Dave Knows Portland

Archives for January 2011

Tuesday Timbers Tidbits (18-January-2011)

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TimbersWith the draft dust nearly settled the Portland Timbers must complete building the roster largely with talent they discover or can entice from somewhere else. In that vein the Timbers just announced officially they have signed Kenny Cooper.

The long rumored move brings to Portland a forward named to the MLS Best XI in 2008. In 90 regular season MLS matches with FC Dallas from 2006 through 2008, Cooper scored 40 goals and served up 10 assists. He spent the last two years in Germany playing for TSV 1860 München in 2.Bundesliga, where the 26 year old scored 3 goals in 15 appearances. This looks likely to be a major win for the Timbers, and the MLS.

Meanwhile it seems less and less likely the Timber will be able to entice US National Team player Robbie Findley into the fold anytime soon (the Timbers own in MLS rights), as he has officially been granted a work permit in the UK where he had signed with Nottingham Forest.

There is one more draft in the seemingly endless string of MLS drafts, and it takes place today: the 2011 MLS Supplement. Portland picks 2nd, 12th, 20th and 38th.

Tune into mao’s Football Show today on Cascadia.fm at 4pm for discussions on the latest Timbers and international soccer news, including final thoughts on the 2011 MLS Super Draft. Also check out the MLS Super Draft day interview with mao and Nevets at Dropping Timber!

Also check out the latest Popinski Presents podcast. Today’s show was The Super Draft Special. Superdraft Special! No Music. Just Superdraft commentary.

OMSI Science Pub (18-January-2011)

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Omsi Science PubCataclysms on the Columbia: The Great Missoula Floods is the topic of the latest OMSI Science Pub, which takes place on Tuesday, January 18, 2011.

One of the greatest sets of geological events to ever have occurred in North America was the Missoula Floods. Occurring as many as 40 times during the last ice age, the floods were caused by waters released from ancient Lake Missoula that scoured the Columbia River basin, carved out the Columbia River Gorge, and swept across at least 16,000 square miles of the Pacific Northwest. This Science Pub will focus on the incredible story of discovery and development of the idea of the floods by J Harlen Bretz and will discuss the effect of the floods on the landscape of the Willamette Valley and the area around us.

This Science Pub will be presented by Scott Burns, PhD, a geology professor at Portland State University.

The show takes place at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan) from 7pm until 9pm, but arrive early (5pm doors open) to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! There’s a $3.00 suggested donation/cover charge. Minors with adults are welcome, otherwise this event is 21 and over.

January 18, 1854: She Flies With Her Own Wings

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Seal of the Oregon TerritoryThe Oregon Territorial Legislature on January 18, 1854 adopted as the Oregon Territory motto Alis volat propriis, which translates to She Flies with Her Own Wings (or He flies or It flies, to be exact, but states, like ships, are conventionally referred to in the feminine).

The phrase was originally coined in English, by Judge Jessie Quinn Thornton, but the Latin version is what ended up on the Seal of the Oregon Territory.

Puzzlingly in 1957 the Oregon Legislature adopted as the state motto The Union. Fortunately in 1987 they changed it back, noting that the motto appropriately reflected the independent character of the Oregon pioneer settlers who established their own government.

MLK Day in Portland (17-January-2011)

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Hope you’re having a great MLK holiday! Below are some activities and events taking place today in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

MLK Day on MLK Blvd.MLK 16mm movie film screening. MLK Day on MLK Blvd.

From facebook page, set up by Thomas Robinson . . .

“ten thousand feet of speeches and documentaries about King and the Civil Rights movement in six hours. FREE, ALL AGES, NO PURCHASE NECESSARY, ALL PEOPLE ARE WELCOME, plenty of chairs and tables. All movies are actual 16mm vintage reels of film, no tapes or discs. ” [more]

Oregon ZooFree Admission to the Oregon Zoo on MLK Holiday

The Oregon Zoo, celebrating the spirit of public service associated with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is offering free admission on Monday, January 17 2011.

“It is the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a perfect opportunity for the zoo to provide this service to our community,” said Kim Smith, zoo director.”” [more]

And all week long:

MLK TributeLiving the Legacy: MLK Tribute

For the sixth straight year, the Multicultural Center at Portland State University is proud and pleased to hold a series of flagship events honoring the life and legacy of the great Dr. Martin Luther King. Interspersed with teach-ins, video reflections and more, PSU’s dutiful recognition of this remarkable figure is always capped with a contemporary keynote address. [more]

January 17, 1914: Ride the Red Electrics

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Red Electric Train
Photo credit: Lake Oswego Public Library

Portland’s Red Electrics began their run on January 17, 1914. The interurban trains belonged to the Portland, Eugene and Eastern Railway and were painted red, hence the name. The all-steel railroad was one of the largest 1500 volt systems in the country. Much of the rails the passenger carrying Red Electrics rode upon had previously been used by Southern Pacific‘s steam powered freight and passenger trains.

The system connected cities and towns throughout the Willamette Valley: Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Carlton, Forest Grove, Saint Joseph (near McMinnville), Oswego, Sherwood, Newberg, Lafayette, and Corvallis. (Visit The Red Electrics page at PDXHistory.com for more details, including a service map, train schedule, and historical photographs!). With the rise in popularity of the personal automobile and other factors, the trains stopped running by 1930.