A Bazaar Overhaul
By Allyson Marrs

It’s the season … for shopping! But rather than fighting traffic and hunting for parking spots, make it a one-stop shop at the Bellevue Club’s annual Holiday Bazaar.

More often than not, our love for the holiday season is obscured by the stress that accompanies it, which usually includes dozens of crowded stores, long lines and hours (or days) of gift wrapping. Why waste time on these unpleasant activities when you could be sipping eggnog by the fire next to a tree brimming with perfectly wrapped gifts—all before December even starts?

Dream a little holiday dream no longer. The Bellevue Club has delivered. The Holiday Bazaar is back and better than ever. On Nov. 5, our little elves will turn this shopping day into a full-blown event.

For the first time, we will be offering entertainment and other treats along with a vast array of vendors. Take a break from browsing and enjoy hot chocolate and performances by the Seattle Children’s Chorus, during their show “’Dreams of Christmas.” Expect lots of favorites.

“We’ll do a lovely variety of Christmas pieces, mostly familiar, and definitely cherished songs and carols that tug at any audience’s heartstrings,” said choir director Kris Mason. “We’ll include a few Christmas lullabies and several festive pieces, too, that are sure to have our audience humming along or tapping their toes!”

The little ones will also enjoy a special kids’ craft area full of supplies sure to keep them entertained and busy.

But perhaps the most brilliant addition this year is the complimentary gift wrapping. Breathe a sigh of relief and give your fingers a rest by getting all of your new purchases stuffed and fluffed with a bow on top. Consider it the Club’s gift to you.

With the more than 75 vendors gracing the bazaar, you’ll need the help to wrap your bounty. There will be jewelry, clothing, linens, children’s books and toys, art, kitchen accessories and a slew of other items all from some of the region’s best artists and craftspeople.

Make your list and check it twice, and most important, get ready to shop! The bazaar is on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the gymnasium. It’s FREE to attend. To view the vendors, please visit bellevueclub.com/holidaybazaar/.

You've Got Mail
By Allyson Marrs

Our lives are on our computers. Our whole lives it seems, which can get more than a little messy and disheveled. With dozens of passwords, usernames, e-mail accounts and social networking sites, it’s tough to keep them all straight, even for the most type-A personality.

Usually taking the brunt of the mess is our inbox—the new kitchen “junk drawer.” Enter Elizabeth Bowman of Innovatively Organized, a Seattle-based consulting agency. During her Email Management seminar at the Bellevue Club on Nov. 17, she’ll share all of her organizational expertise to help you ditch the clutter.

’Tis the Season The Club’s annual giving programs are right around the corner. The collection process will start on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and will run through Thursday, Dec. 15. With three ways to give back, it’s easy to be the big man in red for a day or two. Stop by Studio 1 to drop off new, unwrapped toys in the Toys for Tots bin or donate an array of goodies in the food bin, benefitting Hopelink of Bellevue. Rounding out the three is a tree. Well, a wreath—the giving wreath to be exact, so named because it offers up so many ways to give! The wreath is filled with tags that host requests from a deserving, adoptive family from New Beginnings and LifeSpring. Members simply choose a tag from the wreath, filled with each family member’s needs and requests, or requests from the family as a whole, and return the new, unwrapped gift along with the original tag to Human Resources by Dec. 15.

“By having and maintaining an organized e-mail inbox, busy professionals can feel more in control of their day and be proactive with their time instead of feeling overwhelmed by the messages and tasks popping up periodically,” said Elizabeth.

If your inbox is stuffed fuller than your upcoming Thanksgiving turkey, it’s time to take the first step. Elizabeth assures that during the seminar you will learn ways to prioritize messages, create “must-have” folders to sort your emails, learn to write a clear subject line and leave with other specific skills to use right away.

Because e-mail is no longer simply a social tool, but the primary way companies conduct business both internally and externally, learning organizational skills is vital for more efficient communication.

“Since most professionals are busy and time is at a premium, it is important for their e-mail inboxes to remain organized to ensure nothing falls through the cracks,” said Elizabeth.

She gained her expertise during her time working as a management consultant with a variety of clients, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration and others.

Registration for the event is $25, and it will take place Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6-7:30 p.m. Please contact Member Events Director Kaarin Keil at kaarink@bellevueclub.com for more information.