Ursula K. Le Guin & Roger Hobbs

With the Oregon Book Awards coming up this month, we’ve got face-to-face chairs for the fiction-category grudge match all the fans are talking about: sci-fi legend Le Guin (nominated for her collected stories) versus youthful noir upstart Hobbs (nominated for his grimy heist thriller, Ghostman). Ursula—go easy on the kid, eh?

Portlandia

The copper charisma in the corner emanates from the 1985 Raymond Kaskey sculpture, which may need a new home. (Downtown’s Portland Building could fall victim to $95 million in needed repairs.) ’Landy, time for you to relax, girl. Your trident will make the world’s greatest martini-olive skewer. 

Mike Richardson

We booked the Mos Eisley Cantina band for Dark Horse Comics’ leader. After 22 years, the Milwaukie publisher lost its gig as official owner of Star Wars comics to Marvel, the inky Empire. Mike, sorry to see so many star systems slip through your fingers. Let’s bull’s-eye some womp rats after dessert.   

ELIZABETH FURSE

Let’s hope Elizabeth brings a pinot noir so we can toast her political return. The former congresswoman and winery owner is running for Washington County commissioner, arguing that the current crew wants development in all the wrong places. Elizabeth, we can tell you love second helpings.