Good News PDX http://www.goodnewspdx.com Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:21:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 Cotton to insulation http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/03/07/cotton-to-insulation/ http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/03/07/cotton-to-insulation/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:21:24 +0000 admin http://www.goodnewspdx.com/?p=1148 If you’re looking to turn your old denim (jean jackets, daisy dukes, cut offs, overalls . . . it’s all good) into something REALLY useful, consider turning it into INSULATION.  It’s the Blue to Green program run through Cotton Incorporated and The Gap.

For drop off info, go here.

]]> http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/03/07/cotton-to-insulation/feed/ U Haul Reuse center http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/02/22/u-haul-reuse-center/ http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/02/22/u-haul-reuse-center/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:48:37 +0000 admin http://www.goodnewspdx.com/?p=1146 **Apologies for the delay everyone . . . had some publishing issues**

 

The Uhaul Reuse Center in the Portland Metro Area is at the Hillsboro Location.

 

This is where customers can drop off unwanted, gently used materials and then pick up stuff they may be able to put to good use.

]]> http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/02/22/u-haul-reuse-center/feed/ Cars for grades (well at least one car) http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/02/03/cars-for-grades-well-at-least-one-car/ http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/02/03/cars-for-grades-well-at-least-one-car/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:13:10 +0000 admin http://www.goodnewspdx.com/?p=1144 While kids these days seem to grasp the idea that good grades will eventually lead to a brighter future, it never hurts to add a little incentive into the mix just for giggles.

Some parents offer cash bribes for every B+ or A.  Five bucks for a B, 10 bucks for an A (the parents at GNPDX did not subscribe to this concept.  We are considering a class-action law suit).

How about a Brand News Honda Civic for a few A’s?  Or $15K Cash?  Think that would be enough to get your teen to hit the books?

Dick Hannah thinks it will.  The dealership is offering every kid in Clark County the opportunity to enter to win a free 2010 Honda Civic for improving their GPA by .5  (from a 2.5 to a 3.0 for example).  Of course students with a 3.6 or above which mathematically cannot raise their GPA by .5 are automatically eligible.

Entries are due in a couple weeks so check out their special website here.

]]> http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/02/03/cars-for-grades-well-at-least-one-car/feed/ Two, two, TWO POSTS IN ONE http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/02/01/two-two-two-posts-in-one/ http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/02/01/two-two-two-posts-in-one/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:16:13 +0000 admin http://www.goodnewspdx.com/?p=1142 We’ve had some technical difficulties in the GNPDX newsroom and so in the interest of expediency we are combining our two most recent stories into one, handy-dandy post. 

Last week we told you about Amy Wood, a local realtor and contractor who got resourceful when times got tough.  Rather than complain about the state of affairs, she registered for her food handlers card and OLCC license so whenever a money-making opportunity presented itself, she could pounce.  She is still taking on client and is open to new gigs if you’d like to get in touch.  Her e-mail is AWOOD@PRU-NW.com

 

And this morning we told you about Fences for Fido.  Have you ever driven by a home and seen a dog, chained up in the yard?  Eating, sleeping, going to the bathroom and living most of his or her days in a small patch of grass and dirt.  That does not necessarily mean the owners are cruel.  They may just not have any better option.  Fences for Fido creates an alternative.  Volunteers show up and build a brand new fence, install a warm dog house and offer a free spay and neuter in the space of one afternoon.  Right now they are hitting about 6 homes a month but could do a lot more (they are already wait listed into mid-spring) but they need your help.  Check them out for more on how you can get involved.

]]> http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/02/01/two-two-two-posts-in-one/feed/ A journey that ends on a Portland Sidewalk http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/01/24/a-journey-that-ends-on-a-portland-sidewalk/ http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/01/24/a-journey-that-ends-on-a-portland-sidewalk/#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:08:40 +0000 admin http://www.goodnewspdx.com/?p=1140 Before Obama was president.  Before the banks were bailed out, the Salahi’s crashed the White House and the Balloon Boy gained infamy, a journey began in Washington.  After years of functioning as an alcoholic, James grew tired of his life in the northern corner of the Pacific Northwest.  He felt alienated from his friends, he hated himself, he saw no reason to keep plugging along.

So, he packed a bag and walked.  He walked out on family, friends and the life that he built and headed south.  He never really had a destination in mid.  Few people in James’ place do.  They just have to get away.  It’s a common trend with addiction.

The length of his journey isn’t clear, but, after a while, he landed on a Portland sidewalk in Old Town.  To him, it seemed like just another space on the game board that was his wayward journey to who-knows-where.  But what James didn’t realize, is he’d actually reached the end of one chapter and was about to open a brand new book in his life (holy mixed metaphor there Batman).

The sidewalk was outside the Portland Rescue Mission.  James wandered inside to warm up and, hopefully, score a place to sleep for the night.  At the time, he didn’t realize where he was or what the Mission had to offer.  That night was all he could focus on.

Once inside the Portland Landmark just off the Burnside Bridge, James started chatting with one of the Chaplain’s.

“He said, G-d wants you to be here right now,” recalls James.  ”I was like . . . WHOA, really?”  The notion that his life had purpose and mistakes of his past would not define his future gave the man pause.

At that point, James stopped his winding, endless trek through the Northwest and began a fresh journey.  One that did not require a car, train, plane or boat, but perhaps more difficult and more rewarding than any travels across the nation or around the world.

He got sober.

Ten months of focused work with the program at the Portland Rescue Mission provided the U-Turn his life desperately needed.  What’s more, with his addiction’s coming under control, James has been able to make amends with some of those he left behind in Washington and begin building a new life.  In fact, he’s looking at a return to the culinary arts and running his own restaurant in the next few weeks.

Stories like James happen every day at the unassuming building in Old Town.  If you’d like to get involved, make a donation, or find some other ways to help out, check out their website here.

]]> http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/01/24/a-journey-that-ends-on-a-portland-sidewalk/feed/ Polar Plunge http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/01/13/polar-plunge-2/ http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/01/13/polar-plunge-2/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:36:33 +0000 admin http://www.goodnewspdx.com/?p=1138 If you think you’re tough enough to follow in the footsteps of Chelsea and her classmates who are supporting the Polar Plunge (or if you’d like to watch from the sidelines and kick in some support to Special olympics) go here.

]]> http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/01/13/polar-plunge-2/feed/ The Pongo Fund http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/01/11/the-pongo-fund/ http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/01/11/the-pongo-fund/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:46:31 +0000 admin http://www.goodnewspdx.com/?p=1136 Today we told you about Larry Chusid and his beloved pooch Pongo.  When Pongo was diagnosed with a serious medical problem, the Chusid’s wanted to make his last days as comfortable as possible.  They indulged his gourmet pallet with fresh meats and veggies. 

Pongo proceeded to live another six and a half years.

Chusid believes it was that top-quality diet that helped Pongo continue to fight and gave the family so much more time with their beloved pet.  In memory of his dog, Chusid created the Pongo Fund.

To say that they deliver pet food to homeless pets or that they have a pet food bank open to anyone in need does not quite do justice to their efforts.  For info on how to donate or to learn more about the effort check out their website.

WWW.ThePongoFund.ORG

]]> http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2010/01/11/the-pongo-fund/feed/ 10,000 Turkeys http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2009/12/18/10000-turkeys/ http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2009/12/18/10000-turkeys/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:47:29 +0000 admin http://www.goodnewspdx.com/?p=1134 13 years ago, the Radio Cab drivers of Portland delivered 50 Christmas turkeys to families in need.

 

This year, they dropped off their 10,000th turkey.  Complete with sides and dessert. 

 

To learn more about how YOU can help this great group go here.

]]> http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2009/12/18/10000-turkeys/feed/ Portland Metro Mommies http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2009/12/06/portland-metro-moms/ http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2009/12/06/portland-metro-moms/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:03:10 +0000 admin http://www.goodnewspdx.com/?p=1130 Here’s the link we talked about on Monday’s GNU … Portland Metro Mommies.  It’s a great place for local moms to talk about raising kids, meet friends, set up playdates.  Portland Metro Mommies.

]]> http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2009/12/06/portland-metro-moms/feed/ Dream Dinners http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2009/12/03/dream-dinners/ http://www.goodnewspdx.com/2009/12/03/dream-dinners/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:59:50 +0000 admin http://www.goodnewspdx.com/?p=1128 One of the GNPDX staff interns has an addiction to The Food Network.  It is seemingly on constantly at our corporate headquarters.  The part that is most frustrating about any of those cooking shows, is that the host can whip up some gourmet item in half an hour … but the reason it looks so easy is they have a staff of people who chop, grate, pour, measure and clean up all of their ingredients.  All the host does is dump everything into a bowl in the right order.

Imagine if you could star in your own cooking show?  once a week, have a staff prep your materials and tidy up afterwards, all you have to do is mix and bake.

It happens everyday at Dream Dinners.  You pick from several home cooked recipes and for the cost of the materials at the grocery store, you can make amazing meals to take home to your family.

Even niftier, they recently launched a special line for people with diabetes. 

You can learn more here.

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