Seattle very special for boat enthusiasts

Last summer one of my Beth cousins got married. I have a couple of them, and this particular Beth decided to hold her Very Special Day out of doors during the most Hades-like conditions of the year.

I don’t know how the fully dressed groomsmen lived through it, but I was a little distracted by a problem of my own.

While we were at the wedding celebration, my husband fell in love.

During the reception, we sat next to my mother’s cousin Carolyn and her husband Don. Now, Don is a confirmed fisherman, and that’s about the last I saw of Tom.

The two of them gazed into each other’s eyes, trading stories and weaving plans of fishing glories to come.

And now, as if I don’t have troubles enough, Seattle – a town well known for its love of fish – is pulling out all the stops to entice people over to “beat the post-holiday blues.”

If Don and Tom go, they’ll find at least one thing right up their alley.

The Seattle Boat Show, Jan. 24 to Feb. 2 , claims to attract watercraft-lovers from 34 states, all amped up for a dose of 1,000 recreational vessels, seminars and the latest in accessories.

And if you want to see the boats in action, just head on out to Lake Union, where 200 of them will go through their paces.

There’s a ton of information on the show’s Web site, www.seattleboatshow.com, or you can call (206) 634-0911.

In addition to fishing-related fun, here are some more options for Tom, Don and you, too:

“From Jan. 26 through April 6, the Seattle Art Museum will host “The Gates of Paradise: Lorenzo Ghiberti’s Renaissance Masterpiece.”

None other than Michelangelo gave the exhibition the pre-colon part of its name, and the 16th century writer Giorgo Vasari dubbed Ghiberti’s work “the finest masterpiece ever created.”

Even with all that street cred, the three gilded bronze panels on display at SAM are just now making their American debut, about 250 years after first appearing on the world stage.

There’s more information about this artistic milestone at www.seattleartmuseum.org or (206) 654-3100.

“The excitement continues with Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Jan. 31 to Feb. 10 run of “Roméo et Juliette” and Seattle Opera’s “Pagliacci” performances, Jan. 12 to 26.

Purchase your ballet tickets, which range from $20 to $150, at www.pnb.org or (206) 441-2424.

You can get a little “Pagliacci” sample for free at www.seattleopera.org. They’ll sell you tickets there, too, or call (800) 426-1619.

Drink in the new

If all that seems like way too much work to shake off the “post-holiday blues,” maybe you could just enter the new year in a good mood with a little help from Chateau Faire Le Pont Winery in Wenatchee.

And they seem to think its brand of New Year’s Eve gourmet dinner, champagne toast, personalized bottle of wine and live entertainment will do the trick.

The buffet dinner will load you up with seafood, imported and domestic cheeses, a carving station and assorted desserts. You’ll choke it all down to the sounds of Lush, a Seattle-based pianist and vocalist group.

And here’s the kicker: The winery has slapped a “masque” theme on the whole evening. Spelling it that way makes it fancy, especially as you’ll be donning your new face atop your black-tie-optional attire.

The idea seems to have originated in Venice as a means of allowing the riffraff to mingle with higher classes undetected.

If that applies to you and you forget your “masque,” you can buy one on the spot.

Mind you, that’s in addition to the $110 per person ticket you can purchase by calling (509) 667-9463. Or look for more information at www.fairelepont.net.

Regional events

“20th annual Zoolights Festival, through Dec. 30, Portland. The Oregon Zoo decks itself out in nearly a million lights, illuminating life-size animal silhouettes, trees, buildings, walkways and the zoo train. Costumed characters including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Eliza Elephant, Lulu Lemur, Titus Tiger and more will be on hand for pictures. (www.oregonzoo.org/503-226-1561)

“Charlie Russell Chew-Choo New Year’s Eve Train, Dec. 31, Lewistown, Mont. Make your way through central Montana’s open spaces while noshing on hot hors d’oeuvres to music. A prime rib dinner and dance awaits back at the Yogo Inn. (www.visitmt.com/866-912-3980)

“St. Nick’s Nordic Festival, Jan. 5, Big Sky, Mont. Lone Mountain Ranch, recently named the No. 1 Nordic ski center in the country in a Cross Country Skier magazine reader poll, hosts this annual event intended to get you out on the trails by cross-country ski or snowshoe – whatever it takes. (www.visitmt.com/800-514-4644)