1. Make reservations for dinner out.  Ok, all the really great spots may be booked up (or maybe not given the economy right now).  I’d suggest taking a look at Open Table and see what is available.  (This is a great site for reservations any time of year.)
2. Fireworks at the Space Needle.  You may still be able to get reservations for dinner or for one of the parties held there, but the real party is outside and it’s FREE.  The fireworks display at midnight attracts tons of viewers both in person and on television.  It’s great fun, even though it’s going to be cold, to be out on the street with friends and strangers welcoming the New Year.
3. Area casinos offer a variety of entertainment and parties, and although nowhere near as elaborate as what you’d find in Vegas, it should be fun for those willing to take a gamble on 2009.  Many have adjacent hotels, allowing you to stay close.
4. Check Ticketmaster for tickets to various venues around the city.  There’s comedy, music, and a variety of other performances, so chances are you’ll find something to snag your interest.  There are tickets to many performances still available, and if you can’t find decent seats, consider the General Admission option (standing only) at the Paramount for Presidents of the United States.  There is also reserved balcony seating available.
5. Catch one or two of the end-of-year new movie releases.  Fandango allows you to buy your tickets online in advance letting you avoid at least part of the lines. 
6. For the kids (grades 2-8), there’s a sleep over at the Pacific Science Center.  It’s a little bit science and a lot of excitement as 2009 is welcomed in.  At midnight the kids can watch the fireworks at the Space Needle from a kid-safe environment.
7. First Night in Tacoma is family friendly and alcohol-free, with a variety of events planned at downtown venues.
8. For a more reflective transition from one year to the next, many area houses of worship have special services and activities.  Giving thanks and praying for a better 2009 is not a bad idea.
9. Make hotel reservations, and combine a couple of these ideas for a festive night out.  If room rates seem a little high for your budget, and you don’t mind selecting an area to stay in without knowing the name of your hotel, Hotwire delivers great hotel bargains.  I use them a lot when I book a room downtown, and have never been disappointed.
10. Stay home.  Whether it’s by choice or because you didn’t plan early enough, there is a lot of New Year television programming.  Movies, sports, and you can watch the fireworks at the Space Needle or the ball dropping in Times Square all from the comfort of your own home.  And go ahead and go outside and bang pots and pans, or shout Happy New Year’s to your neighbors.  After all, it’s only one night of the year.

Image credit:  flickr

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

Details:  A mixed bag of Seattle weather this weekend.  Moments of sun, sure, but mostly cloudy skies.  And let’s just forget about the rain!

Photo credit:  flickr

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

Details:  The Space Needle is probably the most recognizable attraction in the Seattle skyline.  Whenever I fly back into Seattle, no matter the time of day, I always enjoy seeing the Needle.

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

With a commitment to showcase the best artists in the Pacific Northwest, the festival is supported by business and community partnerships that believe in the value of family, intergenerational activities, and opportunities.  SAACA provides venue to present the artistic talents of both established and developing artists.

The Association is named after Sundiata Keita, an ancient Malian warrior king, and for 26 years of bringing African/African-America cultural arts to the Seattle area, honoring the heritage, history, culture, and art of African people.

This year’s festival will run February 16-19th, and the Seattle Center House.  The event kicks of with traditional African drumming and dancing which you won’t want to miss.  Other musical entertainment will include an impressive line up of northwest artists set to entertain with jazz, gospel, rap, hip hop, rhythm & blues, and traditional African music.

In addition to the entertainment, you’ll be able to view art and photography exhibits from established and emerging artists, retail and food merchants, and enjoy a wonderful sense of community.  A Children’s Place will also be available for the younger set, featuring hands-on craft tables teaching how to make African inspired dolls, flags, jewelry and masks.

Location:  Center House, Seattle Center Campus

Dates & Time:  February 16-19th.  Friday, 6-8 pm; Saturday and Sunday, noon-8 pm; Monday, noon-5 pm.

Admission:  Free

You can find the full schedule of events, including musical performance on the master schedule.

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

Location:  Another butterfly from the Pacific Science Center’s Tropical Butterfly House.  Look for the white arches, colored red during February in honor of Heart Month.

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

The climate-controlled environment of the Butterfly House is a living exhibit, home to exotic trees, flowering plants, and hundred of butterflies.  Those beautiful flying creatures have complete right-of-way in their home.  Look around you, and you’ll see them flying and flitting about, eating, sunning themselves, and occasionally frolicking with one another.  And be careful where you step – butterflies frequently stop for a drink of water from the puddles on the ground.

Throughout the Butterfly House you’ll find laminated identification cards.  Pick one up as you enter, and use it to identify the many species that you’ll see.  At various points throughout the exhibit you’ll see fruit plates put out.  Butterflies love bananas and oranges, and flock to the fruit to eat.  Stand around a few minutes to watch them.  Their dining habits are amazing.  Don’t forget to look up and down, you’ll find them everywhere.

Although touching the butterflies is not permitted, you may find that one lands on you.  Today, one of the larger ones (in photo at right) perched itself on my hand for a couple minutes.  It’s amazing to watch one at that close of range.

Location:  Pacific Science Center, Seattle Center Campus, near the Space Needle.  The Butterfly House is located in Building #2.

Times:  Winter Hours are weekdays, 10 am – 5 pm, and weekends, 10 am – 6 pm.

Admission:  $10 adults, $8.50 seniors (65+), $7 juniors (ages 3-12).

Food and beverages are not permitted in the Butterfly House.  Butterflies are fragile creatures, and touching or chasing them is not allowed. 

Be sure to bring your camera.  There are lots of good opportunities for photos.

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

The exhibit deals with all sorts of those unmentionable sounds, gasses, fluids, and functions of the human body.  You can become a dust particle and explore a nose, examine scabs and blisters, and learn about indigestion with the “Burp Machine.”  While it’s sure to elicit a chuckle or blush from adults, the kids will love it.  But not to worry, it’s educational as well as, well. . . gross.

Here are a couple of “gross” facts to help you get an idea what to expect:

• The lineup at men’s and women’s washrooms vary because of the length of time it takes us to pee: men average 45 seconds; women spend about 79 seconds.
• In a study of people who do not speak English, researchers read a list of words and asked the people to choose which words they thought sounded pretty. Diarrhea was one word that most people chose.

Well, okay, you get the idea.

Location:  Pacific Science Center, Seattle Center Campus.

Dates:  Runs January 27th – May 6th, 2007.

Hours:  Weekdays 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Weekends 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Admission:  $10 adults, $8.50 seniors, $7 children 3-12.  Pacific Science Center admission includes entry to all exhibits.  IMAX Theater has an additional admission charge.

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

The concept is simple – take a photo a day.  The idea was started by Taylor McKnight who claims that it serves as not only a way to remember the year, but to help him understand what’s really important to him in life.

I decide to start my own personal Project 365 on January 1st of this year.  My goals were twofold.  First, I figured that it would serve as a visual history of my life, and second, I figured that it would help me to become a better photographer.

You can check out Taylor’s 2006 version of Project 365 at his flickr account, and learn a little bit about why he does this and what he hopes to learn here.  After reading his story, I decided to give it a go.

This is a big project for me, and while I always have my camera in my purse, it’s rare that I actually remember to take it out and take photos.  Part of it is simply because I don’t know what I’m doing, and the results are pretty frustrating.  Additionally, I don’t really have the “eye” for knowing what will make a good photo.  Project 365 relieves me of some of that responsibility (I have to do it everyday so I don’t have to look for the perfect setting), while burdening me with responsibility at the same time (I have to do it everyday).

Throughout the year I’ll be posting some of the photos here, and some at Flyaway Café.  I’ll try to set up the entire project on a personal blog soon, and post the information for those of you who are interested in following my progress.  If any of you are inspired to tackle Project 365 as well (or maybe you are already doing it), please let me know so I can follow your progress as well.

Today’s photo of the Space Needle is Day 1 of my Project 365.  It was taken shortly after midnight while watching the New Year’s fireworks. 

(Thanks, Jon, for helping me get the photo to look just right!)

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler