April 22, 2012
International Space Station Sightings
The following are the times that Portlanders can view the ISS.
The second column is the number of minutes the ISS will be visable; the third column is the maximum elevation; the fourth column is where you should look as it comes into view; the last column is where it will exit your view.
In other words, the first sighting will begin at 9:26pm; last 3 minutes; will be no higher than 53 degrees; will ‘pop’ into view at 33 degrees in the NW sky; will exit your view at 26 degrees E. It might be helpful to remember that 90 degrees would be straight up.
Have fun!!!
| Sun Apr 22/09:26 PM |
3 |
53 |
33 above NW | 26 above E |
| Sun Apr 22/11:01 PM |
< 1 |
13 |
11 above W | 13 above W |
| Mon Apr 23/08:32 PM |
2 |
24 |
24 above ENE | 10 above E |
| Mon Apr 23/10:05 PM |
2 |
49 |
18 above WNW | 49 above SW |
| Tue Apr 24/09:10 PM |
3 |
86 |
36 above WNW | 19 above ESE |
| Tue Apr 24/10:45 PM |
< 1 |
12 |
10 above WSW | 12 above WSW |
| Wed Apr 25/09:49 PM |
3 |
23 |
11 above W | 24 above SSW |
| Thu Apr 26/08:55 PM |
4 |
50 |
32 above W | 12 above SE |
| Fri Apr 27/09:35 PM |
3 |
14 |
10 above WSW | 10 above SSW |
| Sat Apr 28/08:41 PM |
4 |
26 |
20 above WSW | 11 above SSE |
June 24, 2011
Portland American Idol Auditions
Season 11 American Idol Auditions will be held in Portland, Oregon on July 2, 2011 at the Rose Garden Arena. No Overnight Camping Allowed; but Transit/Max service available.
Registration is on Thursday, June 30th and Friday, July 1st, 2011. Wristbands will be distributed to auditioners during pre-registration (tables open Thursday and remain open until Saturday morning). Once auditioners obtain their wristbands, they will be asked to return to the stadium early morning Saturday, July 2 to line up for their audition.
Two valid forms of ID are required (see rules) and must be shown every time i.e. registration & actual audition. Those under 18 MUST have a legal parent or guardian present in addition to the valid ID.
You have less than one week to get your wonderful voice in ‘audition shape’, so get practicing!!!
FAQ: http://media.americanidol.com/forms/season_11/ai11_faqs.pdf
Required Release Form (print, fill out and bring with you): http://media.americanidol.com/forms/season_11/ai11_releases.pdf
Read the Rules: http://media.americanidol.com/forms/season_11/ai11_rules.pdf
Public Transportation Info: http://trimet.org/ Rose Quarter Transit Center. The Rose Quarter Transit Center is located across from the Rose Garden Arena. It is in Zone 1.
Please note that Portland is considered the City of Roses due to the many beautiful rose gardens in our city. The auditions are held at the Rose Garden ARENA. If you search Rose Garden, you will end up at one of our illustrious city’s beautiful Rose Gardens, but will not be at the AI Auditions! Stop and Smell the Roses!
And GOOD LUCK, PORTLAND!!!!
March 10, 2011
Renovation & Remodeling Show 2011
The Portland Renovation & Remodeling Show is this weekend March 11 – 13th, 2011 at the Portland Memorial Coliseum.
Fri. 2pm-8pm, Sat. 10am-7pm, Sun. 11am-5pm
Portland Renovation & Remodeling Show is the premiere event in the building and construction industry dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. This is the only national event that brings remodelers, custom builders, residential architects, and designers together to meet face to face with top manufacturers to preview innovative products, information, tools & services.
February 17, 2011
President Obama in Portland
Air Force 1 will be ariving at the airbase near Portland International Airport about 10:00 am on Friday, Feb 18th, 2011. President Obama will then helicopter across our fair city to the Intel plant in Hillsboro, Oregon. Hillsboro has been called the Silicon Forest due to the large number of computer processing industries in the area.
June 2, 2010
Rain, Rain Go Away
Well, May, 2010 ended up being the third rainiest May in Portland History. We had more than twice the amount of precipitation that we normally have and it was also quite cool.
I had my surgery last May and I remember it was so hot that my plants had to be watered twice a day or they would die. That was something that was difficult for me to do after my major surgery and it was areal struggle to keep them alive last May.
This May was the opposite story. I had to keep them out of the rain for a few days so that they wouldn’t drown!!! The three-month sustained release fertilizer that I incorporated into the soil around my pansies was ‘released’ during one month! Oh, are my pansies tall and full! Then the rain beats them down and now they are getting all leggy! But I have enjoyed the bright colors that they have added to my world this dreary rainy May!
March 6, 2010
Portland Saturday Market
The Portland Saturday Market opens today!!! This first weekend is Kids Corner and children will be taught how to make musical instruments out of recycled materials with a parade at 2:00pm.
2010 Market Hours
March 6 - Dec 24
SATURDAYS 10 – 5pm
SUNDAYS 11 – 4:30pm
Weekend Market
located at
SW Ankeny St + Naito Parkway
For more information go to this website: http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/
January 10, 2010
Jesus Christ Superstar
The Rock Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, is once again coming to Portland on January 25th, 2010.
Monday January 25, 2010 at 7:30 pm at Keller Auditorium will be the only performance of the groundbreaking Andrew LLoyd Webber musical in Portland, Oregon this year. For tickets ($31.00 – $62.75) contact the Keller at www.pcpa.com.
| “JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, exploded onto the scene in 1971 changing the world of musical theatre forever. With a score of amazing songs – “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, “Hosanna”, “Everything’s Alright”, “What’s the Buzz”, “Superstar”, and “Heaven on Their Mind”, this original groundbreaking production starring Ted Neeley in the title role is as relevant and timeless as ever. “ Photo credit: © Ted Neeley and company. 2006, JOAN MARCUS.” |
 |
|
||
December 16, 2009
Portland SantaCom
Portland Santacon is this Saturday Dec 19th. SantaCon is a mass gathering of people dressed in Santa Claus costumes parading publicly on streets and in bars in cities around the world. The focus is on spontaneity and creativity, while having a good time and spreading cheer and goodwill.
August 31, 2009
Suppernanny’s in Town
The ABC show Supernanny, with the charming, effective Nanny Jo Frost as the teaching star, is in Portland looking for distressed families.
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SHOW,
CALL 877-NANNY-TIME (877-626-6984)
YOU MAY ALSO ATTEND THE
OPEN CASTING CALL:
Monday, August 31st from 10AM to 4PM
Portland Children’s Museum
Washington Park
4015 SW Canyon Rd.
Portland, OR 97221
That’s today!!!! Pack up the little monsters and go!
July 21, 2009
International Space Station Viewing
Evidently we will be able to see the International Space Station as it encircles above Portland skies.
With our high temperatures and clear skies, the viewing should be ideal.
Tonight, Tuesday, look to the West North West about 10:36 pm. If you have never seen a man-made satellite crossing overhead, you will need to look for a bright light moving across the sky in a straight line. The object (light) will be moving faster than any airplane you have seen, so keep a watchful eye. The light that you are seeing is actually the sun reflecting off of the exterior of the space station. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
“Since the space station has little or no light of its own, you’ll only be able to see it when the station is in sunlight and folks on the ground are in darkness. The best viewing times are the hours just before or after sunrise or sunset while the station is passing overhead. A list of viewing times can be found here http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/.
What you’ll see:
Assuming the station is in sunlight, it should appear as a bright and fast moving star. The longest the station will remain in view to a ground based observer is 4 minutes. When passing directly overhead, the station zips from horizon to horizon is 240 seconds or less. For most locations, the viewing window will be 120 seconds (or less).
Where to look:
Where to find the space station depends entirely upon where you are as the station comes into viewing range. Generally speaking the station is moving from west to east in its orbit around the earth but the ground track for most of North America changes over time and the station may appear to “rise” anywhere from the northwest to southwest depending upon its orbital phase. Check the NASA website for more details.”
We will also be able to see it again Wednesday and Thursday nights. I’ll try to find out the correct times for you to be “looking up”. Enjoy!!!
PS: See next post where Portland Firefly lists the times for you at www.PDXFirefly.com.
PS: There is a newer post on July 25th for the ISS viewing here in Portland. It has more information for you that should make your Sunday night viewing more enjoyable. Click on www.PDXFirefly.com.
May 8, 2009
American Idol Summer Tour
The American Idol Summer Tour starts here in Portland!!!! Here is some information for you AI fans out there! Will it be Adam? Allison? Danny? Kris? in first place????? It doesn’t matter this year, because all four of them are excellent and any one of them deserves to win. All will be mega stars! What a great season it has been and hopefully the best is yet to come!
You chose them, America…and this summer you can see them live in concert! The announcement you’ve been waiting for, the American Idols Tour hits the road this summer. The top 10 finalists: Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Michael Sarver, and Scott MacIntyre, take the stage on a 50 city tour beginning July 5th in Portland, Oregon. Don’t miss your chance to be there! Tickets for all performances go on sale Saturday, May 9th at 10am — except in Vancouver (BC) May 9th at noon.
July 5th Portland Rose Garden Portland, OR
July 7th Tacoma Dome Tacoma, WA
July 8th General Motors Place Vancouver, BC
April 22, 2009
Today is Earth Day
Today, April 22 is Earth Day.
The story goes that Earth Day was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson after a trip he took to Santa Barbara right after that horrific oil spill off the Santa Barbara coast in 1969. He was so outraged by what he saw that he went back to Washington and passed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth.
The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970. This is the day the environmentalists celebrate to help make our planet “greener”. Won’t you think of one thing you can do to improve the health of our planet? Have a great day!
April 11, 2009
Stand in The Sun
When I was a child, we went camping every summer up in the High Sierra Mountains, always near a certain lake where the trout fishing was supurb. These are some of my fondest memories and to this day, I love to trout fish. And last year my Father gave me my Mother’s fly fishing rod which I have yet to try out. But that is another story.
We always went camping in August and it was always “in the dark of the moon” because that is when the fishing was at it best. In the High Sierra Mountains of California there is often snow year around and frequently there would be big patches of snow still in our campground in August.
Why am I writing about this today? Well, today in Portland it is that kind of a High Sierra Summer’s Day. It is still cold and crisp in the morning (near freezing) (Yes, we Portlanders are sick and tired of this winter!); yet the sun is shining brightly through the cloudless sky. Ususally I don’t open my bedroom blinds (too lazy), but this morning, the promise of sunshine streaming onto my stripped bed was too good to ignore. And I opened the shades and the blinds full open. Glorious sunshine streamed into my usually cave like private abode. It totally energized me and here is is before 10:00am and I have done a load of laundry, cooked an omlette, did the dishes, made a few phone calls and now sit at the computer writing. But, I digress.
When we were camping, and we would wake up in the morings , it would be cold. Daddy would get the fire going again and Mommy would make us hot coco to warm us up. I remember one day, I was really cold and just couldn’t get warm. I am sure I was compaining as only a 10 year old girl can complain about being “freezing cold”, yet my parents had done everything they could to get me warm. Eventually my Dad said something I have never forgotten. Maybe it was an attempt move “the compainer” away from the rest of the family, but I don’t think so. I think it was his genuine concern for me that brought him to say “Take your coco and go and stand in the Sunshine. That will help warm you up.” I remember walking around looking for the warmest spot of sunshine I could find and gradually getting warmer. It worked. And I have never forgotton those words of wisdom of his.
And this chilly, sunny Saturday in Portland has just same “feel” that that chilly sunny Morning had at our campground. And I hope you are warmed-up by my story, too. Remember, “take your coco and go and stand in the sun.”
March 4, 2009
Wicked
 |
“Wicked, the Musical” is coming to Portland, tonight, March 4 – April 5th at the Keller and right now I am listening to the musical score for it. WikiPedia says:
“Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. (In the album notes, Gregory Maguire explained that he derived the name “Elphaba” from the initials of L. Frank Baum.) Their friendship struggles through their opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, their reactions to the Wizard‘s corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba’s public fall from grace. “
Suitable for older children (over 8 - scary monkeys you will recall!), this is the story of OZ before Dorothy dropped in from Kansas. The tickets are pricey, but hopefully at least this performance will not be the disappointment that “A Chorus Line” was to Portland Firefly. The show will be well into it’s month-long run before we attend, but I’ll let you know how I liked it. The web site has music & photos and videos. Check it out! www.wickedthemusical.com.
February 16, 2009
Portland Firefly
This beautiful painting came from:http://www.streetmorrisart.com
and the artist is Robin Street-Morris
it’s titled Firefly watching II
I have been asked how I got the identity of Portland Firefly. The first part is easy… Portland is my new home and PDX is the three letter code for the Portland Airport. Rather fitting for a former Flight Attendant, don’t you think?
The next word — Firefly — is a bit more convoluted. I love fireflies. I love their clear blue-white light. I love that they twinkle and sparkle. As a small child, when I would go to bed, I would often be reaching up into the air and grabbing at something that my Mother could not see. I did this most nights. Always trying to catch the little lights that she never could see. She would ask me what I was doing and I’d tell her that I wanted to catch the little lights. “Help me Mommy. Don’t you see them? They are right there.” She never saw them and she never helped me catch them. To me they were fireflies and I loved them.
I want to be a clear sparkling light and to be an inspiration to others and to encourage those that need it. We all need some encouragement in our lives and what is wrong with a sparkling firefly to guide us?
January 23, 2009
Brides against Breast Cancer
The Brides Against Breast Cancer
Nationwide Tour of Gowns
comes to the Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel
January 23rd through January 25th!
Brides to be can find the wedding dress
of their dreams at incredible savings, while helping
to make wishes and dreams come true
for women and men diagnosed
with Stage 4 Breast Cancer
If you are looking for your bridal gown, don’t miss this event!!!
Portland, OR
Friday, January 23,
Friday, January 23,
- Power Hour 9 – 10 am Space is Limited
Order Your Tickets Here Today!
General Sale 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday, January 25, 10 am – 6 pm
Doubletree Hotel
and
Executive Meeting Center Portland – Lloyd Center
1000 NE Multnomah
Portland, OR 97232
and
Executive Meeting Center Portland – Lloyd Center
1000 NE Multnomah
Portland, OR 97232
Bellevue, WA
Saturday, January 31, 10 am – 6 pm Free Admission
Sunday, February 1, 10 am – 5 pm Free Admission
Saturday, January 31, 10 am – 6 pm Free Admission
Sunday, February 1, 10 am – 5 pm Free Admission
Hilton
300 112th Avenue SE
Bellevue, WA 98004
January 3, 2009
Portland Quote
I recently heard this (true) quote about our lovable city:
“New York is a city with a park in it;
Portland is a park with a city in it.”
December 2, 2008
Neil Diamond is coming to Portland
If you like Neil Diamond, do not miss his show. One night only, January 8, 2009 at the Rose Garden. I saw him at the Hollywood Bowl in October and he is the consummate performer as far as Portland Firefly is concerned! You can read my post about his Hollywood Bowl performance by typing “Neil Diamond” in the “Search” box near the top right of my first blog page or searching Portland Firefly’s October archives.
November 1, 2008
Duck Crossing!
Ducks Crossing the Road by PDXFirefly
Here are two of my favorite Portland Caution signs. Please note that there are 3 little ducklings going from the pond to the other side of the road, but only two hurrying back…. Please be careful when you drive on this road!
Ducks Crossing the Road II by PDXFirefly
October 31, 2008
Fall Foliage
As I have been driving around Portland this week, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful colors that the leaves are turning. On the East side of town, the leaves are mostly either still green or shades of gold. But on the West side the trees are the richest colors of autumn —burgundy and orange. So if you happen to be out and about this weekend, be sure to enjoy the trees that line Murray Blvd. This would be a great street to take Grandma out for a little ride — not too long, but really spectacular color. For a more rural setting close to home, try driving through the west hills or near the zoo or over Capital Highway. Enjoy!!!
October 23, 2008
Where to Start???
Hello readers! In this weblog, I’ll be sharing some thoughts on personal growth as well as some interesting tidbits. Welcome Aboard!!!
The way my blog is set up, with the exception of this post, the most recent entries are at the top . One way to access the older entries is to click on a particular month in the Archives section. There are some interesting stories in there, so be sure to take a look! You may click on a category in the box to your right and it will bring up all posts in that category — for example- recipes or swifts. Or… you may type a topic in the search box and that will bring up any post related to that topic — such as skin care. For additional hints please read the page on “How to use this weblog” page at the bottom right column.
To see the beautiful video trailer for my book, TIE ONE ON, go to the TIE ONE ON Purchase page (to your right) or click on this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oc6LXT7qZo&feature=player_embedded.
TIE ONE ON may also be ordered by going to www.teal-books.com.
And so, readers, I welcome you to Portland Firefly and I look forward to your comments. If you do write a comment, be sure that you click on “submit” to send it to me. I must approve all comments before they appear on the blog, so it is possible for you to send me a personal note stating that you don’t wish it to be made public.
Now, “Buckle your seatbelts for takeoff!!!”
October 16, 2008
Clear Creek Distillery
Clear Creek Tasties by PDXFirefly
If you want to see how fruit liquors are made and to learn how the distillers get a pear into the bottle, then Clear Creek Distillery on NW Wilson is your next stop! A small family business, they will give you a fun tour complete with tastings of their products. Yum! It is fun to learn first hand about local Portland products and these are tasty! For more information, go to www.clearcreekdistillery.com.
October 14, 2008
The Velveteria
Yes, you read that right…Velveteria … as in paintings on black velvet! How kitsch! There is actually a museum in SE Portland called The Velveteria and Portland Firefly has been there. With a $5.00 admission ticket you are transported back to the artful medium of painting on velvet that started in the 30′s and continued on through the 80′s reaching a peak sometime around the early 70′s. Yours truly actually has two velvet paintings, but they are on blue velvet and I painted them myself (which is why I still have them). They are of a regal couple from India; he has a draped turban and she is bejewled and exotic. They have been in a box for the last 20-some years and probably deserve to be on display somewhere, but they just don’t fit into my current homes decor.
Which brings us back to the museum. They have over 2,500 paintings which they rotate so that there are about 400 on display at any one time. Caren & Carl say that they never stop collecting and have taken numerous trips just to add to their growing collection. There are paintings of Elvis, beautiful South Sea Island girls, The Duke – John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, an entire wall dedicated to religious art, one that I thought that looked somewhat like Lauren Bacall, lots of unicorns, the infamous “Dogs playing poker”, and many others too numerous to mention. They even have a “black -light” room where those paintings are designed to be viewed under back-lights. Even the rug in there is a black light rug!
The only draw back is that I wished they had more paintings on display because they were really fun to look at. Check out the Velveteria at www.velveteria.com, and allow about 30-45 minutes for your visit. Make sure any children are not offended by nudes because there are a lot of them in this museum — the subject matter just sort of goes with velvet painings and I didn’t find any of them offensive.
October 6, 2008
“On the Wing” Extended Run
I was able to attend one of the initial showings of the Portland documentary “On the Wing”. If you have been following my blog, you know that I have already written two posts about this movie that documents the phenomena of the migrating Vaux Swift birds here in Portland. Scroll down to read them both.
I didn’t know what to expect when I went to the theatre, but it was really cool. Cinema 21 is an older theatre in NW Portland and it reminded me of the theatres of my childhood. The strong irresistible smell of popcorn permeated everywhere. Just a regular size theatre with theatre seats, it had red velvet curtains all around the room. The screen was elevated on a little stage and had the same red velvet curtains on either side. After the previews, the once familiar sign flashed on the screen ” Now for our Feature Presentation”. Audience expectations heightened. But the screen went dark and the scrim screen came down and there was some murmuring in the audience. “What happened?” Then it became very clear to everyone as we saw a young man walk up to the front of the theatre that there was to be an introduction to the movie. How cool! Dan Viens is the producer, writer, director, editor, and everything else for this movie. It is his baby and he is very proud of it, but in a very modest and unassuming way. He gave his introduction and then the movie began.
The hour long movie is very entertaining, educational, funny, interesting, realistic, and GOOD!!!! The theatre was packed and there were people there of every age — the movie is totally suitable for children as well as entertaining for adults. Everyone that I spoke to enjoyed the movie. Several of us were trying to determine if we liked it so much because it is a part of Portland or is it just that good? The general consensus is that yes, the movie is “just that good”!
So…take your kids, go early as parking can be a challenge (try the hospital visitor garage on 22nd & Kearny), and see this movie. Personally I hope to see Dan and his beautiful wife on the stage accepting an Academy Award or maybe the Palm d’or at the Cannes Film Festival or the Sundance Award for best documentary next year! The movie theatre has added several additional showings in an extended run starting this week so you still have time to go & see this wonderful documentary. Expect to see Dan & his wife selling the whimsical posters just inside the theatre; be sure to say “Hi from Portland Firefly”! Oh, splurge on the popcorn this time and make this complete movie experience a memory!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On The WingHeld Over at Cinema 21 After Crowds Pack Premiere Weekend!
Thanks so much Portland! More than 1,000 people came out to see On The Wing in its first weekend of shows at Cinema 21 and as a result it’s going to play for an additional week.
Here’s a picture of our Thursday night sell out crowd that helped raise thousands of dollars for The Audubon Society of Portland.
If you came out and enjoyed the film, please tell your friends because now there are more shows to pack. And if you missed your chance to see the film last week, you’re in luck.
On The Wing’s extended run at Cinema 21 will start Friday Oct. 10, 2008. The film will show from Fri. Oct. 10 – Thurs. Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. with 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. matinees on Sat. Oct. 11 and Sun. Oct. 12.
Get advanced tickets at Cinema21.com
Screening information is also available at the On The Wing screenings page.
Thanks for your interest and support. If you haven’t seen the film or you’re coming again, I’ll see you at Cinema 21 next week.
As always, for more information visit swiftsmovie.com or send me an
email.
Be swift,
Dan Viens
Real Earl Productions
swiftsmovie.com
October 2, 2008
Portland Swifts Movie Update
The following is reprinted with permission from Dan Viens:
“The October 2, 2008 premiere of On The Wing, the Chapman Swifts documentary, is officially SOLD OUT!
Thank you so much to all my friends and swifts fans out there for buying tickets and supporting a great cause, The Audubon Society of Portland.
If you didn’t buy tickets or can’t make the Thursday show, don’t worry, Cinema 21 has added weekend matinee shows on Saturday Oct. 4 and Sunday Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. each day. Tickets are available online at Cinema 21′s Ticket Page and will also be available at the box office.
If none of these showings fit your busy schedule then sign up for the On The Wing mailing list or keep an eye on the screenings page to find out about upcoming opportunities to see the film. “
