Get your tickets now for AAJA Seattle’s biggest fundraiser of the year! This year’s banquet will be held on Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at Acquabar in Belltown. Silent auction proceeds will go toward the Northwest Journalists of Color scholarship, which has supported more than 100 college students since the mid-1980s.

Highlights of this year’s banquet include:

• Up-and-coming Taiwanese American comedian Yola Lu
• Photo booth by Ava Van of Ava Van Photography
• Full 8-item dinner
• Performance by Trackademics
• Dancing after 10 p.m.

Our emcee for the evening will be Elizabeth Dinh, reporter, KOMO 4 News.

Ticket prices will go up, so get yours soon: http://lunarnewyear2012.eventbrite.com/

All ages welcome.

We’ll have more details about our annual Lunar New Year Banquet, but put the date and time on your calendar now:

• Date: Jan. 28, 2012
• Time: 6 – 10 p.m.
• Location: Acquabar in Belltown, Seattle

We’ve reserved the entire venue until 10:00 p.m., with the option of staying after 10 p.m. when the music and dancing starts. Stay tuned for information about activities, speakers, food, pricing and ticket purchasing.

Update Dec. 7: The City of Seattle has decided to enforce an admission-fee policy against us, requiring us to pay taxes on this nonprofit scholarship fundraiser. So, instead of giving the city a cut of the Northwest Journalists of Color scholarships, we are opening the party to all invitees for free. Donations are welcome online and at the event. To trim costs, we have eliminated the karaoke throwdown.

Join your friends and colleagues for Seattle’s biggest journalist party of the year: The Holiday Scoop 2011. Let’s celebrate the holidays, great journalism and the successes of our local news organizations. Our 2nd annual all-media holiday party will bring together television, radio, online and print journalists. All Puget Sound-based newsroom staffers and former staffers invited. Nosh on hors d’oeuvres and drink at our no-host bar. Lori Matsukawa of KING TV will emcee again! (See photos of last year’s event)

Event Details:

This event is 21 and over

We have added two new competitive events this year!

News Caption Contest. Write your finest, wittiest caption for a photo we will provide at the party. Your caption will be shown on the big screen at the event and you will be entered into a raffle drawing. Entries cost $10, and you can pay the entry fee in advance or at the party.

This event is not sponsored by any company or organization, but is being funded by your private donations and program ad sales. All proceeds will benefit AAJA Seattle’s Northwest Journalists of Color Scholarship, a 25-year program for talented college students who aspire to become professional journalists.

Are you interested in volunteering the night of the event for 1.5 hours? Volunteers receive free admission to the event and must be 21 or over. Email sharonpianchan@gmail.com.

Are you interested in donating a raffle prize? Email sharonpianchan@gmail.com.

Are you interested in making an individual donation to support the scholarship? Email sharonpianchan@gmail.com.

Are you or your newsroom are interested in buying a program ad? Full page ads are $750 and half-page ads are $500. Email sharonpianchan@gmail.com.

VP of Events Caroline Li is organizing this event.

WHERE DO WE MEET?
Lincoln Park, shelter 2 area tables 23-26 (but we don’t have the shelter, just the grill that is near the tables) See map, http://www.seattle.gov/parks/_images/maps/picnics/Lincoln1-2.pdf

WHAT ARE YOU BRINGING TO THE POTLUCK?
Please jot it down on this Google Docs.

WHEN: 10:30 am – Noon, Saturday, July 9
WHERE: Bamboo Village, 4900 Stone Way N., Wallingford (Seattle)

We’ll be discussing the chapter’s plans for the summer and fall, as well as board elections and the National Convention. We welcome your ideas and involvement in our mission to support the next generation of journalists.

Please RSVP by 5 pm FRIDAY to Sanjay Bhatt, sbhatt@seattletimes.com. Thanks!