Archive for December, 2011
The Oregon Zoo is offering free admission on January 2, 2012, to thank the community for a successful 2011. Achievements include record-breaking ZooLights attendance.
From the press release:
“We’re so thankful for the community’s continued support of the zoo and its mission, especially in this challenging economy,” said Kim Smith, zoo director. “Offering a free day is one way to show our appreciation.”
The zoo will be open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for the day.
I don’t see information about the event on the Oregon Zoo website quite yet. If you have questions, please call the zoo at 503.226.1561, extension 0.
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December 30th, 2011
Happy New Year!
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.
Friday, December 30
Tannenbaum Madness: Take a walk down NE Alberta Street and see whimsical, wacky, and artistic trees displayed in the windows of 30 businesses between NE 13th and 31st Avenues.
Story and Stroll at Tryon Creek State Natural Area (registration required): Join a park naturalist for story time and a brief stroll through the park. This program is for families with young children (preferably ages 2–6 but all are welcome). 1:00 pm. Registration required.
Kung Fu Panda 2: Enjoy snacks while you see what Po is up to this time. West Slope Community Library (3678 SW 78th Ave, Portland), 1:30 pm.
Lights on Peacock Lane: Each year, residents of SE Peacock Lane decorate their homes with lights and much more, a tradition that began in the 1920s.
Saturday, December 31
Tannenbaum Madness: Take a walk down NE Alberta Street and see whimsical, wacky, and artistic trees displayed in the windows of 30 businesses between NE 13th and 31st Avenues.
Guided Nature Walk at Tryon Creek State Natural Area: Today’s theme is Audubon Christmas Bird Count. 8:30 am.
Stormtroopers vs. Klingons Blood Drive (registration preferred): The Red Cross invites you to give blood, mingle with members of Star Wars and Star Trek costuming organizations, watch movies, and more. Donors will get event-themed buttons, a black Red Cross t-shirt, and a free large, two-topping pizza coupon from Papa Murphy’s. Portland Donor Center (3131 North Vancouver Ave, Portland), 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. Please register in advance.
New Year’s Eve Sock Hop: This event for children aged 6 years and younger includes music, games, refreshments, and a New Year’s Eve countdown at noon. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fairview-Columbia Library (1520 NE Village St, Fairview), 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Soul Surfer: Watch and talk about this movie at Rockwood Library (17917 SE Stark St, Portland) at 3:00 pm.
Lights on Peacock Lane: Each year, residents of SE Peacock Lane decorate their homes with lights and much more, a tradition that began in the 1920s.
New Year’s Eve(ning) Events:
- TriMet: All service is free after 8:00 pm. Buses, Portland Streetcar, and Portland Aerial Tram will run on regular Saturday schedules. MAX will run on regular Saturday schedules with extended late-night service. WES Commuter Rail will not be in service.
- McMenamins Crystal Hotel: Poison Waters & Friends, On the Stairs, and others perform at Al’s Den. 1332 W. Burnside, Portland, 5:00 pm. Ages 21+.
- Edgefield: Sonny Hess Band perform in the Winery at 8:00 pm. The Quick & Easy Boys perform in the Power Station at 9:00 pm. 2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale. Ages 21+.
- McMenamins Old Church: Redwood Son and Guy Dilly and the Twin Powers perform at 8:00 pm. 30340 SW Boones Ferry Rd, Wilsonville. Ages 21+.
- Kennedy School: Freak Mountain Ramblers perform in the Gym at 9:00 pm. 5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland. Ages 21+.
- Cornelius Pass Roadhouse & Imbrie Hall: The Brothers Jam perform at 9:00 pm. 4045 NW Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro. Ages 21+.
- Rock Creek Tavern: Old Elbows perform at 9:00 pm. 10000 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro. 9:00 pm. Ages 21+ after 10:00 pm.
- World Famous Kenton Club: And And And, Blood Beach, and This Charming Man perform at 9:00 pm. 2025 N. Kilpatrick St, Portland. Ages 21+.
- The Matador: DJ Drew Groove starts around 10:00 pm. The Satin Chaps start around 11:00 pm. Midnight toast. 1967 W. Burnside, Portland. Ages 21+.
- Dot’s Cafe 20th Anniversary New Year’s Celebration: Free champagne toast at midnight. Prizes, DJ T-1-11, and more. 2521 SE Clinton St, Portland. Ages 21+.
- Check Dave Knows Portland and PDX Pipeline for more events.
Sunday, January 1
Tannenbaum Madness: Take a walk down NE Alberta Street and see whimsical, wacky, and artistic trees displayed in the windows of 30 businesses between NE 13th and 31st Avenues.
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.
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December 29th, 2011
Photo credit: Photos by Mavis
I just want to take this opportunity to wish you all lots of love and happiness this holiday season. Thank you so much for reading!
Note: The following events provide free admission, but might charge for activities or food and drink.
Events are sorted by start time. If I missed anything, please leave a comment.
All Weekend (Friday through Sunday)
Tannenbaum Madness: Take a walk down NE Alberta Street and see whimsical, wacky, and artistic trees displayed in the windows of 30 businesses between NE 13th and 31st Avenues.
Lights on Peacock Lane: Each year, residents of SE Peacock Lane decorate their homes with lights and much more, a tradition that began in the 1920s.
Friday, December 23
Holiday Movies: Academy Theater is hosting three free holiday screenings:
- 2:00 pm: A Chipmunk Christmas, Claymation Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- 3:45 pm: Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
- 5:15 pm: A Charlie Brown Christmas and Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas
Portland Art Museum Free Day: Enjoy free admission from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Saturday, December 24
Free Coffee and Tea at Peet’s: To thank customers for supporting the annual charity drive, Peet’s Coffee & Tea stores will serve complimentary brewed coffee and tea all day.
Chris Margolin will perform at Edgefield Winery at 7:00 pm. Ages 21 and over.
Ray Tarantino, Chris Boone, and Robert Whitfield will perform at Al’s Den (Crystal Hotel & Ballroom) at 7:00 pm. Ages 21 and over.
Sunday, December 25
“Things to Do in Portland on Christmas Day” by Dave Knows Portland: Not a list of free events, but a good list of places that are open on Christmas.
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.
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Twitter: @aroundthesun
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December 21st, 2011
This is the final week of performances of A Christmas Story at Portland Center Stage, and you can get 50% off the full adult price with the promotional code MERRY. To get the discount, purchase tickets from Portland Center Stage online (click here) or at the box office, 503.445.3700.
Available performances are as follows:
December 21, 2:00 pm
December 21, 7:30 pm
December 22, 7:30 pm
December 23, 2:00 pm
December 23, 7:30 pm
December 24, 12:00 pm
December 24, 5:00 pm
This offer is not applicable to previously purchased tickets.
For more information, contact Portland Center Stage.
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December 21st, 2011
At Plum District, you can get a $25 Target gift card and a $50 Restaurant.com gift card for $25.
For more information, go to the Plum District website: click here.
As with all deals like this, please read the fine print before you purchase.
If you’re not familiar with Restaurant.com
, it’s a website that sells discounted gift certificates for participating restaurants. For example, you can get a $25 gift certificate for $10, and frequently the site releases promo codes that lower the price to just $2. For more information about Restaurant.com and to see a list of participating local restaurants, click here.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you use them to make a purchase, you help support Around the Sun. Thank you!
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December 15th, 2011
Peacock Lane, Christmas Ships, Kidical Mass, just to name a few. Enjoy!
Note: The following events provide free admission, but might charge for activities or food and drink.
Events are sorted by start time. If I missed anything, please leave a comment.
All weekend (Friday through Sunday)
Lights on Peacock Lane: Residents of SE Peacock Lane decorate the outside of their homes with lights and much more each year, a tradition that began in the 1920s. Friday is for pedestrians only; no vehicles allowed. The displays will be up through the end of the month.
Christmas Ship Parade: This parade of boats, each one decorated with holiday lights, sets sail every evening through December 20 on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.
Frankenstein, the Little Monster (reserve tickets): Jane Theater Company presents free performances of this family-friendly play filled with songs, music, and dancing. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 18 through December 18. See the website for times and ticket information. Theater! Theatre! (3430 SE Belmont St).
Mississippi Pizza Pub features free music each day. Check the website for performers and times.
Friday, December 16
Adventures with Bugs: Families have the opportunity to hold, pet, and look at all sorts of creatures including tarantulas, cockroaches, scorpions, and more. Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave), 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
Portland Metro Concert Band will perform at Horner Performing Arts Center at David Douglas High School (1400 SE 130th Ave), 7:30 pm.
Saturday, December 17
Winter Celebration at Beaverton Murray Scholls Library: Fun for the whole family: holiday and winter-themed crafts, carnival-style games, carols, snacks, and prizes.10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Guided Nature Walk: Each Saturday, Tryon Creek Park hosts a guided nature hike. Today’s topic is woodpeckers. 10:00 am.
Yoga and Stories: For toddlers and preschoolers, this class integrates storytelling, yoga poses, movement, and song. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 10:30 am.
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.
Portland Gay Men’s Chorus will perform at Pioneer Courthouse Square from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm.
Kidical Mass Caroling on N. Mississippi: Gather the family for a guided bike ride and caroling through North Portland. Meet at 1:45 pm under the covered basketball courts in Irving Park (NE 7th Ave & Fremont St).
Movie Viewing: See Take Me Out to the Ball Game, a musical set in 1906 that follows the adventures of a champion baseball team. Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly star. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 3:00 pm.
Milwaukie Winter Solstice Bonfire & Christmas Ships: View the Christmas Ships at around 5:30 pm from Milwaukie Riverfront/Jefferson St. Boat Ramp. Come as early at 4:00 pm to listen to the Dickens Carolers and warm yourself by the bonfire.
Sunday, December 18
Portland Sugarplum Elves will perform at Pioneer Courthouse Square from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm.
Fancy Nancy Party (RSVP required): A Children’s Place Bookstore is hosting a Fancy Nancy party to celebrate this Christmas season. Treats, costumes, stories, and more. 1:00 pm. Please RSVP.
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.
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December 14th, 2011
The 2011 Peacock Lane holiday light display begins with two pedestrian-only nights on December 15 and 16. The street will be closed to traffic from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm on both days.
Peacock Lane is located in SE Portland, between SE Stark Street and SE Belmont Street and one block east of SE 39th. Each year, residents decorate their homes, a tradition that began in the 1920s. The best way to experience the event is on foot. Take advantage of these rare car-free days.
If you can’t make it, don’t worry. The displays will be up through the end of the month:
December 15 through 30: 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
December 24: 6:00 pm to midnight
December 31: 6:00 pm to midnight
For more information, visit the Peacock Lane website.
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December 12th, 2011
On Tuesday, December 13, 2011, admission to the Oregon Zoo and ZooLights is just $4. The discount does not apply to train tickets. As always, children 2 years of age and under are admitted free of charge.
Each person who rides the MAX or bus to the zoo gets an additional $1.50 off with proof of ridership.
Admission to the Oregon Zoo is always $4 on the second Tuesday of each month.
For more information and other deals, visit the Oregon Zoo website.
Photo credit: grant_loy
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December 12th, 2011
Planning to purchase an OMSI membership? If so, you can save 20% by purchasing the membership online with the promo code HC11NM. The code expires on December 31, 2011.
To get the discount:
1. Go to the OMSI membership page: http://www.omsi.edu/membership
2. Click “Renew my membership (For My Household),” “Purchase a new membership (For My Household),” or “Buy a gift membership (For Another Household).”
3. Select a membership level and then type HC11NM in the Promotional Code box.
The discount is subtracted from the total cost.
For more information, contact OMSI.
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December 9th, 2011
Portland Perks is offering a $5 voucher to Portland Bagel Company for only $1.95. Portland Bagel Company is locally owned and has three locations in the Portland area:
Nob Hill
500 NW 23rd
Portland, OR 97210
Greenburg
9802 SW Shady Lane
Tigard, OR 97223
Beaverton
14600 SW Murray Scholls Dr
Beaverton, OR 97007
To purchase, go to Portland Perks (if you don’t see the deal on this page, click “All Deals” in the black bar at the top of the page and then find the picture of the tasty-looking bagel).
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you use them to make a purchase, you help support Around the Sun. Thank you!
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December 8th, 2011
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