March is one of my all-time favorite months. Why, you ask? Well, it’s Oscar season of course! For all you movie buffs out there (and those who watch to see the fashion show on the red carpet), it’s time to gear up for the television event that decides the cream of the film crop of 2009. The Grand Cinema is hosting a glamorous bash to celebrate this momentous event, filled with food, raffles, an auction and fellow movie-lovers like yourself.

The cinema is also holding a contest for who can guess the most correct number of Oscar winners. Whoever gets the most right receives a year of free movie tickets to the Grand. Not interested in the Academy Awards? No worries. The Grand Cinema has a regular schedule of art-house films, showcasing lesser-known, yet attention-deserving, movies. Also, check out the free family flick they show every third Saturday of the month.

See you soon,

Dale

How do I love thee, Hotel Murano? Let me count the ways.

Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is coming up already? And we’ve got a great special at the hotel for all you lovers out there. For starters, it includes a late check-out; how nice is that? Along with the infamous (don’t tell me you haven’t heard about it) “Naughty” Love Box, we’ll also have all the other romantic stuff like chocolates, wine (red or white), or champagne if you prefer.

You can enjoy yourselves in our Lobby Bar, with all of its beautiful artwork; or you might want to choose to order room service and just stay in for the evening (ooh la la). For art lovers, our rooms are especially romantic. We also have the “Help Me” button on our room phones for your convenience. Your wish is our command! Don’t you wish everything in life was like that?

Enjoy!

Danielle

I don’t know why this is such a well-kept secret, but I have just discovered a fantastic venue here in our own Historic Stadium District. I saw the funniest play at the Tacoma Little Theater last night and it was even family-friendly.  I was surprised to find out they’ve been in that same location for over 50 years.

Right now they are showing Over The River & Through the Woods, written by Joe DiPietro, a tale of an East Coast guy who tries to move to Seattle. His aunts and uncles are not crazy about the idea and do everything they can to convince him to stay in New Jersey. I sort of expected it to be corny, to be honest, but I laughed so hard that I actually slapped my knee once (kind of embarrassing, but true). It’s only running through the first week of February, so don’t miss it.

See you soon,

Dale

Among my friends, we joke that just about every story we tell starts with, “I heard something interesting the other day on NPR…” I sometimes sit in my car to listen to the end of a show, and This American Life is one of my favorites. At the end of January, Tacoma is lucky to have the show’s host, Ira Glass, at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts Pantages Theater. For one night only, Glass will present a behind-the-scenes look into the making of This American Life, and explain what makes it tick. He’ll play clips from the program, and give away a few secrets about sound and editing. For me, part of the thrill is just watching such a familiar voice come to life.

The show is part of the Pantages’ Laugh Out Loud series, which will feature the Smothers Brothers and Defending the Caveman in following months.

Enjoy,

Danielle

I don’t know why I haven’t mentioned this; maybe it’s because I love my job and I’m afraid it will sound like I’m bragging. But I really think I should mention that our hotel, the Murano, was rated number 6 by Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards. It’s a pretty big deal.

If that makes you wonder what’s so great about the Murano, you know I’m going to suggest you see for yourself. There’s a great hotel special right now, where you get the third night free, and that’s a perfect way to come check out Tacoma, the restaurants, the museums and, of course, the hotel.

Even if you never left the Murano, you could sip a drink in one of Tacoma’s best-looking bars, enjoy first-rate meals at one of its best restaurants, see some of the most spectacular art in town, and even get a massage. Enough hints, now it’s up to you.

See you soon,

Dale

My 3-year-old grandson, Hayden, recently visited me here at the hotel (he loves it when I ride him around on a bellcart). He was wearing big sunglasses he got on a recent family trip to Hawaii. When I asked him why, he said, “’Cause, Grandpa, there’s so much shiny glass in here!” Sometimes I need to be reminded that I work at one of the most beautiful hotels in the country (just ask Conde Nast). It got me thinking—why not spend New Year’s Eve at the Hotel Murano?

Start the night in the Lobby Bar with a good, old-fashioned drink, like a gin martini, to remember the past. Next, a great dinner at Bite, maybe fresh grilled salmon, to celebrate the present. Take a walk around the neighborhood, stopping in here to warm up. Back to the Lobby Bar in time for a midnight champagne toast, in hopes of a great 2010. Head up to your room, leaving the rest of the party to keep going. Sounds perfect.

Happy New Year!
Dale

Maybe it’s not a huge club, but folks who are into model trains are really into model trains. So, I’m probably preaching to the choir, telling the groupies about Tacoma’s 14th Annual Model Train Festival. But for those of you who have never been to one of these before, they’re definitely worth a visit.

On December 26 through January 2, the History Museum will be filled to the brim with all things train. Come check out the miniature villages and the play area just for little engineers. Since it’s the holidays, the place will be especially done up. There will be no less than 10 full layouts by the major model train outfits, including The Pierce County Lionel Club and the Sound Model Railroad Engineers. So, get on board! (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)

Dale

On the rare weekend when I don’t have something else going on, sometimes a friend and I will just hop in the car and hit the road. We don’t care where we end up, it’s always an adventure. If we’re really lucky, we land in a small town with a local theater production going on.

If you live in Tacoma, or your road trip brings you here, you’re in for a treat. The Dance Theatre Northwest will be performing the seasonal favorite, The Nutcracker, at the Mount Tahoma High School Auditorium the first weekend in December. Sure, every city in the country (the world?) will have The Nutcracker showing somewhere, but here’s your opportunity to see it in a more relaxed, a more small town, kind of atmosphere. I, for one, am really looking forward to Clara, the Prince, the Mouse King, and easy parking.

Ta ta,
Danielle

Remember when people used to go caroling? When I was a little girl, I used to love it when the doorbell would ring and suddenly, like a gift, the house was filled with song. Carolers don’t come around much any more, people don’t like to open their doors to strangers. Lucky for us, for one night only, we can all still get into the holiday spirit with the Seattle Men’s Chorus.

SMC’s specialty, for over 30 years, has been putting a modern twist on the traditional. This year’s show, Santa Baby, will give us their take on TV Christmas specials. Not quite sure what to expect: I’m hoping for the classic Charlie Brown Christmas Time Is Here. Oh, and a rendition of Snow Miser/Heat Miser would make my night. No matter what they choose to sing, it’s always super fun, just as good as when I was a kid.

Tickets are $39 and $52, and you can purchase tickets online here.

Happy holidays,
Danielle

Like most people, I look forward to Thanksgiving with a well-seasoned mixture of gluttony and guilt. I can’t help but look forward to that big, well-browned bird and its friends—the mashed potatoes, the stuffing, the gravy, the green beans with those crispy onion things. I’ve learned over the years, that I can enjoy the gluttony, with very little guilt, if I get out and burn off some calories before the feast is on the table.

And this year we can do it together. Come on down to the Centre at Norpoint on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, and join me in the Turkey Trot Fun Run. It’s only a 5-k run, or a 2-mile walk (with a special walk for the kids), but you’ll feel righteous for having done it. There are also prizes (Prizes? Who needs prizes with a 20-pound turkey at home in the oven?) and snacks (ditto). Then we gobble.

Bon appétit,
Dale