December 24, 2004
Holiday Echoes In Downtown Portland
An Interlude
Between sessions of City Council on Wednesday, walking back to City Hall from Stumptown Coffee Roasters, along SW 3rd Avenue. Echoing amongst the buildings is what sounds like Christmas music, clearly being amplified through some sort of sound system.
Looking north along 3rd, trying to determine what store could possibly be playing music piped through some sort of outdooor speakers. Isn't this something that would more likely be happening over by Pioneer Square? Or maybe the transit mall?
There it is. It's not canned music. Outside the H & B Jewelry and Loans, a beefy African-American man is standing at a microphone, accompanied by a similar man sitting with an electric guitar. It's a live performance of The Christmas Song, the man at the microphone crooning about chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
It continues to reverberate in and amongst the buildings along SW 3rd Avenue, as amplified singing can do only along an urban street. We can't help but wonder if some Scrooge will come along and tell them they don't have the proper permits (whether or not they do). It doesn't happen.
As the echo of the singer's final "Merry Christmas to you" fades into the architectural nooks and crannies, drivers and passengers cheer and applaud as their cars pass by.
Comments (4)
Rob Salzman on 24 Dec 2004
Merry Christmas to all of you and yours.
I look forward to another year of reading your most excellent blog.
Kevin Hayden on 24 Dec 2004
Merry Christmas, Christopher. I hope the public fills your stocking to the brim, as you've filled ous.
Now, on with the liberal holiday debaucheries!
Kevin Hayden on 24 Dec 2004
ous = ours
Damn typist. I'm cutting his salary.
Jim on 24 Dec 2004
Thanks Christopher,
You've managed to tie architecture, the body politic, Portland, and the human spirit together, beautifully, again. Some times the small stories have the greatest impact. Best wishes to you in the coming year. I hope I'm still reading your words a year from now!