Oregon once had one of the most extensive streetcar systems in the United States. Streetcars provided cheap, comfortable public transportation – before there were automobiles.

Streetcar lines formed the streets and neighborhoods that shaped our cities…

http://www.opb.org/programs/oregonexperience/

The Metropolitan Railway’s historic Fulton Line was the first electric line on the West Side, opening on New Year’s Day 1890 (two months after the Albina trolley).  It was intended to run south to West Linn, but the owners began building an interurban on the other side of the river instead.  When the Fulton run reached Riverview Cemetery in 1891 it (briefly) become the longest electric railway in the state at six miles.  Access to downtown was secured by converting the old Portland Traction Company horsecar line on 2nd Avenue to standard gauge electric operation.  Yet, in 1897 the City & Suburban Ry. began changing the whole Riverview line to narrow gauge, necessitating a transfer to standard gauge cars in South Portland for several years.  When the regauging was finished in 1900 the original private right-of-way to Riverview Cemetery was abandoned.  The Fulton Line was discontinued in 1923 when it merged with North and South Portland.  However, an “F” dash sign continued to be used to signify North and South line cars running south to the former Fulton line terminus.

This coming April, Innkeeper, Wendy Fencsak of the Fulton House Bed & Breakfast in Portland, Oregon will embark on a new journey participating in one of the CIA’s “Boot Camps.” Interesting enough the CIA — The Central Intelligence Agency was created in 1947 with the signing of the National Security Act by President Harry S. Truman. The act also created a Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to serve as head of the United States intelligence community; act as the principal adviser to the President for intelligence matters related to the national security; and serve as head of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 amended the National Security Act to provide for a Director of National Intelligence who would assume some of the roles formerly fulfilled by the DCI, with a separate Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

No, not that CIA but the CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA.

Wendy will be attending the CIA’s Pastry Boot Camp in Hyde Park, NY during the week of April 26th thru 30th. When she enlisted in the CIA Pastry Boot Camp, she will report to the Kitchen each morning before 6 am and finish her day around 9 pm. Here is a sneak preview of her intense schedule–
6–6:45 a.m. Breakfast
7–8:15 a.m. Lecture
8:15–8:30 a.m. Coffee Break
8:30–9:15 a.m. Recipe Review
9:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Demos/Production
12:45–1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30–1:45 p.m. Review & Clean-up
x:xx–x:xx p.m. Afternoon Activity/Lecture
x:xx–6:30 p.m. Afternoon Break
6:30–8:30 p.m. Dinner in CIA restaurant

All work and no play–Innkeeper, Wendy will let her artistic talent and passion for food come together in this intensive, fun Boot Camp experience. Success in pastry making depends on both a mastery of techniques and a highly creative mind. After this five-day course, she’ll prepare all those amazing fresh hot pastries and desserts you find at the pâtisserie right here at the Fulton House Bed & Breakfast in Portland, Oregon. You might find Wendy has prepared for you, one or more of the basic preparations such as laminated dough, pastry creams, crème anglaise, pâte à choux éclairs and profiteroles, mousses and bavarians, sponge cakes, buttercreams or tarts along with your regular breakfast menu.

Watch for her future blogs from the CIA with pictures of her lastest creations. Look out Julie & Julia!!!