Let there be light

Lux, Portland Oregon
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

I did a little window shopping in NW Portland recently and discovered two very illuminating shops – both on NW Glisan Street coincidentally. Hive sticks out like a little box of store but the lighting attracts the eye. The window display reminded me of an old, old Woody Allen movie. Sleeper I think. The futuristic movie he made - futuristic in that mod 60s sort of way. Know what I mean?

Traveling a little farther up Glisan I encountered Lux lighting. Lux’s lights sparkle like diamonds and it’s especially pretty at night, Check these two shops out next time you’re in the Pearl.

Portland at Night: Hawthorne Bridge

Portland at Night: Hawthorne Bridge
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

I love the Hawthorne Bridge almost as much as I love the Steel Bridge. I love the Hawthorne Bridge because every night it 's a vibrant hub of human activity humming with the noise of human movement in all it's various forms. I say humming because the bridge isn't solid pavement. The deck is constructed of open steel grating, which is lighter, allows the rain to fall through and "sings" from the sound of vehicle tires. This information was gleaned from the Portland Bridge Book by Sharon Wood Wortman.

Yes, you can be entertained by this bridge all night long just watching the many cars, buses, pedestrians and especially bicycles cross it. More bikes now than ever before. Did you know that the bridge officially opening in 1910 - the same year the Boy Scouts of America and the NAACP were both founded? All true my friend. All true.

From Wortman's book, I also learned about Dr. J.C. Hawthorne (1819-1881) who moved to Oregon and founded the Oregon Hospital for the Insane in 1859. At that time the hospital was located on Asylum Street in East Portland, which was, renamed Hawthorne Street in 1888, five years after the hospital was moved to Salem. Dr. Hawthorne is buried in Lone Fir Cemetery in Southeast Portland. Bloc 8M, Lot 44, Grave One North.

Just thought you'd like to know.

What's happening with Pioneer Courthouse?

Portland at night: Pioneer Courthouse
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

I made it downtown the other night and was surprised to find Pioneer Courthouse covered in scaffolding. I didn’t know it was being renovated. Or had it always been covered and I just never noticed before? Or had it been so long since I’d been downtown? I think the recent snowstorms have turned my brain to mush (or maybe it’s just old age).

Some internet sleuthing revealed that the Courthouse had been renovated as recently as 2005 when the Post Office was removed and five additional parking spaces were added to the basement. It’s been more than 10 year since I’ve been inside the Courthouse but I am saddened by the loss of the Post Office. The building still houses the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the chambers of the Portland-based judges on the Ninth Circuit.


The Pioneer Courthouse is the oldest federal building in the PNW and the second oldest west of the Mississippi and I should point out that the scaffolding covers only the west side of the building. The east and north sides were uncovered. I forgot to check out the south side.

If you know anything about the recent remodel, renovation or retro-fit, please let me know and in the meantime, you can learn more about the Pioneer Courthouse here.

Snow Fatigue

Portland at night snowstorm
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

The snowstorm that began a week ago is finally starting to melt. The temps rose to a balmy 45 degrees today and I removed the chains from my tires. Besides the slushy streets, we are left with the rain that is our norm. Both snow and rain will temporarily hamper my efforts to get out and capture the sights of Portland at night. In the meantime, I thank you for your patience. Have a Happy New Year.

Happy Solstice

Portland at night
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

The reports on the news are saying this is the severest storm the area has seen in 50 years. The most snow. The lowest temps. It’s shattering all records. Crazy in light of the fact that winter officially began today. At first I cursed this storm. Such a struggle trying to stay warm. Max stuck in Minneapolis overnight trying to fly home. The constant anxiety of dollars going out without the comfort of dollars coming in. The economy is in the toilet and just getting worse. It looks bleak. Honestly, a storm like this a nuisance to say the least.

And yet…how does the saying go? It’s always darkest just before dawn?


So today I’m quietly celebrating the darkest day of the year. Starting tomorrow the light will increase ever so slightly; imperceptibly until June when I’ll celebrate another solstice. Rejoice I say. Things can only get better.

baby, it's cold outside

Portland at night
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

It’s been frightfully cold around these parts. Ice, snow, bitter wind. You name it and we've had it these past few days. It's been too cold to venture out at night. But I did anyway. Last night. And almost froze my fingers off. Seriously. I got an inkling of what it must be like to suffer frostbite. I thought my newly knit fingerless mitts would be sufficient but my fingers were close to numb in a matter of minutes.

Adding to my little adventure I was actually stalked for the first time. I was by myself, P. having been hurt in a fall and unable to accompany me. A car drove slowly by, stopped, drove in reverse and then thick head, with the car window down, stared at me. Frozen. We both froze.

I thought to myself should I ask “Can I help you?” No. That’s a stupid question to ask my would-be rapist. Finally I asked, “What do you want?”

“Is my truck” he said in a thick accent.

I collapsed the tripod and moved on. My fingers were frozen solid at that point anyway.

while you were sleeping

Portland at night
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

I scored free tickets to a press screening of the movie Valkyrie coming out on Christmas Day. Seriously, the Oregonian’s own Shawn Levy was sitting right behind me. Tom Cruise plays *gasp* a Nazi – albeit a good Nazi who tries to save the day but we all know how that story ends. Tom didn’t even pretend to put on a German accent. Just Tom Cruise playing Tom Cruise. And the rest of the Nazi officers had lovely English accents because they were all English actors. I say, wait for the dvd. It’s certainly not the feel good movie of the year if you know what I mean.

Walking back to my car I noticed an exceptionally well-lit scene up ahead along with the fragrance of raw sewage. Although it looked like it could be a movie night shoot it was in reality a couple of good natured guys working on the pipes of Portland. Pipes of Portland…hmmm…another blog perhaps? I think not. But it got me thinking about the people who toil away while we sleep, safe and sound in our warm beds.



Do think about the people who work at night?