The Times, they are a changin’.

This song rings true for newspapers across the country as they face dwindling subscription rates due to a myriad of factors, including aging readers, competition from online news sources, and a growing demand for short and immediate stories. The result is a glut of experienced journalists looking to use their craft in a new way. At Watershed, we have a watchful eye on the changing face of journalism, and I’ll be exploring some of those topics with occasional blog entries, so stay tuned and chime in.

Where are all the reporters going and how is that changing journalism? Well, this week our own local good old fashioned black-and-white-print paper featured a telling article (the fact that hard copy papers are still providing the cutting edge news, I think is telling in itself).

Reporter wearing a PR hat: On Tuesday, The Oregonian ran a story about the government agency Metro hiring a reporter to cover… themselves. Titled “Metro’s reporter straddles fine line between public relations, journalism,” this article unveils a growing practice, in which companies provide ‘news’ content to their own engaged audience. It reads like a traditional news piece, but there are no dissenting views or voices.

What are your thoughts on the ethics of this practice? Do you think the average reader would be misled by this ‘reporter style’ writing, or is it a good way to employ  journalists?

If you have the means, please find ways to help.  Here is a list from today’s Oregonian detailing ways to donate to Haiti relief efforts and get involved from Portland:

1. Medical Teams International – www.medicalteams.org

2. Mercy Corps – www.mercycorps.org or call 888-256-1900

3.  World Vision – Worldvision.org

4.  World Concern – worldconcern.org or call 866-733-2767

5. Yele – text message “yele” to 501501

6. UNICEF – accepting donations at unicef.org or call 800-367-5437

7. Doctors without Borders – www.doctorswithoutborders.com

8. The Salvation Army – salvationarmy.org.

Tonight’s happy hour at Wildwood looks amazing!  Chef Dustin Clark will be outside on the patio grilling up some tasty dishes. Check out tonight’s menu below.

Grill menu August 4, 2009

Alaskan halibut skewers
Sweet corn flageolet bean salad and aioli

Garlic and oregano sausage
Pickled green beans and blackberry mustard

Nectarine crostini
Basil, arugula and mascarpone

Wildwood also offers a variety of drinks on their happy hour menu, including a white and red wine, cocktail and selection of beers.

She was wearing the classic Jackie-O/The Fly sunglasses, a wide striped blue and white cotton shirt, and black skinny jeans.  Apparently the Devil wears Gap when she travels.

A creation from Mother's Bistro & Bar's new Burger Bar

are stupid despite the fact that you’re the head of the free world.

Why burgers? Why now?

When my friend Kate Krader from Food & Wine Magazine was in town a few months ago she explained it this way.  ”People are super interested in cooking and food, they want to become authorities on cuisines and dishes but when the economy’s down, they can’t afford to obsess on super high-end ingredients or become experts at something that’s a luxury item.  However, it’s easy to become a burger or pizza afficianado.”

Good editorial instincts Kate, it’s no wonder you’re one of America’s top culinary trend forecasters.

My question though, is the obvious conflict between conventional vs. natural beef.  Anyone who’s read a Michael Pollan book or seen Food Inc. is most likely verging on becoming a vegetarian if not at the very least considering giving up all conventionally raised meats. So, how do food-loving passionate burger fans indulge in burger mania when most offerings are patties made from grain fed, hormone filled, inhumanely treated animals?

We say, think local now more than ever when it comes to your burger cravings.  Develop a solid understanding of where your beef comes from so you can eat with wild abandon.  Here are our top 3 local, grass-fed beef ranchers and/or Co-ops we want to support: Painted Hills Natural Beef, Highland Oak Farm and Ford Farms.  Please consider doing the same.

The Maritime Heritage Festival will be taking place all weekend long at the RiverPlace Marina & Docks.  Here are some highlights of the planned public events:

Friday, July 24, 2009

2:00-4:00 pm:
- Arrival of boats:  Ship Flotilla & Water Parade

Saturday, July 25

10:00 am-4:00 pm:
- Maritime Festival Village (land displays, demonstrations boat building, children’s events, etc.)
- Civil War Naval & Cannon Demonstration
- Dockside Boat Show (many owners available for questions)
- Concours d’Elegance
- Musical performances from regional favorites
- Vintage boat rides (owners’ discretion)

11:00 am & 2:00 pm
- Vintage water skiing show

12:00 noon & 3:00 p.m.
- Civil War Cannon Fire

12:00 – 2:00 pm
- Music: White Rhino

4:00 pm
- Festival ends for the day

Sunday, July 26

10:00 am-4:00 pm
-  Maritime Festival Village (land displays, demonstrations boat building, children’s events, etc.)
- Civil War Naval & Cannon Demonstration
- Dockside Boat Show (many owners available for questions)
- Musical performances from regional favorites
- Vintage boat rides (owners’ discretion)

11:00 a.m. & 2:00 pm
- vintage water skiing & water sports demonstrations

12:00 pm & 3:00 pm
- Civil War Cannon Fire

12:00 – 2:00 pm
- Music: White Rhino

4:30 pm
- Festival Ends

And with a lot of new places on my research list (DBGB — loved it but more later), Mayahuel tequila Bar (wow), Ten Bells Natural wine bar, etc. I find that my first half of the to-dine list is always the things I crave.  AND, because I love sharing things that are worth every calorie, I am serving up my favs.

1. Must have me some Norma.  This is my favorite local pasta dish.  I had the pleasure of seeing Mario with 5 young kids (two in matching orange clogs, as I walked into Otto, very focused on having a few great contorni (we loved the sweet peas and ham, graced with a bit of heat and mint) and then a delicious dish of penne with perfectly chewy, crunchy roasted eggplant morsels, tossed with tomato sauce, fresh basil and buffalo ricotta.

2. Then, it’s time to have delivery — a meatloaf sammy from ‘WichCraft. This is my favorite lunch when working at my desk.  Ciabatta, great, flavorful meatloaf, a tad of sauce, good hard cheddar (nicely melted into the bread) and that’s heaven.

3. The world’s best pancakes.  Mitchell London (who, btw, also blows Magnolia Bakery away with his vanilla cupcakes) is in charge of the Café at Fairway.  His concept is to create a stack of as much golden brown texture as possible, basically quadruppling the carmelization in a traditional stack. Yowza!

4. It’s time for some pork buns.  Momofuko  Noodle Bar, his first and the one closest to my apartment is my favorite spot.  I always start with salty, sweet pork buns that ooze with umami and would probably be on my death row last meal list.

5. The Francophile in me must have at least one poached egg, lardon friseé salad at Balthazar within my first week.  (Although the one I had yesterday was not perfect, it still hit the spot).  Must go after 2:30, get a table in the back, always finish with the tarte du jour.  We had a lovely combination of peaches and plums with a few tart blackberries perched on the crunchy crust.

Now, I can begin to enjoy New New York.  My check-list is happily complete.

Ever been to Flora?  It’s a modern botanical boutique located in the heart of downtown Portland on 11th and Alder.  This little shop is owned by Herbalist Jewelie Randall who has her own line of herbal “io” products and has recently released a natural Botanical “Perfume” Balm Set that allows you to create your own personalized organic fragrance.  Each set is individually blended and hand poured by Jewelie.

The Botanical Balm Set includes five layerable solid scents – Adore, Pure, Dream, Restore, and Radiant.  Scents can be worn singly or blended and layered. My favorite concoction is mixing Radiant with Pure.

Jewelie doesn’t only sell wonderful handmade herbal products at Flora, she also sells great gift items, some made by local artists right here in Portland.  Jewelry, pure beeswax candles, potions, art and home decor – check out Flora.

Flora is located at 1130 SW Alder, Portland, OR 97205.  You can also visit http://florapdx.com/.

For more info on the festival and the 2009 participating wineries and restaurants click here.

PIWF/LAD team member Katie Burnett at the Oregon Wine Symposium Indie Wine Festival booth