Dave Knows Portland

Archives for October 2009

October 24-25: Great American Distillers Festival

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Update: 2010 Great American Distillers Festival!

Great American Distillers Festival 2009Samples, seminars, and mixology competitions fueled by spirits! The 5th Annual Great American Distillers Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25, at the Bossanova Ballroom (722 E Burnside).

I’m not going to miss this one. Last year’s festival was held in August, the same weekend as the Festa Italiana. That was an awful idea. Late October is a much more boozy time of the year.

This week of events celebrates small craft distilleries from across the country and the spirit of entrepreneurship. Just like the microbrew movement of the 1980’s, the microspirits revolution is taking off and craft products are increasingly preferred by consumers, bartenders, and connoisseurs of high-end spirits.

Entry is $10 each day and includes 3 taster tickets, or $16 for both days and 6 tickets. You can buy more tasters for a reasonable price. I think it was $1 last year. The list of participating distilleries is impressive; it includes all the well known locals, plus distilleries from as far away as Colorado (Stranahans), Tennessee (Prichard’s), and Maine (Maine Distilleries).

Presenting: Portland Poutine

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PortlandPoutine.comFrench fries. Cheese Curds. Gravy. We have much to learn from Canada.

The perfect beer accompaniment and late night stomach filler’s popularity continues to grow in Portland. Just two years ago it was difficult (though not impossible) to find, now numerous restaurants in Portland serve poutine.

I’ve blogged about poutine quite a few times over the past couple years. I’ve come round to thinking poutine has staying power; there’s always room for more choices in the American junk food pantheon. As more and more restaurants in town start offering the dish, I figure the aficionados like myself need a Portland Hamburgers-esque place to share our thoughts, reviews, photos, and enjoyment of the French Canadian delicacy.

So, with the help of Heather of Mile73, I present to you: Portland Poutine.

October 17: Mississippi Marketplace grand opening with special guest Bill Walton

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billwaltonblazers200Several of the food carts have been open a few weeks already, but the official Grand Opening of the Mississippi Marketplace (4233 N Mississippi, at Skidmore) takes place this Saturday from 1 until 6pm.

Roger Goldingay, the former NASL Timbers player and developer of the marketplace, has revealed also that there will be a special guest at the gala: his old friend and Trailblazers legend Bill Walton will be making an appearance.

The current food cart tenants of the marketplace are Nuevo Mexico, The Big Egg, Native Bowl, Magic Bean, SW Pizza, Ruby Dragon, Dogfeathers, Sushi Tree, Patty’s Wagon, and Sugar Cube is opening soon. Additional offerings Saturday include Mt. Angel farm’s fresh produce, LadlesPDX’s take-away soup, the scented bath and body products of Ocean Child, and Jim Jennings of Perceptive Touch Massage will be offering low cost chair massages from 4 to 8pm.

Portland Timbers news roundup (mid-October 2009)

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TimbersWhat the Portland Timbers Mean to the Credibility of MLS by Alex Caulfield at Major League Soccer Talk

When compared with their rivals Portland’s home support is staggering, and the fan base is hardly composed of fickle members. The main supporters group is known as the Timbers Army, and this ravenous hoard devotes itself to vocally imposing itself on Timbers matches for 90 minutes. More . . .

The Hidden History of a Number: Why Were There Two #98s on the Field the Other Night? by Shawn Levy at The World is Round

While watching my beloved Portland Timbers lose a thrilling USL First Division semi-final to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday, I noticed an oddity: Not only was Timbers central defender Mamadou Danso wearing the number 98 on his shirt, but so was Charles Gbeke, the imposing Vancouver forward whom Danso was guarding. More . . .

Portland Timbers coach Gavin Wilkinson signs one-year contract for 2010 by Geoffrey C. Arnold at OregonLive

Gavin Wilkinson will return as coach and general manager of the Portland Timbers in 2010, team owner Merritt Paulson announced Tuesday. More . . .

Writer joins Timbers Army in Portland by Ryan Horlen at The Daily Everygreen

The road trip – that all too important rite of passage that turns good friends into great friends and stories into legend. More . . .

Timbers’ Keita finalist for USL First Division MVP at PortlandTimbers.com

United Soccer Leagues today announced that Portland Timbers forward Mandjou Keita is one of two finalists for the USL First Division Most Valuable Player award. The recipient will be announced Friday, Oct. 16. More . . .

Timbers’ Cronin loaned to D.C. United of MLS at PortlandTimbers.com

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have come to an agreement in principle to loan goalkeeper Steve Cronin to D.C. United of Major League Soccer for the remainder of the 2009 MLS season, it was announced today pending league and USSF approval. More . . .

Timbers’ 2009 Season: A Season To Remember at OurSports Central

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers concluded one of their most successful seasons as a member of the USL First Division over the weekend. Under third-year head coach Gavin Wilkinson, the Timbers captured the Commissioner’s Cup, reached the semifinals and created many notable moments over the course of the 2009 season. More . . .