news and events in portland...

Reap the Rewards of Supporting Portland's Indie Businesses!
How to Use Your Supportland Card

"Local business make our region great. And loving local businesses just got sweeter." —Supportland Neighborhood Notes recently sent out more than 75 Supportland rewards cards loaded with points as a thank you to those that filled out our reader survey. And in response, we got a few questions, like “How do you use this thing?” Supportland co-founder Katrina Scotto di Carlo isn’t caught off guard: more...

Food for Thought: Addressing Food Insecurity
Why Are So Many Portland Neighbors Hungry?

With Portland’s ubiquitous farmers markets, a committed locavore “foodie” movement, and the great luck of being located in the Willamette Valley—home to some of the most fertile soil on the planet—how could the Rose City possibly face any food security issues? But the facts don’t lie. According to the Multnomah Food Action Plan, adopted by the County Board of Commissioners in January 2011, there are more...

Get your fried chicken fix with a variety of mouth-watering styles
5 Portland Spots Frying Up Finger Lickin' Fried Chicken

Portland may not have “traditional” roots in frying chicken, but it doesn’t take an expert to grasp that fried chicken is “finger lickin’ good.” And although KFC ditched that slogan of 50 years for something “healthier” sounding, Portland knows fried chicken is just that. Luckily, we have our own deliciously crispy fried chicken scene (yep, we said it, there is one) going strong, and then more...

Craft of Business
How to Nurture Yourself and Help Your Small Business Thrive

What's your most important business asset? It's not your customers, your products or even your website—it's YOU. Taking care of business is taking care of yourself. Here are three ways to nurture yourself and help your small business thrive. Get Your Three Squares We meet with a lot of small business owners—usually over happy hour—and we regularly hear: "This [insert bar food] is the first thing more...

Thank you!
Survey Results: Gift Certificate Winner, Supportland Point Madness

Hi there, neighbors. We deeply appreciate the feedback we received from our 2012 reader survey. Our thanks to everyone who braved the open-ended questions and supplied such thoughtful responses. You're our heroes! We were doing it wrong. Well, not everything. But a lot of things are going to change here at Neighborhood Notes. And we couldn't be more inspired.We're honored to make the changes that matter to you, dear more...

Portland Neighbors Answer Questions About the Direction of the City
Armchair Mayor: Cora Potter

This year marks a renewed examination of the East Portland-West Portland divide so what better way to start than with Cora Lee Potter, a community leader from Lents. She has chaired the Lents Town Center Urban Renewal Advisory Committee (LTCURAC) and continues to advocate for the neighborhood she loves while working as a planner in regional community transportation. However, it is her other titles on LinkedIn that prove she has the more...

Alternatives to the Most Commonly Ordered Drinks
5 Craft Cocktails That Will Shake Up Your 'Usual'

Why waste your neighborhood-dive order at Portland's craft cocktail bars? Shake up your 'usual' with a snappier alternative. more...

Get Fit and Keep the Local Economy Healthy, Too.
5 Local Alternatives to 24 Hour Fitness

Resolved to get fit in 2012? Consider indie alternatives to the fitness giants and keep the local economy healthy, too. more...

Grads Look to Make an Impact on Portland Metro's Agricultural Scene
First Crop of Young(er) Urban Farmers Graduates Apprenticeship Program

The first graduates of the Beginning Urban Farmer Apprenticeship program look to make an impact on the agricultural scene of the Portland metro area. more...

Craft of Business
10 Creative Uses for Your Small Business Calendar

Any small business owner or organization can create value through creative calendaring. more...

Experience the "Golden Decade of Jazz"

Event date: Feb 3, 2012 Feb 18, 2012

Event location: Project Grow at Port City, 2156 N Williams Avenue

Jump Town: Williams Avenue, Remembering Portland's Artery of Jazz and Culture

In the 1950s Williams Avenue was a thriving home of jazz clubs that attracted the greatest musicians of the era including the likes of Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and so many others. The construction of Interstate 5 cut this musical, cultural artery forever, leaving only a handful of clubs scattered throughout Portland. From February 3-18, Project Grow at Port City more...

Find Out Why Solar is a Smart Choice for Oregon

Event date: Feb 4, 2012

Event location: SE Uplift, 3534 SE Main St.

Free Workshop: The Basics of Going Solar

Find out why solar is a smart choice for Oregon at this free workshop. We’ll discuss solar electric and solar thermal technologies and the current financial incentives available to homeowners. For more information and to RSVP please visit Solar Oregon or email emily@solaroregon.org. Solar Oregon is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization leading the way to a clean energy future by demonstrating the successful use of solar energy more...

Winter Is a Prime Time to Plan for Spring!

Event dates: February 5th, 2012, March 4th, 2012

Event location: June Key Delta Community Center

Garden Classes—The Basics, Ideas and Details

Just when you thought it was time to hang up your garden gloves…winter is a prime time to plan for spring! Join Bonnie Bruce of Celilo Gardens for 4 Garden Classes beginning in January 2012: “The Real Dirt on Dirt”, “Get Your Feet Wet—Rain Gardens”, “Perfect Bedfellows—Edibles and Perennials” and” Lawn, What a Yawn!” Registration details and class descriptions can be more...

Save the Date! Feb. 5, noon-5 p.m.

Event date: Feb 5, 2012

Event location: Crystal Ballroom & Lola's, 1332 W Burnside

Bargain Hunting Collaborative Indie Clearance Sale

Bargain Hunting clearance event coming soon! Over 50 fabulous local artists, designers, and boutiques all in one place. Rock bottom discount prices + cocktails. Save the Date: Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, noon-5 p.m. Free and open to all. more...

Join the Indie Biz Network With the Best Tools in Town!

Event date: Feb 6, 2012

Event location: Varies

Supportland Info Sessions

Calling all business owners and folks into collaborating! Supportland is a network exclusively for locally owned businesses in the Portland Metro region. There are currently over 30,000 Supportland card holders. Businesses gain an average of 24 new customers a month through Supportland. Monday, Feb. 6, 9-10 a.m., Dava Bead & Trade, 2121 NE Broadway Monday, Feb. 13, 9-10 a.m., Screaming Sky Gallery, 1416 NE Alberta Monday, Feb more...

A Little Pre-Valentine's Celebration

Event dates: February 11th, 2012, February 12th, 2012

Event location: Hip Chicks do Wine, 4510 SE 23rd Ave.

Chocolate and Wine Pairings at Hip Chicks do Wine

Who doesn't love Chocolate and Wine?! So, for a little Pre-Valentines celebration, our winemakers have teamed up with Cocoa Velvet Chocolatiers to pair five wines with five chocolates (additional wines also available for tasting). Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12, noon-5:30 p.m. $15 at the door, or 2 for $20 advanced purchase. Call or stop by the winery to purchase seats in advance. more...

You're Invited!

Event date: Feb 11, 2012

Event location: Leavitt Station, 7441 N Leavitt Ave.

Leavitt Station Celebrates Grand Opening of ROZ and Studios 5

Leavitt Station invites you to thegrand openingcelebration of ROZ and Studios 5, two locally owned businesses in North Portland's St. Johns neighborhood. ROZ, a women's boutique, specializes in women’s clothing and vintage and repurposed items. Come enjoy the stylish, quiet shop wherewomen are the focus and canshop without distractions.Store hours: Thursday to Saturday, 12-7 p.m.,Sunday, 12-4 p.m. 503.310.5301 Studios 5, more...

On Feb. 14 Your Points Will Be Worth Double!

Event date: Feb 14, 2012

Event location: Portland's best indie businesses

Supportland's Valentine's Day Doubler

On Valentine's Day, over 30,000 Portlanders will get a big hug from the local economy when their Supportland points will magically be worth double. From midnight to midnight on 2/14/12, cardholders will be flocking to supportland.com where they can get rewards that may have previously been beyond their grasp. Perhaps a Soak and Sauna Pass at Common Ground? Sewing Machine Service at Modern Domestic? Or maybe $50 towards a tattoo at more...

Enter a Drawing for a $4,000 Homebuying Assistance Grant!

Event date: Feb 15, 2012

Event location: David Douglas High School - 1500 SE 130th Ave.

East Portland Homeownership Forum on Feb. 15

Come learn about homeownership opportunities in East Portland, and talk to local organizations interested in helping you purchase a home of your own! The forum is FREE, open to the public, and an equal housing opportunity. Attendees can enter a drawing for a $4,000 homebuying assistance grant. The money can be used for purchasing a home, or renovating a home being purchased. For more information, contact Liz at ROSE Community more...

DIY

Event date: Feb 25, 2012

Event location: Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine Drive, Room D202

Rain Gardens 101 Workshop—FREE!

Join us on Saturday, February 25 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. to explore the critical role rain gardens can play in urban stream restoration, and learn how to construct your own! You’ll learn how to: assess your site to decide best location and size calculate impervious surfaces determine soil suitability choose appropriate plants for and how to maintain your new rain garden Participants will receive a comprehensive manual to help more...