Power Up With a Surge of High-Voltage Circus Fun & Excitement
Featuring The All-New “Gold Edition” of
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® Presents FULLY CHARGEDCOMING TO PUGET SOUND AREA FROM OCTOBER 3 – 13


[SEATTLE, WA] – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® invites families to disconnect from the everyday digital world and plug into the most electrifying circus experience ever at the all-new “Gold Edition” of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents FULLY CHARGED, where megawatts of thrills and electrodes of excitement explode off the arena floor with breathtaking dare-devilry, superhuman stunts and powerhouse performances that will energize Children Of All Ages – coming to Kent’s ShoWare Center from Thursday, October 3^rd through Sunday, October 6^th and to Everett’s Comcast Arena from Thursday, October 10^th through Sunday, October 13^th.

Ringling Bros. Fully Charged Ringmaster David Shipman commands this high-speed connection with dazzling displays of animals, acrobats, daredevils and dancers to generate an explosive surge of circus entertainment like no other, introducing audiences to an international cast of elite performers including:

• The Lopez Family and their trifecta of extraordinary performances highlighted by knuckle-biting knife throwing, outrageous high-wire stunts and synchronized motorcycle mayhem inside the globe of steel! 
• Mongolian strongman Mr. Power uses super-human strength to twirl a half-ton telephone pole and also suspends his dazzling partner Lady Lightning 25 feet above the arena floor using just his teeth!
• Remarkable aerial acrobatics highlighted by gymnast Sergey Novikov of the Ukraine soaring high over the audience with just two fabric straps holding him up along with the Vavilov Troupe, a six-man acrobatic troupe from Russia, that vault through the air and showcase a jaw-dropping backflip from three stories high!
• The Smaha Troupe takes juggling to new heights as they integrate high-energy tumbling into their energetic routine including juggling with their feet!
• Of course it wouldn’t be The Greatest Show On Earth without showcasing our four-legged circus animal stars including epic Asian elephants, commanding camels, handsome hoof stock and performing pups. 

Be sure to arrive early to join us as Ringling Bros. offers real face-time with performers at the fun, interactive All Access Pre-show Power-Up Party, which takes place on the arena floor one hour before the show and FREE to all ticket holders. Don’t miss this opportunity to get closer than ever to The Greatest Show On Earth!

K E N T
WHEN: Thursday, October 3 – Sunday, October 6

Thursday, Oct. 3 7:30 PM
Friday, Oct. 4 7:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 5 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, Oct. 6 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM
**All Access Pre-Show begins one hour prior to each performance

WHERE: ShoWare Center – 625 W. James St., Kent, WA 98032
TICKETS: Ticket prices range from $20, $30, $45 (VIP), $55 (Floor Seats) and $65 (Ringside)*
Kids tickets (ages 2-11) available for only $10 each (valid for select seating on Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 11:30am & 7:30pm and Sunday 5:00pm shows; limit 4 kids tickets per full price ticket purchase)
Opening Night tickets discount priced at $12 each (on select seating; not valid for VIP or Floor Seats)
All seats are reserved; tickets available for purchase online at www.showarecenter.com, charge by phone at 866-973-9613 or in-person at the ShoWare Center Box Office. *tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.  


E V E R E T T
WHEN: Thursday, October 10 – Sunday, October 13
Thursday, Oct. 10 7:30 PM
Friday, Oct. 11 7:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 12 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, Oct. 13 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM
**All Access Pre-Show begins one hour prior to each performance

WHERE: Comcast Arena at Everett – 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett, WA 98201

TICKETS: Ticket prices range from $20, $30, $45 (VIP), $55 (Floor Seats) and $65 (Ringside)*
Kids tickets (ages 2-11) available for only $10 each (valid for select seating on Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 11:30am & 7:30pm and Sunday 5:00pm shows; limit 4 kids tickets per full price ticket purchase)
Opening Night tickets discount priced at $12 each (on select seating; not valid for VIP or Floor Seats)
All seats are reserved; tickets available for purchase online at www.comcastarenaeverett.com, charge by phone at 866-332-8499 or in person at the Comcast Arena Box Office.*tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.  

# # #
About Feld Entertainment: Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 70 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!

Cinderella at Mt. Baker Theater
Date:June 1 and 2

Watch as the delightful tale of Cinderella unfolds on stage. Miye Bishop will bring grace and elegance to Bellingham when she portrays the popular character.

http://northwestballet.org/theater/

for more information

Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream, Helping Kids with Cancer

Sitting in the audience of the new Disney on Ice Show, Dare to Dream, is not too different than sitting in a Southern Gospel show. The crowd is excited and clapping and cheering and the performers are putting on a spectacular show. And just like Southern Gospel concerts, the Disney on Ice Show is about more than just entertainment; there is a higher purpose and ministry behind what they do. Of course there are world class performers and spectacular special effects, but when the smoke from the pyrotechnics dies down and the Zamboni is back in its stall, there is more than just smiling faces from the audience to remember the show by. Disney and Feld entertainment have partnered with Wigs for Kids, a ministry from Cleveland who give new hope to children suffering from hair loss due to Cancer treatments.

In 1981, world famous hair stylist Jeff Paul was approached by his thirteen year old niece. She, a Cancer patient, asked her talented uncle to create a realistic looking wig for her to wear to a gymnastic competition. At the time, there were no real hair wigs available for children, so Paul created one. While sitting in the audience of the competition, his anxiety grew as his niece took center stage. Paul sat on the edge of his seat in anticipation of her finale which would not only be difficult to land, but could potentially cause her wig to fall off. Not only did she land her final move expertly, but her wig stayed securely in place. The smile and thumb's up she gave to her Uncle Jeff made it all worth while and in that moment God spoke to him and changed the course of his career and life.

Jeff Paul has done hair and styling for dignitaries, celebrities and even a couple of United States Presidents, but God called him to a higher purpose and he left all of that behind to create, "Wigs for Kids." Today Paul, along with his wife Zina runs this national ministry that gives sick children a reason to smile and restores some of their self-confidence. Paul, a Southern Gospel music lover, has recently partnered with Disney and the good folks at Feld Entertainment to grow the ministry and to help even more children.

Partnering with local salons, Feld Entertainment and Wigs for Kids, have made it possible to collect large quantities of hair to create natural looking wigs for those who will benefit the most. The partnership was recently kicked-off with a fabulous meet and greet at the ShoWare Center in Kent Washington. Local salon owners, along with the children who generously donated their hair, were thanked with some royal treatment, fit only for true prince and princesses. There were cupcakes and prizes and a meet-and-greet with Rapunzel, the star of the show, which was the highlight for many. One of the performers even donated her locks to the cause. And through all the polish and glitz of the night, the purposes of God was being advanced, as bags and bags of hair were gathered.

The show itself was typical Disney amazing with all the lights and special effects you would expect. The skating, of course, was world class and the costumes were pure perfection. Our favorite part of the show was the Tangled portion which consumed the entire second half. There were lots of "oohs" and "ahhhs" when Rapunzel and her male counterpart, Flynn Rider, rose above the ice to perform an amazing acrobatic scene while suspended from long golden strands of hair. Maximus was also a favorite, as he looked identical to the character in the movie. The adults also marveled at the precision of the skaters who wore the costume and their ability to work together to create realistic movement.

Though the show focused on the princesses from story book, there is enough to keep all members of the family entertained; even my fidgeting six year old boy was mesmerized. The highlight for him was seeing mischievous Flynn Rider and all his antics. Just like in the movie, Flynn was a charming rascal that kept everyone guessing and laughing.

There was a fair share of magic displayed in the performance, which might be offensive to some. The majority of this happens in the first quarter of the show, which is devoted to story of Princess Tiana of "The Princess and the Frog. Anyone who is familiar with the story will know what to expect.

The timeless and classic story of Cinderella is also a part of this show. My favorite characters from the tale, Jaq and Gus, the mice, where there and brought a smile to my face as they danced across the ice. The most spectacular part of this story, and perhaps one of the most visually amazing parts of the entire show was the Cinderella's coach scene. The horses were played by skaters in elegant costume who were able to skate in precision as they "pulled" the extravagantly fanciful coach across the ice.

The finale was truly spectacular. All the princesses, along with Mickey, Minnie and the Disney gang took the ice to perform in an upbeat number. The costumes were dazzling and there were a few fun surprises, like the fireworks at the end. The thunderous applause and smiles from the kids in the audience indicated the show was indeed a success.

The show proved to be wildly entertaining, but beyond that, it felt good to know that under the sparkle of the sequins, there is a heart of gold. The people who help choreograph, plan,  perform, promote and partner with the performance are there to make a difference in the lives of young Cancer victims. This type of dedication and generosity is refreshing to see and gives me hope for a world that sometimes seems callous and self-serving.

For more Information:

Wigs for Kids
http://wigsforkids.org/
http://www.facebook.com/SupportWigsForKids
http://www.youtube.com/user/WigsForKidsVideos
http://www.youtube.com/user/WigsForKidsVideos

Disney on Ice
http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/
http://www.facebook.com/DisneyOnIce?fref=ts

Feld Entertainment
http://www.feldentertainment.com/

Where to Stay in Kent, WA

Our family made a mini-vacation out of going to see the Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream show and were fortunate enough to get to spend some extended time in the Kent, WA area. While there, we stayed at the beautiful Best Western: Plaza by the Green. The hotel is conveniently located close to the ShoWare Center so it is the perfect place to stay for anyone who is taking in an event there. The hotel has a gorgeous view of golf course, which was a treat to wake-up to. The breakfast was delicious and hearty too, which is important with three little kids who expend all their energy exploring the world around them. But the highlight of the stay at Plaza by the Green was the staff. Everyone from the manager, to the housekeeping staff and the breakfast hostess made us feel welcome and as if we were coming home to see friends or family. The hotel property is located near many restaurants and shopping centers, including a 24 hour a day sit down restaurant. I'd recommend staying at the Best Western: Plaza by the Green if you are ever in Kent, WA.

For more information:
http://www.plazabythegreen.com/

 Seattle Fun!

Most everyone in the world has heard about Seattle, coffee, and Pike’s Place Market. Even those from across the globe re-enact the Space Needle scene from “Sleepless in Seattle” while visiting this beautiful city. But those who live in the area know that some of the gems of the northwest aren’t in the in Emerald City at all. Only a few short miles out of the hustle and bustle of downtown is quaint city of Edmonds. There are many attractions in the clean little town, but many visitors simple come to ride the ferry, as it is a major port for the Washington State Ferry System. The waterfront is dotted with the usual parks, restaurants and hotels that you might expect from a city on the water. But one hotel stands out from all the rest.
It’s not that it has an unusual location or an unusual exterior that makes it stand out, no, it’s the people inside the hotel that really make the difference. The Best Western Harbor Inn is conveniently located on the waterfront, just a few blocks from downtown. We were greeted by a friendly gentleman that went beyond the call of duty to make our stay special. My six year old daughter, who is always attempting to act properly and who has spent much of her life sleeping in hotel beds, asked the man if there was anyone in the room below us. She is often concerned that her five year old brother will disturb other guests with his “heavy walking.” The gentleman was more than gracious and told us that he would see to it that the room would not get rented out and set our little girl’s mind at ease.
After settling into our spacious room, changing our clothes and relaxing to “Sprout,” (only parents of young children will know how relaxing that channel can be), we were off to consume some yummy food. Our children, all dressed in black, held hands as they walked across the parking lot and talked excitedly about what the night might hold. They were excited to eat at the “Old Spaghetti Factory” in near-by Lynnwood. They’d heard stories about a “trolley” in the restaurant, but really didn’t know what that meant. Their excitement was escalated as soon as they walked in the door. The restaurant, in true “Old Spaghetti Factory” fashion, was decorated with an eclectic mix of lighting fixtures, ornate furnishing and flat out visual fun. This of course, is a draw for excited kids (and hungry parents).
We were escorted to our seats and immediately started looking over the menu. We hadn’t been to the restaurant in a few years, but we were happy to see some familiar favorites and some new options too. If you haven’t been to an OSF location lately, you should note that they are now offering soup or salad, an entree and dessert for one low price.
We made our decision, ordered our food and were served only moments later. Our food was yummy and the staff made us feel like family and we even met a new friend  from Nashville. Sometimes it’s hard to find people to talk “south” with up here in our neck of the woods, so meeting him was a nice surprise. The food was fabulous, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has eaten at an Old Spaghetti Factory location before. The kids ate all their food, which is rather unusual. It might have had something to do with the promise of Spumoni afterwards. Just a hunch.  After we ate, my children enjoyed looking around the restaurant at all the interesting things and we took a few pictures to commemorate our evening.
We went back to the hotel, settled into the comfy beds and watched a movie on the flat screen television. After a good night’s rest we awoke to the smell of fresh waffles wafting through the air. That’s always the sign of a good breakfast. And it was good and plentiful and fueled us up enough to enjoy our next adventure.
http://www.osf.com/  
Find More Views From the Northwest by  Stephanie Kelley at www.sgnscoops.com

Olympia, Washington

 

If you remember your geography class, you'll remember that Olympia is the capital of the State of Washington. Since we like to expose our children to historical and meaningful places, and we love having fun, of course, we recently made the trek to Olympia to visit the capital building. We were fortunate enough to have an informative tour guide who was patient with my many questions and knowledgeable about the beautiful capital building.

The most prominent visual on campus is the Legislative Building. It stands 287 feet high and is the tallest masonry dome in North America. The building was constructed between 1922-1928. We entered this impressive building through massive bronze doors and were amazed by the floor to ceiling marble inside. 

One of my favorite aspects of the tour was viewing the magnificent chandeliers in the capital building. I learned that they were made by Tiffany and Company of New York and the one in the rotunda was large enough to hold a Volkswagen bug inside.

We were allowed into the State Reception Room to see the round table where the governor signs documents and meets heads of state. The room features the world's largest single-loom carpet. This beautiful carpet was made in 1928 by the Mohawk Company. We even got to visit the Governor's office to view the portrait paintings of the past governors. I enjoyed the visit to the Senate Chambers too. The architecture is amazing.

While we were in Olympia we stayed at the Phoenix Inn Suites. It turned out to be one of the best

hotel experiences we've had in a very long time. The place was clean and the room was spacious and featured a flat screen television and leather pull-out sofa. I was happy to tumble into the comfy bed that night at the Phoenix Inn Suites. I had a good night's rest and enjoyed a delicious and ample breakfast that included eggs, sausage and our personal favorite, waffles. I observed a staff member down on her hands and knees scrubbing the inside of the cupboards in the breakfast room which confirmed to me just much effort invested assuring that the hotel was clean for their guests. The staff went beyond the call of duty to make sure that we were taken care of and happy with our stay. The lobby featured a chess/checkerboard for guests to use. My children loved to play chess, checkers and a game that combined the two game pieces that only they know the rules to. I was sitting in the lobby, watching them play, when the mentioned to my husband that I was going to get a cup of coffee. The maintenance manager overheard me saying this and offered to go and get it for me. This is only one instance where the staff went beyond the call of duty to make the guests feel like family, rather than customers.

I would highly recommend visiting Olympia, Washington and staying at the Phoenix Inn Suites.

Introducing --- Northwest Corner

Starting a new column which can be read at www.sgnscoops.com and www.sgmradio.com

Being a fan of Southern Gospel music doesn't mean you have to live in the south. In fact, those of

you in the great Pacific Northwest know that there is a large fan base here in our little corner of the world. Our friends down South have a hard time believing that us west coast, northerners can know a thing or two about Southern Gospel music, but we can! I remember one of my first trips to the National Quartet Convention. My name badge had my home state of Washington clearly printed under my name. Most people I met that week assumed I was from Washington, DC. When I corrected them, they turned their heads sideways and gave me a funny look. “You have Southern Gospel out there?” they'd ask. Of course, you can't go to a Southern Gospel concert every day of the week, or even every weekend, but thanks to some determined promoters and faithful fans, some of SG's most prominent groups make their way west to encourage and entertain fans and to, of course, spread the Gospel.

In an effort to entice other Southern Gospel artists and groups to our beautiful neck of the woods, I am going to be sharing some of the amazing things that make this area, well, amazing. I might even throw-in a Southern Gospel tid bit or two, just to prove that our geography has little to do with our musical preferences.

With that being said, I'd like to give you a little teaser about what awesome adventures await you in my upcoming articles because I know you just can't wait until next month to read about them. Together, we'll be exploring some of the most beautiful natural scenery, unique towns and interesting destinations including the Museum of Flight, the Space Needle and the World Famous Chuckanut Drive.

If you live in this area, you'll see some beloved and familiar sights and if you don't, well, I just hope that we will tempt you to step-off the highway next time you're in the area and explore some of the amazing things the Northwest has to offer.