Santa Claus coming to town ... and he needs more presents
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Victoria Hollerbach, director at Crossroads Community Center, worries that a Bellevue address may be working against the popular, city-run center.
Many people assume, she said, that because it's in Bellevue it caters to the well-to-do. Not so. Most clients are low-income families, many struggling immigrants.
The center depends on donations from generous people to provide presents for the children's holiday party coming up Tuesday. But so far, only one small bag of gifts has arrived, despite pleas to the public. Usually, the center has a room filled with donations this time of year.
"Santa has agreed to come to the party," Hollerbach said. "I just worry that he won't have presents to give to the children."
Santa, she said, needs new toys for infants through teenagers. (Such as games, fast-food and movie gift certificates, mittens and socks, dolls and trucks.)
Crossroads Community Center, 425-452-4874, is at 16000 N.E. 10th St.
Judy Davey of Sammamish never worked as a waitress until she and her husband, Louis, volunteered with the Sammamish Elks Club 20 years ago.
She repeated her once-a-year waitress duties Sunday at the Elks' traditional free holiday dinner for senior citizens, helping serve 165 meals.
The Elks cook ham and turkey, plus all the trimmings. Other volunteers decorate the downtown Issaquah Elks Lodge, set the tables and serve the food.
"Our guests are all over 65 and come from nearby retirement homes," Davey said. "Most aren't needy; they come because they're lonely."
In the two decades of serving, Davey has watched friendships blossom among the dining seniors. Conversation, she said, is always lively.
"I've never been a waitress because I know I couldn't keep orders straight," Davey said. "But once a year, it is fun."
Technically, she qualifies for a sit-down role: Davey will be 80 in two weeks.
Holiday spirit: Ruth Anne Young, owner of Kirkland's Spirit of Christmas store, adopted a family for the holidays.
Through the Kirkland Fire Department, she located the family of Carl Asaro, a New York City firefighter killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Young asked customers to help purchase gifts for Asaro's four sons, one daughter and widow. The box of more than 100 presents, including toys, clothes and gift certificates, will be mailed Friday.
"Kirkland people really responded," Young said. "Besides the gifts, they gave cash, and we'll be sending between $700 and $800."
Swearing man: Bellevue City Councilman Don Davidson figures he has to get it right one of these days. He has already been sworn in twice this year and will recite a third oath of office Monday.
King County Superior Court Judge Brian Gain swore in Davidson last January when the Bellevue dentist was appointed to fill out Ron Smith's unexpired term.(Smith resigned to spend more time with his family and his business.)
Davidson was elected to the council seat in November, and last week faced Gain for another swearing-in ceremony — just to finish Smith's term.
Monday, all council members elected in November, including incumbents Connie Marshall and Conrad Lee, will stand in front of Gain for another oath for the upcoming four years.
All this swearing is law, Davidson said.
"Maybe it is my memory," he joked. "I can't remember week to week what I've sworn to do, so they're making sure I get it right."
Relative age: Julie Hagen of Redmond often explains to her daughter, Emily, 6, that things have changed the past few decades.
"She has heard me say there were no computers, no videos or VCR players and only black-and-white television," Hagen said. "The other day, she asked me if my grandma used to read to me."
When Hagen answered no, Emily grew thoughtful.
"Is that because there weren't any books back then?"
Christmas ships: The big boys — Christmas ships that ply Lake Washington and Puget Sound around Seattle — get all the publicity.
But the boat parade on Lake Sammamish deserves a note.
Sammamish Rowing Association members will carol while paddling along the northwest shore starting at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Though there isn't a lot of room on these two- and eight-person boats, coordinator Kate Julin promises lights and Santa Claus.
Organizers boast it is the only nonmotorized-boat singing parade in the greater Seattle area.
Best spot to see and hear them? Redmond's Idylwood Beach Park, at Northeast 38th Avenue and Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast.
One last grin: A needlepoint pillow at the Coldwater Creek store in Seattle offers a seasonal message. It reads: "Dear Santa, I can explain. ... "
Sherry Grindeland's column runs each Wednesday in The Seattle Times. You can reach her at 205-515-5633 or sgrindeland@seattletimes.com.