Political blogger TA Barnhart from the Oregon News Incubator sits down to discuss his views and picks for this month's races in City Council, County Commission, Metro President and Governor.

[NOTE: POD PLAYER IS NOW LOCATED IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN OF THIS PAGE]

The film "Avatar" dominated the Golden Globes last night.  In a much more low profile but no less momentous event, publisher Cornelius Swart and film critic Alex Peterson sat down last Friday and debated the highs and lows of the film. The debate comes in the wake of Peterson's review, which trashed the award-winning, box office-busting film.  In this epic podcast [recorded at Eddie's Flat Iron Pizza], Swart, who saw the film in 3D, and Peterson, who saw it twice in 2D, argue over the importance of the film's technical achievement and narrative disappointment, tying in watershed films like "Snow White," "The Matrix," and "Spy Kids 3D." Finally, the two titillatingly speculate on the potential future of 3D CGI pornography. 
[We apologize in advance for rough audio quality, Cornelius's tendency to shout into the mic and Alex's case of the sniffles]

As promised in the November Street Edition, this episode of the nPodcast features a discussion about the film Where the Wild Things Are AND a celebrity interview with Max Records's former fencing instructor: St Johns's own Rocky Beech. Sentinel film critic Alex Peterson and managing editor Cornelius Swart go back and forth on whether or not the film is intended for kids, or adults who still wish they were nine.

In this edition of the nPodcast, Sentinel film critic Alex Peterson and (former filmmaker and) Managing Editor Cornelius Swart discuss the film A Serious Man. Peterson and Swart share their very different views on the film's message about the meaning of life, suffering and whether the Coen brothers are mean-spirited. They do agree, however, that A Serious Man is a smart 'crossword puzzle' of a film.  Spoiler alert- the specifics of the end of the film are discussed in general terms.

Produced by Cornelius Swart and Apricot Irving [8 minutes]
This edition of the nPodcast features an audio sample of interviews from the recently released oral history CD entitled Boise Voices.  The CD was produced by Apricot Irving and was funded through a partnership with the NE Colation of Neighbors, the City of Portland and KBOO.  This moving audio documentary contains a series of interviews conducted between local school children and neighborhood elders.  The work is strung together with the subtle use of music and a masterfully light editorial hand that brings the vibrant and often harrowing past of the Boise and Eliot neighborhoods to life.  CD's are available at Mississippi business such as Hovel and Sunlan Lighting for $10 or through the project's highly interactive website.

Video and Report ~ Andrew R. Tonry, photos by Jason E Kaplan, POD playlist below

“When you get here, just come on in to the garage — we’ll probably be rocking out,” says Shane de Leon, giving directions to his home. “And I mean rocking!”

On arrival, the garage door is wide open. Toward the back of the room, behind the two monolithic steel letterpresses and beneath a hand-painted mural, there is a drum set, keyboard, and a cluster of amps. Nine-and-a-half-year-old Kirkland Leach and de Leon, his bandmate, are between songs.

NPODCAST: NoFest Special Edition Part 2    WARNING EXPLICT LYRICS   [10 minutes]

Outtakes from an interview with event founders Sean Ongely and Jeffery Helwig and songs and samples from bands featured at June 27th's No.Fest in downtown St Johns.

SONGS

1) Shurpa-entire song

2) Illmaculate with DaiN- entire song

3) In C- sample

4) Evolutionary Jass Band Live from No.Fest 08- sample

5) Dead Air Freshers Live from No.Fest 08- sample (band pictured above at Disjecta-click photo for link to flickr) more at www.nofest.net and Sentinel coverage at www.portlandsentinel.com/nofest

~ produced by Cornelius Swart and Sean Ongely, Sentinel News Service and KBOO

NPODCAST SPECIAL EDITION: NoFest Part 1                         [13 minutes long..eek!]

Cornelius Swart sits down at KBOO's studios with NoFest founders (second to speak) Sean Ongeley and Jeffery Helwig (third to speak). The three talk about the Wooley Mamonth Dance Troupe, St Johns own battle rap star Illmaculate, the Evolutionary Jass band and other acts that will pack downtown St Johns for an intense 12 hour  interdisciplinary cacophony of sights and sounds.  Now in its second year, how does NoFest differ from Seattle's Bumbershoot or Portland's TBA festivals? Push play and listen to a fascinating talk about this free for all collision of experimental art, noise music, DIY spirit and neighborhood values. Music samples from NoFest acts to follow. NoFest June 27th, 10am-10pm, downtown St Johns. more at www.nofest.net all Sentinel NoFest coverage here

~ Produced by Sean Ongeley and Cornelius Swart, KBOO and The Sentinel News Service
 

Produced by Allison Millionis, featuring Online and News Editor Rebecca Robinson [ 7 minutes ]

The Sentinel crew chat it up about neighborhood events coming your way this June, including a tribute to the Precinct formerly known as North.   Also: don't forget about the North American Organic Brewers (aka beer) Festival in Overlook Park this June 26th. 

Glug, glug, glug!

~ report and video by Becca Bartleson

About 150 people showed up at Jefferson High School Saturday morning to participate in the last Portland Public Schools meeting on district wide restructuring. The meeting was held in North Portland after public outcry that no input was solicited from the Roosevelt and Jefferson community, two schools likely to be affected.

An uncommon diversity of age and racial demographics was present, fitting well with the community and administration’s focus: equity among schools.

 ~ Sean Farrell 

Entertainment Division

~ produced and recorded by Cornelius Swart RUN TIME 33 MINUTES

On April 25th the Farnell Newton Project, a jazz trio fronted by St Johns resident played ‘Round Midnight a new late night jazz venue on NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Set within the deep burgundy curtains and red walls of the Curious Comedy Club, ‘Round Midnight now in its third week, is the creation of David Ornette Cherry, a recent transplant from Los Angeles.

Cherry has come from distinguished jazz lineage but has created ‘Round Midnight to promote local jazz performers.

SENTINEL NEWS SERVICE: Entertainment Division

This POD was record at the Kenton Club, April 19th, during the Rainstick Cowbell CD release party.  The event featured several bands connected with North Pole Records.  Dramady is a multi-instrumental music duo made up of Amanda Wiles and Zac Stanely. 

nPodcast producer Allision Millionis, Editor Cornelius Swart and Assistant and Online Editor Rebecca Robinson talk in the second part of a two part nPodcast, recorded last Friday, January 23rd.

Part 2: North Precinct and the Awesome
The second installment of this episode will include a discussion of the proposal to close North Precinct [meeting Wednesday Jan 27th]. Also, assistant and online editor Rebecca Robinson joins in to talk about how, despite recent events, the community remains an awesome place to live and work.

  SENTINEL NEWS SERVICE

Part 1: The Mayor and the Media

As the city holds its breath waiting to hear what Mayor Sam Adams will do in the face of recent controversy, nPodcast producer Allison Millionis and Sentinel Editor Cornelius Swart sat down to discuss community reaction and editorials in the Oregonian, Tribune, and Just Out calling for Adam's resignation.

Part 2: North Precinct and the Awesome
The second installment of this episode will include a discussion of the proposal to close North Precinct. Also, assistant and online editor Rebecca Robinson joins in to talk about how, despite recent events, the community remains an awesome place to live and work.

~Produced by Cornelius Swart
 

In a special entertainment podcast this week, we listen to a live recording of North Portland musician and stalwart Larry Yes.  Yes goes way back in the local music scene and current lives in a Kenton home that includes band members of groups like Narwhal Vs Narwhal, The Pink Widower, Dramady, and Roller Ball (ok, it's like 3 people, Larry Yes, Amanda Wiles and Zac Stanely, who are in all the same bands together). All the same, Larry is a local musical legend.  This recording was bootlegged at the East End Pub last Friday, January 16th.  Larry has a full band now, and also played North Portland's Cherry Sprout Produce the next day.  The show at the East End featured Larry's kick drum - made from of an old suitcase - and his new backup band.  Indie band Yogoman leader Jordan Rain, sporting a shirt with a picture of a unicorn puking up a rainbow, sat in on drums. The band also included Ivy Green on vocals, Tousant Perratc on trombone, and Nate Lombard on bass and clarinet.

When George Daniels purchased the building in 1993, he too had a vision for 8804 N Interstate Ave. — a friendly neighborhood strip club that his “mother could walk in and not be ashamed of.” His son, Dan Daniels, who now runs the show at Dancin’ Bare, says George always wanted his club to be tasteful. He treated his dancers like his own daughters and his patrons like guests.  “He saw stripping as just another form of artistic expression,” says Daniels.

SENTINEL NEWS SERVICE
 

Producer Allison Millionis says a few words about the stories the Sentinel covered in 2008 and hints at a story she is working on for this Wednesday's Street Edtion of the Sentinel.  Enjoy a brief New Year's podcast. Its still has that fresh 'new podcast' smell.

The nPodcast makes its return with a telephone interview between Managing Editor Cornelius Swart and moderator Judith Mowry.  In anticipation of this coming Monday's discussion about the article Doggie Tales, the podcast briefly goes over some of the ideas behind the Full Circle model of journalism, and why the two got behind the topic of dogs and gentrification.

Full Circle Discussion Group on Monday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Luther Hall, Concordia University, 2811 NE Holman.  Call the Sentinel for information: 503-724-9992

In this week's nPodcast Cornelius Swart speaks with reporter Sean Cocker about his article Skateboarders without Boarders and the controversy it's kicked up among readers.  Stay kool.