The annual candy egg hunt returns to Blue Lake Regional Park on April 7, 2012

While you are there, visit the natural discovery garden to smell the flowers, touch the leaves and gather ideas to make your yard pesticide-free, safe and fun for kids, pets, songbirds, lakes and streams. People of all ages can explore an active worm bin, dig for "fossils," discover, rub and sniff plants, find the softest leaves, and see what wildlife have to say about natural gardening.

Recovering from incidents in which Metro sold graves that belonged to the living and disturbed graves occupied by the dead, the regional government's cemeteries program is in the midst of an overhaul of policies in the sensitive domain of cemetery management.

Employees of the Oregon Convention Center were recognized in Sustainable Business Oregon this week for their work on sustainable food service by Pacificwild, the convention center's caterer. Pacificwild is in the running for a Portland BEST (Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow) Award. The awards will be announced at the annual BEST Awards on April 25.

Animal cognition is the focus of keeper talks from spring break to September

The Oregon Zoo is home to some of the world’s greatest thinkers – many of whom are furry, four-legged or feathered. Starting this week and running through the summer season, the zoo invites visitors to explore these “wild minds” with a series of keeper talks, feedings and informational displays.

Prominent business leader and actor Corey Brunish recently donated funding to complete a $16,000 project that will turn Brunish Hall, the Portland Center for the Performing Arts' flexible-space venue, into a true black box theater that will better serve local theater companies. The announcement was made following the finale of Stumptown Stage's first season in Brunish Hall.

News and blogosphere mentions for the week of March 20-26, 2012.

There’s plenty to do if you’re staying put in metro Portland for spring break — especially if you love the great outdoors. Here's a snapshot of three of Metro’s emerald gems: Blue Lake Regional Park, Oxbow Regional Park and Graham Oaks Nature Park.

Representatives from the Native American Youth Family Center and the Coalition of Communities of Color gave an hour-long presentation to about 30 Metro staff members, as well as councilors Rex Burkholder and Shirley Craddick and Metro Council President Tom Hughes.

Blue Lake Regional Park will continue to draw crowds this summer as anglers toting bobbers, spinners, worms, fish eggs and powerbait line the pier in the hopes of catching the new stock. As the weather gets warmer will also bring boaters, swimmers, picnickers, nature-lovers and athletes to the park.

You don’t have to travel far to see the animals of Africa at the Oregon Zoo or the witches of Oz at the Keller Auditorium. The Portland Expo Center also has a lot going on.