What would the holidays be without a visit from the Jolly Old Gent in the red suit? From generation to generation and across many cultures, the ambassador of all things Christmas has come to symbolize the spirit of generosity during this season of giving. Each year, thousands of youngsters climb onto that well-worn lap to share their wishes and hopes. And each year, their parents want to capture that memory of meeting Mr. Claus with the perfect photo.

Once again, Arthur & Associates continues its decades-long tradition of providing picture-perfect Santas and accompanying professional photographers to Crossroads Bellevue at 15600 NE 8th Street, Bellevue, WA.

Credited with being the first photographer to boost small tots onto Santa’s knee for the annual, commemorative portrait, Seattle Post-Intelligencer photographer Art French opened Arthur & Associates in 1943 in the corner window of the venerable Frederick & Nelson department store in downtown Seattle. Mr. French memorialized this Christmas moment over the next 20 years, when a young couple with four small children purchased the Santa photography business to continue what has become the longest-running holiday tradition in the country.

Santa will take up residence this year at Crossroads Bellevue from Friday, November 25 through Saturday, December 24. Hours of operation are:

Mondays through Saturdays, November 25 – December 15: 10 am – 8 pm

Sundays, November 26 – December 11: 11 am – 6 pm

Friday, December 16: 10 am – 9 pm

Saturday through Friday, December 17 – 23: 9:30 am – 9 pm

Sunday, December 18: 10 am – 7 pm

Saturday, December 24: 9:30 am – 5 pm

Closed Christmas Day

For more information on specific schedules for Santa Billy Joe, Santa Ben, Santa Bobj, Santa Larry and Santa William, please visit www.santaphotos.com

Join us for 3 days of festivities featuring two stages of music and dance, an international bazaar, exhibits and cuisines.

Bank of America Community Volunteers help paint apartment unit for homeless family at Housing at the Crossroads in Bellevue.

Employees from Bank of America’s Community Volunteers recently joined the Master Builders Care Foundation to paint an apartment unit at Housing at the Crossroads.  The unit, which is one of several owned by Housing at the Crossroads, will become a new home for a homeless family working to become self-sufficient.

The volunteer project is part of a nationwide partnership and volunteer effort that Bank of America is participating in through HomeAid America’s days of caring in Los Angeles/Ventura, Tampa, Chicago, Las Vegas, Houston, Orange County, Sacramento, Northern Virginia, Atlanta and Portland, as well as the Seattle area.  The Master Builders Care Foundation is a local chapter of HomeAid. 

“We are excited about this project because it aligns our commitment to employee volunteerism with a critical need facing homeless families in our communities,” stated Tom Witte, Senior Vice President with Bank of America’s Home Builder Division and Master Builders Care Foundation board member.  “We are working with HomeAid to support their mission to build and maintain housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives.”

Housing at the Crossroads meets the urgent needs of homeless families on the Eastside by providing stable, affordable, transitional housing and support services, thereby helping families work toward self-sufficiency.  Its board president, Doug Cooley, stated, “We have provided over 100,000 bed nights to over 70 families and over 13,000 hours of case management services in our short existence.”

Services at Crossroads may involve training to secure a job, budgeting, parenting and other life skills to increase the likelihood that clients become self-sufficient.  A priority of the group is to provide a stable living environment for children so they can maintain regular school attendance.

Tracy Cromwell, president of the Master Builders Care Foundation, added.  “We’ve been involved with Housing at the Crossroads for a long time, and we greatly appreciate Bank of America’s ongoing commitment and support for the significant role the company and its employees have played in many of our projects and positively impacting the lives of the people and families we’re supporting.”

The Master Builders Care Foundation is a philanthropic arm of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.  Comprised of 3,100 companies, the Master Builders Association is the nation’s oldest and largest home builders association in the nation.

Housing at the Crossroads serves homeless families from the Seattle area’s Eastside communities by providing affordable, transitional housing and support services.  
Since 1990, Housing at the Crossroads has provided over 100,000 bed nights to over 70 families and over 13,000 hours of case management services. 

In-store activities this weekend include:

• April 1, 3 to 6 pm (Factoria Village): Hair styling tips by Conair®—free of charge. Representatives will spotlight the latest hair styling tools and tips.

• April 3, Noon to 3 pm (Crossroads):  Hair styling tips by Conair®

Participating stores will also distribute coupons and samples, including products from Nordic Naturals, Banana Boat, Colgate and Bio True.

For more information on the spring “Health & Beauty Event,” visit www.bartelldrugs.com.

Founded in Seattle in 1890, Bartell Drugs owns and operates stores in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.  Family-owned and operated, it is the nation’s oldest drugstore chain.

CROSSROADS BAR & GRILL
APRIL 17, 2010
$10 ALL YOU CAN EAT!

ALL proceeds will be donated to EHC!!!

6-9pm, Crossroads Bellevue

Crossroads Bellevue:  NE 8th & 156th Ave. NE in Bellevue • 425-644-1111

www.crossroadsbellevue.com; www.neighborhoodgrills.com

The new Crossroads Bar & Grill opens its doors for business on Monday, April 19.

WE get a sneak preview APRIL 17!

Please come to this special benefit dinner and bring your friends.

Good Food!  Good Friends!  Good Music!

$10 – Pay at the door – Benefit Dinner for EHC at Crossroads Bar & Grill!

Thank you Crossroads Bar & Grill for this fundraising opportunity!

~ EHC & Crossroads Bellevue present the 20th Annual Cultural Crossroads – November 5-7, 2010 ~