The Washington News Council’s annual Gridiron West Dinner will be held on Friday, Nov. 12, at The Conference Center, Convention Place, Seattle.

This year’s gala is a “Toast/Roast” of five former Seattle Mayors: Wes Uhlman, Charles Royer, Norm Rice, Paul Schell and Greg Nickels. Current Mayor Mike McGinn will be there to introduce his predecessors.  “Toasters” will include Joni Balter, Suzie Burke, John Carlson, Jan Drago, Jane Hague, Anne Levinson, Bill Stafford, Don Stark, and others.

The WNC’s event is always a fun-filled evening of tweaks and tributes, comedy and song, videos and old photos, plus a mini-auction and some great raffle items. Attendees who sign up for the WNC’s online community at check-in will get a free raffle ticket ($5 value).

This year’s theme is “Wizard of Oz” and “The Emerald City,” and will include music from the Cabaret Productions singers. Mike Egan of Microsoft will Emcee the event again, and may appear as Dorothy and/or Toto.

More details are at http://wanewscouncil.org/2010-gridiron-dinner/. WNC President John Hamer is offering JTM participants a special discount on tickets. If you want to go, call him directly at 206.262.9793. You must buy tickets in advance by check, Visa or MasterCard.

This event is a fund-raiser for the WNC, and every dollar raised will be matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through a “challenge grant” — but only IF the Council reaches its target of $100,000 in 2010. The WNC is a 501c3 non-profit organization, so all contributions are tax-deductible (minus the $50 cost of the dinner/wine).