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

I’ve seen that hat place. I have to go in there. I’ve always wanted one of those Sherlock Holmes hats. It’s about time those came back. And capes. People would remember their hotel valet if he was wearing a Sherlock Holmes hat and a cape.

Talking about interesting stores, I walked by one this weekend in N.W. that just blew my mind. It sells only one thing. I guess that’s not actually so weird. Baskin Robbins sells only ice cream. But they sell … salt. That’s it. Salt. Different kinds of salt.

Who knew there were different kinds of salt? I mean, are some less salty than others? And it wasn’t cheap either. I don’t know. Do people demand choices for their salts? People here are saying yes and that if I cooked I’d know. So to all you cooks, now you can finally have that specialty salt you’ve been waiting for.

Later,
Keith

Here’s another reason why our guests are so great. About a month ago we had gentlemen staying with us from Michigan. He wanted a hat. He was a hat-wearing sort of gentleman and his had been munched in the overhead compartment during his flight. Sad.

The only place I could think of was John Helmer on Broadway. Not buying a lot of fedoras myself, I keep a pretty short list of places that sell them. But I felt bad later that I had not been more helpful. I planned to apologize but I never had the chance to.

And then today I received a postcard from him thanking me for my help. He even remembered my name, the dear thing. He said he continues to receive compliments on his new hat. No, thank you, Mr. B. You made my day.

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

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

Maybe you want to do a bit of grocery shopping while you’re here? Perhaps you wish to make a platter of raspberry tarts for the warm and solicitous reception staff? A smashing idea.

And you’re actually well situated for two of the finest specialty groceries stores in the area. If you go to Burnside and turn left, you’ll eventually run into Zupan’s. Their wine selection might be the best of any supermarket. Their produce and meat counter is also incredible.

Or maybe you’ve been pawing through the CDs at Everyday Music. In which case continue toward downtown and you’ll come to Whole Foods on Burnside. They’re known for their range of organic choices and items you’re not likely to find elsewhere.

Both should have the ingredients for those tarts. A bottle of Oregon pinot would work in a pinch, too.

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

OK, all, just a reminder that this year’s Top Down Film Festival is about to finish up this coming Thursday, Aug. 28.

The finale arrives in the form of “Super Argo and the Faceless Giants.” What in the world is that? Well, I don’t know exactly, but it involves a professional wrestler turned superhero/spy who fights a mad scientist who plans to kidnap the world’s best athletes to turn them into robots. I’m in.

The Top Down festival is put on by our friends at the Northwest Film and held on the rooftop of our parking garage. If you’ve never seen a movie on a garage, don’t miss this last installment. The evening also includes a live music pre-show at 8 by Will Carpenter’s Towering Trees as well as food and drink. Our grappling hero gets started at dusk (9ish).

See you there,
Emily

New restaurant alert. And so beautifully close to Hotel deLuxe too. It’s called Kinara Thai over in Goose Hollow. I never had Thai food until I came out to Portland, but they’re all over the place here. (Typhoon is awesome over on 23^rd and downtown).

These days we haven’t been eating out too much (trying to save the moolah). But the other night it was too hot to cook so we were looking for a place and found Kinara, which I didn’t even know was there. And it was stellar.

Get the basil and chili pork. Or the drunken noodles. Both were great. And the spring rolls. Love the spring rolls. Plus, they apparently buy from local, sustainable farms and use a lot of organic and natural ingredients. High marks for that.

I can also vouch for the fried banana and vanilla ice cream. Hey, it was hot out.

Later,

Keith

I don’t think Emily has probably got this one circled on her calendar. But if you’re into skateboarding, BMX or freestyle motocross, doing it or just watching it, you’ll want to know about the Dew Tour.

Basically it’s all the crazy tricks and reckless behavior we expect from extreme athletes. And to see it live and in person gives you a whole new appreciation for the kind of brain ailment you need to do what they do. Especially the motocross. Insane.

There’s also other stuff to keep you busy between events, like you can get autographs from competitors, try out video games and interactive displays, and even test ride some 2009 bikes. And then on Friday Gym Class Heroes perform. (I hear their also playing Sat. at Satyricon if you miss them Friday.) Oh, it’s Aug. 21-24 at the Rose Quarter.

Later,

Keith