Dr. Know There’s a red sign with a “U” on Union Jacks. I’ve heard it’s a warning that the building is unsafe to enter if it’s on fire. How do they stay open if they’re unsafe? I love UJs, but I   More

Dr. Know Was Jeld-Wen Field designed with only two water fountains in order to boost sales of bottled water? The line for the fountains is agonizingly long, and it’s slow because everyone is filling up bo   More

Dr. Know I work in a building that has one of of those automated defibrillator stations. My co-workers aren’t exactly medical geniuses, though. What happens if I faint and somebody decides to zap me? Can j   More

Dr. Know I often see kids swimming in the Keller Fountain, which makes me nervous for their safety. I confess that it’s also annoying to deal with screaming kids on my lunch break. Is it legal for people t   More

Dr. Know I was late to my restaurant job Saturday because the Hawthorne Bridge was closed for a private party. Really? The Fremont and Morrison bridges were closed, too. Can I close a bridge for, say, a pie   More

Dr. Know Recently I’ve noticed a small flag flying below the U.S. flag on top of the Multnomah County building on Southeast Hawthorne. I’ve tried to make out what it says, but am unable to. Can you help   More

Dr. Know In last week’s column, you quoted a source who said, “The Willamette’s water quality is excellent.” Oh, really? Look it up: The river is a designated Superfund pollution disaster. It’s not   More

Dr. Know The news says it’s not safe to swim in the Willamette today because of sewer overflow. So…it was safe to swim in it before? Seems the river has always had a rap for being unsavory, but details a   More

Dr. Know Traveling around America, I’ve noticed fewer mosquitoes in Portland than most other urban areas. Is it the climate? Secret nighttime spraying? Or just hungry salmon? —Forrest Here’s the thing:   More

Dr. Know There are clumps of five, seven and 11 manholes on nearly every block of Alder. Each intersection has multiple clumps, which means we’re talking about 25 to 40 manholes every city block. What gives    More