February 12, 2016

This morning, Nick kicked off Hidden Hearts at the Crafty Wonderland. 

Nick started the day at the Bipartisan Café in Montavilla, visited Broadway Books, and ended at Crafty Wonderland (where he purchased a crochet carrot for his collection). 

He was joined by Heather Hoell of Venture Portland and Ruth Miles, the State’s small business advocate.

Hidden Hearts is a Valentine’s Day shopping event that showcases Portland’s great neighborhood small businesses. It was created by Supportland co-founder Katrina Scotto di Carlo as a way to reward those who shop locally.

Here’s how it works: collect ‘Hidden Hearts’ at participating Supportland businesses today and tomorrow. Download the mobile app or pick up a rewards card in store. On Sunday, each heart will become 20 Supportland Merits to use towards great shopping rewards.

Nick is proud to serve as Council liaison to Venture Portland. Venture Portland is the champion for our 50 neighborhood business districts.

Neighborhood small business are the backbone of our local economy. They strengthen our community and support good causes. For every dollar spent at a local small business, 70 cents stays in our community.

Special thanks to Venture Portland, Heather Hoell, Supportland, Katrina Scotto di Carlo, the Bipartisan Café, Broadway Books, and Crafty Wonderland for a great day!

Check out Supportland’s website for more information, and shop at a supporting Hidden Hearts small business this Valentine’s Day weekend!

Hidden Hearts Press Release

 February 17, 2016

Last Friday, two of our staffers, Paige Spence and Jo Wulffenstein, toured the beautiful Bull Run Watershed in the Mt. Hood National Forest.

The Bull Run is Portland’s main drinking water source. And, because it’s so high in quality, it’s only minimally treated.

After two drives – one in a car and one in a snowcat (like to a snow tractor) – Portland Water Bureau staff showed Paige and Jo stunning views of Mt. Hood under a partly cloudy sky on the opposite side of the Bull Run Lake.

There are around 250 species of wildlife that inhabit the Bull Run Watershed. While there, Paige and Jo came across an elk and a bobcat!

The Bull Run watershed includes the Bull Run Lake and two reservoirs, as well as the Bull Run River, tributaries, and other feeders. The two reservoirs hold nearly 14 billion gallons of usable, pristine water, and serve nearly a million Oregonians. 

Interested in visiting the Bull Run? Register on the Water Bureau’s website. 

February 18, 2016

The Portland Building’s latest installation space is a visually stunning geographical piece of garbage.

Talented local artists Tyler Corbett and Erinn Kathryn are a collaborative team who address geography though a variety of art mediums. They spend time studying topographical maps, aerial photography, satellite data, and even hike, to understand a specific area, which is then interpreted into a wonderfully ornate and unique art piece.

For their installation, FMRL, Tyler and Erinn spent a year scouring the streets of Portland’s inner city for bits of refuse. Those pieces of garbage, which are in the thousands, decorate the walls of the installation space, and form a radiant and beautiful network of pathways and trails.

The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) sponsors the Installation Art Series. Selected through a juried process, each installation questions common perspectives through art.

FMRL runs through March 11 in the Portland Building’s lobby. Check out RACC’s website for more information.

Portland Building Installation Art Series

1120 SW 5^th Avenue

8 am – 5 pm

Photo courtesy of RACC.

Bull Run Quake Science

Ed Jahn in OPB

Think Out Loud: Legislative Updates, Earthquake-Proofing Portland’s Water, Irene Taylor Brodsky, Celebrating Whisman

OPB

A Field Guide to Urban Camping

WW Staff in the Willamette Week

Nick Fish concedes greenway didn't get 'sunshine it deserved'

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

East Portland Gets a Loo

Beth Slovic in the Willamette Week

Right 2 Dream Too’s Fate Is Delayed… Again

Dirk VanderHart in the Portland Mercury

Toilet to tap

Peter Wong in the Portland Tribune

Wait until after the election to name a new PDC director: Editorial Agenda 2016

The Oregonian Editorial Board

Japan looks to Portland as urban model

Jennifer Anderson in the Portland Tribune

February 22, 2016 

Last Thursday evening, our intern, Betsy Quitugua, attended a Chinese New Year Celebration at the Lan Su Chinese Garden.

The Lan Su Chinese Garden recently underwent renovations. February 8^th was the grand re-opening of the Garden, followed by the first of many celebrations of the Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Monkey.

It was Betsy’s first time visiting Portland’s Chinese Garden, and she was delighted to learn more about traditional Chinese culture and to celebrate the New Year.

She participated in numerous activities, including bookmark decorating, making a wish upon the Chinese Wishing & Money Tree, Chinese calligraphy, and reading Lantern Riddles.

Betsy also had the opportunity to chat with Lan Su’s outgoing and incoming Executive Directors, Jane DeMarco and Lisa James.

The eventful evening ended with a remarkable dragon dance performance by the Portland Lee’s Association.

Check out Lan Su Chinese Garden’s website to learn more about the beautiful garden.