I wrote the bulk of this before I realized that BlueOregon had already put one up, but here you go:

If’n you’re tired of all the candy and flowers (even though I’d have a hard time believing you), you can celebrate our state becoming a state!

History on my native land (yes, I was born in Oregon) can be found here, courtesy of the lovely Wikipedia.

And should you be feeling sufficiently historical, you can read up a bit on the lovely PDX (and it’s dirty dirty little secrets) here, even though we all know there are probably loads better stories around.

Happy Birthday Oregon! When I was in the fourth grade I helped raise money so we could re-bling the guy on top of the Capitol building. We raised a lot more than I thought we would for being such a small school, but we got a certificate from the state thanking us that hangs in the main entry of the school to this day.

Did any of you do stuff like that in school? Tell me about it! (points to the comment link)

Well I don’t know that the Meetup was a success exactly, but I had a really good time. And I finally have something Portlandy to blog about!
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Isaac Laquedem, a PDX blogger I hold in high esteem, argues in a post today that Phillips is making a mistake – not in firing unpopular HR head Steve Goldschmidt (which he predicted a few months back), but by not honoring his $357,000 previously-negotiated severance package. He agrees that “yes, it’s a lavish severance provision; yes, the district didn’t have to put that into his contract; and yes, it’s a waste of money” – all points I agree with him wholeheartedly on, of course.

Here’s where we differ. Isaac says that “she should have the district pay up…the government should honor its contracts.” And in most cases, I’d agree with him here as well.

BUT I believe Phillips is using this dismissal to send a very clear message to several groups. And while Isaac lives in a black and white world where a contract is a contract – I come from the world where perceptions matter – and need to be as carefully managed as any contractural obligation.

I believe here’s what she’s telling us:

To teachers, staff, and union officials: “I get it. I heard you. He’s gone. And there won’t be more like him here.”

To taxpayers without kids in the system (many still grumbling about the ITax: “I hear you about financial accountability. There will be no more golden parachutes. And I’ll clean out my own house before asking for future handouts.”

And to parents who’ve been watching and waiting to see if she’d take on the 600-lb elephants in the middle of the room: “See, I’m willing to do what needs to be done.”

As Isaac says, it was Canada’s contract. It’ll be no skin off her nose if the district eventually has to pony up. And I do believe it’s all but certain Goldschmidt will get some, if not all, of a severance package (unless, of course, there’s another scandal lurking in the wings.)

But don’t think she’s not using this opportunity to send some very clear messages.

I, for one, am listening. Applauding. And waiting for the next move.

Don’t forget, the meetup is tomorrow! Stumptown DOWNtown, 128 SW 3rd. Proceedings commence at 7:30 but there are no penalties for being late as long as you aren’t TOO late. And if you can’t find it, hook up with that shiny new mappy thing from Google and we’ll see you there!

And why does it matter, anyway?

I’m a big believer in ‘keeping it local’ when it comes to spending my money. I like knowing that I’m helping to keep the local economy afloat, but I also like saving money whenever possible. And getting to support a worthy cause? It’s the trifecta, as far as I’m concerned.

That’s why The Chinook Book is one typical school fundraiser you ought to say an unqualified yes! to. Not only does it kick money back to your charity of choice, but it’s loaded with coupons (250 in this year’s edition) and special offers that support our nearest and dearest businesses right here in Portland and surrounding areas (with a few small exceptions.)

Sure, they’re expensive – typically $20.00 or so. I’ve got kids, so have been strongarmed into buying one in the past – and promptly left the book sitting on the shelf, figuring I’d already done my good deed by buying the book.

This year? I’m all about the coupons – and after using only two, I’ve already redeemed my purchase price and supported my daughter’s PTA to the tune of $10.00 – all while feeling warm and fuzzy by supporting Saturday Academy and Stumptown Coffee, to boot (the ‘buy 1/2 pound, get one free’ coupon dovetails nicely with my daily Stumptown coffee-making habit, hooray!)

And it’s not just about buying ‘stuff’ – you can discounts on performances, admission to the Art Museum, and meals at local restaurants, for example.

Finally, if you’ve read today’s S. Renee Mitchell column in The O urging us all to ‘think Portland first’ when buying everything from muffins and coffee to groceries and drugstore sundries (sigh…I’d link it if I could find it online, grrr), it’s just one more way to support our local businesses in tangible ways. There’s even a movement afoot – Think Local First.

Chinook Books should be available around town – I’ll update this with more information once I can find out exactly where (or if you want to support my kid’s school, email me and I’ll connect you…)

An article in the Tribune today about podcasting features Tim Germer, the host of Northwest Noise. The story is a good introduction to what podcasting is and even points out how to get started, but I feel like it ignores some of the hurdles that podcasting needs to jump in order to go mainstream.

I feel there needs to be some higher quality high visibility podcasts that can serve as an example of the medium. Also, getting the content on the iPod needs to be easier (maybe with Apple putting an RSS reader into Safari that will make things easier on the Mac side). And finally, how long until the RIAA gets their panties in a wad about pirating music on podcasts?

In the preparations for Fat Tuesday, a “holiday” created exclusively for dangerous binge drinking, the Portland Police warn us that in recent years they have received a number of complaints from women stating that they have been touched inappropriately.

This year however, will be different! Portland Police will have a substantial and visible presence in Downtown Portland to guard against inappropriate touching. The Chief of Police himself has chimed in, stating, “Not only is this activity inappropriate, it is also criminal.” They will throw you in jail!

You can read the official Police Alert at portlandonline.com/police.

Anyone following or interested in the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the City Council’s plan to demand oversight should read b!X’s latest piece on the issue, “What You Don’t Know About The Joint Terrorism Task Force“.

It seems the requirements are a lot less formal than we all thought, and the JTTF’s use of Portland Police is based only on the say so of the Chief of Police.

If you want to put faces together with names on a screen, you’ll have at least two opportunities to do so in the next week.

Tonight, Portland Bloggers gather at Backspace (115 NW 5th Avenue) at 6 pm (look for people on the couches, from what I’ve read.) Illusionaire, Greyduck, and Frykitty are all regulars and should be in attendance (and yours truly might be able to make an appearance as well – don’t let that scare you off, though!)

And then we’ve (the Metblogs crew) got another rendezvous planned, this one on Thursday, February 10th at 7:30pm @ the downtown Stumptown. If you’re a MeetUp member (or want to be) – RSVP here & join the Metroblogging MeetUp group!

The Wurst Gallery, run by Jason Sturgill, has a great new exhibit of work from a variety of artists. The artists were instructed to pick up a piece of art from their local thriftstore and then manipulate it. The results are really amazing and have been getting a lot of internet attention.

I really like seeing the before and after.