Wednesday December 5top

Debbie Stoller

Legend has it that if a man does not wear a gift his special lady has knitted for him, the relationship is doomed to fail. Come learn how to prevent this unfortunate turn of events with the author of the popular Stitch ’N Bitch series of knitting books. She will be signing her latest, Son of Stitch ’N Bitch: 45 Projects to Knit and Crochet for Men. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651. 7:30 pm. Free. Map

Deborah DeWit Marchant

This Oregon artist will be presenting her new creation, In the Presence of Books, a collection of her paintings of places to read. Perfect for people who like the idea of reading, but not the reading itself. St. Johns Booksellers, 8622 N Lombard St., 283-0032. 7:30 pm. Free. Map

George Wright

His new novel, Roseburg 1959, is the third in his “Oregon Trio” of novels. This one, if you were wondering, takes place in Roseburg in the year 1959. Join the author as he takes you back to a place few dare to imagine: Southwest Oregon in the ’50s. Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton., 228-4651. 7 pm. Free. Map

Thursday December 6top

Lilith Saintcrow

Author of the action-packed Dante Valentine series will talk about Saint City Sinners, the latest chapter in the saga of a half-demon bounty hunter for hire.  Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton., 228-4651. 7 pm. Free. Map

Spacenight: A Tribute to Bill Mantlo

This event not only pays homage to the creator of cult comic-book hero ROM Spaceknight, but it will also raise money for Mantlo, who suffered servere injuries in a hit-and-run accident in 1992 and never fully recovered. On display will be prints from a forthcoming collection featuring over 100 different artists' depictions of Mantlo’s most beloved hero. Floating World Comics, 20 NW 5th Ave. #101., 241-0227. 6 pm. Free. Map

Warren Washburn

Come celebrate the release of this talented local poet’s latest collection, The Things I Can’t Say Out Loud.  Grendel’s Coffee House, 729 E Burnside St., 595-9550. 6 pm. Free. Map

Friday December 7top

Naomi Klein

The best-selling author of No Logo and columnist for The Nation will talk about her new book—The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, which challenges the idea that capitalism and democracy go hand in hand. First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th Ave., 725-3307. 7 pm. $TK. Map

Saturday December 8top

Walking Portland’s Bridges...

Contributors to the new collection titled Walking Portland’s Bridges Using Poetry as a Compass will be reading from the book and leading walks to three of our many bridges. Today they will read at Powell's City of Books (1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651) and walk to the Morrison Bridge; Sunday, Dec. 9, they will be reading at Proper Eats Restaurant (8638 N Lombard St., 445-2007) and walking to the St. Johns Bridge; and Saturday, Dec. 15, they will be reading at Looking Glass Bookstore (7983 SE 13th Ave., 227-4760). Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651. 1 pm. Free. Map

Happy Hanukkah!

Join Portland author Eric Kimmel as he reads some of his favorite Hanukkah stories, including The Hanukkah Guest and Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. There will also be cookies, as well as arts-and-crafts time. And you know what that means: dreidels! A Children’s Place Bookstore, 4807 NE Fremont St., 284-8294. 11 am. Free. Map

Meet the Grinch

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the book in which he attempts to steal Christmas, the Grinch will be in Portland as part of his 34-city tour. Dr. Charles D. Cohen, the author of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! A 50th Anniversary Retrospective will also be on hand and will be doing most of the talking. See It List, page TK, for more. Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton., 228-4651. 1 pm. Free. Map

Sunday December 9top

Backspace�s Wordsmith

This ongoing series of open-mic nights gives literary talents of all ages and walks of life a chance to express themselves. This month’s event will also feature PSU’s M.F.A. product, poet Sean Hill. Backspace, 115 NW 5th Ave., 248-2900. 7 pm. Free. Map

Jews in China?

Illinois college professor Steve Hochstadt and executive director of the American Jewish Committee’s Seattle chapter, Rabbi Anson Laytner, will lead a panel discussion on “Ludwig Salzer: Man of Letters,” the Oregon Jewish Museum’s current exhibition. Salzer was a Jewish refugee who fled Europe after Hitler came to power and landed in Shanghai, of all places.  Oregon Jewish Museum, 310 NW Davis St., 226-3600. 3 pm. $3, free for members of the Museum. Map

Monday December 10top

James Gurney

The author of the best-selling Dinotopia series will discuss the latest installment, Journey to Chandara. Dinotopia is a place where humans and intelligent dinosaurs live peacefully, like in that show Land of the Lost, except you have to imagine the animatronic dinosaurs.  Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton., 228-4651. 7 pm. Free. Map

Tuesday December 11top

Chris Crutcher

Crutcher, who specializes in young-adult novels, presents his latest, In Deadline, whose protagonist is a high-school senior secretly struggling with leukemia.  Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton., 228-4651. 7 pm. Free. Map

The Brontosaurus Word Processing Exchange

This queer writing collective will be performing their unique brand of “collaborative storytelling.” If they can come up with a name like that, they have to be at least somewhat entertaining. In Other Words, 8 B NE Killingsworth St., 232-6003. 6:30 pm. $3-$10 donation. Map