Hello Seattleites!

Starting today, we’re going to try something new. In order to bring you even more great party pics and keep the ads to a minimum, we will charge a small amount for access to some Seattleite photo galleries — not much, just 25 or 50¢. We’re working with TinyPass to make the payment process quick and painless. It takes just a few clicks to drop a dollar or two into your account, then use that balance to easily access all of the premium photo galleries.

And we’re especially excited about this first gallery of photos from the One Day’s Wages gala last week because Seattleite is donating 100 percent of the proceeds back to ODW — a great organization based here in Seattle that’s working to alleviate global poverty. Click the blue button below to see six more pages of photos.

So enjoy the photos, and thanks for supporting Seattleite and One Day’s Wages!

— Jane Yuan, Chief Seattleite

Fremont’s culinary-themed bookstore opens its doors — just in time for the holidays.

What do you get when you mix cooks and books? The Book Larder – a combined bookstore and kitchen where cookbooks, classes, and chefs can be found. Since this is the time of year when cookbooks are released, The Book Larder is the perfect spot to grab the latest in culinary publishing for your holiday shopping list.

Innovative dishes and cozy ambiance make this the perfect neighborhood hang out.

You know those Sunday nights when you’re too tired to cook, but you just want some good food and a place to chill out? Oliver’s Twist, nestled between two shops in Phinney Ridge, is just the spot. The menu is mostly cocktails – with a huge selection of gin and bourbon – and the tapas menu is just the right size to satisfy your craving. My dad and I ordered three plates and it was the perfect amount.

Ward off the Winter blues with the sound of the Islands at Seattle Slack key festival.

If late autumn chilliness takes the spring out of your step, a visit to the  3rd Annual Seattle Slack Key Festival might be in order. Scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 13, this celebration of Hawaiian music, food and culture will have you ditching the winter coat and grabbing your ukulele on your way to Town Hall Seattle.