October 1, 2013

It’s time to put on your gloves and battle the ivy!

Join the No Ivy League this Saturday to help get rid of English and Irish ivy - two of the most invasive species in our area.

English ivy and Irish ivy were once widely used in landscaping design, but these resilient plants are taking over roadways and have entered our forests and parks. They must be stopped!

Invasive species cause a lot of damage to our forests, streams, rivers, and property. They can lead to the extinction of native plant and animal species, and cost approximately $120 billion each year nationally!

Don’t run, stand and fight! Volunteers can sign up at ivy “takeover” sites throughout the city.

It costs a lot less to prevent the spread of invasive plants before they gain a foothold. The No Ivy League and volunteers are helping keep Portland in its natural form.

To learn more about No Ivy Day, and to sign up to volunteer, visit No Ivy League’s website.

October 2, 2013

This morning, Nick was honored to present a Proclamation to the Oregon Cultural Trust, recognizing “Oregon Days of Culture.”

Oregon Days of Culture happens the first week in October each year. The week recognizes the vibrancy of the arts, heritage, and humanities in Oregon. Oregonians are encouraged to celebrate, participate, and give to Oregon culture.

Supporting Oregon's culture makes practical sense. As an investment, it creates vibrant communities by strengthening the economy, improving education, and improving our quality of life.

To learn more about the Oregon Cultural Trust, visit their website.

Oregon Days of Culture Proclamation

Oregon Days of Culture 2013

The Portland Tribune

photo courtesy of the Oregon Cultural Trust

 October 3, 2013

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) released a beautiful new video showing off the benefits of turning your roof “green.”

Ecoroofs replace conventional roofing with a living, breathing vegetated roof system. They significantly decrease stormwater runoff, save energy, reduce pollution and erosion, and help preserve fish habitat.

Ecoroofs also have a financial benefit. They double, and sometimes triple, the life of the roof’s waterproof membrane. Commercial properties with green roofs are more desirable and competitive in a tight real estate and rental market. They are an amenity for building tenants and residents, and they improve the view for tenants of neighboring buildings.

October 4, 2013

Yesterday, The Oregonian’s Steve Duin featured a story on a recent Hollywood Theater screening of the powerful documentary American Winter.

American Winter follows eight Portland families during the Great Recession. It highlights the struggle too many families face every day to keep a roof over their head, put food on the table, and pay their medical bills.

Duin writes how the story breaks down many stereotypes about poverty in our country.  He writes:

These children — a churlish segment of the population and the U.S. House of Representatives would have you believe — are the wards of the ‘nanny state.’ Their parents — college-educated, many of them, and recently laid off from solid, well-paying jobs — are the lazy, selfish "welfare queens" who are bankrupting the U.S.economy.

American Winter strips that nonsense to the bone.

The film’s tagline says it all: “In the richest country on Earth, millions of families have been left out in the cold.” One job loss, one emergency room visit, one unfortunate accident, and a family trying to live the American Dream can easily slip into an American nightmare.

To learn more about American Winter or to order the DVD visit the www.americanwinterfilm.com

Steve Duin: A timely evening with 'American Winter'

Steve Duin in The Oregonian

A timely evening with 'American Winter'

Steve Duin in The Oregonian

The Today Show visits Harper's Playground

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

Sources Say

In the Portland Tribune

Right 2 Dream Too: Commissioner Amanda Fritz's plan to move homeless camp to Pearl District turns political

Andrew Theen in The Oregonian

Convention Center hotel closer to breaking ground

in NW Labor Press

Neighbors Question Whether City Got Market Value for Water Bureau Land

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

EPA Suspends $125,500 Fine on Portland Harbor Companies

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week