- First Friday Galleries exhibit viewing, 6:00pm – 9:00pm, free. From web site: “Hosted by Portland’s Eastside art galleries and alternative art venues, First Friday provides arts enthusiasts the opportunity to wander from gallery to gallery for artist receptions and openings during extended hours on the First Friday of every month.”

- PCC Rock Creek Campus is hosting “African Night, African Show 2011,” Friday from 6:00pm – 9:00pm in the Theater Room 114 of Building 3. There will be African food, dances, cultural clothing and so much more. Free.

- Portland Children’s Museum First Friday free admission from 4:00pm – 8:00pm, come see the new Lego Castle Adventure exhibit!

- “Badgirls” from Willamette Week: “Leanne Grabel performs a “multimedia spoken-word” show inspired by her years teaching writing to the teenagers in a lockdown treatment center in “deep Southeast Portland.” Friday, Saturday & Sunday, free.

- 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.

- Last weekend for the Friends of the Hillsboro Library Fall Used Book Sale at the Hillsboro Main Library.

- World premiere of Hero’s Welcome, a puppet show for military families, performing at Curious Comedy Theater on Saturday and Sunday. $5 suggested donation.

- Coffee Fair at the World Forestry Center on Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 3:00pm, admission is only $8 for adults and includes coffee tastings from over 10 roasters and tasty coffee themed treats.

- Mt Hood Model Engineers Annual Open House, every Saturday in November from 12:00pm – 5:00pm, free admission. This Saturday’s theme is modern era trains.

- Portland’s Largest Garage Sale at the Expo Center, Saturday 8:00am – 5:00pm, general admission is $4.

- 5th Annual Lewis Elementary Holiday Bazaar, Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm, free. 50 + Artists & Crafts-People from all over the Northwest will sell the finest handmade goods.

- Autumn birds at Smith and Bybee Wetlands, Saturday 9:30am – 12:00pm, free birdviewing event. From web site: “Walking is easy on the paved trail; suitable for ages 10 and up. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair onsite. Meet Metro naturalist James Davis in the parking lot at 5300 N. Marine Drive. Free. Advance registration required.”

- Native American Heritage Month free events include storytelling of “Raven Steals the Sun” Saturday 10:30am at the Central Library and Northstar Native American Dance Company Saturday 11:00am at the North Portland Library.

- Q&A conversation with acclaimed theater critic and author, Misha Berson, Saturday at 5:00pm on the mezzanine level of the Gerding Theater. Free.

- This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, which means that general admission into OMSI is just $2 per person! Note: Admission to Body World’s and the museum on these days is $23 for Adults, $18 for Seniors (63+) and Students w/ ID, and $15 for Youth (3-13).

- 2011 Portland National College Fair, Sunday at the Oregon Convention Center, 1:00pm – 5:00pm.

- Salmon Festival at Multnomah Falls, Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm, free. From web site: “Join Mt. Hood Community College and the U.S. Forest Service for this family-friendly event to watch salmon chasing and circling in Multnomah Creek. Visit interactive booths from local organizations and learn about the state of salmon and other endangered species.”

- Rhythm Traders Presents the 2nd Annual Oregon Big Beat 2011, Sunday 11:00am – 6:00pm at the Ambridge Event Center on MLK. Suggested donation is $5 per spectator plus two cans of food, and/or $10 per participant plus two cans of food. Description from web site: “All ages, all skill levels, all sizes of people and drums are invited to attend this fun-filled day of percussion with clinics, performances, generous product give-aways, raffles, a silent auction, drumming contests, participation in a world record attempt, and the world premier performance of Bobby Torres’ Convergence III featuring many of Portland’s professional drummers.”

- 2011 Siren Nation Women’s Music and Arts Festival Art and Craft Sale, Sunday 11:00am – 5:00pm at McMenamin’s Kennedy School. This art and craft sale showcases women artisans from the Northwest as part of the 2011 Siren Nation Women’s Music and Arts Festival. There will also be free workshops all day; please see web site for more info!

- If you are missing Portland Trail Blazers basketball, head on down to the University of Portland for Sunday’s charity basketball game featuring NBA players. Tickets start at $25, all proceeds go to charity, plus if you buy tickets at the Chiles Center box office, UP also will include a free ticket to the Pilots’ men’s basketball game against Concordia-Irvine on Nov. 4. Please click here for more details.

- Head over to On Deck Sports Bar & Grill in the Pearl before the game for the second stop of the Basketball Jones Tour, starting at 4:00pm to see a free live recording of The Jones’ audio podcast and meet the guys. Click here for the event page info (must log-in to Facebook).

- AMC’s Walking Dead continues its run of free screenings at the Hollywood Theater, Sunday beginning at 9:00pm.

- For more listings of happenings this first weekend of November, please check out Aroundthesunblog and PDXPipeline.

- 90th Annual Benson Tech Show this Thursday and Friday from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Free admission.

- Friends of the Hillsboro Library Used Book Sale kicks off on Friday for a ten-day run of cheap books, videos, DVDs and more at the main branch. Look for a special 50-cents off coupon near the info desk that you can use once per day.

- Jackpot Records Film & Music Festival final free film screening on Friday at the Hollywood Theater “Mellodrama–The Mellotron Movie.” Free.

- Asian Day this Friday at Pacific University’s East Lawn and Trombley Square in Forest Grove. Free admission, starts at 4:00pm and features calligraphy, Japanese Taiko Drum Performance, Chinese Tai Chi, Asian Fashion Show and more.

- Submission: PSU Friends of History 2010 Endowed Lecture in History with Sir David Cannadine this Friday at Portland State University’s Hoffman Hall. The topic of his lecture is “Churchill, Anglo-America and the “Special Relationship.” Free admission, starts at 7:00pm.

- Oregon Potters Association Ceramic Showcase 2010 this Friday – Sunday at the Oregon Convention Center. Free admission to the nation’s largest show and sale of pottery, sculpture, garden art, home accessories and other works in clay exhibited in 150+ booths plus musical performances and wine tastings.

-Oregon State University Extension Services Family Living & Learning Day this Saturday from 8:30am – 1:00pm at Reedville School & Reedville Presbyterian Church in Aloha. Free workshops and activities presented in English and Spanish.

- Kentucky Derby Party and the Oregon Derby at Portland Meadows race track. Make a wager, wear your fancy hat and enjoy the festivities.

- Free children’s clothing swap for ages 0-13 years at Multnomah County’s Midland Library from 2:00pm – 3:00pm and then from 3:15pm – 4:30 there will be a teen and adult clothing swap.

- Wordstock Book-to-Film Festival at McMenamins Bagdad and Kennedy School theaters showing film favorites like “The Princess Bride,” “Fight Club” and “High Fidelity.” Check this web site for show times (enter key word ‘wordstock’ and hit the search button). Admission is $3 and films run Friday – Sunday.

- Bank of America Museums on Us free admission for card holders to the Portland Art Museum & Pittock Mansion this Saturday and Sunday. Just bring your photo ID and any Bank of America card to get in for free!

- Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale this Saturday and Sunday at the Oregon Convention Center, Exhibit Hall D. Free admission, and goodie bags for the first 200 shoppers each day.

- Clackamas County Master Gardeners Spring Garden Fair this Saturday and Sunday at the Clackamas County Event Center (Fairgrounds) in Canby—this time we have the right date! Shop over 185 Northwest nurseries, planting accessories, unique artisan quality garden art and other garden delights.

- 26th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival this Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am – 11:00pm. General admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children and $4 for seniors. Located at downtown’s Waterfront Park.

- OMSI offers admission for just $2 this first Sunday. See their feature exhibit “Space: A Journey to our Future.”

- Willamette Week’s new Cheap Skate Deal Box features free acupuncture, free comic books and a Parkour gym open house.

- For a list of other totally free events and happenings, please visit Aroundthesunblog, updated every Thursday evening.

- Submission from Javier: Krispy Kreme lowers their price on doughnuts after 9:00pm to $4.95 per dozen every night!

SPOTLIGHT: ROCK BOTTOM BREWERY HAPPY HOUR

Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery has one outpost in Oregon located on the MAX tracks in downtown Portland. There are pool tables, darts, plenty of HD TVs to catch the game and live entertainment every night with no cover.

Here’s a listing of their food happy hour menu:

$1.95
Edamame
Homemade Guacamole & Chips
House Salad

$2.95
Hummus Plate
Brewery Nachos
Rock Bottom Wings
Classic Mac n’ Cheese
Spicy Spinach Cheese Dip

$3.95
Brew Burger Sliders
BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Grilled Chicken Sliders
Ball Park Pretzel
Shrimp Ceviche Cocktail
Smoked Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Caesar Salad

Happy hour runs Monday – Friday from 2:00pm – 6:00pm; Sunday – Thursday 9:00pm – close; and Friday and Saturday 11:00pm – close. Happy hour is available in the bar only and requires a one-drink minimum.

Join the Rock Bottom Mug Club and receive rewards, invitations to events, a special gift on your birthday and a special Mug Club mug to drink from on each visit.

- Children’s Museum First Friday: free admission for all this Friday from 5:00pm – 8:00pm thanks to Target!

- Central Eastside Arts District presents First Friday Art Openings this Friday; see web site for map locations.

- Lewis and Clark College Senior Art Exhibition opening reception this Friday from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at the Hoffman Gallery of Contemporary Art. The exhibit runs April 2 to May 9; the gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00am – 4:00pm. Free.

- 16th annual Spring Beer and Wine Fest this Friday and Saturday at the Oregon Convention Center. Admission is free the first two hours each day (12:00pm – 2:00pm), otherwise it is $5 general admission. Features beer, wine, cheeses, arts and craft vendors, seminars, music and more.

- 47th annual Alpenrose Dairy Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday beginning at 10:30am, but do arrive early cause’ this even is popular! For children ages 3-8, free!

- Fred Meyer is having a one-day sale this Saturday with door busters from 7:00am – 1:00pm including: a coupon good for 25% off apparel, shoes and accessories; a coupon for 10% off home items; and a coupon for $5-$20 off purchases in electronics. To top it off, Fred Meyer will also have Easter activities for children like cake decorating, bunny ear decorating and a cake walk.

- Submission: The Subterranean Howl, all ages original rock band at The Green Drop Garage located at 1417 SE 9th this Saturday night from 8:00pm – 11:00pm. Free beer and free homemade cookies. Click here for more info on our band …and feel free to download our first album for free on the website.

- Bank of America Museums on Us free admission for card holders to the Portland Art Museum & Pittock Mansion this Saturday and Sunday. Just bring your photo ID and any Bank of America card to get in for free!

- OMSI offers admission for just $2 this first Sunday. See their feature exhibit “Space: A Journey to our Future.”

- Willamette Week’s new Cheap Skate Deal Box features free online tax filing, free classic screen flicks, a Pazzo prix fixe dinner for $20.10 and more.

- Red Roof Inn kicks off their “1-cent” sale today, read this blog for details on how to nab this deal.

- The OSU Food Innovation Center is recruiting participants for another upcoming taste test (for chocolate!):

The Sensory and Consumer Group at the Oregon State University Food Innovation Center is looking for participants for a taste test to take place on Thursday, April 15th. The taste test will be about 15 minutes and the compensation is $20.
Test times run from 10am to 5pm. If you are interested, please click on this link to submit a questionnaire. If you are selected to participate, we will contact you via email by Thursday, April 8th, where you must confirm your intent to participate. We only contact those who were selected to participate and will be sending out those confirmation emails by April 8th.

- For a list of other totally free events and happenings, please visit Aroundthesunblog, updated every Thursday evening.

SPOTLIGHT: HISTORIC BELMONT FIREHOUSE MUSEUM

Here’s a Portland hidden treasure that we only recently discovered: the historic Belmont Firehouse Safety Learning Center and Fire Museum, located at SE 34th and Belmont. Housed in an original fire station, the museum offers hands-on exhibits, displays and stories of the history of fire fighting in Portland.

Super cool things our students enjoyed (and so can you!):
- slide down a real pole (and learn how to do it properly)
- pose inside a fire fighter cut-out and take a picture
- see a real fire truck (well, half of one!)
- ride in a fire cab in a realistic emergency response simulation in “The Fire Engine Experience”
- see and feel a fire hose, a hand pump fire engine, a fire jacket, helmet, oxygen mask and more
- learn about the history of Portland fire fighting in stories, displays and photographs
- dial 9-1-1 and listen to an emergency call (and know how to call)
- learn about different tools and their functions
- see alarm box displays and historic telegraph system (how they responded to fires in yesteryear)

The museum is not just about history; it aims to promote fire and life safety education for every guest. Ask staff your questions about how to select the right child safety seat or how to properly put out a grease fire. Find out the differences between a one-alarm, two-alarm or three-alarm fire, or learn about everyday dangers in the home that you can prevent. The great part about the museum is that it is all free, thanks to Portland Fire & Rescue and the Jeff Morris Fire and Life Safety Foundation (though donations are certainly accepted!).

The Firehouse is open the second Saturday of every month (except July, August and September) from 10:00am – 3:00pm. The next scheduled ‘Safety Saturday’ is next Saturday, April 10th and then on May 8th and June 12th.

If you have a group, call for a private, customized tour and education program. School field trips, scouting troops, senior outings and history buffs are just a few of the groups that have enjoyed this experience. Call (503) 823-3615 to schedule a visit or for more information. The firehouse can also hold parties, luncheons and other social gatherings.

There is also a small gift shop on site with merchandise and fire department clothing for sale. Oh, and if you’d like a fire fighter sticker badge, just ask (always a hit with the little ones)!

- Portland Opera at the Multnomah County Central Library this Friday from 12:00pm – 1:00pm in the U.S. Bank room. Free.

- The Portland Seafood & Wine Festival runs this Friday from 2:00pm – 10:00pm and on Saturday from 12:00pm – 9:00pm. Adult tickets are $12.00 each with a portion going to the Oregon Chapter of the National MS Society. There will be a $2 discount price on tickets purchased within the first 2 hours of the festival each day. Food item prices range from $1 and up. Wine sampling starts at .50 and prices for menu items varies from $2 to $15.00. While this event has the potential to have costs add up, we are including this on our Weekend on the Cheap because of the value you receive. Plus, if you are one of the first 500 people each day through the gates, you’ll receive a commemorative wine glass to use at the festival and then take home with you!

- Portland Children’s Museum First Friday free admission from 5:00pm – 8:00pm.

- Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Bank of America cardholders can receive free admission to the Portland Art Museum and the Pittock Mansion this Saturday and Sunday during normal hours. Just show your debit, credit or bank card to get one free admission.

- Viking Pancake Breakfast! From web site: “What better way to start the day than with a plate of delicious, all-you-can pancakes? Our popular breakfast also includes sides of eggs, sausages, fresh fruit, applesauce, orange juice, tea and bottomless coffee – all served up with Norwegian charm from 8:30 am to 1:00pm Adults: $6. Children 5-12: $3 (under 5: free). Children’s Nordic story time in the library from 10-11am.” At Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Avenue this Sunday.

- Chips and dips tastings this Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am – 5:00pm at all area New Seasons Markets.

- OMSI First Sunday means $2 admission for all at OMSI during regular hours.

- Superbowl Sunday: it’s Superbowl XLIV, catch the action (or lack thereof) at a local watering hole, at home with some friends or on the big screen with new friends at a local McMenamins theater.

- If the Superbowl isn’t your style, and saving money is, then check out “Bargain Hunting 101: The Mother of All Clearance Sales” where 50 of Portland’s best and most unique boutiques and vendors come together for a huge end-of-season clearance sale. Sunday from 12:00pm – 5:00pm at the Crystal Ballroom. It’s the Mother of all clearance sales and admission is free!

- Willamette Week’s new Cheap Skate Deal Box includes a heads-or-tails free meal, a free screening of Star Trek, a free concert by Sea Wolf and more.

Spotlight: McGrath’s Fish House

We recently stopped into McGrath’s Fish House for their Crab Celebration promotion and left the restaurant full (with leftovers) and the damage to our wallet/pocketbook was minimal.

We sat in the bar and one of us ordered from the regular menu while the other ordered from the bar menu. We timed our visit to coincide with their happy hour:

Happy Hour (in the bar only; no drink minimum required)
Monday – Thursday 3:00pm – 6:00pm and from 9:00pm – close
Friday 3:00pm – 5:00pm

$2.99 Appetizers
Asian Ahi Nachos
Ponzi Salmon Stack
Pear, Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad
Pesto Artichoke Pizza Crackers
Blue Cheese Potato Wedges
Crispy Turkey Club Rolls
Pair of Oyster Shooters
Stuffed Mushrooms
Calamari Wasabi Caesar Wrap
Brushetta Caprese

Cocktails
$3.50 Well Drinks
$4.50 Daiquries
$4.50 Margaritas
$4.50 Specialty Teas
$4.50 Bloody Mary
$3.00 Glass of domestic brews
$4.00 Gusto size of domestic brews
$4.00 Glass of microbrew
$5.00 Gusto size of microbrew
$3.50 Glass of La Terre wine: Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet, White Zinfandel

Menu prices are reasonable and in addition to seafood, they offer chicken, pasta, steak, and sandwiches. Adult entrees include sourdough bread, fresh steamed veggies, choice of garden salad or coleslaw AND your choice of: red potatoes, penne pasta, rice pilaf, fish house fries, cottage cheese or sliced tomatoes. In place of the regular salad, you can also upgrade (for a nominal charge) to other starters like clam chowder, Fisherman’s stew, petite shrimp Louis or a pear, bleu cheese and walnut salad.

If you have little ones, McGrath’s has a kid’s menu with meals starting at $3.99. Finally, sign up for their e-club and around your birthday you’ll receive a voucher good for $10 off your next meal (must be used within two weeks of birthday). And with their current special of Crab, Steak and Prawns for just $12.99 (plus all the accompaniments above), you can’t go wrong!

McGrath’s has locations in Vancouver, Milwaukie and Beaverton, as well further south in Salem, Corvallis, Eugene and Bend. Their Crab Celebration ends next week on Thursday, February 11th (we can’t have specials like that for Valentine’s Day Weekend now can we?!). Enjoy the weekend and Go Saints! Or Colts! Just make it a great game, please!

Here’s a quick run-down for this weekend:

- Nicknamed “The Granddaddy of Them All,” the Rose Bowl game this Friday features the Oregon Ducks vs. the Ohio State Buckeyes. 1:30pm, catch the action at numerous venues around town including the McMenamins’ screens.

- Bank of America Museums on Us is this Saturday and Sunday with free admission to the Portland Art Museum & Pittock Mansion. The catch is that you must present your Bank of America ATM, debit or credit card to get in free. This is also the last weekend of Pittock Mansion’s holiday decorations in honor of the 150th anniversary of Oregon’s statehood.

- Sunday, January 3rd get admission to OMSI for just $2 per person. Sunday is the absolute final day for their ‘Scream’ exhibit; we toured two months ago and had a blast (though we did dare to face our fear of electric shock).

- Beginning this Saturday the 2nd until January 11th, the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland’s Chinatown/Old Town waives their admission charge to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Free admission for ten days, there’s no excuse not to go!

- Willamette Week’s new cheapskate deals include the aforementioned free admission to the Chinese Garden, free midnight chocolate buffet, a cheap spa, a free concert and a ‘hangover recovery brunch.’

- More freebie weekend activities can be found at Aroundthesunblog

- We can’t pass this one up: Restaurant.com is offering 80% off their $25 gift certificates and customers also get a free $10 gift certificate. Use the code CHEER at check out and pay $2 now until midnight 12/31 (and if you happen to read this after the fact, we’ve become accustomed to the web site extending their offers a few days so it is worth a shot). To redeem the free $10 Gift Certificate, a code will be emailed to purchaser within 24 hours of initial purchase.

Spotlight: New Year’s Eve Festivities

Here’s what we have gleaned for some last-minute ways to celebrate to welcoming of 2010; please note that not all parties are free or low-cost:

- PDX Pipeline lists 30 plus events including the major promotions and less well-known parties

- Willamette Week offers up a few picks to celebrate midnight

- McMenamins locations around the area lists these free music and events

- New Year’s Eve party planner by Oregonlive.com. Also check out their calendar of multiple events here

- LivePDX.com online picks for New Year’s Eve celebrations

- Finally, celebrate in your own style like we used to do as kids: watch Dick Clark on TV and at the stroke of midnight, run around the neighborhood banging on pots and pans. Here’s a quick look of televised celebrations and their celebrity hosts by USA Today.

And there you have it….Happy New Year!

**Use code CHEER at checkout for savings and bonus $10 gift certificate**

- Holly Days, presented by the Hillsboro Downtown Business Association
Saturday, December 5th, noon to 6:00 pm FREE
West end of the MAX line. Visit with Santa, caroling, music, gift wrapping, caroling parade and tree lighting (5:00 pm).

- More weekend freebie fun can be found at Aroundthesunblog

==================================================

Weekend On The Cheap:

- Thursday night: Civil War! Winner to the Rose Bowl. Go out and cheer on with the masses at a local venue, crash a friend’s party or host your own. Great excuse to celebrate.

- First Friday at the Children’s Museum offers free admission from 5:00pm – 8:00pm.

- Bikecraft V, a “bike-lover’s bazaar that showcases local, handmade, bike-themed arts, crafts, fashion, and more.” This Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm, free admission.

- 25th Annual ScanFair this Saturday and Sunday at Smith Memorial Center Ballroom, Portland State University. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. “Celebrate the sights, sounds, tastes and traditions of a Scandinavian Christmas.”

- Bank of America’s Museums on Us, Saturday and Sunday. Free admission to the Pittock Mansion and the Portland Art Museum for all Bank of America card holders, just show your ATM, debit or credit card and get in for free.

- West Linn Holiday Tree Lighting and Holiday Craft Fair this Saturday, 6:00pm – 9:00pm.

- Season’s Eatings Artisan Market at New Deal Distillery, 12:00pm – 5:00pm this Saturday. Admission is a can of food or cash donation to the Oregon Food Bank. Click here for the flyer (opens up a PDF).

- First Sunday at OMSI: $2 admission per person.

- Willamette Week’s new Cheapskate Deal Box features a Free Dance Day at Polaris Contemporary Dance Center, a Cheap Art Craft Show, B-movie screenings with free popcorn and much more.

- OSU’s Food Innovation Center has a new taste test opportunity:

The Sensory and Consumer Group at the Oregon State University Food Innovation Center is looking for participants for a focus group to take place on Tuesday, December 15th and Wednesday, December 16th. The focus group is about 90 minutes and the compensation is $75. Test times run at 10:30am, 2pm and 5:30pm both days. If you are interested, please click on this link to submit a questionnaire. If you are selected to participate, we will contact you via email by Tuesday, December 8th, and then give you a confirmation email the day before the test.

For those who are new to the email list, please note that we cannot contact everyone who sent in a questionnaire. You will not hear back from us for each test as each consumer will not be selected every time. We only contact those who were selected to participate and will be sending out those confirmation emails by December 8th.

Spotlight: Tuesday Morning

Treasure hunters and bargain hunters take a look: Tuesday Morning “upscale” merchandise at 50%-80% off regular prices. Tuesday Morning is a nationwide chain closeout gift store, similar to Big Lots and Ross, squeezed into a smaller space but maximized with substantial savings. You’ll find limited quantity closeouts, overstock and some stuff that you didn’t even know existed. Their product mix is a smörgåsbord of just about everything, which makes it a fun excursion of finding gifts for others or simply for yourself! Among the selections:

Luggage
Candles
Sporting goods
Frames
Stationary
Party goods
Gift wrap
Home accents
Pet accessories
Toys
Furniture
Garden decor
Seasonal
Dinnerware
Table linens
Flatware
Stems and barware
Crystal
Mirrors
Lamps
Area rugs
Wall graphics
Fashion accessories
Gourmet food (pre-packaged)
Womens gifts
Mens gifts
Executive gifts
Books
Baby gifts
Comforters
Sheet sets
Basic linens
Towels
Bath shop
New Arrivals

During a recent visit, we came across these finds:

Telesteps telescoping ladder (2.5 feet telescopes to 12.5 feet): $99
Heated seat covers: $50
Kidsmart vocal smoke alarm: $8
Golf trainer: $18
Aerogarden: $80
Mosquito catcher: $40
Double-sided desktop easel for kids: $15
Magneflux portable induction cooktop: $180

Sprinkled around each store are special Clearance sections, designated by the yellow tags that offer additional savings. Customers can also sign up for the eTreasures program and receive news of latest arrivals and special offers via email.

Tuesday Morning hours are:
Monday – Saturday: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm – 6:00pm

There are ten locations around the Portland/Vancouver area, so check the web site for directions and happy treasure hunting!

- Friday, November 6th is PCC Rock Creek’s annual Career and Technical Opportunities Day from 9:30am – 1:00pm. Free admission and lunch provided.

- Last weekend to take advantage of bargain reads offered by the Friends of the Hillsboro Library during their fall book sale at the Hillsboro Main library.

- This weekend is also the last weekend EVER for the annual Catlin Gabel Rummage sale at the Portland Expo Center. If you can wait until Sunday, get an additional 50% off your purchases.

- If you are a Bank of America card holder (ATM, debit or credit card), this weekend just show your card and get free admission to the Portland Art Museum and/or the Pittock Mansion as part of the “Bank of America Museums on Us” monthly promotion

- Saturday, November 7th head over to Forest Grove for the 75th Annual Verboort Sausage & Kraut Dinner. Dinner tickets are not cheap, but it goes towards a great cause and it is all-you-can-eat!

- Get your java this Saturday and Sunday at the Coffee Fair at the World Forestry Center. Sample coffees from around the world and learn from demonstrations. Plus, the IKEA lounge giving away free travel mugs for the first 100 people each day entitling them to FREE refills in the IKEA restaurant for a year. This event is in conjunction with the special exhibit, Coffee: The World in Your Cup, which explores the journey of coffee from farm to cup. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children.

- For other weekend listings, please go to Aroundthesunblog

- Willamette Week’s new Cheap Skate deal box features a free wedding contest, half-off massages, a place to catch the Blazer games with cheap food and much more.

- The OSU Food Innovation Center is looking for qualified volunteers for a food taste test for Tuesday, November 17th:

The taste test is about 30 minutes and the compensation is $25. Test times run from 11am to 4:30pm. If you are interested, please click on the link below to submit a questionnaire. If you are selected to participate, we will contact you via email by Wednesday, November 11th, and then give you a confirmation email the day before the test.

For those who are new to the email list, please note that we cannot contact everyone who sent in a questionnaire. You will not hear back from us for each test as each consumer will not be selected every time. We only contact those who were selected to participate and will be sending out those confirmation emails by November 11th.

Photo ID will be required to participate in this test. Click here to take the survey.

POTC Spotlight: 2010 Portland Entertainment Book

Here’s our not-so-secret favorite way to save money in Portland: buying and using the coupons out of the Entertainment Book!

This year’s edition has been on sale for the last month and if you have never purchased one, it’s time to take advantage and save! Here are some of our favorite offers (BOGO means buy one, get one…):

- See a movie for FREE at Regal Cinemas on your birthday
- FREE medium fries at McDonald’s, no purchase necessary
- FREE piece of chicken at Church’s Chicken, no purchase necessary (local outpost is in Vancouver)
- FREE Cinna Stix at Domino’s Pizza, no purchase necessary
- FREE eggroll at Samuri Sam’s, no purchase necessary
- FREE Loco value menu item at El Pollo Loco, no purchase necessary
- FREE kids create-your-own (12 and under only) at Cold Stone Ice Creamery, no purchase necessary
- FREE original or cinnamon sugar pretzel at Auntie Anne’s, no purchase necessary
- Vinetopia: Buy one entree, get one free at the restaurant inside Vancouver’s innovative movieplex, Cinetopia
- Qdoba: BOGO entree free
- Village Inn: BOGO free
- TGI Fridays: BOGO lunch free (hopefully they’ll reopen their shuttered Portland locations in 2010)
- Daphne’s Greek Cafe: BOGO entree
- Blockbuster video or game rental BOGO free
- BOGO tickets free for Tears of Joy, Body Vox, Portland Center Stage and more
- Cinetopia Grand Auditorium tickets for $7.50 each
- Portland Timbers and Portland Beavers tickets for half-price
- FREE Eco car wash express at Eco Wash
- $10 off your $50 purchase at Dick’s Sporting Goods (look for the Dick’s grand openings this Sunday, November 8th)

This is just a sampling of the many great offers inside the Entertainment Book; if you use all the coupons, you could save as much as $19,000 (or so the book claims). If we can save even just $40 for the year, it is well worth the cost.

The Portland Entertainment Book can be found at your local library, school fund raiser, banks and some retail shops and can be had for $20-$35 depending on where you buy it from (we purchased ours from the library). Walgreens has a $10 off coupon from the Sunday Oregonian ad insert (you’ll end up paying $25). You can also buy online; see the web site to view more coupons and offers, and if you are traveling, the Entertainment Book has out-of-town editions as well.

Most of the offers expire November 1st, 2010 so that gives you almost a full year of savings for restaurants, shopping, attractions, sporting events, performances, movies, travel and more. We hope we’ve sold you by now, so go forth and get your hands on one soon — they also make great holiday gifts!

Thanks for reading and for visiting our web site, please link to us or let your friends know we’re here!