concordia news...
Dec 4,2008
Adding Sparkle to Holiday Parties » Nothing Says Thank You Like a Great Bottle of Wine
by pearlgirl
So, you're invited to a holiday party that starts in less than an hour, and you're frantic because you haven't the slightest idea what the host likes. If you were raised in a Japanese family like I was, you know it can be a little embarrassing to show up to someone's house empty-handed. Knowing that wine is a well-received guest in most homes, I think I might have the answer to quell your anxieties—bubbles. Whether you're taking wine to the party as a gift for the host, or to be enjoyed that evening, there are few wines that are as fail-safe as these festive tongue ticklers. Most often, sparklers are drunk before the meal, and they often go well with hors d'oeuvres, so you're safe there. If the host doesn't drink alcohol, or doesn't like the sparkler you bring, he can re-gift it the next time he goes to a party. Hmm. Thankfully, there are fine examples in every price range and are available from many different wine regions around the globe, although the label laws in various a
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Dec 2,2008
Local Chef Dishes It Up on Martha Stewart Show
by pearlgirl
On Thursday, December 4 at 11 a.m., a local Portland chef will appear live on the Martha Stewart Show . He'll join Martha in the kitchen to prepare two recipes from his new cookbook, including a holiday dish of roast duck with cherries and savory bread pudding. Still don't know who it is? Find out here .
Nov 19,2008
Thanksgiving Resource Guide » Preparing the Feast (Part 2)
by pearlgirl
Portland has a bounty of local wine retailers, specialty cheese shops, and bakeries. Many are offering something special just for the Thanksgiving table. We sourced a great list of wine and cheese recommendations, special holiday breads and scrumptious holiday desserts. Enjoy! Wine Cork: A Bottle Shop Concordia 2901 NE Alberta St 503.281.2675 ( more info )
Mon–Sat, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sun, noon–5 p.m.
Northwest District 1715 NW Lovejoy St 503.501.5028 Tues–Sat, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sun, noon–5 p.m. Closed Mondays
Closed Thanksgiving Recommendation: Touraine La Briderie, 2007 - from the Loire Valley in France its made from gamay noir, cabernet franc, and malbec grapes. It has that lovely earthiness that goes well with roast turkey. $18 Hip Chicks Do Wine Reed 4510 SE 23rd Ave. 503.234.3790 ( more info )
Open daily,
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Nov 18,2008
Thanksgiving Resource Guide » Dine Out or Take Out
by pearlgirl
If you're not ambitious in the kitchen, Portland has a whole host of great restaurants happy to host your Thanksgiving celebration. Whether you want to dine out or take out, they've got you covered. Be sure to call ahead, because seats are going fast! Dine Out Aquariva Italian Kitchen
South Portland
0470 SW Hamilton Court Open 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
503.802.5850 Aquariva is serving a special Thanksgiving menu and its casual Sunday menu all day on Thanksgiving. Blossoming Lotus Pearl District
925 NW Davis 1st Seating at 2 p.m., 2nd seating at 5 p.m. Reservations required, 503.228.0048x2
See the menu Country Cat*** (added 11/18) Montavilla 7937 SE Stark St Open 2–7:30 p.m.
503.408.1414 See the menu Country Cat will serve a special menu at a set price. $40 per person. Price does not include beverages or gratuity
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Nov 17,2008
Thanksgiving Resource Guide » Preparing the Feast (part 1)
by pearlgirl
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Whether you're hosting or attending a holiday celebration, carnivore or herbivore, eating in or dining out, we've put together a Thanksgiving Resource Guide to address your needs. This guide is broken into four parts: Preparing the Feast (Part 1) – Where to get supplies, troubleshooting tips, and a recipe for the perfect turkey. Preparing the Feast (Part 2) – Where to find Thanksgiving wines, breads and desserts in Portland neighborhoods. Go Out or Take Out – Where to feast on Thanksgiving Day and where to find Thanksgiving take out. Things to do – Get out and explore! Supplies for the Holiday Feast Portland Farmers Market Downtown & Buckman Thanksgiving Feastival at Portland Farmers Market (PSU) November 22, 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Eastbank Thanksgiving Reunion at Portland Farmers Market
November 25, 1–5 p.m. Food Fight
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Nov 17,2008
Is Your Neighborhood A Food Desert?
by pearlgirl
According to Wikipedia, "A food desert is a district with little or no access to foods needed to maintain a healthy diet , but often served by plenty of fast food restaurants." It may surprise you to learn that there are such places in Portland. Food deserts are problematic because they prevent access in three forms: physical, financial and mental (food knowledge). A recent article in the Oregonian chronicles one family's exhaustive journey for one of life's necessities. It's pretty disheartening. Neighbors, is your neighborhood a food desert? How should the problem be addressed? Ideas???
Nov 12,2008
Recipe Contest for Environmental Causes, including Portland-based Ecotrust
by pearlgirl
This holiday season, Organic Valley Family of Farms is holding "Celebrate Organic" , a national recipe contest that calls on individuals to share their favorite holiday recipes featuring organic ingredients. On behalf of each participant, the farmer-owned cooperative will donate $1 to an environmental organization. "Holiday food is meaningful fare—it connects us to each other and to our roots. By choosing organic ingredients, we can also celebrate our connection with the earth," said Sarah Bratnober, Marketing Director at Organic Valley. "We're hoping food lovers nationwide will celebrate their holiday traditions with a special recipe, delicious organic ingredients, and the opportunity to support a cause that truly gives back to the earth."Deadline of submissions is Dec. 31, 2008.
Organic Valley has selected four non-profits—all focused on earth stewardship—as the contest benefactors: Bioneers , Ecotrust , E
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Nov 9,2008
Pumpkin Bread Pudding w/candied maple pecans and whipped cream
by NoPo Ness
I love bread pudding. I am haunted by the smell of that cinnamon laced, raisin-laden, custardy treat and have been since my childhood when my mother often made this warm and comforting dish. I had no idea, as a child, that mom did so because it was a super affordable dessert to make for us kids as we clamored for sweets during a Reagan-era recession. Surprisingly, all you really need for a basic bread pudding is some stale bread, a few eggs, some milk, sugar and spice and you have a delectable dessert for the whole family. Over the years I have experimented with my bread pudding recipe and created quite a high brow repertoire using ingredients like currants instead of raisins, pannetone or croissants in place of week old white bread. I have added chunks of dagoba chocolate, flecks of lavendar and lemon rind. I have also topped it with homemade ice cream, hard, chocolate and caramel sauces and savored the tart juxtaposition of raspberry liquor poured straight atop a deep, dark chocola
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Oct 29,2008
Two Alcohol Sale Tidbits from OLCC
by pearlgirl
Some businesses gain an hour of alcohol sales when DST ends on Sunday Oregonians will officially move their clocks backward one hour at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 as Daylight Saving Time ends. As a result, some nightclubs, bars, taverns and other licensed premises that stay open until 2:00 a.m. or 2:30 a.m. will gain an extra hour of alcohol sales. According to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, some liquor licensees lost a half hour of liquor sales in March when Daylight SavingTime began. Oregon liquor stores open on Election Day The Oregon Liquor Control Commission reminds customers that liquor stores in Oregon will operate during normal business hours on Election
Day, Nov. 4. State law provides that liquor agents have the discretion to open or close on Sundays and holidays. Election Day is not one of the nine state holidays defined by state law. Please call your local liquor store to determine their normal operating hours. Phone numbers are avail
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