Those double posts - this is a test of sorts

 Why do I sometimes receive an email and when I try to find the corresponding article online it is gone?

This is usually because I am changing some sort of coding with the site and trying out a new exciting feature. Unfortunately, they sometimes fail even though I do pre-test them on another blog I have that is almost identical to this one. Tonight for example I am posting this to see if for the third time the code works properly and shows the question, and hides the answer until you click on the question.

Earlier this morning I posted what I thought was a success and pulled 'Helpful Techy Hints' down and reposted it hoping it would behave. It did not! I am trying one more time as the night has turned into morning and this little project turned into an all nighter. I wish Blogspot has a feature that posted but allowed revisions until it was emailed or sent out via the feed. I need my own personal kind of editor like a spell checker to keep me out of trouble.

I do appreciate all your patience, truly. I am trying to make the site more user friendly and within the week it shall be a bit easier to get around with the items you need at your fingertips. Stand by!

Helpful Techy Hints

 Is there a way to make the font larger on the screen?  The dryer must have shrunk my computer font size ;~).

Yes, follow these simple directions to make all the Font appear larger in incremental measures. 
Hold the ctrl button and the + (plus) down and the screen will get larger each time you tap the + button. Use the ctrl button and tap - (dash), and the screen will return to the regular size in increments backwards.  Hold the ctrl button and the 0 (zero) down and the screen will return to normal.

This works beautifully in other programs also.  So use it when surfing the net or creating documents.  No need to strain those beautiful bedroom eyes!

 The blog seemed to load slow the other day and one of the columns slipped underneath the middle column.  Could my browser Internet Explorer be the issue?

Yes, that could be the issue as  Internet Explorer has been found to be less compatible with Blogspot.  I understand that Blogger may load and work better using Mozilla Firefox browser rather than IE (Internet Explorer) which has also been my experience. I composed SA in Firefox due to major problems with IE and for the first time since *Al Gore* created the internet I changed my browser. Who said old dogs could not learn new tricks?

It does not hurt to have another browser to utilize and you may find you like it better for some things (as I have).  I did test this with a couple of Seattle Announcement members who initially had problems viewing the blog with IE and Mozilla Firefox worked like a charm with no issues.  You can always email me and I will do my best to assist you and talk through this or other questions!. 

 Sometimes only half my page loads and it seems 'stuck', what should I do?

If you notice that only half of the page loads, use your REFRESH button immediately and RELOAD the page and the problem seems to resolve. I have 'optimized' all the pics so the pages should load as quick as grease on a hot grill.  I also have not been putting many pics or posters on lately until I am sure that it will not slow down the load for all my members taking into consideration the type of connections they have. I am looking into a long term plan to see if I need to host the pics or what is the best option so I can have as much graphics without affecting performance.

 How do I use the +/- columns?

Often I hope!  You will find the +/- (expand/collaspe) labeled  on the sidebars with resources, venue locations and upcoming Auctions.  If you select a heading such as 'Bookstores' you will find a complete address, phone #, program information, times, and other appropriate information  available.   If you CLICK directly on a specific Bookstore listing, you will be taken to that Bookstore's website.  You will need to come back to Seattle Announcements since once you CLICK on the link it takes you directly to the website rather than opening a separate window.

This area will always be fresh with  new additions and interesting resources/venue information  added to compliment the calendar listings.  In the event that the business, venue or event does not have it's own website you will note that Seattle Announcements web address is used as a place holder.  On occasion there may be an empty category and I will attempt to mark them so you won't open them constantly looking for goodies.  Please visit this area often as you may be surprised at what you find at your fingertips!!

 Why when I click on certain links do they bring me right back to the post I am reading?   Or when I click on a link I have to scroll to the bottom of the blog to find the post?

In order to create a link that I can copy and place elsewhere on the website I may place one within the actual post too.  I realize this may be confusing but I have not figured out another way to create the link and save it without posting it in this manner.  I often need the link to use as a reference to point to for other areas of the blog.  I am VERY open to suggestions if someone knows a better way.
For part 2 of the question, when you click on a link that is referring to a prior post, you have to look in the middle column towards the bottom to find the post you are looking for.  It seems to be the set up.

Ms T 

Important HouseKeeping Stuff

I so appreciate that some of you have accepted the new invites that I sent out and now receive the GayZette from - 'Seattle Announcements, a newscalendar featuring the GayZette'.  With the from address saying - 'The GayZette features Entertainment options, a NewsCalendar and Resource Guide'.  Some of you are getting 2 email updates as you are subscribed to both feeds, the new one I mentioned and the old one that I plan on deleting and has the title 'Seattle Announcements, a newscalender for the Real HouseDykes of the Emerald City'.

If you are receiving BOTH email versions, KNOW that I will be deleting you from the latter (Seattle Announcements, a newscalender for the Real HouseDykes of the Emerald City) and that you will need to accept a new invitation to continue receiving updates.  I would prefer that you be on the new one before I delete you so there is no interruption of service.

Once I have you all on the new list I want to send you the calendar link so those of you that want to incorporate it on your phones can or that want to use it with your personal online calendars like gmail can do so. 

IF someone wants to help me test this calendar functionality...I would appreciate it.

~Enjoy~
Ms T

Seattle Jewish Chorale preforming FREE CONCERT at CrossRoads Mall in Bellevue

7:30 & 9:00 PM Concert.  Join Seattle Jewish Chorale & Shalom Ensemble for a free evening of Hannukkah, and festive music plus a community menorah lighting.

Rachel one of our own lovely members will be singing some fabulous Solos!  It would be great to have some of us in the crowd to support her.

You can also email jewishchorale@live.com or 206-708-7518.

CrossRoads Mall - Market Stage - 15600 NE 8th St., Bellevue, WA

Diverse Harmony - First Gay Straight Youth Alliance Chorus

 I came across this chorus and I think this is a fabulous idea!  I am a great believer in supporting connection between our youth because they will be determining the attitudes of the future.  I will keep you posted on this as I have a teen who is vocally talented and is interested in checking this out.  They practice year round and are for ages 13-22 years of age with all orientations welcome.  I know a few of you have teens in your life...what a great way to build community!  Ms T

“A Season of Giving.”

7pm concert

Seattle First Baptist Church

1111 Harvard Ave.

$50 suggested donation

www.diverseharmony.org

An evening of music and scrumptious desserts benefitting Diverse Harmony, the nation’s first Gay/straight youth alliance chorus and the GSBA’s youth scholarship program. With special guest performance by the Sensible Shoes, an ensemble of Seattle Women’s Chorus.

New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Marriage Equality Bill

Thursday will be the day to watch the Senate as they will be voting on a bill that narrowly passed in New Jersey to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. You can do some additional reading by following the links. Many thanks to glaadblog for keeping us all in the loop. Ms T

New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Marriage Equality Bill: "

On Monday, December 7, New Jersey’s Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to legally marry. The bill, which passed in a 7-6 vote, will be voted on by the full Senate on Thursday. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation by a vote of 7-6 after nearly eight hours of debate and testimony that was at times emotional and eloquent.


The approved bill included an amendment intended to clarify that religious organizations would never be forced to sanction or participate in a marriage they disagreed with.


Advocates for same-sex marriage hope New Jersey will change the recent nationwide momentum on the issue. Last week, the New York state Senate rejected a same-sex marriage bill; last month, Maine voters overturned a law to allow such marriages.


Activists on both sides of the issue packed a Trenton committee room, forming a line that extended out the door. More than 150 people signed up to testify.


Among those who spoke were the chairman of the board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; a state lawmaker from Vermont; members of clergy both for and against the bill; a gay high school sophomore who said he felt like a second-class citizen in New Jersey; and gays and lesbians who testified that the state’s civil-unions law has failed to offer them the same protections as marriage.


Bloomberg reports that while Governor Jon Corzine signed a law for civil unions for gay and lesbian couples back in 2006, many LGBT advocates do not believe that is enough:

“If we win marriage equality, it would be the fulfillment of our American dream. It would mean equality,” said Steven Goldstein, head of Garden State Equality. “This is really our lives on the line.”


Proponents of the measure said the state’s current civil union law is inadequate because it doesn’t guarantee federal recognition of the arrangements. Hospitals, insurance companies and other out-of-state businesses regularly deny spousal rights to gay couples, Goldstein said.


With NJ’s new governor Chris Christie taking office next year, passing this bill now is crucial, given that Christie has vowed to veto any marriage equality bill that comes across his desk. The New York Times wrote:

Passage of the bill, considered a fait accompli by many legislators as recently as October, has been in jeopardy since Gov. Jon S. Corzine, a Democrat who supports gay marriage, was defeated in the election last month. That loss rattled some Democratic legislators who began to worry about riling religious and social conservatives by supporting a controversial social measure at a time of economic distress.


Mr. Corzine, who pledged to sign a same-sex marriage bill, will be succeeded by Christopher J. Christie, an opponent. So advocates have been pushing furiously to win approval of the bill before the transfer of power on Jan. 19, and some lawmakers said the size and exuberance of the crowd of spectators at the State House was unlike anything they had seen since a fight over banning assault weapons in the early 1990s.


GLAAD will continue to monitor this issue and provide updates.

Forbes names Cal Anderson Park one of America's best

This last week or so Seattle got a bad but maybe true rap for being the city with the worst traffic.  I would love to argue the point just because I was born and raised here but we all know that the traffic sucks.  I also have learned with some maturity to pick my battles so instead I will divert your attention to Cal Anderson Park.

If you have not heard this...Forbes Mag has named our own Cal Anderson Park as one of the 12 BEST URBAN Parks!  Of course, it might be hell getting to it, but still...pretty kewl, eh?


I very much liked in part what was said about Cal in Forbes as the tone was reverend and I will quote that part of the article here.  You can read the details of the history of the park as it too was interesting and to me Cal was a central figure in the landscape of our city and now literally - our city.

The story, "America's Best City Parks," says of Cal Anderson Park, "When a federal regulation required drinking-water reservoirs to be covered, Seattle took the opportunity to make its Lincoln Reservoir roof double as park space."

"The result," says Peter Harnik of the Trust for Public Land, "was beautiful parkland. The recently redesigned space in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood includes paths, wading pools, and playing fields."

The park is named after the late Cal Anderson, a decorated Vietnam veteran who served as an aide to the late City Councilmember George Benson and to Mayor Charles Royer. Anderson was then appointed and later elected the state's first openly Gay legislator. He served in the Washington House of Representatives from 1987 to 1994, when he was elected to the State Senate. Anderson died in 1995. A beloved politician, Anderson worked diligently on legislation relating to Gay rights, campaign finance reform, easier voter registration, and easy access to government documents.

For the entire article: Forbes names Cal Anderson Park one of America's best: "by Shaun Knittel - SGN Staff Writer

Seattle Men in Leather name 2010 Daddy and Daddy's Boy

This is a bit belated but still newsworthy.

The 21st year of the Seattle Leather Daddy and Daddy's Boy Contest at the Cuff took place on November 28th.  Seattle Men in Leather have been one of the most consistently active organizations in our community since beginning in Seattle in 1990 as a spin off from San Francisco.  San Francisco's contest history goes back to 1983.

This years proud winner Mark Handel has been named Seattle Leather Daddy 2010, and Kyle Hardy is Seattle Daddy's Boy 2010.  The main role for the upcoming year is to promote the men's leather, uniform and Levi lifestyles to the larger community and they sponsor three fundraising events which are always fun.  They also help SML continue it's goals throughout the year.

Additional information can be found via our one and only SGN.

Don't be embarressed to death

Are you someone that takes care of everyone else in your life and leaves yourself for last?  Or maybe you just put things off that you KNOW you need to do.  Perhaps you have a little bit of financial hardship and don't know where to go to take care of routine health matters. 

It is TIME to take care of you and fortunately there is a program that is available JUST for you! 

Please do not be modest and sign up, as if we do not have enough participation programs like this will disappear.

The YWCA LBTHealth Outreach and the Wildrose Tavern are conducting a mobile mammography screening on Saturday December 12th, 2009 between 9-3pm. We have a FREE program for income eligible people over 40 who are un- or underinsured, it is called the Breast and Cervical Health Program and you will receive:
a pap test
clinical breast exam and
a mammogram
in a coach from Swedish Breast Center in front of the Wildrose. People with insurance are welcome.

For information and to make an appointment please contact: Meri at 206-436-8623 or lbthealth@ywcaworks.org


WildRose Tavern
1021 E. Pike St. Seattle, 
Sat. December 12th, 2009 between 9-3pm

I am looking forward seeing you all at the mobile screening.

Be well


Ingrid Berkhout

LBTHealth YWCA

On Seattle Announcements Home Page

Seattle Men's Chorus gives back to community

The Seattle Men's Chorus historically provides a Christmas concert free or at a reduced cost.  I just love these guys.  They are one of my favorite holiday things to do.  This year they are providing us with a discounted concert AND giving back to the community.  What a win-win!  The below is a quote from their website.  Hope to see some of you there!   The show starts at 7:30.

Reaching out and giving back this holiday Season, Seattle Men’s Chorus will partner with Northwest Harvest for the first time to bring music lovers a holiday concert ticket discount - donation event!

On Monday December 14, starting at 6:30pm on the day of the concert only, at Benaroya Hall’s box office, all remaining tickets to that evening’s concert will be sold for $20 with every non-perishable food item donated. Tickets regularly sell for $25 - $65 so this can mean a possible discount of up to $45, or 70% off. Seating is subject to ticket availability and is on a first come-first served basis.

This offer is NOT available online or over the phone. Available in person, day of show only.

Ticket buyers are asked to donate one non-perishable food item per $20 ticket. Food donations must be made at the Benaroya box office starting at 6:30pm.

Benaroya Hall is located at 200 University Street in downtown Seattle. The box office is located on the street level at the corner of Third Avenue and Union Street, at the north end of The Boeing Company Gallery.

 http://www.flyinghouse.org/SMC/sb/
On Seattle Announcements Calendar

Naughty Santa Pictures at the Cuff Friday/Saturday 12/11-12

Pictures with Santa this weekend on 12/11 & 12/12.  
8pm-12midnight
The Cuff
1533 13th Ave.

This is the hardworking Seattle Men in Leather's annual fundraiser. I know that we love our pic's from years past of us on Santa's lap.  Does that bring an image to your mind? 

Regardless of what you are doing this weekend, make a few minutes to come by, make a memory, have some fun with friends and the boys in leather.  The proceeds benefit Lambert House, Seattle’s LGBTQ youth resource center that do a fab job at a number of worthy things.

Come on...don't be a scrooge!

Snowball Saturday December 12th

Snowball - December 12th

Metropolitan Café on Capitol Hill

1701 E. Olive Way

For only $9 at the door enjoy and evening of dancing, music, celebration and food!

Dress up or dress down, just show up!

Snowball is Ingersoll’s annual Gender Gala and is the non-profit organization’s primary fund raiser and is a great party.  We have gone in years past and enjoy it greatly and plan on attending this year.  Consider joining us!

This year’s party is scheduled for December 12 at the beautiful Metropolitan Café on Capitol Hill. As usual, Snowball features a diversity of entertainment, greeting old friends, and celebration of those who have helped Ingersoll reach its current state of success. Again, this year’s celebration fills a need to celebrate good times when all around us there is challenge. However, in view of the world’s economic situation, ticket prices this year are at a record low level of just $9 at the door.

Additional information can be found at http://www.ingersollcenter.org/

Northbound I-5 Closure in South Seattle on December 12th

Here is some timely traffic information for you to make note of as you are out and about this weekend.

All lanes of northbound I-5 in south Seattle will be closed overnight on Saturday, December 12th to install sign bridges and high-tech Smarter Highways information signs. The new electronic signs will display real-time traffic information and variable speed limits over each lane. The closures will start at 11:30 p.m. and last until 8 a.m. Sunday morning.

A six-mile signed detour will direct drivers to exit at Martin Luther King Way (exit 157) to Airport Way and back onto I-5 via Edgar Martinez Way/SR 519.