Plus: Free Oregon Zoo admission for veterans.
 
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49º | Showers | 84% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:50 a.m. | Sunset 4:40 p.m.
 

📚 A journey of a thousand pages...

Would-be Portland novelists, take note: National Novel Writing Month is here
Author Amy Butcher does a talk in front of an audience at Powell's Books
Who knows? Someday, you might read what you wrote at Powell’s. | Photo by Aebutche
Maybe there’s a Jane Austen scribbling away right now in Parkrose, a Toni Morrison in Multnomah Village, or a John Steinbeck in Woodstock. Perhaps it’s you, or you’ve always had thoughts that it could be you.

This month, you can make those thoughts a reality. November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and we’re here to tell you that you can do it. Just take some of these ideas and come December, you can say you’re a novelist.

Act 1 - The Set Up

NaNoWriMo is a nonprofit organization that promotes creative writing around the world. Its flagship program encourages bibliophiles to attempt to write a 50,000-word manuscript during the month of November.

A few NaNoWriMo books you may recognize:
  • Sara Gruen’s “Water for Elephants”
  • Erin Morgenstern’s “The Night Circus”
  • Hugh Howey’s “Wool”
How do you go about writing a novel? Literary agents have some ideas. You can also pick up Stephen King’s “On Writing” and Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird.”

Act 2 - Confrontation

Now, there’s rising action. There’s confrontation. Where do you go to write this novel of yours and how do you keep yourself motivated to finish it?
  • Multnomah County Library | Libraries like writers. Visit one of the library’s locations, find yourself a cozy spot, check out some of their writing resources, and start cracking on your tome.
  • Literary Arts | This nonprofit offers classes ranging in topics and duration to fellow writers in the Portland community. Get some encouragement, attend an event, and keep writing!
  • Meetup | There are others like you out there. Join the Portland Writer’s Workshop group, which meets twice a month.
Act 3 - Resolution

Now, there’s a climax. There’s the denouement (a book nerdy word for resolution).

You’ve finished the Great American Novel. Get yourself a pint at Rose City Book Pub and browse the bookshelves knowing that, perhaps, your work will be there sometime soon.
Columbia Credit Union
 
Events
Wednesday, Nov. 8
  • Vintage Tree and Menorah Paint Night | Wednesday, Nov. 8 | 6-8 p.m. | Mimosa Studios - Paint Your Own Pottery, 1718 NE Alberta St., Portland | $65-$190 | Your mantle will look extra festive this year and you can support nonprofit Raphael House.
Thursday, Nov. 9
Friday, Nov. 10
Saturday, Nov. 11
  • Ruck 22 | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Cathedral Park Boat Ramp, 8940 N. Bradford St., Portland | Free | Carry the weight of non-perishable food items in a backpack on a 2.2 mile walk to help raise awareness and prevent veteran suicide.
  • Downtown Flea | Saturday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Nov. 12 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Pioneer Place, Second Floor, 340 SW Morrison St., Portland | Free | Head to the mall where 80+ vendors will be set up, selling vintage sneakers, jewelry, and more.
  • Taproom Market | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 12-5 p.m. | Swift Cider, 100 NE Farragut St., Portland | Free | Get a jump on your holiday shopping, support local artists and makers, and sip a seasonal cider.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Seasonal

Let the holiday sales begin
A snow-topped cottage with a star and dripping string lights hanging.
Top your house with a star and string lights decoration. | Photo via Amazon
Ready to dive into holiday decorating? Grab great finds while they’re still on sale:
Browse more holiday decor
News Notes
Community
  • Veterans and active members of the armed forces (plus up to three family members) can enjoy free admission to the Oregon Zoo on Friday, Nov. 10 + Saturday, Nov. 11 with valid ID. Reserve tickets online.
Civic
  • Vancouver has declared a state of emergency in response to its growing homelessness crisis. City officials now will have “more flexibility to create additional solutions that can be implemented at a faster pace to save lives.”
Plan Ahead
  • The Grape Escape is coming to The Hoxton, Portland on Thursday, Nov. 16, coinciding with Beaujolais Nouveau Day, the celebration of new French wine fresh from the harvest. Sip “Bojo Novo” inspired wines, listen to vinyl, eat food from Lovely Rita, and pick up limited merch.
Featured
  • Astral has landed at the top of Eater’s “Best New Restaurants” list. Described as “not quite a pop-up and not quite a restaurant,” the two-chef project inside Duality Brewing pairs Mexican dishes overflowing with local ingredients and some of the best from our city’s craft beer scene. (Eater)
Development
  • There are currently 27% fewer apartments under construction across the Portland metro area compared to this time last year. With less inventory and higher interest rates, one expert expects the cost of rent to surge in the middle of 2024. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Concert
  • Hootie & The Blowfish fans, next year your favorite ‘90s rock band “Only Wanna Be With You.” Darius Rucker and co. are bringing their Summer Camp With Trucks tour to Ridgefield’s RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater on July 19, 2024. Tickets go on sale Friday. (Willamette Week)
Outdoors
  • Various trails will be closed over the next year at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park as crews work to thin out weak trees and improve the overall health of vegetation in the area. Keep up to date on park conditions. (Willamette Week)
Biz
  • Small Business Saturday is just around the corner — Nov. 25, to be exact. What local businesses will you be supporting + which local deals should we check out? Let us know and we may feature your recommendation in an upcoming newsletter.
Finance
Edu

🍻 Raising a glass to educators

Buy a Portland Public Schools teacher a beer
A sign for the Portland teachers strike is duct taped to the front of a sign for Holy Ghost Bar in Southeast Portland.
Anyone can show support to our city’s teachers. | Photo by @holyghostbar
Teachers are on the picket line. Kids are not in classrooms. Portland Public Schools officials and state legislators are exchanging emails and blame. Times are tense in the Rose City, but residents are doing what they do best — coming together to show love and support for each other.

Several breweries and bars are offering the chance for customers to pay it forward and buy a beer for educators. Others are giving great deals on drinks. Some discounts even extend to companies outside of food and beverage, like yoga and float tanks.

Here are a few to check out:
If you know of local businesses showing their support for teachers, let us know and we can add them to the list.
More offers for educators
The Buy

The Buy 11.08.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
One of these gifts. All under $25, all adorable.
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The Wrap
 

Today’s edition by:
Ben
From the editor
Flying to and from Europe or India will soon be a smoother proposition with Alaska Airlines, after the company announced deals with Condor Airlines (out of Germany) and Air India. Just when I thought I got rid of that pesky travel itch...
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