Portland Metblogs » jcrawford

White Christmas

jcrawford — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:45:11 +0000

In a highly unusual event for Portland, it appears that most of us are going to have a white Christmas this year. There’s still a good amount of snow on the ground, and there may be more tomorrow.
Luckily, the Portland Office of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Transportation have returned most major roads and highways to safe conditions, and are now beginning to plow sidestreets.
I myself was faced with the prospect of picking up my sister at the airport around midnight last night. Although I was initially concerned about the road conditions, I found Division to be quite passable and I-205 was down to bare pavement.

How are things around where you live and work, and how is the weather affecting you?

P.S. – Happy holidays!

Snow (And what it means)

jcrawford — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:32:39 +0000

It’s on everyone’s mind right now: Snow has come to Portland.

Snow in the Colonial Heights neighborhood.

The National Weather Service tells us there’s up to an inch of accumulation, and it’s only supposed to get colder. This means that tomorrow will likely bring frozen roads, and thus treacherous conditions. Here’s what you should know:

FlashAlert – Many Portland-area schools, businesses, and other organizations post inclement weather alerts to FlashAlert. This is where television news stations get their info on closures.
TriMet service alerts – Although all routes are still running, several bus and train routes are on alternate routes or alternate schedules. LIFT vehicles are no longer operating.
NOAA National Weather Service – Get the latest forecast and current conditions, and check for weather alerts and warnings.

Anything else everyone should know? leave a comment!

The Arrival of the Tree

jcrawford — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:35:49 +0000

This Friday, November 14th, the enormous tree (donated by Stimson Lumber) will arrive at Pioneer Courthouse Square. The tree will follow a parade route, complete with Santa Claus, seasonal music, and local dignitaries. The tree will be lit on the 28th.

Robotics Competition at OMSI Saturday Oct. 25th

jcrawford — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:55:55 +0000

This Saturday, October 5th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the OMSI main auditorium there will be a FIRST Robotics Competition scrimmage. 15 teams from area high schools will be competing with 120 pound robots in a competition that involves racing, herding a swiss-style exercise ball around a track, and throwing the ball over a 6′ bar. FIRST Lego League teams from local middle schools will also be there demonstrating their robots. Team members from both levels will be happy to tell you more about the competition, the robots, and the FIRST programs.

David Perry, lead educator for the OMSI Technology Lab, said “This showcase by FIRST gives visitors a chance to get an up-close look at real world robotics and what the possibilities and limitations are in a really fun and dynamic way.”

The competition should be a lot of fun to watch. Admission to this event is free.

(Full disclosure: I’m a member team #1432, which is participating)

Lost Dog… Door?

jcrawford — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:49:58 +0000

Someone with a lost dog wanted a big sign. And apparently had a door lying around.
I saw this at the corner of 52nd and Division and found it rather humorous. It’s a lost dog sign painted on a complete door, with knob and frame.

A lost dog sign on a door

Nader Protesters

jcrawford — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:32:30 +0000

Riding the bus home today, I was surprised to see a row of people waving Nader/Gonzalez signs right in front of the Obama and Merkley campaign office.

A group of Nader supporters in front of the Obama/Merkley campaign office

Many Nader supporters held signs criticizing Nader’s exclusion from the debates, saying “Open the debates,” and “Nader Debates, America Wins.”

One sign read Nader Debates, America Wins. Step Up, Barack

The recent economic news was also a concern. One protester held a sign reading “$700 billion out of my cold, bare hands.”

Their chances aren’t good: polls by the American Research Group show Obama ahead in Oregon 52% to 41%. 6% were unsure, and the Nader supporters were included in “other”, with just 1%.

Linus Pauling Memorial Lectures

jcrawford — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:14:50 +0000

It’s that time again!
The Institute for Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (ISEPP) and sponsors are bringing a variety of influential and interesting scientists and philosophers to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall for the Linus Pauling Memorial Lectures. The Pauling memorial lectures include a wide range of subjects. This year we’ll hear from:
- Dr. Richard Leaky: Rethinking Human Origins
- Dr. Terence Love: Holistic Design
- Dr. Daniel Levitin: Evolving Music and Mind
- Dr. Susan Haack: Beyond the Science Wars
- Dr. Brian Greene: Cosmology at the Frontier
- Dr. Stuart Kaufmann: Reinventing the Sacred

In the past the lectures have been absolutely fascinating, and it looks like this year will be no different; I highly recommend all of these lectures. General admission for all 6 lectures is $192, tickets are also available for individual lectures.

For more information, visit isepp.org or call 503-232-2300.

School’s In!

jcrawford — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:10:39 +0000

Portland Public Schools is officially in session as of today, Wednesday September 3rd.

Many high schools have Freshmen come in Wednesday, while older students come in the next day, Thursday the 4th. This allows time for the freshman to become oriented in the new buildings and meet the school staff without other students around. Other than those high schools, I think all schools except for year-round programs are starting today.

TriMet Fare Increases

jcrawford — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:15:20 +0000

Increases in TriMet fares take effect September first—that’s Monday. Details are available on TriMet’s website, but to sum it up: All-Zone fare is up 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for youth, while monthly passes are up $10 for adults and $2 for youth. They have added a new 14-day pass to the fare options. 14-day passes cost almost exactly half what monthly passes cost, and are good for—you guessed it—14 days.
A TriMet press release explains that fare increases are due to record high diesel prices. TriMet will nearly double it’s fuel budget for fiscal year 2009, expecting to spend $28.5 million on fuel. TriMet is taking a number of approaches to offsetting rising fuel prices, including many that have made it’s fleet one of the most efficient in the nation, but fare increases are still needed. General inflation has also contributed to the fare increase.