How does pop culture influence the news? How is the news reflected back in our pop culture? Film critic Robert Horton — and you — join us for a series of discussions on the formation of our national culture. Today, a reflection on the Oscars. Join us at 1.800.289.KUOW.

And we'll get an update on the latest business news with Michael Parks, editor emeritus of the Marple's Northwest Business Letter.

His tour kicks off in the Northwest, with stops in Eugene, Oregon, Vancouver, BC, and Spokane. Catch Conan in Seattle April 18 and 19.

Conan O'Brien Coming to Seattle originally appeared on About.com Seattle / Tacoma on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 15:29:14.

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A few suggestions for your weekend:

Friday is the opening of Un Prophete ("A Prophet"), the film that won the Grand Prix at last year's Cannes Film Festival, at the Harvard Exit. Critics have been comparing this crime epic to The Godfather. Don't miss it.

Saturday the Seattle Symphony welcomes guest conductor James Gaffigan (San Francisco Symphony) for a program of Menelssohn, Hayden, and Mozart.

Also Saturday, the Seattle Center kicks off the Irish Festival. Come enjoy Irish music, dancing, movies, and free "how Irish am I" family tree analysis. You don't even have to wear green.

Sunday is "Pi Day" (3.14 is pi for you non-mathematically-inclined) around the world and, especially, at Seattle's High 5 Pie. Get .14 off any three pies at Fuel Coffee. As if you needed an excuse for pie!

What To Do in Seattle This Weekend originally appeared on About.com Seattle / Tacoma on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 14:57:43.

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Maria Hines of Tilth sat down with me recently to talk about cooking in the Northwest, her favorite farmer's market, and the one ingredient you don't have in your cupboard but should.

Maria is one of Seattle's best chefs and Tilth is a local treasure. Take a look.

Photo © Claire Barboza

Interview With Chef Maria Hines originally appeared on About.com Seattle / Tacoma on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 17:39:11.

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Part-time Jobs in the Seattle area
3,000 job openings in the last two weeks

Software Jobs in the Seattle area
9,000 job openings in the last two weeks

Read more...

Seattle Job Openings - 3/8/10 originally appeared on About.com Seattle / Tacoma on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 18:13:41.

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• The most lavish is probably Hotel 1000's "A Night at the Oscars" party.  Walk the red carpet, schmooze with artists from Teatro Zinzanni, and enjoy some elaborate food platters from Boka Kitchen + Bar. The next best thing to sitting next to Jack Nicholson at the Kodak Theatre.
• Washington Film Works is hosting a more indie shindig at the Spitfire. Come rub elbows with filmmakers, fill out an Oscar ballot, and be eligible for some swanky door prizes.
• If you're feeling generous, consider the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound's annual Oscar Bash. Details are scant, but the BBBS make a huge difference in a lot of kids' lives.
• Three Dollar Bill Cinema (as in "queer as...") is hosting their 5th annual Oscar Party. Proceeds go to the Gay City Health Project.
• If you're down south, check out the Tacoma Grand Cinema's Academy Awards Party. Catering and free "Hollywood look" makeup sessions included.
• For a "recession friendly" event, check out Fremont Studios, which is hosting a BYOB Oscar event. Free spaghetti dinner if you bring a canned food item.
• On the Eastside, check out Beach Cafe's Oscar bash in Kirkland. Walk the red carpet and compete for the "best dressed" prizes.
• No Oscars for you? Well, the Northwest Film Forum (with co-sponsor Scarecrow Video) is counter-programming with Pan Chan-Wook's brutal "Vengeance Trilogy." These films may not have brought home any statuettes, but you'll remember them for a long, long time.

Oscar Viewing Events - This Sunday originally appeared on About.com Seattle / Tacoma on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 22:08:21.

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If you haven't gotten a chance to see the new and improved SAM, this is a great opportunity.

Free Admission to SAM Sunday originally appeared on About.com Seattle / Tacoma on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 19:55:34.

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Right under our noses, Seattle is carving out an identity as a great pizza town. Do yourself a favor and take a break from the Pizza Huts and Roundtables to explore some great Seattle pizza (even some that deliver).

There are some familiar local favorites, including Pagliacci and The Rock in Tacoma, and some trendy new spots like Via Tribulani and Serious Pie. Your personal favorite not on the list? Discuss here.

Photo © Carolyn Chow

Discover Great Seattle Pizza originally appeared on About.com Seattle / Tacoma on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 17:19:47.

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This glorious weather is probably too good to last.  Here's hoping you get to take it all in.

The last weekend in February looms, as do some gray days. Here are some suggestions to create a little of your own sunshine:

• This weekend Bellevue plays host to the sizzling Wintergrass bluegrass festival. More info in the February events calendar.
• Friday and Saturday, the Northwest Film Forum will be showing the lauded White Stripes documentary, Under the Northern Lights. The NWFF has become a rock doc specialist of late, and this one looks like a lot of fun.
• The Seattle Opera concludes their Verdi celebration with Falstaff, opening Saturday. Verdi takes the funny bits out of a few of Shakespeare's histories and wrote probably his best score for it.
• Glengarry Glen Ross closes on Sunday, and even a single part of you likes theatre, you owe it to yourself to catch the Rep's production of David Mamet's most perversely quotable play. Written during the recession of the early '80s, it's never been timelier.
• If artisan beer, great wines, and gourmet food are more your speed, consider the Seattle Food and Wine Experience at the Seattle Center on Sunday. Proceeds go to Beecher's Flagship Foundation charity.

Photo © Courtney Shannon Strand

Send February Out With a Bang originally appeared on About.com Seattle / Tacoma on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 22:53:30.

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• Richard Pryor: Live at the Sunset Strip at SAM on Friday. This hilarious live-comedy film is Pryor's first performance after lighting himself on fire while free-basing cocaine. Like any concert film, this one is way more enjoyable with a crowd. Take advantage of this rare opportunity.
• Esquin's wine tastings are the best in town, and a favorite is their semi-regular Under $10 tasting. Their experts scour the globe for fantastic deals, usually covering numerous numerous varietals and styles. Saturday from 2-5pm.
• Legendary saxaphonist Maceo Parker has unmatched funk credentials, anchoring some of James Brown's, George Clinton's, and Prince's best touring bands. He leads his 9-piece band at Dmitriou's Jazz Alley this weekend. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
• Looking for a fun family outing on rainy day? Check out the Museum of Flight's In Search of Amelia Earhart exhibit. Daily, 10-5pm

Suggestions For Your Weekend originally appeared on About.com Seattle / Tacoma on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 18:25:27.

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But now Washington's state senate overwhelmingly passed a statute to make cell-phone driving a primary offense. The House is likely to follow suit and the governor will almost certainly sign it into law.

If signed, the law will go into effect next January. Cell-phone drivers: you have less than a year to change your ways.

Cell-Phone Drivers Be Warned originally appeared on About.com Seattle / Tacoma on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 19:05:20.

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• Torontoist investigated some onomatopoeias ("OUCH!" "THUNK!" "OOF!" "YIPE!") painted along a road, pointing to potential hazards for cyclists.
• Gothamist had its fill of salt-related news: There was "salty" Eric Massa's resignation and "snorkeling" allegations and then a NY lawmaker's proposal to ban salt.
• Bostonist spent the week pondering local challenges to Obama's health care reform from both the right and the left.
• Seattlest went behind the scenes of much-lauded local pizza place Delancey.
• Chicagoist began a new series in their ongoing look at the battle to bring another Wal-Mart to the city, this time exploring what it's like to work at the store.
• Shanghaiist found a cafe advertisement for Starf*cks.
• LAist couldn't apply the brakes to the comments section on this post about a San Diego man's runaway Prius.
• Phillyist co-editor Jenn DiSanto and staff writer Leigh Simpson represented Philly at the Disney Princess Half Marathon ... and made it to the finish line.
• SFist waited in line to visit the SF Underground Market.
• Houstonist pondered the addition of two minor league baseball teams within its metroplex.
• Londonist walked along a creepy Victorian tunnel under the Thames, the first time this has been possible for 140 years. Naturally, they took their camera.

• Over 300 Boeing 737s need emergency airworthiness inspections after "severe vibration" was witnessed in some of the planes in the air over Europe.
• Not enough students are getting college degrees in Washington, which ranks 38th out of the 50 states in degrees awarded per capita. If nothing is done, the state will experience a shortage of qualified workers to replace retiring baby boomers in the coming years.
• Police have released photos of three missing women found in the Seattle storage unit of a convicted serial killer.
• A Tacoma nursing home is closing it's doors after the state pulls it's license, citing "immediate jeopardy" to the home's elderly residents.

The NCAA Selection Committee, who'll pick the 65-team bracket Sunday, can be a bitch if they're not sufficiently impressed, kind of like the girl in biology class who snubbed us for that taller upperclassman before Sadie Hawkins. (We're not still bitter.)

The good news is the Huskies took a step towards an invitation last night, coming from behind to beat Oregon State 59-52 in the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Tournament.

Sophomore Isaiah Thomas kept the Huskies from NIT-lameness, at least for a day, leading the second-half comeback from as much as 11 behind.

Each win the Dawgs can rack up in LA is like a pound of muscle, persuading the committee that they indeed are a worthy date, despite some early-season missteps like general performance anxiety away from home.

As of this morning, ESPN's Bubble Watch still thinks the Huskies need another win to secure a tourney berth. Up next tonight is #7-seeded Stanford, who upset #2 Arizona State Thursday to advance to the semis as well. It's worth noting that the Cardinal gave the Dawgs their first road win earlier this season. UW hasn't lost a road game since, and they're peaking at the right time, winning 10 of their last 12 games.

Other notes:

-UW softball pitcher/cyborg Danielle Lawrie struck out 14 batters in her second perfect game of the season, a 3-0 shut out of Miami of Ohio. It was the first night game ever played in Husky Softball Stadium, where new lights went up over the field just this season. Tonight the Huskies play Miami again at 6 p.m. if the weather holds. Should've asked for a retractable roof along with those lights. Oh, well.

-Sounders FC took a tough loss on home pitch last night, 1-0 against the soon-to-be-MLS-bretheren Portland Timbers. While we hate relinquishing bragging rights to the Timbers Army, more daunting news came from Washington DC, where forces are conspiring to kill American soccer.

MLS players voted overwhelmingly to go on strike if a new collective bargaining agreement isn't reached by March 22, just before this season's kickoff game between the fledgling Philadelphia Union and our Sounders FC.

The league and players union are squabbling over things like the fact that players sign contracts with the league rather than individual teams, and that those contracts are rarely guaranteed. Not to mention, the median salary for an MLS player is $88K, and the minimum for a senior roster player is $34K, which puts some players in the same tax brackets as bank tellers and Walmart greeters.

But, and this is a tough "but", does anyone outside the MLS bubble really think a strike is a great idea right now? Keep in mind, this is a sport that a lot of people in this country don't understand and don't want. If there's a worse death knell to the continued growth of soccer's popularity and development in this country, we can't think of it.

In the big picture, sadly, a strike is most likely gonna be met with one big Middle American yawn.

In Europe, they write day/month/year, so it's 14/03/2010, but we 'Merkins write 3/14/10 ... which happens to be the first few digits of Pi (3.14159, if you've forgotten). Pi as in, heh-heh, Pizza Pi (vegan, in the U District), Pizza Pi (vegan, Victoria, BC), and a couple of also-rans: Serious Pie (savory, downtown) and Seattle Pie (sweet, in Magnolia).

Nor should we forget our good friends of cyberspace, SeattlePI.com. To you all, Happy Circle of LIfe.

So what happened this week? Well, it was beautiful, and then it wasn't. It freakishly snowed and we collectively shook our fists at the sky.

King County Executive Dow Constantine proposed adding a cabinet-level labor relations director in a speech Monday.

Tuesday night we got ourselves a transportation budget to the tune of $8.5 billion, as passed by the state legislature. What also passed in the house that night? Tax increases! But, we all knew that was coming.

A dark day for us all as Wednesday brought the news of the death of teen idol Corey Haim. Speaking of drug overdoses, in better news: Governor Gregorie signed a law granting legal immunity to people who call 911 to report a drug overdose. Washington got rebuked for refusing to accept Arkansas felon transfers, violating interstate law. Guess who else was a felon from Arkansas (insert obvious Clinton joke here)? Well, none other than deranged cop killer Maurice Clemmons. This explains why we may be so hesitant to welcome the next round of felons from Arkansas into our state.

The state of Washington isn't the only one that's broke, we've got trouble right here in River City. Seattle Mayor McGinn detailed his plan for how to combat an estimated $11 million budget shortfall Thursday. In regards to cuts, he grimly noted "everything's on the table here."

Friday it remains cold and rainy, but at least we've got the promise of a weekend. And, the promise of a special legislative session in Olympia next week to solve all our state's budget problems. We predict it'll be a snowy day in Seattle before our elected officials untangle that knot.

This is the inaugural year of the 20/20 Years. Of the 5 films nominated for the Oscars in 1990, not one was re-nominated this year. 20/20 is proposing new best picture nominess for 1990: Cinema Paradiso, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Drugstore Cowboy, Jesus of Montreal, and When Harry Met Sally. The front runner is Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, which was ignored by the Academy Awards in 1990.

The Awards' voting body includes 45 working film professionals from all over the globe, including several members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Join the 20/20 Awards Monday Night at the Central Cinema. Presenters on hand to hand out awards will include:

• Tyrone Brown, Director of BrownBox Theater -- Best Picture
• Michael Seiwaerath, Former Director NW Film Forum -- Best Director
• Curtiss Marlow, Cinematographer / Actor (Geek #1 in “Heathers”) -- Best Actress
• Brendan Kiley, The Stranger -- Best Foreign Film
• Andrew Chapman, Screenwriter -- Best Cinematography
• DJ Riz Rollins, KEXP -- Best Song
• Jennifer Zeyl, Set and Costume Designer, WET -- Best Costume
• Josh Feit, Publicola - Best Documentary
• Gavin Borchert, Composer and Seattle Weekly editor -- Best Score
• Lindy West, The Stranger -- Best Actor
• David Schmader, The Stranger -- Best Adapted Screenplay

Monday, March 15, 7:00 pm. (doors open at 6:00) // Central Cinema, 1411 21st Avenue // Tickets: $7

The American Jewish Committee's Seattle Jewish Film Festival gets under way at SIFF Cinema this weekend with the Oscar-nominated Ajami on Saturday, more films than we can shake a stick at all day Sunday, marking the start of a week of Jewish cinema from around the world. Get a load of the whole shebang on their website.

Northwest Film Forum starts it's week long engagement of 45365, a documentary homage to life in small-town America tonight. Check out review here.

Also at the NWFF but only this weekend, you can catch the music doc Leonard Cohen at The Isle of Wight, a tribute to the legendary singer songwriter featuring footage of one of his greatest performances alongside candid interviews with peers like Kris Kristofferson and Joan Baez, so you may want to make that a priority.

And Friday and Saturday, Central CInema's James Bond Film Fest presents the finest of all the Bond films, Goldfinger, a movie that takes Sean Connery at the height of his powers as 007, pits him against the greatest Bond villain of all time (you can cease your debate now -- this is Science Fact!) in Auric Goldfinger and also has the greatest Bond Girl ever, Pussy Galore. Remember -- when an opportunity to watch Goldfinger exists, there is almost no excuse for not watching Goldfinger.

MAGMA FESTIVAL: Hollow Earth Radio continues its musical domination of March with two fantastic shows. On Friday, 20/20 Cycle hosts Not Yr Average Hetero Honkytonk: NW Queercore 2010, featuring Elissa Ball, Council of Lions, Agatha, Emeralds, My Parade, and Cold Lake. Then on Saturday, the action shifts over to the Fremont Abbey with Sir Richard Bishop, Arrington de Dionyso, and Jason Webley. As either will be a fantabulous adventure, we suggest you go to both.
Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. // 20/20 Cycle / Fremont Abbey // $8

RED BLUE SUEDE SHOES: Good afternoon, comrade! It’s time to suit up in your reds and stars. Everyone’s favorite Siberian Surf Rock band, Igor and Red Elvises returns tonight for an international dance party that will most likely get very intimate. Over the past 15 years, the Elvises have gone through numerous changes as members come and go, instruments wander in and out of arrangements, and audiences grow. One thing has stayed constant, however: wherever the Elvises go, the screaming guitar based rock'n'roll follows.
Friday 9:30 p.m. // High Dive // $15

MOBILE RUMBLE: After two wildly successful chowdowns, it was only a matter of time before someone challenged Seattle for dominance in the mobile eats field. But Portland? C’mon, P-illy, we thought we were friends. But if there’s to be a meat fight, then so be it. We’ll be down there to mediate, making the most awesome club sandwich out of Seattle BBQ and Portland poutine. With Burgerville, Koi Fusion, Marination, and Skillet slated to appear, it doesn’t really matter who comes out on top so much as what you get on the side.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. // Safeco Field // Tickets: FREE

INKERS NOT TRACERS: The 8th annual Emerald City ComiCon returns this weekend with a slate of celebrity guests, artists, exhibitions, panels, and cosplay practitioners artfully plotted to send your average nerd into gasping paroxysm. We, truthfully, are not immune. With Jhonen Vasquez, J. Jacques, and the venerable Stan Lee on-hand, we’re doing everything we can to catch our breath in the autograph line.
Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm / Sunday: 10:00am - 5:00pm // Washington State Convention Center // 2-Day Pass $35.00 / Saturday Only $25.00 / Sunday Only $20.00

4:00 p.m. // Westin Hotel, 1900 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101 // Tickets: $40

For those not accustomed to lengthy monologues, Ki Gottberg’s Valley of the Shadow may be a little hard to digest. Part of the pleasure of festivals like these is picking a handful of performances and going in without knowing what to expect - to venture outside one’s comfort zone. However, we might have enjoyed Valley of the Shadow a bit more if we had mentally prepped ourselves for an hour-long, autobiographical monologue based on Gottberg’s family history and intertwined with references to Kali, a Hindu Goddess. The monologue is so dense with information that a program insert is deemed necessary to explain all the historical and religious references in the piece. Granted, Gottberg’s theater arts training and performance skill is generously employed to help make the piece easier to swallow; we are just not so sure we are partial to the way that it tastes.

March 3 - April 3 //Theater Off Jackson, 409 7th Ave S. // Tickets $15 advance, $18 at door, All-festival pass $99

Frontier: Valley of the Shadow runs Saturday, March 13.

10:00 a.m. // Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 // Tickets: Free

Teens Read Around the Clock: This Sunday, The Seattle Public Library will host “Team Read Around the Clock.” The all-day family event will feature teen tutors reading children’s books from noon to six. The goal is to support literacy and raise awareness of Seattle’s Team Read program. The free event is open to the public and no registration is required. Children in attendance are eligible for fun surprises like free t-shirts, pencils and more.

12:00 p.m. // Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 // Tickets: Free

The bad news:

• Accused cop killer Christopher Monfort compared Seattle police to Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini in an unexpected courtroom rant.
• Lacey police arrested a convicted felon who was illegally keeping 37 firearms.
• Washington and Arkansas continue to fight over whether or not Arkansas can send their felons here.

1:00 p.m. // Basil & Chives, 114 N. Lewis Street, Monroe, WA 98272 // Tickets: $45 or $100 for VIP

Tonight's reading will feature stories, essays, or chapters from local authors Stacey Levine, Jonathan Evison, Bret Fetzer, and Janna Cawrse Esarey, with Charla Grenz hosting. And following the four author's readings, there will be an open mic for anyone that would like to share their own prose up on stage.

Stacey Levine is the author of the recent fiction collection The Girl With Brown Fur and other novels such as Frances Johnson. Levine is a Pushcart Prize nominee and has had fiction featured in Tin House, The Fairy Tale Review, and other venues.

Janna Cawrse Esarey made major waves last year with the publication of her Indie bestselling travel memoir, The Motion of the Ocean: 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman’s Search for the Meaning of Wife. If you've been to Elliott Bay or Barnes & Noble in the past year, chances are you've seen Esarey's book in the recommendation section like we have. CNN.com's The Frisky referred to the true story as, "hilarious,
poignant and completely relatable.” And who can argue with The Frisky? Bonus points for if you know what The Frisky actually is. (We don't, but it's fun to say.)

Jonathan Evison is the author of the book All About Lulu, which took home the 2009 Washington State Book Award. Evison is the 2009 recipient of the Christopher Isherwood Foundation fellowship and also has a forthcoming book, West of Here, that will be available this fall. As per his Hugo House bio, Evison loves rabbits and beer, and lives on Bainbridge Island.

Bret Fetzer, who you might know from his articles in The Stranger and Seattle Weekly, writes plays, screenplays, fiction, and basically anything other than poetry. Fetzer has had a play produced by Annex Theatre, has written a collection of original fairytales, and is currently working on a young adult novel about teenage superheroes.

With such a varied bunch of local authors and an open mic invitation, we have no doubt that tonight will be extremely cheap and extremely fun for all. Donations are being accepted to keep the beer flowing in the future and there will be plenty of books, t-shirts, and other merchandise for sale. It's recommended to show up early to get a seat, as Cheap Wine and Poetry normally only has standing room left. So get out there, put a couple cold ones back, and read your work or hear local authors read theirs. $1 PBR; enough said.

7 p.m., beer for 21+ // Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave. // FREE, donations excepted

If you wander into their International District store in the afternoon and buy a pound for a whopping $1.25, you will be rewarded with a still-warm, sweet, tender, luscious block of tofu. Yes, I said luscious and tofu in the same sentence. This stuff is so good, you might want to eat it plain, just dipped in a little soy sauce.

Yelp, normally an unpredictable and slightly terrifying place to visit, also offered forth some gushing praise:

Thanh Son tofu is awesome. They offer fried tofu to buy by the pound in a couple of different varieties as well as fresh tofu that they've clearly just made. I am in love with the lemongrass and onion flavors of fried tofu and am glad that there is a cheaper place to get it than Uwajimaya (which carries the same product for more money). The only problem with the place is that it's not really close to anywhere you would ordinarily be, but it's worth the walk for some quality product.

Hands in the air, Seattle vegetarians. Hands in the air.

TWO IN THE CHAMBER: Orchestras can be so stuffy. To see them we have to put on uncomfortable shoes, go places we’d never otherwise go, sit properly and clap hands properly and keep our voices down. Plus they cost a pretty penny. But Tigran Arakelyan and Todd Hayen are changing that with their new orchestra. CCO is free. Home run number one. Each program is performed at two venues: one in an unconventional setting (such as Q Café) and the other in a more traditional place (like Magnolia United Church of Christ). Each program features well-known orchestra mainstays (say Haydn and Mendelssohn) as well as a world premiere. Sounds like orchestra can be alternative, too. Now we can say things like, “Hey friend, grab a cup of joe and enjoy this live orchestra.” Home run number two.

8:00 p.m. // Q Café // Free

TIMBER: Oh Portland. We knew you’d go and do it. We knew you’d go ahead and get a professional soccer team too. But the road is long and the hoein’s hard, and 2011 is still a ways away. The Sounders, meanwhile, are close to starting their second MLS season, but we’ll take a USL team as preseason practice for now and give you fellas a taste of Sounder green and blue. We’ve gotta give you credit though, it takes a lot of foresight to name yourselves after what we’re going to make of you - for years and years to come. See ya on the pitch.

6:00 p.m. // Qwest Field // $10

It was a real bummer to see the comic genius of Conan get bumped off the air by Jay Leno's meaty, unfunny fist. But if it means we'll get to see him perform live, we guess we can live with it.

There are some intimidatingly pricey tickets for this -- you can get a Meet & Greet package for $695 (!). Main tickets start at $39.50 and go up to $79.50. They're going to go fast, so buy yours now.

Further dates and ticket info at The Wrap.

• Well, the Seahawks seem to be getting more serious about bringing some new blood in at quarterback - but are the Browns Derek Anderson or Chargers backup Charlie Whitehurst supposed to be viable long term options?
• A Seattle laboratory has sequenced the genome of a family of four, a feat that may lead to further insight into hereditary genetic ailments.
• Amazingly, no kids were seriously hurt when their school bus rolled off the road in Skagit County.

Tomorrow 19 talented student designers will premier their 7-10 piece collection in front of an expected mass of 1,600 people. In between students stacking boxes and jumping over each other in event-mode frenzy, Kelly told us how this mass-production works:

"Our show has a lot of energy and it’s fun. Students work really hard to produce the show but also they have to work their collection into seven themes. Three for fall and four themes for spring: bohemian, mystical, Savannah adventure, glitter, glam and pop, deconstruction, twisted effects (think gothic, Tim Burton style, netting, etc) and film noir,”.

We took a sneak peak at some of the designer’s collections, and the above stated themes are exquisitely conveyed through the textiles and design techniques. So as not to give any secrets away, we're most excited for Nathalie Amthor's Lady Gaga-esque glitter, glam and pop piece, and Isaiah Whitmore's dark, urban men's wear.

Thursday, March 11 // Sodo Showbox // $20 Pre-registered // $30 at the door // 5pm and 8pm Shows

45365 is the filmic equivalent of an oil portrait of a perfectly average middle-aged woman, painted by a skilled, passionate artist. There's nothing distinctive about the subject, but it's rendered in such detail that it's hard not to find it beautiful.

45365 is the zip code of Sidney, Ohio. Sidney is one of those small towns semi trucks barrel their way through and where trains stop to be filled with grain. It's the sort of place where a hog race is considered the highlight of a summer, where high school football regularly makes the evening news, where an ex-4H queen can trade her past glories for a good husband. In other words, people bypass Sidney unless they live there. It's a tightly knit community: at its local jail, a prisoner and his guard have a jovial conversation about their respective dinner plans even as the guard's cuffing the prisoner. The men in Sidney have the same functional haircut, and the ladies all have the same build. What connects these people is their location.

While it's not fictional, we wouldn't call 45635 a documentary. It's shot without commentary. There's barely any soundtrack to speak of. No one acknowledges the camera. We see the same faces and places from time to time -- a high school football coach, a barbershop, cop, a fisherman and his son, an ex-con and his wife, a farmer -- but we don't follow anyone long enough to identify with them. We never learn anyone's name, except that of a judge campaigning for re-election. Meaning is implied in 46365, not broadcasted. The filmmakers present their subjects without judgment. Things just happen in front of the camera, and the audience is left to determine their own response.

We see some happy things: wedding preparations and a high school football coach's motivational speech before an important game. Three middle-aged couples square-dancing atop a parade float. An old farmer laughing a high-pitched laugh. We see some painful things: the calm moment in which a driver's sobriety is tested by a cop. A mother yelling at her son for stealing her pills. Work, home, social life, public life. This isn't boring. It's meditative.

45365 plays at the Northwest Film Forum March 12 - 18 at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.

Don't sweat it if you miss ou, though. The beer is scheduled to be available on draft and in the bottle (six packs, 22s, and a Summer Variety 12 pack w/Audacious Apricot and Thunderhead) through July. For more information check out their site or stop in on the 16th.

5pm to 8pm // 91 Royal Brougham Way

Cheers

The fourth name brought up as a challenger to Murray - not so much. Former State Senator and perennial gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi holds a 3 point lead on Murray, according to yesterday's poll numbers. Progressives probably don't need to panic yet - the lead is within the 4.5 point margin of error of the poll, which was conducted by Rasmussen, a very good source of poll numbers nationally that does tend to skew a bit to the right. Still, it demonstrates that a Rossi/Murray race could run neck and neck - much closer than state Dems can be comfortable with.

If Rossi decides to run, that is. He's remained canny about his interest in the seat, but is getting encouragement from the GOP establishment across the country. These numbers, which represent Rossi's second consecutive month with a slim lead on Murray, probably aren't doing anything to dissuade him from a possible run.
Granted, these are early numbers, and a lot could change between now and the June 11 filing deadline, but with the best name recognition of the current challengers, experience running in statewide elections and a turn-key fundraising operation, Rossi is the de facto GOP frontrunner for the seat, whether he's running or not.

Today, we look at Kayla Kemner, an accountant that has been living in Seattle for five years. As the Montana native has always had a soft spot for animals Kemner volunteers with Purrfect Pals. She chose this organization because they are one of the few area shelters that provide refuge for those that are not adoptable. While complex health or behavioral issues often force other shelters to euthanize cats, Purrfect Pals promises them a home for life.

As Lead Volunteer for the downtown Bellevue Adoption Center, Kemner manages volunteer schedules, oversees the care of the 10 cats on-site and serves a weekly shift as an Adoption Counselor. She feels the most rewarding aspect is finding permanent homes for the cats. Having volunteered for nearly four years, Kemner has witnessed countless success stories including that of an 11-year-old cat whose owner had planned to euthanize her. Purrfect Pals stepped in, saving the cat's life and finding it a fantastic new home.

Kemner believes volunteering is important because it allows you to give back to your community. "I would encourage everyone out there to volunteer, whether it's with Purrfect Pals or another organization, giving yourself to a good cause feels so great!" If you would like to get involved you may volunteer at one of the many local PetSmart or PetCo Adoption Centers as well as at the main shelter in Arlington. Financial contributions as well as donations of supplies like cat food and blankets are also greatly appreciated.

To learn more about Purrfect Pals, check out the "Adopt" and "Purrfect Endings" sections.

But we're catching up: Seattle's food cart scene is stronger than ever before. The food is better, the carts are more numerous, the locations more convenient. Our own Marination Mobile won Good Morning America's Best Food Cart Challenge. This weekend, if you can brave the crowds, you'll have a chance to find out for yourself who's got the finest cart-based food.

Rev up your intercity rivalry! On March 13, food cart from Portland and Seattle will convene to vie for your appetite. Past Mobile Chowdowns have been big, maybe too big: crowds braved disorganized locations, long lines and frustrating food shortages at Mobile Chowdown 1 and Mobile Chowdown 2. But the food is good, maybe too good. People kept coming back for a reason.

Mobile Chowdown 3 promises to up the ante, at least food-wise, on its predecessors. Portland vendors will join Seattle food trucks at new location outside Safeco Field to vie for your appetites. March 13 is also the first day of single-ticket sales for the Mariners, so there will be a built-in hungry audience just waiting for some delicious dishes handed down to them on the curb.

Seattle Vendors:

• Marination Mobile
• El Camion
• Dante’s Inferno Dogs
• Anita’s Crepes
• Kaosamai Thai
• Gert’s BBQ
• Skillet Street Food
• Top Pot Doughnuts
• Hallava Falafel
• Here & There Grill
• Veraci Pizza

Portland Vendors:

• Burgerville
• Koi Fusion
• Potato Champion
• Whiffies

March 13, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. // Occidental Avenue South (between Edgar Martinez Drive and South Massachussetts Street) // Tickets: free // Parking: Free at Safeco Field Garage.

Follow @mobilechowdown for more details.

Good news:

• Bike directions added to Google Maps.
• Dale Chihuly Museum planned for Seattle Center.
• Voracious has Seattle's five best omelets.
• Google opens online business portal.

ME AND ORSON WELLES: Early on in the Prodigal Sons, we learn that the director, Kimberly Reed, was once known as Paul, a star quarterback in high school before her sex-change operation. Reed's gender reassignment, however, turns out to be a mere side note in this exploration of her family's past.

While visiting her hometown of Helena, Montana, to attend a high-school reunion, she reconnects with her adopted brother, Marc, whom she hasn't seen in more than a decade. Growing up, Marc lived in the shadow of his overachieving then-brother Paul (now Kimberly). Since suffering a traumatic brain injury at age 21, Marc is prone to mercurial mood swings and violent behavior. But Marc takes center stage after it is revealed that he is the biological grandson of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth.

The jaw-dropping revelations continue as Kimberly and Marc travel to Croatia to visit Welles' longtime partner Oja Kodar to learn more about Marc's mysterious origins. The raw emotions and sibling resentments uncovered in Prodigal Sons make it one of the strangest first-person documentaries in recent years and one that is sure to ignite many "nature versus nurture" arguments among viewers.

7:30 p.m. // Siff Cinema // Tickets: $10

GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE: The Tenth Annual Breakfast with Champions, a fundraising occasion sponsored by the King County Bar Foundation that benefits several good causes, brings former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle to Seattle as the keynote speaker. He is expected to speak on the current health-care proposals and where they stand. His most recent book is Critical: What to Do About the Health-Care Crisis.

7:30 a.m. // Sheraton Seattle // Tickets: $50

WILLIE NELSON JR.: Promise of the Real features Lukas Nelson on lead guitar and lead vocals, Anthony Logerfo on drums and backing vocals, and Merlyn Kelly on bass, while JP Maramba has since joined the band onstage. Promise of the Real leans towards blues, a little folk and good old rock and roll. “I have no idea how to label it,” says Lukas, “but we come to it with a rock and roll attitude!”

The band’s five-song EP also contains some very personal lyrics from its frontman. “When my girlfriend and I first broke up, I felt really shitty. She’s part of the reason I quit school,” he begins, more of a revelation than an accusation: “I didn’t want to study, I just wanted to play music. I knew music could heal me. After 6 months apart I realized I really loved her and we’re now back together, but Track 4, ‘Want You Around’, is a real strong song for me. I actually couldn’t play it for awhile,” he confesses.

“One night we were having a deep conversation and she didn’t feel as strongly about the particular subject as I did, but I realized just being around her was what mattered. ‘I want you, to want me around’, was what came to mind. She went to take a shower and like in a movie, I looked up and saw her silhouette and the light in her window.” ‘You stood in the window of my soul, and I played for you’ leads to ‘Feel the rhythm, ride the tide, rise above’, warm moments in a poignant song which stresses the importance of loving one’s self, in order to truly love someone else.

7:30 p.m. // The Triple Door // Tickets: $15

If you want to submit a name, these guidelines apply:

• Names for ferries should carry statewide significance and represent our state’s image and culture.
• Specifically, names should represent such things as: state adopted symbols, tribal names, names of bodies of water, geographic locations, cities, counties, or relate to nautical heritage, etc.
• Consideration will be given to the consistency with existing WSF fleet names.
• Names should have broad familiarity, be easy to pronounce, are non-offensive and meet ethical standards.
• Names with commercial overtones or names honoring or commemorating individuals should be avoided, but will be considered upon very careful review. In these cases, the following guidelines will apply:
• The individual must be deceased for at least 20 years.
• They must have enduring fame and have played a significant historical role in the region and/or state.

Entries so far include “Squi Qui,” entered by the Town of Coupeville and the Swinomish Tribe (Squi Qui was a Lower Skagit tribal leader and a signer of the Point Elliot Treaty), and “Salish,” entered by the San Juan County Council.

The request for names is open until April 30. The Transportation Commission will then work with WSF and the public to select the new name.

Cultural tourism is expected to be a windfall for the local economy. The last really big show at SAM (Van Gogh to Mondrian, in 2004) drew nearly 300,000 visitors, a third of them from out of state. The Picasso exhibition is expected to be even more of a visitor magnet.

Even before Picasso arrives, however, Kurt Cobain gets his own show. For those who remember the days of grunge and roses, it's an altogether fitting notion that Seattle's most mainstream museum would bring together works that comemorate Cobain's life, music and suffering.

There's more, much more, on SAM's schedule. Read the whole lineup here.

Delancey
Cuisine: Pizza
Owners: Brandon Pettit and Molly Wizenberg
1415 Northwest 70th Street
Seattle, WA 98117
(206) 838-1960
Twitter: @DelanceySeattle

You can't really do better than Lebowski Fest as far as audience participation goes. Especially in heavily bearded Seattle, everybody knows a guy who looks like Jeff Lebowski. And that lookalike usually has a Walter Sobchak-lookin' buddy. Toss in a few bowling balls, a really nice rug a couple German accented antagonists, and a hair-netted Jesus-wannabe, and you've got yourself a party, dude.

No one really expected The Big Lebowski to become the next Rocky Horror Picture Show, but we guess that no one was really expecting Rocky Horror Picture Show to become an audience phenomenon in the first place, were they?

This year's Fest will include bowling, fans dressed as their favorite characters, triva contests, and a screening of the film, all lubricated by copious amounts of White Russian. It starts October 15 with a Movie Party at The Showbox, where a guest TBA will be followed by a screening of the film. Tickets are $18 in advance, $22 the day of show. Doors a 7:00 p.m., show starts at 8:00. Then on October 16, head to the Kemore Bowl for a Bowling Party. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 the day of show. 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Bowling and shoe rental is included with ticket. Bowling is general admission and not guaranteed.

Don't forget to RSVP on Facebook once you've got your tickets.

Design begins at 7:00; Communication at 8:30 p.m. // Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. // Tickets: $6-9, for each

CHABON COMES TO TOWN: As we noted yesterday, Michael Chabon will be in town tonight as a part of the Seattle Arts & Lectures 2009-2010 Literary/Arts Series. Chabon will be speaking on "I was Edgar Allan Poe! A true story of imaginary reincarnation, literary influence, and pathetically belated revenge." As an added bonus, if you are a patron ticket holder you're also invited to the W Seattle Hotel for an after-party with Chabon and complimentary wine and hors d'ouevres.

7:30 p.m. // Benaroya Hall, 200 University Street // Tickets: $10-70

GOING SOLO: Theatre Off Jackson presents the 4th annual Solo Performance Festival and tonight features Seattle singer/comedian/actor Lisa Koch with her solo act, Demonstrate the Place of My Abode. Co-writer of past cabaret productions such as Ham for the Holidays: Lard Potion No 9 and The Carpeters: Uncomfortably Close To You and having shared the stage with the likes of Steve Martin and Dave Brubeck, Koch is well-known for her one-woman shows and we're sure that tonight will be no different. Koch will also be joined by Seattle comedian Peggy Platt in her solo performance of Cooking with Peggy.

7:30 p.m. // Theatre off Jackson, 409 7th Ave. S // Tickets: $15

• There are worse backup quarterbacks to have than Seneca Wallace, especially when your starters arm is held on with duct tape and happy thoughts. But the Seahawks won't have Wallace to kick around anymore, dealing him to the Cleveland Browns. Best of luck, Seneca.
• An Enumclaw woman has been charged with animal cruelty after police and animal control officers remove dozens of animals, some starving, others already dead, from her property.
• A physical therapist at Swedish Medical Center has been charged with taking indecent liberties following allegations that he physically abused two patients under his care.