This Saturday from 1:30-3:00pm check out Tuba Christmas in Pioneer Courthouse Square (or Pioneer Square, as we call it). Approximately 200 tubas will join together for a concert and sing-a-long. The crowd is cheery and the majestic Christmas tree in the middle of the square is a perfect backdrop.

Need last minute gifts? Head to Crafty Wonderland‘s Super Colossal Holiday Sale at the Oregon Convention Center. The show includes handmade items for sale from over 200 Northwest artists, activities, food and more. The Convention Center is easily accessible by bus and MAX, and within the Free Rail Zone (it is free to take the MAX to the Convention Center from downtown or the Lloyd Center). The Super Colossal Holiday Sale is Saturday and Sunday, December 11 & 12 from 11:00am – 5:00pm.

This weekend also marks the 55th year of the Portland Christmas Ships Parade. Watch as 60 ships covered in lights and decorations travel the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. View the schedule and additional information here.

Look for a post next week about additional holiday activities, and fun things to do on Christmas. Happy Holidays!

[Photo courtesy of Jenny Cestnik/Flickr]

Dresses and sweaters and accessories... Oh my!

Wonderful selection of festive dresses. Imagine going to your next holiday party in this one!

[All photos courtesy Brie Milgrom]

-Powell’s Books. Yes, synonymous with Portland, this bookstore has three locations inside the Portland Airport. Pick up a novel or the latest top selling non-fiction book to ease your boredom. Spent all your money on your flight? They have sale books too.

-Coffee People. Amazing coffee, and the Portland Airport is the only place you’ll find it. Want to stay awake for two days? Try the Black Tiger. Coffee People’s drinks include an extra shot of espresso. Prefer to walk on the mild side? The decaf mocha and Mexican hot chocolate are excellent. The baristas are friendly and service is top-notch. I look forward to flying just to visit Coffee People.

-Flying Elephant’s Deli. Elephant’s Delicatessen is a local chain with fresh, local and delicious food. Grab a salad to take on the plane, pick up a Ritter Sport chocolate bar with marzipan, or try the macaroni and cheese. Yum. Elephant’s is outside of security. You’ll have to be re-screened. Also there is a NIKE store and larger Powell’s than in terminal C or D.

Pick up locally handcrafted items at Made in Oregon and Real Mother Goose. Get a haircut at The Barbers. Go to Dragontree Spa for some pampering.

So. You’ve sampled the best of what the PDX Airport has to offer, are still stir crazy, and have time before your flight leaves. Hop on the MAX (Portland’s light rail) to nearby IKEA for things you didn’t know you needed until you stepped in the door. Or, take a cab to the Grotto (about 4 miles). See a copy of Michelangelo’s Pièta commissioned by the Vatican, meditate in the Chapel of Mary, and gaze out over Portland in the comfort of a black leather recliner.

[All photos courtesy Brie Milgrom]

It is fine for small children to accompany adults in the opposite sex bathroom (a mother and son, for example). Many places have diaper-changing tables too. Bathrooms with multiple stalls include at least one stall that is wheelchair accessible.

If you need to use the bathroom, ask, “Where is your bathroom?” or “Can you please tell me where your bathroom is?” Other commonly used words for bathroom are restroom, washroom, and occasionally facilities.

If you’re in the Pearl District or downtown go to Powell’s Books. Other great options include department stores (Nordstrom, Macy’s, etc.) and hotel lobbies. Gas stations and convenience stores are another option, although the bathroom may not be as clean.

Restaurants and coffee shops abound in the Rose City, and they have bathrooms. These bathrooms are for customers only. In coffee shops, most bathrooms have a key near the cash register. If you don’t see the key hanging somewhere, either the bathroom is occupied, or the key is behind the counter. Ask the person at the register for the key.

There is no admission fee and the hayride, animal barn, and haymaze are free. The regular maize is free for children 5 and under, $5 for children 6-12, $7 for adults 13-60, and $5 for seniors 60 and up. The Haunted Maize is $10 for ages 6 and older. Please note the Haunted Maize is not recommended for children under the age of 6.  Combo tickets are available for both Maizes for $13 for children 6-12 and $15 for adults 13 and up.

Sauvie Island is a picturesque addition to any Portland trip, and the Pumpkin Patch is a great way to enjoy fall with your family.

The Pumpkin Patch is located on Sauvie Island at 16511 NW Gillihan Rd., Portland, OR  97231.

Photo courtesy Allison de la Torre

Rain, mode of transportation and extra curricular activities influence fashion choices. My favorite thing about Portland fashion is that you can dress like yourself. Gender expression through fashion is fluid. It is perfectly acceptable for a woman to wear Carharts or a man to wear a Utilikilt (or skirt).

This gentleman is an excellent example of local fashion:

* Black boots
* Fitted jeans
* Buffalo plaid button down shirt over a fitted t-shirt (layers)
* Dark denim
* Long hair
* Beard
Accessories: Messenger bag, keys, pin

You’ll notice he is smiling. Portlanders generally tend to be friendly, especially on beautiful days. Also, you are just as likely to see a lady in the same outfit.

Other popular items of clothing include:

* Zip up hooded sweatshirts (hoodies)
* Jeans that are less fitted
* Leather shoes
* Dress over leggings
* Well loved slouchy boots
Accessories: Large jewelry, satchel

* Bangs and braids
* Skinny jeans tucked into boots
* Cute and comfortable shoes
* Colorful outfits
Accessories: Hats! (We love hats), oversize sunglasses, chunky jewelry

Other popular accessories:
* Klean Kanteens (or other reusable water bottle)
* Tattoos (Portland is a seriously inked town)
* Face and body piercings
* Shaggy hair cuts
* You would think with all the rain we would be the umbrella capital of the universe. Not so. Nothing will make you look like a Portlander more than not using an umbrella when it is raining. (There are exceptions. I happily embrace my giant rainbow umbrella.)
* Toms shoes
* Lightweight scarves wrapped casually several times around the neck
* Vintage Nikes
* Frye Boots

Portlanders like spending time outside bicycling, bike communting, hiking in one of Portland’s many parks or the nearby Columbia Gorge, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, surfing… So it follows that popular fashion choices include upscale athletic apparel. It is perfectly acceptable to go from yoga to lunch without changing your clothes. Adidas, Nike, Lucy and Columbia Sportswear are all based here as well.

Still confused about what to wear? I devised an acronym to help. To look like a local wear something that is one or all of the following:

Pretty
Original
Rad
Tailored
Laid-back
Athletic
Natural
Disco-inspired

In short: come as you are.

[All photos courtesy Brie Milgrom. Thanks lovely strangers for letting me photograph you!]

Gallim Dance photo courtesy Karli Cadel

Each year White Bird Dance brings world renown dance companies like Martha Graham Dance Company and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to Portland. The Uncaged series showcases up and coming dance companies (like Gallim Dance) and local talent (Oslund + Co/Dance). Every White Bird performance I have attended was exceptional, and I am looking forward to this one.

See Gallim Dance perform Blush at Portland State University’s Lincoln Hall Thursday, October 14, Friday, October 15, and Saturday October 16 @ 8:00p.m. Purchase tickets online here. Why not make a night of it and have dinner at a nearby restaurant? Higgins is a favorite, and Pastini Pastaria (includes vegetarian and gluten free options) and Southpark (upscale seafood with swanky bar) are excellent choices.

Please note: This show contains partial nudity.

Portland is not the most expensive city, but $5.00 doesn’t go as far as it used to. It will buy you some tasty fare at one of the city’s many food carts, a decaf soy mocha at Stumptown Coffee (including tip), a bean and cheese burrito at Laughing Planet or a day pass on the city’s bus and light rail system. To compare, admission to the nearby Chinese Garden is $8.50 for an adult, and admission to the Portland Art Museum is $12.00. So $5.00 is a great bargain.

The Best $5 You’ll Ever Spend

Portland is appropriately named. It sits at the nexus of the Columbia and Willamette rivers and has a rich maritime history. (Yes, I said maritime. The city of Portland is also divided into 5 quadrants. Go figure.) The steamer Portland is the last operating steam-powered sternwheel tug boat in the United States, and the current home of the Oregon Maritime Museum.

The Portland worked in the harbor for 30 years before being replaced by younger, newer boats. The steam tug was put in storage and sat quietly rotting until folks at the Oregon Maritime Museum decided she needed to be restored. A team of dedicated volunteers gave the Portland an overhaul and continues restoration work and maintenance.

The main floor houses select artifacts from the Oregon Maritime Museum including ship models, maps, memorabilia and artifacts. The children’s area has things that clang and whistle (including a fog horn!). There is a library upstairs by the wheelhouse. But the main attraction is the Portland herself – well worth the $5 admission. The volunteer docents are warm, friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. They lead tours of the boat, regale you with stories, and patiently answer questions. By the end of the tour they feel like distant relatives you met for the first time at a family reunion.

The wheelhouse affords an incredible view of the Willamette River and bridges. When controlled manually, three people are needed to turn the large wheel that directs the seven rudders.

The Willamette River sparkles on a beautiful fall day in Portland.

The engine room contains the boiler and (you guessed it) two one-cylinder steam engines that turn the sternwheel.

These are on either side of the boat and they power the sternwheel.

The Low-Down

The Portland is moored in the Willamette River next to Waterfront Park between the Burnside and Morrison Bridges. It is off Naito Parkway and easily accessible on foot via a ramp. As you walk in, you are serenaded with lusty sea shanties over the loudspeaker (to hear an excellent and educational example, click here. Scroll down to “From Out The Winds of Yesterday.” I recommend you listen to it while you read the rest of this post).

I entered through the gift shop and joined a tour in progress lead by Phil, a new volunteer docent. It was his second tour ever, and he did an amazing job. I was in good company – a gentleman who has worked on boats on the Hudson River for 40 years and his friendly wife. We walked through the museum exclaiming over maps and models and vintage diving gear.

Take a closer look...

This diver sleeps with the fishes.

The Portland is on the bottom with a newer tug modeled on top.

These are still used to communicate between the wheelhouse and engine room on modern boats. It makes a satisfying clanging noise too!

We went down to the engine room and were met by the smell of paint and diesel oil. The engines are large and magnificent.

What a treat to see how she runs.

Phil brought me up to the wheelhouse (I had missed this part of the tour). I loved it. I was so excited I forgot all about the library. I will return to brush up on my maritime knowledge.

The Wheelhouse

I can imagine The Portland paddling up and down the river blowing her horn.

The sternwheel is 25 feet in diameter and 26 feet wide.

Now You Do It

Here are some tips for enjoying your time on the Portland to the fullest:

Take the docent tour. Ask lots of questions.

Watch the video of the Portland going up to Astoria. It has great footage of the steam tug traveling under Portland’s raised bridges. You can imagine the Portland helping ships navigate the narrow openings.

Talk to the volunteers working on the boat. They love it and know all about it.

Go in the library! (I forgot to do this while I was there because I was excited about the wheelhouse. I want to go back specifically to hang out in the library. When you go, please tell me how it is.)

Blow the fog horn.

Ring the bell.

Read the Japanese declaration of surrender from WWII (in English or Japanese).

If You’d Like to Splurge

Walk three blocks to Voodoo Doughnut for a Portland Cream (filled with Bavarian cream and covered in chocolate frosting) or an Oh Captain My Captain (covered in vanilla frosting and Captain Crunch). Yum.

Now that you’re in a maritime mood, enter to win a trip to Aruba in our Travel like a Pirate contest.

All photos courtesy Brie Milgrom

Think of Portland. What comes to mind? After you disregard the “it’s rainy” bit, tons of folks will think of Bikes and Coffee. Portlanders take both very seriously, and have developed an enviably cool culture around the two. Add art, doing a good deed, and Ace Hotel Portland to the mix, and you’ve got the quintessential Portland event.

The event will benefit Bikes to Rwanda, a nonprofit that provides cargo bicycles to co-op coffee farmers in Rwanda. This greatly improves the lives of the farmers and the quality of the coffee they can produce. The event will feature bike-themed art prints from ArtCrank, and will be held in the exceptionally adorable Ace Hotel Portland.

Silly, animal themed pictures of the hotel are bellow for you ogling pleasure:

DEETS

What: Fundraiser for Bikes to Rwanda

Where: Ace Hotel Portland

When: October 7, 2010

Photo courtesy Nick.Fisher

Queen of the Sun is showing at the Hollywood Theater at least until October 3rd.

In honor of the film, Portland Mayor Sam Adams declared September 17-23 2010 the first annual honey bee week. The week included a Tour de Hive, where participants visited backyard beehives and learned about urban beekeeping. This Saturday, October 2nd, Tryon Life Community Farm is hosting a harvest festival and skillshare with lots of music, cob oven baked pizza, and workshops (including beekeeping). The cost for adults is $10-$20, and children under 12 are free.

Sauna at Tryon Life Community Farm. Photo courtesy Eris Siva.

Honeybee photo courtesy cygnus921.