Here is where I confess that I am a butthead. I always assumed (see what happens when you assume!) Salty’s was a “Fancy Dog” kinda shop. Wrong. I’ve been wasting my money buying dog food from New Seasons. Salty’s beats their price on WolfKing by a wide margin. Salty’s is an inexpensive and cool pet shop with a candystore-like treat section and a lot of pet collars that aren’t ugly. They are about to celebrate their third year in the business. April 10-13 they will be giving out door prizes, holding a raffle, and putting a bunch of stuff on sale. I figure they owe me since I’ve been overpaying for dog food for about 3 years.

“Nuad Phae Boran”, as it is called in Thailand, translates as “ancient massage” or “traditional massage”. It is more widely known as, simply, Thai Massage. Getting one is a quite unique experience- it comes off to me like martial arts, dance, and yoga all rolled up in one. Instead of laying passively on a table, you let the therapist move you around like a puppet.

If you (like me!) are taut like a bow- believe me- that feels good…

Blue Sky is running a Thai Massage special: a 90 min massage for the price of 1 hour ($70 total). Client and practitioner wear loose fitting clothes. The session is performed on a traditional mat in Blue Sky’s Movement Studio. Prepare yourself for a complete healing experience.

Its mostly made of habanero chillies and its not for the weak. They call it “hot sauce” and make it themselves. Its not masked by vinegar or heat, just a straight up pepper explosion with tons of flavor. If you arrive with any sort of flu symptoms and finish off a little paper cup of it, you’ll know its true purpose.

You can say goodbye to congestion and hello to tissues. Do you have a headache? Too many endorphins are shooting through you to worry about that, its fight or flight time!

First, cruise down to Mississippi and take a look at the holiday displays.
Second, pick a favorite.
Third, vote! Soon there will be voting boxes in all participating businesses. You can just check off your pick on the ballot and drop it in the box. You can also send in your vote via email, to info@mississippiave.com. Just put the name of the business you’re voting for in the subject line, along with “holiday”, and we’ll make sure it gets counted.

We’ll also be posting pictures on flickr, so click here to see the ones that have been posted so far: Mississippi Ave flickr

The businesses participating in the Holiday Decoration Contest include:
Altura Furniture
Amalee
Black Wagon
Blue
Blue Sky Wellness Studio
Flutter
Gypsy Chic
Hovel
Pin Me Apparel
Phlox
Porch Light
¿Por Qué No?
Sameunderneath
Sunlan Lighting
Vintage Real Estate

Now through the end of December, come on down to Mississippi Ave and enjoy the holiday decorations. Vote for your favorite display - the winner will be crowned on December 24th.

The new bike rack at Por Que No.

At the Mississippi Social this Thursday night, Black Wagon hosts the art opening of Portland artist, Lesley Reppeteaux. Hailing from Nova Scotia, Canada, Reppeteaux is a storyteller who is deeply affected by the marriage of art and literature. Within her work you’ll find long limbed beauties with dangerous claws, stories of sea swept sirens, and creatures from the deep lurking beneath the surface. Pouty-lipped heroines with melancholy softness permeate to create a peculiar world filled with chimera and charm – a bewitching gathering of all the cloven-hoofed vixens that prance in her head.

As if you need another reason to go….there’s great new bike parking on the street in front of Por Qué No?. Pedal on over for something good to eat and drink. Tell us that you rode your bike and you’ll get happy hour prices anytime! (offer valid until the end of October)

The fashion show went off last night as planned. It was just a little WETTER than expected. But we figured that was fine, and actually quite appropriate. After all, these clothes will be worn in the rain if they’re going to be worn in Portland. Thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting the HMBA and Albina Youth Opportunity School! We look forward to another great fashion show in the spring.

Tonight is the Flourish Fashion Show at the Mississippi Social, and in true Portland style, it’s a little bit gray and threatening rain out there! Please keep your fingers crossed that the actual rain stays away….