FEB. 1-11

I Hate Hamlet: The comedy “I Hate Hamlet” will be performed through Feb. 1 at Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Road, Federal Way. Shows are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. Visit www.brownpapertickets.com or call (253) 835-2020.

Garden clubs: The Chinook District of Garden Clubs, consisting of 12 South King County garden clubs, will meet for lunch at 10 a.m. Feb. 4 at the Grace Lutheran Church, 22975 24th Ave. S. Des Moines. The program will be “Birds Unlimited” presented by Seattle Tilth. Call (425) 255-6236 or (206) 242-9074.

Evening of Swing: The Illahee Middle School Jazz Ensemble, along with the West Seattle Big Band (an ensemble of professional and semi-professional musicians), will host “Evening of Swing!” The dessert-dance benefit begins at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Illahee, 36001 1st Ave. S. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (55 and up) and students, and free for children age 5 and under. Proceeds benefit the Illahee bands. Call (253) 945-4649.

Basketball challenge: Federal Way police will take on South King Fire and Rescue firefighters in a basketball challenge. Game will be 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 7 at Decatur High School. Food including hot dogs, chips and soda will be available for purchase. Proceeds will benefit the Federal Way Lions Club to help those with seeing and hearing problems. To learn more, volunteer or donate, call Dick Mayer at (253) 941-0561.

Symphony swing: The Federal Way Symphony Swing Band will perform 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 and 2 p.m. Feb. 8 at St. Luke’s church, 515 S. 312th St., Federal Way. Concerts will feature trumpet soloist Daniel Barry. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors (65 and older). Students 18 and under admitted free. Call (253) 529-9867 or visit www.federalwaysymphony.org.

Craft show: Brooklake Community Church is holding a Valentine’s Craft Show for the community from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 7 at 629 S. 356th St., Federal Way. A variety of handmade items will be available. Free gift for the first 100 people. E-mail bellasbow-tique@live.com to learn more.

AARP driver safety: The AARP Driver Safety Course will be held 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10-11 at the Federal Way Community Center, (253) 835-6900; and noon to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21-22 at Federal Way Regional Library, (253) 838-3668. Cost of this class is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Course graduates age 55 and older may be eligible for a discount on their automobile insurance.

Life coaching: Amy Johnson, a parenting and life coach in Federal Way, will host a series of workshops. Topics include “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.

Rising Tide: The Multi-Cultural Book Club will discuss “Rising Tide” by John Barry at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Federal Way 320th branch library, 848 S. 320th St. This is the story of the great Mississippi flood of 1927 and how it changed America. Call (253) 839-0257.

FEB. 12-28

Patsy Cline: Centerstage Theatre, Federal Way’s resident theater company, will continue to hold performances of “Always…Patsy Cline.” Performances will run Feb. 12 through March 4 at ACT’s Bullitt Cabaret, 700 Union St., Seattle. Tickets are $25-$35. To learn more, call (206) 292-7676 or (206) 285-5175.

Singing Valentines: The Federal Way Harmony Kings, a barbershop chorus, will deliver “singing Valentines.” A handsomely-attired quartet will present a rose and Valentine’s Day card with a message along with two “sweetheart songs” sung in barbershop harmony style. Cost is $40 to deliver the singing Valentine between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Feb. 13-15. The group will try to honor a time preference, but for an exact time of delivery, add $10. A portion of proceeds will go to charity. To learn more or place an order, call Dick Shenk at (253) 838-0126 or (253) 951-3814.

Free flu vaccine for kids: Seattle Children’s Federal Way Clinic is offering free FluMist vaccinations to all children ages 2 and older. Children must be generally healthy to get this vaccination, which is a nose spray. Drop-in hours: 2 to 5 p.m. (no appointments necessary) at 34503 9th Ave. S., Suite 300, at St. Francis Hospital. Available through Feb. 20, while supplies last. Call (253) 838-5878.

MARCH EVENTS

Financial workshops: Woodstone Credit Union is holding a series of free financial workshops for teens. The series consists of five sessions and all participants will receive a complimentary workbook. Topics include financial planning, budgeting, investing, debt and security. The workshops run 3:30 to 5 p.m. March 12, March 26, April 9, April 23 and May 7 at 1825 S. 316th St. in Federal Way. To register, call (253) 925-6879.

HAPPENINGS

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.

Singing and acting: Knutzen Family Theatre’s Holly Rose offers private lessons in singing and acting. Lessons are $40/hr for individual lessons. Call (206) 854-2638.

Cat volunteers: Join the King County Animal Care and Control Volunteer Team at Federal Way PetSmart. Requirements: Once a week, two hours minimum, six-month commitment, providing loving care, playing and brushing the cats and cleaning their cages. Contact Dee Cordell at (206) 296-3946 or www.kingcounty.gov. Applications are also available at PetSmart by the adoption room.

Study Club: Study Club runs 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the EX3 Ron Sandwith Teen Center, 31453 28th Ave. S., Federal Way. The club provides a quiet place to catch up on homework. Free access to academic assistance for those tough classes. Help is provided is math, English, social studies, science, etc. A computer lab is open 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Call (253) 681-6500 to learn more.

Al-Anon: Al-Anon’s Wednesday Morning Sunshine Group meets 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Light of Christ Church, 2400 SW 344th St., Federal Way. Child care provided. 24-hour hotline at (206) 625-0000.

Salsa dancing for teens: The EX3 Ron Sandwith Teen Center will hold a weekly class, Salsa Rueda, for teens in Federal Way. Rueda is a Cuban dance that is similar to salsa dancing, but learned and performed as a group. Wear sneakers and comfortable clothes. No prior dance experience is needed. Rueda is free to members of the EX3 Ron Sandwith Teen Center. Membership is just $36 per year and payment plans are available for those interested. Call Samantha Sanders at (253) 681-6504 or visit www.EX3live.com.

Computer classes: The Federal Way Senior Center offers computer classes for all adults. For more information, call Larry Malcom at (253) 839-5418.

Free clothing for kids: The Clothing Resource Center, sponsored by the Federal Way PTSA Council 9.4, provides free clothing to children at 30819 14th Ave. S., across the street from the stadium at Federal Way High School. Throughout the school year, the center will be open 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays as well as 1 to 3 p.m. the first Saturday of every month. People can donate clean children’s clothing (no socks or underwear) during normal business hours. To learn more, e-mail tomskoda@msn.com.

Driver safety: Tune up your driving skills with an AARP driver safety class. You may be eligible for a discount on your auto insurance after completion. Cost is $10 per person. Call (253) 838-3668 or (253) 661-4050.

Arts events: The South King County Cultural Coalition is a group of over 60 arts and heritage organizations in South King County. If you’re interested in receiving a monthly e-newsletter, e-mail info@sococulture.org. Check out a calendar for information on events happening this month: www.sococulture.org/html/calendar.html/.

Talented kids: Two Federal Way singing/dancing/acting groups, Show Biz Kids and Teen Idols, are now accepting new members. Show Biz Kids is a non-auditioned group of performers ages 5 to 16 (no experience required) and Teen Idols is an auditioned group of talented teens ages 13 to 19 (looking for big talent, not necessarily experience). Performers are divided by age. Rehearsals for both groups are once a week in Federal Way with performances around the community and beyond. Visit www.joinshowbizkids.com or call (206) 304-4087.

Breast cancer: Trained survivors offer free emotional support to the newly diagnosed, enhancing emotional recovery while going through treatments. Will attend consultations, chemotherapy and radiation appointments. Volunteers will help you to wellness by being a role model, helping you to have quality of life at this critical time. Visit www.angelcarefoundation.org, call (206) 417-3484 or e-mail angelcare@angelcarefoundation.org.

Advancing Leadership: Men and women who live or work in Federal Way and are interested in becoming more involved in the community are encouraged to apply for the Advancing Leadership 2008-2009 session. An ideal class would include people with varied backgrounds, cultures and interests, from both the business and private sectors, who together represent a balanced cross-section of the city population. Contact Teri Hickel at (253) 838-2605, ext. 102 or e-mail terih@federalwaychamber.com. Also visit www.advancingleadership.org.

Town hall: Mayor Jack Dovey and Deputy Mayor Eric Faison invite residents to join them for an informal question and answer session about Federal Way at new, twice-monthly town hall meetings. The meetings are free and refreshments will be served. Call (253) 835-2401 for more information.

Food bank: The Federal Way Food Bank needs volunteer drivers and helpers to assist with the Multi-Service Center’s efforts. Volunteer schedules are flexible. To learn more, call Mary Craves-Hollands at (253) 838-6810, Ext. 109.

Blood donors: Puget Sound Blood Center is encouraging residents to donate blood. To schedule an appointment, call (800) 398-7888 or visit www.psbc.org. Puget Sound Blood Center is located at 1414 S. 324th St., Suite B101, Federal Way.

Give blood: Cascade Regional Blood Services especially needs blood donations. The Federal Way center is at 33505 13th Place S. Suite B. Call (253) 945-7974 or e-mail robinl@crbs.net.

Anti-war rally: An anti-war rally will run noon to 1 p.m. every Sunday until further notice at the intersection of South 320th Street and Pacific Highway South in Federal Way. Participants are encouraged to bring signs. To learn more, visit FederalWayMatters.org.

Oral history: If you hare a better talker than writer, join the Federal Way Senior Center to record for posterity the memorable events of your life. Meetings run 12:45 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays. No charge. To learn more, call (253) 838-3604.

Youth employment: Multi-Service Center in Federal Way has begun a new program geared toward youth ages 16 to 21 living in South King County. The YES program, which stands for Youth Employment Services, provides eligible youth with one-on-one assistance in developing an employment plan for a future career. Participants can get help with study skills and coaching that allow them to graduate on time, or can receive assistance in getting a GED or beginning vocational training. YES program and its services are free and confidential. E-mail tricias@multi-servicecenter.com or call (253) 838-6810, ext. 115.

Dancing, bingo, exercise: The Federal Way Senior Center will offer dance sessions 2 to 4 p.m. the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Local band Merry-Notes will perform swing, latin, country, polka, waltz and pattern dance music. The center is starting bingo at 10 a.m. every Tuesday. Senior exercise is at 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The senior center is at 4016 S. 352nd St. in Auburn. For more information, call Rusty Ford at (253) 838-3604.

Monday night supper: Volunteers are needed to assist with a Monday night supper to feed the less fortunate at Steel Lake Presbyterian Church, 1829 S. 308th St., Federal Way. Dishwashers are needed from 4:30 to 6 p.m. the third Monday of the month. A coordinator is needed one Monday a month. To learn more, call Hope Elder at (253) 941-7939.

Fire Stoppers Program: South King Fire and Rescue helps families with children who have played with fire or deliberately set a fire and can help teach your child about fire safety. Call (253) 946-7337.

Dragon boat: New paddlers are welcome to join the Rainier Dragons paddling team on the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma. The group provides paddles, life jackets, boats and three practices for free. Group meets 3:30 p.m. Sundays near Johnny’s Dock Restaurant and Marina. To learn more, call (253) 272-7087 or (253) 565-3756.