Restaurant Review: Blackwater Bar [Portland]

April 22, 2017 scottmcnamara Leave a comment

Today we ventured down Broadway in Portland, looking for a spot for some lunch goodness. The only problem? I wanted something new. I remembered hearing about Blackwater Bar in Portland, an all-vegan bar.

Blackwater is a punk-rock themed bar, that teeters on the edge of dive status for me. Once you walk in, the space is on the dark side (not sure if deliberate for the punk theme) and has a good mix of booths and chairs with tables. The place is pretty good size, with a full sized stage for live music shows, a bar in the back, a couple of pinball machines, and ample seating.

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Install This Stuff

Product Install: Genright Lock and Load Tub Rail Tie Down System

April 16, 2017 scottmcnamara 1 Comment

As far as installs go, this was certainly one of the easiest. I even considered not doing an install writeup at all. But in the end, the final product is really awesome, and I hope more people will consider this system for their JKs!

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Eat & Drink Here

Restaurant Review: Fatsquatch [Portland]

April 15, 2017 scottmcnamara Leave a comment

It’s always exciting when you hear about a new vegan place in Portland. Especially with what seems like so many deciding to close their doors.

So yesterday, on a whim I ended up pointing the truck toward SE Belmont, and dropping in on Fatsquatch PDX.

The cart is nestled in a small pod on Belmont (Belmont Street Eats), and if you didn’t know it was there, you could possibly walk right past it. But once in the narrow little alleyway it opens up, with Fatsquatch lurking in the back like its namesake. Don’t expect covered eating at this pod, however. I had to eat in the truck.

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Community

Is Oregon Really Being Invaded?

April 9, 2017 scottmcnamara Leave a comment

It seems like everyone is hating on the Californians right now.

Portland is growing literally exponentially, with what seems like boundless growth. Condos are growing like weeds in popular areas like Williams, Division, and Belmont. Many of these areas are almost unrecognizable. And that, I think, is the biggest fear with that growth – people that moved to Portland (and Oregon as a whole) for the quirky, small-city vibe, know it is losing that very characteristic.

Rents are skyrocketing, and the influx of cash offers on homes is raising real estate prices outside the capability of many that helped shape and build this very city.

I, too am just as guilty as we play the “Count the California plates” along streets like Alberta, Hawthorne, and Kenton.

So I decided to lean on the data.

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