Columbia Citizens

your Wikli-fix: synchronicity

Call it coincidence or the confounding confluence of Columbia City's collective unconscious, but somehow just about everything happens this week on December 1st. Don't miss this: there might never again be a calendrical equivalent. Because hey, our community calendar may not reflect certain Mayan enddates, but this might be your last chance…

banquet of poems: a reading by author Nellie Wong

The award-winning Bay Area poet's fourth book, Breakfast Lunch Dinner, serves up the flavors of Oakland's Chinatown, infused with heart and spiced with a workingclass feminist attitude. Saturday December 1, 2012. A reception, featuring an Asian fusion appetizer buffet begins at 6pm, followed by the reading at 7pm.

The reading is at New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S, in Columbia City.

Columbia City holiday festival

Celebrate the holidays with your friends and neighbors in the heart of Columbia City. Enjoy treats, beverages, special musical guests, and more. Pre-event photos with Father Solstice available at Tutta Bella.

The Holiday Festival is held Saturday Dec 1 at S Hudson St just west of Rainier Ave S from 6:30-8pm. The Columbia City Business Association thanks its generous sponsors for contributing to the success of this event.

Community Arts Create online store

CAC is proud to announce the opening of its new online store. Visit for the holidays, and browse through the paintings and illustrations made at the Bohemian Backstreets, Columbia City ArtWalk.

Visit at cafepress.com/thecacstore

English tutoring services

I was a Chicago Public Schools high school English teacher for 7 years; I now live in Seattle. I have a Master's degree in Education and a Bachelor's in English. I teach all ages, all abilities - children, teen, adult, SpecialEd, ESL/ELL students, and have recently taught Research & Writing courses for the University of Phoenix.

$25: reading/writing/grammar teacher for hire / private tutor

free tax prep returns to Columbia City

The Rainier Community Center will host a free tax preparation site again this year through United Way of King County's Free Tax Prep Campaign. Community members will be able to get their taxes done, claim all credits they are eligible for, sign up for additional benefits and services, and enjoy excellent customer service — all with the help of our wonderful volunteers!

If you'd like to join the volunteer team and help hard-working South Seattle families keep more of what they earn, United Way is looking for volunteers to commit to a weekly shift from January 15 – April 15 to help with tax preparation, interpretation, and public benefits access.

Historical Society holiday open house

The Rainier Valley Historical Society will hold our annual holiday open house Saturday, December 1, from 4 - 6pm. The Columbia City Lighting Festival takes place the same evening.

The open house will feature old friends, new friends, unique gift ideas, and, of course, hoiday cheer! All are welcome.

3710 S Ferdinand Street, Columbia City

holiday bazaar at the Community Club

Kick off the holiday shopping season with a local shopping excursion to the annual holiday bazaar. We will be showcasing a variety of vendors featuring unique gift items.

We will also have food and drink for sale - please stop by and say hello.

Saturday Dec 1 10am - 4pm

Lakewood Seward Park Community Club
4916 S Angeline

Jazz Night School swings into December

Jazz Night School proudly presents student performances at the end of each ten week session. Come hear the fun people are having learning jazz.

Join your friends and community members as they perform in Jazz Night School's fall performances, Friday Nov 30 7pm, and Saturday Dec 1 3pm and 7pm, at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center.

pediatric clinic in the Rainier Valley

HopeCentral Pediatrics and Behavioral Health is preparing to open a pediatric and behavioral health primary care practice in Rainier Valley in 2013. Some of you may have participated in an initial survey we conducted about a year ago (when we had a different name). As we get closer to opening, we wanted to do another round of research on some of the key features of our plan.

Please take 5 minutes to complete our Google survey. Thank you!

Rate your space at a neighborhood walking audit

Actively engage in making your community safer and more walkable by participating in a Feet First walking audit. Help us collect a diverse range of voices to give feedback on how you feel about walking around your neighborhood, and what you would like to see change for the better.

These walking audits will identify safety hazards, maintenance issues, and other deficiencies in the pedestrian environment. For example, a wheelchair user might use the app to identify a broken sidewalk that poses a barrier to them, or a parent might show a hazardous crossing of a busy street their kids must use to get to school.

The Asian Grandmothers Cookbook

Want to learn about Asian homecooking from different cultures and discover and taste authentic Asian ingredients? Join author Patricia Tanumihardja for a fun afternoon at the Columbia Library. Saturday, December 1, 2-4pm

Patricia Tanumihardja didn't really know either of her grandmothers but researching and writing The Asian Grandmothers Cookbook — Home Cooking from Asian American Kitchens more than made up for this childhood void. The ensuing compendium comprises 130 recipes spanning over a dozen Asian cultures, many never seen in print before, and lovely little anecdotes. Pat will share her experiences researching, interviewing, and recipe-testing for her cookbook as well as share tips on gathering family recipes and compiling them into a family cookbook.

Wine Tasting at Columbia City Gallery

SEEDArts is hosting its 4th annual wine tasting & holiday auction on Thursday, November 29 from 6 – 8:30 pm at the Columbia City Gallery, 4864 Rainier Ave South.

Sommeliers Pamela Mayo and Christine Hammond will present six tasting of unique Italian wines from the Winebow portfolio. Attendees can also sample food from different regions of Italy and participate in a raffle to wine a half case of Winebow wines. Guests may also purchase their holiday wines at the event with proceeds benefiting SEEDArts.