Columbia Citizens

your Wikli-fix: the very end

It's no wonder we're so intent on this week, as we pass through the dark and back to the light. We have a great deal to share. In this Wikli, please be sure to read to the very end, click through to the link for Buzz Anderson's obituary — and take some time to appreciate the well-spent life of a devoted neighbor.

candlelight service at Columbia Lakewood Community Church

annual candlelight service — Sunday Dec 23 7pm
Come hear the wondrous story of Jesus' birth, Christmas carols by the choir, culminating with the congregation forming a circle of candle lights for "Silent Night, Holy Night".

Bring your family, friends, neighbors! 5005 S Ferdinand St
Questions? Please call 723-9272 or email moc.nsm|2rekrabj#moc.nsm|2rekrabj

Christmas Eve at Church of Hope

5pm, Monday December 24

All-ages friendly service with carols, readings, candlelight, and joy! All are welcome.

Columbia City Church of Hope
3818 S Angeline St, 722-5651
ColumbiaCityHope.org

community chorus winter session

Looking for a way to connect with your neighbors, have fun, make a joyful noise? Come sing your way into the New Year with the Columbia City Community Chorus. Winter Session starts January 8.

We also have a Children's Chorus.

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.

fun Christmas-y events

Want to do something Christmas-y …but not go to church?

• Celebrate by helping others.
  Saturday, Dec 22: volunteer with us at the Rainier Valley Food Bank, 12-2:30pm, RSVP to gro.niatnuomdnayellav|nhoj#gro.niatnuomdnayellav|nhoj.

• Celebrate by spreading cheer
  Monday, Dec 24: family-friendly caroling and cookie-sharing along S. Edmunds St (with a reading of the Christmas Eve story at the end). Meet at Salon Adidez (3712 S. Edmunds St) at 4:45pm for cider and hot chocolate. Caroling for 45 minutes starting at 5pm.

• Celebrate with neighbors
  Tuesday, Dec 25th: waffle breakfast and white elephant gift exchange. Waffles 11am-1pm followed by white elephant at John & Freddie Helmiere's house (4610 S. Ferdinand St).

new fired arts studio

Emerald City Fired Arts is opening soon in SE Seattle. We'll specialize in paint-your-own pottery, clay art, mosaics, and glass fusion. We'll welcome walk-in business, offer classes & workshops, host birthdays, fundraising events and other parties. We'll provide "gallery" space for locals artists to display and sell their work and offer classes taught by said artists.

We'll be located at the corner retail space at "The Claremont", where the old Chubby & Tubby used to be, on the corner of S Walden St and Rainier Ave S. We anticipate opening our doors by March 2013.

New Years Eve party to "sweep the globe clean"

Ring in the new year with northwest rabble-rousers at the annual gala hosted by Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party.

Festivities include a sumptuous northern Italian feast, dancing, a riotous year-in-review, and no-host bar. Monday, December 31, 8:30pm. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave S.

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.

Tis the season...

for gift giving and holiday decorating! Stash Quilt Shop has a wide variety of gifts for every budget. Surprise your crafty loved one with a new book or some beautiful yarn.

Also, if you're wanting to deck your halls with a touch of handmade flair, we have some fast and easy craft ideas to pass along. From the 10 Minute Table Runner to quilted stockings, we have a project for you.

ukulele group classes

Let the cold rain fall, it's strummin' time! Come learn the fundamental skills to get you playing this versatile, portable, and fun instrument. Group lessons are a convivial and affordable way to get into playing the uke. Join your friends and neighbors and beat the chill with a little island vibe.