February 2012

Commemorative Space Needle Toppers

Commemorative Space Needle Toppers

Even better than a billboard, the Space Needle is a prominent way to get a message across.

Since its construction, we’ve been decorating the Space Needle to commemorate special occasions. A crustacean ascended the Space Needle in October, 1985 as a publicity stunt for Fish and Seafood Month. In July, 2008, the Sub Pop flag was flown in honor of the local record label’s 20th anniversary. Squatch helped paint a Sonics mural…

Gauguin's Favorite Things

Gauguin’s Favorite Things

SAM’s new Gauguin show emphasizes the master painter's influences.

Paul Gauguin is known the world over for the vibrant paintings he produced while living on Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands. But the “primitive” objects that inspired him, which he sometimes referenced visually, are often glossed over in discussions of his work. Not so with Gauguin & Polynesia: An Elusive Paradise, the new show at…

Wearable and Responsible Kids' Jeans

Wearable and Responsible Kids’ Jeans

Bainbridge Island-based Kicky Pants has super-soft jeans for kids that you'll feel good about buying

For kids who say “no!” to wearing too-stiff denim jeans, local parents Erin and Nick Cloke offer an alternative: cute, kicky denim styles made from eco-friendly and ultrasoft bamboo. The Bainbridge Island pair, owners of KICKY PANTS kids’ clothing (kickypants.com), use bamboo denim for their collections of kids’ jeans, which come in dark and light…

Laura Veirs' New Kids Album

Laura Veirs’ New Kids Album

The Portland artist's latest, Tumble Bee, is filled with American folk classics and charming lullabi

Too often, music that has the power to soothe a savage toddler meltdown is tooth-achingly sweet; downright intolerable for adults. Not so with the new release by Portland-based musician Laura Veirs. Her new kids’ album, Tumble Bee, is filled with spirited American folk classics, charming lullabies that meander into minor keys and a even a…

Caspar Babypants Has Two New Books

Caspar Babypants Has Two New Books

The West Seattle rock'n'roller is more in to bedtime stories these days.

One of the heavy hitters in Seattle’s booming “kindie rock” scene is branching out into books. West Seattle’s Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew of the Presidents of the United States of America) has teamed up with his wife, artist Kate Endle, to release two kids’ books, complete with sweet sing-along songs. MY WOODLAND WISH ($16.99),…

Rejected Ideas for Seattle’s World’s Fair

Rejected Ideas for Seattle’s World’s Fair

From a Space Needle atop Mount Rainier to a “Carveyor,” Knute Berger dishes on the World’s Fair that

The Seattle world’s fair of 1962 is fixed in civic memory: the Space Needle, the Science Center, the Monorail. But just as interesting as the fair that was is the fair that wasn’t. The Century 21 Exposition had many possible incarnations that remained on the drawing board. So consider this column the opposite of Elvis…

Publish or Perish

Publish or Perish

Local authors want to help you get that book idea out of the drawer - and onto the shelves.

Still trying to come up with a New Year’s resolution? How about kickstarting that book idea you’ve been mulling over? Local authors Kerry Colburn and Jennifer Worick have a new Business of Books workshop: 30 Days to a Winning Book Proposal. Learn how to research, refine, pitch and pen a proposal—and get that book out…

Vitamin Chocolate

Vitamin Chocolate

Health nuts who dread getting a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day can breathe a sigh of sweet re

Health nuts who dread getting a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day can breathe a sigh of sweet relief. New Seattle company Vibrant Chocolate enriches its truffles and treats with vitamins and nutrients—such as calcium, vitamin D and omega-3s—which means gobbling them up is (mostly) guilt free. Warning: Monthly subscriptions are available. vibrantchocolate.com  

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Live, Laugh, Bomb

Live, Laugh, Bomb

A ROOKIE TRIES STAND-UP COMEDY, WITH MIXED RESULTS

As with many Tinder dates, things didn’t go quite as I expected. For example, I didn’t intend to have multiple guys I’d matched with in the same place, at the same time. Especially when that place was a comedy open mic that was going to be my first and possibly only attempt at stand-up. After…

Costco Goes for the Gold

Costco Goes for the Gold

Have a sudden need for gold bars? Better act fast.

The warehouse retailer known for everything from its popular food court to organic maple syrup and bulk, well, everything, is now in the business of selling gold. That’s right. Costco is peddling one-ounce gold bars online. But you have to be a member to buy them. And they’re not cheap. Shoppers have two options: One…