I had the chance to experience Finaghty's Irish Pub this week.

It's perched up on the Snoqualmie Ridge, in a planned community that appears as though it was dropped down out of the sky. It's like this whole town was just built to order in one fell swoop.

I have to say, it is a bit "Stepford Wives" out in that "hood" but to each his own.
BF Mel, and mandolin player extraordinaire, sat in with last night's band, Random Manor. The place was PACKED! The crowd seemed mostly 30 somethings and Finaghty's is clearly THE place to be in Snoqualmie.
Thursday is live music night.

The soon to be open Snoqualmie casino will be a haven for live music too. Snoqualmie is really hoppin. And, I just thought it was for skiing and the Lodge. I better get out more.
The grand opening of the Casino in November will feature Jessica Simpson.

At Bellevue's Vertigo Lounge, Mark Haynie and Steve Rice play October 9. Mark Haynie is the bandleader and front-man for Half Pack LIVE!!! and Steve Rice is his legendary paino man. For this out-of-the ordinary appearance, they'll stretch into some territory they don't get to explore with "The Pack."

They'll do some original tunes - jazz and otherwise - as well as freshly different versions of popular rock, jazz, R&B and others. It will be intimate, edgy, provocative and very, very sexy.

You can catch some timeless music at Pogacha in Issaquah. Local smooth jazz artist, Darren Motamedy performs every Friday till the 24th of October.

Please check their schedule for other music happenings.

A favorite band of mine will be doing the first concert in many years at the Paramount on Halloween. Have you heard of the Sonics? They did that song "The Witch" back in 64. They are from Tacoma and do the rawest, most raucous garage rock you have ever heard. Of course I was way too young to see them at the famous Spanish Castle back in the 60's, but thank goodness they are coming to the Paramount for a show. If you love NW rock and it's roots, this is a don't miss. It will sell out.

Just when we thought Bellevue was "arriving" in terms of the new restaurants opening here in the near future, and, I might add, we HAVE arrived, Seastar decided to open a new spot in Seattle across from the Pan Pacific Hotel. I guess they might as well pick it up on both ends of the bridge. That's what El Gaucho, Monsoon, Wild Ginger, and 13 Coins are doing by opening restaurants on the Eastside.

According to a reliable source we are also getting another new spot in the Lincoln Center near the Parlor called Earl's. Earls is a casual dining restaurant chain that operates in Western Canada as well as Arizona and Colorado in the United States, and recently in Mississauga, Ontario. Earls has approximately 50 locations. It is known for its casual but trendy atmosphere, and emphasis on fusion cuisine.

This addition should make Lincoln Center a hub for entertainment of all kinds.
Personally, i am looking forward to Pearl taking over where Trader Vic's was. I will miss my Scorpion drink wth the fresh gardenia, but maybe I will find a pearl in my martini instead.

Fall is in the air, you can see it, smell and taste it. Taste it? Yes, at the upcoming Celebrate the Reds wine tasting

at Wells Medina Nursery. This event is FREE and has valet parking. Count me in. It's October 11th starting at noon.
You do have to pay for the wine but entry is free. You can also meet Cisco Morris.
, watch cooking demos, taste delectable morsels and mingle. A delight for all senses.

On October 4th the Howard Mandville Gallery in downtown Kirkland is having a preview and artist reception.
This event is FREE.
From 6-8 PM you can enjoy a special wine tasting introducing Pondera Winery's First Artist Series 2006 Salon Series Red wine featuring Kent Lovelace painting "Cypress" on the label. Kent Lovelace will be on hand to meet as well.

Come see him and his collection of oil on copper artwork. You will also have a chance to taste the Pondera Winery's first in the Salon series red wine.

For the ultimate wine lover, those with wanderlust, or for those of you who want the trip of a lifetime check out this ultimate hedonist experience: A wine cruise on the Mediterranean.
For details, contact Wine Diva Deb.
JOIN DELILLE CELLARS ON A WINE CRUISE!!!
SAIL ON THE WIND SURF WITH GREG LILL
NICE TO ROME
September 27 - October 4, 2009

Last Saturday night, the Bellevue High School class of 73 had their 35th reunion at the 0/8 Seafood Grill in Bellevue.

This is nothing terribly unusual, however as a member of this class, I must tell you that what is unique is that we get together for a mini reunion every year. I guess you could say at this point in our lives there are only so many more Saturday nights left, and this is not a dress rehearsal.

We actually, after all these years, have abandon our "cliques" and the former "stoners" hang out with jocks, homecoming queens hang out with regular people. It is interesting to note that time seems to make the playing field alot more even.

We all have our histories of growing up in Bellevue, living in and around Clyde Hill, Medina, Enatai, etc. when it was more pastoral and you could ride your horse down Bellevue Way. Really.

Time has made us soften, time has brought us dramas and illness, and happiness, has made us forget the roles we played in high school and just be ourselves.

The 0/8 Seafood Grill was the perfect setting to meet old friends, see who has the most grandkids, and find out what the heck everyone's been doing in the last year, not to mention the last 35 years.

If you have a reunion coming up, don't hesitate to go if you can. After a decade or two your old classmates will feel like your favorite pair of comfy shoes.

Looking for something to do on the Eastside, but are tired of the same old, same old?
The Bellevue Art Museum has a full schedule of events to try. New on the menu is the Finally Friday event: Finally Fridays! *NEW*
Live beats. Fresh art. Great people. Start your weekend off right at BAM. Stroll through the galleries, sip savory wines, enjoy live music and meet new people. Join us for Finally Fridays! every last Friday of the month.
6:30 pm: Gallery Tour with Museum Executive Director and Chief Curator Michael Monroe
7:30 pm: Live beats and Wine Tasting with a Northwest favorite by Precept Wine Brands
FREE with admission to Museum. 7.00 general, 5.00 student.
Sponsored by Precept Wine Brands and Seattle Magazine

Not only do they host this event, but they also have classes for kids on Saturdays and other museum tours.

Not only is Issaquah home to Sip Wine Bar which has ladie's night

on Thursdays and live music, but it's also the home of Bake's Place, an intimate jazz club with great full course dinners.
This Sunday, the 28th is the "all star jam".
All Star Jazz Jam featuring Seattle vocalist/pianist, Hans Brehmer, from Portland, Oregon, vocalist/pianist, Mary Kadderly, from Vancouver, BC, vocalist/pianist, Jennifer Scott, Seattle vocalist, Greta Matassa, Seattle vocalist, Gail Pettis, Seattle vocalist, Trish Hatley and Seattle vocalist Craig Baker.

This place is located in Providence Point, but is not associated with it. It's small, cozy, and a hidden gem on the Eastside.

Need more music? There's the Eastside Jazz Club with their upcoming jazz event.
The Jazz Extravaganza.
Annual Jazz Extravaganza Concert, October 26th 2008 2.30pm at the beautiful Bellevue Arts Museum 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue 98004. Seating is limited and tickets are going fast.

After my harrowing trip over the bridge yesterday into Ballard for an eye exam, it reaffirmed my feelings about living in Bellevue. As I drove home over i-90 East and saw the Bellevue skyline peeking up through all the greenery I went "ahhhhhh"! So clean, so pretty, so open.

I use to think Ballard was hip, Bellevue was blah. That was in the 80's. Now the tables have turned and Seattle and some of it's surrounding areas sort of, how can I say this delicately?....creep me out.

The streets are all potholed, there is trash in the streets, there are not many trees or shrubs. It truly is a "cement jungle". It's got lots of action, and the denizens of Seattle are quite "unique" in their hair, clothing and tatoo stylings. But, I was relieved to beat my path from the "urbs back to the 'burbs. Maybe I'm just getting old, but maybe not, maybe it is just a fact that it is way more crowded, way more dense and way more bizarre than it was in the 80's.

It made me really, really appreciate what we have over here on Eastside. It was quite the "experience" in Seattle and I don't mean a good one. Burbs over urbs for me any day.

When you see those big guys with the tight uniforms on throwing a ball around on the gridiron, do you think of an animal sanctuary? Well..no. But the Seahawks are helping raise awareness of the plight of unwanted animals by creating a calendar with the animals from Pasado's Safe Haven for an upcoming calendar. The PRO Compassion Calendar for 2009.

To order

This calendar helps raise awareness of compassion for animals, and helps Pasado's continue it's sanctuary work.
This is such a special place for animals, and the work they have done for the neglected and abused has changed the lives for the better of so many.

It's a touchdown for the animals!

Last night was the kick off and preview party for Poncho's upcoming wine auction to benefit the arts.
It was at the Main street Masin's furniture store. I had never been in that store before but WOW..it's got some gorgeous furniture. We're not in Ikea anymore Toto.
I fell in love with this chandelier;

and it's "only" 2000.! Maybe Mel will buy it for me for Christmas.
Anyway, back to the reason for this blog.
The party featured tables set inside Masin's with gorgeous settings. On the tables were silent auction bidding forms for dinners for at least 6 people at places like Seastar,, El Gaucho, Waterfront, very nice indeed.

This leads up the big party; the Poncho Wine Auction. On October 18, you can help raise funds for the arts, for arts in the schools, and our local opera and ballet by either volunteering for the auction, or attending as a patron. This is a fun party. I have done the volunteering for at least a decade.

The theme is Spain. To get involved click the wine auction link at the top of this page.

If you want to mix and mingle, promote your business and check out other local and upcoming businesses, get on the list to attend the next Eastside Entrepeneurs event. It's both a wine tasting with various local wineries, a chance to taste some great food, and meet other like minded people.

I found out about an upcoming Fall Fair and Wine Tasting at PengWine Sept. 27 and 28. Wine and jazz...perfect.

I also ran into the "tree man" Scott Sinclair who owns Tree Harmony. He is a tree arborist who takes your trees and makes them healthy and beautiful.

If you have been craving some comedy entertainment...and who hasn't with what is going on in the world these days....I talked to the folks who run the Laughs Comedy Spot in Kirkland. Thursday nights feature a wine tasting with a different region every week. That's something to make you smile.

The founder of Eastside Entrepeneurs is Joe Kennedy

...no, not THAT Joe Kennedy, he is long gone, this one is also the founder of Eastside Business, an informative local free paper. It's got local business info, and all sorts of happening things to do.
What's better than wine, nice people, and finding out about new things to do on the Eastside?

As I drove down Bellevue Way I was aghast to see the former location of Blockbuster Video clear cut away. Scraped away completely! The building was a mainstay of Bellevue since it was opened in 1969 as a groovy Jeans West store. Be patient with me here as I reminisce about the "grand opening". I recall Steve Miller played out front and Boz Scaggs was in his band. It was the Summer of Love, and the local FM "underground" station KOL FM was promoting the event. I went. There was a smattering of people to see Steve Miller and to check out this over the top teen age and young adult clothing store with the wild bell bottoms and fringe vests.
They eventually sold "records" too as well as "paraphernalia" which was another term for drug accessories...right on Bellevue way! They had pipes, screens, bongs, papers, you name it. Even coke spoons! No one batted an eyelash. Oh, and black light posters. Imagine!

Ah, the innocent days of Bellevue.
I can only surmise another "mixed use" retail, condo, entertainment high rise will take it's place.
Oh, for those of you who need to rent a movie, Blockbuster has moved to Main and 106th.

Recently, Mel and I had the opportunity to attend the Bellevue Towers receptions thanks to the Downtown Bellevue Network.
We headed up to the 8th? floor via the construction elevator....talk about a free blowout!, and landed in the mid construction area and into some finished and furnished condos. These are stunning!

The Bellevue Towers would be THE place to live for those that thrive on a lively urban feel, those that want to walk to everything, and those that want to "lock and leave", simplify, sell their family home and get a first class condo right smack dab in the heart of Bellevue.
The prices range from relatively affordable and it is all relative....to very expensive.
As a baby boomer with a single family home, the thought of a maintenance free condo with access to EVERYTHING in downtown Bellevue at my fingertips is quite tempting. If would be so easy to shop LOTS. And the views from almost every room! But, I'm not quite ready to give up my parklike yard, my pets, and the suburban lifestyle. It DID get me thinking though!

I had taken this past week off to "get my house in order" as the saying goes. You know, clean out stuff that is not being used, shred stuff that is from the 80's, basically just get caught up and take some RnR.

Well, Tuesday I took my Irish Setter McGinty and his cohort Godiva the Pomeranian to the groomer to get them spiffed up as part of my program.
To my total devastation, the groomer called me an hour after I dropped McGinty off to tell me "McGinty has died". Can you imagine my horror?

This pic is shortly after I adopted Mac in 2001.
He was 9 years old when he died, and he had developed a weird dry cough, but he seemed just fine otherwise.
The groomer said he just "went" quickly. They met me at my vet with his lifeless body.
I spent an hour saying goodbye, and crying hysterically. The vet said most likely he had an undiagnosed mycardial heart disease and it just would have happened at another time where he was under stress. The groomer handled the situation with the utmost empathy, and professionalism. And, this was McGinty's lifelong groomer who adored him. She was beside herself.

The phone call from the groomer has haunted me all week. One minute the dog is alive and wagging his tail, chasing squirrels, begging for treats, the next...dead. I miss him every moment of the day. It's a huge void.

Have any of you ever experienced your dog dying suddenly and unexpectedly?
If I've learned 2 things from this experience:1 Love and appreciate those close to you for you never know how many days we have on earth. 2: If your pet, or loved one has unusual symptoms you are not sure of, take them to the doctor at once.

Please share your pet experiences in the comment link if you would like to.

A good friend of mine gave me two vintage Bellevue Chamber of Commerce brochures knowing my fascination with Bellevue and it's history.

I found these very intereresting....or is it veddddy interestink! (Laugh In 1968) that exactly what Bellevue promised back in the 60's, Bellevue has kept it's promise.
In the brochure from 1963 Bellevue promoted "Spacious and Gracious" Living and was named "All America City" in 1955. Population in '63 was listed as 14,700.
Here is a shot of the newly built Overlake Hospital.

And here's an aerial view of Bellevue High School with the Surrey Downs "hood" behind and no 405 freeway.

Where I'm going with this is that Bellevue, in it's infancy and innocence was forward thinking even back then. It had a world class hospital, lots of new homes, and a top notch high school.
In the brochure from the later 60's it states "Bellevue's future as a growth city was preordained. The people influx began with the opening of two floating bridges spanning Lake Washington and linking Bellevue to downtown Seattle. The community is made up largely of vital young professionals, keen on sports, outdoor living, and cultural adventures."
This seems as true today as it did then. Bellevue had a vision and stuck to it.

Over the weekend Mel and I had the opportunity to attend a concert at the Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville. This concert is FREE to wine club members once a year. This year featured smooth jazz artist Earl Klugh. He came out and did a long set of funky, smooth jazz that had the makeshift "dancefloor" pulsating with baby boomers.

If you are into good wine, and love music, you would benefit from considering joining the Vintage Reserve Wine Club at Ste. Michelle Winery.

This annual concert is only open to club members and their guests. And, they offer the "don't miss" (literally) ring toss for wine!

I bought 6 tries for 10.00 and won 3 bottles! And I'm no pro!
Totally fun.

It's not often I get over to Seattle, but last weekend I did it. Mel's relatives from Montana were in town and so we did the tourist thing in our own city: we hit the Pike Place Market. There were six of us all going in different directions looking for tacky souvenirs. I bought some incense which reminded me of going to the Market with my Mom in the mid 60's. It was a patchouli paradise.

Mel bought me a lovely bouquet of flowers, and he even got a deal on them due to it being closing time. Love that!

We walked all around the Market, and walked to other shops in the area. It got me thinking.
How can we go "green" in Bellevue and start by parking our car in one place then walking to other shops to do our errands?
If you think about it, you could park at the Downtown Park, do a walk around the park, get some lunch at Cafe' Pirouette on 102nd Avenue NE, walk from there to the Galleria for some live music, walk to check out an exhibit at the Bellevue Arts Museum on Bellevue Way (admission is FREE on the first Friday of the month), stop at the new Safeway for a few groceries, stop at Cookies in Bloom on 103rd avenue NE for a cookie bouquet gift (these can be sent out like a real flower bouquet) then back to the car and drive home. I've saved on gas, driven less, and gotten some exercise. Every bit as "green" as walking the Market in Seattle.