Red Hen to hold 'Have-a-Heart' auction event

Sylvia's Little Red Hen in Green Lake will hold its second annual benefit auction for the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Saturday, Feb. 13 on Valentine's weekend.

The "Have-A-Heart" benefit auction will feature five eligible bachelors and bachelorettes along with several donated items.

Although this year's items have not been announced, Lee Hirschorn, owner of Sylvia's Little Red Hen, says it promises to be worth the time to check it out.

Last year, some last minute donated items included an Elton John tour jacket and a Satin Gilley's jacket which both attracted large bids. A more unusual item, several black velvet hockey pucks, were "a big hit," says Hirschorn. Area restaurants and stores have also donated dinner and service gift certificates.

The event is open to children until 9 p.m. when the auction begins. The Buckaroo Blues will provide musical entertainment.

Last year, the auction raised over $3,000. The money was used to grant a local Seattle girl the wish of a new computer system and software.

Sylvia's Little Red Hen is located at 7115 Woodlawn Ave NE in Green Lake and is the only area establishment that provides live country music. For more information or to make donations, please call 522-1168.

Valentine's Dance to benefit Cedar Park Project

Volunteers with the Cedar Park Project report that they have reached the halfway mark in their fundraising drive to build a two-acre neighborhood park on the site of the old playground for the former Cedar Park Elementary School in Lake City.

To date, over $50,000 in cash donations, volunteer labor and services have been raised to date.

The project, which has been several years in the making, is also taking shape as a carpet of green grass now covers much of the site. In February, project organizers hope to finalize the selection of play equipment, which will include a "big toy," swings, a sand play area with digger toys and boulders and a stage for imagination play.

Also planned is a 35-foot by 70-foot asphalt play surface that will include two basketball hoops, and a 28-foot diameter north-end entry plaza that will be adorned with engraved granite paving stones, which are being "sold" to help raise funds for the project.

This spring, volunteers will also begin planting landscaping throughout the site.

An additional $50,000 is still needed to complete the project. Donations are tax-deductible.

To get closer to meeting this goal, park project organizers will hold a Valentine's Dance on Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Cedar Park Arts Center gym (3737 NE 135th St.), from 7-10 p.m. The event will feature a live DJ, fun dance music, tasty refreshments and raffle prizes.

Admission will be a $5 donation at the door.

For more information, call the Cedar Park Project at 365-1032.

Neighborhood arts event on Valentines weekend

The first annual Seattle Neighborhood Arts Celebration will be held Saturday, Feb. 13 at Benaroya Hall, from 4-8 p.m. It is a free event, and happens with the support of the Mayor's Office, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Seattle Arts Commission, the Department of Neighborhoods, and Benaroya Hall.

The event will feature music, poetry, and theater staged in a warm, "living room" atmosphere. Arts groups will also be invited to exhibit in the lobby space outside the theater (the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall).

Initiated by City Councilman Nick Licata, The Seattle Neighborhood Arts Celebration will honor unheralded (or under-recognized) performers who are nonetheless engaged with their respective communities.

For more information, call Frank Video at 684-8849 (e-mail : frank.video@ci.seattle.wa.us) or Bob Redmond, 624-9606 (bubba@speakeasy.org).