Dave Knows Portland

Archives for May 2011

OMSI Science Pub (10-May-2011)

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Omsi Science PubNot Quite Adults is the topic of the latest OMSI Science Pub, which takes place Tuesday, May 10, 2011:

We’ve been flooded with negative headlines about 20-somethings—from their sense of entitlement, to their unwillingness to grow up, to their attachment to their parents’ purse strings. The resulting message is that these young people need to shape up and grow up—and take the same fast track to adulthood that their parents did.

This generation of young people is facing a very different world than their parents did and for them, growing up too fast can be damaging. Not Quite Adults: Why 20-Somethings Are Choosing a Slower Path to Adulthood, and Why It’s Good for Everyone, (Random House) by Rick Settersten and co-author Barbara Ray, shows that adult children who return home after college and delay marriage and child rearing get a much better start in life than those who leave the nest too early, settling for low-paying jobs and having children too soon.

The presentor is Rick Settersten, PhD, director of the Hallie Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families at Oregon State University, and co-author of the book.

This science pub 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.

May 9, 1971: Governor McCall Dedicates Scappoose Peace Candle

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Scappoose Peace Candle (Photo by Cacophony on Wikimedia Commons)Governor Tom McCall and wife flew Audrey into Scappoose, Oregon on a helicopter on May 9, 1971 to take part in the dedication of the Peace Candle of the World, a structure shaped around a silo consisting of 45,000 pounds of candle wax shaped into a cylinder 50 feet tall and 18 feet in diameter (The Oregonian, 3-April-1971).

With the aid of a cherry picker and a 60 foot long match, the Governor, Scappoose Mayor Forrest Sanders, and one Darrel Borck lit the candle during the Mother’s Day ceremony as the Scappoose High School band played America the Beautiful.

Darrel Brock, the creator of the candle, operated a candle factory in a converted dairy barn in Scappoose. He intended the candle to be a symbol of the desire for world peace.

The candle originally had a real wick, but it was replaced first with a natural gas line, and then a neon “flame.”

The “candle” still stands and is visible from U.S. Highway 30.

Peace Candle photo by Wikimedia Commons user Cacophony, used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

May 8, 1905: New York City to Portland, Oregon Auto Race Commences

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On the morning of May 8, 1905 a pair of Oldsmobile Curved Dashes left New York City on the first cross country road race – destination Portland, Oregon. The New York Times reported:

A transcontinental automobile run over a new route will start at 9 o’clock this morning from this city. Two light runabout cars of seven horse power each will attempt to cross the country to Portland, Oregon. They are due to arrive there by June 21, when the convention of the National Good Roads Association will open. This convention will continued through June 24. It is one of the special features arranged in connection with the Lewis and Clark Exposition, which will open June 1, and prominent automobilists from all parts of the country have been invited to attend and discuss questions pertaining to local and National good roads.

The winners, Dwight W. Huss and Milford Wigle, arrived in Portland on June 21:

The plucky drivers left New York 45 days ago, and were 44 days and six hours in making the arduous journey. Many ordeals have they passed through in the way of difficult mountain trails, sandy desert roads and swollen streams. The trip was finished, however, without serious mishap, and the end of the journey found both very much tanned and weatherbeaten, but in excellent health. They have the distinction of winning the first transcontinental automobile race, although the trip has been made by auto many times before. [Morning Oregonian, 22 June 1905]

May 7, 1934: Mail Tribune First Oregon Newspaper to Receive Pulitzer Prize

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The Medford, Oregon based Mail Tribune was the first Oregon newspaper to receive a Pulitzer Prize, on May 7, 1934.

The following gracious words about the award appeared in the Morning Oregonian, a putative rival, the next day:

The Medford Mail-Tribune has brought honor to the state of Oregon as well as to itself by its winning of the Pulitzer medal for “the most disinterested and meritorious public service rendered by an American newspaper during 1933.” The Mail-Tribune and its editor, Robert W. Ruhl, deserve the accolade.

The course pursued by the Mail-Tribune in the period of strife in its district centering about the agitations of L.A. Banks and their tragic consequences, called for editorial courage and judgment of a high order. It is noteworthy that in judging the newspaper’s service the committee emphasizes its counsels to moderation and to sane thinking and acting in the time of crisis.

Match Day (6-May-2011): Portland Timbers vs. Philadelphia Union

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Portland TimbersThe Portland Timbers (3-3-1) aim to respond positively to Tuesday’s first home loss when they defend home field tonight against the Philadelphia Union (4-1-1).

The Timbers, currently sixth in the West standings, are still undefeated at home in league play, and in fact have not given up a single point at Jeld-Wen Field. Their most impressive win came last Saturday against Real Salt Lake, one of the top teams in the league. The Union, though only a year removed from a typically rocky expansion debut, have come out of the gate strong in 2011, currently enjoying second place in the East standings. This despite scoring the fewest goals, 5, of any team this year so far. The Union’s defense has given up only 2 goals in 6 games. Portland has scored, and given up, buckets of goals at home, but most recently demonstrated in their 1-0 win against Real Salt Lake that they are capable of extended stretches of good defense.

Kickoff at Jeld-Wen Field is at 7:30pm (gates open at 6pm). The game will be featured on FOX Soccer’s inaugural Soccer Night in America, and is also viewable free online on MLS MatchDay. Listen to the match on 95.5 The Game or La Pantera 940 (ESP).

Match previews and intrigue

Expect more previews at Timbers at The Offside, Dropping Timber, and Stumptown Footy later today!