Portland Saturday market a major contribution for summer fun

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Summer is that special time in many parts of the world where people take advantage of the sunny weather and people out and about to offer open markets and festivals where folks can socialize and look for art and other products often not found in ordinary department stores. So it is with Portland's Saturday market.

Portland Oregon is a town known for its unique ability to allow varying points of view and behaviors in the mix. It is not uncommon fora  protest group to be organized almost anywhere. Bicycles are a popular mode of transportation, with dedicated lanes for bike riding and many places for bikes to be parked. There are even dedicated places for bicycles on the commuter trains, so that people can ride their bikes to the nearest train, hop that and proceed to ride the bicycle after the train is stopped to that special place of work or play.

Portland's Saturday market is a part of that mix of different that makes the town stand out among the rest. The colorful nature and culture of the Saturday market brings people from all over the world to the downtown area to visit the numerous booths that spell fun for everyone.

One of these wonderful booths is that of Silver Moon creations. Randy Haislip makes musical instruments that are unique and beautiful.  He specializes in  making flutes and ethnic instruments in beautiful woods. These are artistic in design and at the same time functional. He tells us that his flutes can be used by almost anyone, even those without musical training. Randy says, "My own my hope is that we will all become more open to expressing our love for each other and the world"

In the same context of unique and special our designs of clothing, done by a woman of mixed heritage who takes her creativity with knits and turn these into masterpieces that people can wear.

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There are many things to discover at the Portland Saturday market  so popular with residents and tourists alike. It's that thing to do in Portland Oregon in the summer that offers the taste of something special folks associate with the town.

Bloomin' on the Bricks Festival

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­­Natchitoches kicked off spring with the Eleventh Annual Bloomin’ on the Bricks this past Saturday, March 26^th. I headed to the festival around ten o’clock with my pet lamb on a leash. It took me a long time to walk just two blocks, because everyone wanted me to stop so they could pet my lamb. I was ready to move on to the festival, because I wanted to see the
zoo animals. This was the first year that the Alexandria Zoo brought animals to the festival. The zoo was part of the children’s craft area.

There was so much to see and hear. On the way to children’s tent, I passed many booths with plants and herbs for sale. I got a free sample of an Italian Ice. It was a small spoon sample, but it was tasty enough that I went back and bought a homerun size later. It still took about ten minutes to move five feet, because so many people wanted to pet my lamb. I think the lamb may have been the most popular attraction at the festival. I finally made it to the children’s tent. I got to touch snakes, decorate an egg, make a flower pen and see a Southern Crested Screamer, a large bird native to Venezuela.

Music and gardens go together in spring. The Lukejazz Trio played from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The music made the whole atmosphere seem lively. As I made my way over to the new garden area, I bought some bee’s wax and delicious honey next to the jazz stage. The Beau Jardin is a new waterfall and garden. The city offered a sneak preview of it as part of the festivities. The waterfall starts behind the visitor center and drops down the hill to the level of the river.

This free event is a great way to celebrate the beginning of spring. If you missed this event, you can still have a chance to enjoy music and gardens along the riverbank at the Green Market each Saturday beginning in April.

Veronica Sturman