Archives for January 2011

January 27, 2007: Portland Aerial Tram Opens to the Public

January 27, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The Portland Aerial Tram opened to the public on January 27, 2007.

Carrying passengers between the South Waterfront district and the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) campus on Marquam Hill, the tram covers a distance of 3300 feet while climbing 500.

The tram is owned by the city of Portland and is part of the public transit system. OHSU provided about 85% of the construction costs and operates the tram. Portland maintains the stations and tower.

Much controversy surrounded the planning and construction of the tram, and it ended up costing several times the original estimates.

Photo credit: Tram photo by Wikipedia user Cacophony. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

January 26, 1700: The Great Cascadia Earthquake

January 26, 2011 by Dave Knows 1 Comment

The largest earthquake ever known to occur in the continental United States struck at approximately 9 p.m. on January 26, 1700.

Around magnitude 9, the megathrust Cascadia earthquake rocked the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which encompasses a 600 mile long swath of coast from Vancouver, BC to Northern California.

During the five minute long earthquake the shores lurched 50 to 60 feet westward, reshaping the coast and possibly triggering the Bonneville Slide.

One thing we know with more certainty is that the earthquake triggered a huge tsunami, which in addition to slamming the coast, also traveled across the ocean and devastated the Pacific coast of Japan. Evidence of the January 26, 1700 date includes the oral tradition of the Native Americans who lived in the earthquake area, studies of tree rings, and most importantly for pinpointing the date, written records from Japan of the tsunami’s impact.

Happy Australia Day 2011!

January 26, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Happy Australia Day 2011!

How would a Portlander celebrate the anniversary of Captain Arthur Phillip unfurling the British flag at Sydney Cove and proclaiming British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia on 26 January 1788?

How about with some handmade, Australian style savory pies?! The folks at Pacific Pie Company (609 SE Ankeny) continue their tradition of celebrating Australia Day in Portland with extended hours (10am to 9pm), all your favorite pies, and specials including beef & potato pie, Cornish pasties, vanilla slice, and Lamingtons!

Also, if you can hold out until Friday, January 28, the Portland Power Australian Rules Football Club is throwing an Australia Day Party at the Buffalo Gap Saloon (6835 SW Macadam).

An Aussie menu, featuring roast lamb and vegetables, Pavlova, pies and chips, Lamingtons, and more, is available at 5pm. In addition there will be cold Aussie beer and decent Aussie wine, and live music.

Visit the event page Portland Power website for more details, including the music lineup, reservation information, and donation suggestions.

The Nervous Breakdown’s Literary Experience (30-January-2011)

January 25, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The Nervous Breakdown’s Literary Experience: Boxing with Elephants takes place Sunday, January 30 2011 at Hall of Records (3342 SE Belmont).

The Nervous Breakdown is an online literary magazine featuring reviews, commentaries, fiction, poetry, and more.

Described as just like A.A. but with alcohol, the Literary Experience promises to be two hours of laughs, lounging and litertainment.

Appearing at the Literary Experience are Portland-area contributors Gloria Harrison, Meg Worden, Art Edwards, G. Xavier Robillard, Quenby Moone, James Bernard Frost, and others.

The experience goes from 6:30pm until 8:30pm at my favorite SE Portland bar: Hall of Records.

Tuesday Timbers Tidbits (25-January-2011)

January 25, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Training camp has begun for the 2011 MLS Portland Timbers, and coach Spencer is already liking the chemistry. Visit Dropping Timber for photos and player interviews.

If you’re a fan of the Timbers’ recent marketing efforts, you must check out the Timbers Offseason Driving Tour: 16 Billboards in an Hour.

Want to pose for photos with axes yourself? The Portland Timbers wants to give you your opportunity: We Are Timbers – Fan Photo Shoot. Visit the Timbers Store (519 SW 6th) Thursday through Saturday, January 27th through 29th from 10am until 6pm each day.

A pre-season mini-tournament has been announced featuring Portland, Vancouver, and Seattle: The Cascadia Summit. Read Kip Kesgard’s post at Oregonlive for details, in addition to news on Timbers stadium tours.

You already know about mao’s Football Show (live Tuesdays at 4pm on Cascadia.FM) and the irregular Popinski offerings. But did you know there’s a new Portland Timbers related podcast in town? Shed Culture with Hermes airs Thursdays at 4pm on Cascadia.FM. The debut show on Thursday, January 27 features an interview with living legend Timber Jim!

In other Timbers fan related news, every Thursday starting at 7pm (debut is February 8!) The Bitter End (1981 W Burnside) will host ¿Quizzy Trivia!. The quizmaster? None other than Sabrina Miller, co-host of the Suck It™ podcast! Play is free and there will be discounts during trivia for 107ist members.

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