city news...
Jan 2,2009
Portland Water Bureau unveils toilet rebate program
by jenniferd
Beginning January 1, 2009, Portland Water Bureau customers are invited to take advantage of a new toilet rebate program sponsored by the Portland Water Bureau for a limited time. Customers can apply for a $100 rebate for replacing a traditional toilet (1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) or more) with a newer, more water-efficient model that has been labeled WaterSense, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To earn the EPA's WaterSense label , toilets must use no more than 1.28 gpf and meet rigorous performance criteria. The bureau is conducting the program until funds are depleted or until June 30, 2009. To receive the rebate: Applicant must fill out a WaterSense Toilet Rebate Form and return to the Portland Water Bureau no later than June 30, 2009. Applicant must receive water from the Portland Water Bureau and have an active Portland Water Bureau account that is in good standing. Applicant must own the property where the new toilet is being installed or obtain the signatur
Read More...
posted at 09:50 AM
0 comments 
Nov 26,2008
Bamboo Sushi — Deliciously Sustainable
by shooter
A couple weeks ago, I was invited to attend a pre-opening media dinner for Bamboo Sushi. Formerly Masu East, Bamboo Sushi is the first restaurant in the U.S. serving certified sustainable sushi. What that means is that, when possible, the fish served is caught from certified wild fisheries, and the fish can be traced back to its origin. This promotes sustainable fishing practices and provides the consumer with the ability to choose fish that is sustainably caught. The restaurant has a relaxed, understated atmosphere that is comfortable and pleasing. I particularly like how the bar divides the dining area into two smaller areas with the sushi bar is off to one side. While it may seem odd not to have the sushi bar front and center, the layout works.
Most importantly, the food is delicious. We were served a set menu of sushi, sashimi, a
Read More...
posted at 04:03 PM
3 comments
Nov 13,2008
Portland Loos Coming Soon...
by jenniferd
I can hardly hold it -- the excitement I feel in letting you know that the Portland Loos will make their much awaited debut early this December. What is a Portland Loo, you ask? The Portland Loo is Portland's newest form of relief -- a place to go when you gotta go. No longer will you have to hold it until you get home because conveniently located on the street corner will be on oasis to Portland's bladder stretched coffee fiends -- a bathroom. (You might also have heard them referred to as Leonard's Loos in honor of Commissioner Randy Leonard who has so delicately taken these toities from conception to fruition.) The Portland Loo offers high durability and a unique and balanced blend of privacy and security, all at a cost that is a fraction of current stand-alone restroom models. The Loo can be installed almost anywhere that water and sewer hookups are available. They will be open 24/7 and are ADA accsesible. The Loos are solar powered. The first Loo will be installe
Read More...
posted at 12:27 PM
0 comments
Nov 4,2008
Cohousing on the Rise in Portland
by shooter
What factors, other than affordability, determine what kind of neighborhood you'll move to next, as renter or homeowner? Quality of schools, a community garden, public transit options, distance from your workplace, walking distance to stores and coffee shops, air quality and other environmental considerations?A small, but growing number of Americans, also seek more connection to neighbors through living in cohousing communities-a type of housing where residents participate in the design and operation of their community. More than 100 such communities can be found all across the U.S., with about a half dozen in the Portland area and others in Eugene, Corvallis, Bend and Ashland.
Two cohousing communities are now under construction in North and Northeast Portland. Daybreak Cohousing which broke ground in August on North Killingsworth Street near Greeley Avenue in the Overlook neighborhood, will be Portland's most centrally located cohousing community
Read More...
posted at 08:16 AM
2 comments
Oct 23,2008
Kenton Firehouse to Get Solar Panels
by shooter
According to The Sentinel , the Historic Kenton Firehouse will be outfitted with solar panels this month. It is estimated the panels will reduce the building's energy use by 50%. The funds for the project were provided by the PDC's Interstate Urban Renewal Area, but it was local volunteers who sit on a variety of committees that decided to use the funds for the solar project. The hope is to build awareness and create interest in the solar industry.
Read the full story at The Sentinel.
posted at 11:23 AM
0 comments
Oct 15,2008
Another Portland First: Certified, Sustainable Sushi
by pearlgirl
Bamboo Sushi will open on November 7, 2008 as the first certified, sustainable sushi restaurant in the United States. Bamboo Sushi ( formerly Masu East ) and its owner, Kristofor Lofgren, are dedicated to serving innovative Japanese cuisine with the highest quality fish, meats, and produce, with the utmost consciousness to marine stewardship, sustainability, and the environment.Bamboo Sushi will serve eclectic Japanese cuisine featuring fresh produce and hormone-free meats sourced from local Northwest farms. Chefs will prepare breads, sauces, and desserts from scratch each day as well as smoke selected meats and fish in house. The menu will provide an array of delicious vegan and vegetarian options as well. Guests will also enjoy the restaurant's unique and extensive sake list, sourced directly from Japan.
Bamboo Sushi is the first stand-alone restaurant in the United States to be certified for the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) "Chain of Custody.&q
Read More...
posted at 11:17 AM
2 comments
Oct 14,2008
Central NE Neighbors Recycling Program is a Huge Success!
by shooter
East PDX News reports that the Central NE Neighbors e-waste recycling fundraiser was successful beyond their expectations. The event started as a way to raise money for a new copier. It turned into a way to show the community how to recycle, and prevented over 17 tons of e-waste from ending up in a landfill. Here's what was collected: 16,383 lbs of monitors and televisions (151 monitors/210 TVs) 3,638 lbs of computers (154 computers) 7,679 lbs of general e-waste, including stereos, power tools, misc. electronics 2,748 lbs of scrap steel and printers 650 lbs of lead acid car batteries 605.5 lbs of insulated wire 353.5 lbs of household batteries 151 lbs of mixed ABS plastic 141 lbs of fluorescent light bulbs Visit East PDX News for the full story and photos. Don't forget that you can always recycle your computer equipment at Free Geek ! *** Update*** Kudos to Kathy Fuerstenau, Chair of the Cully Association of Neighbors (CAN), for hatching and executin
Read More...
posted at 12:54 PM
0 comments
Oct 2,2008
Portland Fashion Week Updates
by pearlgirl
Two updates from Portland Fashion Week... Nike Considered to launch "Sports Inspired" collection at PFW For the second year running, Nike Considered , the eco-conscious Nike label that is the pathfinder for the entire Nike organization, will debuta never-before-seen collection here in their own "backyard," at Portland Fashion Week. Nike Considered Design:
• Nike has always been about performance innovation for the benefit of the athlete, however, since we began measuring our environmental footprint back in 1998 we've gained insight into how we can innovate for the benefit of both the athlete and the environment.
• Nike's Considered philosophy is about combining product performance with environmental sustainability and giving consideration to how decisions made at the beginning of the product design process impacts sustainability at the other end.
• Considered product has provided us with so much learning that is has evol
Read More...
posted at 01:01 PM
1 comments
Sep 29,2008
Stay in the Lap of (Eco) Luxury
by pearlgirl
Visitors to Portland may have a new attraction on their list: a luxury hotel with LEED Silver certification. Currently, there are only 10 hotels in the world with this designation—The Nines hopes to be added to this exclusive list. Read about its sustainable features in an article at the Daily Journal of Commerce. Related Posts Preview of The Nines Hotel in Downtown Portland PNCA and The Nines Collaborate The Nines Website
Read More...
posted at 08:38 AM
0 comments
Sep 26,2008
Pearl District Changes — Exit World Cup, Enter Laughing Planet
by shooter
World Cup Coffee in the Ecotrust Building will close its doors on Saturday. The company said that the Pearl location wasn't performing as well as its other stores. The lagging performance, along with other factors, led to the company's decision to close the store. World Cup's other locations will remain open, including its nearby store and roasting plant at NW 18th and Glisan. The Ecotrust Building is a prime location and you wouldn't expect it to remain empty for long—it's not, it's already leased! Laughing Planet has leased the space and will open a new café later this year. If you're not familiar with Laughing Planet, here's an excerpt from their website: "The Laughing Planet Café is a quick-service restaurant that serves nutritious fare in the form of tasty burritos (aka "PNDs" or "Portable Nutrition Devices"), bowls, soups, salads, smoothies, juices and home-made cookies. We are dedicated to making wholesome food a
Read More...
posted at 09:10 AM
1 comments
Currently viewing records: 1 - 10
