Annual Christmas Eve Potluck at Carmen’s Café Monday, December 24, from 5-10

As the Potlatch tradition of the Northwest Native Americans was explained to Carmen:
When you have a good year, you naturally want to share it with your neighbors. You might invite them over for a celebration, and give them gifts like blankets to show your friendship.

Maybe the next year is great for them, so now they invite you over. They feed you, then give YOU blankets— the ones you gave them, plus some other new ones. By the tradition, their blankets are just as powerful a gift as yours, but the ones they give back to you are extra special— they have been given before, so have twice as much love woven into them. This can grow to hundreds of blankets, given back and forth year by year, a symbolic expression of a cherished relationship.

Carmen’s Café is Cuban-American, not from the Northwest, but they love the idea of Potlatch, that the spirit and intention of goodwill is more important than monetary value. They invite one and all to their annual Holiday Potluck on December 24 from 5-10. Carmen will lay out a basic spread— rice and beans, with picadillo, salad, plantains and yucca, with flan for dessert and sangria and spiced cider to refresh. Bring your own addition to share with all— drinks and desserts, main dishes and sides. Enjoy the spirit of giving and say a holiday hello to your neighbors.