Allow Me

It's true, it does rain in Portland in the winter. This sculpture by the artist J. Seward Johnson, is called "Allow Me" and is found in downtown's Pioneer Square.

Dubbed the city's "living room", the land was purchased in 1848 by Elijah Hill for the princely sum of $24.00 and a pair of boots. In 1875 the Pioneer Courthouse was erected on the site, the second largest in the West at that time. In 1890 the luxurious Portland Hotel was also built on the site at a cost of $1,000,000. The hotel was razed in 1951 by the department store chain Meier and Frank and their flagship store was built. In the early 1970's, the square was redesigned after an international design competition which was won by Will Martin. The bricks in the current square have the names of donors who contributed to the rebuilding of the space.

The square hosts over 300 events a year and there will be photos of some of these events to come.

Outfitting Portland

One of the treats for anyone who roams the streets of Portland is the variety of outfits people don. Vintage is big and I see clothing combinations seen nowhere else (or at least ever by me). As a friend recently said to me, "Portland is where you see someone riding a bike in a bunny suit and you don't look twice". 

Biker Paradise

Residents take great pride in the naming of Portland as one of the most "bike friendly" cities in the country. There are bike routes galore throughout the city (and indeed our very own street is one). Bike commuters abound throughout the year and in all kinds of weather. And as seen in this image, bikes are even used for ornamentation!

There are many bike events, including the annual World Naked Bike Ride which in June 2009 attracted 5,000 riders. 

Tall Trees at Tabor

These very tall trees are in Mt. Tabor Park in the southeast section of the city. Mt. Tabor was named after a city in Israel by Plympton Kelly. The 195 acres that comprise the park were purchased in 1903 on the recommendation of John Olmstead. Emanuel Mische, Superintendent of Parks (who had worked with the Massachusetts Olmstead firm) designed the park layout. A distinct feature is the extinct volcanic cone. It is a favorite location for hiking, cycling, jogging and dog walking.

It doesn't snow in Portland

At least that is the accepted wisdom, and what our sons told us before we moved here. Of course, it isn't true. It snows very little, but when it does, the city undergoes some kind of demonic transformation. Last Tuesday, a friend and I went downtown to the movies (Young Victoria-very good). When we emerged from the theater at 5:00, there was three inches of snow and total chaos on the roads. Only because I encouraged my friend to make a totally illegal Boston maneuver were we able to get across the river and home before total gridlock happened there as well. Everyone is blaming everyone else for the mess-the transit authority blames the weather bureau and the weather bureau seems to be blaming anyone but themselves. And today our decidedly weird mayor, Sam Adams, has announced that he will tweet when another storm is coming or is upon us. As if that will help people learn to drive in a slight snowfall!

I went out a couple of days later and the above is the only evidence of the storm I could find. Perhaps the remains of a snowman?

Laurelhurst Neighborhood

Portland is a city of over 90 recognized neighborhoods (a consensus seems to be 95). Portland is divided into five sectors: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest and North Portland. The Willamette River divides the north and south sides and Portlanders use seven bridges to go from side to side-more about the bridges later. Laurelhurst, where we live, is in the Northeast sector.

Laurelhurst was first settled as two claims under the 1850 federal Donation Land Act. The first claim was made by Elijah and Saloma Davidson and the second by Terence and Mary Quinn. Beginning in 1859 Davidson began purchasing additonal property in the area and established a well known stock farm of Jersey cattle. When he died in 1893, the area began to transition into a residential neighborhood.

In 1909 the Laurelhurst Company purchased most of the property but for 31 acres that it sold to the City of Portland for park land. Laurelhurst Park is the first park in the nation to be named to the National Register of Historic Places (2001).

It's the first day of 2010 and time to begin this daily blog. A distinct feature of the culture of Portland is the appreciation of all kinds of differentness. "Keep Portland Weird" seems to be an unofficial slogan of many who treasure this city's uniqueness. You can read about the organization on their website (www.keepportlandweird.com)