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NOVEMBER EVENTS

Gifts for kids: Operation Christmas Child will hold its collection week Nov. 17-24. The program sends gift-filled shoeboxes to children worldwide. To volunteer or donate, call Betty Bjorkland at (253) 839-1092.

Women’s Club: The Women’s Club of Federal Way will hold its monthly luncheon meeting at 11 a.m. Nov. 19 at Twin Lakes Golf Club. Newcomers are always welcome. Cost is $11.50. This will be our annual Christmas boutique and bake sale. Storyteller Karen Hass will portray immigrant Thea Foss in 1912, the year of the first Foss tugboat. Call (253) 838-6753 or (253) 839-3519.

Empowering women: Soroptimist International of Federal Way is welcoming women who would like to join them in making a difference in our community. Their mission is to work to improve the lives women and girls, creating true social and economic equality in local communities and throughout the world. A gathering will be 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20. For directions, call Carol at (253) 838-3511.

Food drive: Lakeland Elementary and the Federal Way Senior Center have teamed up for a food drive for the Senior Center Food Bank, which serves seniors and the community. So far, Lakeland has collected 800 pounds of food and will continue to collect food until Nov. 20. Call (253) 945-3000.

Infants and toddlers: Interactive programs for families with young children run through Nov. 21 at Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave. S., Auburn. Classes are available 9:30 to 11 a.m. Fridays for toddlers and 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Fridays for infants. Cost is $77.52. To register, call (253) 680-7500.

Holiday bazaar: Meeker Middle School holiday bazaar will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 22 at 4402 Nassau Ave. NE, Tacoma. View an array of year-round gifts and holiday decorations created by many crafters and artisans. Visit www.meekernz.net/holiday_bazaar.htm/.

FW book: The Historical Society of Federal Way and the Federal Way Arts Commission will celebrate the release of the new book on the history of Greater Federal Way from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Federal Way Community Center. Books are $23. Call (253) 945-7842.

Holiday giving: A donation drive for the less fortunate will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 22 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 23 at Federal Way Safeway, 1207 S. 320th St. Coats, blankets, hats, socks and mittens wanted for men, women and children.

Wienermobile: The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will visit Federal Way from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at TOP Food and Drug, 31515 20th Ave. S.

November blood drives: Cascade Regional Blood Services is holding blood drives all month. For a schedule or information, call Robin Lulich at (253) 945-7974 Ext. 202 or visit www.crbs.net.

Live music: Salty’s Restaurant, 28201 Redondo Beach Drive S. in Redondo, hosts live music 9 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Schedule includes Paul Kroeger, Nov. 14; Myles Crew, Nov. 15; Jonny Smokes, Nov. 22; Cory Wilds and Mark Fluegel, Nov. 28-29. Patrons must be 21. Call (253) 946-0636.

Domestic violence: Coordinated Community Response Against Domestic Violence (CCRADV) will host a charity bazaar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Poodle Dog restaurant on Pacific Highway in Fife. Vendors and silent auction. Proceeds benefit CCRADV to help victims with utility bills, rent and more. Call (425) 829-5641.

Food and clothing drive: Free eyeglass exam or 10 percent off two pairs of eyeglasses in exchange for non-perishable food items and warm gently used clothing at America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, 1810 S. 320th St., Suite A. Call (253) 237-5031.

Toiletries: The AAA Federal Way office located at 2122 S. 314th St. is collecting toiletry items for local shelters and food banks. Proceeds benefit the Friends United to Shelter the Indigent, Oppressed and Needy (FUSION).

Food donations: Sylvan Learning Center, 32717 1st Ave. S., seeks donations of food and hygiene items for the Federal Way Food Bank. Drop off donations any time. Call (253) 838-0507.

DECEMBER EVENTS

Aladdin: “Aladdin — An English Panto!” will run 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 28 through Dec. 21, and the Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Road. Tickets are $8-$25. (253) 835-2020 or www.kftevents.com.

Giving Tree: Multi-Service Center and DeVry University Federal Way are partnering for “The Giving Tree” toy drive. Donations can be dropped off 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 through Dec. 5 at the DeVry campus, 3600 S. 344th Way. Another drop-off will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 8 at Target at The Commons mall. Gifts can include toys, games, radios, CD players, sports equipment, books, backpacks and clothing. E-mail

bhenderson@devry.edu.

FW Symphony: Holiday concert runs 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and features pianist Povilas Stravinsky playing Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Stravinsky, also a recording artist and a native of Lithuania, has performed around the world. The orchestra will perform Dvorak’s Sixth Symphony and selections from Tchaikovsky’s ballet “Swan Lake.” The program will close with “Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson. Tickets are $25 adult, $20 senior (65 and older); students 18 and under admitted free. Call (253) 529-9857 or visit www.federalwaysymphony.org.

Grief camp: Camp GriefWorks 2008 will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6. One-day family retreat for adults and children grieving over the death of a loved one. Cost is $20 per person. To register, call (253) 333-9420.

Book club: The Multi Cultural Book Club will discuss “The Kabul Beauty School” by Debra Rodriguez at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Federal Way 320th Library, 8848 S. 320th St. Debra Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as a relief worker with the intent of working as a nurse’s aid. Through the course of events, she eventually opened a beauty school for Afghani women. Call (253) 839-0257.

Life coaching: Amy Johnson, a parenting and life coach in Federal Way, will host a series of workshops. Topics include “Hectic holidays? Three ways to bring more joy to your season,” Dec. 10; “How much is enough? Start the New Year with tips on raising responsible children in an overindulgent culture,” Jan. 14; and “Love me, love me…NOT! Balancing love and discipline,” Feb. 11. Classes run 7 to 8 p.m. at Wayside United Church of Christ in Federal Way. Cost is $15 per person per class. To register, call (253) 838-0915 or (253) 874-2084.

Tax aide: The local AARP Tax-Aide Program is seeking volunteer tax counselors to provide free personal income tax preparation and counseling, with special attention to those ages 60 and older and to low- and middle-income taxpayers. Volunteers are trained during December and January. Computer skills are required; in Washington most tax returns are filed electronically. Tax service takes place Feb. 1 to April 15 at several local sites. To volunteer, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide or call (888) 687-2277.