Portland Neighborhood's Blog

It’s that time of year, Portland! Time to lose the holiday weight gain, and get in shape for spring. Luckily, Portland has as many fitness activities as you can think of. And we’ve compiled a list on our brand new Portland Fitness Page! Go check it out, and find yourself an activity or two to inspire you to get healthy! Also, this time of year, most health clubs and fitness centers are offering a free limited trial offer, so check the website links for more information. Here is an excerpt from our Fitness page, go check it out!

There are many different indoor and outdoor fitness activities in Portland. Overall, we’re a pretty health conscious city. There must be something about living in a beautiful environment and a great city that is inspiring. Here are some interesting Portland fitness facts:

• According to Men’s Fitness Magazine, Portland ranks #6 overall in cities for best physical fitness (2005).
• Portland ranks Gold for cities that are Bicycle Friendly, according to the League of American Bicyclists According to this article on CNN, 10% of Portlanders Bike to Work.
• The Portland Marathon is “the best organized marathon in America” (from Ultimate Guide to Marathons)

If you would like to know how you stack up, here are some Fitness Calculators from 24-Hour Fitness. If you are looking for fresh ideas on how you can get and stay fit in Portland, we have organized a list of Portland indoor and outdoor activities. Check out a Portland gym, or learn how to unwind and relax with a Portland yoga or Pilates class. If you are more adventurous, we have an entire array of sports activities in our city, from rock climbing to kayaking!  

Get moving Portland, and have a great day!

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January 6, 2006 08:48 - Portland Cold and Flu Season

Arrgh, the cold and flu season is in full swing.  I am battling the sniffles, the headaches, fever, sore throat -- about half a dozen irritants and annoyances.  I was doing some research on battling this seasonal illness and came across some interesting information I thought might be helpful:

To treat or not to treat...Cold symptoms are evidence that the immune system is battling illness. A fever is your body's way of trying to cook (stamp out) a virus in a hotter-than-normal environment. A fever also makes the germ-killing proteins in your blood circulate more quickly and effectively. So, if you allow the body to suffer a moderate fever for a day or two, you may actually get better quicker.
The best way to blow your nose...Yes, really! Press your finger over one nostril while you gently blow to clear the other. Blowing the nose in a hard fashion can carry germ-carrying phlegm (ew!) back into the ear passages, causing earache.
The nose wants an escape...Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Hold one nostril closed by applying light pressure while squirting the salt mixture into the other nostril. Let it drain. Repeat 2-3 times, then do the other nostril.
Soothe the throat and the nose and nod off for awhile...Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, hydrate the body, and soothe those inflamed membranes in the nose and throat. Restless? Try the age-old hot toddy remedy or sip some hot herbal tea. Add a teaspoon of honey and an ounce of whiskey or bourbon to the tea.
The spa treatment...A steamy shower moisturizes the nasal passage and allows for a Zen-like retreat. If you're dizzy or sluggish, enjoy a steamy shower. You'll be glad you did!
Love that schnozz...Menthol, eucalyptus and camphor all have mild numbing agents that may help relieve the pain of a raw nose. It'll also help open up the breathing passage...You'll look funny but you'll feel good!
Eat Infection-Fighting Foods...My favorite "sick foods" are hot and spicy Thai stir-fry, sushi with extra ginger and wasabi, miso soup, chicken broth and onion soup...Some textbook "get better foods" are bananas, bell peppers, oranges, blueberries, carrots, chili peppers, cranberries, mustard, horseradish, onion, rice, green and black tea. 

Take care of yourself and avoid 'the plague'!


 

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January 7, 2006 12:16 - Portland Forum

Today we are announcing yet another new feature on the PortlandNeighborhood.com website!  We now have a Portland Neighborhood Forum!  What is a forum?  A forum is also known as a bulletin board, chat forum, or discussion forum.  Basically, it is your place to talk with the community and share information and opinions about the city of Portland, Oregon.  Maybe you have a question about the best parks in your neighborhood, or perhaps you are looking for a local pool hall, or a new Portland restaurant or bar that you would like to try.  Perhaps you would like to have some discussion with your neighbors about a hot issue.  Or, maybe you want to share some exciting news or information with your neighbors about an upcoming event.  This is your discussion forum, Portland--so what have you got to say?

Please come and check out the new Portland Neighborhood Forum, it's easy to use!  You can either post anonymously, or create a login ID and post with your own unique identity.  Just click the "Portland Chat" button to go to the discussion forum page.  Be sure to read our Forum Rules and Terms of Use for more information.  If you have questions or other feedback, please contact the Editors. So, come share your questions, feedback and ideas with the entire Portland Community...we are looking forward to chatting with you on-line! 

Have a great Saturday, Portland!

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January 8, 2006 02:06 - Looking for a hobby or class in Portland

Winter is a pretty popular season to take up new hobbies or blow the dust off some old ones.  As I've been home all weekend nursing this cold, I've been pretty aware of the fact that I need some "indoor hobbies" that don't involve (egad!) the computer.  So, I spent part of this evening 'shopping' around for some ideas and figured I'd share what I've come up with so far and perhaps get some of your ideas.  I'm a pretty creative type and like working with my hands so you'll definitely find a theme here. 

• Stained glass classes at Rose Glass Works. I collect stained glass pieces and would certainly have more if they weren't so pricy. 
• Painting classes at Rokoff Studios. I am incredibly biased (being a former student), but I just can't get enough of Alexander Rokoff and his amazing talent.  I only took one class (last winter), but I learned so much and had such a great time learning to paint and rockin' out to some great tunes. 
• Metalsmithing classes  I took a class at the Oregon College of Art & Craft a few years ago and always wanted to go back and learn more about metalsmithing.  Its a really fun way of getting your hands dirty and develops a whole other skill set: patience. They also offer classes in ceramics, fibers, photography, wood and more...
• Crochet classes at Yarn Garden. I can knit, but I would really like to learn how to crochet.  Plus, I just like this place-- a lot!  What a fantastic (and huge!) shop with a cool little cafe area to boot!
• Creative Welding classes  PCC offers sculpture and other creative welding classes.  I think it would be awesome to learn how to make some cool garden decor...
• Cooking classes at In Good Taste. Mmmm...winter seafood, braising techniques, soups....Sign me up!!
• Swing dance classes at The Joint is Jumpin'. Now this sounds like a fun way to shake off some of those holiday pounds! 
• Jewelry making classes at Picasso Beads. Learn to make earrings, necklaces, bracelets, work with metal clay and more in a variety of methods.
• Pottery classes at Georgie's Craft. I've always wanted to take a pottery (wheel throwing) class.  They also offer tile making, raku, moldmaking, fused glass and more. 

Well, hopefully I can decide on one (I think that's about all I can handle).  It's a toss up between pottery, crochet and stained glass.  But, hmmm...soup sounds good, too.  ;-)

Have a great day, Portland! 

PS:  Have you checked out our new forum yet?  If not, please do!  We're starting to see some life on the forum-- which is awesome! 

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January 9, 2006 07:44 - Portland Streetcar & Eliot Neighborhood News

Hey, Portland!  Did you know we are also on MySpace.com at http://www.myspace.com/portlandneighborhood ?  MySpace is another website where you can add "friends" from the community.  If you are looking for some new Portland friends, come check us out over there and add us to your "friends" list.

Today we have done something brand new with the website--the first Portland community printed newspaper, the "Eliot News" will be published right here on our website on the Eliot neighborhood page.  Check out the Eliot Neighborhood Forum at http://www.portlandneighborhood.com/eliot.html.  This means you can read the whole Eliot News paper on-line once it is published in a few weeks.  Meanwhile, if you live in or near the Eliot neighborhood, be sure to read the excerpt from the Eliot Times, an article by Mike Warwick about new developments in Eliot including plans for several new loft-style residential buildings.  Did you know that the Portland Streetcar is supposed to come over the Broadway Bridge past Lloyd Center and to Hollywood, sometime in 2008?  Click here to read more about the Portland Streetcar on Wikipedia, as well as this interesting article.

Portland neighbors, do you have news or information that you would like to see published to the community on PortlandNeighborhood.com?  Do you have a community newspaper that you would like to share on-line?  Let us know...we will publish it and get the word out to more people in our city--for free.  It's our way of saying "thanks" to Portland and giving a little something back to the neighborhoods.  Have a great Monday, Portland!

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January 10, 2006 08:04 - Portland Concierge and more!

Good morning, Drizzle Town,

Was there a hurricane last night?  I woke up this morning to both of my porch chairs and the wreath off my front door scattered across the yard.  Hmmm....When did Portland get so windy? ;-)  I don't know about you, but I've got cabin fever already!  I suppose its just a few more months until we see those late March tulips!

Well, this is has already been an exciting week for PortlandNeighborhood.com!  We've had a ton of new visitors, recieved some great feedback and have added some cool new functionality to the site. 

• The Portland Forum, which was heavily requested as a community collaboration tool, is already gaining some popularity.  I've seen community questions, band advertising and a few posts bemoaning the lack of professional hockey in Portland.  It's fun to see this part of the site take off!
• The birth of the Portland Neighborhood Concierge...For several months now, we have been answering emails from locals and non-locals alike on a ton of different topics that share a common thread: all things Portland.  We recently realized that an "online concierge" would be a great resource for all of our viewers. So, do you have a question about Portland, Oregon?  Ask the Portland Neighborhood Concierge!  We'll do our best to answer your questions and be your information service about this great city.  Give it a try! 
• You asked for it and we heard you...In as little as a few days, we will be unveiling our new Portland Neighborhood map!  It's gorgeous, well designed, easy to navigate and...clickable!!  I'll save the best news (other super cool map features) for our "ribbon-cutting-blog" -- so make sure to check back!  You're gonna love it!

Well, that's it for today-- have a great Tuesday everyone...

 

 

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January 11, 2006 08:07 - Portland Events

What's going on in Portland this week?  Besides making frequent updates to this website, we do like to get out and find some entertainment and relax once in a while!   Whatever you are in the mood for, we always have a variety!  Here are just a few Portland comedy, music, and dance events to check out this week.  Be sure to check the Arts page for more performing arts ideas.

 

Jerry Seinfeld at The Schnitz, Friday, January 13th (Show may be sold out, so check www.craigslist.com to see if tickets are available)

I love Seinfeld, and I have to say, I still watch his show and own the DVD set because it is still funny!   "Due to popular demand, America’s premier stand-up comedian is hitting the road in a return to his first love - stand-up comedy. Recently hailed as “the master stand-up comic of his generation” and “the best comedian of our time” in a Washington Post article by Tom Shales, Seinfeld has an uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences everywhere. Seinfeld now sets his sights on performing his material across the country in 2006."  Check out Seinfeld this Friday.  Click for Ticket Information.

 

Wonder Ballroom, HR of BAD BRAINS with DUBB AGENTS, Friday January 13th 

All Ages 8:00pm show Tickets $10 + service charge available at Ticketmaster and Wonder Ballroom

 

Oregon Symphony - Beethoven Violin Concerto, Saturday, January 14th - Sunday, January 15th (Tickets - $24.25 - $93.25)
"An enchanting 20th century interpretation of 14th century vocal music plus a colorful, Hungarian folk music-flavored "variations" and one of the most beloved violin concertos of all time. It all adds up to a perfectly delightful program, full of rich harmonies and excitement."

 

White Bird Presents - Emio Greco | PC (Jan 12 - 14th)

"A performer of almost Mephistophelian intensity...Greco is in command of one of the most exciting, original and eccentric dance vocabularies of anyone in contemporary dance!" -The Times (London). Based in Amsterdam, Emio Greco|PC is a collaborative partnership between Italian-born dancer Emio Greco—one of the most compelling dancers and choreographers in Europe-- and the visionary Dutch theater director Pieter C.Scholten. For Greco and Scholten the curiosity towards the body and its inner motives serve as the starting point for creating dance. Emio Greco|PC seeks to create a performance in which all elements—stage design, sound, lighting—are there to support, provoke and evolve with the body in a state of discovery."

Have a great week, Portland! 

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January 12, 2006 08:23 - Wireless Portland

Ten years ago, very few people had computers and practically only rich folks had laptops (I could have bought a nice used car in place of a computer purchase then).  Today, its hard to find someone without a computer-- and most of them travel around with laptops or handheld devices not wanting to be tied down.  The times are a-changin' and so are our expectations.  For instance, I was in Butte, Montana a few months ago, just moseying around.  It had been days since I checked my email and I looked desperately for a hotel or coffee house that had wireless.  No dice.  Portland is more definitely more "evolved" on this front-- I was more than relieved to get home. 

Have you heard about the Personal Telco Project?  The mission of this awesome project is to "Promote and build public wireless networks through community support and education".  Public wireless networks....yes!

Want to know more about these public wireless networks?  "We are a volunteer group of Portlanders who believe that 802.11 (wireless networking, or "Wi-Fi") technology is both cool and empowering.  We started out by turning our own houses and apartments into wireless hot spots (also referred to as "nodes"), and then set about building these nodes in public locations such as parks and coffee shops.  Currently we have over 100 active nodes, and we eventually would like to cover the entire city of Portland, Oregon with even more." 

Check the node list to see if your favorite coffee shop or bar is Wi-Fi friendly.  I use that link as a reference guide a lot of the time because I really don't care to sit and sip coffee without my little electronic blankie...;-)

Hats off to Personal Telco for doing a great service for our Portland communities! 

 

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January 13, 2006 08:23 - Portland's Iorio

Today we're reviewing new Portland restuarant, Iorio (pronounced Eye-or-e-o), located along Hawthorne right across from the Lucky Lab (912 SW Hawthorne Blvd). I was actually headed to the Lucky Lab when I spotted Iorio across the street and decided to drop in for dinner. Iorio is a Southern Italian restuarant, which means it also has a little Northwest flare!

The restaurant's ambience is warm and comfortable with rich, deep red walls and old fashioned lamps casting soft warm lighting in the dining room. The walls are hung with old portraits and family photos. Service was friendly and welcoming, and the restaurant is brand new on the Portland restuarant scene..open only about a month!

We started with an appetizer of delicious warm bread served with a butternut squash tapenade. Also plated up as an appetizer was a tasty jicama dish that was crisp and light. I tried their baked vegetable lasagna which was thick with cheese and an array of fresh vegetables (a vegetarian's delight). My dining partner tried the Chef's special, which was a delicious tender beef loin with yukon gold potatoes. The wine list was nice, and I enjoyed a crisp glass of Viognier.

Following the meal, Chef Christopher Thompson came out and introduced himself, giving us a gift of springerle cookies, and asked us how we enjoyed the meal. It was delicious! The combination of great location, friendly service, and good food is sure to make this a neighborhood favorite. Give Iorio a try. Click for driving directions and map, here. For reservations call (503) 445-4716.

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January 14, 2006 13:24 - Portland's DoveLewis

As like most folks that have four-leggers, I am more than familiar with DoveLewis, the 24-hour emergency animal hospital over in the NW 21st/23rd district.  This is an absolutely amazing hospital, with some of the best medical professionals I have ever come into contact with.  This is critical, believe me, because most of the time you are there, its no small matter-- you want the best looking after your loved one.  I've even had one of my dogs hospitalized for a few days and was utterly impressed with the quality of care for both sick Basset and "mommy". 

A Portland original since 1973, DoveLewis is "the only non-profit animal hospital in Portland devoted exclusively to emergency and critical care for animals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year." 

Thanks to community donations, DoveLewis can extend the following services to the community:  

• We screen and train human-animal teams which visit dozens of facilities, from prisons to schools to hospitals.
• We help hundreds of people through their grief when they lose a companion animal.
• We are able to never turn away a stray or wild animal if they come to us injured.
• We run one of the largest community-based animal blood banks in the U.S. Hundreds of lives are saved each year because of our blood bank. It helps not only patients at DoveLewis, but dogs and cats at other veterinary clinics throughout the Portland metro area

Construction has just begun on a new, two-story 22,000 square foot facility across the street and to the east of the current DoveLewis' hospital.  Click here to read all about the new facility and how you can help outfit Portland with the best emergency care for our beloved pets. 

Have a great Saturday, Portland!

 

 

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January 15, 2006 12:22 - Portland Library

I visited the Central branch of the downtown Portland library, yesterday.  It's been a long time since I visited a library and I was surprised at the number of services available for free to the community of Portland.  Learn more about our library system on our brand new Library Guide.  We've included addresses and Tri Met information so you'll find it easy to get to your local branch.  Here is an excerpt from the new library page: 

We are lucky to have so many wonderful libraries scattered throughout the communities in Portland. The Multnomah County Portland Oregon Library system offers free library cards to residents of Multnomah Country (and some other surrounding areas), which gives the cardholder the ability to check out books, videos, CDs and DVDs, audio tapes, magazine and software.  All locations offer convenient 24 hour book drops for returns.  The library offers much more to it's members.  Some additional features of Portland Library membership include:

 

Art Exhibits	Internet Access
Author Visits	Library Outreach Services
Book Discussion Groups	Lifelong Learning Center
Booklists	Online Databases
Community Meeting Rooms	Library Research Assistance
Computer Classes	Story times
Craft Workshops	Used Bookstore
Disability Accommodations	Web Guides
Events	Word Processing
Homework Help	Writer's Room
Job Seeker Help	Zines

You can learn more about the Multnomah Country Library system on their website.  Take advantage of this wonderful community service and learn something new about your world.  Take your children to the library for story time, or get some homework help.  Use the library to browse the web, take a computer class, or do research for a college project.  Start a book discussion group, pick up a bargain used book at the used bookstore, or participate in a Portland 'zine!  There are many great services available, so stop in your local branch of the Portland Library today and get more information on what's available for you!

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January 16, 2006 07:16 - The (Newest) Lompoc in PDX

Not so long ago, I told you all that Lompoc opened a new pub over in N/NE Portland.  Well, I finally made it over there on Saturday night and have a good report to share with everyone.  First, if you've been to the New Old Lompoc down on NW 23rd, this new place has the same beer and some of the same pub-style food, but a totally different focus and feel.  This Lompoc feels very family friendly and more like a laid back restaurant than a "bar".  It's a smaller place, though not teeny, with several large booths, tables, and a small bar.  As expected, they do have their famous beer on tap (though I was super bummed to find they were out my favorite: the Sockeye Cream Stout (its beer you practically have to chew--- I love it!)  The food was very good-  I had the hummus wrap which was absolutely fantastic and my dining partner had an old fashioned burger.  Both dishes were fairly priced and the servings were huge.  Very attentive wait staff down to our waiter chasing us out to our car when we left a cell phone behind-- now that's commitment!  All indoor seating until the spring or whenever nice weather is upon us-- I did see a small paved patio outside the main door and imagine some outdoor tables being setup.  All in all, this new Lompoc is a good fit and a welcome addition to the North and Northeast Portland pub scene. 

In other news, we have added a new and super cool feature to the site:  the long awaited clickable neighborhood map!  It's simple to use...Just click one of the neighborhood names from the menu, or click a marker on the map and that neighborhood's position will be highlighted on the map, along with a neighborhood information box. To learn more about that Portland neighborhood, click "Neighborhood Page" in the information box. Voila!  This is where you'll find neighborhood information including location, photos, demographics, parks and services, restaurants, businesses, community events calendar, and more.

Happy Monday (and Martin Luther King Day!), P-Town...lets hope its dry!

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January 17, 2006 07:42 - Showing in Portland

Showing in Portland This Week

 

I love great animation. The freedom of _expression, the ability to tell a story that is larger than life--especially if it is projected on an enormous IMAX movie screen. At OMSI this week, catch a showing of the IMAX: Big Shorts Animation Film Festival:

 

Today's Showtimes (January 17, 2006): 11:00am, 11:45am, 7:30pm
To browse showtimes for other dates, please see the showtime calendar.

 

Five animated films created especially for IMAX have been combined into a unique 32-minute experience of amazing sights and sounds.

IMAX Slit-Scan is an introductory short that launches viewers into the immersive OMNIMAX dome environment with a burst of color and sound.

 

Arthur C. Clarke's Search for Infinity was produced by San Diego's Ruben H. Fleet Science Center in 1999 as a pilot project for a proposed large format film. This experimental film brings the colorful world of fractals to the giant OMNIMAX dome.

 

Primiti-Too-Taa is a playful sound poem, where the text jumps to life through animated typing on paper.

 

Where the Trains Used To Go takes a stop motion journey along a 100-year-old narrow-gauge railway. This film was chosen best short film in 2003 at the Large Format Cinema Association's annual conference.

 

The Old Man and the Sea is Director Alexander Petrov's film based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway. To create this stunning film, Petrov painted more than 29,000 images on glass directly under the IMAX camera. The Old Man and the Sea won the Academy Award® for Best Short Animated Film in March of 2000...the only IMAX film ever to receive such an award!

 

Call OMNIMAX Film Info: 503.797.4640

 

If you're not in the mood for animation, but want to catch a flick instead,  this week in Portland (until the 19th only), catch a highly recommended film, "Film Geek" by local filmmaker James Westby. 

 

"FILM GEEK is a hilarious new comedy about Scotty Pelk, a socially inept video store clerk with an encyclopedic knowledge of film. He runs a website, scottysfilmpage.com, which receives zero traffic. He annoys his customers. He annoys his co-workers. And when he is inevitably fired from his video store job, Scotty finds refuge in Niko, a downtown hipster who teaches him a thing or two about love and life. But Niko’s smarmy ex-boyfriend Brandon won’t go away quietly. As Scotty’s first love turns to obsession, his life begins to change in profound ways."

 

Showing at Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st Ave., 503-223-4515

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January 18, 2006 12:54 - Portland's Albina Press Coffee Shop

Good day, Portland!  We've had some brief sunny moments and amazingly enough, a shockingly dry day so far.  Makes me earn for spring in a big, bad way. Soon enough, soon enough...

Today, I wanted to show my support for a great coffee shop in the Humboldt neighborhood.  The Albina Press is, in my humble opinion, the best coffee shop around the area (believe me, I've tried my fair share).  I love the simplicity of the furniture, the exposed brick work, old wood floors and ever-changing artwork adorning the walls, courtesy of Pacific Switchboard.  Of course, the coffee ain't bad either...Albina Press uses Stumptown bean and even better, they've got award winning barista's behind the counter (seriously).  Each cup is literally a work of art and a taste of nirvana.  It's a quaint place, full of locals and non-locals, friendly staff, great music and is well equipped for those of us that tote our laptops around.  The Personal Telco Project outfits them with wireless internet access and a smattering of couches and comfy chairs make it an excellent place to veg or work the rainy afternoons away...Perhaps I'll see ya around!

Have a great afternoon all!

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January 19, 2006 08:08 - Portland Winter Events Coming Soon

 

Yes, we are now officially in the thick of the winter doldrums.  By now, you're sick to death of the rain, sick of feeling trapped in the house, sick of winter...and itching for a change of scenery and something to do.  Well, luckily Portland has many upcoming events to tempt you to get off the couch, and out of the house.  Here are just a few, coming soon... don't worry, spring is right around the corner!

 

The Portland Seafood and Wine Festival, February 3rd and 4th at the Convention Center, "Scheduled in the quiet of winter, and smack dab in the middle of the Dungeness Crab season, it promises to be a popular event in Portland , the gateway to the Oregon coast and the Oregon wine country.  The event will be a very upscale yet festive event at the Oregon Convention Center , promising a climate-controlled facility with lots of on-site and surrounding parking.  Over 90,000 square feet of exhibit space will allow for lots of room to wander the event while stopping to sit and enjoy the good food, drink and live music throughout the event."

 

For you Portland Jazz lovers, also coming soon is the renowned Portland Jazz Festival, Feb 17-19th, hosted at multiple venues.  With nine ticketed concerts and additional performances, you are sure to find something pleasing to your ears and your spirit.  The internationally acclaimed Portland Jazz Festival will feature McCoy Tyner, DeeDee Bridgewater, Bill Frisell and Eddie Palmieri, plus more than 90 additional jazz performances at multiple downtown venues.

 

If you're a history buff, you don't need to wait until February--go check out the fascinating  Lewis and Clark National Bi-Centennial Exhibit now, running through March 11th at the Oregon Historical Society.  "The Oregon Historical Society is host to the exclusive West Coast appearance of Lewis & Clark: The National Bicentennial Exhibition. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the most significant priceless treasures that tell this unforgettable story. Two hundred years after the Corps of Discovery reached their West Coast destination, you too can experience the adventure at the Oregon Historical Society. Organized by Missouri Historical Society. Presented by Emerson."

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January 20, 2006 08:20 - Lovely Hula Hands in Portland, Oregon

Every Thursday night, the minds behind PortlandNeighborhood.com get out to enjoy the food and vibe of local restaurants around The Big Puddle.  Tonight we enjoyed ourselves immensely over at Lovely Hula Hands (aka LHH) over in North Portland's Boise neighborhood.  Never been to this unique and charming restaurant?  If not, there's just no way around it-- you're missing out! 

Lovely Hula Hands did us right: a fantastic meal consisting of a house salad with lemon shallot vinaigrette (exquisite), the pan roasted half chicken on "smashed potatoes" topped with fresh asparagus and swathed in a caramelized sweet onion marsala sauce (oooh, utterly divine).  We enjoyed a tangy glass of pinot grigio and toasted to a great meal in a quaint, 1920's four-square house as homey as any grandma's kitchen.  I even kissed my New Years "diet" goodbye for the evening and indulged in a super sinful crème brule...(Yes, it was worth it)

This big pink house has won my heart.  I love the way the owners have emphasized an 'old world paradise', creating an original, and very enjoyable, dining experience. I also love the fact that they took a dilapidated old home and nursed it back to health-- this is a big part of the Portland spirit that moves and inspires me.

“'We serve Portland fancy food at a moderate price,” says Sarah Minnick, who co-owns the restaurant with her sister Jane. “We've worked hard to build a menu that brings together food from many different countries, while putting our own spin on all of it to form a consistent fare .'

The sisters, who bought the 1910 house with their mother almost a year ago, labored to preserve the spirit of the place despite having to restore the entire thing. The structure had been abandoned for a full year and was facing demolition like every other house on the North Portland industrial block over the past 30 years. The building has been saved and spruced up with vintage wallpaper, period fixtures and an old mantle serving as the bar. To celebrate their one year anniversary, LHH has recently opened their upstairs to diners on weekends."  Read the rest of the original press release (2003) here. 
 

Dinner:  Tuesday thru Sunday 5 to 10pm
Food:      Global fare
Drinks:   Beer on tap, specialty cocktails, wine list
Seats: 32
Sorry, no reservations.

Happy Friday, P-Town!

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January 21, 2006 14:28 - Enjoying Winter in Portland

Are you wanting to take advantage of an Oregon winter before it's gone?  Yes, it's hard to believe, but February and March are  just around the corner. First check our fitness page for some winter sports ideas, or head up to Mt. Hood Meadows for some snow action!  Check their site for snow conditions, lift tickets, classes and more.     How to get there:  FROM PORTLAND

•     Take Hwy 26 east to Government Camp.
•     Then north on Hwy 35 - 10 miles to Meadows.
  If you prefer an easier less congested drive
•     Take I - 84 to Exit 64 in Hood River
•     Follow Hwy 35, 35 miles to the Mt. Hood Meadows Entrance.

If it's a change of scenery you want, rent a cabin!  I can personally recommend at Mt. Hood Cabin Rental from Cascade Property Management.  I have stayed at several cabins for a weekend getaway and they are awesome.  Check their website for information, photos and descriptions about available rentals.

 

"Cozy cabins, romantic cottages, spacious chalets, beautiful homes and contemporary condos in a variety of settings provide the perfect lodging choice for Mt Hood, Oregon. Each private home has its own personality and charm and is close to Mount Hood recreational activities; ski, snowboard, snowshoe, hike, mountain bike, golf and fish just minutes from all accommodations. Enjoy a variety of restaurants and specialty shops just minutes from your vacation home. Our Mt Hood Vacation Rental Homes are fully furnished and supplied including well-appointed kitchens, bed and bath linens, paper products, a basic supply of firewood, TV, VCR, stereo, phone, washer and dryer, decks and BBQ. Most homes also include a fireplace or woodstove and hot tub. All homes are non-smoking! Ask about our pet-friendly homes. Winter ski packages and quiet season discounts are available."

 

Go rent yourself a cozy cabin, enjoy some winter sports, or just stay comfy indoors with a nice bottle of wine or some hot chocolate!

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January 22, 2006 14:17 - Fun for kids in Portland, Oregon

Good afternoon, Portland!  How many of you are glued to the football game right now?  ;-)  At the time of this writing, the Steelers are up 24 (Denver at 3). I've got family in Pittsburgh going absolutely bonkers about right now! 

Well, today I wanted to share some ideas for "kid fun in Portland"...Hopefully you will find some good activities that will be enjoyable for the whole family.  Personally, I have a major love affair with the Oregon Zoo (I'm an animal lover!). 

• The Oregon Zoo has a ton of educational and fun events for kids of all ages.  Take a look here for a very impressive list of activities coming up in the next few months.  A few that caught my eye:  Animal Families-  Kits, cubs, calves, pups and chicks - all get raised in different ways and Animals Nobody Likes- Meet some animals with undeserved bad reputations and discover how charming they really are. They don’t hold grudges — and will be on their best behavior for your visit.  Did you know the Oregon Zoo has one of the largest volunteer programs in the country? Why not check volunteer openings?
• The Portland Children's Museum has a great events calendar. A spotlight on a few eye-catching events:  Puppet Theater with Museum Puppeteer Penny Walter for puppets, songs and stories.
  Can You Tell Me How To Get To Sesame Street?  Sunny days, sweepin’ the clouds away….Everyone loves to watch Sesame Street, but it is twice the fun when you get to be part of the action!
• Museum Family Sundays at the Portland Art Museum.  Join us for a musical retelling of the classic German fairy tale written by the Hesse–sponsored Brothers Grimm. Enjoy entertainment by the Bremen Town Five, a group of local musicians that includes members of the Oregon Symphony, as they perform this charming story about clever barnyard animals. Then illustrate and write your own fairy tale book to take home.
• See Harry Potter on the big screen or explore Animation (Featuring Cartoon Network) at OMSI.  "Explore how art, math, science, and technology come together in the exciting world of animation. Experiment with storyboarding, character design, movement, timing, filming, sound, editing and more as you explore the process of animation and create your own animated sequences."  Check the events calendar for more ideas here. 

Have a great Sunday afternoon, everyone!

 
 

 

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