Tillamook Forest Center celebrates the settlers that lived in the hills and mountains and composed music about their day-to-day life experiences with a monthly country-folk music jam.  Bring your instruments or come sing along and join in the fun.  An open jam will occur the first Sunday of each month.

Help restore native habitats, clean up the Refuge, and take care of new plantings at work parties held the second Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  Come prepared rain or shine with sturdy boots, work gloves, and drinking water.  No registration needed.  Meet at the Wildlife Center parking lot promptly at 9:00 a.m. for instructions to the work party site.

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is a unique place, one of only a handful of urban wildlife refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System.  Thanks to the combined efforts of local residents and the US Fish & Wildlife Service, this land was set aside as a refuge in 1992.  Ever since, the staff has been working hard to turn the land back to a more natural state within the floodplain of the Tualatin River basis.  The Refuge is managed to mimic the natural seasonal cycle, so whatever, the season, you'll see many kinds of wildlife here.  The Refuge has become a key stopping point on the Pacific Flyway as migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds by the thousands discover this rich and varied resource.  Several more species are appearing each year.  Discover and enjoy the wildlife which live here, and the habitats that support them.

The latest exhibit at the Washington County Museum features historic works of art that are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, yet can tell the story of an entire family's lineage.  Ex Libris, showcases the bookplates collection of local resident JoAnn Pari-Mueller.  The comprehensive exhibit will examine the history of bookplates and the predominant techniques used to create them.  In addition, it highlights several popular topics, artists, and famous collectors, as well as delving into some of the intricacies that make Ex Libris unique and fascinating to their collectors.

In conjunction with Ex Libris, the museum's partner organization Print Arts Northwest will display a new show on loan from the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, entitled Prints from the Jordan Schnitzer & Sitka Center Printmaking Residency.

Don't miss the Third Thursday opening reception for both exhibits on January 21 from 5:30 to 8:00pm.  It's your opportunity to talk art, sip wine, enjoy hors d'oeuvres, and see both exhibits free of charge!  There will also be a free raffle to win one of the bookplate prints selected by collector JoAnn Pari-Mueller.

The Women Artists of AMBUS present "The Shape of Memory" in the main gallery of the Walters Cultural Arts Center. AMBUS Contemporary Art is a group of professional women artists working in southern Oregon.  who explore, share, and exhibit art in a supportive group environment. After having a gallery presence for six years first in Jacksonville and then Medford, the group closed doors and are exhibiting two to three times a year at various locations. The Arts Center is lucky to be one such location. On display will be nearly all media from oil to encaustic, bronze to fiber, in abstract, impressionistic and contemporary figurative styles. Participating artists include; Darla Baack, Eileen Bowie, Susan Burnes, Dianne Erickson, Frieda Golding, Janet E. Higgins, Pat Holton, Kris Hoppe, Nancy Jo Mullen, Nancy Pagani, Lisa d. Peterson, Meloney Quady and Alice Stambaugh.

Also on exhibit from February 2 -24 in the basement gallery will be the works of Jim Smith. James F. Smith began painting, utilizing how-to books, in 1968. He has since studied with Jim Westall, E. John Robinson, Harold Walkup, Katherine Friday and Florence Thurman. Smith is currently showing his work at the Influence Gallery and the International Miniature shows in Pennsylvania and Nags Head, North Carolina. A second generation artist disabled twice by brain surgeries, Smith firmly believes success in art is a matter of tenacity rather than purely talent. He has taught art classes locally and at the coast for 40 years.

An opening reception for all artists will be held on First Tuesday, February 2, at 6pm with a special house concert in the Arts Center lobby. This month features pianist Frieda Safranek and vocalist Dara Schumacher performing jazz and Broadway standards. 

Print Arts Northwest will be displaying an exhibit of new works by Portland artist Marcy Baker entitled Passage.  The show at the Washington County Museum features vivid monotypes, single prints created by applying oil-based inks to a glass plate and transferring the image to paper with a press.  Drawings and block prints are often added as collage elements after the print is pulled and dried, resulting in a rich tumult of organic forms.

Don't miss the Third Thursday opening reception will be held February 18 from 5:30 to 8:00pm.  It's an opportunity to talk art, sip wine, and enjoy hors d'oeuvres.

Beaverton Civic Theatre kicks off its 2010 season with The Nerd, a comedy written by Larry Shue.  Willum Cubbert owes Rick Steadman a debt of gratitude, for saving his life in Vietnam.  Rick collects when he moves in with Willum.  Only problem?  Rick has no social graces, intelligence, or tact, driving Willum insane. 

Located at the heart of Pacific University, the Kathrin Cawein Gallery of Art is integrated into the southeast corner of the Harvey W. Scott Memorial Library building.  The gallery represents something very special for the academic and creative climates of the campus and surrounding region.  Exhibits change monthly throughout the academic year, and are provided at no cost to the public through the Department of Art.  Following is the exhibit schedule for 2009-2010:

• Sep 22 - Oct 16, 2009 - Vern Bartley


• Oct 20 - Nov 13, 2009 - All Faculty/Staff Show


• Nov 17 - Dec 18, 2009 -  Art Faculty Show


• Feb 2 - Feb 26, 2010 - Jan Shield


• Mar 2 - Apr 2, 2010 - Lisa & Shannon Roche


• Apr 6 - Apr 23, 2010 - Luau Propaganda


• Apr 28 - May 21, 2010 - 2010 Senior Show

The Village Gallery of Arts invites you to the March 2010 group show with featured artist Laurie Svec. 

"Nature is one of my biggest inspirations and my newest series is inspired by the illusive Aurora Borealis.  I have used many layers of watercolor, acrylic, and metallic inks to make the delicate swirls and ribbons for the background skies.  I like the illusion and shimmer with the metallic inks."           Laurie Svec

The all media show opens on Tuesday, March 9, and a reception for the artist will be held at in the gallery on Saturday, March 13 from 6 to 9pm. 

Looking for some new creations for your kitchen?  Here's your chance to whip up a recipe for success at the 1360-KUIK Taste of Home Cooking School at the Washington County Fair Complex.  Make plans now, and come out for a wonderful evening of great recipes and tons of door prizes.  There will be vendors to shop, delicious treats to sample, wines to taste, and more.  Leave your spouse at home with kids (or get a sitter and bring your spouse along), grab your friends and come enjoy the fun.  Doors open at 4:00pm and the show is at 7:00pm. 

Tickets can be purchase online at www.kuik.com.  If you have any questions about tickets call 503-640-1360 and ask for Donna.

Pacific University Theatre invites you to join them for any or all productions during the 2009-2010 season.  All performances are held in the Tom Miles Theatre on the Forest Grove campus. For ticket information, call the University Box Office at 503-352-2918, hours are Monday-Friday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

• October 22 - 25 - A Lovely Day - Randall Stuart


• November 19 - 21 - AUTUMN CHOREOGRAPHERS' CONCERT


• March 11 - 14 - Rubber 'n' Glue - Matt Zrebski


• April 29 - May 1 - SPRING DANCEWORKS VII

Tracy Lord, the wealthy heroine of the play, divorces her husband, CK Dexter Haven and is about to remarry.  Her wedding preparations are interrupted by meddlesome socity reporters, her estranged father and the growing realization that that she still has feelings for her ex-husband.  This fast-paced and witty situation comedy was a Broadway hit for Katherine Hepburn.

These performances are not recommended for younger audiences.

The Walters Cultural Arts center invites you to enjoy the next concert in its chamber music series on March 12 when Red Sneaker returns to celebrate the year 1924.  This was the most explosive decade of the century, especially for art, fashion and music.  This is no ordinary, sleep-inducing concert – its a vibrant musical event presented by outstanding musicians.

The final concert of the series will be The Portland Cello Project on Friday, April 23.

The Performing Arts Series at Pacific University, now in its sixteenth year, has been lauded for bringing some of the world's finest musicians and performers to the suburban campus in Forest Grove.  This year's line-up features musical talents who have performed to audiences all over the world. For ticket information, please call the University Box Office at 503-352-2918 (hours are 1:00 - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday).

• October 10, 2009 - The Best of Broadway - Enjoy an unforgettable journey through Andrew Lloyd Webber's greatest musical hits.  Featured are Broadway stars Diane Ketchie, Raymond Saar, Valerie Perri and Scott Harlan.


• November 7, 2009 - Colcannon - While their music is unique and contemporary, this group is recognizable through the unmistakable heart and essence of undeniably traditional Irish sound.


• February 6, 2010 - Travelin' McCourys - The best of the Appalachian pickin' tradition and the improvisational magic of jazz are prevalent in this band's performances.  Critics and musicians across the country identify them as the best bluegrass band in the world.


• March 13, 2010 - John Sebastian - John's group The Lovin' Spoonful played a major role in the mid-60s rock revolution.  Now, the singer, songwriter and bandleader takes sounds from older music including the blues, county, folk and jug bands, and makes it sound modern.


• April 24, 2010 - Montreal Guitare Trio - This group leads its audience to a special place where jazz and world music are entwined with gusto.  Their music has an irresistible energy and an overwhelming passion that brings audiences to their feet.


• May 8, 2010 - Chic Gamine - This vocal quintet uses their voices as instruments, effortlessly launching into intricate arrangements, bass-heavy rhythm sections and lush harmonies.  Their sound resonates with soul, passion and an unabashedly random and sometimes downright peculiar brand of humor.

Join us for an evening of food and music and help raise funds for The Banks Community Foundation.  The Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to enhancing cultural, social and economic development in Banks.  International soups, bread and dessert will be served up from 4 to 7pm.  Enjoy a variety of musical performances from 4 to 9 pm while sipping beer or wine.  The musical line-up includes:  Alena Sheldon, John Deegan, Steve Blanchard, Rex Bryant, The "TOL", and Ed Trussel.

Tickets are $10 for soup, bread and dessert; $5 music only.  Tickets available at the door or advance tickets may be purchased by contacting Cathy Louie at 503-324-5713.