Monday  nights in Portland can be slow. It can be hard to find an open restaurant, let alone something fun to do. But this Monday has two unique happenings in two great Portland neighborhoods. The first is at Powell’s Books on SE Hawthorne at 730 pm.  Mother Jone’s Environmental Correspondent Julia Whitty will be reading from her new book, Deep Blue Home. Whitty examines the oceans from a scientific and  biological place, but also gets intimate with what makes the oceans and its creatures tick. Or un-tick. For example, she spends an entire chapter on how oil kills birds.

Along those lines, over at Mississippi Studios on North Mississippi Avenue, Portland musicians are getting together to raise funds to help oiled birds, shores and people of the BP Gulf Oil Blow Out. Called Gulf Coast or Bust, proprietor and musician Jim Brunberg brings together local musicians to help send an Oregon response to the Gulf by playing music. $10 to get in. Sax legend Reggie Houston will be among those playing, along with Brunberg, Johnny Newsome of Miraflores, David Jorgenson of Blind Pilot and Scott Weddle of Amelia.

It’ll be a great, clear night to get out and get your Portland on.

Matt Zaffino