$4+ gas = Observable Behavior Changes

by Marissa Madrigal

I've been completely fascinated lately by the change sweeping our city as gas prices have shot into ridiculously un-affordable territory. I for one, no longer drive to work. It sure seems like traffic in general is lighter, even when seasonally adjusted. I've also noticed our perception of "personal space" is shrinking, as anyone who has crammed onto a crowded bus or max in the last few months can attest.

But because things have morphed so quickly, new problems are popping up. Take this story about the no vacancy sign out for bikes on the Max. Sure, it's never been a sure thing that your bike would fit on the Max, especially during rush hour - but kicking bikes (and their riders) off? It's kind of weird. Everything seems a little bit off. Not in a bad way necessarily, just off. Like we're living in Bizarro Portland in a galaxy far, far away.

What do all of you see happening out there? Are you, your friends and family making personal adjustments to cope? Send us your observations and thoughts about the changes you're seeing in Portland on this fine Friday afternoon.

Discuss: $4+ gas = Observable Behavior Changes

» June 27, 2008 - 1 comments - Children and Families, Front Page News, Human Services, Marissa's Blog, Sustainability

Plant Tweets, Reverse Boycotts and Carbon Hero

by Marissa Madrigal

I just got back from a fantastic lecture at the WebVisions '08 Conference by Alexis Madrigal, a WIRED Magazine reporter(who may or may not be my brother). The Topic: "Networking Things: How the Internet is Redefining Environmentalism". Before I could even congratulate myself on being the cool older sister who shows up to provide moral support, I realized that although he was talking about using technology in our homes to increase energy efficiency, the direction of web-based green tech is something government (as stewards of the tax dollar) can't afford to ignore.

Read more and discuss: Plant Tweets, Reverse Boycotts and Carbon Hero

» May 23, 2008 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Sustainability

Are you concerned about the NE 82nd Max Station?

Here's your chance to tell someone! From Save Madison South:

Eastside MAX Station Open House
April 14th
5-8pm - drop in any time
Glenhaven (Banfield Pet Hospital)

Drop-in to learn about the project and share your ideas on how the areas around MAX stations can be improved.

The purpose of the Eastside MAX Station Communities Project is to take a comprehensive look at station community areas within one-half mile of MAX light rail stations in Northeast and Southeast Portland.

The basic question is: How can these communities become better places? The project will evaluate and recommend changes to land use/zoning, building and station design, transit and transportation facilities surrounding six stations: 60th Avenue, 82nd Avenue, Parkrose/Sumner, 122nd Avenue, 148th Avenue, and 162nd Avenue (see map). The objective is to help the Station Communities better serve transit users, support transit-oriented development and create more attractive communities.

Read more and discuss: Are you concerned about the NE 82nd Max Station?

» April 11, 2008 - 0 comments - Community Involvement, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE, Public Safety

Rose City Park Neighborhood Association Candidates Fair - March 25th

From Rose City Park Neighborhood Association:
Join your neighbors to meet and to ask questions of the candidates you will be selecting for government roles that will impact you and those around you!

WHEN: Tuesdays, March 25th from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm

WHERE: Rose City Park United Methodist Church, NE 58th & Alameda (by NE Sandy Blvd., enter on NE 58th Avenue)

As of March 3, the (#) indicates the candidates that agreed to speak at the Rose City Park Candidates Fair. (PF) indicates they have the signatures to qualify for public financing but may not have been certified.

Read more and discuss: Rose City Park Neighborhood Association Candidates Fair - March 25th

» March 18, 2008 - 0 comments - Community Involvement, Events, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE

Food Prices Spike

The Oregonian reports this morning that food prices have jumped 4.8% in the last year, the biggest increase in 17 years.

Has your family noticed the spike? What, if anything, are you doing to save on food?

Discuss: Food Prices Spike

» January 25, 2008 - 1 comments - Children and Families, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog

Measure 49 Passes! Now What?

By Marissa Madrigal

Last night, for the first time in four years, this political staffer did NOT have a campaign to obsess over. Armed with a bag of cheesy pirate's booty and a mouse, the fam and I took in election results via the internets.

Measure 50, the statewide Children's Health Insurance measure, went down - more on what that means for Multnomah County's health clinics in a future post. But Measure 49, the statewide fix for the much maligned Measure 37 passed with surprisingly broad support.

In the next month or so, Multnomah County's attorneys and land-use specialists will be evaluating what the passage of Measure 49 will mean to the Measure 37 claims received by the county over the last few years, and devise a plan to address each claim in a timely manner. Check back here often for updates on how the process is unfolding. In the meantime, cheers to Multnomah County's farmland, forest and groundwater!

Discuss: Measure 49 Passes! Now What?

» November 7, 2007 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, News

Bee Collapse a Bigger Threat To Crops Than Global Warming?

This Thursday, Multnomah County and City of Portland leaders will brief the public on the progress of our Local Action Plan on Global Warming. But last night, as my family settled down to watch Nature: Silence of the Bees, I began to worry that honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) might wipe out our flowering food crops before Global Warming has a chance to fry them.

Read more and discuss: Bee Collapse a Bigger Threat To Crops Than Global Warming?

» October 29, 2007 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, News, Sustainability, Top Stories

TOP-OFF 4: The sixth floor view

Well folks, the (simulated) dirty bomb has gone off and Multnomah County's Emergency Operations Center is in full swing. In the run-up to T4 (what the cool kids are calling Top Officials 4), our office really didn't know what to expect or what was expected of us. So today, Jeff and I took a little lunch time trip to the Multnomah building's basement to watch our Emergency Team work their magic. I must say that to this political staffer they all seemed to know what they were doing and preliminary reports from those in the know describe a scenario that is going fairly smoothly - for now.

Read more and discuss: TOP-OFF 4: The sixth floor view

» October 16, 2007 - 1 comments - Events, Marissa's Blog, Public Safety, Top Stories

Is Your Family Safe from Lead?

Think lead doesn't affect you? Check out this stunning statistic: every year, 1 in 50 Multnomah County Kids is poisoned by it. This happens despite the fact that lead poisoning is completely preventable.

That's why my family is heading to LEAD SAFE Portland, an event sponsored by the Lead Safe Families Coalition Sunday, October 28th from 12-2pm at Matt Dishman Community Center (77 NE Knott St.)

Participants will recieve free blood lead testing, lead screening for toys, lead in water kits and lead-safe toys. Resources for landlords and tentants will also be available. To learn more about the event or to request lead poisoning prevention materials call the LeadLine - (503) 988-4000.

Discuss: Is Your Family Safe from Lead?

» October 8, 2007 - 0 comments - Children and Families, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Neighborhoods

Developer Withdraws Big-Box Permit

It's official, Canadian developer Smartcentres has withdrawn its application for a conditional use permit that would have allowed the construction of a 240,000 square foot development across the street from Madison High School.

Smartcentres has until February to submit other plans, but until then the neighborhoods that mobilized against the development are celebrating and collecting ideas for alternative developments. Thoughts? Leave them here!

Discuss: Developer Withdraws Big-Box Permit

» October 3, 2007 - 0 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Neighborhoods, Outer NE

3 Landlord Trainings Set for North and Northeast

Curious about your rights and responsibilities as a landlord? Wonder no longer! You too can attend one of the City of Portland's landlord trainings! Lucky for District 2 residents, there are three scheduled in North and Northeast Portland. For this and other fun info visit the City of Portland's Bureau of Development Services website.

Discuss: 3 Landlord Trainings Set for North and Northeast

» September 27, 2007 - 0 comments - Marissa's Blog, Sidebar Alerts

What would you do if a dirty bomb hit Portland?

Multnomah County's commissioners are about to find out. This October, the Portland Metro region will be one of three sites across the country where a simulated radiological explosion goes off. Similar in scope to a 2003 exercise in Seattle, TOP-OFF (named for the Top Officials expected to "play" in the scenario) will involve thousands of volunteers, first responders, emergency managers and elected officials. The massive exercise will be led by the Department of Homeland Security and is designed to test - to the breaking point - a jurisdiction's emergency systems.

Board members were briefed today on Multnomah County's role in TOP-OFF by Emergency Management Director George Whitney.

Read more and discuss: What would you do if a dirty bomb hit Portland?

» September 18, 2007 - 1 comments - Community Involvement, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Public Safety

UPDATED Hearing Date Set for NE 82nd Big Box

----HEARING DATE CHANGED TO October 16th 2007 SAME LOCATION ----

From the Save Madison South website:

"8/21/07

LAND USE HEARING ANNOUNCED

RED ALERT!!!

By now you have heard that a land use hearing date has been announced for the Big Box proposed for the property across from Madison High School on NE 82nd Avenue. The permit would expand the current zoning from 60,000 sq ft to 240,000 sq ft. Please mark the dates on your calendar and plan to attend so you can voice your opinion. Here is the quick information on the land use hearing:

When: 10/1/07 & 10/3/07 at 9:00 am

Where: Development Service Building, 1900 SW 4th, Room 2500"

Jeff is planning to testify against the conditional use permit because he believes a development that size (and with thousands of additional car trips) will make neighborhood streets more dangerous. Do you live in the Roseway or Madison South Neighbhorhoods? What do you think about this big-box proposal?

Discuss: UPDATED Hearing Date Set for NE 82nd Big Box

» August 29, 2007 - 0 comments - Community Involvement, Front Page News, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE

Wire-tap this, NSA!

Dear National Security Administration,

Congratulations on your official sanction to spy from the US Congress! I know you're extremely busy combing through my text messages, my phone calls, and my emails - no, no, I'm not mad. I can't blame you for wanting to read my stuff. I'm very clever and very funny, but here's the thing - together I think we can make some real magic happen. Lemonade from lemons and all that.

You've got access to the President Dick Cheney and I've got ideas. You float my ideas to the top of your pile o' eavesdroppings, and I'll keep you entertained with my emailed shopping lists, doctor's appointments and notes to my mother. Just throw me in between the report on my commie neighbor and the Zoobombers.

Read more and discuss: Wire-tap this, NSA!

» August 3, 2007 - 4 comments - Front Page News, Marissa's Blog

Neighbors Mobilize Against Big-Box

Neighbors in the Roseway and Madison South neighborhoods are mobilizing against a new "big box" development planned across the street from Madison High School.

Canadian Developer SmartCentre has requested a conditional use permit from the City of Portland to build a 240,000 square foot commerical development on an old land fill. The land is currently zoned for a 60,000 square foot building - the size of your neighborhood Safeway or New Seasons.

Read more and discuss: Neighbors Mobilize Against Big-Box

» July 25, 2007 - 2 comments - Marissa's Blog, Neighborhoods, Outer NE, Sidebar Alerts

Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids

“The connection between health and the dwelling of the population is one of the most important that exists.” -Florence Nightengale

What do dust-mites, cockroaches, mold and rodents have in common? Besides their respective “ick” factors, these organisms are big-time asthma triggers. The right mattress cover and a good vaccum can help eliminate dust-mites, but those other opportunistic critters can be a little harder to boot out of your home – even more so if you’re a renter without control over the root cause of the infestation.

Multnomah County’s Environmental Health Division recently hosted a Healthy Homes Summit to study the nexus between our health and our homes. Participants helped compile a laundry list of recommendations for Multnomah County and the City of Portland (the full list is after the jump) ranging from updating building codes and enforcement to reflect public health to increasing and improving landlord education.

What you think Multnomah County should do to make our homes healthier?

Read more and discuss: Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids

» July 17, 2007 - 1 comments - Children and Families, Front Page News, Homeless, Human Services, Marissa's Blog, Outer NE