Dec. 16, Tue., 4-7:00 PM: New name and new location - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest WA Open House at their new offices at 1802 Black Lake Blvd., Suite 102, in West Olympia - blue building near the Hwy. 101 east on ramp. BBBS of SW WA will serve Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Mason Counties. Come and find out how you can help them mentor to youth. (360) 943-0409

Dec. 17, Wed., 3:30‑6:00 pm, Bayview School of Cooking is offering hands‑on classes for kids of all ages – High School Age Students: Fair Trade Cookie Exchange - Students pipe, slice, drop and spread cookie dough for some updated cookie jar entries that friends will crave and rave about, including: Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies, White Chocolate and Lime Cheesecake Bars, Piped Spritz Cookies and Pistachio and Cherry Icebox Cookies. $25 Classes are held at Bayview School of Cooking in the demo. For reservations call (360) 754-1448. For more information on these and other cooking school offerings see www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com or visit Bayview Thriftway or Ralph’s Thriftway to pick up a current cooking school catalogue.

Dec. 18, Thurs., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Bayview School of Cooking (BSC) is hosting a free all day knife clinic with Wüstoph Sales Representative Hank Allen. The day will include demonstrations, deep discounts on quality cutlery, and free knife sharpening. It all takes place in the BSC kitchen on the second floor at Bayview Thriftway in Olympia. Allen will offer a free class, Knives 101, at 10 a.m. During that time he will review different knife types, knife safety and handling, and knife care. He will also demonstrate basic cutting techniques. From 2‑ 4 p.m., customers are invited to bring in two, dull, non‑serrated knives for free knife sharpening. Throughout the day Allen will be available to answer questions and discounts will be offered up to 40% on Wüstoph knives.

Dec. 18, Thurs., 8:30 – 10:00 am.: Garden Courte Memory Care Community presents Ada Harris, Comm. Education Mgr, Auburn Reg Med Ctr, discusses “Grief, Loss & the Holidays” Complimentary Continental Breakfast by Rubi’s Kitchen, Please RSVP as limited seating is available; 626 Lilly Road NE, Olympia - (360) 491-4435.

Dec. 25, Thurs.: Christmas Day - A State Holiday; state offices are closed.

Dec 29, Mon., 10‑11:30 am, Ages 5‑8: Bayview School of Cooking is offering hands‑on classes for kids of all ages – La Petite Chef Academy: Holiday “Break”fast Under the Big Top

Mornings seem like a circus at your house? Instructor Mallory Sanders tames the wild animals in the youngster’s tummies when her little culinary ringleaders prepare a breakfast capturing the excitement and entertainment of the big top. Students create Waffles with Beary Syrup and plate up Clown Fruit Salads. $20. Classes are held at Bayview School of Cooking in the demo. For reservations call (360) 754-1448. For more information on these and other cooking school offerings see www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com or visit Bayview Thriftway or Ralph’s Thriftway to pick up a current cooking school catalogue.

Dec. 30, Tue., 3:30‑6:00 pm, Bayview School of Cooking is offering hands‑on classes for kids of all ages – High School Age Students: Midnight Munchies - Teens can replace the Spinach‑n‑Bread Bowl sleeper with some rockin’ dips and dippers when the Times Square Ball drops, when they mix and match:Homemade Potato Chips, Baked Pita Chips, Walnut Roasted Garlic Dip, Black Bean and Pepperjack Dip, and Broccoli Cheddar Dip. Celebrate with style. $25. Classes are held at Bayview School of Cooking in the demo. For reservations call (360) 754-1448. For more information on these and other cooking school offerings www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com or visit Bayview Thriftway or Ralph’s Thriftway to pick up a current cooking school catalogue.

Jan. 1, 2009, Thur., New Year’s Day - A State Holiday; state offices are closed.

Jan. 7, 2009, Wed., Your January 2009 FTE News Magazine will be available online, with delivery beginning in Lacey, West Olympia and Tumwater; Thursday in Olympia.

Jan. 11, 2009, Sun., Deadline: Compete In Grilled Cheese Sandwich Contest - The grilled cheese sandwich has been an American standard for over 70 years and is still popular among kids and grown‑ups alike.Submit your original, new‑fashioned, stylish version of this classic comfort food for Bayview School of Cooking’s Best Ever Grilled Cheese Sandwich Contest. Entry forms and detailed contest rules are available at Bayview or Ralph’s Thriftway Deli Departments. Semi‑finalists will prepare their cheese creations for judging in the BSC demo kitchen on Saturday, January 24, between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Bayview Thriftway is located at 516 West 4th Avenue, in Olympia and the BSC demo kitchen is on the 2nd floor. For more information on the contest and other BSC activities and classes, go to www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com, or visit Bayview Thriftway or Ralph’s Thriftway to pick up the winter cooking school catalogue.

Jan. 18, 2009, Sun., 3:00 pm: Concert to Feature Spiritual Jazz Classics; "Come Sunday," the Olympia debut of the Lakewood Community Jazz Band, will feature music of the spirit, with Syd Potter as director and Jessica Blynn as vocalist, in the Concert Series at St. John's Episcopal Church, 114 20th Ave. SE, Olympia. Free, with offering at intermission.

Jan. 19, 2009, Mon.: Martin Luther King’s Birthday observed. A State Holiday. All state offices will be closed.

Jan. 20, 2009, Tue.: Inauguration Day - 44^th President of the United States will be sworn into office.

Jan 22, 2009, Thur., 7:30 am: 5^th Annual BBBS Big Breakfast at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. Call (360) 943-0409 to sponsor a table for your office and for reservations. “Of all the joys of childhood, the nicest ever known is to have a Big Brother or Big Sister to call your very own.”

posted by FTEmag.com Staff at 7:01 AM