University classes officially started on Monday. Yesterday was quite relaxing as I only had one class; however, today I had three classes. My first course of the day was anatomy & physiology lab which began at 6:00 o'clock . Oh, did I mention it was at 6:00 a.m.? Despite my busy schedule, I manged to take my pup out for a walk in between classes. We walked downtown to the Ira Keller fountain. The Portland Parks & Recreation website lists the following information on the park.

'Even before remodeling of the Civic Auditorium began in the early 1960s, plans to create an open space across the street were being proposed. The proposal submitted by Lawrence Halprin, the well-known San Franciscan architect who had designed the Lovejoy Fountain a few years earlier, was unanimously approved in 1968. Designed by Angela Danadjieva, the Forecourt Fountain was completed in 1970. 13,000 gallons of water per minute cascade through its terraces and platforms, suggesting the Northwest's abundant waterfalls. The concrete fountain became an instant city landmark and an internationally acclaimed open space.'

'In 1978, the fountain was renamed after Ira C. Keller (1899-1978), civic leader and first chairman of the Portland Development Commission (1958-72). Keller pushed through the renewal plan for the South Auditorium area of downtown which included the construction of the Forecourt Fountain. It has been said that "it was Keller's enormous energy that made urban renewal work in Portland."