August 20, 2006

Celebrity Sightings in Stumptown

The other day, sensing a need for some caffeine, I stepped out for a few minutes to grab a bottle of iced tea from the corner store across from my office. I'm waiting patiently to pay for my beverage when in walks film director Gus Van Sant. (His films include Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting, and Finding Forrester, to name a few.) He's a Portland native and reportedly owns a condo in the pricey Pearl District, where my place of employment is located.

I wanted to turn and engage him some sort of deep conversation - the kind of discussion that shows I understand the deeper philosophical themes of his work. Instead, I just paid for my iced tea and walked out, leaving Gus Van Sant to buy his cigarettes in peace and quiet.

This was almost as cool as the time I passed Rupert from Survivor on the street in Indianapolis.

August 19, 2006

Multnomah Days

This weekend marks the annual "Multnomah Days," a celebration of our little urban oasis, Multnomah Village. A sign up in town advertised this weekend festival as "Sizzlin' Hot!" so Ben and I knew we were in for a treat.

We staked out a great spot for the parade this morning and clapped for the old folks' marching band, Boy Scout troops, Whippet club, hobos on funny bikes, local businesses, fire trucks, old timey cars and countless other hooligans that made their way down Capitol Highway. I'm sure this will sound a little funny, but I found the whole event to be very moving. There we were -- neighbors -- diverse as can be, coming together for this beautiful event. After the parade was over we perused the street fair, got a hot dog from Fat City, watched a bag pipe player perform atop Renner's Grill and stopped in the Well Dressed Home -- a new store to us!

It all reminded us of Fountain Square in Indianapolis -- we were only there about nine months before we moved to Minneapolis, but we loved that rag tag community. Still do.

Thanks Multnomah Village for a GREAT day! Tomorrow we're walking in the Multnomah Stroll 5K...trying to make this fun weekend last.

August 07, 2006

First Friday

This past Friday was "First Friday" in Multnomah Village -- an evening where shops stay open later than usual and the whole community has an open-house kind of feel. I have loved Multnomah Village since we first happened upon it five months ago when we moved to Oregon, and First Fridays remind me why. I don't get the feeling that people drive from far and wide to come to First Fridays, and that's just fine -- in fact, most people I talk to hardly know where Multnomah Village is. It's a time for locals, for neighbors, to gather, to shop, to dine, to listen to music, and to enjoy this little village just a few miles from the city center.

We love Switch Shoes, the Front Porch Mercantile (where we bought a very cool antique fan!) and of course, the Lucky Lab. Peggy Sunday's, a home decor store, is heavenly, and I'd recommend Gary at Glitzie's for a hair cut and color! If only Multnomah Village had a grocery store, I may never have to leave...

If you're interested in the real scoop on Multnomah Village, check out the Multnomah Villager's blog here.