Tag Archives: October events

Spider Fest

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Spiders can be scary, we all get it. They’re small, make no noise at all, creep around with their little eyes, poison us–they’re weird. But that doesn’t mean that they’re not incredibly interesting, and it certainly doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t awesome to be able to see a lot of different ones in a safe and protected environment. Just be careful where you wander . . . Yeah, I’m talking about you Peter Parker.

At the end of this month Lewis and Clark is hosting Spider Fest. Here’s everything you need to know from their site:

Invitation to Spider Fest, Oct. 29

OCTOBER 24, 2012

Hello Community,

It’s that time again – there’s a chill in the air, leaves are turning, and spiders are ballooning and decorating our world with webs.
It’s SpiderFest Time!
You, your family and friends are cordially invited to SpiderFest
First floor hallway of Bodine and the Binford lab (Bodine 102)
Monday, October 29
5-8 pm
Our goals for SpiderFest are to welcome you into the lab, celebrate the phenomenal biodiversity represented in arachnids, and introduce you to the science we do. We hope to inspire you, demystify arachnids and debunk some of the myths around them.
We will:
• demonstrate how we collect venom by electrostimulation
• show how we bioassay the activity of venom chemicals on insects
• have demonstrations of live spiders catching prey by biting them
• have student demonstrations/presentations about their research projects
• do whatever else my creative group of students comes up with!
If that’s not enough, we will serve spider inspired treats and venomous brew punch, have “make your own spider stations”, AND you can try your luck at pin-the-tail-on-the-vinegaroon!
If you want to know what a vinegaroon is, you’ll have to come by SpiderFest.
Please bring your curiosity and your friends of all ages.
Happy October!
Greta and her excellent lab team.

A Look at October

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Ok, so the blog I posted about summer not being over has become a sad specter of our near past. Fall is here and there’s nothing holding it back. But with it brings some pretty good stuff. Here’s an idea of some things to do.

Blazers are back – The preseason opener is this Monday, October 7th, at 7pm against the LA Clippers.

There’s the Corn Maize on Sauvie Island – After fifteen seasons more than 500,000 people have visited the Corn Maize. It’s a solid family activity.

Wordstock – This weekend, the 3rd through the 6th, is Portland’s literary festival. See dozens of readings by local, regional, and national writers. This year’s fest opener includes Oprah’s 2.0 book club vanguards: Ayana Mathis and Cheryl Strayed.

Portland Lesbian and Gay Film Festival – Located at NW Portland’s Cinema 21, this annual film festival features documentary, short, and feature films. Filmgoers are given a look into the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people from around the world.

Haunted houses! – Portland is home to some big names in haunted houses. These include, Fright Town, Scream Portland, 13th Door (Beaverton), and Fear Asylum (Milwaukie).

Portland Open Studios – This two-weekend event is a great way to see behind the scenes—if you will—in the art world. At this event artists invite people into their studios to watch and learn what the creators are doing.

Portland Marathon – Always a big deal. Since 1972 this marathon has consistently been ranked as one of the best national races. With 72 performers, this marathon also features more live entertainment than any other marathon.

I’ll be sure a keep you updated with more great events, but for the time being, don’t be bummed about summer; there will be more, and this winter is going to be great.