A weekend grab bag invigorating outdoor events including, snow sculpture, tug ‘o war, ice cube scramble for kids six and under, the great Frisbee sweep, and Leavenworth’s famous Smooshing Contest, a unique race peculiar to the Great Bavarian Ice Fest. The Smooshing contest is held on Front Street with teams of four having their toes strapped to 8’ long boards trying to maneuver and glide down the street tandem style. The best thing about Ice Fest, you can cheer from the sidelines or jump right in and compete for prizes.

During the weekend visitors can also enjoy the Northwest Dog Sled Pulling Competition, a sanctioned event of the International Weight Pull Association. The IWPA is a non-profit corporation that promotes the sport of dog pulling and the working heritage of all dogs. The IWPA also promotes a program to keep dogs in good physical condition with a constructive outlet for canine competition.

The Leavenworth Winter Sports Club presents the Snow Fun Fest 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Sunday. Play in the snow at the Leavenworth Ski Hill. They will have all types of activities to try! Enjoy snowshoes, a snowshoe trail, obstacle course, games and more and admission is free for the event. The Winter Sports Club at Ski Hill in Leavenworth also offers Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing and Tubing!

Sunday evening enjoy live musical entertainment in the Gazebo in Front Street Park ending with a fabulous aerial fireworks display over downtown Leavenworth at 6 p.m. World-renowned pyrotechnics expert, Marty Schmoker, stages the 20-minute show with fireworks from France, Austria, China, Taiwan and the United States.

Leavenworth is a 118-miles east from downtown Seattle or 188 miles west of Spokane, and only 35 miles from either Mission Ridge or Stevens Pass for fantastic downhill skiing. Also on tap for the weekend are winter activities including sleigh rides and snowmobiling. For more information, phone 509-548-5807, or visit www.leavenworth.org.

Join a Seward Park Audubon Naturalist for a hay wagon ride around Seward Park during our Winter Wonderland Hayride Programs. Amongst the scenery of the magnificent old growth forest and our beautiful Lake Washington, Audubon staff will make nature and winter come alive. Come learn about the human and natural history of the park and hear some of the legends and lore of pacific northwestern animals and plants in winter. Plus, winter birds are here and you’ll see chickadees, wrens, nuthatches, and more!

Hayrides leave every hour on the hour and last approximately 45 minutes. Rides will be conducted regardless of weather conditions unless deemed unsafe.

Space on the wagons is limited. To reserve your space(s), call the Center at 206-652-2444 x100 or by email.

Leavenworth Lighting Festival
When: 12/20/2008 - 12/21/2008 starting at 4:30pm
Where: Leavenworth, Wa (Map)

Visitors come back year after year for this famous Leavenworth festival. Fridays the town is in darkness awaiting Saturday’s lighting festivities - everyone gathers at the Gazebo to greet Saint Nicholas. On Saturday the aroma of food booths and roasting chestnuts fills the air; holiday music from the gazebo encircles the village while youngsters sled in the park; holiday personalities stroll the streets; Santa, St. Nick and Father Christmas provide photo opportunities and sleigh rides are just minutes away. At dusk everyone gathers to sing “Silent Night” and witness the lighting of the village and park as they are transformed into a magical wonderland of lights. On Sunday visitors enjoy entertainment and a lighting ceremony.

Argosy Christmas Ship Festival
When: Remaining date…
Dec 20, 2008 at 08:00 PM running 2 hour(s)
Dec 21, 2008 at 05:00 PM running 2 hour(s)
Dec 22, 2008 at 07:00 PM running 2 hour(s)
Dec 23, 2008 at 03:30 PM running 2 hour(s)
Where: Various locations around Seattle
$$$: $25-$35 per adult, plus applicable taxes

“On shore, thousands of people gather around roaring bonfires anticipating the arrival of the Christmas Ship™. You can either join us on board the Christmas Ship™ or one of the Parade ships that follow, or join with friends and neighbors to gather together for your own caroling tradition. If you own your own boat, feel welcome to join in the festival and help form the largest holiday floating parade in the world.

In addition to good cheer, family, and friends, a portion of all ticket sales benefits The Seattle Times Fund For The Needy, an annual program that raises money for several charitable organizations in the Puget Sound area.

To make a reservation on the Christmas ship or follow boat please call 206.623.1445.”

>>>>>>Back to Page 1 - Seattle Weekend Edition for 12/20/08

Santacon
When: Saturday, December 20th, 2008, 12PM
Where: Start at Noon in the International District, Uwajimaya
$$$: Free, but you must dress like Santa Claus. Santacon begins at International District, various locations.

Dress up in your best rendition of jolly old Saint Nick and rampage through the streets of Seattle with a bunch of people dressed just like you! The Seattle Cacophony Society’s annual Santacon is upon us, and it might be best to simply join in the revelry lest you be trampled by a pack of Father Christmas wannabes.

Winter Solstice Fire Festival
When: 12/20/08 - 12/21/08; 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: Seattle Center
$$$: Free

A dynamic outdoor performing art installation combines words, movement, music, fire performances, and luminaries to honor the return of the sun from the dark days of winter. The procession begins outside Fisher Pavilion and moves to the International Fountain. The event is part of Seattle Center’s Winterfest celebration.

Handel’s Messiah
When: 7:30 p.m. 12/20 and 3 p.m. 12/21
Where: Great Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave. (enter on 8th Avenue),; 206.652.4255
$$$: Advance tickets are $22/$19, Children 6-16 admitted free with paying adult. Children under 6 not admitted. $25/$22 at the door.

Seattle Baroque Orchestra led by Ingrid Matthews and the Tudor Choir under the direction of Doug Fullington return for two performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. Their much lauded period version of Handel’s most famous creation filled Town Hall—a warm and intimate setting in which the rich complexity of the score can be heard perfectly.

Winter Solstice Fire Festival
When: Saturday, Dec. 20, 4pm – 9pm
Sunday, Dec. 21, 4pm – 9pm
Where: Seattle Center, International Fountain and South Fountain Lawn,
$$$: Free

The Winter Solstice Fire Festival, a spectacular Winterfest premiere, radiates flames and fiery drama. Towering steel infernos will illuminate the darkness, along with dynamic movement and music – all to celebrate the Solstice return to light.

Wright Spirit
When: Saturday, Dec 20, 2008: 10:00am-2:00pm (All-Day)
Where: Museum of Flight

Celebrate the Wright brothers’ first flight, along with the spirit of the season! Santa will arrive by helicopter at 10 a.m., and then he and Mrs. Claus will greet children in the Great Gallery until 2 p.m. Performances include the Seattle Lutheran Bell Choir, which will play traditional and contemporary holiday melodies at 11 a.m., and the Boeing Employees’ Orchestra of Flight at noon.

>>>>>>>Page 2: Last weekend for these great events! Don’t miss out.

Celebrate Hanukkah in traditional style with a candle-lighting ceremony, live music, games, kosher latkes and more at the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island. Celebrants may also participate in ceramic workshops, where they’ll learn how to craft their own menorah and dreidel, dreidel, dreidel. Everyone is welcome.

Tots Chanukah Concert
When: Saturday, Dec. 20th, 4:00 PM - 6:00 pm
Where: Temple B’nai Torah, 15727 NE 4TH St, Bellevue, WA 98008-4317
Phone: (425) 603-9677

Pre-Hanukah gathering for young children. Join Rabbi Kinberg, Rabbi Mirel, Cantor Serkin-Poole and Asher Hashash as we celebrate Hanukah. There will be songs, games, crafts and food!

Sha’arei Tikvah - Gates of Hope, Chanukah Celebration
When: Sunday, Dec. 21st, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Temple B’nai Torah, 15727 NE 4TH St, Bellevue, WA 98008-4317

A Hanukah Celebration for People of All Abilities. A community-wide celebration for everyone in the community, including persons with developmental disabilities or persistent mental illness, their families and friends. Led by Cantor David Serkin-Poole and co-sponsored by Jewish Family Service and the Seattle Association for Jews with Disabilities.

Family Chanukkah Party
When: 12/21/2008 at 3:00pm
Where: Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue, Unity of Bellevue, 16330 NE 4th Street, Bellevue, Washington
$$$: Requested donation $18 per family; $10 for individuals.

It’s a time for song…games…and eating as we bring the entire family together for this special Chanukah celebration! Everyone is invited to join our community as we sing, dance, eat latkes and suvganiot (otherwise known as Jelly Donuts!). There will be special activities for the children, including dreidels, crafts, applesauce and cookie making. Rumor even has it there may be a talent show!

Hanukkah on Fire
When: Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 8:00pm until Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 2:00am
Where: At Nectar Lounge (412 36th Ave NE Seattle, WA )
$$$: Free

Jconnect Seattle and Birthright Israel NEXT present- Hanukkah on Fire, a Hanukkah celebration that will burn on into the night! Featuring the musical stylings of international funk and hip-hop stars Big World Breaks who will be featuring GodSpeed , okanomode aka SoulChilde, SiriuS during the course of the evening. Also performing live will be Sasson who play klezmer that makes you want to dance. DJ Leftovers will also be there spinning music throughout the evening. ALSO, not to be missed is a special giant menorah lighting done by Fire Dancer Kimberly Gay to kick off the show and later on a Hanukkah Burlesque performance by Miss Indigo Blue (who was recently featured in Heeb magazine’s “Heeb 100”. For those that are fans on Latkes, we will have a Latke Cart on hand serving up Latkes all night with all the fixins’ that you could ask for (really just sour cream and applesauce). We will also have drunken dreidel, prizes and givaways!

Winter Wonderland Hayrides
When: Saturdays, December 13 & 20, 10 AM – 3 PM
Where: Seward Park, 5902 Lake Washington Boulevard S, Seattle, WA
$$$: $5

Join a Seward Park Audubon Naturalist for a hay wagon ride around Seward Park during our Winter Wonderland Hayride Programs. Amongst the scenery of the magnificent old growth forest and our beautiful Lake Washington, Audubon staff will make nature and winter come alive. Come learn about the human and natural history of the park and hear some of the legends and lore of pacific northwestern animals and plants in winter. Plus, winter birds are here and you’ll see chickadees, wrens, nuthatches, and more!

Hayrides leave every hour on the hour and last approximately 45 minutes. Rides will be conducted regardless of weather conditions unless deemed unsafe.

Space on the wagons is limited. To reserve your space(s), call the Center at 206-652-2444 x100 or by email.

Last weekend for this one:

Holiday Carousel
When: Saturday, Dec. 13th
Where: Westlake Park, Fourth Avenue and Pine Street, Seattle
$$$: Donation

There’s usually a line to board this 1906 Parker Carousel, but it’s worth the wait. Climb onto a marvelously carved and painted horse or sit in one of the coaches, listen to the tinkly holiday music, and try to get pictures of the kids without losing your balance. The waiting area is undercover, but it’s unheated. If you’re coming with impatient toddlers, consider coming at off-hours to avoid a wait, or line your pockets with M&Ms and hope for the best.

Festival of Lights & Cookies with Mrs. Claus
When: Saturday, December 13, 2008, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Country Village 23732 Bothell Everett Highway Bothell, WA 98021
$$$: Free

Experience the enchantment of the season at Country Village! Thousands of twinkling white lights outline each building and you’ll love the many whimsical light displays including a Fiddling Pig, Sea Serpent in the pond, a flapping Dragonfly, marching Ducks and more. Children can meet Mrs. Claus and sample one of her fresh baked cookies from 12:00 to 3:00 pm both days. No charge. Also, collect the Country Village Shop owner’s favorite cookie recipes: each participating shop will have their favorite cookie recipe on hand. Reindeer rides on Saturday (only)

24th Annual Jingle Bell Run & Walk
When: Sunday, December 14 2008, 8:00am
Where: Westlake Center, 400 Pine St, Seattle, WA
$$$: $25 per participant including an official Jingle Bell Run & Walk T-shirt, ($35 on the day of the event) and children 8 & under are $10.

The Jingle Bell Run & Walk is an annual fundraiser to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Funds raised provide vital funding for research, programs and services to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases for over 2.2 million people living with arthritis in the Pacific Northwest.

>>>>>>>>>Back to Page 1

26th Annual Christmas Rush Fun Run
When: December 13, 2008, 9:50 am (5k), 10:00 am (10k)
Where: Kent, Wa
$$$: $20 for Run/Walk Only, $25 with technical t-shirt, Children 13 and under run for FREE

Smooth flat course that borders the Green River. Random prize drawings, live music and race certified make the Christmas Rush a great holiday tradition.

Green Lake Pathway of Lights
When: December 13th, 5:30 - 8:30pm
Where: Green Lake, 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N., 98115
Community Center Information: (206) 684-0780

The pathway around Green Lake will be lit up to celebrate the holiday season. Parks dept. asks that you bring two cans of food to donate to Northwest Harvest the night of the event.

Note: The Center is seeking volunteers to help place and light the luminaria from 4 - 5:15 p.m. Individuals, businesses, community organizations, and school groups are welcome to participate. The Center also needs helpers to clean up after the event from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Leavenworth Lighting Festival
When: 12/13/2008 - 12/14/2008 starting at 4:30pm
Where: Leavenworth, Wa (Map)

Visitors come back year after year for this famous Leavenworth festival. Fridays the town is in darkness awaiting Saturday’s lighting festivities - everyone gathers at the Gazebo to greet Saint Nicholas. On Saturday the aroma of food booths and roasting chestnuts fills the air; holiday music from the gazebo encircles the village while youngsters sled in the park; holiday personalities stroll the streets; Santa, St. Nick and Father Christmas provide photo opportunities and sleigh rides are just minutes away. At dusk everyone gathers to sing “Silent Night” and witness the lighting of the village and park as they are transformed into a magical wonderland of lights. On Sunday visitors enjoy entertainment and a lighting ceremony.

>>>>>>>>Page 2

3 to 4 individual servings

TART

3 tablespoons Hazelnuts, ground
1 cup Vanilla Wafer Cookies, ground
1½ tablespoons Sugar
2 tablespoons Butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl combine all ingredients and mix well by hand until crumbly and dough holds together when squeezed. Press evenly into a thin crust in individual pie tins. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

PASTRY CREAM

1 cup Sugar
¼ cup Water
3 cups Whole Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 teaspoon Gelatin
½ cup Corn Starch
4 Egg Yolks

In small saucepan over medium-high heat combine sugar and water. Cook until mixture becomes thick and looks like caramel. Whisk in milk and vanilla. In a separate small bowl, bloom gelatin in cold water. Set aside. In a separate bowl combine cornstarch, egg yolks and salt. Mix well. When caramel mixture comes to a boil, temper with the egg mixture – Tempering 101: To “temper” means you want to bring the temperature of the cold mixture to the same temperature as the hot mixture. So, add a little bit of hot mixture to the cold mixture and whisk (so you do not scramble the eggs!) until it is warm enough to add it all together. Then combine the egg mixture into the caramel mixture and whisk until thick. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Add gelatin and stir well. Cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm place until skin starts to form. Chill and then scoop into baked tart shells.

CARAMEL RICE CRISPIES

½ cup Sugar
¼ cup Water
pinch of Salt
1½ cups Rice Crispy cereal
¾ cup Hazelnuts, chopped

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat combine sugar, water and salt and cook until sugar dissolves and mixture caramelizes. In a large bowl combine rice crispies and hazelnuts. Add caramel mixture and stir until well coated. Pour hot mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and spread into a thin coating with a spatula. When cool, break apart and sprinkle on top of tart for garnish.

Enjoy!

The pathway around Green Lake will be lit up to celebrate the holiday season. Parks dept. asks that you bring two cans of food to donate to Northwest Harvest the night of the event.

Note: The Center is seeking volunteers to help place and light the luminaria from 4 - 5:15 p.m. Individuals, businesses, community organizations, and school groups are welcome to participate. The Center also needs helpers to clean up after the event from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Holiday Bonfires
When: Dec. 13, 27, Saturdays, 5pm – 7pm
Where: 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.

Dec. 13 – This bluegrass sing-along features the 3-piece Pickled Okra on acoustic guitar, mandolin and banjo leading the holiday songs with a twang and some pickin’.
Dec. 27 – Husband and wife storytelling, banjo-guitar duo Rich and Robin will bring traditional children’s and holiday songs to life with their sprightly style and spunk.

Santa’s Lights Tour
When: Saturday, December 13, Buses depart at 7 p.m.
Where: All trips will depart from 2nd Ave. S. and S. Main St., across from the Seattle Fire Department Headquarters.
$$$: Fares are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (65 and over) and $4 for children (2-11). Metro transfers, tickets, or passes are not accepted.

Santa Claus takes time out from his busy schedule at the North Pole for a 2 ½-hour tour of Seattle’s best Christmas lights.

The spectacle begins at 4pm with a performance recognizing the Winter Solstice. Orbis and Solaris create a dynamic outdoor performing art installation that weaves together words, movement, music, fire performances and large luminaries to transform the Seattle Center International Fountain into a stunning celestial wonder.

At the conclusion of the performance, around 5pm, the sculptures in the open spaces around the International Fountain will be illuminated; and throughout the evening, fire performances by local artists will entertain as audiences take in the brilliant works.

Winter Solstice Fire Festival
When: Saturday, Dec. 20, 4pm – 9pm
Sunday, Dec. 21, 4pm – 9pm
Where: Seattle Center, International Fountain and South Fountain Lawn,
$$$: Free

The Winter Solstice Fire Festival, a spectacular Winterfest premiere, radiates flames and fiery drama. Towering steel infernos will illuminate the darkness, along with dynamic movement and music – all to celebrate the Solstice return to light.

>>>>Return to Page 1

Celebrate the Wright brothers’ first flight, along with the spirit of the season! Santa will arrive by helicopter at 10 a.m., and then he and Mrs. Claus will greet children in the Great Gallery until 2 p.m. Performances include the Seattle Lutheran Bell Choir, which will play traditional and contemporary holiday melodies at 11 a.m., and the Boeing Employees’ Orchestra of Flight at noon.

Gingerbread Village
When: November 25 - January 4
Where: Sheraton Seattle Hotel Lobby, 1400 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-621-9000

Bundle up the family and head to “Holidays in the Northwest” at upscale City Centre where Sheraton Seattle’s culinary staff and city architecture firms have teamed up to create a life-size gingerbread wonderland, utilizing 1200 pounds of dough and 800 pounds of icing for their edible creations. An annual event for the past 15 years, the sugary village draws over 100,000 visitors each year and benefits the Northwest Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Teddy Bear Suite
When: November 26 - December 26 10am - 7pm daily
Where: The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St., Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 866-840-8402

Designed by Kevin Bradford, a Seattle-based interior and event designer, and brimming with dozens of fluffy teddy bears, the Teddy Bear Suite welcomes thousands of visitors throughout the holiday season. Take holiday photographs, read one of the teddy bear-themed children’s books and enter to win tea in The Georgian. Donations taken at the Teddy Bear Suite benefit uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Snow at Pacific Place
When: November 28 - December 31 6pm daily
Where: Pacific Place, 600 Pine St # 228, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-405-2655

The snow falls every evening inside the atrium. While you’re there, get your gifts wrapped by the Forgotten Children’s Fund volunteers (located near the Barnes & Noble entrance). You’ll probably also run into one of the several caroling groups this year. Be sure to purchase the annual Pacific Place Snowglobe which benefits Seattle’s Childrens Hospital.

>>>>Page 2, including many FREE events!

Cutting areas are located within national forest lands in the eastern portions of Pierce, King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties. Maps and information about cutting areas are provided where permits are sold at ranger stations and the Verlot and Glacier Public Service Centers. Additionally, REI’s Alderwood Mall store will sell permits now through Dec. 24. Permits cost $10 each, one tree per permit, with a tree height limit of 12 feet. The permits are nonrefundable.

Trees taller than 12 feet require a special permit at a minimum price of $20. Credit cards will not be accepted at Forest Service offices, however the REI at Alderwood Mall will accept credit cards. Forest Service offices and REI at Alderwood Mall are closed Thanksgiving Day. Forest Service offices may close early Nov. 26, so call ahead for operating hours. REI’s operation hours are available at www.rei.com/stores/alderwood/.

Plan to purchase a parking permit at a ranger station if the Christmas tree cutting trip includes parking in a designated Sno-Park lot. Getting a tree early before substantial snow falls usually means better access on forest roads. “Set out early in the day to allow for maximum daylight and let friends or relatives know where you are going and when to expect you back,” said Forest Service’s Dave Kendrick, who oversees the Christmas tree permit program. Most trees are accessible only by narrow, unplowed mountain roads. High-clearance vehicles are often required along with tire chains and a shovel. Check ranger stations for advance road and weather information, or go online to www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs.