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Trick or Vote!

October 31, 2008 1:11 pm

by Lauren Hudgins

There may be some odd looking trick-or-treaters at your door today. And some of them won’t be the usual high schoolers scavenging candy after the kiddies have gone to bed. And they’re not asking for candy. They’re asking for your ballot!

It’s Trick or Vote time! Tonight, Halloween, volunteers allied with the Bus Project will be going door to door to collect your completed ballots. And you should give your ballot to them. Why not? It saves you a stamp. It’s safe! They deliver all ballots to the elections office. Trick or Vote is a nonpartisan costumed canvassing venture. They don’t care if you’re voting for McCain in Portland. They’ll still take your ballot and drop it off in the right place. If you haven’t voted yet, they’ll be a friendly Happy Halloween-wishing reminder to get on with it already!

“While you might be too old to trick or treat, you’re never too old to trick or vote.”

You can still sign-up for Trick or Voting. I went two years ago and had a great time. It’s not like regular canvassing. You’re not trying to convince people of anything or ask them for money. You’re just encouraging them to vote. Although there are a few extremely weird people who will find that offensive, most people will be happy to see you.

Sign up, here. Or simply show up at the kickoff.
AudioCinema
226 SE Madison
Starting at 3:30 and 5:30pm

Photo by noneck

Wheat-Free Dining at Andina

October 26, 2008 4:12 pm

by Mike Burnett

One of the things I’ve been meaning to write about on this blog is living wheat-free. That’s because I was diagnosed with an IGE allergy to wheat back in July (after having self-diagnosed a few months earlier). Since then, it’s been an interesting challenge to keep wheat out of my diet. As an aquaintance recently said, “That’s sort of like being allergic to air.” He’s not far off. Wheat is found in so many staples of the American diet, and not only that, but it’s found in all sorts of unexpected places: salad dressings, soy sauce, flavored corn chips, sausages, gravies, sauces, soups, and on and on.

Perhaps the saddest thing is how many delicious, soul nurturing alcoholic beverages are distilled from wheat. Although there is debate as to exactly how much allergenic material is contained in distilled grain alcohol, anyone suffering from a wheat allergy is probably better off cultivating a deep appreciation of potato vodka rather than hunting for that whiskey they can get away with drinking.

What prompted my writing this was a post by Heather Strang on her Wheat-Free Blog about Andina and all its wheat-free menu options. It’s impossible to ignore all the raving about Andina, but now I’m even more excited to try it.

Check out Strang’s blog post for some more descriptions of Andina’s wheat-free options and more great photos like this one:

Morada — Smoked Chicken w/ Purple Potato

Zombie Events This Weekend: ZOMBIEWALK

October 24, 2008 11:02 pm

by Lauren Hudgins


Photo by tufts_of_tafetta

There’s a zombiewalk this Sunday, October 26th, the World Zombie Day. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Show up at 4pm at Pioneer Courthouse Square dressed up and messed up like a zombie. Take the bus or MAX to give the masses an extra little freak out. Then join in a fearsome parade of brain-eating excess around town. Or mark yourself as a tasty victim. A name tag with the letter V is suggested.

Once again, we’re going for a world record number of undead. Supposedly, it’s all for the cause of ending world hunger. I’m not sure how, though. I suppose that if there are more undead than alive, there are fewer requiring food. But sooner or later the demand for brains is going to overwhelm the supply of brains. By that time, food will be a moot issue. Maybe some sort of sustainable predator/prey cycle will be established?

Ah yes. After the zombiewalk there will be a benefit for the Oregon Food Bank. 7pm at Satyricon. All ages. $5 for zombies. $10 for the innocent bystanders.

www.myspace.com/portlandzombiewalk

Zombie Events This Weekend: Thrill The World

October 23, 2008 11:45 am

by Lauren Hudgins

Photo by Roger Cullman

For real, there’s a world record for the most number of zombies performing Micheal Jackson’s “Thriller” dance all at once. Last year’s Thrill the World worldwide event hosted 55 simultaneous events on 5 continents last year, boasting a total of 1,722 undead lurching to the beat. This year’s worldwide goal, is 173,000 dancers (100X last year!) and Portland’s going to be doing a roll call this Saturday morning, October 25th.

The Rose City Rollers have donated their practice space (an old airplane hanger in Oaks Park, right across from the roller rink) for the event and registration begins at 10 a.m., with the worldwide dance at 11 a.m. (coordinated with Greenwich Mean Time). Admission is $5, all proceeds will benefit Portland’s Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC).

You can show up and just watch if you want. The event is all ages. But dancers must know the dance ahead of time! There are free dance instruction times. The first one has already passed, but the last opportunity to learn the Thriller Dance is this Friday, October 24th, 6-9pm at the Q Center (69 SE Taylor Ave at SE Water Ave).

What: Thrill the World PDX 2008
Where: Rose City Roller Hanger (in Oaks Park, across from the roller
rink), 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, PDX
When: Registration at 10 a.m., Worldwide dance at 11 a.m.
Who: Anyone, all ages. Dancers must know dance ahead of time. Visit www.myspace.com/ttwpdx for learning sessions or www.thrilltheworld.com for online training videos.
Why: To break a world record, and raise funds for SMRYC
Info: www.myspace.com/ttwpdx or www.thrilltheworld. com.

Powell Endorses Obama On Meet The Press

October 19, 2008 9:14 am

by Mike Burnett

Reporter: Mr. Secretary, there were a number of chinks in your own armor, actually, because of the lead-up to the Iraq war and the events. How much did that play into your decision about this? And will it be taken perhaps by some, because of your previous high-profile position, won’t it be taken by some as a repudiation of the Iraq war?

Powell: I don’t know why. The Iraq war is the Iraq war. We now see that things are a lot better in Iraq. Maybe if we had put a surge in at the beginning, it would have been a lot better years ago, but it’s a lot better now, and we can see ahead to where U.S. forces will start to come out. And so, my concern was not my past or what happened in Iraq, but where we’re going in the future. My sole concern was where are we going after January 20 of 2009, not what happened in 2003.

Read the entire interview at CNN.com.

McCain and Obama Lighten Up

October 16, 2008 10:46 pm

by Mike Burnett

This clip of McCain and Obama at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner tonight made me laugh.

Frezno Photography Exhibit at Powell’s Books

October 15, 2008 8:35 pm

by Stephanie Neil

I was born and raised in Fresno, CA, but I relocated to Portland last April, glad to see Fresno in my rear-view mirror getting smaller and smaller as I drove onto 99 North. But this story really began two summers ago, when I received an email from a photographer asking me to be a part of his photography project documenting his hometown. I agreed, flattered that someone wanted me in front of the camera, not behind it. The shoot didn’t take very long, and as I signed the release form, I never truly thought it would materialize into anything of consequence. The man I met was humble and funny, and little did I know that one day the entire project would be turned into a art book I could proudly display on my coffee table.

The Fresno I know is mostly suburbia, where the majority of the town is track home after track home, with green lawns and SUVs. It’s also an example of poor city planning with suburban sprawl, and too many strip malls and parking lots. But, New York-based (and Fresno born) photographer, Tony Stamolis, has a keen eye, and has captured Fresno in a unique way in his forthcoming book, Frezno. Like most of us who have gladly, and willingly, left our home in the Central Valley, it takes some time away to truly appreciate all Fresno has to offer. Powell’s Bookstore has a display of Tony’s photography up in the Pearl Room all month long, and his 100-page book of color photography will be available November 8th, 2008. When Tony discovered that I live in Portland, and occasionally contribute to this blog, he agreed to an interview:

Tell us how you started your career in photography?

By mistake! I started assisting for a friend who was a travel photographer, which was a total magic carpet ride. I didn’t unpack my bag for five years because we were on the road for at least 200 days a year. When I finally had an exhibition, I got such a great reaction, I thought, “I can actually do this for a living.”

Did you study photography formally?

I didn’t study photography. I think on the job training is the best. School sometimes shapes people’s “eye” too much. I can look at some commercial photography these days and pick out the school they went to.

You’ve been published in major national publications, such as, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Maxim, Urb, Nerve, Giant, Mass Appeal, Flaunt, and Black Book. How old were you when you sold your first photo and how much did it go for?

I sold my first print at age 31 (for what I was making in a week as an assistant) to an amazing graphic designer in London who contacted me. I am sure he’s quite the collector, so it was a very flattering start.

What was your reaction when you were first published?

One of my first commercial jobs was shooting a portrait of Joan Jett. I was like, “I’m getting paid to hang out with Joan Jett? Not bad for a ‘day at the office.’” Not all jobs are that fun, but I like that every assignment, and every day, is different.

How does it feel to have your collection of Fresno photography published by Process Books?

I am thrilled that my first book comes from such a personal, deep-rooted place. I left Fresno an “angry young man,” vowing never to return. Typical stupid teenage shit. It took me years to appreciate it and see that it gave me my voice. The project was extremely therapeutic as well. It’s what I did on my off-time, when I came home a few times a year, to tend to my very sick mother. The book is sort of a homage to the town, and though people may find it hard to believe, I am incredible proud that I am from Fresno.

Your photography is full of emotion and vivid color. Do you ever shoot in black-and-white?

I haven’t shot in black-and-white in years. I just prefer color.

Who are your heroes?

Nobuyoshi Araki. Most people know him for his crazy bondage stuff, but to me, that’s such a minor part of what he does. His work is so simple and beautiful. He did a book about his wife called Winter Journey, which documents their life together, her sickness, her death, and then his life right after. It is so incredibly heartbreaking, but inspirational too. A true masterpiece. And that’s just one of over a hundred books he has done!

You’ve been compared to Terry Richardson. How do you feel about that?

Flattered. I love his work, but I think our stuff is very different. He has definitely opened a lot of doors for us “lo-fi” photographers.

How have you chosen your projects? Which is your favorite?

Projects just happen. They choose you. It’s the silly little things that you are inspired to shoot, and that keep you going. It’s about keeping the cogs oiled, as I like to say. Thus far, Frezno is my favorite.

What format do you prefer shooting in, digital or film?

Film, but I have started to shoot a bit of digital. There is definitely an instant gratification you get from it. I just don’t think it looks as good as film…yet.

How do you feel about having growing up in Fresno?

Lucky and proud.

There is some ongoing effort to revitalize downtown Fresno, to make it more than pavement, concrete, and abandoned buildings. How do you feel about the diversity and gentrification that’s happening?

I have always loved the cultural hodgepodge of Fresno and was glad to see cool stuff starting to happen in the downtown area again. I HATE the nightmare developments in the North side of town. Soon you’ll be able to go to Chili’s at the top of Yosemite Valley.

Do you feel you represent Fresno fairly in Frezno? What locations stood out to you, and why?

Again, I take pictures of things or people that inspire or attract me. This is an art project–an outlet for me–and I think everyone would have their own way to “represent” Fresno. I am sure some might see it as being “unfair” or focusing on the negative…but to that I say, go and make your own book! This is such a sweet labor of love for me and I am very happy with the outcome. I think every corner in Fresno is a photo op. It’s how this whole project started…me driving around the old stompin’ grounds, snappin’ pics. I can’t believe movies aren’t filmed there. It is just location after location after location to me. AMAZING!

How and why did you choose the cover photo for the book?

The publisher, the designer, and I whittled it down to three options and went with that one because it had a great sense of place. I also love it because when I was in high school that exact spot used to be all fig orchards, and that’s where we’d have keggers…and climb those power line towers!

An Inscription in the Frezno Guest Book at Powell’s

You mentioned that you had to cut the project in half (the final book is 100 photos). How many pictures did you start with? Were there any favorites that you wish hadn’t ended up on the proverbial cutting room floor?

The publisher had allotted a certain page count for her budget. In the end, it is a much stronger book. I have THOUSANDS of pictures of Fresno and there is always a personal connection with anything you shoot, but editing is not about favorites, it’s about what’s the strongest image. It’s VERY hard to let go sometimes!

You spent six years photographing Fresno. Do you have any funny stories about that process?

I’d get coffee at 6am every morning at Fresno Donut…and the day would just snowball from there. The random run-ins, and word of mouth leads to find people. Every picture DEFINITELY has a story.

Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?

Stick to your guns.

What can the world expect from you in 2009?

A book of nudes…

For more information:

Tony Stamolis
51 MacDougal Street #23
New York, NY 10012
#646.498.4337
http://www. tonystamolis. com

Portland Radio Authority Fundraiser / Show Tonight

October 12, 2008 12:35 pm

by Mike Burnett

The Portland Radio Authority is a group of DJs that broadcast music over the internet for free out of their downtown headquarters. The shows range from indie and punk to a guy who just plays as many things as he can at once and mixes it all together. They do interviews and live music, they organize shows and events, and sometimes they rescue kittens from trees.

PRA used to broadcast pirate FM but were eventually stopped by the FCC and their boxy yellow trucks. Prior to the crackdown, PRA started developing their web broadcast, and that’s what survives today. In order to keep surviving though, PRA needs some help, and so they’re throwing a series of benefit concerts. There’s one tonight at East End. It’s $1 per act to see some of Portland’s best independent bands, and DJ Noah Fence has Jonathan Richman on his profile right now, so you know he has impecable taste.

Links to the lineup:

- Deelay Ceelay
- Swallows
- Root Beer and French Fry
- Guidance Counselor
- Ferocious Eagle
- DJ Noah Fence

And go hungry because East End makes some of the best nachos north of the Mission.

The Big Quit

12:46 am

by Mike Burnett

I’ve smoked cigarettes for over 10 years. I’ve quit a dozen times — sometimes for a few months, sometimes for an hour. Sometimes I knew I’d start again shortly, other times I wanted to quit indefinitely. In all this time, I’ve somehow never considered myself a smoker. I’m sitting here without having had a cigarette for two days. The second night is always the hardest moment for me.

When I start again it’s not physical cravings (like the tingling in my limbs I’m feeling now) that get me, but some fateful mix of social awkwardness, boredom, and a friendly smoker with the right brand of cigarettes. Although the physical craving goes away after a few days, lingering in its place is the romantic, sublime notion of smoking: the Godard movies; how a writer holds his or her cigarette in a photograph; what Sartre meant when he said that smoking is “the symbolic equivalent of destructively appropriating the entire world.” Cliches to be sure, but to the romantic smoker they indicate an immediate, fearless approach to life and death.

I love the escape from conversational obligation smoking provides, either because you must remove yourself from the group to go smoke where it’s permitted, or because you can appear occupied without saying anything at all. People talk about the bonding experience smokers share, but for me smoking has always been about transcending other people. Perhaps that’s why Sartre smoked so much.

It’s hard to describe the sense of superiority and alienation a smoker feels when listening to Pollyanna-like entreaties from non-smokers to quit. Death comes to all of us, and so what if it’s a little earlier and a little more painful? Better than dying like some shred of yourself, surrounded by an attentive but otherwise neutral cast of medical professionals and a relative or two if you’re lucky. Chances are you’ll probably go out in the night between the recently more frequent visits of someone mostly concerned with your estate. Why not kick off when you can still see to it that the right people are pissed off by your will?

Of course, there are many emotionally moving reasons not to smoke.

My Gran died of cancer. So did my uncle. My grandpa died of a heart attack. All were smokers. My aunt just contracted emphysema. Her husband died of cancer two years ago. I remember pissing off my boss at a record store because she was playing a blues record with an anti-smoking song. “How can you write a blues song about not smoking,” I asked. Turned out it was her boyfriend’s band and he wrote the song in response to his mother’s death from lung cancer. I felt bad, but it was a shitty song.

Cigarettes were the first products mass marketed to American consumers. Tobacco companies became ludicrously rich selling a product that sickens and kills those who use it, all the while pioneering the ways in which advertisers manipulate people. As doctors and scientists began to discover and warn about lung cancer, tobacco companies obscured this evidence. They repeatedly appealed to the free will of consumers while doing everything in their power to mislead that will.

What bothers me most about smoking, beyond the smelly clothes, the fatigue, and my own peculiar health concerns, is that I’ve been susceptible to this marketing. I first smoked a cigarette because I wanted to know how to inhale from a pipe (a skill which had previously eluded me), and my girlfriend at the time was kind enough to teach me, giving me one of her Benson & Hedges 100s. But the reason I persisted was because of how it made me feel. The imagery of famous smokers — from James Dean to Jimi Hendrix, from Anna Karina to Uma Thurmon, from Jean-Paul Sartre to Barack Obama (although I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen him smoking) — plays like a slide show projector in the subconscious.

Ultimately the romantic notion of smoking — the scoffing in the face of death himself or what have you — is not emotionally satisfying enough to sooth the cognitive dissonance reminding me that I’m taking part in a campaign by a few heartless bastards to profit at the severe expense of many millions of people who are just trying to get a little more enjoyment and meaning out of the world. Whether you’re smoking because you’re simply addicted, or whether you’re smoking because you feel it completes the picture of you as a writer, musician, artist, or whatever else, it plays equally into their hands.

In January of 2009, Portland will go non-smoking indoors. This is pretty late for a city as progressive as Portland, but that’s probably a reflection of Oregon’s libertarian leanings. It’s a change I support because I don’t think it’s fair that people who make their livings in bars need inhale second hand smoke in order to pay their bills. And selfishly, I think it’s going to make it easier to quit smoking. If not in practice, than at least as a non-arbitrary date of significance. I’m calling it The Big Quit.

Of course, you might see me smoking on one of Portland’s many covered patios this Winter. I’ve quit many times before. And if you give me shit, I’ll probably muster up my best scowl and say something about how I wouldn’t want to live past 60 anyhow. But I’ll make it through tonight with the aid of delicious food, and then by tomorrow it’ll just be a matter of not seeing a pretty girl smoking and not looking at anything even remotely French.

Sliding Poll Numbers For McCain

October 11, 2008 2:41 pm

by Mike Burnett

This video of John McCain speaking with angry supporters at a rally is incredible. He’s been mostly silent on the right’s whisper campaigns about his opponent, and his campaign recently launched the smear ads about Obama’s association with William Ayers. McCain’s lack of leadership and vision shows itself in sliding poll numbers and in the anger of his supporters who have been treated to all manner of low-road disinformation: Obama is a socialist, a terrorist, a Muslim, a cat fucker, and so forth.

I wonder if it pains McCain to scrape for a shred of class as he does here, or if he feels negligible responsibility for the nature of his party’s campaign, and so is just putting on a show when he calls Obama “decent”.

After Representative John Lewis, D-Georgia, recently compared McCain’s rallies to those of segregationist George Wallace, McCain responded:

Congressman John Lewis’ comments represent a character attack against Gov. Sarah Palin and me that is shocking and beyond the pale. The notion that legitimate criticism of Sen. Obama’s record and positions could be compared to Gov. George Wallace, his segregationist policies and the violence he provoked is unacceptable and has no place in this campaign.

He called on Obama to denounce Lewis’ comments, but why would Obama defend an atmosphere where people call him a terrorist and shout “Kill him!” (that’s another video).

Obama, for the record, was 8 years old when Ayers committed acts of domestic terrorism. Ayers is now a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a prominent player in Chicago politics. Here’s a Chicago Sun Times article that sums up who Bill Ayers is now and what sort of interaction Obama had with him as he rose in Chicago politics.