Reader Cindy from Spokane asks the following:
“We are going to McMinnville, Lincoln City, and possibly Salem in mid-February. Where I can find coupons or discounts for restaurants, wineries, and attractions other than the Entertainment book?”
Do you have any advice for Cindy? If so, please leave a comment.
Add comment January 26th, 2012
A little bit of everything this weekend: art, music, film, TV, books, lectures, kids events, video game trivia.
Note: Admission is free for the following events, but you might be charged for activities or food and drink.
Events are sorted by start time. If I missed anything, please leave a comment.
All weekend
Crystal Hotel & Ballroom Centennial Celebration: Free music every day.
Friday, January 27
Movie Viewing: “The Jackie Robinson Story”: Jackie Robinson, the first black major league baseball player in the 20th century, stars as himself in this biographical film. Troutdale Library (2451 SW Cherry Park Rd, Troutdale), 3:30 pm.
Portland Art Museum Free Day: It’s the fourth Friday of the month, which means admission is free from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Funky Fingerstyle Guitarist Brooks Robertson will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside, Portland) at 6:00 pm.
Closing Reception for The 2012 Bicycle Experience: Prototypes, Visions & Dreams: Artist Johhnie Olivan, co-founder of Rejuiced Bikes, presents his 3D installations and pedal-powered pieces. Performance by the Sprockettes. 2156 N. Williams, Portland, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
“Portlandia”: See the latest episode at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan, Portland). 5:30 pm doors; 7:00 pm show. Minors admitted with parent or guardian. Encore showing at 10:00 pm for ages 21+.
Author Ben Marcus presents his latest book, “The Flame Alphabet,” at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
Saturday, January 28
Burnt Bridge Creek Bird Walk (Registration Required): Follow the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail through field and forest on a free expert-guided bird walk with naturalist Elaine Murphy. Registration required. 8:00 am.
Guided Nature Walk at Tryon Creek Park: Today’s theme is “Magnificent Moss and Lovely Lichen.” 10:00 am.
Puppet Show: Walk, sing, and dance along with Mr. Moose in a playful puppet show performed by Penny’s Puppet Productions. St. Johns Library (7510 N. Charleston Ave, Portland), 11:00 am.
Lunar New Year: Experience Lunar New Year traditions of China and Vietnam. Music, games, food, and crafts. Gregory Heights Library (7921 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland), 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Crystal Hotel & Ballroom History Presentations and Tour: Presentation by Joe Bianco, Oregonian crime reporter, at 1:00 pm. Tour starts at 2:30 pm. Presentation by Patrick Rosenkranz, photojournalist and former employee, at 4:00 pm. 1332 W. Burnside, Portland.
From Print to Pixels: Reading in the Digital Age: Oregon author Mark Cunningham will lead a conversation about how technology might impact our reading habits. Tigard Public Library (13500 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard), 2:00 pm.
Sunday, January 29
Portland Opera to Go: “Hansel & Gretel”: This colorful, accessible production is just right to introduce the kids in your life (or yourself?) to the world of opera. Edgefield, Blackberry Hall (2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale), 12:00 pm.
National Unpublished Writers’ Day Workshop: The event features a series of “creative stations” and workshops, which offer information, theory, and practice for visitors. Clark County Historical Society and Museum (1511 Main St, Vancouver), noon to 5:00 pm.
Library2Go: Did you know that Multnomah County Library offers free downloadable audiobooks for e-book readers? Find out more or get help during this session. Kenton Library (8226 N. Denver Ave, Portland), 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm.
Portland Opera Preview of “Madame Butterfly”: Musical selections, historical background, and composer information. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave, Portland), 2:00 pm.
Local author and Holocaust survivor Alter Wiener shares his life story. Beaverton City Library (12375 SW 5th Street, Beaverton), 2:00 pm.
William Stafford Birthday Celebration: Readings and presentations commemorating Oregon’s late poet laureate. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave, Portland), 2:00 pm.
Puzzle Celebration: Kids and their families will learn how to make a one-of-a-kind puzzle. Holgate Library (7905 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland), 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm.
The Black Swans will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside, Portland) at 4:00 pm.
The Video Game Quiz Show: Ground Kontrol’s version of trivia night, complete with lightning rounds, buzzers, and fabulous prizes. 511 NW Couch St, Portland, 7:00 pm.
Sunday Concerts at Rontoms: On Sundays, Rontoms hosts free concerts by local bands. 600 E. Burnside, Portland.
More free events
For more free and low-cost events, check Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, Dave Knows Portland, and the Oregonian.
For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.
For free concerts, see Concert Co-op, Mississippi Pizza, and McMenamins.
And please check out your local library!
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Add comment January 26th, 2012
The 2012 Portland International Auto Show starts on Thursday, January 26, and runs through Sunday, January 29. Since admission is not free (click here for prices), check the following resources for discounts:
Where else have you found coupons? Inside printed copies of Pamplin newspapers?
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Add comment January 23rd, 2012
King City resident Jen Fair uses extreme couponing to help support her organization, Mission Mahalo, a nonprofit that provides personalized care packages to troops overseas.
On Saturday, January 28, Jen will share her extreme couponing techniques in a two-hour class. If you’re interested in learning how to save hundreds of dollars per month, this is for you.
Class information
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012
Time: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Location: 7929 SW Cirrus Drive, Bldg #23, Beaverton, OR 97008
Cost: $15 at the door (cash or credit). Receive a $5 OFF coupon for the class when you register in advance. (You must present the coupon at time of payment.)
FREE childcare will be available.
Proceeds from the class will be split 50/50 between Mission Mahalo and Good Samaritan Ministries to provide care packages for troops and community services.
For more information and to register for the class, click here.
To hear more of Jen’s story, watch this video:
(If you can’t see the video below, you can watch it on YouTube.)
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2 comments January 23rd, 2012
Note: Admission is free for the following events, but you might be charged for activities or food and drink.
Events are sorted by start time. If I missed anything, please leave a comment.
Friday, January 20
Flight 19 will perform at Burgerville (1122 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland), 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 10% of all food & beverage sales benefit Oregon Music Hall of Fame Education Programs.
Art Reception: The Architectural Heritage Center invites you to “A Glaze of Glory—the Artistry of Art Tile,” a new exhibit showcasing the center’s collection of historic art tile. 701 SE Grand Ave, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
“Portlandia”: See the latest episode at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan, Portland), 5:30 pm doors; 7:00 pm show. Minors admitted with parent or guardian.
“Pity the Billionaire”: Author Thomas Frank talks about his latest book, which examines how dire economic circumstances have delivered unexpected political results. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
Saturday, January 21
Fix-It Fair: Free lunch, free on-site childcare, free bike tuneups, and workshops on home improvement, money management, healthy living, and more. Rosa Parks Elementary School (8960 N. Woolsey Ave, Portland), 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.
Guided Nature Walk at Tryon Creek Park: Today’s theme is “The Art of Owling.” 10:00 am.
Kids Chinese New Year Celebration: Crafts, games, face painting, and more. Child’s Play Toys (NW 23rd and Kearney), 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Kids Events at Multnomah County Libraries:
Oregon Maritime Museum Family Saturday: Free to families with children under 18. Discover Portland’s maritime history with a craft project to take home. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Author Richard Meltzer: Hear him talk about his career as a rock writer. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave, Portland), 1:00 pm.
Kids Events at Washington County Libraries:
William Stafford Birthday Events: Readings at the following locations:
No-Sew Recycled T-Shirts: Turn an old T-shirt into a useful shopping bag, necklaces, bracelets, headbands, wrist cuffs or hats. For teens and adults. Capitol Hill Library (10723 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland), 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Art Opening: Pioneer Place Mall has a gallery on the third floor called Place, where resident artists workshop new ideas. Take a look at the exhibits opening tonight. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Sunday, January 22
Bird Walk With Backyard Birdshop (Registration Required): Take a free expert-guided bird walk to seek ducks, mergansers, herons and kingfishers at Crystal Springs. 8:00 am. Registration required.
Historic Preservation 101: Learn about the basic principles of historic preservation to honor, preserve and revitalize communities. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave, Portland), 1:00 pm.
“$1.09 an Hour and Glad to Have it: Conversations with Crown Zellerbach Millworkers”: West Linn author Sandra Hickson Carter talks about the men and women who worked for Crown Zellerbach International at Willamette Falls between 1928 and 1986. Tigard Public Library, 1:00 pm.
Why Aren’t There More Black People in Oregon? Portland State University adjunct professor Walidah Imarisha will lead participants through an interactive timeline of Black history in Oregon. Hollywood Library (4040 NE Tillamook St, Portland), 2:00 pm.
William Stafford Birthday Events: Readings at the following locations:
Sunday Concerts at Rontoms: On Sundays, Rontoms hosts free concerts by local bands.
More free events
For more free and low-cost events, check Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Dave Knows Portland.
For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.
For free concerts, see Concert Co-op, Mississippi Pizza, and McMenamins.
And please check out your local library!
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Twitter: @aroundthesun
Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthesunblog
Email: click here to receive blog updates via email
RSS: click here to receive blog updates via RSS
Add comment January 18th, 2012
Mid-January already?
Note: Admission is free for the following events, but you might be charged for activities or food and drink.
Events are sorted by start time. If I missed anything, please leave a comment.
All Weekend
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service: Make a difference in your community by volunteering. Search for volunteer opportunities under “Find a Project”: click here. Or plant trees with Friends of Trees on Saturday. Or contact your favorite local charity to see if they have a project planned.
Mississippi Pizza hosts live music each day.
Friday, January 13
Kids Can Make Bread: Learn to bake bread and take home your own mini round of bread to bake. Suitable for all ages, with children under 10 accompanied by an adult. Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave, Portland), 4:00 pm.
“Portlandia“: See the latest episode at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan, Portland), 5:30 pm doors, 7:00 pm show. Minors admitted with a parent or guardian.
Architecture Art Show and Artist Reception: Concordia University presents a new art show called “Avoir un Don Architecture.” Meet the artists and see their work at F.W.J. Sylwester Library (2800 NE Liberty, Portland), 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Big Ass Boombox, A Loud Pop Festival: 20 local up-and-coming pop bands spread across four venues: Backspace, Someday Lounge, SoHiTek Records, and Floating World Comics. Someday Lounge is for those 21+; the other venues welcome all ages.
Oregon’s First (and Only) Female Governor, Barbara Roberts, will talk about her memoir “Up the Capitol Steps” at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
Saturday, January 14
Bird Walk With Backyard Birdshop (registration required): Join wildlife expert Elaine Murphy for a morning jaunt along one of Vancouver’s Greenway trails to look for wintering waterfowl and songbirds. 8:00 am. Registration required.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site: Free admission on January 14, 15, and 16. (All national parks are free.)
Guided Nature Walk at Tryon Creek State Natural Area: Today’s theme is Conifers of the Creek. 10:00 am.
Family Day at the Washington County Museum: Admission is free today from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. 17677 NW Springville Road on the Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus.
Kids Events at Multnomah County Libraries:
J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday Bash: Enjoy live music, the entire “Lord of the Rings” trilogy in the Theater, kids fun, and more. Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland), 11:00 am ’til late. Free admission; please bring a canned good for OR Food Bank.
Portland Old-Time Music Gathering: Take a clogging lesson, try out the archaic Sacred Harp singing style, enjoy wonderful concerts, have fun with your kids in the family dance. Scottish Rite Center (1512 SW Morrison, Portland), noon to 5:00 pm.
Year-Round Gardening: Learn tricks and techniques to extend your harvest. Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Ave, Portland), 2:00 pm.
Geocaching 101: Tualatin Public Library (18878 SW Martinazzi, Tualatin), 2:00 pm.
William Stafford Birthday Event: Tim Applegate, Margaret Chula, Liz Nakazawa, Lars Nordstrom and others will read Stafford’s work at Hillsboro Main Library (2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro), 2:00 pm.
Chinese New Year Crafts for Kids: For children in grades K-5. Hillsboro Main Library (2850 Brookwood Pkwy, Hillsboro), 2:30 pm.
Throwback Suburbia will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside St, Portland) at 3:00 pm.
Sunday, January 15
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site: Free admission on January 14, 15, and 16. (All national parks are free.)
Palm Tree Bike Ride: Join Urban Adventure League on a guided bike tour of the multitude of palm trees and other tropical vegetation growing in Portland. Meet at Coffee Division (3551 SE Division St, Portland), 11:00 am.
Portland Art Museum Free Family Day: Make woodblock prints, create mini-ikebana flower arrangements and transform into fantastical Kabuki characters. 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Raise Chickens in Your Backyard: Learn the basics of raising happy, healthy chickens. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave, Portland), 1:00 pm.
The Crescendo Show will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside St, Portland) at 5:00 pm.
William Stafford Birthday Event: Readings by Geranna Fleming, James Fleming, Jon Seaman, and others at 6:30 pm, Moonstruck Chocolate Café (45 S. State Street, Lake Oswego).
“The Orphan Master’s Son, A Novel of North Korea”: Author Adam Johnson will talk about his latest book at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
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Add comment January 12th, 2012
The winner of two tickets to The North Plan is Andrew Biddle! Congrats, Andrew. Please check your email for information from Portland Center Stage.
Thank you to everyone who entered. Stay tuned for more great giveaways.
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Add comment January 10th, 2012
The weather report looks good for Tuesday, January 10, 2012, so I thought I’d take a moment to remind you that it’s $4 admission day at the Oregon Zoo. If you can’t make it, please note that the zoo offers this discount on the second Tuesday of every month.
Visitors who ride the MAX or bus to the zoo receive an additional $1.50 off general admission and are not required to pay the $2 per vehicle parking fee. This discount requires proof of ridership and is available every day.
As always, children 2 and younger are admitted free.
For more information, visit the Oregon Zoo website.
Photo credit: This photo of Conrad is by Michael Durham, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo.
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Add comment January 9th, 2012
The North Plan opens at Portland Center Stage on January 13, 2012. One lucky Around the Sun reader will win two tickets to the opening-night performance.
About The North Plan
After a ruthless cabal seizes power in Washington, Carlton Berg, a bureaucrat for the State Department, runs off with the new regime’s top secret Enemies List. Unfortunately for Carlton, the chase has come to an end in a police station in the Ozark town of Lodus. With a pair of DHS agents on the way, Carlton’s last chance is in the people around him: an unsympathetic police chief, an ambivalent administrative assistant, and fellow prisoner Tanya Shepke, motor-mouthed recidivist and alcohol enthusiast, who appears to have an attention-deficit disorder and thinks Skynyrd should be on the new money. Let the revolution begin.
The North Plan was an audience favorite at JAW 2010.
Warning: The North Plan contains strong language, loud gunfire, and may inflame your belief in conspiracy theories.
For more information, visit the Portland Center Stage website.
Enter to win
Around the Sun is giving away two tickets to the opening-night performance on January 13, 2012. Showtime is at 7:30 pm. The lucky winner will need to pick up the tickets at will-call by 7:00 pm.
To enter, please leave a comment stating why you want to see The North Plan. You can find the comment form at the bottom of this blog post. Be sure to include a valid email address in the Email field.
The giveaway will close and the winner will be randomly selected at 5:00 pm PST on Sunday, January 8, 2012. The winner will be contacted via email.
Good luck!
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31 comments January 5th, 2012
Hope the new year is treating you well so far. Here’s this week’s list.
Note: Admission to these events is free, but you might be charged for activities or food and drink.
Events are sorted by start time. If I missed anything, please leave a comment.
Now Through January 9
Visit Lan Su Chinese Garden free!
Friday, January 6
Portland Children’s Museum: It’s the first Friday of the month, which means admission is free from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
Camas First Friday: This month’s theme is “Game, Craft & Cocoa Night.” Enjoy family-friendly games and crafts at participating merchants in downtown Camas. 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
“Portlandia” 2012 Season Premiere: Where can you watch it? Dave Knows!
First Friday Art Walk in SE Portland: The galleries open from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
VoiceCatcher Art Show and Reading: Celebrate the release of this anthology featuring women authors and artists. Space Monkey (5511 SE 72nd Ave, Portland), 7:00 pm.
Science Fiction Author Greg Bear will read from his latest book at 7:00 pm at Powell’s Books, Cedar Hills Crossing.
Babel No More: Michael Erard will present his book, an exploration of the world’s most extraordinary language learners. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
Saturday, January 7
Electronics and Appliance Recycling: Free recycling of computers, printers, ink cartridges, TVs, VCRs, washers/dryers, and more. Lake Oswego Jr High School Parking Lot (2500 Country Club Road, Lake Oswego), 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Bank of America Museums on Us: Bank of America customers receive free admission to the Pittock Mansion and the Portland Art Museum today.
Fitness Fair: Check out the fitness programs at the East Portland Community Center. Raffle prizes, discounts, and more. East Portland Community Center (740 SE 106 Ave, Portland), 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Children’s Puppet Theatre at Multnomah County Library: Several shows by different theatre groups:
William Stafford Birthday Event: A discussion of Stafford’s poetry at Tigard Library, 2:00 pm.
Sunday, January 8
Bank of America Museums on Us: Bank of America customers receive free admission to the Pittock Mansion and the Portland Art Museum today
Tracing Your House History: Learn how to research the history of your neighborhood and your house in this hands-on workshop. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave, Portland), 1:00 pm.
Slavic New Year Celebration: Celebrate the new year with music, dancing, crafts, and authentic Russian treats. Gresham Library (385 NW Miller Ave, Gresham), 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Crown Point and Goldenboy will perform at Al’s Den in the Crystal Hotel & Ballroom. 7:00 pm. Ages 21+.
William Stafford Birthday Event: Readings of Stafford’s poetry in Spanish and Norwegian. Discussion of Stafford’s work as a translator of Spanish. Stonehenge Studios (3508 SW Corbett Ave, Portland), 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Lake Oswego Millennium Concert Band will perform at 7:30 pm at Lakeridge High School Auditorium (1235 Overlook Drive, Lake Oswego).
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Add comment January 5th, 2012
