Leisure

Freshwater mussel

Volunteer Opportunity! When: Sat, Sep 24, 2011 10AM-1:30PM Where: Bundy Reserve (contact for exact location) Gresham OR Get Map!

Find Freshwater Mussels
The City and Johnson Creek Watershed Council seek volunteers to come learn about these creatures and spend two hours searching for them from 10AM to 1:30PM on Saturday Sep 24 in Gresham. All ages welcome.

Last year's survey results were astounding. Extensive beds of Western pearlshell mussels were identified. This, and finding four adult Coho salmon last fall, tells us the Gresham reaches of Johnson Creek are able to once again support these native fish. Probably in part due to the cleaning power of the mussels!

Annual Teddy Bear Parade

Bring Your Bear! When: Sat, Sep 24, 2011 10AM-12PM Where: Historic Downtown Gresham (See route below) Gresham OR Get Map!

Teddy Bears Everwhere
The parade will feature floats from local merchants, service organizations, schools, neighborhood groups and individuals. As always, participants will be carrying teddy bears or will be dressed in bear costumes.

For nearly three decades, the Soroptimists have put on this annual Fall parade to celebrate the “child in all of us” and create a tradition that helped Gresham’s “quaint and special downtown area” to thrive. In addition to the parade, the Soroptimists organize fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for scholarships for deserving women and girls in our community.

Fun for The Whole Family! When: Sat, Aug 20, 2011 7PM-10PM Where: HB Lee Middle School 1121 NE 172nd Av Get Map!

Pack a Picnic, Bring a Blanket
"A mysterious criminal mastermind has stolen one of the pyramids in Egypt, sparking a fit of jealous envy in evil genius Gru, who hasn't managed to make headlines since he and his minions swiped the Times Square JumboTron years back. Ever since Gru was a little boy, he dreamed of going to the moon. Now, if Gru can just build a rocket and get his hands on a powerful shrink-ray, he can cement his reputation as the greatest thief who ever lived by stealing --- the Earth's satellite."

Join us for Cinema Under the Stars night at HB Lee Middle School. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a free showing of 4-star rated Despicable Me, rated PG. Despicable Me is a surprisingly thoughtful, family-friendly treat with a few surprises of its own. Fun begins at 7:00PM, and the movie will start at dusk.

Click here to view movie trailer

Zimmerman House, Gresham OR

Every Saturday through August When: Sat Aug 20, 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.

Open house and tours every Saturday through August 10AM-3PM

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Beautiful and inspiring When: Sun Aug 21, 2011 8AM-11AM Where: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Kiwa Trail River S Unit Ridgefield WA Get Map!

Kiwa Trail Loop
Wildlife is the star attraction of this nearly level hike. Birds in particular seem to be everywhere—standing in the marshes, flitting in the trees, floating on the lakes, swimming in the sloughs, and hunting among the meadow grasses.

Join leaders Robin Carpenter and Gabriel Forcier for a walk around the Kiwa Trail at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. The 1.5 mile flat, crushed gravel trail passes through an understory of Oregon ash trees and between open wetland areas. Dress for the weather, hats recommended. Beginners welcome.

Vote for your choice here!!

Viewer's Choice Suprise Movie When: Fri, Aug 26, 2011 7PM-10PM Where: Gresham Center for the Arts Plaza 401 NE 2nd St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Bring a chair or blanket
Join us for Pictures in the Park at the Gresham Center for the Arts Plaza. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a free showing of one of these three great viewer's choice movie rated PG, s:

• The Sound of Music
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
• Who's Minding the Store

You decide!   Click here to vote for your choice.
(Ballot located on the Home page, top right margin)

Fun begins at 7:00PM, and the movie will start at dusk. Free freshments will be available.

Zimmerman House, Gresham OR

Every Saturday through August When: Sat Aug 27, 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.

Open house and tours every Saturday through August 10AM-3PM

Vaux's Swifts descend into the Chapman School chimney in NW Portland each evening during September

Get Ready for the Swifts Return

Come and learn more about the amazing return of Vaux’s Swifts as they gather at various sites in the Portland area during the month of September on their Fall migration south. Each evening tens of thousands seek a communal roost site in the Portland / Vancouver area (as well as north and south of here. Chapman School in N.W. Portland being the most well-known).

When: Wed, Aug 31, 2011 7PM-8PM
Where: Leach Botanical Garden
6704 SE 122nd Ave
Get Map!

Join us Wednesday Aug 31st 7PM-8PM at Leach Botanical Garden in SE Portland as Steve Engel, Adult Education Programs Manager with Audubon Society of Portland explains the Vaux's Swifts biology, habits and things to keep in mind when viewing these amazing avians.

Bring the Family, Join the Fun! When: Fri-Mon, Jul 1-4, 2011 Where: Portland, Gresham, Corbett & Vancouver (See locations & times below)

Celebrate the Fourth!
There will be several fireworks shows in the Portland area on Monday, July 4th 2011 plus lots of entertainment all weekend long. All of the shows listed below can be viewed from the sponsoring event venues, or the surrounding area!

• Fourth of July Fireworks and Festivities Blue Lake Park - July 4
• Fort Vancouver - July 4
• Waterfront Blues Festival, July 1-4
• St Paul Rodeo - July 1-4
• Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo - July 1-4
• Oaks Park - July 4
• Corbett Fun Festival - July 4
• Endeavor 3rd of July Party - July 3

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

(Dates, times and event details below the break)

When: Sat, Jul 9, 2011 9AM-10:30AM Where: Greater Gresham area Meet at Gresham City Hall (Next to MAX station) 1333 Eastman Pkwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

Lace Your Shoes, Let's Go Walking!
The Gresham Regional Center Transportation Management Association hosts free monthly Saturday Family Walks in Gresham.

Bring the Family
Family Walks start at 9AM sharp on the Gresham City Hall Plaza next to the MAX station, 1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. These family walks will cover a couple of miles at a pace suitable for families.

The walks will take about 1.5 hours and return to the same starting location.