Sanrio visits the square

I was so excited to see some color and activity on the square today, after several bleak rainy days. The Sanrio 50th Anniversary mobile pop-up tour stopped at the square. They were selling some special limited edition items from a couple of trailers. The kids in attendance were having a great time.

Burritos on the square

Meet Shelly. She’s been operating her food cart on Pioneer Courthouse Square for over 18 years, longer than anyone else in the city. I hung around and watched the activity at the stand today during lunch. I talked to several customers, and they have nothing but great things to say about Shelly and her business. While watching her work, I could see she loves what she’s doing and has a tremendous rapport with her customers. Anyone who eats here will not leave hungry, these are truly Honkin’ huge burritos. Shelly also offers salads, and has a vegetable burrito in a wheat wrap that comes in at just over 600 calories. If anyone needs some high energy to complete their shopping during the holiday season, this is the place to start.

Leftover photo

I needed a break after the zombies, so I looked back at some unused photos from summer. These guys were on the square for something, and seem to be having a great time, so I decided to share this photo. We will get back to the rain and leaves tomorrow.

Zombies invade the square

Several hundred zombies showed up at Pioneer Courthouse Square today. They participated in the 4th annual “Thrill the World Thriller Dance,” simultaneously with other groups around the globe. After the dance they left the square to walk the streets of Portland in the 6th annual “Zombie Walk.” I was wondering what it would be like for a group of tourists who got off MAX from the airport, and strolled down broadway to the Hilton Hotel, surrounded by several hundred zombies.

Puzzling photo

I watched this lady attach a drawing to Umbrella Man’s leg, and wondered what she was doing. To my surprise she took a few steps back and shot photograph of the two of them. I didn’t get a chance to ask her why, so I’m still puzzled by the whole thing.

Phil and Gavin

It was great meeting Phil and his young son Gavin at the square this evening. He told me they like to come downtown and hang out. The problem is, little Gavin’s new favorite place is Director’s Park, where he can play in the water. This could be a trend, maybe we need to think about a small wading pool, so we won’t lose Gavin to the competition.

Youth interviewing youth

Members of the Multnomah Youth Commission were on the square today to interview young people concerning voting issues. They asked each participant several questions and recorded their answers on video. The Multnomah Youth Commission is the official youth policy body for both Multnomah County and the City of Portland. They’re a group of young people (ages 13-21) that provides a voice for youth to city and county government. They work to change policy affecting young people, as well as the negative community perception about youth.

Faith on the square

In the few months I’ve been doing this blog, I’ve seen most of the world’s major religions represented on the square. Signs aren’t permitted inside, so, people usually gather on the sidewalk at the entrances. They go to great expense to prepare elaborate signs, and materials to express their faith. It takes courage to put yourself in front of the public and express your beliefs. It’s a tremendous thing to have a public square in the middle of the city, where people can peacefully demonstrate their beliefs. We should be proud to have a remarkable place like Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Beaver’s Marching Band

As a lifelong Oregon Duck fan, I have a hard time admitting that this was a terrific event on the square. Benny the Beaver, the OSU cheerleaders and entire marching band showed up at the square, on their way to Seattle to take on the Huskies. They put on a great show for their Portland fans and the rest of the lunch-bunch. Sorry, but I couldn’t resist running the photo of the little guy with his fingers in his ears. I was hoping he was a Duck fan, but he wasn’t. He’s a Beaver kid.

Huge “square” hit

The blogger gives this guy "two big thumbs up" for overall entertainment value. Not only does he play music, he alternately juggles a hacky-sack, his hat and several balls while he’s doing it. I don’t know where he’s from, but the “Square People” were lucky to catch his performance today. When I was leaving, he was conducting a juggling clinic for some kids who had watched him perform.

Vote 4 Yourself

Anyone who wants to vote in the general election on Tuesday, November 2, must have a voter registration in by midnight on Tuesday, October 12. Voter registration representatives will be in and around Pioneer Courthouse Square all day tomorrow, to help complete the process. Anyone who is not registered won’t be able to take advantage of the tip from the guy I met, (bottom photo). I don’t know how he came up with this great idea, but I like it.

Praying for Portland

Today, Christian’s from the Portland metropolitan area came together in the square, for an hour of praise, worship and prayer. Participants sang and prayed over the city between 7:00am and 8:00am, with a prayer text. They prayed for God to bless the City of Portland.

Liberian homeless fundraiser

I I I almost missed this event. It wasn’t listed in the October listings for Pioneer Courthouse Square, and I stumbled on it by accident. It was a fundraising event for people who are homeless in Liberia. The event featured live music, dancing, contests, raffles and a fashion show. I was there at 5:30 and things were just getting underway, and it looked like it was going to be a lot of fun, with the proceeds going to a good cause.

Sipping coffee for a cause

Today’s event at the square was something Square People could really get excited about. Sipping coffee for a cause! For a suggested $5 donation, which benefited the YWCA, people were able to sample coffee from 16 select coffee roasters and vote for their favorite. The three-hour coffee break lasted from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm., with entertainment provided by Pilar French. The turnout was excellent, the weather was good and everyone had a great time.

It's broken!

The Weather Machine, a 33-foot-tall metal column topped with a large silver-colored orb, was installed in August 1988. At noon each day, the following day's weather is supossed to be announced with a fanfare of trumpets, flashing lights, and a spray of mist. The orb opens to reveal one of the following: (1) a golden leaf sun, for a clear day; (2) a silver great blue heron, to forecast a drizzly, misty, or overcast day; (3) an open-mouthed copper dragon, when storms are forecast. Unfortunatly, at the present time people will have look at the sky and check for themselves. The Weather Machine has been broken for awhile. It seem a truck backed into it and messed up the electonics. Sorry!

Adison’s cool bike

When I spotted Adison’s bike late this afternoon, I walked over to check it out. He made a stop at the square to make a couple of cell phone calls. I told him I really liked his bike and I would like to share it with my readers. He said, “That’s cool. Thanks a lot.”

Next generation

I enjoyed finding this little guy doing what hundreds of people do everyday at Pioneer Courthouse Square. He was sitting on the bricks, having a snack and watching the people. He was definitely in the swing of things and enjoying the surroundings. He's part of the next generation of “Square People.”

Napping on the square

Getting some zzzz’s on the square is a popular pastime. How do I know this? Because, I’ve done it a couple of times myself. There are many techniques as you can see by the photos. My personal favorite is to use my backpack as a pillow, like the guy in the bottom photo. Downtown and feeling a little tired? Give it a try sometime.

Square diet plan

Here’s a once a week plan to lose a few extra pounds. When you go to work, throw your bike gear into a gym bag and put your bike on the bike rack. At noon, skip lunch, change into your bike gear, grab your bike and head down to Pioneer Courthouse Square. When you get there join a group of people and head up to the west hills for a challenging noontime ride. When you finish the ride, eat a high protein snack bar and drink a small carton of juice. This once a week strategy should knock of a couple of pounds per month. Cautionary note: On your way home, don’t stop for a 2500-calorie burrito.