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

The "Oregon Stag" shirt at Greg's on Hawthorne. Photo by Daniel Ronan.

PDXppl is a series of profiles of Portlanders and area residents and what they do.

In any city, flashy marketing tends to take off more than in other localities. Take the "I ♥ NY" shirt or any sports team products as prime examples. Here in Oregon, we've come across one such example of a product as a part of a groundswell love for all things Oregon; the curiously designed "Oregon Stag" shirt with the state's boundaries. After a bit of research, I managed to contact the designer of the shirt and ask him a few questions (as you'll see below). Time will only tell the other products of OR love that will (literally) be in store, but I'm excited to see what the artists and dreamers of Portland and Oregon can come up with!

PDXme: Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Chris Stevens, I'm a graphic designer by trade but I make t-shirts for a living. My company's name is Northwest Shirts and I primarily make and print my own designs which I sell in stores and at fairs and festivals around the Northwest.

PDXme: What brings you to printmaking/ shirt making?

Well as I said I'm a graphic designer by trade which in Portland means that I was bartending and catering, whatever I could do to get by. I bought a bunch of equipment off of a friend a few years ago and taught myself how to print. It was something I always wanted to do and apparently I'm pretty good at it because it's five years later and I haven't slung a drink since.

PDXme: Your shirt design bears remarkable resemblance to the University of Oregon's proposed redesign of the Made in Oregon sign, is this just a coincidence? If so, how did you get the idea to make the "Oregon" shirt?

Well, this is a funny story, I'll tell you how the design came around and what's happened with it since. About 5 years ago or so my landlord came to me and wanted me to make some shirts for his friends that own the Florida Room in North Portland. He wanted me to put "Florida" inside of the Oregon stag sign, which I did but afterwards I thought, "why don't I just put Oregon inside of it and sell them?" I've been selling them for many years now, well before the U of O sign controversy. I even have a federal copyright on the image but after consulting with a copyright lawyer he said I wouldnt stand a chance of fighting the city on it, but I could probably stop other t-shirt people from doing it. I just didn't want anybody to shut me down from making them. I sent one to city commissioner Randy Leonard and I found a picture of him holding it up on the Mercury blog. So I don't think I'm in any danger of infringement or anything.

PDXme: Where can people buy this shirt in the Portland area?

You can get it Greg's on Hawthorne at 3707 SE Hawthorne, or if your outside of the city you can get them on my etsy page at: http://www.nwshirts.etsy.com

PDXme: Anything else you like us to know?

I originally started doing this because I hated working for other people, and pretty much working period. The funny thing is this is the hardest job I've ever had. If you want to make money being a craft vendor, my advice is to be adaptable and ready to roll with the punches. Some days are miserable and some days are awesome you've just got to be there for all of them. I thank everyone who's purchased and enjoyed one of my shirts.

Amtrak ticket stubs for round trip train reservations and bike reservations.

This past weekend I took a trip up to Portland from Eugene with my bike. I really appreciate the fact that I can bring my bike on the train, as it gives me the choice to do whatever I like when I arrive at Union Station. Upon arrival, one can bike to the nearest bus line to get home, go to Powell's for the newest read, or relax at a nearby café. At any rate, the fact that Amtrak permits bikes on board does wonders for a visitor's experience in the Rose City.

As a pretty much monthly visitor to Portland, surprisingly enough, this past weekend marks the first time I have brought a bike on board. Accordingly, I've given some thought to how bikes on Amtrak trains fit the Portland goal of diverse travel options. In short, "choices." If you offer citizens choices in terms of their travel options, the more likely they will make a different choice than insisting on riding alone in their cars. Be it train, light rail, bus or bike, Portlanders get around. Amtrak's inclusion of bicycles on board increases the number of choices people can make upon arriving to town as to where and when they want to go. Accordingly, I've written a brief list of ideas and suggestions in light of my trip that might make arriving "from train with bike" that much more desirable and convenient.

1. Improve ticketing of bicycles upon purchase. The decision to bring my bike from Eugene to Portland came after I had already bought my ticket north. For me to add my bike to my reservation, I had to cancel my previous ticket and be charged an extra $10 dollars on top of the ticket price to bring my bike roundtrip. Days after, I was reimbursed for the initial transaction. The easier we make it easy for “leisure riders” to make reservations for their bikes on the fly, without needing reimbursement of previous Amtrak fares, the more accessible trains will be and the more popular the prospect of riding one’s bike at one’s destination.
2. Standardize bike boarding information, waver forms and tagging. On Saturday morning, I arrived at Eugene Station to wait in line for the appropriate ticketing to bring my bike on board. To bring your bike you need to sign a form acknowledging that Amtrak has no liability for potential damage that may occur on your trip. After signing, I received a carbon copy of the form explaining the terms of agreement along with a tag for my bike. On the return from Portland, I was given a perforated form to perform the same task. The text was easier to read and more intuitive as it looked like it was printed off the same printing system as my tickets. The tag ripped off the form to be hung on my handlebars. Regardless of the differences in waver forms and bike tags, the actual round tickets, four in all (two for the fare and two for the bikes) looked the same. It would great to bring this sort of standardization to the bikes on board. Lastly, at the end of my ride to Portland, I wasn’t required to give proof that my bike belonged to me, whereas after arriving in Eugene I was required to give the other part of the ticket I received before boarding. To sum it up, Amtrak needs to be better with making a more seamless system for transporting bikes, especially when it comes to showing proof that a bike belongs to a certain individual.
3. Increase the capacity for bicycles on board. A quick call to Amtrak revealed that trains the Amtrak Cascade line only have capacity for six bikes, that is, six bike hooks to hang bikes if they are not already taken. I imagine more bikes could be accommodated if brought in boxes, but boxing your bike for less than a two-day stint in Portland doesn’t make sense. If Amtrak and Portland got together to find away to accommodate more bike hooks on trains, this could potential decrease the demand for rental cars, taking more cars of the road and encouraging visitors to see Portland and its neighborhoods on two wheels. To put this point into perspective, if I wanted to come to Portland with a group of friends to participate in the Bridge Pedal this coming weekend, and we all brought our bikes, then everyone else would be sweet out of luck. If we started off in Vancouver B.C., we would essentially take up all available bike parking for passengers boarding in Washington.

So there you have it. It would be great if people could suggest ways to make some of these suggestions happen. I was sure to send in these comments on the cards that were provided on the train, but more people pushing for better access to Amtrak's trains with bikes will surely make for a better case. You can leave your comments online here. And if you are post prone, (word on the street is you can get a ticket for a free drink on Cascade trains if you send them a comment) you can send your comments to:

Washington State
Department of Transportation
Rail Office
P.O. Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98599-7407

With the coming Winter Olympics in Vancouver, not to mention the fact that people just want to bring their bikes on board, it's important that we work to increase bike capacity on Amtrak as well as streamline current policies towards our two-wheeled friends. I also see this as a potential improvement that could come of Washington and Oregon's application for stimulus funds to update the Cascade line's crossings and aging infrastructure. If we're set on making the riding the train a viable transportation option, it's important that we make it viable for all users, those with and sans vélo. The more bikes at Union Station, the more money in the Portland's, and not to mention the Pacific Northwest's economy.

Nancy Stovall, Image compliments of Nancy Stovall.

Over the past couple of weeks I have been a harsh critic of the University of Oregon's (UO) plans to alter the design of the "Made in Oregon" sign and the Water Tower, two Portland icons in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood. Realizing the compromise for the "Made in Oregon" sign to read "Oregon," was reasonable given the circumstances, I took to the University's proposal to place its "O" logo on the adjacent water tower that currently reads "Old Town."

In my quest to learn more about the key players in this debate, among them UO, Portland City Council, the Historic Landmarks Commission, I found that one key entity was missing. Although this may have seemed obvious in our process-loving town, it seems the Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association has yet been given its own soapbox to stand on. I left a message for the Neighborhood Association, and Nancy Stovall was kind enough to give me a call back. Below is her and her neighborhood association's take on the debate that has pervaded Portland's publications for four months as well as more information about Old Town Chinatown, one of Portland's many prized neighborhoods.

PDXme: Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Nancy Stovall; I'm the Vice Chair of the Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association.

PDXme: What do Portland and the Old Town Chinatown (OTCT) area mean to you?

I live in Old Town, it's my neighborhood. I love living in an urban environment; I moved here from suburban Atlanta almost 3 years ago. Within the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood boundaries there are two National Historic Districts: Skidmore-Old Town and Japantown-New Chinatown. Most Portlanders don't realize that this is where Portland began. Captain Couch's land claim encompassed what is now Old Town, Chinatown, the Pearl, Nob Hill and some of NW Portland, but there's very few historic buildings anywhere except Old Town Chinatown. Those of us who live here understand that we're only caretakers for the next generation--but there needs to be a balance. Portland needs to take action to preserve what's remaining and revitalize this historic neighborhood.

PDXme: Can you give us an idea as to what the Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association has done in the past?

The neighborhood association has partnered with the city of Portland, Portland Development Commission (PDC), the OTCT Business Association, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and other public and private organizations to preserve and document the neighborhood's history, and champion new development. The Visions Committee grew out of the NA to plan and document a neighborhood charter for preservation and development. The OTCT Visions Plan was adopted by the City, and has been revisited and updated over the past 10 years as work has developed.

PDXme: Regarding the much-publicized debate around the “Made in Oregon” sign and “Old Town” water tower, can you give us the neighborhood association’s perspective of the proposed design changes?

"Made in Oregon" sign and "Old Town" water tower for now as seen from the Burnside Bridge. Photo courtesy of m.johns of Flickr, Creative Commons.

UO has spent a great deal of time, money and energy in faithfully restoring the White Stag Block. The "Made in Oregon" sign has a wonderful past--I wish more people knew about it and could see some of the old pictures. It has always represented the building's tenant--first White Satin Sugar, the White Stag, then Made in Oregon and now U of O. The University understands what historic preservation means to Portland, Oregon and to the neighborhood, and have engaged the NA throughout their process. The water tower has been restored to a working condition thanks to U of O. The NA is completely in support of the historic restoration that U of O has brought to Old Town.

PDXme: What is your personal view towards the proposed changes?

If you take the larger view, the perspective changes. I applaud the University's agreement to lease the Oregon sign and restore the water tower. Portland is famous for its recycle, re-use ethic--this is a great example of the University's commitment to sustainable use. The White Stag Block--the entire Old Town neighborhood, actually--was originally a center for commerce. From the first time that Captain Couch sailed into the port, he knew that he'd make his fortune--and his home--in Old Town. I wonder what he would think of this debate.

PDXme: What has the University of Oregon done to include the neighborhood association in its decision-making?

The U of O has regularly attended our meetings, presented their plans and asked for input and support from the NA. Their work has always been carefully researched and is appropriate from the NA perspective.

PDXme: What would you suggest to Portlanders that just can’t let go of these two Portland landmarks?

There's no need to let go of them--thanks to the U of O they'll still be landmarks. The sign is owned by Ramsay Signs, and leased to the tenant of the building. The lease to Made in Oregon was up, and U of O stepped up to take over the lease. The history of the sign continues. The sign will not change dramatically; the major component of the sign have been constrained to prevent that. The shape, the stag, the colors and pattern of the lights, and even the font are all required to remain the same. The water tower has been saved and restored for Portland. There needs to be more of this type of work in Old Town--without restoration, many buildings will crumble and we'll lose these historic landmarks.

PDXme: Anything else you’d like to tell us?

I'd like to invite all of Portland to come down to the neighborhood--visit the history of the city, and feel the vibe of the area. Old Town is a friendly area--we know our neighbors. I like to say that we're "living history". There's retail, restaurants, arts, culture, commerce and education in Old Town--all in historic buildings and surroundings. Portland is great because of it's small block sizes and diverse neighborhoods. That all started here. Check out our website--oldtownchinatown.org--to see where to shop and eat and what to see and do. All ages and all walks of life will find something fun to do in Old Town Chinatown.

* * *

So there you have it. It looks like the University of Oregon has made the effort to work with its new community in Portland, unlike the way I had characterized the University in previous posts. Although I am not for the proposed changes to the "Made in Oregon" sign, and much less those to the "Old Town" water tower, I respect the fact that communication has been taking place between the University and the Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association. Now it's up to the Historic Landmarks Commission to decide on the validity of the proposed redesigns. If you'd like to attend the Commission's meeting to speak for or against the proposed changes, please see the information below.

Landmarks Commission Hearing
Monday, July 27, 2009 at 1:30PM
1900 SW 4th Ave, Room 2500A

View the hearing agenda.

If you would like to testify in front of the commission, it would be best to arrive before 1:30pm to see the clerk in order to put your name on the list. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person.

For related "Made in Oregon" sign and "Old Town" water tower information, visit the general information page updated by the Bureau of Development Services.

Marshall McFarland

When I started the PDXpoesy of PDXme, I didn't how I would approach posting other people's poetry. How would I introduce it? What would be its subject matter? I would think Portland. But no less, a good friend of mine here at the University of Oregon, and a graduate of Lincoln High School, Marshall McFarland, has given me a taste of Portland as I live out my lazy summer days in Eugene. I leave it to Marshall, an avid photographer and poet to introduce himself:

Marshall: I've taken over 45,000 photos. My inspirations include Sally Mann, Diane Arbus, Salvador Dali, Edward Weston, Imogen Cunningham, Louis Greenfield, Zebidiah Andrews (a contemporary Portland local) and many more. I enjoy all photography (portrait, nature, fashion, journalism, abstract, studio) but I feel more and more drawn to the life style of a fine art photographer - having work displayed in art galleries. My plan is to finish my BA, get a Masters of Education, and teach high school while pursuing a career in fine art. In my future also see working in 3rd world countries to build bridges, help build communities, play soccer with children, and see and share God's love.

Photo and poetry on the jump!

Street performers perform at "Last Thursday" on NE Alberta. Photo courtesy of Marshall McFarland.

The work you see here: I took this photograph on Alberta St. at 'Last Thursday' on June 25th. Last Thursday is a wonderful event where anyone can set up a plot on the street to sell their art. This may include anything from LCD lit skateboards to bundles of lavender to earrings made of recycled clothing (yes, recycled underwear included). The poetry is inspired by the photo's location in Portland.

Find me here.

Sips of Portland's Best Refreshment

Portland

Sailing on her spirit
Holding his umbrella
Bathing in the bubbler
Made in Oregon

Climbing cranes in the Pearl
The homeless are honest
Need money for beer
The donuts delightful
The magic is in the hole

Sylvan Salmon
Ainsworth Alberta
Broadway Burnside
23rd 6th

Roses.
Play.
Bridges.
Stay.

Breathing
Watching
Smiling softly through drunken lips
Light

dalas verdugo's Guide to New York City from dalas verdugo on Vimeo.

The current "Made in Oregon" sign and "Old Town" water tower.

As a relatively new blog, I've been playing catch-up on Portland hot topics. The "Made in Oregon" sign sparked a controversy which culminated in a shouting match between City Commissioner Randy Leonard and former President of the University of Oregon (UO), Dave Frohnmayer. The compromise, as agreed on by the city council, will make its way to the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission for approval on Monday. The upcoming meeting is the public’s last chance to voice any concerns or opinions regarding the sign. According to the Bureau of Development Services Hearing Clerk, who helps run the commission's meetings, leaders would like to have a decision by the end of the hearing.

In March, I started the Facebook group, "Leave the 'Made in Oregon' sign the way it is!" and emotions ran so high that within a week over 2,000 people joined the group. I didn't do too much with it after that first week due to school, but I discovered that it had grown to over 10,000 members. With so much support for such a statement, I thought I would write an update about the sign and the related, yet seldom mentioned, issue of the “water tower.”

In the new design, which aides the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission, the water tower is raised, clad in green aluminum paneling and emblazoned with a yellow University of Oregon "O" logo. As a student at the University of Oregon, I object to this proposal. Everywhere you turn, be it in Eugene or even in Portland, the "O" is there, on lanyards, in back windshields and on shirts.

I wouldn’t mind all the “O”s if the logo were associated more with the academic side of the University of Oregon.  But alas, the "O" is the official logo for UO Athletics. Not to mentioned Nike owns it. What does this say about a public university?

The Oregon "O" at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

Speaking of shameless advertising, the university recently made headlines in Eugene when UO Education Professor McKay Sohlberg withdrew a 2008 complaint against the 816 square foot "O" on the side of Autzen Stadium. The "O" was four times the legal size. But instead of requesting a variance to the code, the UO installed the sign without warning in the fall of 2007. According to the Daily Emerald, the University will now pay $548 for a permit in addition to $1900 in building permit penalties. Talk about a lack of transparency. After almost two years, the University is starting to understand that, regardless of its size and independence, it is still a member of the community. (A sentiment that I hope the incoming University of Oregon President, Richard Lariviere, will act upon.)

As a member of the Eugene community, it's important that the University understands that other communities, such as Portland, value symbols and landmarks that the UO may not. Case in point: the "Made in Oregon" sign and the "Old Town" water tower.  All of our political capital has been spent in order to retain the sign’s neutral message. "Oregon" strikes the right balance. Although this change is not what I would have liked, I can accept it. The water tower, on the other hand, is not receiving due attention. The proposed change is inappropriate. It does not recognize the unique history behind the lesser viewed, yet equally important phrase, "Old Town."

The proposed changes in the "Made in Oregon" sign and "Old Town" water tower.

In the 1970s, it was Bill Naito who painted the phrase "Old Town" on the tower. According to the Willamette Week, the name stuck for the surrounding area. Today we have a street and soon, a plaza named after the respected Portland businessman. The revitalization of Old Town is an exciting transformation happening right now in the Rose City. The water tower, however, is an important symbol that stands faithfully as a testament to the past: one that should not be tastelessly painted over with the equivalent of a Nike logo. This water tower doesn't hold water.

As an institution of higher education, the University of Oregon has much to be proud of. I regret that the opening of the school's newly renovated Portland campus has caused such a stir.

All in all, the proposed changes in the "Made in Oregon" sign have allowed residents, however unwillingly, to be more welcoming to a U of O presence in Portland. The more inclusive message and "Ducks'" coloring, mark a new start to a rocky introduction to the realm of Portland politics. But there are some things (such as plastering your logo on another community's landmark) that don’t fit. After all, this is Portland, not Eugene.

I would encourage anyone who has anything to say about the proposed changes in Old Town to make their voices heard at the Historic Landmarks Commission hearing on Monday. Below is the hearing information:

Landmarks Commission Hearing
Monday, July 13, 2009 at 1:30PM
1900 SW 4th Ave, Room 2500A

View the hearing agenda.

If you would like to testify in front of the commission, it would be best to arrive before 1:30 to see the clerk in order to put your name on the list. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person.

For related "Made in Oregon" sign and "Old Town" water tower information, visit the general information page updated by the Bureau of Development Services.

Cup & Saucer Café on Hawthorne

Let’s not call them liars, but they live in the suburbs, and I’ll admit, I am almost one of them. These are your “I’m from Portland.” – “Oh really, where?!” – “Gresham,” – “Oh, I see, you’re not” ilk. Forgive me if this is a little harsh, but if you’re not from Portland and someone asks you where you’re from, don’t lie. I know people may not know of your particular suburb, but that’s where you’re from. You might as well take ownership of it.

Notwithstanding the general disdain for suburbanites, it’s important that Portlanders keep in mind the general prosperity of the region is due in part to its suburbs. This concession is difficult for me to make because I can’t stand suburban landscapes. Nevertheless, Hillsboro’s Intel, Nike’s Beaverton (whoops!) and now, Clackamas’ United Streetcar are all companies that bring jobs and status to the Portland area as a center for commerce and creativity.

But where I draw the line is when people don’t tell you the whole story. Please don’t drive everywhere and then try and get in with the “sustainability” set. Please don’t fly into town with your mammoth SUVs expecting your duct-taped portion of pavement for the PORTLAND Rose Festival. Also, keep your own prejudices to your own, ugly subdivisions.

At the U of O I often run across this question of the degree of “from Portland” someone is.  Despite this post, I acknowledge that some have no choice as to where they are from or where they live. The white lie is somewhat understandable. But why not start to counteract the homogenizing lifestyle of suburbs by redefining the identity of these places as yours? My hometown, as cool as it is, is still my town with all its faults.

On an important note: if you’re from Vancouver, don’t even attempt to say you’re from Portland.