Dave Salesky
KATU’s meteorologist pulled off his own version of the Miracle on the Hudson when the single-engine plane he was piloting lost power over Scappoose in January. The weatherman managed to save his craft—and nearby homes—with an emergency landing on nearby Sauvie Island. Bravo, Dave. Rain or shine, you’re invited to dinner anytime.

Kimberly A. Smith
Our last party guest from the Oregon Zoo—a 305-pound African lion—hogged the roast. We’re sure that Smith, who steps in as the zoo’s director this month, is fully dinner party–trained. Topics we can’t wait to chew on: the upcoming Prehistoric Predators and Red Ape Reserve exhibits. And we promise, no reminiscing about the infamous 2008 peacock attack.

Ted Papas
After years of battles over (and additional costs for) alleged fire hazards, the owner of the Greek Cusina shuttered his downtown restaurant’s doors in January, citing financial reasons. The iconic purple octopus that floated above the entrance will be put up for auction on eBay. For our part, we’ll pay homage with (what else?) calamari.

Seth Aaron Henderson & Janeane Marie Ceccanti
As if Leanne Marshall weren’t proof enough that Portland has more to offer than flannel, Henderson, who hails from Vancouver, and Ceccanti, a recent Portland Art Institute grad, duked it out as 2 of the final 16 contestants on the seventh season of Project Runway. Our first challenge: peacock boas. (Sorry, Kim.)

Andy Warhol
This month, we welcome our first ghost to the table. The 23-year-old Pittsburgh-based foundation started by the late (but never really dead) platinum-headed pop artist fortified the spirit of PICA’s TBA Festival with a $100,000 grant, praising it as an event that feels “like an amazing communal effort.” Dare we call it a “factory”?