Archives for October 2011

Great American Distillers Festival (October 22-23, 2011)

October 18, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The 7th annual Great American Distillers Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 23 and 24 2011 at the Left Bank Annex (101 N Weidler), 1pm until 7pm both days.

This festival is a gathering of small distillers from across the country who come to Oregon – the Mecca of craft distilling, to share their products, their passion and their expertise in handcrafting spirits.There will be tastings, seminars, a mixology contest for bartenders and more!

A one day pass, which includes 3 taster tickets, is only $10. $16 gets you in both days. Additional taster tickets can be purchased of course. 50 distilleries will be in attendance.

Heather, our friend Diane, and I attended the festival in 2009 and enjoyed quite a few samples of interesting distillations, including several absinthes, New Deal‘s newly OLCC approved (at the time) Mud Puddle Chocolate Vodka, and Bend Distillery‘s Cofia Hazelnut Espresso Vodka, which would have been great on top of ice cream!

October 18, 1966: Marquam Bridge Completed

October 18, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The top deck of the Marquam Bridge, opened to eastbound traffic on Tuesday, October 18, 1966, two weeks after the westbound lower deck opened (The Oregonian, 19 October 1966).

The $20 million Marquam was the 8th bridge over the Willamette opened in the Portland metropolitan area. It’s the busiest bridge across the Willamette anywhere in the state, in 2010 nearly 140,000 vehicles crossed it daily.

Oregon Ballet Theater Costume Sale (October 22-23, 2011)

October 17, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Looking for the perfect Halloween costume? How do you feel about tights?

You’ll find something at the Oregon Ballet Theater Costume Sale this Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23, 2011.

Costumes, shoes, fabric, and more will be on sale during this huge two day warehouse sale.

The OBT warehouse is located at 2320 NW 21st, at York. The sale runs 10am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday.

Portland Fermentation Festival 2011

October 17, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The 3rd annual Portland Fermentation Festival takes place Thursday, October 20, 2011 at Ecotrust (721 NW 9th) from 6pm to 8pm.

Sample pickles, sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, miso, and more from 30 different amateur and professional fermenters from from 6pm to 8pm. Admission is a mere $5.

Bring your own homemade fermented foods – everyone can share. Nothing at this food fest is for sale – it’s all about sharing tastes, and knowledge. Plus there are doors prizes, give-aways and Fermentation Festival souvenirs!

Local food writer Liz Crain, co-organizer of the festival with George Winborn and David Barber, shares more details at Food Lover’s Guide to Portland, including highlights from last year’s festival. There’s another good review of the 2010 event at Learn To Preserve. And check out the Portland Tribune writeup, Portland gets itself into a big pickle.

October 17, 1859: The Hanging of Danford Balch

October 17, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Pioneer Danford Balch arrived in Oregon from Massachusetts and settled in the area that is now part of Macleay Park in Northwest Portland in 1850. Mortimer, the oldest son of the nearby Stump family, courted the Balch’s oldest daughter Anna – despite Danford Balch’s disapproval.

In the spring of 1859 Mortimer and Anna eloped in Vancouver. A couple weeks later Danford spotted young Mortimer on the Stark Street Ferry in Portland. Balch took his gun, resting by his left hand, marched to the ferry and shot Stump before he realized what he was doing. He had been drinking a bit (Morning Oregonian, 28 February 1928). Balch was arrested, locked up, and sentenced to be hanged.

At 10:45am on Monday, October 17, 1859, Danford Balch was hanged before a crowd of 600 people. His daughter Anna was one of those in the crowd. He was the first person hung by the state of Oregon.

For much more on the story, check out Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 1 #4: Danford Balch Hanging.

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