Click on the compass above to explore the 95 neighborhoods and 38 business districts in Portland, Oregon.
There are really only two differences between a vodka soda and a Moscow Mule. First, mules are made with ginger beer in lieu of soda, and second, the Moscow Mule belongs to Oprah—it's her favorite cocktail. Given Oprah's full-throated endorsement, it's unusual that so few Portland bars list mules on their menus. Simply asking for one, more often than you might think, may stump your bartender. This may seem strange more...
This is the second in a series of articles that will cover the basics of land use in Portland. For tips, resources and a general overview, please see our first story. Three years ago, Neighborhood Notes ran a story announcing plans to build what is now The Albert apartment complex on North Williams Avenue in the Boise neighborhood. That story generated lots of comments—more than 50—for two reasons. One, because of an more...
Northwest Fair Trade Coalition, Portland’s local economic justice and fair trade coalition, plans to create Portland’s first ever Fair Trade Directory. Local businesses and community organizations who sell fair trade products will be listed in the directory so that people will have a local resource to know where to find and purchase authentic fair trade products. Fair trade products are made under safe and healthy working more...
Jumpstarting Local Investment is the headline for the three-part Social Innovation Re:Forum 2012 series to be held in Portland exploring the concept of direct, local investment by average citizens into the community-rooted businesses that are the lifeblood of healthy, local economies. On June 15th, the opening event of the series welcomes keynote speaker Amy Cortese, former editor of Businessweek and author of Locavesting: The more...
Twitter or Facebook? LinkedIn, Instagram, Foursquare, Tumblr, Pinterest, Google+, or even MySpace? The options can be overwhelming (don't click here unless you want your head to spin), especially if you don't even recognize a few of the above names, let alone understand what function they serve. So, which one should you choose? "Fish where the fish are," Ben Lloyd, the president of Amplify Interactive, says. And more...
Job growth in Portland comes from local, small businesses. As demonstrated in the last installment of Thinking Local, a discussion of “Job Creation Not Relocation,” resident companies are growing considerably while nonresidents are losing jobs—that’s negative job creation. In a 10 year period from 1999 to 2009, existing Portland companies grew by 63.6 percent while nonresidents (headquartered outside of more...
Whether you're planning a quick trip to the farmers' market, a day at the beach, a weekend getaway to wine country, or even your daily commute, a good tote bag will help you navigate a whole host of summer activities in style. For some serious style points, though, get your carry-all bag at an indie retailer and support the local economy. Because that's how we roll in Portland. Downtown, West End Waxed canvas tote - more...
In his recent book Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, author and columnist Gustavo Arellano argues that until the 1950s and 60s, most (Norte) Americanos didn't even know what a taco was. But, almost everyone knew about the tamale because it was introduced to the world on the stage that was the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Soon after, Arellano writes, "tamale men" in large cities were ubiquitous, selling their more...
April may be the cruelest month for grouchy poets, but it shone an awful lot of sunlight on Portland upstarts last month. These scrappy entrepreneurs opened spots in five of the city's "quadrants," including, but not limited to, several retail outlets specializing in gifts, home design, new and used fashions, and one-of-a-kind rediscovered treasures, as well as a nursery, a pizzeria, three cafes, two bars, a barber shop more...
Neighbors for Clean Air asks that you consider signing its petition, which asks: When sources of toxic pollution apply for a new or renewal air pollution permit, the state should require them to provide a robust, independent and objective audit of emissions and emission control strategies. Based on that audit, the source should be required to propose and implement specific toxics reduction strategies. Please share with your more...
Event date: May 1, 2012 → May 31, 2012
Event location: The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon
The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon (FCCO) will host free spay/neuter clinics for feral and stray cats in the four-county area—Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, and Clark—throughout the entire month of May. Space is limited so call today! Why May? In the spring months, cats begin to breed and are more likely to produce kittens. Cats can reproduce as early as five months old, but can be safely spayed and neutered at two more...
Event date: May 21, 2012
Event location: Mercy Corps Northwest
Only a small number of businesses succeed in the first few years. Companies which achieve the greatest success in the long-term share common traits. Kent Lewis, President & Founder of Formic Media, will take you step-by-step through successful traits for any business, from inception through year 5. He has distilled his key insights into relatively simple but powerful concepts: The 3 Fs for year 1, 5 Ws for years 2-3, 7 Ps years 3-4 more...
Event date: May 24, 2012
Event location: Grand Central Bakery, NW Portland location
Join Aaron Bobrow-Strain in his exploration of the driving forces behind bread's evolving identify. His new book, "White Bread: A Social History of the Store-Bought Loaf", reveals how white bread has played a major, though largely unnoticed, role in American politics, diet, culture and food reform movements. Often-humorous yet always poignant, Aaron looks at historic origins, complexities and legacies of this humble more...
Event date: May 31, 2012
Event location: Mercy Corps Northwest
Ronnie Noize, the Marketing Coach (www.veronikanoize.com), shares networking tips and techniques that anyone can master. In this exciting presentation, you’ll learn how YOU can make your network rain referrals. Learn about networking the right (easy) way. Plus, you'll learn the absolute worst networking mistake you could ever make. Join us as Ronnie reveals her secret networking system that built her business in only 42 days! more...
Event date: Jun 4, 2012
Event location: Mercy Corps Northwest
Having a website is not enough. You need a website that attracts new business. Learn the most important ways to optimize your website for the search engines and others ways to use your website for growing your business. Using step-by-step training and demonstrations, learn how to optimize a website: Effective word and phrase selection How to submit your website to the search engines Optimization tools, techniques, and tips Using more...
Event date: Jun 15, 2012
Event location: Natural Capital Center - Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center
I don't have to be rich to be a smart, responsible local investor? I can raise investment capital from hundreds of my neighbors? Seriously?? Crowdfunding, the JOBS Act, and direct local investing by average citizens are the hottest topics and most promising pathways to growing local economies. Interested? Join Amy Cortese and an expert panel to learn more! Contact us at 503.452.6898 or find info on speakers and workshops at more...
