Dave Knows Portland

Archives for June 2011

June 28, 1969: Governor Tom McCall Dedicates Pixieland

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Ad for Pixieland dedication that appeared in The Oregonian (27-June-1969)Pixieland was a short-lived amusement park on the coast inspired by a longstanding destination restaurant in Lincoln City called The Pixie Kitchen. The whimsical restaurant, with a funhouse mirrors entryway and an internal courtyard occupied by colorful mechanical pixie characters, opened in the 1930s and closed in the mid-80s.

The amusement park had a much shorter life span.

It opened in 1969 – officially dedicated by Governor Tom McCall on Saturday, June 28, 1969 – and closed in the early 70s (and now its remnants are disappearing into reclaimed wetlands).

To get a glimpse of what Pixieland was like, check out the wonderful collection of images at PdxHistory.com, and next time you visit the Central Coast plan a stop at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum, which sports a permanent display about Pixieland.

Also recently the purchase of a Pixieland T-shirt from Vintage Roadside evoked my own Pixieland memories . . .

OMSI After Dark: Science Is Brewing (29-June-2011)

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OMSI After DarkOMSI After Dark presents Science is Brewing this Wednesday, June 29, 2011.

Treat yourself to childfree, brain-building science fun at OMSI After Dark! Check out live demos, new featured exhibitions, and old favorites. Sample tasty snacks and sweets along with beer and wine, and talk to regional food and beverage artisans about the science behind them. The OMSI Cafe will be open with a special dinner menu and cash bars will be available for those who want more than just a taste! It’s geeks gone wild!

Yup, childfree OMSI! With a bar!

Bring cash for the beer and wine bar. Enjoy special menu items at the OMSI Cafe.

Featured science demonstrations and activities include Physics of Beer Pong, Grain to Growler, and Microbrew Under the Microscope. Portland Taiko will perform, and test your beer smarts with Beer Trivia and What’s that Smell?! The Aroma of Hops.

Hours are 7pm to 11pm. Brew Package admission is $25 for nonmembers ($15 for members), and includes a commemorative pint glass and 10 tokens. You can buy tickets online (recommended), or at the door (no reservations necessary). If you don’t want/need the brew package, admission is $12 for non-members, and free for members. 21 and over only!

History Pub: The Jewish Community of Old South Portland (27-June-2011)

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The Jewish Community of Old South Portland is the topic of History Pub Monday at the Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd) on June 27, 2011.

This month, Holy Names Heritage Center, OHS and McMenamins will host a presentation by Judy Margles titled, “Old South Portland – Recalling the City’s Thriving Jewish Community.” Judy Margles is the Director of the Oregon Jewish Museum, and this event will also feature a panel of former South Portlanders.

Join event co-sponsors Oregon Historical Society and Holy Names Heritage Center at 7pm Monday for a beer and history! Admission is free and this event is all ages. Please bring canned food donations for the Oregon Food Bank!

June 27, 1907: Rose Festival Incorporated

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Morning Oregonian headline from 28-June-1907At the tail end of the very first Portland Rose Festival, organizers agreed the successful event should be celebrated annually. On June 27, 1907 they filed articles of incorporation with the Oregon Secretary of state (Morning Oregonian, 28-June-1907).

The articles provide for an annual carnival to be held in June of each year and designates in a general way the nature of the programme . . .

Article 1 designates the name as the Portland Rose Festival and article 2 provides that the duration of the organization shall be perpetual.

The festival has taken place every year since, except in 1918 (due to World War I) and 1926 (due to Multnomah Stadium construction – the location was where many events took place or were staged). In 1942 the parade was cancelled to heed federal government warnings to cancel large outdoor events due to the possibility of enemy attack. Other activities that year, however, were held indoors.

Review: North American Organic Brewers Festival 2011

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This guest post is by Rick from Beerdrinker.org – follow him on Twitter too: @m8ryx. I had to miss my first NAOBF ever, but Rick graciously offered to share his reviews and recommendations with me, and Dave Knows readers!

North American Organic Brewers FestivalA gorgeous Portland early summer day made Overlook Park the place to be in Portland Friday, with a great selection of organic beers at the 2011 North American Organic Brewers Festival. Unsurprisingly, the selection was mostly ales, with one or two lagers available and a cider. There seemed to be fewer brewers in attendance this year, with the international section notably absent, as well as a dedicated space for ciders. There seemed to be more fruit/adjunct beers, which is where I chose to focus my tasting. Arriving before 2, it felt a little early in the day to have my face melted off by a mega-hopped IPA, and I’d already had a number of what was available.

I holed up at my preferred spot, a table near the tree, fairly distant from the beer and stage, but a quick jaunt to the port-o-lets. The music was generally good, not too loud, leaning towards coffee house earlier in the day, and getting a bit more rock towards the evening. The crowds never became a factor in my beer selection, as lines had not formed by the time my tokens ran out sometime between five and six. In the past I would switch to the 2-token selections when lines grew, but fortunately they didn’t since I couldn’t find any 2-token beers.

Some of Rick’s reviews and recommendations:

  • Alone, the Alpenfire cider was a bit sweet, but it was fantastic as a chaser for the dry Elliot Bay Black Ops.
  • Ambacht Rye Farmhouse ale: Interesting.
  • Eel River acai wheat is delicious.
  • Fort George spruce ale is super drinkable. Less sprucey than some, a little sweet.
  • Lahr Neppur Brewing’s peach hefeweizen is more peach than hef. Nice on this warm day.
  • Uncommon Brewing Siamese Twin Dubbel with some smoked chicken. Pretty good pairing.
  • I love upright brewing Enjoying their funky reggae junkie gruit whatever that means.
  • Bison’s honey basil. Nice, light, and refreshing.