Article of the Week:
- “12 smart savings tips for 2012,” by Greg McBride, CFA for Bankrate.com.

Monday, January 2nd:
- Free admission at the Oregon Zoo, 9:00am – 4:00pm!
- Free admission at the Lan Su Chinese Garden now until next Monday, January 9th. Open 10:00am – 5:00pm.
- Rose Bowl: Oregon Ducks vs Wisconsin Badgers, kick off at 2:10pm. Catch the game at McMenamins theaters, Grand Central Bowl or at home on ABC.
- In honor of the Oregon Ducks, Burgerville presents a ‘Quack Attack’ offer valid all day long: 5 original cheeseburgers for $5 or 5 double cheeseburgers for $10.

Tuesday, January 3rd:
- Lake Oswego’s First Tuesday Music Series features the music styling of the Double Reed Divas, 7:00pm at the Lake Oswego Library, free.
- Snowshoeing Basics at Hillsboro REI, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, free registration spots are still available.
- Oregon Archaeological Society general meeting features the free presentation “Native American Architecture of the Lower Columbia, Oregon Coast, and Willamette Valley: the Vernacular Style.” 7:45pm at OMSI, open to the public.

Wednesday, January 4th:
- Free presentation: “Moving Towards A Low Carbon Economy: Brown bag with Rex Burkholder,” 12:00pm inside the council chambers at Metro Regional Center.
- First Wednesday Chamber Jam with Classical Revolution PDX, 7:00pm at the Waypost in North Portland. $5 suggested donation.

Thursday, January 5th:
- First Thursday monthly art gallery event in downtown Portland, Old Town / Chinatown, Northwest and the Pearl. Click here for a printable walking map.

Monday, October 31st:
- The Used Book Sale put on by the Friends of the Library Multnomah County offers their final day of savings with a 50% extra discount. 9:00am – 3:00pm at the Doubletree Exhibit Hall at Lloyd Center.
- Submission from Jason: “OMSI Science Pub Hillsboro presents Spider Venoms: Tools of Tiny Predators, with Greta Binford, PhD. 7:00pm – 9:00pm at the Venetian Theater and Bistro. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Come early for food and drinks! Spiders (all 42,000 species) play key roles in our ecosystems as predators of insects. Without spiders there would be many more insects and thus fewer plants. Evolution over the last 400 million years has created enormous diversity of predatory tactics, including web and venom use, which has resulted in a phenomenal diversity of silk and venom chemistry. This talk will highlight some of the beautiful biological diversity of spiders’ feeding biology, silks, and venoms with a special emphasis on species native to the Pacific Northwest. We’ll also discuss and clarify some of the misconceptions associated with spider bites in this region.” $5 suggested cover charge, No RSVP or tickets required.
- Willamette Radio Workshop performs works by Edgar Allen Poe at 4:00pm and 6:00pm at McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room, free. There will also be trick-or-treating for kids and a free performance by the Freak Mountain Ramblers beginning at 7:00pm.

Tuesday, November 1st:
- First Tuesday in downtown Hillsboro, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Stop by the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center for the First Tuesday opening reception with house concert and light refreshments provided by Claeys Catering. Features Gerald Sticka in the main gallery and Miniature Artists of America in the lower exhibition space.
- Book event at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 7:00pm with authors Jeff Hertzberg and Zoë François and their cookbook “Artisan Pizza and Flatbread in Five Minutes a Day.”

Wednesday, November 2nd:
- Wondrous Wednesday special admission offer at the World Forestry Center, admission is just $3 for person. Open 10:00am – 5:00pm. There is an extra fee of $2 for parking.

Thursday, November 3rd:
- Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a free performance of “Raven Steals the Sun,” 3:30pm – 4:15pm at the Belmont Library. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program.
- Siren Nation Festival Kickoff Party art show, 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Albina Press (SE 50th & Hawthorne), free for all ages.
- Free presentation “Backpacking our National Parks,” 7:00pm at REI Streets of Tanasbourne.
- First Thursday Portland, the monthly art gallery event celebrates 25 years in downtown Portland, Old Town / Chinatown, Northwest and the Pearl. Click here for a printable walking map.

Monday, February 28th:
- Free library program at the Hollywood Library “Resources for Living on a Limited Budget,” 6:30pm – 7:45pm, free. Description: “Multnomah County’s Commission on Children, Families & Community staff will help consumers to manage more easily on a limited budget. They will describe the Family Economic Security Project, which includes information on tax benefit programs, free tax assistance and family budgeting. We’ll also highlight other consumer-related information resources like 2-1-1, Oregon Helps and the Beehive.”
- Last Monday History Pub at McMenamins Kennedy School “Inside the Burley World,” 7:00pm start. Free admission for all ages, please bring a canned good to donate to the Oregon Food Bank.
- First Tuesday Music Series at Lake Oswego Library, 7:00pm – 8:30pm featuring the Portland Guitar Duo, free.

Tuesday, March 1st:
- IHOP National Pancake Day Celebration: from 7:00am – 10:00pm, stop by any IHOP location in the Portland area and receive one complimentary short stack, no other purchase necessary. When you leave the restaurant, you’ll have the opportunity to consider making a donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities.
- First Tuesday in downtown Hillsboro, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Stop by the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center for the First Tuesday opening reception with house concert and light refreshments provided by Claeys Catering! (artwork by Forrest Solis)

Wednesday, March 2nd:
- Community Cinema Independent Lens series presents “Pushing the Elephant,” 6:00pm at the Turnbull Center in Old Town. Free admission. Description: “When civil war came to Rose’s Congolese village, she was separated from her five-year-old daughter, Nangabire. Rose managed to escape with nine of her 10 children and was eventually resettled in Phoenix, Arizona. More than a decade later, mother and daughter are reunited in the U.S. where they must come to terms with the past and build a new future.”

Thursday, March 3rd:
- Portland First Thursday monthly art gallery receptions and openings in downtown Portland, Old Town / Chinatown, Northwest and the Pearl. Click here for a printable walking map.
- Portland Opera to Go: Elixir of Love, free 7:00pm performance at McMenamins Kennedy School gymnasium. All ages welcome.

Article of the Week:
“Reboot for the New Year!” from Parade magazine, lists ten ways to start off the new year.

Monday, January 3rd:
- Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland’s Chinatown district is offering free admission from now until Sunday, January 9th.
- Fresh Express salad kits for just $1 at area Fred Meyer stores, now until this Saturday, January 8th. Includes Asian, House Italian, Caesar Lite and more, no coupon needed.
- Book reading event of “Blazermania” at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. 7:30pm start, free.

Tuesday, January 4th:
- First Tuesday Music series at the Lake Oswego Public Library features the Millennium Clarinets. 7:00pm, free.

Wednesday, January 5th:
- Community Cinema Independent Lens series free film “For Once in My Life” at the Turnbull Center in downtown Portland. 6:00pm.
- Portland REI in the Pearl offers a free introductory class on “Snowshoeing Basics,” beginning at 7:00pm. Register for the class online.

Thursday, January 6th:
- Portland First Thursday monthly art gallery receptions and openings in downtown Portland, Old Town / Chinatown, Northwest and the Pearl. Click here for a printable walking map. Check out the Basil Hallward Gallery in Powell’s City of Books for an exhibition of posters of every cover of the Portland Mercury newspaper.

For other ideas on what to do this week and beyond, please visit our calendar or our page for ongoing discount days and free events. Happy New Year!

Monday, February 1st:
- Music Millennium presents Community day with free refreshments, special one-day deals, live music and more. The 7:00pm Songwriters Circle features Lisa Mann, Steve Hefter and Jarad Miles.

- Free Denny’s burger and fries for the first 500,000 people who sign up for the new Denny’s Rewards program online here. The free burger and fries will be available for redemption March 1st through March 7th, 2010. Sign up now until February 14th, or until 500,000 have signed up. And you don’t need to be a Rewards program member to take advantage of a free Grand Slam breakfast next week on Tuesday, February 9th!

Tuesday, February 2nd:
- LOST final season premiere at 9:00pm, ABC. Get caught up with a replay of last season’s cliff hanger finale at 8:00pm. The Bagdad will show both on their big screen with doors opening at 7:30pm. Free, 21 and over only.

Wednesday, February 3rd:
- World Forestry Center’s Wondrous Wednesday offers $2.00 admission all day to the Discovery Museum. 10:00am – 5:00pm.

- Film Screening: “Papers” at Lewis and Clark College Templeton Campus Center, Council Chamber. 7:00pm, which will be followed by a panel discussion with film creators, participants, and other experts. Free.

Thursday, February 4th:
- Portland First Thursday monthly art gallery walk in downtown Portland, Old Town and the Pearl District. 5:00pm – 8:00pm, free.

· Who: Sorel
· What: Apres Ski Trunk Show and Fashion Event
· Where: Columbia Flagship Store, 911 SW Broadway, Portland OR
· When: Wed., Dec. 2, 5:30-7:30pm
· Why: Glam up your footwear wardrobe, mingle, shop and sip the signature drink, the Joan of Arctic (hot cocoa and butterscotch schnapps). Enter to win a $500 Columbia shopping spree and other prizes – drawing at 7pm.
· RSVP: portlandrsvp@sorel.com

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Article of the Week: (a double dose this week just for Cyber Monday)

“How to Prepare for Cyber Monday Deals” A quick read for what to look for and how to plan your strategy for finding all the best Monday buys.

“Where to Find the Best Cyber Monday Deals” Previews specials that big-name retailers are offering.

Monday, November 30th:
- Last Monday History Pub lecture, 7:00pm at McMenamins Kennedy School. Tonight’s lecture is “Women and the First World War,” by Kimberly Jensen of Western Oregon University’s Department of History. Free (but bring some canned food donations for the Oregon Food Bank).

- Restaurant.com has a new holiday promotion for its gift certificates: 80% off $25 gift certificate orders. Use code SAVE at checkout and pay $2.00, now until the end of Monday 11/30.

Tuesday, December 1st:
- Hillsboro First Tuesday Art Walk, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Free.

Wednesday, December 2nd:
- World Forestry Center’s Wondrous Wednesday. $2 admission from 10:00am – 5:00pm in the Discovery Museum, now featuring the special exhibit ‘Coffee: The World In Your Cup.’

- OMSI After Dark. $10 gets you admission from 6:00pm – 10:00pm sans the kids, so 21 and over only. December’s event features pictures with Santa, juggling demonstrations and the Scream exhibit.

Thursday, December 3rd:
- Portland First Thursday, downtown, Old Town/Chinatown and in the Pearl District. Free monthly art gallery hopping and looks like great weather for this month’s edition!

Monday, November 2nd:
- “Spread the Word, Not the Flu: N1H1 and You.” Timely lecture brought to you by OMSI’s Science Pub at the Bagdad Theater, 7:00pm. $2.00 suggested cover charge.

Tuesday, November 3rd:
- “Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day,” book signing and reading at Powell’s City of Books at 7:30pm, free

Wednesday, November 4th:
- World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum offers Wondrous Wednesday Discount Day, with admission for only $2.00 all day

Thursday, November 5th:
- Portland First Thursday; look for galleries and openings in downtown, Old Town/Chinatown, and the Pearl. Go for the free Siren Nation kick off celebration and for the opening reception of Portland’s Hot Glass Studio Artist Invitational

- 4th Annual adidas Warehouse sale at the Portland Expo Center, free entry, 10:00am – 8:00pm

- The end of an era: after 65 years, the final Catlin Gabel rummage sale is held beginning Thursday at 5:00pm at the Portland Expo Center