Full Service with Icicles

Astoria, Oregon ~ February 7, 2014
Yesterday at 3:49 PM on Marine Drive.
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"End of the World Haircuts" by Amy Ryding

Astoria, Oregon ~ Photo by Amy Ryding
Remember the Mayan calendar thing?
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Drive-by Astoria #14: Uniontown

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 15, 2012

Marine Drive, Uniontown

Still on our drive-by excursion, we pass some buildings in the short stretch of Marine Drive called Uniontown that were apparently built as houses, but most often are home to small businesses. I enjoyed the funky and eclectic "Captain Fishhead's Emporium," or whatever the official name was, but it's emptied out now. Stores in this area have ranged from the fun and funky to the downright sleazy. I got my favorite shoes mended in this vicinity, so that was quite useful. You can see in the upper left of the photo how the bridge ramp vaults into the air at a nice clip.

What are your favorite or least favorite places in Uniontown?

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Come on In

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 9, 2012

Here are a couple of signs you'll find inside the front door at 10th and Marine Drive seen in Tuesday's post. The white banister runs across the top of the wide stairway leading to the basement; stairs begin just to the right of the photo. Someone has created an indoor-outdoor feel around both the front and back entrances that I find very pleasant and inviting.

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Antiques

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 12, 2012

I've always liked this antique building that sells antiques on Marine Drive. I'm not sure if it's open for business. I think it's been closed for a very long time, but if anyone knows, I'm interested. I could try to notice next time I go by. If I remember, it used to look closed even when it was open.

I like the details, like the odd-shaped windows and those things with the flowers. Deco decor, I would imagine. The front door, such as it is, is around to the right on Marine drive. What you see here is a paved alley.

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Reflections on Tenth Street

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 23, 2010

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Lines and Shadows

Astoria, Oregon ~ April 10, 2009

Bornstein Seafoods (on the River Walk)

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Fernhill Glass

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 21, 2010

December 21 being another gray day (no, not here!), my attention was captured by the bright flags and banners at the front and back doors of Fernhill Glass on Exchange. I've shown the back door first, because I like the view down a level to the back of the Astor Hotel on Duane Avenue.

Here is the banner and sign at the front door on Exchange. I didn't go in, but I've heard reports that the glass blowing is quite fun and you can take home brightly-colored creations for your window sill.

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Bird in a Window

Astoria, Oregon ~ June 1, 2008

This window has been empty as long as I can remember. Does anyone know the story? I took the photo in 2008, but I don't remember anything changing since then. The building is at the top of 8th Street.

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Theme Day: "Photo of the year 2010"

Astoria, Oregon ~ July 5, 2010

Taken from the Holiday Inn Express, 3rd Floor

Theme Day (the first of each month) is a big event at City Daily Photo. Although Astoria Daily Photo is a member web site, I don't often remember to participate in theme days. The theme today is, "Photo of the year 2010." Although we've had beautiful contributions from guest photographers this year, I decided to choose among my own for theme day. I think I chose the above photo as the standout for first place because it has a surreal quality unlike any of my other photos this year, a Classical quality with the arched window - and of course, I love the subject of the bridge and the Columbia River.

May you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011. And my fondest thanks to all blog-visiting friends and everyone who helped Astoria Daily Photo grow this year!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

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The Windsor House of Tea

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 23, 2010

Thanks for bearing with the same photo for a few days. I decided to take a break. I'm back, and will be pulling random photos out of the archives this week. The business is not more, but the building remains. Would anyone like to share their fond memories either in the comments or by e-mail? I visited once, treated by my friend Lisa. The baked treats were spectacularly flavorful and decadent. I'm sorry to say that because of that and the engaging conversation, I don't even remember the tea. (It was a few years ago.) It was also one of my not-too-many forays into the basement of Astoria. I love these Art Deco buildings along Marine Drive between 9th and 10th.

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Photo Contest: Five from Robbie Mattson

Guest Photographer: Robbie Mattson

The first two photos continue the Halloween theme. The first is the window of a new venue in town: Pier Pressure. I hadn't heard of it, but it sounds like a great new artistic addition to our community, so you might want to check it out here.

Next comes a close-up of one of the windows of our Halloween house from October 31. By the way, this house is owned by town founders, the Flavel family. They don't keep up or rent out most of their commercial properties, either, but those don't have the spooky charm of this place. All I know about those properties is, they are downtown, they are a mess, and I tried to rent one one time. Mrs. Flavel said she would show it to me "in the Spring" of whatever year that was. Someone else told me, "That will never happen," and of course it didn't. Long story, won't go into it now, but I know that many, many Astorians would like to see good tenants or new owners. The buildings beg to have someone care about them. Pigeons, rain, you get the picture. Someone said, "Every town has a family like that." I'm not sure if that's true, but Astoria sure does. Onward. . . .

Robbie said, "I couldn't let the contest pass by without my pictures of what feels like the real Astoria to those who grew up there. . . ." I have put the two photos in reverse order, so . . . "The second......A visit to Astoria is not complete without the Custard King. People think that it sells custard, but those that grew up in Astoria know it's just the best ice cream spot in town. A football game, and a stop at the Custard King to meet your friends in the parking lot, made a cold fall night complete."

Since we're in reverse order: "The first.....The Fisherman. Those that are my age (gradulate of the class of 1969) will remember the infamous cheer: "Lutefisk, Lutefisk, Lefse, Lefse - - - We are the Fishermen, Sure ya all, You Betcha". Unique cheer for Astoria!

"We can even recall The Fisherman being painted on the walls of the old Junior High gym (upper, not lower gym) where Kindergarten Cop was filmed, and the struggle each of us had trying to climb those darn ropes hanging from the ceiling of the old gym!"

Thanks so much for those bits of Astoria culture, Robbie! The photo above was taken in the town of Jewell, not too far away, where Robbie's "Jewell Garage" photo was also taken.

These were great. Thanks, Robbie! For the next few days, I'll continue posting contest photos that were sent in during October.

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Photo Contest: "Car at the Cannery Pier Hotel"

Guest Photographer: Carrie Schwartzenberger

Today's entry comes in two styles: tweaked and original. Which is your favorite?

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Photo Contest: "A Room with a Very Affordable View"

Astoria, Oregon, Upstairs in Pier 11

Guest Photographer: Riki

Riki calls this place "A Little Piece of Heaven on Pier 11." One might also call it, "A Little Bit of Hawaii in Astoria," although it doesn't sound as poetic. I've always wondered what it looked like from the top of the Pier 11 Building. Here's the view across the river to Washington and to the fishing operation on the next pier. And the inside looks sooooo inviting! Has anyone noticed the weather report? It seems our beautiful fall weather is coming to an end very soon. This would certainly be a comfy place to watch one of our winter storms!

I learned that Malama Day Spa is one of Astoria's newest businesses - if not THE newest, having opened on October 8th. I have not been to visit yet, but I expect to soon! Riki and her mom (who still lives in Hawaii) spent hours at the beginning of the month getting the place ready to open. Here are a few particulars. Check out the links:

"Malama Day Spa is on Pier 11, in Astoria and is currently offering 20% off your first service. See their blog at http://riki-malamadayspa.blogspot.com/ or visit their website at http://www.malamadayspa.qwestoffice.net/. Phone: 503-325-8233. This is not your average spa. Prepare to RELAX and be pampered affordably. Mahalo!"

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Inside the Captain's Plunder Trove

September 19, 2010

Captain Fishhead will tell you he painted all the walls himself. I have to say, I like his colors.

Hats hang overhead . . . and there's lots more. Yesterday I posted the outside of the store, and someone asked for a better description of the location. The address is 311 Marine Drive. If you're coming from the direction of Warrenton, it's just past the turn onto the Astoria-Megler Bridge and just on the west side of Uniontown. In this case, it will be on your right as you enter Astoria.

The jeweled lady has a story. I was too busy looking around me to hear it. She has tiled legs and garters.

An eclectic mix. (I hit the wrong key and typed "eclectic ox." That could also be correct.

One of Fishhead's namesakes. I asked where the tapestry came from, and the captain said he didn't know. He chooses pieces because he likes them. You probably will, too. I also asked what he called such a collection of stuff. It's not an antique store. It's hard to call it a "junk store," one of my old favorite terms, and it's not a thrift store. He said people seemed to like the word "plunder," so unless someone comes up with a better description, I think I'll refer to it as Captain Fishhead's Plunder Trove.

You can see the lion on the front porch on one of my other blogs.

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Captain Fishhead Moves His Plunder

Captain Fishhead's treasure trove of "Furniture, Books, Plunder" has recently moved from its east end location to the west end of Astoria. It's hard to miss coming in or out of town, and you really should not miss it.

The items on the porch and around the front of the building give just a taste of what you'll find inside. The quality is good, the prices are reasonable, and there is virtually something for everyone, from music to kitch to art to the completely undefinable. Tomorrow we'll look beyond the front door of what used to be the old porn shop . . . uh . . . adult store. 

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Coastal Produce

August 13, 2010

A number of gas stations (I can no longer call them "service" stations) along Marine Drive either sit empty these days or are being used short-term or long-term for other businesses. I've enjoyed stopping at Coastal Produce to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables. The gas station buildings are unused for the original purpose because we now have big companies, notably Safeway and Fred Meyer, selling gas on either end of town and because the tanks in these smaller, older gas stations have become leaky and nobody wants the expense of fixing and cleaning them up.

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Spiderman Lives Here

It seems that Spiderman lives at the corner of 14th Street and Commercial in Astoria, Oregon. It also happens to be the home of Amazing Stories. Go figure. Could there be a connection?

You've seen this building before - it's the Astor Hotel. I'll bet Superman would also enjoy leaping this tall building in a single bound.

See more Weekend Reflections from around the world.

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Lots of Lines

Some people separate sheep from goats. In Astoria, we separate Victorian from Deco. It's not because we like to segregate them, it's because two fires required the downtown to be rebuilt. This rock marks one of the corners of both fires. Behind me you will find a lot of Victorian architecture, and in front you will find mostly art deco, or in some cases just plain rectangular buildings.

The rock says:

THIS MARKER

IS NEAR THE SOUTH

WEST CORNER OF THE

BUSINESS DISTRICT OF

ASTORIA, OREGON, THAT WAS

DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1883

AND AGAIN IN 1922

The rock sits just past the street sign in the middle of the photo.

Here's the sign (at the corner of 9th and Exchange). If you follow Exchange for a few blocks, you'll come to another of the fire's landmarks, which I'll show another day. I read about it, but I don't think it has a marker like this corner has.

I took this photo of the Labor Temple a few paces down 9th Street toward the river. You can see clearly the deco influence in this building and the tan building on the right, which fronts on Commercial, the main street of downtown Astoria. Like many of the downtown buildings, the date, 1923, is stamped on the Labor Temple along with the building's name. Keeping up with the times, the Labor Temple Diner & Bar has its own page on Facebook. And here's an earthy review of the venerated landmark. I suppose "language or content warning" is appropriate on the second link, but I think it gives a true picture of what you'll find there, and it has a photo of the inside.

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The Biggest Rhododendron Bush in Astoria

May 14, 2010

Lee pointed out this rhododendron bush at 15th Street and Exchange as being the biggest rhodie in town. I don't think I'd disagree. It seems the colors tend to bloom at different times. The reds and salmon came out first, then the various pinks and whites. There are some purple rhodies I'm keeping my eye on for future blog posts. They are almost ready. On a rainy day like today with gray skies the past two days, it's good to remember that we sometimes see such a stunningly beautiful, unpolluted blue up above.

The building behind the rhododendron is Angel Medical.

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