The Beaconettes singing group had a busy week. Before performing at the opening of the Lander Festival Street on Saturday, they won two awards at the Figgy Pudding caroling competition on Friday night: “Most Creative,” and “Peoples’ Choice.” Beaconette Betty Jean Williamson reports “We also had the pleasure of singing our ‘Good Mayor Nickels’ for the Mayor himself—our parody chronicling his rise and fall, all to the tune of ‘Good King Wenceslas.’ Greg Nickels was a great sport and seemed to enjoy it all.”
 
The Beaconettes will perform next at the 11th District Democrats Holiday Dinner and award event tomorrow, December 8 at Carpenter’s Hall, 231 Burnett Avenue North in Renton. Here’s the Facebook page for the event, and the Beaconettes’ own Facebook page.

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Beacon Hill’s own Helladope were just featured in the latest issue of The Stranger. Charles Mudede writes that the album Return to Planet Rock is “…yet another contender for the best local hiphop recording of the year.”

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Shelly Bates writes about a new student savings program:

“Our local bank, Washington Federal Savings, has started a new ‘Save at School’ program.

“The student opens the account with a minimum $5 deposit and the bank will add another $5 to each student that enrolls.  This is a great opportunity to replace the WaMu School Savings program which Chase discontinued.  What’s even better is it works with an adult volunteer who collects the deposits for children each week at school and then makes the trip to the bank.  Withdrawals do have to be made in person, no ATM access, but you do earn interest and there are no fees or minimum balance required.

“If you’re interested in getting it set up at your own school, contact Laitim Wong, Branch Manager, Beacon Hill Branch (206)324-1884.”

Thanks, Shelly!

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Rita Harris has chartered a bus to go to the Christmas Lighting Festival in Leavenworth on Saturday, December 12. There are still seats available for this all day trip that will depart early Saturday morning from the parking lot in front of Jefferson Park Recreation Center. Seats are $35 per adult, and there are children’s rates as well. For more info, see this Craigslist page.