Weekend Holiday Happenings: Dec 4-6

Here at Northeast Seattle Life, we are big fans of Christmas and the winter holidays in general. With Hannukah already in full swing and neighborhood craft fairs galore, here are a few events happening in our area:

Laurelhurst Holiday Art Sale and Winter Festival
It's day two of this festival which includes art by local artists and plenty of holiday craft-making for kids. Santa plans to make a visit from 11a.m.-noon.
Laurelhurst Community Center
4554 NE 41st Street
Saturday, 12/4: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; FREE

Ravenna Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale
Now in its third year, the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center sale has an array of local crafts from jewelry and candles to to hand-woven goods, as well as a bake sale benefitting the center's teen program. For more information, read the Ravenna Blog post about the event.
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
6535 Ravenna Ave. N.E.
Saturday, 12/4: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; FREE

Lifetime Learning Center Holiday Faire
Located in John Marshall High School, this holiday celebration includes a book and bake sale, musical performances and silent auctions; all in support of this nonprofit education institution for older adults.
John Marshall High School
520 N.E. Ravenna Blvd.
Saturday, 12/4: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; FREE

Waldorf School Winter Faire
More local gift shopping and holiday craft-making for kids at the Waldorf School in Meadowbrook. If it's anything like their summer farmers market, there is sure to be some great treats.
Waldorf Grade School Campus
Second Floor, Huckleberry Hall
2728 NE 100th Street 
Sunday, 12/45: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; FREE

Children’s Home Society of Washington's Red Stocking Run & Walk
For those looking for an athletic way to celebrate the holidays, there is a 5K run/walk and 1K Kids Dash at Magnuson Park on Sunday. The cost of the run is $35 on the day of race with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Home Society of Washington. Festive attire and red socks strongly encouraged. The event also includes the very unique Fruitcake Toss and Hot Chocolate Garden. For more details go to: www.redstocking.org.
Warren G. Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NE
Sunday, 12/5: 9:00 – 11:00 AM; race registration starts at 8:00 AM

Menorah Lighting Ceremony
The annual menorah lighting at the University Village takes place this Monday at 6pm. Celebrate the festival of lights with klezmer music, dancing, and dreidels and gelt for children. Ceremony takes place near Mrs. Cooks.
University Village
2623 NE University Village Street
Monday, 12/6: 6:00 PM

My rhodie report - SNOW!

It's not much snow but I'll take it!

Snow resources:

• Cliff Mass Weather Blog: http://cliffmass.blogspot.com
• Metro Bus snow information: www.kingcounty.gov/metro/snow

Buy a latte today and feed the homeless this Thanksgiving

Today only - Cafe Lati will be donating all sales (and tips!) to the Lake City Food Bank. Located across the street from Nathan Hale High School, this small coffee shop is a great example of locally-owned businesses giving back to the community. Yesterday they posted this on their Facebook page:

The Food Bank had to refuse many families during last thanksgiving due to limited budget. We'll donate our time, sales, and tips, but we can't do much without you. We would love if you stopped by and purchased a cup of coffee tomorrow. Feel free to share this message. Seri, Maria, and I really hope to see you on Sunday!

So even though there is talk of snow, venture over to to Cafe Lati (11003 35th Ave NE ) for your cup of coffee and help others get a Thanksgiving meal at the same time.

Sample Restaurant Week before it ends Thursday

Some of you may remember my excitement about the inaugural Restaurant Week earlier this year, despite the fact that only one Northeast Seattle restaurant was participating.

Well, with it's second go round Restaurant Week is bigger than ever and offering many more restaurants in our neck of the woods. If you haven't had a chance to check out the 3-course dinner for $25 deal, better hurry! The promotion finishes on Thursday night (10/28).

Try one of the five Northeast restaurants participating:

• Frank's Oyster House and Champagne Parlor (Ravenna)
• Pair (Ravenna)
• Sand Point Grill (Sandpoint)
• Mamma Melina (University Village)
• Piatti (University Village)

I haven't been to all of these fine establishments but if I had to choose my vote definitely goes for Pair. A small, unassuming little bistro tucked next to the Queen Mary on 30th; Pair serves up small plates with simple but delicious flavor. It's an invitingly cozy spot perfect for a rainy night.

Obama in View Ridge Today

I have to admit, I don't think I ever thought I would write those words!

President Obama is doing a "backyard chat" right now at the home of Cynthia and Erik Foss (possibly of Foss Maritime money?). For live coverage of his trip to View Ridge, follow Ravenna Blog on Twitter...right now! 

After the very intimate photo op., Obama will head over to UW at 11a.m. for a large Patty Murray rally.  Unless you got in line last night then don't bother trying to get in.

Follow every step he takes via Twitter:

Lake City Pioneer Days Festival Starts Today!

The 68th Annual Pioneer Days is here and there looks to be something for everyone. As a new Lake City resident, I'm excited to experience the festival for the very first time. I've lived in quite a few different neighborhoods in Seattle and I can't think of many others that have such a strong, and old, tradition as this one; it's pretty unique!

The celebration kicks off today (Friday) with the traditional Salmon Bake at the Lake City Community Center; from noon to 7pm. If you can't make it, don't worry, it will running the same hours on Saturday as well.

Saturday is packed full of activities, starting at 10am with the street fair, vintage car show, and continuing throughout the day with a gymnastic obstacle course for kids, pizza eating contest, and live entertainment. Another event, new to Pioneer Days this year, is a 5K fun run and a kids dash. You can sign up for the run at the starting line or pre-register online at: http://www.mc-care.org/.

Of course we can't forget the big finale to the festival, the Rotary Kiddie Parade at 6pm and the Grand Performance Parade at 7pm. Both head south on Lake City Way. For parade route information, go to the official event website: http://www.designjmg.com/download/pioneer10.pdf.

Below is a listing of all the main stage features. For detailed information, location and hours on everything happening at Pioneer Days,  check out the official program: www.designjmg.com/download/pioneer10.pdf.

Free concerts this summer at U Village

I'm a little late to the game on promoting the summer concert series at the University Village this summer but better late than never, right? It's a great chance to get out and hear some live music every Wednesday from now until August 18th for free from 6:00-8:30pm.

The next band coming up on July 28th, The Beatniks, cover rock songs from the 60's, 70's and even a dash from the 80's ($10 bucks says they cover at least one Journey song). If you want a little more disco in your cover band, try out Hit Explosion on August 18th.  It's been a few years since I've seen them perform but if they are still the same then it's guaranteed to get many a shy Seattleite out of their chairs and dancing. Outside of the cover band realm, the Village finishes out some rockabilly with The Dusty 45's August 4th and some reggae with Clinton Fearon & The Boogie Brown Band on August 18th.

For more information on the series, check out the flyer below:

SDOT wants to make big changes to 125th

Along with the Lake City express lane upgrade, SDOT has many other projects coming up; including safety improvements along NE 125th Street which could have a great impact on traffic.

They are proposing a reconfiguration of the car traffic lanes on 125th between Roosevelt Way NE and 35th Ave NE from two lanes in each to direction to one lane with a center turning lane (see diagrams below).

 Accompanying the lanes changes, the SDOT proposal is hoping to achieve the following :

• Improving pedestrian crossings

• Installing bicycle lanes on both sides of the street

• Improving major signalized intersections by creating right turn only lanes for vehicles (excluding transit and bikes)

As average speeds are in excess of posted limits, this proposal will help address the speeding problem on NE 125th St. It will also make the roadway more accommodating for vulnerable users like pedestrians and bicyclists.

What do you think about these new proposed changes? Share your opinion at the upcoming SDOT open house from 4:00-7:00pm on Monday, July 26th at the Lake City Library.  If you can't make the meeting, you can submit your comments by email to walkandbike@seattle.gov or by calling 206-684-7583.