Neighborhood Notes

Decemberville is Coming! Come to the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood for a week of the best holiday deals in town! During the week of Monday, December 1 - Sunday, December 7, over 80 businesses will be offering specials, discounts or sales on their goods and services. Shop locally with unique businesses this holiday season. In addition to the famous Antique Row, kiddie boutiques, and yummy bakeries, Sellwood-Moreland has many treasures to offer shoppers this holiday season. Start off with a warm-up and some bulk coffee or tea at Schondeken Coffee Roasters-Portland's first and oldest coffee roaster. Head on over to Vital Body Studio to pick up a gift certificate for Pilates and Gyrotonic sessions for your friends' New Year's resolutions. And you can even check Fido off of your list at Sellwood Dog Supply that specializes in hand-made dog apparel, toys and treats. These are just a hint of the amazing deals to be had all over the neighborhood. On Saturday, December 20, there will be
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Martha Wallulis is so happy to announce a 3 artist show opening in December '08 and running through January '09. Three friends and artists come together for The Evening and the Morning Stars, a group show of spectacular multi-media work. Lisa , Carolina , and Julianna are all fabulous painters and artists whose works resonate both separately and combined in this group exhibition. All three artists often use narrative, figurative imagery, their own developed (often autobiographical) symbolism and metaphor. In some works, we see whimsical almost fairy-tale scenarios comprised of intriguing characters in a reality that tends to be quite surreal or dream-like. This is one of the main threads tying the artists together. There is reference by all three artists to dreams, emotive imagery, autobiographical elements, and emphasis on the subconscious. Each artist has refined her own highly individual artistic voice, vision, language, and technique. Wednesday, December 3 6-9 pm 322 NW
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Youth Only Art Studio projects Include 12/3 Holiday Cards, 12/10 Door Knob Bells, 12/17 Gift Making.
Ages 1-5 with caregiver assistance

Wednesdays, Dec 3, 10, & 17
Time: 10:30-11:30am
Cost: $15 per session

For more information call (503)232-3457 or visit us online .

Discover a new experience at Museum of Contemporary Craft's highly anticipated holiday sales event. Wednesday, December 3, The Museum's upstairs Lab space transforms into the festive and playful Holiday Shop, a seasonal store furbished with a moving train by local artist Hilary Pfeifer and handmade works not ordinarily seen in The Gallery. The Holiday Shop presents the Museum's most extensive selection of beautifully handcrafted objects of the year created by 50 local, regional and nationally recognized artists. Shoppers will find gifts for all ages and budgets. Offerings include limited-edition holiday ornaments by John and Robin Gumaelius, colorful clocks by Chris Giffin, wooden furniture and a choice selection of sale items. The Holiday Shop kicks off with a public preview reception Wednesday, December 3, 6:30-8:30 PM and lasts through January 4. Museum of Contemporary Craft members receive 10% savings on items in The Holiday Shop. Artists Laura Berman, Joanna Bloom, Dani
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The only beer festival in the Northwest to be held outdoors in the dark, cold and often wet month of December, the Holiday Ale Festival is truly distinctive. Despite chilly temperatures and often-inclement weather outside, attendees stay warm and dry under a large clear topped tent that covers the venue. Gas heaters create a cozy ambience under the boughs of one of the region's largest decorated Christmas trees. Thirty six + potent winter ales are featured at the event, all of which are created specifically to bring warmth and cheer to the holiday season. The beers are rich, robust and full of complex flavors. They range from Imperial IPAs, Belgians and Barley Wines to Winter Warmers, Scotch Ales and Stouts. Many have been seasoned with spices, and enhanced with dry hopping or extended aging in barrels. Dates: December 3rd thru December 7th, 2008 Hours: Wednesday, 3–9 pm Thursday, 11 am–10:30 pm
Friday, 11 am–10:30 pm
Satur
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Sweet Masterpiece  has generously organized a Chocolate Shop Tour for kids and the adults who care for them. Curious what a 10 pound block of chocolate looks like? Then this is the tour for you. Children will learn about chocolate making, watch staff as they dip candies, and make their own hot chocolate. And adults, if that's not enough for you, save the date for Sweet Masterpiece's wine and chocolate paring on 12/8. 
Please join us on December 3d from 3:30 - 4:30 at Sweet Masterpiece, located at 922 NW Davis. 
Reservations are necessary for this event. We're trying something new in an attempt to make reservations more fair. We'll collect all reservation requests for 72 hours. If we have more requests than available spots we'll draw names to choose attendees. Everyone who responds will get an email letting them know whether or not they are on the list.
If you receive a spot and decide that you cannot attend, please let us know so we
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Don't miss this year when the CRAVE Holiday Shopping Party goes GREEN! A festive holiday celebration and glam-gal gathering featuring SPECIALTY SHOPPING (over 40 of the best local designers and boutiques) highlighting SUSTAINABLE FASHION, live fashion shows on the catwalk and music while sipping and noshing with your girlfriends. Get your all of your holiday shopping done in one place with special deals and products you won't find anywhere else! 5–9 p.m. Look who's coming to the party ... Get tickets ($15)   

What do you wish for this holiday season? Holiday gifts for that someone special, who is also somewhat particular. Not the ordinary stuff you'll find everywhere else, but a carefully curated collection of hand-crafted, nature-based gems that touch the senses. Join Trisha and the rest of the Relish crew for their customer appreciation party. Enjoy wine, hors d 'oeuvres, 20% off all items, and free gift wrapping. 5–8 p.m. What else could you wish for?

The Columbia River Crossing project invites the community to attend an open house in December. Learn about the project's plans for light rail on Hayden Island and Vancouver, a replacement bridge, and fixing seven interchanges between SR 500 and Columbia Blvd. Public input is crucial to continued project development and success. Tell us what you think about the number of lanes on the new I-5 bridge, the design of the new bridge, light rail and highway improvements. Two open houses will be held: December 2, 5:30pm-7:30pm (Hilton Vancouver, 301 W. 6th Street Vancouver) and December 3, (Portland Expo Center) 5:30pm-7:30pm www.ColumbiaRiverCrossing.org

Learn about Oregon's legislative process and how to make your voice heard. Gain the skills and techniques you need to be an effective advocate and citizen lobbyist for a cause. Review policy priorities of 1000 Friends and partner organizations to be well-informed on issues to discuss with your legislator. Meet others who share your interest in civic participation and smart land use planning for Oregon and discuss what we can do together to advance our common goals. 7pm-9pm Contact Tara Sulzen to sign-up for the training. Call SE Uplift at 503 497-1000 or send Tara an email .