Our Pacific Northwest: Portland State Reaches for World Record

Our Pacific Northwest

Portland State Reaches for World Record

The Oregonian reported yesterday Portland State University is working on what may end up being, when finished, the tallest barometer in the world. When completed the barometer will stand 46’6’’, beating the previous world record by over six feet, according to the report. Barometers are used by weather forecasters to measure the “weight” of the air. When the air pressure is high, it typically indicates nice weather. But when the barometer drops, it indicates a storm system is likely on its way. What else makes the Maseeh College Barometer at PSU unique is its shift from the industry’s standard. Typically a glass tube which helps operate the barometer is filled with the highly toxic mercury. But because of its digital capabilities, the barometer at PSU will use water instead. Empirical would like to congratulate the staff and graduate students of Portland State on their eventual accomplishment, further proving our Pacific Northwest is never afraid to push scientific boundaries.

 



Photo Via The Oregonian

Our Pacific Northwest: Portland's Urban Forest Ranked Amongst Top in the Nation

Our Pacific Northwest

Portland's Urban Forest Ranked Amongst Top in the Nation

The Oregonian has reported today the American Forests Report has ranked Portland, Oregon among the top 10 cities for urban forests in the nation. Portland, along with the other top cities, stood out among the 50 most populated cities for its civic engagement in maintaining the urban forest, accessibility to the public, documented knowledge about its urban forest, and its management plans and activities. Infamously known as “Stumptown” in its early history for its over-logged landscape, the report stated Portland now has 1.4 million total trees (1.2 million in parks and roughly 240,000 on the city streets). In 2004 the city set a goal of 33 percent of its surface area to be covered in urban forest; today it is estimated to be at 30 percent according to the report. Empirical magazine would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the city of Portland for its top-ten finish, and for its tremendous dedication in restoring a captivating landscape in our Pacific Northwest.

Photo Via Discover Sherwood Living



Our Pacific Northwest

Our Pacific Northwest

Remembering Gordon Lee Rowan

After days of uncertainty, it has been confirmed three of the thirty-eight workers killed during a terrorist takeover of a BP gas plant in Algeria last week where Americans, one of which being Gordon Lee Rowan of Sumpter, Oregon. In a report filed by The Oregonian, Rowan was in charge of the fracking program for the station's natural gas and oil production. Rowan was raised near the Snake River and after graduating high school in 1973 completed a petroleum engineering program at the University of Oklahoma. After serving in the military, Rowan made a home in Phoenix, Ariz., but traveled around the world to conduct his work. The report went on to state Rowan’s wife died nearly five years ago, but is survived by two grown sons who are also engineers. Rowan was likely going to retire at the end of March. Empirical would like to take this opportunity to give our condolences to the friends and family of Gordon Lee Rowan who will remember him as a wonderful man and a native son of our Pacific Northwest.

 

Photo via CBS News 

 

 



Our Pacific Northwest: Oregon History Museum Opens its First Black History Series

Our Pacific Northwest

Oregon History Museum Opens its First Black History Series

The Oregonian reported this morning that the Oregon History Museum in Portland will open an exhibit today highlighting Oregon's black pioneers and the state's African-American history. According to the article, the museum’s "All Aboard" program has launched the Oregon History Museum’s first Oregon Black History series, which will feature programs and exhibits throughout the year about black history. The first program will begin with a narrative of black settlers, who began to arrive in the state in the late 1800s. Despite facing unjust laws and prejudice from various elements in the community, the African-American community greatly prospered, creating their own economy to cater to fellow black settlers arriving on wagon trains from the east. The exhibit will encompass African-American history throughout the centuries, outlining the tremendous pioneering spirit and resiliency of Americans brave enough to leave their known world and call our Pacific Northwest home.

Picture via The Oregonian