Dave Knows Portland

The Great Flood of 1894 (18-June-2013)

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Kick Ass Oregon HistoryJoin the Kick Ass Oregon History crew on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 for their 2nd Year Anniversary Party at the Jack London Bar (529 SW 4th) – and a presentation on the Great Flood of 1894, when the Willamette reached its all time Portland high water mark.

It was two years ago that Terry, who runs the show at The JLB, approached The Resident Historian and said, “I Googled Danford Balch and your podcast came up. So, do you want to come down to my new/ old timey bar and talk about The Hanging Danford Balch?” (Cause Terry is IRL all geeked out on Danford Balch) And The Resident Historian responded with a resounding “Fuck Yeah!!” This seems like something we should celebrate, yeah?

There will be booze, and cake of course! The edification and fun begins at 7:30 p.m. Entry is free. Visit OrHistory.com for more details.

Die-Oh-Ram-Ahs! The 2nd Annual Kick Ass Oregon History Diorama Contest

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The 2nd annual Kick Ass Oregon History Diorama Contest has begun.

As everybody knows – Dioramas Kick Ass! Those awesome little cardboard boxes detailed with globs of glue and faded construction paper that make history just jump to life! And do you know what kinds of Dioramas Kick the most Ass? Why ones about the History of Oregon, of course!!

Here’s how it works: Create a diorama depicting a Kick Ass Oregon Historical event (check out the podcasts and website for inspiration), take photos of your masterpiece, and email them to oregonhistorian@gmail.com by February 14, 2013 (Oregon’s Birthday!). The winners will be announced at the Stumptown Stories show at the Jack London Bar (in the basement of the Rialto at 529 SW 4th) on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. Winners will bask in fame and glory and gain a whole gang of fourth grades who HATE YOU and constantly sing-song “my diorama was better than yours” each and everytime they see you at Freddies. Oh – AAANNDD win some prizes!!

Entries will be judged on four categories, each worth 10 points:

  1. Kick Ass-ness
  2. Oregon Historical Significance
  3. Originality
  4. Ass Kicken-ness!

And if you bring your diorama to the Jack London show on February 19th, you’ll earn 5 bonus points!

The winner of the top diorama entry wins:

A Complimentary Guest Pass to an upcoming Kick Ass Oregon History Tour!!! AND Internet Fame AND the panache to tell Suzie Snotgrass at the 15th Reunion, “Oh shut your trap, Bitch!”

Stay tuned to @Oregon_History on Twitter and check out the post on ORHistory.com for photos of last year’s entries and more details.

Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 5 #8: McCall Prison Riot

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KAOH5.8: McCall Prison RiotKick 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.

US Forest Service Waiving Fees on Veterans Day Weekend (November 10-12, 2012)

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Forest ServiceThe U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are waiving fees at most day-use recreation sites around the country on the Veterans Day holiday weekend, November 10 through 12, 2012.

This is our way of saying thanks to the brave men and women – past and present – who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe at home,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We encourage veterans, their families and all visitors to take time out over the holiday weekend to enjoy the benefits that nature provides at forests and grasslands throughout the country.

Find regional recreation options here.

Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 5 #5: Strip Clubs and Speech in the Beaver State

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KAOH 5.5Kick Ass Oregon History is the latest series of podcasts from the enthusiastic historians behind ORHistory.com.

And volume 5 #5 just dropped: Strip Clubs and Speech in Oregon.

In which we learn that being naked and shaking your money maker can mean whatever you want it to, according to the Oregon constitution.

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.

And don’t miss your chance to join the Kick Ass Oregon History team on the Historic Strip Club Party Bus Tour on October 17, 2012!