Monday, August 29, 2011

And the winners are ...

‘Couture du Jour’ adds two local designers to Oct. 14 lineup








After tallying the votes and evaluating the entries, two local designers have been added to the list of fashions walking the runway at the 2012 Bellevue Club Fashion Show.

The overall vote winner, and people’s choice is Mary Kelsay’s MEKA Clothing. Also walking the runway during the evening is Kathy Sabin’s Kreati Ka line.

Congratulations to our two winners! We’re excited to see your fashions on the runway.

For tickets to the Bellevue Club Fashion Show, visit Brown Paper Tickets at ww.brownpapertickets.com.

Late Summer Events!

Get out and enjoy the last rays of sun this Summer with these events happening in and around Bellevue!

Live@Lunch Concert
Aug. 30 - Sept. 1
Surf Jazz, Jazz Funk & Soul, Creme Tangerine
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
http://bellevue.com/lunch_concerts.php

Bellevue Farmer's Market
Thursdays 3-7 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
http://bellevuefarmersmarket.org

Volunteer Event @ Juanita Bay Park
Sept. 1
8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/29248/

Walk and Talk
Tuesday, Aug. 30
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
http://feet-first.ticketleap.com/walk-and-talk-central-houghton/

Music on the Streets
Aug. 31
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
http://www.downtownissaquah.com/modules/pages/?pageid=85





Sweat for your heart


You know what it takes to keep your heart healthy: a varied diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and exercise. But are you aware just how vitally important exercise is? A wonderful article was recently published about exercise and cardiovascular health. Please take a minute to read it here.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Open model call for Couture du Jour Fashion Show

Open call for models on September 12th for the October fashion show!

Sept. 12 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Requirements for models:
Age: 15 to 28
Must be in excellent physical conditions
Male minimum height: 5"11
Females: minimum height: 5'6" tall - Dress size 0-4
...No excessive tattoos or piercings.
New faces is a PLUS!

WHAT TO WEAR for audition
Men: Dress to impress
Women: dress to impress, must bring high heels

Open call is September, 12th from 5-8pm. Meet in the atrium to fill out an application.

***
About the Show:

Bellevue Club Fashion Show - Couture du Jour on Friday Oct. 14
Benefitting Overlake Hospital

High fashion comes to Bellevue at the 2011 Bellevue Club Fashion Show, “Couture du Jour.” On Oct. 14, see the latest in everything from swimwear to evening wear, at this show featuring
local boutiques and designers. From the pre-show party through the last dress, the Couture du Jour Bellevue Club Fashion Show promises to be the fashion event of 2011.

Special Performance by Rose Renee Seattle's newest raising star
Show Produced by: Bellevue Club
Show Directed by: Eduardo Khawam

Sip cocktails, mingle with models and check out the latest styles at this glamorous annual event benefitting Overlake Hospital. Tickets are now on sale at brownpapertickets.com, with a limited number of VIP tickets available, which include front row seating and a swag bag. All ticket holders are invited to the preshow party, including music and a cash bar. In addition to the fabulous fashions, a portion of all ticket sales will benefit Overlake Hospital Medical Center’s Ensuring Excellence fund. Visit the Bellevue Club online at http://www.bellevueclub.com/

Tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/183208
Follow this event on Twitter at #BCFS

Upcoming Events!

Check out these events happening in and around Bellevue!

Sky Ultra Lounge Bridal Show
Saturday Aug. 26
7:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $35 for general admission or $75 for VIP and can be purchased online.
http://www.labellerevebridalonline.com/index.php/services/tickets-to-bachelorette-fashion-show.html

Bellevue Collections Fashion's Night Out
Thursday Sept. 8
7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Visit http://bellevuecollection.com/event/event.php to view a list of participating stores and their promotional offers.

Downtown Bellevue Entrepreneurship Conference
Registration now open for StartUp Day 2011
Saturday Sept. 17
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
http://www.seattle20.com/startupday/register.aspx.

Sea Gals Calendar Unveiling
Wednesday Aug. 31
7 p.m.
@ Munchbar, Bellevue Square Mall
Downtown Bellevue Network



Art in the Garden!









Come out this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26-28 for the second annual Art in the Garden at Bellevue's Botanical Garden.

Sculptures and garden art by 30 outstanding NW artists will grace the garden. Some will be clearly visible, others tucked into corners and waiting around the bend of a path. Make Art in the Garden a fun-filled treasure hunt with your family and friends as you wander the garden in search of these amazing pieces. Maps are available at the event and visitors can have their maps stamped at each "spot" to be entered into a drawing for free prizes.

Don't miss a special appearance by Ciscoe on Saturday at 1:30pm!

When: Friday (1-6pm), Saturday & Sunday (10am-6pm), August 26 - 28.
Where: Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main Street.

Admission is free. A percentage of all sales will be donated to support Garden projects. Bellevue.com is a proud media sponsor of the event.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Bellevue Arts Museum: Travelers











A new exhibition will be opening at the Bellevue Arts Museum this week.

Travelers: Objects of Dream and Revelation
Aug. 26 - Dec. 31

Bellevue, WA – The idea of travel always captures the imagination with its alluring offer of an escape from the routine and a promise of change. It encompasses both the anticipation of the journey, the "dream," and the confrontation of the reality we find, from expectation to revelation. Travelers: Objects of Dream and Revelation, BAM's newest exhibition, brings together nine contemporary artists who explore the ambiguous motif of travel and the objects associated with it. Featured artists include Janice Arnold, Margarita Cabrera, Marc Dombrosky, Erika Harrsch, Timothy Horn, Cal Lane, Walter Martin & Paloma Muñoz and Robb Putnam.

For more information visit Bellevue Arts Museum

Hotel Bellevue Facebook Sweepstakes!

Head on over to Hotel Bellevue's Facebook page to enter into a sweepstakes for a Bed & Breakfast V.I.P. package!

To enter the contest you must "like" Hotel Bellevue on Facebook and fill out the entry form on the Sweepstakes tab. For official details check Hotel Bellevue out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hotel.bellevue

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Habitat for Humanity Event!



"House Keys That Open Doors"

Date: Tues., Sept. 13
Time: Reception begins at 7 p.m.
Location: Mercer Island Community Center, Mercer Room

Join Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County & fellow members of the Mercer Island community to enjoy light refreshments & rich conversation about affordable homeownership, the revitalization of local neighborhoods, and the need for decent housing worldwide.

Hear how owning a home has strengthed a local family. Learn about global travel and building opportunities with Habitat. Share Habitat for Humanity's successes as they celebrate their 25th anniversary!

For more information, please contact Walt Beerman at (425) 260-4929 or habitat@seattle-habitat.org

Monday, August 15, 2011

Taste of Main Set to Tantalize Tastebuds on August 20th

Reblogged from: http://www.downtownbellevue.com/2011/08/12/taste-of-main-set-to-tantalize-tastebuds-on-august-20th/


Celebrating its third year, the Taste of Main is a uniquely Bellevue event, as it’s held in the historic Main Street neighborhood of downtown, offering culinary treats from local restaurants and shopping discounts. On Saturday, August 20th, starting at 11am and going to 5pm, this event is the opportunity for people to revisit favorite shops and hopefully discover something new in this charming neighborhood.

Benefitting the Children’s Response Center, which provides support to children who have survived abuse and personal trauma, the Taste of Main is a day-long community event that’s like an open house for all the businesses along the historic neighborhood. By purchasing a “passport,” guests are granted access to special culinary and wine samples, as well as exclusive sales and giveaways from the neighborhood stores. Adult passports are $40; children are complimentary with the purchase of an adult ticket. People can pre-order Taste of Main passports by calling Children’s Response Center at 425-688-5130, or stop by one of the retailers along Main Street pre-selling passports. The Taste of Main passports will also be sold during the day of the event at designated booths along Main Street.

See event details at: http://tasteofmainbellevue.com/.

Nitrates – Nitrites: Health Promoting OR Dietary Disaster?






It is surprising to most people that nitrates and nitrites are a normal constituent of the human diet, with the average daily intake from all sources estimated at 75 milligrams. Nitrates and nitrites are found in many fruits and vegetables, drinking water as well as processed meats with the later contributing less than 5% of our daily intake.

Nitrates and nitrites differ only in how many oxygen atoms are attached to them. Nearly 100 percent of our intake of nitrate is converted to nitrite by beneficial bacteria in our saliva and gastrointestinal tract. Nitrites inhibit growth of harmful bacteria, which may help prevent overgrowth of less desirable bacteria in our GI tract. Additionally, nitrites are converted to nitric oxide and other metabolic products that have well-established beneficial actions on our vascular and immune system.

If it is surprising for people to learn that the vast majority of nitrates they consume come from eating healthy fruits and veggies it is even more surprising for them to learn that they appear to enhance mitochondrial function within cells, lower blood pressure, and potentially reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes (1). The nitric oxide produced by the conversion of nitrites has long been known to support heart and blood vessel function by relaxing vessel walls as well as decreasing blood pressure, preventing injury from heart attack and promoting wound healing.

For all the health benefits discussed so far there are a few detractors. One being the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, a class of chemical compounds easily formed when nitrites and amines in meat proteins (both contained in cured products) are heated to high temperatures. It was later discovered that ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate (forms of vitamin C prevent formation of nitrosamines so now most cured meats contain this as well.

A recent study published online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August 10, 2011 (print version due Oct 2011) showed that 50 grams of cured meat daily, which is equivalent to 2 slices of bacon or one hot dog, increases risk of type 2 diabetes by 51%. They also found a 19% increase with daily intake of 3 ounces of red meat (a portion the size of a deck of cards) (2).
Risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes are a concern and many consumers are staying away from nitrates and nitrites in processed meats looking for products touting “no nitrates added” on the labels. Choosing “natural” and “certified organic” processed meat products which do not allow direct addition of nitrite or nitrate and are labeled as uncured is no guarantee you are not getting nitrates/nitrites. Since over 80 percent of the nitrates in our diets come from fruits and vegetables we have to dig a little deeper in the ingredient list to be safe. Many companies add nitrate-containing plant ingredients instead of sodium nitrite to produce a product that looks good, has an extended shelf life and can be marketed as “nitrate-free” or “no nitrate added”. This is no doubt a big surprise to consumers hoping to avoid nitrates/nitrites in their meats. These “natural” products may contain much higher levels of nitrites than the standard cured products according to some sources (3) but other reports indicate comparable or even slightly lower levels of nitrites (4).



So what is the bottom line on nitrates and nitrites? Since cured meats contribute only a fraction of the nitrates and nitrites we eat should we even worry about it? Clearly the health benefits of consuming more fruits and vegetables are not disputed so we are not going to stop consuming nitrates contained in them. In fact some of the healthiest vegetables such as kale, chard, spinach and beets contain the highest amounts of nitrates.

My advice: eat more fruits and vegetables, limit red meat to 18 ounces cooked weight per week (about 25 ounces raw weight) and rarely or occasionally consume processed meats instead substituting nuts, low fat dairy and whole grains.


Sources:
1. Larsen, Schiffer, et. al. Dietary Inorganic Nitrate Improves Mitochondrial Efficiency in Humans. Cell Metabolism, 2011; 13 (2): 149-159
2. A. Pan, Q. Sun, et. al. Red meat consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: 3 cohorts of US adults and an updated meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr Published online August 10, 2011

3. Nitrate-Free Bacon, Cook’s Illustrated, July 01, 2010.

4. “Issues and Alternatives Associated with Natural and Organic Processed Meats” Seminar, UW-Madison, May 4, 2010, Joe Sebranek, Professor, Animal Science Dept., Iowa State University



To schedule an appointment with Cindy or to learn more about the Bellevue Club’s Wellness Program, e-mail wellness@bellevueclub.com.




Thursday, August 11, 2011

Upcoming Events!

Get out and enjoy the rest of summer with these events happening in and around Bellevue!

Fall For Fashion Weekend including Fashion's Night Out
Sept. 10-12
5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
The Shops at the Bravern
http://bellevuecollection.com/event/event.php

Downtown Bellevue Howie Hunt
Aug. 16 - Sept. 30
Clues given at 11 a.m.
http://www.downtownbellevue.com/2011/02/28/downtown-bellevue-network-john-howie-restaurants-team-up-for-‘downtown-bellevue-howie-hunt’/

Issaquah Art Walk
Sept. 2
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Art Walk is held in Downtown Issaquah on Front Street and at Gilman Village and there is a free limousine shuttle to get you back and forth
http://www.downtownissaquah.com/modules/event/events.php?eventid=162

Kirkland's Feet First Walk and Talk
Tuesday Aug. 30
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
http://feetfirst.info/events/walk-and-talk-kirkland%20

Kirkland Classic Car Show
Aug. 31
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
http://www.legendscarclub.net/content/main.asp

Mercer Island Events
Aug. 11 - Aug. 31
http://mercerislandpulse.com/2011/08/09/theres-still-some-summer-left-mercer-island-events-scheduled-august-11th-31st-2011-and-most-are-free/

Don't forget to vote for your favorite designer for this falls Couture De Jour Fashion Show. The show comes to the Bellevue Club Oct. 14!
http://bellevueclub.blogspot.com/2011/07/couture-du-jour-contestants-announced.html

Monday, August 8, 2011

Men's Summer Basketball League


What a fantastic season for the Bellevue Club's summer basketball league! The season playoffs were the last chance for the four top-seeded teams to have their chance at victory. Legacy Group finished off the regular season with a perfect record and continued that through a playoff game, winning 77-62. Both Matt Dlouhy and Garrison Carr scored 28 points to cement their status in the finals. Hennessy also clenched a spot in the finals with an impressive 89-52 victory.

It all came down to the two commanding teams of the season in the finals. Legacy Group with their dominance of the regular season standings and Hennessy treading them the entire season with win after win.

The crown goes to...

Team Hennessy! With a final score of 90-76. Hans Gasser scored an impressive 30 points for his team!

Players of note this season:

Matt Dlouhy- 3 times on the leader board
Derek Groth- 3 times on the leader board
Marcus Kelly- 3 times on the leader board
Hans Gasser- 3 times on the leader board
Marco Quinto- 4 times on the leader board
Nick balyeav- 4 times on the leader board
Jonathan Lackings- 5 times on the leader board

*Special notice awarded to Garrison Carr who dominated the leader boards 6 times! Garrison was also awarded the highest scoring player with 43 points in a single game.

Congratulations to everyone on a fantastic season! Let the training begin for what is sure to be another great season next year.


Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Eastside Local Events!

Check out these local events for the month of August!

August 5th
-Art Walk Issaquah
www.downtownissaquah.com

August 12th
-South Lake Union Block Party
www.discoverslu.com

August 12th-14th
-A Taste of Edmonds
www.atasteofedmonds.org

August 19th-21st
-Snoqualmie Railroad Days
www.railroaddays.com

August 21st
-Northwest Classic Chevy Club 55-57 Chevy Show
Located at Issaquah XXX Rootbeer Drive in
www.nwccc.net

Hope to see everyone around town!

Bellevue Club Wellness - Where your Health comes FIRST

Exercising to relax

Rest and relaxation. The two don't always go together, but you can recharge with a break from your hectic life. Surprisingly, physical activity is one of the best relaxation techniques because it reduces stress and anxiety.

How it works:

Regular aerobic exercise brings remarkable changes to your body, your metabolism, your heart and your spirits. It can exhilarate and relax, provide stimulation and a sense of calm and battle depression. It's a common experience among endurance athletes and has been verified in clinical trials, which have successfully used exercise to treat anxiety disorders and depression.

How it helps:

There are several explanations, some chemical and others behavioral. The mental benefits of aerobic exercise have a neurochemical basis. Exercise reduces levels of the body's stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that work as the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators. Endorphins are responsible for the "runner's high" and for the feelings of relaxation and optimism after a hard workout.

Behavioral factors also contribute to the emotional benefits of exercise. As your waistline shrinks and your strength and stamina increase, your self-image improves. You'll earn a sense of mastery and control, of pride and self-confidence. Exercise and sports also provide opportunities to either enjoy some solitude or to make friends and build networks. Exercise is play and recreation; when your body is busy, your mind will be distracted from the worries of daily life and be free to think creatively.

Almost any type of exercise will help. Many people find that using large muscle groups in a rhythmic, repetitive fashion works best; call it 'muscular meditation', and you'll begin to understand how it works. Walking and jogging are prime examples. Even a simple 20-minute stroll can help. But some people prefer vigorous workouts that burn stress along with calories--a reason elliptical machines are so popular. And the same stretching exercises that help relax your muscles after a hard workout will help relax your mind as well.

Adding relaxation to rest:

Stressed muscles are tight, tense muscles. By learning to relax your muscles, you will be able to use your body to dissipate stress. Muscle relaxation takes a bit longer to learn than deep breathing. It also takes more time. But even if this form of relaxation takes a little effort, it can be a useful part of your stress control program.

How it works:

Progressive muscle relaxation is best performed in a quiet, secluded place. You should be comfortably seated or stretched out on a firm mattress or mat. Until you learn the routine, have a friend recite the directions or listen to them on a tape, which you can prerecord yourself. Progressive muscle relaxation focuses sequentially on the major muscle groups. Tighten each muscle and maintain the contraction 20 seconds before slowly releasing it. As the muscle relaxes, concentrate on the release of tension and the sensation.

Start with your facial muscles, then work down the body:

Forehead: Wrinkle your forehead and arch your eyebrows. Hold; then relax.
Eyes: Close your eyes tightly. Hold; then relax.
Nose: Wrinkle your nose and flare your nostrils. Hold; then relax.
Tongue: Push your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth. Hold; then relax.
Face: Grimace. Hold; then relax.
Jaws: Clench your jaws tightly. Hold; then relax.
Neck: Tense your neck by pulling your chin down to your chest. Hold; then relax.
Back: Arch your back. Hold; then relax.
Chest: Breathe in as deeply as you can. Hold; then relax.
Stomach: Tense your stomach muscles. Hold; then relax.
Buttocks and thighs: Tense your buttocks and thigh muscles. Hold; then relax.
Arms: Tense your biceps. Hold; then relax.
Forearms and hands: Tense your arms and clench your fists. Hold; then relax.
Calves: Press your feet down. Hold; then relax.
Ankles and feet: Pull your toes up. Hold; then relax.
The entire routine should take 12 to 15 minutes. Practice it twice daily, expecting to master the technique and experience stress relief in about two weeks.

Courtesy: Harvard Medical School Newsletter (August 2011)

Tennis: Fall Adult Group Lessons!


Fall Tennis lesson registration is just around the corner. Sign up while there are still spots. Space limited.

Registration begins Wednesday August 10th at 7:00 am.  To register call (425) 688-3177 or visit https//members.bellevueclub.com

Session 1:  September 12th – October 21st

Adult Beg./Adv. Beg. Group Tennis Lesson               
 -Monday         6-7:15 p.m.
Adult Int. Drill Group Tennis Lesson - Eve                 
-Wednesday        6-7:15 p.m.
Adult Doubles Strategy & Drill Group Lesson           
 -Friday          9-10 a.m.
Adult Stroke Production Group Tennis Lesson          
 -Friday          10-11 a.m.
Adult Int. Drill Group Tennis Lesson – Day               
-Friday          11-12 p.m.
Adult Beginner Group Tennis Lesson                         
 -Friday          12-1 p.m.
Adult Adv. Beg./Int. Group Tennis Lesson                 
 -Friday          1-2 p.m.
Cardio Tennis                                                                 
-Friday          2-3 p.m.


Boeing Classic Special Deal

Heading to the Boeing Classic at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge? Book our special rate and be entered to win passes to the event! Drawing for the passes will be held on Friday, August 12. For more information about the Boeing Classic, visitwww.boeingclassic.com. To book this special rate at Hotel Bellevue, contact Steven Walline for reservations at 425-688-3208.

Mens Summer Basketball League

The mens summer basketball league completed their final season game last wednesday and as always the scores are quite impressive. Holding down a perfect season this summer is Legacy Group with another victory putting their standing at 6 wins and zero losses. Garrison Carr once again holding the lead in points with 33. Second in standing goes to Hennessey with a 70-47 victory which puts their stats at 5 wins and 1 loss. Isaiah Cormier putting up 27 of those points. Our third place spot goes to both MH and Anthony D. Weiner's which both stand at 3 wins and 3 losses for the season. Anthony D. Weiner having cinched a tie with their 71-62 victory last week. Fourth this season goes to Drafted with 1 win and 5 losses and fifth goes to Team Name Goes Here with 0 wins and 6 losses.

What a wonderful season ending and excitement for what is sure to be a great playoff and finals this week.

Scores will be posted as they come in for playoffs and finals.

The final game will be this wednesday 8/3 at 6:30 p.m.