Here Comes the Bride

Patti, Susan the Bride, Cathi

On Monday, Patti Payne, Patty Barrier and I, co-hosted a bridal shower luncheon for Susan Rindlaub, daughter of good friends, Sarah & John Rindlaub.  It was so much fun to plan a totally feminine celebration to recognize the upcoming nuptials of Alex McKay and Susan Rindlaub.  It was an excuse to dig out all the antique china, crystal and silver and set beautiful tables. 

For the centerpieces, Patti Payne went to the tulip fields and returned with the most gorgeous Angelique tulips; pale pink and green ruffled flowers that were breathtaking when combined with white hydrangeas, white and pale green tulle, green ribbon and and sparkling lighted twigs.

Sarah, Margaret, Alison, Danielle





The guests included Susan's bridesmaid friends and new family such as sister Alison Chester, Jessie Cote and Lynn McKay anad Lindsey McKay and Sarah's friends Betty Freeman, Barbara Morgan, Margaret Talbot, Najma Lalji, Lynn Garvey, June Thornton, Susan Armstrong, Danielle Tilden, Carol Brown, Susan Hutchison, Janet Williamson, Terri Rossi, Cheryl Haskins and Debra Rowley.

Mary Jane & David Landau of Landau's Catering and their team did a beautiful job of the food and service.  The menu included passed hors d'oeuvres, a "Bridal Blush" celebratory aperatif and a served luncheon.

Dungeness Crab with Celeriac Tartlet

Fresh Herb Clafoutis with Tomato Jam

Cheese Gougeres

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Spring Carrot Ginger Soup with Cheese Straw

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Lacquered Salmon Filets with Sorrel Sauce

Basmati Rice Pilaf with Spring Peas and Leeks

Asparagus Gremolata

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Homemade Brioche Love Knots with Creamery Butter

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Individual Italian Almond Cake with Strawberries Balsamico

Assorted Petits Fours

Tarmo, David, Mary Jane



 

Over 900 for Breakfast!

Jane Hague thanks 900+ supporters.

On Wednesday, Ken and I attended the Gala Kick-Off Breakfast for Jane Hague, who is running for King County Council.  Jane has been a Council Member since 1994.  Ken was amazed at the number of people in attendance.  He said that he had envisioned that we would be attending a small breakfast with maybe a couple of hundred people at the most and he was dumbfounded to see over 900 people in attendance.

Jane's husband, Ed Springman, had done a masterful job of getting people to organize tables to support Jane.  He was so proud of Jane and Jane did a beautiful job of thanking him from the podium for being her Number One cheerleader and supporter and promised all in attendance that she will win this election.

It was definitely a "who's who" of people attending from the Eastside and dozens of politicians were there to support Jane's kick-off.  We sat at Peter Horvitz' table along with other supporters of the Tateuchi Center including Betty & Kemper Freeman, Warren Koons, Pamela Rolfe, Maxine Barnard, Barbara Morgan, Alka Badshah and Brad Smith.

Honorable Conrad Lee, Bellevue City Councilman, led the Pledge of Allegiance and shared with us how proud he is to be an American.  Honorable Rob McKenna, Washington State Attorney General and Honorable Brian Sontag, Washington State Auditor were on hand to pay tribute to Jane and both admitted that they looked at each other as best friends in Olympia.  The financial "ask" was ably handled by Scott Morris of Trilogy International Partners and Honorable Joan BcBride, Mayor of Kirkland.

Congratulations, Jane!  We are all rooting for you!

Helping Keep Gilda's Club Door Wide Open

It was a great party at the Chihuly Boathouse on Thursday evening to raise money to keep the doors open at Gilda's Club Seattle.  Gilda's Club, which offers a broad, community-based program of social, emotional, and educational support for cancer survivors, has been struggling with reduced contributions as have many non-profits during the past year or so.  When Anna Gottlieb, Gilda's Club Seattle Executive Director and Founder, contacted supporter Dr. James Bianco, to ask for help, he immediately agreed to pull together a committee to plan a fundraiser to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of Gilda's Club Seattle.

Jim Bianco & Ken Hatch celebrate party success

Numerous planning meetings were held in the lobby of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel with primary planners in addition to Jim being Mike Kunath, Kate Harrison and Ken Hatch.  Other steering committee members included Teri Citterman, Bryce Fisher, Sherrie & Jerry Henke, Steve Kutz and Courtney Womack, JJ McKay, Cindy & Kevin Swett, Betty Tong & Joe Miner and me.

Courtney Womack, Stacy Lill, Cathi Hatch, Steve Kutz

Of course, the location was spectacular!  I so enjoy visiting the Boathouse whenever I get the opportunity.  First, there is the excitement of being in the Hot Shop and hearing the roar of the torches and the Glory Hole and watching the gaffers handle the hot glass so ably.  Seeing so much gorgeous and colorful Chihuly glass art in one place including the dozen or so chandeliers above the endlessly long log table in the Evelyn Room, and the colorful glass sea forms in the swimming pool,  the eerily greenish-white glass art in the aquarium along with Dale's other fascinating collections of masks, buddhas, string dispensers, Indian blankets and baskets is always such a memorable experience!

Jonathan Roberts, Ken Hatch, Michael Hatch

Great food was served courtesy of William Belickis of Mistral Kitchen, Thierry Rautureau of Rover's/LUC and Michelle Ratallac, of new restaurant opening soon, RN74.  Performing the role of celebrity Sommeliers were Stacy & Greg Lill of DeLille Cellars pouring their own wine and Jake Kossef pouring Long Shadows Pirouette and wines from Owen Roe Winery.

Bryce Fisher and friend

In addition to the Steering Committee, some other friends in attendance supporting the cause were Walter Schoenfeld, Patti Payne, Sue Bianco, Vanessa & Rob Strickland, Len Nahajski, Pat Wallace, Michael Hatch, Jonathan & Elizabeth Roberts, and Dave Bingham of Park Place Motors with two of his beautiful Aston Martin automobiles that were part of a "Drive an Aston for a Day" package for the brief auction line-up.  Also included in the auction were tickets to the Mariners, use of the Lusty Lady marquee donated by Robert Holmes, and two beautiful German Shepherd puppies.

Walter Schoenfeld, Vanessa Strickland

All in all, it was a very successful evening and the doors to Gilda's Club Seattle will stay open!

Gamification. Say what??!

Kraig L. Marini Baker

This week we presented a ZINO Society Business Insights luncheon entitled:  Gamification, Designing Fun into Everything!  The featured expert presenter was Kraig L. Marini Baker, a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine who is the Chair of the Technology, e-Business & digital Media Practice; and Co-Chair of the Games Practice. 

What is Gamification?  According to Gamification.org, Gamification “is the integration of game mechanics into non-game material to increase user engagement, loyalty and fun.”

According to Kraig and the guru of gamification and world-renowned game designer, Jane McGonigal, Gamification makes technology more appealing by encouraging desired behaviors, while taking advantage of our psychological predisposition to play. While Gamification may encourage users to actually enjoy performing chores they would ordinarily consider tedious, broader trends  are showing us potential applications in nearly every industry, from education and health to social investment and work.


Kraig shared three categories of gamification:

• consumer engagement - to draw consumer eyeballs and sell more goods and services
• employee incentives - increase productivity or encourage training completion
• social change - using game mechanics to work social change 

He said the advantages of using gamification are accelerated feedback cycles, clear goals and rules of play, a compelling narrative, and useful for tasks that are challenging but achieveable.   He also talked about the allure of people responding to rewards and that cash isn't actually considered that good of a reward.  Instead, he said that people respond to rewards in this order:

• status
• access
• power

• stuff

Unfortunately, I had to leave for another meeting before the conclusion of the session so hope that someone that did attend the full session will add comments to this posting that include any additional "a-has" that you may have taken away from the presentation.

The Easter Bunny Comes Early to Clyde Hill

This morning Easter came early to our home on Clyde Hill.  We celebrated with family and surprisingly, the Easter Bunny had even hidden eggs outside around the swimming pool.  (I did notice a dog toy and some Easter candy that had found its way into the pool and I don't think it was due to the Easter Bunny, but maybe assisted by one of the three grandsons who joined us!)

Spencer

Katie & Cutter

Jackson

Michael & Alicia Hatch's two sons, Jackson and Spencer, and Katie & Kevin Larmore's son, Cutter, each approached Easter in his own way.  Jackson, the most experienced at four years old understood the system, so sneaked outside a little early to find eggs before the younger boys spoiled the fun.  Spencer, next in line, needed some help in having eggs pointed out to him but then was able to pick them up himself and put them in his basket.  Cutter, the youngest, was perfectly happy to hold one egg in each hand and run around the pool area.  Jackson was only limited by the size of his basket and definitely found the lion's share of the eggs, while neither Spencer or Cutter yet realized there was a competition or that there was candy inside the eggs.  But, watch out next year, Jackson!

Sean, Troy, Kevin

Sean Hatch and Troy Clark rounded out the party and as usual helped organize the serving and clearing of food and dishes.  We teased Troy, whom we were sure wanted to search for eggs too but he restrained himself this time.

We also celebrated the announcement of the gender of the new baby that Katie and Kevin are expecting in September.  Katie announced the gender by attempting to dye the Strawberry Shortcake Cake she made for dessert.  However, when she cut into the cake, it was actually a strange shade of green, so we are convinced that they are having a baby Shreck!  Though unusual in appearance, the cake was absolutely delicious with a rich cream cheese frosting and strawberries on top.  We are actually very thrilled for them that they are expecting another baby boy whom we hope will be just as cute as his big brother, Cutter!

Michael & Ken

Happy Birthday Alicia! Make a Wish!

Troy Clark, Cathi Hatch, Alicia Hatch

Alicia Hatch has been very busy recently working toward the conclusion of her law degree at Seattle University, her new Vice President position at fast-growing social media company, Banyan Branch, keeping track of husband, Michael and two active boys, Jackson and Spencer, ages 4 and 2, and expecting a new baby boy in July! 

We took a moment at our family Easter celebration this weekend to acknowledge her birthday inbetween brunch and chocolate bunnies and hunting for Easter eggs.

Make a wish, Alicia!

Happy Birthday Alicia!  Wishing you a very happy year with the opportunity to stop and take a deep breath every now and again!  And, I thought I was busy!!! 

Planning ZINO Green Investment Forum

Mary Holmes & Kristie Lanum

ZINO Society Chief Dealflow Officer, Kristie Lanum and Chief Marketing Officer, Mary Holmes, discuss ZINO Green Investment Forum coming up on April 26, 2011.  Kristie is accepting applications from entrepreneurs and organizing screening to select which companies will present and organizing coaching assignments to make sure that each entrepreneur selected to become a ZINOpreneur will be able to give a presentation about his company in the most compelling and concise manner possible within the allotted five minutes. 

Mary is finalizing the expert panel and featured business members and sponsors to complete the program as well as handling all the details of the day's events with the help of new Marketing and Events Coordinator, Bridget Naidu.

I have been finalizing the investors in our combined angel fund who will select a company that presents at ZINO Green to receive a $50,000 investment in their company in addition to any other investments that will be made as a result of connecting investors with entrepreneurs at ZINO Green Investment Forum.

I look forward to another fascinating program at ZINO Green and the opportunity to meet and connect with members and guests. 

Celebrate Spring!



Doug McCallum, Spike Anderson


Last evening, we joined friends Carol & Spike Anderson, Arlene Wright & Beni Turan, and Jan Rogers & Lloyd Osborn at the home of Joyce & Doug McCallum for a "Celebrate Spring!" dinner party.

The McCallums have a feature in their home that I covet - TWO kitchens and TWO refrigerators; one for Doug and one for Joyce!  Together from their respective kitchens, they produced an amazing dinner featuring Joyce's mouth-watering puff pastry appetizers and fresh-tasting spring pea soup and Doug's delicious and full-flavored wood-fire roasted lamb tenderloins with roasted potatoes and onions and his dessert of baked plums with fresh creme fraiche and blackberries.

Joyce McCallum, Carol Anderson, Arlene Wright, Jan Rogers

Jan Rogers, Lloyd Osborn

Their dining table was mounded with fresh yellow and white tulips and we had a wonderful time talking together as an entire group since the round table encouraged that interaction.  Both Joyce and Doug make entertaining look entirely effortless (though personally I know this cannot be true!).

Cathi & Ken Hatch

As we departed, Doug turned the table and generously handed each guest couple a bottle of wine from his cellar wrapped in lavendar tissue paper and spring ribbon.  When we arrived home and I removed the tissue paper, Ken and I were both happily surprised with his gift of a bottle of 2001 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon.

Thank you, Doug and Joyce!    

Mesmerized once again by "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Francia Russell & Kent Stowell
PNB Founding Artistic Directors

Friday evening, Ken and I attended the pre-performance dinner at McCaw Hall for Pacific Northwest Ballet's opening night of George Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream.  We were delighted to be seated with PNB Founding Artistic Directors and friends, Francia Russell and Kent Stowell.  PNB's unique production was staged by Francia and in addition to the beautiful score by Felix Mendelssohn, boasts set and costume designs by Martin Pakledinaz.

PNB Artistic Director, Peter Boal, recounted watching Francia rehearse the dancers sharing hundreds of corrections and comments until on the final night of dress rehearsal she told the dancers to "just go out and dance and forget all about the corrections, because this ballet now belongs to you".

Once we were ensconced in our seats in the Susan Brotman Auditorium and the lights dimmed, we entered the magical fairly kingdom in a forest with Carrie Imler dancing the role of Titania, Jonathan Porretta the role of Oberon and Josh Spell the role of Puck.  There were 24 children dancing their roles as bugs that added to the magic of the performance with their dancing sophistication.  I love not only the end of the ballet when the bugs wave tiny lights so appear to be fireflies, but also when they artfully collapse on stage in a huddle to sleep.

Since these are five of the eight dancers that will be departing PNB at the end of this season, I especially paid attention to Olivier Wevers dancing the role of Lysander, Chalnessa Eames the role of Hermia, Stacy Lowenberg part of Titania's Retinue, Ariana Lallone the role of Hippolyta, and Jeffrey Stanton dancing the Divertissment pas de deux in Act II.  Each danced beautifully and I will sincerely miss seeing them on stage next year, but will cherish my memories of their performances!

 

Fine Food and Wine In the Shadow of the Fremont Bridge

Rick Fisher, Cathi Hatch, Cindy Hales,
Lisa Mikesell, Damien Wilson

Last evening, ZINO Society produced a lovely Master of Wine Monday at Ponti Seafood Grill in Seattle.  See my earlier blog posting here describing the setting and ambiance of Ponti.   Ponti's Rich Malia, owner, Alvin Binuya, Chef, and Brian Siry, Manager partnered with ZINO Society Wine Professional Member, John Bell, owner of Willis Hall Winery to offer a splendid evening of elegant wines made in the European tradition, camaraderie, and fine food.


 


Jamee Nunnelee, Michael Zachary



The ZINO Society members and guests were greeted with a Willis Hall 2009 Pinot Gris and a Treasure Cove oyster served with Tobiko and by the time we sat down for dinner had had the opportunity to meet and talk with one another.  The first course served at the table was a beautiful and delicious Shaved Fennel and Mango Salad which paired perfectly with the 2009 Willis Hall Roussanne.



Bernie Dochnahl commented on how much the Roussane reminded her of a fine French wine.  Denny & Bernie Dochnahl and Philip & Andrea Mann dicussed Antarctica travel experiences, both past and future and many joined in the discussion about dogs and how much we love our dogs, so we began planning the Dog Days of Summer Party for this coming August on the spot. 

Corned Pork Tenderloin with Lentils

Mary Holmes, Rich Malia

Ann Morford, Cindy Hales

Midway through the meal after the Corned Pork Tenderloin course, we did ask ten of the attendees to switch tables with one another to give everyone a chance to get to know one another.  It was shortly after the switch that Mary Holmes, ZINO Society Chief Marketing Officer, insisted that she saw a raccoon crawl down the wall just outside the window.  We of course tried to take her wine away saying that she was just seeing things, but she finally convinced us all that there really had been a raccoon.

Seven small plate courses were served paired with six different wines including a 2008 Late Harvest Pinot Gris served with dessert.  The entire group appeared to thoroughly enjoy the evening.  I heard lots of positive comments about how delicious and beautiful the food was and how much everyone was enjoying the Willis Hall wines as well.  My favorite food item of the night was a very small, quarter-size Polenta cake with Fontina Cheese.  I was hoping for seconds and thirds!  Chef Alvin is obviously a real culinary talent!  I think we can declare this a successful and fun event for all!

See full menu and pairings below.  All wines from Willis Hall Winery.

2009 Pinot Gris

Treasure Cove Oyster with Tobiko



L-R: Mark Soltys, Jamee Nunnelee,
Ron & Ann Morford



2009 Roussanne

Shaved Fennel-Mango Salad

2004 Merlot

Grilled Alaska White King Salmon

with Huckleberry Beurre Rouge

Corned Pork Tenderloin

2005 Cuvee Reserve

Five Spice Smoked Black Cod

Del Webber, Bernie Dochnahl,
John Bell

2005 Syrah

Washington Angus Flatiron Steak



2008 Late Harvest Pinot Gris

Meyer Lemon Cheesecake with Rhubarb Compote







Fashion Show Attire!

Leslie Chihuly & Elizabeth Roberts

Last evening, I went to a Women's Cocktail Party at Elizabeth Robert's beautiful home in Washington Park.  The hardest part of the evening was figuring out what to wear since the invitation specified "Fashion Show Attire". 

Once appropriately(?) attired, Toni Hoffman and I carpooled to the party and when we arrived, it was absolutely pouring rain.  As we checked our coats in the coat tent outside and stowed our "un-fashion show attire" umbrellas, Elizabeth greeted us as she was busily in the midst of a photo shoot with tall, paper-thin models wearing her luxurous and stylish coats from her new clothing collection that she is launching called WrapHabillement.



Toni Hoffman & Cathi Hatch



Once inside, we were offered wine and gingertinis and enjoyed a delicious selection of passed hors d'oeuvres and devilled eggs.  My favorite was the devilled eggs topped with crisp bacon bits.  There was very loud music playing as the women sipped their cocktails and eyed the other women's "fashion show attire" outfits.  One of the most interesting was a young woman wearing a short cocktail dress with a leather aviator-style flapped ear hat.



Alexis Phelps & Pat Wallace

 It was fun to see and talk with many old and new friends including Betty Tong, Eliza Flug-Coburn, Janet Ketchum, Alexis Phelps, Barbara Cahill, Alicia Hatch, Connie Kravitz and her daughter, Christina, Aya Hamilton, Mary Snyder, Colleen Willoughby and her daughter, Anne, Lauren Selig, Pat Wallace, Detra Segar, Leslie Chihuly, Barbara Malone, Cynthia Stroum, Susan Adkins, and dozens of others.

Model wearing WrapHabillement coat

As Toni and I left the party, we perused the photo gallery of Elizabeth's development of her new business in a small anteroom in the front entry.  There were hundreds of photos pasted next to one another from floor to ceiling that included coat designs, steps in the process, meeting partners and potential vendors and all of the other numerous steps she has taken in building WrapHabillement.  The coats were gorgeous that the models were wearing so It will be fun to watch as her business takes off.

Squeaky Green and Clean



Nathan Doran of C-6 Systems

 Yesterday I served as a judge at the annual University of Washington Environmental Innovation Challenge.  This is my second year as a judge for this particular competition and I was very impressed with the level of quality and innovation that the seventeen featured teams brought to the competition.  There were 97 judges participating and 111 students participating in the competition.  There were teams from not only the University of Washington, but also Washington State University, Seattle Pacific University, and Western Washington University.  The entire event was very well produced by Connie Bourrassa-Shaw, who heads the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Pam Tufts and team.  Connie shared that the teams are encouraged to think about "People. Planet. Profit." when they developed their ideas.

Voltaic Team, Grand Prize Winner

The judges were asked to judge the teams on the quality of their one-page plans, their two-minute pitches, their actual displays or prototypes, and the level of impact that they would make on the world.  It is an arduous process to get around to seventeen different teams and understand more about what each is attempting to do and then to actually rate them I find incredibly difficult.  This is not a full business plan competition, so there is not a requirement that financials are included at this time which makes it harder to judge whether these will become real companies going forward.  Several did tell me that they plan to enter their teams into the upcoming UW Business Plan Competition and that they plan to raise money and build their new businesses.

C-6 Systems, Honorable Mention

The nascent entrepreneurs presented included algae biofuels, a biodiesel producer, multiple water cleansing solutions, electric cars, turning slash into cash, secure bicycle parking, a stationery bike linked with a generator, solar enhancement ideas, Lighter Than Air vehicles, lightweight affordable carbon fiber parts for vehicles, and generation of wind power at lower wind speeds.

PotaVida Team, 2nd Prize
with Connie Bourassa-Shaw

The winners of the competition included three Honorable Mention prizes of $2,500 each for Pterofit, Biotek and C-6 Systems; a $5,000 Second Prize awarded to PotaVida, and the $10,000 Grand Prize awarded to Voltaic.

I also saw several UW SEBA students who have volunteered at past ZINO Society targeted investment forums including Josh, who was part of the EnergyCycle team.  The top two EIC winners from 2010, Envitrum and WISErg were back to show the traction they had made since last year.  Impressive!

Josh, EnergyCycle Team