information from Southwest Seattle Historical Society

Young, old or anywhere in between, there is no better place for you to be on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, than our Champagne Gala Brunch!

With a program featuring West Seattle deejay Marty Riemer, a half-dozen West Seattle-based music luminaries and the mother-son-daughter combination of Vicki Schmitz-Block, Dietrich Schmitz and Julie Schmitz Broker, this year's Gala promises to be rousing and memorable.

It certainly will be as inspiring as its theme, "Rebirth: Celebrating the Restoration of the Admiral Totem Pole," reflecting the passion of the historical society’s biggest event of the year (and any year), the June 6, 2014, unveiling of the restored pole at the organization’s "Birthplace of Seattle" Log House Museum.

TheChampagne Gala Brunch, the biggest fundraiser of the historical society’s year, runs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Salty's on Alki, 1936 Harbor Ave. S.W.

Tickets are on sale now and are $75 if ordered by the early-bird deadline of Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014. Thereafter, tickets will be $85.

Tickets can be reserved by calling 206-938-5293 or visiting  HYPERLINK "http://www.loghousemuseum.info/get-involved/purchase/" \t "_blank" the historical society’s online ticket-purchase page at www.loghousemuseum.info. The brunch features table service rather than a buffet line, so purchasers will choose either a salmon or vegetarian entree (both are gluten-free).

The totem theme will be reflected in special Totem Red and Totem White wines and Totem Breakfast Blend coffee that will be on sale at the event and can be pre-ordered.

The theme also is carried out in a brand-new feature, a Golden Ticket Drawing in which the prize is a one-week Totem Cruise for two on the luxurious ms Westerdam of the Holland America line.

(Golden Tickets go on sale in late September.)

Rounding out the program will be several unique Live Auction items, as well as a scrumptious Dessert Dash.

The historical society is grateful to have the assistance of sponsors (Salty's on Alki, DCG ONE, Luna Park Cafe, IT Headquarters and Nucor Steel), crucial supporters (The Pacific Institute, Spud Fish & Chips, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse and 4Culture) and media sponsors (West Seattle Blog and West Seattle Herald).

The Gala Committee of the historical society includes Val Wilds, chair, and Liz Day, Sandy Donnen, Bethany Green, Inez Lindsey and Diane Venti. Here are details on the many facets of the event:

THE CELEBRITY PROGRAM: 'WHY WEST SEATTLE?'

Why do so many national music luminaries live in West Seattle?

West Seattleite Marty Riemer -- arguably the best-known Seattle broadcaster for more than three decades (KZOK, KJR, KXRX, The Mountain and presently his basement podcast) -- wants to know.

And soon he will find out so we all can know, when he hosts a panel of West Seattle-based pillars of the music scene that very question.

The occasion is the 2014 Champagne Gala Brunch. Riemer's co-host for the panel will be broadcaster Jodi Brothers (The Jet, KMTT), and their panelists will be Chris Ballew (aka Casper Babypants), founder of The Presidents of the United States of America; Tim Bierman, general manager of the Pearl Jam Ten Club; broadcaster Gary Crow (KZOK, KXRX); Megan Jasper, Sub Pop Records' executive vice president; Easy Street Records owner Matt Vaughan and Pearl Jam publicist Nicole Vandenberg.

THE INSPIRATIONAL PROGRAM: THE SCHMITZ LEGACY

Have you ever wondered what brought about the beautiful old-growth Schmitz Park in West Seattle? Or Emma Schmitz View Point Park? Or Mee Kwa Mooks Park? Or Schmitz Park Elementary School?

It is a family legacy stretching more than a century and forging a path of civic duty and gratitude, including the leadership of important local institutions and organizations such as Washington Mutual Savings Bank, the University of Washington and the Seattle School Board.

Speakers from the Schmitz family will address its impact on West Seattle and Seattle as a whole -- and how it continues to this day. They are West Seattleites Vicki Schmitz-Block and her son, Dietrich Schmitz, and Vicki's daughter, Julie Schmitz Broker of Houston. They will take the Gala audience on a verbal and visual tour of the indelible influence of one of Seattle's premier families.

TOTEM-BRAND WINES AND COFFEE

Bottles of Totem Red and Totem White wine and Totem Blend coffee can be reserved by visiting  HYPERLINK "http://www.loghousemuseum.info/get-involved/purchase/" \t "_blank" the historical society’s ticket-purchase page. Here are the details:

Totem Red wine, at $20, is 2012 vintage, with 75% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon & 3% Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley.

Totem White wine, at $17, is 2012 vintage, with 93% Chardonnay & 7% Viognier, Columbia Valley.

Totem Blend coffee, at $15, comes to us from Hotwire Online Coffeehouse in the West Seattle Junction. This blend is rich in history and flavor, a dark, bold roast with hints of nutmeg, chocolate and deep cherry. Each 12-ounch bag is available in whole bean or drip grind.

Reserved Totem-brand wines and coffee can be picked up at the 2014 Champagne Gala Brunch or afterward at the Log House Museum through the end of November.

THE GOLDEN TICKET DRAWING: TOTEM CRUISE FOR TWO!

For the first time, the historical society’s Champagne Gala Brunch is featuring a Golden Ticket Drawing.

The prize is a stunner: a cruise for two with an ocean-view cabin aboard the ms Westerdam of the Holland America Line, sailing from Seattle on Sept. 19, 2015, to Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, B.C., and returning on Sept. 26, 2015.

Featured on this excursion will be programming related to Pacific Northwest totem poles, which have their origins in Alaska and northern British Columbia.

Golden Tickets can be purchased in person only, starting in late September 2014 at our Log House Museum and from Gala Committee members and board members. Sales will continue through the Champagne Gala Brunch.

The cost per ticket is just $100. Individuals can buy as many tickets as they like, but a maximum of only 100 tickets will be sold, first-come, first-served.

The prize does not include government or port taxes, shore excursions or airfare. The winner will be selected in a drawing at the Champagne Gala Brunch. The winner need not be present to win.

The historical society will announce in late September the launch of Golden Ticket sales.