Bits & Pieces: A 'Mormon' lottery

As expected, the “Book of Mormon,” Jan. 12-24 at Keller Auditorium, will feature a ticket lottery policy again — it sold out in 2013 and ‘14, requiring the lottery system.

There’ll be a preshow lottery at the Keller box office, making a limited number of tickets available at $25 apiece. Entries will be accepted 2 1/2 hours before each performance; each person prints their name and number of tickets (one or two) on a provided card, and two hours before curtain, names will be drawn for $25 tickets.

For more info: www.BookofMormonTheMusical.com.

A good deal

Museums and attractions in the Portland area have teamed up again for a reciprocal membership program this year. Created by members of the Portland Attractions Marketing Alliance, it offers free admission (for members of other organizations) for up to four people for the following:

January — Oregon Zoo; February — World Forestry Center; March — Oregon Historical Society; April — Lan Su Chinese Garden; June — Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals; September — Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum; October — Washington County Museum; December — Deepwood Museum and Gardens.

Le Guin appearance

Famed author Ursula K. Le Guin, who lives in the Portland area, will read from her new collection of poetry, “Late in the Day,” at Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13.

‘Star Wars’ records

The blockbuster “Star Wars: Episode VII, The Force Awakens,” has shattered many records, including the domestic box office record, as it moves closer to the $1 billion gross

figure. It has surpassed the $760.5 million lifetime gross of “Avatar.”

Through Jan. 5, “Star Wars” had grossed $758.2 million domestically and $799.1 million abroad for a total of more than $1.5 billion since its Dec. 16 debut.

And, it opened in its final international market on Jan. 9 — China.

“Avatar” also holds the total gross record, $2.7 billion, which “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” could easily topple.

Powell’s expansion

Powell’s Books plans to expand its presence on Hawthorne Boulevard, signing a lease for space at 3735 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., that will join two adjacent spaces, Powell’s Books on Hawthorne and Powell’s Books for Home and Garden. The combined space, after renovations that make the three spaces into one, will be 23,000 square feet.

There’ll be more space, a larger children’s section and author events area. The two current stores will be open through the expansion, which is set to be complete in October 2016.

‘Let Go My Lego’

As part of the Washington County Museum’s “Museum After Dark” program, adults are invited to play Legos during happy hour, 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, as part of the “Let Go My Lego” exhibit.

There’ll be Lego challenges, Lego jewelry making, wine and silly games, as well as a talk by Jason Ruff of PortLug users group. For info: www.washingtoncountymuseum.org

‘The Bachelor’

Two local women went into Monday’s second episode of “The Bachelor” still in the competition, which we’ll continue to follow as long as they stay in it.

They are Amanda “Mandi” Kremer of Portland, 28 and a dentist, and Lauren Bushnell of West Linn, 25 and a flight attendant. The bachelor who is the focus of the group of women’s affections is a fellow named Ben Higgins.