Pre-holiday fun comes in all shapes, sounds

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, December 14, 2006

Although many families’ Christmas trees already have been lugged home, and many of those also were promptly decorated, a little time remains before the holidays for parents and children to focus on what goes on the Christmas tree, rather than under it.

The Point Elliott Art Academy in Mukilteo is offering Saturday workshops to make holiday ornaments that can become family treasures for years to come.

These structured workshops will be from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 23. They will be followed by open studio sessions, so visitors who didn’t finish their ornaments during the workshop can have more time to do so.

Participants can expect to weave straw, to produce intricate snowflake designs by cutting paper, and to be instructed in psyanki, a form of Ukranian egg batik art.

The workshops are best suited for those over age 9, although younger children will be admitted with parental supervision.

Registering as soon as possible is recommended, as the workshops are limited to 10 people; open studios are limited to 15.

Steve Goodridge, owner of Goodridge Glass Studio in Mukilteo, opens his doors Saturday and Sunday afternoons for “Make Your Own Christmas Tree Icicle” workshops. These workshops, the last two in a series that began Nov. 25, are open to everyone. All children are welcome, but must have parental supervision. Materials will be provided, and reservations are recommended.

Participants will get to experience shaping their icicles on a glass-making torch, and will have unique, sparkly ornaments to take home by the end of their visits.

Sunday swing: Anyone looking to put a little holiday swing in his or her step might want to consider an evening of swing dancing Sunday at the Oxford Saloon in Snohomish. The Sunday Swing Group members, who routinely meet in Snohomish, will host an evening of stylish stepping as they wear costumes from the 1920s to 1940s era. This is a free event.

Motorcycle ice racing: For those who prefer slightly more rambunctious holiday entertainment and who haven’t gotten enough of ice yet this fall, the 2006-07 Manufacturers World Cup Mega Series motorcycle ice racing is coming tonight to Everett Events Center.

Now in its 31st year, the show features The Pit Bull Unlimited Outlaw Quad and the Desperado Racing team.

Future of Flight open house: Finally, for anyone still wanting to see Santa’s arrival this holiday season, Mukilteo’s Future of Flight Aviation Center offers another chance.

At 11 a.m. Sunday, the jolly man will arrive, all visitors will be admitted to the museum for free, and refreshments will be served. In addition, tours of the Boeing plant and the aviation center will be offered.

Straw ornaments are among those you can make at a Mukilteo workshop.