Hi friends,

I’ll keep this short, because it’s December 1st, folks. The end of the year is coming for nonprofit folks working to raise the funds they need, and businesses hustling to get into the black, and all of us who celebrate in our various ways, getting prepped for it all.

I’m sharing a few invites below. Come on out, because ‘tis the season to do some good and have some fun, wherever we can.

I hope to see you soon, or catch up virtually, or just exchange emails to hear what’s up lately. As we get ready to close out 2025, I’m sending warm wishes your way. I hope you find joy, get rest, stay safe, and make some wonderful memories this season.

Sending civic love,
Erika 

Do good outdoors! December 10th, 13th and 20th

Join a volunteer restoration work party at Saint Edward State Park with UW Bothell’s CoSEE (Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement) from 10 AM - 1 PM, December 10th. Bring work gloves, pruners or loppers and meet at the EERC classroom. Ages 8+ welcome; please register. 

Join Sno-King Watershed Council, in partnership with the City of Kenmore, for habitat restoration at Wallace Swamp Creek Park in Kenmore on December 13th and December 20th. Starts at 11 AM and goes until 2 PM; you don’t have to stay for the full three hours. RSVPs appreciated. 

Join Whale Scout at the former Wayne Golf Course in Bothell to help plant native trees, remove invasive stuff, and restore salmon habitat on December 13th and December 20th. Arrive at 10 AM for sign-in and a quick safety briefing. RSVPs appreciated.

Community Action Fair at Third Place Commons, Lake Forest Park, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Saturday, December 13th

Too many of our neighbors are hungry. Ten organizations focused on food access and community care will be on-site at Third Place Commons for an open-house-style Commons Community Action Fair. Come to contribute or find support. No need to register; all are welcome.

✅ Learn how local groups are feeding families and supporting our community.
✅ Discover volunteer opportunities where your time and talents can make a real impact.
✅ Participate in family-friendly activities and bring items for food and hygiene donation bins.

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).

Too many to list… but here’s a few community events

Just for fun. Holiday stuff aplenty. Kenmore’s Winterfest is 11AM-3PM, December 6th. Bothell’s Tree Lighting celebration is Noon-6:30 PM, December 6th. Gingerbread Decorating Social 11AM, December 7th and Wreath Making Workshop, 6PM, December 9th at Copperworks Distilling (Kenmore). Bothell’s Holiday Market is December 13th. Third Place Commons’ Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Fair (including farmers market vendors outside until 2PM) is 10AM-4PM, December 14th. Grand Menorah Lighting at Bellevue Arts Museum is at 5PM, December 14th. 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 6, 13, 21, 27.

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.