Seeing Green (TM)

New Digs for Seeing Green

2006-10-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

VISIT: The space underneath

2006-09-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

Depending on how you see the world, the space underneath our highways are liabilities or opportunities. Sure trolls and other misunderstood characters live under bridges and freeway on-ramps, but there is another school of thinking that sees these dark and spooky spaces as potential spots for public markets, art installations and pocket parks. In this vein, the Pearl-district based Zimmerman Community Center lead the charge to create a thriving community garden underneath the roar of I-405. Although you are probably right to have concern over the effect of pollution on edibles growing under a highway, you can’t deny the ironic beauty of a thriving garden in the shadows of life numbing rush hour traffic jams. To view the garden, go to NW 16th and Johnson where you can’t miss the lovely red fence and deliberately stacked pieces of urbanite (concrete chunks) framing colorful beds of native plants, ornamentals and a test plot for monitoring the toxicity of vegetables grown under the spew of tailpipes.

VISIT: Pesticide-free Parks

2006-09-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I passed my neighborhood park and there was a swarm of people with plastic bags, shovels and sharp metal wedges attached to wooden sticks. No, it wasn’t the makings of a strange family reunion, but instead an eager crew of volunteers there to weed, mulch and monitor one of Portland’s “pesticide-free parks.” The efforts of the monthly work party are essential to the success of the pilot program launched in 2004 by Portland Parks and Recreation and community partners at three neighborhood parks: Arbor Lodge, Lair Hill, and Sewallcrest. A component of Parks’ integrated pest management program, the pesticide-free parks are an important step in the right direction for maintaining clean waterways and healthy places for humans, pets and urban wildlife to recreate. Find more information at the kiosks at the parks mentioned or on Parks’ website. And to the volunteers helping to make this happen, a big thank you. Mulch on.

The Seeing Green Manifesto

2006-07-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

Seeing Green is part lifestyle, part ethos, but mostly it is about having fun while living consciously and sustainably. Here are a few tips to help you start Seeing Green.

* Paper or plastic? Neither. Bring your own bag. While you’re at it, bring your own travel mug for coffee and skip the plastic water bottles - refill your own container.

* Carry out more than you packed in. There’s always a little trash to dispose or recycle in its proper place.

* Be nice to others. Hold the door open for someone else, say please, thank you and let others merge into traffic. You will feel better and perhaps make someone else smile.

* Offset your carbons. Educate yourself about what you can do to help stop global warming. See Al Gore's movie, "An Inconvenient Truth."

* Relish the wonders of the library. Free (to borrow) books, movies, periodicals and helpful staff. What more could you want?

* Leave your car at home. Walk, bike, skip or scoot. You’ll get a whole new perspective.

* Try something different. Explore a new neighborhood, shop at an ethnic market, read a book about something new to you.

* Get lost. Open up your mind, senses and spirit. It might just take you somewhere.

* Be grateful. Many of us in these here parts have it pretty good. Think for a moment about someone else, in another part of the world that is ravaged by war, famine, and oppression. Appreciate what you have.

* Get involved with something other than yourself. Volunteer, donate, help a neighbor.

EAT: The Pita Pit

2006-07-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

When I was a younger, there was one fast food restaurant that my health conscious parents would take my sister and me - Eat-A-Pita of Long Island, New York. There I could order anything off the menu, my favorite being the whole-wheat pita pizza or the cream cheese and cucumber pita sandwich. So when I first saw the sign for The Pita Pit here in Portland, I got very excited, thinking the two may be related. Turns out the two are not connected, but the premise is the same, “Fresh Thinking, Healthy Eating.” The menu here is short and ordering is easy. First you pick a main pita filler – choose from the regular roster of deli meats or Greek inspired ingredients such as souvlaki or hummus and then select a few toppings be it lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, hot peppers or even pineapples. Next, pick a cheese and your choice of sauce from the predictable line-up of mayo or mustard to the wild tzatziki or “secret sauce.” The server at the counter will then artfully tuck all your decisions into a large tortilla-like pita. A little bit of white butcher paper, some paper napkins and a sack and you are out the door. The Pita Pit may be a franchise (it’s Canadian, you know), but compared to the other fast food options out there, The Pita Pit is way better than a Subway or Quiznos. It’s reasonable healthy, cheap (nothing over $6.00 here) and stays open into the wee hours of the night.

Pita Pit
421 SW 10th
Open from 11am – 2/3/4am depending on the day

SHOP/EAT: Food Fight

2006-07-15T18:50:00.000-07:00

If you consider yourself a “vegan,” and don’t follow that statement with “but I eat eggs and fish,” then you are in luck. Portland is home to the mothership of vegan outposts, Food Fight, a compact grocery store hidden in the base of a retro office building on the less traveled half of SE Division Street. If you’ve never ventured into vegan territory, don’t be afraid because being vegan is all about having fun. For example, eating a real strip of beef jerky can evoke a smile now and then, but when you remove the beef and replace it with wheat gluten, let the real laughter begin. In addition to an impressive selection of delicious fake meat products, Food Fight stocks a wide variety of vegan delicacies including cheeseless mac and cheese (aka “chreese”), non-dairy whipped cream in a can, eggless/butterless brownies, and many other tasty and occassionally healthy treats. Food Fight also has plenty of recipe books to help you acclimate to the ways of Vegan and an unusual array of miscellany, including guitar picks, no-kill mousetraps and the obligatory vegan propaganda. Yes, you too can own a bumpersticker that tells the world that you are “vegan and poop three times a day, minimum.” See, like I said, vegan=fun!!! At least at Food Fight it does.

Food Fight
4179 SE Division St.
503-233-3910

DRINK: Coffee Plant

2006-07-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

It can be surprisingly hard to find a good cup of coffee in this town, especially if you don’t want to support the shall-remain-nameless empires of the world. However, if you happen to be downtown and want to skip the chains and the convenience stores that offer “expresso," head over to Coffee Plant, a comfortably small and nicely furnished café on a self-proclaimed mission to “fight corporate coffee.” Featuring organic and fair trade coffees from Stumptown, house baked treats, good tunes, revolving artwork and friendly staff, Coffee Plant is a great choice for green caffeine.

Coffee Plant
724 SW Washington
503-295-1227
Closed Sundays

EAT/SHOP: Proper Eats Cafe and Market

2006-06-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

On a recent bike ride through St. John’s, there was a glimmer that things are starting to change in one of Portland’s last frontiers. Proper Eats, a vegan/vegetarian inspired market and café has sprouted in a storefront on the corner of N. Alma and Lombard. With a small, but meaningful selection of organic/locally grown produce, bulk items and perishables, the market side of Proper Eats is a great supplement to the two-mega grocery stores that serve St. John’s residents. If you rather someone else do the cooking, head to the café at the back of Proper Eats where you can chow down on a hearty selection of healthy vegetarian and vegan grub.

Combos of beans, rice and veggies can be found all over the menu, from salads to soups to burritos and entrees. Affordable and delicious options include the “Hummus and Veggie Plate” or “The Slaw,” a dainty mix of cabbage, carrots, cilantro, mint and flax seed in a sesame/vinegar dressing. If you just won a spot of cash from a nearby lottery machine (in one of the many bars in St. John’s) you might try out the “Tempeh Tacos” or roughage-rich “Veggie Wrap,” coming in at $8 and $7 respectively. Still feeling peckish? Then top your meal off with a yummy treat from the vegan-sweet masters, Black Sheep Bakery. Compared to other vegetarian and vegan outposts around the city, Proper Eats is a little more homegrown and rough around the edges. But, Proper Eats’ heart and address is in the right spot for a much-needed infusion of social, economic and environmental health in an area of town that could use it.

Proper Eats Café
8638 N. Lombard St.
Portland, OR 97203
503-445-2007
Proper Eats

EAT: Blossoming Lotus

2006-06-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

If the thought of vegan food makes you want to run for the nearest Big Mac, stop for a moment, take a breath and open your mind and mouth to a bowl of delicious tasting quinoa with steamed vegetables and sweet ginger sauce. Even if you aren't a flag toting, bumper sticker having, fake leather shoe wearing vegan (of which you will happily find many in this fair city), you are bound to enjoy something on the menu at this Hawaiian-based satellite restaurant. If quinoa isn't for you, then try out Blossoming Lotus' Spicy Avo Sandwich, layered with the namesake avocado, baked tofu and a flavorful chipotle spread piled on sumptuous, inch-thick multigrain bread. Feeling more adventurous? Then try one of Blossoming Lotus' "live" offerings. While "live" in other joints would mean a plate with a squirming four-legged creature begging for mercy, "live" at Blossoming Lotus just means not-cooked. Go easy on yourself and try the Live Pizza of the day served on a wheat-free crust with nut cheese and a rotating vegetable topping or the Live Wrap featuring a flavorful pepita pate (a blend of pumpkin seeds, cilantro and tomato), avocado and cucumber wrapped in a striking leaf of a seasonal green drizzled with artful stripes of non-dairy sour cream. Save room for dessert because in addition to the regular selection of sweet breads, brownies and other treats, there is a soft-serve frozen yogurt of deliciousness made from bananas, walnuts and a non-dairy medium that puts a meal at Blossoming Lotus over the edge of decadency.

Although this vegan's haven is tucked into the corner of a yoga studio, Blossoming Lotus stands on its own, especially when it rolls opens the garage doors to the sidewalk where you can have a seat and watch the ever-developing Pearl district, and your belly, grow in front of your eyes.

Blossoming Lotus
925 NW Davis
Open every day from 7:30 am to 7 pm

DO: Take Biodiesel For a Spin

2006-04-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

In a nod to the increasingly loud hub-bub over biodiesel in this town, Enterprise Rent-a-Car on 16th and W. Burnside recently added five Jeep Liberties fueled with B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% regular diesel) to its fleet. In addition to the potential for biodiesel to be made in Oregon (from rapeseed or spent fryer grease), biodiesel also spits out less noxious emissions and on a good day, smells like a big donut on wheels. So next time you need to rent a car, request the "Bio-Jeep" from Enterprise and you'll begin to see what all the fuss is about. Just make sure that when you are out Seeing Green in Portland, you roll down the window and take a deep breath of the fresh air biodiesel helped create.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
1623 W. Burnside St.
Portland, OR 97209
503-220-8200

DO: Preserve

2006-03-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

Before Princeton geologist and peak oil soothsayer, Kenneth Deffeyes, gave a lecture for the Illahee series on oil and water, he engaged City of Portland employees for over an hour to talk about what the end of cheap fossil fuels could mean for our urban area. Although the conversation started with Deffeyes asking about what Portland is doing, the dialogue ended up being mostly one-sided. The charmingly professiorial and grandfatherly Deffeyes peppered his meanderings with a healthy mix of science, personal anecdotes and economics. The take home lesson is that yes, oil and natural gas reserves are on the decline (read more about this prediction and the notorious curve called Hubbert’s Peak here) and that life on this planet will change. Reserving a full discussion of peak oil for a less rainy day, you might ask what can be done to stop the end of the world as we know it?

Despite all the doom and gloom, Deffeyes offered a few remarkably simple solutions. “It is about taking small steps.” One such step was to bring-back the old-time art of canning fruits and vegetables. Although a seemingly laughable solution to impending hardships, inevitable wars and personal tragedies, there is something tangible to Deffeyes recommendation that is a necessary ingredient in the recipe of change. That sentiment may just be what Harriet Fasenfest and Marjorie Braker had in mind when they started Preserve, a “business dedicated to the art and science of food preservation.” Offering classes in a series format (held Saturday mornings for 6 weeks) and one-time events, a Preserve graduATE will have the skills to make jellies, can garden vegetables, pickle and dry their backyard’s or regional farmers’ bounty. Now canning tomatoes may not save the world, but positioning oneself closer to the food chain is not a bad idea. When the end of cheap oil limits the import of food from far away places (the average distance food travels from farm to plate is 1500-2500 miles), a pantry full of sweet jellies, hearty vegetables and savory pickles will certainly preserve some of the comforts we know today.

Preserve
[Classes held inside Buffalo Gardens]
3033 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211
503.542.4338
info@portlandpreserve.com

DO: Prananda Yoga and Arts Center

2006-03-10T08:58:00.000-08:00

When Prananda opened its doors on N. Interstate Avenue in 2003, the yoga and arts center was a welcome addition in the otherwise flagging redevelopment of the old motorway. Although the new light rail line brought much needed transportation and road improvements to the neon-clad throughway, the business boom planners had predicted has been slow at best. Even several years later, not much has happened to the ailing properties and empty lots, except for the New Seasons and a few other small businesses that will hopefully see better times in the future. Regardless, Prananda Yoga intrepidly set up shop in the corner spot of a flooring retailer warehouse and hoped people would come to practice the ancient art of yoga and breathe in some much needed peace in this world.

After establishing a strong set of loyal yogis, Prananda moved again, this time a mile or so from its old location to new digs in the quaint, but rough-around-the edges business district of Kenton. Housed in the neighborhood’s original (and postage-size) post office, Prananda is a nice contrast of health in an area seemingly troubled by drugs and tough times (ok, not everyone in Kenton is strung out or struggling, but there is a sense of sadness here that permeates the air). Owner Joy Wolfe likes being more connected to a neighborhood and sees good things happening in Kenton. Certainly, with over 15 classes a week tailored to all levels of practice, monthly workshops, and several reduced-price “community” classes, Prananda is once again, a beacon of light in a still somewhat dark corner of the world.

Prananda
1920 N. Kilpatrick St.
Portland, OR 97217
503.249.3903

SHOP: New Seasons Market

2006-03-03T18:07:00.000-08:00

When New Seasons Market arrived on the natural foods scene, many of Portland’s fooodies, yuppies, alties and good old fashion punks got all excited about the new game in town. There’s something about a locally owned and operated grocery that appeals to the hearts and stomachs of the [Seeing] Green leaning people of Portlandia. Although the history behind New Seasons is worthy of a page or two in a business school textbook (little store gets bought out by big guys, GNC, then by even bigger gals, Wild Oats, and then loses a lot of its fans and then has to close some stores), its what New Seasons does best that should be biggest lesson to the pinstripe world.

New Seasons stated “commitment to its community, to promoting sustainable agriculture and to maintaining a progressive workplace,” sure sounds sustainable in theory. But how does it work in practice? Seems to be standing the rigors of the business world quite nicely. Perhaps it is the price tags that indicate the origin of its produce (mostly Pacific Northwest) or that even people who work 12 hours a week receive health benefits (almost unheard of) that sets New Seasons apart. Or maybe it is that New Seasons’ flagship store opened in a previously underserved and racially mixed part of town that shows an actual commitment to community. Or could it be that New Seasons’ success is rooted in its customer service and tagline “the friendliest store in town” that harkens back to an age where you could actually speak to a live person who is pleasant and willing to help you. Any way you look at it, with its six bustling neighborhood stores and four more on the way, New Seasons is living proof that there is green in being green.

Check New Seasons' website
for locations and hours.
Tip: Go on the weekends for free mega samples of all sorts of good eats - from chips and chocolate to curry and crackers, you won't leave hungry.

DRINK: World Cup Coffee

2006-02-26T15:04:00.000-08:00

Just when you thought it was safe to bury your otherwise eco-guilty self in a habit such as drinking coffee, it turns out you'll have to keep looking for something more benign. As bad luck would have it, the growing and production of the liquid black magic that fuels the American culture can be devastating to the people, economies and environment of the places where coffee is grown. Fortunately, it is becoming easier to 'drink your talk' at a few of Portland's cafés that offer fair trade, organic, shade grown, and (yes, even) bird-friendly coffee. One such place is World Cup Coffee and Tea, a Portland-based business with three pumping stations located in the NW quadrant of town. World Cup serves its own roasted coffees and a respectable list of loose-leaf teas that go well with its small, but meaningful roster of sugared treats. With its usually comfortable seating options, mellow music and friendly-enough baristas, all three World Cup locations are easy places to hang out, transmit your innermost thoughts over free wi-fi, or do business Portland-style, over a cup of coffee.

World Cup Coffee and Tea
1740 NW Glisan
721 NW 9th Ave. (inside Ecotrust Building)
1005 W Burnside (inside Powell's Books)
Check website for hours.

EAT: Hot Lips Pizza

2006-01-29T16:38:00.000-08:00

According to pizzaware.com, “Americans eat approximately 100 acres of pizza EACH DAY, or about 350 slices per second.” Imagine what it would mean then, if all the ingredients needed to make a pie were local, fresh and organic? Hundreds of dairy and vegetable farmers could be supported by the pizza industry alone. Well, that must have been what David Yudkin, owner of Hot Lips Pizza, had in mind when he transformed his pizza business into one of Portland’s most visible sustainable success stories.

While that is all good and green, none of that would really matter if the pizza was bad. Not to worry though, Hot Lips does pizza right - even if you are an ex-New Yorker with big expectations. For the omnivores, choose from the (supposedly) divine pepperoni classic or venture into “Tex Mex” territory with its fiery combination of spicy chorizo sausage, black olives and chipotle sauce. For the veg-heads in the group, you won’t be disappointed by the seasonally-based selections such as the “Veggie Nirvana” or the goat cheese marvel of the “Juniper Grove Chevre Special.” If you are not in the mood for pizza (what?) you’ll also find tasty salads, soups and sandwiches all made with the same commitment to the agricultural renaissance of organic farming.

Hot Lips Pizza also takes its eco-ethos several steps further. For example, many of its delivery vehicles are electric or pedal-powered. Also, in Hot Lips’ Ecotrust digs, the waste heat from the pizza ovens is captured to boil the water used for washing dishes. (It turns out that if the timing had been right - Hot Lips moved in after the building’s HVAC system was installed - there is enough waste heat to warm the entire building!) In any case, with its organic ingredients and smart business practices, Hot Lips Pizza sure puts the “sustain” in sustainable.

Pearl District/Ecotrust
721 NW 9th Ave.
503-595-2342

Hawthorne
221 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
503-234-9999

Downtown/PSU
1909 SW 6th Ave.
503-224-0311

Raleigh Hills
4825 SW 76th Ave.
503-297-8424

SHOP: Thrift Stores

2006-01-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

Ah, the strawberry-pink smell of a thrift store. That curiously distinct odor that masks the cumulatively nauseating stench of used items, particularly strong around the shelves of pre-worn shoes. Never mind though, you’ll get used to it, especially if you are looking to save some dough. Portland has a long history of being home to cheap, fruitful and wonderfully quirky thrift stores. However, that all changed when the retro hipster scene started mining the thrift stores for bargain finds such as vintage tees, records, classic house wares, and 1950s modern-chic furniture. Couple this stiff competition with the real estate boom of the late 1990s and Portland’s landscape of bountiful thrifting changed forever. Gone were the good deals, sprawling warehouse style thrift stores and unique finds in the church basements (where at one you could find all the clothes from the wardrobe closet of the TV show, “Northern Exposure”). Also gone were the true bottom feeder outlets such as St. Vincent de Paul’s “As-is” where hipsters, antique dealers and new-Americans would line up with elbows sharpened a half hour before the doors opened to get a first chance at striking it rich on items given one last chance before going to the dump. (Go to where the "As-is" once was and you’ll find a row after row of attached townhouses painted in varying degrees of soulless beige.)

Now that the heyday of thrift in Portland is a mere memory, you’ll have to rely on a few of the old standbys such as “Red, White and Blue” on Mcloughlin and the modest Value Village empire. If you’re looking for a reliable thrift adventure, your best bet is Goodwill. No one does thrift more corporately than this decades-old organization that puts thousands of people to work while making bank on your unwanted items. In the Pacific Northwest in particular, where the Executive Director makes an eye-popping salary (that recently was publicly and rightfully questioned by the IRS), Goodwill is almost as ubiquitous as Starbucks. The mothership store on SE 6th St. certainly racks the most merchandise, but you’ll also find a hearty selection of fine wares at Goodwill’s smaller outposts, including the confusingly upscale sounding “Goodwill on Tenth” in the heart of downtown. If you are really brave and want to relive the good old days of thrift in Portland, venture a little south of the city to check out the Goodwill bins, where you can by clothes by the pound and LPs for pennies a pop. Just make sure if you go to the bins that you bring some gloves and a strong immune system because this place is a bit of trash heap. To be really seeing green though, start your thrift store adventures by cleaning out your closets and basement of that extra stuff you haven’t touched in years, donate it to a non-profit thrift store for a receipt that will save a few dollars on your tax bill and enjoy that feeling of true good will.

Goodwill
1943 S.E. 6th Street
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 238-6100

Red, White and Blue
19239 Mcloughlin Blvd
Gladstone, OR 97027
(503) 655-3444

Value Village
4420 N.E. Hancock Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 493-2411

SHOP: ecoPDX

2006-01-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

Don’t let the words “entombed and salvaged wood furniture” on ecoPDX’s sign at the entrance scare you away. “Entombed” simply means that the wood was once buried underground, in this case by volcanic activity or flooding. Recognizing the value of this hidden treasure, a company called Tropical Salvage (based in Portland) gainfully employs artisans in Indonesia to extract the entombed wood and craft an unusual line of furniture. ecoPDX then imports and showcases these hand-crafted wares in its brick warehouse on N. Interstate Ave. The patina, coloring, and markings on the furniture certainly reflect the wood’s harried journey. However, the eclectic tables, dressers, tansu chests, and bed frames are charming enough that you may find yourself making room in your home for a piece of furniture that is rich with character and other-worldy charm. Although the practice of using foreign laborers to manufacture products that then need to be shipped across the world does not usually evoke the idea of “seeing green,” there is a role for fair trade enterprises to help change the ways of the world. This may just be one of those instances when acting globally and buying locally actually makes sense.

ecoPDX
2289 N. Interstate Ave.
503-287-8181
Check website for hours.

SHOP: Green Dog Pet Supply

2006-01-14T16:28:00.000-08:00

YOU buy organic produce, choose locally made goods, and take good care of your health and comfort, so why would you do any differently for your pet? That’s exactly the idea behind Green Dog Pet Supply, where you can buy pet food, toys, and products that are easy on the earth and good for the health of your pet. The store, located in relatively new environmentally friendly commercial development in the likable Beaumont neighborhood, is also a showcase for how to reuse building materials in a fun and creative fashion. The store fixtures, many constructed from salvaged five-panel doors, match the ethic of the product line: organic, healthy, and playful. Couple that with the friendly owners and Green Dog Pet Supply is a good destination for four- and two-legged creatures alike.

Green Dog Pet Supply
4605 NE Fremont
Tuesday – Saturday 10-7
Sunday 10 – 3
Closed Monday
503-528-1800
Green Dog Online

SHOP/EAT: Big City Produce

2006-01-03T19:50:00.000-08:00

At most corner stores, beer, cigarettes, and pornography are what keep the doors open. Not so at Big City Produce, a neighborhood store that puts a different spin on seediness. Even in its modestly sized space, Big City Produce stocks typical grocery items such as eggs and milk, and all the supplies you would need to create an authentic Mexican or Asian inspired meal. However, Big City is most known for is its fresh fruits and vegetables, many organically or locally grown. Better still, are Big City Produce’s small prices and its commitment to the neighborhood to NOT sell beer, cigarettes or girly magazines (you can get all that at the corner store down the street). Finally, the owners of Big City Produce pioneered a volunteer effort to transform the lot next to the store from a litter riddled waste land to a respectable place to meet up with a friend, sip a flavored Mexican soda and watch the world go by.

If you are not in the mood to gather up ingredients to cook your own feast, check out The Albina Greens restaurant in the southwest corner of the store. Review coming soon.

Big City Produce
722 N. Sumner
(503) 460-3830
Mon-Fri 7:30am- 7:00pm
Sat 9:00am- 6:00pm
Sun 10:00am- 6:30pm

EAT: SohBet

2005-12-26T16:55:00.000-08:00

Every neighborhood deserves a cafe where you can fuel up on your choice of caffeinated beverage and a sweet treat. For many years, North Portland was void of any such place, except for the only beacon of life for miles around, Beaterville Cafe. Now facing competition from all sides, Beaterville is not the only game in the neighborhood, and it's a good thing, because from my viewpoint Beaterville is in need of tune-up. Enter SohBet, a new 'coffee house and eclectic market' that opened in September along Portland's growing restaurant respite, N. Killingsworth Ave. With a mission to provide "simple foods that are easy to share and partake in," SohBet does not disappoint. For the lunch crowd, SohBet offers paninis, sandwiches and sharable table dishes such as white bean puree served with rustic bread. For the sweet tooth, SohBet serves locally baked goods from the good folks at Baker & Spice and Black Sheep Bakery. What's the catch? Well, in addition to the good eats, SohBet makes an effort to use all local and organic ingredients. So for all of you in the seeing green crowd, that makes SohBet, a good bet.

SohBet
2710 N. Killingsworth
503-735-3446
Monday - Friday 6-6
Weekends 7:30 - 5
(Sobet is persian for lively dialogue, chit chat & and the sparkly between to beings - or so says the business card)

LOOK/DO: Tanner Springs Park

2005-12-26T08:01:00.000-08:00

I remember being disappointed when Maya Lin, my favorite architect/artist/environmentalist retreated from designing Portland's newest park due to a conflict with some folks at the "City that Works." Now that I've recovered from that setback, I can go to Tanner Springs to enjoy this engaging park set right in the middle of a growing concrete jungle. The name of the park references Tanner Creek, a wetland that was covered by industrial buildings in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Although the Creek still runs in large pipes beneath the area now "revitalized" into high-end lofts and condos, the Creek reminded us only a few years ago that no matter what you do, you cannot tame mother nature. After quietly gurgling under buildings and infrastructure for over 100 years, Tanner Creek buckled the foundation of a four-story brick building, causing the structure with posts and beams the size of trees you now find only in protected forests to be deemed unsafe for occupancy and then quickly demolished to make way for more high-end condos.

In homage to the Creek, Tanner Springs Park boasts a water feature that first emerges in a trickle and then collects in a sometimes merky pool near the east-side entrance. Separating this pool from the street is a visual barrier fashioned from the rail road tracks of yesteryear set on end in a pattern that recalls a heavy duty version of a wind-blown prairie fence. A terraced grassway provides a comfortable spot to sit when the weather permits, otherwise the few purposefully scattered benches are the only invitations to take your time when using this facility. Since I work in a building close by, I often visit this park during my lunchtime stolls. Except for the gaggle of smokers who sit on the bus bench at the Park's perimeter, I am usually the only one in the park. Perhaps it is the relentless banging of the pile driver working its way through geology in the adjacent lot that keeps people at bay. Or maybe it is that, unlike Jamison Square, the park two blocks away that teems with people and children enjoying its own unique water feature, Tanner Springs doesn't offer much in the terms of recreational outlets. However, I find Tanner Springs to be an exceptional place to contemplate our interaction with nature, to experience the concept of park as art, and to imagine what this section of town was like when the creek roamed free. That is, only if I am in the park when the pile driver is on lunch break as well.

Tanner Springs Park
NW 10th Ave. and Marshall St.
Portland Parks and Recreation
(Use the website's cool "Find a Park" feature to locate a park near you.)

EAT: MASU, thank you

2005-12-25T17:01:00.000-08:00

It's happened. Sustainability and its tenets have hit mainstream. How do I know this? When a swanky new sushi bar named "MASU" proclaims that it "supports local farms that practice environmentally sound agriculture and sustainable farming" on its equally swanky menu, the staff here at seeing:green proclaim victory (at least for the evening). In a sharply retrofitted second story space on SW 13th, in that used-to-be nowhere, but is now turning into somewhere part of downtown, MASU is a new addition to the boutique class of eateries and bars that are mutating around town. I am always surprised and delighted when I come upon these remarkably stylish and bankrolled joints, especially when I still think of Portland as a weird little city, with a rough-around-the edges charm (see Keep Portland Weird post). However, MASU slides right next to Doug Fir and East in that category of "I am a handsome, well-designed, and yes, swanky spot for you to look good while you hand over $7 for a froufrou drink with a clever name." As a vegetarian (she says again) I'll admit that I may not be the best judge of sushi. Since I usually stick to the veggie rolls, miso soup and yaki soba, and wouldn't know a thing about eel, crab, tuna or snapper, I cannot comment on MASU's handiwork in the kitchen. However, I will recommend MASU for being another player in transforming the marketplace towards true sustainability and broadcasting its intent to do so on its menu. And even though I thought I was just going to try out a new place for an after work happy (kampei) hour, I found myself, once again seeing green and happy indeed.

MASU
406 SW 13th Ave.
503.221.MASU
MASU
Open 7 days
Early Kampai Hour from 4-6 PM everyday
Another Kampai Hour happens later in the evening - check website

EAT: Laughing Planet Cafe

2005-12-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

As a vegetarian, I eat a lot of burritos. The protein-rich mixture of beans, rice and cheese is a filling, easy and affordable way to subsist. Although Portland has a lot of opportunities to gorge on these rolled up food cartridges, few make it a healthy experience. Not the case at Laughing Planet Café, a locally-owned series (not quite a chain) of eateries. Here, ingredients are almost all organic, definitely fresh and downright flavorful. You can develop your own creation or choose from an impressive roster of preconceived configurations, such as the grilled veggie burrito made with brown rice, black beans and perfectly charcoaled garden delights. Also try the freshly-squeezed juices, fruit smoothies, salads, soups and "bowls," featuring hearty blends of vegetables, grains such as quinoa and special sauces. No matter what you order here, you will leave feeling full, but energized by eating green.
(By the way, if you hail from Bloomington, Indiana, this is the same Laughing Planet Café you loved there as well.)

Laughing Planet Café
3320 SE Belmont St.
3765 N. Mississippi Ave.
922 NW 21st Ave.

DO: Be The Change You Want to See in the World

2005-11-27T10:37:00.000-08:00

This past summer I had the chance to interview someone about their noble effort to raise funds to support Portland’s notoriously cash-strapped schools. After hearing from her parents and teachers about her school's financial woes, Reed, a 7-year old second grader at Buckman Elementary decided to do something about it. Her first idea was to open a lemonade stand, a reliable staple in the fundraising world. After a little encouragement from her folks, she decided to broaden the scope to include a garage sale. Seeking donations from her family, friends, neighbors and other schoolmates, Reed received an impressive amount of items for the sale. With just 8 days to organize the mountains of furniture, toys, clothes and historical artifacts (from the 1970s, no doubt), Reed worked hard to make signs, price items, and orchestrate the sale.

As with any enterprise, marketing is key. Using cheap matboard she acquired from SCRAP (see previous post), Reed crafted signs that highlighted the reason for the sale and some of the unique offerings to attract traffic from the nearby farmer’s market. “On the signs we drew cookies, cantaloupe and water, “ Reed recounts with a smile. The signs worked to bring in the crowds. After setting up at 7:30 in the morning, the sale began with a spurt of people snagging up goodies such as tennis rackets, books, and even a foot massage pillow. Prices were kept well under $20 for most items. With a seemingly inherent sense for business practices, Reed priced “pretty clothes for a dollar, ugly ones for $.25. The cookies, cantaloupe and water were also only $.75.”

By the end of the day, the sale raised $471. The PTA matched the earnings, with a total of $942 now available to fund a portion of a teaching position. Although Reed, who lists swimming, tennis and rollerblading as some of her favorite activities wanted the funds to go to fix the school’s pool, she’s happy about the outcome of the sale. Reed's parents echo her sentiment, rightfully proud of their daughter’s efforts. For me, I was inspired by Reed and took her story as a call to action. I think that if everyone, including myself, took the initiative to do something about whatever issue moves you, the world, or maybe more succinctly, your own world would be a better place.

TRY: 251 Cars Are at Home Because I Am on the Road

2005-11-13T17:41:00.000-08:00

Portland has an admirable transit system for a city its size. My neighborhood alone is serviced by light rail and 3 bus lines that will either take you downtown or across town. That's not to say that you'll get to your destination faster than if you were to drive, but you will get there, and most days you will get there at the time Tri-Met (the region's transportation authority) said you would. In addition to the green benefits of using mass transit (such as less pollution, a more efficient use of those dead dinosaurs, and a more equitable way to move people around the planet) there are other inherent benefits to taking mass transit over driving.
1. Getting to know your neighbors. There are people I've been seeing at my bus/MAX stop for years. Although we've never spoken, I often speculate about where my mass-transit comrade is going, whom they love, and what they carry in their bag. I imagine if we ever snapped out of our not-quite-caffeinated enough morning (and afternoon) comas, we'd make fast friends. After all, we spend a good forty minutes a day (20 minutes each way) staring at one another and breathing the same sometimes not-so-fresh bus scented air.
2. Getting to look out the window. When you drive everywhere, you miss things. Sure, you look out the window when you are operating a vehicle, but I hope that you are paying more attention to the road, other cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists than checking out buildings, businesses, and the scenery. In the past year alone I've witnessed a grocery store being built, an extensive restaurant remodel, the demolition of several homes, a porn shop locate next to a school, a very intense break up, and many, many beautiful sunsets (if I only carried my camera with me more often).
3. Getting to do other things. Although I've seen people reading, writing, and doing crosswords while driving (more times than you would imagine), taking mass transit frees you up to do all those activities without putting lives at risk. I often come up with some of my best (self-proclaimed) ideas while riding the bus. Now if I just had time to make some of those things happen...
4. Getting more exercise without going to the gym. When you take the bus/train, you invariably need to walk more, stand more, and dance more than when you drive everywhere. You just do.
5. Getting to see people of all backgrounds, races, economic proclivities. I've learned a lot about my fellow human, just from listening, watching, and sometimes smelling the people around me. I try to remain open to experiencing people in a visceral way when I am on mass transit. I am always surprised by the generosity, humor and sometimes downright prophetic nature of my fellow riders. As I observe and admittedly, sometimes make judgments about other riders, I try to remember the words from a sticker I once saw tacked to the bathroom wall in some bar - "We all look funny to someone."

I could keep going, but hopefully by now I've convinced you yet that taking mass transit is good for your heart, soul, and spirit. Even if you cannot always get to work or play by bus, try it when you can... you'll be Seeing Green in no time.

Plan your trip, find a bus stop, and read more Poetry-In-Motion (another benefit to riding) at www.trimet.org or call 503-238-RIDE (7433).

SHOP: Recycled Gardens

2005-10-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

Recycled Gardens is what happens when you pair a good cause with a great idea. By selling a huge variety of donated plants, the good folks from the non-profit, Pet Over Population Prevention Advocates, Inc., (POPPA) raise funds to support its spay and neutering assistance program. Run primarily by volunteers, Recycled Gardens is POPPA’s nursery located where the suburbs begin to blend into farmland (left intact primarily due to Oregon’s Urban Growth Boundaries). Recycled Gardens carries a HUGE variety of well-established and well-cared for plants, most priced at $4 per gallon. Everything I’ve planted from here thrived this past season, filling my sun-baked yard with drought tolerant cistus, sedum, lavender, sage, Elijah blue, oat grass, rosemary, etc. If you have even the slightest inclination to toil in the earth, skip the commercial nurseries and take a trip out to Recycled Gardens … not only will you get a great deal on beautiful plants, you’ll also be saving animals from suffering and neglect due to overpopulation.

Recycled Gardens
6995 NW Cornelius Pass Road
Hillsboro, Oregon
October-March: Saturdays ONLY 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
April-September: Thurs-Sun 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
www.poppainc.org

SHOP: Black Rose Collective

2005-09-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

If you are looking to be “A thorn in the side of the establishment,” Black Rose Collective is a good place to start. Although the storefront is not much bigger than a Hummer, this small space packs in some big ideas. From Anarchism to veganism, you’ll find a decent selection of books that will make you THINK, and if you’re not in a butterless chocolate cake-related food coma, maybe ACT against oppression. There are also a few shelves that offer books, clothing, personal miscellany, and household items for the low, low discount price of FREE. Ideas and personalities may run a little strong here, but go in with and open mind and you may find that you really do care about something.

Black Rose Collective
Bookstore & Freecycling Space
4038 N. Mississippi Ave.
12-8 Tuesday – Saturday
4-8 Sunday
blackrose@riseup.net

SHOP: Quirks and Quandaries

2005-09-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

Quirks and Quandaries was one of the first businesses to appear during N. Mississippi’s most recent revitalization . At first I thought they would be gone in short time, not because they had a bad business idea, but because the boutique theme had previously been reserved for high-end business districts like NW 23rd. Fortunately, Quirks and Quandaries was able to weather its first year and with more complementary outlets and eateries opening every day, they are ensured a steady flow of customers. I did most of my holiday shopping here last year, enjoying its assortment of gifts that were locally made, affordable, and very unique. Although I have never taken advantage of it, Quirks and Quandaries also has a craft room stocked with all the supplies you need to finish that art project sitting in your closet, have a birthday party for your kid, or learn a new craft.

Quirks and Quandaries
3955 N. Mississippi Ave.
Tuesday – Saturday 10 – 5
www.qandq.net

SHOP: Pistils Nursery

2005-09-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Don’t be surprised if a chicken with a harried hairdo greets you at the entrance to this abundant little nursery. As part of its line of locally produced plant offerings, Pistils also sells several varieties of chickens for the growing crowd of urban poultry owners. Unlike many commercial nurseries where plants are kept to uncomfortably rigid rows, Pistils’ displays will make even the most reluctant gardener yearn to get dirty. Meander around Pistils artfully fenced retail yard to discover plants ranging from the common to the exotic or shop in the newly built-to-look old storefront for an assortment of garden books, handmade crafts, seed packages, and bulk soil amendments. In true Seeing Green fashion, Pistils also offers free workshops covering topics such as composting, garden journaling, and of course, keeping chickens in the city.

Pistils Nursery
3811 N. Mississippi Ave.
www.pistilsnursery.com
Call for hours

SHOP: North Portland Bike Works

2005-09-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

This is no ordinary bike shop. Sure they sell and fix bikes here, but they also are a non-profit organization that “provides information, resources, and skill sharing programs to low-income and marginalized communities to promote the use of environmentally sustainable, self reliant transportation.” Translation: North Portland Bike Works offers workshops, classes, free repair assistance (on designated nights), and opportunities for volunteers to trade time for bike parts. The staff here is very friendly and knowledgeable and they were the only shop I found in town that was willing to fix the gears on my old mountain bike without telling me to just scrap the whole bike and get a new one. Now that is Seeing Green.

North Portland Bike Works
3951 N. Mississippi Ave.
503-287-1098
Monday – Saturday 11-6
www.npdxbikeworks.org

SHOP: SCRAP

2005-09-14T17:09:00.000-07:00

There aren't too many stores in this world where you can purchase a stack of surplus greeting cards, a half dozen metal tins, a leftover roll of packaging labels from a product called “Hot Cheddah Sticks” and fifty legal sized envelopes for a modest $4.00. If this sounds like your dream come true, then School and Community Reuse Action Project or SCRAP is the place for you. Similar to a thrift store, this non-profit organization accepts and sells surplus materials that can be reused in an artful way. On any given day you’ll find a wide array of interesting materials just waiting for your crafty talents. Last time I shopped there I purchased sample carpet squares to use as a backdoor mat, a few plastic bins for organizing the basement, and a stack of manila folders for my office. SCRAP also hosts how-to workshops and a yearly event called “Iron Artist” that challenges teams to sculpt against the clock. Finally, don’t forget to pause for a moment on artist Bruce Orr’s vibrant mural that enlivens SCRAP’s entrance – it is an inspiring addition to the neighborhood.

SCRAP
3901A N. Williams
503-294-0769
Wed-Sat 11 AM to 6 PM
Sun 12 PM to 5 PM
Closed Monday and Tuesday
www.scrapaction.org

TRY: I HEART Craigslist

2005-07-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it. I'm addicted. It is not unusual for me to visit the Craigslist (CL) site twice, sometimes three times, ok maybe five times a day. What am I looking for? Nothing, really. I usually check out what's new in the free pile, peek at the job postings or peruse the personals for a giggle. I also like to check out what is going on in other cities. Why? Well, there are lots of reasons, but first, I must do a quick check of CL before I go on. Ok, now I am back.

I like CL because the listings give you insight into what is going on in the place you live. There's this strange sense of community when you consider the thousands of other people out there who are posting or searching at any given time (this is the case in Portland at least - the Des Moines listings don't seem to be as active). In addition to the warm fuzzy feeling I get from knowing that I can get a free pile of dirt or two hamster cages for $5, there is something about the structure of a classified ad that seems very honest. Short and sweet and to the point, classified ads are really a raw form of poetry. A recent scanning of the listings came up with "NICE trained llamas available for adoption!" and "HUGE King Kong Poster/Mounted" and "***WANTED*** Your Old Broken TVs." I find it comforting to have a forum where EMPHASIS is usually added and spelling/punctuation are not all that important (blogs like this one are good for that too). Finally, unlike most newspaper classifieds, CL is free to post and free to search. FREE - what a deal!

I've had great luck using CL. I once posted an ad to sell a 40 foot extension ladder and within 30 minutes I got a call from a guy who desperately needed it to keep his job as a maintenance manager at a multiplex apartment building. I also recently sold my tired Volvo wagon in a few hours after posting an ad on Fourth of July, no less. I've also purchased things off of CL, such as an Airstream trailer and an exercise bike. Every now and again I look for work opportunities as a freelance writer (hint, hint) and sure enough, I also puruse the real estate ads to see if the bubble has burst in my neighborhood (outrageous prices - come on now, people).

So, even if you don't have anything to sell or buy, I still recommend CL as a way to get a glimpse into what some of your neighbors in Portland have to offer.

http://portland.craigslist.org/

SHOP: The ReBuilding Center

2005-07-27T14:08:00.000-07:00

I cannot imagine Portland without The ReBuilding Center (TRC). There's something about that place that embodies a side of Portland that is just so, Portland. [A brief disclaimer here...I was a co-founder of TRC back in 1998 and now years later, I've joined the Board of its parent organization, Our United Villages.] With that aside, I still think I can sing its praises and hopefully introduce a few new people to TRC.

The ReBuilding Center was started to divert reusable building materials from the waste stream and to provide a funding mechanism for Our United Villages' neighborhood enhancement projects (visit www.ourunitedvillages.org to find out more about TRC's parent organization). Functioning similar to a thrift store, anyone is invited to donate (for a tax deductible receipt) or purchase surplus, reusable building materials. Have a pile of supplies left over from a kitchen remodel? Donate it to TRC instead of throwing it away. Need clear vertical grain fir to finish out that masterful renovation of your craftsman bungalow? TRC has it. Add to this inventory thousands of doors, windows, landscaping materials, hardware, plumbing fixtures and complete kitchen cabinet sets and you get a sense of what you can donate or find at TRC.

Located on the south end of the buzzing N. Mississippi district, TRC recently completed expanding its facility. Adding 28,000 square feet of retail space and 11,000 square feet for off street parking, TRC is now the largest used building material outlet in America! But leave it to TRC to not just add a few concrete block buildings to match its original warehouse, but to instead respectfully up the ante of Portland's architectural palette. The new additions are easily some of the most remarkable buildings to actually be permitted and built in Portland in many years. [I am still a big fan of the Natural Capital Building (review coming), but for very different reasons.] With soaring rooflines that extend to towering heights, these buildings do not overwhelm, they inspire. To match the scale of neighboring residences, the facade of the new additions is punctuated by individual characteristics that say "house" more than industrial building. In fact, you might mistake one of the buildings for a new condominium development despite its almost block-long run. Finally, there are other touches that suggest a connection to the people and community where TRC is located. An off-street sheltered bike rack and naturally sculpted benches at the front entrance say – “come on in, hang out here, be a part of this place.” I cannot think of many other businesses that extend such graces to customers or the neighborhood.

Now there’s a lot more to TRC than what I’ve discussed here. Rather than go into more detail, I suggest you just go check it out for yourself. You might just find that Kermit the frog-green sink you need to match the other bathroom fixtures in that ranch you just bought.

The ReBuilding Center
3625 N. Mississippi Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
503-331-1877
Open Monday – Saturday 9-6
Sunday 10-5
www.rebuildingcenter.org

DO: Keep Portland Weird

2005-07-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

When I first moved to Portland in 1994, the city was a weird place. I lived in the downtown area (where I thought you lived when you move to a city) before the light rail extended past Pioneer Square and where the only people who lived downtown were “junkies, convicts, and perverts” (she says with a William S. Burroughs staccato). On my daily treks around the grid, it was not uncommon to come across something that left you thinking, “now that’s weird.” Whether it was a museum dedicated to UFOs, an impromptu art show featuring cigarettes and vials of blood on the sidewalk, or the gentleman who walked around in lederhosen carrying a three-foot long teddy bear, Portland had a vibe best explained as "weird." Over the years, as people discovered this gem of a city, I noticed the weird started disappearing. Gone was the UFO museum, the infamous Church of Elvis, the smoky bars where you could get a can of Pabst for 75 cents, and the endless cast of characters that anonymously shared the city with you. In its place came high design concept bars, national chain stores, manufactured "loft-like" condos and fancy fleece pants to replace the lederhosen.

But all of Portland’s weird has not been lost. In fact, one long-time business owner is doing his best to “Keep Portland Weird.” Don MacLeod, owner of the Pacific Northwest’s oldest music store, Music Millennium, launched the “Keep Portland Weird” public awareness campaign as a way to preserve and promote the uniqueness of Portland. Keeping Portland weird means supporting the local businesses by purchasing goods from them as opposed to national or global chain stores. Keeping Portland Weird also means pursuing that artistic, community based venture that wouldn’t fly anywhere else but Portland. You can show your cheer for the campaign by purchasing a bumpersticker with the sentiment “Keep Portland Weird” at participating businesses (visit keepportlandweird.com for a list) or just go out there and do something weird. Portland thanks you for it.

EAT: Veganopolis

2005-07-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

I was craving a Reuben sandwich the other day and being that I am a vegetarian, there are very few places to find these messy, but delicious creations when outside the home. Enter Veganopolis, a cafeteria-style eatery where no animal product rears its fluffy head on the menu. Yes, Veganopolis is entirely meat and animal product free - abiding to the true definition of vegan. Though I am not a vegan (I'll admit it - I enjoy cheese), Veganopolis is one of the few places in Portland where this vegetarian can safely order anything on the menu without asking if the soup has a meat stock or if the veggie burrito can be made without chicken. As for the Reuben, I can gleefully say that Veganopolis put this craving out of my misery. With a healthy slice of corned seitan (look it up), soy cheese, sauerkraut and 1000 island dressing on the obligatory rye bread, this is one of the rare vegan reubens that could hold its own against the meaty reubens I remember eating with my grandmother at her corner deli in NYC. On another visit, I had "The Mediterranean," a deliciously blended non-dairy ricotta spread flavored with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted artichoke hearts and spinach stuffed into a ciabatta roll. If that doesn't meet your lunch needs, you'll also find at least ten other sandwiches, salads, and rotating specials to fill your belly. Save room for dessert too - there is this extremely decadent tasting chocolate brownie... but enough about that - I cannot return there until Tuesday and my mouth is watering already. And yes, Veganopolis serves breakfast too. Monday through Friday its the regular tofu scramble and potatoes deal, but on Saturday, they roll out the gluten-free biscuits with a Vegan Breakfast Buffet featuring bread pudding, tofu scrambles, pancakes, veggie links, biscuits & gravy, roasted potatoes, and your not-so-run of the mill wheat-free baked goods.

The interior of Veganopolis is refreshingly modern and furnished with sustainable materials. The main dining room boasts light colored bamboo flooring and non-toxic paint. To really start SeeingGreen, check out the bathrooms to witness a new trend in porcelain fixtures - double flush toilets (let's just say if you push one of the buttons it uses only a very small amount of water since less water is needed) and the earth-friendly linoleum floor. Finally, besides the delicious vegan food, the only reminder that you are in a restaurant with a mission are the small framed photos of live farm animals that, thanks to an eatery like Veganopolis, have a chance to live a long, healthy and hopefully happy life.

Veganopolis
412 SW Fourth Street
Portland, Oregon 97205

Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am-6pm

p:(503) 226-3400
www.veganopolis.com

TRY: seeing:green

2005-05-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

Today the adventure begins.