Guest post by Amie Dahnke. The hazelnut, as any good Oregonian knows, is our state nut. But when roasted hazelnuts are combined with skim milk and a hint of cocoa, our humble state nut is elevated to [cue the Angels] the chocolaty hazelnut spread known as Nutella. According to some, however, "Nutella is more than just a 'chocolaty hazelnut spread,' it is a way of life." The single word conjures up more...

Looking for effective ways to save money on utility bills? Finding where jobs and training in sustainability are posted? How to go about to hiring an eco-friendly contractor? Where to donate used building materials for a tax-donation? Receiving green home design ideas for little or no cash? Finding out where you can attend a free class to build a rain garden? Learning how to make your home elderly-friendly and wheelchair accessible? more...

They say January is a slow month. After the party and shopping frenzy of the holidays, everyone kind of hibernates and recovers both physically and financially during the first month of the year. But our local entrepreneurs didn’t get the message. And with the opening of 20 new businesses, we all had a reason to bundle up and head out in January. The city did lose a few glitzier spots—Anju (after only a few months), more...

On Wednesday, February 3, Portland-based SoupCycle will make its 10,000th bicycle delivery. The year and a half old company makes and delivers soups, salads and breads to customers who sign up for a Soupscription. The bicycle delivery company says that customers not only appreciate the fact that one tasty meal a week is taken care of but that it comes to them in a sustainable way—by pedal power.   SoupCycle has more...

The Portland Development Commission has officially kicked off its new economic development program, Portland Main Street®. The program, charged with promoting neighborhood commercial district revitalization, is based on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street® approach that has been implemented in 2,800 communities within 45 different states. PDC will be holding application workshops for more...

First the of possession of marijuana was decriminalized, then growing and using marijuana for medical purposes was legalized (with a permit), and then the nation’s first Cannabis Café, where card holders can go to socialize and smoke pot, opened in the Woodlawn neighborhood. So many groundbreaking changes to Oregon law in a relatively short time, I couldn’t help but wonder how things were going for law enforcement more...

How does a concerned group of people mobilize efforts and artistic talents to raise money for Haiti disaster relief in less than a week? Easy! It started with Stephen Marc Beaudoin and his vision to create an event like no other. One that would engage Portland’s creative community. One that would encourage the audience to give in order to assist those in serious need. One that would heighten awareness of the Haiti disaster. more...

Guest post by Montavilla Neighborhood Association Chair Brian Wong. The Montavilla Neighborhood Association meets on the second Monday of every month and addresses neighborhood concerns with an emphasis on livability and community development. Meetings are open to all. If you live in Montavilla, you are already a member! Next meeting is February 8th, 7 p.m., Montavilla Community Center on NE 82nd Avenue and Glisan. 2010 more...

The Southeast Uplift Board of Directors awarded 27 neighborhood associations and community-based organizations funds through the 2010 SE Uplift Neighborhood Small Grants Program. 1. Sunnyside Swap Shop Co-Op, 4th Annual Sunnyside Neighborhood Useful Goods Exchange. 2. Laurelhurst Neighborhood Emergency Team, Disaster Preparedness Education. 3. Franklin High School, FLIP: Franklin Landscape Improvement Project. 4. more...

Muse Art and Design and Schoolhouse Supplies have teamed up for the second year in a row with An Artist a Day, a live art fundraising event starting April 1, and continuing for 30 consecutive days. An Artist a Day offers artists the chance to create in a highly trafficked storefront on Hawthorne Blvd., while also earning a portion of the auctioned sale of their artwork. Artists will be profiled on www.AnArtistADay.com, along with more...

Event dates: February 9th, 2010, March 9th, 2010

Event location: Ardenwald Elementary School Library, 8950 SE 36th Ave

Neighborhood/Business Association Meeting more...

Event date: February 9th, 2010

Event location: Board Room, Multnomah County Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Boulevard

Join the League of Women Voters of Portland for a free panel discussion on sustainability.  Panelists include David Bragdon, Metro Council President; Susan Anderson, Director, Bureau of Planning & Sustainability, City of Portland; and Dianne Riley, Equity Agenda Coordinator, Coalition for a Livable Future. Panelists will discuss policies and programs that promote sustainability, future plans and goals, and ways that local more...

Event dates: February 9th, 2010, March 9th, 2010

Event location: Grout Elementary School Library, 3119 SE Holgate

Neighborhood/Business Association Meeting more...

Event dates: February 10th, 2010, March 10th, 2010

Event location: Sacred Heart Villa Community Room, 3911 SE Milwaukie

Neighborhood/Business Association Meeting more...

Event dates: February 11th, 2010, March 11th, 2010

Event location: Buckman Elementary School, 320 SE 16th

Neighborhood/Business Association Meeting more...

Event dates: February 11th, 2010, March 11th, 2010

Event location: Sunnyside Environmental School, 3421 SE Salmon St

Neighborhood/Business Association Meeting more...

Event dates: February 12th, 2010, February 13th, 2010, February 14th, 2010, February 14th, 2010

Event location: Hipbone Studio, home to Portland Story Theater

Portland Story Theater presents their new Valentine's Day show, "Seven Minutes in Heaven." This will be a Valentine's date to remember, with wine, chocolate, and stories of real love woven together in a funny, sexy and intimate evening of story theater. Featuring Lynne Duddy, Lawrence Howard, Sharon Knorr, Rick Huddle, Mary Rose, Ry Doland, Ozzie Gonzalez, Kristin Olson-Huddle, Brian Santo and Laura McCormack for a more...

Event dates: February 15th, 2010, March 15th, 2010

Event location: SE Uplift, 3534 SE Main St

Neighborhood/Business Association Meeting more...

Event dates: February 15th, 2010, March 15th, 2010

Event location: Southeast Uplift- Fireside Room, 3534 SE Main St

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Event dates: February 16th, 2010, March 16th, 2010

Event location: Providence Medical Center-Cancer Center/ North Tower Conference Room, 4805 NE Glisan

Neighborhood/Business Association Meeting more...