Month: July 2014

Pickathon Indie Roots Music Festival

/ Stephanie Paris / Leave a comment

The Pickathon Indie Roots Music Festival at Pendarvis Farm in Portland, Oregon is like no other music festival you’ve been to. When I began to write this article, I sat for a long time staring at a blank page, wondering how I could possibly translate its awesomeness into a few-hundred-word blog post. And I’ve come to realize, I just can’t. This event more than others is something that you simply must experience to really get it. Hopefully the words I did come up with will suffice, and leave you wanting to go out and get the experience.

Here is a list of the top seven things that make Pickathon the greatest music festival I have ever attended.

1. The Vibe:

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While I am no stranger to music festivals, I am also not a music festival junkie. Sometimes when I think of the term “music festival,” I get visions of thousands of college-aged kids in a large field in the sun, drugged out of their minds, trance dancing, and drinking booze out of plastic cups. While those kinds of music festivals certainly exist, Pickathon is an entirely different breed. There is definitely alcohol consumption, but the collective consciousness of the folks in attendance somehow manages to keep everyone respectful of others, and the overall vibe of the group is unparalleled. It feels safe, because it is, and the people there are people that you actually want to hang out with. This is just one factor that helps this festival be the most family friendly festival around.

2. Kids are FREE:

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Another way Pickathon welcomes families is that children 12 and under get in free. And once they’re in, children’s itineraries can be just as full as any grownup’s, with organized craft projects, circus classes, performances geared especially towards kids. Here’s an example of the Kids & Family Schedule from 2014.  There’s even a designated quiet and family camping zone (silence not guaranteed). Oh, did I mention that this is a weekend festival with the (strongly recommended!) option to camp?!

3. Camping:

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Purchasing the weekend ticket gets you camping access for the whole weekend. Music takes place all day long and into the wee hours of the night on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. With an early bird pass, you can camp Thursday night, which helps ensure you have your pick of the campsites. Monday morning campers must leave, and most are already longingly looking forward to doing it all again next year.

4. Sustainability:

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Pickathon is the nation’s greenest music festival. It’s the first festival in the country to eliminate single-use plastic cups and containers from their vendors. They have been replaced with reusable Klean Kanteen stainless steel cups, and have used Bambooware dishes and utensils. Both are available for purchase at Pickathon, and they’ve even got a cool token system for the dishes so you don’t even have to clean them yourself. Alternatively, you can also bring your own reusable dishware, and they have convenient dish washing stations to make things easy. Here’s a great infographic about how it works. Pickathon makes great use of solar power. They have a permanently installed solar array on the rooftop of the Galaxy Barn (one of their stages is located inside). According to their website, “the energy generated during the year offsets 100% of the energy used during the festival in the Galaxy Barn plus 100% of the electricity used by the food and craft vendors.” They also host three portable solar power generators throughout the festival to help with their electricity needs, including powering a cell phone charging station for festival-goers. They also offer free drinking water all weekend long. Have they really thought if everything? I think they have.

5. It’s relatively small:

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Pickathon only sells a limited amount of tickets, which means that between ticket-holders, volunteers, staff, and children, the festival caps out at about 7,000, as opposed to the 20,000-person capacity that they could accommodate if they wanted to cram people in like what happens at other music festivals. The smaller crowds makes the festival more intimate, clean, safe, and overall a much more enjoyable experience.

6. Great Music:

One of the countries greatest music festival isn’t great without talented musicians! One of my favorite things about Pickathon is that you won’t find just one genre of music. In the past I have seen folk, blues, rockabilly, African, funk, indie pop, bluegrass, and so much more. They’ve had lineups with musical greats like The Avett Brothers, Andrew Bird, Feist, Neko Case, Mavis Staples, X, and Nickel Creek. Besides the more well known performers, each year I discover new bands that I’ve never heard of, but that blow my mind when I see them live at Pickathon. After 11 years of attending this festival, I absolutely know without a doubt that I will enjoy the music, even if I’m not familiar with many of the bands in the lineup.

7. Public Transportation:

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Pickathon makes alternatives modes of transportation a breeze. They want as many people as possible to leave their cars at home, and have made this easy by providing frequent EcoShuttle service between Clackamas Town Center (near the MAX station) and the Pickathon at Pendarvis Farm. Clackamas Town Center is served by the MAX Green Line, and bus lines 28, 29, 30, 33, 71, 72, 79, 152, 155, and 156. Alternatively, if you don’t want to pay the EcoShuttle fee, you can take TriMet line 155 from the Clackamas Town Center TC, get off at SE Misty & 162nd, and walk just under a mile to the festival site (16581 SE Hagen Rd.) For assistance in getting to the Clackamas Town Center, just visit TriMet’s trip planner, and enter in your starting location, use Clackamas Town Center TC (Stop ID 13247) for your ending location if you’ll be using the EcoShuttle, or use stop ID 13159 if you’ll be bussing then walking. Pickathon also encourages commuting by bike, and even offer gear shuttles. Check their website for more info.

I am genuinely elated when it’s time for Pickathon each year. Those of you that have been before know exactly what I’m talking about. And for those of you that may be going for the first time, whether you go for just one day, or camp the entire weekend to get the full experience, I am certain that it will be one of the best things you will do all year.

Pickathon is an annual event that takes place the first weekend in August. For more information, including this year’s musical lineup, please visit the Pickathon.com.

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All photos copyright Stephanie Paris

Signal Station Pizza on Line 4

/ Stephanie Paris / 1 Comment

Signal Station Pizza 8302 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPhoto by Adam Sawyer

Signal Station Pizza in St. Johns is a family-owned restaurant housed in a converted, historic Signal Gas station. The retro building itself makes it worth a trip there, but the pizza is among the best in Portland. They use all natural ingredients, make fresh dough and homemade sauces daily, and use whole-milk mozzarella and locally sourced produce whenever possible. One of my favorite pizzas is the St. Johns Combo: Traditional tomato sauce, mozzarella and provolone cheeses, pepperoni, Italian sausage, red onions, green peppers, fresh mushrooms, and black olives. Not in the mood for pizza? They also make killer salads, subs, and calzones. Hungry yet? 4 Stars on Yelp. $

Nearest Line 4 bus stops:

Click here to check out the complete list of recommended restaurants on bus line 4.

Article written by Adam Sawyer and Stephanie Paris

Beyond Portland: The seaside charm of Anacortes

/ Stephanie Paris / 6 Comments

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPhoto by Adam Sawyer

It is my firm belief that every city has its own charm. When the opportunity to travel to Anacortes on Fidalgo Island in Washington presented itself, I was not sure what to expect. But as always, I knew I could count on a great adventure, traveling my way up and down the west coast, riding rails and buses the whole way. The western Washington coastal town of Anacortes resides on the only one of the San Juan Islands connected to the mainland by a bridge, making an easy sojourn for those on wheels.

UnionStationPhoto by Stephanie Paris

The journey began from Union Station in downtown Portland, where the Amtrak Cascades train departs, and travels approximately six hours north to Mt. Vernon, Washington. Let me just say, if you have never been on a train, remedy that stat! It’s such a fun way to travel, and can turn your trips into more relaxing experiences. Once the train arrived in Mt. Vernon, I took the Skagit Transit line 615 westbound to our home for the next two days: the Swinomish Casino & Lodge.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPhoto by Adam Sawyer

This was only my second stay at a casino, and although gambling is rarely a part of my life, I find the whole experience of a hotel with attached casino very entertaining. Our room was large and clean, and offered a beautiful view of Mt. Baker. Our stay happened to coincide with the Bite of Skagit, an annual fundraising event for the Skagit Food Distribution Center, which links farms to families in need to ensure that all residents have access to fresh local produce. At the event we sampled delicious food from various local restaurants, and the live music performed by the Shadow Creek Project Band made this an authentic summer experience. The casino’s restaurant, 13 Moons, got my vote for “best bite,” and on the evening that we chose to eat there, I had worked up my expectations as much as my appetite.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPhoto by Adam Sawyer

We started with a couple cocktails and appetizers. The White Truffle Sea Scallops were so good they alone could have justified my trip to Anacortes. The Dungeness Crab Cakes came in a close second for dish of the night, and were fresh and flavorful. My entree for the evening was Wild Chinook Salmon, cooked to a soft medium, just the way I asked. All three dishes featured Native Catch seafood, which is all natural, wild, and sustainably harvested and processed by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. The skit from Portlandia made it cliche, but I truly am interested in the origins of my food, and I love knowing that the local natives were the harvesting hands before the talented chef at 13 Moons made magic with the bounty.

GolfLinksPhoto by Stephanie Paris

Another wonderful feature of the Swinomish Casino & Lodge is the Swinomish Golf Links course about a mile down the road from the lodge. It features an 18 hole par 72 course with views of Mt Baker and Fidalgo Bay. Never having golfed before, this links-style course with open, tree-lined fairways and approachable greens was perfect for me. Skagit Transit Line 513 got me there and back without a hitch.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPhoto by Adam Sawyer

The next day we had planned to go whale watching with Island Adventures. Commuting by bus in a city where I am not familiar with the local transit system means that I have to plan my trips carefully and allow time-buffers so I don’t miss things like scheduled boat departures. I have found that this can actually enhance my travel experience by giving me more time to explore a particular area if I do end up being early and not needing the buffer. Taking Skagit Transit line 513 to line 410 got us there with plenty of time, and I was able to make some purchases in the gift shop, holding up my end of the deal I have with my boys when I travel without them. Once checked in, we walked to the docks for a pre-voyage talk with the captain, and then we boarded the vessel and set sail. If ever you find yourself anywhere near Anacortes, you must check out the Island Adventures whale watching trips. They guarantee whale sightings, and as promised, we saw whales from three resident pods as they swam and played, breaching multiple times throughout the morning. We also saw harbor seals, porpoises, bald eagles, and even had a rare puffin sighting. It was sunny and clear, Mt Baker was out in all her glory, and it could not have been a more enjoyable experience.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPhoto by Adam Sawyer

The charm of Anacortes certainly caught my attention. The only fault in the trip is that I was only there for 2 days. I would love to return and spend more time wandering through historic downtown, visiting some of the 50+ antique dealers, discovering more local dining hot spots, and I’d definitely get another scoop at Mad Hatter’s Ice Cream shop. But unlike ice cream, the end of a trip is always bittersweet – I hate to leave, but I love coming home. At least now I know how easy it is to go back.

 

Article by Stephanie Paris

Beat the Heat: Cool off in Portland’s Interactive Fountains

/ Stephanie Paris / Leave a comment

Whether you’re a parent or a caretaker, one of the perks of caring for children is that you get to play. We end up doing things that we most likely never would have done otherwise, not because they’re not fun things to do, but because our grownup minds don’t as often think of them… until we find ourselves in situations like needing to quell our rosy-cheeked children when their own valiant efforts to tolerate the apathetic summer heat are not enough. Portland my be rainy and cloudy 9 month out of the year, but when it’s summer, boy, it’s summer! And one of the greatest ways to beat the heat is by getting wet.

Portland is known for its remarkable fountains. Lucky for us, many of them are interactive, meaning you can join the spritzing, sprinkling fountains with your own splashing and frolicking.

Some safety tips to keep in mind: don’t drink the water (it is often recycled for conservation purposes), keep a watchful eye on your children, and be cautious of slippery surfaces.

Whether you have children or not, get yourself out into one of Portland’s many interactive fountains. Chances are you may not have had this much fun playing in water since you were a child in your own backyard sprinkler.

SW Portland

Salmon Street Springs

Location: Waterfront Park , SW Naito Parkway at SW Salmon St

Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM spring/summer/fall

Accessibility:

Ira Keller Forecourt Fountain

Location:  Keller Fountain Park, SW 3rd Ave & SW Clay St

Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM spring/summer/fall

Accessibility:

Courtesy of Stephanie Paris

Teachers Fountain

Location: Director Park, SW Yamhill St & SW Park Ave

Hours: Typically 9:00 AM-10:00 PM, Check events schedule for closures: Director Park calendar

Accessibility:

Bill Naito Legacy Fountain

Location: Waterfront Park, Burnside Bridge & SW Naito Parkway

Hours: All hours, except Fridays from 3:00-11:00 AM, upper fountain is turned off during Saturday Market hours

Accessibility:

SE Portland

The Rose Petal

Location: Stark Street Island Park, SE 106th Ave & Stark St

Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM spring/summer/fall

Accessibility:

North Portland

Peninsula Park Rose Garden Fountain

Location: Peninsula Park Rose Garden, N Albina Ave & N Ainsworth St

Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM spring/summer/fall

Accessibility:

McCoy Fountain

Location: McCoy Park, N Trenton & N Newman Ave

Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM spring/summer/fall

Accessibility:

NE Portland

Holladay Park

Location: Holladay Park, NE 11th Ave & NE Multnomah St

Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM spring/summer/fall

Accessibility:

NW Portland

Jamison Square Fountain

Location: Jamison Square, between NW Kearney St & Johnson St, and NW 10th & 11th Aves

Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM spring/summer/fall

Accessibility:

Sidecar 11 on Line 4

/ Stephanie Paris / 1 Comment

Sidecar 11 3955 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPhoto by Adam Sawyer

If you’re not paying close attention, it’s easy to walk right past one of the best bars in North Portland. The space occupied by Sidecar 11 is no wider than the entrance to a prohibition-era speakeasy. Like their drinks, however, the space is deep, sophisticated, and well thought out. Some favorite menu items of mine include the incredibly well flavored and presented Garlic Steak Skewers and Marinated Chicken Skewers. The steak skewers are baked medium with green bell pepper and served with spicy peanut sauce & green onions. The chicken skewers are baked with red bell pepper and served with sweet chili dressing & black sesame seeds. Whether you come for their delicious and inexpensive happy hour food menu, or their top notch cocktails, Sidecar 11 is definitely worth a visit.  4 Stars on Yelp. $$

Nearest Line 4 bus stops:

Click here to check out the complete list of recommended restaurants on bus line 4.

Article by Stephanie Paris and Adam Sawyer

Samurai Blue on Line 4

/ Stephanie Paris / 1 Comment

Samurai Blue 3807 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227

Photo by Adam Sawyer

Serving contemporary Japanese cuisine, Samurai Blue has garnered a reputation for having some of the best sushi in Portland. The dining area at Samurai Blue is subtle and clean. It’s a comfortable space that’s as suitable for casual lunches as it is for date night. As any good sushi restaurant should, they impressed me with the extreme freshness of the fish, which was nicely highlighted in their delightful ceviche. But I think my favorite item on the menu is one of their signature makimono rolls called Chance of Rain, featuring salmon, cream cheese, avocado, sundried tomato, and basil. It’s flash fried and served with the most amazing balsamic teriyaki sauce. And on rainy days, it’s half price! 4.5 Stars on Yelp. $$

Nearest Line 4 bus stops:

Click here to check out the complete list of recommended restaurants on bus line 4.

Article by Stephanie Paris and Adam Sawyer

How to enjoy your time on the bus.

/ Stephanie Paris / Leave a comment

 

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There are different ways to look at time spent in transit. One view is that commuting by bus can sometimes take longer than it would if commuting by car, and therefore can feel like a waste of time. I personally choose a different view. The time I spend on a bus or train is always productive, in one sense or another, even if it’s just relaxing after a long day. And if you think about it, bus and car both get you from point a to point b, however when you’re driving, that’s all you can accomplish. One of the nice things about commuting by bus is that someone else does the driving. This opens up some extra time in your day to get things done. So which one really is the more efficient use of your time? Below are some things that you can do to be productive, or just pass the time while using public transportation.

Read. Whether it be a novel, magazine, or a website on your electronic device, reading is a fantastic way to pass the time, especially because once you’re at home or work, there are usually other responsibilities that keep you from the luxury of reading.

Knit/Crochet. I can’t tell you how many knitting projects that I’ve started and finished on the bus. It feels so great to be so productive while in transit. Don’t know how to knit? Youtube is a fantastic way to learn how to knit or crochet, where there is a plethora of how-to videos. Click here for an example.

Work/Play on your laptop. A long bus commute can serve as extra time for work or play on your computer. If a wifi connection is needed, many smartphones can also be used as personal wifi hotspots. Click here for a how-to tutorial.

Listen to music. Whether on your smartphone, mp3 player, or portable radio, listening to music can be so enjoyable on the bus. Sometimes it may be the only time you get to really listen without distractions to your favorite band, opera, or podcast. Just remember to keep the volume of your headphones down to a level that doesn’t disturb others.

Meal-plan. I always find that my family and I eat healthiest when I have taken the time to plan our meals for the week. We also waste less food, shop more efficiently, and it ends up being much more economical. You can do it the old fashioned way by bringing along a favorite cookbook and a writing notebook, or just use your smartphone or laptop to look up recipes and make your lists.

Phone or text a friend. I like to reserve actual phone calls for times when the bus isn’t very crowded. I don’t like to be “that person” who’s having a loud conversation that everyone else finds annoying. Use your best discretion and respect other riders. Chatting via text can also be fun and much more private.

Watch a movie. Again, technology wins. Smartphones offer a myriad of ways to view your favorite tv shows and movies. If you are a cable subscriber, there are even smartphone apps that allow you to watch various networks’ programming on your mobile device. Just remember to pack and use your headphones.

Daydream, relax, meditate. A bus commute can often be the one time in the day when you don’t have to do anything. No work, no children to tend to, nothing to do but be with yourself and your thoughts. Take this moment to breathe and relax.

 

Image in post courtesy of Justin Houk on flickr.

Tangier on Line 4

/ Stephanie Paris / 1 Comment

Tangier 221 SW Pine St, Portland, OR 97204

SpinachPiePhoto by Stephanie Paris

As soon as I discovered Tangier, it became a regular lunch spot for me on the days that I work downtown. They serve authentic Moroccan and Mediterranean food, and it’s some of the best you’ll find in Portland. With perfectly blended spices, each dish I’ve tried is flavorful and balanced. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but the items I order most frequently are the special flavored rice, chicken kabobs, green salad, and tagine of lamb. And as much as I try to limit my bread intake, their flatbread with hummus is hard to resist. It’s just too good. In addition to great food, the service is simple and friendly at this family owned and operated restaurant. I always leave satisfied, not only with the food and service, but with the cost of my meal.  5 Stars on Yelp. $$

Nearest Line 4 bus stops:

Click here to check out the complete list of recommended restaurants on bus line 4.

Article by Stephanie Paris

Butterfly Belly on Line 4

/ Stephanie Paris / 1 Comment

Butterfly Belly 6036 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97206

Photo by Stephanie Paris

For some of you, finding the best pho restaurants in your area is like knowing your closest exits on an airplane – essential for survival. Butterfly Belly might just be your escape to Asian belly bliss. The menu describes their pho rice noodle soup as “truly a labor of love,” taking an entire day’s process. It is served with a side of bean sprouts, basil, jalapenos, lime, and garnished with cilantro, yellow onions and scallions, and it is very tasty indeed. Even as good as it is, the owner states that their pho is always evolving and improving, and they listen intently to their customers’ preferences and feedback. The pho may be Butterfly Belly’s claim to fame, but they also offer a diverse selection of delectable dishes from all over Asia. And don’t skip the appetizers. They’ve got some of the best spring rolls in town. 4.5 Stars on Yelp. $

Nearest Line 4 bus stops:

Click here to check out the complete list of recommended restaurants on bus line 4.

Article by Stephanie Paris

Restaurants on the Route: easily accessible, palate-worthy dining options

/ Stephanie Paris / Leave a comment

I’ve lived in a handful of different neighborhoods during my 30+ years in Portland, and one of my favorite things to do is discover restaurants that are so good that they keep me coming back for more. The challenge of commuting solely by bus is the difficulty in finding a good restaurant that is reachable by just a single bus from your starting location.

Years ago I moved into a neighborhood that I had never lived in before. There was not much within walking distance from me, and I slowly developed a Scrooge-like attitude as I pouted about not having any worthwhile restaurants to go to when I wanted to eat out. For close to two years I remained cynical, and spent 45 minutes or more on buses to journey back to the restaurants I knew and loved in my old neighborhood. Then, one hunger-filled day, all of that changed. I happened to see for the first time a sushi place called Sushi & Maki in a strip mall near my house. I’m sure I had unconsciously seen it dozens of times before, but my brain must not have acknowledged it. Because really, do good sushi restaurants exist in a strip mall on 82nd ave?

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I decided to give it a chance, first on yelp of course, and to my surprise, it had a solid 4-star rating and a ton of reviews! I ate there immediately, and sure enough, it was outstanding: good service, a nice ambiance, and most importantly great food.

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That day left me wanting more. I knew there had to be more great restaurants like this one that were conveniently located just a short bus ride from my front door. Over the next few months, with the help of yelp and the TriMet trip planner, I discovered a good amount of quality restaurants for brunch, lunch, and dinner that were all on one of the two bus routes that passed by my house. My goal for this series on Portland By Bus is to feature palate-worthy dining options on each of TriMet’s bus, MAX, and Portland Streetcar routes. I hope to feature a new route each week until all are completed. If you are eager to see what your neighborhood has to offer, add a comment here requesting which bus route closest to your house or hotel you would like me to feature next. In the meantime, it looks like I’ll be eating out a lot!

Images in post courtesy of idine.com.