April 2009 SHCA Newsletter Volume 2 ~ Issue 4 During these challenging economic times, we would like to acknowledge management in the local hospitality industry that are supporting Professional SHCA Concierges by maintaining Concierge Desks/Departments in their hotels. Because the Professional Concierge is uniquely qualified and educated to best guide and direct all guests of every economic level to receive value for their budgets, their presence on property is a valueadded asset and resource for any particular hotel and their guests. The membership of the Seattle Hotel Concierge Association thanks you for your support and foresight. Mark your calendar for APRIL 27, 2009 ANNUAL Seattle Hotel Concierge Association TRADE SHOW To be held at the Waterfront Seafood Grill’s East Ballroom Alaskan Way @ Pier 70 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM This event, featuring vendors, businesses, and regional organizations, grows yearly. It is a valuable venue for exposure and connection. We look forward to seeing many of you there! For information regarding participation, Please contact co-chairs, Margo Pine at waterfrontconciergemargo@hotmail.com Or James Mulvaney at jmulvaney@wac.net is sponsoring the following SHCA members for Les Clefs d’Or this year: Mary LarMarche, Sheraton Hotel, for China Joan Flake, Hotel 1000, for Miami Seattle’s New Cruise Passenger Terminal to Open at Smith Cove Smith Cove Cruise Terminal--Seattle’s new two-berth facility will be a homeport for Alaska-bound cruises starting in April 2009 The new two-story terminal opens April 24, 2009 when Holland America Line’s Ms Amsterdam sails into Puget Sound signaling the beginning of the 2009 cruise season. The new terminal provides two, 1200 foot berths both equipped with shore power facilities--eliminating the need for vessels to run their diesel engines while at dock and creating a significant savings in fuel costs, plus the environmental benefit of no air emissions. The new terminal will serve as homeport for Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. The cruise industry has a major impact on the local economy. In 2008, its annual business revenue totaled $274 million, producing 2,380 jobs and $8 million in annual state and local taxes. Each time a homeport cruise ship docks in Seattle the activity related to the visit contributes about $1.7 million in area commerce. In 2008, Seattle hosted 210 vessels and a record-setting 886,039 passengers, which moved Seattle to the top spot for Alaska cruises. The Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 will continue to serve Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. 206-624-5077 / 800-426-7532 / www.graylineseattle.com/cruiseexpress Take Cruise Express from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) to Seattle's Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91. Cruise Express is a shuttle service that departs continuously from Sea-Tac Airport 11:30am through 2:30pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This is a direct transfer from the airport to the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91. This service departs from the Gray Line service desk located at the south end of baggage claim, just past baggage carousel 1, at Door 00. Cruise Express only services Holland America and Princess Cruise Lines. For your return to SeaTac Airport, Cruise Express departs the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal continuously from 8:00am to 10:00am. Slated to reopen on April 1 Hotel Industry Trends in 2009 - By Daniel Edward Craig Deep discounting and do-it-yourself are in, green programs and healthful food are out. The New Year has begun and so far, it's not pretty. With the hotel industry facing the lowest occupancy rates since 1971, a number of alarming trends are emerging. In the midst of all the doom and gloom, I thought I'd take a more lighthearted approach to predictions for the hotel industry in 2009 1. Everything learned in revenue management training goes out the window. Hysteria rules the day as hotels drop rates, get indignant when competitors lower rates in response, and then panic and drop rates even further. It will take years to recover from these rate wars, and the only victor will be the traveler. 2. Travelers will become more demanding and less forgiving. Smelling the hotel industry's desperation to fill rooms, travelers will demand even deeper discounts and more value add-ons, at the same time refusing to tolerate cuts to services hotels will be forced to implement to stay afloat, posting nasty comments on TripAdvisor like 'Save your money! This hotel has gone to hell!!' 3. Service levels will nosedive. The labor shortage crisis of 2008, when hoteliers blamed poor service levels on the lack of employee resources, will give way to the job shortage crisis of 2009, when hoteliers will blame poor service levels on tight labor budgets. Managers will be forced to cover frontline shifts to save labor costs, thereby revealing they have no clue how their departments operate, resulting in a deluge of missed wakeup calls, accounting errors and guests checked into occupied rooms. 4. Eco-friendly initiatives will be tossed out to recycling. Realizing that going green costs money, hotels will opt for programs that guilt the guest into making sacrifices, such as the now-ubiquitous optional towel and sheet replacement program. Discovering that guests will tolerate plastic recycling bins and off-white tissue paper, hotels will begin to phase out those adorable little bottles of shampoo, blackberry jam and Dijon mustard in favor of 'eco-friendly' (cheap) bulk offerings. 5. Automation and do-it-yourself options will replace costly employees. Hotel managers, faced with the horror of having to deal with guests themselves, will consider previously unthinkable initiatives like automated check-in kiosks. New laborsaving programs will include make-your-own-bed-and-breakfast packages, do-it-yourself luggage carts, and computers standing in for Concierges. All gratuitous positions created during the halcyon days, like 'tanning concierge', 'dream butler' and 'pillow consultant', will be summarily retired. 6. The trend toward offering more healthful food choices in restaurants, room service and mini-bars will be reversed as hotels realize that cheeseburgers, Coke and Kit Kats sell better and are more profitable. 7. Lifestyle hotels will spring up as quickly as Starbucks outlets are closing. Customization will be taken a step further, with such options as the daily repainting of rooms to match the guest's wardrobe, smart lighting that adjusts according to the guest's mood, and hotels designed exclusively for germophobes, anarchists and narcissists. Meanwhile, lifestyle hotels will continue to confuse guests with cutesy names for traditional positions like 'comfort consultant' for housekeeper, 'personal nutritionist' for waiter and 'ambassador to happiness' for front desk agent. 8. Complimentary amenities will vanish. 'Amenity Creep', the one-upmanship game hotels played during prosperous times by adding superfluous items like lip balm, wrinkle cream and nose-hair trimmers, will give way to 'Amenity Retreat', where all but essential items will be removed and guests will be charged for non-essential items like blankets, soap and hot water. Meanwhile, dog-friendly hotels will be phased out as hotels realize that dogs are not hotel-friendly. 9. The boutique-hotel-as-nightclub trend will spread to traditional hotels like Ritz Carlton, Fairmont and Four Seasons. Lobbies will morph into late-night clubs, with Bach concertos replaced by techno grooves from inhouse DJs. Traditional doormen in Beefeater-style uniforms will be supplanted by lobby hostesses in booty shorts, and the mantra 'It's my pleasure, sir' will surrender to 'Hey, no problem, man.' 10. Standalone hotels will be a thing of the past. Mixed-use developments, in which hotels are housed in the same complex as condos, retail outlets and office space and condo owners shoulder the burden of costly hotel construction by paying for access to services they will never use, will expand to include hospitals, churches and crematoriums to ensure guests never check out. About The Author: Daniel Edward Craig is a hotel consultant and author of Murder at the Universe and Murder at Hotel Cinema, mystery novels set luxury hotels. His blog provides a frank and entertaining look at issues in the hotel industry at www.danielededwardcraig.com . Worth the trip ~ neighborhood restaurant: www.spinasse.com Industry News Hotel Vintage Park: Valued SHCA member, Francesca Giusti, has reluctantly taken early retirement. Francesca is also a licensed aesthetician and brings her services to you by appointment: 206.617.6178 Hilton Hotel: Another valued SHCA member, Mary Ellen Enger, retired in January Hyatt 08 Hotel Tower & Condo: Chuck Watts has moved from the Grand Hyatt to 08 as Chef Concierge Waterfront Seafood Grill: Randall & Brie Nakamura have welcomed a new baby boy, Aiden Please remember Charlotte Jernigan (Westin), Alvin Eng (WAC), Darleen Campbell (Editor), and Ann Peavey (CVB), who have suffered family losses. 2100 bar bistro ballroom Seattle Marriott Waterfront’s new concept When it’s time for a new concept/menu/look, the process can take months. Add more time when it’s corporate-owned with approvals needed at various layers. Throw in the complexity of running a restaurant that serves a hotel and you have, well, probably a headache. And yet the team at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront has managed to redesign the concept and menu in a month. The new look is still coming. 2100 bar bistro ballroom is new to the hotel. Marriotts are eyeing some of their lobbies in a new way. Lovely but somewhat museum-like, they are spaces to admire but not really use. Marriott wants more lively spaces that have a buzz and attract both guests and locals. For the waterfront Marriott, that translates to a restaurant around the current lobby bar. The bar will be built out and communal, familystyle tables will be placed closest to the bar with smaller tables further out. Smaller tables give guests the opportunity to use the area as an extension of their room—a way to be part of the action while still being on their own, reading a book or working on a laptop. Potentially, this area could have as many or more seats than are available in the just-demised Fish Club. Executive Chef Chris Frothingham Over the past three years, Chris has become part of the community. "It’s a great yet tough food city," he says. "There’s a lot of competition, but so much good food. I’ve met great people here and this is the best kitchen crew I’ve ever worked with. We’ve had no turnover for the last couple of years." Chris received the 2007 ACE Award from Marriott. An internal recognition program, he was one of seven to receive it internationally. Awarded "Manager of the Quarter" for 4Q2008, he gives credit to his leaders and team for "the work they put in every day." The trust Marriott places in Chris and his team is clear. His new menu came back with just two adjustments—a rare accomplishment. www.tastewashington.org WEEKDAY & SATURDAY TOURS/EVENTS/WORKSHOPS -- APRIL Apr 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Thursdays 10am (Not major holidays)~Greatest Hits: Chart Toppers & Heart-Stoppers Focusing on the construction, context and culture which shaped our skyline, from the Rainier Club to the Central Library. 2-hour walking tour begins 10am Thursdays at Seattle Architecture Foundation. $15 advance, www.seattlearchitecture.org or 206.667.9184, V/MC. Apr 3, 10, 17, 24: Fridays 10am (Not major holidays) ~ Art Deco: Diamonds & Gold ~ Revisit the Roaring 20's and the architectural developments which transformed our skyline. Mayan temples, decorated caves, and French styling influenced downtown lobbies. Begin at SAF gallery in the Rainier Square Atrium, 1333 Fifth Avenue. Advance reg. $15 www.seattlearchitecture.org/tours or 206.667.9184, V/MC. Apr 4: Design Details: Lions, Griffins and Walruses, Oh My! (Co-Sponsor Smith Tower Chinese Room) Examine the hidden life of buildings seeking out adornments and embellishments--stops at Smith Tower’s Chinese Room /Observation Deck. 2-hour walking tour begins 10am at the Seattle Architecture gallery, 3rd level Rainier th Square Atrium, 1333 5 Avenue, ending at Smith Tower, 506 2nd Ave visiting Chinese Room and view. Advance $15 www.seattlearchitecture.org or 206.667.9184, V/MC. Apr 4: Historic Skyscrapers: Concrete, Glass, Steel and Egos ~ Social changes and technological advances shaped high-rises between the 1890s and the 1970s, including King Street Station, WaMu Center and Rainier Tower. 2-hour walking tour begins 10am at entrance to Smith Tower, 506 Second Avenue. Advance $15, www.seattlearchitecture.org or 206.667.9184, V/MC. Day-of-tour $20, if space available. Apr 4: International District: Diversity Defined ~ Rich in art, music, history and design, the old “Chinatown” th continues to evolve and inspire. Begin at the plaza at intersection of 5 and King, across from the Chinese Gate. Advance $15 www.seattlearchitecture.org or 206.667.9184, V/MC. Day-of for $20, if space available. Apr 11: Art + Architecture: Let the Streets be Your Museum! ~ Experience the best of public and private art. From jewelry to paintings to transit centers--a diverse civic resource making art an integral part of our daily lives. 2th hour walking tour begins at 10am at Seattle Architecture Foundation, 1333 5 Ave, 3rd level of the Rainier Square Atrium. Advance $15 www.seattlearchitecture.org or 206.667.9184, V/MC. Apr 11: Pioneer Square: Out of the Ashes~ History ‘on the hoof’~explore the infamous birthplace of Seattle. Begin at Elliott Bay Bookstore, 101 S. Main. Advance $15 www.seattlearchitecture.org or 206.667.9184, V/MC. Apr 18: Madrona: Not in Our Backyard ~ From racial red lines to the front line of integration--a microcosm of urban transformation. Begin at Madrona Playground, SW corner of 34th & Spring St. Advance $15, www.seattlearchitecture.org or 206.667.9184,V/MC. Day-of for $20, if space available. Apr 18: Modern Skyscrapers: What’s New? (Co-sponsored by Columbia Center) ~ Post-Modernism, security, green trends, real estate price dramatically impact where we live, work and play. Begin @ Federal Courthouse, 700 Stewart. Advance $15, www.seattlearchitecture.org or 206.667.9184 V/MC. Day-of-$20, if space available. Apr 25: Harvard Belmont: The Rich Life on Capitol Hill ~ Have your cake & gossip too, visiting Seattle’s only th residential Landmark District, featuring early 20 century architecture. Begin at circular driveway at Merrill Court Townhouses, 901-917 Harvard Ave. E. Advance $15 www.seattlearchitecture.org or 206.667.9184, V/MC. 6 Cool Tools to Build Buzz and Customer Traffic - By Ken Burgin Profitable Hospitality Customers often ask 'what's new?'...so, what do you say? It's one thing to tell them about the daily special, but when they become really interested is when you can talk about an event, a staff member, new photos, an award, renovation plans or the latest gossip. Actually, you have something new happening almost every day, but most businesses (even big ones with marketing departments) aren't very good at sharing it. If you want to cut back on "spend-money marketing", the alternative is to put more TIME into spreading the word - online, or by hitting the streets or the phone. Here are 6 zero-cost ways to do it online. Yes, you need to spend a few hours, and maybe face your fear of computers. Or do nothing, spend nothing and call the undertakers... 1. Write a news diary about what's happening. There's a great new online diary from the Local Taphouse’ - its friendly, informative and not just talking about themselves. They've used Google's free Blogger service -- link to it from your website or send the link in emails. 2. Take more photos and share them. Customers, staff, food and fun. Again, the Local Taphouse is constantly adding to their online album so customers will come back for more. Online photo galleries are one of the most popular part of any website - start one for free using Flickr. 3. Use LinkedIn to reach local professional and business customers. LinkedIn is not about 'flogging' your business, but connecting with like-minded professionals - most of whom eat and drink out. If you're in a business location, this can be an excellent way to build contacts and list events. It can even be used for recruitment. 4. Build a friendly Facebook Group for people to join. With more than 100 million members worldwide, there are thousands of members within your local demographic. First people join Facebook, then link to a Group they like - hopefully yours. You can message them directly and let them share online. 5. Talk to your followers with Twitter, the short messaging service. What is it? A very fast way to communicate with people who are following you online. You only have the length of a text message (140 characters) to say it all, so there's no room for fluff. 6. Create a Map of local places of interest. Promoting your local area can be almost as important as promoting your business. Google maps allows you to create a map with your choice of locations, walks and sighseeing - using their MyMaps service. Naturally, your own business will feature prominently in the middle. With the world in trauma, you have 3 choices: #1 spend more money on promotion, #2 spend less and invest more time in contacting people, or #3 shut the door and turn off the lights. Choice #2 seems like a safe bet create new ways of connecting with fans and customers, then keep feeding them the good stuff. Time to get busy! Seattle Women’s Chorus Presents – Lullaby of Broadway April 10-11, Meany Theater on U of W campus (4/10 8pm & 4/11 2pm) Celebrating the women of Broadway: Mama Rose, Auntie Mame, Annie Oakley, Mrs. Lovett, EVITA, Efphaba, and Tracey Turnblad to name a few, it’s a toe-tapping musical extravaganza. Taproot Theatre: www.taproottheatre.org (Greenwood Neighborhood) March 25-April 25: “Tuesdays with Morrie” May 20-June 20: “Around the World in 80 Days” Tractor Tavern – April 12, “Reckless Kelly” (Ballard Neighborhood) 5th Avenue Theatre: April 21 – May 10 ~ “Sunday in the Park with George” ~ Music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim ~ www.visit5thavenue.org Safeco Field Tours - call ahead 206.346.4241 - In season: 4/1-10/31; off season: 11/1-3/31 www.mariners.com Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels – April 14, 15, 16 – Safeco Field Dancer Jennifer Banks leaps into new role as owner of Poppies Floral Design in the Fremont District, 206.931.8334, 7749 14th Ave NW MOHAI: “The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons” Daily 10 to 5 through May17 www.seattlehistory.org Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival-Seattle Center-April 17-19 www.seattlecenter.com The Spring Fair ~ Puyallup Fair & Events Center ~ April 16-19 ~ www.thefair.com Washington State Apple Blossom Festival – Wenatchee – April 23-May 3 – www.appleblossom.org Handling a Critical Incident in a Hotel – By Sgt. Jason Brennan, co-founder of Synergy Law Enforcement Solutions Time is of the essence during a critical incident. Who is alerted and how quickly and accurately crucial information is provided to emergency teams can make the difference. A critical incident such as a shooting or bomb threat, or a natural disaster such as an earthquake, can happen anywhere there are people around, such as a hotel. Getting the right people to the right place in a moment's notice is key to a successful resolution. Failure to do so may mean lives lost. Hotels must be proactive in developing and incorporating a critical incident plan geared toward successful resolution of a complex and dynamic situation such as a shooting, bomb threat or natural disaster. Key components that every hotel should have in place are an emergency preparedness plan, evacuation plan, and a first response plan in addition to having communications capabilities in place. A hotel's critical incident plan is designed to assist the hotel staff as well as 911 Emergency Center dispatchers, police, ambulance and fire departments in providing a coordinated initial response to a critical incident. The plan should contain relevant site data including hotel maps, floor plans, utilities information and contact information. It should also include a field guide for the police Incident Commander to utilize, which will assist him/her in the rapid deployment of public safety personnel. The field guide should include details for contact and rescue teams, traffic diversions, fire and EMS services, mutual aid and a staging area for the media. Once the critical incident plan is established, a copy of it must be provided to the 911 Emergency Communications Center, so that dispatchers and first responders to the scene will have access to its specific information so they can best facilitate an emergency response. The police department should have access to the hotel's master keys so they may gain access to every area during a crisis situation. It is imperative that hotel owners/managers have the capability to 'lock-down' their establishment and notify everyone in the building. Locking down the hotel may seem daunting, but it is one of the best ways to minimize the danger, in particular in a shooting or bomb threat situation. It limits the ability of a violent shooter or threatening party to gain access to rooms, guests and staff. One way to alert hotel guests of a lock-down is to use a reverse call system with a pre-recorded message that instructs all guests to remain in their rooms until the police can respond to the incident. Staff may also be alerted utilizing the same system, with a different prerecorded message that may also include specific instructions. Time is of the essence and communication is key. A lot of information needs to be disseminated immediately to the appropriate first response emergency teams and sometimes too much non-essential information gets in the way. It is imperative that a critical incident plan is already in place so that first responders, as well as the hotel staff, know what to do. What NOT to Do Hotel owners should be aware of the more frequent incidences of violence and natural disasters that have occurred throughout the world. Don't assume that a critical incident isn't going to happen. Don't wait to put a critical incident plan in place. Hotels are 'ripe for the picking' when it comes to a shooting or bomb threat incident due to their size, scope and the sheer number of people that are in the hotel at any given time. Without the proper information and a communication system established, such as an evacuation plan, floor plans, and a reverse call system, a critical incident becomes a near impossible situation that is sure to have a tragic ending. Having a critical incident plan in place well ahead of time ensures that the necessary information is efficiently communicated to first responders, Incident Commanders, hotel staff and guests, the media and all others involved. It is essential to the successful resolution of a crisis situation. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Sgt. Jason Brennan is co-founder of Synergy Law Enforcement Solutions of Massachusetts. He is an active duty police officer and Operation Commander of a multi-jurisdictional Tactical Unit/SWAT Team providing police services to 43 cities/towns in the Northeast. He travels the U.S. developing IMPACT programs designed to assist schools, hospitals, companies and emergency teams by providing a coordinated initial response that will save lives in the event of a hazardous situation, gas leak, natural disaster or act of work/school violence. Visit www.synergy911.us Wherefore ART Thou? Seattle is a Mecca for art aficionados—public art, museums, glass art, funky art, fine art, art walks, galleries, etc.— For daily art news and the very latest exhibit information point your browser to: www.seattleartblog.com ART WALKS: First Thursday: Gallery Walks in Pioneer Square and the Seattle Art Museum, www.firstthursdayseattle.com/ First Friday: Bainbridge Island Galleries are open from 5-8/9 pm; Belltown Art Walk from 6-8PM; Fremont Art Walk, 6-9PM, www.fremontseattle.com First Saturday: Langley on Whidbey Island, galleries extend hours until 8PM Second Tuesday: Capitol Hill Art Walk, 6-9PM Second Thursday: Kirkland Art Walk, galleries open from 6-8PM; West Seattle Art Walk, 6-9PM, www.westseattleartwalk.blogspot.com Second Saturday: Ballard Art Walk, 6-9PM; Georgetown Art Attack, 6-9PM: www.georgetownartattack.com Third Thursday: Edmonds Art Walk, 5-8PM; Tacoma Art Walk--galleries & museums free 5-8PM; Upper Queen Anne Art Walk, 6-8PM Last Thursday: Microsoft Art Collection Tours: open to the public, free; RSVP two weeks in advance (max 40), artevent@microsoft.com Washington’s only reference guide to the visual arts: ART GUIDE Northwest www.artguidenw.com Seattle Glassblowing Studio, 2227 5th Avenue, 206.448.2181, www.seattleglassblowing.com Artbyfire gallery and glass school, 5465 Leary Ave NW, 206/789.1490, www.ArtByFire.com Pilchuck Glass School Spring Group Tours—April 27 – May 6 — Contact Amanda Lee, 206.621.8422, ext 50, or email: alee@pilchuck.com 26th Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival – April 1–30 – visit www.tulipfestival.org April 3-5: Spring Best of the Northwest. www.bestnwcrafts.com A marketplace of fine art and crafts, Seattle Center, 10am-6pm, www.mysticseacharters.com Sassoon Salon opens here based on Seattle's style-savvy reputation ~ By Monica Fischer One of the biggest names in hair has arrived in Seattle. The new 2,000-square-foot salon--the first Sassoon has opened in a decade--is located next to the Red Lion Inn on Fifth Avenue Sassoon chose Seattle for its newest endeavor because of its growing reputation as a style-savvy, fashionforward city. Though it wasn't a factor in the new salon being located here, West Coast creative director Elizabeth Hartley says our capricious weather provides the perfect opportunity to showcase Sassoon's versatile cuts. "In the four days I've been here, we've had sun, then hail, then snow, then sun again," she said. "The women who live here need hairstyles that work with their lifestyle, their facial structure, their body shape--and the weather." More importantly, says Hartley, because Sassoon's cuts are designed to be approachable and appropriate to a client's lifestyle, they can be worn much longer. She says that the salon's philosophy "is to nurture hair, rather than to whip it into shape." The cost of the salon's services reflects Sassoon's stellar reputation. Haircuts run $80 to $125; an all-over color change ranges from $105 to $120; highlights cost between $185 and $240; and blow-drys are $65 to $70. The price is determined by the skill level of the stylist or colorist. Seattle color director Carmen Wenthold acknowledges that Sassoon's prices may be higher than at other downtown salons, but adds that every color service includes a complimentary moisturizing, protective treatment (a $37 value), and the salon offers free bang trims and neck clean-ups to regular customers. The salon's attitude should be a good fit for Seattle, and its appearance is right at home on Fifth Avenue. Designed by German architects Frick and Frick, the sophisticated salon blends warm brown wood, cool white porcelain and stainless-steel accents to achieve an ambiance that is both welcoming and modern. Eastern Washington Vineyards Washington State boasts the second largest wine production in the United States. Is the “other side of the mountains” calling to you to explore and discover?” www.winesnw.com Argosy Cruises Announces Easter Brunch for the Family – April 12 This 2–hour brunch cruise features breathtaking views of the Seattle area, a spectacular brunch buffet, an indoor Easter egg hunt, a kids arts & crafts room and a guest appearance from the Easter Bunny himself. The cruise boards at 11a.m, departs at noon and return at 2 p.m. Adult price is $59 (tax and gratuity additional), children ages 5-12 are $20 (plus tax) and 4 and under are free of charge. Coffee and tea are also included. The Northwest Brunch buffet features: Seasonal fresh fruit display, Waldorf salad, jumbo prawn cocktail, served with a homemade cocktail sauce, Northwest eggs scrambled with gouda cheese and Canadian bacon, country fried potatoes, locally made chicken and apple breakfast sausage, cinnamon swirl French toast, fresh pastries, chef-carved ham, coffee and tea service. For more information or to inquire about reservations, call (206) 623-1445, or visit the company’s Web site at argosycruises.com www.kenmoreair.com “Walking Valentine” ~ A Gift To Seattle from Scandia Jewelers, 1011 First Avenue From the whimsical mind of Proprietor Paul Burns SHCA Member Meeting Reminder: March 23, Sorrento Hotel, 5:30 PM New Feature for 2009 Newsletters: “Positions Available” If you would like to list/advertise available positions, please send information to the SHCA Newsletter Editor by the 10th of each month: Include the general position (Concierge, Sales, F/D, Mgmt, Tour Guide, Retail, Admin, etc.), only contact phone number &/or email address if you prefer discretion. Provide more contact detail if you wish. Darleen Campbell, Editor, dlasscam@aol.com Please send email updates to Editor, or Reply “Remove” to be removed from the SHCA Newsletter Mailing List Submissions must be received by the 10th of each month for the following month’s Newsletter. “Smart people are a dime a dozen; what it really takes is creativity and moral will to turn a smart person into somebody who can serve communities and serve this world.” ~ Walter Isaacson, president of the Aspen Institute and former CEO of CNN and editor of Time Magazine