Hope to see you there! Tout a l’heure.

This is sure to be a fun event for everyone and a great way to spend the day. Teams of two will set out armed with a cellphone, a camera and their wits in a race to see who can solve a series of puzzles leading you to different Portland locations where you’ll then have to take a photograph of your team. The first team to complete the challenge and get their photographs taken at all of the locations wins! It’s that easy! Now are you up for the challenge? For more information see the official Stumptown Challenge site.

An old, tired section of Northwest Portland, once known for its worn-out warehouses, has been transformed almost overnight into one of the nation’s snazziest neighborhoods. The Pearl District, featuring upscale condos, art galleries and shops has become a favorite with both locals and tourists. The area also boasts some of the top rated restaurants in the city and a great place for a foodie exploration.

Start feeling the pulse of the Pearl at the Blossoming Lotus restaurant on N.W. Davis, just a couple of blocks from Powell’s bookstore. You may want to eat lightly since you will be tasting your way through the day. The Lotus is the perfect spot for a healthy vegan and organic dish such as the “live breakfast parfait” or the peanut butter-banana Smoothie is a delicious meal in a cup.

The Epicurean Excursion, offered by Portland Walking Tours, is a great way to experience the flavors of this vibrant, scenic district. Invest in some comfortable walking shoes, head to the Heathman Hotel downtown, and meet your tour guide. Be prepared to sample some delicious eats while your host answers questions about the Rose City.

A short stroll and a stop at Flying Elephants Delicatessen offers a sampling of soup and a game of guess the mystery ingredient. A creamy tomato-orange soup warms you on a cool Pacific Northwest day. This delightful deli at Park and Yamhill offers a great menu so make sure to come back for the grilled tuna melt and caprese panino sandwich or an Elephants chicken Caesar salad.

Next, you’ll hop on the Portland Streetcar and head to the Pearl to visit Oregon’s oldest craft brewery, Bridgeport Brewpub and Bakery. Bridgeport cranks out up to150 thousand bottles of hand-crafted brew a day. Tour the conditioning room, where the beer is aged. After enjoying the sweet smell of ale as it is being produced, head to the bar for some beer tasting. Notice that India Pale Ale has a citrus/floral flavor while Ropewalk is darker and less bitter. Observe the original brickwork in this Historic Landmark Building, formerly the Portland Cordage Company Building (1888).

Beer may give you a craving for baked delights, and you are in luck, because the next stop is a tour of the Pearl Bakery, at N.W. 9TH Avenue. Sample a Parisienne or whole grain baguette and dip them in olive oil for a yummy taste. While the bakers may not reveal their secrets, you’ll be able to see a vat of starter mixture, a key ingredient for breads such as Ficelle and Ciabatta. A flaky croissant will give you the energy to continue the tour.

As your tour progresses, notice that Portland has the feel of a European city, complete with bicycles, buses and streetcars.

As you wind your way through the Pearl, drop by a food lover’s fantasy land. In Good Taste Store, on N.W. 11th and Everett, features a plentiful selection of Northwest wines as well as imported foods, cooking utensils and books. Sit down to sample rice crackers topped with zesty City of Roses grand marnier creamy mustard and try a Jezebel 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir, from Dundee, Oregon. Jezebel is the second label for Daedalus Cellars, a small, family winery. Before you move on, buy some chocolate sea salt or black truffle salt.

Just as you are becoming an expert on Portland, it’s time for a tea break. At The Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge, sip some Jasmine Green or Oolong Tea and see how they taste with yummy tea cookies.

If all that tea hasn’t made you sleepy, gather up your strength and experience Portland’s “greener” side. The Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center, on N.W. 9th Avenue, is home to tenants who believe strongly in the environment. Enter the ecologically friendly brick and timber structure, also known as the Ecotrust building, and drop by Hot Lips Pizza. Hot Lips is locally owned and uses area ingredients. On this particular day, the seasonal pizza had a delicious mix of sliced potatoes, mushrooms, kale, garlic and mozzarella cheese. Try a pear soda (Hot Lips makes the soda) with your thin-crust pizza.

Your Epicurean Excursion ends with a stop at Cupcake Jones at 10th and Everett and a sampling of a Pearl Cupcake. Don’t skimp on the napkins when you bite into the white cake, filled with slippery vanilla bean pastry cream and mouth-watering butter cream icing.

If you took the early tour, do some more Pearl exploring. Pick up a map and “Explore the Pearl” Magazine at Green Frog Toys, at 11th and Marshall. While there, try to find your inner “kid” as you browse through books, board games, toy trucks and stuffed animals. Youngsters will enjoy the marble display, where marbles can be placed on a circular maze.

Head to Jamison Square, where 11th meets Johnson Street, sit on a bench and observe the beautiful landscaping. Notice the open area where kids can run and play. You may be lucky enough to listen to a local musician playing the guitar. This is a great time to reach for your Pearl District map so you can plan your strategy for the rest of the afternoon.

Before sampling the shops and galleries, explore Tanner Springs Park, a short stroll from Jamison Square. Notice the habitat garden created on reclaimed industrial land. It’s a grassland-wetland area complete with streams of water. You may even spot a small red fish. Be sure to stay on the lawns and stone paths.

A fun stop in the Pearl is Lexidog Boutique and Social Club. Dog lovers can find a wide selection of dog clothing and accessories like a champagne bottle squeeze toy and several dog munchies.

Your tour of the Pearl art scene can begin at Quintana Galleries, on N.W. 9TH Avenue. This charming, intimate Native American gallery features antique and contemporary Northwest coastal Indian art. Recent exhibitions have included arctic sculpture and native glass arts.

Wrap up your Pearl adventure by visiting a lively restaurant that offers authentic Peruvian dishes. At Andina, 13th and N.W. Glisan, you can choose the large dining area or the intimate bar where you’ll find a cozy fireplace.

On the appetizer (or tapas) menu, try Anticucho De Pollo (marinated chicken kebobs, served with huacatay-peanut sauce). De Pescado “5 elementos,” features Ono fish, sweet potatoes and corn, with a sweet and tangy sauce, spiced with lime juice and onions. A delightfully mild seafood blend is the Mixta Nikkei, featuring tuna, crab salad and shrimp.

Andina owner Doris Rodriquez de Platt takes great care in making sure your dining experience is memorable. She’ll even answer your questions about NovoPeruvian cuisine.

In one perfect day, discover why Portland is emerging as a destination for food lovers and marvel at how a district of dusty warehouses has turned into an oasis of perfectly polished pearls.

Article by Scott Keith

Blazing wireless speeds should be available in Portland this week.

Most of us are voracious readers of a number of online blogs on the the people, history, places, and events in and around the Pacific Northwest. This is one of the ways we keep our information fresh and - when we find interesting topics - we are all abuzz about it at our private online discussion forum that is used by all of us at Portland Walking Tours (and our parent company Hometown Advantage). So, in the interest of exposing the best Portland has to offer, we’re going to pass on our favorites.

Lost Oregon

The Lost Oregon blog by John Chilson, is the successor to another (now defunct) favorite - Stumptown Confidential. John shares the most amazing postcards, magazine clippings, brochures, and photos and then weaves amazing stories to go with them. As an amateur historian and chronicler of all-things Portland, he always find a way to inject a heavy dose of fun into the blog and that keeps it always interesting. Be sure to check it out today. If you had to pick only one Portland History blog to read, make it Lost Oregon.

The suggested donation is just $10 and two cans of food! The stages are located in Tom McCall Waterfront Park on either side of the Hawthorne Bridge. The festival is sponsored this year by Safeway and will be a major fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank. You not only get to listen to some great music! You also get to know you’ve done sa little something to help out some fellow Oregonians who’ve fallen on hard times. It’s a win-win for everyone! For more information about the festival check out the Waterfront Blues Festival website.

If you have friends or family coming into Portland this (or any) month don’t forget about our Beer Here! walking tour. You’ll get to tour the city, meet the makers, and sample some of the best beers in the world! Check out more info about arranging your private Beer Here! tour.

• At Loyly Sauna & Steam, $20 gets you their newly posted steal: a Head to Toe package (foot soak, face mask, body scrub, and cleansing-spice tea) offered for less than $20.

• Swedish and Shiatsu massages range from $30 to $50, depending on the length, can be had at the Oregon School of Massage

• Tense men and women can relax under the hands of an advanced student at the East-West College – Healing Arts. And the best part, there’s not one massage that tops $70 bucks.

When your wallet is feeling the pinch, schedule an appointment at one of Portland’s budget-friendly spas to keep looking and feeling your best at a price you can afford.

If you want to make it a full-day Food-stravaganza, then join us for one of our Epicurean Excursions that day before heading over to the Convention Center to continue the fun!

For more information about the Oregon Food & Wine Festival visit the official website at: http://www.bestoforegonfoodandwine.com/

The bike lane markings here are so fascinating that someone made a documentary on it! Here’s a short version of it called “Martinis in the Bike Lane“:

Participation in beer tasting is $6 for a reusable, yet compostable, cornstarch tasting glass and samples are $1 a ticket. A full glass is 4 tickets. Discount of $1 off of tasting glass with validated MAX ticket or three cans of food (preferably organic) for the Oregon Food Bank.
There’s no excuse not to go. Drink up!!!

Warning flagrant self-promotion alert: Still looking for that perfect gift for dad? It is definitely not to late to give Dear Ol’ Dad the gift of the city with a gift certificate for a tour with Portland Walking Tours. It’s a perfect way for you two spend quality time exploring Portland on one of our fun and facinating tours. (Plus we’re green too!) Call us at 503.774.4522 now to order yours! Gift certificates can usually be processed and emailed to you in just a few hours time.

]]> http://www.portlandwalkingtours.com/news/culture/take-dad-out-for-pizza-and-a-good-cause/feed/ http://www.portlandwalkingtours.com/news/culture/take-dad-out-for-pizza-and-a-good-cause/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PortlandWalkingTours/~3/GvD9Rygpn6c/ http://www.portlandwalkingtours.com/news/portland-news/keep-portland-weird/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:47:04 +0000 Bob http://www.portlandwalkingtours.com/news/?p=252 We’ll if you live anywhere in the greater Portland Metro area you’ve probably seen one of the black and yellow “Keep Portland Weird” bumper stickers. If you haven’t, then, well, you just haven’t been paying attention. The Portland Tribune just ran an article debating whether or not Portland is truly weird or not. Not to spoil it for you… but the jury is still out.

All we have to add to the debate is this: Naked Bike Day. We can’t tell you how many tourists in the days after the Naked Bike Day asked us about it. We even did a private tour for a convention in town that just happened to be having dinner at Jakes and got much MUCH more than they bargain for. (Truth be told… We think it was really the highlight of their visit!)

What other cities think they can even compare to us? Well Minneapolis, Denver, Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle fill the number two through six spots, respectively. Fine, fine, but the shocker at the top spot of all cities is none other than Washington, DC.!!!!

The AFI report reflects a composite of preventive health behaviors, levels of chronic disease conditions, health care access, as well as community resources and policies that support physical activity. In addition to a data report, AFI is a program designed to help communities identify opportunities to improve the health of their residents and expand community assets to better support active, healthy lifestyles.
Let’s take the top spot in 2010 Portland.

Men’s Journal gave a perfect summary to this great neighborhood:

Mount Tabor is a low-key neighborhood with acres of trails at the foot of a 600-foot volcanic peak. Right next door is Hawthorne, a funky district with trendy shops, good eats, and lively nightlife. Our advice: Call Mount Tabor home and consider Hawthorne the fun uncle.

Caution! Unabashed self-promotion: This is a great time to schedule an Artistry in Motion Hunt for your next team building event, meeting, or social mixer. The hunt includes a full-day admission to the museum. Come for the fun, stay to take in the art.

Kimpton Hotels (monaco-portland.com or vintageplaza.com) is offering special savings in Portland. Use the special Kimpton Summer of Pride Rate Code ‘PRIDE’ to enjoy a 3-night stay, and only pay for 2 (one night FREE) plus a $50 dining credit at either Red Star Tavern & Roast House or Pazzo Ristorante. Rates are available from May 21, 2009 - September 30, 2009.

And while you are here, make sure to take one of our many tour offerings that are offered daily to compliment your visit.
Our friendly people and endless possibilities await. Your only challenge will be deciding if you really WANT to leave.

These tours will be available at Tom McCall Waterfront Park (along the seawall from the Steel Bridge to Waterfront Village) on a first come first serve basis. Be sure to show up early because the tours are popular. They go from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day that the ships are here. For security reasons, no bags, strollers or wheelchairs are not allowed on the ships and there is no place to check your personal belongings. Here’s the lineup for this week:

United States Navy
USS Shoup (DDG 86)

Canadian Maritime Forces
HMCS Nanaimo
HMCS Whitehorse
HMCS Algonquin

United States Coast Guard
USCGC Fir
USCGC Bluebell
USCGC Henry Blake
USCGC Tern

Historic Ships
Sternwheeler Portland
PT 658

The new permanent home for the bikes is a new sculputure entitled “Little Bikes, Big Fun” by Brian Borrelllo, Vanessa Renwick and the Zoobomb. The sculpture is a pedestale holding a 14 foot pole with a gold bike perched on top. The pole is functional as it not only gives the Zoobombers somewhere to lock up their bikes, but it also has a hollow base for storing helments and first aid equipment.

For those of you who aren’t familar with the Zoobomb, this is where a large group of like-minded individuals take their kid bikes on the MAX to the Washington Park Station, ride the elevator up to Washington Park, then bomb down the hill as fast as they can to Portland, and repeat until satiated, bored, or the cops break up the fun.

Below is a picture of Portland’s newest piece of public art:

"Little Bikes, Big Fun!" (2009)

Horse Brass Pub is not a featured stop on our Beer Here! breweries tour. However, our parent company, Hometown Advantage, can assist you in planning a custom tour of Horse Brass, among many others breweries in town.

Current forecasts show the temperature will be in the mid 80’s, but that’s not going to stop the party. And since this Saturday is the finals, if you can’t bring the party to Mt. Hood, you just have to bring Mt. Hood to the downtown party.

The competition (and not the snowball fight) begin at 1 p.m. with the Finals at 3:30 p.m. Then be sure to stick around for the Starlight Parade! Oh…by the way, our Beyond Bizarre tour is no longer available this Saturday, May 30th, so you’ll have to just get your tickets for another weekend.

The weather should be beautiful. We can’t think of a better way to spend an evening that sipping beer and watching monkeys.

For more information visit the Oregon Zoos Official page: http://www.oregonzoo.org/Support/Zoo_Brew.htm

WNBR Sunny Nekkid Ride
When: Sunday, June 13th at 2:00 PM
Where: Glisan & NE 39th Ave (Joan of Arc Statue)

Fig Leif Naked 5k Run and 10k Off-Road Naked Bike Ride
When: Sunday, June 13th at 7:30 PM (gathering starts 15 minutes before event start)
Where: NW Leif Erickson Drive, Portland (500 yards beyond the entry gate at the beginning of NW Leif Erickson Dr.)

A carfree lifestyle is one of the most powerful things a person can do to make a real difference in reducing negative environmental impacts on this planet. So go stick it to the man, challenge the status quo, and raise the blood pressure of prudes and gas guzzlers alike as well as, well, just to be naked.

Without a doubt, its the most comprehensive guide to activities and programs for youth in Portland and is filled with dozens and dozens of things to do this summer…from Community Schools to Oregon Zoo Programs to Summer Camps to National Night Out (August 4th!) to Parks & Recreation activities to Employment Opportunities and more. Whew!

The big new change this year is the whole display will be choreographed to music! No word yet on what music will be featured. (Fingers crossed its not The Starland Vocal Band… you know, Sky rockets in flight.)

Anyway, come early to save your space. It looks like the weather should be nice. See you there!

For more information you can visit the Rose Festival’s official website.

The OSCW logo guarantees that the wine was made using responsible agriculture and responsible winemaking, both certified by an independent third party. Currently, 11 Oregon wineries have earned OCSW certification, totaling nearly 450,000 bottles of wine. Wineries include Adelsheim Vineyard, Amity Vineyards, Anne Amie Vineyards, Bethel Heights Vineyard, Cristom Vineyards, Montinore Estate, Panther Creek Cellars, Ponzi Vineyards, WillaKenzie Estate, Willamette Valley Vineyards and Wooldridge Creek Winery.

The first wines to carry the OCSW logos will be some 2008 whites being released this summer just in time for BBQs and picnics. So raise a glass and make an act of green both at the same time. Salud!!!

Note the charges on the new solar meter installed next to the spaces.