Alberta Street news...
Jan 5,2009
Choose Local and Save
by pearlgirl
In 2009, spending judiciously has become a priority for most of us. Fortunately, a friend of ours has devised a wonderful way to support local businesses and save money at the same time. It's called the Choose Local Card Progam . Very Portland. Although Mapclicks Owner David Bentley created the Choose Local Card Program back in summer 2007 , the program is getting loads of favorable attention these days from the likes of UrbanMamas , Around the Sun , OurPDX , KGW and other local media. Choosing local and saving money has always been a good idea, but in these tough times it has become a necessity. This year, neighborhood notes is partnering with Mapclicks to further familiarize you with the Choose Local Card Program. Every couple of weeks, we'll introduce you to a local business that participates in the Choose Local Card Program. You'll meet the owners, take a peek inside their shop, find out what type of goods and services they offer and, of course, learn about their cur
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posted at 11:19 AM
4 comments 
Jan 2,2009
Portland Water Bureau unveils toilet rebate program
by jenniferd
Beginning January 1, 2009, Portland Water Bureau customers are invited to take advantage of a new toilet rebate program sponsored by the Portland Water Bureau for a limited time. Customers can apply for a $100 rebate for replacing a traditional toilet (1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) or more) with a newer, more water-efficient model that has been labeled WaterSense, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To earn the EPA's WaterSense label , toilets must use no more than 1.28 gpf and meet rigorous performance criteria. The bureau is conducting the program until funds are depleted or until June 30, 2009. To receive the rebate: Applicant must fill out a WaterSense Toilet Rebate Form and return to the Portland Water Bureau no later than June 30, 2009. Applicant must receive water from the Portland Water Bureau and have an active Portland Water Bureau account that is in good standing. Applicant must own the property where the new toilet is being installed or obtain the signatur
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posted at 09:50 AM
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Jan 2,2009
Cinema Junkies » The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
by roxanne
If you have been thinking about seeing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , run, don't walk to see this remarkable film on the big screen. The film was directed by David Fincher (Fight Club) and based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story of the same title. Fitzgerald wrote that the story was inspired by a comment made by Mark Twain that it was "a pity that the best part of life came at the beginning and the worst part at the end." The film has the kind of voyeuristic feel of early Truman Capote or Carson McCullers, whose fiction always seemed to capture a microcosm of humanity that was both fascinating and exposing of the dark underbelly of the deep south. Benjamin Button is an emotionally complex epic, touching all of the deep places in the heart. It is a well-told tale that centers around the big themes in life; love, separation, fear of differences, and vulnerability related to aging and mortality, to name a few. In short, this is a moving story you can really sink
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posted at 08:10 AM
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Dec 24,2008
Snowpocalypse 2008 — The Photos
by shooter
I spent a bit of time out in the snow shooting photos and had a ton of fun. Call me crazy, but I enjoyed going out in the worst of it. Here, for you, are the results of my excursion. Enjoy them in the warmth of your home, that is, if you're not sick of seeing snow.
Here is a slide show of more images, or just go striaght to our flickr gallery and browse them on your own. Related links: Another Video of Portlanders Driving in the Snow Snow Day Adventure Snowpocalypse 2008 — The Movie
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posted at 06:03 PM
2 comments
Dec 19,2008
City of Portland employees exhibit generous spirit this holiday season
by jenniferd
Commissioner Randy Leonard challenged two of the bureaus he oversees to do something different this holiday season. He didn't challenge them to boost morale or work harder during these stressful economic times. Leonard challenged the Portland Water Bureau and the city's Bureau of Development Services to a friendly holiday competition; a competition to fill barrels for the needy. The Water Bureau allied with Portland Fire and Rescue's Toy N Joy Makers program to fill toy barrels. The Bureau of Development Services picked Sunshine Barrels, a food donation program headed up by the Portland Police Bureau. The competition began on December 3 and ended this afternoon. The prize? Not much, really - a hearty congratulation from the Commissioner and bragging rights, of course. Fancy prize or not, however, city employees embraced this competition with a stunning amount of voracity and enthusiasm, especially given the rough state of the economy. The Water Bureau sent 53 barrels off with firef
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posted at 02:33 PM
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Dec 16,2008
***IMPORTANT*** Winter Tips from the Portland Water Bureau
by jenniferd
Okay kiddies -- here's the scoop: the weather is cold, cold, freezing cold. You need to protect your plumbing or you could end up with a miserable, watery situation on your hands....please just trust me on this one! I've seen it too many times. No one wants frozen and/or exploding plumbing in the middle of a snowstorm. It's just not fun. Outside Plumbing Caulk around pipes where they enter the house. Close all foundation vents. Cut wood or Styrofoam blocks to fill vent openings, then slide them into the vents. (You'll want to open the vents again in the spring to prevent dry rot.) Protect outside pipes and faucets. If you have a separate shut off valve for an outside faucet, consider shutting it off and draining it for the winter. If you don't have a separate valve to turn off faucets, you can wrap outside faucets or hose bibs with insulation . Use newspaper or rags covered with plastic, fiberglass or molded foam-insulating covers (available at hardware stores) to
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posted at 02:34 PM
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Dec 4,2008
Adding Sparkle to Holiday Parties » Nothing Says Thank You Like a Great Bottle of Wine
by pearlgirl
So, you're invited to a holiday party that starts in less than an hour, and you're frantic because you haven't the slightest idea what the host likes. If you were raised in a Japanese family like I was, you know it can be a little embarrassing to show up to someone's house empty-handed. Knowing that wine is a well-received guest in most homes, I think I might have the answer to quell your anxieties—bubbles. Whether you're taking wine to the party as a gift for the host, or to be enjoyed that evening, there are few wines that are as fail-safe as these festive tongue ticklers. Most often, sparklers are drunk before the meal, and they often go well with hors d'oeuvres, so you're safe there. If the host doesn't drink alcohol, or doesn't like the sparkler you bring, he can re-gift it the next time he goes to a party. Hmm. Thankfully, there are fine examples in every price range and are available from many different wine regions around the globe, although the label laws in various a
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posted at 10:42 AM
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Dec 3,2008
Gratitude Guide » Northeast Portland
by Jules
We all know that it's better to give than to receive. But what if in the process of giving, you not only did yourself some good, but did others good as well. What if when you hit the stores this year to tackle your holiday shopping list, your purchases benefited a charitable organization or maybe even someone on the other side of the globe? Better yet, what if it benefited your neighbor? This year, in order to help you take the holiday spirit to the next level, we've decided to put together a list of gifts, all found in Portland, that give something back. Some of the gifts give back to the earth, having been made using eco-friendly practices, others give a portion of their proceeds to a good cause, others are committed to making sure artisans around the world are paid fair wages for their work and some goods are manufactured locally. Northeast Portland Gifts That Give Back A Gift Guide With Gratitude The Gift: A great fi
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posted at 03:04 PM
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Dec 1,2008
King Neighborhood November Meeting Minutes
by Trace
Below is a draft of the minutes from the November 12 meeting of the King Neighborhood Association. Please come to the next meeting on December 10 and be prepared to vote on adopting the minutes. If you have comments or suggestions for the minutes, please let Gabrielle Foulkes know so that she can incorporate them prior to the December 10 meeting. If your name is misspelled, please let us know that too. Revised 11/23/08 King Neighborhood Association Minutes from Board Meeting November 12, 2008 List of attendees (at end of minutes) Quorum met. Agenda (Exhibit 1) Minutes from October meeting The minutes from October 8, 2008 were approved without changes. Standing reports Update from Portland Police Officer Brian Sims summarized several areas that he's focusing on in the neighborhood. Shootings at 9 th and Alberta Increase in pedestrian robberies, especially near 9 th and Sumn
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posted at 08:02 PM
1 comments
Dec 1,2008
King PTA November Meeting Minutes
by Trace
King School PTA November 13, 2008 Introductions Membership report Currently 16 members DPAC Sun School representative announced need for DPAC committee members (District Parent Advisory Committee) MLK Day event Oregon Volunteers Association announced an idea to sponsor a Martin Luther King Jr. day event. She indicated a review would need to happen quickly. Deadline is November 17. Directory The directory is almost finished and will soon be available to parents in the office and at student conferences (if printed in time). Mission statement The following mission statement was approved and adopted: To encourage parent and public involvement in order to assist with the development of our children into lifelong learners and respectful members of our multicultural community. Standing rules The group adopted standing rules The Performance Arts Bobby Fouther presented on the Performance Arts Foundation that he is organizing. Hopes &
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posted at 07:26 PM
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