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Ignite Portland 10

pdxfirefly — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:32:36 +0000

Ignite Portland 10 kicks off tomorrow night –Thursday — Feb 9, 2012 at the Bagdad Theatre on Hawthorn and 37th at 7:00 pm. Door open at 5:45pm.

Understanding Doxil

pdxfirefly — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:49:40 +0000

For many months now, there has been a shortage of Doxil here in the United States. I have been too chemo-brained to fully understand it, but over the last few days, I have discovered some information that helps to make sense of the ‘Doxil Maze’. Doxil is a chemotherapy drug that has a different delivery system to the cancer cells and therefore is of great benefit to many long-term cancer patients who have become resistant to other chemotherapies. The drug works particularly well for women who have Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.

Doxil is the name for the generic drug of doxorubicin liposomal.

Ben Venue is the sole contract manufacturer of Doxil for Janssen which is a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson. Janssen holds the patent in Doxil.

It is my understanding that there are manufacturing problems which have resulted in the nationwide Doxil shortage.

Ignite Portland 10

pdxfirefly — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:17:40 +0000

Ignite Portland 10 is one week from today.

Ignite Portland 10 is upon us! On Thursday evening of February 9th we will be congregating at the Bagdad Theater for some great company and stellar talks. Admission is free, of course, and you won’t want to miss this one!

If this is your first IgnitePDX or even your tenth (whoo! double digits!), we’re sure you will still want some guidelines for how to make it a great night:

Doors Open at 5:00 PM for those with OFB donations. We are partnering this year with the Oregon Food Bank to get some donations out to those in need. Bring a can or two and get in early!
Doors Open at 5:45 PM for everyone else – as usual, No Ticket Needed. As of IP7, we’ve done away with the ticket system. Too complicated. Just come on down, and we’ll let people in until the Fire Marshall says we can’t anymore.
Overflow next door at Back Stage. If you’d rather take in the proceedings in the Back Stage bar environment next door to the Bagdad, we’ll be showing the talks on the big projection screen there.
Live Video Stream. As has become tradition, we’ll have a live video stream of the night’s proceedings. Come back here to IgnitePortland.com on the night of and you’ll see a stream where you can watch LIVE and hang out in the chat with the other cool kids who are watching. This is for our friends who couldn’t make it in person to the Bagdad, and for any Ignite PDX fans out of town.
Please, No Seat Saving. We know you’re excited to watch the show with all your friends. And maybe they couldn’t make it down as early as you did. But it’s not fair for one person to squat on a whole bunch of seats with coats, etc. so their friends can saunter in late. Please don’t be a jerk about this. We’ll have ushers milling about to help you remember. We want everyone to have a fair chance at getting a good seat. It’s fine to hold a seat for yourself, so you can get up and order drinks/food, but if your friends come a little later, they’ll have to find their own seats. It’s only fair. Thanks for understanding.
Keep the Beer/Food Lines Moving. One of the awesome things about the Badgad Theater is you can your favorite beverage with a slice of pizza, a burger, or some cajun tots in the lobby, and have ‘em bring it right to you inside the theater! Please do order as much food and drink as you’d like. Just try to keep the lines moving smoothly. Doors open at 5:00 PM, but the show doesn’t start until 7PM. The smart patrons will get themselves some food before the show at a nearby restaurant (hint hint).

Thank You America’s Tires

pdxfirefly — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:04:17 +0000

The last time I put gas in my car, the attendant told me that I might want to have my left rear tire checked as it looked low to him. Well, I had just had my tire inflation checked a few days prior, but when I looked at it, I realized that he was right. It did look low. Finally yesterday, I felt well enough to get dressed and drive out for some groceries and water and , oh yes, let’s get that tire inflated while I’m out and about!

I entered the tire inflation bay at the tire store and the attendant was right there waiting for me. When I mentioned the tire he said that yes it looked low. Well!!! It was down to 13 pounds of pressure from 35! I would say it was low! I sent a blessing to the gas station attendant because I would not have noticed it for many more days. And I probably would have had a flat tire in my garage one morning! Anyway the tire attendant wanted to fix the tire right then and there. I didn’t want to get out of the car and I really didn’t feel like waiting in the waiting room for any length of time at all. I told him I just had chemo and didn’t really feel well and he said that it would take 10 minutes, 15 at the most and I could stay in my car.

What a salesman he was. Humnmmmm …. 10 minutes (I bet it will be at least 15) and Mercedes and I can relax in the car without breathing in the obnoxious tire fumes that permeate the waiting room. And the tire will be fixed and safe and I will not have to make another special trip over to the tire store. I said Ok and reclined my car seat for a little rest and he got to work. I noticed the time as I turned off the engine; it was 4:02 pm. He hustled and bustled around and it was obvious that he knew exactly what he was doing and I felt that I was in good hands with this young tire employee. I closed my eyes for a few minutes then decided to make a short phone call. Soon I noticed that he was about ready to put the tire back on my car. I wonder what time it is? 4:10 pm! It took him another few minutes to balance and reinstall the tire and tighten up all of the lug nuts. 4:12 pm. Exactly!!!

He had the cutest smile when I told him it took exactly 10 minutes!!! And now he has a 10 minute story to tell for the rest of his life!

Chinese New Year

pdxfirefly — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:41:04 +0000

Tonight, Jan 23, 2012 is the beginning of the Chinese New Year. Midnight will usher in the Year of the Dragon; it is a celebration that lasts for 15 days culminating with the Lantern Festival. Maybe we should all go out for Chinese food!!!!

Reductive

pdxfirefly — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:58:11 +0000

“Who (180px-WhosThatGirl.jpg)

In a recent television interview, Madonna, (yes, that Madonna) was asked a question about Lady Gaga and what Madonna thought of her. Madonna’s coy thoughtful answer was that she thought that Gaga was ‘reductive’. When the reporter asked “Is that good?”, Madonna replied in a sweetly but matter of fact way “Look it up.”

Well, the reporter did as well as Portland Firefly :

Reductive:


1.	the act or process or an instance of reducing
2.	the state or condition of being reduced
3.	the amount by which something is reduced
4.	a form of an original resulting from a reducing process, such as a copy on a smaller scale
5.	a simplified form, such as an orchestral score arranged for piano
6.	maths
	a.the process of converting a fraction into its decimal form
	b.the process of dividing out the common factors in the numerator and denominator of a fraction; cancellation

I am sure that the definition that Madonna indicated is :

Reductive: The form of an original resulting from a reducing process, such as a copy on a smaller scale. A simplified form.

I completely agree with Madonna on this one! Yes, Gaga is no Madonna!

Merry Christmas to All!!!

pdxfirefly — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 04:43:45 +0000

Portland Firefly wishes a very Merry Christmas to all of her readers. I hope you have a very meaningful and lovely time with your loving family. This is a special Christmas for Firefly this year… more so then usual.

Merry Christmas and may you all have all of the Blessings and Joys of this Holy time of year.

Winter Solstice tonight

pdxfirefly — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:50:47 +0000

Tonight is the longest night of the year. Winter officially begins shortly after 10:00 pm tonight! Now the days will begin to get longer…..

Asteroid Tuesday

pdxfirefly — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:35:33 +0000

The asteroid 2005 YU55, which is wider than an
aircraft carrier, will pose no threat when it makes a close pass by Earth.

Check out how to catch all the action.

Whew! Looks like we dodged the bullet on that one!

When is a Dog a Frog?

pdxfirefly — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 07:47:39 +0000

Mercedes Frog Dog by Pdxfirefly

When is a dog a frog? On Halloween!

Happy Halloween

pdxfirefly — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:53:45 +0000

Happy Halloween to all you ghosts and goblins out there! The sun will set about 5:00 pm so your little ones can go out trick-or-treating nice and early and still get to bed by 8:00 pm! (Yeah sure!) Hey! Don’t eat all their candy while they are sleeping!

Post Office Bully

pdxfirefly — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 01:51:05 +0000

Last week, I had to mail something from the post office. Since I went on Saturday morning and the PO was closed, I planned to use the self-service machine which I have used before. No Problem. Or so I thought!

When I arrived, there was no one else in the lobby and no one using the self-service machine. Well, the machine was very slow and I was having trouble with the transaction. A man arrived and stood behind me. I wanted to have tracking on this package, but that didn’t come up as an option. Meanwhile the man behind me starts making rude comments. He continued making rude comments, bullying me the entire time I was trying to finish mailing my package.

He was wearing an US Marines baseball cap and due to the size of his paunch, my impression is that it has been several years since he was in that branch of the military service. Now you all know Portland Firefly is very patriotic and I greatly respect and honor the sacrifices that military families have made for our country. BUT…. that does not give anyone a sense of entitlement to be mean and rude to anyone just because he had to wait a few minutes for his turn.

I am not used to dealing with bullies, so it was several minutes (in fact I was on my way home) before I recognized his bad behavior as bullying. How I feel for children who are bullied at school!

Christmas is Coming!

pdxfirefly — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:47:15 +0000

Look at the date!

October 26th!

Christmas is just two short months away!

Drug Shortage Petition

pdxfirefly — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:47:58 +0000

Some of you may know that there is a drug shortage for many cancer treatment drugs. Here is a petition if you want to sign it. After you sign on the petition, it will take you to a page where they ask for a donation. Just close out the window and your petition will be accepted without a donation. Thank you.

Drug Shortage Petition

Many women in treatment for ovarian cancer have been affected by the drug shortage.

In an effort to foster action, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance has put together a petition.

Please click on the link below to view and sign the petition.

Drug Shortage Petition

The Hungry Hawk

pdxfirefly — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 07:17:26 +0000

As you know I love to go and watch the Swifts at Chapman School. The nightly show is a Portland exclusive and a special tradition! Every fall, I try to go at least once; and it is usually only once a year. But this year it is different. My PEO Chapter attended earlier in September however my family couldn’t come that night. So last night the family (and a few friends) went to see the spectacular air show by natures creatures.

There were a lot of birds early in September, but not as many as there were last night! Also the first time we went this year, we never saw one raptor (hawk) getting his dinner. But last night was a different story! It was more fun last night because there was more action.

The Vaux Swifts were just beginning to fly down the famous Chapman School chimney when the crowd saw the big black bird come swooping into the flock of Swifts. The crowd ‘oohed’ in unison as the flock scattered in the air. Disoriented, the hawk kept flying then disappeared. But only for a while. Soon he was back for another try. No luck this time either. And it actually looked as if the flock of tiny Swifts were chasing that big old black hawk away! They circled and dodged each other for many enchanting seconds. Then nothing and the crowd went back to watching the birds fly into the chimney.

And then I felt it…. at the same time I saw it … the Hawk was on a diving run and just a few feet right over my head! Zoom! I think I heard the rush of wind on his wings he was so close to us on this dive bomb run! Again it looked as if he missed.

Ah. But Mr. Hawk was still hungry and was not about to give up. The crowd was in for two or three more thrilling hunting passes. The flock scattering each time. Finally the hawk gave up (did he get his fill?) and the last of the little Swifts went into the chimney for their nightly rest. The crowd applauded in joy and appreciation and collected their picnic baskets, blankets and trash and headed home with smiles on their faces.

Coffee Day

pdxfirefly — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:29:11 +0000

Today is National Coffee Day. Several chains including 7-Eleven and Krispy Kreme are giving away free coffee today. Enjoy!!!

The Quarter under the Hedge

pdxfirefly — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:37:28 +0000

Early in the summer, one of my neighbors had a garage sale. Of course I attended and actually purchased several boxes of beautiful note cards since I write a lot of thank you nots. As we were leaving the sale , I noticed something shiny in the gravel next to the hedge. As I looked at it more carefully and intently, I realized that it was half of a shiny quarter ticking out of the gravel/dirt. Since my arms were full of my new purchases, I told the owner about the quarter. As she came over to look at it, I left assuming that she would pick it up. A few days later, I saw it again; I guess she didn’t pick it up. Now on my daily walks, I try to look for the quarter at least once a week. After several months, it is still there!!! It is sort of like a treasure hunt on my walk, just to look and see if it is still in its special spot!

Doggie Diary – Dog Sharing

pdxfirefly — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:16:59 +0000

Since I have been feeling well these last several weeks, I have tried to get a lot done. This often means going to stores and (since I am looking to change my living situation) and apartments/condos. It is difficult to get much done with doggie in tow. Two weeks ago I had a conversation with my neighbor where he indicated to me that they would love to adopt a little dog, but because his wife is blind ( and some other items) this particular shelter refused!!??? They are a wonderful retired couple and so I asked if they would like to have Mercedes for a few hours while I went to the store or other errands where she couldn’t ride along. They were really excited at the idea and so Mercedes has been at their house several time the last few weeks. It is a win/win/win situation as far as I am concerned! And all this came from a casual conversation between neighbors!

Arsenic in Apple Juice

pdxfirefly — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:27:03 +0000

Today, Dr. Oz’s show focused on the amount of arsenic in Apple juice. Yes, the poison ~Arsenic~ in the juice that we give to our little ones!

The results are astounding! Most of the juices are made from apple juice concentrate. And the majority of them use concentrate from CHINA, which has no controls over the amount of arsenic allowed in products. The concentrate is shipped to the US in big barrels and the US companies are mixing it up with water. After it is boxed up it is sold in our grocery stores and served to our children. It is not tested by the FDA to my knowledge.

Arsenic is a toxic poison. Extreme amounts can cause death. Smaller amounts can damage individual DNA, cause cancer, brain problems, and other things. Not what we want for our children!

Usually apple juice that is made from concentrat from the United States is safe. Be sure to do your homework regarding this issue…

10 parts of arsenic per billion parts is what is allowed by the USDA. Dr. Oz had several products tested from grocery stores all over the US. I know that you have had at least one of these and most probably so has your child!

Minute Maid 2 – 3 parts

Apple & Evie 3-11 parts

Motts 4-16 parts

Juicy Juice 2 – 22 parts

Gerber 6 – 36 parts

For more info go to: www.doctoroz.com

Fly Your Flag September 11

pdxfirefly — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 07:36:02 +0000

This Sunday is the 10th anniversary of September 11th. I already have my American flag flying.

Today, I went to Dollar tree and purchased 8 small flags on a stick. Tomorrow, we will put them in the front yard of my neighbors houses. I want everyone to remember and honor the lessons of that day! The Portland Port of Authority has lined Airport Way, the road leading to the airport, with large American flags. I bet it is beautiful!

Fly Your Flag!

Swift Watch 2011

pdxfirefly — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 07:21:11 +0000

Well, September is the time of year to pack up a picnic dinner, take the kids and head out to Chapman School in NorthEast Portland to watch the swifts as they perform their aerial show before they go to roost in the school’s old chimney. Now through the end of September is the best time to go….

Will you see me there???

http://audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch

Nostalia Gum

pdxfirefly — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 07:49:01 +0000

OK, so I am checking out at Bi-Mart after getting my 30 Seconds Cleaner and I am just about finished with my transaction when I see it. The little cardboard display stand focusing my attention on Nostalgia Gum! Yes, there they are … the burnt orange colored wrappers of Clove gum, the blue wrappers of Black Jack gun and then the white wrappers encasing (my favorite) Beamens! I purchased one of each and had black gum in my mouth before I exited the check-out stand! Mu-m-m-m, it had the same licorice flavor that my 7 year old brain remembered! This non-gum-chewer will treat herself to a piece every day!

Do you remember Black Jack, Clove & Beamens?

Labor Day, 2011

pdxfirefly — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 07:56:50 +0000

I hope that you all enjoy this National Holiday and that you are flying your flag today!!!!

Sand in the City

pdxfirefly — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 01:15:34 +0000

Sand in the City, sponsored by Koin chanel 6 is underway at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland, Oregon! It starts today ~ Friday~ and continues through Sunday afternoon, 7/17/11. There is a small admission charge which benfits Impact Northwest.

Friday, July 15th, 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 16th, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 17th, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information go to: http://www.sandinthecitypdx.com/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=462136&lis=1&kntae462136=985942A9029643B593E9E9C728CBF238

Happy Summer

pdxfirefly — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 22:36:51 +0000

The weathermen here in Portland have a saying: “Summer doesn’t begin here until July 5th!”

This year the saying proved to be ture. Well actually it stopped raining here around June 3oth; July 1st was beautiful and it stayed a little cloudy on July 2nd. By the Fourth of July we were at 80+ degrees and today, July 5th, it’s back up in the 80′s.

And now comes the complaining…. Portlanders are so used to cool cloudy days that we complain when it gets about 78 degrees because now it is — you guessed it –TOO HOT!

I remember something that occured just after I moved to Portland from the midwest which is famous for its seasonal weather extremes. I was waiting in line at the checkout counter at my local grocery store . The clerk at the checkout counter had initiated a conversation about the weather by stating to the man in front of me in line “Everyone is wearing coats and hats and gloves today. Is it cold out?” His comment was “Yes, it is really cold out. I hope it doesn’t last long because everyone is freezing.”

I was wearing my lightweight midwest winter coat and didn’t feel the need to wear gloves or a hat for this trip to the grocery store so I was interested in the comment. As I went outside into the 38-40 degree air I remember thinking ”if this is freezing cold here in Portland, I am really going to be happy here!” And I have been.

Except now I have become used to the mild temps here and so the heat today (84) is hotter than I like. Well, I do have another reason to not like the heat. It is this new Chemo drug that I am on. Doxil. I cannot go into the sun at all without sunscreen on or my skin will blister. This has presented a challeng when driving, so I keep a quilt in the car and use it to cover up my arms when I am driving if the sun is shining on my hands and arms. But at least I am not over fatigued as I was with the Carbo/taxol drugs.

And so Happy summer! Be sure to wear susnscreen!!!