I was walking home last night, about 8:45pm, when I noticed the obnoxious helicopters. The occasional passing helicopter isn’t remarkable, but these seemed to be on joyrides, as they swooped low over and around downtown. And they sounded like lawn mowers. Huge, mosquito-like, helicopters. And it went on for hours. You’d think we were in Denver, or something.
The Oregonian is reporting that the police are saying it was a U.S. Department of Defense training exercise.
A new Ace Hotel will be opening in New York City on 29th and Broadway this winter. A Stumptown Coffee will provide the caffeine to weary travelers, just like at its Portland counterpart.
Gothamist has the details, including renderings of the guest rooms, “which are nicer, and larger, than some NYC apartments.”
Thursday – Sunday
Festa Italiana at Pioneer Square, all weekend!
Saturday
The 4th annual Montavilla Brewfest takes place Saturday, noon-9 in the parking lot behind Thatchers (where you can order your hamburger with pepperoni!) (7915 SE Washington). In Montavilla, of course. Music, barbecue, and over 40 beers. The Beer Here has more details.
Saturday – Sunday
And the 4th annual Great American Distillers Festival takes place both Saturday and Sunday, at the Gerding Theater (128 NW 11th). Samples, seminars, and mixology competitions fueled by spirits!
I hope to make it to the seminar Faeries in Your Backyard: Q&A on Northwest Absinthe with Gwydion Stone (founder of Wormwood Society and developer of Marteau Absinthe Superieure) & Rich Phillips (Integrity Spirits).
For a recent exploration of the NW’s nascent interest in absinthe, read Gastronautical Gastronomicon‘s absinthe mania. Modern Drunkard has a good history of absinthe in the article Return of the Green Faerie.
Entry is $10 each day (or $16 for both days) and includes 3 taster tickets. You can buy more tasters for a reasonable price. I think it was $1 last year. Click here for a list of participating distillers, and the spirits they will be sampling. I’m looking forward to the Saffron Vodka from Sub Rosa, and the aged pear brandy from Brandy Peak.
Festa Italiana kicks off Thursday with Opera in the Piazza at 7pm. The festivities continue through Sunday.
Festa Italiana celebrates Italian culture and heritage of Italian-Americans in the Portland metropolitan area. Local Italian-American organizations have united their efforts to produce this unique event with a special invitation to friends of Italy (wannabes) of the local community to share in this celebration. Nearly 300 volunteers along with several generous sponsors provide this “labor of love” and contribute to the success of this outstanding celebration.
This is one of my favorite yearly festivals. If there are strolling accordionists, I’m there!
Grab a table in the beer and wine garden in the SW corner of Pioneer Square and enjoy the entertainment on the stage below. Anthony Rolando, U.S. accordion champion, and singer Valerie Vacco perform at 4:15 on Friday, 6:15 on Saturday, and 2:15 on Sunday.
There are lots of other things going on too though . . .
Each day there is non stop Italian entertainment, food, dancing, vino and beer. We celebrate Italian-American culture and have a lot of fun doing it. Children love our old fashion marionette show, pizza toss, grape stomp and face painters. This year come see beautiful street art by Italian born Cristina Cottarelli ( you will love her work). We also have a fantastic raffle (not cakes) we are offering trip’s to Italy, Hawaii and even a motor scooter in a second raffle. This is a great raffle and it helps support Festa Italiana. See you there.
Portland experienced its first ciclovia back in June. And the ciclovia movement continues to sweep the nation.
Lost Oregon takes a look at the Burnside Burger King, circa 1978
. . . which post borrows a photograph from Cyclotram, which provides us with tips on How to walk the Ross Island Bridge and not die, if you’re lucky.
. . . which leads me to remember that the Ross Island bridge carries, in addition to automobiles and the occasional foolhardy pedestrian, gravity-fed Bull Run water to the West Side, where it fills reservoirs in Washington Park.
