Seattle, WA

Now that we’re through the holidays it’s time to look to the New Year. If you’re like me, you’ve been so busy that you’ve failed to make plans to ring in the new year. Here are a few things happening in the Emerald City:

SkyCity New Year’s at the Needle
400 Broad St
Seattle, WA 98109
SkyCity Party: $250 (tax, gratuity and parking included)
Observation Deck Party: $125 (tax and gratuity included - parking is additional $25)
For reservations or more information, please call 206.905.2100 or 800.937.9582.

I just love the Space Needle and few things make me happier than seeing the city lit up at night. The Space Needle is THE place to celebrate the arrival of 2008 as the 605-foot Landmark once again displays Seattle ’s traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks show! Join us for a sumptuous six-course dinner at SkyCity at the Needle or get down on the Observation Deck to the funky tunes of Grüvbox. The SkyCity and Observation Deck parties also include admission to the elegant SkyLine Lounge where you can chill, relax and nosh while tapping your toes to live jazz.

Maximilien in the Market
81A Pike St
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 682-7270
$79 per person

It’s Paris, circa WWII….
You are on a cobblestone street, stepping into a concert hall. You hear Music, French cafe-concert music. A striking quartet of vocals, violin, accordion, and guitar. A beautiful chanteuse, riveting movement. Live French cabaret and a five-course traditional menu set the stage for a star-quality night at this clandestine Market spot. Maximilien offers themed dinners with unique cuisine at quite reasonable prices.

New Year’s Eve At Laughs Comedy Spot!
12099 124th Ave. NE
Kirkland, WA 98034
Phone: (425) 823-6306
$25 pre-paid by Dec. 30th through TICKETWEB
$30 per person at the door includes a champagne toast and party favor
$30 per person for dinner and dessert. $55 for two
Call to make dinner reservations.
$89 Hotel packages available at the Courtyard Marriott Kirkland
Limousine packages available through Emerald City Limousine

Bob Zany performs at this Kirkland comedy club. If you’re looking to laugh your way into the new year, this may be your event!

Family Oriented New Year’s Activities:

First Night Tacoma
Downtown Tacoma
$7 Before the event.
$8 Day of.
Children 7 and under free!

Ring in the New Year, Pirate-Style! Buccaneers of all ages, bring your pirate charm downtown for a spirited evening of family-friendly entertainment. The night culminates with a festive countdown to midnight and a celebratory welcome into 2008. Tacoma never shines more brightly than it does on First Night! First Night Tacoma-Pierce County is a community–and family–oriented, alcohol-free, celebration of the arts. So we invite you, buccaneers young and old alike, to join–and in some cases join in–the multiple, simultaneous and continuous performances of music, dance, song, storytelling, theater, film and multi-media presentations. It all culminates with a fireworks show at midnight, kicked off by King 5’s coolest weather guy, Rich Marriott. Ahoy!

New Year’s Eve Slumber Party
Pacific Science Center
200 Second Avenue North
Seattle, Washington 98109
Ages: 7-13
Time: 6pm-9am
Cost: $110-$150/ child
206.443.2925

Kids can count down the final hours of 2007 at the Science Center’s first New Year’s Even Slumber Party. The overnight event includes fiery hydrogen balloon explosions, delicious nitrogen ice cream demonstrations, rocket building, and other activities - and party-goers have an incomparable view of the midnight fireworks show at the Space Needle. Children must be in grades two through eight. Advance registration is required; register by phone or at the website.

For a more comprehensive listing, check out CitySearch.

If your child has a birthday coming up, be sure to check out Lynn’s post on a cool Thunderbird’s b’day package!

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This is the last weekend for some of these Holiday activities so catch them if you can!

What: Camp 6 Santa Train
When: December 1-23rd, Saturdays and Sundays only, departures every 30 minutes from 10 am to 4 pm.
Where: Camp 6 is located in the City of Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park
$$$: $1.00 per rider ages 3 to 99. Under 3 and over 99 ride free.
Visit with Santa on an authentic logging train, then warm up with hot cocoa, cider and cookies. Santa visits with every child on the train which can take some time and train is open-sided and not heated, so bundle up well.

What: Mount Rainier Scenic RR Snowball Express
When: December 22-23, Saturdays and Sundays the first 4 weekends of December
Departures at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm (* 12/23 will offer 10:30 AM run only)
Where: 349 Mineral Creek Rd, Mineral, WA, 98355
$$$: Call for fares - 888-STEAM11

What: Fantasy Lights
When: Operating every night including Christmas and New Years Eve, from November 22nd to December 31st.
Where: Spanaway Park
$$$: $13 per car/van
Pierce County Parks and Recreation is pleased to present the 13th annual “Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park” the largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest, featuring nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of spakling lights. The beautiful two-mile drive along Spanaway Lake has become a memorable lakeside tradition for the entire family. Operating every night including Christmas and New Years Eve, from November 22nd to December 31st.

What: Zoo Lights
When: Zoolights is open 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 24 through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 4-6, and Dec. 24-25).
Where: Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma
$$$: Advance tickets: $5.00, Night of show tickets, Monday-Thursday: $5.00, Night of show tickets, Friday-Sunday: $7.00, Children ages 2 and under are admitted free
Enjoy the 20th annual Zoolights and make special family memories with a winter stroll through the brilliantly lit Zoo. Enjoy animal encounters, live entertainment, snacks, carousel rides, a 10 percent discount at Plaza Gifts, and fun family photos.

What: Issaquah Reindeer Festival
When: 12/1-12/23: Daily, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 S.E. 54th St., Issaquah
$$$: $10.50 Adults (13-61), $9.50 Seniors (62+), $8.00 Children (2-12), Under 2: Free
Meet Santa’s reindeer team, sit in his sleigh and have your picture taken.

What: Winterfest
When: November 23 – January 6
Where: Seattle Center
$$$: Free and low cost activities
For six glorious weeks, the season comes alive with world-class entertainment, cutting-edge performers and cherished reminders of the past. From November 23 – December 31, Seattle Center Winterfest offers dozens of FREE and low-cost events, performances and activities that will stir your soul and energize your spirit. Traditional favorites are back, including the Ice Rink, Winter Train and Village and Classic Carousel. Since they’re open throughout Winterfest, it’s easy to have a great time every day of the week!

What: Garden d’Lights
When: 11/24-12/31: 5-9:30 p.m.
Where: Bellevue Botanical Garden
$$$: Free, donations encouraged.
Thousands of tiny twinkling lights will transform Bellevue Botanical Garden into a fantasyland of flowers every evening during the annual Garden d’Lights festival from November 24th through December 31. Inspired by plants found in Northwest gardens, hundreds of volunteers bundle strings of commercial grade outdoor lights into three dimensional flowers, shrubs, vines, and critters. In November, these creations are ‘planted’ in the Botanical Garden and, with a flip of a switch, this unique holiday garden blooms every evening from 5:00-9:30 pm.

If you’ve been a total slacker and haven’t got your tree yet, check out the local tree farms and get on it!

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What: Wright Spirit Holiday Celebration
When: 10am-5pm, Saturday, Dec. 15th
Where: Museum of Flight, 206.764.5720
$$$: Free with paid admission
Santa arrives at the museum via helicopter (10am) and greets children in the Great Gallery (10:30am-12:30pm & 1pm-2pm) and the Seattle Lutheran Bell Choir plays traditional and contemporary holiday melodies (11am).

What: Bonfire at Seattle Center
When: 5pm-7pm, Saturday, Dec 15th
Where: Seattle Center
$$$: Free
Get cozy by a crackling bonfire and enjoy seasonal music on the South Fountain Lawn at a new, low-key Winterfest event.

What: Kwanzaa Presentation
When: 5pm-7:30pm, Saturday, Dec. 15th
Where: Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA, 206.322.6969
$$$: Free
Local students and artists perform music and offer a presentation on the seven themes of Kwanzaa. Traditional cuisine is served.

What: La Pena Flamenca de Seattle
When: 12/15/07-12/16/07, 8pm
Where: Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE (corner of 40th St), 206.932.4067
$$$: $16.00 In Advance, $20.00 At the Door, ($12.00 for seniors & children under 12)
Celebrate holiday and Spanish culture at a performance featuring holiday-themed flamenco music and dance, Spanish Christmas music, and Sephardic Hanukkah songs. On site parking.

What: Center for Wooden Boats Holiday Open House
When: 12/15/07-12/16/07, Noon - 4:00 p.m.
Where: The CWB Boathouse, 1010 Valley Street, Seattle, 206.382.2628
$$$: Free
The Center for Wooden Boats hosts a holiday celebration featuring boat rides (12n-2pm), canoe carving, holiday craft-making, live music, seafaring stories told aboard the water taxis, interpretive displays, walking tours of the lake (Sat 1pm, 2:30pm, & 4pm), public paddles aboard a 36-foot dragon boat (Sun 3pm), and refreshments.

What: Santarchy & Santacon
When: Saturday, December 15
Where: Starts at noon at the Blue Star Cafe in Wallingford.
$$$: Bring $5 to ride the Santa bus(es) from the U-District to Georgetown. Your $5 gets you a collectible laminated bus pass, which features convenient taxicab phone numbers, for the long, vomitous ride home.
Santa stumbles and weaves his way through the many fine establishments along 45th to the U-District’s fabulous Hotel Deca, then boards chartered (burner) buses to Georgetown. More details below!

In the mood for a roadtrip? Try one of these on for size:

What: 12Ks of Christmas
When: Sunday, Dec 16th
Where: Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza, Kirkland
$$$: 12K $35-$40; 5K $25-$30
Marina Park hosts a holiday-themed run, including a 12K or 5K run/walk, a free kids’ dash for children ages 10 and under, food, music, and a holiday costume contest. Check the website for locations to register in advance or register on the day of the event. Free long sleeved shirt for registrants.

What: Olympic Art Festival
When: 10-6pm, Saturday, December 15th
Where: 40 Washington St/ Hwy 101, Quilcene WA, 98376
$$$: Free
Kristi Boddy and Holli Hilt: Demonstrating Fused Glass Lisa Baack: Acrylic and Oil fish and herons on canvas Charlie Brown: Hand forged home decor, gates, and railings Art Domer: Metal Mountains and Fish Terry Foltz: Scrollsawing Nature Scenes Shirley Smith-Moore: Goddess Jewelry Clark Mundy: Sculpting Cooper Fish Beverley Nelson: Nature in Oils Jim Roberts: Sculpting Dancing Bears Patricia Taynton: Photorealistic Watercolor Bruce and Peggy Walden: Walden Designs Stained Glass

What: Starlight Lantern Parade
When: 6pm Saturday, December 15th
Where: Front Street Park, Town Center, Leavenworth, Wa
$$$: Free
Make or buy your Bavarian lanterns and gather at the gazebo in Front Street Park at 6:00pm and proceed to the Nazarene Church for a performance of the Living Nativity.

What: Alternative Gift Fair
When: Noon to 4 pm, Saturday, December 15th
Where: Community Unitarian Universalist Church, 2819 W. Sylvester Street in Pasco, Washington.
$$$: Free
Do you want to gifts that reflect the true spirit of the holiday season? At the Alternative Gift Fair, you can donate to local, national, and international non-profit organizations with established track records of helping people, pets, and the environment. You will receive hand-lettered holiday cards featuring local artists describing the gifts you have made in the names of your friends and family.

Want to cut your own Christmas Tree? Check out my list of Christmas Tree Farms.

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One of the greatest things about being a writer is the opportunities it provides to meet people you might otherwise never meet. While conducting research on local Christmas tree farms I wrote to Donna of Donna’s Trees to confirm information about her tree farm. Donna provided me with updated information and one day, when she had a bit of time on her hands, she wrote me a more personal note and suddenly there was a connection. Here was someone that had taken the time to tell me the story behind her trees and that, my friends, is a gift in and of itself.

The story Donna had to tell was about a family who got away from the rat race by purchasing land and planting Christmas trees. It’s a story about a family who raised a fine young man who would go on to attend the University of Washington and later become a Chaplain in the Army, serving all over the world, including Iraq. This is a story of a family who built a business and still manages to give back to their community.

Donna’s husband, Ray, worked in real estate and although he was good at his job, it was stressful and he dreamed of a job working in the great outdoors. They began by purchasing land. Three lots adjacent to their home and two lots on Lake Geneva. Together, Donna and Ray cleared the land and began planting seedlings. “Little did we know the time it takes to grow a Christmas Tree.” Sometimes it’s better not to know what you’ll be facing, though, else you might give up before you reach your dreams. Donna and Ray pressed on and bought more land off Highway 18 on the mountain side near I-90 and planted more seedlings. Some years successful and “some not so much”. There are bugs to contend with and snow and deer and elk and wind and the list goes on and on. Their son worked on the farm for many years and misses it enough that last Christmas he flew home just to help out. “Some of our customers think, and say, `Oh, this must be fun.’ Well yes, in a sense but in order to make it fun for them, we have a lot to do.”

“This is a great year for the trees”, she wrote me. Donna hires local boys and girls to work for them and it’s often their first job, many of them going on to college and specialty training. I can feel the pride in her words as she tells me, “Two are electrical engineers, and one is training to be a Chef, and another is a football player in one of our colleges over the mountains.” This year, she tells me, “we have a darling girl, MacKensie, who is back with us for the second year.”

As it turns out, Donna’s son, the Chaplain, is stationed near me here in Texas. What an incredible coincidence! If Donna hadn’t taken the time to tell me about her life and her son, I’d never have known that he’s stationed right here at Ft. Hood! Little did Donna know that at the same time she was writing me, I was in my kitchen baking up a plethora of cookies to send to the troops in Iraq. Meanwhile the Chaplain is taking classes that will enable him to give greater assistance to soldiers returning from the war and my friend, Ingrid, is working with another friend to establish a non-profit group working to do the very same thing!

It’s stories like these that make the world seems smaller and make us all feel more connected. I believe that is the spirit of Christmas working up a little holiday magic.

---

DONNA’S TREES
4421 - S. 348th Place, Just Off Military Road Located in Lake Geneva Estates, Auburn, WA 98001.
Phone: 253-927-1911
Email: Donna1952_1@Juno.com
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays only in December, from 9:30 to 4 PM until sold out.

An approximate acre of nice trees to choose from - various heights. Not sold by the foot and tax included in the price. Some trees tagged higher or lower in price. Arrangements can be made by calling for an appointment on other days: 253-927-1911. Payment: Cash, Check. Please No Dogs or chain saws. We provide your tie and hand saws. Head-in parking. Easy access to all trees. Free holly and bay leaf branches with purchase of your tree. Nice view of Lake Geneva. Warm cider and candy canes free. Children cannot carry or use saws. Sorry, no public restroom facilities. Our prices include the tax! Donna recommends you bring an umbrella in case it rains!

DIRECTIONS:
Just off Military Road, between Federal Way and Auburn. Take South 352nd and follow signs through Lake Geneva Estates to cul-de-sac street end.

TYPES OF TREES:
Nobles, Fraziers, Grands, Douglas and Turkish Firs.

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C3, Carbon Conscious Consumer, wants you to take the plunge and take the pledge. The pledge to give bags the bag and take your own re-usable one, that is.

C3 is a national climate campaign sponsored by the Center for a New American Dream that challenges individuals to establish climate-friendly daily habits and inspire their friends to do the same. Participants who most creatively and effectively spread the word will win prizes.

Did you know that simply by using a reusable bag you can cut your carbon imprint? You’ll also begin to make a dent in the waste and pollution that sees 12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees wasted each year to make plastic and paper bags.

Most plastic bags are made from polyethylene, which is made from crude oil and natural gas, nonrenewable resources. This increases our dependency on foreign suppliers. Additionally, prospecting and drilling for these resources contributes to the destruction of fragile habitats and ecosystems around the world.

So this December we’re asking you to do something simple to make a difference—just Bring Your Own Bag when you go shopping. Take the Carbon Conscious Consumer pledge, keep the ecosystem clean and healthy and you’ll also get a chance at a terrific prize!

Each month from July to December, Carbon Conscious Consumer has highlighted a new, simple way each individual can make an impact, plus show the difference each person makes both individually and along with the people they’ve influenced; prizes go to participants who influence the most new pledges.

During December, make a conscious choice to Bring Your Own Bag. In addition to benefiting the environment, participants will have a chance to win a $5000 prize package from Brighter Planet. Visit the website now to get started.

Sandra over at Globally Green Living, has some links to some fun bags!

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What: Snowflake Fun-Fest
When: 6pm-8:30pm, Friday, Dec. 7th
Where: Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave NE, 98115
$$$: $3
The community center hosts an evening of carnival games, songs, crafts, and jolly good fun. 206.684.7534

What: Bothell Winterfest
When: 12 - 7 - 2007, 5: 30 pm to 7: 30 pm
Where: Park at Bothell Landing - 9929 NE 180th St, Bothell
$$$: Free
A Bothell family tradition. Come see the arrival of Santa and the lighting of the community tree at the Park at Bothell Landing on Friday, December 7. Tractor rides through the park begin at 5:30 pm with arrival of Santa at 6:30 pm. Parents are encouraged to bring their camera to take photos of their children with Santa. This is a free event sponsored by City of Bothell Parks and Recreation.

What: Holiday Magic
When: 3pm-7pm, Friday, Dec. 7th
Where: Queen Anne Hill
$$$: Free
Families are invited for an evening of holiday festivities on top of Queen Anne Hill, including a petting zoo, puppet theatre, live music, and costumed characters. The event takes place on Queen Anne Avenue between McGraw and Galer Streets.

What: Community Christmas Celebration
When: 4pm-9pm, Friday, Dec. 7th
Where: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 14020 Ambaum Boulevard SW, Burien.
$$$: Free
The “Christmas Around the World” event features instrumental and vocal performances, a carol sing-along (8pm), and displays of hundreds of nativity scenes from around the world.

What: Freemont Lenin Lighting
When: 5pm-6pm, Friday, Dec. 7th
Where: Lenin Square, Evanston Avenue N and N 36th Street in Seattle
$$$: Free
It’s holiday time at the Center of the Universe! Fremont lights up its massive statue of Vladimir Lenin, complete with a big red star above his head. Families can enjoy live music and hot cider while taking in this most curious holiday sight. The event is held at

What: Christmas Ship
When: 12/8 Lowman Beach 8:45 – 9:15 p.m
Where: Lowman Beach Park
$$$: Free
Join South Park Community Center and Southwest Community Center at Lowman Beach for a bonfire (weather permitting), cookies, hot chocolate and cider, and music from the Christmas Ship. 206.684.7438

What: Merry-Time on the Waterfront
When: December 8, 12pm – 3pm
Where: Seattle Aquarium
$$$: Free with paid admission
This is the second year for Merry-Time on the Waterfront where visitors can experience a seafaring holiday celebration between Pier 52 and the Olympic Sculpture Park. Enjoy craft activities and special shopping and dining deals all along the waterfront. At the Aquarium kids can make recycled holiday gift cards 9:30am – 3pm and everyone can enjoy the Sound Quartet (youth symphony string quartet) from 2pm-3pm.

What: North Pole Party
When: 12/08, 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Where: Seattle’s Imagine Children’s Museum
$$$: Free with paid admission
Special guests at the North Pole Party include Rudolph’s Live Reindeer Buddies, the North Pole Music Makers, and you-know-who. Kids can also enjoy Frosty’s glide skating, Kringle’s candy kitchen, Mr. Chimney’s roasted chestnuts, gingerbread house construction, and a mysterious “polar surprise” from 4pm-5:30pm.

What: Dickens Festival
When: Dec. 8th, 11am-5pm
Where: Stadium Historical District, Tacoma
$$$: Free
Families can enjoy free horse and carriage rides, live entertainment on four stages (at King’s Books, First Presbyterian Church, Titus, and Tacoma Little Theatre), and photos with St. Nick in Tacoma’s Stadium Historical District.

What: Shaarei Tikvah: Gates of Hope
When: 2-4pm, Sunday, 9 Dec.
Where: Temple B’nai Torah, 15727 NE Fourth Street, Bellevue. 206.461.3240, ext 8784
$$$: Free
Jewish Family Service hosts a nondenominational Hanukkah service open to all, including people with developmental disabilities and mental illness. Families can enjoy singing, dreidel spinning, and latkes. Advance registration is encouraged; contact Adam by phone or email to register.

What: Macy’s Annual Brunch with Santa
When: Sunday, 9 Dec.
Where: Macy’s Downtown Seattle, Stewart Street Room
$$$: Adults (12 & over) $17.50; Children (11 & under) $15.50
Brunch with Santa at Macy’s in Downtown Seattle is a local tradition. Meet and greet Santa, enjoy breakfast, and check out Cabaret Productions’ The Year Santa Slept In. Call for reservations. 206.506.4FUN
*$2.25 from each ticket benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.
**Seating is at tables of ten and is in order of the date and time reservation is placed.

What: Macy’s CookieFest 2007
When: Saturday, December 8, 10 am, 10:30 am, 11 am, 11:30 am, 12 pm
Where: Downtown Seattle Macy’s, 3rd Floor, Stewart Street Room
$$$:
Sprinkle some joy this holiday with sugar and spice and everything nice at CookieFest. Seattle’s best bakeries, restaurants, caterers, hotels and culinary schools serve up goodies and treats. All proceeds benefit family-assistance programs supported by the Seattle Milk Fund.

Cookies are 85¢ each or $8.50 a dozen*. Plus, kids can decorate their own cookie for $2 each at Cookie Corner.
Questions? Give us a jingle at (206) 506-4FUN.

*While supplies last. Maximum purchase per timed ticket entry is 4 dozen cookies.
**150 customers per time slot.

What: Children’s Christmas in Scandinavia
When: Sunday, December 9, 1pm-2pm
Where: Nordic Heritage Museum, Ballard
$$$: Free with paid admission
Scandinavian Christmas crafts (1pm-2pm), a Santa Lucia pageant, singing and dancing, and a visit from Santa Claus. Advance reservations are not required. 206.789.5707

What: Gingerbread House Decorating
When: Sunday, Dec. 9th, 5:30pm
Where: Capers, 4521 California Avenue SW, Seattle.
$$$: $25
Children accompanied by an adult can decorate a pre-built gingerbread house. Advance registration is required; call to register. The event is held at

Think Christmas is bad for the environment? Check out Globally Green Living and learn how you can win $5000 and help the environment.

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