News & City Life

Philanthropists

The $150,000 Question

When Oregonian Pete Seda met Saudi Soliman al Buthe in 1997, the two Muslims became fast friends. Over coffee, they founded the only U.S. chapter of al Haramain, one of Saudi Arabia’s largest Islamic charities.

05/19/2009 By Ted Katauskas

Cover Story

A Shameless Peek at Portland's Money

Ever since 1843, when William Overton cut Asa Lovejoy in on his 640-acre land grab—for a quarter!— Portland’s attitude about money has been considered, shall we say, nonchalant at best.

05/19/2009 By Jill Davis, Stacey Wilson, Randy Gragg, and Kym Croft Miller

Finally Home

Coming to America

This year, inside the ceremony room of Portland’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, more than 10,000 foreign-born residents will take the Oath of Allegiance, becoming in just three short minutes, Americans.

05/19/2009 By Ted Katauskas

Sustainability

Fathom This:

A machine so miraculous that it provides 10 percent of the world's electricity. Weans us from oil. Halts global warming. Saves the planet. Four such devices, designed to harness the energy of ocean waves, may do just that.

05/19/2009 By Rebecca Clarren

Read Up

Sign of the Times

In 2003, the Federal Highway Administration approved the new font Clearview for use on signs

05/19/2009 By Anne Brice

Outdoors

Casting Call

A fishing expedition with an expert guide will have you believing you can fly.

05/19/2009 With Brian Barker

Essay

Pursuit of Happiness

Does Portland have room for two more Bay Area transplants?

05/19/2009

Street Smart

César’s Way

Changing N Interstate Ave’s name doesn’t do justice to César E. Chávez.

05/19/2009 By Ethan Smith

Pick a Card

Divine Venture

In the digital age, software replaces soothsayer and turns the art of divination into a profitable product.

05/19/2009 By Angela Sanders

5 Minutes With...

Galaxy Grrrl

TV sci-fi heroine Katee Sackhoff talks about playing tough characters—with and without long hair.

05/19/2009 By Jason Cohen

Stay Great

Chez Unique

Hotels for visitors of every ilk

05/19/2009 By Kasey Cordell

Sustainability

Cow Power

How bottling bovine waste just might save the planet

05/19/2009 By Eric Gold

Power Up

Veggie Might

Ambitious animal activists join forces in a united retail front.

05/19/2009 By John Chandler

5 Minutes With...

Professor Pain

Torture expert Darius Rejali talks about what sleeping bags have to do with national security.

05/19/2009 By Camela Raymond

Pedicabs

Spoke City

Pedal-powered taxis compete to sweep shoppers off their tired feet.

05/19/2009 By Lucy Burningham

Politics

The Oracle

Why you want political consultant Kari Chisholm to pick your fantasy football team

05/19/2009 By Bart Blasengame

Taboo

Li’l Blacked Book

In 2007, Multnomah County Library received requests to ban the following five books on account of their sexual nature

05/19/2009 By Kasey Cordell

5 MINUTES WITH…

Miaya Shambry

At 17, Miaya Shambry is a teen out of time, belting out classic rock standards by the likes of scratchy-voiced ’60s songstress Janis Joplin

05/19/2009 By Maura Flaherty

Pet News

Dog Dazed

From puppy photographers to canine masseuses, Portland’s pooch mania has scampered out of control.

05/19/2009 By David Wolman

Living Here

Raising the Car

Portland adopts two-story parking—40 years after everyone else.

05/19/2009 By Rachel Ritchie