Calendar Submissions

The free community calendar is published Wednesdays on a space-available basis, and includes free and nonprofit local events and groups. Submit items at least a week in advance of publication dates to calendar@reporternewspapers.com.

Events

Evergreen Healthcare Auxiliary Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4-5. Sale items include handmade crafts, jewelry, photographs and holiday decorations. Table-rental proceeds benefit patients and programs at Evergreen. Evergreen Hospital Medical Center Galleria, 12040 N.E. 128th St., Kirkland. 425-899-2001 or www.evergreenhealthcare.org.

Sleep Country Toy Drive: Through Dec. 14. Donors can bring unwrapped new toys, books, movies and games for foster children to any Sleep Country USA store. Call or see Web site for locations. 888-887-5337 or www.sleepcountry.com.

Be a Santa to a Senior: Through Dec. 15. Shoppers can pick an ornament off the tree with a senior’s first name and gift wishes, and return the ornament to the tree along with unwrapped gifts. Home Instead Senior Care will wrap and deliver gifts to needy and isolated seniors. Bridle Trails Red Apple Market, 6625 132nd Ave. N.E., Kirkland. www.beasantatoasenior.com.

Holiday

Argosy Christmas Ships Festival: Dec. 6 and 18-23. Festive lighted ships will launch from and visit Kirkland for holiday concerts on the water. All are welcome to view from shore. See Web site for times, details. www.argosycruises.com.

12K’s of Christmas Holiday Run: 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14. Includes 12K and 5K run/walks, free kids’ dash, costume contest, music, dancing and food. Cost: $25-$45. Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza, Kirkland. www.12ksofchristmas.com.

St. John Vianney Holiday Tree Sale: Through Dec. 21. Help support local high school students earn their way to Tijuana to build homes. Hours: 5-9 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. St. John Vianney Church, 12600 84th Ave. N.E., Kirkland. 425-823-6840 or goodwin123@verizon.net.

Community meetings

Norkirk Neighborhood Association: 7 p.m. Dec. 3. Heritage Hall, 203 Market St., Kirkland. www.Norkirk.org.

Juanita Neighborhoods: 7 p.m. Dec. 4. Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 10021 N.E. 124th St., Kirkland. www.Juanitaneighborhoods.com.

Central Houghton Neighborhood Association: 7 p.m. Jan. 7. Houghton Fire Station, 6602 108th Ave. N.E., Kirkland. www.hougtonlives.com.

Faith

Labyrinth Walk: 4-8 p.m. Dec. 31. All are welcome to drop in and ponder 2008 and 2009 while walking the indoor labyrinth. Lake Washington United Methodist Church, 7525 132nd Ave. N.E., Kirkland. 425-885-3311 or www.lwumc.com.

Libraries/Books

Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland. 425-822-2459. Events include:

• “Great Singers—Three Sexy Operatic Bassos”: 7 p.m. Dec. 4 (Feodor Chaliapin); 7 p.m. Dec. 11 (Ezio Pinza); 7 p.m. Dec. 18 (Cesare Siepi). Enjoy a series of charismatic operatic recordings.

• “Winter Wonderlands—An Art History Presentation”: 2 p.m. Dec. 6. Learn about holiday paintings and poems by Norman Rockwell, Currier and Ives, Andrew Wyeth and more.

• Kirkland Book Group: 7 p.m. Dec. 8. Topic: “Digging to America” by Anne Tyler.

Kingsgate Library, 12315 N.E. 143rd St., Kirkland. 425-821-7686. Events include:

• Kingsgate/Woodinville Book Discussion Group: 10 a.m. Dec. 6. Topic: “The Lady Elizabeth” by Allison Weir.

• Mother/Daughter Book Group: 7 p.m. Dec. 11. Open to girls 10-12 and their mothers. Topic: “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick.

ParkPlace Books, 348 Parkplace Center, Kirkland. 425-828-6546. Events include:

• Women’s National Book Association Holiday Tea: 4 p.m. Dec. 7.

• Poetry Night: 7 p.m. Dec. 10.

Network

I Take the Lead Kirkland Best Networking: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Fridays. Starry Nights, 11200 Kirkland Way, Suite 220, Kirkland. seattle@itakethelead.com.

Kirkland Business Association: 8 a.m. Fridays. Networking breakfast. George’s Place, 108 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland.

Lakeside Business Builders chapter of BNI: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Visitors welcome. Hector’s Restaurant, 112 Lake St. S., Kirkland. 425-646-8800.

Outdoors

Bird-watching field trips: 8 a.m.-noon Dec. 13, Green Lake. Trips led by Eastside Audubon Society members. Call for details. 425-576-8805 or www.eastsideaudubon.org.