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May 6, 2011
It’s good to be busy, but having something to do every waking moment gets old. So with Mother’s Day and the Kentucky Derby coming up, we’re looking forward to blowing off some steam. We’re going to treat Mom to something special, and dust off the fedora for the Derby. Of course, we can’t forget the predictions; we’re laying it on the line with the obvious choice—Mucho Macho Man—and we’ve dedicated part of this issue to providing guidance for gifting the matriarch in your life. Check out the local businesses we’ve included in this issue, and they’ll make sure you come correct. |
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Portland Picks for Men: |
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| 1 | Flue Bug In pop culture and in life, footwear is an important thing to consider. The right shoe can polish a job interview or snag a second date, which is why we’re very careful about what we strap on our feet these days. John Fluevog just gave Portland’s feet a kick with the recent addition of a location on SW Stark. Their wide range of styles can please even the most particular, fashion-forward shopper with blends of 1950s Cadillac sleekness and a modern, European flair. Shoes with names like Dasher Darts, Tokyo Yokohamas and Gateway Brandenburgs line the shelves, providing instant comfort and street credibility to any who choose to rock them. And Fluevog has you covered with more than shoes; they even do messenger bags, to boot. Not only can Fluevog design unique shoes like no one’s business, he’s also been making big strides to reduce his company’s carbon footprint by making kicks with eco-friendly, vegetable-tanned leathers and water-based glues. Whether you’re buying his shoes for Mother Earth or just some hot mama, you’re making the right choice. John Fluevog Shoes |
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| 2 | The Gilded Palace Our sister publication checked out the Palace of Industry last year, but it’s not just for the ladies. Nestled in North Portland’s Overlook neighborhood, this new-ish spot sports an eclectic hodge-podge of treasures and sundry offerings, choice vintage-wear, gifts, collectibles, furniture, local art and handicrafts. Browsing the colorful, perfectly-arranged interior gives us a warm, nostalgic feeling, along with a familiar orderly-chaos vibe: there’s not a scrap of fabric or curious gewgaw out of place. In this new decade of hybrid businesses, the Palace of Industry is a café—or perhaps it’s more a treasure shop. No—it’s a café. A snack menu features a salami and Irish-cheddar plate with fig port mustard compote and a grilled fontina cheese sandwich. To whet your whistle, there’s an array of beer, wine, and especially a sake and champagne cocktail menu. Come to browse, eat, drink, buy, or some combination thereof. The PoI maintains a regular event calendar, with mid-week interest groups complemented by weekend DJs (usually Thursday through Saturday).This place is part café, part vintage shop, and all Portland. Palace of Industry |
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| 3 | Poppin’ Caps Preparing for a Zombie Apocalypse? Still scared of monsters under the bed? Or just plain tired of those pesky Alien Gray's probing physical examinations? Well then exercise that index finger, channel your inner Clint, Sylvester or Arnold, and feel like a man again while developing some hand/eye coordination that your Play Station or Wii just can't provide at The Place to Shoot! Whether you want to learn firearm safety from a trained professional, teach your lady or your family to safely shoot, take out some of the day's stress alone or with the boys, or are active in law-enforcement, The Place to Shoot is your huckleberry. With 21 safe and sane shooting lanes in a main facility or tactical room, both ranges are outfitted with plate-armor grade bullet traps and ventilation to continually circulate fresh air, thus avoiding the “Zoolander” Black Lung. Their priority is to provide you with a fun and safe environment, and with firearm rentals of nearly every popular caliber and make, you can leave the ol' blunderbuss at home, and the gun-cleaning to them! The Place to Shoot |
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Destination of the Week: Double-threat Town |
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When we think of coastal towns, images of sea-inspired art and “The Goonies” pop up faster than we can make sushi disappear. And in Astoria right now, the “Tattoo, The Art of the Sailor” exhibit at the Columbia River Maritime Museum pays tribute to the history of our favorite body art and the seafarers who donned it. And if you didn’t know, Astoria has been the underground culinary capital of the Oregon coast for a while. So the tattoo event, along with spots like the Oregon Film Museum and Amazing Stories Comics, turns up the volume on culture! |
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Mandatory Gear: |
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| 1 | Kickin’ It Old-School More than 75 years ago, a little company called Posture Foundation made it official. After their patent-filing and many shoe-designs later, they’re bringing back some of their older kicks that put them on the map. PF Flyers is re-releasing their 1949 classics Taghkanic and Mohonk, and we couldn’t be more stoked. Not only are they creative throwbacks, but like any solid design, they’re built to last. Want a pair? They just dropped at Local 35. |
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| 2 | A Winning Combination Wearing grass never felt so good. But seriously, if you’ve worn anything with bamboo fibers, you know the fabric’s comfy and tough. Pair it with simple lines, and you’ll get why we love the Icon Racer. 2eros got their inspiration from the Greek god, and you’ll feel closer to Olympus when you rock these boxer briefs. The pair we picked up is sleek, stylish, and functional. We suggest hooking yourself up with some to see what we mean. |
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| 3 | Lean Back These days, there’s more media in the palm of our hands than ever before. With more of us enjoying our favorite shows, movies, and music on our smartphones, our cases should be able to do more than just protect them, right? Here comes the Recline Kickstand from NXE! This durable plastic case has a swiveling piece to prop your phone up so you can handle long YouTube stints, slideshows, and whatever else, completely hands-free. Let’s see your iPhone case do that! Recline Kickstand |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | A Cut Above the Rest Still looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Same old bouquet just not cutting it anymore? Instead of picking up a dozen flowers that’ll make her drowsy, go to By the Bunch for a completely unique arrangement. They can craft custom planters using their diverse collection of flowers, ranging from simple to sophisticated. Our favorite part? They deliver all over town, so letting the ladies who make the world go ’round know you’re thinking about them is easier than sleeping late on a Saturday. They even repurpose old wine bottles for a visually stunning vase! What: Awesome flowers for Mother’s Day |
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| 2 | (Look Like) the Apple of Her Eye Mothers love unconditionally, but let’s be honest; it’s easier for us to live up to being the most handsome kid in school when our wardrobes match our million-dollar smiles. No time, you say? You have no idea where/how to start? Lucky for you, LKc Style has got your number. Their mission is simple: Make Portland more fashionable, one man at a time. Whether you’re looking for a few items to consolidate your look, or a redefining overhaul, LKc Style has the vision and experience to back it up! What: Wardrobe styling to change your life |
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| 3 | Back to Basics Is it weird to buy undies for Mother’s Day? Only if she’s not the mother of your children. Get her something that makes her feel just as great on the inside as she looks on the outside. Icebreaker’s Nature line of premium women’s underwear is not only pretty, but silky soft, non-itch, and easy to care for. Plus they'll throw in a free pair of hipsters or bikini briefs when you buy any two Nature pieces, now through Mother’s Day. What: Bonus gift with Icebreaker purchase* |
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Speaking of coming correct, keep it real by forwarding this issue to 5 people and cc us at picks@portlandpicksformen.com. Help us spread the word! |
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