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

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.

Eco-Chic Expo in Ravenna Tomorrow

This Saturday is the debut of the Eco-Chic Expo at Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center (6535 Ravenna Ave NE ) from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

The Expo is billed as an interactive green lifestyle event with over 15 local companies, such as Theo’s Chocolate, Satsuma Designs,  and A Greener Kitchen, will be on hand to perform demonstrations and mini-workshops.

“Going green isn’t all about having a chicken coop and composting, although those are great ways to live sustainably! We want to share with our community that a greener life can be easy, fun, even fashionable,” said Tracy Anderson, Eco-Chic Co-founder and CEO of Tread Light Gifts.

For more information, check out the Eco-Chic blog or the flyer below:

Support Your Parks Tonight

I posted this over on Lake City Live but I think it's applies to everyone in NE Seattle so I'm posting here as well!

With the City of Seattle facing a $50 million dollar budget shortfall this year, it's highly likely the Parks and Recreation Department will have to share in the budget cuts needed to make up for the huge loss. This is just one reason why it's really important to attend the Community Open House this Wednesday, April 7th from 6:30 to 8pm at the Lake City Community Center.

Neighborhood Appreciation Day and Other Family Friendly Events

Are you one of the quiet minority silently loathing all the hoopla around Superbowl Sunday?  Good news! This weekend there are a plethora of non-football events going on in Seattle.

For those looking for some family-friendly fun, there are many activities happening at the Magnuson Community Center.  Tonight's Lunar New Year celebration, from 5-9pm, will be filled with live music, dance and games.  There will also be food from 5-7pm and the evening will finish up with an authentic Chinese Lion dance.

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