December 2011
FEATURES
The Southwest Portland Post • 5
It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas in Multnomah Village
By Polina Olsen
The Southwest Portland Post
Multnomah Village was
beginning to look like
Christmas, especially dur-
ing November’s First Fri-
day. As usual, the village
celebrated the first Friday
evening of the month with
extended business hours,
specials, wine, munchies
and more. On November
4, lights shone, the street
glowed, and stuffed ani-
mals gazed from the win-
dows at the toy store. We
strolled along Southwest
Capitol Highway to catch Jazz duo Ben Graves and Marc Hutchinson set the
the air and check out the mood at the Geezer Gallery. (Post photo by Polina
Olsen)
fun.
At our first stop, The
Fat City’s $9.95 All You Can Eat Spa-
Geezer Gallery, a crowd of all ages
ghetti Special. (Kids under 12 eat free.)
sampled wine and gorgeous plates of
Instead, we took a break at Annie
cookies that looked like artwork them-
Bloom’s Books, filled as usual with
selves. Jazz duo Ben Graves and Marc
browsers quietly combing the shelves.
Hutchinson set the mood. The gallery
Store cat Molly Bloom, the successor to
promotes accomplished elder artists.
the late renowned Oscar Wilde, curled
This night they opened an Iraqi artist’s
up in the cash register out-box, as cats
show called Unveiling: Farooq Haasan.
will. “We call it the cat-basket now,” a
Across the street, the Multnomah
salesperson explained.
Arts Center held several events starting
O’Connor’s Restaurant and Bar was
with passersby munching fruit, cookies
jumping, Jules of Morocco looked ex-
and cake around the comfortable lobby.
otic, and customers sat stringing trea-
Tonight featured the opening re-
sures across the street at Village Beads.
ception of the center’s instructor art
Over at MonoGraphic Studio across
show (runs through November 29).
from the old post office, photographer
This included finely crafted metal
Lee Meier hosted his usual First Friday
arts, textiles, ceramics and paintings.
celebration. A group on comfy couches
We paused to admire Carol Hupage’s
by the fireplace enjoyed complemen-
marvelous bright picture of the state
tary wine and hors d’ oeuvres as they
fair. In the next room, a row of women
waited for the band to arrive. Meier
from the Columbia Basin Basketry
said, “It’s a chance to network with
Guild (www.basketryguild.org) dis-
other photographers, models, neigh-
played exquisite baskets and demon-
bors and friends. Doors open wider at
strated their craft. The group meets
5 p.m. Bring a friend.”
at the arts center the third Thursday
If you missed November’s First Fri-
of every month from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30
day, never mind, there are many more.
p.m. Check their website for special
Holiday Gala in the Village kicks off
beginners classes.
December 2 at 5:30 p.m. and runs all
Moving up the street, Thinker Toys
weekend. So forget the crowded malls.
celebrated 17 years in business with a
Find that special and original gift in
sale. A human-sized (not giraffe-sized),
the village.
sweet-faced toy giraffe pointed the
Join Santa for carriage rides, live
way to complementary treats. Former
music, caroling, and complimentary
Multnomah Neighborhood Association
treats. Expect door prizes, and cus-
Chair Randy Bonella showcased his
tomer gifts. Start Saturday with an 8:30
handmade wooden pens at the Village
a.m. pancake breakfast at the Lucky
Frame & Gallery. Priced between $20
Lab, a benefit for the Southwest Hills
and $60, and using standard refills,
Kiwanis Club. Remember, parking is
they’d make an elegant and practical
on the street and in the lower lot of the
gift.
Multnomah Arts Center.
After all the cookies, we passed on
Randy Bonella showcased his handmade wooden pens at the Village Frame &
Gallery. (Post photo by Polina Olsen)