COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

There are several COVID-19 vaccines in development right now, and two have now applied for emergency approval through the FDA. There are no vaccines approved yet for use in the US at this time. The first doses are expected in December 2020, and the supply will increase over the following months. The vaccine will be free and it will first be available for frontline workers and those who are at high risk of contracting the virus (such as individuals who reside in assisted living facilities). Individuals with disabilities will also be among the first to eligible for the vaccine- we will share more information as it becomes available.

Even when the vaccine becomes available, the CDC still recommends everyone continue social distancing, hand washing/using hand sanitizer often and wearing a face covering to keep everyone safe. It could take some time before there is enough vaccines for everyone.

For more information and updates on the progress for COVID-19 vaccines, visit the CDC’s website here.

Also keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for updates on COVID-19 and the vaccine.

Holiday Safety

Just like Thanksgiving, the winter holidays will look a bit different than usual. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a wonderful time!

The CDC recommends only spending the holidays with those you live with. Travel can increase the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others! Get your flu shot, social distance, wear a face covering and make sure to wash your hands and use hand sanitizer often.

Safer activities you can do with friends are family during the holidays are:

Doing a virtual Secret Santa with friends and family, then mail your gifts or drop them off on a doorstep. Host a follow up zoom party so everyone can open their gifts together!
Hosting a Zoom party or dinner: singing holiday songs, opening gifts, and sharing memories
Hosting a virtual cookie party: everyone can make their favorite cookies and share recipes
Playing a virtual game with friends or family, such as Bingo, Trivia or Scattergories
Having a game, puzzle or Holiday-themed movie night with the people who live with you
Go caroling in your neighborhood (make sure to social distance and wear a face covering)
Drive around local neighborhoods and admire the holiday lights
Decorate your home and make it a little more special than usual, or go all out for your holiday meals!

For more information on the CDC’s guidelines for the holidays, see here.

December Holidays and Culture

During the month of December there are many holidays which are celebrated by many different cultures. Learning more about of these different holidays and cultures is a great way to participate in your community!

Christmas (Christian)

Christmas originated as a Christian holiday, which celebrated the birth of Jesus and falls on December 25th. However, there are many non-religious Christmas traditions which vary around the world. In the US, we celebrate with a Christmas tree, giving presents, leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus and dreaming of snow.

In Australia, Christmas falls during the summer, so it is popular to go to the beach or go camping! Some Australians decorate a “Christmas Bush”, which is a native Australian tree with small green leaves and flowers which turn red in the summer.

In the UK, children leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas. In Iceland, there are 13 Santas, known as Yule Lads (one arrives each night in the thirteen days before Christmas, leaving small gifts in shoes left on window sills). All across Eastern Europe, there are outdoor Christmas markets complete with hot wine and sweet treats.

Read more about how Christmas is celebrated around the world here.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day takes place on December 26 – this holiday originated during the Middle Ages in the UK. It was the day where church collection boxes were opened and their contents distributed to the poor. It was also the day where servants were given the day off to celebrate Christmas with their families.

Boxing Day has now become a public holiday in Canada, Australia and New Zealand (along with a few others, including the Bahamas, where it is celebrated with a festival called Junkanoo). Learn more about the origins of Boxing Day here.

Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is celebrated all over the world in many cultures, even before Christmas came to be.

Feast of Juul (Scandinavian) celebrates the solstice by burning a yule log on the fire in honor of the god, Thor.
St. Lucia’s Day (Scandinavian) is also called the festival of lights – fires are lit to ward off spirits at night. Girls also dress up in white gowns with red sashes and wear wreaths of candles on their heads to honor the saint.
Shab-e-Yalda (Persia/Iran) marks the last day of the Persian month of Azar during ancient times. It celebrates the victory of light over dark and the birth of the sun god Mithra.
Saturnalia (ancient Roman) celebrated the end of the planting season. It was marked by games, feasts and gift-giving for several days.
Dong Zhi (Chinese) celebrates the end of harvest and the arrival of winter. Families gather together to enjoy a feast.
Gody (Poland) the tradition of showing forgiveness and sharing food.
Chaomos (Kalasha, Pakistan) celebrated for at least seven days, involving ritual baths for purification, singing and chanting, a torchlight procession, dancing, bonfires and feasts.
St. Thomas Day/Sun God festival (Guatemala) is the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle, celebrated on December 21st. Mayan Indians also hold a festival honoring the sun god on this day. It is celebrated with fanfare including colorful parades and the daring flying pole dance in Peru.

Bodhi Day (Buddhist)

Bodhi Day celebrates Buddha’s awakening. It has become a celebration of enlightenment and a day for remembrance, meditation and chanting. The exact date of celebration varies. At the start of Bodhi day, people decorate a ficus tree with multi-colored lights. Learn more about Bodhi Day here.

Hanukkah (Jewish)

Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish celebration that honors the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt. Those who took part in the re-dedication witnessed what they believed to be a miracle - there was only enough untainted oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, but they continued to burn for eight nights.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, the date of Hanukkah varies from year to year, but lasts for eight nights. Celebrations center upon lighting the menorah. On each night, another candle is added to the menorah and is lit after the sun sets. The ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper”), is used to light the others. Usually blessings are recited and traditional Hanukkah foods such as potato pancakes (latkes) and jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot) are fried in oil. Other Hanukkah customs include playing with dreidels and exchanging gifts. Learn more about Hanukkah here.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. He combined aspects of several different “first fruit”, or harvest celebrations. The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili.

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday – it is a 7-day (December 26-January 1) celebration of African heritage and culture. It features the lighting of the kinara each day, similar to the lighting of the menorah during Hanukkah.

Each day is represented by one of the 7 principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). To greet another person who celebrates Kwanzaa, you say “Habari gani” (Swahili). They would reply with the principle for that day.

Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but usually songs and dances are involved, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara and one of the seven principles is discussed. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31. Learn more about Kwanzaa here.

Japanese New Year (Ōmisoka)

Ōmisoka, New Year’s Eve, is considered the second-most important day in Japanese tradition as it is the final day of the old year and the eve of New Year’s Day, the most important day of the year. Families gather on Ōmisoka for one last time in the old year to have a bowl of long soba or udon noodles to signify crossing over to the new year.

At midnight, many visit shrines or temples for Hatsumōde. Shinto shrines prepare amazake (sweet rice wine) to pass out to crowds and most Buddhist temples have large cast bells that are struck once for each of the 108 earthly desires believed to cause human suffering. Learn more about Ōmisoka here.

Holiday Recipe

This month we have chosen a recipe that is popular in many different cultures – the potato pancake! It is eaten all over Eastern Europe and Russia, and is associated with Jewish cuisine as well. It is delicious with many different toppings and is made many different ways!

Latkes (Potato Pancakes)

Recipe from Basics with Babish

Ingredients

4 large russet (baking) potatoes
1 small onion
3-4 eggs
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil

Optional Toppings (pick any of the below, or eat them plain!)

Applesauce
Sour cream
Smoked salmon, dill, and cream cheese
Pastrami, whole grain mustard, and pickles
Cream cheese and red pepper jelly
Yogurt, pomegranate seeds, sliced habanero peppers, and honey

Materials

Potato peeler
Cheese grater
Kitchen towel
1 Large bowl and 1 small bowl
Fork or whisk
12” skillet
Wire rack

Instructions

Wash and peel 4 large russet potatoes and then grate them into a large bowl. Peel and grate the onion into the bowl with the potatoes.
Put the grated potatoes and onion onto a fresh/clean kitchen towel. Twist the towel to wring as much water out of the potatoes as you can into a small bowl. You should end up with about a ½ cup of water from 4 potatoes. Don’t throw this away!
Put your grated potato and onion back into the large bowl.
After about 5 minutes, all the white starch will settle at the bottom of the small bowl. Empty the top part of the water into the sink, leaving the starch.
Add 3 eggs into the small bowl with the starch and beat together using a fork or a whisk.
Pour the egg and starch mixture into your large bowl with the potatoes and onion, along with a cup of panko breadcrumbs. Mix together by hand until the mixture holds its shape when pressed together. Add another beaten egg if the mixture does not hold its shape at first.
Form the potato mixture into flat rounds and set aside on a plate.
Into a 12” skillet, add about ½ inch of vegetable oil and turn to medium-high heat. Add the latkes and fry each side for 4-5 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and crispy.
Once fully cooked, place the latkes on a wire rack to drain and season with kosher salt immediately after coming out of the oil.

Top the latkes however you’d like and enjoy!

Upcoming Events

REACH Flu Clinic and COVID-19 Testing Site

The REACH Flu Clinic and COVID-19 Testing site (in partnership with Portland Community College and Multnomah County Communicable Disease Services) will now be operating every Wednesday through March 31st. No insurance is required.

Call 503-988-8939 to schedule your appointment!

You can read more information about the Coronavirus and the Multnomah County response here.

When: 11:00AM – 6:00PM, Wednesdays through March 31, 2021

Where: PCC Cascade Campus Parking Lot 1, entrance on Albina St. (MAP)

Portland Parks and Rec Adaptive & Inclusive Holly Jolly Events

Virtual Dance (Holiday Dress)

Come join a virtual dance! Games, prizes and a holiday sing along!

Date: Friday, December 4th

Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM PST

Zoom Information:

Meeting ID: 517 487 0950 / Password: 425309

Potluck Fun

Come join for art, a virtual potluck and musical fun! No special supplies necessary!

Date: Tuesday, December 8th

Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM PST

Zoom Information:

Meeting ID: 868 1249 6273 / Password: 696098

GAMES

Come join for fun games! Bingo, Outburst, 20 questions, Scavenger Hunt and others!

Date: Thursday, December 10th

Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM PST

Zoom Information:

Meeting ID: 818 4323 1526 / Password: 386170

PHAME Virtual Winter Concert

This year's event will feature virtual choir videos from PHAME's Choir and Rock Ensemble, as well as performance videos created by PHAME students. Their winter-themed event will put you in the mood for hot cocoa, warm sweaters, and the joy of a cozy evening at home. Come celebrate the winter season with PHAME! After you register, you will be sent a Zoom link to participate.

Date: Wednesday, December 9th

Time: 7:00 – 8:00PM PST

Register here

UCP Connections Self-Advocates Music Social Hour

Join the UCP Connections Self-Advocates for their weekly social hour! Each person can share 1-2 songs with the group and some fun facts about it. Make sure your songs are appropriate! There will be a breakout room available if you don’t want to hear a particular song, or if you just want to chat!

Date: Tuesday, December 8th

Time: 4:00 – 5:00 PM PST

Zoom Information:

Meeting ID: 735 560 8520 / No Password

Office Closures

Our offices will be closed on Thursday, December 24th, Friday, December 25th and Friday, January 1st in observance of the Christmas and New Year Holidays.