|
Washington Mutual is Petty Good, for a Bank
I have done business with several banks, and found Washington Mutual the friendliest. Bank of America has many unscrupulous ways to trick customers into paying hidden fees, and at times I wonder if...
I have done business with several banks, and found Washington Mutual the friendliest. Bank of America has many unscrupulous ways to trick customers into paying hidden fees, and at times I wonder if they're really on the customers' side! But Washington Mutual shows leniency and respect in ways that I have not found elsewhere, like allowing me to deposit cash near the end of the day if I accidentally overdraw earlier, without having a finance charge, or not charging people from other banks $1.50 to use their ATM's.
Hide
|
|
Is Rem Koolhaas' Library Really one of the Wonders of the World
Some people claim that the downtown branch of the Seattle Public Library is a building of great significance, due to its unque architectural qualities, and that it is in fact one of the most...
Some people claim that the downtown branch of the Seattle Public Library is a building of great significance, due to its unque architectural qualities, and that it is in fact one of the most wonderful buildings in the world. It's supposedly shaped like a stack of books. From the outside, parts look intriguing, but parts are quite an eye soar. But from the inside, parts feel very welcoming and expansive. I don't really like the spiral pathway linking the stacks of books on the upper levels; it's a bit like a giant hamster tunnel. But the views from inside compensate for its uglier features, and the City deserves an "A" for not being afraid to try something creative.
Hide
|
|
Space Needle
Category:
Amusement Parks
Seattle, Washington
(206) 443-2100
As Far as City Architectural Icons Go, Ours is Pretty Good
As Far as City Architectural Icons Go, Ours is Pretty Good
In 1962, some people thought that we might live in places that looked like this flying-saucer topped tripod. Many people like the view from the observation deck http://www.spaceneedle.com/webcam/...
In 1962, some people thought that we might live in places that looked like this flying-saucer topped tripod. Many people like the view from the observation deck http://www.spaceneedle.com/webcam/ but some people may puke on their upward ride. Because it is our distinctive civic architectural icon, all new residents are somehow obligated to go up into it, even if you don't like it, so if you haven't, you might as well get it over with so you can tell your relatives on your next family visit. Wouldn't it have been awful if the old King Dome had been our city's 'icon' and people around the world had identified us with that eyesoar? Perhaps that's why we blew it up. But the Space Needle isn't going anywhere (unless you believe those old Lotto commercials) and it probably won't fall if there is an earthquake, because it is build into one of the largest concrete blocks in the world. It's a bit of a tourist trap, but I used to love it as a kid.
Hide
|
|
The Nicest Swimming Pool in Vegas
There are a few children, but it seems geared towards wealthy attractive young adults, Vegas is an Adult "Disneyland" and Mandalay http://www.mandalaybay.com/ is one of the nicer options, easily...
There are a few children, but it seems geared towards wealthy attractive young adults, Vegas is an Adult "Disneyland" and Mandalay http://www.mandalaybay.com/ is one of the nicer options, easily identified by its majestic walls of gold windows. If you would like to avoid some of that scene, make sure that you stay in the part of the site called "THE Hotel" instead! That said, the swimming pool scene is worth special mention: their large pool has 4' waves every 90 seconds; they have a "river" that runs 3 mph, among the other things. Where do the recent high-school grads get the cash to rent $600 - $1000 pool-side tents for the day? How many of those guys take steroids? The poolside drink prices are exorbitant, and the restaurants throughout are impeccable. If you need to go somewhere close by, take the free light rail instead of a cab!
Hide
|
|
Seattle Aquarium
Category:
Aquariums, Zoos & Botanical Gardens
1483 Alaskan Way
Seattle, Washington
(206) 386-4300
The Safest Way to Introduce Your Kids to the Ocean
The Safest Way to Introduce Your Kids to the Ocean
This has been one of my favorite tourist traps since I was a small child. Because it is cheap and educational, it's a favorite for school tours, but it's best to go without being herded about with...
This has been one of my favorite tourist traps since I was a small child. Because it is cheap and educational, it's a favorite for school tours, but it's best to go without being herded about with such a group, its best to go with your family. Tell your children what it means for you to see these creatures and to understand how they live. Let them spend more time than is necessary to see things, so that they may take in the experience and perhaps grow to love what they might not otherwise see in the ocean, and what might not be around for their children if we continue to destroy it.
Hide
|
|
Do You Invest in Art?
Some large downtown offices seem to have better modern art than the Seattle Art Museum. From what I have seen, it appears that they have carefully selected work that will appreciate in value, over...
Some large downtown offices seem to have better modern art than the Seattle Art Museum. From what I have seen, it appears that they have carefully selected work that will appreciate in value, over the next century or so; do they expect to last so long? But perhaps the SAM Rental/Sales Gallery http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/visitRSG.asp helps them by letting them rent art, to see if it is a good fit for their offices before they buy it. SAM features work from other galleries, more than a couple dozen artists, and claims to have access to over 1000 pieces of art. I would recommend this as a decent place to find art as a long term investment because artists who sell works here will probably have work in the corporate collections that may be famous in another century, and not all of them are charging the prices of high-end galleries yet.
Hide
|
|
Kobo
Category:
Art Galleries & Dealers
814 E Roy St
Seattle, Washington
(206) 726-0704
Japanese Esthetics
Japanese Esthetics
If you're looking for Matcha or any other ChaDo (Japanese Tea Ceremony) accouterments, you may get a good start here. It's a place with many small and interesting nick-nacks from Japan that are very...
If you're looking for Matcha or any other ChaDo (Japanese Tea Ceremony) accouterments, you may get a good start here. It's a place with many small and interesting nick-nacks from Japan that are very hard to find outside of Japan. These include small bits of dried plants and seeds, religious articles and artistic pieces. Some of their ceramic articles are made by local artists, but many of these are true artistic pieces, not mere imitations of what is seen in most ceramic charts. I highly recommend it as a place to buy small, unique gifts because it is easy to find something memorable and suitable for anyone with good taste who likes things Japanese.
Hide
|
|
Lisa Harris has Style and Variety
Lisa Harris Gallery is conveniently located for tourists in the Pike Place Market. However, she doesn't sell the touristy things typically found on the street level. She sells fine art from up and...
Lisa Harris Gallery is conveniently located for tourists in the Pike Place Market. However, she doesn't sell the touristy things typically found on the street level. She sells fine art from up and coming artists, in several styles. The benefit of this approach is that those from out of town who come to her gallery may see a somewhat representative sample of Seattle art; with a sizable inventory and a relationship with the artists, the gallery may rapidly acquire and ship virtually any of the hundreds of work available on her website, and a sampling of works from each artist on site. It's worth stopping in for the first thursday Art Walk.
Hide
|
|
Where Artists Go for Materials
For 30 years Daniel Smithhttp://www.danielsmith.com/ has catered to artists. They have materials that mere hobbyists don't need, like 23 carat gold leaf, dry pigments, encaustic waxes, studio...
For 30 years Daniel Smithhttp://www.danielsmith.com/ has catered to artists. They have materials that mere hobbyists don't need, like 23 carat gold leaf, dry pigments, encaustic waxes, studio furniture, framing supplies and materials for many other types of projects. They make their own oil paints, printmaking inks, dry pigments, gessos, et cetera. There are many classes taught there, and usually someone on staff with experience using whatever tool or material you might wish to purchase, or at least they know someone who does. They don't have everything, but are one of the best places to start your search.
Hide
|
|
|