Scoop: This Gossip Barely Avoided The Shutdown.

  1. SALTY SITUATION: There’s a storm swirling at Salty’s on the Columbia (3839 NE Marine Drive). The answering machine for the restaurant, which closed Sept. 24, says it shut down temporarily for an “unforeseen maintenance issue” and will reopen in October. But meanwhile, Salty’s manager Linda Addy resigned that week from her post, and has co-filed an application with the restaurant’s landlord, Peter van Schoonhoven, for a liquor license on a new restaurant called the Catch—in  Salty’s space. “I don’t know what Linda and our landlord are trying to do,” says Salty’s on the Columbia managing partner Nick Nordby, who adds the restaurant still holds the lease. “Gerry and Kathy [Kingen] own the restaurant. We’re remodeling our kitchen and we’re reopening.” Van Schoonhoven says he ousted Salty’s after the owners violated their lease conditions. Salty’s filed a request for civil injunctive relief Sept. 24. A hearing is scheduled Oct. 3. More details here.
  1. FILMED IN OREGON: Those mourning the end of Breaking Bad may find small solace in House of Last Things, a supernatural thriller set in Portland starring RJ Mitte (Walter White Jr., aka Flynn, in the TV series). Writer-director Michael Bartlett’s film follows three house-sitters, including Mitte, who discover their temporary suburban residence isn’t so friendly. Most of the film was shot in Portland, with some Willamette Valley vineyards standing in for Italy. It’s still on the film-festival circuit and has no release date yet. >> In other local-related movie news, the first cinematic adaptation of David Sedaris’ essay about picking apples and carving jade clocks in Oregon opens this weekend. See our review here. 
  1. GIMME MODA MORE: There will be no free chalupas at the Moda Center (née Rose Garden), but there will be hamburgers topped with peanut butter and bacon. Last week, a press release announced that beloved local food joints Killer Burger, Fire on the Mountain, Sizzle Pie and Bunk Sandwiches will all be selling grub at Blazers games. This is one food trend where Portland is way behind the curve—Primanti Brothers has long served disgusting french-fry sandwiches in Pittsburgh at Pirates and Steelers games, while New York Mets fans can get Shake Shack fast food, and Seattle’s Safeco Field peddles seafood from local chain Ivar’s. >> In other expansion news, Mi Mero Mole, Nick Zukin’s taqueria on Southeast Division Street, is coming to Chinatown. The new location will be at Northwest 5th Avenue and Couch Street and have a similar menu.
  1. AT WWEEK.COM:Online this week, a review of Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck’s new flick, Runner Runner, a preview of the Oregon Ducks-Colorado Buffaloes football game, a Vice writer’s response to our defense of Portland’s hip-hop scene and reviews of local comedy shows. 

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