He's here. He's queer. He's used to it.

Thank God It's Monday: Big Changes at Moron...I mean Morning Radio Show and Other Post Holiday Haps.

BLIND ITEM: Is one of Portland's most popular morning shows trying to go back in time?
It sure looks like it.
I've just heard word one of Portland's prettiest princesses might just be the next sacrificial lamb to be thrown onto the lay off heap in order to make way for the return of a longtime local radio personality. The show has already dumped one dj and replaced him with another familiar voice. If this all goes down as planned it will mean that, by the end of 2008, one of this city’s oldest and most recognizable morning teams will be together, once again, on the air.
All they would be missing is a certain traffic guy. Hmmm......

SHOPTOWN: Yes, I got up at the crack of dawn on Friday and went to the mall. So trample me. But I also went downtown and fell in love with this city all over again. Portland's downtown shopping area rivals any other city its size, that is when folks actually show up on its streets. Here are a few highlights.

CANOE: A small shop located in the West District, this place offers some of the most unique gift items in the city. And, just because all the inventory is carefully edited by it's owner doesn't mean it's all expensive. In fact, I found plenty of items that would definitely fit inside my new, post-paid job budget. I heart Canoe's extensive line of Heath Ceramics, PostalCo Notebooks, boiled Wood Dog Toys. And nothing beats the blue ceramic mugs based on paper coffee cups from New York City. Nothing. Canoe, 1136 SW Alder St., 889-8545

CARGO: Easily one of the most fun boutiques in this city and certainly one of my favorites I crack open a smile (and my wallet) everytime I go into this Pearl District favorite. Where else can you get lighters that plays Dong Fang Hong (the anthem of China's cultural revolution), religious Santos, Balinese furniture and the "head tingler" that makes it feel like someone has cracked an egg on your noggin. Right now, the windows have a Faraway Downs feel, as they were inspired by Baz Luhrmann's new film Australia. Cargo, 380 NW 11th Ave., 209-8349.

KNIT PURL: One word: felt. As in a complete holiday meal made out of felt. Fabulous beyond words, this shop is faux cool and one of the most underappreciated craft boutiques in the city. Knit Purl, 1101 SW Alder St., 227-2999.

CHAP POP-UP STORE I don't really know how to explain this place. It's a pop-up shop, which means it will only be for a limited time. It's also an art-making factory for kids and adults, an art rug gallery full of rugs made out of kids art, a garage-like sale that has both a "recession retail" corner (which features tons of really great Columbia Sportswear for next to nothing) and a five buck "thrift store" that has items that can be silk-screened with images made by kids. The colorfully decorated boutique is the first retail outlet for the Children's Healing Art Project and benefit art programs in local children's hospitals. A must-see. 937 NW Glisan St., www.chap.name.

And, of course, let's not forget TIME WITH SANTA: It's more Kitschmas, than Christmas at this Jantzen Beach "Santa Land." Tired of standing in long lines only to get to sit for two-seconds on Santa's warm lap? Well, Time With Santa, is exactly what it says it is. Here you get "quality time" with Saint Nick. That the whole village is created out of an old Haunted House only adds to this shopper's retreat kitsch level. I'll be talking about it at length in a future post, but for now check out all the details here.Time With Santa, 1210 Jantzen Beach Center, 222-1268. info@timewithsanta.com.

Tags: portland, radio, shopping