A touching makeshift memorial in has been erected in front of Lakewood Police Headquarters, and a memorial service to honor the fallen officers has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 8 at 1 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome. Anyone with questions about donating or volunteering for the service can send an email to lakewoodmemorialservice@gmail.com. As of this morning, the Brenton Family has requested that the Brenton Family Assistance Fund be closed, but donations to the victims’ families can still be made through the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, online or mailed to: more ›

Fashionistas, alert! Neodandi House of Couture, which opened its doors this August in Pioneer Square, will be hosting their debut fashion event Saturday, December 5. Off The Wall: A Neodandi Fashion Opera, a tribute to Michael Jackson’s life and unique style, promises "an eclectic evening of Michael Jackson inspired music, dancing and fashion collections for men and women, chronicling the famous entertainer’s career." more ›

The fourth annual Sips & Shoes wine tasting and shoe auction is taking place this Sunday, November 8 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, with proceeds benefiting the Ryther Child Center. Try wines from over 30 Northwest wineries. Ogle shoe fashion displays. (No hot mingling firefighters like last year, however, boo!) Attendees are encouraged to dig in their closets for pairs of new or barely worn shoes to bring as a donation as well; later in the evening a raffle and live shoe auction will take place with all donated shoes: mo’ shoes, mo’ money for Rythers. Raffle prizes include a Grand Prize drawing for two tickets to the May 2010 American Idol Finale, Chef’s Dinner for four at El Gaucho and tickets to Teatro Zinzanni. more ›

If you love wine - particularly the Cabernet grape varieties - here’s your chance to sample Cabernet and Cabernet -based blends from over thirty Washington wineries* while helping to raise money for the Center on Contemporary Art. The CoCA benefit, produced and arranged by resident Sommelier David LeClaire, will also allow the opportunity to meet and chat with the wine-makers who have each crafted their own styling of what is Washington State’s leading red varietal. Local artists will be on hand presenting their work as well. All proceeds from the event will go to CoCA. more ›

Mayor Nickels’ 2010 city budget is on the table before the city council, and within it is a $2.6 million proposed decrease in the Seattle Public Library budget for next year - approximately 5% in cuts. Twenty-one library branches will see their operating hours reduced in 2010, and expect a repeat of this year’s week-long library systemwide closure to trim expenses even further. more ›