Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, from all of us here at Hotel deLuxe. It’s been said before but where does the time go? Seems like it was only yesterday that I was complaining about the Rose Festival.

And here’s an idea for your pre-Tday prep: Take in the zoo’s Thanksgiving Day Feast. I don’t know if the animals like it, but you get to watch them dig into their favorite dishes like, well, animals. I’m told the meerkats really like their turkey-shaped piñata filled with crickets.

The culinary mayhem ensues at 10 a.m. on Nov. 26 at the zoo. If nothing else, it will make old crazy Uncle Bob’s eating habits seem not quite so disgusting on Thanksgiving.

Bon appétit,
Emily

We’re into the holiday season now. So from here on everything has a turkey or a Christmas tree. And at Hotel deLuxe we believe it’s our duty to help you with all the different turkey/Christmas tree offerings.

This one should be fun. Especially if you have kids. The Oregon Zoo and the Oregon Road Runners Club are doing the Turkey Trot at the zoo on Nov. 27. There’s a 4 mile run/walk, and a 1K “trot” for kids 11 and under.

I’m going to get ripped by my friends for saying this, but I think it’s great that there’s a holiday thing for kids that doesn’t involve candy. Why not involve some exercise in holiday activities? And the run fee includes admission to the zoo. It’s good and good for you.

Later,
Keith

Here’s one I can’t vouch for yet as I think they’re new, but I applaud the ambition of the Irvington Artisan Market.

If you read this blog, you’ve already discerned from the stuff I tend to write about that I love me some art. In my experiences, it’s just a great way to exercise your senses, both in creating it and in experiencing it.

So I think it’s great when some enterprising grassroots group has the wherewithal to organize themselves to show and sell their work. This particular effort, which has a nice little blog with artist profiles, plans to include all kinds of handmade stuff, from jewelry, to apparel to home décor. It’s not too early to think Christmas presents…

See ya,
Emily

You can file this under “Things to do close by.” The Audubon Society of Portland is having its fundraiser over at Montgomery Park, which is close to our fair Hotel deLuxe.

Called the Wild Arts Festival, it’s apparently been around for some 28 years. I apologize to all birds that I’ve never heard of it. But I’m all for art and fundraising for good causes, so I say bravo and mark your calendar for Nov. 22-23.

I don’t know much about this genre of art, but there are more than 100 who will be present at the event, including Sue Allen, Amanda Houston, Larry Olson and Otter Bear Studios. I see that Ursula LeGuin will also be there. Excellent.

So if Wall Street gets $700 billion, how about passing along a few dollars to local artists to benefit the Audubon Society, hmm?

See ya,
Emily

Last year my friends at the Oregon College of Art and Craft gave me a bad time about not letting people know far enough in advance about their holiday sale. So…

So this year I’m giving the shout out nearly weeks early so people can empty their penny jars, liquefy their assets (what’s left after recent Wall Street goings-on) or harvest an organ. Whatever they need to do.

Seriously though, if you have any art-loving people in your circle of friends and family this is the best place to do your shopping. Some incredible student and alumni art is on offer. Or you can point those buying for you to the event.

It takes place at OCAC from Nov. 28-30. But my recommendation is to get there at 7 p.m. on the 28th when the doors open. Happy hunting.

See ya,
Emily

Hey that is pretty cool. I’ll have to point my parents there. I’ve been trying to get them to come out and stay at the hotel ever since I started working here.

If they come out by Jan. 4 my mom could go to this interesting exhibit about dogs I just saw at the World Forestry Center. My mom helps train seeing eye dogs and would totally dig it because a lot of it is about why dogs and humans work so well together.

But it talks about all kinds of issues related to dogs. And wolves as well. Even though we always had dogs in my family I didn’t know a lot of the stuff they discussed. The problem is that it makes we want to get a dog… There’s nothing happier on earth than a chocolate lab puppy.

Later,
Keith

OK, please forgive a moment of unabashed backpatting for everyone here at Hotel deLuxe. But Concierge.com just highlighted us, and the Lucia, for special mention on their site, including a bunch of great pictures. (So if you haven’t seen what we look like, take a peek.)

I know everyone around here works hard to make the hotel as special and comfortable a place as we can for guests, and to be honest, for employees, too. Who wants to work in a boring, lifeless place?

So I’m always gratified when they and the hotel get the recognition they deserve. We care most about how our guests feel, but we’ll take a stunning review from outside, too. Thanks, Concierge.com.

See ya,
Emily

Ha! This month I beat Emily to mentioning the Hotel deLuxe movie for movie night! I told her I would. You’ve got to be on the ball with her, but this month I win. You owe me a mocha. Extra chocolate.

So November’s movie is called “Freedom State” and is directed by Cullen Hoback. It will show on Nov. 16, so you have some time to get ready for it. And tell me it doesn’t sound interesting. It’s a comedy about mental hospital patients who wake up and realize they’ve slept through the apocalypse. I know, right?

It’s a road movie. They get in their short bus and go out and try to find the edge of the world. Come on. What could be better? Combine that with food and drinks from Gracie’s and the Driftwood and you’re set. See details on our Movie Night page.

Later,
Keith

It’s like I’m the town crier with some of these but I wish the hotels I’ve visited in the past gave me some ideas about stuff to do when I was in town. A dusty rack with pamphlets for the local waterpark or wax museum doesn’t cut it.

Anyway, here’s something for Nov. 15.  I sort of hate to send people to Memorial Coliseum, because let’s face it, unless it’s a concert it’s sort of like a giant warehouse. But this is for the NW Food and Wine Festival. Sample enough of the latter and you don’t care where you are.

This year will include some 600 wines as well as about 50 restaurants. It’s a half-day deal so you should have plenty of time to graze and find your favorites. And word is that 50 percent of ticket sales goes to Portland Camp Fire USA.  I’m in.

Cheers,
Emily

I’m here to talk movies today. A week of movies. Though I guess I should say “films.” You’re not likely to see Ashton Kutcher or what’s her name from “Sex in the City” in these (she has too many names; I can never remember.).

This is the NW Film Center’s 35th Annual NW Film and Video Festival, which bills itself as a “showcase of new work by regional media artists.” This year, from Nov. 7-15, it will show 44 feature, short and documentary films made by people from Oregon, Washington, B.C., Montana and Idaho.

Everything is chosen by a panel that in the past has included names like Gus Van Sant, Matt Groening and Todd Haynes. Big hitters. So it should be a tad different than your multiplex fare. But too hip to serve popcorn? Let’s hope not.

See ya,
Emily