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.

Portland, Oregon Beer Festival 2010

23rd Annual Beerfest in Portland, Oregon on July 22, 23, 24 & 25, 2010 — “Always the last full weekend in July”

Portland ranks as number one for hand-crafted beer in the world because:
1. Last year, Oregon craft brewers produced the equivalent of more than 263,000,000 bottles of beer.
2. The total beer industry in Oregon grew 17% in 2006 with more than $2-1/4 billion in sales.
3. More than 38% of all draft beer and 11% of all beer consumed in Oregon is state-brewed craft beer, the highest percentage of local craft beer consumption in the U.S.
4. Oregon has 80 brewing facilities with at least 2 more ready to open; the state is the second largest producer of craft beer in America.
5. The City of Portland has 29+ breweries, more than any other city in the world.
6. Oregon ranks second in the nation in hops production, growing more than 20 different varieties.

Portland from July 22-25 is the world’s best place to be for lovers of great beers. The City will again host the largest Craft Brewer’s Festival on the globe for the 20th year. There’ll be 72+ craft beers, live music, food, displays and vendors, all at Waterfront Park beginning at noon each day. For a complete list of the beers, click on to http://oregonbrewfest.com

Here’s how easy it is to get to Waterfront Park from The Fulton House, which are both located in Southwest Portland. Walk 1/2-block to a city bus stop #35  and take the 10-minute ride downtown to a Street Car stop at Moody Avenue switch to MAX light rail (it’s free!), which will take you 1 block from the Festival in about 3 minutes. Reverse directions to get back to us.

Follow these instructions and you’ll have absolutely no worries about the hassles and expense of downtown parking. More importantly, you’ll avoid being stopped by one of Portland’s finest and being issued a ticket for DUI.

Book today….thousands come into Portland for this ultra-popular event!

"Water Front Blues" Tom McCall Park

The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival is the largest blues festival on the West Coast and the second largest blues festival in the nation.

The festival not only brings the best blues artists to Portland, it benefits Oregon Food Bank’s work to eliminate hunger and its root causes … because no one should be hungry.

And we still have rooms left.  So don’t delay – book your reservations now.   Call us at 503-892-5781. or book on-line at www.thefultonhouse.com

Also, remember that there’s a bus stop a half-block from The Fulton House, which will take you downtown to the Festival. You’ll avoid the incredible hassles and expense of trying to park near the Park by taking public transportation, and you’ll also have no fears of a Breathalyzer and DUI if you have a beer or two.

Schedule of Events:  Check out the Waterfront Blues Website for more information.

Friday, July 2 Time Stage Performance 03:00PM – 03:45PM AE Kicking it off:: 03:00PM – 03:45PM CU Kicking It Off: Gunnar Roads Band 03:45PM – 04:30PM MS Boogie Bone 03:45PM – 04:30PM WS TBA 04:00PM – 04:45PM AE Bob Shoemaker Band 04:30PM – 05:15PM CU Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band 05:00PM – 06:00PM AE Swingin’ to the Blues: King Louie & Baby James 05:15PM – 06:00PM MS  Moreland and Arbuckle 05:15PM – 06:00PM WS Solo Lap-Slide Guitar: Colin Lake & Chance Hayden 06:00PM – 07:00PM CU  Walter Trout 06:15PM – 07:15PM AE Swingin’ to the Blues:  PorterDavis 07:00PM – 08:00PM MS  Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue 07:00PM – 08:00PM WS Blues of the Delta Jukes::  Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm 07:30PM – 08:30PM AE  Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic 08:00PM – 09:00PM CU  JOHN MAYALL, presented by Schwindt & Co.. 08:45PM – 09:45PM AE Too Loose Cajun Band, with Reggie Houston, Steve Kerin & Portland All Stars 09:00PM – 10:15PM MS  TAJ MAHAL , presented by Safeway. 09:00PM – 10:15PM WS Texas dust, Mississippi mud:  PorterDavis 09:30PM – 12:30PM H50   10:00PM – 11:00PM AE  Donna Angelle & Zydeco Posse 10:15PM – 01:15AM BC DME Hoodoo Moon Cruise:  Moreland and Arbuckle 10:15PM – 01:15AM BC DME Hoodoo Moon Cruise:  Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks 10:15PM – 01:15AM BC DME Hoodoo Moon Cruise: Colin Lake & Chance Hayden 10:30PM – 11:45PM MH After-hours Blues Jam:  Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue 10:30PM – 01:15AM BC DME Hoodoo Moon Cruise: Lucky Peterson with:  Michael Burks 11:55PM – 01:15AM MH After-hours Blues Jam: Walter Trout with:  JOHN MAYALL   Saturday, July 3 Time Stage Performance 12:00PM – 11:00PM AE Zydeco Swamp Romp , presented by Cascade Zydeco Association. 12:00PM – 12:45PM AE Zydeco Swamp Romp: dance demonstration/class: Roland & Janine Jemerson 12:00PM – 12:45PM WS Eric Tweed 12:00PM – 12:45PM MS Dudley Taft 12:45PM – 01:30PM CU  The I-5 Nine: Healy, Miller, Bott, Pain…et al 12:45PM – 01:45PM AE Zydeco Swamp Romp:  Corey Ledet & his Zydeco Band 01:30PM – 02:15PM WS Blues Guitar 101:  Walter Trout 01:30PM – 02:15PM MS Ty Curtis Band 02:00PM – 03:00PM AE Zydeco Swamp Romp: Capt. Leroy & The Zydeco Locals 02:15PM – 03:00PM CU Terry Robb Band 02:25PM – 04:30PM BC DME Blue Bayou Cruise:  Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Blue Bayou Cruise:  Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Blue Bayou Cruise:  Donna Angelle & Zydeco Posse 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Blue Bayou Cruise:  David Vest 03:00PM – 04:00PM WS Cigarbox guitars: Jerry Zybach 03:00PM – 04:00PM MS Northwest Women in Blues, w/ special guests Tahoe Jackson and Nicole Fournier 03:15PM – 04:15PM AE Zydeco Swamp Romp:  Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic 04:00PM – 05:00PM CU  Lucky Peterson with:  Michael Burks , presented by the Boeing Company. 04:30PM – 05:30PM AE Zydeco Swamp Romp :  Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble 05:15PM – 06:15PM WS Boogie Woogie piano::  David Vest 05:15PM – 06:15PM MS  Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks 05:45PM – 06:45PM AE Zydeco Swamp Romp: Capt. Leroy & The Zydeco Locals 06:15PM – 07:15PM CU Juke Joint Duo: Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm 07:00PM – 08:00PM MS BOOKER T. , presented by FedEx. 07:00PM – 08:00PM AE Zydeco Swamp Romp: Donna Angelle & Zydeco Posse 07:15PM – 08:15PM WS Super Chikan’s Chiktars and Diddly Bows: Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks 08:15PM – 09:15PM CU Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound 08:15PM – 09:15PM AE Zydeco Swamp Romp: Corey Ledet & his Zydeco Band 09:00PM – 10:15PM WS Electric Blues Guitar 102 and 103: Michael Burks with: Lucky Peterson 09:00PM – 12:00PM H50   09:15PM – 10:15PM MS Bobby Rush, presented by Karolyn H. March, attorney. 09:30PM – 01:00AM RE Encore After Hours:TBA 09:30PM – 11:00PM AE Zydeco Swamp Romp: Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble , presented by Cascade Zydeco Association. 10:15PM – 01:15AM BC DME “Rock the Boat” dance cruise: Bridgetown Sextet, with special guest Marilyn Keller 10:15PM – 01:15AM BC DME “Rock the Boat” dance cruise: Alan Hager & Albert Reda 10:30PM – 01:15AM BC DME “Rock the Boat” dance cruise: PorterDavis 10:30PM – 11:45PM MH After-hours Blues Jam: BOOKER T. 11:55PM – 01:15AM MH After-hours Blues Jam: Bobby Rush   Sunday, July 4 Time Stage Performance 12:00PM – 03:00PM AE Cascade Blues Association: International Blues Challenge Winners/Finalists 12:00PM – 12:45PM CU Billy D and the Hoodoos 12:10PM – 12:40PM AE Journey to Memphis Finals: The Catillacs , presented by Cascade Blues Association. 12:45PM – 01:30PM MS Gary Farmer & the Troublemakers 12:45PM – 01:30PM WS   12:50PM – 01:20PM AE Journey to Memphis Finals: David Brothers Band 01:30PM – 02:00PM AE Journey to Memphis Finals: Vicki Stevens Band 01:30PM – 02:15PM CU Gretchen Mitchell Band 02:10PM – 02:40PM AE Journey to Memphis Finals: Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band 02:15PM – 03:00PM MS Sultans of Slide: Amundson, Cooper & Goldwasser 02:15PM – 03:00PM WS TBA 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Driftin’ Blues Cruise: 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Driftin’ Blues Cruise: Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Driftin’ Blues Cruise: Norton Buffalo’s Knockouts 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Driftin’ Blues Cruise: Janiva Magness 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Driftin’ Blues Cruise: : Dale LeRoy Perry 03:15PM – 04:15PM CU Linda Hornbuckle & Janice Scroggins Old Time Gospel Hour, w/ special guest Lucky Peterson 03:15PM – 04:00PM AE Journey to Memphis 2009 Winner, solo-duo: Son Jack Jr. & Michael Wilde 04:00PM – 04:50PM WS   04:00PM – 04:45PM MS Mingo Fishtrap 04:15PM – 05:15PM AE Jim Mesi Band 04:45PM – 05:30PM CU The Twisters 05:30PM – 06:30PM MS Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen , presented by First Tech Credit Union. 05:30PM – 06:30PM AE Journey to Memphis 2009 Winner, Band: Karen Lovely 05:40PM – 06:30PM WS 21st Century Blues: Chris Thomas King 06:30PM – 07:15PM CU Norton Buffalo’s Knockouts 06:45PM – 07:45PM AE Harmonica Blow-Off: : Bill Rhoades’ Harmonica Blow-off 07:15PM – 08:15PM WS Music of Louisiana’s Bayous: Atomic Gumbo: Steve Kerin & Friends 07:15PM – 08:15PM MS Janiva Magness 07:55PM – 08:40PM AE Harmonica Blow-off: Bill Rhoades’ Harmonica Blow-off 08:15PM – 09:00PM CU Kara Grainger 08:50PM – 09:30PM AE Harmonica Blow-Off: : Bill Rhoades’ Harmonica Blow-off 09:00PM – 12:00PM H50 Kara Grainger 09:00PM – 10:00PM MS Curtis Salgado , presented by Good Neighbor Pharmacy. 09:00PM – 10:00PM WS   09:30PM – 10:00PM AE Harmonica Blow-Off: Bill Rhoades’ Harmonica Blow-off 09:30PM – 01:00AM RE Encore After Hours: TBA 10:00PM – 10:30PM TMWP FIREWORKS! 10:00PM – 10:00PM MS National Anthem: Alonzo Chadwick 10:30PM – 11:45PM MH After-hours Blues Jam: Mingo Fishtrap 11:55PM – 01:15AM MH After-hours Blues Jam: JJ GREY and MOFRO   Monday, July 5 Time Stage Performance 12:00PM – 12:45PM CU Gary Burford Band 12:00PM – 12:45PM AE Steve Cheseborough 12:45PM – 01:30PM MS Dani Paige Band 12:45PM – 01:30PM WS   01:00PM – 01:45PM AE John-Alex Mason 01:30PM – 02:15PM CU Kolvane 02:00PM – 03:00PM AE North Mississippi by Northwest: McMurrian, Lemhouse, Shoemaker & Bott 02:15PM – 03:00PM MS Robbie Laws Bigger Blues Band, featuring Mz. Dee 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Sail on Sister! Cruise: Baskery 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Sail on Sister! Cruise: Kara Grainger 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Sail on Sister! Cruise: Divas of Soul (Linda Hornbuckle, LaRhonda Steele, Juliane Johnson, Janice Scroggins) 02:30PM – 04:30PM BC DME Sail on Sister! Cruise: Ellen Whyte Quartet 03:00PM – 04:00PM CU Chris Thomas King 03:15PM – 04:15PM AE Swingin’ to the Blues: Devin Phillips Black & Blue 04:00PM – 05:00PM WS   04:00PM – 05:15PM MS JJ GREY and MOFRO, presented by Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival. 04:30PM – 05:30PM AE Swingin’ to the Blues: Kevin Selfe & the Tornadoes w/ Jim Wallace 05:15PM – 06:00PM CU Baskery 05:45PM – 06:45PM AE Swingin’ to the Blues: Robbie Laws Bigger Blues Band, featuring Mz. Dee 06:00PM – 07:00PM WS   06:00PM – 07:15PM MS LITTLE FEAT , presented by IQ Credit Union. 07:00PM – 08:00PM AE Swingin’ to the Blues: The Twisters 07:15PM – 08:00PM CU Reggie Houston’s Crescent City Connection 07:50PM – 09:00PM WS   08:00PM – 08:05PM MS Oregon Food Bank Presentation 08:00PM – 09:15PM MS GALACTIC with Cyril Neville and Corey Henry (from Rebirth), presented by ecoShuttle. 08:15PM – 09:30PM AE Swingin’ to the Blues: Duffy Bishop 09:00PM – 12:00PM H50   09:00PM – 01:00AM MH After-hours Blues Jam: 09:30PM – 01:00AM RE Encore After Hours: TBA   STAGE KEY H50 = H50 Bistro at Hotel 50 RE = Rafati’s Encore 310, University Place Hotel TMWP = Tom McCall Waterfront Park MS = Miller Stage MH = Marriott Hotel TBA = Stage To Be Announced AE = A&E Front Porch Stage CU = Credit Union Blues Stage BC = DME Portland Spirit Blues Cruise WS = FedEx Workshop Stage Kara Grainger: “One of the best new voices on the Americana scene this year belongs not to an American, but an Aussie, Kara Grainger. She brings the whole trifecta of singing, playing and writing… ” – www.americanaroots.comPERFORMANCES: Sunday, July 4 08:15PM Credit Union Blues Stage Sunday, July 4 09:00PM H50 Bistro at Hotel 50 Monday, July 5 02:30PM DME Portland Spirit Blues Cruise Traveling to Portland? Learn where to stay and how to get to the festival. Be the first to know who’s coming to the festival. Find out about new festival events and features. Sign up for your free Blues E-News. Your behind-the-scenes look at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival. back to top Help Oregon Food Bank fight hunger >> HOME | PERFORMANCES | FILMS AND FEATURES | ENTRANCE | VISITOR INFO sponsors | merchandise | volunteer | news | history | contact | search | privacy policy   © 2010 Waterfront Blues Festival | Site design and programming by

Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, New York

After months of anticipation, I have finally arrived for my “Culinary Experience of a Lifetime.”  A week-long culinary CIA“Boot Camp” entirely of pastries. Tomorrow morning at 6 am, I will walk into the pastry kitchen of The Culinary Institute of America, the world’s premier cooking school located in Hyde Park, New York.   A place where famous chefs like Anthony Bourdain, George Hirsch , Sara Moulton, Cat Cora, and an  archive of other outstanding chefs/graduates  have attended.

I arrived a day early to wander through campus, check-out where our classes will be held and locate the closest parking lot and space so I will avoid the 5:45 a.m. parking lot rush hour.  And to visit Historic Hyde Park’s two National Historic Sites– President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Home including the Presidential Library, museum,  Eleanor Roosevelt’s country cottage, Val-Kill; and to tour the Vanderbilt Mansion.

While I am away from the Fulton House Bed & Breakfast, I know that my trusted Innkeeper will be taking great care of my guests and seeing that everything runs smoothly.  On your next visit to Portland, Oregon be sure to stay  with us at the Fulton House to enjoy  sampling the wonderful pastries that I am adding to my repertoire.

Be sure to check back this week to read about my day, see pictures of my creations and gather some of our wonderful recipe we are using during our week-long Pastries “Boot Camp.”

Bon Appetit!

Wendy, Innkeeper

Fulton House Bed & Breakfast

Portland, Oregon

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!!!

Check out the up and coming events

KOOZA tells the story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world.
“KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil: It combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.

The Innocent’s journey brings him into contact with a panoply of comic characters such as the King, the Trickster, the Pickpocket, and the Obnoxious Tourist and his Bad Dog.

Between strength and fragility, laughter and smiles, turmoil and harmony, KOOZA explores themes of fear, identity, recognition and power. The show is set in an electrifying and exotic visual world full of surprises, thrills, chills, audacity and total involvement.”

The Fulton House Bed & Breakfast is just minutes away from the Grand Chapiteau at SW Moody Avenue just South of the Marquam Bridge. Don’t miss this wonderful event.

The Los Angeles Times states, “Simply. Amazing.”

As I traveled back from my New Year’s week vacation on the Amtrak Empire Builder, a train from Chicago to Portland/Seattle, I was amazed by the amount of wildlife I observed during my multi-day trip. My train was three days late in departure and five hours late into Portland due to temperatures of -37 to -52 degrees in the Mid-West. However, these delays did not cause me frustration or anger by having to extend my vacation but it presented me with an opportunity to view portions of the trip that normally I would only see in complete darkness. When we crossed into Washington from Idaho heading towards Oregon, we had only three hours until daylight. I was fortunate enough to observe a plethora of winter birds, deer, Roosevelt Elk, Bald and Golden Eagles and other wildlife in Oregon from the comfort of my private sleeper car eating a wonderful box lunch and sipping a beer. But you don’t have to take a long train ride on the Empire Builder to observe winter birds and sip beer, just book a weekend here at the Fulton House and you can do both.

Portland’s winged wonders create a visual feast for bird-watchers this time of year which include wild ducks, cormorants, coots and kinglets. One of the most colorful sightings is the wood duck, a bird that was nearly extinct a century ago because of hunting and habitat loss. But today, both conservation and placement of artificial nesting boxes have increased their numbers. Wood ducks are one of the waterfowl species that can be seen in the Portland area year-round. Other birds easily seen in the winter include the dark bird with the long neck, a double-crested cormorant. Rather a proud bird who paddles around with its bill tipped up. The pinkish-brown duck with the white racing stripe over its head is an American wigeon, a duck species with a habit of kleptoparasitism (stealing food). And American coots, almost as common as mallards, ply the ponds in groups, with their white bills contrasting with their black bodies. You will also find buffleheads and hooded mergansers both with a white patch or “hoods” on the sides of their heads. Buffleheads prefer the open water of Crystal Springs where as the Mergansers prefer the more sheltered waters right across the street in Reed Lake, on the Reed College campus as well as the pied-billed grebe. There are two locations to observe bald eagles either driving on I-84 up the gorge or in at a winter roost in Washington County from which 30-40 eagles `commute’ to Sauvie Island each morning at sunrise. Even right here in downtown Portland among all its tall-buildings, you will find red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons perched or nesting along with all the city dwellers. Or perhaps you will hear a tiny kinglet or a black-capped chickadee (Oregonian, January 10, 2010).

WINTER BIRDING LOCATIONS IN PORTLAND:

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden: Near the intersection of Southeast 28th Avenue and Woodstock Boulevard. Admission is free through February. 503-771-8386, (8 minutes from the Fulton House Bed & Breakfast) http://www.tinyurl.com/cyfvrk

Reed Lake on the Reed College campus: 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd; (10 minutes from the Fulton House Bed & Breakfast) www.reed.edu/canyon

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge: Southeast Seventh Avenue and Sellwood Boulevard. (4minutes from the Fulton House Bed & Breakfast) http://www.tinyurl.com/h36g3

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area: 5300 N. Marine Drive, 503-797-1850, (19 minutes from the Fulton House Bed & Breakfast) http://www.tinyurl.com/smithbybee

Tom McCall Waterfront Park: Naito Parkway between Southwest Harrison & Northwest Glisan streets, downtown. (8 minutes from the Fulton House Bed & Breakfast) http://www.tinyurl.com/pdxperegrines

Willamette Park: Macadam Avenue and Nevada Street, (1 minute from the Fulton House Bed & Breakfast). Check out the four-season list of birds regularly seen in the Portland area at http://www.tinyurl.com/pdxbirdlist

Winter is no time to stop watching birds so check out either of these recommendations. For places to go and wild things to see, check out “Wild in the City: A Guide to Portland’s Natural Areas”, edited by Mike Houck and M. J. Cody recently re-released and available at the Portland Audubon Nature Store, 5151 N.W. Cornell Road, and amazon.com. Or join naturalists from Metro and the Portland Audubon on February 6th for a Raptor Road Trip to see eagles, hawks and falcons. $10per vehicle includes parking permit. More information: 503-797-1650 or http://www.tinyurl.com/raptortrip

MICRO-BREW LOCATIONS FOR SIPPING:

After a winter day of birding or if you just need to take a lunch break, you can stop at any one of our wonderful micro-brews located here in Portland. While visiting Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden and Reed Lake on the Reed College campus, stop off at The Beer Mongers on 12th & Division and pick up your favorite international or local beer. They are a new and growing beer store and micro bar selling and serving some of the best ales and lagers from around the world. You can drink on premises or purchase beer to bring back to the Fulton House and enjoy in the privacy of your room. Tastings Events on January 11, 2010 Lagunitas Tasting and January 20th Three Creeks– Check out their website at: http://www.thebeermongers.com

Oak Bottom Public House is named for the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge that runs just west of their location in the Heart of West-Moreland and is located at 1621 Southeast Bybee Boulevard. The 163-acre Natural Wetlands was Portland’s first urban wildlife refuge and is home to more than 125 species of birds, including the Great Blue Heron. Try their Lompoc Strong Draft, a Portland Classic! This strong ale has a deep mahogany color and is crafted with seven different specialty malts. A touch of smoked malt gives it a complex aroma and incredible flavor. Check out their website at http://www.newoldlompoc.com

Fulton Pub and Brewery is located on Nebraska Street just across the avenue from Willamette Park. Fulton Pub dates back to 1926 when it was a Prohibition-era hangout serving home cooked meals, pinball games, stogies, candy and ice cream. Speculation says that during Prohibition that the pub might even have provided patrons the odd pint o’ beer as an unadvertised special. Try the Hammerhead Ale, legend has it that the brew’s hallowed recipe was perfected here! My favorite is the Nebraska Bitter which was first brewed here at the Fulton Pub & Brewery. While wandering along the river’s edge in Willamette Park watching for Blue Heron, Canada Geese, ducks and other waterfowl just stop off at the Fulton Pub for a quick refreshment or lunch. Check out their website at http://www.mcmenamins.com

Hope to see you soon! Now is the only time to see some of our winter visitors!

By Clement Clarke Moore
or Henry Livingston

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

While our good friend and budding B&B owner was serving as innkeeper for the past week, Wendy was in New York City for the World Series and attending The International Culinary Center’s Hungarian Pastries Course. Wendy’s artistic talent and passion for food came together in this course and her success in pastry is due to her mastery of techniques and a highly creative mind. Now at the Fulton House, you can expect to sample the delights of our homemade breakfast breads and pastries with an international flair.

Prior to being served the main freshly prepared main dish, our guests have enjoyed granola or premium dry cereal with fresh fruit and two yogurts, vanilla and plain. There’ll still be two yogurts to go along with the granola and fresh fruit but now our guest can now enjoy a homemade Hungarian pastry or Artisan Bread. We know our guests will enjoy these delights of homemade breakfast breads and pastries.

Secondly, in addition to freshly ground and brewed coffee, both regular and decaf, and a wide variety of teas, guests during the holiday seasons will also be able to choose hot chocolate or apple cider. Rich hot chocolate made at The Fulton House is most definitely not just for kids.

Also, Wendy a trained and certified Home Economics Instructor will be attending the CIA this spring for a Boot Camp where she will refine her skills and fundamentals of pastry and the techniques used in creating basic preparations such as laminated dough, pastry creams, crème anglaise, pâte à choux (éclairs and profiteroles), mousses and bavarians, sponge cakes, and buttercreams and tarts.

Finally, although it’s not part of our breakfast menu, during the holiday seasons, our guests can come out to our patio or porch (if it’s wet out, we’ll use the living room and dining room), for some holiday cookies and treats in a variety of flavors. These will be served at 3:00 p.m., or if you are out shopping or enjoying Portland during that time the extras will be located on our self-serve buffet. Help yourself!

We know you’ll enjoy these additions to the already outstanding fare at The Fulton House.

Make your holiday shopping reservations soon! Mention this blog and receive a $10 discount off your room rate per night. This offer good until December 20, 2009.

See ya soon….