magnetometer montcalm: January 2013

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Beer's bitter compounds could help brew new medicines

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Researchers employing a century-old observational technique have determined the precise configuration of humulones, substances derived from hops that give beer its distinctive flavor.

That might not sound like a big deal to the average brewmaster, but the findings overturn results reported in scientific literature in the last 40 years and could lead to new pharmaceuticals to treat diabetes, some types of cancer and other maladies.

"Now that we have the right results, what happens to the bitter hops in the beer-brewing process makes a lot more sense," said Werner Kaminsky, a University of Washington research associate professor of chemistry.

Kaminsky is the lead author of a paper describing the findings, published this month in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

There is documentation that beer and its bittering acids, in moderation, have beneficial effects on diabetes, some forms of cancer, inflammation and perhaps even weight loss.

Kaminsky used a process called X-ray crystallography to figure out the exact structure of those acids, humulone molecules and some of their derivatives, produced from hops in the brewing process. That structure is important to researchers looking for ways to incorporate those substances, and their health effects, into new pharmaceuticals.

Humulone molecules are rearranged during the brewing process to contain a ring with five carbon atoms instead of six. At the end of the process two side groups are formed that can be configured in four different ways ? both groups can be above the ring or below, or they can be on opposite sides.

Which of the forms the molecule takes determines its "handedness," Kaminsky said, and that is important for understanding how a particular humulone will react with another substance. If they are paired correctly, they will fit together like a nut and bolt.

If paired incorrectly, they might not fit together at all or it could be like placing a right hand into a left-handed glove. That could produce disastrous results in pharmaceuticals.

Kaminsky cited thalidomide, which has a number of safe uses but was famously used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women in the late 1950s and early 1960s before it was discovered to cause birth defects. Molecule "handedness" in one form of the drug was responsible for the birth defects, while the orientation of molecules in another form did not appear to have the negative effects.

To determine the configuration of humulones formed in the brewing process, coauthors Jan Urban, Clinton Dahlberg and Brian Carroll of KinDex Therapeutics, a Seattle pharmaceutical firm that funded the research, recovered acids from the brewing process and purified them.

They converted the humulones to salt crystals and sent them to Kaminsky, who used X-ray crystallography ? a technique developed in the early 20th century ? to determine the exact configuration of the molecules.

"Now that we know which hand belongs to which molecule, we can determine which molecule goes to which bitterness taste in beer," Kaminsky said.

The authors point out that while "excessive beer consumption cannot be recommended to propagate good health, isolated humulones and their derivatives can be prescribed with documented health benefits."

Some of the compounds have been shown to affect specific illnesses, Kaminsky said, while some with a slight difference in the arrangement of carbon atoms have been ineffective.

The new research sets the stage for finding which of those humulones might be useful in new compounds to be used as medical treatments.

###

University of Washington: http://www.uwnews.org

Thanks to University of Washington for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/126532/Beer_s_bitter_compounds_could_help_brew_new_medicines

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FT interview: Palaniappan Chidambaram, India's finance minister ...

In an interview with the Financial Times, Palaniappan Chidambaram, India?s finance minister, spoke of his determination to control pre-election public spending, support for foreign investment and plans for further financial liberalisation.

He also told Lionel Barber, the editor of the Financial Times, and James Blitz, diplomatic editor, of his political ambitions. Here is a transcript of the interview that took place on Tuesday in London during a tour to promote India among investors.

Barber: So, the interest rates cut today by Central Bank, it looks as though your campaign [for monetary easing] is bearing fruit. I just wonder, Minister, whether that?s actually the problem with interest [rates] rather than other structural problems in the economy which are leading to lower than expected [economic] growth rates.

Chidambaram: This is a debate that goes on in every country, more recently Japan. High inflation penalises the people. Equally, low growth also penalises the people. So one has to do a trade-off between inflation and growth, and I have argued ? my colleagues in Government have argued ? that perhaps a monetary authority should lean a little more in favour of growth. When they should do that, to what degree they should do that is their call. They have taken the call now, they have given the reasons, I have read the statement and I welcome the decision. But interest rates [are]? one issue that India faces. There are many other issues that have to be addressed and I hope we can address them in the days ahead.

Barber: Are you talking about corruption, bureaucracy, environmental permits, labour laws?

Chidambaram: Those are issues but I think there are issues that have greater moment. For example, how do we get stalled projects off the ground? How do we raise the savings ratio? How do we get domestic investors, both public sector and private sector, which are sitting on piles of cash, to begin the investment cycle again? These are key issues. Also the issues that you mentioned ? environmental clearance, forest clearance, other approvals, bank finance for projects ? these are other issues which have to be addressed too.

Barber: Now, I wouldn?t expect you, Minister, to reveal your hand ahead of the budget, but could you give us some idea of what you?re looking at, and also, crucially, because I know you?re doing this world tour to sell India to investors, can you give us a reassurance, to the investors, that you?re not going to have ? a spending splurge ahead of the election next year?

Chidambaram: I am quite willing to reveal my hand. It will be a responsible budget. After identifying the problems of August [when concerns about India?s fiscal deficit were growing] and subsequently, and after taking a number of steps to address those problems, how can the budget be anything but a responsible budget?

I have drawn the red lines. The red lines are that the fiscal deficit for the current year will be no more than 5.3% and the fiscal deficit for the next year will be no more than 4.8%. That?s a red line and I will not breach that red line. We have taken measures to contain expenditure, especially subsidies [for example, on fuels]. We have taken measures to augment revenues, especially through tightening tax administration. We have promised the people that next year we will aim for a higher growth rate ? between six and 7%. So I think all that we have said and all that we have done points to a responsible budget. The budget can be nothing except a responsible budget.

Barber: Minister, you refer to subsidies. Are you actually going to be strong enough, and you are seen as one of the strongest and most effective ministers in the government, but are you actually going to be strong enough to say let?s cut these fuel subsidies. The fact is, if the price goes up and down, let?s live with it. Are you strong enough to do that?

Chidambaram: I am not going to make any declarations from the pulpit. I would ask you to judge us on the basis of steps that we have taken. We have corrected diesel prices. We have made a significant correction in diesel prices. Five rupees a few months ago. That is ten cents to a litre. And then we?ve allowed the oil companies to make small corrections periodically over a period of time. We still have to correct another ten rupees, which is about 20 cents, and a beginning has been made in the month of January. ?So, judge us by the steps that we take. And, in a country where there are still a large number of poor people, the correction can only be gradual and in small steps at a time. That?s the politically wise course to take.

Barber: But the direction of travel is clear.

Chidambaram: Absolutely.

Barber: And, at some point, you would like to abandon fuel subsidies, as a long-term goal?

Chidambaram: Not all subsidies can be abandoned. Take for example kerosene, which is the cooking fuel for the very poor in rural India. Now, ask yourself a question ? what happens if you correct the subsidy on kerosene completely. It will make kerosene unaffordable to the rural poor and they will demand wood. If they demand wood, acres of forest will be wiped out in India. One has to balance these things and take a prudent decision. Some subsidies in India are indeed merit subsidies. What might appear to be non-merit subsidies from the vantage point of London or Frankfurt, some of them are indeed merit subsidies in India. So my approach, our approach is merit subsidies ? we have to maintain a certain level of merit subsidies but non-merit subsidies we should eliminate over a period of time.

Barber: Now, another important issue is the current account deficit. ?Do you think, and you have actually hinted that you?d raise [the tax] on gold imports?

Chidambaram: We have raised it. We did it a few days ago, from 4% to 6%. ?we have thrown some sand in the wheels by raising the taxes. We have also announced a link between the gold ETF scheme run my Mutual Funds, and the gold deposit scheme run by banks, which we hope will unfreeze 15, 20 tons of gold, idle gold, and bring it into the market. So if that idle gold comes into the market, it will moderate imports. And we?re looking at some other steps to moderate the import of gold.

Barber: You talked about the importance of credit, and we?ve got our own problems, as you know, in this country, with bank finance so I?m not preaching here. But the fact is the government still owns large stakes in the banking system in India. What?s the point of that and wouldn?t it be better if you sold some of those stakes? Liberalised, took the measures to liberalise the economy in the same way that was done 20 years ago. ?some people believe India is still profiting from those bold, sweeping moves.

Chidambaram: How is the public sector bank in which the government is a majority shareholder coming in the way of financial liberalisation? We have a number of private sector banks, which are successful, which are competitive. In two weeks from today, the Reserve Bank of India will announce the final guidelines for licensing more private sector banks. We expect that four to five licences will be granted. We allow foreign banks into India. We are liberal in granting branches to foreign banks more than what we are required to do under the WTO regulations. So we have, today, a variety of banks competing with each other ? foreign banks, Indian private sector banks, public sector banks, cooperative banks which are under the supervision of the State Governments. So I don?t see why a public sector bank should be seen as an obstacle to financial liberalisation. It is not. ?

Barber: ?I?m sure you?ll be asked this lots of times on your world tour, but one of the complaints made by foreign investors in India is the uncertainty in either the tax regime or legal uncertainty, and there is a very prominent case involving Vodafone. With respect, I?m not carrying water for Vodafone, just so you know that, I?m just making a general point about legal and fiscal uncertainty, retrospective tax. Now, can you give any assurances to investors that this kind of thing can be resolved quickly, that maybe there?s a compromise which will increase certainty? What can you tell us about that? ?

Chidambaram: ?I?m happy to report that Vodafone has formally written to the government offering to engage senior government officials to find a way out of the problem. They have held two rounds of discussions with my Revenue Secretary and the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes. They are being invited to a third round of discussions this week and they expect them to come any time this week and I am looking forward to a resolution of the Vodafone issue. And I?m confident we will resolve that issue.

Barber: In the next month or so?

Chidambaram: I am trying to resolve it even sooner than that.

Barber: Really? Why are you so confident, minister?

Chidambaram: Because, for the first time, Vodafone has offered to engage the Government in a discussion to find a solution rather than persist with its Notice of Arbitration.

Barber: [You are visiting global financial centres on this trip.] What is your message in a couple of sort of succinct sentences, apart from India is open for business?

Chidambaram: My message is that India achieved a high growth and adopted the correct policies between 2004 and 2009. We were affected by the external crisis. It?s possible that we have made some mistakes too. The world thought that we had stumbled. If we have stumbled, we have picked ourselves up now. We are back on our feet and we are moving on the path of fiscal consolidation and structural reforms and promoting high growth. We hope to be able to repeat what we achieved between 2004 and 2009. And India is open, competitive, and it?s a place to do business.

Barber: What particular mistakes do you think were made?

Chidambaram: This is with the benefit of hindsight.

Barber: Of course.

Chidambaram: We had three stimulus packages. Now, there is an opinion today that the third stimulus package was perhaps entirely avoidable. Now, that?s a view. It?s difficult to say whether when the package was announced was it considered superfluous or was it considered necessary. But there is a view that perhaps a third stimulus package could have been avoided.

There is also a view that the guidelines could have been written in a different way. Again, that is the benefit of hindsight. I?m not saying there were mistakes, all I am pointing out there is a perception that we may have made some mistakes. And if that is the perception, it is my duty to correct that perception.

Barber: It?s interesting, minister, you are often regarded as somebody who is supremely self-confident and not a man readily who admits to mistakes.

Chidambaram: When did self-confidence become a vice?

Barber: Yes. I remember when we first met, in 2006, on my first trip to India, everybody was asking who is going to be ahead ? India or China. And there were different views at the time. Now, partly because of the stumbles and some of the mistakes, people think, really, that the [Chinese] hare has moved quite a long way ahead of India. What?s your view now?

Chidambaram: I don?t deny it. I admit that China is ahead of India. But we are talking in London. China has its own system. India has its own system. Business has this amazing capacity to do well and successfully both in China and in India. Business can choose between China and India. Business can choose both China and India. But do I have a choice to choose China?s system? Do I want to choose China?s system? The answer is no. I want to continue with my system of an open, democratic plural society, and if we can achieve 9% growth between 2004 and 2008 why should I not hope that we can repeat it in the next few years and continue to grow at our old pace true to our potential and resolve our problems without having to be compared with China. I don?t think it is China versus India. I think, given the way world economies will grow in the next ten to 15 years, China and India, along with the United States and maybe a couple of other countries, will be among the top five economies of the world. And I?m quite happy that India takes its place among the top five economies without worrying whether it?s one notch ahead of China or one notch behind China. ?

Barber: A couple of [other] things, if I may. The competition between Rafale and Eurofighter is something which has attracted a lot of interest here. Can India press ahead with the very expensive purchase of Rafale and, at the same time, press ahead with your deficit reduction programme, because it is a very expensive purchase indeed. Are you fully committed to it?

Chidambaram: Rafale was selected after a transparent bidding and evaluation procedure. Now, it?s well within the right of the competitor to say that Rafale is too expensive, that the other product is more competitive and better priced, but how can I second guess a transparent procedure, a transparent bidding and evaluation procedure, which finally threw up the results that Rafale will be selected? We have had the defence experts in this. We have had the air force involved in it. We?ve had civilian analysts involved in the process. And how can we find fault with the conclusion? If they find that Rafale at that price is the best product, it is the best product. ?

Barber: ?Thank you. Another question I wanted to put to you ? I?m interested in perceptions of the United Kingdom from outside the European Union at a time when we are moving towards a referendum, an in/out referendum, which could potentially take us out of the European Union. From your point of view, from the point of view of India, how is that debate seen? Is there concern that we might leave the EU, and what would the impact be for the UK if that were to happen?

Chidambaram: There won?t be any direct impact. The UK is the third largest investor in India. The UK is one of our largest trading partners. We have had historical relationships with the UK and I don?t think that will be affected whether you are in the European Union or not in the European Union. But whether you should be in the European Union or not is a matter for your government and your people to decide. There are, I believe, clear advantages in countries working together and there are clear advantages in greater cooperation, common rules and regulations. That?s my view but who am I to offer a final view? It?s for the people of the UK and the government of the UK to take a call on that issue. But our relationship with UK will only get stronger whether you are in the European Union or not.

Barber: Two last questions. One is just a technical question, Minister. The inflow of perhaps hot money, certainly funds into the equity market, are you concerned about these volatile flows? ? Possibly they increase the appreciation of the rupee.

Chidambaram: I don?t agree that they are volatile. You see, that?s the popular perception that FII [foreign institutional investors] money into equity is volatile. If you look at the cumulative FII in India since liberalisation, it has reached, I think, $244 billion. There?s a graph. $244 billion. Except for one year where the cumulative number dipped by half a billion, it has been a secular advance, which means FII money in India is not money in and money out. Net FII inflow has shown a secular rise, so it tends to remain for the long term. ?Therefore I think while FDI has a higher priority, I don?t see any reason why we should be worried about FII money in equity. As far as the Indian experience is concerned, there?s been a secular increase, cumulatively, over the years. So I would welcome both FDI and FII in equity.

Barber: In terms of your own distinguished political career, do you see yourself as a future Prime Minister?

Chidambaram: No. ?I have made it clear that I know my limitations. I live and work according to my limitations.

Barber: Do you know why I am asking this question, Mr Chidambaram? ?Your name keeps coming up as somebody who can get things done. And the other person?s name, who keeps coming up, which I?m sure you know his name, is Mr Modi [Narendra Modi, the chief minister of Gujarat, a possible opposition BJP candidate for prime minister].

So this, again, this is purely anecdotal, there are a lot of business people who are saying we need a strong man or a strong person ? I?d better be careful here ? a strong person because India is not reaching its potential. And there?s at least 2.5%, 3% GDP [of extra] growth if we could get somebody strong to crunch decisions, force these things through the bureaucracy. So that?s the background, Mr Chidambaram.

Chidambaram: Thank you. As I said, I know my limitations. I live and work according to my limitations. And my party only two weeks ago has clearly declared that the leader of the party after Ms Sonia Gandhi will be [her son] Mr Rahul Gandhi. And all of us, including me, have expressed our solid support to Mr Rahul Gandhi. ?

Related reading
India?s finance minister draws red lines, FT
India sees end to Vodafone tax dispute, FT
India?s central bank cuts interest rates FT
India tackles its costly gold addiction FT

Source: http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2013/01/29/ft-interview-palaniappan-chidambaram-indias-finance-minister/

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Mayor: New Orleans deserves Super Bowl spotlight

NEW ORLEANS (AP) ? A 20-story-high mural of the Lombardi Trophy, affixed to the glass exterior of bustling hotel that was once a shattered symbol of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, rises like a beacon above the expansive white roof of the Superdome.

The Super Bowl is back in the Big Easy, finally, after 11 years, giving New Orleans a spotlight of global proportion to showcase how far it has come since Katrina left the city on its knees and under water in August of 2005.

"The story is much, much bigger than the Super Bowl," Mayor Mitch Landrieu said Monday afternoon. "This is a story about the resurrection and redemption of a great American city.

"The Super Bowl gives us an opportunity to reflect on where we've been and where we're going."

From 1970 to 2002, New Orleans was a regular host of the Super Bowl and hopes to become one again. This Sunday, when the Baltimore Ravens meet the San Francisco 49ers in the Superdome, the Crescent City will host the NFL's marquee game for the 10th time, tying Miami for the most of any city. If all goes well, it hopes to get back in the rotation.

Jay Cicero, president of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, said his group will ask the NFL for permission to put together a bid for the 2018 Super Bowl, coinciding with the city's celebration of its 300th anniversary.

It is that history, which produced a colorful culture driven by a mix of European, Caribbean and African influences, that makes New Orleans such an attractive Super Bowl city, noted political consultant James Carville said.

"This is not just a city. This is a culture," said Carville, who lives in New Orleans and serves as the co-chairman of the Super Bowl host committee with his wife and fellow political pundit, Mary Matalin. "We have our own food, our own music, our own social structure, our own architecture, our own body of literature. By God, we have our own funerals."

Carville pointed out that Dallas spent about $38 million to host a Super Bowl two seasons ago, that Indianapolis spent about $25 million a year ago, and that New Orleans spent about $13 million.

"I wish that I could tell you that it's because we're just so much more efficient," Carville said. "The truth of the matter is we don't have to create anything in New Orleans. It's here. It's been here for 294 years. We just have to take what we have, shine it up a little bit, add a little something here and there ? but 294 years of history and culture stand on its own."

Of course, Carville was not counting the billions of dollars spent in the past seven-plus years to rebuild New Orleans since Katrina pushed tidal surges through crumbling levees and flooded 80 percent of the city.

Extensive renovations to the Superdome, done in several phases during six years, ran about $336 million, transforming the stadium to a facility better equipped to host a Super Bowl than it was back in 2002. The lower bowl has all new seats, wider concourses and more concession areas, not to mention exclusive "bunker" clubs for those who pay top dollar. There are four high-end club lounges around the second deck which did not exist before the storm. The smaller suites ringing the stadium have all been remodeled and more have been added to total 152.

The faded gray siding that lined the stadium when the Super Bowl was last played there has been replaced. The dents from flying storm debris are gone and it has been restored to its original, glistening champagne color, which serves as the canvass for nightly light shows. The roof was completely rebuilt and there is now a public plaza called Champions Square adjacent to the dome, where part of a shopping mall used to be.

The Louis Armstrong International Airport has undergone $350 million in upgrades, with work going on right up until this month.

Streets throughout much of the city, including downtown and the French Quarter, have been repaved.

A new streetcar line, which opened on Monday morning, can shuttle people from the city's main train and bus station a few blocks from the Superdome to Canal Street, where downtown meets the French Quarter.

There are more restaurants in the metro area than before Katrina. Hotels throughout downtown have been renovated and some new ones have gone up, adding more than 4,000 more rooms than there were in 2005.

The 1,200-room Hyatt Hotel, with the signature giant Lombardi Trophy mural,, finally reopened a little more than a year ago after a $275 million renovation. During Katrina, hundreds of its windows blew out, leaving shredded curtains flapping in the wind. Now it is home to new restaurants and rebuilt convention space.

"The city looks great," said Jerry Romig, the Saints' 83-year-old public address announcer, a lifelong New Orleans resident who has been involved in some capacity in the previous nine Super Bowls. "It's never looked better."

He also takes issue with the idea that sympathy for New Orleans' suffering played a role in NFL owners awarding the city this Super Bowl.

"The New Orleanean's attitude is they would be very upset if the NFL was going to throw you a bone because you went through a hard time," Romig said. "The New Orleanean would think, 'We should get this game every year because we're the best place for it.' ... We've got everything that's necessary to make it a success and that's being shown better this year than past years."

Pockets of the city still bear obvious scars from Hurricane Katrina, most notably in eastern and low-lying portions of the city ? like the lower Ninth Ward ? were many homes were wiped out and many residents were too poor to rebuild.

So-called "Katrina tours" are still offered, with vans carting the curious to areas where they can see the remnants of the devastation ? abandoned, crumbling homes and schools, and streets overgrown with weeds and brush.

When the city was bidding for the 2013 Super Bowl, it floated the idea of a Super Saturday of Service, whereby volunteers could undertake community projects to improve the city. This Saturday, restoration work will be done on five properties run by the New Orleans Recreational Department, including a high school football field where the Archie Manning's sons once played. After Sunday, the field will be the new home of the turf used in the Super Bowl.

Despite the community's ongoing needs, New Orleans has proved repeatedly in recent years that the heart of the city can successfully stage major national events. It hosted college football's BCS national championships in 2008 and 2012, an NBA All-Star game in 2008 and an NCAA men's Final Four in 2012.

Yet given how New Orleans was once a regular Super Bowl city, the return of the NFL's biggest game carries more symbolic weight than any single event since the storm.

"This is just another huge example of how the people of this city, who were 15 feet under water, are now on top of the world," Landrieu said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mayor-orleans-deserves-super-bowl-spotlight-234958811--nfl.html

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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

when a relationship becomes a friendship | Ashalah

posted by Ashalah on Life

6 comments

I was 21 when I got into my first real relationship. His name was Brian and while the details of our beginnings are hazy since I have a shotty memory, I remember him bringing me wine, chocolates?truly courting me in a way that I?d always imagined a guy would. We spent weekends together, went on vacations together, confessed our feelings during a sunset at my parents lakehouse in New Hampshire and fought loudly while cooking meals at his condo I moved into. When we ended three years later in a surprisingly mutual understanding, he was still my best friend. We had been through a lot, he knew me better than almost anyone ever had and it was hard to disconnect from that (had the breakup been another round of screaming, it might have been a different story). When we broke up we continued the friendship and while we?ve drifted apart?him living with his new girlfriend in Connecticut, and me in Boulder making bad decisions with my love life, we still email every couple months, acquaintances ?now but no hard feelings.

I?ve dated a lot of boys in the past six years since I?ve been single and I?ve walked away from a lot of them with barely a word said afterwards but there are a few that I?ve stayed friends with, that I thought were worth keeping in my life. After all, I had dated them for a reason and while it didn?t work out and I felt wronged at the time, it didn?t make them a bad person. There was something I liked about them as a person that made me pursue them (and allow them to pursue me) and I?ve always believed that relationships are built on strong friendships. And sometimes, the relationship part just doesn?t work but the friendship still does. Case in point: one of my very good friends Chad happens to be a guy I dated briefly when I first moved here. I was sad when it ended, I probably cried a lot since crying apparently is my thing, but we?ve stayed friends and now we go see movies, play puzzles, drink beer and bitch about our dating lives. I?m even trying to set up with another of my good friends, that?s how platonic this friendship is.

I even stayed friends with Daniel, an ex I wrote about on another blog, whom I had quite the tumultuous relationship with?a constant back and forth and with, I?m sure, both of us feeling like the other was treating us badly. The fact of the matter is that, despite all the sadness and anger and toxicity that was our relationship, we still had a mutual respect of the other and when I took off for Europe, he was my biggest supporter and cheerleader that what I was doing was something great. After two years, we were in a good place to become friends. He remains one of the most inspirational and motivated human beings that I have ever met and I?m proud to call him a friend. I?m pretty sure none of my friends who witnessed that drawn out relationship would have guessed that we?d be on good terms today and that I?d be genuinely happy that he is in a relationship that seems to make him really happy. Some people are just meant to be in your life, and sometimes that purpose isn?t always clear in the beginning.

This weekend, in two separate scenarios, I was basically told I was not normal because I was friends with my exes. One person was a friend, the other a complete stranger. They could not fathom why I would ever stay friends with an ex.?Totally understandable but it still struck me: I had never been considered not normal because of this before. If people commented on it, it was usually how admirable it was to foster these friendships, but they couldn?t do it themselves. It?s not like I?m friends with all my exes; certain ones I can?t be friends with and lately, to be honest, I find it harder and harder to maintain a friendship or even want to.

But not normal?

Am I really that big of an?anomaly? Is it really that weird that I stay friends with some of my exes??Where do you fall on this spectrum? Do you stay friends with someone you?ve dated or do you sever all ties, what?s done is done?

Source: http://ashalah.com/2013/01/when-a-relationship-becomes-a-friendship/

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Rick Ross Targeted In Drive-By Shooting?

Multiple reports claims that rapper's Rolls Royce was targeted by nearly two dozen rounds on Monday morning (January 28) in Florida.
By Gil Kaufman

Rick Ross
Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1700875/rick-ross-drive-by-shooting.jhtml

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?No Numbers Here?: Math Museum Founder Glen Whitney

We live in a world surrounded by numbers.

Whether we?re balancing our checkbooks, reading recipes or calculating what the best deals at the supermarket are, chances are you?re thinking, writing and communicating in numbers.

There?s now a museum in New York City that is centered on math but has very few numbers.

Glen Whitney is the executive director of the National Museum of Math in Manhattan and says there?s a lot more to math.

?Math touches on so many things in the world around us there?s a connection between mathematics and music, connection with engineering, between mathematics and business, between mathematics and art,? said Whitney. ?And we want to show all those parts of mathematics here.?

A math enthusiast since the age of 14, Whitney said his love for numbers continued to grow when he realized math was more about what new things he could discover that no one had ever seen before.

After a career as a math scholar and then a professor at the University of Michigan, Whitney became involved coaching his daughter?s elementary school math league. He realized there was not a place to nurture kids? curiosity about numbers and science.

?MoMath,? the new museum, is not the first of its kind. About 20 years ago there was a small math museum on New York?s Long Island called the Goudreau Museum. When Whitney learned it was closing in 2008, he decided there was a need for such a place in the city. During the time of development, a team of leaders led by Whitney found there was not a museum of mathematics in the U.S.

?I thought it would be an opportunity to do something new and it would be larger in scope and it would really hopefully make a difference in our country,? said Whitney. ?It?s wonderful. You?re right here in the middle of Manhattan as opposed to Long Island, you can be walking down the street and discover this little gem.?

To date, the museum has raised over $22 million. It opened on Dec. 15, 2012 and has welcomed more than 18,000 visitors.

?We?re looking for somebody that is curious. We want to spark that curiosity. Maybe you think you don?t like math. That is our best customer, so to speak,? said Whitney. ?Somebody who thinks they don?t like math but has the curiosity to see more and to try playing.?

The best way to do that, says Whitney, is if parents educate their children in new and unique ways.

?With young kids, just show them the shapes in the world around them,? said Whitney. ?It doesn?t have to be the kind of problems that you hated when you were in high school, doing those algebra word problems or whatever. Any place where pattern comes in, where shapes come in or fitting things together. It is as simple as this.?

Aside from teaching your kids about the importance of math in everyday life, Whitney stresses the importance of knowing what jobs and careers are available to those with interests in math.

?We generally work with, at the museum, those who have also worked in the Office of Science of Technology Policy for both the Clinton and the Obama administrations, who tell us that the lack of American mathematicians is the number-one security threat to this country,? said Whitney. ?Because the National Security Agency that is responsible for monitoring communications around the world, key part of our intelligence services, is the largest employer of mathematicians in the world, and they have open positions all the time.?

He said S.T.E.M. -- science, technology, engineering and math programs -- are in need of individuals who are excited to pursue a career in math.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/%E2%80%98no-numbers-here%E2%80%99--math-museum-founder-glen-whitney-012155888.html

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Valentine's Day 2013 - The Complete List to Solve Your Romantic ...

This is it, my roundup of Portland restaurant Valentine?s Day events! So big it gave me a backache! I will update the list daily, so check back if you are still looking for an event. Additions? Changes? Click here?to?add/change your event. Specials from stores/vendors are at the bottom of this list.

Details: Love is in the air at 23Hoyt. Chef Amber will be cooking a special three course dinner. The cost will be $50 a person.
Address: 23 Hoyt Street, Portland OR. 97209 Map
Reservations: (503)445-7400

2nd Story

Details:?Valentine?s Menu: 3 course dinner, bubbles, wine and dessert wine? $40 per person. Specials for the night include Baked Oysters w/ Gruyere Mornay and spinach, and for dessert chocolate cheesecake with cherry compote and candied pecans.
Address:?2005 SE 11th Ave,?Portland?Oregon?97214 Map
Reservations: call (503)741-9693

Acadia

Details:?Make your reservations at Acadia soon for your Valentine?s? Day dinner! Acadia is a great choice for a romantic candle lit dinner, and Chef Adam pulls out all the stops for this once a year event! We will be featuring a five course dinner for $65 per person.?Check out the full Valentines Menu Here.
Address: 1303 NE Fremont St., Portland Oregon 97212 Map
Reservations: (503)249-5001

Altitude at the Resort at the Mountain

Details:?Plan the perfect Valentine?s Day dinner at Altitude. The dining room will be filled with romance as couples indulge in a specially created Valentine?s Day a la carte menu. Executive Chef Ben Kolibaba has prepared a three-course meal featuring delectable starters, entrees and desserts for lovebirds to enjoy. The Valentine?s Day menu has a selection of starters such as crab bisque or oysters with smoked bacon. The entr?e course includes an option of beef tenderloin with fig molasses, chicken confit with caramelized fennel risotto, mushroom ravioli and more. Complete the romantic meal with dessert choices ranging from raspberry crepes to a chocolate fondue for two.
Address: 68010 East Fairway Avenue, Welches (Mt. Hood), OR 97067 Map
Reservations: (503)622-2214

Andina

Details:?Andina celebrates Dia De Los Enamorados with a special wine dinner including a three-course prix fixe menu on Thursday, February 14, which allows guests to choose their Peruvian tapas, entr?e and dessert from a large selection of the regular menu. The dinner includes a half bottle of premium Champagne or sparkling wine (with red wine options) per person. Prices begin at $85 and depend on choice of wine. Seatings are available from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Toshi Onizuka will perform live from 6 until 10 p.m. in the bar and restaurant and Danny Romero will perform upstairs in the Tupai event space from 7 until 10 p.m.
Address:?1314 NW Glisan St. ,?Portland?Oregon?97209 Map
Reservations: call (503)228-9535

Aquariva

Details: Romantic riverside dining brings your love to life! Dinner seatings from 5-10pm, offering a four-course prix fixe dinne menu for only $60 per person plus gratuity.
Address: 04070 SW Hamilton Court, Portland Oregon 97239 Map
Reservations: (503)802-5850

Aviary

Details:?This Valentine?s Day, the team at Aviary is preparing a special prix fixe menu for $65 per person. The Valentine?s Day menu will allow guests to curate a 4 course dinner from dishes including Sunchoke soup with Meyer lemon, Oregon truffles and black olive brittle; Citrus cured sturgeon, Asian pear, watercress, & American caviar; Warm cauliflower terrine, olives, green apple & salted duck egg; Ginger caramel pork belly, turnip puree, & mustard greens; Arctic char, fennel, smoked yellowfoot mushrooms, & blood orange; Roast lamb leg, artichoke, vadouvan chutney, & pimenton; Chanterelle capeletti, quince, Oregon truffles, herb broth; and dessert choices including Chocolate torte, sesame bananas, bourbon ice cream, florentine; and Meyer lemon bread pudding, pistachios, & pomegranate. Reservations are recommended.
Address:?1733 NE Alberta,?Portland?Oregon?97211 Map
Reservations: call (503)287-2400

Bar Avignon

Details:?Bar Avignon will serve a prix fixe Valentine?s Day menu for $50 per person featuring House Cured Steelhead Gravlax & Lemon Goat Cheese with Citrus, Fennel, Capers, Spelt Toast; Glazed Painted Hills Shortrib with Chestnuts, Apple, Beets, Mustard Greens, Parsnip Puree and a dessert of Chocolate Mud Pie and Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles. Wine pairings for each course will also available to order.
Address:?2138 SE Division St,?Portland?Oregon?97202 Map
Reservations: call (503)517-0808

Beast

Beast

Details: we will be celebrating Valentine?s Day with a special 5 course meal with wine pairing. There will be two seatings at 6pm and 8:45pm. The cost will be $125 per person for the meal and wine pairing. Valentine?s Vegetarian Dinner Tuesday, February 12 we will be having a special Valentine?s Vegetarian Dinner. There will be two seatings at 6pm and 8:45pm. The cost will be $125 per person for the meal and wine pairing.
Address:?5425 NE 30th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97211 Map
Reservations: (503)841-6968

The Bent Brick

Details:?Starting February, Chef Scott Dolich is back in The Bent Brick kitchen full time with a new menu and atmosphere. Their re-opening party on Feb. 13th is an excellent pre-Valentine?s Day event for the whole family, with all proceeds from the donation-based picnic stye party going to support local Portland schools. The Bent Brick is a great spot to bring the kids, bring a date, or just grab drinks with friends this Valentine?s Day.
Address:?1639 NW Marshall,?Portland?Oregon?97209 Map
Reservations: call (503)688-1655

Besaw?s

Details:?On the most romantic day of the year, sometimes all you really want is a quiet, candlelit table, a great local cocktail, and an intimate dining experience at your favorite neighborhood spot. Besaw?s is looking forward to making Valentine?s Day a special evening for you and your favorite date, with a menu including fresh oysters on the half-shell, seafood risotto, Beef Wellington, a decadent chocolate torte with chocolate mousse, and bubbles infused with strawberries from the Besaw?s garden. Reservations are recommended.
Address:?2301 NW Savier St. ,?Portland?Oregon?97210 Map
Reservations: call (503)228-2619

Camellia Lounge

Details: Swing on over to the Camellia Lounge in the heart of the Pearl District on February 14th to hear the romantic strains of Tom Grant on piano, and the beautiful sultry vocals of Shelly Rudolph. The music starts at 8pm and while you whisper sweet nothings to the amorous beat, you?ll imbibe in a glass of bubbly, and indulge i n one of our Valentine?s Day dessert options.We?ll also be serving amorous cocktails such as, ?Be My Number One Fun?, with black currant black tea vodka, plum berry white tea vodka and hibiscus, or pour one of our fine beer and wine selections.? We?ll lay on the sensory delights with alluring sweets to share with your sweetie
Address: 510 NW 11th Ave., Portland Oregon 97209 Map
Reservations: (503)221-2130

Clarke?s Restaurant?

Details:?Three-course pri fixe dinner featuring various appetizers, Rack of Pork, New York Strip Steak, or Petrale Sole entrees plus a duo of luscious desserts. Valentine-themed cocktail list, intimate setting in Lake Oswego. $47-52 each for food. Open seating from 5-8 pm, reservations highly recommended.
Address:?455 2nd St.,?Lake Oswego?Oregon?97034 Map
Reservations: call (503)636-2667

Coppia Restaurant & Wine Bar

Details: Special 4-Course Wine and Food Pairing Menu. Our biggest passion is finding perfect pairings of wine and food, and our inspiration is Piedmont, Italy. Please join us for a four-course dinner, with vegetarian, gluten-free and non-vegetarian choices with each course. Feel free to call or email for specific course options for our Valentine?s dinner. $58 food, $22 wines.
Address: 417 N.W. 10th Ave, Portland Oregon 97209 Map
Reservations: call (503)295-9536, or go to coppiaportland.com/reservations

The Country Cat

Details:?The Country Cat is a favorite neighborhood spot where your whole family always feels taken care of, and Valentine?s Day, a day to celebrate our loved ones, you?ll get that and more. On February 14th, the Country Cat will be serving their standard menu with some special additions from Chef Adam Sappington and desserts from Chef Jackie Sappington.
Address:?7937 Southeast Stark St.,?Portland?Oregon?97215 Map
Reservations: call (503)408-1414

Departure

Details:?Eat. Drink. Love. with Departure?s India-inspired Valentine?s Day menu from Chef Gregory Gourdet. Served family style at $60 per person, the menu will feature exotic flavors of India like Coconut Curry Mussels with Charred Onion Naan; Seafood Masala with Scallop, Dungeness Crab, Shrimp, Cod, Garam Masala, Ginger & Green Chilies; Tandoori Chicken with Tandoori Masala, Yogurt, Garlic, Ginger & Lemon; and Pork Vindaloo with Black Pepper, Mustard Seed & Cinnamon. Dessert offerings include Crispy Dumplings in Saffron-Rose Syrup and Toasted Rice Kulfi with Pistachio & Winter Fruit Mango Coconut Cardamon Lassi. The special menu will be available February 14th-17th in addition to a limited bar menu on the 14th and their traditional menu the 15th-17th.
Address:?525 SW Morrison St, 15th Floor,?Portland?Oregon?97204 Map
Reservations: call (503)802-5370

DOC

Details: DOC is offering a 5 course Valentine?s Day meal for $80, with wine parings available for an additional $45.
Address: 5519 NE 30th Ave., Portland Oregon 97211 Map
Reservations: (503)946-8592

East India Co. Grill & Bar

Details: ?Bring your date for an evening of romance!?$65 per couple: 4 course dinner, Appetizers, Kebabs, Choice of Chicken, Vegetarian, Vegan entree, with hand rolled Tandoor baked Breads, Rice, Side of Vegetable and Dessert. Menu online. Please call if you have any questions.
Address:?821 SW 11th Ave.,?Portland?Oregon?97035 Map
Reservations: call (503)227-8815, or go to?opentable.com/east-india-co-grill-and-bar

The Fishwife

Details:? Join The Fishwife this St. Valentines Day for a Sweethearts dinner dedicated to seafood!
Address:?5328 N. Lombard St.,?Portland?Oregon?97204 Map
Reservations: call?(503)285-7150

Fratelli

Details:?1st: Grilled asparagus, olio nuovo, egg, house-made ricotta,?2nd: Sicilian pesto, pancetta wrapped shrimp, Castelvetrano olives,?3rd: Pan seared grouper, roasted fennel, Meyer lemon, Sambucca?or Twice-cooked NY steak, wild mushroom orzo, truffle oil?or Semolina gnocchi, balsamic pearl onions, tomato, Grana Padano.?Dessert: Three chocolate terrine.?Cost $45 per.
Address:?1230 NW Hoyt St.,?Portland?Oregon?97209 Map
Reservations: call (503)241-8800

Genoa

Details:?Regularly voted one of Portland?s most romantic restaurants, Genoa is the ideal date night spot on or around Valentine?s Day. Genoa will be serving their set February menu which also has some lovely vegetarian and pescatarian items to choose from. Make the night extra special by adding wine pairings, masterfully matched to each dish by Sommelier Michael Garofola.
Address:?2832 SE Belmont St,?Portland?Oregon?97214 Map
Reservations: call (503)238-1464

Gilt Club

Details:?This year, we?ve made the menu ala carte for those who don?t want to commit to the whole menu, so if your plan is either to stop in for a quick nosh before a show, or spend the night with us for a nice long meal, we can accomodate. And don?t forget ? if you want to make the evening extra special, we can do that too. In the past we?ve done everything from ensuring the perfect bottle of bubbly is waiting at the table to orchestrating the most romantic surprise proposals.
Address:?306 NW Broadway,?Portland?Oregon?97209 Map
Reservations: call (503)222-4458, or go to?opentable.com/gilt-club-reservations-portland

H50 Bistro

Details:?Diners may enjoy customary H5O breakfast, lunch menus and service as well as bar all day menu and service. However the dining room on Valentine?s evening will be filled with couples delighting in a decadent four-course prix fixe dinner menu ? for only $75 per person, exclusive of gratuity. Diners will complement their meal with wines from H5O?s extensive wine list.
Address:?50 Southwest Morrison, Portland, Oregon 97204 Map
Reservations:?Make your reservations online or call (503)484-1415.

The Heathman

Details:?Join us for the 5th year of Dinner and a Movie at the Heathman Restaurant & Bar.?This year we are featuring a 5-course tasting menu created by Executive Chef Michael Stanton.?Guests will have a no host bar available at 6pm with the movie starting promptly at 630pm, dinner service to follow.?Movie is ?No Reservations? ? Catherine Zeta Jones, Aaron Eckhart.?Seatings are at intimate tables for two, only 42 seats available.?$75 per person, no age restrictions.?Gratuity not included.?Tableside wine and cocktail service available.
Address:?1001 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97205 Map
Reservations: call?the Restaurant direct, (503)790-7752.

Imperial

Details:?On February 14th, Imperial will be running their regular dinner menu with a couple of romantic specials added. For couples on double dates ? or groups of 4 or more ? Imperial will serve a bottle of prosecco or sparkling apple cider for the table!
Address:?410 SW Broadway,?Portland?Oregon?97205 Map
Reservations: call (503)228-7222

Irving Street Kitchen

Details: Under Cupid?s spell? Nothing says I Love You like Butterscotch pudding. Join us for Valentine?s Day dinner with the one you love!
Address: 701 NW 13th Ave, Portland Oregon 97209 Map
Reservations: Online

Jamison

Details:?Valentine?s Day Menu is here. Enjoy a specially prepared 3 course menu for $50. You can see our full menu here.
Address: 900 NW 11th Street, Portland Oregon 97209 Map
Reservations: (503)972-3330

Jo Bar & Rotisserie?

Details:?This Valentine?s Day, Chef Elmer Santos will be creating a special dinner menu featuring some of your favorite Jo Bar food, as well as special entrees to celebrate love. Roast suckling pig from our rotisserie, beef tenderloin with a foie gras demi-glace, rack of lamb and sea scallops are some of the featured entrees. Valentine?s Day is also the perfect time to explore our select wine list, including our top-notch Oregon Pinot Noirs.?See our Facebook page (facebook.com/jobarpdx) for menu details, and call us at 503-222-0048 to make a reservation.
Address:?715 NW 23rd Avenue,?Portland?Oregon?97210 Map
Reservations: call (503)222-0048

Kenny & Zukes

Details:?Kenny & Zuke?s honors the season of love with Valentine?s Day inspired desserts and cocktails. Decadent heart shaped sandwich cookies or the red velvet cheese cake are made to share, or grab two straws and enjoy a Governess Crush, Vieux Carr? or the rich NY Flip cocktail with that special someone. February 12th-17th, desserts will be available at the Kenny & Zuke?s Deli Bar and downtown Deli, while cocktails will be served at the Deli Bar.
Address:?1038 SW Stark St., Portland Oregon 97204 Map
Reservations: call (503)222-3354

Lapellah?(Vancouver)

Last year, we were voted best date restaurant by the Columbian? Reader?s Choice poll. This Valentine?s Day, come in and experience why! We?ll be posting our special menu for the evening next week.?Reservations always sell out in advance so be sure to make yours early!
Address: 2520 Columbia House Blvd, Suite 108, Vancouver Washington 98661 Map
Reservations: (360)828-7911

Le Pigeon?and?Little Bird

Chef Gabriel Rucker and his teams at Le Pigeon and Little Bird welcome all love birds to join them this Valentine?s Day. Meet for a romantic lunchtime rendezvous at Little Bird, or reserve a table for dinner at Le Pigeon to experience some of Portland?s most heralded seasonally driven menus.
Address: Le Pigeon: 738 E Burnside St, Portland Oregon 97214 Map; Little Bird: 219 SW 6th Ave., Portland Oregon 97204 Map
Reservations: Le Pigeon:?(503) 546 ? 8796?;Little Bird:?503-688 ? 5952

Lincoln

Details:?We are taking reservations for our Valentine?s dinner on Thursday, February 14th. Dinner is $65 per person, excluding drinks and gratuity.
Address: 3808 N Williams, Portland Oregon 97227 Map
Reservations:?503-288-6200 or click here

Meriwether?s Restaurant & Skyline Farm

Details: We?ll be serving a 4-course Valentine?s dinner with multiple choices for each course for $75.
Address: 2601 NW Vaughn St., Portland OR 97210 Map
Reservations:?(503)228-1250

Mucca Osteria

Details:?Save a plane ticket to Italy! Bring your loved one to Mucca Osteria and enjoy an authentic Italian experience! This Valentine?s Day we will be offering our a la carte menu along with Valentine?s specials and a special 5 course tasting menu for $55. Wine pairings available for $35. Grazie, a presto!
Address:?1022 SW Morrison St.,?Portland?Oregon?97205 Map
Reservations: call (503)227-5521, or go to?opentable.com/mucca-osteria-reservations

Niche Wine & Art

Details:?Niche Wine & Art is hosting a 5-course, fixed price dinner for Valentine?s Day prepared by Chef David Hickenbottom. Niche will also bring back its popular port tasting and a special wine and dark chocolate tasting. Please RSVP at 360-980-8352 to reserve a spot for this wonderful dinner.
Address:?1013 Main St,?Vancouver?Washington 98660?Map
Reservations: call (360)980-8352

Oba Restaurante

Details:?Share a romantic evening with your sweetheart at ?Oba! Restaurante.?Now is the perfect time to make reservations for an unforgettable Valentine?s Day!
Address:?555 NW 12th Ave,?portland?Oregon?97229 Map
Reservations: call (503)228-6161, or go to obarestaurant.com

Olympic Provisions

Details:?Think of the joy of your loved one when they receive a surprise bouquet of flowers or box of chocolate delivered to them at work? now imagine that 10 times more exciting and that is what receiving a hand delivered Salamigram from Olympic Provisions is like! A singing messenger with a bouquet of heart-shaped salami would no doubt make this a memorable Valentine?s Day. OP Northwest and Southeast also both make a lovely setting for a V-Day dinner for singles, pairs, or groups, and both locations will have special Valentine?s Day menus for the occasion in addition to their al a carte. Reservations are recommended.
NW Address:?1632 NW Thurman St. Portland,?Portland?Oregon?97209 Map
SE Address:?SE: 107 SE Washington St. Portland, OR 97214 Map
Reservations: call (503)894-8136

The Painted Lady

Details:?Celebrate this Valentine?s Day with The Painted Lady in Newberg. Our special chef?s menu for the night is $85 per person. Reservations required.
?Address:?201 S. College Street, Newberg Oregon 97132 Map
Reservations: (503) 538-3850

Paley?s Place

Details:?Paley?s Place is one of the most romantic date spots in the city. In addition to their normal nightly menu, Executive Chef Patrick Mckee is preparing a very special meal for guests this Valentine?s Day featuring Oregon Dungeness Crab Salad with shaved foie gras & truffles; Scallops a la Plancha with uni, lardo, celery root puree & aged balsamic; Spit Roasted Duck Breast with sweet potato and confit duck, & blood orange gastrique; and, for dessert, Hazelnut Mocha Opera Torte, candied kumquats, blood oranges, tangerines and brown sugar ice cream. Be sure to make your reservations soon.
Address:?1204 NW 21st Ave.,?Portland?Oregon?97209 Map
Reservations: call (503)243-2403

Papa Haydn ? Eastside

Details:?Treat your valentine to a delicious dinner at Papa Haydn?s eastside location. We will be preparing a menu to delight your senses. House-made tagliatelle with Dungeness crab, house-made ricotta in beet ravioli, aged New York steak, mushroom risotto and porchetta are only a few of the special dishes we will be cooking for you. We have an extensive wine list with champagnes, white wines and red wines that will pair perfectly with your meal. And then there?s our award winning dessert menu to end your meal. We will be featuring a pistachio cake as well as our petite framboise, a heart shaped, fallen chocolate cake with a raspberry coulis.
Address:?5829 SE Milwaukie Avenue,?Portland?Oregon?97202 Map
Reservations:?call?(503) 222-0048, or go to?facebook.com/papahaydnpdx

Papa Haydn ? Westside

Details:?This Valentine?s Day, bring your loved one to Papa Haydn?s westside location for a romantic meal. Our chef is preparing an especially delightful menu for the evening including beet (yes, beet with a T) tartare, elk loin, squab and sea scallops. We have a beautiful wine list, with an extensive selection of Oregon Pinot Noirs, designed to pair perfectly with your meal. In addition to our award winning dessert menu, for Valentine?s Day we will be featuring a pistachio cake as well as our petite framboise, a heart shaped, fallen chocolate cake with a raspberry coulis.
Address:?701 NW 23rd Avenue,?Portland?Oregon?97210 Map
Reservations: call call?(503) 228-7317, or go to?facebook.com/papahaydn

Paul?e

Details:?Paulee is offering two different five course prix fixe menus for $75 each. For those that want to truly make a night of it, Inn at Red Hills is also offering a special rate of $100 for a room. With dinner for two and a night in romantic Oregon Wine Country, it will make for a great little getaway for just $250. The first menu will consist of raw oysters, caviar, and vodka froth; tortellini, chanterelle, robiolo, carrot and parmesan; escargot, bone marrow, and red wine butter; 28 day dry age New York steak, short rib farro, and kale. The second menu will include warmed oyster and venison bacon mignonette; black truffle gnocchi, 3 year old cheddar, and beurre; duck liver pate, plum mustarda, and grilled baguette; lobster steak, bone marrow, potato butter, and bordelaise. Both menu?s will finish with the guest?s choice of a special dessert for two. These meals will be available during normal dinner hours of 4:30pm to 9: 30pm and will be the only menu available for this special night.
Address:?1410 N. Highway 99W,?Dundee?Oregon?97115 Map
Reservations: call (503)538-7970

Pazzo Ristorante

Details:?Pazzo is celebrating Valentine?s Day with our Hook n? Line Dinner Menu featuring line caught specials! Highlights include Cold-smoked Hawaiian Marlin with artichoke slivers, sudachi and sea salt; Citrus-cured Fluke with endive and matsutake horchata and Atlantic Cod filet with spaghetti squash, pine nuts, roasted tomato and mint.
Address:?627 SW Washington Street,?Portland?Oregon?97205 Map
Reservations: call?(503)228-1515, or go to?pazzo.com

The Picnic House

Details:?5 course dinner available on the 14th, 15th & 16th of February.?$45 per person. You can see our full Valentine?s Day menu here.
Address:?723 SW Salmon Street (Between Park & Broadway),?Portland?Oregon?97205 Map
Reservations:?call (503)227-0705

Portland City Grill

Details:?Reserve your spot on Thursday, Feb 14th for a romantic 4-course dinner, featuring violinist Aaron Meyer. This special event at $125 per person sells out fast, so call Alyssa in Private Dining soon!
Address: 111 SW 5th Ave, 30th floor, Portland Oregon 97204 Map
Reservations: (503)525-5260

Rendezvous Grill and Tap Room

Details: We will be celebrating Valentine?s Day from the 14th thru the 16th with terrific specials from Chefs Kathryn and Lisa. Please call for reservations as we get really busy for this holiday! See you at the Vous!
Address: Rendezvous Grill and Tap Room, 67149 E. Hwy. 26 at milepost 40 Welches Oregon 97067 ?Map
Reservations: call (503)622-6837

Riffle NW

This Valentine?s Day, Riffle NW is collaborating with Portland winemaker John Grochau of Grochau Wines and local salt maker Ben Jacobsen of Jacobsen Salt Co. to bring a very special Valentine?s Day to those hungry for a fun, romantic night out.Riffle NW is offering a four-course meal paired with four exquisite Willamette Valley wines and four Oregon sea salts, hand-harvested in Netarts Bay. Guests will be able to select their meal from a variety of dishes including: Oysters and caviar, Lobster and sweetbread ravioli; Diver scallop with braised oxtail and bone marrow; Lobster stuffed monkfish wrapped in crispy bacon and Dungeness crab salad with house brioche. John Grochau and Ben Jacobsen will be guest sommelier and selmelier for the evening, making this a chance to talk to these incredible artisans about their craft. Guests will also be able to purchase wine and salt to take home from the evening. Dinner is $95/person with pairings. Gratuity is not included. Riffle NW?s Valentine?s Day menu will be offered in addition to a tailored version of the regular dinner menu that evening.
Address: 333 NW 13th, Portland Oregon 97209 Map
Reservations: 503.894.8978

Riverview Restaurant

Details: Join us for a special evening. We will feature a special 5-course meal where you can chose an option for each course. Only $50 per person.
Address: 29311 SE Stark St., Troutdale Oregon 97060 Map
Reservations:?(503)661-3663

Ruth?s Chris Steak House

Details:?Wine and dine your sweetheart with all of our classic favorites. Treat your valentine to our Filet & Lobster for $46.95. Book your reservation now for Valentine?s Day weekend, February 14th-17th.
Address: 850 SW Broadway, Portland Oregon 97205 Map
Reservations: on our website

Salty?s on the Columbia

Details: Love is in the air at Salty?s this Valentine?s Day, Treat your sweetheart to a fantastic dinner created uniquely for this romantic occasion at Salty?s on the Columbia. Chef Josh Gibler has created the following fabulous items for you to enjoy a truly sensational evening filled with love, passion, and satisfaction. Seating is limited and reservations are highly recommended.
Address: 3839 NE Marine Drive, Portland OR. 97211 Map
Reservations: (503) 288-4444

Serratto

Details:?Romance Your Sweetheart at Serratto
New couples, ?well-seasoned? duos and everyone in between are welcome to join Serratto for one of the most romantic nights of the year. When it comes to Valentine?s Day, your favorite neighborhood spot knows how to keep things celebratory and intimate: champagne, candlelight, warm service, and of course delicious food. February 14th is approaching! Here?s what we have in store:?A Decadent Menu -?Chef Tony is keeping in close talks with his purveyors to get the freshest product available for V-Day specials . He confirms that he will indeed have caviar, oysters and lobster for those who are in a seafood frame of mind. The regular dinner menu will also be available, full of freshly prepared pastas, savory game, beef and poultry; and height-of-the-season produce. And don?t forget to save room for something chocolaty. Your table is waiting. Reserve now!
Address:?2112 NW Kearney St.,?Portland?Oregon?97210 Map
Reservations: call (503)221-1195, or go to?opentable.com/serratto-reservations

St. Jack

Details: Chef Aaron Barnett will be offering a $65 prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings for $40.
Address: 2039 SE Clinton, Portland Oregon 97202 Map
Reservations: (503)360-1281

Suki?s Bar & Grill

Details:?The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society?s Team in Training is proud to present:?50 First Dates ? A Speed-dating event. Thursday, February 14, 2013, ?Time: 6:30-9:00pm.?$30.00 per person (if paid in advance online),?$35.00 per person at the door.?Admission fee is 100% tax deductible.?Drink specials! Prizes! Fun!
Address:?2401 SW 4th Avenue,?Portland?Oregon?97201 Map
Reservations: call , or go to?teamintraining.org/oswim

Suzette

Details:?Valentine?s Dessert Event at Suzette Creperie and Dessert Cafe. An event to make Valentino swoon!
Pastry chef/owner Jehnee Rains, formally of Chez Panisse, Bluehour, and Clarklewis creates a full bouquet of sweets:?Meyer lemon eclairs with huckleberries,?Honey-glazed apple and quince tart with creme fraiche and candied almonds,?Chocolate souffle cake with port poached cherries,?Coffee cardamom creme brulee,?Blood orange sorbet with champagne,?Green tea and rose petal ice cream sundae with whipped cream and candied pistachios.?All of this in addition to our full menu of dessert crepes featuring homemade nutella and ice creams.?Of course, our full dinner menu is available too: French onion soup, Caesar salad, crepes bursting with shrimp, prosciutto, smoked salmon, sauteed mushrooms, marsala-soaked figs, Gruyere, goat cheese, and more.?(vegan and gluten-free options available) Look out for the bartenders? sexy Valentino-inspired Blood and Sand, boozy mulled cider, and Italian Diplomat with coffee, chocolate, and Frangelico.
Address:?3342 SE Belmont St.,?Portland?Oregon?97214 Map
Reservations: call (503)546-0892, or go to

Tapalaya

Details:?Open normal hours on Valentine?s day 11:30am-9:30pm.?House favorite the Milneburg Jazz band plays from 6:00-9:00pm ? no cover.?Happy Hour from 4:30-6pm ? Nothing says ?I love you? like a Happy Hour date on V-Day.?Regular menu ? no price hikes! Chef John is sure to dream up a dinner special or two to make the night extra tasty
Address:?28 NE 28th Ave,?Portland?Oregon?97232 Map
Reservations: call (503)232-6652, or go to?http://www.opentable.com/tapalaya-reservations

Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro

Details: We?ll be serving a four-course prix fixe menu with steak, salmon, scallops and more for $45, with an optional wine pairing for $20. Add a rose and sparkling toast for $10.
Address: 315 SW Montgomery Suite 340, Portland Oregon 97201 Map
Reservations: (503)295-2747 or via?OpenTable.com

Urban Farmer

Details:?Chef Matt Christianson will have several Valentine?s specials ? romantic, sophisticated, and perfect for two to share. Some offerings include Scallop Ceviche with red jalapeno & tangerine; Dungeness Crab Cakes with butternut & pear; 21 Day Dry Aged Tenderloin; and 90 Day Dry Aged Bone-in Sirloin. In addition to their full a la carte menu, Urban Farmer will have their Valentine?s specials during dinner from February 14th-17th.
Address:?525 SW Morrison St, 8th Floor,?Portland?Oregon?97204 Map
Reservations: call (503)222-4900

Wildwood Restaurant and Bar

Details:?Wildwood invites Portland paramours to feast this Valentine?s Day in celebration of our great love affair with the bountiful Pacific Northwest. Wildwood will romance, wine, and dine you with exotic international interpretations of Northwest cuisine from Chef Dustin Clark, and flirtatious parings from our sexy sommelier Savanna Ray. Bubbles will be flowing and aphrodisiacs abound, with an a la carte menu including specialties like Shigoku oysters, scallops, and steak tartare, with BatchPDX truffles to top off a seductive dinner for two. Reservations are recommended.
Address:?1221 NW 21st Ave,?Portland?Oregon?97210 Map
Reservations: call (503)248-9663

Winderlea Vineyard & Winery

Details:?Join us for a truly unique experience as we celebrate Valentine?s Day in the vineyard on Saturday Feb. 16th. Chef Paul Losch has put together a remarkable menu that will be paired with Winderlea Chardonnay and Pinot noir. We will also be featuring music by Eric John Kaiser. Cost is $95 per person, which is inclusive of food, wine, and service. Reservations are extremely limited, as we can only accommodate twenty lucky diners for this evening on the vineyard. Call us at 503-554-5900 or email info@winderlea.com for more information or to make a reservation.
Address:?8905 NE Worden Hill Rd,?Dundee ?Oregon?97115 Map
Reservations: call (503)554-5900

Yakuza

Details: Love in the air, champagne in your glass, scrumptious food on your plate, it?s Valentine?s Day at Yakuza Lounge. Join us for our Omakase, a special chef?s choice menu. This year Chef David Gaspar de Alba is crafting a romantic menu with each course designed to delight. Seatings are available at 5:30, 6:30, 8, and 9. Prix fixe $65 per person. Optional wine and sake parings available for $35.
Address: 5411 NE 30th Ave, Portland Oregon 97211
Reservations: Please contact Kyle for details. 503-450-0893

Local Business Specials:

Farm to Fit

Details: Valentines dinner delivered to your door.?While Farm To Fit is in full swing helping their clients with their New Years Resolution Diets by delivering ?fresh, delicious, calorie controlled meals, they also have?Love?on the brain.?For Valentine?s Day they are going to throw out the calorie counting and provide a four course meal for two delivered to your door for *75$. Last year they offered it to their clients and it was such a success they want to offer it to the the whole city.?Chef Michael Keskin is fired up to break out of the constraint of calorie counting and has created this decadent menu to share.?First Course:?Dungeness Crab Bisque,?Second Course:?Carlton Farms Pork Belly w/ ?Sage White Beans and Apple Brulee,?Third Course: ?Veal Osso Bucco with Toasted Pine Nut Gremolata,?Fourth Course:?Chocolate Hazelnut Cake w/ German Chocolate Ganache.?*Five Dollar delivery charge if you are in the 2 mile radius of Burnside Bridge and a 10 Dollar delivery charge outside the radius.

In Good Taste Cooking School

Details:?Schedule a date night in advance? spend a night together learning to create a delicious meal, so that you can enjoy a quiet night alone on Valentine?s Day.?Sign up for our Hands on Date Night- Steak Dinner on February 9. Then you?ll have plenty of time to perfect your kitchen skills to impress your sweetheart.?If you?d like to extend the romantic holiday, sign up for our Hands on Country French Supper, to be held February 15?.enjoy Coq au Vin, Pots du Creme and elegant wine pairings. For more information and to sign up, visit our website at cookingschoolsofamerica.com/ingoodtaste
Address:?6302 SW Meadows Road,?Lake Oswego?Oregon?97035 Map
Reservations: call (503)248-2015

Nicky USA has a fabulous new line of wild game sausages available to order, with flavors like Elk with Wild Huckleberry and Pinot Noir; Water Buffalo Five Spice; Tuscan Veal with roasted garlic and sundried tomatoes; and Venison & Rabbit with dried cranberries and applewood smoked bacon. Nicky can also work with your restaurant to create a sausage exclusively for your menu. Learn more at http://nickyusa.com/.
Call to Order: 503.234.GAME

Pacific Pie Co.

Details:?Show your sweetheart how much they mean to you with a Cutie Pie Delivery from Pacific Pie Co. on Valentine?s Day. Pie is WAY sexier than chocolate or flowers, you know! Choose from a whole sweet pie, a bag of savory Bake at Home pies, or a dozen bite-size pies. We will package up your order with festive decorations and a card with your personal message. Free delivery to offices or home addresses within Portland with a minimum order of $25. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, February 12th to ensure delivery on Valentine?s Day.
And who says you need reservations on Valentine?s Day? With our Low Key Lovers Dinner we do the cooking for you! A complete romantic dinner for two, ready to heat when you?re ready to eat, and just $40. Included:
- 2 Savory Pies or Vegetarian Pasties of your choice
- Arugula Salad with wine poached pears and pomegranate vinaigrette
- Creamy Mushroom Bisque
- Roasted Winter Vegetables
- Choice of a 5? Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie, Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart, or Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Pie
Available for take-out February 14 ? 16. Please place orders at least 24 hours in advance. Call (503) 381-6157 to reserve today!
Address:?1520 SE 7th Ave. ,?Portland?Oregon?97214 Map

Ruby Jewel Ice Cream

Details:?Sure, roses are nice. A box of chocolates? well, that?s kind of clich??personal ice cream delivery? Now you?re talking!
This Valentine?s Day Ruby Jewel is offering a delicious Triple Love Package of sweet treats delivered right to the door of your special someone. Delight your Valentine with two pints of small-batch handmade ice cream (choose from special Valentine?s Day flavors like Chocolate Truffle with Amarena Cherries, Portland Creamery Chevre with Port Reduction or their most popular flavor, Caramel with Salted Dark Chocolate) three ice cream sandwiches dipped in luscious bittersweet chocolate, house-made salted caramel candies and a personalized love note.
To reserve your Triple Love Package visit a Ruby Jewel Scoops location (NoPo Scoops: 3713 N. Mississippi Ave. or West End Scoops: 428 SW 12th Ave.) or fill out an order form online at rubyjewel.net.

Saint Cupcake

Details:?A perfect Valentine?s Day gift for friends, co-workers, or your children?s classmates are Valentine?s Day card from Saint Cupcake, redeemable in stores for one mini cupcake! Cards come in a 12 pack for $6. Or, send your love something as sweet as they are; the ?love pack? features 6 full size cupcakes with Valentine?s sprinkles and sugar paste hearts for $25.50. A perfect gift for your love muffin! View the whole Saint Cupcake collection online where you can also ship sweet treats nationwide.
Address:?1138 SW Morrison St. ,?Portland?Oregon?97205 Map
Reservations: call (503)997-3674

Salt & Straw

For those looking for something beyond the traditional box of chocolates for that special someone this Valentine?s Day, Salt & Straw is offering five chocolate inspired ice creams that can be enjoyed as individual scoops, in pints to go, or all together in a flight. Salt & Straw collaborated with SahagunChocolates, XocolatldeDavid, MissionaryChocolates, AlmaChocolate and WoodblockChocolate to create creative flavors that show off each chocolatiers unique chocolate making styles, techniques and ingredients. Be sure to pick up a pint to snuggle up at home with your lover or body pillow this Valentine?s Day.
Call to order: Address: 2035 NE Alberta St. Portland 503-208-3867?Map and 838 NW 23rd Ave, Portland?971-271-8168?Map

St. Honore Boulangerie

Details:?No one does love better than the French. This Valentine?s Day, show that special someone, family member, or friend you care by appealing to their sweet tooth through French pastries and cookies from St. Honor? Boulangerie. St. Honor? continues their tradition of bringing old world French delicacies to Portland with handmade treats featuring the finest ingredients. In addition to a wide selection of delicious love themed pastries including the Puit d?Amor and the Saint Valentin, St. Honor? has created new Sabl? Damier cookies available in festive gift boxes.
Address:?2335 NW Thurman St.,?Portland?Oregon?97210 Map
Reservations: call (503)445-4342

Tails & Trotters

Details:?The cases are fully stocked and delicious soups and sandwiches are now on the menu daily at the new Tails & Trotters shop! Stop by for lunch and for some hazelnut finished pork to cook a romantic dinner at home this Valentine?s Day.
Address:?525 Northeast 24th Ave,?Portland?Oregon?97232 Map
Reservations: call (503)477-8682

Two Tarts Bakery

Details: Let?s do it. Let?s get this heart-shaped, luv-n-stuff holiday rolling. Let?s wrap it up with a tasty hot beverage and call it a day. The 900 heart-shaped cookie cutters we own are dusted off and ready for action. Let?s put ?em to work! Our neighbors at Smith Teamaker and Sterling Coffee Roasters are helping to spread the love (and fuel our cookie baking.) Give your sweetie a box of heart-shaped goodness and a steaming cup of high-test love.The Sweet Tea ? One dozen assorted heart-shaped Two Tarts cookies, plus a lovely assortment of five tea sachets from Smith Teamaker$14 (plus shipping ).The Cup?a Cup?a Burning Love ? One dozen assorted heart-shaped Two Tarts cookies, plus 500 grams of whole bean java from Sterling Coffee Roasters$24 (plus shipping).To ensure we?ve got enough heart-shaped goodness to go around, please place your order by Saturday, February 9th.Local delivery is available for a small fee.?To order, call the shop at 503.312.9522 or email Emily.

"I have a wide-range of food experience - working in the restaurant industry on both sides of the house, later in the wine industry, and finally traveling/tasting my way around the world. Whether you agree or disagree, you can always count on my unbiased opinion. I don't take free meals, and the restaurants don't know when, or if, I am coming."

Source: http://portlandfoodanddrink.com/valentines-day-2013-the-complete-list-to-solve-your-romantic-needs/

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