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Archives for August 2015

Chapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2015

August 31, 2015 by Dave Leave a Comment

Swirling SwiftsJoin the Audubon Society of Portland in September for the annual Swift Watch in Northwest Portland.

In September thousands of Vaux’s Swifts coalesce into a giant undulating swirl in Northwest Portland near Chapman School after spending the day eating bug. Around sunset the swirl gets more compact, like a ground pepper tornado, and begins disappearing, measure by measure, down the school’s huge old chimney. On the lawn below hundreds of mesmerized and picnic-sated Portlanders stare into the sky from the comfort of lawn chairs and blankets while their oblivious children roll down the grassy hill screaming. Cheers erupt from the crowd when the slippery swifts dodge the opportunistic Peregrine falcons, boos when the predators get lucky.

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 FAQs answering all your questions on the natural history of the swifts, the bird counts, and sundry. Oregon Field Guide did a segment on the Vaux Swifts fifteen years ago, and there’s even a movie, called On The Wing.

In 2008 and 2009 Heather and I blogged about our first visits to see the Chapman swifts:

  • The Chapman Swifts at Mile73
  • Witnessing the Chapman Vaux’s Swifts
  • Staring at a chimney: Chapman Vaux’s Swifts 2009

Your moment of Zen, courtesy of Mike Vogel:

Portland Weekend Amusements (28-30 August 2015)

August 27, 2015 by Dave Leave a Comment

The fantastic Festa Italiana, Movies in the Park, Drive-in at Zidell Yards, and Support Black Restaurant Days – all weekend!

All Weekend

Drive-In at Zidell Yards

North By NorthwestNorthwest Film Center and Zidell present Drive-In at Zidell Yards each evening Thursday through Monday, August 27 through 31, 2015 at Zidell Yards (3030 SW Moody Avenue) under the Ross Island bridge

The movies:

  • Thursday (27 August 2015): Clueless
  • Friday (28 August 2015): An American Werewolf in London
  • Saturday (29 August 2015): Jurassic Park
  • Sunday (30 August 2015): North by Northwest
  • Monday (31 August 2015): Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure

Festa Italiana 2015

Festa Italiana

The 24th annual Festa Italiana tranforms Pioneer Courthouse Square into an Italian piazza Thursday through Saturday, August 27 through 29, 2015.
Arrive early to grab a table in the beer and wine garden (in my experience the beer and wine prices are very reasonable) where you’ll have an excellent view of the stage. Entertainment runs the gamut from marionettes, ballet, and opera to Sinatra tributes and of course (of course!) plenty of accordions!

Saturday-Sunday

Support Black Restaurant Days, Portland, OR!!!!

Inspired by an article about Black Restaurant Day in the San Francisco Chronicle, Portlander Bertha Pearl launched a Facebook event to bring Black Restaurant Day to Portland. The event’s page has amassed a huge list of black-owned restaurants in Portland that would otherwise not exist, and according to Pearl, August 29-30 will be Portland Black Restaurant Day.

Ongoing

Movies in the Park

Movies in Parks

Friday, August 28

  • Dawson Park – Cinderella
  • Montavilla Park – Home

Saturday, August 29

  • Spring Garden Park – Back to the Future

Drive-In at Zidell Yards (27-31 August 2015)

August 26, 2015 by Dave Leave a Comment

North By NorthwestNorthwest Film Center and Zidell present Drive-In at Zidell Yards each evening Thursday through Monday, August 27 through 31, 2015 at Zidell Yards (3030 SW Moody Avenue) under the Ross Island bridge.

Sure, you can drive, but consider bicycling or taking the streetcar or the 35 – Macadam – bring a chair or a blanket! Gates open at 7 PM, movies start at dusk. Food carts will be selling refreshments.

The movies:

  • Thursday (27 August 2015): Clueless
  • Friday (28 August 2015): An American Werewolf in London
  • Saturday (29 August 2015): Jurassic Park
  • Sunday (30 August 2015): North by Northwest
  • Monday (31 August 2015): Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure

The entrance to Zidell Yards (3030 SW Moody Ave) is a few blocks north of the streetcar stop at the base of the aerial tram. Admission is $8 – outside food and drink not permitted. Sound will be broadcast over FM radio and outdoor speakers.

Festa Italiana (27-29 August 2015)

August 24, 2015 by Dave Leave a Comment

Festa ItalianaThe 24th annual Festa Italiana tranforms Pioneer Courthouse Square into an Italian piazza Thursday through Saturday, August 27 through 29, 2015.

Arrive early to grab a table in the beer and wine garden (in my experience the beer and wine prices are very reasonable) where you’ll have an excellent view of the stage. Entertainment runs the gamut from marionettes, ballet, and opera to Sinatra tributes and of course (of course!) plenty of accordions!

Fantastic food, mostly Italian, will be available from several local restaurants and food carts. And of course gelato, dolce and Italian ice treats will also be available.

Admission is free. Visit Fest-Italiana.org for more details.

OMSI After Dark: Explosions! (26 August 2015)

August 23, 2015 by Dave Leave a Comment

OMSI After DarkOMSI AFter Dark presents Explosions! on Wednesday, 26 August 2015.

Shoot off water rockets, concoct chemical creations, and explore the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight! Watch creative performances and enjoy a pint of beer while learning about the science behind cars, explosions, and cider — there’s a new theme every month. All that and more with OMSI After Dark, a night at the museum for the 21+ crowd filled with food, drink, music, and science fun!

Featured demonstrations and activities include Flaming Baloons, Diet Coke & Mentos, Implosion vs Explosion, and more.

Hours are 7 PM to 10 PM (prime yourself at the Theory happy hour from 5 PM to 7 PM – food and drink specials for one hour prior to OMSI After Dark). Admission is $13 for non-members, $6.50 for members. You can buy tickets online, or at the door (no reservations necessary). Bring cash! 21 and over only!

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