Biznik BBQ ~ Play & Networking; 15 mins. east of Redmond

Come and play with us on this lazy day of summer at our 'Villa Rosa' strawbale retreat center; 4400 sq. ft. tuscan retreat on almost 5 acres, overlooking the Cascades, Snoqualmie Valley and rivers.

Volleyball, badmitten, Bache ball and even outdoor ping-pong, plus indoor billards, foos-ball, air-hockey ...and more.

We'll crank up the grill with hamburgers and chicken. BYOB and a side dish and come play...or just kick back, put your feet up and do absolutely nothing!

Feel free to bring friends and family you'd like to introduce to this great Biznik network.

Stay as long as you'd like. You can head off to Torchlight parade later in the day, or stay around the firepit in the evening.

Looking forward to great food, great play, and getting to know our Biznik friends better!

Kind Regards,

Jane Bakken and Jack Fecker

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  Posted by Sarah Bitter, Seattle, Washington | Jul 17, 2008

  Jane and Jack,

  Thanks so much for opening your home. It really means a lot. I'm sure it will be absolutely fantastic. Also, I'm so glad I can bring my daughter Wendy and husband Zhenjun; I think you will find them kindred spirits. Zhenjun is a dancer, teacher, choreographer and I know he'll enjoy meeting you two artful people.

  We'll be bringing some yummy Chinese food!

  Sarah
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 17, 2008

  Sarah...glad you can come, and we definitely look forward to meeting Zhenjun and Wendy...have heard so much about them!

  We can fairly easily handle 50 - 60 here, so we will have a great day...can't wait for the Chinese food.

  Kind Regards, Jane and Jack
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 17, 2008

  To all RSVP's ~ If you can, let us know also if you are bringing guests, so we have a more accurate count.

  Thanks ~ Jane and Jack
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  Posted by Leta Laborde, DC, Bothell, Washington | Jul 19, 2008

  Hi Jane,

  If it is OK with you I am going to sign us up even though we have another obligation in Issaquah at 7pm.

  We have so been wanting to get out and see your place! This just sounds lovely! Thanks.

  Leta

  Stress-less Strategies for Businesses & Individuals
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 19, 2008

  Leta ~ Sure thing...that's how it's going to be anyway...people are coming and going...some are coming a bit later and staying through the evening...and visa versa....so go ahead and sign up!

  Kind Regards, Jane and Jack
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  Posted by Pamela Ziemann, Bellevue, Washington | Jul 21, 2008

  Right on, I'm looking forward to seeing you and your cool house.

  Can I bring my dog?

  Carnation is such a cool little town, the park out there is my one day a week office where I do my writing. If you haven't been to Carnation, I recommend it. The drive alone is magical.

  Energetic Speaking Coach in Bellevue & Seattle
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 21, 2008

  Pamela ~ great! Glad you can make it ~ I'll connect with you personally on the dog invite.

  See you Saturday ~ Jane
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  Posted by Hsuan-Hua Chang, PCC, MS, Seattle, Washington | Jul 22, 2008

  I will come with a guest. We will be there around 4pm. Looking forward to playing!
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  Posted by Denise Beck, Seattle, Washington | Jul 22, 2008

  I am looking forward to seeing you and your place.
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 23, 2008

  Denise ~ so glad you can come! Looking forward to having you here...it will be a great day! Jane
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  Posted by Terra Vita, Seattle, Washington | Jul 24, 2008

  Thanks so much, looking forward to it and thank you for providing the lovely sounding venue.
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 24, 2008

  Terra ~ Glad you can come! It will be a very FUN day/evening...lots of great people coming!

  See you Saturday! Kind Regards, Jane
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  Posted by Terra Vita, Seattle, Washington | Jul 24, 2008

  Is there anyone who would like to carpool from Seattle? My green thought for the day.
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 24, 2008

  Terra ~ Will also send a general message out to all RSVP's...I'm sure someone will connect. Jane
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  Posted by Terra Vita, Seattle, Washington | Jul 24, 2008

  Thanks so much Jane. I will be in Edmonds that morning so could leave from N. Seattle or meet someone on 405. Otherwise, I will be there and looking forward to it.
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  Posted by Caroline Strittmatter , Snohomish, Washington | Jul 24, 2008

  Snohomish County Realtors is holding county wide open house that day, I am so disappointed I cannot attend. What a creative, fun idea. Best of luck. Caroline Strittmatter
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  Posted by Tonya Kirkland, Mill Creek, Washington | Jul 25, 2008

  Have a great time! I hope you will do it again.....I would love to attend. It was so nice to meet you :)

  Your Real Estate Specialist
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 25, 2008

  Tonya ~ you, too! Seeing you have a fabulous wedding celebration!

  Kind Regards, Jane
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  Posted by Denise Marinacci, Edmonds, Washington | Jul 25, 2008

  Sorry to cancel my RSVP but I have a conflict...darn family can get in the way of business. :)

  Have a great time.

  Denise
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 25, 2008

  Denise ~

  If it makes a difference...remember family and friends welcome ~

  Jane
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  Posted by Pamela Ziemann, Bellevue, Washington | Jul 26, 2008

  So sorry to have to cancel. My plate is just too full to put one more helping on. Catch you next time. Have fun....

  Energetic Speaking Coach in Bellevue & Seattle
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  Posted by Denise Beck, Seattle, Washington | Jul 26, 2008

  Jane I forgot I had another commitment today. I am still going to try and come, but just wanted to let you know there is a high chance I can't make it.
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  Posted by Mimi Pettibone, Seattle, Washington | Jul 26, 2008

  I'm recovering from an intense week of working on a commercial shoot. I was so looking forward to this but may not make it at this point. Hopefully next time!
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  Posted by Lynn Colwell, Renton, Washington | Jul 27, 2008

  Those of you who missed this event are very unfortunate. The house is incredible, the story of how it came to be, more so. The warmth of the hosts helped us to know we were in a very special place with very special people. My daughter and I very much enjoyed meeting those who attended.

  THANK YOU Jane and Jack.

  Lynn
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 27, 2008

  Lynn ~ Just now got it...thank you both for being here! What a great time we had. Looking forward to getting to know you both better! And what a wonderful GREEN project/vision. We will see it going well, and want to hear more of its evolution. Remember Biznik's Author's RoundTable...I think could be very helpful.

  You're most welcome ~ Jane and Jack
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  Posted by Jane Bakken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 27, 2008

  Thank you to all those of you for coming to this event...we both agree...the funnest time we've ever had yet with Bizniks! To hear of your dreams, your journeys, your passions, what you all are bringing to life... fabulous! And to meet your friends and family members was such a bonus. Budy's son, Bryan, age 16, honored us with a song from his last production of The King and I and it was wonderful!

  We appreciate all those who RSVP'd even if you couldn't make it...thank you, and we missed you.

  We have observed an interesting behaviour that we find odd in a business/professional group, over the past 6 months, and felt a need to make a general comment.

  There were four individuals who did not RSVP call/e-mail their cancellation. This seems to be part of a larger trend...others hve mentioned to us, 'Well, that's just what Bizniks do...no shows...with no communication."

  It seems that "RSVP" with many Bizniks carries little credence. Over our professional years, we've noticed that when others carry little respect for the time/energies/monies of others in simple scenarios, it carries over into their business practice. If a client used your time/energy/gas...didn't bother to call or show up, excepting an emergency, chances are you would choose to invest your time with other clients, especially if it occurred more than once.

  We've decided that the simplest thing to do is to request that if you have a tendency to RSVP, and not show with no communication, please refrain from signing up for any of our events hosted by Jane Bakken, or Jack Fecker. That would give us more of a choice with regard to our time/monies/energy~ thank you.

  We've also thought it wise not to refer any of our other connections to these individuals' businesses, in that we've found through the years that this lack of respect for another's time/money/energies carries over into business practices.

  When we had invited had folks to meet Biznik network, it was interesting to note their observations of more than half cancellations the day of as 'unprofessional'. We are not including those obvious emergencies who also notified us. Others mentioned that well, this is just what Biznik folks do...RSVP really doesn't mean much.

  This has not been part of our professional etiquette, and while there is no need to belabor the point, we felt a need to speak to the issue. Before now, since we were new to Biznik, we thought it was just a passing trend. It appears, not so.

  Thank you again for all who those who attended ~ It was a great day!

  Jane Bakken and Jack Fecker
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  Posted by Terra Vita, Seattle, Washington | Jul 27, 2008

  Yes, lucky us who attended. It was a great time in a beautiful setting. The house is astounding and the company was great. Everyone who showed up was wonderful, really there was a lot of synergy in the rooms as we moved from one great space to another.

  Jane and Jack are thoughtful hosts who are very accomodating and warm. Jane and Budy's son performed for us and it was the finale for a really perfect evening.

  Lynn used the word special and it is the perfect descriptor of the event.
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  Posted by Hsuan-Hua Chang, PCC, MS, Seattle, Washington | Jul 28, 2008

  Jane and Jack,

  Thank you so much to open your home to us and connect us by the spirit of sharing life stories. You are such a gifted couple. Your energy and generosity are greatly appreciated. We had lots of fun!
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  Posted by Budy Djunaedi, Bellevue | Jul 28, 2008

  For those of you who missed it, you really missed a good time and a chance to enjoy a fine home in a beautiful and peaceful setting. The entrance foyer is incredible and to hear Jane sing in that foyer was a real treat! Just hope that Jane and Jack will open their home again for us to enjoy. Thanks again Jane and Jack!