Annie's Donut Shop

The first time I ate at Annie's Donuts was in 1999. Willy Vlautin of the band Richmond Fontaine asked me to meet him there. It was his favorite donut shop. His band was releasing their new album "Lost Son" and we were meeting to discuss a new publicity campaign. I had lived on the east side of Portland for a few years but I had never been to Annie's Donuts. Willy wanted to meet in the late afternoon because he knew that was when they put out the fresh donuts for the cops and late shift workers. We got there and the donuts were still warm.

Not much has changed at Annie's Donuts since then. The lady behind the counter is still very sweet and helpful and the donuts are still delicious. The building has a great old diner atmosphere with yellow molded benches and a glass counter full of fresh donuts. They also have a cold case full of milk and juice and they serve good basic hot coffee that is a nice balance to the sugary sweetness of the donuts.

It is still my spot to go on a Saturday morning!

Annie's serves: Apple Fritters, Applesauce Cake Donuts, Bismarcks, Whipped Cream and Chocolate Bars, Assorted Twists, Buttermilk Bars, Maple Bars, Raised Glazed and Old Fashioned Cake Donuts. No vegan options.

The donuts range from sixty - ninety cents each and a cup of coffee is $1.

You can check out more reviews on line at Yelp.

Annie's Donut Shop, 3449 NE 72nd, 503-284-2752

Old Time Square Dancing is back in Portland Oregon

1995 in Portland Oregon saw the beginning of an old time music revival. Young bands like Pig Iron, The Foghorn Stringband and The Dickel Brothers took up playing old time music seriously and began to perform in clubs and tour around the country.

Out of their love of old-time music and dancing - callers Bill Martin and Michael Ismerio rounded up these bands and started a monthly square dance 2001. This dance grew for a decade into a community square dance that drew hundreds of folks of all ages each month to the McMenamin’s Kennedy School and to festivals like the Pickathon in the summer.

When the McMenamin’s carpeted over the old wooden floor of the Kennedy School gym the old time square dance community lost their centrally located and family friendly dance venue.

Now square dance callers Bill Martin and Caroline Oakley are reviving this monthly community square dance at  Peoples Co-op in Portland Oregon. It will be on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm. This dance is for all ages and all abilities.


For more information on all kinds of dances in Portland go to the Portland Dancing website.


Here is a great video about square dancing in Portland Oregon: Not Your Grandparent's Square Dance from Doug Plummer on Vimeo.

Not Your Grandparent's Square Dance from Doug Plummer on Vimeo.
For more info on old time music in Portland, Oregon go to www.bubbaville.com

Watch Oregon Public Broadcasting's art program "Oregon Art Beat" featuring the Old Time Music and Dance Scene in Portland Oregon.