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

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

I’d heard about Multnomah Village, but I’d always thought, “Village? Isn’t that just a little precious?” But I’m here to tell you it is precious, and I mean that in a good way, not a grandmother’s hard-candy dish way.

The place is adorable. It’s about 10 minutes south of the city proper, but you’d think you were at the coast or on some delightful movie set. The little one-street burg has a great bookstore (Annie Bloom’s), a couple of fine restaurants (O’Conner’s, Thai Herbs), some boutique shops and a couple of great drinking establishments (Journeys, Sip D’Vine).

We’d gone to Journeys for a wine tasting and I can’t wait to go back to that great little place with the stellar wine and beer selection and really warm owners. So there’s my recommendation for the week, people. And now I just learned they have a First Friday, too?!

See ya,
Emily

I’ve got to give a shout out to the owners of the Indian food cart on Yamhill (or Morrison, I can’t remember). That place is just downright spectacularly awesome. It’s my favorite lunch spot around the hotel. It’s the only thing there next to the parking lot. It’s even got some covered seating.

It’s all vegetarian and the portions are absolutely huge. Seriously. I can get two meals out of one order. And they’re only like $5, $7 if you add a mango lassi which I’d highly recommend. Especially on a hot day.

So just go out the door of the Hotel deLuxe, turn left, walk down the street and turn right on Yamhill (or Morrison). Walk over the freeway and just a couple blocks on you’ll see it sitting on the corner. Just an old trailer. But don’t be fooled, it’s the bomb.

Later,
Keith

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

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