The Urban Farm Store in SE Portland Oregon

This year, our family has decided to become “Urban Farmers”.  We have set up our garden boxes full of fresh veggies and are currently working on building our chicken coop.  We stopped by the Urban Farm Store to “peck” their brain for chicken raising information and Robert (I assume he was the owner but could be wrong) was extremely knowledgeable and gave us more than enough information to  get us started.  They have everything that you need for your coop, garden and even supplies for your dogs & cats!  Even if you don’t need urban farm supplies, I recommend stopping by to say hi to the chicks.  Check their calendar for workshops and events.

Located in the Buckman area:

1925 SE Morrison St.
Portland, OR 97214

Portland Nursery Division Street

This year I am trying out growing my own vegetables in raised beds in my backyard.  This, of course, means that I have made numerous trips to the Portland Nursery.  The nursery has a huge selection of seeds in packets (both regular and organic), tons of vegetable starts, and all of the necessary supplies like tomato cages and indoor seed starter trays. There is also a good selection of organic fertilizers, trees, decorative plants and yard decor. Making trips to the Portland nursery has become almost a daily occurrence.  The outdoor “sales floor” is more like a huge peaceful garden (some exception to the weekends when it gets a little crazy).

Located in the Hawthorne and Cherry Park neighborhoods:

Hawthorne – 5050 SE Stark

Cherry Park – 9000 SE Division

photo by Marisa Swenson

Mother’s Day weekend this week, don’t forget.  Here are a couple of things that I will be doing (or really want to do) this weekend.

Friday

• Hike in the Gorge – not really an event but that’s what I’m doing, no rain today, go for a hike, outline of hikes and their difficulty levels here.

• Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks at the Doug Fir – 9pm, $15, 830 E Burnside

Saturday

• Organic Garden Workshop at Metro’s Demo Garden – Free, 10am – 2pm, 6800 SE 57th Ave

• St. Johns Bizarre and Parade – free, parade starts at noon, vendors, beer garden

• Portland Bungalow Show – 10am – 6pm, $10, focus is on windows, Ambridge Center 1333 NE MLK

• Portland Farmers Market - get Mom some flowers, PSU park blocks,  8:30am-2pm, between SW Harrison and SW Montgomery

Sunday – Mother’s Day

• Crafty Wonderland at the Doug Fir - local artists and crafty DIY ers sell their awesome stuff in the basement of the Doug Fir , 11am – 4pm, 830 E Burnside

• Mother’s Day 80’s Dance Party at the Airplay Cafe – 5pm – 7pm, $5 for a family, dance to 80’s music with your kids, 701 E Burnside

Fred Meyer Hawthorne

In July, the Hawhorne Fred Meyers LEEDs (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified remodel will be completed making it the first “green” store in the Oregon chain. “Working for LEED certification for the Hawthorne store is just one part of an environmental responsibility initiative at Fred Meyer that applies to all aspects of the business – from cutting fuel consumption in transportation to using recycled material and reducing use of electricity. This holistic approach will be applied to the renovated Hawthorne Fred Meyer, affecting everything from inside the walls to the parking lot.” More info here.  The Hawthorne neighborhood is a great area to introduce this type of design since the area fiercly supports sustainable living.  Fred Meyer is known for it’s “one stop shop” convenience and lives up to that promise.

Located in the Hawthorne Neighborhood:

39th and SE Hawthorne

salsa

The downtown Milwaukie area is getting cuter and cuter every day. The opening of a Cha Cha Cha on the main strip is a sign that they are up and coming.  The interior is smallish but the darker wood floors and decor makes you feel like you are in a hip restaurant in the Pearl. My favorite dish here is the mashed potato taquitos that are smothered in sour cream, lettuce and fresh salsa.  They will make you want to instantly curl up and take a nap the moment you finish eating so you might want to get them to go. I am pretty conviced that downtown Milwaukie will soon be the new Sellwood so you might want to get in while it is still affordable.

I have been to the Papa Hydn on NW 23rd a couple of times but this is the first time that I have been to the Sellwood location.  It is in a very cute, older building and there is a pretty good amount of seating.  We were there for a birthday celebration and they were very accomodating for a larger group (plus they have outdoor seating for warmer days).  I had the berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream and it was so delisious, served warm so that the ice cream is slightly melted (I was only able to eat about 1/3 of it so next time I will have to share with someone).  I love the Sellwood neighborhood and on this paricular evening it was slightly warmer outside and the whole area smelled like an amazing scented candle.  I can see why everyone that I know is dying to live here.

Friday – Happy May Day!

• Blackbird Band Beatles Cover Band at the Airplay Cafe – 7pm – 9pm, $10 for a family, 701 E Burnside

• May Day Celebration at the Kennedy School – 5pm, free (you will always want to buy a beer right?) lots of kids stuff, music, will be fun!

• Ladytron and The Faint at the Roseland – 8:30pm, $20,  8 NW 6th Ave

Saturday

• Hollywood Farmers Market Opens Today – 8am-2pm, smaller version of the downtown market, gets a little crazy around 10ish so you will want to get there early, yummy breakfast burritos, great veggies, and classic foods pesto, yum! 44th & NE Hancock

• Le Bistro Bazaar at the Montage – 11am – 4pm, vintage item swap meet, sell, trade items, The Montage bar will be open and serving happy hour while this is going on. 301 SE Morrison

• Cinco De Mayo Family Dance Party at the Airplay Cafe – 5pm -7pm, $5 for the fam, can you tell I love this place? 701 E Burnside

• Star”effer” at Holocene - 9pm, $10, will be a good show. 1001 SE Morrison

• Bryan Free at Mississippi Studios – 9pm, $8, 3939 N Mississippi

• Arrested Development Quiz Show at Peter’s 19th Hole - I love this TV show and am pretty sure that I would win this, but will be out w/ friends this night. 5701 NE Fremont St, (503)460-0544, call them to see what time it starts.

Sunday

• Pretty Dress Bike Ride – meet at Ladds Circle (1996 SE Ladd) at 2pm and wear a pretty dress.

• Big Ass Garage Sale at 2615 N Emerson - pretty much is what it sounds like

• Cinco De Mayo Celebration at the Waterfront (that’s what all those rides and tents they are setting up are for) should be some good food.

Sapphire Hotel Portland, OR

The Sapphire Hotel is one of my favorite bars in Portland.  The atmosphere has an old Shanghai Portland feel to it, like any moment one of the patrons could get slipped into a tunnel and nobody would notice.  Seriously, these folks know how to make some good drinks and are very creative with their specials so always check the board to see what’s new.  Their cheese and pickled veggie platter is really, really good too.  Great happy hour menu and they host a couple of events throughout the week.

Located in the Hawthorne area:

5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97215

photo by Marisa Swenson

Here are a couple of things to do this weekend that look like fun.  Hopefully that sunshine will stick around so we can get outdoors.

Friday

• Lower Fremont 2nd Friday Artwalk and Sidewalk Sale: Local artists and crafters will display and sell their work outside. Lower Fremont 2nd Friday event is on NE Fremont between 12th & 14th Avenues, 4:00 pm–9:00 pm.

• TONIGHT KATEE SAKHOFF “STARBUCK” WILL BE THERE LIVE IN PERSON “Battlestar Galactica” Final Season: Final 2 episodes of BSG.Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd). Doors open at 9:00 pm; show at 10:00 pm. Ages 21+. It will be packed.

• Parenthetical Girls at Backspace (indie rock): starts at 9pm, $7, 115 NW 5th Ave

• Restaurant Recommendation: The Observatory, the food and drinks are great.

Saturday

• Make a Bird House: The Rebuilding Center will provide you with the tools, reclaimed house materials and all the instruction you’ll need to build your own bird house. Most appropriate for grades K–5. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. Belmont Library (1038 SE 39th Ave), 3:00 pm–5:00 pm.

• “Che” opening with director Steven Soderbergh in attendance at Cinema 21: movie times here. Located at 616 NW 21st.

• David Hall & Friends at the Airplay Cafe Family Friendly: 5pm, Doors open at 4:30. Full family-friendly menu of meals and snacks, beer and wine available. $7 per child/$12 per adult

Sunday

• ”Welcome to the Dollhouse” will be showing at Press Club at 8:00 pm. All ages. Located at 2621 SE Clinton St.

• Hike to the top of Mt. Tabor

one of the best breakfast spot in Portland OR

I’m not sure how long this restaurant has been open but I can remember coming here for what seems like forever. I was surprised to see that the Hawthorne location that I went to this morning had expanded into what used to be the old Coffee Merchant (RIP Coffee Merchant…tears) store.  This transformation probably happened a while ago, it’s just been a long time since I have been to the Cup & Saucer. In fact, the reason why I have not been to the Cup & Saucer in a while is because every time I think about going, I dread the horribly long wait, but it looks like that problem is solved (they also have 2 more locations to split things up a little more). The breakfast was really good and I didn’t feel rushed by people cramming around the front door waiting for a table because there was enough room for everyone! My 2 year old had a pancake that was cooked in the shape of a bears face, decorate with fruit slices….very cute and it kept him busy for quite a while sawing the ears off etc.

Located at:

Hawthorne

3566 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214

NE PDX

3000 NE Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97211

NoPo

8237 N Denver Ave
Portland, OR 97217