Bagdad Theatre, SE 37th and Hawthorne, where it always looks like Christmas, thanks to this great neon sign

Here's what McMenamins dot Com has to say about the home of one of my favorite neon signs in Portland:

THE BAGDAD THEATER & PUB - Popular pub and picture palace *** Now featuring Dolby Digital Sound! ***

Southeast Portland's marvelous relic of Hollywood's Golden Age is a stunning movie palace full of wonder and surprises. For nearly four generations now, the Bagdad's Mediterranean and neon persona and daily offerings of celluloid adventures have made it an icon of Portland's vibrant Hawthorne District. A movie hall of the best sort, the Bagdad's interior is an attraction unto itself with barreled arches, ornate, wrought iron fixtures, brilliant-colored mosaic work, and painted and stenciled Mediterranean designs and mythical characters. Kick back in the theater and enjoy a slice of pizza and a handcrafted ale during the show, or come early and enjoy dinner in the casual pub that fronts the theater. But be forewarned -- outdoor tables in the summertime may be hard to come by!

I found this for you at Wikipedia: McMenamins Pubs and Breweries is a chain of over fifty brewpubs, microbreweries, music venues, historic hotels, theater pubs and more. ... There are fifty-six McMenamins sites and many of its locations are renovated historical properties. ... nine are on the National Register of Historic Places ... a movie theater built by Universal Studios (The Bagdad Theatre and Pub.)

Just last night Leland and I were set to go see "The Bourne Ultimatum" there, but one of his roomies had a bicycle accident--he's fine now, thank goodness--and we had to go give him and the bicycle a ride home.

ABC Wednesday: K is for Kitchen

Here you see one of my favorite photos, ever. And I want to thank my brother Howard for inadvertently reminding me that I had taken it on March 12, 2006. Yes, CDPBers, it's not recent but it still shows the kitchen in one of Portland's favorite eateries--Three Doors Down Cafe, just north of Hawthorne on SE 37th.

Left to right, we've got Dave, owner/chef; Lamont, sous chef/my older son; Leland, line cook/my younger son--the one who now cooks at the Helvetia Tavern and attends Mt. Hood Community College.

The reason I remember the date so well is that Mama and I had just flown into Portland earlier that day, to visit the guys and their girlfriends one last time before our planned move to Portland in June.

It was a very special night for Three Doors Down Cafe, their first Sunday to be open for business--up until then it had been open Tuesdays-Saturdays. And it was the birth-night of Three Doors Down meatballs and bucatinni, recently named Portland's best meatballs by Portland Monthly magazine.

It was a very special night for me because I captured the intensity of three guys who know their way around the kitchen.

Cinemagic, Southeast Portland

Editorial comment at Citysearch dot com: "Hanging in there since the late '40s, Cinemagic survives by bringing in one quality film and running it for all it's worth. Independently owned, the theater has struggled in the past, and at one point almost went under. Today it offers good film picks and moderate prices, making it a solid neighborhood bet."

The theater sits at the intersection of SE Hawthorne at 20th, near many apartment buildings and homes. The proximity makes it a natural for walking and biking customers. Looks like someone may have come to see "Superbad" in the red vehicle. Is that a Jeep? I can't tell, and I didn't think to look when the traffic signal turned green.

Oh, if you'd like to see our Labor Day hamburgers that went with the tomatoes, and the rest of the delicious food from our Labor Day block party, check out my blog Mama & Me from PDX. Thanks!

A few housekeeping items: (1) As you can tell, I posted two pictures on Sept. 4. That was an accident caused by my being somewhat new to certain aspects of Blogger. (2) Click on the photos if you'd like to see them larger. (3) If you'd like to purchase any of my photos, please comment and we'll figure out how to go about it. Thanks.