Astronomy Day at OMSI

Saturday, at OMSI, is Astronomy Day. Visitors will learn about meteorites, constellations, universe and telescopes.

Astronomy Day 2009 is a world-wide event designed to promote International Year of Astronomy 2009. Local astronomy representatives will be at OMSI during the celebration, including the Rose City Astronomers Club, Oregon Parks and Recreation, Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers, and more.

According to wikipedia, this event was started in 1973 by Doug Berger, the president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California. His intent was to set up various telescopes in busy urban locations so that passersby could enjoys views of the heavens. Since then the event has expanded and is now sponsored by a number of organizations associated with astronomy.

Photo by Tony Rowell / Astrophotostore.com

Farmers Return to Downtown Portland

The downtown Farmers Markets are getting back to business. The large market on the Park blocks by PSU is now in operation every Saturday thru December 19. The Wednesday market will open on April 29th and run thru the end of October while the Pearl District gathering will being in June.


Please be aware that there are new restrictions on pets. Due to over crowding and other concerns, shoppers will no longer be allowed to bring their dogs and other pets to the two South Park Blocks markets. The new pet rules are similar to those in place at farmers markets in Beaverton, Hillsdale, Seattle and San Francisco.



More information can be found at the farmers web site.

Lecture: "The Civil War in Oregon"

If you are a history buff would might be interested to know about a cultural event happening tomorrow, Tuesday March 24th. A lecture regarding the Civil War will be presented 7:30pm at The Newmark Theatre, Antoinette Hatfield Hall, 1111 S.W. Broadway in downtown Portland.

Speaker Robert K. Sutton is the current Chief Historian of the National Park Service. Prior to this, he served as the Superintendent of Manassas National Battlefield Park and directed the Historic Preservation and Historical Administration public history programs at Arizona State University. He has published several books, articles, and reviews on public history. One of his primary interests is preparing for the Civil War Sesquicentennial. Presented as part of the 2009 Mark O. Hatfield Distinguished Historians Forum.

See the Oregon Historical Society website for ticketing information.

Interesting First Thursday Events

Tired of looking the same galleries on your First Thursday evenings? Try one or more of these interesting events tonight.

Lizard Lounge: Featuring art work from Ashley Montague and live music by Mark Twain Indians, the First Thursday Reception Party at the Lizard Lounge will benefit Mercy Corps. Join Mercy Corps volunteers to learn more about their programs and ways you can help. Enjoy complimentary beverages from Widmer Brothers Brewery, a 10% discount on Lizard Lounge merchandise and 15% of all sales are donated to Mercy Corps. Music, drink, art, shopping and philanthropy – it doesn’t get any better than this. Lizard Lounge, 1323 NW Irving, 503.416.7476.

Wine Unwind: Romantic and thought provoking photographic images of vineyards from around the world by Emma Juhli. Wine Unwind 1019 NW 11th Ave, at Lovejoy, 503.946.8482

Forever Art & The CEO’s Home: Meet International Artist, Alexander Voitsekhovsky, Here from St. Petersburg, Russia. Exhibition through March 7th. Forever Art & The CEO's Home, 828 NW Hoyt St (corner of 9th & Hoyt), 503.227.2010

Urban Wine Works: Arletha Mueller Ryan's exhibit will be on display for all to see during the entire month of March. Join us for a First Thursday reception in honor of this talented artist and enjoy her artwork while treating yourself to complimentary appetizers, live music by Alfonso Pe Benito and Bishop Creek Cellars finely crafted Pinot Noirs and Pinot Gris. Arletha Mueller Ryan will be on hand to discuss her work and reveal her barrel-top art. Join us for art, food, music and wine! (Artwork will be featured until March 31st). Urban Wineworks, 407 NW 16th Ave., 503.226.9797.

OMSI After Dark

Looking for something fun and scientific to do at night. On the fourth Wednesday of every month, OMSI puts on a special program - OMSI After Dark.

Here's your chance to shoot off water rockets, concoct chemical creations, and enjoy the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight! Enjoy a glass of wine while learning about robots, tornados, or fossils. Have a pint of local beer while exploring the exhibits. Talk to a baker about the science behind bread, or taste the complexity of coffee.

OMSI After Dark is an opportunity for the 21-and-over crowd to explore the museum in a child-free environment. Visitors will also be able to taste and learn the science behind food and beverage favorites with local artisans. The OMSI Market Cafe will be open and cash bars will also be available for those who want more than just a taste!

Special features for Wednesday, February 25:

See Leonardo da Vinci's genius come to life! In our featured exhibit Da Vinci: The Genius, you can enjoy two floors of interactive reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci's inventions and 3D plasma presentations of his paintings. Highlights include Secrets of Mona Lisa Gallery, which features findings about the world's most famous painting that have startled the art world.

Talk to local food and beverage companies about the science behind their products and sample their tasty treats! Companies joining us in February will include: Caffe Vita Coffe Roasting Co., Cupcake Jones, Dave's Killer Bread, Hot Lips Soda, Missionary Chocolates, and Picklopolis.

For more info, go to the OMSI web site or calll 503.797.4517.

Festival of Lights at The Grotto

A popular evening activity for Portlanders is to visit the Festival of Light at The Grotto. Located at NE82nd and Sandy Blvd, the Grotto has been putting on this delightful display of Christmas cheer since 1988.


Through the presentation of spectacular lights, hourly music concerts, outdoor caroling, and other family entertainment, The Grotto's festival surrounds visitors with the traditional sights and sounds of this wondrous holiday season.



The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights is a walk-through event. Free parking is available. While all entertainment areas are fully tented and all concerts are performed indoors, visitors and volunteers should dress for the weather, including warm rubber soled shoes.

Christmas Ship Parade

The annual downtown Christmas ship parade begins tomorrow. The fleet sails each evening thru December 21st. There are approximately 55-60 boats divided into two fleets. One sails on the Columbia and the other sails on the Willamette.

This is the 54th year for this popular event. Best place to view is at Waterfront Park near Riverplace Marina. The boats get into formation between 6:30 and 7pm. For more information please visit their web site at http://www.christmasships.org.

South Waterfront Holiday Party

Residents of the South Waterfront district are invited to the annual neighborhood holiday party this evening. The event will begin 5:30pm at Rilassi Coffee House and Tea for holiday food, drinks, mingling with neighbors, and kids activities. There will then be an Oregon Symphony Quintet performance held across the street in the John Ross plaza.

The event will include horse drawn carriage rides and music by DJ Mr. Mumu.

First Thursday Gallery Suggestions

For those planning to "gallery hop" this Thursday, here are suggestions from a few of our favorite galleries, courtesy of PADA - Portland Art Dealers Association:

• Elizabeth Leach Gallery, 417 NW 9th Ave features recent paintings by Stephen Hayes and new watercolor drawings by Justin Gibbens.
• Mark Woolley Gallery, 817 SW 2nd Ave features selections from ME9 by Stephen Scott Smith.
• Butters Gallery, 520 NW Davis will feature two new complimentary bodies of work by Andrea Schwartz-Feit and a selection of vintage ceramics from the Katsunari Toyoda Collection.
• Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave is featuring works by Jonathan Lasker.
• Blackfish Gallery, 420 NW Ninth Ave features recent works of Christopher Shotola-Hardt and Kentree Speirs.
• The Laura Russo Gallery, 805 NW 21st Ave features new paintings by Sherrie Wolf and recent works from Rae Mahaffey.