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A DIFFERENT PORTLAND, A DIFFERENT TIME

Today’s city is a different Portland than anyone expected from it’s past. I walked the hard pavement of NW 14th street toward Burnside, the Mason Dixon Line of Portland. I crossed against the light, skipping past a new chain tavern, leaving behind a music store with too much exposure through its showroom windows. I angled […]

NO OTHER PORTLAND BUT FRESH HOPPED PORTLAND

No city can be the Portland of the north, east, south, or west due to one basic truth. And it’s so obviously Portland. No place on earth is closer to the most valuable ingredient in beer. Hops grow down the road from a city with over 142 breweries in the metro area that pour 53 […]

CATCH PORTLAND FEVER

Once you catch Portland Fever you’re doomed. Drug stores don’t advertise shots in case you catch Portland Fever. It’s not shingles, pneumonia, or the flu. On the other hand it’s not polio, malaria, of tuberculosis. While not fatal, if you do catch Portland Fever, your life is ruined. After a few years in Portland, maybe […]

PORTLAND FEVER CHILL TONIC

What Would Tom McCall do about Portland Fever? Portland, Oregon, more than a map point, destination, or cultural reference, is an infection. And it’s spreading. Once you catch Portland Fever, you see Portland everywhere. Pop a craft beer in the middle of no where and it’s The Portland of No Where. People who’ve never been […]

OREGON LOVE IN THE DISTRICT

Reluctant traveler finds Oregon love on the road. The best part of traveling to the other side of North America is answering the question, “Where are you from.” The easy answer is, “Oregon.” The one that gets across is, “Portland, Oregon.” Saying anything else needs explaining, like Tigard, but since I get mail marked Portland, […]

PORTLAND OF THE SOUTH PT. 2: KNOW WHERE YOU ARE

An ongoing series about Asheville, NC, Portland of the South pt. 2. In Portland, Oregon, going under the Morrison Bridge at midnight for southern food seems like a good idea every time. Yes, it’s dark, there are homeless tents scattered around, but Montage is still Portland. Park and go on in. If it was any […]

PORTLAND OF THE SOUTH, PT 1

From Portland to the Portland of the South starting in Knoxville. The true Portland of the South, according to local legend, is Asheville, North Carolina. After the cluster flop in the United terminal in Denver, going back to Portland would have been a good move, but intrepid travelers push on. Asheville is two hours away, which […]

MAN-D OREGON BREWERS FESTIVAL GUIDE

Once a year the Man-D comes out of storage for the Oregon Brewers Festival. Traditions need respect. The beer hat named Man-D is part of tradition. Where’s the best place to wear the Man-D? Oregon Brewers Festival. See, the Man-D has magic for whoever wears it. The draw on Waterfront Park is the wide variety […]

3 THINGS GUNS WON’T DO BUT YOU WILL

More than 3 things guns won’t do? Make a list. A gun won’t fix a flat tire. No matter how many times you threaten, guns won’t do it. There you are on I-5 north to Portland, cut over on 84 headed for the Glenn Jackson. You’re in a station wagon full of camping gear, kids, […]

PORTLAND PROGRESSIVE REGRESSIVE

If you’re confused in 2016, you might be a Portland Progressive Regressive. Why do things look so perfect in the rear view mirror in Portland? More important, why do we keep looking? The Portland Progressive Regressive likes the good old days, but looks forward to the future. Their vision might not be 20/20, but it […]