Dave Knows Portland

Fix-It Fair (25-February-2012)

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25th Annual Neigbhorhood Fix-It FairThe last of the 25th annual series of Portland neighborhood Fix-It Fairs takes place this Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Jefferson High School (5210 N Kerby Avenue).

Fix-It Fair is a FREE event where you can learn simple and affordable ways to save money and be healthy at home this winter.

From 8:30am to 2pm visit exhibits and attend workshops on water and energy savings, health, food and nutrition, recycling and composting, yard and garden care, transportation, and more.

The fair also features door prizes and other giveaways, free childcare, free lunch, and even free bike tune-ups and flat repairs for students and families.

The Fix-It Fairs are presented by The City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.

Japanese Garden Free Admission Day (20-February-2012)

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Portland Japanese GardenPresidents’ Day, Monday, February 20, 2012, is a Free Admission Day at the Portland Japanese Garden.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to invite their friends, family, and fellow community members to visit the Garden on this Free Admission Day. Garden Guides will be stationed throughout the Garden to help answer questions and speak about the Garden’s history, culture, and traditions. There will be no Open Pavilion or Healing Garden programs on Free Admission Day.

The garden is open from 10am to 4pm.

Statehood Day Free Day at Oregon Historical Society (14-February-2012)

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Oregon Historical SocietyThe Oregon Historical Society (1200 SW Park) celebrates Oregon’s Statehood Day with free admission* on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

Help Oregon celebrate its 153rd birthday by coming to OHS for free! We will be cutting Oregon’s birthday cake at noon with our special guests, past Governors Victor Atiyeh and Barbara Roberts. We will also be unveiling brand new additions to the Treasures of the Vault exhibit, extended through April 1.

The museum’s hours Tuesday are 10am to 5pm.

* The museum is always free to Multnomah County County residents

Other Things To Do in Portland on Super Bowl Sunday (2012)

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Super Bowl Sunday is American’s biggest [mostly] secular holiday. And it’s happening this Sunday, February 5, 2012. But what about those of us who cannot tolerate American-football? Sure, we could swallow our smugness and drink bud light and eat cheese dip with the neanderthals, but that’s not the only solution:

Sunday will be a good day to enjoy parks; museums; and pubs, taverns, and bars that don’t have TVs – they’ll all be almost empty.

OMSIIt’s the first Sunday of the month, so OMSI admission is only $2! (But it will be very crowded; Heather and I visited two years ago on Super Bowl Sunday and had a great time, but were unpleasantly surprised by the crowds of kids. Apparently cheap admission prices trumps Super Bowl for many parents.)

Crowds will certainly be thinner at the Oregon Zoo, and the forecast actually looks delightful!

Bargain Hunting PDX 2012If you’re in a shopping mood, visit the Crystal Ballroom and Lola’s Room (1332 W Burnside) for Bargain Hunting 101‘s mother of all clearance sales:

Bargain Hunting is the Mother of All Clearance Sales, but what does that really mean? It means that you can expect to find some of the most unique, one of a kind, limited runs and close outs discounts from handmade indie artists and local boutiques. In other words, Bargain Hunting has highly desirable merchandise at prices you NEVER find on this type of inventory.

Celebrate SuperBach Sunday with the Bach Cantata Choir at 2 pm on Super Bowl Sunday. The concert is FREE and will be held at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, 1907 NE 45th Ave (NE Sandy & 45th). The program:

Jan Sweelinck (1562-1621): Laudate Dominum
Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703): Cantata, Es erhub sich ein Streit
Georg Phillip Telemann (1681-1767): Viola Concerto – Karen Vincent, soloist
J.S. Bach: Cantata #11, Ascension Oratorio

And of course Powell’s Books (1005 W Burnside) is open.

Really, the world is your oyster if you’re free from the clutches of the NFL on Super Bowl Sunday.

Share your own Super Bowl Sunday alternative events and activities in the comments below!

Portland Art Museum Free Day (27-January-2012)

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Portland Art MuseumThe Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park) is offering free admission on Friday, January 27, 2012 from 5pm until 8pm.

And there will be food carts!

The museum offers free admission ever fourth Friday (5pm-8pm) of the month, so if you can’t make it this week, mark February 24, 2012 on your calendar!

Regular adult admission is $12 ($9 for seniors 55 and up and college students, 18 and up, with ID; free admission for children up to 17).