Friday, October 5: 56TH Annual Greek Festival, Portland

Hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the festival includes church tours, demonstrations of Byzantine iconography, cooking demonstrations, gifts, artifacts, and Greek folk dancing. Cost is $44 or $33 for Albany residents; includes transportation, dinner, and admission. 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 11: Wildlife Safari, Winston

Oregon’s only drive-through park is home to hundreds of exotic animals roaming free. After going through the park, the tour visits Safari Village with its Casbah gift shop, education center, petting zoo, and assorted shows, films, and exhibits. Cost is $47/$35: includes transportation and admission to park. Meals are on your own. 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 13: Sisters Harvest Faire

More than 200 juried vendors show and sell handcrafted quality arts and crafts, with food and entertainment. Explore downtown Sisters’ 30 gift and antique shops, art galleries and restaurants.$29/$22 covers transportation only. 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Friday, October 19: Hood River Valley Harvest Fest

Celebrate the bounty of harvest season with great food, locally grown fresh produce, live music, and fine arts and crafts. The 15,000 acres of orchards in the Hood River Valley produce nearly 50% of the nation’s winter pear crop; this annual event features freshly harvested, locally grown pears in several varieties for tasting, among many other Oregon products. $33/$25 includes transportation and admission. Meals are on your own. 9:45 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 20: Glass Galore Art Show, Chinook Winds, Lincoln City

Explore various styles and designs of many of the Northwest’s finest glass artists. Booths will feature handcrafted glass art including blown, fused, stained, and stamped glass. $27/$20 includes transportation only. Meals are on your own.

9:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 23: Albertina Kerr Luncheon, Portland

The Kerr center was an orphanage and nursery from 1921-67. Renovated in 1978, it now a lovely luncheon restaurant, gift shop, antique shop, and resale shop, all run by volunteers, with proceeds and gratuities donated to Albertina Kerr Centers. $49/$37 includes luncheon and transportation.

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 27: America’s Largest Antique & Collectible Show, Portland

This show offers diverse and happy hunting for every collector. Among the offerings: postcards, art glass, one-of-a-kind advertising items, turn-of-the-century animals on wheels, antique toys, paper Americana, marbles, sterling, art pottery, porcelain, china, estate jewelry, vintage clothing, linens, Western Americana, oak furniture, sport memorabilia, cookie jars, tokens, and music boxes. $36/$27 covers transportation and admission to the show. Lunch is on your own. 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 3: Verboort Sausage & Sauerkraut, Forest Grove

Come for a beautiful fall drive to the upper Willamette Valley and an all-you-can-eat sausage and sauerkraut dinner! Stroll the Verboort grounds for a look at handicrafts ranging from homemade candy to hand-sewn quilts. $45/$34 includes transportation and dinner. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 7: Portland Spirit Sightseeing Tour

Dine with superb service on the luxurious, enclosed decks of the Portland Spirit, the Northwest’s premier dinner ship. The menu includes fresh Northwest cuisine prepared in the onboard galley. Beautiful views of Portland’s downtown complete the package. Bring photo ID. $73/$55 includes transportation, cruise, and lunch. 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Friday, November 9: Holiday Food & Gift Festival, Eugene

Twinkling lights, trees, and music highlight the 11th annual Holiday Food & Gift Festival. More than 140 booths of handcrafted arts and gourmet foods offer fall and holiday items in a relaxed atmosphere with the sounds and smells of the holidays. $30/$22 includes transportation and admission. Meals are on your own. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 15: IKEA, Portland

The world’s leading home furnishings retailer IKEA of Sweden recently opened a 280,000 square foot store on 19 acres in Portland. The store offers 10,000 exclusively-designed items, 50 room settings, 3 complete model homes, and a 250-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties and American dishes. $27/$20 covers transportation. Meals are on your own. 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 1: 45th Annual Singing Christmas Tree, Portland

The “Singing Christmas Tree” is one of the most popular holiday attractions in the Portland area. This dazzling production features a 300-voice choir and a 60-piece live orchestra. The performance includes a nativity story and traditional carols. $91/$68 includes transportation and admission. Lunch is on your own after the show. 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 6: The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights, Portland

This holiday tradition began as a gift to the community in 1988 and welcomes all who seek the spirit and meaning of Christmas. A presentation of spectacular lights, hourly music concerts, outdoor caroling, and other family entertainment, the festival surrounds visitors with the traditional sights and sounds of the holiday season in a pristine sanctuary garden setting with magnificent architecture, towering firs, and an angel-covered cliffside as a backdrop. $38/$28 includes transportation and admission. The tour will stop for dinner on the way; meals are on your own. 2:00-10:00 p.m.

Friday, December 7: Holiday Bazaar at Leach Botanical Garden, Portland

If you are looking to decorate your home with holiday flair, come to this holiday event that features fresh greens, wreaths and swags, centerpieces, dried flowers, and handcrafted items. $27/$20 covers transportation only. Meals are on your own.

8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 11: Last-minute Shopping at Valley River Center, Eugene

Valley River Center is the largest shopping center between Portland and San Francisco with more than 140 stores. It is guaranteed to be a great day for shopping! $24/$18 covers transportation only. Meals are on your own. 9:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m.

Wednesday, December 12: Zoo Lights, The Oregon Zoo, Portland

See the zoo as you’ve never seen it, transformed with nearly a million lights. Almost 200 sparkling animals come to life in all sizes and shapes, decorating buildings, trees, shrubs and two trains. Animated animal silhouettes will swing through trees, jump across lawns, hide in the bushes, and appear in places where they’re least expected. $36/$27 includes transportation and admission to zoo. Meals are on your own.

2:00-9:00 p.m.

Monday, December 18: Miracle of a Million Lights and The Charthouse, Portland

Enjoy a spectacular view of the Portland skyline while dining at one of Portland’s premier restaurants. The early menu prices range from $14.99-$16.99. After dinner, visit the Queen Anne Victorian Mansion with a million more lights and an indoor winter wonderland. $32/$24 includes transportation and admission to the Miracle of a Million Lights. Meals are on your own. 2:45-9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 19: Magic at The Mill

The 2007 season of “Magic at the Mill” will light the Mission Mill Museum’s five-acre site with nearly half a million twinkling lights and feature local musicians, vocalists, children’s entertainers, magicians, and costumed players performing living history skits. The Museum Store, Mill Creek Station, and Words Lovely Words Gift Shoppe will be open for shopping.

$29/$22 covers transportation and admission. Meals are on your own. 4:30-8:45 p.m.

INFORMATION:

Trips and Tours are presented by the Albany Senior Center and are open to any person over age 18. Register by mail by calling 917-7760 for a registration form or in person at the Senior Center, 489 Water Avenue NW.

Payment is due at time of registration. All trips are paid for by participant fees, so refunds are not available for cancellations unless a replacement traveler is found.

Unless otherwise indicated, all tours depart from the Albany Senior Center and the Kmart parking lot, 3100 Pacific Boulevard SE. At Kmart, participants meet under the large street sign near Pacific Boulevard. At each location, trip participants are required to park in the outer perimeters of the parking lots. Plan to arrive at the parking lot at least 15 minutes before the listed departure time. Departures will not be delayed for those not present.

Return times may vary due to traffic or weather. Drivers do everything possible to return at the scheduled time.

For additional information, call the Senior Center at 917-7760.