AA Holiday Guide | November 26, 2014 by Skagit Publishing

Holiday Guide

2014

A supplement to the Anacortes American

Table of Contents CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN ANACORTES..................... PG. 4 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS......... ................................... PG. 4-14 GIVE BACK.................................. .............................. PG. 18 TREE LIGHTING AND CHRISTMAS PARADE .................. PG. 19 THE NUTCRACKER BALLET........................................... PG. 20-21 ACT PRESENTS “BOB’S YOUR ELF” .............................. PG. 22 LIGHTED CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE. .......................... PG. 23 CELEBRATE THE SEASON ............................................ PG. 24-25 CHRISTMAS TREE SALE ............................................... PG. 27 HOLIDAY ARTWALK .................................................... PG. 27 CHRISTMAS CONCERT ............................................... PG. 28 WONDERLAND WALK................................................ PG. 28 HOLIDAY CALENDAR .................................................. PG. 29-31

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

ANACORTES AMERICAN HOLIDAY GUIDE

About the Cover As has become a tradition for the Anacortes American’s Holiday Guide, the staff chose yet another local spot to shoot this year’s cover.

Jacobson with Briana Alzola and Joan Pringle on set design duty. Idea man for it all was Jack Darnton.

Getting a view from the top of the town was easy when the Majestic Inn & Spa’s helpful staff opened their rooftop lounge for us. The featured role went to none other than Anacortes Community Theatre’s own Tim Brown — our Santa’s elf pictured relaxing a bit after the lastminute Christmas Eve rush to get the big guy on his way. (By the way, ACT’s holiday play “Bob’s Your Elf” opens Nov. 28.)

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ANACORTES

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12 Days of

Shopping in Anacortes

ANACORTES AMERICAN HOLIDAY GUIDE

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Shopping in Anacortes can be convenient, easy and timesaving — but foremost it can be a joy. Especially when you have a list as varied as the Anacortes American staff came up with this year based on “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” We don’t have any partridges or pear trees in our

mix but we do have nine dancers dancing, which is close enough for us. Other holiday gift ideas range from five golden brews to 10 toasty toes. We started off with 12 Recommended Reads from our staff. We hope our stories help you find the perfect gift for your true love, friends and family this year.

Recommended Reads Joan Pringle Stories that take me to foreign lands are my favorites. I truly enjoy being a homebody who can curl up in my favorite reading chair with a blanket, cat or two, and still go on a journey, whether real or imagined, with authors who open doorways to tales of practicing medicine and love in Ethiopia, living in a colorless world on a Pacific island and laughing with a family in India with 13 children.

together in such a beguiling way that even Missing’s Operating Theater 3 and a prostitute’s back room have beauty. “We come unbidden into this life, and if we are lucky we find a purpose beyond starvation, misery, and early death which, lest we forget, is the common lot,” Verghese writes in the prologue.

author’s beautiful and flowing style … not unlike a melody. ‘Family Planning’

Karan Mahajan

Karan Mahajan takes his readers on a glorious and humorous ride through the eyes of father Rakesh Ahuja and son Arjun (his eldest of 13 children) in this incredible first novel. Ahuja, minister of urban development, contemplates his ‘The Island of the doomed flyover projects for Colorblind’ Oliver Sacks New Delhi, while Arjun’s main focus is creating reality out ‘Cutting for Stone’ Oliver Sacks is a of the lie he told to impress a Abraham Verghese neurologist and the greatest girl — that he’s in a rock band nonfiction writer I’ve had the — by getting his siblings on his Before I knew it, I was pleasure of experiencing. side. feeling seasick along with Dr. Sacks can weave Their lives and stories cross Thomas Stone on the Portuguese perplexing scientific details as Arjun tries to understand ship going from India to about how the mind works why his father and mother Africa while reading “Cutting in a way readers can grasp have decided to have so many for Stone.” Relief came only while keeping them entranced children, and when Ahuja when when Sister Mary Praise by the personal and touching reflects on his first wife and Joseph hung a hammock in the anecdotes of his patients. Arjun’s biological mother. surgeon’s cabin, allowing his My favorite Sacks book is Ahuja resigns from his body to stay horizontal instead “The Island of the Colorblind,” position — he’s done so 62 of swaying with the rolls of the the main portion of which takes times before — only so he ship. place on the Pacific islands of can get a day off before he’s Abraham Verghese’s cajoled back in order tell Arjun amazing first novel then took me Pingelap and Pohnpei, where an unusually large portion of the of both their pasts. step by step on a journey with In his resignation letter, Stone and Joseph to Missing, a population is colorblind. Sacks seems to unfold Ahuja tells his boss he has missionary hospital in Ethiopia, the story as it did for him as the same level of affection for and from there on a journey of he traveled to the island and his fellow party member and life with their offspring Marion interviewed the people to learn nemesis Vineet Yograj as “the and Shiva in the mid-1900s. Pakistani cricket team, George The twin boys are raised in of the disadvantages as well as the advantages of living in Bush, and the advent of the tiny the mission compound by two triangular wedge of hair grown doctors, Hema and Ghosh, and a colorless world, including the incredible ability to see clearly by men between the age of follow their parents’ interests underwater at night. twenty-one and thirty-one under in medicine and each other’s Another favorite of mine their lower lips.” adoration of the beautiful is Sacks’ “Musicophilia: Tales “Family Planning” is at Genet, the daughter of one of of Music and the Brain,” which the top of my gift list for those the mission workers. is about exactly that but in the friends who “get” my humor. Verghese puts words

Briana Alzola Reading has been one of my biggest passions since I was a very little girl. I read as much as I can, usually shooting for about 80-100 books a year. My favorite books are generally fiction of any type (although I tend to steer clear of science fiction and fantasy) and memoirs written by people in the comedy and movie industries. ‘The Shadow of the Wind’

Carlos Ruiz Zafón

When Daniel Sempere’s father — a bookshop owner — takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Daniel has no idea what’s in store. Each person entering the secret library is tasked with selecting one book to protect for life. Daniel chooses “The Shadow of the Wind” by Julián Carax and soon becomes obsessed with the story and the author. His quest to find out more about Carax leads Daniel down a dark road — full of intrigue, love, betrayal and heartbreak. This book grabbed hold of me completely from page one. Much like Daniel was drawn to Carax and his story, I couldn’t tear myself away from the pages. The book is scary in parts, heartwarming in others. It’s sometimes thrilling and other times made me laugh out loud. The poetic nature of the prose surprised me, since this book was originally written in Spanish. Usually, translations are choppy in places. This one was elegantly translated and I

stopped several times to copy passages that spoke to me. If you are looking for a fascinating read this year, look no further than “The Shadow of the Wind.”

pet dodo bird, a brief real-world run-in with Edward Rochester from “Jane Eyre” and creatures called adjectivores, which suck all the description out of an object.

‘The Eyre Affair’

‘Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life’

Jasper Fforde

Thursday Next lives in a parallel universe to our own. A Crimean War (which has been raging for more than a century) veteran and literary detective, she is tasked with tracking down a wanted terrorist — Archeron Hades. Soon she discovers that her genius uncle Mycroft has created a Prose Portal. This device allows her to enter works of fiction. Hades uses the machine to enter original manuscripts, which causes the changes he makes to show up in each of the other versions of the book. When Jane Eyre is kidnapped from the pages of her book, Thursday Next is on the case. This book is pretty weird, I’m not going to lie to you. It combines science fiction and fantasy with literary jokes, satire and mystery. This book is not for everyone, but I think it will appeal to book-lovers among us. If you would laugh, like I did, at the idea of a footnooter phone (people can communicate within the pages of a book through a series of footnotes at the bottom of the page) then this read may be for you. Where else can you find a

Steve Martin

I love comedy. Watching stand-up, reading books about comedy and by comedians, comedic movies — I love it all. This passion for comedy has led me to seek out a celebrity memoir or two — or 20. I was thinking about these book recommendations and I wanted to pick the best of the best when it comes to memoirs. The book that popped instantly into my mind was “Born Standing Up.” It depicts one of the best “How I got started” stories I’ve read. Martin started out at Disneyland and then pursued his quest for a career as a magician to the stand-up stage. If you, too, have interest in the world of comedy, this is a great place to start. It will put a smile on your face and warm your heart. I have also listened to the audiobook version — read by the author — and highly recommend it. Martin has written a few fiction books, too, if that’s more your style.

Christmas

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Jack Darnton I’ve been reading a lot of nonfiction and historical fiction lately and learning a lot. I mean how many mysteries or introspective coming of age/ self-discovery/circle of life/ fulfillment/loss of innocence epics in a row does one need to plow through? Some recent favorites that didn’t make my list: “Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the Word,” “The Zen of Fish” and “Vivaldi’s Virgins” — don’t let the title turn you off, this is a great tale set in a foundling home in 18th-century Vienna. ‘The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics’

Daniel James Brown

You already know what happens in this true saga: The 1936 U.S. men’s Olympic eight-oar rowing team — nine working-class University of Washington boys — storms the rowing world and takes the gold medal, upstaging Adolf Hitler in the process. But this Depression-era book just pulls you along as you learn about the boys in the boat and their amazing life stories and accomplishments. You don’t have to know about rowing to enjoy “The Boys in the Boat.” It’s about more than that. “I make the case at the end of every book talk that these nine Americans, who climbed in the boat and learned to pull together, (are) almost the perfect metaphor for what that generation did,” Brown said in a recent Seattle Times article. “They endured the Depression and the war. Pull together, build great teams, get things done.” Interesting to me was how the crew’s story was huge news in Seattle, with lavish coverage

ANACORTES AMERICAN HOLIDAY GUIDE

in the sports pages and big crowds along the waterfront when they rowed. Not what you see today in the pro-sports era, even with all the titles current University of Washington crews are amassing. There’s even a strong local angle. The stroke on the crew was Don Hume, a 1933 Anacortes High School grad who, as Wallie Funk wrote in the American two decades ago, could be seen back then rowing a reconstructed 13-foot klinkerbuilt boat up and down the Guemes Channel and to other points in the San Juans. As stroke, Hume was a key figure in the race, and he persevered despite being sick days before and during the race with what was later diagnosed as walking pneumonia. ‘American Catch: The Fight for Our Local Seafood’

Paul Greenberg

I was astounded to learn that 91 percent of the seafood Americans eat is foreign. The author, a fish expert, looks to New York oysters, Gulf shrimp, and Bristol Bay salmon to reveal how that came to be and why Americans no longer eat from local waters. (At the same time, a third of the seafood Americans catch gets sold to foreigners.) The book is often depressing at times as Greenberg recounts the environmental desecration both here and in Asia and the tremendous loss of habitat. As recently as 1928, the average New Yorker ate 600 local oysters a year. Today, the only edible oysters lie outside city limits. You’ll learn a lot, though, about our broken relationships with our oceans and perhaps glean something that could help us make a difference here.

‘Star of the Sea’

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

Kimberly Jacobson I am entirely inconsistent with my book choices, which is This is a gripping historical just the way I like it! One week tale set in 1847 against the I may be reading nonfiction backdrop of the Irish famine, the about an underground tunnel horrible extent of which comes rescue, next it’s on to a mystery alive in the novel and made me novel and then uplifting chick lit. realize how lacking my high The list of books I want to read school world history classes keeps getting longer — I’ll give were. almost anything a try. The Star of the Sea — a coffin ship really — sets sail ‘Five Days at Memorial: for New York with hundreds Life and Death in a Stormof refugees on board, some Ravaged Hospital’ optimistic, most much more Sheri Fink desperate. The ship is a microcosm of Irish society. “Five Days at Memorial” Characters include a maid will make you ask a lot of with a devastating secret, the questions — both about yourself bankrupt Lord Merridith, his and the state of health care. wife and children, and a killer The book, by Pulitzer stalking the decks, hungry for Prize-winning journalist Sheri the vengeance that will bring Fink, takes you inside New absolution. Orleans’ Memorial Medical Much, much more than a Center during Hurricane Katrina murder mystery, this is a great in 2005 and the severe flooding tale that kept me hooked as the that followed the storm. In the ship sails toward the Promised end, patients are dead and Land. Along the way you’ll learn medical professionals are much about the way, in one arrested and accused of having reviewer’s words, “colonialism, hastened their deaths. slavery and class oppression The first half of the book dehumanize both ruler and reads like a thriller and the ruled.” second half like a legal drama. I’ve been reading a variety of medical/science books lately — “Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues” and “Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic” are both also good reads — but “Memorial” stood out. The ethical questions it brings up really made me think. Fink conducted more than 500 interviews with hundreds of people who were at the hospital. While it certainly isn’t an uplifting read, it is a fascinating one. Fink draws you through everything that happened and makes you question why. And what would you do in those circumstances. Hindsight is 20/20. We can look back at Hurricane

Joseph O’Connor

Katrina’s aftermath and ask questions. Why weren’t necessary upgrades made to the hospital after previous flooding showed the weaknesses in the building? Why were patients not evacuated before the storm? In the end, it’s not the questions that matter but what we do to prepare for the next disaster.

changed easily — it resists. The book is full of rich characters and gives you a glimpse of what life was like in the late 1950s and early 1960s. But through it all there is always the suspense of what Jake is going to do and how it will impact history.

‘11/22/63’

Wally Lamb

Stephen King

Truth: Stephen King has never appealed to me. It took a lot of recommendations to make me give his book “11/22/63” a try. I’m glad I did. The book follows Jake Epping, a high school English teacher in Maine, who is given the mission to step through a portal and prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. I could not put this book down. King is a storyteller. I was transported to the era of Eisenhower and Elvis. Big American cars, sock hops and smoking. My parents have told me exactly where they were when they learned Kennedy was shot. It’s a major defining moment for their generation. King simply asks what would the world be like if that event had never happened. What if Kennedy lived? “11/22/63” isn’t just about the Kennedy assassination. The time travel portal (I know, kind of sci-fi, but just accept it) drops Jake off on Sept. 9, 1958. He can spend an hour or a year there and always comes back to the present two minutes after he left. That means Jake has years before the assassination to blend into society, follow potential leads and wonder about how he will accomplish such a feat. What he does has an impact on the past and the future. And history will not be

‘I Know This Much is True’ I own every book Wally Lamb has written. It’s hard to put my finger on what exactly I like so much about his books — I guess the simple thing is his writing pulls me in. His characters seem real and are very introspective. I narrowed it down to two that I like the most. “She’s Come Undone” is a coming-of-age story that follows Dolores Price from girlhood to adulthood. She faces many struggles — from outside forces but also from inside herself. It reads almost like a personal memoir and I kept having to remind myself that a man wrote the novel. “I Know This Much Is True” follows Dominic Birdsey, a house painter and former teacher, who feels a great burden trying to care for his twin brother, who is a paranoid schizophrenic. Their story is interspersed with pages from a manuscript of Dominic’s maternal grandfather, an Italian immigrant. The book is long (about 900 pages) but totally worth the investment. His other books: “Wishin’ and Hopin’,” “The Hour I First Believed” and “We Are Water.” Lamb tackles a variety of topics in his books but the common theme is the profoundly human experience his characters have as they live their imperfect lives.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

ANACORTES AMERICAN HOLIDAY GUIDE

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11 Tasty Treats

10 Toasty Toes

Joan Pringle

There are a handful of Anacortes residents who really know how to swirl the chocolate and create tasty treats for the holiday season and beyond. Brenda Weikel is my favorite. She’s owned Bayside Sweets & Treats at 615 Commercial Ave. for seven years and always comes up with imaginative sweets. Weikel makes up various Christmas-themed treats for holiday gifts, including decorative tins with chocolate turtles and bark, fudge-filled Santa boots and a variety of chocolates in holiday shapes. Customers can also go for the traditional half-pound box of a chocolates. Custom orders are no problem as long

Kimberly Jacobson

I love the idea of socks — themed socks, 10-toe socks, socks with a grippy bottom. But I really don’t like wearing socks. (Something about wanting to wear flip flops year-round?) So, I enjoy the holidays because it means I can buy fun socks for others — and not have to wear them myself. I’m always able to find funky ones right in town. Some favorites from Red Snapper’s wall of

as Weikel gets enough notice. Second on my list for treats for friends, family and myself is fudge from Fidalgo Fudge Kitchen. Formerly Sound Ideas, the business was bought by Trista Sakuma in January from Jan and Doug Latta. Sakuma, a fifthgeneration Anacortesan, still uses the Lattas’ recipes but is adding new flavors too, including island special, maple nut and tiger butter — “layered like the stripes of a tiger.” To order, call (360) 202-8535, go to www. fidalgofudge.com or look for Sakuma’s wedge board outside her kitchen at 1004 M Avenue, suite 102.

Next stop for chocolates is Johnny Picasso’s, 501 Commercial Ave. Known for its ceramic and fused glass art studio as well as coffee, the shop’s counter has a corner dedicated to truffles and other delectables made by Johnny’s wife, Trish Archibald. The Small Batch Artful Chocolates come in about a dozen flavors including raspberry cream and dark

rum. Boxes of four to 12 can be put together with each truffle about $1.75 each. Last on my list is BeachCastle Sweets, owned by Linda Lewis and sold through Etsy, www.etsy.com/shop/ beachcastlesweets/. Lewis has homemade truffles, toffee and assorted chocolates wrapped up in pretty gift packages from $9 to $25.

Fidalgo Fudge Kitchen

socks are sushi, Mona Lisa and holiday options. It also has foot liners. Upstage Boutique & Men’s Store has pizza and gumball machines as well as patterns. It also carries SmartWool. Ace has recently added Yo Sox in funky patterns as well as mustaches and lady bugs. They also carry more heavy-duty socks from brands like Carhartt. It’s like being on a hunt for art — for your feet!

Red Snapper

The Anacortes Museum Foundation has an idea for you:

“Make History With Your Gifts!”

NEW & lo

aded with p

hotos!

We have a variety of vintage salmon label mugs and label posters, as well as a unique local history books available at the Anacortes Museum and at local booksellers.

OLD ANACORTES MOVIE NIGHT 7 PM DEC. 3rd AT LIBRARY The Anacortes Museum Foundation hosts vintage movies of Marineers’ Pageant parades, Seahawk basketball games, Betty Lowman’s BIJABOJI and the burning of Little Chicago.

“Books on Local History” 7 PM DEC. 11th at Watermark Book Co. A slide presentation by Anacortes Museum Educator Bret Lunsford on recent Anacortes history books, including newly released LANCE BURDON: A Photographic Journey & more.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

ANACORTES AMERICAN HOLIDAY GUIDE

Dancers Dancing

Musical Melodies

Visit www.fidalgodanceworks.org for more I have never been gifted in the area of grace. information. I love being on stage but when it comes to floating across the floor with the greatest of ease or moving to a rhythm, I’m more likely to fall on my face. That’s where Fidalgo DanceWorks comes in. Their dancers work hard to master movement and tell stories with their bodies. Each December, they come together to put on “The Nutcracker,” perhaps the most beloved ballet of all time. They spend months and months dedicating their Saturdays to practice, in addition to the full schedules of dance, school and family they all have. Taking your family to see the show is a great way to spread a little holiday cheer. Like what you see? Fidalgo DanceWorks also offers classes for all ages. Why not give someone the chance to enroll in a class? Your loved one would have the chance to try out a class before they pay the nonrefundable fee, to make sure they find the right class for them. Registration is $25 a year and classes start at $45 a month. Briana Alzola

“You can trace every dollar you spend here to the There’s no gift as special to send to far-off friends store and artists,” he said. and relatives as a bit of Fidalgo Island itself. And considering the island has 13 local labels producing music — plus the convenience of sending CDs through the mail — giving music is one of the best ways to go. The Business at 402 Commercial Ave., with its “local independent culture” as owner Nick Rennis describes it, distributes new and used CDs, LPs and 45s from those labels including Rennis’ Knw-Yr-Own. Albums include “‘The Glow’ Pt. 2” by The Microphones, “Live in Bloomington” by Mount Eerie and “Max” by Karl Blau. Music from other local artists at The Business includes “Adding Up The Wasted Hours” by The Lonely Forest. The music genres vary so there’s something from everybody, says Rennis, who’s in the band The Drink Up, Honey. Buying locally made music from The Business keeps shoppers’ money in town, Rennis says. Joan Pringle

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Kimberly Jacobson

Sides of Salmon

SeaBear gets busy this time of year with people wanting to share a bit of the Northwest with their loved ones. And with locals desiring a taste of the ocean. Salmon and asparagus is a favorite meal around my house. And the SeaBear smoked salmon trio has made its way as a gift to Packwood and Georgia around the holidays. SeaBear Smokehouse has a complete website for online ordering at www. seabear.com and an intown store at 605 30th St. They carry a wide variety of seafood products processed on site, and they

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS WITH US AT THE PORT OF ANACORTES EVENT CENTER. have a selection of gifts from Made In Washington Stores including glass artisan bowls, ornaments and bird baths, along with a assortment of teas, coffees, nuts and lots of chocolate. SeaBear also has lots of goodies for holiday parties and ships in the U.S. and to some international locations.

All in stock carhartt Coats

Create a new holiday tradition right here at home! For the young or the young at heart.

EVENT SPONSOR: Dakota Creek Industries

Public Days: Dec. 5, 7, 13* & 14 Open Noon-5pm Just $5 per person/$20 per family

Photos with Santa • Crafts, Games • Hot Chocolate/Cookie • Marketplace handmade gifts and more.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

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ACTors Acting

Briana Alzola

I made my debut to the Anacortes stage this year in Anacortes Community Theatre’s production of “You Can’t Take it With You.” As someone who has participated in a couple theater programs, I can assure you the people at ACT are top-notch. As a newcomer, I was welcomed into the group with open arms. What’s more, the plays are truly spectacular. ACT’s version of “Les Misérables” was the best I’ve seen — including at major theaters in Seattle. I’ve never been disappointed in an ACT production.

ACT sells more than 1,000 season tickets a year. A season includes six shows — a mix of musicals, dramas and comedies. Next year, ACT will put on a well-known musical, a brand-new neverbefore-seen show written by an Anacortes resident and a drama based on a classic piece of literature … and that’s only half of the season. Season tickets to ACT are $90 each. Give someone the gift of live theater and they’ll get to experience something great throughout the year. Visit www.acttheatre.com for more information.

Briana Alzola

Asking someone to grab a beer with you after work has never tasted as good as it does in Anacortes. As a beer drinker, I think it’s pretty cool to have a brewery located on the main street downtown. Anacortes Brewery has been in business for 25 years and has made a name for itself among craft beer drinkers across the state. This holiday season, why not give a gift card to a loved one for The Rockfish Grill or H20 so they can sample some of those Anacortes brews?

Golden Brews

Or you can get together with friends and family and head out for a pint or two this Christmas season. Many restaurants here offer great drink and Happy Hour specials. If you aren’t sure what your gift recipient would like, why not try growler fill station Swill? For $5, you can have five 2-ounce tastes of the beers they have on tap. Once you decide what kind you like best, you can fill up your growler to take to a holiday party. Raise a pint — or two — this Christmas season. You’ll be glad you did.

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Candlesticks Joan Pringle

When thinking of candlesticks for holiday presents, I couldn’t get the idea of the classic, tall silver ones for tapered candles out of by mind. And to be sure Burton Jewelers, 620 Commercial Ave., has some just like that from Reed & Barton along with glass styles from Waterford Crystal and Simon Pearce. But as it turns out after visiting a few more Anacortes gift stores, I found people are buying more and more decorative holders for pillar candles. Buer’s Floral & Vintage, 720 Commercial Ave., has lovely ceramic styles and a large selection of Root Candles. Donatello Flowers And Gifts, 702 Commercial Ave., also carries the Root brand of candles as well as holders for tapers and pillars. Sheely’s Floral & Gifts, 1420 Commercial, has several candle holders, including special ones in silver to look like coral, along with

furnishings and decor. When I strolled in the store by chance to see if they had any candlesticks on hand, sisters Linda Hendricks and Jan Nations, who operate the store with sister Nancy Duffy, happened to be in. The two women proceeded to zigzag through the display area and storage room in back to fetch candlestick after candlestick … after candlestick. The variety was endless from ones made with mirrors and mercury glass to others in the shape of elephants and Atlas holding up cherubs. They have several lanterns too. Donatello Flowers Plus when it comes And Gifts to giving, Elsa and paintings of candles that Company does that in light up with a little switch on the side by Radiance. style by giving 50 percent of sales proceeds from The LED lit canvases run new items and 75 percent on batteries and also from consignment items to come with images of fireflies, lighthouses and local charities, including moonlit docks. the Anacortes Family But the award for Center, Rachel’s Closet at largest selection has to Anacortes Middle School go to Elsa and Company, and Youthnet. 704 Commercial Hours are particular Ave. The nonprofit so go to www. organization with a elsaandcompany.com to volunteer staff has new find out more. and like-new home

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Vintage Finds

Killer Whales

Kimberly Jacobson

I delight in a present that has a story all its own. And that’s exactly what pieces from the past provide. Anacortes has a number of antique and vintage stores for people interested in finding gifts with their own character. There are more than a dozen stores to choose from. I dropped by the Shabby French Market, which Home Sweet Home Antiques features a lot of furniture pieces and definitely has A trip downtown isn’t a French-inspired flair. A complete without stopping giant clock table stood out by Alley Cat Antiques. I but I was really drawn to a always forget how huge that bronze-colored tea set sitting store it — and there’s so on a glass table. many different items tucked

Briana Alzola

Shiny paper. Sparkly bows. Beautiful presents nestled under the Christmas tree. It sounds lovely, but I’ve found the most memorable gifts are those that don’t as easily fit in a box. I always recommend the gift of an adventure. Anacortes is a truly beautiful place — and it offers easy access to experiences people travel from around the world to participate in. A whale-watching tour will give you and your loved ones a chance to get out

on the water and check out a few majestic creatures in their home environment. Island Adventures, Mystic Sea Charters and Deception Pass Tours are all located on Fidalgo Island and give a glimpse into its surrounding waters. I am no stranger to seasickness, but I have always found that taking a tour is worth getting a little queasy. You may have to wait a couple months to take part in this Christmas gift, but it’ll give you something to look forward to as the weather begins to change.

into every corner. If you know someone who collects salt and pepper shakers, this is the place to go. I walked around a corner and discovered a glass case filled with old cameras. Home Sweet Home Antiques is a little house stuffed full of fun finds. I

settled on a hand-tooled leather purse with a bull and matador on the front and a Mayan calendar on the back. The antique and vintage shops in town are perfect places to find something unique for people on your list.

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And a Family Around a Fir Tree

Briana Alzola

Christmas may be the season of giving, but there’s more to it than that. No matter how exciting it is to see those wrapped presents under the tree, there’s always something more important — the people sitting around it. This holiday season try putting down your gadgets, packing up your family and checking out some of the festivities Anacortes has to offer. Nothing is as valuable as phone-free time with your loved ones. This Holiday Guide has a few great gift options for your friends and family but it’s also important to remember that the holidays provide the perfect excuse to pause and think about those who mean the most to you. My family seems to get more and more spread out as I get older. Each year as I visit one family member or another, I remind myself not to take that time for granted. Memories make the best Christmas gift. Anacortes is full of holiday cheer and I’m glad I get a chance to share it. Last year, I took my mom and stepdad to the lighted boat parade and my boyfriend’s parents to the Wonderland Walk. You can bet I’ll be going again this year. See you there!

A Season For Giving Donate $50 to the Cascade Facial Surgery & Asthetics Giving Tree this holiday season and receive $100 off a full face laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment for treating sun damage and skin level signs of facial aging. All donations will be given to the Skagit Valley Neighbors in Need Food Bank to help feed those in need this holiday season.

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SUPPORT YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS!

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES Annie Mae Antiques Babe Rainbow Dilly Dally Lost in the Groove/ Pop! Kulture Old Movie House Antiques Red Door Antique Mall Re-Feather Your Nest Riverwalk Antiques

SHOPPING/GIFTS

Shop Local in Historic Mount Vernon Downtown MountVernonDowntown.org • (360) 336-3801

Calico Creations Forté Chocolates Gretchens Kitchen Homeward Bound Kids Stuff Lyons Furniture Miss Mae’s (Open Dec. 1) Mount Vernon Red Apple Riverclay Studio Skagit Lapidary Skagit Valley Food Co-op Sprouts Children’s Clothing & Things Stamp and Coin Place Tri-Dee Arts Wildfibers Work Outfitters

BOOKSTORES

Easton’s Books Tattered Page Bookstore

SERVICES

Bare Boutique Calm Water Massage Evolution Hair & Beauty Fred Lee’s Hairstyling Genesis Salon Good Vibes Body Art Hair & Body Mechanix Hair Quarters Ken’s Hairstyling Mountain Water Massage Northwest Hair Academy Per Dona Salon The Loft Salon & Boutique A Hair Cut Parlor

JEWELRY

Pavé Jewelry & Design Strauss Jewelers

BOUTIQUE CLOTHING

Cinderella’s Secret Embellish House of Style Mix & Match Skagit Running Company The Loft Salon & Boutique

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

The Historic Lincoln Theatre Bill’s Diner Calle Calico Cupboard Draft Pic’s Sports Bar & Grille Empire Ale House Lunch Box Café Mount Vernon Café Pacioni’s Italian Restaurant Porterhouse West Coast Ales & Food Rachawadee Thai Café Ristretto Coffee Lounge & Wine Bar Skagit Valley Food Co-op Super Pho & Teriyaki Taste of India Thai House Restaurant Trumpeter Public House

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18 Give Back This Holiday Season

During the holiday season, gifts wrapped in shiny paper with bright bows on top are nestled under trees across the country. Anacortes offers plenty of opportunities to spread that cheer around and give to people who need a little extra help this time of year. A giving tree at the Senior Activity Center, 1701 22nd St., offers an easy way to make some day a bit brighter. Anyone interested in giving can visit the center, take a tag off the giving tree, attach it to a gift and leave the gift with center staff. New, unwrapped gifts should be valued between $5 and $20. Some gift ideas are flashlights, nightlights and candles; socks, slippers, hats, mittens and gloves; fleece throws and blankets; 2015 calendars; clocks with large numbers; picture frames; hand soap, lotion and hand towels; and gift cards to regional grocery stores.

All gifts must be dropped off by Dec. 8. Monetary donations are also accepted. Trees will also be set up around town through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. (For a list of locations, call 293-6682).The program helps families in need at Christmas time, said Lt. Ryan Boyd with the Salvation Army. Anyone who wants to participate can take a tag off the tree and then go shopping for the child on the tag. The tag lists gender, age, a list of items wanted and clothing size. The person shops for the individual on the tag and then returns the gift to the tree or to the Salvation Army building, Boyd said. The gifts are delivered to the families along with a box of Christmas food, she said. Last year, the Angel Trees helped out 165 families in the Anacortes area.

The Gift of

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is also going on again this year. For the campaign, Salvation Army volunteers and employees stand outside of Safeway, The Market at Anacortes, Walgreens and the post office from the day after Thanksgiving until the day before Christmas and ring bells. Passers-by can donate money, which is then used to help families in need, Boyd said. Last year, the group raised about $30,000 through the campaign. This year its goal is $35,000. That money does not include the annual Battle of the Bells. In the battle, different service clubs man the red kettles for one day each and compete to see how much money each can raise. Last year, the Battle of the Bells brought in an additional $32,000. The Salvation Army is hiring bell ringers. Stop by the office at 3001

Men's and Women's A Holiday Tradition

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R Ave. if you are interested. It is also interested in volunteers. There are multiple food banks in Anacortes. Paula John, with the Salvation Army, said during the holidays, they are always looking for turkeys and hams, as well as cranberries, gravy, pumpkin, stuffing, green beans, corn and Jell-O. The Salvation Army food bank is open Monday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Call 293-6682 for more information. The Anacortes 100 Food Bank is located at 512 Fourth St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Friday. Call 293-6445. The St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank is located at 4001 St. Mary’s Drive and is open 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays. Call 293-9821.

- Briana Alzola

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ANACORTES AMERICAN HOLIDAY GUIDE

19 Tree Lighting Ceremony

Christmas Parade

The Anacortes Chamber of Commerce’s Community Tree Lighting ceremony is 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at 819 Commercial Ave. The event features the town crier, Santa Claus and performances by the An-O-Chords, local school choirs, bands and other local

performers. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided by the Salvation Army. Attendees can also get a free picture with Santa. After the tree lighting, visitors are invited to enjoy the Anacortes Holiday Artwalk from 6-9 p.m.

The Anacortes Lions Club’s annual Christmas Parade is 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 on Commercial Avenue. Setup begins at 10 a.m. Anyone can participate. Lining up on Third Street between O and Commercial avenues are floats, vans with passengers, walkers and bicyclists. On Second Street are horses and horse carriages. On Third Street between N and O avenues are fire department and emergency vehicles. On Commercial Avenue

next to the rope factory are cars and car club entries. The route follows Commercial Avenue to Causland Memorial Park. Viewing is best from Commercial Avenue sidewalks. No parking on Commercial during the parade as candy will be distributed to children along the route. There is no fee. If you plan to participate or need more information call Wayne at (360) 708-5205.

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‘The Nutcracker’ Hope Fostvedt is ‘The Nutcracker’ and Ailin Goff is Clara in the upcoming production of ‘The Nutcracker.’ The show is put on annually by Fidalgo DanceWorks.

When young Clara is given a nutcracker by her godfather, she falls asleep with the toy nestled in her arms. That night, things start to come to life. The Mouse King comes into the house and a battle commences. The Mouse King fights the Nutcracker and finally falls. Clara is whisked away to the Nutcracker’s magical Land of Sweets — where

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they are both entertained by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her fellow entertainers in the Candy Castle. The story of “The Nutcracker” is one of the most famous ballets in the world and a yearly tradition at Fidalgo DanceWorks. “It’s going to be great,” said Julie Wenzel, Fidalgo DanceWorks executive director. “The Nutcracker” will

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

21 be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at Brodniak Hall. Tickets — available at brownpapertickets.com — are $17 for reserved seats and $12 for general admission. The Skagit Valley Chorale will sing some of the numbers this year, Wenzel said. About 45 students are participating in the show. Most are children but some adult dancers will join in, as well. Many of the dancers participate in the show each year, moving up through the ranks to the more coveted

HOLIDAY CONCERT

roles. “It’s a big deal the year they get to play the part they want,” Wenzel said. Auditions for Nutcracker are held in September, right when classes start. Those dancers who participate in summer intensive dance programs and worked through the summer shine at auditions and earn themselves a top spot, Wenzel said. The show also helps find what dancers are the most dedicated — the group rehearses every week. It’s a huge obligation not only from the dancers but from

THE NUTCRACKER

Skagit Valley Academy of Dance Friday, December 5 Saturday, December 6 Sunday, December 7 Skagit Valley Chorale

HOLIDAY CONCERT

Fidalgo Youth Symphony

HOLIDAY CONCERT Skagit Symphony

THE NUTCRACKER

Northwest Ballet Theater

“The Nutcracker” takes place on Christmas Eve, making the show a perfect holiday tradition, Wenzel said. Visit www. fidalgodanceworks.org for more information.

- Briana Alzola

Celebrate the Season with Great Entertainment !

Skagit Valley College Music Dept Tuesday, December 2

HERALDING CHRISTMAS

their families. “I am so impressed with the commitment from the students to this show,” Wenzel said. “They give up a lot. It’s a huge thing.” Their dancing combines with spectacle to make “The Nutcracker” unforgettable, Wenzel said. “The costumes are amazing,” she said. The storyline of the show is easy to follow for younger audience members and the spectacle of the show is sure to delight everyone attending, Wenzel said. “It is a great full-family experience,” Wenzel said.

7:30pm

7:30pm 7:30pm 3:00pm

Saturday, December 13 Sunday, December 14

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Thursday, December 11

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Friday, December 12

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Saturday, December 20 Sunday, December 21

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Gift Certificates are available! Las Cafeteras ~ February 6 Late Night Catechsim III: ‘Til Death Do Us Part ~ February 13 & 14 The Flying Karamazov Brothers ~ Feb 21 The Paperboys ~ March 13 BodyVox: Reverie ~ March 21 Sierra Hull ~ April 18 10 Strings and Goat Skin ~ May 29

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22 ACT presents Christmas play about a Christmas play

When an elf named Bob is banned from the North Pole and sent to help a small town with its Christmas pageant, he learns a special lesson about cooperation. Bob has to work with a group of bumbling amateur actors as they struggle to put on the best Christmas show the town has ever seen. “Bob’s Your Elf” is the next production at Anacortes Community

Theatre. Directed by Beth Greatorex, the play features Sam Schlobohm as Bob; Jilian George as Amber Faircastle, the actress who immediately falls for Bob; Martin Iverson as the show’s egotistical director Gord Ford; Malcolm Taylor as clueless and enthusiastic stage manager Les Banter and Elizabeth Boyd Booth as an older actress whose “memory card is full.” Kevin Cobley will be taking on the role

Love La Conner this Holiday Season

of Santa and a children’s chorus will perform Christmas carols. The show will run Nov. 28 to Dec. 20. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $18 each. Call the box office at 293-6829.

- Briana Alzola

La Conner Holiday Events... NOVEMBER

25: Louisa & Conner’s Holiday Passport Contest! Through 12/22 For more information go to www.lovelaconner.com 26: A Victorian Christmas at the Gaches Mansion 27: 7th Annual Turkey Trot – La Conner Elementary School, 8am 28: “Skagit Christmas” at the Skagit County Historical Museum, Through 12/31

29 & 30: Hilltop Holiday Craft Sale – Skagit County Historical Museum 30: Christmas in La Conner – Concert benefits Habitat for Humanity – Maple Hall, 4pm Season of Giving – Holiday Shopping benefitting Sunrise Food Bank

DECEMBER 6: Kiwanis Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar – La Conner Elementary School, 9:30am – 2pm Santa Breakfast – Maple Hall, 8am – 11am

Enter Louisa & Connor’s HOLIDAY PASSPORT CONTEST November 25 - December 22 at LoveLaConner.com

Christmas Tree Lighting at Gilkey Square – 4pm music, 5pm Santa 7: Christmas for Kids – Skagit County Historical Museum Season of Giving – Holiday Shopping benefitting Hospice of NW WA 11: “After Hours” Holiday Shopping – at various La Conner merchants, 5-8pm 13: Lighted Boat Parade – Swinomish Channel 14: Season of Giving – Holiday Shopping benefitting Bella Hamerly

LoveLaConner.com 360.466.4778

Dates and times may change. Check website for up-to-date information and our complete EVENTS CALENDAR!

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23 Cap Sante Christmas on the Docks and Lighted Boat Parade

If you happen to see a glowing light coming from the direction of the Cap Sante Marina around mid-December, don’t be springing from your bed to see what’s the matter. The twinkle will just be from the boats decorated for the holiday season in anticipation of the annual Cap Sante Chrismas on the Docks and Lighted Boat Parade through the Guemes Channel. Boats get free moorage on C dock Friday through Sunday, Dec. 19-21, when the public is invited in the evenings to see the lighted boats on display, enjoy refreshments and vote for their favorite boat in the tented party barge. Organizer Greg Mustari is hoping to have up to 50 boats participating, twice as many as last year, according to his helpmate Kelly Libby. “I think those docks should be full,” Mustari said. The parade will start a bit earlier this

year — at 4:30 p.m. Saturday — to allow boaters to attend other events in town and make it a bit easier to navigate the channel. Sign-up sheets to participate will be available but not required. Mustari said he likes to keep the event informal and fun so boats showing up at the last minute are welcome as well. Participants should gather in the tent at 4 p.m. to hear how the parade will proceed. The parade, as always, will depend on the weather. For more information, contact Mustari at (360) 507-9999 or gregmustari@ comcast.net, or Libby at (425) 359-7078 or kellylibby@wavecable.com. Mustari asks visitors to consider bringing an unwrapped gift for a child for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive.

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- Joan Pringle

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24 Anacortes Schools Foundation’s Celebrate the Season expands

This December, the Anacortes Schools Foundation will again present Celebrate the Season, a family oriented series of fundraising activities that complement other community holiday events. “This year we are expanding our event to the first two weeks of December,” said Art Shotwell, ASF president. “We will offer additional public days for families to come and enjoy several activities, plus our Dream It Dinner and auction. In addition, there are dates available that companies and groups can use the space for private parties.” All this will take place at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed Event Center. Celebrate the Season is open to the community on Dec. 5, 7, 13 and 14. Doors open at noon. Activities include a photo with Santa on a 100-year-old sleigh in front of Santa’s house, “reindeer” games, crafts, hot chocolate and cookies, and a marketplace featuring handmade

family. On Saturday, Dec. 13, gingerbread will be the focus all day. Student and adult teams will battle it out between noon and 5 p.m. for bragging rights and prizes. Gingerbread entries will be judged by a panel of community leaders. The community is encouraged to come to watch the fun. In addition, on that day younger children will be able to decorate a minihouse of their own to take home. “We hope that Celebrate the Season will become a family tradition for our gifts, baked goods and preserves. community and allow us to broaden our On Friday, Dec. 5, guests will be fundraising efforts,” Shotwell said. “This encouraged to go to the community tree year we are thrilled that Dakota Creek lighting and then return to the port for a Industries has committed to be our major relaxed evening with a cup of coffee or hot sponsor.” chocolate, a sweet treat and perhaps join The signature event of the celebration in some holiday caroling, with closing at 9 is the Dream It Dinner with doors open p.m. for registration at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, All other days, the space will close at Dec. 6. The evening will feature a catered dinner by Gere-a-Deli and a 5 p.m. Admission is $5/person or $20/

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25 limited but lively auction followed by entertainment by Fidalgo Swing. Tickets, $40 per person, are available at http:// CelebrateTheSeason.brownpapertickets. com. In addition to Dakota Creek Industries, other local sponsors of the two-week celebration include the Port of Anacortes, Trident Seafoods, Chandler’s Square, Walgreens, Quantum Construction, Sierra Pacific and Bank of the Pacific. Anacortes Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization with 501(c) (3) status. ASF was established in 1984 and benefits students at all levels with college and vocational scholarships, early learning support and more recently, STEM enrichment opportunities. All proceeds from the Celebrate the Season event will support STEM enrichment initiatives of Anacortes School District.

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ANACORTES AMERICAN HOLIDAY GUIDE

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Kiwanis Sunrisers Christmas Tree Sale

The Anacortes Kiwanis Sunrisers Club will sell Christmas trees 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Friday, Nov. 28 at Sebo’s Hardware & Rental, 1102 Commercial Ave. Regular deliveries of fresh-cut Washington trees include noble, Douglas, Nordman and Fraser firs, in a wide variety of sizes and prices. Sale proceeds go to many worthy local causes supported by Kiwanis Sunrisers. Celebrate the season by helping Kiwanis Sunrisers Club support our children and community.

Holiday Artwalk takes over downtown

Commercial Avenue will be lined with holiday cheer Dec. 5 and 6 as downtown businesses open their doors to community members celebrating the season … and art of all kinds. The Anacortes Chamber of Commerce will hosts its annual Holiday Artwalk from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Friday’s portion of the artwalk will begin after the Chamber’s tree lighting ceremony. It will coincide with the monthly First Friday Gallery Walk. More than 20 merchants downtown will exhibit the work of regional artists, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography and music. Many businesses will also offer holiday specials. Come shop for the holidays and enjoy art, music and food. Check out the American for a list of participants.

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Holiday Events in Stanwood November 28th - Dec. 24th Port Susan Farmers Market Handmade Holidays Locally grown & hand-made food and gift store for the whole family. Friday, November 28th Goose on the Loose! Kicks-Off 5:00pm-7:00pm - Historic East Stanwood Art Walk Thursday, December 4th Ladies Day on the Town – Stores open until 7:00pm Saturday, December 6th 10:00am-2:00pm - 15th Annual Old Fashioned Christmas at the Floyd FREE pictures with Santa, gift bags, crafts, treats and entertainment. Saturday, December 13th 11:00am - 2:00pm – North Pole in Stanwood Dress in your Holiday best and visit Santa and his helpers at the King Building, 8705 271 Street NW Afternoon - Victorian Carriage Rides 4:30pm - 8:00pm- Shuttle Bus to The Lights of Christmas Shuttle bus to The Lights of Christmas. Pickup/Drop-off at Port Susan Farmers Market Handmade Holidays, Stanwood Theatre Pavilion, 6996 265th St. NW, Suite 104. Saturday, December 20th 9:00am - 11:00am - Breakfast & Crafts with Santa Have breakfast with Santa at the Stanwood Senior Center, Cost is $5 and includes a pancake breakfast and crafts for the kids. For event details go to: www.ci.stanwood.wa.us & click on “Community”

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

ANACORTES AMERICAN HOLIDAY GUIDE

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28 Port hosts annual Christmas concert

Holiday tunes and more will fill the air Saturday, Dec. 20 when the Port of Anacortes hosts its annual Christmas Community Concert, featuring Geoffrey Castle. A matinee performance will be at 4:30 p.m. followed by an evening performance at 7:30. Special guests Santa Claus and the town crier will stop by. The concert is free. VIP seating is available with a suggested donation of $25.

Castle is a pioneer on the six-string violin. As a bandleader and solo artist, he has several critically acclaimed albums released on his own Twisted Fiddle music label. He’s shared the stage with Blues Traveler, all of the original and current members of Heart, Alan White and Buddy Miles. Visit portofanacortes.com or call 299-1822 for more information on the concert.

Wonderland Walk at Washington Park

The event that always seems to epitomize the perfect hometown holiday feeling is the annual Wonderland Walk at Washington Park. This year the campground at the park will be decorated with holiday cheer by local groups, organizations and clubs 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13. Live music is scheduled for each night and hot chocolate will be available by donation.

The Wonderland Walk goes on whatever the weather — be it rain, snow or gloom of night — so it’s recommended visitors bring a flashlight or headlamp to help guide them. For community groups wanting to decorate a site, contact Nicole Johnston at the Anacortes Parks & Recreation Department at 293-1918 or nicolej@ cityofanacortes.org.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

2014 Calendar Thursday, Nov. 27 • Community Thanksgiving Dinner noon to 4 p.m. at the Eagles Hall, 901 Seventh St. To volunteer or to place a delivery order call 293-3012. The event is free but donations are accepted.

Friday, Nov. 28 • Anacortes Community Theatre’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 7:30 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829.

Saturday, Nov. 29 • Turkey Trot 5K walk or run at 10 a.m. at Washington Park. There is also a 1 mile kids run. All ages and levels of fitness are encouraged to participate. Cost is $5 for ages 18 and under, $7 for adults — $25 maximum per family. T-shirts are available for $10. Registration by mail or on the day of the race starting at 8:30 a.m. • Downtown horse-drawn trolley rides are offered noon to 4 p.m. from the arch to the end of Commercial Avenue downtown. The trolley stops at different locations each Saturday.

• Anacortes Schools Foundation’s Celebrate the Season is Library’s community meeting room, 1220 10th St. There will also be other fun activities to put families in the holiday noon to 9 p.m. at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed Event Center. Tickets are are $5 per person or $20 per family. spirit. Each child in attendance will choose a free quality book to take home. Jeane Thomson Read ‘n’ Grow sponsors the special program. Anacortes Public Library, Watermark Book Co., and Read Me a Story have partnered to plan and provide the annual event.

Thursday, Dec. 4

• Breakfast with Santa from 8-11 a.m. at the Senior Activity Center, 1701 22nd St. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, live entertainment, a craft area and a visit with the jolly old elf himself. Cost is $6 per ticket. Purchase tickets at the Anacortes Parks & Recreation Department. Call 293-1918 or visit www.cityofanacortes.org. Please bring a canned or nonperishable food item that will be donated to an Anacortes food bank.

• ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 7:30 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829.

• Anacortes Lions Club’s annual Christmas Parade is 11 a.m., with setup at 10 a.m., on Commercial Avenue.

Friday, Dec. 5

• Holiday Artwalk 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. downtown Anacortes.

No registration necessary for this free program but plan to show up a few minutes early as space is limited.

• The Anacortes Chamber of Commerce’s Community Tree Lighting ceremony is 6 p.m. at 819 Commercial Ave. The event features the town crier, Santa Claus and performances by the An-O-Chords, local school choirs, bands, and other local performers. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided by the Salvation Army. Attendees can also get a free picture with Santa.

These free rides are sponsored by the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce and the following local retailers: Alley Cat Antiques, Upstage Boutique & Men’s Store, Donatello Flowers & Gifts, Read Me A Story, Refeather Your Nest and Majestic Inn & Spa.

• Holiday Artwalk 6-9 p.m. downtown Anacortes.

Sunday, Nov. 30

• ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 7:30 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829.

• Advent wreath candle lighting 10 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 Ninth St. Celebrate the season of Advent and the coming of the savior. Call 293-3880.

Tuesday, Dec. 2 • Santa will be here to share a holiday story or two at Family Reading Night 6 p.m. in the Anacortes Public

Saturday, Dec 6

• The Anacortes Arts Commission presents holiday gifts made by local artists during the Holiday Artwalk 3-9 p.m. at the Depot, 611 R Ave.

• Help the Island View Elementary School K-Kids (a Kiwanis-sponsored service group) deck the halls at the Senior Activity Center, 1701 22nd St., at 1:45 p.m. Help trim the tree, make paper garlands and snowflakes, and decorate place mats to send out to Meals on Wheels clients. Let the reception desk volunteers know if you plan to attend.

• The Anacortes Arts Commission presents holiday gifts made by local artists during the Holiday Artwalk 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Depot, 611 R Ave. • ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 7:30 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829. • Fidalgo DanceWorks presents “The Nutcracker,” a beloved holiday tradition with special guest stars, dazzling ballerinas, an incredible growing tree and a cast of nearly 100 at 7:30 p.m. at Anacortes High School’s Brodniak Hall. Tickets, $12-$17, can be purchased at www. brownpapertickets.com. Visit www.fidalgodanceworks.org. • Anacortes Schools Foundation’s Dream It Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. The evening includes a catered dinner and auction followed by entertainment by Fidalgo Swing. Tickets, $40, are available at http://CelebrateTheSeason. brownpapertickets.com. • Anacortes Emblem Club will host its children’s Christmas shopping day at the Elks Lodge, 1009 Seventh St. Doors will open immediately following the Christmas parade.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

ANACORTES AMERICAN HOLIDAY GUIDE

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The event is for children age 12 and younger to shop for family. Prices start at 25 cents and include gift-wrapping. • Downtown horse-drawn trolley rides are offered noon to 4 p.m. from the arch to the end of Commercial Avenue downtown. The trolley stops at different locations each Saturday. These free rides are sponsored by the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce and the following local retailers: Alley Cat Antiques, Upstage Boutique & Men’s Store, Donatello Flowers & Gifts, Read Me A Story, Refeather Your Nest and Majestic Inn & Spa.

Sunday, Dec. 7 • ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 2 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829. • Advent wreath candle lighting 10 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 Ninth St. Celebrate the season of Advent and the coming of the savior. Call 293-3880.

• Women’s Christmas dessert 6:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Specially decorated tables, devotional speaker and a mission component complete the elegant evening. Tickets, $8 through Nov. 30 and $10 after, can be purchased through the church office. Call 293-3880.

Friday, Dec. 12 • Come out to Washington Park 5-8 p.m. and take your own tour of the fourth annual Wonderland Walk around the C campground. There will be hot chocolate and live holiday music. The event is presented by the Parks & Recreation Department. • ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 7:30 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829.

Saturday, Dec. 13 • Come out to Washington Park 5-8 p.m. and take your own tour of the fourth annual Wonderland Walk around the C campground. There will be hot chocolate and live holiday music. The event is presented by the Parks & Recreation Department.

• Fidalgo DanceWorks presents “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. at Anacortes High School’s Brodniak Hall. Tickets, $12-$17, can be purchased at at www.brownpapertickets. com. Visit www.fidalgodanceworks.org. • ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 7:30 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829. • Anacortes Schools Foundation’s Celebrate the Season is noon to 5 p.m. at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed Event • Anacortes Schools Foundation’s Celebrate the Season is Center. Tickets are are $5 per person or $20 per family. noon to 5 p.m. at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed Event Center. Tickets are are $5 per person or $20 per family.

Thursday, Dec. 11

• ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 7:30 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829.

• Downtown horse-drawn trolley rides are offered noon to 4 p.m. from the arch to the end of Commercial Avenue downtown. The trolley stops at different locations each Saturday.

• A festive holiday concert by the Fidalgo Youth Symphony is 7:30 p.m. at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon. Celebrate this special time of year with a concert of holiday favorites and smaller chamber works. This year it will include harmonious vocalists and delightful dancers along with familiar holiday favorites from the symphony. Tickets are $15 or $10 for seniors and $1 for students and children.

Visit www.mcintyrehall.org.

$18. Call 293-6829. • Advent wreath candle lighting 10 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 Ninth St. Celebrate the season of Advent and the coming of the savior. Call 293-3880. • Anacortes Schools Foundation’s Celebrate the Season is noon to 5 p.m. at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed Event Center. Tickets are are $5 per person or $20 per family.

Monday, Dec. 15 • A free Shelter Bay Chorus holiday concert is 1 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center. This delightful chorus, 35 strong and most of whom are seniors from the Shelter Bay Community in La Conner, will give a special Christmas concert. The program features a mix of traditional, classical and contemporary holiday plus several numbers from the timeless classic Handel’s Messiah.

Thursday, Dec. 18 • ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 7:30 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829. • Mark your calendar for a festive holiday feast at the Senior Activity Center. Entertainment will be provided at 11 a.m. and a delectable meal with all the trimmings to be served at noon. Reservations are required. Sign up in advance at the reception desk. Suggested donation for seniors 60 and older is $3.50-5.50; lunch charge for everyone else is $6. • Tour the town with Duane Clark of Cap Sante Court Retirement Community, who knows the best places to go to see Christmas lights in Anacortes and has a great tour planned. Departure will be at 6 p.m. from the Senior Activity Center. The van will return by 8 p.m. Space is limited. Sign up in advance at the reception desk.

Friday, Dec. 19

Sunday, Dec 14

• ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 7:30 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829.

• ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 2 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are

• Enjoy decorated boats at the Cap Sante Christmas on the

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ANACORTES AMERICAN HOLIDAY GUIDE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

Docks at Cap Sante Marina’s C Dock.

Saturday, Dec. 20 • ACT’s “Bob’s Your Elf” 7:30 p.m. at 918 M Ave. Tickets are $18. Call 293-6829. • Enjoy decorated boats at the Cap Sante Christmas on the Docks at Can Sante Marina’s C Dock. If the weather holds, a boat parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. A great place to watch the show is from the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed Event Center. • Downtown horse-drawn trolley rides are offered noon to 4 p.m. from the arch to the end of Commercial Avenue downtown. The trolley stops at different locations each Saturday. These free rides are sponsored by the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce and the following local retailers: Alley Cat Antiques, Upstage Boutique & Men’s Store, Donatello Flowers & Gifts, Read Me A Story, Refeather Your Nest and Majestic Inn & Spa. • The ﬁfth annual Christmas Community Concert featuring Geoffrey Castle at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed Event Center. A matinee performance will be at 4:30 p.m. followed by an evening performance at 7:30. Special guests Santa Claus and the town crier will stop by. The concert is free to attend and VIP seating is available with a suggested donation of $25. Visit portofanacortes. com or call 299-1822 for more information.

Sunday, Dec. 21 • Advent wreath candle lighting 10 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 Ninth St. Celebrate the season of Advent and the coming of the savior. Call 293-3880. • Westminster Presbyterian Church offers a place for selfguided contemplative reflection 9-10 a.m. in the fellowship hall during the busy holiday season. Stop by for a few minutes, or an hour. Walk the labyrinth or just sit quietly, take a Sabbath rest from the rush and bustle.

No appointments necessary. Please enter through the church office on M Street.

• Westminster Presbyterian Church offers a place for selfguided contemplative reflection 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall during the busy holiday season. Stop by • Enjoy decorated boats at the Cap Sante Christmas on the for a few minutes, or an hour. Walk the labyrinth or just sit quietly, take a Sabbath rest from the rush and bustle. Docks at Cap Sante Marina’s C Dock.

Monday, Dec. 22 • Westminster Presbyterian Church offers a place for selfguided contemplative reflection 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall during the busy holiday season. Stop by for a few minutes, or an hour. Walk the labyrinth or just sit quietly, take a Sabbath rest from the rush and bustle. No appointments necessary. Please enter through the church office on M Street.

Tuesday, Dec. 23 • Celebrate this splendiferous holiday season with your Fancy Nancy friends 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center. Parents and kids are encouraged to dress up and enjoy making holiday projects, helping decorate trees and having some tasty treats (cheese and crackers, fruit, veggies and punch). Cost is $12. Register at www.cityofanacortes.org, at the Anacortes Parks & Recreation’s office at City Hall or call 293-1918. • Westminster Presbyterian Church offers a place for selfguided contemplative reflection 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall during the busy holiday season. Stop by for a few minutes, or an hour. Walk the labyrinth or just sit quietly, take a Sabbath rest from the rush and bustle. No appointments necessary. Please enter through the church office on M Street.

Wednesday, Dec. 24 • Watch a special holiday movie 10-11:30 a.m. at Anacortes Cinemas, 415 O Ave. Tickets, $9 per person, include a small popcorn and soda with free refills. Kids age 3 and younger must have an adult attend with them. Purchase tickets at the Anacortes Parks & Recreation Department. Call 293-1918 or visit www.cityofanacortes. org.

No appointments necessary. Please enter through the church office on M Street. • Join with children of all ages to celebrate Jesus’ birth with carols, candles and scripture at the Family Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 5:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Special time with children during the service. Nursery care available. • A traditional service with special music, carols, candlelight and communion at the Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service 10 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Call 293-3880.

Sunday, Dec. 28 • Westminster Presbyterian Church offers a place for selfguided contemplative reflection 9-10 a.m. in the fellowship hall during the busy holiday season. Stop by for a few minutes, or an hour. Walk the labyrinth or just sit quietly, take a Sabbath rest from the rush and bustle. No appointments necessary. Please enter through the church office on M Street.

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