Winter's over, and it's time to get your pale ass outside. On Thursday and Friday, Portland's minor league baseball team, the Beavers, return to PGE Park with back-to-back games against the Fresno Grizzlies. Thursday's game, formerly known as "Thirsty Thursday" has been re-dubbed with the OLCC-friendly title, "Responsibility Matters Fresh Beer Night." (BOOOOO!) But don't be fooled, it's still discount beer all game long (PGE Park, 7:05 pm, $7-12). But the wild-n-crazy fun kicks off Saturday, when the hunky Portland Timbers soccer team takes the field for their official season opener. Hint: get a seat in the rowdy, drunk, and often-shirtless Section 107. (PGE Park, 7 pm, $7-12)
If watching isn't your thing, how about a new recreational ultimate frisbee league? Perfect for beginners, this league is only open to new players (or those who've played less than a year)! Essentially pick-up matches, the Wednesday night games are captained by experienced (low-key) players, and the season wraps on June 8 with a blowout barbecue. (Catlin Gabel School, 8825 SW Barnes Rd., 6 pm until sundown, more information at: www.portlandultimate.org/calendar_rec_league.html.)
No? How about summer league kickball! Registration is happening NOW (April for returning teams, May for newbies; season starts June 9), so hustle and get together a 14-20 person co-ed team! At $45 per player, it's the most fun money can legally--or, for that matter, illegally--buy! Check out: www.nwkickball.com. PHIL BUSSE
Wordstock Grand Finale
As reported last week ["Word Up!" April 14], over 200 authors will be in attenance at Portland's first annual author extravaganza, Wordstock--the majority appearing during this weekend's two-day book fair at the Oregon Convention Center (April 23-24). Below are a few highlights, but for every cool writer we've mentioned, there are dozens more, so check www.wordstockfestival.com for the full schedule. (P.S. ALL Book Fair events are FREEE!!!)
Kent Haruf
Powell's Stage, Sat April 23, 11 am
The small town setting of Kent Haruf's 2000 novel Plainsong provided a barren stage for the sparse but hopeful narrative. Eventide, Haruf's most recent novel, picks up where Plainsong left off to reacquaint us with the grizzled McPheron brothers and introduce us to a new generation of characters on the author's lonesome plains. CB
Peter Rock
with Whitney Otto, Charles D'Ambrosio, Dan Frazier; Wieden + Kennedy Stage, Sat April 23, 3 pm
Portland writer Peter Rock's books revolve around characters like a drifter who supports himself by undergoing psychiatric experiments, and a blackjack dealer obsessed with a young Mormon woman. His new novel, The Bewildered, is set in Portland and follows three teenagers who become fixated on power lines and self-electrocution. CB
Sarah Vowell
Sun April 24, 12 pm, Powell's Stage
In addition to her role as the sweet, super-powered Violet in The Incredibles, Sarah Vowell is a funny and insightful writer who waxes on everything from the passing of Gene Siskel to America's assassinated presidents. I might have a crush on her. EH
Brent Hartinger
Target Children's Stage, Sun April 24, 4:15 pm
Overwhelmingly successful in the late-teen genre, Hartinger has penned several novels (Geography Club, Last Chance Texaco), some of which are gay themed. For Wordstock he's planning a clever retelling of his own life through sketches. WG
