Dave Knows Portland

Hawthorne Boulevard: “Way Too Much Portland”

by 1 Comment

Way Too Much PortlandThough the corner of Southeast 37th and Hawthorne is, fortunately, not anywhere near representative of Portland as a whole, it does provide spectacular people watching opportunities.

An anonymous individual (who evidence suggests may live above the Peet’s Coffee on said corner) has noted this preponderance of peculiarity and started a photo blog to spotlight the weird people and happenings:

I highly recommend a visit. You can also submit your own photos of crimes against fashion, hair, music, and the olfactory organs of passersby.

Hat tip @CarolynMain

Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 2 #2: Treasures of Oregon – Portland Edition

by Leave a Comment

Kick Ass Oregon History: Volume 2, Episode 2Kick Ass Oregon History is the latest series of podcasts from the enthusiastic historians behind ORHistory.com.

Volume 2, episode 2 is here:

Treasures of Oregon – Portland Edition, in which it is revealed that there be gold in them thar hills, and parks, and streets, and maybe your own backyard.

The previous episodes:

The brains behind this 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.

With the Kick Ass Oregon History podcast they plan to cover 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.

Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 2 #1: Bobbie The Wonder Dog

by Leave a Comment

Kick Ass Oregon History: Bobbie the Wonder DogKick Ass Oregon History is the latest series of podcasts from the enthusiastic historians behind ORHistory.com.

Volume 2, episode 1 is here: Bobbie The Wonder Dog

The previous episodes:

  • Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 1 #1: The Roseburg Blast – The city of Roseburg goes up in smoke
  • Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 1 #2: The Eggs! – 1942 poisoning at the Oregon State Hospital for the Insane
  • Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 1 #3: Balloon Bombs!

The brains behind this 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.

With the Kick Ass Oregon History podcast they plan to cover 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.

Urban Archaeology in SW Portland

by Leave a Comment

Burlingame Fred Meyer (Photo by Samuel John Klein)The Burlingame Fred Meyer (7555 SW Barbur), the oldest store in the chain that is still operating, is undergoing renovations and will be closed until September. The renovation work, ZehnKatzen Times blogger and culture vulture Samuel John Klein notes, has revealed some clues to the building’s design past:

Naturally, having the outside off the way it is, the building has had its skin removed; we’re looking at the bones. It’s more interesting than I thought it would be. For instance, in the above photo, notice the slanting-out faces of the vertical supports. They have details on, some grooves in the masonry that add visual interest, and there are mansard-style caps on each of them.

See more photos and read more of Samuel’s thoughts and comments on the building and the vintage sign (which will be retained post-renovation) in his post: Urban Archaeology at the Burlingame Fred Meyer.

Photo credit: Photo of vintage Burlingame Fred Meyer Sign by Samuel John Klein, used with permission.

Dave Knows on I Live Here PDX!

by 2 Comments

Me on I Live Here PDX!I Live Here: PDX was created by Portlanders Sara Gray and Erin as a love letter to our fair city.

I Live Here: PDX is a love letter to Portland and an anthology of its residents, neighborhoods and moods. The idea was inspired by a similar project in San Francisco. As native Portlanders who’ve chosen to make our lives here, we want to be a part of celebrating the city we live in and exploring how others live in it.

And today’s my turn! If you have any interest at all, go check out my intriguing answers to questions such as How did you land in Portland? and What was the last thing you ate at a food cart? And see photos of the cool vintage bicycle I ride a couple times a year!

I submitted my answers before I gave notice at my day job and Heather and I decided to move to Astoria, but my interview answers are otherwise true! 😉

Photo by Sara Gray, photographer for and co-creator of I Live Here: PDX!