Choose from a variety of events to go to this week in Central Oregon.

Celebrate poetry at Central Oregon Community College, attend Thrive Central Oregon’s annual fundraiser, chat with other community cyclists and walkers, and learn about a shipwreck off the coast of Vancouver Island.

Heather Fox & Jonathan Stutzman — Book Talk & Signing

Meet the author and illustrator of “Tiny T. Rex,” “Don’t Feed the Coos” and “Llama Destroys the World” as they talk about writing and illustrating these books. They will also answer your questions and sign books.

Heather Fox is an illustrator of stories for children. She lives in Lititz, Pennsylvania, with her husband and author Jonathan Stutzman.

Stutzman is a New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of books for kids. His books have been translated into more than a dozen languages all over the world.

Thursday 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Drive, Suite #110, Bend; roundaboutbookshop.com or 541-306-6564.

We Are Home Film Festival

A one-night event showcasing short documentaries that reflect the value of home, belonging and community while raising funds to directly support Central Oregonians in securing housing. This is nonprofit Thrive Central Oregon’s annual fundraiser for its community work with housing assistance. All ticket sales and proceeds go directly to Central Oregonians through the Thrive Housing Fund, which provides essential rent, deposit and application fee assistance.

Along with the collection of short films, there will be a raffle, an opportunity to learn more about local resources and a chance to donate for Thrive gear.

Saturday 7-9 p.m.; $25 online, $30 at the door; Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend; thrivecentraloregon.org or 541-317-0700.

Tri-County Bicycle and Pedestrian Summit

Chat with fellow bicycle commuters, recreation riders and walkers about improving transportation networks in the area. This is an event for like-minded individuals passionate about sustainable transportation to converge, discuss and hear from experts.

Tuesday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; free, RSVP; Bend Parks & Recreation District, Riverbend Room, 739 SW Columbia St., Bend; envirocenter.org.

Science Circus Extravaganza with Rhys Thomas

This Science Circus combines both physics and circus arts using a rare blend of science, comedy and daring acts from juggler Rhys Thomas. Children will learn about gravity (through bowling ball juggling), gyroscopic stability (through glass bowl spinning), centripetal force (with cowboy lariats), center of balance (with a tall unicycle) and inertia (with the old tablecloth pull).

Thomas grew up in rural Oregon and learned to juggle in high school. He went to the University of Oregon and claims to have an M.F.A. (Master of Frivolous Arts). Rhys is a recipient of the Ben Linder Memorial Award for Inspiration, has twice been profiled in “Juggle” magazine and the first juggler awarded an Oregon Arts Fellowship.

Tuesday 6-7 p.m.; free; Downtown Bend Library, 601 NW Wall St, Bend; dpl.libnet.info.

Poetry Month Celebration

Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is celebrating National Poetry Month this April with a visit from Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston and a focus on the theme “Rise.” Waterston will perform her poems on Wednesday at Prineville and Redmond campuses and Thursday, April 17, at Bend’s campus. There will also be some livestreaming options available at the Madras and Prineville campuses.

The college’s poetry month also includes two “Rise to the Occasion” poetry slam competitions later in the month, April 23 and 24, in Redmond and Bend. COCC’s campuses will each have a poetry book display throughout April. All events are free and open to the public.

Wednesday noon-1 p.m.; free; Central Oregon Community College — Prineville, 510 SE Lynn Blvd., Prineville; barber.cocc.edu or 541-383-7560.

Wednesday 4-7:30 p.m.; free; Central Oregon Community College — Redmond, 2030 SE College Loop, Redmond; barber.cocc.edu or 541-383-7560.

 

“Ship of Lost Souls — The Tragic Wreck of the Steamship Valencia”

Rod Scher will discuss his book about a steamship disaster off the coast of Vancouver Island. In January of 1906, the Valencia crashed into the jagged rocks just off of the coast of Vancouver Island, B.C. Everyone on the ship died, including every single woman and child, totaling some 170 lives lost. Scher’s story explores who was at fault for the accident and the lessons that may or may not have been learned from the tragedy.

Scher has taught English in high schools in California and Oregon and worked as an editor for textbooks and magazines. He has also worked as a software developer, writing software for StudyWare, the educational software company he and two partners founded in 1986. In 1992, that company was purchased by Cliffs Notes.

Wednesday 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Paulina Springs Books, 252 W. Hood Ave., Bend; paulinaspringsbooks.com or 541-549-0866.