When it comes to good beer, brews made in Belgium are usually the cream of the crop. So, no one should be surprised that American brewers often try to emulate their success by brewing their own versions of Belgian styles. And you know what? Some of them are fantastic (And some, not so much...) Starting this Friday at The Collins Pub, they'll be rotating about 15 taps of Belgian-style goodness brewed right here in the......

If you are anything like us, you frequently read glowing recommendations of fine little eateries on the outskirts of Seattle and think: I really should check that out sometime. But the truth is--urbanite that you are--you only vaguely know where places like Kent and Burien are (south?) and rarely take the time to actually venture out of your cozy little city. But as fine a city as Seattle is, it lacks some things that are......

The National Weather Service had released a high wind warning for Seattle. It hasn't gotten quite that bad yet. KOMO's weather page reports that there was a 47 mph gust at Sea-Tac at noon, and 57 mph at Alki (winds are always worst on the coast, of course). There were some power outages this morning in Burien and in Monroe, but no more reported yet. Beware of falling trees, a Redmond driver is in the......

We've already mentioned this weekend's Pyramid Alehouse Snowed In Party, featuring the Presidents of the USA (tonight) and the Dandy Warhols (tomorrow). Tonight, there's also Black Dice bringing their wall o' noise to the Vera Project. A lot of shows tomorrow night, starting with MTV-buzzworthy Minus the Bear, along with Helio Sequence and Grand Archives, at the Showbox. There's also Seattlest's favorite kick-ass female foursome the Trucks at the High Dive, and the lush pop-folk......

The sale of Capitol Hill's Odd Fellows Hall is to close in early January 2008. The 4-story building at 915 East Pine Street has been home to a number of Seattle arts groups, including Velocity Dance and Freehold, and the Century Ballroom. The memo from Redside Partners says:Our intent is to update the building systems while retaining and/or restoring much of the original charm the Odd Fellows intended almost 100 years ago. Significant changes in......

"Oi flimsy castle," said Shane MacGowan, 49, a short stovepipe hat on his head. "Frip limpid turtle song." He stopped to survey Showbox SODO's barnlike interior -- people were still filing in from Hooverville across the street. Outside the bar, a phalanx of women formed around a dazed, jelly-kneed girl with a mouth rimed with spew. Then the banjo pluck and chime, the snare-drum skitter, a missing-leg march's rhythm. One summer evening drunk to hell......

The Seattle Times has a quickie little snippet about some ski resort ownership swapping, namely that Boyne USA has bought the Summit at Snoqualmie from Booth Creek. At first we were a little concerned, namely because Booth Creek has a great track record from a customer service perspective, especially when they extended our season's pass for free after the disastrous winter of 05-06. But after a little more research, we're very excited because this is......

Last night Richard Wiseman -- "Britain’s only chair in the Public Understanding of Psychology" -- spoke at Town Hall about his study of quirkology. Which, if you don't know, is the study of the offbeat in human behavior as a way of shining light on why we act the way we do. Here's a short recap of what we learned about: >>Speed dating: He didn't get into this in the talk, but it sounded interesting,......

This past Friday, Steinbrueck Park was the site of a free, four-hour concert that punctuated Pike Place Market’s Centennial Celebration. It was a great time to be a proud, passionate Seattleite. A wonderful time to be a frugal tourist. And, despite a tiny bit of Pearl Jam-overpromising by Party promoters, a perfect time to be Seattlest. As people started to pour into the area, claiming spots in what little grass was left by the freshly-erected......

It is finally here! What is it? The Seattle International Beerfest (SIB). There will be over 100 different beers from breweries all over the world, and some great beers from our own backyard. You will have the opportunity to try samples of beer that is normally not even available in Seattle. Where and when is it? It is held at the Mural Amphitheater at Seattle Center Friday 4pm to 10pm Saturday Noon to 10pm......

Vitals: Scott Edward Kazmir, 23 yo LHP. Born in Houston, Texas. 6-0, 170. 24-22, 3.75 career. 2-2, 3.83 in 2007. $424,300 salary. Arsenal: Mid-90s fastball, a slider he'll throw to both sides of the plate, and a change. Recent Battles: Last May Kazmir shut the Mariners out for seven innings, allowing just three singles and striking out nine. Our Best Weapon: Nobody has more than 10 at bats against Kazmir. The Mariners have hit lefties......

Vitals: Carsten Charles Sabathia, 26 yo LHP. Born in Vallejo, California. 6-7, 290. 87-57, 3.94 career. 6-1, 3.65 in 2007. $8.75 million salary. Arsenal: A 92-93 mph fastball with wicked movement that he can amp up to 96 when he needs it. Lefties must look for a sharp breaking slurve, while righties must look for the slurve and a straight change. Recent Battles: Sabathia faced the Mariners once last year, he went eight innings and......

"Les Schwab, 89, was the sort of bigger-than-life person for whom Oregon is legendary: the independent maverick and unabashed capitalist who insisted on doing business his way, who ignored business trends, treated people with respect — and raked in the profits." So says the Corvallis Gazette-Times. Schwab, who died Friday, was orphaned at 15 and supported himself selling newspapers in Bend. He worked his way up to circulation manager, and married his high school sweetheart......

Vitals: Justin William Germano, 24 yo RHP. Born in Pasadena, California. 6-3, 205. 2-3, 5.71 career. 1-0, 0.69 in 2007. No salary info. Arsenal: Germano's a sinkerballer--he'll throw that pitch lots. He also mixes in a fastball. Recent Battles: Germano's never faced the Mariners. Our Best Weapon: George Costanza rule: Whatever the M's did against the last sinkerballer they faced, Chien Ming Wang (when they didn't get a hit until the 8th), they should do......

Vitals: Gregory Alan Maddux, 41 yo RHP. Born in San Angelo, Texas. 6-0, 180. 336-205, 3.07 career. 3-2, 3.20 in 2007. $10,000,000 salary. Arsenal: Fastball and a changeup. Neither are as fast as they once were, but they get the job done. He mixes in a slow, tight curve and a slider. Recent Battles: Only one of Maddux' 685 career starts has come against the Mariners. In 2003, while with the Braves, he struck out......

Before we get to today's boat, there's a half-assed explanation of the Empress of the North's Alaskan accident online as of yesterday--apparently they were making a turn and hit a rock... Well, cruise passengers should certainly slumber easily in their berths now that that whole thing has been exposed. There's also (another?) entirely fictitious accounting of the accident at The Spoof. Vision of the Seas Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas is another standard ship......

Sorry about the two sports posts in a row. Hope you non-sportballers have scrolling capability. Vitals: John Derran Lackey, 28 yo RHP. Born in Abilene, TX. 6-6, 245. 65-52, 3.94 career. 5-3, 2.70 in 2007. $5.8 million salary. Arsenal: Low 90s fastball, a nasty, late-breaking curve, and a change. Recent Battles: Lackey was 1-2 with an 8.44 ERA in five starts against the M's last year. The M's had 46 hits off of him, and......

Vitals: 26 yo RHP. Born in New Castle, PA. 6-0, 170. 0-0, 1.29 this year (he's a rookie). Arsenal: DeSalvo told Baseball America in 2005: “I throw seven different pitches: a four-seamer, a two-seamer, a cutter, the [knuckle] curve, a slider, a forkball, and a change. Having a lot of pitches gives me backup options." His fastball is low 90s. Recent Battles: Last Monday, in his first major league start, DeSalvo allowed a double to......

Vitals: 26 yo RHP. Born in New Castle, PA. 6-0, 170. This will be his first major league game. (3-0, 1.05 at AAA in 2007) Arsenal: DeSalvo told Baseball America in 2005: “I throw seven different pitches: a four-seamer, a two-seamer, a cutter, the [knuckle] curve, a slider, a forkball, and a change. Having a lot of pitches gives me backup options." His fastball is low 90s. Recent Battles: None Our Best Weapon: A guy......

A sinkhole opened up on a tiny road beneath the University Bridge this morning, eating two cars, forcing the Mayor to change his morning plans, and closing the University Bridge. The cause: a water main break, which was what caused Dexter Avenue to resemble Wild Waves last week. This morning's water attack occurred on East Portage Bay Road. After eating the cars, the water launched a charge toward the footing of the University Bridge, which......

Among the Q-List celebrities on the next edition of Dancing With the Stars? Seattle's own Olympic hero, speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, who we can only assume got a lowball offer from Ice Capades. What fun! But what shame he could bring on our city if he can't beat Heather Mills, who will become "the first contestant with an artificial limb to compete on the series." Way to break down those barriers, Heather. Amputees everywhere......

Monday AUTHOR, AUTHOR: In Bich Minh Nguyen's memoir, Stealing Buddha's Dinner, a young family escapes from Vietnam shortly before the fall of Saigon and relocates to Grand Rapids, Michigan. "In her recreation of a world populated by family ties, Ritz crackers, and Judy Blume books, she has captured the 1980s with perfection," says Kirkus Reviews. 7:30pm // Elliott Bay // FREE Tuesday ANNE LAMOTT RECOMMENDS: Elizabeth Gilbert talks about her book Eat, Pray, Love:......

--Eddie Bauer resisted an attempt to sell the publicly-traded company to two private firms. --We're still kicking ourselves for being out of town this weekend and missing the science fiction short film fest at Cinerama. Here's a rundown of the films shown. (via Anita who you can still vote for over at Metblogs) --ATM fraud: it happened to us recently, and it sucked. Not on this scale though, because, well, we'd be tapped after......

--Expect to hear all about City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck's strip club proposal tomorrow. His plan will include club dispersal to different areas of the city in opposition to the mayor's red light district plan. --People who suspect themselves of being Wikipediholics can now self diagnose via this test. --Another instance of inconsiderate parking. --If the Ghost of Thanksgiving Present visits you tonight, the feature presentation will be turkey-less dinner plates for hundreds of White......

We sent our passport off to Philadelphia last week for routine renewal, then got unexpected assignment to cover a travel symposium in Italy...next week! No chance of getting new passport in time. Called State Department, expecting endless bureaucracy, got helpful advice on first ring. Used automated system to schedule interview right here in Seattle, got appointment within the hour. Impressive staff at Passport Office. At least one federal agency doing things right, makes leaving home......

To your roster of historic and colorful rhizomes (Russets, White Rose, Blue Victor, Yukon Gold, Yellow Finn, Red Ruby...Cascade, Nooksack, Ontario, Seminole) you can now add the Ozette. It's a fingerling grown for centuries in the gardens of Makah Indians on Washington's most western coastline, brought there, it's believed, by Spanish conquistadors who had discovered all manner of edible tubers in the South American Andes. Thus the humble Ozette was in all likelihood the first......

For weeks Mike McGavick has seen the same poll standing stiff. The latest Survey USA Election Poll has Maria Cantwell at 54% and Mike!!!!!! at 42%. The poll was taken the weekend after the kick-ass debate on KING-5, and during the release of McGavick’s Seattle Times endorsement. He has been stuck between 37% and 42% since August, and for the next week will just have to suck up that poll and push hard towards the......

All-everything Husky recruit Spencer Hawes is having arthroscopic surgery tomorrow. Something's floating around in his knee. From the UW press release: The 7-foot center is projected to be sidelined for two to four weeks, but a true timeline for his return won't be available until the day after the surgery at the earliest. "This is obviously a setback for Spencer and our program," said [coach Lorenzo] Romar. "But, we are very optimistic based on what......

The Hugo House is running an inquiry into that most terrible and divisive of subjects: childhood. On October 13th and 14th, they will feature a host of writers and speakers, all of whom share a few things in common: they write, speak, and they all had childhoods. Seattlest also had a childhood, several of them. In fact, we are in a bit of a childhood renaissance as we speak. We’ve found the adult world to......

College football coaches, who gave the Huskies their only National Championship back in 1991, have bestowed upon the current team a very special honor—Also Receiving Voteites. A glance under the most recent USA Today Coaches Football poll shows that the Huskies have received three votes. Meaning some coach voted them 25th and another one voted them 24th, three coaches voted them 25th, or a single coach voted them 23rd. Either way Ohio State's Jim......