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Cosmic Charlie

“Hold On, We’re Rolling!”

Ever taken a bus ride and wonder, “How does the driver put up with this nonsense every night?” Those of us who work with the public know how much fun it can be; you see humanity at every level. A sense of humor is crucial. Being one of the wacky late-night denizens, I see a [...]

We Welcome You with Open Arms… and Outstretched Hands

by Cosmic Charlie

After a year as a vacant space, it looks like there is potential suitor for the old Ritz Camera shop on SW 4th & Taylor. Coming soon? There is no shortage of convenience stores downtown. There are three Plaid Pantrys and two 7-Elevens dotting the perimeter, with a cluster of mom-and-pop stores throughout the grid. [...]

06.25.2010 See the rest →

Memories To Last A Lifetime

by Cosmic Charlie

As the Church Lady would say, “How conveeeeenient!” While walking past the Multnomah County Courthouse yesterday, I spotted this outside the secured entrance on SW 4th Avenue. The gang at Busted! Magazine has the angles covered on distribution of their mugshot rag. Talk about targeting your audience. Since it takes an average of ten days [...]

06.23.2010 See the rest →

Union Avenue and The Wall

by Cosmic Charlie

It’s called the world’s oldest profession for a reason. It’s been around forever. Sex has been a bargaining tool since the beginning of time. An article written by Dan Rather about child prostitution in Portland has been getting a lot of attention. I hate to break it to you, but this is nothing new. The [...]

05.27.2010 See the rest → 2 comments

The NSFW Nashville Cats

by Cosmic Charlie

Like your music fast, loud and nasty? Have I got the band for you… Nashville Pussy returns to Portland this Saturday night, headlining the Parental Advisory Tour. For the uninitiated, Nashville Pussy is a speed metal band from Atlanta that serves it hard and messy. (Think Southern-fried Motorhead.) With a rep for eye-popping stage antics [...]

05.13.2010 See the rest →

Fight! Fight!

by Cosmic Charlie

Ever miss the good ol’ days when you’d spend Saturday night down at the watering hole, getting hammered and belligerent to the point where you had to clean the floor with everyone in the bar? Okay, me neither. I made it a point to get out before closing time, because that’s when the real action [...]

02.01.2010 See the rest →

The Button Man

by Cosmic Charlie

CAUTION: I’m about to press the nostalgia button. Portlanders ‘of a certain age’ grew up with an early morning institution, The Ramblin Rod Show. Weekday mornings from 7:30-8:30 were set aside for the most important thing in life, cartoons! This was not just any cartoon show. Rod would have a passel of local kids come [...]

01.08.2010 See the rest → 1 comment

It’s All Greek To Me

by Cosmic Charlie

The cleanup of River City continues. A strong rumor floating around the downtown core states that this upcoming weekend will be the last for the infamous Greek Cusina. The hit squad has apparently won. The ongoing battles between the city and owner Ted Papas are well documented (read this or that for more background). But [...]

12.28.2009 See the rest → 8 comments

Pseudo-Southern Hillbilly Redneck Weekend

by Cosmic Charlie

YEEHAW! As I compiled the list of things to do this weekend, I noticed a theme forming. What with all the warm rainy weather a week from Christmas, my activities took on a southern feel. So, chomp down on a piece of hay, fire up the El Camino and ride along. We gonna have us [...]

12.20.2009 See the rest → 1 comment

Indy Mart On Foster

by Cosmic Charlie

Getting the shakes over Portland’s Saturday Market closing down until spring? Wish those garage sales would start popping up again? Well, I can’t hurry the seasons, but may have come across something that will tide you over. The area around SE 82nd and Foster has been getting a facelift. Tom Peterson’s old building has been [...]

12.12.2009 See the rest → 1 comment

Unholy Night

by Cosmic Charlie

It’s been Christmas season for a couple of weeks. Now that Thanksgiving is out of the way, we can focus our full attention on the marketing of good cheer to the good ol’ USA. Man, that sounds curmudgeonly. I have issues with Christmas. I was raised in a strict religious environment where holidays, birthdays and [...]

11.27.2009 See the rest →

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