1. As easy as pie
This isn’t just pie in the sky; it’s the real thing. Camas’ First Friday for November is “Thankful for Pie,” an all-around celebration of pie. Stop by the Journey Community Church at Fourth and Birch streets to pick up your pie passport and an itinerary of events. In addition to the usual First Friday art shows, the pie celebration includes pie tastings at participating business as well as a contest for best pie. It also features a pie walk dance party, a pie raffle, S’more roastings and a crafts table for kids. First Friday takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 3 in downtown Camas, N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas. 360-904-0218 or http://downtowncamas.com/event/november-first-friday-2017-thankful-pie
2. Firmly planted
Learn how to make your garden a little more beautiful at the 72nd annual Vancouver Chrysanthemum Show “Make Mine Mums.” See autumn chrysanthemums in all sorts of sizes and varieties in arrangements. Or figure out how to grow exhibition size mums, garden varieties and bonsai style plants. Local experts will answer questions and explain growing techniques. Enter on East Reserve Street side of Hudson’s Bay High School, 1601 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, where the event is noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 4 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5. Cut blooms and potted plants for sale; free admission. 360-696-9617 or www.mums.org/washington
3. Films forever
The Portland Film Festival is packed to the brim with movies. Featuring 152 narrative and documentary films — 89 of which were made by women — there’s sure to be a few that will catch your interest. The fest also includes educational panels, workshops, special presentations and networking opportunities. Since November is National American Indiana Heritage Month, each day there’s a showing of a film from the new “Indigenous Voices” section. A percentage of this year’s ticket sales benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Portland and the Wild Salmon Center. The fest runs from 11:30 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. Nov. 3; 10 a.m. to 11:35 p.m. Nov. 4; 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Nov. 5. Movie tickets are $10, while workshops cost $15. Seating begins 15 minutes before showings, and the screenings are spread across seven different theaters. https://portlandfilmfestival.com
4. From Russia with love
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s All-Russian program featuring Alexander Toradze brings Toradze, a universally acclaimed Georgian piano soloist to Skyview High School, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver, at 3 p.m. Nov. 4. Toradze has appeared with the Metropolitan Orchestra, and many other renowned orchestras across the world. Toradze graduated from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, and his recording of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 has been called “historically the best on record” by International Piano Quarterly; $10 to $50. 604-684-9100 or www.vancouversymphony.ca/artist/alexander-toradze
