Bread for the leftover (from Christmas dinner) turkey noodle soup? No place else to go but Grand Central Bakery on Hawthorne....

Well heck, Jack...that puts you two blocks from my house. And my bus stop there, where I can pick up bread --or some veggies from Uncle Paul's-- on my way home. Yes, life can be sweet.
(And I hope you used your Chinook coupon to buy a half pound, get a half pound free at Stumptown, as I did last week.)

From there (crossing Hawthorne extra carefully -- alas, someone else is going to get killed there one of these days...

Indeed. And if I may interject a rant...I've been trying to get a simple marked crosswalk there for better than ten years. There is a "plan" for pedestrian improvements along Hawthorne...but the City opposes marked crosswalks that they claim provide a "false sense of security." Better we should understand, the logic goes, how unsafe it is to cross there..."logic" that drives me up the wall.

All things considered, though...it is a fine neighborhood.

the City opposes marked crosswalks that they claim provide a "false sense of security."

Just part of the lunacy that permeates the Portland bureaucracy. But hey, Frank, don't get me started -- this isn't about them. Here's to Larry and all the other people who helped me yesterday!

Here's to Larry and all the other people who helped me yesterday!

And let's not forget the helpful folks at Division Hardware at 38th or so, where you can show them the washer you need and they know right where to get it. Or Carpe Vinum, a fine wine store a few blocks east from Stumptown.

What keeps Portland special in so many ways are these small businesses where personal service is so important.

They are the real Portland. Unlike the many pretenders.

Its kind of like the Capra movie, It's a Wonderful Life, The difference between Bedford Falls and Pottersville, were those small business owners like Martini's restaurant and the corner drug store. I know I've been empathizing with George Bailey lately and looking at how we can reclaim the City or Community neighborhood feel the majority of the commom folk in this city want or whether it is just too overwheming at this point.

Frank:
...but the City opposes marked crosswalks that they claim provide a "false sense of security." Better we should understand, the logic goes, how unsafe it is to cross there..."logic" that drives me up the wall.

JK:
Please read up a little on this stuff. Marked crosswalks, where there are two lanes in the same direction, are well known for the problem of a vehicle, in the curb lane, stopping for a ped while a car in the next lane over cannot see the ped because of the stopped car. Of course this is not a problem if the ped looks before he steps into the next lane. But in the real world some peds do get killed.

It is a worse problem if the stopped vehicle is opaque like a bus.

Thanks
JK

How about a traffic light? We have 'em here, back East. :-)

if i may join the party here, I would give major kudos to All Ways Warm, the woodstove dealership out about 90th & Division. We live north of Vancouver, but purchased our Vermont Castings from them almost 20 years ago. We found they carried all of the major brands, so their sales people could give us an honest appraisal of each of the stoves we were considering, without pushing one brand or another. The stove we bought has been exactly what they said it would be.

The service after the sale is what sets them apart, though. Always able to answer your questions and very patient and helpful with those of us who have....well, let's say "rudimentary" questions about the care and cleaning of our equipment.

We've tried other places nearer our house, but always go back because they know what they're doing and take care of their customers long after the check has cleared.

Jim writes>>>But in the real world some peds do get killed.

Yes they do, Jim. In marked, and in unmarked crosswalks. Leaving it unmarked is no solution to the real hazards of crossing the street.

The same study you quote says the safest place/way to cross any street is to jaywalk in the middle of the block... So if you follow the logic, we should get rid of all crosswalks, signalized or not, and just tell everyone to jaywalk.

I've never ceased to find this a giggle -- the city says, sorry no crosswalk 'cause we read this study, but also, sorry, here's a $$$ ticket for jaywalking, cause we don't...

but, more to the point -- ALL the studies say that if there is a safety issue at an intersection, as there certainly is at this one -- the most unsupportable thing you can do about it is -- nothing.

Hey! Welcome to my neighborhood, Jack.

I live a couple blocks south of Division Hardware.

I'll second every recommendation you and Frank made. Larry is a gem! Stumptown is a gem!

Also, Glen at Division Hardware says that Sit On It upholsterers, across Division from his store is a damned fine business, too.

Next time you're looking for a decent Thai meal, decently priced and with decent volume, try Appethaizing at 32nd and Division. Bellagio's at 36th makes a damned decent sandwich, too.

Of course, if you're looking for sinfully delectable desserts, there's Pix! just east of the light at 34th, too.

It all sure beats the hell out of having a Wal-Mart, even if it does cost a few pennies more.

For dinner, of course: Lauro.

"How about a traffic light? We have 'em here, back East. :-)"

Um... It's my understanding that the next change along Hawthorne will install two new controlled intersections. As a resident in the neighborhood who has watched what happens when traffic lights are installed on major thoroughfares, I'm dubious about additional traffic control lights on Hawthorne.

The reason? It increases the traffic through the neighborhood on those side-streets which have the controlled intersection on Hawthorne. Drivers tend to consider the lights at these intersections as indicators of through streets that allow them to divert around backups on the main thoroughfare.

That's what happened with the controlled intersection at Clinton and 39th. Once controlled, it became a major nuisance to those living within four to eight blocks of either side of 39th, along Clinton. It became a high volume residential street, with average speeds above 35 mph. Only a concerted effort of more than ten years duration culminating in the present "traffic calming" measures (particularly the diverters at 39th) returned a semblance of normality to our neighborhood.

For dinner, of course: Lauro.

Now just wait a second...Lauro's David Machado has now opened a SECOND restaurant: Vindahlo (Clinton & 21st). Sorta Indian, but really, really good...a good competitor for the new Sub-Rosa and Savoy restaurants a few blocks east on Clinton.

We may drive creaky, ancient Audi's when we're not on our bikes in Hosford-Abernethy...but we DO like to eat. And we've got great, great truly wonderful people feeding us!

Whoa-ho!

3 Doors Down at 36th just north of Hawthorne (three doors, west side) has got Lauro's beat.

I also join in your accolades to Grand Central Bakery. Their apple hand pie is _the_best_!

The OPB News hour had a good piece on Developers that rang too true and close what is happenning here and round the US. It reminded me of Georgetown shops, I discovered it on a trip to DC about 25 years ago and everytime I was in DC I used to sneak off for a unique experience shopping all the little shops and chatting with a cadre of interesting owners that collected things from all over the world, it was kind of like that little stretch in Mulnomah Center with Annie Blooms and the store that sells imported middle east clothing. I would reserve an afternoon and spend it poking around those little hole in the wall shops and finding my treasures, I could bring back to the West Coast and be sure that no one else had. When I was back three years ago what a shock, the core was new Mall type stores, The Gap, all the national chains had moved in. I only found two of my old haunts. I wonder how long it will take to duplicate on NW 23rd. I sincerely hope we can keep Portland Weird, and the Developers don't ruin our fair City, but we need to find a way to work together to make sure it is not "Developed" and sold out from under us" Especially with the new supreme court ruling.

How can we talk about Hawthorne restaurants without spending a moment's delicious contemplation on the hamburger and fries at Cafe Castagna? (We have some neighbors who perch themselves at the bar just for the fries, at least once a week...) And, the burger? Oh, my. Nothing like great beef cooked right. I know these are fighting words, but I've yet to have a better burger in any Portland restaurant.

Then there's the Bombay Cricket Club. You can make a full mean off just the aroma in there. "Hot"? They mean fire-red, hottest of hot-pepper, bring you to your knees crying, hot...

A little down the financial scale, and up the street, is Tony Bento -- the hands-down fav of our kids. Perch yourself at Tony's sushi bar, sip sake and watch as Tony makes your sushi. It’s always excellent. Get it to go and you can eat it in bed, watching a movie. Yum.

And, how could we not mention Chopsticks? No mushy sweet-and-sour here -- each dish individual, unusual, delicious, and spiced to fascinate. Never once have we been disappointed, and the prices are reasonable.

and then there's... too many to enumerate. Frank's right, this is a serious foodie neighborhood.

One last not-to-be missed -- the sangria at Nuestra Cuchina... well, and the deserts, and the flank steak, and the...

Oh, boo-friggin'-hoo. City government is bad and should be abolished, but when I decide I want a crosswalk at my intersection, they should run out here with a can of white paint to help me.

I say let's try the pure Libertarian approach on this one and see what happens--pull out all traffic lights, stop signs, and road markings and let everyone fend for themselves. Maybe Hawthorne Street, Inc., will swoop in to maintain and improve the street with the magical efficiency of the private sector, but I suppose they will have to charge a $5 toll to make it worth their while. That's OK with you, right?

Okay, what's the name of that 2nd Hand Store on Division and, I'm guessing, 32nd? South side. It always has a bunch of junky stuff outside, but inside there are some real finds, including some very nice retro furniture.

Lauro is awesome, especially in winter for the oxtail dish and the hanger steak.

Up on Hawthorne, don't forget Fujin--excellent Chinese food at a reasonable price.

My neighborhood is mid-Belmont, where you have a great little computer store (Belmont Computers) where the employees will give you good advice on fixing the computer yourself, or do a great job if you give it to them. Also Cricket Cafe, which has wonderful breakfasts unil 3 p.m. The Stumptown Coffee on Belmont, however, is too busy, and you get much more personable service at Wired Coffee on 39th (great desserts), Portland Coffee Co. on 25th & Belmont and Blend, on 24th and Burnside.

Also on Burnside is Foti's Greek Deli, home of the best gyros in town. The always smiling matron at the counter always remembers my name, though I really only go there about once every other month, and knows what I order.

I own a small business and do think small businesses are the true reflection of our city. And I don't think city government is a hindrance to the survival and prosperity of small businesses.

Panama Esmerelda is (if memory serves) actually grown by an American ex-pat who lives in Panama with his wife. I attended undergraduate with him, and one Christmas we drove together in his (very old) VW bus from La Jolla home to Santa Cruz (thereabouts). He and his wife (and his parents) own a place they've had for years on the McKenzie River. I thought Peets was the only place that PanEs, and for a limited time at that. It's news I like.