city news...
Jan 6,2009
Artemisia Garden Nursery and Gallery
by pearlgirl
I think about Artemisia every time time we brew coffee at home. That's nearly every day. What brings it to mind are the ceramic mugs—made locally by artist Phebe Miller—that we purchased there as part of our holiday gift. But, as anyone who has shopped at Artemisia knows, the real gift is getting to know shop owners Amy Bryant Aiello and Michael Aiello . Both are graduates of Pacific Northwest College of Art : Michael has a BFA in painting and Amy earned her BFA in photography. Their shop, Artemisia Garden Nursery and Gallery , showcases their work, an incredible selection of plants, and a host of home and garden accessories made by other local artists. But, the gallery and nursery cannot compare to the warmth and hospitality that the Aiellos extend to their customers. What initially brought us to Artemisia was a recommendation from our friend Molly Quan . We were on the hunt for tillandsias and she recommended that we pay Artemisia a visit. [Word to
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posted at 01:03 PM
3 comments 
Dec 31,2008
Set Your Papers Free
by evil genius
After months of tripping over six grocery bags full of papers in need of shredding and recycling, I had had enough. Our poor little shredder just couldn't keep up. In a burst of motivation, and prompted by the impending New Year, I decided to set my papers free.I headed to my usual location on Barbur Boulevard for bulk shredding yesterday afternoon only to discover a dumpster parked out front and the entire building had been gutted. I did some quick research and found Paper Chase Recycling in North Portland.
I chatted with the owner Ronaldo Mazyck who said he would be around for a few hours today and returning to work on Monday morning. He assured me that he is fully bonded and has over 21 years experience in confidential document destruction. Paper Chase deals with documents for the banks, government offices, and the IRS.
While I knew it would be a significant trek from my home in Sellwood, it seemed like a good idea to support a local business and r
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posted at 03:02 PM
5 comments
Dec 16,2008
***IMPORTANT*** Winter Tips from the Portland Water Bureau
by jenniferd
Okay kiddies -- here's the scoop: the weather is cold, cold, freezing cold. You need to protect your plumbing or you could end up with a miserable, watery situation on your hands....please just trust me on this one! I've seen it too many times. No one wants frozen and/or exploding plumbing in the middle of a snowstorm. It's just not fun. Outside Plumbing Caulk around pipes where they enter the house. Close all foundation vents. Cut wood or Styrofoam blocks to fill vent openings, then slide them into the vents. (You'll want to open the vents again in the spring to prevent dry rot.) Protect outside pipes and faucets. If you have a separate shut off valve for an outside faucet, consider shutting it off and draining it for the winter. If you don't have a separate valve to turn off faucets, you can wrap outside faucets or hose bibs with insulation . Use newspaper or rags covered with plastic, fiberglass or molded foam-insulating covers (available at hardware stores) to
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posted at 02:34 PM
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Dec 14,2008
Oxalis -- Customer Service Above and Beyond
by northwest nola
I had one of the best customer service experiences of my life last weekend at Oxalis , an urban garden and clothing boutique quietly nestled into the roaring hubub of Northwest Portland. My first experience with Oxalis was several months ago right after they opened. I knew, instinctively, however, that this first visit would not be my only visit. The concept is so unique that I knew one trip wasn't going to cut it for me -- and indeed my curiosity led me back several times to re-explore the store's unique offerings; everything from plants to clothes. Over the past couple months I purchased several gifts there for friends and family, but in last weekend's visit, I went for me. I was looking for a house plant that my cats can't destory. Every green attempt I've made to Feng-shui my condo has been foiled by their greedy curiosity. PUNKS! On this visit, I took my husband with me, so we could make a good decision together. Not only did we leave with the ultra cat proof plant, we left w
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posted at 06:59 PM
1 comments
Dec 13,2008
That VooDoo, that You Do So Well...
by NoPo Ness
Spiritual interests in North Portland, like those around the world, run the gambit from the mainstream to those shrouded in mystery and myth. Jonathan and Tanya Scott, proprietors of Orleans Candle Company , not only sell some the best and most inexpensive candles in Portland but also have a wealth of informational and spiritual supplies including those used in traditional Hoodoo, Voodoo and Santeria practices. Jonathan, who has a degree in World Religions from Trinity University in San Antonio Texas and whose father is a professor of religion, is happy to demystify these more misunderstood spiritual practices. The Scotts relocated to Portland after Hurricane Katrina wiped out their home and business in New Orleans. Tanya grew up in the family business, at F & F Candle and Botanica, open since 1968 and supplying candles, oils, herbs, roots and other spiritual and religious products to the people of New Orleans. After the store flooded in the hurricane, it was rebuilt and although
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posted at 04:19 PM
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Dec 9,2008
How to Make the Perfect Bow and Add Dazzle to Your Holiday Gifts
by pearlgirl
Some folks are lucky enough to get the gift-wrapping gene: the ability to make any gift, large or small, even more beautiful by packaging it with care, thought and consideration. I'm not one of those people. I can't even close a bag of coffee in a presentable fashion—it's always a wee bit mangled. Fortunately for me, and for those of you like me, there are *chuckle, chuckle, snort* gifted individuals available to help with our gift wrapping needs. This year, with the economy being what it is, there are too few dollars to spend on luxuries like gift wrapping services. We're all giving fewer gifts, but there's no reason that they can't be more meaningful inside and out. With a little practice, even the most craft-impaired person can learn to make the perfect holiday bow. Your friends and family will love the results! What you'll need: 5–7 yards of ribbon (length depends on size of box and how fluffy you'd like your bow), scissors <
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posted at 10:59 AM
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Nov 29,2008
Protect Your Home Plumbing from Cold Snaps
by jenniferd
The Portland Water Bureau reminds all customers to protect your indoor and outdoor plumbing from the cold weather -- it's coming! Click here for tips on protecting your indoor plumbing Click here for tips on protecting your outdoor plumbing Freezing temperatures can challenge the city's water infrastructure and your household's water pipes. Be prepared this year. Jennie Day-Burget Public Information Officer
posted at 03:16 PM
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Nov 25,2008
What it means to live in a "green" home
by TeachStreet
The Moon brothers, Garrett and Dustin, of Southeast Portland have decided to go green. It turns out that the new home they're building is already exceeding the standards for " green design " set by the Cascadia Region Green Building Council ("CRGBC"). The council was set up to establish and monitor green building standards on the West Coast and Pacific Northwest.To date, no new development has achieved all the rigorous standards set by the CRGBC in one design. The Moon's believe they are a shoe in to being the first to build a fully green home .
Photo: The Moon brothers, by: SAM BENNETT
The Living Building Challenge is a program developed by the CRGBC. The Moon's have entered the challenge which requires designers’ buildings be 100% supplied by on-site renewable sources. The challenge covers “six petals”:
site energy usage materials water indoo
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posted at 05:11 PM
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Nov 25,2008
Nurture Your Garden With A Grant From Hardy Plant Society of Oregon
by pearlgirl
Need a little green to make your garden grow? Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO) announces funds available to nonprofit organizations and schools whose work supports the mission ofHPSO—dedicated to helping special gardens of botanical, horticultural or historic interest, including the support of schools and community gardens. Small grants are available to organizations in Oregon and SW Washington. Please go to the HPSO website for more information on previous awardees and application forms. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.
posted at 02:42 PM
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Nov 20,2008
Hermitage is a Home
by Julie D
I dropped into Hermitage this week and had my usual head spinning desire for everything in the shop. Jennifer June is the talented proprietress of Hermitage, with an exquisite eye for the stupendously cool and unique. One of the things Jennifer does best is bring work from independent artists living outside of Portland into Portland. I like that when I go to her shop, I can say, who is this by? Instead of ... oh I love this, it is by so and so, right? While Hermitage is the home to many lovely home accessories, the main focus here is on wallpaper. Jennifer retails some of the most unique and special wallpaper designers I have come across. Much is handmade, screen printed, block printed or hand painted. A perusal of her books made me consider wallpapering my whole house. But I have refrained. For now. If this sounds too good to be true, it is. Jennifer will be closing Hermitage's Portland doors in January and relocating to Seattle. I am not sure what Seattle has done to deserve suc
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posted at 10:52 PM
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