Well, there’s so much going on in Portland in June, so many reasons to come visit the Rose City: The wild and fabulous Portland Pride Festival and Parade, the season opening of the Farmers Markets in all their fruit and floral glory, the foamy fun of the North American Organic Brewers Festival. But, anyone and everyone knows that June in Portland means one really big thing: Rose Festival.

Even if you’re not the type to brave the Waterfront Village—chock full o’ food booths, rides, live music, strollers and mullets—there is something for every walk of life during the two-week festivities. Check out the Dragon Boat Races, the ships during Fleet Week, the Starlight Run and, of course, the Starlight and Grand Floral Parades. And, I have a bit of soft spot for the Queen’s Coronation, don’t ask me why. Oh, there’s a lot more. That’s because it’s Portland’s Rose Festival.

Ciao,

Emily

I always think that, after the excitement and chaos of the holidays, January can seem pretty dull. It’s a great time to travel, everyone’s gotten their ya-yas out flying in November in December, and it’s a perfect time to see Oregon.

If you have a business trip to Portland coming up, or even if you don’t, you should take advantage of the “three nights for the price of two” hotel special. You can spend a day tooling around the city one day— the world-famous Powell’s Books is just a quick stroll from the deLuxe, and there are great restaurants and boutiques in the same ‘hood—and then maybe head out for a cool hike in Forest Park the next day (it’s the country’s largest inner-city park, BTW). Spending a few days, and getting a third night free, is a great way to see a great city, if you ask me.

Have fun,

Brandon

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.

Ciao,
Emily

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