Amp up for fall tennis

The 2010 Fall Tennis Kickoff Event is is almost here! Start the new season off right with instruction, drill and match play and a social.

This year, Matt Anger, University of Washington's men's coach, will be at the Club to teach alongside the Bellevue Club pros. There will also be drill and match play critique, and on Friday night a tennis social that includes food and drinks.

It's all happening Friday, Sept. 10, 6-10 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 11, 1-4 p.m.

Register online or call the Athletic Services Desk at 688.3177.

We'll see you on the courts!

Eat local

Our team of chefs at the Bellevue Club work hard to source ingredients from local farmers. It's part of the reason our food is so delicious. If you want to bring some of those tastes to your own kitchen, check out the Bellevue Farmer's Market.

Every Thursday afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue and every Saturday at Washington Square local farmers gather to sell their products directly to you. If you haven't yet visited the farmer's market, take a trip and see what is fresh this week.

For more information about the Bellevue Farmers Market including times and vendors, visit their website.

Introducing Bellevue Club Family Night

Start a new family tradition at the Bellevue Club's Family Nights! We are working hard to create a fun monthly experience for your entire family. And first on the agenda, a movie night—with a twist! Relax as a family after the first week of school during our Float-In Movie Night.

Happening from 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, the night starts with a pizza party where families can win floating prizes. Then, watch Finding Nemo while in the pool! Bring rafts and life jackets to float around just like Nemo and friends.

Members 12 and older are $10 each, 2 and older are $5 each and those under 2 are free. Please register each person attending at the Members Only site or call the Athletic Services Desk at 688.3177.

Labor Day hours

Labor Day 2010 is Sept. 6. If you are sticking around town and want to use the Bellevue Club that day, please note the following holiday hours:

Athletic Entrance: 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
Athletic Facilities: 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Polaris: Closed
Cosmos: Closed
Splash: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Luna: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Spa: Closed
Child Care: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Recreation: Kids' Camp is available that day!
Aquatics: 8-8:45 a.m. Deep Water Challenge
                9-10 a.m. AquaFit
                8:45-10 a.m. Masters swim
                Noon Masters practice is canceled.
                Swim lessons are canceled.
                Private swim lessons available on a limited basis.
Fitness: 8-9 a.m. Indoor Cycling
              9-10:15 a.m. Vinyasa Yoga
              9:30-10:30 a.m. Flex in the City
              All other fitness classes are canceled.

Clay Throwdown! coming to BAM

The Bellevue Arts Museum has a new show in town, and its part of a band-new program.

Clay Throwdown! is the first show of the BAM Biennial, a juried exhibition that will occur every two years. Starting Aug. 28 and running into January, 30 participating artists show ceramic art created in the Pacific Northwest.

Come see what these artists from Washington, Oregon, Montana and British Columbia are creating from one of the oldest materials known to man. Visit the Bellevue Arts Museum website for more information. BAM Biennial 2010: Clay Throwdown! runs Aug. 28, 2010-Jan. 16, 2011.

Men's Basketball League draft approaching

Are you ready to show your stuff on the basketball court? The Men's Member's Only Fall Basketball League draft is almost here. Whether you've picked up some rust over the summer or are in top shape, this draft league is for you—many members say it is their favorite. Meet members and compete weekly in 8-10 regular season games, followed by playoff games for top seeded teams.

Four on four cross-court games are played mostly on Wednesdays. League rules are available on the Bellevue Club website. Please direct questions to recreation@bellevueclub.com. $125/member.

Register no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8 here. Volunteer captains will draft teams at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, and the league begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Take it all with your team and sport the championship T-shirt year round!

Bellevue's fashionista

Bellevue Club member Rebecca Klein has loved fashion since she was old enough to dress up her Barbie dolls. Her Barbie runway shows with friends has turned into a life long passion for self-expression through fashion.

Now, Rebecca has a fashion blog concentrating on all-things Bellevue fashion. “As I got older I started searching online for fashion blogs or websites to help me know what’s in and what’s not. I found a lot of great fashion blogs, but never one that was local, so I decided to create my own and help Bellevue know what’s in and what’s not!”

Her two favorite designers? Tori Burch and Diane von Furstenberg. “Their lines are so classy and chic,” she says, adding that she can’t live without her Tori Burch flats. “You can dress them up or dress them down, and for me it’s definitely a must-have.”

Check out Rebecca’s blog at eastsidefashion.weebly.com.

BC Member appearing on Evening Magazine

Bellevue Club member and avid underwater photographer Bruce Yates will appear on KING 5's Evening Magazine this Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. Bruce was interviewed earlier this summer about his underwater photography, which can be found at underwaterreflections.com.

Bruce was also featured in the January 2007 issue of REFLECTIONS Magazine. Currently, all profits from his photography sales go to the International Children's Surgical Foundation.


UPDATE: View Bruce's appearance here. He's also started a new blog if you'd like to follow his underwater adventures.

Take your game to the next level

Junior members about to start grades 6-8 won't want to miss next week's Advanced Basketball Camp. Designed by Bellevue Club coach Tommy Tomsic, 11- to 14-year-olds playing or on track to play select level ball will work hard to improve their game while having fun.

Participants should bring their own basketball. The camp runs Monday-Thursday, Aug. 23-26, and is $50/member. Boys play 3-4 p.m., girls play 4-5 p.m.

Register online or call the Athletic Services Desk at 425.688.3177.

Beat the heat—think snow!

Ski season is approaching, even if Pacific Northwesterners don't yet want to think about it. And as a Bellevue Club member, you receive discounts on ski and snowboarding lessons through Ski Masters!

Ski Masters has been teaching kids, teens and adults to master the slopes for more than 45 years. They offer programs for ages 3 and up, from beginning levels to freeskiing and racing programs. Classes offered this season include:

• Parent & Tot Classes

• Mini Masters Classes

• Explorer, Race and Junior Instructor Training

• Adult Classes

You can even skip the hassles of driving by taking the Gray Line coach services. 

Registration for all Ski Masters programs begins Tuesday, Sept. 7. Please call Ski Masters at 425.392.8260 to sign up. Make sure you mention your Bellevue Club membership to receive your discount.

We'll see you on the slopes.

Outdoor art on display at Bellevue Botanical Garden

Head over to the Bellevue Botanical Garden on Aug. 28 or 29 to view Art In The Garden. This event, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, features many different types of outdoor sculptures throughout the gardens. From glass to metal, whimsical to serious, there will be plenty of art to view. Some artists will also be available to discuss their work.

As an added bonus, pick up a passport, get it stamped by the artists and be eligible for a prize. A percentage of sales from this event will support various garden projects.

Eat some s'mores and sing Kumbaya

Pack up the family, load the car and head out for a great camping weekend at Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation. This free event features hiking, fishing, stargazing, food and acoustic bluegrass music.

REI will have limited gear available for use, and the event is sponsored by the City of Bellevue. More information can be found online or by calling 425.452.4102.

Car show—will your ride be there?

The first-ever Bellevue Club car show is happening Saturday, Aug. 28 and we still have room for more rare and classic cars! If you have a car or motorcycle that would be a great addition to our show, please let us know.

In addition to all the fantastic vehicles from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. that day, Executive Chef Paul Marks will be serving his mouth-watering gourmet barbecue.

For more information about the Rare and Classic Car Show or to get your car or motorcycle registered for the event, contact Social Director Kaaren Keil at 688.3384 or social@bellevueclub.com.

Live at Lunch concert series

Spice up your lunch hour with a little music. Now through Sept. 9, the Live at Lunch concert series presents music at various outdoor locations around Bellevue on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Upcoming shows include The Halyards at the Symetra Financial Center today; Perry Acker at Bellevue Galleria tomorrow; Pearl Django at Kyline Tower Aug. 10; and Camille Bloom at KeyCenter Aug. 11. Full dates and musician listings can be found here.

Seafair!

It's time once again for the capstone event to the month-long Seafair celebration: The Albert Lee Cup Hydroplane Race, happening Aug. 6-8.

This race features the fastest powerboats in the world. Whether on shore or on a boat in Lake Washington, the hydroplane races are fun for the entire family. Tickets are still available for reserved seating.

If you want to be on the water but don't have access to a boat, try taking an Argosy Cruise during Seafair. Boarding at Kirkland City Dock, you can have lunch or dinner on the boat, or try a sightseeing cruise. Prices start at $30 per person.

Service Stars

General Manager Brian Flaherty, Athletic Director Sally Reed and other departmental managers of the Club recently gathered to thank Bobby for his outstanding service.

Sometimes, you don't even have to ask.

Men's Locker Room Attendant Bobby Lauterjung didn't hesitate when a member, late for a business meeting, had a shoelace break. He simply handed over one of his own.

We always try to anticipate and exceed your expectations while at the Club, but please, if there is anything we can help you with, don't hesitate to ask.

Try one of Gwyneth's favorite products—for free!

During the month of August, book a facial at The Spa at the Bellevue Club and you will receive free samples of SkinCeutical's Hydrating B5 Gel, C+AHA antioxidant and Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30 sunscreen.

The Hydrating B5 Gel is one of actress Gwyneth Paltrow's favorite beauty products to use on dry skin, as mentioned in her latest GOOP newsletter.

To book your appointment, or have any questions about SkinCeuticals products, please call The Spa at 688.3114.