June 13, 2005
Weekly 'Communique' Salon At Farmers' Market?
Seeking Reader Feedback
Unrelated to anything here, we've been going to the weekly Eastbank Farmers' Market since it opened up a couple weeks ago. Last week, we had a random musing worth raising here to see if readers have any response.
Obviously, the headline on this item sums it up: Is there any interest in an informal Portland Communique "salon" of sorts at the Eastbank Farmers' Market? The market is open every Thursday through September, from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM, at SE 20th and Salmon.
For the most part, Thursdays tend to be fairly event-free for us, which means that under normal conditions we would be able to do this every week. On the rare occasion where that wasn't the case, we could designate one of our readers as the stand-in "host" for that week.
Not too long ago, in a thread about neighborhood associations which reached beyond 100 reader comments, there was discussion of a similar notion, somewhat in response to the pricey fundraising salons hosted by the City Club of Portland. This is not meant somehow to co-opt that idea, but since the Eastbank Farmers' Market is a short walk from Portland Communique headquarters, it would provide an opportunity for readers to have a regular place to meet face-to-face to discuss Portland issues.
So, drop some reaction into the comments to this item and let us know whether the idea has any merit.
Comments (26)
Jack Bog on 13 Jun 2005
I think JACK PEEK has Thursday afternoons free...
Betsy on 13 Jun 2005
Now that's just mean...
Jack Bog on 13 Jun 2005
Just kidding. Hey, it sounds like a good idea, but please, let's not call it a "salon." How about a dunk tank?
Jack Bog on 13 Jun 2005
Oh, yeah: And I want to be there the day Than and his friends stop by.
Anne Dufay on 13 Jun 2005
We did hold that "neighborhood issues" Salon -- we started at 10:30, over a fine Saturday brunch, and at 2 pm people were leaving for other appointments, still talking as they walked out :-)
I'd expected it might last one, maybe two hours max...
It confirmed for me the sheer, hard-working utility of "face-to-face" -- and while I don't think anyone was converted, I think everyone heard each other a bit better, and came away with things to think about, as well as a renewed committment to learning how to work better together.
So, if our event is any gauge, such get-togethers are certainly worth doing, and, doing more often. We've already had requests for more of same -- though our summer schedule makes it harder to find time right now, but there is clearly a value in such venues.
Anne Dufay on 13 Jun 2005
Jack writes "Oh, yeah: And I want to be there the day Than and his friends stop by"
Pretty funny, but you know, in reality you might find it rather disappointing. Many people are more inclined to fly off the handle in email, than in person.
something about the lack of physical clues to your correspondent's intent, the anonymity of the blogsphere, and the fact that the only person you "see" in the conversation, is yourself... Not to mention those goofy monikers some folks give themselves.
Who knows, even Jack Peek might turn out to be just another mild-mannered newspaper reporter in geeky black glasses... In a weak moment as you chat at the market he might give you his mother's prize recipe for extra-large zucchini. Then, in a burst of warm fellow-feeling and gratitude for the recipe, you share with him your here-to-for secret no-fail inspiration for how get the politico's behind the notion of moving all the halfway houses from Buckman to Council Crest.
Peace.
Jonathan on 13 Jun 2005
While I admit to having a bias, I feel compelled to comment on your City Club reference. The City Club salons have a twofold purpose, one being a good conversation and the second being the raising of funds. The latter is why the City Club salons are "pricey" (although I think ours provided better food and wine than you would get at a typical fundraising dinner). Presumably you would not be holding a fundraiser at the farmer's market, so of course it wouldn't be pricey! All that's to say, the idea of a live discussion is great, and I would go for it even if there was a donation associated with it!
The One True b!X on 13 Jun 2005
Now, I went to two of last year's City Club salons, so I'm all aware of the level and value of the conversations which ensue there, and wrote them up afterwards here.
But the criticism that's been seen from people here about them is valid -- it's hard to swallow something called "citizen" salons when they are really only open to citizens with enough disposable income to drop $100 on them. And even then there's no real record of them, so people who couldn't afford to go can't even listen or read after the fact.
That's a defensible gripe.
Speaking Out Against Apostrophe Abuse on 13 Jun 2005
Please take the apostrophe out of "Thursday's" in the first sentence of the third paragraph. It's making my eyes bleed.
Teresa Dulce on 13 Jun 2005
'I think a farmers market salon is a great idea. Summertime in Portland is a good time to kick off a notion. And more power to you if if you wanted to pass a hat around, or have a donation jar for your site.'
sincerely your's,
teresa's dulce
lisaloving on 13 Jun 2005
Teresa's right. In fact, cool would be if you put out some kind of advance schedule with juicy guest speakers -- like Teresa. She knows worthwhile, deep stuff about Portland that people rarely talk about in polite company. Not that she isn't polite. Hell, I'd go to that, and leave $5 or $10 for the b!X.
pdxlazy on 13 Jun 2005
Where would I sit?
tomhiggins on 13 Jun 2005
Count me and my Friends of b!X shirt in. While i have not gone to the City Club Salons my experience with such back East was that they were nice and all but not of the tone I was looking for in civil discourse about our civil course.
As to meatspace events not having the same intensity as online ones...
over the last two and a half decades I have been to both with some regularity and frequency. and can say that over the years I may have mellowed some in meatspace but not by much. Should any such ill willing of our host come to be then I can tell you pretty plainly a response will be had in kind..and then some.
As for Mr Peek, I would love to see Peekaboo show and attempt to be half the asshole in person that he is on line. A show of that enterainment would almost warrant and admission price, or a paddy wagon. So come on out of your hate strewn bunker Mr Peekaboo and show us in the light of day the reason and factual nessecity of your ideas.
Peace Love and All That, but nicely folks, you dont want to upset happy fun tom. With any luck I should see many of you this week,
-tomhiggins
The One True b!X on 14 Jun 2005
I'm not all that keen on the guest speakers thing. This is meant to be way informal. Don't think speaker and audience, think bull session.
If for no other reason than this: I'm not looking for another project to have to manage. I'm just looking to find a regularly-scheduled excuse for me and various readers to shoot the shit about Portland face-to-face.
jim karlock on 14 Jun 2005
I'll show up if we decide to do it.
City charter review should be plenty of reason.
Maybe we could start a movement.
Would Randy L. show up too?
Thanks
JK
Larry on 14 Jun 2005
Okay, now I simply MUST comment. I don't understand something..... so many of you complain about Mr. Peek (and as a regular reader, I can understand why) and ask him to go away, yet here in this comment thread are 3 different references to him! Don't you understand that you are practically begging him to respond? You know he'll do so, and then folks will start piling on him for getting off topic and using ALL CAPS. So if you're truly tired of his rants, then for God's sake, don't tempt him by mocking/threatening him when he's not involved in a thread... Geesh.
Jim on 14 Jun 2005
Thanks Larry! Good advice.
JVK on 14 Jun 2005
I'd do it.
But I think "salon" is a bad idea. How about B!x Beyond Thunderdome?
The One True b!X on 14 Jun 2005
Bull Session?
Confab?
Chinwag?
Thunderdome makes me think, "Two men enter, one man leave."
allehseya on 14 Jun 2005
Build it and they will come. (count me in.)
The One True b!X on 14 Jun 2005
Ok, so the market lasts for four hours. So what's the best timeframe within that?
JVK on 14 Jun 2005
With my experience on these sorts of things: if enough people show, you can count on needing the whole four hours and some change.What about "forum"? I still like Thunderdome better though. Who rules Portland?
The One True b!X on 14 Jun 2005
Forum still sounds stuffy to me.
And the whole four hours won't work, because I need to go and do my shoping and then bring it all back home first. Don't want my bratwurst defrosting in my bag.
JVK on 14 Jun 2005
Vomitorium? I like the simultaneous low brow/high brow inferences.
allehseya on 14 Jun 2005
sym·po·si·um ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sm-pz-m)
n. pl. sym·po·si·ums or sym·po·si·a (-z-)
A meeting or conference for discussion of a topic, especially one in which the participants form an audience and make presentations.
A collection of writings on a particular topic, as in a magazine.
and my favorite:
A convivial meeting for drinking music, and intellectual discussion among the ancient Greeks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Latin, drinking party, from Greek sumposion : sun-, syn- + posis, drinking; see p(i)- in Indo-European Roots.]
allehseya on 14 Jun 2005
I vote for:
4:00PM-5:00PM
.... because then we can follow people to various cook-outs and bratwurst bar-b-ques!