Cool stuff that’s too small for a big article
Just like it says, Popcorn Shorts is about the kind of things we think are really interesting, but don’t really need a large article to explain them. From the sublime to the ridiculous, check in here for crunchy bits of info you’ll love to munch. By the way, much (but not necessarily all) of our delicious Popcorn comes from articles we’ve posted on our Facebook page. If you’re on Facebook, please stop by and “Like” us and we’ll keep a fairly-constant-but-not-frequent-enough-to-be-annoying stream of these coming to your virtual door!
The Historic Columbia Gorge Highway is almost back
from Kristian Foden-Vencil, OPB– “There are 77 waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge, and that’s just on the Oregon side. You can catch a glimpse of some as you drive along Interstate 84. But for the best views, you need to travel the old Columbia River Highway, which snakes along the basalt walls offering one picture book scene after another… ODOT has already created hiking trails along some stretches. Other portions remain open to everyday driving. The hope is that, eventually, people will be able to bike or hike the entire length without a break. And stretches where cars aren’t currently allowed will be open for vintage automobiles on special days. They imagined something like the great scenic roads of Europe…”
Thinking of Getting an EV in 2024? What to Know About the $7,500 Tax Credit
from KQED– “If you are considering buying an electric car in 2024, there’s good news — and bad news: A hefty federal tax credit for electric vehicles is going to get easier to access next year, but fewer vehicles will likely qualify for the full $7,500 credit. The tax credits are a key part of the Biden administration’s plan to speed up the shift to electric vehicles and slash carbon emissions from transportation. But, the government is also trying to push companies to bring more jobs to the U.S. by requiring a domestic supply chain. Those two goals can be in tension. Here’s a practical, plain English guide to how the electric vehicle tax credit will work in 2024 — including why you may also consider leasing a car…”
Oregon scientists say there’s a better way to grind your coffee
from Donald Orr and Crystal Ligori at OPB– “The Pacific Northwest has been a hub for coffee culture for nearly a century. But it may surprise you to know that we have scientists here whose entire field of study is the chemistry of coffee. Christopher Hendon is an associate professor at the University of Oregon who has the appropriate nickname of “Dr. Coffee.” He and a team of volcanologists on campus have found a way to up your coffee game: by adding just a little spray of water before grinding your beans. His team’s study on reducing static charge in coffee is featured in the science journal, Matter. OPB spoke with Hendon about all things coffee. Listen in, or read an edited transcript of their conversation here.
All license plates denied by Oregon DMV in 2022
(from KOIN)- “The Oregon DMV welcomes a wide variety of words and phrases on custom license plates, but it has to draw the line somewhere. On the application for a custom vanity license plate, the DMV states that the word or phrase used in the six-letter space cannot refer to things like intimate body parts, sexual functions, alcohol or other controlled substances. They also can’t be offensive to a person or a class of people. But even with those rules clearly printed on the application, the DMV receives a couple of hundred requests every year that it must deny. Here is the full list of rejected plates from 2022…” WARNING: As you might expect, some of these are pretty crude. Be prepped.
