Seattle, WA

Catch these great Winterfest events at Seattle Center this weekend:

Winter Worldfest
When: Friday, Nov. 28, 1pm – 6pm
Saturday, Nov. 29, 10am – 5pm
Sunday, Nov. 30, 11am – 5pm
Where: Seattle Center, Center House
$$$: FREE

Winterfest’s cultural festival features some of the region’s best ethnic entertainment. Watch as the world comes to life in music and dance. Take in the culture or search for unique holiday gifts without leaving Center House. The Holiday World Market offers goods from Russia, China and Istanbul.

Ice Sculpting
When: Nov. 29; Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27, Saturdays, 12 noon – 2pm
Where: Seattle Center, Outside Fisher Pavilion
$$$: FREE

Artistry and ice unite in a melting moment to express the season. Watch the internationally acclaimed, award-winning artists at work as the ice creation unfolds - or stop by to see the glistening result. Each Saturday an ice master will carve a different design.

Bonfires
When: Nov. 29; Dec. 6, 13, 27
Saturdays, 5pm – 7pm
Where: Seattle Center, Outside Fisher Pavilion
$$$: FREE

Take a mid-weekend break from the seasonal frenzy and share in warmth and music around the crackling flames of a bonfire. Songsters and storytellers will lead the music as ambers illuminate the night.
Nov. 29 – Folksinging, guitar-picking, humorist Hank Cramer will lead this sing-along with a mix of original, traditional and contemporary folk holiday songs.

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Kirkland Night of Lights
When: November 29, Saturday, November 29th 2008 7:00 PM,
Where: Marina Park Lift Station - Kirkland Ave.
$$$: FREE

This is the official kick-off to the Holiday Season in the downtown core! Each year, thousands of people come down to hear festive music, enjoy the decorations and witness our beautiful 30 foot tree being lit up for the first time. Bring your family and friends down to enjoy tasty treats and cider, see a real live reindeer and hear the acapella men’s choir Northwest Sound starting at 5:00 PM. Get your photo taken with Santa at Kahili Coffee, and then follow him to the tree lighting at 7:00 PM on Kirkland Avenue by the Marina.

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North Pole Party
When: November 29, December 13, 14, and 22, 11am-4pm
Where: Imagine Children’s Museum, 1502 Wall Street, Everett, WA 98201
Phone: 425/258-1006
$$$: Free with price of admission

Seattle’s Imagine Children’s Museum throws super cool shindigs for the whole family, with a Gingerbread Village, Kris Kringle’s Kitchen, a Polar Party and more. Candy making, card designing, Santa visit and story time.

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Seattle Marathon and Half-Marathon
When: November 30
Start: 5th Avenue between Harrison and Mercer Streets, east of the Experience Music Project.
$$$: $60-120

Run the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, the Seattle Marathon & Half-Marathon has become one of the top 25 Races in the Country. The Seattle Marathon began modestly in 1970 when a group of friends from the University of Washington decided to hold their own running event. 38 runners started the first annual event, with 31 of them completing the full 26.2 miles. From these modest beginnings the Seattle Marathon Family of Events has risen to become one of the largest and most influential mass-participation runs on the West Coast, being ranked by Runners World Magazine as one of the top 20 marathons in the United States. In 1999, a Seattle Kids Marathon was added, which allows children of all ages to run a “full marathon” one mile at a time. 357 children participated the first year, and the event has grown to more than 2,500 in 2007, with over 3,000 expected in 2008. Through the years, Seattle Marathon runners have donated their money to the marathon’s designated charities.

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Decorate The Log House Museum
When: Saturday, November 29, Between 12 and 4 p.m.
Where: The Log House Museum, 3003 61st Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Phone: (206) 938-5293
$$$: Free

Come decorate the Log House Museum for the holidays! Bring an ornament to put on the tree or any other decorations you’d like to contribute. Or just come to help, meet your museum neighbors, and see the inside of the log house you’ve always been curious about. We’ll provide hot cider and cookies. The gift shop will be open, too. LHM, one block south of Alki Avenue.

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Bellevue Magic Season:

Snowflake Lane
When: Friday, November 28, 2008 - Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 7pm
Where: Bellevue Way and Northeast Eighth Street, Bellevue, WA
$$$: Free

Snow falls nightly as live toy soldiers and winter characters, music, and a dazzling light show brighten the night and warm your heart. Snowflake Lane premiers at 7 p.m., November 28, when Santa makes his grand arrival at Bellevue Square.

Garden d’Lights
Using about 500,000 tiny twinkling lights, Bellevue Botanical Garden will be transformed into a winter wonderland every evening during the annual Garden d’Lights festival from Saturday, November 29th through Saturday, January 3rd, 2009, featured in Bellevue’s annual Magic Season. 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 5:00-10:00 pm.

Hundreds of volunteers design and make new flowers for the display every year so it continues to grow. In addition to artistic interpretations of plants, the volunteer team has created several charming animal characters. The large green frog remains a favorite and will be back by his pond in the Groundcover Garden.

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Zoolights at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
When: November 28, 2008 - January 4, 2009 from 5 - 9 pm
Where: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
$$$: Tickets are $5.50 at Bartell Drugs and $7 at pdza.org and the Zoo’s front gate.

Over half a million lights illuminate the zoo, turning it into a fairy wonderland. This is a spectacular event and one of the best holiday light displays in the state. Bundle up and stroll the Zoo, enjoying animal visits, holiday shopping and more. Warm up with hot chocolate or a visit to the steamy South Pacific Aquarium.

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Seattle Symphonic Band Holiday Concert
When: Sunday, 11/30/2008, 7:30 p.m.
Where: North Seattle Community College Concert Hall / 9600 College Way N, Seattle WA
$$$: Free - $5 donation requested

The Seattle Symphonic Band presents its Holiday Concert which includes Sleigh Ride, two pieces by local composer Mark Williams, and a selection of entertaining wind symphony holiday music. Now in its 39th year, the Seattle Symphonic Band is affiliated with the Arts, Humanities and Adult Basic Education Division at North Seattle Community College. The band is comprised of volunteer musicians from throughout King County as well as students from NSCC. The band is directed by Lauren Anderson.

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If you’re a wine lover looking for something special to do over Thanksgiving then you might consider a trip to the Yakima Valley. As mentioned last month, the Rattlesnake Hills Wine trail has some fun events going on.

Cost: No charge – free admission*

When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 28 – 30, 2008

Times: 10 AM – 5 PM, with some wineries open until 6 PM (*Some wineries may charge a minimal tasting fee.)

A couple of late-breaking news flashes for Thanksgiving weekend in from Shannon Bird, Executive Director of the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail:

Paradisos del Sol: Half-off case sales of our Rosé, Paradisos Red, and Botrytis Riesling with a Rattlesnake Hills Passport!!! Doesn’t have to be a full case of each, just that they add up to at least a case (a case being 12 bottles).

Steppe Cellars: Our Tempranillo Grenache will be released this weekend. Wine club members were the first to sample this with their last wine club shipment. Tempranillo is the principal grape variety of Spain’s red wines. We have blended this with its traditional partner, Grenache (Granacha). Our Tempranillo Grenache offers aromas of blackberry, bright cherry and ripe strawberry. It is medium to full bodied and smooth on the palate, it will pair well with a variety of foods. We have only produced 28 cases of this wine and will be selling it just through the tasting room and farmer’s market.

Thanksgiving in Wine Country at Steppe Cellars includes not only wonderful food and wine but also some grapevine wreath making. Grapevine prunings will be ready for you to twist into your own wreath. We also have some German-style ornaments you may purchase to decorate your wreaths.

Be sure to look at last months post for the full listing of Thanksgiving events on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail.

After this weekend, many of the wineries will be on limited hours and some will close for the winter months (see Winter Hours below), so this is your opportunity to purchase wine for the holiday season and for gifts for those special people on your list. Find gourmet soups, savory meats in wine sauces, hand-made chocolates, special ports, and fantastic wine deals on the Trail during Thanksgiving weekend – a great way to spend time with your family and friends. All wineries on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail will be open. For a complete list, visit the web site.

While some families, like mine, enjoy cooking up a storm at the holidays, not too many of us look forward to the clean up. Some of you (*gasp*) don’t like to cook at all. To avoid the hassle of cooking and cleaning up, you might consider going out. Some of Seattle’s best restaurants will be dishing up fabulous meals that will leave your belly full and happy and your kitchen pristine. Here are a few great restaurants to choose from:

Salty’s
Redondo or Alki
Online Reservations
or call Redondo at (253) 946-0636 or Alki at (206) 937-1600
$$$ Redondo: Adults - 39.99, Kids 10-12 - 17.99, Kids 6-9 15.99, Kids under 5 - Free
$$$ Alki: Adults $54.95, Ages 9-12 $31.95 , Ages 5-8 $15.95, Under 5 free, No senior prices. Please Note: Beverages not included. ..
Menu: Buffet Style - Redondo, Alki

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13 Coins
125 Boren Avenue North, Seattle
$$$: $23.95
Reservations: 206-682-2513
Menu:

Starter House Salad or Cream of Potato Leek Soup
Oven Roasted Turkey
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Turkey Gravy
Traditional Herbed Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Candied Marshmallow Yams
Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Pie or Pumpkin Cheesecake

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Pacific Grill
1502 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
Reservations: (253) 627-3535
$$$: Adults $36.95, Kids 12 & Under $1595
Menu: Special Three Course Menu offering traditional Thanksgiving favorites as well as vegetarian option, pot roast and dover sole.

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Ponti Seafood Grill
3014 3rd Ave. North
Seattle, WA 98109
Reservations: (206) 284-3000
Online Reservations
$$$: $39 adults, $15 children 12 & under
Menu: Three course feast, All entrées served with traditional herbed stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes with gravy, Garnet yam gratin, green beans, baby carrots, and spiced cranberry sauce.

Entrée Selections
Rosemary and Thyme Herb Roasted Free Range Turkey
Grilled Wild Coho Salmon
Herb Crusted Chairman’s Reserve Prime Rib Steak with Pan jus
Vegetarian Cassoulet ~ with Braised Kale

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Daniel’s Broiler
809 Fairview Place North
Seattle, WA 98105
Reservations: (206) 621-8262
Online Reservations
$$$: The entrée price of $49.95 is for the complete four-course dinner.
Children 6-10 $12.95, Children 5 and under Free.
Coffee and tea service, tax and gratuity not included.
Menu: Start with an Autumn Relish Tray, followed by clam chowder or a salad, choose an entree of roast turkey, prime rib, roast pork or salmon and finish off with creme brulee, chocolate torte, ice cream or pumpkin pie!

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Salish Lodge
6501 Railroad Avenue SE
Snoqualmie, WA
Directions
Reservations: 800.2.SALISH (800.272.5474)
$$$: $79, $75 for the Vegetarian Menu (Buffet is $62 and $29 for young adults)
Menu: Dining Room, Buffet
Whole Roast Turkey with yukon gold potato puree, winter vegetables, cranberry, currant and vanilla relish, herbed sausage and sage stuffing, old fashioned turkey gravy.

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Here is a great option for Vegans and Vegetarians:

Carmelita
7314 Greenwood Avenue North
Seattle WA 98103
Reservations: 206.706.7703
$$$: 4 courses vegan or 4 courses vegetarian $48 per person (exclusive of beverage, tax and gratuity)
Vegan Menu:

SOUP: Cranberry bean bread soup with sage oil

SALAD: Roasted squash, parsnip and carrot with cinnamon vinaigrette
and candied pumpkin seeds

ENTRÉE: Roasted yam and farro cake with Swiss chard, spiced cider reduction,
pear and pomegranate salad

DESSERT: Caramelized apple tart with sweet potato ice cream

Vegetarian Menu:

SOUP: Butter roasted cauliflower soup with walnut oil

SALAD: Roasted squash, parsnip and carrot with cinnamon vinaigrette,
candied pumpkin seeds, Gorgonzola

ENTRÉE: Lemon, ricotta ans spinach ravioli, roasted garlic cream, sage-mushroom ragu

DESSERT: Spiced pumpkin tiramisu

We are just one week from Thanksgiving and just over a month away from Christmas. The Christmas sales are everywhere and stores are doing everything they can to lure your into their stores. Have you finished your shopping yet? I have barely even begun to shop! Oh well, what can you do? Lets look at what’s going on this weekend instead.

The State History Museum is celebrating Native Heritage in Washington State with storytelling, art demonstrations, performances, and a close-up examination of artifacts. This program has been designed to provide an interactive experience for guests to discover the traditions and ways of life of native peoples from the Pacific Northwest. While exploring the museum’s Native American collections, guests will learn about native culture and tribes through presentations and performances from various Washington tribes. Guests can expect to learn about important topics like the use of natural resources, the treaty process, and the difference between Coastal and Plateau native cultures. Observe the creation of traditional art and handle artifacts as part of the learning experience. An interactive gallery sheet invites guests to visit the entire museum, taking them beyond our Native Heritage gallery to see how native peoples have been a part of Washington’s history from the very beginning and continue to be today.

Native Heritage in Washington State
When: November 22, 2008, 1-3pm
Where: Washington State History Museum, Tacoma
$$$: $6-8

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This month’s Arts Gumbo event features an African harvest celebration for families that includes live music and dance (Thu-Sat 7pm), an African marketplace (Thu-Sun 12n-8pm), drumming and dance workshops, a fashion show (Sat 3pm), and an Artists’ Reception (Sat 5pm). Advance tickets are available online.

The Odunde Festival
When: November 20th - Sunday November 23rd
Where: Rainier Valley Cultural Center
$$$: Adults $12; Children (12 & over) $10, (11 & under) $7; Family of four $30

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This weekend the Nordic Heritage Museum is transformed into a Christmas marketplace with singers, dancers, and fiddlers, visits with Santa, traditional Scandinavian food, and kids’ craft activities.

Yulefest
When: 11/22/08 - 11/23/08;
Where: Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th Street, Seattle, WA
$$$: Adults $2; Children (6-12) $1, (5 & under) free

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Castle Bridge Winery is offering you an opportunity to design and make your very own unique mosaic chunk candle and experience bottling your own custom labeled wine, all at the same workshop! Castle Bridge Winery and Waxen Art are teaming up for a fun afternoon. Ticket price includes one make your own candle, one bottle of wine with a personalized label (which you bottle yourself), cheese and crackers, 6 tastings or your first glass of wine. RSVP or Purchase your tickets 425-251-0983

Wine & Candle Making
When: Sunday, November 23 2008, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Where: Castle Bridge Winery, 7645 South 180Th Street, Kent, WA
$$$: $25

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Here are a couple of things happening in Bellevue this weekend:

Firstly, there is the Vasa Park Christmas Craft show is this weekend. Featuring over 95 crafters. Sounds like fun to me!

Vasa Park Christmas Craft Show
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 20-21; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 22.
Where: 3560 W. Lake Sammamish Road S.E., Bellevue
$$$:

Secondly, featuring over 100 vendors, 120 classes and expected attendance this year at around 10,000, the PSBF is now the largest national bead show on the west coast:

The 12th Annual Puget Sound Bead Festival
When: Nov. 22-23
Where: Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way N.E.
$$$: $6 (good for both days)

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Those are my pics for this weekend. have fun!

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Salty’s so I couldn’t wait to share this news!

TAKE THANKSGIVING HOME!

If you can’t make it into Salty’s for Thanksgiving or want to spend Thanksgiving in your own home, Salty’s Chefs have worked their holiday magic so you can bring Thanksgiving to your home. All you have to do is pick it up!

PORTLAND THANKSGIVING TO-GO MENU:

Call (503) 288-4444 by Monday, November 24 (pickup is at Salty’s on the Columbia)

Carved Turkey with a Rosemary Marsala Jus
Pineapple-Glazed Pork Steamship
Creamy Oven-Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Corn Bread Stuffing
Green Bean-Applewood Bacon Casserole
Bay Shrimp-Smoked Gouda Macaroni & Cheese
Marinated Artichoke & Mushroom Salad
Caesar Salad & Cranberry Sauce
Dinner Rolls with Garlic Herb Butter
Pumpkin Pie

SEATTLE - TACOMA THANKSGIVING TO-GO MENU:

Call (253) 946-0636 by Thursday, November 20 (pickup is at Salty’s at Redondo)

Carved Roasted Turkey with Fall Herbs
Maple-Glazed Ham
Creamy Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes & Turkey Gravy
Classic Country Sage Stuffing
Hazelnut, Herbs & Mushroom Stuffing
Yams with Caramelized Marshmallows & Brown Sugar
Roasted Vegetables & Roasted Acorn Squash
Caesar Salad & Waldorf Salad
Tortellini Salad with Artichoke Hearts, Fresh Basil & Mozzarella
Dinner Rolls & Sun-Dried Tomato Butter
Pumpkin Pie

THANKSGIVING TO-GO PRICING FOR BOTH PORTLAND AND SEATTLE:

$59.95 for a party of 2
$119.95 for party of 4
$169.95 for a party of 6
$229.95 for a party of 8
$419.95 for a party of 15
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Salty’s Executive Chefs
Dana Cress, Salty’s on the Columbia
Gabe Cabrera, Salty’s at Redondo Beach

Salty’s At Redondo Beach
(253) 946-0636
28201 Redondo Beach Dr. S,
Des Moines, WA 98198

Salty’s On The Columbia River
(503) 288-4444
3839 N.E. Marine Drive,
Portland, OR 97211

If your least favorite part of Thanksgiving is cooking the bird then why not buy it cooked this year? There are several stores and restaurants that will do all or part of your holiday cooking for you. It’s easy, convenient and a lot less messy!

To gobble, gobble, gobble and not cook, cook, cook this holiday season. Here are some places you can obtain pre-cooked turkeys and all the fixins.

• Metropolitan Market
  Seattle, Tacoma & Federal Way locations

  Metropolitan Market is offering fresh, oven ready, Turkey, Prime Rib and Ham. Free delivery is available throughout the city of Seattle. Modest delivery charges may apply to outlying areas. Thanksgiving meal delivery is available on Wednesday, November 26 from 7:00am-6:00pm only. Free pick-up at any of their six Metropolitan Market Locations – Admiral, Queen Anne, Uptown, Sandpoint, Proctor or Dash Point. Orders will be available for pick-up on Wednesday, November 26 from 10:00am-6:00pm and on Thanksgiving Day, November 27 from 8:30am-1:00pm.

• Smokin’ Pete’s BBQ
  1918 NW 65th St.
  Seattle, WA 98117
  Ph: (206) 783-0454
  Fax: (206) 784-5400
  
  Order an all natural smoked turkey or let Pete’s cook it for you. Complete Thanksgiving dinners are available starting Tuesday, November 25. Turkeys may be picked up cold or hot, Complete Dinners are packed cold, with reheat instructions. Deadline for orders is November 24, but keep in mind that they have sold out earlier so get your order in early. Complete dinners for 6 with all the trimmings, including pie for just $99!
• Whole Foods
  All Locations
  Roosevelt Square 206.985.1500 • Westlake 206.621.9700
  Enter in your zip code and click on the Holiday Menu for options
  To Order: Special orders for holiday dinners, desserts and turkeys will be taken November 6-23
  from 11 AM-7:30 PM daily. Call or visit your favorite location. Pricing Effective Nov 12th - Dec 2nd
  
  Get your gourmet Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings and a $10 coupon off any pie for as little as $99. Garlic mashed potatoes, green beans with shallots, turkey gravy, dinner rolls, maple herb butter, savory herb stuffing and a 10-12 lb turkey. Feeds 6-12. You also have the option of lamb, ham, organic turkey or even a vegetarian menu.
• PCC Natural Markets
  All locations
  Fremont, 206-632-6811; Green Lake, 206-525-3586; West Seattle, 206-937-8481;
  
  Relax during this busy season by ordering a delicious holiday meal from PCC. Your family and guests will enjoy a fabulous dinner with tender, all-natural meats; homemade sides; and wholesome, flavorful desserts. Best of all, our meals require only heating and serving while focusing on the healthy, fresh ingredients that are a hallmark of PCC. You may pickup holiday meals between November 15 and December 31. Prime rib dinners will be available for pickup starting December 1. Please place your orders at least 48 hours in advance of your desired pickup date by using our online order form or by calling or visiting any PCC Deli. Serve this all organic meal for 6-8 people for just $80. $130 serves 8-10. Choices also include ham or vegetarian/vegan lazagna!
• Pasta & Co.
  All Locations
  
  This Thanksgiving, focus on friends and family and let Pasta & Co worry about the food. We’ll provide all your Thanksgiving Day favorites, from roasted turkey breast to the perfect mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing to a delicious pumpkin dessert. Call or stop by one of our four convenient locations by November 24th and pick up your order by closing on November 26th.
• Foodz Catering
  301 Queen Anne Avenue North
  Seattle, WA 98109
  Phone: (206) 297-9634
  Fax: (206) 216-9200
  
  If money is no object ($360) and you have 10 foodies, then Foodz menu is certainly drool worthy. You’ll start with tantalizing little appetizers like Apple, Bacon and Feta Puff Pastries and fig & caramelized onion tartlets. Next you’ll enjoy a silky pureed bisque made with homemade stock, caramelized onions and Madeira. Your whole roasted turkey will be brined in a brown sugar and apple cider vinegar marinade and stuffed with an herb sage butter, and slow roasted to perfection. Homemade cornbread tossed with sauteed celery, onions, smokey bacon, and rich turkey stock. Fresh green beans tossed with a sweet, slowly roasted onion jus. Sweet baby carrots flamed in a glaze of brandy, browned butter, and honey. Baby red potatoes smashed with sour cream, and laced with smoked cheddar cheese and chives. Traditional rich turkey gravy finished with dry sherry. Cranberry fig chutney. Autumnal pumpkin cheesecake topped with fresh whipped cream. Apple pie topped with cinnamon butter crumble.
  
  Oh my, I think I just had a foodgasm!
• Salty’s
  Seattle, Tacoma or Portland
• Target Superstores
  All Locations?
  
  A full Turkey dinner (or choose Ham) with all the trimmings for $70. Includes your choice from 4 pie selections, Apple, Apple Berry Rhubarb, Bourbon Pecan or Pumpkin Pie. Feeds 8-10 people.
  
  Appetizers:
  
  * Stone Ground Wheat Crackers
  * Pumpkin Cheese Spread
  
  Main Course:
  
  * Fully Cooked Butter-Basted Turkey
  
  Side Dishes:
  
  * Homestyle Stuffing
  * Traditional Mashed Potatoes
  * Turkey Gravy
  * Americana Vegetable Blend
  * Green Bean Casserole
  * Cranberry Orange Walnut Relish
  * Ciabatta Rolls
  
  Bonus:
  
  * Signature Coffee
• HoneyBaked Ham, they may be a chain but they make a mighty fine ham and I hear their turkey is also excellent.

Those are a few suggestions for you. I’m sure there are lots more out there. I’d love to hear about your experiences ordering Thanksgiving to go!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

If you like fine jewelry, gems, beads, crystals, minerals and much more at the lowest possible prices. Then you will probably enjoy Tacoma’s Gem Faire. Over 70 exhibitors from all over the world will be on site. There will also be classes & demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Tacoma Gem Faire
Where: Tacoma Dome/Exhibition Hall, 2727 E. “D” St.
When: Sat. 10:00 am - 7:00 pm; Sun. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
$$$: $5 for a weekend pass

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Can’t wait to get into the holiday spirit? Neither can Swansons Nursery. In fact, they have live reindeer arriving this weekend and they’ll be there up until Christmas! Feeding times daily at 10am and 4:30pm. Don¹t miss this extraordinary opportunity! Also on the agenda are music, dancing, cookies, a holiday train, photos and cider.

Swanson Nursery Reindeer Festival
Where: 9701 15th Avenue NW, Seattle
When: Sat, Nov 15, and Sun, Nov 16 - 9am - 6pm daily
$$$: Free

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Seattle Goodwill is holding its 25th Annual Glitter Sale this weekend. This famous two-day sale features racks, rows and cases of glitzy and glamorous Goodwill bargains all in one place. Quality merchandise is collected year-round for the big sale, including gowns, men’s formalwear, jewelry, shoes, purses and much more. The Goodwill Glitter Sale began in 1983 at the Seattle Goodwill store, located on Dearborn Street near the corner of Rainer Ave. All proceeds from the Glitter Sale support Goodwill’s free job training and education programs, which help low income people with barriers to employment get the skills and support they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency through work.

Goodwill Glitter Sale
When: Saturday & Sunday, November 15-16, 2008, 9:00am - 6:00pm
Where: Seattle Goodwill’s Dearborn St. Store, 1400 South Lane Street, Seattle
$$$: Free

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This Saturday Pratt Fine Arts Center opens its doors to the public for IGNITE!, a free open house providing an exciting and welcoming environment for the public to learn about the Northwest’s dynamic studios for the visual arts. Tours of the studios, activities for kids, and artist demonstrations will inform visitors of Pratt’s unique classes and programs and offer a chance to meet instructors, students, and staff. Visitors will see dozens of artists pour bronze, blow glass, pull prints, paint, carve stone, fabricate jewelry and forge hot steel!

Pratt Fine Arts Center Presents IGNITE! Open House
When: Saturday, November 15 2008, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: Pratt Fine Arts Center, 1902 S. Main Street, Seattle
$$$: Free

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Wine, Cheese, Smoked Salmon & Live Music by Charlie Spring. What’s not to love? Ticket price includes 6 tastings or your first glass, samplings of cheeses and Smoked Salmon in 2 flavors, Wine/Maple and Brown Sugar/Garlic. Plus enjoy a 15% discount on any take home purchases (except salmon) made that evening!

Castle Bridge Winery
When: Saturday, November 15 2008, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Where: 7645 South 180Th Street, Kent
$$$: $10-15, Call for reservations. 425-251-0983

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I just love all the big and little holiday craft markets that spring up in November and December. Here are some that I’ve come across for this year:

13th Annual Christkindlmarkt
Festhalle, Leavenworth, Wa
November 28-30, 2008
Friday 11:00 – 7:30
Saturday 10:00 – 7:30
Sunday 10:00 – 3:00

The annual Christkindlmarkt in Leavenworth, WA is a traditional German-style outdoor market. If you have to pick just one Christmas market to go to then this would the the one. It’s an all day outing for the entire family with craft booths and food booths, workshops, children’s crafts, holiday music and everything you could wish for in a Christmas Market.

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Magic in the Market
Pike Place Market
Saturday, November 29, 2008, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Beginning at noon under the clock, Santa will be by the vintage truck. Stop by and take your own photos of your family with Santa. Enjoy making holiday crafts and the tunes of the Dickens Carolers. Donate 5 cans of food for the Downtown Food Bank and receive a free eco-friendly shopping bag. At 4 p.m. a live concert of instrumental holiday music will warm up the crowd for the 5 p.m. lighting of thousands of lights in the Market.

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Hilltop Holiday Craft Show
Northwest Arts Center, 9825 NE 24th St, Bellevue WA
December 3, 4 and 5, 2008 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 6, 2008 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$$$: Free Admission

Browse, shop and enjoy thousands of quality crafts from some of the Northwest’s finest artists and craftspeople. See details for more information.

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21st Annual Victorian Country Christmas
-The Puyallup Fairgrounds
-Wednesday-Saturday, Dec. 3-7th, 10am to 9pm
-Sunday 10am to 6pm. Free Parking

Step back in time as the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup are transformed into a Victorian village featuring old-fashioned streets lined with over 530 Victorian stores, tended by shopkeepers in Victorian attire. Entertainment abounds at A Victorian Country Christmas! Visit the beautiful KMPS Holiday Jubilee Theater and see elaborate stage shows and concerts every hour on the hour including: Stardust Follies, The Silver Spurs Country Western Revue, the Singing Nativity and more. Check back soon for other exciting concert and entertainment updates.

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Kent Holly Jolly Day
Downtown Kent, Washington
Saturday, December 6, 9am – 6pm
$$$: Cash and donations kindly accepted

This jolly event benefits the Kent Food Bank. Start your day off with a Holly Jolly Waffle Breakfast at Maggie’s on Meeker for just $5 then walk it off at the Holiday Bazaar. Take a stroll with the Mayor and ride the carousel. Meet the Kent Fire Department, horse drawn carriages, see Santa and watch the tree lighting. Sounds like a great day out to me!

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3rd Annual Urban Craft Uprising
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
December 6 & 7th, 2008, 11am-5pm

Crafts, jewelry, fun hats, etched glassware, candles, artwork, quilts, hand made soaps and so much more! Urban Craft Uprising is a community of crafters, dedicated to growing the crafting community and showcasing the best indie crafts out there. Urban Craft Uprising’s second annual revolutionary craft fair, held in December of 2006, brought in over 100 vendors from all over the Northwest and over 6,000 fans excited to see fun, fresh, and funky urban crafts. I’m sure this year will be bigger and better. Report back and tell me all about it!

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Phinney Ridge Winter Festival and Crafts Fair
Phinney Neighborhood Center
6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, 98103
Dec. 6 & 7, 200810 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day
$$$: $2 for PNA members, $4 for the general public, plus a can of food for local food banks. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

This is Phinney Ridge’s biggest holiday event! Attracting more than 4,000 participants, the Winter Festival features two buildings filled with 115 high quality, juried crafts booths, live entertainment on two stages, a quilt raffle, a huge bake sale and lunch items.

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Mercer Island Holiday Gift Bazaar
When: Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m
Where: The Club Room at the Island Square Residence, 2758 78th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, WA, 98040

Featuring local gifts, jewelry, home décor, boutique wine tastings and other treasures from local artisans, it’s the perfect solution to escape mall madness. Better yet, shoppers will help embrace the season of giving – a portion of all event proceeds go to support Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, while many gifts offered by the vendors are also tied to socially-conscious causes.”

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21st Annual Seattle Sampling Holiday Tour of Crafts
Friday, Dec. 5, 4-9 p.m. • Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
See Website for participating studios

Visit 12 homes and studios of participating artists during our Holiday Sale and Open House in this self-guided tour. Look for our Seattle Sampling banner at all 12 locations. From beautiful hand built porcelain pieces to blown glass to fine jewelry to ornaments to handpainted & shibori dyed silks, this is a tour to savor.

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NW Holiday Arts Gift Show 2008
The Redmond Athletic Club, 8709 161st Ave NE, Redmond, WA
Saturday, Dec 13 11:00a to 7:00p
$$$: Free admission, Free parking

Billed as a diverse collection of 50 artists from the Pacific Northwest including, potters, painters, jewelry designers, photographers, bakers, sculptors and food specialties.

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If you know of any others or have one you’d like listed then please let me know!

Although I don’t see any Thanksgiving events in the works, I know that these two food banks are in desperate need of donations, whether you give canned goods or money or your time. All would be appreciated:

West Seattle Food Bank
White Center Food Bank

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8th Annual Jam for Cans
Highway 99 Blues Club, 1414 Alaskan Way, Seattle.
November 13th, 2008
Doors open at 5:00 - Show starts at 6:00
$$$: $8 or 8 cans of food

Enjoy a great night of live music, raffles and fun for Northwest Harvest. Over 30 of the Northwest’s most talented blues musicians performing. One hundred percent of the proceeds and food donations collected during the show will benefit Northwest Harvest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing hunger in Washington State. This year there is an overwhelming demand to help fill Northwest Harvest Food Bank. With the rise and demand for food and a drop in donations, there is a 10% increase for food from last year. Families are having to make choices between food, fuel or utilities. Washington state has ranked the eighth in the nation for the worst hunger problem. So this years 8th annual Jam for Cans show is more important than ever. The Northwest Harvest truck will be parked out front of the Highway 99 Blues Club and drive by donations are also welcome. Please come by the Highway 99 on Nov.13th to share in an evening of music, raffles, fun and support the Jam for Cans effort to help eliminate hunger in our state.

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2nd Annual Seattle Turkey Trot

Above Golden Gardens Park (32nd Ave NW and NW 85th St)
Thursday, November 27nd, 2008 - 9:00 AM
$$$: $20 entry fee, which includes a short sleeve t-shirt.

Get out and walk or run and help raise money for the Ballard Food Bank!

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Gethsemane Lutheran Church

911 Stewart Street (across for Greyhound)
Time Frame: 8AM - 2:30PM
Cut-off Date: Tuesday, November 25th

Help prepare, serve and clean up a wonderful Thanksgiving Day meal for Seattle’s homeless/low income community. Volunteers who have participated in the past found the experience heart-warming, a great way to give to the community, and, a whole bunch of fun. Volunteers arrive around 8:00 AM to set up tables and prepare the meal. Dinner guests arrive around 11:30 AM and volunteers serves coffee and offer fellowship to folks as they arrive. We begin to serve dinner from around noon to 1:30 PM and clean up is usually done by 2:30 PM. You are very welcome to attend the Thanksgiving Day Service at 10:00 AM.

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City Team Ministries

904 Elliott Ave West
Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: 206.352.1300

In celebration of Thanksgiving CityTeam Seattle is hosting a special dinner for our poor and homeless neighbors. On Sunday, November 23rd we will be serving up a warm Thanksgiving dinner to each hungry and homeless person who comes through our doors. During the holidays the poor and homeless can feel even more isolated so we want to reach out to them and give them hope.

If you are interested in volunteering for this event please contact Steve Randle at 206.352.1300 or at srandle@cityteam.org

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Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission

This Thanksgiving, you can offer a meal, hope and a chance for new life to the poor, homeless and hurting in Seattle. And it costs just $1.92. That means for just $28.80, you can provide meals for 15 hurting folks! Or feed 25 hungry neighbors for $48!

Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission serves every meal with a generous portion of respect and dignity. For those who are accustomed to being treated with contempt and even disgust . . . this kindness can be life-changing. Plus, they offer each of their guests exactly the help they need to get off the streets for good: job training, domestic violence recovery, addiction treatment and more! For information on volunteering, click here.

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I love this time of year. The weather is getting colder and the holiday season is ramping up. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and the holiday bazaars are showing up all over. Speaking of holiday bazaars, the city of Kent will be hosting their 22nd Annual Holiday Craft Market. Featuring a wide variety of unique handcrafted items displayed throughout the spacious facility, this event features 70 vendor booths, the Figgy Pudding Cafe and Bake Sale, live entertainment, hourly door prize drawings, free parking, and free admission.

Kent’s 22nd Annual Holiday Craft Market
When: November 07 - November 08, 2008
Where: 600 East Smith St in Kent, Washington
$$$: Free

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The City of Auburn will be honoring Veterans this weekend. Now in its 42nd year, Auburn’s Veterans Day Parade has become one of the largest Veteran’s parades west of the Mississippi. This year’s event is expected to draw well over 30,000 people. The parade is supported by each branch of the military and thousands of veterans, active military personnel and veteran service organizations across the state. This year’s parade will honor the Fleet Reserve Association. The parade boasts over 5,000 participants and over 200 units including military vehicles and equipment, military and veteran units, over 25 marching bands, historic cars, community groups and more. Saturday’s events start bright and early with an American Legion sponsored breakfast, followed by a Remembrance Ceremony and lighting of the Flame.

Auburn’s 43rd Annual Veterans Day Parade and Observance
When: November 08, 2008
Where: Main Street in Downtown Auburn
$$$: FREE event FREE parking, Breakfast = $6.00 person, Lunch = $13.00 person

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This weekend also heralds another holiday favorite, the arrival of the Trans Siberian Orchestra. The “Wizards of Winter” bring their holiday arena-rock spectacle (an orchestral string section, a full rock band, multiple vocalists, a narrator, extensive pyrotechnics, and a stunning laser and light show) to KeyArena. Tickets can be purchased online.

Trans Siberian Orchestra
When: November 08, 2008, 3pm & 8pm
Where: KeyArena Plaza, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA
$$$: $39-$59

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Seattle Center plays host to the Hmong New Year Celebration. Celebrate the Hmong New Year, which symbolizes the end of the harvest, a time when Hmong relax, prepare special foods, and begin courtships. Dance, music, cultural shows, foods, children’s activities, and historical exhibits demonstrate the cultural legacy of the Hmong people.

Hmong New Year Celebration
When: Saturday, November 08, 2008
Where: Center House, Seattle Center
$$$: Free

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The star of the holiday season, none other than Santa himself, will make his first grand appearance at South Center Mall. Santa will be accompanied by his reindeer and there will also be a children’s concert.

Santa at Southcenter
When: Saturday, November 08, 2008
Where: Southcenter Mall, 633 Southcenter, Seattle
$$$: Free

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Need a good laugh? Well, you’re in luck then because this weekend is the first week of the Seattle International Comedy Competition. Two groups of 16 comics compete for cash in this month-long contest. The Seattle International StandUp Comedy Competition is a touring comedy festival-slash-elimination contest, now in its 29th year. Hundreds of comedians audition each year to compete; only thirty-two are chosen to compete. Comics from Chicago, Boston, New York and Canada will be participating, as well as performers from the Northwest’s hot comedy scene. Last year’s winner, “Marcus,” went on to be runner-up on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” this summer. The stakes are higher than ever in the 29th annual Seattle International Standup Comedy Competition. Not only will this year’s winner get $5,000 in cash, but also a recording contract with Uproar Entertainment, the national comedy label that represents comedians Dana Gould, Brian Regan and John Pinette, as well as the entire National Lampoon catalog.

29th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition
When: November 5-3, 2008
Where: Comedy Underground, 109 S. Washington St., Seattle
$$$: $25.00

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If the current economy is putting your dreams of a trip to Europe on hold for a while, head to the scenic Olympic Peninsula and taste your way through France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and even a bit of Early America during the Olympic Peninsula Wineries’ annual Passport Weekend. Passports are limited to just 400 visitors. Passports will be available at the door of the wineries on a first come basis.

Passport Weekend International Wine Tour
When: November 8 & 9, 2008
Where: The Olympic Peninsula Wineries (About 2 hours northwest of Seattle)
$$$: Tasting fees for visitors without Passports will be $5.00 per person per winery.

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Here is something I just heard about today! Did you know that you can do a walking tour of Pike Place Market? Eat your way through Seattle’s most celebrated culinary landmark! Let us take you behind the scenes to experience some of our favorite market spots. Taste locally made foods and beverages that will awaken your palate, meet and interact with the exceptional people that give the market life, and hear their humble, and often humorous stories. Pick up a few buying tips, cooking ideas, a list of can’t-miss restaurants, and some handy market history. This is a 2-2.5 hour tour that comes with a personal audio device. I so want to do this! Wear comfortable shoes and clothing

Pike Place Market Cultural Tour
When: Daily departures between 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, rain or shine
Where: Tour meets at Seattle Coffee Works (111 Pike St.) at 9:45am. Advance ticket purchase is required.
$$$: $41

Well kids, those are my picks for the weekend. If I’ve missed anything please do let me know! Have a great weekend!

I like free stuff. Do you like free stuff?

Starbucks is offering you a free coffee just for voting.

So is Ben & Jerry’s. Mmm…a free scoop of ice cream for voting! 5-8pm on November 4th. Limit one per customer.

The fine folks at Krispie Kreme want your vote, too! Actually, the company doesn’t care who you vote for as long as you vote. On November 4, locations around the country will be handing out free star-shaped donuts with red, white and blue sprinkles to anyone with an “I Voted” sticker (we’re guessing other proof may be allowed, in case your polling place is out of stickers). The effort is non-partisan, so don’t worry about one of the candidates forking over a wad of leftover campaign money in some kind of weird get-out-the-vote effort. This is just about Krispy Kreme trying to get some foot traffic of its own.

Cupcake Royale is offering free Babycakes to voters. After you cast your VOTE, stop in for a free BABYcake. On November 4th, get your booty out there and exercise that sweet right to suffrage. Then stop in to Cupcake Royale. Tell them that you voted, and they will applaud your civic responsibility with a free babycake!

To encourage your to get out and vote, those clever folks at Babeland have come up with a unique and sexy offer, a free Silver Bullet or a Maverick Sleeve. Just stop by any brick and mortar store (New York or Seattle) between November 4th and 11th and bring your voter registration card, voting stub or word of honor. If you voted, they’ll give you a Silver Bullet or a Maverick Sleeve (get it?) for free! Yes, free. Sex toys for voting, only the satisfaction of having helped ensure your country’s future can be better than that.