Neighborhood Notes

From PDNA President Joan Pendergast... Join the Pearl District Neighborhood Association for another sponsored event. Crystal of Sweet Masterpieces will prepare decadent chocolate drinks with special extras for dipping and yet more chocolate. Join your neighbors and warm your body and soul. $10/ per person.5–7 p.m. NO TICKETS, NO RSVP, JUST COME AND ENJOY. Thanks, Joan

Puppy love: call yourself an animal lover? We'll drink to that (with you, of course). Vault Martini and Neighborhood Notes have joined forces in hosting Portland's exclusive monthly happy hour for animal lovers. Every last Monday of the month, Vault will donate 15% of event proceeds to our favorite Portland animal non-profit organizations. Happy hour cocktails and food will be offered 5-8:30 p.m. Mark your calendar for Monday, January 26th, when we'll raise our glasses (and forks) to the Pixie Project . Pixie Project facilitates adoption and healthy lifestyles for thousands of dogs and cats each year.
More About Clyde (in photo)
Hi! I'm Clyde. I'm an eight month old puppy, and I'm growing into an outstanding dog. I'm totally house trained. I've learned to sit, shake and lay down. When I'm really excited, sometimes I forget my manners and jump up to give hugs. But I'm getting better with that every day. I sleep in my crate through the night and sometimes sleep
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Thank you  Isabel Pearl  for hosting a fun and delicious Cookie Decorating Party for families in Central Portland.  Our generous hostess, Isabel Cruz, thought of everything. Hot cocoa, grilled cheese sandwiches and noodles for the kids. And sangria, pulled pork tacos and savory tofu for the adults. Oh, and let's not forget the cookies. Fresh from the oven, in holiday shapes with so many icings and candies that it was hard for a kid to choose where to start. After the sugar rush hit, a few hardy adults followed the kids out into the courtyard to run and play tag in the cold.    It was a wonderful party, in a lovely setting, with great food and a very gracious hostess. Thank you Isabel Pearl! Here are some fun photos from our  flickr page . Enjoy!     
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Please join Little Green Grocer to taste an exclusive selection of hand crafted Oregon wines from Arcane Cellars' talented and dedicated winemaker, Jason Leal Silva. Jason crafts exquisite wines from local harvests along the Willamette and Rogue Valleys. Jason will pour his most celebrated varietals: 2007 Arcane Cellars Pinot Gris Reserve
Vista Hills Vineyard
Willamette Valley 2007 Arcane Cellars Viognier
Del Rio Vineyard
Rogue Valley 2007 Arcane Cellars Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley 2006 Arcane Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Rogue Valley

Buon Natale,on Christmas Eve Fratelli will highlight a special Italian dessert called PANETONE! Angie Campisi, Ristorante Fratelli's own pastry chef will present a special creation of this traditional Italian Christmas cake. Regular dinner menu with some last minute changes to accentuate the winter season!

Cupcake Jones  braved the ice and snow on Wednesday to share scrumptious cupcakes, fresh frosting and fondant cutout trees and stockings with  Isobel's Clubhouse .  It was a long, cold walk, uphill both ways, but the intrepid staff gave it their all to bring joy and chocolate. Children and their families frosted cupcakes, ate icing and played indoors together on a cold winter day.  Thank you Cupcake Jones for your ongoing generosity to the clubhouse and families. We have some fun photos on our  flickr page .  Love the stylish winter gear sported by the kids.  

On New Years Eve Bluehour will have Chef de Cuisine, Drew Lockett's special a la carte menu that will include special additions to that menu to celebrate the coming new year. Bluehour will be aglow in the warm red theme they've created throughout this holiday season. They will have party favors and hats - in dazzling red to reflect the Red at Bluehour theme. For the countdown at midnight they will be firing off confetti cannons out on to the floor. Reservations are recommended but they will do their best to accommodate everyone that wants to join in the fun that day. Pastry chef Jehnee Rains has created a menu of irresistible desserts to beckon in the New Year 2009!

Snow schmo. The media blizzard is in full effect, but wouldn't you rather celebrate National Cupcake Day instead? Turn. Off. Coverage. Do you really need to see another reporter stick his hand in the snow and announce its depth? It's time to get outside and head over to Cupcake Jones . We're not advocating driving—there are plenty of you within walking distance. So, put on your winter gear and head over to 307 NW 10th Avenue.  In honor of National Cupcake Day, every 15th purchase at Cupcake Jones will be free today (up to $36 per transaction or one dozen JUMBO cupcakes). The Cupcake Jones crew has other fun things up their sleeves, so stop by and check out the festivities, 10–8 p.m.  In case you're wondering, today's flavors are: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate Cranberry, PB Cup, Snowflake, Holiday Chocolate Truffle, and Gingerbread Cookie.

The Teardrop Lounge is pairing a series of uniquely designed cocktails with 5 courses throughout New Year's Eve evening. It's a luxuriant journey over the palate,
as they offer a decadent (but subdued) alternative to the crowds & mayhem otherwise associated with the night. MENU:
Mingling Intro: Tequila por mi amante & sparkling wine Amuse Bouche: Duck Egg w/ caviar & crème fraîche with Amuse Booze : boca loca cachaça, house kümmel, pu'er tea-infused carpano antica Cherry-wood smoked salmon w/ morel foam paired with 21st Century : Plymouth gin, smoked meyer lemon,
house crème de cacao, lillet blanc Lavender-cured foie gras w/ buttery brioche & orange blossom compote paired with Shadows in the Sun :
Sempe vsop Armagnac, eau d'amis v apple butter, Turkish fig Braised goat w/ currant jam, butternut squash & spiced maple with Sandcastles : Glenfarclas 12-yr scotch, floc de gascogne, cost
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This is sad news: the Acorn in the Gadsby Building (13th and Hoyt) is closing its doors on December 19. I've always been a fan of this quirky little stop in the neighborhood. Really great sandwiches at affordable prices. The space was teensy, but it had great attitude. You could always count on some interesting music, people and a new business card. I believe that PNCA students crafted the business cards—all were different and unique, just like the Acorn. Thanks to our friend Julian for the tip and the photo. Acorn's big sister Half & Half is still open at 923 SW Oak, so please show them a little love.  According to Food Dude, there is already a new owner and business planned for the space. Find out the details at Portland Food and Drink .