Portland, OR

If you can hop online in time to register and print out a ticket, you can attend the Focus the Nation Teach-In tonight (January 31) at the Chiles Center at the University of Portland. The Teach-In is part of a larger national movement to draw attention to and discuss global climate change.

Here’s a little more official explanation from a U of Portland press release:

The day will culminate at 5 p.m. with the cornerstone event, Focus the Nation: Live at the Chiles Center! - a candid global warming discussion between students and lawmakers that is expected to be one of the Focus the Nation movement’s largest single-site gatherings. The “green democracy” roundtable discussion will feature students from several Oregon colleges and universities asking elected officials environmental and climate change-centered questions. Those officials include Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski, Congressman Earl Blumenauer in a live feed from WashingtonD.C., and state house member Jackie Dingfelder (D-Salem), Chair of the Oregon House Energy and Environment Committee.

In addition to a free evening of global warming and sustainability, the band Stars of Track and Field will finish out the night.

This might be a good excuse for a cheap date that can also impress on someone that you care deeply about the Earth. Just an idea.

Then again, you can just listen in to the event on OPB radio from 6-7pm…and drink. Although, you could always drink and then go. It might be worth it just for the people watching. My experiences with most things “political” in Portland is always a good time. Add environmentalism to the agenda and watch out.

Besides, the season premiere of Lost is on tonight. For anyone desperate for new episodes of something, anything, well, you could do a lot worse than Lost.

Ooh, and another idea for a cheap date. Thirst Wine Bar is having a free wine tasting tonight from 5 to 8pm. Well, you get two free samples and after they get you hooked, they jack up the price. It’s at the Riverside location, so that usually translates to romantic, right? This deal only lasts through February, so if not tonight, maybe take advantage next week.

Focus the Nation, University of Portland, climate change, OPB, Thirst Wine Bar, cheap dates, Lost

I received the premier issue of renew BEAUTY with a holiday beauty gift guide in it, and since the magazine wasn’t available to everyone, I thought I would share some of the features with my readers! If you didn’t find anything affordable at the CRAVE Portland party, this entry may help you find a perfect spa gift for that special person in your life!

New Year, New You: Say goodbye to your old skin and hello to a fresh new you. The new Pearl Laser Treatment treats fine lines and wrinkles leaving your skin renewed. Mona Spa & Laser gift certificates are a great gift idea! We offer both state-of-the-art skin rejuvenation treatments and the latest in laser and non-surgical treatments such as Botox, Juvederm and Radiesse Vein Therapies. Accent for firmer, tigheter skin, Pearl skin resurfacing, Laser Hair Reduction, Photo Rejuvenation, and Smart Lipo. Mona Spa & Laser, Bridgeport Pointe 7180 SW Hazen Ferm Rd. in Tigard. Call 503-670-7870 or visit Mona Spa & Laser for a full menu of services.

Day Spa Gift Certificates: EASY TO GIVE … PERFECT TO RECEIVE - indulge in a Shea butter body wrap and a half-hour massage for $85. The ultimate pampering experience. (Valid through 12/31/07). Haven of Rest Day Spa offers day packages with lunch, facials, spa manicures/pedicures, massage, body treatments, mineral make-up. 13159 SE 132nd Ave, Clackamas - 503-698-1357 or visit Haven of Rest Day Spa for the full list of services available.

Come back to your senses with the relaxing Ultimate European Facial. Featuring a specialty mask and ampoule tailored to you and your skin needs, nurture your soul with meditative reflection and relaxation breathing. $100/1.5 hours; exclusively by Faces by Vivian. Call 503-292-SKIN (7546) or visit Faces by Vivian for gift certificates. Customize your beauty today!

About Portland OR, Portland OR, Portland, Portland spa, Portland beauty services, massage, facial, day spa, holiday gift ideas

It’s the holiday season, and many families are looking to spend more time together outside rather that inside watching movies together. I’m going to try and do my part to encourage that family time and share with you some of the December Family Events I’ve discovered lately!

>The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Lakewood Theater for the Arts; 328 South State Street, Lake Oswego; December 13-December 22; call 503-635-3901 for tickets or visit The Lakewood Center online.

>Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Clause!; The Hillsboro Artists’ Regional Theatre; at the Hart Theater, 185 South East Washington Street, Hillsboro; free parking on MAX line; November 20-December 23, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm; tickets run $7-$14; call 503-693-7815 for tickets or visit The Hart Theater online.

>Tuba Christmas; Pioneer Courthouse Square; downtown; December 15, 1:30pm; FREE!

>Do Jump for For the Holidays; Newmark Theater; downtown; December 7-December 30; call 503-231-1232 (or Ticketmaster at 503-224-4400) for tickets or visit Do Jump.

>Imago’s Biglittlethings; Imago Theater; SE Portland; December 14-January 5; tickets are $16-$31; call 503-224-8499 for tickets or 503-231-9581 to contact, or visit Imago Theater.

>Pacific Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker; PCC, Sylvania Forum Theater; 12000 SW 49th, Portland; December 7-December 16, weekends; tickets are $18-20; call 503-977-1753 or visit Pacific Festival Ballet.

>La Boutique Fantastique (Ballet); Lincoln Performance Hall, PSU Campus; downtown; December 21-December 23; tickets are $10-$20; call Ticketmaster at 503-224-4400 or contact 503-725-3307 for tickets.

>Oregon Ballet Theater: Balanchine’s The Nutcracker with the OBT Orchestra; Keller Auditorium; downtown; December 8-December 24; tickets start at $24; call 503-2-BALLET or visit Oregon Ballet Theater to buy tickets.

>Oregon Symphony’s Yuletide Spectacular; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall; downtown; December 15-December 17; call 503-228-1353 or visit Oregon Symphony to purchase tickets.

>The Christmas Revels Winter Solstice Show; Scottish Rite Theater; South West 15th and Morrison, downtown Portland; December 7-December 16, weekends; call 503-274-4654 or visit Portland Revels for tickets.

>Beauty and the Beast; Northwest Children’s Theater; 1819 North West Everett Street, Portland; December 1-December 31, holiday matinees December 20, 24, 26, 27 at 2pm; tickets are $18-$22; visit Northwest Children’s Theater online to purchase tickets.

About Portland OR, Portland OR, Portland, things to do in Portland, children’s activities, Portland holiday activities

Tomorrow evening, my friend Oh Unsober One and I are getting together for the first time in MONTHS (when there isn’t babysitting or photography involved) and we’re having a Girl’s Night Out! We’re going to an (apparently a regular) event here in Portland called CRAVE. I’ve never been, I don’t know that Oh Unsober One has ever been either, so it will probably be an experience for the both of us!

A CRAVE party seems to just be the epitome of a wide-scale Girl’s Night Out … shopping is involved (if you want - there will be no shopping for this broke ass Portlander … click on those ads people!) … drinking is involved (if it’s free, this Portlander might take part in a few bits of imbibing) … pampering is involved (I saw photographs of manicures AND peidcures happening … oh let us pray this stuff is free!) and it seems to be encouraging a light-hearted evening of girly time. I’m totally looking forward to it, and do plan on blogging all about it after I get home so that you all will be jealous of my girly time.

Quick! Give me something to write 60 words about!

It rained a lot this week. It did not snow, though. I think, last estimate I heard, there was over three inches of rain in two days. Impressive. It rains all winter in Portland, but very rarely do we get two solid days (Sunday and Monday) of HEAVY precipitation. I stayed in away from most of it, but when I did go out on Sunday evening (grocery shopping), my hat blew off because it was so windy on top of all that rain!

So, earlier I was talking about a Portland-style Biggest Loser competition. Now I want to tell you about the ways you can participate and the prizes you might just win if you do so!

There are three ways to participate in Portland’s Biggest Loser competition:

COMPETITION MODE
~come to an official weigh in (private one-on-one weighings - there will be no public displaying of any results)
~bring $10** for the competition (ALL money goes to the prizes)
~keep track of your goals and progress weekly on SparkPeople (in the blog section)
~find fitness buddies
~come to healthy dinner nights out
~find fitness activities in your area to join in on
~come to the final weigh in and see how much you’ve accomplished!

PLAY AT HOME MODE - not motivated by a cash prize?
~do all the same but ditch the $10 fee and the official weigh in
~you enjoy all the benefits of the program except eligibility to win prizes

SUPPORT MODE
~if you have a friend that is doing it and you want to support them
~if you have gotten into shape and want to share tips
~if you have a service to provide to help people reach their goals
~if you want to donate any items for winners or participants

There are cash prizes available to the top three losers (based on percentage of weight lost) and we are currently working on a head-to-toe makeover for the grand prize winner! This prize is complete with a professional photo shoot to show off the new you! On top of all this, we are working on “swag” bags for all participants in the competition! There will be more details on these things later!

(**this $10 “fee” is totally optional but required to be eligible for the prize. this is not a scam - some people are just more motivated by the chance to win some dough!!)

Donations from hairdressers, estheticians, massage therapists, photographers and other Portland companies are always welcome. Please either send me an email or leave a MySpace message on The Biggest Loser PDX’s MySpace page

DON’T BE SHY! This is not just for the extremely overweight. It is about being healthy and working towards a better you! You can’t even say that you don’t know anyone who is going to do this - I am, you know me, right!? Invite friends to join with you, compete with them (Cav and I are competing between the two of us on top of the overall competition!) If your work is not already doing it - have them start! The more people involved - the more we can do to make this really work for the people that really want to make a change!

Getting in shape can be tough - but it is a lot easier when you know that you are not alone! Again don’t be shy - whether you just want to tone up or you need to lose serious weight - make today the day you commit to doing it! We’ll be here to help!

My friend Cav and I both religiously watch The Biggest Loser and chat through it. This week while watching, she had a great idea - let’s bring The Biggest Loser to Portland!

So, have you ever watched The Biggest Loser and thought “I wish I could do that!” or even felt jealous that the contestants were so supported by their peers to lose weight? Now nothing is stopping you!

Who can join? You can! Your friends can! Your co-workers are even invited! The more people who join, the better it will be for everyone!

What: A “let’s make Portland healthier” campaign - lose some of your body weight, gain more muscle mass, learn to cook great tasting healthy foods, climb 18 flights of stairs without passing out! Essentially this is a contest with prizes (cash, a makeover and a photo shoot) to those who lose the greatest percentage of weight.

When: At the first of the year, Portland’s own version of The Biggest Loser is set to begin. There will be approximately 90 days worth of competition (January through March) in hopes of making these life-long habit changes, not just a temporary fix up.

Where: Here. Portland. Our town. Our town that is slowing becoming more and more unhealthy.

Why: to get in shape, to tone up, to find some fitness buddies, to improve your life and to change your current habits.

How: Friend The Biggest Loser PDX on MySpace!
Go to SparkPeople (an amazing website that tracks your calorie intake, activities, weight and measurement tracking)
Add cavilleri as your friend on SparkPeople
Join The Biggest Loser PDX group!

***more on prizes and incentives in the next entry!***

Do you love to watch reality TV? Are you fascinated by the smooth moves on Dancing With the Stars? Would you like to see some fantastic ballroom dancing right here in Portland?

This weekend, The Ballroom Dance Company of Tigard, Oregon is hosting we’re world standard championship ballroom dancing finalist couple Victor Fung and Anna Mikhed at a public dance. Both dancers have been featured on Dancing With the Stars and PBS’ America’s Ballroom Challenge.

On Saturday, December 1, 2007, there are two ($10 each) technique workshops offered, taught by Fung & Mikhed:
1-2pm: Waltz
2-3pm: Tango

On Sunday, December 2, 2007, at 8:30 and 9pm, there will be a full five dance show (waltz, tango, foxtrot, quickstep (featured in the video) and Viennese waltz) show with the World Champion finalists. This dance show is in addition to The Ballroom Dance Company’s regular Sunday night public ballroom dance. Attire is semi-formal/formal and evening festivities include hors d’ovuvres, a free beginners lesson (7-7:30pm), DJ’ed ballroom, Latin and swing dancing from 7:30-11pm on top of the shows!

VIP Seats run $50 currently and standing room only seats cost $20. ($15 for students under 22 with a student ID, $10 children 13 and under) Due to limited room, both VIP and standing room only tickets are limited and The Ballroom Dance Company requests you reserve as soon as possible. The Ballroom Dance Company accepts Visa and Mastercard payments by telephone for your reservations.

The Ballroom Dance Company is located at:
8900 SW Commercial Street
Tigard, OR 97223

You can reserve your tickets tonight by calling them at (503) 639 - 4861 between the hours of 8am and 10pm. (Tell the studio coordinator that Sarah sent you in their direction!)

About Portland OR, Portland OR, Portland, The Ballroom Dance Company, ballroom dancing, Dancing With the Stars, Victor Fung, Anna Mikhed

I was invited to see the 20th Anniversary of the Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto on Saturday night. (I passed on it and wandered downtown instead.) Although I didn’t go, I heard good things from my friends who did and I thought I would share the information for ya’ll!

I had one friend say that it was “damn Christian propaganda” and another who said “The presentation of lights was spectacular but the 60-90 minute quoted time to walk through The Grotto was grossly exaggerated as it would only take a leisurely 20 minute walk.” While I do have very educated and loquacious friends, I think she knew she was being quoted. I had another friend honestly admit that it was “not worth the 7 dollar a person fee.”

Between November 23rd and December 30th, 2007, The Grotto’s beautiful Christmas lights are up and open to the public. You can go between the hours of 5pm and 9:30pm (grounds close at 10pm) except on Christmas day. It is $7 for general admission and $3 for children ages three to twelve. Children under the age of two get to go through free! (I’m sure they’ll remember the wonderful sights, too!)

The Grotto began in 1988 in hopes of spreading the true spirit and meaning of Christmas. The Grotto welcomes the St. Stanislaus Polish Church choir and over 60,000 visitors see them yearly. There are actually over 150 concerts performed in the 500-seat chapel in the month that it is open.

The Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto is located at NE 85th and Sandy Boulevard in Portland, Oregon!

About Portland OR, Portland OR, Portland, Christmas Festival of Lights, The Grotto, Christmas, Christmas lights, Christmas concerts

Did you buy your Billy Joel tickets or see Cabaret this weekend? Well, fine, do something else fun this weekend for me (I have a friend coming to town, there may be fun pictures next week for you guys!) and I’ll hope to see you out & about!

You can still see Cabaret!
You can (probably) still buy Billy Joel tickets!

Or you can do this stuff!

October 27th, 6pm - Zombie Walk … meet dressed in your finest Zombie gear at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Join the zombie parade!

October 20th - Saketine Saturday’s Outdoor Summer Concerts are still happening. “Stolen Sweets” is the last concert of the series. 5pm (show starts at 6pm), enjoy some all age guilt-free New Orlean’s jazz music! $5 general admission, $3 students. 820 Elm St in Forest Grove

October 19th-24st - Portland Fashion Week comes to town! Buy your ticket, see some of the gorgeous designs, and get to meet Allison Covington of Amei Unmei!

October 26th & 27th - see Warrne Miller’s Playground - the world’s largest action sports film - at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. See it at 6:30 & 9:30pm on Friday and at 8pm on Saturday. Buy your tickets and get:
*a free lift ticket to Apex, Big White, Silver Star & Sun Peaks
*a free lift ticket to Crystal Mountain
*a free lift ticket to Mt. Hood Meadows
*$25 off at US Outdoor Store
*$50 Joe’s Sports & Outdoor gift card with any purchase of $200 or more
*$25 off your next REI purchase over $100

October 27th & 28th - go to America’s Largest Antiques & Collectibles Show at the Portland Expo Center. On Saturday, browse the millions of aisles from 9am-6pm and on Sunday go from 10am-5pm. You can even bring your own family treasures to be expertly identified. (You could be on Antiques Roadshow!)

Thing to do on Thursday Night
Things to do on Friday Night
Things to do on Saturday Night

About Portland OR, Portland OR, Portland, things to do in Portland, Warren Miller, Antiques Roadshow

First of all, thank you to all of your recent visits lately! My stats are climbing and the word about About Portland, OR is getting out. This is both exciting and encouraging and I may see about running a contest in the month of November if the traffic keeps up!

Second, thank you for bearing with me on my new ideas lately. Wednesday’s “Keep Portland Weird” didn’t happen but instead, I got the honor of writing a cool article on a Portland fashion designer being featured at Portland’s Fashion Week. Check it out, check out the website, and buy me this dress, please!?

Third, let’s get going with some fun things to do this week in Portland, Oregon!

1. Buy yourself some tickets to see Mr. Billy Joel! Tickets for his November 24th concert go on sale this Saturday. You can purchase them at Live Nation as soon as 10am on Saturday!

2. Go check out Fright Town! The Memorial Coliseum’s Haunted House opens on Saturday. (The little note at the bottom of the ad warns against bringing small children. Instead, bring your crazy Aunt Patty! Heck, be brave and bring MY crazy Aunt Patty!)

3. Learn to dance! The Ballroom Dance Company has dance classes starting every day of the week. This Friday, October 12th is the first class in a 5-week group class series of both beginners Salsa (7-8pm) and Cha Cha (8-9pm). On Saturday you can learn beginners Swing from 11am-noon as well. If you’re feeling adventurous, join The BDC on Saturday night from 7:30-11pm for their ballroom dance party. A $10 admission covers a beginners lesson, drinks & snacks for the evening. Or you can choose to join the Lindy Hop & swing dance party from 7:30-midnight on Saturday as well! The $8 admission to that includes a beginners lesson.

4. Live horse racing is back at Portland Meadows. Go watch the horse races or waste earn some money betting on those ponies. Every Sunday, Monday & Tuesday the first race posts at 12:35pm. Parking, grandstand and clubhouse admission is free so even if you don’t want to bet, you can cheer on your favorite horse!

5. Check out Portland Center Stage’s performance of Cabaret. If you’re over the age of 18, enjoy this performance at many times between now and November 4th. See Storm Large (yes, of Rockstar Supernova & Storm Large & the Balls fame) play the role of Sally Bowles and Roman Fruge as Clifford Bradshaw. Portland State University’s VanGuard staff member Aaron Kelly reports “we are taken through the entire realm of emotions, from stimulation and levity to a tenderness & even fear” during the performance. What could be a better date than that?

About Portland OR, Portland OR, Portland, things to do, things to do in Portland, Billy Joel, Memorial Coliseum, Rose Garden, concert, Fright Town, haunted house, Portland haunted house, ballroom dancing, salsa, cha cha, swing dance, lindy hop, The Ballroom Dance Company, horse racing, Portland Meadows, gambling, Portland Center State, Caberet, Portland State University, VanGuard, Aaron Kelly