PLEASE NOTE: This weekend many local businesses are donating a portion of their sales to relief efforts for Haiti. You’ll find lists of participating businesses on Milagros Boutique and The Power MOB (Mother-owned Businesses) Web sites. (Now back to our regularly scheduled WOW!):

On Monday, we honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who would have celebrated his 81st birthday today (Jan. 15). What better time to reflect on how far we’ve come – and how far we still have to go – in realizing Dr. King’s inspiring dream?

On a lighter note, we mark three other birthdays this weekend with these family-friendly celebrations:

Clifford’s Birthday Bash (Saturday and Sunday): Decorate dog bones, eat cupcakes and play. Meet The Big Red Dog at 10:30 and 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. All ages. 9 am to 5 pm. Most activities free with admission of $8 ages 1 and up. 4015 SW Canyon Road. 503-223-6500. www.portlandcm.org.

J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday Celebration (Saturday): There will be jugglers, music and more. Wear a Tolkien-esque costume to compete for prizes. All ages. 11 am until close. Music at 7 pm. Costume judging 3:30 pm. Performances 2 and 4 pm. Free. Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33d Ave. 503-249-3983. www.mcmenamins.com.

Hotel Oregon’s Birthday Party (Saturday): Celebrate Hotel Oregon’s 105th with special kids’ entertainment, music and more. All ages. 11 am to close. Many events free. 310 NE Evans St., McMinnville. 503-472-8427. www.mcmenamins.com.

Below are more Metro Parent picks for the weekend. As always, check our online calendar for full listings for each day.

Saturday

Family Day at Oregon History Museum: Two kids free with paid adult, plus special family activities and crafts. All ages. 11 am to 3 pm. $11 adult admission. 1200 SW Park Ave. 503-222-1741. www.ohs.org.

A Very Special Story Time: Special needs kids get a special story time with songs and crafts. Geared to developmental ages 3 to 6. Everyone welcome. 10:30 am. Free, but please pre-register. Tigard Public Library, 13500 SW Hall Blvd. 503-648-9809. www.tigard-or.gov/library/default.asp

Art of Anime: Learn how to draw your favorite anime and manga characters. Ages 12 and up. 2 pm. Free; pre-registration required. Woodstock Library, 6008 SE 49th Ave. 503-988-5399. www.multcolib.org.

Lazy Jack: Puppeteer Penny puts a spin on the beanstalk tale. Best for ages 12 and under. Free. 1 pm. St. Johns Library, 7510 N Charleston Ave. 503-988-5397. www.multcolib.org.

Sunday

ComedySportz4Kidz: Improv comedy especially designed for kids 12 and under. All ages. 2 pm. $8 adults, $6 kids plus service charge. 1963 NW Kearney St. 503-236-8888. www.portlandcomedy.com.

Winter Woodpeckers: Learn about woodpeckers and search for them in the park, plus crafts and stories. Ages 4 to 7 with a grown-up. 10 am. $10 per child; registration required. Tryon Creek State Park, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. 503-636-4398. www.tryonfriends.org.

Monday (No school!)

Day Off Camp: Hiking, crafts, games and more. Ages 7 to 11. $49, pre-registration required. Cooper Mountain Nature Park, 18892 SW Kemmer Road, Beaverton. 503-629-6350. www.thprd.org.

Martin Luther King Day Celebration: Celebrate Dr. King and Oregon’s African-American pioneers with special activities, including storytelling at noon and 2 pm. All ages. 11 am to 3 pm. Museum admission of $5.75 general, $2.75 ages 1 and 2. (Your OMSI Member Card will get you in free.) AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. www.acgilbert.org.

January 15th, 2010 | Category: WOW! (What's on this Weekend)