Interesting Stuff... Tips
Read these 47 Interesting Stuff... Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Portland tips and hundreds of other topics.
No Sales Tax
That's right! There's no sales tax in Portland! In fact, there's no sales tax in the ENTIRE state! Forget about all those mental calculations when reaching for your cash, check or charge...what you see, is what you pay.
Mitch Pileggi
The X-File's "FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner" is native Oregonian, Mitch Pileggi. He was born in Portland in 1952, and has also appeared in many other television shows including "Dallas," "Falcon Crest," "That '70s Show," and "ER."
Oregon's Coastal X-Files
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the beach, here come strange and eerie happenings from the Oregon Coast! The "Green Flash" at sunset, "Water Spouts" lifting fish from the ocean to the street, "Glowing Sand," "Snow-Going-Upwards," and even the rumor of our own "Area 51" in the Van Duzer Corridor between Lincoln City and Salem. Is the truth out there?
Oregon's Coastal X-Files
Sally Struthers
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Sally Struthers is most well-known for her performances as "Gloria Stivic," Archie Bunker's daughter in the 1970's television sitcom, "All in the Family." She currently serves as the children's ambassador for Save the Children.
Oregon State Flag
The state flag is navy blue, with gold lettering and symbols. Adopted in 1925, the flag has the legend, "THE STATE OF OREGON" on the face, written above a shield surrounded by 33 stars representing the fact that Oregon was admitted as the 33rd state. The shield, which is part of the state seal, has the number 1859 written below it. 1859 is the year that Oregon was admitted as a state. The reverse side of Oregon's flag shows a beaver.
Oregon Recycling
The 2.8 million residents of Oregon generate more than 5,480 tons of garbage each day; enough to cover one acre of land, eight feet deep. To reduce the amount of landfill needed, almost all city waste-hauling companies offer curbside recycling services for an assortment of materials including aluminum, corrugated cardboard boxes, dry cell batteries, glass jars and bottles, newspaper, plastic containers, tin cans, used motor oil, waste paper, and yard waste.
Rebecca Schaeffer
Promising young actress, Rebecca Schaeffer, is (unfortunately) most noted for being shot to death by a stalker in West Hollywood at the age of 21. She played the television role of Patti Russell on "My Sister Sam," with Pam Dawber, and was scheduled to audition for Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather: Part III" the morning she was murdered.
Margaux Hemingway
Born Margot Byra Hemingway in Portland, Oregon in 1955, she actually grew up on a farm in Ketchum, Idaho. Her dad, Jack Hemingway, was the son of the Nobel prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway, and her sister is Mariel Hemingway. She passed away in 1996 without probable cause, although the L.A. coroner's office concluded that she killed herself by taking an overdose of a sedative. She was the fifth person in her family to commit suicide.
Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
Originally titled, "Never Give an Inch," this film portrays a family of fiercely-independent Oregon loggers, led by patriarch Henry Fonda, as they struggle to keep the family business alive amidst changing times. One of the most memorable moments is when Hank (Paul Newman) tries to save his brother's (Richard Jaeckel) life by blowing air into his lungs when he is pinned underwater by a fallen tree. Lee Remick and Michael Sarrazin also star.
Doc Severinsen
Johnny Carson's flamboyant bandleader and jazz trumpet player on "The Tonight Show," Doc Severinsen, is a native Oregonian. He was born in Arlington, Oregon, in 1927.
Double-Sided Flag
Oregon has the only state flag featuring two separate designs. The state seal is on one side and a beaver appears on its reverse.
City of Portland Incorporated
On February 8, 1851, Territorial Governor John P. Gaines signed An Act to Incorporate, passed as HB 29 by Territorial House of Representatives on January 14.
Tonya Harding
Two-time U.S. national figure skating champion, Tonya Harding, was born in Portland, Oregon in 1970. She is probably best remembered for her alleged involvement in the "whack heard around the world" on January 6, 1994, when Nancy Kerrigan was struck on the knee by Shane Stant. She denied any prior knowledge or involvement, but she was stripped of her national title and banned for life by the U.S.
International Rose Test Garden
Since 1917, the International Rose Test Garden, located high above downtown, has continuously cultivated more than 500 varieties of roses.
Oregon State Song
"Oregon, My Oregon," written by J.A. Buchanan of Astoria and Henry B. Murtahg of Portland was designated the state song in 1927.
Matt Groening
Matt Groening, cartoonist, made television history by creating the first animated prime time series in 20 years, "The Simpsons." He was born in Portland, Oregon in 1954.
City of Roses
Portland is also known as "The City of Roses" and is considered to be an outstanding example of urban planning. (Sometimes we just call her the Rose City!)
Scratch-Offs
Oregon State Lottery "Scratch-it" tickets went on sale for the first time on April 25, 1985 at 2,500 retail locations (First Game--Pot of Gold).
Ginger Rogers (non-native)
Although Ginger Rogers was born in Independence, Missouri, she owned the 1000-acre "Rogue River Ranch" near Eagle Point, Oregon from 1940 to 1990. The ranch was a working dairy for many years and supplied milk to Camp White in Southern Oregon during World War II. The Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford, Oregon is named in her honor.
Beverly Cleary
Popular U.S. children's author, Beverly Cleary, was born in McMinnville, Oregon, in 1916. She is best known to readers for her book series involving 'Henry Huggins' and 'Ellen Tebbits.'
Open Rain or Shine
Portland Saturday Market is open rain or shine. It has only closed twice in its history, once for a blizzard and once for a volcanic eruption.
Largest City
Portland is Oregon's largest city with over 1.5 million people in the greater Portland area. It's a metropolitan community with a small-town ambiance and is perennially near the top of the USA's "most livable cities" list.
Steve Prefontaine
Steve Prefontaine was born in Coos Bay, Oregon in 1951. He was the first track and field athlete to win four consecutive NCAA titles in the same event, the 5,000 meters. By the time of his death in May 1975, Prefontaine held the American record in every event from 2,000 to 10,000 meters. Two movies about his life have also been produced.
America's First Shopping Mall
America's first shopping mall, the Lloyd Center, opened for business in Portland on September 1, 1960.
Oregon State Motto
The state motto is "She Flies With Her Own Wings." Adopted in 1987, it replaces "The Union", which was the previous state motto adopted in 1957.
Miss America
On September 22, 2001, Miss Oregon Katie Harman, a collegian who aspires to a career in bioethics, became the first Oregon contestant to win the pageant as she was was crowned Miss America 2002 in a patriotic telecast.
Matt Lattanzi
Actor Matt Lattanzi is probably best remembered as the ex-husband of Australian pop singer, Olivia Newton-John. He was born in Portland, Oregon in 1959, and his filmography includes "Xanadu," "Grease 2," and Blake Edwards' "That's Life!"
Heads You Win...
In 1843, business partners William Overton and Asa Lovejoy filed the original claim for the land on the west bank of the Willamette River. Then in 1845, Overton sold his share of the claim to Francis Pettygrove. Pettygrove and Lovejoy surveyed the land and decided to build a city. Previously called "The Clearing," Portland gets its name from the toss of a coin with Pettygrove's home town in Maine winning over Lovejoy's birthplace in Boston.
Ernest Bloch (non-native)
Jewish composer Ernest Bloch was born in Switzerland in 1880, but later settled in Agate Beach, Oregon in 1941, where he remained until his death in 1959. His major classical works include "Schelomo--A Hebrew Rhapsody" and "Voice in the Wilderness" for cello and orchestra, the opera "Macbeth," and several other string quartets, concertos, and sonatas.
Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph, also known as Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, or Thunder Rolling Down the Mountain, was born in 1840 in the Wallowa Valley (northeastern Oregon). In 1877, when the Nez Percé were forced from their home, (thus provoking a war with the U.S. Army), he led them more than 1,500 miles over mountainous terrain. They were stopped just forty miles from the safety of the Canadian border where he gave his famous surrender speech.
Tallest Peak
Mt. Hood, a dormant volcano, is the tallest peak in Oregon at 11,239 feet and offers year-round skiing.
National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
At a 1962 college, Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon) is determined to expel the Delta House Fraternity, but the boys have other plans for him. John 'Bluto' Blutarsky (John Belushi) and Eric 'Otter' Stratton (Tim Matheson), Delta Rush Chairman, lead this frat house that is so disreputable, it will take anyone. Stick around for the homecoming parade; "a parade to end all parades for all time."
D-Day: "We have an old saying in Delta House: don't get mad, get even."
Oregon, My Oregon Lyrics
Land of the empire builders, land of the golden west; Conquered and held by free men, fairest and the best.
Onward and upward ever, forward and on and on; Hail to thee, land of Heros, my Oregon.
Land of the rose and sunshine, land of the summer's breeze; Laden with health and vigor, fresh from the Western seas.
Blest by the blood of martyrs, land of the setting sun; Hail to thee, land of Promise, my Oregon.
Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
A frustrated composer (Richard Dreyfuss) finds fulfillment as a high school music teacher while in his 'spare time', he strives to achieve his true goal - compose one memorable piece of music with which to leave his mark on the world.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
School Time
The first public school opened December 15, 1851 in the "City Hotel" and children were taught by John T. Outhouse.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Oregon was admitted as the 33rd state of the union on February 14, 1859.
Oregon Physical Dimensions
Rank in Area = 10th
Land Area = 96,002 sq. mi.
Water Area = 1,129 sq. mi.
Coastline = 296 miles
River of Life
The longest north-flowing river in the continental United States, the Willamette River, borders Old Town and divides east Portland from west. The name Willamette means "River of Life."
First Black American High School Teacher
Portland School district hired its first Black American high school teacher in 1952. Mr. Robert G. Ford became an English and Social Studies teacher at Roosevelt High.
Rindy Ross
Rindy Ross (saxophones) was the lead singer and co-founder of "Quarterflash," from Portland, OR, whose award-winning debut album on Geffen Records went platinum in 1982. Originally, the union of two bands, Seafood Mama and Pilot, they are probably best remembered for their 1981 gold single, "Harden My Heart." Marv Ross, her husband, was the founder, guitarist-songwriter, and producer of Quarterflash and The Trail Band. The Rosses have toured with Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, and The Beach Boys.
Miss 'em? Check out the Unofficial Quarterflash Home Page
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Rather than spend time in jail for "contributing to the delinquency of a minor," a man (Jack Nicholson) convinces guards he's crazy enough to be sent to a mental hospital instead. There, he finds the head nurse (Louise Fletcher) a lot more dangerous than the other patients.
Nurse Ratched: "If Mr. McMurphy doesn't want to take his medication orally, I'm sure we can arrange that he can have it some other way."
Lyle Alzado (non-native)
Lyle Alzado was a former football player-turned-actor who made several guest appearances in movies and television including the show, "MacGyver." He died of brain cancer in Portland, Oregon in 1992, blaming his use of steroids for the cancer.
A. C. Green
Born in Portland, Oregon in 1963, A.C. Green is best known for receiving the NBA Iron Man award for breaking the NBA's consecutive game streak with 907 straight games. He currently owns several restaurants in Portland and has made guest appearances as "himself" in film and on television including the movie, "Space Jam," and the show, "7th Heaven."
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