As part of a county-wide movement to encourage local, sustainable holiday celebrations this year, SoCoCulture.org, the South King County Cultural Coalition, has joined King County Executive Ron Sims and the mayors of several south county cities in issuing proclamations to "Buy and Celebrate Locally."

"Even in these challenging economic times, people still want to celebrate the holidays, and many of our local performing arts organizations have really wonderful festivities," said Linda Petersen, SoCoCulture chairwoman, pointing out that in Burien alone, there are several holiday

concerts and seasonal theater productions coming up.

She urged residents to check out the on-line events calendar at www.SoCoCulture.org, which offers a cultural shopping listing of events, dates, times, locations and ticket prices and more.

Tickets to local productions by Breeders Theatre, the Burien Little Theatre, and the Pacific Northwest Symphony Orchestra make good gifts, as do works that will be offered for sale at the upcoming Moshier Art Center Holiday Pottery Sale, or choice items available via the online fundraising auction being sponsored by the Highline Historical Society, Petersen said..

ChoralSounds Northwest is presenting its annual Christmas concert on Dec. 13 and 14, featuring Seattle TV icon Stan Boreson.

ChoralSounds' youthful offshoots, KidSounds, YouthSounds and TeenSounds have a concert set for Dec. 6.

Burien's Winterfest is also on Dec. 6 along with many holiday bazaars.

The Outdoor Living Nativity returns to Highline Christian Church on Dec. 12 and 13. The church is located at 14859 1st Ave. S. in Burien.

Look for more details on Highline holiday happening in the Times/News and at www.highlinetimes.com.

Locally directed spending by consumers more than doubles the number of dollars circulating in a community, Petersen noted, and contact information for all of the organizations mentioned above is available on the SoCoCulture Web site.

People who choose to celebrate locally are invited to report their actions online at www.sustainableseattle.blogspot.com,

Activities will be tracked and reported to spread awareness of new holiday traditions, Petersen added. Some of the participants will also be eligible for prizes including Chinook Books, Celebrate Green books and tickets to local cultural events.