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

Wondering what's open/closed today?

Maybe it's this lovely winter-like weather we're currently having, but it seems like there are more people opting to stay in town this Memorial Day weekend instead hitting the open road.

In case you're wondering what's going to be open today, The Seattle Times has a great list of City and public transportation services closure information, here.

Memorial Day special at Blue C Sushi

According to Daniel over on the Eat Bellevue website, Blue C Sushi is honoring all those who have served our country with a Memorial Day special.  Spend $15 or more on your meal and receive a free dark blue plate option, such as: V-8 Roll, Sea Urchin, Yellowtail Nigiri, Spider Roll, Eel & Cucumber Roll, Las Vegas Roll, Salmon Albacore, Tuna, Octopus, Mackerel, or Seared Tuna.

Print out this coupon to get the free plate:

The closest Blue C is in the University Village; hours are 11am - 9pm. If you aren't in the neighborhood then check out Daniel's list of all restaurant locations in the Seattle area.

Easter Egg Hunts and More This Weekend

For those in need of some last minute Easter ideas for the kiddies, here is a list of the big Easter egg hunts and other holiday happenings this weekend in NE Seattle:

The Seattle Parks Dept. is holding "Spring Egg Hunts" all across the city this Saturday at 10am. Best of all, the cost is free! NE Seattle locations include:

• Meadowbrook Community Center (Nathan Hale track - 10750 30th Ave NE)
• Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center (6335 Ravenna Ave NE)
• Laurelhurst Community Center (4554 NE 41st) 

St. Patrick's Day in NE Seattle

It's almost time to drink in celebration of your Irish ancestry (or at least pretend to) because everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day.  Skip heading downtown to the massive crowds; instead raise a pint at one of these neighborhood bars:

Fiddler's Inn

9219 35th Ave NE (Wedgwood)
St. Patrick's Day at the Fid is being celebrated by pints of green beer and bowls of beef stew all night long.

Finn MacCools

4217 University Way NE (U District)
Finn's will be loaded with free St. Paddy's Day swag to give out and serving up the traditional corned beef and cabbage for their food special.  They'll be charging a small cover between 5-7pm to cover the cost of live bands playing all night long.

Galway Arms

5257 University Way NE (U District)
Galway Arms caters mostly to the Punk scene but with a name like that, they've got to be serving up a few Irish drink specials for the holidays.

Roosevelt Alehouse
8824 Roosevelt Way NE (Maple Leaf)
The Ralehouse is serving up corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, Shepard's pie and really loud music all night long.

And if drinking isn't your favorite way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, then head over to Trophy Cupcakes and eat a few of their Chocolate Guinness Stout cupcakes with Bailey's Buttercream frosting.

Know of any events or bars celebrating the luck of Irish tomorrow? Email me at northesea@gmail.com and I'll add them to the list.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spiros2004/ / CC BY 2.0

Passage Through to a New Year

As cliched as it is, I love the feeling of starting fresh on New Year's Day.  Resolutions or not, it's the perfect time to let go of things that didn't go right in the past year and optimistically focus on the positivity which the future holds.

I recently stumbled onto Rebecca Dietz and Anne Viaggiano's blog, Well Done, that wonderfully exemplifies this feeling; especially in Rebecca's post about passing through the gates of 2010 with high hopes.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Photo by Linda Cronin (via Flickr)

New Years Happenings in the NE

For the last night of the year - and the end of the gluttonous holidays - here are some events happening in the NE 'hoods.  If your more interested in kicking off the new year by starting on those resolutions, I've included a few New Years Day activities as well.  Check it out and let me know if I've missed anything!


New Year's Eve Shenanigans
New Year's Eve Pre Funk Show!
Goorin Brothers hat shop is throwing the best pre-party for New Year's by having four of the hottest Seattle hip hop acts perform: Macklemore, The Physics, Geo (of Blue Scholars) and Grynch.  I hope it's a big store - I know I'll be there!
Goorin Brothers
4336 University Way
3:00 - 7:00 PM; FREE

Jet City Improv's New Years Eve 2009 Spectacular
An evening of live Jet City Improv comedy, food and drinks, satellite feeds from different time zones, party favors and prizes, champagne toast and fireworks projected on the big screen at midnight, and DJ and dancing into the night!  Catering by Casa Del Mojito (King 5s Best Latin Food in Western Washington) and dessert by The Confectional (King 5s Best Dessert in Western Washington).  This event is all ages.
Historic University Theater
5510 University Way N.E.
9:00 PM-2:00 AM; $50-80

Buckaroo Blues Band
Playing at the Little Red Hen in Greenlake for only $10.  The cover includes party favors and midnight champagne toast.
Little Red Hen
7115 Woodlawn Ave. N.E.
9:00 PM-2:00 AM; 21 and Over

Merry Christmas Seattle

From everyone at our house, Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Ships at Magnuson Park Tonight

The Christmas Ships are motoring over to Magnuson Park tonight.  Performing live and amplified for all to hear, whether you like it or not, will be the Choir of the Sound on the Argosy boat.  The Magnuson Community Center will be generously providing refreshments and music, as well as the traditional Christmas ship bonfire to keep you warm while watching.  I don't know what they are like now, but when I was kid the fires were HUGE.

The ships will be at the beach from 8:50 - 9:10pm, but the celebration lasts all the way until 9:50pm!

Weekend Holiday Happenings: Dec. 18-20

It's the last weekend before Christmas so I know everyone is going to be doing one thing - shopping.  Okay, maybe that's just me.  (Mental note: start Christmas shopping a few weeks earlier.)  For those a little more organized, there are some great holiday events going on in NE Seattle:

Christmas Ships
There is nothing more unique to Seattle during the holidays than the Christmas ships. Watch the parade of decorated boats while listening to the Northwest Girls Choir singing from the Argosy Ship. Get there on time because they are almost always on schedule!
Matthews Beach
Saturday 12/19; 9:45-10:05 PM

University Farmer's Market
This weekend is the climactic finish of the Christmas party season.  Lots of people, including yours truly, will be celebrating with friends and family and what better place to get amazing local produce/veggies and other yummy food than the largest farmer's market in Seattle.  Go buy a pie and save your baking time for drinking hot buttered rums.
University Heights Center
University Way NE & NE 50th Street
Saturday, 12/19: 9:00 AM-2:00 PM; FREE

Weekend Holiday Happenings: Dec. 11-13

Despite all the commercialism and just plain stress of the holidays, I love Christmas.  I listen to horribly awesome Christmas music, decorate my entire house like Clark Griswold and have to drive down Candy Cane Lane at least twice for sentimental reasons.

In an attempt to share my holiday madness, I've compiled a list of events happening this weekend in Northeast Seattle:

Arts and Crafts Aplenty

Laurelhurst Holiday Art Sale
Check out artwork by local artists, send the kiddies over to do some crafts, roast marshmallows and stroll down the Luminaria Walk in Laurelhurst Park.
Laurelhurst Community Center
4554 NE 41st Street
Friday, 12/11: 1:00 – 8:30 PM (marshmallows are only from 6-8 PM)
Saturday, 12/12: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM; FREE

Holiday Wreath Making Workshop
Staff from Magnuson Community Center will show you how to make holiday wreaths with greens from Magnuson Park. As someone who is not remotely crafty but does make a wreath every year, I can attest that it's easy and so much fun!
Magnuson Community Center - Windermere Room
7110 62nd Avenue NE
Friday, 12/11: 5:00 - 8:00 PM; $12 per wreath