THE REST OF OREGON AND THE NORTHWEST
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Portland: City of books, brews, bikes, and blooms Welcome to Portland! Your admission to Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College not only guarantees you an excellent legal education, it also gives you a unique opportunity to procure this education in one of this country's most vibrant, fun, and well-educated cities. Portland has character. Each of the four quadrants into which the city is divided has its own unique feel: the urban flair and architectural diversity of the Northeast, the young-urban-professional atmosphere of chic Northwest; the bohemian, ethnic flavor of the Hawthorne District in the Southeast; the strong sense of community in the Southwest neighborhoods of Multnomah Village and Lake Oswego;. Wherever you live or choose to live, you can rest assured that you are embarking on an interesting and enjoyable tenure here in Portland. "Portland'll be a great city when you finally get it finished!" Comedian Red Skelton made this remark when he visited Portland back in 1981; it's now 2000 and the city is still nowhere near being complete. A recent population study has predicted that over 750,000 more people will move to Portland within the next 20 years. With that kind of population growth, Portland will not be completed for a long, long time. Even unfinished, Portland is a grand place to spend a few years, and an uncommon number of out-of-state law students end up staying. That's why there are nearly 6000 attorneys swarming like aphids over the Rose City. Architect Pietro Belluschi once said, "as a young man of 25 I had the good fortune to arrive in Portland, where I was exposed to a place still wild and unburdened by the past, a city uniquely shaped by the past, a city shaped by nature, climate and the pride and toil of determined pioneers. Here, I thought, was the future. Today I find no greater meaning than to have shared in the growth and flowering of such a beautiful place." What's the attraction? First of all, Portland has become the "high quality of life" capital of the United States. The city is extremely beautiful and clean, there is a low crime rate, costs of living are relatively low, and most people are pretty darn friendly here. The high quality of life (and a few tax breaks) has attracted many of the larger corporations to Portland. Such giants as Nike and Intel are based here, and many more are moving in. Historian Kimbark MacColl writes that from its genesis, Portland reflected the "character and background of its pioneers. The conservative financial practices which eschewed credit for cash; the pursuit of sound investment instead of risky speculation; a commitment to public education; a concern for cultural matters; a dislike for ostentation; all blended together to give Portland a special quality of affluence, tempered by civility and good taste." We think that about sums it up. Portland is fun. There is something for everyone, day and night. It's a great town for music: its parks are filled with bands of every description through the summer. Thirty thousand people gather in the International Rose Test Gardens on an August evening each year to hear a '40s big band close Washington Park's summer festival. And jazz -- yes, real live, first rate jazz -- happens all the time, from the City's own arsenal of talented musicians to the national artists who flock to the Mt. Hood Festival of Jazz each year. Live theater abounds (amateur and Equity), neighborhood theaters mean cheap movies are never far away. Parades, festivals, you name it, it's around town somewhere. The Rose City is fun to look at, too, and not just for the flowers. Downtown hosts a dazzling array of architecture, from the distinctive, blue-capped KOIN tower, to the twin crystal spires of the Portland Convention Center (illuminated at night), to one of the largest collections of cast-iron-fronted Victorian buildings in America. Oh yeah, the flowers are nice too. Navigating the City: At its origin in 1845, Portland consisted of only 16 square blocks. Today, the Portland Metropolitan area (consisting of Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties in Oregon and Clark County in Washington) is home to more than 1.6 million people and several thousand sailboats, tankers, powerboats, and freighters at any given moment. The City of Roses is a river city, you see, lying a few miles below the meeting point of the north-flowing Willamette River and the western rolling Columbia. Willamette is pronounced will - AM - it. Rhymes with "will damn it." DO NOT say will - a - MET, if you do, people will look at you funny and ask you what part of the country you're from. In learning to find your way around, keep in mind that the city is divided into four areas or quadrants. The Willamette River divides east from west, and Burnside Boulevard divides north and south. Addresses reflect the quadrant where the spot is located: SW, NW, SE, NE. Numbers closest to the river often start with a "0" and get larger farther away from the river (for instance, Beaverton addresses start around 9000). Because of the river, bridges are crucial to travel in the Rose City; each one connects to different areas of town. The city had barely even been laid out on the West Side in 1845, when someone just had to get to the East Side. The first case before the Oregon Territorial Supreme Court was over ferry rights, and the means to cross the Willamette without swimming were coveted by entrepreneurs. Eventually technology and capital accumulated in sufficient quantity to span the Willamette by bridge. The Morrison Bridge was the first proposed for construction, but ferry operators and riverfront businessmen, like sawmill owner and aspiring politico Sylvester Pennoyer, kept the courts hopping for fifteen years before the United States Supreme Court ordered the bridge built. Completed in 1887, it was the largest bridge west of the Mississippi for over twenty years. Find Mr. Pennoyer's story interesting? He was not a nice guy; in fact, his spectre still haunts every first year law student. Just wait until Civil Procedure, where you will cower in fear over the problems caused by Mr. Pennoyer and his relationship with Mr. Neff. If your professors do not use the case, ask them about it. Well, Pennoyer's evil empire was defeated and the bridges were built, quite a few of them actually. It is important to learn the names and locations of all seven bridges for cars and trucks (there are a few out there for just trains). Every Portlander assumes you know all the bridges. It shows in the directions they give. Typical directions given by a Portlander will go something like this "oh, that's easy, just cross the Sellwood Bridge and take a right." Great directions, assuming you know where the Sellwood Bridge is. The easiest way to learn the bridges is south to north, following the Willamette to its meeting with the Columbia. The Willamette is one of the few rivers in the world that flows south to north. It is actually the largest north flowing river in the U.S.). Closest to the Law School is the Sellwood Bridge. This goes over the river into, you guessed it, Sellwood. Sellwood is a popular area to live in (southeast Portland). A couple of miles North is its sister, the Ross Island Bridge. Ross Island, the bridge's namesake was at one time home to a famous distillery. McArthur's Oregon Geographic Names, an indispensable work, says the island was once legendary for its "'Blue Ruin' whiskey of pioneer days . . . it was a fluid of high voltage." The distillery is gone, and now is home to a large number of Blue Heron rookeries. Just thought you would like to know. Next comes the I-5 bridge, officially known as the Marquam (pronounced "Mark-um") Bridge, after nearby Marquam Hill (also known as Pill Hill for the presence of the Oregon Health Sciences University and related facilities) which was in turn named for its one-time owner, Judge Phil Marquam (1823-1912). Next is the Hawthorne Bridge, which is a drawbridge and has recently undergone reconstruction. It is currently the most bike and pedestrian friendly of the bridges. Beyond the Hawthorne Bridge come, in quick succession, the Morrison Bridge (no bike lanes, only narrow sidewalks), the Burnside Bridge (bike lanes and sidewalks), the Steel Bridge (sidewalks) and the Broadway bridge (sidewalks). After these, the Fremont is the big arched bridge with the large flags flying over it where I-405 crosses the Willamette. Several miles beyond the Fremont bridge on St. Helens Road/Highway 30 N is the most aesthetically pleasing of the metro bridges, the 1931 St. John's Bridge, a Gothic suspension span of dazzling grandeur. Further aiding you in your travels through the city is Portland's excellent public transportation system. In addition to the extensive Tri-Met bus routes blanketing the city, Portland also boasts MAX (Metropolitan Area Express), the light rail system. MAX runs from the east part of town to the city center; recently, a westside line connecting Beaverton with the downtown opened. Public Transportation: Portland's Public Transportation system consists of buses (Tri-Met)and an east-west light-rail line (MAX). On the bus, you pay as you board and must have exact change. The MAX is on the honor system and you can use a monthly bus pass, a bus transfer or purchase a one-trip train ticket for proof of fare if asked. If you are traveling between two downtown points within the large "Fareless Square," there is no cost. Otherwise, the amount is based on the number of zones you are riding through. Tri-Met has three fare zones which are in concentric circles around the city. For example, a bus trip to school from the airport travels through 3 zones and costs $1.45. A bus trip to school from downtown goes through only 2 zones and costs $1.15. The one zone costs the same as the two zone pass, $1.15. These prices include transfers good on all buses and the MAX for two hours during peak hours and three hours during other times. Tri-Met also sells all-day passes for $3.50. The school subsidizes bus passes at a rate of 50% and I would strongly recommend you purchase a monthly bus pass if you plan on taking the bus or MAX often. Fares change once a year, usually at September 1. These are the fares as of September 1, 1999. The bus lines are divided into seven color and picture sections. For example the school is in the yellow rose section and the airport is in the purple raindrop section. The sections come out like spokes from downtown. Many of Portland's buses begin downtown at the transit mall on 5th and 6th Avenues downtown, the stops are designated by a colored picture so look for the colored picture and the bus number on the signs. The bus schedules are also color coded. Bus drivers are very friendly and always willing to help you out with directions or miscellaneous information. Tri-Met Customer Assistance Office is downtown in Pioneer Square under the waterfall. For general information or trip planning, call 238-RIDE (238-7433) for 24 hour automated trip planning or from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. M-F to speak to a live human. You may also plan a route or find out more details about Tri-Met by visiting their excellent web page at http://www.tri-met.org/. A Little History: In 1842 John McLoughlin, the "Father of Oregon," founded a community where the Willamette plunges over the 40-foot precipice at Willamette Falls. This was a aid station to the 350,000 people who traveled the "Oregon Trail" from 1843-1866. In 1844 William Overton filed a claim to 640 acres of land along the Willamette. Here the Overton Cabin was built, Portland's first "Official Structure." Overton sold his claim to Francis Pettygrove and Asa Lovejoy. They had come west to start a new town. What was then to be a small village. They flipped a coin to determine the name of this village. Pettygrove called it right and named it Portland. He was from Portland, Maine. Had Lovejoy won, he would have named it after his hometown, a little burg called Boston, Massachusetts. By 1884, two transcontinental railroad lines had crossed in the town. This established it as a major distribution center. The World's Fair in 1900 drew thousands of visitors to bring on the new century. In 1907, the first annual Rose Festival was held, and the rest as they say was history. City of Roses: In the 1890's, local utility lawyer, historian and rose fancier Frederick V. Holman coined the term "City of Roses" to reflect the floral obsession of thousands of the city's residents. The term is incorporated everywhere: more than 50 different establishments use the name for virtually every field of human activity. There is Rose City Appliance, Rose City Church of the Nazarene, Rose City Denture Clinic, Rose City Funeral Home, a Rose City Soap and Rendering Co., Rose City Yacht Club, Rose City...well, you get the idea. Even the city's sewer system features roses as decorative feature on their manhole covers. The Notorious Weather: I am sure you have heard several horror stories about the weather in Portland. Don't worry, it doesn't always rain here. As you'll learn soon enough, Portland has what the weather bureau politely calls a "winter rainfall climate." Extremes of temperature are relatively rare: 40 to 80 is the normal range. But there is the rain. It's true, it does rain for a lot of the year. However, the good news is that only 37 inches of precipitation fall here each year. This is less than the annual yearly rainfall of New York, Boston, Atlanta, New Orleans, or Miami. But, the downside is that the 37 inches come down in a slow steady drizzle, which lasts from November to June. During the rest of the year, Portland usually has crystal clear skies and an average temperature of 75. Summers are especially pleasant due to low humidity from July to September. There's a lot of fog, too, especially around the Law School. Sometimes it seems to hang there for three or four years at a stretch. (Ha Ha). It's really not that bad, but be prepared for it. Portland gets hardly any snow. If it does snow, it usually comes down in less than an inch. Beware though, that inch of snow is usually enough to shut down all the roads for a while because it so frequently starts as the phenomenon called "freezing rain" and then turns to snow. You are allowed to put snow chains on your tires, and buying a set of chains can be a good investment. You will really want snow chains if you plan on going to Mt. Hood where there is plenty of snow all year round There is no rock salt used on the roads here, just a sand/gravel mixture, insurance on your windshield may be a good idea.. Here's the way the climate breaks out:
Average Temperature and Rainfall
There are certain aspects to life in Oregon which I have not really encountered in any other state. Below are some of the more unique things you'll find in Oregon: Why can't I pump my own gas in Oregon? Do not attempt to pump your own gas in Oregon; it is illegal to do so. As part of a job creation program, the state government passed a law that all gas stations had to be full service, or "mini" service as it's called out here. This has an up side and a down side. The down side is that gas prices are slightly higher due to the cost of labor; but don't worry, prices are not significantly higher than the national average. The upside is that you don't have to get wet pumping your own gas on those all too frequent rainy days. Do you need to tip the gas station attendants? The answer is no, but I am sure they wouldn't mind an extra buck now and then. Portland heralds a bookstore with the largest number of volumes in the United States -- Powell's. Powell's can sell you a million books should you feel the urge to make a small purchase. They can also give you a free map of downtown with a walking tour and information on the sights you will see along the way. Portland has one of the highest bookstore-per-resident ratios in the country, and Portlanders visit those bookstores regularly. All this may be because New Englanders founded the city, or because the people who come here to go to college never seem to leave, or because for most of the year the rain encourages settling in with a good book. Whatever the reason, explore the city to discover soon-to-be favorite bookstores. To put it mildly, beer is BIG here. We have more microbrewery outlets than anywhere in North America. This Bud may be for you, but not if you live in Portland; we much prefer our Hefeweizens, Terminator Stouts, and Black Butte Porters. There are so many microbreweries that put out so many great beers that there is not enough room in this book to talk about them. The only way to truly experience Beervana is to go out and try them yourself. If you would like touring info on the microbrew scene in Portland, give the nice people at Oregon Brewers Guild a call at (503) 295-1862. You will never drink a Bud willingly again If beer is big in Portland, then coffee is bigger. Portland is the first place where I have seen a McDonald's that serves espresso. Coffee is everywhere in this city. The Brewed Awakening stand located in the law school dining area can load you up with any coffee drink you would like, from espresso to latte. Nothing keeps you going through a morning Contracts class like a triple espresso. It is not really coffee unless it takes at least three words to order it, double tall mocha latte. If you haven't already heard it through the grapevine, Oregon wines consistently win awards around the world. Most fine wineries in the Tualatin Valley and the Willamette Valley are delighted to offer tours and tastings. Sample wines or enjoy a lunch and stroll around their grounds. Some recommendations of places to visit include: Ponzi and Cooper Mountain vineyards or the Oak Knoll Winery. Upon arrival, many are blown away with the number of unique festivals run in and about this small metropolis. From the grandest festival of all, The Annual Rose Festival, to the International Kite Festival in late September, the area has a festival for everyone. Information on these and others is available at the Portland Visitors Association at 3 World Trade Center, 26 SW Salmon Street. 503-222-2223 or 800-345-3214. They can also provide a free map of the city. Portland has the greatest location for outdoor enthusiasts. How do you describe an area where one could swim in the Pacific at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world in the morning, and still make at least three runs that night on the continent's southern-most glacier. Since Mount Hood has year round winter sports, this is a great plan for an August day. Because the two mighty rivers join just north of downtown Portland, this city is tailor-made for fishing, sailing, jet skiing, whitewater rafting, and even wind surfing where the Columbia Gorge is considered the greatest spot on the planet. The salmon fishing in nearby tributaries is the some of the best in the country. If you hike, climb, camp, or any combination of these, the beautiful forest around Mount Hood is a quick hour's drive away. Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainer, Mt. Saint Helens, and Mt. Hood are all a short drive. If you do it, it can probably be done here. If you are a biker, Portland is the place for you. In addition to being great exercise and helping reduce traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, and fuel consumption, biking is a free way to see some of the most beautiful scenery around. For $5 at the Pioneer Square Tri-Met office you can get a permit to take your bike on all the Tri-Met buses and the MAX. Also, the Rails to Trails program has converted many old unused railroad tracks into softbed bike paths. These trails pass through some beautiful country and historic sites. The city's bicycle program tries to make biking a more attractive transportation choice. They provide bike parking, shower and changing facilities, and lockers at several locations. For information on biking in Portland contact The Portland Bicycle Program at 503-823-2925, or e-mail: mbirk@syseng.ci.portland.or.us. Check out this web page at: http://www.trans.ci.portland.or.us/traffic_management/bicycle_program. Also, Critical Mass, the biker's rights disorganization meets the last Friday of every month under the Burnside Bridge on the west side for a rally/ride. They would always love more people to come. There are many bike shops in the area. To help you out, we have collected some kudos and complaints about some of them: Bicycle Repair Collective: 4438 SE Belmont, Portland - 233-0564 - Will rent space, tools and knowledge out so you can learn to repair your bike yourself. State Animal: American Beaver State Bird: Western Meadowlark State Dance: Square Dance State Fish: Chinook Salmon State Flower: Oregon Grape State Insect: Oregon Swallowtail Butterfly State Rock: Thunderegg (Geode) State Tree: Douglas Fir State Song: "Oregon, My Oregon" (a.k.a. "Land of the Empire Builders) Population: (1996) 3,175,000 High Point: 11,235 feet (Mt. Hood) Surface Area: 97,463 square miles Capital: Salem
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