Think Oregon

chris johns, national geographic, albany oregon, medford oregon

Top 5 with Nat. Geo’s Chris Johns

Since 1888, there have been twenty-two U.S. presidents, ten Supreme Court chief justices, but just nine editors in chief of the venerable National Geographic. In 2005, Chris Johns, a small-town boy who grew up in Central Point, Oregon, became the ninth editor of the magazine and the first to rise to that title fromits photography ranks.

2010-Autumn-Oregon-Politics-Democratic-Candidate-John-Kitzhaber

The Governor’s Race

The gubernatorial candidates for Oregon face a state with an uncertain economy, a wall of debt, declining revenues and an unemployment rate of 10.6 percent, a full percentage point more than the national average. 1859 Oregon’s Magazine caught up with John Kitzhaber, the Democratic candidate and Chris Dudley, the Republican hopeful, to ask them, what they see as the greatest challenge facing Oregon.

2010-Autumn-Oregon-Venture-Willamette-Valley-Corvallis-Columbia-Power-Technologies-Manta-Wave-Converter

The New Wave in Energy

Columbia Power Technologies launches a commercial-scale wave energy production in the reliable surf of the Oregon Coast. The environmental impact remains uncertain. 

2010-Autumn-Oregon-Coast-People-Astoria-Pacific-Ocean-Columbia-River-Bar-pilots-at-work

The Toughest Job on Water

Columbia River Bar Pilots put their lives—and millions of dollars of commerce—into play each day as they jump aboard commercial vessels trying to navigate the turbulent mouth of the Columbia River and a narrow channel where inches are the difference between success and failure. 

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The Oregon Drift Boat

Along the Rogue and McKenzie rivers across the past hundred years, the famed Oregon drift boat was born and refined. From yesterday’s bathtubs with oars to today’s sleek custom models, this vessel has become synonymous with Oregon rivers. 

industrial design, portland oregon, portland designers

Ziba Design Weaves Portland into an International Scene

Led by Iranian-born Sohrab Vossoughi, Ziba Deseign is at the cutting edge of creative solutions for its global industrial customers. Its own Pearl District headquarters are a study in sustainability, creativity and productivity.

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Guile before Guns

Nearly a century ago, a deft-minded Governor Oswald West put his hand to his holster and drew out political genius rather than his pistol.

stevie rae willis, oregon celebrities, terrebone, central oregon, oregon rodeo

What City-Folk Don’t Know About Rodeo

Discovered on the cover of our spring 2010 issue, rodeo champion Stevie Rae Willis became the focus of a Comcast SportsNet reality TV show, ‘Stompin’ Ground.’ The new rodeo program premiers on televisions across Oregon in February (CSNNW.com) and will feature Willis, a Northwest Porfessional Rodeo Association (NPRA) all-around champion from 2007-2010. The program will follow the Willises on heir ranch in Terrebonne and on the road, giving viewers a glimpse of a working rodeo family.

2010-Spring-Oregon-Venture-Portland-Green-Lite-Motors-owner-Tim-Miller-driving-hybrid-vehicle

A Commuter’s Green Machine

An ultra-green commuter car hits the streets of Portland reaching speeds of 85 mph while getting 100 miles per gallon.