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

Ride your bike for a good cause tonight!

For those planning on going out to dinner tonight, skip the car and ride your bike to one of 14 restaurants participating in Spoke & Food. A new event in Seattle with the goal of trying to get more residents riding their bikes instead of driving, Spoke & Food  restaurants will also be donating 15% to 20% of dining revenues to local non-profit Solid Ground's Lettuce Link program.

Two NE Seattle Restaurants, The Scarlet Tree (Roosevelt) and Fiddler's Inn (Wedgwood), will be participating. Jump on your bike and ride over to one of these tonight!

For a list of all Spoke & Food restaurants, here is a listing: http://www.viewhalloodesigns.com/spoke_restaurants.htm.

Roosevelt Man Stabbed After Interrupting Car Prowlers

The SPD blotter reported that a man was stabbed tonight after interrupting two adult males breaking into his car near the corner of NE 77th Street and 16th Avenue NE:

The vehicle’s owner, an adult male in his 40’s, interrupted the crime in progress and was subsequently attacked and stabbed by the suspects.  The suspects then fled the scene in a Ford Explorer that has been described as either gray, light blue or green.  The suspects, who remain at large, were described as white males with long hair.

The victim sustained at least two stab wounds to his lower torso.  He was treated at the scene by SFD medics and transported to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information about this incident or who may know the identities or whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call 911 or Seattle Police immediately and refer to this incident.

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

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