The Blazers destroyed the Chicago Bulls by 42 points at the Rose Garden Wednesday Night marking the largest margin of victory in Coach Nate McMillan’s career as head coach of the squad.  In his first game at the Garden, Greg Oden recorded his third double-double (at least ten points and ten assists for non-sportos out there) of the season.

But more importantly, the team showed fans that they may actually live up to the hype that has surrounded the squad in recent years.  They’ve succeeded at grinding out victories and hitting huge shots late both at home and on the road . . . now they’ve proven they can demolish teams (something the Blazers were on the other end of just a couple years ago). 

It’s definitely a good day to be a fan of the red white and black.

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It’s just not the holidays without a smoked meat log or a cheddy brat.  That’s why everyone at GoodNewsPDX is so jazzed that Hickory farms has again returned to Lancaster Mall this holiday season along with Calendar Club and Forever Collectibles.  All perfect options for gifts (nothing says Merry Christmas like a six-pound piece of smoked beef).

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Tis the season of giving, and nearly two hundred two-wheelers towed tons of toys for tantalized tots to a town-center target this weekend.  Every year, members of the local ABATE chapter join together for the Stan Johnston Memorial Toy Run.  180 bikers strapped gifts to their hogs and rumbled through Hillsboro, escorted by local firefighters.

The fleet dropped off their Christmas gifts at the local Elks lodge where they will be kept for the next month.  Each gift will be given as part of the Hillsboro Firefighters Random Acts of Kindness drive that provides toys to kids who may not otherwise get presents during the holidays.

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Sorry for the technical delays this week, folks.  Server issues.  However, we are back and better than ever

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In a victory for all courteous drivers everywhere, the road rager convicted of firing a gun at a car that cut him off in Vancouver, will not be driving anywhere anytime soon.  He’ll be sitting behind bars.  For eleven years.  Decade plus one.

Apparently, in September of 2007, Christopher Partridge was driving on Highway 500 when a driver abruptly cut in front of him (she claims the cut was because her daughter was late telling her which exit to take).  At any rate, Partridge, citing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from a year serving in Iraq, opened fire on her car.

Three doctors all testified to Partridge’s PTSD but all concur that it wasn’t severe enough to warrant gun fire.  The gunman was surprised by his sentence.  He says the sentence is a surprise considering no one got hurt.  Had Partridge taken a plea deal he would have gotten about four years.

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A recent sweep through Coos County nabbed seven registered sex offenders who, for whatever their reasons, decided not to comply with the parameters of their release.  The septet are now cited for failure to register.  At this point GoodNewsPDX has not been able to identify whether or not these rule-breakers are now looking at additional hard time.

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Here’s a great story from Tribune writer Nick Budnick about a local effort to turn vacant scraps of land into garden plots.  We here a GoodNewsPDX are huge Budnick fans by the way (great local journalist).

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You will have to pardon the staff here at GoodNewsPDX, we’re all drooling a bit over the upcoming Pearl Taster Tour set for November 16^th.  This walking tour that benefits Mejor Communities will hit some of the tastiest spots in Portland including Palomino, Blitz, Andina (their chicken skewers are to DIE FOR), Cup Cake Jones and Urban Grind.

Mejor Communities is a Portland based nonprofit working to provide resources and improvements to rural communities in Peru.  You can get the full back story here.  In the mean time, take our advice and sign up for this incredible walking tour guaranteed to delight your taste buds.  

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How many organizations can say this:  Our operating budget was cut by nearly seven figures, but we have managed to serve 5% MORE people this year? 

That’s why we are giving a fully capitalized KUDOS to the people over at SMART.  A nonprofit group that helps school children improve their reading and language skills, SMART had their budget slashed by a million bucks last year and had to shift countless part-time coordinators to “volunteer” status.  However, somehow, this amazing group has expanded to 237 total schools this year (adding another 11) and will serve 2,800 kids.

Members of the GoodNewsPDX team have worked with SMART and can attest to the amazing feeling that you get when you help these young minds explore the written word.  They’re always looking for more volunteers.  You can click here for more info.

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Beaverton cops are getting international recognition for their efforts.  Chief David Bishop will accept the 2008 Excellence in Victim Services Award at the International Association of Chiefs of Police next week.  It’s an honor handed out to agencies that come up with innovative services for crime victims.

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