It's me, Jim E.!  Welcome to The Family Fun Times!  It's a look at some fun things the whole family can do here in the Portland Metro area.

It is going to be hot hot hot this weekend, so thanks to Nicole Seger of Northwest Nights for sharing these hot weather tips:

• Do not leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even for just a few minutes. Car interiors can quickly heat up and cause serious injury or death.
• Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water, but avoid alcohol and large amounts of sugar. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink.
• Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. If you exercise or work outside, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage may replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Protect yourself from the sun and keep cool by wearing a wide-brimmed hat along with sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going outside.
• Stay indoors and if at all possible, in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, try to find a neighbor, relative or public place that does. Just a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Take a cool shower or bath.
• Avoid, as much as possible, using your stove and oven. This will help keep cooler temperatures in your home.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.
• If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. When working in the heat, have plenty of water available and monitor the condition of your co-workers and have someone do the same for you. Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness.


Thanks to a longtime listener for the following bargains for families:

Oregon Zoo
second Tuesday of the month: $2/person
www.oregonzoo.org

The Children's Museum
first Friday of the month: FREE admission between 5 pm and 8 pm
www.portlandcm.org

OMSI
first Sunday of the month $2/person
www.omsi.edu

Portland Art Museum
Kids under 17: FREE
www.pam.org

Discovery Village
July 4th: FREE for everyone
www.acgilbert.org

North Clackamas Aquatic Park
Every Friday: $1/per person
www.clackamas.us/ncprd/aquatic

Fort Vancouver
Kids under 12: FREE, Adults $3
www.nps.gov/fova

Oregon Historical Society
Every third Saturday: FREE; kids under 5 are always free
www.ohs.org

Regal Cinemas
Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am: FREE kid movies
www.regmovies.com/nowshowing.familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx

Stand by for Dino-Mania:

Ancient Trees: Walking in the Footsteps of Dinosaurs
What were trees like when dinosaurs roamed? Which ones did the dinosaurs eat? Follow the giant footsteps through this intriguing look back in time as we explore 25 living specimen trees that represent ancient plant groups and the herbivores that ate them.

EVENT DAY(S): Now thru 08/02/08
LOCATION: World Forestry Center 4033 SW Canyon RoadPortland, OR 97221
HOURS: 10am-5pm
PHONE: 503-228-1367
ADMISSION/TICKETS: $7.00 adults, $6.00 seniors (62+), $5.00 children 3-18.

Dinosaur Revolution - Portland Children's Museum
Kids and adults get to “Be a Dinosaur” as they journey through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, and later discover evidence of dinosaur doings in the present-time as Junior Paleontologists!
The winding passageways of the dinosaur-themed maze set the stage and begin a journey through a dramatic Patagonian mountainscape. The journey begins through each experience gallery featuring vivid murals and hands-on, body-in interactives including:

EVENT DAY(S): Now thru 09/01/08
LOCATION: Portland Children's Museum 4015 SW Canyon Road Portland, OR
HOURS: 9am-5pm
PHONE: (503) 223-6500
ADMISSION/TICKETS: $7.00 1-54; $6.00 55 and over

Dinosaurs! - Oregon Zoo
This is going to be big. Tooth and tale come alive at the Oregon Zoo. Immerse yourself in the wonders of prehistory, from the safety of the present. Explore an ancient rainforest and come face to face with gigantic moving dinosaurs. Dig for fossils, find dinosaur egg nests, and track a T. Rex, all while making your own dinosaur discoveries along the way.

EVENT DAY(S): Now thru 09/02/08
LOCATION: Oregon Zoo 4001 SW Canyon Road Portland, OR 97221
HOURS: 9am-6pm
PHONE: 503-226-1561
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Admission $4.00 plus zoo admission. General admission is $9.75 (12-64), seniors $8.25 (65+), children $6.75 (3-11)

Dinosaurs: China’s Ancient Giants
Travel back in time 200 million years and witness China’s most spectacular ancient inhabitants in the largest collection of authentic Chinese fossils ever toured. China’s Ancient Giants features twenty complete dinosaur skeletons (both casts and fossils), interactive touch screens, activity carts, a “dig pit” where kids of all ages can become paleontologists for a day, and a 67 foot long adult Mamenchisaurus, the longest-necked dinosaur ever!

EVENT DAY(S): Now thru 09/01/08
LOCATION: OMSI 1945 SE Water Avenue Portland, OR 97214
HOURS: 9:30am-5:30pm
PHONE: 503-797-4000
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Adults $9; Youth 3-13 & Senior 63+ $7

And for other events:

Frozen Music: Japanese Glass - Japanese Garden
Featuring the glass work of celebrated artist Jun Kaneko from the collection of Bullseye Glass as well as work by other noted Japanese artists on view at the Garden in honor of the Glass Art Society’s 38th Annual Conference to be held in Portland in June. This exhibition runs from June 14-30 and will feature both indoor and outdoor installations and with lecture details to be announced. The outdoor portion of the installation will remain on view through the month of July.

EVENT DAY(S): Now thru 06/30/08
LOCATION: Japanese Garden 611 S.W. Kingston Ave. Portland, OR 97201
HOURS: Tues-Sun 10am-4pm, Mon-Noon-4pm
PHONE: 503-223-1321
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Adults; $8,Seniors 62+ and College students; $6.25,Youth;$5.25

2008 Concerts at the Zoo
The Oregon Zoo is thrilled to present a fantastic line-up for their 30th season of concerts! Tickets are on sale now through TicketMaster and at the zoo.

EVENT DAY(S): Now thru 08/24/08
LOCATION: Oregon Zoo 4001 SW Canyon Road Portland, OR 97221
HOURS: 7pm
PHONE: 503-226-1561
ADMISSION/TICKETS: www.oregonzoo.org

2008 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival
The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival is the largest blues festival on the West Coast and the second largest blues festival in the nation. The festival not only brings the best blues artists to Portland, it benefits Oregon Food Bank’s work to eliminate hunger and its root causes … because no one should be hungry.

EVENT DAY(S): 07/03/08 - 07/06/08
LOCATION: Tom McCall Waterfront Park S.W. Naito Parkway and Columbia Street Portland, OR
HOURS: www.waterfrontbluesfest.com
PHONE: 503-973-FEST
ADMISSION/TICKETS: $10 plus two cans of food

Summer Concert Series at The Oregon Garden
The Wooden Nickel Summer Concert Series has unveiled an all-new lineup of great entertainers to perform amid The Oregon Garden’s grassy-sloped Teufel Amphitheater and 200-year-old oaks. Bring blankets or sand chairs and enjoy refreshments via concessionaires. Amphitheater gates open at 5 p.m. with shows beginning at 7 p.m. However, concert ticket holders may enter The Oregon Garden at 4 p.m.

EVENT DAY(S): 07/03/08 - 08/21/08
LOCATION: The Oregon Garden 879 W Main Street Silverton, OR 97381
HOURS: 7pm
PHONE: (503) 874-8100
ADMISSION/TICKETS: www.oregongarden.org

Tanabata - Japanese Garden
Known as the Star Festival, Tanabata is traditionally celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year, when the two stars Vega and Altair—which are usually separated from each other by the Milky Way—come together. Guests to the Garden's Tanabata Festival take part in the tradition of writing one's wishes and hanging them on a tree with the hope that they will come true.

EVENT DAY(S): 07/06/08
LOCATION: Japanese Garden 611 S.W. Kingston Ave. Portland, OR 97201
HOURS: 10am-4pm
PHONE: 503-223-1321
ADMISSION/TICKETS: $8 Adults;$6.25 Seniors 62+,college students; $5.25 6-17yrs

American Idols Live! 2008 Tour - Rose Quarter
The top 10 finalists of the seventh season of American Idol will appear on the 2008 tour that stops by the Rose Garden on Friday, July 11th at 7p.

EVENT DAY(S): 07/11/08
LOCATION: Rose Garden Arena One Center Court Portland, OR 97227
HOURS: 7pm
PHONE: 877.789.ROSE (7673)
ADMISSION/TICKETS: www.rosequarter.com

The Night Ride
Maybe not one for the kids per se, but get a sitter and try this for something different:  A mostly flat, 15-mile street bike ride takes you past hootin' and hollerin' night life and fire jugglers, through a disco party rest stop and along spectacular cityscape views to an all-you-can-eat midnight doughnut finish line feast.

EVENT DAY: 07/12/08
LOCATION: Union Station 800 NW Sixth Ave Portland, OR 97209
HOURS: 8pm-1am
PHONE: 503-459-4508
ADMISSION/TICKETS: $30 advance $40 day of ride

2008 Portland International Piano Festival - Portland Piano
Portland Piano International is dedicated to presenting the finest pianists in the world in recital settings and outreach activities for the purpose of enriching and educating our community.

EVENT DAY(S): 07/12/08 - 07/20/08
LOCATION: World Forestry Center 4033 SW Canyon Road Portland, OR 97221
HOURS: www.portlandpiano.org
PHONE: 503.224.5058
ADMISSION/TICKETS: www.portlandpiano.org

Portland Highland Games 2008
The purpose of the Portland Highland Games Association is to foster and preserve traditional Scottish Highland culture. This is done through the annual presentation of the Portland Highland Games that includes contests in piping, drumming, dancing, and other events.

EVENT DAY(S): 07/18/08 - 07/19/08
LOCATION: Mt. Hood Community College NE 257th Gresham, OR
HOURS: Call or refer to website www.phga.org
PHONE: 503.293.8501
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Call or refer to website

Yoshida's Sand in the City 2008
On Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., more than 450 tons of sand will be sculpted into giant sculptures by local companies and organizations. The sculptures will then be on display throughout the weekend. In addition, there will be live music, kids crafts and a giant sandbox for the kids. This is a family friendly event which draws in upwards of 70,000 visitors every year.

EVENT DAY(S): 07/18/08 - 07/20/08
LOCATION: Pioneer Courthouse Square 701 SW 6th St Portland, OR 97205
HOURS: 10am - 7pm Fri/Sat. 10am - 4pm Sunday
PHONE: 503.736.3200
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Free admission/suggested donation

21st Annual Oregon Brewers Festival
Again, not one for the kids, but adults gotta have some fun by themselves once in a while! Celebrating its 21st year in 2008, the Oregon Brewers Festival is regarded as one of the finest craft beer festivals in the world. Seventy-three breweries offer handcrafted brews to more than 60,000 beer lovers during the four-day event.

EVENT DAY(S): 07/24/08 - 07/27/08
LOCATION: Tom McCall Waterfront Park S.W. Naito Parkway and Columbia Street Portland, OR
HOURS: Thursday through Sat, taps open Noon to 9pm, Sun, taps open Noon to 7pm
PHONE: 503.778.5917
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Free for entry to the festival. A one-time purchase 2008 souvenir mug costs $5 and is required for consuming beer.Tokens cost $1 apiece. Patrons pay four tokens for a full mug, or 1 token for a taste

Second Annual Maritime Heritage Festival - Downtown Marketing Initiative
From Friday to Sunday, the 2008 festival will showcase beautiful vintage pleasure craft, naval ships, working boats, kayaks, eco-friendly watercraft, waterskiing show and demonstrations. Portland is an outstanding venue with beautiful waters and a stunning skyline. At the same time, it is a great opportunity to view rarely seen relics that may have never participated in an event such as the Maritime Heritage Festival.

EVENT DAY(S): 07/25/08 - 07/27/08
LOCATION: Riverplace Marina 315 S.W. Montgomery Portland, OR
HOURS: downtownportland.org
PHONE: 503-222-0181
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Admission is free

A Chorus Line - Portland Opera
In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It’s what they’ve worked for—with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It’s the one opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed—to have the chance to dance.

EVENT DAY(S): 07/29/08 - 08/03/08
LOCATION: Keller Auditorium SW 3rd & Clay Portland, OR 97204
HOURS: Tuesday-Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday at 2pm & 7:30pm; Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm
PHONE: 503.241.1802
ADMISSION/TICKETS:www.portlandopera.org

Hottest Day of the Year Ride
This spectacular 15-mile urban bike loop starts and finishes at the new Lucky Labrador Brew Hall northwest location. We'll welcome you over the finish line with a cool mist as you head to the make-your-own sundae bar. Relax, grab a beer and hang out with your friends.

EVENT DAY(S): 08/03/08
LOCATION: Lucky Labrador Brew Pub 1945 NW Quimby Portland, OR
HOURS: www.hottestdayride.com
PHONE: 503.459.4508
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Registration $15-$40

Dolly Parton's “Backwoods Barbie” Tour - Rose Quarter
The legendary superstar Dolly Parton, brings her “Backwoods Barbie” Tour to the Theater of the Clouds Thu, Aug 7. This is the first time in 4 years Dolly Parton will be back to the Rose Quarter.
“I’ve always been a writer. My songs are the door to every dream I’ve ever had and every success I’ve ever achieved,” says Dolly Parton of her incredible career, which has spanned nearly five decades and is showing no signs of slowing down.

EVENT DAY(S): 08/07/08
LOCATION: Rose Garden Arena One Center Court Portland, OR 97227
HOURS: 8pm
PHONE: 877.789.ROSE (7673)
ADMISSION/TICKETS: www.rosequarter.com

The Bite of Oregon
From coast to Cascades to canyons, the Bite of Oregon is a stunning celebration of Oregon, its food, its people and its extraordinary quality of life. Come join the fun at the best summer party on the Portland waterfront!

EVENT DAY(S): 08/08/08 - 08/10/08
LOCATION: Tom McCall Waterfront Park S.W. Naito Parkway and Columbia Street Portland, OR
HOURS: 8-9 11am-11pm, 10 10am-8pm
PHONE: 503-248-0600
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Adults$7 at the gate • Children 12 and under FREE

Providence Bridge Pedal 2008 - Providence Health System
Just to show you how bike-friendly Portland really is, the city shuts down 10 Willamette River bridges to cars and welcomes some 20,000 bicyclists for the annual Providence Bridge Pedal.
Come see why Portland has continued to be ranked among the top bike-friendly cities in the country.

EVENT DAY(S): 08/10/08
LOCATION: Naito Parkway Waterfront Portland, OR
HOURS: www.providence.org
PHONE: 503-281-9198
ADMISSION/TICKETS: www.providence.org

The Phantom of the Opera - Portland Opera
Andrew Lloyd Weber's international award-winning phenomenon directed by Harold Prince has woven its magical spell over standing room audiences in more than 100 cities worldwide. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the longest-running show in Broadway history, now returns to Portland to take your breath away. It's a timeless story of seduction and despair and the one show The London Sunday Times called, "God's gift to the musical theatre."

EVENT DAY(S): 08/13/08 - 09/07/08
LOCATION: Keller Auditorium SW 3rd & Clay Portland, OR 97204
HOURS: Tuesday-Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday at 2pm & 7:30pm; Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm
PHONE: 503.241.1802
ADMISSION/TICKETS: www.portlandopera.org

Festa Italiana 2008
What is more exciting than a big Italian party? Portland’s Pioneer Square becomes “Piazza Italia” for a short 4 days, August 21st-24th. Italian celebrations are known for good food and celebration.

EVENT DAY(S): 08/21/08 - 08/24/08
LOCATION: Pioneer Courthouse Square 701 SW 6th St Portland, OR 97205
HOURS: August 21, 5-9pm; August 22,23, 11am-11pm; August 24, 11am-7:30pm
PHONE: 503-281-3704
ADMISSION/TICKETS: www.festa-italiana.org

Oregon State Fair
The Oregon State Fair, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, is a 144-year-old statewide tradition. Spanning 11 days every summer, the State Fair brings together the best of Oregon, including agricultural exhibits, animals, food, wine and beer competitions, cultural events and world class entertainment. KUPL welcomes Tracy Lawrence and Chris Cagle to the Amphitheater Stage!

EVENT DAY(S): 08/22/08 - 09/01/08
LOCATION: Oregon State Fairgrounds 2330 17th St. NE Salem, OR 97303
HOURS: Sun-Thurs 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm
PHONE: 503-947-3247
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Adults - $10; Seniors - $6; Children 6 –12-$5; Children 5 & under – Free

Portland CityFest 2008 - Luis Palau Association
Envision the largest party you've ever attended. Multiply attendance by 100 or even 1,000. That, my friend, is a Palau festival. These events have taken place around the world. And now one's coming to our own backyard…Portland CityFest with Luis Palau features something for everyone. It's one party you don't want to miss!

EVENT DAY(S): 08/22/08 - 08/23/08
LOCATION: Tom McCall Waterfront Park S.W. Naito Parkway and Columbia Street Portland, OR
HOURS: www.portlandcityfest.com
PHONE: 503.614.1500
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Admission is free

Art in the Pearl 2008
The twelfth annual Art In The Pearl Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held Labor Day weekend in the beautiful and historic North Park Blocks of Portland, Oregon. Considered one of the nation's premier art festivals, Art In The Pearl features the jury-selected work of 125 artists from across the USA and Canada.

EVENT DAY(S): 08/30/08 - 09/01/08
LOCATION: North Park Blocks N.W. 8th and Burnside Portland, OR
HOURS: 10am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm on Monday
PHONE: 503-722-9017
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Admission is free

PORTLAND SATURDAY MARKET
The Portland Saturday Market is in its 35th season. Always free admission, the market is open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at SW Ankeny and Naito Parkway in downtown Portland. Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts and crafts market in continuous operation in the United States. It is held every Saturday and Sunday from March through Christmas Eve.

Portland Farmer's Market at Portland State 2008
A true showplace of Northwest agriculture and artisan food, Portland Farmers Market is comprised of four distinct urban, neighborhood-based markets. Collectively, these bustling outdoor venues serve approximately 20,000 shoppers weekly, and feature more than 200 vendors from Oregon and Washington – including farmers, bakeries, nurseries, meat and seafood providers, cheese makers and specialty food producers.

EVENT DAY(S): Now thru 12/20/08
LOCATION: South Park Blocks S.W. Harrison and Montgomery Portland, OR
HOURS:8:30am-2pm
PHONE: 503 241 0032
ADMISSION/TICKETS: Admission is free

Feel free to pass along other fun, family events you know of to chonga@kupl.com.  I'll be happy to include them so the entire KUPL Family can be aware of them and enjoy the best times there are:  Family Times!