- This is the last weekend to take advantage of Red Robin’s $6.99 burger special — choose the cheeseburger, Whiskey River BBQ burger, All-American Patty Melt, Simply Grilled Chicken Sandwich, or the Crispy Chicken Sandwich. Ends this Sunday!

- Submission from Lara:

“Friday 4:00pm – 7:00pm: Fulton Park Community Center is hosting its first ever Family Martial Arts Night!!! This event will kick off with a showing of “Kung-Fu Panda,” (starting at 4PM) followed by demonstrations (starting at 5:45 PM) from The Westside and Eastside Academy of Kung Fu (combined), Mo Duk Pai Lion Dance Team, Capoeira Ijexa Portland, and Oregon Kendo Club. Some demonstrations will have optional audience participation for all ages. Bring your own picnic dinner and enjoy the show! This event is free and donations will be accepted to benefit Fulton Park Community Center. You may even purchase a ‘lucky money envelope’ for $1 to fill with cash to feed to the lion! Information will also be made available with how to become involved in helping to keep Fulton open, and off the table with Parks and Rec budget cuts!”

- Submission from Joe:

“Digital storytelling project about service-learning in Nicaragua by University of Portland students, faculty, and staff” What happens when eighteen students and three faculty and staff members travel to Nicaragua for three weeks to learn about the political, economical, and social situations of the country?

University of Portland’s Collaborative for International Studies & Global Outreach (CISGO) attempts to answer that question with Formation, Learning, and Service: University of Portland Students’ Exploration of Nicaragua, a digital storytelling project by communication studies professor Courtney Vail Fletcher and videographer/photographer Jeff D. Kennel.

The event is set for Friday, February 3rd from 5:00pm – 7:00pm in Buckley Center Room 163. It is free and open to the public, and will include a video presentation as well as a question-and-answer session.

- 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.

- The 22nd Annual Cascade Festival of African Films kicks off Friday with a 7:00pm screening of “Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story,” at the Hollywood Theater. There will be three other films playing on Saturday, please see schedule for venues and film descriptions. Free and open to the public on a first-come, first-seated basis.

- 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.

- Burger King Free Onion Ring Weekend, Saturday and Sunday at participating locations and while supplies last. One value size per person per visit, not valid during breakfast hours.

- Tet Festival 2012, Saturday 10:00am – 6:00pm at the Oregon Convention Center. There will be dance and music performances, martial arts demos, a free health fair and more for just a $4 general admission.

- Free library program “LEAP Into Science,” 2:30pm – 4:30pm at the Capitol Hill Library. For ages 4 and up.

- Sticks & Stones Accessories Grand Opening party Saturday, 6:00pm – 10:00pm with food, drinks and music.

- The Hillsboro Community Youth Choir presents a free concert “Hillsboro to the MAX!,” 3:00pm Sunday at the Venetian Theater. From web site: “Then you’ll love Hillsboro to the Max, a free concert that combines all three in a one-of-a-kind musical production. Featuring popular music from the 1840s to 2012, this musical revue will make the stories of the past come alive right before your eyes!”

- OMSI admission is just $2 per person as part of their First Sunday program.

- Bikes for Humanity PDX is offering free public bicycle tune-up clinics Sunday, 10:00am – 4:00pm at Rivermark Credit Union (25th & SE Hawthorne). Donations to offset the cost of supplies and events are very welcome!

- Superbowl Sunday, Giants vs. Patriots, 3:30pm kick off on NBC! Nuff said.

- Burgerville Game Day special: 5 original cheeseburgers for $5 or 5 double cheeseburgers for $10. Sunday all day.

- Submission from Julz:

“Bargain Hunting Portland
Sunday, February 5
12:00pm – 5:00pm | FREE | All Ages
Crystal Ballroom
1332 West Burnside Street

The 9th session of Bargain Hunting is set to convene on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, noon-5 at the Crystal Ballroom & Lola’s, 1332 W. Burnside St.

Bargain Hunting is a unique, collaborative, indie clearance sale event with over 50 of Portland’s best boutiques & designers all in one place.

Come early for best selection, stay late for best bargains. Bargain Hunting – where Bloody Marys & bargains go hand in hand! Mingling & cocktails encouraged.

Bargain Hunting is a biannual sale featuring some of the best artists and locally owned boutiques in Portland. Vendors sell their high quality wares at rock bottom prices. Bargain Hunting is a great place for shoppers to find rare, one-of-a-kind, samples and limited run clothing, furnishings and more.”

- For more ideas on what to do this weekend, please visit Aroundthesunblog or PDXPipeline.

Monday, January 30th:
- Ka Lei Maile Ali’i: The Queen’s Women, an interactive reenactment depicting the 1897 signature-gathering meeting of the women’s branch of the Hawaiian Patriotic League (Hui Aloha ‘Aina) beginning at 6:30pm at the Midland Library. Free.
- OMSI Science Pub visits Hillsboro’s Venetian Theater with “The Science and Art of Permaculture,” 7:00pm – 9:00pm. No RSVP or tickets are required and the event is for all ages.
- John’s Incredible Pizza Company lunch deal all week — get their pizza buffet and unlimited drinks for just $5.00, valid 11:00am – 3:00pm Monday – Friday.
- Free debut film “Outside the Frame,” created by youth from Outside In, 7:00pm start time at Gerding Theater at the Armory. There will be a reception beginning at 6:30pm and a question and answer session with the filmmakers will follow the screening.
- History Pub Monday at McMenamins Kennedy School presents “Julia Ruuttila: The Proudest Moment in an Oregon Activist’s Life,” 7:00pm. Free for all ages, please bring a canned good to donate to the Oregon Food Bank.

Tuesday, January 31st:
- Ballots are due to elect the representative for Oregon’s 1st Congressional District:, find your closest ballot drop off site here.
- Portland Opera Studio Artist Recital: Soprano Lindsay Ohse, 7:00pm at the Portland Art Museum Whitsell Auditorium. The recital is free (reserved ticket required here), with a voluntary suggested donation of $10 to support the Portland Opera Studio Artist program.
- Free public presentation: “A River of Stories, Two Historical Perspectives of the Willamette River in Portland,” 7:00pm – 8:30pm at the Oregon Historical Society Pavilion. From web site: “Portland Harbor Partnership is launching On the Waterfront, a new education series of lectures that will highlight and discuss the critical role the Willamette River plays in the environmental, economic, cultural and recreational life of Oregonians.”
- History Pub at McMenamins Edgefield inside the Power Station Theater, 6:30pm with the topic “Logging in the Gorge: History of the Bridal Veil Lumbering Co.” Free for the public, all ages welcome.

Wednesday, February 1st:
- Opening reception the for the new Multnomah County Central Library Collins Gallery exhibition “Votes for Women! The Oregon Story,” 6:00pm – 7:30pm, free. From web site: “Join us for refreshments and remarks from Secretary of State Kate Brown, the Honorable Avel Gordly, Professor Kimberly Jensen, and special guests. Margie Boule will provide the singing.”
- Portland Comics Comedy Show, 9:45pm at Mississippi Pizza, just $5 admission.

Thursday, February 2nd:
- First Thursday monthly art gallery event in downtown Portland, Old Town / Chinatown, Northwest and the Pearl. Click here for a printable walking map.
- Ecotrust and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) present “Slippery When Wet,” a free all weather bike workshop beginning at 6:00pm. Register online.
- Book event at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing with Rachel Bertsche and her book “MWF Seeking BFF,” 7:00pm, free.

- Your best source is Aroundthesunblog and PDXPipeline for the latest listings, here are a few more things to do this last weekend of January 2012!

- 6th Annual Washington County Project Homeless Connect, Friday at Sonrise Church (Orenco MAX stop). Doors open at 9:00am and free services include dental, medical, haircuts, flu shots, vision exams, housing info, free food and much much more.

- Northwest Weather & Avalanche Center Benefit Film Showing Fundraiser, doors open at 6:00pm Friday at the Mazama Mountaineering Center (SE 43rd and Stark). Raffle for great items, win door prizes, enjoy food and drinks and watch Field Production’s new film “Being There.” $10 admission at the door.

- Daggawalla, the official launch party, Friday 4:00pm – 10:00pm features “Seeds for growing heirloom vegetables, medicinal herbs, grains, beans, tobacco and medicinal plants to inspect, sample, and purchase (or trade for). Plus, there will also be music, refreshments, and unannounced antics.” Free.

- Final weekend of the Fertile Ground Festival, a city-wide festival of new art including performances, visual art, film, comedy and more at multiple venues around the metro area. Festival pass is just $50 or check the web site for single performance tickets; some events are by donation.

- The Beaverton Modular Railroad Club will set up at the Lake Oswego Public Library on Saturday and Sunday for the public and will be on hand to answer questions and share their hobby.

- Other good bets for the weekend are listed at Oregonlive.com

Spotlight: Chinook Book 2012 Portland Edition

A few weeks ago we highlighted the freebies in the 2012 Portland Entertainment Book; this week we feature the many steals and deals offered in the Portland edition 2012 Chinook Book!

The following coupons are 100% freebies, no strings attached!

- one organic French baguette at New Seasons Markets
- one hand-crafted sausage link at New Seasons Markets
- one reusable, flat-bottom shopping bag at New Seasons Markets
- one slice of pizza in the Whole Foods Market deli
- one meal and beverage during normal hours of operation or share with someone who could use a good meal at Sisters of the Road Cafe
- one Eco wash at Eco Car Wash (four Portland area locations)
- one exterior car wash at Washman Car Wash (only valid at the MLK & SE Clay location)
- admissions for up to four people at the Circuit Bouldering Gym
- admissions for up to two people at the Museum of Contemporary Craft

The following coupons are some of our favorite BOGO Free offers (Buy one, get one free):
- Bob’s Red Mill product at the Mill Store
- one item at the Healthy Bread Store (Dave’s Killer Bread)
- one menu item at Pizzicato
- one Senens’s Breakfast Burrito at Burgerville
- one cheeseburger at Burgerville
- one regular size milkshake or smoothie at Burgerville
- one scoop of handmade ice cream at Salt & Straw
- one soup free at Elephants Delicatessen
- one ice cream cone at Ben & Jerry’s
- one free three-course lunch or four-course dinner at Oregon Culinary Institute
- one entree at Bridges Cafe
- one admission at Portland area theaters like Portland Center Stage, Brody Theater, Artists Repetory Theatre and more
- one admission at the Academy Theater
- one admission at the Oregon Symphony (Classical Concert series or Pop Concert series only)
- one ticket at the NW Film Center
- one introductory lesson at the Portland Rock Gym

There are over 400 more coupons inside the Chinook Book for restaurants, cafes, bakeries, services, retailers, attractions, grocery products, memberships, travel, wellness and more. The book is on sale for only $20 and the coupons are valid until October 31st, 2012. Find the print book at these local retailers, or online. The Chinook Book also offers a special app for Android phones: a $10 printed booklet containing an individual code that can be entered into the Chinook Book app. When entered it downloads the full library of 430 mobile coupons. Check it out!

Monday, January 23rd:
- The first 100 customers at the Gateway Jamba Juice location will receive one free can of Jamba Energy Drink.
- 2012 National Pie Day with special pricing and offers at area pie hot spots.
- Panda Express is giving away a free single serving of firecracker chicken breast with this coupon, while supplies last.
- Back Fence PDX “I Didn’t Think This Through” 8:00pm storytelling show at the Gerding Theater at The Armory; free tickets are sold out, but try this suggestion from the Oregonian: “sometimes people reserve free tickets and don’t come, so if you feel lucky, you can show up and give it a shot.”

Tuesday, January 24th:
- Log on to PF Chang’s Facebook to score a virtual red envelope to celebrate the year of the Dragon, good for a mystery discount when you dine at PF Chang’s from now until February 6th.
- Celebrate the Lunar New Year customs of China and Vietnam with a puppet show, food and crafts at the Midland Library from 5:30pm – 7:00pm, free.
- Dr. Cris Hein is the featured guest for Stumptown Stories at the Jack London Bar with his free 7:30pm presentation “The Biology, Behavior & Benefits of Bats.”
- Book event at Powell’s City of Books on Burnisde, 7:30pm with the author of “Honey Badger Don’t Care,” free. Come learn about “a dozen crazy, badass animals of the wild kingdom.”

Wednesday, January 25th:
- Ground Kontrol’s Last Wednesday Free Play Party, 5:00pm – late night, just $5 cover to play all the classic arcade and pinball games you want!
- Celebrate the Lunar New Year customs of China and Vietnam with lion dance, a puppet show, singing, food and crafts at the Holgate Library from 6:00pm – 7:30pm, free.
- Ever wanted to hike the Pacific Crest National Trail? Get your questions answered with this free presentation by thru-hiker Erin ‘Wired’ Saver, 7:30pm at the Mazama Mountaineering Center off of 43rd and SE Stark Street. Open to the general public.
- The Helium Comedy Club presents an evening of free Trivia and Comedy beginning at 8:00pm. No cost for admission, but each person is required to purchase a minimum of two items from the menu (food and/or drink).

Thursday, January 26th:
- Celebrate Community Outreach of Our United Villages with a public open house from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. From web site: “Enjoy warm refreshments, bump elbows with others in the community and start the New Year with a little positive inspiration. Children are welcome.”
- Portland International Auto Show opens at 10:00am, general adult admission is $12 but you can find a $3 off coupon in the Portland Tribune that is good all day on Thursday.

- Submission from Kelly:

Reeds and Keys Presents Cheap and Fun Entertainment for the Whole Family!

Join this Portland-based music duo for their original variety show, You Don’t Lay Down on the Band Room Floor: The Journey of a Young Band Student.

What: A multimedia extravaganza including music, skit and a LOT of crazy (family friendly crazy)
When: Friday, January 20th at 7:00pm
Where: Rex Putnam High School Auditorium
How Much: ONLY $5.00 a ticket, purchased at the door!
Why: Because. Oh, and it’s a fund raiser for the RPHS band trip to Disneyland!

- Family Friday Concert with Classical Revolution, 7:15pm Friday at Community Music Center. Suggested donation: $5 for individual, $15.00 for family

- Portlandia on the big screen, Friday 7:00pm at McMenamins Mission Theater (replay at 10:00pm) and the Hollywood Theater playing at 10:00pm, free admission.

- ChocolateFest, Friday – Sunday at the Oregon Convention Center, $20 for Friday night and $10 per adult for Saturday or Sunday admission.

- Fertile Ground Festival, a city-wide festival of new art including performances, visual art, film, comedy and much more. Runs Friday the 20th – Sunday the 29th at multiple venues around the metro area. Festival pass is just $50 or check the web site for single performance tickets; some events are by donation.

- Portland Fix-It Fair, 8:30am – 2:00pm Saturday at Rosa Parks Elementary School, free. Learn how to save money with ongoing exhibits and hourly workshops on a variety of topics.

- Stories in the Stones on Mount Talbert, Saturday 10:30am – 1:00pm. $5 for adults; under 18 free. Advance registration required; call 503-794-8092.

- 4th Annual Teatro Milagro’s Community Resource Fair, Saturday 1:00pm – 2:00pm and 3:00pm – 5:00pm, free. From web site: “The matinee of “B’aktun 13” on Saturday, Jan. 21 will be accompanied by a free resource fair featuring an open mic readers theatre led by Los Porteños writers group; environmental activities, such as group papermaking, and representatives from VOZ, Union Verde, and others.”

- Bikes for Humanity PDX is offering free public bicycle tune-up clinics Sunday, 10:00am – 4:00pm at Rivermark Credit Union (25th & SE Hawthorne). Donations to offset the cost of supplies and events are very welcome!

- Portland Opera to Go: Hansel & Gretel, Sunday 12:00pm, free at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove.

- For more events and things to do this weekend, please visit Aroundthesunblog and PDXPipeline!

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!