Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 2003)
5 January 29,2003 Coffee anyone? Design Editor Coffee is as natural to Portland as the rain. Among the plethora of cof fee houses a few stand out above the rest. Whether it be their superior cof fee or the ambiance of their atmos pheres, these coffee shops offer something special. Torrefazione Italia 838 NW 23rd Ave. Portland, OR 1001 SW 5th Ave. Portland, OR Torrefazione Italia offers the most European-like coffee experience in town. Originating as an Italian coffee roasting operation in Seattle, the com- 'pany’s founder brought roasting meth ods from the Old Country to the States and named his blends after the Italian cities that inspired them. Many other coffee houses in the area including The Pied Cow (3244 SE Belmont St.) and Common Grounds (4321 SE Hawthorne) use Torrefazione’s superi or beans. Lattes and cappuccinos are uncommonly thick and rich due to a unique method of steaming the milk. Biscotti, hard rolls, and raisin and fennel bread are available for snack ing. In warmer weather, outdoor seating fills up quickly for smoking and people-watching in both well- trafficked locations. Starbucks Coffee If you still haven’t seen the inside of any of the thousands of Starbucks on this planet, consider yourself one of three things: incredibly sheltered, incredibly exclusive, or incredibly frightened of espresso. Starbucks threw Seattle and the great Northwest into the spotlight of a cul ture built on tiny dried beans. A few great things about Starbucks: it’s always clean, the employees know some good jokes, and the pastries, cookies, and snacks are certifiably good. Plus, you can purchase coffee drinks on the spot as well as shop for beans (whole or ground), filters, coffee- and espres so-makers, mugs, and other para phernalia. Last and most important, whatev er you’re buying, whether it’s the decaf grande non-fat mocha or a reg ular cup of coffee, the quality is con sistent from Hawthorne to Hong ERINN LERTEN Clackamas Print Many Portlanders flock to Coffee Time in Northwest for the nice atmosphere, good coffee, and late hours. Kong, Rimsky-Koraskoffee House 707 SE 12th Ave. Portland, OR Since 1980, Portlanders have flocked to this unassuming Victorian that hides behind a mass of vegeta tion on a nondescript Southeast Portland street. There’s no sign, so visitors feel like insiders when they find it. Inside, things look a little more businesslike. Signs instruct you to take a menu and find a table—not always an easy prospect, but fre quent customers know not to linger too long unless business is slow. Choose mocha fudge cake, an ice cream sundae or a slice of cheese cake to go with your cup of coffee— everything’s good, but the food’s not necessarily the attraction. It’s con versation and quirky sophistication that lures Rimsky’s regulars. Owner Goody Cable has achieved the per fect atmosphere—live classical music and sassy mischief—for post event socialization. Coffee Time 712 NW 21st Ave. Portland, OR Invariably, you’ll get to know the person sitting next to you or run into someone you know during a visit to Coffee Time. After all, this is a cof fee shop that thrives on two funda mental things: coffee and conversa tion. And while the coffee keeps you alert the intimate atmosphere demands fellowship. Buzzing all day long and well into the night—on Allen coffee— gaggles of caffeine addicts can be spotted outside and inSide the gates of this java paradise, with or without their dogs. Every big city has to have one and Coffee Time is Portland’s late night hipster hangout (open till 2:30 a.m.) But timing is everything, peo ple arrive early and stay late. So be patient and keep jockeying for that great booth—this coffee house has some of the best seats in town. Cusack takes it to the 'Max' A&E Editor “Max,” starring John Cusack and Noah Taylor, is the unlikely story of Max Rothman (Cusack), a high-class art dealer, befriending a young Adolf Hitler (Taylor). I say it’s an unlikely story because going into the movie I didn’t think anybody could have been friends with Hitler. Throughout the film, the viewer becomes acquainted with a young, awkward Hitler who just wants his art to be seen. He’s shy and it takes most of his courage to simply go and talk to Rothman. The two seem to hit it off. • I felt like the two hours were just a chance for a big-shot movie pro ducer to make a film where all of the preconceived notions people had about Hitler were splattered in front of us in an artistic way. The rumors of Hitler being completely pure, i.e. no meat, no drugs, no alcohol, no caffeine, are all shown as being true. One of the first things he says in the movie is, when offered a cigarette, “No thanks. They give you cancer of the lung.” The image that is portrayed of Hitler could be true, but is hard to believe. A horrible public speaker, he goes to bars and back alleys to scream his political views at people, swearing and spitting all over the place. During his final speech in the movie the viewer gets a disturbing look at the anger-filled, Jew>-hating Hitler. So where does Rothman fit into all of this? The two meet one evening when Hitler helps deliver some champagne at Rothman’s art show. Rothman sees the portfolio under Hitler’s arm and asks to see it. He doesn’t see anything he thoroughly enjoys, but recognizes a fire and pas sionate anger in Hitler. He then pro ceeds to take him under his wing and help him create great art, and maybe screw a cute girl or two in the process. The most ironic part of the friendship? Rothman is Jewish. Cusack’s role is extremely differ ent than anything I’ve seen him in, but the poor guy just can’t get away from himself. In everything he does, be it a record store owner or a hit man, he plays the same character. Don’t get me wrong, I think Cusack is very talented and I’m a huge fan. But the monotone dialogue with a tiny bit of spark and passion is the same as in any Cusack film. It’s the opposite of typecasting. He gets very different roles, but makes them seem like they’re the same. Altogether, I’m not sure how I feel about the movie. I stayed awake I Artist: The Mìcrophòrìès j Album: Mount Eerie Opinion Editor/ Webmaster With his first album since 200l’s critically acclaimed “The Glow: Part II”, Phil Elvrum (sole member of The Microphones) has brought forth yet another panoply of sounds and experiences destined to go almost entirely unappreciated. Fans of The Microphones previ ous albums will recognize Elvmm’s gentle vocals and driving instrumen tals, and will be pleased with The Microphones sixth album, “Mount Eerie” (K Records). Starting literally where “The Glow” left off, with a recording of Elvrum’s beating heart, “Mount Eerie” is, quite simply, a masterpiece of expression, crammed chock full of metaphor but never overly sappy. It is storytelling as music. Each of “Mount Eerie’s” five titles is actually multiple songs, recorded chronologically on one tape as a single track, each song like a melodic puzzle piece to their respec tive tracks, which in turn are pieces of a whole that is indeed so much more than the sum of its parts. The beauty of “Mount Eerie” is in its pseudo-simplicity. While some how managing to appear effortless, this work is so complex and layered it demands to be listened to it in its entirety. This is definitely not an album you want to approach casual ly, skipping from track to track to find a song to suit your mood. You could never sing along to it in the shower. Rather, it is best enjoyed in a comfortable setting where you can just sit and enjoy the music for what it is, or maybe let it play in the back ground as you relax, surf the web, and just generally slow down. Sadly, while “Mount Eerie” may be virtually operatic in expression and brilliant in composition, it remains so entirely unlike most pop ular music that most casual listeners probably won’t get it. Those hoping for the usual pop or indie-rock sound should seriously consider looking elsewhere. “Mount Eerie” by The Microphones hit the shelves Jan. 21, and can be found in many respectable record stores, or online through K Records’ official website at http://www.krecs.com. Upcoming Events Thursday, Jan. 30: William Stafford Birthday Party 7 p.m. Gregory Forum Bring a poem to share! Friday, Jan. 31: Date Auction Concoction 6 p.m. - Social Hour 7 p.m. - Auction Gregory Forum Lunch and Learn: “The Tales of Hoffman" opera Noon -1 p.m. CO 127 Monday, Feb. 3: Will Hornyak - Storytelling 1 - 2 p.m. Pl 03 Valentine's ©ag ( |<i Special INTERNET PHOTO In “Max,” Cusack plays an upper-class Jewish artist who befriends a young Hitler. for the entire thing, but maybe this was because my chair was broken and I couldn’t get comfortable. Yes, the movie was somewhat boring. The entire time I was just waiting for exciting things to take place, because with Hitler as one of the main char acters I was expecting lots of drama. However, the film plodded along slowly until the very end. “Max” also stars Molly Parker, Leelee Sobieski (don’t worry, she has a small role) and Ulrich Thomsen. It is in theaters now. It ends its week long run at Cinema 21 in Northwest Portland on Thursday. Bcfual
