2012 schedule of previews for Seattle Opera’s upcoming production of Christoph Willibald Gluck’s “Orpheus and Eurydice”:

The [...]]]> Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is about the natural wonders of Washington state, the Pacific Northwest, and the Pacific Rim. Free admission each first Thursday from 10 to 8 p.m. Located in Seattle on the University of Washington campus at the corner of 17th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street in Seattle.

The Henry Art Gallery was the first public art museum in the state of Washington. The Henry stimulates research and teaching, provides a creative wellspring for artists, students, and educators, and serves as a catalyst for the creation of new work. Free to the public the first Thursday of each month, 11:00-8:00. Located on the campus of the University of Washington, 15th Ave NE and NE 41st, Seattle 98195.

Museum of Flight holds one of the largest and most comprehensive air and space collections in the United States, containing millions of rare photographs and negatives, a world-class library, tens of thousands of artifacts, and over 150 rare aircraft and space vehicles. Free admission each first Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. located South of downtown Seattle, at the south end of Boeing Field / King County Airport; Exit 158 off Interstate 5, 9404 East Marginal Way S.

The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) documents and exhibits the unique historical and cultural experiences of African Americans in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. NAAM is a vibrant community gathering place where youth, adults and families can honor the past and articulate the future. Free admission first and second Thursday of every month, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. NAAM is located on the corner of 23rd Avenue and S. Massachusetts Street, just south of downtown Seattle. Free parking is available on site.

Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) is dedicated to enriching lives by preserving, sharing and teaching the diverse history of Seattle, the Puget Sound region and the nation. Free admission each first Thursday from 10 to 8 p.m. Located in Seattle, south of Husky Stadium, just off State Route 520 south of the Montlake Bridge, 2700 24th Ave East.

Seattle Art Museum (SAM) collection includes Asian, African and Native American art, modern art produced by Pacific Northwest artists, and wonderful visiting exhibits. Free admission each first Thursday from 10 to 9 p.m. Located in downtown Seattle near Pike Place Market at 1300 Fi rst Avenue.

Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) collection is housed in an Art Deco building and emphasises Chinese and Japanese art, but also includes works from Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Himalayas. Among the museum’s most notable pieces are Chinese terra-cotta funerary art, Chinese snuff bottles, and Japanese netsukes (belt decorations). Free admission each first Thursday from 10 to 9 p.m. Located in Seattle inside Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, 1400 East Prospect Street.

Wing Luke Asian Museum is the only pan-Asian Pacific American museum in the country and the first Smithsonian affiliate in the region, with artifacts, photographs, archives, and oral histories revealing the culture of the Asian Pacific American community. Free admission each first Thursday from 10 to 8 p.m. Located in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District aka the “ID” (pronounced eye-dee), 719 South King Street.

Enjoy a 3 course dinner for just $15. It’s a feast that keeps you and your wallet FULL!

Over the past [...]]]> Wine Enthusiast (WE) magazine’s Top 100 Best Buys of 2011 is their antidote to rising wine prices. All of these wines carry a suggested retail prices of $15 or less, which makes it a list of brands, worldwide regions, and varieties you can count on to keep you–and your wallet–happy in 2012.

Over the past 12 months, WE tasting panelists reviewed more than 16,000 wines, granting the coveted Best Buy designation to only 1,224 (7.6%). This list is whittled down to the Top 100, based on the score, price, availability, … and … buzz. There is something for every style, variety and origin. The list for 2011 is one of the finest and most eclectic collections of Best Buys and WE’s continuing effort to find the wine world’s best values.

Here are the nine wines from Washington that made the list
10. Washington Hills 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Washington)
15. Hogue 2009 Gewürztraminer (Columbia Valley)
27. Stonecap 2009 Merlot (Columbia Valley)
34. J. Bookwalter 2010 Anecdote Riesling (Columbia Valley)
39. David Hill 2009 Estate Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)
44. Terrapin Cellars 2010 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)
50. Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Blanc de Blancs (Columbia Valley)
85. Barnard Griffin 2009 Fumé Blanc (Columbia Valley)
96. Arbor Crest 2009 Bacchus Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley)

For the Day or the Year?

Your four kids have been clamoring to see the baby seals at the local [...]]]> Saving some bucks can be a thrill and also a big boost to the bottom line. But did you know that a little bit of math could help you save even more? Take a look:

For the Day or the Year?

Your four kids have been clamoring to see the baby seals at the local aquarium all summer long. But dang! Those tickets are pricey! You spot an online deal: 10% off each child’s ticket. Can you do better?

Here’s where looking at an annual membership might be a better deal. Let’s look at the numbers. If an adult ticket is $25 and a kids ticket is normally $20, you’d pay $25 + $20 + $20 + $20 + $20 or $105 normally. With the discount, each child’s ticket will be $20 – $2 or $18. That brings your total down to $97. But if a family membership costs $75, you’ve saved cash without the reduced ticket price.

Fly Me to the Moon—with My Luggage, Please

You found a great deal on plane tickets online, but is the best deal? To find out, check the additional fees.

Most airlines today are charging for each bag of checked luggage. So, if your discounted ticket costs $250, but you need to check two bags (at $20 to $25 each), you could be paying up to $300 for the ticket, not including airport taxes and security fees. Another airline, without checked bag fees, could cost you less in the long run.

BOGO May Be a No-Go

By one, get one (BOGO) is always a good deal, right? Not so fast. You’ve found an online coupon for orange juice. If you buy a 64-oz container, you can get a second one at half the price. Take a look at the other options when you get the store – before you buy.

At your local Piggly Wiggly, you notice that the BOGO orange juice is $3.48. But there’s another brand on sale for $5.53 per 128-oz container. First off, the second brand is twice as large as the first. So, whether you use your coupon or not, you’re getting the same amount of juice. But how much would you pay, if you use the coupon? Half of $3.48 is $1.74. (Use a calculator, if you want!) And $3.48 + $1.74 is $5.22. Turns out, BOGO is the better deal.

You may not want to do any math, but if you’re looking for the best deal, a few calculations—and some creative thinking and common sense—can mean the difference between saving and spending.

Laura Laing is the author of Math for Grownups, a funny, easy-to-understand and practical guide to the ways we use math in everyday life. She blogs at www.mathforgrownups.com.