Oregon

Say goodbye to 2008 and bring in 2009 at McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland, Oregon for a party you won’t forget.  The fun begins at 8 p.m. and doesn’t stop until 2 a.m.  Enjoy a 5 hour premium open bar, performances by DJ Nature, DJ Gemo, and DJ Gigahurtz as well as live musical performances from Griffin House and Shelly Rudolph.  Eat your heart out as Hors D’Oeuveres are passed about.  Food stations will be set up and serving from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Don’t forget the Champagne Toast at midnight, and be sure to kiss your true love for luck when the clock strikes twelve.

If you need something to soak up your open bar indulgence, don’t worry, there will be a late night snack served just for you.

The theme this year is New Years Nation, and a live broadcast will be connecting ten cities in four time zones.  See DJ AM and Travis Barker perform live from Los Angeles, and bring in the new year as one nation.  Imagine, a party connecting ten parties in ten different cities all in one place.  This party is going to be wild.

Your ticket includes everything from the open bar to the food and live performances.

McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom is located at 1332 West Burnside in Portland, Oregon 97209.  For more information, contact them at (503)225-0047, or find them on the web at www.mcmenamins.com for ticket information.

Please remember to drink responsibly.  Have a designated driver or take a cab, but never, ever get behind the wheel of a car after consuming alcohol.  Contact your local transportation agencies to find out what kinds of transportation options will be available to get you home safely.

Newport is the perfect 2008 holiday getaway with off-season discounts at area hotels and the Nye Beach Holiday Celebration.

The neighbors and merchants of Historic Nye Beach have put together a festival that you’ll remember for all of your days chalked full of music, decorations, lights, entertainment, hot chocolate, Saint Nick, and even Chestnut roasting.

Schedule:

• December 5^th, 12^th, and 19^th-Music and vocal entertainment from 4-6 p.m.

• December 6^th-Ladies Night Out-music and vocals, create a wish list at Nye Beach

Merchants, VAC 25^th Anniversary 5p.m.-6:30p.m., And the push pin show

• December 13^th-Art and Wine Walk, music and vocals, Chestnut Roasting and Café

Mundo

• December 20^th-Men’s Day/Night out, find your wife’s wish list, music and vocals,

Entertainment, Chestnut Roasting at Café Mundo

• Every Saturday-Saint Nick will be there spreading holiday cheer

Stay in one of LaQuinta’s beautiful rooms during your visit to Newport and relax in the hot tub, take a swim in the pool, and then dream the night away on one of their famous comfortable beds in rooms starting as low as $79.00*plus tax.  Find them on the web here.

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Wenzel Farm’s Fantasy Trail has decked the halls this year with thousands of Christmas lights, dozens of Christmas scenes.  Explore the 40 foot castle in all its holiday glory, then wander down the beautifully decorated wooded path that winds through Christmas villages, lighted displays, a maze, a tunnel, a suspension bridge, and even a crooked house.

Fantasy trail opened December 5^th, 2008, and will run through December 29^th, from 6-9 p.m. with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Adults are $4.00, and children 12 and under are $3.50.  Refreshments are available at the concession stand.  Fantasy Trail is not stroller or wheelchair friendly, so leave them behind and put on your outside shoes, it’s worth the walk.

Fantasy Trail*19754 South Ridge Road*Oregon City, OR*97045

(503)631-2047

For directions, find them on the web here.

To schedule field trips or large groups, contact GuestService@FantasyTrail.com

Rachel Daggett, who had just turned 18 and was a senior at Sam Barlow High School, was found dead in a Gresham home early Monday morning when paramedics were called.

The resident of the home, a 21-year-old male, had been evicted and was supposed to be out the morning paramedics were called.  Witnesses say that he had a party the night before, and it appears that Rachel Daggett attended.

The cause of her death is unclear, as there were no signs of foul play, and an autopsy done today didn’t reveal any clues.  Officials are waiting on toxicology reports to learn more, but they may take several weeks to arrive.   Until then, Rachel’s family is left with an emptiness that used to be filled by a happy, hyper, fun-loving, beautiful teen girl.

Everyone who knows Rachel says that she was always happy, upbeat, and not the kind of girl who would be drinking and using drugs at parties.  Friends are shocked at her death, and all say that she made the world a much better place.

Gresham Police are asking for anyone who may have information in the death of Rachel Daggett to call 503-618-2330 during business hours, or 503-618-2719 at night or on the weekends.

From December 15^th, 2008 through December 31, 2008, the lights of Peacock Lane, Portland’s only Christmas Street, will shine brighter than ever.  Since the 1920’s, this small neighborhood has decked the halls, literally, for all to see. 

 Peacock Lane is between SE Stark St. and SE Belmont St one block east of SE 39^th.  Please be aware that it is a very packed event, so you may have to park several blocks away.  Walgreens has been nice enough to let visitors use their parking lot.  It is okay to drive through this event, however traffic becomes very backed up, and it is a slow process, so it’s best to park and walk, or even better, enjoy the sights from a horse drawn carriage.

 The fun begins Monday, December 15^th at 5 p.m. through 11 p.m.

December 16^th-30^th, lights start at 6 p.m. through 11 p.m.

December 24^th, lights start at 6 p.m. and go until midnight.

December 31^st, the lights start up again at 6 p.m. and go until midnight.

 This event is free, however there is a charge for the horse drawn carriage.  Click here for more information.

This year, you don’t want to miss the Providence Festival of trees.  More than 100 trees decorated with over 80,000 lights will line the Christmas Village streets of the Oregon Convention Center this year to support programs and services provided by Providence Health & Services.

Each tree is decorated by sponsoring companies, local clubs, and organizations, and include gift packages ranging from toys to trips.  Trees are then auctioned off at the Gala’s silent auction.  Proceeds go to many of Providence’s programs.

Vote for your favorite tree in the ‘People’s Choice Award’ contest, get your picture taken with Santa, create magical arts and crafts in Santa’s Workshop, get your teddy bear fixed up in the Teddy Bear Hospital, and be sure to visit the model trains.   Learn how to make beautiful wreaths and home décor from the pros as they do demonstrations on the Demonstrations Stage.  A beautifully decorated tree will be raffled off for $5 per ticket, so everyone has a chance to take home one of the festival’s beautiful trees.  Watch local dance and music performances at one of the Public Performance stages.  Drool over the display of over 50 gingerbread houses created by students at Franklin High School.

Give something special at the Light Up a Life tree, and help Providence aid hospice patients and their families.  Your contribution and the name of the loved one you’re remembering will be placed on an ornament and added to the Light Up a Life tree.  When the festival is over, the ornament will be taken to the hospital of your choice and displayed.  Your loved one’s name will be read at the selected hospital’s ceremony.

Click here For more information on performance times.

For 25 years, the Providence Festival of Trees has raised money for heath care for children and adults who can’t otherwise afford it, and cutting-edge research.

Kicking off this year’s festival is the 26^th Annual Opening Night Gala and Auction.  Guests can enjoy the displays, a raffle of fine wines, dinner, and a silent auction of trees, wreaths, décor and gifts.  Click here for more information on the Gala.

 Regular dates and times:

Friday, December 5^{th  2008}

10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday, December 6^{th 2008}

10 a.m.-6 p.m.

 Admission:

$5 for adults

$3 for children ages 3-12

$4 for senior citizens

Children ages 2 and under are free with an adult.

Where:

Oregon Convention Center

Hall C

777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.

Portland, OR