Game 18: St. Louis 3 – Timbers 0 by mao at the Portland Timbers Blog at The Offside

Portland Timbers played their most pathetic match of the season, perhaps of all-time, in losing 3-0 AC St. Louis at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park. Mike Ambersley, the Saint who stole points from the Timbers with an injury-time goal back in May, recorded the hat-trick with easy goals against an inept Portland defense. [more]

And for the masochists, a few more recaps:

• AC St. Louis Trounce the Timbers by paulsepp at Dropping Timber
• Ambersley hat trick leads AC St. Louis past Timbers at PortlandTimbers.com
• St. Louis 3, Portland 0: Timbers open trip with loss at OregonLive.com

A bit of MLS news:

Timbers Insider: Vancouver wins coin flip by Geoffrey C. Arnold at The Oregonian

HOUSTON — Vancouver won the coin flip.

The coin flip – which actually took place before the MLS All-Star game, but was broadcast on tape-delay at halftime of the game televised by ESPN2, was made to determine whether Portland or Vancouver would have first pick in the 2011 SuperDraft, expansion draft or other player acquisition opportunities. [more]

Portland Timbers: Round One of the MLS rivalry with Vancouver goes to Whitecaps by Geoffrey C. Arnold at The Oregonian

HOUSTON — The flip of a coin added more intensity to an already heated rivalry between the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Timbers lost the coin flip that determined whether Portland or Vancouver would pick first in Major League Soccer’s SuperDraft, expansion draft or the other player acquisition opportunities. [more]

On the John Spencer, er I mean future MLS coach decision . . .

Timbers Insider: Spencer to Portland worst kept secret? by Geoffrey C. Arnold at The Oregonian

HOUSTON – The rumor mill at the MLS All-Star game was spinning quickly about the Timbers and John Spencer.

A few well-placed people implied the Spencer to Portland move was a done deal. A couple talked in terms that Spencer had already been hired. [more]

And in supporter news:

Growing Recognition For American Supporters Groups by Tom Dunmore at Pitch Invasion

It wasn’t too long ago that MLS supporters’ groups who consistently numbered more than a hundred hardy souls per game could be counted on the fingers of one hand nationwide, and were about as popular as herpes with MLS front office folks.

Those times have changed as the groups have grown and the atmosphere and publicity they bring to MLS clubs that help them differentiate those teams in crowded sports marketplaces have been recognised by MLS headquarters and most owners. [more]

And an important date is coming up: Monday, August 2nd 2010 marks the open ordering date for 2011 Timbers season tickets. Anyone can reserve their season tickets on Monday. I recommend a Timbers Army season ticket:

Purchasing your Timbers Army Season Tickets, you do more than just reserve a place in the North End*: Ticket-buyers will receive discounts from game-day prices, invitations to special events, and commemorative merchandise marking the Rose City’s rise to this country’s top tier of professional soccer.

On top of that, part of your purchase will help fund the 107ist, the TA’s independent supporters trust, as it works to support soccer at all levels in and around Portland. [more]

And join the 107 Independent Supports’ Trust! Benefits include discounts, freebies, and special deals at Beulahland, Big-Ass Sandwiches, the Bitter End Pub, and a slew of other places around town. Join up and visit the 107ist Partners page for more information.

An automatically generated list of possibly related posts:

1. Portland Timbers Roundup, Festivus Edition (12/23/09)
2. Portland Timbers Roundup (07/16/2010)
3. Match Day 05/15/2010: Portland Timbers vs AC St. Louis

Amongst other things . . .

A sysadmin unpacked the server for this website from its box, installed an operating system, patched it for security, made sure the power and air conditioning was working in the server room, monitored it for stability, set up the software, and kept backups in case anything went wrong. All to serve this webpage.

A sysadmin installed the routers, laid the cables, configured the networks, set up the firewalls, and watched and guided the traffic for each hop of the network that runs over copper, fiber optic glass, and even the air itself to bring the Internet to your computer. All to make sure the webpage found its way from the server to your computer.

I worked for a couple years as a system administrator, and I can tell you it is a very tough job – the breadth of knowledge required to be a good sysadmin is extraordinary. Ultimately I realized I wasn’t cut out for it (but mostly I hated being on call 24 hours a day), so I went in a different career direction (three times since then).

Visit the Sysadmin Day website for gift ideas. (All I can think of on my own is Mountain Dew.)

So here’s to all the system administrators out there – may you get through day without a fire to put out!

An automatically generated list of possibly related posts:

1. Happy Sysadmin Day!
2. Happy 4th of July
3. Happy Australia Day!

• Concordia Cup 2010 Wednesday – Sunday
• Bailey’s Taproom 3rd Anniversary Barrel Aged BeerFest Saturday
• Bones and Brews 2010 Saturday – Sunday

And now on to some other activities . . .

Thursday

Back Fence PDX

The theme of the July 29th, 2010 Back Fence PDX is He Said/She Said:

“Two people will tell the same story from their different POVs. The second person to tell the story will be sequestered so they may not hear how the first person tells it. EXCITING!” [more]

Friday – Sunday

Showdown at Slabtown 2010

The 2nd annual Showdown at Slabtown takes place this Friday through Sunday, July 30th through August 1st, at Slabtown (1033 NW 16th).

In my salad days I was a pretty decent pinball player. My little brother, Steve, however, was a master. We played in the late-90s era Portland Pinball League incarnation at the now defunct Jockey Club on Killingsworth, where Steve racked up a number of championships. I think I placed 3rd or 4th once. [more]

Saturday

Overlook Village Celebration

The 2nd Annual Overlook Village Celebration takes place Saturday, July 31st 2010 on North Killingsworth, West of I-5.

From 11am until 6pm enjoy local art and craft vendors, live local bands, a pet costume contest, a car show, and a sidewalk sale. [more]

An automatically generated list of possibly related posts:

1. July 31: Overlook Village Celebration
2. July 30 – August 1: Showdown at Slabtown 2010
3. August 21-23: Slabtown Pinball Showdown

Wednesday – Sunday

Concordia Cup 2010

The 2010 Concordia Cup takes place Wednesday, July 28th through Sunday, August 1st at the Concordia Ale House (3276 NE Killingsworth).

Twelve Oregon brewed Imperial IPAs battle for your votes to captain the Oregon team for Beer Brawl IV, which pits beers from Oregon, Washington, and California. [more]

Saturday

Bailey’s Taproom 3rd Anniversary Barrel Aged BeerFest

Bailey’s Taproom (213 SW Broadway) celebrates their 3rd birthday with another Barrel Aged Beerfest this Saturday, July 31st.

This cash only event costs a mere $15 (which includes a souvenir glass and five tokens). I think I’m justified using the term mere because, like last year, the beer list is astonishing [more]

Saturday – Sunday

Bones and Brews 2010

The 16th annual Bones and Brews fest takes place both Saturday, July 31st (11am-9pm) and Sunday, August 1st (11am-5pm) up on NW 15th between Everett and Glisan. The event is a benefit for the Oregon Zoo – last year’s event raised over $10000!

Over 30 beers will be available to accompany the BBQ from various vendors, a BBQ contest, and the Kobe Bleu Ball eating contest! [more]

An automatically generated list of possibly related posts:

1. July 29-August 2: Concordia Cup, Bones and Brews, and Bailey’s Taproom Birthday
2. July 31-August 1: Bones and Brews 2010
3. July 31: Bailey’s Taproom 3rd Anniversary Barrel Aged BeerFest

Currently most editions of the paper from 1861 through 1972 are included. The rest of the editions through 1987 will be added by the end of the year.

It’s all accessible, for free, via the web. You have to have a library card and PIN though to see it at home, though anyone can access it at the library.

The interface is not the easiest to use, and it’s kinda slow, but you can view or print pages, articles, and ads; search the text; navigate between pages and articles; download individual pages or whole editions in PDF format.

An automatically generated list of possibly related posts:

1. Library to Mac users: No video for you
2. January 10: Tour the library eco-roof and make a buck from the recession
3. Welcome Oregonian Readers!

Before you go, read the excellent bacon primer by friend of the blog XUP.

Again this year the East Burn (1800 E Burnside) is hosting, closing off the entire adjacent block for the festivities.

And my oh my, what saturated fat and cholesterol packed festivities they have in store, starting at noon:

• 12:00 Opening Ceremonies + Contest – The Bacon Mile (ends 5pm)
• 01:00 Live Music – TBA
• 02:00 Contest – Bacon Toss
• 03:00 Live Music – Target for Tomorrow and the Horns of Destruction
• 04:00 Contest – Bacon Eat-Off
• 05:00 Live Music – Drain
• 06:00 Bacon Dance-Off
• 07:00 Live Music – Kym Krash Band

Last year’s Baconfest collected over 900 pounds of food for the Oregon Food Bank, and 2500 bacon lovers attended. They’re shooting for double that amount this year, according to the Facebook event page.

Alas, Heather and I are celebrating our imminent nuptials the same day, not too far from the East Burn, but here’s hoping we can put make it over to Baconfest for a bit!

An automatically generated list of possibly related posts:

1. October 3: The Wedge and the 2009 Portland Baconfest
2. July 31-August 1: Bones and Brews 2010
3. October 2-4: Greek Festival, H.P. Lovecraft Films, The Wedge, Baconfest, Wax Broker Riot, and the Timbers

In my salad days I was a pretty decent pinball player. My little brother, Steve, however, was a master. We played in the late-90s era Portland Pinball League incarnation at the now defunct Jockey Club on Killingsworth, where Steve racked up a number of championships. I think I placed 3rd or 4th once. If Steve were not living in Elko, Nevada, he’d be at Slabtown this weekend. My excuse, on the other hand, is that I have virtually retired from pinball – I don’t hang out at bars enough anymore to get in any practice!

The Open Tournament is held on 6 machines. Play your games anytime Friday (3pm – Midnight) or Saturday (Noon – Midnight). According to the announcement on rec.games.pinball, the open tournament machines are Seawitch, Frontier, Whirlwind, Demolition Man, The Simpson’s Pinball Party, and Terminator: II. Finalists, the top 16 entries, will compete on August 1st after the Classics finals.

The Classics Tournament is held on 4 machines: Aces and Kings, Royal Flush, Solar City, and Aztec. Qualifying rounds take place same time as the open tournament above, while the finals, featuring the top 8 competitors, takes place at noon on Sunday, August 1st.

Prizes for this years event are cold hard cash! Entries cost $3 per ticket (4 tickets for $10), and you can enter as many times as it takes. The Crazy Flipper Fingers website has the rest of the details.

An automatically generated list of possibly related posts:

1. August 21-23: Slabtown Pinball Showdown
2. July 29-August 1: Beer, Back Fence PDX, Pinball, and a Street Fair
3. August 22-23: Adult Soap Box Derby, Montavilla Brewfest, and the Timbers

Twelve Oregon brewed Imperial IPAs battle for your votes to captain the Oregon team for Beer Brawl IV, which pits beers from Oregon, Washington, and California.

$13 gets you a taster tray. Visit the Concordia Ale House website for more information, including a list of the 2010 Washington winners.

An automatically generated list of possibly related posts:

1. July 28-August 1: Concordia Cup, Bones and Brews, and Bailey’s Taproom Birthday 2010
2. July 29-August 2: Concordia Cup, Bones and Brews, and Bailey’s Taproom Birthday
3. July: Oregon Craft Beer Month 2010

Over 30 beers will be available to accompany the BBQ from various vendors, a BBQ contest, and the Kobe Bleu Ball eating contest!

There’s also a charity dog wash and live music. Kids and dogs are welcome. Admission is only a $3 suggested donation.

An automatically generated list of possibly related posts:

1. July 29-August 2: Concordia Cup, Bones and Brews, and Bailey’s Taproom Birthday
2. July 28-August 1: Concordia Cup, Bones and Brews, and Bailey’s Taproom Birthday 2010
3. July 24: Division / Clinton Street Fair and Parade 2010

This cash only event costs a mere $15 (which includes a souvenir glass and five tokens). I think I’m justified using the term mere because, like last year, the beer list is astonishing:

Block 15 #181 – Two barrel blend of one year old lambic with wild yeast/bacteria from Belgium aged in Oak barrels. 5%

Rogue John John Juniper – Juniper Pale Ale aged in Juniper Gin barrels. 5.2%

Full Sail ’09 Black Gold – Imperial Stout aged a year in Bourbon barrels. 10.5%

Oakshire Very Ill Tempered Gnome – Strong Ale aged in a Pinot barrel for 5 months. 10.5%

Fort George ’09 Illuminator – Doppelbock aged in Heaven Hills Bourbon barrel. 9%

Upright Lambicus Six – Dark Rye with brettanomyces lambicus aged in Pinot barrels. 7%

Deschutes Pinot Twilight – Pale Ale aged in Pinot barrels. 5%

Caldera Mogli – Imperial Porter aged in Bourbon barrels.

Hopworks For Those About to Bock – Bock aged in Buffalo Trace barrels since Jan. 7.1%

Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza – Belgian Golden with wild yeast aged in Oak barrel. 8%

Firestone Parabola – Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels. 13%

Moylan’s Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale – Kilt Lifter aged in both Apple Brandy and Port barrels.

Hair of the Dog Cherry Adam – Old Ale aged with cherries in Bourbon and Sherry barrels.

New Holland ’09 Dragon’s Milk – Strong Ale aged in Oak barrels. 10%

Allagash ’08 Curieux – Allagash Tripel aged in Jim Beam barrels. 11%

Russian River Consecration – Belgian Ale with lots of funk aged in Cab. barrels. 10%

Lompoc ’08 Bourbon LSD – Strong Ale aged in Bourbon barrels 8.5%

Three Skulls Wreckage – Barleywine aged in Bourbon barrels.

Cascade – A special Bailey’s blend.

Doors open at noon!

An automatically generated list of possibly related posts:

1. July 28-August 1: Concordia Cup, Bones and Brews, and Bailey’s Taproom Birthday 2010
2. July 29-August 2: Concordia Cup, Bones and Brews, and Bailey’s Taproom Birthday
3. December 2-6: Holiday Ale Festival 2009