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).

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!

It looked like a great option. If it was an alternate route, I’d be home in a few minutes and I will have learned a new way home.  If it turned out to be a fluke, then I would have learned something new about Portland!  I love adventure… so… I followed the other three cars.

And it came out at a very familiar street.  I was on  my way home!   This was one of those times that intuition was right! And I could get home in time to miss all of those school busses!

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.

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

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!

Will you see me there???

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

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

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!!!

Registration is on Thursday, June 30th and Friday, July 1st, 2011. Wristbands will be distributed to auditioners during pre-registration (tables open Thursday and remain open until Saturday morning). Once auditioners obtain their wristbands, they will be asked to return to the stadium early morning Saturday, July 2 to line up for their audition.

Two valid forms of ID are required (see rules) and must be shown every time   i.e.  registration & actual audition.  Those under 18 MUST have a legal parent or guardian present in addition to the valid ID. 

You have less than one week to get your wonderful voice in ‘audition shape’, so get practicing!!!

FAQ: http://media.americanidol.com/forms/season_11/ai11_faqs.pdf

Required Release Form (print, fill out and bring with you): http://media.americanidol.com/forms/season_11/ai11_releases.pdf

Read the Rules: http://media.americanidol.com/forms/season_11/ai11_rules.pdf

Public Transportation Info:  http://trimet.org/     Rose Quarter Transit Center. The Rose Quarter Transit Center is located across from the Rose Garden Arena. It is in Zone 1.

Please note that Portland is considered the City of Roses due to the many beautiful rose gardens in our city. The auditions are held at the Rose Garden ARENA.  If you search Rose Garden, you will end up at one of our illustrious city’s beautiful Rose Gardens, but will not be at the AI Auditions!   Stop and Smell the Roses!

And GOOD LUCK, PORTLAND!!!!

Chico’s store at Washington Square Mall is having a Shop for the Cure Day where they will donate 10% of sales to the local ovarian cancer fund raising organization for ovarian cancer – The SHOC Foundation.  Please shop and when paying, please remind your sales associate that you are ‘Shopping for a Cure” .  Thank you!

www.shocfoundation.org

The mission of Abby’s Closet is to inspire confidence and respect in high school women by providing free formal gowns for prom and other memorable events. 

The “7th Annual Abby’s Closet Prom Gown Giveaway” will be held on April 2-3, 2011 at the DoubleTree Hotel Exhibit Hall-Lloyd Center.  All high school women are invited to attend to receive a FREE gown  (just need to show a high school ID).  Hope to see you there!  For more information, click HERE.

By the way, Abby’s Closet also accepts donations of wearable gowns of all styles and sizes.  Go to the website to donate.   http://www.abbyscloset.org

Ah, tomorrow morning is the day to say, “Top o’ the Morning to ye.”  I hope you all have a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy the parade and the corned beef and cabbage and colcannon.

Here is the link to a colcannon  (mashed potatoes & cabbage) recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tylers-ultimate/colcannon-recipe/index.html

Enjoy!!

I was really excited to get her and didn’t realize how long the process would take.  I had to go through an interview process where we went over all of her paperwork.  Since she was a ‘surrender’ the previous owner had filled out 6 pages of forms which we needed to go over.   Part way through reading these surrender papers, I started to cry while thinking, “How could anyone give up this sweet girl?”     I was anxious to get her and take her home and start her new life with me, so I stopped reading so carefully and just glanced over the remainder of the form. 
After they checked my Drivers License Number, I was then approved to go to the cashier and pay for her. I brought the receipt back and they went to get her ~ after waiting for an available kennel attendant.  This was about a 10 -15 minute wait.  Then my little ball of white fluff finally arrived in the arms of a caring attendant.  She attempted to locate Mercedes microchip and when she couldn’t locate it, she took her away again (more waiting) to insert another one.  Then more time to go over that paperwork!

Since it was cold outside, I brought a little sweater for her to wear in the car home.  Then we put her seatbelt harness on her and the attendant carried her out to the car.   They are very careful during this phase of the adoption process because I guess that they have had dogs bolt before they were put securely into the new adopters vehicles.  We put Mercedes into her seat belt in the front seat and the attendant held onto her while I went around to open my door and got into the car and closed my door.  Then Mercedes door was shut and we were off on our way!

Mercedes loves to ride in the car and I don’t think that she took her eyes off of me for more than a few seconds on the ride home.  I took her outside on the leash so she would know where to go.  She followed me around the house for the rest of the day and just kept watching me.  She adjusted Ok that first day and even ate from her cute little dishes. 

She whimpered a little bit at bed time, but I knew that she was fine and just had to ignore her until she settled down a few minutes later.  

She has settled into our routine and is getting used to me and is really showing her cute, impish personality.

So before you go to sleep on Saturday night, move all of your clock ahead 1 hour.  So, if you are changing your clocks at 10:00 pm, you will move them to 11:00 pm.  You moved the clocks ahead 1 hour and you just lost an hour of sleep!  So get in bed and sleep fast!

Fri. 2pm-8pm, Sat. 10am-7pm, Sun. 11am-5pm

Portland Renovation & Remodeling Show is the premiere event in the building and construction industry dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. This is the only national event that brings remodelers, custom builders, residential architects, and designers together to meet face to face with top manufacturers to preview innovative products, information, tools & services.

 I actually had my hand on the mouse to close out the site as I was quickly scrolling to the bottom of the last page – disappointed but glad to be able to take a little rest.  AND …. there she was !  ….. second from the bottom.  Suzy.  A ball of white fluff with two eyes in there somewhere behind the cute little black nose.  My heart started beating faster, my mind racing, trying to figure out if she really was available and now what do I do to get her? 

I went back and reread her bio, jotted down her ID number, clicked around the site to find the phone number and called the shelter.  Yes she is available,  just came in today, there are no holds on her.  I decided to go and see her, but the shelter is on the other side of town and now it is rush hour. 

Grabbing a very quick bite of  early dinner, and refilling my water bottle, I rechecked  the directions and got in the car.  She was still  available when I arrived and she & I had a ‘meet and greet’ in a large private room designed for just that purpose.  She was perfect!   Since she had not been spayed yet, I couldn’t take her home that day but I could put a non-refundable deposit to hold her until she could go home.  I knew that I would change her name since she was going to have a new life .  I watched her carefully during our time together and when I called out the name ‘Mercedes’ she stopped her explorations and looked right at me!  So that was settled, her name is Mercedes.  She is a Bichon Frise which is the breed of dog that the Spanish explorers would take with them on long voyages and they are often pictured in Goya’s paintings of Spanish Royalty.  And so my new little doggie has a beautiful Spanish name to go with her beautiful spirit.   I immediately paid the additional $15.00 fee and signed the papers and told her that I’d see her the next day. And I left. I was tired when I arrived home.

The next day, Tuesday, I kept  my promise and drove the 60 miles to see her again.  But she wasn’t in her kennel when I arrived.  My Motherly instincts kicked in and I went back to the front desk to find out where she was.  She was on a ‘meet and greet’ with another family!   I was so upset… She is my dog!   They informed me that until she is formally adopted after her surgery that they can still continue to ‘show’ her and can also put two more ‘holds’ on her.  When the attendant opened the door to the room that she was in (with the other family!), I said “There she is; that’s her!”  Guess who came trotting over to the doorway?  Mercedes.  Yes, I am sure that she remembered my voice from the day before!  She is a very smart dog! I told the attendant “Please tell that family not to get too attached to her.  She is my dog and she WILL be going home with ME as soon as she can leave.” That dog was not going to go home with anyone but me!

I waited for the other family to be finished with MY DOG, and then I got to sit with her again and hold her and sing to her and talk to her.  We had some more bonding time together and I got a lot of my questions answered.  I told her goodby and the next time I’d see her, she would be going home with me.  “Now get in your bed and go to sleep, Mercedes.  I’ll pick you up on Thursday.”  She had surgery scheduled for Wednesday and I would not be able to see her that day as she would need to rest quietly ‘in the back’  that day and night.   I could complete the adoption process when I came to get her on Thursday.

For the location nearest to you go to : www.ihop.com