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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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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You can snap an unforgettable keepsake AND benefit Cat Adoption Team with Santa Claws

Just because it has four paws and fur or four legs and a tail, doesn’t mean that your animal is just a pet.  For a lot of us, the dog, cat or iguana is a family member.  Practically a child.  To be completely honest, in the GNPDX house, mom and dad aren’t exchanging gifts but our puppy will be getting tons of loot. 

Be it as a gag or because you think the result would be far too adorable to pass up, countless pet owners would love to have fido or mittens snap a shot with Santa.  Try taking the boa constrictor or great dane into a mall for that precious photo.  Not likely to go over well with management.

But the Cat Adoption Team and Pet Smart have an answer.

Forget Santa Claus.  Come visit Santa CLAWS.  Specially trained volunteer elfs help pet owners corral their critter and pose them with THE St Nick.  And for every photo you buy, the Cat Adoption Team gets 5 bucks.  Not a bad deal.

For more info, go here.

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Cash Oregon helps THOUSANDS of people save MILLIONS on tax returns

I wanted to start this post off with some humorous holiday lyrics incorporating tax terminology but I got as far as Frosty the Taxman and hit a wall.  The truth is, this time of year, we’re thinking turkeys, stockings and gifts.  Not taxes, I-9’s and refunds.  Right?

But one local nonprofit IS thinking taxes.  And they hope YOU will too.  CASH Oregon offers free tax prep help for people with low to moderate incomes.

Doing your taxes yourself runs the risk that you will miss a key credit.  Paying someone to do your return can cost a couple hundred bucks you don’t have.  As a result, people can miss THOUSANDS of dollars in tax credits every year.  CASH Oregon volunteers do tax returns for free.  You want results?  How about 16 million bucks in federal returns last year on about 14,500 total returns.  This year, they expect to do even more returns.

Where YOU come in, is they need help with the paperwork.  In fact, they need about 500 people in total to handle the project.  You don’t need any background in the tax world, all training is provided.  But you DO need to go through their training which takes some time.  To learn more about the service (either as a volunteer or a client) go here.

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