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Archives for November 2012
Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 5 #8: McCall Prison Riot
Kick Ass Oregon History is the latest series of podcasts from the enthusiastic historians behind ORHistory.com.
And volume 5 #8 just dropped: McCall Prison Riot.
In which we learn that Oregon Governor Tom McCall was a committed champion of prisoner’s rights, yet even he could not prevent riots and deadly escapes from Oregon’s prisons.
The brains behind this Kick Ass project are the crack hustlers of Oregon History Doug Kenck-Crispin and Andy Lindberg. Doug is a graduate student studying Public History and Pacific Northwest History at PSU, and Andy, though a Portland native, is currently working as an actor in New York City. Doug does most of the research and writing for the podcasts with input from Andy, who voices the broadcasts with a thespian’s flair.
The Kick Ass Oregon History podcast covers just the good stuff: Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll and Earth Shattering, Devastating Destruction.
Ultimately, our goal is to take Oregon History out of the hallowed halls of the academy, get folks excited and enthused about this shared history, and get them out into the state, digging it and experiencing it. Get them to embrace it, and get their boots muddy in the process. It’s all OUR History; nobody owns it.
Visit ORHistory.com and stay tuned to @Oregon_History on Twitter for further details on specific episodes and the series. Catch up on missed episodes at the Kick Ass Oregon History archives.
Basement flood!
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World Toilet Day 2012
World Toilet Day 2012 is an annual celebration of the importance of sanitation, designed to raise global awareness of the struggle 2.6 billion face every day without access to proper, clean sanitation. It takes place today, Monday, November 19. Activities are planned throughout the world.
In 2010 Portland’s celebration included the Portland Loo unveiling, and though this year’s celebration is perhaps less exciting, it is no less important. Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human (PHLUSH), Portland, Oregon’s public restroom advocates, recognizing that Portland’s location in the Cascadia Subduction Zone puts us in considerable risk of a devastating earthquake in our lifetime, has launched a fall emergency preparedness campaign in conjunction with World Toilet Day:
Portland, Oregon is in the the Cascadia Subduction Zone that Scientific American calls “the biggest seismic hazard in the U.S.” The United States Geologic Survey says that Oregon faces a 37% chance of a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake within the next 50 years. So PHLUSH is launching a fall emergency preparedness campaign in conjunction with World Toilet Day, November 19. Through information, public workshops and exhibits, Portlanders will reflect on needs and build simple urine separation bucket toilets. Most Americans’ see urine and feces as “waste” rather than as nutrient-rich resources vital to the planet. Disaster preparedness is an appropriate context for putting people at ease with talking about the issues; simple emergency toilets are both important in themselves and an intermediate step toward ecological sanitation and nutrient-cycling.
Visit the World Toilet Day website for more information on the global effort, and visit PHLUSH.org for more information on World Toilet Day , and ongoing, sanitation advocacy.
Things to do in Portland on Thanksgiving Day 2012
Coffee
Anna Bannanas (8716 N Lombard & 1214 NW 21st) is opening at 7:30 a.m. and closing when it slows down, probably 5 or 6 p.m.
The worker-owned Red & Black Cafe is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Beer and Booze
Barfly Magazine maintains a respectable list of bars open 365 days a year.
And here are some more picks:
Rialto (529 SW 4th) stays open 365 days a year, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. While drinking beer play some pinball and pool, watch football on the ginormous TVs, or place some off-track bets.
The Radio Room (1101 NE Alberta) will be opening for Thanksgiving at 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., and will be featuring a turkey dinner special,and many drink specials – no reservations needed!
The Hop & Vine (1914 N Killingsworth) will be open (probably) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day for last minute needs!
Bottles NW (5115 NE Fremont) opens at 6pm on Thanksgiving Day!
Many downtown hotel restaurants and bars will be open on Turkey Day.
Quite a few McMenamins will be open on Thanksgiving day. Check the calendar for holiday buffets and movie showings.
You can also place bets at the track: Portland Meadows is open on Thanksgiving Day, and is offering a special breakfast buffet at the North End Bar & Grill. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and will will be open for simulcasting through about 3:00 p.m.
And Prost (4237 N Mississippi) opens the doors on Thanksgiving Day at 6pm for their 4th Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Dinner, featuring, in addition to bier, booze, and hot cocktails for sale, a complimentary turkey dinner!
Henry’s Tavern (10 NW 12th) is open noon until 8pm, offering a special holiday menu.
Restaurants
And PortlandFoodAndDrink.com‘s annual Thanksgiving Roundup is live!
Sizzle Pie (624 W Burnside) is open normal hours on Thanksgiving Day, 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shopping
Avoid the holiday crowds that will ensue on Black Friday by visiting Powell’s Books (1005 W Burnside location) on Black Friday Eve (aka Thanksgiving Day). The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Groceries
Though not likely to be open all day, many grocery and convenience stores will be open for limited Holiday hours. Usually from late morning until early afternoon.
Activities
The Oregon Zoo is open on Thanksgiving day (and every other day of the year, except December 25).
Many bowling alleys and movie theaters are open Thanksgiving Day!
Transit
TriMet buses and MAX, as well as the Portland Streetcar, will run on Sunday schedules.
Got any more suggestions? Add them in the comments below – and have an excellent Turkey Day!