Tag Archive for 'Portland'

I Never Knew The First Blazer Game Was In Longview

Posted August 18, 2009 at 4:04 am // 2 Comments

New Portland Trail Blazers alternate jerseys for their 40th anniversary season were unveiled yesterday at the site of the first Blazer game in history. Shown above are Terry Porter and Bill Schonely, two Blazer legends. (Image courtesy Blazers.com.)

Yesterday, the Portland Trail Blazers headed up to Longview, Washington — my hometown — to announce that they were kicking off some special stuff in recognition of the team’s 40th year of existence.

The first Blazer game was a 119-118 exhibition loss to the San Francisco Warriors at Mark Morris High School in 1970, and original team president Harry Glickman noted today during a press conference at the school that he had played there in high school and thought it was a big gym, and sure enough it was able to accommodate the first-ever Blazer NBA game.

Interesting stuff, isn’t it?

So it only made sense that the Blazers unveiled two new jerseys to be used in games this year in which they will honor teams from decades past. One has the original Blazers script running down the side as in the first designs in the 70s; and the other has “Rip City” emblazoned across the front. Nice nod to the Schonz there.

The other big announcement at Ted Natt Court today was that Bill Schonely will take lead play-by-play duties for the Blazers’ October exhibition matchup against the Kings — a game that will take place at Memorial Coliseum. I don’t know whether I’m going to buy a ticket to the game or listen to it on the radio — either would be a real treat. Tickets will cost $19.70, by the way (note the reference to the team’s first year).

It was pretty neat to read how Blazer legends like Jerome Kersey, Terry Porter, Bill Schonely and the team’s original architect Harry Glickman chat it up in my hometown yesterday. It’s even neater to think about the great season the Blazers will have this year!

GO RIP CITY!!!

Gannett Layoffs, Beacon Rock & Timbers Match

Posted July 2, 2009 at 1:29 pm // 1 Comment

Above: A view from the eastern end of Beacon Rock. To see this photo a bit larger, and for more photos from my trip, including the promised photos from Tuesday’s trip to Tacoma, please click here.

Okay, so Wednesday was a pretty chill day. Pretty simple in fact, with only two things on the agenda. Hike Beacon Rock and head to the Portland Timbers match against the Seattle Sounders.

The day did not start well, as I found out through multiple means that the company that owns the paper I work for, Gannett, is on the fast track to laying off 1,400 people come July 8. I find it extremely disconcerting that I found out by reading it on the New York Times before the letter from corporate ever arrived in my email box. I won’t comment more other than to say that Corporate telling the media before they told their own employees is pretty backhanded, if you ask me.

However, I was not going to let that news deter the good times this day had in store. Joel and I headed up to Beacon Rock, only about a 25-minute drive from Washougal, and hiked the dang thing. I got some good photos, he got light-headed. He admitted that he didn’t eat before our excursion. We made it up and down in an hour and ten minutes.

Above: The view looking west from Beacon Rock. The scenery in the Columbia River Gorge is quite wonderful.

I dropped Joel off and headed into Portland for the Timbers match against the Sounders in the U.S. Open Cup. I arrived an hour prior to match time, where I met up with Brian Taylor at the Cheerful Bullpen just down the street. No, I did not drink any alcohol, but they did have $2 fries.

Onto the match, where PGE Park was sold out to the tune of 16,500 people. We heard it was the fourth-biggest crowd in US Open Cup history and the largest Timbers crowd to date. Eat that, everyone that thinks MLS won’t succeed in Portland.

After a rousing pre-game shindig that involved a tifo of Timber Jim cutting down the Space Needle, the action started and not even a minute in, Seattle scored. They would add another in the 27th, then Portland would add one in the 43rd. That would be it as the teams ran up and down, up and down, up and down, up and down in the second half and nothing materialized. 2-1, Sounders win, but Portland fans were treated to a good match.

Above: I think this was the first soccer match ever for the guy on the right. “It’s Wednesday night and this guy would rather be at the club,” said Brian.

Funniest thing I’ve ever seen at a sporting event: around the 75th minute or so, a Seattle forward faked an injury after missing horribly on a pass to the corner. He rolled over on his back and, being close to the Timbers Army, heard a cascade of boos. Not soon after he started writhing did someone throw a full bottle at him and hit him nearly square in the junk. Totally unsportsmanlike but totally worth the price of admission.

After the match was over, Brian and I headed over to the Agency, a sports bar just across the street. We indulged in some cheeseburger sliders and while talking about the match, lo and behold, our good friend Noel from our Rainier days joined us for a bit, along with Brian’s friend Jonah from college. We all condensed the last seven years of our lives into a half hour, which as anyone who has ever tried it would know doesn’t work too well with the time constraint.

We all said our goodbyes and I headed back to Cris’s place in Camas, where Cris, his brother Daniel, Joel and I all watched the movie S.W.A.T.

After seeing a dude get decapitated by a train, it was time for bed.

Hasta luego.

Oh, here’s that tifo from the Timbers game last night, courtesy SoccerCityUSA.com.

Safe & Sound In The Pacific Northwest

Posted June 25, 2009 at 1:11 pm // 2 Comments

You know you’re in the Pacific Northwest when clouds roll overhead, you don’t hear thunder, it’s still somewhat warm and a cool breeze blows with no humidity.

I made it safely to Camas, Washington after a 40-minute delay on my Southwest connector from Las Vegas last night — I got in around 12:30 this morning and my friend Cris Birch came over and picked me up. I’m staying with him, so we headed over to his apartment where I now occupy the guest room.

In less than an hour, I’ll be heading out to the Portland Trail Blazers’ NBA draft party at Buffalo Wild Wings in downtown PDX. The draft doesn’t start until 4 but we’re heading over VERY early to get good seats and check out the landscape — not to mention get some early food. I’ll see if I can rub John Canzano’s head for good luck and see what we come away with in the draft today. Should be good.

Tomorrow begins the first day of YAK Camp, which I’ve been plugging on this blog since I knew I would be going. Got a couple extra surprises in store this weekend so hang tight to find out what it is.

Also be prepared for some very short posts with photos…I’ll be posting regularly from my iPhone throughout the course of the days to come to show everyone what I’m up to at that point in time. Kinda like Facebook updates but not exactly.

Coming Wednesday: The Chris Brewer Experience

Posted June 20, 2009 at 3:11 am // 1 Comment

It’s no secret that my vacation is coming Wednesday and I am overjoyed at the thought of going back home.

For the occasion, I purchased a Kodak Zi6 pocket HD camcorder to capture the small (and some large) moments of the trip. I figure with me being a videographer by trade, I might as well get some good shots of me and my friends doing what we’ll do.

Today came the ultimate inspiration to start a video blog on my trip. Just short two or three-minute clips detailing what happened each day, where I went, who I hung out with, etc. It’ll give you an inside look at my life back home, and will thus be named The Chris Brewer Experience.

Watch for the first episode Wednesday or Thursday, depending on when I feel like editing footage down.

Now the question remains: Who will watch it? Hmm….

Tax Day Tea Party, The Springfield Version

Posted April 16, 2009 at 9:57 am // 5 Comments

The above is what the Tax Day Tea Party looked like in Springfield.

Definitely hundreds there, if not close to a thousand or even topping it at one point. It was a peaceful protest and I only saw one policeman.

Saw Republicans, Democrats and libertarians alike who all stated they were fed up with big government’s intrusion into their lives. Others simply stated they were there to show support for the FairTax initiative.

All in all, it was the first protest I’ve covered that was completely peaceful and where people were generally good-natured. Can’t say the same thing about the Iraq War anniversary protest in ‘07 or worse yet, the May Day riots in Portland.

Breaking: City Hall Says Portland Has Scored MLS Team

Posted March 18, 2009 at 12:32 pm // 3 Comments

UPDATE, AGAIN: KATU video…

UPDATE: KGW TV is reporting that a source within City Hall has confirmed MLS is coming to Portland, and that’s what the presser is about. They’re also saying the press conference could occur tomorrow (ED NOTE: this makes sense, because MLS officials were in Vancouver BC today). The Oregonian had a report earlier saying the bid was withdrawn, but have since pulled that article and are reporting something similar to KGW.

SoccerCityUSA is reporting that Major League Soccer and Portland Timbers officials have set an announcement for Friday, with a press conference at the Portland Hilton at 9:30 a.m. One can only assume that at this event, MLS will announce Portland as their 18th franchise.

From SoccerCityUSA:

It has come to my attention that there will be a very important announcement this Friday with the Portland Timbers and and MLS representatives.

What: Rally and Press Conference Announcement

When: 9:30 a.m., Friday March 20

Where: Portland Hilton
921 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland Oregon

What we need to do: We need to take what we did with the MLS to PDX rally and be even louder, prouder, more drums, and even more noise. It looks like this is going to be the CELEBRATION we have all been waiting for! Our goal is 300 people for this event wearing your green and white plus as many scarves as we can muster. Arrive early to claim your flag, banner, drum etc. As always the Timbers Army and Timbers fans will play a prominent part in any announcement.
Do whatever it takes to join us.

Be a part of history.
See you all there,

Jeremy Wright

If this is true, this comes at a perfect time. The Portland city commissioners voted 3-2 last week to support an MLS team in town, and with the Vancouver Whitecaps becoming the 17th franchise today, this would be the logical move for MLS.

The Portland Timbers boast the highest attendance in USL-1…MLS will only help that. Look for PGE Park to be renovated into a soccer-only stadium in the near future, with a baseball-specific venue to come.

Chester Yeom Has Passed Away

Posted August 1, 2008 at 9:54 pm // 3 Comments

I mention this story because I helped work on it when I was shooting and editing for Fox 12 in Portland, Oregon last year.

Chester Yeom of Portland has died after a long struggle with his health after a shooting last year. The Oregonian has the background:

Yeom was filling in for a friend March 4, 2007, at Belmont Market on Southeast Belmont Street, when Jimmy Massaki Kashi shot Yeom in the neck while attempting to rob the store. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the shooting.

More on the story:

Yeom, 42, had been at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Cedar Mill since July 25 after serious infections had spread throughout his body, Kim said.

Yeom’s teenage children, Jeffrey and Lindsey, had been on a church mission trip in South Korea but returned Thursday night. His children and wife, Tiffany, were by his side when he died about 12:45 a.m., Kim said.

Yeom’s parents drove up from Los Angeles but arrived five minutes after his death, Kim said.

Yeom had been unconscious since he was hospitalized, but he opened his eyes in the moments before his death, Kim said.

“Chester briefly opened his eyes, then tears came through his eyes,” Kim said. “Then everything stopped.”

Kim said the Yeoms’ pastor also was present and held a short service during the teary family reunion.

This is really sad, and I remember we were all hoping Chester Yeom would be able to pull through his injuries and recover. I remember when the neighborhod kids held a march for peace, and the entire neighborhood rallied around the Yeoms.

When we interviewed his family, they said immediately they forgave the shooter because the Lord forgave him as well. That resonated with me like nothing else, and I was impressed at how his wife had such a peace about her and such a forgiving spirit. Now today after reading this, I pray that that peace remains with her and the rest of the family, and that the shooter and his accomplices somehow find Christ through all of this.

Let’s all remember that Chester Yeom is in heaven, and I thank God for that…but I still feel the pain for his family and friends and pray for their peace and comfort.