You Can Make A Difference

I have seen the future, and we can make a difference. Yesterday, I spent an hour with an intuitive reader, who closed his eyes and looked into my future. For the most part, this future is really good. I was pleased. My concerns to him were what is going to happen to all the artists in Portland when the economy stalls, and continues to stall. I believe that creative people have been educated to believe that somewhere out there a patron will take them under their wealthy wing and provide sustenance and encouragement whilst the artistic minds move into high gear. This, I believe is about to slow down dramatically, due to major economic factors. So what’s the arts world to do?

I have given the thought of how the creative community can maintain its drive. I am very well aware that Portland is wonderful because of this amazing churn of music, visual, and performing vitality. That businesses, and tourists flock to Portland to feel the vibe. So what can I do, just me, to help my passionate ones?

One thing I can do is to meet as many artists as I can. By artists, I mean visual artists--though the intuitive reader suggested musicians, too. I can be a mini encyclopedia of who’s out there. What I want to do to make money is offer art to businesses to help fill up their vast wall spaces. By purchasing art, business will support the artists in the way they are supposed to be supported, as small business people who have a product to sell; not as starving artists needing patrons to survive.

So I am fording ahead, making contacts with businesses and creatives, hoping to match each for a more beautiful Portland. If anyone wants to fill their offices with original works of art, send me an email. We, the creative community, and I, would really love to hear from you.

Driven Crazy

I drive a lot. This is completely against the Portland belief that we reduce our carbon footprint by walking, biking, or taking public transportation. I drive because I network with people, and I like fact-to-face contact. However, there are times when even I don’t drive in Portland. Fact is, Portland is having major road issues. It seems as if several of the downtown streets are either in repair, being upgraded with trolly tracks, or reduced to one lane because of building construction. Sometimes it’s a nightmare, however, this is why I am writing today's thoughts. Because I love Portland, I believe in public transportation, and encourage as many people as possible to consider alternate forms of transportation, such as the MAX or trolly, especially if getting there is within walking distance to a destination.

If this were some other city, the transportation wizards would tear down buildings and add another lane in the road. This only leads to more congestion. So I say too bad if we are stuck in traffic. Most drivers are sitting, fuming, in their cars alone. They don’t even carpool. Too bad. We have to get use to public transportation or biking, or heavens to betsy--walking, to get where we need to go.

Ideally with city planning, we should be ten minutes from where we live, work, and shop. Which is the concept of the Pearl District. Not every part of the city should be high rise condos, but the idea that we can live, work, and shop within ten minutes is a great idea.

So when I go crazy driving around the construction, I blame myself. And I hope it becomes so bad that we all will consider alternate means of transportation. It is much healthier on our nerves, and we get to see this gorgeous city just a little bit better.

Homage to Ikea

Most folks in Portland are opposed to “big box” businesses. We like our mom and pop places; love to sip coffee for hours in our favorite coffee house, and purchase our bling at a local shop. Yeah, right. Portland has just gotten a big dose of the big box when Ikea came to town. The Swedish home furnishing store has placed its behemothic footprint just seconds from our PDX airport, a perfect place to shop and fly.

Before they opened in August, their towering Ikea sign had lit the Portland night as we drove by on the nearby I-205 freeway. I wondered how the citizens of this town, who are passionate about sustainability and community, would greet our foreign invader.

I have been a huge fan of Ikea, in fact, my home’s interior could be called the house that Ikea built. I would make the three hour one way drive to Seattle periodically to fill up my van with stuff. In fact, my van was purchased with Ikea in mind! So now I am just a few minutes from the store. Should I go or not on opening day? I certainly don’t need anything, but what the hey, it’s opening day in Portland, land of no sales tax, and I had to make an homage. But would anyone else?

Our local press, the Oregonian, sure seemed to love the store. They ran a number of stories about Ikea, including one on in the food section. They warned Portlanders that the freeways would be congested, and to park and take the public transportation. Or better yet, wait about six weeks until the surge died down. EEK, it was certainly nail biting time.

Opening day was quite on the I-205 as I passed by. Then around 5:00 p.m., I took the plunge and parked in a park and ride lot a few miles away and took the MAX line in.

What is wonderful about the entire store is that it is smack on the MAX line. So that when one purchases a bookcase, they can haul it home on MAX. Riding the MAX to Ikea is almost like being in an amusement park because the ride takes us up over the freeway at speeds often surpassing the traffic below. I wondered as the MAX came to a stop, would anyone else be there?

No worries, Portlanders love Ikea. It was busy but not jammed packed. Except for the cafeteria where their famous Swedish meatballs are served. I didn’t purchase any home furnishing that day, but I did stand in line for an hour and a half with other dopes to eat those meatballs.

So my homage to Ikea is that it has smitten the hearts of many in Portland, and for that matter, other places and states, like Idaho and Montana. Now they can take the multi-hour drive. I don’t have to. But I still love my van. It carries more than Ikea boxes.

Welcome to the Zoo, Sam Adams

Well, it's official, Sam Adams is running for mayor of Portland. And he invited the entire city to watch him officially toss his hat into the ring October 3 at Roots, an organic brew pub. I was there, because I'm a HUGE Sam fan. And, as you can see, I was not alone. I got there a bit early, and the place was already packed. There was a band playing near the front window, and just about every square inch of space was occupied by humans. It was truly sardine time.
As we waited around, the bar made a killing. There wasn't a dry mouth there. Everyone was networking, looking around to see who else was in the place, and waiting, and waiting for our Sam. About an hour after the announced time, he showed up. Well, his entourage showed up, then the press showed up, then, almost as an afterthought, Sam Adams appeared in the doorway. He had to take his time, because of the human crush that awaited him. First he had to get around the dozen or so reporters with camera equipment and lights, which was just about impossible. Then he had to squeeze past the well wishers in the front of the room. Then he had to wait while a couple of well-meaning associates thanked everyone and made brief announcements. Then it was Sam's turn to speak. His official announcement came that morning, this was just a get together, and a get-em-while-they-are-excited with the volunteer sign up sheet party.
I had a great time, because I love Sam Adams. I also realized that this is a great way to network. As long as you like Sam.

Ah Alberta

You never know what you will see on Alberta Street. This is the last corner of Portland were the truly weird can come out and play and everyone expects it. It’s like Halloween every Last Thursday all year long. Someone, some years back, found out about the creatives who called this part of the world their home. Driven from the ever increasing property rents on the west side of Portland, they packed their art supplies and headed across the river to the less genderfied part of town, where gunshots were the bedtime lullaby. But art happened, and Alberta Street began to come around. Unfortunately, so did the money. Developer have started to come in and built condos, run down Victorian homes have been snapped up by young professionals, and the community is starting to change. Well, almost change. Diehards still hang out along the sidewalks’ Last Thursday selling anything and everything. They call it “art.” The few galleries in the area open their doors to the gawkers, and restaurants and bars make out like bandits.
It’s a happening and people come from all parts of the Portland area to enjoy the festive atmosphere that is called Last Thursday on Alberta Street. An array of clothing, home made foods, and crafts share the sidewalks with the creatives. It’s a social happening for the vendors as well as the gawkers.

Art is placed on the fence, on tables, hung on a board and walked around the street, or in this case, on the ground, where instant celebrity, Michael Patterson-Carver was discussing his views on political action.Spontaneous musical groups unpack instruments and attract a crowd of well wishers. People drink, and walk, and discuss politics, movies, books, and who is here. One act that will be missing are the clowns from the clown house. The property has been sold to a developer. We all worry where the clowns will go. One went to jail this evening. I’m not sure why. Do you think it was because of the diapers he was wearing?
The police were out tonight. A couple of months ago, things got a little too rowdy, and the merry makers were dancing in the street. It made driving a bit difficult. So the police was called in. Bars were cautioned about drunks. Hey, this is Alberta Street, man. What can you do?
I get tired of the same old, same old here. But just as I think it is the same; it isn’t. I really love all the people and dogs, and cats, and bad art that has become apart of what makes Portland just great. Who wouldn’t want to keep it weird?

A Bigger Trader Joes

I'm a huge fan of Trader Joes. I love everything in the store. And there is a new store in Portland. Actually, it is a relocated, and newly built store. It's in the Hollywood district. I used to shop TJ's in Hollywood, because it was an easy find. Located right on Sandy Bouevard, I would make a quick stop, and drive on. Unfortunately, the last time I did stop, I could't find a parking place. Even on the street. Luckily they were building this new store.

Last week I stopped by to make one of my quick purchases, and actually found a parking space! When I walked into the new store, I halted dead in my tracks. There was space, a lot of space. Before, I felt as if I was one of the sardines, squeezing next to another sardine, trying to have a quick shop. Now, there is space. I mean the aisles are wide, and the ceiling seems taller. There is room to add more stuff.

One thing that caught my eye was the array of fresh flowers just as one walked through the door. I couldn't resist the photo. Aren't they gorgeous?

Doggie Walk

This is Lucy, and she is anxious to get going. I am a slow polk because of photo taking. But you get the idea that Lucy wants to be the head of the pack, not the tail, so to speak.

Lucy looks up at me and really begs to get going. Darn, its hard to continue when I just want to take photos.

Now this young fluff ball is Linus--get it--Lucy and Linus. Well, he is a happy camper because he is the leader of the pack.

Linus is pausing to explore the rocks and that gorgeous tree with his human caretaker, his "mom".






Walking the dogs is a have to for pet owners, but up here in Portland, walking the dogs is really nice.

Portland Bridges

What I really love about Portland, among the many things to love here, are the bridges. Portland has a lot of them, and each one has its own character. All the bridges, except for the Interstate bridges, cross the Willamette River, which separates the east side of the city from the westside. Downtown is on the west side. There are bike paths along the Willamette River on both east and west side.

Walking along the river gives one a sense of closeness to this great river and its spans.

This walkway is popular on weekends. Families on bikes have an easy journey because most of the travel is along the riverside, which is pretty flat.