Thanksgiving Fun Facts

• Sarah Josepha Hale, the enormously influential magazine editor and author who waged a tireless campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in the mid-19th century, was also the author of the classic nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
• The National Turkey Federation estimated that 46 million turkeys—one fifth of the annual total of 235 million consumed in the United States in 2007—were eaten at Thanksgiving.
• In a survey conducted by the National Turkey Federation, nearly 88 percent of Americans said they eat turkey at Thanksgiving. The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds, which means some 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the U.S. during Thanksgiving in 2007.
• The cranberry is one of only three fruits—the others are the blueberry and the Concord grape—that are entirely native to North American soil, according to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association.
• According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust.
• Originally known as Macy’s Christmas Parade—to signify the launch of the Christmas shopping season—the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City in 1924. It was launched by Macy’s employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. Today, some 3 million people attend the annual parade and another 44 million watch it on television.
• Tony Sarg, a children’s book illustrator and puppeteer, designed the first giant hot air balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927. He later created the elaborate mechanically animated window displays that grace the façade of the New York store from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
• Snoopy has appeared as a giant balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other character in history. As the Flying Ace, Snoopy made his sixth appearance in the 2006 parade.
• The first time the Detroit Lions played football on Thanksgiving Day was in 1934, when they hosted the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit stadium, in front of 26,000 fans. The NBC radio network broadcast the game on 94 stations across the country–the first national Thanksgiving football broadcast. Since that time, the Lions have played a game every Thanksgiving (except between 1939 and 1944); in 1956, fans watched the game on television for the first time.

Read more at History.com

This Old House Pumpkin Carving Contest

From Marthastewart.com

I love fall! I love Halloween! And I love Pumpkin Carving!  Imagine my delight when I ran by the grocery store this morning and they had a beautiful display of pumpkins in front of the store.

I’m getting my entry ready for the This Old House 2nd annual pumpkin carving contest.  Go to youroldhouse.thisoldhouse.com/pumpkincarving to enter as many carvings as you’d like. The contest isn’t limited to new carvings, so go on and give an old masterpiece a shot at glory. There are, of course, faaaaaabulous prizes up for grabs, PLUS winners will be featured in a thisoldhouse.com Halloween day photo gallery.

Builders’ Surplus Sale offers homeowners great loot at low prices

Thinking of doing a fall home improvement project? Then the Builders’ Surplus Sale at the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show is the place to be. This annual event, put on by the Home Builders Association of Metro Portland’s Professional Remodelers Organization, features new and used surplus merchandise from local building industry professionals at amazingly low prices.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the do-it-yourselfer to get quality materials at great prices,” said Hallie Gentry, manager of the Professional Remodelers Organization.  “We have such an incredible selection of items including home lighting, paint, tile and a large selection of doors and windows. There really is something here for everyone.”

Items left at the end of the show will be donated to The Rebuilding Center, the largest non-profit used building materials resource in North America.

 

WHO: The HBAMP’s Professional Remodelers Organization

WHAT: A garage-sale type of event featuring Portland-area builders and remodelers’ surplus windows, doors, appliances, tile, cabinets, etc.

WHEN: Sept. 10-13 (11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday)

WHERE: In the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show (Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine Drive, Portland, OR 97217)

COST: Free with entrance to the Portland Fall Home and Garden Show. Tickets for the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show are $10 and also gain attendees access to the Fall RV and Van Show and the Fall Boat Sale.  Get discount coupons here.

NW Natural Street of Dreams Awards Announced

The Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland announced the 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams award recipients on August 26 during an evening ceremony at NW Natural.

The dream condominium homes earn awards in three categories: Professional’s Choice, which are judged by professional judges who come from outside the Portland area; Realtor’s Choice, selected by licensed realtors who attended the show’s Realtor Day; and, People’s Choice awards submitted by show attendees.

“The 2009 Street of Dreams showcased excellence and innovation,” said HBA CEO Dave Nielsen. “We are proud to produce this annual show, celebrating the latest designs and home ideas. This year’s first-ever urban edition of the Street was a huge success, and I congratulate all those who came together to make this amazing event turn from a dream into a reality.”

This weekend is your last opportunity to see these award-winning homes. The show runs through Sunday, August 30, and tickets are available on-site or online at www.streetofdreamspdx.com. Come be impressed and inspired by the show that Portland is raving about.

Realtor’s Choice Awards
Best of Show: Bedford, 937 Condominiums
Best Interior Design: East Village, Block 90
Best Kitchen: The Manhattan, Block 90
Best Home Furnishings: The Manhattan, Block 90

Professional’s Choice Awards
Best of Show: Maison, 937
Best Interior Design: Maison, 937
Best Master Suite: An Uncommon Life, The Encore
Best Kitchen: Maison, 937
Best Architecture: 937 Condominiums

People’s Choice Awards
Best of Show: Bedford, 937
Best Interior Design:The Manhattan, Block 90/Skywatcher, Waterfront Pearl
Best Kitchen: The Manhattan, Block 90
Best Master Suite: Luster of the Pearl, The Encore

Portland Fall Home & Garden Show is Coming

Mark your calendars now for the Fall Home and Garden Show.  Get your discount coupons here.

NW Natural Street of Dreams Idea Gallery

Sorry about the two posts this week about the Street of Dreams but there really is some cool things going on down there that I thought you might want to know about.

First of all, they have just released a new coupon code “2off” which saves you two dollars off each ticket when you purchase online.  Plus, the value of the Pearl Pass just keeps going up.  There are now over 100 businesses in the Pearl District supporting the Street of Dreams Pearl Pass and it is valued at $8,200!!  WOW!

Next, starting tomorrow August 8, and running each Saturday and Sunday for the next three weeks there will be an Idea Gallery set up in the Street of Dreams Headquarters at 937 NW Glisan.  The Idea Gallery is a great place to find ideas and inspiration from the show that you can apply to your home.  There will be several remodelers participating in the Idea Gallery so if you want to meet remodelers and speak to them face to face this is your opportunity.

Finally,

Congratulations to Alexis winner of the two Street of Dreams tickets!

NW Natural Street of Dreams Coming Soon!

The 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams “Views of the Pearl” opens August 1 and showcases four of Portland’s premiere condominium home developments, featuring nine incredible penthouses ranging in price from $1 to $2.5 million. With a focus on LEED standard and eco-friendly materials, the dream condos include the latest in home innovations and design, including wrap around balconies and hot tubs with a stunning city view.

Viewing the 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams is a snap. Simply click on the tickets link to buy your 2009 Street of Dreams Pearl Pass.

Not only will your Pearl Pass provide access to nine gorgeous penthouses, all featuring the latest and greatest in design and sustainability, it will provide you with savings of over $6,500 at local Pearl District businesses, free rides on the street car and discounted parking for the month of August.

Don’t miss the NW Natural Street of Dreams website where you will find ideas and inspiration from the show, descriptions of the featured condos and profiles of the developers and designers.

Happy 4th of July!!

Don’t forget there will be no Fort Vancouver fireworks show this year. If you need an alternative location to get your yearly fireworks fix click here for a list of all the local fireworks displays.

Hope you have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Did you know: Robert G. Heft is a designer of the 50-star flag for the United States of America. He spent his childhood in Lancaster, Ohio, where he created the flag as a school project.

He designed the current U.S. flag in 1958 while living with his grandparents. He was 17 years old at the time and did the flag design as a class project. He unstitched the blue field from a family 48-star flag, sewed in a new field, and used iron-on white fabric to add 100 hand-cut stars, 50 on each side of the blue canton.

He originally received a “B-” for the project. After discussing the grade with his high school teacher, Stanley Pratt, it was agreed that if the flag was accepted by Congress, the grade would be reconsidered. Heft’s flag design was chosen and adopted by presidential proclamation after Alaska and before Hawaii was admitted into the union in 1959. According to Heft, his teacher did keep to their agreement and changed his grade to an “A” for the project.

Early Bird discount on NW Natural Street of Dreams tickets

Tickets are on sale now for the 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams at www.streetofdreamspdx.com and early birds will receive a $2 discount on tickets purchased now through July 15. Prices are $15 (peak times), $13 (non-peak times), and $10 for children 10 and under. Type in 2off in the discount code box on the website to receive your discount.  For information about bulk ticket discounts, contact the HBA at 503-684-1880.

Early Bird Discount on NW Natural Street of Dreams Tickets

Tickets are on sale now for the 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams at www.streetofdreamspdx.com and early birds will receive a $3 discount on tickets purchased now through June 15. Prices are $15 (peak times), $13 (non-peak times), and $10 for children 10 and under. Type in 3off in the discount code box on the website to receive your discount. Tickets also will be available at all local Safeway outlets and NW Rug locations beginning July 1. For information about bulk ticket discounts, contact the HBA at 503-684-1880.