Livin' in the Blurbs: Music to My Ears

I'm not a big fan of conferences, coming as they do with so-so speakers, crowded trade exhibitions and more hype than content. But one I do try to make it to every year is Organicology, a gathering of small farmers, food system activists and proponents of local agriculture.

With dynamite national talent doing the keynotes and tons of small seminars dispensing everything from highly technical information to issue-oriented topics, it's well worth the investment. This year they're offering a small farmer discount to offset registration costs and make it possible for more family farmers to attend.

Speakers include Paul Stamets, a nationally recognized mycologist and conservation activist; Curt Ellis, native Portlander and filmmaker (King Corn, Big River) who is currently Executive Director of Foodcorps (top photo); and Tom Philpott, farmer, ag blogger and columnist for Mother Jones. I'm telling you, it's going to be a great event and well worth attending.

Details: Organicology. Thurs.-Sat., Feb. 7-9. Register on website. Event held at the Hilton Downtown Portland, 921 SW 6th Ave. 1-877-378-0690.

Photo at top from CivilEats.com.

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Music feeds the soul, and my friend Kat Cogswell has served up some tunefully fine meals to music lovers at joints big and small, from the Portland Jazz Festival, McMenamin's Crystal Ballroom and the Timberline Summer Concert Series to Tony Starlight's Supperclub and the White Eagle. Her voice is a little bit Sarah Vaughn, a little bit Judy Garland, swinging from jazz standards to contemporary to tight a capella harmonies. She's just listed a bunch of new gigs on her website, so if you're feeling like a fun night out listening to some fine stylings, check her out!

• Fri., Jan. 25 with Bureau of Standards Big Band (Matthew Gailey & James M. Gregg). 8 pm; $12 with reservations. Tony Starlight's, 3728 NE Sandy Blvd. 503-517-8584.
• Sat., Feb. 16, with Rich Turnoy and Dennis Caiazza. 7:30 pm; $5 with reservations. Arrivederci Wine and Jazz Bar, 17023 SE McLoughlin Blvd. 503-659-1143.
• Fri., Feb. 22, with Bureau of Standards Big Band (Matthew Gailey & James M. Gregg). 8 pm; $12 with reservations. Tony Starlight's, 3728 NE Sandy Blvd. 503-517-8584.
• Fri., Mar. 29, with Bureau of Standards Big Band (Matthew Gailey & James M. Gregg). 8 pm; $12 with reservations. Tony Starlight's, 3728 NE Sandy Blvd. 503-517-8584.

Find more of Kat's concerts on the calendar at left.