Many readers responded to our recent story on bicycle manufacture in Portland, suggesting that it inaccurately presented the local industry as exclusively male. While it was never Neighborhood Notes’ intention to do so, we hope this follow-up piece will serve both to fill in some of the gaps in that story, and to address some of the larger issues underlying one of Portland’s most passionately discussed topics. One recent more...

Better late than never, right? Summer, that is, and all the foods with which we associate the season. Owing to the impact of late storms and fluctuating temperatures, local farmers’ most reliable summer crops are just now starting to fill market stalls and CSA boxes. What does all of this mean for you, your kitchen, and your belly? It’s time to take full advantage of the flavors of late summer by sourcing your goods close more...

A food-buying club (FBC) is just what it sounds like: a group of people getting together to purchase food. There are several reasons to join or start an FBC, the most obvious of which is the increased buying power provided by a collective. By purchasing items directly from farmers and vendors, an FBC avoids the overhead costs that drive up retail prices. Members also benefit from greater choice and flexibility, enhanced freshness and more...

With so many neighbors getting together to purchase whole carcasses from local meat CSAs, area food educators have stepped up to offer courses in “nose-to-tail eating.” What’s the deal, and why should you care? Omnivores, read on. The phrase “nose-to-tail” was coined by London chef Fergus Henderson in his instant 2004 classic, The Whole Beast. But the philosophy hearkens back to the days when much care more...

Bobbie Wallace learned to knit before she could read or write. But she resisted learning to spin her own yarn because, by the time she was a veteran knitter, the pile of unfinished projects and yarn had become pretty significant. "An enabler friend of mine shipped me a spinning wheel and said if I didn't like it, I could sell it or pass it along," Wallace says, looking over the blur of her spinning wheel with a wry smile. more...

Eating locally, sustainably and seasonally can often seem daunting, especially in winter. By January, having eaten through all the Hubbard squash and home-canned tomatoes in storage, you're kind of tired of potatoes, and you inexplicably find yourself craving bell peppers and cucumbers—both months out of season. Want to know the local secrets to fighting mid-winter's food doldrums? With a little planning and some new more...

Curious about chicken keeping? Neighborhood Notes presents the why and how of keeping a backyard flock. more...

Did you know that U.S. consumers spend 450 billion dollars on holiday shopping every year? Think of the global change we could enact by collectively harnessing the power of our consumer habits for a better cause. Do you hear this, know this, and still have a hard time downshifting in the momentum of the season? Give the best of both worlds. Here are eight gift ideas to warm the hearts of the loved ones on your list AND give back to more...

On a bike map, 33rd avenue looks like a safe bet for bridging I-84 and thus crossing the border from the Southeast to the Northeast quadrants of the city—and it is, if you know what you're doing. I thought I did, but on a recent cool morning, my newcomer's geographical knowledge proved me wrong. Things go along fine until 33rd turns into Glisan, spitting me into the labyrinth of the Laurelhurst neighborhood, and pretty more...

“25 years, and we’re still a well-kept secret,” says Betsy Coddington, Executive Director of Resolutions Northwest. That’s about to change. The nonprofit celebrates its quarter century birthday this month during a two-day art extravaganza called Art of Reconciliation, happening November 20 and 21 at St. David of Wales Episcopal Church in Hosford-Abernethy. The main event, an art exhibit, features work from more...