November 2016- Vuecrest View Newsletter 

 The December Board Meeting will be at the home of Jonathan and Laura

TID-BITS!

Everyone knows that famous Norman Rockwell painting, “Thanksgiving

Norman Rockwell is a true creator of Americana. He was born in 1894 in

Rockwell was a fine patriot and signed up with the Navy, where, much to

The painting “Freedom from Want”, also known as “The Thanksgiving

Rarely would I say that a book is a MUST-read, but this one certainly

  A sweet grandmother telephoned St.  Joseph's Hospital. She timidly

      And have a wonderful Thanksgiving-       Mara

November 2016- Vuecrest View Newsletter Come one, Come all! Our Vuecrest Community Association Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday November 9th in Room #1 at the Bellevue Public Library. The start time is 7 pm. This is the time to vote for two positions on the Board and discuss other issues that impact the Vuecrest community. Come join your neighbors, and let your voice be heard. Many of the concerns that will be discussed may directly impact you and your home! December Monthly Board Meeting The December Board Meeting will be at the home of Jonathan and Laura Kagle, 9342 Vineyard Crest. The date is Thursday, December 1st; beginning at 7 pm. All Vuecrest residents are welcome to come. Board Meeting Hosts needed for 2016 Please consider opening your home for our monthly Board Meetings. They take place on the first Thursday of every month, and start at 7 pm. They are usually finished by 8:30 – 9 pm. A few light refreshments are welcome but not required. Attendance is usually about 10 - 12 people. If you would like to volunteer, contact our Secretary, Nyla Wang, at <mailto:nyla.wang@outlook.com> nyla.wang@outlook.com. Home and Auto Break-ins Our Northwest Bellevue neighborhoods are prime targets for criminals to break into homes and cars. We read the “Nextdoor NW Bellevue/Clyde Hill” which comes in our email. Join in - it’s easy to sign up and stay informed. We read more and more about bad dudes ransacking cars or a robbery of some kind, and even breaking into homes. Protect your precious property! Keep cars and homes locked and secure. DTP TID-BITS! Halloween is over and suddenly…what? It’s Christmas? ALREADY? TV ads for the perfect toy, Santa decorations in the stores, and even lovely holiday lights adorn our Vuecrest esplanade! What happened to Thanksgiving??? Is it only a “sandwich” holiday between the 2 big money-makers, and therefore, doesn’t really count? Let’s give it its due; you’ve put away all the orange and black but now you need to hold off on the red and green just a little longer. It’s time to go back in time, when expectations didn’t out-weigh success! There’s much more to Thanksgiving than turkey with mashed potatoes, parades and pilgrims and football games. Embrace the opportunity for inner joy! As you look around the Thanksgiving table at the odd assortment of friends and relatives who are joining you in celebration, just be grateful that they are there. Sure, they may be a little wacky, sometimes over-the-top, occasionally coming out with one-liners that make heads roll…but they are YOURS! And it may be hard to imagine, but they may feel the same way about you …but they have still chosen to spend this special day with you. Everyone knows that famous Norman Rockwell painting, “Thanksgiving Celebration”; the one that features an aproned Mom placing a golden roasted turkey at the head of the table, as Papa eagerly stands by with carving tools at the ready. On the table are all the essentials: vegetables, side dishes and condiments, and sprinkled ‘round the table are the eager “anticipants”, waiting anxiously for the signal to get on with the drool-icious task of eating! And how well we all know that soon the pristine white tablecloth will be the pall-bearer of cranberry stains and gravy puddles, and the once-starched napkins will bear the lingering remains of fine wine, red lipstick and spit-out parsley. Then the distaff takes over and the post-dinner clean-up commences - almost as onerous as the pre-dinner prep. But freeze-frame – go back to that one glorious moment when all was perfect! We know that to be true– Norman Rockwell reminds us of it every time we see this holiday memorialized in his “Freedom from Want” painting. Norman Rockwell is a true creator of Americana. He was born in 1894 in New York City and entered art school at the age of 14. He was soon hired as a staff artist for the magazine “Boys’ Life” and received $50. each month for a cover and illustrations. At the age of 19 he became its editor. Before he was 22 he was hired by the Saturday Evening Post and produced 8 covers in his first year. He stayed at the Post for 47 years and published 323 original covers. Rockwell was a fine patriot and signed up with the Navy, where, much to his dismay, he was assigned the role of “artist” and never saw any action during his tour of duty. In 1943, during WWII, Rockwell heard a speech by President Franklin Roosevelt entitled the “Four Freedoms” in which he spoke of the 4 principles for universal rights of all individuals: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear. Commissioned to immortalize on canvas these 4 freedoms, Rockwell completed his opus in 7 months and they were immediately published in the Saturday Evening Post. A short time later the original paintings were exhibited on a multi-city circuit to promote the sale of war bonds. The painting “Freedom from Want”, also known as “The Thanksgiving Picture” depicts 11 individuals, all of whom were friends or relatives of Rockwell. It was painted in his home in Arlington, Vermont, where the original tableau (and table!) included only 2 subjects: Mrs.Thaddeus Wheaton, who was the long-time family cook and Rockwell’s wife, Rose (and a freshly roasted turkey). The other 9 subjects, one of whom was his mother, were added later to the canvas, from photographs he had taken in his studio. Said Rockwell: “Our cook cooked it, I painted it and we ate it. That was one of the few times I’ve ever eaten the model”. Rockwell’s life was not an easy one. His first marriage ended in divorce after 14 years, and was followed by periods of deep depression. He headed to California where he met his 2nd wife, Mary Barstow, a school teacher. They had 3 children and soon after moved to New York, then Vermont and finally to Stockbridge Mass. where both he and his wife received psychiatric care. It was said that Rockwell confided to his psychiatrist that he painted his happiness but did not live it. After Mary’s death of a heart attack, he married for a 3rd time. His Stockbridge 2nd floor studio was directly over Alice’s Restaurant, made famous in the 1967 Arlo Guthrie tune “You can get anything you want, at Alice’s restaurant”. Rockwell was a prolific painter, creating over 4,000 original works in his lifetime. He died at the age of 84. The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass has the largest collection of his paintings, as well as personal memorabilia, photographs and documents, and is open to the public. Weather...or not: Heard about the GOES-R?? No, not Geezer! GOES-R is a very simple acronym for a very fancy piece of equipment called the ”Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite – R Series” (whew…suddenly GOES-R really does seem pretty simple!). GOES-R, a next-generation, first-of-its-kind satellite, is a joint collaboration between NOAA and NASA and is scheduled to be launched into orbit on November 4. It will give scientists a clearer view of the weather than ever before; and by clearer, I mean HI-DEFINITION! As extreme weather conditions are becoming more common, this satellite will provide real-time views of specific storms so their movements can be tracked and allow for better preparations. New to the Vue! Welcome to Bob and Karen Trenner who will be joining us in Vuecrest in the semi-near/not tooo far off future! The Trenners have purchased the property at 1000 Evergreen and hope to start demolition/ construction of a lovely new rambler in the spring. They originally hail from Pittsburgh but moved to Woodinville in 1976. Ten years ago they relocated to a 3 story townhouse off Lake Washington Blvd but now feel it’s time for a rambler…in fact, a brand-spanking new one! How exciting…and we all get to watch it happen! Once they’re official residents, they plan to become involved in community activities. We’re so glad to have you! Book Revue: The Martian - Andy Weir Sci-Fi is alive and well! Our hero, Mark Watney, is definitely in a bad situation. He was a part of a six- person crew on a routine mission to Mars. The sixth day on the red planet they encountered a huge sand storm with wind gusts to 110 mph. As the crew huddled in their habitat (HAB) their Mars ascent vehicle (MAV) was being pummeled by the storm and about to tip over on its side. Since the MAV was their only means to return to earth, the crew quickly boarded the craft and prepared for take-off. That is, all except for Mark Watney. Unfortunately for Mark he was blown off a steep hill and an antenna pierced his space suit and abdomen. He was face down, buried in sand, and unconscious. Of course, our hero recovered (well, I don’t want to spoil it for you…but let’s assume the probable scenario that he was eventually rescued), and the adventures that befell him are truly remarkable. Imagine the challenge of knowing that you are alone on Mars, 34 million miles from Earth and the next scheduled Mars landing is in four years! (you’d return just in time for the next election cycle! …you might just want to stay put an extra year) Fortunately for Mark, he had a background in both botany and engineering, and turns out to be a very clever guy. In reading and understanding this book it helps if you have advanced degrees in physics, electrical engineering, chemistry, and computer science. However, even if you do not fully understand the scientific details of how Mark escapes one catastrophe after another, you will appreciate the essence of his extraordinary accomplishments. It is interesting that the feature article of National Geographic this month is “Mars”. The National Geo insert is a map with the same topographical features as are found in the front of the book. On the reverse side of the map can be found “Colonizing Mars”, demonstrating many of the survival techniques utilized by Mark Watney. This book was recommended to me by a friend. I usually do not read science fiction, but I found this book to be very fascinating and I enjoyed every minute of it. Check it out from the Bellevue Library, I heartily recommend it. David Pitkethly Being Mortal – Atul Gawande Rarely would I say that a book is a MUST-read, but this one certainly is! Candid and well-written, Gawande’s book is a necessary reminder that every single one of us needs to have that conversation with loved ones (and with ourselves) about desires and decisions for the last part of our lives. He reminds us about the necessity of taking charge of that crucial time of life. Surprisingly, I didn’t find the book to be a ‘downer’; rather, I felt inspired and enabled. We all make plans about careers, family, vacations, homes, etc., so, by ALL means, make those so-important final plans! Read the book, and then pass it on to important people in your life - NOW!! Melissa Hambleton Vuecrest Book Club: The next meeting is Tuesday, December 6, at 7:30. We have such enthusiastic, wonderful members! We’ll discuss The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, by Jan-Philipp Sendker. Interested in joining us? Contact me at <mailto:mhambleton@comcast.net> mhambleton@comcast.net. Quirkles! This little item has got to fall into the “I really didn’t want to know that” category! Seems that right now (possibly TODAY!) you probably weigh less than you will for a-l-l the rest of 2016 …and much of 2017! That’s the truth– you are at your annual low-point right about now, and that’s the good news. But here’s the clincher – it won’t last…sorry to be the bearer of such bad news. It seems that we don’t just wait for the holidays to enjoy the culinary treats they bring to our table; it’s that we like to take our anticipation to a whole new level, and we return to our “hunter and gatherer” mode. And what to do with all those delightful yum-yum’s taking up space in our pantry? EAT ‘EM! That relentless numerical climb up the scale starts with just those few little Halloween left-overs (you know, the ones you hid from the kids because they were maybe dark chocolate, or had great peanut butter filling, or were loaded with nutty sweetness, and of course, kids don’t like that kind of stuff). It’s sort of like “hump day” but in reverse because here comes Thanksgiving! Hanukkah! Christmas! And New Years! After which time, of course, we make our resolutions to decrease our adiposity and yes! beyond any doubt, this time we really, really mean it, with 100% certainty, swear on a stack of Bibles, absolutely we WILL DO THIS…until…February! and Cupid’s quiver filled with chocolate arrows takes dead-aim for our taste buds and alas…why hold out? It’s just a matter of time…alas… and then those delectable, delicious and devour-able chocolate bunnies make their ubiquitous appearance in every store we enter. (Did you know that in a national poll, 96% of all respondents said they always bite off the ears first? The remaining 4% declared: “Whichever part is closest to my mouth”). Those 10 weeks of over-eating will require just about 5 months of under-eating to get us back on track. Can we do it? To provide a little extra impetus, there’s nothing like the reality of high-school reunions, family visits and that dreaded ritual of “bathing suit shopping” that can make us lose our appetite in a real hurry. Oh, the angst! What to do? Don’t wait for New Years to make that resolution – do it now! Vow to say NO to second helpings, open-fridge grazing, and finishing up left-overs because they’re “not worth saving”. Studies suggest that if you weigh yourself 2 or 3 times a week during this mad 2 month long “free-for-all” food binge, it’s much more likely there will be less of you, sooner. Oh, and by the way – you may not want to plan any holiday vacations from Hawaii to Pago-Pago on Hawaiian Airlines…seems they weigh their passengers. ***** YUM! Who doesn’t love pumpkin pie this time of year? And can we ever get enough?? Obviously, a baker in New Bremen, Ohio didn’t think so, so he decided to bake a BIG pumpkin pie…I don’t mean just BIG, I mean GARGANTUAN BIG, a Guinness Book of World Records BIG, like… maybe the size of your LIVING ROOM BIG??? (and, no, it definitely wouldn’t fit thru your front door!) It was 20’ in diameter and weighed 3,699 lbs.! The filling required 1,200 lbs. of pumpkin, 233 dozen eggs, 525 lbs. of sugar, 109 gallons of evaporated milk, 7 lbs. salt, and 14.5 lbs. cinni. Oh my, the really good news is that I immediately went to my calorie counter and it says that pumpkin pie has only 323 calories a slice! Me thinks its time to pack my fork and head for Ohio! ***** K.I.M. (Keep in mind) – Here’s a new, rare but wonderful trend for retailers and the way they are showing respect for their employees! REI will be closed not just on Thanksgiving but on Black Friday as well, historically known as one of the busiest shopping days of the year, And what do they recommend everyone do? Head for hills! Climb a mountain! Take a hike! Just GET OUT! And the best part? REI will pay their employees for not working that day. Now, there’s a company that “gets it”! On the Move Looks like our Freddies on 148th will not be selling Thanksgiving turkeys this year and alas, no New Year’s Eve champagne either. Their plans to reopen this month have fallen behind- we all know about that! Latest word is that we won’t be hearing their “ka-ching” until the end of January 2017. ***** If you’re a Goodwill shopper (my fave haunt) you’ll soon see “closing” signs at their store; however, don’t be disheartened, they’re just moving up the hill on 24th, east of Sears at the old Office Depot/Tuesday Morning site (also, Pay‘n Pak, if you go back REALLY far!). ***** You may have already heard that Costco will be opening a new store in Redmond (can there ever be TOO many Costco’s?? of course not, as long as there’s not one in Vuecrest!!!) The new Redmond site will be full service with all the appropriate essentials: gas, rotisserie chicken, TP for a year, and of course, their famous $1.50 Polish doggies, a nitrate-o-phile’s dream lunch, which includes a 20oz soda and free refills. Opening date set for later in November. ***** Bridle Trails Shopping Center on 132nd has just been sold (Red Apple Market, Bartells, Starbucks, now-gone-Ace Hardware, Dairy Queen etc.) to ROIC (Retail Opportunity Investment Corps.) for $32.2 million. They’re certainly a big deal - the ROIC group owns 72 other shopping areas in the U.S.; 14 of them are in Washington state, including Bellevue Market Place (Goodwill, Seattle Lighting, Asian Food Center, Seattle Lighting, IHOP and all the other businesses in between on 148th & 20th). ***** Sunset Glass has moved from its many-years location, one block east of Whole Foods to 1814 130th.The entire strip mall complex will be razed to make room for the light rail “Hospital stop”. ***** If by chance you’re heading out on NE 12th and want to make a left at 120th to get to Lowes…it’s a no-go. The street is completely closed down until April 1. The irony of it all: you have to stop traffic to make it better…we know- Vintage Vuecrest Of course, we know that at one time our beautiful Vuecrest neighborhood was once a sprawling strawberry farm of 160 acres, and in the late 40’s – early 50’s it was subdivided into building sites for homes. We may “know” that, but not too many can actually “remember”; one person who can is Janet Reed. Janet and her husband Porter had met at a church event in Minnesota. That first encounter was followed by a Bogart movie-date and a moonlight canoe ride. Soon after, Porter received his M.D., Janet completed her Bachelor’s degree, there was a lovely wedding and their lives set off in a new direction - to Seattle! It was 1955. They looked for a “move-in” ready home but just couldn’t seem to find the right one. Instead, they found an empty lot with sweeping views of Mt. Rainier and the Cascades. This lot at 9608 Hilltop Road was one of the last 3 remaining in Vuecrest, and what a bonus – it came with a beautiful fir tree! Not just any tree, but a “protected tree”, one that they would nurture in the coming years, one that required some creative consideration, a tree that had set down its roots before they arrived and would continue to stand after they were gone. Janet told the architect she wanted a home with an entry that encompassed that tree, and big windows to take advantage of the “100 mile view” - she wanted to see everything! Porter, an anesthesiologist, started work at Children’s Hospital and Doctor’s Hospital in Seattle (later purchased by Seattle General in the 70’s, and then by Swedish in the 80’s) and Janet stayed home to raise their 3 children: Lora, Marnie and John (Jack). “We just loved that home” says Janet, now residing at The Gardens in Bellevue. She and Porter continued to live there for many years, even after the kids were grown and gone. Then 2½ years ago it became apparent they would soon need extra assistance and The Gardens, so close to Vuecrest, seemed like a wise choice. They still own their Vuecrest homestead, it is rented and well-maintained. With all the distant trees that have grown up over the years, there’s little doubt the view no longer reaches that “100 mile” mark, but it’s still stunning. They enjoy regular visits from their kids and grandchildren, and this Christmas Janet and Porter are looking forward to seeing “John Porter Reed”, their adorable great grandson. Janet has fond memories of joining the “bunco” group that met on a regular basis and she and her daughters enjoyed the “walking paths” that made shopping trips to Frederick & Nelson and the Bon Marche even more convenient. And these days, Janet gets a kick having her kids drive her around the neighborhood, as they reminisce “way back when”. Joke of the Month: HOW IS NORMA? A sweet grandmother telephoned St. Joseph's Hospital. She timidly asked, "Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing? “The operator said, "I'll be glad to help, dear. What's the name and room number of the patient?" The grandmother in her weak, tremulous voice said, “Norma Findlay, Room 302." The operator replied, "Let me put you on hold while I check with the nurse's station for information about that patient.” After a few minutes, the operator returned to the phone and said, “I have good news. Her nurse just told me that Norma is doing well. Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back normal and her physician has scheduled her to be discharged tomorrow." The grandmother said, "Thank you so much, that's just wonderful! I was so worried - God bless you for the really good news!" The operator replied, "You're very welcome. Is Norma your daughter?" The grandmother said, "No, I'm Norma Findlay in Room 302. No one ever tells me a damn thing!” HAPPENINGS! * Happening now until Nov. 20 is the “pop-up” Cashmere Sale. This yearly event, undertaken by 2 hard-working gals from Bridle Trails, is right above Bergman Luggage at 827 Bellevue Way NE. I recommended it last year, and I’ll do it again now! They have luxuriously soft and warm sweaters, shawls, scarves, for men and women, all sizes, styles and colors at near wholesale prices. Take a peek, you’ll be glad… what mom or mother-in-law couldn’t use a cozy cashmere scarf? Mon-Sat: 10-6, Sun: 12-5 ***** Want to go someplace? How about under the sea! Join Ariel the sweet little mermaid as she leaves her life on the ocean floor in search of new adventures. Journey with her as she braves high winds, ferocious waves and sea creatures of both the friendly and hostile sort. Does she find true love? Can you keep a secret?? (no, I’m sure you can’t so I’m NOT going to tell you!) There’s certainly something fishy going on but you can see for yourself as it is delightfully played out at the 5th Avenue Theater from November 23 – December 31. Stunning costumes and dramatic visual effects make this an ideal holiday treat for kids (4 and over) as well as adults. - www.5thavenue.org. ***** Newport Ski Swap is a very large, long running and well organized community snow sports sales event. It is at Newport High School in Bellevue on Friday and Saturday, Nov.11 (1PM-9PM) and 12th (9AM-5PM). Snow-sport shops bring over 10,000 items, which are placed in 2 gyms, totaling nearly 17,000 sq. feet of great gear! It is not actually a "swap" but rather a <http://www.skiswap.info/pages/when.html> consignment sale. <http://www.skiswap.info/pages/purpose.html> Newport’s PTSA (Parent-teacher Association) earns much of its funds (over $700,000 since it started) from this once yearly event and the proceeds support unfunded educational needs. It is a fast and fun event so don't be shy about <http://www.skiswap.info/pages/volunteers2.html> volunteering. They are hopeful that 2016 will be their biggest swap ever! ***** November 8th, let me think…what could possibly be happening that day…hmmm…oh yes…now I remember…it’s very likely one of the MOST important days for the next FOUR years! So, don’t be kept in suspense any longer! Go to the free Election Watch Party being held downstairs at Seattle Town Hall (1119 8th Ave, enter at Seneca). Doors open at 5PM, bar will be open (to toast one, while the other is toast-), take part in the lively discussion of political experts, journalists and home-grown politicos – that’s what democracy is all about! It’s free and fun! And while we’re talking about the Town Hall, it will soon be under reconstruction, and on Wednesday, Nov 10 at 1PM they will conduct a free 1 hour tour of this 3-story Roman Revival beauty as it turns 100. (it sure looks better than most of us could ever hope for, at that age!) ***** November 10-13 (Th/Fri/Sat/Sun) head down to the CLINK to see 400 of the latest cars and trucks at the Seattle International Auto Show. So much to see and do…Exotics, hot-rods, new models, dream cars, fancy-schmantzy stuff! Also on display will be “Art Cars for Kids”, a project that helps support local charities by auctioning off specially painted small cars. Bring your kids to the show and they’ll receive a complimentary caricature drawn of themselves, as they “take the wheel”. Vroom-vroom! ***** November 11-13 enjoy the <http://nwartalliance.org/event/28th-annual-best-of-the-northwest-art-fine-c raft-show-fall-2016/> Fall Best of the Northwest Art and Fine Craft Show, featuring over 100 artists displaying jewelry, clothing, paintings, glass art, and sculptures plus food trucks at Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park. Admission $8. BUT free on Friday after 4PM. Here’s a great opportunity to find that unique holiday gift from our Pacific NW for a favorite friend or relative. ***** And here’s a November 11th gift you can give to yourself! It’s “State Parks are FREE Day”. Head out and enjoy any of the 140 state parks AND national parks (Mt. Rainier!) we have in Washington. No Discovery pass, no cash needed…They’re YOUR state parks, so pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the cool autumn air, the vivid hues in the trees, the crunch of leaves under your feet and all the natural beauty of our wondrous state. ***** Some of the funniest and most original films I have seen are “shorts”, usually lasting from several minutes to no more than 40’. And OH! what emotion they can pack in! Nov.11-14. Find out more at: <http://www.seattleshort.org> www.seattleshort.org ***** Help support our wonderful local library! Saturday, Nov.12 at 7PM come by for an important fund-raiser: Night at Bellevue Library Silent Auction. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, desserts and beverages (beer and wine avbl. for sale). All proceeds benefit programs and services offered at Bellevue Library, Lake Hills and Crossroads branch. ***** “How much is that doggie in the window? The one with the waggly tail” (Patti Page/1952). You can forget about the waggly tail, (that’s just a natural for all pups) but what THESE canines do is beyond natural...it’s SUPER-natural! See the Daredevil Dog Show in Bothell on Saturday, Nov.12 at the Northshore Performing Arts Center (2PM & 6PM) and get ready for canine tricks, stunts, comedy antics, dancing dogs and athletic feats that would make Fido, Rex or Spot Olympic qualifiers! Buy tikkies & check out the short videos and see for yourself at <http://www.npacf.org/stunt-dog> www.npacf.org/stunt-dog. WOOF! ***** Here’s a great way to support a great cause: hunger and homelessness on the eastside (yes, we have it too). Jubilee Reach, now in its 10th year is an amazing non-profit with almost 2000 volunteers (including several of us VC gals) who assist with ESL classes, child-care, sports teams, securing housing and furniture and much more. You may know their thrift store “Heart and Home” on NE 24th and 148th (north side of Fred Meyer parking lot). Their annual fundraiser and banquet is The Festival of Trees on Saturday, Nov 12 at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency. Last year they raised over $1,000,000 to help support their worthwhile causes…and this is a way you can be a part of it! Get your tikkies now at: <http://www.jubileereach.org> www.jubileereach.org. ***** Nov. 12-13, It’s CHOCOLATE Festival time! YUM! Get your fill at Pier 91. Sure, it’s fun to eat but you can make this an educational experience as well as you stop by the 125 booths from 45 chocolate makers. Attendees have access to the 70+ workshops and demonstrations that discuss chocolate origins, its manufacturing, health benefits (as well as it’s well known reputation as an aphrodisiac!). Let me warn you, of course, that you just might feel obligated to try lots of samples - Best to go a little hungry! Half-day tickets available. <http://www.nwchocolate.com/festival> www.nwchocolate.com/festival. ***** Nov. 14 – Seattle Town Hall and Priyamvada Natarajan, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Yale, present “Mapping the Heavens”. As a theoretical astrophysicist (whatever THAT is!?*%#!!!?), Natarajan explains the science behind the growth of black holes, dark matter halos and the discovery of exoplanets, in a way that we can all understand, (well, maybe you can. Me? Doubtful) Tickets $5. 7:30PM, doors open at 6:30PM.*****Nov. 15 at the Paramount – enjoy an evening with America’s favorite story-teller. Yes, Garrison Keillor has retired from radio but is not truly gone…he’s “on the road again” (…just can’t wait to get on the road again, the life I love is making music with my friends, I can’t wait to get on the road again” / 1980/Willie Nelson, who wrote the words on a barf bag with a note to himself to add a “train beat” melody; for which he won a Grammy). Back to Garrison – 30 years as host of Prairie Home Companion-one night only at the Paramount. Ticketmaster. ***** Wednesday, Nov. 16, 6:30 – 8:30PM – Ladies and Gentlemen! Sharpen your (colored) pencils! It’s Adult Coloring Night at our Bellevue Library. Cheaper than therapy, more fun than sitting cross-legged and repeating “om”, this new, relaxational craze is sweeping the nation. Researchers have been touting its calming effects for over a decade and until you try it, you don’t really know how much fun it is! First 20 people get free coloring materials! (Don’t you just know that if you were a kid again, you’d be first in line if you heard an offer like that?!) ***** Nov. 16, same Seattle Town Hall: “Smart Homes”, and learn how you can make yours smarter! (Can I teach it to cook dinner? Walk the dog? Behead burglars if they break thru my front door?? Not likely!) Come to this informative seminar and learn what it CAN do! 5:30PM, $15-$25 entry…but with a truly smart house, you’ll get those few bucks back real soon! ***** “From Balloons to Satellites”, a free presentation by MOHAI’s (Museum of History and Industry) Museum Café. Grab a coffee or a glass of wine and join the conversation that will explore over 100 years of aerial photography, from balloonist documentation of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (“Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon? The world’s a nicer place in my beautiful balloon.” The 5th Dimension/1967) to present-day drone footage of Seattle’s changing landscape. Nov. 16, 6:30 -7:30PM. ***** Almost 10% of our population has diabetes. It is a difficult and debilitating disease and early diagnosis and control of diabetes are essential for preventing serious complications. Overlake Medical Center is sponsoring a free workshop, “A Better Understanding of Diabetes” on Wednesday, Nov 16, 10AM – 11:30AM at the Redmond Senior Center. An Overlake diabetes educator will review risk factors, symptoms, the newest treatment options and answer your questions. Call to reserve your spot: 425-556-2314. ***** Vasa Park Christmas Craft Show will be held on Nov 17 -19, 2016. It is filled with thousands of handcrafted items made by the Northwest’s finest artists and crafters. Hours: Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5 ***** Time for YULEFEST!, the annual Nordic Christmas celebration at the Nordic Heritage Museum. Vendors sell hand-crafted wares and traditional Scandinavian Christmas food. There will be music and dancing, plus a visit from Santa, a raffle with fantastic prizes and a Silent Auction. Yulefest is a 38-year strong tradition in Ballard. Nov. 19-20, 3014 NW 67th St. Seattle. Hours: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM ***** A fun annual Thanksgiving event at the Woodland Park Zoo is the Turkey Toss, on Saturday, November 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. During Turkey Toss, some of the zoo’s carnivores chow down on raw, store-prepared turkeys. These turkey treats are part of the zoo’s excellent animal care program to help enrich the lives of the zoo’s animals and promote natural animal behavior. Turkey Toss is free with zoo admission. Also the zoo is asking that you vote now on Facebook for the name of their baby Chilean Flamingo chick: Should she be called Pluma ( feather) or Rio (river) or Rosada (pink)? Voting closes this Monday, so hurry! ***** Sat, Nov 19, 10:00 AM: Evergreen Holiday Gift Market at 15027 Bel-Red Road - lots of fun items; handmade, upcycles and local arts and crafts. ***** Here we are on our events list at Thursday, November 24, it’s Turkey day! Stores are closed (or at least, they should be!), the dishwasher is completing its dry cycle and tummies are just soooo full! So, here’s what you do… tell the “fam” to find a comfy spot on the sofa and then turn on your TV to KCTS/ Ch.9 at 8PM. “Anne of Green Gables” is a heart-warming, timeless tale from a book of the same name by Lucy Maud Montgomery, written in 1908. It is the story of Anne Shirley, a sweet young orphan who is mistakenly sent to a couple that had requested a boy; and how she endears herself to them…and to us all! Truly, a Thanksgiving story- (Keep the kleenex handy…) ***** “Gingerbread, gingerbread, gingerbread, gingerbread, full of sugar, full of spice. You’re kind of naughty but you’re kind of nice”. (Frankie Avalon/1959). Take the gang to the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Nov 25th and 26th so they can be naughty and nice too! KidsQuest Children’s Museum will be offering gingerbread house workshops for the whole family; what a great way for kids, parents and grandfolks to start off the holiday season! Start a new family tradition this year! Take a picture with your finished edible domicile and Voila! you have your Christmas card photo ready to send to your friends and relatives. Register at: <http://www.kidsquestmuseum.org/gingerbreadworkshop> www.kidsquestmuseum.org/gingerbreadworkshop. ***** Holiday traditions in the Northwest start on the water with Argosy Cruises. The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival is a holiday celebration that has been a Pacific Northwest tradition since 1949. Every year, the Argosy Christmas Ship sails to different Puget Sound waterfront communities, around 65 in total. Choirs on board give 20-minute performances to these communities, all broadcast via their state-of-the-art speaker system. On shore, thousands of people gather around roaring bonfires anticipating the arrival of the Christmas Ship. Book now for your cruise; 1-888-623-1445, tickets sell out quickly! Last cruise is on Dec. 23. ***** Another traditional holiday event is “Wildlights” at the Woodland Park Zoo. Hey, Christmas isn’t just for us humanoids, all living creatures deserve to enjoy the holiday season! The zoo is lit up brighter than ever with shows at 5:30 and 8:30, every night in November thru Jan 1 (except Dec. 24, 25) Over 600,000 glowing lights recreate animals and their habitats along the zoo pathways, you can have a snowball fight at the Snowmazium, ride a carousel, get up close and personal with some reindeer, have a photo-op with Santa, and then visit the Holiday Beer and Wine Garden and munch on hot donuts…and more! <http://www.woodlandparkzoo.org> www.woodlandparkzoo.org. ***** Speaking of lights, we have our own shining display just down the road at Bellevue Botanical Gardens. It’s called Garden d’ Lights, and yes, it’s d’ light-ful! Admission only $5, kids are free, and you can purchase your tickets on-line so as not to stand in line. Why wait to partake of its illuminating splendor? Open daily 4:30 – 9PM until Dec 31. There you have it…no thumb twiddling allowed! The holidays will be here soon, whether you’re ready or not, so get in the spirit now and then…ahhhhhh…you can just bask in the love. Simple! And have a wonderful Thanksgiving- Mara