Columbia Citizens

your Wikli-fix: last push

This week it's clearly turning. It's the harvest season. We share our final farmers market. We're prepping for fall festivities. Step out and enjoy the local scene and its cast of colorful characters.

Arts Gumbo -- Encounter Ireland

On Saturday, November 12, Rainier Valley Cultural Center presents Encounter Ireland, the third event of our Arts Gumbo 2011 Series. Encounter Ireland runs from 5 – 9pm and features Celtic music group Ockham's Razor & Guests. Also on the bill are Sam Nicols, Irish Stepdancer; an instrumental music & dance workshop and Irish cuisine. Encounter Ireland takes place at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center (RVCC), 3515 S Alaska St in Columbia City.

Columbia City Farmers Market

This Wednesday, October 19th is the last market of the season.

Thanks for another fantastic farmers market season Columbia City! Despite another tumultuous spring, record low temps, and a few rogue solicitors, we came out on top of things. This neighborhood really supports its farmers — even when it's cold and rainy, somehow farmers still do alright.

• Special Guests: Cascade Harvest Coalition
• Chef Demo 4-5pm
• New Farmer: Bloom Creek Cranberries!
• Kids Tent: Rainier Valley Historical Society

Plus a final appearance from St. Jude Tuna

community center public meetings

Due to 2012 city budget cuts, all the community centers will be operated differently next year. Please attend these meetings to give your input and ideas on what you would like to see at your local center.

Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave S, Wednesday Oct 19, 6:30pm.

Click through to see attached flyer for dates and times of all the meetings in south Seattle.

Halloween trick or treating in Columbia City

Come celebrate Halloween on Monday, October 31 in Columbia City. Trick or treating will take place in several neighborhood businesses from 3:30 to 6:30. Hope to see you there!

Look for the orange and black balloons in front of participating businesses.

Pumpkin Push 5K

Health & Halloween fun at the 16th Annual Pumpkin Push 5K to Care for Seattle's Homeless Saturday, October 29 at Seward Park. Choose from the timed 5K Run or the 2 Mile Family Walk route through beautiful Seward Park. Join in all the race festivities for treats from our sponsors (free companion tickets on Amtrak Cascade, anyone?), stop by the Kids' Zone, grab a pumpkin and stay for the post-race ceremony with prizes for top finishers, Costume Contest and the Seattle Zombies.

See all the timeline details, register, fundraise & donate at PumpkinPush.com

Avoid day-of-race lines and take a look our newest clinic.

Rainier Valley Eats! community dinner

Rainier Valley Eats! is working to increase growing, sharing and cooking up of great food in SE Seattle. We have hands-on training, offer free technical assistance and have mini-grants for up to $10,000. To learn more visit our site at rainiervalleyeats.org.

Every third Friday is a fresh and tasty community dinner at the Rainier Community Center. If you'd like to help cook come at 3, if you want to just eat come at 5:30. Kids are especially welcome!

SustainableWorks happy hour at Lottie's

It looks like it's going to be another long winter. Issues like insufficient insulation, inefficient hot water heaters and furnaces, poorly sealed doors, windows, and duct work can add up to huge energy leaks.

Join your friends and neighbors for a SustainableWorks Happy Hour at Lottie's (4900 Rainier Ave S) on Monday, October 24 from 4:30 – 6:30.

Raise a pint and discover how you can save energy and energy dollars with a low cost energy efficiency assessment and improvements.