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The intersection of South Grand and Columbia House is getting a much needed face lift next week. Crews will be installing new traffic lights, ADA ramps, sidewalks, curbs and a raised crosswalk. It should take until the end of December to get the work done, provided the weather co-operates.
Traffic will still be allowed through the construction so no need to practice a new route to work or school.
In recognition of Veterans Day, the Oregon Air National Guard will be executing several F-15 flyovers in the next few days. The bulk will be Tuesday morning.
Having witnessed these flyovers on multiple occasions, the staff at GoodNewsPDX can attest to the fact that this is a truly awe-inspiring sight and fitting tribute.
It’s that time of year again! As Football season in Oregon barrels towards the Civil War between the University of Oregon and Oregon State university (a game which COULD send the beavers to the Rose Bowl this year), alum and fans of both sides are teaming up for the Civil War Blood Drive.
The annual campaign by the Red Cross pits Beaver against Duck to see which side can gather the most donations.
Competitors also have a shot at tickets to this year’s football game. Last year they raised over 7,200 units of blood.
For more info go here
It’s that time of year when people start rooting through their closets for items to donate to worthy causes like Goodwill and The Salvation Army. However, before you hand over that business suit or pair of dress shoes, consider donating them here instead.
Dress for Success is a national organization with an affiliate here in Portland, dedicated to helping aspiring business women in need. They collect gently-worn business attire and cash donations and then hand it off to women heading out on job interviews or into the work force.
Definitely worth checking out.
Starbucks is doing its part to help the democratic process. The Seattle-based giant built on espresso and lattes will be offering free coffee to voters on election day. No need to bring in a ballot envelope or other form of voting evidence. Simply state that you voted and you will be presented with a tall cup of their house brewed coffee on the house.
Starbucks says in the best tradition of democracy they’re using the honor system so those of us who cast our ballots last week or those who plan to fill out absentee ballots will also have a chance at the free hit of caffeine.
Thanks to Kaila, one of our many loyal readers, for this tip.
The Multnomah County Central Library, is the first library in the state to have a green roof.
No, they did not paint the top of the building like Kermit, it’s green as in eco-friendly. Over 17K plants cover the roof and absorb rain year round while looking mighty pretty. Experts say this is an excellent example of how we can upgrade historic buildings with modern technology without harming the integrity of the facility.
While rivalry games have been known to end in a draw, Longview has never seen a game end like this.
Mark Morris and RA Long (2A high school football rivals) met for their annual game. When the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Mark Morris Monarchs had the W with a score of 53-20.
That lasted about an hour.
Apparently, the Monarchs had competed with a player who was ineligible. That meant, forfeit.
So even though they lost by nearly 5 touchdowns, RA Long celebrated a win.
For one night.
The next morning, RA Long realized that they too had used a player who was ineligible.
Double Forfeit.
The first in the history of the Longview Civil War.
There’s no word on what this means for the HS playoffs.
Editor’s note: Not to be outdone, there are murmurs that two schools in Lane County plan to use ineligible referees, necessitating a triple forfeit, while schools in Pendleton want both bands to use ineligible trombone players which would call for a quadruple forfeit.
Further Editor’s note: Meanwhile, the staff at RA Long are trying to figure out who squealed and cost them the chance to claim victory over their dreaded rivals by NEGATIVE points.
After a disappointing 2007, wine makers all over Oregon are reporting that the grape harvest of 2008 could lead to one of the best vintages in history.
Early frosts like we had last year can damage the fruit, impairing its overall flavor and there was a time when it looked like 2008 would have a similar, chilly fall season, wrecking the crops. But, two key factors came through at the perfect time.
For one, temperatures stayed cool which keeps sugar levels down which allows for full development of the fruit.
Second, because it didn’t rain a lot, pickers could set their own pace instead of having to rush and grab from the vines at the whims of Mother Nature.
All this activity bodes well for wineries statewide which account for about a billion dollars annually. You can read more in this article from The Oregonian.
The Washington County folks are thinking ahead this year, exercising common sense and forethought by asking that voters planning to drop off their ballots in the TV Highway / Murray area do so in the K Mart parking lot, instead of insisting on swinging through the far more easily congested County Elections building directly across the street.
They also warn that drivers avoid that area entirely Tuesday evening as last minute voters should swarm the intersection to make their voice heard.
