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...

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 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...