Susan Brown
Susan Brown running a marathon
My friend Susan Brown is awesome. For a lot of reasons. Too many, in fact, to list here.
Her most recent display of awesomeness is the fact that she just ran her first marathon–the Portland Marathon. Not normally a runner, she’s trained for roughly a year to prepare for this little weekend jaunt. She turns 50 next month.
I was there on 10-10-10 to see her run and help celebrate this milestone. She came off that 26.2 mile run in better shape than people half her age. Knowing Sue, this isn’t surprising.
Sue is amazing to me. She’s strong, determined, smart, fun, thoughtful and all around brilliant. She shines like moonlight reflecting on a still lake.
Her equally fabulous husband asked me to make a sign to hold up for her that day. It’s something that he feels describes her essence:
To inspire is purpose enough.
-Barrett Brown, inspired by wife Susan
Yep. That pretty much says it all.
Phame Academy of Fine Arts
Many of us can testify to the importance and awesomeness of arts in our lives. Participation in the arts can change lives, develop self-confidence and teach life lessons. It’s something that everyone should have the opportunity to experience. Phame Academy of Fine Arts in Portland Oregon brings that opportunity to teens and adults with developmental disabilities.
Our slogan is “Talent Revealed”. In order to accomplish this goal, PHAME practices the “Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain” teaching philosophy. This approach supports the students by providing opportunities that encourage education, enlightening experiences, and entertainment derived from not only the classroom and special event environments, but also from the experiences and support derived from parents, guardians, and the students themselves.
Do you have experience with the performing arts? Phame volunteers do everything from classroom work to costuming. For more information, or to get involved with this awesome organization, visit the Phame website.
The Side Yard
Thanks to Jess Culpepper and Mary Buckheit for this awesome recommendation!
The Side Yard
The Side Yard brings together two of our favorite things: awesome people and awesome food. According to the weibsite:
The Side Yard is a small scale urban farm located in NE Portland, Oregon, established in 2009 by Stacey Givens. We provide local restaurants with specialty produce. We use sustainable farming practices: rain catch systems, vermicomposting, and always pesticide and herbicide free. The farm is largely operated by volunteers who gain hands on experience with the farm-to-table movement.
Our goal is to grow produce sustainably and ethically, with a creative touch. We are known for our micro crops, such as: micro breakfast radish, micro carrots, micro beets and more. The farm produces a wide range of seasonal veggies, fruits, and culinary herbs and is harvested within hours of delivery to ensure quality and freshness. We are COOKS, FOOD LOVERS, FARMERS, and STUDENTS… WE ARE THE SIDE YARD!
Want to get involved? Become a volunteer? An intern? Just visit The Side Yard online.
ttp://www.thesideyardpdx.com/volunteer.html
Palm frond animals
Lots of people like balloon animals, with their colors and squeaks. How about their cousins, the palm frond animals? They come mostly in green-tones, and rattle more than squeak, but they’re equally cute, and even more intricate.
Fred the Palm Frond Cricket
They also make really good driving buddies.
Churros
There is something about a churro that is transporting.
Churros!
Maybe it’s the fried dough, or the little ridges. Maybe it’s the cinnamon/sugar combo, or the bright colors of the churro stands. I don’t know, but they make me feel like a little kid…well, more than usual.
Or maybe it’s eating one in a place like Disneyland that makes it magical. I’m not sure. It’ll probably take some additional field research.
Himalayan salt lamps
Himalayan salt lamp
Himalayan salt lamps are beautiful. They can look like rose quartz, or other gemstones. When lit by a bulb or candle, they emit a warm glow. Michele gave me one to keep in my office, and it made my days brighter, to be sure.
Beyond looking pretty, these lamps are believed to do far more. According to the Himalayan Salt Lamp Shop’s website:
According to various sources, Himalayan salt crystal lamps can benefit you in the following ways:
- Heat from the bulb or flame causes the salt to emit negative ions
- These negative ions bond with the pollutants in the air (positive ions) and neutralize them
- Also, the newly bonded ions become heavier and fall to the ground removing them from the air circulation
- In addition, these negative ions combat electro-smog caused by electronic devices operating in the home
- Symptoms from asthma, allergies, and other illnesses can also subside from the effects of these products
- Concisely, these products cleanse the air naturally and are extremely beautiful
Bates Nut Farm
October is smack-dab in the middle of Fall. The leaves are changing, and there’s a chill in the air. That means it’s time for pumpkins! And corn mazes, and the last bit of outdoor fun of the season.
Pumpkin patch at Bates Nut Farm
Bates Nut Farm in San Diego County is known as one of the great, old-fashioned farms, where you can sample fudge, run through a straw maze, go on a tractor ride, and pick out your pumpkin for Halloween.
Whether you’re headed to Bates, or another local farm, now’s the time to enjoy the awesome days of fall.
Dan Savage and Terry Miller
Dan Savage is a columnist. He writes about being human, being a man, and about being gay. The recent spate of gay bullying and teen suicide highlighted in the media led him and his boyfriend, Terry Miller to launch a new initiative called, “It Gets Better.”
Designed to tell GLBT youth that life really does get better as you grow older, the project has inspired thousands of community members to create their own videos sharing their stories. Writers, teachers, City Council members – all are joining Dan and Terry in bringing hope to kids who really need it.
That’s awesome.
Wispy clouds
Wispy clouds
Some of the most amazing art I’ve ever seen is in the sky.
Thin, wispy clouds swirling as if to music.
Beautiful. Breathtaking. Awesome.
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage
Dancing Rabbit home on the cover of Yes!
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is pretty awesome. It’s an ecologically sustainable community of 50 where people build their own homes.
Homes are built from a variety of sustainable materials that naturally maintain an event temperature inside.
Read the article in Yes! Magazine and visit the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage website to learn more.
