OK, this is a great idea: I love hanging out in Portland on New Year’s Eve. But, I’m really not into driving home with all the yahoos who have lived it up a little too much.

So, this year my friends and I will be at the Hotel deLuxe. OK, I work there, so it seems like home away from home, but I think anyone would have a blast. There’s going to be a great party, a cool New Orleans-style jazz band, The Stolen Sweets, dancing, and general carrying on. If you stay the night, you get free parking, two drink tickets, midnight champagne, and of course, entrance to the big bash. And if you’ve ever been to the deLuxe, with all the old-timey glitz, you know it’s a perfect spot for it.

Have fun,
Brandon

Every year the Portland zoo goes all out and turns into a really cool light show. We Portlanders like to call it Zoolights (and so, um, does the zoo). And if you think it’s just for kids, it’s not. Even the biggest Scrooge would really be into it.

The zoo grounds are totally transformed by more than 200 lighted, moving animals (not the real ones, of course). They’re swinging around and jumping, like a great big game. Everywhere you look there’s something you didn’t expect to see. There’s music, by local choirs and high school bands, every night. The zoo stays open an hour later during the season, so plenty of time to check it out, even on a weeknight. Oh, and there are the real animals too, so get out there.

Have fun,
Brandon

I don’t know about you, but I’ve about had it with holiday shopping. Every time I think of the perfect gift for someone, and finally find it, I realize that I already gave it to them three years ago. That’s why the Rose City Collector’s Market is different (and better, if you ask me).

This year, everyone’s getting something unique from me, an actual one-of-a-kind gift. You don’t have to love antiques (even though I do) to appreciate the Collector’s Market. There is so, so much to choose from. I know my nephew will go crazy for the cool vintage Hot Wheels, my mom will love the depression era glassware, and my girlfriends will go gaga for the antique jewelry. I will love knowing that there’s no way anyone got them the same thing I did.

Happy holidays!
Emily

The Portland Art Museum has a fantastic exhibit going on: China Design Now. China is growing fast, everyone’s talking about it, and the exhibit explores the fascinating art that is being created during its rapid growth. The amazing design, architecture, paintings, and multi-media pieces give you some sense of how the Chinese themselves feel about and are reacting to the major changes going on around them.

Here’s what I’d do: Head over to Chinatown early in the day, tuck into the fabulous dim sum at Fong Chong’s (the chicken hum bao’s my favorite), walk off your lunch at the Chinese Gardens, then head over to the museum. If you go on December 1, there will be a docent to guide you through the exhibit. I might end the day with a cocktail and potstickers at Dragonfish’s fantastic happy hour, but that’s just me.

Chow,
Emily