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**