by Geon, Bryan
For information about parking garages, meters, towing, and park-and-ride lots, see the Transportation chapter.
Owning a Bicycle
Formalities for bicyclists are few. In Oregon, helmets are required for riders under 16. Washington has no statewide helmet requirement, but Vancouver requires riders of all ages to wear helmets. Bicyclists must use lights between dusk and dawn and follow all applicable rules of the road. Bicycle registration is not required.
See the Transportation and Green Living chapters of this book for more details on being a Portland bicyclist.
Voter Registration
Oregon is a vote-by-mail state. There are no polling places; the state mails a ballot to the address where you are registered, you complete the ballot, and you mail it back to the county elections office or drop it off at a designated ballot drop box. Clark County, Washington, also conducts elections by mail.
You can register to vote in either state when you get your driver’s license. Alternatively, mail-in voter registration forms are available at libraries, community centers, and other public buildings, and are also available online (oregonvotes.org in Oregon; vote.wa.gov in Washington).
In Oregon, mail or drop off your voter registration form at your county elections office (see below). If you are a first-time Oregon voter, your registration must be postmarked at least 21 days before an election for you to be eligible to vote in that election.
In Washington, mail completed forms to your county election department. If you already have a Washington driver’s license or ID card, you can register online. The deadline to register by mail is 29 days before an election. If you are not registered to vote in another Washington county, you can register in person at your county elections department up to 8 days before an election.
The following are the county elections offices in the Portland area:
Clackamas County Clerk, Elections Division, 1710 Red Soils Ct, Suite 100, Oregon City, 97045, 503-655-8510, www.clackamas.us/elections/
Clark County Elections Office, PO Box 8815, 1408 Franklin St, Vancouver, WA 98666-8815, 360-397-2345, www.clark.wa.gov/elections/
Columbia County Elections Department, Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St,
St. Helens, 97051, 503-397-7214, www.co.columbia.or.us/departments/elections-department/elections-home
Marion County Clerk, Elections Division, 4263 Commercial St SE #300, Salem, 97302, 503-588-5041, 800-655-5388, www.co.marion.or.us/co/elections
Multnomah County Elections Division, 1040 SE Morrison St, Portland, 97214, 503-988-3720, www.mcelections.org
Washington County Elections Division, 3700 SW Murray Blvd, Ste 101, Beaverton, 97005, 503-846-5800, www.co.washington.or.us/elections/
Yamhill County Clerk and Elections, 414 NE Evans St, McMinnville, 97128, 503-434-7518, www.co.yamhill.or.us/clerk/
Full information about voter registration, political parties, and election dates is available from the Oregon Secretary of State, Elections Division (866-ORE-VOTE, oregonvotes.org) or the Washington Secretary of State (360-902-4180, 800-448-4881, vote.wa.gov).
Political Contributions Tax Credit
Oregon taxpayers who make certain political contributions are eligible to claim a state tax credit for the amount of the contribution, subject to an annual maximum of $100 for a joint return or $50 for a single or separate return. Complete details are available from the Oregon Department of Revenue (503-378-4988, 800-356-4222; www.oregon.gov/DOR/PERTAX/).
Since Washington has no personal income tax, it does not offer a similar state tax credit.
Public Libraries
Each county in the Portland area operates its own library system. The library systems are online, so you can scan for titles, place requests, check your borrowing records, and renew titles from home. (Phone renewals are also available.) In addition to physical books, most area library systems now allow patrons to check out or use ebooks, streaming services, and other media. Policies vary from library to library, but generally to get a library card you’ll need to fill out an application form and present photo identification; applicants younger than 13 must get a parent’s signature (but don’t have to show photo ID). If you don’t yet have an Oregon or Washington driver’s license, you’ll need to show a utility bill, credit card bill, or other financial or quasi-official piece of mail that shows your local address. Check out the Neighborhoods chapter of this book or visit the appropriate system’s website to find the library nearest you.
Most of the library systems in the region belong to the Metropolitan Interlibrary Exchange, or MIX, which means that if you live anywhere in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, or Clark Counties (as well as several other counties outside the metropolitan area), you can get a free library card from any library in the region. Note that MIX does not include community libraries in Columbia, Marion, or Yamhill Counties (which do not have countywide systems), but does include much of southwest Washington. The separate Oregon Library Passport Program encompasses public libraries throughout Oregon, as well as some academic libraries. Information on these programs is available from your local branch.
The following are the main library systems in the Portland area:
Multnomah County Library, 503-988-5402, www.multcolib.org, with 19 libraries, serves the city of Portland and its eastern suburbs. It is the oldest public library system west of the Mississippi, and it is also, per capita, among the nation’s busiest: library patrons check out or renew some 25 million titles annually, an average of more than 30 items for each county resident.
Washington County Cooperative Library Services, 503-846-3222, www.wccls.org, is a cooperative network of 17 city, community, and specialty libraries in Washington County.
The Library Information Network of Clackamas County, 503-723-4888, www.lincc.org, is an organization of 13 county and city libraries in Clackamas County.
Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, 360-906-5106, www.fvrl.org, covers a large swath of Southwest Washington, including nearly all of Clark County (with the exception of the city of Camas, which operates its own public library).
Some academic libraries at Portland-area colleges and universities are open to the public and may allow borrowing privileges. For a list of colleges in the region, see the Higher Education chapter.
Passports
Getting a passport can take upward of six weeks, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time. If you’re leaving the country imminently, you can pay an extra fee and receive two-week expedited service; if you need even faster service, search the Internet for passport expediting services.
If you don’t currently have a valid passport, apply in person at any passport acceptance facility (a designation that includes many post offices and other government offices). To find the facility nearest you, check the government pages of the phone book or search by ZIP code at the State Department’s Passport Acceptance Facility page (iafdb.travel.state.gov). You must submit two identical full-face passport photos of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship (such as an original or certified birth certificate, an expired passport, or a naturalization certificate), a completed passport application and proper payment, and a driver’s license or other valid form of photo identification. Complete information is available at travel.state.gov/content/passports/english.html.
Many Portlanders travel to Canada—Vancouver in British Columbia is only about 6 hours away by car (traffic permitting) and is a popular long weekend destination. Currently, U.S. citizens traveling by land or sea must show a full U.S. passport, a U.S. Passport Card (PASS), or other authorized document such as a state-issued “enhanced” driver’s license. (A regular driver’s license won’t cut it anymore.) U.S. citizens traveling by air must present a U.S. passport.
A single parent traveling with children, or grandparents or other guardians traveling with children, should carry proof of custody or letters from the non-accompanying parent(s) authorizing travel out of the country. (These documents are in addition to proof of the child’s citize
nship.) Hunters may take ordinary rifles and shotguns into Canada (provided they are declared), but fully automatic and assault-type weapons are prohibited. A complete list of restricted and prohibited firearms can be found at the RCMP’s Canadian Firearms Program website (www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/). In addition, anyone with a criminal record (including a drunk driving conviction) should contact the Canadian embassy or nearest consulate before going to Canada. For complete information about traveling to Canada, peruse the Consular Services web page of the U.S. mission to Canada (canada.usembassy.gov/consular-services.html).
Print and Broadcast Media
Television
For broadcast (i.e., free) television, the Portland market features the major national networks plus a few independents. Of course, if you’ve ordered cable or satellite TV, the channels will differ from those given here. The main local television stations are:
Channel 2: KATU (pronounced K-2) (ABC), www.katu.com
Channel 6: KOIN (CBS), www.koin.com
Channel 8: KGW (NBC), www.kgw.com
Channel 10: KOPB (Oregon Public Broadcasting, PBS affiliate), www.opb.org
Channel 12: KPTV (Fox), www.kptv.com
Channel 24: KNMT (Trinity Broadcasting), www.tbn.org
Channel 32: KRCW (CW), portlandscw32.com
Channel 49: KPDX (MyNetworkTV), www.kpdx.com
Most of these stations now have multiple digital channels with different simultaneous programming.
Radio
From jazz to punk, country to classical (and classic rock), NPR’s “All Things Considered” to Rush Limbaugh, Portland’s radio menu offers something for almost every taste (or absence thereof). In addition to the usual fungible selection of Clear Channel stations and other nationally programmed radio fodder, Portland boasts several excellent independent, locally owned stations. Here’s a brief guide to what’s available on the Rose City’s radio airwaves; remember that most radio stations now stream programming over the Internet, so you can try out local stations even before you move to Portland.
News, Talk, and Sports
KBNP, 1410 AM, www.kbnp.com (business and finance)
KEX, 1190 AM, www.1190kex.com (news and syndicated talk)
KMTT, 1080 AM, www.1080thefan.com (sports and sports talk)
KPAM, 860 AM, www.kpam.com (local and syndicated talk)
KPOJ, 620 AM, www.foxsportsradion620.com (sports and sports talk)
KUFO, 970 AM, www.freedom970.com (conservative talk)
KUIK, 1360 AM, www.kuik.com (local and syndicated talk)
KXL, 101.1 FM and 750 AM, www.kxl.com (talk, sports)
KXTG, 750 AM, www.750thegame.com (sports)
Music (Commercial)
KBFF, 95.5 FM, www.live955.com (top 40)
KFBW, 105.9 FM, www.1059thebrew.com (classic rock)
KGON, 92.3 FM, www.kgon.com (classic rock)
KINK, 101.9 FM, www.kink.fm (album-oriented rock)
KKCW, 103.3 FM, www.k103.com (soft rock)
KKOV, 1550 AM, www.sunny1550.com (adult standards)
KKRZ, 100.3 FM, www.z100portland.com (top 40)
KLTH, 106.7 FM, www.portlandoldies.com (’60s and ’70s)
KNRK, 94.7 FM, 947.fm (alternative)
KRSK, 105.1 FM, www.1051thebuzz.com (adult contemporary, top 40)
KUPL, 98.7 FM, www.kupl.com (country)
KWJJ, 99.5 FM, ww.thewolfonline.com (country)
KXJM, 107.5 FM, www.jammin1075.com (hip-hop, rhythmic top 40)
KYCH, 97.1 FM, www.charliefm.com (miscellaneous pop)
Public and Member-Supported Radio
KBOO, 90.7 FM, www.kboo.fm (progressive/alternative community radio)
KMHD, 89.1 FM, www.opb.or/kmhd/ (jazz)
KOPB, 91.5 FM, www.opb.org (Oregon Public Broadcasting: NPR, PRI, news, talk, and public affairs)
KPSU, 1450 AM, www.kpsu.org (college radio from Portland State University)
KQAC, 89.9 FM, www.allclassical.org (classical)
KXRY, 91.1 FM, www.xray.fm (eclectic mix of local DJs and progressive talk)
Christian
KBVM, 88.3 FM, www.kbvm.com (Catholic broadcasting)
KFIS, 104.1 FM, www.1041thefish.com (contemporary Christian music)
KKPZ, 1330 AM, www.kkpz.com
KLVP, 97.9 FM, www.klove.com (adult contemporary Christian)
KPDQ, 93.9 FM, www.kpdq.com
Spanish Language
KGDD, 93.5 FM, 1520 AM, www.lagrande.mx
KRYP, 93.1 FM, www.931elrey.com
KSZN, 1230 AM
KWIP, 880 AM, www.kwip.com
Children’s Programming
KDZR, 1640 AM (Radio Disney)
Newspapers and Magazines
Whether your interest is restaurants, parenting, bicycling, anarchism, or New Age living, there is a local (and probably free) newspaper or magazine for you. In addition to the publications listed below, the freebie racks at local libraries and natural foods stores groan under the weight of dozens of niche magazines and newspapers. (There are fewer than there used to be; an unfavorable advertising climate and the growth of the Web have driven many long-established print publications out of business.)
The Oregonian (www.oregonlive.com/oregonian) is Portland’s long-established “serious” news daily. Like many metropolitan dailies nowadays, its quality is wildly inconsistent, but the Oregonian occasionally wins Pulitzer prizes. It is the only Oregon newspaper with a statewide circulation. In 2014 it converted from a traditional full-size broadsheet format to a more compact, 11” x 15” format. It also discontinued daily home deliveries; it currently prints papers daily, but delivers papers only on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Subscribers have online access to the digital edition daily. Upstart competitor the Portland Tribune (www.portlandtribune.com), part of the local Pamplin Media Group empire, is published in hard copy form on Tuesdays and Thursdays; founded in 2001, the Tribune focuses primarily on local and regional news, and is available for free at many locations around the metropolitan area. Pamplin Media also publishes community weeklies that serve most of the major suburbs; the combined efforts of the conglomerate’s news staff are posted online on a rolling basis. Across the Columbia River, the Vancouver Columbian (www.columbian.com) covers communities in Clark County seven days a week. If the local papers are insufficiently urbane for your taste, the New York Times (www.nytimes.com) offers home delivery of its Northwest regional edition.
Business news junkies may enjoy perusing the Portland Business Journal (bizjournals.com/portland/) and the Daily Journal of Commerce (www.djcoregon.com). The Wall Street Journal (online.wsj.com) is available for delivery in some parts of the metro area.
Willamette Week (www.wweek.com) is a free weekly that covers the local arts and entertainment scene and dabbles (often successfully) in serious journalism; its coverage of local politics is in some cases superior to that of mainstream newspapers. Copies are available at supermarkets, record stores, stand-alone kiosks, and restaurants and cafés throughout Portland and in some of the suburbs. The Willy Week’s edgier-than-thou weekly competitor, the Mercury (www.portlandmercury.com), is likely to annoy most readers over the age of 30, but its coverage of the local music scene is excellent. Just Out (www.justout.com), an arts and entertainment paper that covers events of interest to Portland’s gay and lesbian community, comes out (so to speak) monthly.
Several local glossy monthlies beckon from newsstands and supermarket checkout aisles. Portland Monthly (www.portlandmonthlymag.com) covers shopping, dining, personalities, getaways, and current events in the metro area for a readership with apparently substantial disposable income; despite the preponderance of ads, the writing can be entertaining and informative. 1859 (www.1859oregonmagazine.com), named for the year of Oregon’s statehood, is a bimonthly statewide lifestyle magazine with a self-described mandate to showcase “the breadth of the Oregon experience.” The editorially slighter bimonthly Oregon Home (www.oregonhomemagazine.com) caters to the nesting and home-remodeling crowd. If you’re
interested in the movers and shakers of the local economy, Oregon Business (www.oregonbusiness.com) will keep you in the loop. Monthly community papers like the Southwest Portland Post (www.swportlandpost.com), the Southeast Examiner (www.southeastexaminer.com), and The Bee (inner Southeast Portland, www.readthebee.com) cover items of local interest to the various quadrants of the city; these publications are typically delivered to area residents for free, and are also available at libraries and local shops.
Several papers and magazines report on events of interest to specific ethnic communities, including the Asian Reporter (www.asianreporter.com), El Hispanic News (www.elhispanicnews.com), and Oregon Jewish Life (www.ojlife.com); the Portland Observer (www.portlandobserver.com) and the Skanner (www.theskanner.com) emphasize coverage of events of interest to the city’s African-American community.
Portland is awash in a sea of regional special-interest publications, including various activity-centric ’zines, New Age and alternative health magazines like New Connexion (www.newconnexion.net), and such parenting publications as Portland Family Magazine (www.portlandfamily.com) and Metro Parent (www.metro-parent.com). If your only dependent is a dog, then Spot (www.spotmagazine.net) is your newspaper. The Portland Alliance (www.theportlandalliance.org) and the Peaceworker (www.peaceworker.org) preach leftist politics to the converted. Scores of other niche publications await your discovery and/or avoidance at public places around the city.
Helpful Services
Knowing where to go for a particular service is particularly important when you move to a new city or state. The following information, which includes details about various services, including renting furniture, hiring a housekeeper, pest control, shipping services, and consumer protection, might make your life a bit easier. This chapter also includes sections about services for the disabled, seniors, new residents from abroad, and gay and lesbian life.