Seen, Heard, Said -- About Town

PARTY EVOLUTION: ``Like any organization, it started out kind of potlucky. Last year we outgrew the banquet approach. This year, it's the real party,'' executive director Esther Herst said.

A bare-bones, down-to-the-cause party without floral centerpieces and elaborate decorations.

At $35 each, more than 700 single men, women and couples - about 200 more than were anticipated - descended on the buffet tables which turned to cheese rinds and warm fruit before the last of the group was fed.

But on the barometer of enthusiasm, the National Abortion Rights Action League auction Saturday night at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers was a Poncho among fund raisers.

``People are pretty forgiving at this sort of thing,'' said Joan Tucker who has been coming to the annual auction for about 10 years. ``It's the cause that counts and this being an important year - the election only three weeks away - people come out because they care.''

What has been Tucker's best auction find over the years? ``A tattoo by Madame Lazonga which I did NOT have installed.''

HEADDRESS BALL: Across town at Union Station, the straight and gay communities gathered for a common cause - raising funds for AIDS Housing. An elaborate balloon dragon was suspended from the ceiling, there were towering centerpieces and many of the 540 guests wore elaborate headpieces of flowers or dressed in the renaissance theme.

This is the second year of the event, which has developed an identity of its own - a sort of black-tie funk where anything goes. Tables included guests in tux and cocktail gowns, one in studded black leather and chains, another a Henry VIII clone, many princesses in bosomy brocade gowns, and flowers, flowers, flowers.

``It's a lot more festive this year,'' said Shari Behnke, member of the board of directors of AIDS Housing of Washington and chair of the group's arts committee, who wore a holly wreath. ``There are a lot more people wearing headdresses.''

Each year local florists vie for honors during a floor show. This year, first place for the most elaborate headdress went to Tyson Coleman of Flowers a la carte for his floral dragon called ``Nightmare in the Sky.''

While Coleman's creation was stunning, the floral extravaganza on the table tops didn't impress everyone. A guest in a short fur sniffed: ``Looks rather FTD.''

Chefs Barbara Figueroa, Scott Carsberg, Doug Blair, Tom Douglas, Leslie Mackie and John Sarich and the Kresge Foundation are doing their part to raise funds for AIDS housing in a six-course dinner, 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at Mezza Luna. Tickets (available through AIDS Housing) are $100; seating is limited to 75.

From the House of Becker: When it comes to fund-raising, some go to fancy galas - the black-tie Boys & Girls Club Kids Auction Nov. 3 at the Westin Hotel, for exmple.

But not KUBE disc jockey Barry Becker. He goes underground.

At 2 p.m. Thursday Becker will enter a 3-foot-by-3-foot-by-6-foot box and be buried for 48 hours at Lee Johnson Chevrolet in Kirkland. The ``coffin'' will be equipped with television camera, food-and-message tube, telephone, electricity and ``personal facilities.''

He will be broadcasting live from underground, soliciting pledges for the Boys & Girls Club.

Said Becker: ``My mother can't believe I'm doing this because I'm so wired.'' (Are you sure she didn't mean weird? Next time, Barry, just rent the tux.)

MOUNTAINEERS: The closest thing to corporate types were REI founders Mary and Lloyd Anderson. The celebrity was climber Jim Whittaker. And everybody - just everybody - had to get a good look at all those familiar faces in those unfamiliar clothes - dresses and suits instead of Gore-Tex and polypropylene.

Several hundred members of the Mountaineers gathered for their annual banquet Friday night. There were awards - Rhea and Royce Natoli got one for their volunteerism and dedication - and Chicken Kiev and lots of forks.

Jarl Fossum, Ballard plumber, studied the utensils carefully matching each to each dish. ``I should have brought my Dyno-Marker.''

Longtime members Dee Molenaar and Othello ``Phil'' Vickert talked about how the club had changed - now there are 12,000 members instead of only a couple hundred.

Whittaker talked Peace Climb and during the cocktail hour, how ``nature is where it's at, not in four walls,'' how in the mountains ``cares fall off like autumn leaves.''

Is that Hallmark calling?

WHATEVER LOLA WANTS: The governor gave her a day of her very own. And last week about 200 models, actors, producers, photographers and clients gathered for two parties celebrating the 25th anniversary of her firm - the Lola Hallowell Model and Talent Agency.

Today competition is fiercer, but assignments are more plentiful, the grande dame of Seattle talent agencies, said. But her cast still scores. Look for IvyAnn Schwan in ``Parenthood'' and other Seattleites in ``Twin Peaks.''