Upcoming events

Christmas Ship(s) to arrive December 22

The date and time have been set for the annual arrival of the holiday flotilla at Madison Park. The ships will be off the beach between 4:55 and 5:15 pm on Saturday, December 22. The live on-board music will be provided by the Dickens Carolers, the same group that did the honors last year.  As always, neighborhood businesses will be chipping in to provide refreshments for those enjoying the festivities.

Madison Parkers living in proximity to the Seattle Tennis Club may be able to see or hear a preview of what's to come. On November 25 the flotilla will anchor off the STC lawn for a concert from 6:00 until 6:20 pm.

We're sure to receive a missive from Argosy Cruises if we don't mention that the "Christmas Ship Festival" is an Argosy event, details here.

Arboretum Holiday Sale returns December 7 & 8

The annual Arboretum Holiday Sale, "Greens & Gifts Galore," will be held at the Graham Visitors Center on Friday, December 7, from 12 to 5 p.m., and on Saturday, December 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale will feature eco-friendly botanical decorations, such as locally sourced and sustainably harvested wreaths, swags, and garlands, as well as fresh-cut greens. Additionally, there will be specialty gifts, including gardening and nature books, handcrafted items by local artisans, botanical holiday ornaments by Michael Michaud, miniature terrarium kits, handmade gift cards, Chukar Cherries gift boxes, handmade birdseed balls, and Arboretum honey.

The event is sponsored by the Arboretum Foundation, and all sales benefit the maintenance and education programs of the Arboretum.  The Graham Visitors Center is located at 2300 Arboretum Drive E.

Koulourakia is a traditional hand-shaped, butter-based Greek pastry

Time again for baklava, spanakopita and koulourakia

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption will be holding its annual Holiday Fest Dinner this year on December 1 at the Church (reservations here).  But if a sit-down dinner is not your thing, you can still get some great Greek food by signing up online for the dinner to go (available for pickup on the afternoon of December 1) or for some fresh or frozen items to be picked up at the Church November 30 through December 2. Assumption Church is located at 1804 13th Avenue on Capitol Hill.

[Middle photo: New York Botanical Garden.]