News and notes for this week

Several items of news and note for this week:

• Toys for Tots drive underway:
  Residents may have noticed the "Toys for Tots" drop boxes in the lobby outside of the community room. Residents can drop off new, unwrapped toys for distribution to needy children in the community through Wednesday, December 14. You can learn more about the Toys for Tots program HERE.

• Board meeting Thursday night:
  The HOA board will meet on Thursday, December 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the community room. There will be committee reports, budget updates, and time for resident questions. To see an unofficial summary of the last meeting click HERE.
  
  Correction: There will be no HOA board meeting in December. The next board meeting will be on Thursday, 1/12/17.

• Upcoming holiday events:
  The annual Esplanade Christmas Party is this coming Saturday, 12/10 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. 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.

• Lobby decorations:
  A special thank you to Sallie Zimmer and the rest of the Social Committee, and a few others who have helped out with decorating the Esplanade lobby in recent weeks. Last Saturday the group spent several hours taking down the "fall" decor and setting up the Christmas decorations.