Its been cold and wet late in 2015, but its never too early to think about warm days on the water in 2016.
The Portland Boat Show returns for the 56th year, Jan. 13 to 17 at Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Dr., with boat lines, technology and accessories therell be a huge selection of fishing boats, ski boats, sailing vessels, yachts, pleasure craft, personal watercraft, off-shore vessels and paddle units, all inside 250,000 square feet of indoor space. Therell also be previously owned boats. (Oganizers are quick to point out that on-site financing will be available).
A highlight will be the display of luxury yachts and sailing vessels, as well as amphibious craft.
The popular Jr. Boat Building shows kids how to make boats, courtesy of Schooner Creek Boat Works.
Two-for-one coupons are available (www.OTShows.com), and free parking is available evenings of Jan. 13-15.
The hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 13-15, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 16; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan 17. General admission is $10 (again, look for coupons) with children younger than 12 admitted for free. Parking is $8, $7 for car pools.
Holiday stories
A couple of stories that you may not have noticed through the hustle and bustle of the holidays:
Hollywood Theatre plans to open a small theater for short films and other events at Portland International Airport next year. Itll be big enough for about 40 people, half of them seated, and itll screen short films featuring Portland filmmakers and films about the city and the state.
The space will be located near Gate C5; Alaska Airlines inhabits most of the C concourse.
For more: www.hollywoodtheatre.org.
The Oregon Zoo bid goodbye to one of its oldest Asian elephants, Tusko, 44. He had to be euthanized because of an injured leg that kept getting worse and caused him pain and mobility issues.
Born in Thailand in 1971 and originally named Sobik, he spent time at the Central Florida Zoo and then with the Circus Vargas through most of the 1980s. As a circus elephant, he traveled the continent for years before moving to the Oregon Zoo in 2005. He was one of the largest bull elephants in the country, weighing around 13,000 pounds.
The 10 years Tusko spent at the Oregon Zoo was the longest period hed ever stayed in one place, says Bob Lee, zoo elephant curator. Were thankful we were able to give him a good home with our elephant family, and on a personal level Im thankful I got the chance to know him.
Tusko fathered two Oregon Zoo offspring, Samudra and Lily.
His death comes soon after the zoo opened its Elephant Lands habitation. The world famous Packy, who turns 54 in April, remains the oldest Asian elephant at the zoo.