Leisure

Oregon Zoo 'Zoolights" Nov 23-Dec 31

ZooLights is coming to the Oregon Zoo for the 25th year Transforming the Zoo into a winter wonderland Daily, Nov 23 thru Dec 31, 5-8PM

Source: KGW.com (Nov 21, 2012)

The traditional holiday light show begins Friday, Nov 23, and runs through Dec 31 at the zoo.

Last year, a record 193,000 visitors came to see ZooLights’ life-size animal silhouettes, moving sculptures, forests of lighted trees and light-bedecked train.

In keeping with the zoo’s commitment to sustainability, most of the 1.3 million lights displayed are light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which use only a fraction of the power of standard holiday lights.

A new feature of ZooLights this winter is a magical walk through an illuminated forest, with purple rope lighting and neon tube lights creating a special glow.

ZooLights hours are 5-PM Sunday through Thursday, and 5-8:30PM Friday through Saturday. ZooLights will be closed Dec. 24-25.

1874 Zimmerman House. Click to Enlarge

Celebrate The Season When: Sat Dec 15, 2012 10AM-3PM Where: Zimmerman Park 17111 NE Sandy Blvd Gresham, OR Get Map!

A lasting vestige of East Multnomah County's agricultural roots

A delightful 1874 Victorian farmhouse
Take a step back into history at the Zimmerman House, a Victorian era farmhouse, built in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful farmhouse is a perfect reflection of typical Columbia River dairy farm life in the late 1800s. The Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a unique cultural education and recreational resource that is being created for the benefit of the public on a 5.98-acre historic site in Gresham, Oregon.

Storybook Lane, Train rides, Christmas ships, Colorful lights, 200+ Tuba concert and much more.

22nd Annual Tuba Christmas Concert
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 1:30-3:30PM, Pioneer Courthouse Square
Downtown will pulse with the melodic sounds of big brass as over 200 tubas play in unison for the 22nd Annual Tuba Christmas Concert in the heart of downtown. FREE.

Alpenrose Storybook Lane
Dec 7-22, Fri 3-6PM, Sat-Sun 11AM-6PM, 6149 SW Shattuck Rd, Portland
A family tradition for more than fifty years. Alpenrose's old western town is transformed into a winter wonderland where you are invited to peek at the animals on display in nostalgic Storybook Lane. Visit with Santa. Bring a can of food for the Oregon Food Bank. FREE

2012 Christmas Ship Parade
Nightly thru Dec 31st, Columbia River and Willamette River
The Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the two Columbia and Willamette River fleets. Both fleets will be out most every night. Visit the website for schedule details. FREE.

Lights on Peacock Lane
Nightly Dec 15-31 6PM-11PM, SE 40th between Stark & Belmont
Since the 1920s, each house on Peacock Lane has been decorating for Christmas. Tudors style houses are adorned with sparkling lights, nativity scenes, rotating Christmas trees plus Santa, Frosty and the gang. (Dec 15-16 pedestrians only) FREE.

Pittock Mansion Christmas
Daily, 11AM-4PM, 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland
Home to Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock, pioneer owners of the Oregonian newpaper, this beautiful mansion is decorated will all the splendor of the holiday season. Adults $9.50. Children under six free.

Portland's Holiday Express
Dec 7,8 & 9; Dec 14,15 & 16; 2250 SE Water Ave, Portland
Join Santa and his elves on a steam powered and heated railroad adventure along the scenic Willamette River and Oaks Bottom wildlife refuge. Tickets $8.50 to $17. Each ride about 40 minutes. Check ORHF website for schedule and availability.

Oregon ZooLights
Daily 5PM-8PM, Oregon Zoo
More than a million LED lights transform the Oregon Zoo into a luminous winter wonderland filled with moving sculptures, forests of lighted trees and animal silhouettes. Adults $10. Children (3-11) $7.

WinterWonderland at P.I.R.
Fri,Sat & Sun, 5PM-9PM, Now thru Dec 25th, Portland Intl Raceway
Recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the "Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi", the 20th annual Winter Wonderland will grab your attention with glimmers and glows around every corner. $16 per car.

The Grotto: Festival of Lights
Nightly 5PM-9:30PM thru Dec 30th, 8840 NE Skidmore, Portland
With over 500,000 lights, 150 choral performances, a petting zoo, carolers, puppet shows and hot chocolate this is a special event for the whole family.
The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The 2012 festival features nearly 180 indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest school, church and civic choirs. Adult $9. Children (3-12) $4.

Need More?
Check out the Oregonian newspaper's 2012 Holiday Events Guide. 20-pages of local bazaars, gift ideas and holiday events. Something for everyone!

The Pleiades MHCC Planetarium website

Sleeping Beauties and the White Dwarf When: Mon Nov 05, 2012 Show Times: 7:00PM and 8:15PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Admission $2. MHCC students are admitted free.
The Sky Theater is wheelchair accessible.

Sleeping Beauties and the White Dwarf
Join planetarium director Pat Hanrahan as he shows visitors how to locate the planets and prominent constellations, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae. You don't want to miss this exciting monthly star adventure into our universe.

All shows are presented under a realistic representation of the night sky, featuring the latest galactic, stellar and planetary images.

Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each 45-minute program. Children are welcome to attend.

Inside this Issue

• Celebrate The Spirit of Christmas: Dec 1
• Free Grease Kits for Holiday Cooking
• Personal Safety Awareness Class: Dec 3 (RSVP Nov 30)
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program
• It’s Dark Early Now: Be Safe, Be Seen
• Fall Leaves: Your Help Needed
• Tips for Heavy Rains
• Chamber Honors Businesses, Volunteers: Dec 6
• Holiday Gift of Music: Dec 2
• MHCC Planetarium Show: Dec 3
• Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol: Dec 7-16
• Wings Exhibit Reception: Dec 11

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Lee Dayfield just inside the north gate of Nadaka Nature Park. Click to enlarge.

Nadaka Nature Park For years, the plot of land tucked away in Gresham's Wilkes East neighborhood was forgotten. Source: The Oregonian, Nov 14, 2012 by Nancy Anderson

Those who noticed the forested 10 acres must have figured it was off limits. An 8-foot-tall fence topped with barbed wire enclosed the site, save for one small entrance. Few would have guessed this was public land, officially known as Nadaka Nature Park.

But in 2008, the right person with the right heart and a vision stumbled upon the park and set out to make it known and accessible.

Lee Dayfield of Gresham has since led an effort involving extensive community partnerships to give the park new life and purpose.

The Pleiades MHCC Planetarium website

Exploring the Autumn Sky When: Mon Oct 01, 2012 Show Times: 7:00PM and 8:15PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Admission $2. MHCC students are admitted free.
The Sky Theater is wheelchair accessible.

Exploring the Autumn Sky
Join planetarium director Pat Hanrahan as he shows visitors how to locate the planets and prominent constellations, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae. You don't want to miss this exciting monthly star adventure into our universe.

All shows are presented under a realistic representation of the night sky, featuring the latest galactic, stellar and planetary images.

Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each 45-minute program. Children are welcome to attend.

Every Saturday Now thru October! When: Every Saturday, 8:30AM-2PM Where: NW Miller & Third St Historic Downtown Gresham, OR Get Map!

Fresh & Local
Shoppers will find all-natural meats and cheeses, fresh-picked produce, nursery stock and fresh-cut flowers, hand-crafted jewelry, soaps, artwork, and much more. Live music and food are always part of the market.

Located on Northwest Miller Avenue between Second and Third Street 8:30AM to 2PM each Saturday now through Oct. 27.

Krugers Farm Corn Maze. Click to enlarge

Kick-off Fall With Some Great Family Fun -- Explore a Corn Maze! There's no mistaking that harvest-time feeling. The brisk air, the warm drinks and the sight of children climbing over large pumpkins in a field.

There's another tradition worth exploring this year - the corn maze! So grab a jacket and the kids and head for one of these locations. You're sure to find plenty of family fun, food and even some warm apple cider.

Check websites for schedules, details and discount coupons!

• Fazio Farms Corn Maze
• Kruger's Farm Corn Maze
• The Maize at The Pumpkin Patch

Have a Safe & Happy Halloween!    More info below this break.

Final Weekend! When: Every Saturday, 8:30AM-2PM Where: NW Miller & Third St Historic Downtown Gresham, OR Get Map!

Fresh & Local
Shoppers will find all-natural meats and cheeses, fresh-picked produce, nursery stock and fresh-cut flowers, hand-crafted jewelry, soaps, artwork, and much more. Live music and food are always part of the market.

Located on Northwest Miller Avenue between Second and Third Street 8:30AM to 2PM each Saturday now through Oct. 27.