PORTLAND THROUGH MY LENS

End of the Line

2010-12-31T21:00:00.000-08:00

It's been a great year posting mostly photos along the route of the Portland Streetcar. Thanks to everyone who has visited and seen photos from Portland, San Francisco and Istanbul as well as a few other places when the blog was on vacation.

I'll be starting another site soon but in the meantime, visit Take Your Camera for a Walk where I'll be posting daily photos mostly in and around Portland...

Aerial Views

2010-12-30T23:59:00.000-08:00

View from the top of the Aerial Tram here in Portland. Take the Portland Streetcar to OHSU by the waterfront and you'll have the opportunity to take the aerial Tram to OHSU's Marquam Hill campus.

On the way up you'll pass over the tracks that the streetcar used to get you to the Tram stop.

Sun and Rain

2010-12-29T22:55:00.000-08:00

Ah, the sun came out today. Admittedly there were still clouds in the sky. Truth be told there were also some raindrops and snow flurries.

Enjoy this sun at Director Park...

And a few raindrops mixed with sun...

Where is All the Color?

2010-12-28T23:55:00.000-08:00

Rain has fallen on Portland for nearly a week. Life becomes quite gray after a while...

The best way to find color is to look to the umbrellas...

Even the busses have become sick during all of this gray weather...

This Is for You Only

2010-12-27T23:07:00.000-08:00

Take the Portland Streetcar to the stop at NW 18th and Northrup. Exit right as you leave the streetcar and you'll come across this piece of art...

Blog Still in Manzanita

2010-12-26T22:51:00.000-08:00

Rust is a common theme on the coast. Yesterday, there was the rusted paper box, today there's a rusted bicycle. This chain will keep this bike in place for quite sometime.

A Very Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T22:01:00.003-08:00

Blog spending Christmas at the Oregon Coast

2010-12-24T22:51:00.000-08:00

Yes, the holidays seem much more relaxed away from Portland, but as I recall the Oregon Coast is more relax than Portland most of the time.

Malcom and Bentley

2010-12-23T22:47:00.000-08:00

Invite you to join them at Hip Hound on NW 23rd, just a short walk from the Marshall stop on the Portland Streetcar line.

South Park Blocks

2010-12-22T22:12:00.000-08:00

Three candid shots from the South Park Blocks near the Portland Art Museum ~ a joyful boy on Coyote, a handsome man looking to cross the street and a red squirrel munching a goodie!

Comfort Image

2010-12-21T23:00:00.000-08:00

When you're not feeling so well, what do you do? Have some comfort food? The next best thing to comfort food is comfort experience. Today's image is from St. Honore, French Bakery here in Portland not too very far from the Portland Streetcar line. Having returned from San Francisco and needing to reconnect I decided to visit Eleanor, baker extraordinaire at St. Honore today...

Spontaneous Performance Art while Blog Vacations in San Francisco

2010-12-20T23:13:00.000-08:00

A quick trip to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art was quite rewarding. In addition to the usual painting, sculpture, and photography exhibits, the museum had an interactive display involving a spotlight, people on the ground floor and someone two flights up who would press a button and have the spotlight track the individual or individuals below. Great fun was had by all.

Yellow F-Castro

2010-12-19T22:35:00.000-08:00

In keeping with the streetcar theme, here's an image of a San Francisco streetcar. The Muni runs vintage streetcars periodically on certain lines. In this case the F-Castro had a vintage yellow with Christmas wreath...

With the Fish

2010-12-18T22:19:00.001-08:00

Steinhart Aquarium

Blog Heading to San Francisco

2010-12-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

Yes, another trip. This time to San Francisco. Here's a view of Portland International Airport. Today was sunny here in Portland. SFO, on the other hand, was experiencing inclement weather. So my flight was delayed three hours. I should have brought a pillow as this woman did.

Standing between Katz and Kousage, the two K's

2010-12-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

Here I am standing between Gate and Pi...
Mel Katz' Garden Gate in red is on your left, my right and Kosuge's Composition is on the other side. I always think of Compositon as a three-dimensional pi. It was a fun night viewing the Photography Exhibit "Likeness" with a few others as I "docented" along. Irving Penn, Dorthea Lange, Stieglitz, Adams and many more. Julia Dolan, the Portland Art Museum's new Photography Curator is inspired.

Windows Dance Downtown

2010-12-15T22:26:00.000-08:00

The next time you're walking downtown lookup at the reflections in the windows of the tall buildings. You'll find all sorts of convolutions, almost as if they're doing the tango. Of course it helps if the sun is out as it was this morning for a few hours.

Five Minutes of Brilliant Sun

2010-12-14T21:06:00.000-08:00

What's the best place to be when there's five minutes of sun here in Portland? One of them is just a few blocks from the 10th and Everett Streetcar stop. Head east towards the Willamette River and you'll soon find a Chinese oasis ~ the Lan Su Chinese Garden.

Michael Spirits Remain High

2010-12-13T23:04:00.000-08:00

Regulars on the Portland Streetcar and readers of Portland Through My Lens will recognize Michael. Find Michael most days at the corner of SW 10th and Burnside. Yesterday, he had moved to SW 10th and Stark, having gotten to work late and finding someone else had taken his usual spot. His spirits remained high though and he had his usual line of banter, free of course.

Yet Another Holiday ~ 12 December

2010-12-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

12 December is well known as a birthday for many. Some remember Frank Sinatra, some Helen Frankentaler. In addition to those there's also myself, Gerald Kagan amazing musician and master bow maker, as well as Flicker personality Lynette 1 2 3. To celebrate, Voice from the Couch and I went to dinner at the Heathman. Here are a few images of downtown Portland on this amazing date.

Multiples Ways to Celebrate the Holidays ~ Festivus

2010-12-11T22:06:00.000-08:00

There's the tree in Pioneer Square. I was going to editorialize but decided against it. I'm sticking with Festivus! That would be the celebration for the rest of us!!!

The airing of grievances will be on December 23rd. Any of you readers who want to come and celebrate just email me!

The Last of the Leaves

2010-12-10T22:40:00.000-08:00

Leaves from this tree are still hanging on... just a few. Some of their mates are down in the puddle below reflecting on their lives from this past year.

Portland When It Rains

2010-12-09T23:00:00.000-08:00

Like what happens in most cities when it rains, traffic has a tendency to get congested. This line of cars was backed up on NW 23rd near the Portland Streetcar line. One advantage to the rain and stopped traffic is the beautiful pattern of red light on the glistening pavement. Check back, who knows, tomorrow may be sunny.

Portland Streetcar at NW 22nd and Northrup

2010-12-08T21:47:00.000-08:00

The 002 Streetcar is approaching this stop and Voice from the Couch will alight and the Chihuahua Mafia and I will walk him home. Sleep well, tomorrow is a big adventure day!

Bakery Frame

2010-12-07T22:43:00.000-08:00

The Portland Streetcar will take you to NW 23rd and Marshall at its most westerly point. Walk from Marshall to Thurman by heading north and going through the alphabet... Northrup, Overton, Pettygrove, Quimby, Raleigh, Savier and then Thruman. Go a half block and find St. Honore Boulangerie.

Watch all of the action by sitting at the counter near the oven. Here's an image of Eleanor adding water for more steam. ...

Semi-Annual Event

2010-12-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

Portland cleans streets twice a year. This is a major production, especially in December when the streets are covered with leaves. Signs are posted a week beforehand. Park on street cleaning day and you WILL be towed. Of course there are some drivers who choose to not look or to not read or to not believe. Or they sleep in the morning of street cleaning. That happened this morning and here is the result...

Yo-Yo Ma at the Oregon Symphony

2010-12-05T22:51:00.000-08:00

Yo-Yo Ma and the Oregon Symphony rocked the concert hall tonight. Hats off to them and Carlos Kalmar, my nomination for Best Director. It was a stand out/up night. Ma took us to Soviet Russia with his performance of Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1.

Hats off to the Oregon Symphony for such a fine performance tonight. I am in awe of the talent in our orchestra. All Portlanders should be proud that such great performers are in our midst. I am so fortunate to have been here during the time of Carlos Kalmar as the Director. He has taken the orchestra to new heights. Bravo to them all.

Saturday at Tanner Springs Park

2010-12-04T23:25:00.000-08:00

Today's image is of the Metropolitan, a mixed use complex in the Pearl immediately south of Tanner Springs Park and the point where the Portland Streetcar makes its turn to head west. It makes for a great reflection in the pond water in the Park. Enjoy the view from the warmth of your chair. It was cold out there today.

Used All of My Photo Space

2010-12-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

Yikes, I wanted to add some photos tonight and was informed that I would have to buy more space. So I'm going to try an alternative ... this is an image directly from Flickr. Tomorrow is another day to deal with storage and purchasing more space.

NW 21st and Lovejoy

2010-12-02T21:09:00.000-08:00

Across the street from the Portland Streetcar stop at NW 21st and Lovejoy, transit riders can board a No. 17 Tri-Met bus to Holgate. Heading for the streetcar this evening, I saw this woman settling in for the wait for the bus.

City Life ~ Portland in the South Park Blocks

2010-12-01T19:40:00.000-08:00

Perhaps one thing about city life that is often talked about is the sense of anonymity ... everyone alone. Although I don't feel that here in Portland I did capture it here in this image. Everyone is going their own direction.

Owls and Crow

2010-11-30T15:50:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought they would find so many owls and a crow facing off in downtown Portland. This is the window to the old Carl Greve jewelry store on SW Morrison and Park Avenues.

Passengers on the Portland Streetcar

2010-11-29T21:35:00.000-08:00

These two men were on this morning Streetcar heading towards Downtown from the Pearl District. What you can't see in this photo is the fellow standing within two inches of me. We were all privy to his random conversation points about life as the train moved from stop to stop. Points of interest were his take on race relations, music, life in San Francisco and here in Portland.

Green on Green

2010-11-28T21:04:00.000-08:00

Today's image is of the Portland Streetcar near Jamison Square. It's about ready to stop at Johnson and 11th. Green on Green including a green Streetcar Checker! In Berlin they're much more terrifying. That said I loved Berlin and would move there if the opportunity presented itself.

Encore

2010-11-27T21:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, the Encore is making an encore. Here its wall is brightly made up looking much as the modern art piece.

Leaving Tahoe Early

2010-11-26T23:01:00.000-08:00

One of our cats went missing while we were on vacation. We cut our vacation short and returned to a rainy Portland. The good news is about 20 minutes after our arrival I had found Calvin. Long story short the Blog will be posted from Portland tomorrow.

Looking into the Carson City, Nevada area from the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Fun in the Snow

2010-11-25T21:21:00.000-08:00

Still not in Portland, but there are two alternative forms of transportation here in South Lake Tahoe ~ the bus and the tram up to the ski area at Heavenly. Some of us chose to play in the snow down at the lake level not in the high altitudes.

Where the Snow Piles High

2010-11-24T23:47:00.000-08:00

The Blog is getting used to the cold and snow here in South Lake Tahoe. Getting around on the streets is difficult for walking, must be careful not to slip and fall. And most importantly avoid the piles of snow! Regular programming to resume Monday, 29 November.

Blog on Vacation ~ View from Seattle Airport

2010-11-23T22:55:00.000-08:00

Not only did the blog experience flight delays with snow and icy conditions it also ran into "Server Rejected" Messages when attempting to upload to Blogger. So we're linking to Flickr directly tonight. Sleep tight and see you tomorrow.

Blog Is Going on Vacation

2010-11-22T21:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, another trip out of town. Not nearly as exotic as Istanbul. For the next five days Portland Through My Lens or Take the Streetcar will be publishing from South Lake Tahoe, California. During the process of getting ready, I took a run through Northwest Portland, eventually taking the Streetcar since I had gone past my turn around point. Here's a bright umbrella from that run. It was raining and the iPhone made a brave entry out of its plastic bag to capture this bright spot on a gray day.

Do You Know Where Your Coffee is Roasted?

2010-11-21T21:59:00.000-08:00

Someday the Portland Streetcar will run along the east side of the Willamette River. When that happens you'll be able to visit Badbeard's Microroastery on Sandy and Stark. Here are two future roasters learning the ropes so to speak. As I recall they're looking for Waldos, those funny little off colored beans that make most of the other specialty roasts taste "not so good". Justin Kagan the owner of Badbeard's spends long hours looking for those so your coffee will taste top notch. Also taking credit for the best coffee served in your cup is his fastidious roasting. Not all roasters are made equal.

Hilary and Elizabeth looking for Waldos.

Oregon Symphony and Mahler's Symphony #10

2010-11-20T23:26:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know Mahler didn't complete it. Kalmar chose the Cooke version. What I also know is that Carlos Kalmar and the Oregon Symphony Orchestra played this piece so well that the all of the people in the row that I sat in were on the edge of their seats. We heard the music and felt Mahler's emotion. Why Alma, why? That's a question for the ages. The answer for Portlanders is to attend Sunday and Monday's performance of this extraordinary work by Gustave Mahler. Carlos Kalmar and all of the members of the orchestra are at their finest, especially the viola section that opened the work and were focal points throughout the 72 minutes that seemed like 45.

Finally Friday

2010-11-19T21:44:00.000-08:00

In front of the Portland Art Museum

On the Portland Streetcar heading North

Malcom and Bentley from Hip Hound pet store on NW 23rd out for a walk...

Along the Willamette

2010-11-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

If you'd like to live here, it would seem that you might be able to someday. Some of the units are completed, others have been waiting for years it seems. There are great views of the Willamette though.

Walking for a Week

2010-11-17T23:07:00.000-08:00

We should all be as brave as Randall. Here he is walking along the Willamette River. No fear. Bring on the world. Toast Randall, he is our future!

Tuesday Street Scenes...

2010-11-16T20:18:00.000-08:00

Bicycles and pedestrians are almost as prevalent as cars in the downtown corridor. The day ends with the yellow leafs.

Reflections from the Portland Art Museum

2010-11-15T23:45:00.000-08:00

Truth in blogging, the first image is on the way to the Portland Art Museum, steps away from the Portland Streetcar line. The second third and fourth are from inside the Mark Building. That would be the old Masonic Temple. Don't try to take photos of the art work. Looking out the window seems to be okay. And the last one was while I was stalking Big Pink. Those photos will be later...

Indoors and Outdoors

2010-11-14T22:55:00.000-08:00

Leafs are still falling here in Portland. It's getting colder and of course it has been raining. Today's photos include this outdoor setting of empty chairs

and for an indoors look a cello being played by none other than Justin Kagan

clicking on either photo will drop you into the Flickr photostream at their locations.

Two Views on Life

2010-11-13T20:21:00.000-08:00

Two views of life along the Portland Streetcar line. A troubled soul portrayed on paper at PNCA and cheerful, happy balloons at the grand opening of Hip Hound on NW 23rd are shown below.

Friday, Finally

2010-11-12T23:12:00.000-08:00

Taken along NW 23rd Avenue...

Sun to Song

2010-11-11T23:11:00.000-08:00

NW 23rd After Dark

2010-11-10T23:10:00.001-08:00

Tonight was a lovely evening for a walk. A bit cold, but the streets were dry and the umbrellas were down.

Three Stores on NW 23rd

2010-11-09T20:24:00.000-08:00

Today was dark and gray but if you look closely as you walk down the streets you'll find different types of brightness to keep your spirits buoyant. First up is Jen Heckmann's "Hip Hound" recently moved from NW Westover. The tiny bright lights at Kitchen Kaboodle will keep your eyes moving and you'll be ready to stop at the neon sign that suggests you come in for a pint. Clicking on any image will drop you into the Flickr photostream.

Lincoln's Scarf

2010-11-08T23:08:00.000-08:00

Someone must have thought the statue of Abraham Lincoln was getting cold last night. Walking in the South Park Blocks early, I came across Lincoln with what some say is a Huskies scarf.

The Presidential Bubble

2010-11-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

The Portland Art Museum hosted a panel of Presidential Photographers today. The image from the panel discussion was Eric Draper's of then President Bush and President-elect Obama. It was a stellar presentation of photos from the presidencies of Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton and George Bush. The late afternoon sun cast made for interesting shadows at the Portland Streetcar stop .

Now and In the Future

2010-11-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

First up is lunch at Burgerville. Right now riders of the Portland Streetcar are faced with a walk across the river in order to have a meal at the "local" franchise. Soon that will change, everyone get ready. This may actually be vegan if you don't eat the bun and avoid the spread.

And of course it occasionally rains here in Portland and tonight we were treated to that. Here's an image from the North Park Blocks. Stay dry everyone!

Looking Forward

2010-11-05T23:05:00.000-07:00

One day soon the Portland Streetcar will run to the East side of the Willamette and down to OMSI. Today I walked across the Hawthorne Bridge instead on my journey to the Opera Shaft for a tour before the effluent starts to flow. The entrance is one of the largest holes in the ground I've seen lately. Once I was back outside of the tunnel, I was treated to some fall colors along the Willamette.

Back at the Lan Su Chinese Garden

2010-11-04T23:04:00.000-07:00

This morning a crew at the Lan Su Chinese Garden just a short walk from the Portland Streetcar cleaned out the waterlilies. You have to wonder if Monet ever did that. The lilies at the Garden are quite lovely when they're there so it must be a yearly garden must do item. Later I saw quite a few people coming through this portal. The light was already changing to a much harsher one but these two were definitely on the right path.

People on the Street

2010-11-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

A fine day for people watching.

Another Autumn Leaf

2010-11-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

Leaves continue to fall in Portland. Here's one on it's way down...
Fall into the Flickr photostream by clicking here.

Museum Monday

2010-11-01T20:46:00.000-07:00

If it's Monday, it must be museum day for me. Although the Portland Art Museum is closed on Mondays, this is the day that docents go to hear lectures and do research on works of art. This morning the museum was readying a Jeff Koons painting for its departure after having hung for several months on loan from a private collector. That large orange container had been trucked in and was being taken into the Mark Building (the old Masonic Temple). It added a nice bit of color to this image.

Oregon Symphony on Halloween

2010-10-31T23:39:00.000-07:00

What were these two doing dressed as the Doctor and his Sexy Nurse. They had come to see Psycho and listen to the Oregon Symphony play the background music. The two fellows in the bottom photo were there too. It was a great evening. Drop into the photo stream here.

Cloudy But No Rain the Day Before Halloween

2010-10-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

The Portland Streetcar's western most terminus is NW Marshall and 23rd. Across the street is Good Samaritan Hospital. Fortunately for the bicyclist in the last photo from today, it's just down the street from where she's starting out on her journey southbound on 23rd. Prepared for rain, with her umbrella, but she has no helmet to protect her head. The red M&M is wishing her well I think.

2010-10-29T21:54:00.000-07:00

The condominium complex on the corner of NW 10th and NW Glisan boasts red balconies for selected units. Walking past there around noon today I noticed a distinct glow when the sun came out from the clouds.

Earlier the green benches from the new yogurt shop on SW 9th had their own almost glaring glow.

And there's a new sign up in the complex at NW 10th and Flanders.

Tomorrow is likely not to be as sunny.

Hummingbird and Construction Workers

2010-10-28T23:33:00.000-07:00

The Chihuahua Mafia and I took a walk around Tanner Springs Park ~ around is an accurate description since we were on the perimeter following the No Dogs Allowed rule. However, this didn't mean there weren't people to see or hummingbirds to photograph. Start with the hummer first, then check out the sidewalk conference and the one lone walker crossing through the park instead of walking the edges. And why not, it is a beautiful place to be in the midst of the construction and hubbub of the city. The streetcar inched its way passed the barricades matching its orange car with the orange stripes.

Geese in the Sky, People on the Street

2010-10-27T22:27:00.000-07:00

Mt. St. Helens is a ways away from the Portland Streetcar. You can see what's left of this volcano after its eruption in 1980 from Portland but today's lead photo is a closer view of it. And back on the streets of Portland, Mike Gold and Peter Schutte stopped to chat with me. Later I came across a bicyclist with one of the longest beards I've seen in awhile. Drop into the photo stream here and float both directions...

Early Morning Flight

2010-10-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

Up before the crack of dawn and so was able to catch these photos of geese migrating South. I'm certain they'll be passing over the head of my friend Karin in Mendocino in the next day or so. I wish them well. Later, I found a fine cluster of bottles waiting to be recycled. Whoever had partied under the freeway on ramps had kindly brought them all to the corner. And last but certainly not least is the blue cruiser illegally parked. Check out the license plate.

The Morning Moon, Afternoon Rainbow

2010-10-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

A day of sky delights... My only sighting of October's full moon happened early this morning near the Museum stop on the Portland Streetcar line. Then later in the afternoon, the sky cleared for five minutes and a rainbow appeared. Today was a good day.

Sunflower, Clouds and Rain in Sight

2010-10-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of contrasts. Sunflowers with raindrops, puffy clouds in sunlit skies and a bed of leaves blown off trees in the South Park Blocks.

Walking Towards the Streetcar

2010-10-23T22:23:00.000-07:00

Out and about today, I ended up at Saturday Market not too very far from the Portland Streetcar line. As I was walking towards the Streetcar line, I ended up in the middle of Burnside. Here's that image and some others from the day. For more drop into the photostream here.

Last Sun for a Few Days

2010-10-23T00:15:00.000-07:00

Still recovering from the "plague", I needed to visit the Portland Art Museum this morning. Sitting around noon at Boyd's Coffee across the street, I was presented with this Heritage Elm. Large puffy clouds and blue sky. What more could you ask for? Oh yes, the Portland Streetcar stops immediately across the street in front of the back of the Portland Art Museum. Perfect!

Thursday Torch

2010-10-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

The trees have become torches this week. Here's a familiar sight in the city. Trees that glow torch-like red with wires everywhere.

Sunny Sights Along the Streetcar Line

2010-10-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

The Portland Streetcar stops near Tanner Springs Park. The fellow who is taking his helmet for a ride stopped to talk with me. His plan had been to take the streetcar but ended up spending more time on the street after he missed the train. Speaking of trains, a long freight was coming into town, moving slowly through the Pearl. I've been told that years ago the area to the east of Tanner Springs had been a round house. And last, but definitely not least is the streetcar heading east away from its stop at NW Lovejoy and NW 19th.

Self-taught and Home Made

2010-10-19T22:41:00.000-07:00

Ah, street musicians are everywhere these days it seems, some good, some not so much. David was on his way to being good. Made his flute from a water pipe and taught himself to play. All of this after kicking his meth habit.

Nearest Streetcar Stop

SW 10th and SW Yamhill

"Christmas" Arrives at Director's Park

2010-10-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

While walking past Director's Park today, I noticed what appears to be the first sign of the holiday season. Check out the Nutcracker type fixture that sits on the western section of the park. Goodness, Halloween hasn't even gotten here yet. Needed to hurry off for an appointment so I'll have to check back later in the week to see what this fellow is doing in the park.

Portland Streetcar Heading North then West

2010-10-17T22:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a few images from the Portland Streetcar starting at Burnside as it goes north on NW 10th. First up is Powell's Books. Construction of the new line heading to the eastside is keeping traffic away from the blocks north of Johnson until the tracks turn west and head towards NW 23rd and Marshall. Tanner Springs Park is located in this no car zone and that's where I found the 3.5 pound chihuahua this afternoon.

More Portland Autumn Colors

2010-10-16T22:16:00.000-07:00

Autumn Leaves

2010-10-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

Portland trees put on a beautiful display this time of the year...

Nearest Streetcar stop NW Northrup and 21st

View from My Window

2010-10-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

Still home sick, taken from my window...

Red Chair

2010-10-13T22:13:00.000-07:00

I was allowed out for what seemed like five whole minutes today. Home sick and getting sicker. This chair looked far better to me in this reclined view. Stay healthy everyone.

Portland Streets

2010-10-12T22:12:00.000-07:00

Portlanders were out enjoying the fall sun today. The two women were crossing SW 12th and Roger Drissel was enjoying a wrap on his BMW motorcycle. He's just arrived in town having driven across the country in a VW bus pulling the motorcycle by a tow mechanism attached to the side car. If you see him on the streets be certain to say hello.

Portland Sunning Itself

2010-10-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

And this Portlander was taking full advantage, reading while reclining in the sun.

Found Art

2010-10-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

The area just north of the Portland Streetcar line along NW Northrup is going through a slow metamorphosis. Some people would say the office buildings and other residential/office buildings that are being developed have yet to eliminate the "gritty" feel. Amongst the grit today I found this bit of fun "art".

Paris in Portland

2010-10-09T20:44:00.000-07:00

A Parisian umbrella here in Portland...

Reading at Powell's

2010-10-08T23:10:00.000-07:00

Portlanders are blessed with many coffee houses, not the least of which is World Cup and its outlet at Powell's Books on Burnside. Pass by there any day and you'll see people inside reading in the sun. Not much could be better than a good book and sitting in the sun.

Opportunistic Leaf

2010-10-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

Leaves are falling from trees everywhere here in Portland. This one accepted the challenge of aiming for and making the opening in the Mercedes Benz. Thousands tried but this one was the only one to podium.

Serendipity

2010-10-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

Walking on SW Ninth today I went past Spella's coffee cart there on the corner of Alder and 9th. Spella was giving away coffee in thanks for the support of his patrons. His pal Justin Kagan (Badbeard's Coffee) had two of his friends join him for duets on the street. This is a shot of Justin and Heather Blackburn. Both Justin and Heather play in the Oregon Symphony occasionally, too occasionally for my tastes. They're followed by some individual images including one of Charles Noble, Heather's husband, who is the second principal violist in the Oregon Symphony. The day couldn't have been better.

Fremont Bridge with Puffy Clouds

2010-10-05T23:07:00.000-07:00

Nearest Streetcar Stop

NW 10th and NW Marshall

Oregon Symphony Night ~ Hahn and Kagan

2010-10-04T23:20:00.000-07:00

Hilary Hahn was the marquee attraction tonight. Added bonus, Justin Kagan played in the cello section!

Construction Continues in the Pearl

2010-10-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a different view of a building being constructed in the northern most regions of the Pearl District. Taken from the north looking south...

Walk to the Willamette

2010-10-02T23:45:00.000-07:00

The Willamette River is just a short walk from a number of Portland Streetcar stops. This tug is working hard to move this concrete ship back into the river.

It worked in tandem with another....

Creating colorful patterns in the water

and watched by the pigeons.

Powell's Technical Moved

2010-10-01T23:57:00.000-07:00

When I saw this storefront at the NW 10th and Couch Streetcar stop I knew I had to go see what was left of Powell's Technical on NW Park Ave.

Here's Einstein wondering what happened to his Universe...

Night at the Opera ~ Pagliacci

2010-09-30T23:57:00.000-07:00

Another great performance by the Portland Opera...

Carmina Burana was quite good also.

My preference would have been two performances.

Nearest Streetcar Stop

SW 3rd and Harrison

Summer Is Still Here

2010-09-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

How can you not enjoy the day and walking to the streetcar when you come across brilliant orange poppies.

Nearest Streetcar Stop

NW Northrup and NW 22nd

Maya's Mural

2010-09-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

The finishing touches are going up on this mural at SW 10th and Morrison.

Nearest Streetcar Stop

SW 10th and SW Alder

Streetcar Running Again

2010-09-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

Great news! The Portland Streetcar is no long running shuttle buses. There are actual streetcars on the line.

Nearest Streetcar Stop

SW 10th and SW Alder

Portland Parkways

2010-09-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

This fellow is getting ready to set up his coffee cart for the Portland Parkways in Northwest. It was a great time to walk and bicycle along streets with no traffic... even if it was done in classic Portland style, in drizzling rain.

Nearest Streetcar Stop

NW Northrup and NW 12

Lips and Shoes

2010-09-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

A bit of summer was in the air today. People reading in Jamison Square. Children playing in the fountain. And of course lunch outside at Hot Lips Pizza.

Messages at the Lan Su Chinese Gardens

2010-09-24T23:45:00.000-07:00

Nearest Streetcar Stop

NW 10th and NW Everett

Thursday Farmers Market

2010-09-23T22:36:00.000-07:00

The Farmers Market on NW 23rd will operate just one more week after today. The neighborhood will miss having fresh vegetables and fruit as well as other vendors and musicians on Thursdays.

Nearest Streetcar Stop

NW Marshall and NW 23rd