Lights, Camera, Action! at the Grand Hotel at Bridgeport

New “Dinner and a Movie Package” Package Available for the next 2 weekends! March 18-20 & March 25-27

We have partnered with the popular Bridgeport Village restaurant, Agave Grill to provide a limited time offer to experience a great “Date Night”  at Bridgeport Village!

Enjoy dinner and drinks at one of Bridgeport Village’s most popular restaurants and then relax with some popcorn in one of Regal Cinema’s over-sized chairs!

The package includes:
. Free Appetizer Coupon from Agave Grill
. (2) Movie Tickets to Regal Cinemas Bridgeport Village Stadium 18
. Luxuriously Appointed Guest Room

The package price starts at $119 (plus tax) for a Classic King! BUT if you are really looking to impress, you can upgrade to a Jacuzzi Suite for only $139 (plus tax)

Please call the Front Desk directly at 866-968-5757 and ask for the “Dinner and a Movie Package” to take advantage of this offer today!

This limited offer is available the weekends of 3/18/11-3/20/11 and 3/25/11-3/27/11.

Article by Jeffrey Meier

Are you ready to get started on the travel journey of a lifetime this holiday season but feel as though you are forgetting something important? Don’t fret! All you need are a few holiday travel tips to make sure you stay on the right track. Whether you’re going to spend time with your family, or are taking everyone on a fun getaway, it is important that you plan well. So to help you out I am providing some holiday travel tips that will make your vacation time with family and friends a breeze.

Find Out Peak Travel Dates One of my top holiday travel tips is to find out when the peak travel dates are – then avoid them like a plague! Peak travel dates have two problems associated with them:

1) plane tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and more tend to be more expensive, and

2) everyone else will be traveling on those dates, hence the name peak travel dates.

If possible, plan your vacation time at work a few days before the peak travel period so that you can avoid the rush. And also try to plan coming back a few days after – that way you can almost always guarantee reductions in prices, reductions in holiday traffic and reductions in headaches.

Do Your Comparison Shopping It is important to stay abreast of holiday travel tips that help you find the best deals for your money. That starts with finding flight specials and continues with locating vacation destination deals. If you are going to visit family for the holidays and are not in need of a hotel room or transportation when you arrive then flight costs are all you will need to take into consideration.

There are plenty of websites that give great holiday deals. Shop around with the major travel search engines such as Expedia and Travelocity, but also look at Cheaptickets.com and others for great rates. Also, you will be surprised to find that many airlines will have great deals if you search their website directly. And if you want the best comparison shopping experience, I recommend using SideStep.com. They use a side-by-side comparison of every flight special, sorted by price. I have found the greatest success using their services.

If you are traveling to a destination that does not include free room and board, then one of my holiday travel tips is for you to comparison shop for great all-inclusive package deals. You can find great places to stay during that holidays that have 3- and 5-night vacation packages with meals and activities included. Also, you will want to try to get a car factored into the price if you need one for your trip. The more specific you are when planning and the earlier you book, the better your results will be.

Plan Your Connecting Flights with Great Care This is one of the holiday travel tips that will reduce your stress level significantly. I say this because I know the feeling of sitting in the airport waiting to board the first of two connections when you hear the airline attendant politely (and nervously) inform passengers that the flight has been delayed for an hour or more due to a snow storm in “Sock-It-To-Me,” Kansas.

When you hear the news, your thoughts quickly shift to your connecting flight that is probably scheduled to depart on time – 30 minutes after this flight is supposed to land. You know pre-boarding begins 30 minutes prior to take off to ensure the flight leaves on schedule. And that’s when questions like “What will I do if my flight doesn’t land before the other flight takes off?” and “Are there additional flights available?” begin to rush through your mind. And of course, the final thought will be, “Why didn’t I schedule my connecting flight for a later time?”

This anxiety can be avoided by choosing connecting flights that allow for an hour and a half or more of layover time. I know that when you make the choice to find connecting flights as close as possible to the time your first flight is to land that you are simply trying to get where you’re going quickly and want to avoid boredom in the airport. But usually one and a half to two hours isn’t that long when you consider that it takes time to exit the plane, find the connecting flights departing gate, which could be in another terminal, then get settled before it is time to board the second plane. Besides, if you allow yourself the extra time, you are almost guaranteed the promise of making your connecting flights – a promise that is more than welcome during the busy holiday season.

Plan Your Packing In Accordance with Current Airport Security Measures. This is one of the holiday travel tips that actually sounds unfair – and trust me; I used to feel the same way too. But after enough hassles at the airport security station, I finally gave in and realized that I couldn’t change what I couldn’t control. So now, instead of fussing at the ways airports are trying to ensure our safety, I simply plan ahead by packing my belongings in accordance with their security measures.

One way to do this is by making sure to pack all of liquids and gels that are larger than 3 ml in the bags I plan to check. The airport has signs up everywhere that let you know that you cannot carry liquids and gels through the security checkpoint; these items include lotion, toothpaste, baby oil, aerosols (hairspray), perfume bottles, bottled water, and much more. If you carry them through the checkpoint they will find and confiscate them – you cannot stop this from happening. So to avoid the drama, why not simply pack them away and happily greet them at the baggage claim at your destination? You are allowed to carry liquids and gels 3 ml and smaller in a zip-top, clear bag, so you are not completely left out in the cold. And by sticking to the rules, you, your family, everyone in line behind you, and airport security will be much happier.

Remembering this helpful holiday travel tips will definitely help make vacationing during this holiday season a better experience. If you are in need of additional holiday travel tips, remember the last time you traveled and all of the challenges you faced, then apply them to the holiday season. By doing this you can assure yourself that you won’t be faced with any unwelcome surprises.

Jeffrey Meier at Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.thearticlehome.com blog offers even more detailed information on a wide variety of topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Meier

Thanksgiving weekend is a very exciting time for Oregon wine lovers.  Each year, wineries and vineyards all over the region will open their doors to the public for special tastings and festivities.  We are best known for our Pinot noir,Pinot gris, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc.  This holiday weekend is a wonderful time to experience the many flavors and delight Oregon wine has to offer from more than 160 wineries and tasting rooms

To get the most out of your weekend, we recommend that you do a bit of homework first.  Research wineries, explore wine regions and download maps from the Oregon Wine Explorer and check out this guide to local wineries from  Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA).

Here are some other helpful resources to plan your wine tasting adventure:

Oregon Wine Board – www.oregonwine.org
Willamette Valley Visitors Association – www.oregonwinecountry.org
Willamette Valley Wineries Association – www.willamettewines.com

We also recommend that you visit the vineyard’s site or contact them directly for information about their Thanksgiving Open House Festivities.  Here is a list of some of our local wineries for your convenience.  Please drive safe and enjoy your tour of Oregon Wine Country!

Apolloni Vineyards
14135 NW Timmerman Rd.
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(503) 330-5946
www.apolloni.com

• Family-owned winery started in 1999, specializing in traditional Pinot Noir and Italian-style wines
• Follows the practices of the Oregon LIVE sustainable viticulture program
• Open 12 noon – 5:00 pm Friday – Sunday (March – December) or by appointment

Cooper Mountain Vineyards
9480 SW Grabhorn Rd.
Beaverton, OR 97007
(503) 649-0027
www.coopermountainwine.com

• Founded in 1987, first Pacific Northwest winery to embrace biodynamic viticulture (1999)
• First Pacific Northwest winery to produce all wines from 100-percent certified organic and biodynamic estate-grown grapes
• Three tiers of award-winning Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, plus Pinot Blanc and Malbec
• Open 12 noon – 5:00 pm daily

David Hill Vineyard & Winery
46350 NW David Hill Rd.
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(503) 992-8545

www.davidhillwinery.com

• Fine estate wines and award-winning port made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer grapes; sparkling wine made in traditional French Champenoise style
• 40 acres of some of the state’s oldest vines; tasting in historic 1883 farmhouse with sweeping views
• Open 12 noon – 5:00 pm daily

Elk Cove Vineyards
27751 NW Olson Rd.
Gaston, OR 97119
(503) 985-7760

www.elkcove.com

• One of Oregon’s oldest and most respected wineries founded in 1974; family-owned and operated
• Produces single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc
• · Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily except holidays

Helvetia Vineyards
23269 NW Yungen Rd.
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 647-7596

www.helvetiawinery.com

• Grapevines planted in 1982; Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay wines produced
• Visitor center and tasting room in 100-year old farmhouse of Swiss-German pioneer Jacob Yungen; display of Yungen’s original winemaking equipment
• Open 1:00 – 5:00 pm Friday, 12 noon – 5:00 pm Saturday – Sunday

Montinore Estate
3663 SW Dilley Rd.
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(503) 359-5012

www.montinore.com

• 220-acre vineyard established in 1982; certified organic and biodynamic in 2008
• Five estate-grown varietals: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Muller-Thurgau
• Open 11:00 am – 4:30 pm weekdays; 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday – Sunday

Oak Knoll Winery
29700 SW Burkhalter Rd.
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503) 648-8198

www.oakknollwinery.com

• First and longest operating winery in Washington County
• Founded in 1970 by Ronald and Marjorie Vuylsteke, now operated by the family’s second generation
• Award-winning Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling Gewurztraminer and Muller-Thurgau
• Open 11:00 am – 5:00 pm daily; weekdays until 6:00 pm May –  September

Patton Valley Vineyard
9449 SW Old Hwy. 47
Gaston, OR 97119
(503) 985-3445
www.pattonvalley.com

• Hand-crafted, estate-grown Pinot Noir wines; certified sustainable farming practices used
• Open 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Thursday – Sunday

Plum Hill Vineyards
6505 SW Old Hwy. 47
Gaston, OR 97119
(503) 359-1946

www.PlumHillWine.com

• Family-owned winery producing Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Rose wines
• Open 11:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (starting early 2009)

Ponzi Vineyards
14665 SW Winery Ln.
Beaverton, OR 97007
(503) 628-1227

www.ponziwines.com

• Founded in 1970 by Dick and Nancy Ponzi, pioneers of the Oregon wine industry
• Operated by second generation: Michel, Maria and acclaimed winemaker Luisa Ponzi
• Renowned Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and White Riesling wines
• Oregon LIVE Certified vineyards – the world’s highest standard for sustainable viticulture
• Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily; tours by appointment

Purple Cow Vineyards
52720 NW Wilson School Rd.
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(503) 330-0991

www.purplecowvineyards.com

• One of Washington County’s newest wineries producing just 500 cases per year
• Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and unusual grapes such as Marechal Foch and Tempranillo
• Open 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday only

SakéOne
820 Elm St.
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(503) 357-7056

www.sakeone.com

• The only American-owned saké brewery
• Produces traditional craft saké, fruit- and herb-infused saké and specialty saké
• Only producer of certified organic sake carrying the USDA organic seal
• Leading producer of “Ginjo” (premium) grade saké in the U.S. under its Momokawa label
• First company to bottle a new category of flavor-added saké under its Moonstone label
• Open 11:00 am – 5:00 pm daily; tours available at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 pm daily

Shafer Vineyard Cellars
6200 NW Gales Creek Rd.
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(503) 357-6604

www.shafervineyardcellars.com

• Begun in 1973 by the Shafer family as a solely grape-growing operation; winemaking since 1978
• Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Muller-Thurgau wines
• Open 11:00 am – 5:00 pm daily

Tualatin Estate Vineyards
10850 NW Seavey Rd.
Forest Grove, OR 97116
(503) 357-5005

www.tualatinestate.com

• Established in 1973 – one of the oldest vineyard sites in the Willamette Valley
• Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, plus dessert-style Muscat and Gewürztraminer
• Open 12 noon – 5:00 pm Saturday – Sunday (March – December)

By Appointment or Designated Days:

Alloro Vineyard
22075 SW Lebeau Rd.
Sherwood, OR 97140
(503) 320-5696
www.allorovineyard.com

• Artisan producer of small production, handcrafted wines
• Open to the public at Memorial Day and Thanksgiving holidays and by appointment

Ardiri Winery and Vineyards
35040 SW Unger Rd.
Cornelius, OR 97113
(503) 628-0955
www.gypsydancerestates.com

• Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris wines, plus Pinot Blanc in 2009
• Open by appointment

Beran Vineyards
30088 SW Egger Rd.
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503) 628-1298

www.beranvineyards.com

• Limited production of handcrafted Pinot Noir from old vines
• Open by appointment – please call for information.

Freja Cellars
16691 SW McFee Pl.
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503) 628-0337

www.frejacellars.com

• Boutique producer of fine artisan Pinot Noir wines

• Open to the public at Memorial Day and Thanksgiving holidays only

Garden Vineyards
12960 NW Dick Rd.
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 547-9046

www.gardenvineyards.com

• Wines available by e-mail request only

• Open to the public at Memorial Day and Thanksgiving holidays and by appointment

J. Albin Winery
19495 Vista Hill
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503) 628-2986

·         Open by appointment only

Quailhurst Vineyard Estate
15031 SW Pleasant Hill Rd.
Sherwood, OR 97140
(509) 427-5132

www.QuailhurstWines.com

• Award-winning Pinot Noir, Rose, white varietals and Pinot port wines made from French wine grapes with traditional French wine-making methods

• Open to the public at Memorial Day and Thanksgiving holidays and by appointment

Event Details
Monday January 11, 7:30 AM
Public Breakfast Forum on Measures 66 & 67, the Grand Hotel Bridgeport, 7:30 am
Tualatin Chamber: Tualatin Chamber

The Tualatin Chamber will present a Public Forum on Measures 66 & 67. Join us as Senator Larry George, R, 13th Distict and Check Sheketoff, Oregon Center for Public Policy present their views on this very important legislation.
Registration:    Friday, January 8th, 2010

http://www.tualatinchamber.com/?page=event_details&id=765

Forbidden Broadway

Order Tickets

Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer.

A Satirical Musical Revue
Created and Written by Gerard Alessandrini

In this hilarious musical revue, Forbidden Broadway lovingly pokes fun at some of musical theater’s most beloved shows including The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Mamma Mia, Cats, and Chicago. It also targets famous Broadway actors, writers, composers, directors, choreographers, and producers, including Carol Channing, Bob Fosse, Ethel Merman, Mandy Patinkin, Stephen Sondheim, Barbra Streisand, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. You will laugh at the entertaining tributes including: Annie (“I’m 30 Years Old, Tomorrow”), Hairspray (“You Can’t Stop the Camp”), West Side Story (“Chita/Rita America”), A Chorus Line (“What I Did For Laughs”), Les Misérables (“It’s Too High”), and more.

The cast features Megan Carver, Isaac Lamb, Rebecca Teran and Wade Willis. The production will be directed by Rick Lewis with choregraphy by Dan Murphy and musical direction by Kurt Crowley. Set by Sharon Maroney, costumes by Eyan Candini and lights by Rose Etta Menger.

Cast & Creative
Megan Carver
Isaac Lamb
Rebecca Teran
Wade Willis

Director…Rick Lewis
Choregrapher… Dan Murphy
Musical director…Kurt Crowley
Set designer…Sharon Maroney
Costume designer…Eyan Candini
Lighting designer…Rose Etta Menger
Props designer…Deb Dahling
Sound designer… Cecil Averett
Stage manager…Jessica Downs

Performance Dates:
Thursday, February 11, 7:30 pm (PREVIEW)
Friday, February 12, 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 13, 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 14, 2:00 pm
Thursday, February 18, 7:30 pm
Friday, February 19, 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 20, 2:00 pm
Saturday, February 20, 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 21 2:00 pm
Thursday, February 25, 7:30 pm
Friday, February 26, 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 27, 2:00 pm
Saturday, February 27, 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 28, 2:00 pm
Thursday, March 4, 7:30 pm
Friday, March 5, 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 6, 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 6, 2:00 pm
Sunday, March 7, 2:00 pm

Performances will be at the New Stage, 12850 SW Grant Avenue in Tigard.

Ticket Prices
Preview $20.00 – Night before opening (where anything can happen), all ages, all seats
Premier $35.00 – Center section seats, all ages
Non-Premier $28.00
Youth (6-25) $20.00

Exhibit: Michael Orwick, Valerie Sjodin and Kim Larkin
December 1, 2009 – January 27, 2010

Times: Monday – Thursday 9am – 9pm; Friday 9am – 6pm; Saturday 10am – 4pm
http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/Arts/WCAC/Events.aspx
Location: Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center – 527 E Main Street, Hillsboro
Phone: 503-615-3485
Admission: Free

Oil paintings by two of Hillsboro’s most well-known artists, Michael Orwick and Valerie Sjodin, are featured this holiday season.  Orwick will exhibit his strong and colorful landscapes, many done Plein Air.  Sjodin will exhibit a new series of work that explores the concept of connecting with the divine through images of the Gothic arch, the skyline and cosmos.  Their works will be on display in the Main Gallery.  Kim Lakin is a fiber artist who creates quilts using the same techniques as an abstract painter.  Her works will be in the lower exhibition space.

Print Arts Northwest Holiday Show & Sale
November 19, 2009 – January 15, 2010

Times: Monday through Saturday, 10:00am to 4:30pm except major holidays
http://www.washingtoncountymuseum.org/exhibits/pannw.php
Location: Washington County Museum – 17677 NW Springville Rd., Portland (Rock Creek Campus – Portland Community College)
Phone: 503-645-5353
Print Arts Northwest (PAN) presents its annual group show of works from over 100 Northwestern artists.  The show/sale at the Washington County Museum features small works both framed and unframed and is a great place to purchase inexpensive, original artwork for those on your holiday shopping list.  An opening reception will be November 19 from 6-8pm to coincide with the Museum opening of its new exhibit, “Oregon is Indian Country”.

Exhibit: This Kalapuya Land
June 18, 2009 – June 18, 2010

Times: Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
http://www.washingtoncountymuseum.org
Location: Washington County Museum – 17677 NW Springville Rd., Portland (Rock Creek Campus – Portland Community College)
Phone: 503-645-5353
Admission: Adults $3, Seniors & Children (6-17) $2. No charge on Mondays.
The Washington County Museum is pleased to welcome back its popular traveling exhibit, This Kalapuya Land, which chronicles the lives and culture of Native Americans living in the Willamette Valley.  Unveiling never before seen artifacts from the museum’s collection, the exhibit explains detailed aspects of Kalapuya life including food, clothing, housing, and trading practices.  Important events in tribal history such as treaties with the American Government, removal to the Grand Ronde Reservation, tribal Termination and Restoration are also illustrated.

We chose to build our hotel in Tigard, Oregon not only for the fantastic amenities offered at Bridgeport Village, but also to serve the wide assortment of business centers that are located minutes from the hotel. Tigard Oregon, located just 10 miles southwest of Portland Oregon, is a thriving community with wonderful shopping, dining, arts and business opportunities. As a community, Tigard strives to blend the amenities of a modern city with the friendliness and community spirit of a small town.

Today, there is over 4.5 million square feet of commercial and industrial space in Tigard at business parks such as Lincoln Center, Oregon Business Park, Forum Properties Business Centers, Tigard Industrial Center, Commerce Plaza, Sequoia Parkway and Plaza West and more.

The Bridgeport Grand Hotel is minutes away from any of these Tigard business centers and we think we are an ideal place for business travelers visiting this area to stay. Stay with us and get your business done during the day and enjoy over 15 different restaurants, dozens of stores even an IMAX theatre just steps away.

Photo Credit: www.tripzs.com/blogs/travel-news.html