Tuesday, January 17th:
- William Stafford Birthday celebrations at Clackamas Community College from 6:00pm – 8:00pm and at bookstore In Other Words beginning at 7:00pm.
- “Make It Short: 40-Second Film” competition. From web site: “Submissions to the Make It Short contest will be screened for an audience and judges. Prizes to be awarded for both audience choice and judges selections. Come to support your favorite filmmaker!” Free admission for all, screenings will be held at the Whitsell Auditorium inside the Portland Art Museum. There will be a pre-film reception at 6:00pm.
- OMSI Science Pub at McMenamins Mission Theater presents “Urban Landslides: A Slippery Challenge for the Forensic Geologist,” 7:00pm. Science Pub is open to ages 21+, or minor with adult. $5 suggested cover charge, no RSVP or tickets required.

Wednesday, January 18th:
- Oregon Symphony Storytimes at the Hollywood Library, 11:00am – 12:00pm, free. Today’s performer is John Cox and his French horn.
- Sack lunch concert at the Old Church, 12:00pm – 1:00pm, features Michael Barnes, Organist of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and tenor Evan Abeling. Free.
- Surprise Party Theatre presents “Shakespeare Party: Measure for Measure,” 7:30pm at the Waypost. Free admission to spectate, or provide a suggested $5 donation to be an active participant. Please see web site for more info.

Thursday, January 19th:
- Multnomah County Library’s Smart Saving series presents “Personal Tablets, Personal Finance,” 1:00pm – 3:00pm at the Sellwood library. Free. Registration required; register online, in the library or by calling (503) 988-5234.
- Celebrate the year of the dragon by making Red Fans for Lunar New Year at the Belmont Library, 3:30pm – 4:30pm, free.
- Slough Tour: Water Flow, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, free. From web site: “Co-hosted by the Columbia Slough Watershed Council and the Multnomah County Drainage Districts, this tour led by District Engineer Byron Woltersdorf highlights the water flow of the Columbia Slough waterway and the levees and pumps that maintain water levels. Suitable for ages 10 and up. Advance registration requested at www.columbiaslough.org.”
- Global Struggle and Socialist Revolution, a public discussion in the ‘Parkway North’ room of the Smith building on the Portland State University campus. 7:00pm start, free.
- William Stafford birthday celebration at the Lake Oswego Library, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, free.
- Wild in the City book event at Powell’s Books on Hawthorne, 7:30pm. For the event, editors Michael C. Houck and M. J. Cody will be joined by contributors Bob Sallinger, Tom McAllister, and Judy BlueHorse Skelton.

- 5th annual United Way Martin Luther King Weekend of Service, please see web site for a list of all the volunteer opportunities this weekend!

- OregonLive.com has a good listing of Martin Luther King Jr. Day events around the Portland area.

- Friday night, 7:00pm – 2:00am…BIG ASS BOOMBOX: a loud pop festival! Totally free music at four different venues, please see web site for more info.

- Portlandia, see it on the big screen at McMenamins Mission Theater, the EastBurn both at 7:00pm, or stay out later and catch it at 10:00pm playing at the Hollywood Theater. All venues are free admission.

- Bird Walk With Backyard Birdshop – Vancouver Greenway, Saturday 8:00am – 10:00am, free. Reservations required; call 360-253-5771.

- “Back In Action: A Space Heater” is Action/Adventure Theater’s fundraiser and open house with musical performances, free beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres and more. $10-$20 suggested donation, 7:30pm doors open at 1050 SE Clinton.

- Friends of Tryon Creek hosts the annual Winter Chili Cook-Off, Saturday 5:00pm – 7:00pm at the park. Admission is just $5 to sample chili, imbibe in drinks and listen to great music.

- Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show kicks off at 7:00pm, free to watch or dare to play!

Monday, January 9th:
- Today is the last day of free admission to the Lan Su Chinese Garden, open 10:00am – 5:00pm.
- Portland Center for Performing Arts and its volunteers presents the PCPA Noontime Showcase: Tears of Joy Theatre, “The Ugliest Duckling” Children’s Puppet Theatre, 12:00pm – 1:00pm, free.
- OMSI Science Pub at McMenamins Bagdad Theater presents “I Dig Bones: Adventures in Forensic Anthropology,” 7:00pm. Science Pub is open to ages 21+, or minor with adult. $5 suggested cover charge, no RSVP or tickets required.

Tuesday, January 10th:
- General admission to the Oregon Zoo is just $4 as part of Second Tuesdays; show proof of MAX fare and get an additional $1.50 off each passenger!

Wednesday, January 11th:
- Oregon Symphony Storytimes, 11:00am – 12:00pm at the Hollywood Library, free. Today’s performance features Mark Dubac and his clarinet.
- Independent Lens Community Cinema presents “Daisy Bates: The First Lady of Little Rock,” 6:00pm at the Turnbull Center in Old Town / Chinatown. Free.
- Multnomah County Library’s Smart Saving series presents “MoneyTime: Retirement,” 1:00pm – 3:00pm at North Portland library. Registration required; register online, in the library or by calling 503.988.5234.
- Second Wednesday Performing Arts Series at Lake Oswego Library presents Alan Shearman at 1:00pm, free.

Thursday, January 12th:
- Funhouse Lounge Grand Opening party with music by Laura Jane Willcock, 7:00pm – 10:00pm.
- Fiction Writing workshop, 7:00pm at Powell’s Cedar Hills Crossing. From web site: “With over 50 bestsellers to her credit, Jayne Ann Krentz is bringing her popular Fiction Writing Workshop to Powell’s — free of charge! Jayne will share her top five fiction-writing tips and answer your questions about writing fiction and navigating the publishing world.”
- Over at Powell’s on Burnside you’ll find the book event for “Chubster” beginning at 7:30pm. From web site: “You’ve heard that calorie counting is the most effective way to lose weight — because it’s true. And you’re still fat because you ignored it. Lucky for you, hipster Martin Cizmar has come up with the least awful diet plan of all time. In Chubster: A Hipster’s Guide to Losing Weight While Staying Cool (Mariner), he offers fellow chubby hipsters reasonable suggestions for how to lose weight the cool way, the “chubster” way.”

- Portlandia season premiere, catch it on the big screen at McMenamin’s Mission Theater beginning at 7:00pm. There will be an encore screening starting after 10:00pm.

- The cortandfatboy Midnight Movie: ‘E.T.’ playing 11:00pm at McMenamin’s Bagdad Theater, $3 admission, 21 and over only.

- First Friday free admission to the Children’s Museum, 4:00pm – 8:00pm

- Central Eastside Arts District First Friday Art Openings, 6:00pm – 9:00pm, free.

- Saturday is Winter Trails Day sponsored by REI. Description from web site: “Join REI for this traditional day of fun on Mt. Hood at the White River West Sno-Park located four miles east of Government Camp on Highway 35. Winter Trails is a SnowSports Industries America (SIA) program and is a FREE event featuring demo snowshoes from Atlas, MSR, Tubbs and Crescent Moon. Hot beverages and treats will be available. Non-profit partner, Adventures Without Limits will be offering free guided tours for participants. Participants should wear weather-appropriate clothing, including waterproof boots. Participants will also need an Oregon or Washington Sno-Park Pass to park. Passes are available at all Portland area REI stores.”

- First Saturday Music Series with the Oregon Chamber Players, starts at 2:00pm at the City of Milwaukie’s Ledding Library. Free.

- Chinese Tea Tasting, 2:00pm at the Hillsboro Main Library, free. From web site: “Celebrate National Hot Tea Month and the coming Chinese New Year by tasting three special Chinese Teas–green, oolong, and pu-erh tea. Learn about where the tea is grown, who picks it, and how it’s processed.”

- Portland Farmers Winter’s Market, 10:00am – 2:00pm at Shemanski Park in downtown Portland (SW Park Avenue & SW Salmon). From web site: “Shop for winter produce, meats, cheeses, wine, seafood, baked goods and more every Saturday in January and February. Hot food, warming soups and covered spaces available to chase away the chills.”

- Lan Su Chinese Garden free admission now until Monday, January 9th.

- Friday and Saturday are your last days to score Fresh Express salad kits for just $1 at area Fred Meyer stores.

- Bank of America’s Museums on Us program offers free admission to the Portland Art Museum, Pittock Mansion and the Lan Su Chinese Garden this Saturday and Sunday. To qualify for Museums on Us, customers must present their Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain free general admission.

- Art.Write.Now. exhibition at Pacific Northwest College of Art, now through January 27th. This is the “first-ever traveling exhibition showcasing teen-produced, winning artwork from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.” Free, catch it in the Swigert Commons inside PNCA.

- Lake Oswego Millennium Concert Band free concert begins at 7:30pm Sunday at the Lakeridge High School Auditorium.

- For more ideas on what to do this weekend, please check out Aroundthesunblog and PDXPipeline!

Spotlight: Entertainment Book 2012 Portland Edition
We’ve been getting Entertainment books for years and years now, usually from the students who sell them as part of a school fundraiser. There’s also Fred Meyer, local banks, libraries and other outlets to buy a book, or online direct from Entertainment.com. This week they are on sale for $20.12, includes free shipping. If you haven’t gotten your book yet, or maybe are a little unsure if you’ll use the coupons, we are hoping that this post will change your mind. Entertainment books are best known for the 2 for 1 coupons for local restaurants and attractions. But did you know that there are actually no-strings attached coupons for totally free items? Here are 15 great reasons to get your Entertainment book — all freebies!

- All American Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt: small yogurt
- Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream: kid’s cup or cone
- Club Sport: day pass
- Eco Car Wash: one Eco car wash ($6 value)
- Emerald City Smoothie: kid’s smoothie
- Figaro’s Pizza: breadsticks
- Garlic Jim’s Pizza: breadsticks
- Jack in the Box: two tacos
- McDonald’s: medium french fry
- Mt. Hood Athletic Club: day pass
- Papa John’s Pizza: breadsticks
- Pizza Schmizza: 16oz fountain soda
- Quiznos: one free cookie
- Regal Cinemas: one movie on your birthday — includes IMAX and 3-D flicks as well! (up to a $14 value)
- Samurai Sam’s: grilled egg roll

The value for the free movie at Regal Cinemas and the one free car wash at Eco Car Wash together add up the cost of a book and it is valid now though the end of November. There are certain coupons you can use over and over again, and there are some unadvertised specials that you can only find online. To stretch our Portland budget, we make great use out of the Entertainment book as well as the Chinook Book and we always find that at the end of the year, our savings more than make up the cost of the purchase.

- Northwest Portland Ministries annual Christmas dinner is today, 12:00pm – 2:00pm, free for the community. From web site: “Enjoy turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolls, desserts and live music! Receive a gift bag of practical items. Free flu shots are available for uninsured and low-income adults.”

- Aroundthesunblog has your listings of free activities and events for this weekend.

- Weekend events listing from Oregonlive includes Portland and Washington & Clackamas counties.

- Holiday Lights Display – The Hillsboro Argus will be listing residences in the Hillsboro area that are lit up for the holidays to such a degree that folks who appreciate that effort would like to take a drive to see. Pick up the newspaper for the address listings.

- Saturday Market: last two days for the Festival of the Last Minute!

- TravelZoo Local has a half-off deal for Portland Center Stage’s “A Christmas Story,” for performances until tomorrow.

- Restaurant.com has $25 gift certificates on sale for only $1, now through Saturday. Use the code ‘joy’ at checkout, stock up for the new year! (disclaimer: any certificates purchased through this affiliate link will help support POTC).

- The Portland Trail Blazers finally open up the 2011-2012 season with home games this Monday, Tuesday and Thursday — catch the action at the Rose Garden or KGW TV (for the Monday and Thursday night games).

- Portland New Years Parties, Events, Information and Pictures from PDX Pipeline.

- “Bring On the Apocalypse: Party your problems away this New Year’s Eve,” a full guide from Willamette Week for New Year’s Eve event listings.

Submission from Jo:
“Paul Schatz Furniture Fan Appreciation Sweepstakes – Enter to win a $1,000 Gift Card to Paul Schatz Furniture in Tigard, Oregon!

Paul Schatz Furniture is currently holding a Fan Appreciation Sweepstakes on Facebook. The Sweepstakes goes through Jan. 15. One (1) winner will be selected and the winner will receive a $1,000 gift card for Paul Schatz Furniture, good toward the purchase of any items at the store. Delivery is excluded. To enter and for more information, visit the Sweepstakes page here.”

Monday, December 19th:
- Sing-along Messiah at St. Mark Presbyterian Church beginning at 7:00pm. From web site: “The beauty of Handel’s Messiah shakes the rafters as we fill our sanctuary with an impromptu choir or singers and soloists. Musical scores provided or bring your own. A freewill offering will be taken to support SW Neighborhood House Food Program.”

Tuesday, December 20th:
- Lake Oswego Public Library’s Third Tuesday Author Series welcomes author Willy Vlautin, 7:00pm, free.
- Spoken Word: A Winter Wreath of Tales with Storyteller Anne Rutherford, 7:00pm at Hillsboro’s Walter’s Cultural Arts Center, free.

Wednesday, December 21st:
- The Old Church sack lunch concert features the JoySingers with Ed Eastman and Susan Triplet starting at 12:00 noon, free.
- Christmas Trains display at the Southminster Presbyterian Church, 1:00pm – 3:00pm, free.
- People’s Holiday Craft Fair and Farmers’ Market, 2:00pm – 7:00pm at People’s Food Co-Op, upstairs in the community room.
- PDX Vox performs at the St. Andrews Care Center, 7:00pm. No admission charge, but RSVP kindly requested at (503) 257-7946.

Thursday, December 22nd:
- Holiday Hooley at McMenamins Kennedy School gymnasium, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, free for all ages.
- Tonight is Portland’s HoliDate — enter a SmartPark Garage (locations listed here) between 4:00pm – 6:00pm and park free all night until 11:59pm. There will be special events, performances and prices from 4:00pm – 8:00pm at participating downtown businesses.

- “Roundup of Cyber Monday gadget deals,” from ZDNet.com.

- CNET’s Cyber Monday Guide for deals, bargains, coupon codes and rebates.

- “Cyber Monday 2011: Deals from Wal-mart, Target, Best Buy and more,” by Farnoosh Torabi of CBS.com.

- Shop.org is a division of the National Retail Federation and they host the official web site for Cyber Monday. CyberMonday.com highlights the best deals from over 700 online retailers.

WEEK ON THE CHEAP

Monday, November 28th:
- Jubitz Winter Wonderland Doggie Walk Night, 5:00pm – 9:00pm at Portland International Raceway. The light show will be closed to all vehicle traffic, and open for pedestrians and dogs only. $6 per person, children under 13 (and dogs) are free.
- OMSI Science Pub “Cataclysms on the Columbia: The Great Missoula Floods,” 7:00pm at Hillsboro’s Venetian Theater. Science Pub Hillsboro is open to anyone and everyone of all ages. There is no admission fee or RSVP required.

Tuesday, November 29th:
- OHSU Heart Research 2011 Holiday Bazaar, 10:00am – 5:30pm at the Center for Health & Healing at OHSU’s South Waterfront District.
- Multnomah County Library free Smart Saving series “Alternatives to Foreclosure,” 6:30pm – 8:00pm at the Albina library.

Wednesday, November 30th:
- OHSU Heart Research 2011 Holiday Bazaar, 10:00am – 5:30pm at the Center for Health & Healing at OHSU’s South Waterfront District.
- Symphony Storytimes at the Central Library’s U.S. Bank Room, 10:30am – 11:30pm, features Gordon Rencher and his percussion instruments. Free.
- Multnomah County Library free Smart Saving series “Holiday Shopping on a Budget,” 6:00pm – 7:30pm at the Troutdale library.

Thursday, December 1st:
- Holidate with Downtown Portland: every Thursday evening in December, get free parking at SmartPark garages until midnight (enter between 4:00pm – 6:00pm) and enjoy live music and special activities from participating retailers. Sponsored by Portland Mall Management, Inc. Tonight’s specials include two-for-one admission to the Portland Art Museum and the Ben & Jerry’s BOGO holiday menu.
- First Thursday monthly art gallery event in downtown Portland, Old Town / Chinatown, Northwest and the Pearl. Click here for a printable walking map.