Dr. Know: Weakly by the Willamette

Are there any major cities besides Portland that use the weak-mayor system?

Dr. Know Portland has a “weak mayor” system of governance where the mayor shares power with four commissioners. It took me a little while to wrap my head around that. Are there any other major cities   More

 

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 MARTY SMITH

Dr. Know: Man's Best Temp

Dr. Know They’ve taken down the “Temporary Dog Play Area” signs at Northwest 12th Avenue and Overton Street. Now where do I take my temporary dog to play? She’s not much of a dog, but she’s all I   More

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 MARTY SMITH

Dr. Know: Rubble Rousing

What's with the pile of rock and broken cement at Southeast Water Avenue?

Dr. Know I drive the Marquam Bridge daily, and on the east end by Southeast Water Avenue is a pile of rock and broken cement that neither grows nor gets smaller, even though giant backhoes are active the   More

 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 MARTY SMITH

Dr. Know: Horning In

Why do trains still have to blow their horns in town?

Dr. Know Why in the name of the Almighty Monkey do we still have to suffer through trains blowing their horns as they crawl through town? I mean, this is 2013—can’t they figure out some better option t   More

 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013 MARTY SMITH

Dr. Know: Taxi Cab Confusion

What is the story behind Union Cab?

Dr. Know What is this Union Cab company, with its splashy periwinkle and orange sherbet-colored cars? Can Union be trusted? And who gave it permission to operate here? —Night Cabbie in SE Your signatur   More

 

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 MARTY SMITH

Dr. Know: The Truth Laid Bare

Does Portland really have the highest number of strip clubs per capita?

Dr. Know I always hear that Portland has the most strip clubs of any city in the U.S.—or at least the most per capita. Are either of these claims even slightly true? —Statistically Curious I don’t    More

 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 MARTY SMITH

Dr. Know: A Surprising Lack of Herbert

Why is nothing in Oregon named after President Herbert Hoover?

Dr. Know U.S. President Herbert Hoover was from Oregon. How come nothing here is named after him? —Tequila Wilhelmina I admire your penchant for brevity, Willi. You should be on Twitter—and while you’r   More

 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 MARTY SMITH

You Can’t Handle the Tooth

Why the far right and left have come together to defeat fluoride.

Cover Story It’s an April evening at Dishman Community Center in Northeast Portland, and people are pissed. The occasion is a public debate between Healthy Kids, Healthy Portland, the local campaign that�   More

 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 MARTY SMITH

Dr. Know: The Art of Taxation

Why is the arts tax billed separately?

Dr. Know I voted for the arts tax, but assumed it would be included in the “regular” tax. Why is it separate? It feels like a punishment: “You voted for it, here it is, in your face.” If I don’t    More

 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013 MARTY SMITH

Dr. Know: A Weighty Question

Has there always been a wealth of fat chicks in Portland?

Dr. Know Has there always been a wealth of fat chicks in Portland? I used to brag about how cute (cute, not gorgeous) our women are, but lately I’ve seen a lot of boombalattys. What gives? —Free Willy   More

 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013 MARTY SMITH