Smooth vases from Leah Nobilettte. Photo courtesy of Leah Nobilette. Last month you planted the seeds and starts. Like Mother Nature, maybe you were a bit behind kicking off the sunny season, but all those extra showers will soon (if not already) yield plenty of the late summer flowers we suggested for your last-minute cutting garden. And what better way to show off those blooms than in a beautiful locally-made vase? more...

Elevations proposed for Homeland Security project. Image: GBD Architects   Design Advice: Department of Homeland Security Garage/Office Space Proposed in South Portland The unoccupied building on the 4300 block of Southwest Macadam may be occupied by the Department of Homeland Security. To make room for the Feds, the owners of the building seek to build a new three-story 74,000 square-foot parking garage, topped by more...

If Pearl District residents want to hear the train whistle a-blowin they’ll have to go elsewhere. Today, Oregon Department of Transportation signed off on the Quiet Zone, prohibiting train engineers from blowing their horns as they approach all roadway/railroad crossings in the Union Station vicinity. Rich Newlands, Portland Bureau of Transportation, got the okay to submit the Notice of Establishment to the Federal more...

Six Great Things to Do This Weekend. LEARN 2010 Tour de Coops Where: various backyards across North, Northeast and Southeast Portland When: Saturday, July 24, 11a.m.-3p.m. Cost: guide booklets are $15 Tip: Bring your friends (the $15 cost covers groups as well as individuals) This strolling tour takes you to the backyards of 25 of your neighbors who display their very own chicken coops for those interested in more...

Thyme in full bloom Herbs are beautiful choices for both your yard and cooking adventures. Most can be planted from early spring until late fall and need virtually no maintenance once established. The favorites listed here are all drought tolerant, need minor trimming in the winter and are versatile in the kitchen. Use fresh herbs in your soups, salads, cocktails, meat and fish dishes, even desserts. All have medicinal more...

Okay, so we haven't been experiencing the steamiest "Wet Hot American Summer" so far this year. Lately, the morning grey skies and chilly night gusts have it feeling more like October in July. But with warm afternoons and bright, extended evenings—plus a few sweaty heat waves (fingers crossed for at least a few more spikes in the mercury)—it is still decidedly summer in Oregon. And how do we take advantage more...

After a wet and chilly spring with difficult growing conditions and week after week of mostly rainy market days, the local farmers market season is finally in full swing, There’s no better time of the year to be a cook in Oregon and for food lovers, nothing beats a shopping trip to a good farmers market. Following the long-awaited arrival of the sun, the next biggest market news in Portland is the new Monday market at more...

Six Great Things to Do This Weekend… LEARN Brewing Up Cocktails Where: The Hop & Vine, 1914 N Killingsworth When: Saturday, July 17, 3-7 p.m. Cost: Contact Hop & Vine at 503.954.3322 for price Tip: Hide your car keys. Five stiff drinks are on the menu, so plan on taking a cab or drunkenly stumbling home. Beer or liquor? This age-old debate has never truly been decided until now. And the answer more...

It looks like Pearl District residents will be hosting one of the City’s new Portland Loos at Jamison Square. Last Thursday, Pearl District Neighborhood Association (PDNA) board members voted in favor of installing the newly designed public restroom on Northwest 11th Avenue between Kearney and Johnson. It was a clear victory for the loo, considering the 10 to 2 vote. Three board members abstained from voting. But several of more...

Classic Foods' new location in Woodlawn. Welcome. This is the first of many articles to come about development in the spaces near you. This column, which shall published every other week, will hopefully provide you with a general idea of what's going on in Portland's world of land use. Of course, if there's something specific you think your fellow readers should know about, let me know and I'll check it more...

Event location: Ecotrust, 721 NW 9th Avenue

Ecotrust's weekly series of outdoor concerts. Listen to local music. Learn about local programs. Good times. Thursdays in July, 5-9 p.m. Bike there, walk there...just be there! JULY 1 Featuring Ecotrust's Spencer Beebe on Reliable Prosperity Stolen Sweets with Pete Krebs Trio JULY 8 Featuring Ecotrust's Knowledge System Program Jackstraw with Garett Brennan and Jon Neufeld JULY more...

Event dates: August 2nd, 2010, August 9th, 2010, August 16th, 2010, August 23rd, 2010, August 30th, 2010

Event location: WeVillage, 424 NW 11th Avenue

It's date night. Holla! Parents, you're invited to enjoy the nice weather and leave the childcare to us! In August, WeVillage is offering Unlimited Weeknights: Monday through Thursday evenings, 5-10 p.m for just $99.  And if you're not sure what to do with all the free time, we'll be glad to offer some suggestions. (OMSI After Dark, anyone?) Join as a member when you sign up and get $10.00 off more...

Event date: Aug 5, 2010

Event location: Marshall-Wells Lofts Condominiums, 1420 NW Lovejoy

The Marshall-Wells Lofts community cordially invites you to celebrate the 100th birthday of the historic warehouse. Designed by the architecture firm of Daniel H. Burnham, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The Centennial Celebration will be coordinated with First Thursday, and will feature a beer garden, food and live entertainment. Hope to see you there, neighbors. more...

Event date: Sep 25, 2010

Event location: A tour of sites featuring green building applications around the city of Portland and free info fair at Ecohaus, 819 Southeast Taylor Street

Presented by the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, twenty-two inspiring and innovative green residential projects will be open around the Portland Metropolitan Area. Chat with homeowners and contractors about small space living, Passive House, ecoroofs, rainwater harvesting, natural landscaping, affordable housing, aging-in-place, water and energy conservation, healthy building materials, alternative more...

Event date: Sep 25, 2010

Event location: NW Davis, between 3rd and 4th avenues

Join Friends of Portland Chinatown and Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association for a free multicultural music and food celebration in Chinatown to celebrate "Music Under the Autumn Moon" on Saturday, September 25, 8-10:30 p.m. on NW Davis between 3rd and 4th avenues in Chinatown. Featuring Yat Sing Music Club, Third Angle Music Ensemble, en Taiko, Portland Cello Project, Classical Revolution PDX, Matt Sheehy, and Last more...