Thursday Portland Timbers 0-0 Rochester Rhinos - Recap here Friday Charleston Battery 3-1 Miami FC Blues - You really only need to know a couple of things about Miami. The first is that their Brazilian striker Alex Afonso should be playing at a higher level than the USL First Division. He scored his fourth goal in six games in this one. He is class. The second fact about Miami is that their...

Hezbollah foiled US-planned coup "Hezbollah has foiled a US-planned coup to seize control of Lebanon during tensions sparked by controversial gov't decisions, a report says. "The Americans launched a pre-emptive strike against opposition nationalist forces, starting with the (Hezbollah) resistance, and attempted a Washington-planned coup but were taken aback by the opposition, which restored...

Saturday, May 10 I had every intention of waking up today and hitting all of the items on my 'to do' list, including getting my car to the Air Quality testing location in Sherwood for my emissions test and then over across the street to the DMV to process the registration and get my Oregon plates....

I like how Zen talks about the need for a "great ball of doubt." It seems like I should have enjoyed a satori by now, my doubt is so balled up. Some days more than others. This was a good doubting day. I just had an interview with my Zen master, who, conveniently, is myself (makes it easy to get appointments). He reviewed the enigmatic koans that life presented me on this Sunday, along with my...

Check out Eat Wild Oregon - "the number one site for grass-fed food and facts". Site includes information about the benefits of raising animals on pasture and links to local suppliers. They also have an Eat Wild Oregon Google Map that lets you find farms near you....

the Portland Tribune A controversial day labor site in the city of Portland on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Everett street has been delayed from May 6 to June 16, 2008 in order to have time to organize the program, award contracts and work out a good neighbor agreement with nearby businesses. The program led by Mayor Tom Potter and the Portland city Council awarded...

What a weekend to go to the coast. You'll be pleased to hear I played two golf courses, one called Quail Valley, and one called Alderbrook, and ate a whopping great crab at Nehalem. My golf game is improving immeasurably, actually. Meanwhile all hell breaks loose with the homeless protest outside city hall. Thanks so much to Amy Ruiz for covering the protest with such gusto in my absence....

Just wondering, but is the situation in Myanmar an example of when regime change, if ever acceptable, might be? A UN-backed force, for instance, taking over the country temporarily to help those in crisis after the recent disaster there, when the local government is so callous? Just curious about the thoughts of an Oregon crowd likely against the regime change perpetrated in Iraq, and...

We drove up to Beaverton yesterday to the Farmers Market. Had a great time, ate some delightful food, purchased some green things to plant in the garden, and, of course, shot some images...More images may be seen here....

I, The Rev. Charles S. Currie, Jr., do herby solemnly swear not to purchase any additional books until the ones currently on my desk have been completed in full. Oregon bookstores may suffer from this decision but all I can do is ask that people stop writing books until I have time to catch up....

Where's your favorite place to escape reality? If you're like me, you have someplace special that soothes your soul, or maybe several places, where pressure, circumstances, unpleasantness, or just general routine lose their grip on you, and you feel your spirit relax. Who knows, perhaps you don't need such a place, but I suspect, if that is true, that you are in the minority. Most of us need...

If you thought the parade was only full of Clowns for Christ, you're wrong. No no no no. The parade is much more than that. Though I've never seen so many Clowns for Christ before. If you are wanting to see more clowns, Steve has some for you. I just have more juicy tidbits and insight into the depth of the parade. And Jess was right in her previous comment: it is an event with no pretension and I...

It's the picture of the day, if you don't mind "the day" being sometime in the summer of ‘62. My grandfather Turner took this slide with his camera, put it into magazine #4, and there it sat until today, when I pulled it out and scanned it (along with the other 35 images on the magazine) into my Macbook. There are /many/ more pictures where this came from, too; my mother has...

A mom about to set her children free... all over my back yard. The likely culprit behind the removal and subsequent bulb-eating of all the crocosmia in my back yard. Plenty of pink And Husband loves me because he got me a Vermicomposter for Mother's Day from Down to Earth in Eugene. I've been silently eying the thing for years but I didn't feel I should spend the money on it. But Husband...

The Oregon Primary Election ends on May 20th. Don't forget to vote. If you vote by mail make sure you use a 41 cent stamp. The Oregonian has some sweet sets of photos from Obama's latest... ....

The race for Portland City Council Seat 2 is down to the last few days. Our team has been working very hard, and readers will have noticed a distinct drop off in my blogging. I have been way too busy to have many free thoughts Or at least the time to express them. Sometimes all the hard work comes to a few little moments when we know we are on the right track. After working hard to secure most of...

Former President Bill Clinton will be visiting Astoria on Monday to campaign for wife Hillary. The event starts at 9:30am at the Maritime Museum and ends at 11am. Former President Bill Clinton will be visiting Astoria on Monday to campaign for wife Hillary. The event starts at 9:30am at the Maritime Museum and ends at 11am. People wanting to attend are encouraged to sign-up at Hillaryclinton.com...

John McCain will be campaigning in Portland tomorrow, and Jeff Mapes at the Oregonian examines the money behind McCain's pricey fundraising reception tomorrow: When Republican Sen. John McCain is in Portland campaigning Monday, he'll hold quite a complex fundraiser at the Sheraton Hotel out at the airport. If you're willing to fork over $1,000 you can go to a reception. But for $33,100 you can...

Five days later, Roslyn Lake continues to slowly drain. Several tree stumps are now visible out in the center of the lake bed. Fishermen continue to arrive, hoping to catch any remaining live fish out of the shrinking pool. Roslyn Lake is slowly fading away to history. Roslyn Lake and the turbine intake tower, as...

A reader writes: So I'm walking with my boy in his stroller about an hour ago in South Waterfront. (I know how you feel about the place, but they do seem to be trying to do a good job creating a dense new neighborhood from scratch. But...) So I get to talking with a security guard and he points out the building closest to the river, one of the tall glass towers. "See anything odd about...

This coming weekend the largest gathering of spey casters, spey rod manufacturers and instructors in the western hemisphere will be held at Oxbow Park outside of Portland Oregon. The event caters to anglers interested in two-handed fly rod fishing. The Spey Clave provides a format for the exchange of Spey casting and fishing information. It is a free Spey casting college for all who attend. You...

Bill Clinton arrived in Baker City at about noon Sunday May 11, 2008. He looked fit and energetic. Baker County Democrats Chair Marilyn Dudeck, Vice-chair Chuck Butcher, and long time Democratic wheel and enthusiastic Clinton supporter Peggi Timm had a meet and greet with the ex-President before the event. Bill spoke from the steps of the Baker County Courthouse after being introduced by County...

Iconoclastic stage director Peter Brook once wrote that opera was the "deadliest" of all stage art forms: stuffy, sleepy and doggedly old-school. He could have been writing then about much of what has become of today's American regional opera movement. Portland Opera's "Aida," playing now through May 17, is a perfect example. The idea, essentially, is this: Hire a director and design team to...

I'm a firm believer that 'there are no accidents' and that everything happens for a reason. I took this as a sign from above that Saturday was not my day to ride on the track at "a-hundred-and-stupid" MPH. Friday night I washed my bike and prepared for the ride on the track, and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Also, I'm very cautious as to where I ride as to not get nails, screws etc....

Karin Hansen, according to The Oregonian, has been outed as a blogger by Commissioner Randy Leonard. Yes, she's Mayor Tom Potter's wife and she writes Karin's Post. In a recent post she accused some on the Portland City Council of "character assassination" regarding her husband and "Do-nothing Portland City Council of Mean White Boys." She even accuses them of being "evil-doers." She thought...

Hundreds if not thousands of people converged in downtown Astoria for the first Sunday Market of the season. The market has run since the late 1990s and now is the second largest Sunday Market in the State. This was also the first Market for new Directer Cyndi Mudge, who took over for Joyce Compere when she moved back to Arizona this month. There are close to 200 vendors this year, for a partial...

The original plan for Mother's Day was reflection and prayer and--above all--peace. Not the celebration of commercialism and long-distance calls it's become. (As Lucy Van Pelt might say, "Its all a big Madison Avenue plot.") This week Oregon's total of casualties in Bush's Iraq War stands at 485. Add in the other 49 states, add in Afghanistan, and add in the locals who've died in the fight or...

Seems like out here on the very edge of the political map in all four dimensions, we usually have to make do with infrequent polls from SurveyUSA which gives us a pretty fuzzy view at best. Once in a while Rasmussen glances our way, and they have a new one out this weekend, showing that Mr. Smith may yet find himself going to Washington on his own dime in the future, maybe for the occassional golf...

He was over there yesterday I guess, the first presidential candidate in ~40 years to stop in. More here. Happy Mother's Day all you mothers, and I hope your partners (those crazy mother f---ers!) took care of you today. Zain gave me a face hug this morning. It was the most adorable thing ever....

Yesterday, Portland-based political commentator/blogger Isaac Lacquedem endorsed Steve Novick for the U.S. Senate: I recommend voting for Mr. Novick both on policy grounds and as having the better chance to win in November. Both candidates have similar positions on the current Iraq War (we should probably begin to number them for ease of reference) and both have good track records; Mr....

By Steve Duin Published May 11, 2008 He was a rookie in 2002, a rank amateur. "I give myself an 'F' in communication skills in that race," Nick Fish said. "I'd say, 'Hi, I'm Nick Fish. I'm a lawyer and this is what I believe,' and I only succeeded in putting up five barriers for a meaningful conversation." His 2004 loss to Sam Adams in a City Council runoff wasn't much better. "I still had the...

This morning's talking heads and their guests. ABC: George Stephanopoulos. Age: 47 George Will. Age: 67 Cokie Roberts. Age: 64 Ruth Marcus. Age: Unknown (a gentleman neither asks, nor speculates) Sam Donaldson. Age: 74 Sen. Harry Reid. Age: 68 CBS: Bob Schieffer. Age: 70 John Edwards. Age: 57 Terry McAuliffe. Age: 51 NBC: Tim Russert. Age: 57 Sen. Chris Dodd. Age: 63 CNN:...

Last night, Saturday, May 10, the Obama campaign organized a "House Party" in Corvallis, hosted by the Boomer's (not the generation tag name but the family). Corvallistidbits was fortunate to be able to attend the event. The Corvallis "House Party" was but one of dozens of "House Party's" held last evening State wide in Oregon. Attendees were truly representative of all generations, both men and...

So my last trip to Oddball was to start working on the color. We had decided to do the color in 3 sessions, one for the Snake, one for the Koi and the first on for the Mask. Jason worked on the back of my leg for about 3 hours this day. So here it is! Oddball Tattoo Studios2716 SE 21stPortland, OR 97202503.231....

In today's Sunday Oregonian, Steve Duin writes about what (he thinks) voters want this year. Unsurprisingly, it's a variation on the common theme talked about recently of "change." Instead of the "laundry list," as Duin puts it, of either accomplishments of things achieved or promises of things to come, they're looking for an emotional connection with their Electeds-to-be.Somewhat surprisingly,...

A group called the Portland Coalition Against Poverty is "calling out for solidarity" with the protesters in front of city hall, urging "the non-homeless" to camp out at city hall, especially as Tuesday--and a potential police sweep--approaches. There's a meeting tonight at 5, at Terry Shrunk Plaza (between 3rd and 4th at Madison, across from city hall) to "coordinate... efforts." More details...

The following, about Bill Clinton's return to Oregon was just received. Hi everyone, Updated schedule for President Bill Clinton in Oregon today and tomorrow. Please note that this schedule has not been advised to press. It's ok to spread the word, as the sites and times are final - but please do not pass along to media. I feel so conflicted. Apparently I'm to share this info with you, but...

Be advised, the following is a strict cut and paste from a press release. No time to add pithy commentary today folks. This event is sponsored by the Clinton GLBTQ Steering Committee. Immediately upon receipt of info from the Obama gay contingent we will add material about their event too. We are an equal opportunity blog. Previous rumors about an appearance by Chelsea Clinton at this event appear...

The Portland City Council's Agenda for this coming Wednesday begins with four speakers testifying on the protest of homeless people outside City Hall, in Citizen Communications (the first slot is taken by someone speaking about Scientology). Mercury Blogtown is covering events in the demonstration/camping/shel ter issue with commendable detail and timeliness. The City Budget is the main item on...

I figure it's time for a data blow, where a lot of the local RE trends are chartified, tablefied, and finally, crucified. But first... I noticed over at BendBB & Jesse Felder's My Back Pages that Notices Of Default have exploded in Deschutes County. We started the year with "just" 91 in January, and already in the first 4 days of May there were 43! Even Jesse posted an actual NOD he saw...

Never known as the brightest bulb in the pack, Oregonian associate editor and columnist David Reinhard pronounced Jeff Merkley the winner of the Democratic Primary in today's newspaper. At issue is that most coveted of awards - "The Wooden Slime Bucket Award" - given by the Wooden Slime Bucket himself, David Reinhard. As the O's resident conservative columnist Reinhard has never managed to...

In the article "Logo Designs: Year in Review," the industry publication Dynamic Graphics invites readers to "look and learn from some of the best identities from the year 2007." Writer Jonathan Selikoff takes a look at redesigns, and new designs, that were unveiled last year in an piece illustrated with examples from around the world.I especially enjoyed Selikoff closing the article with the...

Let's start off with the round-up of Mom-themed toons at Daryl Cagle's site. (He's also got the standard political fare, for those of you who were raised to be ingrates). p3 Palme d'Or to Vic Harville. p3 Mother's Day Picks: , Rick McKee, Nik Scott, Mike Lester, David Fitzsimmons. p3 Citation for Harmonic Toon Convergence: Steve Nease and Mike Lester, This week's p3 Special Mention for Pop...

We conquered Beaverton, Wilsonville and Sellwood too! In the process I was trampled by rats, witnessed a spider fight, met Pantera and Slayer, and held the intestines of a young woman in my hand. Details? read on... It's been a bass-ackward kind of weekend. The stuff I wanted to do Saturday happened on Friday. The stuff I wanted to do Friday got done, albeit not as thoroughly as I'd wished....

Public transit is a big part of our neighborhood with both the streetcar and buses operating here. If you live here, my guess is its likely you are in favor of mass transit. You understand the benefits, use it at sometime or another, and believe that more mass transit is a good thing. It seems that gas prices are driving more people to public transit. Two recent articles, one in The Oregonian...

Nothing like eating in your car!

Tree nursery near Gresham -- Jer.

Baker County Democrats, Democratic Party of Oregon, and DNC all take a position of neutrality in a contested Democratic Primary race. I am a Precinct Committee Person and Vice-chair of BCD and I am a State Central Committee Delegate to DPO; in those functions I am neutral. The Clinton campaign asked for the BCD Executive Board to appear on stage with the ex-President. I will (Clinton campaign...

So ... here are the rules: link to the person who tagged you post the rules write six things about yourself tag six people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their sites. let your tagger know when your entry is up6 Things About Yourself That You Want to Share With the Whole Darn Internet. My list is more support for the...

When I lived in Nebraska, I would spend Mother's Day planting flowers in honor of my mother. Since moving to Bend, planting flowers don't happen until after Memorial Day and the last few years, I've been at a loss. Mostly we do something for my MIL (lunch around 2 p.m.) or go for a walk (which Charlie and I are heading out to do). Even though I'm 33 days away from having this kid, my...