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Peggy Booth, with Ikebana International chapter 19 will arrange three pieces for display at our conference on Wednesday, August 3 from noon to 1 pm.  They will remain on display through Saturday.  We kindly invite anyone who would like to write haiku about Ms. Booth's displays to place them with the piece.

From Ikebana International chapter 19 website: "Ikebana International is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging.

When founded in Tokyo, Japan, in 1956 by the late Ellen Gordon Allen, her dream was to create an organization uniting the people of the world through their mutual love of nature and enjoyment of Ikebana. That dream has now spread to 60 countries with 165 chapters, and membership numbering over 8,500.

The Seattle Chapter 19, chartered March 16, 1959, is dedicated to cultivating and perpetuating the study of Ikebana by demonstrations and public exhibitions, with a deep purpose of establishing a better relationship among all people. The chapter is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2009.

Seattle Chapter includes members from the following Ikebana schools:  Hua Yuan, Ichiyo, Ikenobo, Koenshu, Koryu, Ohara, Ryusei-Ha, Saga Goryu, Senke, Senke Seishin, Shofu-Ryu, Shofu-Kadokai, Sogetsu, Wafu and Yushoryu.  Some of the schools focus on classic styles, others are contemporary and creative.  Each school is different, but shares its history, inspiration, philosophy, style and techniques.  There are teachers in the different schools available throughout the Greater Seattle area.

Members of I.I. participate in world conventions, regional conferences and chapter meetings.  Our activities include demonstration of flower arranging, exhibitions, lectures/programs on related arts, tours, and workshops where one can study Ikebana under the direction of various school Masters.  Our public exhibitions include Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Feb, Cherry Blossom Festival in April, Annual Exhibition in May and Aki Matsuri in Sept.  Each local school also hold their own exhibitions.  Our members voluntarily place ikebana arrangements at the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum year round.
"

What a wonderful addition to our conference!  Thank you to all who made this possible!


 
 
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I have been tasked with planning and leading a ginko walk to Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle.  This is going to be a wonderful kick off to your stay in the Emerald City, both in terms of seeing our beautiful scenery and being inspired by art and nature!

A ginko can help a poet connect to the world of nature.  A person will walk, stroll or just "be" in nature, and is usually silent and observant.

Our ginko will take us on a half mile walk to Olympic Sculpture Park.  I imagine we'll walk in a few small groups, depending on the speed and mobility of our groups.  I have created a small walking map to the park, which I will give to everyone before we leave.  The guide will remind you of the times to be places after our ginko, and give restaurant information to those who wish to eat out.  

This park is operated by the Seattle Art Museum.  The sculptures are all outdoors, but there is an indoor pavilion with restrooms and another exhibit (usually a large art installation of sorts).  Go inside to pick up your map and guide for a $1 donation.  

For those needing help getting around, there are a couple spots to park in the garage if you can't make the trip by foot.  There is a price- $6 to park.  You can borrow a wheelchair, but there are no advance reservations.  The park had ADA accessible ramps and is graded to provide universal access.  

"The Olympic Sculpture Park evolved out of
a mutual commitment of the Seattle Art Museum and the Trust for Public Land to preserve downtown Seattle's last undeveloped waterfront property. From the beginning, the Seattle Art Museum aimed to restore the former industrial site, while providing a unique setting for outdoor sculpture and public use. The park’s innovative design achieved a wide range of environmental restoration goals, including brownfield redevelopment, creation of a salmon habitat, extensive use of native plantings and the capture and use of rainwater on site." -Olympic Sculpture Park Website

This link will give you a great overview of the park's impressive design features. 

Curious about some of the art and artists on display?  
Click here

If you're very excited, you can download the pdf below of the Olympic Sculpture Park Map and Guide!

-Katharine

ospmapandguide.pdf
File Size: 339 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

 
 
As your blogging concierge, I thought I'd also point out some places you might be interested in checking out or dining at while in Seattle.  Our two hotels are the MarQueen (located at 600 Queen Anne Ave N) and the Inn at Queen Anne (located at 505 First Ave N).  Both are located close to our conference location at Seattle Center.  Use the map above to follow along if you'd like.  The "A" denotes the MarQueen.

The Melting Pot- fondue has always been hip!  Check it out for dinner: 14 Mercer Street

I have also heard great things about Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge.  Check out their website to view the menu, they have great happy hour prices!  601 Queen Anne Avenue North

A personal favorite, and open 9a.m. to 2 a.m. wonderful Mexican American food with a Northwest flair: Peso's Kitchen and Lounge located at 605 Queen Anne Avenue North

More coastal style Mexican food can be found at Blue Water Taco Grill 515 Queen Anne Avenue North

Racha Noodles and Thai Cuisine is a winner too!  23 Mercer Street

Shiki Japanese Restaurant 4 W Roy St, will get your your Sushi fix.  You can find reviews on Urbanspoon and Yelp.

A Seattle institution: Dick's Drive In (not vegetarian friendly) 500 Queen Anne Avenue North

Mecca Cafe is your classic American diner food (and some may call a dive bar)... 526 Queen Anne Avenue North... reviews are on Yelp and Urbanspoon.

Get some BBQ at Floyd's Place located at 521 1st Avenue North- again reviews on Yelp and Urbanspoon.

Finally, you can also check out the chic Metropolitan Market (or Safeway Grocery Store) and get some yummy noms to take to a park (might I suggest Kerry Park, about a half mile from the hotels?).  Met Market is at 100 Mercer Street

There are lots of places to eat around there, but this is a list to get you started!

 

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