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Art lecture at PNA

The Phinney Neighborhood Association will host a free lecture on Greece on Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m.

The lecture will be given by Michael Spafford and his son, Spike Mafford on their trip to Greece two years ago in search of the sites of the Labors of Hercules.

An exhibit of Spafford's work inspired by the Herculean Labors and Mafford's photographs of ancient sites are in display at the Francine Seders Gallery, located at 6701 Greenwood Ave. N. through March.

For information, call 783-2244.

Local playwrights featured at Seattle Public Theater

Seattle Public Theater will present new works from Seattle-area playwrights on Saturday, March 9 at 7 p.m. at the Bathouse Theater in Green Lake.

Plays to be performed include "We are Not Good Girls," by Kate Hart, "The Green Lake Monster," by Dickey Nesenger, and "Jade Night" by Andy Mayo. Other playwrights participating are Jayne Muirhead and Kevin Moore. All of the works presented are abbreviated versions of the original pieces.

Call Cara Granger at 418-1444 for info.

Attention: local movie makers

Depth of Focus, a monthly film series offered by the Puget Sound Cinema Society, is seeking film submissions from local movie makers.

Films may be sent in VHS, Beta, 8 mm and 16 mm. (NTSC is preferred.) Movies should be mailed to Omar Willey at the Puget Sound Cinema Society, Box 14458, Seattle, WA 98114. Depth of Focus takes place at the University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE. For more information, call 419-1401.

HangFire opens in Crown Hill

A man who has designed several custom frames for Seattle Mariners players, including former Mariner star Ken Griffey Jr. and recently retired player Jay Buhner, has teamed up with a partner to open a custom framing shop of their own.

Mark Hutchins and Ken Maeland opened HangFire, a custom framing shop in the Crown Hill neighborhood, last July.

Prior to opening his own business, Hutchins worked for another custom framing shop which designed custom frames for the Seattle Mariners to present to its players. Hutchins framed several pieces of Mariners memorabilia, including the shovel that Griffey used for the ground breaking at Safeco Field and the bat that was presented to Buhner when he hit his 300th home run.

Currently, Hutchins is working on a custom frame for one of the torches for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Hutchins said he always wanted to work more directly with his customers. When he discovered Maeland had a wood shop in which his designs could be created, HangFire was born. HangFire is open by appointment only. For more information, call 306-2014.

12th annual Phinney Wine Taste

Prepare to sniff, sip and swish, wine lovers! The Phinney Neighborhood Association will host its 12th annual Wine Taste on March 9.

The event will not only include samples of 10 different vinos, but also hors d'oeuvres, live jazz music and a silent auction.

The Wine Taste will take place 7 p.m. at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, located at 6532 Phinney Ave. N. Tickets for the PNA Wine Taste are $15 advance for PNA members, $18 for non-members. They are $20 at the door. Designated drivers pay only $6.

For more information, call 783-2244.

Irish pianist in residence at UW

John O'Connor, an internationally-known Irish pianist, will be in residence at the University of Washington from March 10 -14.

O'Connor has performed in Europe, the United States, Japan and countries of the former Soviet Union and has won awards from the governments of France, Italy and Poland.

During his stay in Seattle, O'Connor will perform a recital on Sunday, March 10 at 4 p.m. He will give a free lecture on Beethoven's piano sonatas on Tuesday, March 12 at 5 p.m. and will also give two free master classes.

All events will take place Brechemin Auditorium on the University of Washington Campus. For more information, call 685-8384.

ToST opens in Fremont

ToST, a new lounge and musical venue located at 513 North 36th St. in Fremont had its grand opening on Feb. 23. The space was formerly home to Bitters Co. Wine Bar.

ToSt (pronounced "toast") is owned by married couple and first-time entrepreneurs Tanea and Tim Stephens.

Owner Tim Stephens still works for Microsoft in the human resources department. Owner Tanea Stephens was formerly a public relations consultant. b