Does anyone know if his cafe is open? I know I saw before that he was going to have it open in July. I have not seen anything more about it.

Rock & Roll Cafe: R.I.P.

Well I know it closed back in May or around there, but I saw on his website that it was going to reopen in late July of this year. But that's the last I thing that I have seen about it. I guess he must not have gotten it back open.

Where is Mrs Merkin. She told me something very recently as in the last couple of weeks that she had recieved an e-mail regarding to an announcement about a new owner/concept in that location soon.

Paging Mrs Merkin, Paging Mrs Merkin please pick up the white courtesy phone!

I thought she posted here a while back it was going to be some kiddie-themed place, because she said something about it being great for Baby Merkin, but not the rest of us.

I see. A kiddie-themed place? wow. that would be quite a transformation. Perhaps Mark Lindsay's Rock and Roll Preschool? Hehhh. Well Mrs Merkin if you ever do see this please let me know. I live in the Bay Area, but i'm a Portland native. my first 28 years. I enjoy knowing about the going's on in my hometown.

Thanks all for your help.

The Laurelwood across the street is a kid friendly brew pub so it is something that apparently works in that neighborhood.

I seem to remember that location used to be "Cascade Piano".

That's what it was before the building was renovated.

The local, NE based, Star newspaper reports this week, negotiations with a possible new tenant have broken down and the landlords have renewed efforts to find a new tenant.

The original Laurelwood pub has morphed into a Laurelwood Pizza joint which hopefully no longer has the hordes of screaming kids running out of control around the place with their attendant yuppie parents ignoring them.

The Laurelwood pub has expanded/moved into the place on NE Sandy that was ocupied by Sylvias theater.RIP

For an adult drink and plenty of second hand smoke, the Moon and Sixpence pub on NE 42nd is recommended.

"hopefully no longer has the hordes of screaming kids running out of control around the place with their attendant yuppie parents ignoring them. "

I just love hearing the expertise of non-parents on parenting. Makes for some very entertaining reading.

Chris - it's not non-parental expertise on parenting. It's non-parental exaspiration at parents who take their kids out to restaurants they don't belong at until they've learned to be civil -- putting their own desire to have a "nice meal" without a babysitter above the justifiable expectations of childless diners that their evening won't be ruining by someone else's little monsters "just being kids."

Put kids first by giving 'em a home cooked meal and teaching them manners.

We've had this discussion before. We chose not to bring our kids to places because we felt that people would give us that "your kid is out of control look."

When kids are very young it is by far THE most difficult time as parents. We parents make lots of mistakes trying to learn the ropes. In many other societies and cultures parents get lots of help, but not in American culture for the most part. You do this alone and when your kid messes up at 4 years of age, you're considered a lousy parent. Talk about pressure.

But you get that same "look" at the grocery store, taking a walk and even at church. Moms get the "look" more often than not because of our societal norms. Sometimes, not always, us men get a pass because "its so nice to see a man involved with his kids."

It's a tough call Terry. You want to do family oriented things with your kids. Give them experiences and not just Chucky Cheese.

I agree putting kids first is important, but unless you've walked in a parents shoe and earned the stripes of sleepless nights and foggy days, you'll get little sympathy from most parents.

I am a parent and the hordes of screaming kids at the Laurelwood was over the top.

I have no problem with non parents expecting children to have manners in public places.

I do have a problem with parents in such establishments acting as though they are in their own tiny bubble enjoying their dinner while thier offspring terrorize the place.

Hopworks on Powell has the same kid friendly policy and I have seen the same out of control behaviour from 2 year olds while their oblivious parents carry on their dinner conversation seemingly unable to notice their progeny.

Alas, we are not going to solve this problem on a radio board.

Not a good choice to have to decide between a nice dinner and a beer in a day care center of a pub or a smoke filled joint but with no kids...

I agree Notalent.

If you know an establishment offers these kinds of perks for the parents and kids then maybe a different eatery or pub is called for.

Portland is blessed with many great places to dine and share a brew.

What I wonder is if the kids get any time at all to act as, well, kids.

One day I heard that some places are offering 3-year olds classes on concentration. At the same time, they're not allowed to get any sort of physical activity at home, can't go to the park because their parents think it's unsafe, can't actually play on the playground at school when they get to that age because the school is too concerned about liability (I've actually heard about this one), have to sit through school classes involving memorization and regurgitation instead of solving things creatively, etc..., and it's no wonder some of the kids these days are as messed up as they are.

I haven't even touched on the fact that these days, you're not really raising your own kids, you're raising a child of the state... even if you're blood-related to them. But that's a different rant for another time (and probably a different message board altogether).

Newflyer...it's a good rant nonetheless.

There are bad parents who should never have had kids. There are good parents who make bad decisions and choices from time to time. My wife and I take those honors.

I believe you shouldn't let anyone else raise your kids if at all possible. I really respect single parents for what they have to deal with day to day.

There are appropriate stages for kids at different ages. When a child for whatever reason isn't allowed to go through those stages at the right time they will show up in their adult life at the most inappropriate times.

"Alas, we are not going to solve this problem on a radio board."

On the contrary, Politics and other things is THE place on the internet to resolve things. There is no shortage of folks there who have the answer for everything.

Yes, this thread took a sharp turn from its topic. Moved over to the other side...