Enjoy quality time with these virtual and in-person events 

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌

As February begins, it can be fun to plan events to attend with family or individually for people to enjoy and explore. Some events have gone virtual ⏤ which makes it even easier to enjoy with family or friends ⏤ or going to in-person events alone while social distancing and taking the necessary precautions can add some variety to the day. Either way, everyone needs some new things to do this year, and it is important to still be engaged and social for mental and emotional health. 

Virtual and in-person events can be a way to find new friends and folks with similar interests, or it can be a way to get out of the old comfort zone. Life gets busy and it’s not always easy to know what the latest happenings in and around town are, so here are some recommended events to look into:

1. Teen/Adult DIY – Valentine Flowers: Feb 5. Virtual event. Independence, OR. ci.independence.or.us/library/page/teenadult-diy-valentine-flowers 
2. Kid Craft Fun – Valentine Cards: Feb 8. Virtual event. Independence, OR. ci.independence.or.us/library/page/kid-craft-fun-valentine-cards 
3. Virtual Storytime with Miss Jo: Each Wednesday — Feb. 10, 17 and 24. Virtual event. Independence, OR. ci.independence.or.us/library/page/virtual-storytime-miss-jo-35 
4. Holiday Show at River Gallery: Feb. 4 through March 5. River Gallery 184 S. Main St., Independence, OR. rivergalleryart.com 
5. Spark of Love Virtual Auction: Feb. 5 through 10. Supports the Salem Fire Foundation. Virtual event. salemfirefoundation.org/spark-of-love-virtual-auction
6. Something’s Brewing: a global look at tea and coffee customs: Jan. 6 through March 5. Pringle Park Plaza, 390 Liberty St. SE, Salem, OR. salemmulticultural.org/gallery-exhibit/somethings-brewing-a-global-look-at-tea-and-coffee-customs 
7. First Friday Artists Receptions: Feb. 5, 7 to 9 p.m. Lunaria Gallery 113 N Water St., Silverton, OR. lunariagallery.com  
8. Portland’s Seafood and Wine Festival: Feb. 5 through 6. Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR. pdxseafoodandwinefestival.com/ 
9. Portland Jazz Festival: Feb. 18 through 27. Virtual and in-person options. Portland, OR. pdxjazz.com  
10. Chinese New Year Celebration: Feb. 12 through 28. Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 NW Everett St., Portland, OR. rove.me/to/portland/chinese-new-year 
11. Cascade Festival of African Films: Feb. 5 through March 10. Virtual event. Portland, OR. africanfilmfestival.org/ 
12. Eugene’s Virtual Boat & Sportsmen’s Show: Feb. 5 through 11; March 12 through 31. Virtual event. Eugene, OR. exposureshows.com/our-shows/eugene.htm

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu