TROPIC OF PORTLAND: Shawn Granton leads the way to local palm trees.

Thursday Jan. 18

Exposure Therapy

The paparazzi have been giving breast exposure a bad rap (or unwrap, if you will), but they fail to focus on any truly good support—like raising money toward breast cancer research. Tonight's Climb to Fight informative meeting zooms in on just that, while you train to climb one of five different peaks—Mount Hood, Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Russia's Mount Elbrus or Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro—this summer. Portland REI, 1405 NW Johnson St. 7 pm. fhcrc.org/climb. Free to attend. Easy to listen.

Saturday Jan. 20

"A Place of Homes"

Starting from the original site of Liverpool Liz's Place, the Trails Club of Oregon takes a meandering two-and-a-half-hour educational tour of NoPo's historic Piedmont neighborhood. Fact-riddled handouts provided. Meet at the Gazebo in Pennisula Park, between North Ainsworth and Albina Streets. 10:30 am. trailsclub.org. $2. Easy.

Sunday Jan. 21

All Shoed-in

Regardless of the damage to the White River West Sno-Park earlier this winter, "the oldest snowshoe event in the Northwest" is set to happen—just more likely at the White River East Sno-Park, which remains open. Participants choose whether to run or walk either a 4K or an 8K. No experience required. Meet at the White River East Sno-Park. 10 am. For directions visit xdevents.com. $15-$25. Easy-Difficult.

Palm (Tree) Pilot

Pour it very well may, but my hat's still coming off to Shawn Granton for putting together a bike ride (three years in a row!) proving "winter in Portland really isn't as bad as some people make it out to be" by rolling past the many palm trees that have no business thriving here. As a fellow transplant from New England, I concur that "other parts of the country have it much, much worse." Saddle up for a three-hour, stop-and-go tour of Portland's tropical vegetation. Hawthorne Hostel, 3037 SE Hawthorne Blvd. 11 am. urbanadventure.blogspot.com. Easy.

Monday Jan. 22

Dammed if They Do

Compassionate kayaking guide Willie Kern speaks about his (along with countless others) efforts to preserve the upper parts of the Yangtze and Mekong rivers in China's Yunnan Province from hydroelectric damming. With the aid of a slide projector, he'll also be showing some less harrowing pics of whitewater rafting. The North Face, 1202 NW Davis St. 8 pm (light refreshments served at 7:30 pm). To RSVP, call Lisa Harding at 1-800-282-8747, Ext. 6048. Free. Easy.