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...
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...
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...
Portland, OR – A contractor for the Portland Water Bureau must take one to twomore days—Tuesday, May 1 and Wednesday, May 2—to work in the intersection of SW Naito Parkway at SW Clay Street. The crews are making a difficult connection to an existing water supply pipeline. Work hours will be from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM to accommodate rush hour traffic. Several traffic lanes will be closed and the signal light will be more...
Portlanders are a generous people, constantly seeking opportunities to volunteer, help others, and improve their community. Consider the role that Friends of Trees has in keeping Portland green, or the fact that Hands on Greater Portland provides daily volunteer opportunities with 300-plus partner organizations throughout the Portland metro area. According to a recent story in the Portland Tribune, Portland ranks right behind more...
Event date: Apr 16, 2012 → Dec 31, 2012
Event location: Hellenic-American Cultural Center & Museum
Our newest exhibit features the eclectic collection of one woman, featuring pottery, paintings from contemporary Greek artists, sculpture, jewelry, tapestries, ancient relics, linens and other items representing Greek life from antiquity to present day. Free! Exhibit runs through December 31, 2012. 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 18, 2012
Event location: Laurelhurst Club, 3721 SE Ankeny
Please join us for a semi-formal evening of fun and friendship as Dr. Sheri Speede, Founder and Director, shares with us the world of the chimpanzees at Sanaga-Yong Rescue Center! Guests will enjoy authentic African decor, delicious vegan dinner and dessert, wine and beer, an exciting selection of silent and live auction items, special entertainment and an amazing raffle. Win a trip for two to the destination of your choice: St. more...
Event date: May 19, 2012
Event location: The Sweet Nest, 7126 SE Milwaukie Ave.
Call of the Heart:'We are made for these times' Honoring the Rhythm of Sacred Living Discover your medicine. Share your gift. Feel your connection. Know you belong! You are invited on a journey through the dimensions of your heart, into the rhythm of sacred living. The Call of the Heart is a day for celebration, ceremony, retreat and creative expression. Through song, dance, inner wisdom and the healing arts, we connect with more...
Event dates: May 19th, 2012, June 7th, 2012
Event location: Western Seminary, 5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd. and St. David of Wales, 2800 SE Harrison St.
Join business and neighborhood leaders as we design a more resilient future for our SE community. Identify and map out systems for energy, water, waste, food production and local economies. Come share your ideas as we collaborate in facilitated community building workshops designed to turn our visions into grassroots community sustainability projects. Sat. May 19th, 2012 Western Seminary, 10am - 2pm Lunch provided FREE & OPEN TO more...
Event date: May 20, 2012
Event location: St. David of Wales Church
Get your hands out of the garden, reschedule your weekend getaways, and cancel your Sunday Brunch plans to join a basic African drumming class. No experience is necessary! Grab one of our drums and a cup of fresh coffee to learn with Clifford Koufman and find healing in the irresistible beat. Students of all ages—bring the whole family!—are welcome to join and, again, absolutely no experience is required. The five week more...
Event date: May 20, 2012
Event location: Mt. Scott Community Center, 5530 NE 72nd Ave.
Let Nature Do the Work: Learn to Naturescape! Naturescaping is the practice of using native plants to create natural landscapes that conserve water, prevent pollution and create healthy habitat for local birds & wildlife – while also saving you time, money and energy! This workshop covers step-by-step details on how to plan a garden landscape that will work for you. You’ll get native plant gardening & design tips, more...
Event date: Jun 16, 2012
Event location: Foster-Powell neighborhood
On June 16th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., residents of Southeast Portland's Foster-Powell neighborhood are proud to host their free annual garden tour. Now in its 5th year, the Foster-Powell Garden Tour showcases the wondrous things that are possible on smaller, city-sized lots. The tour is an informal, at-your-own-pace event, and visitors are encouraged to register to win free door prizes from neighborhood businesses. For a map, email more...
