Travel

Union Pacific 150th Anniversary Celebration (July 13-14, 2012)

July 9, 2012 by Dave Leave a Comment

Union Pacific celebrates 150 years of railroading this Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14, 2012 at Portland’s Union Station (800 NW 6th) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

150 Years ago President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, allowing Union Pacific to set forth on an ambitious journey. In 2012, Union Pacific celebrates the shared stories that have shaped our country since 1862. To mark the 150th anniversary, we invite you to explore how the nation’s largest railroad came to be and how UP continues to build America with innovation and tenacity, touching the lives of nearly every citizen.

A Streamliner E-9 and the Promontory traveling museum car will be on display, and a portable locomotive simulator will give visitors a chance to see up-close how trains are operated.

Super Cheap Portland to Seattle BoltBus Service

May 1, 2012 by Dave Leave a Comment

Greyhound’s super cheap BoltBus service is coming to the Northwest.

Portlanders have another option for trips to Seattle, and this one’s the cheapest yet (cheaper even than Craigslist Rideshares, which seem to average $20). Tickets start at $7 each way, with occasional $1 specials and a frequent buser Bolt Rewards program that gives you a free fare after 8 rides (i.e. 4 round trips).

Portland/Seattle service is set to begin on May 17, 2012. The Seattle stop is at the International District Station at Fifth Avenue South and King Street and in Portland the bus stops at 647 SW Salmon.

For more details visit BoltBus.com and read PortlandAfoot’s BoltBus Wiki entry.

December 25, 1850: Lot Whitcomb, First Steamboat Built on the Willamette, is Launched

December 25, 2011 by Dave 1 Comment

The first steamboat built to ply on the Willamette River, the side-wheeler Lot Whitcomb, was launched at Milwaukie on December 25, 1850 (Morning Oregonian, 25 December 1888). She was named for her principal owner, Lot Whitcomb, who was also founder of Milwaukie.

Designed along the lines of Hudson River boats, she was 160 feet long with 18 feet diameter side wheels. She operated on both the Willamette and Columbia Rivers between Milwaukie and Astoria until 1854, when she was renamed the Annie Abernethy and transferred to California to ply the Sacramento River.

Lot Whitcomb’s captain was John C. Ainsworth, and Jacob Kamm was the engineer.

Weekend Amusements (December 2-4, 2011)

November 30, 2011 by Dave 2 Comments

The holiday season just won’t quit. Booze, beer, films, books, holiday light displays, and combinations thereof – it’s all here!

Ongoing

Pittock Mansion Holiday Season 2011

Once again Portland’s historic Pittock Mansion is going all out for the holiday season. This year, from November 21 through January 2, the theme is Christmas Around The World.
“Every year, starting more than 40 years ago, dozens of volunteer decorators, designers, and local organizations donate their time and talents to transform Pittock Mansion into a Christmas wonderland for approximately 17,000 delighted visitors during the holiday season.” [more]

Tannenbaum Madness 2011

Alberta Main Street‘s Tannenbaum Madness is a walking window tour of whimsical, wacky and artistic trees.
“Tannenbaum Madness is an event, inviting families and art lovers to bundle up and take a stroll up Alberta Street this holiday season. Businesses up and down NE Alberta Street create a walking tour of whimsical, artistic, and unique holiday trees on display it in their front windows.” [more]

ZooLights 2011

The 2011 ZooLights ignite for the first time on Friday, November 25. The sparkling lights and brilliant hues will be cast each evening (except Christmas Eve and Day) through January 1, 2012.
“More than a million lights transform the Oregon Zoo into a luminous winter wonderland filled with moving sculptures, forests of lighted trees and animal silhouettes.” [more]

All Weekend

Holiday Express 2011

Climb aboard the 2011 Holiday Express, beginning Friday, December 2.

“Join Santa Claus and his elves for a magical ride behind Portland’s famous steam locomotives. Vintage rail cars transport you through wilderness in the heart of the city.” [more]

Holiday Ale Festival 2011

The 16th annual Holiday Ale Festival kicks off on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 and festively occupies Pioneer Courthouse Square through Sunday, December 4.

Sure, the weather will likely be crappy, but fest goers stay warm and dry (and claustrophobic) under a sprawling tent covering most of the square. And the beer list? It’s amazing! [more]

Friday

Cort and Fatboy Holiday Event: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Join Cort and Fatboy this Friday, December 2, 2011 at the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne) for a very special holiday event: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? . . .

This second annual holiday event’s lineup also includes a 35mm presentation of Die Hard, a live taping of the Cort and Fatboy podcast, and more! [more]

DinoBike! First Friday at BIKEASAURUS – Art by Carye Bye

Please join us for next month’s First Friday art opening: DinoBike!

Dinosaur & Bike inspired art installation by printmaker & illustrator Carye Bye of Red Bat Press and Hidden Portland. New original woodblock & letterpress prints, illustrations, multi-media and publication! [more]

Saturday-Sunday

ScanFair

The 27th annual Portland ScanFair, presented by the Scandinavian Heritage Foundation, takes place this Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, 2011.

“Scandinavians love to celebrate Christmas. It brings joy to the short and dark days of a Scandinavian winter. Those traditions run deep in the hearts and lives of the people of Scandinavian heritage and come alive every year in Portland at ScanFair.” [more]

Kenton Firehouse Holiday Sale

The 8th Annual Kenton Firehouse Holiday Sale takes place Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, 2011 at the firehouse (8105 N Brandon).

“Just a few blocks from Kenton’s Paul Bunyan, this annual neighborhood holiday sale featuring local artists has been organized since 2004 by the artists themselves, each taking on roles to make the sale happen.” [more]

Saturday

Garden Home Community Library Book Sale

The Garden Home Community Library Book Sale takes place Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 9am until 3pm at the Garden Home Recreation Center (7475 SW Garden Home Road).

You’ll find hundreds of hardback and paper bound books, CDs and DVDs . . . Prices are $.50 and $1.00, and your purchases support the Garden Home Library. [more]

Holiday Booze Bazaar

The 6th annual Holiday Booze Bazaar takes place Saturday, December 3 at House Spirits Distillery (2025 SE 7th).

“It’s that time again for our big holiday blowout here at the distillery. And as we’ve done just about every year we having a wonderful new spirit to release into the world.” [more]

Sunday

Holiday Cheer: A Celebration of Oregon Authors

The 44th Annual Holiday Cheer: A Celebration of Oregon Authors, takes place Sunday, December 4, 2011 from noon until 5pm at the Oregon Historical Society (1200 SW Park).

This celebration of Oregon writers is a popular holiday tradition. Dozens of authors will be on hand displaying, autographing, and of course selling their latest works. [more]

For even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

Portland Metro RV Show (November 10-13, 2011)

November 9, 2011 by Dave Leave a Comment

This isn’t the sort of thing I usually blog about at Dave Knows, but last year Heather and I attended because we were seriously considering purchasing an RV. Ultimately we decided against it . . . for the time being. But we enjoyed last year’s show, and fell in love with the Airstreams.

The 53rd Portland Metro RV Show takes place this weekend, November 10 through 13, 2011 at the Expo Center (2060 N Marine Drive).

Dozens of Portland RV dealers and dozens of exhibitors will be on hand showing off their recreational vehicle wares. We recommend you make a bee line to the Airstreams!

The show hours are 11am until 8pm Thursday through Saturday, and 11am to 6pm Sunday. Admission $9 for adults, $7 for seniors 50 and over, and free for kids under 16 (with adult). Go to PortlandMetroRV.com to print up 2 for 1 admission coupons. Save yourself from the hassle of parking – take the Yellow Line MAX!