GREAT NEWS FROM MT. ANGEL AND JOHN ROSSI PODCAST

The great news from Mt. Angel comes via the John Rossi Podcast visit to Lou’s Kitchen.

The Kitchen is a big winner in Best of Willamette Valley 2026 claiming the Gold Medal for best all-round restaurant.

When I opened the door the place was packed and buzzing at noon.

One grilled chicken salad and an Arnold Palmer later we retired to the podcast studio to work on stuff and thangs.

My idea for the session was working up a live broadcast of thoughtful conversation while I gently played my guitar.

Topic: What would you change in your twenties?

Then at the end I’d sing a song and Rossi would play a harmonica.

So far so good?

We tried a few things, got in the right key, and let it rip.

This was our first jam.

 

Me: Don’t be shocked at my signing style.

Rossi: Why would I be?

Me: Just a heads up. If it sounds like I’m hurling, I’m not.

Rossi: Like Tom Waits?

Me: Except more like vomiting instead of gargling.

Rossi: I’ll slide the trash can over in case it gets too real.

Me: Good idea.

 

We played long enough to work up a sweat and got things more settled and moving the right direction.

Then what? We took a drive to downtown Mt. Angel.

 

The Every Town Tiny’s

If it were me and my wife, this wouldn’t be on our list of stops to make.

But, with the unofficial mayor it’s first on the list.

Everybody knows Rossi, and Rossi knows everyone.

He’s a community organizer, rabble rouser, and all around genial character all wrapped into one package.

One of us comes from Coos Bay, the other North Bend.

He knows guys I’ve had questions about since high school.

 

 

Me: Do you remember *** ******?

Rossi: Yeah, he could grow a beard in the second grade.

Me: That’s the guy. Was he mean to people?

Rossi: Not the I remember. He looked mean enough, but he got along with classmates.

Me: That’s good to know because he was a mean competitor.

Rossi: I remember the story from football. Sheldon or Churchill had a big running back no one could stop. His coach told him to go out and break his arm. That’s when our man had had enough and hung up his jock.

Me: It was the guy from Churchill that couldn’t be stopped and our guy showed true sportsmanship. I like hearing that.

 

The Drive To Mt. Angel

From Portland, drive to the Woodburn exit and take a left and go until you hit Hwy99E and turn right.

Follow the sign to Mt. Angel and Silverton and you pass by scenes that may have inspired the artist Mark Rothko.

Bands of color call you off the road for a better look.

There’s something magical about Oregon this time of year and this is it: vibrancy.

Mile after mile of these bands or color show up in shocking vibrant orange, green, and gray.

On a clear day the sky is blue, but this was an Oregon day.

It will be a bright Oregon day when the John Rossi Podcast goes live.

How bright?

 

 

PS:

I hear that train a coming, rolling around the bend, and I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t remember when.

 

PSS:

The sun will be shining in Mt. Angel when you drive in to visit Lou’s Kitchen.

If you’re looking to give yourself a treat, this is the place.

Bring friends. Tell them John Rossi sent you.

I did.