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

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

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

Hey, it’s that time of year again word nerds. Wordstock. If you’ve been, you know the delights of a few days devoted to books and writers. If you haven’t been before, pull yourself away from “Weeds,” Season 2 and get yourself over to the Convention Center.

This year it runs from Nov. 7-9 and still offers its bounty of activities, from the book fair, to readings and workshops, to something called the Night of Literary Feasts. Not exactly sure what that is but it sounds delicious.

And I would read the list of visiting authors for you, but the Internet isn’t big enough to support that size of post. Highlights in my, um, book include Andre Dubus III, Ehud Havazelet and local Lee Montgomery.

Check out the web site for the full meal deal.

Later,
Emily

It’s true, I’ve never actually been to a haunted house before. I’m not a-scared. I guess it’s just never really come up. I’ve always wondered if they’re actually scary. My friends tell me I’d be perfect because I can be a bit jumpy, but I’m cool under pressure.

So I did some research into the matter and I think I might have to try FrightTown. Mostly because it’s been around for a while I guess and it says it actually has three haunted houses in one. I’m thinking it’s like the spiciness scale at a Thai restaurant.

In case you’re also cool under pressure, FrightTown is at the Rose Quarter. I’m not sure how scary the Rose Quarter can be, but we’ll see. It runs until Nov. 1, going until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends.

Later (if I survive),
Keith

I don’t have any invitations to a Halloween party yet. But I’ve been thinking about what I would go as this year if I do. Both the political season and the economic implosion offer some rare opportunities it seems to me.

In case I don’t end up finding my way to some ghoulish gala or other, I invite you to consider one of my ideas. All I ask is that you give me due credit, or in one case, Tina Fey.

1.    Sarah Palin – I have a feeling the streets are going to be full of Sarah Palins. I’ve not been so excited for Halloween since Wonder Woman aired on TV.
2.    A hockey mom – Just dress like a dog, but with lipstick.
3.    A Wall Street hobo – Just a dirty old suit and a briefcase full of IOUs.

Have fun,
Emily

Its movie season again, everyone. After a short intermission as we catch our breath from the summer, we’re getting things off to a banging start. The first installment of the fall/winter lineup on Oct. 19 is Taylor Brodsky’s Hear and Now.

You might’ve heard of this one; it took the Audience Award at Sundance last year. It’s the story of the filmmakers’ parents. Deaf their entire lives, both decide at age 65 to try this risky ear surgery. The documentary follows “their journey from a world of silence to a brand new world of sound.”

For any newbies, our movie night takes place the third Sunday of each month. The Screening Room opens at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 6:30. And you can order food or drinks from Gracie’s or the Driftwood. Just RSVP at 503.219.2093 to let us know to expect you.

See ya,
Emily

I’m not huge on Halloween. It’s OK, but not a big deal to me. Even when I was a kid I sort of did it because my friends did. It just seemed like too much work or something. I don’t know.

But I do still enjoy carving up pumpkins. I wonder if they’ll have that at the Open Studio deal, Emily… its great fun. I end up doing them for my friends as well. I think I also like that they don’t last forever. You make it, and then rots. Come on, rotting art is cool.

I’m told by some people here that Rasmussen Farms in Hood River is a good place to go for a fun-filled pumpkin picking time. There’s even something called Pumpkin Bowling out there which I like the sounds of.

Later,
Keith

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