By Jennifer de Thomas
September 24, 2008

Hollywood — a name evocative of starlets and fast cars, art deco and drama — used to be landmarked in Portland off the I-84 by a giant neon 7-Up sign. Now the sign is Budweiser, Sandy Blvd is actually attractive and easy to drive, and the neighborhood remains one of the best places to live in Portland.

Except for the Hollywood Theatre, which now has real palm trees growing in front along Sandy, you won’t find the drama associated with this neighborhood’s California twin. More Lucille Ball than Marilyn Monroe, this small inner NE ‘burb is where Beverly Cleary, beloved creator of Ramona Quimby, grew up and based her books. If you haven’t read her books since childhood, you are well advised to share the adventures of Ribsy and Ramona with your own kids.

You will find the neighborhood feeling much the same as it did for Ramona, with mid-sized craftsman homes, large and inviting front porches, mature trees and a beautiful park. Hollywood owns the best of suburban stereotypes — unpretentious, quiet, good schools — but lacks the big-box sterility you feel in the actual suburbs. It has a MAX station, a bowling alley, Trader Joe’s and one of the best farmer’s markets in Portland.

Your first visit to Hollywood should include a trip to this Farmer’s Market, located on NE Hancock one block south of Sandy between 44th and 45th Aves. Open every Saturday til 1:00pm through November, you can pick up your produce, have breakfast or lunch, and let the kids enjoy the free music. A farmer’s market is always a nice way to start the day, especially if you arrive early enough to beat the crowds.

After the market, talk your kids into putting on some funny shoes. The Hollywood Bowl has been undergoing a renovation that will make this already popular alley even more comfortable. Located next to the MAX station, racking the pins for an hour or two will remind you why this old fashioned pursuit still draws groups of friends and neighbors to dress up in goofy matching outfits. It’s cheap, as easy or hard as you want it to be and will work up a good appetite.

True, some people just don’t bowl. If you fall into that category, you can always go to the park. Grant Pool, located in Grant Park, is open through September and offers classes, family swim times, preschool swim sessions and 84-degree water. If you miss swimming season, the park itself is a destination.

Before you arrive, stop by the Hollywood Library, where you can also pick up a copy of a walking tour of Beverly Cleary’s childhood streets. This self-guided tour is long, but you can pick and choose your own points of interest, and many of those are in and around the park. Right by the playground is the life-sized Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden.

When you are ready for lunch, head to the Hollywood Burger Bar (Sandy at 42nd). Winner of last year’s Hollywood Burger Battle (beating 10 other neighborhood restaurants), you can order a burger and fries for $5. If you crave pancakes instead, you can get a short-stack for $3. Breakfast is served until 1:00pm and lunch til 4:00pm, so if you get there around noon everyone will be happy.

Later in the evening, the Rheinlander remains a great family destination for dinner. If you get there before six, you can save a bundle by ordering off their happy hour menu, which redefines pub food. Have a beer and relax while the kids eat fondue off those cool long forks. On Monday and Tuesday nights (for a limited time, call ahead to make sure this special is running) they are also offering to feed your kids for free. Schnitzel, cabbage, mustard and beer, singing accordion players dressed in lederhosen. This place is funny, on many levels.

Before you pack up and head back to the highway, do a little poking around in the shops. Everyone says they have “unique,” “one-of-a-kind” boutiques, but challenge any other neighborhood to house shops that resemble some of those found here.

On Sandy and 41st, your older kids will go slack-jawed at the variety of avant-garde and vintage toys, action figures and comics they will find at Things From Another World. Battlestar Galactica fan? They have a gold Cylon. Like Marvel comics? Pick them up there along with their figurine counterparts. Uglydolls, GI Joe, Hellboys, DIY Baby Qee Elephants — the variety of genres is impressive, and none of it junk.

Another truly unusual shopping experience is had on 42nd Ave just north of Sandy. Inside Hollywood ReRuns you will find a flea market with goods laid out in loosely defined individual booths. In the back there is unfinished pine furniture, downstairs holds old magazines, and in-between you will find furniture, toys and bric-a-brac. You may stumble upon the treasure you have been looking for since your lost childhood: old green glass 7-Up bottles, a purple bunny rabbit shaped mirror or maybe even that old-fashioned pine baby doll rocker. Even kids who do not like shopping will find this place interesting.

Next door is another indoor flea-mall worth checking out if only for the Himalayan gift shop. They offer all manner of far off treasures — prayer flags, bindi, rice paper, singing bowls and incense. Strangely enough, they also sell rock candy. At 75 cents a stick, these disgusting treats will delight your kids with their pure sugar rush and beautiful crystalline design.

There is more to explore here and no better way than to sign up for dance classes that will bring you back once a week. The Hollywood Dance Studio offers classes for children and adults and will give you a welcome excuse to visit the ‘hood again and again.