South Waterfront Farmers' Market

The South Waterfront Farmers' Market is taking place Thursdays 3:00-7:00.  Today was the 3rd week and it's looking like a big success so far! The first week was a sell-out by 6pm.

Olympic Provisions wins: Best Sign Ever!

Sweet strawberries from Hood River

Coonhound Crepes

Wood-fired pizzas

New vendor this week: Pawsitive Pastries

Until next Thursday...

Gibbs St Merry-Go-Round

I just decided to tack this latest update on to my previous post, as my fingers are getting tired from typing Gibbs St Bridge Update posts.... open to the public "soon" and official ceremony taking place on July 14.

Gibbs Street Bridge Update

July 2, 2012

Grand Opening is Scheduled for Saturday, July 14

 

The Gibbs Steet Bridge will open to the public in early July before a Grand Opening celebration with Mayor Sam Adams and former Rep. Darlene Hooley on Saturday, July 14. The festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include an opening ceremony, tours and free Tram rides all day. Mark your calendars and plan on attending!

 

In the meantime, final construction work continues. This work includes the installation of closed circuit security cameras that will monitor both the bridge and the Portland Aerial Tram tower.

June 23, 2012
OK, another update on the Gibbs St Bridge, and this time we are back to "opening soon"... who knew this little bridge announcement would be so dramatic?

This is good!  and it sounds like the reversion is due to a public expression of support for the bridge, (and perhaps a bit of frustration?) You all must be excited about walking to work, walking to PSU, walking to the Farmers' Market on Saturdays, etc.

Gibbs Street Bridge Update

June 22, 2012

Bridge Opening is Slated for Early July

The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced that the Gibbs Street Bridge will open to the public within two weeks, after it rescheduled a Grand Opening celebration to accommodate the certification of the bridge's elevator.

Final items of construction work are still underway, including installation of closed circuit security cameras that will monitor both the bridge and the Portland Aerial Tram tower.

The Transportation Bureau heard from residents on both sides of the bridge emphasizing their excitement about reconnecting Lair Hill with the river for the first time in decades. Opening a bridge that is safe and accessible to all is a top priority for PBOT.

MySouthWaterfront.com history of Gibbs St Bridge posts:

June 15 - Grand Opening Delayed

May 25 - Opening June 23

Jan 13 - Bridge Span Connected

Dec 20, 2011 - Gibbs Project Update

Nov 8, 2011 - Span Placement & I-5 Closure

Nov 6, 2011 - Nighttime Noise & Span Placement

Cider Summit Portland - take 2

Cider Summit Portland lands in Elizabeth Caruthers Park this Saturday, 11am-7pm.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 (cash) at the door.  For details, visit: www.cidersummitnw.com

This is the 2nd annual event for Cider Summit NW and their foray into Portland.  For more clips of last years's inaugural event, see my post from June 2011.

Cider Summit NW 2011

And remember, dogs are welcome to attend!

Cyclists Take Caution on Waterfront Trail

6/26 UPDATE: The offending barricade (below) has been moved out of the way since my original post.

6/19: This is just a heads-up to those of you who bike the waterfront trail between South Watefront and Sellwood Bridge.  I witnessed a bike wreck last weekend at the curve in the trail just around the corner from Aqua Riva. The cyclist took a left into the shortcut (which has been open and used as a shortcut for years) and hit a new concrete barrier, shown in the photo below:

Watch out for concrete barrier on the left!

(Note: strange blur on this image is where I digitally removed a bystander from the photo.)

The cyclist and his trailer (with kid inside) hit the pavement, trailer toppled over, etc. Two other family members narrowly avoided a pile-up. Fortunately, I don't think anyone was hurt beyond scrapes and bruises.

New concrete barrier from other direction.

Many people take the cut-through due to very poor trail conditions (BUMPS) on the regular trail. See below:

Terrible bumps, just past new asphalt

Perhaps this section of trail is next on the list for repaving? Nicely repaved asphalt is just up ahead:

Newly paved trail behind the (still under exterior repairs?) Willamette Wharf Office Bldg

A warning sign would be helpful and could help prevent more serious accidents.  

Leverage Car Chase Photos

Friday was an eventful day on SW River Parkway. TNT's Leverage crews filmed car chase scenes repeatedly up and down the street.

Stunt cop on Leverage

Car chase at SW River Parkway & SW Gaines

In the morning there was a scene involving a police car screeching to a halt and skidding in a circle. (You can see the skid mark circles on the street in front of the John Ross.)

Mid-day to afternoon there was a scene involving a car and cop chase, with a (planned) near-miss accident and more screeching tires at the corner of SW River Parkway & SW Curry.

Leverage D.C. cop car

Notice the cars all have D.C. plates - our neighborhood fills in for Washington D.C. in a pinch. Just as a side note, on Grimm Season 1 Episode 18, Naito Parkway and the Salmon St fountain filled in for D.C as well.

Filming continued into the evening. This marks almost exactly 1 year from the previous Leverage filming in the South Waterfront. Last year's filming also included an exciting Ferrari chase down SW River Parkway. Our neighborhood was featured as the city of Dubai in the Season 4 episode, "Queen's Gambit".

Thank you to my neighbors who provided some of the photos here!

I have launched a new site featuring a compilation of Leverage filming maps and locations around Portland. This is a fully crowd-sourced site, with locations compiled and supplied by Leverage fans. Check it out and let me know what you think!
FilmedinPortland.com

Gibbs St Bridge Grand Opening Delayed

This just in from the PBOT office: the Gibbs St Bridge Grand Opening (was June 23) has been rescheduled to July or August due to elevator certification.

"Gibbs Street Bridge Update

June 15, 2012

 

Grand Opening is rescheduled 

The Portland Bureau of Transportation sent a “save the date” notice for a June 23 Grand Opening of the Gibbs Street Bridge to stakeholders last month. Today, we’re letting those same people know that the bridge opening has been rescheduled to July or August, with a specific date to be determined in the coming weeks.

 

The opening was rescheduled to accommodate a new timeline for certification of the bridge’s elevator. Having a certified elevator that is open to the public is the top priority for PBOT staff and contractors working to complete the project.

 

The Transportation Bureau thanks Portlanders for their patience as we work to reconnect Lair Hill and the Willamette River with a pedestrian and bicycle bridge that is both functional and attractive. Details on when and how the bridge will open – possibly opening the bridge with signs indicating that the elevator is not in service – will be communicated as soon as possible."

Leverage filming Friday 6/15

TNT's Leverage is returning to the neighborhood tomorrow, Friday 6/15. Filming is to take place on SW River Parkway starting at 7am...another ferrari scene maybe?! The street will be under traffic control and parking limited from 7am-7pm.

Leverage filming notice - 6/15/12

One year ago, Leverage filmed here for the first time, using the Mirabella and SW River Parkway for scenes. My post on June 6, 2011 documented the events.

Leverage filming - June 2011

Park Market, Park Petiquette

In other park-related news, the new South Waterfront Farmers Market starts tomorrow!

When: Thursday, June 14, 3:00-7:00pm
Where: E.C. Park across from Umpqua Bank

More info from South Waterfront Community Relations - Vendor line-up:

• Produce:  Thompson Farms
• Produce:  Little Gnome Farms
• Smoked Salmon:  Columbia River Smoked Salmon
• Bakery:  Pearl Bakery
• Creamery:  Alsea Acre Goat Cheese
• Charcuterie:  Olympic Provisions
• Honey and Skincare:  Mickelberry Gardens
• Gelato:  Gelato Meistro
• Prepared Food:  The Hummus Stop
• Hard Apple Cider:  Wandering Aengus Ciderworks
• Hot Food:  Renaissance Wood Fired Pizza
• Hot Food:  Coonhound Crepes

For the Dog Walkers - some new signs popped up in Elizabeth Caruthers today:

Park fountain turning on soon

There have been some rumors swirling around regarding the Elizabeth Caruthers Park fountain being shut down for the summer. The fountain had been running back around Mothers' Day weekend, but has been noticeably dry for the last few weeks. Further, the Portland Parks budget cuts were being implicated as the reason for said shut-down.

Dry E.C. park fountain on June 10

The Portland Parks & Rec budget posted online did not provide any details on this. So, I contacted the Portland Parks Commissioner (Nick Fish) to investigate!

I promptly heard back from the Commissioner's office with the following:
"...The fountains are shut off during the winter months, and are inspected in the spring to ensure there are no repairs needed.  The Parks Bureau has informed me that the Caruthers Fountain should be on in a matter of days..."

Very good news!

E.C. park fountain on Mothers' Day

As I thought about it, I was really quite sad to envision our summer without this fountain. We don't really have any other child-friendly features or playgrounds in the neighborhood or within walking distance.  And with the growing numbers of babies and children in the neighborhood, this fountain gets used!  It has become a meeting point and a focal point in our little park.

That said, I think a playground would be a very nice addition...anyone else?!

Sellwood Bridge progress & photos

On a run this week, I explored around the Sellwood Bridge project, (this time noticing the signs and appropriately avoiding getting caught in a fenced-off hillside). I took the opportunity to capture a few photos of the latest developments.

Runners, walkers, bikers, take note: Trail Closed

Trail between Macadam Bay & the bridge 

There are still a number of issues up in the air regarding this portion of the bike/walking trail and access to Highway 43 for the people who live in the houseboats and on Miles Pl. SellwoodBridge.org has the latest and greatest project updates, including related posts in the media sphere.

Detour along Sellwood Ferry Rd 

Tree Huggers, take note: Landscape Revegetation Area

For more info: sellwoodbridge.org/trees

Go By Tram

Go By Tram

"Get to Know the Tram" MONTH kicks off today!

More on the Portland Aerial Tram events: 

"Get to Know the Tram Month" kicks of today with Engineering and Development and the Tram, from 1:00 - 3:00 (and again tomorrow, same times). Tour the engine and control rooms, learn about TriMet's Portland-Milwaukie MAX Line, meet the Portland Streetcar team, and see the model of the forthcoming OUS/OHSU Collaborative Life Sciences Building (CLSB)..."

The Tram has launched a new website. Check it out: Go By Tram

And be sure to find and follow them on Facebook for the latest updates as well as some cool local tram-related art: Portland Aerial Tram

Tram art by Rachel Oleson of Pulse Fine Art

Another great reason to stop by: Streetcar Origami!

Sauvie Island Organics

The first Sauvie Island Organics CSA delivery of the season arrived this week:

Lettuce
Kale - red ursa
Bok choy
Green garlic
Radishes