10.13.2023

Today’s Forecast

69º | Evening showers | 50% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 6:29 p.m.

We’re not making this up

Did you know these interesting facts about Portland?

A historic photo shows Portland's Great Light Way, a series of illuminated archways along Third Avenue.

Third Avenue used to look quite different. | Photo via Portland City Archives

As connoisseurs of the quirky and unconventional, we put together a list of Portland’s interesting history, oddest characteristics, and fun (or freaky) facts that you can impress your friends with this weekend.

🎉 Fun facts

The Great Light Way was a series of 15 arched light structures, constructed from 1914-1915 at every intersection along Third Street, from Yamhill Street to Glisan Street. Each 82-ft-long, 2.5-ton steel span contained ninety-six 40-watt bulbs, topped by a 750-watt nitrogen lamp. Business owners hoped the electrical spectacle would counteract the allure of Broadway and its burgeoning theater district, and for a short time, it shined bright.

Portland is well known for its vegan and vegetarian restaurants, but did you know that a key ingredient on many of their menus has been made here longer than anywhere else in the US? Ota Tofu is the country’s oldest tofu factory, started by Japanese immigrants in 1911. When the Ota family was forced to give up its business during World War II, a sympathetic landlord maintained the original location, and they were able to return following the conflict.

Dr. Keene investigated cases around Oregon, like this splash pad in Hubbard that gave kids gastrointestinal illness in 2003.
|
Photo via International Outbreak Museum

🦠 Freaky facts

A small windowless room inside the Oregon Health Authority building is filled with contaminated food items and other replicas that would make you sick. Enter, the International Outbreak Museum, a passion project and homage to Dr. William Keene, who investigated infectious diseases for the state. Hope you can stomach the 100+ exhibits.

Reed College in Southeast Portland has the distinction of being the only liberal arts college in the world to posses a nuclear reactor. The “swimming pool reactor,” which sits at the bottom of a 25-ft-deep tank, produces neutrons that students and faculty use for research. Rubber duckies once floated on the water until federal inspectors mandated their removal.

More trivia for your toolbelt

Asked

What’s your favorite “did you know” to share with family when they visit Portland?

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Events

Friday, Oct. 13

Goose Hollow Oktoberfest | Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 15 | 12-8 p.m. | The Civic Taproom and Bottle Shop, 621 SW 19th Ave., Portland | $25 | Say prost to this neighborhood celebration where entry gets you a dozen 4 oz tasters.
Portland Winterhawks vs. Kamloops Blazers | Friday, Oct. 13 | 7 p.m. | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N. Ramsay Way, Portland | $28.50-$68 | Soar into the weekend by cheering on the hometown squad.
Special Event: Mike Epps | Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 15 | Times vary | Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE Ninth Ave., Portland | $65-$90 | There are a few remaining shows with tickets to see this hilarious stand-up comedian and actor, known for his supporting roles in movies like “Next Friday” and “All About the Benjamins.”

Saturday, Oct. 14

2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 7 a.m. | Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland | Donation based | Register to help raise money and awareness to help cure the disease that affects more than 6 million Americans.
Sogetsu Portland Fall Show: Harmony and Peace | Saturday, Oct. 14-Sunday, Oct. 15 | Times vary | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave., Portland | $15.95-$21.95 | Marvel at intricate flower arrangements made with the art of ikebana.
Fall Women’s Clothing SWAP | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 7-9 p.m. | SomaSpace, 4050 NE Broadway, Portland | $10-$20 | It’s out with the old, in with the new, to find some fresh autumn attire.

Sunday, Oct. 15

Mama Sam and The Jam | Sunday, Oct. 15 | 8 p.m. | Show Bar, 1300 SE Stark St., Portland | $12 | End the weekend on a high note with this Portland-based band that crafts catchy, psych pop melodies.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Watch

The NWSL regular season comes to a close this Sunday, when all Decision Day games kick off simultaneously at 2 p.m. With a first-round playoff bye already secured for the top-of-the-table Thorns, the goal’s simple. Beat Angel City FC on the road and win the NWSL Shield. (The Guardian + ESPN)

Community

Think Real Estate will host a free dance party in McMenamins Kennedy School’s gymnasium this Saturday, 7-10 p.m. The all-ages event is a fundraiser for the Oregon Alliance for Gun Safety and all donations are tax deductible. Registration includes one drink ticket and tunes from The Rambling Mumblers and DJ Sesqui.

Plan Ahead

The early penguin gets the anchovy. Tickets are now on sale for Zoo Lights, which returns Friday, Nov. 24, with animal-themed illuminations, train rides, and holiday treats at the Oregon Zoo. Purchases made before Wednesday, Oct. 18, will get a 10% early bird discount (excluding Brew Lights and Value Nights).

Keep Portland Weird

Preserved serpents. Blood art. Ash from Mount St. Helens. These are all things you can find at The Skeleton Key Odditorium, a museum and store at Southwest 10th Avenue and Salmon Street. Admission to the backroom exhibit space, home to vampiric history and scary circus memorabilia, is $13 for adults and $9 for children. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Development

Following Portland Public Schools’ split vote, the door has been opened to explore converting the vacant Whitaker Middle School site in Northeast Portland into a multi-use sports complex. Nonprofit Albina Sports Program’s proposal includes basketball and volleyball courts, running tracks, fields for baseball and soccer, and tennis courts. (OPB)

Travel

Stumptown is taking to the skies. Alaska Airlines has announced that it will no longer serve Starbucks on its flights, ending a decades-long partnership between the Seattle brands. Instead, passengers can drink a special blend from the Portland-based coffee roaster that’s specially crafted to be enjoyed at altitude. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Seasonal

This is the last call for submissions in our PDXtoday Pumpkin Carving Contest. Decorate your pumpkin, take a picture, and submit it by this Sunday, Oct. 15, for a chance to win the inaugural PDXoday best jack-o’-lantern award. Make a submission.

Sports

Rep your favorite team and kick off the 2023 football season at Blade & Timber. Enjoy craft cocktails, tasty lumbersnacks + watch your team dominate the gridiron. Bonus: Get 15% off your reservation every Sunday throughout football season when you wear your team’s jersey.*

Wellness

Noticing hair changes? Root causes of hair thinning can change over time making it difficult to know where to begin. Learn more about how Nutrafol can help.*

Eat

Fruit can be one of the healthiest things you can put into your body, but the majority of Americans are making this single mistake that can counteract all the health benefits of fruit. Here’s why one heart surgeon is asking Americans to “stop doing this to your berries.”*

Today Is

Hey Siri, play “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder

What would give someone bad luck in Portland?

Take extra care if you plan on moving any mirrors today. | Photo by Rahime Gül

It’s Friday the 13th, and with it comes a sense of unease. Besides avoiding stepping on cracks and spilling salt shakers, we asked you what Portlanders can do to avoid any misfortune on such an inauspicious day. Here’s what you said.

Your answers: Bad luck

Here are some things you think would definitely cause bad luck:

“Opening an umbrella, at all” - @skribblefingers

“Talking while passing Silent Rock” - @luce.a_

“Not thanking your transit operator when you deboard” - @pdxfashionista

“Every Portlander should avoid talking about how much better the city was when they were a teenager” - @louiepaul

Your answers: Good luck

But, have no fear — there are plenty of ways to reverse that luck:

“Tunnel honkin’ is definitely good luck” - @bloomnews

“Smiling at someone you don’t know or doing something kind of random for someone else. Like buying a coffee or breakfast for car behind you” - @debraemilligan

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ben

From the editor

Who wouldn’t want to watch grown adults paddle massive pumpkin boats around a race course? Tualatin’s West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is Sunday, Oct. 22, and I hope to finally cross the squash spectacle off my local bucket list.

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