Prints and the Revolution

If you think mixing uppers with downers will leave you someplace in the middle, you’re very wrong. If you think mixing local artists with a local screen-printing company would not only produce a prolific set of limited run T-shirts (and other canvas treats), but also become its own unofficial epicenter of its own artistic (and, according to NASA, also unofficial) universe, you are as bright as fresh ink.

Foyer on Stark is part silkscreen shop, part gallery, part clothing store. Their “clothing as canvas” output is a refreshingly logical progression of their efforts, rather than an “artist’s statement” afterthought. Their canon of artists includes folks like Shanks, Rupac, Kalm and Sasquatch, among others. This ain’t no sweatshop, either—all print work is done on site and profits are near split between shop and artist. New T-shirt designs run a comfortable $20, while past-run designs will shine you up for only $10.

In true art-house style, you can check out their webpage for blogs about art, art shows and everything else Foyer. From where we're sitting, Foyer is a long series of ups.

Foyer
1416 SE Stark St.
Portland, OR 97214
503.234.5341
www.foyerclothing.com

Type Dreams
 
Click. Space. Clack. Return. Ding! There is nothing like the sounds made by an old-school manual typewriter. But those percussive plunkers are becoming increasingly—if not downright impossible—to hear in our, gadget-obsessed, silent-sounding iPhone-obsessed culture. That is, except at Ace Typewriter.  

This longtime Lombard Street stalwart (circa 1960) is less retail outlet than repair shop. That’s because Ace’s father and son owners, Matt and Dennis McCormack, are dedicated to preserving these precious artifacts of offices past. Need an LC Smith ribbon for your 1920 Model 8, or a state of the art (circa 1962) Hermes 3000? They’ve got it. If the keys are jammed on your Smith-Corona or the return keeps slipping on your Olivetti they charge only $45 for a standard overhaul on almost any machine you give them. (The only catch? They only handle pre-1970 models.)

Due to decreasing need, Ace is only the only place of its kind in Portland—if not the entire West Coast. Now, if we could only find a girl from the Steno pool who likes to take dictation. Ding.
 
Ace Typewriter & Equipment Co.
7433 N. Lombard St.
Portland, OR 97203
503.286.2521
www.acetypewriter.com

Ten for the Road
 
We’ve had to scale back recently on all the dining out, which has been lousy, because we’re not very good cooks and we’d really rather have someone clean up after us. Fortunately, after weighing our luxury desires with our practical needs, we came to a good compromise.
 
It all added up to Ten 01, the gourmet restaurant and bar in the Pearl. Normally, the prices are a little out of our ballpark, but between 4 and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Ten01 offers a versatile Happy Hour menu with an exceptional variety of high-end dishes for around $5 each. Comfort food favorites like the Short Rib Mac and Cheese (torchio pasta noodles coated in a light oil, soft cheese, and Parmesan, with juicy rib meat even softer than the noodles) or the Chorizo Burger (a spiced sausage patty decked out with provolone and topped with a fried egg) are worth their weight in gold, which makes the deal even better. Top it off with microbrewery draft beer options for just $3.
 
Dropping Lincolns where you’d normally be bleeding Jacksons? That’s what we call a bargain.
 
Ten 01
1001 NW Couch St.
Portland, OR 97209
503.226.3463
www.ten-01.com

Photo courtesy of Lingerie Diva.

Dirty Robot 

For those of us “lucky” homeowners, there are few things less rewarding than cleaning out dirty gutters. It’s messy, dangerous, and seemingly never-ending.  

Our ace-in-the-hole: iRobot’s Looj. Simply climb on top of the roof, lay the Looj at the end of the first length of gutter, turn it on, and open a beer. The Looj chucks debris and gunk from your gutters, leaving you to tackle another pint. 

iRobot

Smart Office Warfare 

Rubber bands, paperclips, and wadded-up TPS reports are old-school. While we believe classics never die, we always like to have a surprise or two waiting in case we need them. 

Enter the USB MSN Missile Launcher. Set your arsenal around the office, utilize the built in webcam for precision aiming, and fire three darts at anyone you like. If you happen to work from home and the cat keeps running away, the missile launcher doubles as an ordinary webcam. 

Missile Launcher

Keep it Concealed 

Let’s be honest, there are certain things that were never cool. A few examples: floating gelatin balls in a bottle of Orbitz, L.A. Gear, and that permanent ring in your high-school wallet.   

We suggest getting a condom caddy. For your pocket, car, or nightstand, this handsome brushed steel container sporting a retro baseball player looks great and can hold up to three pinch hitters. Alternately, use it to store pills, mints, or your favorite pogs! 

Safe Hit Condom Caddy

A Day of Wine and Cheese
 
We won’t lie—we lika the beer. And a little wine and cheese. And none of this self-destructive eating behavior would be complete without chocolate. Fill your belly with everything at the 15th Annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest. Mingle with artisan brewers, distillers and cheesemakers, and gorge on chocolate. It’s the perfect way to prep your stomach for Easter brunch. 

What: 15th Annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest
When: Saturday, April 11, noon–11 pm
Where: Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Cost: $20 (admission + mug or wine glass + 10 tokens)
Visit: www.springbeerfest.com

The Final Countdown

Steel for Men is closing its doors, but now is the time to get a great deal on men's clothing and accessories while they last. All items will be 20%–60% off original price as a “thank you” to their loyal customers. It’s not too late to support this local merchant. Get outfitted now—and give them a fond farewell.

What: Steel for Men Liquidation Sale
When: April 3–26
Where: 826 NW 23rd Ave.
Call: 503.295.9220