60th Birthday Celebration for Chloe

Patty Barrier, Chloe Mueller, Cathi Hatch

Thursday evening, Patty & Jimmy Barrier picked Ken and me up in one of their sexy Porsche Panameras to take us to the 60th Birthday Celebration for good friend, Chloe Mueller.  The party was at the elegant Georgian-style home overlooking Lake Washington of Steve Walker & Deborah Weasea.  Steve, Deborah and Chloe's husband, Lance, along with several of Chloe's other friends including Michael & Denise Nielsen and Annette & Bob Parks co-hosted entertainment, cocktails and dinner to celebrate her big 60. 
When we arrived, there was a fantastic photo display of Chloe at all ages.  Though Chloe has always been absolutely beautiful, I hadn't realized that she was a lingerie model for department store Frederick & Nelson, in her younger days.  But, with her beautiful face and body, she looked absolutely glowing in her photo montage.
In addition to all the party hosts, it was fun to see so many friends at the party including Dorothy & David Fluke, Tom & Cathy O'Keefe, Anne Marie & Tom Hedges, Kyle Johnson & Judith Kindler, Bill & Sherry Portuese, Chuck Kusak, Sherry Raisbeck, Theresa & Greg Jones and many others.
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Kyle Johnson, Anne-Marie & Tom Hedges

We were each asked to bring a memory and/or photo of Chloe.  One of my favorite Chloe memories was around twelve years ago when I served as the President of PONCHO and Chloe served as the Marketing Vice President.  The year was 1998 and our PONCHO board had a fantastic year of very successful fundraising for the arts around the theme, "Passion for the Arts".  For the big PONCHO Gala which occurred in the spring, people were encouraged to wear red.  For men, it was black tie, red tie optional.  The Gala was a sell-out (which was the result of Chloe's hard work in marketing), with 1,100 party-goers filling the Sheraton Seattle Grand Ballroom.  The entire room glowed like a red jewel box including walls, tabletops and chairs.  The press was present throughout the evening and the next day in the Seattle Times, there was a huge photo of Chloe and me and our friend, Jeri Rice, all dressed in red evening gowns admiring a bronze George Tsutakawa fountain that was to be auctioned that evening.  Chloe is one of those people that can always be counted on to pitch in and help the cause and was part of helping our board achieve our success that year.  I love Chloe and so appreciate that one of her many personal talents and gifts is her willingness to get involved to create a stronger, better arts community.

Happy, happy birthday Chloe!  You are a beautiful person, both inside and out!  Here's to celebrating at least 60 more birthdays with you!

Gourmet Dinner Aboard The Katania

Teresa, Ken

Bruce, Cathi, Mark

Last night we were invited to join friends Bruce & Rebecka Milne aboard their beautiful yacht, The Katania, for a wine tasting and dinner cruise. The yacht is an elegant refurbished 50 year old Burger that has been stretched to 100 feet and has beautiful wood detailing and furnishings. Bruce has had the yacht painted with a dark blue hull which is very striking.

Rebecka, Cynthia, Jeff

We met new friends Mark, Cynthia, and Teresa & Jeff and had a wonderful time getting to know one another and tasting some fantastic wines before dinner including selections from Waters, Fidelitas, Amavi Cellars, Novelty Hill and a spectacular 1982 bottle of French Bordeaux that Bruce had found under the master stateroom bed.

I took my wine upstairs to the fly bridge and thoroughly enjoyed the slight breeze coming off the water while identifying friends’ homes on the lake on Hunt’s Point, Evergreen Point and Medina. It was an ideal evening for a cruise on Lake Washington.

Dinner was a feast for the eyes and palate including Steak Oscar with a crabcake atop a perfectly cooked filet of beef with tarragon-laced Bearnaise sauce and the amazing mango flan for dessert. A great Januik wine accompanied dinner.

Thank you, Rebecka & Bruce! We had a wonderful time! Happy Birthday to The Katania!

Five Years Old!

Andrea Baseler, Joanne Baseler, Bonnie Elgin, Peggy Reddy

Thursday night at the ZINO Society biggest party of the year, our 5 year Birthday and Magnum Party, we had a blast celebrating with over 200 members and friends. Our landlord, Terry Thompson of Urban Enoteca, brought a fantastic magnum of Cabernet Sauvignon from Pride Mountain Vineyards, one of my favorite Napa Valley wines. Have you ever made the crazy winding drive up to their winery? JJ McKay and John & Bonny Midby brought huge bottles of champagne which was a great way to get the celebration started. Dozens of very high quality magnums of wine were brought to share, though someone actually brought a magnum of Yellowtail! Ugh! I’m sure it was NOT a ZINO Society  member or wine professional who did that!

The party started early still missing our Wine Professional Member sommeliers who had agreed to help open bottles and pour, so Mary and I went behind the bar for the first 20 or 30 minutes and it was like a comedy routine that we think we may actually have to repeat next year!  Meanwhile Ken Hatch, nursing his bad knee, sat at a table all evening surrounded by his fans.  Someone said to me that, "Ken is like the Pope and everyone is going over to kiss his ring!"

Stacy Lill, Lorna Kneeland, Cathi Hatch

ZINO Society investors, Ron & Bonnie Elgin, brought a bottle from their cellar and ZINO Society brought a bottle too for the special toast of ZINO VINO Cabernet Blend 2005 which was a meritage of Cabernet Sauvignon that we produced at the ZINO VINO Blending Dinner the first year that ZINO Society existed with juice from Pepper Bridge, JM Cellars, Dunham Cellars, and Mark Ryan Winery. It was delicious!

Our esteemed event sponsors Berntson Porter and DeLille Cellars were there to help us celebrate and following a steel drum rendition of “Happy Birthday”, both Greg Porter of Berntson Porter and Greg Lill of DeLille Cellars proposed great toasts. You will have to ask Greg Lill about his toast that celebrates lying, swearing, cheating and killing!

The Z-Team led by Chief Marketing Officer, Mary Holmes, along with Director of Membership, Robin Moore, Events Coordinator, Elizabeth Larned and our unbelievable summer intern, Christine Gilbert were “Masters of Schlep” producing a thoroughly wonderful summer party. But after setting up all day and then standing and schlepping all night, we were all ready for pedicures and a foot massage by the end of the evening!

Happy 50th Birthday Harbor Club!

Last night Ken and I attended the Golden Jubilee for the Harbor Club.  From the renovated bowsprit maiden in the entry, to the vast impressive seafood hors d’oeuvres bar, to the Parade of Past Presidents, it was an evening to remember!  Our table was hosted by ZINO Society and the Payne Group and in addition to Patti Payne, Ken and me, included friends, Patty & Jimmy Barrier, Susan & Gary Neumann, Bob Cremin and Angie & Phil Lepley.  See photos above of each.

Harbor Club CEO, Tom Goodenow, in greeting a sell-out crowd, thanked his dedicated staff members and shared memories of the past along with Lang Simons, one of the original founding members, while Patti Payne emceed the entire evening and kept the schedule running smoothly.  A highlight was the 50^th Anniversary video produced by RJ McHatton which included historical footage as well as interviews with current members and staff.

Following a theme dinner with delicious menu items (maybe the aspic was an exception) recreated from the 60’s, our parting gifts included a private label Harbor Club bottle of wine and a sparkling crystal paperweight recognizing the Golden Jubilee.  Happy Birthday, Harbor Club!  Happy 50^th!      

Jenna Fischer needs "A Little Help"

Last evening we had the opportunity to soak up an incredible panoramic view of Lake Union on the 24^th floor of the WEST 8^TH building (along with a glass of wine or a martini) at JJ McKay’s cocktail party.  He invited friends to join him to meet friends, Joe Gressis and Dena Hysell, who were premiering their new indie movie, “A Little Help”, starring Jenna Fischer (see photo of Jenna Fischer above with Stacy Lill and me).

It was an intriguing place for a party which included a vast open, unfinished space with no walls, lighting or HVAC, but perfect for an afternoon party before the sun went down.  There were scores of friends and interesting people there to meet Jenna and wish Joe and Dena well including Piper & Billy O’Neill,  Heather & Michael Sandoval, Afshan Lakha, Betty Tong (see photo of Betty, JJ and me above), Kim Richter, Stacy and Greg Lill, Princess Lada and Larry Schuiski, Vanessa Strickland (see Vanessa & Betty 3^rd photo above) and Nancy Auer, recently retired from Swedish Medical Center.  Also attending were Pacific Northwest Ballet Principal Ballet Dancers, Lucien Postlewaite, recovering from a recent operation and sporting hip new glasses and Olivier Wevers, who will be dancing the role of Dr. Coppelius in the upcoming new production of Coppelia which opens next week at McCaw Hall.

In addition to recognizing the party honorees, JJ also made a birthday toast to Marnie Rosen and we joined in a decidedly off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday” in her honor.  It’s the thought that counts!

Fisher Communications Celebrates 100 Years!

On Tuesday evening, husband Ken and I attended the Fisher Communications Century of Service and Innovation Celebration Dinner at the Museum of History and Industry.  We ran into many people with whom Ken worked over the years when he was CEO and President of KIRO Broadcast Corporation.  See photo above of Ken and Bob Boyd, who worked for Ken for many years and is now General Sales Manager for Fisher Radio Seattle.  Also attending were old friends and KOMO associates, John & Sarah Rindlaub, Patti Payne, Dave & Trudi Syferd and JJ McKay.

Fisher Communications President and CEO, Colleen Brown and husband, Guy, welcomed us to this special private dinner to celebrate 100 years of involvement in the community in broadcast and other Fisher businesses including the original flour mill.  See photo of Colleen and me above.  There is an interesting installation of Fisher memorabilia, the Fisher Centennial Exhibit, at MOHAI that will be there for a few months.

KOMO television news anchors, Kathi Goertzen and Dan Lewis served as emcees for the event reminiscing about some of the funny stories and garbled phrases that they had experienced over the years.

Accolades were given by Fisher family member, Phelps Fisher,  Secretary of State, Sam Reed and a highlight video.  Though he retired from broadcast around 15 years ago, since KOMO was his arch-competitor in the past, Ken regressed to his aggressive broadcast competitor mentality and was sure that their glowing facts couldn’t possibly be correct.  When he felt compelled to share his opinion with our table mates, I had to remind him none-too-gently that this was a night to celebrate KOMO’s achievements!

Happy 100^th to Colleen (she looks amazingly good for a 100 year old!) and Fisher Communications!  

Master of Wine Tuesday at Rovers!

Last night, the staff of Rovers did an incredible job of presenting the ZINO Society Master of Wine Tuesday at Thierry & Kathy Rautureau’s beautiful restaurant, Rovers.  Scot Smith, Rovers Wine Director/Manager, shared information on the wines that were paired with the seven courses of exquisite food.  The design of the menu was to take an escorted tour of France so each course was specifically paired with a beautiful wine that is recognized as a hallmark wine of that particular region.  Chef Thierry’s (aka “The Chef in the Hat”), masterful food pairings, as delicious as they were visually beautiful, were great manifestations of the regional cuisine of France.  We were encouraged to imagine a trip through France with the only criteria being the pleasure of our senses . . . Sight, Smell, Touch, Taste and Sound!

We began the evening with a crisp Taittinger Champagne and then our palate was titillated with a sensory Amuse Bouche (see photo above) that included duck confit, house-smoked salmon with crème fraiche and velvety asparagus soup.

Taittinger, Cuvee Prestige, NV Champagne FR

Amuse Bouche

Sancerre, Francois Crochet, 2008, Loire Valley, FR

Dungeness Crab with Fennel, Celery Root-Apple Salad and Orange Dressing

Pessac-Leognan, Lagrave-Martillac, 2004 Bordeaux FR

Alaskan Halibut with Red Quinoa, Roasted Baby Turnip and Arugula

Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Seuprees, Premiere Cru 2004, Burgundy FR

Braised Pork Belly with a Quail Egg, Parsnip Puree, Leek and Meyer Lemon Confit

Rhubarb Sorbet with Ginger White Wine Pearls

Saint Joseph, JL Chave, Offerus 2004, Rhone Valley FR

Roasted Muscovy Duck Breast with Spinach, Herbed Farro, Mushroom and Thyme

Banyuls, Olivier of Chrystel Saperas, Vial Magneres, Tradition 4 Years, Languedoc FR

Warm Goat Cheese Crottin with Preserved Fruit Chutney

The ZINO Society members and guests all had a wonderful time, the noise level in the room escalating as the evening progressed.  Two of our guests, Eden and Hank Waggoner,  were celebrating birthdays and they were properly serenaded by the rest of the group (see photo above).  For a few, it was their first visit to Rovers, and they were hugely impressed with the quality of the food and service as were those of us who were happily returning for yet another amazing and impressive dinner.

Photo Gallery Above:

Top photo:  Bernadine Dochnahl, Chef Thierry, Cathi Hatch, Denny Dochnahl, Ken Hatch

2^nd photo:  Amuse Bouche

3^rd photo: Eden & Hank Waggoner

4^th photo: Randy Squires & Angela Polin

5^th photo: Bob & Katie Nowlin, Mary & Don Gher, Isabella McPeak

6^th photo: Debe Doran & Dana Reid

Ode to Mike Kunath

The following poem is a tribute to Mike Kunath penned by Teri Citterman and read to him at his birthday celebration last week.  See photos of Teri, Mike, Kate Harrison, Mike Flynn, Gina Kunath and Michael Steiner above.

 

Ode To Mike – April 9, 2010

 

It seems like forever ago --

When I met with Dick Friel --

He suggested I meet a friend of his

I left with the Dick Friel-Seal.

 

There’s someone you should meet he said

Today at 4 pm

Kunath is his last name –

His first starts with M

 

On this auspicious day in 2000

The night of Halloween

I arrived at THE-THEN Four Seasons –

To nothing short of a scene

 

Look for a man in an Italian suit

Smoking a corn-cob pipe

As I walked toward the northwest corner of the room,

There, I spotted Mike

 

He seemed to be leading a circus

As a group around him spoke

About boarding schools and armor suits --

I was out of my league with these folk.

 

He introduced himself to me

And suggested” I sit down and wait

I ordered a glass of water

I’d made my first mistake

 

“I knew a man who ordered water” he said

As he sat straight and then leaned in --

“That man who ordered water

We never saw that man again.”

 

He then went on to explain

That the Grande Dame was for sale

And that he was part of a business group

Who wanted the Four Season to prevail

 

Now, if I understand correctly, he said

It’s PR that you do.

What would you tell a reporter

Of the news I just told you

 

I opened my mouth to speak

As a Times reporter took a chair

I looked at kunath puzzled

He didn’t seem to care.

 

He introduced himself to the reporter

Who took out a pad to write

“Uh-uh”, said kunath shaking his head. 

That’s not how it works tonight.

 

Mike then proceeded to tell him

Everything he’d just told me

And by the way he had stressed to me --

I’m telling you confidentially

 

So I sat there  having a seizure

Not sure what  I should do

Mike seemed to know what he was doing

But I did not have a clue

 

Then mike looked at me with a grin

Much like the Cheshire cat

I can tell you’re uncomfortable with what I just said

How would you have handled that?

 

I was a deer in the headlights

And wasn’t quite sure what to say

This was the first of many tests

I’d either pass or miserably fail.

 

Then the reporter got up and left

And mike again turned to me

C’mon let’s go to dinner. 

Is this guy hitting on me?
 

The condition is I get to ask

30 minutes of questions he said

That seemed like a reasonable request –

But I couldn’t just leav it at that

 

I’ll go to dinner I said,

But I have conditions too.

You can ask me the questions you want –

But then I’ll ask questions of you.

 

We agreed to the terms of the dinner

And unbenounced to me

I had just negotiated my first of many contracts

The terms favored him - usually

 

Over the years  we’ve shared secrets

Sometimes we’ve shared our dreams

One time he tried to set me up

An absolute CAT-AST-RO-PHE

 

I’ve learned a lot from Mike

No doubt both don’ts and dos

And there might have been a moment

Where he learned a thing or two

 

On that auspicious evening

When kids were dressed up strange

I had no idea of the impact

And how my life would change

 

So please  - raise your glass

And I think I speak for all of us

We are proud to be part of your crazy club

And its nightly 3 ring circus

 

Cheers & Happy Birthday!

With age comes wisdom . . .

Yesterday afternoon, Mike Kunath celebrated an auspicious birthday in his traditional corner of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel Bar also known as “The Mike Kunath Club Corner”. Organized by friend, Kate Harrison, and Mike’s son Spencer Kunath, many of his friends gathered to toast his health and congratulate him on achieving the ripe old age of 70.

In addition to Spencer, Mike’s older son Chris Kunath and wife Gina were there to join in the celebration (see top photo of Spencer, Mike and Chris above). Also there were Ken Hatch, Carmine Smeraldo (see 2^nd photo above with Mike), golf buddies Gene Becker and John Hallick, Michelle Rubesch (see 3^rd photo above with Kate), John Oppenheimer, Cynthia Johnson, Gene Juarez, Jerry Henke and Fawn Spade (see 4^th photo above with Mike), Mike Flynn, Nicole Vogel, Matt Walters, Dr. Michael Steiner and his beautiful dog, Anton (see previous blog post about Michael and Anton here) and others.

Though he received several cards and gifts, the special gift of the evening was from Jim and Sue Bianco and was a first edition of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. In his accompanying card, Jim noted that it was the only gift he could think of that was older than Mike! (See 5^th photo above) The program included a toast from Spencer Kunath (see 6^th photo above), an original poem dedicated to Mike by Teri Citterman (see 7^th photo above), champagne, hors d’oeuvres and a birthday cake studded with 70 blazing candles and an off-key but enthusiastic rendition of “Happy Birthday” (see bottom two photos).

Happy Birthday dear Mike! We all wish for you at least 70 more!!

Sherry! Sherry, Baby . . .

Saturday night, friend Sherry Raisbeck celebrated her 60^th birthday in style!  Sherry has amazing zest for life and was dressed head to toe in 60’s attire.  See top photo of Sherry and me above.  Along with 250 of their closest friends, Ken and I joined Sherry and James Raisbeck at their incredible home where we danced to the music of fantastic Beatles’ band,  Cream Tangerine, ogled James’ amazing classic car collection, raised our glasses to toast Sherry’s big day in between peals of a giant gong brought to the party by George and Elizabeth Brown and watched belly dancers who were able to balance unsheathed swords on their heads while doing the belly dance!  (See bottom photo.)  Judging from the size of the crowd watching, I think many were impressed!

Ken held court sitting in the Raisbeck living room where people came and went and sat down for a few minutes joining him for conversation.  See photo of Ken and Lynne Fluke above.  Jeffrey of The Ruins’ kept his glass filled and hors d’oeuvres frequently coming his way.

It was fun to catch up with many friends, some of whom we hadn’t seen in quite some time including Dave & Dorothy Fluke, John Fluke, Elisabeth Bodal, Bruce McCaw, Micki & Bob Flowers, Kyle Johnson, Linda & Toby Warson, Carmen & Carver Gayton, Gary Gayton, Mark Levine, Ellen Bakke, Lynn & Frank Lindsay,  Jeri Rice and Trudi Syferd (see third photo above), Dave Syferd, Winnie & Richard Baxter (see fourth photo above), JJ McKay, Chloe & Lance Mueller, and MANY others!  

It was really a magical evening.  Even Ken, the “sometimes curmudgeon”, enjoyed himself thoroughly!!

 

The BEST Pilates Instructor!

For the past three or four years, I have been attending Pilates classes at the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Francia Russell Center two days per week.  My instructor’s name is Tara Stepenberg, and though I don’t have much experience with other Pilates instructors, I am pretty sure that she is the best in the world!  When they are in town, Susan Neumann attends with me on Wednesdays and Patty Barrier attends with me on Fridays and they are both impressed with Tara also!

I know that each time I go to Pilates, I feel so much better when I leave.  I feel more flexible and my back isn’t tight and aching as it generally is when I arrive.  Tara always seems to know just the right thing to do and she mixes up all the exercises and equipment use so much that we never get bored.

This week, we celebrated Tara’s birthday with the gift of a new Kindle as she got ready to leave for a trip to India with her daughter.  See photos of Tara above celebrating with Susan and me.  Though Patty couldn’t join us, she sent her love and happy birthday wishes to Tara as well.

Have a wonderful vacation, Tara!  My stiff, aching body will welcome your safe return!

Alka's Milestone Birthday!

Ken and I were very impressed when we were invited at the surprise birthday party that Ahktar Badshah was planning for his wife, Alka.  Not every husband is capable of pulling off a surprise party for his wife.  Of course, Ahktar admitted that he had to apply for a new credit card so that Alka wouldn’t know what he was up to since she writes all the checks and manages the finances in their family.  Ahktar managed to have a tent erected with tables and chairs, hire a caterer, photographer, valet and bartenders, and fill their home with red roses and balloons all while Alka was enjoying a spa weekend on Camano Island with friends.

She arrived home to scores of cars parked surrounding their home and an enthusiastic and raucous rendition of “Happy Birthday” upon entering.  She was beautiful in a bright yellow silk blouse and an electric smile.  We saw old friends and met new friends at the party.  Friends, Raj and Dilu Shah were there (see 4th photo down of Ken with Dilu) along with Vijay & Sita Vashee, Kathy Surace & Brad Smith and Linda Bonomi and John Haynes of PACE .  Alka and I both serve on the PACE board together (see top photo of the two of us).  We also met new friends Oliver Roll, Nasha Fitter, Vikesh Mahendroo and many other fellow celebrants whose names have already escaped me, but I hope to see again soon.

It was a wonderful party.  Happy Birthday, Alka!