, WA- Monday, September 9^th, 2011- 9am

Starting and finishing at the famous Redhook Ale Brewey, participants will traverse the cities of Woodinville and Bothell along the Sammamish River trail on this scenic Northwest course. With the event landing on Labor Day, the race serves as a perfect training opportunity for fall marathoners.  This event also offers a 4 Mile run/ walk for those who chose.

Sign up at: www.labordayrun.com

3)      Seattle AIDS Walk & 5K run- Volunteer Park- Seattle, WA- Saturday, September 24^th, 2011- 9am

Lifelong AIDS Alliance is proud to host the 25th Annual Seattle AIDS Walk & 5K Run.  The AIDS Walk route is a 5K loop through Capitol Hill and followed immediately by our AIDS Walk After-Party, a musical celebration of our community coming together, and featuring complimentary snacks for all.  Through the AIDS Walk, we are able to educate the community and raise awareness about the continued importance of fighting HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Walk also serves as the Pacific Northwest's largest annual HIV/AIDS fundraiser, with all funds supporting the HIV prevention efforts and basic care services Lifelong provides to the community.

Sign up at: www.seattleaidswalk.org

Seattle Opera and Bravo! Club: Seattle Sophistication at its best

The 2011/ 2012 Seattle Opera season is set to begin soon and the line-up this year is filled with five classic performances.  Even if you’re not an opera buff, you have heard of these. The season kicks off July 30^th with Porgy and Bess followed by Carmen, Attila, Orpheus and Eurydice (okay I haven’t heard of this one!) and Madama Butterfly.  We purchased our opera subscription this week and I am ecstatic about the fact that we received 50% off our tickets simply by being a member of the Seattle Opera Bravo! Club.

What is Bravo! and how did you get such a generous discount you ask?  Founded in 1996, Bravo! Club is the premier Seattle-area arts organization for young people between the ages of 21 and 39. With a mission to develop new generations of opera lovers in Seattle, Bravo! provides its members with a variety of exciting social and educational events and discounted performance tickets.  My husband John and I joined Bravo! last year and have enjoyed ourselves immensely at the many cocktail parties and social events they throw throughout the season at venues such as Teatro Zinzanni and Columbia Tower Club.  Along with discounted opera tickets and invites to fabulous parties the benefits of a Bravo! club membership also include complimentary intermission receptions at Bravo! nights at the opera, exclusive invites to lectures and free per-performance talks. We have connected with a beautiful, sophisticated group of young professionals and from their passion have become even bigger fans of opera.  Even if you’re not into opera (secret: many Bravo! members aren’t!) you can still attend any of the fabulous parties they put on. 

The season kick-off party is being held on Wednesday, July 14^th in the Alani Room at Palisade restaurant at Elliott bay marina and promises to be a vibrant event!  For more information about joining Bravo! and upcoming events click here and I hope to see you at McCaw Hall this season!

Columbia Tower Club 25th Anniversary Gala

Last night we celebrated the 25^th Anniversary of the Columbia Tower Club in style at their wonderful black tie gala to mark the occasion.  Most citizens of Seattle know the Columbia Tower building well as the tallest building of the Seattle skyline at an impressive 932 feet and housing 76 floors which was completed in 1985.  The 75^th and 76^th floors are home to the Columbia Tower Club- a well established private business, networking and fine dining club.  John and I recently became members as part of the club’s Tower 39 club which looks to expand the club demographic by catering to young professionals.  Today, Tower 39 makes up about 40% of the club’s membership!  We were drawn by all of the social and professional benefits and activities on offer such as business and networking events centered on various topics, art gallery tours, wine and scotch tastings, Easter brunch, and so much more which will allow us to connect with great professionals from around the city and make new friends.  And of course one of the best perks is enjoying the sweeping views of the city from 76 floors up!

Last night’s gala certainly showcased Columbia Tower Club’s best and was a night to remember!  Everyone was dressed in their black tie best and danced the night away to the live band playing hits from the 80’s and enjoying drinks at 1980’s pricing near the gorgeous up-lit ice sculpture of the tower.  As we nibbled on fresh oysters and pasta from one of the club’s many spreads of food we chatted with one of the founding members who reminisced about contributing funds to the creation of the club and visiting it even before the construction of the building was complete!

The Columbia Tower club certainly put on a class event and we absolutely cannot wait for upcoming events such as a meet and greet with the pilots of the Blue Angels and future black tie events.  A big thank you to the staff of CTC for putting on such a special and memorable evening.

Celebrating one very happy year at the Willows Lodge

It is hard to believe that it has now been one year since John and I became married at the Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington….and what a wonderful year it has been!  With trips to South Africa, St. Martin and Las Vegas and with 2 very busy careers we couldn’t think of a more special spot to celebrate our anniversary than back at the Willows.  Nestled centrally in the valley of Woodinville Wine Country, about 30 minutes east of Seattle, the lodge welcomes you with relaxed VIP service from the second you pull into the driveway and ensures that every detail of your stay exceeds your expectations.  We were greeted with a lovely glass of wine from a local winery which we sipped next to the welcoming fireplace in the lobby until our room was ready.   We watched as another couple was married right where we were one year ago and it brought back all the emotions that come with that very special day!

Our room, like most others at the lodge, was very spacious and featured a fireplace and jetted spa tub…perfect for a romantic night away!  We enjoyed happy hour drinks and snacks in the Fireside Cellars lobby bar and then a romantic dinner on the grounds at the Barking Frog restaurant.  We chose to stay in but others may enjoy one of the over 20 local wineries, including the world famous Chateau Ste Michelle, within walking distance and the concierge will work with guests to create the perfect tasting trip for them!

We chose to be married at the Willows Lodge because of the gorgeous location and grounds, their ability to make each guest feel special and their attention to detail.  This is why we returned for our anniversary, had a wonderful time, and will continue to return for many more happily married years to come!

Experience the magic of the Willows Lodge: www.willowslodge.com

For more information on Woodinville Wine Country: www.woodinvillewinecountry.com