city news...
Dec 2,2008
It's No Surprise that Portland's the #1 Greenest City, Again
by TeachStreet
Every year for the last three years, Portland has reached the very top of the most sustainable cities list produced by SustainLane . There should really be no surprise that Portland keeps beating its rivals. Take for instance Adam Boesel, and his new fitness project, The Green Microgym .
The Green Microgym houses four stationary bikes that produce between 200 and 600 watts of electricity per hour, several other stationary bikes that are connected to generators that Boesel built, treadmills that run off 30% less power, a yoga studio with cork flooring, efficient ceiling fans and solar panel awnings.
The sustainability of The Green Microgym provides environmentally conscious physical trainers and their trainees a place they can feel good about supporting due to its limited impact on the environment. Let's not forget
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posted at 11:50 AM
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Nov 11,2008
Naturally, It's Public Art
by Allison
Last week, when lauding the restorative attributes of Smith & Bybee Lakes , I regretfully omitted a key feature of the refuge: the public art. It's an unlikely place to see art considering there is already so much visual and aural stimuli, but that didn't stop the Regional Arts and Culture Council from commissioning artists Valerie Otani and Fernanda D'Agostina. Many of the sculptures are located around the Smith & Bybee Lakes parking lot off of Marine Drive, which makes for a nice rest stop (there are bathrooms available) should you be on your bike. However, if you have time to explore the lakes and refuge, keep your eyes peeled because some of the works are more integrated with the landscape. While you're out exploring the Columbia Slough area on bike or by car, you might consider a stop at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant . Sure it smells a little, but the folks at Environmental Services have made an attempt to create something of beauty a
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posted at 12:14 PM
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Nov 4,2008
Decompress at Smith & Bybee Lakes
by Allison
No matter your party affiliation there's little doubt we will all need some down time following the election day madness. A restorative yoga or kick boxing class would help to relieve pent up anxiety but then again, so would something as simple as a walk in nature. While Forest Park offers that rich rain forest ambiance, I've found Smith & Bybee Lakes to be an incredibly calming sanctuary, and at sunset with the autumn leaves in every shade of yellow, it's truly magical. Local bird watchers like to think of it as the area's best kept secret. They could be right, it's not unusual to be the only person there, any time of year. Located near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, a couple miles east of Kelly Point Park, Smith & Bybee Wetlands is a little over 2000 acres and one of the largest urban freshwater wetlands in the U.S. It not only functions as a flood absorption system for the Columbia River, but also provides a protected wetland habitat for 100 species
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posted at 07:50 AM
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Oct 20,2008
Save A Turkey—Don't Swim in Neighborhood Pools
by pearlgirl
Unless, of course, you like eating turkey at Thanksgiving... This fall, enter to win a free turkey every time you go for a swim at one of Portland Parks & Recreation's five indoor pools. It's all part of the 5th Annual Turkey Swim. Beginning Thursday, November 1 through Sunday, November 22, Portland's public pools will be handing out an entry form for each paid admission to an Aquatics program, such as Lap Swim or Open Play Swim. The entries at each pool will be placed in a drawing to win a frozen turkey at that location.On Monday, November 23, each of the five pools will draw a name and the five lucky winners will have a turkey on PP&R.
PP&R Indoor Pools
Buckman
Buckman Pool, 320 SE 16th Avenue
503.823.3668
Portsmouth
Columbia Pool, 7701 N Chautauqua Blvd.
503.823.3669
Eliot
Dishman Pool, 77 NE Knott
503.823.3673
Mt Scott–Arleta Mt. Scott Pool, 5530 SE 72nd Avenue 50
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posted at 12:32 PM
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Sep 18,2008
Race for the Cure Road Closures
by shooter
2008 RACE FOR THE CURE® RACE MAP AND ROAD CLOSURES
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
The Broadway Bridge is closed in both directions between 7:30 AM and 11:30AM . But, all other downtown area bridges are open in both directions all day.
Major streets that are closed between 7am and approximately 11:30am:
W. Burnside between Broadway and 2nd
Broadway from the Broadway Bridge south to Madison
SW Taylor from Naito to Broadway
SW Salmon from Naito to Broadway
Naito Parkway from SW Clay to NW 15th will be closed from 7am until 12:30pm
All downtown streets west of Broadway, and south of SW Main are open all morning.
Delays crossing SW Taylor and Main Streets. The route uses SW Taylor and Salmon Streets going west from Naito Parkway. Motorists wishing to get to the south downtown area along
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posted at 11:54 AM
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Sep 16,2008
The Portland Water Bureau Invites Public to Bike Safety Event This Afternoon
by jenniferd
WHAT : Portland Water Bureau hosts bike safety event to alert cyclists about the hazards of riding near big trucks. WHEN : Tuesday, September 16, 2008; 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm WHERE : Rose Quarter's Benton Parking Lot at N. Broadway and N. Larrabee Street The Portland Water Bureau is hosting a two-hour event to spotlight the daily safety concerns of bicycles and large trucks on city streets this afternoon. The public is invited to participate in or simply observe this event. Bike commuters will have an opportunity to sit in the driver's seat of several of the Water Bureau's huge maintenance vehicles to see the many blind spots and other dangers of riding near large trucks. The Water Bureau will also show a short video it produced that illustrates these hazards and informs cyclists of ways to help ensure their safety by being visible to both car and truck drivers. The Water Bureau is joined by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). The organization recent
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posted at 09:07 AM
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Sep 10,2008
Outdoor Apparel Company Coming to the Pearl
by pearlgirl
According to the Portland Business Journal , an outoor apparel company is moving into 526 NW 13th in the ground floor of the Modern Confectionery Lofts (in the former home of A Place in Time ). This is the company's third store. Curious who it is??? Find out here .
posted at 11:40 AM
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Aug 15,2008
Keep Cool In Neighborhood Pools
by pearlgirl
Portlanders can find relief from temperatures over 100 degrees today and tomorrow by taking refuge in their city's parks and pools. From a shady walk in Forest Park to a picnic dinner under the trees in your neighborhood park, from a dip in a community pool to a splash in a spray fountain, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) offers many free or inexpensive opportunities to escape from the heat.To help the public beat the summer heat, in addition to PP&R's twelve community pools, there are extended hours at wading pools for young children, as well as free spray features in the city's parks to help children have a safe and cool summer. For those that prefer parks and trails to pools, there are also thousands of shade-providing trees and over 10,000 acres of parks and natural areas where Portlanders can catch a breeze.
For members of the public participating in sports and other strenuous activities during extreme hot weather, Parks officials advise t
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posted at 02:57 PM
2 comments
Aug 13,2008
Twilight Criterium: Thrills and a few Spills
by shooter
I went to my first Twilight Criterium Friday. I wasn't sure what to expect, but wanted to try photographing this kind of sports event.It was really fun! Watching the riders race on a short track, through the streets, was exciting. As a spectator, it was great, because each lap took about a minute—I saw lots of action. It was fun to shoot for the very same reason. Shooting the race did have its challenges though. The combination of speed and twilight meant finding the right balance of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to stop the action and get a crisp image. I avoided using a flash, because I wasn't sure how much that would affect the riders. I worried about riders getting a flash in the eyes while in the apex of a turn, because of some guy (me) lying on the sidewalk trying to get that up close angle. Next time I'll use a flash part of the time, but I think I will still avoid it when I'm close to the riders. If any participants out there want to provide inp
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posted at 09:38 AM
2 comments
Aug 9,2008
McCormick and Baxter Superfund Site the Next Burnside for Skateboarders?
by shooter
The Sentinel recently published this story about skateboards making a new "Burnside" skate park in North Portland. It's a good story, and I think the addition of skateboard ramps is awesome. It's indoors so it can be used year round. Check out their story , it includes a slide show.The story refers to the site by the address, 5828 N Van Houten Place. I know it as the McCormick and Baxter Creosoting Company superfund site .
Photographers, dog walkers, and graffiti artists have been visiting the site for years. At some point, after much of the contamination was removed, people found gaps in the fence and started using the site.
I like the place because it's very photogenic. Some of the images in my recent show are from here. And you knew I'd include some of those didn't you? Photos © Kenenth Aaron, Neighborhood Notes
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posted at 01:50 PM
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