Weekend Warriors: December 4-6
As the first weekend of December approaches, we know two things: it's going to be coooolldd and beautiful. We're thinking it would be a perfect weekend to pick up a Christmas tree, if you're into that sort of thing, or go dig or chop one out in the woods.
Friday, December 4
Providence Festival of the Trees. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Oregon Convention Center. Singing by area school and community groups plus oodles of beautifully decorated trees and other holiday lovelies. $5 adults, $3 children 3-12; there's a $1 off coupon here and performers are free.
Macy's Santaland. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and daily through December 24. It's not quite the top floor tradition from decades past, but this Santaland, now on the lower level of the downtown flagship department store, is according to Macy's "the highest rated Santa experience in Portland."
Cafe au Play tree sale. Usually only open Saturdays and Sundays, this Friday afternoon and evening Cafe au Play's second annual tree and bake sale will be on extended hours. From Molalla's Timber Ridge Tree Farm, the trees are a great bargain and money goes to help open a family-friendly cafe here at 57th and Division.
Gingerbread Land at the Benson Hotel. Through December 27th, see Portland through the eyes of Hansel and Gretel; "5 pounds of gingerbread, 25 pounds of marzipan, and 20 pounds of chocolate." Yum.
Saturday, December 5
Handmade Cards at the Sellwood-Moreland Library. 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. "Create one-of-a-kind greeting cards for friends, family, teachers – anyone you like! Learn card-making techniques to use for any occasion." Space limited.
ScanFair. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. This is the 25th annual celebration of all things Scandinavian, at the Smith Memorial Center. Traditional and modern Scandinavian arts and crafts; aebleskivers, Swedish meatballs, and more; and 'Pippi Longstocking Room' for kids with crafts and other fun things. $6 admission for adults; kids 12 and under are free.
Soulstice Celebration at the Northwest Library. 3 - 4 p.m. An "intimate and secular show... Portlander Lauren Sheehan plays guitar, banjo, mandolin..." Folk music and storytelling.
Oregon ZooLights. 5 - 8 p.m., now through January 3rd. Members at "Plus" levels and above are free; ride the train with zoo admission for $10.75 for adults and $7.75 for youth. Find a friend with a membership if you can, bundle up, and if you're smart, bring a big thermos of hot cocoa: this Portland tradition is worth braving the cold.
Sunday, December 6
Handmade NW Holiday Artisans Fair. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Chelsea Ballroom. I know these events are great for shopping, but I love to go for the craft ideas. I always come away wanting to hole up in my sewing room for a couple of days. Lots of Portland mamas have booths here, so it's a good way to support a fellow urbanMama.
Winter Magic puppet show at Holgate Library. 2 - 2:45 p.m. A "new musical puppet journey with Penny's Puppet Production" targeted at preschool and young elementary-aged children.
Monday, December 7 (bonus!)
Bike night at the Jubitz PIR WinterWonderland. 5 - 9 p.m. At the Portland International Raceway, this is the "Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi" and Monday night is sponsored by Bike Gallery -- $5 for adults and free for children under 12. Helmets required for kiddos 16 and under. Anyone interested in meeting for a group ride to the raceway?
On Saturday, the annual Milagros Holiday Bazaar is happening! This community event is always a great chance to support local crafters and get some unique gifts.
It is also a fund raiser for a worthy cause, like last year a portion of every sale at the Bazaar and at Milagros on 12/5 will support Mercy Corps! Learn more about Mercy Corps here: http://mercycorps.org
Info on the Milagros bazaar and sale is here:
http://www.milagrosboutique.com/
We have partners in this year's fund raiser! Any purchase you make on 12/5 at Frock, Green Bean Books, and the Mama Runs with Scissors Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/mamarunswithscissors) will support Mercy Corps!
Shop local and support a great cause? A real win-win!
Posted by: Milagros | December 03, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Also, we invite everyone to take part in a special workshop we are holding on Sunday, 12/6: "Nurturing Our Children for a Culturally Liberated Society"
This workshop is interactive and designed to increase parental capacity to nurture in our children the way of honoring, valuing, respecting, hearing and empowering themselves and others to freely define, identify and represent their own cultural orientation. In this way, we can begin to create a society where peaceful and vibrant intercultural community is a norm.
This workshop at Milagros on Sunday, December 6th, from 2-4 pm is free. All members of the family are welcome to participate in this child-honoring environment.
Please RSVP for the workshop by contacting Brad or Deanna at (360) 241-0967 or bradanddeeanna@gmail.com
Posted by: Milagros | December 03, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Sunday 12/6 1pm, 4pm - Holiday Gift of Music - Mt Hood Community College - only $10 for adults, free for children 0-18yrs.
http://www.columbiasymphony.org/
Posted by: Bessy | December 03, 2009 at 08:35 PM
Don’t miss the 5th annual BikeCraft event coming this Saturday 12/5 from 10:00 am to 5:00pm! Sandbox Studio warehouse located at 420 NE 9th Ave. More details — including a BikeCraft vendor directory — at http://BikePortland.org/BikeCraft
Posted by: urbanMamas | December 03, 2009 at 09:27 PM
Tryon State Park is hosting the Forest Market 2009 this Saturday and Sunday - http://events.tryonfriends.org/2009/11/forest-market/. We live nearby and definitely plan to go to pick up a hand made wreath that I had pre-ordered.
Posted by: Amy | December 04, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Preschool Open House - Sunday December 6 - Marylhurst Early Childhood Center invites families interested in our wonderful Preschool-Kindergarten program to visit on Sunday from 1 - 3 pm. Tour the school, meet the staff, and explore our wonderful child-centered environment. Q and A session with the teachers at 2:30 in the auditorium.
More details at
http://www.meccenter.org/section.cfm?wSectionID=825
Get a head start in your preschool search, and discover what a difference there is!
Posted by: sequoiabaker | December 04, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Don't forget the cedarwood winter faire today!
Posted by: Christine | December 05, 2009 at 08:11 AM
The Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation is running their Holiday Express Train this weekend and next at Oaks Park (Fri, Sat, Sun). You can get tickets through Tickets West or just buy them at the event. We went yesterday and my son was in heaven.
Posted by: KateC | December 06, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Thank you to the local crafters and everyone who came out to Milagros on Saturday. It was a fun event and we raised over $600 for Mercy Corps! Yay Portland!
You can still donate to Mercy Corps here:
http://www.mercycorps.org/?source=WEBSPEV104
Peace!
Jennifer, Tony, and Family
Posted by: milagros | December 07, 2009 at 11:26 AM