Junk to Funk
… bringing trashion edutainment to the masses.
November 14th will mark the fourth annual Junk to Funk Recycled Fashion Show Contest. Junk to Funk aims to educate about waste-reduction and recycling issues, and to inspire creative re-use. Up to 40 pieces of wearable art and couture fashion are showcased based on the creative use [...]

climate crisis, climate change

Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference takes place in Copenhagen this December. The agreement they craft may or may not have a significant impact on saving our planet.  350.org is a grassroots movement via the Internet [...]

19th century mechanical man in today’s news
Boilerplate is a robot. Two Portland, Oregonians, illustrator/author Paul Guinan and author Anina Bennett, have created the Boilerplate Web site, which has become an “Internet phenomenon” that is a lot of fun. Their new book will be available in bookstores on October 1, 2009.
“Now, the adventures of Boilerplate have [...]

… there is so much knowledge in every community. Fortunately many cities arrange gardening workshops.
Eugene, Oregon, had a fun offering in Skinner City Garden this August: Saving Seed, presented by our favorite Seed Ambassadors. The event was free to the public and hosted by City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division.
The shade at the [...]

Blueberries, cherries, whatever is ready in your part of the country, now is a lovely time to get into the fields and pick your own fruit.
Blueberries and strawberries are especially fun for kids, as the bushes are low and the berries easy to pick. If your afternoons are hot, mornings are better.
Some U-Pick or Pick-Your-Own [...]

The Oregon City farmers Market and New Seasons are teaming up this summer to make fresh healthy foods more accessible to Oregon Trail Card holders. Starting July 4th the market will be matching funds up to $5 per day per person. Thanks to a grant from New Seasons people with the card who come to [...]

(Portland, Ore.) April 30, 2009 – Humanities scholars will converge on Portland State University May 14-16, 2009, for the inaugural “Understanding Sustainability: Perspectives from the Humanities.”
This national event will consider the cultures, histories, values and imaginations at stake in “sustainability.” Carolyn Merchant, author and professor of environmental history, philosophy, and ethics at the University of [...]

The Old Farmer’s Almanac offers tips on how to fight germs by scrubbing.
You can help to stop the spread of swine flu. Just as for any flu or
cold, one countermeasure is simple: Wash your hands. As they say, an
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
According to a recent The Old Farmer’s Almanac article, [...]

 
The Milk Carton Boat Races are coming back to Portland and families and individuals interested in racing are invited to a free milk carton boat building class hosted by the Dairy Farmers of Oregon. Led by veteran milk carton boat builders from the Portland Rose Festival, potential racers will learn tips and tricks for building [...]