Warm Comfort Food

There's nothing like a steaming cup of soup on a dreary winter day in Corvallis. The Soup Shop on Monroe is a great place to head for cheap food and a unique atmosphere. Whether you prefer Tomato Bisque or creamy Clam Chowder, the Soup Shop has a soup for everyone. In it's relaxing atmosphere, you can enjoy soup with family and friends for a very thrifty price. Not only do they offer delicious bread and salads, but they also have take-out for those of us on the go. So next time you're feeling a little under-the-weather, you know where to go!

Internationally recognized Cuban Salsa in little ol’ Corvallis?

Although we may be better known for our technological and research developments, Corvallis is also on the cutting edge of a lesser-known cultural scene: Cuban Casino Rueda Salsa dancing! Developed in Cuba in the mid-1900s and now practiced all over the world, Casino has a fun, athletic, informal style that grew out of several Afro-Cuban folkloric dances. In the US, Corvallis is right up there with Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, and San Francisco as a Cuban Salsa hot spot. Although it is also a partner dance, it’s often danced in a circle by as many couples as can fit in the space! A caller announces moves, and the group follows along - to see a rueda in action, check out this clip of Corvallis' own Rumbanana Salsa Group.

Local instructors Simona and Mike, directors of Rumbanana Salsa Group, are internationally known Casino instructors and performers, but the community they’ve created in Corvallis is remarkably accessible. Lessons, practices, parties, clothes, and community are all easy to come by and won’t break the bank.

Compared to dance lessons in Portland, lessons taught by Rumbanana are a steal. At $40 for eight hours of lessons over four weeks, it’s an unbeatable deal – and the price drops to $35 if you pre-register by emailing Simona. Level one lessons are held on Tuesday nights from 6-8 pm at the Platinum Club on 4th Street (between the Vibe and Ti Amo).

After you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll want to practice! While many of us just shove the couch out of the way and crank up the timba music at home, it’s also fun to join the OSU Casino y Rueda Club for open practice at the Women’s Building on campus on Tuesday nights from 8-10 pm. It’s totally free – and you’re guaranteed to pick up ideas for new moves from other dancers.
While we expect to pay $8 and more just for the cover charge (not to mention drinks) when we travel out of town to dance, the cover for Latin Xplosion at the Platinum Club in Corvallis is just four bucks, on top of which well drinks are $1! Ask for the house special, the Rumbanana shot – we think they put rum and banana flavored something-or-other in it, but we tend not to ask too many questions when it’s that delicious. The DJ always plays the hottest Latin music from all over the Caribbean – from bachata to timba to reggaeton, there’s something for everyone. When you get tired of dancing and people watching, there’s always a good game of pool.

As for what to wear … apparently some club scenes care about the height of fashion, but the Corvallis community is way past that. Dress up if you feel like it, wear jeans and a t-shirt if you don’t, dress as your favorite sitcom character – probably no one will notice, and if they do, they won’t care. The bottom line is that getting dressed for going out to dance in Corvallis doesn’t cost a fortune. Hit the Goodwill or dig out that fun shirt or skirt that you never thought you’d have a chance to wear again, and you’re all set. Just be sure to wear comfy shoes!

It’s true that the best things in life are free, and the best thing about Cuban Salsa in Corvallis is the community. Folks who take advantage of the opportunity to meet other people in lessons soon find themselves recognizing people all over town. With about two hundred people in the extended salsa family, it’s small enough that you’ll see familiar faces at different salsa events right away, but large enough that there are always new people to meet. We are a truly diverse bunch – we’re from all over the world and span a wide range of ages, occupations, and dance backgrounds. You never know who you might run into at a salsa event, from a neighbor to your favorite mechanic.

See you on the dance floor!

By guest writer Michelle Marie

Nifty New Places on 4th St!

Hello Everyone!

There are always new and excited things happening in Corvallis and here are a few!
First Ti Amo Lingerie opened up two doors down from Platinum Nightclub at 116 SW 4th Street!
This place is really fun and off beat it is not your average lingerie shop! They stock Lucy B (vintage inspired) and Ed Hardy intimates footy pjs for grown-ups and lots of other fun stuff. And the best part is although you can drop a pretty penny here like I was tempted to do with some Ed Hardy loungewear you can get a cute bra and panty sets for as little as $16!

In other openings The Vibe Internet Café has opened up also right near Ti Amo at 134 SW 4^th.

Serving some fun coffee drinks including the “Johnny Cash” this place specializes in vegan eats. The Vibe has a great “Build Your Own Sandwich” menu and also offers a few salads and soups! Furnished with vintage and vintage inspired décor this place not only has a great vegan menu but also has a great vibe (that was a totally unintentional pun)!

I hope you get to try one of these new places soon!

Enjoy!

$10 Plates!!!

Iovinos, a fantastic Italian restaurant downtown is currently offering special $10 dollar plates! They always have incredible food and this deal is sure to be a bargain. If you've never been to Iovinos, make sure you go; along with great food, they have neat decorating inside and out with sidewalk tables facing Corvallis' renowned riverfront. Bring a friend and make sure you don't miss out on this deal, it's no longer too expensive to go out to dinner and a glass of wine to one of Corvallis' finest restaurants!

Corvallis Birding

First time visitors to Corvallis are usually very suprised to learn about the abundance of bird life in the Willamette Valley. In addition to this the mild climate of corvallis makes birding a fun year round activity. The Audubon Society has counted over 125 species of birds in a 15 mile radius around the city. Some of the places that are considered “hot spots” are Chip Ross Park, Avery Park, Bald Hill, Willamette Park, and the Jackson-Frazier Wetlands. The latter on the above list has constructed boardwalks and bridges across a beautiful marshy area that is close to town. The Audobon web site has further information about birding in and around the Corvallis area, for more information please visit www.audubon.corvallis.or.us

This Weekend is Gonna be Good!

One of my fav bands
poitín & stout

will be playing at Block 15 on Saturday (1/10) at 10 PM. Which is awesomely right when Happy Hour starts! And this won't be just any show; it is their CD release party! Featuring raffle prizes and oh so good music!
Plus there is no cover! And...
Block 15 makes some amazing beers and while I'm on the topic I should tell you that they discount Growlers on Sunday to $7 per fill (provided you have a growler) for any of their beers!
Anyway; I'll see you there - Celtic music is really something and here in the PNW we are fortunate enough to have some talented people to listen to!
Cheers!

Gifts You Can Feel Good About Giving!

This time of year I always feel… guilty

…joyful yes but also guilty.

For me it is hard to walk the line between being a good steward of the earth and giving gifts that my loved ones will enjoy. I hardly every buy new things for myself and I actually am so overwhelmed by the consumerism that I get the spins when I go into a Target or a WalMart; maybe that is why I live in Corvallis. Needless to say this presents a challenge when Christmas shopping. Most years I have enjoyed making Christmas gifts for everyone on my list or finding one of a kind vintage items for example antique barware for people on my list but this year that just didn’t happen.

So I began to panic and ask “what do other anti-consumer people do for the holidays?”

It was then I remembered a fair trade store I went to in Corvallis awhile ago.

They had some great stuff!

I like to give ornaments to the people in my life i dont know much about but appreciate so this angels (above) are great they are made by AIDS orphans to support their orphanage.

For the entertainer they have recycled Venetian glass (above) which YES you can eat off of and block printed tablecloths (below)!

For kids they have several educational gifts like a Morse Code kits (to the right) and some other fun stuff. For little kids they also have some great eco-friendly toys like this tea set (to the left) that is all recycled plastic and was named the number one toy in America by Parenting Magazine!

For the guys they have some awesome shirts printed with clay inks with cool images (see close up of bicycle image below)!

They also have a large variety of bracelets which makes stocking suffers easier for me with girls and really well made recycled silk scarfs and purses!

So now there is no guilt and everyone has fun presents to receive on Christmas morning!

All of these gift ideas and many more are from
Many Hands Trading on Monroe Av. in downtown Corvallis! For hours and more information call them at 541-738-0808