The Only Year To Remember

This hangs in a neighborhood bar near my house. As far as I'm aware, '77 is the only year the Blazers have won the NBA title. Here's hoping the Timbers will rock the pro sports world a little harder. Though I will say, the fans in this city are really loyal and really into their team, which in many ways is better than having a team that always wins.

Well Composed

Intermission at the Portland Chamber Orchestra's Chopinade performance to kick off their season. Fabulous performance! The first part had ballet on the stage, which was beautiful.

Pack Your Bags

Well, I did say to pack your bags, didn't I? This is a photo I snagged in the Portland airport before my flight out to Philly last month. Hopefully this isn't a repost of the photo. Either way, I still love this shot.

Pretty in Pink

Flower up at the View Point Inn on the edge of the overlook staring west down the Columbia River Gorge.

Hopefully I've not posted this before. Things are hectic for me at work this week and my family just left town from their visit, so I wasn't able to post until this afternoon. Apologies!

When In Doubt, Look Up

This isn't a sign you see everyday! Outside my morning Starbucks I saw this under where the window washers were working. Now they are working on my building, but haven't gotten to my floor's windows yet. Stay tuned for exciting pics of the repelling washers tomorrow!

A Crack in Time

Thinking about going to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell like I did last weekend? Forget about it! Just go to City Hall in Portland and voila! This replica was purchased for $8,000 after the original replica, received as a gift, was lost in the 1970 bombing of City Hall.

Water, Water Everywhere

You can find these water fountains, called the Benson Bubblers, all over downtown. Fresh water, always great after coming from a workout at the gym and waiting on my bus...

Here's the history, taken from John Gorman's article on Portland fountains.
"Early Portland legend and lumber baron Simon Benson— nondrinker himself—realized that local saloons were slaking the thirsts of his parched timber-company employees. Eager to provide an alternative refreshment, he originally paid for the installation of 20 fountains created by noted Benson Hotel designer A.E. Doyle, which he insisted flow 24 hours a day uninterrupted.

Soon thereafter, Benson proudly noted that saloon sales dropped nearly 40%—a trend more likely attributed to the growing temperance movement than to free water fountains. Still, the Bubblers have remained famous, functional Portland landmarks, and on hot summer afternoons they are especially appreciated by all."

Painting the Community

A drive-by shot of the Buckman Community mural on 12th and Morrison.

Dancing Turnover

Here's the signs for the food carts on Hawthorne Blvd. I love the pies one on the bottom right. It's a dancing turnover!

Drawn Into the Sky

A shot of the south part of downtown from the Burnside Bridge while we waited for the drawbridge to go down.

An Octopus' Garden in the Shade

This little garden area is just a segment of the many greenhouses at the Portland Nursery on SE Stark St.

Tinsel Town?

The Hollywood theater. Portland is full of little independent theaters that play both independent films and dollar theater type of films. Some play brand new films too, but they cost more. We saw Avatar at a local theater, but not the Hollywood one. I will get a better photo of the facade to put up here as you can only see the side angle.

Shoot For The Stars

Broadway in Hollywood? Whoa. What is going on?

We're No Yokels

Portland really does love local, not just Whole Foods where this sign is located.

Have a Heart

My Mexican Mocha at our fave coffeeshop in this part of town, Common Grounds.

(and my ancient ipod in the background, yeah that's right, forget touch screen, it doesn't even have a color screen!)

My Hood

The view of downtown as seen from the Japanese Gardens. Mt. Hood is in the background.

(Sorry for the late entry today, I was out of town and forgot to schedule it!)

Happy Labor Day

I like this mural in O'Brien Park because it really embodies the initial feelings towards Oregon while pulling in the modern day. Oregon City, which is the oldest city west of the Mississippi river, is only 10 minutes drive from Portland. The phrase "Pack up your dreams" hits home for me as well because I packed up and moved from Florida last year out here. A lot of local Portlanders and Oregonians in general complain about all the new people coming into the city in the past decade, but really it's sort of like back in the covered wagon days with people heading west to try their luck.

On a sad note, the influx of people in Portland has really caused a lack of jobs in the city. So, unfortunately, Labor Day for some isn't much of a break at all.

A rose by any other name

City of Roses! :) This is a mural on a building next to the 405 painted in 1995. I'm not sure if Mary Lou Fendall is the name of the rose or who it's in honor of (or both).

I know roads are boring, but I wanted to point out 2 things about I-405 which goes right by downtown Portland. 1) This is rush hour (yes, 5:30 on a Wednesday) 2) There's rose bushes growing along the interstate. It really is the City of Roses.

Honk If You Recycle

This guy hangs out in a really out of the way spot in front of a Mexican restaurant in the Northwest. It's made out of recycled metal. Goose or duck? I think it's a goose, but you can decide.