The hot spots

The big picture

• Grants: Funding from the government can help cover the costs of land acquisition and construction. For example, the Community Development Block Grant Program provides annual grants to fund housing projects.
• Land dispositions: Transferring property to local governments, non-profits, and for-profit developers can reduce the cost of affordable housing.
• Taxes: When transforming office space into housing, systems like plumbing, heating, and cooling typically need replacing. This can be an opportunity to make improvements to energy efficiency — which can be rewarded with tax incentives and credits.

• 82nd and Woodstock Holiday Night Market | Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | The Old Pawn Shop, 5939 SE 82nd Ave., Portland | Free | Spend time browsing hand-forged knives, jewelry, books, and more items from local vendors at this market with food and drinks.
• Yule Log Crafting Workshop | Friday, Dec. 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary, 109 W. Seventh St., Vancouver | $35 | Create a unique holiday centerpiece with ties to a Germanic folk tradition dating back hundreds of years.
• “It’s a Wonderful Life” | Friday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland | $35 | Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings in this classic Christmas story.

• “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” | Saturday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts, 1000 SW Broadway, Portland | $25-$35 | The holiday classic soars off the screen in this musical adaptation of the beloved television special.
• 32nd Annual Tuba Christmas Concert | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 1:30-3 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave., Portland | Free | Feel the music throughout your entire body as over 200 tuba players carry out this local tradition.
• “The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert” | Saturday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland | $46-$143 | Watch Kermit and the rest of the Muppet crew help Ebenezer Scrooge find redemption on the big screen as the Oregon Symphony performs the memorable score.

• Holiday Tea | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 12:30-3 p.m. | Gray Gables Estate, 3009 SE Chestnut St., Oak Grove | $55 | Linger over this winter-themed afternoon high tea service at an elegant wedding venue location.
• Queer Cabaret: All-Ages Holiday Edition | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 7-9 p.m. | Atlantis Lounge inside Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland | $20 | Drag, dance, music, and comedy merge in this variety show featuring Frisky the Transgender Reindeer.

• Alcohol Inks Ornaments Workshop | Monday, Dec. 18 + Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Vancouver Art Space, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr., Ste. 283, Vancouver | $75 | Your holiday tree will thank you for making it six beautiful, one-of-a-kind glass ornaments using alcohol inks.

• A pilot program is underway to help those struggling with drug addiction on Portland streets get help. When police officers issue a citation for public drug usage, they now give the person the option to get on-the-spot support from an outreach worker with Recovery Works Northwest. (KGW)

• 730,000. That’s how many travelers are expected to pass through Portland International Airport from Sunday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 31. PDX officials said they expect the airport to be busier but “hopefully less challenging” than 2022 when storms snarled many travelers’ plans. Early arrival is encouraged. (Portland Business Journal)

• Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, a nonprofit focused on connecting new business owners with resources to succeed, is writing its own “comeback story” and returning to an office for the first time in four years. The three-person team also plans to hire a fourth employee in early 2024. (Portland Inno)

• Fun times are ahead for recently reopened Wonderwood Springs. The immersive restaurant in the St. Johns neighborhood by “public joy creator” Mike Bennett is working on new menu offerings — like a cheese plate approved by the resident Rat King — and plans to open a nine-hole mini-golf course in January. (KOIN)

• Corollary Wines, a Willamette Valley sparkling wine producer, will open a new tasting room in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA in late spring 2024. Visitors will sip traditional champagne grape varieties in a building that’s mostly open to the elements and supplied by rainwater collected from a specially designed roof.

• North Plains resident Jacquie Roar is one of five finalists on NBC’s “The Voice” after being voted the “instant save” winner by viewers this week. Will the country rock singer be crowned the champion? Find out during the Season 24 finale on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. (KGW)

• The Habitat for Humanity Portland Region ReStores are giving Portlanders more opportunities to shop: ReStores are now open for shopping seven days a week. See the new store hours.*

• This no-annual-fee balance transfer offer now lasts until 2025. Transferring your existing balance to a no-interest card could be the simple solution you’re looking for to finally get ahead of your payments. (Oh, and it offers cash back rewards on everyday purchases.)*

• What if going to the dentist wasn’t awful? Enter: The Gleamery, Portland’s new dental boutique that’s on a mission to make teeth cleanings and whitenings easy. Use code PDXTODAY99 for $99 off your first appointment.^†*

• Planning for personal growth and emotional well-being in 2024? Connect with a licensed therapist on BetterHelp in just 48 hours + get 25% off your first month.*