So it’s New Years and I was planning on watching Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper on CNN… but with all the potential energetic-shifting-mayhem that might happen on December 21, 2012, I’m thinking perhaps I should do something a little more memorable (no offense, Kathy).

If you are similarly torn, check out this list of possibilities. . .

Whatever you do, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Upright Brewing is hosting its first bottle release party Sunday January 10th.  We’ll have two special beers available for the first time and will be debuting some new and exciting draft beer as well. The most anticipated release is actually our very first batch brewed last March called Billy the Mountain. It’s a traditional English-style Old Ale that has been barrel-aged with a special yeast strain and cellared here in the Leftbank basement for over four months in the bottle. The Billy is ready to enjoy now but will mature gracefully for at least another year as the brettanomyces yeast continues to unfold new aromas in this very “live” beer. Our second release is simply titled Gose, a German-style wheat beer made with coriander and salt. Its history dates back to the early 18th century and is enjoying a bit of a revival here in Portland between ourselves and Cascade Brewing.

Come down and join us from one to six that afternoon. We’ll have special charcuterie out tailored to the beers along with bread and other small snacks. To keep up on other brewery happenings be sure to follow us on facebook and check out the brewery blog.

Cheers!

Hey Leftbankers.  If you haven’t already heard, there is a new law going into effect this Friday (January 1st) that will make talking or texting on a handheld device while driving illegal.  See below for details and stay safe out there:

Ban on using handheld mobile devices while driving goes into effect January 1st, 2010.

Oregon drivers have a new law to consider effective January 1, 2010. Oregon Legislation passed into law a ban on using mobile devices while driving. The traffic ticket for talking or texting on a hand-held cell phone will cost a driver up to $90, similar to the fine for driving without a seat belt.  Oregon joins six other states - - including Washington and California — that ban or severely limit using cell phones while driving.

Information above courtesy of LaPorte & Associates

We here at Upstream are eager to spread the word on our new website and design look!

Check us out (www.upstreampublichealth.org).

We’ve got pithy, health-related reports, bios of your favorite Upstream staff members and even photos of cute kids with vegetables.

It has been five years since we first launched our website and we thought it was about time for a makeover. Thanks to the Meyer Memorial Trust for supporting our work.

On our site you will find out more about who we are and what we do - including our ambitious legislative agenda for 2010.

Happy Solstice and holiday cheer!

Hi Leftbankers –

Now squarely in the season of merrymaking, it’s the perfect time to make winter warmer for someone else, too.  I’m writing to ask you to add your efforts to mine and to your neighbors’.  Giving is so good for the spirit, and giving together seems right for Leftbank – don’t you think?

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We listened to your suggestions and now have sushi in the Cafe once a week - today! The sushi is brought in from Origami Catering, an amazing company that uses only the best products, including ginger from Ginger People without added dyes or aspartame (yes, it is common to put aspartame in pickled ginger!), 100% biodegradable sushi containers made from polylactic composting plastics (PLA), and dipping dishes made from sugar cane fibers.

Their seafood also follows the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Guidelines!

So stop down and grab a tray…

Just a reminder that the Leftbank Cafe will be open this Thursday, 12/10 until 8pm.  We will have Happy Hour from 2-8pm with some wonderfully delicious, piping hot soups together with palate tingling local beers and regional wines.  Check out this week’s Happy Hour Menu.

Stop by and see us.  You’ll be happy you did.

Wednesday was an amazing night of wine, soup, beer, and dance with Leftbank Cafe’s first Happy Hour + the opening night of Whitebird’s Uncaged Series at the Annex!

According to one of the dancers, the show is about “strife.”  The Willamette Week had a few more words that that…

For me, is was a strikingly raw, emotional performance. A beautiful way to christen the Annex.

The show is running through Sunday (the only day with tickets still available). The Cafe will stay open for the run, so stop by beforehand if you are lucky enough to get tickets!

I just wanted to take a few minutes here to remind everyone in the building that Happy Hour continues through the weekend.  The Cafe will be open tonight until 8pm, Saturday from 5pm-8pm and Sunday from 3pm-8pm.

After this weekend, the Cafe will be open for Happy Hour every Thursday from 2pm-8pm.

We are serving our delicious soups with suggested pairings of local beers and regional wines, together with a delicious charcuterie plate.  Mmm Mmm good.

Come on down and let us help you usher in the weekend.

I wanted to share some good news with my fellow Leftbankers:

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week (December 2nd, 3rd and 4th) the Leftbank Cafe will be open all day until 8pm with HAPPY HOUR from 5 - 8pm - so come down and join us for some happiness!

We will have an assortment of beer (and Upright, of course) and local wines - with pairing suggestions to go with our wonderful soups.  There will also be a very tasty charcuterie plate that can be paired with just about anything.

And, of course, being as this is happy hour - the prices will make you happy too.