This highly regarded store is known for being a women-friendly sex toy shop.  Founded here in Seattle in 1993, the store serves up information and fun to thousands of satisfied customers.  You’ll find toys, books, videos, along with personal advice and recommendations from the helpful staff.

Babeland’s Annual New Year’s Sale (one of only two sales the store has) runs January 1st –4th, with nearly everything in the store marked down 25-40%.  This looks to be one of the biggest sales they’ve ever had.

Location: 707 East Pike Street, Capital Hill (map it)

Hours:  Monday – Saturday, 11 am – 10 pm; Sunday noon – 7 pm

In addition to the Seattle flagship store, you can also find Babeland in New York, with a shop on the lower east side, a shop in SoHo, and one in Brooklyn.

Image credit:  SXC

______________________________________

Post from: The Seattle Traveler

The Anna Armstrong White Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) created Anna’ Ride Home to help make it a little easier for you for those times that maybe your planning was quite on spot. 

Anna’s Ride Home is a partnership between local bars and taxi companies with the sole goal of getting people home safely and off the road.  Bar staff is trained to recognize when a patron may need a drive home, and can offer up free cab vouchers.  The ride home program is confidential.

Currently, about 32 bars in the Puget Sound area are partners in the Anna’s Ride Home Program.  If your favorite establishment isn’t listed, you might tell them they should be.

• The Baltic Room Seattle
• The Central Saloon Seattle
• Cowgirls, Inc. Seattle
• Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant Seattle
• Horse and Cow Bar & Grill Bremerton
• Johnny’s Sports Bar & Grill Edmonds
• J & M Cafe and Cardroom Seattle
• Lady Luck’s Cowgirl Up Steakhouse & Saloon Tacoma
• Level 5 Seattle
• Liquid Lime Kirkland
• Marina Park Grill Kirkland
• McClouds Bremerton
• Mondo’s Pub Lynnwood
• MoonDogs, Too Port Orchard
• 19th Hole Tavern Bremerton
• Palmer’s East Redmond
• The Parlor Billiards & Spirits Bellevue
• Pyramid Brewing Seattle
• Rocksport Bar & Grill Seattle
• Romeo’s Bar & Grill Bremerton
• R Bar and Grill Renton
• R Place Bar & Grill Seattle
• Safeco Field Seattle
• The Shark Club Kirkland
• Tiki Joe’s Wet Bar Kirkland
• Time Out Kirkland
• 21 Central Kirkland
• Uncle Jack’s Billiards & Lounge Lynnwood
• Victory Lounge Seattle
• Wilde Rover Kirkland

The upcoming New Year’s Eve festivities has heightened awareness of drinking and driving, but Anna’s Ride Home is available 365 days a year. 

Photo credit:  SXC

_________________________________________

Post from: The Seattle Traveler

Details:  The Victorian Village and train set at Seattle Center’s Winterfest. 

The festival enters its final days.  Check out the full schedule to take in some of the remaining events.  Through December 31st at the Center House at the Seattle Center.

Photo credit:  personal collection

________________________________________

Post from: The Seattle Traveler

1. Make reservations for dinner out.  Ok, all the really great spots may be booked up (or maybe not given the economy right now).  I’d suggest taking a look at Open Table and see what is available.  (This is a great site for reservations any time of year.)
2. Fireworks at the Space Needle.  You may still be able to get reservations for dinner or for one of the parties held there, but the real party is outside and it’s FREE.  The fireworks display at midnight attracts tons of viewers both in person and on television.  It’s great fun, even though it’s going to be cold, to be out on the street with friends and strangers welcoming the New Year.
3. Area casinos offer a variety of entertainment and parties, and although nowhere near as elaborate as what you’d find in Vegas, it should be fun for those willing to take a gamble on 2009.  Many have adjacent hotels, allowing you to stay close.
4. Check Ticketmaster for tickets to various venues around the city.  There’s comedy, music, and a variety of other performances, so chances are you’ll find something to snag your interest.  There are tickets to many performances still available, and if you can’t find decent seats, consider the General Admission option (standing only) at the Paramount for Presidents of the United States.  There is also reserved balcony seating available.
5. Catch one or two of the end-of-year new movie releases.  Fandango allows you to buy your tickets online in advance letting you avoid at least part of the lines. 
6. For the kids (grades 2-8), there’s a sleep over at the Pacific Science Center.  It’s a little bit science and a lot of excitement as 2009 is welcomed in.  At midnight the kids can watch the fireworks at the Space Needle from a kid-safe environment.
7. First Night in Tacoma is family friendly and alcohol-free, with a variety of events planned at downtown venues.
8. For a more reflective transition from one year to the next, many area houses of worship have special services and activities.  Giving thanks and praying for a better 2009 is not a bad idea.
9. Make hotel reservations, and combine a couple of these ideas for a festive night out.  If room rates seem a little high for your budget, and you don’t mind selecting an area to stay in without knowing the name of your hotel, Hotwire delivers great hotel bargains.  I use them a lot when I book a room downtown, and have never been disappointed.
10. Stay home.  Whether it’s by choice or because you didn’t plan early enough, there is a lot of New Year television programming.  Movies, sports, and you can watch the fireworks at the Space Needle or the ball dropping in Times Square all from the comfort of your own home.  And go ahead and go outside and bang pots and pans, or shout Happy New Year’s to your neighbors.  After all, it’s only one night of the year.

Image credit:  flickr

__________________________________________

Post from: The Seattle Traveler

Passports with Purpose was formed in recognition of the many benefit of traveling and travel blogging contrasted with the very real need in communities around the world.  An opportunity for those of us who love seeing the world to give back to it.  For it’s first fundraiser, PwP has chosen Heifer International as its recipient.

Heifer International is a non-profit organization with a very simple mission – to end worldwide hunger.  And they do it by helping people find a sustainable source of income and food.  Your donation to Heifer International not only help feed people today, but it provides food and sustenance for communities for lifetimes.

You can help out this GREAT cause, and also have a chance to win some fabulous travel prizes, by donating to Heifer International in increments of $10.

How does it work?

Check out the Passports with Purpose page and see a list of great travel products and prizes donated by travel bloggers and travel companies.  For every $10 donation, you can choose an entry into a drawing for the prize of your choice.  $10 gets you one entry.  $20 gets you two, and so on.  You can choose several entries for one prize, or spread them out.  Just remember, each entry must be accompanied by a $10 donation.

But you’re going to need to act fast – the deadline for donations for this giveaway is December 29th.  (Of course all donations at ANY TIME are needed and appreciated.)  Winners will be drawn and notified by email on December 30th.

It’s easy to walk through the giving process, just click on the appropriate links and put your prize choice in the comment field.

This is one time when it’s better to GIVE and RECEIVE, so please give generously to help end hunger.

Please join me in making a donation to this worthwhile effort.  Show the world that your passport has a purpose! 

Image credit:  courtesy of Passports with Purpose

Post from: The Seattle Traveler

Whether you’re snowed in, trying to travel, or just spending quiet time by choice, warm holiday wishes go out to all of you!

We haven’t had a white Christmas here in Seattle for some time!

Image credit:  SXC

Post from: The Seattle Traveler

Going to the mall is probably going to make you crazy, and you’ll wind up buying something that you don’t really want just to get out of there.  Instead, consider these local Seattle-area businesses that can offer really wonderful, and thoughtful, local gifts:

1. Starbuck’s gift card – You can find one on every street corner, and it’s a great gift for a coffee lover.  It can be used for a latte on the run, beans, or products at any of the gazillion Starbuck’s stores across the country.
2. Amazon – There are not very many things that you won’t find available through Amazon, and let’s remember it is a local company.  You can print out a picture of the item you’re giving, or make it a gift certificate for arrival later.  And if you want an idea of a good choice, check out my review of the Kindle.
3. Restaurant gift card – Whether it’s your local hangout, a neighborhood favorite, or a special occasion spot, most restaurants can whip up a gift card for you in very little time.  Add it to a bottle of champagne for presentation, and you’ll have a gift to enjoy now and one to enjoy later.
4. Wine – Did you forget that Washington has some outstanding wines?  Splurge and stop by a wine shop and pick up something really special.  Most decent sized markets, and many of the smaller specialty ones, have decent wine sections and buyers.  Score bonus points if your gift includes a trip to the winery at a later date.
5. Candy – Go for something local like Boehms or Dilettante.  Combined with a nice bottle of wine and a restaurant gift card for somewhere really specially, and you’ve got a great gift.
6. Nordstrom – Unless you really know what to get, opt for a gift certificate.  Choose a sales counter that isn’t busy, and they can whip it out for you in a flash.
7. Plants or Flowers – We have lots of great nurseries in the area, making a plant or flower selection easy no matter where you are.  It’s also a gift that’s great for at home or at the office.  If it’s a gift for someone special, try getting an orchid and pairing it up with a trip to see more orchids – perhaps growing in Hawaii.
8. Annual membership – Something for most interests, whether it’s for the Seattle Art Museum, Woodland Park Zoo, or the Pacific Science Center.  And, it’s a gift that they’ll appreciate all year long.
9. Season tickets – The Seahawks, Mariners, Storm, Huskies, Thunderbirds, or any local sports team.  Just make sure that’s they’re a fan, not just you!
10. Jewelry – We have several locally owned jewelry store, so stop by Fox’s Gem Shop (downtown) or Ben Bridge Jewelers (various locations).  If you don’t know what you want to buy, they’ll help you find a great way to present a gift for a later selection.

If you have any other local, Seattle-area based gift ideas, leave them here in the comments.

Now, what are you waiting for – time’s running short!

Photo credit:  SXC

____________________________________

Post from: The Seattle Traveler

But, on the off chance that this snow melts quickly, put the Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park (Tacoma) on your must-see holiday lights list.  The two mile lighting display along Spanaway Lake is the the largest drive-through holiday lights display in the Pacific Northwest.

With over 300 displays, including animation, the bring a smile to light up even the coldest moment.

Tune the car radio to FM 93.7 for accompanying holiday music as you drive through to make it a complete sensory experience.

Location:  Spanaway Park, Bresemann Boulevard & Military Road, Spanaway (map it)

Date & Time:  November 27th, 2008 – January 4th, 2009, 5:30 – 9:30 pm

Admission:  $13 per vehicle.  Discounts tickets ($10) are available at Lakewood Community Center, Sprinker Recreation Center, and Garfield Bookstore at Pacific Lutheran University.

There are normally very lines and wait times for this popular community event, especially on weekends.  The snow may reduce driving traffic, so if you’re able to get out and around safely, it may be a good time to plan a visit. 

The display will be up through January 4th, and the snow has to be gone by then!

Photo credit:  flickr

_________________________________________

Post from: The Seattle Traveler

Here are some important resources that you are going to need until this weather improves.

1. Washington State Department of Transportation has information about driving conditions for good or bad weather, and is a key source for adverse driving conditions.  Check out pass conditions, ferry service, and any other transportation you might have.  You’ll also find them on Twitter at wsdot.
2. City of Seattle provides info about a variety of things you’ll need to know for inclement weather.  From safety alerts, power outages, traffic conditions, to bus routes, and all sorts of other practical information, you’ll want to refer to their website often.
3. School Reports lists the status of schools in Western Washington, including colleges and private schools.  School may be out for winter break, but you’ll want to file this one away.  I have the feeling we may be using it frequently the winter.
4. The Port of Seattle manages Sea-Tac Airport and keeps its website up-to-date with driving conditions, flight status, constructions, and has great links to other services that you’ll need.

If the snow keeps up as forecasted, I’ll have some photos to share tomorrow!

Photo credit:  flickr

_________________________________________

Post from: The Seattle Traveler

Flying into Sea-Tac Airport mid-day wasn’t too bad.  In fact, it took me nearly as long to drive home from the airport as it did to fly from San Francisco to Seattle!

No snow when I left home a few days ago.  This is what was waiting when I arrived home this afternoon.  There were lots of kids with sleds, and various boards sliding down the hill having a great school-free day.

More on the way tonight!  FUN!!!

Photos:  personal collection

_____________________________________________

Post from: The Seattle Traveler