It was the first day of class at the Asteroid Academy and Tilly already lost her lunch. She got angry and tore up a classmate’s lunch box with her super strength. It wasn’t until Tilly’s mom brought the girl’s lunch – which was left at home – that Tilly realized she made a big mistake: She hadn’t though about her classmate’s feelings and was bullying him.

Anti-bullying and empathy were part of the message the Taproot Theatre crew hoped they could deliver to students at Our Lady of Fatima School this afternoon. Taproot Theatre Company tours social dynamic plays and is based in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood.

As kindergarteners through eighth graders sat in the bleachers, four actors transformed into super heroes for an hour and played out the problems the students face regularly.

“We talk a lot about controlling your emotions and problem solving,” actress Charissa Huff said. “It’s mainly to get kids thinking about the options they have.”

Huff played Danrelle, who used her invisibility powers to steal Tilly’s rocket ball during recess. Throughout the play, Tilly figured out how she could get her ball back without hurting others’ feelings and getting in trouble with the school principal.

The performance ended with an Asteroid Academy contest. The superheroes in training used their powers to outrun and outwit each other in hopes of becoming a famous hero’s sidekick. Lady of Fatima students cheered Tilly on as she forgave Danrelle for stealing and saved Danrelle from a marsh.

A question-and-answer session followed the performance, and students eagerly raised their hands to talk about what they learned.  Adrienne Littleton, who played Tilly, asked what the consequences of bullying are. One student said it makes someone “feel left out” and “sad.”  Another student said anyone who gets bullied could feel embarrassed, while across the gym, a student said bullying victims would feel afraid.

Reporting a bully, however, isn’t the same as being a tattletale. Reporting is good because you want to help someone, while tattletales want to get others in trouble.  “We talk to kids about resolving conflict,” Huff said. “Even if they don’t like a person, they could try and be nice to that person.”

The Taproot crew was invited to Lady of Fatima to finish off the school’s Building Community Day, Principal Susan Burdett said. The group performed at the school last year and was a hit.  Building Community Day is among Lady of Fatima’s activities to commemorate Catholic Schools Week. Students from all grades – kindergarten through eighth – get into groups, or “families,” of 16 or 17. During Building Community Day, family members do class activities, eat lunch and go to recess together. The day ends with the Taproot performance.

As Burdett halted cars and motioned students across a painted path to their parents, a younger student walked along a sidewalk that hugs Lady of Fatima. Next to her is an older student, who kept his eye out for cars and talked to the girl about the performance.  “Have you ever been bullied?” the girl asked. As they make their way across the crosswalk, the boy looked down at her.  “No, but it’d really suck if someone ripped my lunchbox in half,” he said.

The Our Lady of Fatima Chamber Choir will be presenting Handel’s complete oratorio “Messiah” on Friday, November 20 at 7:30PM at Our Lady of Fatima Church.  The Chamber Choir will be performing this holiday classic as Handel did himself at its very first performance in Dublin, Ireland in April of 1742 with all the original arias and choruses. 
 
The Chamber Choir will be accompanied by the Our Lady of Fatima Baroque Orchestra performing on instruments from the 18th century. You can get reserved seats in advance for $15 or at the door for $18.  Call 206-352-4587 or 206-283-1456 to make a reservation.  

The Magnolia Moms 7th Annual Shop ‘Til You Drop benefit event will be held on Thursday, November 5 from 6-9p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima. 

This event started in a Magnolia mom’s living room and has now grown to include 30 vendors and local artists, a fashion show and silent auction.  Shop Till You Drop also includes a coat drive. 

“Last year Magnolia Mom’s donated nearly $2,700 and more than 300 coats. What a great way to get into the holiday spirit,” says Jenn Wathen, one of this year’s event chairs. “Bring a friend, enjoy a tasty treat, and get a jump start on your holiday shopping.”

Admission is one gently used children’s coat or a suggested $15 donation,  All proceeds plus 10% of all sales will benefit local shelters including Providence Hospitality House, the Catholic Community Services/Refugee Assistance, Sacred Heart Shelte, The Harrington House and St. Mary’s Food Bank in Seattle.

Magnolia Moms was founded 17 years ago through Our Lady of Fatima Parish as a neighborhood outreach program for homeless or displaced mothers in need. The organization now serves the daily needs of thousands of women and children who otherwise have no means of support.  The sale will be held at the Fatima Parish Hall located at 3307 West Dravus Street. 

Parishioners are hosting a fundraiser dinner/auction at Fatima, at 6:30 p.m., March 21 at the parish to raise money for a group heading to Tijuana, Mexico this summer.  

The group will meet with local developers and activists from Esperanza International who will coordinate the jobs for the volunteers.  Among the volunteers is Katy Breen, a Magnolia resident and owner of Katy’s Daisies, a new business in Magnolia Village.

Breen, with her daughter, Elizabeth, a high school sophomore, will take part in the effort, mixing and pouring cement for the bricks and foundation of area homes. They were both part of the group that went last year and they say it was rewarding but difficult.  “There’s lots of concrete and it’s pretty hard labor,” she said. “We’ll be actually mixing concrete and rocks to make the bricks and everything because it’s more cost-effective that way.”

The auction will feature donated items from businesses and individuals.  Fatima students are getting creative with it, donating items such coupons for bathroom cleaning or yard work or a batch of homemade cookies once every month for six months.

Breen, whose shop features gifts and flowers, will donate a floral arrangement. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Call 206-283-1456 for more information.

Tickets are available for this Sunday night’s (2/22) performance of Chanticleer at Our Lady of Fatima.  This is the only Seattle stop on the tour of the group called the “the world’s reigning male chorus,” by New Yorker Magazine. 

The 12 person singing group performs more than 100 concerts each year. This is the GRAMMY Award-winning ensemble’s 31st season.  Chanticleer has performed at prestigious festivals in France, Germany, Poland and Latvia, and will make its debut in the People’s Republic of China this spring. 

The appearance at Our Lady of Fatima Parish is a Seattle exclusive.  Tickets are $25/$17 for students and seniors. To reserve your ticket, call 206-352-4587.  There will be a chance to meet the performers at the reception immediately following the program.