News bits: Santa pictures for people and pets; vendors wanted for holiday bazaar; drop-off sites for food donations

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‘Santa Paws’ pictures with pets

SCAPPOOSE — Have your pet’s photo taken with “Santa Paws” at All About Pets, 52587 Columbia River Highway.

The annual event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat, Nov. 30, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun, Dec. 1. Photos taken by Jeff Baker Photography.

Details: 503-543-5740, or visit their Facebook page by clicking here.

Vendors sought for school bazaar

ST. HELENS — The McBride Elementary Parent Teacher Organization seeks vendors for their bazaar on Sat, Dec. 7.

The event is a fundraiser for the PTO. Space is $20 a person, plus $5 if a table is needed. Proceeds go toward the purchase of new playground equipment for the school.

Details: mcbridefundraiser@gmail.com.

Free photos with Santa, bake sale fundraiser

ST. HELENS — Richardson’s Furniture at 2015 Columbia Blvd. will offer free pictures with Santa from noon to 4 p.m. Sat, Dec. 14.

The annual event is offered alongside a holiday bake sale that benefits Relay for Life. Richardson’s will provide a photos service, however, visitors also are welcome to bring their own cameras to use.

Details: 503-397-1329, or visit their Facebook page by clicking here.

Kiwanis collecting food for families in need

ST. HELENS — The Saint Helens Kiwanis Club has placed food collection barrels at various locations around town for use in their Holiday Hope baskets.

People can drop off non-perishable food items at Chubb’s Shell, Columbia River Fire and Rescue administration office, Habitat for Humanity Restore, IGA/Red Apple, Les Schwab Tire Center, Oregon Trail Lanes, Port of St. Helens administration office, Richardson’s Furniture, Safeway, Skinny’s Texaco, South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, and Sunshine Pizza.

Details: visit their Facebook page by clicking here.

Village Inn offers visits, pictures with Santa

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ST. HELENS — The Village Inn will feature visits and free pictures with Santa during their breakfast buffet on Saturday, Dec. 22.

The buffet will be served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; children 12 and younger are $4.95, ages 13 and older are $10.95, and adults 55 and older are $9.95.  Santa will make an appearance from 10 a.m. to noon.

The restaurant is at 535 S. Columbia River Hwy. Details: 503-397-1490.

News Bits: Local holiday happenings, Dec. 1-3

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EVENTS

Reindeer Run: 8 a.m. Sat, Dec. 1; Columbia River Foursquare Church, 555 Commons Drive, St. Helens (across from DMV); 5K, 10K, or half-marathon (run or walk); proceeds benefit Columbia County Toy-n-Joy and the Columbia Food Bank; coffee, cocoa and snacks served in the church before and after race; prizes awarded to top three finishers in each category (male and female); cost $35-$60; includes souvenir Race Tech T-shirt and professional chip timed race; half-marathoners receive a custom Reindeer Run medal;  Route maps, registration information and other details at www.crfoursquare.com/reindeerrun.html; or contact Molly Cooke, 503-396-0357, or molly@crfoursquare.com.

Breakfast with Santa: 8 to 11:30 a.m. Sat, Dec. 1; Columbia County Shrine Building, 315 N. 18th St., St. Helens (off Wyeth Street and Highway 30); breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, milk, juice, coffee and tea served; bazaar table for Christmas shopping; $3 for ages 4-10, $5 for ages 11 and older; hosted by The Order of the Eastern Star, Mizpah No. 30 Chapter.

30th annual Merchant’s Toy n’ Joy benefit auction: 5 to 8 p.m., dinner; 5 to 6:45 p.m., silent auction; 7 p.m., oral auction, Sat, Dec. 1; Columbia County Fairgrounds Pavilion, 58892 Saulser Road, St. Helens; the event, sponsored by Columbia River Fire & Rescue, celebrates “30 Years of Giving” with a catered dinner and traditional brownie ala mode dessert; $15, tickets available at the door, or by visiting CRF&R administration offices at 270 Columbia Blvd.; 503-397-2990 or www.crfr.com/merchant-s-toy-n-joy.

Rainier Toy n’ Joy Breakfast: 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sat, Dec. 1; Rainier United Methodist, 101 C St. East, Rainier; 503-556-3440.

Rainier Christmas tree lighting ceremony: 6 p.m. Sat, Dec. 1; Rainier City Hall, 106 West B St., Rainier; 503-556-7301.

Free photos with Santa: 3 to 5 p.m. Wed, Dec. 5; WorkSource Oregon, 500 N. Hwy 30, Suite 320, St. Helens; visits with Santa and snacks; well-behaved pets welcome; canned food donations accepted; visitors are welcome to bring their own cameras for extra photos; 503-397-4995.

Watts House Museum Christmas tours: 4 to 8 p.m. every Fri-Sun in December, except the week of Christmas, when tours will be offered Fri-Sat only; 52432 S.E. First St., Scappoose; the historic house has been decorated for Christmas by volunteers with the Scappoose Historical Society, and other community groups; free admission; group tours available; 503-961-5621 or www.scappoosehistoricalsociety.org (click on “current event”).

BAZAARS

St. Frederick Catholic Church: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat, Dec. 1; 175 S. 14th St., St. Helens; held in Buccini Hall; surprise packages, jams and jellies, arts and crafts, swags, white elephant  and more; light lunch available for purchase; 503-397-0148.

Avamere Assisted Living: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., Dec. 1; 2400 Gable Road, St. Helens; visits with Santa from noon to 2 p.m.; first 50 shoppers receive gift; 503-366-8070.

Jingle Jangle Christmas: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat-Sun, Dec 1-2; private residence, 722 E. 2nd St., Rainier (uphill from Interstate Tavern); benefit for Susan G. Komen for the Cure; free coffee, hot chocolate and cider; credit cards accepted.

Columbia County Mental Health: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon, Dec. 3; 58646 McNulty Way, St. Helens; 503-397-5211.