Ground Crew After Hours Activities

The 2008 NARPM Ground Crew has organized the following after hour “fun” activities for the training conference in Portland. Sign-up sheets will be at the NARPM registration desk – but those outings with an asterisk (*) require early commitment. If interested, please contact the RPM organizing that specific outing.

Monday, July 7

*Bike Tour

The Bike tour will begin at approximately 5:30 PM. The bike shop we will be using is Waterfront Bikes located at 10 SW Ash Street - corner of SW Naito Parkway (formerly Front Avenue) and Ash. The bike shop is conveniently located 1 block from the MAX station. Take the MAX from the Lloyd Center/11th Avenue stop to the Skidmore Fountain stop and walk one block towards the river to the bike shop. We will need to leave the Doubletree promptly at the close of Monday's session to get in time for everyone to pick up bikes, get them checked out and get on the road.

The bike tour will take approximately 1.5 hours which is convenient because the bike shop closes at 7:00 PM. There are approximately 30 hybrid bikes available. The bike tour is relatively flat. The only hill of any kind is crossing the Sellwood Bridge.

It is highly recommended that you reserve your bike ahead of time to make sure that one is available for you. The weather in Portland is generally good in July (once the Pacific high moves in around the 1st of July, Portland actually gets very little rain until the fall rains begin in October). This will be a rain or shine event.; dress according to the weather and wear comfortable clothes for biking.

Please reserve your bike on line at the following link: www.waterfrontbikes.net/index.html

Reserve your bike from 5:30 to close. When you reserve your bike, please make sure you provide your height—this will help the bike shop staff in getting the bike ready—and put NARPM down in the notes portion of the on-line registration form.

Pub Crawl

RPM Dennis Faulk is arranging for social time and dinner with your fellow RPMs at some of Portland's famous microbreweries on Monday evening. Some walking and transit involved! Look for meeting location and time at registration.

Tuesday, July 8

*Guided Evening Kayak Tour to Ross Island

This professionally guided kayak tour will last 2-3 hours and cost $47. RPM Laura Buelow will lead a group to and from the launch point for this Willamette River adventure, which starts at 6 pm and includes a safety briefing (no kayaking experience required). The kayak rental company provides a guide and accessories (life jackets, etc.). Please contact Laura by COB Monday June 16 at 509 376-5466 or buelow.laura@epa.gov if you are interested, as there is a minimum and maximum number for a dedicated guide. Ross Island has a wildife refuge. Additional information: www.portlandkyack.com

Chinatown dinner and Underground Tour

RPM Alicia Boyd will lead a group outing to Chinatown for dinner (Chinese food, natch) and a 90-minute walking tour of Portland’s seamy underside! (The City of Roses was one of several West Coast seaports where shanghaiing, a nefarious recruitment method, was practiced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unsuspecting young men were drugged and hauled into the tunnels, only to wake up later as new crew members aboard ships bound for Asia.) You can sign up for either or both.

The tour is $19 Adults, $15 Senior (65 & up), Youth (11-17), $5 Child (5-10). Dinner will also be on your dime, of course. http://members.tripod.com/cgs-mthood/shanghai_tunnels_FAQ.htm.

Wednesday, July 9

Live Music, free

RPM Larry Gadbois will lead a group to McMenamin’s "Kennedy School" restaurant for a free concert in the old school gym.

The Freak Mountain Ramblers will play rock 'n roll, bluegrass, alternative country, and country blues. You can buy pizza by the slice as well as beer and wine. Take local transit to and from the performance (fare is $1.75 each way). The Kennedy School is 3.5 miles from the hotel (5736 NE 33rd Ave., Portland, Oregon 97211). Additional information: www.mcmenamins.com

City bus #10 will get people to and from the performance. The last two buses back to the hotel depart at 9:01 and 10:03 PM. Buses to the Kennedy School depart at 5:11, 5:26, 5:41, 6:00, and 6:24. We take bus “10 NE 33rd Ave to Sunderland" to the event, and "10 NE 33rd Ave to Portland" for the return trip. Additional Information: trimet.org

Summer Ice Skating

RPM Rob Lobos will lead an outing to the nearby (short walk) Lloyd Center for an evening of skating (hours: 7:30 – 9:30 pm). Admission + skate rental $6 - $9 (depending if group rate applies. Free skate rental for people over 50)
www.lloydcenterice.com

Thursday, July 10

Pizza and Volleyball (and BYOB) at Overlook Park

Overlook Park is a short walk and light-rail ride from the hotel, with great views of Portland Harbor. Join us there for the annual NARPM pizza, beer, and volleyball gathering. Yes, you’ll be asked to pay to offset costs for the park, pizza and beverages—but it’s a blast! Look for sign-ups at the registration desk.

Pending

We may have someone to lead the following group trips below--stay tuned! Or plan to go on your own.

Best of Portland Walking Tour - $19, this tour highlights Portland's charms. For more information, visit
Additional Information: www.portlandwalkingtours.com

Live outdoor music Wednesday: Fernando Viviconte plays a free outdoor concert Thursday, downtown near the Center for the Performing Arts from 5 – 7 pm. Easy transit! 1111 SW Broadway Street.
Additional Information: www.fernandoviciconte.com