Riding in style

Feel like taking a quaint bike ride this Saturday? Why not join dozens of others at the Skidmore Fountain at 11 a.m. for the First annual Tweed Ride. The ten mile ride will have a few planned stops, including sipping tea, and ending with a picnic with your fellow riders. Lets just hope for some sun!

–Wendy Shortman

Portland Mercury to co-sponsor benefit concert for Haiti

I think it goes without saying that we are all devasted by the recent event in Haiti. There have been many recent efforts internationally and nationally to bring help to the people of this country (despite some hateful words from some). Locally, there has also been a lot going on in the way of charity. One of my favorite, and recently announced events is being co-sponsored by the Portland Mercury:

"The Mercury is co-sponsoring a just-announced benefit show this Thursday, January 21. The show, co-produced by former Merc arts writer Stephen Marc Beaudoin, aims to raise upward of $25,000 for Mercy Corps' relief efforts in Haiti.

WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, January 21, 2010, 7:30 pm at the Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, Portland.
Call 503-234-9694 for more information. Tickets go on sale 10 am Tuesday, January 19
WHO: Featured artists include pianist Thomas Lauderdale (of Pink Martini), hip-hop artist Cool Nutz, Portland Cello Project, Grammy-nominated pianist Janice Scroggins, Oregon Symphony concertmaster Jun Iwasaki, singer-songwriter Holcombe Waller and the legendary Storm Large, among others.

TICKETS: $30, all seats (general admission). Call 503-234-9694 or go to aladdin-theater.com for more information — tickets go on sale 10 am Tuesday, January 19."

Not only is this line up amazing, but the money is going to a great cause. I would highly suggest sucking it up and forking over $30 for what promises to be a very enjoyable evening with a seriously powerful message.

A serious bummer

2010 has claimed its first celebrity (though this time it's someone I'm actually sad about). As my friend Nick put it in a facebook post: "r.i.p. jay reatard. may you punch people out for unplugging your guitar in heaven." He and his music will be missed.

Here's his video for "It Ain't Gonna Save Me." This may be a somber day, but that's all the more reason to enjoy his awesomely upbeat music:

Lindsay Lohan continues to be a complete moron

So apparently Lindsay Lohan filmed a documentary about human trafficking in India. I seriously thought this was a joke when I first heard about it, but apparently it actually happened. As proof of this, here's a lovely little snippet from the film. In this one minute video, we're treated to some of the most vapid and obvious observations on the state of human trafficking I have ever heard. Lind
You can thank the Superficial for the 200 brain cells you just lost watching that video.

Islands "No You Don't"

I'm not really into Islands and Michael Cera is just kind of played out at this point, but this video is kind of entrtaining: