It’s that time of year again when a range of Portland artists agree to open up their studios for art voyeur types to wander through and gawk, and hopefully spend a little money along the way.

I talked about it last year and am really trying to get people to go and support local art. Called Portland Open Studios, it gives you a great opportunity to see how different artists work and maybe start your collection with a personal connection.

This year there are almost 100 artists participating, including emerging talents and well-established artists from just about every media, including acrylic, ceramic, collage, drawing and colored pencil, furniture, glass, jewelry and photography.

It costs $15 and runs Oct. 11-12 for the westside and 18-19 on the eastside. Doors are open from 10 to 5. Check the website for a tour map.

See ya,
Emily

Looking for that new outfit that no one else has? Something to go with that cute skirt you just bought? Try Fashion Week. What the tube top is Fashion Week? That’s a good question since fashion is really a year-long commitment.

This annual event (from Oct. 8-12) gives independent designers a chance to introduce their spring/summer 2009 collections here in Portland in a week-long series of runway shows, this year in the Pearl.

And you thought we were a fashion backwater, all fleece and Gore-Tex. It’s actually the second-longest running fashion week on the West Coast. Just a few of the designers on hand include: In Harmony, Dimitri, Saffrona and Amai Unmei.

Best of all, the event benefits the Children’s Cancer Association and is earth friendly and sustainable from the lighting to the recycled fabric, to the organic food and transportation.

See ya,
Emily

Maybe you want to do a bit of grocery shopping while you’re here? Perhaps you wish to make a platter of raspberry tarts for the warm and solicitous reception staff? A smashing idea.

And you’re actually well situated for two of the finest specialty groceries stores in the area. If you go to Burnside and turn left, you’ll eventually run into Zupan’s. Their wine selection might be the best of any supermarket. Their produce and meat counter is also incredible.

Or maybe you’ve been pawing through the CDs at Everyday Music. In which case continue toward downtown and you’ll come to Whole Foods on Burnside. They’re known for their range of organic choices and items you’re not likely to find elsewhere.

Both should have the ingredients for those tarts. A bottle of Oregon pinot would work in a pinch, too.

See ya,
Emily

The Crystal Ballroom is awesome. Probably my favorite spot for larger shows. If you’re in town I definitely recommend seeing some music there if you can.

And then you can walk across the street to Everyday Music, which is the best record store in town and buy the CD. There’s one entire room that’s all classical music, jazz and world music. The whole other room is rock and rap. New and used.

You can get a CD from like $6 to $15 or so. And they’ve also got a lot of special stuff. Like posters, stickers, box sets and whatever. And a lot of cool vinyl, which I dig (I just got a new turntable for my birthday.) For the 5 or 10 people who still listen to cassettes they have a bunch of those too.

Later,
Keith

I really have to say, one of the best things about Hotel deLuxe is the location. And this is not just a brazen promotional post here. If I was visiting the city it is the exact sort of location I would prefer.

If you want to write it off to this actually being a hotel blog, I totally understand, but when you do stay, you’ll want to send me a basket of fruit for doubting me. (No papayas please. Tastes like meat.)

I went to the Crystal Ballroom and remembered again how perfectly situated we are. It’s just a short walk over and you’re right there on Burnside near Powell’s, great restaurants, the Pearl and the heart of downtown. Walk the other direction and you’re on NW 21st or 23rd with more great restaurants and some of the best shopping in town.

Couldn’t be easier.

See ya,
Emily

I’m not going to say I know a lot about European soccer, or football. But I did read Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch (great book) and I’m staring to get hooked on the EPL because a friend is totally in to it. (It stands for English Premier League, in case you didn’t know.)

They go crazy for their soccer over there. But we’ve been watching games from the safety of the Thirsty Lion downtown on SW 2nd and Ash. In honor of Hornby (and because it’s the only team I knew) I’ve been rooting for Arsenal. Seems to be working. Just checked and they’re in fourth.

It’s a good olde worldy pub type place even if you don’t dig soccer. Worth going to for their Boddington’s Cream Ale alone. They also show other sports and have singer songwriter night on Tuesdays and trivia on Wednesdays.

Go Arsenal,
Keith

My turn to offer up a restaurant selection. And perhaps winner of the most aptly named restaurant in the city.

You’ll find Le Happy just on the other side of Burnside from Hotel deLuxe.
The place is small, cozy and feels like a picture torn from a book about Pigalle or Montmartre.

They traffic in crepes. As my friend once said, “They’re sort of like a French burrito.” Well, not exactly, Carrie, but have another glass of wine.

They’ve got savory numbers with meat and cheese. Try the Le Trash Blanc, which has buckwheat with bacon and cheddar (and is served with a can of Pabst), or the Faux Vegan with its crème fraiche, spinach and mushroom sauce. And then eenie minie mo one of the delicious sweet options for dessert.

Later,
Emily

OK, I see your work space thing list and raise you a “best pizza place in Portland” list. No membership fees required. Have we done a post for this before? People need to know.

In order of closeness to Hotel deLuxe:

Escape from NY Pizza — 622 NW 23rd
This is good stop if you’re touring the shopping Mecca of 23rd.  Plus, a lot of the other places on the street are on the pricier side.

Rocco’s — 949 SW Oak St.
You’ll go here because it’s right across from Powell’s and because the slices are HUGE. And they have pinball.

Old Town Pizza — 226 NW Davis St
This place has been around a long time, so they’ve had time to perfect their pies. They deliver using cool tricycles. But, beware, some say the place is haunted.

Hammy’s — 2114 SE Clinton
Hammy’s makes the list because they deliver until 4 a.m.

Eat up,
Keith

I forgot to put Deadwood on my list. Make that no. 4. Only three seasons? If I had a team of lawyers I’d put them on that today.

You know we have a business office at Hotel deLuxe. (Check the site here for details.) But if you need more room, for a meeting, say, or a large conference call, or you’re from here and work for yourself and need a more permanent kind of arrangement, here are a couple ideas:

Souk is on N.W. 6th and offers flex-term office space and various services for people and small groups to connect, meet and work. Requires membership. See their site for how.

CubeSpace is the same deal more or less. They’re located on S.E. Grand and offer work stations, meetings rooms and other amenities. They offer monthly membership or hourly or daily rates.

Smart, huh?

See ya,
Emily

Good list. But man, there are just too many things going on around here in the summer. I missed all yours. Wait, no, I did see “Big Time” on the rooftop. That was cool.

So here’s my list:

3.    Flugtag — This was just a mad spectacle. One of those things that ends up being as funny as you expect. I’m still thinking maybe next year, people…
2.    Rafting White Salmon river — I would do that every weekend if I could. Love that whitewater. And Hood River is cool, too. Next summer: kite boarding.
1.    Brew Fest — Come on, over 70 breweries from around the country, sun, food, friends. It’s just unbeatable summer fun.

The Olympics were awesome, too. They tie for the silver.

Later,
Keith