February 2010 Happenings

These are my monthly event listings for the Portland metro area for February. Normally I expect I will be posting them on the first or second day of each month, but this month I was able to make a listing that is more or less finished a few days early. Please bear in mind that this is not intended to be a complete list, this is the list of events I pick as being of interest to my homeschool group. We like events that have some cultural or educational value, are free or low cost, and are suitable for younger kids roughly 3-7. We can be picky. Also please note that although I am making every effort to be accurate, you should confirm listings yourself to be on the safe side. I use about 30 sources (and counting!) and mistakes can happen.

Tadpole Tales are naturalist lead stories, followed by nature walks, with fun activities for the kids. They did these last fall at Whitaker Ponds (NE 47th Avenue just north of Columbia Blvd.) and I thought they were excellent, with a wide age appeal. And they are rather inexpensive, at $3 per child over age 3. The differences this spring are that they will be at Whitaker Ponds only for February and then will be moving to different locations each month. Also they are requiring preregistration, by calling 503-281-1132 or emailing intern@columbiaslough.org. They will be each Wednesday from 10 to 11:30, beginning February 3. http://www.columbiaslough.org/sloughschool/tadpoletales.htm

Continuing through March 19, every Friday at the Multnomah Arts Center in SW, from 6-8:30PM they are having Family Clay Night, which is $10 per hour for one adult and child pair, $4 for each additional child,and includes glazings, firings, and 5 lbs of clay. This would be a great way to introduce your child to real clay, without the commitment of a series of classes. http://www.multnomahartscenter.org/

Friday, February 5, from 7 to 8PM, the Hillsboro Main Library is hosting Asia FantAsia. Here's their description: "Master storyteller Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo of Eth-Noh-Tec delights his audience with folk tales and myths from Asia: Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Afghanistan and other Asian cultures. His engaging performances take his audiences of young and old on an adventure of the imagination, weaving a variety of traditional tales with music, movement and wild facial gestures to bring the characters and places to life. A few examples from his repertoire include: "Firedog" (Korea), "Rainbow Mudbabies" (Philippines), "Mr. Pepper Peel and the Parrot" (China), and "The Bird of Happiness" (Tibet)."

Here's a cool library program the weekend of Feb. 6-7 “From the Inside Out: An Introduction to the Human Body”. Here's their description: "What happens to french fries after you eat them? How do you lift, throw, run and jump? What helps you think and learn? Answer these questions and more in a hands-on look into the human body. Students explore the skeletal, digestive, nervous, muscular, respiratory, and circulatory systems, and learn how to take their vital signs and stay healthy. Saturday, February 6, 11 a.m.–noon,North Portland Library

Saturday, February 6, 3–4 p.m., Woodstock Library, Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program.

Sunday, February 7, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Midland Library (and what struck me about this one is that Feb. 7 at 3PM Pacific is the Super Bowl! A fabulous day for many of us to get out of the house with our kids! It may be at capacity so get there early...)

If, on the other hand, you are interested in seeing the Super Bowl with your child, and want company, a more welcoming choice than a sports bar might be a movie theatre! Offhand I know the Baghdad Theatre in SE and the Venetian Theatre in Hillsboro are both showing it on the big screen for free. So will the Tigard Public Library. Check your local theatre to see if they're going to be in on the fun too. Please note that the Venetian Theatre is known to be haunted, and the employees say the paranormal activity only gets crazier the more crowded it is.

Tryon Creek State Park is having Family Flying Squirrel Night on Saturday, February 6 from 6:30- 8:30 PM. "Families will have the opportunity to learn about how flying squirrels are adapted to survive in this forested habitat, make a flying squirrel craft and join one of our nature guides on an evening hike in the forest." Cost is $6 per person. Preregistration is required and can be done online. http://events.tryonfriends.org/events/

Portland Center for the Performing Arts has their monthly free noontime showcase on Monday, February 8 with live music, Gerado Calderon and Grupo Condor. "Gerardo Calderón is an accomplished musician who performs traditional folk music of Mexico and South America. He plays a variety of Latin American string instruments as well as turtle shells, zampoñas (pan flutes), and water drums. His performance will lift your spirits and leave you energized. It is appropriate for all ages." http://www.pcpa.com/events/event.php?run=1844 This takes place in the lobby of the Hatfield Hall Rotunda Lobby at 1111 SW Broadway in downtown Portland. Getting there early is highly suggested.

Wednesday February 10 at 7PM at the Tualatin Public Library, they are hosting a free, all ages performance of the Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre, Raven Steals the Sun, based on a Native American folktale. Tears of Joy is always worth checking out. http://www.ci.tualatin.or.us/news/EventsCalendar.cfm?action=EventDetail&event_id=3867&startdate=2%2F10%2F2010

That same evening, Feb. 10 from 5:30-7:30PM, at the Holgate Library at 7905 SE Holgate Blvd, there will be a Vietnamese New Year celebration with a Lion Dance performed by the students of Van Lang School, a local Vietnamese school. There will also be crafts and traditional food.

The Great Backyard Bird Count begins on Feb. 12, more info here: In order to participate, you have to commit to tallying for 15 minutes each day for four days, the total number of birds you see- the catch, of course, is that you must be able to positively identify the species.  More info here: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

Looking for something on Valentine's Day weekend that's fun to do with the whole family, but still oh so romantic for you and your true love? How could you do better than this... monster trucks at the Rose Quarter!!! It's February 13th and 14th, with 3 shows and a pit party. Here is their description of this extravaganza: "Monster Jam, sanctioned by the United States Hot Rod Association, is the most popular monster truck tour, performing to over 4 million fans annually at the most prestigious arenas and stadiums throughout the world. Monster Jam shows consist of three main fan-favorite elements – the pit party, racing and freestyle. Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, monster trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster trucks can fly up to125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air. The Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits on Saturday, February 13th from 11:30 –1:00p gives fans the opportunity to get a view of the trucks up close and meet the drivers of the massive monster trucks." Tickets start at $20 for adults and $10 for kids. http://www.rosequarter.com Now, don't tell me that doesn't sound entertaining!

Saturday Feb. 13 and Sunday Feb 14 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro is the NW Family and Kids Festival. The cost will be $10 per family but there is a $2 off coupon on their website http://www.kuik.com/Article.asp?id=497312 They don't have much information posted on this yet. When they have their list of exhibitors posted, I will have a better idea if it sounds like something I would recommend, or if it's mainly an opportunity for marketing to families...

The Chinese New Year will be celebrated at the Portland Convention Center on Sun Feb 14 from 10AM- 6PM with a Chinese Cultural Fair. Here's their description: "The 2010 Chinese New Year Cultural Fair -Year of the Tiger - will showcase both traditional and contemporary Chinese cultural activities including Chinese folk dances, Chinese instrumental music and popular oldies, Kung Fu and martial arts demonstrations, Chinese puppet show and the most important entertainment for Chinese New Year the Lion and Dragon Dance! There will also be around 80 booths featuring different products and services. These attractions will thrill both the young and old. Come to watch the exciting show and sample the exotic Chinese delicacies we offer! The Chinese New Year Cultural Fair will bring in the Chinese New Year, new fortunes, and prosperity. In recent years, the festival has been one of Portland’s most celebrated festivals and is entertaining for the whole family!" Children under 6 are free and adults are $6 at the door, $4 in advance at http://www.oregoncc.org More info at http://www.portlandchinesetimes.us/cny10/English/pressRelease.html

On Sunday, February 14, from 12-4, the Audubon Society of Portland is having an open house at their Wildlife Care Facility. This is free and open to all ages. (For some reason, various media outlets have this on their event calendars, but the Audubon Society does not have details on their own website. This is a problem I encounter fairly often with all kinds of event listings. I'll try to update here as well but I advise calling them at 503-292-6855 to confirm before making definite plans to attend).

Naturally the Lansu Garden (Portland Classical Chinese Garden) will be celebrating the Year of the Tiger in style, from Feb 14-28, 10AM- 5PM every day. For a complete calendar of events, see http://www.lansugarden.org/events_classes/chinese_new_year All events are free with admission, which is $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for children 6-18, and free for ages 5 and under.

Tuesday, February 16, from 5:30 to 7:30PM, at the Midland Library at 805 SE 122nd Ave, they will celebrate the Chinese New Year with drumming, Chinese opera singing, a fashion show, crafts and snacks.

Wednesday, February 17 from 5:30PM to 7:30PM, at the Woodstock Library at 6009 SE 49th Ave, they will be celebrating the Chinese New Year with a Lion Dance, songs, music, crafts, and treats.

Another cool library program: Signs of Animals- "Animals are all around you, but you have to look for the clues. Be an animal detective and learn about snake sheds and spider molts. Figure out what an owl has been eating and what animal left his antlers behind. Fur, feathers and zoo poo can tell you a lot about the animals they came from."

Saturday, February 20, 2–4 p.m., Gregory Heights Library

Tuesday, February 23, 4–6 p.m., Hillsdale Library

Saturday, February 27, 3–5 p.m., Holgate Library

Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program.

Tryon Creek State Park will be having their excellent monthly Kids in Nature program on Sunday, February 21 from 10- 11:30AM. This month the topic is nesting owls. "Owls are nesting in the park! Join us to learn about these special winter residents including a walk to one of their nesting sites. Learn the sounds to listen for to find owls in your neighborhood." Cost is $10 per child over 4 and the required preregistration can be done online http://events.tryonfriends.org/children/

Has your child ever seen a magician? Mine hasn't. This is wrong. I'd better do something about this right away! Presto the Magician will be performing for free at the West Linn Library Tuesday February 23 at 6:30PM for ages 3 and up. http://westlinnoregon.gov/library/event/terrific-tuesday-presto-magician

Walking With Dinosaurs will be at the Rose Quarter in February, and while this is not a low cost event, having seen it several years ago I can say it's so superfabulously cool that I'm going to mention it anyway. More info at http://www.rosequarter.com/EventDetail/tabid/146/rqeventid/636/Default.aspx

The Unique Animal Expo is at the Washington County Fairgrounds Saturday Feb 27th and Sunday Feb 28th. There will be all kinds of pets on display. Last time there was a pet lion, a camel, and a potbellied pig, as well as many many cool pets actually for sale. Adults are $8, kids 5-12 are $4 and under 5 are free. This is a marvelous chance

to see all kinds of animals and ask questions about their care. http://uniqueanimalexpo.com/http://uniqueanimalexpo.com/

As always, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for updates and will post them here.

Laura