Portland Events, Music, Art, Entertainment, Sustainability | PDXPIPELINE.com

By Nathalie Weinstein

Have you played a pinball game in Portland? If the answer is yes, you were likely playing one of Phil Ragaway's machines. Ragaway, more well known for owning bars such a 1201, Mixology and Genie's and coffee shop Tiny's, also owns an arcade machine vending business called Quarter World. Tired of poor customer service received from other vendors in town, Phil began fixing his own machines (his methods include ‘Macgyvering' machines with things like pop tops).

"I hate games that don't work right," said Ragaway. "You can't have customers coming in and paying for machines that don't work right. Then other people I knew who had bars started asking if I could do theirs because they knew I actually gave a shit."

Phil's do-it-myself attitude prevails throughout his other businesses, which include running the Bossanova Ballroom; he will soon delve into the world of building and real estate consulting.

"I'm a knowledgeable liaison between banks and start-ups," said Ragaway. "I want do consulting and help people create business plans. Many people have grandiose ideas but opening a bar is not an easy thing to do."

I was able to sit down for a beer with Ragaway at Roadside Attraction near S.E. Belmont, where I heard about his love for the arcade game Buckhunter, his 62' Buick, and the business of running a bar.

PDXP: You recently sold your bars Bar of the Gods and Shanghai Tunnel. Are you moving in a new direction from bars? Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Christine Taylor

Today marks the birthday of the brand new CD by local band Nurses, named Apple's Acre. Band member John Bowers told me 'Apple's Acre' is a place where all of the songs exist. For Thursday night's CD release party at Holocene, artists Aidan Koch and Paul Wagenblast designed the set and multimedia presentation. In addition, fashion designer and musician Heather Treadway made custom costumes for the band to wear on stage. This show is pretty special as it launches Nurses national tour.

(NOTE: I was told by the band that you can expect a colorful set with surprise guests playing with the band.)

There are only three members in Nurses, but they carry a big sound that radiates a collective and collaborative feel. You can find the Nurses on myspace and buy the new CD here.

Videos after the break… Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Nathalie Weinstein

There's no shushing at Central Library's Block Party

There's only one place in town this weekend where you can learn how to juggle, listen to music, chow down on cupcakes, and even pet a few beetles. Funny enough, it's at Multnomah County's Central Library where a block party will be held this Saturday, August 8 from noon to 4 p.m.

The Oregon Zoo will be on hand with its traveling bug petting zoo, and The Last Regiment of Syncopated Drummers will bring the beats all afternoon long. Are you sick of the sight of the clothes in your closet? Bring them with you to the block party for a clothing exchange courtesy of PDXSwap. W.E. C.A.R.E. will be in attendance for all of you who want to run away with the circus, teaching some circus skills, and the Western Culinary Institute will have cupcakes for the kiddos to decorate (and consume).

It's supposed to cool down a bit this weekend so Read the rest of this entry »