Author Archives: Michael Edward Browning

About Michael Edward Browning

Upon moving from Portland, Oregon to Seattle in 1989, Michael immediately immersed himself in the local music scene. Within two years he had established himself, and City Heat: Seattle's Music Magazine, as a viable voice in the global spotlight that shone on the Emerald City in the early 90's. Here you'll find his past publishing (as well as current thoughts) as he prepares to publish Seattle's Music Scene Series. Already available at Amazon.com is the first title on Kindle format: 1990: Seattle's Music Scene Distorts As 80's Glam Goes 90's Grunge.

Heaven’s Gate Cottages [Pacific Northwest – May 1993]

Section: Weekends

Heaven’s Gate Cottages

50055/18 McKenzie Highway, Vida, OR 97488
(503/541) 822-3214 /896-3855

Whatever the season, a back-porch perch at Heaven’s Gate is recommended for viewing the river slipping by.

From that particular perch, the particular river would be the McKenzie. Widely esteemed in trout and steelhead circles, the shallow waters of the McKenzie offer thrills to all ages and attitudes. Whether it’s adrenalin-inducing white-water rafting or sleep-inducing aqua-gazing, the McKenzie fills the bill.

A little less than three hours from Portland and six hours from Seattle, Heaven’s Gate Cottages lie nestled along the river’s north bank on Highway 126, 45 minutes east of Interstate 5 at Eugene-Springfield. The drive into the foothills is a pleasant farewell to the lean concrete of the interstate.

In the summer, angling is an obvious lure at Heaven’s Gate Cottages. The McKenzie is known for its game fish. With the river virtually underfoot, a novice would have no trouble casting from the deck, but the area is full of other options.

The water alone offers many. First comes fishing for the big one. If you’re no trout expert, you can accompany a fishing guide.

If being on the water is what you crave, there are even more options. For timid porch-sitters, there are scenic riverboat rides; for adventuresome thrill-chasers, there are white-water rafting trips.

Also, nearby facilities rent floating devices such as a kayak or a motorized flatboat.
While the river itself is much too treacherous for water-skiing or windsurfing, those too are mere moments away. The Cougar and Blue River reservoirs are within 15 minutes.

Head up the Cascades to Fish Lake, just 45 minutes away, and you notice that the area along the McKenzie Highway is full of recreational and scenic spots. Stream fishers find an abundance of picturesque sites, including Belknap Springs, Lost Springs, and Sahalie Falls.

Natural phenomena are found at Sawyers Ice Cave near the lava fields, about an hour east of Heaven’s Gate. Farther cast is the pioneer-style city of Sisters. Beloved for its western classic quaintness and one-of-a-kind shops, Sisters makes for an excellent lazy afternoon.

Pacific Northwest - Heaven's Gate Cottages [May 1993]

Pacific Northwest – Heaven’s Gate Cottages [May 1993]

When the sun sets, get ready for blissful isolation – if that’s what you want. Even though the cottages have full kitchens and even a Weber out back – ready for your choice of grillables – some people simply prefer not to cook.

You’re in luck. The Forest Glen (Blue River), a mere five minutes east, has good food and a lounge at reasonable prices. The Log Cabin Restaurant and Lounge (McKenzie Bridge), the Village Cafe (Nimrod), and the Riverside Inn and Ike’s Pizza (both in Vida) are all within about 20 minutes via back roads and offer ample epicurean diversity. Breakfast can be had at the Whitewater Cafe (Blue River) or the Vida Cafe (yes, in Vida) any time after 7:00 a.m.

Heaven’s Gate manager Mary Mitchell knows the neighborhood and is glad to point the way. She’s just up and across the road at the yellow house behind the Heaven’s Gate sign, and she commutes to the cottages on a custom golf cart covered with banners and hearts.

As you learn later – after a rigorous day in the woods and the dinner of your choice – while lounging by the fire with the sound of water all around you, this environment can’t help but kindle romance.

In fact, it’s not unheard-of for couples to abandon all plans after checking in. Once you see the potential for private relaxation, you may not want to open
the door again until your departure.

Relaxing in the warm comfort and rustic air of the Moon River (one of four cottages – two one-bedroom units and two studios) evokes memories of a distant, gentler time.

Studios ($61, double occupancy) house a queen-size bed with a davenport that folds down into a double bed. Both a queen and a double bed occupy the bedroom of the larger units ($70, double occupancy), with a fold-out davenport in the living room.

Each extra person costs only $6 – not a bad rate – but most would agree this is more of a couples thing just the same.

-Michael Browning

[2013 revision goes here]

Seattle Newsline [PULSE! – April 1993]

Hammer vs. Hammerbox: Numb
The End Unleashed: NW Aids Foundation, Seattle Art Institute, Mudhoney, Flop, Young Fresh Fellows, Best Kissers In The World, Sky Cries Mary, Supersuckers
Seattle Music Scene, Volume 1: Sadhappy, The Pleasure Elite, Spoonbender, Reckless X, Fosso, Sisters of Lars, Transient Love, Grin
Poison Idea & Jeff Dahl – Stiv Bators Tribute: Angry Samoans, Dead Boys

Sir Mix-A-Lot at The Paramount [Seattle Post-Intelligencer – 12/01/92]

Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Tuesday, December 1, 1992
Sir Mix-A-Lot shakes things up in fund-raiser

Review
Sir Mix-A-Lot, Kid Sensation, N2Deep and Paperboy, rap concert, Sunday night at the Paramount Theatre.

By Michael Browning
Special to the P-l

It was a triumphant night of Seattle rap and hip-hop that brought young people together in support of an even younger member of the community. In a show Sunday night at the 2,800-seat Paramount Theatre, local rap star Sir Mix-A-Lot staged a concert to help raise money for a bone-marrow transplant for a 3-year-old Tacoma girl. Janai Cante spent her third birthday watching the show from a wheelchair in the wings, ever-present smile blazing. Proceeds from the sold-out, S15-a-person show will be combined with money raised over the last few weeks by members of the Seahawks, Mariners and University of Washington Huskies football team. (Those wishing lo contribute to the campaign to raise the more than $250,000 needed for the bone-marrow transplant can donate money to the Janai Cante benefit account at any U.S. Bank branch.)

Sir Mix-A-Lot, who went to the top of the national singles charts this year with his hit song “Baby Got Back.” brought along his long-time protege, Seattle rapper Kid Sensation. But first on stage in this hometown hip-hop test were the group Paperboy, made up of four young performers in need of more experience, and the slightly more entertaining duo N2 Deep.

Finally, “The Kid” hit the stage, treating the mostly teen-age crowd to the big-league sounds of hip-hop. Kid Sensation’s straight-forward set, punctuated by the songs “Seatown Ballers” and “The Weekend,” begged the question. “Why isn’t this guy bigger?” Mostly ignored by the black music community, Seattle rap artists continue to struggle for recognition on a national level. Hopefully, Sir Mix-A-Lot’s impact on the record charts this year will make that a little less of a struggle.

The high point in Kid Sensation’s performance featured a guest appearance by another young man in top form — the Mariners’ Ken Griffey Jr. — during the song “The Way I Swing.”

 

From behind the platform supporting the band, Sir Mix-A-Lot appeared in a mink jacket and his trademark fedora. Performing songs from his current album. “Mack Daddy,” along with old favorites like “My Hooptie” and “Beepers.” Mix carried the crowd along. New tunes “Swap Meet Louie” and “Testarossa” were eagerly received. But the classic “Posse on Broadway” brought the house down.

Surrounded by as many as six “posse” members and five female dancers, Sir Mix-A-Lot kept cool while watching the others sweat. The theatrics during a mock shakedown of his posse by a dancer in a police uniform on “One Time’s Got No Case” were almost laughable in light of the small army of Seattle police officers that greeted concertgoers when they arrived (the police assured that the show went on without incident).

Sir Mix-A-Lot

Rap artist Sir Mix-A-Lot’s benefit
concert Sunday was a sellout.

Flanked by two pistol-gripping women in shades. Sir Mix-A-Lot, in the guise of his high-rolling alter ego, Mack Daddy, looked on while the mock police officer searched his posse. Utilizing the latest in laser and lighting technology, the lurid hues overhead lent additional impact to the visual spectacle on-stage.

The whole crew came out to shake their tails for the finale of “Baby Got Back” a song celebrating women with large posteriors (for this, Sir Mix-A-Lot brought out a special dancer). Before closing with his hottest-selling single of the year. Sir Mix-A-Lot invited about 60  “homegirls” to the stage to “shake their thang.”