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.
Depending on where you live, there are the things that tell everyone that your city is in the holiday spirit. For me, I look forward every year to heading downtown at the end of November (still just a little bit full from Thanksgiving), and watching the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pioneer Square. This is the 25th anniversary, so I’m thinking it’ll be extra special this year.
There’s such a feeling of community; everyone is all comfied up in their knit hats and scarves, kids bundled in down coats and boots. People are sipping hot cocoa and hot apple cider (thanks, Starbucks), finding a spot on the bricks, with their fuzzy blankets in tow, to settle in for a while. And, when the lights go on, wow. It’s like it’s suddenly Christmas time. It’s definitely one of those nights when the Square really does feel like Portland’s living room.
For the record, Billy Joel and Elton John are a bit before my time. Or, should I say, they started out before my time. The thing is, they’re still going. Their best stuff, in my opinion, was in the 70s, but they’ve lasted, because they’re genuises. That’s right, genuises. I’m going out on a limb here (there’s a secret shame quotient here), so go with me.
It’s just amazing that they’re performing, together, at the Rose Quarter. The show, November 10, sounds like it’ll be one of those once-in-a-lifetime events. They both have reputations as great showmen—everyone I know who’s seen either of them says they’re sort of super-human, so stage savvy and talented that you’re sort of transported. Hey, I’m going; I know all the words to most of the songs anyway. And you know you do, too.
Man, there are so many great things about Portland, but the coffee, coffee everywhere is definitely one of the best. Hell, you can’t throw a mug without hitting a java joint. So, no surprise that our town hosts a Coffee Fair.
This fantastic Portland event is Nov. 7 & 8, at kind of an unusual venue—the World Forestry Center up on SW Canyon—but I’m not complaining. There’ll be more than 40 roasters representing, and samples from coffee bars from all over the city. I’m looking forward to the demonstrations, too, because my coffee never tastes as good when I make it at home (or maybe coffee to-go is just one of my bad habits).
If you’re into the history of the bean, there are presentations all about that, too. I’m planning on leaving the fair with lots of new info and a bad case of the jitters.
I recently saw the film Julie and Julia, about that woman living on the outskirts of New York City, who spent a year in her tiny, crappy kitchen making all of the recipes from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. It’s pretty great, sitting in an audience full of foodies, everybody moaning every time a dish is served.
If that sounds like a fun night out to you, you’re going to love the unique hotel package we’ve got at the deLuxe right now. Book a room for the night, head down to the Driftwood Room (honestly, one of the best Portland bars) for “Bartender’s Mood” cocktails (whatever strikes the barkeep’s fancy that night), and then tuck into a fantastic meal at Paley’s Place, Le Pigeon, or our own Gracie’s Restaurant, with a $100 gift certificate.
The deal includes a copy of the book (Julie and Julia), and a room service breakfast the next morning. Sounds delicious, right?
Well, this Portland event claims that Oregon is the “Mecca of craft distilling.” Who knew? I’ve had a fabulous pear brandy from Clear Creek, and a great martini made with New Deal vodka, but the Mecca? Just to prove its point, on October 24 & 25, Portland is sponsoring the 5th Annual Great American Distillers Festival at the Bossanova Ballroom.
For a reasonable $10, you get a one-day pass to sample three different vodkas, rums, gins, whiskies, brandies, or other spirits, from as far away as Freeport, Maine. You can expect all of Oregon’s stills to represent—Artisan Spirits, Clear Creek Distillery, House Spirits, Ransom Spirits, Sub Rosa Spirits, Integrity Spirits, Highball Distillery, New Deal Distillery, Rogue Spirits, Edgefield Distillery, and Indio Spirits.
This delicious Portland festival will also include seminars and the opportunity to interact with and tap into the expertise of the distillers themselves. Bottoms up!
It’s seems like it’s supposed to be time to put away our sunglasses and dig out our rain shells until next spring. But then this event comes along, and it’s all about skin, and showing it off.
Did you know we have a regional tattoo magazine? If you have a tattoo, you might. If you have more than one, chances are even better. It’s NW Tattoo Magazine, and it, or at least the guys who founded it, is behind the Portland Tattoo Expo (happened this past weekend).
This Portland event is also sponsored by Oregon Ink. There will be more than 200 artist and vendor booths and 300 artists from all over the country.
Even if you’re not jonesing for a tattoo of your own, you’ve got to come check it out, especially if you missed the Portland Art Museum exhibition. It will blow your mind to see what they can do. And, who knows, maybe you’ll leave with a “souvenir.”
This is where I should probably just link to Keith’s previous post from last year. I wait for MusicFest NW. I don’t know how many times Keith and I have mentioned it in our posts. I should search to see. That and the Brewer’s Fest. The festival has just gotten better every year. The last couple of years I checked the lineup early and bought a handful of the CDs from the bands I hadn’t heard of, which I also did this year.
Among these acts I’d say I’m most eager to see The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. I really like the CD and it seems like a sound that would be great live. The same with Portual. The Man. But maybe the worst name for a band ever, or least since The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.
There are something like 18 venues participating this year. I don’t know if that’s the most but it just seems like an incredible number. How many other performance venues can there be in Portland?
For $60 you get a wristband that gets you into every show for three days at all those venues. It’s like a larger, real-life version of what you do on iTunes anyway.
How many 150th birthday parties have you been to? None. Well, here’s your chance. We’re having a big one going on at Hotel deLuxe. We’re not 150. It’s Oregon’s 150th. And in honor we’ve got a special offer, of course. That’s how we roll.
The details are that you get a limited-edition Pendleton wool blanket. (If you don’t know about Pendleton blankets, you don’t know about warm. A great combination of art and utility.) There are also two commemorative stainless steel water bottles and Friends of Trees will plant six native trees in your name. I don’t know if they’re in your name or bear your name. That part’s unclear. But it’s six trees either way.
Oh, and you also get a room, and unlimited in-and-out valet parking at our really cool, but not 150-year-old (but pretty historic), hotel.
As the name may suggest, it’s art, and it’s in the Pearl. How is it different from the plethora of other art festivals around town? Here’s how: First… OK, it’s really not that different, but art festivals are fun, and what’s wrong with that?
The thing that is so great about these events, in my opinion, is that there’s so much to see. I’m not much into carnival rides or petting zoos these days, so give me a little painting, a little sculpture, something new and a “why didn’t I think of that?” and I’m a happy woman.
The event takes place on Labor Day weekend in the Northwest Park Blocks: food, music, theater, hands-on activities for kids and adults in the Education Pavilion, and a whole lot of art. And what’s wrong with that?
Depending on where you live, there are the things that tell everyone that your city is in the holiday spirit. For me, I look forward every year to heading downtown at the end of November (still just a little bit full from Thanksgiving), and watching the 
For the record, Billy Joel and Elton John are a bit before my time. Or, should I say, they started out before my time. The thing is, they’re still going. Their best stuff, in my opinion, was in the 70s, but they’ve lasted, because they’re genuises. That’s right, genuises. I’m going out on a limb here (there’s a secret shame quotient here), so go with me.
It’s seems like it’s supposed to be time to put away our sunglasses and dig out our rain shells until next spring. But then this event comes along, and it’s all about skin, and showing it off.
