Yes it's true, today is pearlgirl's Birthday! So let's all wish her a very Happy Birthday! Yay!    All together now: Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday dear pearlgirl Happy Birthday to you! more...

Some businesses gain an hour of alcohol sales when DST ends on SundayOregonians will officially move their clocks backward one hour at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 as Daylight Saving Time ends. As a result, some nightclubs, bars, taverns and other licensed premises that stay open until 2:00 a.m. or 2:30 a.m. will gain an extra hour of alcohol sales.According to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, some liquor licensees lost a half hour of more...

Wireless phone towers are pretty much ubiquitous these days. We see many design review requests for placing these on the roofs of buildings.  Homeowner Associations or property owners can collect fees by allowing companies to use their roof space for these antennas.Residential NeighborhoodsIn residential neighborhoods it's a different story since most structures are single-family residences of only one or two stories.  In more...

A damaged cable on the 98-year-old Hawthorne Bridge will be repaired Tuesday morning, closing the bridge to traffic for most of the day. See the Portland Tribune article. Due to the emergency repairs, Multnomah County will be closing the Hawthorne Bridge on Tuesday, October 28 from 9:00am until approximately 1:00pm. Buses that normally use the Hawthorne Bridge will be rerouted to the Morrison Bridge. more...

A new campaign to educate adults about the dangers of furnishing alcohol to minors is underway, thanks to a combined effort by Oregon Partnership and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.New products, materials and posters are being rolled out at various liquor stores around the state, in hopes that parents get the message loud and clear: That most teens who obtain hard liquor, get it from home.Among the items are bottle hangers more...

Surprise! It may not be who you think. Learn the identity of our new commish here. more...

As many of you know, this week marks the 25th anniversary of the sobering delivery of “A Nation at Risk” speech, by the then President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Reagan had understood, long ago, that the real problem America faced with regard to its national security is its education crisis. The recent news about the performance of the Oregon public school system, especially in Portland, is a continuing reminder more...

Do you have an idea that leads to positive change in your neighborhood? Metro has three grant programs to support innovative solutions that help solve neighborhood problems and improve the quality of life for residents.The programs - Metro Central Enhancement Grants, Nature in Neighborhoods Restoration Grants and Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants - will distribute funds in 2009.The Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants program more...

City Sports Bar & Restaurant, 424 SW 4th Ave., has agreed to sell its business following a proposal by the OLCC for cancellation and non-renewal of its liquor license.  The agreement states that the licensee will surrender its license and stop selling, mixing, or serving alcoholic beverages by Jan. 31, 2009 or before, if the business is sold before then.City Sports Bar has a history of serious and persistent problems.  more...

This holiday season, give your friends and family green gifts that keep on giving as they grow—Gift Trees and Gift Groves. For $35 you can order a Gift Tree, and for $100 you can order a Gift Grove. Friends of Trees will plant the young native trees in local natural areas in need of restoration. Orders can be placed at "Gift Trees" at www.FriendsofTrees.org. You can include the name of the person the trees will be more...