Gibbs Bridge update 12/20/11

Here's a project update from the Gibbs St team:

Holiday Construction Update

No work between December 23rd and January 2nd

Week of December 19th 
The third bridge span (out of six) was successfully placed on Friday night, December 16th, and crews will not be returning for any nighttime work this week. Daytime work continues this week on the east landing and crews will stop work at 12:00 pm Friday, December 23rd to break for the holidays. Work will resume on Tuesday, January 3rd at 7:00 am. 

Morning in South Waterfront

If you haven't seen any of the YouTube videos created by our neighbor and South Waterfront resident, Bob Cronk, you should definitely check them out.

A great timelapse video was posted this week: 'Morning in South Waterfront'.
Music is by Trent Reznor, from The Social Network soundtrack.

Grimm Episode 7 Portland filming locations

Welcome to Hollywood, Alberta Street and The Portland Forest!

Grimm Episode 7 "Let Down Your Hair"
This Grimm take on Rapunzel involves: "A mysterious homicide deep in the woods leads to Nick and Hank reopening a long-aborted missing persons case."
Aired: Friday, Dec. 16, 9/8c

First of all, I just finished the show and there is a hiker guy still locked in the brothers' basement!?! Right? Did I miss this closure? Loose ends.....

As I mentioned, Alberta Street plays a key role in this episode. However, the main character is The Forest (supposedly around Mt Hood), shown in the opening crime scene, and in follow-on scenes involving expansive fly-over aerial shots and detectives on 4-wheelers racing through the trails. It is also the location where we discover Holly the teenage Blutbad living in her treehouse.

• The Forest opening scene and throughout - actual location, Forest Park?
• Police station interior - same ol'
• "Multnomah County Medical Examiner" building - title is accurate, but not the actual building. I only saw one shot of the building.
• Oregon Ducks roofrack on Nick's Jeep - did you catch it?
• Extreme Christmas at Monroe's & big news: Santa is a Grimm?!

• Alberta Street Public House - the guys chat in a booth

All I Want for Christmas is...

...Clean Windows?!

Today is the 3rd day in a row that 2 spiderman-like gents have popped down with their suction cup feet and attached themselves to our windows, right out of nowhere.

These guys have a HUGE job to do here in the South Waterfront. I am tempted to calculate the square footage of windows that are washed. (I will let you know if I do...)  We are all very grateful for their fearlessness of heights and their speedy squeegee-ing.

Grimm Episode 6 Portland filming locations

Aired: Friday, Dec. 9, 9/8c

Grimm Episode 6 "The Three Bad Wolves" plot: "When Nick and Hank investigate the explosion of a Blutbad's home, Monroe is brought face-to-face with characters from his troubled past."

Sherwood got a little Grimm this week! According to the Beaverton Valley Times:

"TV crews filmed in Sherwood for two days in August, including shutting down parts of Southwest Main Street as well as Southwest Baker Road and Major Oak Drive off Sunset Boulevard."

They filmed the chase scene in nearby woods. The B.V.Times also reports that we may see more in the future:

"Although this is the first time that “Grimm’s” film crews have come to Sherwood, Gavin doesn’t expect it to be the last. “Sherwood has got some good things going for it,” he said. “There’s the river going through it, and farmland and forest. It has a good varied look.”"

• Geodesic Dome House / scene of the crime - While looking for the location of the octagonal house that was burned down in the opening scene, I found this amazing but unrelated list of "Oregon Round Barns"... however, I'm still looking for the house used in this scene. (Any info? Send me a msg.)

--> Hey, an update here: Based on a tip from a reader, we suspect the geodesic dome used in this scene was a home in NE Portland on Mason St. View it on Google Maps to see for yourself.

Grimm Episode 5 Portland filming locations

Aired: Thursday, Dec. 8, 10/9c

Grimm Episode 5 "Danse Macabre" plot: "Nick and Hank's investigation of a dead high school teacher leads them to the school's outcast, Roddy. Nick realizes that there's more to Roddy than meets the eye..."

In her review today, Kristi at The Oregonian called this one "the best episode yet".  Yes...if you can handle rats, lots of rats, and half-eaten human corpses, eaten by rats.

This week's episode stumped me a little bit. Played a game of fill-in-the-blanks for awhile, but with the help of several readers & KGWNews (5/18), was able to fill in most of the locations.

• St Johns Bridge - Seen in opening shot, and then played a prominent role as Backdrop for multiple scenes throughout.

• Rave party in a warehouse... This was also filmed in a building at the Blue Heron Paper Mill, a location used in Episode 3.

• This mill was also a filming location for several movies: Twilight (2008) and The Hunted (2003). Check out TwilightGirlPortland for all the details! 

• The Von Hamerlin Music Institute = a NE Portland retirement housing complex

Rosemont Court (formerly Villa St. Rose)
597 N Dekum St, Portland, OR

maps.google.com

• Police station - same ol'

• Picture of the Portland Tribune website

• Nice house with a gated driveway where Nick interviews the music school kids: Thanks to a reader for the tip! This is located on SW Edgecliff Rd in the Dunthorpe neighborhood... note the lions on the gate.

• More Rogue Ales - product placement also seen in the previous episode

• Clark Lewis - Located at 1001 SE Water Ave, the wood stacks were a dead give-away.

• Another fancy house... also located on SW Edgecliff Dr

• Rave party at "warehouse on Front St"(the text said)... same Blue Heron Paper Mill, location used in Episode 3.

My previous Grimm locations posts:

Episode 4 - Lonelyhearts

Episode 3 - BeeWare

Episode 2 - Bears Will Be Bears
Episode 1 - Pilot

You can view this and previous episodes online: http://www.nbc.com/grimm/ 

More ways to give this holiday season

In addition to the holiday food drives I recently mentioned, there are a few additional opportunities in our neighborhood to help out those in need this holiday season.

Donate your socks to a good cause!
Drop-boxes are available in the CHH Lobby or 7th or 11th floors.

Donate clothing to those in need:

Sunshine Division Clothing DriveThe Sunshine Division touches more than 10,000 local families in crisis annually by providing food and clothing through their front doors and an additional 4,000 families will be given a Thanksgiving or Holiday food box in the coming month.

Please help the Sunshine Division follow through on the promise they've made to thousands of others who will receive clothing and food this December and year-round in 2012. Please bring new or gently-used items of clothing (including shoes) to the South Waterfront Umpqua Bank branch during the week of December 5– 9 to help restock the clothing room.  Note that all clothes/shoes are given to families free of charge.
Monday - Friday, December 5 - 9, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Umpqua Bank, 3606 SW Bond Avenue




Don't forget, the Oregon Food Bank food drive is still going on through Dec. 16:
Food Collection:  November 1 - December 16Drop off at Community Relations Townhome


Food will also be collected at the South Waterfront Holiday Food Drive Party on December 7.  The party will include complimentary wine from Storyteller Wine Company as well as artisan cheeses, cured meats, and fruit from our local Zupan's Market.  Feel free to show off your skills by bringing your favorite appetizer to share with your neighbors and please bring at least 2 cans of food as admission to the party.     
Holiday Party:  December 7, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Atwater Place, Suite 115

Oh Christmas Tree

Have you picked up a Christmas tree yet?  Well, if a tree is on your list for the weekend, here are a few options:

Closest:
Griswold Family Christmas Trees
- Indoor Christmas tree lot on Macadam
6626 SW Macadam Ave, Portland, 97239 (503) 330-5751
In years past we have picked up a tree from the old gas station lot between Riva and Macadam; Griswold's is not that close, but it is pretty close.

Friendliest:
I can tell you from experience that the Fred Meyer on 99W in Tigard has THE most friendly Christmas tree staff AND free hot chocolate, very hot chocolate which the friendly staff will offer to stir for you if your hands are full.

Foodiest:

Cartlandia has trees (and good good food!) Make an outing of it and try out one of the new food carts. (Let me know if you cycle out and haul the tree back via bike - please take pictures!)

"Cartlandia is hosting a Christmas Tree lot as a benefit for  N. Marion High School Equestrian team - they have the freshest, fullest Noble and Grand Fir trees, and fresh cut Mistletoe (for only $2).  Get a bite from one of the 19 food carts, watch TV around the new firepit, and shop for a great tree to support the N. Marion High School team."


Closest to Baker & Spice:
Hillsdale Christmas tree lot @ 6371 SW Capitol Hwy... OK, this suggestion involves more food, but ooh, you should check out the holiday menu and treats at Baker and Spice.


There are of course, many more good options around the area, including some nice U-cut tree farms. I have yet to find a great website/map for these, but here are a couple to explore:

http://stateoforegon.info/directory/christmas_trees.html

http://www.christmastreemap.com/farm/OR.html

Holiday Bazaar for Heart Research

The annual OHSU Heart Research Holiday Bazaar is taking place today and tomorrow.

Time:  10:00-5:30
Place: OHSU CHH Atrium
What: Beautiful handmade gifts made by artisans from Handmade NW, raising funds and awareness for the OHSU Heart Research Center.

You can check out the list of vendors on the Handmade NW website.

www.burdyflyaway.etsy.com

Leftovers

Hope y'all had a Happy Thanksgiving! 

I am back from the frozen tundra. Took a little break from the blog this week. What did I miss in the neighborhood?

Got trapped out here by a malfunctioning BLM gate @ -2 degrees

Hardiest Occupiers in the nation

Caution: Slippery Walkways

Beautiful but hazardous?

This is just a pedestrian safety alert about the slippery wooden pathways in Elizabeth Caruthers Park this time of year. A friend of mine slipped and fell last week, and I heard reports from several others. When I scoped it out this weekend, it was not raining, but the frost was still on the shaded paths at noon, and they were indeed very slippery.

12pm on Saturday

Grimm filming locations - Episode 4

NBC is really packing in the scenic Oregon shots!

Grimm Episode 4, "Lonelyhearts", opens on the Sandy River Bridge (which leads to the historic Columbia River Highway), and closes dramatically at Multnomah Falls. 

Photo courtesy of Sally Filler

In the middle of this scenic Oregon sandwich, we saw the following locations:

Portland-spotting the Grimm previews Nov. 18

Grimm Episode #4 airs tonight on NBC. Have you started Portland-spotting the previews?

Preview: The Magic Touch - The historic Columbia River Highway bridge

Preview: A Warm Welcome - A house...
Preview: Quite the Charmer - Which Portland bar is in this scene? Is it Lincoln Restaurant on Williams?

Also expect to see:

• Multnomah Falls

Marquam Hill Lecture tonight @ 7:30

The November Marquam Hill lecture at OHSU takes place tonight at 7:30pm.

New Windows to Your Heart: Breakthroughs in Cardiovascular Imaging

Presented by: Jonathan Lindner, MD

Date: November 17, 2011
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: OHSU Auditorium, Marquam Hill Campus, Old Library Building

Dr Lindner will be explaining and showing new imaging breakthroughs in cardiovascular disease research.

And if you missed last month's lecture "The Hunt for Biological Mechanisms in Asthma", you can view the video online here.

Related post: Marquam Hill Lecture Series Starts Thursday (Oct. 20)

Obstructing the Streetcar

This happens more often than you would think. Unwitting person parks a too-large vehicle, or sloppily-parked regular vehicle, blocking the path of the Streetcar.

Streetcar is literally stopped in its tracks. Trimet driver gets out, circles vehicle, calls in reinforcements.

Parking patrol arrives, circles vehicle.

Holiday Food Drive(s)

Bring your canned food donations down to Umpqua Bank this week, Nov 14-19.

The goods will help out local nonprofit "Potluck in the Park" which serves a "free hot meal to anyone in need". They feed people every Sunday in O'Bryant Square.

Specific supplies needed are below. Looks like they're serving chili!

ALSO:

A food donation bin for the Oregon Food Bank is set up at March Wellness. Bring your non-perishable donations for the Oregon Food Bank, Nov. 3 - Dec. 15.

Mystery photo contest #2

Well, this is a different kind of mystery photo contest. The mystery is: What is This Guy Doing To the Granite Slab in E.C. Park?

The wood carpet was rolled in this morning, and a guy in a white van started doing some kind of work with an electric power tool. (I thought maybe he was etching his initials in but checked later and no sign of that.)

Here's a picture of the stone after he finished. I'm sure there must be a second part of this production coming soon.

Does anyone know what he is doing? 

New photos added on Friday:

It looks like he just removed and replaced the center slab. Now working on re-cementing it.

Today: Free health screenings at OHSU-CHH

OHSU is hosting a health fair today in the CHH to promote World Diabetes Day. Free health screenings are taking place until 4:30pm.

"OHSU cardiovascular medicine experts will measure:

• Blood glucose
• BMI (body mass index)
• Cholesterol
• Blood pressure

* Nurses and physicians will be on hand for consults on test results.

-- Kendall Simmons, a Superbowl XL champion and former Pittsburgh Steeler, will explain how he tackled Type 1 diabetes.

-- Certified diabetes educators from NovoNordisk will discuss carbohydrate counting and food exchanges.  

-- March wellness representatives will demonstrate their Medical Exercise Program."

KGW video was on hand interviewing several OHSU employees. 

Grimm filming locations - Episode 3

Grimm Episode #3 aired tonight at 9pm PST:
"The station is abuzz as Nick and Hank are called to a case where an innocent flash mob results in a gruesome homicide..."

The South Waterfront and Portland Streetcar played starring roles in this episode!  The opening scenes take place in the South Waterfront with condo buildings and OHSU-CHH prominently displayed.

My earlier post (August) with more photos of the filming: a homicide takes place during a Streetcar flash mob.

(Did anyone notice David Giuntoli called it a "tram" later in the show?)

Mystery Photo Contest: Where am I?

The first ever South Waterfront Blog contest begins!  Do you know where this photo was taken?

Send me your answers here:  sowablog @gmail.com

Or feel free to submit your guesses via comments below.

While you are doing that, I will go figure out a prize.

Also, I am taking submissions for the next Mystery Photo Contest.

Criteria:
- Photo was taken in the general South Waterfront (or walk-able surrounding area).
- You took this photo. You have the rights to share it.
- I'll accept camera, iPad, smartphone photos, whatever you've got!

Send me your photos!

Gibbs St Bridge Span - Part 2

The next section of the Gibbs St bridge will be placed on Wednesday night, Nov. 9.

"I5 closed, detours planned, nighttime noise expected" - You were warned!

Here is the message from the Gibbs project team:

"The first bridge span has been set and crews will place the next span on Wednesday, November 9th, starting at 8:00 pm and completing by 5:30 am on Thursday. Since the bridge crosses I-5, the bridge span placement needs to take place at night to avoid traffic congestion and to keep workers and motorists safe. 

South Waterfront Craft Bazaar wants you!

Are you a crafty South Waterfront resident? Do you knit, sew, paint, sculpt, quilt, carve or have some other artsy talent? Our 1st Holiday Craft Bazaar is coming right up, and here is your opportunity to participate!

See this notice from the South Waterfront Community Relations:

"South Waterfront Craft Bazaar:  Call for Vendors 
Are you a South Waterfront knitter, jewelry maker, woodworker, painter, sculptor, or other artisan?  If you're a South Waterfront resident and interested in selling your wares this holiday season, please contact Heather Bayles at heather@southwaterfront.com or 503-972-3289.  Include your name, phone number, email address, and type of craft.  

The Holiday Bazaar is tentatively scheduled for Friday, December 9, 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Umpqua Bank.  Tables will be provided, vendors will be responsible for any tablecloth or other decor, and it is up to each vendor to decide how they will accept payment.  Participation in on a first come, first served basis and space is limited.       
Friday, December 9, 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Umpqua Bank 
3606 SW Bond Avenue, Portland, OR Map It

Gibbs St Pedestrian Bridge

Have you seen the bright lights across the freeway the past few nights on the Gibbs St Pedestrian Bridge project?  I was up with the baby around 3:00am, and observed the work, noise and lights, as promised on the project website:

"Lair Hill and South Waterfront residents can expect night time noise including noise from trucks and cranes, lights powered by generators, and high powered drills. The most noise is expected between 11:00 pm and 3:00 am when crews will bolt the bridge spans together."

Actually, this is exciting - the bridge span placement has begun. The first segment was installed on Friday night (Nov. 4).

Here are some shots taken this morning from the west side of I-5:

Grimm filming locations - Episode 2

Back by popular demand, here is a rundown on the Portland scenes from last night's episode of Grimm. Episode 2 "Bears will be Bears" followed a Goldilocks and the 3 Bears story line, with a bit of Native American mythology blended in.

Episode 2:

• Good Sam's ICU
• --> Reader Tip: Clackamas Community College, Harmony Campus, Nursing Program Lab (Thank you!)

• Big Bears' house: (It was rumored to be a home of Mark Wattle, former owner of Hollywood Video but not so.) This house, the Chenevich home, is actually located at 14155 NW Logie Trail, North Plains, OR

• Portland Police Bureau - filmed at former North Precinct in St Johns (my source)
• Tryon Creek State Park forest around Lewis & Clark College
• Bridge shot #1 =?
• Broadway Bridge shot
• Cemetery in closing shot = Lone Fir Cemetery ?

Bonus: Product placement for Voodoo doughnuts & The Lotus, Rebel Jeweler

Episode 1: My post from last week containing Episode 1 locations is here.

Stay tuned next week:
The film crew told me the SoWa filming would be in Episode 4, but the Grimm website is saying it is Episode 3... Episode 3 filmed on the Streetcar in the South Waterfront (at OHSU-CHH) and at the Portland Art Museum:
Friday, November 11th 9/8c

"The station is abuzz as Nick and Hank are called to a case where an innocent flash mob results in a gruesome homicide."

New Moody Ave is open!

It is a beautiful sight...the new Moody Ave bikeway, walkway, runway, Streetcar, roadway.

Who knew we could get so excited about a road? After months of construction and all kinds of detours around, it is more than a welcome sight. It was a joy to run down the wide open sidewalk, elevated, and feeling slightly more European, in a bike and pedestrian-friendly city kind of way.

I overheard a cyclist yell at another cyclist as they sped down the new bike expressway: "God, this is nice!" I saw another cyclist repeatedly raise both arms up to the sky.

BikePortland provides a first-ride analysis & more great photos: "My overall impression after riding it in both directions yesterdays is that it's pretty exciting — this is the closest thing Portland has to a European-style bikeway."

However, cyclists still need to be very alert; the construction is not completely done. There are some patches of dirt along the roadside awaiting finishing touches, and some friends of mine witnessed a bike crash last night due to this unfinished dirt-sidewalk interface.

Save the Osprey Nest

Neighbors, did you know we are in danger of losing our osprey nest?

This is due to the expiration of the temporary permit for the nest platform pole. There is a small article on the Zidell website telling the story of the current platform.

Please see the note below from Carol Otis outlining the situation. If you want to help, you can send a message to Commissioner Nick Fish asking for an appeal.

"Dear Friends of SWF Osprey, 

Attached is one of the last videos I took of the osprey adults and the chick in September 1, 2011 before they left for migration. 

PDC Grocery Market Analysis

On the SoWa grocery store topic, the results are back from a recent market study conducted for the Portland Development Commission to identify new grocery sites and potential grocer candidates for 4 areas: RiverPlace, OHSU/ZRZ, PSU, and 10th & Belmont.

The study gives the following Recommendations / Key Findings:
"1. Prioritize locating a full service grocer in the PSU District, specifically near the 4th & Harrison intersection, with a minimum 20,000 SF footprint and full amenities. The strongest candidates are Market of Choice and New Seasons. They have the capacity, experience and product offerings with the greatest appeal to the university demographic.
2.  With a creative, flexible operator, a smaller store can potentially succeed in the South Waterfront. New Seasons and Barbur World Foods have both expressed interest.
3.  A full service store could be accommodated in South Waterfront with the addition of 10,000 new residents to the existing 3,000 South Waterfront residents (assuming 100 percent occupancy)."

"Based on market data and grocer responses, a site located in PSU, such as the 4th & Harrison site, is the most attractive site for a store location in the immediate future. Grocers anticipate being able to readily pull from the immediate PSU consumer base as well as from residents of the West Hills neighborhood and South Waterfront area, to some extent. A South Waterfront location also holds some promise for a full service store over the longer term and a smaller specialty convenience grocer in the near term. The RiverPlace site was of limited interest, and grocers had no interest in the 10th & Belmont site."

Looks like we'll stick with Burlingame Freddy's , Zupan's on Macadam, and our little Urbana Market for awhile.

Grimm filming locations in Portland - Season 1 Ep 1

The new Portland-based NBC show "Grimm" premiered last night, with a great response and ratings surprise. Little Red Riding Hood-themed Episode 1 pulled in ~6.5M viewers and was the highest rated non-sports show. We Portlanders may have an above-average interest in the show, but I'm hearing good things all around and I thought it was great - I may be hooked!


I'm getting a lot of traffic from those of you looking for more info on "Grimm" filming locations around Portland. I am not an expert, but I have started to compile a list here:

Episode 1: "Little Red Riding Hood"
Aired 10/28/11

• Reed College (opening scene);
• Forest Park;

• Cabin in the Woods - I received some info from a reader regarding the location of this cabin (where Little Red Riding Hood is kept in the basement), at the now-drained Roslyn Lake in Sandy, OR.

"I believe the cabin was originally built for a scene in the movie "Bandits" back when there was still a lake there. Then they just left the building sitting there by the lake, right next to the parking lot. The Grimm crews were all over that lake area prior to the pilot, filming at night. Rumors of future uses of the now-non-lake include larger habitat area for the elephants from the Oregon Zoo. Just rumors, though."

maps.google.com

• Little Red Riding Hood's house - I received a tip from a reader (OldeSaultie, March 2012) regarding the location of this house:

Robin (Little Red Riding Hood) Howell's house
1710 NW Hoyt St
Portland, OR
http://g.co/maps/49spv 

• Berkeley Park;
• Portland Police Bureau - Filming at the former North Precinct in St Johns (from this source) -->The Portland Police Bureau posted a few pictures on their Facebook page: "#GRIMM Behind the Scenes: This is what the Portland Police Bureau set looks like on TV - on.fb.me/sxNSIE");
• Pearl District;
• Legacy Good Sam's ICU (hospital scenes & closing scene)

We did have the Grimm film crew here in the South Waterfront for a couple of days in August. Here's the link to my post with photos from Episode 4: On Set of Grimm at OHSU

If you have more specific info on locations, feel free to send me a msg (sowablog @ gmail.com) or comment and I'll include it.

Stay tuned...