Event Coverage Portland Transmission 2025/Russ Meeks Memorial, now with event pics!

As its not too far off, gonna do a roll call on who is going this year. Also anyone going to migrate from this to Russ Meeks service and want to attempt to go in a group? No matter what, gonna get broken up getting out of Portland proper.

Grandpa and I will be in the 55 Chevy and planning on being over there again early.

 

I'll be there and do the move to the memorial for Russ. I wouldn't miss it. Olds if it is raining, roadster if its not.

 

It’s not going to rain, think positive. See you there, bringing the Top Banana Dragster.

 

I'll be going to PT and later to Russ's memorial. Planning to leave around 11:00am from PT and head out Powell to Foster, and then take Foster most of the way until turning off at Pleasant Valley. Going to be nearly impossible for even a small group to stay together until we get past 174th and Foster.

 

I'll see you guys there!! This will be the debut of my '57 F100 at a show!

 

The ever dependable Iphone says Saturday the 10th is 81 for a high temp and overcast, that is perfect spring car show weather.

 

I told Marty I would try to make it this year. That means I've got to get up and leave here at 4:30am. I'm not adverse to treating myself to a Friday night on the town and a motel. Do you guys have any favorite music venues? A tavern with blues or bluegrass, rock and roll?

 

that was kind of our plan too for leaving and heading out to Russ’s. Yeah no group is staying together leaving. There is that gas station on the corner of foster and Jenne in Pleasant Valley that could be a meet up spot for people to regroup.

 

I don't hang in Portland, more of a get in, get out kinda thing. In Vancouver, the Cascade Bar and Grill has great music on weekends and good eats. The Cascade is on Mill Plain, 2nd exit once you cross the 205 bridge from Portland. Hotels nearby too.

 

Don’t have anything to recommend downtown as I avoid it too. Not a place to be at night anymore (even daytime can be iffy) West side in Beaverton/Aloha/Hillsboro the McMinninans are usually pretty good for folk or bluegrass.

 

Not sure what to make of it but I sent a text to a buddy earlier to remind him of next Saturdays adventure spell check changed Portland Transmission Spring Classic to Portland Transition Swing Class. Hmmmm

 

One of my favorite blues guy from Eugene is Ben Rice. He moved to PDX a couple of years ago and was playing at Clyde's Prime Rib every Friday night but lately is at Billy's Blues on your side of the river on Tuesdays.

 

Billy Blues, the old Halftime Tavern in Hazel Dell. Spent many a brain cell playing pool there in the day. One of the only places in town where you could get a paying game. They had 7 or 8 tables but the one just to the right inside the front door was the gamer. We used to leave the bet money on the pool lamp shade so as not to draw attention from the bartender. Back then it never closed, open 24-7. They stopped serving at 1:30 or whatever but you could stay, play pool and eat breakfast. Started serving again around 6 AM. Before she was Mrs. BB, we did a few late nights (early mornings) there flirtin and hangin with our friends. Good times. Better memories.

Ate there a year or so ago, buddies memorial (RIP Danny), decent steaks for the money. Prime rib on Fridays as I recall. Can't go wrong with some prime rib, horseradish, au jus and a loaded baker. I like the end cut typically, a bit more done and seasoned nicely. Glass of brown, big cube and good tunes.

Hotels on that end of town are a bit...I don't want to say seedy, but most charge by the hour. There is a Red Lion up the street where 205 and I-5 meet. Easy access from there to the Spring Classic in Portland. I always take I-5 there, at 5:00 AM there is little traffic on the freeway or the river (one of the last few drawbridges on an interstate freeway in the US).

 

That's a pretty small parking lot. The Pleasant Valley Grade school another mile further, or the grange hall on 174th and Foster, or the church across from the school. Not many folks realize it, but 174th starts again on Foster out just across from the grange hall.
I'm just going to plug in my GPS and let it guide me there.

 

Weather keeps looking good for Saturday, still have to get the 55 cleaned and fueled up tomorrow.

 

This has been one of the nicest springs I can recall in the PNW. Looking forward to Saturday. See you there.

 

I'm planning to be there, again on foot. My brother and niece will be there, too - excited for that!

 

O dark thirty. Rolling

 

They starting parking at 6:00. Hooked up with a friend.
That’s Mikes 32. Nice car

Kim’s 31, brand new flat head enjoying the early morning romp down the interstate.

and I brought the roadster. According to map quest we will put a bit over a hundred miles on the odometers today.

 

Caution: photo dump

 

More. Check out the dragster

 

More treats for the senses

 

Hungry for more?

 

I need a car with a club door

 

Over to Russ’ memorial.

The Jade Idol

 

Recognize this one?

 

Photo dumpola

 

Here’s two HAMB cars

 

A few more, this is Cedric Meeks car. Russ’ son

 

A few more of the AMBR car. Off the hook engineering