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Honda put out a spectacular video, Racing Against Time. An entertaining short video based on pushing yourself, focus and achieving major goals. Hear from people such as Tony Kanaan (IndyCar Driver), Alex Kurtzman (Screenwriter for Star Trek and Transformers), Tony Hawk (Pro Skateboarder) as well as Honda presidents and more, as they share their opinion of beating the pressure and becoming the best they can.

Check it out for yourself below…..

Did you know that for every vehicle purchased from the Hannah family of dealerships, a tree is planted? It’s true!
I know something about planting trees; many, many years ago I was a tree planter. I did a lot of reforestation in Texas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Northern Wisconsin; Loblolly Pine, a hybrid, was the tree of choice. I won’t kid you, I planted a lot of toilet paper too I’m sure. Our “tribe” of planters consisted of a variety of people. There was Misty and Malaciah with their young children Andre, Dori and Rainbow Sky. There was Susan and Fritz, Frank and Jim, Harley, Francisco, Concha, Melissa and Linda “Melinda” Peter, Carol, Jeff, Tom and the Laurent Boys to name a few. We all had different back rounds and different reasons for living on the sight in Teepees, tents, converted school buses, homemade campers and right under the stars for weeks at a time. As for my friend and their children it was about living off the grid and teaching the kids about Mother Earth while providing them with love and lifelong skills. Others it was a way to make good money doing hard work for half a year and living somewhere warm on a beach for the other half. I was into green before green was green and didn’t even know it. I did it because it was an adventure and I really didn’t know any better. We used Hodads (Ax handle planting devise) that you’d plunge into the grownd with one had while pulling a tree out of your tree pack with the other. You’d pull back the earth, lay the yearling in the grown while packing the dirt around it with the back side of the blade, all while gently pulling the tree up to keep the roots straight before stomping the ground near it with your foot to seal the deal. If you had some skill you could do this in seconds, seamlessly. I grew to do it that way but not until after hundreds of trees because I wanted every one of my trees to survive. “Deep, straight and tight… R.A.G.E plants it RIGHT!” (Riley Agricultural Enterprises.) This was Dave and Andy, Riley’s company “The Riley Bothers, Outstanding in their field” You have to use your imagination a bit here. See, we planted trees in a field and they (the Riley’s) were usually out (somewhere,) standing in them.
Anyway; No J, L or U roots for me. If any of your trees were planted with their roots bent, the likely hood of them making it very long was slim to none. So it makes me feel good knowing every tree that the Hannah’s have planted is being done by professional tree planters.
Who knows, maybe it’s one of my old tree plantin’ buddies. I’d like to think it is.

Take a look at these events happening around Portland Oregon this week.

A Christmas Carol: A Victorian Reading
Tuesday December 22nd 12:00pm
The Old Church
11th & Clay, Portland

Zoo Lights
Tuesday December 22nd 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Oregon Zoo
Portland, OR

Starry Night LIVE! Planetarium Show
Wednesday December 23rd 12:00pm
OMSI
1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland

Colin Spring
Wednesday December 23rd 8:00pm
Boons Treasury
888 Liberty St. N.E., Salem

Tour: Sculptural Highlights
Thursday December 24th 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park Avenue, Portland

Holiday Hearth Concert Series Skip Vonkuske
Thursday December 24th 7:00pm
Edgefield
2126 S.W. Halsey St., Troutdale

Portland Youth Philharmonic: Concert At Christmas
Saturday December 26th 7:30pm
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
1037 SW Broadway, Portland

Jack McMahon Band
Saturday December 26th 9:00pm
Rock Creek Tavern
10000 N.W. Old Cornelius Pass Rd., Hillsboro

 Want some more ideas? Check out our complete local event guide!

One of the most treasured shopping occasions for me this time of year, is holiday gift shopping for the special people in my life. I just love to see the reactions I receive when I put a lot of thought and effort into a gift. I just love to give!… and Portland Oregon is the shopping city to find that perfect gift! Gift cards can be so cliche nowadays ; ) Think outside of the box in 2009 and put some thought into it! (I find that simply listening to a person talk over a period can reveal some of those special gift ideas… it’s almost like a cheating on test.)

As you may know, holiday shopping can be very hectic. You remember Black Friday don’t you? December can be like a mini shopping armageddon. It’s every shopper for themselves! Make sure you stay focused while keeping your eye on the prize… buying ‘thoughtful gifts’.

This finally brings up why I’m writing this blog post, safe holiday shopping. This is the time of year criminals are very active. In big cities like Portland, where thousands of people are out shopping, it is more important to be aware of your surroundings. Whether it be where you park, or where you set your purse.

Below are a few safe holiday shopping tips to take along with you this year or even to pass on to another.

1. Try to get your shopping done during daylight hours if possible.
2. If you must go at night, park in an area where there is plenty of light and remember where you parked. When you leave, if you are nervous never be too afraid to ask an employee or security to walk you to your vehicle.
3. Avoid bringing a lot of cash on your shopping trip, Try to use checks and/or credit cards. It is also a good idea to put your forms of payment in different pockets and/or different areas of your purse. This way it is spread around and not all in one place to be taken.
4. If you are really loading up on gifts, avoid carrying many bags at once. Consolidate them into larger bags or make a couple trips to the car to drop some off.  Be sure to put them out of sight and in the trunk. This way you are not a target.
5. Walk with confidence and be sure to have your keys in your hand before heading to your vehicle, this way that are right in your grasp and you will not be searching for them. Once to your vehicle, check your back seat and lock your doors once inside.
6. Avoid wearing your most prized and expensive jewlery.
7. You are having a good time shopping and are distraced, but do your best to stay alert of your surroundings the people near you.
8. Be wary of anyone approching you. This is a prime time and way for a criminal to attempt to distract you and get you off guard.

Want to pamper your pet? Check out the Honda Element’s special accessory package! It has everything you could want for your little OR big pal. Your pets will be more excited than ever to take a road trip or just tag along for your errands. It is a fantastic idea. Look at this package includes;

(available for EX models)

Rear car kennel

Kennel organizer

Pet bed

Stowable ramp

Dog-pattern seat covers

All-season “Dog-Bone” floor mats

Spill-resistant water bowl

Electric fan

Tote bag

Dog friendly emblems (3)

A leash, collar and dog tag

Bag dispenser

How much more convenient could an already great vehicle get! You and your pet will LOVE it!

Oregon Ballet Theatre presents
The Nutcracker
Saturday, December 12th
Sunday, December 27th
$21.75 & up

Hasson Company Realtors presents
Disney’s Beauty & The Beast
A Pixie Dust Production
Featuring the Jefferson Dancers

Friday, December 18th -
Sunday, January 3rd
$47.75 - $64.25

Polaris Dance Theatre presents
iChange
with guest KDNY
Friday, January 15th -
Saturday, January 16th
$24.00 - $41.75

Tickets: The PCPA box office, Ticketmaster
Thursday, December 10
Performing on the Chapel Pub’s theater organ…

Ski and Snowboard MegaSale
At Portland convention center
Description:
Save up to 70% on a gigantic selection of barnd-new famous-name ski & snowboard equipment: skis, snowboards, bindings, boots, pants, jackets, goggles, gloves, hats… everything for the snow!
Exhibit Hall E
Fri 4pm-10pm
Sat & Sun 10am-6pm
Open to the Public / Free Admission
Produced by: MegaSale, Inc.
Website: www.oregonmegasale.com

22nd Annual ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo
Where: Oregon Zoo 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR
When: November 27th - January 3rd (Sun-Thur 5PM-8PM, Fri-Sat to 8:30PM, Closed Dec 24-25)
Tickets: $7.75 - $10.75, (2 and under are free)
Website: oregonzoo.org

Portland Christmas Ships
2009 marks the 55th year for the Christmas Ship Parade on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in Portland, Oregon. Please click on the Willamette or the Columbia Schedule links for complete schedules with route details including viewing locations and times for restaurants, hotels and outdoor viewing.
Where: Columbia River Locations - Willamette River Locations
When: Dec 9th - 20th
Tickets: Free
Website: christmasships.org
. to 9 p.m. | Free | All ages welcome

Motorcycle Ice Racing
Saturday, 12/19/2009 7:30 PM tickets
Location: Memorial Coliseum
Ticket Prices: $40, $20, $15, ($10 Kids 2-12);

Imagination Movers
Friday, 12/11/2009 7:00 PM tickets
Location: Rose Garden
Ticket Prices: $35,$25; $37, $27 DAY OF SHOW PRICE;
Stage: Rose Garden - Theater of the Clouds

For more local events this month, check out our event guide! Or simply scroll to the top of this page and click on the Local Event Guide button.

Great article on Free White Elephant gifts!

Free White Elephant Gift Ideas

Santa Claus is coming to town…on the train!! If your kids love Santa, Trains, Cookies and Hot Chocolate check out the Santa train at the BNSF Vancouver Terminal. They will be able to sit on Santa’s lap and tour the train. Kids love this! I go every year and it’s a blast, its outside it will be a bit frigid tomorrow so bundle the kids and head on down! They will soon forget the cold once they get there and see the action!
Don’t Forget your camera!!
This is also a toy drive for the children so bring your unwrapped children’s toy :) 

Date: Dec 12th
Time: 11am -(be there early to see him come in)
Where: BNSF Vancouver terminal - 1310 W 11th St., Vancouver WA

See you there!
HOHOHO

I love nothing more than my family and spending time with them. So what we try to do once a month is family game night. We’ll get together and play good old fashioned board games. My mother, sister and I have always loved playing games since we were young kids. My sister and I have kids of our own, now ages ranging 17-21 and they to enjoy playing games whit us which is surprising that they make time for us. Ha-ha. So we’ll get together and have dinner or just snacks and then let the games begin. My sister, niece and nephew are pretty competitive when we play. My husband “says” he doesn’t like playing games but when we get started he get’s into it and has a good time. Then my two sons act like they don’t really know what’s going on but they are actually smarter than they appear and surprise everyone with good answers. Lately we have been playing Buzzword.

It is a challenging game. You split into to two teams and when it’s your turn you read to your team a word, let’s say the word is Ball. Then you read the ten questions and each answer will have the word Ball in it. Example….
Q.) Inflatable sand toy………………..A.)Beach ball!
Q.) On top of spaghetti………………….A.) Meatball!
Q.) A psychic stares into one………A.) Crystal ball!
Each answer you get correct you get a point and the first team to 50 wins.
Of course we all still like to play our Nintendo Wii and X-Box and Nintendo DS but its fun to sit around in a group to play board games.

We are always looking for new and exciting board games, so if anyone has played any recently and could recommend one that would be awesome!