Leisure

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Raptor Road Trip 2012 When: Sat Feb 4, 2012 9AM-2PM Where: Sauvie Island Meet: Kruger's Farm Market 18330 NW Sauvie Island Rd Portland, OR Get Map!

Cost: $10 per vehicle

Annual event celebrates birds of prey
Explore Sauvie Island in search of magnificent bald eagles, hawks and falcons that spend the winter on the island. On this special day devoted to raptors, experienced naturalists and hawk experts host activities and answer your questions at four locations around the island. Enjoy guided bird viewing, meet live raptors up close and sharpen your hawk identification skills. Hot drinks and donuts are available in the morning to keep you warm while you breakfast with the birds.

How does the road trip work?
Begin at Kruger’s Farm Market and pick up your event map and raptor identification guide. The event fee is $10 per vehicle, cash only, and includes a Sauvie Island Wildlife Area parking permit.

MHCC Planetarium website

Supernovae When: Mon Feb 6, 2012 Show Times: 7:00PM and 8:15PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Admission $2. MHCC students are admitted free.
The Sky Theater is wheelchair accessible.

Supernovae: The Spectacular Deaths of Big Stars
Last September, scientists discovered one of the closest supernovae that had been observed in decades in an area called the Pinwheel Galaxy. Just what is a supernova and how powerful can it be? Find out the answers to these questions when Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) presents “Supernovae: The Spectacular Deaths of Big Stars!” The show will be presented live on Monday, Feb. 6, at 7 and 8:15 p.m. in the College’s Planetarium Sky Theater.

“This will be an opportunity to learn about historical supernovae, how they were formed and see some great photos,” says Pat Hanrahan, Planetarium director.“During the show, we will use a star projector to see where these supernovae were discovered and also discuss highlights of the current night sky.”

All shows are presented under a realistic representation of the night sky, featuring the latest galactic, stellar and planetary images.

Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each 45-minute program. Children are welcome to attend.

1874 Zimmerman House. Click to Enlarge

Welcome 2012! When: Sat Jan 21, 2012 10AM-3PM Where: Zimmerman Park 17111 NE Sandy Blvd Gresham, OR Get Map!

A lasting vestige of East Multnomah County's agricultural roots

A delightful 1874 Victorian farmhouse
Take a step back into history at the Zimmerman House, a Victorian era farmhouse, built in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful farmhouse is a perfect reflection of typical Columbia River dairy farm life in the late 1800s. The Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a unique cultural education and recreational resource that is being created for the benefit of the public on a 5.98-acre historic site in Gresham, Oregon.

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When: Tue Jan 31, 2012 7-9:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

Birds of Prey Lecture
Hawks, eagles and falcons have always fascinated people. Metro naturalist James Davis will discuss how to tell these groups of raptors apart and the key points for identifying the most common species in Oregon. You will also learn about the natural history of birds of prey and the amazing adaptations of these birds for catching and killing their prey.

In addition to slides, there will be stuffed study skins of the most common species for up-close looks. This class will get you primed for the Metro's Raptor Road Trip Feb 4th on Sauvie Island, or any outings of your own.

When: Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:30PM-7PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

Meet the Artists
Join us for an Artists Reception of local and regional artists as we celebrate the Latin Influence art on exhibit at the City of Gresham Visual Arts Gallery. View their work. Meet the artists. Visitors will enjoy live music and light refreshments as they view the exhibit.

The exhibit will be open for viewing beginning Tuesday, December 6, 2011 in the Gresham Visual Arts Gallery at the address above.

Peacock Lane, 40th & SE Stark Click to enlarge

Festive decorations light-up this charming SE Portland neighborhood each year What to do with all this stuff when it's over? (Answer below)

Nothing brings smiles to entire families more than Holiday light displays. And when entire neighborhoods get into the holiday spirit, it brings whole communities together. (1)

For many Portlanders, the holidays wouldn't be complete without an evening stroll to admire the lights and scenes along quaint Peacock Lane.

Photo's below

Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Tree Lighting, Santa & more! When: Sat Dec 3, 2011 9AM-7PM Where: Center for the Arts Plaza 401 NE Second Street Gresham, OR Get Map!

Celebrate the Season
Bring your family and spend the day enjoying entertainment, in-store specials, a visit from Santa, a parade and a tree-lighting ceremony in the city's Center for the Arts Plaza.

See events schedule below for times & locations.

1874 Zimmerman House. Click to Enlarge

A Victorian Holiday Season When: Sat Dec 17, 2011 10AM-3PM Where: Zimmerman Park 17111 NE Sandy Blvd Gresham, OR Get Map!

A lasting vestige of East Multnomah County's agricultural roots

A delightful 1874 Victorian farmhouse
Take a step back into history at the Zimmerman House, a Victorian era farmhouse, built in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful farmhouse is a perfect reflection of typical Columbia River dairy farm life in the late 1800s. The Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a unique cultural education and recreational resource that is being created for the benefit of the public on a 5.98-acre historic site in Gresham, Oregon.

Festival of Lights. Click to Enlarge

5 Days Only! When: Nov 27-Dec 1, 2011 Where: The Grotto Festival of Lights 85th & Sandy Blvd Portland, OR Get Map!

Presenting the sights, sounds and sensations of the season, The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The 2011 festival features nearly 170 indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest school, church and civic choirs. Offering a family-oriented blend of traditional celebration and serene reflection, the 2011 festival theme “Joy to the World” reflects the special season of hope that Christmas offers to many thousands of families from around the Pacific Northwest.

Get discount coupon here!

Visitors are asked to bring a donation of canned or dry food benefiting Snow-Cap, the east county’s affiliate of the Oregon Food Bank.

MHCC Planetarium website

Celestial Cornucopia When: Mon Nov 7, 2011 Show Times: 7:00PM and 8:15PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Admission $2. MHCC students are admitted free. The Sky Theater is wheelchair accessible.

The Autumn Sky
Join Howard Knytych, Interim Planetarium Director as he points out objects in the autumn sky such as Jupiter, which will be as close to Earth as it gets.

All shows are presented under a realistic representation of the night sky, featuring the latest galactic, stellar and planetary images.

Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each 45-minute program. Children are welcome to attend.

Parking Changes
Parking permits are required and may be purchased for $3 at ticket kiosks located by the flagpoles and gym. (Violators will be ticketed and/or towed)