The death of a 49-year-old-woman Tuesday at the Frye Hotel marks the third murder at 223 Yesler Way in less than six months. Initially regarded as "the finest hotel in Seattle," the Frye has ironically degenerated into a portrait of violence and despair. The Frye, converted into low-income housing in the 1970s, accounts for a disproportionately high percentage of Seattle’s recent homicides. Compared to the 29 reported murders in 2006, the Frye alone accounts......

Blasphemy or verity? Does it matter that the cheeses were all French? That the venue for this six-course cheese-eating dinner was the venerable Mitchelli's in Pioneer Square? That the guest of honor was pioneering cheese vendor Lou DeLaurenti? All God's ungulates get in on the act. Sheepish Ossau Iraty on bruschetta to start, followed by mountain-milky Comté shavings on a salad of Boston bibb and golden beets, then Calvados-washed Grain d'Orge surrounded by tomato......

We couldn't help but notice that maitre d' Mikel Kanter from Vancouver's Elixir bistro is telling tourists an awfully familiar story: He also offered that the term "Skid Row" was coined just outside the window for the logging skids that led to the water in earlier times. Skid Row, of course, became a term for the down and out, and there's nothing down and out about Vancouver these days. Wait a minute. Skid Row? Doesn't......

It's cold outside. The clouds have decided to leave their precipitatory dandruff all over the damn place, putting the entire region into a "Blizzard 2005!!!" tizzy. That sets the bar pretty high for an outing, since a quiet evening in a warm home is even more appealing. That said, tonight has not one, not two, but three events that should be able to keep you warm. You could probably hit up all three if you......

Hooray for excess! After yesterday's gluttony, and today's celebrations of consumerism, it just wouldn't seem right to go out for something low-key. So rather than even considering a night at home mourning the loss of a meat-market, why not head out for a night with not one, but two house music heavyweights? Iz and Diz have been creating music for over a decade, both individually and as a duo (their nicknames predate their pairing). Based......

The Red Bull Music Academy continues to march its way through Seattle's clubs, and it continues to only improve in its offerings. It was thought that the main education would be by the few lucky attendees. As it turns out, the Academy is educating Seattle crowds as well, with lecturers' DJ sets providing lessons to their respective listeners. Monday Biz Markie taught us left coasters a little about classic hip hop (with only a few......