In the past 12 months, CoHo Productions has delivered a wide range of outstanding performances, including two Drammy winners (Luisa Sermol & Sharonlee McLean). From a one-woman tour-de-force (9 Parts of Desire), an intimate portrait of maybe-lovers (Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune), a tightly woven “comedy with implications (The Receptionist) to the current ensemble Victorian-style comedy with real people (the Uneasy Chair) deemed “handily one of the best of the entire 2008-2009 season”, CoHo Productions has been the place in Portland for diverse, high quality theatre. With its unique co-production model, CoHo relies on submissions from the Portland theatre community, but then selects the productions deemed the best fit for the upcoming season. Outstanding yet affordable live theatre is still readily available in Portland, and CoHo has the best blend of performances and venues around. That pattern promises to continue with next season’s productions of “Fool for Love,” with co-producers Chris Harder & Val Landrum; “Hamlet” trimmed for 5 actors and co-produced with Chris Murray; and “This Lime Tree Bower” which brough Conor McPherson to playgoer’s attention, co-produced with Devon Allen.

Best gallery - Gallery Zero. The place is totally ignored by local media which is NUTS since its the most challenging up and coming gallery in Portland, curated by a live-wire pro from LA who speaks in wild run-on sentences and likes his walls blood red. Its in a crappy spot off of Belmont and 34th but this place knows how to bring it. Portland has been in need of this kind of venue for toooo long.

Best place to be annoyed by strangers while seeking serenity - the Japanese Gardens. How can a place be so beautiful, requiring visitors to be ‘respectful’ of its obvious meditative properties - yet be overrun by every noisy local tourist? Get there early or very late, but go - and watch out for free days that are usually promoted in the off season.

Best (and cheapest) place to find a good book - Goodwill off of MLK - enormous used book section and nowhere will you find such a great mix of classics, newer releases and odds and ends. Powells is still the Man so to speak, but getting spendy for some of us - need a book under $5? This is where to go.

Best Burger & Shake - It’s out of the way, off the map & Why Would You go There? But the Blue Coyote Cafe at the Lake Oswego public golf course off of Stafford Road is run by a one-legged chef who has literally been around so much he knows better than the rest how it is done - and is often ably assisted by one of his four sons. Ask him for his milkshake recipe - it will leave you happy and wanting more. No one makes food like this - classic, old-fashioned and well-priced.

Best gallery - GalleryZero. The place is totally ignored by local media which is NUTS since its the most challenging up and coming gallery in Portland, curated by a live-wire pro from LA who speaks in wild run-on sentences and likes his walls blood red. Its in a crappy spot off of Belmont and 34th but this place knows how to bring it. Portland has been in need of this kind of venue for toooo long.

Best reason to be a writer in Portland - Willamette Writers - their annual summer conference is coming up in August and it is the best place to be to meet and greet industry insiders and get your pitches critiqued. It may change your life. Membership is about $35/year and you get all sorts of goodies - great way to make connections in the publishing biz.

Urban Sports
A group of fun and adventures folks that like to goof off and drink beer. Urban Golf, SantaCon, and many other wild events. How can you not think that they are one of the reasons Portland is great when you see 300 Santa Claus’s walking down the street bar hopping.

Atomic Pizza
A new pizza place opened by native Portlanders on North Killingsworth Street. Homemade original recipe sauce and crust makes for the best hand-tossed pizza in Portland. Friendly people, great pizza and good local beers, what more can you ask for.

Favorite non-21 late night spot that is no longer: The Old Pharmacy

Best spot for watching people who are watching drunk girls tying to walk in highheels and too short dresses… while also enjoying a warm cup of coffee: World Cafe in Powell’s Books.