This dork is no longer available. Heather and I got married on Saturday!
Archives for August 2010
Chapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2010
The 2010 Swift Watch takes place throughout the month of September.
So here’s the deal. Every September thousands of Vaux’s Swifts come to Northwest Portland, eat lots of bugs, swirl and dive and circle the chimney at Chapman School (off NW 25th between Pettygrove and Raleigh).
A Peregrine falcon or two dive bombs at them, occasionally getting lucky. Drama!
Right around sunset they then all together start swirling into the chimney, tens of thousands of them, where they roost for the evening. Meanwhile on the lawn below, hundreds of Portlanders gather with their lawn chairs and blankets and unruly children and stare at the sky, mesmerized by the swirling black pepper tornado. The crowd boos when a falcon gets lucky, and cheers when he’s thwarted.
Seriously, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. Read Heather’s excellent account of our first visit in 2008, and mine from 2009. Here’s a video Heather filmed last year:
Vaux Swifts 2009 from Mile73 on Vimeo.
The Audobon Society of Portland maintains the Swift Watch webpage, which includes details on the best times to show up, explanations of the phenomena, and an FAQ answering all your questions on the natural history of the phenomena, the bird counts, and sundry. Oregon Field Guide did a segment on the Vaux Swifts a decade ago, and there’s even a movie, called On The Wing.
Portland Timbers Roundup (08/27/2010)
The Jimmy Conway Testimonial Match took place Thursday, August 26 2010 before the Timbers vs Aztex match.
Dropping Timber has write ups on a few of the Old Legends in the Jimmy Conway Testimonial Match, and images from the match. Visit Timbers Throw Ins for a collection of articles about Jimmy Conway from his Timbers days.
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Reds and yellow all around, Timbers and Aztex draw 1-1 in hard fought match by Allison Andrews at The Timber Mill
In a match that would feature two ejections, eight yellow cards, and a lot of physical play, it would be the Timbers that would take an early lead on a goal by Bright Dike, but Sullivan Silva would tie it for Austin 22 minutes later. Though the Timbers would play much of the second half with a man advantage, they could not capitalize, and would end the night with a disappointing 1-1 draw in front of 14,985 at PGE Park. [more]
More recaps:
- Game 24: Timbers 1 – Austin 1 by mao at the Timbers USL Blog at The offside
- Timbers battle Aztex to hard-fought draw at PGE Park at PortlandTimbers.com
- Portland 1, Austin 1: Timbers get opportunities, fail to take advantage at The Oregonian
- Post Match interviews PTFC v Austin Aztex at Dropping Timber
Looking ahead
Timbers gear up for stretch run, playoffs by Paul Danzer at The Columbian
After hosting Austin today, Portland plays Crystal Palace Baltimore on Sunday and Peurto Rico on Sept. 2 to close out its PGE Park schedule. The Timbers play their final four regular-season matches on the road. Any home playoff matches will be played at either the University of Portland or Hillsboro Stadium because of renovation work at PGE Park in advance of the club’s move to Major League Soccer in 2011. [more]
In the this-is-not-new-news department
PGE Park will have a new name as Portland Timbers move to MLS by Aaron Fentress at The Oregonian
PGE Park will have a new moniker next season. What exactly remains up for negotiations. But the chance to sell the naming rights for Portland Beavers/Timbers owner Merritt Paulson couldn’t have come at a better time.
The stadium’s 10-year agreement with Portland General Electric is up after this year when the Portland Beavers are being displaced by renovations to turn the stadium into a suitable venue for the Timbers’ move to Major League Soccer. [more]
In player news
Timbers Sign Kevin Goldthwaite by mao at the Timbers USL Blog at The Offside
Q&A with Ian Joy at soccer365.com
S365 – How are you enjoying Portland?
IJ – I am absolutely loving life in Portland. After missing almost a whole year last year with injuries I needed to play games and try to stay healthy, I have been very fortunate that I have managed to do that here. A little help from Head Coach Gavin Wilkinson giving me the odd rest now and again goes a long way into giving my body the right time to recover and stay in good condition. [more]
Pore Is Money in the Bank for the Timbers by Oakley Brooks at EnzymePDX
Call him the Iceman.
Ryan Pore has taken six penalty kicks in USSF Division-2 Pro League games this season and hit all six. That’s nearly half of his league-leading 13 goals, and more important for the Timbers, the successful penalties have meant the difference in points-earning wins or ties four times. The midfielder’s latest secured a 1-0 victory over Minnesota in the 68th minute Saturday night and left Portland in fourth place in the league, five points shy of regional rival Vancouver. [more]
August 27-29: Festa, Fair, Beerfests, Block Party, and the Timbers
While y’all are enjoying the events and festivities below, I’ll be getting married to Heather! We may still find time for some Festa Italiana and the Timbers though . . .
Ongoing – Friday through Labor Day
The 2010 Oregon State Fair extends from Friday, August 27 through September 6, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem.
Competitions at the fair include 4-H of course, along with categories such as fine art, farm and garden, photography, floral, creative living, and grill offs. Competitions also include horse shows, and exhibits of livestock and the best part: small animals. [more]
Friday-Saturday
This is one of my favorite Portland festivals, and not just because of the strolling accordionists. I recommend arriving early to secure a table in the beer and wine garden at the top of the bowl on the SE side of the square. You’ll have an excellent view of the stage in the middle of the square. Wine is available by the bottle or the glass; and you’ll find the Festa Italiana drink prices to be more reasonable than at most festivals. Beer is available too. [more]
Saturday
The 2nd Annual Old Town Block Party takes place Saturday, August 28 2010 in Old Town between NW 4th and 5th and Couch and Davis from noon until 10pm.
DJs entertaining the masses all day long (i.e. noon until 10pm) include The Mighty Fix DJs, Matt Nelkin, and DJ Nature. In addition there will be food, beverages, local business sponsored booths, and bands: Deelay Ceelay, The Joggers, Mean Jeans, and The Lovers. [more]
The 2010 Biketobeerfest takes place Saturday, August 28 at Hopworks Urban Brewery (2944 SE Powell), from noon until 10pm.
Activities include a group ride, Huffy toss competitions, kid’s bike games, a handbuilt bike showcase, and BMX trick ride demonstrations. [more]
Saturday-Sunday
The Nano Beer Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, August 28 2010 on SE 9th between Belmont and Yamhill, in front of the Green Dragon (928 SE 9th).
From 11am until 9pm on Saturday, and 11am until 7pm on Sunday, sample the offerings from over thirty local nano breweries, including Natian, Upright, Captured by Porches, Heater Allen, and Brewers Union Local 180. To be considered nano, a brewery must produce fewer than 1000 barrels of beer a year. [more]
Sunday
Portland Timbers vs Crystal Palace Baltimore
The NASL Conference’s Crystal Palace Baltimore makes its second and final trip to PGE Park during the regular season. Baltimore has suffered back-to-back losses, including a 5-0 defeat against the Montreal Impact on Aug. 21 at home. In the month of August, Crystal Palace Baltimore has a 1-3-1 record and has been shut out in four of its five matches. The team’s lone win in August was a 2-1 victory over the RailHawks on Aug. 14. [more]
And visit PDX Pipeline and Around the Sun for more!
August 26: Festa Italiana, 7th Planet Picture Show, and the Timbers!
Holy moly what a Thursday!
Festa Italiana, my favorite downtown festival, kicks off at noon at Pioneer Courthouse Square:
This is one of my favorite Portland festivals, and not just because of the strolling accordionists. I recommend arriving early to secure a table in the beer and wine garden at the top of the bowl on the SE side of the square. You’ll have an excellent view of the stage in the middle of the square. Wine is available by the bottle or the glass; and you’ll find the Festa Italiana drink prices to be more reasonable than at most festivals. Beer is available too. [more]
7th Planet Picture Show presents Megaforce at the Mount Tabor Theater (4811 SE Hawthorne) at 7pm.
Portland’s weekly answer to MST3K, the 7th Planet Picture Show, takes place at 7pm this Thursday, August 26 2010 at Mount Tabor Theater (4811 SE Hawthorne).
Host Will Radik and guests Robert Wagner, Jay Mackin, and Twazu present Megaforce! [more]
Portland Timbers vs Austin Aztex
The Austin Aztex and their league leading offense visit PGE Park to take on the Portland Timbers – kickoff is at 7pm.
Preceding the game at 5pm is the Jimmy Conway testimonial match. Gates open at 4:30pm. [more]