Local: Portland and why I love it

Portland is kickass. Here's why...

Fall! Rain! Lots of leaves in the street drains that I can walk around with a ski pole and pull all the leaves out. Then there is a huge sucking sound and a big whirlpool as the giant mudpuddle is shlurped down into the newly cleared drain. It's pretty awesome.

Farmers' Markets! Oh how I love them! Yum yum yum in my belly belly belly.

Spring! Starts early, goes long -- even in weird weather years when it get warm and dry early. Thankfully, things are damp again. Phew.

Lots and lots of good Thai food. Particular favorites: Beau Thai on NW 21st & Johnson, Typhoon on NW Everett just of 23rd and downtown on SW Broadway.

Danford Balch. Dislikes his daughter's husband (a former hired hand of the family) and shoots him in front of his daughter and her new in-laws. Is then legally hanged by his neck until dead in downtown Portland.

Powells. Why don’t we all move into Powells Bookstore? Rent a room – or maybe a box in an aisle where I could store my sleeping bag, pad, and a few clothes. I’ll be quiet and neat, I promise.

Classical Chinese Garden is always good. And the tea house is lovely.

Vaux Swifts at Chapman Elementary really are quite fine. But they're gone now. Maybe next fall.

Dan and Louis Oyster Bar downtown is quite cool in an old school kind of way. Good choice for out-of-town relatives who like seafood. Particularly invertebrates.

Trilogy video store is the best! NW Thurman just off 23rd. There are also second run movie theaters that serve pizza and beer if you are over 21 years old -- try the McMenamins theaters or Laurelhurst theater. Also, there are intriguing independent movie theaters, but fewer than in the past -- try Cinema 21, Clinton Street Theater, and Cinemagic (SE 21st & Hawthorne but apparently no website).

Libaries are really nice, too. The NW branch has the best staff (although most library people I have met are also lovely). The Central branch downtown is beautiful and there are sometimes interesting exhibits on the third floor.

O Cielo's! on SW 10th between Taylor and Salmon is great inexpensive Italian food, and the owners are tons of fun. Not always open for dinner. The soup/salad combo on a rainy day is perfect.

Email more suggestions to cat@bluesweatshirt.com

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