Events

Auburn Tourism: For special events in the Auburn area, visit the website: www.auburntourism.com.

Rainier Audubon Society: 6:30 p.m., Nov. 21, Federal Way United Methodist Church, 51st Avenue and South 296st Street.  Social half-hour with refreshments starts at 6:30 p.m. Brown Bag Auction. A presentation by Jay Gavin on birds and “Seasons of Change at Fenwick Lake”  begins after announcements at 7 p.m. Also, there is a planned birding field trip on Nov. 26, starting 8:30 a.m., on the trails and parks of East Lake Washington. For directions and  signing up, e-mail Carol Schulz at carol.schulz50@gmail.com.

Help Identify Real Employment (HIRE) for American Jobs Fair: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 22, ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent. Representatives from more than 75 local employers are expected to attend. Participants are encouraged to bring resumes and prepare to interview onsite. The fair is free and complimentary parking will be available.

Holiday events

Victorian Country Christmas runs: Nov. 30-Dec. 4, Western Washington Fairgrounds and Exhibition Center, 110 Ninth Ave. SW, Puyallup. Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. Entertainment, cuisine, “how-to” demonstrations and storefronts. Parking is free at designated lots. Admission: $10 for adults; $8 for seniors 62 and over and juniors 6-17. Children 5 and younger are free with an adult. Military personnel are $7 with ID. For directions, visit www.thefair. For more information, visit www.avictoriancountrychristmas.com.

Spiritfest Community Thanksgiving Dinner: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Nov. 24, Pyung An Presbyterian Church, 526 12th St. SE, Auburn.  Enjoy a traditional meal of roast turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, vegetables, rolls, pies and Scandanvian potato sausage (Korv). Donations and volunteers welcome. For more information, call 253-832-6085, lksnyder@juno.com or spiritfest@netjackson.net.

Journey to Bethlehem: 5:30-9:30 p.m., Dec. 1-4, Auburn Adventist Academy, 5010 Auburn Way S., Auburn. Presented by the Auburn Adventist Academy Church. Free community Christmas play. Interactive outdoor drama; concert while you wait. Tours every 10 minutes. Family friendly, handicap accessible, donations accepted. Free admission, but please obtain your ticket and reserve your spot at www.j2binfo.org.  For more information, call 253-833-5853.

Santa Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting:  4 p.m., Dec. 3, downtown Auburn. A festive and fun children’s parade, which is followed by community caroling and the lighting of the City Hall Christmas Tree. Pre-parade entertainment starts at 4 p.m. in front of City Hall.  Parade lineup begins at 4 p.m. on E Street NE. Auburn Avenue Theater to show the film,  “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, after the parade at 6 p.m.  For more information, call Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation at 253-931-3043.

Snack and Crafts: 2-4 p.m., Dec. 3,  Washington Elementary School, 20 E St. NE.  Auburn.  Create holiday gingerbread houses and ornaments.

Santa Breakfast: 8:30-11 a.m., Dec. 10, Auburn Senior Activity Center, 808 9th St. SE. Register early. Tickets: children $5/$7; adults $6/$8. For more information, call Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation at 253-931-3043.

Benefits

The Auburn Business Coalition Food Drive: Now on. The Auburn Food Bank delivers food barrels to participating downtown merchants, who will compete for a “best decorated barrel” and “most gathered food” award. Votes need to be cast on Facebook on The Auburn Business Page.

Top Food & Drug/Northwest Harvest food drive: Through Nov. 30, at participating stores, including  1702 Auburn Way N. and 1406 Lake Tapps Parkway E, Auburn. The 106.1 KISS FM Fill the Mayflower food drive seeks to fill the moving company’s vans stationed at the Bellevue and Tacoma Top Food & Drug stores. Nonperishable food and cash donations will be collected for distribution to local food banks by Northwest Harvest (www.northwestharvest.org).

Toy ‘N’ Joy drive: Through Dec. 11. Bartell Drugs has joined the Salvation Army to provide holiday gifts to children in need by collecting new, unwrapped toys. Toys collected at all 58 Bartell Drugs locations – including Auburn at 3902 A St. SE – will be distributed to low-income children and youth the week before Christmas through the Salvation Army’s “toy warehouses.” For more information, visit www.bartelldrugs.com.

Barbers Against Hunger coat drive: Through Dec. 18. Acceptation new and used coat donations at two locations – Auburn Valley Barber Shop, 316 E. Main St., and Salon Edwards, 29100 Pacific S. Highway, Suite 6, Federal Way. For more information, call the Auburn Valley Barber Shop at 253-939-7262 or Salon Edwards at 253-941-8845.

24th annual Bizarre Bazaar: Noon-7 p.m., Nov. 18; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Nov. 19; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 20, 1107 11th St. NE, Auburn. Crafts, collectibles, antiques. For info, call Sharon (253-833-8608) or Mani (253-333-9911).

St. Matthew/San Mateo Episcopal Church Christmas Bazaar : 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 19, 123 L St. NE, Auburn.  Hand-crafted items, raffle and bake sale.  Lunch available, soup and pie.

United Methodist Women’s Holiday Bazaar: 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Nov. 19, First United Methodist Church, 100 N St. SE (corner of East Main and N Street Southeast). Home decor, Christmas deli, stitchery, attic, treasures, nut sales, silent auction and pie corner (9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.). Soup and salad lunch: 1:30 a.m.-1 p.m. , cost: $6; meatloaf and pie dinner from 5-6:30 p.m., cost $8.50 (children under 10 $5.50).  Proceeds support mission outreach.

Fourth annual Shop ‘Til You Drop: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 19, Washington Elementary School, 20 E St. NE.  Auburn. Presented by the Auburn Association of Educational Office Professionals. Join school disrit secretaries for a scholarship fundraising shopping extravangza. Craft and gift vendors, hot dogs for sale. Proceeds benefit scholarships for Auburn high school students. If you wish to participate or need more information, contact Sandi Thompson at 253-804-5161.

Community Big Give: 10 a.m.-noon, Nov. 19, Northwest Family Church, 3535 Auburn Way S., Auburn. Volunteers and organizers distribute groceries to 500 needy families in the community. Individuals and business representatives can make an online financial donation and urged to host a food drive. To help or to learn more, visit communitybiggive.com or contact the Big Give team at 253-833-8252 or info@communitybiggive.com.

Inaugural Auburn High School Booster Club Auction:  7 p.m., Nov. 19,  Muckleshoot Casino Chinook Room, 2402 Auburn Way S., Auburn. The club seeks donations from local businesses, alumni and community members to help support student participation in athletics and activities. Activities include a silent and live auction. Tickets cost $30.00 and include dinner, followed by a dessert auction. For more information please contact Bob Jones, AHS athletics and activities coordinator, at bjones@auburn.wednet.edu.

Corestar Pilates Thanksgiving Day Sampler: 9-10:30 a.m., Nov. 24, Truitt Building, 102 W. Main St., Auburn (above Oddfellas Pub & Eatery). Join us and sample studio classes in yoga (9-9:30 a.m.), pilates (9:30-10 a.m.), Zumba (10-10:30 a.m.) and donate nonperishable food items to the Auburn Food Bank. Class fee: $10 and suggested food donation. Please bring your own mat. Please call 206-914-0112 or email www.corestarpilates.com to register.

VRFA Firefighters Holiday Toy Drive: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 3-4, 10-11, Auburn Fred Meyer, 801 Auburn Way N.; Albertsons, 4010 A St. SE:  Albertsons, 1347 Auburn Way  N.; Auburn Top Foods, 1406 Lake Tapps Parkway E.  Donations also can be dropped off at the following locations: Auburn Fire Station No. 31, 1101 D St. NE; South Auburn Fire Station No. 32, 1951 R St. SE; Lakeland Hills Fire Station No. 33, 500 182nd Ave E; Lea Hill Fire Station No. 34, 31290 124th Ave. SE; or Pacific Fire Station No. 38, 133 3rd Ave. SE. Valley Regional Fire Authority Firefighters and Auburn Food Bank employees team up to provide toys for needy children this holiday season. Donations of new, unwrapped gifts and/or cash donations will be accepted. Families in need of assistance from the Toys for Kids program are required to register with the Auburn Food Bank at 253-804-5696.  Toys will be distributed on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 at Auburn High School starting at 8 a.m. and will only be distributed to families pre-registered with the food bank.

Island Music, Concert for a Cure:  6-10 p.m. Dec. 3, Green River Community College, Cascade Center, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn. Doors open at 5 p.m. Entertainers and craft/gift vendors formerly from Hawaii, Guam and other Polynesian islands will be volunteering their time for a concert to benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Join Island Bound, Two Story Zori, Braddah Harry and DJ Tone Capone for a night of island music and special Hula performances (Halau Hula `O Lono performs “Christmas in Hawaii”). Island-style plate lunches will be available for purchase. Tickets: $10 adults; children under 5 free. To purchase tickets, visit www.kadukuclothing.com or pick them up at the following local locations: Pac Island Grill, 2012 S 320th St., Suite H, Federal Way; Saimin Says, 6621 S. 211th St., Kent; L and L Hawaiian BBQ, 32225 Pacific Highway S., No. 105, Federal Way; Hawaii General Store, 258 NE 45th St., Seattle; Kona Kitchen, 8501 5th Ave. NE, Seattle; KADUKU Clothing, 1410 Western Ave., Seattle. For more information, visit www.families. www.lls.org and www.teamintraining.org/wa.

Washington Elementary School PTA Craft Fair: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 10,  Washington Elementary, 20 E St. NE.  Auburn.  Vendors, raffles, prizes. Concessions available. Free admission. For more information, contact Lori at 206-427-2974. Procceds to help the school purchase a new playground.

Health

Cascade Regional Blood Center drives:  7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 21, Federal Way High School, 30611 16th Ave. S, Federal Way; 1-4 p.m., Nov. 29, DeVry University, 3600 S. 344th Way, Federal Way; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Dec. 3, Lakeland Hills Community, 1408 Lake Tapps Parkway E, Auburn; 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 6-7, Auburn Riverside High School, annex/auxiliary gym, 501 Oraveetz Road; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 17, Albertsons, 4010 A St. SE, Auburn. For more information, call 1-877-242-5663 or visit www.crbs.net/home.

Puget Sound Blood Center drives:  8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Dec. 2, Boeing, 700 15th St. SW, bus on southside of the 10 building (employees only); 1:30-4 p.m., Dec. 8, GSA Auburn, 400 15th St. SW; 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m., Dec. 8, Social Security, 1901 C St. SW. For more information, call 253-945-8667  or please visit www.psbc.org.

Classes

Work ‘n Web Job Resource Workshops: Available every Monday, starting in November, Pacific-Algona Community Center Gym, 100 3rd Ave., Pacific. Do you need help and resources to find work? Let the computer lab and community resources work to help you. Shawn Cosby, Algona-Pacific librarian, offers workshops on how to use library resources, including career guidance and planning tools, resume builder, test and education center and typing instructor Web. Joel McKinney, of the Career Path Employment Team, offers workshops on resume and cover letter writing, job application process, job search strategies, interview preparation, career interest testing and work place behavior. For more information, contact JoAnne Futch, youth coordinator, at 253-929-1155 or Linda Morris, community services director, at 253-929-1150.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA):  Train to become a volunteer advocate for abused and neglected children in court.  Help make the legal system work toward a safe, permanent home for these children.  Must be 21, have excellent references and attend 28 hours of training. For more information and training dates, call 206-296-1120 or email casa.group@kingcounty.gov.

Libraries

NOTE: The main Auburn Library has closed for yearlong expansion. It reopened at its temporary location, the former Herr Cabinets building, at 1140 Auburn Way S., , behind Big Daddy’s Drive-in. For program information, call 253-931-3018. Library events include:

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Sleepy Story Times:: 7 p.m., Nov. 17, Dec. 8, 15. All ages welcome, ages 5 and younger with adult. Wear your pajamas and bring your teddy bear to this 30-minute bedtime story time.

Monday Morning Story Times: 10:15 a.m., Nov. 21, 28, Dec. 5, 12. Ages 2 to 6 with adult. Young children explore Early Literacy through stories, songs, finger plays and action rhymes.

Tuesday’s Bouncing Baby Story Times: 10:15 a.m., Nov. 22, 29, Dec. 6, 13. Ages newborn to 24 months, one adult per baby. Get ready to bounce, sing and play with your baby. Early Literacy activities will be emphasized and a short play time follows.

Wacky Wednesday Family Story Times: 10:15 a.m., Nov. 30, Dec. 7,14. Ages 3 to 6. Fun stories, flannel board and songs for kids and their families.

Book Club Parties for Kids: 4 p.m., Nov. 22. For kids in grades 3-8. Come and listen to a short read-aloud of Jeff Kinney’s newest book, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever” and talk about the book.

LOL/Read Aloud Book Club: 11 a.m., Dec. 3. Grades K-2. Margaret Read MacDonald’s “Surf War: A Foktale from the Marshall Islands” will be featured along with a short craft for kids to take home. Kids also can bring a favorite book to share.

Book Party for Kids: 4 p.m., Dec. 27. For 3rd-8th grades. Come and enjoy a reading of “Red Ranger Came Calling: A Guaranteed True Christmas Story” by Berkeley Breathed. This is part of our regular Book Club meeting on the fourth Tuesday of evening month.

TEENS

Paint Your Own Pottery: 4 p.m., Dec. 6. Bring your creativity and imagination and the library will provide the pottery, glaze, stamps and more. The Auburn Library is offering this program at the PRAB Gymnasium in Les Gove Park, 910 9th St. SE. Free to all teens in middle school, junior high or high school.

Teen Writers’ Group: 4:30 p.m., Dec. 13. Ages 12 to 18. Short stories, novels, poetry, memoirs … the Teen Writers’ Group does it all. We meet once a month to practice creative writing skills, share our writing and gain ideas in a friendly environment. Snacks and fun for all.

ADULTS

English as a Second Language (ESOL): Due to the building remodel, the Auburn Library is no longer hosting ESOL classes. Classes are now being offered at the Green River Community College Downtown Auburn Center, 110 2nd St. SW, Room 145; phone number 253-833-9111. Additional classes continue to be offered at Algona-Pacific Library, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6-8:30 p.m.

Computer classes: Sign-up at the Information Desk or call 253-931-3018. • Internet Level I: 10 a.m., Dec. 13. Learn how to browse the Internet, type website addresses, understand basic Internet vocabulary and use search engines. Prerequisite: Ability to use the mouse. • Email Level I: 11:30 a.m., Dec. 13. Learn basic email vocabulary. Create an account using Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail. Compose and send messages. Prerequisite: Ability to use the mouse and keyboard, basic understanding of the Internet.

Auburn Library Book Discussion Group: 6:30 p.m., Dec. 13. “Noah’s Compass” by Anne Tyler. A wise, gently humorous and deeply compassionate novel about a schoolteacher, who has been forced to retire at 61, coming to terms with the final phase of his life. Please see http://blogs.kcls.org/auburn/ for more information.

The Friends of the Auburn Library Meeting: 7 p.m., Dec. 27. The Friends support the library and programs. Join us.

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Algona-Pacific Library, 225 Ellingson Road, Pacific. 253-833-3554. Library events include:

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Toddler Story Times: 10:15 a.m., Nov. 22, 29, Dec. 6, 13. Ages 2 to 3 with adult. Join us for stories, rhymes, music and fun.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m., Nov. 22, 29, Dec 6, 13.  Ages 3 to 5 with adult. Enjoy stories, activities and music while children develop pre-reading skills.

Baby Story Time: 10:15 a.m., Nov. 23, 30, Dec. 7 , 14. Newborn to 24 months with adult. Stimulate brain development with bounces, rhymes, stories and play time. One baby per lap, please.

Fancy Nancy Soirée: 1 p.m., Dec. 3. For young ladies, ages 4 to 8. You are cordially invited to a soiree. Soirée is French for party (everything is fancier in French). Remember to dress in your fanciest clothes. Please register in advance.

Holiday Magic: 2 p.m., Dec. 10. Ages 5 and older. Transform the “winter blahs” into oohs and aahs! It’s MAGIC when Jeff Evans brings his bag of tricks to the library. See Jeff’s trained reindeer that does card tricks, a drawing of Santa that comes to life and talks, and many more magical surprises.

TEENS

Teen Zone: 3 p.m., Nov. 23, 30, Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28. Open to teens in middle and high school. Drop in and get your game on, surf the Internet or hit the books. The Teen Zone is the place where you and your friends can snack, hang out, study, play video games and pick up a good book.

Work ‘n Web Job Resource Workshops: 1 p.m., Nov. 21, 28. Adults, teens. Out of work? Need some skills to help you search for a job, write a resume, or prepare for an interview? The Algona-Pacific Library, in partnership with the Pacific-Algona Community Center, is sponsoring a series of job resource workshops to help you with basic employment skills. Workshops held at the Pacific-Algona Community Center, 100 3rd Ave. SE, Pacific.

Alpac Teen Book Club: 3:30 p.m., Nov. 22, Dec. 27. Open to teens in middle school, junior high or high school. Love to read? The book club meets once a month to discuss the book of the month and share what we’ve been reading. New members are always welcome. Snacks provided.

ADULTS

Computer Class: Registration required. Please sign up at the Information Desk or call 253-833-3554. • Microsoft Excel Level 1: 11 a.m., Dec. 17. Learn how to perform calculations using formulas, copy formulas with the fill handle and use Autosum for quick addition.

Algona-Pacific Page Turners:  7:30 p.m., Dec. 14. “Christmas in Plains, Memories” by Jimmy Carter. Copies of this title have been reserved for participants and are available for check out at the library. Join us-new members are always welcome.

Registration for ESOL Classes: 5:30 p.m., Dec. 20. Registration for winter quarter.

Work ‘n Web Job Resource Workshops: 1 p.m., Dec. 5, 12, 19. Held at the Pacific Community Center, 100 3rd Ave. SE. Pacific. Out of work? Need some skills to help you search for a job, write a resume, or prepare for an interview? The Algona-Pacific Library, in partnership with the Pacific-Algona Community Center, is sponsoring a series of job resource workshops to help you with basic employment skills.

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Muckleshoot Library, 39917 Auburn-Enumclaw Road SE., Auburn. 253-931-6779. Library events include:

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Stories and Strings Story Time: 11 a.m., Nov. 30. Come for a rockin’ good time of stories, songs and silliness.

Baby Bounce Story Times: 10:30 a.m., Dec. 8, 15. Ages newborn to 24 months with adult. Bounce along with baby stories, rhymes and songs.

Caspar Babypants–Sing Along!: 11 a.m., Dec. 7. Ages 2 to 5 with adult. Chris Ballew is better known as the lead singer of the Seattle-based rock and roll band, The Presidents of the United States of America. The show includes simple songs families can sing together to reinforce many concepts related to early literacy.

ADULTS

COMPUTER CLASSES

Looking to sharpen your technology skills?:  If you’re interested in attending a class, please call 253-931-6779.  • One-on-one computer help: 6 p.m., Nov. 17. Do you need extra help on the computer? Have a special project you’re working on? Want to create an email account? A KCLS Netmaster volunteer instructor can give you one-on-one help.

Network

Auburn Area Chamber “Connecting for Success” Networking Breakfast: 8-9 a.m., the first Wednesday of every month. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. Cost: $5, includes continental breakfast. Auburn Area Chamber Board Room, 108 S. Division, Suite B. 253-833-0700.

Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Partnership Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the third Tuesday of every month, Emerald Downs, Emerald Room (fourth floor), 2300 Emerald Downs Drive.  Register online through the chamber.

17th annual Mountains to Greenway Dinner & Celebration: 6 p.m., Nov. 30, Washington State Convention Skybridge, 800 Convention Place, Seattle. Suggestion donation for the evening: $90 per person. Please RSVP by Nov. 18 at mtsgreenway.org/annualdinner. For more information, visit www.wsctc.com or call Stephanie Dunlap at 206-382-5565, ext. 21.

Seniors

Auburn Senior Activity Center, 808 Ninth St. SE. 253-931-3016 or www.auburnwa.gov. Senior activities include:

• Senior Coffee Hours with the Mayor and Councilmembers: 10-11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month.

• Lunch: Monday-Friday, Salad bar begins at 11:30, Main meal is served at noon. Cost: $3 donation for ages 60 and over, $5.75 for those younger than 60.

• Movie Screenings: Wednesdays, 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. 50 cent suggested donation for refreshments.

• Monday Supper Club: 4:45-6 p.m. One Monday a month. Call 253-931-3016 for date and menu. Cost: $6 for all ages.

• Meals on Wheels: Senior services’ program offers home-delivered meals to home-bound seniors. For more information, call the center at 253-931-3016.

• Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner: Nov. 22. Two sittings, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. A turkey dinner with all of the trimmings will be served. To help in planning please stop by the senior center front desk to get your ticket. Lunch is a $3 suggested donation for those over 60, and a $5.75 fee for those under 60.

• Holiday decorations: Looking for volunteers to help decorate the center on Nov. 30 from 1-4 p.m. Please call the senior center to sign up.

Museums

White River Valley Museum:  918 H St. SE, Auburn. Programs: • Overnight at the Museum: Friday, Nov. 18 to Saturday, Nov. 19. An overnight adventure at the museum for kids ages 7-12. Includes fun, games, scavenger hunts, a movie screening and a light snack. •  Holiday Tea: Saturday, Dec. 3. Festive holiday high tea at the museum with all the trimmings. Seatings are at 1 and 3 p.m. Admission: $2 adults, $1 seniors and children. Admission is free on Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month. Call 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org for tickets and event information.

Galleries

Auburn City Hall:  Exhibit: Nov. 2-Dec. 6. D’Elaine Johnson’s myth-paintings are reminiscent of past cultures with a contemporary flair each of which tells a story of humanity. Mauricio Robalino dreams and creates artwork that is unique and original regardless of medium; he displays his digital and watercolor artwork. 25 W. Main St.  Admission is free. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 253-931-3043 or www.auburnwa.gov.

Cheryl Sallee Gallery: Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Admission: Free. Auburn Senior Activity Center, 808 Ninth St. SE. 253-931-5043 or www.auburnwa.gov/arts.