Now that investigators have identified fireworks as the cause of the raging forest fire igniting 4,800 10,000 30,929 33,000 35,000 41,000+ acres (nearly 65 square miles) of beautiful Oregon and Washington forest and making its way across both states, we have to ask – why do we still allow personal consumers to buy and use fireworks?
Portland is filled with a never-ending variety of events with a lot involving food… and beer. Man, do we love food and beer. At the beginning of September each year, we turn our stomachs to the Bite of Oregon, an annual event featuring purveyors of food and beer from all around our amazing state.
Wrong!
The city of Portland started in 1843. The Port of Portland wasn’t created until nearly 50 years later in 1891 when the Oregon Legislature decided to dredge a shipping channel from the city to the Pacific Ocean.
So, we got curious – why is Portland called Portland?
Portland business owners are a rare breed. Rather than focusing entirely on profit (hey, everyone’s gotta make a living), many, if not most, Portland businesses focus on giving back to their community and helping others wherever they can.
Enter Frank Taylor, owner of Sweet Jam – the fantastic southern food and music venue. Taylor grew up in Dickinson, Texas, and announced he will give all the money raised on the opening day of Sweet Jam’s new Northeast Portland location to the residents of Dickinson, Texas.
The weather in Portland definitely has a heated reputation throughout the country. The entire Pacific Northwest, but Portland and Seattle specifically, is known for its torrential downpours threatening to drown every living thing, however the summers here are gorgeous.
With typically mild temperatures, low humidity, and weeks without rain (sometimes nearly 60-day stretches without rain, in fact), Portland is a great place to be in the summer. However, many residents will tell you that you don’t need air conditioning here. Let’s investigate.