Dave Knows Portland

Archives for September 2007

The city is your orchard – Part 3

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Portland Fruit Tree ProjectThe Portland Fruit Tree Project aims to organize “people in the Portland community to gather fruit before it falls, and make it available to those who need it most.” It is a project being undertaken by several NWSA Americorps members, with support from Growing Gardens.

With our lush climate, Portland has an abundances of fruit trees, many of which go unharvested. Urban Edibles, a community maintained database of wild food sources in Portland, and Arifilahi’s Fruit and Nut Trees map also make use of and publicize these local resources, but the Portland Fruit Tree Project is more ambitious. Visit the website to see how you can register your fruit trees, join a harvest party, volunteer as a fruit tree scout, or attend a workshop on tree care or fruit preservation.

September 7-9: Boots, Boats, Beer and the Belmont Street Fair

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Take your lederhosen out of the closet, as there are Oktoberfests galore this month, in addition to several street fairs, the inimitable Polish Festival, and the Juggling and Pirate Festivals to boot!

Speaking of boots . . .

Friday-Sunday

Muddy Boots Organic FestivalThe Muddy Boot Organic Festival kicks off Friday at St. Philip Neri Church (18th & Division). The festival features:

  • Workshops and exhibits on sustainable living and climate change
  • Local and healthy organic foods and beverages
  • Organic beer and wine
  • Kids’ activities
  • Musical entertainment provided by March Fourth Marching Band, Freak Mountain Ramblers, Jackstraw, Stolen Sweets, Dirty Martini Trio and more

Hopworks Urban Brewery (which isn’t even open yet!) is the official organic beer of the festival. Muddy Boots runs through Sunday, and a $5 suggested donation per person is requested.

Saturday

Widmer OktoberfestWidmer is out of the Teutonic gates first* with the Widmer Brothers 3rd Annual Oktoberfest from 4pm until late Saturday, September 8th.

I attended last year, and while the beer was good, it felt more like a tailgater than an Oktoberfest. Nevertheless, it’s walking distance from my house so I might give it another chance. At least there will be some accordion music (Those Darn Accordions).

* The Mt. Angel Oktoberfest kickoff party is the same day, but the festival doesn’t begin until Thursday, September 13th.

Belmont Street FairThe Belmont Street Fair will be car free this year, and that much better for it. The Division/Clinton Street Fair was a disappointment this year, while the car free Mississippi Avenue Street Fair was fantastic (though other factors such as business density, types of business, target audience, etc. came into play too). It will be centered between 33rd and 35th, but will run from 20th-48th.

Saturday-Sunday

2007 Portland Dragon Boat RaceThe 2007 Portland Dragon Boat Race will be held at Water Front Park on both Saturday and Sunday. Hong Kong-style Dragon Boats (I think that just means the big fancy ones) will ply the 250 and 500 meter courses both days, and there will be a beer garden, food vendors, and other entertainment for spectators to enjoy.

I may be biased, but I think my mom’s team, Pink Phoenix, is going to win the whole thing!

Huge picnic at Oaks Park to celebrate Labor Day

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Union YesBack in 1887 Oregon was the first state to officially recognize the Labor Day holiday, so it’s only fitting that we throw a huge Labor Day picnic featuring live jazz and professional wrestlers Monday at Oaks Park.

The event is sponsored by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council and around 15,000 people are expected to attend this year.

Some of this year’s highlights:

Vocalist and saxophonist Patrick Lamb, a member of Musicians Local 99, will perform this year. Lamb is a popular performing and recording artist from Portland. He plays rhythm and blues, soul and jazz. Lamb will perform on the main stage from 12-noon to 1 p.m. and again from 2 to 3 p.m.

Also featured for the first time this year will be professional wrestling, starring Dr. Pain. Matches will be held throughout the day, capped by a 20-man “Over-The-Top Battle Royale” starting around 3 p.m. Other featured wrestlers are Caution, Hazard, Cowboy “Tex” Thompson, Widowmaker, Buddy Highway and more.

Hat tip to Eric Berg!

Timbers back on top, for now . . .

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TimbersFifty plus Timbers fans crammed into Slabtown Saturday afternoon to watch their beloved Timbers play the Carolina Railhawks in North Carolina.

In the 80th minute Bryan Jordan bagged his fifth goal of the season for the 1-0 win. Josh Wicks now has 13 shutouts this season, to lead the league in that category. With Seattle’s home loss to Minnesota Friday night, the Timbers are back on top of the league.

The Timbers (50 points) have one more match this season, at Vancouver next Sunday. Seattle (48) and Montreal (47) each have one home and one away matches remaining.

Lumberjax keep marrying, also draft 6 players

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LumberjaxWith the sixth pick in the 2007 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Entry Draft the Portland Lumberjax selected transition player Tyler Codron. They picked five other players this weekend in Denver including another Brodie (Brodie Barfoot).

In other Lumberjax news, the Jax dance team tryouts are set for next weekend. Just so you know, “girls trying out are required to wear a form fitting top, form fitting shorts/dance pants, athletic shoes or dance shoes as well as professional looking hair and makeup.”

Daria and AngelaBut the real Jax news this summer is that owner Angela Batinovich married transition player Adam Bysouth, and that goalie, franchise player, and NLL Legend Dallas Eliuk is engaged to local radio celebrity Daria. These damn Canadian lacrosse players keep marrying the most eligible women in Portland. What is their secret?