Just when you thought there were no new reasons to throw a party, the Laughing Planet Café thinks up Cirque du Cycling. What the bleep is it? Well, a cycling parade obviously. I mean, a circus with bikes. Wait, a family bike ride. It’s a lot of things at once.

It’s all happening on June 13, on one of my favorite streets in town, North Mississippi (give a stroll if you haven’t already). There will be live entertainment, my favorite kind of garden (the beer variety) and booths. And of course plenty of hijinks and derring do from performers, all on bicycles.

Mississippi has one of the best taco joints in town, ¿Por qué No? (Check out their other location on SE Hawthorne when you get a chance.) So, bring your bikes, a lawn chair, and settle into yet another of the many things that help keep Portland weird.

Later,
Keith

I’ve spent many a lazy spring and summer Saturday tasting, sniffing and winding my way through the farmers’ market over on the park blocks. This year, I’m going to head over to NoPo and check out their version. Never been.

The 2009 season kicked off on the first Sunday in May and continues until the end of September. You’ll find booths overflowing with local produce (much of it organic), flowers, plants, cheeses, wines, you name it. Stuff you might be surprised even grows in the Pacific Northwest.

The market is in the King neighborhood at NE 7th and Wygant, near NE Alberta. Which is conveniently located for breakfast at the Tin Shed…

Later,
Keith

I see the bumper stickers more and more around town asking me to help keep Portland weird. Alright then. Here’s a starter kit:

•    Voodoo Donuts on SW 3rd or NE Davis – It’s time you try your first ever “Memphis Mafia.”
•    McMenamins – I think they were the first geniuses to combine beer and movies. The Kennedy School may just be the weirdest place in town.
•    Glowing Greens – Haven’t we been counting the days till glow-in-the-dark, pirate-themed mini-golf?
•    Lucky Lab – Beer’s never weird, but drinking it with your dog is kind of. You can do that at any of their places.
•    Cat’s Meow – This place is all cats all the time. OK…

And that’s just the tip of the weirdberg. Don’t even get me started on the naked cyclists…

Later,
Keith

Discovered a great store this past weekend. If you dig music, and also want to rack up some good karma points, this is a good spot for you.

We headed out to SE Hawthorne last Saturday (had a great breakfast at the Bread and Ink Café ― if you haven’t been to the waffle window I just don’t know what to say to you). Down the street is Global Exchange. That store rocks! Everything is imported, fair trade. And it smells great in there.

But the best part is the instruments. They have these cool drums from Indonesia, bells from Ghana, and these noisemaker things from Peru. We bought a recycled tin thumb piano from Burkina Faso and cruised down the street, plinking away, celebrating our find and our good karma.

Later,
Keith

OK, one last last thing about movies… Had to mention you can now buy tickets online for the Portland International Film Festival (Feb 5-21). I saw Miriam’s Wedding at the festival before anyone had ever heard of Toni Collete. OK, on to something non-film-related.

You know, ol’ Mark Twain said, “Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it,” (or something like that). Except, you can: Get yourselves bundled up and head out on a walking tour of Portland’s China Town.

Starting at the amazing gateway at NW 4th and Burnside, you can wander the streets and happen upon great little tea and traditional Chinese medicine shops, curio and book stores, and even art galleries. Stop for dim sum at Fong Chong (NW 4th and Everett) then walk it off at the Classical Chinese Garden at NW 3rd. Happy hunting!

Later,
Emily

I’m going to write another post about movies.  I know that this is the second in a row about movies and we really do have more going on in Portland, but the weather has been decidedly lousy.

Anyway, we, because Keith is with me on this, have to speak up one more time (until the next time) about what has to be the premier movie event in our fair city. I’m talking of course about the Portland International Film Festival.

It’s the biggie, and they’ve got an absolute United Nations of movies to keep you occupied till your eyes fall out of your head. The trip gets under way on Feb. 9 and doesn’t land until the 25th. So get cracking.

Later,
Emily (& Keith)

I trust everyone’s New Year’s revelry had fewer lasting effects than fair Keith of the wee hours. Mine was decidedly understated. I didn’t watch Ryan Seacrest, because that’s no way to start a new year, but it was quiet nonetheless.

Since then, I’ve had time to do some idle web surfing and ran across this Portland art festival that I’d never heard of. Anyone know of Fertile Ground? Its secondary title is “A City-Wide Festival of New Work”. A curiously named event.

The story is its 10 days of world premiere plays as well as workshops, readings and what they call “happenings.” Never been to a happening so that’s got me piqued. If you need some happening in your new year it starts Jan. 23 (till Feb. 1) at different locations around town. I’ll let you know if I learn more.

See ya,
Emily

Well, I think I’m recovered enough to try posting again. Man, that was a new year’s. I won’t tell you where we went because my lawyer has advised me against it. I’ll just say we gave 2008 a right and proper send off.

It’s taking good olde timey mountain music to get me out of the house. I guess it’s been around for a couple of years but I’d never heard of the River City Bluegrass Festival. But just now it seems the perfect antidote. A little fiddle music will fix you right up.

The event takes place at the Convention Center. I’m not hot on the venue but for Ralph Stanley I’m willing to give it a shot. It runs from Jan. 9 through Jan. 11. Plenty of time to get the spirit in ya.

Later,
Keith

I think I’ve mentioned we usually try to get out of town on New Year’s to hit the mountain, or at least go find some snow. It’s got to be one of my favorite traditions we’ve started out here.

This was the third year we did it and this time we just packed some food and thermoses of lifesaving coffee, Irish’ed if you like, and headed up to Trillium Lake and spent the day cross country skiing. Great snow, great day. Highly recommended.

I think I like doing it because it starts the year off right. Reminds you of the important things. Don’t let yourself get stressed by the little stuff during the year. Maybe it’ll work for you. Trillium is only about 1.5 hrs away if you’re interested. Mirror Lake is another good option. Have fun.

Later,
Keith

Man, it’s cold out there these days. I moved to Oregon to get away from this weather! I apologize to all the guests I’ve given a cold handshake to lately. Not my fault.

But it has made the city even more beautiful than usual I got to admit. Especially the snow. Just love that buzzing sound when it’s so quiet.

The real point is I just want to echo what Emily said and offer my Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. It’s been a total blast this year, and it’s been great getting a chance to meet so many of you. That’s one of the bonuses of my job. So have a happy one and stay warm.

Later,
Keith