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November 24th, 2006
The Readers’ Poll Results Are In! As for the rest of the categories, you had so many fab suggestions that our heads are swimming! So check out the favorites that make our wonderful city Your PDX. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | What to Wear for a Night on the Town Is a night on the town on your agenda? You’re probably heading straight to Pin-Me Apparel to get properly outfitted in the perfect togs for looking saucy when the lights are low. Though known for their tremendous selection of well-priced jackets and glorious dresses (from designers like Hyps and Donna Lou), currently Pin-Me is featuring a bunch of Canadian lines, including Kitchen Orange, Togs, Sasta, and Dace. Highlights include fun knits in interesting asymmetrical designs, as well as embellishments in gold lace and screen printing. |
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| 2 | Your Favorite Cuppa Joe When you’re in the mood to hunker down with your laptop over a cuppa joe, you’re doing it at Albina Press. Albina press sends its baristas to compete in national competitions, while locally the welcoming shop is a cool hangout with delicious coffee drinks and local art on the walls. They’re making some of Portland’s finest coffee and garnering rave reviews in the process! If you haven’t been down there, you should go! Albina Press |
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| 3 | Your Number-One Dining Destination With so many wonderful restaurants and talented chefs in Portland, it’s difficult to pick that one spot that never fails to please, but you did it—it’s Fratelli. The intimate Fratelli, in the heart of the Pearl district, features a simple, regional approach to Italian cooking using local, seasonal ingredients from area farmers. Co-owner and Chef Paul Klitsie was lauded in “Italian Cooking and Living” Magazine and his business partner Tim Cuscaden manages the extensive wine list of Italian favorites and supplies the restaurant with many ingredients from his own kitchen garden. Fratelli |
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| 4 | Your Favorite Hair Salon’s No Longer a Secret You can go two ways in Portland when it comes to hair—it’s either free and easy or chic, coiffed locks. Or sometimes it’s coiffed to look like it’s free and easy. No matter…your favorite place to get your hair done (even if it looks undone) is Dirty Little Secret. You love getting the latest color trends at Dirty Little Secret, but they’re also known for progressive cutting, dreadlocks, extensions, brows, and knowing exactly how to make the most of curly heads. Plus they’ll soon be opening a new adjacent spa space (by the end of 2006) that will feature massage, Reiki, full body-waxing, natural nail care, facials, and a full-spectrum light therapy room. Dirty Little Secret |
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| 5 | Omigod, Shoes. This is the Shoe Store You Dream About You know how sometimes you wake up in the middle of the night and run to your closet, hoping your dream shoes are there? End the dream-crushing disappointment—they do exist—at Imelda’s. A dozen years and thousands of sling-backs later, Imelda’s continues to outfit Portland’s well-heeled ladies and gents in distinctive, hip, one-of-a-kind shoes. They also have a great selection of swingin’ bags and glittery jewels to adorn even the pickiest patron. The attention to trends, style, value and customers has made Imelda’s one of Portland’s premiere shoe boutiques—you know it’s true! Imelda’s Shoes |
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| 6 | Best Accessories in Town? You Called It! You’re not done until you’ve accessorized. Are we right? And when you’re shopping for beautiful baubles, you’re finding favorites at the bee & thistle. The bee and thistle specializes in of-the-moment jewelry, handbags and accessories, as well as a wide selection of trend-setting denim and clothing. You’ll find the must-have-now items as well as accessories by local designers that will make you swoon! The bee strives to be affordable, too, and as you told us, has the best customer service ever! the bee & thistle |
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| 7 | The Best Places to Take Out-of-Town Visitors There are so many places to take out-of-town visitors when you want to impress them with Portland. You can show them the beauty of it all (you picked the Rose Garden as your favorite outdoor location), or take them shopping! And the clear winner in the shopping department was an entire street: Northwest 23rd Avenue. And bonus—if you don’t find what you need in the numerous boutiques, you can always pop into a pub or a restaurant or a chocolate shop or a coffee shop…you get the picture. There’s plenty on 23rd to keep the out-of-towners busy and happy! |
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| 8 | When You Want a Massage, You Call… After all that hiking and shopping, you need a massage to soothe those tired muscles. So who do you call? You picked Dosha Salon Spa as your number-one rub-you-down destination. With four locations from Northwest Portland to Bridgeport Village, they are pampering, calming and prettifying Portlanders day and night. They offer just about everything you need from a salon or spa: day spa services, massages, hair services, manicures, pedicures…and the list goes on! Dosha Salon Spa |
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| 9 | No Sweat! We personally need a good spin class—maybe we’ll check out 24-Hour Fitness to see if we can sign up for some indoor cycling…or swimming…or kickboxing…or weight training… You go girls! Feel the burn! 24-Hour Fitness |
 24hourfitness.com |
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| 10 | The Place to Go for a Perfect Cocktail Here’s a category close to our editorial staff’s heart: the perfect setting for a perfect cocktail. Your favorite spot to have a toddy is Paragon Restaurant. Bob Brunner's artisanal specialty cocktail list features small batch fruit infusions, fruit purees, fresh fruit juices and specialty olives, and you find his mixology quite enticing. You also like the way Paragon attracts an eclectic mix of neighborhood professionals, tourists, trailblazers and beverage aficionados who appreciate a well-crafted cocktail. Paragon is tops for mixing, meeting and mingling! |
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| 11 | Your Favorite Places to Go Gifting As we’ve said before, buying gifts for others is almost more fun than buying gifts for ourselves. (Almost.) And the two places most-oft mentioned for bringing out your generous nature were Occasions and Stella’s. Stella's on 21st is filled with fun, colorful, functional, accessories for the home, plus jewelry, hats, scarves, handbags, and on and on! Local artists contribute to the shop with wonderful creations of metal works, paintings & wall art, jewelry, hats & purses. Occasions carries gifts for every occasion, from jewelry created by local artists to stationery, hostess gifts, baby gifts, table tops, wedding gifts, and deserving gifts for yourself, which you totally need to brighten your day. Are we right? Stella's on 21st Occasions Fine Gifts |
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| 12 | Your Gotta-Have-It Beauty Products Spot Though you are blessed with natural beauty, you like to enhance it now and then with products from Blush Beauty Bar. Beauty junkies gather at Blush Beauty Bar for exclusive celebrity-favorite lines like Tracie Martyn, cult favorites like I Profumi perfumes, and custom blending from Three Custom Color. And did we mention the cosmetic bags that are beyond cute? Plus, if you’re in a hurry and need to look good STAT, you can stop in to get a "blushtini”—a makeup application + brow wax. It’s beauty on the go! Blush Beauty Bar |
 theblushbeautybar.com |
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| 13 | When You Need to Make an Impression… Every once in a while you need to knock someone’s socks off—and whether it’s a client, your boss, your best girlfriend from high school or a cute guy you want to impress, you chose Bluehour as the place to do it. With swanky & delish offerings (from weekend brunch to late dinners) you’ll be dining in style in Bluehour’s fabulous space, among the beautiful people (and the beautifully-dressed people). And you did mention the food—and you love it! From Cobb salad to the burgers to the waffles at brunch, you absolutely adore this place. Bluehour250 NW 13th Ave. Portland, OR 97209 503.226.3394 www.bluehouronline.com |
 bluehouronline.com |
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| 14 | The Hottest Jeans in Town? The Winner Is… As we mentioned earlier, you do love your denim! And you find the hottest jeans that always fit at Nolita. Whether you choose to browse the self-serve tables, or be “served” at the denim bar, Nolita has a full selection of jeans styles and finishes. In addition to their basic denim collections, the Denim Bar features specialized fits: curvy, long, relaxed, or skinny, to name just a few. And for those not thrilled at the thought of low-rise jeans, Nolita stocks mid-rise fits. As an added bonus, their denim specialists assure you have the right length, plus they have a seamstress who is truly a genius. Nolita |
 nolitaonline.com |
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| 15 | And Finally…You Know That Fab Shop That You Don’t Want Anyone Else to Know About? Well, we’re spilling the beans (and it’s not even that much of a secret, so we’re pretty sure you’re still holding back)…it’s Meringue. Meringue offers high-quality, hip clothing for maternity, baby, kids, and moms (of course!), as well as the best bridal and baby gifts around. Whether you’re buying for your groovy teen, a pregnant friend, need a cute top to go with jeans or perhaps even saucy wedding-night lingerie, Meringue provides the latest trends for girls of all ages. Meringue Boutique |
 meringueboutique.com |
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Wait…before you go…now that we have all this info about your favorite places in Portland, we are painting a picture of you, and you are so dang cute! We’re picturing you spending the day browsing on 23rd, stopping for coffee in Northeast to pop into Pin-Me for some cute going-out duds, then getting your hair done at Dosha, having a makeup application at Blush Beauty Bar, and heading to Bluehour or Paragon to enjoy cocktails and a meal. Whew! You are busy, too! |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Get Your Feet Wet Two of our favorite words in the world are “hot tub” (closely followed by “you’ve won” and “fat-free.”) But let’s face it, we just don’t have the wherewithal to put a big one in the backyard—besides, it’s cold out there! So thank goodness for the Footopia spa from Ashiyu Patio Foot Spas. The Ashiyu Footopia features a decorative 40-inch resin bowl lined with river rock. Hot streams of water caress your feet, or you can turn up the dual-speed pump for an invigorating foot massage. It comes in a variety of styles, but its genius is that it’s designed to fit up against a wall or on a balcony or terrace. Yes, please! Ashiyu Patio Foot Spas |
 ashiyu.com |
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| 2 | Baby, I Love Your Bib! We've got control issues. If we want to get something done, and done “the right” way, we've just got to do it ourselves. Which is why the whole idea of designing our own bibs for our babes is perfect for us. Plus we love to tell people, "Oh this 'ole thing. Just threw it together." (Well, practically.) |
 annawilliam.com |
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| 3 | Basic Black? Must Be Made in the Shade We went to this wedding in LA recently and it was so incredible, except that everyone looked, um, “very LA.” We Portland Girls definitely stood out. We looked a little different, a little more interesting (we like to think), and everyone else seemed to look the same. It was a sea of enormous cleavage, and everyone had the same hair, the same nose and lips (swear), and the same sexpot dresses. Now, we love to look sexy like the next girl, but we're all for leaving something to the imagination. We want to look pretty without looking, ahem, slutty...which is why Shade clothing is perfect. Their Basic Black line designs gorgeous dresses that will get attention for sure, but in a self-respectable, classic way...just like you. |
 dressbasicblack.com |
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| 4 | Find Your Happiest Hour What's a girl to do when she's thirsting for happy hour with nowhere to go? Happy Hour really is our favorite hour of the day, and now we're never at a loss with Unthirsty.com. With a touch of a button up comes all the happy hours in the area that are happening right now. You can even be picky and state your preferences, like "find a happy hour at this very moment!" and, voila, up comes up a dreamy map of choices to satiate you. And Unthirsty.com was created right here in Portland, natch. Oh, this makes us very happy.www.unthirsty.com |
 unthirsty.com |
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| 5 | Light Up Your Life We lose everything in our bag, no matter how big or small. We can't get to our cell phone on time, can't find our lipstick when we need it, can't locate a business card or the ever-elusive tampon…and that's in daylight. Fuggedaboutit if it's dark. We just feel around aimlessly, helplessly, like baby moles. |
 solasfashion.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 2 | Moxie Sale—20% Off the Entire Store It’s the ultimate sale at Moxie—20% off everything, including sale items, in sizes 0-16 (XS-XL). Pick up fresh styles from Spoken, House of Spy, Industry, Yanük denim, Level 99, XCVI and By Boe jewelry. Go local/NW with Bella Sisters, Amy Buettner jewelry, Grit jewelry, Queen Bee, Glam Garb, Out of Line, Sam Trout and Blanche & Stella. Boots & shoes by Spoken and Miss Me, & unique winter coats from Spoken Clothing. Plus hand-picked vintage & gift items and a free gift with purchase (while supplies last)! What: 20% off everything at Moxie |
 moxiepdx.com |
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| 3 | Open-Studio Sale at Studio Olivine Meet 15 artists and enjoy savings on letterpress, fine art, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, hand-bound books and more. Studio Olivine makes wedding invitations, business cards, stationery and any other custom items. They print on antique letterpress equipment on handmade paper with soy inks, and create their own illustrations. Come see the studio, since most visits are by appointment. |
 studio-olivine.com |
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| 4 | Providence Festival of Trees The whole family will enjoy Providence Festival of Trees! Walk through a forest of spectacularly decorated trees and enjoy holiday displays, live entertainment, crafts for kids, a Teddy Bear Hospital for wellness checks, visits with Santa and a holiday bookshop. Proceeds benefit programs and services of Providence Health System. Free teddy bears for the first 1,500 children (age 12 and under) each day. Free parking at the Lloyd Center's NE 13th and Multnomah lot, and ride MAX free to the festival.What: Providence Festival of Trees When: 10 am-9 pm, Friday, Dec. 1, and 10 am-4 pm, Saturday, Dec. 2 Where: Oregon Convention Center, Hall A, 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., PDX Cost: $5 Adults; $4 Seniors; $3 children ages 3-12; free for children ages 2 & under Visit: www.providence.org/festivaloftrees Call: 503.215.6070 |
 providence.org |
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| 5 | Holiday Cards/Egg Press Trunk Show at OFFICE OFFICE is the place to go this holiday season for letterpressed (and now offset) holiday cards from Portland’s own Egg Press. On Saturday, Dec. 2, from 1-4 pm enjoy a trunk show as you sip on artisan coffee from Ristretto Roasters, save 15% on letterpress cards and meet the EP Team. Or drop by anytime for a wonderful selection of holiday cards from Little Oranges, Hammerpress, and Hello! Lucky, plus report-card style sets from Knock Knock and other super-cool items from Egg Press (available only in Dec.) |
 officepdx.com |
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| 6 | Street-Wide Holiday Kick-Off on Alberta! Save 10% (or more) when you shop local but think global at 15+ fab boutiques on Alberta Street that are getting together to introduce their newest and most special items for holiday shopping, Dec. 2 and 3, as well as tasty treats & beverages and of course, special savings! Jump start your holiday shopping with distinctive design, art or fashion gifts that are fun and funky or streamlined and beautiful at Bolt, Buffalo Gardens, Close Knit, Cork, Digs, Donna & Toots, Ella’s, Foundation Garments, Frock, Garnish Apparel, Imp, Mabel + Zora, Monkey & the Rat, OFFICE, Ped X, and Picasso Beads. What: Holiday Shopping at Boutiques on Alberta Street—special sales, holiday products and treats! |
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| 7 | Holiday Open House at RoseSprings RoseSprings Center for the Healing Arts is the best west-side location for balancing your body, mind and spirit, and they’re opening their doors to welcome you Dec. 1. Meet the doctors and therapists, get an NRG Detox Foot Bath for only $20 (regularly $35), and browse their gift store. (Free gift wrapping, too!) There will be a door prize drawing for services and products, or you can just reserve your space in an upcoming class. Plus, mention Portland Picks and get $5 off any $25 store purchase! What: Holiday Open House, Plus a Free Chair Massage at RoseSprings Center for the Healing Arts |
 rosespringscenter.com |
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| 8 | Fête For a Good Cause at the Portland Art Museum Some of Portland's best independent retailers will gather in one place for a special holiday bazaar to benefit educational programs at the Portland Art Museum. The seventh annual Fête des Marchands au Musée will feature more than 40 specialty boutiques selling everything from children's clothing and gifts to papers and stationary, fragrances, sculpture, jewelry, ornaments, needlework, cooking supplies, and handcrafted rugs. Browse while sipping complimentary champagne, and enjoy a silent wine auction, raffle drawings, and a two-course lunch with entertainment by the Metropolitan Youth Symphony from 12-1:30 pm. What: Fête des Marchands au Musée |
 portlandartmuseum.org |
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| 9 | Holiday Ale Festival In the mood for some holiday cheer? With 36 craft brews on draft, the Holiday Ale Festival is the place to taste the largest variety of winter beers. It’s also one of the best venues in town to spend time with good friends, and meet lots of new ones. Clear, heated tents create a warm and cozy ambience. Mix and mingle and taste some of the best suds around! Get festive! What: Holiday Ale Festival |
 holidayale.com |
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Wrap Up Your Holiday Shopping in Style! Wrap up your holiday shopping in style at the elegant and festive Pittock Mansion. Break out the little black dress and bring along your spouse, your partner or a friend to this co-ed event. Relax to the music of the season and enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and wine while you discover the perfect gift from an array of items and services on display for bidding throughout the evening. What: Silent Night at the Pittock Mansion, to benefit Portland's YWCA and Portland Female Executives |
 pdxfx.org |
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| 12 | Holiday Open House at Butterscotch Butterscotch will be celebrating its second annual Holiday Open House Dec. 2 and 3 with 20% off all purchases, lots of cheer and goodies. This modern mercantile has a little something for everyone on your wish list, from girlfriend and hostess gifts to books, bags, jewelry, inspirational women-focused books, kitchen wares, bath and body, and unique children’s gifts. Plus they have a great selection of holiday ornaments and cards! So scrumptious! What: butterscotch Holiday Open House Sale, 20% Off Everything! |
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| 13 | Shop, Design and Get Inspired at E Annex E annex offers an eclectic blend of 19th and early 20th century antique, reproduction, and contemporary furniture, unique decorative accessories, and gifts that have been assembled by a sophisticated designer’s eye. During the week they’re an appointment-only interior design studio, but have stocked up on unique gifts and decorative accessories, and will be open to the public on Saturdays through Christmas. Many of their items are one of a kind and will go quickly! What: E Annex open house |
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| 14 | Ainsworth Holiday Home Tour & Gift Gallery Tour of five houses in traditional and contemporary styles—from a unique Italian Villa to a converted nunnery, and from stately Portland Heights to mid-century moderns. The tour also includes refreshments at Ascension Chapel (located at the Ascension Episcopal Parish, 1823 SW Spring, one block off of SW Vista.) Plus, browse a Gift Gallery in the Ainsworth Gymnasium that will include works from 30 local artists. What: Ainsworth Holiday Home Tour & Gift Gallery, to benefit Ainsworth Elementary PTA |
 ainsworth holiday home tour.org |
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| 15 | Furry Friends Say “Cheese”: Pet Photos with Santa at Pioneer Place What could be a more purr-fect opportunity for your pooch or kitty to have a photo taken with Santa? Bring your beloved Fifi or Fido down to Pioneer Place to make memories with jolly Saint Nick! He knows if they’ve been naughty or nice, but it’s a safe bet that they’re all going to be pampered for Christmas. What: Pet Photos with Santa at Pioneer Place |
 pioneerplace.com |
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| 16 | Preview the Bridgeport Condominiums at Urban Wine Works You are cordially invited to have a glass of wine or beer, enjoy fabulous appetizers and light jazz, and best of all, preview the incredible Bridgeport Condominiums, now being built in Seaside, Ore. What could be more wonderful than your own private—and luxurious—getaway by the sea? Bridgeport will feature 44 beautiful riverfront units, where the river meets the sea! Starting at $399,000; MLS #6050165. What: Bridgeport Condominiums Open House |
 bridgeportatthecoast.com |
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| 17 | Dining Specials at ten 01 Stress melts away with a seat at ten 01’s lovely bar, as you enjoy a seasonal cocktail like the Casey, made with spiced rum, ginger & pumpkin. You’ll feel like you’re sitting on top of a glass of champagne as you enjoy an exquisitely prepared dinner of fresh, local ingredients in their mezzanine dining room. And even better: From now until 12/8 you'll receive $10 off your lunch or dinner check when you mention Portland Picks! What: Dining Specials at ten 01 for Portland Picks readers! |
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| 18 | Cosmic Knits Warehouse Closeout Sale You've seen their collections at Emily-Jane, Seaplane, Elizabeth Street, Mimi & Madre, Stella's on 21st, Spoiled Rotten Children's Store, and several upscale dog boutiques. So come join the fun Thursday, Nov. 30 for champagne, chocolate, holiday cheer, and amazing closeout wholesale prices on all knit accessories and apparel! Great holiday gifts include luxurious knit scarves, hats, bustiers, shrugs, capelets, blankets and baby hats, dog sweaters...you get the idea! What: Cosmic Knits, Inc. Warehouse Closeout Sale |
 cosmicknits.com |
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Does Christmas Shopping Get Any Better Than This? Dana Herbert Accessories is opening the doors to its 2,000-square-foot studio for a one-day, end-of-season clearance sale. DHA is known for affordable and stylish scarves, wraps and handbags, made from fabrics sourced abroad and crafted in Oregon. And in true Oregon style, it supports a great cause, too—10% of proceeds will be donated to Grant High School. This is a rare opportunity the ladies on your Christmas list won't want you to miss! You’ll find French fabrics, locally-sewn handbags and scarves at up to 75% off! What: One-day sale at Dana Herbert Accessories |
 danaherbert.com |
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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everybody! And remember—next week is the Portland Picks Holiday Gift Guide, so don’t go too crazy this weekend doing your holiday shopping…we’ve got a bunch of totally awesome ideas coming to you next Friday! |
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