Every year the YWCA Downtown Shelters hosts upwards of 120 homeless children on Christmas Eve and for the last five years Phinney Estate Law's annual toy drive has been the main source of toys for those children.  The 2012 drive starts today.

If you would like to participate, please bring a new, unwrapped present for a child age 2 to 18 to our office at 751 N 75th Street, Seattle, Washington.   You can call ahead to make sure someone will there at (206) 459-1908.  Last year we were able to collect more than 80 toys and we are hoping to raise 100 this year.

Mae's Cafe and the Greenwood Senior Center invite the community to this month's Alzheimer's Cafe at the cafe at 6412 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle, WA on November 13th from 3:30-5:00.  This monthly event allows individuals with memory loss and their care givers an opportunity to get out and socialize in a safe and non-judgmental environment and get support from the community and those in similar situations.  There is no cost other than food ordered.  For more information call Social Worker Carin Mack at 206-297-0875 or visit the GSC website.

On November 8th & 9th we had some technical difficulties with our website and email.   These issues are now resolved but if you emailed us on either of those days and have not received a response please let us know so we can ensure that your email was not lost.  Thank you.

Today is Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead as celebrated throughout  Latin America and in communities across the United States.  The holiday is a way of celebrating and communing with those we love and have lost to death.   At Phinney Estate Law we witness first hand how dead denying our mainstream culture in America can be and the negative consequences that come from it including a lack of adequate planning and emotional isolation of survivors.  Which is why we are so happy to have a chance to join our community is celebrating this important holiday tonight at the PNA Dia de Los Muertos Festival.  The Event begins at the PNA parking lot at 5:45 and features a fun music and costume filled processional, community alter, and crafts for kids and live music.  At our house we spent the morning decorating a photo of the two important loved ones that Jesse has lost in her life, Her Great Grandmother's Ellen and Barb,  with bright colored flowers and pompoms to add to the community alter.   Great Grandmother Barb passed away just this month and it has been a hard for Jess.  She is really looking forward to having it acknowledged in a public way that is also a powerful celebration of life.  Hope you can join us!