Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
“I rarely saw representation of people who looked like me in Western shows like ‘Gunsmoke’,” said Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo co-founder Ivan McClellan. “When I discovered the unique blend of Black culture and western culture, it ignited something in me. I felt a strong desire to document and share this overlooked aspect of American history.”
“I love camping,” says “The Vanishing” actress Lily Anne Harrison. “I’m from Oregon, so I love anything that takes me outside. I grew up appreciating the outdoors. Also, I just love the adventure of an RV trip.”
Actor Russell Hornsby is technically based out of Los Angeles, but he has lived in Portland for the past six years working on the NBC series “Grimm.” His latest role is opposite Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in the feature film adaptation of “Fences,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by August Wilson: “We filmed in Pittsburgh, which is the setting for ‘Fences.’ It added a level of authenticity and the city became another character. My father is from there and I had been there as a young child, but it felt like this was my first real time in Pittsburgh. It’s a burgeoning city that came out of the rubble of the steel mill and created a new identity. The city offers so much and has also become a very foodie-friendly city that embraces artists. I look forward to returning.”
“It’s interesting living and working in two different countries — both India and the United States,” says “The Big Bang Theory” star Kunal Nayyar. “Whenever I have time, I go to India and see my mom and dad. We’ll be there for Christmas. And for work, I’m based out of Los Angeles.”
Born in the Philippines and raised in Ohio, Reggie Lee currently splits his time between Los Angeles and Portland, where he has a co-starring role as Sgt. Wu on the NBC hit series “Grimm.” Lee’s film credits include “The Dark Knight Rises,” “The Fast and the Furious “ and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.” Lee says he loves shooting on location in Oregon, but he’s looking forward to doing some traveling soon. “I generally like to stay home and be with family for the holidays. But, right after Christmas, I’m headed to London and then Paris for New Year’s.”
Kenneth Choi has two high-profile films in the hopper. First, he portrays Jim Morita, one of the Howling Commandos in the action film “Captain America: The First Avenger,” which opens July 22. He has also finished shooting the remake of “Red Dawn.” Currently a resident of Los Angeles, the 39-year-old actor talks about some of his favorite places and also explains why he wants to revisit a destination that holds nothing but bad memories for him.
For a good chunk of the ’70s, disco was synonymous with Casablanca Records, thanks to its roster of artists such as Donna Summer and the Village People. Label co-founder Larry Harris, 62, writes about the wild and crazy times in his book And Party Every Day: The Inside Story of Casablanca Records (Backbeat, $24.99). Currently residing in Port Angeles, Wash., Harris talks about his love of New York and why he really wants to get to Italy.
“Music is a byproduct of experience and if I have an experience, it’s usually musical,” says Cory Chisel, 27. “To me, traveling goes hand in hand with music. Travel is just an intriguing aspect of music itself, and I’m not just talking about the touring part. It’s hard to explain. I’ve been to so many places, but I think that if I wasn’t a musician, I might never have left my hometown.”