Our friends at White Center for the Arts are holding a very unique “Python-A-Thon” fundraiser this Sunday, March 7th, from Noon – 8pm at Big Al Brewing, where episodes of the classic “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” TV show will be shown non-stop.

Participants are encouraged to bring potluck food items, dress in costume (lumberjack anyone?), bring penguins to put on the telly, and walk like you’re in the Ministry of Silly Walks, all while donating to your neighborhood arts association.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Python-A-Thon” viewing party of classic Monty Python TV episodes to help raise funds for White Center for the Arts.

WHEN: Sunday, March 7th from Noon – 8pm.

WHERE: Big Al Brewing, located at 9832 14th Ave SW; (206) 453-4487 (website here)

INFO: From a poster:

Big Al Brewing Presents Monty Python Video Festival

“Continuing Education”

Earn your letters in Pythonology

Finding it hard to get promoted even though you have a MM- Master of Monty?

Get your Doctor of Pythonology (DP), and silly walk your way to the top!

DP courses in:

• The Arts
  • -Why lumberjacks sing
• Optical Sciences
  • -How not to be seen
• Aeronautics
  • -What makes sheep fly
• Military History
  • -German humor and the demise of the Wehrmacht
• Veterinary Sciences
  • – Learn to determine the difference between “Dead” and “Resting”

And much much more!

If you’re silly enough, you too could become a fully accredited Doctor of Pythonology, capable of answering such puzzling questions as…

• “Why is there a penguin on the telly”?
• “If she’s a go’er why is she with him”?
• And, “Did the Vikings invent spam”?

Classes begin on Sunday, March 7th

First class of the day starts at 12 noon

Location: Go to www.bigalbrewing.com for directions

Extra credit will be given for bringing pot luck and coming to class as your favorite Monty Python character.

To get you in the mood, here’s the classic “Ministry of Silly Walks” sketch:

It only happens once every four years, so you might as well get out and enjoy Election Day 2008 at Big Al Brewing, where a potluck viewing party will happen.

Big Al Brewing Co. is located at 9832 14th Ave SW in White Center; phone: (206) 453-4487

Here are the details:

• Potluck dinner – bring a small main dish and a small side dish so there will plenty of “food distribution” for all
• Tasty beverages
• Watch election night results on the big screen
• Doors open 3pm (or after you’ve voted) and will stay open until midnight
• Ice Cream will be provided by Ann and Justin at Full Tilt Ice Cream
• Donations: Some rocky times are around the corner and many of our neighbors will be caught short and unable to provide for their families. You can help by bringing non-perishable food items for the White Center food bank or with a donation of $20 or more receive a unique limited addition “Obama brick” as an election night keepsake

Intrepid Reporter/Sales & Promotions Diva Janet Grella had a random encounter Thursday night with a TV Producer who was scouting a nearby beach for a production he’s working on.

Turns out that the production is all about sharks.

That live in Puget Sound.

About 10 miles from the heart of the Dub-C.

Big, Six-Gill Sharks (these ain’t Dogfish!) that grow up to 18 feet, as seen in this video:

The TV Producer, Vince Patton, who works for Oregon Public Broadcasting, explained the production via email:

The animal: The 6 Gill Shark. (Check Wikipedia for details. Their summary is accurate as I read it).

The Seattle Aquarium has an exhibit specifically on 6 Gill Sharks here.

Our show is “Oregon Field Guide” and we are shooting a story for OFG’s upcoming 20th anniversary season which begins in October. This story could run anytime between October and next spring.

The folks who sell Diving Tours with the Sharks on the boat you may see in the area are here.

The tours move around, depending on where they find the sharks hanging out. This year, it’s right near Des Moines. Dives happen at night. Yes, from 10pm to 5am. They have lots of lights set up on the shark cage where the divers go.

The 6 Gills have made the news in the Seattle area a few times since the late 90′s, but overall most of the public don’t know they’re here. They’re not aggressive to humans and there’s never been any human/shark incidents here.

So, next time you’re swimming in Puget Sound (ya right, at temps around 55 degrees! ha), and you hear a low, deep bass “da-duhm…” music sting, be sure to look closely, as you may see this friendly fella: