The fabulous Heather Heck is my niester. (That’s a cross between a niece and a sister. I was sixteen when she entered the world.) And yesterday, she turned thirty-five. (You do the math.) To mark this milestone, she came up with a creative way to celebrate. About a month ago, she started the process by sending her Oregon friends this message:

Subject: Save the Date(s) — Pick-a-Party

I was having a hard time deciding what I wanted to do to celebrate my birthday this year. So I’m not going to limit myself. I’m going to let you pick-a-party. Here is the plan: Four days. Four different events. You choose what you want to participate in.

Please read through the below list and let me know if one or more of them sound like they are up your alley. (In the case of options 1 and 3, I need an approximate head count for planning purposes.)

1. Thursday, May 13 – Two Tarts Baking Class
Located on NW 23rd, this bakery makes up some of the best little cookies you’ve ever had. Class size is limited, and there will be a tuition charge of $20-25.

2. Friday, May 14 – Happy Hour
Location is to be determined, but is likely to be Wild Abandon on SE Belmont ‘cause I can’t get enough of their Goat Cheese Torta.

3. Saturday, May 15 – Day of Service
I’m working with a couple charities to find the right way for a group of us to visit while giving back to our community.

4. Sunday, May 16 – BBQ/Potluck
Hosted at the Heck House. A chance to see what has changed since our first BBQ on the same date last year.

Thanks for helping me plan a series of great days. I look forward to sharing them with you.

Then two weeks ago, she sent them this message:

Thanks for all of the responses and feedback! The Pick-a-Party events are shaping up very nicely. The details are all falling into place, and I wanted to take a second to pass them along to you. If you haven’t already done so, please let me know what you would like to participate in.

Two Tarts Baking Class on Thursday, May 13th starting at 6pm (anticipated to run about 1.5 hours) Located at 2309 NW Kearney. This is a little, tiny sliver of a shop in the same complex as Child’s Play toy store. The class will focus on butter cream sandwich cookies. Tuition is $25. Only 2 slots remain.

Wild Abandon happy hour on Friday, May 14th starting at 4:30pm (happy hour prices honored ‘til 6:30). Located at 2411 SE Belmont. Weather permitting, we will be enjoying the lovely patio.

Day of Service at the Sunshine Division on Saturday, May 15th starting at 10:00am (anticipated to run two – three hours) Located at 687 N Thompson St. Parking is behind the warehouse. If the weather is cool, please dress in a fashion that will keep you warm. We will be sorting and organizing donated children’s clothing and readying them for families. 6 slots remain.

BBQ/Potluck on Sunday, May 16th starting at 1pm (she included her home address) Kiddos are welcome! We will provide burgers (meat & veg) and all the fixings. Should you wish to contribute to the potluck you are free to bring what thrills you. Please let us know what you are bringing so that we may plan accordingly.

If you wish to bring a gift, please do so in the form of an Oregon Food Bank donation, such as a can of tuna or a jar of peanut butter. We will give collected items to the food bank for distribution to those who are otherwise going without.

I love the creativity of incorporating community service into a time of celebration. It suggests the celebrant hasn't just grown older; she's grown more mature.