- It’s the final weekend for the Friends of the Hillsboro Library Spring Used Book Sale, now until Sunday at the Hillsboro Main Library.

- Submission redux from Tim: “Get 2 tickets for the price of 1 regular adult admission to see the world premiere of LAZARILLO at Miracle Theatre May 5, 6, 7 or 8, 2011! This offer is valid for performances May 5, 6, 7, or 8; subject to availability. Use coupon code CHEAP to order tickets online anytime from www.milagro.org or by calling 503-236-7253 M-F, 8:30pm – 5:00pm.”

- Free admission all day this Friday to the Cinco de Mayo Festival at downtown’s Waterfront Park; stay for the free fireworks beginning at 10:00pm, courtesy of Woodstock Chiropractic! The festival features kids activities, carnival rides, Zumba, Mariachi music, an artisan village and more.

- Portland Children’s Museum First Friday free admission from 4:00pm – 8:00pm.

- Portland’s Eastside Galleries First Friday from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Features over 50 participating galleries and venues with new exhibits and artist receptions. Please see web site for map and a list of participating venues.

- Willamette Week’s Eighth Annual Best New Band Showcase starts at 9:00pm this Friday, at Mississippi Studios. Admission is free!

- Cort and Fatboy present Cinco de Lebowski VI, featuring live music from Here Come Dots & The Troublemakers this Friday at McMenamin’s Bagdad Theater. VIP admission ($10) and preshow at 7:30pm, general admission ($3) doors at 9:00pm, film at 11:00pm.

- Submission: 14th Annual Camas Mother’s Day Plant & Garden Fair this Saturday from 9:00am – 4:00pm. This event features 100 booths of plant and garden related items. Admission is free and located on the campus of Camas High School.

- Hollywood Whole Foods Market Spring Fever Street Fair this Saturday from 10:00am – 2:00pm with a Flash Kitchen demo, free compost and other free activities.

- Portland’s Festival of the Birds is this Saturday from 9:00am – 3:00pm at Sellwood Park. This free event features birding walks, make a bird feeder, live music, exhibits and much more.

- Submission from Brett: The Oregon Commons invites you to join us at the Commons Convergence, a free event for learning, networking, and celebrating the commons! Our local work is part of a national movement to claim our commons—things that belong to all of us and are the basis of our collective well being. Join us for an inspiring afternoon with local and national advocates, dreamers and doers who are re-imagining and bringing to life a just and sustainable world.” This Saturday from 1:00pm – 4:00pm at St. David’s Church, 2800 SE Harrison in Portland.

- Saturday is National Train Day at Union Station, 10:00am – 4:00pm, free events and activities for all. From web site: “Meet notable train artist J.Craig Thorpe, see the 4449 Steam Engine and other train equipment on display, be entertained by the Rose Festival Character Clown Corp, and receive information on trains, railroad history, model trains and lots of destination cities that can be reached by taking Amtrak. Stay for entertainment including Gadget and Cha-Cha the clowns.”

- Saturday is also Free Comic Book Day with a number of Portland area shops participating with free comics and special guest appearances. GeekPortland has a write up here and a listing of all the comic book giveaways.

- Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale on Saturday at the Oregon Convention Center from 11:00am – 6:00pm, free admission all day long and the first 200 shoppers in line receive a free goodies bag.

- Champoeg State Park Founders’ Day on Saturday from 1:00pm – 4:00pm features living history programs, tours, free admission to the Robert Newell House Museum and more. Admission is $5 per vehicle.

- Submission from Emily: 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.

- Submission from Kaisa: The first annual “MSSP Mother’s Day Tea, Concert, Fashion Show & Silent Auction” will be held from 2:00pm – 4:30pm this Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel – Lloyd Center. Donations will be accepted at the door to benefit the local Multiple Sclerosis Society.

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

SPOTLIGHT: PORTLAND AREA FARMERS MARKETS, FARM STANDS & U-PICK

The sun is out, the temperatures are warming up and the fruits and veggies are fresh and coming your way via the multiple Farmers Markets, farm stands and U-Pick opportunities spread out all over our region, 7 days a week. Here are our picks for guiding you around town!

- Pick up the the Tuesday May 3rd Oregonian or hunt for the freebie “Food Day” that was delivered earlier this week for a hardcopy full-page guide to the markets, or click on their featured story “A fresh start for Portland-area farmers markets” and their interactive maps for a complete listing of markets for the 2011 season.

- This month’s Portland Monthly Magazine has a cover story on area famers markets, including profiles on Portland, Beaverton, Hollywood, Hillsdale and People’s Co-Op markets with suggestions on what to eat and what to buy.

- Oregon Environmental Council has their guide to farmers markets, listed by city and includes dates and times, locations and web links.

- The Oregon Farmer’s Market Association has a helpful online Oregon 2011 Farmers’ Market Directory covering the entire state and posted with complete market information including market times, dates, location and type of payments accepted.

- Oregon Farm Direct, a directory of roadside/farm stands and farmers markets. Use the drop down menus to search by county, city, and by type (farmer’s market or roadside stand).

- Tri-County Farm Fresh Produce is an organization of local farms offering produce for sale directly to the public through u-pick and farm stands in Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties. Sweet!! Click here for their four-page 2011-2012 printable guide (PDF), complete with map and crop availability chart.

- Oregon Farm Bureau Farm Stand Guide, a publication that lists Farm Bureau members’ roadside stands, u-pick fields, booths at farmers markets, vineyards, ranches, or other agriculture ventures. The listings are organized by region; opening date; and alphabetically. You can also download the full 2011 Oregon’s Bounty Guide at this link (PDF).

- U-Pick Farms and Orchards guide and listing, sorted by county.

Now get out there and eat your fruits and veggies, and Happy Mother’s Day!

- Portland Children’s Museum First Friday free admission from 4:00pm – 8:00pm.

- Portland’s Eastside Galleries First Friday from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Features over 50 participating galleries and venues with new exhibits and artist receptions. Please see web site for map and a list of participating venues.

- Submission from Erin: “Bols Genever and Upright Brewing are holding an exclusive tasting of the first ever beer to be produced by Upright Brewery in Portland, Oregon in conjunction with Lucas Bols, makers of Bols Genever.” This free event will take place this Friday from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at Circa 33 (33rd & SE Belmont). More information can be found on the Facebook event page here.

- Join a free and early spring paddle at Smith and Bybee Wetlands with the Friends of Smith and Bybee Lakes this Saturday morning from 9:00am – 12:00pm. Please visit web site for more information.

- Ever After Consignment Sale for used and new upscale, name brand clothing for children, this Saturday beginning at 9:00am in Tigard; wait a few hours later and save more when specified items will be 25% off after 1:00pm.

- Saturday is International Pillow Fight Day…the Portland Cacophony Society has posted information on their web site that participants will gather at Director Park near the Fox Tower at 3:00pm for this free event. Please visit this web site for further details.

- Portland’s newest unscripted theatre company, the Unscriptables, presents “The Uninvited: Tennessee Williams With Zombies” this Saturday at 8:00pm. Admission is ‘pay-what-you-want.’

- “Red Lips & Tulips:” St Josef’s Winery in Canby celebrates their 28th annual Founders Day this Saturday and Sunday with music, food specials and tours. $5 cover includes a souvenir glass.

- The Mount Hood Rock Club’s 55th Annual Rock, Gem and Craft Show is this Saturday and Sunday at Mount Hood Community College’s gymnasium from 10:00am – 5:00pm each day. The Mount Hood Rock Club will also host the free Thunder Egg/Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at 2:00pm.

- Head over to Lewis and Clark College this weekend for the opening reception of the senior art exhibition on Friday from 5:00pm – 7:00pm; the annual Hawai’i Club Luau on Saturday for a free performance at 7:00pm; and on Sunday a free concert at 4:00pm and a musical theater workshop at 8:00pm.

- It’s Tillamook Forest Center’s 5th Anniversary with free cake this Saturday and Sunday and a country/blue grass open jam scheduled for Sunday at 1:00pm. Admission to the center is free and they offer hands-on exhibits, hiking trails, a free film and much more.

- Bank of America’s ‘Museums on Us’ gives all Bank of America and Merrill Lynch debit/and or credit cardholders free admission this Saturday & Sunday to the Portland Art Museum, Pittock Mansion and the Lan Su Chinese Garden.

- Trillium Festival and Native and Hardy Plant Sale this Saturday and Sunday at Tryon Creek State Park, 10:00am – 4:00pm each day. There will be kids activities, guided walks and hikes, live music, storytelling, garden sale and much more.

- Multnomah County Libraries have a couple of Smart Choices programs on tap for this weekend. “Stretching Your Retirement Dollars,” is presented 2:00pm this Saturday at the Gresham Library; then on Sunday the Hollywood Library will host “Budgeting and Saving” from 2:00pm – 3:30pm.

- Submission from Joe: “The University of Portland’s 17th annual Reading Fair is set for Sunday, April 3 from 11:00am to 3:00pm in the Chiles Center on campus, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd. The event is free and open to the public, and hosted by Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society. Every student will receive a free, new book of their choice for attending. The fair’s theme, “Reading Around the World,” is designed to be a multicultural approach to literacy that will engage students from pre-kindergarten to middle school. Events throughout the day include arts, crafts and games that focus on reading as well as an obstacle course and storytelling performances.”

- This first Sunday OMSI opens its doors for only $2 per person…check out their newest exhibit “Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science.”

- There will be a free preview reception this Sunday for the new exhibit Dance: Before, After, During” from 3:00pm – 6:00pm at the Art Gym on the campus of Marylhurst University. The exhibition will feature performances at 3:15pm, 4:00pm and 4:45pm.

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

WHEELING’ AND DEALING’: GREAT BUYS FOR THE WEEKEND

- Stark’s Vacuum’s 79th anniversary sale ends tonight at all of their locations.

- Oregon Coast Aquarium tickets are on sale today only via daily deal site Groupon: for $15, you get two adult tickets (up to a $31.90 value) and for $25, you get two adult and two child or young adult tickets (up to a $59.80 value). These vouchers will expire on October 4th, 2011.

- The Title Wave Used Bookstore Price Splashing Sale is this Saturday from 9:00am – 6:00pm…it’s an astounding 55 percent off everything in the store except food and beverages! Sale applies to merchandise on hand and there will be no additional discounts and no “rain checks.”

- TravelZoo has negotiated a great Groupon-style deal for Silverton’s Oregon Garden Resort, which we have stayed at three times and highly recommend. For a super rate of $149 you receive an overnight stay, $100 credit for the spa, dinner for two and a bottle of wine, breakfast buffet for the next morning AND admission to the Oregon Garden. The deal is valid for Sunday-Thursday arrivals through July 21st with some black out dates. Tax, resort fee and gratuities are not included. Please see web site for more details; this deal will expire at 7:00pm this Friday!

- The 7th annual Abby’s Closet Prom Gown Giveaway is this Saturday and Sunday at Lloyd Center’s DoubleTree Hotel. All high school females are invited to attend to receive a free gown (just need to show a high school ID).

- Standard TV & Appliance holds their semi-annual manufacturer liquidation sale this Saturday from 8:00am – 7:00pm and on Sunday from 11:00am – 5:00pm. Find deals on closeouts, demos, overstock, scratch n’ dent and more. Sale is located at their warehouse at 7914 SE 82nd Avenue.

- Submission: Peter Phan, a theology professor at Georgetown University, will give a lecture entitled “Christian Theology Asian Style: Eat, Pray, Love” as part of “Theology Thursdays” at the University of Portland. The lecture is set for 7:30p.m. on Thursday, March 3rd in Buckley Center Auditorium, 5000 North Willamette Boulevard. The lecture is free and open to the public.

- Portland Children’s Museum First Friday free admission from 4:00pm – 8:00pm.

- Central Eastside Arts District First Friday, 6:00pm – 9:00pm. In conjunction with this monthly event, check out Milepost 5′s open house and festivities including live music, art viewings, a happy hour and more.

- “Visuals: A Community Film Festival,” this Friday beginning at 7:00pm at the 5th Avenue Cinemas near the campus of Portland State University. The festival features the latest shorts from student/community filmmakers and there will be an awards ceremony. $3 for general admission, $2 for students and seniors and free for PSU students and faculty (bring your ID).

- Submission: Shakespeare’s classic comedy “Two Gentlemen of Verona” will be performed this Friday – Sunday in the Mago Hunt Center Theater on the University of Portland campus. Performances are at 7:30pm Friday and Saturday and at 2:00pm on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

- The 21st Cascade Festival of African Films wraps up their run this Friday with a free 7:30pm screening of “Imani,” and free films on Saturday playing at 2:00pm, 2:30pm and 7:00pm. Please see web site for film descriptions.

- The 33rd annual “Celebration of Creativity” takes place this weekend at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Beaverton. Admission is free each day during the art exhibit and sale.

- Owl Fest 2011 this Saturday from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at Tryon Creek State Park’s Natural Area. Free event for the entire family, activities include owl pellet dissection, book reading and signing by local authors, snacks by Clif Bar, owl house construction and guided hikes (sign up as soon as you check in).

- SE Portland Art Walk is this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am – 5:00pm; this art walking tour and sale features over 200 artists in their homes and studios, please see web site to download the walking map.

- It’s back! The Portland Saturday Market 38th season kick-off event this Saturday and Sunday with free giveaways, kid’s parade and activities, live music and of course all the handcrafted arts and crafts sold by 200 vendors.

- Bank of America’s ‘Museums on Us’ gives all BoA/Merrill Lynch cardholders free admission this Saturday & Sunday to the Portland Art Museum, Pittock Mansion and the Lan Su Chinese Garden.

- This first Sunday OMSI opens its doors for only $2 per person…check out their newest exhibit “Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science.”

- The PSU Opera Workshop, part of Portland State University’s Voice/Choral Department, will present free music selections from Kurt Weill’s “American Opera, Street Scene,” 1:00pm performance this Sunday at Multnomah County Central Library.

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

- Today only, Thursday September 30th, Restaurant.com gift certificates are 90% off, must use code ‘WOW’ at check out. Normal price is $10 for a $25 gift certificate, get it today for just a buck; in addition, some restaurants offer $10 gift certificates that you can purchase for $.40. Please read the rules and restrictions before buying.

- Target Free First Friday at the Portland Children’s Museum this Friday from 4:00pm – 8:00pm. Bring school supplies and help everyone start the school year fresh! Join Adoption Mosaic and make family votive candles.

- Central Eastside Arts District First Friday from 6:00pm – 9:00pm, including the opening reception for the second annual Halloween Show at Redux.

- Open House at the Oregon Historical Society with free admission and programs Friday, October 1st – Friday, October 8th. Please see web site for hours and events.

- First annual 2010 Oregon Archives Crawl this Saturday from 11:00am – 4:00pm; free and open to the public. Start at any of the following locations: Portland Archives & Records Center, Portland State University Millar Library, Multnomah County Central Library or the Oregon Historical Society. The free after party is from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at the Oregon Historical Society with music and raffle prizes!

- 59th annual Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in southeast Portland this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Free performances; pastries and other activities require tickets or talents.

- Health and Wellness Resource Fair at Beaverton’s Elsie Stuhr Center this Saturday from 9:00am – 1:00pm. It will feature a lecture series, $30 flu shots, free health screenings, vendors and raffle prizes.

- Fall Native Plant Sale 2010 at Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center this Saturday from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Free admission.

- Bank of America’s Museums on Us promotion runs this Saturday and Sunday at the Portland Art Museum and the Pittock Mansion. Just show your BoA debit or credit card to get free admission.

- Submission: Join author & Illustrator (and Portland’s Museum Lady), Carye Bye on a free walking tour as she reads from Hidden Portland in celebration of the book’s wide-release. Meet at Union Station this Sunday at 2:00pm for a tour of Old Town / Chinatown.

- OMSI admission is just $2 this Sunday for every one, see the new exhibit “Identity” on the cheap!

- Want more free and cheap things to do this weekend? Then please check out Aroundthesunblog or PDXPipeline!

SPOTLIGHT: CAMPING AT OREGON STATE PARKS

Two main reasons for this week’s spotlight:

#1: Tomorrow, October 1st, marks the beginning of Oregon State Park’s “Discovery Season.” From their official blog:

“Discovery Season rewards spontaneity. It is a seven-month span when you can react to an unseasonably warm and dry weather forecast, or notice the sun shining through your window, and take off on a camping trip without a reservation.

Take advantage of $4-off full RV and tent site camping rates (yurt and cabin rates remain the same). The lower rates apply at 28 year-round campgrounds and at seasonal parks (check website for opening and closing dates).

Discovery Season campers will tell you that besides the cost savings, you have better chances to see wildlife, more elbow room on beaches and trails, and chances to stay in one of those primo campsites that always seem to be occupied by somebody else during the summer…”

#2. If you are planning on having a camping weekend for the 4th of July 2011, the next few days are critical for reserving a spot. July 4th is on a Monday, so if you want to take an extra long weekend from Friday July 1st – the 4th, you’ll want to call or go online tomorrow, October 1st to make that reservation; Oregon State camping sites can be reserved up to 9 months in advance. Better yet, make the reservation today and reserve a site from Thursday, June 30th for however many days you want to stay that weekend.

We love our Oregon State Parks, from the beautiful seven waterfalls hike at Silver Falls State Park to exploring the historic military area of Fort Stevens State Park and enjoying the holiday lights at Shore Acres State Park. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind for your upcoming visits!

- Hike or bike to the park and get a special campsite for just $5 or $6 per person (check park for availability).

- Never been camping? No problem—Oregon State Parks offers a “Let’s Go Camping” program during the summer months that feature ranger-led camping basics, group nature hikes, Dutch Oven cooking and much more, all at a very reasonable cost for the family.

- No RV, tent-phobic or think it is too cold to go camping in the winter time? Then try one of the yurts, cabins or teepees, complete with heat, bedding and electric lights! Upgrade and find a few sites with personal bathroom and showers, fridge and microwave.

- If you are a day-tripper, some of the more popular parks require a day pass, which costs $5. If you go often like we do, consider an annual pass for $30 or a 24-month pass for $50. Please see web site for additional information on other passes.

- Active duty military on leave or veteran with disability? The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department offers free camping and day-use to veterans with a service-connected disability and active military on leave. The fee waiver is only applicable for veterans who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military.

- Keep on eye out for the annual State Parks Day the first Saturay of June, which offers free camping and day-use parking at every state park. Free camping applies to full hookup (sewer, electricity and water), electrical hookup (electricity and water) and tent sites. 2011′s State Parks Day is on Saturday, June 4th (in conjunction with National Trails Day).

- Time your visit around special free events or programs, including this Saturday from 1:00pm – 4:00pm with Champoeg Apple Harvest Day featuring fresh-pressed apple cider, apple butter, desserts cooked in a Dutch oven and more.

- There are close to 60 Oregon State parks with opportunities for camping. Here’s are a few resources to help you choose where to go:

- Oregon Coast Camping Guide – The Complete List

- About.com: Oregon’s Best State Parks

- Oregonlive.com Travels with Terry feature columns ‘Best of Oregon Camping‘ (numerous categories including best tent sites, best RV sites, best fishing, etc.)

- AM Northwest video segment “Oregon’s Best Camping Spots” (6 minute video)

- Reference book: Oregon State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide [Paperback], around $8 including shipping on Amazon.com

Happy camping!

- 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)!

- Reed Arts Week 2010: ALCHEMY runs through this Sunday with visiting artists, performances, lectures, installation, and student art projects. Every day 12:00pm – 6:00pm, see web site for schedule of activities.

- Children’s Museum First Friday: free admission for all 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.

- Portland Saturday Market reopens this weekend with hours of 10:00am – 5:00pm Saturday and 11:00am – 4:30pm Sunday. Special activities for children include a make-your-own instrument for a 2:00pm parade and a roaming magician.

- 25th Annual Visitation School Rummage Sale in Forest Grove this Thursday – Saturday. Early bird sale on Thursday, March 4, from 7:30am to 9:00am for an entrance fee of $5. Regular sale hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm. Everything will be half price on Saturday, March 6th, with a $3 bag sale from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. The sale will be held at the Visitation Parish Center, located at 4285 NW Visitation Road, Forest Grove, 97116.

- The 20th annual Cascade Festival of African Films wraps up its month-long celebration with film screenings this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Free admission, please see web site for film descriptions.

- 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!

- McMenamins Grand Lodge 88th Birthday Party, featuring the Cracked Pots unGarden Art Show this Saturday. Art show runs 11:00am – 6:00pm and music starts at 4:00pm. Free admission, all ages welcome.

- Vancouver Family Magazine presents the 4th annual Children’s Festival this Saturday from 11:00am – 4:00pm at the Westfield Vancouver Mall. Free event featuring performances, activities, games, prizes and entertainment for families of all ages.

- New Seasons Markets features cereal and milk tasting samples this Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am – 5:00m at all area stores.

- The 7th annual SE Portland Art Walk takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am – 5:00pm. Featuring over 100 artists, please see the web site for locations and to download a map. Free!

- Portland International Women’s Day will be held this Sunday from 11:00am – 4:00pm on the 3rd floor of the Portland State University Smith Student Union. The festival includes entertainment, art, seminars and more. Free for all ages.

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

- Willamette Week’s new Cheap Skate Deal Box features half-price tickets for Portland Center Stage’s “The 39 Steps,” a free concert at Mississippi Studios first anniversary party, cheap bicycle stuff and more.

- The OSU Food Innovation Center is recruiting participants for another upcoming taste test:

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 Tuesday, March 16th. The taste test will be about 30 minutes and the compensation is $25.
We will also be holding three additional optional focus groups after three of the taste tests. These focus groups will take 45 minutes and will pay an additional $35. Test times run from 9am 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 Tuesday, March 9th, where you must confirm your intent to participate. We will then send you another reminder email the day before the test.

We only contact those who were selected to participate and will be sending out those confirmation emails by March 9th.
Photo ID will be required to participate in this test.

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

Spotlight: Portland Shared Housing Resources

It’s a brutal economy and many people have been forced to pinch their pennies and make hard decisions on housing, jobs, family and lifestyle. One of our good friends was laid off back in the fall, just three months after purchasing his first home. Fortunately, he was able to resell, but the sudden absence of a steady paycheck was a shock that resulted in the hunt for cheaper housing options.

He could no longer afford a place of his own; even apartments wanted too much up front, so he looked for shared housing opportunities. Here are some of the resources he shared with us that he found useful:

ONLINE:

- Craigslist, Rooms and Shares category. Postings constantly updated, some with pics and some without, use the search box to limit key words. And be familiar with the Federal Fair Housing Act!

- HousingConnections.org. This web-based community service is sponsored by the City of Portland Bureau of Housing and Community Development and is user-friendly and very functional. Under the ‘Renters’ tab, click on ‘Search for Housing’ and then on the next screen click on ‘Shared Housing.’ Free to use, no registration required.

- Roomates.com: basic membership is free and that will allow you to add a profile, browse matches and send RoomMail messages. But in order to read messages received from other members, you must become a Choice Member which costs $5.99 for a 3-day trial, $19.99 for 30 days, and $29.99 for 60 days.

- The classifieds in the Willamette Week and the Portland Mercury maintain a small database of online listings for roommates. Definitely worth a look, especially since it is free.

- Oregonlive.com provides a listing of shared housing, but the ads don’t have a full description and you can’t search for specific terms.

REAL WORLD / OFFLINE:

- Shared Housing matching and referral service. This program is offered by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and program participants are asked to pay a fee of $10 to $30, depending on income. See web site for details and application process.

- College bulletin boards. Find them at any Portland Community College campus, Portland State University or any of the private colleges scattered around the Portland area.

- Other places that might have public bulletin boards include grocery stores (try Fred Meyer, Safeway and Haggen); places of worship like churches and synagogues; senior centers and Loaves and Fishes meal centers; community activity centers like the Salvation Army, YMCA or Boys and Girls Clubs; and multicultural service centers like IRCO Asian Family Center in NE Portland, Centro Cultural in Washington County, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest.

-Finally, let your friends and colleagues know that you are in the market for a place or room to rent out. Many homeowners are turning to renting out rooms to help make ends meet, so it could be a win-win situation.

Homeowner considering renting out a room? Read this article for more.