City Repair invites you and your community to propose a project for the 2006 Village Building Convergence. Projects can be place-oriented, ecological, artistic, structural, social, even alive! The main goal is to promote cooperative, community-based efforts to reconnect with each other and enhance the places we live. Details on previous projects, the proposal process, and requests for proposals on line vbc.cityrepair.org or at City Repair Headquarters, 2122 SE Division, (503)235-8946.

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 tent that covers the venue while allowing for views of the city lights.  Gas heaters create a cozy ambience under the boughs of one of the region's largest decorated Christmas trees. Thirty-five 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.  Many have been seasoned with spices, and enhanced with ingredients such as honey, cranberries, ginseng, Sitka spruce tips and espresso beans. Festival highlights include on-site food; craft vendors; beer apparel and merchandise; a complimentary root beer garden for minors and designated drivers benefiting the Children’s Cancer Assn; mead tasting; and seasonal background music. Minors are allowed when accompanied by a parent. Hours are 11 am to 10 pm Thursday through Saturday; Noon to 6 pm Sunday. A Brewers Brunch will take place on Sunday, December 4th at the Square beginning at 9 am.  It will feature a Belgian themed breakfast with croissants with turkey or ham, Chimay cheeses, fresh fruits, sweet pastries, juice and coffee.  Specialty warm Leige waffles will be made to order.   There will also be beers not featured at the event, including Chimay Grand Reserve Blue, St. Feuillien Cuvee de Nöel, Tuck's Brewing's Farmers Daughter, and Full Sail's Vesuvius.  The ticket price of $30 includes eight five-ounce pours of each beer, plus breakfast. Tickets are available at www.holidayale.com. 

There grows the neighborhood...Come out rain or shine to the first Neighborhood Trees planting of the new season!

Learn tree planting techniques and join the HAND and Richmond neighborhoods to beautify our urban areas. No experience is needed. Just be dressed for the elements and prepare to dig in!

The public is invited to attend a FREE tree planting workshop. The workshop is part of Tree Talk, an exciting new series of free educational workshops all about trees. Vancouver is blessed with many beautiful trees. Tree Talk workshops are a great way for residents to learn why trees are important, how to properly plant and care for trees, and how to landscape with native plants. This first workshop will focus on how to properly plant a tree so that it can grow to be healthy and mature. Urban Forestry staff will give demonstrations and then work side-by-side with workshop participants in hands-on practice. Workshop attendees will receive a native plant seedling, product samples and a coupon for discounted trees and shrubs provided by Clark Public Utilities and Yard 'n Garden Land.  Participants should bring their own gloves and shovel and dress for the weather and the mud.  Pre-registration is preferred.