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gym: streetcar commons or 24 hour fitness

dark drinks with secret friends: low brow - great little drink and eating spot

theatre night at Portland Center Stage: row b, seats 10-13 opening nights are the best - see me with a few friends, best investment

gallery: Margo Jacobsen - she knows her stuff, plus she knows everyone

spa: tekos for the finest in pampering - kanani is also hot

sweets: nuvrei or cupcake jones

mortgage company: Plum Tree of course

bank: ask me

gelato: toss up between Via Delizia and Mio Gelato

doggie couture & daycare: lexi

doggie training and obedience classes - dogstar

dog playgroup: lexi - Sunday between noon-2:30, what can I say, my dog likes to play!

date activity: ready paint fire - great place to see what creativity you have - make a plate or bowl

fresh bread: Bridgeport - say hi to Darby - try their beer

What drew you to the neighborhood?
It's the best neighborhood with such livability and friendly people. How I arrived was a bit of an adventure - my ex loves Teko for facials and women pampering - next door was for rent - so her facial cost like $300 but I lucked out to find a perfect little office space. I bugged my neighbor for about a year that I wanted to buy his unit, and after a year he agreed - now I own two units street-level on Marshall.

Perfect day in the Pearl
Walking Pearl for a coffee and bagel at Sip & Kranz, followed by a great conversation with the many personalities in the pearl - it's hard to go far without seeing a familiar and friendly face. Of course grabbing lunch with friends like JP or Paul (and having it be their turn to pay). Maybe drinks at night at one of the hot spots like Fenouil or Gilt Club. Oh yeah, and working a bit too. Not too much though.

Pearl activity/shop/restaurant yet to experience
Giorgios - I have meant to stop in and try their food - it always looks so good and I've always wanted to take the Pearl District tour that everyone seems to be on down here.

Must-see spot to take visiting friends/family
Powells or Via Delizia at night - two great places to hang out and enjoy the moment.

Pearl prediction
My prediction is for more people, more bars, more restaurants. I imagine the Pearl will continue to become "the SOHO of the West Coast." It's unique. It's fun. Who wouldn't want to work or live down here? My one hope is that the Pearl continues to be open to all people - and not some shaggie cliche like Beverly Hills.