Hi friends,

I hope you’ve all been safe and warm during this extreme weather. Our power is on in downtown Kenmore, so as of now, we’re a go for Civic Social tonight: 5:30 - 7:00 PM at The Hangar. If you’re coming, give me a shout so I know how many tables (and cookies) we’ll need! If something changes, I’ll be sure to message anyone who has RSVPed.

• Big thanks to everyone who came out to the Community Action Fair at Third Place Commons last weekend, and especially to Serena who ran point along with our tireless executive director, Silje Sodal, and to Cheryl Ann for jumping in to support! The ten participating nonprofits were all very happy with the turnout and engagement.

• Civic Social will continue in 2026! Save the date for Wednesday, January 21st, 5:30 - 7:00 PM at The Hangar.

• Civic Saturday will resume in 2026! Save the date for Saturday, February 21st, 10:00 - 11:30 AM (more info below).

Comments are turned on for anyone who would like to weigh in with thoughts or feedback as we look ahead to 2026 gatherings and engagement.

Sending civic love,
Erika 

Civic Social at The Hangar, Kenmore,
5:30 - 7:00 PM, Wed. December 17th

We’re following up on November’s Civic Social, where we brainstormed about an all-ages “surprise party” series for the community in 2026.

What’s a Community Surprise Party? Well, you can be part of figuring that out.

So far, we think it will be free to attend, and will include unexpected activities. We might be brainstorming ideas to alleviate a local problem. We might feature community leaders - maybe an elementary school PE teacher leading games? a local drama group teaching improv? an arts group offering a collage or painting activity? The key thing is – the guests would sign up not knowing what the party would include. Definitely would include time at the end for people to talk about what they liked (or didn’t) AND opportunities to sign up to keep doing some similar things in the community.

The point? Helping one another feel more connected to this place, and to each other. We’re building on key concepts drawn from the books "This Is Where You Belong" by Melody Warnick, "Bowling Alone" by Robert Putnam, and "The Unthinkable" by Amanda Ripley.

If you want to join the brainstorming, please come to Civic Social: 5:30 - 7 PM on Wednesday, December 17th, at The Hangar in Kenmore. You are all cordially invited and welcome to bring a friend – RSVPs appreciated to get a rough head count for cookies. A few of us will arrive early to snag a table / table(s).

You haven’t missed these…

Sleigh That 5K is at Green Lake in Seattle, 10AM start, December 20th. Sunrise Solstice Walk happens in Everett, 7:53AM, December 21st. Winterfest Ice Sculpting (cool! ha ha) at Seattle Center, Noon-2PM, December 21, 27.

Whale Scout work party on December 20th. Sno-King Watershed Council habitat restoration at Wallace Swamp Creek Park December 20th. RSVPs appreciated. 

Save the date: Civic Saturday
10-11:30 AM, Saturday, February 21st at Third Place Commons

The date is set, and planning is underway. If you are interested in helping, please give me a shout ([email protected]). Civic Saturday needs: audience outreach, musicians to open and close the event, readers, greeters, and more. Collaboration is part of the magic! More information to come; thanks for considering.