International collection of Nativity scenes on dispaly in our neighborhood

Its that time of year when people unpack their holiday decorations, decorate their homes and prepare to celebrate the traditions that make the holiday season such a special time for families and communities.

This weekend one of the most impressive displays of holiday decorations is happening right here in our very own neighborhood.

On Saturday and Sunday, December 1st and 2nd, Nativity Exhibit Northwest and Lamb of God Lutheran Church are hosting the Annual Nativity Exhibit at Lamb of God church, 12509 127th Avenue N.E. The exhibit showcases more than 800 nativities from almost 100 countries. Some are intricate artworks, some are made from recycled items, some are made from food, some are funny, some try to make a point, all are fascinating.

"This is a great way to kick off the holiday season," said Ben Breeden, a visitor who has been coming to the see the display with his extended family for years.

The display moved from its previous location after the collection grew too large. For the past 20 years it was hosted at Crista Senior Living in Shoreline.

The exhibit runs until 7 p.m. on Saturday. It continues on Sunday (December 2nd) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Below is a small sample of some of the nativity sets on display.

Singer who led our neighborhood parade helping hip-hop artist top the charts

Vocalists Ray Dalton, right, and Camila Recchio, center, lead our neighborhood parade.

During the Douglas Park Cooperative neighborhood block party a couple years ago, we hosted a parade of neighborhood kids to kick off the party. We were lucky enough to have the parade led by talented vocalists Ray Dalton and Camila Recchio, shown above.

Since then, the pair have had much success with their respective music careers. Recchio is releasing an album in January and Dalton teamed up with Seattle hip-hop artists Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis, collaborating on their self-produced album that is topping all the charts.  As Associated Press national music writer Chris Talbott says, the lauded album is shaking up the hip-hop paradigm in the U.S.

Expect to hear much more about the two singers as they continue their skyrocketing careers after performing on our humble streets.

Below, Dalton performs with Seattle's chart-topping Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis on KEXP.




Below, Recchio and Dalton perform together.

Come support Olympic Hills Elementary at annual Pancake Breakfast

Olympic Hills Elementary is hosting its 7th annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, December 1st, from 9-11 a.m. And you are invited to come enjoy some food with your community and help provide for our neighborhood school.

The fun event includes performances by the school's impressive Taiko Drummers, the Intermediate Choir and the Primary Choir.

You get all that entertainment plus a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee for 6 dollars, 4 dollars for the kiddos.

Proceeds from the annual event help fund classroom field trips for Olympic Hills students.

The breakfast will be held at the Lake City Community Center and is sponsored by the Lake City Lions Club.

• 9:30 Taiko Drummers to perform
• 10 Intermediat Choir
• 10:15 Primary Choir 

Coming soon to NE Seattle, a Tool Library

A new Northeast Seattle project is taking the concept of the lending library beyond just books.

The NE Seattle Tool Library, which plans to open in January or February, will be a place where library members can borrow an assortment of tools. And if you are a homeowner, you know how important proper tools are to upkeep you home.

The library, a project of Sustainable NE Seattle, is hosting an open house and pot-luck on December 1st at the location for the library, 2415 NE 80th St. The event is from 7 to 10 p.m. and is a celebration before the tools and shelves move in. You can bring a snack or drink to share, and tools you'd like to donate. There will also be music and room to dance.

The library plans to provide free, community access to a wide variety of tools, training, and sustainable resources. They plan to start lending tools at our the grand opening in January or February 2013.

Although not in our immediate neighborhood, this could be a resource for our own residents and a program that perhaps could be mirrored here in the future.

You can become a member of the tool library here.

(H/T to Ravenna Blog for this info)