“How to get a better phone deal,” by Liz Pulliam Weston of MSN Money. Provides some strategies on how to cut your bill down to size and to know which cell-phone plan fits you best. On a related note, we recently called our mobile provider T-Mobile to inquire about downgrading our cell service; they offered us a package that is not advertised on their web site or in promotional materials. The lesson we learned is that had we not called, we would still be paying $20 more a month for a plan that just wasn’t meeting our needs; thus, it doesn’t hurt to ask!

Monday, February 22nd:
- History Pub Monday at McMenamins Kenny School at 7:00pm. Free admission, all ages welcome; bring canned goods to donate to Oregon Food Bank. Tonight’s history topic is “Renewal and Removal in North/Northeast Portland.”

- Book reading at Powell’s City of Books at 7:30pm featuring Rachel Kramer Bussel’s “Best Sex Writing 2010.” Free.

Tuesday, February 23rd:
- It’s National Pancake Day and IHOP is giving out a free short stack of pancakes between the hours of 7:00am – 10:00pm. In lieu of payment, they ask that customers consider making a donation to support local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network (there will be a donation box located near the entrance).

- Shari’s is in on the action too, but you’ll need to print this coupon to get a free short stack of their buttermilk pancakes.

- More free food: buy a large fountain drink at Jack in the Box and get their free grilled sandwich. No coupon required! Tuesday only.

Wednesday, February 24th:
- Portland Spring Home and Garden Show starts a 5-day run at the Portland Expo Center with hours of 11:00am – 8:00pm Wednesday – Friday. Adult admission is $10, ages 12 and under are free; check the local papers for a $3 off admission coupon valid the first 3 days only. You can also fill out a form online to get a discount, please see web site for details.

- Ground Kontrol’s monthly free-play party, 5:00pm – late; pay a $5 cover and play all the classic video arcades and pinball games you want!

Thursday, February 25th:
- Portland Jazz Festival presents a CD release party of “Ukiah’s Lullaby” at 8:00pm at the Benson Hotel. Other free jazz events will take place all weekend long, please see web site for schedule and locations.

80% off Restaurant.com gift certificates. Use promo code ‘Savor’ at checkout.

Monday, September 28th:
- History Pub Mondays at McMenamins Kennedy School, 7:00pm. Free; bring canned goods to donate to Oregon Food Bank, all ages welcome. Tonight’s topic: “The Other Portland: Ethnic Groups and Workers in Portland’s North End during the 19th and 20th Centuries.”
- Camden Corner Block Party offers up free dinner eats and cheap drinks at Yakuza, Fats and DOC restaurants. 7:00pm – 10:00pm, NE Portland.

Tuesday, September 29th:
- OMSI Science Pub lecture @ McMenamins Mission Theater, 7:00pm. $2.00 suggested donation. Tonight’s topic: “Spider Venoms: Tools of Tiny Predators.”

Wednesday, September 30th:
- People’s Coop Harvest Festival, 2:00pm – 9:00pm, features a farmers market and craft fair, pie eating contest, beer garden, square dancing, live music and more.
- Friendly House Annual Street Party and Open House, 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Live music, children’s activities, food, raffle prizes, acupuncture clinic and more.
- In Cheap We Trust, book reading at Powell’s City of Books in downtown. “From dumpster-diving and the psychology of hoarding to Americans’ thrifty responses to war and recession, Lauren Weber’s In Cheap We Trust (Little, Brown) teases out the connotations behind the word “cheap” and explores the wisdom and pleasures of not spending every last penny.” Ah, perfect!

Thursday, October 1st
- Yes, it is First Thursday. But it is also the start of the Oregon Day of Culture, and Thursday kicks off a week of performances, film screenings, exhibits and special events taking place all around over the state. Check the web site for a complete listing of all the events and activities.

History Pub Monday, 7:00pm at McMenamins Kennedy School, “A Most Daring Outrage”: Murders at Chinese Massacre Cove, 1887. Featuring speaker R. Gregory Nokes. Free; bring canned goods to donate to Oregon Food Bank. All ages welcome.

Tuesday, June 30th:

Beaverton guided walking tour and Beaverton Last Tuesday celebration, featuring food, music and art. 5:00pm, free.

(description from web site) Join Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle and walking guru and author Laura Foster for a tour through the city park and into the Beaverton Downtown Historic District, culminating at the Beaverton Central MAX station just in time to enjoy the art, food and music at the Last Tuesday celebration. Meet at the green in front of the Beaverton City Library on Southwest Hall Boulevard at 5 p.m. Free. Registration not required. For more information, call 503-813-7574. Sponsored by Metro and Kaiser Permanente

Wednesday, July 1st:

Cheap haircuts, from Willamette Week’s Cheapskate:

(description from WWeek.com) Phagans’ School of Hair Design at Lloyd Center offers haircuts by donation ($5 minimum) all day Wednesday, July 1, with free karaoke to keep you entertained while you wait. Proceeds benefit the Wounded Warriors Project, a nonprofit that aids severely wounded servicemen and -women. 1542 NE Weidler St., 239-0838. 7 am-9 pm Wednesday, July 1.

Wondrous Wednesdays, World Forestry Center. Admission is just $2 for all at the Discovery Museum, 10:00am – 5:00pm.

Forest Grove’s First Wednesday (opens up a PDF), 5:00pm – 8:00pm, downtown Forest Grove.

Disney’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Train Tour stops at Union Station for a full day of children’s activities from giveaways to 3D film sneak peeks, 9:00am – 7:00pm, free.

Thursday, July 2nd:

First Thursday, Portland downtown and the Pearl. Art galleries, restaurants, stores and businesses usually ramp up other promotions and special activities during these monthly events, so be sure to check out this web site.

Check back on Thursday for a new post and an update on other great deals for the upcoming July 4th weekend.