News and notes for this week

Several items of news and note for this week:

• Water shut off Wednesday:On Wednesday, 11/16, all water will be shut off from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m, in order to replace shut-off valves and complete the pressure relief valve job.

• Food drive wraps up this weekend:
  The last day of the Esplanade Food Drive is Sunday, 11/20. If residents are able to fill the last two remaining boxes, this year's donation to the food bank will top last year's donation, which was 500 pounds. Already, 370 pounds have been delivered, and the Food Connection personnel were ecstatic! Monetary donations are welcome as well and can be delivered to Laurie and John Dooley in unit 913. In late November, the food drive bins will be replaced with bins for "Toys for Tots." 

• Dates set for holiday events:The Social Committee will be decorating the Esplanade lobby and community room for the holidays at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 12/3/16. Any volunteers are welcome and appreciated.
  
  The annual Esplanade Holiday Party has been set for Saturday, 12/10/16 at 7:00 p.m. in the community room. In addition to food, drink and socializing, a highlight of the evening is always the basket auction. Each floor of the Esplanade is responsible for preparing a themed basket (examples are "A Taste of Italy," "All things Useful," "Dogs," etc.). The baskets are auctioned off at the party, and the proceeds help fund Esplanade social events throughout the year.
  
  Argosy Cruises' Christmas Ship will visit the Foss Waterway on Sunday, 12/11. The large, lighted ship features a live choir performing over loudspeakers for the benefit of those on shore. The choir will perform at the Glass Museum at 12:30 p.m., and the ship will make several passes through the Foss Waterway throughout the day. For more information or to buy tickets for the cruise, click HERE.
  
  The Tacoma Yacht Club's annual lighted boat parade is set for Saturday, 12/17/16. The parade, which typically features 30-40 boats decorated with colorful lights, begins at the Tacoma Yacht Club at 6:00 p.m. and should reach the Esplanade at approximately 7:00 p.m.