Oregon: Thunderbird All Around, Garcon

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For the hard-drinking hobo, fortified wines like Thunderbird and Night Train are the beverages of choice. On Jan. 1, the city of Portland, Oregon, with firm backing from Mayor Bud Clark, banned the sale of the firewater in the Skid Road area downtown. Trouble is, the street people began migrating to tonier uptown neighborhoods to buy their favorite drinks, unnerving well- heeled shoppers and merchants.

With the support of fellow businessmen, Furrier Edward Hamilton threatened to bus vagrants to the Goose Hollow Inn, a campy tavern owned by none other than Hizzoner the mayor. Though Clark denies that the threat of unwanted customers had anything to do with his change of heart, last week he urged the city commissioners to lift the ban.