THURSDAY, DEC. 1

Book event — The Oregon Historical Society will host the Holiday Cheer book event Sunday, Dec. 4, in which 70 authors appear and everybody gets into the literary spirit along with cocoa, caroling (by The Dickens Carolers), shopping and more. It begins at noon, and authors sign books until 4 p.m., and the gallery stays open till 5 p.m.

The Oregon Historical Society has hosted the event for more than 50 years — except the past two because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notable authors to appear are former Gov. Barbara Roberts, Phillip Margolin (mystery), Carl Abbott (history), Susan Sokol Blosser (wine), Kristina McMorris (novelist) and Susan Blackaby, Dawn Babb Prochovnic and Stephen Roth (all children's).

For more: www.ohs.org/holidaycheer.

Guitar shopping — Veterans Memorial Coliseum is hosting the Rose Quarter Guitar Show, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.

It's where you can shop for, sell, trade and play vintage, used and new guitars from iconic brands.

For more: www.rosequarter.com.

New comic — Portland's TidalWave Comics has produced a comic book featuring former President George H.W. Bush.

"Political Power: George H. W. Bush" is written by Curtis Lawson and Michael Frizell while drawn by Martin Gimenez. A collectible hard cover and a paperback version will be available with a cover by comic book artist Pablo Martinena.

This is the story of George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. Overshadowed by the titanic personalities of his predecessor (Ronald Reagan), his successor (Bill Clinton) and his own son (George W. Bush), TidalWave Comics takes an insightful look at the incredibly rich and impactful life of this public servant, war hero, and entrepreneur.

For more: www.tidalwavecomics.com.

Unique Markets — A reminder: There'll be a big shopping event Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 3-4 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Unique Markets Holiday Market takes over the coliseum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.

From promoters:

Unique Markets is more than shopping, it's an experience. Their modern, community-focused events make shopping creative, fun and inspirational, helping small businesses dream big while educating the public on the impact of shopping small. Guests can browse for the perfect gifts, meet the designers and owners behind the wonderful products, and interact with the small business community.

This week's event features a highly curated and diverse lineup of 160 local small businesses — everything from jewelry, housewares, art, fashion, leather goods and so much more.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30

New leader — Bag&Baggage Theater in Hillsboro has a new artistic director. It's Nik Whitcomb, a lifelong theater artist who has worked with theater companies and on Broadway with producers, general managers and industry leaders as program director of the Black Theatre Coalition.

From Bag&Baggage:

"Bag&Baggage has been on my radar for about eight years now" said Whitcomb. "I have been a longtime fan of the work from afar. When the opportunity to join the team arose, what excited me was the type of work we would have the ability to create. B&B is rooted in a long legacy of classic storytelling and I am excited to put my spin on this tradition.

"I also think that B&B is at an exciting place for expansion. The staff is dynamic and eager to grow. The board is fresh and open to new ideas. There is fertile ground here and my goal is to cultivate it properly so that we can all grow together in a meaningful way."

During Nik's hiring process, the Bag&Baggage board and leadership committee found support in the recommendations of past B&B leaders. When it comes to Nik, Bag&Baggage's old-guard could not be more effusive in their approval.

"I have had the chance to get to know Nik over the past few weeks, and he really is the perfect fit for B&B" says Bag&Baggage founder Scott Palmer. "Nik was raised in a suburban area and truly understands and respects the people who call rural and suburban areas home. He and I share a belief that folks who live in the 'burbs and in rural areas deserve access to life changing theatre just as much as people who live in the big city. Yes, he is an extremely talented director who understands and values B&B's unique approach."

MONDAY, NOV. 28

New hub — It appears plans for the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center are starting to take shape.

Portland Parks and Recreation and IFCC's Community Advisory Committee are reactivating the center in the next 2 1/2 years with artist residencies and public programs. The move supports the larger vision of IFCC, located at 5340 N. Interstate Ave, as a place where the history of Portland's Black community can be presented, displayed, discussed and honored.

Artists have been selected for the inaugural grant and residency program. The Portland City Council approved $500,000 of American Recovery Plan Act funds for the program. It's a portion of the $2 million council-approved money for the Relief and Recovery for Artists of Color managed by the City Arts Program.

Artists selected for the first residency program: Domo Branch, James Bullock, Breana DePriest, Kwik Jones, Machado Mijiga, Lauren Modica, Brian Parham, Future Prairie/Onry, Aaron Spriggs, Studio Abioto. Each will put on an event — performance, exhibit, artist talk — at IFCC through their residency.

In addition, Concordia LLC was selected to lead the feasibility study to expand IFCC into a Center for Black Arts and Culture.