crosscut.com : Lifestyle / Leisure

Death by a thousand (paper) cuts

Crosscut — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:00:01 PDT

A magazine distributor is doing what the Bellingham police and a prosecutor tried to do and couldn't.

Sausage Links, top-two primary Cuban cigar edition

Crosscut — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:26:01 PDT

Today is "Top-Two" Primary's Eve, and as usual, the pundits have circled and speculated about tomorrow's big turnout. But we'll get to that in a second. First, Oregon congressional candidate Mike Erickson has a lesson for us titled What not to do when going on a "humanitarian trip" to Cuba. In 2004, Erickson said he visited a Cuban "medical center, met with doctors, and attended a presentation on the plight of the disabled." But according to a recent story in The Oregonian, the medical center Erickson said he visited does not exist. The story goes on to say that Erickson and some friends spent nearly $1,698 each for the weeklong Cuban vacation, which conveniently coincided with the Habanos Festival, an annual celebration of Cuban cigars. ...

The future of 'nowhere'

Crosscut — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Urban planners love to hate the suburbs, but what's going to become of them? Will Bellevue eventually become a post-carbon ghost town or a new urban hybrid? Some reflections on the urban/suburban debate.

The 'Water Dogs' visit Cama Beach State Park

Crosscut — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

A women-only getaway doesn't have to be all about spas. These "Water Dogs" prefer kayaking to pedicures, and the new Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island is the perfect setting.

Seattle has a streetcar named Desired

Crosscut — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:00:01 PDT

Minneapolis is the latest city to develop Portland-envy and, thanks to the Portland-imitating Seattle Streetcar, a little Seattle-envy as well. Minneapolis is now considering a starter-streetcar line, with maybe six more to follow. Minnpost.com writer Steve Berg recently visited the Northwest cities, rode and praised the streetcars, and was "reminded again how far behind downtown Minneapolis has fallen."

Sausage Links, ice cream man edition

Crosscut — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:22:01 PDT

Despite the near-record temperatures predicted for the weekend, officials from around the state are asking agencies to "freeze." Last week, Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire ordered a hiring freeze for state employees in an attempt to ease Washington's mounting budget deficit. Yesterday, the Snohomish County Council ordered a hiring freeze for all of their county's agencies. Not to be outdone, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels proposed a $5 million spending freeze for the City of Seattle yesterday. On a related note, Seattle's fleet of ice cream carts are expanding their service around the city, in a move experts say could result in widespread brain freezes. ...

Europe in our front yard

Crosscut — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:01:01 PDT

If you're upset because that two weeks in Italy isn't part of your summer plans due to our lowly little dollar, never fear. All the Europeans are over here. It seems wherever I go, there they are. On a whale-watching trip out of Port Townsend recently, there was an ornithologist from Vienna on board, along with two Swiss guys in their twenties. OK, the Swiss guys were with me, family friends from Zurich staying with us for a week on Whidbey Island. But I think they're typical of the Western Europeans who are flocking to the U.S. this summer.

Terry Theise has no axe to grind about Washington wine

Crosscut — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:00:01 PDT

Terry Theise expressed concern about Crosscut writer Harris Meyer's choice in today's story to highlight Theise's opinion on Washington Reislings, which isn't favorable. Here are excerpts from an e-mail exchange between Meyer and Theise:

In the bamboo garden

Crosscut — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Without mentioning any names — not that you'd know her anyway — I know someone who helped her partner plant bamboo all over his new yard just before she left him. It is an old, tired story. He was having a secret affair, except she knew and couldn't cope with it anymore. What probably looked like small, lovely bands of green topped with soft shivering leaves is probably upending his driveway and back porch right about now. My heart breaks for both of them. Oh, that karma.

A Riesling for no reason

Crosscut — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Wine importer and writer Terry Theise spoke in Seattle recently, and he finds little to admire in Washington state's Rieslings.

Sausage Links, 'Everybody wants to rule the world' edition

Crosscut — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:00:01 PDT

Angie Vogt at Red County Washington has posted an exclusive one-on-one interview with Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi. However, don't expect attacks like those seen in Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire's interview with the Stranger last week — this one is fairly vanilla. From the start, Rossi channels the Obama-patented change mantra, saying "this election is not about me, it's not about Christine Gregoire; it's about changing the culture and direction of state government for a generation." It may be a sign Rossi is looking to court more independent voters like this. Or that he's sticking to the high road for now. His campaign, however, isn't so sure he'll be ahead after Tuesday's primary election. But they aren't worried. ...

Eat and walk your way through Northwest cities

Crosscut — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Our Whidbey Island correspondent shares her favorite way to explore the food and atmosphere of Portland, Vancouver, and Seattle.

BC Ferries offer better fare

Crosscut — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:01:01 PDT

Even though I'm a Washingtonian, if I had to choose between the Washington State Ferries (WSF) and the BC Ferries, the Canucks win by a kilometer. Granted, BC Ferries has had its share of mishaps. In 2006, the Queen of the North sunk while cruising the Inside Passage on its 18-hour journey between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert. One hundred and one passengers were on board, and two are still missing and presumed dead. Human error was blamed for the sinking. Two years later, the Queen of Oak Bay lost power and plowed through dozens of boats at a marina in West Vancouver while attempting to dock at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal.

Boutique shopping guide

Crosscut — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Our style expert says there are great fashion finds to be found in Upper Queen Anne. Here's a women's guide to a range of fun choices, and you only have to move the car once.

(Not) in the garden: bees

Crosscut — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:12:01 PDT

When I was growing up, a summer wasn't a summer until my first bee sting. Honeybees, in particular, were everywhere. During picnics we would often have to move from place to place until we found a shady bee-free zone at the local park. Playing kick-the-can in the afternoons, racing through the neighborhood yards was its own Olympics:

In the garden: your pain about Spain cured on the main

Crosscut — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:00:01 PDT

Let's just say you are sitting at one of the Starbucks still standing, staring into a cup of stunningly delicious coffee, wishing you were headed somewhere like southern Spain to take a class on, okay, anything. Medicinal herbs is your top choice, but even miniature golf-putting techniques fits the fantasy. Those huge cerulean blue skies. Those plateaus. Those high deserts. Those plants. And let's just say that there isn't a snowball's chance in the Sahara that you are going to Spain, maybe ever. A VISA bill that grows all by itself, combined with ever-growing travel costs, are the marks of a trip that will not happen.

Go eastward, young Americans

Crosscut — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:00:01 PDT

There's a reverse flow of population in the West, drifting from expensive coastal cities to interior boomtowns. It's definitely changing the politics of the Rockies, while also stirring resentments at "Aspenization."

What she's wearing: a wrap dress

Crosscut — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:33:01 PDT

I have to say, I have been tickled to see the return of the flattering wrap dress. Diane von Furstenberg popularized the wrap dress in the 1970s with her jersey knits and exciting patterns. It's a quick way to look feminine and chic.

What she's wearing: crisp, white trousers

Crosscut — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:56:01 PDT

This outfit is an example of picking the trends that work for me. Babydoll tops? Negative. Leggings? Negative. Wedge heel? Depends. White trousers. Definitely.

Choose your own adventure — in mating

Crosscut — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:00:01 PDT

Theater Schmeater's Adventures in Mating takes audience participation to the extreme, as they decide how it all turns out.