In recent months the Seattle area has had its share of visits from star chefs including Kevin Gillespie from Top Chef; and in the upcoming month we are getting visits from two more Top Chef favorites. more ›

Chipotle Mexican Grill, despite its dubious past ties with the big M (that would be McDonald's), has been the on-again, off-again sweetheart of sustainability--at least as far as fast food and big chains go. They’ve worked hard to offer (and promote the fact that they offer) fairly affordable, fresh-ish fare that's provides options for vegetarian and vegan diners, and it's been reported time and again that the company, as a whole, insists on using only humanely-raised meat. Which is more than their former owner under the golden arches can say. more ›

Ok, so, "clam bake" is a pretty funny term. But tonight's clam-tactular event is for a good cause, so stifle your laughter and dig out your wallet. more ›

Welcome to the Dress Code, where we celebrate, critique, commend and (on occasion) condemn fashion trends, shows, designers, boutiques, events and everything in between. From the couturiers and costumers to the retail clothiers and quirky DIY crafters, fashion--good and bad--is everywhere. The Dress Code is where we wear our hearts on our sleeves and write about it all. more ›

Polling of grant funders revealed that they'd lost about twenty-two percent of their assets in 2008 and forecast losing another ten percent in 2009. Because they base their funding on rolling three-year intervals, artists and arts organizations can look forward to seeing the impact of these losses in 2011 and 2012 (in addition to an immediate ten-to-twenty five percent decrease in individual giving this year). God help you if you're a new organization, or are looking for funds from new sources, because the prevailing wisdom was that funders weren't looking for new opportunities. more ›

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Yes, we're slow in noticing this story, but you do have to enjoy Melinda's Vogue profile for its eye on what matters: "The morning we met she was dressed simply, in a brown suit and pumps. She wore unobtrusive earrings, a thin gold necklace, and a tasteful and restrained emerald-cut-diamond wedding ring (purchased at one of Buffett’s many properties, Borsheim’s Fine Jewelry in Omaha)." And no post-feminist criticism here--where Joyce's famous cry was "Non serviam," Vogue reports approvingly: "She was valedictorian at Ursuline Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school whose motto, aptly enough, was Serviam ('I will serve')." more ›

There may be a scary economic recession, but the Gates Foundation won't be slowing down on their philanthropy this year, according to Bill Gates' first annual nine-page letter to the Foundation supporters at large. "The goal of our foundation is to make investments whose payback to society is very high rather than to pay out the minimum to make the endowment last as long as possible," he writes.

I am impressed by individuals who continue to give generously even in these difficult times. I believe that the wealthy have a responsibility to invest in addressing inequity. This is especially true when the constraints on others are so great. Otherwise, we will come out of the economic downturn in a world that is even more unequal, with greater inequities in health and education, and fewer opportunities for people to improve their lives. There is no reason to accept that, when we know how to make huge gains over the long term.

"What’s exciting about sitting at a resort somewhere? Where’s the living in that?” Travis Arket asks, and sets down his pho chopsticks. Matt Crabtree nods. “Not exciting.” Travis and Matt (pictured) are two of the three members of Team Robot House, a non-profit adventure philanthropy corporation based here in the Seattle area that takes on a few extreme challenges each year to raise money for charities such as Mercy Corps. more ›

Earlier this week, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced that:

Jeff Raikes, 49, will succeed Patty Stonesifer as head of the world's largest philanthropy, managing a $37 billion endowment, $3 billion a year in grants, and ambitious goals such as eradicating malaria and developing a vaccine to prevent AIDS.

Tonight through Saturday, On the Boards is presenting a world premiere from the John Jasperse Company. Jasperse is a New Yorker-recommended choreographer, and that's more than you've done, admit it. more ›

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--Turns out 1% of the best hotels in the world are in the Seattle area. more ›

-Some people loved the new Pride for what it was and some people loved it for what it wasn't. And some people weren't that impressed. more ›

Salon.com is reporting today that The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, local philanthropy extrodinaire, has pledged ten million smackaroos to the Discovery Institute since 2000. Wait, you say, the same Discovery Institute tank of thinkers that promotes Intelligent Design? Yes, we tell you, that same Discovery Institute. Say it ain't so, Bill. more ›