Who cares really?

My birthday is coming up, and I've invited a bunch of friends to join me for dinner. I live in Sellwood and have my favorite restaurants in my 'hood: Iron Horse, Limelight, The Delta Cafe.

But I'd like to try someplace new! And so I turn to the Damned.

What's a good place that's casual, not too spendy, good for a decent-sized group of people (say, around 8-10 folks), and isn't loud enough to crush conversation?

None of my friends are vegetarian or vegan, nor have any other foody restrictions.

Thanks in advance, as they say.

Yes this is kinda super last minute -- but anyone know where I can still get a half dozen to a dozen Christmas tamales for some Christmas Eve festivities?

I'm in NoPo without a car so the closer the better!

Is there a good, fun bar/brewpub type place that will be open (and maybe doing fun activities) on Christmas Eve? My brother and I are the only two non-Christians in the family, and we are looking to go out and do something fun while the rest of the family is at services in the evening.

So today is my birthday, and my roommate's Mom is taking me out for a free meal. She wants to know where I go, but my usual haunts are just not all that thrilling to me right now. Now before you ready your responses, I should say that No, I am not looking for a place that gives birthday freebies. What I am looking for is a decent-to-moderately-expensive place that has a wide and delicious variety of healthier fare on its menu. Alcohol is not at all necessary, vegan options are a plus, and few to no stairs are even more of a(n admittedly side bonus) plus, as the mom has a hard time with stairs. Every year I gorge myself on delicious rich foods on my BDay, and this year I figure I'll change the pattern and eat something as non-belly-exanding as possible.

So, any suggestions?

I've heard this rumor about free trees on Christmas eve--basically, that the tree lots will just give them away because who's going to buy a tree after that, anyway?

I've never paid much attention to tree lots on 12/24 because I've never been in the market for a tree then, but since we just moved last week, our new place is totally devoid of any holiday decorations, and I think it'd be fun to get a tree to decorate tomorrow night. 

So...anyone know if this free-tree business is fact or fiction?  Even better, know a lot that might do this (in NE out by 82nd would be awesome, but we have a vehicle so location isn't huge)? 

Happy Festivus!

Hello, all-knowing, small-animal-loving members of DP!

We're looking at getting a couple of little boy rats over the next couple months, and were wondering if anyone had any recommendations for reputable rat breeders in the area.  

To head off one of the obvious questions - no, not interested in going to PetCo or PetSmart or the like - I'd really like to know that my ratties are not prone to defects and slightly crazy, which can happen with the chain stores. 

Thanks, and snark away.

Consider this a thread for your "airing of grievances."

Who or what has pissed you off over the past year?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus

Oh wise DP, can anyone tell me good places to go to find geeky toddler clothing of the old school video game variety? Bonus points for Pacman or Atari! I'd like to be able to find something extra rad for my nephew for Christmas, since he is already spoiled with toys.

Hello DP!

We were thinking of going to Peacock Lane to soak in some festivity. I was wondering if anybody knew the cost associated with taking the horse drawn carriage down the lane? I thought it would be something utterly romantic for my fiance and me to do. :)

Thanks ahead of time!

Looks like Joel Przybilla's out for the season with a ruptured tendon in his knee.

Seriously? We were down to 10 usable players as it was. We need a center. Can we get a break (no pun intended) on the injuries here, please?

Shots fired at 20th & Hawthorne. Police have the street roped off and are marking evidence on the street. :(

Be safe tonight, everyone.

ETA: About an hour after the shooting (8:31 p.m.), the police are now photographing the area. They are outside the garage entrance to The 20 on Hawthorne.

Hawthorne is open again. 20th is still blocked from Hawthorne to Market as of 8:35 p.m.

The streets are cleared now.

Do I need to allow boatloads of time for my 8:40am American Airlines flight tomorrow? I want to spend as much time with my bf as possible and don't want to be moping around the gate unnecessarily long.

Okay boys and girls, I'm trying to round up some data for my friend.

She's the one I've spoke about before having the gluten free/allergy friendly store up in Vancouver.

The question is, where in Portland should a second store be opened?

The store will specialize in primarily gluten free groceries, but many of those foods are also wheat, dairy, soy free, etc, or a combination of such.

Several of the items are veggie and vegan friendly.

Southeast was suggested by one of her customers, but I'm not really sure what "SE" actually entails. High population density/flow, and transit are biggies.

So what is DP's opinion?

for one night, and one night only, i'll be on your "fair" side of the river. i'd love to try out your favorite food cart, open tonight. somewhat healthy and best bang-for-your-buck preferred, but will seriously consider all suggestions.

let the countdown begin...

What can you tell me about Sauce Box Happy hour?

Or any other happy hour you just LOOOOVE

I already do Mcmenamins, HUB, Henry's, Portland City Grill, Salvador Molly's and Seasons and Regions....

Also... what time is Henry's Happy hour in the day?

*edit*
I will let you all know how it is

*2nd Edit*

so I went. It was awesome. We both had the $5 speciality cocktail which was a twist on the manhattan.

What we really go for is the food though. The prices were $1-5. The $1 choices were Edamame (I ordered this and the bowl was HUGE),some miso soup or some peanut sauce noodles. The Two dollar choices were a couple spring rolls and fries.

Ok I guess I can't remember everything.

We had this crazy fantastic Udon? Noodles with pulled pork for $3 it was AMAZING!
Sweet Potatoe spring rolls were good $3
Veggie Spring rolls with mango/Tofu $2 yummmm

They also had some NICE selection of burgers for $4

It was awesome I WILL be back SOON

Apparently it's the holidays, so I apologize for not posting more frequently about this!

Tonight 7pm at McMenamin's Tavern and Pool on NW 23rd

1716 Northwest 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR

come join the few of us who are planning to attend tonight!

As always, minors until 10pm!

I'll even have some lemon bars for those who show up!!!

P.S. reservation is under Ash in the off chance I don't show up before 7pm, I blame the traffic if that is the case!

Shelters in town that have turtles or tortoises? Or other ways to acquire one that don't involve paying a breeder or pet store?

This is for a friend who just wants a cheap turtle, and will have one shipped from a breeder in Florida unless I find something else before she does so.

I used to be involved with NWHKA and would ask them whether they have any who need adopting, but that was a long time ago and I don't seem to have any contact info anymore... and the local chapter apparently does not have a website. I'm having trouble finding rescue groups in town that do turtles.