Livin' in the Blurbs: Party On!

If you think the Occupy folks have a corner on the public imagination, you ain't heard nothin' yet. For soon the cry of "Hail the Wale" will be echoing through the streets of our fair city. It has come to my attention through the efforts of bartender extraordinaire and corduroy aficionado Jacob Grier that Friday is Corduroy Appreciation Day. Why that particular date, you might ask? Well, the numbers tell the tale…it's 11/11/11, and fans of the fuzzy vertical cloth will tell you that date most closely resembles the wale of corduroy. Whatever. The good news is that they're throwing a party this Friday to celebrate, and you're all invited. Wear one or more items of corduroy and get a discount on the special Two Item Rule cocktail Mr. Grier created specially for the occasion. Now, where did I put that corduroy denim jacket and skirt outfit?

Details: Hail the Wale Corduroy Appreciation Party. Fri., Nov. 11, 5-8 pm; free. Wear one item of corduroy, get $1 off special cocktail, wear two and get $2 off. The Hop and Vine, 1914 N Killingsworth St. 503-954-3322.

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When Luan Schooler and her husband, Tim Wilson, opened Foster & Dobbs Authentic Foods a few years ago, I was over the moon. Not just because they were moving into what had been a down-on-its-luck convenience market in the neighborhood, but because they were dedicated to carrying a fantastic selection of cheeses, charcuterie, dry goods and wines from around the world. And when they started offering classes on cheeses, meats and wines with some of the areas best producers, I was completely smitten. On Saturday, Nov. 19, they'll be celebrating their sixth anniversary (Really? Has it been six?) with their biggest blowout yet. Come sip, sample and schmooze with artisan producers like Ben Jacobsen from  Jacobsen Salt, Pat Morford from River's Edge Chevre, Eyrie Vineyards, Memaloose Winery, Tao of Tea, Logsdon Organic Farmhouse Ales, Portland Pepper Sauce and Fermin Iberico (right). Should be an awesome party!

Details: Foster & Dobbs Authentic Foods Sixth Anniversary Open House. Sat., Nov. 19, 2-5 pm. Foster & Dobbs, 2518 NE 15th Ave. at Brazee. 503-284-1157.

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Now that winter's here, you might feel like mourning the end of farmers' market season, particularly after the avalanche of gorgeous late-season produce we had this fall. Well, I'm here to tell you to turn that frown upside down and untangle yourself from that passion net, because there are seven, count 'em, SEVEN Portland area farmers' markets revving up to go right through till spring. So grab that basket and your wellies and get thee to:

• Hollywood Farmers' Market: Open 9 am-1 pm every Saturday until Thanksgiving, then 1st and 3rd Saturdays from Dec.-April. On NE Hancock Street between 44th and 45th Aves., one block south of Sandy Blvd. in the Grocery Outlet parking lot.
• Hillsdale Farmers' Market: Open 10 am-2 pm Sun. through Thanksgiving, then twice monthly Dec.-April (see website for schedule). At 1405 SW Vermont St. in the Wilson High School-Rieke Elementary School parking lot.
• Lloyd Farmers' Market: Open 10 am-2 pm every Tues. (except for Dec. 27). In Oregon Square on NE Holladay St. between 7th & 9th Aves.
• Montavilla Farmers' Market is holding Winter Stock-Up Markets from 11 am-1 pm on Dec. 11, Jan. 8 and Feb. 12. On the 7600 block of SE Stark St.
• Oregon City Winter Farmers' Market: Open 10 am-2 pm every other Sat. from Nov.-April. At the corner of 8th Ave. and Main St., Oregon City.
• People's Farmers' Market: Open 2-7 pm every Wed. year round. At People's Co-op, 3029 SE 21st Ave. on block N of Powell Blvd.
• Winter Market at Shemanski Park: Open 10 am-2 pm Sat., Jan. 7-Feb. 25. In the South Park Blocks between SW Salmon and Main Sts.