STUMPTOWNBLOGGER

TIPS ON NOT GOING TOTALLY BONKERS

Taking a drive daily to see our version of The day the earth stood still...Was  shocked seeing a Bed delivery truck schlepping a bed into a house. Think about it, how many homes were those delivery guys in, not to mention their own homes and where they’ve been....Blue Hour is another casualty along with their staff getting sliced on pay. This allegedly according to our local papers. I always found this place snobby but feel bad for the staff.....Idea that works during our lock up sentence: Take an hour by putting on music, read a book with no television or cell phone. It makes a great hour of our confinement. Keep a grocery list in kitchen, we forget items needed. Instacart has been terrific. Lifesaver. Here’s one more tip, if you need any type of delivery, maybe pharmacy, call these great people at 503-228-1705. They are local and do a fantastic job when you don’t want to risk going out. What else in this crazy bat shit nuts world we live in? CNN Ratings are through the roof. Where do all Americans go to when a crisis hits like 9-11 or this mess? CNN. For local readers I fondly recall turning to old folks station KEX always when there was a crisis. I was working at KISN!

Stay safe Stumpies..... I will continue bringing the odd and historical stuff until they stick a fucking ventilator in me.

 

CHINESE RESTAURANTS ARE NOT ALONE & MORE

Well I made the deadline on Friday, I think! First it was Chinese restaurants we feared, now it’s every food joint! I don’t know of a business not effected by this calamity other than grocers. We saw this during Katrina with the empty shelves but this is Katrina on steroids. On to happier thoughts ....Now is the time to read a great book, try Hymns of the Republic by S.W. Gwynne. It’s a vivid account during the wind down of the Civil War. Really terrific.

 Next visit to the store for Clorox, buy a Corona Beer. They are real innocent bystanders in this deal. I don’t drink beer but will grab a Corona! 

Its 11:56 Pm. I have 3 more minutes to hit this deadline. Stay safe Stumpies, this is going to be a wild ride.

PS: I’m learning how to make a great cup of coffee at home!

 

Great Memories here

GREAT BOOK.....VINO ON THE LAKE....DAMN GOOD BURRITO AND MORE - FRIDAY SURPRISE

Greetings from Mister Stump....The new project in downtown Lake Oswego is coming together with great places now open including, Salt & Straw, Bamboo Sushi, Chuckies Pies and coming soon, Domaine Serene with a top drawer wine bar and dining. They have a wine bar in the Sentinel Hotel downtown, this new project will have over 5,000 feet of joy. They pour a great wine. The folks involved tell me an award winning chef will lead the food department for lunch and dinner.

Terry Currier and his wonderful one of a kind record store, Music Millennium turns 50 years in our town. Oh what a job he and his music loving crew have done! Thank You. 

Burrito's don't come any better than whats served at 8630 N. Lombard. That's where you will find the best burrito in our city. Tienda Santa Cruz is your destination. Please open one on the west side guys and gals. PS: Don't miss the avacado salsa. 

Why do TV ads for hot tub sales disturb me? They are so horribly done. 

Umpqua Bank is the best in the business. They have a culture like no other. I'm done with faceless Wall Street banksters. 5 stars to Umpqua. 

In the book department, I can't describe how great RED NOTICE by Bill Brower is. I was tipped off by friends to not miss this one and I thank them for the recommendation. 

Small town newspaper in Battleground Washington sure do a nice job with their local reporting. The Reflector is a very good local pulp. 

Notice ads for renting one bedroom and a bath in homes for $1,000 a month. One homeowner got over 100 calls. Wild expensive cost of living times!

Who has been to Foster Burger?

Have a great weekend..and BE BEST! (heeeee)

 

 

 

 

 

MORE BLAZER RUMORS....GREAT SPOT IN RALEIGH HILLS & ODDS & ENDS

Here's your Friday Surprise Kids....

More rumors and just talk (but interesting) about a possible sale of The Blazers. First it was the Paulson's who own the Timbers and now the possibility is Zillionaire Larry Ellison. I would vote on Paulson who’s made Portlandia his home. 

You couldn't fly 7,472 miles to Saigon and get a better lunch or dinner than at Pho Nguyen in The Fred Meyer shopping center (Raleigh Hills).....Their famous dish is the B-1, grilled pork, shrimp, noodles and vegetables. Fan-tastic. exact address is 4795 SW 77th Ave. 

SHOUT out loud, The Isley Brothers will be playing Spirit Mountain on April 6th. They have been together for over sixty years and hit the charts during every decade from the 50's to the 2000's. Amazing.

Matt's famous BBQ just opened a TEX-Mex cart in Multnomah Village. They took over the former "Fried Egg" cart. Expect goodness! He does it right this guy. Also catch Bamboo Sushi veteran Yoshi Ikeda's new cart. It's getting lots of chatter. Yoshi's Sushi.

I bought a 1965 Oregon Journal on Ebay. Inside the paper were ads for Bazar, Villa Mart, Clark Junior, Sieberts Furniture, Wigwam, Rosenblatts Mens Store, Linoleum Oogie, Pay "n" Save, Zell Brothers, Meier & Frank Co, Lipman's, Roy & Molin Jewelers, KPOJ Radio, Davey's Locker Restaurant, Fields Chevytown......all in the history books. The only surviving advertiser is Fred Meyer even though it's not the real Fred Meyer. 

Latest Coen Brothers fim, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is worth buying on pay per view. Very clever movie. 

I'm looking forward to visiting Foster Burger. I can't count how many people have told me this is the best burger in the city. 

Sadness hits when I drive by The Taco House on Powell.....

BE BEST!

 

 

 

 

TACO TIME FOR REAL...TOO MANY BEERS.... NEXT MAYOR AND MORE GARBAGE FOR THE BRAIN

PREDICTION....Stumptown's new Commissioner, Jo Ann Hardesty will be the next Mayor. I have money on a bet that Wheeler will call it a day. Joanna has surprised Portlander's with some good decision making. A rising star.

Burnside Brewing is gone, many others in this industry are vanishing. Too much beer, too much pot.....Intel out in Hillsboro will be hiring 1,750 new people. That is good news for Oregon. Their new plant on paper is massive. 

Matt's Barbecue is opening a taco cart on S.E. Hawthorne. The menu will be Texas style brisket spiced with sausages. I'm hungry. Expect this to open in March. In Lake Grove, Sabrozon Fresh Mexican makes a fantastic hard shell Taco with great sauces. Nice family owned place located at 17770 Pilkington Rd, right next to the famous Pine Shed Rib joint. It's downright fantastic too.

Bezo's looking to write a 60 billion dollar check to the ex....Lots of shopping! 

Neil Young is coming back to our town, Friday May 17th at The Keller and May 23rd in Eugene . If you haven't seen Neil Young, please do. 

Ever need window covering repairs done? Call Innovative Homes- 971-244-3388. Very good work and nice people. 

Weather is looking grim going into V-Day. It's punishing to restaurants and flower shops. Support them anyway you can. Not good timing!

Needed snow boots. Went to REI today. They were 1/2 off. I couldn't believe it. 

Stay warm. 

 

 

FRIDAY SURPRISE

REALLY GOOD KOREAN...DAMN GOOD MARTINI....WHO WAS VISITING CANNON BEACH?

"Wonderly" is open and serves Stumptowns best & strongest Martini. This joint is going to be a true cocktail destination. Get yours at 47th & Fremont Ave.

The old famous Crab Bowl on Barbur will become "The Boulevard Tap House" in March. Nice to see this old haunt being revived.

Godfather of Korean grub keeps knocking me out in downtown Beaverton (4600 Watson Ave) ....The entire family works the kitchen and floor and do a spectacular job. Don't miss their Dubu Jigaer. They will help you with the menu, super friendly folks. NAK WON at 4600 Watson Ave. 

George Clooney has been spotted by more than one star gazer at Cannon Beach. My snoops tell me he was in town with location people. We could see a film shot in Cannon. 

Piazza Italia always gets rave reviews. 1129 NW Johnson is the location for big portions at a value. 

New book coming out by Alex Michaelides, The Silent Patient will be a mega seller. Brad Pitt already purchased the film rights.

I knew this guy was going places when he was a local TV-Radio sports guy. Colin Cowherd's radio broadcast "The Herd"  was named best sports show on the radio by Barett Sports Media. He beat out Dan Patrick, Mad Dog, Jim Rome and the rest of the sports guys. Colin is a true entertainer and special person. Congrats. Colin can be heard (get it?) on The Fan here in Portland.

KOIN news is regaining the popularity numbers. Their broadcasts have greatly improved, including weekend talent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRIDAY SURPRISE

 

Sad to see The Mississippi Ave location of Verde Cucina closing. They make the best Mole in the city and still have other locations in town. The Capitol Highway original is the best. Ask for the inferno sauce. 

Bigs Chicken on Watson Ave in downtown Beaverton is just plain terrific. Owner also hit the success button with Laurelhurst Market.

I predict the next Mayor of Portland will be Chole Eudaly. I’m not a fan but that’s my political forecast for The City that Works!

The new Woodlark Hotel on Alder is just stunning. Stop in and take a look at the cool hip but elegant interior design. I’m hearing great things about the restaurant with famous chef Doug Adams at the helm.

My tipsters tell me a bowling alley and movie theater is planned for the old Sears spot in Washington Square Mall.

Who remembers cowboy Montie Montana? He roped President Eisenhower at his inaugural.

Big raves on this years auto show....I’m not a country music fan but enjoy listening to what Mike Chase has to say in the morning. A brilliant radio guy....Best shrimp cocktail can be devoured at Corbett Street Fish House...Postage Stamp’s going up to .55 cents per letter on January 27th. Don’t we all have a book of forevers?

Montie Montana roping Ike at his inaugural in 1953. 

 

 

GOT A MILLION? YOU TOO CAN BECOME AN AMBASSADOR.....NEW ITALIAN DINING.....GOODBYE TO A GREAT DAIRY

 

Hotel owner Gordon Sondland gave a cool million to Trump, he is now the new Ambassador to Europe. I guess it wasn't his good looks.....Reviews on this new restaurant on N.W. 9th Ave have been over the tasty meter good, Allora is hitting it out of the park for lunch and dinner. www.allorapdx.com

Carlitas in The Pearl is also getting chatter in Portlandia....Don't make reservations for Wapato. The buzz tells me Jordan Schnitzer will use a portion of the property to store his art collection....Pazzo is now "Solito" serving traditional Italian. The lifespan of an eatery today is a decade. Hubers, Ringside & Country Kitchen are the exception.

I guess the theme for this Friday's surprise is Italian. My favorite is Riccardo's in Lake Grove. His selection of vino beats all the joints combined. They also serve the best Lasagna anywhere. Drop by next-door in the morning for Italian java at his one of a kind shop "Cafe Marzocca" but please don't tell anyone!

Sorry to see Sunshine Dairy closing shop. They have been a Portland fixture since the 1930's. They have been great for our community and their ice cream was terrific. 

Malls are having big troubles, lots of dark spots in Washington Square which was a top performer. The public are bored by these places now. Here's a tip to Mall owners, start charging rents that are affordable. You got away with fiscal murder since 1960.

I never get tired of listening to Stephen Tyrell albums....Nak Won at 4600 SW Watson in historic Beaverton is down right fantastic. Portland author Willie Vlautin has another winner with "Don't Skip Out on Me" a great boxing story. I have read all of Mr. Vlautin books and this one is top of game.

Trip from downtown to Tigard last Tuesday: One hour and 12 minutes. Planning any excursion is different from the old days.

Have a sunny weekend.  

 

 

BEST BREAKFAST....HAMILTON...TEN MILLION DOLLAR GIFT AND MORE

 

If you want to experience an old fashioned farm style breakfast, try Babica Hen Cafe on Boones Ferry in Lake Oswego. The grub is great and service is superb. Weekends will be a long wait....Just what a college radio station was waiting for! When the plain envelope arrived at KEXP in Seattle they didn't have a clue about a ten million dollar check inside. The money was real from a lady named "Suzanne". They can now buy a new coffee machine... I will never admit how much I paid for two seats to see the Broadway smash, "Hamilton" but let me tell you, it was worth it. Many folks who saw the New York presentation say Portland's was better. A play like Hamilton takes you away from the daily chaos of our Presidunce.

Had a great dinner at Decarli in downtown Beaverton. This is one of the best evening dining spots in town.....Do you also wonder where the $80 million cash is coming from the baseball investors to buy land for the stadium? Rumor has it, quietly saying a billionaire that pours lots of coffee.....Heard Sears at Washington Square is going to be ripped down. There's no takers for space like this anymore.....Goodbye to the restaurant Meriwether's on Vaughn Street. Good news is they are relocating.....Have you ever seen Steve Dunn more on edge reading that script from Sinclair Broadcasting? Lots of chatter about an anchor in Spokane taking Joe Donlon's spot at 8.....

Have a great weekend.