Try This: All aboard for mothers

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad will offer a special trip for Mother’s Day, and visitors can ride on the newly restored steam engine. The historic railroad ride travels through the forests of north Clark County on a 12-mile round-trip that includes Moulton Falls and a 330-foot rock tunnel.

When: Noon and 2:30 p.m. today and Sunday.

Where: Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, 207 N. Railroad Ave., Yacolt.

Admission: $18, $17 for seniors, $13 for youth, $11 for children.

Telephone: 360-686-3559.

Web: http://bycx.com

It’s also National Train Day, and to celebrate all things railroad, the Portland Union Station will host family tours of the SP&S 700 steam locomotive, a historic North Coast lounge car and a retired Union Pacific caboose, along with a preview of the new Amtrak Cascade Talgo trains. The festivities include free children’s activities, the Rose Festival Clown Corps and appearance by the Le Grand Continental dancers.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

Where: Portland Union Station, 800 N.W. Sixth Ave., Portland.

Admission: Free.

Web: http://nationaltrainday.com

Trains are one of many options for getting out and about this weekend.

Blast from the past

“Captain Midnight Flies Again!” thanks to the students from Vancouver School of Arts and Academics. They will perform a live radio broadcast from the 1939 serial about an ace pilot who, along with his gunner sidekick, thwarted the evil mastermind Ivan Shark. The production will feature sound effects and period costumes.

When: 2 p.m. today.

Where: Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver.

Admission: Free.

Telephone: 360-816-6233.

Web: http://go.usa.gov/TEWB

Dancers take stage

Northwest Classical Ballet presents “Spring Overture 2013,” a mix of modern and traditional ballet. In the first half, the Vancouver dance company will present the full ballet of “Giselle,” about a peasant girl whose love for a duke transcends death. The second half will feature original contemporary pieces created for the show by company and guest choreographers.

When: 2 and 7:30 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver.

Admission: $15.

Telephone: 888-487-7454.

Web: http://springoverture13.brownpapertickets.com

Groove Nation Dance Academy will host “Street Supremacy,” a hip-hop dance competition for local crews and duos, with a performance by Beat Freaks, an all-female dance crew from Los Angeles. Beat Freaks were finalists on “America’s Best Dance Crew,” and will be guest judges for the competition, which will benefit the New Groove Performing Arts Foundation scholarship fund. The championship round and performance by the Beat Freaks will begin at 6 p.m.

When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.

Where: Skyview High School Concert Hall, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver.

Admission: $20 to $25, $40 to $45 for VIP.

Telephone: 360-699-7150.

Web: http://newgroovefoundation.org

Fragrant blooms in Woodland

It’s your last chance this year to experience Lilac Days at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens. Visitors can tour the historic 1880s Victorian farmhouse and gardens where multiple lilac varieties will be in bloom. Historic tea sets will be on display inside the home and tours will be available.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday.

Where: Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, 115 S. Pekin Road, Woodland.

Admission: $2, free for children 12 and younger.

Telephone: 360-606-7359.

Web: http://lilacgardens.com

‘Great Gatsby’ is puttin’ on the Ritz

Would-be writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) heads to New York City to chase the American dream of jazz, bootleg and flighty flapper girls. He meets millionaire Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). Nick becomes embroiled in the lives and loves of the mysterious Gatsby, his cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and her philandering husband, Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). “The Great Gatsby” is rated PG-13.

Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Cinetopia Mill Plain, 11700 S.E. Seventh St.; Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23, 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive; various Regal Cinema locations.

Cost: Varies by cinema.

Telephone: Battle Ground Cinema, 360-666-7200; Cinetopia, 360-213-2800 Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23, 360-448-4100; Regal Cinemas, 800-326-3264.

Web: http://battlegroundcinema.com, http://cinetopia.com, http://regmovies.com