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Celebrities Parkway Grill – New venue celebrates grand opening w/live music, good food

by KT

Celebrities Parkway, 20725 N.E. Sandy Blvd., long known as the Gin Sun Celebrities Parkway, presents its new face, new menu and new interior. The name was chosen by patrons, who suggested many ideas. The official grand opening was in August, with free food samples and live music.

Everyone was cheerful and excited by the changes. Previously specializing in Chinese/Cantonese food, the new menu covers both east and west with additional American food items.

This writer attended and sampled the free food. One item, noted as a “house specialty,” was deep-fried jalapeno poppers. The crispy and minimal coating was very nice and the jalapeno itself was tasty. That menu item is highly recommended. The clam chowder sampled was creamy and loaded with chunks of clams.

Jimmy Thompson performs with a live band or with his “electronic” band, playing the bass notes with his foot on bass organ-type pedals as he plays guitar and sings. This digital accompaniment originates from a keyboard/workstation.

A regular feature at Celebrities, Thompson provided the opening set, partnered with long-time musician and friend, Jimmy Vee. Together they presented a variety of tunes including ‘50s rock and all-time country music.

Thompson’s voice, which was always a sincere tenor, is still as sweet, if a bit lower and more relaxed. Thompson and Jimmy Vee have performed together for more than 40 years and they complement each other nicely. Thompson also appears every Sunday at the Evangelical Christian Church, 4105 S.E. Harrison St., Milwaukie, 10:30 a.m.

For the next set, guitarist and singer Ron Ruedi (Rockin’ Ron and The Hurricanes) led a tune on guitar, then sang a few more classic rock numbers, demonstrating his “maximum coolth” as a stage personality vocalist. Ruedi commented that no matter what kind of pain you’re in, if you have a gift or a love of music, when you’re playing a song, it all goes away for a few minutes.

More and more musicians were prepared to grace the stage and jam, as Thompson took a break in favor of the free food.

Celebrities Parkway is a comfortable place with a touch of class. Anyone can feel welcome and at ease there, whether they are a newcomer or a familiar fan. The dance floor is centrally located, easily accessible from any seating area. Five overhead TVs display sports; two more are for outdoor security. This array includes at least one dedicated KENO display.

One very interesting feature, not yet seen elsewhere by this writer, is a large candy and snacks machine. It holds a variety of chips, candy and other snack food, as well as cigarettes. A smoking area is provided.

The Celebrities Parkway Grill, is more popular now than ever before. The name has changed, but good food and wonderful people are there. Visit soon and enjoy the comfort, food and entertainment.

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Notes On A Napkin

Notes on a Napkin

Now that the Christmas season is over, it’s time to recap the events of the season.To start, it was Elvis Nagel’s Christmas show at the Pink Feather. Cousin Maryann, friends Geraldine Misa and Lauree Carlsen joined me for an inspirational time with Elvis singing many of Elvis Presley’s Christmas hymns & tunes like Blue Christmas. Everyone enjoyed themselves as Elvis made the rounds, singing & giving out roses & scarves to the delight of the ladies.

...Christmas Day was spent with family & friends; I enjoyed a lovely breakfast with my son Darin & his girlfriend Marci at the Village Inn at Mall 205; then I delivered a gift to friend Jeff Shivers & watched a movie; after that, I was off to visit friend Ed Jordan, drummer for Wood Works. We enjoyed Christmas dinner at Knuckleheads, where owner Franco Beorchia laid out a sumptuous feast of ham, turkey & all the trimmings. It was truly a blessed day.

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WANTED: Graphic artist to help with ad construction in Positively Entertainment & Dining. Training provided if necessary. Call 503-253-0513 or email peeditor@comcast.net.

5th Annual PMA Awards promises famous guests, after-party gala

The 5^th Annual Portland Music A. The line-up of outstanding guests presenters and performers will ensure a night of outstanding entertainment in wards is slated at the Crystal Ballroom, S.W. 13th and West Burnside, on Sunday, Jan.22, 2012, at 7 p.msupport of Portland music and all artists. Tickets are on sale for $20 at the ticket box office or online and $25 the day of the show. Complete details at http://www.portlandmusicawards.com/about.html

The entertainment line-up includes: Roger Fisher (founding member of Heart); Tommy Tutone; Kandles At Nine (w/Deen Castronovo from Journey, and Craig Montoya from Everclear);Rob Wynia (Floater); Issa; Reva DeVito; Robbie Laws Band; Brad Parsons; and The Portland Gay Men's Choir, with more to be announced.

The Portland Music Awards were founded in 2008 by Craig Marquardo (musician, talent manager, magazine publisher, film executive.) They were designed to bring attention, appreciation and press to the numerous deserving artists and individuals that make up the rich and vibrant Portland music scene.

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The Big Apple - Venue reopens under new management

The Big Apple Pizzeria and Lounge, located at 1125 N.E. Kane Rd. in East Gresham, recently reopened on the 1st of December under new management.

The popular venue provides an array of evening activities and specials during the week. Maggie Taylor, manager and lead bartender, formerly from the Pink Feather, holds down the fort with supporting staff to provide excellent service from the bar and restaurant. “The Apple still holds on to its great pizza and the food is better than ever; we’re in the process of moving forward and looking at possibly considering a bigger stage and dance area on the pizzeria side of the facility,” Taylor says.

Right now, live music on tap is slated for twice a month with Eric Savage on Saturday nights. They are also in the process of scheduling bands in the future. Wood Works will perform on Friday, Jan. 27,. 2012, starting things off with a great variety of musical entertainment to dance to and enjoy.

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CD Review: McFadden Project, 'First 60 years'

First 60 Years is the title of this soon-to-be-released CD by McFadden Project. Musically, it’s predominantly the kind of classic rock that never ages, covering topics that never change—Love, War, Peace and Joy. It contains a variety of styles: rock, country-rock and a touch of blues, mixing an upbeat sound with some important, timeless messages. The CD shows the care and love put into crafting the songs, with many years of developing, nurturing and perfecting the sound put into this project The results is a thought and emotion invoking compilation.

The McFadden Project is led by Don McFadden, who also wrote all the songs. He covers the Hammond B3 organ and grand piano, as well as the acoustic guitar, harmonica, lead and background vocals. The rest of the band is comprised of: Phil Smith, lead and rhythm guitars, percussion and vocals; Tom Easlon, bass and acoustic bass, vocals; Mark Wills, percussion and vocals. Dean Fairly, keyboards.

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The Ambassador offers full Karaoke experience, vast genres of music

Did someone say Karaoke?

Head on down to the Ambassador Restaurant and Lounge, at N.E. 47th and Sandy, where you can have a full Karaoke experience and choose your music selection from vast genres of music and countless songs. With live awesome talent from the Portland area, who are regular performers, they tantalize and entertain even the toughest Karaoke critic.

Don’t be shy, even if this is your first time performing Karaoke for a crowd. You can pick up tips and tricks to build your routine, dance on the beautifully arranged dance floor, or just sit and relax and enjoy a few drinks and a full menu of Chinese cuisine; all while listening to the wide variety and range of vocalists.

The sensibly-priced, fresh-to-order menu includes a tasty shrimp fried rice, with whole tender shrimp; the Ambassador’s most popular dish, General’s chicken with a sweet sesame flavor; salt and pepper calamari for an appetizer. This reporter will be going back to try the new coconut curry chicken dish.

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Big Daddy's OT provides large range of games, live music, sizeable stage and dance floor

From the outside, Big Daddy’s OT, 10514 N.E. 4th Plain, in Vancouver, Wash., looks small and plain. But looks are definitely deceiving. Inside, there are two dartboards, two pool tables and a full-size shuffleboard. That’s not to mention a stage and a sizeable dance floor, yet still plenty of room. It’s a fantastic venue with all the space a party of any size would need to be comfortable. When this reporter stepped outside, a nicely decorated deck and covered “drink friendly” area was provided. What gave a little chicken skin was “Happy Hour 24/7 for Veterans.” When asked why, Randy Montoya, owner for the last three years, answers, “We love our Vets and we can relate.”

Tuesday through Thursday, you can catch Karaoke host Hollie Olson. Olson has performed music for over two decades on keyboard and vocals and hosted Karaoke for the last four years. Olson has worked at Big Daddy’s OT for a year-and-a-half. When asked about her favorite part of Big Daddy’s OT was, she says, “The relaxed crowd.”

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PE&D adds new staff member & spiritual section

Positively Entertainment & Dining is celebrating 35 years of publication in February. With that, we are expanding our horizons to include the addition of our new staff member George E. Dant III. Dant will be heading up a new religion section. It will feature churches, music and “what’s happening” in the Portland metro area.

Comments and suggestions can be emailed to George E. Dant III at: georgeedant3per@gmail.com or to peeditor@comcast.net.

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World-class jazz jam - Sylvan Steakhouse hosts Ron Steen every Monday

For most, Monday isn't a night likely to lure people out of their cozy homes to see live music. For jazz lovers, however, Mondays at The Sylvan Steakhouse more closely resemble a weekend night, filled to the brim with enthusiastic patrons. The rainy Monday this writer ventured out, it was tough to find a seat! Booths and tables overflowed with animated jazz fans enjoying great food, good company and excellent music!

The architect of this successful jam is none other than Portland's own Ron Steen. With a resumé that spans 40-plus years playing drums with some of the biggest names in the business, Steen is truly one of Portland's musical treasures. A bandleader from the tender age of 19, Steen runs a seamless show featuring the best players in town; at the same time including and developing intermediate players through the association. His ability to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome creates an upbeat, positive vibe that's infectious. He truly is a musical ambassador for his art form.

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Notes on a Napkin

Now that the Christmas season is over, it’s time to recap the events of the season.To start, it was Elvis Nagel’s Christmas show at the Pink Feather. Cousin Maryann, friends Geraldine Misa and Lauree Carlsen joined me for an inspirational time with Elvis singing many of Elvis Presley’s Christmas hymns & tunes like Blue Christmas. Everyone enjoyed themselves as Elvis made the rounds, singing & giving out roses & scarves to the delight of the ladies.

...Christmas Day was spent with family & friends; I enjoyed a lovely breakfast with my son Darin & his girlfriend Marci at the Village Inn at Mall 205; then I delivered a gift to friend Jeff Shivers & watched a movie; after that, I was off to visit friend Ed Jordan, drummer for Wood Works. We enjoyed Christmas dinner at Knuckleheads, where owner Franco Beorchia laid out a sumptuous feast of ham, turkey & all the trimmings. It was truly a blessed day.

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