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Arts and entertainment for the Eastside January 2014

Get your life on track Great comfort foods Wear a scarf with style

2 THE scene JANUARY 2014

TheEastsideScene.com

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JANUARY 2014 THE scene 3

INSIDE STORY

THE

A NEW YEAR

The Scene and Timi Gustafson look at New Year’s Resolutions

THE scene is a publication of Sound Publishing, Inc. 425.453.4270

Managing Editor Craig Groshart Contributing Writers Linda Ball, Rose Dennis, Brandon Macz, Kelly Montgomery, Daniel Nash, Heija Nunn, Josh Suman

Design and Layout Tek Chai, Daniel Nash

LIFESTYLES

Rose Dennis on who was notable in December.

SNL player Brooks Wheelan coming to Parlor Live with own brand of comedy

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LAUGHS

A publication of

Water, water everywhere

loud & about

grew up swimming in the saltwater of Puget Sound and in the kidney-bean shaped cement puddle in the backyard of the house my mother rented. I never use an umbrella and I am on a first name basis with city of Bellevue utilities employees including my favorite, Maria, the world’s most delightful meter reader — even when she is delivering a shut-off notice. I have watched every episode of Gilligan’s Island and my favorite Bible story was Jonah and The Whale. Yes, I am a big fan of water, although I don’t drink enough. I do try HEIJA NUNN hard to appreciate the stunning vistas that surround us. This past week has reminded me that with great beauty comes great power, and the awesome forces of nature are capable of delivering far more than a pretty view as I first learned from The Poseidon Adventure. We have a long driveway. A depressingly vast swathe

GO HAWKS

2700 Richards Rd. Suite 201, Bellevue WA, 98005.

Publisher William Shaw

FOOD

Bellevue restaurants share comfort food recipes

of asphalt that camouflages a myriad expensive potential malfunctions. The day we brought Sistafoo home from the hospital we unknowingly drove over the saint who was trying to get the water back on after our first leak. Since then we have had two more leaks, accidental shearing of both the underground phone line and the cable line right when Oprah was trying to call, and a sprinkler valve failure. I thought we had paid our fair share until my friendly neighborhood meter reader hand delivered a High Water Consumption Notice a.k.a. A Very Bad Thing. I checked the toilets. Naturally, the odd-sized, expensive, bisque-colored toilet was (is) leaking, but when I turned off the water to the house the meter kept flipping which meant we had two leaks, but it was so tiny, I thought. So I took my time researching toilets and kept forgetting to call the expensive Underground Detection Services guys (note: Santa, please bring me a divining rod for Christmas, also a business license so I can give them a run for my money), until the night before Thanksgiving when I noticed a wet patch in the middle of the dry driveway. Uh oh. On Monday our driveway was marked with a giant X. I asked Facebook for plumber recommendations and started calling around. On Tuesday, Russell of

Bellevue business owner turns Porsche into custom celebration of Hawks, 12th Man

LARISSA LONG

Linda Ball interviews Mrs. Bellevue America.

Cahill Plumbing arrived with an optimistic attitude and a spring in his step. Five hours later he was a little less smiley, thigh deep in a six-foot hole and suggesting we bag the repair and run a new line. Fortunately, three more hours of digging and a pump later, he found and repaired the leak. Hooray. He cleaned up and filled the hole on Wednesday. On Thursday I started looking for asphalt repair people while also preparing for imminent checking account doom because the “service line WILL need to be replaced.” On Friday I came home to find Maria at the base of my driveway scratching her head and squinting at the maze of graffiti lines along the driveway while she congratulated me on my NO MOVEMENT meter. On Saturday I received Russell’s bill, and felt comfortable dishing out plumbing advice to Facebook friends with burst pipes. On Sunday, presumably to protest questionable calls by the ref, a perfectly reasonable copper pipe in the garage burst into an icy rage, showering some very cool things with very cold water. I hit redial for the plumber. And on Monday, after the kids left for school, I remembered what we all forgot when the plumbers were here; the upstairs toilet is broken. Fortunately I have people, water people. Follow Heija on Twitter (@Heija), friend her on Facebook or silently judge her life at her blog The Worst Mother in the World (www.Heija.com).

4 THE scene JANUARY 2014

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Make your New Year’s Resolutions stick MEET NEW PEOPLE

BY KELLY MONTGOMERY AND DANIEL NASH

Whether it’s through a dating website or Facebook, there are plenty of ways to branch out and meet new people. There’s Meetup.com, a group site where you can find people with similar interests and plan fun activities, while OkCupid.com is a fun, youthful dating site where you can specify what type of relationship you’re looking for. These sites, among others, offer opportunities to date, hang out, party, volunteer or play sports. Whatever your fancy, make it a point to meet new people within your groups. Every friend you have, you had to meet. How’d you do it? There are plenty of opportunities to welcome new faces into your world.

New Year’s resolutions. One word: stupid. If you really want to accomplish something, why not make it a goal when you think of it? Why does personal change have to come at an arbitrary turn of the calendar? The truth is, you don’t have to wait until Jan. 1 to become a better version of yourself. But, for many, the symbolic fresh start is a convenient motivator. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you see your goal through to 2015:

QUIT SMOKING

Whether your habit is a pack a week or three packs a day, quitting tobacco is one of the most difficult things a smoker can do. If you like to live on the bleeding edge of technology, the proliferation of eCigarettes may be an attractive stepping stone to a smoke-free life. The devices — which vary in size from cigarette to fountain pen — use a battery heater to deliver a nicotine liquid as a scentless vapor. The lack of burning plant matter has led some to use the eCigarette as a healthier alternative to smoking, though the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the gadgets’ efficacy. If you’re looking to leave nicotine behind for good, you may need someone rooting for you. The American Cancer Society’s Quit For Life program hooks its clients up with a trained Quit Coach, a tailored quit plan and, in some cases, inclusive nicotine substitutions.

BE AN ACCOMPLISHER BECOME A ‘YES MAN’

We all know it’s much easier to say “no” to things than it is to say “yes.” But every time you deny an experience, you could be missing out on your life. Stop making excuses as to why you SHOULDN’T do things, and focus on why you SHOULD. What do you have to lose? You’re not going to make any memories, or good ones that is, sitting on the couch watching Frasier with your cat. A friend asks you to go out? Do it! Someone mentions a volunteer opportunity? Go for it. You’d be amazed at how much satisfaction you can get from being an adventurer and staying busy.

BY TIMI GUSTAFSON, RD

Eating Healthy

Hunger games Making New Year’s resolutions is a time-honored, albeit tiring, custom. It basically forces you to admit you were wrong to indulge over the holidays, and that you must now atone for your bad deeds. Not much fun in that, is there? Still, the scale doesn’t lie. So, what can you do other than change your “evil” ways? There is no point in chastising yourself. In all likelihood, you’ve been here before, perhaps several times. Maybe you remember how you managed to turn things around the last time, and chances are it will work for you again. On the other hand, it would be nice, and also healthier, if you

could avoid the notorious yo-yo effects of your weight control efforts once and for all. Before you look for the next fad diet, imagine yourself as the person you truly want to be — a confident, healthy person that isn’t plagued by regret or self-destructive behavior. It doesn’t matter what kind of weight loss method you choose, as long as your food intake is less than what you burn off. A daily 500-calorie deficit will allow you to shed about a pound a week. Replace the junk with more nutritious foods, add regular exercise and you are on your way. Beyond that, be patient. Changing your eating and lifestyle habits puts you in a stage of transition. It will take some time to become used to a new routine. Temptations are rampant, and feeling deprived or punished doesn’t help you stay the course. Believe it or not, it also matters greatly what you are communicating to your metabolism: Is the change in your behavior for real

Let’s get real: You may very well fail at one or all of your New Year’s resolutions. And you may feel pretty lousy about it. How about this? Don’t. There’s a world of difference between failing and being a failure. Instead of making a New Year’s resolution list, make a goal list. Separate it by month and add goals as you think of them. You’ll track your expectations more realistically, on your own schedule. Many people fail to stick to their resolutions. You may be one of them, but you don’t have to beat yourself up over it. Set your goal aside for awhile — not abandoning it, just sitting on it. If it still seems important to you come April, try again; time waits for no one.

and will it last, or is it short-lived? Quick-fix diet programs are notorious for messing up people’s metabolism — they are too shorttermed for your system to catch up. No commercially available weight loss plan is designed just for you. You’re basically asked to follow other people’s recommendations based on their experiences, which may or may not apply to you. Trust in your body’s wisdom. Listen to it and how it signals its needs to you. For instance, you may have the urge to snack, but you may also ask yourself, Am I really hungry? Or, What healthier food would satisfy my desire for something sweet or salty? Knowing your weaknesses, you can also avoid setting yourself up for failure. For example, by circumventing certain aisles in the supermarket or by stocking up on healthy items only. Examine your daily routines and habits, and question which ones are important and which ones have crept in over time without much notice. Make sure you understand that choosing a healthier diet and lifestyle is not something you just do in one step. It is an ongoing process where you — and only you — set priorities and values for yourself

and pursue them in a manner that is right for you. Once you have identified what got you off course in the first place, you can take stock and make changes — if necessary one or two at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself with a lot of dos and don’ts. Be realistic. Even your less-than-perfect habits once materialized for a reason. If other components in your life can’t be altered — say, you travel a great deal and are forced to eat out a lot, or you can’t find appropriate outlets for exercising — you may have to be at bit creative to keep yourself on the right path. Identify new opportunities and remove as many obstacles as you can. In any case, always stay focused on the larger picture and go about your goals with sufficient determination but also with the necessary patience and forgiveness. Happy New Year! Timi Gustafson is the author of “The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun,” which is available at local bookstores, at Amazon.com and at her blog, TimiGustafson.com. You can follow Timi on Twitter @TimiGustafsonRD, on Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest.

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JANUARY 2014 THE scene 5

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cold days

The Morning After Burger

warm comfort

FOOD

hen the weather outside is frightful, more often than not, people will often turn to comfort food to warm their holiday spirits. These recipe remedies are provided by Bellevue restauranteurs who know a little something about comfort.

The Morning After Burger: Tap House Grill Ingredients: 1 burger bun — buttered and toasted 1 burger patty (8 ounce.) 2 slices applewood smoked bacon 1 1/2 ounces of Gruyere Swiss cheese 3 ounces caramelized Cipollini onions 1 fried egg 1 ounce chipotle aioli 1/4 ounce baby arugula Preparation: Toast bun on grill top until golden brown; do not flip on top of bun. Season burger with salt and pepper and broil to 165 degrees. On bottom bun, spread the chipotle aioli and place the burger on top. Then add the arugula on top of the burger. Next add Gruyere cheese. Top with Cipollini onions and fried egg. Skewer with steak knife making sure not to break the yolk. Chestnut Chicken: 520 Bar and Grill Ingredients: 1/2 cup ginger, minced 1/2 cup garlic, minced 2 cups teriyaki sauce

2 tablespoons sesame oil 1 cup sugar Chicken Bacon Romaine lettuce Preparation: Whisk the above ingredients together to combine until sugar dissolves. Cut chicken into cubes and marinate for at least two hours. Take one piece of chicken and wrap in a half piece of bacon along with one water chestnut. Then bake for approximately 14 minutes or until bacon is crispy. Remove from the oven and top with a teriyaki glaze and sesame seeds. Serve with a ramekin of hot Sriracha sauce and sweet Thai chili sauce.

Grilled Cheeses: Tap House Grill South of the Border: Combine jalapeño juice (to taste) with real butter and spread evenly on artisan sourdough. Pile on 2-3 slices of cheddar cheese, fresh avocado slices and your choice of black bean salsa. Grill evenly on both sides until cheese is melted. Triple Cheese: Spread bacon grease evenly on artisan sourdough, pile high with smoked gouda, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, bacon bits and sautéed onions (sautee onions in olive olive oil, salt and pepper). Grill evenly on both sides

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until cheese is melted. Caprese: Spread bacon grease evenly on artisan sourdough, pile high with dill havarti cheese, mozzarella cheese, fresh tomato, fresh basil slices, 3-4 slices of pancetta and drizzle with balsamic dressing. Grill evenly on both sides until cheese is melted. The Poblano: Spread bacon grease evenly on artisan sourdough, pile high with pepper jack cheese, chipotle balsamic mayo (mix chipotle tobasco or chipotle flavoring with mayo and balsamic vinegar to taste), poblano peppers and grilled red onions. Grill evenly on both sides until cheese is melted. Chocolate Mint Fondue: The Melting Pot Ingredients: 12 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped 1/2 cup heavy cream 4 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped 3 tablespoons crème de menthe or mint chocolate liqueur Preparation: Combine the chocolate and cream in the top of a double boiler set over simmering water. Heat until the chocolate is melted, stirring constantly; or combine the chocolate and cream in a microwave safe bowl and microwave until melted, stirring every 30 to 45 seconds. Be careful not to let the chocolate burn. Pour into a warm fondue pot. Add the liqueur and stir gently to combine. Keep fondue warm over low heat. Serves 4-6.

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company More than $1 million was raised for the Providence Senior and Community Services, which provides health care, housing and supportive services to people in the Puget Sound. Puppet Christmas Tree, designed by Cheryl, Mia and Zoe Papadakis, along with Theater Architect Amy Janof, sold for $37,500. 1. Sarah Dyan Cox and Laura Oberto. 2. Majdi and Dana Daher, Denali Advanced Integration, Presenting Gala Sponsor 3. John and Diane Sabey with their son Jack. —Team Photogenic

JANUARY 2014 THE scene 7

LIFESTYLES

BY ROSE DENNIS

4 Patrons generously held up their bid cards Dec. 7, raising $4.6 million for Help the Hutch. The money will assist Fred Hutch scientists and doctors in finding new cures in fighting cancer. The highest live auction package was a science and safari adventure for four, which sold for $33,000. The winning patrons will visit Fred Hutch's new state of the art laboratory in Cape Town and learn about the next phase in HIV vaccine trials. The Hutch also is determined to find the cure for HIV. Then the winning bidders are off to the Madikwe Game Reserve for a fourday safari. 4. Doug Walker, Ed Fritzky and Larry Corey 5. Christine and Michael Gregoire 6. Jim and Jan Sinegal. —Team Photogenic

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8 the scene January 2014

Napa Valley coming to Washington state By Andy Perdue

Duckhorn Vineyards, one of Napa Valley’s premier wineries, is coming to Washington. The St. Helena, Calif., winery will launch a Cabernet Sauvignon-focused winery using grapes from Red Mountain and release a Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2012 vintage around Labor Day 2014. The yet-to-be-named Red Mountain winery will be Duckhorn’s first venture outside of Northern California. “Our roots will always be Napa Valley — that’s critical to our success,” said Carol Reber, chief marketing and business development officer for Duckhorn. “But we like to explore new regions. There’s no question that the wines in Washington are spectacular. We are particularly intrigued by the Cabs from Red Mountain. Charlie Hoppes, owner and winemaker at Fidelitas Wines on Red Mountain, is pleased to see a winery with the reputation of Duckhorn come to Red Mountain. “I think it’s great that they want to come,” he said. “They only add credibility to the reputation of Red Mountain. When you have a premier winemaking company out of Napa coming here, it confirms what we’ve seen all along. It only enhances the reputation.” Andy Perdue is editor of Great Northwest Wine, a news and information company. Learn more at www.greatnorthwestwine.com.

feature story

Letting his ‘Hawk flag fly By josh suman

Few elements of local culture unify the masses like the Seattle Seahawks. The local NFL franchise, one that currently holds the top spot in the conference and looks primed for a Super Bowl run, has a special place in the hearts and minds of The 12th Man. For J. DeBruler, that place is behind the wheel. The owner of Accutint, a custom window tinting, detailing and clear film application specialist in Bellevue, DeBruler does not have Seahawks fandom running through his veins. In fact, he has never even been to a game. But that didn’t stop him from giving his Porsche 997 Turbo a one-of-a-kind Seahawks makeover any fan could appreciate. “I guess I was a fair-weather fan,” DeBruler said, noting he began to pay more attention to the team as it blossomed under head coach Pete Carroll in recent years. “I enjoy watching and I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen in terms of the camaraderie.” The customization of the black exterior began with a pair of vinyl racing stripes, in neon green, before one of his staff members upped the ante. “My vinyl guy came out an hour or so later, and told me to take a look at my car,” DeBruler said, before offering his colorful reply. “ ‘What the hell did you do to my fender?’ ” The initial shock of a Seahawks green fender didn’t last long. After driving the car for a couple of days, DeBruler said he had the inspiration for turning the car into a full-fledged tribute to the team, franchise and perhaps most importantly, its fans. Along with green front fenders, the car has a “12” on the hood, Seahawks logos on the doors and “GO HAWKS” on the back bumper with a design matching the Native American motif on the team’s jersey collar and pants. He took the car into Seattle the following Sunday and parked near the hoards of fans to gauge their

interest. To his surprise, the reaction was universal excitement. “I was kind of embarrassed,” he said. “Then I saw the smiles on their faces.” While he began the trip behind darkly tinted windows, DeBruler said it wasn’t long before he was rolling around the stadium, catching stares and hearing cheers from fans waiting in lines outside eateries and pubs. “This is what this is all about,” he said. “People

final stats from the 12th man drive Time on the road: Eight and a half days Hours behind the wheel: 85.2 Miles Driven: 4,633 Average Mph: 55 having fun.” Several members of the team are customers at Accutint and after DeBruler reached out, he was invited to the players parking lot before a practice, where he gathered signatures from a host of players and even general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll. “Russell Wilson was already there,” he said, noting the quarterback’s meticulous and already legendary work ethic. “It’s a fun thing to do. It’s all about The 12th Man and the Seahawks.” With a unique and evolving place in the fan culture of the city’s most prized professional franchise, along with a customized Porsche that screams 12th Man from front to back, DeBruler said he believes he is in it for the long haul. “The whole story is still evolving,” he said. “It is a great way to show loyalty to the team, The 12th Man and the whole city.”

The New Guy INTERVIEW BY DANIEL NASH

rooks Wheelan, 27, is an up-and-comer in the comedy world. Originally from Iowa, he spent the past half-decade playing stand-up shows in Los Angeles, when he wasn’t at his day job as an engineer. In September, he was the last featured player named to the 39th season of Saturday Night Live, becoming part of one of the most significant cast shake-ups in show history. Wheelan spoke with The Scene from the SNL set at 30 Rockefeller Plaza – in the middle of prep for the December episode with Paul Rudd – to talk about writing comedy and what it takes to be a young comedian:

SCENE: I’ve seen several of the sketches you’ve done so

far for SNL. Your pest control sketch with Ed Norton was incredibly funny. Then I saw a video of your possum bit during a set at a PowerViolence show in Los Angeles. Did you borrow from that story for the sketch?

BROOKS WHEELAN: Yeah. I mean, I wrote it with two other writers on staff – Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin. But, yes, I put in the part about the possums. I think it’s just that I think possums are funny, so I put them into my comedy a lot.

SCENE: Do you frequently draw on your personal life for your comedy writing?

WHEELAN: Oh yeah. Almost all of my stand-up material has been about things that would happen to me. I don’t have, like, jokes that I tell in the traditional sense. It’s funny things from my life.

JANUARY 2014 THE scene 9

LAUGHS

Wheelan performing at the South Beach Comedy Festival in April. Original photo copyright Comedy Central. Alterations by Daniel Nash

SCENE: How does writing stand-up compare to writing sketch for a show like SNL?

WHEELAN: Well, I’m just a cast member right now to be clear, but the cast members are asked to write our own material each week. But stand-up is pretty different from other forms of comedy. In sketch, you find a premise and heighten and reach a resolution. Stand-up is more like, “this happened to me and here’s the funny way of telling it.” Sketch, to me, is more collaborative. I have more fun writing sketch. They’re different muscles, but they’re both equally funny, if that makes sense. I don’t think of one as being better than the other. SCENE: Have you learned a lot about sketch on the show? WHEELAN: Oh yeah, absolutely. It’s like boot camp for

SCENE: You started performing stand-up as a teenager,

sketch writing. You write and you write every week. A lot of the sketches don’t get made and you have to keep moving forward. It’s a great experience.

WHEELAN: I didn’t know what I wanted to do after college.

SCENE: What outlets did you write for before SNL? WHEELAN: I filmed sketches with friends in L.A. and we

but I saw that you earned your degree in biomedical engineering. How does that happen?

And I had this girl I was dating who was studying to be an engineer, so I said “OK, me too!” I had started doing standup my freshman year of college and I figured if I stuck with it, it would be a way for me to move to L.A. or New York.

SCENE: So you were working as an engineer then? WHEELAN: Yeah, I still had my job in L.A. right up until I

started here. I didn’t quit until I found out I had the SNL job.

SCENE: You were the final addition to SNL’s cast of

featured players, after being named a writer the month before. What’s the audition process like, and what kind of pressure were you facing?

WHEELAN: You know, it was pretty cool. Each step of the way I thought it was pretty neat that I had gotten this far, so I didn’t put too much pressure on myself in that way. As far as the audition itself, they saw me perform in Montreal, then in L.A., and then I auditioned on the stage where they shoot the show in New York. It was all scary, but I tried to (minimize that). SCENE: You studied improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in L.A. Was that to learn more about another medium of comedy? Was it a career choice?

WHEELAN: It was really very much a matter of having

friends who were doing it, and I decided to do it, too. It looked like fun, and it was.

would put them up on YouTube and Funny Or Die. As long as you have friends you can do sketch. I probably would have gotten more into sketch if I had stayed in Iowa and (found others interested in sketch). By doing stand-up, I didn’t have to rely on anyone else to make it work.

SCENE: How did you become interested in comedy? WHEELAN: I loved comedy growing up. I was really into

SNL … I was a fan of Adam Sandler especially. I loved it when he came on. Then I read a book (about) Adam Sandler and it talked about how he did stand-up. So I decided I would do it too. I was 19 when I first started doing it, and I drove an hour and a half about once a month to do an open mic.

SCENE: In his New York Times interview, Lorne Michaels said he doesn’t pay attention to potential additions’ work on social video sites. But do you think those outlets are necessary for modern comedians?

WHEELAN: I don’t think they’re necessary, but I think they’re helpful tools to use. People can make it without using them … It’s a great way for people to see your stuff without having to be in L.A. or New York City. Brooks Wheelan will be the special guest for headlining comedian Roy Wood Jr., playing Parlor Live Jan. 9-11. Find tickets and showtimes at parlorlive.com.

10 THE scene JANUARY 2014

FASHION AND NOTABLE PEOPLE

Protect ya neck

Wear your scarf with style and flair BY DANIEL NASH

he dead of winter means it’s time to bundle up, but it doesn’t mean you have to lose your stylistic flair underneath a mound of cloth and down. Consider the scarf, a practical accessory that’s too often thrown on. Consider a few new styles to dress up your look:

The basic wrap-around

Particularly with a peacoat, or other buttoned overcoat, the wrap-around can complete your outfit’s sense of cover. One piece of advice: instead of draping the scarf over your neck and throwing one end over the shoulder, turn that end into a loose loop and tuck your head through. That way you control the fit around your neck, not gravity.

The nestled drape

It doesn’t get simpler than this: if the weather’s not too nippy, just hang your scarf over your neck, loosely cross the ends and hold them in place with a buttoned overcoat. Much like a pocket square, the hint of cloth will create an eye-catching accent that pops.

The slipknot (“European style”)

This style does the job and looks good doing it. Fold a medium-to-long scarf lengthwise, drape it over your neck and push the free ends through the loop on the other side, wearing them down the front of your torso. This knot allows the wearer to easily adjust the scarf for comfort.

The draped knot

Don’t rely on this women’s style for warmth, because it’s all show. Fold the scarf end-to-end. Then loop, swoop and pull the open end as you would to tie your shoes. Works best when using a thin cloth scarf.

The muffler

This style, using a rectangle scarf, covers the neck and neckline for blanket-like warmth. Fold the rectangle into a square, then fold two opposite corners to make a triangle. Tie two ends of the triangle at the back of your neck and adjust to fit. It’s that simple!

The double-ascot

This look requires a long scarf — think 60-72 inches — to achieve a short-to-medium length fluffy knot. Drape the scarf over your neck so that about three-quarters of its length hangs to one side. Wrap the long end once around your neck and bring it back to your front over the other shoulder. Cross the long end over the short, bringing it under, up and through the opening, then down and through the loop where long end crosses short.

Beautiful inspiration A

BY LINDA BALL

t 35 years old, Larissa Long has already had a full life. She married young and remained in the marriage for seven years, with two children born of the union; Ethan, 12, and Nadia, 10. It didn’t work out, but she is on good terms with her ex-husband. It wasn’t always easy though. “He moved away; I was broke, a single mom with a son who needed constant therapy, and we were homeless for a very short time,” Long said. The point she likes to make is not to let your past define who you are. She worked her way out of it and made it, before meeting her current husband, Eric Long. They have a 6-year-old daughter, Kira. “I came from this low-end where I worked part-time at a casino and part-time at a youth center — complete opposites,” she laughed. “I did what I had to do.” She was 22 when she had Ethan, who is autistic. Ethan didn’t start talking until he was 5 years old, but now is fully functional. He still struggles with social cues, and Long said he attends a public school in North Bend and is doing well. In the Mrs. America pageants, contestant platforms are crucial. Since autism is close to home, she is active in philanthropic causes that revolve around autism. “Queens of Autism,” a pageant that raises money for autism, is close to her heart, she said. Long doesn’t compete in it, but both autistic and non-autistic boys and girls as young as 15 months to 45 years old do. How Long got involved in pageantry started when she was chair of a local group for “Autism Speaks.” She wanted to bring more attention to the cause. She met another contestant, who suggested Long compete. Long started out as Mrs. Pacific Northwest, which was sort of given to her because there were no other competitors. Now, she has been Mrs. Bellevue America for one year — Bellevue’s first in the Mrs. America organization. The winner of Mrs. America will advance to Mrs. World. “It’s a different organization, but they work closely with Miss America and Miss USA,” Long said. She said first you must apply, be between the ages of 18 and 55, be married and be a resident of Washington State to compete in Mrs. Washington America. Contestants are judged in interviews, swimsuit — which they call fitness, and wear sarongs — and

Larissa Long, Mrs. Bellevue America. evening gown. But the judges will be looking first and foremost at their platforms. “Pam (Curnel, state director/producer of Mrs. Washington America) is very much about community service — contestants need to make a difference,” Long said. “But we are judged on fitness, grace and poise.” Long said the contestants have all become friends. One is a pastor whose goal is to help with hunger and water issues in third world countries, while another contestant has taken up chemical awareness as her platform after her husband became very ill after being exposed to toxic chemicals at work. “You see these women and what’s important to them,” Long said. Long is also passionate about The Hope Heart Institute, a local non-profit raising money for cardiovascular research and education since she has lost several family members to heart disease. See Your Impact is another local group she supports. It uses donations to help one person — or an entire village — then the organization sends you an email to tell you exactly how your money was used. Not only is Long busy with her philanthropic work, with a degree in public relations and broadcasting, she started her own online magazine, “Mode,” which was born out of a beauty and fashion blog. She combined philanthropy to the magazine, which will be in print in March. Although the Longs currently live in North Bend, Mrs. Bellevue America must either reside or work in Bellevue, and almost all of Long’s work is in Bellevue; Eric Long works in Bellevue as well. In fact, he encouraged her to enter the pageant world. “He’s my biggest supporter,” she said. Tickets for Mrs. Washington America are $45 and can be purchased at http://www. meydenbauer.com/attend/event/

JANUARY 2014 THE scene 11

TheEastsideScene.com

Beth Billington

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