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May 20, 2011
Our minds have been revving harder than a Ducati at 10,000 RPMs lately. It could be excitement about the upcoming potential super-fight between Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem with the UFC’s recent absorption of Strikeforce (we call Velasquez with a repeat 1-2-3 goodnight combo). Or it might be all the patio time we’re about to put in with friends, and the cool new spots where we plan on logging those hours. At any rate, insomnia will run its course—like the boy-band era—and the snooze button will once again get worn down to a nub. |
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Portland Picks for Men: |
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| 1 | You Know Where You Are But where have you been? If you haven’t been hanging on the happening 3300 block of SE Belmont, you’ve been missing something—Circa 33. The name refers not only to the location, but to the 21st Amendment, which repealed prohibition. Huzzah! Opened by the owners of North45 and (recently) Paddy’s, Circa 33 has an impressive pedigree, and the wall of booze at the back does not disappoint (100+ whiskeys!). This pub prides itself on its cocktail menu and preparation—the drinks are sorted by era, and made according to original standards, methods, and ingredients. But don’t fret, current hoochers! It’s not all old-timey beverages; there are modern mixers plus a dozen rotating beer taps too. Food! Circa 33 didn’t disappoint; there are no leftovers here. The smoked burger is the newsworthy favorite for omnivores, the mushroom lentil burger is the vegan/vegetarian winner, and blue-cheese nachos get the overall blue-ribbon. Happy Hour specials can be had from 4–6 and 10–12, or all night on Monday. Stop in for a Corpse Reviver or a Planter’s Punch, and tell them PPFM sent you. Circa 33 |
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| 2 | Chicks Dig Pets! And with a new tropical fish or aquarium from The World of Wet Pets, you'll be fighting off the ladies who are clinging to your leg. Wet Pets is your one-stop shop for tanks, supplies, and the metro area's largest selection of gorgeous and awe-inspiring fresh and saltwater tropical fish, with an informed and intelligent crew working there to boot. They have decades of tropical fish knowledge tucked in their brains, having traveled the world collecting, studying, writing about, and just plain swimming with the fishes. Needless to say, they're eager to share their knowledge with anyone who asks. But nobody's pretending to be Jacques Cousteau. It's totally fine if your last fish experience was at the sushi bar. They can help you create an aquatic addition for your office, dorm room, family room, man cave or library,and make it pop with a 2 foot Pacu from The Black Lagoon, garish Moorish Idols from the Great Barrier Reef, or incredibly interesting and colorful mouth-brooding Aulanocara from a Tanganyikan Rift lake. And who doesn't like a little mouth brooding? World of Wet Pets |
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| 3 | She’s a Brix…House Remember when your parents trusted you to pour your own fountain drink at a fast-food joint? With our newfound freedom, what did we do? That’s right… we mixed every soda in our cup, in the hopes we would find some perfect beverage. As men, we still yearn for the perfect combination of greatness, but we no longer have to concoct a suicide drink composed of eight kinds of pop to find it. Creating what can only be described as a fortunate mix, Brix Tavern provides the tasty cuisine Portlanders have come to expect with the atmosphere we enjoy. From BBQ pork ribs to baked truffle mac and cheese, Brix provides an easy balance of solid cooking with the instant gratification of two-dollar beers, free pool, foosball and flat screens on every wall. Whether you’re romancing your lovely date with calamari and salmon, or settling in for an all-night Cricket and brown-bag beer-fest, you’re in the right place. Brix gives both, like the sweetness of Coke with the zest of Orange soda, but without the bellyache. Brix Tavern |
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| Cocktail of the Week: Big Bottom Whiskey | |||
Much as we love Pendleton, we were a tad disappointed to discover that it’s a whiskey blend (albeit a near-perfect one). Thus the quest began to find a locally produced, aged spirit, and our efforts were rewarded with Big Bottom Whiskey. This muscular, well-rounded, 91-proof bourbon is just what we’re looking for. Aged in white oak and finished in tawny port barrels, it’s a real treat for the senses, from start to finish. |
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Mandatory Gear: |
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| 1 | Shades Made to Spec Sunglass season is here, but shopping for a pair that fits the face perfectly is a challenge. Everyone’s a little different, so all shades are not created equal. Now we’ve got the Corona 3.0 from Nueu; you may have recognized celebrities sporting these lately, as they’re the rage across the pond. They combine the boxy-hipster style we love with the smooth contours of classic SoCal specs, circa the mid-90’s. Get a pair and you’ll see why we love them. |
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| 2 | Phenomenal Propaganda Thanks to Andre the Giant’s scary mug, the brand famous for making us more aware of the world around us is still going strong. Obey’s Staple Monogram short-sleeve button-down carries on their tradition with 100% cotton, a left chest-pocket sporting their embroidered logo, and signature buttons. Wearing this shirt won’t plug you into the ways of the world, but you’ll be dressed well if you decide to start looking for them. |
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| 3 | And Then It Was All Over It’s like that first earthy Cabernet sip that turns you into a red-wine fanatic, that first Matisse seen in real life that makes you a lifelong art aficionado, and that first 50 feet you rode on a bicycle without training wheels all rolled into one amazing experience! That’s how we felt after trying on AG’s Protégé 10-Year Soft at blake. The fabric weighs in at 9.5 ounces, making them feel more like sweatpants than denim. Genius jeans. Thanks, Blake. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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Get Dirty Run, wade and slosh your way through 6 miles of obstacles to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Oregon Chapter. Make a mad dash for the win, or take the Don’t Give a Poop route and go at your own pace. Either way, get dirty for a good cause ($100 minimum fund-raising required). Enter discount code “PPFM” for $10 off registration! What: Mud Run for M.S. Oregon |
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| 2 | Pretty Paper
There are lots of moving pieces when it comes to appreciating art. It could the image itself, or the media, or sometimes it’s the process of how a piece is created that makes it meaningful. Sarah Louise Laws’ paper-cut works show just how devilish, not to mention beautiful, the details can be. What: “Plants & Animals” Opening Reception |
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| 3 | The Quintessential Portland Experience Ever wonder what it’s like to see this city through a different set of lenses? How about some clear lenses on a black, hipster frame? Through May, the Jupiter has put together a fantastic package, perfect for the urban explorer. Enjoy discounts on everything from Voodoo Doughnuts to the mysterious Peculiarium! What: “Keep Portland Weird” Package |
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Be sure and check out our Facebook page and “like” us if you haven’t already. And don’t forget to tell all your friends about PPFM—every time you miss a chance to do so, something cute and fuzzy will die. Well, not really, but just do it—we’ll make sure the bunny won’t get hurt. |
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This email contains sponsored content. |
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