Kathy and I are training for a triathlon that happens the end of July near Cottage Grove. We run, we swim and we cycle but have never married the three. Yesterday we decided to try the course. We looked it up on line and took our bikes to the “Grove” and rode it. We made a few mistakes and instead of riding 25 miles rode 32 miles. It was a beautiful ride and afterwards we ran 6 miles. It was tough getting in the groove after riding a bike but discovered how doable this is. Granted we didn’t swim a mile first but we’ll work our way up.

Along the way we passed some beautiful scenery and ended our day at Belly’s Taqueria in Eugene where we had a great meal. The taco’s are great but a bit small but they are also fairly cheap so order a few. We had some calories to make up so we order a few. We also went to see the movie Salmon Fishing in Yemen and loved it.

We cleaned the moss off our roof in-between all that but how boring is that.

When the boys were little we spent every Mom’s Day hiking somewhere up river. But as they got older and had jobs it got more difficult getting together. This year it worked out and we found ourselves, again, all four doing what we used to do. Kind of a cool day.

At 7am tomorrow Kathy and I will be making our way to Armitage Park for the first ever Pedal For People Metric Century Bike Ride. Today we traced the entire 64 miles putting arrows on the pavement at every turn so riders don’t get lost. At each stop I was sweeping the sweet spot where Kathy would put the arrow on the road. It took us 3.5 hours and it was actually fun. Tomorrow we’ll do the ride for Kathy’s brother Chip who lives in one of the 18 Oregon Supported Living homes in Eugene/Springfield. Chip will be there to watch us come over the finish line and we’ll get to spend the afternoon with Chip and his friends and the wonderful people who care for him.

We did get some interesting stares from people. It’s not often you see two people sweeping the road in the middle of nowhere.

It’s not too late to sign up or just come out for the big party and parade with live music.

We just shot a video for Steve Master on their newest redevelopment in the heart of Eugene. In the early days it was a brothel and a chinese grocery store. More recently the building housed Eugene Public Works. Now, Master recycled it again but this time into Luxury Apartments. We’ll show you the video in a few weeks. I can tell you that these are nice places. They aren’t finished yet but what a cool place to live.

Here’s the website for Park Place Apartments.

The views from the upstairs rooms are so cool. I put some rooftop pictures below. If you are thinking about living downtown this is the place you want to live.

http://www.parkplaceeugene.com/

Creswell coffee is known for it’s great soup, amazing lunches and evening entertainment but May 19^th Creswell Coffee will be serving up a bit-o-Irish-Crème.

A scaled back version of “The Irish Crème Band, will perform at Creswell Coffee shop and you’d be best to put this on your schedule now because Seth is expected a full house.

The clan of acoustic musicians is high energy and puts on quite a show. Hornpipes and powerful vocals will bring Celtic and folk ballads to the small Oregon town.

The group is known for its casual “pub style” show and by the end of the night will have you joining in on the chorus’ as you sip some wine or share a 22 ounce Pelican Pub beer.

Mark it on your calendars now.

Irish Crème at Creswell Coffee May 19^th.

You can check out Creswell Coffee’s website by simply clicking on their logo on my site.

For more information on the band here’s their website.

http://www.irishcremeband.com/about-us/

Let me explain.

“Belly” is a great little restaurant that serves creative and amazing food on Fifth Avenue across the street from 5^th Street Public Market.

http://www.eatbelly.com/

When anyone in our family has a special occasion we pick “Belly.”

You know I don’t write about places I don’t like and when I say this is one of my favorites I mean right at the top of the list.

Anyway, owner Brendan Mahaney sent me an email telling me “Belly” moved to the old Adams Restaurant location downtown at 30 e. Broadway.

They have a nice lounge, bar and bigger restaurant (getting a seat in the former place was always difficult).

But there’s more!

The former site has not been close instead a Taqueria called Taco Belly Third Meat is open and ready for your business. I just got off the phone with Brendan and he told me their Taco Tuesday is so popular they just made it into a restaurant all its own.

So, there you go, a bigger “Belly” and a New Mexican Food Place in town. Don’t ever tell me I don’t keep you up to date and full.

525 Newmark Ave.                                                                     541-808-0808

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Review by: Kathy Dancer

A wonderful surprise! Found the Empire Cafe a few years ago. Each year we visit the Coos Bay area for a trip down memory lane….we lived here many years ago when first married. The Empire Cafe is a great addition and another reason we look forward to our annual trip. 
Where to begin… the food, the service, the baked goods, the warm welcoming atmosphere all play into what makes this cafe so special. Their menu is full of great seasonal choices including some amazing home made soups. A nice selection of wines to go along with your meal. The Empire Cafe is delightful, we are so glad we found them, you will be too!

It’s not often I get to break a news story. I used to love doing that when I worked in the News Business. I guess that is the one and only thing I miss about working in Television News. I digress.

Back to the “Breaking News.”

I just got back from talking with Bart Caridio, one of the owners of Sam Bonds in Eugene and the Axe and Fiddle in Cottage Grove.

Bart told me he’s signed the papers and plans to put in a brewpub called “Plank Town Brewing Company” in Downtown Springfield.

The pub will be in the old Odd Fellows building. Ruthie B’s used to be located in the spot.

He’s hired a local brewer and the city told him two of the downtown topless dance clubs have lost their lease so the neighborhood is cleaning itself up.

Bart is a great guy. Can you imagine what this could mean for Downtown Springfield? The Hawthorne Café is a nice addition to the area but a brewpub would help define downtown.

Bart hopes to have it open and serving beer this Fall. We’ll keep you posted.

33180 Cape Kiwanda Dr.                                                  503-965-7007

Pacific City, OR 97135                                                      pelicanbrewery.com

Review by: Kathy Dancer

Sitting down at Pelican Pub’s bar enjoying a great beer is fun. Add an order of “Tower of Rings”, a stack of beer battered onion rings, and you’ve got a winning combination! In mild weather, sitting outside on their beachside porch watching the sunset over Cape Kiwanda is something you don’t want to miss. 
But let’s talk about the food, one word comes to mind, “overrated”. I’m sure it’s been said before and it is very true. The food and the price don’t match. It’s average and for the price you pay it’s just not special. If your visiting for the first time, you probably want to try it. It is the cutest place in town with a great ambience. They incorporate Pelican beer into their recipes, so try it but just know the price is high for what you get. Then if you are ready for something a little more laid back check out the tavern in town…..great food at a great price!