For gardeners: The Northwest Flower &Garden show started Wednesday and continues through Sunday. If you’re a gardener, you don’t want to miss it. You’ll find really fun and inspiring demonstration gardens and oodles of vendors. There are also lots of demonstrations, classes and a play garden for kids. Find the specifics and look at preview photos here.
Watch the Oscars: The Academy Awards start at 5:30 p.m. Sunday on Channel 4. Tune in for great dresses, bad dresses, long speeches … but wait, none of that really matters since it’s all about the party you’re going to throw. We have an Oscar ballot, along with a roundup of the nominees and ideas for a party, here. And you can check out Robert Horton’s predictions for the winners here.
Wine and music Taste wine, listen to music and enjoy some barbecue on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Port Gardner Bay Winery in Everett. The event, which is a benefit for Gala FC Soccer Club, also includes free electronics recycling. More details here.
For bird lovers: The Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival is Saturday and Sunday in Snohomish. The event is a birder’s delight, offering expert speakers and a variety of guided and unguided trips to the area’s top sites for birding. And the best part about it is that attendance is free. Read more in our story here.
Stay safe in bear country: The Adopt A Stream Foundation is putting on a program Saturday to go over the do’s and don’ts in bear country to teach people about bear habits and habitats, and will even simulate a bear capture. You can also meet three bear dogs, who help with bear conflicts. Call ahead for reservations at 425-316-8592. More details in our story here.
Go on a quest: The Great Northwest Glass Quest continues through Sunday. You can scour Stanwood-area parks and businesses in search of plastic “clue balls” that can be redeemed for hand-blown glass balls. Read more here.
Roller Derby: See a banked-track roller derby bout at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at Comcast Arena. You can get tickets here.
Whooo? The Whidbey Audubon Society is leading a field trip at 4:30 p.m. Saturday* to scout out some of the more than six species of owls that live on the island. The event is free. Meet at the Coupeville High School parking lot on S. Main Street. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight and binoculars or scopes. For more information, contact group leader Gary Piazzon at 360-678-5131.
For military families: Admission for active duty military families is free on Sunday at Imagine Children’s Museum.