Happy Labor Day weekend! I hope you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some fun in honor of the work you do all year long.
Admission is free to all of the events listed here. In many cases, food and drink are available for purchase.
Friday, August 31
The Oregon Ballet Theatre presents OBT Exposed, a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at life in a professional ballet company. There will be a free children’s ballet class from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Then you can watch the pros in class and in rehearsal for their performance on Saturday. At 7:00 pm, OBT will be showing “The Turning Point,” a ballet movie starring Mikhail Baryshnikov. It’s all taking place at the South Park Blocks (corner of SW Park & SW Main directly behind the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall). For more information, visit the OBT website.
After 30 years in business, Music Millennium Northwest is closing its doors today—and it’s going out with a bang. From 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the store will host live performances from Floater, Stars Of Track And Field, Army Of Me, Hide And Go Hustle, Jack McMahon, Old Believers, Adam Mackintosh, They Shoot Horses Don’t They, and Jim Brunberg. Free refreshments will be available, and all CDs, DVDs, cassettes and vinyl are 40% off. Music Millennium Northwest is located at 801 NW 23rd (at Johnson). For more information, visit the Music Millennium website. (Thanks Metroblogging Portland for the heads up.)
Powell’s City of Books on Burnside will be hosting Wizard Rock at 7:30 pm. According to the website: ”What better way to end a summer of Harry Potter mania than with a wizard rock festival at Powell’s? Wizard rock, of course, is the musical craze in which rock bands play songs about (who else?) Harry Potter. Join us for the synth-stylings of Seattle’s The Parselmouths…and the folkier sound of Providence’s The Whomping Willows.” For more information, visit Powell’s online calendar.
Beth Willis will be performing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Vivid Curve will be performing at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
Rising Violet will be performing at Millennium Plaza Park at 1st & Evergreen Streets in Lake Oswego from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm. For more information, visit the Lake Oswego Parks website.
It’s the first day of Art In The Pearl, a 3-day arts festival taking place on the Northwest Park Blocks. More than 100 artists will be showing and selling their work. Local musicians representing a range of cultures will be performing throughout the day. Kids and adults will be able to enjoy hands-on art activities. The festival runs from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, between W Burnside and NW Glisan at NW 8th Avenue. Visit the Art In The Pearl website for all the details.
The Oregon Ballet Theatre presents OBT Exposed, a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at life in a professional ballet company. Starting at 11:00 am, you’ll be able to watch the pros in class and in rehearsal, followed by performances at 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. It’s all taking place at the South Park Blocks (corner of SW Park & SW Main directly behind the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall). For more information, visit the OBT website.
Farmington Gardens is hosting its 5th Annual Tomato Festival. You’ll have the chance to sample dozens of varieties of tomatoes, as well as get your gardening questions answered. Chef Dan Brophy from the Oregon Culinary Institute will be demonstrating and sharing tomato recipes. For more information, visit the Farmington Gardens website.
Jimmy Bivens will be performing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Joseph Konty will be performing at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
It’s Day 2 of Art In The Pearl, a 3-day arts festival taking place on the Northwest Park Blocks. More than 100 artists will be showing and selling their work. Local musicians representing a range of cultures will be performing throughout the day. Kids and adults will be able to enjoy hands-on art activities. The festival runs from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, between W Burnside and NW Glisan at NW 8th Avenue. Visit the Art In The Pearl website for all the details.
Portland Festival Symphony will be performing at Foothills Park (199 Foothills Drive, Lake Oswego) at 4:00 pm. Enjoy the music of Auber, Handel, Brahms, Beethoven, Bizet, and Haydn. For more information, visit www.portlandfestivalsymphony.org.
Misty Mamas (American roots) will be performing at Lents Park (concert gazebo south of stadium at SE 92nd & Holgate) at 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.
Richard Day-Reynolds will be performing at Edgefield at 5:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
If you know of any other free events happening this weekend, please write a comment about it. If you’d like me to include an event in a future round-up, feel free to contact me.
Last Saturday, a couple of friends and I hosted a yard sale. All in all, I spent about 12 hours gathering my items, pricing them, transporting them to my friend’s house, setting up, selling and tearing down. I made $105, a little better than minimum wage ($7.80 in Oregon). I was happy overall, given that nothing I sold was more than $3, and most things were $1 or less. It felt good to cart away noticeably less than I’d brought.
What do you do to make your yard sales a success? Here are my tips:
Take the time to make or acquire good signs. Make sure the print on your signs is readable from oncoming cars. At an intersection, be sure motorists can read the sign from far enough away to make the appropriate turn. Also post signs to accommodate traffic from different directions.
Presentation goes a long way.
Display good-looking items so that they’re visible from the street. As these items sell, replace them with other winners.
Arrange your items in an orderly and appealing manner. Mimic the way merchandise would look on a store shelf or in an enticing window display. If possible, put items on tables and shelves rather than on the ground, so that they’re closer to eye level.
Make sure people can reach things easily. Again, tables and shelves are preferred because they bring items closer to the customer’s fingertips. If you’re putting items on a big tarp on the ground, try to arrange merchandise along the borders only. People may not want to crawl over other items to reach something in the center of the tarp.
Group like items together, for example, kitchen stuff in one area, computer stuff in another. Clothes should be separated clearly into children’s, women’s and men’s categories.
Take things out of boxes and bags. One year, my husband and I were selling a glass chess set for a good price. For hours, no one gave it a second glance. My husband decided to take the chess pieces out of the box and arrange them on the board. Within minutes of doing so, the set sold.
Make sure nothing is blocking your sale from view. If possible, move any cars that might be parked in front of your yard.
Walk out onto the street and make sure your yard sale looks good.
Put prices on your items. I feel that people are less likely to buy an item if they have to ask you how much it costs. A good price can also turn an OK item into a must-have.
Interacting with customers seals the deal.
Greet customers as they arrive, smile.
Approach them and ask if there’s anything they’re looking for.
Point out attractive or well-priced items. Point out new items. Point out items that relate to the specific individual (for example, draw men’s attention to the men’s clothes, women’s attention to the women’s clothes).
Invite people to test electronics, toys and appliances by having an outlet/extension cord available outside as well as batteries.
Be willing to bargain and to lower your price.
But it’s also okay to stick to your guns. If lowering your price will leave you feeling cheated, you don’t need to do it. If your item doesn’t sell, you may be able to get your price on eBay, Craigslist or next year’s garage sale.
Look for opportunities to sell complementary items. For example, if someone is purchasing a cocktail shaker, point out that you also have a copy of The Bartender’s Bible for sale.
Getting more than money from your sale makes profits sweeter. Personally, I feel garage sales are hit and miss in terms of a fundraising venture—big money is not a guaranteed outcome. As such, I recommend looking for other benefits as well. In addition to selling, take time to chat, ask questions, and swap business cards with customers. Use the opportunity to meet and get to know your neighbors. My garage sale last Saturday was really more than a garage sale. It was also “bonding time” as my friend described it. And that made the day worthwhile, regardless of the amount of money I made.
Do you have a tip for hosting a successful garage sale? Please write a comment about it.
First of all, thanks to everyone who’s sent such kind feedback on these weekly round-ups.
Without further ado, the summary for this weekend. Admission is free for all of the events listed here. In many cases, food and drink are available for purchase. Happy weekend, all!
Friday, August 24
Festa Italiana Pioneer Courthouse Square
11:00 am–11:00 pm
Friday is Day 1 of Portland’s 3-day celebration of Italian culture. There’ll be Italian music, dancing, children’s activities, merchandise booths, and food booths featuring affordable cuisine from several Portland Italian restaurants. For more information, visit www.festa-italiana.org.
Watch professional bicycle racing at the Health Net Portland Twilight Criterium. According to the website, “The course surrounds the North Park Blocks of downtown Portland, creating an island oasis of 360-degree viewing, music, food and beverage.” This is a family-friendly event; festivities start at 4:00 pm. For more information, visit www.portlandtwilight.com.
Chris Robley will be performing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Reverb Brothers will be performing at White Eagle Saloon from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. All ages. For more information, visit the White Eagle Saloon website.
Kevin Barber & The Happiness Boys will be performing at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
The Insomniacs will be performing at Music Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd) at 7:30 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information.
“Night at the Museum” will be playing at Beaverton City Park (located across the street from the Beaverton City Library). The movie will begin at dusk (sometime between 8:10 pm and 8:40 pm). For more information, visit the Beaverton Parks website.
“Happy Feet” will be playing at Brentwood Park. Start time is between 8:00 pm and 8:45 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.
Masque Alfresco will perform “The Misanthrope” at George Rogers Park, Ladd & So. State Street, Lake Oswego, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm (check website for more information).
Saturday, August 25
Festa Italiana Pioneer Courthouse Square
11:00 am–11:00 pm
Day 2 of Portland’s 3-day celebration of Italian culture. There’ll be Italian music, dancing, children’s activities, merchandise booths, and food booths featuring affordable cuisine from several Portland Italian restaurants. For more information, visit www.festa-italiana.org.
Oregon Symphony in the Neighborhoods is hosting a festival at Arbor Lodge Park. From 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm, the festival will feature performances by community groups, instrument petting zoos, arts displays, hands-on family-friendly activities, and booths highlighting local social service organizations. At 7:00 pm, the entire symphony orchestra will perform music from opera, ballet, television, film and Broadway. For more information, visit the Oregon Symphony website.
The Port of Portland is hosting its annual Seaport Celebration. According to the website: “There will be plenty of fun activities for all ages—face painting, games, prizes, equipment demonstrations by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, and tours of the dock with views of the large container cranes. Captain Bogg & Salty will perform at 11 am and 2 pm, and the ILWU will grill food while supplies last.” The festival docks at Terminal 6 (7201 North Marine Drive) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Port of Portland website.
Eric John Kaiser will be performing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Chickweed will be performing at White Eagle Saloon from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. All ages. For more information, visit the White Eagle Saloon website.
The Old Elbows will be performing at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
The Old Believers will be performing at Music Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd) at 1:00 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information.
Get Set Go will be performing at Music Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd) at 5:00 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information.
“Shrek 2″ will be playing at Sellwood Park. Start time is between 8:00 pm and 8:45 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.
Masque Alfresco will perform “The Misanthrope” at George Rogers Park, Ladd & So. State Street, Lake Oswego, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm (check website for more information).
Festa Italiana Pioneer Courthouse Square
11:00 am–7:15 pm
Last day of Portland’s 3-day celebration of Italian culture. There’ll be Italian music, dancing, children’s activities, merchandise booths, and food booths featuring affordable cuisine from several Portland Italian restaurants. For more information, visit www.festa-italiana.org.
Salsa en la Calle: Enjoy free salsa lessons and show off your skills to music from local artists. There’ll also be art activities for the kids. Mayor Tom Potter is expected to make an appearance. The festival takes place at SE Main and Eastbank Esplanade (1 block west of SE Water Avenue) from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm. For more information, visit www.salsaenlacallepdx.com.
It’s Family Discovery Sunday at the Museum of Contemporary Craft. This month’s theme is “Weaving Our History.” According to the website: “An interactive afternoon at the Museum for the whole family! Every last Sunday of the month drop by The Lab any time between 1 and 4 pm to enjoy hands-on, intergenerational art-making activities led by a local artist. Free and open to all ages. Materials provided.” As always, admission to the museum is also free. For more information, visit the Museum of Contemporary Craft website.
Jujuba (Nigerian Afrobeat and Juju music) will be performing at Millennium Plaza Park at 1st & Evergreen Streets in Lake Oswego from 6:00 pm–7:30 pm. For more information, visit the Lake Oswego Parks website.
E.Z. Eddy & Terry Robb (blues) will be performing at Lents Park (concert gazebo south of stadium at SE 92nd & Holgate) at 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.
Caroline Oakley and Pete Leone will be performing at Edgefield at 5:00 pm. All ages. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Madgesdiq will be performing at Music Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd) at 6:00 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information.
Masque Alfresco will perform “The Misanthrope” at George Rogers Park, Ladd & So. State Street, Lake Oswego, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm (check website for more information).
If you know of any other free events happening this weekend, please write a comment about it. If you’d like me to include an event in a future round-up, feel free to contact me.
Portland Grassroots Media Camp is a weekend-long event offering skills trainings and workshops on media creation. The event takes place on Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26. All workshops are free and open to the public. Space is limited, however, so be sure to reserve your spot.
The workshops cover a range of topics related to graphic design, writing, art, film, radio, interviewing, marketing and more. Here is a sampling:
Adobe Photoshop
Comics 101
Creating a Webpage Using HTML
Podcasting
Digital Editing: Working With Short Interviews
Imovie Boot Camp
How to Create a Blog
Different Methods of Audio Production
Oral Histories—Interviewing Techniques
The Basics of Silkscreening
Writing a Press Release
United Voices ZINE: Early Process and Peer Editing
Blog Action Day is a new initiative aimed at bringing bloggers together once a year to discuss a single issue. This year, Blog Action Day will be October 15, and the topic will be the environment.
“We want to display the potential and the power of the blogging community, which is a disparate community but one with an amazing size, breadth and diversity. By bringing everyone together for one day, we can see just how much can be achieved, and how much we can be heard.”
As much as is possible we are aiming not to push any particular agenda. Aside from the choice of theme each year, we encourage bloggers to write their own opinions, give weight to what they think is important and to be themselves.
We believe in unity in diversity, not uniformity.
I’ve registered to participate. If you’re planning to join in, please write a comment with your blog address so I know to read your blog on that day.
Festa Italiana is Portland’s annual celebration of Italian culture. There are events happening throughout the week, culminating in a 3-day festival of music, dancing, food and family-friendly activities. Admission is free for all of the events listed here. Donations are appreciated.
Tuesday, August 21 Fifth Avenue Cinema (510 SW Hall Street)
7:00 pm
Italian Movie Night: See award-winning film “Caterina va in città” (Caterina Goes to the City).
Thursday, August 23 Pioneer Courthouse Square
5:00 pm–9:00 pm Festa in the Piazza/Opera Night: Enjoy “A Concert in the Piazza” featuring local opera soloists performing arias and ensembles from Italian operas. Food court and wine garden will be open.
Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26 Pioneer Courthouse Square
11:00 am–11:00 pm Friday and Saturday
11:00 am–7:15 pm Sunday
Festa in the Piazza: Experience Italian culture in Portland’s living room at this 3-day festival. Opening ceremonies are at noon on Friday followed by a grape stomp competition and a kid’s pizza toss. There will also be a marionette show and face painting. Throughout the festival, the Square will be filled with Italian music, dancing, merchandise booths, a wine/beer garden, and food booths featuring cuisine from several Portland Italian restaurants.
To celebrate the opening of the SW Lowell Streetcar extension, rides on the Portland Streetcar will be free from Friday through Sunday, and the Portland Aerial Tram will be free on Saturday and Sunday. Thanks to PDX Pipeline for the heads up!
Turning to free events this weekend, lots of neighborhood fairs:
Friday, August 17:
Kicking off the weekend early is the SW Lowell Streetcar extension grand opening ceremony. Speeches, refreshments, and live entertainment provided by 3 Leg Torso and Valerie Day. 11:00 am at the SW Lowell & Bond station. For more information, click here.
Portland SummerFest presents “Rigoletto” by Giuseppe Verdi (opera in concert with orchestra) at the Washington Park Amphitheatre Stage at 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.
Joshua Slamp will be performing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Lisa and Her Kin will be performing at Music Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd) at 7:00 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information.
“Dr. Doolittle” (original) will be playing at Beaverton City Park (located across the street from the Beaverton City Library). The movie will begin at dusk (sometime between 8:10 pm and 8:40 pm). For more information, visit the Beaverton Parks website.
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” will be playing at Laurelhurst Park. Start time is between 8:00 pm and 8:45 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.
Masque Alfresco will perform “The Misanthrope” at George Rogers Park, Ladd & So. State Street, Lake Oswego, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm (check website for more information).
Saturday, August 18:
The Hawthorne Day! Street Fair will be happening on SE 12th–50th & Hawthorne. Tons of music, activities, food and more all day. Go to thinkhawthorne.com for details.
The Woodstock Neighborhood is having its annual picnic. Music, a cakewalk, free lemonade, and lots more. Check the Woodstock Neighborhood Association website for more information.
The Multnomah Days Celebration will be taking place in Multnomah Village. A parade, street performers, music and more. Go to the Multnomah Village website for details.
Mary S. Young Park in West Linn will host its annual art festival featuring visual and performing arts. 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, click here.
Tour de Fat, a traveling bike-focused festival, will make a stop at Portland’s Waterfront Park (just north of the Hawthorne Bridge). All are invited to join in the bike parade from 11:00 am to noon. Circus Contraption, The Reals, Yard Dogs Road Show, The Sprockettes, and March Fourth will be performing from noon to 6:00 pm. Check newbelgium.com for details, and here are writeups from Willamette Week and alt.portland.
Annual Customer Appreciation BBQ at Music Millennium East (3158 E Burnside). Music, of course. 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Check the Music Millennium website for more information.
Vivid Curve will be performing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Caña Son (traditional hot Cuban music) will be performing at the Washington Park Amphitheatre Stage at 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.
“As You Like It” will be performed by the Northwest Classical Theatre Company at the Willamette Stage in Old West Linn (Willamette Park Drive to 12th St), 3:00 pm (check website for more details).
Sunday, August 19:
Pioneer Courthouse Square will host the India Festival. A full day of live music, dancing, food, and entertainment indigenous to the country of India. 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Admission is free. Visit the India Cultural Association website for more information.
The Lents Founders Day Celebration will be happening at Lents Park (SE 92nd Avenue and SE Holgate Street, around stage area). A parade at noon will kick off the event. Festivities will go until 4:00 pm. Free food will be provided by the New Cooper Penny after the parade. Free hands-on Pioneer Living Exhibit and Displays. Music by the Providence Stage Band begins at 2:00 pm, highlighting music from the Grand Swing Era. Historic pictures, community information booths, and more.
Walkfast will be performing at Music Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd) at 5:00 pm. Check the Music Millennium website for more information.
Day 2 of the Mary S. Young Park art festival in West Linn featuring visual and performing arts. 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, click here.
Darby O’Gill (Celtic) will be performing at Millennium Plaza Park at 1st & Evergreen Streets in Lake Oswego from 6:00 pm–7:30 pm. For more information, visit the Lake Oswego Parks website.
Caleb Klauder and Sammy Lind will be performing at Edgefield at 5:00 pm. All ages. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
The Hotel deLuxe’s Sunday Movie Night will show “The Cockettes.” The Screening Room opens at 6:00 pm, the movie begins at 6:30 pm. RSVP to 503.219.8627. For more information, visit the Hotel deLuxe website.
Masque Alfresco will perform “The Misanthrope” at George Rogers Park, Ladd & So. State Street, Lake Oswego, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm (check website for more information).
A couple of weeks ago, I was at Joe’s purchasing a pair of running shoes. The sales associate looked at my size 6 women’s shoes and said, “Size 6…you could take advantage of deals on kids’ sizes!”
Yes, he’s right. A women’s size 6 is a kids’ size 4, and sometimes great deals can be had in the kids’ section. In fact, I own 2 pairs of Columbia shoes that are a kids’ size 4.5. I bought them because they fit well, and the prices were incredibly low, much lower than the adult styles.
Here’s an example of how much prices can differ. At Zappos.com, I queried the kids’ and women’s versions of the Keen Newport sandal. The one on the left is the women’s version; the one of the right is the kids’ version. The women’s version costs $100.95, while the kids’ version costs $60.95.
Now, bear in mind, we are not comparing apples to apples; they are different shoes. But if you find that a kids’ shoe fits great, looks good and does what you want it to do, it could be an awesome deal over an adult style.
The same goes for clothing. If you’re a size small or x-small—men, this applies to you too—it may be worth taking a look at the kids’ section. Personally, I have purchased sweats, t-shirts, pajama pants, and other loungewear in kids’ XL and XXL. Sometimes these types of items fit me better in kids’ sizes than adult.
As with any purchase, be sure you’ll actually wear the items or you won’t be saving any money. And personally, I would stick to age-neutral attire, lest Stacy and Clinton from the Fashion Police come knocking. (Although getting $5,000 for a new wardrobe would not be the worst thing in the world!)
Shopping for clothes based on fit, style and function—and not restricting yourself to a particular department or size—can save you money. No one has to know….
(Kudos to whoever can identify the origin of the quote in the title.)
