Ian Thomsen thinks Nate will be the Popovich of the future:
If he can survive the next couple of years with his ultra-young roster, he could develop a Popovichesque relationship with Greg Oden. McMillan has the work ethic, defensive mind-set and integrity to become a championship coach.
And he has Greg Oden as a reserve. I think he might be on to something.
Clear Creek Distillery‘s products, in particular distiller Stephen R. McCarthy’s vaunted eaux de vie, are profiled in the New York Times this morning.
An eau de vie is most simply defined as a “colorless fruit brandy,” but Clear Creek’s “eaux de vie capture the three-dimensional aromas and flavors of each particular fruit with an almost breathtaking clarity, intensity and depth,” says the chief wine critic for the Times, Eric Asimov.
I’ve tried, and liked, Clear Creek’s Eau de Vie de Pomme. It’s pretty close to a good Calvados. After reading this article I’m inspired to try the complete line, especially the Eau de Vie of Douglas Fir!
Saturday
New Belgium’s Tour de Fat traveling show is coming to Waterfront Park on Saturday.
There’s a bike ride from 11am-noon, and a “Revival” from noon-6pm, where there will be performances by The Yard Dogs Road Show, Circus Contraption, The Reals, and Portland’s own Sprockettes and March Fourth Marching Band.
(The event looks amusing, but they have one of the most annoying websites I’ve ever seen.)
Sunday
The Portland Challenge 2007 is Sunday (see previous post). Swim across the Willamette River and then party at the Slammer Tavern. Sounds like fun, except for the flesh-eating bacteria.
Come to Pioneer Square to “experience the sights and sounds of India and the Subcontinent” Sunday from 11am-9pm at the India Festival 2007. There will be music and dance exhibitions, as well as food!
The event is sponsored by the India Cultural Association.
The Slammer Tavern (500 SE 8th Ave.) will serve as the starting point for this year’s Portland Challenge. Registration begins at noon and the race begins at 2pm. It’s free to enter but the organizers ask participants and fans to make donations to the House of Peace and Love Project (see the official Portland Challenge website for a donation form and other information).
What is the Portland Challenge? This year the challenge is to cross the Willamette from the Eastbank Esplanade to Waterfront Park “without using money, motors, or bridges.”
The first Portland Challenge, in 2003, was more daunting. It too included a non-motorized river crossing, but began at Council Crest with the finish line at Mt. Tabor.
After the crossing buses will pick participants up at the Salmon Street Fountain and transport them back to the Slammer Tavern for a block party that will run until 10pm with live music and other activities.
I’m not surprised, but mildly disappointed, by the news that Deschutes Brewery‘s Portland pub, tentatively scheduled to open next April, will be in the Pearl District.
Bachelor Bitter (the beautifully balanced, less malty and less bitter predecessor to Bachelor ESB) and Black Butte Porter are two of my all-time favorite beers, and Mirror Pond is one of Portland’s ubiquitous (and delicious) draft beers.
Rogue and Bridgeport are in the Pearl, why must Deschutes be as well? There are plenty of great spots in Portland besides the Pearl for a showpiece brewpub that would be visited by tourists and locals alike, and the rent would be way cheaper at most of them. I’m sure there are all kinds of “business” reasons, but I wish Deschutes would use some imagination.