1. New Year gala
The Vancouver Chinese Association will celebrate the Year of the Ram during the Chinese New Year Gala. Attendees will see lion dances, ballet, choir performances, a magic show and martial arts exhibition from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Skyview High School, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver. A Chinese dinner buffet will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, $6 for children, and free for ages 3 and younger. 360-910-4714 or www.vca-usa.org/blog
2. Wind instruments galore
The Southwest Washington Wind Symphony will highlight pieces by contemporary American composers in its concert “Awakenings.” The wind symphony consists of 50 musicians, many of whom are music educators in the area. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. March 1 at Union High School, 6201 N.W. Friberg-Strunk St., Camas. Admission is free. www.swwindsymphony.org
3. Getting ready for spring
The Oregon Association of Nurseries highlights what’s new in the world of plants during the Yard, Garden & Patio Show. Visitors can try out more than 50 seminars and talk with more than 200 exhibitors. There also will be demonstrations, patio displays and seven showcase gardens at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 1. $12, $9 for seniors, and free for ages 12 and younger. www.ygpshow.com
4. Shaping history
Kicking off Women’s History Month, “Pioneering Women of Clark County Politics” will feature a panel of past and present community leaders, discussing the changes to the region and legacies for future generations. The speakers include Ridgefield Councilwoman Sandra Day; former Camas Mayor Nan Henriksen; former Vancouver Councilor Pat Jollota; the first woman to serve as a Clark County commissioner, Connie Kearney; East County Fire & Rescue Board Commissioner Martha Martin; and former Clark County Commissioner Judie Stanton. The First Thursday Lecture will run 7 to 9 p.m. March 5 at the Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Admission is $4, $3 for seniors and students, and $2 for ages 18 and younger. 360-993-5679 or www.cchmuseum.org
