FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PORTLAND,
ORE. (November 25, 2009) - Go Behind the Scenes on New Working Waterfront Tours
The Port of Portland and the Working Waterfront Coalition are
inviting people to go "behind the scenes" for a look at the daily
operations of Portland's working harbor. A series of free talks and tours
spread over a three month period is helping explain the value of the various
industrial activities on the Willamette and Columbia rivers.
With talks held at the St. John's Pub, and tours at a variety of
waterfront businesses, you could call it 'edutainment' - both educational and
entertaining. The informal, come as you are events encourage attendance from
all ages and walks of life.
"Despite providing tens of thousands of jobs and supporting
the regional economy, the workings and activities of the Portland Harbor are
not widely known - it's a far cry from the days when it was standard curriculum
in local schools," said Brooke Berglund, tour and outreach program
manager. "Cost-effective programs like this help us build awareness and
show the relevance of the Port and the overall Portland Harbor."
The first talk, on November 18, drew over 50 attendees. Focusing
on the history of the harbor, it featured the former director of the Oregon
Historical Society, Chet Orloff, and the Working Waterfront Coalition's Ann
Gardner as guest lecturers.
Updates on future talks and tours are being posted on the Port
website as they become available at www.portofportland.com.
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Upcoming tours:
Exploring the World of Metal Recycling
Location: Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., 12005 N. Burgard
Way, Portland
Date: Dec. 2, 4 p.m.
RSVP: Required, contact Brooke Berglund, 503.944.7532
When most people think of recycling, they're thinking cereal
boxes, milk jugs and newspapers. On this behind-the-scenes tour of Schnitzer
Steel, however, you'll see metal recycling on a massive scale (literally!). But
don't worry, we'll keep a safe distance from the "Texas Shredder."
Like a wood chipper on steroids, this massive piece of machinery has an
insatiable appetite for old school buses, refrigerators, tractor trailers, and
just about anything else made out of metal. Learn how local workers ensure that
today's outmoded metal trash is repurposed into tomorrow's useful treasures.
Goods to Market: How Port Facilities Work
Location: Port of Portland Terminal 6
Date: Dec. 5, 10 a.m.
RSVP: Required, contact Brooke Berglund, 503.944.7532
They're big; they're busy; and they're mysterious - that's the
extent of what most people know about marine terminals such as the Port's
Terminal 6. The mystery is ironic because there are several public and private
terminals within mere minutes of downtown Portland. In an area typically closed
to the public due to federal security regulations, you'll tour among the
shadows of towering 16-story cranes and giant multicolored containers stacked
up like Legos. Learn how and why things like furniture, tires, footwear,
apparel and cars arrive from overseas, while agricultural goods, animal feed,
paper, metal scrap and wood are exported.
All About Ships
Location: Vigor Industrial, 5555 N. Channel Ave., Portland
Date: Dec. 12, 10 a.m.
RSVP: Required, contact Brooke Berglund, 503.944.7532
"Wow!" "Holy cow!" "That is
amazing!" These are some of the descriptions typically said about the
unique vessels seen coming and going at Vigor Industrial's Portland Shipyard.
Vigor Industrial owns several subsidiaries, including Vigor Marine, Cascade
General and US Barge, that specialize in maritime construction and repair. See
the eye-opening scale of their operations; hear about what they're working on;
and learn about the people who make a living there.