Can't imagine Portland without a good vinyl (and cd) music selection.  You know a good music store when you enter one... the music playing overhead is something you like, but can't seem to recognize, the staff looks like they might hate you, but they are actually glad to help, especially considering any inquiry means you like music... the organization of artists is extensive, but still comprehensible...  Music Millennium has all these things and a sweet location on Burnside!    I bought my first Menomena cd here and the guy who sold it to me made my week with just a few kind words upon purchasing it.  Someday when I have more money I will gladly give it to Music Millennium in an effort to create a larger quiver of music.

The landscape for Portland breakfast joints is wide and varied.  I have had the best breakfasts of my life in recent years... so that said, Slappy Cakes had a lot to live up to.  The venue is gorgeous.  Open beamed ceilings, a killer wrap around bar for up front diner style dining and large booths piggy backed to one another in perfect order.  The location is also wonderful.  I love Belmont and Mt. Tabor and the place sits nicely equidistant from both. Ok.. moving on to the pancakes.  They are good.  We chose to buy two bottles of mix (they allow you to make them yourselves on the heated griddles that sit in the middle of your tables).  The two bottles made about 25-35 pancakes, many of which were small.  For two kids and two adults this was prefect coupled with one order of eggs, hash browns and bacon.  Our server was very sweet and very helpful with two kids... bringing toys to the table, explaining the process slowly, etc.  My wife love the hash browns because they weren't greasy.. and while I give them credit for that, I would have love a little more seasoning.  The eggs were perfect, the bacon good.  Overall a great experience.  My one bit of advice is get there right when they open.  We got there at 8 (when they open on a Sunday) and the place was completely seated in 5 minutes.  There was probably a 1hr wait by the time we wrapped up at 9.  In asking our server about the wait she explained that on the weekend there is a consistent wait till about 3pm.  So go late, go early or go with a paper in hand and things for your kids to do while you wait.  I like that our progressive little city has businesses with progressive ideas like allowing patrons to flip their own pancakes.  I would recommend Slappy Cakes strongly to people with kids.

and the new batch from House Spirts is simply my favorite!  Seriously, if they have any left drive there now!  it is so goooood! 

Seriously, I have a hard time writing this review because I don't want the waits to be any longer... this place is insanely good!  Love, love the location, the ambiance, the bar, etc!  The sushi is so so so so so so good!  Before our party of 4 new it the Saporos were 8 deep and the table was at its 4th order! 

DUDES.....  LISTEN UP....  ANYTHING CATHY WATERMAN DESIGNS/MAKES IS GREAT.  FAST TRACK TO A CLASSY LADY'S HEART -- a CATHY WATERMAN RING.    Timeless, gorgeous (and I am a dude...).... and this is the spot you can find her work in Oregon.    Aside from Waterman's work, they carry George Sawyer!!!  Fricken sweetest guys wedding rings ever!!!!  Makume Gane, LOOK IT UP!  Aside from jewelry, they carry killer artists from around the country!  more places should have this business model!

PLUMBING:  Pipeline Pumbing   TILE WORK: Ted Ashkar Tile   Electrician: Squires Electric   Carpenter: Tough one.. I keep this one close to pocket.... try Sam Yoder.   GC:  Ryan Walsh... open to small jobs.

Klickitat east to the ridge, Alameda north to Wilshire Park, around Wilshire Park heading west on Bryce or Alameda, down Regents or take a different route down NE 19th off Alameda Terrace through Irvington heading south, up Tillamook heading east again... add more of Beaumont-Wilshire initially heading east on Alameda creating a smaller loop before going to Wilshire Park to the north.

I heard it is the failing sewers underneath the street that are the cause for renewal... I suspect they will be done by Summer as the financial implications to the business district would be incredible otherwise.

We live nearby and haven't heard of any break ins while people were sleeping.. although we will keep our ears out moving forward.

breaks my heart that you can't mow your own lawn...