Showing posts with label third place commons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label third place commons. Show all posts

Call for Artists & Crafters: Apply by 5/22 for LFP Farmers Market Crafts Day

Wednesday, April 25, 2018


Applications are now being accepted from Washington artists and crafters to participate in the 2018 Crafts Day at the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market, which will take place on Sunday, July 15.

Crafts Day is a once-per-summer special addition to the regular LFP Farmers Market, which takes place every Sunday from 10am to 3pm in front of Lake Forest Park Town Center and regularly attracts 7,000-9,000 visitors per week.

Artists and crafters of all kinds are encouraged to submit applications for consideration. Visit the Third Place Commons website and review the Crafts Day application carefully for full details.

All applications must be submitted via postal mail and received no later than Tuesday, May 22nd.

All items presented at the Crafts Day must be handmade in Washington by the individuals selling at the market. The market seeks to reflect a wide variety of media to represent a broad spectrum of creative endeavors, so submit your applications soon!

The Lake Forest Park Farmers Market is presented each year by Third Place Commons, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to fostering real community in real space. The market season opens as always on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13th, and will continue to run every week rain or shine through Sunday, October 21st.

See you at the market!



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GiveBIG to Third Place Commons May 9

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Seattle Foundation’s annual giving day, GIVEBIG, returns in May. The online event, now in its eighth year, raises funds for more than 1,500 nonprofit organizations serving the Greater Seattle area.


Meet your friends, have lunch / dinner,
listen to music, play chess!
As a safe, welcoming space open to everyone, Third Place Commons fosters real community in real space. The Commons hosts over 900 FREE community events each year and presents the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market.

We nurture a vibrant, thriving community through arts programs like weekly music and dancing, monthly Art-Ins, and local school performances, civic programs like community fairs and public lectures, and social meet-ups like weekly play and learns, game nights, Mahjong Mondays, and more!

The one-day online giving event takes place from midnight to midnight Pacific Time on Wednesday, May 9 with the theme “Give Big for All,” reflecting the urgent need to support nonprofits working to create greater equity and opportunity, helping make our region a healthier and more vibrant place for all.

To donate, simply visit GIVEBIGseattle, select the nonprofits you want to support and enter the donation amount. Add your donations to the Giving Cart and conveniently check out all at once with your credit card payment. You can also schedule donations ahead of time beginning April 26.

As an added incentive, Seattle Foundation will conduct 100 drawings throughout the day for an added. If your name is drawn, the nonprofit you donated to will receive an additional $2,500.

Third Place Commons is dedicated to providing accessible community space and creating opportunities for people of all ages, regardless of their backgrounds, income level, or physical abilities.

Live music Friday and Saturday
to dance to or just listen to

With a moderate budget, small staff, and devoted volunteer base, we host over 900 free events every year, serve at least 1000 people who use the Commons daily, and another 7,000+ who shop at our weekly farmers market.

Free weekly and monthly programs -- like live music (and dancing), Commons Art-Ins, toddler play and learn sessions, foreign language conversation groups, game nights, T'ai Chi classes, informational lectures, community fairs, and performances by local school groups, studios, and others -- create a hub of connection and serve as a source of strength for surrounding communities across the North King County/South Snohomish area.

Thanks to the support of our donors and partners, all of our programs are free of charge, making them widely accessible to one and all.

Farmers Market
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Through our local Sunday farmers market, which runs from Mother's Day through mid-October, we support the good health of our surrounding communities and foster a thriving local, sustainable food movement.

Through our own local donor-supported Market Bucks food assistance program for low-income individuals and families -- as well as our participation in SNAP, Fresh Bucks, WIC, and Senior Voucher programs -- we are proud to help provide access to healthy, nutritious produce, meats, and more to our neighbors in need.



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A Day of Celebration at Third Place Commons

Monday, March 12, 2018

Over 250 people attended the Breakfast

On Thursday, March 8th, Third Place Commons celebrated their “Commons Community Values” with about 240 members of that very special community.

It was the Commons’ annual breakfast – their biggest fundraiser of the year – and the day when individuals come together as one to support the organization that is dedicated to fostering “real community in real space.”

The program focused on the organization’s core values, which guide the nonprofit’s staff and board in their efforts to foster their vision of “a vibrant, safe, welcoming space open to everyone.”

Casey Smirniotopoulos, vice-chair of the
Third Place Commons board of directors,
served as emcee
Casey Smirniotopoulos, vice-chair of the Third Place Commons board of directors, served as emcee for the day.

She shared thoughts on the “Commons Community Values” throughout the program. These core values include accessibility, community, inclusivity, connection and collaboration.

She pointed out that inclusivity is built into the “open to everyone” vision for the space.

Meanwhile, accessibility is fundamental to everything the Commons does – from offering over 900 free events each year, to hosting partner organizations on the Commons stage at no charge, to distributing Market Bucks food assistance vouchers to community members who struggle with food scarcity.

Smirniotopoulos also noted that they focus on real-world, face-to-face interactions at the Commons and at the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market, in order to achieve genuine connection.

And collaboration is essential to their work as they partner with others to host events, fund and distribute Market Bucks, and bring community members together to develop their own collaborations and partnerships.

In fact, the Third Place Commons’ mission statement actually articulates such partnerships as part of a three-pronged approach to fostering and enriching real community in real space. Those three prongs include hosting public events, presenting the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market, and partnering with others to help maximize their impact.

Chair of the Third Place Commons board of directors, Norman Lieberman, highlighted another of these core values, community, which he noted is not just a value, but the organization’s actual mission. And he talked about all the ways that individuals come together to form community at the Commons through music, dancing, games, play, classes, meetings, shopping at the market, conversation, laughter and more.

Norman Lieberman presents the Friends of the
Community Award to Diane Hettrick,
Editor of the Shoreline Area News.

The highlight of the program was when Lieberman, who also serves as chair of the breakfast committee, presented the annual Friends of the Community Award to the Shoreline Area News Editor Diane Hettrick. Hettrick founded the online publication with her partner Evan Smith in 2009 as a new, daily source of community news – by the people and for the people.

And for eight extraordinary years, Hettrick has run the Shoreline Area News solely out of the goodness of her heart, to serve her community. She doesn’t get paid a dime for her efforts! And no matter how long and busy Hettrick’s days are – every night, without fail, she’s there sharing the news of the community with the community.

The crowd gives Hettrick a standing ovation.
Hettrick was the perfect choice for this year’s award, which happened to be presented on International Women’s Day. And she was greeted with an enthusiastic and well-deserved standing ovation for her efforts! Local poet Jean Monce Bryant was even inspired to write a lovely tribute poem in Hettrick’s honor!

Later that day, Hettrick was, of course, right back at it publishing the next edition of the Shoreline Area News. And by 10 a.m. that day, the Commons was right back to business as usual as the community gathering spot and default heart of the community. But the work continues every day on both fronts!

If you missed the breakfast, you can still support the essential work of Third Place Commons. Find out how to make a gift by visiting ThirdPlaceCommons.org/give. See you at the Commons!



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Third Place Commons in haiku, acrostic, and sketch

Friday, March 9, 2018

Sketch by Beth Seacord

Haiku

Community space
Inclusive place to gather
Fun, music, art, games.

Gather together
Grow understanding and peace
Value connection.


Acrostic - Community

Creative
Open
Music
Multi generational
Upbeat
Nosh
Inclusive
Talk space
Youthful

Poetry by Marcia McLaughlin



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People making a difference: Anne Stadler

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Anne Stadler writes a memo at Third Place Commons in
Lake Forest Park on January 22. Along with her husband
and several local business owners, Stadler founded
 the Commons in 1998. (Photo by Jordan Duncan)

Lake Forest Park’s Anne Stadler volunteers and reaps benefits, such as Third Place Commons 

By Jordan Duncan

When one walks into Third Place Commons in Lake Forest Park, an array of pleasant smells from Honey Bear Bakery, the eye-catching collection at Third Place Books, and the sounds of dozens of people enjoying the amenities are the greeters.

The large community meeting space is the fruit of Anne Stadler’s labor. She helped found the Commons in 1998 alongside her husband, Dave Stadler, and several local business owners.

A Lake Forest Park resident since 1959, Stadler has been involved in some of the biggest and most important volunteer works in the area and helped make the community what it is today.

“In the first place, I feel it’s the foundation of a democratic society to volunteer,” Stadler said.
“So I get out of it both the pleasure and the capacity to help my community or any community – learn who it is, what it is and to grow to benefit the welfare of everybody.”

Along with her husband Dave, Third Place Books owner Ron Sher, and several other community group leaders, Stadler took a large section of a dilapidated strip mall that had been around since the 1960s and turned it into Friends of Third Place Commons (which eventually became Third Place Commons).

This fall will mark 20 years since the opening of the Commons.

Stadler said that more than 900 volunteer and community group events take place at the Commons every year, such as the popular annual community breakfast.

“Every city, every town, every neighborhood ought to have a place like this, and we didn’t have such a place at all,” Stadler said.

Stadler also serves as a board member with Sourcing the Way, an organization that utilizes a unique practice of meditation and listening. They emphasize the idea of a “field of consciousness,” which is essentially the collective minds of a group of people.

“What we learn to do is access that field and listen for guidance, if you will, about anything that we’re engaged in,” Stadler said. “We’re not just offering the ego-level of our consciousness, but we’re listening for what the greater field wants – the consensus level.”

With Sourcing the Way, Stadler works with leaders to try and come up with outside-the-box methods of communication and listening in order to present refreshing ideas and perspectives.

In the end, it comes down to people letting go of what they think the truth is and opening themselves up to new possibilities -- not only listening to, but accepting the viewpoints of their peers.

But it isn’t always easy.

“You live in this little bubble of what you think is reality,” Stadler said. “In order for the bigger field to break through the bubble, there is a disturbance. It creates havoc, and it has to in order to get your attention.”

Stadler is also involved with the Compassion Games, a project that rewards acts of kindness and compassion in the community in an effort to engage and bring citizens together. The game format was designed to help people engage in compassionate activities with more ease and comfort.

The idea really took off with one 6-year-old boy who was deemed a “Secret Agent of Compassion,” complete with a badge and outfit. Stadler learned from the school’s principal that the boy got his entire first grade class to also participate as Secret Agents.

Each morning the students were given special messages that taught them ways to be compassionate. They made sure to employ those techniques and were able to share their stories in class, which Stadler says they enjoyed.

For Stadler, a key aspect of volunteer work is the ability to amplify your impact on the community.

“It’s a completely gift-giving and receiving activity,” she said. “The reward you get is being able to give your gifts and have them be received into something bigger than you personally could ever do by yourself.”

For as dedicated as she is, her start in volunteering happened by accident. The first time she volunteered, she had four kids, and a group she was working with was starting a peace organization. When everyone else was busy and couldn’t take the helm, she stepped up to organize the group.

“I learned I had a really terrific talent for helping people organize themselves,” Stadler said. “I would never have learned that if it hadn’t been for the accident that if we were going to get this organization going, we needed someone to organize it.”

Stadler would take her kids with her to the office where she and other women worked while their kids played.

“You find out things that you absolutely did not know about yourself through the accidents of volunteering,” Stadler said.

Stadler worked as a television producer at KING 5-TV in Seattle for some time. She was hired to work with a community coalition called People Power where she would produce programs that they felt would be important for the community to address, such as water quality, fishing rights, redlining (pricing people out of neighborhoods, often on the basis of race or ethnicity), mental health issues and more. Her aim was to find people with successful solutions to problems that plagued small communities, telling stories that showed not only the problem but also how citizens mobilized to help solve it.

Working at KING 5 prevented Stadler from doing her typical volunteer work, but she still views it as a very beneficial experience.

“It gave me a really strong awareness of all kinds of communities that I would have never encountered if I hadn’t been working at KING,” Stadler said. “It was a great learning experience.”

Before Third Place Commons existed, Stadler and her husband were on the brink of leaving Lake Forest Park. One day she overheard Sher talking to the city manager about the failing state of the mall, where he was leasing three separate spaces.

Stadler introduced herself and asked Sher if he had any interest in a partnership with the community.

After some convincing and talk about what the partnership would look like, they came up with the idea to have a separate non-profit that helped to manage the place, which became Friends of Third Place Commons.

Stadler still teaches classes that revolve around concepts of open communication, but she doesn’t charge a fee for her services.

“I retired quite a while ago – except that I keep working,” Stadler said. “I work not because I need to have the money, but I work for the same reasons I volunteer. It’s really important to be involved in the evolution of the place you live in.

Third Place Commons was bustling with activity while Stadler looked around.

“It shows you what this community is,” Stadler said. All the different people, and then there are people that come from outside the community to have their meetings here. And they’re just as much a part of the community.”

Anne Stadler has been volunteering for her entire life. She considers it an obligation.



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Cowgirl's Dream at Third Place Commons Friday

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Tacoma band Cowgirl's Dream will be performing free at 7:30pm at Third Place Commons on Friday, March 9, 2018. 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.

Starting with the time-worn tradition of western swing music, the Tacoma-based band was created with the debut of Kristi Nebel's album, DETOUR. 

Nebel brings her years of love in performing this music to her lead singing, with back-up harmonies and a few original songs from Steve Nebel.

She says, “When recording my solo album we remained true to the tradition of western swing and found that that easily included songs composed by Johnny Mercer and Cole Porter as well as by Bob Wills and Hank Thompson.”
Kristi was voted among the top five female singers for the Academy of Western Artists 2014 Will Rogers Awards. Toby Hanson, accordionist, lends his skills in arranging tunes as well as playing them. His background is as the young founder of the polka band, The Smilin' Scandinavians. Years of local dance drumming experience come from Tacoman Mike Friel.

In the past two years the band performed in the Mossyrock Blueberry Festival, parks concerts in Port Orchard, Seattle, Steilacoom, and on the Taste of Tacoma Festival stage as well as the Pacific Festival stage. They did concerts at the Skamokawa Grange and the Roxy Theatre in Morton, as well. Their album debut concert at A Rhapsody in Bloom in Tacoma was a sold-out event.

The songs the band play have been familiar to country dancers for three generations of Americans from sea to shining sea. As well, the group lends some self-penned Americana songs to the mix.



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Last Chance - Join Your Commons Community for Breakfast, Fellowship, and a Lively Auction

Wednesday, February 28, 2018



With the Third Place Commons annual fundraising breakfast just over a week away on March 8th, anticipation is building for a truly special community event including a better-than-ever live auction with something for everyone.

A popular annual tradition, the breakfast is always a wonderful occasion for friends, neighbors, and colleagues to join together and show support for Third Place Commons and the many vital community services provided by the beloved nonprofit organization. So if you don’t have your tickets, now is the time.

As usual, the breakfast will include a quick and lively auction and this year’s auction catalogue features some really special items. Are you a music lover who frequents the live weekend music at the Commons? Bid on the chance to have a jazz trio of great, local musicians play live at your own private party!

Are you aching for spring so you can go play in your garden? Then you’ll want to dig into the bidding for a special gardener’s bundle of goodies from Sky Nursery, Wild Birds Unlimited, and Town Center Hardware. If you prefer fish over flowers, then you’ll want to cast your line toward the fly fishing lessons from the Avid Angler.

Have an occasion to celebrate? Go for a special dinner at Preservation Kitchen or enjoy a much needed date night with dinner and a show at 5th Avenue Theatre. Or better yet, celebrate with over a dozen of your closest friends at a lunch for 15 at the Lake Forest Bar and Grill.

If the world’s woes have got you down, you can soothe your soul with a full year of monthly facials or massages from A Better Day Salon. Truly there will be something for everyone, so just get in there and bid. It will be worth every dollar!

Guests will also enjoy a delicious breakfast courtesy of Honey Bear Bakery, a joyful, musical welcome from the Milner Family Fiddles, and a terrific featured speaker in Ron Chew. (Read more about Ron Chew’s impressive bio here.)

And if you’re reading this now, then you won’t want to miss the chance to honor the tremendous service of local community treasure Diane Hettrick, editor of the Shoreline Area News, who will receive the Friends of the Community Award at the event.

Third Place Commons is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on the support of individuals like you to foster real community in real space by hosting over 900 free events each year and presenting the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market.

Get your tickets now to join your Commons community in supporting this unique and special place that truly helps our community to thrive all year long. See you at the Commons on March 8th!




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Nationally recognized leader will speak at Third Place Commons Annual Community Breakfast

Tuesday, February 6, 2018


Local nonprofit leader, community organizer, and renowned thought leader Ron Chew will be the featured speaker at Third Place Commons’ upcoming annual community breakfast on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

Chew is a nationally recognized thought leader who established himself on the national stage during his 17 years as executive director of the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. During his tenure, Chew led the Wing through a $23 million campaign and the acquisition and renovation of a historical building in the International District, which then became the Wing’s permanent home.

Following his success at the Wing, he launched Chew Communications, which specializes in helping cultural organizations to collect stories and oral histories that contribute to a more tolerant and just world.

Chew has gained national recognition for his expertise in the role of community-based arts organizations as central to cultivating social justice and fostering healthy communities.

He has been recognized with the Ford Foundation’s “Leadership for a Changing World Award” and as part of the American Association of Museums’ “Centennial Honor Roll.” Chew is also a sought-after presenter and keynote speaker at museum and cultural conferences.

Since 2010, Chew has served as executive director of the International Community Health Services (ICHS) Foundation, which opened its Shoreline location in late 2014. ICHS brings medical, dental and behavioral care to Seattle and King County Asian and Pacific Islander communities as a nonprofit. The Shoreline location also offers a Young Adult Clinic where low-cost and no-cost services are provided to young patients aged 14-26.

In addition to Chew’s remarks, the breakfast will also honor Friends of the Community Award recipient Diane Hettrick, editor of the Shoreline Area News.

The community breakfast is Third Place Commons’ biggest fundraiser of the year and is a popular annual tradition. The event will also feature live music and a live auction with a surprising array of fun items. Get information and tickets here.

Special thanks to this year’s Platinum Sponsors Merlone Geier Partners, owners of Lake Forest Park Town Center, and Republic Services for their generous support of this event.

Third Place Commons is a community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering real community in real space by hosting over 900 free events each year, presenting the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market, and partnering with civic, arts, and social service entities to help maximize their impact.




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Third Place Commons to Celebrate Diane Hettrick at Annual Breakfast

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

ThirdPlaceCommons.org/Breakfast2018


Third Place Commons invites you their annual community breakfast on Thursday, March 8th when Shoreline Area News Editor Diane Hettrick will be honored.

​This lively, fast-paced event is the Commons’ biggest fundraiser of the year and is the perfect time to join with friends, colleagues, and neighbors in showing your support for the extraordinary community that is fostered at the Commons and at the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Our Commons Community Values.” Those values are the organization’s core values, established by the Board of Directors in 2017, that guide the Commons in all that they do. These values are:
  • Accessibility
  • Community
  • Inclusivity
  • Connection
  • Collaboration

One of the high points of the breakfast each year is the presentation of the Friends of the Community Award, which has previously been awarded to the Lake Forest Park Rotary, Friends of the LFP Library, the Shoreline / LFP Senior Center, and the LFP Youth Council and Shorecrest Interact Club, among others. In 2017, Shorecrest High School arts leaders Vince Caruso (music chair) and Laura King (art chair) were honored.

Given this year’s focus on their “Commons Community Values,” the Third Place Commons Board felt that that there was no better way to celebrate these values than by honoring this year’s Friends of the Community Award recipient Diane Hettrick.

If you’re reading this, then you know that Diane has given tirelessly to the local community for many years as the daily editor of the Shoreline Area News. Thanks to her efforts, the Shoreline Area News has become an invaluable resource to local individuals, organizations, businesses, and civic partners throughout Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and well beyond.

Please join your Commons community on March 8th in celebrating Diane’s tremendous contributions to our shared community!

Per tradition, the wonderful Milner Family Fiddles will be on-hand to serve up a warm, musical welcome to one and all. Longtime local favorites, the Milners play regularly at the Commons and elsewhere in a rotating roster of family members, led by Glen Milner. Included in the line-up for our event will be Alisa Milner and her husband Ian McFeron, whom you may remember from his moving speech at last year’s breakfast.

Third Place Commons is a community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering real community in real space, and this is your chance to show your support for that vital community. The event will also feature a live auction featuring some very fun and unexpected items. 

Visit the event page to learn more or get your tickets now for the big event!



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Free dance lessons at Third Place Commons start on Jan 27

Tuesday, January 23, 2018



Third Place Commons is always a great spot for live music and dancing on weekends, but starting on Saturday, January 27th, it’s also a great place to learn to dance.

Beginning in January, Third Place Commons will offer free community dance lessons on the fourth Saturday night of each month through April.

Each easy, one-hour lesson will begin at 6 p.m. in front of the stage when you can learn and practice dance steps perfectly suited for the evening’s music ahead. No partner required, so come on down!

Then stick around for fantastic live music at 7:30 when you can take to the floor to practice your new moves with old and new friends all night long.

Swing dance will be on the docket for the first dance lesson on January 27th in conjunction with the grand finale of the Swing into the New Year music series featuring Portage Bay Big Band.

Professional dance instructor Ron Bolin, who delighted audiences with his class before the 85th St Big Band back in December, returns to get dancers warmed up and ready for the a rousing night of dancing fun.

This project is supported by a Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council Community Project Award.

Third Place Commons is a community-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering real community in real space. Third Place Commons is located in Lake Forest Park Town Center at 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.



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Swing Dancing fun continues all month at Third Place Commons

Monday, January 15, 2018



The Swing into the New Year music series is indeed in full swing at Third Place Commons, and there are still two more fabulous chances to enjoy this lively series.

This Saturday, January 20th the Moonlight Swing Orchestra will take the stage at 7:30pm for a delightful evening of big band tunes featuring all your favorites from the Great American Songbook.

Then on Saturday, January 27th, the Commons will serve up a dazzling grand finale with the ever-popular Portage Bay Big Band on hand to blow the roof off the joint. But first, the Commons will offer a special community dance lesson at 6pm to get dancers of every experience level ready for the fun. (Stay tuned for more info on that to come.)

Remember that Third Place Commons hosts hundreds of free events every year including live music every Friday and Saturday night when dancers are always welcome!

Third Place Commons is a community-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering real community in real space. Third Place Commons is located in Lake Forest Park Town Center at 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.


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Email readers: here's the 2018 music schedule for Third Place Commons

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Email readers - throw out the Third Place Commons schedule in yesterday's edition - it was for 2017! Your Editor is not only having trouble with the new year, she is obviously pretty far behind in her filing. Here's the story with the 2018 flyer.


2018 is shaping up to be another great year at Third Place Commons, where things are starting off right with the return of the Swing into the New Year swing and big band music series. 

This series was a big hit in 2017, so the Commons has decided to do it again!

Every Saturday in January, join in for fantastic music and a truly jumpin’ dance floor with four of your favorite bands serving up an irresistible selection of American standards and big band classics.

The all-star line-up includes The Purple Passion Big Band, Sounds of Swing, Moonlight Swing Orchestra, and Portage Bay Big Band.

Whether you’re spinning across the dance floor or just warming your heart with these great old tunes,Swing(ing) into the New Year is the perfect way to stay warm on chilly nights all month long.

So mark your calendar and join in the fun throughout January.

Of course, there’s more great music and dancing every Friday night in January, too, including:

· Jan. 5th – The Jazz Misfits (Jazz Fusion)

· Jan. 12th – Hopscotch (Lounge Jazz)

· Jan. 19th – Nate Burch Band (Blues)

· Jan. 26th – Honkytonk Sweethearts (Rockabilly)

And don’t forget about recurring events like weekly foreign language groups, game nights, tai chi, Mahjong Mondays, Kaleidoscope play and learn sessions, plus monthly events like Art-ins, Coloring for Adults, and Computer Q/As. So whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find something that suits at Third Place Commons in January.

Third Place Commons is a community-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering real community in real space. Third Place Commons is located in Lake Forest Park Town Center at 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.

Remember that events are always free and open to everyone at the Commons. So check the online calendar for all the details and see you at the Commons!


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Swing into the New Year at Third Place Commons

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

2018 is shaping up to be another great year at Third Place Commons, where things are starting off right with the return of the Swing into the New Year swing and big band music series. 

This series was a big hit in 2017, so the Commons has decided to do it again!

Every Saturday in January, join in for fantastic music and a truly jumpin’ dance floor with four of your favorite bands serving up an irresistible selection of American standards and big band classics.

The all-star line-up includes The Purple Passion Big Band, Sounds of Swing, Moonlight Swing Orchestra, and Portage Bay Big Band.

Whether you’re spinning across the dance floor or just warming your heart with these great old tunes,Swing(ing) into the New Year is the perfect way to stay warm on chilly nights all month long. 

So mark your calendar and join in the fun throughout January.

Of course, there’s more great music and dancing every Friday night in January, too, including:

· Jan. 5th – The Jazz Misfits (Jazz Fusion)

· Jan. 12th – Hopscotch (Lounge Jazz)

· Jan. 19th – Nate Burch Band (Blues)

· Jan. 26th – Honkytonk Sweethearts (Rockabilly)

And don’t forget about recurring events like weekly foreign language groups, game nights, tai chi, Mahjong Mondays, Kaleidoscope play and learn sessions, plus monthly events like Art-ins, Coloring for Adults, and Computer Q/As. So whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find something that suits at Third Place Commons in January.

Third Place Commons is a community-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering real community in real space. Third Place Commons is located in Lake Forest Park Town Center at 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.

Remember that events are always free and open to everyone at the Commons. So check the online calendar for all the details and see you at the Commons!



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Last farmers market and holiday craft fair Sunday brought in the crowds

Wednesday, December 13, 2017


Photos by Jerry Pickard

Lake Forest Park had a combined Farmers Market and Craft Show Sunday, December 10, 2017. The  Market was set up in 3rd Place Commons and the Craft Show in the lower level.

Upstairs there were stands of beautiful produce and crisp apples. Other vendors sold wreaths, wine, caramels, honey, jam, and other fresh foods.



The hallway on the lower level was full of craft vendors selling jewelry, pottery, art objects, clothing, and gardening items - every booth was different and all were hand made and beautiful.


Santa was buried in children, with a long line waiting for photos and a quick chat. One little boy was more interested in the beautiful Christmas tree.


There was music. The Dickens carolers roamed the hallways, singing carols. A busker stood at the front door, playing her violin.

This the was last market of the year. The outdoor markets will resume in the spring.



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Holiday Farmers Market & Crafts Fair at Third Place Commons Sunday

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

This Sunday, December 10th is your last chance in 2017 to shop the bounty of the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market and the ever-popular Holiday Crafts Fair!

The special December farmers market will feature many of your favorite regular season vendors and plenty of options for yummy, fresh, and locally grown and raised produce, meats, fish, and more. Come visit all your old, farming friends and make some new market discoveries as well. You’re sure to leave with lots of delicious goodies for your upcoming holiday meals.

Need a few, final stocking stuffers? Need eight nights of fabulous Hanukkah delights? Need one dazzling show-stopper gift for that special someone? Whatever you’re looking for, the Holiday Crafts Fair will have it.

Over 30 Washington artists and crafters will offer a dizzying array of handcrafted jewelry, watches, pens, home décor, toys, and holiday novelties. From fine arts to fabric arts and wearables, the phrase “something for everyone” just might have been invented for this occasion!

The December farmers market will take place inside at Third Place Commons on the upper level of Lake Forest Park Town Center, while the Holiday Crafts Fair will take place just downstairs on the lower level. Both the farmers market and crafts fair will take place from 10am to 3pm.

If you’ve got SNAP benefits (or know someone who does), don’t forget that SNAP cards are always welcome at the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market. And you can still get your matching Fresh Bucks (with no limit) at the market, too, so don’t miss this chance to make your money go further.

This is also your last chance to use those 2017 Market Bucks, so bring them to the market this weekend and use them!

The LFP Farmers Market and Holiday Crafts Fair are presented by Third Place Commons, a community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering real community in real space. Third Place Commons is located at 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.



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Something for everyone: A Holly Jolly December at Third Place Commons

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Left Turn on Blue band with dancers
Photo courtesy Third Place Commons

Wow, there’s a lot going on in December at Third Place Commons! From an indoor holiday farmers market and crafts fair to dance recitals and dance lessons to holiday concerts and the ever popular Caspar Babypants. 
And of course, there will be great, live music and dancing every Friday and Saturday night just like always. With so much happening, there’s surely something to put you into the spirit of the season.

Here’s a quick overview of all the awesome stuff happening in December. And remember, events at the Commons are always free and everyone is welcome!

Weekend Music and Dancing every Friday and Saturday night at 7:30pm:
Fri, Dec. 1 - Brazz (Brazilian Jazz)
Sat, Dec. 2 - Sheri Roberts Greimes and Jo Momma (Blues)
Fri, Dec. 8 - Kate Voss and the Big Boss Band (Swing Jazz)
Sat, Dec. 9 - 85th Street Big Band (Big Band)
Fri, Dec. 15 - Left Turn on Blue (Soul/Blues)
Sat, Dec. 16 - Cascadia Big Band (Big Band)
Fri, Dec. 22 - The Fabulous Roof Shakers (Blues)
Sat, Dec. 23 - Eugenie Jones (Jazz)
Fri, Dec. 29 - Little Bill and the Blue Notes (Blues)
Sat, Dec. 30 - Smilin' Scandinavians (Polka)

Visit the Third Place Commons website to read about each of these great acts.

Brazz Band

Community Events in December:


Candy Cane Lane - WA School of Dance
Sun, Dec. 3, 2:00pm
Talented dance students share a Holiday performance sure to get you in the spirit!

Helen Zhou Piano Recital
Sun., Dec. 3, 4:00pm
Miniature musicians show off their new piano chops.

Ananda Washington Christmas Music
Tues, Dec. 5, 7:30pm
Choral and instrumental music of the season.

Northwest Ballet Center Holiday Performance
Sat, Dec. 9, 1:00pm
Northwest Ballet Center presents their annual holiday recital.

Ballroom Dance Lesson
Sat, Dec. 9, 6:00pm
Learn the steps you'll need to keep up with the beat and swing your partner to the tunes of 85th Street Big Band!

Holiday Farmers Market and Crafts Fair
Sun, Dec. 10, 10:00am - 3:00pm
One last farmers market to get you through the winter plus the popular annual Holiday Crafts Fair for all your holiday shopping. Stay tuned for more details.

Northwest Ballet Center Holiday Performance
Sat, Dec. 16, 1:00pm
Another great holiday recital from the NW Ballet Center.

Milner Family Fiddles
Sunday, December 17, 11:00am
The Milners bring their Texas style bluegrass to the Commons every other month.

Caspar Babypants
LFP Chamber Music
Sun, Dec. 17, 1:00pm
LFP Public Schools students present chamber music perfect for a chilly December afternoon.

Swingy’s Swinging Holiday Show
Sun, Dec. 17, 6:00pm
The Northwest’s premiere rockabilly band and has been helping swing dancers boogie for 10 years. Expect to jump out of your seat when the band starts to play.

Caspar Babypants – Jump For Joy Concert!
Tues, Dec. 19, 10:30am
Sing and dance along with one of the most popular children’s performers in the Northwest for an all-ages family concert. Presented by Lake Forest Park Library.

Your Commons Community is waiting for you, so take a break from holiday hubbub and head to Third Place Commons for the holly-jolliest of months.

Third Place Commons is a community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering real community in real space. It is located at 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155. Find out how you can support great community programming like this and hundreds of other free events all year long here.



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Native Flute player Peter Ali performs Saturday at Third Place Commons

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Peter Ali, flute player
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg
Take a break this Saturday from a hectic weekend of shopping and frenzied family time to do something enriching for spirit. Head to Third Place Commons to honor Native American Heritage Month with a performance by flutist Peter Ali. 

Ali will perform traditional music on a variety of Native flutes, each with its own story, and will also share stories from his own rich, ethnic heritage.

Like all events at Third Place Commons, this event is free of charge and family friendly. So don’t miss this special performance, Saturday, November 25th at 2pm. (Check the online calendar to find out about all the other fabulous, free events coming up.)

Third Place Commons is a community-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering real community in real space. Third Place Commons is located in Lake Forest Park Town Center at 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.



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Green Farmers & Blues Men – This Weekend at Third Place Commons

Thursday, November 2, 2017


Two exciting things kick off this weekend at Third Place Commons - the new Autumn Blues music series and a series of special, bonus fall farmers markets!

The Autumn Blues series will shine a spotlight on some of Seattle’s best “men of the blues” who also happen to be some of the most popular acts to play the Commons.

The fun starts Friday, Nov. 2nd at 7:30 PM with the Chris Stevens Band, who combine soul-scorching blues with the technical excellence of top flight jazz to serve up a night of fabulous music and irresistible dance tunes!

The Autumn Blues then continue every Friday in November at 7:30pm. And the series culminates in a grand finale weekend with a bluesy bonus show on Saturday, November 25th.

 

The full schedule includes:
  • Fri. Nov. 3 – Chris Stevens Band
  • Fri, Nov. 10 – Brian Lee and the Orbiters
  • Fri, Nov. 17 – Mark DuFresne Band
  • Fri, Nov. 24 – Joe T. Cook Blues Band
  • *BONUS SHOW* Sat, Nov. 25 - Jack Cook and the Phantoms of Soul

On Sunday, Nov. 5th from 10am to 3pm, it’s the start of a series of a different kind with the first of three Lake Forest Park Special Fall Farmers Markets!

Don’t miss your chance to head back to the market for organic and fresh goodies from many of your favorite farmers plus delicious treats from local producers of all kinds. Whether you’re in the market for organic fruits and veggies, craving fresh meat and eggs, or stocking up on yummy Washington delicacies and specialty foods, the LFP Farmers Market has got you covered.

While the daily vendor list is always subject to change, here’s who is expected to attend:

Farmers/Growers:
  • Alvarez Organic Farm
  • Collins Family Orchards
  • Garden Treasures
  • Hidden Rivers Farm
  • Well Fed Farm
  • RP Guerrero Farm
  • Whitehorse Blueberry Farm
  • Raft Island Roses (Nursery)
Producers:
  • Wilson Fish
  • Blue Cottage Jams
  • Doll House Baked Goods
  • Good Grub Granola
  • Greenwood Cider
  • Pete’s Perfect Toffee
  • Seafire Sauces
  • Lopez Island Vineyards
  • Shen Zen Tea
  • North Whidbey Farm
  • La Pasta
Ready to Eat (outdoor only)
  • Drummin' Up Wontons
  • Vespucci Pizza
Special Guest
  • Dennis Cant - Metal Artist

The market will likely be outside in its regular spot at the corner of Bothell Way NE and Ballinger Way NE, adjacent to LFP City Hall. (Unless the weather turns really bad, in which case look for it inside, upstairs at Third Place Commons.) Also remember to mark your calendar for the upcoming farmers market/ Holiday Crafts Fairs combo events on Nov. 19th and Dec. 10th.

So whether you’re craving great food or great music (or both) this weekend, head over to Third Place Commons to get what you need. And check the online calendar to find out about loads of other free events also happening in your Commons community. 



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Bring the whole family to Third Place Commons on Halloween night

Monday, October 30, 2017


Bring the whole family to Third Place Commons on Halloween night for candy, magic, and more.

Start with safe, fun trick-or-treating for the kids throughout Lake Forest Park Town Center from 4 to 6pm.When the goody bags are full, head to Third Place Commons where there will be creepy coloring and crafts until magician and entertainer Louie Foxx takes the stage at 6pm.

Known as the “one-man side show,” Louie Foxx is a beloved entertainer for audiences of all ages who has even appeared on America’s Got Talent! Louie will be serving up magic, comedy, cowboy tricks, and more, plus some special Halloween surprises that will surprise and delight parents and kids alike.

Halloween at the Commons featuring Louie Foxx is sponsored in part by the good folks at the Friends of the Lake Forest Park Library, so thanks to them for making this fantastic, family event possible. And remember that events at Third Place Commons are always free and open to everyone, so join in the fun!

Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155



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Rainy City Riff Raff big band in Halloween event at Third Place on Saturday

Friday, October 27, 2017



The Rainy City Riff Raff big band will be performing a lively mix of dance music at the Third Place Commons on Saturday, October 28, beginning at 7:30pm.

It's a free family event and everyone's encouraged to wear a costume and dance the night away!

The Riff Raff features two local LFP residents - Mike "Zeppy" Zittle on drums and and Dan Benson on bass.

Third Place Commons, upper level Town Center, Ballinger Way.



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