The Seattle Traveler

2006 is about to bid us all adieu, but before it slips away entirely, I wanted to share with you my list of favorites for this past year.  I’m not claiming these are the best of the best, just that this year they are my personal favorites.
Favorite special occasion restaurant:  El Gaucho, Belltown.
Favorite casual restaurant:  Dick’s Drive-In.
Favorite steakhouse:  El Gaucho, Belltown.
Favorite seafood restaurant:  The Oceanaire, downtown.
Favorite ethnic restaurant:  Indochine (Thai), Federal Way.
Favorite Hotel:  Hotel Monaco, downtown.
Favorite Museum:  Washington State History Museum in Tacoma.
Favorite thing to do in Seattle on a sunny day:  Wander around the Pike Place Market, or watch …read more

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Refusing to give up her seat for a white passenger and sit at the back of a Montgomery bus was not her first, nor last, act of civil disobedience, but it is the single act for which Rosa Parks (1913-2005) is best known.  That act, and her subsequent arrest, on December 1st, 1955, are credited with launching the fight that forced a segregated bus system to open its doors to equality.
The Washington State History Museum in Tacoma is the current home of a four-year traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian collaboration with the Troy University Rosa Parks Library and Museum, that …read more

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You can make your picture perfect holidays last just a little bit longer with a visit to the Museum of History and Industry’s (MOHAI) Norman Rockwell’s “Home for the Holidays” exhibit.
The exhibit showcases 40 Saturday Evening Post covers done by Rockwell, including some of his most popular images, and is on loan from the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. 
Rockwell’s first Post cover was “Boy with Baby Carriage” in 1916.  His most well known pieces are probably “Rose the Riveter” and his “Four Freedoms” series which was inspired by a speech by Franklin Roosevelt.  The “Four Freedoms” series was later used …read more

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There are very few places where adults must be accompanied by a child, but The Children’s Museum, Seattle is one of my favorites. 
Located on the first level of the Center House at the Seattle Center, the museum is a 32,000 square foot environment just for children through 10 years of age and their families.  The exhibits are all interactive, encouraging touching, and playing, and learning, and are capable of withstanding some pretty vigorous activities. 
Most of all, though, the exhibits are designed to stimulate a child’s mind by allowing them to role play, problem solve, and develop eye-hand coordination.  It reminds …read more

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The 18th annual ecumenical concert of sacred music by Duke Ellington, featuring the award-winning Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra will be presented Saturday, December 30th at the First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue.
Duke Ellington (1899-1974) was one of the great musicians to emerge out of America’s jazz scene, earning a reputation as a pianist, composer, and bandleader.  In 1965 he performed his first Concert of Sacred Music in an attempt to merge jazz with Christian liturgy.  Calling them the “most important thing I’ve done,” Ellington did two additional sacred music concerts in 1968 and 1973.
The SRJO performance features guest singers Dee Daniels and James Caddell, …read more

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To readers near and far, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and all good things this holiday season!
– Mary Jo –
 
 
 
 
 
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Details:  Snoqualmie Falls, a 270 foot waterfall, is one of the popular natural attractions in the greater Seattle area.  The park and viewing area are free, and open 24 hours a day.  The falls are approximately 30 miles from Seattle.
 
Photo credit:  flickr
 
 
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The Seattle Symphony will perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Benaroya Hall in performances December 28-30th.
Beethoven’s final symphony, composed when he was deaf and very ill (1822-24), has become a New Year’s tradition.  The symphony is 65 minutes long, nearly twice that of a typical symphony written during that time.  To the vigorous musical score, Beethoven further pushed the bounds of tradition, by adding sung text.  The most recognizable piece of the symphony is “Ode to Joy.”
Location:  Benaroya Hall, 200 University Street (downtown)
Dates:  December 28th at 7 pm, December 29th at 8 pm, and December 30th at 8 pm.
Tickets:  $50-95, available online
Photo …read more

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The repair and clean up from last week’s Seattle windstorm continues.
Most Seattle hotels, businesses and attractions are now open for business.  Air travel has resumed its normal hectic holiday state.
I’m one of the lucky ones who have had power restored to my home.  Others will have to wait a few more days.
If you’re in Seattle, please go out and patronize the local businesses.  It’s been a tough week, and they can use your business.
Photo credit:  AndyH
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If you’re looking for something a little bit different to do during the holiday, here’s a fun idea at the Historic University Theater. 
The last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the month, the theater offers Twisted Flicks, a showing of a classically “cheesy” movie.  So what’s different about that?  In this case, the movie is shown without its original soundtrack, and a team of players improvises all dialog, sound effects, and music live.  Suggestions often come from the audience.  It’s a fully improvised movie show, which means that while the same movie may be played on different nights, the dialogue will …read more

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