Accordingly, I've decided to post more of my thoughts on Portland here on PDXme, rather than going through the lengths of investigative reporting for each post. Hopefully it'll enliven some sort of discussion, posted or otherwise. But then again, one can't ask for too much this Christmas. Look what happened to Packy.

"Packy," one of Portland's asian elephants, before here demise. Photo: Daniel Ronan

"Packy" the largest asian elephant of the United States, in her restructured form. Photo: Willamette Week

"USA! USA! USA!" I almost felt as if I was watching a soccer match unfold while watching this video. The unveiling of the first modern American streetcar prototype in almost sixty years has created a wave in the stadium of public transportation. The car was produced primarily by United Streetcar, a subsidiary of Oregon Iron Works, as well as a myriad of other U.S. companies.

In 2007, the Oregon State Legislature allocated money to the Clackamas-based company to work towards building a manufacturing base here in Portland for these "vehicles of desire." The hopes of creating jobs and rejuvenating America's ailing cities have come true, but there is still so much work to be done. Portland, being heeded by a federal government for once in a long while, is now on the tangible forefront of the shift from sprawling, chaotic communities to more equitable and livable communities to sustain for years to come. LaHood's words are what we've already heard about Portland's efforts to improve and expand public transportation, but the fact that we've gotten this attention has really got Portlanders on a kind of pdxme fix.

In laymen's terms, this pdxme phenomenon is what I try and describe on this blog. It's a feeling you get when you know Portland's got something right, and that is why you're here. What Portlander can't stop giggling at official recognition from the federal government (a.k.a. the people who set trends and make money and ideas happen) of what we already  know? Pdxme! Pdxme! Pdxme! And please, please, Portland me pretty.

Passengers disembark the new MAX green line at Clackamas Town Center. Photo courtesy of Portland Transport.

Another one of the prototype American streetcars unveiled. Notice the bikes! Photo courtesy of Portland Transport.