Neighborhood Notes

Connecting Green, Wild in the City: Bald Eagles, Sandhills Cranes and Waterfowl of Sauvie Island, join Mike Houck for a driving and walking tour of one of the state's most significant winter waterfowl and raptor refuges. Registration is limited, sign up early at: www.audubonportland.org/trips_classes_camps/adult_programs/WildWillamette/ or call: (971) 222-6116 to register. 8am to Noon

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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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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Recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the "Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi", the 15th annual Fred Meyer Winter Wonderland - Fueled by Chevron, Powered by Comcast will grab your attention with glimmers and glows around every corner. Since 1993, a journey through Winter Wonderland has become a Holiday tradition for many families, friends, and social organizations to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season. Spectators can enjoy the most spectacular drive-through light show in the region, viewing over 250 colorful displays and 40 fully animated scenes from the comfort of their own vehicle .Visitors this year will be amazed to travel through the Tunnel of Lights, a 200 plus foot tunnel of lights that transports visitors to distant and magical lands. Over one million spectators have taken the Winter Wonderland journey since its origin, helping to contribute over $400,000 and 32 tons of food to local charities. Best Times to See the Show Beat
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Design 2 Part Shows (formerly Job Shop Shows) are America's longest running and most trusted contract manufacturing events (tradeshows) for the sourcing of custom parts, services and design. Job Shops provide design assistance, tooling, custom parts and secondary operations using metal, plastic, rubber, and electronics. Regional tradeshows covering the USA offer OEM⬠"!s, engineers and purchasing personnel the opportunity to meet job shops and contract manufacturers face to face. Learn new technologies, see new suppliers and compare processes and pricing. Over 400 processes including CNC machining, stampings, castings, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, prototypes, springs, finishing, packaging, CAD/CAM software, assembly and many more.

Where : Portland Expo Center
When : Sept 17th & 18th
Hours :
    Wednesday: 9:30am-4pm
    Thursday: 9:30am-3pm

Event information taken f
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Design 2 Part Shows (formerly Job Shop Shows) are America's longest running and most trusted contract manufacturing events (tradeshows) for the sourcing of custom parts, services and design. Job Shops provide design assistance, tooling, custom parts and secondary operations using metal, plastic, rubber, and electronics. Regional tradeshows covering the USA offer OEM⬠"!s, engineers and purchasing personnel the opportunity to meet job shops and contract manufacturers face to face. Learn new technologies, see new suppliers and compare processes and pricing. Over 400 processes including CNC machining, stampings, castings, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, prototypes, springs, finishing, packaging, CAD/CAM software, assembly and many more.

Where : Portland Expo Center
When : Sept 17th & 18th
Hours :
    Wednesday: 9:30am-4pm
    Thursday: 9:30am-3pm

Event information taken from Exp
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Oregon’s largest three day gun and knife show at the Expo Center put on by Collectors West.

Hours:
Saturday: 9am-6pm
    Sunday: 9am-4pm

Admission:
    Adults: $8.00
    Children under 12: Free with Adult
    Passes also available
    $2 discount with BiMart Card

Oregon’s largest three day gun and knife show at the Expo Center put on by Collectors West.

Hours:
Saturday: 9am-6pm
    Sunday: 9am-4pm

Admission:
    Adults: $8.00
    Children under 12: Free with Adult
    Passes also available
    $2 discount with BiMart Card

OrganicAthlete Portland invites you to join them on September 6th, 2008 for the Tour D' Organics Portland. This year they are going to explore Vancouver and Clark County, Washington. There will be three ride options, 35, 65, and 100 mile routes. A delicious post-ride meal will be served by Blossoming Lotus .

Start/Finish Location
All rides will start and finish in Portland at the Natural Capital Center , 721NW 9th Ave.
Event Day Registration and Checkin
Registration opens at 6:30am at the Natural Capital Center . Start times are as follows:

100 mile: 7:00-7:30am
65 mile: 7-8:00am
35 mile: 7:30-8:30 Routes
The ride options will all follow the same route into Vancouver and the first stop. From that point the 35 mile route will split from the 65 and 100 mile route. The 65 and 100 mile riders will ride on to the second stop at that point those routes will go in different directions. The 100 mile route will then join bac
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Les Schwab Late Night Drags - Race against the fastest cars in the Northwest, or get on the drag strip to just see how fast your car is. Either way, come to Portland Ineternational Raceway. Gates open 6 p.m. Admission is only $8, or $25 to race.