The value of big trees

1 January 2014 — Some people see a big tree, and that is all they see. But Brian French sees a champion; he sees something significantly more than just a large tree. “To me, big trees in urban communities are ambassadors for all trees,” he said. French, a certified arborist/tree risk assessor, will share his treetop vision from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at the Milwaukie Center. He also will show his 28-minute film “Treeverse.” The event is sponsored by the Clackamas County Master Gardeners, and is free and open to the public. French’s presentation, “Looking Up — The Benefits of Our Oldest Trees,” will explain the many functions of big trees in urban areas. “They do represent the pinnacle of what a species can be in size and habitat,” he said. And then there is the human-tree relationship. “We look at old trees as something important. When trees are 300 to 400 years old, we imagine what the world must have looked like then. They are the evidence of where we came from,” French said. n his presentation, he wants to encourage gardeners to look up and appreciate old trees in the landscape. He wants landscapers to understand that cutting down old trees and replanting young trees is not always the answer.  Read more...

Goats on Belmont need new home, negotiations for new location fail

1 January 2014 — The herd of goats living on a vacant lot along Southeast Belmont Street is in need of a new home, even if it's only temporary. The goats have to be off that property by Jan. 18 to make way for development, said caretaker Christopher Frankonis, and plans for a new inner Southeast location fell through Monday morning. The original deadline was Dec. 31, he said, but landowner Killian Pacific agreed to give the caretakers more time. Frankonis, one of eight caretakers, said the situation isn't desperate.  Read more...

New Oregon rules aims to make TVs more efficient

1 January 2014 — Oregon consumers should see more efficient televisions on store shelves in the New Year, under rules taking effect New Years Day. Televisions are responsible for about 5 percent of the energy used in a typical American home, according to energy officials. That figure could come down in Oregon, thanks to rules requiring televisions meet new efficiency standards in 2014. Oregon Energy Department spokeswoman Diana Enright says products that meet the standards will be listed in a  public database. Enright says consumers shouldn’t have to trade quality - or screen size - for efficiency. Read more...

Businesses scrambling to deal with Portland's new sick-leave law

1 January 2014 — Annabelle Snow understands the sentiment behind Portland’s new sick leave law taking effect today. Businesses like hers are now required to give employees up to a week of earned time off, and all but the smallest of companies must pay workers for those hours. But Snow has poured at least 10 hours into deciphering just what that means for theNorth Portland Wellness Center, where clinical staff such as massage therapists are paid on commission. She found her answer when spreadsheets estimated the cost of extending paid time off to those employees at thousands of dollars. “This is a game-changer,” said Snow, who co-owns the North Vancouver Avenue clinic. “As a small business, we are really bracing for, ‘What does 2014 mean for us?’ And, ‘How are we going to make it work?’” Those questions are weighing on the minds of many Portland-area business owners as they try to comply with the change and budget for its impact.  Read more...

Redland author's fantasy series complete

1 January 2014 — With the Dec. 31 release of the final installment of her epic-fantasy trilogy “Griffin’s Calling,” Redland author N.R. Rose is both sad to write “The End” and excited to share her work with another generation grappling with adolescence.   Read more...

Northwest ranks high for volunteerism

31 December 2013 — Residents of the Pacific Northwest volunteer more than most Americans, according to an assessment of civic engagement released on Monday. Idaho ranked No. 3 in the nation, Washington ranked No. 9 and Oregon was No. 11 for highest portion of all residents giving time to volunteer, the Corporation for National and Community Service found. Nationwide, 26.5 percent of all Americans volunteer, the survey said. In Oregon, 34.1 percent volunteer, while 34.5 percent of Washington residents do. And in Idaho, 36.5 percent of residents volunteer.  Read more...

Oregon picked for drone test flights

31 December 2013 — Oregon is among a handful of states chosen to host test sites for aerial drones, the Federal Aviation Administration announced on Monday. These tests are a critical next step for the march of the unmanned aircraft into U.S. skies. The University of Alaska will coordinate drone testing in Oregon, Hawaii and Alaska, the FAA said. Also chosen to host research are Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia. Drones have been mainly used by the military, but governments, businesses, farmers and others are making plans to join the market. Many universities are starting or expanding drone programs. “These test sites will give us valuable information about how best to ensure the safe introduction of this advanced technology into our nation’s skies,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement. The FAA said when selecting the sites it considered geography, climate, location of ground infrastructure, research needs, airspace use, aviation experience and risk.  Read more...

• Pittock Mansion, dresses up every holiday season with a themed exhibit; in 2013, it’s “A Locally Crafted Christmas” — the breathtaking mansion’s 16 rooms with be festooned with lights, trees and decorations made by more than 80 volunteer artisans and craftspeople. Festive decorations, lights, and Christmas trees will fill the 16,000 square foot house November 25 – January 2.  Admission is free for members, $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (65+), $7 for youth (ages 6 – 18), and free for children ages 5 and younger. If you’d like help with transportation and parking, FREE shuttle service, provided in partnership with America’s HUB World Tours, will be available December 19 – January 1 from PSU’s parking structure #3. The shuttle will bring you directly to Pittock Mansion!  
• Just like an Advent calendar loaded with treats, the days leading up to Christmas in Portland hold an abundance of
  sweet memories in Pioneer Courthouse Square and stretching into the new year.
• Some of Portland’s bright spots include ZooLights, a display of more than a million lights at the Oregon Zoo, an awesome display at The Grotto, and the Christmas Ship Parade, featuring brilliantly decorated boats on the Willamette and Columbia rivers.
• Since the 1920s, each house in this quaint southeast neighborhood street has been decorating for Christmas. Mostly Tudors, the houses are adorned with not only beautiful sparkling lights, but also nativity scenes, rotating Christmas trees and stunningly life-like replicas of Santa and Frosty. Directions and schedule for the SE Peacock Lane show.
• All ages of sippers and shoppers enjoy the traditional holiday tea service at The Heathman Hotel’s Tea Court Lounge. Don’t worry — snacking on their devil’s food chocolate cupcakes won’t land you on Santa’s “naughty” list.
• If your holiday spirit is a little feisty, the annual presentation of The SantaLand Diaries at Portland Center Stage is just the ticket. Humorist David Sedaris’ beloved account of life as a department store elf is both sweet and sullen, and is sure to deliver the gift of laughter. Traditionalists may prefer to ring in the season with the Oregon Ballet Theater presentation of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker — it’s the only Balanchine-choreographed production of the holiday classic west of the Mississippi.