Art by Zee

On Wednesday, May 25, 2011, Meals Partnership Coalition (MPC) will host a happy hour fundraiser to support the work of King County programs that prepare and serve free and low-cost meals to homeless and poverty-level children, youth, families, and individuals. The fundraiser, “Eat Real Food: Food for Life” will be held at FareSart in downtown Seattle from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and will feature a multicultural hors d’oeuvres menu made from organic ingredients, a silent auction, and live music performed by award-winning virtuoso guitarist, Andre Feriante.

MPC is a collaborative organization with more than 68 non-profit meal provider members who serve in excess of 3 million free or low-cost meals annually, and works to ensure that non-profit meal programs have the resources necessary to meet the hunger needs of people who would otherwise go hungry.

Food for the event will be prepared by a team of celebrated chefs from 7 local human service organizations: Asian Counseling and Referral Services, Recovery Cafe, Union Gospel Mission, Pike Market Senior Center, OPERATION:Sack Lunch, Seattle Children’s Home, and Angeline’s Center.

FareStart is a culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals, and the event will take place at the FareStart Restaurant. The FareStart restaurant is located at 700 Virginia Street, 98121 (on the corner of 7th and Virginia). Tickets for the event are $25.00 and are available online at Brown Paper Tickets (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/159442) or www.mealspartnership.org. For additional information please contact Shayne Kraemer at (206) 957-3857, or via e-mail at shayne@mealspartnership.org

Seattle Out and Proud is launching a new website and parade registration system. From their press release:

Seattle, WA, March 11, 2011: Seattle Out and Proud (SO&P) is excited to announce that on March 15, 2011 we’ll be launching our new website and parade registration system. The new website is designed to be more user friendly and have an even smoother integration with our parade registration system.

Twenty-eleven is a year that will bring many firsts for SO&P. In addition to our new website and registration system we’re happy to announce that our Pride Idol singing competition will be hosted by Neighbours Night Club, and emceed by your favorite Diva Gaysha Starr. Join us March 11, 2011 as we partner with SAM REMIX for the new Nick Cave exhibit “Meet Me at the Center of the Earth” as we have one of our very own board members conduct a guided tour of some of their favorite pieces.

Be You. Be Proud. Express Yourself! Is the parade them for 2011 and is a celebration of the cultural diversity that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and ally communities express every day. Stand up and declare, “I AM! WE ARE!” This year’s theme is a celebration of our ability to create, innovate, influence, and express ourselves. We invite you to find new, exciting, and creative ways to express who you are. Declare your message loud and proud along 4th Avenue this June 26, 2011 as we kick off another great parade that draws over 450,000 spectators, participants and volunteers – Be You. Be Proud. Express Yourself!

Visit our website at www.seattlepride.org for more information and details about our events and programs.

Dictionary.com is one of the most helpful sites on the internet, saving me from making a complete fool of myself on a regular basis. Besides providing a way to check your spelling and word use, they also have some great word games and useful tools and resources.

Plus, they like to do fun things like make neat little lists like “10 Top Vocabulary-building Horror Flicks of All Time”.

What made the cut?

The Exorcist – This controversial masterpiece not only redefined horror movies, but has also given people nightmares and nausea since 1973 and introduced us to the term pneumoencephalogram.

The Silence of the Lambs – When Dr. Hannibal Lecter insists, “Enthrall me with your acumen,” we can’t help but be enthralled with his. We also have Dr. Lecter to thank for some perverse culinary education – fava beans and Chianti will never taste the same.

The Shining – Stephen King’s imagination for horror + Stanley Kubrick’s cerebral filmmaking + Jack Nicholson’s sardonic wit = neuron-firing chills. Kudos to a film that makes ten words – “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” – one of the most terrifying moments in cinema. Alas, you won’t find “redrum” in any mainstream dictionary.

Jaws – Sure, those of us who were kids in 1975 are now afraid to swim in a pool, but this classic may have done more to generate interest in Carcharodon carcharias than all Shark Week episodes combined. When we weren’t being traumatized, we were educated on the animals’ extreme territoriality as well as nautical and medical terminology.

Scream – A clever plot and satirical dialogue set this one apart within the otherwise mind-numbing teen slasher genre. Randy offers insight into the killer’s actions: “It’s the millennium, motives are incidental.” We dare you to find a line like that in any of the Friday the 13th films.

Suspiria – This English-dubbed, gruesome 1977 Italian Dario Argento classic revolves around unusual words that inspire the viewer to look them up, when you aren’t too busy gasping in terror.

Videodrome – From what we can determine, the only film included in our Quotes section is David Cronenberg’s early, visionary work. Phrases, concepts, even the names of characters play off of word meanings. And who can forget the grotesque yet mesmerizing imagery and the young James Woods’ intensity?

The Omen – We have to give this film credit simply for making its title, a useful and sophisticated term, ubiquitous in popular vocabulary. For better or worse, the series also deserves credit for perpetuating concepts such as the Anti-Christ and the apocalypse.

Alien – This film put Sigourney Weaver on the map and put us into a state of nightmare for about a week. Nevertheless, those with the intestinal fortitude to see past the blood were enlightened by discussions of evolutionary biology, artificial intelligence, and corporate politics. The film’s 1979 movie poster corrected a scientific fallacy perpetuated by Star Wars – “In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream…”

Psycho – This masterpiece brought the oedipal complex out of the English classroom and made it something so scary that we were afraid to shower. Norman Bates lulls us into a false sense of security with his discussions of taxidermy and armchair philosophy before forever proving that men dressed as old ladies can indeed be terrifying.

Corbomite Games today announce the development of a new commerce strategy game “Star Shipping Inc.” The game is expected to be available in September 2010 for iPhone, iPad, PC and Mac.

In Star shipping Inc. you take the role of the captain of of a cargo ship traveling between star systems to trade goods and commodities in strive to become the richest star ship captain in the galaxy.

Travel to new and exciting planets, encounter multiple type of enemies like space pirates, monsters and others, fly solo or protect your cargo by hiring defense drones. Receive groundbreaking and exciting news at the end of each turn that dramatically effect the next turn’s outcome. A dozen of random events that can occur during travel will make you think twice before take chances and increases the fun experience with a high replay value..

“I’ve wanted to do an iPhone game ever since I first laid my hands on this wonderful device” said Oded Sharon, CEO of Corbomite Games “and especially now with the iPad and the new iPhone 4, it seems like a much more exciting time for independent game developers to reach out to new audiences which we haven’t had access to only a couple of few years ago. Now, we are able to produce high quality products, featuring high production values with stunning graphics and original musical soundtrack that are available in the palm of your hand”

Star shipping features high resolution beautiful space backdrops, planets, aliens, nebulae, space ships, items, and characters. The game includes an in game store where you can buy upgrades to your ship in order to increase performance and get a higher score. For example, you can buy upgrades to get more speed, strength, or resilience. The game also features a bank where you can keep your savings and where you can loan cash in times of need.

Star shipping and will have both a standard version and an HD version available for iPhone and iPad.

The game will also include unique features for each platform, for example, a use of the iPhone’s accelerometer.

For more information on Star Shipping, please visit:

http://starshipping.corbomitegames.com

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Couch Fest Films 2010

Couch Fest Films is a shorts film fest held in people’s houses. There is no submission fee for the following awkwardly awesome prizes.

Golden Couch: A Massive Trophy & 2 Nights at my Parents’ House
Silver Couch: A Respectable Trophy & Legal Brownies
Bronze Couch: An Awe Inspiring Medal & a Thoughtful Mix Tape

We prefer films under 6 minutes.

We are accepting all genres of films from all over this over-populated
planet.

Films must not suck.

While people might be sitting on a couch to watch your film, there is
absolutely no requirement to have a couch in your amazing film.

Films must have been completed after January, 1, 2009.

Please submit as a high-quality DVD.

To help with our poor organizational skills, preview material should
be labeled with the title, running-time, contact email and phone
number.

It will be helpful if non-English films have English subtitles.

You may submit more than one film, but each film must be on a separate
DVD and must be accompanied by its own completed submission form.
Yeow!

Hella Sincerely,

Couch Fest Films!

http://www.couchfestfilms.com

If you like to dance and think a flash mob would be fun; join the DANCE This flash mob after their preview performance at City Hall tomorrow.

“DANCE This brings together local teen performers from diverse communities for collaboration and to share their culture through the art of dance. The performance features young local dancers in collaboration with professional artists performing dances from across cultures—both traditionally rooted and contemporary in form. Audiences experience the rich cultural traditions and artistic talent of teens in the region.”

The 12th annual DANCE This event takes place July 10 at 7:30 pm at the Paramount (tickets still available) and features dance fusion of cultural traditions, contemporary and urban styles, and more, including contemporary, hip hop, b-boy/b-girl breakdancers, tap and the Indian dances Odissi and Bhangra

Seventy-five of these young people will be performing a free preview at Seattle City Hall at noon. Interested spectators are invited to drop by and check it out, but for even more excitement consider becoming a participant in the flash mob that follows the event.

At the end of the performance (about 1:30), the teens will teach audience members a dance and everyone will head to the *secret* downtown location for a flash mob. It should be a lot of fun whether you’re watching or participating.

From the press release:

Stephen Gyllenhaal co-writes and will direct GRASSROOTS, produced by Oscar-winner Peggy Rajski, based on the memoir “Zioncheck for President” by former “Stranger” writer Phil Campbell.

Stage and screen veteran Jason Biggs (AMERICAN PIE, MY BEST FRIEND’S GIRL) has signed to star as Campbell, a recently fired journalist who reluctantly agrees to spearhead the Seattle City Council campaign of his eccentric friend Grant Cogswell. Rapidly rising star Joel David Moore (AVATAR, MEDIUM, BONES, HOUSE) co-stars as Cogswell, a former pedicab driver with a burning passion for the Monorail.

Can two completely broke political newbies with no campaign contributors, a collection of homemade yard signs, and a ragtag crew of unruly young supporters unseat their powerful opponent? Well, maybe…

Writer-director Stephen Gyllenhaal adapts this true story into a touching, hilarious portrait of the Emerald City and its unique political landscape.

“I can hardly wait to bring it to the screen,” says Gyllenhaal. “I am so thrilled with the chemistry the actors have together.”

“I think we have the perfect cast for this unique comedy,” adds Rajski, ” it’s half buddy movie and half political knucklebiter, and it’s all about having the guts to stand up for what you believe in.”

GRASSROOTS begins shooting next week in Seattle.

Stephen Gyllenhaal’s credits include Losing Isiah, Dangerous Woman, Waterland and Killing in a Small Town

The Mayor’s office released this today:

Construction bids to rebuild the troubled Mercer Street corridor were far less than originally anticipated, Seattle Department of Transportation Director Peter Hahn told the City Council Transportation Committee today.

“Taking advantage of the favorable construction climate, we’re ready to move forward on this important project,” said Hahn. “After decades of delay, we will fix the Mercer Mess, and create a wonderful new corridor for motorists, freight, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

Gary Merlino Construction Company, the apparent low bidder on the east phase of the Mercer Corridor Improvements Project, submitted a proposal that came in at about $47,850,000, well under the engineer’s estimate. Overall, there is a bid savings of approximately 23 percent on demolition and construction from earlier estimates, which the project relied on as part of its funding plan. The city is further reviewing the bids for completeness and responsiveness.

The funding plan for the project is now complete, said Hahn. SDOT is requesting the City Council lift budget restrictions on Mercer funding, allowing construction to begin in July or early August. The project is expected to be completed in 2013.

The project is scheduled to improve traffic conditions by improving access to Seattle Center and Uptown, as well as the traffic route to Fremont and Interbay. The plan should ease congestion by making the traffic flow from I-5 smoother, as well as giving better access to

One of my coworkers just got back from Kenya, a place I’ve always wanted to visit, so the flyer I just got about filmmaking seminars to be held in Kenya, and in Panama, too, are timely.

Well, if I ever get into filmmaking myself, I hope to produce, but wouldn’t it be fun to learn to shoot a movie in such lovely landscape?

Elevate Destinations is the organization providing these classes with experienced teachers whose pedigrees include winning Emmys and being affiliated with respected academic institutions. The Panama class takes place in May, the Kenya class takes place in August. Both classes include expert instruction on cinematography as well as trips to see the local flora and fauna up close.

For more information, visit their website, e-mail elevatedestinations.com or phone 617.661.0203