Dave Knows Portland

Archives for February 2011

February 25, 1919: Oregon Taxes Gasoline

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Oregon was the first state in the country to raise money for road construction by taxing gasoline consumption. The law took effect on February 25, 1919. The tax was $.01 per gallon.

Constructing and paving roads is something all the states were trying to figure out how to pay for, and within ten years every one of them (48 at that time) had followed Oregon’s lead and instituted a similar tax.

For a more thorough history of Oregon’s gasoline and other automobile taxes, visit Joseph Rose’s Hard Drive blog on OregonLive.com: A brief history of Oregon vehicle fees and fuel taxes.

Three Beer Events, Chowder Challenge, Fix-It Fair, & More! (February 25-27)

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All Weekend

Beerbrawl IVBeer Brawl IV

Beer Brawl IV began Monday and continues through Sunday, February 27 at Concordia Ale House (3276 NE Killingsworth). . .

Oregon, Washington, and California brewers fight it out in four categories: Pale, IPA, Stout, and Brewer’s Choice. [more]

Nano Beer FestWinter Nano Beer Fest

The 2nd annual Winter Nano Beer Fest takes place Friday through Sunday, February 25 through 27, at Max’s Fanno Creek Brew Pub (12562 SW Main St. in Tigard). Indeed, the nanos are rising!

This fest feature 10 big beers from tiny Oregon breweries. [more]

Friday

PortlandiaWhere to Watch Portlandia In Portland

Miss the big premiere event? Don’t have a TV? Don’t have the Independent Film Channel? Watch Portlandia, if you’re into that sort of thing, at the Portland venues listed below. [more]

Saturday

Fix It FairFix-It Fair

The last of the 24th annual series of Fix-It Fairs takes place this Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Jefferson High School (5210 N Kerby Avenue).

“Fix-It Fair is a FREE event where you can learn simple and affordable ways to save money and be healthy at home this winter.” [more]

Battle of the BeltMcMenamin’s Hillsdale Brewfest and Battle of the Belt

The 18th Annual McMenamin’s Hillsdale Brewfest and Battle of the Belt take place this Saturday, February 26th at the Hillsdale Brewery and Public House (1505 SW Sunset Blvd) from 10am until close.

Twenty brewers from the vast McMenamins empire bring specially brewed beers to the festival Saturday to be judged (and enjoyed) by festival patrons. [more]

Old Lompoc Chowder Challenge logoChowder Challenge

New Old Lompoc‘s fifth annual Chowder Challenge takes place Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the Fifth Quadrant (3901 N Williams).

From noon until 4pm a $10 admission fee secures you the opportunity to sample chowders (New England-style only!) prepared by a bunch of local chowder purveyors [more]

And for even more weekend events and activities, visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, and PDX Pipeline!

SNOW!!!

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This never gets old (video by Mike Vogel!):

Here was the view from my balcony this morning at 4:52am (it was all gone by 5:30am):

Photo taken at 4:52am. All was slush by 5:30am.

February 24, 1967: Portland Built Car Ferry “Hiyu” Launches

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HiyuThe Hiyu, a Puget Sound bound car ferry built by Gunderson Brothers Engineering Corporation, was launched in Portland on February 24, 1967.

The Oregonian reported the next day:

The Hiyu is only the second important ferry built in Portland in 20 years. The other was the 172-foot M. R. Chessman, built in 1948 by Albina Engine & Machine Works, Inc., for the Astoria-Megler service. It was retired last year when the new bridge was opened for services.

She can carry 200 passengers and 34 cars, which isn’t that many compared to the other ferries in the fleet. Nevertheless, in Chinook hiyu means “big” or “plenty.”

The Hiyu started out on the Point Defiance-Tahlequah, Vashon Island route, and served admirably on several route until the late 90s, when she was mothballed . . . or so we thought. She was re-activated in 2007 and continues to ply the waters between Point Defiance and Tahlequah.

Credit: Hiyu photo by Jim Carson on Flickr, used under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.

Beer Brawl IV (February 21-27)

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Beer Brawl IVBeer Brawl IV began Monday and continues through Sunday, February 27 at Concordia Ale House (3276 NE Killingsworth).

12 of the best Beers in 3 States battle it out and “YOU” are customer will decide the outcome.

Vote for you favorite brews all week long, and help us determine which STATE has the BEST BEER in all the land, plus vote for the (M.O.B Award) for Most Outstanding Beer!

Oregon, Washington, and California brewers fight it out in four categories: Pale, IPA, Stout, and Brewer’s Choice.

Taster trays will set you back $12.