news and events in East Portland...

The latest neighborhood news and events in East Portland.
Land Use Basics
Cracking the Codes of Land Use in Portland

This is the second in a series of articles that will cover the basics of land use in Portland. For tips, resources and a general overview, please see our first story. Three years ago, Neighborhood Notes ran a story announcing plans to build what is now The Albert apartment complex on North Williams Avenue in the Boise neighborhood. That story generated lots of comments—more than 50—for two reasons. One, because of an more...

Launches Outreach to Local Businesses and Community Organizations
Northwest Fair Trade Coalition to Create Portland’s First Fair Trade Directory

Northwest Fair Trade Coalition, Portland’s local economic justice and fair trade coalition, plans to create Portland’s first ever Fair Trade Directory. Local businesses and community organizations who sell fair trade products will be listed in the directory so that people will have a local resource to know where to find and purchase authentic fair trade products. Fair trade products are made under safe and healthy working more...

Craft of Business
Choosing The Right Social Media Platform For Your Business

Twitter or Facebook? LinkedIn, Instagram, Foursquare, Tumblr, Pinterest, Google+, or even MySpace? The options can be overwhelming (don't click here unless you want your head to spin), especially if you don't even recognize a few of the above names, let alone understand what function they serve. So, which one should you choose? "Fish where the fish are," Ben Lloyd, the president of Amplify Interactive, says. And more...

Thinking Local: Jobs
Is Economic Gardening the Right Approach for Job Growth in Portland?

Job growth in Portland comes from local, small businesses. As demonstrated in the last installment of Thinking Local, a discussion of “Job Creation Not Relocation,” resident companies are growing considerably while nonresidents are losing jobs—that’s negative job creation. In a 10 year period from 1999 to 2009, existing Portland companies grew by 63.6 percent while nonresidents (headquartered outside of more...

These Tamales are Great the Other 364 Days of the Year, Too.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo: 6 Portland Spots That Serve Up Killer Tamales

In his recent book Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, author and columnist Gustavo Arellano argues that until the 1950s and 60s, most (Norte) Americanos didn't even know what a taco was. But, almost everyone knew about the tamale because it was introduced to the world on the stage that was the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Soon after, Arellano writes, "tamale men" in large cities were ubiquitous, selling their more...

Now Open!
20 Locally Owned Businesses Opened in Portland in April

April may be the cruelest month for grouchy poets, but it shone an awful lot of sunlight on Portland upstarts last month. These scrappy entrepreneurs opened spots in five of the city's "quadrants," including, but not limited to, several retail outlets specializing in gifts, home design, new and used fashions, and one-of-a-kind rediscovered treasures, as well as a nursery, a pizzeria, three cafes, two bars, a barber shop more...

Portland's Air Is Toxic.
Neighbors for Clean Air Petition in Oregon

Neighbors for Clean Air asks that you consider signing its petition, which asks: When sources of toxic pollution apply for a new or renewal air pollution permit, the state should require them to provide a robust, independent and objective audit of emissions and emission control strategies. Based on that audit, the source should be required to propose and implement specific toxics reduction strategies. Please share with your more...

Two More Days!
Traffic Advisory: Water Contractor Needs More Time on SW Naito Parkway

Portland, OR – A contractor for the Portland Water Bureau must take one to twomore days—Tuesday, May 1 and Wednesday, May 2—to work in the intersection of SW Naito Parkway at SW Clay Street. The crews are making a difficult connection to an existing water supply pipeline. Work hours will be from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM to accommodate rush hour traffic. Several traffic lanes will be closed and the signal light will be more...

Are You Able to Intervene and Get Them the Help They Need?
How to Help Portlanders (Close to You) Suffering from Hunger

Portlanders are a generous people, constantly seeking opportunities to volunteer, help others, and improve their community. Consider the role that Friends of Trees has in keeping Portland green, or the fact that Hands on Greater Portland provides daily volunteer opportunities with 300-plus partner organizations throughout the Portland metro area. According to a recent story in the Portland Tribune, Portland ranks right behind more...

Identifying Trends That Hold Back Commercial Success
The Inherent Power of Landlords

This is the first in a series about how landlords and their current and potential commercial tenants, as well as business and neighborhood associations, can work together to create vibrant, livable neighborhoods and business districts. Whether they realize it or not, landlords have the power to actively or passively shape and restrict a neighborhood's commercial success. There are plenty of success stories, but there are also a more...

Space is Limited. Call Today!

Event date: May 1, 2012 May 31, 2012

Event location: The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon

Free Spay/Neuter Clinics for Feral and Stray Cats in May

The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon (FCCO) will host free spay/neuter clinics for feral and stray cats in the four-county area—Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, and Clark—throughout the entire month of May. Space is limited so call today! Why May? In the spring months, cats begin to breed and are more likely to produce kittens. Cats can reproduce as early as five months old, but can be safely spayed and neutered at two more...