Events

Women of Our Community Fair and Holiday Bazaar: 1:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at Lake Sawyer Christian Church, 31605 Lake Sawyer Road S.E., Black Diamond. Free seminars on women’s issues, raffle and multivendor bazaar. www.womenofourcommunity.com.

Eastside Catholic School options program information night: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 232 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish. The program offers language-based special education to a small number of high school students with mild to moderate developmental disabilities in grades 9 – 12. RSVP to Admission Director Helene Johnson at hjohnson@eastsidecatholic.org or call 425-295-3014. www.eastsidecatholic.org.

Harvest Dance to benefit Issaquah Food Bank: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at Pickering Barn. Two local bands—the Astrocats and Magnolia Road—plus food from several local restaurants and many auction items. Tickets are on sale at the Issaquah Reporter office, 1595 N.W. Gilman Blvd, Suite 6. To become a sponsor, to volunteer or for more information, contact Chair Bill Werner at Bigwer3@comcast.net or 425-894-4410.

Issaquah Reindeer Festival: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 1-23. Children can meet the reindeer, visit with Santa, listen to stories read by an elf, and make an art project. Proceeds benefit the reindeer and other animals at the zoo. Admission: $8-$10.50; free for ages 1 and younger. Cougar Mountain Zoological Park, 19525 S.E. 54th St., Issaquah. 425-392-6278 or www.cougarmountainzoo.org.

Evergreen Healthcare Auxiliary Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 in the Evergreen Hospital Medical Center Galleria, 12040 N.E. 128th St., Kirkland. Hand-made crafts, jewelry, photograph and holiday decorations. Proceeds support patients and programs at Evergreen. Free parking. For more information: 425-899-2001. www.evergreenhealthcare.org.

Sammamish Kiwanis “Breakfast with Santa:” Two seatings, 8:45 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, 1757 244th Ave. N.E., Sammamish. Pancake breakfast with Santa, Doug the “Talking Fir,” live music, pictures and holiday crafts. Reservations requested. Download form at www.sammmamishkiwanis.org or, register by calling Kathy Huckabay, 392-8905. Adults, $10; children, $5.

Crafters wanted for Historic Museums of Issaquah Holiday Open House: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6. Space available for crafters to sell items at the event. No commission charge. Table fee: $35; money goes towards museum upkeep and programs. Call to reserve tables. Issaquah Depot Museum freight room, 50 Rainier Blvd. N., Issaquah. 425-392-3500.

Issaquah Highlands Christmas Festival: 4-7 p.m., Blakely Hall, 2550 N.E. Park Dr. Living nativity, live music, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides, caroling, kid-friendly crafts.Donations accepted for World Vision or International Justice Mission. www.whatismosaic.com/christmasfestival.

Ladies Musical Club concert: 3 p.m. Nov. 23. Performance by violinist Helena Emery. University House, 22975 S.E. Black Nugget Road, Issaquah. 206-622-6882 or www.lmcseattle.org.

Theater

Bethlehem Inn Dinner Theater: 7 p.m. Dec. 5-6. Presented by Sammamish Presbyterian Church’s choir and youth. Cost: $10-$20. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road. 425-868-5186 or mainoffice@spconline.org.

“The Gospel According to Scrooge”: 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and 11-12; 5 p.m. Dec. 6. Free Christmas musical. Childcare provided. Eastridge Christian Assembly, 5025 Issaquah-Pine Lake Road S.E., Issaquah. 425-392-3253 or www.eastridgetoday.com.

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”: Through Jan. 4. Cost: $22-$58. Presented by Village Theatre. Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah. 425-392-2202, 866-688-8049 or www.villagetheatre.org. Also: Jan. 9-Feb. 1 at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Cost: $16-$51. Everett tickets: 425-257-8600 or 888-257-3722.

Nightlife

Bake’s Place: All performances 8-10:30 p.m. unless noted. Performers: Nov. 22-23, Nancy Kelly and Houston Person live recording session. Cost: $22 for show; $47.50 for show and dinner. 4135 Providence Point Drive S.E., Issaquah. 425-391-3335, www.bakesplace.org or Events@bakesplace.org.

Pogacha of Issaquah: 8-11 p.m. Saturdays. Live music, no cover. Performers: Nov. 15, Paul Green and Straight Shot; Nov. 22, Ricky Venture Revue; Nov. 29 and Dec. 20, Darren Motamedy; Dec. 6, The Paul Hanover Band. 120 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Issaquah. 425-455-5550 or www.pogacha.com.

Vino Bella Wine Bar: Performances 7:30-11:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Ongoing: 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays, comedy nights. 99 Front St. N., Issaquah. 425-391-1424 or www.vinobella.com.

Benefits

ARAS Foundation Harvest Festival: Through Nov. 14. Non-perishable groceries and new toys are needed for the Harvest Festival, a non-profit event on Nov. 15, serving 2000 low income and homeless people in the Seattle area. Pick ups can be arranged if necessary. Donations are tax-deductible. Drop-off locations include: Sammamish City Hall, 801 228th Ave. S.E.; Dr. Mark Nelson Orthodontist’s office, 336 228th Ave. N.E., Sammamish; Plateau Chiropractic, 22647 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road, Sammamish. 425-868 8448 or mary@arasfoundation.org.

Overlake Alumnae Panhellenic Scholarship Luncheon: 10 a.m. Dec. 3. Bridge games at 10 a.m.; lunch starts at 12:30 p.m. Cost: $35; registration required by Nov. 24. Overlake Golf and Country Club, 8000 N.E. 16th St., Medina. 425-454-3769 or www.overlakealumnaepanhellenic.org.

40 Degrees Project: Donors can purchase Homeless Compassion Kits to provide basic necessities to help the homeless during the winter. Also, volunteers can help assemble kits 4-8 p.m. Dec. 12. Registration requested. Call or e-mail for details. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road, Sammamish. 425-868-5186 or mainoffice@spconline.org.

Issaquah Food Bank: Accepts online cash donations, non-perishable food and usable clothing items (especially children’s and infants clothing). Food and clothing donations can be dropped off at 179 First Ave. S.E. Online donations can be made at www.issaquahfoodbank.org. Client hours: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 5-7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Volunteers are also needed. 425-392-4123 or 425-392-5836.

Faith

“Invest in your Marriage with 10 Great Dates”: 6 p.m. Nov. 14 (“Building a Creative Love Life”) and Dec. 19 (“Sharing Responsibility and Working Together”). Monthly date-night program includes group seminar, followed by childcare during individual dates. Registration required. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road, Sammamish. 425-868-5186 or mainoffice@spconline.org.

Thanksgiving Service: 10 a.m. Nov. 27. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road, Sammamish.

Meditation music evening: 7:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month. Features spiritually inspiring music a la Taize’ for meditation. Bellevue First United Methodist Church, 1934 108th Ave. N.E. 425-454-2059.

Dance

Hawaiian Hula dance classes: 4:45-5:45 p.m. Sundays, Advanced; 6-7 p.m. Sundays, Beginner/Intermediate. Classes taught by Laura Melelani Bergstrom. Issaquah Dance Theatre, 1575 N.W. Mall St., Issaquah. 206-818-5837.

Galleries/exhibits

ArtEAST: Exhibits: Through Dec. 2, “Collective Works: Figure/Grounded.” Art collective presents new “Collective Works” exhibits the first Friday of each month. Hours: 11-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. Up Front Art, 48 Front St. N., Issaquah. 425-996-8553 or www.arteast.org.

Pogacha of Issaquah: Exhibits: Through Dec. 6, “Statements” paintings by Lucille Berkowitz. 120 N.W. Gilman Blvd. 425-392-5550 or www.pogacha.com.

Libraries/Books

Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way. 425-392-5430 or www.kcls.org. Library activities include:

• “Playing ‘Doctor’—What’s Normal, What’s Not?”: 7 p.m. Nov. 17. Learn about child sexual development and sexual abuse. Provides two STARS credits.

• “Get Organized Financially”: 7 p.m. Nov. 18. Learn to develop an easy-to-use management system for personal data and important documents.

• NaNoWriMo: 3-6 p.m. Thursdays through Nov. 20. Draft your next novel during National Novel Writing Month. A local author will serve as coach during library sessions.

• “Twilight” Prom: 4:30 p.m. Nov. 21. Teens can come dressed as their favorite characters from the “Twilight” series for a chance to win movie tickets and copies of “Breaking Dawn.”

• Issaquah Library Book Discussion Group: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 26. Topic: “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver.

• Story times: Library offers various child, family and foreign language story times. Call for details.

Sammamish Library, 825 228th Ave. N.E. 425-836-8793 or www.kcls.org. Library activities include:

• Teen Creative Writers Group: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Nov. 18. Share your stories and poems with other teen writers.

• Sammamish Book Discussion Group: 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. Topic: Nov. 19, “The Eyre Affair” by Jasper Fforde.

• Singing Thanksgiving: 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20. The Harmonica Pocket celebrates Thanksgiving with skits, dancing, and American folk tunes. All ages welcome; children 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

• New Sammamish Library Groundbreaking: 3 p.m. Dec. 4. Groundbreaking at 825 228th Ave. S.E. Existing library will remain open till construction is complete.

• Read Three, Get One Free: Children ages 12-18 can read three books, write three short reviews and get a new paperback book for free. Entry forms available at the library or online at www.kcls.org/read3.

• Talk Time: 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Adults can improve their English speaking and listening skills in this conversation group.

Public Meetings

Sammamish City Council and Issaquah School Board joint meeting: 6:30-10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17. Sammamish City Hall, 801 228th Ave. S.E.

Sammamish Arts Commission: 6:30-10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17. Location TBA. Check www.ci.sammamish.wa.us.

Sammamish City Council: 6:30-10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18. Sammamish City Hall.

Sammamish Landing public meeting: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19. Sammamish City Hall.

Sammamish Planning Commission: 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20. Sammamish City Hall.

Support

Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group: 6-7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. Free information and support group is open to care partners, family members and friends of individuals with dementia. Aegis of Issaquah, 780 N. Juniper St. 425-313-7364 or www.alzwa.org.

Breast cancer patient support: Trained survivors offer free emotional support to the newly-diagnosed, enhancing emotional recovery while going through treatments. Will attend consultations, chemotherapy and radiation appointments and have volunteers in your community. 206-417-3484, www.angelcarefoundation.org or angelcare@angelcarefoundation.org.

Divorce Recovery: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Nov. 25. Seminar for those going through separation or divorce, or trying to move on after divorce. Childcare available with advance registration. Pine Lake Covenant Church, 1715 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish. 425-392-8636 or www.plcc.org.

Eastside Compassionate Friends: 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. Group welcomes families who have experienced the death of a child of any age. Group has no religious affiliation. Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 10021 N.E. 124th St., Kirkland. 425-325-0357.

Food Addicts Anonymous: 7 p.m. Thursdays. Group offers help and support to those struggling with food cravings and overeating. Cost: Free. Meets at a confidential North Bend location. 425-888-0314 or heartlight050@yahoo.com.

GriefShare Grief Support Group: 7-9 p.m. Thursdays through Jan. 29. Community members can reflect on their own grief experiences and share one another’s burdens with leaders trained to listen and facilitate conversation. No meetings on holidays. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road. mainoffice@spconline.org.

Hearing Loss Association: 1 p.m. the second Saturday of the month. Lake Sammamish Foursquare Church, 14434 N.E. Eighth Street, Bellevue. 425-746-1074 or greymare25@aol.com.

Volunteers

Angel Care Breast Cancer Foundation: Breast cancer survivors needed to provide support for others battling cancer. Must be one year past the end of treatments and have good interpersonal skills. 206-417-3484, 877-417-3484 (toll-free), www.angelcarefoundation.org or angelcare@angelcarefoundation.org.

Evergreen Hospice: Volunteers age 18 or older needed to help terminally ill patients and their families throughout King and Snohomish counties. Training provided. 425-899-1040 or www.evergreenhealthcare.org.

Family Law CASA of King County: Children’s needs can get lost in the dispute between separating parents. Do you want to advocate for such a child? Volunteer for Family Law CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of King County. 206-748-9700 or www.familylawcasa.com.

Friend to Friend: Volunteers needed to visit adults in nursing homes, assisted living and retirement homes throughout King and Snohomish counties. Volunteers commit to visit about twice a month for one year. 206-246-5150.

Issaquah Chamber of Commerce: Chamber is seeking friendly volunteers to assist in providing a warm welcome and information to visitors at our Issaquah Visitor Information Center. Help is needed 1-5 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. 425-392-7024 or tbarry@issaquahchamber.com.

Issaquah History Museums: Volunteers needed to welcome visitors four hours per month at the Train Depot and Gilman Town Hall. Training provided. 425-392-3500 or volunteer@issaquahhistory.org.

Looking Into the Needs of Kids and Schools (LINKS): Volunteer opportunities include mentors, math and reading assistance, tutoring, and homework help. 425-702-3410, links@lwsd.org or www.linksvolunteer.org.

Overlake Hospital Medical Center’s Cancer Resource Center: Volunteers needed to greet resource center visitors, assist clients in using the center’s self-serve functions, answer phones and provide clerical support. Training provided. Application, interview and orientation required prior to training. 425-688-5369.

Red Cross Disaster Action Team: American Red Cross is seeking King County volunteers to respond to local disasters. Volunteers must be on-call one week out of six, and will receive free training. 206-726-3566 or www.seattleredcross.org.

Sammamish Arts Commission: Arts commission is looking for a handyperson to help with the tiled bus shelter. Some tiles need to be replaced and all tiles must be resealed. For questions or to volunteer, call 425-295-0556 or e-mail dsanders@ci.sammamish.wa.us.

Stitches from the Heart: Volunteers needed to knit, crochet or quilt blankets, sweaters, hats and booties for babies in need. Items go to hospitals across the country. Patterns available. Donations of yarn or money also appreciated. Call for details. 866-472-6903, stitchfromheart@aol.com or www.StitchesFromTheHeart.org.

Youth Center Advisory Board: The 2008-2009 Issaquah Youth Advisory Board is seeking representatives from Issaquah, Beaver Lake and Maywood middle schools. Applications available online at www.ci.issaquah.wa.us. More info: 425-837-3317.

Groups

Issaquah Amateur Radio Club: 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month. Open to anyone, licensed or not, who is interested in Ham Radio. Issaquah Valley Senior Citizens Center, 75 N.E. Creek Way, Issaquah.

Issaquah Guild of the Children’s Hospital: 11 a.m. the third Thursday of the month. New members welcome. 765 Rainier Blvd. N., Issaquah.

Issaquah Kiwanis: Noon Wednesdays. Gibson Hall, 105 Newport Way S.W. 425-392-4016 or www.issaquah.kiwanis.org.

Issaquah Rotary: 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays. Tibbetts Creek Manor, 750 17th Ave. N.W., Issaquah. www.issaquahrotary.org.

La Leche League of the Sammamish Plateau: 10 a.m. the third Thursday of the month. Topics: Nov. 20, “The Baby Arrives: The Family and the Breastfed Baby”; Dec. 18, “The Art of Breastfeeding and Avoiding Difficulties”; Jan. 15, “Nutrition and Weaning.” Mothers with nursing babies and mothers-to-be welcome. Meeting room at Issaquah Highlands Fire Station 73, 1280 N.E. Park Drive, Issaquah. 425-605-0837, 425-827-6843, lll.tsf@gmail.com or sherylbatt@verizon.net.

MOMS Club of Sammamish Plateau: 10 a.m. the third Friday of the month. Children welcome. Group also meets for playgroups, outings, moms’ night out, book club and craft nights. Pine Lake Covenant Church, 1715 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish. 425-836-5015 or momsclubsammamish@yahoo.com.

Mothers and More Sammamish/Redmond chapter: 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. Members participate in scrap-booking, book club, movies out, Clutter Club, kids play groups and more. See Web site for details, locations. www.redmondmothersandmore.org.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS): 9:30-11:30 a.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Moms enjoy brunch, fellowship, speakers and crafts. Childcare provided. Registration requested. Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road. www.spconline.org/pages/Ministry/Childrens/MOPS.html.

Rotary Club of Sammamish: 7:30 a.m. Thursdays. Bellewood Retirement Apartments, 3710 Providence Point Drive S.E. 206-940-9098 or www.sammamishrotary.org.

Sammamish Area Woman’s Club: 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. Club is a General Federation of Women’s Club Cascade Woman’s Club. Members participate in volunteer projects in the local area. New members welcome. Meetings in members’ homes; call for location. 425-898-8603.

Sammamish Kiwanis Club: 7 a.m. Wednesdays. Breakfast is provided and all are welcome. Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church, 22818 S.E. Eighth St. 425-922-3861.

Toastmasters of Sammamish: 7:15-8:15 p.m. Tuesdays. Room 121 at Mary Queen of Peace Church, 1121 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish. 425-894-3424, tmofsamm@yahoo.com or www.tmofsamm.org.

Writing Group: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Meet with other writers to discuss your work and sip tea. Tiger Mountain Tea Company, Gilman Village, 317 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite 47, Issaquah. 425-941-2559.