Catalog of British Columbiana and Pacific Northwest Americana
The Encyclopedia Cascadia Catalog indexes mostly non-fiction literature covering the Pacific Northwest coast of North America, with an emphasis on British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington State.
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Portlandness a cultural atlas by David Banis , Hunter Shobe , Corinna Kimball-Brown (Cartographer), Randy Morris (Cartographer), Jon Franczyk (Cartographer), Daniel E. Coe (Cartographer), Kirk McEwen (Cartographer), Joan Lundell (Book designer)
Summary: In 150 inforgraphic maps, two leading geographers explore Portland, Oregon, through unexpected topics such as city chickens, wild coyote encounters, food-truck trends, and coffee culture. Each map starts with the gathering of at least one data set about a given topic, then translating that into visual form which blends traditional cartographic skills with modern graphic design 190 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), color maps, color plans ; 26 cm Non-circulating [ 1 ]
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2015 |
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Chinookan peoples of the lower Columbia by Robert T. Boyd , Kenneth M. Ames , Tony A. Johnson
"Chinookan peoples have lived on the Lower Columbia River for millennia. Today they are one of the most significant Native groups in the Pacific Northwest, although the Chinook Tribe is still unrecognized by the United States government. In Chinookan Peoples of the Lower Columbia, scholars provide a deep and wide-ranging picture of the landscape and resources of the Chinookan homeland and the history and culture of a people over time, from 10,000 years ago to the present. They draw on research by archaeologists, ethnologists, scientists, and historians, inspired in part by the discovery of several Chinookan village sites, particularly Cathlapotle, a village on the Columbia River floodplain near the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. Their accumulated scholarship, along with contributions by members of the Chinook and related tribes, introduces readers to Chinookan history and culture in rich and sometimes surprising ways."--Back covers xix, 419 pages, 18 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps, portraits ; 23 cm Non-circulating [ 1 ]
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2015 |
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Tulalip, from my heart an autobiographical account of a reservation community by Harriette Shelton Dover
"In Tulalip, from My Heart, Harriette Shelton Dover describes her life on the Tulalip Reservation and recounts the myriad problems tribes faced after resettlement. Born in 1904, Dover grew up hearing the elders of her tribe tell of the hardships involved in moving from their villages to the reservation on Tulalip Bay: inadequate food and water, harsh economic conditions, and religious persecution outlawing potlatch houses and other ceremonial practices. Dover herself spent ten traumatic months every year in an Indian boarding school, an experience that developed her political consciousness and keen sense of justice. The first Indian woman to serve on the Tulalip board of directors, Dover describes her story in a personal, often fierce style, revealing her tribe's powerful ties and enduring loyalty to land now occupied by others." -- Publisher website xxxiv, 307 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm Non-circulating [ 1 ]
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2015 |
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Good times in old Genesee a tale of two families by Gerald Hickman , Tea Joe Hickman
It's a personal and historical recollection of Genesee, Idaho from a former resident, a trip in time to his childhood ranch and beyond, back to the pioneers, in the Genesee valley of North-Central Idaho. It's a visit to Old Genesee, a small community deep in the winter snows and summer grains where his family found a place for themselves. The book covers the period from the first settlers of the 1870s to World War II. It describes the natural history of the area, the early town, and the farming and country life of the early pioneers and those who followed, as engines replaced horses out in the fields. With help from his granddaughter Tea Joe, Gerald Hickman shares his love of Western U.S. history in Good Times in Old Genesee. It's a trip in time to his childhood ranch and beyond, back to the pioneers, in the Genesee valley of North-Central Idaho. It's a visit to Old Genesee, a small community deep in the winter snows and summer grains where his family found a place for themselves. The book covers the period from the first settlers of the 1870s to World War II. It describes the natural history of the area, the early town, and the farming and country life of the early pioneers and those who followed, as engines replaced horses out in the fields. Gerald lives in Eastern Washington near the rolling Palouse hills that stretch out southward to Genesee, with Micky, his childhood bride of 47 years. They have three grown daughters, a dog named Spot, and a cat named Lilly. He is preparing another book on the Indian Wars 1850 through 1865. 107 pages : illustrations, map ; 20 cm Desiderata
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2015 |
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Embracing a Western Identity Jewish Oregonians, 1849-1950 by Ellen Eisenberg
Not all of Oregon’s pioneers were Christian farmers or bachelor prospectors. Indeed, many of the first brick buildings on Oregon’s newly platted Main Streets were built by Jewish merchants whose services were essential to town founding and growth. In Embracing a Western Identity, Ellen Eisenberg places Jewish history in the larger context of western narratives, challenging the traditional view that the “authentic” North American Jewish experience stems from New York. The westward paths of Jewish Oregonians and their experiences of place shaped the communities, institutions, and identities they created, distinguishing them from other American Jewish communities. Eisenberg traces the Oregon Jewish experience from its pioneer beginnings in the mid-nineteenth century to the highly concentrated Portland communities of the mid-twentieth century. Drawing on extensive archival resources at the Oregon Jewish Museum, this historical commentary explores patterns of migration and settlement, the place of Jews in the state’s ethnic landscape, their engagement in politics, the development of institutions, and their relationship to Zionism. Departing from familiar treatments of the Jewish experience, Embracing a Western Identity provides a critical look at the impact of place and opportunity upon the identities of migrants both as Oregonians and as American Jews. Readers and scholars interested in western history—religious, ethnic, expansionist, and otherwise—will enjoy Eisenberg’s accessible writing style and rich photograph collection. x, 292 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm Desiderata
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2015 |
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The tanoak tree an environmental history of a Pacific Coast hardwood by Frederica Bowcutt
Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) is a resilient and common hardwood tree native to California and southwestern Oregon. People’s radically different perceptions of it have ranged from treasured food plant to cash crop to trash tree. Having studied the patterns of tanoak use and abuse for nearly twenty years, botanist Frederica Bowcutt uncovers a complex history of cultural, sociopolitical, and economic factors affecting the tree’s fate. Still valued by indigenous communities for its nutritious acorn nut, the tree has also been a source of raw resources for a variety of industries since white settlement of western North America. Despite ongoing protests, tanoaks are now commonly killed with herbicides in industrial forests in favor of more commercially valuable coast redwood and Douglas-fir. As one nontoxic alternative, many foresters and communities promote locally controlled, third-party certified sustainable hardwood production using tanoak, which doesn’t depend on clearcutting and herbicide use. Today tanoaks are experiencing massive die-offs due to sudden oak death, an introduced disease. Bowcutt examines the complex set of factors that set the stage for the tree’s current ecological crisis. The end of the book focuses on hopeful changes including reintroduction of low-intensity burning to reduce conifer competition for tanoaks, emerging disease resistance in some trees, and new partnerships among tanoak defenders, including botanists, foresters, Native Americans, and plant pathologists. xvi, 219 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm Desiderata
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2015 |
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Brown bag history Revelstoke origins by Cathy English
Compiled by Cathy English, longtime curator of the Revelstoke Museum & Archives, Brown Bag History: Revelstoke Origins presents a granular examination of the foundational legal, political, and spatial conflicts that forged the city. The text details the contentious 1885 land dispute between settler A.S. Farwell and the Canadian Pacific Railway, which stalled municipal planning and led to dual competing townsite surveys along the Columbia River waterfront. English traces early civic engineering efforts, including the installation of the original wooden water flumes, the establishment of early commercial banks and brickworks, and the construction of railway and traffic bridges linking downtown Revelstoke to the working-class settlement of Big Eddy. Drawing on municipal minute books, court filings, and archival photographs, the chronicle illuminates the grassroots administrative struggles of an interior railway townsite. 112 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 22 cm Desiderata
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2015 |
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The abandoned western Cascade Mountain railroad tunnels 1910 Wellington avalanche by Marques Vickers
The creation of the train routes through the Cascade Mountains proved a monumental challenge. The conflict arose between the engineering capabilities of man and the treacherous topography and inclement weather of the region. The nine miles of track connecting the towns of Stevens Pass, Wellington and Scenic, Washington ultimately proved a failure for the Great Northern Railway. The Iron Goat Trail that retraces the former routing is a popular hiking destination. The trailhead is easily accessible by car. The well-maintained path leads you through traces of two ghost towns that were obliterated by avalanche. In the last decade of the 19th century, railroads were the primary mode of transportation for transcontinental passenger travel and freight. Previously isolated and inaccessible portions of the country became connected. Geographical impediments were merely obstacles to overcome. As profits swelled, ambitious and bold routings were designed and realized. During the 1890s, construction innovations enabled greater travel and more direct routes. These projects, employing tunneling and snow sheds, began lining the mountainous stretches immediately past Stevens Pass on the route to the Everett and Seattle stations. Immigrant laborers cleared the hillsides of mammoth trees. They drilled and blasted rock to create a flat grade. Camps were required for the hundreds of workers to maintain the tracks and keep them operational during the winter snows. Snowdrifts on the mountains often piled as high as 25 feet on either side of the tracks, creating artificial canyons and muffling warning noises. Snow slides often trapped and delayed trains for long periods of time until snowplows and large crews could manually shovel the paths. 69 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm Non-circulating [ 1 ]
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2016 |
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With hearts and minds Maillardville, 100 years of history on the west coast of B.C. by A. J. Boire
In 1907, A.D McRae, a wealthy businessman and entrepreneur, has come to the west coast of British Columbia to build the Fraser River Lumber Company into one of the largest operations in the British Commonwealth. But McRae has a problem. At a time when anti-Asian sentiment is at fever pitch in Vancouver, his mill is populated with Chinese, Japanese and East Indian workers. Determined to correct this “intolerable” situation he sends two recruiters, a Catholic priest and a night-watchman, to Ontario and Quebec to lure French Canadian lumbermen to his mill to displace the Asians. Promised higher wages, land and lumber for house and church the first contingent arrives at Millside station in September, 1909. The great experiment to displace the Asian labour force begins. It is an experiment watched closely by the provincial government, the Catholic Church and the entire lumber industry in BC and across the nation. Will McRae be successful? Will the French Canadians prosper in their new English world? This is the exciting story of Canada’s two founding nations in the far west of the country coming together to form the quintessential Canadian experience in the early twentieth century. Set against the backdrop of many of the major events of the times, this epic 100 year history is sweeping in its scope as it examines racism and multiculturalism, the growth of the lumber industry, grass roots union movement, communism and the Catholic Church.Above all, the history of Maillardville, BC is a bright illustration of that elusive and sometimes tragic Canadian ideal of “two founding nations”. 311 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 26 cm. Non-circulating [ 1 ]
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2016 |
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Aboard the Portland a history of the Northwest Steamers by Rebecca Harrison
In her latest book, Rebecca Harrison takes you back in time over 150 years to ride the grand Columbia and Willamette Rivers on the the sternwheelers of the mid 1800's. Meticulously researched, Aboard the Portland: A history of the Northwest Steamers tells the exciting story of these trade and transport ships, and explores how the Portland survived time and harsh work to become one of the last operating steam sternwheelers in America 1 online resource (171 pages : black and white illustrations) Non-circulating [ 1 ]
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2016 |
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Historical images of the Illlinois Valley 1870's to present by Dennis Strayer (Compiler), Kerbyville Museum (Kerby, Or) (Issuing body, Publisher)
The historic images contained in this book provide a unique look into the past, when a slower pace of life existed long before electricity, cars, or computers. The Illinois Valley is located in the southern part of Josephine County, Oregon. Like most of Southern Oregon, mountains and high hills surround the valley on the west, south and east, which in both prehistoric and historic times made getting in and out of our valley a real challenge. We hope that you enjoy this "step back in time" when the horse served as the main mode of transportation and electricity was just an idea. 190 pages : chiefly illustrations, portraits ; 22 x 28 cm Non-circulating [ 1 ]
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2016 |
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Blisters and bliss a trekker's guide to the West Coast Trail by David Foster , Nelson Dewey (Illustrator), Wayne Aitken
The bestselling Blisters and Bliss has been the trekker’s guide to the West Coast Trail since 1989. The 75-kilometre trail on Vancouver Island is rated as one of the world’s greatest hikes. This revised 8th edition once again provides a practical and easy-to-use resource for the thousands of hikers who visit the West Coast Trail every year. Combining current and accurate trail information with hundreds of safety and planning tips, this is the ideal guide for novices and experienced trekkers alike. 143 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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Reporting the Oregon story how activists and visionaries transformed a state by Floyd J. McKay
"Oregon entered a new era in 1964 with the election of Tom McCall as Secretary of State and Bob Straub as State Treasurer. Their political rivalry formed the backdrop for two of Oregon's most transformative decades, as they successively fought for, lost, and won the governorship. Veteran Oregon journalist Floyd McKay had a front-row seat. As a political reporter for The Oregon Statesman in Salem, and then as news analyst for KGW-TV in Portland, McKay was known for asking tough questions and pulling no punches. His reporting and commentaries ranged from analysis of the "Tom and Bob" rivalry, to the Vietnam War's impact on Senators Wayne Morse and Mark Hatfield and the emergence of a new generation of Portland activists in the 1970s. McKay and his colleagues were on the beaches as Oregon crafted its landmark Beach Bill, ensuring the protection of beaches for public use. They watched as activists turned back efforts to build a highway on the sand at Pacific City. Pitched battles over Oregon's Bottle Bill, and the panic-inducing excitement of "Vortex"--The nation's only state-sponsored rock festival--characterized the period. Covering the period from 1964-1986, McKay remembers the action, the players and the consequences, in this compelling and personal account. As major actors fade from the scene and new leaders emerge, McKay casts a backwards glance at enduring Oregon legends. Half a century later, amid today's cynicism and disillusionment with media, politics, and politicians, Reporting the Oregon Story serves as a timely reminder that charged politics and bitter rivalries can also come hand-in-hand with lasting social progress. Reporting the Oregon Story will be relished by those who lived the history, and it will serve as a worthy introduction to Oregonians young and old who want a first-hand account of Oregon's mid- twentieth-century political history and legislative legacy"-- Provided by publisher xiv, 270 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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Her finest hour shipbuilding in the Portland area during World War II (1941-1945) by Robert R. La Du
This work describes the monumental accomplishments of the World War II shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. Working twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, they built and launched thousands of vessels--Liberty ships, Victory ships, tankers, aircraft carriers, submarine chasers, and many kinds of landing craft--to help defeat the Axis powers and preserve the way of life of the free world. Robert La Du viewed firsthand these activities from his home overlooking shipyards on the Willamette River. His father worked at Albina shipyard, his sister worked at Henry Kaiser's Swan Island shipyard, and he himself, as a high school student, worked nights at Commercial Iron and Steel shipyard. These experiences inform and enhance the pages of Her Finest Hour. 170 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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A little dam problem by Jim Jones
A Little Dam Problem chronicles an epic fight over water rights between the State of Idaho and Idaho Power Company. A court decision in 1982 gave Idaho Power virtual control over the flow of the Snake River in southern Idaho. An unlikely political team Democrat Governor John Evans and Republican Attorney General Jim Jones joined with legislators and water users to undo the damage caused by the decision. Jim Jones brings readers into the midst of the battle, providing an insider view of the struggle between the State of Idaho and a politically powerful adversary. The story reads much like those old western movies where a powerful landowner grabs up all of the water resources, depriving sodbuster families of the precious resource. The book opens a window into the real world of government and politics. viii, 374 pages ; 23 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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Sawtooth-White Cloud by Mark Lisk (Photographer), Nicole LeFavour
"Photographic profile of the Sawtooth/White Cloud wilderness areas in Idaho. Full-color photos are accompanied by essays describing the areas depicted"-- Provided by publisher 1 volume (various pagings) : color illustrations ; 24 x 31 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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7,003 days 21 years in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness by Jim Akenson , Holly Akenson
"Deep in the Idaho wilderness the last vestiges of Old Idaho linger. In 1982, an eager young couple seeking adventure and challenge, Jim and Holley Akenson, moved to a log cabin in the back country to manage Taylor Ranch, the University of Idaho's wilderness research station. In 7,003 Days, Jim describes their encounters with wildlife and nature: tracking wolves and cougars, using mules for transportation and ranch work, and introducing university stuedents to life in the rugged Salmon River Mountains of Central Idaho"--Provided by publisher 266 pages : illustrations, map ; 23 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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Pacific seaweeds a guide to common seaweeds of the West Coast by Louis D. Druehl , Bridgette E. Clarkston , Shirarose Wilensky
This updated and expanded guide thoroughly documents every aspect of seaweed life, from species identification and seaweed biology to the essential--and often surprising--roles seaweed plays in the marine ecosystem and our everyday lives. Seaweeds are used in everything from cosmetics to sustainable biofuels, and some species, like kelp, contribute to the remediation of coastal ecosystems. Featuring an attractive new full-colour design, the expanded Pacific Seaweeds includes updated species descriptions, dozens of additional colour photos, new species discovered since the original edition, and brand-new sections on common shore plants and the use of DNA techniques to discover, catalog and identify seaweeds. It also features several new recipes and an essay on umami--because in addition to all its other uses, some species of seaweed make delectable food. Packed with illustrations, vivid colour photographs, comprehensive scientific information and further readings, this easy-to-use guidebook will appeal to marine biologists, amateur beachcombers, gourmet foragers and everyone in between. 320 pages : illustrations (some color), map, portrait ; 22 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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Ethnobotany of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians by Patricia Whereat Phillips
"Very little has been published until now on the ethnobotany of western Oregon indigenous peoples. Ethnobotany of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians documents the use of plants by these closely-related coastal tribes, covering a geographical area that extends roughly from Cape Perpetua on the central coast, south to the Coquille River, and from the Coast Range west to the Pacific shore. With a focus on native plants and their traditional uses, it also includes mention of farming crops, as well as the highly invasive Himalayan blackberry, which some Oregon coast Indians called the 'white man{u2019}s berry.' The cultures of the Coos Bay, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw are distinct from the Athabaskan speaking people to the south, and the Alsea to the north. Today, many tribal members are reviving ancient arts of basket weaving and woodworking, and many now participate in annual intertribal canoe events. Ethnobotany of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians contributes to this cultural renaissance by filling an important gap in the historical record. It is an invaluable resource for anyone who wishes to learn about the indigenous cultures of the central and southern Oregon coast, as well as those who are interested in Pacific Northwest plants and their cultural uses."--Publisher's website xv, 147 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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A naturalist's guide to the hidden world of Pacific Northwest dunes by George O. Poinar
From Northern California to British Columbia, coastal dunes and beaches provide a unique habitat for plants, animals, and insects. With A Naturalist’s Guide to the Hidden World of Pacific Northwest Dunes, hikers and beach walkers on the Pacific Coast will discover a teeming metropolis of life in what may seem a barren landscape to the inattentive eye. Contrary to casual observation, intricate patterns of life occur in coastal dunes and along the strand. Plants, insects, and parasites abound. George Poinar’s in-depth knowledge of this hidden world is unsurpassed, and his enthusiasm for it is infectious. He has been investigating and photographing specimens along the Pacific Coast for more than four decades, and presents this trove of knowledge to the reader in a clear, engaging style. Poinar exposes the small, almost blind weevils that live under driftwood and slowly degrade the wood, the omnipresent beach hoppers that leap up at every step and flee from vicious rove beetles, dune ants that search out aphids for honeydew but are attacked themselves by dive-bomber wasps. He shows why he considers Beach pea, Seashore lupine, and Coast willow keystone species because they provide food and shelter for so many different life forms. With a focus on the associations between dune plants and other life forms, the book includes over 600 full-color photographs from the author’s extensive collection. While it is accessible enough to serve as a field guide for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, comprehensive data for biologists studying dune ecology are also included. A Naturalist’s Guide to the Hidden world of Pacific Northwest Dunes belongs on every beach house bookshelf from California to Canada. Naturalists, scientists, and anyone who walks along the coast will welcome this lavishly-illustrated reference. 286 pages : color illustrations ; 23 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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Rivers of Oregon by Tim Palmer
“Rivers are the essence of Oregon,” writes award-winning author and photographer Tim Palmer. In over 140 brilliant photos and evocative, informative text, Rivers of Oregon captures the life, the beauty, and the magic of Oregon’s remarkable array of waterways. The book’s engaging essays address the nature and ecology of flowing waters, the joy of travel on these lifelines of the planet, and the historic saga of Oregonians’ commitment to preserve, protect, and restore the best of their state for future generations. Rivers of Oregon captures the beauty and the intrinsic qualities of the state’s irresistible riverscapes like no other book has done. From the underwater view and from the refuge of riparian forests, from the seat of a canoe or raft and from distant mountain summits, readers will gain new perspectives on the extraordinary features that provide us with water, with life, and with scenes whose loss would leave us deeply impoverished. Join this celebrated photographer, author, conservationist, and river guide on a journey of discovery that will change the way you think about flowing water and the alluring paths it makes across our land. 162 pages : color illustrations ; 24 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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The Jewish Oregon story, 1950-2010 by Ellen Eisenberg
"The Jewish Oregon Story traces the history of diverse Jewish Oregonians and their communities during a period of dramatic change. Drawing on archival sources, including a collection of over five hundred oral histories, the book explores how Jewish Oregonians both contributed to and were shaped by the "Oregon Story," a political shift that fueled Oregon's--and particularly Portland's--emerging reputation for progressivism and sustainability. Six chapters examine a community grappling with, and increasingly embracing, change--from the dramatic national shifts in women's roles and inter-group relations to local issues such as the razing of the historic South Portland Jewish neighborhood. An original community musical, Whatever Happened to Old South Portland?, frames the creation of a new Portland Jewish identity, emerging out of the ashes of South Portland and tapping ethnic expression as an antidote to suburbanization and assimilation. A peek behind the scenes exposes the crucial role of women's voluntarism and traces the impact of women entering the workforce and winning acceptance as equals in organizational and ritual life. Chapters on involvement in liberal politics and advocacy for Israel explore communal engagement that reflected national trends, but, beginning in the 1980s, were increasingly shaped by emerging local progressivism. A final chapter charts recent shifts in Oregon Jewish geography, demographics, and organizational life, exploring the rebirth of smaller communities and the embrace of post-denominational Jewry, spirituality, and an ethos of environmentalism and inclusion. The Jewish Oregon Story will be of great interest to the Jewish community in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest and will appeal broadly to all readers of American, Western, and Oregon history, particularly those interested in questions of ethnicity and identity. Published in Cooperation with the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education"-- Provided by publisher xviii, 316 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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Hiking from Portland to the coast an interpretive guide to 30 trails by James D. Thayer
A guidebook for both experienced and casual hikers, Hiking from Portland to the Coast explores the many trails and logging roads that crisscross the northern portion of Oregon’s Coast Range. While showcasing convenient “looped” routes, it also describes complete throughways connecting Portland to the coastal communities of Seaside and Tillamook. Designed to both inform and entertain, each of the 30 trails described includes a “backstory” highlighting the rich histories of Native Americans, white settlers, loggers, and railroad operators. While suitable for hikers, equestrians, and bikers, many of these trails have never been surveyed for recreational use. All are meticulously surveyed and described here, alongside detailed and annotated maps. Some trails are located on private timber holdings, accessible only by paid permit, while access to others is free. In most cases vehicular traffic is not permitted; neither is camping, littering, or making fires. From time to time, access may be restricted due to fire danger or commercial activity. The maps, notes, and tips provided in Hiking from Portland to the Coast will be invaluable for those adventurers who wish to wander far from the beaten track. Less intrepid explorers will find plenty of short and scenic exploratory hikes in the forests that parallel Highway 26 to Seaside or Highway 6 to Tillamook. 272 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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Keeping Oregon green livability, stewardship, and the challenges of growth, 1960-1980 by Derek R. Larson
"Keeping Oregon Green is a new history of the signature accomplishments of Oregon's environmental era: the revitalization of the polluted Willamette River, the Beach Bill that preserved public access to the entire coastline, the Bottle Bill that set the national standard for reducing roadside litter, and the nation's first comprehensive land use zoning law. To these case studies is added the largely forgotten tale of what would have been Oregon's second national park, intended to preserve the Oregon Dunes as one of the country's first National Seashores. Through the detailed study of the historical, political, and cultural contexts of these environmental conflicts, Derek Larson uncovers new dimensions in familiar stories linked to the concepts of 'livability' and environmental stewardship. Connecting events in Oregon to the national environmental awakening of the 1960s and 1970s, the innovative policies that carried Oregon to a position of national leadership are shown to be products of place and culture as much as politics. While political leaders such as Tom McCall and Bob Straub played critical roles in framing new laws, the advocacy of ordinary citizens--farmers, students, ranchers, business leaders, and factory workers--drove a movement that crossed partisan, geographic, and class lines to make Oregon the nation's environmental showcase of the 1970s. Drawing on extensive archival research and source materials, ranging from poetry to congressional hearings, Larson's compelling study is firmly rooted in the cultural, economic, and political history of the Pacific Northwest. Essential reading for students of environmental history and Oregon politics, Keeping Oregon Green argues that the state's environmental legacy is not just the product of visionary leadership, but rather a complex confluence of events, trends, and personalities that could only have happened when and where it did"-- Provided by publisher ix, 307 pages ; 23 cm Desiderata
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2016 |
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Leaded the poisoning of Idaho's Silver Valley by Michael C. Mix
Leaded is a timely and deeply researched account of one of the largest environmental disasters in western US history. It examines the origin, evolution, and causes of the harmful environmental and human health effects caused by mining operations in Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Mining District—the “Silver Valley”—from 1885 to 1981. During that period, district mines produced over $5 billion worth of lead, silver, and zinc. The Bunker Hill Company dominated business and community activities in the district as owners and operators of the largest mine, lead smelter, and zinc plant.During the first half of the twentieth century, industrial mining operations caused severe environmental damage to area waterways and lands from releases of sulfur gases, lead, and other toxic metals. Damaging human health effects were evident soon after the smelter opened in 1917, when Bunker Hill workers suffered from lead poisoning. Despite the obvious devastation, due to the influence of the mine and lead industry in state and federal politics, as well as scientific uncertainties about pollution effects, no effective federal laws regulating mining and smelting operations were passed until the 1970s.In 1974, uncontrolled Bunker Hill lead smelter emissions led to the worst community lead exposure problem in the United States and resulted in a widespread lead poisoning epidemic of Silver Valley children. In response, the Environmental Protection Agency ultimately mandated federal air lead standards. At the same time, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health passed national standards reducing allowable occupational lead exposures. Bunker Hill could not meet the new standards, which was a major factor in forcing the company to close, leaving behind a contaminated geographic area that was classified at the time as the largest Superfund site in the United States.Leaded will resonate with anyone who is concerned about the long-term effects of industrial pollution, as well as students of environmental history, western US history, mining history, environmental ethics, and environmental law xvi, 260 pages : illustrations, map ; 23 cm Desiderata
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2016 |